Volume I Part 10 (1/2)
It was next inquired of him how long he had been blind? He replied, ”I was of the same age that our dear and ever honoured young Lady (heaven bless her here and hereafter!) has entered into this holy day.--I was in my seventeenth year.”
The Duke interdicted all further interruptions: ”Cormac, my honest fellow, I fear that my young friends are somewhat disposed to trespa.s.s too much upon your time and patience; so quaff your flagon and strike your harp. But remember, Cormac, nothing dismal upon this happy day; no dirge--not even an overture, will be endured!”
Cormac made due obeisance; and seizing his harp, struck its accompanying notes, while he sung the following:--
SONG.
Who would not toast that lovely maid, And drink the health of Adelaide, And fill a b.u.mper round?
Who, in wandering o'er the glade, Could meet a nymph like Adelaide?
Then fill a b.u.mper round!
The beauties of a court would fade When they're compared with Adelaide-- Let all fill b.u.mpers round!
Of sweetest flowers a crown we'll braid, To deck the brow of Adelaide, While b.u.mpers flow around!
Alas! old Cormac he is blind, Or soon the flow'rets he could find Should braid the brow and gem the breast Of Adelaide the loveliest, While b.u.mpers foam'd around!
Much applause rang forth a chorus to the minstrel's impromptu Anacreontic, and flowing b.u.mpers were quaffed to ”the health of Lady Adelaide!” A gla.s.s of Burgundy was handed to old Cormac, which he respectfully declined, but with the request that a gla.s.s of pure Innishowen (whiskey) might be subst.i.tuted in place of it; and with this st.u.r.dy appendage to his request, ”that it might be unadulterated!” These demands being all strictly complied with, he most devoutly gave his young lady's health, tossed down at the instant the pure Innishowen, and in due approval cordially smacked his lips as the beverage disappeared.
The ladies soon retired, Adelaide deeply blus.h.i.+ng at all the honours and attentions bestowed this day; and felt most grateful to the sightless old bard, who had in so feeling a manner manifested such attachment to his young mistress.
The ceremonies of the tea-table being duly concluded, the graver portion of the company sat down to their cards: various games were played, loo, cribbage, gresco, ombre, and lansquenet. The Duke sat down to primero, ”which,” observed his Grace, ”is my favourite game, as it had been with Lord Strafford, when he held the high station in which I am at present placed.”
The younger part of the company, in the mean time, not to discompose the gravity of the card-playing dowagers, retired apart to the great saloon, where were stationed all the preliminary _accessoires_ proper and duly prepared for the mysteries of the Eve of All-Hallows, in order to commence the various spells, tricks, sports, and charms, which national superst.i.tion and credulity have consecrated, and h.o.a.ry tradition handed down from age to age as the records of popular faith.
”_Allons nous_,” said Lady Lucy, playfully, ”_allons mes enfants_!”
”Oh, for mercy's sake, dear Lucy,” rejoined Lady Let.i.tia, ”pray let us have no more of this outlandish gibberish; but I pray you let the young folks at once begin their play, without preface or prologue.”
”Thy design and intention, sweet sister of mine, displeaseth me not; for be it known, that I also am fully possessed with a most marvellous disposition, a wondrous curiosity for the commencement of the various charms, or mysteries, or incantations of this memorable night, call them by any name you think befitting; and here am I ready and willing to be the lady mistress of the ceremonies to be done and performed--ay, without the fee or reward of even plumb-cake or a single poesy! And now, my merry maids all, for the full and complete execution of the important duties attending my most consequential appointment, we shall soon commence our ceremonies of office, and all the various charms of this night of incantation.” Then, with much sprightliness, she added, ”But where, oh, where is my wand? my wand--my kingdom for a wand! I can do nothing with effect, unless armed with the insignia of my office.”
A servant then came in, and presented a peeled wand or rod, which was framed from a witch-hazel that had grown on the Tyraugh mountains, and had been cut and stript of its bark at the express desire of old Cormac, and was now a.s.sumed and wielded with all due and becoming authority.
”Yes, yes, this is _comme il faut_! this will do. Now I am the most mysterious mistress of these enchanted revels, and this the wand of my stately vocation! Young ladies fair, young lords so gay, hear ye, hear ye all! In full plenitude, potency, and execution of this my office, hear and obey the important injunctions which I have to premise to each and to all of you--[this was expressed with much _gaiete du coeur_.]
Be it then known to you all _by these presents_, (as an old dotard once upon a time began his will);--but I am not dead, yet my _will_ is this: hear, hear ye all good people and true! and thus I do proclaim, amid all our play and revels to-night, but without sound of trumpet or kettle-drum, that there still remains a charm yet to be consummated, and of such confessed potency too, that this night should not be pa.s.sed over without giving it a fair trial, and at once putting its efficacy to the test! Having thus premised, it would be but foul play that my young friends should _burst in ignorance_ as to the mode and nature of the charm. _Eh! bien donc, mes chers enfants!_ you then must know, the fair young lady who wishes to recognise her future spouse for life, is to proceed at just this hour to a sequestered lime-kiln, bearing a charmed ball of untwisted cotton thread, and strongly holding the cord, is to fling the ball adown the cavern of the kiln; and upon its having reached the bottom, stoutly to exclaim, 'Who holds the ball?' When this is duly performed, the person who accomplishes it is to retire before midnight to bed; a banquet must be spread, and a mirror in which her fortune shall be read! Now, my gay and merry la.s.ses all, where is to be found that courageous one who dare do this?”
The young ladies all, as if by tacit consent, drew back, dissenting from the proposal. But not so Lady Adelaide, who advanced: ”That daring one am I, and I accept your challenge;” seizing at the same time upon the charmed ball of untwisted cotton which Lady Lucy then held in her hand, and of which Lady Adelaide now became the possessor. ”I hold now the charm; it shall not perish until at least its efficacy be tried. But remember I go alone!”
”Oh, my dearest, my best beloved Adelaide do not go!--I beseech you that you do not go at this hour of night--at this season of the year!
storm and rain may overtake you, and cause you to lament the rashness of your undertaking! In what I have said I wished to raise youthful curiosity, but at the same time I likewise meant to intimidate, but not to encourage the attempt!--Why will you go?”
”Because,” rejoined Lady Adelaide, ”from the very first I resolved that I would undertake the execution of the charm; and no remonstrance, not even force, shall compel me to relinquish my purpose; call it fate, call it destiny; describe it as rashness; call it e'en what pleaseth thee; it must--it shall be performed!”
”But,” observed Lady Lucy, ”should your absence be noticed what is then to be done to account for it? What will the Duke say?--what will the d.u.c.h.ess? And you will bring down the united raillery of all the loo, tredrille, primero, and cribbage tables, upon your truant head for this nocturnal adventure of romance!”
”Oh, tell the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess that as they know _the G.o.ds have made me poetical_, that the fit of inspiration was upon me; and now or never! If I were not to obey the impulse my precious verse would perish for ever!”
Adelaide then most sweetly smiling, said: ”It boots not what remark may come from the sober dowagers and solemn wig-pated personages at the loo and ombre tables; they will be too much absorbed in their winnings and tricks to think of me. And now I go!”