 Volume 2 Chapter 6 of Bungie Castle by Elizabeth Bonhote. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. When the party met at dinner, the simple elegance of Rosaline's engaging figure divested of those ornaments which a few hours before had been so lavishly put on her by the fingers of taste appeared far more captivating. Her eyes were illumined with an expression of joy and satisfaction to which they had long been strangers. The change conveyed a train of the most enchanting sensations to the heart of her admiring lover, and did not pass unobserved by her friends. To Sir Philip they carried a silent reproach for having so long robbed them of their luster. Rosaline was seated between the Baron and his son, and though this was the first time Walter had ever dined with so large a party, or witnessed the comforts of a plentiful table laden with the rarities of art and nature, he was neither awkward nor embarrassed. For his friend Albert, to fill up the heavy hours as they slowly crept away during their long and tedious imprisonment, had described to him the manners and customs of the world among all ranks of people with the utmost accuracy and care, and by these means prepared him for scenes which must otherwise have astonished, and in many instances alarmed him. The good Albert was placed between de-clevering and de-willows, who took this opportunity of showing him their most flattering attention, and in consequence he was encouraged to hold a very respectable part in the conversation. As he had before given undeniable proofs of the goodness of his heart, he now unfolded to the company the excellence of his understanding, and convinced them that, if the prisoner had been educated amidst the bustle of the world, he could not have found a better preceptor as to sound judgment and useful knowledge. Thus honored and happy, he found in part a reward for the integrity and humanity of his conduct, while the approving eye of his grateful master spoke a language which conveyed a joy to his heart that is rarely felt, and cannot be defined. Edwin and de-willows paid every attention to their fair enslavers, no longer fearing the penetrating eyes of the Governor, who was too much taken up with the iclesse smonte of the morning to suspect any other lovers were present. After the company rose from the table at the Baron's particular request, they went to look into those dreary apartments to which the prisoner had been consigned at his first coming to the castle. Edwin produced the key of the trapdoor, and conducted them down the same stairs which he and his trembling companions had descended when they were alarmed by the unusual noises they heard in the lower part of the castle. Every minute circumstance was interesting to the company, but to the Baron they were connected with a tale that awakened every feeling of his heart. Few, therefore, can be at a loss to guess his sensations when he entered the cold, gloomy, and unwholesome dungeon in which this darling son, the child of his Isabella, had lingered so many months, and was told by Albert that it was far more comfortable and commodious that the one he had been enclosed in many long and tedious years. The Baron shuddered with horror, sat down on the humble and uneasy couch, which had been Walter's only bed during a long and dangerous indisposition, and again called upon Albert to describe his first interview with Rosaline. The tale was again repeated and lost none of its effect by repetition. Walter, the tear trembling in his eye as it was fondly bent on Rosaline, grasped her hand and poured out the warm effusions of his grateful and enamored heart. To trace the progress of nature, unvisiated by false taste and uncorrupted by guilt, is in my opinion, said Declavoring, the most entertaining and instructive history we can read, and far more useful as the language it contains than all the crabbed and unfeeling documents of the most studious philosopher, who loses the gentle propincities of his nature by snuffing up the dust of ancient libraries till the spiders have woven their cobweb looms in his head and left no space for nature to creep in and show her unadulterated face. But in my opinion, the chief happiness, both of man and woman, consists in the knowledge and practice of all the social affections. The baron, struck with these observations, held out his hand to Declavoring, requesting to be better acquainted with him, and apologizing for his former neglect, which was chiefly owing to the singularity of his situation which made him behold every man younger than himself with envy and suspicion. But now, added he, I have resigned all my pretensions to the prior claims of my son, wishing to atone for my past errors, and to prove myself worthy the esteem of all those to whom he owes an obligation. To me, Lord, replied Declavoring, your son owes nothing. Till a few days back I knew not of his residence in the castle. To my respect and esteem, I considered him as having a just claim. From the first hour I had the honour of being introduced to him, I felt a desire to serve him. But all I ever did was to accompany him from the castle to the chapel, for which I never expected to be pardoned by your lordship. But, as the lordship offers you his friendship, said the giddy and spirited Hugh Camelford, you had better accept it, now he is in the humour. Lords are not always in the mind to be good friends with Tess and the Doctor. This essay of elocution obtained the Baron's notice, and by making everyone smile, succeeded to his wish. Camelford, thus encouraged, gave way to the unbounded cheerfulness of his disposition by again renewing his attack upon his friend Declavoring, telling him it was high time for him to be preshing away the cobwebs of old patulorship and become a man of the world, otherwise no latee made or widow would undertake the care of his old pones and the pones of those he had pot out of their graves. Declavoring, who seldom felt himself in the humour to be displeased with his young friend, owned that he was as singular in the sentiments as the ladies he was afraid might think him in his manners and appearance. You must endeavour to become more modern and like one of us, said de Willows. To be better known cannot fail to secure you a most favourable reception. A piece of advice I have often given him myself, said Sir Phillip. To make our progress through life with credit and advantage to ourselves, we must so far become the men of the world as to seek for those favours it is not willing to bestow unsought or unsolicited, but for a man to be able to get through it with uninterrupted success, replied Declavoring, I have sometimes thought he must be brought up a rascal from the first. I own I should find so many places that would tempt me to halt in my way that I should certainly be prevented reaching the envied and contested goal. For before I would submit to have my house crowded with a succession of what might be called good company, I would take an inn, and in the character of mine host, play a safer and as pleasant a game. I should not then be under the necessity of sacrificing my sentiments or more of my time, than I found answered the purpose of keeping house to accommodate all comers and goers. What, said Camelford, would you be peed by a brother-talker, because you would not apply a strengthening pleister of goot and smooth warts to make it stick close, would you not gift the ladies a healing cordial of compliments to reconcile them to their loves of beauty, their lapdog or their lover? Fie, man, they would not suffer you to talk to their cat. What I might be tempted to do or how far I might relax from my system to please the ladies, replied Declavoring, I cannot tell till I become more a man of the world and feel myself more attached to many of its customs. But this I do know. There are a set of patients to whom I could not sacrifice my own sentiments to obtain the command of their purses. For instance, can a man who has wasted his youth in vice and debauchery justly complain of a premature old age, or ought he to excite the pity of anyone who knew the source whence his miseries originated? Can we sympathize with the man of business who has brought upon himself the torturing paroxysms of a fever by the disappointment of some monopolizing plan, the success of which must have been productive of distress and misery to many hundreds of their fellow creatures? Can the voluptuary and the drunkard think themselves entitled either to flattery or compassion when their sufferings have been occasioned by eating till they gain to surf it, or by drinking so hard as to make a kind of turnpike road from their stomach to their bowels? All in the way of business, said Edwin. Instead of quarreling with the cause, you have nothing more to do, my good friend, but to turn their follies to your own account, and do as thousands have done before you, make them contribute in some way or other to the good of the community. If we were disposed to quarrel with vice and folly every time we encountered them, said Camelford, we should be engaged in a perpetual contest, and should only kit broken bones and the blister of contention for our pains. True, replied the venerable father Anselm, who till now had observed a placid silence as he listened to the above conversation, we should all agree to make the same allowance for the failings and frailties of others as we are inclined to do when we sit in judgment upon our own, and rather strive to find excuses than causes to condemn. Like the blessed master we all unite to serve whose precepts and practice were calculated for the good and happiness of all mankind. Just so would mine be, my dear father, said Declavaring, so far as an airing mortal can be supposed to copy a divine original. But I would not flatter people with a belief that I could feel for the miseries entailed by vice as I would for those which originated from any other cause. There are moments when I see the patient and virtuous sufferer looking up to me for health and life that I would compound with pleasure to be anything rather than what I am. Rather said Sir Philip, endeavour to rest satisfied with being what you are, the true Samaritan, the friendly physician who assumes the appearance of misanthropy without having a grain of it in his composition, in order to conceal feelings that do honour to his profession and to human nature. The baron, having looked at everything, and asked innumerable questions, the party next visited the rooms where Edwin and Rosaline risked so much in daring to remove Walter, and in which he had so long remain undiscovered by the family. Here Walter himself described, in his own artless manner, the delight he felt when he, for the first time, saw the rising sun and contemplated the brilliant scene which the moon and stars presented to his astonished sight. He mentioned likewise his rapture when first convinced that the fair Rosaline felt for him a mutual passion. He then described the conflicts he endured on the morning when he knew she was really gone to give her hand to another, and own the miseries of that moment surpassed those of his whole life and if thrown into a scale against them would have weighed down all. He then adverted to his feelings when he approached the altar and to the awe and respect he felt at the side of the barren. In the evening it was proposed to take a ramble through the gardens belonging to the castle, now profusely decorated with all the variegated beauties of the soul in livening spring, which were on the eve of giving place to the succeeding charms of summer. Here it was that the happy and grateful Walter met such a succession of wonders and delights as rendered the scene doubly pleasing to those who partook in his raptures. Every flower, plant and shrub, every tree, leaf and vegetable excited his admiration and gratitude. The distant fields, the rising hills, the water, the numberless houses, all were admired in turn and became the theme of his praise. It was a charming world. It was a paradise of which he had read. The very garden of Eden such as our first parents possessed, and Rosaline the magnet which gave such sweet attraction to all he saw and all he should enjoy in it. So much was he delighted with the scene. It was not till the shades of evening began to approach and throw a gloom over the face of nature that even the gentle admonitions of Rosaline could prevail upon him