WhenEarnsclifffoundhisgifthadbeenreceived,hesoonafterwardspaidthehermitavisit。Theoldmanwasseatedanabroadflatstonenearhisgardendoor,whichwastheseatofscienceheusuallyoccupiedwhendisposedtoreceivehispatientsorclients。Theinsideofhishut,andthatofhisgarden,hekeptassacredfromhumanintrusionasthenativesofOtaheitedotheirMorai;——apparentlyhewouldhavedeemeditpollutedbythestepofanyhumanbeing。Whenheshuthimselfupinhishabitation,noentreatycouldprevailuponhimtomakehimselfvisible,ortogiveaudiencetoanyonewhomsoever。
Earnscliffhadbeenfishinginasmallriveratsomedistance。
Hehadhisrodinhishand,andhisbasket,filledwithtrout,athisshoulder。HesatedownuponastonenearlyoppositetotheDwarfwho,familiarizedwithhispresence,tooknofarthernoticeofhimthanbyelevatinghishugemis-shapenheadforthepurposeofstaringathim,andthenagainsinkingituponhisbosom,asifinprofoundmeditation。Earnsclifflookedaroundhim,andobservedthatthehermithadincreasedhisaccommodationsbytheconstructionofashedforthereceptionofhisgoats。
Youlabourhard,Elshie,\"hesaid,willingtoleadthissingularbeingintoconversation。
\"Labour,\"re-echoedtheDwarf,\"isthemildestevilofalotsomiserableasthatofmankind;bettertolabourlikeme,thansportlikeyou。\"
\"Icannotdefendthehumanityofourordinaryruralsports,Elshie,andyet——\"
\"Andyet,\"interruptedtheDwarf\"theyarebetterthanyourordinarybusiness;bettertoexerciseidleandwantoncrueltyonmutefishesthanonyourfellow-creatures。YetwhyshouldIsayso?Whyshouldnotthewholehumanherdbutt,gore,andgorgeuponeachother,tillallareextirpatedbutonehugeandover-
fedBehemoth,andhe,whenhehadthrottledandgnawedthebonesofallhisfellows——he,whenhispreyfailedhim,toberoaringwholedaysforlackoffood,and,finally,todie,inchbyinch,offamine——itwereaconsummationworthyoftherace!\"
\"Yourdeedsarebetter,Elshie,thanyourwords,\"answeredEarnscliff;\"youlabourtopreservetheracewhomyourmisanthropyslanders。\"
\"Ido;butwhy?——Hearken。YouareoneonwhomIlookwiththeleastloathing,andIcarenot,if,contrarytomywont,Iwasteafewwordsincompassiontoyourinfatuatedblindness。IfI
cannotsenddiseaseintofamilies,andmurrainamongtheherds,canIattainthesameendsowellasbyprolongingthelivesofthosewhocanservethepurposeofdestructionaseffectually?——
IfAliceofBowerhaddiedinwinter,wouldyoungRuthwinhavebeenslainforherlovethelastspring?——WhothoughtofpenningtheircattlebeneaththetowerwhentheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasdeemedtobeonhisdeath-bed?——Mydraughts,myskill,recoveredhim。And,now,whodareleavehisherdupontheleawithoutawatch,orgotobedwithoutunchainingthesleuth-
hound?\"
\"Iown,\"answeredEarnscliff;\"youdidlittlegoodtosocietybythelastofthesecures。But,tobalancetheevil,thereismyfriendHobbie,honestHobbieoftheHeugh-foot,yourskillrelievedhimlastwinterinafeverthatmighthavecosthimhislife。\"
\"Thusthinkthechildrenofclayintheirignorance,\"said:theDwarf,smilingmaliciously,\"andthustheyspeakintheirfolly。
Haveyoumarkedtheyoungcubofawildcatthathasbeendomesticated,howsportive,howplayful,howgentle,——buttrusthimwithyourgame,yourlambs,yourpoultry,hisinbredferocitybreaksforth;hegripes,tears,ravages,anddevours。\"
\"Suchistheanimal’sinstinct,\"answeredEarnscliff;\"butwhathasthattodowithHobbie?\"
\"Itishisemblem——itishispicture,\"retortedtheRecluse。\"Heisatpresenttame,quiet,anddomesticated,forlackofopportunitytoexercisehisinbornpropensities;butletthetrumpetofwarsound——lettheyoungblood-houndsnuffblood,hewillbeasferociousasthewildestofhisBorderancestorsthateverfiredahelplesspeasant’sabode。Canyoudeny,thatevenatpresentheoftenurgesyoutotakebloodyrevengeforaninjuryreceivedwhenyouwereaboy?\"——Earnscliffstarted;theRecluseappearednottoobservehissurprise,andproceeded——\"ThetrumpetWILLblow,theyoungblood-houndWILLlapblood,andI
willlaughandsay,ForthisIhavepreservedthee!\"Hepaused,andcontinued,——\"Sucharemycures;——theirobject,theirpurpose,perpetuatingthemassofmisery,andplayingeveninthisdesertmypartinthegeneraltragedy。WereYOUonyoursickbed,I
might,incompassion,sendyouacupofpoison。\"
\"Iammuchobligedtoyou,Elshie,andcertainlyshallnotfailtoconsultyou,withsocomfortableahopefromyourassistance。\"
\"Donotflatteryourselftoofar,\"repliedtheHermit,\"withthehopethatIwillpositivelyyieldtothefrailtyofpity。WhyshouldIsnatchadupe,sowellfittedtoendurethemiseriesoflifeasyouare,fromthewretchednesswhichhisownvisions,andthevillainyoftheworld,arepreparingforhim?WhyshouldI
