Volinzo: a Child of Darkness. A novel. By Acchivez

Prologue

. Chap. I. — In a Vale of Navarre. II. — One Evening in Andalucia.

Part I

I. — A Night in the Dark Continent. II. — On the Nile. III. — Glencelland Castle. IV. — Calm and Storm. V. — In the Silent Hours. VI. — Louise. VII. — Gathering Clouds. VIII. — A Garden Party. IX. — In Council. X. — A Morning Conference. XI. — The Boudoir Scene. XII. — Sir William Asserts His Authority. XIII. — Parting. XIV. — Strange Tidings. XV. — The Burglary. XVI. — As the Clock Strikes Three. XVII.— Wooing.

Part II. XVIII

— The Wreck of the Slaveb. XIX.— A Duel. XX. — Within Stone Walls. XXI.— The Suicide. XXII.— The Escape. contents. IV

Part III

Chap. XXIII.— Hymen and Cupid and their Votaries. XXIV. — In the Cloister. XXV. — The Evil Star again. . XXVI. — The Strange Lady. XXVII. — Spectres. XXVIII. — Ethel Leaves the Castle. XXIX.— A Ball. XXX. — " Sir Henry Leland, I Arrest Vou in the Queen's Name." XXXI. — Jim and Pete. XXXII. — A Morning's Work. XXXIII. — Plain Speaking. XXXIV. — Beneroy's Statement. XXXV. — The Count's Legacy. XXXVI. — Esmond Returns. XXXVII. — An Evening Tale. XXXVIII. — An Evening Tale Continued. XXXIX. — A Trio : Ridgeway, Marcjet.au, and Brians and

Epilogue

.

PROLOGUE.

PAET I. Oir the slopes of one of the many green and smiling valleys of Navarre, above which the Pyrenees tower in majestic grandeur, nestled — at the outskirts of a wood, completely covering the valley — a cottage, small and picturesque. Before the humble habitation the timber was cleared away, leaving the dwelling exposed to the rays of the sun, but also leaving the way clear to the roadway below, which skirted the valley. Presently, to the door of the cottage a young woman comes. She is tall, and extremely graceful in appearance ; too grace ful, perhaps, for her position, which is that of housekeeper to her father, who is a gardener to the Chateau of Alenza, distant a quarter of a mile away. She is dressed in a cotton petticoat — of amber and red stripes — which falls below her knees ; she wears fawn-coloured stockings, and shoes of the same colour, displaying a well turned ankle.

A neat and gaudy cap with white and blue spots covers her head, and beneath the back her raven black tresses fall, nearly tipping the ground. Her arms, so round, are bare, and she now shades her eyes with her hands and gazes along the road. Away to the south a cloud of dust, blown by a southerly breeze, completely obscures the view. Now the wind quickly changes, and the dust-cloud is blown in the opposite direction, and on comes a party of mounted travellers headed by the lusty muleteer, whose carol strikes drousily on the ear. On up the mountain path, in zig-zag lines, winds the party, shaded now by friendly shelter of the trees and emerging the next moment into the sunshine. The tinkling of the bells, the trampling of the animals, breaks the stillness, whilst the droning of the muleteer is in keeping with the scene.

The muleteer's carolling is changed to cursing loud and deep as he urges the animals forward. Soon these pass a bend in the road, or pathway, and the next moment all is still and lonely. Again the scenery is enlivened by the presence of moving beings ; this time two men astride of a couple of Navarre horses are chattingand laughing whilst their animais, despite the sweltering heat of the sun blazing in the unclouded vault above, are galloping in single file along the pathway which lies not many yards below the cottage at which the gardener's daughter is standing. She is about to withdraw inside, when a call from one of the horsemen, who has perceived her long before the horses came to the clearing in front of the cottage, stays her feet, and the next moment she is cons ronted by the travellers, who, having dismounted, approach the rustic dwelling.

