The deserter

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60ooeo5iex

^4-9- 3

4'HE DESERTER

A IfOTXL.

Printed by J. Darling, LeadenhalU

^^i:;^«>'*^"

I .<

TUM

DESERTER.

a Hotel

IN FOUB TOLUHES.
BT

AMELIA BEAUCLERC,

JtVmOB OF MONTBBITHE, Ott TBE PBER OF aCOfUXD^
HUSRäND HtTNTBRS, 4«. 4«.

9

Vor trat all love Aut ftom Um, thoa|(b hb d^yt
Qf paaioB bad eooidm'd tbcmKlvealo daiti
It ii ia TalB that we woold eoMiy fiM
Oa ndi ai anite npon «•; 'dM lieartmMt
Leap Undiy back to UadBOB, tho^ di^pHl
Bakhwaan'ditfromaUworidiiiip: tbaaiiaMI;
For Ihcre wai aoft rcmembraDee and iwact tnut
In oae fcod breait, to whkh Ua owb WNld meK,
Aad In Üa tcadotr how oa Ihat Ua taMom dnvlti

LORD BYRON.

VOL. III.

ftoidvon:

Pttmitd €l Ik* Mimtfm JVm»/n>
k. K. NEWMAlf AND CO. LBADEMHALI^STK^^T«

1817.

4^

THE DESERTER.

CHAJPTERI

» # ^##^«»o#<»^*<#^»<»

MeANWHILE Edgar grew weaiy

•• •

of his employment ; the work began by

the style was digoirited— the grammar
false — and the orühQgraphy vfllaoious ; the
last defeot Edgar attributed to carelessness
and hurry of mind ; indeed he wished to
believe all the ^tots arose from the same
cause^ for he ^ould not suppose aoi author^
and a gentleman, oould be ignoxant on
those points. .

Edgar was puzzled, but at length ven-
TOI., iH. B tured

2 THE DESEETER.

tured, as he copied, to spell the words
right at least ; fearing to give offence by
further correction, and doubting bis own
knowledge of the English idiom, he left
ofF work tili the earl should come in, and
further advise him on the subject ; but the
moming was gone, and no earl was seen.

Edgar dressed, and went to the palace
afe.th^ho^r ofdinner; he did not ^ppear
b^re tbjB countßse ^s pn the day preoed«
ing, fearing to encpunter her-alone^ Ijut
ent^ed the ga^den tUl the la^t dinnerrbc^l
shpuld g^ye the suBEunons; aad this did
npt sQUQd tül an hour la^er than u$ual^ *

. A» B^^r.a{]ypro9cbed the countess, she
looked quite out of humour, and asked
for the edjtl with an air of impq.tieiioej add*
in^ tbatit was very iocpnyenient to noa^j^e
her wait dinner, as her Company a^em-
bl^ at sl^.

Edgwr

E^^gar ^eaded ignopanee' o£ his patron*s
movements, mid had supposed he was at
bome.

LaTinia, wfao liad been ocoupied by
«ome y oung k^es at tbe e»d of the room,
HO sooner 'faeiffd Edgar's voice thail she
oame forward with leoks of alarm — ^ Do
ftm not speak of my father ?*'' she cried ;
^ is lie not' with yoit ? He is not in tfais
hoose; seine etü has befidlen him. Mr.
St Valerie, remember last night ! What
aie we to do P-^— miist I ^ver call on you to
be dbampäon '&r my father? Dear Mr.
St. Valerie, find hun — bring him home to
his unhappy diäd. Un&rtuiiiite^ iU-stär«
xed man, why letldm out of your sight?
Oh that prefect! But we lose time*
woift you go and seek for him ? I know
you tviU— -I see pity in your eyes. Let

B 2 me

4 XHE DESEBTEIt.

me go with you, and I shall be more con-
tent" /
" Lady Lavinia," said the couAtess, "re-

strain yoursdf; these transports are too
wild. Coine in to .dinner — it is out of
rule thus to break my arrangements ; my
party will assemble «re I digest my meal
; — ^this may cost rae a fit of sickness ; my
brothier is very safe«— I have jio doubt of
Jum. Ma^am, I vn^yon would be com*
posed, of retire to your room.'*

Lavinia did retire to her Chamber, for
Edgar was fiown, and in five minutes
found Mmself at the prefecfs door; but,
to his great disappointment, the prefect
dined in the country, a league fi-om Leg-*
hmi, and would not retum tili a late hour.

Edgar stood cm the £^eps, not knowing
what Q^xt to do : agaiu he tumed Ito qu^Sr

tion

TIffi BESEETälT. 6

'fiitm tbe porter, and describe £he earl ; but
the saucy look of the fellow, and bis gaudy
dress, caused bim to tum off in complete
disgust, assured tbat if tbe fellow bad seen
the earl, be would be careful not to teil
bim» but ratber lejoice in the miscbief tbat
xnight ensue.

Bdgar next went to every eoffeebouse
in the town; in some of tbese be beard of
tbe earl, but could not traice bis steps.to
the direct spot ; and he CQntinued to wan-
der irom stieet to street> and on tbe quaysi
and amongst tbe beatmen^ until be was
sinldng with bunger and weariness; yet
he would not retum to Lavinia in such
uncertainty, or bear to witness her dis-
tress; be took some lemonade and biseuit
at a tavem, and then renewed bis pursuit :
at a late hour be retumed to the prefeef »,

wbere a soldier was waiting witbout the

B 3 door.

6, THE BESE&TlillL

door. Before Edgar tung the bell, iie
Bäied the soldier if he too had business
withm ?

The soldier replied, he had a rqport ta
give to monseigneur the prdQsct-.rbut he
was not coHie home ; and added, he had.
been in waiting some hours.

" Do you make reports to the prefect ?"
Said Edgar ; *^ he is> a magistrate, not a
military man."

** I know that," cried the soldier; " but

my father, who is the keeper of —

Castle, has taken a spy, and the fellow m
so oatrageous, that they had better hang
him at daylight, to put him out of the
way ; the rogue nearly tore the old man's
head öff — as he put his victuals, in at the
hole, the villsän tfarust bis arm through,
seissed hold of bis hair, and swore he would
scalp him if he did not unbolt the door ;

happily

^ppily I heard the outoy, and went to
my fiither's assistance; I unclenched his
fingers with iny knife, and cut them to
'the böne; so fether sent me to report him,
lest he might bleed to death in the night»
and my fiither löse the reward."

Edgar Mt ä presentimerit thät this sup*
posed s{^ was his patron; he made the
soldier deseribe hitn, and beUeved it more
and more; and when the man repeated
his jargonic language, Edgar feit convin-
ced that the eaii was fbund, though in a
pitiable pKght ; he offered the man a diicat
to lead him to the place^ and let him see
thespy.

The soldier demarred ; but when Ed-
gar advised him to be on his guard, as an
American gentleman was missing, and
that his father would be severely punished
6hould he have made a mistake, as -the

- B 4 American

8 THE BESERTEB.

American was under the protection^ of th^
eonntess, who was well known to the
whole town, the soldier took the ducat,
and offered Edgar hjs arm to conduct hun
to the place where the supposed spy was
eonfined.

On the way he began to siispect hiij
guide; he was unarmed,, and advancing
to a remote part of the town, where no
lamps illumined the way, or patrole ever
Tisited in their rounds. tt was rash and
inconsiderate to proceed ; yet if the ead
was- indeed eonfined and wounded» he
might die for want of instant relief. Ed-
gar walked on briskly, and trusted to his
guardian angel for his personal security : he
knew Lavinia was miserable, and he would
not return to her without carrying good
»ews,

At length the soldier rung at a gat^

ani

THE DESERTEB. 9

und Edgar^ with a sort of desperation» pasfr.
€d the wicket, which was opened by tbe
old man, whp seemed alanne^^Dn behold^
ing a stranger.

** Father," cried the soldier^ " Mre must
see the prisoner» fi>r may be he is no spy
after all : this gentiLeman (as I suppose he
is) has paid me well for a peep at hün; .
you will • be finely handled for detaining
him if he is . not a "spy. Come, giye me
the light, for you are afraid.of Wm ; par^
Ueu! be is like a mad dog; but I shall take
care he don't bite.'* '

Frudence. again whispeted Edgar tliat
he was too confideut in.these men; but
humanity pleaded strongly, and iie rushed '.
np thestai£s> . ThedKHse roused the earl to^
groans and execrations, when Edgw: in- .
jstantly e^Iaimed— '^ It Js my patron-^-I

V e5. löiow

M

10 f H£ BEBEST® K.

•fcnow his voiee — ^I was «öt itustakenl
Söldier, draw back '^b bdits, and i*^ea9e
Trry poor fiiend. Y<m wifl «öfier fer tim
outrage," tuming to the oM maB^ wbot^
«tood on the staii^ead.

^'St. Valerie, St Valerie!" cried «e
^ail, ** I depended upon yoi* — I knew you
would not forsake me! Zounds, «dont
keep me hereT — let me out idirediyl— I
am as weäk as a cati They have fmely
bkd me ! — I shaH not %e able to finbh my
work P

The bolts were.withdrawn, and theearf.
rusäied^fi»th ßke a maniae — hiis dothes
covered with Wood, whicü the straws ha^
tstuck to — one deeve tom out of his eoat.
in fJie struggle — ^his hair, gray and stifl^
standxng upright — and his hat kicked into
faoles wiüi passion : he flew to Edgar, and

embraced

THE DESEBTER. 11

embraced him, then tumed to abuse the
old man ; but he ran off on the instttit,
terror giving speed to his heels<.

CHAPTER IL

Edgar was too desu*(yus to-leave tlie place
to ask many questions : the earl had bound
np his wounds with his cravat^ and they
humed down stafrs^ and reaehed * the
wicket; but it was securely locked, nor
would the soldier unlock it tili Re had
made terms to his own advantagie ; first,
no complaiht was to be made agaihst the
old man, or his son, the soldier — ^next, that
the deposit of another ducat would pay
for cleanihg the Chamber from the blood
stdned raarks it boi*e, and also indetxit^^^

e6 ^^

12 THE Di;SEBT£B.

the tom locks rent from a venerable head,
and the Terror he had expenenced, in fear»
for his life, ^

These terms of emancipation so aug-
mented the earl's eholer, that he foamed'
ivith rage, and darting across the court
most iinexpectedly, mounfied a pile of
timber^ and jumped over the wall.

The soldier first perceived the escape,
and in ofder to secure his prisoner, un-
bolted the gate. Edgar seieing his ad-
vantage, ßeized the soldier, and, tripping .
his heels up, took the bayonet from its
sheath ere he could regaia his feet. Thus^
armed, he called to the earl, who was
recovering the shock, and although he
had alighted upon a dunghill, feit very
faint ; but the animated suromons of
his friend Edgar renovated his strength,
and he scrambled on, led by the sound of

the

THE DESERTER. 15

V

^e voice, tili bis habd feit the grasp which
drew him speedily £rom the spot of hk
confinement

Edgar helped hiin along, without a
point of directioD, tili they espied a lamp,
and soon aflep heard the tramp of the
mounted patrole« To those guards of the
lüght^he gavethe heads of the adventure,
and two o£ them lad them home to the
t^ountess's polace, wben the porter wai^.
aroused» and immediately verified the per-
sons as being under hls lady's protection«

Lavinia» who had pass^d the evening
in her own Chamber»* overwbelmed with
distnay» suffered agony as the night drew.
on,. witbout intelligence, or even a mes-
sage fronv Edgar. Her aunt sei^t her
many compliments of inquiry». aaaoring
her that all apprehensionwas dbildish, and
that the earl would certainly be found;

yet

14 TßCk Di:S£ETEK»

yet slie never quitted her^ Company, or,
mhen they dispersed, made a Visit to La^
i^inia, even to wish her good-night: the
truth was, the «ountess did, and could
feel ; but she hated sorrow*— and, while she
could hope, avoided what she could not
rdieve, and chmshed any Illusion that
might delude or drive anxiety away.

Thus left to increase her own dreads by
brooding over them, Li^vinia had measured
her apartment tili she could scarcely stand,
and to obtain a small rest, had gone into«
.the baloony, to.lean ov«r the rails, and
watch those who entered the court below..

In this Situation, she stiE was when the
porter was aroused: the biood ruiAed
through her reins so rapidly at the sound,-
that she was near falling from her Bold ; but
when twa peoplö entered the gates, and
the voice of St. Valerie- was heard, she ran

tremUing

THE D£9£ET£R. 15

trembüng do'vni stairs^ and by the faril>^
liant liglit tfaat always bumt througfa the
night in tke hall, die caugfat sigfat of her
fatber, pale» and ecyvered with Uood» re-
dining in an iffm-chair» apparentiy ex*
hausted, and panting fbr breath.

Edgar, wko saw Lavinia tottering
thxough the liall, flew te give heir his sup-
pcMTt ; a wei^ scream eseaped her, and sfae
"fdl into bis arms 'without sense or motiony
as i£ Ihe spirit had fiown from its lovely
mansioii, never to retuRK

^ I expected this,** cried the eaii ; ** this
is her way ; instead of helpingme in need-
M time, she is sure to occupy those that
should attend ine. Carry her in, and give
her to her maids.**

• Edgar was nothitig loth to- obey*, and
in his way, if he endeavoufed to»breathe
life to her cold Ups, was he to blame ?

Some

s

1^' THE deserter;

Some of the females «oon took the lovely
l&urden to their care, and Edgar returned
to the eari, whö sat swearing with pain, .
and calling out for his man- to go for a
surgeon., '

In a few müiutes. tKe hall becamje
cffowded with attendantsr the smgeon)
was procured, the earl put to bed, and
JLavinia restored to her sen^es.; and.£dgar» ,
after all his fatigue» was very gladtore--
tum to his lödgings». , to enjoy a h^^py re-
pose, undisturbed by any self-dreproaehes^.
or pangs of ar guilty conscienee. .

He did not.waketiH noon -the wxt iday, ,
when his man disturbed him from a sound
sleep ; the -servant delivered a large parch-
ment, enclosed in a blank, cover^.signed,,
sealed, and exeeuted in- due form, . It pur-
jorted — an apnuityof t wo hundred pounds
^erling, lawful money of Great Britain,

THE DESERTES. Vf

to be paid to Edgar, oommonly called St*
Valerie» during the natural life of the
said Edgar, should he assume anoth^
surname, more properly his own ; and this
deed of gift spedfioi» was a small token
of gratitude £rom the earl of Carlomount
to the aforejsiaid Edgar», eommonly called
St Valerie, for having sayed the said earl
of Carlomount's life several tunes» &&. &g^

CHAPTER HL

«'#^^#«^«^««^tf^#«<#«^^

Eingab, od first perusing if^ feit indi^-
nanjt at the idea of accepting a reward, and
hastily dressed himself» to render back the
deed; but the valet, perceiving his eager-
ÄQss. to go out» told him the earl was foiw

blddei^

18 THE DESERTER.

bidden to see any body foi: a week^ as hfe
imtation had produced Symptoms that
threatened a locked jaw.

Edgar tumed pale at this mfonnation;r
and feit bis sensibility roused at the dan-
ger of bis friend ; to bimself tbe eaii bad'
been afatber, and as such be forgot tbe
errors, and ortly remembered tbe virtues
of tbe man wbose benevolence bad secured
him (Edgar) from want, even wben death
täireatened a suspended sbaft ove» bia
head.

Very miserably did Edgar pass tbe day,
sending eve;ry bo\ir to ihquire for tbe earl^,
and requesting permission tawatcb in bis
room ; but he was aflSicted to^ leam tbat
even Lavinia, gentle and supplicating^,
witb unfeigned grief, eould not gain ad-
xnission to ber fatber's cbamlier, Tbree

medical

TH£ DESERTEX; 10*

medical men relieved each otber in attend«
«noe CO! the earl, and tbeir oonaequenoe
xnd obstinaoy were not to be OFer-ruIed,

Brooding iwer this tinexpected misfi>p*
tone, Edgar Tecollected its source^ and
now, as a smaU reparation, resolved the
authoRS cf Üie nüsdbief sheidd not eseap^
some atononent fbr tfaeir crime; he there-
tore repaired to the pcefect, whose oiSoe.
bours were from twdve taihree.

He was found in all the pomp of ma-
gistracy, with bis feathered hat on his
head, seated at a desk, with a pen in, bis
hand, which he never seemed to use, and
large fofio vdmnes, which he never seem.
ed to open, at hia right band: bis. recoU
leetion of St. Valerie ^vas fiiUy evineed iby
the flushing of bis cbeek and contraction
of ins features. , .

Edgar advaneed» and was going to ad-*

dtesH

20 TiTE deseäter:

dress him, when the prefect called out, irt
a commanding tone^— " Stand badk, sir—
you cannot yet be heard ! There are many
before you to daim a hearing."

Edgar had written his complaint, very
fortünately, to avoid conversation with
this presuming coxcomb; he therefore^
ivithout a semblance of dismay, pushed
on to the desk, and raising his aim, drop-
ped the appeal upon it

The prefect, who had his familiär be*
side him, in the shape of an» advocate,. wha:
really did the business, threw the paper ta^
him: he, who, &om Edgar's extemal»
promptly oonduded he: was a man of con-
dition,. opened and read the paper, while
the prefect affected to intervogate a menial
person, and overlook Edgar. He, the adi
vocate, tumed to his superior with an im^-
^ortant look, and requested his attention.

Curiosity-

TfiE DESEETEIt, fl

Curiosity made the prefect glanoe over
ISdgar^s appeal cursorily» when he burst
ißto a fit of laugbter, that surprised the
whole assembly, and provoked Edgar's
utmost wrath^ he knew not how to pro-
«eedy or iirhat other <x>urt he ooüld appeal
to fbr the puni&hment of sucl^ contempt.

At lei]^th the magistrute composed hia
mouth to this short sentence — ** You inay
depart; y<m haye atoued — and I am ap-
peased for the in&ult put upon me the
night before last"

Edgar feit xx)nscious Öiat they had
Imighed at ^the prefect in an insulting way»
which insult he had tried to soften; but
l)e could not have suppo3ed that sort of
jnjxxry would ^have been app^afiii^ by ai-
mhial revenge— >^^ A perispnal afiront I
know how to «nswer ," cri^ £dgar, mudi
j^iods^ed ; ^^ bjit it is the redress of ii^ury

Sl TffB JOESEBTER.

I jiöw seek, The Kfe of my friend is ai-
4angered, either)by wiMulnessormistake,
änd I demand justice on the aggres8ors for i

Üie offence.'* i

The prefect paused a long iäme, when )

Edgar, with impalience, said — '^I wait }

for a repfy.** ^

^ Wait then,*' cried the othar, ffying off
ät a side door. - ;

The Signal beingvnderstood, the advo- i

eate a^umed the meeting tili the next !>

day; and in firve mmutes Edgar stood ^

abiie in the of&ce, "with no hope of re-
dress, and filled with disgust at the im«
pertinent prefect .

T^e porter canse then to lock the doors,
;and Edgar took his way to the palace of ^
the countess. At the gate he was met by
liis servant, who j^esented him a note: it
was &om that lady hersel^ requesting his

immediate

THE BirSERTElB. 1^

isamediate appeanuice. He was pleased
at being sent for» as he only meant to have
left his inquiries at the door.

She was in her boudok; with her weep-
ing niece beside her in deep dismay. The
countess extended her hand to him, aiid
Lavinia's streammg eyes spoke for her —
*^ Why did you not come to us in this a£-
flicting hour?" said the countess; '*büt
seat yourself» and teil us where you.found
i^y brotheri and all the painiul story of
Jbis wounds."

'EdgaiX acknowledged that his thoughts
were with the ladies, but he'darednot in^
trade. He then meehanicidly approached
I^vüüa.-diew Ms chair ne«r her, and I».
lated what they wished .to know.

" This was my baratlier's obstinecy, you
perceive," ened the countess ; ** had he
b^e^ nded by mer^tak^ a dcerene, and

gone

!Ä4 THE DESERTER.

gone on methodically, no mischief woulJ
have occurred, Now, what is tö be done?
An American vessel eiitered this port last
night» and by the power of the princess,
and the authority of the prefeet, we should
be allowed to take the vessel, to land us
where we pleased, althoiigh nominally
bound for New York-^ *'

Edgar feit obKged to Interrupt her; and
t^ering an exeuse, oommunicated his un-
fortunate affray with the prefect, which
mueh appalled the countess.

" Here again/' cried she, in great emo-
ticm, ^ my brother is to Uame : had he
been mied by me^ we should have gone
off smoothly ; now I dread the firustration
of my plans."^You, too, have done wrong.
St Valerie: who thinks of retribution
under such a govemment as this? you
don't know those ruiers, nor do they know

tiiemselves.

THE DEiERTEE. SX

tbonselves. Avarioe and selfiahness go»

vern here; and even I, who have beei)

naturaUzed an Italian, could scarody keep

the possessions of my husband» but for

Üie skill, and finesse, and consequence» I |

glve these people.**

She paused — ^^ I foi^see our difficulties «

^^ihe ead and yourself will be detained.
For Laviuia and me I have no fears ; but
my perplexitiesi augment ei^ery moment i

for my biother and you. Go thia evieii- '
ing on board the vesad» and, when it ia
dwkf bring the captain to my house» that
I may bribe hiin, and conault htm for yoür
eacape. I feel Üxat all my al»Iities will be
wanting to bring you out of thia scrape.
Notlong cm go. right, you may poxM^ive,
without my immediate direction. Now
fw 4 litüe r^lection : 8tay--^upon a second
conaideration, have you no disguise of

VOL. iiL c apparel

S6 tut, JXRSEMU^.

ffpparel Which you might put on, in caae
c^fuithermischkf? Preteution may pre-

Edgar umil&dL

^' Thei^ now/* eontixraed thie 4»Hiiite8s ;
*^ man, man, and his superior wkiiotn T

ff

Her esbckmaition had scnoe piesed, when
Vicü^tta begged tb Sipfsk to lier,

When Ite omntess Tetumed^ she looked
exaltangly^~^ I ^fims i^h V said de; ^ yuar
arirvant is cmved ; mqairy faai; faten made

■

for yon, aiii yoor pvpers and tcunks are
cadsrled isff ftl^Uy. Novr," cried tiie eoim-
tBfn,/^'wlud;teti>bec»iiieofy0U? tiie'o£&-
'Oei^ DO dwalrt;, w^ aeek ymi here'; i»id
wliD wffi bring ynu mit of tliis ^iffieulty ?"

«ttoceid li^ fir Mwe hoors, now garre a
deep jgriMQ^ttAd teyi&g her tmaäükag imhd

ithey

they sei» tiie presenra: of wy firiiher?
Wky w31 not my hesrt biirat at ano^ ihmi
Ijos eKtseme agony ?^

Sdgar feit a bitter pang at duliinomeiit,
(the countess liad tumed her back to them»
«nd cseemed engag^ With the laige felds
cf the nvmclow^dtapery) ; Edgar ndaed the
trooüding hand near bis lips, but en it
met the w]arm inqnesmm» he came to bis
recoUection, and» with a dmp ngh, laid {^
passive hand on the pillow of the couch»
whenoe it had impuMvely risen«.

JBdgar jMie« and poced tfar room, in the
bofiß of Auggeating Bome positive deter-
minatioii, 'vsfk&a the «ountoea oalied to him
-p-i^ Oh van 4lf wisdom ! wise Ulysses !
^eame here, and I, Minerra, wi]l ht^^
Aee aid. Raise the thiek folds <^ that
aatin diapery/' continvkad die.

'£i%ar inatantly obeyed, and p^reeived

c 2 an

128 THE DESERTES.

an opening that entered on a flightof nar«
row stairs. She touched a spring, and the
opening closed by a pannel, so well fitted
as to mätch exactly with those in the*
rooÖL

^< My good angd !" cried Edgar» ^^d^ese
immorteüe! shall I worship thee? for this,
1 know, ivill be my letreat in the hour df
danger ; but where shall I get out from
this place of i;ecrecy ?"

^^ The stairs wind Tariously," said the
countess ; '^ but at length a door opens in
a remote part of the shrubbery, near the
cold bath : you might have difficulty in
gettingout> was that your design; fori
have allowed the briars to grow over it»
lest the door should be ohserved." Sheeon-
tinued — i" In the time of terror such re-
treats were necessary, and it was made on
Diy own plan ; but I never had oeeasion

for

THE BESERTER« 29

w

for such a refiige, and I was afiraid time
and dust might have rustedthe s^vings, Bio
thaty when it occurred that you might
make use c^ it» I made a trial behind the
drapery, if my hopes wcHÜd succeed, and
my efioTts replied to my wish." '

The pale &oe of Lavinia was iUumined
fi>r a minute with joy; but agiun recall-
ing the sufferings of her parent, it resum-.

ed its fonner despondency; and» angry

• <

that she should taste of joy» she lef^ the
room^ to go to the earl's door» and Usten,
for the sound of his voioe within his cham«;
her.

It was not long beibre she heard hin.
speak» and it was not in a debilitated tone«.
He was grambling. his Jargon at the mcK
dical man, conceming a locked jaw» and
telling Mm he would not touch his pti«

c3 san^

90l TpOE BUMTEE«

sMy afid üiat he Vit» st&rriBg for fisod-^.
'^ If yoa WQtt't give me m^at»" «ried li»
Irnrdsfaipt ** gire tne a mU and some Far-

Tha doctdr^ in ft low voic^ seemed te
be preaching, and takfai^ abstinence for
bis text, and promiged, in dttee dkjn, his
pati«nt shouM «at, if his jaw permittod
the action ; bat Lanrima was obliged ta
tf ithdraw, as the (Aber two doetors wete
dotning up tbe staircdfle« and ghe did not
dboofie tx> be eanght in the act of Iktennig,
lett tbey tnlght take offence.

She took tiie round of the house, throug^
a ifKMMQa coitidor^ and gainjed her aunfsi
i^artmeiit Whh spaurtbing los of tor.

MW in her üaty she told what sfae had

»

heard her &ther eay, and derived hope
üom the caergy of his expcessions. Ed^

gar

gpt aicouiaged her, and reaamkßd, th«t
doctoi« were apt to magnify diaeases» ia
arder to gun credit by the core.

The couBtess was about to gLVe laer opi«
mcm, when a bell aoundad three dutinct
times. She flew to the paanal — ^Edgar
understood her — tbe pannd was doaed**^
he diaappeared, and the drapery f<düi into
its uaual folda.

LATinia was so alarmed, she ran about
the room like an affirighted bird; nw, tift
a ioud tsp at the door made her drop on
a ehair» could she regmn her sense&

The coimtess ealmly opened tbe door^
and beheld tbe prefect» and in bis rear the
offioers of justice-^** Is this well, sir ?" eried
she^ with some indignanee ; " I receive no
one in a morauig-^why am I distorbed
without my permiasion ?"

In spite of his efiiontery the prefect

c4 stood

k

W ^>Xt:

d2 TH£ BES£RTl:a.

stood abäshed ; but his eyes sought every
quartcr in the apartment for what they
could not find — " The State requires vigi-
lance, madame," rejoined he ; " there is a
plot laid, and it Is with regret I inforra
you, you have a conspirator in your house^
which you may not suspect."

" Do you mean the wounded gentle-
man^'ho is under my protection?" rejoin-
ed the countess ; " he is eccentric, but a
plot never entered his head. His oddity
has been disastrous — he lies now at the
point of death, having been süspected aa
a spy from his curiosity, and ^"

*^ t have heard all fAa^already/^ säid the
prefect ; '* he is a lunatic ; but for his young
companion — X have such proofs againi^t
Am, as will condemn him at onoe : he shali
pay for bis insolence, and leam to respect
my Office^ as well as myself,"

"Very

THE D£S£AT£R* SS.

*• Very well, sir," said the countess» " thei»
k is me y ou suspect ? If I harbour a trai«i
ior, I am a tßdtor myslf. Let my palace
be aeardied — ^meanwhile I shall repair to:
the.piinoess ; nor will I leave my abode
tiäLmy honour and fidelity to your g<K
Teinment is cleared. An aspersion so fi>ul
shall not rest on my name— you or I fall»,
monsieur le prefect — I have no. dread up-
on the business.'^

This high and mighty magwtnfte aeem«
ed perfectly stunned t he ordered hisfoU.
Iowers to withdiaw, and would have en-:
tered the boudoir to make hia peaoe ; but
the countess held that spot sacred— ahe
bade her woman shew him to another
room, wheie she soon jbined him with im^
peiious dignity»

Well knowing the yawet of the ooun^
tess in that vicinily, ajid the pi^vailing

c 5 idea

üssL of her sound tense, added to her in-
fluenoe orer the pttncess, wfaom the couti-
tas rulei as she pteased, he began to &ar
fer h» iitiiation as diief magistrate of the
fbM, and was now as hmnble » he ha^
hefore been orertieairii^; fae eren wesat
on hk kaces to the countess, meaidy heg«

ging her forgiTeness, yet insinui^ii^ a:

»

wifih to .know whei« £dgar oould be
found.

Tiie eOQntess oflfected surprise ; andivith
an a&r somewfaat impmous, asked if fae
atiH thoMght her a Iraitor ? ,

The |irefeet hnng his head, and swore
;di& had hia fuH oonfidenee ; but thi^ the
papers whtch had beeniseiased in the young
man^s apartme^ts were so yohuninous»ankd
the writing so hieroglyphicaL, there oould
lue HO dottbt of tfaeh: importing treascm to
the stat^ aiäioi^ eoucbed und^r the

terms

THE OE^ESTS«. 9tf

terms af— ••• A Hi^tory of Franoe «eoe \t»
last Bevolution."'

The countosa «tddttify bursi ut» a vi^
lent fit of laughter, thea ea^ciiiiiißd*«^
" How perfectly li^ubuai wky. you
have sßbed on ti^ w^vnikd ^fent^QMm's
manuscript ! li h bis deI)g^l;^*«hH boUj^*
horse — ^you »iu«t gy^ it him bK^k «gio«,
or he will go mad ; Im young QompAni<m
was about to copy it — ^take care that it be

not lost — ^such a deprivation would be his
death — ^he never would rficov^r it."

The prefect doubtfuUy pppeared to lis-
ten ; then said, he had distributed the pa-

pers to have tbnt Interpret^ but th^jr
mufit suffiar focaci ßcru^y htfos^ ikßy:
ooold be tetjuneAn^'^ Aiid perbiq^Ps" b»
added« '' tiu^y »igl^ g9 tP Fm», fot t
daser inspeation of tiirar dfisigs-^

X

The xoigbty jDnagifilmte tfimfps^ to ^

•c 6

d6 THE DESERTEE«

part ; but suddenly tumed, saying — ^ Let
the man appear whom I have sought : he
mäy justify himself- — his disappearaiice
proves his guilt*

Bowing to the very ground, he went
off, leaving the oountess much harassed^
and fully assured that envy and mafioe
aimed ä deathblow at the individual she
determined to protect.

CHAPTER IV.

She retumed to Lavinia, who waä half
dead with alann. ^Tfae oountess locked
the ro(»n-ddor, and opened the recess-~
Edgar was not to be seen; soon äfter he
Vas heard möuntmg the stairs ; and when
he w^ Seen be could barely be known,

from

THE I)£S£ltT£R. 87

from a mass of cobwcbs and dirt tbat co-
vered Mm. •

On the instant of bis being immul'ed, he
feit a Suspension of bis breatb, fit>m the
confined air ; and he iminediately basten-
ed dowh the stairs» gliding bis hands, in
total darkness, along the sides of the wall;
and mahy a peaceful inmate did he sweep
off, thstt had dwelt there for years, and
many a web of industry covered bis face
witb filmy foulness. His rapid desoent
caused great mortaüty, ibr toads quashed
under his feet, witb otharnoxious reptiles*
Damp had rotted tbe bottom of the dobr»
so tbat a dim l%bt, and air, found entrance;
büt it shewed siich a nest of crawling in-
habitants, tbat Edgar almost shuddered aa
heistood.

Xavinia faintly screamed as sbe loöked
upon bim ; and, as he approached tbe door

to

88 THE BCSEBTEB.

to escape £rom their presence iii such un^
seemly guise, the countess withheld his
desigB, saying — " You» are my priaouer —
this imist. be your sanctuary for a short
tiitae — I sball trust none of them-^I sball
shortly decide your maiiner of escape. In
the meantime, vfith the recess at your com«
Bland, in case of emei^ency, this must be
your Castle — I give it up to you — ^na one
^t Violetta presumes to ent^ bere ; and
tbree peals of the boudoir-bell is the sigiial
for you to retreat." — Tuming tfaen ta hür
viuia, she oonthiued — "Come, my poor sca-
red dove ! come to my chaaiüber — there I
sball lay my plans,and you murt raHy your
spirits ; £Hr however gesitle is the dove^ it
15 neither so useful bs tfaegoose^nor ao cud-
ning as the magpie ; and use and ounning
must serve oiur tum in this emergency«**
fhey now witJidrew; and Violetta came

to

Tfi£ DE8EKTE1L 89

to know Edgar's oommands» which were
imt few; she suppUed him with wata*,
and esaentialfi tomoke him dean, and then
kft him to enter on hia priTate medita*
tions.

£dgar, howeyer aecure firom tiie power
of the piefect» djd not like to owe bis safe«
ty to the efibrts of a womaii; he wisfaed
to rush out, and brave the enemy. Yet
was he not, in &ct, a deserter? and would
not a strict scrutiny develop all mystery»
and lead him to an ignominions death ?

These reflectk>ns tamed his courage, w
at least suqpended any rafih determinations
on the case in point He then waited for
the eountess, to hear her plans ; and, dur-
ing the delay, faegan to reooliect the k»ss
of hks money, dothes, and tninks, which

he bad no hope ever to regain. The eaii'a

»,

too, was a subjeet of regret,

inasmuch

4Ö rnt DEStÄTEIt.

itiasmuch as the author prized it ; in Ed-^
gär's estimation it was little worth^^nay,
less than Utile; but to bis benefactor it
was a treasure^ therefore the loss was to be
regretted.

Pondering upon bis misfortunes, a
thought now and then dwelt upon Lavi^
nia. Her tender anxiety could not be over-
looked — ^he retraeed her every ^ßct — ^he feit
all her words — and her beauty seemed aug-
mented by the mtelligence <^ her aspect.
He loved to retraoe her in bis fancy — that
delight he admitted — ^it was neither pre-
snmptuous nor wicked: he thought of lady:
Lavinia as she was» but dared venture no
fürther»

Violetta brought his dinner ' at the ac^
customed hour, under pretence that it vrasr
Ibr her mother, who had sprained her leg*
Edgar inquired wfaen he should .see the;

countess ?

TTHE AESEBTCK« 41

countess ? but this she had not learned ;
and he was doomed to pass many houn in
this prison of sweets.
• When the sun was gone down, he he-
held Lavinia, covered with her veil, pass
the glass-door that opened to the orafigeiy
from the boudoir ; impulsively he went
to open the door, but it was locked. A
moment's reflection made him thankful
that bis intent was frustrated — ^he had too
mueh indiilged the delight of thihking o£
her, and in bis then mood might have beeir
less guai-ded than bis condkion would or
ought to allow of.

Screened in the shade, he watched for
her retum— « Ah r thought Edgar, " I
should not be vain — ^yet sUrely the idea of
seeing me brought her to this päth : to
eheer my solitude was her design—- why

di^.

48 TKE DE8EBTES.

did I not flikew mysäf» and ha^e excfaanr
ged one look?''

As he gave vent to bis tiboughta^ be
perceiyed «omething behmd the trunk
<^a tree» moving its unahaßely maas ftom
aide to aide. Edgar watdbed — he saw it
croudi, and move through the shrubs witb
cautiaus pace. Lavinia was not in sight
--Hihe had^ perbaps, been to the spot on
whidi the ceoess opened» to examine Ü\e
phio&~the moting masa was oUiqaely
sfcealing towaids it-*^Edward raiaed Hie
drapety witfa rüde haste» toudied tbe spring;
and rushed down the stairs precipitatdiy.

The bolts on the door would not yield»
from the rast that impeded them ; Edgar
beard a smothered cry from without» which
tortured him ; he applied bis whole foree»
and burst open the door, when tearing.

through

T^^ BBSXRTSK* 4$

tliMugb the briaiy impediments» with Iske
I088 of half hifi duales, lie pumied a man»
who was bearing aome one wii^ped in «
Uffge doak, wko stragi^ed riolaitlj» hat

■m

whose voioe was evidcnüy iupj^ressed. '

£dga8r» coHecting hia whole strength,
£eit bis British blood boil m Um; and
atiiking tihe niiBan on the head» B&at him
Keling ta the ground» with his bürden be*
«de him.

Edgar socm nnoovered the hal£-smo*
theced mifortunate, and would have bome
her in ; but he saw the wreCch who häA
asBoulted her begin to move, and suapeeU
ed he was not alone ; he ther^ore tied bis

legs wjth bis pocket^bandlcerchief, and also
bis hands bdnnd his back with the neck^
doth £rom his neck: fhus, as his senses
letumed, he eould only roll and stniggle
qn the grouad. Meanwfaile Lavinia tot«

tered

44r THE DSSERTEB.

tered to the house, caUing for aid ; and
Ec^ar scoured tlie grounds, to disoover
the associates in tibe plan Ibr carrying off
the innocent Lavinia firom her fiiends, and
making her a wretch for life.

In five minutes ligbted tovches were
Seen in every avenue ; and Edgar, to se-
crete himself, gave up all s^areh for the
aceotnplices ; and while the domesties car-
ried the bound culprit into the haU, he re-^
tired to the recess by the hroken door, and
got onee more back to bis apartment^
where he threw himself npon a couch, ta
recover bis fatigue, and to take a retro--
spect of the late event.

" Am I not destined to preserve b^ ?'*!
thought he ; " were I superstitious, wbat
might I not hope! but, oh fickle inconstant
Edgar! where i&Amelia? canst thou love
twice ? Were both at this instant bef(»^

iCHE DESSRTEIL 45

^tiie, even at my choioe ^" he paused—

*^ Lavinia, my own persecuted Lavinia !
rthou wauldst ix>t be the least in our dear
loveT

Daylight M/te sucoeeded by a dark and
dismal night ; not a ray entered the roomi
nor Step was heard approaching his prison.
Edgar oonduded mach was doing below
with the ruffian he had disabled ; jet he
wondered thiat he was forgotten, who had
been the prindpal on this occasion. At
iefigth the door was unloeked; and» by
the light she bore herseif, he beheld the
countess.

With great delight she held his tiand
in hers for a minute, and it i$ probable
she would have embraced him, hadnot
his air of profound respect checked her —
^ Oh r cried sliCj " you are our guardian
angel! That vile prefect is my piisoner—

Ibave

46 Tfi£ JOrSflERTB»^

Ilutvehim sa& in tibe ioebous^ wHh ii
siniay befinre it He 3hall now 91^ and
seal cur per&cfc EberatioD, and retitm
yours and my brother^s property, or I wiD
pttbܻhhi6ati1)d;tie8 through na-

tioou He d«res to avow a pacäiöii fisor tny
ntee^ aiid «ays he jbae watdbed ber ibr
aome days, in cvder io eeise aiid eaoy ber
üffi fer as be diseoyered tbät «be des^iied
inm« he fek jufitiAed in bis attoiapf; &d-
ug, as he «aid, be eould not tive witbout
ber. He «ateped Ibe gardan 1^ a amaU
doox; uMd hy the gaideneos to disebai^
tbe weeds and rubbish from the gr4Näid$»^
tbeSsey ^whkäi bie hadfound tbenseans
üt äddng an ampreMfioB o£ Hm ratet
micaipeA, 4ni pievacws^ Ibe iqrches:; bust.
4tt we bme Ibe pimdpalt we will tuke
hm luefid «t kaat, aa wdl aa poniah
Jbiwu'*

•'Daro

THE BESEBTfilU 47

said £dgar, in ahmt.

*' Not wfaolfy,'' die lepfied; '' bot he k
so tä&aid hts outnge should faecome pub^
Uc^ that^as he connot escape, he irül ocme
to ^xxj terms» if we keep hia aecret; and I

only iiow wtit für the Amadcan captam»

<

wfaom I have sent fbr« to knovr his terms
to acbiiit na to ettibaik. Bribeiy, I fcnow»
must he OUT hunwss, and fer that I can
pmvidte. Thne mnat not (be hiat-^I miKt
get ^oc^ od^ whidi wifl he onegveat point."

Edgar rtarted— •• Mcf criad he; * J
aoekmy safety aldne ! dD|^(mpsopo6e that
to^w,eöOtttes8?"

Viafetta aummonei lier kdj^ flaying,
AeMptain iraa hdow; ufon ivhidi ahe
he^ediiBT pciMmer to he InanqiA, ntttil
ihe cBoaetohim agaaa» tidach ikm nrnnt

Edgar

% iion-compliance with

ry nieans to open tlie

not accoraplisli it; at

vvith restraint, he flew

ad passagf, and got out

As he hurried past tiie

lalace, he saw a cro^rd in

le prefect, likc

countess wa-s

a table befure

papers, sign-

she appeared to

now and

theo

48 THE BESERTEX.

Edgar was by no means in perfect re-
signation — ^he thought the lady too sel£-
ixmceited; $he had taken the reins, and he
doubted her skill in oonductmg their af-
fidrs steadily« Man is ever tenadous of
his own pre-eminence, and he never likes
to be set aside by a femäle oompetitor ;. bot
Edgar could not help himself— he had not
a reaource; so he stretched himseif at lengdi
on the couch, and there soon forgot the
pride of man under fanale govemmcsnt

From a profound deep, Edgar was sur-
prised by an unoommon outcry in the cor»
lidor. The earrs voioe^ above all, was
heard loud and boisterous ; wMe a sup«
pfieating, squeaking, Italian expression»
affected to appease English turbulence;
and then the gentle exhortations of liu
Tinia were heard, imploring the earl to go
to bed, and pointing out the most fatal

oonsequencea

THE BGSEETEIL

49

oonsequences of bis non-oompliance with
iiis doctofs commands.

CHAPTER V.

»»#>*<»#»»»i#» ^ ^»»^i#i

Edgar tiied every means ta open the
«door, but oould not acoomplish it; at
length, furious with restraint, he flew
Aovm the iminured passage, and got out
into the grounds. As he hunied past the
Windows o£ the palaoe, he saw a crowd in
a large room, where stood the prefect» like
a prisoner at the bar. The oountess was
seated in a great Asir, with a table hefore
her« which was oovered with papers, sign-
ed, sealed, and filled up; she appeared to
l)e speakmg to the prefect, as now and
roL. III. D iheu

^50 THE DESERTEE.

then he bowed, ds if assenting to her do*
cuments.

Edgar longed to remain where he was
at that juncture; but bis friend seemed to
demand his interference, and all the house-
hold being assembied in the hall, he met
tio one to Interrupt him tili he reached
the eoiridor: he there beheld his lordship,
seated in a niche, devouring a cold £owl
wiäi eager avidity ; a hone of ham was
junder his left arm, which bone he brati*
dished (holding the fi>wl ixi his teeth) when-
^ever tbe doetw atteoopted to approadi or
withhold bim. i.

" My lord," cried Edgar, with a voioe
0f authority» " what are you about?"

'' I am," rejoined his lordsfaip, *' curing a
Jociked jaw ; and," flourishing the ham-bone
^odost whimsically, '^ this is to be the se^

cond

THE DÜSERTEIU 51

tond course I shall undertake for my curfe,
I teil you, St. Valerie, these doctors are
^ fools, or rather knaves, of the first or-

«

der,*' continued the earl ; " there is a col-
lusion between them — I have found them
out ; their Ipcked jaw is a mere Illusion» set
up to scare me into a long confinement :
Tbut I am the dupe of no man; no, no^— ^I
determined to mateh them: ivhat think
you ormy contrivance? I feigned sleep
— ^but my cravings much annoyed me ; I
had a mind to boÜ^ in spite of my guard,
and make for the larder ; but I perceived
that the fellow slumbered on his post, and
I s^ed the advantage» stole from my bed..
and made for the back stairs instanüy.
All would have gone well» but for an im-
fmrtunate lamp, whieh some idiot had put
out of her band directly in my way : in
my hasfy atep I kicked it over» and the

n 2 ' Crash

52 THE BESERTKIL

Crash (for it was of glass) awoke my do<v
tor. Dreading the effect, I ran like a
lampJighter, and actually, by instinct,
found out tfae larder, nor did any livnsg
Üiing impede my wishes. Egad ! my friend,"
continued the earl, " I was in perfect ec-
stasy at the sight of this cold capon ; and
the reUcs of this Bayonne ham seemed al-
ready io be a charm against the flatulencies
of an empty stomach. Scareely had I
^asped the treasures« when I perceived
that owl behind me," pointing to the doc-
tor, **who had traced my steps softly,
havihg missed me the moment he awoke ;
I started^ I confess, and supposing he
would call a crowd about me« who might
Jibink mß mad, I retreated to the stairs
before I began to parley widi the knave.
My voice brought my daughterTrom ber
Doom, wfao, I taxi sojry tö say» k^ amongst

the

TUE BSBEATEB. 5^

Üie dupes to that fool: but you see how
it is — yon don't want fbr judginent— I
can rely on you ; and therefore, when my
cravings are allayed, I will retum to my
bed, and hcKmyjaw^ tili to-moirow mom-
ihg, in sound sleep, which, as repletion
sncceeds, I begin to feel stealing upon

me.**

As this oration from the earl was deli-
vered in English, tfie doctor did not un-
derstand it, and Edgar, to spare the man's
feelings, let Üie subject drop ; for although
be was indined to be of the earl's opinion
on the subject of bis illness, he did not so
whoUy rely on appearances, as to presume
to say the faculty were wrong, or to stamp
them as cheats or knaves, aocording witfa
the eaii's opinion.

The earl, finding bis appetite appeased^
began to grow sleepy : this bis daughter

D 3 • perceived.

A4 THE DESEET2E.

perceived, from his redining to one Cor-
ner ; she again rene wed her entreaty to dis-<
pose him to retire« He rose at her Sug-
gestion, and» yawning vefaemently, stood^^
as if half unresolved what he should do.

Thef doctor, thinking to take advantage
of the pause, gently put his arm througK
the earl's, to lead him to the room ; but^

with one whirl, his lordslup sent the doc-

■ /•

tpr, spinning like a top, through the cor-
ridor, then entere^ the bedroom, and lock«^
ed the door against them.

Lavinia was greatly alarmed r she tapped
at the Chamber door^ requesting tbat he
would only admit her, and allow her ta
stay with. him ; but he assured her, in a
cahn^ vo^ce, he was in no pain, and should
enjoy rest, as he was freed from the doc- .
tor.

Edgar appeased her terrors iti some^.

measure :

THfi XnCS&VTBE* B8

measure : he assured her he would watch tiU
the mommg at the diamber door; adding»
he WM ccmvinoed that the earl was not de-
liiiaus, but had been provoked by uimeoes*
sary restraint on the part of the doctors ;
and that she, who knew the eccentridties
of her father, ought not to be surprised,
or enoourage apprehensions of further il],
because he chose to be alone, and be mas- .
ter of himself in his own room : However,
Edgar recommended Lavinia to aceommoi-
date the poor doctor with • a place of re»
pose, that, if he should be required, he
might be at band,

As Edgar spoke, he fiuled not to re*
mark the sunken eye and pale cheek of
Lavinia ; the effect of terror remained on
her face since the m()ment the prefect had
seized her, and notwithstanding her annt
had forced her to lie down, the confosion

d4 la

in th0 house» and her own retrospectioii
ofk her xniiaculous preserv^tion, drove
all ocmiposure from her mmd ; nor would
she even allow her maid to take off her
dothes, but sent her down to collect everjr
mtelligence of what occurred below.

The inquisitive fetwme de dmmbre had
made her way through the crowd, to the
great room, wbere the prisoner then stood ;
and she was so amused^ aild so curious ]fca
know eveiy circumstance relative to the
prefect» that* sbe did not retum for füll
two hours, during which the earl had.
^ven a second alarm to Lavinia's nertres;^
almost suffici^nt to hftve robbed her of life
wreason.

Edgar haying time to observe her loöks^

&lt the most tender pity assail him : bis

fine eyea melted into the softest expres-

SKHi, as he gazed on hera; and, without in

^ tentibn».

THE DESEBTEH. 57

tention, dasped 1)oth het hands in his with
8 trembling pressure, saying — '' You are
111, dreadfully ill, my — my — I mean
your — your ladyship must — seek repose;
I cannot support that harassed look ; in«
deed it afflicts me more than I can de*
scribe."

Edgsr's eyes suddenly were bent on tue
ground ; he sufiered Lavinia to withdraw
firom Ms gsasp — he muttered somewhat of
presumption, iaadvertence, pardon for his
ofFence, and ended with an incoherent
question of — where the doctor could be
lodged ? who was standing as one totalljr
neglected, brooding over the vertigo the
earl had given to. his brain.