to return to the castle. Like another Simon he found liberty too great a blessing, too pleasing to be willing to part with it when once he had tasted its sole reviving influence. Many of the following days were spent in making excursions round the country and in showing him everything worthy of notice. He visited the neighboring towns and villages, looked into churches, saw the sea, and was conveyed on board a ship whose wonderful construction and the vast world of waters on which it so majestically floated awakened every sensation of astonishment. He was next indulged by sailing on the river wavenly in an open boat rode by some of our old English sailors whose rough and cheerful humor gratified and entertained him. A horse was likewise procured for him. He soon learned to ride and became so fond of the exercise that few days passed without his going some miles about the country. His fine figure, expressive countenance and conciliating manner, his gentleness and unceasing good humor, made him an universal favorite and all the inhabitants of Bungay welcomed his appearance among them with every testimony of respect, joy, and satisfaction. The Baron and his friends, Sir Phillip, had many consultations respecting the intended marriage of their children whose youth and total ignorance of the world of which Walter could scarcely be called an inhabitant rendered it absolutely necessary that he should be properly introduced at court in order to have his birth made known and his right and titles ascertained. It was equally necessary that he should become more conversant with the customs and manners of that world on whose stage he was now to make so distinguished a figure. And as he had been prevented seeing foreign countries, it was a duty the Baron thought incumbent upon him to take care he should be well acquainted with his own and instructed in the value of its just inequitable laws which he had caused to lament were sometimes abused by the designs of artful and wicked men, though the envy of every other nation in the world. When these designs were made known to Walter, the distress it produced is not to be described, to be separated from Rosaline, the thought was agony, without seeing her every day, without being in the same place with her, it was not to be born. He should never be able to acquire any knowledge unless the gentle maid to whom he was indebted for life was near, and by her soul enlivening presence animated his endeavors, while in her smiles he should find a bright reward for the unwirried pains he should not shrink from encountering for her sake. Rosaline was not at all better reconciled to the plan, nor more at ease than himself. She was apprehensive he might in the great world see someone he liked better than herself. She had heard men in constant and prone to change. The heart she had gained in the dungeon of Bungie Castle might perchance when engaged in the great world, surrounded by pleasure and besieged by the bright eyes of beauty, stray from her bosom to that of a more lovely and accomplished mistress. To a more fond and faithful on it could not be entrusted, but as no one she supposed could refuse the attentions of Walter, she trembled at the idea of being separated. These timid fears were not kept from the ear of her lover, who in some degree quieted them with that persuasive eloquence which love never fails to bestow on its faithful votaries. He inquired if she thought it possible he could be so great a villain as to prefer the beauties of a court to the lovely Rosaline of Bungie Castle. The gentle being who not only preserved his life, but taught him to enjoy it. Whose unwirried attentions smoothed the bed of sickness, removed the veil of ignorance, and gave to his unfortunate life the first bright moment it had ever known. He vowed if he thought anything he might find in the world contempt him to forgive her or love her less than he did at that moment he would voluntarily return to his dungeon and never leave it more. He earnestly and pathetically petitioned his father and Sir Philip de Morny not to compel him to leave his adored Rosaline till he was blessed with calling her his own. With his request, however, they could not with prudence comply. It was not only right, but absolutely necessary, he should be publicly acknowledged as the baron's son before his marriage took place, to prevent the establishment of his rights being subject to suspicion or litigation. Against reason so weighty and just, there was no contending, and therefore they were obliged to submit, though these untaught children of simple nature yielded very reluctantly to a plan which was to secure in their possession all those fascinating enjoyments which the inhabitants of our busy world are continually pursuing, and to obtain which, without any necessity of compulsion, they often make more important sacrifices. Albert was no longer considered or treated as a servant. The baron generously determined, as soon as he reached town, to give such orders to his attorney as should secure him a gentile independency, and as he was no longer distressed with the apprehension of being separated from his beloved master, he enjoyed all the comforts with a grateful heart which the liberality of his benefactors bestowed and met with that unfaithful respect from everyone who knew the worth and integrity of his character to which he was so justly entitled. As Audrey was attending to her young lady in her apartment, after she had been at the chapel to be married, and returned from thence without becoming a bride, she, as it may be supposed, was too full of the occurrences of the day to be silent on the subject everyone was talking about, but which she did not on her part, by any means approve, knowing what her own feelings would have been on a similar occasion. Well, to be sure in certain myths, cried she, the like of this was never heard since the mensmen of the world, for to go to church to be married, to take the bride's groom in your hand, as a body may say, and then come back as you went, without being married at all, as I have a virtuous and Christian soul to be saved. If I had been involved in such a quandary, I would never have left the chapel without a husband, young or old, let what would have been the consequence. People fleer and jeer so about misadventures of this kind, and ask ones for brides' cake, and talk so indelicately on this subject. However, don't fret, miss, it seems you may be married still, but for my part, I likes it best as it is. I think in this instance, as you do, Audrey, replied Rosaline, with a difficulty keeping herself from offending the honest-hearted Abigail, by bursting into a violent fit of laughter. Yet the Baron is certainly a fine-looking old gentleman. Fine feathers make fine birds, said Audrey. But as to his being fine looking, Christ Jesus, miss, to be sure, Master Cuford, the blind God of love, has made you blinder than himself. Rosaline could no longer preserve her gravity. Blind or not blind, said she, I assure you, Audrey, I thought the Baron looked and talked like an angel after we returned from the chapel. And what is more, ugly as you think him, I love him dearly, and cannot help looking at him with pleasure and delight. To be sure, said Audrey aside, the disappointment has turned her head and arranged all her interleks. As sure as God is true, miss, said she, you have taken strange vagaries into your head. It was but yesterday I thought you were going into a vapid recline, as I have heard you mention. And now I verily think bedlam will be your potion instead of a husband. As far as I know, I am now in my proper senses, cried Rosaline, laughing, notwithstanding your prognostics and taking so much pains to convince me of the contrary. Well, well, it may be so, miss, replied the mortified damsel. I know but little of nostics, but this I do know. There is no recounting for the humor of quality people. The young baron, however, it must be said, if poor folks can see and judge, is to the full as good as his father. Handsome as you think him, and though he cannot speak to make himself understood, and do not know his right hand from his left, or the moon from a green cheese or young Gosling, he may soon be taught to know what's what. He was monstrously frightened when he saw his father, and took him for a necromancer, it seems. You have been strangely misinformed, Audrey, interrupted Rosaline. The young lord is neither so ignorant nor so soon alarmed as you have been taught to believe. I have known him long, and therefore, if you will rely upon my word, I assure you he is one of the most amiable and best of human beings. Well, miss, again continued, Audrey, I must think that your brain is cracked, or that love has overset your understanding. For I am told by Pedro, who knows everything about everybody, that till this very blessed day, the sweet young gentleman have been chained down in a dungeon, and never looked upon the face of man, woman, or child, not even the mother who bore him. It was tiredly on his account, we all think, that the bustle, fuss, and distributions in the castle originated, and I dare say if the old baron had refused to own him for a son, we should every one of us have been witched into the Red Sea and drown as the Egyptians were. I hope now, however, the spells will be taken away, and we shall see only men and women made of flesh and blood like ourselves, for I hate ghosts. Amen, cried Rosaline, I trust we shall be very quiet and happy, and that neither witches nor evil spirits will have anything to do with us. I say amen again, replied Audrey, for I always likes to pray whenever I see anyone else said about it. Thank God you escaped the claws of the baron. I verily think I could not have found courage enough to have married him myself. Rosaline rejoiced when her prattling attendant bade her good night, and she hoped soon to forget in the arms of sleep both the painful and pleasant events of the day. But she now found joy as great an enemy to repose as grief had been the preceding night. To find her lover, the acknowledged son of her intended husband, yet to have his consent, the consent of her parents to love Walter and be beloved by him, to know he was restored to liberty, rank and fortune, to the protection of a father, and herself released from an engagement to which she never had consented. It was such an unexpected reverse of fortune as she could scarcely prevail upon herself to believe real. She had been assured too she should one day be the wife of Walter, be permitted to live with him, see him always and without fear or control be allowed to study and contribute to his happiness. It was rapture. It was felicity far beyond her hopes. Having once entered on a train of thinking so delightful to a fond imagination, it effectually precluded sleep from shedding its poppies over her pillow. Besides, to have slept would have been for some hours to have lost the pleasure of thinking of Walter. No sooner did she see the god of day break forth in all its glory from the portals of the east than she quitted her bed. Never before had she observed the sun so brilliant, never before had the face of nature looked so charming. Every tree which she saw wave its branches had acquired new beauties and even the sturdy and impenetrable walls of the castle seemed to be wonderfully improved. With spirits harmonized by love and expectation and a mind enlivened by hope, she bent her knee in humble gratitude to that god who said, Let there be light, and it was so. With a heart truly sensible of the blessings she enjoyed and thankful for those she was permitted to behold at a distance, she fervently prayed that neither Walter nor herself might be tempted in the midst of prosperity to forget the useful lessons they had learned in the School of Adversity. End of Chapter 6 Volume 2 Recording by Patty Cunningham Volume 2 Chapter 7 of Bungie Castle by Elizabeth Bonhote This liver-box recording is in the public domain. As the dreaded day of separation drew near, the dejection which appeared on the countenance of the lovers was too visible to escape the observation of their friends. The baron felt himself particularly hurt. His son had already endured so much misery by his neglect and unpardonable compliance with the wishes of an artful and designing mother-in-law that to inflict any further mortifications or sufferings on him was in reality to inflict him more severely