tocommunicate
,
any
particulars
relative
to
the
family
or
friends
of
the
young
man
who
had
fallen
in
the
hostile
encounter
.
Thus
,
had
it
not
been
for
certain
memoranda
which
were
discovered
in
my
poor
brother
's
pocket-book
,
the
surgeon
would
not
have
known
to
whom
to
write
,
and
I
might
have
remained
for
months
—
or
even
years
—
in
ignorance
of
that
dear
relative
's
untimely
fate
.
Full
well
did
I
comprehend
the
delicacy
of
his
own
conduct
:
he
had
not
left
a
written
trace
which
might
expose
my
shame
by
revealing
the
motives
that
had
led
to
the
duel
!
"
There
was
a
coroner
's
inquest
;
but
,
as
it
was
stated
that
I
was
not
in
London
at
the
time
when
the
hostile
encounter
took
place
,
I
was
not
examined
.
Thus
were
my
feelings
spared
a
most
painful
ordeal
!
The
funeral
took
place
;
—
and
the
earth
closed
over
the
remains
of
him
who
was
cut
off
in
the
flower
of
his
youth
—
a
victim
to
my
misdeeds
!
The
kindness
of
the
surgeon
's
family
had
hitherto
made
me
their
guest
;
but
on
the
day
after
the
mournful
obsequies
,
I
perceived
the
necessity
of
adopting
some
decided
course
,
so
as
to
intrude
no
longer
on
that
generous
hospitality
.
But
the
worthy
surgeon
questioned
me
closely
;
and
finding
that
I
had
only
recently
been
left
an
orphan
,
and
was
totally
friendless
,
he
insisted
that
I
should
pass
a
few
weeks
longer
with
his
family
,
until
he
could
obtain
for
me
a
situation
as
governess
.
I
wrote
to
the
lawyer
of
my
native
village
;
and
by
return
of
post
he
forwarded
me
an
order
on
a
London
banker
for
thirty-seven
pounds
—
the
poor
proceeds
of
the
sale
of
the
furniture
in
the
parsonage
house
.
"
Six
months
passed
away
:
during
that
period
I
was
treated
with
the
utmost
kindness
by
the
surgeon
and
his
family
.
But
misfortune
suddenly
overtook
that
excellent
man
.
The
villany
of
a
false
friend
plunged
him
from
affluence
into
comparative
poverty
.
This
abrupt
change
preyed
so
deeply
on
his
mind
,
that
he
put
a
period
to
his
existence
.
His
brother
—
a
man
of
morose
disposition
and
selfish
character
—
undertook
to
provide
for
the
widow
and
her
children
;
and
I
was
then
compelled
once
more
to
shift
for
myself
.
I
took
an
affectionate
farewell
of
those
who
had
behaved
so
well
towards
me
,
and
removed
to
a
humble
lodging
,
where
I
soon
experienced
all
the
wretchedness
of
my
lonely
and
unfriended
position
.
I
inserted
advertisements
in
the
newspapers
,
for
the
purpose
of
obtaining
a
situation
as
teacher
in
a
school
or
governess
in
a
respectable
family
;
and
although
I
received
many
replies
,
I
failed
to
give
a
satisfactory
account
of
myself
.
I
could
not
refer
to
Mrs.
Lambkin
,
nor
to
Lady
Penfeather
;
and
I
found
that
my
orphan
condition
excited
but
little
sympathy
in
my
favour
.
Thus
a
year
—
an
entire
year
—
passed
;
and
at
the
end
,
I
found
myself
without
hope
,
and
without
resources
.
I
knew
not
what
would
become
of
me
.
At
length
I
mustered
up
all
my
courage
,
and
proceeded
to
Rossville
House
.
I
inquired
for
Miss
Adeline
Enfield
.
The
servant
demanded
my
name
,
and
left
me
standing
in
the
hall
for
nearly
ten
minutes
until
his
return
.
I
was
then
shown
into
a
small
but
magnificently
furnished
parlour
;
and
almost
immediately
afterwards
Adeline
made
her
appearance
.
She
advanced
towards
me
with
the
most
chilling
hauteur
of
manner
,
and
desired
to
know
'
my
business
.
'
—
'
Oh
!
Miss
Adeline
,
'
I
exclaimed
,
'
have
I
no
claims
upon
your
friendship
?
'
—
'
You
must
remember
what
took
place
between
us
the
last
time
we
met
,
'
she
answered
.
'
If
you
require
pecuniary
assistance
,
I
will
succour
you
for
the
last
time
;
but
circumstances
compel
me
to
decline
seeing
you
,
or
even
knowing
you
in
future
.
'
—
'
And
is
this
the
way
you
treat
me
after
all
I
suffered
on
your
account
?
'
I
said
,
bursting
into
tears
.
'
Do
you
not
reflect
that
your
reputation
is
in
my
hands
?
'
—
'
If
you
menace
me
,
Miss
Hutchinson
,
'
she
said
,
'
I
shall
know
how
to
treat
you
.
In
a
word
,
who
would
believe
your
story
were
you
to
proclaim
it
?
You
would
only
draw
down
upon
yourself
the
vengeance
of
my
family
by
endeavouring
to
shift
your
own
disgrace
on
to
my
shoulders
.
The
whole
world
would
denounce
you
as
a
common
impostress
.
'
—
An
instant
's
reflection
showed
me
that
these
assurances
were
strictly
true
.
But
my
pride
was
hurt
,
and
my
feelings
were
poignantly
wrung
by
the
blackness
of
Adeline
's
ingratitude
.
Pushing
aside
her
hand
which
tendered
me
a
purse
of
gold
,
I
exclaimed
,
'
From
this
moment
,
Miss
Enfield
,
I
consider
myself
absolved
from
all
motives
of
secrecy
on
your
account
;
'
—
and
,
before
she
could
utter
a
word
of
reply
,
I
left
the
room
.
"
I
hurried
back
to
the
house
where
I
lodged
.
The
landlady
met
me
upon
the
threshold
of
the
door
.
'
Come
,
young
woman
,
'
she
said
,
'
can
you
pay
the
fortnight
's
rent
you
owe
me
?
'
—
'
I
have
been
disappointed
,
'
was
my
reply
:
'
but
in
a
few
days
—
—
.
'
—
'
People
are
always
being
disappointed
when
they
owe
money
,
'
she
exclaimed
.
'
I
shall
keep
your
things
till
you
settle
your
rent
;
and
I
shall
let
the
room
to
those
who
can
and
will
pay
.
'
And
she
banged
the
door
in
my
face
.
This
cruel
calamity
reduced
me
to
despair
.
I
turned
away
from
that
inhospitable
abode
,
—
not
with
tears
,
for
there
is
a
grief
too
profound
to
find
a
vent
by
the
eyes
—
but
with
an
utter
hopelessness
that
was
distraction
!
"
I
had
eaten
nothing
since
the
morning
:
I
was
hungry
,
and
I
had
not
a
farthing
in
my
pocket
.
It
was
moreover
cold
;
and
I
knew
not
where
to
sleep
that
night
.
Oh
!
then
how
bitterly
did
I
regret
the
ebullition
of
pride
and
feeling
which
had
prevented
me
from
accepting
the
purse
which
Adeline
had
proffered
me
!
It
was
now
too
late
to
conciliate
her
:
I
had
used
menaces
;
and
I
felt
convinced
that
it
would
be
impossible
to
make
my
peace
with
that
proud
and
determined
spirit
.
I
wandered
about
the
streets
in
a
state
of
mind
which
every
moment
suggested
suicide
.
Then
did
all
the
happiness
of
home
and
of
the
days
of
innocence
recur
to
my
memory
with
a
force
that
nearly
crushed
me
!
I
thought
of
my
dear
departed
father
and
my
noble-hearted
brother
—
both
hurried
to
the
grave
by
my
wickedness
!
Evening
came
—
and
I
was
still
a
wanderer
in
the
streets
,
without
a
hope
—
without
a
feasible
project
!
