A Silent Witness. A novel

Chapter I

beaten. Half paralysed with, horror and amazement, Heath remained for a few minutes motionless, his eyes fixed on the figure of his unwelcome visitor, his parted lips rigid and parched. The apparition of a ghost from the other world could not more completely have astonished him ; indeed, at first, he had an idea that the pale and determined face on which he gazed so intently, with its sad bloodless lips, its dark eyes flashing a scornful defiance, was either more or less than mortal. He had never doubted that Anne was dead. When he first met Studley, on the captain's return from his futile search after his daughter VOL. III. B in Paris, and learned from him of the manner of Anne's disappearance at Boulogne, Heath made up his mind that she had committed suicide by jump ing from the pier; her mental power, which he remembered having noticed on one or two occasions as terribly strong, must have been weakened by the horrible scene of which she had been a witness, and the severe illness which she had subsequently undergone ; and, to avoid any further misery and degradation, she had put an end to herself.

The captain had not thought it worth his while to disturb this theory, more especially as he himself believed in the fact of his daughter's death. That she had not drowned herself from the Boulogne pier he knew, as he had duly received her letter written to him from Paris ; but in that letter she had spoken of the burden of life being too heavy for her to bear any longer, alone and friendless as she was, and of her having taken measures for finding a place among the nameless dead. The captain had long since got rid of the uncomfortable feeling which the first perusal of these words caused him, and when a chance recollection of his daughter passed BEATEN. 3 across his muddled brain, he thought of her and spoke of her to Heath as one no longer living. She was there, though, upright, stern, and pitiless.

As Heath looked at her, the whole scene enacted on that fatal Sunday at Loddonford rose before his mind. Again he saw Anne Studley looking in at the window upon the deed of blood ; again he heard the long low wail which she had uttered, before falling senseless on the ground. That accursed vision had not troubled him for months, but it was full upon him now, and there was the avenger, alive and standing before him. It was some time before he could speak ; when he did, his voice was thick and husky, and he scarcely seemed to have his lips at his command. " What — what has brought you here ? " he said. In strong contrast to his hoarse utterance were the clear and ringing tones in which Anne replied. " There is but one motive in the world that could have prompted my coming," she said, with her eyes firmly fixed upon him.

" I have a friend who is my one tie to life ; to save her from you I have come hither. You are incredulous, I know, as to the b2 existence of such feelings as love and friend ship, but you will be able to estimate the strength and truth of my love for this friend, by the fact that it has induced me to look upon your face 33 again. Heath had recovered himself a little — a very little — by this time. He knew that the figure before him was not that of a ghost, though it is doubtful whether any visitant from the ■tomb could have inspired in him greater dread. His usual keen perception, too, was somewhat blunted by his terror and amazement ; he did not at first appreciate the stern resolution hidden under Anne's quiet manner, and it was in a bully ing tone that he said, " Now that you have plucked up sufficient courage, or overcome your maidenly reserve, or whatever it may be, and looked upon my face again, perhaps you will tell me what you wish me to do."

" I have heard," said Anne, in the same calm, clear voice, "that you are about to be married to Miss Grace Middleham. Such a match would doubtless, be very advantageous for you in everv point of view, for Miss Middleham has beauty BEATEN. •J and great wealth ; but much as you may be interested in her, my love for her transcends anything you can ever feel, and in the exercise of that love I have come to tell you that you must renounce her." He was steadier now, much steadier, and looked somewhat like his old self, as he said, with a hard scornful smile, " It is very good of you to come to the point with so much frankness. I must take exception to your estimate of the feelings I may entertain towards Miss Middleham ; but as regards my interest in her you speak quite correctly. Also as regards my intention to marry her, and — my determination to carry that intention into effect."

The smile had faded away ere he came to these last words, which he spoke very deliberately, aud with his eyes fixed on his companion. " Have you counted the cost of such a pro ceeding, George Heath ? " said Anne, dropping into a chair, leaning her arm on the desk, and confronting him. " I have been quiet for so many months that you thought me dead — as indeed I was dead to the world and all in it save one; while you, relieved of my presence, have been progressing in the world's favour, so that even now, when you find me before you, you seem unable to realise the position which we hold towards each other. It can be made plain in a very few words," she added, bending forward. " If you do not consent to give up your pretensions to Grace Middleham, I will reveal all I know. I will denounce you as a murderer !

