The Ringdove. A romance

Preface

. The following " eventful history" ' is founded upon occurrences which have actually taken place since the commencement of hostilities between Mexico and the United States. It is perhaps fortunate for the novelist that " the course of true love never did run smooth," for otherwise he must perforce have resorted to his imagination for inci dents, instead of finding them ready made to his hand, or occurring, as they do every day, undir his own immediate observation. The author has represented an interesting phase of the passion of love, in making Louis Dumont bear all the galling insults of Robert Rosal, with a stoicism that could only be inspired by the master feeling ; love for the sister enables him to support the annoy ances of the brother, and at the same time to persevere in a course of kind offices which in the end have the effect of conquering the most prejudiced ill-will.

In the youthful, impassioned and enthusiastic Benita, we have exhibited the force of natural affection, which dis plays itself towards her brother while their relationship is still unknown, and she is unable to account for the feelings which agitate her mind. Much has been said recently against the national reputation of the Mexicans for valour ; but though they have in most instances been van guished by the superior discipline and determination of the American troops, there are many brave men in the Mexican army and navy who do no discredit to the most courageous people on earth ; and the author has endeavoured to depict such an one in Captain Mejia, who knew how to treat an adversary with respect, and shrank from no danger which he had a chance of fighting his way through. Many instances have been related of vessels eluding the blockade of Vera Cruz, in a manner quite as surprising as the manœuvre of tbe Mexican captain.

It was necessary to state this by way of explanation, for in these latter days of criticism, readers have become philosophers, and not only require a moral in every tale, but that the incidents shall be entirely pro babie and accounted for by the most natural reasoning. London, January, 1S48. ROBERT ROSAL IOTEBRUPTS THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN HIS SISTER AND DUMONT.

Chapter I. The Lake And The Maiden

The moon had been an hour above the horizon. The broadjbosom of Lake Borgne reflected its brilliant light without a ripple upon its limpid surface. The dark shores around girded the lake like a belt. There was not a cloud on the star-freckled sky nor a shadow upon the silvery wave. All was silence, too, save now and then was heard the shrill shriek of the eagle from his eyrie on the shore. or the splash of the awkward alligator as he plunged affrighted into the'flood. There isa nigh spectator of this night scene. It is a fair young girl who ha3 left a villa half buried in the grove by the water side, and of which the mooa light, shining bright upon its portico, gives a, faint glimpse. She has^reached th No. 1 , /. . . ___~ 4 / THE RitfGDOVf!, 2 --- — - — |TT ' verge of a low, jutting cliff, upon which two or three large oaks are growing, and casting beneath, upon the green sward, a shadow almost black ; yet where the slender moonbeams make their way through the leaves, they fall brilliantly upon ground, aud look as if myriads of glow-worms had been scattered upon the sward.

Upon this little eminence she stands, gazing intently upon the wide, bright, still lake. Its silence seems to have a charm for her and to speak to her soul, for she has been long standing here, gazing now at the waters as they reflected the sky7, and now at the azure sky; and now again .she would listen to the shriek of the eagle, as it broke upon the nigbt, and to the heavy startling plunge of the alliga tor nearby, with feelings akin to awe. But her eyes were most intent upon the Jake, stretching far off over its waters as if expecting to behold some object make its appearance. VVhen her eyes could distinguish nothing, she would bend for ward in an attitude of listening attentively, frequently bending her ear low as if to catch the faintest sound that might be upon the water. The maiden was Isabel Rosal, the heroine of our story.

She was in her nineteenth summer, tall and graceful, yet not too till, for her height gave her dignity. Her complexion was Arabian, dark and rich olive, warmed with the blood of a generous clime. Her dark eyes were sparkling and full of soul and feeling. Her features were strikingly beautiful, and expressive of a generous and proud spirit. With all the softness and fascination of her sex, she possessed resolution and firmness of character in an unusual degree. She was the daughter of an opulent Louisianian, who had distinguished himself at the battle of New Orleans, and subsequently retired to his estate, on the shores of Lake Borgne, a few leagues from the city of New Orleans, there, in the retire ment which he coveted, to enjoy the honours he had entwined about his brow, and to educate a beloved son and daughter.