upon himself. He therefore promised to return within six weeks or two months to unite the young people. This period of time reckoned in the usual way was not long, but the lovers are not guided by the same rules, nor can bring themselves to calculate hours and days, weeks and months like other people. To repeat the tender adduce, the fears, tears, cautions and promises of everlasting truth would perhaps be tiresome to some of our readers, as it would be merely a repetition of the same find and tender things which have been said by ten thousand fawn lovers upon ten thousand interesting occasions. Suffice it then to say, the baron and his son departed from the castle at the appointed time and left the disconsole at Rosaline, in a state none could envy, and all were inclined to pity. And so much was the heart of her lover afflicted at being the cause of distressing her. He could not be prevailed upon to join in any conversation and scarcely looked up till he entered the great and busy city of London, the noise and bustle of which drew him in some measure from his reverie, which had been nearly as painful to his friends as to himself. And the baron, eager to disperse the gloom from the countenance of his son, pointed out some of the most striking objects to engage his attention as they were whirled along to the very noble house in Blank Square, where we must leave him for the present in order to return to the castle. From the moment of Walter's departure the disconsole at Rosaline sunk into so absolute a state of dejection as not only distressed but alarmed her friends. She shunned society, seldom joined in conversation, and if left a few moments by herself, fled to the apartments once inhabited by her lover. There and there only did she assume the appearance of cheerfulness. Every place in which she had seen him was endeared to her remembrance, the chairs on which he had rested, the table on which he had written, the window at which he had stood for her coming. All were interesting objects and loved by her for his sake. And in being deprived of seeing him, of hearing no longer the sound of a voice so long endeared to her fond imagination, she felt so total a deprivation of all that served to render life or fortune of real value that she determined in her own mind if this regretted lover should prove forgetful or inconstant, if he should return no more to the castle, to end her days in his forsaken apartments, for what would be the world to Rosalind and Marnie if she should see Walter Fitzosborne no more. Pompey, the little dog which she had seen the second time of going to the dungeons and which had been the favourite and faithful companion of her lover during some years of his confinement she would scarcely permit to be out of her sight. To him she talked of his master and in caressing the grateful little animal felt pleasure in consolation. Sir Philip and Lady de Marnie were distressed beyond measure at seeing the despondency of their daughter which they feared would put an end to all their flattering hopes. They endeavored by every soothing and tender attention to reconcile her to this temporary separation and in a short time succeeded so far as to prevail upon her to resume her usual employments. They advised her to dissipate her fears and try to regain her spirits for the sake of the lover whose absence she lamented, reminding her how much it would harass and distress him if at his return to the castle he found she had brought upon herself an indisposition which might still preclude him from enjoying her society. But their cares and anxieties were soon increased and their minds occupied and thrown into the utmost consternation from a circumstance more unaccountable, unexplicable, and alarming than anything they had ever encountered. Madeleine had escaped from the nunnery and Edwin had left the castle. No one could tell what was become of them but all suppose they were gone off together. A general confusion took place. Messengers were sent in pursuit of the fugitives and a very considerable reward was offered to any who would bring tidings of Madeleine. Sir Philip de Morny joined in the search and sent out large parties of his men in hopes they would be able to discover the place of their concealment. Rosaline, though less surprised, was extremely shocked at the dangerous step her brother and his friend had ventured to take. The abbess was angry, the fathers enraged, and the youthful offenders threatened with the utmost severity the laws could inflict should they be found out. Lady de Morny was wretched beyond description and Rosaline, who almost lost the remembrance of her own sorrows at seeing the agonies of her mother and in fears for her brother, was alarmed at the return of every messenger. These affectionate relatives trembled lest they should bring tidings of the unfortunate lovers. A week, however, elapsed and no discovery being made Rosaline secretly cherished hopes that they would be able to escape their pursuers. She accompanied Sir Philip and Lady de Morny to the nunnery. They soon removed the displeasure of the abbess and dispersed the gloom which had long hung upon her brow at their first entrance. They likewise softened the asperity of father Anselm and the rest of his brethren who had written to inform the father of Madeleine of the occurrence which had taken place and had received an answer dictated by the spirit of malice and revenge vowing to renounce her forever unless she returned to the nunnery and instantly took the veil, at the same time adding everything that passion could suggest to rouse the vengeance of the fathers for the indignity offered to their sacred order by the flight of a wretch he never again would acknowledge as a daughter. This cruel and unfeeling letter operated directly contrary to what it was intended and awakened feelings in the bosoms of men who had long been strangers to the world and unpracticed in the habit of social life too unpleasant to be encouraged. They felt a kind of trembling horror at the denunciations of a parent against a daughter whose interesting features, sweetness of disposition and gentleness of temper had endured her to everyone in the nunnery. Nearly a fortnight had now elapsed and no tidings being heard of the fugitives. Lady Demorne began to revive, and she cherished the sole reviving hope that her beloved Edwin would escape and remain undiscovered till a pardon could be procured for him and his fair companion for the crime they had committed in robbing their holy church of a votary designed for its service. And she lingered with impatient fondness to clasp her son and the lovely Madeline to her maternal bosom. Sir Philip was much hurt by this affair, and though he said very little on the subject, it was very visible to everyone that his mind was very deeply wounded. It may now be necessary that we should give some account of the means made use of to escape and the cause which drove the young people to take so desperate a step. The Abbas, who felt an almost maternal regard for Madeline, had observed with affectionate regret that there was something which prayed deeply upon her spirits, but had not the least suspicion of the affection which she cherished for her nephew, and being too much bigoted to her religion, too much attached to the habits of a monastic life to suppose anyone could long remain unhappy after having given up a world which she had voluntarily quitted and never regretted. She confined her observations to her own bosom, and in drawing her conclusions forgot the melancholy and distressing cause which had determined her seclusion from the world. Time had likewise, in some degree, blunted those tender feelings which would otherwise have taught her to make more indulgent allowances for the feelings and conflicts of nineteen, when sentenced by an arbitrary parent to the unsocial and rigid rules of an order that precluded the soul enlivening the enchanting influence of love. The Abbas, on receiving a letter from the father of Madeline, with a preemptory command for her instantly taking the veil, summoned her into the presence of father Anne Selm and herself, and the letter was put into her hand without any kind of preface that could discover or soften its contents. The effect this horrid mandate had on the mind of their youthful charge could not be concealed. She was instantly obliged to be conveyed to herself and remained for some hours in a state that threatened distraction. The alarming situation of Madeline distressed both the good father and the sympathizing Abbas, but circumstances as they were, they could only pity, for they would have considered it as a crime of the most sacrilegious nature to have assisted in depriving their holy institution of a votary so likely to be an ornament and acquisition to it. And as the father of Madeline was determined she should embrace a monastic life, they had neither any right nor inclination to contend against a decision which operated so much in their favour and would add so lovely a sister to their society. They agreed therefore that it would be better to take no notice unless she herself should voluntarily impart the cause of her distress. It has now become absolutely necessary to inform our readers that Edwin had for some weeks conquered the fears of Madeline and prevailed on her to grant him frequent interviews in the chapel. He had also extorted a promise from her when matters came to the last extremity to fly with him if her escape from the nunnery could be affected in order to avoid a fate which her love had taught her to think of all others the most miserable and to accept his vows instead of taking those which would separate them forever. On the one hand happiness stood portrayed as one of the most captivating colours. On the other wretchedness, solitary wretchedness grinned with ghastly horror and a meager aspect. At her age I am inclined to think few ladies would have hesitated how to choose particularly if, like the artless and gentle Madeline, they had given away their heart to an amiable and impassioned lover. Edwin in his stolen visits to the chapel had usually been accompanied by his trusty friend Albert and once or twice Walter had been of the party. On the promises and intrepid firmness of Albert they rested their security of not being discovered. Madeline's situation was likewise become so alarming and distressing she no longer yielded to those timid fears which had formerly deterred her from meeting her lover. She found herself so encompassed with dangers that it required both resolution and spirit to disengage herself from the fate which threatened her. And as no farther time could be given either to deliberation of doubt and no alternative remain but to escape from the nunnery or take the veil, she hesitated no longer but met, fearlessly met her lover in order to settle a proper plan to secure the success of their design, which as it drew near being put in practice appeared both hazardous and dangerous. Their meetings in the chapel were frequently interrupted by the friars or nuns who had generally some sacred duty to perform either for the living or the dead in the execution of which some of the fathers had been extremely alarmed and it was whispered throughout the sacred walls and by some means the report crept into the world that the chapel of the nunnery was disturbed by an invisible agent which was considered as a miracle in favour of its holy institution. It was an age of bigotry and superstition when every plan was adopted to impress on the minds of the people that reverence and awe which would prevent their finding out the various art made use of to impose on their belief. Hence that reverence and enthusiasm for relics shown in almost every church and chapel and applied to for aid on all important occasions. Yet it sometimes happened that impositions were discovered. But the power and influence of the priests prevented as much as possible reports so dangerous gaining any credit and the minds of the common people were kept so much in awe by fear and so hoodwinked by the superstition that thousands resorted daily to one repository or another in order to feast their eyes with its sacred treasures. At Reading they showed an angel's wing that brought over the Spears Point which pierced our Saviour's side and as many pieces of the cross were found as joined together would have made a big cross. The root of grace at Boxley and