Gabriella Witherington: a novel

Chapter I

"You, Mr. James," began Etty, "know the cause of our going to foreign parts. Missis told you told you all about it when she got you to advance the money for that purpose ; but I'll be bound to say she never uttered a word about all she had gone through after we went to live in Lunnun; did she T " No, Etty ; but I thought her much changed, and had heard many things, VOL. in. B which grieved me ; however, it was not my place to ask questions ; I saw she wanted the money ; and from the little she did say, I was in hopes it might be for both hers and Mr. Durant's advantage ; as he could study at much less expense on the continent than at one of our universities." "So he told her ; but it would have been a blessing had they never gone ; and yet the miserable life the dear soul led in Lun nun was shocking : many a day we had only dry bread, and hardly enough of that !"

"You surprise me. How could that be when Mrs. Durant received her own rent from her trustee, Mr. Aubrey, to whom I paid it V "She did, sure enough, receive it ; but when it came, all went at once to pay the bills; for master spent all his own on him self ; and when we was a eating dry bread at home, he would dine at a tavern, and say he had been invited to a friend's house. For a long some time we believed him, till, GABEIELLA WITHERINGTON. at last, bills were sent from a great many places — Mr. Humphrey's bills at the town was nothing — mere trifles compared to Mr. Du-Rant's. Missis could hardly believe her eyes that it was all true. The first time when she told him about it, he pre tended to be sorry, and promised not to be foolish again if the bills were paid — and, for a little while, he kept his word.

She did every thing in her power to please him, but it was all thrown away; for, in a few months, bills came again, and he used to go almost every night to the plays or such places, and told her he was attending some of his patience, as he called the sick people. Well, it was to get him from such habits, that she consented to get the money, and go abroad ; and he made the most solemn promise of amendment again. All was ready for our going, when, as ill luck would have it, who should come to Lunnun but that scandalous creature, Mrs. Griffiths, and Miss Charlotte Du-Rant! Oh! I shall never forget that day. We was in the B GABRIELLA WITHEEINGTON. middle of packing, and master said as he would not come to dinner, because he had so many places to call at. Instead of which, he axed Mrs. Griffiths and Miss Charlotte to dinner : so they came ; and after dinner, they went to the play.

Dear Miss Rilly begged them to let her stay at home, as she had so many things to do ; but master insisted on her going. She was so vexed at dinner; I didn't know what for then ; Miss Charlotte, however, telled me all about it after. Well, to the play they went ; and after putting dear Miss Die to bed, I set about packing. It was a striking one in the morning when I heard a coach stop ; and afore I could get to the door, there was a loud ring. As soon as it was opened, missis and Miss Charlotte were handed in by two tall officers ! I was struck all of a heap with amazement. Luckily, I had lighted the candles, and put the supper on the table ; but instead of sitting down, missis only thanked the officers for their politeness. She was all of a tremor, shaking like a leaf ; and Miss Charlotte in a great passion, the tears streaming down her cheeks.

" The tallest of the officers, who was Colonel Mansell — but I didn't know him then — begged they would compose them selves, and hoped as Mr. Du-Rant would explain everything to their satisfaction when he came home ; and then they — that is Colonel Mansell and the other officer, who he called Major Nefill — went away. I was all in amazement. Missis said nothing ; but looked cut to the heart ; and Miss Charlotte was a crying with passion, for she said her brother left them to shift for themselves, while he sat in another box with Mrs. Griffiths, and never came a nigh them all the time in the play !" (Here Etty rehearsed what the reader is already acquainted with.) "Dear Miss Rilly said nothing; but went and sat beside the babe ; and Miss Charlotte vowed she would not go to bed till her brother came home : indeed there was no bed for her but mine, for she was a stopping with Mrs. Griffiths.

Well, about five o'clock in the morning, master came, looking, I must say, ashamed of himself. Miss Charlotte at once burst out in a storm of words, while master tried to smooth her down, saying as how Mrs. Griffiths was taken very ill, and that he was obliged to take her to the house of some doctor, for she was in fits; and that he had, at last, conducted her home, and wanted Miss Charlotte to go to her immediately. " This she refused to do ; but her brother insisted, saying, as Mrs. Griffiths's character was not to be injured for her humours, and that the coach was a waiting at the door. " Well, there was a fine to do : at last, it ended in his almost carrying Miss Charlotte to the coach. " About nine o'clock, he came back again, saying, as Mrs. Griffiths had explained everything to his sister.

