The Black Dwarf

Chapter 17

The edifice, in its round arches and massive pillars, the simplicity

of which referred their date to what has been called the Saxon

architecture, presented at all times a dark and sombre appearance, and

had been frequently used as the cemetery of the family of the feudal

lords, as well as formerly of the monastic brethren. But it looked

doubly gloomy by the effect of the few and smoky torches which were used

to enlighten it on the present occasion, and which, spreading a glare

of yellow light in their immediate vicinity, were surrounded beyond by

a red and purple halo reflected from their own smoke, and beyond that

again by a zone of darkness which magnified the extent of the chapel,

while it rendered it impossible for the eye to ascertain its limits.

Some injudicious ornaments, adopted in haste for the occasion, rather

added to the dreariness of the scene. Old fragments of tapestry, torn

from the walls of other apartments, had been hastily and partially

disposed around those of the chapel, and mingled inconsistently with

scutcheons and funeral emblems of the dead, which they elsewhere

exhibited. On each side of the stone altar was a monument, the

appearance of which formed an equally strange contrast. On the one was

the figure, in stone, of some grim hermit, or monk, who had died in

the odour of sanctity; he was represented as recumbent, in his cowl and

scapulaire, with his face turned upward as in the act of devotion, and

his hands folded, from which his string of beads was dependent. On

the other side was a tomb, in the Italian taste, composed of the most

beautiful statuary marble, and accounted a model of modern art. It

was erected to the memory of Isabella's mother, the late Mrs. Vere of

Ellieslaw, who was represented as in a dying posture, while a weeping

cherub, with eyes averted, seemed in the act of extinguishing a

dying lamp as emblematic of her speedy dissolution. It was, indeed, a

masterpiece of art, but misplaced in the rude vault to which it had been

consigned. Many were surprised, and even scandalized, that Ellieslaw,

not remarkable for attention to his lady while alive, should erect after

her death such a costly mausoleum in affected sorrow; others cleared him

from the imputation of hypocrisy, and averred that the monument had

been constructed under the direction and at the sole expense of Mr.

Ratcliffe.

Before these monuments the wedding guests were assembled. They were

few in number; for many had left the castle to prepare for the ensuing

political explosion, and Ellieslaw was, in the circumstances of the

case, far from being desirous to extend invitations farther than to

those near relations whose presence the custom of the country rendered

indispensable. Next to the altar stood Sir Frederick Langley, dark,

moody, and thoughtful, even beyond his wont, and near him, Mareschal,

who was to play the part of bridesman, as it was called. The thoughtless

humour of this young gentleman, on which he never deigned to place

the least restraint, added to the cloud which overhung the brow of the

bridegroom.

"The bride is not yet come out of her chamber," he whispered to Sir

Frederick; "I trust that we must not have recourse to the violent

expedients of the Romans which I read of at College. It would be hard

upon my pretty cousin to be run away with twice in two days, though I

know none better worth such a violent compliment."

Sir Frederick attempted to turn a deaf ear to this discourse, humming a

tune, and looking another may, but Mareschal proceeded in the same wild

manner.

"This delay is hard upon Dr. Hobbler, who was disturbed to accelerate

preparations for this joyful event when he had successfully extracted

the cork of his third bottle. I hope you will keep him free of the

censure of his superiors, for I take it this is beyond canonical

hours.--But here come Ellieslaw and my pretty cousin--prettier than

ever, I think, were it not she seems so faint and so deadly pale--Hark

ye, Sir Knight, if she says not YES with right good-will, it shall be no

wedding, for all that has come and gone yet."

"No wedding, sir?" returned Sir Frederick, in a loud whisper, the

tone of which indicated that his angry feelings were suppressed with

difficulty.

"No--no marriage," replied Mareschal, "there's my hand and glove on't."

Sir Frederick Langley took his hand, and as he wrung it hard, said in

a lower whisper, "Mareschal, you shall answer this," and then flung his

hand from him.

"That I will readily do," said Mareschal, "for never word escaped my

lips that my hand was not ready to guarantee.-So, speak up, my pretty

cousin, and tell me if it be your free will and unbiassed resolution to

accept of this gallant knight for your lord and husband; for if you have

the tenth part of a scruple upon the subject, fall back, fall edge, he

shall not have you."

"Are you mad, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ellieslaw, who, having been this

young man's guardian during his minority, often employed a tone of

authority to him. "Do you suppose I would drag my daughter to the foot

of the altar, were it not her own choice?"

