,and
restless
;
and
his
forehead
was
contracted
into
a
thousand
wrinkles
.
He
was
dressed
in
a
suit
of
black
,
and
wore
a
white
neckcloth
—
no
doubt
to
enhance
the
respectability
of
his
appearance
.
This
was
,
however
,
a
difficult
task
;
for
had
he
figured
in
the
dock
of
a
criminal
tribunal
,
the
jury
would
have
had
no
trouble
in
coming
to
a
verdict
,
a
more
hang-dog
countenance
being
seldom
seen
,
even
in
a
city
where
the
face
is
so
often
the
mirror
of
the
mind
.
"
Ah
!
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
,
rising
to
welcome
his
visitor
;
"
this
is
an
unexpected
honour
.
What
can
I
do
for
you
?
Pray
be
seated
;
and
speak
plainly
.
There
's
no
listeners
here
.
"
"
I
require
your
aid
in
a
most
important
business
,
"
answered
Greenwood
,
taking
a
chair
,
and
throwing
back
his
cloak
.
"
To-morrow
I
must
raise
twenty
or
twenty-five
thousand
pounds
,
for
three
or
four
months
—
upon
bills
—
good
bills
,
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
.
"
"
To
be
deposited
?
"
asked
that
individual
.
"
To
be
deposited
,
"
replied
Greenwood
.
"
Shall
you
withdraw
them
in
time
?
"
"
Decidedly
.
I
will
convert
the
money
I
shall
thereby
raise
into
a
hundred
thousand
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
My
commission
will
be
heavy
for
such
a
business
,
"
observed
Pennywhiffe
;
"
and
that
,
you
know
is
ready
money
.
"
"
I
am
aware
of
it
,
and
am
come
provided
.
Name
the
amount
you
require
.
"
"
Will
two
hundred
hurt
you
?
"
said
Pennywhiffe
.
"
Remember
—
the
affair
is
a
serious
one
.
"
"
You
shall
have
two
hundred
pounds
,
"
exclaimed
the
Member
of
Parliament
,
laying
his
pocket-book
upon
the
table
.
"
That
is
what
I
call
coming
to
the
point
.
"
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
rose
from
his
seat
,
and
opening
an
iron
safe
,
took
thence
a
memorandum-book
and
a
small
tin
box
.
Returning
to
his
seat
,
he
handed
the
memorandum-book
to
Greenwood
,
saying
,
"
There
is
my
list
of
noblemen
,
wealthy
gentlemen
,
and
great
mercantile
firms
,
whose
names
are
familiar
to
me
.
Choose
which
you
will
have
;
and
make
notes
of
the
various
sums
the
bills
are
to
be
drawn
for
.
Let
them
be
for
the
most
part
uneven
ones
,
with
fractions
:
it
looks
so
much
better
.
"
While
Greenwood
was
employed
in
examining
the
memorandum-book
,
which
contained
upwards
of
five
hundred
names
of
peers
,
and
great
landowners
,
in
addition
to
those
of
the
chief
commercial
firms
of
London
,
Birmingham
,
Liverpool
,
Manchester
,
Leeds
,
Sheffield
,
Glasgow
,
and
other
places
,
—
besides
several
belonging
to
Paris
,
Lyons
,
Bordeaux
,
Havre
,
and
Lille
;
Brussels
,
Amsterdam
,
Rotterdam
,
and
Hamburgh
;
New
York
,
the
West
Indian
Islands
,
and
Montreal
;
Calcutta
,
Bombay
,
and
Madras
;
—
while
Mr.
Greenwood
,
we
say
,
was
examining
this
strange
register
,
and
copying
several
of
the
best
names
of
noblemen
,
gentlemen
,
and
merchants
,
upon
a
slip
of
paper
,
Mr
Pennywhiffe
opened
his
tin-case
.
The
contents
thereof
were
numerous
paid
checks
,
and
bills
of
exchange
,
respectively
bearing
the
signatures
of
the
persons
or
firms
whose
names
were
entered
in
the
memorandum-book
.
How
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
became
possessed
of
such
important
documents
,
—
which
,
seeing
that
they
had
all
been
duly
honoured
at
maturity
,
ought
to
have
remained
in
the
hands
of
those
who
took
them
up
,
—
was
a
mystery
which
he
kept
to
himself
.
Whether
he
had
collected
them
by
degrees
,
or
had
obtained
them
in
a
heap
by
robbery
,
or
any
other
means
,
he
never
condescended
to
acquaint
his
clients
.
"
I
have
chosen
eleven
names
,
"
said
Greenwood
;
"
and
have
appended
to
them
the
various
sums
for
which
I
require
the
bills
to
be
drawn
.
The
aggregate
is
twenty-three
thousand
two
hundred
and
seventeen
pounds
,
nine
shillings
,
and
sevenpence
halfpenny
.
"
"
A
good
total
,
that
,
"
observed
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
,
—
"
an
excellent
total
—
sounds
uncommon
well
.
Nothing
could
be
better
.
Am
I
to
provide
the
stamps
?
"
"
If
you
please
.
I
will
pay
you
extra
for
them
.
"
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
once
more
had
recourse
to
his
iron
safe
,
and
returned
to
his
seat
with
a
small
paste-board
box
,
long
and
narrow
,
and
containing
a
vast
number
of
bill-stamps
adapted
to
sums
of
all
amounts
.
As
the
usual
formula
of
such
documents
was
printed
(
though
in
various
ways
,
they
having
been
procured
at
different
stationers
'
shops
)
the
process
of
filling
them
up
was
by
no
means
a
tedious
one
.
But
now
the
ingenuity
of
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
mainly
exhibited
itself
.
Each
bill
was
filled
up
with
a
different
ink
and
a
different
pen
;
and
so
skilful
a
caligrapher
was
he
,
that
the
most
astute
judge
of
writing
could
not
possibly
have
perceived
that
they
were
all
written
by
the
same
hand
.
Then
,
by
the
aid
of
red
ink
,
a
few
flourishes
,
and
little
circles
containing
initial
letters
or
figures
as
if
each
document
corresponded
with
some
particular
entry
in
some
particular
leger
or
bill-book
,
the
papers
speedily
assumed
a
very
business-like
appearance
.
And
now
the
most
difficult
and
delicate
part
of
the
entire
process
was
to
commence
—
the
signatures
.
But
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
went
to
work
with
the
air
of
one
who
fully
understood
what
he
was
about
;
and
with
the
originals
before
him
as
a
copy
,
he
perfected
acceptance
after
acceptance
in
so
masterly
a
manner
,
that
Greenwood
,
when
he
compared
the
fictitious
signatures
with
the
genuine
,
was
astounded
at
the
caligraphic
proficiency
of
that
man
whose
dangerous
agency
he
was
now
rendering
available
to
his
purposes
.
"
So
far
,
all
goes
well
,
"
said
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
.
"
The
bills
are
excellent
in
every
point
save
one
,
"
observed
Greenwood
.
"
Which
is
that
?
"
demanded
the
caligrapher
.
"
They
look
too
new
—
the
paper
is
too
clean
.
"
"
I
know
it
,
"
returned
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
;
"
but
the
process
is
not
entirely
complete
.
"
He
rose
and
threw
a
quantity
of
small
coal
upon
the
fire
,
so
as
to
smother
the
flame
,
and
create
a
dense
smoke
.
He
then
passed
each
bill
several
times
through
the
smoke
,
until
the
documents
acquired
a
slightly
dingy
hue
.
Lastly
,
he
placed
them
between
the
leaves
of
a
portfolio
scented
with
musk
,
so
as
to
take
off
the
odour
of
the
smoke
;
and
the
entire
process
was
terminated
.
Mr.
Greenwood
now
counted
upon
the
table
bank-notes
to
the
aggregate
amount
of
the
two
hundred
pounds
promised
,
and
the
price
of
the
stamps
;
and
in
exchange
he
received
the
bills
for
twenty-three
thousand
two
hundred
and
seventeen
pounds
,
nine
shillings
,
and
sevenpence
halfpenny
.