playthecompassionateIndian,and,knockingoutthebrainsofthecaptivewithmytomahawk,atoncespoilthethreedays’
amusementofmykindredtribe,attheverymomentwhenthebrandswerelighted,thepincersheated,thecauldronsboiling,theknivessharpened,totear,scorch,seethe,andscarifytheintendedvictim?\"
\"Adreadfulpictureyoupresenttomeoflife,Elshie;butIamnotdauntedbyit,\"returnedEarnscliff。\"Wearesenthere,inonesense,tobearandtosuffer;but,inanother,todoandtoenjoy。Theactivedayhasitseveningofrepose;evenpatientsufferancehasitsalleviations,wherethereisaconsolatorysenseofdutydischarged。\"
\"Ispurnattheslavishandbestialdoctrine,\"saidtheDwarf,hiseyeskindlingwithinsanefury,——\"Ispurnatit,asworthyonlyofthebeaststhatperish;butIwillwastenomorewordswithyou。\"
Herosehastily;but,erehewithdrewintothehut,headded,withgreatvehemence,\"Yet,lestyoustillthinkmyapparentbenefitstomankindflowfromthestupidandservilesource,calledloveofourfellow-creatures,know,thatwerethereamanwhohadannihilatedmysoul’sdearesthope——whohadtornmyhearttomammocks,andsearedmpbraintillitglowedlikeavolcano,andwerethatman’sfortuneandlifeinmypowerascompletelyasthisfrailpotsherd\"(hesnatchedupanearthencupwhichstoodbesidehim),\"Iwouldnotdashhimintoatomsthus\"——(heflungthevesselwithfuryagainstthewall),——\"No!\"(hespokemorecomposedly,butwiththeutmostbitterness),\"Iwouldpamperhimwithwealthandpowertoinflamehisevilpassions,andtofulfilhisevildesigns;heshouldlacknomeansofviceandvillainy;
heshouldbethecentreofawhirlpoolthatitselfshouldknowneitherrestnorpeace,butboilwithunceasingfury,whileitwreckedeverygoodlyshipthatapproacheditslimits!heshouldbeanearthquakecapableofshakingtheverylandinwhichhedwelt,andrenderingallitsinhabitantsfriendless,outcast,andmiserable——asIam!\"
Thewretchedbeingrushedintohishutasheutteredtheselastwords,shuttingthedoorwithfuriousviolence,andrapidlydrawingtwobolts,oneafteranother,asiftoexcludetheintrusionofanyoneofthathatedrace,whohadthuslashedhissoultofrenzy。Earnscliffleftthemoorwithmingledsensationsofpityandhorror,ponderingwhatstrangeandmelancholycausecouldhavereducedtosomiserableastateofmind,amanwhoselanguagearguedhimtobeofrankandeducationmuchsuperiortothevulgar。Hewasalsosurprisedtoseehowmuchparticularinformationapersonwhohadlivedinthatcountrysoshortatime,andinsorecluseamanner,hadbeenabletocollectrespectingthedispositionsandprivateaffairsoftheinhabitants。
\"Itisnowonder,\"hesaidtohimself,\"thatwithsuchextentofinformation,suchamodeoflife,souncouthafigure,andsentimentssovirulentlymisanthropic,thisunfortunateshouldberegardedbythevulgarasinleaguewiththeEnemyofMankind。\"
CHAPTERV。
ThebleakestrockupontheloneliestheathFeels,initsbarrenness,sometouchofspring;
And,intheAprildew,orbeamofMay,Itsmossandlichenfreshenandrevive;
Andthustheheart,mostsear’dtohumanpleasure,Meltsatthetear,joysinthesmile,ofwoman。BEAUMONT
Astheseasonadvanced,theweatherbecamemoregenial,andtheReclusewasmorefrequentlyfoundoccupyingthebroadflatstoneinthefrontofhismansion。Ashesatethereoneday,aboutthehourofnoon,apartyofgentlemenandladies,wellmounted,andnumerouslyattended,sweptacrosstheheathatsomedistancefromhisdwelling。Dogs,hawks,andled-horsesswelledtheretinue,andtheairresoundedatintervalswiththecheerofthehunters,andthesoundofhornsblownbytheattendants。TheReclusewasabouttoretireintohismansionatthesightofatrainsojoyous,whenthreeyoungladies,withtheirattendants,whohadmadeacircuit,anddetachedthemselvesfromtheirparty,inordertogratifytheircuriositybyasightoftheWiseWightofMucklestane-Moor,camesuddenlyup,erehecouldeffecthispurpose。Thefirstshrieked,andputherhandsbeforehereyes,atsightofanobjectsounusuallydeformed。Thesecond,withahystericalgiggle,whichsheintendedshoulddisguiseherterrors,askedtheRecluse,whetherhecouldtelltheirfortune。
Thethird,whowasbestmounted,bestdressed,andincomparablythebest-lookingofthethree,advanced,asiftocovertheincivilityofhercompanions。
\"Wehavelosttherightpaththatleadsthroughthesemorasses,andourpartyhavegoneforwardwithoutus,\"saidtheyounglady。
\"Seeingyou,father,atthedoorofyourhouse,wehaveturnedthiswayto——\"
\"Hush!\"interruptedtheDwarf;\"soyoung,andalreadysoartful?