"Tut, Ellieslaw," retorted the young gentleman, "never tell me of the

contrary; her eyes are full of tears, and her cheeks are whiter than

her white dress. I must insist, in the name of common humanity, that the

ceremony be adjourned till to-morrow."

"She shall tell you herself, thou incorrigible intermeddler in what

concerns thee not, that it is her wish the ceremony should go on--Is it

not, Isabella, my dear?"

"It is," said Isabella, half fainting--"since there is no help, either

in God or man."

The first word alone was distinctly audible. Mareschal shrugged up his

shoulders and stepped back. Ellieslaw led, or rather supported, his

daughter to the altar. Sir Frederick moved forward and placed himself by

her side. The clergyman opened his prayer-book, and looked to Mr. Vere

for the signal to commence the service.

"Proceed," said the latter.

But a voice, as if issuing from the tomb of his deceased wife, called,

in such loud and harsh accents as awakened every echo in the vaulted

chapel, "Forbear!"

All were mute and motionless, till a distant rustle, and the clash

of swords, or something resembling it, was heard from the remote

apartments. It ceased almost instantly.

"What new device is this?" said Sir Frederick, fiercely, eyeing

Ellieslaw and Mareschal with a glance of malignant suspicion.

"It can be but the frolic of some intemperate guest," said Ellieslaw,

though greatly confounded; "we must make large allowances for the excess

of this evening's festivity. Proceed with the service."

Before the clergyman could obey, the same prohibition which they had

before heard, was repeated from the same spot. The female attendants

screamed, and fled from the chapel; the gentlemen laid their hands on

their swords. Ere the first moment of surprise had passed by, the Dwarf

stepped from behind the monument, and placed himself full in front of

Mr. Vere. The effect of so strange and hideous an apparition in such

a place and in such circumstances, appalled all present, but seemed to

annihilate the Laird of Ellieslaw, who, dropping his daughter's arm,

staggered against the nearest pillar, and, clasping it with his hands as

if for support, laid his brow against the column.

"Who is this fellow?" said Sir Frederick; "and what does he mean by this

intrusion?"

"It is one who comes to tell you," said the Dwarf, with the peculiar

acrimony which usually marked his manner, "that, in marrying that young

lady, you wed neither the heiress of Ellieslaw, nor of Mauley Hall,

nor of Polverton, nor of one furrow of land, unless she marries with MY

consent; and to thee that consent shall never be given. Down--down

on thy knees, and thank Heaven that thou art prevented from wedding

qualities with which thou hast no concern--portionless truth, virtue,

and innocence--thou, base ingrate," he continued, addressing himself to

Ellieslaw, "what is thy wretched subterfuge now? Thou, who wouldst sell

thy daughter to relieve thee from danger, as in famine thou wouldst have

slain and devoured her to preserve thy own vile life!--Ay, hide thy face

with thy hands; well mayst thou blush to look on him whose body thou

didst consign to chains, his hand to guilt, and his soul to misery.

Saved once more by the virtue of her who calls thee father, go hence,

and may the pardon and benefits I confer on thee prove literal coals of

fire, till thy brain is seared and scorched like mine!"

Ellieslaw left the chapel with a gesture of mute despair.

"Follow him, Hubert Ratcliffe," said the Dwarf, "and inform him of his

destiny. He will rejoice--for to breathe air and to handle gold is to

him happiness."

"I understand nothing of all this," said Sir Frederick Langley; "but we

are here a body of gentlemen in arms and authority for King James; and

whether you really, sir, be that Sir Edward Mauley, who has been so long

supposed dead in confinement, or whether you be an impostor assuming

his name and title, we will use the freedom of detaining you, till your

appearance here, at this moment, is better accounted for; we will have

no spies among us--Seize on him, my friends."

But the domestics shrunk back in doubt and alarm. Sir Frederick himself

stepped forward towards the Recluse, as if to lay hands on his person,

when his progress was suddenly stopped by the glittering point of a

partisan, which the sturdy hand of Hobbie Elliot presented against his

bosom.

"I'll gar daylight shine through ye, if ye offer to steer him!" said the

stout Borderer; "stand back, or I'll strike ye through! Naebody shall

lay a finger on Elshie; he's a canny neighbourly man, aye ready to make

a friend help; and, though ye may think him a lamiter, yet, grippie for

grippie, friend, I'll wad a wether he'll make the bluid spin frae under

your nails. He's a teugh carle Elshie! he grips like a smith's vice."

"What has brought you here, Elliot?" said Mareschal; "who called on you

for interference?"

