I n - i .. ' THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK, TALES OF OTHER DAYS. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK, TALES OF OTHER DAYS. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Cndksjfaiik. Ai\D OTHERS. ST. LOUIS EDWARDS & BUSHELL 1857. CONTENTS. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK TALES OF OTHER DAYS: The Magic Phial; or, An Evening at Delft . .119 A Tale of the Civil Wars 123 Friar Rush: A Tale of Faerie 132 Ghysbrecht, the Free-lance 139 The Three Suitors 153 The Fifth of November: A Legend of Palace Yard . 164 A Tale of the Low Countries 182 Trial by Battle 188 The Castle of Stauffenberg 201 The Brothers: A Tale of London Bridge . . .207 Roger Clevelly : A Devonshire Legend . . .217 Haviland Hall 230 A Tour to the North 247 The Ring and the Mendicant 257 The Journey of Azibah: An Eastern Tale . . . 275 CONTENT*. PACK The Death's Head 283 Waldeck: A Tale from the German . . . .297 The Awkward Man 305 Who can it Be? 316 The Robber Spatolino 325 Trials of Temper 349 The Prediction : A Tale of New-year's Eve . . 362 An Adventure in 1780 373 The Magician's Visiter ...... 381 A Norwegian Sketch 386 - THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. CHAPTER I. " WHAT the devil shall I do?" exclaimed Louis Desonges: " not -a sous have I in the world besides that solitary five- franc piece! and, where the next is to come from, I cannot divine. What the devil must I do?" " Did you call, Monsieur?" asked a gentle voice, which seemed to proceed from the more dusky corner of the apart- ment, in which Louis was sitting in his old arm-chair, before a worm-eaten table covered with books and papers. " Who, in the name of fate, are you?" responded the un- happy youth, looking round in search of the individual from whom the inquiry had proceeded. " Precisely so," replied a stout, short, middle-aged gentle? man, of a somewhat saturnine complexion, as he advanced from we can't say exactly where into the middle of the room. He was clad in black, according to the fashion of the day; had a loose Geneva cloak, as an upper garment, of the same colour; and carried a large bundle of black-edged papers, tied with black tape, under his arm. Without the smallest ceremony, he placed a chair opposite our hero, bowed, seated himself, smiled, laid his papers on the table! rubbed his hands, and appeared altogether prepared for business. Louis felt somewhat, embarrassed, but returned the stranger's bow with all due civility; and, after a brief, awkward pause, ventured to inquire the name of the gentleman whom lie had the honour of addressing-. 4 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " It is of little moment," replied his extraordinary visitor: " you are in difficulties, and it is in my power to assist yon:" and, so saying, he began, in due form, to untie and " sort out" his papers upon the table. Poor Louis looked on in silence, and, sighing, bethought himself, that if he had been as constant in his attendance at lectures, and in the courts, as at the billiard-tables and gaming-houses at the Palais Royal, he might have picked up law enough to have enabled him to involve a case, in which so many documents were necessary, in a yet deeper state of mystification. " As it is," thought he, " the man will soon discover my ignorance ; so, as I have not yet practised, I'll be honest, and tell him the truth at once." " You need not trouble yourself to do that, sir," said the stranger. " To do what? sir," interrogated Louis; " I did not say anything." " I know that, my dear sir," observed the gentleman in the cloak, still busying himself with his papers ; " but it is just the same thing." " What is just the same thing? I don't at all comprehend you!" exclaimed the youth. " Precisely so," continued the stranger; " there, they are all correct, I believe so, my dear sir, as you were say- ing" " Excuse me, sir," said Louis, " I was not saying anything." " Pardon me, my dear young friend," quoth the gentleman with the black-edged papers, " you talked of telling me the truth at once." " Not I, sir; I only thought of doing so." " Oh! that's all the same with us." M Then you're no lawyer, I'm sure," replied the youth. '' Not I, my friend; but, really, I should be sorry *to appear unpolite to a gentleman of your birth and talents. The fact, however, is, that my engagements are, just now, exceedingly numerous and pressing; therefore, allow me just to explain. This paper" " Confound this headache," thought poor Louis to him- self; " if I had gone to bed last night, instead of watching over the rouge et noir table, and losing my" " Pshaw! pshaw! smell this bottle," "said the stransrer, politely handing a small exquisitely cut black glass bottle, which he took out of a black ebony case. The young gentleman did so, and felt " powerfully re- THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 5 freshed;" his head instantly appeared clearer, and his whole frame exhilarated. " Mon Dim!" he exclaimed, " Monsieur, where did you buy that wonderful specific?" " Hist!" ejaculated the stranger; " don't swear, I entreat you. It is extremely disagreeable to me." " Well, then, I will not," said Louis; " but pray inform me! Poor little Louise! and Adele! and the Comtesse! they'd adore me, if I could but procure for them such a specific. Pray, Monsieur, I conjure you, in the name of" " Stop!" cried the other, starting from his chair, " not a word more! There, there, I make you a present of the bottle, case and all. I manufactured it myself, for the use of particular friends only." " I'll give you a thousand francs for the recipe," exclaimed Louis. " Where will you find the money?" asked the stranger, coolly settling himself back in his chair, like a man who has found his vantage-ground. " Where, indeed !" groaned poor Louis. Then, having rested his head awhile upon his empty palm, he bethought him that something might be made of the stranger's papers, and, therefore, addressed himself to business. " I should ask your pardon, sir," said he, " for talking of perfumes; I accept this bottle as a token of amity between us; and now, if you please" " Good!" observed the gentleman in black, " that is what I wish. I am a plain man" (somewhat plain, I must confess, thought Louis) " well that's nothing. I wish to act handsomely by you; I have taken a great fancy to you, and you are over head and ears in debt have a hopeless love affair have neglected your studies offended your uncle shattered your constitution" " Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the youth. " If you say that again, sir," said the gentleman in black, " I shall take my departure. I told you before, that I objected to swearing." " Diable, then !" cried Louis. " That's better," quoth his companion, smiling; and, taking a pinch of blackguard, (which an Irish gentleman, in a passion, had given him,) out of a black tortoise-shell box, handed it politely to our hero. B 2 G THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " No, sir," said the latter, sternly, " you and your snuff may go to h together." " Precisely so," calmly observed the stranger, returning- the box to his pocket, but not offering to move from his chair. " This is a little too much," cried the enraged young Frenchman, starting upon his legs: " tell me, sir, what you mean by intruding upon my privacy, and insulting me with the repetition of -all my misfortunes? Who, and what the devil are you?" " Precisely so, as I told you before," replied the unruffled stranger. " Precisely what ? I don't understand you! You maybe the devil himself, for aught I know." " Precisely so," was the reply. " You don't mean to say you really are the" " Precisely so. We have an objection to plain yes and no." " Then you are a lawyer, after all." " Not I, though I confess I have practised occasionally: but, pshaw! this is a waste of time. I know your troubles and difficulties, and would help you through them, if you will allow me. I have money to any amount at my disposal and immediate command, as you may satisfy yourself;" and he threw a large black morocco leather pocket-book upon the table, where it instantly burst open, from the extension of (to poor Louis's eyes) an innumerable quantity of billets de banque, for 500 francs each. " And, as for gold" and he began to draw from his breeches' pocket a black satin purse, to which Louis thought there would be no end, so singularly did it appear to elongate itself, as the stranger continued to tug it from its dark abode, till it had attained the full extent of a Flemish ell. Yet, in his hands, it appeared light as thy eider-down, till, having placed it carefully on the table, the weight of the gold within rent asunder its silken prison, and a large quantity of louis d'ors rolled out upon the table. Louis looked first at the immense wealth before him, then at his visitor; again at the gold arid notes; ard so on, alternately, about half a dozen times, ere he foui 1 himself capable of uttering even an exclamation of surprise. And, each time his eyes rested upon the stranger's countenance, he discerned some new charm of feature and expression; and lie at length decided that he had never before seen so THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 7 perfectly elegant, agreeable, interesting, well-bred, and accomplished a gentleman; and wondered how he could for an instant have considered him a. plain man. " It's always the way," observed the gentleman in black; " strangers think me anything but handsome: yet, as we get more intimate, my society becomes more and more agreeable; go that at last my friends are ever endeavouring to imitate me in all their actions and pursuits: but you'll know more about that bye and bye." Poor Louis had by this time made up his mind that his visitor was no other thun his Infernal Majesty; and would instantly have made application to his patron saint, and as many more as he could recollect the titles of, without looking into his calendar, upon the subject, had it not been for the dazzling gold, which he somehow instinctively apprehended would vanish from his sight at the sound of their names. " If he had said his pater noster that morning, what now lay before him was not, most assuredly, the sort of temptation from which he would have dreamed of imploring deliverance. The dark, middle-aged gentleman saw the gold " enter into his soul," and let it work its way in silence for a short time, watching his victim's countenance, and ever and anon lookin* disconcerted, as the youth's guardian angel seemed to be whispering in his ear. " Well, Monsieur le Baron!" ejaculated he at length, " perhaps the trifle you see on the table may be of some little service to you?" " I am no Baron," observed Louis. " So much the worse." " I know that well enough," rejoined Louis, testily, and heaved a sigh as he thought of the fair Emilie, and her most perpendicular father, the Comte de Tien a la Cour. ' It's your own fault," continued the gentleman in black, bustling up to the table, and opening a paper; " you have but to sign this document, and what you see on the table is but a trifle when compared with the riches you may command; besides uninterrupted health, and, indeed, whatever you wish for; since money, you know, my dear friend, carries all before it." " And pray, sir," asked Louis, influenced, as he afterwards declared, merely by curiosity, but determined not to sign the paper upon any terms, " what may be the contents of that document?", " A mere bagatelle; look it over yourself. Only to sin 8 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. for a single second this year, two seconds the next; to double it the third, and so on with each succeeding year. I say the penalty amounts, in fact, to nothing; for the truth is, you will sin for a much longer period annually, if you do not sign it, to say nothing of the crimes which poverty and despe- ration may drive you to commit." So saying, he threw the p;i]>er carelessly towards poor Louis, and betook himself to his blackguard, with due gentlemanly nonchalance. The youth read " Sin for a second in the first year, two seconds the second," then looked at the gold. " Let me see," said he, calculating; " that will be four seconds the third year eight seconds the fourth sixteen seconds the fifth thirty-two seconds the sixth, and" " Exactly so," said the gentleman in black, interrupting him; " that is about a minute in the course of the whole six years. And, beside, you'll observe a clause, by which all the sins you have committed before, and all that you may in future commit, over and above the stipulated agreement, will be taken into account. So that you see, not even a hermit need live more immaculately." " I must confess you are very liberal," observed young * Desonges, doubtingly. " You'll always h'nd me liberal," said the other, handing a pen across the table. " Stop! stop! Let me read the whole paper first." " Oh, by all means! You'll find all correctly ex- pressed." Louis ascertained the manner in which he was to obtain daily supplies of money, so long as the stipulations in the contract were fulfilled; " any amount'' was specified he had committed sins enough already, he well knew, to wipe off the score for many years to come, to say nothing of those which, in the common course of events, must of necessity ensue. The dream of unlimited riches, and unchecked and unbounded pleasure, was intoxicating; but yet a something he knew not how to define, prompted him to hesitate. At this critical juncture, a noise arose in the anti-room. There was a war of words, amid which was heard the voice of a marchand tailleur, (from whose magasin poor Louis had been supplied with divers habits, redingottes, gilets, &c., &c., for which payment had been oft and again de- manded, and ever in vain,) loudly pre-eminent. Threat had succeeded threat, and matters were now approaching to a crisis THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 9 " How much does the fellow want?" asked the gentleman in black. " Three thousand livres," replied Louis. " Pshaw! an insignificant trifle; call him in and pay him merely to get rid of his impertinence. There throw your capote over the rest of the money there are five thousand." " Your generosity overpowers me," exclaimed the as- tonished Louis, taking up the pen. " There, sir, I have signed the paper." " Good! (reading) 'Louis Desonges,' perfectly correct; and there, my good friend, is the counterpart, signed by myself: it's a singular hand; perhaps you may not be able to decipher it: indeed, my signature is frequently, I have been told, taken for that of some of your great men. But no matter; if it answers their purpose I believe they don't care much for that; nor I either, to tell you the truth. However, I must be off, having a little business just now to transact in London." " Stop, my dear sir," exclaimed Louis, whose fancy, being now relieved from the terrors of a jail, was once more on the qui vive. " You promised me the recipe for that perfume^ We must not forget the ladies. There's poor Adele suffers sadly from the head-ache; and the lovely Comtesse and" " Ah ! I know what yon would say," replied the gentle- man in black, interrupting him, and taking a black-edged paper from the bundle, which he had again tied up with black tape; " they are almost all fond of such things. There you will find what they will think inestimable recipes for perfumes, patches, rouge, distilled waters, and all that sort of thing. I am the original inventor of them all." " The devil you are!" exclaimed Louis. " Precisely so. And, let me tell you, I've derived no little advantage therefrom. Not that I began to introduce them with that intent; for, to say the truth, I had not then become so well acquainted with the follies and infatuation of man- kind: but, the fact is, I hate to see a lovely woman in her own undisguised charms and beauty. She always reminds me of angels, whose existence I am anxious to forget. Some among you, who have not yet adopted the use of my nostrums, still preserve the form of beings whom I once saw in the presence of ONE whom I dare not name." This allusion recalled poor Louis to his senses. He 10 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK shuddered at the bare recollection of what he had done; and, clasping his hands together, lifted up his eyes toward heaven, and fervently ejaculated, " Oh! mon Dieu!" When he turned to look for his sable companion, he was gone. If he had been allowed time for reflection, his thoughts would have been most painful; but a violent knocking at the door helped to awaken him from his dream. The door burst open, and in stalked the identical tailor, whose entree had been announced with so much clamour. Louis had, almost unconsciously, pocketed the five thousand livres, and, his capote concealing the rest of his riches, the scene appeared, to the tailor's eye, as denuded and poverty- stricken as usual. A young Frenchman (particularly if in Paris) flies from grave to gay, with more volatility than any other mortal; and, Louis, having no fear of the law now before his eyes, threw himself i>ack in his chair, and, with au air of gay defiance, demanded the intruder's business. " Look ye, Monsieur," replied the man of ' shreds and patches,' " my mind is made up; 1 have two officers in the next room. I know where you were last night, throwing away my money at rouge et noir, among a parcel of demi- ^oldes and pauvre diables." " Never mind, Snip," said Louis, laughing; " good luck must come at last, if we do but persevere." " What! and you dare to insult me, too!" ejaculated the enraged tailor. " Come in, my friends, and do your duty. There is your prisoner." The officers advanced, like automata, mechanically bowing to our hero, ere they made him captive. The tailor at this moment took hold of the capote, and was in the act of lifting it up, and exclaiming how much it had cost him, when his attention was arrested by the sight of a small portion only of Louis's wealth; but sufficient to chanje entirely the character of his countenance and tone. He let the capote drop, and fell back against the wall, with looks of almost reverential awe and dismay, stammering a thousand apologies. " If you've made out your bill, sir," said Louis, in a most dignified style, " write a receipt." Then, throwing a Louis to each of the officers, he continued " Pray, gentlemen, accept that trifle for the trouble this fool of a bourgeois has occasioned you. I wished only to make him wait a little while for his money, as a punishment for his impertinence, and the infamous manner in which he has frequently made my clothes, and kept me waiting till the last moment, when THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 11 I was going to a party." They bowed looked at each other bowed again; and, bowing, retreated backward, as though from the presence of majesty, till the door was safely gained. The tailor advanced, in the same lowly attitude; wrote the acquit, as well as he was able; made another humble apology; received his money, and bowed himself backward, after his quondam associates. Left to himself, Louis hummed a tune from the last new opera; reflected that what was done could not be undone; and concluded it was, therefore, not worth while to reflect at all. To keep all clear for next year, he resolved to go and" commit his moment of sin immediately. Where he went, or what he did, has not been recorded, but it is most certain that there was no complaint of his not having duly fulfilled his contract for many years afterward. About the same time that this adventure occurred to Louis Desonges, at Paris, there was a young gentleman in the city of London, whose father, dying, left behind him a considerable sum of ready money, beside a flourishing West India trade, by strict attention to which his fortune had been amassed. Charles Maxwell was just of age. He had re- ceived a good education, in the first place, from his father, and afterwards a very handsome allowance, by which he was enabled to keep what is called good society, whilst the old gentleman stuck close to the counting-house and the Ex- change, and kept " all right." But when he died, his son, taking a wider range, neglected the business, and left the whole of his mercantile affairs to his clerks; and the consequence was, that in less than two years he was on the eve of figuring in the Gazette. At this critical juncture, too, he had fallen in love; a contingency which, if it had occurred somewhat earlier, might possibly have made him more careful of his own concerns, and saved him from the temptation which awaited him. In sad and sober mood, he sat occupied in a manner to which he had been but little accustomed, namely, in melancholy contemplation, in his own private counting- house, when the gentleman, of whom we have already spoken, suddenly made his appearance, with his black coat, waistcoat, inexpressibles, and stockings, black cloak, black bag, black-edged papers, tied with black tape, black smelling- bottle, snuff-box and blackguard, in the same style as when he visited the poor law student at Paris, not forgetting the needful black pocket-book, and long elastic black silk purse. 1'2 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. A similar scene took place to that which befell the young Frenchman, excepting that Charles Maxwell's decision was accelerated by the arrival of a lot of " returned acceptances," in lieu of one long tailor's bill. It were hard to say whether the English or the French gentleman was most elated by his sudden accumulation of wealth, and unexpected escape from disgrace. One dreamed of horses, dogs, wines, houses, &c. &c.; the other, of operas, dancers, rouge et noir, titles, &c., &c. One resolved to forsake the counting-house; the other resolved to forsake the law; thereby clearly evincing that the heart of neither was engaged in the pursuit for which he had been destined a fact which, perhaps, it would have been better if their parents could have ascertained, ere they had " Bound them to that oar, Which thousands, once lash'd fast to, quit no more." When the bargain was concluded between young Charles and his new ally, he politely asked him to stay and dine with him. " Excuse the liberty I take" and he rang the bell, which was immediately answered by a footman. Dinner was ordered, and a wondering clerk despatched to his no less wondering bankers, with the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, and a verbal message, that he had received their note, and should not trouble them for the " discounts" mentioned yesterday. A dinner, tete-a-tete, passed off delightfully between the new acquaintances. The gentleman in black drank his wine freely; and, bottle after bottle of the old supernaculum appeared and disappeared with marvellous celerity. Charles talked of what he would do, and where he would go; and how he would astonish the natives, and purchase an estate in the country, and buy himself into parliament; whereat the dark gentleman gave a singular proof of his satisfaction, which, had it not been that " wine worketh wonders," would probably have broken up their party. " What is that moving and rustling about behind you, under your cloak?" exclaimed Charles, gazing stupidly, as a drunken man often does when staring at something going on before him which he cannot exactly understand. " Oh ! it's only my tail, which I'm wagging," replied his guest; " it's a way we have, whenever we are very much pleased." " Oho! 