Youcame——youknowyoucame,toexultintheconsciousnessofyourownyouth,wealth,andbeauty,bycontrastingthemwithage,poverty,anddeformity。Itisafitemploymentforthedaughterofyourfather;butOhowunlikethechildofyourmother!\"
\"Didyou,then,knowmyparents,anddoyouknowme?\"
\"Yes;thisisthefirsttimeyouhavecrossedmywakingeyes,butIhaveseenyouinmydreams。\"
\"Yourdreams?\"
\"Ay,IsabelVere。Whathastthou,orthine,todowithmywakingthoughts?\"
\"Yourwakingthoughts,sir,\"saidthesecondofMissVere’scompanions,withasortofmockgravity,\"arefixed,doubtless,uponwisdom;follycanonlyintrudeonyoursleepingmoments。\"
\"Overthine,\"retortedtheDwarf,morespleneticallythanbecameaphilosopherorhermit,\"follyexercisesanunlimitedempire,asleeporawake。\"
\"Lordblessus!\"saidthelady,\"he’saprophet,sureenough。\"
\"Assurely,\"continuedtheRecluse,\"asthouartawoman。——A
woman!——Ishouldhavesaidalady——afinelady。Youaskedmetotellyourfortune——itisasimpleone;anendlesschasethroughlifeafterfolliesnotworthcatching,and,whencaught,successivelythrownaway——achase,pursuedfromthedaysoftotteringinfancytothoseofoldageuponhiscrutches。Toysandmerry-makingsinchildhood——loveanditsabsurditiesinyouth——spadilleandbastoinage,shallsucceedeachotherasobjectsofpursuit——flowersandbutterfliesinspring——
butterfliesandthistle-downinsummer——witheredleavesinautumnandwinter——allpursued,allcaught,allflungaside。
——Standapart;yourfortuneissaid。\"
\"AllCAUGHT,however,\"retortedthelaughingfairone,whowasacousinofMissVere’s;\"that’ssomething,Nancy,\"shecontinued,turningtothetimiddamselwhohadfirstapproachedtheDwarf;
\"willyouaskyourfortune?\"
\"Notforworlds,\"saidshe,drawingback;\"Ihaveheardenoughofyours。\"
\"Well,then,\"saidMissIlderton,offeringmoneytotheDwarf,\"I’llpayformine,asifitwerespokenbyanoracletoaprincess。\"
\"Truth,\"saidtheSoothsayer,\"canneitherbeboughtnorsold;\"
andhepushedbackherprofferedofferingwithmorosedisdain。
\"Well,then,\"saidthelady,\"I’llkeepmymoney,Mr。Elshender,toassistmeinthechaseIamtopursue。\"
\"Youwillneedit,\"repliedthecynic;\"withoutit,fewpursuesuccessfully,andfewerarethemselvespursued。——Stop!\"hesaidtoMissVere,ashercompanionsmovedoff,\"WithyouIhavemoretosay。Youhavewhatyourcompanionswouldwishtohave,orbethoughttohave,——beauty,wealth,station,accomplishments。\"
\"Forgivemyfollowingmycompanions,father;Iamproofbothtoflatteryandfortune-telling。\"
\"Stay,\"continuedtheDwarf,withhishandonherhorse’srein,\"Iamnocommonsoothsayer,andIamnoflatterer。AlltheadvantagesIhavedetailed,allandeachofthemhavetheircorrespondingevils——unsuccessfullove,crossedaffections,thegloomofaconvent,oranodiousalliance。I,whowishilltoallmankind,cannotwishmoreeviltoyou,somuchisyourcourseoflifecrossedbyit。\"
\"Andifitbe,father,letmeenjoythereadiestsolaceofadversitywhileprosperityisinmypower。Youareold;youarepoor;yourhabitationisfarfromhumanaid,wereyouill,orinwant;yoursituation,inmanyrespects,exposesyoutothesuspicionsofthevulgar,whicharetooapttobreakoutintoactionsofbrutality。LetmethinkIhavemendedthelotofonehumanbeing!AcceptofsuchassistanceasIhavepowertooffer;
dothisformysake,ifnotforyourown,thatwhentheseevilsarise,whichyouprophesyperhapstootruly,Imaynothavetoreflect,thatthehoursofmyhappiertimehavebeenpassedaltogetherinvain。\"
Theoldmanansweredwithabrokenvoice,andalmostwithoutaddressinghimselftotheyounglady,——
\"Yes,’tisthusthoushouldstthink——’tisthusthoushouldstspeak,ifeverhumanspeechandthoughtkepttouchwitheachother!Theydonot——theydonot——Alas!theycannot。Andyet——
waithereaninstant——stirnottillmyreturn。\"Hewenttohislittlegarden,andreturnedwithahalf-blownrose。\"Thouhastmademeshedatear,thefirstwhichhaswetmyeyelidsformanyayear;forthatgooddeedreceivethistokenofgratitude。Itisbutacommonrose;preserveit,however,anddonotpartwithit。Cometomeinyourhourofadversity。Showmethatrose,orbutoneleafofit,wereitwitheredasmyheartis——ifitshouldbeinmyfiercestandwildestmovementsofrageagainstahatefulworld,stillitwillrecallgentlerthoughtstomybosom,andperhapsaffordhappierprospectstothine。Butnomessage,\"heexclaimed,risingintohisusualmoodofmisanthropy,——\"nomessage——nogo-between!Comethyself;andtheheartandthedoorsthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing,shallopentotheeandtothysorrows。Andnowpasson。\"
Heletgothebridle-rein,andtheyoungladyrodeon,afterexpressingherthankstothissingularbeing,aswellashersurpriseattheextraordinarynatureofhisaddresswouldpermit,oftenturningbacktolookattheDwarf,whostillremainedatthedoorofhishabitation,andwatchedherprogressoverthemoortowardsherfather’scastleofEllieslaw,untilthebrowofthehillhidthepartyfromhissight。