What more he said, I don't know ; but he could not pre- GABEIELLA WITHERINGTON. vail on missis to go and see her, so we finished packing ; for she said to me — " ' Since Mr. James Rogers has advanced me the money to go abroad, we ' had better do so. Frederic may go on better there ; at all events, I shall have done every thing for the best.' " The next morning we set off; and he behaved shamefully when we were in the boat. " It was a shocking gloomy morning ; but when we had cleared the river, and got out to sea, the fog appeared to be left behind, and the sun shone brightly. To wards evening, the sailors said as a storm was a brewing — that was the shocking word they used — and presently the sky was covered with black clouds, and hardly a breath of air stirred, while the sails flapped heavily.

" ' We shall have it soon,' said the captain, and a rumbling sound was heard in the distance ; the sea made a moaning sort of noise ; the gulls shrieked, and the sailors talked in such an odd way, and called things by such outlandish names ! It was then Miss Rilly went up the captain, and asked, in her sweet gentle voice — " ' Will it be safer for my child and servant to remain here, or go below ?' "Below, ma'am, by all means,' replied the Captain ; ' and the sooner you are in your berths, the better, for should a gale spring up, you will not be able to keep your footing on deck ; so pray go below.' " She then, dear soul, went below with us, and insisted on my going to her own berth with the child. Master was a sitting near the table. The thunder was now becoming louder, and the lightning flashed, and presently a few heavy drops of rain fell.

It was very close and hot in the cabin; so, taking up master's cloak to wrap round her, Miss Rilly went on deck. " He began to feel sick, and went up like wise, aud snatched the cloak from her, al though the rain was, by this time, falling in torrents. The Captain was so provoked that he ordered master out of the way, and taking a coat of his own, wrapped it round missis. " The ship was beginning to pitch dread fully, and the passengers that still lingered on deck, were again ordered below ; so down they came, tumbling on each other ; some lay on the cabin floor, and others got into their berths, where they were soon obliged to be strapped, to prevent their being thrown out. "Night closed in, and such a night it was ! the storm was become most awsome ! It was one continual roar of thunder — the sea dashing against the sides of the ship, which was tossed sometimes as if on mountains, and then as though it was a sinking to the bottom !

It was become pitchy dark, and a few lanthorns were lighted and hung up. There lay Mr. Du- Rant on the floor, calling out — " ' Margaret, Gabriella, I am dying ; bring me some brandy !' B " And she, dear soul, 'spite of all his unkindness, went and got him some. How she kept on her feet, I don't know. " A dreadful crash was now heard above, followed by shrieks of terror from the pas sengers, and loud oaths from the sailors. In an instant, Miss Rilly rushed on deck ; and I heard the captain call out — " ' Bring me a hatchet, or we are lost !' '' In a few minutes more, Miss Rilly was again beside us, holding by our berth; and then came another shock, as though two heavy weights were struggling together. Fearful blows, and loud voices were heard between the claps of thunder, and then the ship gave a sudden jerk, and in an instant the lights were extinguished !

Never, while I live, will the shrieks and howls of agony and horror that succeeded be forgotten ! " Missis, who was a-holding by the berth, cried — " ' Oh ! Heavenly Father ! have mercy on them ; they are lost — save us, or we perish likewise. Mercy, oh ! have mercy on us.' " As she uttered these words, the ship seemed to start off as though liberated from some heavy weight. " ' All's right !' was shouted from above. " Then I felt warm tears drop on my cheek and the baby's face — she, dear child, was sleeping amidst all the awsome storm and uproar I have been a-telling about ! Miss Rilly then fell on her knees, for the thunder and lightning continued, and the ship was a-going at a fearful rate, while ever and anon, between the roar of thunder and water, could be heard the Captain's voice, shouting — " ' Now cut away, boys ! down top gallants — Is the breach filled up ? — Lighten her on that side— heave the guns over board !' " Then arose the cries of the passengers, entreating for light and air, and praying for mercy and pardon ; Master groaning — " ' Oh !

Margaret, pardon — come to me — in mercy come, one drop of water — I know how deeply I have wronged you — Oh ! you can never pardon — let me kiss — my child — not — come to me in pity, in pity come — I will tell you — you will forgive — come to me.' " ' I cannot find you, Frederic,' she answered; 'you know I forgive; have patience ; morning will come.' " To describe more of that dreadful night is beyond my power. We were every minute expecting to be dashed to pieces without seeing each other, for we were in utter darkness ; but that dear saint never murmured ; and 1 could hear her whisper prayers for our safety, as kneeling, she clung to our berth, and felt for the little hand of her child. " Morning at length broke, and the thunder became fainter, but the wind was more blusterous, and the ship pitched more dreadfully.

What a sight met our eyes when it became light enough to see ! Everything was scattered about the floor, and the passengers lay as if dead. Missis scrambled her way to where master lay, and raised his head on her knee ; making a pillow of his cloak, she placed it under his head, and then sought for water ; but that she could not find. Ascending the stairs, she im plored that air might be admitted, which was done ; and she then stepped on deck, where the danger we had escaped was ex plained. " It appeared another ship had run against us; and the prow, I think, as it was called, had broke through the side of ours; and had it not been cut away, both must have gone down together! It was on that account the Captain called out for a hatchet, and with his men, cut at random; for it was, as I have said, pitchy dark.

When at liberty, ours, being a great ship, bounded against the other, which sunk — and itwas supposed every soul in it perished! Then ours was driven before the winds. There was a great part of one side broken through, so that it was necessary to lighten her, — a ship you knows, Mr. James, is al ways called her and she — so as to keep above water: all hands were required for that purpose, consequently there was none to attend to us below, not even the cabin boy. " Missis at length got some water and biscuits, which she distributed amongst the sufferers. Oh ! sea-sickness is dreadful ! I was not so bad owing to my lying down soon, and the dear babe was not at all sick ; and as for Missis, she was a perfect sailor — so the others all said. " It would take hours for me to tell you how the day passed, for the ship had got out of the right track ; but the Captain said as he should put into the first friendly port, because he was fearful of meeting an enemy's ship in the condition ours was in ; and he would rather, he said, sink her than let her be taken, for she would be a rich prize, being a merchantman.

The thought of our being all drowned together was dreadful ; but to be taken by the French would be nearly as bad. " The storm at length 'bated, yet the rain continued to fall : the hole in the side was mended, and the water laded out and mopped. I was by this time able to stand; and having made Miss Die fast, so that she could not fall out, I tried to help her mama to make the half dead passengers more comfortable. " Hours, and long hours they were, again passed ; but the ship was going on more smoothly. Towards evening, the clouds cleared off, and the sun shone out brightly ; and we, that is as many as were able to crawl, went on deck ; where there were a great many solders, besides sailors, and those belonging to the ship ; she was called Arean— Hari — Ariaden — some such out landish name."

" Was it ' Ariadne ' ?" asked James Rogers. " Yes, that's it, Mr. James. When we went up on deck, Miss Rilly did look so beautiful : all her curls were twisted up in a knot to prevent the wind blowing them about, and her fine, high, white forehead was thus seen to advantage. All eyes were fixed on her ; and I heard one of the officers say she looked like an angel sent to steer us safe through all the dangers of the late awful night. All expressed their admiration and wonder at the courasre and humanity she had shown ; and many were the sneering looks cast at Master, as she led him up, and made him seat himself on the deck. " At last, one of the men, who was on the top-mast — it be wonderful how sailors can run up and down the ropes — called out — " ' Land !' " Oh ! the joy that sparkled in every eye !

Then the Captain and pilot began a-talking of the situation ; and at length they said it was — I forget what place it was called — however, it was decided to steer for it, although it was not the place that we was to land at ; — but the Ariad — you know the name — was so damaged that it would take some time to repair her. Then they talked of the other vessel, that had come in collision — as it was called — with ours. " Oh! it was an awful thing to think as so many souls should be summoned to their last account, without a moment's time to prepare themselves! Never shall I forget that awful shock, and the shrieks when she went down ! I have seen Missis clap her hands to her ears, and shudder, while the tears would roll down her cheeks at the recollection of that dreadful sound ; and in her hours of sorrow, I have heard her mur mur — " ' Why should I repine when time is allowed me to repent, and prepare for death V " Then she would say to master — " ' Oh !