'old gentleman!" observed Charles, "then you THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 13 enjoy yourself, eh? you take my jokes, eh? you're a bit of a wag," eh?" " Yes," drily replied his companion, " I was; my tail." " It's monstrously droll," added Charles, hiccupping; " but the fact is, my comical, old Mr. What-d'ye-call-em, we have many ways, almost as whimsical, among ourselves." " If you object to my custom"-- said the gentleman of the black rustling cloak, bowing politely " Oh, by no means," replied Charles, " sport your opossum as you please; only, none of your long t-a-1-e-s. Ha! ha! A devilish pleasant conceit ! is it not, old boy? come, fill your glass. I always hated long stories; don't you?" " Why, not precisely so," answered the other, filling his glass; " for the fact is, that I invented them." About this time it was, that Charles's speech began to announce that he was " overtaken;" and he never could remember how or when he and his sable ally parted. Something there was floating in his recollection next morning, about having been in the streets, and of a row; and a sort of a mill; but the particulars he could not recall. The black smelling-bottle, in the black ebony case, instantly dispersed the unpleasant effects of his late debauch; but it was not intended to enable him to reflect clearly on the past. The next morning he paced his room, after breakfast, endeavouring to settle within his own mind some plan of operation, by which he might reap the most perfect enjoy- ment from the golden harvest before him. From this revery he was aroused by the entrance of his late father's confi- dential clerk, with an arm-full and a bag-full of papers. Charles noticed the honest anxiety expressed in his counte- nance, and at once resolved to make him happy. " Take a seat, Mr. Ledger," said he; "I wished to see you on business." " Indeed, sir!" ejaculated the astonished clerk. " Yes, indeed !" repeated Charles, seating himself at the table, " for I'm off to Melton in an hour." " My dear sir," said Mr. Ledger, imploringly, " let me entreat you. The supply you obtained yesterday was most providential. I am delighted that you ha\e yet such friends left: but it must be repaid, and the concerns of the house are, I am sorry to say" " Confound the concerns of the house !" exclaimed Charles. " What do I hear?" ejaculated Ledger; " alas! alas! my dear sir, they are already confounded. And yet, if we c l\ THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. cokJd but obtain assistance for a few months only, and you wojld leave off drawing such heavy bills on your private account" " What, then," asked Charles, " do you really think such a beggarly concern worth carrying on?" " Beggarly, sir!" said Ledger, rising from his seat, and all the blood in his body apparently rushing to his face; " sir! if any other person had dared ; but you are his son Oh! that I should live to see the day! My poor dear master! no man named him but with respect. Here the poor fellow was utterly overpowered, and, sinking, exhausted, on the chair, sobbed like a child. Charles caught the infection, and looked at his father's humble friend, with feelings far different from those which the money now at his command was intended by the donor to produce. He certainly was not, at that moment, committing his stipu- lated quantum of sin. " Mr. Ledger," said he, at length. " I most earnestly entreat your pardon for having trifled with your feelings; but the fact is, I have made up my mind" " Oh, don't say so, my dear sir," said the clerk, interrupt- ing him, from dread of the termination of his sentence: "just look over these papers and, if the loan you obtained so miraculously can be continued but for a few months, and you will only in moderation sir pray don't take my freedom amiss we may still go on and the profits are have been will be, I pledge my word ample more than sufficient for all hat any gentleman could that is, ought don't be offended, I entreat you, sir." " Not I," replied Charles; " I'm glad to hear you give'so good an account of the concern, as you call it. For my own part, it is no concern of mine now. If you think it worth your acceptance, take it and welcome. As for me, thank God no I don't exactly mean that but the fact is, I can do very well without it." Poor Ledger's eyes and mouth were wide open, though he doubted much if that could be case with his ears: but the reader shall not be troubled with an attempt to describe his feelings. Suffice it to say, that he would not accept more than a small share of the profits, the remainder to be duly carried to the credit side of his young master's account in the " private ledger." As a matter of course, he was to manage the whole affair as he thought fit; and, as a matter of course with Charles Maxwell, he troubled him not with any more THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 15 large drafts, nor asked for a farthing 1 of the profits; all which surprised and perplexed Mr. Ledger, who endeavoured to accoui't for the circumstance, liy supposing that the young man had discovered some stock which his late father had privately invested, or that some mining' shares, which had been put by as worthless, had turned up trumps; or that he had got a prize in the lottery, or in short he could not exactly make it out. So he dipped his pen in the inkstand, and stuck to his desk; consoling himself with the reflection, that he was preparing a haven in wnich his young master and benefactor might find shelter, whenever he should be driven in by the storm. It has been already stated, that Charles Maxwell was in love, and stated too upon his own authority. He said so, he thought so and yet, when riches poured in upon him as a flood, he went to Melton first then came to London, and Ran each extreme of folly through, And lived with half the town, yet never allowed his mind to dwell upon the charms of Clara Haultaught, the old Admiral's daughter, with whom he had danced and fallen in love, all in the regular way, at a Leicester " county" ball. The f-ict is, he had no time, for men of pleasure never have, " provided always," as the lawyers have it, that they are provided always with money and health. When either of these fall short, your mere men of pleasure are sad twaddlers, and have time enough to weary themselves and their friends by all manner of wearisome ways, and ill-supported pretensions. Which position, should any reader doubt, let him go to Bath and learn wisdom. To travel abroad gives a man an air, say some folks; and Charles Maxwell went off, therefore, to breathe and bring home some foreign air. Here it may be as well to observe, by way of avoiding difficulties hereafter, that -the time of which we write was some year or two before the Revolution, so called, as the French say, par excellence, because it was the vilest, the most sanguinary, and the most fearful and extensive in its consequences, of any on the records of either ancient or modern history. The reader need scarcely be told it is the French revolution of 1790, to which we allude. Charles, of course, went first to Paris, and there, almost of course, became acquainted with Louis Desonges; for it was 2 16 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. barely possible that two young men, possessing the unlimited command of money, however different might be their habits, should not come into contact when pursuing some of the innumerable follies and pleasures of that most foolish and pleasurable metropolis. When an Englishman is in Paris, whatever may be his natural taste or propensity, he must see everything; and, with this laudable spirit of inquiry, Charles Maxwell betook himself to a notorious gambling-house, though he had not the smallest taste for such amuse.nents. Louis Desonges happened to be there at the time, and was interesting himself as much in the game as a man could possibly do, to whom it was perfectly immaterial whether he lost or won. The air of gaiety and nonchalance with which he paid several heavy losses, attracted the Englishman's attention, and, after a few minutes, they betted together, won, lost, paid and received immense sums, with such utter carelessness and good humour, as astonished each other, and made the by-standers im'agine that their bets were fictitious, and made for some sinister, though (strange to say, among Parisian adepts) undiscernible purpose. Under this impression all play was at a stand; and Charles, after exchanging cards with his new friend, walked off with bills to the amount of about two million and a half of livres; that is, in English money, about a hundred thousand pounds, leaving his antagonist without the smallest symptom of desespoir, so common to all, but more par- ticularly to French gamesters. The next morning Charles felt, that, notwithstanding the young Frenchman's gaiety and admirable presence of mind the preceding night, the loss of such a sum must be his utter ruin; and, therefore, with the most philanthropic injention of restoring his winnings by making some foolish bet, he ordered his coachman to drive to the Rue de 1'Universite, where he found the young gambler at home, in his own most splendid hotel. The whole affair lamps silken curtains, sofas, and chairs the silken silence of the servants statues paintings books in the most splendid bindings ranged in battalia, while some half dozen were thrown carelessly on the floor, like the most exquisitely dressed among the brave, after an engagement all all breathed of wealth. " Good Heavens!" exclaimed Charles, " and /, for the gratification of a mere whim for 1 have not the excuse of other men have perhaps destroyed this young man's happiness for ever his father's grey hairs his poor portionless sisters thrown, like young unfledged THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 17 birds, from the genial warmth of their parent's downy nest, upon the sharp rocks of this world, while the bleak winds of adversity" The entrance of Louis Desonges here saved him the trouble of completing his picture. Not a vestige of noc- turnal, involuntary vigilance, shaded his handsome and intelligent countenance. His eye sparkled with pleasure at the sight of his new acquaintance, but it was unclouded by the unsteady brow that rises and falls, and will tell, as if in spite of its owner, how the gamester's heart throbs, and warms, and grows cold. The fact was, Louis saw before him a rich young Englishman a character with which he had long wished to be acquainted; but, from their habitual reserve, (such, be it remembered, was then our national character,) had ever been foiled in the attempt. He rushed across the room, and warmly shook Charles by the hand. " He estimates my motive for coming," thought the latter; " 'tis well!" " Have you breakfasted, so early?" asked Louis, gaily. " No, ray good sir," was the reply; " the fact is. that my mind was somewhat uneasy about the affair of last night. You excuse my bluntness, I trust, but we English" " Are strange fellows; I've always understood so. I want to see more of you; allons d dejeuner! Hoi Auguste! Roderique! Who waits there? Is breakfast ready?" Our heroes were ushered, by a petit-maitre out of livery, through a suite of rooms, adorned with an inattention to expense, truly wonderful, until they arrived at a saloon, opening into a garden, from whence the perfumed air, and the light of heaven, were scientifically allowed admittance through verandas, Venetian blinds, lace and muslin curtains, &c. &c. In brief, all was superbe et magnifique. " Are you yet Frenchman enough to take our light wines at breakfast?" asked Louis, as soon as they were seated. " When we are at Rome" replied Charles. " Precisely so," said Louis; " it's my way." " He has not lost his appetite," thought Charles. " You don't eat, my dear sir," observed Louis; " allow me my cook is generally thought to excel. Are these kidneys in Champagne, Pierre?" " Out, Monsieur!" replied a powdered lackey, making a low obeisance. Louis recommended, and Charles ate; a^H Charles recommended, and Louis drank; neither caring c2 18 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. about their health, which was secured to them by their mutual friend; and each possessing, unknown to the other, a wonderful black cut-glass bottle, in a black ebony case. Charles's motive was to make the young Frenchman drunk, and then to return him his money, and make him believe he had won it: while Louis, having now caught a rich young Englishman in his own house, was determined to understand the real character of the nation to which he belonsed; and, imprimis, to ascertain how much one of them could eat and drink at a dejeune a la fourchette. The champagne sparkled and disappeared, and Charles found courage to allude to the affair of the preceding evening. Louis smiled, and said it was nothing. " Pardon me, my dear sir," observed Charles, drawing his chair closer; " such a sum must be something to any- body." " Don't mention it," said Louis; " I shall never miss it; and am glad it has fallen into such hands as your's." " I'll bet you double the sum, it's more than you are now worth in the world," said Charles, bluntly, after swallowing a half-pint bumper. " Done!" exclaimed Louis. " Done!" replied Charles. The servants were ordered out of the room; and Louis, going 1 to a. secretaire, which stood in a recess, returned immediately, and threw more than the needful amount upon the table. Charles was astonished, and was about to pay, when a sudden thought struck him, and he hesitated. " Never mind," said Louis, " pay me when you like; or never: it is of DO consequence." " On honour, let me ask," said Charles, " is that pile of gold your own ?" " It is," replied Louis; " I have made it a rule never to feel offended at any remarks a loser may make. There's my hand, and my honour pledged. Few can bear to lose so well as I can. Indeed, it would be strange if they could." " Then it only remains for me to pay," observed Charles, calmly; and he took out his black morocco leather pocket- book for that purpose, while Louis replaced the money which he had taken from the secretaire, and brought from thence a certain specific for the dizziness which he found collecting in his head. " I believe vou'll find all right," said Charles. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 19 " No doubt," replied the other, carelessly; " but I'd rather you should have won, by Saint Louis!" He then thought within himself " I've heard much of English riches and prodigality, but this surpasses all I could have imagined:" and he applied the -nostrum to his nose. What do I see?" cried Charles, feeling that his own lay- safely at the bottom of his pocket. " Where did you get that bottle?" " It was given to me bv a a friend. I'll bet you double that sum upon the* table, that there is not it's fellow in France." " Done," and " Done," said each; and Charles produced his black bottle. They were examined, compared, and smelt to. " I have lost," said Louis; " it's very odd ;" and went again to the inexhaustible escretoire for payment. Charles rolled the mass of papers together, and squeezed them into the black morocco pocket-book aforesaid, which caught the eye of Louis, and caused him, in his turn, to exclaim, " Where did you get that black morocco book?" " Where I got this black elastic silk purse," replied Charles; beginning to haul out his riches, as sailors do a cable. The secret was out. The two unfortunate young men snuffed up the contents of their two black cut-glass bottles, in two black ebony cases, till their heads were cleared from the effects of the wine, and then sat themselves down to compare notes, and swear an everlasting friendship. " Do you know what to do with that money on the table?" asked Louis, as they were going out; " you know that was no part of your compact, and, consequently, will not vanish at night, as that which is left out of what we demand during the day always does. That sum you won from me; and, when it changes hands, you know" " A good idea!" exclaimed Charles; " it's the only money I ever won at play, and I didn't consider the difference. I see no reason why we should spare our dark acquaintance. Let me see! Oh! I have it. Excuse me, I'll only write a few lines, and send off the packet directly.'' Accordingly, he indicted the first letter of business with which he had ever troubled Mr. Ledger, and enclosed therein nearly rive hundred thousand pounds sterling. 20 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. CHAPTER II. AT the moment when Charles had folded up the Icttor to Mr. Ledger, a servant in livery opened the door, and stood respectfully bowing:, as though waiting his master's commands. " What the devil brings you here?" asked Louis. " I beg your pardon,' sir," said the man, bending almost to the ground, " I thought you rang." " Not I," replied Louis, " so take yourself off." " Perhaps," observed the party-coloured gentleman, as he sidled obsequiously towards Charles, " Monsieur might have" " Oh, ah! very true," Charles observed, carelessly; "with your leave, my dear sir, I'll get your man to take this letter to the post." The footman bowed, and was in the act of receiving the letter from Charles, when Louis suddenly started up, and knocked it out of his hand, exclaiming, " You abominable old rascal! Take up the letter, Maxwell, and put it into your pocket. And now, look at this long-tailed, peri- wigged, powdered fellow, and say if you have ever seen him before." Charles instantly recognized his friend, autrefois in black, and joined Louis in violent invectives against such sneaking, unhandsome, ungentlpman-like conduct; whereat the afore- said gentleman declared that he considered himself extremely ill-used by the appropriation of such a sum to the service of Mr. Ledger, a person with whom he had no sort of acquaint- ance or concern. The young friends were, however, too much elated at the idea of having outwitted the old fellow, to give way an inch; and he, unwilling to quarrel with two such promising youths, forbore to press the matter. They, therefore, sat down together in friendly chat; and he ex- pressed a hope that their wishes had been complied with, and that all had gone on pleasantly, and according to the strict letter of the compact. " If not," he continued, " let me know, now I am here, and I will see to it as my servants do not always act precisely as 1 could wish, during my absence." " Then they are somewhat like ours," said Louis; "there's always something left undone about my place, though I keep so many that I don't know the faces of half of them. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 21 It's the greatest wonder in the world that I looked at yours." " You cannot keep too many," replied the middle-aged gentleman; " I like people to keep plenty of livery servants; let them live well, have high wages, and but little to do. That's the proper style, sir, for me; I" " By the way," said Louis, " talking of livery servants let me tell you, that 1 do not think it is altogether decorous for you to be sitting here, talking to two gentlemen, in such a dress as you now wear." " Precisely so," replied the old gentleman; " as you justly observe, it is hardly correct, and so" and, rising up, he stood awhile upon one leg, and began to move round thereon, in a sort of pirouette, first slowly, and then gradually increasing in velocity, until no part of the man was com- pletely visible: then, the spinning as gradually subsided, till, by degrees, there appeared, to the wondering friends, the identical black Geneva cloak, black bag, coat, waistcoat, &c., &c., which had formerly rivetted their attention: and, forth- with, their sable friend sprang over the back of a chair, and seated himself therein, with the most perfect and gentlemanly nonchalance. " Bravo! bravo! well done, old boy!" exclaimed Louis. " I wish you'd give some of our opera dancers a lesson." " I have," replied the gentleman in black. " Good," said Charles; " 1 believe you. But you must oe fatigued after your exertion; won't you take some refresh- ment?" " With much pleasure," answered he of the sables. " Come," and he helped himself to a half-pint bumper of champagne, " let us take a friendly glass together. This buries all animosities. I couldn't help feeling a little sore at the idea of a man of business a plodding, humdrum sort of fellow, having that mone\ ; I like your idle, careless, negligent, or dashing sort of fellows best. But never mind; perhaps it may lead him to speculate. Allow me you don't help yourself there I like your English fashion of drinking best. Come, sir, the bottle stands with you." u What in the world are you thinking about?" said Charles; " it is scarcely one o'clock! Nobody thinks of drinking at such an hour." " What signifies what other people think?" replied the gentleman of the black bottle; " I am particularly partial to 22 THE GENTLEMAN IS BLACK. the custom of drinking early in the day. Nothing can \>e more ridiculous than the present fashion of fasting all day, and then (lining at what used ti> be the cheerful supper hour. Pshaw! You take about half a dozen glasses of wine; and then, just at the instant you begin to enjoy yourself, coffee is announced, and you creep oft to bed. Now, my dear sir but come, till your g!as.-es mv dear fellows! Just, for once, oblige me. 1 am really excessively thirsty; and, on honour, M. Le Baron, considering that 1 am now your guest, and that your country fashions are not decidedly against the custom; and, moreover, as French fjolitesse is proverbial among all the nations of the earth, 1 trust you will not object." " Excellent! v urged," observed Charles Maxwell, who began somewhat to enjoy the whim of the thing; " allons, my dear friend, allow the old fellow to indulge his odd humours for once. It can't be of much consequence. What need we to care for appearances, and what other people think'"" " Truly," replied Louis, " I know not why, indeed." " Then, sir," said the gentleman in black, who now assumed a generalship over a range of black bottles which he had summoned into the room, " we will begin our sitting. In the first place, 1 beg to observe that, as wine makes a man happy, the earlier he begins to drink after he rises, the more happiness falls to his lot, as he has then all the day before him, to be enjoyed in high spirits, and an utter eman- cipation from care, and that abominable nuisance, called thought. So here goes! my dear boys. Excuse me empty your glass I'm a great stickler for forms iu drinking. No day-light in the first instance, and no heel-taps in the second. That's my way. Hem ! Perhaps I may have seemed some- what prolix on this occasion; but, the fact is, I cannot endure to see a man pass the bottle. It is, in my opinion, the acme, or rather, perhaps, the bathos of low and ill breeding. If there be anything more ungentlemanlike, it is the conduct of a president who suffers anything of the sort, without indicting bumper fines." " Upon my word, sir," said Charles, " you are become very arbitrary." " Perhaps it may appear so," replied the gentleman in clack; ' at all events, 1 have talked more than is my wont. But I hope never to see the day when it shall be considered THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 23 rude to press a gentleman to take his wine. Monsieur De- songes, the bottle stands with you, and you are wanted. What in the world are you thinking about?" " I beg your pardon, gentlemen!" exclaimed Louis, " I was up late last night, and really" " Pshaw!" said the gentleman in black, "you are half asleep here take a pinch of my genuine it will rouse you;" then, handing his blackguard to the Frenchman, he whispered in Charles's ear, " These Monsieurs are poor creatures, when compared with you English. And then their wines what are they? The flavour is very well, to be sure: but, by all that's dusky! one might drink a hogs- head, for any effect it would have on such heads as your's and mine. No, iny dear sir,* there's nothing like your English port, black and strong eh?" " I don't like that snuff," said Louis, returning the box; " blackguard does not exactly suit me." " Then try this," quoth he of the black Geneva cloak, taking from his pocket a curiously carved " sneezer," made from Vesuvian lava. " It is a mixture which I have lately introduced, and which appears likely to become a favourite among your rising men, though the old courtiers think it somewhat too strong." Louis, after a violent fit of sneezing, exclaimed, " Strong indeed!" " It seems well calculated," observed Charles, " to prevent a man from going to sleep." " Precisely so," replied the gentleman in black; " it is a mixture of Paris black rappee and hellebore, and just now in great request among the deputies here." The trio now " set in" for a regular drinking-bout, in which it is almost unnecessary to say, the gentleman in black was too much for the two young men. As usual on such occasions, they came to high words, and Charles flatly accused *.he president of a breach of promise. " It is of no use to contradict me," said he; " I remember your words as plainly as possible as though it were but yesterday. We were taking our wine after dinner, when you dined with me in the City, and you appeared highly pleased with the flavour of a bin which I called my supernaculum; and you promised, I'll take my oath of it!" " I bog you will do nothing of the sort," ejaculated the gentleman in black; " I particularly object to such customs besides, among gentlemen, they cannot be necessary And, 24 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. now I think of it, I seem to have some faint recollection but, you know, we took a great deal of wine that day, and, perhaps but, I beg your pardon, the bottle stands with you." " I see your drift,'' said Charles, filling his glass boldly, " but allow me to tell you, old boy, that, if we were to sit here from this time till to-morrow, I'll not be driven from the point. You did, then and there, faithfully promise me, that one bin in my cellar should always be filled with that iden- tical sort of wine." " Sir," replied the gentleman in black, " 1 now perfectly recollect the circumstance, and feel perfectly astonished at your having any cause of complaint, as I gave the necessary orders to a London wine-merchant, with whom I have long been on terms of intimacy. Our transactions together have been numerous, and generally conducted in a manner perfectly satisfactory to both parties." " My dear sir," said Charles, " the wine was no more like my old supernaculum, than you are like my grand- mother." " Bah!" replied the gentleman in black, " was vour wine old?" " Certainly it was," Charles ans\vered, "very old; I know not how old; and, yet, full of body and flavour; you must remember it." " Then, sir," calmly observed the gentleman in black, " the case is completely altered, and you have no right to com- plain. The bin, it seems, has been filled according to agree- ment. But you, rny dear sir, as an Englishman and a wine- drinker the bottle stands with you you must be perfectly aware that it is utterly out of even my power, to make new wine taste like old." Somewhat of the same sort was urigallantly said by the gentleman in black, respecting the knowledge of ladies' minds and tastes, when defending himself against a charge made by Louis, concerning the non-fulfilment of some pro- mises, made to him, of success in certain adventures of the heart. Our two heroes, indeed, could not fail to observe, that there was a peculiar acerbity and testiness about their elderly friend, whenever ladies were the topic of conver- sation. They, therefore, purposely introduced the subject of matrimony; whereupon his saturnine complexion assumed a hue many degrees dingier than usual. He uttered a violent philippic against the married life in general, and then went TH GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 25 into a lamentation concerning the extreme folly of certain of his own friends in particular, who, instead of enjoying themselves and the various pleasures which had previously been at their disposal, had foolishly become heads of families; " and now," he continued, " they live in the most miserable hum-drum way you can conceive, canting about virtue, and domestic duties, and such nonsense. I assure you the circumstance gives me an infinite deal of uneasiness. I have represented the thing to your Chambers here, and have some hopes but, I beg your pardon, the bottle stands with you I have some hopes that the detestable rite will be abolished in this country. Nothing can be more ridiculous and tyran- nical than that, because two people happen to like each other at any particular period, they should, therefore, be compelled to spend all their lives together. It is really the height of absurdity." " Let us talk of something else," said Charles, whose thoughts were wandering into Leicestershire. " Pray, old Monsieur Vaubrien," hiccuped Louis, " were you ever in love?" " Bah!" exclaimed the gentleman in black, " what does that signify? I was never married, I can tell you that. Hem ! The bottle stands with you." " And the question stands with yon," observed Charles; " what objection can you possibly have to answering it ? Do you think it probable that either my friend or I should attempt to rival you, or fall in love with any chere amie ot yours?" " Nothing more likely," replied the dark gentleman; and, withal, a sardonic grin, and a certain twinkling about the eyes, gave a peculiar expression of vivacity to the speaker's countenance, as he continued, ever and anon, helping himself to a pinch of blackguard; " nothing is more probable. But, my dear fellows, don't imagine that I can possibly be jealous. I have not the smallest objection, I assure you nay, on the contrary, it would afford me the greatest imaginable delight, if it were only to see what sort of figure you would make. I jealous, indeed! Ha! ha! ha! I like the idea exceedingly! I jealous! Ha! ha! ha!" and the dingy old beau looked round him with a most superb expres- sion of self-conceit. " Why, you abominable old hoary compound of vanity!" ou'latmed Louis, " you don't mean to insinuate that any D 26 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. lady, to whom it is likely that either of us should pay our devoirs, can possibly have admitted you as a suitor!" " But indeed, I do," replied the gentleman in