" Ah ! my beauteous goddess of the woodlands, Miguel de Alenza salutes you." And the speaker lifted his feathered hat, and bowed gracefully. " It is indeed a treat to find you. It is truly refreshing to gaze on one so fair. Tour presence brightens up the scene far better than the rays of yonder sun. Tour radiance warms, exhilarates, but not fatigues like that celestial body." " Ah, Don Miguel, you have always been lavish of yonr compliments to me," replied the gardener'B daughter. "And surely the promptings of my heart have been bestowed on an object well worthy of them ; but see, I am not the onlv one who fain would offer homage at thy feet. Come hither," said Don Miguel to his companion — who stood a short distance away, "and let a Spanish maiden hear how an Englishman can ofier a salutation."

The latter advanced and bowed to Isadiline, whose eyes flashed strangely. "Don Miguel has perfectly expressed my sentiments, believe me, dear lady. I am not less sensible of the charms of her whom I have the honour and the happiness of addressing." The maiden smiled, and not until Don Miguel Bpoke again did she remove her eyes from the Englishman's face. " Now, Isadiline, in honour of this friend of mine, whose visit, I regret and feel, will terminate too soon" — here Don Miguel glanced sharply towards a grove near by. He thought he heard the crackling of dried branches. The gardener's daughter now looked uneasily towards the grove, and Don Miguel continued : prologue. 7 " Our house shall bid good-speed to him to-morrow night. There shall be a gathering for this purpose. Now, Isadiline, may we trust you will be present ?"

" Oh ! do promise," broke in the Englishman. " Are the retainers to be present ?" asked Isadiline. " Oh, yes," said Don Miguel ; " all are to be on the ground." " Then I shall be found amongst them," said she. " Oh.beavans, no! Come as a guest," said the Englishman. " She is welcome as such, for surely she would grace the gathering ; but if she feels inclined to attend as other than a guest, do so follow the bent of your own inclination, but be present." The Don then saluted Isadiline. " Come, William, take your leave of my charming country-woman, and let us to the Chateau, for night draws quickly in," and Don Miguel passed down the clearing, whilst the Englisman advanced, raised the Land of the maiden, pressed it to his lips, and received in return a meaning flash from her eyes. Then dropping her hand,he saluted her, and hurried after his companion, and, springing into the saddle, tbey again raised their hats, and in a gallop disappeared through a belt of timber some distance up the valley.

Scarcely had the last rays of the sun died away from the towering peaks of the Pyrenees, scarcely had the gardener's daughter closed the door of her rustic dwelling and lighted the many-colouied glass lamp which stood amidst a group of wild and sweet-smelling mountain flowers, ere a shrill whistle is heard which woke the echoes of this Alpine scene. The gardener's daughter held the lamp aloft in her hand, and listened. Footsteps are heard coming up the clearing, and in a few moments a distinct knock is heaid at the cottage dcor. " Who's there P " asked Isadiline. "I, Olandus, who pines to be admitted to your presence; open and let me in." Isadiline gave an impatient toss of her head, and hesitated as to whether she would unlock the cottage door or not, when the knocking was repeated. " Isadiline !

Isadiline ! let me in." "I'm coming," said she, leaving the lamp on a small white table, and unlocking the door." A man — young, muscular, and tall — entered the cottage. His dark eyes glance sharply round the room, he pushes his wide brimmed hat off his forehead, and seating himself on a stool, leans his back against the wall, his hands grasping his rifle (the stock of which rests on the ground), he stretches out his legs, and centres his gaze on the young woman's face. "And where have you been, Olandus ? " asked Isadiline. D S^KNESS. " Where have I been? why where should a hunter be when he has work to do, but in the woods P " "All day, is it P " said she, brushing back a few rebellious looks of hair from her forehead. "Ever so early to-dav I entered the woods, and until not very long ago my rifle has waked the solitude.

And many an animal, free as the wind this morning (this, tipping his rifle) has stayed their bounding limbs this evening." " And why this slaughter, Olandus ? " asked the young woman. " Why, that the Chateau miy not want for game. Why, have you not heard of the guest Don Miguel has stopoing at the Chateau? " " No, I have not ; but pray tell me of him." Olmdus opened his eyes widely. " Tou have not heard of him," asked he. "I have not," said Isadiline, turning away her face from Olp.ndus, and arranging some flower-pots on the window sill. "Then," said Olandus, "I was almost sure you has, ard more," said he, rising to his feet, " I may tell you he is a fir-.e young English lord." " And is he at the Chateau now ? " asked Isadiline. *' He is," said the hunter, with a shrug of his shoulders, st the same time heaving a sigh.