Kent had been much esteemed and drawn many pilgrims to it. It was observed to bow and roll its eyes and look at times well pleased or angry when the credulous multitude and even some of the inferior priests imputed to a divine power. But all this was afterwards discovered to be a cheat and it was brought up to St. Paul's Cross and all the springs were openly showed which governed at several motions. At Hales in Gloucestershire the blood of Christ was shown in a vial and it was believed that none could see it who were immortal sin. And so after good presence were made the diluted pilgrims went away well satisfied if they had seen it. This was the blood of a duck Renewed every week put in a vial very thick on one side as thin on the other and either side turned towards the pilgrims as the priests were satisfied with their oblations. Other relics were shown as follows God's coat, our Lady's smock Part of God's supper Our Lady's girdle of Bruton Red silk, a solemn relic sent to women in travail The pairings of St. Edmund's nails Relics for rain for avoiding the weeds growing in corn et cetera et cetera It happened one night when our young lovers were deeply engaged in a most important and interesting conversation in which they did not recollect there were any other beings but themselves in the world They were terribly alarmed and very near being discovered by the abrupt and sudden entrance of Father Anselm and one of the monks into the chapel They hastily approached the altar being summoned to attend a dying monk and to perform the ceremonies which the necessity of the case required They were, however, informed by a voice which appeared to rise from the earth on which they stood that they might return to the peace of their cells for the soul of their dying brother was in no danger of being lost Their prayers and pious serrations having already had a salutary effect It so happened that the monk having conquered the crisis of his distemper was sunk into a profound sleep at their return which promised a happy change in his favour The whole society were summoned into the chapel the next morning and informed of this miraculous communication All the proper ceremonies were ostentatiously performed which such an honourable attestation of their sincere piety required and the sick monk considered as worthy of canonization A few nights after a monk who had forgotten to place one of the consecrated vessels on the high altar which Father Anselm had particularly requested should be left there against the following day on which the sacrament was to be administered with the utmost solemnity on recollecting the admission rose from his bed and stole softly into the chapel to obey the orders he had received This, unfortunately, was on a night on which the lovers had agreed to meet Before he had reached the altar he was somewhat startled at seeing one of the oldest and most austere of the nuns kneeling by the grave of a father lately deceased and with uplifted hands praying that pardon and peace might be extended to his soul The monk when he came to the altar instantly dropped on his knees before it unwilling the old nun should suppose he came upon a less pious air than herself but he was soon frightened from his devotions by a soft voice which seemed to descend from behind a very fine painting of the crucifixion He was desired to return to his cell no longer to act the hypocrite and in future perform more punctually the duties of his office The monk no sooner heard this alarming address than he hurried out of the chapel as fast as his gouty legs and the numerous infirmities of age would permit him but the nun who was at too great a distance from the monk to hear the cause of his terror went on with those devotional rites which a particular regard for the departed father rendered so gratifying to the feelings of her pious and affectionate heart that she was in no hurry to conclude them When the same mysterious agent whose voice appeared to rise from the grave of her deceased favorite near where she was so devoutly kneeling shivering with age and cold roughly warned her to have done advising her to go rest and sleep in peace as he did who no longer could be disturbed by her tongue or benefited by her prayers The poor frightened nun scampered off as fast as she could muttering something against the ingratitude of man who, dead or alive, was unworthy of the attentions of her pious sex Yet as she crossed herself she secretly rejoiced at having, as she thought obtained leave of heaven and father John to abstain from such great and unreasonable demands upon her orations in future She took care, however, the next morning to inform the monk, with seeming exultation of her being so highly favored as to hear a voice from heaven which excused her from praying at those hours appointed for mortals to be at rest This was a night calculated to alarm the lovers for no soon had the nun left the chapel then another entered to fetch a solemn relic to send to a woman who was in travail from a chest near which they were seated As she was looking for the precious treasure they were trembling at the danger they were in of being discovered for there was but just time to step into the tomb which led to the subterraneous passage when they were thus the third time disturbed The nun, as she closed the chest was addressed in the following words Where Mary Magdalene's girdle twice a week place the skull of St. Lawrence at the east corner of your cell and live on bread and water every fifth day or neither you nor your father confessor will escape purgatory Down dropped the relic and away ran the nun to repeat to her Charame the warning which had been given her But whether he was as much terrified as herself we do not know as the lovers very soon affected their escape and the voice was heard no more No longer to puzzle our readers excite their fears or keep them in suspense respecting this miraculous voice which had alarmed the baron in his visit to the cells and had likewise been the occasion of much surprise and some exultation in the pious inhabitants of the nunnery it is necessary to inform them that it proceeded from Albert who was himself a ventriloquist or a person possessed of the power of using a kind of artificial hollow voice in such a manner as to make the sound appear to come from any part of the room wherever he happened to be or from any animal that was present in it this uncommon power rarely known in that age Albert had frequently exercised to amuse and entertain the solitary hours of his master in his long and painful seclusion from the world and afterwards to serve him and his friend it may not perhaps in this place be improper to mention that a few years since a person came to St. Edmondsbury in Suffolk whose uncommon and wonderful powers of throwing his voice to any distance and into whatever place he chose alarmed some and surprised all who witnessed this strange and most unaccountable phenomenon of nature therefore in an age so much more prone to indulge in the idle chimeras of superstition so much under the dictatorial bigotry of priestcraft it is not to be wondered that a circumstance so uncommon should be considered as miraculous particularly among a set of men who had recourse to such various arts and took such wonderful pains to instill into the minds of the people a firm and unshaken belief that miracles were shown on some important occasions in order to confirm the truth of the religion they professed End of Chapter 7 Volume 2 Volume 2 Chapter 8 of Bungie Castle by Elizabeth Bonhote this LibriVox recording is in the public domain by following the cautious directions of Albert Madeline escaped from the nunnery undiscovered and accompanied by her lover lost in the happiness of the present moment all remembrance of the trial she had sustained and all apprehensions of what she might encounter in future Edwin, from a principle of honour did not inform his friends de Willows de Clavering and Camelford of his intention the only tax he levied on their friendship was to borrow a small sum of money of them to supply present extensioncies and procure such accommodations on the road as would be most agreeable and convenient about midnight he led the trembling agitated maid unattended by anyone but himself to the entrance of the subterranean passage with difficulty and danger they made their way through this scene of desolation and terror having opened the door which led them through the same gloomy paths Edwin had formerly traced they narrowly escaped being discovered by the sentinels who guarded Maddingham Castle alarmed at their danger they made not a moment's delay but hurried on till they came to a retired and almost unfrequented road where they found a man and horses waiting their arrival these horses had been hired of a countryman who agreed to send for them the next morning to a neighbouring town though money was undoubtedly very scarce in the age in which the characters lived that furnished us with these memoirs yet the necessaries of life were all so cheap and the people in general so extremely hospitable that it required but a moderate sum to procure accommodations for a journey to the most distant part of the kingdom and as there was then no marriage act in force the road to the temple of Hyman was more frequented because it was neither found so difficult nor so thorny as it had been to too many of the present age as to the vulgar and old-fashioned habits of eating and drinking they are matters in general but little thought of in expeditions under the directions of a god who is too sublime to be satisfied with common food our lovers felt so little inconvenience from either hunger or thirst that they determined to make no delays on their journey but such as were absolutely necessary they were epicures only in love and till they arrived in London were perfectly satisfied with such repass they procured from any of the humble cottages on the road by which prudent precaution they escaped undiscovered not withstanding the clamor their elopement had occasioned the morning after their arrival in London a priest joined their hands in marriage and rendered indissoluble those tender ties which had long united their hearts in love's most pleasing fetters too happy for reflection to interrupt their nuptial joys too inexperienced to look forward to the consequences of an union thus inauspiciously commenced and too sanguine to think the fond delusions of love could but end with life they lived for many days in what might be called the delirium of the senses in each other they saw and possessed all that constituted their ideas of pleasure Madeline was the wife of the enamored Edwin and he was blessed Edwin was become the husband and protector of Madeline what then could she have to fear for Edwin was the world to her alas what a pity that so few so scarce and so short are the hours of mortal happiness and that the fallacious foundation on which we rest such innumerable pleasing hopes which present to our diluted imaginations the most lovely and inviting prospects should so soon fall to the ground and humble our air-built expectations in the dust as long as their fund of worldly wealth held out our new married lovers never recollected it must come to an end or bestowed a thought on what steps were to be taken to secure the continuance of that felicity they had gone such daring lengths to obtain but an empty purse soon compelled them to recollect that two people however tender their attachment or superlative their abilities however lovely their persons or captivating their manners require more substantial food than the God of Love will condescend to furnish them with accustomed to affluence and not knowing what it was to be deprived even of the luxuries of life they shuttered at the poverty which steered them in the face and threatened them with absolute starvation they blushed too at their own inability to procure for themselves the common necessaries of life and felt some very uncomfortable sensations that being in a stranger's house without the means of paying for their lodging or accommodations to declare their poverty they were ashamed and to make themselves in situation known was to run the risk of being separated forever as Edwin had no doubt but Madeline would be torn from him and compelled to a monastic life if discovered before his friends were reconciled and would use their interest to procure his pardon luckily Madeline amidst her newborn fears recollected it would be no difficult matter to find so great a man as Baron Fitz Osborn and accordingly Edwin wrapped up in disguised as much as possible set off to find his residence and to obtain an interview with his two friends Walter and Albert he fortunately found the latter at home and in a few hours was by him secretly admitted to Walter who flew to embrace and welcome him to his father's mansion making a number of tender inquiries after Rosaline and the rest of his friends at the castle he was both shocked and astonished when informed of Edwin's distressed and perilous situation gently reproached him for not applying to him before and not having given him this slightest information of his intention before he married Edwin made the best excuses he could for his reserve vague and unsubstantial as they were the generous Walter was soon reconciled to his friend put his purse into his hand and insisted upon being immediately introduced to his lovely bride they returned with Edwin to his lodgings and found Madeline in a state of the most painful and restless suspense which their presence instantly dispersed after the compliments and congratulations were over they sat down to consider seriously what could be done and what steps were most proper to be taken to secure the persons of the new married couple Albert strenuously advised them not to attempt seeing the Baron in their present situation but to wait patiently till some plan could be adopted for their farther safety Walter promised in the meantime to supply them with money for all necessary expenses the meeting of these friends was cordial and tender and more cheerful than could have been supposed Walter repeatedly protested notwithstanding the difficulty and dangers with which they were surrounded that he envied more than pitied them complained of his own situation as being more distressing and uncomfortable than theirs and declared himself unable to support a much longer separation from Rosaline without the deprivation of reason being added to that of all his other enjoyments on reflection it was thought better that Walter should make the situation of the young couple known to the Baron without further delay this he readily undertook for as the danger was great rewards having been offered for the person of Madeleine procrastination would have only served to increase the difficulties they had to encounter Walter succeeded in his embassy beyond his hopes and soon prevailed upon his father to comply with the plan they had thought of for the better security of Madeleine namely, retiring secretly for the present to the environs of one of the Baron's castles at a great distance from the metropolis and concealing their real names and persons under the habits of peasants to this scheme the Baron readily agreed and promised not only to exert his utmost interest to procure a pardon for them both but instantly to write to Sir Philip and Lady de Mourning to inform them of their safety and situation and intercede on their behalf he likewise called upon them the following day presented them with a supply of cash for present extensioncies and sent them in one of his own carriages to the place of their concealment where we will for a short time leave them only observing they were as happy as our first parents before their fall they sometimes indeed recollected the danger of being discovered and trembled at the thought but so much did they depend on the friendship and power of the Baron to protect them should the dreadful misfortune ever befall them that they determined not to let uncertain apprehensions of what might happen in future prevent their enjoying that portion of happiness which was now in their power and the author would wish everyone who peruses these pages to adopt and encourage the same useful philosophy Walter from the time of his arrival in London till a few days previous to his seeing Edwin had been restless and uncomfortable the first master of the age had been procured to instruct him he was presented to his sovereign and his introduction was attended with the most marked and distinguished honours many fair ladies in the higher circles were lavish of their smiles and many parents would gladly have seen him added to the train of their daughter's admirers and to lure him to their purpose solicited his friendship and sent him repeated invitations to their houses pleasure courted him in a thousand varying forms but he beheld her most seducing blandishments with disgust and stoical indifference neither the novelty of the scenes with which he was surrounded the flattering attentions of beauty or the variety of amusements of which he was in a manner compelled to partake could for one moment detach his mind from the fascinating Rosaline with her dwelt every wish on her unshaken tenderness rested his every hope of permanent felicity and to have heard the sound of her enchanting voice he would voluntarily have been adieu to London and all its pleasures if he attended to the instructions of his masters he was actuated by the same motives and he wished to be as wise as Plato that he might be more worthy to possess a treasure he estimated beyond the wealth of worlds noble young man would love operate on all youthful minds as it did on thine it would be entitled to universal praise and might justly be called the guardian friend of innocence the patron of every virtue at length both the Baron and Albert were not only surprised but alarmed at the visible alteration they observed in Walter who often absented himself and when questioned where he had been and how he had been amusing himself hesitated in his answers and appeared at a loss what to say one evening the Baron particularly requested he would accompany him to some public place but he pleaded a prior engagement and on being asked the nature of it gave so trifling and unsatisfactory an answer that the Baron was seriously displeased and left the room telling him he did not like to be treated with reserve recommended him to recollect how much he had already been made adieu to mysterious transactions and not to forget that he had likewise been nearly a victim to artifice before he knew Guile in his own harder person as soon as he left the room Albert approached his beloved master and with a tear trembling in each eye told him he was to blame and begged he would follow his father and do away his displeasure by going as he requested my dear fellow cried Walter my father's anger I could bear and moved because I do not feel myself deserving of it but your gentle reproof has in a moment found its way to my heart perhaps I may be to blame but surely Albert it is a little hard upon me to be compelled to stay in this place without being sometimes allowed to amuse myself according to my own inclination what on earth said Albert with a sigh can on a sudden have made this change in you who so lately had an invincible objection to going among strangers lest you should fall into the snares that are so frequently spread to entangle the unwary I thought Alon's my dear fellow replied the impatient Walter don't just now attempt to think you are a good creature but I can stay no longer listen to you I will hear you as early as you please in the morning would to God my sweet Rosaline had accompanied her brother to London would to heaven she had side Albert here is something wrong going forwards I must be on my guard how I proceed or my young master will be drawn into some scrape that may lead to mischief while a fair maid of the castle may be left to wear the willow now or never must be the moment of action a thought has struck me it must be so away when Albert and I hope none of my readers will have any objection to accompany him in his friendly expedition he instantly hurried out of the house attended by a stout and faithful servant they were so quick in their proceedings that they very soon perceived the object of their pursuit walking before them after following him through many streets they saw him stop at a very good looking house the door of which was opened by a servant in a rich livery Albert hesitated for a moment what to do to follow him would have been both daring and imprudent and instead of setting matters to rights might have brought on greater difficulties he therefore stepped into a jeweler's shop nearly opposite the house into which the young Fitz Osborn had entered desiring his servant to keep a watchful eye he spent a few shillings and then carelessly inquired of the shopkeeper who it was inhabited the handsome house in which he saw so many lights the man smiled looked at him very earnestly and then replied if I did not think you were a stranger sir I should have supposed you were joking with me by asking that question or I thought all the world had known the Jezebel who lives there you have raised my curiosity to a higher pitch said Albert I have so long been absent from this city that I know but little of what has been doing in it and would thank you to answer my question with sincerity while I am looking over the things I want to purchase no man replied the complacent shopkeeper is happier to please his customers than I am or more grateful for favors received but as one person's money is as good as another's and as I take a pretty round sum every year from the fair inhabitants of that house I have no business to be telling of their frailties however if I can oblige you sir and you will promise me to be secret and not bring my name in question Albert now became more and more eager to obtain the wished for intelligence and not only promised all that he had requested but to reward him for his trouble by recommending his shop to some friends who had it greatly in their powers to serve him this at once put an end to the honest jeweler's reserve for though he would not voluntarily have told a scandalous tale of anyone yet he saw no objection to speaking the truth when he could serve himself by so doing please your honor he began for he took it into his head at that moment that Albert was a great man in that house lives the noted Mrs. C who keeps so many fine young women that all the fine young men of the age are fond of obtaining admittance though for that indulgence they often sacrifice health, fortune and even life itself God knows I have seen sad doings and many a one have I wished might escape the plans laid for their destruction but if the devil himself were to fall into her clutches I think he would be puzzled to affect his escape has she many visitors just now interrupted Albert as to their number that is impossible for me to ascertain but of this I am positive she is never without some and at this very time I think there is something extraordinary going on for one of her nymphs came this morning to purchase a wedding ring and on my joking her a little on the subject she said it was not for herself but Miss C, daughter to the old hag who was a lovely girl and well known upon the town on my expressing myself happy to hear she was going to marry and become an honest woman the girl burst into a violent fit of laughter and called me a puritanical hypocrite let Catherine once become a wife said she and then we shall see who will dare to call her virtue in question she will I hope before tomorrow night be married to the only son of one of the wealthiest barons in the kingdom a young nobleman who knows so little of the world that it is absolutely necessary he should have a wife who can instruct him no one better able to undertake the task than the daughter of Mrs. C Albert with difficulty concealed his agitation at hearing this alarming tale recovering himself however he inquired of his informer if he recollected the name of the young gentleman after a moment's hesitation the jeweler replied the name was twice repeated but it ran so glibly off the ladies tongue that I have since forgotten it should you know it again asked Albert who on the jeweler's answering that he thought he should mentioned several to all of which a negative was given at length it's Osborne was introduced the very person cried the jeweler the Baron has but one son and him as this girl told me he has but lately found but he is such an idiot and so easily imposed on that upon my soul where I is father I should think him better lost than found the jeweler might have gone on with his observations as long as he pleased had not his distressed auditor recollected the danger in which perhaps his beloved young master was at that moment involved he started up and catching hold of his companion's hand told him he must that moment go with him the man drew back Albert perceived the folly of his abruptness and making some apologies and informed the astonished jeweler that the business on which he was going would admit of no delay that if he would accompany him lend his assistance and procure two or three spirited young men to be of the party he should be well rewarded for his trouble and would have reason to bless the day chance directed him to his shop this promise was a sufficient temptation to a tradesman who had a large family little money and few friends he summoned some of his men in a joining workshop and thus attended Albert sallied into the street his servant who was in waiting informed his master a priest had just been admitted into the house he was watching and that he had seen the young lord at the window with a beautiful woman hanging on his arm who appeared to be in tears this intelligence made them hurry on Albert wrapped at the door requesting the others to keep out of sight till he was secure of obtaining the admittance a servant soon appeared Albert inquired if his mistress were at home the fellow replied that his lady was then particularly engaged and could not be spoken to adding he might call again in the morning the morning will not do my friend I must see your mistress this evening said Albert my business is quite as particular I believe as that in which she may be engaged therefore make way and let me come in the fellow attempted to shut the door but the posse in waiting on being beckoned by Albert came to his assistance and they all rushed into the house Albert the jeweler and the rest of the party except one who was left to guard the fellow at the door went as gently as possible up a spacious staircase they heard voices at a distance and were directed by the sound to a door of the apartment which contained the party who appeared to be engaged in a warm dispute at times they could distinguish female voices and very soon Albert heard that of his beloved master exalted to its highest pitch this at once determined him to open the door but he found it fastened with inside he then loudly demanded admittance a female scream was all the answer he received again he called someone then asked what he wanted adding whoever it was that intruded on them so rudely must wait till another opportunity wait no longer cried Walter but force the door I know not but my life may be endangered the door was instantly burst open what a scene presented itself Walter with a face pale as ashes and apparently in the utmost confusion was endeavouring to disengage himself from the embraces of a young woman who had fallen at his feet and clasped her arms around him the priest held a prayer book in his hand which was opened at the matrimonial service a fierce-looking man in a naveled uniform the old procurus and another of her nymphs completed the group the instant Walter saw his friend enter the apartment by a desperate effort he disengaged himself from the siren who had held him captive flew to Albert and brandishing his sword called upon the wretch who had endeavoured to invagle him into a forced marriage to draw and receive the reward of his treachery but Albert ordered the culprit to be secured and requested Walter not to stain the purity of his sword with the blood of such a villain during this contest the women and the priests sneaked out of the room unobserved and though the strictest search was made throughout the house not a creature could be found in it that belonged to the family but the servant who admitted them and who had been prevented following the rest by the person left to guard him Albert insisted before he left the house on sending for proper officers to take the prisoners into custody but Walter who wished this affair to be kept a secret as possible entreated with so much earnestness on the villains making a promise of amendment and leaving the kingdom to have him liberated that his friend after a little hesitation complied on condition that the two fellows should be left bound in different apartments till the vile mistress of the house or some of her associates should venture to return the honest jeweler was entreated to be secret and promised an ample recompense his people were liberally paid and Albert with an exalting heart attended home as agitated friend who after recovering his spirits in some degree gave him the following account of the circumstances which had drawn him into a situation that might have been as fatal to his peace as they would have been disgraceful to his character but not his guardian friend arrived in time to prevent the threatened danger the whole of which he was now convinced had been planned for the purpose of drawing him into marriage resting their hopes of success on his ignorance of the world I take shame to myself dear Albert said the grateful Walter for not informing you this evening of my engagement which you who know the strength of my attachment to the charming Rosaline will not suppose was meant to be of the nature it proved I knew not that the worthless woman whose daughter it has been my ill luck frequently to meet at several public places was of so despicable a character chance or as I now suspect design has likewise frequently thrown her in my way in my morning rambles but what induced me to visit her at her mother's house was the having found her one evening in the passage of the playhouse waiting the arrival of her carriage in the greatest distress and what served to add to it was the behavior of two or three young men who said some very rude things to her in my hearing for which I chastised them with my cane and the frightened fair one fainted in my arms as soon as I had driven them away I suppose they had been led to insult her by having made too free with the bottle but they doubtless knew her well enough to discover her designs against me when she recovered from the fit into which I imagined they had terrified her I could do no less than see her home and when I called the next morning I was introduced to her mother whose unbounded gratitude and flattering acknowledgments for the trifling service I had rendered her sweet and amiable daughter overwhelming with confusion and convinced her I was a fool exactly suited to her purpose being always received with the utmost politeness and seeing nothing in the conduct or behavior of either mother or daughter to excite suspicion I continued to call upon them whenever I chanced to pass that way and was in the humor to wish for conversation they boasted of being an ancient family in the north of England appeared to live in credit and affluence treated me with the utmost hospitality and pressed me so warmly to make them frequent visits that I promised to comply with their request because I suppose by so doing I was removing a weight of obligation from their minds which seemed to give them pain once or twice it happened when I called that the young lady had walked out and the mother said a good deal about the mortification it would be to her to be told at her return I had called upon them in her absence but this till about two hours ago I considered as being the effusions of gratitude and how inquired Albert were you at length undeceived by her mother continued Walter who after some little hesitation with an appeal to my honor and humanity to excuse the weakness of a fond parent informed me of the passion I unfortunately and as she feared undesignedly had inspired in the bosom of her daughter a passion she much doubted she would never be able to subdue adding that just before my arrival she had by mere force compelled her to walk out for air as she saw with heartfelt distress the ravages despair had made in the constitution of her inestimable child I lamented the consequences of my introduction and added I would no more venture into a family whose peace I had disturbed acknowledged a prior engagement and was about to quit the house when the old lady entreated me earnestly not to adopt a measure so cruel and unjust I therefore promised to call again and receiving an invitation for this evening accepted it but did not suppose them the kind of people they have proved had you know suspicion of their character asked Albert none by heaven replied Walter I never saw the least appearance of indecency or even levity and heard no conversation that would have offended the nice ear of a Rosaline de Mourney the scheme was deeply laid said Albert pray proceed I am impatient to know how you will receive this evening first by the mother continued Walter who appeared in the greatest distress on my inquiring the cause she said she had informed Catherine of what had passed between us that on being told I was engaged she fainted several times and before she recovered her nephew who was just returned from abroad called at the house this young man she said had been long passionately attached to her that on seeing the situation of his cousin he was necessarily informed of the cause was now with her and had so earnestly entreated to have the honour of being introduced to me that she could not find resolution to deny his request I will confess to you my dear Albert I now began to suspect some design was formed against me but of what nature I was still at a loss to conjecture luckily I had put on my sword and I determined if they attempted to confine or ill treat me to sell my life as dearly as I could however it was not my life they wanted they had a more ambitious and less dangerous scheme in view in a little time the lady drowned in tears and with well acted distress entered the room accompanied by her cousin as the mother had called him the gentleman chose to put on a fierce and threatening look and swore I should do justice to his charming cousin whom he loved more than life or that moment settled the matter with him as a gentleman ought to do I laid my hand on my sword Catherine flew to me fell at my feet and begged I would not terrify her to death by exposing a life so dear to the risk of fighting with her cousin she then lamented her weakness and entreated me to compassionate the sorrows in which I had involved her I loudly demanded what all this meant declared I had no design against her heart nor any desire to be favored with her hand my own having been long engaged to the best and fairest of her sex and to whom alone all my wishes were confined the gentleman again approached me the lady chose to fall into a fit and was supported by her female accomplices a priest at that moment entered the room you are coming good time said the pretended cousin to assist us in performing an act of justice the young lady at that instant recovered and seeing her coming to me I flew to the window with an intention of opening it to call for assistance and on finding it fastened had no longer any doubts of their premeditated designs against my peace I therefore shook off the fair siren who had clasped her hands around my arm and with tears and all the blandishments of artful beauty besought me to have compassion on her sufferings and made an effort to get out at the door that was likewise fastened I then eagerly inquired for what base purpose I was thus forcibly detained and what it was they wanted with me justice replied the bully justice only Reverend Father said he addressing himself to the priest this fair damsel has been robbed of her peace her virgin fame must be lost in consequence unless that youth, pointed to me will make her reparation by giving her his hand in marriage it is to join them in holy wedlock we sent for you I was now enraged too much continued Walter to have longer any command over my passion I drew my sword and vowed to sacrifice anyone who should dare to prevent my leaving the infamous house into which I had been so artfully and basely trepanned the women now clung about me while their bully endeavored but in vain to rest my sword from me he then commanded the priest to do his office and I know not at that moment what act of desperation I might not have committed had not you my guardian friend and preserver luckily burst into the room and prevented my ending that life in a brothel which you protected so many years in a dungeon Albert embraced his young lord with tears of gratified affection long very long cried he may your life be guarded from every danger and never experience a fate so disgraceful I will inform the baron of what has passed he will very soon bring these wretches to the shame and punishment they so justly deserve not for worlds my good Albert would I have the story transpire said Walter I already know enough of human nature to be satisfied that the recital of it would not only bring my father's displeasure upon me but likewise the ridicule of the world be assured of this I will never again run the risk of being drawn into danger by forming an acquaintance with people however specious their appearance without their being well known to my father or yourself all I beg of you is to join me in interceding with the baron for permission to return to Bungie Castle I will there wait his pleasure without murmur or complaint for the accomplishment of all my wishes with Rosalind Mourney I cannot be unhappy without her my soul can know no peace Albert promised to do what he could with the baron but requested his young lord not to be too sanguine in his hopes of prevailing on him to consent to his leaving London till the time was expired that he had fixed for his stay and on his promising not to offend him by disputing his will to the length of his continuance in town he agreed to conceal this unpleasant adventure from the baron strongly recommending him to be more guarded in future and never to let his own unsuspecting nature lead him to conclude that the people he mixed with were as good and as artless as himself VII Chapter IX of Bungie Castle by Elizabeth Bond Hote this LibriVox recording is in the public domain from that time Walter became more and more dissatisfied with his situation he no longer contended with the baron respecting the length of his stay or refused to accompany him whenever he was requested to any public amusement or private party but he became so restless and internally wretched that it became impossible to conceal entirely how much he was distressed he wrote many letters to Rosaline the following is a copy of that which he sent a few days after his being so fortunately saved by Albert from the diabolical plan lead to render him miserable during life and at the same time would have made the innocent Rosaline as unhappy as himself my ever dear and charming Rosaline I cannot live much longer in this detestable place where the women are artful, the men base in designing I am pointed at as being a fit dupe for vice to ensnare my ignorance often leads me into error and my own unsuspecting disposition exposes me to ridicule if I must learn to be like the people with whom I often associate here I shall grow in a little time so weary of existence that I shall only wish it preserved on your account the immense distance between this place and the castle you inhabit renders it doubly detestable it is a scene of bustle, confusion, and design its amusements are all frivolous and trifling its pleasures are joyless, unsocial, and unsatisfactory and I am mere cipher, dull, and alone amidst a crowd of beings for whom I feel neither respect nor friendship in fact I am never more alone than when I am surrounded by hundreds of people not one of whom cares for my happiness I had rather be with you in one of the gloomiest dungeons of Bungie Castle than in the Palace of Our King unless you were by my side I have seen a great many young ladies that are called beauties but I think none of them half so beautiful as my gentle Rosaline neither do they appear so good-humored nor is their dress so becoming though they wear as many diamonds as you did on the fortunate morning you went to be married to my father and would you think it one of them actually endeavored to draw me to marry her though I repeatedly told her I could love no woman but you I have neither spirits nor appetite I can neither laugh nor sing and if the Baron had a mind to make me polite if he wished me to acquire knowledge if he be desirous I should become what he calls a useful member of society he must no longer keep us separate it is your company only that could give a charm to that of other people and if I could see you I should love the world for your sake I shall die dear Rosaline unless they permit me to come to you Madeline though she wept was happy and looked handsomer than ever and Edwin ah how I envied your brother Edwin he may be thankful he was not the son of a Baron compelled like me to go through the tiresome drudgery of unmeaning ceremonies and all the disgusting and nonsensical forms which they tell me belong to a rank I am sure rank would be more valuable and happier without them and dignity far more pleasant to its possessors if they could divest themselves of pride commend me cordially to your parents tell your sisters I love them as a brother and make my respects to declivering de Willows and the honest Cambrian to whom I hope one day sweet Rosaline think of me dream of me and love no one but me my father is very kind very indulgent and Albert is very good for he will hear me talk of you for hours together but neither the Baron nor Albert can guess at the sufferings they inflict on me by this tedious absence from you to whom I am indebted for life hope and happiness yours forever Walter Fitz Osborne when the above mentioned letter reached the hands of the dejected Rosaline it alarmed and distressed her it was however accompanied by one from the Baron so Sir Philip had no longer any fears but his friend would succeed in procuring a pardon for the fugitives again the family of de Mourney were restored to their accustomed cheerfulness and their friends admitted as usual and though Rosaline shed some tears over the fond impassioned letter of Walter they were tears of grateful tenderness and she took care that her size and unceasing regret for the absence of her lover should be concealed from those to whom they would have given pain Adeliza too was no longer under the pleasant necessity of concealing her love for the worthy de Willows the heart of Sir Philip was softened by the trials he had encountered and all the parent was awakened in his soul he therefore consented to the union of his second daughter taking place as soon as her lover could command an income sufficient to maintain a wife and family and as he had many friends in power everyone cherished hopes of his soon obtaining some distinguished preferment Audrey who was still a great favourite with her young lady was now solely retained to attend her person and wholly at her command she considered herself therefore of some consequence and gave herself heirs accordingly she did not choose to mix with the common class of servants truly a ladies maid's place was a place of too much extinction to permit any familiarity with inferiors no sooner did Audrey see the family restored to their usual good humour than she herself became more lively and chatty than ever and all her fears of ghosts and hobgoblins were lost in her own self-importance and newly acquired dignity she afforded high entertainment not only to her fellow servants but to all the rest of the family and to make her character appear more ridiculous her dress was as absurd as her sentiments whenever chance threw Mrs. Audrey in their way it was become a matter of course to enter into conversation with her and the vain Abigail was too proud of this flattering distinction not to make the most of it the clavouring, who was fond of the humorous laughed at the absurdities of Audrey and took every opportunity of showing her off one day while he was sitting with Rosaline in the apartment to which Walter had been removed when released from his dungeon Audrey came abruptly into the room bringing in her arms the little dog frequently mentioned in the foregoing pages she laid him on the lap of his fond mistress and exclaimed there madam take the little wandering rascal I have been in a fine quandary about him and have had a blessed rambulation to find him and drag him from his low-bred vulgar companions to my thanks he is as great a rake as the king himself God bless his majesty but the young bearer not to have given him a better education than to keep company with his infirers I am sure Audrey said to clavouring you are much indebted to the young rascal as you call him for the rambulation you complain of has given so fine a glow to your complexion so much animation to each expressive feature that I may die if I did not take you at first for a painted lady and had I met you in the passage I'm afraid I should have been tempted to see whether those roses so fascinating and so blooming were borrowed or natural don't talk to me of animation or fancination cried Audrey indignantly drawing herself up several inches higher I can assure you Mr. Doctor I don't choose to be consulted I neither buys, borrows, nor covets roses I neither wants to tempt or to be tempted by anyone but if I was by chance to captify a sweetheart I daresay I should soon become pale enough for I think's love is as bad as a patecari shop I hope I have not offended you Mrs. Audrey said to clavouring laughing I only meant to be civil and pay the tribute due to the bloom I observed upon your countenance fended or not replied Audrey it little matters servants some folks thinks must not look like other people and their blooms must be suspected truly however as father Anselm often says God made up all you might as well have been silent as to the matter of my looks I don't want or wish gentlemen patecaries to ask me questions or trouble their heads about me you would not have been half so angry with Camelford said to clavouring had he said ten times as much to you as I have done or had he kissed you as often as I once saw him when you ran to him under the mulberry tree I don't think she would said Rosaline smiling for I know our friend Hugh is a great favorite with every female in the family where he they'll miss replied Audrey but I defy his satirical talons I can assure you miss though Mr. Camelford is so seetious and merry he never proffered to kiss me more than half a dozen times in his life take care how you reckon Audrey cried to clavouring humorously remember I saw you under the mulberry tree well what if you did you would have been so angry with me you would have been so angry with me well what if you did you might as well have said nothing about it replied Audrey I was frightened almost into hysterics by an ugly black cat jumping from a lilac bush and I ran to Mr. Camelford without knowing what I did and he was so civil and polite God bless his good humored heart one must have been a savage to quarrel with him for a civil kiss or two he does not fleer or jeer people about their looks or tells what he sees them doing neither Rosaline nor declavouring could any longer refrain from laughing and Camelford at that moment entering the room Audrey was so much displeased and in so great a hurry to be gone that in running to the door she almost beat down her favourite thought in the name of caught cried Hugh some matter with the girl she has as many freaks and fancies in her head as a mountain coat and is as frolicksome too you had better follow her and make your inquiries I am satisfied the damsel would tell you what brought on her present disorder sooner than anybody else I have no talk to, said Camelford therefore don't be playing any tricks upon me by sending me after the damsel and pringing little Perth's anger upon me which may I tie in a titch if I know how to bear oh, if you are enlisted under petticoat government replied declavouring I give you up as incurable a deserter from the thorny paths of glory and foresee the sword will be changed into a dista for a plowshare love, cried Camelford must not be abused it is the best stimulus to create ennoble actions the parent of polled achievements but of that same love you know nothing there is no heart in your body and you are mortified to think you cannot find a nostrum to cure the disease in others you must therefore be caught in love snares with those dreadful tribulations it brings upon a man may I go to the devil in a high wind if I had not asleep face a cannon's mouth as meet the fire of Perth's bright eyes when they look indignantly upon me don't talk so much of the devil, Hugh interrupted declavouring but request him to do you the favour of kicking about your brains a little till they return to a more useful station in your perichranium in my opinion you are in a fair way fist for the government under which you think yourself enlisted may the vengeance