Hour
after
hour
passed
:
midnight
was
proclaimed
by
the
iron
tongues
of
the
thousand
towers
of
this
mighty
city
;
—
and
I
sank
exhausted
on
the
step
of
a
door
in
Gerrard
Street
,
Soho
.
I
then
became
insensible
.
"
When
I
awoke
,
I
was
in
a
comfortable
bed
;
and
the
day-light
streamed
through
the
windows
of
a
nicely-furnished
room
.
I
started
up
,
and
glanced
around
me
.
On
a
small
table
by
the
side
of
the
bed
stood
a
decanter
with
some
port
wine
,
and
a
bowl
half-filled
with
broth
.
I
immediately
judged
by
those
appearances
,
and
by
my
own
sensations
,
that
the
kind
hand
of
charity
had
administered
sustenance
to
me
,
as
well
as
providing
me
with
an
asylum
.
From
those
objects
on
the
table
my
eyes
wandered
round
the
room
;
and
I
was
surprised
and
shocked
to
observe
that
the
pictures
on
the
walls
were
of
a
somewhat
indecent
description
.
The
unpleasant
reflections
which
this
circumstance
occasioned
were
interrupted
by
the
entrance
of
an
elderly
woman
,
—
very
stout
,
with
small
grey
eyes
,
and
a
red
nose
.
She
seemed
to
have
literally
flung
on
the
cotton-gown
which
she
wore
;
and
a
dirty
night-cap
was
perched
on
the
top
of
her
head
.
She
advanced
with
a
good-natured
smile
towards
the
bed
,
and
,
surveying
me
with
great
apparent
satisfaction
,
exclaimed
,
'
How
do
you
feel
,
my
poor
child
?
I
am
delighted
to
see
you
looking
so
much
better
!
Dear
me
,
what
a
state
you
were
in
when
I
found
you
,
in
the
middle
of
the
night
,
on
the
step
of
my
door
.
'
—
'
Ah
!
madam
,
'
I
said
,
extending
my
hand
towards
her
,
'
how
can
I
ever
repay
you
for
this
goodness
?
'
—
She
pressed
my
hand
warmly
,
and
declared
that
she
was
charmed
at
being
able
to
serve
so
sweet
a
young
creature
.
Then
she
asked
me
a
great
many
questions
;
and
I
gave
her
to
understand
that
I
was
the
orphan
daughter
of
a
clergyman
;
that
I
had
failed
to
obtain
the
renewal
of
my
engagements
as
a
nursery-governess
:
that
I
had
been
turned
into
the
streets
by
my
landlady
,
who
had
detained
my
boxes
;
and
that
I
should
have
perished
had
it
not
been
for
the
kindness
and
benevolence
of
my
present
benefactress
.
When
I
had
concluded
this
statement
of
as
much
of
my
past
life
as
I
chose
to
reveal
,
the
elderly
lady
exclaimed
,
'
And
so
you
are
a
clergyman
's
orphan
,
my
dear
?
How
very
singular
!
Poor
curates
'
daughters
are
always
falling
into
difficulties
.
But
cheer
up
,
my
dear
:
I
will
be
a
friend
to
you
.
And
first
tell
me
the
address
of
your
hard-hearted
landlady
:
I
will
send
at
once
and
redeem
your
things
for
you
.
'
—
I
gave
her
the
information
which
she
asked
,
and
once
more
expressed
my
profound
gratitude
for
her
goodness
towards
me
.
She
patted
my
cheek
,
and
then
left
the
room
,
observing
that
she
would
send
me
up
breakfast
.
In
a
few
minutes
a
good-looking
and
smartly-dressed
servant
entered
the
chamber
,
bearing
a
tray
containing
coffee
,
hot
rolls
,
eggs
,
and
the
usual
concomitants
of
a
good
meal
.
'
What
is
the
name
of
your
excellent
mistress
?
'
I
inquired
.
—
'
Mrs
.
Harpy
,
'
was
the
reply
,
given
with
a
smile
the
nature
of
which
struck
me
as
being
somewhat
strange
.
—
'
What
is
she
?
'
I
asked
.
—
'
She
keeps
a
very
respectable
boarding-house
,
'
answered
the
servant
.
—
I
did
not
like
to
put
any
farther
questions
;
and
the
girl
withdrew
.
"
I
ate
a
very
hearty
breakfast
,
and
then
lay
down
again
;
for
I
was
not
quite
recovered
from
the
fatigues
of
the
preceding
day
.
I
fell
into
a
doze
;
and
when
I
awoke
,
Mrs.
Harpy
was
once
more
standing
by
the
side
of
the
bed
.
'
Here
are
your
things
,
my
dear
,
'
she
said
:
'
I
paid
your
landlady
fifteen
shillings
.
That
was
for
two
weeks
'
rent
owing
,
and
a
week
she
claimed
because
you
had
left
without
giving
notice
.
She
gives
an
excellent
character
of
you
,
and
proves
all
you
have
told
me
to
be
quite
true
.
I
am
really
as
fond
of
you
as
if
you
were
my
own
daughter
.
You
are
looking
much
better
;
and
a
nice
little
boiled
fowl
,
with
a
glass
of
Port
,
will
set
you
to
rights
.
What
time
do
you
like
to
dine
,
dear
?
'
—
'
My
good
lady
,
'
I
replied
,
'
you
are
heaping
favours
upon
me
,
and
I
have
not
the
means
of
paying
you
for
any
one
of
them
.
'
—
'
Do
n't
talk
of
that
,
my
dear
girl
,
'
ejaculated
Mrs.
Harpy
.
'
I
'm
sure
it
is
quite
a
pleasure
to
do
any
thing
for
you
.
But
,
by-the-by
,
'
she
added
,
'
you
may
just
as
well
give
me
a
memorandum
for
what
I
am
paying
for
you
;
and
as
I
shall
be
able
to
procure
some
nice
,
easy
,
genteel
avocation
for
you
,
you
can
reimburse
me
at
your
convenience
.
'
—
Of
course
I
was
delighted
at
this
opportunity
of
testifying
my
honest
intentions
and
good-will
;
and
I
instantly
affixed
my
signature
to
a
slip
of
paper
which
she
produced
from
her
pocket
.
Mrs.
Harpy
kissed
me
very
affectionately
;
and
then
,
casually
observing
that
she
kept
a
very
genteel
boarding-house
,
concluded
by
saying
that
she
would
ask
some
of
the
young
ladies
to
come
up
after
dinner
and
keep
me
company
for
an
hour
or
two
.
"
At
four
o'clock
the
pretty
servant
made
her
appearance
with
the
boiled
fowl
and
a
small
decanter
of
wine
;
and
when
the
things
were
cleared
away
,
the
young
ladies
were
duly
ushered
in
.
There
were
five
of
them
.
Their
ages
varied
from
seventeen
to
twenty-three
;
and
they
were
all
remarkably
good-looking
.
It
however
struck
me
as
somewhat
singular
that
they
were
every
one
dressed
in
extremely
low-bodied
gowns
,
so
as
to
exhibit
a
great
deal
more
of
the
bust
than
was
consistent
with
my
notions
of
decorum
.
But
as
they
were
very
affable
and
kind
in
their
manners
,
and
'
dear
'd
'
me
with
much
apparent
sincerity
,
I
ceased
to
think
of
that
peculiarity
.
Presently
Mrs.
Harpy
sent
up
a
bottle
of
wine
and
some
fruit
,
with
her
kindest
compliments
;
and
then
the
young
ladies
laughed
and
enjoyed
themselves
in
the
happiest
manner
possible
.
They
drank
the
wine
with
great
freedom
and
relish
;
and
by
degrees
their
conversation
turned
upon
the
topic
of
love
.
With
this
subject
they
were
quite
familiar
;
and
the
more
they
drank
,
the
more
license
they
allowed
their
tongues
.
They
spoke
of
the
kindness
of
Mrs.
