The Magic of Love. A novel

Front matter

THE MAGIC OF LOVE. % IM. IiT MRS. FORREST-GRANT, AUTHOR OP 'FAIR, BUT NOT WISE.' IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. HonUott: SAMUEL TINSLEY, 10, SOUTHAMPTON STEEET, STRAND. 1874. [All rights reserved.] CONTENTS OF VOL. III. CHAP. PAGE I. 'Twixt Cup and Lip . . . * . .1 II. The Little Bruise . . . . ■ . 22 III. The Letters . . . . . .31 IV. The Invitation 45 V To Llewen 52 VI. Before Dinner . • . . . .64 VII. The Brigand Chief 79 VIII. A Daring Deed 91 IX. Agnes . - 112 X. The Breakfast . . . . . .118 XL How Did it Happen? 134 XII. The Walk .154 XIII. The Proposal . . . . '. .165 XIV. Preferred before Me . . . * . .176 XV. Sea of Difficulties . . . . 193 XVI. Random Sketches 209 XVII. Yes, I Will 227 XVIII. A Letter from Sea 239 XIX. The Wedding Morning . . . .262 XX. The Curtain Falls

Chapter I. Twixt Cup And Lip

Unice recovered from a fainting fit to again relapse into her previous state of torpid semi consciousness. But now a dim, half-sleeping, half-waking, sensation of restored peace and happiness breathed around her — a sweet, tran quillizing sense of the constant presence and tendance of that being whom she loved best in the world — who had been wrenched from her for a while, to be again safely brought back. * ' Well for Unice Hamilton was this lethargic spell cast over her intellects by the shock she had received." So said the good old doctor, who had known her from the time she was born — who had presided, indeed, at the birth of both sisters. But for this partial, temporary VOL. III. B paralysis of the brain, either the mind or life would have fallen a sacrifice. Notwithstanding the absence of actual danger, the state in which she lay was pain fully harrowing to those around her — a state between sleeping and waking, between life and death, as it were.

For days this continued ; and then came a crisis, succeeded by a long, dreamless, healthful sleep ; and once more she woke to perfect consciousness, to love, and joy. Cherry's beautiful face was bending over her : it was thin and pale now, albeit full of grateful rejoicing and thankfulness. At the young widow's request, her sister diow back the curtain, opened the window, and so arranged her in bed that she could look out upon the wild and exquisite scenery, while she (Cherry) told her strange story. " Oh, Uny, when those dreadful men carried me away to their boat,— when I looked back at your horror-struck, death-white face, and thought we were, perhaps, parting for ever (God alone knew !), I really felt as if my heart would break. It will surprise you, dearest, but I guessed at once who was the vile and cruel author of it all."

" Did you, Cherry?" interrupted Unice, in amazement. " AVho ? " " Richard Gardner." "Richard Gardner?" "Yes; and this was my reason for thinking so. Several times during our stay in Heather Cottage I had seen him. I did not tell you then, fearing to agitate and increase the worry and depression of mind from which you were already suffering; and as he seemed to have become perfectly indifferent to me, and to feel no desire whatever to renew our former acquaintance, I did not think it signified about him." " How did you know, dear, he was not anxious to again recover his lost place in your heart ? " asked Unice. ' * Because on two different occasions — once when I was out watering the flowers in front of the house without my hat on, and another when I was standing at the open window of our sitting room — he passed close to the house, and looked boldly, and with apparent heartless unconcern, into my face, without attempting or seeming to care in the least for a recognition.

Well, at last I stood on the deck of that little vessel you and I, but especially you, darling, admired so much from the beach ; and now my sus picion was confirmed at once, for there was Mr. Gardner — soft, deceptive smiles, specious* words, voice, and all — waiting to receive and cheat me again, if possible." " Oh, Cherry ! " exclaimed the little sister, drawing a deep breath; "how dreadful ! What did he say ? " " I was not surprised ; it was what I had ex pected," she continued. " Nevertheless, over come by confusion and painful bewilderment of every kind, I offered no opposition upon his taking my hand to conduct me down to ' the cabin. Besides, I saw and felt how helpless and hopeless was my position at present, and how, perhaps, worse than useless to attempt further resistance. When we were alone, he, in a nervous, hurried manner, commenced a stream of excuses and apologies for the violent method he had resorted to in order to secure my presence.