black, firmly; " ay, and in this ' our good city of Paris,' too: and, let me tell you, that at this very moment there are more than one or two to whom my society and conversation are more than commonly agreeable." " Name them!" cried Charles; " Ay, name, name! Let us come to the point!" ejaculated Louis. " With all my heart," replied the black boaster, rapping his black rappee and hellebore, " I have no nonsensical squeamish objections on that head. I hate a fellow that hesitates about introducing a lady's name over a glass of wine, among friends. Come! Fill your glasses! Here's a bumper to the lovely, accomplished, and adorable * * * *" " You infernal old coxcomb!" exclaimed Louis. " Precisely so," replied the gentleman in black. " A lady of her rank and beauty!" cried Charles. " Precisely so," vas again the reply. " And now," con- tinued the dark old reprobate, " as my presence is particu- larly necessary just now in the Palais Royal, and we have takc-n precisely wine enough, it may be as well to save time; and so" Here he stooped down, and fumbled awhile in his black bag, which stood, as usual, between his knees. " Ah hem yes there they are," and he threw a score cards upon the table, which were immediately seized by the two young men, who forthwith became excessively indignant at the appearance of certain names thereon. But all the reply they could obtain from the gentleman in black was, " Precisely so;" after repeating which, some half dozen times, he politely took leave, kicked his black bag through the window, and jumped after it into the garden. Now, as to the names of the ladies in question, we can scarcely venture to give an opinion, because the transaction occurred about the time of the Revolution, when divers, even of the fair sex, did enact certain parts which might lead one to suspect that they really had permitted the occasional visits of the gentleman in black. Otherwise we should say that the whole were grossly slandered; inasmuch as it hath come to our knowledge, that the aforesaid personage and his friends THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 2< do not scruple to traduce and speak familiarly of ladies, of whom they know little or nothing. Our own rule, and that which we should recommend to all our readers, is never to give the smallest degree of credit to the inuendoes of such fellows. We utterly disbelieve and despise all their assertions, in consequence of our conviction that the degraded being, who could be guilty of the meanness of boasting of a lady's favour, would not hesitate at inventing lies. Assuredly, such men have been too much in company with the gentleman in black; and we would rather believe them capable of the most abominable falsehoods, than be induced, by their asseverations, to doubt, even for a moment, the propriety of any lady's conduct. We are sorry to say that our two heroes had not yet attained the same way of thinking. They read and re-read the cards which the dark old rake had left upon the table; and the consequence was, that, for some months, they remained in Paris, and sought for, and found but too easily, introductions to his particular friends, then residing in that city. Their first exploits, on the day in question, were performed, under the influence of wine, at the Palais Royal, where they, apparently by accident, again encountered the gentleman in black, who politely invited them to attend the meeting of a political club, at which he was to preside that evening: but he did not press them, being well aware how extremely improbable it was that men, who were in pursuit of pleasure, and who had unbounded wealth at their command, would be induced to enter into any engagements likely to expose them to imprisonment and more fatal consequences. He left them, therefore, to their own desires, and was, by no means, displeased with the result. But it is no part of our intended plan to enter into a minute detail of scenes particularly agreeable to him: and, indeed, if we were disposed so to employ our pen, it would be a work of supererogation, seeing that they are already much too well known. When our heroes left Louis's hotel in the Rue de 1'Universite, the room in which -they had held their sym- posium with their sable acquaintance, was immediately filled by divers well-dressed lackeys, who expressed no small surprise at the number of empty bottles which were scattered, in all directions,, about the floor. They had not seen the third, and probably the greatest drinker of the party; arid Louis's personal valet declared that his master could not 28 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. possibly take more than one bottle. They, of course, came lo a conclusion that the remaining three dozen and upward must have been consumed by the Englishman. All were struck with astonislynent, except an old gascon, who coolly took up a snuff-box, (left, as if by accident, by the gentleman in black,) and remarked, as he gave it the preparatory tap, " Oh! three dozen is nothing for an Englishman! He will take about the same quantity again after dinner, and then begin drinking brandy and water." He might have said more, but was interrupted by a violent fit of sneezing, at the end of which he felt an irresistible propensity to see if there was any wine left upon the table. The Vesnvian snnff-box was handed round, and produced precisely the same effects on all the party; and, in less time than the circumstance takes in relating, they were seated round the table, with a determi- nation of not being outdone by an Englishman. The result was precisely as the gentleman in black intended, when he thought proper to leave his black Paris rappee and hellebore. They settled the affairs of the nation most luxuriously among themselves that evening, and were all turned adrift next morning by their master, in a very fit state to form members of the political club before mentioned, at which the gentle- man of the black-edged papers frequently presided. We have related this trivial occurrence, because it may, probably, in some degree, account for the general mistake into which the French formerly fell, relative to the immense capacity of our wine-bibbing countrymen. We have little doubt that, in most cases, wherein enormous quantities appeared to have been consumed by one or two individuals, the gentleman in black was at their elbow, with his black rappee and hellebore, and probably some of his long tales, and abominable misrepresentations of the fair sex. CHAPTER III. HAD it been our lot to have related the adventures of our ^leroes about the time of their occurrence, we should willingly have traced their progress, step by step, among the lions of Paris, and throughout their subsequent continental tour: but nete, the Louvre, the Jura, the Alps, Venice, the Vatican, THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 29 and all the long list of et ceteras, are " familiar in our ears as household words;" and the reader would "skip" through the pages containing descriptions thereof, as rapidly as the modern traveller whirls past, in, or over the realities. It was with some difficulty that Charles succeeded in persuading Louis to accompany him: for the Frenchman is not, like the Englishman, naturally, a travelling animal. Though he has too much politeness to make the affirmation, he is, generally, much of the same way of thinking as the old Greeks and Romans, who considered all nations but their own to be barbarians. Louis's consent was faintly given to the plan of migration; and some weeks had been spent in delay, after their route was arranged, when the two friends were sitting together one morning at Charley's Hotel, and a servant entered to announce a Mons. Bourreau, who immediately, and without ceremony, entered the room. 'here was a coarseness and abrupt familiarity about this person, which, added to his vulgar appearance, excessively annoyed the two young men of pleasure. Charles politely inquired to what cause he might attribute the honour o:' such a visit. " It is no honour," replied Bourreau; and Charles bowed in acquiescence. " My visit," continued the other, " is, perhaps, correctly speaking, to Mons. Desonges." " To me!" exclaimed Louis; " what the devil can you want with me? some unpaid bill, I suppose; you should have applied to my cook, or butler, or coachman, or whoever ordered the things of you. I always give them money- for such purposes, at discretion." " Sir," replied the advocate of liberty and equality for such he was notwithstanding his indignant feeling at being mistaken for a tradesman, " 1 beg you to understand, sir, that I did not come here to be insulted." " Pshaw!" said Louis, testily, " your business?'' The advocate of liberty and equality hereupon began a speech, which had evidently been composed for the occasion, and was much too prolix for repetition here. He spoke of the heavy burdens borne by the people, the luxury and dissipation of the court and the aristocracy; of the unjust abuse of the rights of man, which were natural, physical, and unalienable; " the law's delay, the insolence of office," and all the various ills that flesh is heir to;" the whole oi which he attributed to improper measures of government; n 2 30 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. and at length concluded with a piece of information, which effectually roused Louis from the ennui into which he was, in spite of his natural politesse, gradually sinking. " Your very extraordinary expenditure, Monsieur," said Bourreau, " has attracted notice. This, sir, is the age of reason the people see with the eyes of reason; we judge and pronounce sentence on rational principles. Your foot- steps have been traced latterly. You invariably lose at the gambling-houses; you are extravagant everywhere, and in debt nowhere; you have no landed estates, nor can we learn that you have any monies at interest. What remains, then, but to come to the conclusion that you are one of the pen- sioners, which, like locusts, are feeding upon the vitals of the public?" " Capital!" exclaimed Charles Maxwe'l; " certainly! he is a sinecurist. Excellent! and me, Monsieur? what do you think of me? I conclude that, having been so much with my friend, I must likewise have subjected myself to your surveillance?" " Excuse me, Monsieur Anglais," replied Bourreau, " we see only with the eye of reason; and your conduct, as well as that of many of your countrymen, cannot be accounted for upon any rational principles whatever." During the last two minutes Louis had thought more, than at any one period since we had the pleasure of introducing him to the reader, when he was sitting, in his solitary, ill-furnished room, in bodily fear of a tailor. He now reflected on the immense sums which he had expended, anil in how unworthy a manner; and something like repentance crossed his mind at the miserable and contemptible result. He had attracted the notice of such wretches as Bourreau and his associates! With such resources, what might he not have achieved? His country, the royal family, the govern- ment, all all were in difficulties, perhaps in a perilous situation! Thus thought Louis: and immediately there opened to his mind a brilliant glimpse* of what he might yet perform; and good resolutions for the future poured in upon him, in a manner which must have been exceedingly unplea- sant to the gentleman in black; for, on the instant, he opened the door and made his appearance, with black cloak, coat, waistcoat, bag, &c., &c., as heretofore. After bowing politely to our heroes, he addressed himself to the advocate of liberty and equality. " Ah! mon cher Bourreau! this is an agreeable stir- THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 31 prise! By all that is fuliginous, I am delighted to meet you this morning! Always upon the alert in the good cause! eh? Stirring betimes, notwithstanding the fatigues of last night! eh? An exquisitely flaming speech that of yours! a most glorious mystification! ' Thoughts that breathe and words that burn!' I could not have done the thing better myself. But, entre nous, it was excessively hot so many people crowded together in that small room; absolutely sulphureous it was really almost too much for me. But, ca ira! we shall have little occasion to hide our heads much longer." " Mais doucement! Monsieur Le President!" exclaimed Bourreau; and he whispered, that our heroes were not among the initialed. " Excuse me," replied the gentleman in black, speaking out, " these two gentlemen are my particular friends." " Diable!" exclaimed Bourreau. " Precisely so," said his associate, tapping his snuff-box, and regaling himself from its blackguard contents, with peculiar zest. " Est il possible!" continued Bourreau, with unfeigned astonishment; " and yet you were one of the first to recom- mend" " That Monsieur's hotel should be ransacked," said the gentleman in black. " Precisely so; what have we to do with private friendships? You know we have solemnly sworn that they shall not interfere with the public good; and I, as president, am willing to convince you that I'll not stick at trifles for the furtherance of our great cause. Mon- sieur Desonges," he continued, addressing himself to Louis, " I have the pleasure to inform you that a few of my particular friends are now at your hotel." " I am concerned to think that I was not at home to receive them," replied Louis. " It is impossible that they can be there yet," said Bourreau, looking at his watch; " it wants a full hour to the preparatory meeting." " Excuse me, my dear friend," observed the black president, " for differing from you in opinion; but, the fact is, that I accompanied them myself as far as the door. I seldom go farther on such occasions. When they have once crossed the threshold, I can trust them to act for themselves." Monsieur Bourreau instantly seized his hat, pleaded a most important engagement, which he had almost forgotten, 32 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. and took leave, with the same abruptness with which he had made his entre. Immediately his back was turned, the gentleman in black coolly observed, " That fellow came with the intention of frightening you out of some money. However, he'll be in time tor the scramble." " What scramble?" inquired Louis. " At your hotel," was the reply. " Those fellows, of whom I was speaking, are now hard at work, drinking, and breaking up your furniture most charmingly, and ransacking every corner, in hopes to find the proofs of your connexion with the court. Bah! what makes you seem so much alarmed? The loss of a house can be of no consequence to you." " The devil take the house," exclaimed Louis. " Precisely so," observed the gentleman in black; " that would be quite correct." " 1 must go there instantly," said the young Frenchman, " or those friends of yours will get possession of some some documents, which I would not, for the world Maxwell, my dear fellow! order out one of your carriages directly!" " As you please," quoth the dark elderly gentleman; " however, if you have not an absolute desire to figure away a Id lanterne, 1 should recommend you to drive in a. contrary direction." " Your advice may be very prudent," replied Louis, " but, as a man of honour, I cannot suffer those certain letters, from individuals of the highest respectability, to fall into the hands of the canaille" " Pshaw!" observed the gentleman with the black basr, where- in he immediately began rummaging; " pshaw! phoo! baga- telles! billet-doux! mere circulars! I know what you mean. Hem! ha" and he untied the black tape which bound a pretty considerable number of notes and letters together; " ah there just like these." He then opened about half a score, and threw them across the table. " I mean to give them all to a bookseller, whom I have in my eye, and have them published; I'm sure they'll sell." " Why, this," cried Louis, " is one of the notes which I locked up this morning in my escretoire, from the Com- tesse !" " And you must have stolen this from my desk! exclaimed Charles; " it is impossible that I should be mistaken in tnat beautiful handwriting. I'll tak my oath" THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK.^ 33 " Don't do that," said the dark antique lover; " look at the directions." " What is this?" asked Charles, reading, ' M. Ic Due de ! M. le Comte!' M. le Marquis!' read Louis; * M. le Baron, Son Altesse!' what does all this mean? Have you b#en housebreakirig round Paris, to collect all these, or are you really capable of personating so many different cha"acters, and making women believe?" " Precisely so," replied the gentleman in black; " I hold that stratagems are fair, both in iove arid war. Indeed, with me, the two sciences are the same, since I always consider women, on whom I cannot make an impression, as the wor^t and most powerful of my enemies." " And those with whom you do succeed, seem, methinks, to be treated in a strange manner," said Charles, indignantly. " I really know not in what terms to express my opinion of your conduct, it is so mean, paltry, cowardly, ungentlemanly, unfeeling, dishonourable, cruel"- " Precisely so," replied the gentleman in black, with per- fect sangfroid; " I do not deny it. But, after all, I believe that, in similar cases, my plan is followed by the generality .,f mankind. As I said before, love is like war. Does a general, merely because he has taken a town, sit himself down and reside there? Bah! but you've already had my opinion of matrimony; and, as for any other ties bah! they are preciously ridiculous! Love, you know, ' At sight of human ties, Flutters his wings, and, in a moment, flies.' it is a fact, upon my honour!" and here, as though well pleased with the manner in which he had acquitted himself, he had recourse to his Vesuvian repository of black Paris rappee and hellebore. He was not, hrwever, even by his favourite topic of speaking against the fair sex, to be diverted from the main purport of his visit, which was to drive the two young men from Paris. He was determined on this point, because he perceived, in Louis, a lurking disposition to apply the means, placed at his disposal, in a way which would be excessively unpleasant to his feelings. He, therefore, recited a few- anecdotes and resolutions of the then embryo revolutionists, deputies, triumviri, directeurs, republicans, friends of liberty, &c., &c., which were well calculated to shake stronger nerves than were possessed by either of his hearers. The estima- 34 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK, tion in which Louis had held his billet-doux was much diminished, by the discovery that they were not so unique as he had imagined; and he, as usual in such cases, began to conceive himself excessively ill-used by the inditers. There was, however, a lingering inclination within him, a something which whispered him, not to leave Paris. He could not jxactly account for it; for he had not seen the fair Emilie, nor her most perpendicular father, the Comte de Tien a la Cour, for some months. But the gentleman in black had a certain misgiving, relative to the exact state of his mind; and, therefore, left him not until he had completely bewildered his brain in the mazes and mysteries of politics, and opened to his view a state of things amply sufficient to make any man, of a quiet and pleasure-loving disposition, desire to be " upon the move" from the scene of action. We have been told that this was the only instance in which the trentleman in black was ever known to take an active part in persuading a young man of fashion and fortune to quit Paris. To men provided with such black morocco pocket-books, such long black elastic silk purses, such black snuff-boxes, and such black cut glass bottles in such black ebony cases, little preparation was necessary for a journey; therefore, our heroes made up their minds to dine quietly at home, at Charley's Hotel; then to take a farewell lounge round the Palais Royal, and to depart on the following morning. In the meanwhile, the gentleman in black, ever upon the alert to carry his schemes into effect, had propagated a report among the aristocracy, that Monsieur Desonges, whose house had been attacked by the mob that morning, had previously been handsomely remunerated. That, he was, in fact, one of the secret abettors of the disaffected; that his house was purposely furnished in a most extravagant manner; that his cellars were stocked with an immense quantity of the most expensive wines; and, in short, that the whole affair was " got up" for the purpose of inflaming the minds of the canaille by a taste of plunder, and leading them to imagine that the whole of the aristocracy were living in a state 01 similar luxury and extravagance, while they themselves were suffering under the pressure of poverty and want. Some, indeed, have avowed that this report was not merely a feint, to answer the purposes of the hour; but that .he president in black did really excite the populace to THE GEM'LEMAN IN BLACK. 3i> attack Louis's hotel, with the intention of producing such an impression on their minds. Be that as it may, Louis had scarcely entered the cafe which he was wont to patronize, than lie was immediately the object of general attention. Expressions of condolence, upon the horrible transaction of the morning, poured in, from various quarters; and, it must be confessed, that the light manner in which the owner of so splendid an hotel treated his loss, tended, not a little, to confirm the suspicion that he had been indemnified. Little knots of politicians were, consequently, gathered together at all the tables: there was much whispering and shrugging of shoulders; and the subject was discussed with occasional solemnity, and a vehemence certainly quite ade- quate to its importance. In the -meanwhile, the two friends moved on, nothing doubting looked in at the theatres nodded to some half dozen friends, and displayed a perfect ease in their manners, which, under existing circumstances, appeared quite mar- vellous. It was noticed, however, that they did not enter certain privileged boxes, occupied by well known leaders of fashion and rank, with whom, particularly some of the ladies therein, they were understood to be on good terms. This circumstance was afterwards spoken of as a proof of Louis's defection from the aristocratics, by one party; and, by those on the other side of the question, it was cited as a flagrant instance of aristocratic pride and ingratitude, that, on the very day that a young man was deprived of the means of continuing a monstrous expenditure for their gratification, he was " cut" by the people about the court. The Englishman was, of course, looked upon with an eye of jealousy by poli- ticians of all descriptions. Though perfectly unconscious of the great sensation which they created, the two friends could not but perceive that, occasionally, an evil eye was upon them; and they were about to go home, to prepare, by rest, for the fatierues of the morrow, when Louis was accosted by a friend of his former humble fortunes, whom he had not seen for many months. On his lips was condolence for the morning's disaster; and there seemed, to Louis, a much deeper feeling in his tone than in any other of the numerous regrets which had met his ear. " Poor fellow!" said he, whispering to Charles. " It is impossible to tell when we may meet again. I know he is badly off; but I cannot offend him by offering him money 36 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. so, I'lljust go and lose a few louis with him." When a man has a desire to throw away a little money, he can generally effect the purpose without much difficulty; and therefore the business was soon settled: but, unfortunately, the transaction took place in the Palais Royal, and was witnessed by divers persons, whose business it was, or who had made it their business, to watch Louis's conduct: and the style in which he played, and the glee with which he lost, were conclusive evidences of the report in circulation against him. The room in which they sat was, by tins time, much thinned of company there were but one or two stragglers, at odd corners. Charles threw a louis to the ancient garfon, and the friends were about to depart, when an herculean member of the gen-cTarmerie entered the room and formally arrested Louis Desonges in the name of the king. " On what charge?" exclaimed the prisoner. " That is no affair of mine," said the soldier; " I am only performing my duty." " I'll be his bail," said the gentleman in black, whom nobody had seen before, but who now stepped forward as to the rescue. " Monsieur is a state prisoner," observed the gen-cTarme, with a supercilious air. " Never mind him," said the gentleman in black, to Louis: and he forthwith threw off his black Geneva cloak and black coat, and displayed, to the wondering optics of the party, a curiously worked black cambric shirt, which he wore beneath. Then, placing himself in an attitude, which would have done honour to a first-rate English bruiser, he calmly told the soldier to " come on." " Who the devil are you, old boy?" asked the gen-cTarme, somewhat diverted at the drollery of his antagonist's appear- ance, and mistaking him for a drunken bourgeois. " Precisely so," replied the gentleman in cambric. " You had better go home and look after your family," added the soldier. " Precisely so," was the answer; "that is precisely what I mean to do." " Guillaume!" said the man in office to one of his comrades who stood at the door, " turn out this old drunkard." " Oui, mon corporal" replied Guillaume, advancing solemnly, and lowering his musket, as if to sweep away tnp aforesaid black-shirted gentleman, as a fly may he brushed THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 37 from the table: but, to Guillaume's utter dismay, the said dark gentleman gave the said musket a kick, which sent it up to the ceiling, where it hung suspended by the bayonet. " Diable!" exclaimed poor Guillaume. " Precisely so," repeated the gentleman of the black cambric, rubbing his hands, and then resuming his attitude of defence; " why don't you come on, you cowards?" " Cowards!" exclaimed the corporal; " I'll soon teach you, you old coquinF and he rushed forward to the attack. " One, two," said the gentleman in black, as he planted two blows, well known among men of " science" by those names, and down fell the corporal. " One, two, again." added the black bruiser, and poor Guillaume measured his length upon the floor. " I'm the boy for darkening their daylights," cried the dingy elderly gentleman, in high glee. " Au secours!" roared the two prostrate men of war; and instantly a great noise of trampling was heard upon the staircase, immediately after which a dozen of gen-cTarmeris made their appearance. The sight of " a mill," and the admirable science displayed by his dinery friend, recalled old times to Charles's remembrance, and he had, as if by instinct, thrown off his coat. Louis followed his example, though he knew not exactly for what purpose: but he was one of the million who think it right to imitate those around them. The soldiers drew up like brave men prepared to encounter an enemy; but there was no enemy to fight. It was, to them, a scene most strange and unaccountable, for they could perceive nothing formidable in the appearance of two young men unarmed and without coats, and a short elderly gentleman, in a black shirt, whom they for soldiers are wofully ignorant in such matters mistook for a clergyman. Their comrades had by this time got up, and were rubbing their eyes, which were, however, very effectually obscured. More soldiers were now heard on the ascent, for the alarm had gone round with true military rapidity. " Milling won't do now," whispered the gentleman in blacK to Charles, " there are too many of them; leave all to me, and tell Desonges to hold his tongue." An officer now stepped forward, and asked the two eye- rubbers what was the meaning of the uproar. ' It is that infernal old rascal in black," replied the corporal. 