" Why that sigh, Olandus ? " asked Isadiline. " Por the wealth of Don Miguel, or the English lord." " And what would you do with it ? " asked she. " What would I do with it but lay it all at your feet P " said Olandus, walking over to Isadiline. "I am more than satisfied with what you can and have offered me." ' And that is," asked the hunter. ' Tour true love," replied the young woman. Olandus seized her hand, and carried it to his lips. " Tes, Isadiline, you may have suitors, men finer and richer than I, but none who love you so dearly. Some day I may be other than a hunter, but yet before that day I fear I shall lose you." "Pear nothing, Olandus," said the young woman, laying her b.tnd on his shoulder, "I shall never be another's, yours alone I shall be." "And yet remember, Isadiline, this i? the very day you pro mised me to tell me when you intend to become my wife " Isadiline started and stamped her foot upon the ground OlanduB noticed the latter movement.

" Can you wait much longer P " asked she. prologue. " Te3, my Isadiline ; relying on your love I can wait, Trait for ever." " Then wait until the morning." "And in the morning? " asked Olandus. " I will give you the answer I have promised to give you to-day." He stooped down and was in the act of kissing her, when the door of the cottage, which had been left unlocked, was opened, and a low-sized man, dressed in a suit of faded grey cotton, entered the cottage. He perceived the lovers, and he frowned. " What is the meaning of this ?" asked he. " Shall I tell him of our attachment?" whispered Olandus to Isadiline. The latter hesitated for a few seconds, and then replied : " Tou may." "Tour daughter and I, senor, have been Ions attached to one another. I have this day asked her to be my wife.

She promises to give me an answer in the morning. May I hope that should her answer be such a one as will make me the happiest man in Spain, I have your consent to be her husband?" The old man advanced. " No, no," aaid he ; " you shall not be her husband." Now Olandus frowned fearfully. *" And why not ?" asked he. " Because you shall not !" thundered the old gardener. " I promised Don Miguel " — Olandus started — " thai; I would never allow you and Isadiline to be anything to one another.'' " Tou premised Don Miguel that we would never be any thing to one another !" said the hunter between his teeth. " Now," .said he, " let me promise you that should you allow Don Miguel to have anything to say or do to Isadiline " Here he levelled the rifle at the gardener's head. Isadiline rushed to her lover's side.

" To shoot the father of the girl you love does not strengthen that girl's love very much," said she. Olandus trembled all over. Isadiline's eye3 were turned full on his face. " 'Tis you, roy love, I wish to guard and save." Then, turning again to the old man : " The day that Don Miguel inter feres with Isadiline — who willingly has promised to be mj wife — that day will be his last, and maybe yours ;" and, with a savage scowl at the old man, Olandus left the cottage and entered the gloomy depths of the wood outside. The morning's sun rose in tha clear azure above the summit of the mountains, spreading o'er the valley, crouching at their base, refulgent beams of gold. Its rays also glittered cr flashixl on the tiny panes of glass constituting the windows of the gardener's cottage. Let us look inside this rural abode, for the muslin curtain has been drawn to one side, the window has been opened back on its hinges, and now in the warm sunny air the beautifully-tinttd flowers, growing in the earthen jars, nod gaily.

The old man, the gardener, is seated at a table — in other words, he is at breakfast. His cap hangs on the back of a high arm-chair in which he is Beated. Occasionally he steals a glance at his daughter, who, whatever is her meaning, is gazing towards the road at the lower end of the valley. The old man finishes his meal. Neither before it nor during its progress did he address a word to his daughter. He quickly rises from his siat and walks across the room, and, under the pretence of fixing some flowers, he directs his gaze to the lew road, Isadiline leaves her place by the window, and her father, snatching his cap, leaves the room; and strangely enough, thinks Isadiline, betakes the longest way to his woik. Instead of crossing the valley — the shortest way — he takes the longest way ; that is, by going down the side of the valley <*nd up the low road.