Lavinia, who had sunk upon Üie nicfae
to Support her exhaustecB frame, pointed
to a door on the other side of the gallery«
instaxitiy threw it opai» and so«
D 5 licited

08. THE DESKRTER.

licited the doctor to enter — ^palliating the
earrs. ferocity, by an assurance that no af-
front was intended; but what most ap-
peased the galled and injured* physiciaa
was tfae Napoleon that Edgar slid into hi»
hand at^the close ef the apology ; and the
door was shut in perfect satisfaction.

Edgar then retiuned to Lavinia with a
hisathig heart— *' Let me not fbrget my-
self," he thought ; " but may reason and
honour be my guide !"

As he approached» she lookßd up at.
him ;: her face was bathed in tears, and for
a minute her utterance was suspended.

Edgar feit imperiously a wish to console
her, and touched her hands ; but she with->
drew them, placing one on her throbbing
heart, as if to quiet it — " I would speak
of gratitude," cried she, half sobbiag;
*^ but agitation stops me:: you bare pie-

seryed

THE BESEETEft. 50

senred my honour and life this night~for
the one is dependant on the other. What
reward can I o£fer you V

The deep pausesin her speedi — ^the COQ*
fasion of her ideas — ^the struggle of noUe
feelings working in her mind-"-- and the
^vish to reward her preserver with what
gave a fair opemng to be construed as ha
heart, so overpowered Edgar» that he sunk
lipon hi9 knees, and hid his face in her
rohe; hut ere a minute had elapsed, he
Started up on his * feet-r-" Go, lady Lavi-^
nia,'* eried he, in a firm tone; " it is im-
proper you should be here — your fame is
as dear to mc as my ownw Beware of
filse eoncIiMNons-^ltoiikl any one appear !
The propriety of your conduct shall be
my most ample leward— I conjure you
to leave me, and att^id to yoiir health, by '
retiring to your Chamber."

d6 •^There

60 TJUS DESEKTEK»

** There is a strong sympathy iir ofxt
ideas/' rejomed she^ move composedly;
** I know I have donö wrong; yet I feel
more quiet smce I told you. No^ I could
not speak tfae grateful sensations in my
mind — ^fuU as it is, it cannot overflow inta
words ; ttiose Channels are too confined for
the repletion of my soul, and in this one
respect only your sywffpAihy cannot coBi-
ceive them. But,** added she, " my father !
hofir can 1 be assured that he is.safe— that
he is not delirious ?"

« Will you not trust in mef" said Ed-
gar,, in an endearing tone — " I will not
qüit this Spot tili I heac bis voice» and
s^ktohim. Will you not trust in iwef*
added he, morekindly.

Lavinia rose; ahe could not speak, bui
her oonfiding look was eloquest ; she tum-
^ her head twice, as she feebly walked

to

THE BBSSXTSB. 61

to her etaunber, then dosed the door gen^
Üj, and shut faim fiom her ^ew.

CHAPTER VL

Edgar feit more conscious joy fai bis laiCSe'
victory» than he had ever done over op-
poang legions of the foe — ^He had con-»<
querediaaid subdaed hfmself ! Passion hact
bxHight hhn down, but Reaacm rallied his
tumultuous thoughts. He rose» and con-
qnered.

Fleased with his own reflections, he
walked up and down before the earl's door^
sti&pping more firmly as he feit moie coiir
Snned in self-approbati«n.

** Who the d— — 1 are you," eried' a
V4ttce fiom tibe Chamber» ^^^tump, stump»..

fttump^

THK DSSEUTER.

stump, like a weaiy' sentry ? If it is yöUr'
Mr. Doctor, I will giT« you ^^quietus, fot
disturbing my repose."

At these words bis lordship opened bis
rooi^a door with somewbat of impatience ;
bat seeing Edgar, hisr look instantly al-
tered, and be said — " St. Valerie, are you

watcbing at nay door ?"

• ' ^^

" Not tvatching^ my lord," rejoined Ed^
gar ; ** only aitendhig^ if you should jjall."

" Well," replied tbe earl, " tbi»iii^ true
kindness : but if you are resolved on thi**
attention, eonue into my rooin>-^there is a
couch, not to be despised, where you m«yr

»

repose ; and as I don't tbink I shall disturb
you, you bad better näp there, thau wear
out ycÄir beel-taps marching at my door/*
Edgar instantly embraced tbe proposal ;
and tbe earl, locking tbe door to keep out
tbe doctor^ returtied to. bis bed^ and re^^

sumed

TBC BSSERTEE/ 99

sumed that repose whicfa Edgar had» in
bis energy of rectitude, unwittingly dis-
turbed.

Edgar slept also for seven hours, nor
once thought of the countess, the prefectr
or any thing below stairs : bis dreains pro-
bably wandered with Lavinia in some Ar-
cadian shade— bttt of this vision I am not
exacüy infiMrmed, so shall not presume tck:
report it.

Meanwhile tbe countess bad completdy
settled tbe prefect: she made bim sub»
scribe to all her conditions, on a promise
tbat sbe would not publicly expose bim^.
<» ^nter a process against bim for violence*
and assault-^not tbat shame bad a due in*
fluenee over monsieur le Prefect ; but tbe^
loss of bis Situation^ from tbe power pf tbe
oountess, and tbe amende konorabie be-

should be forced to make^^ £d not accord:

with

9A THE DESERTEir.

irith the mental reitections that had mied

r

his life. Public opinion gave him no pain
— ^it was a tide he could well oppose, by
entertainments^ magnificence» and show:
the times were not fastidious — and the
brilliancy of lävi$h expenditure fonned a
current» drawing the world towards it,
though beneath the surface all was filthy
and foul. Thus he subscribed to every
proposal expedient to the eountess — ^ve
her passports for herseif and suite,. and for
the vessel im which they "woctld be con*
veyed, to any port she pleased; and he*
signed Orders to alt <lhe port-officers, not to
detain the ship^ on any pretext whatever,
fröm pürsuuig her voyage with convenient

expedition.

The pvefect wa& now as eager for the
departure of the eountess as she was de-
sirous to qüit Le^om; for as his designs

on

THE BESEBXEE, tfSflT

on Xiavinia were fnistiated, his passfon
was tumed into hatred : he feit the Uow
that had terminated his project still thro&>
hing in his head; and though ignorant of
the hand that gave it, he wished the in*
fficter of so dire a thiraip as speedily re-
moved far from him as possibilky would
allow ; and as he supposed it came fronr
some of the sturdiest of die countess's do*
mestics» he, the domestic^ vould depart
with her, nor remam to boast of an ex^
ploit that reflected disgrace on the impe-
rious prefbct.

l^fore tbis^ great man was pennittisd to^
regain his freedomv he was swom to re»
Store the tnink and papers he so unjustly
had appropriated. Conceming the trunk
he made little difficulty ; but the manu«
Script had been separated into divers par«
titions, and given, for the more speedy

transUtionri.

es THBD£»£UT£E.

translalion, into a variety of hands : tbese^^
when they oould be collected, the prefect
promised to retum; after which, having
made him the instrument of her conre^
nienoe» the countess allowed him to de*
part, and hastened ta her boudoir, to in«'
form Edgar on the rabjecl

From a dread cf his impetuonty, she
had tocked the door, and put the key in
her ridicule; but when 8he entered the
room/and perceived it was unoceupied,
ehe waa Struck witb dkmay; she drew
back the drapery, and was convinced he
had escapedi but for what purpose she
coirld not cofK^eive. He had not shewn
hhnself below-— had he then fled? — ^had
the amiable, interesting St Valerie de-
serted tbose he had so much obliged?
Alarm produced doubt — doubt created
fiuspicion — disappointment smote her

heart~

tHB DEIEETBRr 6%

-«« He knew not/' thought «he, '' tfae
hidden good I had in störe fot him.**

Hasfily she then itole to Lavinia'f
Chamber ; yet dreading to find it vacantr
she pauaed to siimmon her strength, to
Support Gonvicticm/, witb a trembling band
she tumed the lock — a lamp was buming
on the stand, and tlie countess belield her
vrearied niece in a deep skunber.

Quickly did the countess steal lightly
fvom the cliamber, relieved from base sus-
pidon : she met Violettat who had sought
her in the boudoir— " Where is Sfc Vale»
rie?'^ cried the countess in a whisper.

" Don't you know» roy lady ? Santik
Maria ! that is very odd !" replied the sou«
brette.

'' Ob ! it is grievousi distressing, per-
plexing, at this momcÄit/' cried the coun-
tess — " He midst be sought for — we can-

not

€i TUE DESEftTBB.

«

not etnbark whhout him— *be must, &tiä
ftfaall be found"^

She put her band to ber fbrebead, and
sunk on tb:e coucb ; after some moment»
sbe tumed to her maid, Indding ber take
tbe ligbt» and put tbe window drapery
aside«

Violetta obejred; but peroeiving tbe"
chasm open, sbe screamed^ and started
back.

^ Go fbrwqrd !** said ber angry lady, in a
decided tone— '* Dare to disobej ! You
sball not go alone.''

^ Ob, my good kdy—- nay dear lady—
my heautißd lady,** cried Vieletta, ** wÄat
bave I dScme, tbat you would bury me in
that gulf ?••

•^ Have I not brqugbt you up ? — and
does not your widowed mother owe all
ber comfbrts to me? — and is not your

brother

THE I>£8ERT£&. 99

l)rother my nudtre d'hotel ? — and with all
this you doubt T cried the eountess ; ** you
fear that I should do you härm ! I will
be obeyed-^-Light ne dosvn — ^this instant
jgo forward, or ^

The ti^mbling damsd made one effiyt,
-and got down threß steps, tben tumed to
jbe certain that her lady followed.

^ Proceed !" cried the countes9 ; " we
Miall soon get dowp, tjien the gaiden abr
^ill revive you.'*

Violetta went on more briskly, and feit

mcre consoled, hearing that they were de-

ficending ooly to tiie gaiden, when some-

thing dropped on her arm aa large as a tap*

rantula, and began crawling towards her

fihoülder immediately. The shriek of

Violetta W£» horrible. The eountess

knoeked the ceptUe off; but the waiting-

maid was so terrified, that die dropped

t\ie

^0 THE DESEKTEÄ.

the liglit, and fled, not knowing whither,
in a State of desperation, tili the dawning
day shewed the broken door at the foat of
the staircase.

Violetta heeded neither brambles nör
l)ushes — she nished through them all : her
<;lothes were tom, and her limbs wete
bleeding ; but her first reflection was, that
ihe reptiles must have been brushed from
lier dress from these violent exertions.

The countess soon appeared, not wholly
composed after «o unpleasant a traverse;
but the croaking toads, and bats that flap-
^>ed around her, gave her but small dis-
tuvbance, compared with the terrors of het*
mind concerning Edgar.

« Oh dear! my lady," said Vioietta,
^* pray shake your dothes ; I dare say you
Jbave some oitkem black beasts about you/'

^'GOj^ sunpletonT rejoined the lady»

" searcb

THE tDCSERTER. 71

^ search the icehoiise, the cold bath, and
^eveiy walk, and temple, and arbour, in
that direction — I shall take this side fqr
my own inspection : if you are successfui,
teil St. Valerie I will come to the boudoir
— ^I must consult him ; and do fly to me
the moment you ^ave told him I lequii^
bis advice."

The search having proved vain (as w^
^well know), and tbe sun having risen»
^ome of the gardeners appeared in thp
walks ; they were qjuesticmed by the coun-
tess, to very little purpose ; and she jen-
tered her palace in the most deep jf^el;,
not by the same way she had left it

Violetta l)äd j^ached the boudoir long
before her lady ; and iigt.being so bitterly
disappointed witl) the failure of her re-
searches, she had been jcareful in closing
the chasm» and exduding its noisome in-

matesr

72 THE DESERTER.

xnactes : after eflFecting this most necessary
purpose, she feit herseif completely tired;
and ere she was sensible of its approaeh»
jsleep «ompletely overcame her. In this
Situation her lady found her : the first im-
pulse was that of isevere reprehensi(Hi—
but anger yielded to bitter disappoint-
«nent. Flinging herseif on the couch, she
^ve way to tears~-a perfectly new Sensa-
tion ; for since she had wept the loss of
the count, sorrow had never exdted those
sources of sensability: the world seemed
fier owji — ^riches, beauty, and a dedded
temper, gave her that command that never
Was withstood; one glance brought the
lover she selected to her feet — ^her chains
were the badge of honour eoveted by aU
— ^her smile a reward to her adorers ; for
calthough she desired the love, she gave no
snore to the lover tban that biight beäm

before»

TR£ DESERTER. . 7S

♦

i)efore-mentioned ; Mberty and powerirere
her idok, auid held as sacred as her own
person.

Years passed in this Illusion» tili
E — g — ^ne B— u — ^h — ois came to Leg-
horn: he was presented to tbe couhtess-^
illusion vanished-«-^^ became her idol;
liberty and power were overtumed» and
love became t^tunphant. She marked the
young hero for her own, and he peroeived
it. He was amused-4ie allowed her to
he deeeived — ^fluttered round Im: flame»
but feit not its attraetion. Vanity aswced
her of her oonquest ; and she only waHed
for a frank avowaiof bis love, to surrender
onee more to the bonds of Hymen.

Whether from bis own request, or by
ihe uncertain movements of a soldier^
B — ^Uf*-h-^s received a sudden route for
ihe brigade which he commanded. One

VOL. III. E liioming

7^ TUE 2>E8EltX£ll.

momiDg iie xnardied away, kog hefare Üki
opfüsktem had xisen, leavii]|g ain «xqui^telj
poUte 0ote bdund Hm, to be deltrered
idien iie ffaoiilcl be gohe.

The instüit «he xeoeived it, she inwaurd^
iy nid«—'* This bmtaim the widied-for
6eäBxädonf* She cat wund iübe seal, &ar*
kig to reiid one woid of the piMous oimi*
tents«— ^e iread*f^feli iiaek upon her t>ed^
«nd «was ifl for a montb. Vtmen vanitf
imggested tfaat lfta»P)r patronage where^
n the qoeen 4xf science^ «he was tp be
adored.

ft 16 Said, the lieart and Mmd are syno-
nymcüs terms, but the eouirtess provad
they W'ere not^a; for tiie aasemtdage abe
had «ealled to her, muri had not ane atom
4sfhtr ^ hessrV" in it. An old man, witha
tf&re bddjr, kng quaue, aad« «ose as long
as his qi&eue, wfao^iasa sptwwnt, ^w» a w^

come

«ebme member ia her 4MKäety— her heart
%ad no part thot xjiBkrei to select him ;
neither did Hfß &t ipw with «wollen
dieeks and fiez camm, who waddled up
the salcKm wiih a liead crammed with

loa kefunt qpen te ^iw pqjliytipyw. ^ut
those; ;witb mfPY ^^ pf h^ lifi^mrir

^fNWSfundity^ fv^ t)i«ir (^Rrn. j

B S CHAP.

Y6 . ffiE DKffiClt«!!)!«

t ^

, 5 ' I

chaIpter V^IL

.'» ' • • • . i 1 • - . <-,*•' • • , .

.V' «»

Töis couhtess ^s a bountebfti* pattoness
"when she pleäsed^ähd tuet £imie fer taste,
jüdgment, and literatiire; ivas soiirided
thrbügh the world byjttiose whose driiti-
cism was ' rever^. ' ' ' One little crdoked

r ' • • •

manhad'her private ear: he wröte what
she adopted äs her bwn, wheh she intend-
ed to deelaim. He never spöke in 'the
throng; but With attention drank doivti
the delicious plaudits that were sure to
follow those orations she pronounced.
This JiSop became rieh at once, nobody
laiew how ; that is, he forsook bis attic
floor, ate meat every day, had two coats,
and bis necessartj appendages^ were now

^ without

patdiM to eover Ifte holes. In
ihort, he ta»ted too nucb of Imuiy for
an msJÜicftf who$e joomUBOt itndy ought to
iweH on ihe sUteof «tawttion» whieh
wül exhilarate his wit$> and prodnee #«cA
feeUng SM nev^r canhe ex^periencedhy ibe
over well-&d>— But to the story.

An Aaitiimr anny h&vijsg entered Italy^
gave the ünf^ alarin to the oountess. She
sold her landed property ; ; and, except the
paUioe in Leghonii her wealth found its
way into the Pfithh- filnds. Theprincess,
her bosom friend^kmgt.had covetedthat
grand* deidesne'; and ats the i dangar iabg- \

mentedi to all Appeaiancei by suitmuiding
war, 1^ conntesa tpok. those measuret
which pctidence suggested to secure her ^
palace an j^vemon to* ihe prii^etesy exactly
as it i atood^f tKei ) moment the < eountess
thcmj^ fit ta d^ast .£k}m.Xiegfiorn.
, ;, • E 3 Lord

.. Ixwd' OuikBnaaiit^ arrivsd . bi9ii|^t Mi
tfae erifi» of becib^sHiq^s jiümk fit VA-»
kns iv«s sCttt hatodbenMr thdn Bogene«*^
]^ citiQptesion mdre titid; it *writtd ai^

tlif9dlalii^i»ift«Kpre8t«d^ ^St. VäfeziB lu»fr
the advanlage^ la hmg^ti^^tüoi^ gia ee fai
ia liis; ijKalk; 1^^ dl&{Wftaianfe InA ntore
6see— Eugfne wte haibtta«% «tifl; as if
ihrifj!». «t tfad v]gOTid&. iii sborf^ sden»^.
ItteHitad«, atad Bngenie, were blotfed üot

6Ytt of bis new ikgipiiih*

)nB|a^ d^pessedy. wept tHttcsdy^ ind gtPviBb
Yfi^ to^ a woman^« {ta^onii TliMs wü
ttt» ejjawitnäBs' td meb a imdcne68r ßM
Yioletta (depli Unai:;cu8tMBed to öie
melliiig mddd, fiit^ned bjr bbr i^im vie^
knce^ and tbe aert&otia of so inatay hoiurk*

employmexit

emf loynMt wMi the prefeeC, the omu-
tesr WM noC lensible fhat she had faElcA
ftsteep ai the leeümd in iomw.

How long ibe dept die nevtr wonUL
acSmowledge; bot the raddea rash of
flome one who opened tiie door wHIi tio-
lenoe» awdipe the countess wüh iurpriie.
She dnieked^ uid spdnging fiom the
<*cmdi, she sank into his arms with eo-

' He (for it was Edgar) exdaimed-*-^ Oh,
how do I rejoice ! she is ibund, kdy Lft-
nrinia ! your aunt is saf^ here, in her bou*
doir — ^in health, and unharmed, I have
:found her."

The loTely Lavinia flew to the wdicome
Sounds; and while the parties explained
:the joyful rencounteri I shall, more briefly,
acoount for the mistake,

At the ttsual brcakfast-hour^ lord Carlo-

£4 mount

80 THK SSIGIlTeS.

mountawoke. Edgar lodced at ktt watoh
>-^it ' was })a8t ten. The invalid found
himself so well» that he ihsisted upon joiiv
ing the moming r6paM, and that his own
^an should dress hhn» and also dress.fais
hand) for his antipathy abated not to bis
medlcal man. . Edgar never opposed ad-
vice to an obstinate frimd; so he ranghss
lordsüip's bdl» and went to the ddctoir's
Foom, to shave and refresh, afler sleeping
iii his clothes; but this Eseulapian disdple
was gone home; and, it is probable, bad be-
gun a Gonsultation with his cdleagues upön
senäing in their bill, and by the enoitnily
of its amount to indemnify the affront ttiö
fiiculty had' received foB the eure of a lock*
edjaw.

Be thiaas it may, Edgac undressed and
dressed, meaning to go to the bottdoir,
fiom whicb,. it «annot be fprgot,, he had

>scaped

'c^E des£kti;r. 81

«scaped some eight hours be£6re* As he
ieft the. room w})iei^ he had dressed, he
peroeived Layim|t m. the.cofridoi; deeply
engpged witii a fexniale whom.he did not
know. . . j . A,

Ever impelled . to^aixjs one ^whom he
feared to a^we, b^ mo-yed oiai»wirds witb
. ass^med je^pect, toinqiut^ fqr h^h^eultb.
. As soQii asjE^eperceiyed hinii she press-
cd h^ h^jod upoQ hei heart^ sayingr-r
/' Fresh misfortunes.awiut us;" then speak»*
mg in the Italiap tongue»,she bade the
nurse ^as jshe was jasuaUy called) cpcplaun
the new alanix luptdei^which they bQth su&
fered.

The i^iirsß^ ^afi^f calling upoi]L the Ma-
dona.apd $t^ 4(ntiia9.Y de FaGl9a, sfdd, sl^e
had. beeQ tp the. coiuxtess'^s chaml^ry suf^
po8i9g Jl^er daughter was in M(;aitii]fg^ when
she (|:he x^urse]^ saw t^^ ||ed j|iad not heeji

11.5 dept

Hkiptini Hat ÜAf uppaauMe of her lacfy'k
dstes» C6iild tut ieüt äbdtit the t<MA. Sh«

thftihber, änd {butid;^ dto tlftd hot slq^t
tbere: Still« mtwe alaxned, she deseendM

W«)(6 te fi1(Me« in häf stioiejb hiad beafe
il&m^ m6e». 'Set täUfin now IM h« 1»
itlfOli&häf litfHiiiB «f bet- 8li6]^isäk)n6.and.
tcbiNvi: she ttel W- Mydikip eeming
itata her Mwift to jmn ttefc auttt at break-
ftst. The a«pect äf tfae mttse was a pre-
)eida ter bäd iieiins!^ and the ira^&y-toH^
taie iswiööd barely tÄdiMfe, t^en Si Va-
lerie appeared. He instaptly suggestedL.
to hhMeff, althöügh he did not dedaxe it,
t^Mlü« ptük^ £c6tiAt Itekig bäffied tod3
(l^po8«d*m hk fits^i^rql^ had Iband'the
ttiäahs ib take teBg«aiiee on the eouMeM^
andhadclbKed.faei:Mra3r, tOf in^iiison ber

^or üfe in some isolated place df oonfintt-
ment.

Edgar stood beeide Lutiniii, TutmnatflOfg
oni probabSttkd, when riie exekitiied--^
^ Oh ! say whal; can be doM in these aa-
^!»imilating miaeries ?^

Edgar, staitled by tbk appeal, aaid to
Üie nurse — ^'^ Have yoa se^rched att tbe
rooma» aäd the gardena, «iHrubbeiy, bdüis»
»id comeyvMory?**

l^be nurse begaA to waepi nying, it waa
cf HO uae to seiat^h any moire, for her ASUl
«nd her benefactress would neyer be aeeli
flirre iü fhis world, and riiie shoiiM aomi
•feltow them» äft ibe bad nothmg mm to
liwfor.

«^ What imbedlity T cried Edgar, hi a
vage ; aad «lartlHg farward^ Uwevr ^esy
4oor ^f^etk ak>ng tbe ff&ery aa be pasaed,
leantiBg eacb Aaaabev w£ftri» inq^nmig

84 7H£ DESERTEB^

glance.. At length he reacbed the bon-
doir; and the violence with which he
opened the dooD awakened botfa the coun*
te$$ and her maid. The latter stole off to
joepair her tom.habüimente by a change of
attire — ^the former delighted, and imbil^
ing the sweetness p£ loTe» by findmg her-
seif in the amifr of Edgar.

£[is fyst, ^mot^oos. might: easily hayß
been mistaken,.for he wa» so glad to ro-
lieve Lavinia frcmi the dreads she had
'i$joqceived/that hie presded the countess to
.his breast, in the joy of her beiQff ibitnd,
,«9d .vt^ered bis gjadness, in in^hereut
,j|Dund«, such as loy^ somel^inaes i^se, .when
the h^art is too fuU tobe precisely elo-

.q\ientv • ;

, H is,iiK)6fc pertain, whei ah expkBatien
^took place of iwonder and sürprise^ that
tbc^ €ouiU»ii 4id not exactly dwell <m aU

THE DESEItTlllt. 9B

tW events of the night with correet aocu*
racy. Facts and piain truth wen, she
thou^t, too homdy — she dressed the tale
. aceocding to her own fashion ;. and had
y iol^tta been near, she would not have be-
trayed any spirit of contradiction..

Thereeent bustle had jseaehed the earl

on his leaving hi^chamber. The unusual

dkunour drew him to*ihe 90und«-r-he st^

sed around— 4ben :i$bting his^es on the

oountess, whofBA eveiung-^e^s, soUed and

torn, dish^veUed* hair;,,and) haggard asped;^

ill snited the droqping featbers that hung

!Over one e^, he exchdmed— -" My sister!*

^my poor , A^etbusa ! Is jshe deranged V"

added he, .tuming ta£4g»c*^^ ."The d— rl

has got ^moi^^. u& all ! let u& be. pfT'-^I

have had no peace sinöe I entered this vile

place — I wön't stay'in^it/ I.sny^ StVa-

Mne, yend iqe my mwauscn^^ and 9ir^

yout

yottt mah to pack up-^you and I irill e^
ca{>e to-nigiit in a fi8hhi^4)0ftl>--«we riMdl
i^U in vrith sdiiie English ermtei to pitk
Htts up ; GUT» if not, we sball r^ack Mincrea
in a few liöur$> and get homein a man-o£-
war to our öwn country.*

The countesis put her band on the eäii^s
forehead, ijaying — ^"^Which k the maddest
dP US two» my wise brotäer ? We ÜHittk
you Ibr your kiMt iiiteiitK)m» at leas^ of
leaiving us befaind you ; bnt I rate here-*^
and wliatevep be ov» fiite, you sbafi posi-
4&vely share it wfth us. •'

•* WomcÄ imiy talfc, madam,** rqmned
fiie earli •* bot men do; I aMow yöur pri*
Titege, bot my resolution is takeii.-^St»
Valerie, we d\?part tooiigbt/ continued
the e^

** Let ua^gio to breakfast," caeA üte emM^
ibä», fmhiiüig h«r feiotherande; ^L^iümL

tut t3KSt!Mttilk. 9T

,vnXL make the tea, and I w31 joih you m
fen nünutes. I have good nevrs for yoi»
aU ; but my kind, attentive brother may
fume, and boast of privilege tili I oome^
down, To talk I shall allow bim — ^to acS
9haü be my öoelipationif

Jsi Gb^ duing theHim« of broaftftat tbe^
eountess JbOweA, them. tbe yusporta she^
.ftadobtane^ fi^oi» the dlsooaifitGd ^^drefect,.
and aoqtuiirited£^^tluithia>tiiui]^
iclpttncfl » and were theü 9k bis lodgii^..
£9ie^d B0t mention tb^naaujMript, neither
£d £^|;ar mq^msa fosit, a»the earl did not
•jbiow it had becxL aeizied ; therefbr^ it waa^
uadess toawaken bis fears oofti&miVRg tbef
poeciDiis morfcofu^ täl all hafpe of rqgaming:
it ^oiild W at aoL ecuL.

CHAF^

<ig ^tOB, DESffiBTX^

CHAPTER VIII.

^«»^^#^#ii»>#<»»i»i#<»*»»

FoR once tfae earl gave his sister. credit for
Her ppoceedings; he ällowed she had a

^ood head for 'manceuvringy but

•**Now/' cried she^ int^TuptiBg^ hinH **'I
will not allow of one Single Mmt/ I kiiow
what ybu would say, my ^wiae, brotheri;
but aB we bave nO'time fsn eotitaddiction»
I reuest y<m to: psepare^ immediately for
tfmbarkaäon« Youriordahip,yFoü9id«ogIi-
ter. St Valerie; and your servants, must
goon Ix^ard <mr American in two hours^
according to my arrangemeBf ivith .the
captain; Vic^etta goes with Lavinia, as
she may want her.. The sbip willt get
linder way, and lay-to off the harbour^
-: ' Befoie^

B^re night I iball come on. bMrd» witb
the rcmaindeF c^ my «ttendantit ti^hicfa I
xnust select, in order to abridge a train of
idiers» wbich pompr and tha ouitom of diia
Goontiy, Tender a part of that splendor wa
nuBt keep for ihow.^

Sbe oontinued-«'^ I murt pass 6ome
hours witii the princessi as due tir our
fiiendshipi which» thougfa yon may doubt
it, ig quite sincere ; she thinks me a rarm
avis, a philoaopher, a sage — ^in short» broE*
tber, the princess is a perfeet cöntraat to
you, in all h^ thoughta and actions. But
waving those refleetions, ^I have no doubt
tliat the prefect wöuld play ut fiilse, if he
eould do it sbfdy ; and witli so niuoh chiw
eane in his compösitim» and lo baiea
beart^ k wera^ as weil to be out of bfti
clutchest Me he dwrst »Qt impedc~I
am too powerful &r him ; bat fi>r yovi>

lelf and Str Valerie, he may find vomt pSnr^
ihould he tesrdi deeply, to detain and tov^
ment you.'^

The justnesB of ^ese obsenritiom wy
ene deold deny. The earl htd escaped
from the limit of his parole ; and Edgar
ifü/t ooQsdotts he had deserted from liin
eorpn so tbat eadi yielded mo9t readily ta
af gumento so cogent, and so ärongly urged^
\>f the couiitesa;

In t&e hurry for embarkation the m^-
mitaript was not onoe thought oiD-^The
baggäge was bundled up with confased
.teiipeditiDn. The eaptaih waa^thut to the
appointedS baut ; and bj two oidock (a£-
tchiöon) the first party went quiet}y on
board the Tessel, and shortiy aflergot safe-
ly, and without Interruption, into a widis*
€^ng, where she lay4o, in waiting fbr the
eountesst.

THE Di£t£]lT£]L 9lr

TfoMOmat Irtt tiie eari «ssuitd of hit
fteeden, Üboil he gitve tiie reim to decki»
matk>n, and swore^ with all his vehemeiic^
agakisfi Die Frandb nation» ili governttenty
mi its gwefHür. With this tiilye«^ hr
aMailed tbe ciq[llaiii| irfldwiag lum fireta
stam to sbeokf m hk oeeupatioitfe^aiKd
bk iiautifiaL attOitiQiia.

Fcrtttüatefy, ür unfertuBatdy, ae if
ehmsed to jj^ovc^ a hamper of wine waa.
stove m lowaiBg it dotvn to the atoie«
lOQHb. This turaed his locdsUp'» ideiis ;.
he n^ed at the disastov wd bcgan bA in«
fkiiry as to did se«hti»ck--^4o hiiaa.nlQBi
»ateriid c cnu n de retiDB^

Wfaäe he üfti occiqpifcd iiiironTing tiie-
Ateady-eiigaged captaliw ivho ^wis giring
his Orden to hia nrni^ Edgar aad Lavinia
vere kming an the quarter, ^pratcMng the

^gresB of the ship,, as ehe we»* <>^* ^ ^•'^

hourt,

00 nit D£S£ltt£lb

bcfur/ and giving utterance io ^itltual eoit^
gratulations on thdr fixrtuilafe eicape firom
tbe wily prefeet*

Edgar^s voice was become cf kCe aa
tiHieh softened when be addressed Lavi^
nia, that $n adept in the &^/JS^ passion
would have eonj^ured the State of hia
inindrand bis embaiMssed mamier^ added
io 4lie tender cast ot bis eyes, were such
telltales as he could n^ leAite, in spite of
aH caütion en bis part to disguiife thenn
His wards vrmse sucb as be wouldfaava
iised to any lady^-^arded andrespectfult
bttt tbere is a langiiage tibat needs not
words» wbere more is expressed tbanrhe«
toric oould iitter, and tiiat isvmcnre prompt
in convejring. sentimisnt tban- the most
studted doqttence could ever boaat. of; in
Short» a^ingenuotts rnind will faetmy it-
seif, bowewr rductfint to r«\eal itfr secret^

- and

THE 1>£SERT£&. 99

«nd a oongehial spirit will need no otfaer
mediuin than its own sympathy to cor^
TecÜy understend it

What thevsoene af the receding sbares
migfat have impired wouUl ' .be too comp
mon tb repeat ; hvLt the manner iu wfaich
those öbservaiikms were inteiehanged
ixiade what was iKmunöik to. eveiy oUer-
-^v« a t^c>of inti^aest to JBdgar aad the
vbeing he adox^öd; for every kour he b^
-came inore j^namoured, in defianoe ef
Axndia, and the neceasity fojr selfUxmtrdL

'Eägar couM now aeeoimt for his incoii«
stancy^while «reascming with himself^r»
AmeUawas a married vtmnan; sucJi un
^üctekment 'was inrnoral^-^ breach qf all
lofiDSf^wUor rdigwiisr^he haue, ^soeh
ety^^-^he dearucHon cf peaee-^ke hUght
jqf banaiip^'''-4he crtkd sacrifice dfvofed to

i . ^Idid

94i imE xxES&axEB«

taking marit fivim jueeesnty.; ^* it wi^ my

4icttii 1 oiugM to forget Aanftielifl, itnd I do
«>; bttt in ädoring I^ayimai-^ifekUi^
%eart; witit a pnve pasiion-'-^di^shing her
Sdi^ in «eoKecy, Iicxmimit aio tn^^
r&e divuiity, lieidier 4o I injuve hymam^

'.«»-»it » my .metter^ to lowsi^-^ftr^afian
«demand« itaf iiQie^tiftii praaf o£ dlwii-
fnination* Of mf mumxoM cntanf^-
mente» äiaft gaUantvjr imi^eHed ne ilxi» love
%Qdiio part 0»^ tliem. fientiment sougtit
:dR ot^eot «mws ^reifined, and long Jbad
<iought it,vW]ieB, to iny deep ißega^ 1
fymiA^Ü m a marrigd woman^ lluHt JSMt
my fleM^i %iit j*e9iov8e, 4oubt, «od «yen
AlwrQf'€[Ugi«rt;,4itib€dinherflbadow I
wished her mine, yet trembled tlyit i|iat

wish

sfaouid prove suooefisfuL (%, Isliudr
^der at Üidse leooUections r eontimied Edr
gßar i ^ 1 9m not iiioQBabait<'-4n Linrinia I
dnd all 4)f Amelia, divested of the crimi
<xf lovii^ her: but I will gnaid my aecwt
and ^otsrin a passioo, wlicsre im» sdfish
4iiooglit Aall iniii^ Who am I?-*<^e1
th&te 18 Äe staag tibat trounds me# A
idreaitn joften dawni^jn nuoky Tec()Ueatio^
<if iny infiait ^ys^iaui^j itbey CMKe»^ mt
^Jord/ Then hgun, it*s(3eim aa ^ a nMa
^mA -aloDg beapd tiad feid iiia liead m mf
jap» imd thot I kisfed him to o to a p f . Q k
mnomfi mhf^oekiklaa hftxßy »e? Tita
dsaa aetmapect deludea my &ney, ütiali)»
my ideaa^ anddoüdsi-QBliJliea with i»0ci&*
«ms ^ « too sai^itte nvsaiitie.iQind.*' .
(Shdcäi Intwdeia wa» Ae cause cf late
of faaquent ^rtgtaariüon So Edgwf^ air;

tide.

96 THE DESERTEH.

tide» wliich opposed the.progress of the
tship, he replied to Lavinia's obseirations
•with an moongraous remark,. and a wan-»
dering look, denoting an absent.or pre«
occupied mind.

' Lavinia ralfied him on bis inattention:
Edgar being thus roused» ^ £At the neees-
sity of justüyinghimself-^and iD so doing,
athousänd trutiis escaped him, that thisew
the blame on ber.-«^he aflfected to treat
him as a man of tbe world» whose habits
of flattery «tiifted every female ear.— ^Ed-
gar asseverated bis truth : Lavinia denied
H— and a tender skirmish, s<xnetbmg ap«*
proaching towards lorers' quarrels, had
begun, when lord Carlomowit came up«
and interrupted the $cene. He lamented
that eighteen bottles of bis best old bock
üvere demolisbed in the &11 — and that Flo«
rentio (bis man) mvbs a d -. --d fool fi>r

' not

•THE DESEftTER. 97

not taking more care in attending to the
descent of such valuable wine — ** Would

4

^^u believe," added bis lordship, ** the
(bol of a ftQow presumes to be sea-sick?
I bope he will S&e befbre the end of the
voyage! I have sent him to bed, to get
rid of bis wry.faces, Finetimes, indeed»
wben servants are to be aea-sk^ when
tbeir lords are not ! I ishall grant no auch
indulgenoes, I can teil him that. But
jccme,*" added he, ^ we are not quite help-
lesSy I suppose; your valet»* addressing
ISdgar, ^ can lay a doth, can*t he? A
iuncheon wiH do us good aft» the busfle
of the day, and we can dine comfortably
when my sister oomes on board.'^

Edgar immediately caDed bis man« and
ihey went together to the cabin, to see
.every thing arranged finr the propoaed re-
past ; but when buded in these prepara-

VOL. III. F tions.

/ ^

98. THK DESEETER.

tions, and no longer in the air, he expe-
lienced a motion in the vessel, although.

it was quite a calm ; he resolyed not to be

. • ' ' ' '
the first to hint at unpleasurable sensa«.

tions» be whatever the event — and he or-

. , . .' .,■>••' - •

dered his servant to go up, and announce
tbat the repast (consisting of dainties,
which, though cold, were extremely pa-.
latable) was ready, and awaited his lord*.

• , ^ . • • •

ship^s appetite.

yexj well pleased, the earl descended

.'.» ,_i ,4^ « -'

to^the cabin^ bidding his daughter follow
him, the stairs being rather steep.

iiav^nia declined quitting the deck, for
the view was quite novel, and certaia
thoughts that occupied her ntiind sought
no other associates ; but ere five minutes
had elapsed» Edgar stood beside her, pre^

senting the most choiee fruits, and cakes

• - ' ' • •

^f every description, for her refreshment

Pleascd

THE DSSBETiat; ^ ^

Pleased with Edgar^s miirate «ttentioiifl^
i&e sdeefced from tbe plates what he most
recommended ; and agaiii a didogue cbm*
menced ön die salubrity of fruit, and the
exccdlenoe af cwifectionary in Italy and

These themes in. tihemselves vreace but
HtÜe interesting, but tfaey protanged tbe*
interooui»e lietween two people wbq, in
£bu^ wished no interoourse with any oße.
eise, and whöse looks spoke on a sulgect
&r di£^nt from wluct tb^r ywbaUy ex«
piessed

A sudden and unoouih noise» accompa-
nied by an outcry in the voice of a boy^.
■put tp &^bt tifie delightful ideaa of the.
in<»nent, and both Edgar and Lavinia.
Started forward, to ascertsdn the cause of
.so sudden an effect

The e^rl^ rising through the opening of

F a the

100 TBE DE8EBTER*

the äompnion^ diaooyered hü face of a
dmdly hue; and the oontinued outcry of
tbe boy was quite aiarming.

ILaviaiafleDir to her fiither ; but hepiadi»
od her hack» and iMäe for the ship's aide»
with an expedition more than commoR.

Sdgar^ 7alet came now fiom the eabin,
hel{>ii^ u^ the ciyuig urohan, who was

nsfplfffw to idie captain^ and was eaJbixihbof
of Öie ship« He was a useftd mäxiber to
h& unde^ mä rei^y ndröit in his pbee.
The Amerkcan had «harged him t^ he
very dvil» and he would be well pidd, M
iiife ^jidsficaig^i« v^e^ foH cf money» «nd
fpäM it lftLe^)ote ; und tfais subnee brought
tl^ boy äito luk the)» stete «C a«^flfaauag.

«HAI^

''/•'» -'Xj'tt

vax tatmXLtisk. 101

CHAPTERIK.

It appeared wben Edgar left hiis lordahip^
he was cutting Up a eold ham; but a
cdight heave of the ship gave a sort cf vei^
tigo to his brain, and the keenness of bis
appetite turned to instant disgust He
called f(Mr wine, and drank abumper; he
Mt better — bot he paused orer the dain*
ties with a look of regret, undetermined
on which to begin ; at length he stuck his
£>rk into a pdt^; the ship gave a longer
heave— bis lordship stared^ dropped the
forky and put his hands before him. The
slice of ham which he had cut lay on the
side of the dish — the fork, in its fall, stuck
through the fat, and the heave of the ship

T 3 accelerating

10|l THE DESBIRTBE.

accelerating the slide, the fat slice and tbe
fork deposited themselves upon his lord-
ship's napkin, as it hcy on his lap.

To fly from so unseemly an assault wa«:
tbe first Impulse — ^like a raoehorse his lord*
shipbolted towards the staurs, in ofder it>
reach the deck, suj^posing the. air would
restore Jbim; but the cafaiu-boy had seateid.
himself ixi^the.staircase, to be in üeadiness

• • •

wben summoned. The earl sayr tbe im-

V

pedlment, but had not time for parley $
he seized thev boy, and fiupg him head^
long^ into the. steerage. A fi^prajaed' knee
mid broken bead feil to the lad's partion»
beside a severe &ight from the sudden atr
tack of an ^parently desperate maniac.

The earl hung bis bead over the side off
the vessel tili he was relieved~-the cabin-
boy feit the k^ndiiess and compassion of
Edgar in various ways — ^and by degrees^

peaee

peace was re-establifthed, and quiet re^
rtofed.

Edgar, who had avaiied himself of a
jacket and trowsers from the wardrobe of
the captain before he embarked, to avoid
being known, now resumed bis owh dress^
and» for the £rst time, entered the hole
äUotted for bis birtfa. He laughed as he
fturveyed the cupboard wherein he was to
be oompressed ; but bis valet was exceed-
ing ¥rroth, fyr, in order to dress, or even
stand I^ the bed, the door was unavoid«
ably obliged to be opened; he suddenljT
exdahned, m the Italian tongue-«-'' If the
master is thus accommodated, what is to
beoome of the man ?^

Edgar was highly diverted at bis &sti«
dious laoquey, yet but little concerned aa
to himself; the bedding appeared new and
dean, and Edgar was content. He soon-

F 4 retumed

104 THE DESmiTEE.

retumed to the deck, where he £>und the
earl seated, and leaning his head ag^uiiftt
his daughter. She h^ld voktiles to his
uose, and Vic^etta was panpg fruit for
him, in the hope of quelling the nausea
with which he was annoyed.

A breeaie now sprang up, aaid the mo-
ticoi of the ship mcreased ; Violetta stag:*.
gered, tumed pale,, and was carried off <^
bed. Tarne and spiritless^ the earl xaised
his ey es to Edgar — *^ Lay me down, my
fiiend,'* cried he: ** would that I weie.
deadr

The captain and Edgar undertook the
Charge of getting his lordship dcnvn, which
was no light one, for he gaye himself en-
tirdy up, nor nuide a Single efibrt to sas>-
tain himself. The American oould not
resist this occasion for a small revenge ;
and in carrying him down, he said-<-

"Some

THE BEiSEHTER. 105

^ Some iblks can feel a deal fbr them*
selves, though they don't care how much
they hurts others.*

The earl made no reply, bot begged to
be laid on hi» bed without undressing, or
he should die on ihe instaat.

This wa& readily complied with, tot
Edgar began to feel an unpkasant Im-
pulse. He was hurrying ofl^ to regain
the deck, hoping the air woold festere
bim, vrhen the earl b^ged they would
Bend bis man to bim.

*^ Lard ! that cannot be," repISed the
diptadn ; ^ he is betayed in the harlbp^
ncker than you be.**

The eart groanedL .

•* WeB,'* continued the eaptain, *• Jo-
ffiah wiH perhaps befriend yoü, fbr m]r
good word: be can »t alongside you».
though ye have misused un.^

¥ & Josiab

106 ^HE D£S£ET£B.

JoisiltH was called, and Jesiah. came
^mping; and the earl waslefl in the care,
for some time, of one be had injured, but
was now glad tothank fpi: the smallestiat^
tention:. Uns. was a morailesson his lordt^
sh^ much wanted.

Scarcely had Edgar reachedthe^deeli^
when a gaily*pamtedr y^aeht was seen com-'
ing out of the harbour, with- a bärge of
twel^\^ oars attached to the stem» m which
' a band of musiciaDS gave symphonies to
the watery gpd. These yessels.beloqged
to'theprinces&-*4iBd in^thk monney did

she escort her favourite friend,. as far as^

.'i • - • • '

she dared venture from the:shores of Italy*
On drawing near the ship, the biV^e
was manned, and the musicians taken inta
the yacht; the ladies embraced-— Wiept^-^
and the countess and suite- were. put on

iKiard the black-sided American in a verK

• ... ♦ ■•■'

j^hort

THE BESEBTER. lOT

Short Space, by the fleet strokes of the
gaudily-dressed bargemeii.

Edgar» witfa that atlentmn ^eveiy wo-
man had ä right to when he.eouM he use-^
iul, flew to the ship's tAde to reoetve the
Gountess; and she, possiUy overoome by
takmg kaye of the pikicessy ftU iato hoB

arms, and apparently famted.

The ship's crew were hoistmg all her
saus, and every thingwas £q oonfiuionr
Edgar had no resoiuce^ faut to carry the
oountess to her eabin» and ky her on» the
bed that had heen prepared&rhier^ m^
stanfly he was foUowed hy Lavuiia and
the servant8> so tiuit, kn the cttmi^ he
escaped to the deck,^ ta rteoves ima hii^
exertions, aad to defeat.the attaok» of sea^
ttckness.

The vessel naw sfaretehed away rapidly ;;
Hht bteeiß girew strcmger, andthewave»

1 6 mcrease^

108 THE SESEBTSfi.

inoceased. £dgar was quite well upon
the deck» and feit a pleasure in the reooU
leotiony that he was now faiily on his way
to the land of ho^tality «nd fieedom :.
every thkig seemed new to hhn, and, above
all» every nautical maiiGea^re appearad a
new wonder to him \ but he wanted some
one to hnpart bis observations to. He
hoped Ijayinia would come up ; the Goun-
teas surely co^ddixsi keep her below, when
so noany of her attendttnts were near.

£dgar's eyes often tumed to the staiis;^
bot no one but the tsine eabin-boy appear-
ed» who glftdly annouficed» that that tfaere*
mad ^mtme/t was asleepi

At kngtib a degree of impatienee led
oiur hero down, to listen If ei^ery thing
went well ia the cabm ; he thought he
heatd a grp«i fiom within-^he put his,
car to. Ifae keybok-«*^ was. ränfimed in^

THE DfiftfiETSE. 109

his suggestkxi ; he genUy opened the do<n%
and beheld the ft)or bespread with men
and women» all intermingled, in the most
pitiable State of sea-sickness. Edgar in*
stanüy inquired fbr lady Lavinia; they
pointed to the oöuntess's state-room, whidi
he approached in terror; he tapped, and
die imtandy came forward. Edgar^s looka

denoted apprehension.

** I am very well^" cneä she, smilihg;.
** hat what eaa be done fbr liiose poor
creature«? My aunt is heiter'— I hate»
put her to bedt but— '*'

Here the eountess interrupted her-—^
•* St. Valerie— diear St. Valerie T she criedv
** you must mmage for Us. 1 did not teVt
the captaiR the nümber of my attendants^
— ^what is to become of them? Do tiy
to get bedö for theiö — ^I leave every thing^
tD you. Who eoiiid suppose menials

would

HO THE DESEBTES«

would be sick ! I am ashamed €£ them for
giviBg trouble* Lavinia has given mixde
her hedr but the resst are on the floor."

Edgav bad now indeed suffident oocu-
pation^ for the captain onljr laughed at
those difficulties just started ; he had no
other bed-places but those held ahready iti-
possessibn — and to do more thah he oouläL
do> he Said, was out of his powei^.

A sailor (an English deserter) noi;« put
ferward to reUetce thi& distsess ; he pitv
pofied making: up> sevarad beds of the ha^^
gage that wasin the hcddV Bi fbr blaiikets»,
they wooM not need them, h^ supposed^
for no air eould eom^ at them> and they
would keep eacb other wami.

Thankful even for this expedient^ Ed-
gar begged the sailor to saake haste— ^uad.
in half-an-hour this, extra dornutory re*^
ceived those efifemkxate^ powdered, well«r

dressof

DESE&TEB. III

dressed läcqueys into a pandemonium
sudi as they never had heard of before.

The cahin being now thinned of a part
of the sick, Edgar removed the nune to
his own birtfa-^of oourse Lavinia had a
place to herseif, to enjoy ^ome repose»
Two of the women still rolled on the floor,.
whom Edgar Gould no way dispose of-«--
and their moans and comphihts disturbed
the oountess. She repeatedty requested
tbat they should be removedr but £dga9
kne w not where to put them : at length
he carried one to share the bed of the
nurse — ^the otber Lavinia insisted. upoa
taking to hes cabin..

Edgar naw hopedför aliltte relief, aftec
«uch disgusting exertions ; but (he nurse
oould not agree with her eompanion-~
they qiiarreBed, soolded, and made such.

a Qoise^ that they awoke his lordship : hi^

imprecation^s

118 THE m&SEUrEXL

imprecations broke fbrtb like thunder, so
that Edgar lost all patience at once, and
fled to the deck to compose his stomach
and faead, whieh were both in a complete
State of agitation.