38 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " Precisely so," said the gentleman of the cambric. " That's him," cried Guillaume; " that's him that kicked my musket up into the ceiling. And immediately he recom- menced rubbing, and exclaiming " Oh! my eyes!" The officer looked up, and, seeing the musket suspended by the bayonet from the roof, into which it seemed to have penetrated to some depth, turned to the gentleman in black {'or an explanation. " Precisely so," was the reply; " I confess it. I was wrong: but I deliver myself up to answer for my improper conduct." " That's not him!" roared the blind corporal. " What do you mean?" asked the officer; " you said this moment it was him." " No, no, not the prisoner! the prisoner is him in the pompadour coat." cried the corporal. " They have none of them any coats," said the officer. " Sir," resumed the gentleman in black muslin, with an ease and elegance of manner, which failed not in its effect upon the young military Parisian, and, at the same time, imitating so closely the tone of Louis, as to startle the real owner of the voice, " sir, the poor corporal seems to have been labouring for some time under a defect of vision, and the crisis has come suddenly upon him. In the matter of the coat, however, I must say" " That's him!" shouteM the corporal; " I'll swear to him." " Let me beg, Mons. le capitaine? continued the gentle- man in the black sleeves, " that you will not suffer any swearing in my presence! but, as I was observing, here is my coat," and he took it from a chair, and held it up toward the chandelier; " you may perceive it is a sort of a pompadour or a what d'ye call it de la reint or a some- thing else from the Dauphin. Bah! I am no tailor; I don't understand such matters." " By all that's courtly," said the officer, " it is a most exquisite cloth, and made in a style of infinite and inimitable workmanship. Will you favour me with your artist's address? Really, upon my honour! I never! but, as to the colour I really cannot say exactly that I know what term to give it; it is a kind of a sort of a no not exactly that but, apropos, I believe you are my prisoner, now I think ot it r" " Precisely so," replied the gentleman usually in black ; " it is not worth while to keep these men waiting. As for the charge against me let it come but gentlemen of ycur THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 39 honourable profession must, I know, do their duty. We may as well, therefore, adjourn." " Apropos, corporal you have the letter about you ?" asked the officer. The poor fellow fumbled and found it, and respectfully presented it to his superior, who glanced over it, and then continued speaking. " Your name is" " Louis Desonges," said the gentleman of the curiously cut coat. " Let me see," resum -d the officer; and then he read to himself a description ' / Louis's person and stature, which, although they accor< d as little as might be, appeared perfectly correct in ' i eye, as indicating the very gentle- manly, though some' at dark, personage before him. When the scrutiny was over, the gentleman in the ques- tionable pompadour coat took the officer's arm with the most perfect coolness, and remarked, " You'll find my tailor a devilish good fellow never in a hurry for his money." " Capital!" exclaimed the young officer; " my dear sir, I'm greatly obliged but just turn round, now it's on by St. Louis! it fits like a glove! What do you call long credit? But, I beg your pardon, I keep you waiting it is my duty now to wait upon you." " Pardon me, my dear sir," said the gentleman of the black cambric and pompadour, " it is my duty to wait upon you I entreat you indeed you give me pain consider, I am your prisoner." " Well, then, I am your guardian," was the reply; "ha! ha! well, and so he Serjeant! set us a going, will you! so he gives devilish long credit, does he?" " You may say that!" answered the gentleman of the black bag: and, with such sort of conversation, the military and the prisoner left our heroes, as though they were persons utterly beneath their attention. " It is, by no means, an unpleasant thing to be taken to the Bastile by proxy," observed Louis. " He's a capital old fellow!" said Charles, " with his ' one, two' did you observe his guard?" " It was a b.ackguard style of doing the thing, after all," added Louis; ' I prefer the rapier:" and then they, in their way home, entered upon a discussion relative to national habits and prejudices, respecting which they argued long, and with the usual result, namely, that each became more firmly established in his own opinion. In the morning an officer of the Bastile, who knew Louis's 40 THE GENTLEMAN IN Bi ACK. person well, and whose duty it was to wait upon him in hi? confinement, was much astonished to find his place occupied by the gentleman in black, who seemed in high glee, ami gaily addressed his visitor, with whom it seemed he had formerly been intimate. The jailor, however, did not now feel at all disposed to acknowledge the acquaintance; and the dark gentleman was immediately brought forth from his dark cell, and confronted with the corporal and Guillaume, who had, by this time, recovered the :-se of their eyes. An eclaircissement consequently took plac and the young officer made ten thousand apologies for the Ci >r into which he had been led by the folly of his men. The gentleman in black vehemently ntreated him not to give himself a moment's uneasiness; anu Assured him that he could not but deem the occurrence most fortunate, which had introduced him to a young officer of such bravery, such courtly manners, and such exquisite taste. A few compli- ments were then exchanged between the two new acquaint- ances, and (after the gentleman in black had given a handful of Louis ta the corporal and Guillaume, to purchase oint- ment for their black eyes) they drove off together to the tailor's, where the hopeful young military exquisite " opened an account," in a manner extremely gratifying to his com- panion. " The fellow gives long credit, you say?" observed the officer, carelessly, as he buttoned his coat, and they were leaving the artist's magasin. " Devilish long," replied the other. " Capital! I hate to be pestered for payment by these vulgar fellows. It's excessively annoying." " Precisely so," replied his dark acquaintance; " but set your heart at ease. I'll mystify the fellow. I'll tell him that your custom will make his fortune, for that nothing can prevent your rapid rise in the service, and that you must, in a very few years, be a general officer, at least. And, indeed, my dear friend, there is no impropriety in my making such a representation: for, really, with your appearance, your fig">re, manners, taste, and abilities" " Nay, nay, my dear Monsieur!" exclaimed the young Parisian, " you are too partial !" " Not a whit," said the insinuating flatterer. " I could tell you what a certain beautiful young Comtesse but, mum apropos, have you breakfasted?" " Not yet," was the reply. Tilt GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 41 " AHoiiK done," exclaimed the other; ' d la fourchette, tuiijours that's my way;" and they went into a restaurateur together. From thence, after a couple of hours, the gentleman in black came forth alone, muttering to himself, "Hem! at billiards with a chevalier d 'Industrie believes himself the handsomest fellow in Paris fancies all the ladies in love with him long tailors' bill good exquisitely dingy!" and, snuffing up a huge pinch of black Paris rappee and hellebore, he walked away. In the meanwhile our two heroes were en route, and had left Paris many leagues in the rear. CHAPTER IV. WE are now about to ask the reader to repeat an action which, in all probability, he will have committed several times, without any hint from us. We earnestly request him, after reading a few more lines, to throw aside our pages, and to employ himself awhile in fancying himself possessed of such a black morocco pocket-book, long black elastic silk purse, and et ceteras, as appertained to each of our two heroes. Imagination, we opine, if its wings be allowed full play, will lead him a strange dance. Such a dance, indeed, if the truth were to be confessed, as would be scarcely seemly, if taken in reality. Should the eye of beauty be cast on this page, we beg it to be understood that the last sentence is not intended to apply to the lair. We now suppose this task to be executed: and, if it be done fairly, and honestly, and without any mental reservation, the reader will not be surprised to hear that Charles Maxwell and Louis Desonges committed many egregious acts during their ramblings, for three years, on the continent. The gentleman in black appears to have been perfectly satisfied with their proceedings: at all events, he deemed his per- sonal appearance before them unnecessary; and, it is said, that, having much business in hand at that period in Paris, he established his head-quarters at the Palais Royal, and was to oe seen, every hour of the day and night, at some one of the various cafes therein, or in the neighbourhood. His K 2 42 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. society seems likewise to have been much sought after; and the dark old gentleman appeared in high glee, and entered into the spirit of all that was going on around him. The young men had, in the meanwhile, seen all that was worth seeing, and many things which were not worth seeing, and many more which it might have been better if they had not seen. Exhaustless purses bring endless wants; and they became patrons of the arts, and amateurs, cognoscenti, &c., &c., in music, painting, sculpture, engraving, &c., &c.: were, consequently, initiated into, and made fellows and members of various Societies, instituted for various purposes, but, all professing the most disinterested motives, and aiming only at the public good. They sojourned awhile in Switzerland, talking and dreaming of Jean Jaqnes Rousseau. Then they passed into Italy, and saw Rome and the Pope, and talked of antiques and virtu, and picked up divers set terms relative to painting, of the meaning of which they had some indistinct conception. Sicily and Greece were visited, because it was pleasant to be able to say that they had been to those countries and then they bent their way homeward through the Austrian territories, and tarried awhile at the sundry- mighty little courts, which were afterwards conglomerated by Napoleon into " The Confederation of the Rhino." Among these, each of our heroes lived en prince, and, by their profuse expenditure, excited a " great sensation!" At length they parted, in the Netherlands, with mutual profes- sions of interminable friendship, and a fixed resolution of keeping up a regular correspondence. The French Revolution, however, which commenced almost immediately afterwards, revolved the whole machine of European politics with so rapid a whirl, as to throw England and France, like two balls impelled by centrifugal power, at the utmost possible distance from the central point of amity, at which they had lain sometime quietly together; the consequence of this convulsion was, that although Charles and Louis had correspondent and corresponding inclinations, they found it extremely difficult, and at length dangerous, to attempt to correspond, and so gradually lost sight of each other. Charles returned to London, where some tons of statues, coins, vases, paintings, bronzes, and bonzes, bas and haut relievos, mummies and mummeries, had arrived before him. Consequently, he walked amid a crowd of envious or admiring worshippers a complete lion, like Juno amid th? THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 43 'esser goddesses; " incedit leo" as Doctor Panglos would say. The shipment he had made was a most lucky hit, inasmuch as it introduced him to the best society of the day, and obtained for him almost as many letters at the end of his name, as there are papers on the tail of a kite; so away he went shining among the " lesser stars," like a comet, for several years; and then No, fair reader, it was not then but long before, that he had discovered that, with all the excitement of unchecked pleasure, inexhaustible riches, and uninterrupted health, there was still a " something" wanting. And what? It was no less than the society, the friendship, the love of one, (if there be such another on the earth,) as good, as fair, and as virtuous as thou art. He saw the half-forgotten, or if not, only-remembered-in-dreams, form of Clara Haultaught, and he felt that he had done both her and himself an injustice, by supposing that it was the extent of her father's fortune which led him to fancy her so exceed- ingly beautiful, when he (then on the eve of bankruptcy) had danced with her at Leicester. He knew the old ad- miral's failing, (alas! that such an anomaly should exist, as a brave but avaricious man!) and one day, after dinner, told him that whenever he married observing by the way that he had no such intention he was resolved never to accept a penny of his wife's fortune, but to settle the whole upon her and her heirs, arid even to double the amount, if her parents thought fit. " Ah ! my dear sir," said the admiral, " if all young men had your consideration hem let me see, there's poor Board'em of the Scourer; two years ago he got posted, and married Commissioner Green's daughter, who had her poor aunt Bet's savings all in her own hands, twenty thousand and more, got foul of the Lord knows how many d d five- farthing, twopenny-halfpenny French merchant-men. You know what followed; I say nothing the prize-court, and all that sort of thing teazed, bothered, taken aback, kept ashore, chaise-and-four, d n. You know the rest. Got to Boodle's, half mad. Not a shilling left." An invitation was a matter of course, and one succeeded another, as waves upon the beach. " I never knew happiness before," said Charles to Clara. Clara seemed as if she had uttered the words, and blushed, (how Gothic!) and looked she " knew not where," she told Charles some weeks afterwards, " for there was a swimming mistiness before her eyes." 41 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. Thp old admiral happened at the time to be "missing," and so was every earthly object, for the space of three hours, to the eyes and recollection of the two lovers. All they beheld was each other, until ding-dong went the discordant first dinner-bell. " A moment one moment longer, rny dear Clara!" said Charles. The moment seemed scarcely past, when the second larum awoke Clara from her dream, and, mechanically recollecting her father's extreme precision, she rushed from the presence of her lover. Absorbed in his dreams of future bliss, he was leaning his head upon his hand, when in stalked the old admiral. " Ah, Charles!" said he, panting, " how are you, my lad? Devilish hot weather! One would think the good ship Britannia was afloat, and we were all crossing the line toge- ther. Ha! ha! eh?" " True enough," observed Charles. " Eh? What's that? What's true enough?" asked the admiral. " I have crossed the line," said young Maxwell. " The devil you have! When, where, how?" ejaculated the astonished seaman. " Just now," replied Charles. " Now! why, zounds, boy, you are mad or dreaming." " Both," replied Charles, " but it is a dream and delirium that will, I hope, last all my life." Then followed an explanation, told in as coherent a manner as could possibly be " expected under existing circumstances." The old gentleman affected gravity, al- though he experienced a sensation of extreme pleasure: but at length the generous feelings which, in spite of individual imperfections, seem ever to pervade the breast of a British seaman, rose triumphant above all disguise. " Give me your hand!" exclaimed the admiral, and he clasped it with as much firmness and strength, as though he was grasping his sword on the quarter-deck in the day of battle. " But hold, young gentleman," he continued, recol- lecting himself, " we're running before the wind into a strange port, without taking soundings. You have ex- changed broadsides with Clara, I see plain enough. 1 expected it, 1 must confess; so d n all hypocrisy: there's an end of that. Her colours, my brave fellow, where arc they? Lowered, eh?" TI1K GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 45 At this moment Clara entered the drawing-room. " Hist! she comes," whispered Charles, anxious to save nis beloved from the pain her father might at random inflict on her sensibility. "La! How delicate," exclaims some lady's maid. Well. Miss, we can't help it: we tell the tale as 'twas told to u; but what a lady's sensibility is, exactly and precisely, we can- not satisfactorily define. The admiral knew nothing of, or else had forgotten, for " old men will forget," all about such matters, and therefore repeated after, Charles, " Ay, here she comes, sure enough! and seems taken a little aback. Come, Clary, my dear, the secret's all out. It's no use ' shamming Abraham' now; so, what say you, my own dear little God bless you!" Here the old veteran's utterance was stopt by the close embrace of his daughter, who threw herself upon his neck and- kissed him with a most vehement alacrity, yet, strange to say, all the while sobbing " to match." " Come, come, my dear girl, Clary," gasped the admiral, " my love nay, nay, dearest, don't cry. Have it all your own way; I won't, no not to be made commander-in-chief in the East. No, no come, come, d n it, girl, you'll choke me! So, then, you won't strike your colours may- hap? eh?" " Down, down to the ground, my beloved father," said Clara, and, sinking on her knees, she grasped those of her parent, whose eyes were suffused with tears, while his face exhibited a strange warfare. It seemed to have been " boarded" by " sensibility," striving hard to overcome its opponent, who had " assumed" the command, and every muscle was briskly engaged, fighting inch by inch. At last down fell the streamers; it was all over. " What a d d old fool I am," sobbed the admiral, sinking upon a sofa. Then up rose Clara, and down fell Charles upon one knee; and both of them hung over the old gentle- man, and applied, or rather endeavoured to apply, smelling- bottles, &c. ' I'm a d d stupid, lubberly, snivelling old fellow. I tiever did so but once before, and that was when the lilies came tumbling down first after I was posted sinking, by G d! not a shot left: sea running; couldn't board 'em; not a sail in sight; d n it see the Gazette. Why do you both make such a fool of me? Clary, Charles, give me 46 THE GENTLEMAN IS BLACK. your hands; there, there; d n these stinking bottles! I'm qualmish only, that's all. Go, Clary, go, there's a good girl, and hem! ahem! bring me a glass of brandy." Clara, like a dutiful child, did as she \vas bid. The patient .-wal- lowed the medicine as a patient ought, and the medicine did as all medicine ought ; it cured the patient, who immediately walked briskly three times up and down the room, and then they went to dinner. In the evening of that day, the admiral was closeted with old Bagsby, his lean legal adviser. " The young fellow's fortune equal to yonr's!" exclaimed the man of law. " It can't be, admiral." " Why not, sir?" asked the veteran. " His father, you know, was a West India merchant; and a British merchant, let me tell you" " Pshaw!" said the other; " but here's a young fellow who is anything but a merchant living like a lord. I don't sup- pose he has been to the counting-house half a dozen times since his father's death." " Hem! perhaps not," replied the admiral; " however, the simple state of the case stands thus: He is not to receive a penny with Clary but, whatever I choose to settle upon her and her heirs, he offers to double." " The devil!" exclaimed old Bagsby. " And that's not all," continued the admiral; " we talked of sums plain, point-blank sums. Clary's my only child, said I and, for myself with my habits if I shouldn't get afloat again, and I don't see why not my pay's enough. One hundred thousand, said I Make it two, says he, if you like, admiral. Suppose, says I it will save the legacy duty, when the old hulk goes to pieces suppose we say three Done, says he, I'll make it six." " The Lord have mercy upon us!" exclaimed Bagsby. " What's the matter?" asked the admiral. "Matter!" muttered the lawyer; hem! matter! why, here have I, for more than half a century, been rising early and sitting up late, making the most of everything that came in the way; spending nothing saving scraping together, in hopes that in my old age" " Pshaw!" said the admiral, " you've feathered your nest well enough, I know so, no grumbling but, to business. How long will it take to prepare the deed ?" " Ah! ah! ahem! Let me see. In a case of such mo- ment, my dear sir, everything should, you know, be arranged THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 47 with extreme caution. The amount is immense it depends much upon the nature of the property most likely some of the young gentleman's is in the West Indies and ahem! you know, my good sir, how precarious such sort of posses- sions are; particularly in time of war, when the enemy's fleets are wandering upon the sea, the Lord knows where" " The Lord knows where, indeed!" exclaimed the veteran; " I only wish we could catch 'em at it ' wandering,' as you call it that's all; but, pshaw! d n your six-and-eight-penny opinions about the war. See the lad yourself on the busi- ness my money's all in the Bank of England, and the papers are in my strong box at Hamsley's." The next morning, Charles Maxwell, having supplied himself with the amount specified, from the usual source, called upon the admiral; and they had scarcely exchanged salutations, when Bagsby was announced. " By the by," asked the veteran, " has the old fellow called upon you this morning, with his bag, and papers, and tape, and the devil knows what?" " Who, sir?" Charles inquired, in a tone of alarm, which raised a momentary suspicion in the mind of his father-in-law elect. " My lawyer, sir Mr. Bagsby," was the grave reply. " He was to call on you respecting the subject of our conver- sation yesterday, and is now here in the room below, by my appointment, in order to arrange the business." " Oh! is that all?" said Charles, smiling; "let us have Him up, by all means." Accordingly, the man of parchment (to which epithet the texture of his skin alone might have afforded him a fair claim,) was shown into the presence of his two most wealthy, and, of course, most worshipful clients; towards whom he came bowing, and bending, and grinning, and worshipping, in their persons, his idol MAMMON, in a manner sufficiently ludicrous. After a thousand apologies, and such sort of tom- foolery, they proceeded to business, and the man of law in- quired the name of young Maxwell's professional adviser, with whom, he felt no doubt, he should be happy to act, on the present occasion. " Ay, ay! like a pair of shears," quoth the admiral ; " ha! ha! e'l! Bagsby cut what comes between, eh? not each other, eh :" 48 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " 1 never employed a lawyer since I was of age," said Charles. " What!" exclaimed old Bagsby, as his rigid frame started into a perpendicular. (" A sensible young fellow!" thought the veteran.) " Hem! ahem! ahem!" repeatedly repeated poor Bagsby, ere he could proceed to state a few of the various reasons why it was " advisable to be advised, pru- dent and circumspect, needful, and absolutely necessary, &c, &c., in all such and the like and similar sorts and kinds of cases, where and wherein, and in and concerning which pro- perty, &c., &c., &c., and all such sort of thing, was various and of numerous descriptions and kinds, both as it regarded and concerned estimated value of estates, &c." Here Charles, haxing been too much accustomed of late to nave his own way, became weary of listening, and interrupted the speaker with a most ungracious yawn, followed by a "Pish!" Having thus " caught the speaker's eye," as well as stopt his tongue, he proceeded. " There can be no difficulty in the present case. I be- lieve, admiral, we understand each other. I agree to settle on your daughter the same amount as you think fit to do yourself." " Exactly," replied the veteran; " and I, to save legacy duty, mean to settle all I have, excepting this house and grounds, which are at an easy distance from the ad- miralty.'' " Nothing can be clearer," said Charles. " The sum is, I think, three hundred thousand." " Exactly so," said old Haultaught; " and" coolly con- tinued Charles, taking out his black morocco leather pocket- book, " there there is the money." " By the trident of Neptune, and the old girl that holds it!" shouted the admiral, " you're a noble fellow. If you hadn't a brass farthing, Clary should never But, I'm afraid, my dear boy, you have been too hasty. Have you made your calculations about housekeeping, and so on? I should not like you and Clary to shorten sail; and, if we lock up such a sum as this, perhaps" " It will make no sort of difference, I assure you. I shall never miss it." " Wonderful!" thought old Bagsby; " I'll try and sret a ;> government, Monsieur has always been equally faithful. " Oest egal" quoth he, on all occasions. When Napoleon was very short of money once, the Baron de Braanksdorfischen was said to have waited upon Talleyrand; and it was hinted that the elevation of the Baron de Braanksdorfischen to the peerage of France, under the title of Le Comte D'Ormalle, was closely connected with that visit. Be that as it may, from that period our French hero attained a degree of popularity which he kept as long as he thought proper. His fam ly affairs went on comfort- ably enough, since Emilie never had occasion to ask him twice for money, and he never grumbled at her expenditure. Like his quondam friend, Charles, he had two children, a boy and