"
This
seems
to
be
a
most
extraordinary
neighbourhood
,
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
as
he
placed
the
bills
in
his
pocket-book
.
"
I
knocked
by
mistake
at
three
houses
before
I
came
to
yours
,
and
the
inmates
of
each
seemed
to
be
in
difficulties
.
"
"
No
doubt
of
it
,
my
dear
sir
.
This
part
of
London
swarms
with
members
of
the
Swell
Mob
,
broken-down
tradesmen
,
fraudulent
bankrupts
,
insolvents
playing
at
hide-and-seek
with
the
sheriff's-officers
,
railway
projectors
,
and
swindlers
of
all
kinds
.
I
have
got
a
very
queer
kind
of
a
lodger
in
my
attic
:
he
has
no
visible
means
of
living
,
but
is
out
nearly
all
day
long
;
and
he
dresses
uncommonly
well
—
gold
chain
—
polished
boots
—
figured
silk
waistcoat
—
and
so
forth
.
He
only
pays
me
—
or
ought
to
pay
me
—
five
shillings
a
week
for
his
furnished
bed-room
;
and
he
is
six
months
in
arrears
.
But
what
is
more
remarkable
still
,
I
do
n't
even
know
his
name
;
and
he
never
receives
any
letters
,
nor
has
any
friends
to
call
.
He
is
about
thirty-six
or
thirty-eight
years
old
,
a
good-looking
fellow
enough
,
and
an
Irishman
.
"
"
Perhaps
he
also
is
some
railway
projector
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
rising
to
take
his
departure
.
At
this
moment
a
double
knock
at
the
front-door
was
heard
.
"
That
must
be
my
lodger
,
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
.
Urged
by
curiosity
to
catch
a
glimpse
of
the
mysterious
gentleman
alluded
to
,
Greenwood
hurried
on
his
cloak
,
took
leave
of
the
caligrapher
,
and
left
the
room
.
On
the
stairs
he
met
the
lodger
,
who
was
ascending
to
his
attic
,
with
a
brass
candlestick
,
containing
an
inch
of
the
commonest
candle
,
in
his
hand
.
The
moment
he
and
Greenwood
thus
encountered
each
other
,
an
ejaculation
of
surprise
issued
from
the
lips
of
each
.
"
Hush
!
not
a
word
!
"
said
the
gentleman
,
placing
his
fore-finger
upon
his
lip
.
"
And
,
of
course
,
Greenwood
,
"
he
continued
,
in
a
whisper
,
"
you
will
never
mention
this
to
a
soul
.
"
"
Never
—
on
my
honour
!
"
answered
Greenwood
.
They
then
shook
hands
,
and
parted
—
the
gentleman
continuing
his
way
to
the
attic
,
and
Greenwood
hastening
to
leave
the
house
.
"
Wonders
will
never
cease
!
"
thought
the
latter
,
as
he
proceeded
towards
the
cab-stand
near
Rowland
Hill
's
chapel
in
the
Blackfriars
Road
:
"
who
would
have
thought
of
one
of
the
Irish
Members
of
Parliament
living
in
an
attic
in
the
New
Cut
?
"
CHAPTER
CLXXXVII
.
THE
FORGED
BILLS
.
At
half-past
four
o'clock
on
the
following
afternoon
,
Ellen
Monroe
was
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
the
Bank
of
England
.
She
had
been
to
receive
a
small
sum
of
money
which
an
old
debtor
of
her
father
's
,
residing
in
Birchin
Lane
,
had
written
to
state
that
he
was
in
a
condition
to
pay
;
and
she
was
now
on
her
return
to
Markham
Place
.
The
evenings
of
January
are
obscure
,
if
not
quite
dark
,
at
that
hour
;
and
the
lamps
were
lighted
.
As
she
was
proceeding
along
Lothbury
,
Greenwood
suddenly
passed
her
.
He
was
walking
rapidly
,
in
a
pre-occupied
manner
,
and
did
not
perceive
her
.
But
she
beheld
him
;
and
she
turned
to
speak
to
him
;
for
in
spite
of
all
the
injuries
which
her
parent
,
her
benefactor
Richard
,
and
herself
had
sustained
at
his
hands
,
he
was
still
the
father
of
her
child
!
Scarcely
had
she
thus
turned
,
when
he
drew
his
handkerchief
from
his
pocket
—
still
hurrying
on
towards
Tokenhouse
Yard
.
Ellen
quickened
her
pace
;
but
in
a
few
moments
her
foot
encountered
an
object
on
the
pavement
.
She
stooped
,
and
picked
it
up
.
It
was
a
pocket-book
.
Conceiving
that
Greenwood
might
have
dropped
it
,
as
she
had
found
it
on
the
very
spot
where
she
had
seen
him
take
his
handkerchief
from
his
pocket
,
she
ran
in
the
direction
which
she
supposed
him
to
have
pursued
;
but
as
,
in
the
mean
time
,
he
had
turned
into
the
narrow
alley
called
Tokenhouse
Yard
,
and
as
she
continued
her
way
along
Lothbury
towards
Throgmorton
Street
,
she
did
not
of
course
overtake
him
.
Finding
that
her
search
after
him
was
unavailing
,
she
determined
to
examine
the
contents
of
the
pocket-book
,
and
ascertain
if
it
really
did
belong
to
him
;
in
which
case
,
she
resolved
to
proceed
straight
to
Spring
Gardens
,
and
restore
it
to
him
.
Retracing
her
steps
along
Lothbury
,
she
entered
Cateaton
Street
;
and
turning
into
the
Old
Jewry
,
which
was
almost
deserted
,
she
stopped
beneath
the
light
of
a
lamp
to
open
the
pocket-book
.
It
contained
several
letters
,
addressed
to
"
G
.
M
.
Greenwood
,
Esq.
,
M.P.
;
"
and
thus
her
doubts
were
cleared
up
at
once
.
But
as
she
was
thus
investigating
the
interior
of
the
pocket-book
,
her
eye
fell
upon
a
number
of
bills
of
exchange
,
all
drawn
and
endorsed
by
Mr.
Greenwood
,
and
accepted
for
large
sums
by
noblemen
,
well-known
landowners
,
and
eminent
merchants
.
A
rapid
glance
over
these
documents
convinced
Ellen
that
the
aggregate
amount
which
they
represented
could
not
fall
far
short
of
twenty-five
thousand
pounds
;
for
,
in
addition
to
the
fictitious
bills
obtained
from
Pennywhiffe
,
Greenwood
had
placed
in
his
pocket-book
several
genuine
ones
which
he
legitimately
possessed
.
Miss
Monroe
's
scrutiny
did
not
altogether
occupy
a
minute
;
and
,
carefully
securing
the
pocket-book
about
her
person
,
she
hurried
towards
Cheapside
,
where
she
entered
a
cab
,
directing
the
driver
to
take
her
to
Spring
Gardens
.
She
did
not
forget
Greenwood
's
former
conduct
in
having
her
carried
away
to
his
house
in
the
country
;
but
she
did
not
apprehend
any
ill-usage
at
his
hands
in
a
part
of
London
where
succour
would
be
so
readily
obtained
as
in
Spring
Gardens
.
It
was
therefore
without
hesitation
that
she
resolved
to
proceed
direct
to
his
own
dwelling
in
that
quarter
.
In
due
time
the
vehicle
stopped
at
Greenwood
's
house
in
Spring
Gardens
.
With
a
beating
heart
Ellen
knocked
at
the
door
,
which
was
almost
immediately
opened
by
Filippo
.
"
Ah
!
Miss
Monroe
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
as
the
light
of
the
hall-lamp
fell
upon
her
beautiful
countenance
.
"
Yes
—
it
is
I
at
Mr.
Greenwood
's
house
,
"
she
answered
,
with
a
smile
:
"
is
he
at
home
?
"
"
No
,
Miss
—
he
has
gone
into
the
City
;
but
he
will
be
back
at
six
o'clock
at
the
latest
.
"
"
Then
I
will
wait
for
him
,
"
said
Ellen
.
Filippo
conducted
her
up
stairs
.