CHAPTER X.

r#^«»#^^^><r»<i#^#<»^

TPhe rdea of so many incumbrances in the-
suite of the countess seemed perfectly ri^
diculous, and her indifiference to theii^
suiferings very blamable. The compas=-
sion of Lavinia shone with double lustre»
when viewed in the comparison ; and Ed»
gar walked the deck, indulging the idea
of her excellence, and how rauch she me-
rited the adoration which he strove to
tepeL

THBI»8]IBT£». lU

Jn DAs happ7 reyerie 'Edgur h(^>ed to
poss.tiie night: a fine hseeze hurried the
ship alcHig. There was little noise oa
deck, axtdf e^oepting an exdamation fionv
the earlf more Ipud than sweet» no iziter*^
ruption oocurrod; bat the rusfaing c^ tb^
warecf, and übe bustle (rf* tbe da,j, prodinced
an indination to slfep» and Edgar was
tempted to examine the boat, which had
been hcHsted upon deck, in order to lie
down tili it should be ^^ylight : he tun»»
bied tibe 8i^ into a heep, anc^ with Bia
doak spread over him, found but littte to
oomplain of ; nor did he envy aay one
their bed of down, for he &Q adeep in a^
moment.

He slept tili midnight most proföundly^
when a rough shake of the shouldec roused
him-~'< Master, mästet, you be wanted ;
that there madam do want you," eried the^

squeaking

114 fHE DlSSE&fESr

squeaking voice of Josiah ; *' her midcfeM
cän't go nigb'st her-^^-and she would have
me to fetch yoiu*

Edgar, on tjbtrowing off the doi^, fbund
that it was wet through with the night-
dew ; and he thatiked the boy, with greät
good-4iiatufe, for ÜJte intetraption öf hi»
flleep^

Edgar hurried fo the cotititeÄ; who;
half kind and half pettish, gave him her
hand. Edgar coüld not reftise to take it,
although the boy that held the light gave
a» extracmlinary leer;

•* I am totaäly helpless,"^ öried tlie coun-
fet^; *^ räise me a little in my bed. Do
<»rder my cc^fee — I am faint for want of
food.**

** Han't a got Ho fire,'' cried the boy.

•• Foul hnp, ayaunt!" exdaimed the
eountess.

Happüy

DS8ERTEB. 115

Happüy the boy did not mid^rstand
her; but suppositig^sfae was unweHj thought
of a flask of Fiontjgniac^ which be badput
into the cupbMid; be ifiuneditttely pnK
duced it, and by Edgar^s persuamn tbe
cGontess took one glassful.

•* What iaf to beoome of me?^ sald her
ladyship piteously; ** I cannot sll^p in
tbis boler do cbU LaTinia, to come and
read tö me — ^I shall die'of ehnui if I am
left alone,'*

Edgar feit prdvoked witb her; be de^
terininedr not to disüiif> her niece^ to in-*
dulge her capnce; and he grew impatitont
at the wanC of considemtion her ladyäiip
evincedi— " I wonld read to you myself,*?
replied he^ " if it wew po$8ible; buttbe
dim bght firom tbat lantbömv^ and com^
passionfor the latne boy, tbat must hold
it in bis band; puta my ready intentions

quite

lltf THE ÜESEEIFEB.

quite at taiiance withr my wishes, Ttovt
ynSl skep» if you tr^" to dö so,'* added he,
tedouaty ; ** and if I remoiii, I shall bö
too sick to affofd you any help.'^

^ Oh^ suv'' rgcttned she, putf&^g hint
from her, ^' I would not make you suffer
on iny account. Pray depart if you find
yoxxneU inamüeniencedJ!*

Edgar did not wait fbr a second ^-
missal; the boy slnrugged bis Shoulders^
giinned, and dosed the door ; and Edgar^r
taking the Ianth<»?iiy bade hkn go* to hi&
hammock, and that he should now wait
lipon himsdf tili the moming.

Seated upon liie bulkhead, hit» eyea
wanda^d to th6 door of Lavinia's State«
tdom: a thin curtain, of ragged stuff,
hung before the glazed part that aiforded
Kght to the interior — " Through the long
wnts I may see her as ite sleeps/' tliought

Edgar.

TBE DS8XETE1« 117

Sdgin ''Bttt, ]ii>~I idU not yidd to
this Impulse. Peaoe be with her aium«
bers! let me be her giiard.**

SebangM dirtfjgrera doth that e&vmd
the tMe, he laid hims^ dowA at het
door, pfllotfed onljr hy hofpci mä diept
tili the sun awoke him thMugh the eabin
wmdovrs, m it emeiged o^er the horizon.

Extending bis benmnbed tia^ to pns
eure cmmktioii, Ed{^ feit tl» dodr piish
against him-^-Jie idled urmcy hastfly ta
xmke room, when LaTiixm» wiäi a tosy
hhrsfa» inqiiired wby he wason thegyound^
imder tibat $hBiige eDvering?

A Whi^päd ^ Huis2i r hinted to her
to «jpeak lo^, fcr «dgar dfeadfld to aw^^
ken those whom sleep alone kept riknt;
h^ flien un^tored her parAon ferliis intru*
doD, aU^ing^ ttidt l^ making Ite boaC^a

place

118 TSE DESERTEIL

place eisest, he had^lbeen wet througfa .by
the mght dew,

** And have you sl^ept on the ground?*'
Glied L^rinia» witb^a soft moaa; ^ihow
i^nle^ing are we. all! You riei^r think
of jouriM^lf-^it has.been alw^^so; and
now perhaps a fever lutks m }/!our Veins
frQm the djiH dew. Ob, St Valerie,
fibould this ait ive-^ ^"

She tuxned her head aaide tohide the
tears lier horror bad s^ge^ted.

''C^me.to tib^deds," erledig, taking
her hfoid; ^'and, bdbre the sun grows
too powerful, let us ^i^aUc away those va-
pcmrish ffs^ that oppress you. I am too
h8{s>y---^4oo much elated for one who has
a fever in hii veüsä." .

With fi ^ßoiä, air nhe repüed*--^' I
tboiigbt evety bbdy dept but the sailors

of

•

THE DESERTEE. 119

<£thewatch; I wes tired of al^ ^'^ so

manj faoui:s of sound r^po6e,-and I ummt
to stand on tbe stairs and watch tbe i^un«

whicb I had been told rose gloriqosly firom

the ocean* Tim indeed was my intent,

bdiev« me"

^ Did I Bvetdoahti you^ lady Lavinia?"*
ciied Edgar: ^^ take my arm» and we will
worship jtbe jAsing sun, in all its majesty,
ISke fervent Femaos."

He then led her up to the dec]k| and
they were anq>ly~repaid in their observa«
tions. Edgar gave a cordial bon jour to
ihe captain> who was dvü enough when ,
E sort of ieon$e<|ueiioe was bestowed upon .
him, ^hich Edgar re^düy, granted, per- .
«eiving it had a good efiect*

He (the captain) had a mind to be dyil
in his way ; and inste^d of a henooop, . he
gqt up an old couch^ and put his own

mattress

120 rkt DESEäTEB.

mattress mpon % säyii^g, he lent it Misf
hy däykme, bat lief must have it agaih
yyrügfa.

Soon after he proposed bitak&Aing'--«'
to nviiich IJhey gare a ready assent; and
wlule Edgar went fcnrward to wash and
comb bis hair, JFosiah went gently down
f<^ wbat was needfhl, witiK a ebaige from
bis linde, ^ not to wake the old ffeölor for
all the varsal warld«— ^fixr the starms wöuld
ii^ to a sarthily ff fae anoe isiboald open

t

bisayeß.*'

One bour pass(ed away in peace and
comfort : a fair breftse wafted them on to*
wards the Island of Minorca, which tbe
captmn sdd they sbouid descry before
^unset ; and the harmony of the moinent
wad perfectly delightful-->-too much so to
aBow öf being lastiiig.

thß fii^t intenuption to the s^enrty of

the

THC ]>£S£Rir£Jt. l£ä

tbeiüoment wä€>the iqppeuanoe of the d<>-
inestics emerging firom the hoti. On0
and all began to remofistnitei and knäfy
demanded to he cpnied home. ^hef said
they had been Iddnapped» and tDealcd Hke
slaves from . Guinea, confined ' in a hok^
half mßSx9Atd by'the am^ and' abnost
sä&ed from tionfined retfpkatioBL

They cawfißkkeä kmd, aitd Hiüire Jdud-
fy/ tm they ttwciLe every o» bdow; and
at length bronght idie ead upon ihe deiek,
in an exoess of pasiioiii He stonaoai^ in
fafö aceustomed mmiteffigiUe jwgon^ and
was abdttt to proeeefd to tnaidtiGa] cbas&^
ment, had itot Edgar withhetd hinn

The eaptain stood smiling, and ettjey«
ing Üie id&ay» and by winfcs aiui nisdi^ in
a sly way, stionukted fhe domestia» to a
sort of mutiny against the earl, who next
tumed on him witfa an attempt to colki^

veL.iiL o him.

122 THE DESERTEE.

hixn. Edgar happily defeated that pur*
pose, by grasping the earl, and .üghüj

> holdkig Mm, wfaile Lavinia» in a. beseech-
ihg totie,' drew the captain on one side,
'begging bis patience tili her father should
vbe pacified.

During this scene the countess and her
women made their way to the deck. • At
sight öf tiiem Edgar wii^hed himself over-
board. Their cries, Üiot oomplaints, their

. .pity for the domestics, added to the
harangue frbm the countess, directed to
• them geneirally, so annoyed and wearied
Edgar, that he drew bis patron to the
boat, and pülling bim in along with him,
.they got out of the aaxmd, tili bis lord-
shjp^s rage had evapfoiTated, and Edgar
could find a miiiüte to recoHoct himself.

CHAP.

THX OESEaVES. 12S

CHAPTER XI.

^TiGK iiafcjit cf command caused the ooun«
teäs lo be attended to. The mefwiservants
slunk/ <me sfter the othef, towards the
forecasde, and tiie wömen fdt ashamed of
thehr insolenee.

The captain töok iadvantäge of the pausen
and» approaching the 0(>antes;s» made a
Speech aocordingly — ^^ My toasters and
missesses," said he, putting his hands on
his aides, ^^ hdid your ton^es, all oa you;
X be the president here; and as for lords
or king^i I thinks. um good for nothing,
This here i^ip I bought with my money,
and I be captsunr-thafs more nor all oi^

■ - ■ »

ye; and' I hoiats all ooburs»; of all -nation^

GS and

124 . THX D£S£&T£ir«

and have bills of lading for all countries ;

and can talk a litüe of all lingoes, being a

man of sense^ d'yQ §Qe» in spite on you." —

He continued — " Them tbere gemmen, in

them laced liveries, have the rights of

dietr sid^-^tb^ ougjit mt to be impoaed

on^tTrl «gp so. Why, i'nt tibeyf mm?

lünfa, ^othail a matfa a lojm^ md b^a Ao

heiter nor t^othet : ^ niomey makes ticie

gemmen. Why did you^ bring tiiem ein

beaard;? I didpt bargda for 'em«^i wan't

atandtöiit. Tlie mkisess tfaere,** poinäng

to the oomitess, " she knows it-*-! wene

ta have twelv^ hundred pounds &»A»

and familyw-were I ia thmk she would

bv&ig a regiment a-top et meT H won't

40«^ wonft do^I tettyou/ 1 be ro slave-

trader, to go a aammiig my kold m£k

live creatara, unlessi yt» pe^ ]B0n fbp ül

IjaidBLflhouU piy Udo lä^^

USlß

f HE BUfiOBSTfilL 19S

tise öf thefii." He <k)ntiiiued«^^* I will
have two thousand Engjish guineae for
this here ßimly, as she cdl» it, or I wilf
|iut the wbole on you in my long-boaty
aad send you adrift, to find your way
iktaüfßi lt> with Davy Jones ftMr ydur
Ittlot."

l%e ^nüence was scarce {^ronoiffleed
befcxe the couMesa ftinted; £:dgar left
the e»l 10 the boat to go to her aasbrtance,
Lavinia feil on her knees tö supplioate
the siercy of the c&{>taiii» and ktid Carlo*
mount, looking ä{>palled, called out-^
« C s light on y<R5i t I agifee to yo«U(

Happily the Italian serrMtd did not
understiPüd the captain; hüt when they
perceived that he rubbed bis hands toge^
ther, and looked almost. fecetioü^ they

6 3 supposed

126 THE DESHATEB.

supposed he was g^rng to be good-natureds»
and give them better accommodation.

He lifted up LaVinia from her humili-^
ating situatictt» and added, as he raised her
up— ".D^i't thou be frighted, pretty Misa
— I wouldnt have urted thy little vinger ;
I knows how to treat them there who be-
haves plitely— ^I a*nt a captain for nothen.
•^osiah, boy,** oontinued he, ^* bring up
my oil qf, Wenus-r^ffve Miss a ^ass on%
to eure the wapers.'* -,

The boy brought up the liqueurs (the
best huile de Venus;) but Lavinia heg-
ge^ to dedlne tastki^ it, sayiiig she was
quite well, and nott subject to vapolirs at
all on any oocaslon.

** Will you take a gUss, mastar/' said
the . American to my lord, " by way of
binding our bargain ?** .

"Yes,"

THE DESERTEE. IVf

** Yes,** rejoined his lordship, •• I am
ready to bind it, in any way you please,^
so you land me in my king's dominions;
and free me from your claws.**

" Agreed P* said the American, filling
the glass ; ** here's to a good riddance,''
continued he, *' and I pledge you.**

A sudden revolatimi seemed to have
taken plaee in the humour of his lordship;
whether it was the effect of the liqueur,
or that the ciqptain had fairly hrowbeaten
him, he recovered his florid tint, and at-
tempted at drollery ; he called the captain
an odd-fish — confessed that they were
overstocked with supemumeraries, and
that the countess was to blame in having
so many foUowers whom she did* not
want

That unhicky lady dosely detained Ed-
gar to take care of her; die düng ta him,

G 4 either

128 THE DESERTER.

either from fear, or dfeeted terror, fior
could any one supply his place ; and al*
though Lavinia came down to say that
the dispute was adjüsted, the countess

chose not to beiieve, and dismissed her

• « •

niece witb evident ill-humour.

Every thing would have gone on in H;
iair train but for tbis tiresoosie counti^ss.
A moming r^ast, frei&h air, and a p^ ofnis^
of better acoommodation, appeased th€^
servants ; the earl was .well pl^^e^ wit}i.
a good breakfast*— bis $pirits bßc^ame exhi^
l^lirated by the efiect of $ea-sickness, bay«-.
ing got rid of the bile tbat made hhn irri-
table ; tbe captain had twO th&usänd rt;a-.
sons for bis newbom civility, and aqtually
put a table into the boat» with a back-
gammon-board to boot, and requested to
play a hit wiitb his lordship.

WbUe tbus .employed, Lavinia again,
• X ; had

TH£ BESEBTSA. 12$

bad raeoune to her bpok, in tfae oomer
vAisre ha oouch was laabed; but she soon
fidt the power of eniiui fiom the want of
her fiiend. Tbe retüing of the dice pro*
voked her, and she found a |aetext fbr
gdng bdow; but agmin her «int rebuffed
her, while Edgar^s cyes bade her welcome;
and encottraged her to remain.

Liflfvinia mvited her aunt to the deek, tö
occupjr her oouch ; but the eountest sbnd^
dered at the thought. She said the sigHt
of i/iat monsier would throw her into
iltg; and she shou^d not leaye her bed
tül sumtncmed to go on shore».

All Edgai^s complaisanoe fbr the beau
sexe did not avaiT bim in thid ease. His .
lookfl i^ke discontent ; and while seated
at the bed'8 foot^ he remained süent and
AlOen,

A^r a kttg jpanse, äie countess i^aid-^

G5 '^St.

13Q THE DESEBTEB.

** St. Valerie, are you weary of shewin^
kindness? is your compassion diiedup?
have you no pity for my conditioii ? no
sympathyfor a womloi whose sufferings
are so great ?"

Edgar reddened, and appeared puszled
for a reply. He fanded her speech was
equivocal — ^it bore two constructions. He
Started up, put bis hand to bis head, and
fled bastily to the deck, in ordar to com*
pose biraself.

Liavinia's eyes sparkied at sigbt of him.
The earl commenced joküig him on hav-
ing tumed nurse; and the witty captain
assured bis lordship that a young man was
a certain comforter tp an o^d woman.

Edgar said, the eloseness of the cabin
faad made bim sick, or he should have i^
mamed below. However, although often
sent for during that day^ the samepleaaf«

forded

THE DESKRTiaL ISI

forded an e^cuse for iion-attendance» to
the many demands liie countess made up«
on him, by one or other of her wpmen.

The sight of land gave a g«ieral joy to
cur tmvellers— rit was the idand of Mi*
norca; but, as the wind increased, they
soon passed it, and it was seen no more»
As the gale augmented, the waves arose ;
the sea Iwoke over the vessel, and to re«
main on deck was ipcojivenient and dan*
gerous. The earl betook himself to bis
bed» by the assistanee of Josiah ; and Ed«
gar supported Lavinia tili she r^^ched her
cabin^ for even she grew diszy with the
increasing motion. Every domestic dis«

»

appeared, and crept into theh: hiammocks»

■

for the captain had a störe, of that sort of
bedding, so that Edgar and Josiah were
the only two left that were incüned to be
usefuL

g6 The

132 TBE DESEETER.

t

The btter had fall employment wkh
the wom^i and bis loFdsfaip^ «ad tbe
countess^ to keep Edgar near her, magni«
fied eveiy urave into a tnountain of dan«
ger, and screamed» prayed, and düng to
him ag dose as she could.

Again he applied to the Frontigniae,
courting and entreating her to repeat the
dose, to ealm her spirits. She cöuld not
resifit his entreaties, had they come in any
shape; she took two or three glasses, but
not being in the habit of that sort of in-
dulgence, and having ate little the whole
day, slie dropped asleep unwarily; and
Edgar escaped by the means he had sug-
gested, leaving the countess to a sweet and
sound repose, under tlie idea that he stiD
was near her.

On going into the ci^in, he peroeived
a pillow, blanket, and mattress, lying on

the

THE D£SERT£R. 1S$

tbe floor. He feit obüged to tfae captain
for reooUecting his wimtsf ; and profiting by
this unsolkited attention, ky redüied doee
to Lavinia's door, and spon feil adeep.

The wind did not abate ; but as it was
&ir» there was nö cause for complaint;
yet as soon as dayligbt appeared, tbe up*
roar began again. hord Carlomoimt, the
countess, and th^ females, were all calling
at once, and Edgar was aroused firom a de*
lightfid dream, by sounds resembling the
diseord at tbe tower of BabeL

As he had slept in his clothes, he was
not long in rising; and perceiving Josiafa
in the steerage, bade him take away the
bedding to make the place decent, lest
Lavinia migfat come out.

The boy stared, and confessed his surprise
at seeing an arrangemeht fbr Edgar^s con-
venience in which he had had no eoricem;

and

184 THE DESERTER.

and he paiised and puzzied, tili at letigth
he suggested» that for sartain the Miss had
xobbed her own bed, and put part on"t
out, all so sly, to give it to he, the gern«
men«

s

How Edgar appredated such a kirid*
ness is not for us to say» but he wpuld
not sufTer Josiah to- touch the beddingv
carefully rolling it up himself, and placing
it on a shelf ih the jcabin.

This, and another day, was passed in an
indescribable confusion ; the ship rolling
gunnel-to, terrified the women; and the
earl was so enraged with tfaeir damour,
that he vowed he would throw them into
the sea ; finally, his lordship called for the
captain, and entreated of him, that when
they should make the roek of Gibraltar,
he might be put on shore.

The eountess was soon in&>rmed of this

Intention —

\
/

THE D£S£RTER. 185

Intention — ^her anger knew no bounds;
dared he desert bis sister «id daughter on
their v oyage ? She too aent for the äap-
tain, and insisted on acoompanying the
earl wherever he landed ; and the capiam
was as desirous as any one of the par«
ty to be rid of such troublesome colnpa«
nions, and to reoeive the priee of bis Aor-
pitaJity for so short a passage.

This point being finally decided, quiet
was restored. The earl was planning his
further passage in a man-of-war» and the

countess was laying her project how to
outwit bim, by being beforehand with his
design.

In a short time the stupendous rock
reared its head above the ocean. The joy-
fiil news brought every one fix)m their
beds-— all inconvenienoe was set at nought
— ^the gale ^bated, and the captain hoisted

Swedish

136 THS I)£8£BT£B.

Swedish oolours» and produoed Swedisb
passports/ to prove that he was a Swede.

Befoie sunset most of the pftrty went
Oll shore; Edgar and his flervmt only re-
inained to tee the beggage imdnpped for
landing. Thk eould not be done in a mo«-
ment; ^md as the gates wouldbe dosed
at sunset, lie preferred sieeping oa board^
in Liavinia's cahin^and to enjoy the sweets
of quiet and nndisturbed lepaae, of which
he had been deprived so many days^

CHAPTER XIL

^^^^^^^^^im^^^^^^^^^^'0 ^

^

EdgaE retired soon, to aVo£d the eaptaür;
but he could not sleep for some hoürs:
He foresaw much unhäppiness.itnpeadmg;
The advauees from the eouiitess oooldiiot

be

THE. DESERTERr IST

be misunderstood — ^how. could he avoid
her ? He doubted that Lavinia had feit
some anxious moments at the oonduct
of her a;imt. Hmts had esoaped that
gentle creature, that foreign manners wäre
too indulgent to what waa not carrect ;
and that a total dishabille ou^t to pre^
diide the adinission q£ a gentkman to. a
lady's bedside»

Edgv rememhered that he had Ulushed
at the lemarks Lavinia had egq>ressed.
Perh^s she mi^t suspect that was the
Uash of guiU — ^yet how oould he . have
^cplaiped it, without throwing a censure
where it was deserved^ yet not deserved
frcmi hun? Delicacy kept hun mute.
Lavinia looked dismayed, but after a lon^
pause resumed her usual sweetness; yet
Edgar had heard enough to prpve to him
the tincture of her mind ; and he dreaded,

it'

138 TH£ D£S£ET£K«

if jealousy had taken root in her susceptible
heart, it would not waiit for nourishment
while thc countess was near hhn.

He was aware of ihe dif&culties he
should have to cope with^ but conscded
himself with rcnewed nsolAtions of wateh-
ing his own heart, and strictiy.to adhere
to its bonoumble propensitiels, whatever
temptation might come in hi& way .

He rose early; and wUle tbe haggage
was stowing in thä boats» he stood lost in
wonder, oontemplatiRg the rock, of which
description must be faulty, as natüre» art»
industry» and sdence, have altogether
comliined to make it indescribable. '

After much trouble and great pätience,

Edgar finished his business satisfactorily.

He entered the room as the party was at

breakfast ; the eye that first met Edgar's

beamed a tender welcome*

The

THE D£8£RT£K. 189

The countess stretched her hand across
the earl to press Edgar's, when her bro*
ther tossed it in the air, to supersede her
— ** Well, my Kbrarian,'* cried he, shaking
the hand roughly^ •* you are for general
Service, I peroeive; egad! I know nothing
thi^ yoa are notfit for. B«it, I say,"* con-
tiiitted his lordship, in a hadf-whisper,
** tlas {daoe-^we must bring it in, some«.
how, in aar hiatary-'^o yöa oonäder how
we can introdnce iL I mean to gxve it
a dose inspection-^it will sivell the werk»
and give it interesf'

The oount^ss gave an odd gjanoe «t Ed-«
gar, who feit a little appalled on that subr
ject. This was ^e first time his lordship
had thought of his literavy production;
and as it was certainly a particitlar mania^
each dreaded this Symptom of its beittg
about to return upon him.

Edgar

140 the: d£8£bt£s:.

Edgar took a seat opposite Lairiiii% and
enjoyed die meaL She inquired how he
had rested afler a vireek's fat%üe^? She
theQ disdosed bii^ havilig siept on the
bpards ; and ipuch was said oa th6 obliga^
ti<ms they owed him> whieh he enfSasiy
diackdmed, as paanfol to Im feelingn,

The secretarj and an aid^de-eamp wsre
ushered into the room at that moment^ M
vifit his3ordsbipi and cpnduet Jbim to the
goTemor, In the fonner his loTdship le*
oognized ^ vay <Ad aequaintanoe ; and.
the latter did not appear the letst* estnm-*^
ged, as he made «p to the lacßMi and-by
9 thousand compKinentary and oomtnom
place Speeches, shewed that he^ vras per«
fectly master of the fashion of Che- day«
He also talked to Edgar--^ed the eut
and fbnn ot* bis dpthes — silenüy admired
bis foreign manners and address, and re^

solved

THE BESÜllTSIt. 141

sohied to adopt them as imieh as pos-
sihle.

Eägar was eaUsd on to aooompany his
lordship in the visit of form to the goTer-
nor. The earl intimluced him as his li-
fafarian; and Ühe diaplain» who was a reiy
leomed man^de^pif yieraed in classic looe,
made up to. him direetljl Happily Ae
^istt proY^ a jriiort one; and the ehapkdn
ocNild but just open a question on Egyp*-
iSpn hi»ogl3rphieB, when bis kordship made
the raove to depart The diapku» shook
Edgar^s hand, and rfgvetted the intenmp*
ti^. Ec^gar bowed off with the graoe of
an ApoHo-; but was neyep so pleasedat a^
eseape at any ferner period öf his exist-
eiice*

They had scareely left the eonyen*,
wheii Bdgar l^eseugkt the earf^ hot to
mme him as his Khmrlait at saxy fufure

introduction ;

142 THE DESERTEE.

introductian ; fw as he was conscious df
being inoompetent to fill that ofHce/ he
woiüd not assume a knowledge he did not
possess.

** Not possess !" rejoined his lördship ;
^ what nonsense ! 111 be bouhd you can
outdo the pedant chaplain. ' If he attacks
you in Greek, let fly at him in German— «
if he dives axnongst the andents, do you
plunge into the Frendi revolution; you
will have him tfaere hollow. Stand up-
right — extmd your legs*-*flourish one
hand, and talk loud in a dedded mannet;
the Company will give you the pafan, and
pronounce him a very stupid fellow."

^^ I cannot be an impudent browbeater/'
replied Edgar, ^ or unite ignorance with
assuranoe. In sbort, my loid, I &el the
honour of your geoerous protection ; and
that I dare to own» without an assump-

tion

THE DE8ERTEK. 143

ilon of false oonsequence that must even-
tualis degrade me."

. *• And is «ly emsequence to be dinii.
nished by your scruples?" added his lord-
ship ; ** a libiarian in my suite proves my

eradition and Uterary acquisitions ; and

in Short, air, you must keep tibat title.

or ••

€t

My lord,- cried Edgar, interrupön^
Mm, *^ 3xa I to oondder myself as your
;dq>endant?"

Edgar^ji lip quivared as he spoke.

His lordship made no answer ; and they
entered the house, when Edgar asked the
waiter- to shew him a bed-roomt and his
lordship went his way.

Extremdy ruffled» Edgar sat down to
{K)nder upon what had passed The more
jhe tbought, the more his .spirit rose. |Ie

opened

144 THE BESEKTEK.

opened his desk, and took the deed cf
gift from it, wliich the earl iiad bestowed;
he envdoped it in a oover» tri A thiese Tew
ward«^:— ** Farewell, I go to seek mdepen^
dence-^^'K St. Valerie,"

^^Hqw, or wfaere AtdXi I find it?'' added
lie, speaking to bimself;

At this moment he heard Lavinia'^s
▼olce in the gallerf, as- sbe passed his
toofla-— he sbuddered — ^ Ca» I eondemn
myself to an etemal Separation ?'* swd he';
^' be a Tolönta^ exile front her sight —
watch the sh^ that bears her hesiee, while
I doom myself to some vile employ, can-
ferred as a favour, and obtained by hum-
Uing a spirit that soars above its deserts ?

r

I am a fbol, an ideot?* continued he:
** Bat did he not tlnieaten? shall I meanty
«ubmit to befaughed at fbr presumption ?

a librarian

THE DESERTER. 145

^ Hbiarian wkho^t a knowledge of books
— -a düster of volumcs I have never read ?
— No, nOf xioJ*

Edgar rang tfae bell, and sent the pac-
ket to lord Carlomount ; but when he had
done it, he flung himself on his face, and
moaned out the name of Lavinia.

Reason and Edgar were now at vari-
ance. He tliemght only of the pangs of
sepamtion : poverty. or some mean em-
ployment» never ent^iad his head. To
part fiom Liavinia — to lose Ihe -genüe
tones of her V4Moe — tq have no powef to
anticipate her ^\;(nants, nor f^lfil her wishes,
^as not to be endured. Edgar roUed
with the acute idea^-^he gnashed his
teeth, and groaned.

The door öpeiied, but he did not hear
it, tili a vöice roused him with these
iw>rds— *• Deai^t St Valerie, look upon

VOL. III, H your

146 TIIE DESERTER.

your real friend? spcfak to mel 'wy fooi-
ii^ brother^ is both sorry and 9&hame4.
You must not — shall not leave us ; yoH
pmld not meän so cruel an Uitent ?"*

Edgar started from faifs bod-^iis hair dl
Iruffled^ bis ey^ wUd« and embarra^smeiit
pictured in im wbc^ fmiBe.

^' Compoce yoiuradC addcd tiie coun-
tesß, taking bis band; *< w^ will jieveir
part, if I cask prevwt it"

Edgar placed ^ a diair by a Baecbft-
likäl movement ; and aa be stood b^btre
Jber^ ccmfivsadly exf^bmed wby he dida
viclenc^ to bimsdi^ iq tfae plan he had
proposed — ** I ougbt to go» madam," added
he; *' I am reqiuwd to eadubit aa a prcK
£umptuous impostor, and ftee ihat ridieiile
I ahould justly mesit^ by asauming tbe
«^qpellation of a mm o£ leanung/'

''I don't vfmt you t^ da any swk

. tAt D£S£&T£lt^ 147

thing/' Said the eari, entging hastUy ; ** £
seilt Aer/' paihting to the counteis, ^ to
make peaoe ; but, true woman, she piust
be taiking» so I came myaelf to ahorten
the buaineM. You ha^e saved my li&
v^ry oftmi ; and your taieat at iangjuagas
is naoat usefiil to my productions ; and, as
I dare aay you will tum Qut a very ^mi«
nent ehwaeter in ihe long run, I penew
jny fienoanent patconage, frienddiJp, and
countenance, without exadäng from you
-tö bear any appeÜatic»! disagreearble to
you on my acooiint.; «o tak« l^adc tbebeg-
^aily deeds wbic^ you ^so insidtia^y aeat
to me, and e ^ me i£ I evev veeeive
Aem again, «com them aa piuch as you
19^, Mr. St. Valerie *

Ttie fiHKtuFe of pnde, selfifibness, and
generosity, was not overlooked by Edgar.
He fett the preporticm of eadi, but gene-

H 2 rosity

148 THE DESERTEE.

rosity outweighcd botli tlie others: he

*bowed low to his lördsiiip, and said — ^ I

am perfectly. content."

" ** Dut,'" said the earl, after sbakiiig £d-

gar's hand, " you will help me privately,

' I hope, when I bring out my work ?"

' "In every way I will help your lord-

ship,** said £dgai% *^ but in a name ; and

• if I ever merit that, our subject of conten-

tion, I shall sue to be so distinguished by

: all your acquaintanee."

" Come, sister,^ added his lordship,
. '' pea(« is prodaimed ; have you further
busitiess with this young man? I don't
mean to interrupt you, I assure yoiir— you
are at the years of diseretion> I bdieye ;
and Lavinia will have money enough»
without yours, to get her a husband when-
ever 1 like,"

This unexpected jocularity made tbe

countess

THE BESEBTER. 149

countess retire imiriediately. His lordsMp
ibllowed her, with many grimaces ; for al-
though he loved her, he delighted to ridi-
eule her ; and the ** right of prerogative'*
made them alway s dispute»

CHAPTER XIII.

^^^#^^i»^»»#^^ #»#»»#>»

The transition from coiäplete - iniseiy tcr
colnfort and joy gave Edgar such aiii-
ination as he seldom had known. He
and his patron took a lopg walk, in the.
soutliern direction. The earl, as usuaU
with his tahleta in his hands, hegan taking
memoranda. A centinel, who was tra-
versing his post, had an eye upon Iheir
movements, and with the ^nd of his piece*
dashed the tahlets from his lordship's handsi
and püt them into his own bosom : then^

H 3 seizing

ISO TR£ BBBERTER.

*^ D-^n me, bot you are a Frenchnmi--- -
ydu haV6 jnit Boney's cat Nüw» honey,
you may as weil be asy, and not kick and
cuff ; for, d'ye see, I wauld do the thing
gentaley, and not shoot you, and that ould
pirate there, upon the spot, which lawfuUy I
may do ; for, you know it, you are botfa two
couple of spies ; so surrender, and you shall
be shot aa deverty when you are tried by
the generalis eoort-martial^ as if you did the
Job yourself^ honey, and it may be bettet.*^
This affair might have proved serious,
for there was a baM struggle to disorm
the sentry, ha4 not captain Mainwarilig
appeared on bis prancing steed (the aid'^
de-eamp befcMre mentk>ned), who flew to
the spot directly — " My dear lord," crie<it
he, in an afiected tone, " what an embar-
rassment! sentry, I »ay, walk about; I

know

■

how happened it ? vastly odd, 'pon mf
$öiü ! can't Mcpmit for itM.-a[Mit tom, I sise
*^uitt abominable !"

^ The Goat ii of no oansequenee," said
Edgar; ^but w« are aU wrong» I begin ta
ibiskk, ftom the oommeneem^nt of tbr
biMinefls." He ihea gave the particulam
io the inattentiT« aid^O'^eattip, who waa
patting bis horse^ and Grtanding in tke stir-
nipSj thinking only ctf hhnself, bis atti-
tiide> and glBoe.

His eye 2^ah> wandered to Edgtt's tom
«Mt^^"* Made at Paris, I oonchide ?** ob«
served the aid-^cs^eamp.

** C . ■ > c the coat T cried the earl ; " is
ttiat rascai to ^ walk about' after such aa
insult to an English noUeman ?"

" Oh, trae!" rejcnned Mainwaringf
"3entry, what is your name, my good

H 41 feUow?

132 THE DESESTEB.

fellöw ? I— I — I mu»t repprt you to your
colonel.'*

** My name, and plase your honour?**
siud the sentry ; "then you sliall have it,
for I an't ashamed of Terence Finaigen,
this tiine, nor never; you cannot report
any bad, sure, of Terry : and for them
spies, sure — why ypa don't mane to sav6
them ? The uext time^ tp be sure, I i^all
shoot tliem, and no breach of the articlest
&By how; an't it all for the good of the
ßarvice? and I know my.duty, your hor
nour» any how, not bekig * a half-boäed
recruk/ as the drill-sergeant calls thenii
but a three years old soldier."

Edgßrt could not refrain from laughing
at the quaint expression; but tbe earl
would not be appeased — he tumed liis
Steps to proceed to the goverhor, to de-
mand punishment on the aggressör. Ed-
gar

THE deserter: 153*^

gar made an attempt to make his lordship
hear reason ; but his strides were so rapid
in pursuit of sevtenge, tliat he eould not
attend either to advice or counsef.

** Let him go/' enedcaptain.Mauiwa^
ring; '^it is immensely ridfculous^, but
your ooat i» a: most mortify ing;, concem-— >
I fear it is irreparable.?'^

**• A 7ISW one will more than repair it,'*
seplied EdgaK ;. ^* and I can we^ a sur>
tout ia tbe meantime. As we travelled
incognito, and were anxious to escape, mt-
extensive wardf obe would have been mucl^
iu cur way."

^* But, my dear sir," added tbe aid-de--
camp, " you would not wear a coat made
eh the rock ! it would be immensely
outreJ^

" If I commit an outrage agaihst fa-
shion,. convenience will absob?e m&ü said

H 5 Edgar \.

134 THE DESEUTER.

Edgar ; " if the cnt of my coBt be my first
recommendation, I shall owe little to the
discrimination of my general aoquaint-^

ance.**

u

First impresÄiöns go gr^t lengths,
'^on honour !^ ilaid Maanwinißg; "* tö say
notbing of the creatutes, the heau sewe,
who love US for externds.'*

*' Gopd-day tö you,** said Edgar; « it is
time to chatige mine^ ö# I dhatl meet with
lüsgraee."

•* Fray don't go,** eried Mainwaring, "I
see my friend eoming— will you be intrp-
duced ? he is a man of letters— *immensely
eleVer-M^peafes lahguage» — And laughs at
^tttdde shew-**

By this time the gentlenian iqpproaehed
them, and Mainwaring shook bis band—
*^ ABow löe,** cried the ktter, aflfectedly,
•*1to mÄe the honeurable Carleton Ne-

ville

viHe kiKrvm to Mr. St. Valerie^ Uteuiail
to lord Carlotnount."

£dgar blttshed pdnfully, and aftei" an
interdiatige cf boW9, disdaimed a ptofe^
skm he was not entitled to in any degree«
and requested of Mainwaring that it might
be dfopped.

" Ob, I am immenseljr rejöioed,** i-e-
plied Mainwaring, " that yoa hate books,
because yoü resemble mysdf ; but how
could 1 misapprehend so grossly ?^

•'My fiiend and patron led you into
error," replied Edgar; ** he iiUenda me for
tlmt Situation \ but I must be better qua*
Kfied befote I aeeept the post."

«* Wlwtt ! you must study, then, I sup-.
pose?" rejoined Mainwaring; *' I pity
you, by Jove ?

'^ I don't perceive a cause for commi*
seration,** said NeviUe; ^'ytmstvdy all the

h6 day

1,

V,

1

150 ' THE DESEUTE»;

day long, and are the happiest nutn alive ; r^,

graces, attitudes, and looks, are the study ^

of your mind ; it absorbs your £icu]ties,
occupies all your ideas, delights your ima^
gination, * grows with your growth, and
strengthens .wit|i your strength J'

" Pax^pax, major !" cried Mainwaring.;
'' I am a coxcomb, I confess ; but w^kat
should a man be at twenty-one ? I alway s
expect your lash, and I own I deserve it;
but y ou give it me too smartly to-day.
At twenty-seven to assuoie the Mentor,
is really too youngJ*^

" Charles," added the major, . " you are
the best feHow in the world ; but fearing
your ßf»t impression might staipp you as
a supei-ficial boy, I wilftiUy provoked you,
to give a proof that you are an excellent
man."

** Npw for facts then," cried Mainwst-

ring;

THE DESERTJIR. 1Ä7

ring ; ** we have, that is, I have^ Been
been niuch amused with yonder Hiber-
nian, who walks so stately on bis post—
an immensely odd fellow ! it is he who
has torn this genüeman's coat — ^Will
you teil tlie story, Mr. St, Valerie ?" ad-
dressing Edgar ; '^ I cannot give it the
effect it merits."

Edgar took the work, and in the short
recital söflened the rüde conduct of the
sentry, by taking blame to himself for an
attempt to struggle with and diäarm the
man. He regjpetted the precipitancy oif
lord Carlomount, in flying off for redress
to the governor ; and Edgar spofce with
so much feeling and propriety, as gave ar»
interest to the major in favour of the speak^
er in all that he said.

Having listened with attention tili Ed-
gar ceased speaking, he requestcd Ü^sit \v^

would adjourti to his abode» dnd allow him
tcr oißk a eoftt, belbre Edgitf sbouM enter
th^ tovm* Tdtntiiig to Marie buSding^ a
fittle way off, he desdibed one 0f tbem
I» bis quarters.

Edgar feit plea$ed with thia attention^
mä acc^ted fhe offer ; and as tbey w^-^
ed on together» he contemplated the fbian
and features of bis new acquaintanc^^ wbicb
aeem^d pevfectly to aci^td with the urba-
nity and easy franknes» of bis address.

The aid-de-camp pranced and curvetted
bis beautiful steed before them, at a slow
pace, sometimes leaning one band on the
erupper, to make a remark, in <»rder tbat
bis attitudes should be observed^ and his
graces have due cfifect.

Neville spared not his wit, on erery oe-
casion when tbis äffectation Wfiö display ed ;
but if it was pointed with satire, it was

tempered

THE BBSEfi^TlSft. Ilt9

tempered by so mucb good-humöur. that
it glafiüed at, but neref gave a wound to

CHAPTER XIV.

EdgäU could not get äway froin this ami-
able aequaintance, though he attempted
to take leare. Sörvants spread ti table fbr
second breakfast, with cold game and mosC
deKcious fruits ; and never was bospita-
fity and politeness «ione nicely mingled,
er more natutally evinced, than in major
Neville's teception of Edgar.

At last a new blue coat, that neTer had
been wom, was tried on Edgar, It fitted
very well, but Mainwaring began to abuse
it. He held up Edgar's tarn habit-^ad-

l60 TBE DESERTER.

mired the exquisite tum of the shape, tlie
elbow and collar— swore the blue coat
came from some old clothesman's^ and t}iat
Edgar's ApoUo-figure would be disgraced
m putting it on, But this only created a
laugh ; arid Edgar, thus equipped, request-
ed that, as the coat would be retumed al-
most directly, captain Mainwaring might
put it on, to give it the east of fashion.

At Edgar's retum he met his patron,,
who "tyafi in loud diseussion with the coun-
tess, and Edgar caught these words, as he
entered the room— " I tellyou,.if that sol-
£er is not punished, I will embark toi-mor-
row, ay, in. a boat, if there is no ship ready,
His royal highnesa. shall hear of it, and
do me justice. A man of niy consequence I
— ^how dared he speak to meof tlie duties^
of a soldier? and that the rascal thought
he was doing his duty by striking my

tablets

TBE D£S£BTEm« l6l

tablots from my hand, to possess himself
ofthem?''

** I knoyv you are vixong — I do not he<
sitate to pronounce it," said the oountess ;
" but St Valerie is come — ^let him repeat
the story-^his precision I can depend ou»
Mrithaut fears of exaggeration." ^ .

" Don't teil her, St. Valerie,'* eried his
lordship, agitated by passion ; ^' shall I be
browbeaten by a woman — ^pecked by an
old hen — submit to petticoat government?
No, no, no. — Hear me T added he, roar-r
ing loud ; *^ I dissolve the oonnexion-^go
your way, and I ivill go mine— Who dare
prevent me ?"

The countess rose, and veiy calmly
patted, or rather smoothed, hi$ ruffled
visage — '* It is a fine lion," said sbe,
" and roars nobly. Give thy paw, king of
beasts, and be gentle. I love thee, and

thou

]^ TICK »SSSffCIA/

Come^ be tarne, and I will no longer goad
tli0e.**

The 6ftrl «tatted, and tranC to tile win*
d^w, in Order to coneeal bis ehange of aS'^
pect, for bis rage had disapp^red, and a
smile spread oy» bis features. He beheld
a file of soldieiis balt at the door, wbile
one of thetn, disanned, srtood amongst
tbem^ as if be was guarded by bis com^
rades* In another mixiute &u oificer waa
announced, on partioilar business.

« Ob ho r med tbe earl, •* they be^»
to see tbeir error^-^bring the culprit h^üyte

me,**

The offi^^ gttve a message from the go-
vemof, importing tbat the prisoner could
not be punii^ed for the offence by the
artides of war, but had been leprimanded
for the intempemnce of hia zeal in assaiU

mg

TSE teSEftTlOL 169

uig the earl M he had don^ (»i thd sutfp&i'
cion of his being a spy.

Hia lördabip ciolouxed at the terro, and
recolkcCed bk imptisonnient at Leghorn^
lipon a simildr occasion-^^* Odd'd my fife,

«

sk!'' rgoined his lordship» petnhntly,
" why did you bring him here, unIcss yow
mean that I should cane him, or ohasÜM
lum in some way ?"

** He comes, sir, to acknowledge hiö
mistake, and ask ymn* piffdc^i" was t6«
ct&cefs aftswer ; '' shalt I order him tor
c(»3ie up?" .

His lordship demurred^ then replied-*^
" Why— a— 'tis an awkward affair— -**'I
say, St. Vderie, shall we— a — ^look over

the matter ? What could I say if the feU

<

low be^ed pardon ? Ccmfound it ! why
don't yoix say what I should db ?"
" Shall I teil bim that your lordsbip »

content,'*

164 THE Dl:ft£KT£]t.

contenV replied 'Edg&t, **^and give liinr
fiom^thing to drink your health ?"

*' Ay, ay, that will do; teil him the
earl of Carlomount is satisfied, although^
he did take him for a spy» a traitor, and a
blackguard. My nature is forgiving; at
although I wish he had been flogg^d in-'
stead of pardoned.'*

Edgar and the officer retired to dismiss
the soldiers. The earl went to the win-
dow, and in the plenitude of bis mercy
i^ned a shower.of siiver on the soldier^'^
heads ; which was retumed ' by three
cheers» and blessings on bis honourable
lordship^ as long as he remained in sight.

As he retired, he made this Observation
— ^** I am not soiry, after all, at this re-
markahle event — it will read well in niy
history, and I shall be knowTi thröugh»
the whole garrison for my generosity, cle-

mency^

THE DESEUTEft. 165

mency , and researcb. The . evil has pro-
duced good» and I fed satisfied and ooil-
tentr

Edgar's eyes now wught some one that
was wanting — where was Lavinia ? Had
he loved her less, he would have inquired
whither she had gone ; bat he chid him-
self for this ; and under the pretext of or-
dering a new ooat» and retuming the one
the mi^or had lent him, he left the room ;
but he took the whole round of the gal-
lery, and made a pause at each door, in
the fond hope of h^aring a voice he loved,
but no such voice came welcome to fais
.eaiv

In bis J30om he found bis valet, who

was arranging the beggage. Edgar sent

him ofF with the coat, and to ^bring back

. a tailor ; but np sooner was he gone, than

he again went to the gallery, standing

near

166 VH£ DES£llT£ir.

Tieor his own door, to seciire a ^treat &r
fear of being detectod.

At length he caught sight of Violetta
eieeping mftly from a Chamber. Edgar
bedkoned her towards him; wben sbe
8o6dy Said — •'^ Doii't detain me — my lady
bas ojed hevself to sleep« and I am going
io tfae oouirtess to kt her know, fori &m
aure «omething has happened move than
vtsml, by my kdy being so secret, and
k#^]^fig me prisoner in her room for so
Biany hours.*

^ Hont disefaiey lady Lasdnia^* cried
Edgar, In a hurried voice ; ^ I beseedi
you to go back, and watch by her, tili she
permits you to withdraw. But — I say,
my pwtty Violette," and Edgar ccdoured
as he «poke, ** I say, could you not infenn
«e, when die wakes, if sieep has )Mt done
h» geed? I viH then mtbrm 43ie eari,

and —

TSC zxEaz»TSB. 167

iuid«rT«atuilr--4h£n you know^-^e ifirill be
prepai^-^I mein, that ke sfaouid not he

^ He alannedr rqpeKked abe, eutttng
.fihort liis «acohereiice; '' it i« Im fiuilt «1-
tpg0tber, I fwcy ; have not he and you
^narrelle^ and «»e not youi geong ftwagr tp
leare us ? ikit I mifi3t gp* Yet, Mr* St.
Valerio» it is just oome wtQ my bead**^
jou may <x)me in half^an-hour, and semteh
at my lady'a focon^door; l wiU «^r H Is
i^ lapdog, and I em tben tett yoiji bfw
jsfae is, without giviaig her fiuieficioDu^

Videtta left £d«Mr botfa {äeMcd and

distsirbed. He sfant hia docov and flmging

löoaaelf into achaii; he^ tig^se lefleetbns

««^^ Tod dtaoongmsQ4itß psQo& nf a» attacb-

mistt^, whidb both must deplore,^ aaid £d-

gKt to buoself : ^* J may atadve te faneak

4te isiiaiii ; hüb tsa l picuee aa tendnv so

affectionate

168 tH£ DBSERTES.

afFedtionate a heart? I am entangled,
bewitched, drawn into a labyrintb^ from
ivhich I cannoi escape— the pang must
coüie at la&t/ and it must cöme fröm my-
self-^we mtcst part — bitter anticipation !
yet a short delay will soften tbe stroke.
Let her once mingle with the world, and
be Seen, known, and admired ; some bap-
•pier, rieber, more accomplisbed lover, may
blunt tbe predilection feit for me, and
fimned under circumstances so stränge,
and peculiar in themselves, When I wit-
ness that preference, I think I could, with
}esR anguisb, tear my seif from her. But,"
^added he, *^ $he idiaU never know the se^
»eret of my soul, tbougb I know hers — no
one suspects me yet-^bab ! wbat meant
•Violetta?, Wby sbould I mysteriously
make secret inquiries, wben, aä a friend
mdan linmate of her fatber's faouse, thb
-» ' inquiiy

7HE DESEETEB. 169

hiquiry would be natural and open?-—
Scratch at the door !" continued he ; "I
Uush at the inference ! why did I allow
of so foolisb, ^o boyish, so doubtful a pro-
posal ? It shall not serve me — I must ef*
face the Impression my own foUy has efieet«
ed, by undeceiving Violetta from her error
and suspicions."