girl, who grew up most promisingly; being allowed to do all that seemed good in their own eyes, and to draw money " at discretion." Whether they spent it discreetly, is another affair, and one of which their parents took no cognizance. The glory of the great empire the emperor and king the young King of Rome the march of mind, and the march of armies the invasion of that accursed Angleterre the merits of David the occupation of Spain the Talma the Arcs des Triomphes les grande battailes Venus de Medicis the coronation bridges over the Seine charters oaths of allegiance operas calernbourgs Apollo Belvi- dere the overthrow of kingdoms, and the summersets of Monsieur Martin, the bear in the botanic gardens, and of MM. Pieddouble at the Port St. Martin and such sort of important matters, equally and alternately occupied Monsieur le Comte de Tien a la Cour, the old grey-headed perpen- dicular grandfather of the family, Monsieur le Comte D'Ormalle, the Comtesse, and the two young sprigs of rising nobility. Then away flew time, and with it away flew many of the above, and other, and such like matters the emperor was off, that is, not on, his throne; though he kept his title with a tenacity which must have been truly gratifying to his veteran military associates, who could not but have felt convinced, that when he by nominal honours rewarded their services, he bestowed what he conceived to be for himself most desirable. Away flew the Apollo and Venus, and the king of Rome, for the march of mind and of armies had taken u new direction; the invasion of England was postponed 56 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. sine (tie; David brushed with his brushes to Brussels, for fear of a brush from the sweeping broom of the law; and the glory, the imperishable glory of the empire its military glory that might have remained to have embalmed the names of les braves, who fought and bled, and devoted them- eclves for their country, though a tyrant were their leader: but oaths of allegiance, sworn and forgotten, reiterated and broken, tarnished their hard-earned laurels: and it is a pity \\\-dt filles de chambre -/; but what you call straight, is as crooked as my tail." To a reference, however, they at length agreed. Mr. Ledger WM appointed as the umpire; and, on that day week, the gentleman in black was to give them the " first meeting" at old Bagsby's chambers. When this matter was settled the lawyer ventured to hint that he should find it necessary, or rather think it most consistent with the interest of his client, to take the opinion of counsel on two or three points which had already occurred to him; and, as money was no object " Very true," observed Charles, feeling in his pocket, and finding he had omitted to bring the needful with him; " how very thoughtless! However, sir, directly I get home, I'll send a hundred pound note or two" " Pooh!" said the gentleman in black, taking out his black morocco pocket-book, " how many will you have only say; just to save trouble, you know it's all the same between us."' So he gave Charles Maxwell five notes of one hundred pounds each, which he immediately paid to the lawyer, who immediately marked them with his own mark; and then the meeting hoke up. On the appointed day, Mr. Ledger, our hero, and the gentleman in black, were all punctual to a minute in their attendance at old Bagsby's chambers. The wary lawyer having taken his seat, and opened the business of the dav, the gentleman of the black Geneva cloak presented his account, with a sardonic grin, to the individual who had expressed his inclination to settle it. Ledgei cast his eye, in a hurried and agitated manner, at the amount, and, addressing himself to Maxwell, inquired if it could possibly be correct? The poor gentleman cast his dim and floating eyes up and down two or three sides of the tremendous paper, which was carried over and over and over, with dismal tautology; he could deny nothing; and many of the items he but too well remembered. His heart sank within him. " Give me leave," said Bagsby, stretching forth his lean arm. " By all means." replied the gentleman in black THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 61 " Don't be alarmed, Mr. Maxwell," continued old Bagsby; " I have no doubt we shall pull you through:" and he prosed a few minutes over the account, whilst his opponent sat smiling most contemptuously. " You don't specify here," said old Bagsby, " in what manner these various sums were paid; whether in specie, or bills, or notes." " Pshaw!" replied the gentleman in black, " that's per- fectly immaterial; the amount is stated explicitly enough." " I beg your pardon, sir," rejoined the lawyer; " it makes all the difference in the world." " Bank notes are a legal tender," quoth he of the black Geneva cloak. " No doubt; but we are not met here to discuss rigmarole theories about the paper currency, which neither you nor I can make head or tail of." " Precisely so; I confess myself bothered on that point. It is most delightfully mystical." " Well, well, to business," said the man of law, somewhat testily. " Do you mean to give us a clear, specific account, or not, with the dates of payment, number of the notes paid, and every particular? If not,"let me tell you" " Pooh pooh !" replied the other, " it is not worth while for you and I to quarrel about a few sheets of paper." So saying, he dipped his hand into the huge black bag, which he had placed on the ground, between his legs, and drew from thence an immense bundle of black-edged papers, tied with black tape, which he then threw across the table, ex- tlaiming, " There, there it is made up to yesterday. I hope that will satisfy you." The veteran of the law conned over some of the items, hemming and coughing as he went along; and then, without uttering a word, arose and placed the bundle in his iron chest, which he carefully locked; then put the key in his pocket, and resumed his seat at the table. " Well, sir," said the gentleman in black, who had been attentively watching him, " what are we to do next?" " We must proceed to business," replied old Bagsby; and, ringing a little silver bell, that stood beside him, in came old Jerry. " Jeny, my boy," said his master, "show in that gentleman from the city." " From the city!" exclaimed Ledger; " who is he? Re- member, Mr. Bagsby, 1 should not like to be seen" 62 THt GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " Never fear," said the lawyer; " show him up, Jerry." Accordingly, a well-dressed young man was ushered into the room. " Well, Mr. Crabseye," said old Bagsby, " are you as con- fident as ever?" " It is impossible we should be mistaken," was the reply. " This gentleman," continued the lawyer, laying his spec- tacles on the table, and looking triumphantly around him, " this gentleman comes from the Bank of England, and has examined the five one-hundred pound notes which yon sir," looking at the gentleman in black, " paid to my client here, this day week; which he immediately paid to me, and which I immediately marked. This gentleman pronounces them to be forgeries." " There is not a shadow of a doubt thereof," observed Mr. Crabseye. " Show me the difference between one of them, and one of your own issuing," said he of the black Geneva cloak, which moved not a wrinkle on the present occasion. " Pardon me, sir," replied Mr. Crabseye, " it is well we have some private mark, that such gentlemen as you are not exactly aware of: for upon my word, as it is, it would some- times puzzle the devil himself to tell the difference." " Precisely so," observed the gentleman in black. " Well, sir," inquired the lawyer, "you don't mean to den} paying those five notes to Mr. Maxwell?" " Not I," was the reply. " Then, Mr. Crabseye, you know I have your affidavit, ay here it is ' I, Micros Crabseye' ay and the more needful papers too" and again the old lawyer tingled his ancient bell; and again popped in the head of his ancient Jerry, who exchanged a significant nod with his master, and drew himself back again. Then, anon, came stalking in a portly-looking man, followed by two athletic figures, who looked most marvellously, as though they could not under- stand a joke. " There, gentlemen, is your prisoner," moved Mr. Crabs- eye, and old Bagsby seconded the motion, both pointing to the gentleman with the black coat, waistcoat, Geneva cloak, bag, and various other black appendages, who sat wonderfully composed, after his first fidget. The officers of justice proceeded to handcuff their pri- soner, who smiled thereat with a most supercilious smile; and, when they had completed their operations, begged that THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 63 tnev would do the same kind office for his friend Mr. Max- weft, who, for a series of years, as he could prove by credit- able witnesses, and even by Mr. Crabseye himself, had been in the habit of passing forged notes. His poor victim felt as though his death warrant was signed, for he knew that at his own house many would be found, and that all his trades- people must, with one accord, bring forth witnesses against him, if they produced any of the notes he had paid. Even old Bagsby twisted about his lower lip and jaw, most portentously, for many seconds; but, recovering his com- posure, exclaimed, " Don't be alarmed, my dear Mr. Max- well; I told you we should be able to pull you through this business, ugly as it is." Then, turning to the pinioned gentleman, he continued, " what you say, sir, may be very true, for aught I know: but we have forms, sir, forms of law, which must be attended to." " Precisely so; I perceive it;" and he glanced at his bolted arms. " In the first place, you must take your oath." " I what?" exclaimed he of the black bag. " Your oath, sir," resumed the lawyer; " and here is a Testament." The gentleman in black hereat drew his hands from their cuffs as easily as from a pair of gloves, took a pinch of black- guard, and said, that if that were the case, he must, from a scruple of conscience respecting swearing, decline to proceed any further in the affair. He then burst into what seemed . to Mr. Crabseye and his satellites to be, under existing circumstances, a most unseemly fit of merriment and laugh- ter, swearing (notwithstanding his recent scruples,) that old Bagsby was a boy after his own heart, and wishing he might live to be Lord Chancellor! " Gentlemen!" said the man of sables, after his unseason- able mirth had exhausted itself, " I am sorry that this meeting has been so unpleasantly broken up. I must, of course, attend these good people (pointing to the officers) for the present: but, make your own appointment for the final arrangement of what we first met to discuss. You will manage it, Bagsby. Cras out cum velles sed ut redirem hdc nocte fieri nan potest." Which, fair reader, simply means, that though he could not return that evening, he would attend old Bagsby on the morrow, or at any other time; and, having thus spoken, he was led out of the room by his attendant genii. C4 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. No sooner was the door closed upon them, than Bagsby congratulated his client on their success so far. " Never fear, sir," said he, " we shall pull you through this business, ugly as it is. I've another poser or two for old Sootikins. But first, my dear sir, these notes, you see, are worth nothing, and those you have at home" " Shall be destroyed this instant," cried our hero, snatching his hat. " Stop stop a moment, my dear sir. If you do, how are we to proceed? For money, you know, constitutes, as one may say, the sinews of the law." " Never fear," observed Mr. Ledger, " I've brought my cheque-book with me." " What's that'?" inquired Mr. Maxwell. " Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil!" exclaimed Mr. Ledger. " To see how the enemy may ' pack up,' as it were, a man's mind in darkness and igno- rance! That a British merchant should not know what a cheque-book is!" " Oh! ay! I remember now," said Mr. Maxwell; " it's one of the books we used to hire the clerks to write in." Mr. Ledirer sighed, but was too much a man of business to leave old Bagsby without presenting him with one of the magic leaves from his book, which was received most graciously. He then accompanied his unfortunate friend and partner to his elegant mansion in Portland Place, the furniture and entire arrangement of which paralyzed him with astonishment. They destroyed the forged notes, and Mr. Maxwell was furnished with a cheque-book, and instructed in the use thereof; which appeared so easy, that he wondered why he should ever have preferred any other way of raising money, to the real value of which his unlimited supplies for so many years had utterly blinded him. He once more repaired to old Bagsby's chambers. That worthy practitioner spoke at great length about a great variety of papers, parchments, and deeds, with a greater variety of hard names than it would be worth while to enumerate on the present occasion; but they were all neces- sary at least so old Bagsby said. Another meeting was appointed, and, as before, the high contracting parties met at old Bagsby's office. After the usual salutations, the gentleman in black begged to thank the lawyer for having given him a view of the THE GENTLF.MAN IN BLACK. 65 inside of Newgate, " at the doors of which," he remarked, " we are generally much incommoded by the ejaculation of certain words and supplications excessively unpleasant to our ears; many of my oldest friends among you, whom I snould never have suspected of praying, have there been visited with such a paroxysm of religious feeling, that one would imagine they had served a regular apprenticeship to craw-thumping and psalm-singing. We m'cA-name them the doors of repentance. But I beg your pardon: let us lose no time, for I have some particular business on the Stock- Exchange to-day ice have a new company or two starting, and have a scheme for a train-road and cast-iron pavement, and locomotive engines of fifty legion power, traversing between us and allow me to present you with a Pro- spectus, Mr. Bagsby." " I beg your pardon, sir," replied the lawyer; " I don't admire such presents hem! I'd much rather not have any share in your concern ahem! I beg leave respectfully to decline." " Well, well of that hereafter," said he of the black Geneva cloak; " so, to the matter in question. Have you anything to propose?" " Why, my good sir," replied old Bagsby, " we have been examining your account against my worthy client here, and, really upon my honour I must confess it all appears per- fectly clear ahem! It is an ugly piece of business." " It is quite correct, sir, I'll warrant," said the other, rubbing his hands, and then applying himself to his black snuff-box. " Ahem!" continued Bagsby, " Ahem! In the first place, sir, we take exception to every item paid by you in forged notes, which form, with some trivial exceptions, the whole of what my client has received in England." " Do you call lh\sfair?" asked the other; " he might have had gold if he had chosen." " It is legal sound law," replied Bagsby, firmly; " not a penny of that will we pay. Bring your action; we are ready." The gentleman in black employed himself for a minute in looking over his own copy of our hero's account, where he beheld sums amply sufficient, he doubted not, for his purpose, which had been advanced to the unfortunate man in Louis, Napoleons, florins, crowns, ducats, &c., &c., among whicfe o 2 GG THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. those paid for antique statues, paintings, vases, medals, &c n &c., were delightfully prominent. " We will," said he, at length, " leave the legality of my paper money to be discussed hereafter or even, for the sake of argument, allow your position; what have you to say to the rest, advanced in hard cash, to the tune of some million or so of your pounds, in France, Switzerland, Holland, Ger- many, and Italy?" " This comes, as I said before," ejaculated Mr. Ledger, " of visiting Popish countries." " Let me tell you, sir," replied Bagsby, " I have strong reason to suspect that the whole were of base coinage." " Prove it," quoth the gentleman in black, in a tone of calm defiance. The lawyer sat humming over the lots of parchments before him, like a bee buzzing over^nd bussing a cluster of flowers, dipping his proboscis alternately into each, but settling on none. This disagreeable silence was broken by Mr. Ledger, who addressed the gentleman in black in a manner which somewhat startled his dinginess. " Sir," said he, " you may consider the matter as settled. I hold mvself responsible to you for the amount; and my word, sir, is sufficient. I am willing now to give you a cheque for halt the sum, and the remainder shall be paid as soon as my clerks, with Mr. Maxwell, and our mutual friend Mr. Bagsby, shall be satisfied of the accuracy of your account." " Upon my word, sir," replied the gentleman in black, while his countenance assumed a decidedly blueish tint, and, for the first time, he had recourse to his black cut-glass smelling-bottle in a black ebony case. " Upon my word, Mr. Ledger really. Ahem! Your way of doing business is so different from what I am accustomed to, that, really upon my darkness, I don't exactly understand it." And agait he put his smelling-bottle to his nose. " We'll pay you off and close the account draw a line under your name, and so cut the connexion for ever," said Ledger. " My dearest sir, my much honoured and highly respected friend!" whispered old Bagsby, " are you serious? can j r ou positively raise the wind to such a tune? al^nost a million and a half?" " I have said the word," replied Mr Ledger; " write out a receipt in full of all demands." TIJr, GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. C7 The gentleman in black hereat waxed extremely fidgetty, and felt somewhat like a huge conger eel which the tide has left in shallow water, among 1 rocks, and which is attempting to wriggle itself out. Mr. Maxwell's heart was full, and so he spake next, addressing his good friend and partner, Mr. Ledger; thanking him most sincerely for the extraordinary offer that he had made; hut declining altogether to accept thereof, as, let the consequence he to him what it might, he was determined not to involve his friend in utter ruin. " Pshaw!" replied Mr. Ledger; " if you had attended the counting-house but once a year, just to look at ' the balance sheet,' you would know better; but this comes of going abroad, and travelling in Popish countries. What do you suppose I've been about with your share of the concern all this while? Make yourself easy, my dear sir, for, after this is all settled, we shall still he found, like the beginning of our old friend's parchment clauses, ' always provided, never- theless;'" and the worthy old merchant, in the pride and joy of his heart, laughed at his own joke, and gave a tareless glance towards the gentleman in black, who had been employed with his blackguard and his black smelling-bottle, snuffing and smelling, to hide his disappointed malignitv. But, like the conger eel aforesaid, he soon shifted his position, and, addressing the lawyer, said, " You'll please to observe, sir, that I have not given up my claim to the bank notes' I jnerely wai"ed the discussion." " Remember Newgate," replied old Bagsoy. " I do," said the other, recovering himself; " and have no sort of objection to pass another night there; I felt myself quite at home, I assure you. But," he continued, turning to Mr. Ledger, " do you mean to pay me for the notes?" The old merchant now, in his turn, looked somewhat con- fused; but old Bagsby took up the cudgels, and replied, " We will do nothing of the kind." " I make my demand," continued the other; " and, if it be not complied with, you must abide the consequences." " And so must you," rejoined Bagsby; " let me recom- mend you to accept my good friend, the worthy Mr. Ledger's offer." " I want none of your advice," said he of the sables. " Once more, as the mutual friend of both parties," con- tinued the lawyer, " I request you to accede to so fair and honourable a pi ^position." " It is neithf the one nor the other," said the gentleman 68 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. in black; " I will never agree to it;" and he looked round with an assumed air of carelessness, in his turn. The dis- cussion was like the game of see-saw one up and the other down but old Bagsby had yet, as he whispered Mr. Ledger, his " great gun" to fire. Wherefore, " attention" being called, he pulled off his spectacles, hemmed three par- ticularly loud hems, stiffened himself as near to a perpen- dicular as miard of ladies who, when enervated by the fatigues of dissipation, were in the habit of reviving their drooping spirits by Eau de Cologne, Rosolio, &c., &c., and sometimes, by accident, mistaking the proper quantity. It was a painful and degrading reflection, but he could not tell otherwise how to account for a lady's not knowing her own husband. Therefore, he likewise drew himself up into an erect position, and added, in a cold and constrained manner, " it is quite 80 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. useless, Emilie Madame, to continue this conversation now. To-morrow, perhaps, you will he more yourself; at present, you are evidently under the influence of of" "Of of what?" exclaimed the Comtesse, reddening with anger. " Oh, nothing nothing," replied the Comte, cavalierly; " I suppose it is the fashion, Madame only of of evil spirits." " I possessed by evil spirits!" ejaculated the Comtesse. " You are pleased to be facetious, Monsieur! But, no! I will not be turned from my purpose. Listen! (here the lady assumed what was intended to be an awe-imposing attitude) listen and know, wretched man! that thy secret is discovered." " What do you mean?" exclaimed the Comte, and a sud- den qualm rushed across his mind, as he thought, that between the tnonk, and the abbe, and the bishop, and the bishop's secretary, and all their official and confidential friends, it was barely possible. The consequence was, a visible agitation, and an involuntary ejaculation of Le Diable ! " Precisely so," said the Comtesse; and the Comte was convinced, by that phrase, that the gentleman in black had betrayed him. " Yes," continued the Comtesse, Le Diable, indeed ! That is the very thing. I know all about it." " Then, Madame," said the Comte, after some hesitation, " you cannot but pity rne. You must be aware that I have, hitherto, concealed the truth from you, merely to save your feelings, and that I have made use of my wealth and conse- quent power, to promote your happiness." Here the lady was quite overwhelmed by the violence of contending emotions; for she had only pretended to believe Lisette's tale, for the purpose of producing effect. Now, however, her husband had, as it seemed, confessed his devil- hood; and, therefore, on that hint she spake, and called him by a great variety of names, and vowed that she had been entrapped, and deceived, and most exceedingly ill-used, and withal, that she had always suspected that there was some- thing very mysterious about him. It would seem that the habit of having her own way for so many years had changed the Couuesse, when delivering her sentiments; and her spouse could not help comparing the cut- ting vituperations, to which it was his fate to be now exposed, with the silvery tones of his beloved Emilie before marriago; and he rashly ventured to say something thereupon. The consequence was a repetition of the epithets before mentioned, THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 81 with the addition of a few more which happened to occur to the Cotntesse's recollection; and the whole was terminated by something 1 very like hysterics, (l>ut not precisely so, for the Corntesse was not much given to nervous affections,) and the angry avowal, that, had she known or suspected ihetmlh, notwithstanding his riches, rather than have married him, she would have seen him in the very worst and deepest part of a very bad place, that sh;ill be nameless here. " I don t believe a word of it," said the Comte, who felt somewhat exasperated in his turn. " Don't yon, Monsieur Diablo?" exclaimed the incensed Corntesse; " but you shall see that I have a spirit; for I vow that you shall never see my lace again;" and, with these words, she rushed out of the room. Whether the lady meant this as somewhat more than a mere lover's vow, or whether the Comte really believed she would keep it, can scarcely be ascertained; for she instant! v began to collect some unpaid bills, respecting which she had been lately annoyed; and he, immediately on being left alone, took a pinch of snuff, shrugged up his shoulders, and observed that " something- worse might have happened;" and then summoned his valet, and ordered him to prepare for a journey to England, which he had resolved to commence immediately. CHAPTER YD. WHEN the Comte arrived in London, he found no difficulty in obtaining the address of his quondam youthful friend, Mr. Maxwell; and their meeting was such as might be expected between two persons who have frequently, during a pro- tracted separation, thought upon the days of " auld lang Byne." Comte Louis listened to the particulars of his brother bondsman s escape, with a degree of patience which is seldom bestowed upon long stories: and was not the less anxious for an introduction to old Bagsby, because he could not exactly comprehend the nature of the threatened Chancery suit, with which that ancient limb of the law had so effectually alarmed the gentleman in black. 