Theladies,meantime,jestedwithMissVereonthestrangeinterviewtheyhadjusthadwiththefar-famedwizardoftheMoor。\"Isabellahasalltheluckathomeandabroad!Herhawkstrikesdowntheblack-cock;hereyeswoundthegallant;nochanceforherpoorcompanionsandkinswomen;eventheconjurorcannotescapetheforceofhercharms。Youshould,incompassion,ceasetobesuchanengrosser,mydearIsabel,oratleastsetupshop,andselloffallthegoodsyoudonotmeantokeepforyourownuse。\"
\"Youshallhavethemall,\"repliedMissVere,\"andtheconjurortoboot,ataveryeasyrate。\"
\"No!Nancyshallhavetheconjuror,\"saidMissIlderton,\"tosupplydeficiencies;she’snotquiteawitchherself,youknow。\"
\"Lord,sister,\"answeredtheyoungerMissIlderton,\"whatcouldI
dowithsofrightfulamonster?Ikeptmyeyesshut,afteronceglancingathim;and,Iprotest,IthoughtIsawhimstill,thoughIwinkedascloseaseverIcould。\"
\"That’sapity,\"saidhersister;\"everwhileyoulive,Nancy,chooseanadmirerwhosefaultscanbehidbywinkingatthem。——
Well,then,Imusttakehimmyself,Isuppose,andputhimintomamma’sJapancabinet,inordertoshowthatScotlandcanproduceaspecimenofmortalclaymouldedintoaformtenthousandtimesuglierthantheimaginationsofCantonandPekin,fertileastheyareinmonsters,haveimmortalizedinporcelain。\"
\"Thereissomething,\"saidMissVere,\"somelancholyinthesituationofthispoorman,thatIcannotenterintoyourmirth,Lucy,soreadilyasusual。Ifhehasnoresources,howishetoexistinthiswastecountry,living,ashedoes,atsuchadistancefrommankind?andifhehasthemeansofsecuringoccasionalassistance,willnottheverysuspicionthatheispossessedofthem,exposehimtoplunderandassassinationbysomeofourunsettledneighbours?\"
\"Butyouforgetthattheysayheisawarlock,\"saidNancyIlderton。
\"And,ifhismagicdiabolicalshouldfailhim,\"rejoinedhersister,\"Iwouldhavehimtrusttohismagicnatural,andthrusthisenormoushead,andmostpreternaturalvisage,outathisdoororwindow,fullinviewoftheassailants。Theboldestrobberthateverrodewouldhardlybideasecondglanceofhim。Well,I
wishIhadtheuseofthatGorgonheadofhisforonlyonehalfhour。\"
\"Forwhatpurpose,Lucy?\"saidMissVere。
\"O!Iwouldfrightenoutofthecastlethatdark,stiff,andstatelySirFrederickLangley,thatissogreatafavouritewithyourfather,andsolittleafavouriteofyours。IprotestI
shallbeobligedtotheWizardaslongasIlive,ifitwereonlyforthehalfhour’srelieffromthatman’scompanywhichwehavegainedbydeviatingfromthepartytovisitElshie。\"
\"Whatwouldyousay,then,\"saidMissVere,inalowtone,soasnottobeheardbytheyoungersister,whorodebeforethem,thenarrowpathnotadmittingoftheirmovingallthreeabreast,——\"
Whatwouldyousay,mydearestLucy,ifitwereproposedtoyoutoendurehiscompanyforlife?\"
\"Say?Iwouldsay,NO,NO,NO,threetimes,eachlouderthananother,tilltheyshouldhearmeatCarlisle。\"
\"AndSirFrederickwouldsaythen,nineteennay-saysarehalfagrant。\"
\"That,\"repliedMissLucy,\"dependsentirelyonthemannerinwhichthenay-saysaresaid。Mineshouldhavenotonegrainofconcessioninthem,Ipromiseyou。\"
\"Butifyourfather,\"saidMissVere,\"weretosay,——Thusdo,or——\"
\"IwouldstandtotheconsequencesofhisOR,werehethemostcruelfatherthateverwasrecordedinromance,tofillupthealternative。\"
\"Andwhatifhethreatenedyouwithacatholicaunt,anabbess,andacloister?\"
\"Then,\"saidMissIlderton,\"Iwouldthreatenhimwithaprotestantson-in-law,andbegladofanopportunitytodisobeyhimforconscience’sake。AndnowthatNancyisoutofhearing,letmereallysay,IthinkyouwouldbeexcusablebeforeGodandmanforresistingthispreposterousmatchbyeverymeansinyourpower。Aproud,dark,ambitiousman;acaballeragainstthestate;infamousforhisavariceandseverity;abadson,abadbrother,unkindandungeneroustoallhisrelatives——Isabel,I
woulddieratherthanhavehim。\"
\"Don’tletmyfatherhearyougivemesuchadvice,\"saidMissVere,\"oradieu,mydearLucy,toEllieslawCastle。\"
\"AndadieutoEllieslawCastle,withallmyheart,\"saidherfriend,\"ifIoncesawyoufairlyoutofit,andsettledundersomekinderprotectorthanhewhomnaturehasgivenyou。O,ifmypoorfatherhadbeeninhisformerhealth,howgladlywouldhehavereceivedandshelteredyou,tillthisridiculousandcruelpersecutionwereblownover!\"
\"WouldtoGodithadbeenso,mydearLucy!\"answeredIsabella;
\"butIfear,that,inyourfather’sweakstateofhealth,hewouldbealtogetherunabletoprotectmeagainstthemeanswhichwouldbeimmediatelyusedforreclaimingthepoorfugitive。\"