Harpy
,
of
the
gaiety
of
the
life
which
they
led
in
her
establishment
,
and
of
the
high
acquaintance
which
they
enjoyed
.
They
seemed
to
know
every
young
lord
and
wealthy
gentleman
about
town
,
and
compared
the
various
qualifications
of
those
personages
.
Their
discourse
became
more
and
more
animated
in
proportion
as
their
imaginations
were
warmed
with
the
wine
;
and
at
length
they
allowed
such
observations
to
escape
them
which
made
me
blush
.
I
was
surprised
at
their
levity
,
and
had
already
begun
to
entertain
strange
suspicions
of
their
virtue
,
when
a
bell
suddenly
rang
on
the
landing
.
They
all
started
up
,
and
rushed
out
of
the
room
—
leaving
me
a
prey
to
the
reflections
which
their
remarkable
conduct
had
very
naturally
excited
.
"
I
kept
my
bed
,
by
Mrs.
Harpy
's
advice
,
all
that
day
;
but
I
did
not
feel
sleepy
in
the
evening
,
after
the
young
ladies
had
left
me
;
—
and
even
if
the
contrary
were
the
case
,
I
should
not
have
been
able
to
indulge
a
wish
for
repose
,
for
after
eleven
o'clock
the
whole
establishment
seemed
to
be
in
a
constant
bustle
.
People
ran
up
and
down
stairs
;
doors
were
banged
;
shouts
of
laughter
awoke
every
echo
in
the
place
;
glasses
rattled
on
trays
that
were
carried
to
the
different
rooms
;
and
the
boisterous
mirth
of
men
rose
at
intervals
above
the
other
sounds
and
noises
.
This
confusion
,
as
it
appeared
to
me
,
continued
until
about
two
o'clock
;
and
then
the
house
became
quiet
.
My
suspicions
were
seriously
excited
relative
to
the
respectability
of
Mrs.
Harpy
's
establishment
;
but
I
endeavoured
to
quiet
them
by
all
the
arguments
I
could
conceive
in
that
lady
's
favour
,
and
which
were
prompted
by
my
gratitude
towards
her
.
At
length
I
fell
asleep
.
"
In
the
morning
the
servant
brought
me
up
my
breakfast
.
I
asked
her
the
meaning
of
the
bustle
I
had
heard
during
the
night
.
She
answered
carelessly
,
'
Oh
!
Mrs.
Harpy
is
very
gay
,
Miss
,
and
is
fond
of
company
.
'
—
After
breakfast
I
got
up
,
and
had
just
dressed
myself
,
when
a
door
was
opened
violently
on
the
opposite
side
of
the
landing
,
and
a
male
voice
exclaimed
,
'
Well
,
if
the
old
woman
wo
n't
give
me
credit
for
a
miserable
bottle
of
champagne
,
after
all
the
money
I
've
spent
in
the
place
,
I
'll
never
set
foot
in
it
again
.
So
good
bye
,
'
Tilda
.
Here
's
a
sovereign
for
you
,
my
girl
.
It
's
the
last
time
I
shall
ever
sleep
in
this
house
.
'
—
Thereupon
the
individual
,
who
had
so
expressed
himself
,
descended
the
stairs
with
a
tremendous
stamping
of
his
feet
,
as
if
he
were
very
indignant
at
the
treatment
he
had
complained
of
;
and
Miss
Matilda
—
one
of
the
young
ladies
who
had
visited
in
my
room
on
the
preceding
evening
—
returned
into
her
apartment
,
banging
the
door
violently
behind
her
.
This
incident
opened
my
eyes
to
the
dread
truth
:
—
I
was
in
a
brothel
!
"
I
threw
myself
on
a
chair
and
burst
into
a
flood
of
tears
.
Merciful
heavens
!
for
what
fate
was
I
reserved
?
Had
I
indeed
fallen
so
low
that
my
only
home
was
a
loathsome
den
of
iniquity
like
that
?
For
some
minutes
after
the
occurrence
of
the
incident
just
related
,
I
felt
as
if
my
senses
were
leaving
me
.
Suddenly
the
door
opened
,
and
Mrs.
Harpy
made
her
appearance
.
She
seemed
astonished
at
the
condition
in
which
she
found
me
,
and
was
about
to
make
some
remark
,
when
I
threw
myself
at
her
feet
,
exclaiming
,
'
I
conjure
you
,
madam
—
if
you
have
any
pity
for
a
poor
friendless
orphan
—
let
me
leave
your
house
this
moment
!
'
—
'
And
where
will
you
go
,
my
dear
child
?
'
she
said
.
—
'
To
the
workhouse
,
ma'am
:
anywhere
,
rather
than
remain
here
!
'
I
answered
.
—
'
This
is
a
pretty
recompense
for
my
kindness
towards
you
,
'
she
observed
.
'
If
it
had
not
been
for
me
,
you
would
have
died
in
the
streets
.
'
—
'
Far
better
for
me
were
it
,
had
I
so
perished
!
'
I
exclaimed
.
—
'
Now
,
Miss
,
'
cried
Mrs.
Harpy
,
growing
angry
,
'
what
is
the
meaning
of
all
this
nonsense
?
'
—
'
Can
you
ask
me
?
'
I
demanded
.
'
Oh
!
that
the
feelings
which
prompted
you
to
assist
me
,
should
have
been
any
other
save
the
disinterested
benevolence
for
which
I
so
sincerely
thanked
you
!
'
—
'
Then
you
know
where
you
are
,
Miss
,
I
suppose
?
'
she
said
,
with
a
leer
;
and
,
before
I
had
time
to
give
any
reply
,
she
added
,
'
I
meant
you
to
find
it
out
in
a
day
or
two
;
and
it
's
as
well
now
as
a
few
hours
later
.
Here
you
are
,
and
here
you
will
stay
.
You
shall
be
treated
just
in
proportion
as
you
behave
;
and
this
evening
,
I
shall
introduce
some
fine
nobleman
or
gentleman
to
you
.
'
—
'
Never
!
'
I
cried
:
then
moving
towards
the
door
,
I
said
,
'
Detain
me
at
your
peril
!
'
—
'
So
I
shall
,
'
answered
Mrs.
Harpy
,
coolly
.
'
I
've
got
your
I
.
O
.
U
.
for
twenty
pounds
;
and
if
you
go
any
where
,
it
will
be
to
Whitecross
Street
prison
,
before
you
're
many
hours
older
.
Remember
,
it
's
for
necessaries
;
and
so
no
plea
of
minority
or
any
other
gammon
of
that
kind
,
will
avail
you
.
'
—
I
remembered
the
slip
of
paper
which
I
had
signed
;
and
my
heart
sank
within
me
,
as
I
saw
how
completely
I
was
in
the
power
of
that
vile
woman
.
—
'
So
now
you
understand
how
you
are
situated
,
'
she
continued
,
softening
in
her
tone
and
manner
.
'
This
is
what
all
young
girls
like
you
must
come
to
,
sooner
or
later
;
and
you
'll
be
very
happy
here
,
I
can
assure
you
.
This
evening
a
nobleman
who
patronizes
my
house
,
will
call
upon
you
;
and
if
you
have
any
of
your
nonsense
with
him
,
I
'll
send
you
straight
to
Whitecross
Street
to-morrow
morning
.
'
—
With
these
words
she
left
the
room
,
locking
the
door
behind
her
.
"
I
cannot
attempt
to
explain
the
nature
of
my
feelings
during
the
remainder
of
that
day
.
A
good
dinner
was
sent
up
to
me
;
but
I
could
not
eat
a
mouthful
.
The
servant
asked
if
I
should
like
to
see
any
of
the
'
young
ladies
;
'
and
I
answered
in
a
manner
which
convinced
her
how
I
recoiled
from
the
detestable
proposal
.
She
smiled
—
as
I
thought
,
significantly
,
—
as
much
as
to
say
,
'
You
will
talk
differently
in
a
very
short
time
.
'
—
At
about
nine
o'clock
Mrs.