Had the old gardener betn less preoccupied vnt'a thought, and more watchful, he would have seen a figure drassed in black advance irom the path or road into the shadow of a clump of ilex trees, as he, the gardener, approached ; but the gardener did not see the figure, and so he passed on. An hour had passed over since her father had left the cottage, and Isadiline, no longer dressed in the cotton petticoat — no, the latter has been discarded for a striped fabric with a long train ; her hair no longer bung loosely over her shoulders, but was now braided into plaits fastened with silken ribbons ; a bunch of wild flowers were placed in the thick mass curled above her forehead. Her eyes were animated now as ehe surveyed herself with pride. She drew a short bandanna wool shawl over her shoulders, and drawing the cottage door after her, locked it and placed the key beneath a stone lying near a tree-trunk, and she slowly walked down the mountain path.

She gained the low road, and on a bridge which lies on the road to the mountain, and which spans a mountain torrent, she stopped; and at this moment a young man, dressed in black cioth, with a grey felt wide-brimmed hat, walked from the shadows of the clump of the trees close by and raistd his hat. 'Good morning, Senora," said the Englishman, for he it was. " Good morning, your lordship," returns d the Spanish girl, her face covered with blushes.

PROLOGUE.

. 11 The Englishman takes both Isadiline's hands, and, leading her to a fallen tree, requests her to be seated. She complies, and he took a place bv her side. "Isow," said the Englishman, "Isadiline — permit me to call you by that name, the sweetest name to me, lor why P because she, the beaver of it, I know full well is the dearest creature to me on this wide earth. Tes, Isadiline, since I beheld you last night your image would not leave my sight. I sighed that night might pass away and that morning might come quickly, so that I might see you, for your promise to meet me here set my heart bounding. I sighed, I say, for morning to assure you of my ardent love for you." " But yet, Senorio, you are so much above me. lam merely fit to be your servant," said Isadiline. " And I am willing to be your slave," said the Englishman.

" I am a stranger, 'tis true. I am wealthy, which is also true. Tell me, ma belie Isadiline, could you share the fortunes of one whose sole ambition would be to have you ever by his Bide, so that I and my riches, always at your disposal, you would in time learn to love a little the man who loves you so ardently ; the man who feels, nay knows, that from this forward, life without you by his side would be a drudgery." " But were it only my love you fear you should not have, I only say, would that you, Senor, were not so wealthy and highly born ; would that you were of my own station in life, I would then say, 'Tes, I love you,'" and Isadiline turned her eyes on the Englishman's face. Then said the latter, carrying her hand to his lips, " That is sufficient, that is all I desire." " But yet, Senor, this will assuredly make us all the more miserable."

" How so ?" questioned the Englishman. " Because our love can never come to anything," said the young woman. " And, pray, why not ? Have I not told you I am wealthy." " But ah ! Senor, wealth in this case will not do much. There is an obstacle in the way, which I am sure riches could not remove." The Englishman's face grew pale. He arose from his seat. " Oh, no; tell me," said he, quietly, " Who and what this obstacle is ? Is it a man ?" " Tes," replied Isadiline, with a sigh. The Englishman groaned. " And this man, is he very near to you ?" " Oh, no," replied Isadiline. " Then he is not what I feared he was. The obstacle is, after all, nothing. I feared this man was your husband. But tell me who he is," asked the Englishman. " He is one whom I fesr— one in whose power I shall shortly be— one who, after to-day, will guard and watch me as a tigress does her young — a relentless one, who would pursue and tear the heart, if possible, from him who should cross his path.