\"Ifearsoindeed,\"repliedMissIlderton;\"butwewillconsideranddevisesomething。Nowthatyourfatherandhisguestsseemsodeeplyengagedinsomemysteriousplot,tojudgefromthepassingandreturningofmessages,fromthestrangefaceswhichappearanddisappearwithoutbeingannouncedbytheirnames,fromthecollectingandcleaningofarms,andtheanxiousgloomandbustlewhichseemtoagitateeverymaleinthecastle,itmaynotbeimpossibleforus(alwaysincasemattersbedriventoextremity)toshapeoutsomelittlesupplementalconspiracyofourown。Ihopethegentlemenhavenotkeptallthepolicytothemselves;andthereisoneassociatethatIwouldgladlyadmittoourcounsel。\"
\"NotNancy?\"
\"O,no!\"saidMissIlderton;\"Nancy,thoughanexcellentgoodgirl,andfondlyattachedtoyou,wouldmakeadullconspirator——asdullasRenaultandalltheothersubordinateplottersinVENICEPRESERVED。No;thisisaJaffier,orPierre,ifyoulikethecharacterbetter;andyetthoughIknowIshallpleaseyou,I
amafraidtomentionhisnametoyou,lestIvexyouatthesametime。Canyounotguess?Somethingaboutaneagleandarock——
itdoesnotbeginwitheagleinEnglish,butsomethingverylikeitinScotch。\"
\"YoucannotmeanyoungEarnscliff,Lucy?\"saidMissVere,blushingdeeply。
\"AndwhomelseshouldImean\"saidLucy。\"JaffiersandPierresareveryscarceinthiscountry,Itakeit,thoughonecouldfindRenaultsandBedamarsenow。\"
\"Howcallyoutalksowildly,Lucy?Yourplaysandromanceshavepositivelyturnedyourbrain。Youknow,that,independentofmyfather’sconsent,withoutwhichIneverwillmarryanyone,andwhich,inthecaseyoupointat,wouldneverbegranted;
independent,too,ofourknowingnothingofyoungEarnscliff’sinclinations,butbyyourownvividconjecturesandfancies——
besidesallthis,thereisthefatalbrawl!\"
\"Whenhisfatherwaskilled?\"saidLucy。\"Butthatwasverylongago;andIhopewehaveoutlivedthetimeofbloodyfeud,whenaquarrelwascarrieddownbetweentwofamiliesfromfathertoson,likeaSpanishgameatchess,andamurderortwocommittedineverygeneration,justtokeepthematterfromgoingtosleep。Wedowithourquarrelsnowadaysaswithourclothes;
cutthemoutforourselves,andwearthemoutinourownday,andshouldnomorethinkofresentingourfathers’feuds,thanofwearingtheirslasheddoubletsandtrunk-hose。\"
\"Youtreatthisfartoolightly,Lucy,\"answeredMissVere。
\"Notabit,mydearIsabella,\"saidLucy。\"Consider,yourfather,thoughpresentintheunhappyaffray,isneversupposedtohavestruckthefatalblow;besides,informertimes,incaseofmutualslaughterbetweenclans,subsequentalliancesweresofarfrombeingexcluded,thatthehandofadaughterorasisterwasthemostfrequentgageofreconciliation。Youlaughatmyskillinromance;but,Iassureyou,shouldyourhistorybewritten,likethatofmanyalessdistressedandlessdeservingheroine,thewell-judgingreaderwouldsetyoudownfortheladyandtheloveofEarnscliff;fromtheveryobstaclewhichyousupposesoinsurmountable。\"
\"Butthesearenotthedaysofromance,butofsadreality,fortherestandsthecastleofEllieslaw。\"
\"AndtherestandsSirFrederickLangleyatthegate,waitingtoassisttheladiesfromtheirpalfreys。Iwouldaslieftouchatoad;Iwilldisappointhim,andtakeoldHorsingtonthegroomformymasterofthehorse。\"
Sosaying,thelivelyyoungladyswitchedherpalfreyforward,andpassingSirFrederickwithafamiliarnodashestoodreadytotakeherhorse’srein,shecanteredon,andjumpedintothearmsoftheoldgroom。FainwouldIsabellahavedonethesamehadshedared;butherfatherstoodnear,displeasurealreadydarkeningonacountenancepeculiarlyqualifiedtoexpresstheharsherpassions,andshewascompelledtoreceivetheunwelcomeassiduitiesofherdetestedsuitor。
CHAPTERVI。
Letnotusthataresquiresofthenight’sbodybecalledthievesoftheday’sbooty;letusbeDiana’sforesters,gentlemenoftheshade,minionsofthemoon。
HENRYTHEFOURTH,PARTI。
TheSolitaryhadconsumedtheremainderofthatdayinwhichhehadtheinterviewwiththeyoungladies,withintheprecinctsofhisgarden。Eveningagainfoundhimseatedonhisfavouritestone。Thesunsettingred,andamongseasofrollingclouds,threwagloomylustreoverthemoor,andgaveadeeperpurpletothebroadoutlineofheathymountainswhichsurroundedthisdesolatespot。TheDwarfsatewatchingthecloudsastheyloweredaboveeachotherinmassesofconglomeratedvapours,and,asastrongluridbeamofthesinkingluminarydartedfullonhissolitaryanduncouthfigure,hemightwellhaveseemedthedemonofthestormwhichwasgathering,orsomegnomesummonedforthfromtherecessesoftheearthbythesubterraneansignalsofitsapproach。Ashesatethus,withhisdarkeyeturnedtowardsthescowlingandblackeningheaven,ahorsemanroderapidlyuptohim,andstopping,asiftolethishorsebreatheforaninstant,madeasortofobeisancetotheanchoret,withanairbetwixteffronteryandembarrassment。