In
the
window
of
the
staircase
still
stood
the
beautiful
model
of
the
Diana
,
holding
a
lamp
in
its
hand
,
—
that
model
which
was
the
image
of
her
own
faultless
form
.
On
the
landing-place
,
communicating
with
the
drawing-room
,
was
also
the
marble
statue
,
the
bust
of
which
was
sculptured
in
precise
imitation
of
her
own
.
And
,
when
she
entered
the
drawing-room
,
the
first
object
which
met
her
eyes
was
the
picture
of
Venus
rising
from
the
ocean
,
surrounded
by
nereids
and
nymphs
,
—
that
Venus
which
was
a
faithful
likeness
of
herself
!
Oh
!
how
many
phases
of
her
existence
did
these
permanent
representations
of
her
matchless
beauty
bring
back
to
her
memory
!
When
Filippo
left
her
,
and
she
found
herself
alone
,
she
fell
upon
a
sofa
,
and
gave
way
to
a
violent
flood
of
tears
.
Then
she
felt
relieved
;
and
she
began
to
ask
herself
wherefore
she
had
come
thither
?
Was
it
because
she
was
glad
to
have
found
an
excuse
for
calling
upon
him
who
was
the
father
of
her
child
?
was
it
because
she
was
anxious
to
receive
his
thanks
—
from
his
own
lips
—
for
restoring
to
him
his
pocket-book
?
She
scarcely
knew
.
Half
an
hour
passed
in
reflections
of
this
nature
—
reflections
which
branched
off
in
so
many
different
ways
,
and
converged
to
no
satisfactory
point
—
when
a
cab
suddenly
drove
up
to
the
house
.
In
another
minute
hasty
steps
ascended
the
stairs
—
they
approached
the
drawing-room
—
and
Greenwood
rushed
in
,
banging
the
door
furiously
behind
him
.
"
My
God
!
what
have
I
done
?
"
he
exclaimed
,
frantically
—
for
he
did
not
immediately
perceive
Ellen
,
whom
a
screen
concealed
from
his
view
.
"
The
pocket-book
is
lost
—
gone
!
I
am
ruined
—
should
those
forged
bills
—
—
"
He
said
no
more
,
but
threw
himself
upon
a
chair
,
and
buried
his
face
in
his
hands
.
Ellen
instantly
comprehended
it
all
:
—
the
bills
which
she
had
seen
in
the
pocket-book
were
forgeries
!
Rapid
as
lightning
a
train
of
new
reflections
passed
through
her
brain
:
—
a
project
suggested
itself
;
—
she
hesitated
for
a
moment
—
but
only
for
a
moment
:
—
she
thought
of
her
child
—
and
she
was
resolved
.
Assuming
all
her
calmness
,
and
calculating
in
an
instant
all
the
chances
of
her
scheme
,
she
rose
from
the
sofa
,
and
slowly
approached
the
chair
on
which
Greenwood
was
seated
.
He
heard
a
step
in
the
room
,
and
raised
his
eyes
.
"
Ellen
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
starting
back
in
surprise
.
She
murmured
a
Christian
name
—
but
it
was
not
George
.
"
Call
me
not
that
,
Ellen
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
fiercely
:
"
the
time
is
not
come
!
But
tell
me
,
"
he
added
,
speaking
thickly
,
and
at
the
same
instant
casting
upon
her
a
glance
which
seemed
to
pierce
her
inmost
soul
,
—
"
tell
me
—
were
you
here
—
in
this
room
—
when
I
came
in
?
"
"
I
was
,
"
answered
Ellen
,
gazing
,
in
her
turn
,
fixedly
upon
him
.
"
And
you
heard
—
—
"
"
I
heard
every
word
you
uttered
,
"
continued
Miss
Monroe
,
keeping
her
eyes
still
bent
upon
him
.
"
Ah
!
then
you
know
—
—
"
"
That
you
have
committed
forgery
,
"
added
Ellen
,
in
an
emphatic
tone
;
"
and
that
you
are
ruined
!
"
"
Damnation
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
.
"
What
did
you
come
for
?
why
are
you
here
?
To
gloat
over
my
falling
fortunes
—
to
make
yourself
merry
at
my
ruin
—
to
taunt
me
with
the
past
—
to
laugh
at
me
in
my
adversity
—
to
—
—
"
"
Then
it
is
true
,
"
thought
Ellen
,
within
herself
:
"
these
bills
are
forgeries
—
and
he
is
in
my
power
.
—
No
,
"
she
exclaimed
aloud
;
"
such
was
not
my
object
.
"
"
Then
,
go
—
leave
me
—
depart
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
frantically
.
"
I
am
in
no
humour
to
listen
to
you
now
!
But
,
Ellen
,
"
he
added
,
suddenly
becoming
cool
—
desperately
cool
:
—
"
tell
me
—
speak
—
you
will
not
betray
me
?
"
"
No
—
that
is
,
on
one
condition
,
"
answered
Ellen
.
"
One
condition
!
"
repeated
Greenwood
:
"
name
it
!
"
"
That
you
make
me
your
wife
,
"
was
the
steady
reply
.
"
My
wife
!
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
,
laughing
hysterically
.
"
Do
you
know
whose
wife
you
would
become
?
—
the
wife
of
a
forger
!
Have
you
not
learnt
that
dread
secret
?
But
,
perhaps
,
it
is
to
mock
me
that
you
offer
to
become
my
wife
!
Oh
!
I
understand
you
full
well
,
Ellen
!
When
I
was
rich
and
beyond
the
reach
of
the
law
,
I
would
not
marry
you
;
—
and
now
you
mean
me
to
comprehend
that
since
I
am
ruined
,
and
every
moment
in
danger
of
being
dragged
to
a
station-house
,
you
would
scorn
the
alliance
!
The
jest
is
good
:
—
no
—
the
revenge
is
just
!
But
it
is
not
the
less
bitter
to
me
,
Ellen
!
"
"
By
heavens
,
you
wrong
me
!
"
cried
Ellen
.
"
Listen
with
calmness
—
with
composure
—
if
you
can
!
"
"
I
cannot
,
Ellen
—
I
cannot
!
I
am
mad
!
A
few
months
—
nay
,
even
a
few
weeks
ago
,
I
was
happy
—
wealthy
—
prosperous
:
—
now
I
am
ruined
—
miserable
—
lost
!
Oh
!
the
grand
prospects
that
were
so
lately
open
before
me
!
"
"
Again
I
say
,
listen
.
All
is
not
so
bad
as
you
imagine
,
"
said
the
young
lady
,
in
a
hasty
tone
.
"
What
do
you
mean
,
Ellen
?
what
can
you
mean
?
"
he
exclaimed
,
bewildered
.
"
Do
you
not
understand
the
nature
of
a
forgery
—
the
consequences
which
it
entails
?
True
—
I
did
not
perpetrate
the
forgery
with
my
own
hands
;
—
but
the
bills
are
all
drawn
—
all
endorsed
by
me
!
Oh
!
it
is
dreadful
—
it
is
terrible
!
"
"
I
will
not
keep
you
any
longer
in
suspense
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
Your
pocket-book
is
found
—
—
"
"
Found
!
"
repeated
Greenwood
,
electrified
by
that
word
,
and
not
knowing
whether
it
imported
good
or
evil
to
him
:
"
found
!
Did
you
say
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
found
,
"
answered
Miss
Monroe
;
—
"
and
by
me
!
"
"
By
you
,
Ellen
?
"
cried
Greenwood
.
"
No
—
it
is
impossible
!
"
"
How
,
then
,
should
I
know
that
you
had
lost
a
pocket-book
?
"
asked
the
young
lady
.
"
True
!
And
you
have
found
it
?
Oh
!
then
I
am
saved
—
I
am
saved
!
Give
it
to
me
,
Ellen
—
give
it
to
me
!
"
And
he
advanced
towards
her
,
with
out-stretched
hands
.
"
No
—
not
yet
,
"
exclaimed
the
young
lady
,
in
a
firm
tone
.
