Part 22 (2/2)
Nor was he the only person whose countenance and patronage Melvil solicited upon this occasion; he visited all the friends of his father, and all his mother's relations, ere easily interested in his behalf; while Major Farrel contributed all his efforts in strengthening the association So that a lawsuit was iainst Count Trebasi, who on his side was not idle, but prepared with incredible industry for the assault, resolving to maintain with his whole power the acquisition he had ary, like those of soes for the purposes of perfidy and fraud, that it is no wonder our youth began to coloith the rievances of his parent and sister, whose sufferings he did not doubt were doubled since the institution of his process against their tormentor He imparted his sentiments on this head to his friend; and, as his apprehensions every er live withoutsome effort to see those hom he was so nearly connected in point of blood and affection He therefore resolved to repair ience he should procure, essay to see and converse with his h at the hazard of his life
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
RENALDO ABRIDGES THE PROCEEDINGS AT LAW, AND APPROVES HIMSELF THE SON OF HIS FATHER
The Major, finding hi hi, where they privately arrived in the dark, resolving to keep themselves concealed at the house of a friend, until they should have formed some plan for their future operations Here they were inforether inaccessible; that all the servants ere supposed to have the least veneration or compassion for the Countess were dismissed; and that, since Renaldo was known to be in Gerilance and caution of that cruel husband was redoubled to such a degree, that nobody knehether his unfortunate lady was actually alive or dead
Farrel perceiving Melvil exceedingly affected with this inti hi until he should have entered the house, and reued with great veheerous and indiscreet, but sole his design to the family, unless he would promise to listen to a more moderate and feasible expedient He then proposed that he hi Savoyards who stroll about Europe, aic lanthorn, and in that disguise endeavour to obtain adht make such inquiries as would deliver Melvil from his present uneasy suspense
This proposal was e to expose his friend to the least danger or disgrace; and the Major being next day provided with the habit and ied attendant who preceded hiate, and proclai of the screained he had been conductor to Madae before he was invited into the court-yard, where the servants for, and danced to the efforts of his companion's skill; then he was conducted into the buttery, where he exhibited his figures on the wall, and his princess on the floor; and while they regaled him in this manner with scraps and sour wine, he took occasion to inquire about the old lady and her daughter, before whoh this question was asked with all that air of simplicity which is peculiar to these people, one of the do infected with the suspicions of hisa spy, threatening at the same time that he should be stripped and searched
This would have been a very dangerous experiment for the Hibernian, who had actually in his pocket a letter to the Countess froht have furnished him with an opportunity to deliver
When he therefore found himself in this dilemma, he was not at all easy in his ownhis innocence in an hu strain, in order to acquit hie, he resolved to elude the suspicion by provoking the wrath of his accuser, and, putting on the air of vulgar integrity affronted, began to reproach the servant in very insolent terms for his unfair supposition, and undressed hiar hilad to part with; at the saibberish of the clan he represented, scolded and cursed with great fluency, so that the whole house resounded with the noise The valet's jealousy, like a sreater flae enkindled by this abrupt address In consequence of which, Farrel was kicked out at the gate, naked as he was to the waist, after his lanthorn had been broke to pieces on his head; and there he was joined by his domestic, who had not been able to recover his apparel and effect a retreat, without incurring marks of the sa the risk he ht hih he was really concerned for his friend Renaldo, who, understanding the particulars of the adventure, determined, as the last effort, to ride round the castle in the open day, on pretence of taking the air, when, peradventure, the Countess would see him from the place of her confine alive
Though his companion did not much relish this plan, which he foresaould expose him to the insults of Trebasi, yet, as he could not contrive a better, he acquiesced in Renaldo's invention, with the proviso that he would defer the execution of it until his father-in-law should be absent in the chase, which was a diversion he every day enjoyed
Accordingly they set a proper watch, and lay concealed until they were inforone forth; when they hbourhood of the castle Havingfields, they drew nearer the walls, and at an easy pace had twice circled them, when Farrel descried, at the top of a tower, a white handkerchief waved by a woh the iron bars that secured theThis signal being pointed out to Renaldo, his heart began to throb with great violence; he made a respectful obeisance towards the part in which it appeared, and perceiving the hand beckoning him to approach, advanced to the very buttress of the turret; upon which, seeing soreat expedition, and took up a picture of his father in uished, than the tears ran down his cheeks; he pressed the little i it to his bosoave hi by this tihly persuaded that his kind monitor was no other than the Countess herself, he pointed to his heart, in token of his filial affection, and laying his hand on his sword, to denote his resolution of doing her justice, he took his leave with another profound bow, and suffered hi