" His face grew pale again, but the scornful smile soon returned to his lips. " Your education at Hampstead, where I first had the pleasure of seeing you," he said, "evidently did not include a study of tho law, or you would have known in such cases a wife's evidence cannot be received against her husband; and I have the honour and the pleasure of claiming you as my wife." He looked hard at her to see the effect of this home-thrust, and was surprised to find how quietly she received it. "So be it," she said, leaning back in her chair. "If that be the case, my point is gained. If you admit me to be your wife, Grace is free, for I conclude that you do not openly propose to commit bigamy." BEATEN. 7 Heath felt that she had scored a point, and her manner irritated him almost as much as her words.

" Suppose I were to defy you," he said, " and to declare that you were not my wife ? " " In that case," replied Anne, " you would throw away the shield which you have just raised for your protection. I should tender my evidence, and it would be received." Her coolness provoked him beyond endurance. "Curse you!" he said, bringing his hand heavily down upon the table ; " you may do your worst. I will throw over the whole question of wife or no wife : I will say you are a crazy jade whom no one knows ; and when you accuse me of having made away with Walter Danby — and you will be asked for evidence, which you will find re markably difficult to supply — what trace has ever been found of the body ? There is no proof that he ever came to that infernal place. A man's life is not sworn away so easily as you imagine."

"That a man's life can be taken away easily enough, I have had horrible proof," said Anne, shuddering. " Walter Danby's body is hidden somewhere at Loddonford, and you know it." She looked fixedly at him as she spoke; but he had regained his usual self-possession by this time, and did not betray the smallest sign of surprise. " I know nothing of the kind," he said ; adding, with an ironical bow, " To me your assertion is, of course, sufficient ; but, in a court of justice, you would have to make it good." For a moment, Anne was a little disconcerted by the perfect coolness of Heath's demeanour. " I have, fortunately, a choice of charges to prefer against you," she said, after a pause. " Suppose I were to accuse you of tho great robbery committed in this very bank. Remember, I saw the gold and the jewels !

" " May I ask you where you saw them ? " said Heath, bending forward. " I will refresh your memory ; in your father's house at Loddonford." "That is true," said Anne; "but that would not hinder me from speaking. I know not whether my father is alive or dead; but, com pared to Grace Middleham, he is nothing to me. To see that her future is not wrecked is mv determination ; and, to save her, I will tell all I BEATEN. 9 know. Yes, all ! concealing nothing, sparing none ! " As she emphasised this sentence, with out stretched forefinger, Heath recoiled in amazement before her. This girl, whom he had rated so cheaply, had the best of him then. He was astounded at her audacity, more astounded at the firmness with which she held to the course she had indicated. With rage and mortification at his heart, he acknowledged to himself that the edifice which he had built up with so much trouble during several months had crumbled into dust at this woman's touch.

He was beaten on every point. The mere revelation of his previous marriage would ruin him with Grace. He was beaten ; and he must own it, making the best bargain possible with the winner of the game. He rose from his chair, strode to the fireplace, and stood there with his hands plunged into his pockets. After a short internal struggle, during which he had recovered the mastery over himself, he said, in his usual tone : — ■ " A man of sense gives up fighting when ho sees no further chance of success. You insist that I should give up this intended marriage with Miss Middleham, and you threaten me with certain consequences if I refuse. Those threats are too strong for me, and I therefore submit ; but, at the same time, I give you this warning — that if you reveal more than is absolutely necessary for the prevention of the marriage, you will bring absolute ruin upon your father, who is now a hopelessly-degraded drunkard and pauper, and condemn him either to prison with me, or to starvation without me.

You would not care about either of these alternatives, I suppose, although you have acknowledged that your filial feelings are not very strong?" "My filial feelings are what my father made them," said Anne, quietly ; " but there is no need, I imagine, that we should discuss them here. My object will be met by your renouncing Miss Middle ham, by your telling her that you are not free to fulfil the marriage contract into which you have entered, and by your relinquishing all claims upon her hand." " I agree to that," he said. " I have already BEATEN. 11 confessed that you are too strong for me, and that I can make no further fight." " I shall want you to write a letter to that effect," said Anne, "that I may take with me." "A letter?" he repeated. "Wliy can I not tell Miss Middleham when I see her ?

