The gipsy mother; or, The misieries of enforced marriage: a tale of mystery ..

Front matter

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Dedication

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PRINCESS ALEXANDRIA VICTORIA.

To her whose image is enshrined in tlie heai^ of every Englishwoman — to whose august example the rising generation of her own sex are tanglil to look for the illustration of every feminine virtue — to her whose well-being and well-doing is the interest and pride of every Englishman, and to whose future career they are taught to look for England’s happiness and glory — to the Princess Victoria— these pages are dedicated, by one who feels top sensibly her own insignificance, and the comparatively trifling importance of her labours, to venture to address Her Royal Highness — but who yet humbly hopes, by this public testimonial of respect and gratitude for the benefits conferred on the English nation in general, and in particular

Chapter II

“ Swifter than thought flies by the lucky hour, Which lost, returns no more.”

Mr. Levison, senior, was a man of immense wealth, and ancient family, who had for many ages been seated in the most picturesque part of Cumberland. The present possessor of that name, and the head of the family to which we have introduced our readers, prided himself much more on the antiquity of his family, than on its wealth, “ Chance may enrich the man of base blood,’' he frequently observed, “ but cannot ennoble him and as he carried this principle into action, and frequently manifested a degree of contempt towards many of his neighbours, Avho were not so fortunate as himself in being able to trace their pedigrees to so remote a period as he could, it may be readily conceived that, when resident on his patrimonial estate, he led a very retired and independent sort of life.

It was rumoured, however, that in his youth, and while a younger brother, Mr. Levison had been desperately gay ; and it was known that his brother, then the possessor of Levison Hall and the surrounding estates for many miles in extent, had been severely taxed to supply his brother’s extravagances.

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Alfred Augustus Levisoii, wlio at that period was the representative of the family, had, it appeared, much less dignified notions of the advantages of high birth and pure blood, than his brother Charles, the testy old gentleman to whom we have introduced our readers in the preceding chapter. He was arrogant, sometimes, it is true, and occasionally tyrannical, if he was crossed in his views or his wishes ; but as those were mostly confined within a narrow compass, — as he limited his ambition to being the best shot, possessing the finest horses and the best pack of hounds in the county, and indulged no feelings that were likely to interfere with the comfort of his neighbours, — he had few enemies ; while his hospitality and readiness to join in all the festive sports, even among his inferiors, and promote them by a lavish expenditure of liis money, gained him many well-wishers, if not exactly what might be called friends.

Till the age of forty-five, Alfred Levison remained a bachelor, in spite of all the devices that were practised to ensnare his heart, by the fair ones, high and low, in his neighbourhood. There were several females, indeed, of the latter description, who could boast of having attained a temporary influence over him, which, though it did not tend to enhance their reputation, had the eflect, generally, of enriching themselves and their relations. But Mr. Levison’s time for falling in love had not then, it seemed, arrived — he was about the age we have before mentioned, when he first met with a female who was destined to inspire the tender })assion.

He had been attending a festive dinner at the public inn, in a small village distant about ten miles from his

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own house, where he had taken even more than his usual allowance of wine. The horse which he rode upon the occasion being- a young- and spirited animal, to which he ■was unaccustomed, he had scarcely mounted it, intendingto return home, when it suddenly reared, and throwing him forward, his head struck against the gate of the innyard.

It Avas late in the evening, and no surgeon resided within ten miles of the spot — but it was ordained that Mr. Levison should not at this time perish for lack of help. He Avas taken into the house in a state of utter insensibility, and a man Avas already despatched express for the doctor, when a stranger, avIio had that eveningdriven up to the inn in a single-horse chaise, and engaged a bed for himself, and another for a young lady Avith him, Avhom he called his daughter, stepped forward, and, announcing himself as a military surgeon, and therefore properly qualified for the case before him, offered his services.

Of course this offer Avas gladly accepted, and Mr. Levison, by his directions, accordingly put to bed.

The doctor bled him, and having ascertained that no limbs Avere broken, pronounced his opinion, that his patient had received a concussion of the brain; and that, though he might do well, the greatest care and attention Avould be necessary to bring him about again, and to restore him to health.