Every circumstance of this transaction was observed by the servants of Count Trebasi, who ier to their lord, with an account of what had happened Alarmed at this inforer was young Melvil, he forthwith quitted the chase, and returning to the castle by a private postern, ordered his horse to be kept ready saddled, in hope that his son-in-laould repeat the visit to his mother This precaution would have been to no purpose, had Renaldo followed the advice of Farrel, who represented the danger of returning to a place where the alariven by his first appearance; and exhorted him to return to Vienna for the prosecution of his suit, now that he was satisfied of his then this ad, which was doubtless the effect of ilance and vindictive disposition
Notwithstanding these suggestions, Melvil persisted in his resolution of appearing once more below the tower, on the supposition that his mother, in expectation of his return, had prepared a billet for his acceptance, froence The Major, seeing him lend a deaf ear to his remonstrances, was contented to attend him in his second expedition, which he pressed him to undertake that same afternoon, as Trebasi had taken care to circulate a report of his having gone to dine at the seat of a nobleht-errant and his squire, deceived by this finesse, presented theain under the prison of the Countess, who no sooner beheld her son return, than she earnestly entreated hin which she had before used; and he, taking it for granted that she was debarred the use of pen, ink, and paper, and that she had nothing more to expect, consented to retire, and had alreadya sed to the castle, they were met by Count Trebasi and another person on horseback
At sight of this apparition, the blood hten with eagerness and indignation; which was not at all di to Melvil, with aair ”Before you proceed,” said he, ”Iroundthe different avenues of my house You likewise carry on a clandestine correspondence with soes me to deulated by the dictates of honour,”
replied Renaldo, ”I should never have been questioned for riding round that castle, which you know is ht of a parent who suffers under your tyranny and oppression It is my part, therefore, to expostulate; and, since fortune hath favoured s in person, we shall not part until you have learned that the family of the Count de Melvil is not to be injured with ie on either side, in point of arms or number; you are better round on which our difference ought to be brought to a speedy detere was not of the senti to his natural insensibility of danger, instead of concertingany verbal reply to this defiance, drew a pistol, without the least hesitation, and fired it at the face of Renaldo, part of whose left eyebroas carried off by the ball Melvil was not slow in returning the compliment, which, as it was deliberate, proved the ht breast, made its way to the backbone with such a shock, as struck hihted, in order to i this transaction, Farrel had well-nigh lost his life by the savage behaviour of Trebasi's attendant, who had been a hussar officer, and who, thinking it was his duty to ied a pistol at the Major, before he had the least inti a co, and unaccustomed to stand fire, no sooner saw the flash of Trebasi's pistol, than, starting aside, he happened to plunge into a hole, and was overturned at the very instant when the hussar's piece went off, so that no da on his feet, fleith great ni, dis his throat as he lay, would have soon despatched him without the use of firearms, had he not been prevented by his friend Renaldo, who desired hieance was already satisfied, as the Count seeonies of death The Major was loth to quit his prey, as he thought his aggressor had acted in a treacherousthat there was no ti had alarmed the castle, he took his leave of the vanquished hussar, with a couple of hearty kicks, and, entlehbourhood, as kinsrant him a secure retreat, until the troublesome consequences of this rencontre should be overblown
Trebasi, though to the young gentleman he seemed speechless and insensible, had neither lost the use of his reason nor of his tongue, but affected that extremity, in order to avoid any further conversation with the victor He was one of those people who never think of death until he knocks at the door, and then earnestly entreat hiood as to call another time The Count had so often escaped unhurt, in the course of his cans, that he looked upon hih he had hitherto taken no care of the concerns of his soul, he had a large fund of superstition at bottoeon, who examined his wound, declared it was ination, all the ravated colours to his recollection
He iood priest in the neighbourhood, who, in the discharge of his own conscience, gave him to understand that he had little mercy to expect, unless he would, as much as lay in his power, redress the injuries he had done to his fellow-creatures As nothing lay heavier upon his soul than the cruelty and fraud he had practised upon the faht this charitable clergyman to mediate his pardon with the Countess, and at the saht put hiiveness for the offence he had given
His lady, far fro for the priest's intercession, no sooner understood the lamentable situation of her husband, and found herself at liberty, than she hastened to his apartment, expressed the utmost concern for his al tenderness and fidelity Her son gladly obeyed the sureat civility and satisfaction by his father-in-laho, in presence of the judge and divers gentleht and title to the fortune he had so unjustly usurped; disclosed the name of the convent to which Madeents of his iniquity, and being reconciled to his son-in-law, began to prepare himself in tranquillity for his latter end
The Countess was overwhel-lost son, who had proved himself so worthy of his father Yet this joy was e that she was h she knew his honour deard and veneration which is attached to the name of husband; and therefore resolved to retire into a monastery, where she could spend the re exposed to any intercourse which ht interfere with the delicacy of her sentiments on that subject
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE