Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes Charlotte, Emily, Anne Brontë (Illustrated) (277 page)

“you forget” replied the stranger smiling “that you are my debtor for a reply : my first question remains yet unanswered”

“Ah true” said Bud “you asked me I think who Colonel Percy might be?»

“I did, & it would gratify me much to receive some information respecting him.”

“He is the nephew & apparent heir of the rich old Duke of Beaufortf”

“Indeed! how long has he paid his addresses to lady Emily Charlesworthf?”

“For nearly a year.”

“When are they to be married?”

“Shortly I believe”

“Is he handsome?”

“Yes nearly as much so as you & into the bargain his manners are those of an accomplished soldier & gentleman but in spite of all this he is a finished scoundrel, a haughty gambling drinking unconscionable blackguard”

“Why do you speak so warmly against him?”

“Because I know him well. I am his inferior officer & have daily opportunities of observing his vices.”

“Is lady Emily acquainted with his real character?”

“Perhaps not altogether but if she were I do not think she would love him less, ladies look more to external than internal qualifications in their husbands elect.”

“Do they often appear in public together?”

“I believe not, lady Emily confines herself very much to private life. she is said not to like display”

“Do you know anything of her disposition or temper? is it good or bad, close or candidf?”

“I’m sure I can’t tell you but there is a gentleman here who will satisfy your curiosity on that pointf. he was her tutor & should know all about it. Pray Gifford favour us with your opinion.”

Gifford hearing himself thus appealed to emerged from the dark corner which had hitherto nearly concealed him from view, the stranger started on seeing him & attempted to muffle his face with one end of the large mantle in which he was envelopped as if for the purpose of avoiding a recognition. But the worthy antiquary at no time sharp- sighted & whose brains at this particular juncture happened to be somewhat muddled by the draughts of spiced ale which he had just been administring to himself with no sparing hand, regarded him with a vacant stare of wonder as he drawled out “What’s your business with me Bud?”

“I merely wished to know if you could inform this gentleman what sort of temper lady Charlesworth had”

“What sort of a temper! why I don’t know, much the same as other girls of her age have & that’s a very bad one.f the stranger smiled gave a significant shrug of the shoulder which seemed to say there’s not much to be had from this quater & bowing politely to the corner walked away to a distant part of the hall. When he was gone the two friends sat silent for some time but Bud’s attention was soon attracted by the sound of a voice apparently employed in reading or recitation proceeding from the group of Frenchmen who were seated at no great distance, he walked towards them, the speaker was a little dapper man dressed in brown coat & waistcoat & cream? coulour continuations.” he was uttering the following words’’ with abundance of action & grimace as Bud came up.

“Well as I was saying the Emperor got into bed. “Cheveleure” says he to his valet “let down those window curtains & shut that casement before you leave the room.” Cheveleure did as he was told & then taking up his candlestick departed. In a few minutes the Emperor felt his pillow becoming rather hard & he got up to shake it. as he did so, a slight rustling noise was heard near the bed-head, his majesty listened but all was silent so he lay down again, scarcely had he settled into a peaceful attitude of repose when he was disturbed by a sensation of thirst, lifting himself on his elbow he took a glass of lemonade from the small stand which was placed beside him. he refreshed himself by a deep draught, as he returned the goblet to its station a deep groan burst from a kind of closet in one corner of the appartment. “Who’s there?” cried the Emperor seizing his pistols “Speak or I’ll blow your brains out.” this threat produced no other effect than a short sharp laugh & a dead silence followed, the Emperor started from his couch & hastily throwing on a robe de chambre which hung over the back of a chair stepped courageously to the haunted closet, as he opened the door something rustled, he sprang forward sword in hand, no soul or even substance appeared & the rustling it was evident had proceeded from the falling of a cloak which had been suspended by a peg from the door, half ashamed of himself he returned to bed. just as he was about once more to close his eyes the light of the three wax tapers which burnt in a silver branch over the mantle peice was suddenly darkened, he looked up. a black opaque shadow obscured it. sweating with terror the Emperor put out his hand to seize the bell-rope but some invisible being snatched it rudely from his grasp & at the same instant the ominous shade vanished. “Pooh” exclaimed Napoleon “it was but an ocular delusion.”
 

“Was it?” whispered a hollow voice in deep mysterious tones, close to his ear “Was it a delusion Emperor of France, no all thou hast heard & seen is sad forwarning reality. Rise lifter of the Eagle Standard, Awake swayer of the lily sceptre, follow me Napoleon & thou shalt see more.” as the voice ceased, a form dawned on his astonished sight, it was that of a tall thin man dressed in a blue surtout edged with gold lace, it wore a black cravat very tightly twisted round its neck & confined by two little sticks placed behind each ear. the countenance was livid, the tongue protruded from between the teeth & the eyes all glazed & bloodshot starting with frightful prominence from their sockets. “Mon Dieu”, exclaimed the Emperor “what do I see? dreadful? spectre whence comest thou?” the apparition spoke not but gliding forward beckoned Napoleon with uplifted finger to follow, controlled by a mysterious influence which entirely deprived him of the capability of either thinking or acting for himself he obeyed in silence, the solid wall of the appartment fell open as they approached & when both had passed through, it closed behind them with a noise like thunder, they would now have been in total darkness had it not been for a dim blue light which lit the air round? the ghost & revealed the damp walls of a long vaulted passage, down this they proceeded with mute rapidity, ere long a cool refreshing breeze which rushed wailing up the vault & caused the Emperor to wrap his loose night dress closer round announced their approach to the open air. this they soon reached & Napoleon found himself in one of the principal streets of Paris. “Worthy Spirit” said he shivering in the chill air “permit me to return & put on some additional clothing I will be with you again presently” “Forward” replied his companion sternly, he felt compelled in spite of the rising indignation which almost choked him to obey, on they went through the deserted streets till they arrived at a lofty house built on the banks of the Seine, here the Spectre stopped, the gates rolled back to receive them & they entered a large marble hall which was partly concealed by a curtain drawn across through the half transparent folds of which a bright light might be seen burning with dazzling lustre. A row of fine female figures richly attired stood before this screenf; each wore on their heads garlands of the most beautiful flowers but their faces were concealed by ghastly masks representing Death’s heads. “What is all this mummery,” cried the Emperor making an effort to shake off the mental shackles by which he was unwillingly restrained “where am I & why have I been brought here.” “Silence” said the guide lolling out still further his black & bloody tongue “Silence if thou wouldst escape instant death.” the Emperor would have replied his natural courage overcoming the temporary awe to which he had at first been subjected, but just then a strain of wild supernatural music swelled behind the huge curtain which waved to & fro & bellyed slowly out as if agitated by some internal commotion or battle of warring winds, at the same moment an overpowering mixture of the scents of mortal corruption blent with the richest eastern odours stole through the haunted hall. A murmur of many voices was now heard at a distance. something grasped his arm roughly from behind, he turned hastily round, his eyes met the well-known countenance of Maria Louisa. “What are you in this infernal place too?” says he “What has brought you here?” “Will your majesty permit me to ask the same question of yourself?” returned the Empress smiling, he made no reply — astonishment prevented him. no curtain now intervened between him & the lightf. it had been removed as if by magic & a splendid chandelier appeared suspended over his head, throngs of ladies richly dressed but without deaths head masks stood round & a due proportion of gay cavaliers was mingled with them, music was still sounding but it was now seen to proceed from a band of mortal musicians stationed in an orchestra near at hand, the air was yet redolent of incence but it was incense unblended with stench. “Bon Dieu” cried the Emperor “how is all this come about, where in the world is Piche?” “Piche?” replied the Empress “what does your majesty meanp had you not better leave the appartment & retire to rest?” “leave the appartment! why, where am I?” “in my private drawing-room surrounded by a few particular persons of the court whom I had invited this evening to a ball . you entred a few minutes since in your night dress with your eyes fixed & wide open. I suppose from the astonishment you now testify that you were walking in your sleep.” the Emperor immediately fell into a fit of the catalepsy in which he continued during the whole of that night & the greater part of next day.”

As the little man finished his story a person dressed in blue & gold uniform bustled through the surrounding crowd of listners & touching the narrator with a sort of official staff which he carried in his hand said “He arrests him in the name of the Emperor.”

“what for?” asked the little man.

“what for!” reiterated a voice at the other end of the hall “he’ll let him know what for. What’s the meaning of that scandalous anecdote he should like to know, to the Bastile with him instantly incessantly,”

all eyes were turned towards the deliverer of this peremptory mandate, & lo! the identical Emperor himself in his accustomed green surtout and violet couloured pantaloons stood surrounded by about twenty gens d’armes engaged in continued and uninterrupted snuff- takingf: every one’s attention was now attracted towards le grand Napoleon and le pauvre petit conteur de sirnettes?’ was hurried off to the Bastile without further notice or compassion, as it was now getting very late & the Inn was all bustle & confusion in consequence of the excitement occasioned among the guests by the arrival of the illustrious visitor. Bud & Gifford to whom the Emperor was no novelty, thought proper to take their departure. They walked down the first street together & then as their roads lay in opposite directions separated for the night.

CHAPTER THE SECOND

A bright & balmy summer’s morning ushered in the first celebration of the African Olympic Games.’* At an early hour (as the newspapers say) the amphitheatre was crowded almost to suffocation in every part except the open area a square mile in magnitude allotted to the combatants & those Private seats which were reserved for the accommodation of the nobility & other persons of distinction.

the scene of the Games was not exactly then what it is now. the houses which surround it on three sides were at that time but newly built; some indeed were but half finished & a few had only the foundations dug. the lofty hill called Fredericks Crag which completes the circle on the fourth side & whose summit above the seats is at the present day covered with Gardens & splendid private dwellings was then a sombre forest whose ancient echos were as yet unviolated by the sound of the woodcutter’s axe. the stumps of a few recently felled trees likewise appeared in the midst of the newly cleared arena but it is a question in my opinion whether by the vast improvements which have since taken place in the neighbourhood of the amphitheatre the scene has not lost in picturesque variety what it has gained in grandeur & perfect finish. On that memorable morning the tall magnificent trees waving their still dewy arms now towards the blue sky which seemed not far above them & now over the heads of as many peoples, nations,

tongues & kindreds as Nebuchadzezzar’s decree called together on the plains of Dura” Hung into the prospect a woodland wildness & sylvan sublimity which in my opinion would be a more potent & higher charm than any of the artificial forms of beauty our great city has created in their stead are capable of infusing.

After an hour of anxious expectation the distant sound of musical instruments announced the approach of the principal personages. Bravey advanced slowly & majestically followed by a brilliant train of noblesf. his tall & imposing person was set of to the best advantage by an ample robe of purple splendidly wrought with gold, he took his seat on the president’s throne amidst bursts of universal applause, after him came Lady Emily Charlesworth his neice. the flutes & softer instruments of the musicians breathed a dulcet welcome as the fair Re- warder of victors with a graceful rather than stately tread moved towards her decorated seat, her form was exquisitely elegant though not above the middle size & as she lifted her long white veil to acknowledge the thunderous applause of the multitude a countenance was revealed such as painters & poets love to immagine but which is seldom seen in actual life, the features were soft and delicate the general complexion transparently fair but tinged on the cheeks & lips with a clear healthy crimson hue which gave an idea of vigour & healthy freshness, her eyes dark, bright & full of animation flashed from under their long lashes & finely pencilled brows an arch, laughing, playful light, which though it might not perhaps have suited well in a heroine of romance yet added to her countenance a most fascinating though indescribable charm. At first as she removed her veil & met the gaze of more than a million admiring eyes a blush mantled on her beautiful cheeks. She bowed timidly though gracefully & her white hand trembled with agitation as she waved it in reply to their greeting, but she soon regained her composure, the scene before her awoke feelings of a highjer nature in her susceptible mind.

the blue & silent sky, the wild dark forest & the broad glimpse of mountainous country opening far beyond, tinged by the violet hues of distance contrasted with the mighty assemblage of living & moving beings, the Great city & the boundless sea beyondf. these circumstances together with the sound of the music which now in subdued &

solemn but most inspiring tones accompanied the heralds as they summoned the charioteers who were to contest the first prize to approach, could not but kindle in every bosom admiration for the simple sublimity of Nature & the commanding magnificence of Art.