But circumstances, which wil! be un folded in the course of this narrati ve, interposed to destroy these plans of happiness. Suffice it to say that Isabel Rosal, and Robert Rosal her brother, were orphans, their mother only now being alive, and residing upon the estate on the lake, in the possession of a princely fortune, to which the two children were the only heirs. Isabel had left the villa just as the moon rose, and bent her steps to the cliff where we find her watching the opposite outlet of the lake ; for the lake communi cated with the Gulf of Mexico in the south eastern direction from the place where she stood. ' It is ten o'clock. The tide flows and will soon turn ! He should have been in sight — in the middle of the lake by this time !' she said, after steadily watching the taint, far off outline of the horizon.

She spoke with an air of disappo-ntment and impatience combined. She walked for a few moments quickly up and down the sward, beneath the shadow of the old trees that overhuug tne cliff; and then again keenly bent her gaze in the direction of the outlet of the lake. After looking for several moments, she turned away with an air of vexation. 'Why should I expect bim without a wind to waft him. along? In my impa tience I thought only of the flowing tide, and forgot that he must have a breeze to fill his sails. The lake is as calm as a sea of polished silver. He will not come to night ! Hark ! What is that I hear _ It is the sound of oars on the right along tbe shore. I cannot be mistaken !' She stepped forward a little and after waiitng a moment saw distinctly a small boat gliding along close under the bank and pulling swiftly but cautiouslv towards the cliff where she stood.

Surprised but not alarmed at this discovery she wrapped closer about {her form the dark mantle which she wore, so as to coiiCeal her white dress, which might have betrayed her presence, and then, sheltered by one of the trees, she watched the advance of the boat. It contained but one person, who was rowing. As he came near the cliff he rose in his boat, aud using one of the oars as a paddle, guided the skiff into the land and leaped ashore. The place where he landed was perfectly dark, being overhung by the cliff, so that if he had been her brother she could have staidly made out his person, Yet there was evidently an instinctive recognition of the stianger in her heart, for it bounded and throbbed tumultuously from the moment she saw him rise u in the boat. But as he wore a short cloak and a low cap which concealed his features, and was some twenty feet beneath the place where she stood,< shej dared not give utterance to the name that was upon her lips.

The young man, for such his general air and movements betrayed him, having hastily secured the boat, took a sword from the seat and buckled it beneath his cloak. He then looked up as if in search of the steep path that ascended the cliff. As he lifted his face a luminous moonbeam fell upon it, and revealed for an instant the handsome features of a young man of four and twenty, with a bold, frank air, and a countenance agreeable and prepossessing. His cap, too, displayed a gold band and button, which betrayed his profession to be that of a sailor. Upon seeing his face, the maiden clasped her hands together with joyful surprise, aud was about to spring forward with an exclamation and the name Louis on her lips, when, as if prompted by a secret impulse, she drew back and smilingly restraining her emo tons, she said, " I will see what he will do.'' With this pretty purpose she kept the tree between her and the stranger, aahe mounted the path to ascend ' to the top of the cliff.

From this spot a gravelled walk led along a ridge towards the barn of the villa, a walk shaded by trees, and such a one as lovers delight to ramble in when the moonlight weaves from shadows a carpet of fantastic figures beneath their feet. When getting to the top of the cliff he paused and looked around. He turned towards the lake and after keenly looking in the direction of its outlet, he said, " There ia no probability of seeing the cutter up to night. The wind is gone to sleep for the next twelve hours. Now for my dear Isabel. I trust she has not followed the example of the Zephyrs and gone to sleep too. It is now three nights since I promised to be here ; and I can't expect she will keep watch for me to the last !" " Yet I have done so, sir laggard," exclaimed Isabel, suddenly appearing before his surprised vision.

" Isabel!" he cried joyfully, and bounding towards her, he clasped her tojhis heart, " Noble and true girl," he said, as he held her back a moment at arm's length and gazed with all a lover's admiration into her dark eyes, " how good you are to be here ! I was just about forming a plan to communicate with you ; for I ex pected that not seeing me last night nor the night before you would net look for me to-night, and be in your room. It is so like you to be here !" " Then don't be surprised. Truth to tel), Louis, I was just about going away when I caught the sound of your oars. Pray how is it you come in a boat and in this way ? Where is your vessel?" " Outside at anchor, some five leagues away." " Why did you not come before ? You wrote me from New Orleans eight days ago that I might expect you at eight o'clock at the latest last Thursday night !