Edgar contmued to ruminate^ tili a sum-
mons to his patron broke up bis oogita-
tions. Ed^gar leamt that a man-of-war
was shortly to .^il foT England, and that
bis lordsliip was in hopes they mi^t com^
plete their pas3age, sa inauspiciously be«
gun.

■ >

VOL. III. I CHAP-

«

17Ö THE DESEÄTER.

CHAPTER XV.

Meanwhile llie countesis hiad occupied
Äer moming in having hör jewel», her
carriage, and her dress, ootnpletety uh-
pdcked. She faäd a desire to see and be
seeit ih the garrrsbti, and to wadc in a
Street appeared to her impossible: her
caniage was elegantfy splehdid, and sh^
feit, wheti she was in it, tJie niajesty of st
<^[uee^.

This formed another subject of diseuit«
sion between the brother and sister tili the
dinner was announoed. Edgar had been
anxious iox some time for that period of
the day, which usually collects a domestic
group; he watched the door— ^Lavinia

fc^pea^ed;

THE 0ESCRTEX. 171

appemfed^ she was \rrapped in a blue aatia
pelisse, her hair hosely negligen^ ber
face pal^ «nd her fine eyes sunk and lati«
guid-

Edgar feit appalledt her dared Hot a4-
dres^l^r, but wfaen die took her pbcgf
bis eyes sougbi hefs ki spite of faimaelf;
but dhe looked ev^ way but at hinu

*' Are you betten Lavinia?*' siid t^e
countess.

•* QtoUß well,'' wa6^ie«eply, •*biittoo
kzy to A^si**

Edgatr read all he^ tbcMiglits; he knew
1^ wafi^ iti^ßgtiaiit wilh him 0täy^^he had
pi^posed to quit the earl^ therefore oould
not be atlä^hed to her move thait by friend-
4Ap: she f<^ h^self dighted, and het
ii^ä^timoe faad a eaoife, i£ysLigeä by oüt-
ward semblance or presumptive praofs.

Dtiring ^i^er, an smtat]4^n arrived

1 2 from

172 THE DESEUTER.

from the governor, to the whole party, to
•a bäll and supper the approachiiig Friday,
•The cmnpliment eould not be refused —
the invitation was acknowledged, and ac-
•ceptcd in due form.

£dgar did rtot fiirther the conversation
after the cloth wais withdrawn ; he took
coflCee, and then quitted the room ; and, in
Order to shake o£f his chagrin, took a walk
on the line walLs.

Liavinia was again vexed at his disap-
pearance from the room. In the habit of
seeing him every hour of-the day, she
feit alarmed at his estrangement ; and
adding tbis tö the sum of indifference she
fancied he had acquired, she became more
and more apprehensive that he Lad de-
-termined on a Separation, which she could
not prevent.

These . harassing ideas corroded in her

breast;

THE DESEÄTElf . 173

hreB!&t ; and meeting no interrapiion from^
the conversation of her aunt, or her fä-
theW "who slept, Larinia became so ex-
tremely nervous, tliat her agitation coukh
not be supported ; her tears neariy burst
from the suppression she had imposed on>
them, and she hurried fi^om the rooni^
without speaking or being spoke to.

The g-allery was lighted by lamps at
each winding ; Lavinia's Chamber was at
some distance; she met Edgar in one oP
the turnings — sbe leaned agamst the
wainscot, and hid her face from him, lest
he should perceive her emotion. He took
the infection-— he flew to siipport her;
her head feil on his Shoulder, and the tor-
rents she had tili then confined burst in
agony upon Ms bosom — " My life, my
soul!" cried Edgar, entirely forgetting
eaution, " some one may surprise you ii>

I 3 this

liiis sad eonditkm. I hear Tozcee — ^wliat
canldof^

She oodd nekher speak nor tfeeollect
heirsetf, and tbe Yoices came nciorer.

Edgar» in terror for her reputatitxi)
opened his ehamber door, snd plaeed \iet
out of Observation.

Some tip^y offic^rs now staggered
dbng tfae gaO^ ; £d^ closed the door^
md stood wkhout it ; hia hat bad fallen
off, md bis Gountenance wa& mucb dUor-
dceed. One offioer, mofe inebriated tbaa
ti^e re9t» came doae to Edgar» and, hl&.
cupping as be qpoke, be said<^^< Friend,
you are very drunk. You are a civilian,
and haye no right to get drunk ; I %häü
send you to the guard-house.**

Edgar was greatly disturbed : a scuffle
would inevitaWy bring out his k)rdship,
and Xavinia noight be diseovered in bis

ehamber—

you are sober/ ; »j^ iEßg^ ift a 1^

v)Nl9«iHr>*^ fixten«. «i4 4flEi'^ miM^ ve^

Tiie SßdrtsMt wm now beUl % hi6<aKi9>
fMDioRQ» !«rlu> pjilfed hBB fi)raraBd4 bat
suddenfy jarkiqg hanueif fiom ihcär hold,
fae lost bis balanoe, aad fiilling dose to
Edgar, bis bead stnidk tfae Chamber door,
and hurst it cfifiD.

"Tbe jenniged Edgajr uaügfat ;bim up^ bis
strengtb bemg dauHed bjr an^^^ and
flang inai ttoa gDeat4uit«nce ; tfaen Edgar
axterndtbeuom, and fiar &ar af anas-*
iMk» pusbed a ehest of drawecs agamst
it-^ Mr I^iriia, my omx JUvinia."
cded die ungiy Edgar, *^ you nmst be
&:eadfu]ly frigfatened ! Bnt nebody dam
enter mj diamber; yöu are -saife, heiieye

1 4 me.

178 TSE BESEETIKIU

m Uke B 8C8red foird/' tejoined Vioktlai«
^ But you must not detain me, for my
lady will be «frsid; ßhe sajrs she (fitf verp
mrong^ and that dieacted ^raote inqmfper;
and, to be sure, she diould have rang for
ä&otman, to liave lit her to hcnoom,
loid tiien the brutesof o£Bcen would h«?t
let her alone."

*< Bot hovr did «he esöape P** contii^ued
Edgar; *' how did dbe g€t to hw room?"

*' La, how tiresome you we, Mr. St.
Valerie !** cried tiie damsel : ** do escort
tue, and don't posssle about aothing, for
i ttttst go cm.**

Edgar iront with lier, bu^ left her as
«oon as «he was in «a&ty. He retired to
his room: the retrospection of the past
half-hout did neither flatter his judgment
ner seem cordial to his hent; those ejHthets
of endear^ent «houM not have passed his

Tun ]>£$ERT£R. 1^

fifMi— -he faad been sui^rised into them,
be ivas wady to faeKere ; bid;why«PMbe

Tiie ewKMse Edgar <upon steady leflep-
tion) iviMiid fiot wxept d£--^** My lionour
«Bd integiity,* said be, '' I bare indierto
«erupukMisly ^uaided, but wityn the laat
bour my vigilance bas sl^ : bow can I
i«oa& «xpMssions tiiat hacie dedaredm;^
love? I halte myaelf! Am I a dav^e (o
passions I abbor ? Hav« I b<MiSCed to my
beait, ihA I oould imbject them to my
0WI1 dominion, by tbe abkaute govem-
me3rtirf'myiniSQSi?-**iaiid do I ccmtmdict,
in one unhapgy mxNnent^ ^be piide and
boast of my Ufe? fifaeknows now, from
my own ups, the Icfve I bear bar. I am
diegmoed-^humbied ; i^y prdaimptiMi
inll meet tbe veoompenöe it deserves,
sooner or later, nodoubt/*

i6 Edgar

180 ^ THE D£S£RT£R.

Edgar paced the room \Vith an unac5-
<^üntable speed ; his hurried ixiind inipel-
led his Step with eagemess. His eye was
caught by the brilliant lustre öf somethiiig
011 the curtain nearest the bed's-head. In
drawing the curtain, he perceived a va-
cancy, and that the bedstead had been
forced from the wall.

Instantly he became aware of Lavinia^s
ingenuity; she had forced her way into
tbis place of secredy, on fhiding herseif
in Edgar's room. Sensible of the impro-
priety of being shnt up with him alone» she
had withstood bis calling her ; . and thougfa
«hö feit grieved:&r bis disquietude and ap-
prehension on her account» yet delicacy>
and a dread of a repetitiob of some kind-
Iiess3s quiCe recent pn her mind, kept hex
stubbmnly sOent tili he left the room : she
heard him go down stairs, and lix^nediate-

ly

THE DESEttTER. 181

ly forced her way from her retreat, little

caring for some rents in her dress, which

was cmught in the struggle to escape, lest

!Edgar should retum too rapidly : her diii^

mond brooch hxmgj to the eurtain, and by

its brilliancy told E^gar the whole mys-

tery, which had so mach surprised hint.

His own mihd portmyed to him wbat had

been her thougfats whäst she was shut up

'with faifn in his Chamber, and thedelicacy

of Jjer silence more than ever charmed

hira : lie looked at the brooch, but he did

not kiss it — his affection was too soUd to

be romantic, nor would he bestow caresses

on a tfaing inanimate, as pcoofs of rea},

pure, ingennous admiration.

He wrapped the brooch in blank paper,
and the next mormng sent it by his ser-

-vant to lady Lavinia's maid» determined

not

182 . THE DESEETSn.

not to shock her fedings by any allusion
tb äie night past

Her iadyAlp bnled the next dfty with
tmusual jcj — she kneo) che wrs 1>eloTied :
Ulis she had «omedmes fisicied, but never
^be&re was adisared of: sbe caied not finr
^uijr mipediinent In their way, if, at tiie
end of tweniy yeais» her faopes dimild
tneet fniition; i^e 4K)uld wait with pa-
tiaioe, so Edgar were Imt neaar her. ^fae
mdy dread that appafied her was the con-
^uct of her aant; her ridbes-<^tfae high
opinion the world gave her for knowiedge,
sense, and wit, and the partial miei^ she
wore to Edgar» were great temptations to
throw his pursuits towards the cou i^tcss,
although he was attadied at first 45oniew
where eise : this alöne mede Lavinia un-
easy. She suspected har fiitber farout^

the

*BB DESERTM. ,„

tion«. —"ce me obhga.

««■ not <o «matte, a,. »—Tt ^^^

^ «"Pirnas would w „^ c^.„

caKP-

184s 7HE OESERTER.

CHAPTER XVI.

#<r^##»#jw»^'< ^ »#'#>#'<r^<«#'^

WiTH the bloom of health blushing on
her cheek, and her soul^ sparkling in her
eye, :she went to the breakfast-itoom, whei^
the party were all assembled>— his lordship
and the countess were exclaiming against
the irregularity of the house, and the riot
overnight.

' The master had just entered, and gave
a patient hearing, tMl he fouvd a pause
for a reply: he then alleged that he was
not his own master — ^that the nlilitary car-
ried all «before them — ^that a civilian must.
bow down to militäry despotism- — and that
rights and privileges had yielded , to cus»-

tom, and the officers paid n& respeet to

any

TR% DESntT^IU* 185

«uiy one out of regimentab, whieh too of-
^en oovered (tbe master «dded) flcandal to
't^lie clptfa, and sliaine tp the,profe63ion*

The entrance pf major NeviUe silenced
'tlie host» who bpwed Iqw and withdrew.

£dgar immediately«^ rose to present the
^major ta.hb lordship and the ladies. His
manners appeared at once to enchant each^
and he apologized for his early visit, being
field-officer of the day — " l^ut," he con-
tmued» tuming to Edgar, " I vrished to
See you, and have ordered a horse» that,
jf you have no engag^ment» you may ac-
Company me m my rounds ; my duty will
take me to all cur . posts,- and I can pro^
mise yoa, who are a stranger^ ample In-
formation for one day, as to fortification^
batteries, änd redoubts» if your taste tutna
that way."
" Oh, by all means accept a^e Vi^^"^

186 mXS INBSSOtTSfi.

me hy tal^^ig my iäbküg; »ote «rtiy
thing y€Mi 6$cf^ ev^i die monldes, with

^ We will dispenfie miSk the tablete, if
yoHF loFdqbq» j^eas^,^ said the m^'fV
^ tkey have been uQlueky, i am tpldr
We shifi cemember tlia moiddes, if tfaey
PEiake äidr appearance, as It is^ a »ritj
that aeldam occiun^ I have Wn thißflr
ycars m the gamaoa» iuad neirer haveaeen

ene."

•*Now'let ^ asis;,'* Baad the cüühtesSr
"^ in l^is proposal of amusemeiit^ wbat
s)uHre eomeß to un ? In France and Italy»
ladies take thä first place in all considera*
ticms ; I caniiot live in a country wbere
warnen säce forgot^ ^r, at best, hold but a
seoondary influence under the lords of the
ereatian.*' ,

« Sisten

TH£ DESERTER. 187

-*' Süt^, astesr," said the ewii " you
will be taa^t wisdfwa at last—« tme wis-
dorn, "which, in your convenazione, your
Gabel ef fiuiiOKfhen, jour ncHay declaitn-
«rs> yo«ar aacsent qnotiters o£ dead tongues,
yeur daadcal retainera whicji you ptid
by tJw month— I say tbey tunied yeur
faead ; but we shall biing you louiid) atid

" Do ring the bell, St. Valerie," eried
the oountess, much jvoroked. *' My car-
riage directly,' «peaking to her acrvant —
»I am deteniüned on unuaement, aad
wiB be obeyed."

" My dear aunt; you &^^ the horses
were not embarked," said Ijavinia.

" I had foi^ot that untoward circmn-
stance," rejdned the countess; " but I
will get horses if they are in the w*^^"

Sayiog tbis, she left the >nrirf*.

^^VSE»»

J88 THE DESERTEÄ.

impetuous töanner ; and his lordship loök--
ed rather foolish, at having exdted her ta
rage. •

Major Neville instantly removed the
seeming difficulty ; he begged Lavinia ta
acquaint the conntess he would procnre.
her a pair of raiiles. In Lavinia*s absence
he wrote to the colonel of engineers, who
kept a carriage, drawn by inules. Neville
knew his lady was lately eonfined, there-
före had no doubt but his friend would
oblige him by lending the mules, as he
had no use for theni at that period,

Before they could possibly arrive, the
major and Edgar had departed to fulßl the
duty of a soldier. Between the different
posts they had time for conversation/ and
Edgar lost all restraint with bis eompa-
nion. The major seemed «tirpfised at
Edgar's technical expressions> the terms'

• ^

THE desehteb. 189

in fortification were not new to him— lie
applied them scicntifically, as if accus-
iotned to their usagc. The major tooked at
him with wonder — " I thought," swd lie,
" you were a noviee in what I meant to
she'w you?" *

" No," rejoined Edgar, calmly ; " I
know a little of theie matten — I have
made them my study ; it is a study I once
-took delight in."

" Were you intended for the array ?"
Said the major.

" I belieye I was not intended for any
:thing,'' cried Edgar, smiling; " and I am,
at three-and-twenty, as you see, without
intention,- jnst nothing." ^

" I must say," added the major, " that,
;howeverindependent,a.yüungmanBhould
have 8ome profesäon : every one has some
talents for one thing or anotl^Q^. -^ "Ö*"^^"

190 THE ÖESERTER.

suit IS ttecessaiy to gire a zest to our plea^
sures : besides, to be useful in every way
we ean is the Order of nattfre; and what-
ever is our profession, there is a useful
&!& upcto öur talenfS) ÜMit m\x^ arouse
the intellect, and make it productiv^, iti
sötne way, to the benefit of sdeiety .**

" I feel aU yön say," crfed Edgar^ ^ and
con assure you, that it is tbe businesfi of
my life to make myself worthy of my na-
ture ; h\A that is moth the imptik» of the
heart than the result of refie^Oti.'*

« We sbi^ gtbw seÄtetiÄöus,'* daid the

^peeik of y<mr kxvely cd^ii. 8iie is ^ hea^
venly creature — meef I safy sa?"

^ X bdöftg^ to »dbddy— HkttV^ äö Älative
in Afe wöriat^'

The

rPRB DS8B11TER. 191

The major was shocked at bis own iiir
advertence. They rode on, but neither
spoke ; at length Edgar broke the pause
— ^^ ZX>n't tbiiik ill of me for tliis confes«
sion ; let not my candour disgust you. A
time may come, when I shall teil a tale
that will surprise you ; but as yet we afe
straügers, major; your intefest for mte
moy decrease^ — I wiU not intrade on yott
tili you sfaall wisfa» nay, ask for all I have

to teil;*

'« My dear St. Valierie/' s^d the maior,
** you fof get-^yott may ^oon embatk, and
yoor seotet t^emaän untold : I am curiouSy
I confess, to kAow your rtory ; I a«i> I
own, mueh int^reMed for yoa» aafid if ad^
Tice or sympattly cta avail you» I fedim*
pelled to offer bolb."

Edgar looked quite delighied^ bot aa
Ito ^bittd tttttied^^taft^ Ihe irt ü Kl posty the

Gonversatioii

192 THE DESERTER.

conversation was intemipted. Some offi-
cers on horseback joined the major, and it
could not be resumed.

Edgar's mode of riding was soon ob-
served — he was dressed like a Frenchman,
but he rode like a dragoon; they con-
cludcd he was ar Gernian officer, and that
the tasselled surtout was bis imdress. One
spoke Gennan to him, . another spoke
Frendi, a third hammered out a little Ita-
lian, all in the hope of ascertaining what
country he belonged to ; bis answers were
so fluent in each language, that the de-
sired point was still doubtful ; however,
the prepossessing figure of Edgar, and his
t(mt ensemble, made his fiist impression
always favöuräblo, and left a wisli for a
further acquaintance to consolidate tbe
prepossession.

V On re-entering the town, the first thi|)g
i. . they

THE DESEETER. 198

Ibey saw was the countess's carriage. Its
gaudy colouring» and süperb glasses and
gilding, surprised every beholder; and
tfie splendid livery of her coachman and
her four footmen made so glowing a pa-
rade in the streets of Gibraltar as Struck
every eye with its magnifieence. The
aid-de-canip, on his charger, was ieaning
one band on the coach-window, not less
attentive to his own figure, which the'
side-glass reflected, than to the ladies to
whom he was paying court.

Our iield-offieers' cavalcade soon joined
the carriage, and added to the edat The
major rode up to the vacant window, and
Lavinia exchanged a tender glance with
Edgar through the ghss pannel in the
back of the coach. Eyes will teil the
trutfa-~th^ will betray the heart, let the

VOL, III. K tongue

194 THE DESEETEE.

tongue deny the fact with its utmöst elo*
quenoe.

" Who are tliese gay folks ?" said one
of the ofBcers, in a whis^pei;, to one of his
party ; " they are a new ünportation.'*

" I pity your ignoranee, my good fel-
low,'* cried the other ; " come aside and I
shall make you wiser. That is the di-
vorced wife of Bonaparte, the d-devant
empress Josephine; the young beauty
is her daughter ; and that elderly-looking
genüeman that sits beside her is her late
master of ceremonies, who still foUows
her in her diiSfgrace." '

^ And what are they doing here?" said

the inquiier.

" Why, if I must teil you all/' r^plied

the other, ** the cudevant robbed the mint»

and stole some of the regalia; so she took

ffight.

THE DESEETBA. 195

ffi^ht, to save her head, and the wind
blew her into Gibraltar.**

'' Oood-moming,'' said the inquirer, rid«
ing away briskly ; and in half-an*hour the
ioaa: circulated througbout the garrison*

CHAPTER XVII

»»O^r ^ J»!»»»»^»»»»»»

On readiing their tempoMiy dbode, the
major priessed Edgar to dine with him;
not at the mess, whmre all oonveäatioii
was pubUd» and oftentimes ttx> unreserved,
but at his qu»i;ers, vrheite he kept a regu-
lär establishment» in oider, when he Mt
himself diapofied, to entartain bis fidends
with simple eleganoe» and in rational and
quiet discoorse.
This invitatk>n to Edgar was p]:eferred

K8 ^

196 THE DESERTEE.

as he handed the ladies from the ooach ;
his eyeswere bent on Lavinia at the time ;
a cloud seemed perceptible on her face as
the major spoke — " You will come then,
St. Valerie? I dine at six; and if you
sho^ild wish for a moonlight ride, I shall
go my rounds möre agreeaMy.**

Edgar had entered into Lavuiia's
thoughts^ without her uttering them; and
he replied, that he was engagedi and must
postpane so tempting a solicitatian.

Lavinia's eyes iihmediately brightened,
and she ran up stairs with an elasticity
that marked the joy of her heart.

When the major rode away, ä smlle

played round his lips; if it was a little sa-

tirical, it only cürled the Upper lip, with-

out giving äri iÜ-natured look to one whosc

isensibility had hinted the tfuth.

Lavinia's spirits were uliuiaially a^^^*

' inated

THE DESERTE». J97

mated this day ; hör was tbe countess less
elated; the train that had attended her —
the attenticms sbe had received, adminis-
tered to her ostentation.

The govemor and bis suite soon aflcr
paid theur compliments, and the wliole
moming was taken xip with these courtly
occupations; even the earl condescended
to own he was pleased, and gave not one
thought to unpackmg hU manuscripts,
which he had projected to do before he
left his bed:

During the evening, Edgar witaessed
fresh proofii of Lavmia's attachment by
her bappy aspect He knew he had been
too unguarded — too tender, the night be-
fore, to leave a doubt on her mind of bis
Beeret devotion ; and his refusing to dine
with major Neville, deterred merely by
K 3 ^^^

%

198 THE DESERTEK:

her look, shewed her plainly the strong
influenee she had over him.

These reflections, on retiring for the
night, made him miserable; and more
particularly that night, remorse Struck
upon his consdence, because he feit that
he had himself encouraged her ill-placed
afFection— '* I must tear myself from her,**
ieried he, starting from his bed ; ** honour
or Lavinia must be the sacrifice. I can-
not Support the confücti Yet, will she
not sink under the Separation, when she ,
finds the treasured plalis of her sanguine
imaginatioii» bafHed and destroyed ? ' I
know her thouglits ; her fbndest hope is
to endow me with wealth and respectabi«
lity ; she thinks she shall ultimately over-
come the Opposition of her parent by pa-
tience and gentleness — and she might suc-

ceed:,

THE D£8£RT£R. ^ 19^

ceed : but even then» could I disgracefuUy
owe my welfare to the infatuation of love»
trho blindly overlooks my doubtftü origin,
my depehdent State, and the fibameless
connexions that recollection would blush
to own, in my alliance witb so pure a
branch of genuine holnlity ?'*

In such reflections passed a tedioud
night; at dayligbt he dk*essed, and hur*
ried out, he knew not where. He climb-
ed the most rugged part of the rock— en-&
tered one of the caves, and the fever of
despair seemed to abate, as he plaoed hkn-
self on a form, hewn into shape by na-
ture. Who can look at creation without
awe ? The Cause of the wondrous work
magnifies itself — ^we feel its glory ; inward
praise grows into devotion — ^the heart sof-
tens, thä mind expands, and th^ soul, thö

K 4 spark

X

300 TÄE I>£S£RT£lt.

spark divine, feels a correspondence.with
its Creator.

Thus it was with Edgar; he sunk ont
his kiiees, and worshipped — ^he wept — ^he
knew no form» but a holy sanctity im*
pelled the flu^it words af— **^ Lojpd, for-
give my infirmities^ preserve me from sin^
aqd guide me by thy sacred Impulse
tbrough the path of life !"

^ With his eyes cast upwards, he remain-
ed motionless for some time ; he was en-
veloped in ideas that belonged not ta
earth : they were new ta him — he encouv
raged them; a soft ealm overspread his
miud— " I have one friend^** cried he ; " I
am not desolate; under him».I feel no gall
mixed with dependenoe; I liave a place
of rest — ^my soul knows it has a home. Qf
wbat import are the cares or pleasures of

life?

. TH£ DESERTERi SOI

life? we must part ftom them. Were
Lavinia my own, she or I must« in a fevr
years, leave the other to mourn. Oh
may those thoughts recur to me every
day of my life, and the impression I now
feel be durable* Why have I never
thought thus before ? Must man thirik
by theory ? Wbat dißgrace ! * Original
sin' we all hear of — and why not original
good?'*

Edgar resumed his seat, and pOndered
long ; by degrees the current of the sense^
renewed their course, and led him to bend
his ßteps to the town. He found that he
had been out four hours; and when he
entered the room, breakfast w,as nearly
over»

Lord Carlomount rallied him on his
haggard looks ; the countesä (issiuedi liixa

S02

THE DSSraiTE-B* '|»i

he imist be veiy ill ; but Lavinia iv^öidd

not trust h^ vöioe; to inquiiy ; idie poured

f.

out bis tea precipitately, and pushed the
food to bis plate eagerly.

Edgar was well aware of ber sensations^
be ate more tban be wisbed, to appease ber
mind, and endeavoured to laugb witb the
countess, as a proof that be was qnite well.

After breakfast, Edgar, as usua^ asked
the earl's commands for the day.

•* Oh,'^ eried be, ** you are yoinr own
inaster; tiotbing can be done wbile we
are bere— -idleness is tbe order of the day.
I can't say but I enjöy my Englisb Com-
panions; after tbose rascally Freneb ty-
rants ; I don't fbrget tbe prefect : egad ! I
wisb we bad bim in tbis garrison^ we
should teach bim tbat bis dvil power was
Jdot worth a «traw.'*

The

THE D£8£RTER^* 209

Tfaeoountess interrapted her brother,
byspeaking of the ball« and asking Lavi«
nia oonoeming her dress.

The young lady seemed to wake firom a
dreom on beihg addressed — ** BftU !" re*
peated she; ** is it to be to-night?"

•* Now, liiece," rgomed her aunt, ** don*t
leam to be affected: I saw you were ab*
sorbed, and knew tbe aubject of your
thoughts; I heard Violetta reoeive your
Orders last night; so if you were planning
any material alt^ration^ oonsult mei and I
will rectify your taste.'^

'' My taste, madaita»'' r^oufted Laimua,
'* is 31 dilipösed; I tboUght it was gay, yet
oorrect, and weU-diosen ; but on looking
at it to-day, I am mort^fied to find my
ideas must hate been dazzled by the glare
of its brillsaney ; to-day it resem\>les mouni-
ing, and looks faded and sO)j^\)fe ; .i^a «bort»

k6 '^^

\

\

204 THE DESEHTElt.

it SO vexes me, I feel inclined to throw it
from me, and ehoose any thing but the
one that so delighted me;.''

The coimtess wa» at the windöw^ with
her back to the Speaker, whose voice was
agitated, for her eye was directed to lEd^
gar, and it was doubly brilliant from the
Mquid crystal that sprung into it bj^ she
poluted her emphasis.

Edgar kft the room ;. the'coüntess tum«-
cd round — ^** Why^ my k)ve/' cried she^
^ where is yöur wonted magnanimity ?
Do you weep about ä dress ?'*

** I am ashamed of my weakness, I mtist
confessi" said Lavinia; **but there are
trivial incidents that sometimes v6x one
vmaecountably ; nay, ma'am, I haT« sieen
you outrageems at the misplacing of a curi,
although tljere- is ho quei^ioa of your
magnanimity.'*

?• Trifles,.

, »

THE DESERTER« S05

•* Trifles^ my dear, are like the prick
of a pin," Said her aunt ; ^ we shake the
finga-, nay, some go so far as to exclaim^
^Deuoe take the pin — see how I am
bleedingf Whereas; if a sword were to
pieroe u^ we should sink down in silence,
and feel iio Impulse for exdamation ; we
might wriüie with the päin, but not feel
hnpetuous.'

Äs Lavinia made no reply, the conver-
sation ended ; she went to her room, and
the countess remamed to receive her levee.

Captain Makiwaring^ she feit assure^

would not fall her ; and she had bade hiia

introduce all the beaux esprit in the gar-

3fison. . Now this was rather a difficult

GODOBoission ; for military men (speaking

in general) hav^ a ^aint wit» that serves

all occasion& — it is the ho^k mounted

every day hy every boohy — tt never weai»

out

fi06 THE DESERTEIL

out by miicb wearing. Cant phrases, dis»
torted words, and stale jokes, make a oon«
versation for a mess-table ; noise passes fbr
mirtb, and wit takes its rise from Joe
Miller; Tberefore, to seleet beaitx esprit
to form a conversaziöne such as would
suit the countess^ was an arduous under*
taking for captam Mainwaring.

He proposed the plan to seyeial^ how»
ever; and, as the stronger indncement»
Said he thought it would be a good lounge
for ah evening, and banish the ennui of
the garrison. One principal objection was»
tiie presidency of a woman : were it to be
a meeting of men, it might be agreeable;
but a ehattering woman to colleet around
her steady thinldng men was quite ridi»
culous-*-she would talk all and hear no-
body . A few, howover, eonsented to be
presented, to give the plan a tvial; but aU

agreed

THE DESERTER. 207

agreed a supper should be introduced, as
mucTitaUdngoecasionedexhaiistion. Thej

• m

all hoped it would be a mixed assembly,
as so many acoomplished gentlemen ought
not to fall to the sbare of one woman»
t^hose vanity already seemed incorrigible«

CHAPTER XVIIL

At noon the aid-de-camp was very piin<#.
tual, and presented eight (rather antiqua^
ted) field-ofBcers, headed by the garrison
chaplain, to this mcdem Minerva. They
wete received with hienseancey tinetured
sHghtly with dignity. The visit waÄ
Short; and they were informed, two even-
ings every week she should receive het
celect Companys, and the proposed %xAu

jecte

208 TH£ BESKRTER.

jects, or themes, would be given to her
major-domo, tvho would submit them for
her consideFation, and she sbould fix on
those worthy of her approbation for the
discussion of each night.

The gentlemen looked $|gnificantly, at
each other. The aid-de-camp understood
not one word of this &iTago, but secreüy
admired all the countess said, as it ap*.
peared to bim foreign to whät he had
ever heard from English ladies, conse-^
quently must proceed from the . &tanda»l
of elegance.

Meanwhile the perplexed Lavinia nu^
minated in her Chamber on the sudden
estrangement in Edgar. It is true/.in
copversation he seldom a^dressed her, but
the secret glance, the soft languor of bis
eyes, was prpfusely eloquent. This mystie
language was at an end This mornin^

. h6

K

THE DESEKTEK. 209

he bad almost overlooked her : the only
once his eyes met hers was^ in handing
him his teacup-— he had hastily with-
drawnthem» and a suppressed sigh was
ooncealed by a hem, forced for the pur-

*' I am too open, too unreserved/' thooght
Xiavinia: ''perhaps he is disgusted — St
Valerie is the very soul of delicacy. So
drcumßtanced have been our extraerdi*

r

xiary situations» that were not that sentit

ment innate, he must have discovered

himself on ^)any oecasions ; but with un«

common tenderness, he has so blended his

respect» so finely drawn the line between

nature and refinement, that no enctoach-

ment has ever stretched, or threatened to

break the tender thread. 1 feel now that

I have been too forward — he teils me so

by his reserve: too gentle tg openly con-

demxi

210 THE DESERTER.

demn me, he sets me an example which
I must foUow if I would retain his love.
Alas! how many barriers there are be-
tween me and my hopes ! Shall I ever sur-
mount those awful hcights T

A summons from the countess termU
nated those conflicts. The carriage wait-
ed ; the earl wished for the promenade, as
he could securely use his tablets in the
carriage, without dread of being seen;
and the countess relished the admiration
her magnificence insplred.

As the coachman passed the south port»
he was ordered tö drive to Europa Point.
In the road they saw several paviliond
that caught the eye, Some of them were
adorned with verandas, shaded with awn-
ings to avert the sun. One, in particular,
had a large orange-tree before it, whose
blossomed boughs waved their fragrance

into

THE BKSERTl^« Sil

into the recess, and spread its odours
through the whole house. As the wind
dispened the branches» two gentlemen
were seen sitting in the verandai in deep
disoourse. The noise of the carriage roused
them, and both bowed.

" There is St Valerie !" exclaimed the
eountess ; '* I am sure it is ^ he ; perhapa
he woüld like the drive.**

She touched the check : in a moment
the gentlemen came down; and ih^or Nie*
vUle, in a light sUk tunic, fioating on the
breeze, requested the party to enter a ba-*
chelor^s house, and partake öf a slight re*
freshment

, The earl was " nothing teth ;•* neitlier
was the eountess. The major gave her
ladyship bis arm, apologizing for his dis«
habille as they entered, and for receiving

het

12 THE BESERTER.

her in a moming-dress — only admissible

<

in a hot country.

" I admire it,'* cried she, " it is trtdy
dassic ; I hope you are not singular in its
adoption.*'

" Not entirely, I believe," said the ma-
jor ; ** Mainwaring has imitated my lux*
ury; but the govemor has quizzed him
so terribly on his foppery, that he dare not
enjoy a relief from his regimentals for
even half-an-hour/'

During this short conversation what
oould Edgar do ? The-earl, who was eager
for the refreshment, pushed forward from
the coach, and did not think of his daugh-
ter. She moved to deseend by herseif;
but common civility would have been
outraged, had Edgar not offered his arm,

although it was evident that he made a
deoaur.

Her

THE DESERTER. 218

Her heart revoited against his apparent
eompulsion; and with a cold bow she was
about to pass him by, but he suddenly
caught her band, and, as heforced it within
his arm, said — " Do not torment me — ^you
need not add to my pain.^' He shook as
he. uttered tfae sentence; and she with-
drew her arm as they entered the house.

Although Lavinia eould not compre-
hend the source of his irritation, she was
rather pleased than hurt : she persevered
in her äir of coldness, and he appeared
xnore absänt and reserved. Happily he
did not excite Observation, for the ooun-
tess had got deep amongst the ancients ;
and although the major detected her blun-
ders, he was too polite not to pay atten-
tion to the more than ordinary emphatic
«fiscöunse.

The eärl paid his compUjxxents to tjve,

214 THE DESEETER.

fruit^ quiü&fying them with delidous
wines. His senses met extreme gratifica-*
tion ; and they did not yield to the usual
acceptation of the little woid sense.

Edgar» by degrees, stole into the veranda»
to commune with himself. He could not
>support the coldness of Lavinia, although
he knew it was deserved : he had erred, by
iqppearmg to neglect her — she would sup-
po6e him insolent and ungrateM; thk
was agunst his nature : he would in future
be temperately oool, and notshock her by
an afiectation of neglect.

The movement for the departure of the
lad^ brought Edgar to the toom. The
countess, with a tender glaüce, piessed
him kindiy to shere her coach» She took
his arm« asked if he had the headadbie«
and looked hurt when he said he was en-
gaged.

The

THE DESEETER. ^ £15

The sombre look was chased by a smile
at the solicitude <ä the oountess. He
perceived that Neville observed it, and^
iial£«fraid of bis satire« a blush mantled
bis check, and bis confusion increascd by
the pressure of bis arm from the band
that he supported.

Not one movement was unobserved by
Lavuiia; amazement was her first im-
pulse — distrust the next. She scarce knew,
•wben the carriage drove 0% wbctbcr Ed^
gar was in it or not

The countess mused during the drive
r— the Carl was devoted to bis pencil and
tablets; so that Lavinia met no inter-

vi

ruption to divert the confused pcrplexity

of her thoughts.

On their retum they met Mainwaring

and some of bis friends. They turned,

aud

1

I

\

216 THE DESEETER.

and tlie aid-de-camp attached himself to
the party, and named his companions to
those in the coach.

Lavinia, no doubt, was the magnet of
attraction ; for her fame, her fortune, and
beauty, was the only topic. All the
younger brothers of noble families, who
graze in the field of honouf on a scanty
provender for want of a rieh crop, flew to
Mainwaiing to be introduced ; but he w^s
rather choice in his selection. He fore-
wamed them he shoüld be a candidate
himself for the lady*s favour, and to cut
them all out was his Intention ; he only
watched for a fair occasion to offer his
pretensions, and had little doubt of his
success.

Mainwaring was extremely amiable» bH-
though a professedfop. His vaunting was

proverbial.

THE DE8SSTEB. Sl7

proveAud« He <Ud Bot ti^ink he was ir-
resistible, but be said he was so, and
wishod to be believed.
. We wiU leave these satellites to take
theu* oourse, and foUow the influence that
led them on, while we returh to Edgar
and bis fnend, who sought a oonfidenee
pTomisedj but still unrevealed.

ENJ> OP V01-. lU.

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AVTIIOR OF MONTRBTTHB, OR THB PEER OF SCOTLÄSDf

HUSBAND HUNTKR3, 4c. 4c.

Hör was all love dinC firoin bim, tfaough hto dayt
Of paMion had oontaanM themadvc» to dut.
Jt is in Taiii tliat w« wflald ooldly gase
On nck u Ataile apon m; die heait nmat
Lup kindly back to kindaen, thoogh disgnt
Ilath ivcftn'd It firom all woridliogs : tkw kc ffeK ;
For ihcre was soft reoicinbraiiee and swert trast
in one fbnd lireail, lo wkich hit own wooM rndt,.
And in ks tendererkonr OB tkn kis kosom dwelt.

IjORD BTRON.

VOL. IV.

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A. K.NSWMAN ÄND CO. "A^^^'^^i^VV-^'^^

^

THE DESERTEQ.

•»#»»#^»^#'*>#* ##4

CHAPTER I.

JBiDGAB had fiown to tbe uu^or, half
indined to open hU h^art to him ; but,
<ai tbe road, he fdt deterred hxaax tbe ex-
ppsmie. Many of tbe inddents of hia li%
must appear ^ulou8-^he creaticta of a
disturbed brain» or the intreptioR of fidse-
liood to serve some litüster puipose. He
entered the majores quarters in extrenie
pertuibatkaii^-elleged nocauaalbr biseaiiy
T^sit» or for fareaiking in upon the enjoy-
ncsit of bis faieakfaat and hi« book ; but
,€fiiing Neville's band extended towards

VOL. IV. B ^ ^^^'^

"2 THE DESERTKIt.

iiim, he grasped it convulsively, then sunk
into^.chair.

The major poured him out some coffee,
:saying — *' You are come most öpportune-
ly r these are my hours of indulgence, I
was up by simrlse*— have jread in my Ve-
randa tili I found launger would be obey-
ed, and have loitered over my book tili I
watited a telißf ; happily you hav^ brought
it, in Die jsbspe a^a friend. Come," eo»-
tinued the. major, ** ehare my xepast, and
1 will recommence it. I sfaall not feel sa^
tisfied tili I see you begin.**

** It is my mind that hungers for eonso«
lation," rejoined Edgar; **advice must
bemyfood."

** Ah, Aear St Valerie T eried Nevifie,
*' your look« denote much. We will go
up stairs— I will fbrbid all intrußion-«^

will

i^ill not even dress, bat give my whole
attention to what requirea my advice.'*
^ The major tfaen rung to give his ordei^i,
and led the way.

Edgar beeame more than ever perturb-
ed : they took tbeir seats in the veranda-^
Edgar leant his face on his liands, bending
ferwaerd to his knees. >

« Well, well," Said major Neville, " I
JMrill antidpate the story, and save you
fiome paia. You are the ihaJßowned son
ei lord Carlomount, and lady Larinia bas
cut you out of his aSections."

Edgar momentarily ralsed his head —
** litd^ Xiavinia !" retorted he ; ** she is
tti angd of peace and goodness! 'Thank
Heaven, I am not the son of her fkther !**

The emphasis laid on the last «entence
jsixuck cpnvictipn on Neville. He re-

B 2 npauie^

4 THE DESERTEB.

mained älent, and Edgar went on in H
hurried and rapid manner.

" My early life is libeadreana," saidhe;
" I cherish it, and would give the world to
expound it. Many yeare af degrading
luxury, and corrapt examfde, proscribed
jny educatlon ; but if your patience wiU
permit, I shall be voore minute as to the
earlkst recurrences of my memcvy."

Energy assisted Edgar in what he loved
, to dwell (m ; he tumed tbose &int ideas
over and ov«* again and a^n ; axked Ne-
viUe to assist him in uniting probabilities;
tmd he haid nö further advanced tban to
thedeath öf hismotber, when the sjgbt of
<;be countees^s earriage brc^e tbe thread<<rf'
tbe disoourse.

Whm tbe laäies bad d^arted, the ma-
Jor's Bit^egt stfll increased : he requeeted

1^

Edgar to devote the day to him— -they
would dine aloiie, and not separate tili it
should be time to dress for the ball.
. Edgar oould have retraeed bis misty re-
eoUection ov^ ag^ifiy without weariness
4>t difigust» but be was about to enter on
las connexioti wiih bis aunt-^be could
not recall bis supposed relative without
ßenümaite of sbame ; yet, unless he ex«
posed her, how waa be to aooouüt for tbose
parts of bis Ufe» upon^ whicifa the grand in-
ddents of ita Aort course aeemed princb-
pally to depend? In the midst of bis de^
tail, be exclaüpaed--^'^ Observe» Qoajor, I
reqiaest of you, thta lady Elmar raust have
beeii aoa impostor; consanguinity would
bave impelled me toward her» if her blood
Jbad mingled with mine»"

^ I hare no faith in those «ort of im»

.polses/' lejoined the iQigor; "I am an

B 3 »staivci^

6 mi& BE8ERTEX.

instance that opposes that doctrine. Sma
1 can remember^I have been hated by my
father, and of oourse I have no affection
for him — But proceed; you were speak-
ing of lady Elmar ; I am acquainted with
a very old lady of that name — it may be
that you are related to her. Such an
event might tum out the very summit of
your wishes, and the relationship reflect
honour instead of disgrace.'*

Edgar snüiled ihcreduloualy, and resumi-
ed his history. With the most circum-
spect revisal of bis tender feelings did he
«peak of hvi unfbrtunate attachment at a
eerlain oourt in Germany ; all names were
Aippressed— *even the very State bore not
ft name ; but Keviile was sufBciently ex-
cited — ^he was all ear, and once exclaimed
— " Unfortunate St. Valerie ! how do I
cominiserate your cniel fate ! But go on;

why

THE BESERTlElBr. 7

t^iy did I interrapt you? but I was
xvrought up beyond silent forbearanoe-^I
feit too much.'^

Büt Edgar oouiif not prooeed ; he be«
esane sensible of the retrospeetion to . a
painful degree — ^more sa by perceiving tfae
sympathy of bis frieitd^ Förtunately the
dmn^was annouliced, which gavefresh
^gouv ta the veciter^ and unbent his
thoughts fiom that pressure so acutely
severe.

After dinner^ the ball woald have beeA '

forgot;* had'not the majores valet entered
to ask wheQ he chose to dress?

Not to have attended the baS^ would
have been deemed an^affiron t Edgar ask-
ed for his hat, to retum home ; but Ne-
TÜle proposed sending for his dothes to
dress in his quarters, as it was late.^

•* I have neitherheart or spirits for such

B4, an

\

9 TBE DEfiCR'na.

I

an adiunemettt," said Edgar; *I AiSk
walk by this lovely moonligfat tö St. Mi-
chael's cave, and give myself up to mental
ieflectioii& What have I to da witb jof
andpleasnre?''

** Just as mach to do with whoksanw
pleasnres as I have," rgoined the migon
^ You must join the festive -pdxty-^nsy,
what excuse oould you plesd for your db^
senoe ? Would you have your patron ob-
sarve your sadness ? — would you Kke to
%i quesüoned? — ^w6uM you u^ subter*
luge to Stern itiCerrogatiot» ? All these
would be the odneieiifienc^ of yout üottK
appearatiee. i beseedi you tobe more rear
sonable, dnd do not yield to the finörbid
infiuence of gloomy cHisappomtment bn a
too-sensitive mind."

Edgar feit tbe justice of his friend's rea^
sonuig ; he yielded a faint consent to his

remonstrances.

THE BSSEKTER. 9

»

remonstrances^butloitered in the dressing-«
room tili the major was equipped, and
the hour of assembling long passed by.
Edgar at length went hcmie, and foimd hia
party had been gone nearly an hour ; h^
hurried in dressing^Iest he might be tempt^
ed to change bis mind, and instead of go*
ing to the bell, should go tobed» In spite
of himself, Edgar looked well***a feverish
flush dyed.hi« obeek, and anxiety stimu*
lated the brightness of bis eyes. As he
looked in the glass before him, bis man
exclaimed^ in his native langoage — ^ Ab^
sir, you should go to Tuscany ; th^ want
a new model for ApoUo Belvidere,"*

As he entered the baU-topm^he was met
hy Mainwaring.

"^You handscme fellow» know joar
Qwn Gonsequeoee»'' said the aid-d^-eauip $.
^ I &ared you had quarrelled witb the

B 5 new

1 TUE p£Se£T£B>

new coat; 'pon honour it sits admirably !
the tailor'sfortune is made — I shall recom-
mend him to every body. I am deputed
master of theceremonies to-night — I must
play the ekgant, to shew that I have been
at Batfai, Three-fourths of this assemblage
are exoessively Fa/i^ia/ic— oi&cers' daugh-
ters and officers' wives — ^poor stupes ! but
one can't do withont them on this harren
rock — no vicountesses, no lady . Juliana's,
nor above three K. C, B.'s in the room —
Same pretty girls amongst them, however :
make y om* election» and she shall be yours
for tiie next set. 'Pon honour, your rela-
tion is a divinity upon earth — I am despe-^
rately in for it ; but I don't like that timi-
dtty about her — ^it is tres matwais ton.
Our elegantes in England almost fly into
one's arms — ^they come förwardbefore you
ask them, and chace stiff-behind modesty

g^iiite

THE BESERT^IU Tl

i|Uite out of sight. Delightful hoydens !
what trouble they spare us! You should
teil her of this."

The govemor had been conversing with
lady Greyfield (the oommissioner^s wife)^
while our two young men were behind
him» awaiting' a pause to present. Edgar ;.
be tumed, and! Ed^ar was received, and
cordially sbaken-by thel Band* This mark
of attention was unusual ; for^a govemor
is a king in his awn.small'dominionsy anck
generallypreserves bis proper distance.

Edgar's eyes had ranged for some tlme^
seeking. Lavinia. She was going dowit-
the dance with msgor. NeviUe ; her lovely
smile beamed upon her partner as they-
üghtly twisted througli the mazy prome^^
nade.

Edgar feit a pang in his heart-i—sKe look^-
ed too lively for his peace^ aiid he looked

B 61 anotheii-

l3 THE DESEEtEH.

another way. The oountess's blaze of
jewels next attracted bis attention: her
dress was of the finest black lace, studded
trtth ailter stats, whose sparUing rflys vled
-with her diamonda, erai dazzling the eyes
of the gazet. She had been placed be-
side lady GreyG^äA, but had changed her
aeat, near a window, to be out of the crowd,
and to be moreprominently conspicuous.

The matronly appearance of lady Grey-
field ennuied the conntess ; and ahe soon
seized her brother's arm to make her escape.
An offleer, of a certän age, adotned by va-
rious Orders, some pendlng by ribbons on
bis breast, ötiiers attached to his button-
hole, was seated on a small coueh thät only
held t*o, near the Window. He rose, and
ofifered the countess bis seat ; bis man-
ner was very polite, and he addressed her
in the Italian tongue; she accepted bis

A

THE DESBSTEE. 15

offer, but the eari would not take the gen«
tleman's place ; he chose to stand, and he
had a motive for preferring that position,
as he meant to desert the office of beau-*
ing a lady, of whieh he was not fond, the
^nst moment he could escape her.

The gentleman addressed him as fbl*
lows — ** My lord, oolonel de Burgher ha»
travelled too much to be guilty of ill-
breeding — I cannot sit while you stand.*'

*' I carft afford to sil, sir," rejoined his
lordship; " I came here to observe and
note every thing, therefOTe cannot be co»-
fined to one spot/'

The Colone! did not waste his civility

where it was not appretiated ; he looked

at the countess, then to the vacant seat,

andadding — "May I presume?'* placed

hinflself nesu* her.

The govemor, who had öbserved the

cownte^s

t4 THE DESERTES;

countess change her [dace, approached^ ta
inquire the cause.

Sbe laughed, and replied— 7" I folget
my native tongue, and dare not venture
to converse with kdies — I do not quite
understand thein ; my associates have been
chiefly men of science, and I cannot yet
let myself down to female cwiversation."

" WeU, colonel de Burgherr you miist
cntertain the countess," SMd the govemor;:
" I commend- her to yonr care; no man
has more talents to amuse— no man has'
been more in the' world.- Were I quali-
fied for such an offiee, I sbould disput«.
that pleasure;.but as I am a poor, piain,
plodding^ common-sense companicoi,. I.
cede the envied occiipation to yQUEself"

The colonel, who was not a favourite
with the govemor, perceived, a lurking:
Satire in this speech, but would not aj^ly

r

THE DESERTER. 1^

it He put his hand to his breast, bent
his head to the lady, and said he feit op-
pressed by unmerited oommendatiön.

The governör then took the earPs arm,
and walked away.