"
In
this
room
—
yes
,
in
this
very
room
—
I
went
down
upon
my
knees
,
and
implored
you
to
save
me
from
disgrace
—
to
give
a
father
's
name
to
the
child
who
was
then
as
yet
unborn
.
And
you
refused
my
supplication
—
you
turned
a
deaf
ear
to
my
agonising
entreaties
.
Oh
!
I
remember
that
scene
but
too
well
.
You
would
not
do
me
justice
—
and
I
told
you
that
you
might
live
to
repent
your
cruelty
towards
me
!
"
"
What
!
you
will
now
avenge
your
alleged
wrongs
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
his
countenance
becoming
livid
with
mingled
fear
and
rage
:
"
you
will
deliver
me
up
to
justice
?
No
—
I
will
tear
the
pocket-book
from
you
—
I
will
destroy
the
proofs
of
my
folly
—
my
crime
;
and
then
—
—
but
why
should
I
waste
time
in
idle
words
like
these
;
I
must
act
!
Give
me
the
book
!
"
And
he
rushed
towards
her
,
as
a
tiger
springs
upon
its
victim
.
But
Ellen
,
light
as
the
fawn
,
glided
away
from
him
,
and
took
such
a
position
that
a
table
was
between
them
,
and
a
bell-pull
within
her
reach
.
"
Dare
to
attempt
violence
towards
me
,
"
she
exclaimed
,
"
and
I
summon
your
servants
.
Then
—
in
their
presence
—
I
will
proclaim
their
master
a
forger
!
Provoke
me
not
—
my
spirit
is
roused
—
and
your
fate
hangs
upon
a
thread
!
"
"
Damnation
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
grinding
his
teeth
with
rage
.
"
Can
nothing
move
you
,
Ellen
?
"
"
Yes
—
the
one
condition
that
I
ere
now
named
,
"
she
answered
,
drawing
herself
up
to
her
full
height
,
and
assuming
all
the
influence
of
her
really
queenly
beauty
.
"
Agreed
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
.
"
Give
me
the
pocket-book
—
I
take
God
to
witness
that
I
will
make
you
my
wife
within
a
week
from
this
day
.
"
"
You
regard
an
oath
no
more
than
a
mere
promise
,
"
replied
Ellen
,
calmly
,
and
with
a
slightly
satirical
curl
of
the
lip
.
"
I
will
give
you
the
promise
in
writing
,
Ellen
,
"
persisted
Greenwood
,
urged
to
desperation
.
"
Neither
will
that
satisfy
me
,
"
said
the
young
lady
.
"
When
our
hands
are
joined
at
the
altar
,
I
will
restore
you
the
proofs
of
your
crime
;
and
God
grant
,
"
she
added
solemnly
,
"
that
this
peril
which
you
have
incurred
may
serve
as
a
warning
to
you
against
future
risks
of
the
same
fearful
kind
.
"
"
You
have
no
faith
in
my
word
—
you
have
no
confidence
in
my
written
promise
,
Ellen
,
"
cried
Greenwood
:
"
how
,
then
,
can
you
be
anxious
to
have
me
as
a
husband
?
"
"
That
my
child
may
not
grow
up
with
the
stain
of
illegitimacy
upon
him
—
that
he
may
not
learn
to
despise
his
mother
,
"
answered
Ellen
,
emphatically
;
"
for
he
need
never
know
the
precise
date
of
our
union
.
"
"
But
you
know
,
Ellen
,
"
again
remonstrated
Greenwood
,
"
that
there
are
circumstances
which
act
as
an
insuperable
barrier
to
this
marriage
.
Could
you
tell
your
father
that
you
have
espoused
the
man
who
ruined
him
—
ruined
Richard
,
—
and
also
admit
,
at
the
same
time
,
that
this
man
was
the
father
of
your
child
!
Consider
,
Ellen
—
reflect
—
—
"
"
There
is
no
need
of
consideration
—
no
need
of
reflection
,
"
interrupted
Miss
Monroe
.
"
I
care
not
about
revealing
the
fact
of
my
marriage
for
the
present
.
In
a
few
years
—
when
our
child
can
comprehend
his
true
position
,
—
then
it
would
be
necessary
to
declare
myself
a
wife
.
"
"
But
there
is
another
difficulty
,
Ellen
,
"
persisted
Greenwood
:
"
my
name
—
—
"
"
Let
us
be
wedded
privately
—
in
some
suburban
church
,
where
you
stand
no
chance
of
being
recognised
as
George
Montague
Greenwood
,
and
where
your
right
name
may
be
fearlessly
inscribed
upon
the
register
.
"
"
A
woman
who
is
determined
to
gain
her
point
,
annihilates
all
difficulties
,
"
muttered
Greenwood
to
himself
.
"
How
do
you
decide
?
"
asked
Ellen
.
"
Remember
that
I
am
firm
.
I
have
these
alternatives
before
me
—
either
to
obtain
a
father
's
name
for
my
child
,
or
to
avenge
the
wrongs
of
my
own
parent
and
myself
.
Consent
to
make
me
your
wife
,
and
the
proofs
of
your
crime
shall
be
returned
to
you
at
the
altar
:
refuse
,
and
to-morrow
morning
I
will
prepare
the
way
for
vengeance
.
"
"
Ellen
,
I
consent
to
your
proposal
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
in
a
tone
of
deep
humiliation
;
"
but
upon
condition
that
our
marriage
shall
never
be
proclaimed
until
that
day
,
when
—
—
"
"
I
understand
you
;
and
I
cheerfully
agree
to
the
proposal
,
"
interrupted
Miss
Monroe
.
"
You
can
believe
my
word
:
—
besides
,
you
must
know
that
I
also
should
have
reasons
to
conceal
our
union
,
until
you
chose
to
declare
your
real
name
.
"
"
Then
be
it
as
you
propose
,
Ellen
.
To-morrow
morning
,
early
,
I
will
procure
a
special
license
,
and
we
will
be
united
at
Hackney
.
You
can
meet
me
at
the
church
precisely
at
ten
o'clock
in
the
morning
:
I
will
have
every
thing
in
readiness
.
But
whom
will
you
ask
to
accompany
you
?
"
"
Marian
—
the
faithful
servant
who
has
been
so
devoted
to
my
interests
,
"
answered
Miss
Monroe
.
"
I
think
that
I
should
prefer
the
wife
of
that
surgeon
—
Mrs.
Wentworth
,
I
mean
—
as
the
witness
to
our
union
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
I
dislike
the
idea
of
domestics
being
entrusted
with
important
secrets
.
Besides
,
Mrs.
Wentworth
has
never
seen
me
—
knows
not
that
I
am
passing
by
the
name
of
Greenwood
—
and
,
in
a
word
,
is
a
lady
.
"
"
Be
it
as
you
will
in
this
instance
,
"
returned
Ellen
.
"
Mrs.
Wentworth
shall
accompany
me
—
I
can
rely
upon
her
.
"
She
then
rang
the
bell
.
"
What
do
you
require
,
Ellen
?
"
asked
Greenwood
,
alarmed
by
this
movement
on
her
part
.
"
Merely
to
ensure
the
presence
of
one
of
your
servants
,
as
I
pass
from
this
spot
to
the
door
of
the
room
,
"
replied
Ellen
.
"
You
can
give
him
some
order
to
avert
suspicion
.
"
Filippo
made
his
appearance
;
and
Ellen
then
took
leave
of
Mr.
Greenwood
,
as
if
nothing
peculiar
had
occurred
between
them
.
Oh
!
with
what
joy
—
with
what
fervid
,
intoxicating
joy
—
did
she
return
to
Markham
Place
!
She
had
subdued
him
whose
cold
,
calculating
,
selfish
heart
was
hitherto
unacquainted
with
honourable
concessions
;
—
she
had
conquered
him
—
reduced
him
to
submit
to
her
terms
—
imposed
her
own
conditions
!
Never
—
never
before
had
she
embraced
her
child
with
such
pride
—
such
undiluted
happiness
as
on
that
evening
.
And
never
had
she
herself
appeared
more
beautiful
—
more
enchantingly
lovely
!