And here you have just made your appearance. You do not deserve that I should have been here in waiting for you. Give me a good account of your deUy, and, perhaps, I will forgive you. There is no offence more grievous tha«r* * a true iu ver to disappointhis mistress!" " I confess it, Isabel. I will now defend myself," he said in the same playful tone in which she had spoken. "When' I sent word from you to the city that I should be here on Thursday, I did not anticipate that I should be prevented by orders from a source that I dare not disobey without forfeiting my commission ; and though it is but a commission in the revenue service it is my all and my profession!" " Do not speak so disparagingly of the service you are in, Louis. It is not, it is true, so desirable as the naval, but'it is honourable.

During tbe war the revenue cutters behaved gallantly, made numerous captures, and performed a number of very brilliant achievements, wliich have reflected glory upon the navy of which they were an acting-branch. I will not hear you speak lightly of your profession !" ... ... " I must be content with it, and so you love me no less, Isabel, I am satisfied witn it, or ought to be. Besides I am looking up, as you shall hear." " What were these orders you received, which prevented you fulfilling your inten tion of coming here so soon as you expected ?" " They were from the Secretary of the Treasury. They reached me the very day I despatched tbe note to you, but an hour after it was sent. The orders informed me that there was an armed schooner which had been cruizing for several weeks in the neighbourhood of Cape St. Antouio and the Tortugas, under the Mexican flag, and which had boarded and plundered several vessels ; and that, as she was a very fast sailer, I was forthwith to sail in pursuit of her and use every effort to capture or destroy her.

You may judge that such an order, relieving me from the tedium of coast duty, and opening before me the excietment of the chase and a brush with a privateer, gave me no little pleasure.'' " Are you going on this dangerous service, Louis ?" she asked with emotion, all her womanly fears awakened at the idea of the danger to which her lover would be exposed. "Yes, Isabel. It is a service of honour. You are the last person to dissuade me from it, I well know. You are silent — but I know you will never bid me stay at home; I should be unworthy of your love, if love for you would make me in different to dishonour. I had no sooner got this order than I prepared to get my little cutter ready for the new service she was destined to enter upon. I shipped twenty-five more brave men, added to the eight six pounders a long eighteen, which I placed just abaft the foremast, took on board powder, ball and small arms, and left the port the second day after receiving my orders.

This accounts for a part of the delay ; and for the rest, I have been all the afternoon becalmed off the entrance to the lake." ''And were you going on your perilous cruise, Louis," she said reproachfully, " without informing mel" " No love. I despatched Tilly to inform you that I was suddenly ordered off, and should probably be absent a month." " I have not seen him." " Because the black rogue would not go. He took my letter and pretended to start, but came back secretly and concealed himself on board till I had got a dozen leagues down the river. He then made his appearance, and pleaded as an excuse his wish to go with me and see some fighting. So when I found that you would be left in a state of uncertainty and anxiety, Isabel, I resolved to keep it with the coast and run in to see you for an hour or two and 6ay ' good bye j* which would not put me more than three or four hours out of my time.

But just as I got off the entrance to the lake there fell a dead calm. As night approached, seeing no prospect of a wind, I took my lightest boat and four men, and pulled into he lake. The tide set us towards the western shore, aed landing near the Spanish fisherman's hut, half a mile from this, I left my men there to rest, after their long row, and drink Manuel's sour wine, and alone pulled hither to seek an interview with you. — Happy was I to find you here watching for me. Now you have heard my de fence. Am I pardoned, fair Isabel ?" he said, smiling.

Chapter II. The Two Sons

at ffieEpr"sSof^ils°r make any K^' She was to° much stressed dan^C service h«w !° "f1** sePera'ed from Louis> PerhaPs> considering the uangerous service he was sent upon, perchance for ever. "Do not speak so lightly, Louis. Do not ask me to forgive, when there is no thing to pardon. I am grieved at the intelligence you bring to me. Is it indeed true that yon are sent in pursuit of this formidable Mexican Privateer, and in your small vessel too. You can never cnptureher; but on the contrary, will be taken yourself." "Do not fear, Isabel. I have the utmost confidence in my cutter's crew, and in less than ten days I hope to give a good account of the enemy." "Well, Louis, go! I will not detain you. Go where duty calls you. But I would you had rather staid where danger was less." " And the life inglorious, Isabel," he said, with animation.