Three chariots now drew up round the Starting Post. In the first sat a little man with a head of fiery red hair & a pair of keen malicious black eyes which kept squinting round the arena & regarding every one on whom their distorted glances chanced to fall with a kind of low blackguard expression which accorded well with the rest of his appearance & equipments.’ His chariot was rather out of character when compared with the gorgeousness of all surrounding objects being in fact neither more nor less than a common spring cart drawn by four of those long eared & proverbially obstinate animals called asses whom he alternately held in check by means of a rough straw rope bridle or goaded forward with the assistance of a black thorn staff pointed at one end. the occupier of the second chariot was a fashionable dandified gentleman in pink silk jacket & white pantaloons whose whole attention seemed absorbed by the management of his four handsome bay chargers, his name was Major Hawkins at that time a celebrated Hero of the Turf & ring, but it was the third & last charioteer who excited the most general attention. He was a tall & very handsome young man whose symmetrical form appeared to the utmost advantage as he stood upright on his small light car gallantly reining in the proud prancing steeds that seemed by their loud snorting & the haughty elevation of their stately arched necks to be conscious of their master’s superiority over the other combatants, the countenance of this gentleman was as I have said handsome, his features were regularly formed & his forehead was lofty, though not very open, but there was in the expression of his blue & sparkling but sinister eyes & of the smile that ever played round his deceitful looking mouth a spirit of deep restless villainy which warned the penetrating observer that all was not as fair within as without, while his pallid cheek & somewhat haggard air bespoke at once the profligate the gambler & perhaps the Drunkard. Such is the description as well as my poor pen can express it of Colonel the Honourable Alexander Augustus Percy.

All being now ready the signal for starting broke from a silver trumpet stationed near the President’s throne, the three chariots shot off bravely with the swiftness of arrows running nearly abreast of each other till near the middle of the course, When to the surprise of all the little red-headed gentleman with the asses got ahead of the other two & by dint of a most vigorous system of pricking reached the Gaol two minutes before them. No pen or pencil can give an adequate picture of the deep subdued rage which glowed in Colonel Percy’s eye & covered his pale cheek & forehead with a dark red flush of anger, he threw one glance of concentrated malignity on the fortunate winner & then throwing the reins to a groom who stood near in attendance leapt from his chariot & mingled with the crowd.

it is not my intention to give a full & detailed account of all that took place on this memorable day. I shall merely glance at the transactions which followed & then proceed to topics more nearly connected with my tale.

the sports of Horse-racing, wrestling, & bull-fighting followed in all of which Colonel Percy was engaged, in the first his favourite horse Tornado carried away the gold chaplet from ten of the most renowned steeds in Verdopolis; in the second he himself sucessively overcame five powerful antagonists, & in the third when every one else turned in dismay from a mighty red bull of the Byson breed after it had ripped up ten horses & gored their riders to death he mounted Tornado & with a red crest waving from his Hussars cap & a scarlet cloak depending from his shoulders rode courageously into the middle of the amphitheatre, the Combat for a long time was dubious but at length by a well aimed stroke his lance drank the huge monster’s heart’s blood & it fell bellowing to the earth which was crimsoned with its gore.