" " Because it is not my intention that you should see her for a long time, if ever again. You must write a letter in the sense which I have pointed out, which I can give to her." He shrugged his shoulders, saying, "As you will," and returning to the desk, sat down, and at once commenced to write. Anne, who at the same moment pushed away her chair, noticed that his hand was firm, and his writing, as usual, scrupu lously neat and steady. " I suppose that will do ?" he said, handing her the letter when he had finished it. " I have told her that it is impossible for me to fulfil the engagement, without saying why, and I have left any further explanation for you to make, consistent, of course, with the terms of our bargain.'' " The letter will do perfectly well," said Anne, placing it in her pocket, "and the terms of the bargain shall be duly kept.

And now," rising from her chair, " our interview is at an end." "Not just yet," said Heath; "give me a few minutes more, if you please. You have had your own way entirely, and now I have a few words to 33 say. " Say on," she remarked, with a gesture of im patience. "I want to know," he said, looking up at her with something like admiration, as she stood there, drawn to her full height, cold, proud, and stately, " I want to know what you are going to do with yourself now ? " " Why can you possibly desire to know ? " she asked, in surprise. " Wrhat possible right have you to ask ? " " I desire to know," he said, lazily, still regard ing her with that strange look, "because I have conceived a very great interest in you ; because I am amazed in discovering you to be as you are. Our previous acquaintance was so slight, that I had neither time nor opportunity to learn to appreciate your real character, or the strength of mind which distinguishes you from most of BEATEN. 13 your sex ; and I dare to ask — that was, I think, the other way in which you put the question — by virtue of my rights as your husband."

"Are you going to urge that plea?" she asked, with supreme contempt. " I think I am," Heath replied. " With your talent and courage — -you see I speak very frankly — you might be useful to me in many ways, and I do not see why I should permit you to enjoy that freedom of action of which you have just deprived me." " You uttered a very neat axiom just now," said Anne, "about giving up when you saw no further chance of success ; but you have apparently not learned that it is as bad, if not worse, to threaten penalties without the power of inflicting them. I will apply to you the phrase which you used to me at the beginning of this inter view — I defy you to do what you threaten. I warn you that if you attempt to see Miss Middle ham, I will at once take steps for denouncing you to justice ; and as to your claim on my wifely obedience, I tell yon plainly, that when I have gone out of that door you shall never hear of me again, unless it should concern her welfare — the welfare of the only human being I love — that I should once more interpose in her affairs."

She turned on her heels as she spoke, and without looking at him again, passed out of the office, and mingling with the crowd of customers at the bank counter, was lost to his view. The next instant Mr. Heath seized the speaking-pipe, and summoned Hollebone to his presence. " Quick as you can," he said, when the little man once more stood before him. " A lady, rather tall, dressed in black, with a double veil, noticeable for its thickness, over her face, has just left this office. She has scarcely yet gained the street ; follow her, and let me know where she goes." "And I thought that girl a fool," said Heath, when he was alone again, " and eagerly agreed to her father taking her off after the marriage, and was delighted at the idea of her death. What idiotic short-sightedness ! Properly trained, she would have been worth anything — a powerful ally, instead of, as now, a determined enemy.

One would have to have lived down her horror at all BEATEN. 15 she had seen, but that would not have been difficult; women far more sensitive than I should judge her to be have given up all such, nonsense when their feelings have been interested, and their passions roused. Wbat a chance that wretched Studley threw away ! In his case there would have been none of that horror to fight against; and with such a trump card as that in his hand he might have held his own against all comers, instead of being the wandering drunken mendicant that he is. It is a great comfort, however," he mut tered, settling himself at the desk, "that I have hitherto been enabled to induce Studley to confine his wanderings to the Continent. I had quite enough on my hands before, and now I have to frame a plausible excuse for withdrawing from this marriage, on which, as everyone knew, my heart was set.