Harpy
sent
up
word
that
I
was
to
dress
myself
in
my
best
attire
—
a
command
with
which
I
positively
refused
to
comply
for
I
was
determined
that
,
happen
what
might
,
I
would
not
assist
in
the
sacrifice
of
myself
!
"
At
ten
o'clock
the
servant
brought
up
waxlights
,
and
a
tray
containing
a
bottle
of
champagne
,
glasses
,
and
several
plates
of
fruits
and
cakes
.
I
watched
these
preparations
in
a
state
of
dumb
despair
,
bordering
on
stupefaction
.
Another
half
hour
passed
;
and
steps
once
more
ascended
the
stairs
.
My
heart
palpitated
violently
!
The
door
was
thrown
open
;
—
a
man
elegantly
dressed
entered
the
room
;
—
I
cast
one
glance
towards
him
,
and
,
uttering
a
faint
cry
,
sank
insensible
on
the
carpet
.
It
was
Lord
Dunstable
!
"
When
I
awoke
,
I
found
that
nobleman
hanging
over
me
,
bathing
my
temples
.
He
compelled
me
to
drink
a
glass
of
wine
;
and
I
soon
recovered
full
consciousness
of
the
miseries
of
my
condition
.
Starting
from
the
half-embrace
in
which
Lord
Dunstable
had
clasped
me
,
I
surveyed
him
with
horror
.
'
Do
I
frighten
you
,
Lydia
?
'
he
exclaimed
.
'
I
must
confess
that
our
meeting
is
a
strange
one
.
The
old
woman
sent
to
tell
me
that
she
had
a
prize
;
but
I
little
expected
to
find
you
here
.
'
—
'
My
presence
in
this
house
of
infamy
,
my
lord
,
'
I
answered
,
'
is
one
of
the
links
in
that
chain
of
degradation
of
which
you
forged
the
first
link
.
To
you
I
owe
all
the
disgrace
and
all
the
sorrow
that
I
have
endured
.
Not
contented
with
my
ruin
,
you
deprived
me
of
my
brother
.
'
—
'
Come
,
Lydia
,
this
is
absurd
,
'
he
cried
.
'
In
the
first
place
,
a
young
female
who
meets
a
gentleman
and
walks
with
him
in
Parks
or
elsewhere
,
must
not
expect
to
escape
the
usual
consequences
.
Secondly
,
your
brother
challenged
me
,
like
a
rash
and
headstrong
young
fellow
as
he
was
:
I
sent
him
due
warning
by
my
second
that
I
was
certain
to
shoot
him
;
but
he
would
not
take
good
advice
,
and
I
did
shoot
him
.
'
—
'
And
had
you
no
regard
for
me
at
that
moment
?
'
I
asked
.
—
'
Egad
!
'
he
replied
,
'
I
only
thought
of
myself
.
I
fancied
that
if
I
did
not
shoot
him
,
he
might
perform
that
good
office
for
me
;
and
so
I
was
resolved
not
to
give
him
a
second
chance
.
'
—
'
Surely
you
cannot
be
in
your
senses
,
my
lord
,
'
I
exclaimed
,
'
to
talk
of
so
serious
a
matter
in
such
a
flippant
style
?
'
—
'
Come
,
let
us
understand
each
other
,
Lydia
,
'
he
said
.
'
I
did
not
come
to
such
a
house
as
this
to
receive
a
lesson
in
morals
.
Do
you
wish
me
to
remain
here
with
you
until
to-morrow
?
'
—
'
No
:
a
thousand
times
no
,
'
I
replied
.
'
Your
hand
is
red
with
the
blood
of
my
poor
brother
.
'
—
'
Very
well
,
Lydia
,
'
he
answered
coolly
;
'
then
I
will
take
myself
off
as
quietly
as
I
came
.
But
for
old
acquaintance
'
sake
I
must
do
the
thing
handsomely
.
'
—
I
heard
his
observation
,
the
flippant
tone
of
which
made
me
avert
my
head
from
him
in
disgust
;
and
I
did
not
therefore
see
why
he
lingered
for
a
few
moments
.
At
length
he
left
the
room
,
saying
,
'
Bye
,
bye
,
Liddy
;
'
and
when
the
door
closed
behind
him
,
he
began
to
hum
an
opera-tune
,
as
he
descended
the
stairs
.
"
Scarcely
could
he
have
had
time
to
gain
the
street
door
,
when
Mrs.
Harpy
bounded
into
my
room
,
exclaiming
,
'
Well
,
my
dear
,
you
have
behaved
very
well
,
for
his
lordship
went
away
in
an
excellent
humour
.
What
did
he
give
you
?
'
—
'
Give
me
!
'
I
repeated
,
surveying
that
horrible
woman
with
mingled
indignation
and
terror
.
—
'
By
Jove
,
he
's
a
lord
in
name
and
nature
both
!
'
ejaculated
Mrs.
Harpy
,
as
her
eyes
caught
sight
of
a
bank-note
which
lay
upon
the
table
.
'
Twenty
pounds
,
as
I
'm
a
living
woman
!
'
and
she
clutched
the
object
of
her
delighted
avarice
.
—
'
Hold
,
madam
!
'
I
exclaimed
.
'
Not
one
farthing
of
that
money
will
I
retain
!
The
man
who
gave
it
killed
my
brother
!
'
—
'
I
do
n't
care
who
he
's
killed
,
or
who
he
means
to
kill
,
'
answered
the
old
woman
,
'
But
here
's
his
money
;
and
that
I
intend
to
keep
.
'
—
'
You
keep
it
!
'
I
cried
.
—
'
Yes
;
who
else
?
What
an
ungrateful
hussy
you
must
be
,
after
I
took
you
out
of
the
street
!
This
room
and
your
board
will
cost
you
a
guinea
a-day
.
Then
your
clothes
,
washing
,
and
other
things
are
all
extra
.
So
I
'll
keep
nineteen
pound
fifteen
shillings
on
account
;
and
you
shall
have
a
crown
for
pocket
money
.
If
that
is
not
generous
,
I
do
n't
know
what
is
;
but
I
like
to
do
the
thing
what
's
right
.
'
—
With
these
words
she
threw
five
shillings
on
the
table
,
and
walked
off
with
the
twenty
pound
note
.
"
This
unexpected
interview
with
Lord
Dunstable
and
its
result
stamped
my
degradation
,
and
made
me
reckless
.
He
had
seen
me
in
a
brothel
;
and
in
the
excitement
of
our
meeting
,
I
had
not
explained
to
him
how
I
became
an
inmate
of
that
house
.
Then
he
left
behind
him
a
sum
of
money
;
and
,
as
I
was
unable
to
restore
it
to
him
with
an
indignant
refusal
of
any
succour
at
his
hands
,
he
would
naturally
conceive
that
I
availed
myself
of
his
bounty
.
My
pride
was
wounded
to
such
an
irreparable
degree
,
that
I
felt
,
if
you
can
understand
me
,
a
total
unwillingness
to
endeavour
to
maintain
it
any
longer
.
I
was
spirit-crushed
.
I
fancied
that
it
was
no
use
to
contend
any
more
against
my
fate
.
I
considered
myself
to
be
now
so
lost
and
degraded
in
the
estimation
of
that
one
man
whom
I
had
loved
,
that
I
had
nothing
else
in
the
world
to
induce
me
to
study
character
,
reputation
,
or
pride
.
I
accordingly
abandoned
myself
to
what
I
firmly
believed
to
be
my
destiny
;
and
,
seating
myself
at
the
table
,
I
poured
out
a
glass
of
champagne
.
For
a
moment
I
sighed
as
I
remembered
that
it
was
champagne
that
had
led
to
my
ruin
in
the
first
instance
:
—
then
I
laughed
at
what
I
called
'
my
folly
,
'
and
emptied
the
glass
.
The
wine
cheered
me
,
but
,
at
the
same
time
,
confirmed
me
in
that
recklessness
which
had
succeeded
the
first
feeling
of
utter
and
irredeemable
degradation
.