Mainwaring had told the gißweral of the
eountess^s plan for literary assemblies. The
general had the true English prc^udice
against ^'leamed ladies/' The plan was a
fit subjeet for hiek derision ; and as colonel
de Burglier was a sort of uncommoti eha*
racter, the general made him thebutof
Iiis ridicule, when he happened to come ia

\

CHAP^

16 THE DESERTEB.

CHAPTER IL

^«#<<>J^^^<»#rf^^>»

The colonel was^ above forty-five, pf a»
athletic make^ and sandy oomplexion, aiäd
wore immense mustachios^ which, joining
Ms bushy whiskers, ga^ him the look <£
a Hebrew rabbi, bad not bliie ^yes, and
a white open forehead, contradicted tbe
idea; bis teeth, if they were**boneofhig^
Jbone," wefe remarkably fine, altbough en-
Tious people doubted whether an elepbant
had not famished him with a supply.

In his early youth, he had served wiCh
th6 Austrians — ^theu got rank under the
great Catherine, firom bis athletic figure.
On Paul's accession, he took leave of the
north of Europe^ and proceeded to Lisbon.

He

■

I

■

I

1

THE DE8EETBIL 17

He soon bustled himself into die Fortu-

guese Service» fonght well, and becHme

dktiiiguidied. Fxom the Portaguese

he went into the Sieilian anny, with

the rank of odlonel, and attaining favour

with the queen, she» when she left Sicily»

gave himr sudi recomm^idations to a ce^ |

tain great personage in mir roorldf timt he \

kept the rank in the Britmk establiflhed

«raiy, and was put ifk lieutenant-cdlond

cxf an cid regiment then in Gil»altar.

Although there was no positive stigma
against the edoners character, he was^ not
generaDy Uked. Every one said he was a
German by hirth; bat as he had ne^er
been known tö speäk of his family or con-
nexions, he daimed any coontry h6 pleas*
ed for hia birth-place, without fear of its^
being disprored, arid his dioice &Ü upoi^

Irdand.

These

18 THE DESEETKK.

These mysteries, added to that natural^
thougfa illiberal jealousy of foreigner^ so
general among military men» went agäinst
the Golonel ; but bis coAveiiient geod hu*
mour made bim overlMk those trite ins!'«
nuations tbat anotber man mi^bt ha^e ap^
plied» bad be been very sensitive.

The coknet dt^ssed most expensiveiy ;
bis Orders were deoorated with jewels — ^liis
watcb most süperb — and a ring sparkled
on bis little finger, worth a thousand goi-
neas : tbese were costly witnesses of roy al
love.

Edgar, at a distanc^ observed tbis tSte^
u4^tey wbere gesture and energy seemed
all at work. He feit tbat be ougbt to
speak to the coimtesfr— such a eompliment
was her due..

At bis appröacb her eyes sparkled, and
sbe gave liim her band — " I thought yoa

badi

^THE desertee; t9

had overlooked me,'' cried she; ** you
came late, bjit I have seen you some
time."

*^ And I also have seen your ladyship;**
ipejoined Edgar; '^but I saw you were
engaged, and therefore would not in^
trude.** ,

^ Now> St. Valerie,*'^ added she, ** you
do not speak truth; you are peifectly
aware that you never can mtrade ; but let
xne |iresent you to colonel de Burgherr vai
komme du science — an able äuxiliarjr to
iny literary coterie^ I can assure you."

Edgar bowed» and the oolonel, without

rising, bowed again. At that moment

major Neville led I^vinia to her aunt, the

set being fipished. The colonel sprung on

his feet to give his place to Lavuiui, and

took bis stand near the countess ; and Ed*

gar».tvhohad determinednot to ptesetre a

- restmued^

so TSR DiesERTxnt

msCrained behavioür, wlüeh experience
had tiMved to him \rä& |oo shocking»
asked her how she liked English oountiy^
danees?

*• CÄi ?• crieÄ sÄie, her eyw brightehing
mfon Edgar, m he pxrticulafly addiessed
her, ** I made a thousand blunders-— put
every body <Mit»«««nd, bat fbr the attention
ef my partoer, should hare lieen disgraced
as a danceir, and been made to ät dowtf

Ärecäy."*

** Fie ! fie ! lady Lavuna ! I must osm-

tradieft ycm," smd Nevffle; '*^yoa made bat
one mistake through the wholebusmess^ —
some of the unoccnpied caught yoor at-
tention ; ycki wandered then, I aUaw, and
tunied captain Evans instead ^your de-
serted partner, who, like a &oI, stood
still, wpndering at being forsaken J^
« That was your foulte Mr. St Valerie;^

added

TBC XffiSSSTCB. Sl

added Lavinia ; *' I saw your eye fixed
upon me with a nnile of derisioii» «dcL I
went wrong directly, in atriving todo beU

With a serious air, Edgar exdaimed—
^* Yqu wrong me, lady Lavmia, mos!
cruelly ! Could I ever lock at you with
a glmice of derkion ? If I dared to look,
you fihould hare underatood me better-^it
muat have faeen with admiratioo."

^* Nonaente !" cried ihe coimtess ; ^' a
oomiiliiiient to cme woman is an affiront to
the other, if both are presenf*

Mijot NeviUe took his stand fay the aide
of Lmini^t the colonel by thM; of tJbt
oounteas. Edgar stood in frent of the lar
<lie8, and endeavoured to appear diaemf-
banaased, if he really was not Tbe ma^
jor was aU g»ety, wi^ and iuunoi)r» und

the

a THB BESEETBE,

the convarsation did not flag, tili Mala*
waiing, as master of the ceremonies, ealle4
up the next set, and came towards Liavi-
nia ivith lord Augustus Gore. He was ^
post captain in the navy, and his ship had
only anchored in Ühe bay that evcaiing, and
himself just <x)me on shore.

^ I have brought a suitor for the exqui-
site delight of Hionopolizing this &ar band
for the next two dances/' said the aid-de-
camp ; ** lady Lavinia Monckton will not»
I trust, rgect Iwd Augustus Gore ?**

Her lady ship looked embairassed ; her
eye se^ned to question Edgar's ; -she had
lioped to enjoy his retuming good-hu««
mour, and to have sat still the rest of the
night for no other purpose — ** You know/
said die, still looking at Edgar» *' I can't
^ance ; I Jio nothing but nm fipm cHie to

another;

TSE DEiSERTEIl, SS

ttnother ; and when people are so Jkind to
put me right, I lose myself agalii the next
motnent."

** But let me be your püot,^' said lord
Augustes ; ** trust to a sailor — ^you shall
not run foul of any one, and we will Square
the yards, and put the heim ' steady/ and
oome into port better than the best of
them. Now, Mainwaring,^ eontinued his
lordship, " I hope I have made as fine a
^Speech as you — ^perhaps the lady will grar
•dously aocept of me ?"

Edgar looked «o pleased with the good-
iiumoured ^ally of the sailor, that he as-
sured Lavinia Bhe danced too well to fae
allowed Ae dioice between action and
idle^ieas. At these words she rose : Ed-
gar had determined her, and lord Augus-
tus triumphantly led her to the head qf

jtherDOixL

Colotvd

84 THE DBlEi^TEB.

Colond de Burgher resumed his prior
situatiim» quite devoted to the oountess.
His sijour in Sidly had taught him by
ear (if I may uae the tenn) the names
and situations of most of the Greek islands;
cn this fund he drew for subjecta to amuse
the oountess. She was amaased at his erudi-
tion, credited all his romance, and assared
him o^the honours at her conversazione.

When Lavinia had resumed the dance.
Edlgar and Neville stroUed to the card-
room» where lord Cadomount «id the go-
vemor, the MmHussioner, aiid lady Grey-
fieid; had fonhad a whist party. The
major 4^ke of h>rd Augustus Gore.

'* Apropos,'' said the gaieeal; ^ his
frigate is going home: I have not a dbabt
Imt he wSl oiffar you a passi^, if he caii
acoommodate you 9SL^ . «

^ Noah's ark would not.JKX)OSBinodate

my

THE DESERTEK. 25

my sister and her train," cried the earl ;
" but perhaps my young fiiend and my* .
seif—- egad it is a good thought! I will
give bis lordship a broad hmt when the
rubber is out Which of you will intro-
duce me before my sister finds it out ?'*

^^ His lorddiip is devoted to ladies/' said
the govemor; " if he hears they ivish finr
a passage to England, your scheme will
be fbiled; he will most assuredly offer
them his ship, at the first intimation of ä
wish to go home."

The govemor's prediction was already
veiifiedf for an accidental sentence had es«
caped La\inia, as Üiey stood in the dance,
respecting theh- voyage« Lord Augustus
instantly seized the occasiou to offer a pas-
45age in his frigate» and begged she would
introduce bim to the earl^ for the purpose

f^OLu XV, € of

9ß THE BESEItTElU

pf Gommunicating t^e ofkt more directly
tohim.

When the set finished» they joined the
^xnmtessy and with her, ibllowed by the
cokmel» soug^t out the earL Aftar the
due caremoniaTs, he heard the offer with
kss pleasure than might mturally be snp-
po9ed» oonsidering the comfortable pio*
flpect 8udi a proposal gave to his view.

He mumUed out an awkward sense of
tibe obligiitioii lord Augustus had oonfer-
red ; then, with a long stride, pushed to^
vrmrds the MK>ni whevethe supper was prc*

• ^

CHAP-

XfOt ]>ECEBTBB< S7

CHAPTER m.

r«»^»ir»»'

The goven|or pres^ited Im arm to Übe
tmintess-^-«tin tbe colonel kept her in
ndew ; and when she was seated by lady
Greyfeld, the cdcniel stood behind tbe
former's chair. This gaUantry did not di»*
fdease her» bat it annojed her n^^bouTr
Lady Grej^dd vtbs a serioin, gtaTe
woman — ^vexy prcmd» and rather fonaaL
The colonel» every mstant» was poppkig:
lus head forward to address the €ountess ;
aadashe chose to speak low» or rather
whisper» hls &oe came too near lady Grey-.
^eld for her purity to endure. She ho*
noured him by a forbiddmg look» and at-
to pash her t^^ £artiher„ but<

i»i «i.ri.

28 THE DESEHTElt.

' there was not space to second her move^
ment ; and she was bound to endure the
^ sweet-scented head of tbe colonel, which,
as he saw it provoked her, he even ad-
vanced when occasion did not require it,
in Order to aggravate his offence.

In the crowdihat faurried in to supper,
Xavinia lost her aunt. Major Neville,
Edgair, Mainwaring, and lord Augustus,
seemed to casüe her round. Mainwaring,
as tnast^ of the ceremonies, daimed a
right of conducljng her in; lord Augus-
tus, as her last partner, pres^nted his arm ;
Neville, on no right but a pleasurable
Impulse, took her band ; while Edgar be^
trayed an impriessive emotion, though he
made no absolute advance towards hen
^' I am lo^t," Said Lavinia, laughing ;
•* I mmt inevitably take a guide. Come,
Mr. St. Valerie, you have often been my

protector ;

THE DESEBTEB. ^ S9

protector; your amib has supported me
many a mile-^that lot again falls on you.''
Edgar started forward at so giatifying a
$election, and she took his arm. His heart
beat so violently in the contest, and the trial
of hk forbearanoe was so seva*e9 he could
not combat his feelings ; but straining her
arm to his bosom^ he softly said— «'' Hate

9

tue, lady Lavinia, or you will make me
hatemyselfr

The eyes of her rejected partner met
Kers with so much archness^ that her deep
blush gave him ample revenge: he foUow.
ed up his advantage, and made her pro-
mise to grant him another engagement for
one set afler supper. He then left her,
with an assürance that he would not look
at her tili that period, or even think of the
aflTront he had received from her cruel se-
lection.

c 3 A.S

As tliere was nöw left no choiöe «f*
plaoes^ LaviniA took the first opening that
was vacant ; it was next to a lady wBo ap-

' • * • . • .

peared öourteous and good-natured, an^
as Edgar stood behind Eer diair, she m

not dislike her Situation.

Laviniabeing bom noble, feit not the
pride of newly-acquired honours ; she wa*^
not ccmseious that she was the superior t^
anj untit:led lady of good-breeding and
correct inanners. She thanked the kdy
again and agatn for niconveniencing her^
seif to make room foB her, which had beeii
the case, and enoouraged that scni: of
cheerful open talk^ that a gay ball and
animated spirits give rise to..

•* Who eould suppose,*" said lady Lavi-
nia, *♦ that so small a spot should furaish
so charming an assemHy > The very name
(the Rock)^ seems to indicate a place of ba-^

nishment,.

Uriffiliment» desolatim, and miseiy, instfead
0f which» it 18 ahe very önut of gaiety,
hospitality, and good-htmMiu:/^

'* Oh ! how gkd I am that yoa sffjr so r*
ireplied Miss M*DonaId»*who was the hdf
that had made room tcf acoommodate La^
vima — " Do you know there is not one
old makL ii> Gibraltar ; I must pndse the
place^ if it was for that only . Every ffil,
mgly or h^idsome, ^ gets ofT/ $» mamma
calls it I am so glad we left England!
I was so afraid / should be dassed in that
iiumber ! but now I mean to benioe ; nothing^
under a heutenant oolonel ; and if I wait
txvo whole years, I am determined to have
one, although / WdS eighteen last August.**

Edgar laughed aloud at this avowal,
when she instantly tumed round, saying
— " I hope you did not hear me ; but if
you did, my candour will excuse me.'*

c 4 " But

(

M THE

^* Büt supposing yoü süoceed to the
brilliant epaulettes, the wearer may be
cross, old, and disagreeable,"^ said Edgar.

" Out. upon such a thought !** exdaim-
ed Miss McDonald, " there are no such
items in my catalogue. I intend to be

^

desperately in love with the first man of
my description, when I meet with him,
and trust to the ennui of a regulär. garri-
son monotony, so much the complaint of
this place, for a redprocal attadimeht ; he
will sue — I shall smile — and the garrison
chaplain will settle our happiness: but,"
tuming to lady Lavinia, ** you are going
home, and won't stay to witness my feli-
city?"

" Yes, if you would make haste," said
Edgar, " we might celebrate your adroit-
ness in your plan of matrimony. What
think you of major Carleton Neville? the

distinction

THE DESERTER. SS

distinction of * honourable' would make
up for the rank of * lieutenant-coloner in
your catalogue.'*

'^ Upon my word, you are very odd,
Mr. — Mr. — ^whafs your name ?'* said Miss
McDonald ; " do you read my thoughts ?
I verily did once think of him ; but I
leamt he was always occupied, and knew
the use of his inteüects ; that he was too
wise far my speculations as to matrimony
— neyer feit ennui — ^never lounged his
hours in idleness— -so I gave him up as a
forlom hope, or rather no hope at all, for
my yiews tp work upon.''

A rise fiom table, by lady Greyfield,
gave a signal to the Company. Lavinia.
expressed regret at this early Separation,
wlach was rather unexpected; but colonel
de Burgher's head was so unmerciful in its
intrusions, that lady Greyfield must either

c 5 have

34 THE BESCRTClt^

hare puHed ite nose, or made her escape ; tue»
fcrmer not bemg qufte decoroiis, she arose^
with great dignity, and ** dissolved tfie
asseinbly,^ Uke tRe president of hs cham^
hres de commiimeB^ y^hen the heads of the
lepresentatives can no longer " bow wow,*^
and fo^erheads. thseaten to disgmce the
gveat natioTp.

Edgas had beeri pressed^ on all sidei?,. t(r
mingle in the dance, bat his heart sunk m
the midsi of pkasure ; every enjoyment
was poisoned by a^ secret monitor for ever
whiapermg to his mind-« E^, Ware r
Every hour he bigoke these injunctions>,
and every such transgression brought the
bitter pang of reUerated repentance.

He q^uitted the ball-rooia as soon a»
danemg recommeneed -r- wenfc to bed,
weary ef himself,. and in broken and diSf^'
turbed stumbeBs passed the night.

Not

% **

THE DESERTER. SS

Not SO Lavinia — she had witnessed tfae
dispel^on of that gloom that had appalled
her ; the sunbeams of Ed^ir's eyes had
again sfaone upon her ; she was satisfied that
he loved her — ^the event she left to&te.

Edgar leamt, a$ he was dressing, that
Company was expected to breakfast; he
sent a message to his patron^ and immedi»
ately went out, taking the road tö the
southward. He wa& not too late for Ne-
TÜle's breakfast,^ and as Edgat had pro^
mised to dose his history that day, he was
joyfuDy welcomed by his fHend.

It was not the täte that made the sub«
ject long^ tmt the antmadversions, inter«.
yogatories^ and lemaiks oi the major* The
desire he feit to be a oompetetit adviser on
what would stamp Edgar's future lif^ and
a wish to Umit a too-fervid q>irit, which

G 6 bordered

S6 THE DESERTER.

bördered somewhat on romance, prolong-
ed the subject

After a long pause, Neville exelaimed —
** £dgar^ you cannot be of the blood of
that lady Elmar, I take upon me to af-
firm ; hers was too corrupt — ^yours too re-
fined; yes, I mean what I say. More
Icnowledge of human, nature would cor.-
rect that fine flowing tide that humes you
al(Hig; you aim at a refinement mconsistr
ent with your species — ^you grant Do.in-
dulgence to yourselft— you step forward, as
by impujse, to sacrifice every pleastuzable
Sensation, as if you were bora only to. be-
atowji bat never to receive delight."

" Fafdon me,^ cried Edgar ; " the sa-
crifice, as you call hX^ forms the delight I
am of no consequence tcvmyself-^-a. sort of
blot ui creation — a being for whon;L nobody *

need

THE DSSERTEB. 37

need care, further- tlian he can serve to
their advantage. This, my dear major»
makes me careless of myself» and disgust-
ed with the thought of pecuniarjr recom-
pence ; I revolt at what is termed * grati-
tude for my Services;' it corrodes my feel-
ings: I must be independerit firom my
talents, my industiy, my mvention, and
not from the casual raisfortunes I have
" chanced to prevent/' Edgar continued—
. " The annuity my patron has forced on
me is a canker in my mind ; I would not
use it were I dying for want — ^it is useless
to me. I have often pressed him to take
it back, but as he has no comprehension
©f my sentiments^ I vainly urge that his
gift preys upon my mkid. Helaughsat
me, and boasts, * that it is only one drop
taken from his ocean J'
^* Why thus agitate yourself) my most

excellent

38 THE HESERTEK.

excellent Edgar ?** said the major; " I see
no indelicacy in his donation — ^it is what
should be; the impropriel^ would rest
with hi» Ibrdshfp, did he not tiy to balanee
such oUügations.''

" On his part, perhaps it might be,**
laid Edgai^ '** but on mine^ / (mly kno^
my own feelings : all that I have done
but obliged myselC I would invite — ^nay^
I do hourly invite misfortune — ^I see it be-
fore me^ but it is so sweetly^ sad, I cöurt
it to my bosom, and hug the fatal potsocb
ef my peace. Oh that I had courage to»
tear myself from her sight, and trust the
test to fate ! it nmst eome to that at Ihst.'^

" With honour so invincible as yoiu-s,'^
lejQined Neville^ " I fear it. must.*^ Here
a long pause ensued, whfch the major
broke. He continued — ** Would you dö-
that at once^ I would provide for your

present

THE DESEfiTEft*. S§

present independence: I have interest with
the govemor to eflTect that.'* A gleam shot.
jlrom Edgar^s eye, and his friend continu-
ed-r— " The under-secretaiy to the gover-
nor died this moraing, and I will ask that
place for you ; it cannot be filled up yet.
I will Order my horse, and if you will
wait my retum, I sliall ensure yoiar »uo-
cess. Say, will you consent to my appli*
eation at once ? Independence now courts«
you in the way you likeJbsstJ*

** I yield,'*^ said Edgar ; " say no more ;.

I ought to blesa you ; but g^, go — I dai:e
not tpust myself ; I have no fortitude —
no resolution; I am a thing inferiov to
manhood on one point. Oh that I were
at rest !^ cried he, strSdng his. forehead^
and writhing in his chair.

The major rose, and laying his. band on
Edgar's i^oulder, said — '' I cannot leave

you

40 THE BESERTEU.

you thus ; let us change the subject» and
forget the past ; you are only w^iere you
were before I knew yQur scruples.'*

" In mercy go, major, and force me to
be wiser," said Edgar ; " you have point-
^4 out the path I sought for,. and now —
gOy go, go— in pity leave me !"

The major did leave him ; and as fast
as his servants could bring;, the horses
round, so speedily he moußted, The sun
was vertical,. and the very . air seemed to
be the vapour &om a furnace. Edgar, now
alone, feit so disturbed he could remain ii»
the room no longer — " I have done right,"
thought he, " but will Lavinia support
it ? Her youfehful heart to be blighted in
the sweet bud of pure a£fection — a love„
that my own misguidance has proved wjis
mutual ! Where,, where Shall I hide
my distraction ? I will seek that awfu}

€ave,

THE BESEETEH. 41

eäve, wBere I so lately experienccd such su-
blime sensations as raised me above this
World of turbulence and passion/'

Edgar hurried up the rock, nor did he^
seek the road, but climbed over obstruc^
tions that bade defiance to human ap-
proaches. Hanging by fragments, he
struggled tili his feet reached some point
that he could bear on tili he grasped aip
otlier hold, still advancing tili his- clothes
were rÄit, and his strength exhausted.

Scorched by the burning sun, he reach-
ed the yawning entrance of Öie cavem;
where the pendant petrifications shone
with uncommon lustre, and the half-conf
gealed drop trembled; as if conscious of
the transition- it was about to undergo.

, Edgar stretehed himself at füll length
en the self-hewn form ; he roUed on it to
cool liis burning flesh ; and when his breath

retumedy

SSSi

*4V TBS XMCSBBVSBV*

vetumed» he slaked bis tfaint fitnn t&r
drippings puidfied by paasing thcMigbtW

CHAPTEÄ IT-

#l» * >»»»#^<»^<M»##«»#»»

iCÜboAft rt m eaofcered l^at to seek mentaS
eonsolation he hiad sought the cftye : "whf
did he not find it ? His whole tlioughts
dwdt on Lai^inia-^he feil on his knees-— -
he dosed Im eyes*— -he strove to i^y some-
f hing — ^he wished St to be a prayer, but
be gix>aned only,

A noise in the deep length of the ca-
vem roused him — he pursued it, tili,
through a small crevice, he perceived the
fiithomless water near his footmg. Starting
backward, Edgar shuddered— "' Where

am

'THE DE8BBTES. 4llS

mscL I ?** Said li^ in terrap— *' who am I ?
'what's that thin^ flitting figure, making,

darkness visible? she was an earTs 'daugh*-
ter. Come to me; sweet one ! Didst
Üiou die fw thy lover? Fatfier of all^
fcrgive!* added he; "am 1 mad? wlittt
a3s me? Neville, I will' not die hereE
Uiey would say I did — I cKd ^

Heue he hurried out of the cave> and »■
southem path presenting, he hastened on;.
^th a wild nnsteady step, tili a sentry
tstopped him.

•** Who a» you ?* said t*e man;.
Neville, Neville ^ rejoined Edgar:
What's your t)usine$s here?** said the-
sentry.

" Neville^ Neville !** repHed Edgar.

" Do you want the major Neville ?" saitf
the sentry.

** Neville, Neville!'* repeated Edgar^

bursting.

44 TUE BESEItTEk.

bursting into tearsr, and leaningon the mür
to Support Im sinking fraine.

*' Gk)odness knaws," said the man^ ^ it
is bad enougk with you, I fear; ü^ as it
sfaould seem- to my fancy, you haye got a
cotv de siUale, it ii all done with you l
There, ky thee down in the shade of my
box, tili I can seesomebody to'call to thee;
I can't leave my posf

In speaking, he had drawn Edgar intp
.tbe shade, and placed a stone behind thä
sentry-box, as a seat for the poor sufferei^
whom he could no other way relieve. .

It can be no secret to the reader, that
the conflict in Edgar's mind was too bitter
to Support. He fanded, in the retiremei^
of the cave, that pray er wouM produce that
calm he had once found in its gloomy pro-
cincts ; but what was the ofTering he sent
up? His idea had btU one object, and

that

THE BESESTKR. 45

tkart: was on earth — ^his mind oould not rise
firom tiiat sole consideration» therefore
prayer could not avaiL Words are but
tbe breath oT man, which passeth lightly;
Devotion, made steady by yielding to
it our whole soul, can only hope to be ao*
cpptable in heaven by combining all our
thoughts to that great Centre; and, offeaing
an undivided adoration (where only it is
due), hope beoomes reali^ed. The conjQicts
i^ Edgar's niind had predisposed him to
f(?ver — restlessness prevented bis remain-
i^g peaceably in the majores room ; the
more he gave way to the pressure andhurry
of bis mind, the more it increased upon
him. He dashed up the rock with the ac-
tlvity of a chamois, insensible of tlie heat
cor the diificulties that opposed him ; and,
equally insemible to the dread chill <of the

ime, he bared bis bosom to the xocks, and

f. *

roUed

46 TSE m&sEXTsm«

9-olled bis buming body on ihem« The
sudden revulsion in bis blood brought^cm
43eliriuin. The noise of the water-fowl that
ffitted within, and made their nests in tbis
jetirement, became, to bis i£sturbed mind^
the pbantoms ^f ill omen. The shrieking
<»riK»»t ,««1 her mfe wiaj,^ «^
skimming the ^oomy surfaee <if the fa-*
Ihomless spvkig, to £dgaf*s wayward&ngr
^?as the apparition of bis love, Not quite
mad, y et in deep didüdon» tie fled the cave:;
a gleam of reason bade bim seek bis friend»
but he iergot, he&sre he reached the sentiy,
wbat was bispursuit» and nothing but big
foxae kept possessioa 0f Edgar's mind

Tht oompassiqnate sentaj soliloquised
j» he marcbed iKp and ilowiit^^' Sad life
thifi^ for «aii»ja ! H«welb^ofno useta
nobody^ staoding guard orer scoipons
und lizardB, tbat jwi aboutdie roek m

spite

THE DESEUTMl» #7

iqpite <if me and my bayonet. That poor
soul there» I dare say, is thirsty, and I have
jio water to give un. Wefl, fbr my part,
wha would be a scddierl-^a dog's life is a
betterr

Kdgar's head faad sunk on bis breast^
and a sort of slumber oveipowered him ;
but it was so Short, fhat it only added to
bis delusion. He qprung up with &esh vi»
^our ; and 4ashing onward with the rapl-
4ity of distraction, nn tüL be dropjp^d ou

itbe earth senseless..

He was soon surröimded by so&diers;
and, as a crowd has its own attractions^
major Nevifle's servants were drawn to the>
npot where the mass hsA «ssembled. It
(wafr some time befiire they got a sight
lof Edga^ä person« for tbe soldienf wive*
pi^sBed clo6e about him, «aeh using her
<iwn melhodto proiaa^ aiwaaation. After

a stout

48 TH£ BESEBTE&.

a stout struggle, the majores buüer recog«
Hized Edgar.

" Bless me !" said the old man, " how
can this be ? It is .the French gentleman
my master is so fond of ! What a pityl
How was he taken ? — ^who first saw him
in this condition ? Bat I won't ask ques-
tions — ^get him intox)ur quarters quickly;
no good can be doaie here."

At the naine of Frenchman, one by one
dropped off— not another effort to mssist
the sufFerer was proffered ; but the majores
servants procured an arm-chair ; and pla-
ciBg Edgßx in it» they carried him safßly in»
and put him to bed,

Their master arrived at the very mo-
ment His astoniahment kept him dumb ;
he fixed his eyes pn ISidgax — sawhis quiek*
breathing spasmodiie sti»rt$, and vacant look
«i^took hijs buming htuid, and tuming tohis

attendantsi

TOB DSSBEI^filt. Itft

att&ndaoits, he burst fortk in 9 veiee of an«
guish-*-'^ Hate you allawed him to t^ke
pokon ? — Bxit doii't aiMwer-^% for inedv
cal asslstance ! I wiU watch myself tiH you
x^tum — ^Unfortunate» ill-&ted Edgar !** .
Drawing a chair to tbe bedside, in the
kindest tone lie said— ^'' Edgair^ don*t you
know me? Press piy band only. if ypti
cannot 3peek to mef.*"

No tneveioent waaretumed-^o i]
tiön df sen^biHty pioved that
vasfök. Tbe tikoments NeyiUe possed tiU
-£he doetote arrived werethe most biJttarhe
faad ever known. .

lEdgar'a watoh bad be^i kdd pn tbe ta^
Ue^ wbea they took off bis xsHc^bea; tb^
ini|cv took it up to p)ace it ifx bis desl^
fest it might tewpt some intruder.to ooip^

mitetbeft« . . ^ .\

Wbile tb^, doctors were Consultings, an^

«UakkJtg) their beads, Neville, without be-
VOL. IV- D ing

■a^

8d TOS IDBSSBinBEL

ing äwwe o§ it> lel ihe watcfa faifi. Tb«
dofer ease open^^ but it (ladr a dooble oa^
WiflAii on < he^oüMde it trasiticHy jeweU
ledv but* withm, ^rt »miklYihm pktte jof
gold, were^ewgräven these wocds:— *-^Ed*
jgar ^arl: ef TalamoiiT'; 178»." :

The^ astonÜhment ' öf m^or ' l^eviQe»
tftcÄigh efadÄßrenf Mnd^ «wtes agsdn roüs^
ed—One moment he HrttenMMtoithe döc^
tiws-; their tuttied fete Ihougbte to the
"i^aMk» e^ell^ äylifitg: (he mioB md^iaüe^

grsmng iS^pi^ he CN^viU^ h&ä ^ttMxnreued;
The whole of the watch yfBjs «o-omaon^iitr
tÖ, iM<4 tijii^ äppri«ed of wfcat-^pi&the
plan fei* sttdi coneeäliiient, ' the gcAä plaie
BDiighthaTie remamäd^Bi^tH fei? ever, but
tlie cöttoosion öHHe fi^lHMl {UreäsedlscM«
spring, that brought to view oimho^ tbe ee^

•Aäa VBHUt'tatBi 01

^CHAPTER V,

Ketill^ ag^ and Bgaaxt lAeiitrily Ye*>
peat^^-^' Earlof VateAour! Thist^ateii
her er coBlell bafve been my ftitker^a 1^ C^
eheusaiid seten kutldr^ mä efghey^ki^
He bad then no tüle-^-I iMive heaüd Mm

Mo&iAim atrthii} ibonxat, utnfi^ for aiqf
mYastigatiiMii Edgar! goodHta^isnt petf-
li^ps» he i^ »^ fatfDtkttr! My fiiHm
wi(6 iMidli al)hMd--*ttoagiit riaas out of
SfaM^rtMl ald b^n^dated:! • Ißc^ said
4^ waidi heA 1a^ hSä fatiheir^ ; but thm
ilt^ dfitlei^fhere'ag^ I Am reftct^d.''

Und(^ 'Hiase fei^Tdldisiihg p^pplekitsdi^
Jlieiiiafor «tbod^lilEe a[^tU«, «tt tfhe bed's

PÄ foot,

foot, while the doctors were bleeding the
patient, and pronoundng on the case. One
of them consented to remain with Edgar
all night ; and.y^rhen the others took leave,
the major retbred to compose his mind, and
reguUrte his thaw^tsr mto ^^ l^s fpia^us^
md wem rea^an^W^, sypi«». : He; ,pFpb-
jiWjr wpqld; haY€i^ipitted.<e[dtef&i,;ta4iiQt

di»ii#r. wbs. m the fUbk^ rl^^sjogf t^f

door hv£dnn whidh ky;tiie.TVirfet(^d:£
gor, her gäittly.opened; it^iand 9aw ihi»i,
tmspAg fnnÄ^ide^;to'Sid0y.dhdriiMttsiiiiii^
ini[^:}k>rt öf solm]iil^tehe,vK»ii^:inaQhcH^

viüe wi^too iiittc)i»bhoei(H;tQ fema^lQ«^

the

•Mi % * 't

ras raSBETBRp $$

tiHi txd)fe. and dkmi«>ed «U M G|e(^
fiom tbe trouUe. of waiting.

Tbis Quoi bad been in Neyil)e> fiim3|r
forty yean and upwai^; and the last aeven
had been with mi^or Neville. The fiusuly
forsomeyearshadbeeBmuchdisunited^, hia
lorddiip and bis lady had been lega% ter
parated many yeats« Lord Melviime, the
eldest 000» was the fitvourite of bis &ther ;
and, aa he and hiabrother were of oppoiite
chaiacten, h«r hidyship's farother (Mr. Ne*
ville). took the youi^jeat, and ad^t^ biB)
his pYm, in Order to crufib the enmity that
af|>eared to^ Augment daily between the
brotbers, when vtnder tbeir fatbfr^s too£ to*-
gether. Geofrey^ tOok pet at: the rf^moval
ef young Frederic : he left hh place^ and
fougbt a fiitualion witb Mn N^eville^ an4
frodti that bour devoted the i^mainder of
hifrlife to thß &rtunes of his ypung master^

D S wherever

54 WH mssE&'ncK'

Geofrey soon beofttne a Gön^^mllai ^düi^s^
tic ; andr Idng' e^^rti^e^ »adb him dlage^
atid disereM. N€VlRe' T?0uld* oftay Om^

wlien eby ' thing wettt ifvang, lie wu alr

* By'Mr: "Nevök^s' deatfc, aßtie ostate wa|.

• <

feft to out mfgoi:, provi^d lie took Ihe
riame of Hs mothert femily . He vras de-

m

iMtig thit otite haä be^m h^«» as ]mu(& as
fite dlsiliked tlie teCoHeetioiiS of M$ &«t
year9, ^ a youoger son, to »wdl-bred, in-
jriiidiousy fiypoGiilical £itlier.

ijreo^j obseived tfatt \m master w«3
mu€li shocked, and appeared tb toal^e his
food-~« Ah, sb^'* Said he, " I don't woiider
— it i» veiy shocking ? Bat if you wiB fce-
liere bm, öik* upon a time I could not

^ eat

e^ fer a month ; w)iea I stmye to eat» |

deedfv

. ^^Ofwbat?" saidthemf0Qr.

** Dki I «evflr teil yo« that stoy, sir 7*^
toid GeOf^ey— " Weö, never mkid, yo^
ämilhaväitag^n^Sf I doift^ftutbyou^
perfaaps it m^ diyert tibe skditeiy baui^."

^ Take a seat, Geofrey, and gptm^ whiJe
I try a bificuit and a iflaw of wne,** ^sasd
the major.

*' I tbank youf gt^ii^ «fr, f« so KM^i^
ädering an oM mati/'^ »asd 6^fi<ey, siUlA^
in (St difitant dwir ^ ** but I was J^ung, and
lived \tilb my loird your father at Äie timej
and neltbei: he nbr I w^ei^ SD good haA w«
niigbt have bweli bfetten ßö we went txy
Lisbon, as I- teil you, as'envöyextiÄeräi-
nary, and figured off very ginlidly ; but
somehow» • I suppose we got out at the eh

d4 bows,

bows, for master called mie one dajr, and
bäd6 me täk« the bay xnBTi, and Hde.ovef
to, to, to — bless me! I can*t call the
name for the life of me : But höwbditi I
took a letter, and was to bring back mo-
ney; I silpposer for master said he had
heard of arrelatien, and he ^soüld go-and
see him^ m that plaee, whkk I forget, ow*
i^ to didage perhaps, or a faad txietriory.

tiooff riset^-a^ vei^y thought I should
see no end to my joiimey, for it was sun-
set when> I m^a^^ed the pokee^ No dogs^
barked at me-*-^no servauts. appeared.
Wellj I tied tlie märe, mid ning this bell
loudly-Hnobody came; I thou^it they
were all' taking theur ismta, so I walked in
boldly. The first thing I 8a!W in the halt
stretched.on a table, was a man, as I
thought^ deeping ; so, thinking to xonse
him, I shook 1^ Shoulder, though t did

not

not much like him, for bis beaitl was
long, and he looked gfaostly. With the
shake — Lud-a^-mercy! the maggots wag-'
ged about by hundreds, and the dismaU
est yells from within set at me, as I ran
off— You coiüd not believe it, sir» if you
had not heard the noise. WeB, sh*, I oould
noteät for a month afterit; ao I know
what a shock can^ do, as well as any body.**

Geoffey ran hk fmgears throügh his grey
cropr his eyes w?re staring, and he arose
fromthechair— "Shall I clear the table,är?
or ring for the jservants ?** continued he.

** TAH my fithcr do nothing in this bu-
»ines's, Geofirey ?' said the major ; " it is a
horrible account akogether ; you must teil

metherest."

•• CMi! tb bc siire^ sir*, you may com-
Kiand nxe> though to be sure, 1 am büt
dMiiow iiv the ^nn^s^ of i^ecitab and tha^:

ix& but

ill- "■•

,*mH»k

Ißj^t I was. SO frighteneä» andth^maiewas
so tired; ] stppped out «Q night, iiptmaali
likiiag to be Qut in tfoe dark after sudi sprt
ofa sigUt Howsoewj?^ next day, when
I gol; Ijom^} master w^ent into such a bus-
tle^ wd got half-a-doKen . alguazils, amd
|iacked tliiem off iia threa caUshes, ^d
^fm^ WQ went to thMi «wie paiaoe with
f he havd name, but did jfot get there tili
iKud^ighti. Hairing tordies^ I was not so
»uch aiairnaed, and I marcbed. in the
»ear fpi; good manners' sake. When wa
CTtered the comt, lo and bebold !' the
^w WQW kfcked ; the b^ll was mng,
i^toutljr.-T-n<> answeiL Masta gat in a
irage^ and smashed a window, to enter that
way, but it was of no use, fbr a stout ison
bai: closed \^ that |ttssag<i.^ To beßure»
9ir,Jt wa|^ v^ «.wfu);,lb^ ail at onee a

dwp. l>^tj»ikdat a ^ten^^ ii^(^ sound-
. . . ed

'*«*k^

THE DEftEIlTBS. 09

ed fi5ghtful*-^l $hall never forget it.
There we stood, not, a bit the nesrer, my
ma^er swearing he would get in» if he set
£re to the palace.

" Luckily for us, thefe w«re tw« ima-

^s, large as li&, above the pc^eo; iKuuf»

tofflttDg a rope ovier one ofth^tn, aftd

£nding the Saint (as I suppose be wa«)

stood firm^ mästet dimbed the rüpe in a

minute ; and hugging Üie saiiit iitrifb one

^arm, podbed in a small Window iiritb tbe

other, which had no bars, and gpt iutoija

small belfirey, öcn^ucted for an abrüm.

We now all cleverly follo^ed xxp, mi

searebed e^ery part, higb and lo.w^ but no-

lx>dy^ dead or airre, cooM be^found ih tiiia

widceä palaee ; for M tome of iSae hwer

ijü&idd faad axitkept oouit Iftere^ whait ecmld

^have beeoihe of the dead mah^ of inäde

4he yäls tbat eauseft my Yak ^ stiteedaii

1x6 cnd?

60 l'HE BESKRTER.

end ? and which I could fkncy, if I we»
älone, I 6ven hear now."

** Well, how did the aflair end, Gecu-
firey ?" said the major.

" Dear me, aV rejokied Gedfrey, *•' it
bad no end at all;- master mäde a great stir
about it fbr a week or so, and socm aftä*
applied to-be xtecaUed, and I never heard
mbre of it to tbis hour."

*'But the letteir? — ^yho was ül addressed
to at tiiis paüaoe withont a name?" said
the major.

*^It was. Tvdtten in the Portugal tongu€^
mT Teplied Geofrey ; " the diuection serv-
cd to find jiny^ way to thepalaoe;as I did
liot fcnow any kügiiage biit EngUsh, I-
oould not have got on bat b^ the address,
dritten in away they ooald mderstand.'':

'' True;* cried Neviüe, pondering as he
ljpoke-r*^y9u,aafi^ go, Geofrey: I sh«U

'i' : • ^ now

TM£ BESEItTCir. 61

now Visit my fHend — opder lights above
stairs."

The melanchöly coiitemptation of thc
sufierings of lüs friend added a heavy im-
psession to his mental uiieadness. Gecy-
frey*» story appearedfamystery wholly im»-
perrious ; it ixiight implicate his fkther in
an act of horror : it was evident little enei*-
gy had been exerted to trace circumstan*
ces so uncommon ; and if the deceased hadl
been a relative», the neg^ect was still worse:.

After a few question&conceming Edgar,
the major went his way, füll of the most
distsessing doub^ pa whs^t he oi^ht to dt^
iXL pcder to fa^ just, aiid at the same time
devdiop the truth. Siiddeiüy he rfcoUect-
ed a gKeat omiasion: — Kooliehad thought
odTlord Carlomoimt-^-nö^inteUigsmceof K^
gai^s Situation had beeu madeknown» orrea-
8on aUeged for his long; abisence üoai home.

Fully

6s THE DESERTBB.

FuUy aware of the. unhappy att&ebm^it
that bound Lavinia to hisfriend^ he feared
togive her pain; and, in tbehope of soften-
ing the infonnation, tbe major thought Jbe
woiüd gp himself^ and break the matter
lightly. Certain he was» impart it how he
eould, one there was whöse heart would
jfeelsevei^ly. .

CHAPTER Vt

MnANWHiiJE Lavinia had passed that day
in Gomfixt.. Tnie, she had not sieen Ed-
gar, btrt she knew he^ loved her ; änd she
was no lese pleased te percemf, that, ak
thbugh/he warred witli bis predilection^
ke gained nothing by the stroggle^ but w*
ther got more deeply entangled by these

efforts«

THE DESERTER. 6S

efforts. She heard he was gone out with
but little emotion ; and bis prolonged ab*
sence only drew forth this mental observa-^
tion-«-^'' He is now infticting an unusual
penance on himself» for the sentence he
gufGsred to escape bim last night ; yetwbea
he returns, bis ey es will teil a tale of love
tbat will contradict bis demeanour."

In high spirits, Lavinia dregsed for
the evening; all the wise and learned
would attend her aunf s conversazione,.
and she (Laviiria) would be expected to
exert herseif on the occasion, so far as t<^
amuse those not engaged in dissertatkm. -

The major perceived the galiery of tb^
faotel lined witli domestics, in thdr gak
babits, one of whom receiving bis name^
announced bim to the major doma. He^
in a flourisliiiig style, prcceded the major
trp the town baU^rooni, wbere, on an ek^

vated

64 THB BESEBTEIL

vated seat, $at the ooimtess^ wiäi ODlonel
de Burgher standiiig beside her,

Lady Lavinia had mounted into the
orchestra^ and was toucbkig ä piano, in or-
der to be away Ctoxa the eolönel, wbom ahe
had taken an extreme disKke to^ da a first
acquaintamce. ^ • '

At sight of major Neyiile, she descend-
•dl ob the instant», feeling assured Edgar
was ndt fav distant.

Before the nnijor could »peak, he was
add^ressed by fh^ countesSi thanking him
fbr hia. polite attendanoe at her oonver-
saz»>ne; and afisuviiig him^ in a fluttered
tone and irritated manner, thfit he and co-
loDel de Burgher hadi saved the credit
of the whole garrtson^^that . she had ar&
xanged every thing for an aßsefintUy ot £te-
lati, and that not one of those expeeted
had eitber apptogis^d &f tbeir «ahsence;

OT

7ms DESBBTSm

er as^igned a tesMn for inflietin^ so dee^
a disappointment öiv a iniiKl»> ivfaicfa had
prq>ared itielf 1k> ilistruct a» wdl as amuse
tbenir Tears had nfarly brougbf bfi^ lat
dyä&ffs Bpeeoh to a crisis» but |)ride repel-t
led tbia feminine afFeotion. She rö6d, andt
wlth aU hier majeaty ooUeoted, päoed thtf
apartment like another Melpomene, aat«
ing^' disdain«

** What can I do to appease the eaam^

i.

tess?" Said the major,in alow tone; ''my
business is with the eari— I knew nothing
of her assemUy— ^I must see the earK
Will you tdl me/* addressing Lavinia^
" where he may be fiiund ?'•
- liavinia seemed to be in a dream, for i^
did not answer one word.

The irtajor guessing at her feelingj;
dreaded she might äsk a queetion be shouki

not

66 THG seescitfia.

Hot Kke fo resolte^^Ine iromed &ofn tW
tooiti, and iso0n found the cari»

Not quii» so nwx w to die wound-pre»
jiariing forhis lordsbi^B^ Neville but li^ttljr^
afMridged tlle tvutk ; tior did he conoeai
that £dga^*s struggle between l^ve azid
Iioiioar had producad l^is »d dXecL He
told the earl a£ iite appointmeht Edgar
had accepted, and wüth what views he had
aerered hhiuself for evtrdBcom a single dawn
^ hope oa his unhäppy pasaiön.
^ * Tcf be sui^'*^ re^ined .the earl, " St'
Talerie did very: right'not to think x^ iriy
daaghter ; but he was a great fod to oveD-
look my sister. I gave him mäny hints,
and ßbe her«elf was no way back\y^ ; but
his honour, may be, stood in his üght
tl>€i^ too, But cannot we get him home
here amongst us ? I don't know what to

do

THE OXSESTBK, 6^

da .'without ikin. Egftd ! tUe<»untf ss ämff
nurse him ; and as ke i$ so vtsry »grateifiili
ber ibitniie.aiidiher wishek nmy jcon liand
in band to ernte Mme veUxmttam the
fender^lkearted EdgnH ft)r. all tbe love dx
hean him. Msgar^ cbntinued the eail»
^. I don't prstebd 1b uBdentaiid sufah sort
ofo^dr-fineniGeneas. The world, tfie maii^
nersL aaA customs af mCMfem nation^ ocy
cupy my Observation : I write; tir» and I
xnamtaul, tfast cur ttmes prodate as mach
philosopiiy, poliey, wisdcm» iaEnd lefike*
menti as ererinspired Piato, Arirtiside» oe
tlie whole gang of witty Atbeniani of theit
day. St Valerie is a fiaesh pröof of the^
str^igth of my systän : Gbuld a heathsa
of antiquity bave done more, ötn niscaliy
Stoic? No,sir! England surpass^» Athen»;
or Röme, in heroism, genius; and riehes :
and when my * wwk* comes mit,' maj<»*i.

egadr

egad ! joxx will Ibe^ itetonished tt its pftfnd
defianoeof ancmit dttsieB.*^

When ISTeviüe eöiild ^tfdf.a psäse, he
begged his lordbhip to e^ease Miir/ai^ he
was 8n7Ci(Hi8 ftr get honie. He entreiited
that the kdies migbt Ibe mäde acquamted
with the distrearing subjeet -with caütiim
andeare ; and that Ihe dar^er whioh thveat^
eiseä Edgar mi^i^ if powiUe, be eonoeal^
ed from thenn.

*^ Trust to my* judgment»'' cried the eerl;
** I know .the.wcnrld«N-I thaXb come; to yoir
to-moRDW— He will do very well, nev^r
ftar ; so I won't detain you longer than you
eboose. Tlfiis imporianfr circumstancer
nutöt go ddwn to-t)%ht ; although my tab^
lets aceijiistfuUv I must eraib m po<>r Ed*
gar somehow."

Major NeviUe naacje no ecxBments oni
lord Cajckumount's, belmviour;« his' xn|nd

was

THB DSfiiatTCR; §9

VTiM^föeo^ipled Mritli ünplmsant refieetions«
Q^fitey;>i$tory;/alid thä semn^kable tviitehw
case, i|<]|led to w\M Edgai*. had so lately
^sclosed of 'hifi iearly fife abtd fbnded. cön-
nexions; iimpelied tlie mi^F io 'beliete hki
own fathdFi was ^in aome ^ way nvin^ed aiid
ponecraed Sm^lio ^'«ly' hcxrouhikle^er'ifistii
fi|dde[fertio£Üie ibiujiiiess^ . T^e kttg.ex«
aitibitioM > 'and • pratraotfed r delays ö£ . ihe
ßoiktt ßfiGhm^tyi^AoAke rigl)rtrto)tfae
eatof eä^odytitl^, NäViBeVdU remembeEed a
l&ewfae the oiuiLdiafensioii, ^ivllkrli cn^ed
its origin to a demand from his father^ov

cai tbddaiin;' ^>in shott.^tbe^mote.NerlH^
odn^ihed'ciicufnl9tfifMbs,l}k mttfdhis-dl^ad
inev^ed; tiiat thelioAK^riiog^Edgar Uibuld
pfa>areiti>,bfe ätesiajured' hcfir^öf -tlj^iJbMu^

. >^viiäeof^tf hbas^staidc ^odor^^^^iMa

sugg^ions;

i 4 »

^ «CHB uöks&tek;

suggesticns ; wepe tkese faote pö^ivi^
eould hedenounoe hi&fatlier? Hef tliank*
-ed Heaven that he oould «rtill doubi:.