As for the past,' he added, that must remain lying in the cold dark grave, to which circumstances had consigned it, until the day camfr — and come it would — when he should be able to disinter it, and everything should then be ex plained and made clear to me. He had never ceased to love me, he protested- — -me only, through all time and trouble. I was indis pensable to his happiness, to his very salvation, in this world and the next ; and he could not, and would not, live without me. And so he ran on, and on, and on, with increasing vehemence and excitement. I several times endeavoured to check this passionate flood of protestations and professions, but in vain ; he was determined I should hear the whole of his defence and petition now, that opportunity favoured ; and he succeeded. Relinquishing all further effort to stem such a torrent of words, I sat still thinking, with unutterable anguish of heart, of you, rny poor darling, and hating, even loathing, more and more, the wretch of a man who was a second time thus bringing such sorrow upon us.

At last he stopped, and, becoming very pale as he looked at me, said, in an altered voice, full of a bitter fierceness, — • I don't think you are attending to a word I am saying, Harriet.' " 'Now, listen to me, Mr. Gardner,' I said, with a firmness of tone and an assumption of courage I by no means felt. ' It will be per fectly useless your detaining me here, or any where, against my will. — I do not love you now : every sensation of the kind has long since been extinguished in my heart. In fact,' added I, losing self-control and fear at the same moment that a mental vision of your sweet face, distracted by woe and horror as I last saw it, rose up beside me, ' I hate and detest you for what you have now done far more than for what you did before ! If you think I am friendless, and that you will escape punishment for your cruel, ruffianly, cowardly conduct, you will soon find yourself woefully mistaken — see if you do not !

I command you to release me, Mr. Gardner, and put me at once on shore ; if you refuse, mark this — there are those will make you rue it to the last hour of your ill-spent life ! ' "We sat together on a couch, partly face to face, while thus I poured out my vial of wrath upon him ; and, without doubt, I looked frightful enough. I know I felt my eyes flam ing and flashing like an enraged tigress, and my cheeks growing whiter and whiter." " Poor darling!" murmured Unice. "I certainly did not speak very wisely or connectedly either," continued Cherry, smiling sadly, "being too distraught for anything like rationality in word or deed ; but I made myself understood, that was evident. Gardner was pale before; now, his very lips became a blue white, like those of a corpse. He still spoke without anger, however, and his voice had a tone of despairing desperation in it, that, despite everything, awoke a feeling* of commiseration in my weak heart for the wretched, lost creature which I was careful to conceal.

"'I have heard you, Harriet,' he began; ( now hear me again. Yes, Heaven knows I have heard you ! Every word cut into my tortured soul as with 'a lash of scorpion stings ! Girl, girl, have pity, havo mercy upon me ! This that I have done, that I am doing, holds my last chance of salvation now and hereafter. If you trample upon it, if you scorn and reject the honest offer of my hand, — that hand you once loved and accepted, and that heart which still lovos you with an intensity incomprehensible to your innocent nature, — you will trample again into the mire, into the Slough of Despond, a miserable spirit, making its last final struggle to rise out of degradation and sin into a once more pure, and bright, and holy atmosphere. Hear me, Harriet. Say you will try to again love me — -promise me this dear hand,' suddenly kneeling on the floor by my side, and grasping one of mine in both his own, * and I will believe in and trust you as I would an angel from heaven, and convey you instantly to your home and your sister.