5 82 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. The two friends accordingly repaired forthwith to Lyon's Inn, where they found the lean veteran at his post, and received that sort of welcome which rich clients usually experience from experienced legal advisers. Mr. Maxwell introduced the Comte and his business: and the Comte himself endeavoured to elucidate the subject; but he spoke such an odd sort of English, as might have tended to perplex any one, except an old lawyer, who had Jived more than half a century in the midst of botheration and intricate investigation. " Humph!" said the man of parchment, after patiently listening to his client's statement, " Humph! This is an ugly piece of business!" and he pulled off hi? spectacles, and laid them on the table, and threw himself back in his chair, and projected his under lip, and began to pull it with the forefinger and thumb of his left hand, while the two friends, but more particularly the Comte, watched his motions witli no small de- gree of anxiety, and a most profound and respectful silence. After a brief pause, there appeared a gleam of cunning exultation lighted up in the old fellow's eye; and his wrinkled mouth, in spite of the hold upon the under lip, pursed itself into somewhat like a corresponding smile. Divers other con- tortions followed, such as one might have supposed to have been in fashion among the Sybils; and, at length, he spoke oracularly. " Humph! This is an ugly piece of business! But, how- ever.sir, if youwill put yourself entirely in my hands, and follow my directions implicitly, I think we need not despair. Indeed, I have no doubt we shall be able to pull you through." " Est il possible?" exclaimed the Comte; " my dear sir! What a fool I have been to waste my time in parleying with ignorant monks and priests, instead of coining to you! I am perfectly enchanted and astonished at your abilities! It is a disgrace to your highly-polished and polite nation, that you are not Lord Chancellor!" We have here given the substance, rather than the words of Monsieur Le Comte D'Ormalle, and mean, during the re- cital of what happened to him in England, to adopt the same plan, inasmuch as, if we were to repeat his Gallicisms, the effect produced might be somewhat too light and ludicrous for the serious nature of our tale. It is not to be expected'in any case, that foreigners can talk like natives. Indeed, the gen- tleman in black had told our heroes, many years before, when they were commencing their travels, that, notwithstanding THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 83 his friendship and wish to oblige them, he could not assist them in that particular. " For," said he, " in spite of the constant intercourse which I have with various nations, the continual alterations in idioms and phraseology, and the coining and changing of words are such, that 1 am frequently puzzled myself." In the present case, however, the Comte's bad English was of little importance, since most persons can understand flattering speeches, however indifferently they may be ex- pressed. Bagsbv, therefore, bowed his acknowledgments, and mut- tered somewhat about its being a man's duty to be satisfied, if, " in these times, he could get bread and cheese, and make both ends meet !" Mr. Maxwell, who had now, under the instruction of his father's old friend and servant, Mr. Ledger, become some- vhat like a man of business, requested Bagsby to communi- cate his plan for the discomfiture of the gentleman in black: and the Comfc, having declared, upon his honour, that he would act, in every respect, as he should be directed, the man of law made him produce his black morocco book, and compare some of the notes therein with others which were in the office, and which had been brought directly from the Bank. Spectacles and magnifying glasses were used, but the trio were unable to discover the smallest difference; and Bagsby could not refrain from heaving a sigh at the recollection of the toil and difficulty which he had experienced in amassing the few he was able to call his own; while the Comte had only to open his book and take out any number he thought fit. He knew that there was not a word about interest mentioned in the bond, and strange visions came over his mind, of the immense profits which, with his knowledge of things in general, he could make of an unlimited capital under such circumstances. " I'd be bound very shortly to pay the dingy gentleman his principal," thought he, " ad realize a handsome fortune." And again he sighed, and appeared, for a few seconds, Ibst in a revery, from which he was aroused by Mr. Maxwell, who said that he had business in the city, and must be moving. The lean limb of the law forthwith began to unfold part of his plan, and instructed the Comte to purchase bullion and foreign specie with the notes aforesaid. " We will never," said he, " allow any of the forgeries to be carried to account 84 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. against you by the gentleman in question; and you may very shortly, in this way, realize a sufficient sum to set all straight with the old fellow." The Comte was highly delighted with the scheme, and immediately commenced operations, by going into the city and buying, at a somewhat apparently dear rate, divers weighty packages of Napoleons, louis d'ors, &c., &c.: and, when the market was somewhat thinned of gold, he began to speculate in silver. These transactions, which we here briefly relate, occupied many days, and caused a rise of no small magnitude in the prices of gold and silver bullion. Indeed, the subsequent scarcity of the precious metals throughout the British empire, and the depreciation of paper money, respecting which so many opaque pamphlets were written, have been supposed by some to date their origin from these and similar trans- actions; that is to say, from endeavours to pay the gentle- man in black, what appeared to be his due. In the mean while he did not remain idle. The demands of the Comte D'Ormalle upon the black morocco leather pocket-book, were too frequent to escape the notice of so nice a calculator; and, after some inquiry, finding how matters were going on, he called upon Bagsby, and had a long private interview with him, during which it is said that high words past between them: but the exact particulars never transpired. The immediate result, however, was, that old Jerry was despatched with a letter to the Comte, desiring him instantly to change his quarters, and take lodgings in some retired part of the town, and, on no account whatsoever, to show himself in public. With the former part of this advice his client instantly complied, being assisted in his research for a snug retreat by Mr. Maxwell: but, alas! all men have their weak sides; and there are certain pleasures so bewitching and fascinating to uf all, in our turn, that even the dread of the gentleman in black himself, is not sufficiently powerful to deter us from the enjoyment thereof. The Comte found it utterly impossible to absent himself from the opera: and, having made up his mind to go, he found little difficulty in persuading himself that he should be as completely concealed in the midst of a crowded audience, as in his own lodgings. Therefore he went to see his countryman, Monsieur Piaffeur, achieve a complicated dance THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 85 with the two Mademoiselles Rebatins; and was so delig-hted with the performance of the trio, that he could not avoid exclaiming, " Superbe et magnifique! Bravo! et encore F Some half score pair of eyes were immediately turned toward the enthusiastic applauder, who, with a chilly and uncomfortable feeling, recognized among them those of an old acquaintance, who had formerly sported a pompadour coat in the Palais Royal. The Comte, who was considered somewhat of a proficient in the art, resolved to " cut" him, and accordingly armed himself with his snuff-box and eye-glass, and acted his part merveille, crazing as unconsciously as possible at the indi- vidual >n question, and then turned a way to look at something else, with an expressive shrug of the shoulders, which said, as plainly as shrug could speak, " No, sir, I certainly have never had the honour of being introduced to you." But the gentleman in black, instead of being put out of countenance, seemed much diverted by this display of sang froicl, and forthwith repeated the poor Cornte's exclamation, " Superbe et marjnifique ! Bravo! Encore!" Whereupon the Frenchman again hoisted his shoulders, and said " Bourgeois!" and redoubled his efforts to appear perfec'ilv at ease, and consequently drew upon himself a double share of notice. Now it happened, fortunately, that Mr. Maxwell was at the opera that night; and it was yet more fortunate that his attention was drawn to the spot where this little scene was enacted in the pit. He had become, as we have observed before, under Mr. Ledger's tuition, somewhat of a man of business, and, therefore, he knew that delays were dangerous; so he instantly despatched a friend who was in the box with him, to summon old Bagsby to the scene of action, feeling, no doubt, that the gentleman in black was contemplating a coup de wain: and it was well that he did so, for the lean and learned man of law arrived just in time to witness the caption of his client by Messieurs Tappem and Grump*, two of the legal " operatives" on such services, who acted under the orders of Mr. Micros Crabseye, of whom we have had occasion formerly to speak. Mr. Maxwell offered bail to any amount in behalf of his friend; but Mr. Crabseye declared bail to be quite inad- missible, as the prisoner's offence was of a capital nature, " Indeed," said he, " if it were not so, arid the pro.ifs were much less plain, there have been so many forged notej I 86 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. in the market lately, that it is our duty to the public, as well as to ourselves, to make an example whenever \ve have it in our power." " Humph !" coughed Bagsby, whose presence then was first perceived; " humph! this is an ugly piece of business! But," he whispered to the Comte, " keep up your spirits! 1 have no doubt that we shall be able to pull you through." " Who sent for you?" exclaimed the gentleman in black, who appeared much ruffled, and forgetful of his habitual politeness, at this unexpected and unwelcome apparition of one of the very few persons in the world, by whom he had been outwitted. " What's that to you?" asked Bagsby, with the same degree of urbanity; " if you had agreed to my reasonable propo- sition, and let me have a pocket-book" " Pshaw!" exclaimed the gentleman of the black books, interrupting him; " reasonable, indeed! I'm not such a fool as to pay a high price for what I'm sure of getting for nothing. No, no;" and he began to laugh at his own joke, as was very customary with him, and to take snuff with great glee, while Bagsby appeared to be trembling with passion, and literally foaming at the mouth. " We can't waste our time," said Mr. Micros Crabseye; " come Tappem! come Grumps! Do your duty." " There is no occasion for violence," said Mr. Maxwell. " Let the gentleman be treated according to his station in life, which is that of a peer of France." Messrs. Tappem and Grumps receded two steps at this information, but kept their eyes steadfastly upon the pri- soner, while Mr. Crabseye very inelegantly remarked, that it was all gammon and humbug, and that he had no notion of foreign counts and marquesses. The scene had hitherto been enacted in the lobby of the theatre: but, as a crowd began to collect, Mr. Maxwell offered the use of his carriage, by which, and a hackney coach, which Mr. Crabseye had in waiting, all the parties were speedily removed, " as per agreement,' to a neighbour- ing hotel; Bagsby taking an opportunity, during the transit, i recovering his lost temper, and whispering certain in- structions into Mr. Maxwell's ear, in consequence of which, immediately on entering the hotel, that gentleman gave orders for wines and refreshment to be placed on the table. When thev entered the room it wanted precisely twenty THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 87 minutes to twelve o'clock. It was an anxious time for the poor Comte, who had his black morocco leather pocket-book about him, containing many of the notes in question, the discover}' of which upon his person would, he knew, render his case absolutely desperate. But neither Mr. Maxwell nor old Bagsliy had forgotten that, provided the said notes were not previously produced, they would, according to the bond, vanish at midnight. The former, therefore, politely addressed Mr. Crabseye, telling him that he had frequently heard of his extreme vigilance, and that it was much better that, as in the present case, an innocent man should be put to inconvenience, than that the guilty should escape. " Really, my good sir," he continued, " the Bank of England, nay, I may say the public in general, are greatly indebted to you. For my own part, as a partner in a house -of some eminence in the city, I feel a degree of personal obligation, which, upon my word, I hardly know how to express." " Very iikcly not," observed the gentleman in black, who was as wel5 aware of the value of time as any of the parties. " Do me the favour, Mr. Crabseye, just to cast your eye on that gentleman; and then, perhaps, yon will recollect certain forged notes being traced to him some time since." " I know the gentleman and his firm Maxwell, Ledger, and Co.," replied Mr. Crabseye; " we have kept a sharp look out, I promise you: but all's right there. I don> know a more respectable merchant in the city, than Mr. Ledger." " He's an old hum-drum, line-ruling, dot-and-go-one, calculating, plodding, sneaking, inanimate, old-fashioned, rusty, old square-toes!" exclaimed the gentleman in black, forgetting himself for a moment, in his rage against Mr. Ledger, of whom he never liked to hear. But recollecting himself, he continued, " I beg your pardon for being warm. I never had but one transaction with the person of whom you speak, and that was anything but satisfactory. How- ever, he is not here now that's one comfort! So I beg leave to observe that the prisoner ought immediately to be searched; or, even now, the ends of justice may be defeated." " There can be no occasion," said Mr. Maxwell, " for treat- ing a gentleman with such indignity." " He knows better ' observed the gentleman in black, sarcastically. 88 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. * What do you mean by that?" asked Mr. Maxwell. " Ay, ay," cried Bagsby, strutting forward, "What do yon mean by that insinuation? I beg you to understand that a British merchant" "Confound all British merchants!" exclaimed the man of the black doak; "really, Mr. Crabseye, if you do not imme- diately order these men to do their duty, I will not answer for the consequences." Here old Bagsby jogged Mr. Maxwell's elbow and whis- pered, " Pick a quarrel! Kick up a row! Go it! Anything for the sake of time! it wants only ten minutes!" and then the cunning lawyer lifted up his own voice, and addressed the gentleman in black, saying, " I'll tell you what, Mr. What- d'ye-call-em, a British merchant is not to be lightly spoken of by such fellows as you. What are you? Where do you come from? Pray, Mr. Crabseye, my worthy friend, where did you pick up this ragamuffin of an informer?" " It can be of little consequence," replied Mr. Crabseye, with much dignity; "we are not in the habit of revealing the sources whence we obtain our information. This gentleman has lately made several discoveries of importance to us. Perhaps he may have had a hand in some awkward business; but what of that? we must have evidence, and we must make examples of some; and you know the old adage, ' Set a thief to catch a thief,' eh ?" " Ay, ay," cried the gentleman in black, he knows that proverb well enough, and its application too: for, if it were not for that feeling, there would be little enough to do in his office at Lyon's Inn. He! he! he! However, pray, my dear sir! don't lose any more time, but begin to search, ft will be of no use presently." "That's all my eye and Betty Martin!" ejaculated Mr. Grumps; " I've got my eye-teeth about me, I'll promise ye; and if so be as the gemman goes to throw anything away without my seeing it, I'll eat it that's all." " The thing's morally unpossible," observed Mr. Tappem. " He an't the first noble gentleman we've had hold on, by a pretty many." "These men have been tampered with!" exclaimed the gentleman in black, angrily. "What does he say?" cried Bagsoy, "what! my friends Tappem and Grumps! I'll be bold enough to say that thej are as worthy and honourable men as any about the courts A pretty sort of a thing it would be indeed, if honest men's THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 89 characters were to be at the mercy of a fellow like this! But I'll tell you what, gentlemen," he continued, whispering to the officers; " he's got plenty of money, I know; and, if I was iu your place, I'd make him pay pretty handsomely, or bring an "action against him. For (here he elevated his voice, and spoke as loud as possible) character character, gentlemen, is everything Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.' " " Ay, ay," roared Grumps, strutting up to the gentleman in black, " who steals my purse, steals trash but as for my good name, why, it has been slave to thousands what is it? I don't understand poetry. Howsomever, the short and the long of the business is, I shan't stand no nonsense; and so, if you don't make an apology" " Ah, to be sure," said Tappem, " an apology, or else come down pretty handsome; why, look ye, Mr. Black-and-all- black! mayhap you may find you have met with your match that's all. Ah, to be sure, he who filches from mo my cha- racter, robs me of that which ari't of no use to him nor nobody else, and it's a burning shame." The moment Tappem was silent, Grumps resumed; and the instant Grumps was silent, Tappem spoke; and some- times both spoke together; and, as they waxed warm, their language became more obscure and slangish; so that, alter a few minutes, the gentleman in black, who had in vain en- deavoured to stop them, found it utterly impossible to tell what they were talking about, although he was himself strongly suspected of having lent a helping hand in the compilation of a " flash" dictionary. Bagsby having thus succeeded in making a diversion in favour of his client, helped himself to a glass of wine, rubbed his hands, smacked his lips, and indulged himself in a sort of cackling laugh, as he witnessed the perplexity of the black bond-holder; and then he put his fore-finger to the side of his nose, and winked and nodded at the Comte, and said, " Never fear, sir! never fear! It's an ugly piece of business, but I have no doubt we shall be able to pull you through." The gentleman in black perceiving, by this time, that he had no chance of silencing the two orators of the handcuff, appealed to Mr. Crabseye; but that gentleman, assuming an I 2 90 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. air of hauteur, coldly observed that it was utterly out of his power to interfere; yet, that he could not help remarking, that gentlemen sould not be too cautious in their remarks, and that all sorts of insinuations against men's characters, unless they could be substantiated by evidence, were highly improper; and he concluded by averring that, to his own belief and knowledge, Messrs. Tappein and Gruinps were most highly respectable and honourable men. Hereupon the two gentlemen last mentioned, evinced their approbation by a simultaneous cry of "Ay, ay!" and, a moment after, the clock struck twelve. "Hurrah!" shouted Mr. Maxwell. " Bravo! bravissimo! very good!" exclaimed Comte Louis. " Tol lol de rol," squeaked Bagsby, apeing the gaiety of his companions, by snapping his ringers and holding up one of his shrivelled legs as if about to cut a caper. " I told you how it would be!" said the gentleman in black, addressing Crabseye. " Told me what'r" inquired the inquisitor of bank notes. " It is of no use to search him now" observed the gentle- man in black, sullenly. " I told you how it would be." "Told me whatir" repeated Crabseye. " It's past twelve," was the reply. " He, he, he! ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Bagsby. " Ho, ho, ho! why, you don't understand the gentleman, Mr. Crabseye: he told you the clock would strike ho, ho, ho! oh dear!" Here his cough interfered to prevent any farther remarks, and the gentleman in black, ha\ing tapped his black snutt-box and taken a pinch of blackguard, appeared to have recovered his equanimity, and calmly told Mr. Crabseye that he had no- thing more to observe on the business, as the prisoner was secured, and the law would, doubtless, take its course. He then shook hands with Messrs. Tappein and Gruinps. and the contact of his ringers with their palms had an almost magical effect; for they not only ceased to ask for apologies relative to the injuries inflicted upon their characters, but declared that they thought all along that he was " a real gentleman." He then gracefully folded his cloak about him, and politely took his leave of the party. Mr. Micros Crabs- eye very shortly followed his example; and Mr. Maxwell, after listening, with evident satisfaction, to something whis- dered in his ear by old Bagsby, went next. The remaining four then sat down to table; and the Comte, implicitly obeying every direction of his skinny lawyer, called THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 91 for champagne, which came at his call, and disappeared forth- with in the hands of Tappern and Grumps, whom Bagsby proceeded to address: " Gentlemen! my friend here is a Frenchman, and doesn't understand a word of English; there- fore, it's no sort of consequence what we say before him: so, first I must tell you, for the sake of your consciences, he is no more guilty of forging notes than I am. Perhaps he may have passed one or two innocently that might happen to any man but, as for forging, he has no notion of it indeed I suspect that fellow that gave the information." " What!" said Grumps, "him as just went away, whom we jawed a bit about our characters?" " The same," replied Hajjsby; " I have my reasons." "Come, come, that won't do," cried Tappem; "we're not to be bamboozled in that way. He's a gentleman every inch of him, and I wish you were as much of one, that's all! Come, here's to your reformation, (and he filled himself a bumper) you sly old fox ! You're up to some gammon or other now, I can see, by the twinkling of your eyes, and your jaw-pulling trick. Ay, ay, what! you're laughing, are you? Well, well, you may as well tell us what it is at once; for we're all friends, and it's getting late." Upon this hint Bagsby spoke to the officers in terms by no means ambiguous; and a very brief interval elapsed ere the party were proceeding along the streets in a hackney coach, towards Mr. Tappem's private residence, wherein it had been previously arranged with Mr. Crabseye, the person of Comte Louis was to be secured for the night. Ere they mounted the vehicle, Mr. Grumps had walked round it, to see that the straps and other matters were in good order; for Bagsby observed that several of his friends had met with unpleasant accidents, from the shocking inattention of hackney coach- men. This precaution, however, seemed to be in vain, though we dare not say it did not answer the purpose, for, in passing along a narrow street, something gave way, and the crazy vehicle heeled over on one side. The Comte, Bagsby, and Tappem, found little difficulty in extricating themselves, as from a trap-door; but poor Grumps lay at the bottom, and declared his leg was broken, and his humane comrade was peeping pitifully into the dark abyss, and lamenting so grie- vous a disaster, when the Comte, under the directions of Bagsby, discharged the contents of his snuff-box into his face. " My eves! oh, bless my heart! I can't see!" said Tappem ? clapping his hands before his eyes. 92 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. " This way," whispered Bagsby, taking the Comte's arm. "it's all right;" and he led him through one dark alley into another, and turned to the left and the right, and the left about, and the right about, for the space of about half an hour; and then they suddenly emerged into a wide street near a bridge, where they found Mr. Maxwell waitiny foi them in a chaise and four. So the lawyer took a brief ]e-A\e of his client, who took a seat in the vehicle, and arrived in his native land in good time for dinner. CHAPTER VIII. THE morning after the events related in the last chapter, old Bagsby found himself very lonely in his gloomy office in Lyon's Inn. The magnitude of the Comte's transactions, in which he had so recently been engaged, made the " six and eightpences" appear exceedingly insignificant; and he conned and looked over the petty items of his regular clients with a lan- guid eye, then pulled his lip, thrust the papers from him, threw himself back in his chair, looked at the accustomed thrifty modicum of small coal in one corner of the grate, and sighed. While he was in this frame of mind, the door opened, and the gentleman in black made his appearance, and politely expressed a hope that he saw his learned friend in good health and spirits. " Middling," replied Bagsby; " I believe I caught abit of a cold last night. Heugh! heugh! I don't like late hours." " I am particularly partial to them," said he of the black cloak, placing a chair near the fire-place, and seating himself therein in a quite-at-home sort of a manner; " I recommend them particularly to all my friends." " Humph!" grunted the lawyer, "very likely. But what's your business here? I am engaged, you see, and have no time for visits of ceremony. The case in which we were engaged, is now removed into another court, and I hate morning calls." " There again," exclaimed the gentleman of the black- edged papers, " that's very extraordinary! I am particularly partial to them. The sort of conversation which generally passes oil euch occasions, pleases me exceedingly, that is. in THE GEXTLEMAS IN BLACK. 