/Harassed' and äUdgued» he went to bed;
but deep; flod bis ipillowr. Tfa^ogbät pre««
M -oa thottght ; he ^ «iq^ «id W49it io
SdgfT'^stbod OTKr' him« oolled Jos namei
took Ins band, waaeä l£& beiid^ and si^
pdtted it/otLbii bosotn; buttbeinld m-

^iooaur tendfed Ndidlte: hief' bbiOd hare
srept^ thik! shaaiie^ «{idleiEl ins' ibaoiljr sor-

. Qiihting.a.scsenetw op^ to fak

49^1»^» he ^smA to. waAderiUt-Jthe've^
tsüidb. Tbonß the tkmghk; of i>tfriti^

4c(lHifag tähnnii tiipgiipyfltanlfaHgf^dfae sab
Ject at his heart, desaibing tbe. stehest*

. 'I />, ;i . ' Neville

d

•TBE DBSBEX19I. 71

Neville had known him* In fine, the
night passed -entirely in this occupation :
«heet after sheet was filled with reasoning
^Skd incentives toajust jprinciple of actlon,
^nd bX the ^ame time palliating his own
jiriifrfeiencei bj oonfeiss^ng a dread that ji
pl^m to the e^t« and titles might une^
^ec^fedljr be.j^t in, wjieo he was wljiojly

7h^ QMW'NevlIle wcate^hia i^terest be^
came more. ^fventi ; wid^ ^veipi; as hfin^Ade
up the püdci^t, he ytiäM^ Xo I^vie ext^ded
his pf^^;to-a/move «Is^mte aecoi^t, so
na^hiWBft ük-heart iif tiite ;ca^«^.of ju3tier
jawi Mititü.tifii;.

• t

» « . . :t

T

CHAP-

72 THE OBSBETES.

CHAPTER VIT.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^* ^^

SoMfiTTHxiT reKeved by hävihg wrltten,
T^'eville werit to fced fof fbre^- tioiirs, and
slept soundly. He Was ' scarcely iisen»
when the eärl made his appeaä^nce^^He
häd Seen £dgar, and liis usual Hpatihy gave
vräy to coihpassion at the sight <

'* PoOT boy!* eiied he; tterwi4i|g Ifim-
self oh a Sofa; j*^ h6 wäl ne?ver get liietter 1
%t is all ovet; I doh^ like it>^Iiam uneasy
— ^I feel foolish, Egad ! I hupe .1 sbatt not
play the woman — I shall, I shall — I know
J shall — ;I cannot help it T*

He put his hat before his face, and yield-
ed to the effusion which nature impeUed
bejond the powers of resistance.

After

» * «

THE DESfiRTEE. , 79

After some time, bis lordshtp reoovered
enough to oonverse calmly, and informed
the major they were to sali Üie moment
the wind changed, as the admiral liad fresh
dispatches, that liad required this sudden
alteration in the original orders.

^ And how are the ladies ?" cried Ne-
•ville ; ^ have vou informed them of St.
Valerie's fflness ?"

^* Oh P' rejoined the earl, ** never doubt
mj ciicumspection ; I made a good ^lUxry
of it, *$ee]ng that the truth would only
make them unhappy. I told my sister
that Edgar had fallen in love witfa Miss
McDonald» and had got an appointment,
in order to remain at Gibraltar on her ae-
oount; butthatas hefearedteinglaiigKÄ

• • •

at for 50 sudden a predilection, he did not

mean to come out tili we had set sail."

The earl continued-i-"My sister ! by Jbve,

VOL. IV. E she

f 4 TiiE DESERTEB.

^he gabbled like a turkcty ! half English»
half Italian, as if one langiiage could not
explain her anger suiBciently. She flew
üff to make her report tp Lavinia ; and I
•eatiie here, Uttle thinking indeed of the
danger wherein I found St Valerie. First
or last, I know we must come to the same
eanclu$ion; but so young, so worthy, so
brave, and withal, so disinterested a cba*
racter! It is an awful eatastrophe, and
makesme y^ odd« in ^piteof my forti«
tudß, and all tbat-^at kind of phäc^so-
phy/'

The conversation was not prolonged 1^
either party. Neville gave his packet iqto
bis lordship's äffe, who promised to for-
^ward it; and also to write to the msQor
as soon as possible after thdr arrival in
England.

It wa& most trae that th^ countess had

flown

THE BE8EBTES. 75

flown to Lavinia, and^ iurious witB rag^
p«4««dh«i.übn»«i«. Tb«™«,,
term of reproach which she did not bestow
on Edgar, yet Lavinia said not one word;
she believed her father meant to perplex the
oountess by an inv^ntion of bis own, and
sbe resdved not to i^ear anxious at what
oould iiot be credited; but the countess
wanted no rqply — ^her feelings were for her-
aelf ; she was every way disappointed,
m(Nrtified» and distressed — ^her conversar
zione had been treated with neglect, md,
before she rose fibm her bed, colon^l de
iBurgher had sent her a billet-doux» with
an ofier of hisheart» ^dhand, and fortune»
JBInrBged at bis presumption, she had
sent it bad:, with her most bitter reproof,
transferred to hhn by the mouth of a valet
Little prepared for any additional tormen t,
the words of the earl ahnost made her

£ 2 xnad ;

7ft THE BJESEETE».

mad; and La^inla was not only suiprised
ihal the countess should credit his asser-
tions, but became aiarmed for the anguisli
she tipparently endured.

The tender attentions of Lavmia only
made her worse ; she disdosed her interi-
tions of iraiting herself to £dgar, wühout
even a blush. At that mom^it she seem-
ed to glory in avowing her designs, then
raved at a disajpppintment she had no rea-
son to expeet.

Lavinia neitber did, nor would believe
hei- father's report; but in order to sooth
the countess on the tender point, she
touchedon the proper prideinnateitiher sex,
begging her aunt to summon it to her aid
if she found herself heglected, and to de-
spise the being who could slight her ad>
vances.

^* Oh ! I never told St Valerie my in*

tentions T

THE B£SEET:|2:it. 77

fentions P' said the countess ; *' he qould
not have slighted iiiy passk»!, wTiere
wealtb, a majesti^ person, aad a cultivafe*
ed understanding^ wooed him by turns to
happiness änd love.^

Lavinia. cQiüd not stand this- — the idea
was too absurd ; and she went to the wm-
doWf endeavouiing to lecollect what oould
be the earl's purpose for dFculating such
untruths.

His yoice, at the very moment, callEd.oa
her name^ and she opened her door for bis
admission— " Are you all ready ?" said lüs
lordship ; *^ you must embark in half-aa-
hour. Fresh Orders — wind comipg round —
no tin^ie to lose — ^get every thing in order."

Lavinia's anxiety made her bold, and
she at once asked if St. Valerie was yet
^me home, or if he was expected ?

** Home !" sepeated the earl^, not pre-

E a pared

7& "tHB I>£Sl^T£li.

]^ared fyr a reply; ^oh yes! and gone
agam. You know he k i^ays the fore-
most in the midst of a Uustle."

Saying this, he passed on^ and Lavinia
stood at the open door, stittck with iappre^
liension. Something had happened» she feit
convineed of— what, she had yet to learn.

There was no time for suggesticm : the sai-
lors came forthebaggage«-nothing waspre-
pared— tevery thingwasbundled offwithout
packing — ^no time fat taking leave. Half
the domestics were left behind^ and the
&>\mtes8, in a State <rf despondency, hoist-
ed into the ship, and deposited in an
elegant cabin, there to ruminate on her
fate, tili time should heal her wound and
bring her back to reason.

But^r more poignant were Ijavinia*s
feelings ; her eyes had sought every where
for Edgar, and as the ship was hunded by

afresh

THE DtlSB&tJfcB. 99

& firesh gaie out of tihe bay, she became
eonvinoed tbat Edgar had left them» fioBl
aome unknown cause, for ever.

Pride and anguish tore her bosom ; sh#
now admitted a possibility that he xnight
harebeen Struck with Miss McDonald;
she condemned her own conduct — ^it had
been inadvertent— too unguarded, to meet
the approbatk)n of Edgar ; she feared he
had been disgusted--^et that he cauld
leave her, a little diminished her afiectionw

Lavinia's ddicacy was shocked-^her
pride was aroused ; she w^ut to her aunj^
mid l^ GonsoUng har, ooußoled herseif;
every e:2^pre8sion cune from fa^ heart» eiv
gBsidered by a more thaa sympathetic
pang; and neva: did the countess love hcar
so well, as when using the words impelled
by Lavinia's genuine and self-taught oon-
dolence»

E 4 For

$0 TH£ DBSEHi'BE.

FcHr two days those la/äies did not leaiv^e
their cabin, and tbe rpujgh gale was an ex-»
euse for thßir confinement. The Qountess
suddeiüy wished to emerge,. and: Lavinia
was not sorry to disturb thoughts that
pressed heavily on hör fancy^ Pride was
her sole auxiliary — ^it was a strong one, for
it had to contend with a first impression^
deeply-rooted, nurtured by tendemess»
and cemented by the mild and gentle ties
of gratitude..

Lavinia's sorrows became subdueder-
temally ; no oomplaint was ' breathed—
not a sigh esoaped her, but her face was
wan, and the brilliancy of h&: aspect was
duUed and tarnished^ Sleepless nights,
and hopdess reveries,. ofiGended no one ;
they preyed silently on L^Tinia's health ;
she feit that oonsoiation was impossiblc^

and

THE D£S£UT£E. SI

find left it to time only to wear oat tbe
impressioD.

Thus^ at the end of her voyage, she war
amere shadow^without being aware of the
alteration, and fbcind herseif and ftifnds in
Albemarle-strect, in a noble mansion».
scarcely knowing how she came there, or

«

tfaat a vast ocean had sped her on her

.>

way.

Thefirst occasion to rouse her despondence
was the illness of her &ther^ who» in ten
days, was brotightto the vergeof the grave..
The loss of his maniisciipt could no longer
be ceincealed when the baggage was un-
packed. The countess» ta i^ield Edgar^
whoin he seemed ,ready to blame^ disco^
vered the actual truth^of the stoKy^ whicir
disappointment so struek to hi» kidship'a
heart, that hia life . was< despaired of forr
.many days^ JSut^ as there i^ pqt e^ viü>

£ 5L eut;

8S TRS B^SEBTES.

out an attendant good, Lavinia's thougfat«
took a different course^ and her interest
toT the reoDvery pf her fitther superseded
eveiy thougfat for heradf, and au her hopes
jDb# emtered in his restoration.

CÖAPTER Vni.

I c ANNOT leave , hc^ in a more praisewor-
Uly employment, and I shall now retum to
the suflfemig hero of these volumes» whom
i üstfwid be vety sony to ne^glect ; but if
ftindnes^ sympathy, or attention» could
pröcure relief, Edgar experienced a dou-
ble poitioh firom major Nevifle-^-except
when duty interfere4 he never went out
Geoftey's detail appeared to belong
to Edgar^s histoiy, vtbo fiontly retraced
' p V some

fiomfif man dying on his knees when he
was a little boy, whose look was' ghastly,
and beard frightful This lady Elmar
might be an impostor : she had heea
daimed as the wife oi Crofts; in short;
NeviUe made such variety of conjectures»
tiiat he confused himsdf in stippositionsi
wMiout attaining one point Bkely to tm-
ravel üie mysl;^.

In ten days of mffstiBg, &ofa the vic^
lenee <£ ibß fever, Edgar aj^ieaitd at the
last gasp. He was giyen over by the me-
dical men ; he bmathed, it is true, but he
W9» witfaout moti<H). His" munnurs o^as-
ed; and» esc^pt whßn Geo&qr moist^ed^
his mouth with a spoon, Edgar appeared
past feeli^g wfaat thi^ did to hun.

NeviUe, wbo eould not bear to wjitness
the dissdution of such m e^soeUent young

E. 6: maHr

84 THE BESEETKB.

man, left Crec^^ and an attendant to
watch the last scene of dosing üfe. It
was then midnight: the attendant, wha
had sat up ihe preceeding night, soon be-^
came drowsy; and Geofrey, who, fiom'
the example of his mastar, was all kind-
ness and pity, hegam to sing hymns and
psalms, hy the dying person, in a holy,
awful töne. «.

Edgfflr's eyes had been kmg fixed and
open. Geofirey aU at once saw them dose;
he shivered, «nd softly said-*-'^ It is aH
over ! the liord reeeive his soul !"

He ceased smgingv and kneeling down
at the bedside, repeated a pcayer fbr a
departing spiiit.

Edgar^s eyelids moved, and t&axs lAofe
throogh them. Geofrey, still in doubt
that this was a last effort, prayed witb

more

VHS D£SEKT£R. 82

more fervour, when the deathlike ooun-
tenance became irradiated, and a heaven>*
lyi hioly smile beamed on it.

'^ My dear soul !" exclaimed Geofrey,
^^ take a glaas of ^ne quickly — ^thisis tfae
crisis^ thadk goodness r

He then, by degiees, gave Edgar a few
spoonfuls^ when, peroeiving that he doz^d»
he resumed his hynm, singing ivith^ a
tliankfid heart, and a lo\^ and tremulous
Toice^ acting^ in part^ the ministering
angel..

A profound deep hdd Edgar manyr
hours^ during which the major and the
lafiediod gentfemen visited him, but did
mA disturb/ his fihiipbers. Neville was ask
tonlidied and delighted at so unexpected
an amendmenty and the doctors could not
disguiae their surprise at so sudden an. aL

teration,

86 THB DE8SRTES;

teration, which utterly contradiefced
positive predictions.

Geofirey was not the käst important
penonage in tfae cdrcle» as it was under his
care Edgar's life seemed renovated. Cau«
tion was next recommended by the doc-
tOFS, and eaution was aocor^gly used
Not withstanding ^gar got rapidly better,
bis intellects were still opnfused, and when
be was able to sit up, and was apparentiy
in bis senses, be toM sudi plausible and
well-connected fiOsehoods as alarmed bis
friend^

Hewas always talking of La^inia, andt
tqld Neville the letter she bad written ta
bim^ on her departure» bad saved bis life«
In it she bad Yowed ta be etemalty bisy
and wben besbould submit biscaseto the
lord Cbancdlor, be diould, at tbe same

time,

THE BESERTEK. 8T

lime, daim Lavinia as his bride, as his al«*
liance then would be no disgrace to her.

These» and various other iUusionSy con-
tinued to lead Edgar astray» and gaye
great oneasiness to bis firiend, but he saw
these visions amused him, and he grew
strongep every day, although bis reason
still laboured under delusions that gav6
Nevflle mach alarm.

He longed, andeven prayed, to have an

answertohis letfcer; forakhoiigfa he ex-

pected anger and re{»OBches from bis fa-

tber, Ifeviüe tbougbt tbe figbt woidd, m

despite <^ precaution, dawn through tbe

letter. For many y eärs bis lordsbip bad not

spoken to tbis bis younger son ; but wben

be took the name and estate of Neville/bis

lordsbip was amohg tbe first to ofFer bis

oongratulations ; sincewbicb, asortofiii»

^srooarse bad existed» not what is feit as

cordial,

8S TH£ XfESEBTER.

cordialj but exoessively poKtßy to eaclr

other.

The brotheiB were \sss estianged since
the cadet came mto bis foitune; and lord
Melvurne had, l^ degrees, crept a thou-
Sand poimds into the debt of bis too-ge»-
neious brother». befiire he left England, hy
wsLj of making a trial of Neville's firiendr
ship.

Six weeks bad elapsed, and Edgar^» de-
linum bad greatLy subüded; bot as it
abated, bis spuits abated also. He seemed
dföir4>iis to ent^r on b3senipl<^ment, and
expressed to bis fiäend an, anxiety of tnind
tO' be in actiön^aoüd have agreat de^l to doi

Hitheicto a elerk bad acted as Edgar's
deputy^ wba bdoig a xeapeetable yoong
man» and knowing the business, there
was no ceason why Edggr shoold be anxt
iQus in tbis. case*. ^But bis friend soon per-

ceived

VHE DESEBTSIL Sf

eeivfed this was a ]iart of hos malady in a
new sbsqpe. He ikere&ae, in the hope of
bracii^ his nerves» aud etknulatii!^ his
System^ iode on horseback ivkh him in the
codi o£ the ila}^, and kad cöinpany at home,
belbreiEdgar'a iUness..

It chanced, one day, that an artiHery
ofBcer dined with Neville. Edgtir heard
him say he was about to embark in the
Peggy store-ship, bound for Woohvich,
with inyalided xnen. Lieutenant Ficeman
W9S a lively young man, füll of health
and vigour, and amused the party much
by the anticipation of his voyage, and his
assGciates ön the sea.

He first described the Commander of the
!Peggy, who had originally-been böatswain
of a man of war ; then he pictu^ed Mrs.
Cogle, wife of quarter-master Cogle Mrs.
Cogle had been the best washerwoman in

the

90 "fBaB IIIS8BKCTli.

liie oorps, and nune in tlie lioqfiitBl for
manyyeais, althougfa now she ww a 2flM^.

The humoQious mode of detaüii^ thooe
tiharacter^ and Mr. Fiti^niaii'ls look aod
actioii, appeared to mfeefesfc £c^ar mo»
than any thing that had oocurred 6»t a
long peiiod.

^ And do you embark to-monow?" said
Edgar.

^ To-morrow, at six in tfae morning» I
go on board to tnreakfast with Mrsl Cogk^
rejoined Fireman ; ** so» if you have any
dispatcb'es, I must have them thia even*
ing."

£dgar mused, and rdapsed mto cme cX
his delusions, and Mr. Fireman took leave»
to pay his compliments to. the goyemor,
and receive his oommands.

** I hope he will deHver it with his ow»
hand;' said Edgar; '' it wUl delight her—

I am

THE BESSRTEIL 91

I dm tsure it will. I told her I was wett
i^ain ; but — I fear I am no t Oh! my
fiiend, bear witli me! all is not yet rigfitf
Would that I had died, instead of being

Nevilie was rejoiced to find that Edgar
evkiced some oonsciousness of his wander*
ings. He pl^essed his hand^ säying —
^* Courage, my friend! fight hard with
these blue deyils, and you will be sure
to oonquer P

Edgar gfasped the m^or^s band with
eonvulsive energy, then suddenly dropped
it, and went to bed. But sleep was &r
fiom htm«— every nerve was agitated. One
idea predominated, and to acoomplish that
impulse, reason was pushed aside, and de-
lirium, in its stead, was his guide.

By the light of alamp that bumt beside
£dgar, he watched the passing hours ; he

lefl

«I

teft bis bed, after midnigbt» and arraßged
bis portmaxxteau, braced it» ^nd buckled it
np ; then, anxiöqsly waitkig tbe niomiiS|r.
gun fire, be gently raised the sasb, and
grasping bis portmanteau in bis arms; ste{v
ped out CHI the terrace, j&om wbence be
proceeded, with good speed, to tbe water
port, wbere be bired a boat to put bim on
iboard tbe Peggy.

' The sun had not risetti above tbe rock;
tbe air was fresb and bracing^ and Edgar
rfelt its füll exbilaration. He gave the
boatmän a dollas before be reacbed the
vesisel, that notbing . inigbt detain tbeni/
and be was barely on board before they
were feirly on tbe wing from tlie sbore».

CHAT-

THE DESERTBR. 9S

CHAPTER IX.

Kdg AE took off his hat, on reaching the
deck, with that happy grace that was na«,
tural to hiiti.

The master bowed in his way, adding
— " Fhie moming, sir ! fair breeze ! carry
US thtough the Gut in a jiffy ! Wont you
walk down, and settle your baggage ?"*

Edgar Mt a deCght that was perfeetly
inexpressible. He had been well received,
and the itaaster appeared prepared fi>r him;
^ liow the faet was, that Mr. Dowse (the
master) had heard Fireman say he was in
bopeft a young ftiend of his would be a
fellow-passeiiger on their voyage to Eng-
land, and se^iig Edgar come on board iii

asort

94 TBE

a aort of decided nuamer, Dowse oonciud-
ed he was the voy man» and bdiayed to
him aooMdingly.

Edgar roOedhisportmantean befiwre him»
and desoended to the cafain. On opening
the door» his ^es &U on a ahott &t &
gur^ in a acailet flannd pettiooat, the
head of which figure was pinned up in a
two-douUe ni^ldn, in the place of a nij^t-

She staited, and Edgar was ahoat le-
ixesüng^ bat sfae caUed oat-^^ Don't go^
di»'tgo; ilieny upon me ! Ihavenobu-
simv heie^ thats tx certain; hat our
hirth fis rathar «qiU, and Cogle is veiy
lasy» and leoves all his trog» aboiit ium,
90 1 cnae out heie to put n^ ekvth^ od.*

Bdgv nataiitly romembeied the nanie

of C!o|^ and cmild haidy refimin fioin

Imi^boBg^^^ J mSk jct^^ :h»e, nia'aiii»'*

Said

TH£ DSS£RT£R. 95

Said he, retreoting, ^' while you complete
your toilef*

<< I am sure you shan't though/' cried
Mrs. Cogle ; ** I know politeness, I bope,
air. My duds can findtheir way on with-
^attanlight, and I shall fae happy to make
you a breakfast in ten minutes."

Si^iog this» ahe scrambled tpgeäier her
alothe9f and went into her cabin.

'The deluded State of Edgar*« mind pre-
vented the exeition of bis reasonable fa-
culties; he took things as tbey happened»
ivithout refieeting on the ccnsefaences«
A kad seemed to be lemopred firom hia
brain on quitting the ganiaon: he ahould
breathe the aaiiie air as did Xiaivima-^e
eould hear of berevery day,.tiiro^gh;8ome
or other of her servants^-^he atiigfat cafxdi
a ^Iwce 4^ her HS sbe passed inrber caiä-
4ge*«4Jh0 Shouldice cmt^ toJcnow tbat he

would

96 THE l^ESERTEtt.

would be near ha*, instead of being chain-
edto a rock, or nailed to a desk^at the ve-
ry extremity of all Europe.

Happy in his emandpation, Edgar in-
dulged these fioficies, wliile the ship was
getting tmder \mgh, and lieutenant Fire-
ofian approadiing.

He was no sooner on board Ihm every
thing was in a bastle ; and Mr. Dowse was
too busy in giving Orders to attmd to po-
Üteness, or do möre than toucfa his hat to
Mr. Fireinan.

Meanwfaile Mrs. Cogle retumed, dressed,
h&wigged, and bedizened. She arranged
the breakfast-things ; and. looking fiiUy at
Edgar, she said— «*' It seems to me, shr, as *
i£y)ou are poorly ; you must have a bit of
breiA£ust as soon as ^e can get it; but
this here gettuig of sMp tinder wägh
ke^^haadsbitsy. You k)ok but Muisk

under

tmder the eydballs. Yöu laügh; but I
ean teil you I am a Int öf ä döctöi", and tiö
sm^ bit neither/'

■

** I am much obliged fot the concem
yöü täkeabout me,** rej>lied Edgar -^ "but
1 am qnlte well, atid quit6 happy at this
moment, and shall be more happy every
U&goß We get fttrtheir frofti Gibtaltar/'

" La ! dörft say to of pöor Gib," said
Mts. Cogle; ** t am Veiy sörty toleave it !
—I sfcall löok long eliough fbr the rations
whön I gßt tq Truro, t^rhich is my honten aö
Ihey cetUit; btrtoJdGib is tbe true höm6
§bt me ; I am sure I doii*t t^änt to leave
U^l tTöttld be ä * töck ^dofpion' vl\ my
Afys, itöne it not that Cdgli got wöunded,

ihd we ^i^ feafte.'"

■

At this istKtocitlt Fü^üNfn ctmi äoifnk
IM StOjfs, tinging " Ö'ef the hiOs jtnd ikr
«vmy ;" ftnd fttrtiittg iaCo the cdbin, facqi

f#li. IT. p eye»

9S THf; BBSEETEB.

eyeH feil on Edgar. Fireman nmde a dead
stand, then exclaimed — " By pope Pius,
and all the cardinals, l canuot bdie^^e
my eyes ! — Speak, my dear fellow, if . it
is you ! but if you are the ghost of St
Yaleriß, presto! begone into the Red

Seq."

Edgar adYaneed with anextendedhand,
'which Fireman shook with all his heart»
addipg-^" You are going heme with.me,
I hope? By Jove ! thisisa famous ch^nce
fox-such a poor low-spirited dog. as me!

. We will rattle the backgamnion-board in
your ears, madain Cogle^ But teil me,

,.xire you fairly and truly going home with
me? Faith now, you can't help it ! sc^
if you intended a joke, it has tumed on
youi-self; for there is no boat now that
can put you on shore, even if you wished
to go. Come, Cogy," oontinued Fireman»

« giviB

THE desebteh. 99

<• give US some tea ; I am ravenously hun-
gry ! Älake haste» or I shall fall foul of
you, my dainty daisy ! tlien Cogle would
be for taking the law, and I could not af-
ford to pay datnages, my duck ! Whät
cotüd I do?"

Edgar laughed unnaturally at the flights
of his new friend; and when he could
speak steadily, told Fireman he feit his
hospitality, and should teil him his p^s
when they were alone.

Mr. Cogle took ^ seat at the brealcfast-
table in his quiet way ; he disturbed no-
body— -answered yes, or no, and smiled
at his wife's jokeSybadorgood; andsmok-
ed and drank grog in the master's room,
wben he was not at bis meals.

After break&st, our new fiiends went
oadeck, to look at Ceuta; and as the wind

F fi fresheiied.

liOO THE D£SE11T£]L

fresbened, they feit no inclinatioQ to re-
tum to the calnn.

£dgar had adopted (as it appeared) a
new charaeter; he was all fun and fblly —
Said wliat a good joke he had played Ne-
ville — enjoyed the surprise his own ffigfat

'Um

wotdd occasion bim — and wished €iäbraltar
in the hands of the Moors, under its <Mrigi-
Tial primitive goveraors. Even Fireman
stared at Edgar's flightiness ; y et hi& vam^
ners, except at momentary periods, were
so polished and amiable, that it was impes-
Mble not to like him, and coret his society.
Edgar had a better night'» ideep than for
löany weeks; and he was fess elevated tfce
next moming; and the ttext, and the nexk,
he was still caltaer. On the Iburth he
awoke eaify ; and his first ifet, instead of
presentm^ to Ins mind 'ßie bdbved Lavi«

nia.

T&E ])£S£&T£lt. 10)

i

liia, as usual, figured the kind, tender, un-
exainpled friend^ m^or NevUle, ungrat«^
fully deserted, in^ted— nay, even ne*
glected, by the creature who owed bis li&
and weliare to bis care ahd goodness.

** I bave been mad," tbougbt Edgar ;
^ I am now in my senses. Power Su-
preme ! I am most grateful ! Give me the
meaiis to prove ta my fiiend tbat I am
guilÜeBst The fibn tbat l^as entangled
my reason seema to be dispersed. In my
miadi see the deepooncemof that best^tid
ever dearest friend — Ob, bow coulddeli^
lium excite such contradictory sensations?
— ^How can I convey to bim my contri-
tion, my sorrow, my deep remorse fot
«ucb unfeeling, such ungrateful conduct ?'*
He continued — " Wbat am I doing here,
incurring new obligations? — Wbat are
my plans ? Not to make myself known

F 3 ' tö

102 THE DESEKTEB.

to Lavinia, unless improbabilities should
' authorizc my proposals. She has sufiered
too much — Alas ! perbaps my illness has
destroyed her ; but my friend said she was
well, although sbe knew I suflPered."

Edgar burst into tears ; nor did he coi^r
trol them : he fek reheved, and they
dried up* — " Never, never will I despond!!^
Said he,- mentally — ^^ Man cannot see the
Power that directs him. Integrity, jus-
tice, and honour, are guides which I shall
ever cling to ; with them I dfefy t^ie mis>-
fbrtunes or changes of this world-^this
temporary enduraneeofcrosses andpains."

Edgar now examined bis portmanteau-.
To be without resources in a stränge land
was not verv csonvenient — to be tlte unim
vited guest of Fireman, for a fortnight, or
a month, was most galling. Edgar re-
membered he had money in his portman-
teau

tÜE DESERTES. I(f8r

f eau tvben he was taken ill, but that might
have beeir lost in the State of confusioir.
He puUed out his things ali:üously, but
could find no money. With tlie utmost
dismay, be beheld his poverty, perplexed
Tit what he should do in so disastrous
a case. He replaced hfe snxalt wardrobe
with care and ptedsioiti keeping out a
clean change forthat day ; then proceeded
to put ön his dothes. Edgar ünroUed his
stodcings, and down feil a purse. He
started with »urprisc,, then took it up,
and examined it. ^ It contained to the va-
Iqe of »ixty guineas, besides the favourite
ring of the queen of W- , wrapped
carefuUy in cotton, lest it might be injured
amongst the gold.

Edgar's mental ecstasy was . natural on
this oeoasion. A tempbrary supply was
all he wanted ; for in* a country like Eng^

F 4 land.

104 THS DfiSli|ttE9-

)md, hi$ tal^ts for Iwgung^ vrould be a
$ui^ resource oggiost pov^ity, if they %vould
HQt make him rieh- The oiüy leal weight
now OTi bis wind waa the appearanee of
in^atitude. IJe resolvcd tp write that
vory day to Neyiüe, hopiiig i^ome yess^I^
bound tQ Gibraltar^ migbt pasa oear tbem^
and bis vinidicittiQn be conveyed to major
N^vüIq by tbe outwaid-bound Mf-.

WbHet in theso cogitaticoiai K^ar waa
ßXOVLsed by a tbmxdering at tbe door*

** Wh9,t bo£^ $b)pmat(^ ! art dead ?'" ocied
Firemau ; " Mrs. Cogle wanta yoH j opifc
of her fowla has laid an ^g, sind sb& swe^
ixobody but yoa sball baya it for tbebr
breakfast ; you can do w> le$a tban ^ye
her a kiss for it — nay, if you give ber twQ
you won't have a bad bapi^gw)/'

Edgar carae out imwiediately, y^hen
Fireman pushed hm to Mrs* Cc^H »aj-

ing—

TH£ DES£RT£B. 105

hxg — ^ Now, Goody, teil me which you
like best, Freßch or Englbh embraces ?'*
' " You are a very bcdd boy, master jRre-i
man," said she ; *^*tis weU I don*t mind ye ;
but Mr. Valery has moire manners, I know»
thaii to be iOiperent to a lady, when he
sees she is not one of your gilffirt^"

** Dear, good Mra Cogle/' said Edgar^
taking her band, " believe me, I so much re-
spect the sex, 1 will never offend it ; don*0
fear my approaches. Thus.far I w^ come^
but na farther."

He dropped her band» bowed, and ^t
down to breakfast.

" There's a saviple for you, master Mad^
cap !" cibserved Mrs. Cogle ; •* I »evier
thoiight to see manners in ai. FrencfatnsHi,.
good lack ! but tbere is no rufe without at
semption, you see ; so take warning, aucl

F 5 kam

106 THE DESEKTEB.

learn to behave pretty — do now ! yöu will
be all the better you know — don't ye ?'*

" But I am not a native of France — I
was bona in England," cried Edgar.

"How?" replied Fireraan ; "Itliought
you had never beenr in England;'*

'> I do not remember my country, it k
true," Said Edgar, " but I am English ne-
vertheless. Mine is an odd story altoge-
ther ; but as I mean to make it as public
OS I can, in the hope of making some ne-^
cessary discoveries, you sball have the:
l^ads. of inost of the events of my life."

Nothing could have gratified Fircman
so much : and after breakfast they walked
the deck, and Edgar again was the hcro of
bis own story, wWeh he corrected and re-
vised» wliere love was the subject on the
tapis.
... - A kings

THE DESERTER: l(ff

A king's Cutter coming in sight, broke
the thread of the disoourse. A signal waa
thrown out for her approaeh. On hailing;
it was found she was diarged with dis-^
patches for Gibraltar; aooordingly Edgar'a-
packet for major Neville was put on board,.
and bis bear£ was selieved from a- bürden»^
that had sorely oppressedit*.

CHAPTER X.

The Story, witb comments and observa^-
tions, ksted nearly the ' whole passage ;,
and Fireman swore he would ferxet out
a key to tbis iiwjulücms. mystery.

Scheming, planning,. and suggesting:
every likely means to come at the truth^.
fbcmed their daily amusement ;. aad the^

E & sanguiner

^08 THE BESE&TEB.

«tnguiiie sütdmt spirit ci FiremMt ^bs
h^iing ^ the noment whte^ tbt^ toiaiä
«oter upcm the husuiess. In fourteen
dftjTs tkiß ^^9ggy ancbored off Woolwich»
wA Sc^gw weA^ ^itt^ FijmDaii ta heb» bw-
ladk» tili tbe latter coidd get have to.'ac-
QMQpwy Edgar taLtmdon.

It was in \mk hß pr^^ei Jm sbare d
the mess-money upon bis oompanions;
neither of them wonld hear of it. They
Said the truthwhenthey dedasred they had
made no provision fpr him ; and the quan-
tity of sea-store that was now supeifluous»
cmimg to fheir quidc voyage^ proved that
Ei^gar had not p«it them to an expence
which could be lelt by any of the party .

It was nearly a week before they went
to Xiondon«. Bn spite of Edgsar's anxlety,
J^iremam would not let him stür towards
Aft '^ great calgr,'' tek he dMDuM be tricW

ed

THE DBSEETBR. 109

^ by some eS tbose ImpostoKs whö are
ever m^ ihe watdi ix uxumspecting strasi«
gcrs«

At length they jumped kato a stage-
coaidi» aiid soost entered the metropolis.

^ How^ Said Fkeisiän» as th6}r stoodat
Chariogcrose, ^ have all your ey es about
yoü, and keep your mouth dose, or they
wi8 steal your teeth froni your head."

iEdgar could not refram from kughteir.
at this^ cttrlous» ebarge»; and they were
Walking merrily ob, arm in arm, when a
flasliy bighly-rouged woman sdzed Ed-
gar'saruk

Fireman perceived her action, and said
to Edgar^ — ^* Shake her off, shake her ofF;
don't listen to the creature T

•* Only von little vord, sir," said the fe-
male ; " your name it is Edgar, I do be-
lieve— I am mueh frighted if it is not,"

Edgar

HO THE DESEÄTER.

^ Edgar staggcred, and turned pale a»
death— " It cannot be possible !'* cried he;
" I don't — no, no — I don't know you —
pray letme go."

** Oh you mosh changeoit !'* added she ;.
** but rne great deal more ; but £liza love
you still ; she make no change in dat'*

" I teil you what, my lady," said Fire-
man, " be off directly, or I shall lodge
you in safe hands."

" H ush ! pray don't insult !" said Edgar ;•
** is there no house we could enter, whcye
-WQ could confertoggther for ashört time?'^

** Come in my house," said she ; "I.
live y onder in Suffolk-street ; it is not dica
pas cViciy '

** Confound your gibberish !" said Fire- .
man ; " he shall not go with you — so get
out, I say, at once !!'

People began to stöp and listen about

them,

THE DESERTEIt. II F

theifl, and Firemän expected a mob- The
female clung td Edgar's arm, and to es-
eäpe the crowd, they all three crossed
the Street, when she said — " Dat is my
house — ^you must come wid me ; I have all
your papers^ in my box.'*

A handsome liouse presented itself neär
the end of Suffolk-street ; a lodging bift
was on the window, and every thing had»
a.decent look about it, as far as clean step»
^id a bright knocker raight denote.

Firemani at these Symptoms, half inclin-*
^ Ins* Steps after Edgar, who was pulFed
along by Eliza. She ropped and rang
the bell^at the same moment, when afoot-
man answered the summons, and threw av
door open, which led to a handsome par-
loun She motioned for them to sit, then ^
flung herseif on a sofa, and wept in abimd-
ance.

Edgar

112 THIS DESERTSIU

Edgar was so agitated be coold barqly
speak — ^He thought of his engagement to
many Eliza, aoad literally feit a dread,
that, by tbe laws of England, she eould
eompel hdm to ful£l bis pramise.^ He nexfi
wisbed himself baek again at Gibraltar r
and while she iodulgted her tears» he Wasr
absorbed in makksg vain wisbes» and con-
cedVing ehreiy tbilig but the tralS^ <^ her
kitentlons.

" Pray, Äia'am/' said Firemah, mtb
some embarrassm«nt, " did you not speak
öf pap€rs — paperi^ belonging to my friend?
We have no timeto lose — To the piirpose,
if you please, for we must begone imme-
diately."

Eliza wiped her eyes— ^* Gone !" cried
she ; " go yourself directly ; I have two ,
days' talk for dear Edgar, and I have bS
de good in my power, and de richesse. —

Ha!

la^Ba

^a! hsil aif moie dan de Targent. Whafor
you tuke de matter upon you> Mr. Some-
lK>dy ? Edgar isnotde little bpyno long-
er : I am de loistress — I have de pedi-
gree-^I can make him a milor to-morrow."'

••Good Heaven, Eliwr said Edgar»
^* wbat in&rence must I dföw fronv your
atrange conversation ? How did you es^
cape fioxu France ? wd where is lady El-
war?"

** Ba, ba r exdaimed she; *^ say noting
of that milady ! I am shame for my poor
inoder ; bat I always love you ; and she
use you very badly ; and she 19 poüish for
de sin she make agains you."

The idea of Eliaa's love' made Edgar
tremble ; he dreaded she would annoimce
the prke she set upon his papers, andrem-
solved to starve rather than submit to her
detestable proposals.

Firemai^

}14 TUE D£I$I1RT£R.

Fireman, who, from Edgar's history^
begun to recognize Eliza, said — " I dare j
say, ma'am» you wiil makeyöur deposition
tö the papers yoil spoke of ? Suppose you
fetch thein, änd we will have ä coach, and
do the biisiness directly ?''

Bliza gave Fireman a Took that almost
repefled him; then taking Edgar's hand, /
she exclaimed — " He is my own Edgar ;
you need no be his tutor; he sleep in my
bed when he was litel, litel — ^you cannot
love Edgar as I do."*

" May be not, ma-am," rejoined Fire--
man ;. " I do not wish k ; but I am his-
firiendj and don't like cj^oling.**

** I will tum you. by the dbor, if you-
make me the insult T exclaimed the angry

*

Eliza r ** I am de true frien ; I call him
my husban since five year old."

" For mercy's sake ! ray, gopd Eliza,"

said-

"XHE DESEBTER. WS

Said Edgar, " come to the point, and fbr-
get the folly of our yöuth. If you still

are my friend, you will terminate my sus-
penso"

" I must make my own preliminaire
before I teil you de trut; vere is your
hgement f I vill take my breakfast wid
you to-morrow moming. Be alone, and I
▼ill not disappoint you, if you grant to me
my own terms.'^

" Now, or never^ madam,!* exclaimed
Fireman ; " we have no lodgihgs at pre--
serit — ^we are going to leave London, and
you may never see us again."

A carriage driving up to the door ihter-
rupted the conversation. Eliza hurried to
throw open a centre door, that shewed a
back parlour, into which she almost push-
ed her compan^ons, and attended to those
who de&cended from ths carriage to the

house..

MWlillili

11^ 7HB PKSERTEit.

houte.^. The firiends beard her fcotmair
ttuiounce the duchevs of P , and lady
Fkvilla, hejt daughter. ^ AU tlie feinak?
chattered at a great rate in the Frenck
knguage» and the drawers of a large side-
board were opened and shut with great'

vekKsity. In short, by every thmg that
was Said ra the other room, £dgar was^^on-
vincfd that EUza made a traffic of eesitra^
band goods, and that her bttt to^ letting
lodgings wa9 merely a pretext ta cover
het illidt business, and oarry on Üie &rcs.
JStdgfv 9at for siome time, then snddenly
* exchnmed — ^^ Let us make our escape."

Fireman began to laugfa, as usual^ at
Fdgar's alarm, who was at that moment .
trying a side door, with a view to get out.
The door was doubly locked^ and the winr
dow was nailed — He cast a look of des{>air
at hds friend.

« Pshaw r

THE J>£8£RTfim. 117

^' Psliaw !" exclaimed Fireman ; " hang
despondence 1 I will many her myself ! I
dare say she is rieh; and faith, I don't
think her at all ugly ! A poor dog like
me might be glad of such a chance ! You
ishall then have your sccret, for I knpw
tsbe will be rery fond, and then, my budk,
we sball be greater friends than ever."

The ladies remoined nearly an boar; and
when they had departed, Eliza opened tbe
doQfty and apotogised to Edgar fcH* bis long
canfinem^ot Quaatities of gold ky upon
the tdi^, wbieh» with a littie shoveU she
hoye ink) a drawer^ being then too late ta
carry it to the bankers at Charingcross.

CHAP.

■MMMA"-^'-^*-^

118 THE D£S£RT£K.

CHAPTER XI,

She now addressed Edgar in the Frencli
language, which she hoped Fireman did
not understand ; she concluded Edgar had
been taken prisoner in battle, and that he
was then on his parole.

Edgar suffered her to think so still, nor
did he contradict her, but besought her to
beexpUcit in what she had to relate, as
it was late, and he was engaged to leave
town.

" You must not go,'* aied she, still
ispeaking French — " I have a story to re-
late, but we must be in private, and you
must accede to my terms,, ere I give you

that

TH£ DESERTEIU 119

ihat confidence which will secure to you
iiidependence and rank."

" If I have been betrayed, deceived, or

led blindfold from my iafancy, which I
have long suspected to be the case, I am
now in the Ismd of equity, and, to com-
pi!amise, where justice helds her scales/ is
a useless question,"

She coloured, and was about to reply,
whena thundering rap at the street-door
took her attention. She jumped up, and
with unfeigned joy exclaimed — " There
is my husband I**

She flew out, and soon led him up
stairs to another apartment.

Edgar's joy, on hearing her exclamation,
nearly became frenzy. He sprang up,
capered, kicked bis hat about, calling out
to Fireman — " Did you hear her — did
you hear her say it was her bmband?

Oh!

120 THE DESERTE*.

Oii! the darling, to have a husband! I
unll subscribe to all her terms this very
instant. Fireman, I am crazy ! I am cer-
tain.now that I dare present ffiyself to
Lavinia Why don*t you dance» and do
every tfaing as fodish as I do ?''

** Why reaBy,** said Fireraan, ^ 1 have
my apprehensions ; it seems likely we may
be sent adrift dh'ectiy. This husband,
tiiat so much dehghts you, may ehange
your piY)spects, and hunt us out öf his
premises, Hke a pair of bag foxc^s. Snifi!!
I say," continued Fireman; *• Oh! the
Fuench copkery ?. by George ! if the smell
is so exciting, höw gratifying must fhe
taste be to the pj&tter

** (Äf exdahned Edgaf, " I äiafi not

wanf tit> eat fbr a twdvemöuth— I am le«
jpfete wifli joy and gkdness r

•» Gome, tscßa^,"* crfed TitethsA, * thö

coast

. Tä£ DESERTEH. 121

coast iis dear ; you wanted to escape just
now ; we may not find anotber occasion
so convenient Shall we be polite, and
take Fr^ich leave of the adorable Eliza ?'*

" Not for the mines of Fotosi would I
quit my good angel!" replied Edgar; •* she
will not forget us, I am oertain ; liavlng
1)egun the good work, she will not leave
it unfinished, I am fuUy persuaded."

Edgar could not sit still one minute ; he
went to the door,listened,then puUed about
the emamaits of the chimney — ^broke a
bronze cand^la1»ra — ^upset an inkstand— *
and threw down a pole screen, which broke
to pieoes. Meanwhile, Fireman oomplain-
ed of hunger,and pretended to go to sleep
with inanition.

A fuU hour elapsed in tiresome expec-
tation» wben at last Eliza came down» and
Edgar sprang to her and embi:aoed her<^

IÄ2 THE D£S£BT£Il.

** MafüiP' Said sbe, '* you forget I am
married ! Miaigre xhms^ I did get de good
husband ; he arrive jvi3t now irmn Ostend^
and prays de good campauy of you and
yoür frkri to dinner."

'^ He cooild not bave perfonned a.more
ob^ging kin^ess/' replied Firaman.

Eliza led her ftiends up stairs, while
the sertants laid the table in tbe room
thöy vacated* They now entered a vwy
handsome apartitient, famished elegantiiy»
and Elisa presented them to her iMiriMuid,
who had been prepazied to receive them»
which was eridait in bis manner.

He faad dianged \m dies£^ after bis at «
rivalfiom hi» excuisicm, and, to sarf tbei
truth, bore a most rei^ectable ^nis ; he
wofe a Fretidi regtmental of tbe anciöit
attttyi witli tbe Croia de St. JLatiü «rt bis
btttton-boki hiabair was fnäpuffed with

powder»

THE BfiSERTÄtt- 12»

powder, and he had raffles at bis liands,
asid took snuff, out of a gold siiuff-boac, wxtfa
a peen&ar zxt of grandeur; bis age se^ned
Ixvbe about fifty, and he iv^as tall» and at
the ^astke time weH made and atbletic.

Edgaor wa9 deligbted with Eliza'&r '' has-
band," and wbuld have been so, had he
resembied Saneha Panaa. M(»idieiir Bour*
dcBiaye was more than dhanned with Ed«
gar, fer he embraced faim tvvice, and ex-
daimed-^^ 'Most noble, moBt injuied
yoüng man ! suffisr me to i^yA&t over you,
ad if I w^e restot^ to a loüg-Ioirt son."

Althoügb Edgar did not quite under-
stand the chevalier de St. Louis, he was
highly pleased at kis words ; but Eliza
foegged tbat business mrght be deferred
uritil dinner sAiould be over, when they
«bould idl be in better spbits, and not be
liable ta mterruption.

G 2 *' A

124 THE DESERTER.

** A veiy well-judged and sensible pro-
position," Said fireman. '^ Madam," said
he, addressing the lady, ^^ your beauty
and judgment go band in hand; the sto-
mach and heart have an intimate eorre-
spondence; when the former is craying, the
latter sinks very low."

•* You are one droU^ Monsieur Fire^
panr said madame de Bourdonaye; *'you
do not flatter me in de commencementy but
you make taimabk for me a present We
shall be taute a Vheure de ver good firiens "

Dinner was announced: at that mo-
ment Fireman seized Eliza's hand, squeez-
ed it, and led her down to table. Every
thing was excellent that covered the board,
and truly the guests did honour to the re*
past, at which I shall heg permission to
leave them, as the conversation was too.
long to transcribe it at this moment

We

THE DESERTEÄ. 123

We appear to have negleeted major Ne*
ville : it is a charge^ we are inost anxious
to refute, as it would impeach our judg«>
ment, and prove that our boasted sensibi-
lity wanted the priticipal ingf edient, vide-
licet, lack of feeling, and that the charac-
ter of a steady reflective man gave but

little interest in this teeitsl*

»

It is most certain that major Neville^ on
hearirig that Edgar was not in his cham»
ber when G^frey weht to call him, ex-
perienced a chilling dread throügh his
whole System. He scarcely feit the stairs,
so qiückly did he descend them: every
eentinel was questioned in every direction;
but each pöst had been relieved since Ed-
gar had quitted the quarters.

With throbbing temples, and a mind
appalled, the major sent soldiers in quest
oif his poor maniac, for h6 attributed Ed«

af gar's

126 THE BESEETEB.

^ar's fligbt to this dreadful impube. Kever,
in his life» had the major experienced
such honrible suggeetion». The news soon
flew all over the garrison, and NeviUe^s
quarters^ were . crowded by numerous m-
quirers, to ascertain the truth or f^bricatiott
of .thia " tale of wonder.*'

Geofrey was assured he should £nd a
letter in some odd conaer of Edgaf s apart-
ment, addre^sed eitber to himself or mas^
te£, that.wbuld acoount for the rnsh aetioo
he was i^sSured Ed^ar had oommitted.
Geo&ey, for some h^urs, coiüd not^ to a
iiicety, examine the apartinen t, for he waa
afraid to remain alpne in the awful cham«
her.

The print of Edgar's faead remained on
the pillow, which he looked at with dis«
may and terror ; he went in aod out, $um-
jBon^ig his courage, tUl he was called ta

breakfast

TÖE DESEÄTEÄ. I27

bi^eak&st by the other servants, just as he
reoollected that " an empty stomach en-
genders vapours, and man feels boldest
when the animal is replete.'^

The recent disaster gave additional fo-
quacity to each member of the kitcheii-
table, and the meal, with frequent inter*-
ruptions^ lasted tili noon, when the emis*
saries which had been sent forth in quest
of Edgar retumed. Their search had
been froitlesst they wei« paid and sent

away.

■

Now then Geofrey re^ved to be bold,
and his iirst effort was to shake the pillow
out of its form — " Where is the poor dear
boy's night-Gap ?'* said he ; " here are two
of his Curling hairs on the pillow-case — I
shall preserve them. 'This legacy is for
me — ^nobody can deny me that, sure P^

He then sliook all the bed-clothes, next

G 4 opened

128 THE DESERTEH.

opened the drawers — " Wliat, what," cried
Geofrey, " where's the clean liiien I put
in yesterday ? Goles !" added lie, look-
ing round, " why, the povtmantk is gone
too ! Now I do begin tö thiiik he is önly
run away, and I will teil master my
tboughts directly. Zooks ! I am no fool,
after all ; I will call him out from his Com-
pany — aye, that I would, if the king was
there, odd bless him !"