Her
lips
were
wreathed
in
smiles
—
her
eyes
beamed
with
the
transports
of
hope
,
triumph
,
and
maternal
affection
—
a
glow
of
ineffable
bliss
animated
her
countenance
—
her
swelling
bosom
heaved
with
rapture
.
"
You
are
very
late
,
my
dear
child
,
"
said
Mr.
Monroe
,
when
she
took
her
seat
at
the
tea-table
:
"
I
began
to
grow
uneasy
.
"
"
I
was
detained
a
long
time
at
the
office
of
your
debtor
,
"
answered
Ellen
.
"
To-morrow
morning
I
intend
to
pay
a
visit
to
Mrs.
Wentworth
,
and
shall
invite
myself
to
breakfast
with
her
.
So
you
need
not
be
surprised
,
dear
father
,
"
she
added
,
with
a
sweet
smile
,
"
if
I
do
not
make
my
appearance
at
your
table
.
"
"
You
please
me
in
pleasing
yourself
,
dear
Ellen
.
Moreover
,
I
am
delighted
that
you
should
cultivate
Mrs.
Wentworth
's
acquaintance
.
Most
sincerely
do
I
hope
,
"
continued
Mr.
Monroe
,
"
that
we
shall
have
letters
from
Richard
to-morrow
.
The
communications
which
we
have
already
received
are
not
satisfactory
to
my
mind
.
God
grant
that
he
may
be
by
this
time
safe
in
Naples
—
if
not
on
his
way
to
England
.
"
"
Alas
!
the
enterprise
has
been
a
most
unfortunate
one
for
him
!
"
returned
Ellen
,
a
cloud
passing
over
her
countenance
.
"
I
understand
his
noble
disposition
so
well
,
that
I
am
convinced
he
deeply
feels
the
defeat
of
Ossore
.
"
We
must
observe
that
the
news
of
our
hero
's
success
at
Estella
had
not
yet
reached
England
.
"
It
will
be
a
happy
day
for
us
all
,
"
said
Mr.
Monroe
,
after
a
pause
,
"
when
Richard
once
more
sets
foot
in
his
own
home
—
for
I
love
him
as
if
he
were
my
son
.
"
"
And
I
as
if
he
were
my
brother
,
"
added
Ellen
;
—
"
yes
—
my
brother
,
"
she
repeated
,
with
strange
emphasis
upon
these
words
.
On
the
following
morning
,
a
few
minutes
before
ten
o'clock
,
a
post-chaise
stopped
at
the
gate
of
the
parish
church
of
Hackney
;
and
Mr.
Greenwood
alighted
.
He
was
pale
;
and
the
quivering
of
his
lip
denoted
the
agitation
of
his
mind
.
The
clock
was
striking
ten
,
when
a
hackney-coach
reached
the
same
point
.
Greenwood
hastened
to
the
door
,
and
assisted
Mrs.
Wentworth
and
Ellen
Monroe
to
descend
the
steps
.
As
he
handed
out
the
latter
,
he
said
,
in
a
hurried
whisper
,
"
You
have
the
pocket-book
with
you
?
"
"
I
have
,
"
answered
Ellen
.
The
party
then
proceeded
to
the
church
,
the
drivers
of
the
vehicles
being
directed
to
await
their
return
at
a
little
distance
,
so
as
not
to
attract
the
notice
of
the
inhabitants
.
The
clergyman
and
the
clerk
awaited
the
arrival
of
the
nuptial
party
.
The
ceremony
commenced
—
proceeded
—
and
terminated
.
Ellen
was
now
a
wife
!
Her
husband
imprinted
a
kiss
upon
her
pale
forehead
;
and
at
the
same
moment
she
handed
him
the
pocket-book
.
In
a
few
minutes
the
marriage-certificate
was
in
her
possession
.
Drawing
her
husband
aside
,
she
said
,
"
Let
me
now
implore
you
—
for
your
own
sake
—
for
the
sake
of
your
child
—
if
not
for
mine
—
to
abstain
from
those
courses
—
—
"
"
Ellen
,
"
interrupted
Greenwood
,
"
do
not
alarm
yourself
on
that
head
.
My
friend
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
lent
me
ten
thousand
pounds
last
evening
;
and
with
that
sum
I
will
retrieve
my
falling
fortunes
.
Yes
—
you
shall
yet
bear
a
great
name
.
Ellen
,
"
he
added
,
his
countenance
lighting
up
with
animation
;
"
a
name
that
shall
go
down
to
posterity
!
But
,
tell
me
—
has
your
father
received
any
tidings
from
Richard
?
"
"
None
since
those
of
which
I
wrote
to
you
.
We
are
not
yet
aware
whether
he
be
in
safety
,
or
not
.
"
"
You
will
write
to
me
the
moment
you
receive
any
fresh
communication
?
"
"
Rest
assured
that
I
shall
not
forget
that
duty
.
"
"
And
now
,
Ellen
,
we
must
pass
the
day
together
.
We
will
spend
our
honeymoon
of
twenty-four
hours
at
Richmond
.
Mrs.
Wentworth
can
return
home
,
and
send
word
to
your
father
that
she
means
to
keep
you
with
her
until
to-morrow
morning
.
"
"
If
you
command
me
,
it
is
my
duty
to
obey
,
"
replied
Ellen
.
"
I
do
—
I
do
,
"
answered
Greenwood
,
earnestly
.
"
You
are
now
mine
—
the
circumstances
which
led
to
our
union
shall
be
forgotten
—
and
I
shall
think
of
you
only
as
my
beautiful
wife
.
"
"
Oh
!
if
this
be
really
true
!
"
murmured
Ellen
,
pressing
his
hand
fervently
,
and
regarding
him
with
affection
—
for
he
was
the
father
of
her
child
!
"
It
is
true
,
"
answered
Greenwood
;
—
but
his
bride
perceived
not
how
much
of
sensual
passion
prompted
him
on
the
present
occasion
.
"
I
know
that
you
have
been
faithful
to
me
—
that
the
hope
of
one
day
becoming
my
wife
has
swayed
your
conduct
.
Of
that
I
have
had
proofs
.
"
"
Proofs
!
"
repeated
Ellen
,
with
mingled
surprise
and
joy
.
"
Yes
—
proofs
.
Do
you
not
remember
the
Greek
Brigand
at
the
masquerade
,
where
you
met
and
so
justly
upbraided
that
canting
hypocrite
,
Reginald
Tracy
?
"
"
I
do
.
But
that
Greek
Brigand
—
—
"
"
Was
myself
!
"
replied
Greenwood
.
"
You
!
"
exclaimed
Ellen
,
with
a
smile
of
satisfaction
.
"
Yes
:
and
I
overheard
every
sentence
you
uttered
.
But
we
may
not
tarry
here
longer
:
speak
to
Mrs.
Wentworth
,
that
she
send
a
proper
excuse
to
your
father
;
and
let
us
depart
.
"
Ellen
hastened
to
the
vestry
where
the
surgeon
's
wife
was
seated
near
a
cheerful
fire
;
and
the
arrangement
desired
by
Greenwood
was
soon
made
.
The
party
then
proceeded
to
the
vehicles
.
Mrs.
Wentworth
bade
the
newly-married
couple
adieu
,
having
faithfully
promised
to
retain
their
secret
inviolate
;
and
Greenwood
handed
her
into
the
hackney-coach
.
He
and
Ellen
entered
the
post-chaise
;
and
while
the
surgeon
's
wife
retraced
her
way
to
her
own
abode
,
the
bride
and
bridegroom
hastened
to
Richmond
.
CHAPTER
CLXXXVIII
.
THE
BATTLES
OF
PIACERE
AND
ABRANTANI
.
We
must
now
request
our
readers
to
accompany
us
once
more
to
Castelcicala
.
In
an
incredibly
short
time
,
and
by
dint
of
a
forced
march
which
put
the
mettle
of
his
troops
to
a
severe
test
,
—
at
which
,
however
,
they
did
not
repine
,
for
they
were
animated
by
the
dauntless
courage
and
perseverance
of
their
commander
.