The event proved the correctness of his judgment. For many days Mr. Levison lingered between life and death, and the stranger delayed his journey, in order that he might continue his services to him. Day and night he watched by his bed-side, and if he left him, for a short

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time, to recnilt his own strength by some refreshment, his daughter, a beautiful girl about nineteen years of age, regularly supplied his place, administered the medicines, smoothed his uneasy pillow, and listened to and soothed his complaints, with the gentleness of an attached relative, rather than an entire stranger.

Gradually Mr. Levison became fully sensible of the value of these attentions; and, grateful as he felt for the care and skill to which he readily believed he owed the preservation of his life, still warmer were the feelings with which he regarded his beautiful nurse.

Elinor Tyrrell was indeed beautiful — tall, slender, and graceful, her form was symmetry itself, while every movement was replete with elegance. Her complexion, of the clearest olive, was lighted by the bright glow of health, and her lovely mouth, ever smiling, disclosed teeth with which the most exquisite pearls could not compare, while her dark hair clustered in thick natural ringlets over her beautiful forehead, and her large brilliant black eyes beamed with tenderness and feeling.

Such was the being who was (unfortunately, indeed, for her,) ordained to inspire in the bosom of Mr. Levison feelings to which he had been hitherto a stranger.

The father of Elinor was a man who had evidently seen much of the world, and had profited well by its lessons. In him, Mr. Levison found a companion ever pleasant and entertaining, and he began to feel uneasy at the thought that a short time must separate him, probably for ever, from two persons whom he preferred to all whom he had ever known.

But Mr. Tyrrell talked of the speedy continuance of Ills journey as indispensable, and it was some days before?

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Mr. Levisoii could summon courage to inquire further into the circumstances of his new friend.

At length, however, he learned that Mr. Tyrrell, after passing many years abroad in the capacity of an army surgeon, had returned to England on half-pay, and was seeking, with the aid of some friends, to establish himself as a medical practitioner, and was now journeying to a town about fifty miles farther, which had been pointed out to him as offering a fair field for his exertions.

“ Could he not be prevailed upon to fix his residence nearer?” thought Mr. Levison; ‘‘why not immediately in my own neighbourhood? — my patronage would secure him practice. Our old Esculapius has made sufficient money to retire, and I should not mind sacrificing a trifle, to secure such a benefit as Tyrrell would prove, not only to me, but the whole county.”

The proposition was made, and eagerly caught at by Mr. Tyrrell. The horse and chaise in which the latter had travelled was sent back to the friend from whom he had borrowed it, by one of Mr. Levison’s own servants, and he and his beautiful daughter accompanied their patient home, as soon as he could bear the motion of a carriage, to remain with him until a house could be procured, and affairs arranged to their satisfaction.

Elinor was delighted with the house, (which was a truly noble mansion) — the park, the shrubberies, the gardens, all were subjects of admiration, and she expressed her feelings with all the warmth and simplicity of childhood. Upon one occasion, when she had been warmly expressing the delight she experienced, Mr. Levison gained sufficient courage to say —

“ It is in your power, Miss Tyrrell, to be mistress of

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all you s(‘c*, if you please to talce tlio owner into tiie 1)arg-ain.”

Mr. Tyrrell was present when this was said, though it was not uttered as if intended for his hearing.

He darted a keen look at his daughter, as he anxiously listened for her reply — but Elinor did not answer-, she only cast down her eyes and turned pale, while Mr. Levison, as if abashed at his own temerity, immediately changed the subject, by speaking of some alterations he proposed to make in the dining-room which they were in.

‘‘ There wants but one thing in my opinion,” said Mr. Tyrrell, to make it all that could be wished.”

And what is that?” demanded Levison, eagerl}^

Only a lady to preside at the head of the table,” returned Tyrrell, laughing.

Mr, Levison smiled too, but said nothing; and Elinor agnin cast her eyes to the ground, in extreme embarrass-

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During the dinner, her thoughtfulness and gloom were most striking, while her father was exuberantly gay and vivacious.

Miss Tyrrell is not well, I fear,” said Mr. Levison, observing that she did not join in the laugh which her father’s bo7i mots occasioned, nor did she even appear to hear them.

“ What is the matter, Elinor ?” demanded Mr. Tvrrell, affecting for the first time to have observed her pensiveness. “ Are you sorry to see our kind friend restored to health and spirits again ?”