Frederic, be more sensible, more grateful for the mercies shown to us; think, oh ! think, had we been cut off like those in that unhappy vessC, whether friends or enemies — how awful would it have been !' " We never heard more of that ship, Mr. James. May the Lord have mercy on us all! " Well, I was a-saying land was in sight ; but it was night ere we reached it; and we did not get on shore till the morning. After a few hours rest, we started on our journey to Gottingen, where master entered himself into the University to study physic. For three or four months, all went on very well, and he was very attentive and kind to missis; and helped her with her studies, for she gave all her spare time to learn the strange language. He, however, would sometimes laugh and try to discourage her — I believe it was from envy because she got on so well ; at least every body, but him, said so ; and she used to try to talk to the people of the house when he was out.

" I suppose things were too good to last, for a change came over master; and Miss Rilly, dear soul, wondered what was the cause of it, and would ask him if he felt unwell, and whether she had done anything to displease him. The only answer she got was — ' What a fool you are !' or some such speech ; and then he would leave the room, slamming the door after him. " I was quite certain the change in his behaviour was owing to a letter he had got from England, which the chamber-maid telled me of. Greatly against the advice of missis, we had remained at an inn — hot-hells they be called in great places. We used all to have our meals at the table of the landlord ; and sometimes, there was a lot of folks, all foreigners, talking in every outlandish language about the French, and the wars — " Here Etty was interrupted by Mrs. Rogers, coming to say her tea was ready. GABRIELLA WITHERINGEON.

Chapter II

It was not till the next morning, when all the other members of the farmer's estab lishment were at their several occupations, that Etty and James Rogers again seated themselves in the bower ; and the former resumed her tale. " Let me see !" she began, " where did I leave off ? Oh ! I remember it was about our dining at the table dote, as it be called in them parts. Well, one day when we went to dinner — I always sat at the lower GABEIELLA WITHEEINGTON. end, with Miss Die on my lap ; and she, bless her little heart ! was always so good, every body noticed her — well, that day, for the first time, I noticed a tall, strange-looking man. He was not young, but about the middle age ; his face I could see little of, because he wore a fur cap ; and he had a quantity of fur on his dress too ; he was a Russian, or a Prussian, and spoke different to every one else ; only the landlord understood him.

I saw him a looking at Miss Rilly, when he thought he was not observed, and there was something about him that made me watch him ; it was not fear, for he was very kind in his way to every body. He stayed some time, and always met me when I was a walking out with Miss Die ; and would talk to her in his outlandish way, and make her laugh ; and give her cakes and toys that he brought in his pocket. I told her mamma about it ; and she tried to — at least she made the landlord — thank him. Master, somehow, was very uncivil to the stranger ; indeed GABRIELLA WITHEEINGTON. he might be called rude ; and would say very insulting things about him, even be fore his face, because as how he didn't understand what was said. This vexed missis so, that one day at dinner she ven tured to say : — " ' Frederic, it is unfeeling and ungen tlemanly to speak of any person — especially a stranger, in such a way.' '"Master laughed and called her a fool ; adding : — "'It can't hurt the fellow's feelings, as he does not know a word I am saying ; but since you are so much interested about him, it is your feelings perhaps, which are hurt, your partiality for tall fellows with flashing eyes being well known ; his are fiery enough ; see how they flash !' "And flash they did, as he thrust his hand into his bosom, and made a movement as though to start up.

He checked himself however ; for missis, forgetting the insult offered to herself, said — " ' Pray say no more, Frederic, as I am GABEIELLA WITHERINGTON. sure he understands — at least sufficiently to know we are speaking of him.' " ' Then be is a d — d impostor, and ought to be seized as a spy ;' and turning on his heel, master left the room. " We saw very little of master for some days after this, because he used to be a studying very hard, as he said, with a new friend he met at college — an Englishman of the name of Stracy. He was a bold, vulgar creature ; missis couldn't abide him, and always left the room when he corned to see master. One evening, when walking out with Miss Die, I sat down on a seat under a tree ; and she was a sleeping on my lap. I had not sat long, before I heard master's voice near ; he was a talking to Mr. Stracy, and they came and sat on the other side of the tree, without noticing me.