Geofrey's intelligence caused the major
to Order his horse, and gallop off to Water
Port, where, after much inquiry, he found
two Genoese boatmen, who so exactly
described Edgar and his portmanteau, that
it w^as impossible to mistäke tliem.

They said, that before sunrise they
had carried him off to the störe -ship,
w^hirh, in le^s than an hour^ had set sail

for England.

" I care

THE D£S£ET£B. 129

• ''I eare not for his ingratitade,'' thought
Neville, as he tumed his horse homeward;
•* I only dread his delirium. The sea air
may braoe- his nerves, and ultimately re-
Store him, but his passion for Lavinia
nothing can eure — ^it will prove either his
bane or his blessing; no middle coorse re-
miains for Edgar; distraction or bliss await
him. I remarked his confusion as Fire-
man spoke of his intended embarkation,
but little suspected such a termination.
Oh that I had heard from my father before
Edgar had escaped from me! Where
sliall I seek him? a stranger in London,
without one friend ! This rash step has
eounteracted my best plans^ an^, if his;
mind remains bewildered» what result may
not foUow his precipitancy T

With these, and similar reflections, did
IJeville reach his quarters. He relieved

g5 hi&

140 THE DSSEETßlU

hi$ good cid a^rvant by iiQpBrting wfaat he
had leamt at tfae watierside^ tmt his own
anxiety for Edgar's wel&ie reoudned un-
appeased.

When Neville recovered fröua the tu-
Qiult in whkfa his mind had beeu involved,
he took meagures to witbdraw that cen-
sure ußder wbich Edgar had fidlen, fisom
giTing up his situatloB witiiumt «s^gi>iiig
areason.

Neville wfls a powaiul advocatie when
he und^rtqdi: a <^uae. The gQvernor: fcHv
gave tiie imult on tke xoAJot^ s/fcoixiA, and
Mr. Sommers» Edgar's deputy, was no-
minated as permanently imder-secretavy
in hi« place.

CHAP.

THE d£3£hti:b« 131

CHAPtER XII.

In teil days maj(^ Neville got Edgar's let-
ter by the king*s cutter, and soon after the
deOTed packet arrived which he expected
from his father, which begaii with the
ünusnal appellation of ** my dear son,'* and
ran as follcrw&i-^

" Allofr liiö to «ay your letta* surprised
BXkä shocked tne ; certainly, in its just
point, I eould not understand it. You
have taken great p4ins to elucidate your
Story, and make its plausibility clear ; ' but
as I'defy imposition of every nature, t
have ho fears of the amiable juggler you,
have^ under • youp care ; only keep him-
wherehe », lest I should feend him toBo-

a6 t^y

132 THE DESERTBR.

tany Bay, there to claim estates and a
title ; he/ no doul^t, is well of accord with
your man Geofrey, and you are tlie dupe
of both ; at any rate, keep your juggler
abroad : I approve of your having procur-
ed him a Situation. He would feel my
xigour» if he annoyed me with his pre-
tences ; and as he finds favour with you, I
would willingly spare the creature^ if not
urged, in justice to myself, to prosecute
him in my own defence. I have no doubt,
after revising and correcting your stränge
fancies^ conceriüng me, your fatkeVi you
will be sorry for what you wrote. I have
been much hurt hy your brother's con-*
duct{ damages are laid at t^n thousand
pounds — I shall not advance eine farthing.
He acted Uke a fool, for he was the bo«
6öm friend of her husband, who, ne^er
would have believed it, had not jny icteot

given

TH£ DßSERTER. 13S

giveti written conviciion under bis own
sign-manual; all things, together, make me
veiy uneasy : I suppose it will end in my
going to Russia, or maybe to Constanti-
nople, to get away from these persecu-
tiom.**

^^Whftt persecutions ?" ejacisdatedi Ne-
ville, putting down the letter which he
had nearly conduded : he caught a glimpse
of ** true friaid, and afiectionate father,"
which induced Neville to double the letter
iii its former folds^ when en oneendhe
perceived these words :—

" P. S. — ^A threatening letter from one
w^ho signs hiiHself * Crofts/ has much per-
plexed me."

Co»viction at once flVished the majori
countenance. He had oraitted, in bis let-
ter to bis father, names. which he thought

or

iS4 THE DESEBTXB.

of litde Import to Ed^r^s story : that of
^ Grafts" he had not inserted, suppo«ng
him to be of too little ooniequ^oe to €k>
cupy hispaper.

The whole of his fiithar^s letter, c« a se*
eond reading, appeared to criininate lüm.
Neville's souI sick^ied : the tie of natnre
pulled strongly on hhn ; he ströve to Teil
iafamy by Üie right of coi^angumity ; yet
when £dgar, thetruly-good — ^nay, exceU
lent friend of his bc^om^ was the injured
socnfice tO' Usurpation atid vülaay, Ne^
Tille shrunk within himself, doubting,
wavaring, undedded, and miiserable in the
extreme. He shut himself up {<x two
days, and then came to the sesolution of
applying for leaTe to go to Engknd» and
if posi^ible trace Edgar out, and aideaTour
to reconcUe» or moUify the errors and Usur-
pation

TH£ D£6£ET£R. ISS

poitiön ,whkrh iiad been practised against
Sdgiar by the treacbax>us contrivuioe of
Mr, Carleton.

Major }f eville aocordingly applied for ar
&w,nionth6' leave of absence» whieh» with
difficulty, wa& granted ; but up<m the plepr*
of the most urgent busioess, and upon his

character foc probity, was thia indulgänce
founded.

He waited 8ome time foir the sailingf
of a vessel, and was, by contrary winds^.
detained by a very long aad boisterous^
passage^

Neville was not in doubt of finding out
Fireman, and throu^ him he thought he
should hear of Edgar; yet he never could.
r^ßondh bimsdf to betray his father, nor
cQuld he devise^with any method,.tbe con*
4tiot he «should maintain with Edgar. H^

-fottüd lie mwt tni3t to tbe circujBQustances

' "" of

1S6 THE DESEKTEH.

»

of the moment» and depend on the inte^
grity of his unshaken soul ta acquit him
under so severe a triaL

I must now leave major Neville beadng
up the English Channel, and look in on
the partie quarre!, at monsieur Bourdo-
nay e's table. It would never end to trän-
scribe in dialogue the subjects of that even-
ing. Eliza's terms were first stipulated
before she entered an the business : these
were simply a free pardon for her mother,
and a small alla«rance to keep her frora
want in her latter days.

" She shall never feet a call of re»titution
from me," excbimed Edg*^, in the warmth
of his heart: ** If she repents of her iniqui-^
ties, I will reward her tenfold, when I have
the power to ratify tlie promise I now so-
lemnly makeJ^ Bear witness» all of you ;
and may the vaw I utta* in your presence

be

THE DESERTERr IST

be registered by that Supreme Power who
is about, through a maze of intricades» to
«nveil the trutli!"

ISdgar had risen as his mind became
elevated, and his countenance appeared
irradiated with a holy zeal, such as paint-
ers give to saints« who seem to rejoice in
their pious works.

Madame Bourdonaye then took both
Edgar's hands ; and laying her forehead on
them, sealed Edgar's vow with tears of
gratitude and contrition.

It appeared» by her nairation, which she
hastily entered upon, that when Edgar
had been forced into the conscription, and
Eliza and her mother taken to prison, their
friend the abb^ played no idle part. He
had concealed himself in a closet» diiring
the whole fracas ; and being aware that the
police ofScers woiild retum tg rob and pü-

Jage

1S8 THE DESERTER.

läge lady Elmar's property, he took 6er
ladyship's jewels, money, and plate, and
all her valuables, under his eipecidl care
and protection, oonduding her amiaUe ta-
lents would create friends fcr her in pri-
son, so as not to require what he oth^rwise
disposed of. He had suffident honesty to
send her a box of papers, which were of nö
use to himself ; and, very shortly after,
he decamped fiom Paris to St. Peters-
burgh, where he dubbed hin^df an emi*
grant count, and was married in a short
time to a Russian princess, of the house of
Bronderousfcyfouski.

Meanwhile, lady Elmar exiATSiim, were
nearly starving. The rings off her lady-
ship's fingers were sold, one after the other,.
to pay the hire of ah execraBle apartment,.
let out by the jailor. The traitewr refus-
ed to send tbem any moredinners,or wine

for

THE BESERTER. 139

for the tabk ; iremorse^ too^ on account o€
£dgar, preyed on the mind of the mother ;
and Gonscience alarmed her by an idea that
at night the spectres of lord and lady Va^
lamour hung over her bed, and demanded
their son tö be restored.
, Duiing a fit of these vapours, they were
tunved out oi theic apartmait, which was
iexchaqged £br a dirty oell^ and the use oC
the common hall to walk about in^

In this extreme miseiy, Elisa thougfit
cf h^ talent$ for dr^wing. Sbe sold her
Jl^ cs^p, «nd proctüred the requisites for
her designa in landscape.

Laudable pursuita are very seldom
^uitleps. The gaoler sold hex little pjjeces
as &st as they were completed ; and £Ii«
w^s eamings d^eated actual want She
usually worked In the ceü to avoid did«
turban/ce, wbile her mother sauntered in

the

N.

140 THE DESERTER.

the common room, deploring her degrada«
iion to every body, and styling herseif a
lady of quality, who was an mnocent vic-
tim to groundless accusation on false pre-
texts.

It happened one day that her hdyship
was lingering in this place, in idleness and
sloth» when a blustering at the door caught
her ear : any change was a something to
amuse, and she advaneed, when a stout
man was pushed with violence into the
room^^ and before he ooüld reeover his
Step, he staggered towards her, and she
beheld Crofts. With the utmost indig-
nance in her mien, and her ragged rohe
floating with the whirl, she tumed frorn
him with disdain, when he followed her,
at the same time saying — ** Poor Betty,,
dear IBetty, I knowed you were here ! I
ha ve been liard-hearted to be sure, but here

now»

*rH£ BESERTEB. 141

now, here's a Nappy for you, chuck!
(meaning a Napoleon). You looks sadly,
and it is all of my doing. Butthierenow!
cry quits, Betsy ! You begun first, get-
ting me into a Poitugoase prison ; so you
see now, take the money, and be firiends
afteralL"

Her iadyship took the gold, and drop-
ped h^ head on Crofts' Shoulder ; she did
weqp at old recoUections^ and he led her to
a benchy and sat down beside her.

They talked for two hours, when her
daughter, wfao wondered that she had not
interrupted her study by triflmg observa-
tionsy as was the mother's habit» left the
cell to seek her.

The sight of Crofts appalled Eliza ; and
on observii^ the oordial confidence that ap^
peared in theu* manner of convemng, she
WAS sfaockedy and oould not oonceal her

ve:itation ;

142 Tlf{£ BSS£ftT£A.

vexation; and, fbrgettiiig dl ti^pect for
the name of parent, she said — ^** If ycra csan
cofidescend to adbere to tbat brüte, I wSI
^tarve tather timn work to support you !
I thought want ai)d znisery faad wrought
your refotmation, bat I see * the i^ts dl
the leopard never change."

Elka sat down in a stone nkfae^ aßd
gave vent to a busist of dorrovr and motu*
&»tlon« She never saw a respeistaUe^
looldng mal), who was tlien near her, in
omdpany with the gaoier, and appeared eu-
liously inspecting th^ bniMing.

Elisra;'« lamentatiön attraeted ^e stran*
ger. He «topped, and asked bis conductor
what made her so unhappy, and fbr what
^me she was pttt in prison ?

The gaoier told all he knew of thcar story,
andadded,he wassony f0riiiademo^äe,for
she "was Veiy industri<ms, had ^ood taientsr,

and

THE ])£S£BTER. 149

:mä supported her mother : '^ They had
your apartment," added the g^oler, ** tiU
they could pay for it no longer."

Eliza now sa(w she was obearved, and»
with her handkerchief at her ?yes, retreat-
ed to her cell, where, seated on her straw
coudi, she continued thinking of her mo»
th^.

She muaed l<»ig before tbat lady made
ber ajgpearaDce; and, wh^i she did eome;
i^e offiered Elka the goldan Napoleon, in
the hope <rfhualuiigall repioadbes.

Eliza soomed to toudi ]t«-<die fiung it
60QL her in sulle» indignaüan.

The moth» now aüisumed another nzan-
ner, and becanie reij inralting; She said
Cvofts was fbll of mon^, and while he waa
incBned to bestow it, shethought she had
ar%ht to engoyit: he had bioaght her

into

144 THE !>£SEBT£]L

into nusfortune, and now she hoped he
would Inring her out of it.

The altercaticm now became mutual:
EBza dedared she would die in prison
tiooner than Crofts should relieve her, and
her motfaer supporting her own intentions
with as litüe prindple as usuaL

HappOy they were interrupted by the
entranoe of the gaoler^ who brougfat a tray
füll of well-cooked Tictuak, all smoking;
for "^ mademoisdleV dinner, with the
eompliments of monsieur Bourdonaye.

Xäiza was nearly exhausted when die

r

gaoler entered : nothing oould have been
moEeseaaonable tfaan this exccilent refiesh-
ment; die fiteralty blesaed the donor, and
retumed him her tbanks, although he was
wholly unknown.
'' When I fetch the things awmy," said

the

THE BESE.RTEE. 145

tlie gaoler, " you shall hear more of him ;
I am in haste now, so a good appetite to
you, mademoiseUe ; there is an ample re-
past to satisfy you, I hope."

Neither oF the ladies jH-essed the other

^ to partake, yet both fed heartily ; neither

spoke, and the pint of claret went off ra-

tlier partiaUy, her ladyship ,taking the

largest share of whatever she found good

when that pouit was undisputed with her.

After the meal, she went to her accus-

tomed exercise in the eiommon room, where

her faitbful inamorato was not long in

joining her. No doubt plots and conspi«

rades were again laid in embryo; not

against the state, but against individuals,

These EKza was to have no share in. (Crofts

had the valüe of two hundred pounds in

Frqnch coin conoealed about him, and this

VOL. IV. H cemented

146 TUE DESERTEll.

cemented a new league betwcen his quon-
dam mistress and her old protector.

Habit, in sonie measure, made him at-
taciied to her ; and after he had vented his
spieen by contriving her downfal, and im-
muring her in prison, he began to feel pity
for her Situation, and to be angry with
himself. Her talents, in his eyes, were of
a superior order. How well she became
the dignity she had assumed ! — how
splendidly did she appear w^hen he reeog-
nized her at the theatre!- Crofts now
thought he had been cruel in his revenge,
and feit a desire to make atonement if he
eould.

Worried with tliese ideas, and knowuig
Edgar was lost to .thern as to future spe-
culations, Grofts thought he had made her
ruin complete. it was not difficult to be

put

THE DESERTElt. ] 47

put into the prison; tliedifficulty lay in how
to get out. The former he came to a re-
solution immediately to effect ; the latter,
he detcrmined (o leave to chance ; and^ to
this purpose, he mäde a not at the prison
gates, tumbled over two or thiree dirty
boys, whose cries brought the gaolet- to
the gate, whom Crofts abused, and m oon-
sequence he was, to all appearance, foreed
into the gaol, to atone for bis misdemea'^
nour, and endure peiiance and disgrace«

CHAPTER XIIL

The gaoler returned for tKe tray and
dishes, ailer some hours spent in solitude
by Eliza. She was curious to know some-
thing concerning the gentleman she was

U2 SO

348 THae: deiheieteb.

so mueh obliged to, and found monsieur
de Bourdoimye had been arrested od a
auppositian of iUicit .tiraföc. _ The inforroer
who had deneunced bim was a wretebed
freaturej wbo, for a hundre^ liyres, offeüed
to withhold l\is denunciatiom ; but Bour-
donaye re$olved to staqd a trial, to give
cQufide««? to h«; cbaraqten wd make ,a
jpublte di^play of bis innpcepce firom the

For Um pmpose be ^ntexed Ühre gaol Sx
a Short time, tili the trial should come on^
and spent bis money Uke aprince, and was
a gentlemanlike man.

Poor Eliza drew a deep sä^ while the

gaoler was speaking ; not to bis subject^

*». ■• ■ ■

ihut to the thoi^ht of CrQft3-
, " Ab ! jn^demoisßllp,*' cided he^. " ino»r
sieur Bouidonaye is ve^y aary jEor you.
J told bim «ab^wl you;*

" Oh,"

fft£ ^«tmtTl^K. 149

'^ OV t^joined Eliaa, '' I siiall not live
long ; my troubles increase dstily."

«Barbar said tbe gaoler, "don'tthink
abcnit it; our asiperor is going tp marry adt
Austrian princess, and tlien all piisoneis
wiH be set free, except for capital of&nces."

^ And what is liberty to me," said Eliaa^
** who faave neithev money nor friends to
aupport me ? you knotr Üiat we were rob-
bed and pQIaged of all we poaseseed. Too
young» and too sttong, ta exdte eompas-
aion, I däre not hope^ fbr €vei% hope is d&-
nied me;'*

Tbe ^oler was alway» in a hdrry, and
be left her ; büt in an bour he retutned,
witfa a üipmpliment from moni^eiir Bour-
donaye, in viting Eli«a to täke cöffige in bis
Toom^ witb an aunt of his^ that was eod»
to see him.

'h 8 Eliza

150 Ttt£ I>£lä£IlT£B.

Eliza looked at her dress ; then feit heir
her half all over.

" Oh,** continued he, " no niatter for
the tollet; he will excuse that. Come
along,** pulling^ her arm throügh his.
. The gaoler led her through a private
door to his own suite of apartments, oneof
wbich monsieür Bourdonaye occupied.

Eliza was confounded on ' entering his
room; but perceiving an elderly lady, of

good mien, she did not forget the forms of
courtesy, and was equally well received.
Eliza feit her heart grow lighter : she had
.bright eyes ; and when she thanked the
gentleman, gratitud<e added radiance to her
glance. Her fonii was good, though on a
large scale— her step courtly, in the French
style ; and even her shabby dress was wom
with ease, and gracefuUy put on.

Bourdonaye

THE DESERTEIL 151

Bourdön^ye admired her, first from
compassion, afterwards from love: His
hour was come, Every evening he had a
pretext to send for her to his room ; and
so much was she obliged to hira, that she
opened her whole heart to so tender a
friend, who laid her errors to the fault of
education, and praised the virtues he call-
ed her own. In fine, monsieur Bourdonaye
proposed " the question," and Eliza was
bothpleased and surprised. But the lover,
as he received her consent, said she must
never see her mother more.

Eliza looked at him for some time ; she
appeared to endure some internal struggle.
At length she said — *• If I could consent
to desert my mother, I should prove a
worthless wife— if, the natural tie of
parent can be so easily broken, that con-
tractcd by human laws would soon sijap.

H 4 I condemn

/

152 THE DESERTER.

I condemn the gtievous errors of my mo-
ther ; yet still I do not prize my own ad-
vantage at so high a rate as to cut her oS
from all oommunieation with the creature
her tendemess has reared to woman^s es-
tate."

Bourdotiaye was much Struck with this
dectaration; he feit the truth of her obser-
vatiotis; and, with the enthusiasm of a
Frienchman, he feil at Eliza's feet — called
her his heroic mistress, and begged she
would be his on her own terms.

When his trial came on, there was no
prosWütör ; so that he was immediately
äet atlarge ; but he^Jsiept his lodging in the
j)rison tili Miza was free.

^he royal marriage took place : all mi-
nor oflfences were then pardoned; the
prisoh gates were set open, and Eliza was
married the next day. Her mother had

lüred

f £[£ Ö£ä£)Rt£Jt. IBS

hi^ed loi apArtment near thetn, wfcere
Crtrfts dW not appear, als he was in some
awe öf De Boufddnäy e ; but while the mat-
rül^-rites vrtte perfbf rtiing, Grofts hurried
VLp tö thi party-s-took the häftd of Aw tTt-
tended, as was previously eoncerted, and
the mother and daughtei* w^^ married ott
Che same dby.

Madatne de Beuldolidye tvraä veiy iiealr
fainting be6>n9 ate left the pkdi^ ; Imt th^
tendeittesa df*ber husband socm (Sahned her
^tres^. He propo^ed tö h^t that the^
ähoaM quit Faiis; and EU» jAW the pro-
piiety dT Üiear depattur^^ a& C^trfU» it wa(3
tD be apprefaeaded, troakl pte9);em^^
through bis wilfe's thediüni, tö claitn th^
fig^t elf äJlktlce, and iii Vade th^ repose.
* But Cröfts had otber bniiness oti Ms-
Ifänds: Hiö wife had a göod property ih
Eligli^ fund^, as may be reedleeted ;

H 5 but.

154 TH£ BESBRTEB.

. but from some unknown cause, shr. had
not reoeived any remittance for abovea
year» Sbe attributed this fiulure to her
French man of business, thrpugh whose
means sbe had hithejrto rieceiyed those sup-
plies.

He swore, upon Ihe faith of a Frencb
patriot, ihat the remittanees had ceased,
ancl she had no means to contradict bim ;
SO9 had i^be not been denounced, as it feil
put, she must baye sold her jewels and
plate to sqpport bejr exislence. Her ill-
gotten wealth was not destined to thrive ;
for the agent who had placed it in the
funds had forged her name to a power to
seil stock, and had transferred her Icedy^
ship's property to himself, and decamped
with the whole of it to some imknown
country* Tliis she did not kpow for scHne
time ; but «he wasahxious to get to Eng-
land

THE DESERTER. 153

land to see about it ; therefore she and her
beloved made their " bridal excursion" to
the seaside, in the hope some smuggliug
vessel would convey them to England.

Not at all aware of each other's destiny,
Bourdonaye and his wife proceeded to Caen
in Normandy, where they were received

4

at the chateau of a friend, with true hospi-
tality.

It was a building rather in decay, but
had been once the seat of a French noble-
man. It was too near the sea for a pleasant
residence, as in stormy weather the waves
beat against it» base in horrid majesty.^

It was. in this place Bourdonaye gave
his wife his whole confidence. He told
her he had emigrated to England on the
murder of his king, and lived on a Shilling
a-day, tili he was half starving. He then
fellowed a plan adopted by some of his

H 6 friends».

is6 ttlE DESElttfell.

ftieiids, and tumed smuggler; in whieh
oecupation he had been utieomxüönly suc^
eessful in amassing mone j-^that bis Mend

*

at the chateau went shares in the businei^,
and their principal traffic was in laee Jewel-
fy, watches, and diartiönd h^wx. He
added that a bark would otnäe the next
night to receive Eliia atid himself» at the
mouth of asubterranean, at high tide ; and
he hoped to land her a few miles fix)m
Folkstöfte, in a few hours after tbey should
embark.

Eliza was charmed with the secret;
there was a spirit of enterprise in the un-
dertaking that suited her taste. She loükg-
ed for the next night; and when it came,
descended by the Bght of a dim lanrp inta
the caves, which appeared more like thef
yaults of the dead than a passage that I^d
io emancipatioD.

Three

TÖE D£S£11T£B. lÄf

Three ferocious-looking men had röwed
h lif tle skiff to the entrance, to take their

|)asseiigers to the f essel, which itself wad
a very small one, and Ivas the Joint -pto^
perty of those three ^ailors, who were dar*
ing siDugglers, ätted fot any eUterpiise of
desperation.

De Bourdonaye had providfed a ifiat-
ttess for his wife'd aocc^modation, appfe^
hending she could not remain upon deck ;
bat the place below was merely a hole to
creep into, and could be entered only öti
hatidd aüd knee».

These diißculties ötnused EHza : tihrey
were a spedes of adventure that suited her
taste ; attä the fotid husband pressed her
tö his heart as he assisted her to creep ihtö
her i^etreat.

Eliza found the hole tety much cttilfi^
med ; but fii feeMng about, tonehed a sort

of

<

158 THK DESEUTER.

of package, wliich seemed formed for a
bolster fcr her head ; she was overjoyed to
profit by this temporary convenience, and
ensured herseif a comfortable sleep. lle-
posing her head, 6he fancied she found the
package warm to her cheek ; then she ima-
gined her bolster heaved up and down
agamst her face — " Quelle diable !" said
she, giving it a thump ; " Bourdonaye,
mon ami ! II y'a des rats !"

" By Jove," cried the hohter, "you have
stove in my bread basket with your fist,,
my lady ! If you had laid still, you would
have been welcome ; but as for thumps,
they are not in the bargain."

JMeanwhile Eliza was pushing back*
ward with all her might^ and. Bourdonaye
assisting her by the clothes, when a more
feminine voice called out — " My dear
child, my owa Eliza^, don't be frightened 1

you

THE DESPRTE». 1^

y ou See we are destined to ineet each other,
or we never should haye n^et here. Poor
Crofls would not hurt you, I am sure.
Now dobefriends with yourown mother,
who little thought to raeet you here of all
plaoes in tbe known world."

£li2a could not harden her heart against
her mother. She feit for her hand, and kis9-

ed it in the dark, but said nothing to mon-

*

sieur de Bourdonaye, who took no notice
of Crofts, or his wife; the former wehtta
sleep, and Eliza and her mother talked all
night.

. They arranged how they should corre-
spotid when they reached London, as this
was all the intercourse Eliza wished, on
Account of her mcther's husband. Before
they separated, Eliza begged to have the

core of those documents that would prove

Edgar'a

100 tät£ l^^äfiiitSlt.

Edgar ^s rights to the estatei atid titk ti
learl of Valämour.

Eliza Was möre than e^e*^ isatiguitie ih (

het hope of ti^dtig him owt, as De Bour-
donäyie often visited the G^niian tertitd- i

ries, being a ue^ftil tMn hl cöutt ititriguö,.
atrd sometimes as a politicätl missionarj. —
Eliza alwajrs had feit a strong affeetion for
Edgar, even ftom his earliest years ; bat
as he gi^w towaa'ds ulanhööd, his coH re-
piilses of her ardour checked her passioti,
akhüügh it oouM not root out her teal e^
teem.

Wh«i her motheff^Si plati to unite thenr
Was ntterly foiled, and pOTerty and im-
prisonment were tbrfr lot, eonscience tof-
mented the mother, and deep regreft for
the wronga £ldgar had suffered throiigh
thöai eorroded ih the heart of the teftdcfr

Eliza^

THE BESEETER. lÄI

filiza» and her hopes and anxieties were
how to find him, and to offer retribution
and atonement for the past by restoring
him to honours and riches.

Mrs. Crofts, by the persuasion of her
daughter» gave the documents into her
. Qharge^ being fuUy aware, that in a fit>-
lic o[ inebriety, her husband would as soon '
make a bonfire of them as not, however
he might repent of it thereafter.

CHAPTER XIV.

DültiNG the years £liza lived in London,
every thing went on prosperously ; her
traffle was supported by people of the first
Order, and she had beeome more wealthy
than many of her customers.

De

162 THE DESEETER.

De BourJonaye had bought an estate

•

near Richmond, to which he intended to
retire very shortly, and tili bis own farm,
that he might not, by idleness, invite en-
nui. Eliza was teazed sometimes with
the importunities of her mother, wlio had
instituted a suit against the Bank of Eng«
land for her mooey ; but her husband's ap-
pearance was so mueh against bim, and
they had lost the bank receipts she once
had in her possessio», that they were foreed
to give up their only hope of living in in-
dependence.

Bourdonaye had allowed them one hun-
dred a-year while they ceased to trouble
him, but that was a drop of water in the
oeean to Crofls, and he actually had made
a demand of money from Mr. Carleton,
with a threat, as he termed it, of " blow-
ing him iij)," if his demand was refused.

It

THE DESERTEÄ. 163

* It may be recoUected that Crofls said
he had been in prison for some time at
Lisbon, but it was Carleton that placed
him there. Crofls had betrayed something,
when under the influence of wine, that
reaehed Carleton's ears, relative to the
flight of lord Valamour's wife and son. It
was an incoherent hint that Carleton didnot
believe, but he caused Crofls to be omfin.
ed, and interrogated him himself.

Crofts, when sober, was in th« other.ex-
trenie— he would not say a word. Neither
threats nor remonstrances had the desired
effect. Crofts knew he had put the body
Geofrey had been so alanned at, into the
sea, plcntifully ballasted with heavy stones.
Crofts had been in the Castle when Geo-
fi-ey had arrived, and purposely made those
yells that had driven him from it; and
lastly, Crofts knew he had Tiot committed

murder.

164 tH£ t>£l^Rtl^]t.

murder, and he feit tfee sttönget öti läiaC
accoimt-

Daily, fbr some time, Carleton re-
newed his risits. Ät last Crofts had re-
course to bluntness, knowing what Carfo
ton wished^ — ** Give me fre^dotn/^ Said
Crofts ; " nothing Jiittders you to he a hrd!*

" Teil me, teil me, good Crofts," said
Carleton, brightening a& he spoke, *^ may
I depend on your words T

" / shall not be your hindraiice,'' replied
the knave, wary in what he said.

" There^s my purse, my honest fellow,"
added Carleton, with delight, pkcing a

Weighty purse of gold in Crofts*s band.

Carleton procured Crofts bis liberation,
and äfter so many years as had since niU
over, conduded he was nunojbered with
the dead, and would rteyer more give bim
trouble in this transitory world.

De

THE DESEETKB. ]65

De Bourdonaye, sinoe his marriage, had
l^ecai at Stutgard on a private mission tö
the queen, under the di£(guise of an Arme-
nian ; he found meai)« to acquit himself of
Irä Charge, and ^ the saune time made a
pai?t of his business that of ioi^irmg foor
Xidgar.

^wk a baptifimal Qime is not in com-
mon use in France, or that part of Ger^
mmf, «o it ffoyfd n liue to further iofor-
malii^n o« ^t p0int DeSQiii4on^e^heaFd
iBQxne 4ar^^s opi^oera«^ Edgar, «od a gi^eat
dsal of ialsity. The finale was dosed mth
1^ haviog deseited &Ofn bis regiment
when he was arrived at a high rank, and
19 gseat fav<nir wit^ tiae &st ;noble& in
thfdr queen's ccmrt«

l^is n);ß>rmal&)n BmrdoQ^« brooi^
4:0 Etig^ttfud l^r bis wi£». It w^ wyt so

166 THE DESERTKR.

joyed the idea of Edgar's heroism, and
feit pleased that he had been respected and
beloved As a tenderly-loved brother,
Edgar had a share of her thoughts ; she
figured >hun to herseif much as he really
was — ^grown to a noble height, of a fair and
florid oomplexion, getting him the addi-
tion of a beard, the consequent maturity* of
ripened years.

Eliza put great faith in dream«; and cer-
tain it is, she dreamt of Edgar the night
previoustotlieirrencounter; andwasthink-
ing of him at the very moment his mortal
form appeared before her, But to my

tale.

This happy party was so engaged in
interesting subjects, that the dull and
drowzy watchman called " two o'clock,
an^ a rainy moming," before they broke
itp, They had arranged to meet ut noon

the

THE DESERTER. 167

•tlie Hext day, to take the documents to

-Fireman's uncle, wbo was an eminent law-.

y er, and knew the regulär proceedings ne-

cessary, and in due order for Edgar to put

in his elaiin.

The two friends slept and breakfasted
at Spring.gardens; and before Fireman
iväs awake, Edgar had sent for a tailor to
fit him out aecording to fashion.

Edgar was nö fop, but he disliked that
want of distinction, with regard to exter-
nals, between the smart draper, hosier, or
man-miUiner, and the real gentleman him-

. seif.

Edgar resolved, if the morning's busi-
iiess should appear auspicious, to present
himself at the earl oft Carlomount's the

' ^lext day ; and his anticipati(Hiis were pf
iSttch a nature as to fiU his soul with joy .

A new hat, new boots, ^^^ ^^^^ ^.ppw-

teuaxkces

1 68 THE DESERTER.

tenänces wom by gentlemen, took some
time in fitting on; so that when they reach-
ed De Bourdonaye%£liza found fault with
thdr inattentioii. Edgar puUed out bis
watcfa ; and bringing it to her, shewed her
he was but ten minutes beyond his time.

"Ah," eriedshe, " that wateh was your
father's, and you have preserved it still !
Let me have it a moment in my band."

Edgar presented the watoh for her in-
spection ; when she touched a small spot,
which was scarcely perceptible, and the
^late appeared as befbre deseribed.

Edgar's surprise could not be suppress-
ed ; every day brought new proo& of the
justice of his daims. Biit Fireman re-
minded tfaem of business ; and the party
^ot into a cocieh, which was ordered to
Saho-squ^tre, vfbere solidtor Justly then
liv^.

A handsome

THE BESEETER. 169

%

A handsome carriage stood at his door ;
and as Edgar was handing Eliza from the
hackney vehide that had brought them
there, an elderly gentleman made way for
them, Iwming politely as he was commg
cmt, and they were going into, the. hall of
entry.

•* Tbat naan is a knave, if he is English,'*
a^d EHza, in a whisper. ** When an Eng«
Mi^man is over-poKte, I älways suspect
he has something smieter in his motives."

•• Hush ! he will heM- you T rejoined
Edgar; "you were always tme etourdie,
ma hette Elise; but ycni must not be iU*
bred.»*

^ I spoke Frendi,** txmtinued she; "he
would not understand me— >indeed I speak
verj bad; one language and the otfaer
ifest'une melange itum ; but it makes the
lat^h, 'SO I don% eare fox the tnatter.''

-VOL. IV. i Fueman,

170 TH£ D£S£BT£ft.

Fireman» who was knownby the ser-
vants, put his fiiends into a rooni^ while
he went up to apprise bis imcle of their bu-p
sinesa.

Mr, JustlyAppeaxed much astonished at
bis nephew's redtaU and said — '* Franko
you have an excellent heart, but you have
8S few brains as a gudgeon ; you are very
ofiten imposedon, but in this b]iii»ness you
are truly made a fool of. I don't think I
sfaall fee tbe6e people; be assured they
ftr<e impostora. The e^rl of Yalamour this
moment left my door— a most gentleman*
li^e, higUy-distinguished nobleman, great«
ly respected in the great world, and sufier-
ing in mind at this instant- from the un-
principled conduct dl his eldest son."

Fireman's rage overpo5vere(^ bis reqpect
for his )incle. jj^e used an oath before th€i
Word " bypocrü»,*] ^ostrophiziqg the earip

itfid

THE DES£BT£R. 171

and added, that he would gire his hearf^
blood to see the noble yonth whom he faad
reoommended to Mr, Justly step into the
old deceitful viliain's shoes, luod stamp his
base heart out afterwards.

** Well, well, Frank,'! Said Mr. Justly,
^ be calm ; I will see your friend, and hear
his pretensions, to please you ; but don*t be
toa sangtiineas to themultof our oonver-
sfttion, I request**

Fireman'8 face was red as erimson, and'
his eyebafls seemed ätarting üut of hia
faead— -^ I shall appal them if I go dowii,*'
Said he; ** I cannot bear tQ hear my &imd
kljuTcd. Send a servant (0 edAdiict them
upr

Edgar feit ]^au)fiifly for Eüza, and Ite^
Bovu*dpni7« hadstolesa away, läiowing^tfae
senaations 1^ wife müstiexpänedoein disk

i2- dosing

] 72 TfiK DESERTES.

dosing the vileness of bdr ttiotfaler» befinre
Edgar oould justify bis daim.

Edgar üembled as be led ber up stairs;
bot Ae. whispered to him tbat ber bour of
retribution was oome, and sbe would not
sbrink firom any means to expkte ber of-
fenoes.

On thehr enicring; tbe room» Mr. Justly
rase ; andeying Edgar fiom head to foot,
bebeld tbe open mien, tbe graoef«! air» aqd
deindid immtoriaiioe ^i Fireman's fii^id
In Order to |^ve bknsdlf tioie'to investi-
g^te Edgare 'extanal iXK^^^nidmitely» be
mag Ibr «hoeoUte to i)e brougbt in» and
talkedidf vi(gue tbqiga £)r a quarter <^an
bour, watebing Edgaf s words, as if be in*
tebded to niste tbem. At lengt^ tbe
young nm opened the buaneasTerjr oob»
G^Ay^^aiL mlcdced Ibe vrarj ixxxlJbejr

THE BESEETEB« 173

had brougkt with them, which contatned
bis mother's marriage o^ificate ; and also
one of Edgar's birth and baptism» regular«
ly executed,

Edgas's eyes shone with trutli as he dis-
played these papers.

Mr. Justly looked ainazed ; and, as if
«truck by ä sudden thought, told his ne-
phew to go down to ihe office, and teil the
Clerks not to prooeed with tbose mortgage
deeds tili further orders. Mr. Justly then
put a variety of questions to Edgar, as to
his own reoolketions of past transactions ;
to which the young man went back, as to
a dteam, or a floating vision on the mind
of childhood. Mr. Justly looked at him
with severe scrutiQy ; when Eüza burst
into tears^ and requested Edgar to retire,
while she gave her proofs reUtive to the
shamefiil büsiness. ^

^ **Ifeel

.y

174 TITE DESR&TEB.

** 1 feel such an interest in your )case,
sir,'' Said Mr Justly, ^ tfaat I vnEL devote
smotfaer hour to farther examination of Ae
subject, although I am waited for in three
places at this moment. Compare our
watches; be punctuaL I shall take caise
of the häy tili you retum ; Frank will
sbew you aboiit, as you ace a stmnger in
London. Don't exceed the hour I can
with difficulty grant you."

'* Examine that watcb» sir«" said Eliza,
abruptly : *' It was Edgar*» iktlier's;. keep
it until he retums ; it will help to elucL-
date my part in his history, which must
neceßsafily be disdosed."

** Come along," my good fellow," med
Fireman, *• we have no time to lose ; my
unde, you perceive, can find an hour fot
a feir lady, let who will wait. l^t Bour-
donaye look tp that business ; it is bis afiair,

not

THE DESER'fkft. 175

not ours. So now, to profit by the heur,
where shall we go first ?'^

CHAPTER XV.

It was too eai'Iy for a lounge in Bond-
s^eet^ so they edged obllquely to the right,
and took Piccadilly for their stroll.

Eisiger'» ideas were left behihd; he
thought only of his claimsf and Äis prooft,
* änd scarcely sa^ tliie passing scene, when
an elegant landauletand four dashed döWü
a side street, and attra<5ted all eyes which
b6heldtbem. White favours were at the
hotses-ears; and the postillions and out-
riders were dpiUarly adomed ; but how was
Edgar astonished and surprised at seeing
4lie counte8£i> de ■ . • ^ and Üord Angustus

• 4 Gore

176 VH£ DESE&TEK.

Gore scated mümk the camage^ as teide*
groomandbride?

Edgar's heart beat as if it would burrt
through bis breast : be looked up» and saw
on tbe opposite wall ** Albemarle-street"
Edgar stopped, and leant bis wdgbt oa
Fireman's arm.

'' Gad sor said tbe latter» '' wbafs tbe
matter? Sure ! wby» my biiek, you ace
not going to &int?"

'«Faint! pshawr lejWKtd £c^; ''I
mxk dying witb joy.**

'«Obbor added Fireman ; '' if tUs is
your Ciase^ sei aboot it directiy ; you kncfw
we bave no time tt> lose."* '

Edgar impulsively drew Firtman «p
Albemarle-street» glan^ng bis eye over
every bouse as be passed it, witb e3cact
SGTutiny.

Two carriages^ filled witii Company,

drove

THE DXSEILTEX. 177

droTe off irom a house obliquely, on the
other side of the way, and a inan-aervant
fitood at the dbor. seemlng to contemplate
the gaudy show> . Edgar knew the man's
face; itwasFIorentio,the earrsltalianva-
let, wbom he had hiied at L^hom. Ed-
gar dix^^ied bis fiiend's ann> wd spning
aorosfi theätreet

Tfae nutti, truly detighted to see oqe
whom all the dtHnestics loved and respect-
ed, led the way into the hall, and shut the
street-door beforethe&tpcwtwcouldmove
&oin his qeat.

Edgar, speaking in the Italian tongue,
asked.withan impatientair. fortbebeal^
of the earl, and the rest of the fämily.

Florentio shook biä hc»d— " The ead
was always conßiied to hjs Uhrary."

« And- — -" oied EdgK with liejita-

1 » ** Ohr

178 TH£ D£S£ETEE.

** Oh," rejoined Florentio, " the ooun^
tess is all chioining ; fm she was manied
this moming to lord Augustus Gore.'*
. " And ■ ' t" added Edgar, witb visiUe
impatience.

"Why,** rejoined the valet^ "myyoung
lady looks very mach altered, yet she does.
not complain. But you are Gome home
to uar after all. Lady Lavinia is now
alonc ; wotf t. you go to her, Mr. St. Vale--
rie ? She expects you, I dare say."

A thousand emotions agitated Edgar's
breast : he was not positive of attaining
his daims, and he had resolved not to
present himself before Lavinia until that-
point was ascertained. Yet fehe was not in
heafth ; he knew every sentiment of her
mind, and conoeived he could administer
to that mind^s &ease. In shcnrt, fbrtitude
y ielded to love ; and as the valet went up
- ti>

^'HE DESERlTEIt. 17^

to ännounce St. Valerie's retum, he flew

up the steirs ; and as FI(»^ntio opetied thci
door, '^Edgai stood in Üie presenoe of lady
Lavinia. *^

Her head'rested in the comer of ä couchi
in her hand was a boök; and she was ha-
bited in the delicate costume of a brideV
inaid»..

l%e door was dbsed^ and Edgar, wha^
was dumb for some moments. had advan-
oed^ and'suhlc on hisknees beibreher^ press«-
i!ng her white* handik^ to his bosom.

^ Neither pendl not pen cDuldttace I&dy
Lavinia's emotion : She ga^ped-^— her eye^
lids closed, and she lost all sense fear some
sbort period; As her pulse retümed, she
whispered to hÄrsdf—'^ Edgar, Edgar ?^
as if questioßing the tmth and sanity o£
her ideas.

iC He

ISO TH£ DB8SR7EB.

He rejoined— " Yes ; bdieve that it i^
yottf owf^ your ever äitbiul Edgar.''

Withdmwing h$r hands» and avexting
her eyes, she sßid, with a deep sigh — ** St
Valerie married Miss M'Dcmald !"

Edgar 9tarted on bis feet» exdauning
Tehemently-— *' Who dared invent that
blander ? No, lady Lavinia ; I have loved
you» even to madne^^ a» you will leam
hereafter. I canuot teU you at this happy
nK>inent all my sufferings ; but my pros-
pects are so changed« that in fortune and
in rank it would not now be presumption
to ecHftiesSy that I baye long and ärdently
loved you."

•*Hu8h! huflhr aied Lavinia. **What
rootive couid urge my &ther to an un-
truth? He it iitras that tQld me, what you
deny, respecting Miss McDonald."

« Deny r

TBK mSERTEB. 181

^ Deny !" aaid Edgsur, with a clouded
brow ; ** surely, lady Lavinia» you ought
tö know ine ! But it is well to^ check my
hopes ; they bave anticipated too ixiudi ;
I may be fdäed in other pdnts, ]perha|>8 ;
yet, in the desert of wme inhospitable
aad unhealthy cHme, my Kcnfioiir and my
truth wiU prove my finn support."

Edgar bowed, and made a movement to
depart Lavinia caught bis eoat — *^ WOl
you not see my fiither P"* cried she ; '* I
am very ill."

Edgar tumed; she was deadly pale.
He threw his anns round hei* wasted form,
and whispered — ** Do ycHi believe me
fiJse? tÜou dearest to my soul P

Lavinia gently repdled this unexpected
embrjace, saying — ^ Go to the earl; I can-»
notappear before him in tears; you wilL
hid^ my weaknese^ even from yourself ;

• but

1182 TH£ beseutsr:

but it must have no other witness but

you,"

^' '' Shew me bis röom^r said Edgar» Avith

fiome hnpätieBce ; *' iean on my arm;"

On oyening the door» Florelltio.appefu^
edJ.to inlbim Edgar a geixUeman was in
the hall who^desired to. see him direct?
ly.

. Animmediate exelamaticm surprisedlhe
weepkig maid..

- '* Imustleaveyou thisxnoment '" cried
Edgar. Tlien tuming to the man — " Say,"
added he,. ''1 will comethis» instant; you
$66 I was Coming down stairsi''

When the winding of: the staircase hid
Florentio from^their view, Lavinia said —
'' You do -not then proposeio clear up the
truth of what the earl xeported of you ;».
you go, and leave me to doubt» and tO;
fixTO my own suggestians." *

«Tö

** To dott^C CTied he, dropping her arm,
*' aller knowing me so well, is an injur^
tbat demands retribntion^ — ^But teil the
earl I will wait oit kim^ in- the evening.»
FareweB !''

Edgar flow döwn with the utmost pre^
cipitation^ white, with'eagepdesire to know«
the motiyes öf her father for ahuskig her»
belief by invienting a ßüsity, Lavisia to-
tered the library.

Memwhile Eireman stood in the hall;,
with his. wateh held up to Edgar's view,.
to ^serve both a& reproof and monitor.

As th^y hurried through the streets^
Fireman* could not refi*ain firom giving
vent to bis oddities, complaining of hia bed-
ing left tofootit by himself, up and dowa.
the same street, until he hadbecomeasus- '
picious eharacter ; and was watched by the •

housemidds

IM TH£ DESEETBB.

houaemaids frcHn all tfae Windows» as a per-
soQ who had some bad design.

Edgar oould not vincBcate his stcuy in
mxy reasonaUe manner. He begged Fiie-
man to be merdfiil to one, whose best plea
was that (^thedistuifaaneeof abnun little
aoeustmned to taste at that tnrink^flowing^
as it were^ fiom the souree of hi^in£8&

Mr. Justfy and madsoaae de Bourdonaye
had scarcely finished their business when
the yonng men entered. The formar told
£dgar, he aUowed him to hope every thutg
— ^that he should aee Mr. and Mrs. Ciofts»
in the presence of a magistrate, accompa^
med by madame de Bourdonaye: he
should then take their seyeral deposition^
and lay the whole befiire oounsel, with-
out loss of time; and that Edgw must
sliew himself to swear to his idaitity .

**Can

THE BESBBTXB. 185

**. Can I not avoid meetiiig tw6 peopk
yfho have so deeply injured nie and my
wholefiunily?'' said Edgar, with a sigh of
fe^üng foc Eliza» who had acted goae-

^ One interview will ifoffioe, -ptcbakiy^^
r^dined Jitstly, ^* unless Caileton diould
«tand atrial; bat I Üiink he will not do
lliat By bis lepeated lugency to raise
money by mortgage on the estates, and
hurry expressed against the tardiness Of
my derks» I fear hehas had intimation of
lirhat you are about, from some one we dd
not suspect Ho wbeit Carleton faaa alrea-
dy raised ten tbousand pounds^ and the
deeds in my oi^ce are fi>r twenty tiiou-
sand more. Those I shall delay," ooBti-
nued Mr. JusÜy» '' until I am better au-
thorized than I am at present to cbarge

the

186 THE BESBRTEE.

the estate with any incumhrance more*
than has inadvertently been already done"

Delighted with tHe confidence Mr.
Jostly shewed him^ Edgar and his party
took leave, promising to attend on the
mormngfoibwing.

Havmg ccmducted Eliza home, and taMc-
led over the subjeet tfaey vrexe all coaeem-
ed in> they declined her invitation to join
her at dinner» and retiuTied. tatfaeir tem-
porary sojoum in Spring-gardens. Fire-
man had business to transact atthe Board
of Ordnanob, and Edgar Avished to etijoy
his own refleetfoita-; he was glad of a soli^
tary hour ;: ^id yvbi&n \A9 friend went oüt,
gave fuUscope to tiie lange of a vivid Ima-
gination.

^ «

CHAP.

TKE BESK&TEK.. 187

CHAPTER XVX.

t •

Edgar was exacüy in the same Spot whejpe
Fireman had left him two hours befbre,
with this dxfference enly — thatthe fire was
out» and the ürerirons thiöwn into the
middle of the room^ by an involuntary
Stretch of Edgar's Legs against the fender.

" What liave yoa been about here, thoa
dbsent lover?'' said Fireman, pickingup
the scattered irons. ">If I had not arrived,
I suppose you would have been on' the
ppint of fteezing.**^

Edgar laiighed aloud — ** üa you know,"
TOJoined he, ^^ I hcard the fall of these sted
£cagnients, biit so lost was I, ttiät I gave
my benediction most heartily to those ia

the

188 tHS BESESTEE«

the next room, who» I supposecl, had dis-
turbedme.'*

The two fiieiids dkied eomfiirtably, and
Fbeman proposed their going to the the-
aftre ; but Edgar said he had an engag^

The nfflny of flieman now haditsfiill
ktitudi^ and he did not curb it The joke
lasted tiD nine o*dock, when they separ^
rated-Mme to the playhouse ; the other in
a ooaeh fiir Albemarie-street, lest he might
miss his ivay.

Edgar assumed the same aspect on en-
telring the dnwmg-room as had douded
his hrow at parting in the moming. La-
vinia was alone, and ad^^anced^ with a weU
Gome in herlook,andextended hand. Ed-
gar oould not resist the fiiendly tender he
peroehred ; but the word ^'doubr remain-
ed on bis mi^d.