" No, no ! I no sooner read the orders from the department, than I felt like another man !" " And did you not think of me 1" " Yes, but only with the proud consciousness that I was now about to be placed in a way of rendering myself more worthy of your love Isabel. 1 did not so much think of your regret at having me go away, as of your pride in my success." "And I will think only of your success, Louis; I will pray for it. If you would let me, I would go with you." " Much as I sheuld love to have you with me, Isabel, I would not expose you to the dangers and inconveniences of the sea; no, not even, if you would consent this very hour to become my bride, that you might honorablv accompany me. I shall probably be absent less than a fortnight. On my return we will be married!" " Neither then, nor ever, shall Louis Dumont be the husband of Isabel Rosal I" cried a fierce voice close by them. j " My brother '." shrieked Isabel, rushing to place herself between Robert Rosal and her lover.

C&'-MW: " Draw Dumont, and defend yourself !" cried Robert Rosal, putting his sister aaide, and advancing towards Louis with his sword drawD. " Robert, hold !* cried Isabel catching the shining blade in herj naked grasp. "What madness is this?" " Do not interfere, Isabel, or I will not be answerable for the consequences," ex claimed the young man, who had approached the spot where they had been conver sing unperceived, and been some moments a listener. He was dressed in a light grey undress naval jacket, buff sportsman's open trowsers, and wore upon his head a broad palmetto hat. About his waist was a belt, in which was worn a short sword. The sword he had drawn, and with it was now advancing upon the lover. Louis stood calmly and unmoved, till he heard him menace his sister, when he said sternly — "Dare to harm that lady, Robert Rosal, and you shall answer for it to me.

What quarrel have you with me that you thus come upon me like a robber ?'* " Quarrel . None. I will have none with the son of a murderer ! It is ven geance I seek! I heard that you sought the hand of my sister. I was with the army at the Rio Grande, when the news came to me. I did not delay an hour. Just as I was, for I was bunting near the camp when the message caaie to me, I started homeward. I arrived to-night at my home. I sought my sister in her chamber. It was vacant. A servant had seen her walk towards the cliff. Here I have]found her and in your presence. Is it not enough, sir, that*we are foes by nature, that you should seek to win the love of my sister. No deeper insult than this could you offer me. Draw, Louis Dumont ! I am here to avenge my father's blood." •' Robert, I did not slay your father." ■• Nay, brother, why call the son into judgment for the father's act ?" cried his sister.

" Away, ingrate ! Do /you dare speak in his defence. But what more can I expect from one who is so far forgetful of herself as to receive the attentions of the son of the man who slew her own father ? Speak not, Isabel, or I shall be tempted to punish your treachery to your own honour and mine, by plunging my sword into your heart P Stand aside ? You will not P Louis Dumont, if you are a man, follow me. We will settle our little matter where there are no women to interfere. I have for years forborne to avenge my father's death upon you, as I ought to have done. Nay, I have outwardly been courteous to vou ; but when you have presumed upon my forbearance, to address my sister, the daughter of the father whose life your father basely took, it is time that I should interfere. Follow me to a more retired part of the lake shore.

We will see which wields the best sword." " Louis, I forbid you to obey him !" cried Isabel, seeing the young officer about to move, as if to comply with his hostile invitation. Robert, are you lost to all affection for me, all consideration for my presence, that you act thus V " You have forfeited my love, Isabel. Do you pretend to be ignorant that Col. Dumont, the father of your revenue lover here, killed your^ father and my own ?" " No, brother, alas 1 I would it were otherwise But it was an honourable duel!" " No, only the semblance of an honourable duel. My father was run through the heart after having been twice wounded and disabled in the sword arm. He would not ask quarter, and the base assassin passed his sword through his body 1" " Do not recur to this dreadful event, Robert. It has been talked of by you till I am heart-sick of it !"

" It is false, Robert Rosal ! My father slew him in honourable and fair combat. The aggrievance my father had was a heavy one, and the terms of the unhappy contest were, as I myself have seen them on record, that they should fight till one cried lor 'quarter!' This your father refused to do, and he died by the laws of the battle. Were it not for the love I bear thy sister and her presence here, I would prove to thee presently with my sword, that my father slew his enemy honourably." " Thou liest ! He assassinated him. It was one of the foulest deeds that ever Stained the hand of a murderer !" •' This to me ! I pray thee, fair Isabel, retire, and let your brother and I settle the dispute on the spot. I can bear no more, even for thy sake !". "And what if thou dost slay Robert? Think'st thou, Louis, I will ever give thee my hand or forgive thee?