93 a small way. Somewhat in the same manner as the six and eightpences conte-ibute to your comfort, eh ? You compre- hend? When there is no business on a large scale to be done, eh?" " Is that all yon have to say?" inquired Bagsby, doggedly turning to the table, and rummaging among the papers and deeds, as though seeking for some document of importance. " Not exactly." replied the other. " You managed that business last night with your usual skill, and I wish to expres? to you, that 1 do not feel the least animosity on account ol the event. I confess myself to have been out-generalled. But, my dear sir, (here he drew his chair somewhat nearer the lawyer,) now the Comte has returned to his own country, of course you do not any longer consider him as your client ?" " Humph!" said the old limb of the law, " that depends upon circumstances. There is no process against him at present but : ahem, hem! my cough is very troublesome." " Well, well, never mind," continued the gentleman in the black suit, " I like to come to the point at once, with those who understand business; and so, without farther preamble, as the Comte's business in this country may now be fairly considered as terminated, you cannot, in any way, be con- cerned in the ultimate arrangement of his affairs." " Hem, heugh, ahem!" coughed Bagsby, " that depends upon circum ahem! my cough is exceedingly troublesome.'' " Precisely so," observed the gentleman in black; " I per- ceive it. Well, my dear sir, the simple matter is, that, from what I have witnessed of your talents, and considering you now to be perfectly at liberty, 1 wait upon you this morning for the express purpose of putting myself into your hands." " What !" exclaimed Bagsby, thrusting back his chair, and starting with his body erect therein, while his arms were stretched forth to their full extent, and his shrivelled hands grasped the elbows thereof, with a violence which seemed to threaten dislocation to the ancient seat of his plodding industry. " What?" cried he again, and his lean limbs appeared stiffened beneath their parchment covering, into ar unnatural rigidity." " Precisely so," calmly resumed the gentleman of th< black paraphernalia; "in three words, 1 wish to ask youi advice." These words had an almost magical effect on the man ol law. He immediately got the better of his rigidity and sur- prise, recovered his self-possession in an instant, and even his 9-t THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. troublesome cough appeared to be very considerably amended; for he, forthwith, commenced a speech of no small length, in which he acknowledged that he felt sensibly affected by tlie confidence which his new client was disposed to place in him: that he was aware how frequently he was engaged in suits of various descriptions, and that really the offer w as too flatter- ing too tempting too and then, and not till then, he began to hem, and again complain of his cough. " Precisely so," observed the gentleman in black. " Well, there must be a beginning : so now, as the Comte, by running away from the country, has left you perfectly at liberty, I wish to know what, in his case, you would advise me to dor"" " Humph!" said Bagsby, " it is an ugly piece of business! but, my dear sir, as we are, comparatively speaking, utter strangers that is, I mean, in comparison with what we may be in future" " Precisely so," observed the dark gentleman; " proceed." " Well," continued the man of law, " under such circum- stances, I am sure, my dear sir, you will excuse my freedom but, ahem, hem, my cough is very troublesome ! under these circumstances, I say, I am sure you will excuse but it is a rule that I laid down for myself many years airo, when I first went into business I am sure you will excuse, but really, there are so many hem, hem! my cough is very troublesome." "-Then come to the point at once," said the gentleman in black, somewhat testily; " are you willing to assist me with your advice?" " Not unless I have something in hand to begin with," replied old Bagsby, speaking as plain as though he had never coughed in his life. He had so frequently, in the course of his practice, ex- perienced the potency of this proposition, in putting an end to many a pYomising conference, that even the knowledge of his client's wealth, could not prevent him from watching his dingy countenance with some anxiety. But the dark gentleman was evidently gratified by this display of the ruling passion, and >.,. eyes twinkled as he replied, " Precisely so. Nothing can be more reasonable! I have no idea of cheap law. It would be a pretty sort of thing if justice were to be given away! quite contrary to my ideas of propriety, I assure you. Shocking! just as if It was a thing of no value. Ho ho, ho! ha, ha, ha! upon my darkness, you're a capital old fellow; I admire your rule THE GENTtEMAN IN BLACK. i/ exceedingly, and hope it will become general throughout the profession. So here goes!" Uttering these words, no began to pull out from the pocket of his black inexpressibles, the long black elastic silk purse, of which we have so fre- quently had occasion to make mention, while the lean lawyer sat with greedy eye, as fold after fohd came forth from its dark abode, like a cable from its tier on shipboard, and were arranged in voluminous coils upon the rickety old office table, which literally began to groan beneath their weight. Yet still the interminable process went on, while the black purse- bearer, to whom the work was as easy as though he was handling gossamer, diverted himself by watching the changes in old Bagsby's countenance as the heap accumulated. At length, the dark elderly gentleman suspended his labours, though the end of his magical purse had not yet bo- come visible, as it extended from the table to his pockot. like a rope. What its precise length might be, Bagsby couV not guess: but, judging from other purses, it might be abo-f half way out, for the owner thrust his ringer and thumb if 4 f . an opening, such as may be seen in the centre of every-d^ money-bays, and drew forth a coin of the value of sev"F shillings, which he placed before the admiring lawyer, and, ft a serious, business-like tone, and with a face of surpassing gravity, said, " I shall thank you to give me change, that < fbnrpence." The ancient lawyer had been gazing upon the wonder working heap that was piled upon his table, with a strange intensity; and his feelings were of a most complicated nature. He had some indistinct notion that a great part, if not the whole, might fall to his share ; but, nevertheless, there stole upon him an inward misgiving that there might be some dan- ger in receiving a fee from such a client; and, withal, a chilliness and fear, and trembling, took possession of him; the rigidity of his muscles gave way, and his knees smote one against the other. Therefore, the words which were ad- dressed to him, for the purpose of contrasting his usual gains with the prospect before him, fell unheeded upon his ear. Not receiving any reply, the gentleman in black looked up, and instantly perceived the state of the case. " Smell this, my dear sir!" he exclaimed, handing one of his black glas Dottles. " There there you are better now, I'm iure. What has been the matter with you?" " "res hem yes," replied old Bagsby, sniffing at tl> specific, " oh, ah it was nothirv. T v s subject to such nt$ 96 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. when I was a boy: but it is a long 1 time, a very long time, since I have had an attack of the kind." " What do you call it?" inquired the gentleman in black. " Oh, nothing, nothing," replied the lawyer, endeavouring to appear quite at ease; " it was only a recurrence of early prejudices." " On/// a recurrence of early prejudices!" exclaimed he of fhe elastic sable purse. " Do you call that nothing? Allow me to tell you, sir, that there is scarcely anything to which I so decidedly object as such reminiscences. And, permit me to say, sir, that a gentleman of your experience and good sense ought to be above such follies and weaknesses. What old woman's tale have you got into your head? Really, my dear friend," (here he changed his tone, which had been somewhat harsh, into one of mild entreaty and persuasion,) " I did not expect this from you. You have now been acquainted with me for some years; and I should have imagined that the ridiculous fables of the nursery, which represent me as a remarkably ill-behaved personage, and positively frightful in appearance, had long since been eradi- cated from your recollection." " One is not able," replied Bagsby, in a sort of semi- apologetical manner, " to command one's feelings at all times." " So it seems," observed the gentleman in black, drily; " but, one would think your own senses sufficient evidence to contradict the trumpery fabrifications to which I allude. Look at me, and say if you perceive anything disagreeable or even ungentlcmanly in my appearance." Bagsby looked up, and such was the effect of the slight attack which he had undergone from " early impressions," that he spoke but the truth w hen he replied, " 1 must say that 1 have seen you look better in every respect." " If such be your opinion," said the dark elderly gentle- man, " it is useless for us to attempt to proceed to business this morning;" and he immediately began to haul home the coils of his long black silk purse from the table, into his black breeches' pocket. Bagsby looked on and sighed, and was just in the act of calling out " Stop!" when the door of his office opened, and in walked Messieurs Maxwell and Ledger. The scene now changed as quickly as in a pantomime. The black purse rushed like a live thing into its place, and its owner arose and took a polite leave of the lawyer, and, bowing to the two other THE GENTLEMAN IN-BLACK. 97 gentlemen, ventured to remark that he would not interrupt their business with Mr. Bagsby, as he was just about to take his departure. "The sooner the better," replied Mr. Ledger, sternly, pointing, at the same time, to the door ; and straightway the gentleman in black sneaked off in a very crest-fallen sort of manner as the vulgar saying is, " with his tail between his legs," insomuch that the lawyer was astonished at perceiv- ing the extreme diminution of his importance, and the mean and abject manner in which he made his exit, keeping ever at a most respectful distance from the stern and upright old merchant. Old Bagsby is not the only individual who has been saved from the machinations of the gentleman in black, by the recurrence of "early prejudices" and the company of those whose presence is particularly objectionable to that personage. If any consolation were requisite to the man of law for the disappearance of the long black purse, it was immediately forthcoming in the shape of full and liberal payment for all expenses, charges, attendances, consultations, stamps, mes- sages, &c., &c., incident upon the case, and in the transac- tions of the Comte D'Ormalle during his visit to England. When these matters were arranged, Mr. Maxwell- stated that, although the Comte had left England, it did not follow that he should be forsaken by his friends ; and therefore he pro- posed that, as soon as Mr. Bagsby could make it convenient, he should follow him to Paris. To this suggestion the lawyer would not, at first, listen for an instant ; but rose from his seat, and paced the room in very evident and great agitation, muttering, " Me me what? I go abroad? Me! why, I never was more than ten miles out of town in my life, except once, and then I'd better have been in bed all the while :" and forthwith he began a long and tedious tale about a journey to Bath, which was attended with inconveniences, incivility, over-charges, narrow escapes, impositions, and all the various et cetera, by which " shabby " or inexperienced travellers are beset, and with the narration of which they inflict no small penalty on such as are compelled to listen thereunto. The listeners in the present case, however, had an interest at stake in keeping the story-teller in good humour ; and Mr. Ledger gave a significant nod to his partner, which said, " Let the old fellow have rope enough! give him time." JJ^i THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. So, when the elaborate tale was ended, they extolled him exceedingly for the judgment and discrimination of character that he had evinced in the said journey, and declared that he was perfectly competent to travel into any part of the known world. And so it was that old Bagsby was caught in his c\Y trap, for he had really, while speaking of his unfitncss for locomotion, been endeavouring to show oft'; and, like most of us, he was highly delighted at receiving a compli- ment upon his knowledge of that, respecting which he was in t.tter ignorance. In common with the generality of men who live apart from the world, he had a very sufficiently f,ood opinion of his own talents and acquirements. There- Jore, when he spoke of his ignorance of French customs, ".anners, and laws, it was a mere feint or ruse to enhance Jie value of his services; for he verily believed himself to be i match for the gentleman in black, in whatsoever part of he world he might happen to meet him. Such being the case, he was soon persuaded, by liberal promises held out to him by those who had ever acted liberally towards him, to proceed with the business in question, even into the French courts; and, immediately the consultation was at an end, he began to make preparations for his departure. On the fourth day after these events, a packet sailed from Dover for the opposite port of Calais, with what is termed a side wind; and on the lower or leeward side of the said packet sat the lean lawyer of Lyon's Inn, in a woful state of agitation, both mental and corporeal. It was the first time that he had beheld the sea; and, consequently, as the little vessel heeled and pitched about upon the face of the billows, he imagined that she was in imminent danger of upsetting, and was, literally, undergoing the horrors of a storm. The keenness of the sea breeze, moreover, affected him not a little, and rendered it very desirable that his poor body should be enveloped in certain paraphernalia, which he had purchased for an expected nocturnal journey overland, and which, for economy's sake, he had packed up in his port- manteau. But that was deposited in the cabin below, whereunto his le., r s refused to carry him; and, alas! there was no ringing the bell for Jerry. So the poor old fellow sat and shivered, and thought of that meagre worthy, and of the quiet and steadiness of Lyon's Inn, and, ever and anon, peeped through his watery eyes upon the lessening cliffs >t his native land. From this deplorable state of helpless endurance, he was roused into activity by the imperative THE GEXTI.r.MAN IN BLACK. ij\t demands of the God Neptune; therefore he arose, and, much to his mortification, superadded to the usual tribute, a pair of spectacles and a new hat and wig-, which went floating astern amid a burst of laughter from some of the unfeeling crew. But there were other good Samaritans on board, who pitied the lawyer's case; and he was soon enveloped in a seaman's coarse blue coat, and a striped woollen cap was placed upon his head; and, thus metamorphosed, he sat in doleful dumps, as though he had been regularly enlisted into the sea service. " Ha! ha! ha!" laughed a deep hollow voice close at his elbow; "why, old Jerry himself would hardly know you now, my dear sir. How do you find yourself? Allow me to otter you a pinch of snuff." Bagsby turned sharply round, and was not a little startled to find the gentleman in black sitting at his side, apparently quite at ease. " What!" continued the dark intruder, " you are surprised, eh? precisely so! I perceive it; but, the fact is, my dear sir, I am a great traveller at home everywhere. Quite a cosmopolite; and, wherever there is any business to be done, there I am. So I thought, as you would be quite at leisure during the passage, and we shall be secure from interlopers, we might as well take this opportunity of talking over the affair in which we are respectively engaged." " I beg your pardon, sir," replied the lawyer, distantly, and assuming as much dignity in his new, or rather, old dress, as if enveloped in the Chancellor's robes, " I am not at leisure." " Precisely so," said the gentleman in black, in a most unperturbed manner; " that is as you think. But the fact is. I have a proposition to make to you, which, as a man of sense, observation, and calculation, I am confident you will find much more to your advantage than going on this wild-goose chase. I have made a brief memorandum on the subject. Just do me the favour to look over these papers." " I have lost my spectacles," replied old Bagsby, sulkily. " My dear sir," said the man of the black-edged papers, " I will lend you mine with pleasure." and, dipping his hand into the black bag, which stood as usual between his legs, he drew forth a black shagreen case, from which he took a pair of spectacles, mounted in black tortoise-shell, and politely handed them to the lawyer, who forthwith began readiii"-, and seemed much interested in what he read: and, in tho 100 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. meanwhile, the gentleman in black walked up and down the deck, taking- snuff with as much sang froid and ease, as though he had been on terra ftrma. An ejaculation from Bagsby, however, effectually disturbed his equanimity, and ne snatched his spectacles from the old fellow's eyes, and exclaimed, " You know, sir, I have a particular antipathy to swearing!" " My dear sir," said the lawyer, " allow me to finish. The scheme is wonderful !" " Precisely so," replied the owner of the spectacles, resuming his seat. " Loans to young and thoughtless spend- thrifts, are by far the best speculations iu which you can employ yourself. What with immediate profits, accumu- lating interest, extended connexion, introductions and future contingencies upon my darkness! I know nothing equal to them. And, as for the needful, I am sure I shall always be ready to advance on your own security. But read on" and, thus saying, he returned the spectacles. It lias frequently been a matter of doubt with old Bagsby, whether he really did read anything on that occasion, or whether the spectacles he wore had not a magical effect upon his optics; for he seemed, as in a vision, to behold a succession of individuals, many of them personally known to him, approaching and proffering him securities for immense loans. Then came others of the higher class of commoners; and anon, followed nobles of the first rank, either for the same purposes, or to effect exchanges of immense extent and value. And, as he looked on, the old lawyer's self-import- ance gradually increased: and he beheld his professional duties so much extended, that his offices, instead of being confined to three dark rooms in Lyon's Inn, seemed to occupy the whole of one side of one of the new squares, including separate departments for conveyancing, and every other species of legal transactions. On and on went the process, and princes, dukes, and marquesses appeared to be waiting his convenience, till at length, in the portly form of one, he recognized Majesty itself; and, so utterly was the old fellow lost in the delusion, that he exclaimed, " It is the King himself, God bless him!" In an instant the spectacles were snatched from his eyes, and, instead of being, as it were, enthroned in the midst of his suite of gorgeous rooms, he sat, a poor lean, shrivelled, meagre old man, trembling and helpless as a child, at the mercy of the w irids and waves, w hile the genllemau in black stood scowling over him. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 101 There are certain poisons, which, when exhibited in too great quantities, have a tendency to counteract their own deadly effects on the human system: and thus it was with the wonderful prospects which the dark designer had presented to his intended victim. He had overdosed him; and he plainly perceived his error, and was about to plan a remedy, when the lawyer's good genius interfered in the shape of a somewhat mountainous wave, which broke over the little vessel and pitched him forward upon the deck, where he fell upon his knees, and, in that position, under the influence of bodily fear, he uttered his third and most fervent ejacula- tion. Thus, in consequence of his loyalty and seasonable fear, Bagsby was freed, for a time, from temptation to swerve from the path of duty. The gentleman in black was no more seen on board during the voyage; and, when they arrived at Calais, there was no small uproar among the sailors at missing the " dingy fellow that seemed to have his sea legs on board," and who, they vowed, must have fallen over-board, as they v/ould defy even the old one himself to " bilk his passage, or escape the Douaniers on landing." CHAPTER IX. PREVIOUS to Bagsby's arrival in Paris, it will be necessary to look a little into the state of things there. After the Comte's departure, matters went on much as usual at his hotel, for the space of a week; and then M. le Comte de Tien a la Conr, who prided himself not a little on )iis skill in such matters, was much scandalized at the manner in which that most important meal, dinner, was served; and he could not avoid saying some severe things, to certain of the servants in waiting. He had, however, too much of the (good in that respect) old school about him, to begin, scold- ing regularly in the presence of a few guests, who did him the honour of taking their commons with him en famille; and, therefore, satisfied himself, for the moment, with a glass of champagne, and pulling a face and pushing away from him portions of certain dishes which, truth to tell, well merited the name he gave them of " detestable," inasmuch as they K2 102 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. were sent in by the marchand of patisserie, for the express purpose of (as we say in England) " getting up a row" for the sake of coining to an explanation. The fact was, that the said marchand had heard an extraordinary tale relative to the Comte D'Ormalle's connexion with the gentleman in black, which tale he had most stoutly taken upon himself to contradict, because he had had the honour to serve the table of M. le Comte (and no nobleman, he was confident, kept a better table) for many years, and had been always regularly paid whenever the Comte visited Paris. But, alas! such is the fleeting nature of even a good name, that, when M. le Comte suddenly left Paris without discharging his bill, he began to doubt. Therefore, when the Abbe Beueton called upon him, (as he felt himself bound to do, seeing that his patron the Comte was but ill-disposed toward t\\efricandeaux, &c., of the said artist,) the said artist spake of his wife and his large, and increasing, little family; and, after a brief explana- tion, came to the usual issue of " a large bill to make up," "dis- appointments," " arrangements to make, &c. &c.," all which the abbe said had nothing to do with the matter in question; but which, nevertheless, he should represent in the proper quarter. The poor Comtesse Emilie had never, since her marriage up to that period, known what trouble or anxiety were. She had spent her time in a constant round, or rather, a series of circles of gaiety and dissipation. As for money, she had no idea of its value. It seemed to her merely a sort of custom to put one's hand in one's pocket if one lost at cards, or hold it out and receive something if one won. And as for bills, they were to be referred to the steward or the Comte. The case now, however, was very different. She had no money, the steward had no money, and Monsieur le Comte was gone nobody knew where. At first it struck her as a very good joke, an exceedingly ridiculous sort of distress, and so she went and told her most perpendicular father, who averred that, so far from conceiving the thing to be a joke, he con- sidered it to be a very serious, or, as Bagsby would have said, " a very ugly piece of business." " But, nevertheless, my dear Emilie," he continued, " as it really makes very little difference to me where I live, I shall make it a point not to leave you unprotected in your present situation, but wait and see the end of the afi'air. In the meanwhile, despatch your toilet as quickly as possible, or we shall be late at the Duchesse de Cherceleon's select party." THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 103 To that party and divers others they went; and day after dav passed on, yet the Cointe D'Ormalle came not, and the poor Comtesse remembered with grief, and something very nearly akin to self-reproach, the manner in which they hail last parted. Duns became more frequent, and less polite and ceremonious; and even her own maid, Lisette (who, by the way, firmly believed that the Comte had been carried off by the gentleman in black) began to exhibit symptoms of peevishness and disrespect. " Sweet are the uses of adversity !" The Comtesse sat alone, removed from the summer flies of her prosperity, and thought on by-gone days of happiness with her dear Louis how he had anticipated her every wish: and then she recol- lected the princely style in which, without hesitation or remark, he had so long supported their, or rather her splendid establishment in Paris. It had been the envy of all. What was the consequence? Where was poor dear Louis? Had he destroyed himself? No! That was too horrible. She would not believe that. " And, yet," she continued, " when I think on my extravagance! But, oh! I dare not look to the future !" and then the poor repentant lady wept. Let it not be supposed that her nature was so completely altered as to be ever in this frame of mind. But in such a mood she was, when Comte Louis, after his narrow escape from London, arrived in Paris. She had been thinking of him alone for, at least, ten minutes, and had even murmured his name, and said, "Oh! what would I give to see him!" when he rushed into the apartment, and in a moment she was in his arms, vehemently sobbing, and expressing, as well as she could at intervals, her delight. And the poor Comte! he perceived there was no " acting" in the case, as he had whilome suspected in by-gone days. All was real; and he pressed her to his heart in fervent joy and gladness. Neither of them had been so happy for years. The next morning all the duns were dismissed in a way perfectly satisfactory to their feelings; and then the Comte visited Messieurs Lafitte, Barillons, and the other bankers to whom remittances had been sent in consequence of his trans- actions in England, and found the amount of his balances so immense, in French livres, that he began to think he should have a handsome surplus, after discharging the whole of any accounts on black-edged paper which the gentleman in black could produce against him. A little consideration, however, convinced him of his error on that head, and, for a short 104 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. time, depressed his spirits. Indeed, there are very few of ns who would not be somewhat startled at beholding- the sum total of what all our expenses and extravagances would amount to in eight-and-twenty years. So the Comte D'Ormalle sighed, and ordered his carriage, and took a ride with his dear Einilie in the Boulevards, in order that his arrival might be generally known; and the consequences ot his re-appearance were a multitude of calls from the Comtesse's dear friends, and a visit from the old bishop to himself, on par- ticular and private business. The ancient and formal ecclesiastic was far too tedious to be endured in detail by the reader. Let it suffice, therefore, to observe, that he still kept harping upon the alienated Church lands, declared that he had thought much on the Comte's singular case; but really he scarcely knew, &c. &c. and finally, that he had thought fit to convene a sort ot^ council a few learned friends, men of distinguished parts, who had already held several meetings on the subject, and were to assemble again on the morrow when he trusted that the Comte would have the politeness to attend. On the morrow, while the Comte was debating on the subject within his own mind, he was most agreeably surprised by the appearance of his lean legal adviser, poor Bagsby, who, in spite of the alarm, fatigue, and battering that he had under- gone, instantly decided on attending " the Committee," as he called it. " There will be no business done in our first interview," said he: " I understand the nature of such meetings, and shall plead fatigue as a reason for not entering deeply into the subject. But I shall have an opportunity of making my observations, and of judging what sort of people we have to deal with." The council in question were assembled in a circular Chapter-honse-looking building, connected with one of the religious establishments in