Oh no, indeed,” replied Elinor, blushing, Mr. Levison, I am sure, does not think so.”

‘‘ I should be very ungrateful if I did,” observed Levi-

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son; “ indeed, I can never suspect that Miss Tyrrell is indifferent to my welfare, when I recollect all she has done towards my restoration.”

Elinor blushed still deeper — she tried to say that she liad done no more than common humanity prompted, but a look from her father restrained her.

The cloth was removed, and Elinor took the first opportunity of retiring to commune with her own heart.

It was long before Mr. Levison and his companion left their wine for the tea-table, and Elinor’s anxious eye read immediately in her father’s countenance that something more than ordinary had occurred to please him.

His look, as he met Elinor’s inquiring glance, spoke volumes; and pale, trembling, and agitated, the unhappy girl sank down upon her chair, without replying to Mr. Levison’s anxious inquiry whether she felt better.

“ I think I must turn nurse, now,” observed Levison, who was evidently elated with wine. “You have made me well — and I must try my skill in curing you.”

Elinor murmured an expression of thankfulness for his kind intentions, which she assured him were quite needless, for she was well — quite well.

“ If you are not, you ought to be,” observed her father, with marked emphasis.

Elinor raised her eyes to his, with a look not merely of reproach — but reproach, contempt, indignation, defiance, all were blended in one fiery glance, and Tyrrell’s spirits seemed for a moment daunted, but he (|uickly recovered himself, and in a tone of levity observed

“ Elinor, I suspect, begins to fancy herself a fine lady, because she has got into a fine house, and thinks it necessary to the character, to be nervous and vapourish — but wc shall soon find means to cure her of that fancy, do not you think we shall, Mr. Levison ?”

‘‘ If that is all,” said Levison, looking- tenderly and thoughtfully at her ; hut Elinor had again sunk into a fit of musing, and did not seem to notice what had been said.

The evening passed away very flatly — Mr. Levisorfs good spirits gradually faded — he seemed to have caught the contagion of Elinor’s gloom — and Tyrrell, though he tried to keep a tone of jovialty, was restless, uneasy, and watchful.

They parted for the night at an earlier hour than common, but Mr. Tyrrell and his daughter did not retire to bed for some hours after Mr. Levison.

“ I have something to say to you, Elinor,” observed the father, as he led her to the drawing-room door, go into the garden, and I will follow you in a few minutes.”

Elinor’s head turned dizzy, and her limbs tottered beneath her, as she descended the staircase.

It was a most beautiful summer evening — the moon was shining in the deep blue sky, without a cloud to intercept its splendour. Not a sound disturbed the stillness, save the soft breath of evening, which wantoned among the shrubs and flowers, and came loaded with a thousand fi-agraiit sweets to salute her : hut Elinor was insensible to the beauty of the scene ; her heart was throbbing Avith ana’uish, and her brain was on fire with indignation, shame, and contempt of her mercenary parent — of him who regarded his child but as the stepping-stone to Avealth and distinction. Yes, too Avell did Elinor anticipate the tale her father had to pour into her unAvilling ear, and too Avell slic knew that resistance to his

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will would be in vain. She was well aware that neither feeling', justice, nor mercy, dwelt in the bosom of him whom she had the misfortune to call her parent — yet there was one plea, and she clasped her white hands together in agony, as she thought of it — one plea, which might, for his own sake, deter him from urging the hateful project which she knew he was about to communicate.

Elinor was right in her conjecture — for, with little preparation, and less delicacy, Mr. Tyrrell informed her that Mr. Levison had offered to make her the mistress of his hand and fortune.

“ Now, I know what you are going to say, Elinor,’* he continued, preventing her, ‘‘ but, pray curb your impatience, and listen to me. As to love for Elamerton, I know it is all very natural that you should fancy that you can never love anybody but him, rascally as he has behaved to you. I have known what the feelings of youth are, Elinor, and I can make all allowance — but, believe me, you deceive yourself. 1 was in love^ as it is called, two or three times before I was one and twenty — and I fancied, each time, that the goddess of my idolatry was the only one that could make me happy — I married, at last, for love; and you know how supremely happy your mother and I lived together.”