Oh, yes, I dread him. I liked him until— until I saw you," continued Isadiline. " But then it is too late, I have given my word." " Why not leave with me P What is this power he has over you, and where is this man who has the power over you f>" Isadiline was silent. She then turned to the Englishman. " Listen. When shall you be leaving the Chateau ?" " 1 must leave on to-morrow," replied the Englishman. " Could you not leave to-night ?" " Command me," said he. " Then do so, and promise me that no matter where you -meet me or with whom — mind my words, Senor, and be prepared — I am to go with you to-night, and then to-morrow we •can be married." ***- " I swear that it shall be as you wish." At this moment the report of a rifle was heard in the woods, not far from where Isadiline and her companion were seated Both started at the suddenness of the thing.

"That is his lifle. I know it. Go quickly; do not let him see you here. Quickly ! hide for my sake !" petitioned Isadiline, j-ising to her feet and addressing her companion. The Englishman was confused, *' Do not let whom " - " Go — go, for the Virgin's sake and mine,, go," cried she, wildly. And the Englishman darted into a cluster of ilex trees and was hid from sight; and at this moment Olandus made his appearance, rifle in hand, at the edge of the wood, and not many yards distance from where the Englishman, at Isadiline's solicitation, had entered it. The moment he perceived Isadiline he darted to her side. " Why, what brings you to this place P " asked he. " I guessed I might meet with you, Olandus. See how fai I have been right. Tou have come to meet me. Ah! yes, this is the day. Tes, Olandus, this is the day, the very morning, and," said she, assuming a very grave face which sent a thrill of pain through the young hunter, "I have come to tell you ," "Don't! don't!" said Olandus raising his hands, "not here, not yet. Do not I pray of you ; let me be seated, let you be seated also."

PROLOGUE.

. 13 He led her to the stonework of the bridge on which they both sat down. " Isadiline," began Olandus gravely, "this is the morning you have promised to say when you would be prepared to be my wife. If you are not ready now I am prepared to wait, no matter how long, until you are ready. Tou have often told me that you care for me a little, and with that knowledge I was happy. I am ambitious, but it is for you. If I strive after anything it is that I may be able to make you happy. Isadiline, Isadiline, do not by your answer ruin me." " How do not ruin you ? And if I was to say 'Olandus, I thought over the matter and I find that we can never be married ■ ' " " Stop ! stop ! If you said that, well," said Olandus, drawing himself up to his full height, " I should no longer be a hunter. I should no longer have anything to work for, and then," said he pointing to the Pyrenees, " a wild and reckless life amid those hills would finish up my career, for when you would no longer hold out any hope to me, life after that would Lot be worth living," said Olandus, gazing Badly towards the groves of Alenza, througk which the torient glided, here flashing in the sunlight, and there meandering in the shadow of the over hanging trees.

" Olandus," said Isadiline, rising and laying her hand on her lover's shoulder, " I am grieved to hear that on my actions depends your happiness, for I would be but a drag on your advancement if I were married to you. Miguel de Alenza would be wild, and then we would be very badly off, for theie are very few places in Spain where Miguel is not known and respected. Believe me, Olandus, he could work us ill." " But why should he be against us being married ? He is a grandee, and jou and I are merely peasants." Ladiline shrugged her shoulders. " Tes," said she, thought fully. " Then, can you keep a secret ? " " Yes, for you I can do anything," replied her lover. " Then keep it secret that I am about to be married." " To be married," gasped Olandus, the blood mounting to his face and neck, making the veins swell.

" Tes," said she, " to one who has repeatedly asked me to be his wife." Olandus drew his stiletto. "And he i3 ?" asked the hunter. " Tou." Olandus dropped the weapon and embraced Isadiline. "But now, and where, and when are we to get married? " " Hush ! " said Isadiline. In the little ch&pel at the head of the valley. Ma3s has not begun. Fly you, and deck yourself, for, see, I am dressed for a bridal, and join me here within an hour, and we will to the chapel repair, and ere the priest has his mission, or, rather, duty, all completed, we will from the altar rails call aloud, ' We wish to be united as is legal and lawful, and by no means irreligious.' So, ask no more, but go, and be at the chapel before an hour, and tell ao one of our intentions." "And you'll await me here? " asked the hunter.