Thefigureoftheriderwasthin,tall,andslender,butremarkablyathletic,bony,andsinewy;likeonewhohadallhislifefollowedthoseviolentexerciseswhichpreventthehumanformfromincreasinginbulk,whiletheyhardenandconfirmbyhabititsmuscularpowers。Hisface,sharp-featured,sun-burnt,andfreckled,hadasinisterexpressionofviolence,impudence,andcunning,eachofwhichseemedalternatelytopredominateovertheothers。Sandy-colouredhair,andreddisheyebrows,fromunderwhichlookedforthhissharpgreyeyes,completedtheinauspiciousoutlineofthehorseman’sphysiognomy。Hehadpistolsinhisholsters,andanotherpairpeepedfromhisbelt,thoughhehadtakensomepainstoconcealthembybuttoninghisdoublet。Heworearustedsteelheadpiece;abuffjacketofratheranantiquecast;gloves,ofwhichthatfortherighthandwascoveredwithsmallscalesofiron,likeanancientgauntlet;
andalongbroadswordcompletedhisequipage。
\"So,\"saidtheDwarf,\"rapineandmurderoncemoreonhorseback。\"
\"Onhorseback?\"saidthebandit;\"ay,ay,Elshie,yourleech-
crafthassetmeonthebonnybayagain。\"
\"Andallthosepromisesofamendmentwhichyoumadeduringyourillnessforgotten?\"continuedElshender。
\"Allclearaway,withthewater-sapsandpanada,\"returnedtheunabashedconvalescent。\"Yeken,Elshie,fortheysayyeareweelacquentwi’thegentleman,\"Whenthedevilwassick,thedevilamonkwouldbe,Whenthedevilwaswell,thedevilamonkwashe。\"
\"Thousay’sttrue,\"saidtheSolitary;\"aswelldivideawolffromhisappetiteforcarnage,oraravenfromherscentofslaughter,astheefromthyaccursedpropensities。\"
\"Why,whatwouldyouhavemetodo?It’sbornwithme——liesinmyverybludeandbane。Why,man,theladsofWestburnflat,fortenlangdescents,havebeenreiversandlifters。Theyhavealldrunkhard,livedhigh,takingdeeprevengeforlightoffence,andneverwantedgearforthewinning。\"
\"Right;andthouartasthorough-bredawolf,\"saidtheDwarf,\"aseverleaptalamb-foldatnight。Onwhathell’serrandartthouboundnow?\"
\"Canyourskillnotguess?\"
\"ThusfarIknow,\"saidtheDwarf,\"thatthypurposeisbad,thydeedwillbeworse,,andtheissueworstofall。\"
\"Andyoulikemethebetterforit,FatherElshie,eh?\"saidWestburnflat;\"youalwayssaidyoudid。\"
\"Ihavecausetolikeall,\"answeredtheSolitary,\"thatarescourgestotheirfellow-creatures,andthouartabloodyone。\"
\"No——Isaynotguiltytothat——leverbluidyunlessthere’sresistance,andthatsetsaman’sbristlesup,yeken。Andthisisnaegreatmatter,aftera’;justtocutthecombofayoungcockthathasbeencrawingalittleowercrousely。\"
\"NotyoungEarnscliff?\"saidtheSolitary,withsomeemotion。
\"No;notyoungEarnscliff——notyoungEarnscliffYET;buthistimemaycome,ifhewillnottakewarning,andgethimbacktotheburrow-townthathe’sfitfor,andnokeepskelpingabouthere,destroyingthefewdeerthatareleftinthecountry,andpretendingtoactasamagistrate,andwritingletterstothegreatfolkatAuldReekie,aboutthedisturbedstateoftheland。
Lethimtakecareo’himsell。\"
\"ThenitmustbeHobbieoftheHeugh-foot,\"saidElshie。
\"Whatharmhastheladdoneyou?\"
\"Harm!naegreatharm;butIhearhesaysIstaidawayfromtheBa’spielonFastern’sE’en,forfearofhim;anditwasonlyforfearoftheCountryKeeper,fortherewasawarrantagainstme。
I’llstandHobbie’sfeud,anda’hisclan’s。Butit’snotsomuchforthat,astogiehimalessonnottolethistonguegallopowerfreelyabouthisbetters。Itrowhewillhaelostthebestpen-feathero’hiswingbeforeto-morrowmorning。——
Farewell,Elshie;there’ssomecannyboyswaitingformedownamangtheshaws,owerby;IwillseeyouasIcomeback,andbringyeablithetaleinreturnforyourleech-craft。\"
EretheDwarfcouldcollecthimselftoreply,theReiverofWestburnflatsetspurstohishorse。Theanimal,startingatoneofthestoneswhichlayscatteredabout,flewfromthepath。Theriderexercisedhisspurswithoutmoderationormercy。Thehorsebecamefurious,reared,kicked,plunged,andboltedlikeadeer,withallhisfourfeetoffthegroundatonce。Itwasinvain;
theunrelentingridersateasifhehadbeenapartofthehorsewhichhebestrode;and,afterashortbutfuriouscontest,compelledthesubduedanimaltoproceeduponthepathataratewhichsooncarriedhimoutofsightoftheSolitary。
\"Thatvillain,\"exclaimedtheDwarf,——\"thatcool-blooded,hardened,unrelentingruffian,——thatwretch,whoseeverythoughtisinfectedwithcrimes,——hasthewesandsinews,limbs,strength,andactivityenough,tocompelanobleranimalthanhimselftocarryhimtotheplacewhereheistoperpetratehiswickedness;
whileI,hadItheweaknesstowishtoputhiswretchedvictimonhisguard,andtosavethehelplessfamily,wouldseemygoodintentionsfrustratedbythedecrepitudewhichchainsmetothespot。——WhyshouldIwishitwereotherwise?Whathavemyscreech-owlvoice,myhideousform,andmymis-shapenfeatures,todowiththefairerworkmanshipofnature?Donotmenreceiveevenmybenefitswithshrinkinghorrorandill-suppresseddisgust?AndwhyshouldIinterestmyselfinaracewhichaccountsmeaprodigyandanoutcast,andwhichhastreatedmeassuch?No;byalltheingratitudewhichIhavereaped——byallthewrongswhichIhavesustained——bymyimprisonment,mystripes,mychains,Iwillwrestledownmyfeelingsofrebellioushumanity!