In the glorious, splendid country of America we will commence a new existence every way in accordance with your approval, and your refined tastes and likings. Oh, Cherry ! sweet, beautiful Cherry ! say Yes, — for a poor lost soul's sake, say Yes.' "Ah, me, Uny! never in all my past life have I been placed in so painfully distressing a position as at that moment. His face was .ghastly, frightfully pale, his eyes full of tears, and looking altogether the very impersonation of a condemned criminal, whose life, and he knew it, I possessed the power of saving. " 'Mr. Gardner,' I said, as steadily as my throbbing heart would let me, * you are but uselessly making me miserable as well as your self. It is not now in my power to do what you ask — my heart has been given, wholly, unreservedly to another — one whom I love and esteem with my entire being ; and — ' He waited for no more, but, springing up, dashed out of the cabin, muttering frightful impreca tions, but on whom, or what, I could not hear ; and the next instant I recognized his voice, harsh, loud, and violent, in altercation with the sailors.

As well as I could distinguish, — for wind and waves were both more astir and noisy than when first I came on board, — there seemed to prevail an objection on the part of the seamen to leaving the shelter and pro tection of the bay while the weather continued .so threatening. In confirmation, apparently, of the wisdom of this disinclination, the lightning* commenced flashing over the murky sky, and the thunder to roar ominously. I did not hear the answers of the captain, or whoever it was in command of the ship, but Gardner, who was evidently infuriated by his disap pointing interview with me, roared out his orders and threats in tones, heard I am sure all over the vessel, if not far beyond. " He was positive, he said, no risk of danger would be incurred by putting immediately out to sea; the storm was merely a passing one, and would be over directly — by the time, in fact, they were ready to start ; and if they refused longer to obey him, not a farthing of the promised money should any one of them see or touch.

" This last argument — enforced, too, as it was by horrid oaths in every sentence — proved irresistible, for voices at once ceased (excepting words of command to the sailors), and an active stir commenced instead. In a mar vellously short time, I knew, by the careering movements of the little ship, we were making our way out of the bay as fast as contrary, but, as yet, not violent winds, would allow. "Oh, Unice! I cannot describe to you the feelings of horror, agony, and despair which seized me when this frightful truth became apparent. At first I could not realize the full enormity of the act — that I was actually being* forcibly borne off, perhaps hundreds, nay thou sands of miles, away from the land containing the only persons I loved in the world, and whom I might never meet again on earth !

" How long I sat, half-stunned, resolving these horrible thoughts in my mind, I know not; but presently came a boideversement of my sensations and reflections I had not anti cipated." " Oh, Cherry, what was it?" inquired Unice, eagerly. "Nothing less than a sudden pitch off the couch upon the floor, and a roll to the end of the cabin. An unexpected tornado of winds and waves threw the gallant little vessel on her side — her l beam ends,' is, I believo, the nautical term ; and there she lay, powerless to right herself, and driving through the waters like mad. Then followed a roaring of voices and rushing of feet about the deck (how any one managed to stand, I cannot conceive), just as if the whole ship's company had become lunatics. " Happily, I was only slightly bruised, and TWIXT CUT AND LIP. 11 soon effected scrambling up in a kind of fashion, and so on to the sofa, which I clung to with all my strength.

Peals of thunder were now crashing overhead, and the lightning* lit up my cabin through the venetian-blind on the inside, for the window, besides being down in the water, was closely shuttered. Lucky that it was so ! But, ah me ! I thought only of one danger then ! — what was to become of me ? and, in my fate, that of my darling sister ? "Full of terror and grief, I sat holding the sofa with my face pressed against one of the sides, when I was startled by a low voice close to me, murmuring, entreatingly — * Cannot the unalterable, devoted lovo of years excite a single sensation evon of gratitude, if not of love, towards me, Harriet ? ' " Making no attempt now to conceal the anger and disgust ' burning in my heart, I looked wrathfully at the kneeling figure of the dishonourable Richard Gardner, and, with a defiant gesture, forcibly disengaged the hand he had possessed himself of, and was insolently kissing. ' I hate you*!' I exclaimed, virulently, • hate you for what you are now doing ten times more deeply than for what you did years ago.