I
drank
another
glass
:
the
last
spark
of
virtuous
aspiration
was
then
extinguished
in
my
bosom
.
The
other
young
ladies
suddenly
made
their
appearance
:
I
received
them
with
open
arms
;
—
we
sate
down
to
drink
and
chat
;
—
I
was
put
to
bed
in
a
disgusting
state
of
intoxication
;
and
on
the
following
morning
I
awoke
—
reconciled
to
a
life
of
infamy
!
"
Pardon
me
,
if
I
dwell
for
a
few
minutes
upon
the
characteristics
of
those
houses
of
abomination
,
in
one
of
which
I
was
now
located
.
Mrs.
Harpy
was
an
admirable
type
of
her
profession
.
She
was
mean
and
griping
in
the
extreme
when
wringing
an
extra
shilling
,
or
even
an
extra
penny
,
from
her
boarders
,
as
we
were
called
;
and
yet
she
was
profuse
and
liberal
in
supplying
us
with
costly
wine
.
If
we
complained
of
having
to
eat
cold
meat
two
days
running
,
she
would
storm
,
and
declare
that
we
lived
too
well
as
it
was
;
—
but
she
would
think
nothing
of
giving
us
a
bottle
of
champagne
,
which
could
not
have
cost
her
less
than
eight
or
ten
shillings
,
after
dinner
.
She
took
from
us
every
farthing
that
we
received
,
and
invariably
made
us
out
her
debtors
,
although
she
never
showed
us
any
accounts
.
To
give
you
an
idea
of
her
way
of
managing
,
I
will
relate
a
little
anecdote
.
One
Saturday
afternoon
,
Matilda
(
whom
I
have
before
mentioned
)
asked
her
for
a
sovereign
;
adding
,
'
You
know
I
have
given
you
altogether
thirteen
guineas
this
week
.
'
—
'
Thirteen
guineas
!
'
screamed
the
old
woman
:
'
I
'll
take
my
Bible
oath
it
was
only
twelve
.
'
—
'
Well
,
call
it
even
twelve
,
if
you
like
,
'
said
the
young
female
:
'
you
can
well
spare
me
a
sovereign
.
'
—
'
Lord
bless
the
girl
!
'
cried
Mrs.
Harpy
.
'
Why
,
there
's
seven
guineas
for
your
board
and
lodging
;
two
guineas
for
your
washing
;
that
's
ten
;
a
guinea
for
pocket
money
;
and
a
guinea
for
letters
and
needles
and
thread
;
that
makes
up
the
twelve
,
or
else
I
never
went
to
school
to
learn
compound
addition
.
'
—
'
And
multiplication
too
,
'
said
Matilda
.
'
Why
,
I
had
but
one
letter
all
the
week
,
and
that
was
paid
.
'
—
'
Well
,
my
dear
,
'
answered
Mrs.
Harpy
,
'
we
will
ask
the
postman
.
Come
!
I
'll
stand
another
bottle
of
champagne
now
,
and
you
shall
have
an
extra
sovereign
for
yourself
next
Saturday
,
if
you
're
lucky
in
the
meantime
.
'
"
We
were
complete
slaves
to
this
Mrs.
Harpy
.
She
had
got
a
note-of-hand
for
twenty
pounds
from
each
of
us
;
and
if
any
one
even
so
much
as
hinted
at
leaving
her
,
she
immediately
threatened
to
wreak
her
vengeance
by
means
of
the
sheriffs
'
officer
.
She
seldom
allowed
us
to
go
out
to
take
any
exercise
,
for
fear
we
should
decamp
altogether
;
but
every
now
and
then
we
would
all
go
together
to
Gravesend
or
Richmond
by
the
steam-boats
,
or
else
to
Copenhagen
House
,
in
the
summer
time
,
and
to
some
minor
theatre
in
the
winter
.
Oh
!
the
misery
of
that
existence
!
We
were
slaves
to
an
old
wretch
who
was
enriching
herself
at
our
expense
,
whilst
we
had
not
an
opportunity
of
hoarding
a
single
guinea
against
any
sudden
necessity
or
misfortune
.
Then
,
what
atrocious
proceedings
were
frequently
enacted
in
that
house
!
Hard
by
lived
three
or
four
idle
fellows
,
who
dressed
flashily
,
spent
a
great
deal
of
money
,
and
yet
had
no
visible
employment
or
resources
.
Those
ruffians
were
the
blinks
,
or
bullies
,
belonging
to
Mrs.
Harpy
's
establishment
.
Their
tricks
were
manifold
.
For
instance
,
they
would
pick
up
,
at
a
tavern
,
coach-office
,
the
theatre
,
or
other
public
place
,
some
country
gentleman
,
or
even
a
clergyman
,
whom
they
would
ply
with
liquor
,
and
then
induce
to
accompany
them
to
'
their
aunt
's
,
'
where
they
would
meet
'
some
delightful
girls
.
'
Of
course
this
was
Mrs.
Harpy
's
establishment
.
The
respectable
country
gentleman
,
or
clergyman
,
was
plied
with
more
liquor
;
and
,
if
he
would
not
drink
fast
enough
,
his
wine
was
drugged
for
him
.
When
he
awoke
in
the
morning
,
he
would
find
himself
in
bed
with
one
of
the
'
delightful
girls
.
'
Presently
,
one
of
the
bullies
would
rush
into
the
room
,
declare
that
the
gentleman
had
debauched
'
his
cousin
,
'
and
threaten
an
exposure
.
Then
the
poor
victim
was
glad
to
compromise
the
business
by
paying
a
considerable
sum
,
in
order
to
hush
up
the
matter
at
once
.
"
Sometimes
,
the
bullies
would
attempt
a
similar
scheme
of
extortion
in
reference
to
individuals
who
came
voluntarily
to
the
house
;
and
if
the
latter
resisted
the
exorbitant
demands
made
upon
them
,
they
were
not
unfrequently
maltreated
in
a
most
shameful
manner
.
It
often
happened
that
a
gentleman
would
become
a
regular
visitor
to
the
house
,
if
he
took
a
fancy
to
one
particular
boarder
:
in
such
a
case
he
probably
adopted
a
false
name
,
and
took
every
precaution
to
avoid
discovery
as
to
who
he
was
.
The
girl
whom
he
visited
,
was
then
directed
to
pump
him
;
and
if
she
failed
to
elicit
the
desired
particulars
,
one
of
the
bullies
was
instructed
to
watch
and
dog
him
when
he
left
the
house
.
By
these
means
,
his
real
name
,
residence
,
position
,
and
circumstances
,
were
speedily
ascertained
.
If
he
were
moving
in
a
very
respectable
sphere
,
was
married
,
or
had
any
particular
motives
to
induce
him
to
keep
his
intrigue
secret
,
he
was
the
very
kind
of
person
who
suited
Mrs.
Harpy
and
her
bullies
.
The
next
time
he
visited
the
house
,
he
would
be
surrounded
by
those
ruffians
,
menaced
with
exposure
,
and
forced
to
pay
a
considerable
sum
of
money
to
purchase
silence
.
But
the
evil
did
not
terminate
there
.
From
that
time
forth
,
the
unfortunate
gentleman
would
be
periodically
beset
by
his
persecutors
;
and
fresh
extortions
would
be
effected
to
renew
the
pledge
of
secrecy
on
their
part
.
Married
men
,
moving
in
respectable
spheres
,
have
been
driven
to
suicide
by
this
atrocious
system
!
Many
a
time
have
I
read
,
in
the
newspapers
,
instances
of
self-destruction
on
the
part
of
gentlemen
whose
pecuniary
,
social
,
or
domestic
circumstances
afforded
not
the
least
appearance
of
any
possible
motive
for
such
a
deed
;
—
and
then
I
have
thought
within
myself
that
those
poor
victims
had
been
hunted
to
death
by
extortioners
of
the
class
which
I
have
described
!