—
Richard
Markham
arrived
beneath
the
walls
of
Villabella
.
During
his
progress
towards
the
town
,
he
had
been
joined
by
upwards
of
four
hundred
volunteers
,
all
belonging
to
the
national
militia
,
and
armed
and
equipped
ready
for
active
service
.
The
daring
exploit
which
had
made
him
master
of
Estella
,
had
created
an
enthusiasm
in
his
favour
which
he
himself
and
all
his
followers
considered
to
be
an
augury
of
the
final
success
of
the
Constitutional
Cause
;
and
in
every
village
—
in
every
hamlet
through
which
his
army
had
passed
,
was
he
welcomed
with
the
most
lively
demonstration
of
joy
.
When
,
early
on
the
morning
of
the
1st
of
January
,
his
advanced
guard
emerged
from
the
woods
which
skirted
the
southern
suburb
of
Villabella
,
the
arrival
of
the
Constitutional
Army
was
saluted
by
the
roar
of
artillery
from
the
ramparts
;
and
almost
at
the
same
moment
the
tri-coloured
flag
was
hoisted
on
every
pinnacle
and
every
tower
of
the
great
manufacturing
town
.
"
We
have
none
but
friends
there
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
,
as
he
pointed
towards
Villabella
.
"
God
grant
that
we
may
have
no
blood
to
shed
elsewhere
.
"
The
army
halted
beneath
the
walls
of
Villabella
,
for
Richard
did
not
deem
it
proper
to
enter
those
precincts
until
formally
invited
to
do
so
by
the
corporation
.
He
,
however
,
immediately
despatched
a
messenger
to
the
mayor
,
with
certain
credentials
which
had
been
supplied
him
by
the
Committee
of
Administration
at
Estella
;
and
in
the
course
of
an
hour
the
municipal
authorities
of
Villabella
came
forth
in
procession
to
welcome
him
.
The
mayor
was
a
venerable
man
of
eighty
years
of
age
,
but
with
unimpaired
intellects
,
and
a
mind
still
young
and
vigorous
.
Alighting
from
his
horse
,
Richard
hastened
forward
to
meet
him
.
"
Let
me
embrace
you
,
noble
young
man
!
"
exclaimed
the
mayor
.
"
Your
fame
has
preceded
you
—
and
within
those
walls
,
"
he
added
,
turning
and
pointing
towards
Villabella
,
"
there
breathes
not
a
soul
opposed
to
the
sacred
cause
which
heaven
has
sent
you
to
direct
.
"
Then
the
mayor
embraced
Richard
in
presence
of
the
corporation
—
in
presence
of
the
Constitutional
Army
;
and
the
welkin
rang
with
shouts
of
enthusiastic
joy
.
The
formal
invitation
to
enter
Villabella
was
now
given
;
and
Markham
issued
the
necessary
orders
.
The
corporation
led
the
way
:
next
came
the
General
,
attended
by
his
staff
;
and
after
him
proceeded
the
long
lines
of
troops
,
their
martial
weapons
gleaming
in
the
morning
sun
.
The
moment
our
hero
passed
the
inner
drawbridge
,
the
roar
of
cannon
was
renewed
upon
the
ramparts
;
and
the
bells
in
all
the
towers
commenced
a
merry
peal
.
As
at
Estella
,
the
windows
were
thronged
with
faces
—
the
streets
were
crowded
with
spectators
—
and
every
testimonial
of
an
enthusiastic
welcome
awaited
the
champion
of
Constitutional
Liberty
.
Then
resounded
,
too
,
myriads
of
voices
,
exclaiming
,
"
Long
live
Alberto
"
—
"
Long
live
the
General
!
"
—
"
Down
with
the
Tyrant
!
"
—
"
Death
to
the
Austrians
!
"
In
this
manner
the
corporation
,
Markham
,
and
his
staff
,
proceeded
to
the
Town-Hall
,
while
the
troops
defiled
off
to
the
barracks
,
where
the
garrison
—
a
thousand
in
number
—
welcomed
them
as
brethren-in-arms
.
All
the
officers
of
the
troops
in
Villabella
,
moreover
—
with
the
exception
of
the
colonel-commandant
,
—
declared
in
favour
of
the
Constitutionalists
;
and
even
that
superior
functionary
manifested
no
particular
hostility
to
the
movement
,
but
simply
declared
that
"
although
he
could
never
again
bear
arms
in
favour
of
the
Grand
Duke
,
he
would
not
fight
against
him
.
"
When
he
had
transacted
business
at
the
Town-Hall
,
and
countersigned
a
proclamation
which
the
municipality
drew
up
,
recognising
the
Committee
of
Administration
of
Estella
,
and
constituting
itself
a
permanent
body
invested
with
similar
functions
,
—
Markham
repaired
to
the
barracks
.
Thence
he
immediately
despatched
couriers
to
the
excellent
banker
at
Pinalla
,
to
the
mayor
of
Estella
,
and
to
the
Committee
of
Government
at
Montoni
.
He
then
issued
an
address
to
his
army
,
complimenting
it
upon
the
spirit
and
resolution
with
which
the
forced
march
to
Villabella
had
been
accomplished
;
reminding
it
that
every
thing
depended
upon
the
celerity
of
its
movements
,
so
as
to
prevent
a
concentration
of
any
great
number
of
adverse
troops
,
before
the
Constitutional
force
could
be
augmented
sufficiently
to
cope
with
them
;
and
finally
ordering
it
to
prepare
to
resume
the
march
that
afternoon
at
three
o'clock
.
By
means
of
new
volunteers
and
a
portion
of
the
garrison
of
Villabella
,
Richard
found
his
army
increased
to
nearly
four
thousand
men
.
At
the
head
of
this
imposing
force
he
set
out
once
more
,
at
the
time
indicated
,
and
commenced
another
rapid
march
in
the
direction
of
Piacere
.
On
the
ensuing
evening
—
the
2d
of
January
—
the
towers
of
that
important
city
broke
upon
the
view
of
the
van-guard
of
the
Constitutionalists
.
The
commandant
of
the
garrison
of
Piacere
was
an
old
and
famous
officer
—
General
Giustiniani
,
—
devoted
to
the
cause
of
the
Grand
Duke
,
and
holding
in
abhorrence
every
thing
savouring
of
liberal
opinions
.
Markham
was
aware
of
this
fact
;
and
he
felt
convinced
that
Piacere
would
not
fall
into
his
hands
without
bloodshed
.
At
the
same
time
,
he
determined
not
to
pass
it
by
,
because
it
would
serve
as
a
point
of
centralisation
for
the
troops
of
Veronezzi
and
Terano
(
both
being
seats
of
the
military
administration
of
Captains-General
)
,
and
moreover
afford
the
enemy
a
means
of
cutting
off
all
communication
between
himself
on
the
one
hand
,
and
Villabella
and
Estella
on
the
other
.
Certain
of
being
attacked
,
Markham
lost
no
time
in
making
the
necessary
arrangements
.
He
ordered
the
van-guard
to
halt
,
until
the
troops
in
the
rear
could
come
up
,
and
take
their
proper
places
;
and
he
planted
his
artillery
upon
a
hill
which
commanded
almost
the
entire
interval
between
his
army
and
the
city
.
Nor
were
his
precautions
vainly
taken
;
for
in
a
short
time
a
large
force
was
seen
moving
towards
him
from
Piacere
,
the
rays
of
the
setting
sun
irradiating
their
glittering
bayonets
and
the
steel
helmets
of
a
corps
of
cuirassiers
.
In
another
quarter
of
an
hour
the
enemy
was
so
near
as
to
induce
Richard
to
order
his
artillery
to
open
a
fire
upon
them
:
but
General
Giustiniani
,
who
commanded
in
person
,
led
his
forces
on
with
such
rapidity
,
that
the
engagement
speedily
commenced
.