Lavinia's

THE DSSSSTEE. 189

Lavinia's face in a moment saddened, as
she said — -^ I am every way to be tbe vic-
tim! Mj father owns that he deoeived
me^ yet is angry that I found him out ;
and you, Edgar, you are eatranged, and
mortify my feelings by that serious coun-
tenance and averted look."

^ KotMng shüuid hav^ ^ngradered
doubt, dear lady Lavmb, knowing me as
as you did,** cried Edgar; "butyouare
awar^»'* added he, smiHng; ** my vdatt ia
to the enrl : where sdiall I find my dd
firiend and pation ?"

" We will go to him direcöy," rcjoined
dbfe ; ^^ his man will aj^rise him that you
we here; but finr some timeheiias oonfined
himsdyr to the libiaiy« wfaich joins his owix
room. The loss of his manuscript hap «so
muoh «fifecied him, ^Mit no ene neoEns to
ifiterMtlvm. Whqn I told Jiim y ou weie

arriTed»

190 THE DESSKTE1L

arrived» he was evidenüy surprised; and
with a hurried Toioe asked fot wfaat pur*
poseyoohadGQmeto England? Butwhen
I aiud on yoiir own afl&irs, whidi I under-
rtood had latdy beoome of Singular im-
portanoe, lus lordsbipbrigfat^ied up» and,*
oontinued Lavinia, Uushing» '^hesaid, ^I
daie swear» joa Mtde fool, you havefound
xpat that he is not mamed."*

The tendemess of Edgar's heart eould
not Support her emotion. He took her
hand, and pressing it to his throbbuig bo*
som, Said — ** Dearest, most bdoved, arüess
careature ! you are the impulse that guides
my thoughts and wiAes ! — ^finr you I wouM
be great and good, rieh and noble— Tou
are' all that aiready ; and if my daims suc-
oeed to the title and e^tes öf Valamour,
I lay them and myself at your feet as an
offeAng. Biit,^ added h^, '' if I da not

■

sttcoeed.

^succeed, I will fly to tfae wilds (^ Afiica;

and ''

" To those wilds, Edgar, would I fol«

low you," rejoined Lavinia ; ** but ''

Here Florentio interrupted the enthu^
siasm ^ a mind untempered by reason» re-
Ugion, or rational education, Lavinia's ex-
istence lyas wrapj^ in Edgar's — her ideas,
too exuberant, were weakened by their
own luxuriuice — they required pruning
and methodising to give them firmness a^d
splidity« Edgar saw those defects, aiid de-
li^i^ed in the pleasing task ci giving them
the proper bent when he jshould he au-
thorizedy by the dearest right, to call her
his.

Edgar foUowed the servant to the li«
brary. Hi« pat^ ro^e at bis entrance,
an^ feli onfais young friend'siieck for some
mom^ts« jSdgar was dipdk;^ at liis aK

tered

19S THE BESEETEB.

tered appearanoe; bis doth^ hung loose
on his figure; his face of a wan yellow;
and his Ups quivered, as he exdaimed —
*' Oh, my lost manuscript ! I am ruined fiir
cverr

It was long before Edgar oould find any
ineans to ocxisole hhn ; at length Edgar
told him that the möment his own busi-
ness was dedded, he woidd think of a
means to send Horentio over to Leghorn,
wbo, being a native of the plaoe, and well
fumbhed with money, diould offer a re-
ward tdr every sheet of the manuscript
that shouM be brought him ; and Edgar
aflsured the «earl, iSbat, in the oourse tif a
year, he had not a doubt but the whole of
ibevaiuable wyrk would be reooverecL

^ Afid will y^u do tlus Ihr me?*" med
Aie eari, emlwaeii^ Edgar; ^' then, fay ^s
i^fat hand tint Bow|;rAqiM.3ronrs, you dufi

— yes, I swear it, you shall mBrrjr my
daughter!"

Edgiar smikd at tbis whimsieal act of '
generosity, extorted without any oüier in-
t^nrtiion tfaan to s^pease a inend, who was
tbe victim ot a siagular -mania. Qn r^^-
tion, lElägiar-began to tiimk his pltin> as to
Florentio's uAd^taking, might be poasv-
ble, aiid he determined, at the first pesiod
of leisüre, to mftke aii atteiiipt at its exe-
cutibn. '

His lördship seemect so happ^andap-
peased, 'timt he sent for Laviüia to xasikB
te& in ;th€ library, and sctuaily ^peared
änxious to faear of JE^dgar's itEture^pkns and
•pojeets, to which he listened with \m-
ttto^A «ttentio«.

La'viflia waisgready i^ocked on^hearing
<(f Edgaihs ISncfis and deUrium; she Se\tr
firOm the room to indulge her emotion ; but

VOL. IV. K Edgar

T«£ DESEBTER.

E^lgar soon foUowed to seek her^ and \o
heel the miseiy he had infiicted by reneiv-
Inghis VOW8 of eternal love, constancy» and
•tadoratiom

When . Edgar had gratified the earFs cu-
riosily to its füll extent» his lordsbip's spi-
iits seemed renewed ; he changed the to-
pic to the abuse of liis sister, bestowmg on
her the jToZtte denominaium of '^an old ideot,
*^1, and blockhead." — ^* The fdlow she has
married," said he, *' is not worth a groat ;
'1^ eighth son of a needy duke is all Ae
-fias to boast o£ I little thought, on board
the ship, what tlie puppy was after ; but it
is done, mid she gave Lavinia ten thou»
sand pounds to be her brideVmaid; so,
as neither she nor I could «ettie the point
4»s to who häd*'the best judgment, I let
her prove to the world, mofit deeidedly,

th«t

THE DESERTE1I. 195

that her judgment was noiight when she
married a beggarly noUeman.'*

'* Do not oondemn my aunt so sevcady,*
Said Lavinia ; ^* to me she has been ex*
tremely gaierous, and if her mind of hte
has beeil suaceptiblet probably it has been
oaused 1^ the disappomtments in her ao-
eustomed habits. At Leghorn she feit
herisdf idmost a goddesa-*a huadred vo»
taiies every day paid her homaip; all such
adulation she found heiself di^NEiired of
auddenly. Is it then #onderfut aii^iiäiar
tion was to my poor aUot n gra^fiit^Öig^t'
she should have marrMih Ihe.hp^^f ^e-
cturuig onie vQtary at tb^ %> giTst Jur bis
admication 7 81^ Yiiil^ herseif on her
mental jierfecitiims» Üiii ift lord Augustus
is defkdent hunsdf m lolowledge, he vf}^
be more likely to think bis wife an qfidse

K 2 thaii

than if he was as generally enlightened äs
herseif on leamed siifejects.'*

. *' Psbaw !** exclaittied the etrl, " leamed
subject» • indeed ! tairse her foUy ! She
töMcSt to be Büre^ atid boaste of her Grecian
Ik VDinites, who were gay feUows two thdu^
saffid yeorft ago; bat she bas proved, in
^ke öf h^ classicsy - that a modern "het^y u
merb to fa^MUittiral andgenuii^ taste than
iShem ledl;' «nd mönoiver, bas come lomid ta
Inyf positive belief/^ that Hie i^ciexices and
arts^ pfaiLdsbpHem und herbes, are as iSou-
risbiag, and a» teiioh the j^Mdudtiöii of
£n^psid, Ir^nd, Scxfdand, ind Walei^
ahÜ Ihkt tlp^y erre enlätted to "as dEtösteal re^
naVÄ ^ Egy^)*, Qt^ce, the Grimea, «
KAyja/äiA ^tioßtfeie^iiirafyfdaeenoivbttiied
ifa vlafvi,/ pF iAnfü ü have fdrgotten the

samps «t ptteseni" > ^

. ♦ « » - •

•

i CHAP.

THE P£S£ETER. 1^7

CHAPTER XVII.

Edoak heeded not the hours, tili bis
coacbman $ent word that bis liprses wQuld
catch cold Tbe earl insisted on Edgar's
accepting a residence with theiüt but there
was a deiic$cy in the young man that
made bim refuse what bis indinatioQ
prompted bim to accept of, and he retuni^
ed to tbe coffeebouse at two in the mom*
in^, long after Fireman bad gone to re-
po&e.

The next day was devoted to Business, .
and tbe disagreeable meeting with Mr,
and Mrs. Crofts, in the presence of a roa-
gistrate, and Mr. Justly and Eliza, bad
just commenced. .

K 3 Mrs.

19d THE DESBBTEE.

Mrs. Crofts»with her handkerchief at her
eyes, behind a deep veil, crept consdence-
struck along the room, and took her place
against the wall. Crofts, with a red face
and big body, and his hat in his hand,
kering under his brows, as he roUed hea-
vily onward, stood up by his wife, while
the smoke issued from his head as from
Ihe mouth of a crater.

Edgar and his party were before seated
at the Upper end of the room. Eliza, as
'^he from time to time looked at her mo-'
ther, feit herseif very iil, and when Mr.
Justly calledr upon Mrs. Croflbs to with-
draw her veil, and come forward to make
oath to her own vileness, Eliza fainted
away.

Edgar supported her, and some of the
people threw the window up to give her
air, but ^he examination went on.

Mrs.

!i

5

I

TBE DEtlEBTElEt. ' 199^

Mrs. Ciofts at first only answared-— ^
^ Yes» sir, it is tnxef bot on questionst
cowiag^ more and more upon her, sh^
i^ upon her knees, and said she was
readj k> take oath that she was the vilestt
creature on earth, and truly deserved to be
hanged. ;

" No, Betsy, no,'* said Crofts, blubber-r
kig oVer his wife, *• you never.did take-
nobody's life — no, itideed, Mr. Justice, I
will take my oath of that. Poör thin^g !
-dön't be toö hard upon her, if yöü please ;
it goes to my heart, your wot^ip-^she i»
niy wife."

' ** Go back, Cröfts," said she, piishing^
htm aside; " I never did any thihg by
halvea: — ^it shall all come out, if these gen*
tiemen will have patienee to hear me.
There sits the real earl of Valamour, so help'
me,". &e.

k4 She

Sbe ponited to Edgat, wba^ wbUe he
Mpported Eli^ fited bia qi^9 on ^/bs.
CwjftÄ's face.

Afbet taking her ^cpodtions lo the
^ml döoimcnta, Edgar hiou^t ha:
iimr^ pmying that ahe mi^t be i^wed
to reoover her strength before she waa für«
ther uiged.

Mr. Jttstly Said thej }^A daüB with her^
but must question Mr. Cn^fbsu
: *'A7,do^7ourwor^p,''answeredCroft8,
** And send (bt that cid raacai Carleton, to

A

face my face ; be rem^mbers Jack Crofta
many a year back — ^you would have rare
tun, fibould we two meet; he does not know»
to this hour, but I kiUed bis cousin» and
niade away with, the rightful beir^ who
now Sita tbere, gemmen» lai^rfiü earl of
Valamoun"
** Stop, sir,** cried Mr. Justly^ •• and

who

THE DESEttTEE* SÜl

who wÜl prove you innocent of efiecting
thatbaddeed?''

♦* I will, sir, myself," rejoined Grafts.
^< Saving the present earl's presence^ Im
father was Ibalf foolish, and Carletoo would
bave set him aside» had not a.son popped
into tbe world just in the nick of it. My
lord, too, was troubled with tbe falHng
sickness to boot ; so one day be feil do^vn
in tbe garden and died altogetber, when
nobody was near him» poor man."

^* He died on my breast,'* said £dgar^
interrupting him moümfuUy ; ** I bave
never forgotten tbaf*

« Well, your worsbipy^'contixmedCrDftSy
** I being at Lis^n at the time I heard of
Carleton being arrived, I warsant you I
lost no time. We diacbarged the ser«
vants in a mom^it» and I^iretbedefunet
a birth in the hall, having no time £at

K 5 cereraony.

302 THE DESEUTEK.

. • • •

ceremony, lest Carleton shoiild eome : by
the eleverness of iiiy wife, slie and the
widowed countess and the y oung lord got
away. When they were gone, 1 be-
tbought me, if Carleton came, he'might
ihink my lord died the wrong xvay ; so,
not thinking any liarni of it, I buried bis
k>rdship very decently, and as handsomely
as I could do it in my cireumstances/*
. nere Crofts stopped, and Edgar left the
room, too much shocked to attend to any
lurther necital that morning. He stepped
into a coach — was driven to his lodgings,
and would not admit even his friend Fire-
man the whble day. Laviniastole upon
his thoughts in spite of hiianself, but her
idea was repelled as a sort of sacrilegious
intrusion on the solemnity of a mind
whicKlforNft^iznCf would dwell with spirits
fied.

Meanwhile

THE DESERTEn. 20^

Mcanwhile Cröfts was severely rebuked
for the degenerate profli^cy of his manft»
ners and mind ; both himself and wife
were boünd ov«r to appear whenever they
should ht Fequired; änd were- dismissed
with universal disgust by all present alt
their examinatiotr.

SIeep bad restored Edgar^s herves^ witb-
out the aid of tonics. Fimioian: vras oBIigu
ed to retura to Woolwich fat » few da3rs^
and häd taken an early *breakfast to be
reudy for the eoach ; he had only time t<>
sliake his frieiid's band befoie he left hiih.

DüriiTg breakfast^ Edgar filled a whole-
page to Liftvinia, accounting tot not seeing^
her the preoeding day ; hetold her, in psa%,
what had happened» and assured her of hi&
Society for every momeut the ixgency ot
busiiiess would allow^ The billet was xa^
niediately dispatched by a porter^ andfae-

K 6 foxe:

.804 THE DX8EETXR.

IbK he wiB dressed to go out, Edgar re-
joeived an answer.

Tte tffaninacy <tf beug dnwn about in
« Cterii^ and that vehide bdag a hadcr
HqrnxMidi, filled our young Boaa with
riianie; he lesolred to walWto Mr. Just-
lj% at the lisk of lotmig bis way, ratha:
ihm be«hut upki afilthy madiiiie^ wbere-
in Pandora appeaxed to have emptied ha:
Jboxofpests.

Edgar set ouft at a quick paee, and in*
stesi of €be Haylnarket» fae vent on
thiough PaU Mafl, and tun»ed up St
James*«-ftbe€t. Thera he found he was
""tnoDg, but pereeiYii^ a gentleman, who
UM« wrapped in a loose greattcoat, «od
"wearing In hat pofied down to bis eje^,
«oimng torwards him» Edgar asked him the
way to Sdbo-square?

^' St

THE D£S£IIT£B. 20S

*< St. Valerie T exdaimed the stnnger^
^roopixi^ bis head still lowen

Edgar thought he knew the voioe ; but
being on bis guard against London impos-
tors^ he did not answer» but eyed the
atoangw with intense serutmy Sot some
time«

The otiier» in an indi^ant tone, tumed
08^ fiaying»-*' I did not expeet tbis» I eon*
fess, thou fortunate young man T'

Edgar cattght his arm--clun[g to bim,
in spite of himself — ** Mi^or Neville !'* ex-
daimed Edgar» retaining his hold, ** my
best, my dearest friend !'*

•* Don't name me," med the msgor;
*^ the mob will insult me i£ ihey hear who
lam.'

''Whatis it you mean?'' ssidEdg»,
idmck with sui^Hisa

** Come with me, and we shall be less

observed,"

20Ö THE DESERTEK.

obsenred,'* said the migor, drawing^ £d-
gar across the street, and directing his Steps
ä coritrary way.

^* Coihe with mer repUed Edgar ; " I
must be at my lawyiert at twelve ö'dock.*'

•* I would shew you,"^ added the major^
'^ the abode and result of guilt and sin."*^

He spoke so solemnty, and looked so
ili, that to refuse to fi)llow him was iJxipos-
sible.

** That is tlie house where the people are
dragging oiit the fumiture, and taking it
away in carts,"^ added Neville, moum^
fuUy.

Tlie house looked on the Green Park.

The major now burried Edgar albng,
and drew him, amongst heaps of %Xxb^
thröugh a grand hall into a libiary. Ne-
ville was almost convnlsed ; he Struck his
foi^liead^ and suixk into a ehair — '^ Could

tliat

THE DESERTER. S07

that maii have been my father ?" cried he,
** Edgar, you need rio lawyer — ^you are thcf
rightful earl of Valamour indeed.** After
a pause, Neville continued — " The usur-
]>er has absconded in the night — ^he dared

• • .

not face liruth, innocence, and justice. I
saw him yesterday, my friend, and sd

much master was he of himiself, that no

• < » *

inquietnde ruffled his face, and he appenr«
ed not to dread your Claims, treating thenf
as the conspiracy of a band x>f swindlers,
whose plans he should soon «^efeat^ Ne-
ville continued — " This mcnming I came
early, in the hope of saving his reputationv
as a mediator in the afiair, kno^tving the
friendship you feit for me would induee
you to spare my father firom public shame,
although you did assert your right, allow-
ing him to reüre, appareptly with honour,
under the plea of behig Ignorant that you

were

9M THB DESEBT£R.

were alive But what were my feelings/
added Nevill^ *^ wben I fooiid üfr. Carle-
Um had laised five thouaand pounds on \m
fuimtoie and eflBxsts in this mioisic»!, but
had gone off secreüy in the ni^t, unth-
out even an intimarinn tbat he shpuld ever
tetum f

E^pur uras dumb irith smpris^ while
hi3 fiiaid was speaking; he stood by bim,
preased his band, but utteranoe was denied
hkn; he feit feal anguish ior the desenring
NeviDe, whcg though he could neither
love nor respect his fiUhex; feit that he had
9^fath€r stilL

At leigtb, wilii srase struggte, Edgar
exdauned — *^ Oh that I oräld have known
}t was your fathar» Neville \ — but it is too
late— professi^is are now vain; donot bäte
the man whose pride and glnry is to call
you friend."

CHAP-

TBE BSSX^TBS. tM

CHÄPTEU XVIII.

KsYitt^B rose' and embraced Edgar with
fenrour^^" I was going honte when we
«let,'* said he~** I am with my mother in
ArlingtoB-steeetr^I sball see no oiie for
some days, for diame unmana me I pit^
pöse to retire to my own place in fbe
CDontiy very shorüy, and give up the
World, its viees and ito fblUes, and strive
to finrget infamy and disgrace."

" But I wiU See yrti, Neville,'* oried
Edgar—*^ I will not be denied ; gire me
your Card without reluctanoe, for after to«
morrow you sbsdl not shut me ouV

A mixture of sound, between a sigh and
« grom^ was all tfae reply Neville made.

They

filO TB£ p£8£&T£lt*

They left the house arm in ann^and separat^
ed when they reached Arlington-street^Ed-
gar having inquired fai& way to Soho>square.

Greatly shocked on Ncville's account,
he went heavily into Mr. Justly's house.

The good man advanced- witb a joyiul~
&ce to Salute the new lord Ydiamour — ^* I
sent to inform you of the &rtunate event.
axi hour ago," said the man of law. *^ Garle^^
ton has decamped, leaving thefield dear»:
and little more for us to do ; he hraved it
to the Tcry last, as you shall hear — ^bufc
you look sad, my young lord.""

" Don*t call rae lord yet, I implore — it
is an honöur I almost h^te and detest/'
was Edgar's reply; **my elevation haa
wounded my very bestfriend, and.damp-'
ed the exultation I should otherwise. feel ?
but I will attend tö you. There is öne
daim on my heart that bids me r^oice ia

my

THE DESEKTER, 21 1

my success, y et there is no joy without itS
portion of alloy ; so proceed, and I will
attend to you."

" In the first place/' replied Mr. Justly,
" I have sent off all your documents to gö
througli the proper forms and to be r^gis-
tered, not to lose time, that you may be
acknowledged, in diie Order, as the legal
earl of Valamour. You will have occupa-'
tion for soine time in business, ^vhich yoa
cannot avoid. As to your property, the in-
terest of it Carleton has constantly applied,
but the town-house in Piccadilly is assur-
edly yours, having been purchased by him
within the last five years."

" Never mind the house,'* cried Edgar;
** teil me of himself, and what conduct he
pursued, on the eve of bis departure, to-f
wards you ?"

^ Ah, my lord," rejoined the hiwyer.

"you

312 f fi£ P£S££TEE.

^ you WiU not always think as you da
Äow : but you are to know that yesterday,
when I got home, I found Carleton iu my
room ; he said he had waited for me a ]x>iig
time, and had been infwmed, hy my
Clerks, that the last mortgage was $till un*
finished. He eonfessed he had expected
to find the sum in my handg,; but a8 it
was not ready, I must rai$e the largest sum
possible within three hour^, and he would
trust tomy honour by signing the deeds
in theur unfinished State, and leaving them
with me. The pressure for money that
^peared so imperative was a business of
State ; he had been singled out, during a
privy Council held that day, for an execu-
tivepart in a secret mission, and he must
depart in a few hours, or break his tmst,
and dishonour the Charge confided to him.
You may believe," continued Justly, " his

plausible

TH£ besehter. filH

plausible assuranoe and calm' manner really
surprised me, knowing what I knöw. I
coald not, for my life^ immediatdy de-
tect him, but rubbing my Ibrebead very
Iiatd, asked what was become of the ten
tbousand pounds ? * Mr. Jusrtly/ said he,
^ you are disposed to wave ceremomf in
your conversation with me ; but a man's
temper i^ .not idways at comm&nd ; you
|>etimps hffve been preTiously ituffled be<»
ifore you «aw me.* .

* Sir/ said I,*Iamno hypocrtt^-^l own
I am amazed, and ruffled too.' Whethe^
my not addressing him as lord Valamour,^
contimied Justly, ^ hinted the ^truth, or
Ifaat my ^unteMiH» spoke to 'his gidlt^
mind, he t«rneA of an ashy fatie ; bat wüii
his oocufiftomed graiee, he tralked to the
door, bade laae send tibe money belbretii^ht;

and

S1 4 THE DESERTSR.

and hoped to see me in good health at hu
retum.

** In his way out, he met Crofts m the
hall, who had farought some papers from
his wife, which 'she had omitted to send.
Carleton knew the rogue's face on the in-
stant ; but although a view of Crofts must
bave told him the whple taler Carleton
touched his hat as he paasedon, telUnghis
ooadiman to drive ^uickly, as lie must
dress to dine. Crofts, as my people told
me^ foUowed him with abuse ; but, as the
horses galloped, such eloguence was throwa
away.**

Mr, JusÜy contiiiued— ^Before I was up
this moming, a tradesman, a dient of mine,
was waiting^in my balL He faas a shop in
Fiecadüiy ; and beingadiligent man,and an
early riser, h^ observed a stränge confusion

in

.TH£ DE8ERTKB. 815

m Carleton's house, which induoed him to
inquire what wa^ going ou. He leamt
that Iiis quondam lordship had decamped ;
and that previously he had sold the fumi*
•ture of theliöuseforfivethousand pounds.
.Now»** added Justly, ** my mfonner had
trusted Carleton to the ämount of fifty
pounds» and he hurried o£f to me £of advice^
to know how he must prooeed to secure a
. part of the debt, if he could not get 1 1 all-^**

^^Oh," Said Edgar, interrupting the
worthy man, ** if it is a just debt it shaü
not be lost ; set it down to my aocount;
Charge it in my bill when I settle with
you.**

** No, no, my lord, I shall not do, that;
I am too much your friend to give a pre-
<^edent so unjust What have you to do
with Carleton's debts ? BecoUect the im^
mense sum heowes you; I shall««^-?*"

••Wen

ei6 THE iDSSBSTBIt.

patient young n^an, ^^ dismiss nie now-^-rl
am tired ^vitii success; give me a respite
for a few days to^ compose my mind ; my
worldly affairs are in good bänds, I am
ai'<7%ii'e— -go on with heralds and peerageä,
and aU those odd tliing8-»-4iiiibstantiate my
<!kkns in' due form, and let me Aew my-
fidf^ as soon as you can, tHe honeBt nepre-
sentative of anancdent hoiise, wfaich k sfaaH
be my care never t» disgraoe.'' •

\Edgar was m haste to get away; when
sboppk^ sttddeniy, be jl<umed lottndj aayr
ang-'-^ Have ycrti . iofetaaed (m^acne 4^
Bourdonaye of the recent event ? Tq Jber
I would faegEateAil."

/f She AaUksDwit in t^^goinutes^'' re-
(jp&tä Ju9tly. " Bat you ttre.gc»sg <tf i»
«och htastei; dou^ you want moBby ?" .

<< Wbeh I am adowvde^id by mj

' / • peeiSy

THS OfiSE^ITEA. SIT

peers»"' said Edgar, '' then I ^haU have
« daittand for it I have ä fordgn'taste^
and äiall make my debut urith splendour ;
tiU ihen, I shidl linüt my wantsr withm my
presentfinances. Adieu! y ou know where «
I am to be found. I foß, two hours beyond

my appointment, and will sufFer no longer
dßlay.**

Edgar almost flew to Albemarle-street .
A$ he Sprung up the stairs, laioty Lavinia
advanced through the cpmdor with ex-
tended band to lead him in-«-^' It is npw
only tbat I live/' cried he, taking a seat
near her ; ^ it ^appears a y ear since I be-
held you ; and so much» and auch stxange
things ha¥e happened In thirty hours
Lavinia, dearest ! vnJl you be oountess of .
Vabmour ?" He tpok her band» and pla^
ced it ov^ his heart-— "^ All its vibrattons,"
oontinued he» ''all its anxieties are for

YQL. IV. L you!

2iS THB BEflSftTfift.

yoü! Da chedc me/' for shewithdrev
b6r hand; *' I kno^ I deäenre it ; bot I
am transported beyond mysdf^ sfaaU
attain my chims without oppo^äon^ trial»
trouble, or expenoe. Do I dann you,
roygentlelove?* oontinuedhe; "Iforgot

r

yöur weak State- ^In teasrs, my^Lavinia?

Oh, may you never weep again, but in
your Edgar's bosom hush all your cares !**
After a deep pause, she sä&4— ** I am too
fbotish to deserve yout love ; but^ Edgar,
yöü know aö my thought». Had you not
returned to me, I should haVe stewly gKd^
ed to my grave, latnentlng nothing in Uife
but you, who, I thought, were löst to me
übt ever — and lost, as it seemed, through a

point of bonouT to myself ; for wdl I know
you loved me, Edgar, e^ien in my boy's
disgüise. Cünning in iove, tliowgh foolish
in ougbt eise; I saw yowr predile^tioti be«

r

fi»e

TH£ DXSSKTEB. SI9

fore I was quite conscious of my own.
But come," added she, rising, *' my fitther
must share our joy ; we cannot support it
all ourselves.**

Edgar woald have detained her, but ^he

«

locdced graye. He sbwly fi)lloi!red her
steps^ myxog^^*^ I went mad for you ; and
youwoUldhavediedfi»]iie»Layiiua« We
iftust try to study (before mapy year»
elapse) ^ true relig^on* and * practioal phk
losophy;' or.after all^weahaUbeverymi-
seraUe m this World«— However^ we wiU
not begm just now,"

L 2 CH AP-

ISA THE DESE&TER.

CHAPTER XIX.

## » »#\»»##»»»#>#i»»»»

LOEO Carlomount received Edgar's good
tidings with trae joy ; but intemipted the
thread of his narration by inquiring when
Florentio would set off? Edgar promised
thsÄ within a month he should be on his
way ; and his lordship knew that Edgar
would keep his word, therefore remained
content.

Two days did Edgar devote to love,
loyers' projects, and future arrangements
with Lavinia.

On the third he calied on major Neville,
and was adpiitted, and on both sides their

- friendship seemed to augment, 'nstead of

1- ... '^

h&ng diminished. Ihe eLdet brotherof

the

TBS BEflEETEB. iStl

Übe major had ßed to escäpe imjprrisaninent
for coets and damages'unpaid. Mi*. Caii^t
ton» it was understood^ had embarked in a
ahip bound for Smyma ; ftom whenoe he
meant probably to jokk the Tiirks, and
wind up Ins etimäx by tuming renegade,
äs the finale to a course of viee.

When Nevüle spoke of leaving town,
Edgar feit afflicted, and uttered a wish tliat
his fiiend would deläy tbat pröject, aüd ar-
tend his nuptials» whidi only were po^
poned tili certain lawcourta and law lords
diquld announce his daims validi. >

Neville represented to Edgar that hb
himself ought to visit Ms own d^nesip^
and shew himself to his dependents ;
and if one Single domestic yet . survived
that remembered his parents, or what re-
lated to them, Edgar might gladden their
hearts by a sight of the legal heir.

l8 Edgar

Edgaar tiumgbt over this new* pio|ec£ ftr
flometime; Jt seaaed wfaatoUglitlotid^
plooe. He had npdöabt of the high oider
in which eveiy thiog wouldibe &Mtmd» ns
Carletön was a maii <af taste; .yet £d^
gar dioug^ be shcAÜd imagiiie ar some»
thing for the apartments whic^ he should
aekct forlüs Lamiwiy vaove fikely to cbarnr
her fimcy» as being ebosen by hhn» than
^hat might be found exaeüy correspoHd^
ent to the ntlea of taste. TMs thenght
dedded the point direcify ; and as Hud*
dlestone Park was but ten mUes üom Bee
6ro¥e (Neville*i» seat)^ tbßy agreed to go
down in Neville^a barouche» acernnpamed
ligr bis m^ber,, whom Edgar had not yet
ween, bdt wbcmi he wad ab*eady prepared
torespect.

Ma^r Keville had sent in bis resigna^
tion that very xnopning, althoügh he was

fond

fon4 of ^ military life ; but the stigma x^
flected from the actions of his fath^r
tiie m<gor could only endiire in a private

life.

It was then determined, that rtheir jour-.
ney should c&tttm0nce the foUowing Mon-
day> at tai in the toormiig.-

Edgar next bönt his steps to Sufiblk-
atreet, where joy might be said to o'erleap
its bounds. Madaifte de Bo^rdonaye ki9S-
ed his hands: uid his chcNekSi.aild leapiid
about in all the extrav^gapoe ^f i^lrenaii
rapture-— '^ I tntks roU xnysdf in dei gut-
ter for glad/' med she, ^^ my p^rn Edgifr
18 my ocmor! I vill break da candtel^bn«»
make de bonfirei)f my ea$»» and ^p)a^ de
jeu.d^artifibe wid monsietir CttiSte'^JOtd
face." f i >

Edgar sdzed her hands, eaxi seatM? her,
,by ibrce of arms^ in a cbair, deckrit^,

l4 if

iMi THE DE8SRTEB«

if Afi was not raasonaUe he would go
away.

^ Oh, milor r exdaimed she, ** you aie
very Englishmaii'*— your biood flow tres
doitcementr

** Happily," ngouied Edgar^ ^ I am not
80 houiUant as yowself r but I am not in^
Bcrmhle to your jojr» md am truly grateful,
and you wiU always find me so,.Eliza.
Where is monsieur de Bourdonaye? I
would tibank him fi>r hia attentions and
Mal in my cause.*^

De Bourdonaye • waa^ at Richmon^. pra«
paring hk house for the rec^tion of his
wife» who had ^ven up Inuiness, and
decided cm no longer remwoifaig m Lon-
don^ where the oommeroe they carried
on might eventually be discovered.
* Edgar ptoaüsed to vidt their retreat
when he retumed from the country^

where

TBE BESE&TElt. 8£5

where he meant to pass the liext week^
in the midst of those who were soon to
be his dependentsL He quitted Eliza
with the marked affection of a broibeiv
and dedared, the moment he should be
lawfully pronounced ^ eari of Valämour»*
four hundred a-year shoild be settied on
her mother.

The next vi$it Edgar made was to his
lawyer, who highly approved of his? plan
of going down to the seat of his ancestors»
to make himself known aa mach as^ it
was possible. Justly said every thin^
went on in fair train, and in less than a
naonth he might be fully authorized to
present himself to his 6ov^:«ign«

Lavinia was loth to lose sa^ht df h^r Ed«
gar, even for a few days; but she^ soon
y ielded^ whea the propriety of the joumey

l5 was

tfid TOB MTSSUTEll.

Was explaiiiect; and he calledthe roses t6
fiier cheeks hy whispering in her ear to oc-
cupy the periöd of his absence in fancying
änd orderihg her wedding clothes.

In flne, Monday came, and Edgar wa.?
in Ariihgton-street ty the appohited hour
At the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Carleton,
a most elegant woman, when- eonsidered

• •

as having passed her fiftieth year. ' Her
öolour changed when her son presented
Edgar as his ** particular friefnd," omitting
either title or name ; for although Carleton
had been a most indifferent husband, yet^
in delicacy, his accustomed title bestowed
on another would have shocked hör eah
This lady Said little during their joumey ;
she evidently feit a great deal ; but when

' * •

they arrived at BeeGrove, shebecameles^
reserved — often looked kindly at Edgar i

and.

THE DE8SBTER. 1tt7

and, ön retiring after supper, she shook
hanids with him as she had done with her

son.

« « ■ <

^* Your. delightful mother," said Edgar,
as soon as she was gone, '* must matronize
m j I^avinia. Won't y ou bring^ them t9-
getha* when we oome down? Mtb. Carle-
tön has.be^i ^hooled in affliction ; hers is
^a chastened mind— 4t fit monitress for öae
whose ardent imagihation knoW^ not tlie
temperate rulcaof reflection and reason.'*

Nqville stülled his approbation : To ei^
timat« Mi& Carletcm aecording to her me-
jits was the beight of gvatl&»tion to her
darling c|on.

l6 CHAP.

\'' .

SS8 THE: QE9BS1XB»

CHAPTER XX.

^»»<>»#>##l»»»##»^^#^

Edgae began ta experience the anticip^
tions of the next day ; fot he was to n&B
over to Huddiestone Bark, attended onljr
by a groom, in ovder to takee^ view of the
{daoe^ and to reconnoitre how he was lik«*
ly to be received as the new Ixxdy without
hnmediately maJdng himself known. But
old Geofrey, who had previously been sent
down to Bee Grove^ and was^xtremely de-
llghted with bis young &vourite^s succes^,
begged leave to be admitted in bis suite,
to witness thosescenes whieb he expeeted
would take place on Edgar 's arri val at Hud-
dlestone Park ; but theold man's head was^
too füll to allow him to sleep ; and ^being:

i in

THE DESEETEK. 229

m äiebd that he could not keep pace on
borseback with the young lord, he set out
faefore the £unily rose from tBezr beds, and
reached Huddlestone by nine of'ckxsk.

Geofrey was not a little surprised to see
the viUagers dressed in their Sunday
.cfethes ; apd erery here and tiiere libbons
flöating in the air, attached to long poles ;
and the reverend Mr. Davis (still cnrate,
sdthough neariy seventy years oldy wa&
Walking about in bis best suit of Uack, at
that early hour, talking with the faoi^t of
^the Huddlestone Arms;'^ each beaiing
marked importance in bis face^ as if eon^
fljulting wbat must be done next to mark,
oriipply tokens of exultation.

Gec&ey was no stranger in the viSage;
before he went al»oad, he had ofteh gmie
.0ver to Tisit bis old acquaintanoes^ so that
tbe >kndlovd ädvanced to help Gedfrey tö

dismount,.

iSO TSE DKSSUTEm.

difflMmitt;^ atid to giv« him a fiiendly wel-
ooine»

After a low bow to the cunte, wfaa
shook him bjr the hemd, the landloid said
^^*^ So» nr; I peredTe y ou faave heard the
good news."

Geofir^ sttaed incredulously^ tbiakiftg
the glad tidings cioiild not lelate to the är-
rival of the earl. .

** Ixnrd hle»s yonr ianocecice, jrou may
well .lE^fcftre so! Zock% man! why we
ha' gotten the right k>td a'ter all ! aiidtnä$-
ter Steward, ahßd letters allabout i% to say
how the young earl had been broi^fat to
light, all (m a sudden, and was a comiii^
dojwn outri^t» this day or next day ; and
Maiy Wlcks at blacksmith's^ and B^tty
^he jomer's wife^ thejr be t^ kiarntisaboiit
it ; .fi>r they were the two nlunies 9ä weat
to Pcrtaüigul witb the ddlobd woA lady»

times

THE BESERTtiR. 831

times ago, bless you ! But walk in, mas»
ter Geofrey, and try my ale ; I sha^not
have a drop by night^ if the new ettl

comes.'*

*' Perhaßs y<ni prefW tea," said thö
curate. " Mrs. Davis will be glad to
^ee ycHi, Mr. Geotrey ; her cid heaart is
qnite füll, I assure you, and both she and
I have been puzzied a great deal lately, fof
I was ordered to send up copies of my pa^i
rish register» of the Hüddlestone births;
burials, and mörriagesi sinee--»:— -But wotft
you Step into the parsonage?' We shall
see the signal when. the carriages draw
liigh ; but I do not thlnk they will cotoe
tiHnoon." '

•^ Thank you, my good reVerend sir,**
rejoined Geofrey, " thank you very tnucb;
but I think I shall just step up ta the

Park

fSS THE DESEETEIL

Park to see Mr. Amiott, and apprise him»
that a gentleman, who is on a visit to my
master» is Coming over to see the paintkigs»
and the house, and such like ; maybe he
won't be admitted as tbings have tiimed
out.^

Geofrey remounted his horse» and rode
up to the mansion. Every thing spoke
the elegant taste of its late possessor. The
lawns Wi^e carpeted with the finest moss;
the driye terraced with Roman cement»
and thonsands €i exotics and flowering
tbrubs fenoed it on each side, and perfum*
ed the air.

Geofrey ro^ round to the stables to
leave his horse ; then hastened tothe stew-
ard to teil his story, whicby in order to
please Edgar, he had invented Mmself.

The Steward said he was extremely sor-

THE BE8ERTSB. fUS

ry, l)ut the house could not be sbewn ;
then prooeeded with his hktory of the lal^
eventSi wliidi Gec^y very well knew.

The cid man was now at fault, At
length, sbuttii^ the doors, and half whia-
pering in his ear, he toTd AmioCt, that
it wasmy lord himself who was coming
inoog. hut that Araiott must demean him-
self as a perfect straagev, and tseat himex-
actly as if he was only a gmtleman come
:for the purpose of viewing ^the house.

The Steward thanked Geoftey for his kind
.caution-, and soon after Edgar rode üp, af-
< ter having passed the TÜlag i in some liitle
alaro), firom the trophies he had espied of
rustic deoorations. Some few had asked
•the curate, " Who that oould be, riding so
&st towaid the Park ?** but he in&rmacl
them of what Geofrey had before told him,

and

g . ^^ * ^ '

SM THE SSIE&TSX.

.and tittir curiosity ntumed to its or^iml
bent

Edgar, fiushed wkh exerrise and Joy at
efvery thing he befaeld, bade thfe gnx>m in-
quire if he might view Ihe haa^b?

Geofirey, foUowed by Amiott^ biirried
to tfae door. So rtnidc was tfae kitter by
-the oontxxir of the young man, that in si-
lent admiration, he seemed too mudi ab»
sorbed to give an axtswer,

** He 18 a little duU of kearing, sir,'^ Said
Geofrey.

Tüds Observation roused the Steward,
and he rteplied, that he should be proud tö
idiew the gendeman the house, as^ tfae
liouseke^er was from hotne«
' ^dgar then entered the hall, Mn Ami-
jdtt bowing agoiti änd again before faim, tili
Jhe threw open a loom, where refreshments
L. were

TBE IIESEETKX. SSflr

"lerere ^read an a long^ table^'* My people
£ve in gieat style»" thoaght Edgar; ^ t
«hali make a reform in tbis useless expen^
diture." He would not taste any thing;
.bot begged the Steward toprooeedin shew«
4ng other apartipent«.

Amiott almofft ttarted whenever Edgar
«poke, so eager was he to obey his new
master ; and all went oti well, tili they en-
tered the saloon, wbere some of the family
portraits stUI remained. One füll Tengflt
of the late countess, with her son in
her arms, seemed a vety fine painting»
The artist had given a Madona look to fea»
tures, whioh were reaUy fine, had they
ever been moTdd by attual expres$i<»i.
This want could not be observed in a pio-
ture ; and Edgar was strudc witii the beau«
t|r of the subject, as wdil as the painting»
the moment he entered the loom.

He

SS6 .na DE8EBTES.

He nt down dpposite to it for some
time. The infimt was a perfect Cufn^
^with its fingen entangled m the loi^ cwAi
of its moiüiefs haar.

Edgar drew a long s^h (Eliza had de^
scribed his mothei^s person to him a shori
tuneago). Edgar appeared as if adark
doud had passed oyer bim^ and g^ven bk
&ce a saddened li«ie.

Amiott thoi^ht this change might be
the ^ect of doubt, or curiosity ; andbeing
himself on the tenter-hooks to pcecede his
k»d'8 wisl^s, he said, in an audible voice—
^^ That Portrait represents Riachael, fourth
eoüntess of Valamour, snd her infant son
Edgar, then k>rd Melvume, tak^i by sir
J. R , before she and the then eaiL set
out upon their travels abroad."

" I know i1^ sir/' cried Edgar, stiB mu^

ing; «'Ife^lthat it is— ia "^

Reoovering

THE DESEETER. 987

Aecovaing himselC he asloed if the pic-
ture was altmef had it not a fellovir one of
Üie Ibrmer earl ?

Amiott replied, that he had neveV secn
one» ttid daewed the way to another room.«
It was a small one» curious for its decor»-
tioiis alone. Eveiy pannel was Uned with
sea .eed and shells; and each pannel was
l^ed to keq^ off dust and flies. There
was neither taste, nor beauty in this di&^
play ; but» as it shewed an auträ piedileo-^
tioh, and much persevenuy», the iqom
had been allowed to retain its trapping^
merely becaüse it was unfike every thing
that was ever seen before# or» probably,
ever will be seen again.

When Amiott pointed out the beauly
of the Shells, he said that the wfaole was
the industry of die same cöimtess's bands.

£dgar

3SS THS

Edgar Uudied that hu mcßaa Aotld
iMiTe had stidh voeleis and fiirdous por^
saitSf and hurried outof the room wülieiik
^ Itarther dday.

dtotues aod Italiaa riein nom ddajed
las progress through • the house» ■ m atthoagjh
Hot a ciitic fli the fine aits, Edgar had
much natural taate^-^when he was aud«
denly icusedby tlie Tfflage feeis «ouni£iig
d meny peal.; loid casting his- ey«8 down
the patlt, perceired two or thuee hundred
feopie^ with fibbona aiid flagi^ marching
towaids tiie hoase, headed by one in A
dergyman*« halnt^ who^ by Ina gait» ap*
peared infurm and dd.

Edgar looked stanaHy at Geoüej^ and
fl$id«---^ Unkind dd man, jouhlive betmy-
adyxnirtraat! laonknowh! — ^I am not
yet confinned by lair offidally'^I eannot

meet

nsieet nby peoplä as their, dbief ; md I am
dirtressed to disa^poikifc tfaoaa,. whw thajr
cDcordiaily cometo wisb me J07/'

^^ May 1 die/' siEud G^oSrey, all amaze-
menl:» *' i£ % ever fdd any one but Mr.
Amiott! Ah! my lord, I suspect the
gtoooi. I raw faim rideifoiv^ to die village
v^en yott alighted ; and nothiag was tEdk«
edof kl* night »the senrante' hau bitt

liefe the hum on the tenraoe drowned'
iS^ktfreyls voice; äoä. Edgar häd Jto Te^\
soui^ but togD mto the yeranda, andbcyvr
an round, which he repeated again ; tili.
per^iTing the (M dafgyman wipmg his
eJT^s, he fseit GeoEtey to bting him to him».
itid adjcmip the peasantiy to the stable«
yard^' where he i««ciuld again aee thenx be«
fore he left the hduse.

l&igßoc «aa ixxq)£^^nt to meet the pöori

pastor.

SIO TH£ SESERTEK.

pafltor, as he lememb^red Jinrtly having
mentioned DaviA as having sent up oerti.
ficates that w^re . reqmiefL He advanced:
to the stair-head to meet the. old man-^
put iiis arm withia his^and plading hin
on a divan, satdonm beside him.

<< What a gradous God-send art thou»^
most falessed youngmanr said Davi^
wiping his eyesw ^ WdBl do I jren^mber.
thy birth; for my wife was iii the cfaam«
her, and heard thy first cry. Thy fitther
fdl into fits for joy ; hat I have thought
sinee he had a foresigfat cf. what has faap*
pened»*

Edgar suffered hua tö go on without
intenmption, and leamt that Garieton had
dways been suspeeted qf fi^ul play, wheat
his sueeestnon was, the tope amongst the
fiirmers and tenantry. Not one of them.
had liked him ; and his. smooth ocnnplai-

sance

THE D£S£RT£IL S41

sance» whenever he spoke to theva on rais-
iog their rents, brought him the nickname
of tbe Snake in the Grass."

While the peasantry were regaling in
the stable-yard, Edgar oonducted Davis ta
the room where the refreshments were laid
out. In their way, Edgar saw two decent-
leoking motherly women, waiting in the
hau.

At «igbt of him, one pushed the other,
and both looked flurried and eonfused.

" Lud a mCTcy i" cried one, " I dare
not speak to my k»rd» aitliough I nursed ^
him to be jsure,**

" How d'ye do, dame Wicks, and you,
dame Long ?" said Mr. Davis. ^'- What
have you to say to my lord?"

<< Wie had enough to say to him onoe,^
wben he eould ndt say for himself, your
reTerenoe,"* said Mxa. Wicks. *' Don't

VOL. IV. M you

yeu remember we were kis twoniirses^ 1^
that bad Mif& Ooft» came mto the fiunily^
and sent US about oor businesa? and^more-
o¥er, U> prov'e my woids, while we were
11» Poiftingal^ the earl had.a man to mark
tbe sofe* of kffd Mebrume's foot. . with the
letta*^ ''V* in gonpowder, fiir fear he
shotilcl be stote awaj by hia oousin Caiie-
ton, good lack !*

^ I hav4 a dufitei^ of molea on the aole
of my r^ ibot^'* saidEdgar» "" bat I al«
ivaya suppcwed tisep we9& bcam. \Mith.me,
si^neiicr examinedsthnoi Bu^ a^y^fos--
tered me, so will I foster ye- bp^ tQ the
end o£ yqas esisteneei, aü^ i£ y^e ba^e
düMgbters, tbay^baUinume myc^Uädrefibiaa.
ye did me." lie^oontiimed-^^in aimcHitk
Lmeai» l^ciMn^dewii and rasidfe in^tbis
my native phk» ; and it shall: be my eiv*
4efmMir to pMvei by «y ootiditct aMunai^

tiiat

that I am WA tmmindful of that graciouä
Power, who, by its owA intricate maze»,
^esenred me unoontaminated from vice
when a boy."

Iir sfaort, so teany <x^cii|>afiohs opetaed
ene after the other, Ifiat Edgar ccmld iidk
g€t away Äom the Park. Mr. Davis kept
prompting him to visit bis lands, to vieW
bis woods, and to juSt take apeep, as he
termed it, at some of bis immense farms.

Edgar re$olved some of them sbould be
drvided into ibur, some into tbree, anä
tiot one tenant on bis estate sbould hold
xnore land than amounted to two faundred
a-year, These speculations for general
good took such possession of bis inind;^
l^t be appeared wrapt in bis ideas ; and
Mrs. Davis made bis breakfast and bis
teÄ for four successive days, ere Edgar re*
membered that he ought to depatt for

M 2 Bee

244 THE BESBRTEB.

Bee Grove, where he had promised to ststy
two daya before lie retumed to town.

Those two days were made sacred to
frieudship. In Mrs. Carleton, £dgar had
found a mother for bis tenderly-beloved
Ijav inis^and one whapromised to guide ber
fervent inind tiU it acquired strength to
guide itselfl

On tbe eve of Edgar'&departure, he had
a letter to inform him bis patents were
completed, and that he might present hirn-
self to bis soYcrfjign as soon as he pleased.
Edgar set out on tbe instant, and by ten
tbe next mcHiung surprised. bis Lavinia at

breakfast : her jay cannot be describedw

•

Edgar next went to Mr. Justly*s, to put
tbe marriage*settlements in train; there he
met bis friend Fireman, and also leamt
that Mrs. Crofts was no more. Guilt had
tumed ber brain, and she had expired by
laudanum two daya uefore.

Edgar's

THE BESEKTEK. i,^S

Edgar's next step was to the secretaryr
of the foreign department— there also- he
was successful. Florentio being an Italian,
was allowed to return to Leghorn ; lord
Valamour knew money would do the re-
mainder of the business there. In fine^
only three weeks passed before Lavinia
was made countess of Valamour. Fire-
man was bridesman ; he accompanied k>rd
Carlomount to Bee Grove for a week, as
was previotnsly arranged, while the hap-
py pair drove, in nuptial splendour, to
their destined home;

In ten days they were joined by the
whole party from Bee Grove, where I
take leave of them, wishing them all the
happiness that virtue, honour, and can-
dour, justly deserve.

FIXIS,

Printed by J. Darling» Leadenhall-street, London.

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