No !" "Fear her not, Louis !" cried Robert tauntingly; " if she will forgive the son the father's deed, she will forgive thee for thine own, even if thy victim be her brother. So let us to work. The hilt of my sword grows hot in my hand !" and he made a menacing step towards the lover. Louis threw himself into an attitude of defence, when Isabel, with a sudden spring, caught her brother's sword from his hand and threw it into the water. " Now, Louis, tojthy boat, and speed thee away quickly, if you ever hope to have favour in my eyes more. It is my brother whom you would combat with. For my sake forgive his words and hasten from the spot." " For thy sake I will avoid the rencontre, Isabel !" responded Louis, hastly pressing her hand to his lips. ' ' Farewell ! Ere long we shall meet again, when I nope you will confer on me the authority of your protector. * " God preserve and return you to me in safety !" she answered with tears.

The next moment he had sprung down the cliff and was in his boat shoving off from the shore. Robert was not idle the meanwhile. No sooner had he found himself deprived of his weapon in so extraordinary a manner, than he threw himself from the bank and plunged into tbe shoal water where he saw it disappear. He recovered it and came out of the lake with deep curses against his sister and her lover, when he saw the boat containing Lewis shoot out of the shadow on the other side of the bank. « Coward and son of an assassin ! You do well to fly the vengeance of the offspring of a murdered man. If your feet ever again tread these shores you die, and the ungrateful girl also who dares to love where she should hate !" Louis made no reply. He slowly rowed away alwg the shadowy shores of the lake until he was lost to the sight of the infuriated and disappointed young man.

Robert stood for a moment looking after him, and then, turning away, ascended rapidly V) the top of the jutting bank where he had left Isabel. He expected that she would have flown in terror from him ; but he found her standing, calm and unmoved, the moonlight streaming between the branches above her head, fell upon her person, and revealing her features with their resolute expression. He advanced angrily towards her, and presented his sword to her bosom. She did not stir ; she simply said, " Coward, to menace a woman !" '• But you have aggravated me, Isabel," he responded, instantly dropping the point of his sword to her feet." You have deceived me. How is it that you have shown any savour to this Louis Dumont, whose father murdered ours ?" " The act of the father should not be visited upon the son, Robert.

Besides, you are in error — it was a duel !" "It was not ; it was, a foul murder; the whole world called it so at the time." " Even if it were, Louis Dumont is not a murderer ! He has none of his father's guilt. He is acknowledged everywhere and by all to be a young gentleman of the most upright character, amiable and brave ! You know him, however, as well as I do, and have no need that I should speak in his praise 1'' " Which I see you are nothing loth to do. I treated him with courtesy when he used to live on the farm near us ! but it was from pride, lest the world should say I was revengeful. Beside, he was a neighbour, and we ofteu]met unavoidably. But Jince he has been in the leven ue service, and I have thought more and learned more about my father's death, I have hated him. Judge, then, my indignant amazement when I learned, at Point Isabel, where my vessel was, that it was rumored that you were about to be married to him !'' "How did you hear ofthi5, brother?"

" 1 hardly know how the news got there. I was on shore that day on a hunting party with some of the officers, and it was spoken of as we were taking our dinner under some trees on the edge of the chapperal. The same night I was on my way hither to see if there was any foundation for such a rumour. Jedge what my feelings must have been when I found you here billing and cooing by moonlight. Isabel, you have done what I cannot easily forgive. When did you see this Dumont to love him?" " 1 will answer you as plainly as you have put the question, brother. I have loved him from childhood. We grew up together as it were ; you being away at school, saw him but seldom and knew little of it, for when it began to assume, as years increased upon us, a tender form, I concealed it ; and the more especially when I found that you had a strong"p>-ejudice against him.

But I have never kuown the time when I did not love him !" " And all this time you knew he was the assassin of your father ! You are not worthy to be my sister. Hark you, Isabel ! This young man — this murderer's son — has now escaped me — avoided me, too, on a plea that makes me still more deeply his enemy — his love for you. But I solemnly swear that if he comes near you again, or you favor him in the least, he shall die by my hand." "So, out of your holy hatred for the murderer's son, you would become one your self. This is consistency." " Consistency it may not be ; but it is the resolution by which I shall be 'go verned.'' " I do not fear that you will ever so far forget yourself, Robert, as to he guilty of an act so base as you speak of. — With all your hatred, Louis, you are still a gentleman.