The
man
who
has
a
character
to
lose
,
or
who
has
the
peace
of
his
family
to
consider
,
knows
not
how
fearfully
both
are
compromised
,
both
endangered
,
when
he
so
far
forgets
himself
as
to
set
foot
in
a
house
of
infamy
.
He
may
imagine
that
his
secret
never
can
transpire
—
that
neither
his
family
nor
friends
can
,
by
any
possible
means
,
ever
discover
that
he
has
thus
erred
;
—
but
,
if
he
be
an
individual
,
who
,
by
his
wealth
and
social
position
,
appears
worth
the
trouble
of
looking
after
,
he
will
most
assuredly
find
himself
a
prey
to
the
vilest
of
extortioners
.
His
happiness
will
be
undermined
and
destroyed
;
he
will
live
in
constant
dread
of
exposure
:
and
deeply
—
deeply
will
he
rue
the
day
that
he
ever
set
foot
in
a
brothel
!
"
The
most
bare-faced
robberies
are
practised
in
even
what
are
called
'
the
respectable
dress-houses
.
'
A
gentleman
,
wearing
a
handsome
watch
and
chain
,
is
pretty
certain
to
have
it
stolen
from
him
;
and
when
he
remonstrates
,
he
is
perhaps
met
with
a
counter-accusation
of
having
given
a
bad
sovereign
in
payment
for
champagne
,
on
the
preceding
evening
.
On
one
occasion
,
a
young
gentleman
who
was
so
plundered
,
and
so
accused
,
carried
the
business
to
the
Marlborough
Street
Police-Office
.
Mrs.
Harpy
attended
,
denied
the
robbery
in
the
most
indignant
manner
,
and
persisted
in
the
accusation
relative
to
the
base
sovereign
.
The
proceedings
took
such
a
turn
that
the
young
gentleman
was
searched
;
and
in
his
pockets
were
found
other
counterfeit
sovereigns
,
exactly
resembling
the
one
produced
by
Mrs.
Harpy
.
Then
Mrs.
Harpy
sent
for
her
wine-merchant
,
her
butcher
,
and
her
baker
,
who
were
all
her
near
neighbours
:
and
those
tradesmen
declared
that
Mrs.
Harpy
kept
a
most
respectable
boarding-house
,
and
that
she
was
a
lady
of
good
connexions
and
undoubted
integrity
.
The
magistrate
then
appealed
to
the
policeman
within
whose
beat
Gerrard
Street
was
included
;
and
as
he
received
five
guineas
a
year
from
Mrs.
Harpy
for
shutting
his
eyes
,
it
was
not
likely
that
he
would
open
them
on
that
occasion
.
He
fully
corroborated
the
evidence
of
the
wine-merchant
,
butcher
,
and
baker
;
and
the
young
gentleman
was
committed
for
trial
for
passing
base
money
.
Mrs.
Harpy
's
story
was
that
he
had
presented
himself
on
the
preceding
evening
at
her
house
,
and
arranged
to
become
a
boarder
in
her
establishment
;
that
he
obtained
from
her
the
change
for
the
bad
sovereign
;
and
that
,
when
accused
of
the
act
,
he
had
turned
round
with
a
counter-charge
relative
to
his
watch
.
The
magistrate
declared
that
there
was
no
doubt
of
Mrs.
Harpy
's
perfect
respectability
,
and
commented
severely
on
the
'
infamous
behaviour
of
the
prisoner
,
in
trumping
up
so
vile
an
accusation
,
as
a
means
of
releasing
himself
from
the
odium
of
the
charge
laid
against
him
.
'
This
young
man
belonged
to
a
highly
respectable
family
;
and
he
had
given
a
fictitious
name
in
answer
to
the
magistrate
's
question
,
for
he
had
only
been
married
six
months
,
and
was
naturally
anxious
to
conceal
his
visit
to
a
brothel
from
the
knowledge
of
his
friends
.
But
when
he
was
committed
for
trial
,
he
was
forced
to
send
for
them
,
confess
his
indiscretion
,
and
implore
them
to
save
him
from
the
ignominy
of
exposure
in
a
court
of
justice
.
A
compromise
with
Mrs.
Harpy
was
accordingly
effected
:
she
paid
fifty
pounds
in
forfeit
of
her
recognizances
to
prosecute
:
and
she
received
two
hundred
to
abstain
from
farther
proceedings
!
I
need
scarcely
say
that
the
young
gentleman
really
had
been
plundered
of
his
watch
,
and
that
the
entire
business
of
the
counterfeit
money
had
been
arranged
to
ruin
him
.
Again
I
declare
that
no
one
knows
the
woeful
risks
he
incurs
when
he
sets
foot
in
a
house
of
ill-fame
.
That
one
false
step
may
embitter
the
remainder
of
his
days
!
"
Some
weeks
elapsed
ere
I
was
completely
aware
of
the
infamies
which
were
perpetrated
in
Mrs.
Harpy
's
den
;
and
then
I
resolved
to
leave
the
place
,
whatever
might
subsequently
become
of
me
.
At
length
an
opportunity
served
;
and
one
evening
,
with
only
a
small
parcel
of
necessaries
under
my
arm
,
and
a
few
shillings
in
my
purse
,
I
slipped
out
of
that
scene
of
iniquities
.
I
cannot
enter
into
further
details
;
suffice
it
to
say
,
from
that
moment
commenced
an
existence
of
fearful
vicissitudes
,
—
starvation
one
day
,
luxury
the
next
,
—
the
most
abrupt
descents
into
the
lowest
abyss
of
destitution
,
and
the
most
sudden
elevations
to
comfort
,
though
still
a
career
of
infamy
,
—
wanderings
for
many
,
many
nights
together
,
without
knowing
where
to
lay
my
head
,
and
then
a
lodging
and
a
good
bed
!
Oh
!
it
was
horrible
,
that
precariousness
of
life
to
which
I
was
doomed
!
"
How
often
did
I
reflect
upon
the
times
of
my
innocence
!
Now
and
then
I
saw
well-known
names
mentioned
in
the
newspapers
.
The
consecutive
and
rapid
promotions
of
Lord
Dunstable
and
Cholmondeley
were
not
unnoticed
by
me
.
The
presentation
of
the
Honourable
Adeline
Enfield
to
court
was
an
incident
which
affected
me
deeply
;
for
it
naturally
led
me
to
compare
her
elevated
position
with
my
degraded
and
wretched
state
.
But
one
event
,
which
was
recorded
in
the
newspapers
,
gave
me
,
I
must
confess
,
some
satisfaction
:
this
was
the
bankruptcy
of
Mrs.
Lambkin
and
her
committal
to
Newgate
for
having
fraudulently
disposed
of
her
property
.
I
afterwards
learnt
that
she
died
miserably
in
that
gaol
.
"
But
my
own
vicissitudes
continued
!
Oh
!
let
those
who
are
prone
to
turn
away
from
the
unfortunate
woman
with
disgust
and
abhorrence
,
rather
exercise
a
feeling
of
sympathy
in
her
behalf
.
She
does
not
drag
her
weary
frame
nightly
along
the
pavement
,
through
choice
,
but
from
necessity
.
In
all
weathers
must
she
ply
her
miserable
trade
—
or
starve
.
Then
to
what
indignities
is
she
subjected
!
Every
drunken
ruffian
considers
himself
justified
in
ill-using
her
:
every
brutal
fellow
jostles
against
her
,
and
addresses
her
in
terms
of
insult
.
Do
they
think
that
,
because
she
is
compelled
to
ply
her
hideous
trade
,
she
has
no
feelings
?
But
it
is
chiefly
from
the
young
men
who
rove
about
the
streets
at
night
,
smoking
cigars
,
wearing
pea-coats
,
and
carrying
sticks
,
that
the
unfortunate
woman
is
doomed
to
receive
the
deepest
indignity
:
—
yes
,
from
those
who
ought
to
have
more
chivalry
in
their
dispositions
!