IwillnotbethefoolIhavebeen,toswervefrommyprincipleswhenevertherewasanappeal,forsooth,tomyfeelings;asifI,towardswhomnoneshowsympathy,oughttohavesympathywithanyone。LetDestinydriveforthherscythedcarthroughtheoverwhelmedandtremblingmassofhumanity!ShallIbetheidiottothrowthisdecrepitform,thismis-shapenlumpofmortality,underherwheels,thattheDwarf,theWizard,theHunchback,maysavefromdestructionsomefairformorsomeactiveframe,andalltheworldclaptheirhandsattheexchange?No,never!——AndyetthisElliot——thisHobbie,soyoungandgallant,sofrank,so——Iwillthinkofitnolonger。IcannotaidhimifIwould,andIamresolved——firmlyresolved,thatIwouldnotaidhim,ifawishwerethepledgeofhissafety!\"
Havingthusendedhissoliloquy,heretreatedintohishutforshelterfromthestormwhichwasfastapproaching,andnowbegantoburstinlargeandheavydropsofrain。Thelastraysofthesunnowdisappearedentirely,andtwoorthreeclapsofdistantthunderfollowedeachotheratbriefintervals,echoingandre-echoingamongtherangeofheathyfellslikethesoundofadistantengagement。
CHAPTERVII。
Proudbirdofthemountain,thyplumeshallbetorn!——……
Returntothydwelling;alllonely,return;
Fortheblacknessofashesshallmarkwhereitstood,Andawildmotherscreamo’erherfamishingbrood。CAMPBELL。
Thenightcontinuedsullenandstormy;butmorningroseasifrefreshedbytherains。EventheMucklestane-Moor,withitsbroadbleakswellsofbarrengrounds,interspersedwithmarshypoolsofwater,seemedtosmileunderthesereneinfluenceofthesky,justasgood-humourcanspreadacertaininexpressiblecharmovertheplainesthumancountenance。Theheathwasinitsthickestanddeepestbloom。Thebees,whichtheSolitaryhadaddedtohisruralestablishment,wereabroadandonthewing,andfilledtheairwiththemurmursoftheirindustry。Astheoldmancreptoutofhislittlehut,histwoshe-goatscametomeethim,andlickedhishandsingratitudeforthevegetableswithwhichhesuppliedthemfromhisgarden。\"You,atleast,\"hesaid——\"you,atleast,seenodifferencesinformwhichcanalteryourfeelingstoabenefactor——toyou,thefinestshapethateverstatuarymouldedwouldbeanobjectofindifferenceorofalarm,shoulditpresentitselfinsteadofthemis-shapentrunktowhoseservicesyouareaccustomed。WhileIwasintheworld,didI
evermeetwithsuchareturnofgratitude?No;thedomesticwhomIhadbredfrominfancymademouthsatmeashestoodbehindmychair;thefriendwhomIhadsupportedwithmyfortune,andforwhosesakeIhadevenstained——(hestoppedwithastrongconvulsiveshudder),evenhethoughtmemorefitforthesocietyoflunatics——fortheirdisgracefulrestraints——fortheircruelprivations,thanforcommunicationwiththerestofhumanity。
Hubertalone——andHuberttoowillonedayabandonme。Allareofapiece,onemassofwickedness,selfishness,andingratitude——
wretches,whosinevenintheirdevotions;andofsuchhardnessofheart,thattheydonot,withouthypocrisy,eventhanktheDeityhimselfforhiswarmsunandpureair。\"
Ashewasplungedinthesegloomysoliloquies,heheardthetrampofahorseontheothersideofhisenclosure,andastrongclearbassvoicesingingwiththelivelinessinspiredbyalightheart,CannyHobbieElliot,cannyHobbienow,CannyHobbieElliot,I’segangalangwi’you。
Atthesamemoment,alargedeergreyhoundsprungoverthehermit’sfence。Itiswellknowntothesportsmeninthesewilds,thattheappearanceandscentofthegoatsomuchresemblethoseoftheirusualobjectsofchase,thatthebest-brokegreyhoundswillsometimesflyuponthem。Thedoginquestioninstantlypulleddownandthrottledoneofthehermit’sshe-
goats,whileHobbieElliot,whocameup,andjumpedfromhishorseforthepurpose,wasunabletoextricatetheharmlessanimalfromthefangsofhisattendantuntilitwasexpiring。
TheDwarfeyed,forafewmoments,theconvulsivestartsofhisdyingfavourite,untilthepoorgoatstretchedoutherlimbswiththetwitchesandshiveringfitofthelastagony。Hethenstartedintoanaccessoffrenzy,andunsheathingalongsharpknife,ordagger,whichheworeunderhiscoat,hewasabouttolaunchitatthedog,whenHobbie,perceivinghispurpose,interposed,andcaughtholdofhishand,exclaiming,\"Letabethehound,man——letabethehound!——Na,na,Killbuckmaunnabeguidedthatgate,neither。\"
TheDwarfturnedhisrageontheyoungfarmer;and,byasuddeneffort,farmorepowerfulthanHobbieexpectedfromsuchaperson,freedhiswristfromhisgrasp,andofferedthedaggerathisheart。Allthiswasdoneinthetwinklingofaneye,andtheincensedReclusemighthavecompletedhisvengeancebyplungingtheweaponinElliot’sbosom,hadhenotbeencheckedbyaninternalimpulsewhichmadehimhurltheknifetoadistance。