of all womankind fall upon you, cried Camelford may you be trant about like a tancing pear to make sport may you lead asses in the Tark regions of Bilsepub for your blasphemies against women, and may but all his father denunciations and wishes for vengeance on declavouring were now interrupted by a loud screaming soon the door was thrown open and she bounced Audrey her cap on one side and her face as pale as ashes I have seen him she exclaimed with my own dear eyes his ghost or apparition whose coast, cried Camelford where is it I will teach a coast to frighten a pretty girl and try for to distract it the manner and appearance of Audrey were such a serve to confirm the suspicion in the mind of Rosaline and even declavouring offended by the supposition of her being insane she called out in her usual peculiar style thank God some folks are no more a lunatic than other folks I have all my seven senses as perfect as ever I had in my life but Christ Jesus, these are sad times when one is not allowed to believe in her own precious eyes down dropped his horse poor beast all in a foam and down tumbled the young bear and ardor him as dead as my dear great grandmother who are you talking of, cried Rosaline rising with the utmost emotion is the Baron, is Walter is he dead he only died for a few minutes answered Audrey and then he came to himself she had time for no more Rosaline heard the well known step of her lover Walter rushed into the room threw himself at her feet and the next instant caught her in his arms and cried he is that for which my heart has languished this is a reward for all my fatigue all my fears and anxieties look up, smile upon me and say my sweet Rosaline that my return gives to you an almost equal pleasure as myself but first let me inform you that I have left London without the knowledge and permission of my father that Rosaline rejoiced to see her lover Horizon formed him and for a few minutes surprise and agitation kept her silent Sir Philip, Lady de Mourney and the whole family were soon assembled in the apartment to which Walter had been directed by Audrey the young Baron it may be supposed found a cordial reception and it is not to be doubted but that he met with from the fair object of his affection was such as amply repaid him for his fatigue and in his own mind even of disobliging his father this step however was owing to a hint dropped by the Baron that it would be agreeable and convenient to himself and necessary for many reasons to his son that they should prolong their stay in town for some weeks beyond what had been proposed or intended on their departure from the castle on this plan being opposed by Walter the Baron not only appeared displeased but resolute to carry his point a circumstance so distressing to his son rendered him equally determined not to submit to such arbitrary and in his opinion cruel authority therefore early the next morning he sat off without being attended by a servant or informing anyone to what part of the globe he meant to go and the next day reached Bungie castle in the manner before described Sir Philip de Mourney on learning these alarming circumstances from his daughter immediately sent off and expressed in the barren of his son's unexpected arrival and of his apprehensions that the step he had so unguardedly taken would bring his displeasure upon himself and the family whom he seriously assured him knew nothing of his intention Walter in his conversations with Rosaline told her he found himself so disgusted with the customs and manners of the world and met with so few people in it to whom he could attach himself or for whom he felt either respect or affection that he determined no longer to be detained from her in whose care his happiness was entrusted and with whom alone he was satisfied it could rest secure and as you condescended he continued to love and attend to me when a mirrored in a dungeon kindly smiled on me and endeavored to instruct me when enveloped in ignorance and was my friend when I appeared to have no claims a solitary outcast from society I thought you would not be very much displeased if I forsook the world for you who gave up more much more for me and quitted its gayest and most cheerful scenes for the solitary gloom of a prison whatever I may still want of polish address and what fashionable people style politeness love and my gentle Rosaline can easily teach me from a world that I neither like nor approve I could learn but little while the chosen mistress of my heart may at her pleasure make me anything she wishes with her and for her amusement I may be sometimes tempted to live in a crowd without her the world itself is only a wide extended dungeon Rosaline at hearing this impassioned language from lips which she was satisfied knew no guile was too much gratified to express all she felt she smiled on him through her tears and in the softest language affection could dictate gently chide him for being so impetuous as to run the risk of disobliging his father on her account expressing a few timid apprehensions that the Baron might be offended with her as being the innocent cause of his son's proving refractory to his wishes yet she could not help secretly rejoicing in the strength of his attachment on which all her happiness depended everything was done by the family to give this amiable and singular lover a reception not only suitable to his elevated rank but satisfactory to his feelings such an one as the sincerity of his regard for Rosaline demanded and deserved while the joy which appeared upon the animated countenances of the lovers convinced everyone who saw them that they had fixed their hopes of felicity on a basis which the hand of death only could shake from its foundations Walter in his moments of unreserve expressed his surprise disliked and contempt of many things persons and customs which he met with in the high circles to which he had been introduced and concluded with wishing that the Baron could be prevailed upon to excuse his father attendance adding, it was his determined plan so far as it met the approbation of his beloved Rosaline to spend as much of his time as the nature of his situation would permit in the placid bosom of retirement in which he hoped to make himself useful and worthy a member of the Commonwealth as he should be if engaged in more bustling and busy scenes. One would think, said de Klavering who happened to be present when this conversation occurred that the young Baron had been educated by some of our wise and ancient philosophers and taught by their precepts was convinced by them that happiness was too timid and modest to be found in the confines of a court or the splinters of a ballroom. It reminds me of Anthemenes who, speaking of the pleasures of solitude to a man of the world makes the following observations You are compelled to a continual restraint in your dress, demeanor, actions and words. Your festivals are so magnificent and ours so mirthful. Your pleasures so superficial and so transient and ours so real and so constant. Have you ever in your rich apartments breathed an air so fresh as that which we respire in arbor? Or can your entertainments sometimes so sumptuous compare with the bowls of milk which we have just drawn or those delicious fruits we have gathered with our hands? Ah, if happiness be only the health of the soul, must it not be found in those places where a just proportion ever rains between our wants and our desires, where motion is constantly followed by rest and where our affections are always accompanied by tranquility, breathe a free air and enjoy the splendor of heaven? From these kind comparisons we may judge which are the true riches that nature designed for men. Such were the opinions and sentiments of Infaminis, and such I find are those of Declavaring," replied Walter, or he would not have retained and repeated them with so much facility and satisfaction. Were my fate united with that of Mr. Morney and had I too such friends as Declavaring and Albert to direct my conduct and enlarge the small portion of knowledge I have yet been able to acquire, I should think myself the most fortunate as well as the happiest of mankind, having already experienced a long series of oppression from the baneful arts and stratagems of ambition. I have learned to despise it and in the glooming and trying hour of adversity have been taught that fortitude with humility and tainted honour can harmonise but can never degrade the most exalted stations. And while they are the brightest jewels that could adorn a crown they enrich and ennoble the lowest peasant. In a few days the baron accompanied by Albert arrived at the castle. The frown which appeared upon his brow at his first entrance was instantly dispersed when the trembling rosalines sunk at his feet and entreated him to pardon the eccentric flight of her lover of which as she was the cause if his displeasure continued it would inflict equal distress upon herself as upon his son. To resist so fair a supplicant was not in the baron's power. He tenderly raised her from the ground and the next morning embraced her lover. The utmost harmony and a general cheerfulness soon prevailed and before the party separated for the night the baron candidly and generously acknowledged that at the same age and under the same circumstances as his son he believed he should have acted as he had done. And upon the whole said he, I was not very sorry when the obstinate, sighing boy took himself away, for I was grown weary of having to introduce and make such frequent apologies for so absent, lifeless, and refractory a being. What served to reconcile matters the sooner was that Albert after the sudden disappearance of his young lord had informed his father of Mrs. C's infamous stratagem to draw him into a marriage with her artful and abandoned daughter. He was so much enraged at hearing the lengths to which these wretches had dared to go that strict search was made after them, but without effect. Walter too told Rosaline of the designs which had been formed to entrap him, and while she looked at him with increased delight she secretly rejoiced that he had left a place which harbored a set of people who gloried to destroy the peace of their fellow creatures. To make the happiness of the friendly party more perfectly complete the baron informs Sir Philip and Lady de Morny that he hoped very soon to procure a pardon for Edwin and Madeline and to be able to restore them to their protection. Preparations for the marriage very soon began. The baron humorously observing that till his son was again deprived of freedom there would be no knowing how to secure or what to do with him and declaring he should be very glad to delegate the care of him to one whom he had no doubt would supply his place much to the advantage of the charge he was ready and willing to give up. Every appendage that wealth could purchase rank require or youth and ambition wish to possess was liberally provided to grace the nuptials of Walter Fitzosborne and the happy Rosaline de Morny. Ah, how different were the feelings, how delightful the prospects of the intended bride on this occasion to what they had been on a former one when she prepared with such agonizing terrors to give her hand to the baron. Yet, though she could now think of approaching the altar without reluctance, she could not entirely divest herself of those timid fears which every gentle and virtuous female must experience when she recollects the number of new duties upon which she is going to enter and that, from the moment she becomes a wife, her happiness no longer dependent on herself or parents rests only on the man to whom she has given her hand. Walter seemed to tread on air. He was all vivacity and joy and appeared to have assumed a new character. The world and everything belonging to it were a different aspect. All, all was charming. He wondered how he could ever have felt disgust or cherished discontent. To his father he was attentive and affectionate to his friends, cordial and complacent to his rosaline all that an affectionate lover could or ought to be. Albert was almost as happy and joyous as his master. The baron, serene, grateful and contented, while Sir Philip and Lady de Mourney who found their own consequence and comfort so much increased by this fortunate and splendid alliance united in blessing the hour which Senthir intended son-in-law a prisoner to Bungie Castle.