" Ves, I have promised ; now go." And Olandns darted away up tbe road, whilst Isadiline walked away up the pathway leading to the chapel, where she purposed waiting until Olandus would join her. On the lawn in front of the Chateau De Alenza — the latter a massive building of grey stone with numerous windows and buttress-like chimneys and piers — the supper tables were spread, the air was warm, a breeze rustled faintly through the surrounding groves, bearing on its breath tbe sweet aroma of those delicious climes, wax lights glittered on the tables loaded with flowers, the humming fountains threw showers of rich red wine towards the clear azure, studded with countless stars gliitening in silent splendour. The supper-tables are laid, and thoguests pour into the grounds, headed by Don Alenza, a fine specimen of what a Spanish grandee is, or should be ; on either side of him walked tbe Englishman and Don Miguel.

All took places at tables, Don Alenza at the head of tbe largest, his E glish guest on one side of his chair and Miguel on the other. The supper lasted an exceedingly long time, so thought the E-.glishman, who, the moment Don Alenza arose, lighted a cigar, and taking Miguel's arm, strolled about the lawn. •' I wonder," said he, " has Isadiline arrived on the ground yet. Perhaps she will not come?" "That she has not arrived yet I do not doubt. But Isadiline has promised to be here to night, and she will keep her word," Baid Don Miguel; "and even as I speak my words are verfied, for here she comes." Isadiline at this moment was seen apDroaching, leaning on thi hunter's arm. Olandus had left off the woodland garb, and he looked extremely well in holiday attire. Tbe English man gazed delightedly at Isadiline.

He then advanced. " How charming those smiles," said the Englishman. "Truly they are in point of sweetness with she who wears them," said Don Miguel. "And yet on Olandus's side how strangely those frowns contrast with his gladsome attire." "Ah, Don Miguel," said Olandus, " sometimes I have un pleasant thoughts."

PROLOGUE.

. " And what might be the source from whence those thoughts spring," asked Don Miguel. "I am fearful lest you, Don Miguel De Alenza, Grandee of Spain, should have too great an admiration for the peasant girl, Isadilice, the gardener's daughter," whispered Olandus to Don Miguel, at the same time that Isadiline whispered in the Englishman's ear: " Olandus is of a timid nature ; he thinks that I might care for others more than I do for him." "And surely he could never pretend to such distinction as to make advances towards the gaining of your hand ; and yet, if I mistake not, Don Miguel says the fellow admires you, and faith, I congratulate him on his taste." At this moment the Chateau was lighted up from base to top. The lower windows were opened, and from the ball room within the Btrains of music from the band were heard.

" Come away ; come, let us to the dance," said Don Miguel, and the latter passed towards the Chateau, followed by tho Englishman, Isadiline leaning on the latter's arm, and followed by Olandus, who, every r.ow and then, grasped the haft of a stilettostickingin his belt athis hip. The ball-room was crowded, the whole floor was filled by splendidly-costumed figures, moving dreamily to the strains of music from the band, then playing an exquisite German waltz. The Englishman was not to be outwitted, he managed to gain an opening, and putting his arm around Isadiline, they soon became actors in the pleasant pastime. The Don at the next dance was Isadiline's chevalier, and it was remarked that when Don Miguel paid any little attention to Isadiline, Olandus closed his lips, whilst his hand stole around to where his stiletto lay.

Miguel was questioned once by a young nobleman present as to how it was that a gardener's daughter and a hunter were admitted and received as guests— favoured ones, moreover. " My English guest has especially desired it to be so. I will deny him nothing that may enhance the pleasure of his visit to our house." At last the dancing ceased, or rather a pause ensued, and now someone mentioned the Bolero. " The Bolero !" now resounded on every Bide, and Don Miguel, turning to Olandus, who was standing at the door of a brilliantly-lighted greenhouse, asked him would he dance the Bolero with Isadiline. " Tour wish i3 my pleasure, Don Miguel," replied the hunter, and, as Isadiline agreed to take a part in tbe favourite and national dance, preparations were made accordingly. Isadiline retired for some time, and around the lawn where the dance was to take place, huge candelabra with glittering wax lights ( F DARKNESS. were placed, and this, with the lights from the windows of the Chateau, was sufficient for the performers, and also for the observers to see each movement.