There was no other way, how ever, that I could see to avoid instant exposure ; and if Anne Studley only gives me a little time before she produces that letter, though I shall have missed the heiress, I may yet be able to hold my ground here, and in two or three other more important quarters. Now to business again," he said, ringing the bell. Then to the porter who appeared, " Send Mr. Towser to me." The faculty which had been so valuable to him all his life — of being able to lay aside for the time any matter, of whatever gravity or im portance, which might be troubling him — remained with him still, and in a few minutes he was so immersed in going over calculations and statistics with his chief clerk, as to be temporarily oblivious of Anne Studley's existence. Meanwhile, Anne, whose nerves, notwithstanding her apparent outward calmness of demeanour, had been stretched to the utmost point of tension during the interview in the bank parlour, felt the almost inevitable reaction immediately on reach ing the street, and was glad to hail a passing cab; once seated in which, her fortitude gave way, and she burst into a flood of tears. /She had been vic torious, though— she had that great consolation for all she had undergone ; she had achieved what she had undertaken— the object of her mission was accomplished ; and she was then on her way to Grace's house, in possession of the letter which would bring about Grace's release from her certain BEATEN. 17 degradation and ruin.

It was no part, however, of Anne Studley's plan that Grace should be too soon made acquainted with the nature of the imminent peril with which she had been threatened or the means which had been adopted for her deliverance. A patient and deep-searching student of character, Anne, during the year of their resi dence in the professor's house, had noted the change in her friend's temperament. Not that Grace Middleham was less affectionate to the companion of her school-days, for nothing could exceed the warmth and the regard which she took every opportunity of evincing; but as her character became more formed, she had lost that habit of depending for everything upon Anne's aid and counsel, had become considerably self-reliant, and not a little self-willed. These qualities, Anne rightly judged, would have in creased, rather than lessened, since Grace had been fully recognised as the heiress of her uncle's fortune, and had been made an object of general adulation; and it was therefore possible that, in the first moments of indignation at hearing what Anne had done, she would refuse c VOL. to believe anything against her lover, and would insist on his returning to her.

That Grace Middle ham had entirely succumbed to Heath's influence and fascinations Anne knew too well, and that her anger against those who interfered between them would be proportionate to her passion for him she fully believed. It was above all things, therefore, desirable that Grace should be approached quietly, and, if possible, persuaded to return to Germany with Anne before the revelation was made ; in order that, being at a distance, she would be deprived of the chance of taking, in the first out burst of her wrath, any positive steps of which she might be induced, in her calmer judgment, to disapprove and wish to revoke. On arrival at the house in Eaton-place, Anne, who, during the drive, had managed to regain her composure, again felt the effects of the hard trial • which her nerves had undergone in the earlier portion of the day.

But she recovered herself sufficiently to impress the tall footman, who answered her ring, and to whom she gave the name of Mrs. Waller, with the sense of her dignity, and, consequently, to make him show BEATEN. 19 her into the dining-room and announce her promptly, instead of leaving her in the hall to take her chance of the time at which the message, that " A young pusson was waiting," might arrive upstairs. Grace happened to be alone when the announcement was made ; and as it was a long time since she had heard Anne's pseudonym, and her mind had been so much occupied with other things, she at first failed to understand who wished to see her; but, the truth coming to her after a moment's reflection, she rushed past the astonished footman, hurried down the stairs, and, the next moment, had seized Anne in her arms and covered her with kisses.

" My sweetest Anne," she said, " you are the very last person I should have thought of seeing here. Fancy your making your appearance in London after all your protestations that nothing earthly should induce you to come, and your refusal of the invitation which I sent you regularly for the first few weeks after my arrival ! " "I should not be here now, dear," said Anne, returning her friend's caresses, "if the occasion were not a most important one." c2 "I know what it is," said Grace, suddenly drawing back. " You have received my letter, announcing my engagement with George — with Mr. Heath, I mean; and you have come to have a talk with me about it — a serious talk, I daresay, too " " I have come on a serious matter, but not that," said Anne, quietly; "and, unfortunately, I am the bearer of ill news.

It will, doubtless, be distasteful to you, in the midst of all your triumphs and successes, to hear of pain and sick ness; but the fact is, that Madame Sturm is very ill — much worse than I have hitherto let you know." "Poor dear Frau Professorin ! " said Grace. "How very sad; I am quite sorry for her." " She talks constantly of you," said Anne, on whom Grace's society-tone jarred unpleasantly, "and frequently expresses her most earnest wish to see you." " How unfortunate that her illness should have happened just at this time, when I am away," said Grace. "Latterly, she has been so urgent in the ex- BEATEN. 21 prcssion of this wish, that I have not known what to say to her; and finally, I could refuse her prayers no longer, but set off, in the hope that I might persuade you to return with me to Germany."