\"No,\"heexclaimed,ashethusvoluntarilydeprivedhimselfofthemeansofgratifyinghisrage;\"notagain——notagain!\"
Hobbieretreatedasteportwoingreatsurprise,discomposure,anddisdain,athavingbeenplacedinsuchdangerbyanobjectapparentlysocontemptible。
\"Thedeil’sinthebodyforstrengthandbitterness!\"werethefirstwordsthatescapedhim,whichhefollowedupwithanapologyfortheaccidentthathadgivenrisetotheirdisagreement。\"IamnojustifyingKillbucka’thegitherneither,andIamsureitisasvexingtomeastoyou,Elshie,thatthemischanceshouldhaehappened;butI’llsendyoutwagoatsandtwafatgimmers,man,tomakea’straightagain。Awisemanlikeyoushouldnabearmaliceagainstapoordumbthing;yeseethatagoat’slikefirst-cousintoadeer,saeheactedbutaccordingtohisnatureaftera’。Haditbeenapet-lamb,therewadhaebeenmairtobesaid。Yesuldkeepsheep,Elshie,andnogoats,wherethere’ssaemonydeerhoundsabout——butI’llsendyebaith。\"
\"Wretch!\"saidtheHermit,\"yourcrueltyhasdestroyedoneoftheonlycreaturesinexistencethatwouldlookonmewithkindness!\"
\"DearElshie,\"answeredHobbie,\"I’mwaeyesuldhaecausetosaysae;I’msureitwasnawi’mywill。Andyet,it’strue,Ishouldhaemindedyourgoats,andcoupledupthedogs。I’msureIwouldrathertheyhadworriedtheprimestwetherinmyfaulds。——Come,man,forgetandforgie。I’me’enasvexedasyecanbe——ButIamabridegroom,yesee,andthatputsa’thingsouto’myhead,I
think。There’sthemarriage-dinner,orgudeparto’t,thatmytwabrithersarebringingonasledroundbytheRiders’Slack,threegoodlybucksaseverranonDallomlea,asthesangsays;
theycouldnacomethestraightroadforthesaftgrund。Iwadsendyeabitvenison,butyewadnatakeitweelmaybe,forKillbuckcatchedit。\"
Duringthislongspeech,inwhichthegood-naturedBordererendeavouredtopropitiatetheoffendedDwarfbyeveryargumenthecouldthinkof,heheardhimwithhiseyesbentontheground,asifinthedeepestmeditation,andatlengthbrokeforth——
\"Nature?——yes!itisindeedintheusualbeatenpathofNature。Thestronggripeandthrottletheweak;therichdepressanddespoiltheneedy;thehappy(thosewhoareidiotsenoughtothinkthemselveshappy)insultthemiseryanddiminishtheconsolationofthewretched。——Gohence,thouwhohastcontrivedtogiveanadditionalpangtothemostmiserableofhumanbeings——thouwhohastdeprivedmeofwhatIhalfconsideredasasourceofcomfort。Gohence,andenjoythehappinesspreparedfortheeathome!\"
\"Neverstir,\"saidHobbie,\"ifIwadnatakeyouwi’me,man,ifyewadbutsayitwaddivertyetobeatthebridalonMonday。
TherewillbeahundredstrappingElliotstoridethebrouze——thelike’snobeenseensin’thedaysofauldMartinofthePreakin-
tower——Iwadsendthesledforyewi’acannypowny。\"
\"Isittomeyouproposeoncemoretomixinthesocietyofthecommonherd?\"saidtheRecluse,withanairofdeepdisgust。
\"Commons!\"retortedHobbie,\"naesiccancommonsneither;theElliotshaebeenlangkendagentlerace。\"
\"Hence!begone!\"reiteratedtheDwarf;\"maythesameevilluckattendtheethatthouhastleftbehindwithme!IfIgonotwithyoumyself,seeifyoucanescapewhatmyattendants,WrathandMisery,havebroughttothythresholdbeforethee。\"
\"Iwishyewadnaspeakthatgate,\"saidHobbie。\"Yekenyoursell,Elshie,naebodyjudgesyoutobeowercanny;now,I’lltellyejustaewordfora’——yehaespokenasmuckleaswussingilltomeandmine;now,ifonymischancehappentoGrace,whichGodforbid,ortomysell;ortothepoordumbtyke;orifIbeskaithedandinjuredinbody,gudes,orgear,I’llnoforgetwhaitisthatit’sowingto。\"
\"Out,hind!\"exclaimedtheDwarf;\"home!hometoyourdwelling,andthinkonmewhenyoufindwhathasbefallenthere。\"
\"Aweel,aweel,\"saidHobbie,mountinghishorse,\"itservesnaethingtostrivewi’cripples,——theyareayecankered;butI’lljusttellyeaething,neighbour,thatifthingsbeotherwisethanweelwi’GraceArmstrong,I’segieyouascoutheriftherebeatar-barrelinthefiveparishes。\"
Sosaying,herodeoff;andElshie,afterlookingathimwithascornfulandindignantlaugh,tookspadeandmattock,andoccupiedhimselfindiggingagraveforhisdeceasedfavourite。
Alowwhistle,andthewords,\"Hisht,Elshie,hisht!\"disturbedhiminthismelancholyoccupation。Helookedup,andtheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasbeforehim。LikeBanquo’smurderer,therewasbloodonhisface,aswellasupontherowelsofhisspursandthesidesofhisover-riddenhorse。