Giustiniani
had
about
three
thousand
five
hundred
men
under
his
orders
;
but
although
this
force
was
numerically
inferior
to
the
Constitutionalists
,
it
was
superior
in
other
respects
—
for
it
comprised
a
large
body
of
cuirassiers
,
a
regiment
of
grenadiers
,
a
corps
of
rifles
,
and
twenty
field-pieces
:
it
was
,
moreover
fresh
and
unwearied
,
whereas
the
Constitutionalists
were
fatigued
with
a
long
march
.
For
a
few
minutes
a
murderous
fire
was
kept
up
on
both
sides
;
but
Richard
led
his
troops
to
close
quarters
,
and
charged
the
cuirassiers
at
the
head
of
his
cavalry
.
At
the
same
time
the
Cingani
,
in
obedience
to
an
order
which
he
had
sent
their
chiefs
,
turned
the
right
flank
of
the
rifles
by
a
rapid
and
skilful
manœuvre
,
and
so
isolated
them
from
their
main
body
as
to
expose
them
to
the
artillery
upon
the
hill
.
Excited
,
as
it
were
to
desperation
,
by
the
conduct
of
our
hero
,
the
Constitutional
cavalry
performed
prodigies
of
valour
;
and
after
an
hour
's
hard
fighting
in
the
grey
twilight
,
succeeded
in
breaking
the
hitherto
compact
body
of
cuirassiers
.
Leaving
his
cavalry
to
accomplish
the
rout
of
the
enemy
's
horse-guards
,
Richard
flew
to
the
aid
of
his
right
wing
,
which
was
sorely
pressed
by
the
grenadiers
,
and
was
breaking
into
disorder
.
"
Constitutionalists
!
"
he
cried
:
"
your
brethren
are
victorious
elsewhere
:
abandon
not
the
field
!
Follow
me
—
to
conquest
or
to
death
!
"
These
words
operated
with
electrical
effect
;
and
the
Constitutional
infantry
immediately
rallied
under
the
guidance
of
their
youthful
leader
.
Then
the
battle
was
renewed
:
darkness
fell
upon
the
scene
;
but
still
the
murderous
conflict
was
prolonged
.
At
length
Richard
engaged
hand
to
hand
with
the
colonel
of
the
grenadiers
,
who
was
well
mounted
on
a
steed
of
enormous
size
.
But
this
combat
was
short
;
the
officer
's
sword
was
dashed
from
his
hand
;
and
he
became
our
hero
's
prisoner
.
These
tidings
spread
like
wild-fire
;
and
the
enemy
fell
into
confusion
.
Their
retreat
became
general
:
Richard
followed
up
his
advantage
;
and
Giustiniani
's
army
was
completely
routed
.
The
Constitutionalists
pressed
close
upon
them
;
and
Richard
,
once
more
putting
himself
at
the
head
of
his
cavalry
,
pursued
the
fugitives
up
to
the
very
walls
of
Piacere
—
not
with
the
murderous
intention
of
exterminating
them
,
but
with
a
view
to
secure
as
many
prisoners
as
possible
,
and
prevent
the
enemy
from
taking
refuge
in
the
city
.
At
the
very
gates
of
Piacere
he
overtook
General
Giustiniani
,
and
,
after
a
short
conflict
,
made
him
captive
.
He
then
retraced
his
steps
to
the
scene
of
his
victory
,
and
took
the
necessary
steps
for
concentrating
his
forces
once
more
.
That
night
,
the
Constitutionalists
bivouacked
in
the
plains
about
a
mile
from
Piacere
.
Early
in
the
morning
of
the
3d
of
January
,
the
results
of
the
brilliant
triumph
of
the
preceding
evening
were
known
.
Eight
hundred
of
the
enemy
lay
dead
upon
the
field
;
and
fifteen
hundred
had
been
taken
prisoners
.
The
Constitutionalists
had
lost
three
hundred
men
,
and
had
nearly
as
many
wounded
.
Scarcely
had
the
sun
risen
on
the
scene
of
carnage
,
when
messengers
arrived
from
Piacere
,
stating
that
the
corporation
had
declared
in
favour
of
the
Constitutionalists
,
and
bearing
letters
from
the
municipal
authorities
to
Markham
.
Those
documents
assured
our
hero
that
the
sympathies
of
the
great
majority
of
the
inhabitants
were
in
favour
of
his
cause
;
and
that
deep
regret
was
experienced
at
the
waste
of
life
which
had
been
occasioned
by
the
obstinacy
and
self-will
of
General
Giustiniani
.
Those
letters
also
contained
an
invitation
for
him
to
enter
the
city
,
where
the
tri-coloured
flag
was
already
hoisted
.
These
welcome
tidings
were
soon
made
known
to
the
whole
army
,
and
were
received
with
shouts
of
joy
and
triumph
.
Richard
returned
a
suitable
answer
to
the
delegates
,
and
then
sought
General
Giustiniani
.
To
this
commander
he
offered
immediate
liberty
,
on
condition
that
he
would
not
again
bear
arms
against
the
Constitutionalists
.
The
offer
was
spurned
with
contempt
.
Markham
accordingly
despatched
him
,
under
a
strong
escort
,
to
Villabella
.
At
nine
o'clock
Markham
entered
Piacere
,
amidst
the
ringing
of
bells
,
the
thunder
of
cannon
,
and
the
welcome
of
the
inhabitants
.
The
corporation
presented
him
with
the
keys
,
which
he
immediately
returned
to
the
mayor
,
saying
,
"
I
am
the
servant
,
sir
,
and
not
the
master
of
the
Castelcicalans
.
"
This
reply
was
speedily
circulated
through
Piacere
,
and
increased
the
enthusiasm
of
the
inhabitants
in
his
favour
.
Richard
determined
to
remain
until
the
following
morning
in
this
city
.
Having
seen
his
troops
comfortably
lodged
in
the
barracks
,
he
adopted
his
usual
course
of
despatching
couriers
,
with
accounts
of
his
proceedings
,
to
Villabella
,
Estella
,
Pinalla
,
and
Montoni
.
Need
we
say
that
every
letter
which
he
addressed
to
the
worthy
banker
contained
brief
notes
—
necessarily
brief
—
to
be
sent
by
way
of
Naples
,
to
Mr.
Monroe
and
Isabella
?
Having
performed
these
duties
,
Richard
repaired
to
the
Town-Hall
,
where
he
countersigned
a
decree
appointing
the
municipal
body
a
Committee
of
Administration
;
and
a
proclamation
to
that
effect
was
speedily
published
.
He
next
,
with
the
most
unwearied
diligence
,
adopted
measures
to
increase
his
army
,
for
he
resolved
to
march
with
as
little
delay
as
possible
towards
Abrantani
;
where
a
strong
Austrian
and
Castelcicalan
force
was
lying
,
under
the
command
of
the
Captain-General
of
that
province
.
At
that
point
Richard
well
knew
an
important
struggle
must
take
place
—
a
struggle
in
comparison
with
which
all
that
he
had
hitherto
done
was
as
nothing
.
But
his
endeavours
in
obtaining
recruits
were
attended
with
great
success
.
Volunteers
flocked
to
the
barracks
;
and
the
city-arsenal
was
well
provided
with
all
the
uniforms
,
arms
,
ammunition
,
and
stores
that
were
required
.
On
the
west
of
Piacere
was
a
vast
plain
,
on
which
Richard
determined
to
review
his
troops
at
day-break
,
and
thence
march
direct
upon
Abrantani
.
The
order
was
accordingly
issued
;
and
half
an
hour
before
the
sun
rose
,
the
army
defiled
through
the
western
gates
.
Nearly
all
the
inhabitants
repaired
to
the
plain
,
to
witness
the
martial
spectacle
;
and
many
were
the
bright
eyes
that
glanced
with
admiration
—
and
even
a
softer
feeling
—
at
the
handsome
countenance
of
that
young
man
whose
name
now
belonged
to
history
.
Colonel
Cossario
,
the
second
in
command
,
directed
the
evolutions
.
The
army
was
drawn
up
in
divisions
four
deep
,
and
mustered
five
thousand
strong
.
And
now
,
on
the
4th
of
January
,
a
morning
golden
with
sun-beams
,
the
review
began
.