I hate the sight of your treacherous face, and the sound of your equally treacherous voice and words. Go away ! leave me ! Oh, I wish the vessel might be wrecked, if you persist in your wickedness — wrecked ; and I, and you, and all the ruffianly, mercenary wretches on board drowned ! that I do ! ' God forgive me for such a sinful wish, Uny ! I feel its iniquity now ; but I was half mad then, and did not stop to think or control myself." " My poor, dear sister!" replied Unice, laying her soft cheek on the hand she held. " God would forgive you for much more than that, under an occasion of such frightful provoca tion — I am sure he would ; but what did Mr. Gardner say?" " Even amidst the hurricane of noise and confusion distracting my senses, his answer made my blood creep, it was spoken in such a grating, condensed, dangerous tone : not the faintest accent of lovo or softness remained in it. * Beware, girl ! beware ! do not exasperate me beyond control !

Remember, you are utterly in my power — at my mercy ! ' Then, springing up with a bound, that made my heart throb more violently than ever, he hissed through his gnashing teeth,- — ' Curse you, girl, for a heart less, faithless j dt! Curse you for your un feminine hardness and cruelty! You might have saved me — you might have brought me back to what I once was; but, like all* your odious, fickle sex, — your canting, selfish class, — you, too, threw me over directly misfortune came, and with it the desertion of the hateful world ! Now, mark me, girl,' — his voice and looks were dreadful as he stood grasping the couch to steady himself, and glaring down upon me, — * I meant to act honourably, lovingly, by you and your sister. The one good, pure thought, like a bright star in my heart, and which till now has shone through the darkest nights in my soul, was of you and for you — the one unpolluted corner was that which con tained your image.

The star, the image, and hope — my one hope, are all gone — driven away by your unfeeling self; and now, what fills their place ? — fills it to overflowing ? Despair and revenge /—yes, revenge against you and the whole earth ! You plainly let me see and feel you consider me a villain of the darkest dye. Well, so be it ! I '11 make no further attempt to be anything else ! ' "Just as he roared out these words, seizing me at the same moment by the arm, there came a crashing sound on deck as though the vessel were breaking to pieces. Down she went lower than before on her side, but the next minute righted herself, and seemed to be rushing on like a wild horse. To my intense relief, Mr. Gardner, who had been silenced and checked by the rival storm without, released me, and hurried from the cabin, locking the door behind him.

"For, I think, about half an hour, the most terrific tumult and noise prevailed, then all quieted down — men's voioes, trampling of feet, and, finally, the movements of the ship. Again my tormentor returned, and, as it was now almost dark in the cabin, he struck a match, and, lighting a lamp suspended on one side, came and sat down beside me on the sofa. He was again calm, and said, in a low voice, ' Harriet, I am resolved to give you and my lost self another chance. You loved me once, and I see no reason why, with, skilful management on my part, you should not love me again. It is but a short time back, and I am (my friends tell me) but little changed in personal appearance, which really is all that girls care about either in men or themselves. The vessel is agam lying at anchor in the bay; one of her masts was broken half off,, and in that mutilated state could not weather the .storm, and was driven back by the winds, which set inland, to her former place (fortunately) of shelter.

But for that, we should have been on the rocks. And now here we must stay, the captain tells mo, for a couple of hours or so, to repair damages. Meanwhile, I am going at once on shore to bring your sister to accompany you. You will be happier in her society, for I know you are fondly attached to each other, and in that pacified frame of mind I flatter myself you will be better inclined to receive and • favour my proposals ! ' Saying this, he, before I was aware, seized me in his arms, kissed me with a fierce, resistless violence, then hurried out of the cabin, locking the door again, and taking away the key. " Now, the real reason of this apparently amiable consideration for my feelings on the part of Mr. Richard Gardner was this — Mr. Rowcliffe explained it to me. He and Gardner had made an appointment at some distant town to attend a sale of horses.

Gardner was to go first, but business detained Rowcliffe later than he intended (that was on the day of your and my ill-fated visit to Coomb Dee Bay) ; and when you found him at the Cedars' Lodge, he was just on the point of riding to the station, and Lord Buxton was going part of the way with him." Unice, raising her hands and eyes, breathed a deep sigh of unutterable thankfulness. " I do not think I could have gone a step further," she said; "the not finding either of them there would, I feel sure, have driven me quite out of my mind ! " Cherry hastened on with her account, apprehensive she had done unwisely in giving it until Unice was stronger. " Well, the long and the short of it all is, Uny," she continued, in lighter, quicker tones, " that Gardner, fearing Rowcliffe might return the next evening (not finding him at the fair), and learn through you what had happened, or else that you, on your return, would instantly procure the means of rescuing me, deemed it most prudent to secure the little marplot too, and, therefore, set off for the purpose directly the ship was driven back."

" Ah, Cherry ! how true are those words, ' He who is for us is stronger than he who is against us.' But for that storm, which broke the mast and drove her into the bay, — a storm which, even in my confused state, I listened to with grief, regarding it as au additional afflic tion, a friend of the wretches who had torn you from me, and an enemy of those who were hurrying to save you, — but for that heaven sent storm — " Unice stopped, and shuddered. "Yes, dear. Now, you must not excite yourself," replied Cherry, anxiously. "If you do, I shall blame myself bitterly for being the cause, for entering upon the painful subject at all until you are stronger. Suppose we do not talk any more about it to-day, but let me run into the garden and gather you a few fresh roses ? " " Oh, no. Please tell me all, dear Cherry ; I cannot rest till I have heard it," pleaded the little sister.

Thus petitioned, Cherry reluctantly re sumed. " I know not how long I sat after Gardner had left me. It seemed an age ; when at last a sound struck my ear of a totally different kind, and in an opposite direction to those pre vailing at the time. It was the regular beat of oars on the water just beneath my cabin window. Every pulse in my veins throbbed with wild terror, for I thought only of the return of that dreadful man, together, perhaps, with the killing announcement of your having died of grief, or gone mad, or, I know not what. " Listening with painful eagerness, I heard, one after the other, the heavy feet of three or four men jumping down on the deck. ' Could that be Gardner?' I questioned myself; but an VOL. III. c indefinable something filled me with a feeling, a hope, it was not.

" Now followed low-toned speaking, then a general stir, and many voices talking loudly and angrily, but not clear enough for me to distinguish whose they were, or what they said. A rapid movement across the deck and down the stairs succeeded. ' The leddy be in theer, sir,' exclaimed a rough, unknown voice; ' but the dour be locked for sartin.' — ' Stand back, fellows,' cried another speaker, whose words made my heart give a bound as though it were suddenly striving to jump altogether out of my body ; it was Rowcliffe ! The next instant the handle of the door was violently shaken, there came a crashing blow that dashed it wide open at once, and, with a scream of joy, I sprang forward and threw myself into — yes, actually into — the very arms of Mr. Rowcliffe ! " I have no doubt he was exceedingly amazed at such a cumbrous gift thus unexpectedly forced upon him, and equally puzzled what to do with it, especially as I kept crying out, ' Oh, take me away ! take me away ! — save me ! save me ! ' as if I expected him to carry me off like a child.

Ah, Uny ! you know I have always told you I felt sure, in spite of all his roughness of manner, Mr. Rowcliffe is at heart a diamond i TWIXT CUP AND LIP. 19 of the first water. If I had been a frightened baby sister, and the good farmer the most affectionate of brothers, he could not have held, and soothed, and comforted me with more tenderness and consideration. ' I was quite safe,' he assured me; 'no harm should befall me. He and Taylor had come for the express purpose of rescuing and restoring me as quickly as possible to my sister.' " That beloved word recalled to my remem brance Gardner's declared motive for leaving* me, and which, if he found you, I knew he would effect without difficulty or hindrance. Yes, you would instantly accompany him, with out a moment's hesitation or reflection, — I was sure of that !

" "Ah ! would I not ! " rejoined Unice ; " and blessed him for taking me ! " " I told them all this," continued Cherry ; " and declared I could not leave the vessel till Gardner's return. * Make your mind quite easy on that point, Miss Howard,' interposed Taylor ; * I left yom* sister in the safe keeping of Mrs. Rowcliffe and her household at Castle Farm, and it would be as much as his life is worth to venture to show himself there and declare his reason for coming. However, for my own perfect satisfaction, I shall remain on the beach until the villain arrives ; I want to see and speak to him. Meanwhile, the best thing you can do for Mrs. Hamilton is to hurry back to her at your greatest speed ! ' "Released by this arrangement, I was now only too anxious to follow Taylor's advice ; and in what fashion do you think my journey was effected, Uny ? '' questioned Cherry, smiling gaily.

" Well, my own experience pretty well tells me, darling," replied Unice, a deep flush colouring her pale cheek. "Exactly. There was I, mounted on the big beautiful horse Star, in front of Mr. Row cliffe ! I had no choice ; but for that matter, if I had, I should, in heart, have preferred it to any other, for in my then trembling* state of mind and body, and still haunted with a painfully nervous dread of being again pounced upon and carried off, feeling myself within the protection of the honest farmer's powerful arm, which, if need demanded, would, I knew, defend me to the death, was infinitely comforting and re-assuring." "Did Taylor, did Lord Buxton meet Gard ner?" inquired Unice, anxiously. " I asked him that very question," answered Cherry, "and he said 'Yes,' but looked and 'TWIXT CUP AND LIP. 21 spoke so gravely, volunteering no further in formation, I did not like to press the subject, and so it dropped.

By-and-by you can ask anything you like, dear, and then, please tell me,'' and Cherry, kissing her sister's cheek, hurried downstairs to get her some arrowroot.

Chapter II. The Little Bkulse

A low fever, protracted, wearisome, and dis tressingly prostrating in its effects, succeeded Unice Hamilton's severe attack. She did not seem actually ill, yet neither bodily strength, mental energy, nor appetite returned ; and day after day, robed in her pretty white dressing gown (black was now too heavy and oppres sive), she lay on the sofa in then* pleasant cheerful sitting-room, looking the very imper sonation of a drooping snow*drop or lily of the valley. Lord Buxton, anxious and miserable, dreading lest he had but become possessed of the long-coveted treasure to see it — ah, and feel it to his very heart's core— slipiiing through his hands, without the faintest power, strong man though he was, to stay its downward course, came constantly to the farm, noting with pained impatience, daily, nay almost hourly, the unchanging pallor and wasted form of the sick girl.

Notwithstanding her illness, never had Unice appeared more lovely, or perhaps so lovely. The soft glow of a supreme, a restful happiness, now beamed, as it were, over her whole person, lighting up lip, and cheek, and dark liquid eye, and sparkling even in the golden-brown hair, which, drawn off her shy face, was, for the present, simply fastened in a thick roll or knot at the back of her head. With everything of luxury, amusement or comfort which love suggested and woalth could procure, Lord Buxton surrounded his sweet little lady-love. He would have done more had not the weather, which became prema turely cold, stormy, and wintry, rendered carriage or horse exercise impossible. Eagerly he strove to induce her to marry him at once, and thus give him a husband's and a brother's right to take herself and sister abroad to a milder climate.

But this Unice, in her present nervous, weak state, would not listen to. " The idea,'' she argued, gaily, "of his cum bering himself with a wife who could scarcely stand, to say nothing of wralking ! Oh, no, there was nothing really the matter with her ; and if he would only think so, and have patience a little longer, he would see how strong and well she would become ; and then — why then she might, perhaps, think about it." " Look you here, Titania," replied the lover, decisively, "it is now September," — he sat down beside the couch as he spoke, — "Yes, I know it is," interposed Unice, with an amused, questioning smile. "And I will give you until the middle or end of October to carry out this boasted im provement — not a week longer ; so look to it, little lady ; for after that, much though I dis approve of Mr. Gardner's proceedings in general, and his summary mode of effecting his purpose to secure Cherry in particular, I shall, unless you resume your former mortal appearance, cast all scruples to the w-ind, and forthwith adopt the said Richard Gardner's plan, and have a foreign wedding instead of an English one."