"My dear Anne," said Grace, "that would be perfectly impossible." "Would it?" said Anne. "I fail to see that. You are your own mistress, are you not — you are dependent on no one's will or wish ?" " No ; of course, I am mistress of my own actions. There is no one whom I am absolutely obliged to consult," said Grace ; " but, still, people would think it so odd, my going away at a moment's notice." "What people?" asked Anne. "Well, Mrs. Crutchley, for instance," replied Grace. " Would it matter to you what Mrs. Crutchley thought ? " asked Anne. " She is, is she not, a very temporary acquisition — hired, like your house, horses, servants, &c, for the season, and then to be got rid of and never seen again ? This old woman dying over there speaks of you as the only blood-relation now left to her; and implores you to come to her, that she may look upon your face before she dies."

" I am the nearest relation left to her, I know," said Grace, softening ; " and if I thought that I could do her any good " "Nothing can do her any good, Grace," said Anne ; " but it would be a satisfaction to her to take farewell of you ; and to you, after she is gone, to know that you made her last hours happy at a very small sacrifice to yourself." "You are quite right, dear," said Grace, after a little pause. " It is my duty to go, and I will do it ; she was kind to me, poor old lady, in her odd way, and I will not appear ungrateful. I need only stop a few days, and I am sure George will not object when he knows the reason of my absence." "You will come, then, with me by the mail train to-night ? " said Anne. " You will have no occasion to take a maid. I am Mrs. Waller, you know, and can do everything you want."

"To-night is rather sudden, Anne, is it not?" said Grace. " I should like to have seen Mr. Heath." BEATEN. 23 " Every hour is of consequence," said Anne firmly. " Your aunt only lingers on from day to day, and you would not easily forgive yourself if you arrived too late." " Very well," said Grace, " I will go with you to-night." But when this arrangement was communicated to Mrs. Crutchley, that worthy lady was highly exasperated, and did her utmost to prevent its being carried out. Though the season was con siderably on the wane, there were balls to be gone to and engagements .to be fulfilled. It was impossible that Miss Middleham should give up society, and tear herself away from her friends, for such a very inadequate reason as the illness of an old aunt ; and when these various reasons had been successfully combated, Mrs. Crutchley fell back upon what was really the mainspring of all her motives.

She perfectly recognised in the Mrs. Waller, whose sudden and unexpected arrival had such influence over Miss Middleham's move ments, the mysterious correspondent to whom Grace had addressed such frequent and such lengthy epistles : she thought there was something particularly suspicious, though what, she was not able to discover in these circumstances ; and, beaten on every point, she urged most strongly that Grace should not leave London without seeing Mr. Heath. Of course, Grace was anxious for any opportunity of seeing her lover, and as Anne made no objection, messengers were despatched in search of Mr. Heath, both at the bank and at his private chambers, and letters were written requesting him to come to Eaton place at once. But Mrs. Crutchley was given to understand that in no case would Miss Middle ham's departure be postponed, and orders were given that the necessary packing should be pro ceeded with.

Time passes on, and the large footman announces that both the messengers have returned from un successful searches. Mr. Heath was not to be found at the bank or at his chambers, and at neither place was it known whither he had gone ; but the letters had been left for him, and Mrs. Crutchley, looking at her watch, declares that there is yet an hour before Grace starts, and BEATEN. 25 opines that by that time he will arrive. The hour wanes, and Grace, after many caresses from Mrs. Crutchley (who is loud in her lamentations at the non-engagement of a courier), takes her seat by Mrs. Waller in the brougham, and is whirled away to Charing-cross, where the tall footman takes their tickets, looks at their luggage, and bestows on them a final benediction by lifting his hat as the train glides out of the station.

Mr. Heath, too, has witnessed their departure from behind the shelter of some luggage barrows, piled on end ; and his feelings towards one of the travellers, at least, are of anything but a bene dictory nature. "You have succeeded, curse you!" he mutters to himself, as he moves out of the station. " You are carrying her away from me, and in a day or two you will tell her I beg your pardon ! " The man against whom he has stumbled is shabbily dressed, with a slouch hat and clothes of foreign cut, covered with worn and shining braid. He starts at the sound of Heath's voice, and steps aside that he may get him more fully in the gaslight; then approaches him again, so closely, that Heath feels his hot thick breath upon his face, as he asks him, in jeering tones, " Who is it you would like to murder next ? "