The last prize now remained to be tried for, it was that of Archery, here too Colonel Percy presented himself as a competitor, the mark was a tall white wand set at the distance of sixty feet, twenty noble members of the Archer’s Association all accounted Marksmen of the first order contended for this prize, but the arrows of all fell either more or less wide of the mark. It now became Colonel Percy’s turn, he advanced & discharged a carefully directed arrow which though it came much nearer than any of the rest failed also in hitting the appointed mark. The Heralds now according to an established form demanded if there were any one amongst the spectators who would undertake to shame the unsuccessful archers. A dead silence followed this demand for none thought themselves qualified to attempt an enterprise apparently so impracticable & the President proceeded to adjudge the prize to him whose arrow had come nearest in default of a better.

he had scarcely uttered the words when a young man of a form as noble & majestic as that which the ancients attributed to Appollo advanced from the crowd, his dress & appearance I have described before for it was that identical stranger who on the previous night had arrived at the Genii’s Inn but now instead of the green bonnet & plume which he then wore a steel helmet covered his head & the visor being closed entirely concealed his features.’

“My Lord” said he approaching the President’s throne, “will you permit me the honour of discharging a single arrow before you & the fair rewarder of Victors? I delayed my request till now that I might not deprive Colonel Percy of the prize which justly falls to his lot.”

Bravey readily gave his consent & the stranger stationing himself twenty feet further off than the appointed distance, unslung the bow & quiver which hung at his shoulder chose an arrow tightened his string & ere another second had elapsed the splintering of the white wand proclaimed his triumph and skill. A loud thundering cheer rose from the thousands gazing round & when it had subsided Bravey rising from his seat declared that he rescinded his former decision regarding the prize & awarded it to the successful stranger. All eyes now turned to Colonel Percy, but no symptom of mortification or anger appeared either in his countenance or behaviour, on the contrary he turned imediately to the Unknown & with the most friendly cordiality of manner congratulated him on his good fortune. His civilities were received however with a cold & haughty courtesy which told that they were unwelcome as effectually as the most prompt & decided rejection of them could have done. Still the Colonel did not seem piqued but continued to converse with his unsocial conqueror in the free & unembarrassed strain which was natural to him as a man of the world.

“Upon my word” observed Ensign Bud who with his friend Gifford (for he had persuaded the old Gentleman to accompany him to see the Games) was seated in the front row of seats “Upon my word I believe the Colonel has some fiendish scheme of Revenge in his mind or he would never put on that smooth quiet face”

“Doubtless “ returned Gifford “but who is that fantastically arrayed foreignerf? methinks I have heard a voice like his before though where or when I cannot for my life call to mind”.

Bud was about to reply but he was prevented by the loud summons of the heralds & the sudden rich swell of music which burst grandly forth as the victors advanced to the foot of the throne & one by one knelt before lady Emily Charlesworth from whose hands they were to receive their recompense, first came the carroty-locked hero of the cart & asses.

“Sir” said the lady as she strove vainly to suppress the smile which his odd appearance excited “you have this day gained a miraculous victory over one of the most gallant & high-born gentlemen of Ver- dopolis & are well worthy of the golden wreath which I thus twine round your illustrious temples.”

“Thank you madam” replied he bowing low “the Colonel’s certainly a rum’un but I’ve matched him well to day & if you knew all you’d say so too”

“I do not doubt your ability to match any man” she replied laughing “& the Colonel in my opinion has no reason to be ashamed of his defeat since it was effected by such a consummate master in the art of over-reaching as you appear to be.”

he thanked her again & with another low bow gave place to Colonel Percy.

As he the claimer of three crowns knelt gracefully at her feet & whispered some flattering compliment in an undertone lady Emily seemed visibly embarrassed. She did not blush but her forehead before so open & smiling grew dark & sad. For a moment she sat silent as if scarcely knowing how to address him but almost immediately regaining her self possession said in a soft yet firm voice while with her slender & jewelled fingers she bound the garland among his thickly clustered light brown curls.

“It gives me pleasure to be the instrument of rewarding one who has found his equal in three ardent contests. I trust our City will have
_s
able a champion in every succeeding anniversary of the African Olympic Games”

“Fair lady” replied the Colonel “your approbation would be worth more to me than the transitory applause of ten thousand times the number that have shouted at my trivial exploits to day”

“Strive to deserve it” said she in a low quick voice. “& it shall not be witheld!”

The herald now summoned the nameless stranger to draw near, slowly & half reluctantly he advanced.