There
is
one
base
extortion
to
which
the
unfortunate
woman
is
subjected
,
and
which
I
must
mention
.
I
allude
to
the
necessity
of
feeing
the
policeman
belonging
to
that
beat
where
the
unhappy
creature
walks
.
The
miserable
wretch
who
deviated
from
this
practice
,
either
through
inability
or
unwillingness
,
would
never
have
a
moment
's
peace
.
The
moment
she
was
accosted
in
the
street
by
a
gentleman
,
the
officer
would
come
up
and
order
her
brutally
to
move
on
;
and
perhaps
he
would
add
violence
to
harsh
words
.
Then
,
on
the
slightest
pretence
—
and
often
without
any
at
all
—
the
miserable
woman
is
dragged
off
to
the
station-house
,
charged
with
creating
a
disturbance
,
and
taken
next
morning
before
the
magistrate
.
In
vain
may
she
protest
her
innocence
of
the
offence
charged
against
her
:
in
vain
may
she
denounce
the
vindictive
motives
of
the
officer
.
The
word
of
one
policeman
is
deemed
worth
the
oaths
of
ten
thousand
degraded
females
;
and
the
accused
is
sentenced
to
Bridewell
accordingly
.
No
one
can
conceive
the
amount
of
the
wrongs
inflicted
by
the
police
upon
the
most
miserable
class
of
women
!
"
I
could
enter
into
details
respecting
the
lives
of
unfortunate
females
,
which
would
inspire
you
with
horror
—
and
yet
with
deep
compassion
.
But
I
have
already
dwelt
too
long
on
a
subject
which
should
never
be
mentioned
without
caution
to
the
pure-minded
woman
.
In
reference
to
myself
,
I
need
only
add
that
having
passed
through
all
the
terrible
phases
of
a
career
of
infamy
,
—
each
day
beholding
me
more
degraded
,
and
sinking
lower
and
lower
amongst
the
low
,
—
I
was
reduced
to
a
condition
when
beggary
appeared
the
only
resource
left
From
this
appalling
condition
your
goodness
has
relieved
me
;
and
God
alone
must
reward
you
—
I
never
can
!
"
CHAPTER
CLXXVIII
.
THE
TAVERN
AT
FRIULI
.
Through
the
broad
meadows
,
the
waving
woods
,
and
the
delicious
valleys
which
lie
on
the
northern
side
of
the
Ferretti
,
in
the
State
of
Castelcicala
,
two
foot-travellers
pursued
their
way
.
Lovely
flowed
the
river
amidst
the
meads
that
were
clothed
in
the
country
's
everlasting
green
.
Busy
hamlets
,
neat
farm-houses
,
and
the
chateaux
of
nobles
or
wealthy
gentlemen
,
varied
the
appearance
of
the
magnificent
landscape
.
Although
it
was
the
middle
of
November
,
the
climate
was
as
mild
and
genial
as
that
of
September
in
the
British
Islands
:
the
vines
had
not
been
entirely
stripped
of
their
luscious
fruit
;
and
the
citrons
,
so
plentiful
that
they
were
but
little
prized
by
the
inhabitants
,
grew
wild
by
the
road-side
.
Here
groups
of
mighty
chesnut-trees
afforded
a
delicious
shade
to
the
way-worn
traveller
:
there
the
tapering
spire
of
a
village
church
,
or
the
white
walls
and
slated
roof
of
some
lordly
country-seat
,
appeared
above
the
verdant
mulberry-groves
.
Nevertheless
,
the
woodlands
of
Castelcicala
were
not
characterised
by
that
gloominess
of
foliage
which
invests
the
English
and
German
forests
with
such
awful
solemnity
;
for
the
leaves
were
of
a
brighter
green
,
and
the
density
of
their
shade
was
relieved
by
the
luxuriousness
of
the
botany
that
spread
its
rich
and
varied
colours
over
the
surface
of
the
land
.
The
banks
of
the
Ferretti
yielded
an
immense
profusion
of
aromatic
herbs
,
which
imparted
a
delicious
perfume
and
,
at
the
same
time
,
a
freshness
to
the
air
.
Much
as
those
two
travellers
had
been
accustomed
to
admire
the
loveliness
of
their
own
native
England
,
they
could
not
avoid
exclamations
of
joy
and
surprise
as
they
pursued
their
way
amidst
the
fertile
plains
of
Castelcicala
.
We
need
scarcely
inform
our
readers
that
those
travellers
were
Richard
Markham
and
his
faithful
Morcar
.
Our
hero
,
dressed
in
a
neat
but
modest
garb
,
and
carrying
a
portfolio
of
drawing
materials
under
his
arm
,
journeyed
along
a
little
in
advance
of
his
attendant
,
who
bore
a
small
valise
of
necessaries
.
In
his
pocket-book
Richard
had
secured
the
two
passports
,
for
himself
and
follower
,
which
the
interest
of
Mario
Bazzano
had
obtained
,
and
which
were
made
out
in
fictitious
names
.
Fastened
to
a
riband
round
his
neck
,
and
carefully
concealed
beneath
his
raiment
,
was
a
small
morocco
leather
case
,
containing
the
sealed
letter
left
him
,
with
such
mysterious
instructions
,
by
Thomas
Armstrong
.
The
well-filled
purse
which
the
generosity
of
the
Grand
Duchess
had
supplied
,
and
a
map
of
the
Duchy
,
completed
the
stock
of
materials
with
which
the
travellers
had
deemed
it
fit
to
furnish
themselves
.
Their
way
now
lay
,
according
to
the
advice
which
Richard
had
received
from
the
Grand
Duchess
,
towards
Friuli
:
thence
it
was
his
intention
to
strike
off
abruptly
in
a
longitudinal
direction
,
and
,
passing
between
Dandolo
and
Lipari
,
proceed
straight
toward
the
Neapolitan
frontier
.
On
the
fourth
evening
the
two
travellers
arrived
at
Friuli
,
having
walked
upon
an
average
thirty
miles
each
day
,
and
slept
at
night
in
some
cottage
or
farm-house
.
They
did
not
,
however
,
penetrate
into
the
fine
and
spacious
town
which
they
had
now
reached
;
but
stopped
at
a
small
tavern
in
the
suburbs
.
There
they
ordered
supper
,
which
was
served
up
to
them
in
the
public
room
,
as
Richard
did
not
think
it
prudent
to
excite
notice
by
having
a
private
apartment
.
Several
other
persons
were
sitting
in
the
public
room
,
busily
engaged
in
imbibing
the
various
liquors
suited
to
their
respective
palates
,
and
discussing
,
with
great
solemnity
,
the
political
aspect
of
the
State
.
By
their
conversation
Markham
judged
that
they
must
be
the
small
tradesmen
of
the
suburbs
of
the
town
,
as
they
all
seemed
well
acquainted
with
each
other
,
and
spoke
as
if
they
were
in
the
habit
of
meeting
at
that
tavern
every
evening
after
the
bustle
and
cares
of
the
day
's
business
.
"
Are
you
certain
,
neighbour
,
"
said
one
worthy
burgher
,
addressing
himself
to
another
,
"
that
the
proclamation
will
be
made
to-morrow
morning
?
"
"
I
believe
,
gentlemen
,
"
answered
the
individual
thus
appealed
to
,
"
you
are
all
aware
that
my
wife
's
father
is
Adjunct
to
the
Mayor
of
Friuli
;
and
the
title
of
Adjunct
is
pretty
nearly
synonymous
with
that
of
Deputy
.
Well
,
then
,
gentlemen
,
my
father-in-law
being
,
you
perceive
,
as
good
as
Deputy-Mayor
,
"
continued
the
speaker
,
thinking
that
his
prosiness
would
add
to
his
importance
,
"
he
cannot
fail
to
be
in
the
mayor
's
secrets
.
That
once
granted
,
gentlemen
,
you
can
easily
estimate
the
value
of
my
authority
for
the
tidings
I
reported
to
you
just
now
.
