Part 23 (1/2)

”Thinking, however, that I might possibly be of some service, I walked slowly forwards; but guess my terror, when, just as we arrived at the carriage, they were dragging from it a man to all appearance dead.

”I instantly flew to lend my a.s.sistance; but no sooner did I distinguish his person, than I was nearly as lifeless as himself.--It was my father,--my father dying on the road! The sight, however terrifying to my fears and torturing to my feelings, gave me strength, and inspired me with fort.i.tude to help in preserving the life of the author of my being.

”I took an opportunity to inform my dear Edwin who it was that claimed our care and attention. After chafing his temples, and rubbing his emaciated hands, some faint signs of life reanimated our endeavours.

”We found, by the conversation of the servants, that their master had been recommended to try what change of air and travelling might do, as medicine had failed in removing a disease which had long preyed upon his const.i.tution, and which had been increased by some domestic sorrow.

”Alas! of that sorrow I knew myself to be the cause, and the tears, which I shed upon his almost lifeless hand, as I saw him extended at my feet, atoned I hope, in some measure, for the grief I had inflicted.

”When life was more perfectly restored, we moved him upon a gra.s.s plat, till the carriage and horses could be got ready.--He took no notice of any one, and appeared to be totally insensible of the accident, and of every thing around him.--This at once determined us to intrude on the Baron's goodness, and convey him to this castle.

”Having dispatched a messenger for the best advice we could procure, one of his attendants and myself accompanied him in the carriage.

His head rested on my bosom, but he knew me not, nor once attempted to speak. On our arrival here, we found every thing prepared for our reception, Edwin having taken one of the horses, and rode full speed to inform the Baron's servants a sick gentleman was coming, for whom he requested their care and a.s.sistance.

”My father was taken from the carriage, and instantly put to bed.

Two medical gentlemen very soon arrived, who, on examining the state of their patient, from the violence of the contusion and the total deprivation of sense in which they found him, seemed to think there was a concussion of the brain. They a.s.sured us, however, that his life would not be endangered by the accident, but said, they saw he was far advanced in decline, from which they apprehended more fatal consequences.

”We continued our disguise, and, as our real names were totally unknown in this neighborhood, having pa.s.sed for a Mr. and Mrs. Danbury, we were under no apprehensions of being discovered, should my father recover his senses. After remaining in the most painful state of suspense many days, he began to take notice of those who attended him, but made no inquiries after his own servants, how he came into a strange place, or the accident which had befallen him. One day, as I was sitting by him, and holding his head, which I had been rubbing with vinegar, he looked earnestly at me.

”If I did not think, if I did not know it was impossible, (said he, in hurried accents, looking first at me, and then at Edwin, who was standing at the foot of the bed,) I should almost be tempted to believe that the hand which has so gently given me relief was the hand of Madeline de Glanville, and that face the face I once fondly doated upon; but it cannot be!--I am a poor, wandering, old man, whose eyes must be closed by strangers, and I deserve it should be so. I once had a daughter, but I banished her my sight:--I had a son, but he perhaps is no longer an inhabitant of this world.”

Here he stopped, and burst into a violent flood of tears. By a sign from Edwin I understood he wished me to take this favourable opportunity of making the discovery, for which he knew I languished. Falling therefore, on my knees, in the most supplicating att.i.tude, and pressing his hand to my lips, I exclaimed:

”I am your daughter,--your Madeline, and there is the amiable, the beloved husband for whom I dared to disobey my father, and for whom at this moment I stand a trembling victim to the just laws of my country and my religion!”

The scene which followed it is not in my power to describe. Suffice it to say, that, from that interesting period, my father has not only been reconciled, but renovated with health and strength. He frequently laments the obstinacy which reduced us to the necessity of taking such steps to prevent our separation. He has written letters to every one he knows that has any interest with the higher powers of the church, but his hopes of success are rested upon Lord Fitzosbourne, to whom he is impatient to pay his respects.”

”This moment I am ready to attend him, (said the Baron:) the father of Madeline is ent.i.tled to every attention that has, or can be shewn him.”

After his lords.h.i.+p's visit had been paid, the rest of the party followed of course, and a general harmony prevailed. Mr. de Glanville was instantly placed wholly under the care of De Clavering, and soon obtained as perfect a state of convalescence as the nature of his const.i.tutional habits would admit.

Now again hospitality and festivity took their turn to reign, and the happy and distinguished Walter, after languis.h.i.+ng so many years in misery and confinement, found himself in the situation for which nature had designed him.