"Troth, Mareschal-Wells," answered Hobbie, "I am just come here, wi'

twenty or thretty mair o' us, in my ain name and the King's--or Queen's,

ca' they her? and Canny Elshie's into the bargain, to keep the peace,

and pay back some ill usage Ellieslaw has gien me. A bonny breakfast the

loons gae me the ither morning, and him at the bottom on't; and trow

ye I wasna ready to supper him up?--Ye needna lay your hands on your

swords, gentlemen, the house is ours wi' little din; for the doors were

open, and there had been ower muckle punch amang your folk; we took

their swords and pistols as easily as ye wad shiel pea-cods."

Mareschal rushed out, and immediately re-entered the chapel.

"By Heaven! it is true, Sir Frederick; the house is filled with armed

men, and our drunken beasts are all disarmed. Draw, and let us fight our

way."

"Binna rash--binna rash," exclaimed Hobbie; "hear me a bit, hear me a

bit. We mean ye nae harm; but, as ye are in arms for King James, as

ye ca' him, and the prelates, we thought it right to keep up the auld

neighbour war, and stand up for the t'other ane and the Kirk; but we'll

no hurt a hair o' your heads, if ye like to gang hame quietly. And it

will be your best way, for there's sure news come frae Loudoun, that him

they ca' Bang, or Byng, or what is't, has bang'd the French ships and

the new king aff the coast however; sae ye had best bide content wi'

auld Nanse for want of a better Queen."

Ratcliffe, who at this moment entered, confirmed these accounts so

unfavourable to the Jacobite interest. Sir Frederick, almost instantly,

and without taking leave of any one, left the castle, with such of his

attendants as were able to follow him.

"And what will you do, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ratcliffe.

"Why, faith," answered he, smiling, "I hardly know; my spirit is too

great, and my fortune too small, for me to follow the example of the

doughty bridegroom. It is not in my nature, and it is hardly worth my

while."

"Well, then, disperse your men, and remain quiet, and this will be

overlooked, as there has been no overt act."

"Hout, ay," said Elliot, "just let byganes be byganes, and a' friends

again; deil ane I bear malice at but Westburnflat, and I hae gien him

baith a het skin and a cauld ane. I hadna changed three blows of the

broadsword wi' him before he lap the window into the castle-moat, and

swattered through it like a wild-duck. He's a clever fallow, indeed!

maun kilt awa wi' ae bonny lass in the morning, and another at night,

less wadna serve him! but if he disna kilt himsell out o' the country,

I'se kilt him wi' a tow, for the Castleton meeting's clean blawn ower;

his friends will no countenance him."

During the general confusion, Isabella had thrown herself at the feet of

her kinsman, Sir Edward Mauley, for so we must now call the Solitary,

to express at once her gratitude, and to beseech forgiveness for her

father. The eyes of all began to be fixed on them, as soon as their own

agitation and the bustle of the attendants had somewhat abated. Miss

Vere kneeled beside the tomb of her mother, to whose statue her features

exhibited a marked resemblance. She held the hand of the Dwarf,

which she kissed repeatedly and bathed with tears. He stood fixed and

motionless, excepting that his eyes glanced alternately on the marble

figure and the living suppliant. At length, the large drops which

gathered on his eye-lashes compelled him to draw his hand across them.

"I thought," he said, "that tears and I had done; but we shed them at

our birth, and their spring dries not until we are in our graves. But no

melting of the heart shall dissolve my resolution. I part here, at once,

and for ever, with all of which the memory" (looking to the tomb), "or

the presence" (he pressed Isabella's hand), "is dear to me.--Speak not

to me! attempt not to thwart my determination! it will avail nothing;

you will hear of and see this lump of deformity no more. To you I shall

be dead ere I am actually in my grave, and you will think of me as of a

friend disencumbered from the toils and crimes of existence."

He kissed Isabella on the forehead, impressed another kiss on the

brow of the statue by which she knelt, and left the chapel followed by

Ratcliffe. Isabella, almost exhausted by the emotions of the day,

was carried to her apartment by her women. Most of the other guests

dispersed, after having separately endeavoured to impress on all who

would listen to them their disapprobation of the plots formed against

the government, or their regret for having engaged in them. Hobbie

Elliot assumed the command of the castle for the night, and mounted a

regular guard. He boasted not a little of the alacrity with which his

friends and he had obeyed a hasty summons received from Elshie through

the faithful Ratcliffe. And it was a lucky chance, he said, that on that

very day they had got notice that Westburnflat did not intend to

keep his tryste at Castleton, but to hold them at defiance; so that a

considerable party had assembled at the Heugh-foot, with the intention

of paying a visit to the robber's tower on the ensuing morning, and

their course was easily directed to Ellieslaw Castle.