You
may
therefore
rely
on
it
,
that
the
proclamation
placing
the
entire
province
of
Montecuculi
under
martial
law
,
will
be
read
in
Friuli
,
as
well
as
in
all
the
other
towns
,
villages
,
and
hamlets
of
the
aforesaid
province
,
to-morrow
morning
,
at
nine
o'clock
.
"
"
Then
I
suppose
the
whole
Duchy
will
be
placed
under
martial
law
?
"
observed
another
member
of
the
party
.
"
No
doubt
of
it
,
"
said
the
second
speaker
.
"
The
worshipful
mayor
hinted
as
much
to
the
not
less
worshipful
adjunct
,
or
deputy
,
this
afternoon
.
"
"
The
province
of
Abrantani
has
been
for
some
time
in
an
exceptional
state
,
you
know
,
"
said
the
individual
who
had
first
spoken
;
"
and
by
all
accounts
,
we
had
much
better
be
under
the
yoke
of
the
Austrians
at
once
—
just
like
the
northern
provinces
of
Italy
.
I
tell
you
what
,
"
added
the
individual
who
was
now
addressing
his
companions
,
—
"
I
tell
you
what
,
"
he
repeated
,
sinking
his
voice
almost
to
a
whisper
,
"
there
is
not
a
man
in
Castelcicala
who
will
not
be
ready
to
draw
his
sword
against
this
most
odious
tyranny
.
"
"
Hush
!
hush
!
"
exclaimed
the
relative
of
the
civic
authority
,
as
he
glanced
towards
Richard
Markham
and
Morcar
;
"
we
do
not
know
who
may
overhear
us
,
as
the
adjunct
often
observes
to
me
.
"
"
The
gentleman
is
an
artist
,
and
looks
like
a
foreigner
,
too
,
"
said
the
individual
whose
freedom
of
speech
had
provoked
this
remonstrance
:
"
he
is
not
likely
to
meddle
with
our
political
business
.
"
"
Gentlemen
,
"
said
Richard
,
"
it
is
true
that
I
understand
your
language
,
although
I
speak
it
imperfectly
;
but
if
you
apprehend
that
I
should
make
any
improper
use
of
the
remarks
which
fall
from
you
,
I
will
at
once
retire
to
a
private
room
.
"
"
Well
spoken
!
"
ejaculated
one
of
the
company
.
"
No
,
sir
—
you
shall
not
leave
the
room
on
our
account
.
If
I
mistake
not
,
you
must
be
an
Englishman
or
a
Frenchman
;
and
I
like
both
those
nations
—
for
they
know
what
true
freedom
is
,
while
we
are
slaves
,
—
abject
slaves
.
"
"
Yes
,
—
and
I
admire
the
English
,
too
,
"
cried
the
person
who
had
before
spoken
with
so
little
reserve
.
"
Have
they
not
given
an
asylum
to
that
excellent
Prince
who
is
only
exiled
because
he
was
the
people
's
friend
—
because
he
wished
to
obtain
for
us
a
Constitution
that
would
give
us
Houses
of
Parliament
or
Chambers
,
to
be
the
bulwark
of
our
liberties
?
Is
not
our
Grand
Duchess
an
Englishwoman
?
and
has
she
not
exerted
herself
to
the
utmost
to
mitigate
the
severity
of
Angelo
III
?
That
is
no
secret
.
And
,
when
I
think
of
it
,
I
remember
hearing
at
Ossore
(
where
I
was
,
you
know
,
a
few
days
ago
,
)
that
it
was
a
young
Englishman
who
rallied
the
Constitutionalists
when
they
were
flying
,
after
the
fall
of
General
Grachia
.
"
"
What
became
of
him
?
"
asked
one
of
the
company
.
"
It
is
known
that
he
was
taken
prisoner
,
"
was
the
reply
;
"
but
as
he
disappeared
almost
immediately
afterwards
,
it
is
supposed
that
he
was
hurried
off
without
delay
to
one
of
the
fortresses
in
the
interior
—
Pinalla
or
Estella
,
for
instance
.
Poor
young
fellow
—
I
wish
he
had
had
better
luck
!
But
,
as
I
was
saying
,
you
see
we
have
good
reason
to
admire
the
English
—
God
bless
them
!
"
"
Amen
!
"
exclaimed
several
voices
.
The
emotions
of
our
hero
,
while
this
discourse
was
progressing
,
may
be
more
readily
imagined
than
explained
:
but
prudence
on
his
own
account
,
and
obedience
to
the
advice
of
the
Grand
Duchess
,
sealed
his
lips
.
Morcar
continued
to
eat
and
drink
without
excitement
,
because
the
conversation
passing
around
was
totally
unintelligible
to
him
.
The
relative
of
the
mayor
's
adjunct
was
dilating
pompously
on
the
duties
of
a
sovereign
,
when
a
post-chaise
drove
furiously
up
to
the
door
of
the
tavern
.
All
was
immediately
bustle
and
confusion
.
"
Horses
!
four
horses
wanted
!
"
shouted
a
voice
in
the
passage
.
Then
commenced
the
rattling
of
harness
,
—
the
running
hither
and
thither
of
ostlers
,
—
and
the
usual
calling
and
bawling
which
characterise
such
occasions
.
All
the
inmates
of
the
coffee-room
,
with
the
exception
of
Markham
and
the
gipsy
,
rushed
out
to
stare
at
the
equipage
.
Scarcely
was
the
room
thus
left
comparatively
empty
,
when
a
tall
man
,
wrapped
in
an
ample
travelling
cloak
,
entered
hastily
,
followed
by
the
landlord
.
"
Here
—
we
have
not
a
moment
to
lose
—
give
me
change
for
this
bank-note
,
"
cried
the
traveller
.
"
Yes
,
sir
,
"
said
the
host
,
and
hurried
from
the
room
.
"
Signor
Bazzano
,
"
whispered
our
hero
,
who
had
started
from
his
seat
at
the
sound
of
the
traveller
's
voice
.
"
What
!
Signor
Markham
!
"
said
the
young
aide-de-camp
,
shaking
him
kindly
by
the
hand
.
"
This
is
indeed
most
fortunate
!
But
I
have
not
a
moment
to
spare
.
Listen
!
terrible
events
have
taken
place
at
Montoni
:
you
are
in
danger
.
You
must
separate
from
your
attendant
,
and
each
gain
the
Neapolitan
frontier
by
a
separate
route
.
Follow
my
advice
,
my
dear
Markham
,
—
as
you
value
your
life
!
"
At
that
moment
the
host
re-appeared
with
the
gold
and
silver
in
change
for
the
note
;
and
Bazzano
,
having
hastily
consigned
the
money
to
his
pocket
,
hurried
from
the
room
,
—
but
not
before
he
had
darted
a
significant
glance
upon
our
hero
.
In
a
few
moments
the
post-chaise
drove
rapidly
away
.
Richard
returned
to
his
seat
in
a
cruel
state
of
uncertainty
,
doubt
,
and
suspense
.
What
could
that
precipitate
journey
mean
?
was
Bazzano
the
sole
occupant
of
the
carriage
?
what
terrible
events
could
have
occurred
at
Montoni
?
and
what
was
that
fearful
peril
which
would
oblige
him
to
adopt
so
painful
a
precaution
as
to
separate
from
his
companion
?
Richard
was
at
a
total
loss
how
to
solve
these
queries
which
naturally
suggested
themselves
to
his
mind
.
While
he
was
yet
pondering
on
the
singularity
of
the
incidents
which
had
occurred
,
all
within
the
space
of
three
or
four
minutes
,
the
company
poured
back
again
to
the
coffee-room
.
"
Something
mysterious
there
,
"
said
one
.
"
Yes
—
a
post-chaise
with
the
blinds
drawn
down
,
"
observed
another
.
"
Four
horses
—
and
travelling
like
wild-fire
,
"
exclaimed
a
third
.
"
The
tall
man
in
the
cloak
,
who
rode
outside
,
came
into
this
room
.
What
did
he
want