“ Do not mention my mother, sir,” exclaimed Elinor, with vehemence. Had my mother lived, I should never have been the wretch I am !”

“Very likely not,” said Mr. Tyrrell, drily; “she would have made you a wretch in her own way. She would have married you to some romantic fool, not

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worth a shilliiio-, and have had the felicity of seeing you starving, with half a dozen brats around you.”

‘‘ My mother would have done nothing but what was proper and good,” returned Elinor, with increasing indignation. My mother would never have seen her child sold to shame and misery ! Oh, that I were now in the cold and silent grave, in which she rests ! Oh, that I could for ever hide ”

‘‘ Psha ! a truce to these tragedy airs. Miss Tyrrell, if you please,” interrupted her father, “ and condescend to talk like a rational being — like a sensible girl, as you are ; for you know, Elinor, and I know that you possess ten times more understanding than you have just displayed. What shame have you incurred, that requires so great a sacrihce as your death, in the prime of youth ? What’s past is past, — and it is known to none but you and I, who are interested in keeping the secret — and who would undoubtedly be the last to publish it. Hamerton is, by this time, some thousands of miles separated from us; and, even if he were to return, he dare not — -would not, whisper one word to sully your fame, as the wife of Mr. Levison, should he ever discover you in that character, which is not very probable.”

“ I can never become the wife of Mr. Levison,” said Elinor, firmly. I am not going to plead my aversion to such a union, therefore hear me out, sir, before you begin to utter that rage which I see is ready to break forth against me. I am not going to plead the disparity of our ages, my utter inability to love him, or any of those pleas which I might, and with good reason, urge against it ; but there is another, an unanswerable objection, which even you, with all your sophistry, cannot

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answer — I am,” and she hid her face with her hands, while her voice became almost inarticulate with agony,

I am in that state which will bring a living Avitness into the world of my disgrace, and — and — the cruelty of those who plotted my ruin.”

It is a lie ! a base and infamous lie !” exclaimed Tyrrell, grasping her arm Avith violence. “ I Avill not believe it. It is a plan fabricated to defeat the fair prospects that have opened both for myself and you.”

No, so help me, HeaA^en !” she exclaimed, sinking on her knees, and raising her hands in solemn adjuration.

The moonbeams fell full upon her beautiful countenance— her face Avas ghastly pale, and Mr. Tyrrell, after gazing at her for a moment in silence, raised her in his arms from the ground.

“ My poor girl !” he observed, in a soothing tone, “ I have been rash and unjust. I see that you are impressed with the belief of Avhat you have told me, and I can account for all that has made me angry in your conduct this day : but, trust me, Elinor, your fears alone have raised this bugbear, to affright you from the path to fortune and distinction. But if it be so, Elinor, do not grieve, my child — I am poor, it is true — you knoAv hoAv poor — yet Ave must do the best Ave can, to screen you from the Avorld’s contempt, and provide for the poor infant. But we Avill not talk of this now — keep up your spirits, my girl, and, above all things, do not discourage Levison’s suit to you. It Avill be the means, perhaps, of inducing him to Avithhold those favours he is about to confer upon me, and I have noAV a double reason to be careful to improve his friendship, since he alone can furnish the means to provide for my poor

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g’ir], should tlie worst come to the worst. But go in, my Elinor, and retire to rest — we will not too readily yield to despair — only ag'ain, I entreat you, be cautious how you conduct yourself towards Mr. Levisoii — for on that depends your welfare, as well as mine.”

Elinor retired, but not to rest — her mind, though in part relieved of a heavy burthen, was yet tormented with a thousand fears and dismal forebodings, but the bitterness of her feelings towards her father had evaporated, and she felt more calm than she heid done for many hours before.

Heaven forgive him !” she exclaimed, ‘‘ and strengthen that parental feeling, which I had begun to believe had no place in his heart. It may be, that I have wronged him — and that all he has done, was from a mistaken hope of advancing my interest. Yet Hamerton’s last words were, to caution me against my father — but ought I to believe the assertions of one, who proved himself lost to all principles of honour and humanity ? Oh, Frederic, it is on you the guilt will fall, whatever may be my crimes, or my errors !”

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