" ' And s \ said master, ' you think if we were in France, the land of liberty, she might be turned to some advantage, and I might get rid of wife and brat,' " ' There's no doubt of it if the thing GABRIELLA WITHERINGTON. were were well managed ;' replied Mr. Stracy, ' for she really is very handsome, and this Bonaparte, they say, is a great admirer of beauty. Who knows what might happen V " ' But my wife is such a prude.' " ' A prude ! Rather say she thinks there is no man like her first love ! what was the name of the one you told me about ? Now, had I a wife who loved another man better than me, I would soon let her see she should in some way repay me, if not in love ; and besides, I would never be de pendent on a wife. You cannot receive a shilling of her income ! Ha, ha ! ' The Elms ! a poor little place, only sufficient to feed a few cows upon ! aud yet you say it is entailed, and you cannot touch a shilling without your wife's signature !

I would soon let her know I was her master — she should supply me with money some way — ' " ' Well, Stracy, I must do something : money I must have, or else follow this spy to prison. Ha, ha ! — that will spite her a GABRIELLA WITHEEINGTON. little, when she knows it;' and then they both laughed. " ' But what will you do, Fred V con tiuued Mr. Stracy.' " ' I don't know. You and I must consult ; for the landlord is looking plaguily black. I must make Gabriella raise a good round sum, and then give her the slip, and be off with you to France — the land of liberty, and leave her to settle accounts here, or go and comfort the spy in his confinement.' " ' Make her sign an order on old Aubrey for a good round sum, and — ' some people coming up prevented Mr. Stracy saying more ; so he and master moved away.

" This was, as near as I can remember, what they said ; for I have talked it over in my own mind a hundred times. " Did you, Mr. James, ever hear of such sinfulness ? "Well, I thought to myself, I won't tell missis to night; but I'll keep a watch on you, Mr. Da-Rant, and she shall sign nothing. So home I went. VOL. III. C " Master didn't come back till very late that night, and he went out again in the morning, and didn't come home to dinner, for many days. When that was the case, ours was always sent up to our room ; but we had remarked for the last few days it had been served both scantily and badly. Missis never complained ; but the day after I had overheard Master and Mr. Stracy a talking, I said to the waiter when he brought up our dinner, as how it was not treating us right, when we paid for what we eat.

Oh ! how she was cut to the heart, when the waiter laughed and replied — . " ' Paid indeed ! Who pays? My mas ter has not received a florin of yours for weeks.' " ' Not paid !' exclaimed missis, starting to her feet ; ' you mistake ; my husband tells me he settles weekly.' " ' Then he says what is not true — but it's no business of mine ;' and the man quitted the apartment with a bow. " ' Etty, said she, ' there must be some mistake ; we don't understand enough of Germain. It cannot be, oh ! no — Frederic has the money ; and if he has not sufficient, I have a little ; and you, Etty, will lend me some.' " I turned to the window — for I had none. Master had paid my wages, but borrowed the money back to pay the landlord, he said ; begging 1 would not tell missis, and that he would re-pay me very soon.

I considered a moment how to answer; then pretending not to hear about myself, I said — " ' If I was you, I would keep the money I have, because there are preparations to make for another baby.' " ' True, Etty, but I shall not want much ; and I shall receive a little soon, from England. I will see how rich I am ; and when Frederic comes in, I will ask him, for, perhaps his college expenses are heavier than he expected. It is this, no doubt, which has vexed him — he has been very kind till lately.' C GABRIELLA WITHEEINGTON. " She then went and opened a drawer, and taking out the work-box your father gave her, unlocked it — the money was gone! She turned very pale, and sinking on a seat, hid her face with both hands. " ' This is cruel,' she sobbed ; ' worse than the first robbery. Why not ask me for it ?' " I went to her ; and the dear child threw her little arms round her mother's neck, saying — " ' Don't cry ; Die loves mamma.' " ' Never mind,' says I ; ' master be ashamed of what he did, and that is why he be so cross.' " Just as I spoke the word, he corned in, a saying — " ' So your giant is taken up and sent to prison !