Each
regiment
had
its
brass
band
and
its
gay
colours
;
and
the
joyous
beams
of
the
orb
of
day
sported
on
the
points
of
bayonets
,
flashed
on
naked
swords
,
and
played
on
the
steel
helmets
of
four
hundred
cuirassiers
whom
Richard
had
organised
on
the
preceding
evening
.
Stationed
on
an
eminence
,
attended
by
his
staff
,
and
by
his
faithful
Morcar
,
who
had
comported
himself
gallantly
in
the
battle
of
the
2d
,
Markham
surveyed
,
with
feelings
of
indescribable
enthusiasm
,
that
armament
which
owned
him
as
its
chief
.
Cossario
gave
the
word
—
it
was
passed
on
from
division
to
division
;
and
now
all
these
sections
are
wheeling
into
line
.
The
line
is
formed
—
the
bands
are
stationed
in
front
of
their
respective
corps
:
and
all
is
as
still
as
death
.
Again
the
Colonel
gives
the
word
of
command
—
"
General
salute
!
Present
arms
!
"
—
and
a
long
din
of
hands
clapping
against
the
muskets
echoes
around
.
The
bands
strike
up
the
glorious
French
air
of
the
Parisienne
;
and
Markham
gracefully
raises
his
plumed
hat
from
his
brow
,
in
acknowledgment
of
the
salute
of
his
army
.
The
music
ceases
—
the
word
,
"
Shoulder
arms
!
"
is
passed
from
division
to
division
,
along
that
line
of
half
a
mile
from
flank
to
flank
.
Then
Markham
gallops
towards
the
troops
,
followed
by
his
staff
;
the
ranks
take
open
order
;
he
passes
along
,
inspecting
the
different
corps
,
—
addressing
them
—
encouraging
them
.
Again
he
returns
to
the
eminence
:
the
line
is
once
more
broken
into
divisions
;
close
columns
are
formed
;
and
the
whole
army
is
put
in
motion
,
to
march
past
its
General
,
the
bands
playing
a
lively
air
.
From
the
plain
the
troops
defiled
towards
the
road
leading
to
Abrantani
.
But
scarcely
had
Markham
taken
leave
of
the
mayor
and
the
municipal
authorities
,
in
order
to
rejoin
his
army
,
when
a
courier
,
covered
with
dust
,
galloped
up
to
him
.
He
was
the
bearer
of
letters
from
Signor
Viviani
.
Those
documents
afforded
our
hero
the
welcome
intelligence
that
Pinalla
had
hoisted
the
tri-colour
,
declared
in
favour
of
the
cause
of
liberty
,
recognised
Markham
as
the
General-in-Chief
of
the
Constitutional
Armies
of
Castelcicala
,
and
had
despatched
a
reinforcement
of
two
thousand
men
to
fight
under
his
banner
.
Richard
hastily
communicated
these
tidings
to
the
corporation
of
Piacere
,
and
then
joined
his
army
,
throughout
the
ranks
of
which
the
news
of
the
adhesion
of
so
important
a
city
as
Pinalla
to
the
great
cause
diffused
the
utmost
joy
.
"
Every
thing
favours
me
!
"
thought
Richard
,
his
heart
leaping
within
him
.
"
Oh
!
for
success
at
Abrantani
;
and
such
will
be
its
moral
effect
upon
my
troops
that
I
shall
fear
nothing
for
the
result
of
the
grand
and
final
struggle
that
must
take
place
beneath
the
walls
of
Montoni
!
And
,
then
,
Isabella
,
even
your
father
will
acknowledge
that
I
have
some
claim
to
your
hand
as
a
reward
for
placing
him
upon
the
ducal
throne
!
"
The
road
that
the
army
now
pursued
was
most
favourable
for
the
rapid
march
which
Richard
urged
.
It
was
wide
and
even
,
and
afforded
an
easy
passage
to
the
artillery
.
Shortly
after
mid-day
the
van-guard
entered
the
beautiful
province
of
Abrantani
;
and
there
the
troops
were
received
by
the
inhabitants
with
an
enthusiasm
of
the
most
grateful
description
.
For
it
was
in
this
district
that
the
tyranny
of
the
Grand
Duke
's
régime
,
under
the
auspices
of
Count
Santa-Croce
,
had
been
most
severely
felt
.
No
wonder
,
then
,
that
the
Constitutional
Army
was
greeted
with
rapture
and
delight
;
—
no
wonder
that
blessings
were
invoked
upon
the
head
of
its
General
!
The
old
men
went
down
upon
their
knees
by
the
road-sides
,
to
implore
heaven
to
accord
success
to
his
mission
;
—
mothers
held
up
their
children
to
catch
a
glimpse
of
the
youthful
hero
;
—
and
young
maidens
threw
garlands
of
flowers
in
his
path
.
Volunteers
poured
in
from
all
sides
;
and
the
army
increased
in
its
progress
,
like
the
snowball
rolling
along
the
ground
.
At
sunset
the
entire
force
halted
in
the
precincts
of
a
large
town
,
the
inhabitants
of
which
hastened
to
supply
the
soldiers
with
provisions
and
wine
.
During
that
pause
,
couriers
arrived
from
Veronezzi
,
with
the
joyful
tidings
that
it
had
declared
in
favour
of
the
Constitutional
cause
,
and
was
sending
reinforcements
.
Thus
the
whole
of
the
south
of
Castelcicala
was
now
devoted
to
the
movement
of
which
Markham
was
the
head
and
chief
.
For
two
hours
was
the
army
permitted
to
rest
:
it
then
continued
its
march
until
midnight
,
when
it
bivouacked
in
a
wide
plain
,
a
wood
protecting
its
right
wing
,
and
a
hill
,
whereon
the
artillery
was
planted
,
defending
its
left
.
Richard
adopted
every
precaution
to
avoid
a
surprise
;
for
he
was
well
aware
that
the
Count
of
Santa-Croce
was
not
a
man
to
slumber
at
such
a
crisis
.
But
it
afterwards
appeared
that
the
Captain-General
did
not
dare
to
quit
the
neighbourhood
of
the
city
of
Abrantani
,
for
fear
that
it
should
pronounce
in
favour
of
the
Constitutionalists
.
It
was
,
therefore
,
under
the
walls
of
Abrantani
itself
that
the
contest
was
to
take
place
.
There
was
a
flat
eminence
to
the
east
of
the
city
;
and
on
this
had
Santa-Croce
taken
up
his
position
at
the
head
of
seven
thousand
men
—
three
thousand
Castelcicalans
,
and
four
thousand
Austrians
.
Against
this
force
was
Richard
to
contend
,
at
the
head
of
six
thousand
soldiers
,
the
volunteers
who
had
joined
him
since
he
left
Piacere
amounting
to
a
thousand
.
But
to
return
to
our
narrative
in
the
consecutive
order
of
events
.
At
five
o'clock
in
the
morning
of
the
5th
,
the
Constitutionalists
quitted
their
position
where
they
had
bivouacked
,
and
pursued
their
way
towards
the
city
of
Abrantani
.
The
day
passed
—
night
came
once
more
—
and
the
troops
bivouacked
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
a
large
hamlet
.
The
morning
of
the
6th
saw
them
again
in
motion
;
but
Richard
allowed
them
to
proceed
with
diminished
celerity
,
as
he
had
already
enough
chances
against
him
to
warn
him
not
to
increase
them
by
over-fatiguing
his
army
.
It
was
not
,
therefore
,
until
the
evening
that
he
came
in
sight
of
the
tall
spire
on
the
Cathedral
of
Abrantani
.
"
By
this
time
to-morrow
,
"
exclaimed
Richard
,
pointing
in
the
direction
of
the
city
,
"
the
tower
on
which
yon
spire
stands
shall
echo
with
the
sounds
of
its
bells
to
celebrate
our
triumph
!
"
"
Amen
!
"
ejaculated
Morcar
,
who
was
close
behind
him
.
The
Constitutionalists
took
up
a
strong
position
,
with
a
village
on
their
right
and
a
range
of
extensive
farm-buildings
on
their
left
.
They
were
all