Paris, which it would scarcely be correct to name. The Abbe of Grandesdimes was president, and the lowest place at the board was occupied by brother Dodun, who was admitted among his august superiors, in consequence of his having been the first person intrusted with the business in question. " So we may expect to see the Comte to-day," said the president, taking his seat. " What time do we dine? Whoso turn is it to order dinner? Ah! I remember now; my dear Franchelippe we may trust to you always. But really, it THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 105 to me, that the last time we dined at Very's, we wore not precisely treated with that sort of respect which I could have wished. These miserable English at the restaurateurs are quite a nuisance !" " i,es betes!" exclaimed the abbe Nigaudin, shrujrging up his shoulders, and eievating his eyebrows, in an attempt to look wise. After a few more observations and questions equally im- portant, a lean, cadaverous-looking member of the council, Rateleux by name, put on his spectacles, and, opening a huge manuscript volume that lay before him, said, that, if the pre- sident would give hi;ii leave, he would read a tew extracts, from certain scarce works of the ancient fathers, which ap- peared in some measure to bear upon the case in point. And then, after hemming three or four times, he beg in his task in a slow monotonous tone; and, doubtless, the hearers were much edified thereby, as what he read was written in good old monkish Latin. " When this process had gone on for some time, it was interrupted by a gentle tapping at the door; and brother Dodun, by virtue of his office, as no menials were allowed to be present at this important consultation, went to ascertain the cause. " The Comte D'Ormalle is come," said he, gently, on his return to the table. Then followed a whispering conference among the brethren, whether they should awaken the presi- dent; but that pillar of the church missed the soothing tones of brother Rateleux, and saved them the trouble of deciding. " Admit the Comte by all means," said he, most graciously, as soon as he understood the state of the case: and brother Dodun forthwith performed his office, and requested the Comte to walk in. The Comte accordingly stepped forward, and, with a slight nod of acknowledgment to the humble brother, en passant, advanced towards the table where the dignitaries were sitting. Dodun then attempted to close the door, but, finding some obstacle in the way, peeped behind to ascertain what it might be, and was in no small degree astonished and dismayed, at finding his face close to that of our old friend Bagsby, who pushed forward without ceremony, and followed the Comte. A fearful exclamation from the janitor communicated his alarm to the council board, and there was a general sauvequi pent movement among their reverences, which was with some difficulty arrested by the Comte, who assured them, on hi* 106 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. honour, that the gentleman was only his lawyer. Yet, for some minutes, there was a dead silence at the board, and the members thereof eyed the intruder and his bag with looks of suspicion: and it must be confessed, that Bagsby's appearance was far from prepossessing: for, not being able to procure a wig of his own pattern, to supply the place of that which had gone to sea, he had cheapened a second-hand " Brutus," thinking it would do very well till his return home. Now, the said " Brutus" was black, and large, and full made, and overshadowed, with a profusion indkvitory of much earlier life, the pale and shrivelled face of the ancient lawyer; so that the tout ensemble was most unnatural. Added to this, Bagsby, like most other men who do not often enter into a ioke, when he did relish one, enjoyed it exceedingly; and the mistake which had just occurred, tickled the old fellow's fancy so much, that he could not avoid chuckling and cachinnating to himself, in a manner that appeared very unseemly in such august presence. Brother Dodun, obeying a graceful wave of the president's hand, placed a chair for the Comte, and Bagsby thereupon, without waiting for any invitation, took one for himself: and then the abbe of Grandesdimes, in his official capacity, ad- dressed the Comte D'Ormalle in a set speech, wherein he took occasion to say much of the condescension, paternal feelings, learning, &c., &c., of their venerable and noble diocesan, by whom they had been deputed to examine into this very mysterious affair. " We have," he continued, "already made considerable progress: but there yet remain certain deep and knotty points to be investigated, on one of which we were deliberating at the moment of your arrival. I assure you, Monsieur Le Comte, the laity have little idea of the way in which we of the clergy occupy our time the midnight oil the" Here old Bagsby's cough was exceedingly troublesome, and the Abbe Nigaudin muttered " Bete!" " But," continued the president, " far be it from me to arro- gate, ei{her for myself or brethren, any other merit than what we may fairly claim for patience and perseverance. For those qualities, my son, you may faithfully depend upon us, and, in the meanwhile, remember that the power of the church is immense. It is true, that I and my brethren here, are but individual and humble sons thereof; but, nevertheless, we venture to counsel you not to despair; particularly as you are possessed of the means of doing good." THE GENTLEMAN IN lil.ALK. 107 Here the president sat down in a state of exhaustion, and then there was a whispering and looking at watches round the table, and then an adjournment until the following 1 day. On rising from table, each of the members paid their respects to the Comte, and each in his turn, rang the changes upon the old topic, " the immense power of the church, &c.," except brother Rateleaux, who squeezed the Comte's hand, shook his own head, and said it was an ugly piece of business. Bagsby attended the council on the following day, in the character of plenipotentiary for the Comte, and caused a great sensation by affirming that he would not advance a single louis, on account of any expenses that might be incurred, until the business was settled. This determination, in which the lawyer was inflexible, caused the despatch of a messenger to Rome, from whence he returned laden with official documents called absolutions, indulgences, &c., which professed to exonerate the Comte from the consequences of the various sins which he had agreed and been compelled to commit: and then the gentle- man in black made his appearance before the board, to argue the case in person. The uncomfortable feelings that simul- taneously took possession of all the ecclesiastics, when tie first introduced himself, very soon subsided: and he, after making his obeisance in a style of courtly elegance, took a seat at the board, and pulled a variety of black-edged papers, tied with black tape, from his black bag, and, placing them on the table, looked round him with an air of calm composure that seemed to say, " Here I am, ready to answer anybody who has anything to say to me." In the meanwhile, Bagsby had attached himself to a mem- ber of the council, who was likewise a Jesuit, and, conse- quently, well versed in the science of " mystification." These two worthies sate opposite the gentleman in black, to whom the lawyer nodded in a knowing oblique manner, which spake as plain as nod could speak, " I'll bother you yet, old fellow!" After the minutes of the last meeting had been read over, the president made a speech, during which, we are sorry to say, old Bagsby's cough was again exceedingly troublesome, and the dingy plaintiff himself was compelled to take a pinch of blackguard, to prevent him from being guilty of the ungen- tlemanly vice of yawning. At length the packet from Rome was produced in ilue form, and the various documents were read, by which it 108 THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. appeared that the Comte was relieved from all the conse- quences of the past, and was freed from all allegiance, suit, service, &c., towards the gentleman in black for the future, any bonds, promises, &c., &c., to the contrary notwith- standing. When the reader was silent, the president arose, and, waving his arm with great dignity, exclaimed, " Behold the power of the Church! Great, wonderful, astonishing, mar- vellous, merciful, infallible is the hern In short, the busi- ness is now at an end Monsieur Le Comte is perfectly freed from the toils. Ahem. As for you, Monsieur, (turning to the sable-vested gentleman) you have no longer any demand on, or control over him; therefore therefore, allow me to recommend you to retire." " By no means," replied the gentleman in black, " I cannot admit, for a moment, that those documents in any manner affect the validity of the Comte's bond, voluntarily entered into with me. I consider him to be in the same situation, as regards me, with that of a subject towards his sovereign to whom he has sworn allegiance." " Bah!" exclaimed Franchelippe. " And supposing he were? The Pope, you know, has the yower of excommuni- cating the sovereign, and absolving the subject from alle- giance." " As to the matter of excommunication," replied the gen- tleman of the black bag, " it may be as you say, for aught I know or care; but, from the best authorities, I learn that he has not the power of absolving any subject from his allegiance." " You are in a state of deplorable ignorance, Monsieur, relative to the power of the Church," said the president; " I remember to have read a great deal upon that very subject. Perhaps, brother Rateleux, you will have the goodness" Rateleux, who, according to the Cambridge term of the present day, had been " cramming" himself upon the subject, commenced a long, learned, and tedious dissertation upon papal supremacy; and spoke of the donation of Constantino the Great; and quoted divers ancient chronicles, deeds, speeches, and received opinions related how Clement the Fifth (who, as Pope, was of course infallible) declared in the council of Vienna, that " all the right of kings depended upon him alone." How Boniface the Eighth, and Innocent the Fourth, had made similar assertions relative to various kingdoms, the former particularly claiming the kingdom of France as " a fee of the papal majesty." THE Oi.NTl.EMAN IN BLACK. 109 Vhen this erudite display of brotlier Rateleux's reading ftK./ industry terminated, there ran a general bnz of appro- bation and triumph round the board, and then the president declared it to be utterly impossible that anvthinjr could be said which should have the smallest weight against such authority. But the gentleman in black appeared in no degree dismayed; and, after a cool and deliberate piuch of snuff, begged leave to make a few observations. " They would be perfectly useless," said the president; " a mere waste of time, I assure you." " We cannot sit here all day," observed Franclielippe, gomeuhat impatiently, and looking at his watch. " 1 will not detain you long," said the black bond-holder, " for, although I have no trifling knowledge of many works quoted by the learned gentleman, I will not refer to them. But the fact is, I am a great traveller, and have lately been much in England and Ireland, particularly the latter; and I iind that the best authorities, and the most zealous among those of your own church there, declare that the pope has not" Here the president's curiosity got the better of his polite- ness, and he interrupted the speaker by exclaiming, " Well! and how does the good cause go on? It is a sad thing to think of the heretical state of those kingdoms. Abbies, cathedrals, most excellent benefices I am told, all, all in the possession of heretics! Ah! our poor brethren! But, tell me, I beg, are things likely soon to be better?" " As for that, Monsieur," replied the dark advocate of his own cause, " I dare not speak positively: but I rather think they will. In the meanwhile, however, what is more to the business in hand, which I always like to stick to, they have agreed that the pope does not possess the power of" " We cannot listen to anything of that kind," said the president. " Les bttes!" exclaimed Nigaudin. " To think of prescribing limits to the pow-er of his holi- ness!" cried brother Dodun, turning up his eyes, and con- cluding with an emphatic " Oh!" " Let me tell you," said Rateleux, whose zeal now burst forth, in consequence of the approbation which he had just received " Let me tell you, it can be of no consequence what t/ieif sav. What! shall it be allowed that a few isolated members of the universal church, shall njresume to limit the powers of its supreme and infallible head? B&h ! 110 THE GENTLEMAN IN EI.ACK. What can their opinions, even supposing them to be sincere weigh against the authorities which 1 shall, with the per- mission of'our learned president, now proceed to quote < ' Here the hard-reading member produced a paper, on which an abundance of closely written extracts, from ancient authors, were drawn up in dark array: but he was prevented from proceeding in his review thereof, by brother Sapeur. tin- Jesuit, witli whom, as* we stated before, Bagsby had t'ormea an acquaintance. " I should recommend an adjournment," said the son ot Loyola, briefly: and the influence of his fraternity was so great, that the president seemed disposed to attend to the suggestion; and even brother Rateieauz, at a significant glance from the Jesuit, deposited the important paper calmly amid the heap that lay before him. The other members of the council felt that there was a mystery in the business, and, as they could not comprehend it, were wise enough to hold their peace, thereby evincing a degree of prudence worthy of imitation in higher quarters. So, after a short silence, the council was uroiten up. " You have taken a strange method of assisting me," said Bagsby, when he next found himself alone with the Jesuit. " I am sorry to have disappointed you," replied brother Sapeur, " but it was a very delicate matter; as you would say, a very ugly piece of business. The point in question was one which, just now, it would be exceedingly imprudent to agitate. We must act according to circumstances. The time may come ahem no matter that is not exactly the business between us." " Have you anything to propose?" asked Bagsby, " or do you mean to leave me in the lurch, after all your promises ?" " I have no such intention," said Sapeur; " 1 propose to have an interview with the gentleman in black upon the Comte's case, as I feel myself deeply interested therein." " Then the sooner the better!" exclaimed the individual in question, as he entered the room in which this colloquy was held, in his usual unceremonious way " the sooner the better, as 1 have much business in hand;" and he seated him- self at the table. The Jesuit looked for a moment at Bagsby, as though he felt uncomfortable at his presence; but, as the lawyer would not take the hint, he proceeded to address the gentleman in black in th Spanish language. His speech was slow, mono- tonous and mystical, and seemed to make no small impression THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. Ill upon the hearer, who, after looking round for a moment in evident embarrassment, said, " Perhaps hem precisely so I suppose from your dialect you are a Spaniard?" " I am generally thought to be so, when I speak in that tongue," replied Sapeur. " Precisely so," said the gentleman in black: and then muttered to himself in an under tone, " A double-tongued Jesuit, and an old, wily, slippery English lawyer! Fearful odds! What chance have / between them? I don't feel my self at all comfortable!" and he applied to his black snuff- boxes and smelling-bottle with unusual vigour, while the Jesuit and Bagsby conversed aside for the space of five minutes, to the great satisfaction of the latter, who was, how- ever, too prudent to allow any evidence thereof to appear on his tutored countenance. " I can draw .up the deed immediately," said Bagsby, speaking out " nothing can be fairer." " If the gentleman does not think fit to agree to the propo- sition now, I will not engage to offer it again," observed the Jesuit, in a cavalier tone. " I have a great objection to delay," said the gentleman in black. * " Rashness is frequently more prejudicial to one's inte- rests," rejoined Sapeur; and old Bagsby began pulling his under lip, as was his wont when concocting any new device. " Half the sins remitted! Half the monies paid!" mur- mured the gentleman in black. " Precisely so, to use your own words," replied the Jesuit, " subject to the appropriation of the sum 1 named for the prosecution of certain schemes, during the progress of which, whatever the end may be, you must be well aware, many of your own interests will be served." " I acknowledge the truth of your remark," said the dark gentleman. " I confess that the stirring up of men's passions is gratifying to me." " I am confident that a person of your good sense must come to a right conclusion," observed the Jesuit. " But to postpone my claim to that which is, as it were, within my grasp!" added the other. " As it were, indeed!" said Sapeur. " You will soon find that I and my worthy friend opposite have not exhausteJ o>ir resources." The gentleman in black sighed, and cast a gum^sc ~c Bagsby, and muttered, " Fourteen year !" and then sonni 112 THE GENTLFMAN IN BLACK. sudden and not unpleasant idea appeared to cross his mind: and he sat musing and tapping the lid of his black blackguard suurF-box for the space of a minute, when he exclaimed, " Well then, be it s->! The first loss is the best when one gets into such hands." " I beg leave to observe that that is a very ungentlernanly observation," said Bagsby. " Never mind," qui>th the Jesuit; " we must make allow- ances. Draw up the deed." " Ay, ay," muttered Bagsby, shuffling up to the table, on which were writing materials in abundance; " let me see. Half the monies to be returned. They are entirely under my control, and I shall give a cheque. Half the sins remitted half the time that is fourteen years and at the end of four- teen years more, the question to be resumed as left on this day." " Precisely so," said the gentleman in black. ** We may as well take a walk in the gardens while our friend is engaged," observed the Jesuit, " and breathe a mouthful of fresh air." " With all my heart," replied the dark gentleman; "it will perhaps do me good, for, to say the truth, I 4on't feel quite myself this morning." On their return it was evident that the spirits of both were much improved, whether from the effects of the air, or any- thing they had seen in the gardens of the Tuilleries, or that they had been complimenting and mystifying one another, must remain a matter of uncertainty. The lawyer, in the interim, had not been idle, for the deed was ready for signature, and he presented it to the gen- tleman in black, and requested him to look over it. " Bah!" exclaimed the man of sables; " what a rig-marole! Four long pages! I never could comprehend these endless, senseless phrases provided nevertheless hem ha! I see the heads are right. ' Fourteen years' ah ' half the amount of ' renewed in fourteen years' hem well here goes then, for once, to remit my just and lawful claims. Give me a pen." The document was regularly signed, and witnessed by Sapeur the Jesuit, and Bagsby, and the cheque handed over to the gentleman in black, who put it carefully up in his black morocco leather pocket-book, and then, throwing himself'back in a chair, gave vent to one of his startling fits of immoderate laugnter. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 113 Hereupon the Jesuit looked somewhat blank, and uttered ail expressive " Humph!" while Bajrsby's ancient and meagre countenance underwent not the shadow of a change. "Do you know," asked the gentleman of the dark suit, addressing the latter, as soon as he had recovered from his hilarious paroxysm, " what was my principal reason for signing the paper which you have in your pocket?" " Not I," replied the lawyer; " I neither know nor care. All I know is, that my purpose is answered, and that is suffi- cient for me." " Then I'll tell you," said the gentleman in black; " I have been calculating, that before the expiration of fourteen years, you will have ceased to be in a condition to oppose me." " Humph!" grunted Bagsby; " Liter CB scripttB manent you may, perhaps, have no great cause for congratulating yourself when the time comes." " What do you mean?" inquired the dark gentleman, briskly. " Nothing more," replied the lawyer calmly, " than that I have taken proper care of my client's interest. All demands on either side, either for money or sin, cease for fourteen years, and, at the end of that period, as I have reserved to the Comte an option of cancelling whichever half of the eight-and-twenty years he pleases, I suppose he will find no great difficulty in sinning for a second on the first year of your renewed claim, and two seconds during the second, and so on; and moreover, in case he should have become particularly religious in his latter days, he will have the advantage of the clause introduced by yourself into the original bond, by which ' all sins committed before, and all sins which he may commit in future, over and above the stipulated agreement, are to be taken into account.' So, altogether, if he makes proper use of the money yet remain- ing in his hands, what with interest and compound interest, I think you might almost as well be in Chancery. He, he! Why don't you laugh?" and the old fellow cackled most triumphantly, till a fit of coughing put au end to his merri- ment. The gentleman in black in the meanwhile sat sadly crest- fallen and disconcerted, while the Jesuit appeared to be absorbed in some deep and abstruse calculations, his dark -orow ana pale cheek supported on his left hand, as he at intervals, " Fourteen years and fourteen L2 114 THE GENTLEMAN IN BtACK. iwenty-eight the mission the Bourbons Ferd inquisit emancipation a glimpse of former hem magna est veritat, et hem twice fourteen a general why not?" "Fool that I was!" exclaimed the gentleman in black, rising and stamping violently on the floor, " to think of sign- ing any paper without bringing my own lawyer." " It was very imprudent, certainly," replied Bagsby, " but what is done cannot be undone, and you should not bear malice. I must now go and report progress to my client;" and thus saying, he arose and took his hat. " I shall not lose sight of you," exclaimed he of the black habiliment?, somewhat angrily; but, in a moment curbing his passion, he made an effort at apparent magnanimity, and. assuming his usual courteousuess, continued, " I will do myself the pleasure of calling upon you at Lyon's Inn ere long. I admire your talents, and shall cultivate a more intimate acquaintance: for you have convinced me that, notwithstanding a considerable portion of self-conceit to which I plead guilty, I have yet much to learn. People say that I have a very extensive circle of friends among gentle- men of your profession, but I assure you that the report is not to be relied on. Indeed, considering the facilities of introduction which I possess, and the inducements I fre- quently have hi my power to hold out, I am often surprised tnat I have not more on my list." " I wish you a good morning," said Bagsby,. taking his leave. " Au revoir," replied the gentleman in black, bowing politely. And so they parted. A grand entertainment was given at the Comte D'Ormalle's hotel, whereat Bagsby " sported" a new wig, and %vas intro- duced as the Comte's most particular friend, to many noble personages, and gens comme il faut; but a whisper of the story of " a gentleman in black" had gone abroad, and he found himself alone in a crowd, though the " admired of ail admirers." The ladies, in particular, reversing the usual custom of place aux dames, made way for him wherever he moved. His was a painful pre-eminence, and therefore he lost no time in returning to the quietude of Lyon's Inn, where he and old Jerry were alive some years ago, and going on in the old six-and-eightpenny style. Considering his nation and his habits, it will not appear surprising that the Comte D'Ormalle did not concern himself THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. 1 1 !\ about what might happen in about eight-and-twcnty y^ar*, Tne ecclesiastical council on his case was broken up; anl tne only individual of that body who appears to have taken any further interest in the matter is brother Rateleux, who was long employed in a deep investigation and learned dissertation upon the probability and possibility of the gentle- man in black urging his claims, should the Comte have arrived in purgatory before the expiration of the period during which he had agreed to allow them to remain dor- mant. We are happy to say that the decision to which he came was, that, in such a case, which, according to the usual tenor of human existence, may probably occur, the gentleman in black will be nonsuited. But if the learned brother has made a false conclusion, or the Comte should survive the stipulated period, his ultimate fate must depend entirely upon the question of the pope's supremacy, which maj% perhaps, then be argued at full length. But, it is an inquiry of too deep importance, and involved too much in the labyrinths of historical investigation, for us to venture an opinion thereupon. In the meanwhile they are going on in Paris as if they cared nothing about the matter. TALES OF OTHER DAY? TALES OF OTHER DAYS. THE MAGIC PHIAL; OR, AN EVENING AT DELFT. " Now," said the portly Peter Van Voorst, as he buttoned up his money in the pockets of his capacious breeches " Now I'll home to my farm, and to-morrow I'll buy neighbour Jan Hagen's two cows, which are the best in Holland." He crossed the market-place of Delft as he spoke, with an elated and swaggering air, and turned down one of the streets which led out of the city, when a goodly tavern met his eye. Thinking a dram would be beneficial in counter- acting the effects of a fog which was just rising, he entered, and called for a glass of Schiedam. This was brought, and drank by Peter, who liked the flavour so much, that he resolved to try the liquor diluted. Accordingly, a glass of a capacious size was set before him. After a few sips of the pleasing spirit, our farmer took a view of the apartment in which he was sitting, and, for the first time, perceived that the only person in the room, besides himself, was a youn,^ man of melancholy aspect, who sat near the fire-place, apparently half asleep. Now, Peter was of a loquacious turn, and nothing rendered a room more disagreeable to him than the absence of company. He therefore took the *:rst opportunity of engaging the stranger in conversation. " A dull evening, Mynheer," said the farmer. " Yaw," replied the stranger, stretching 1 hiirseit, aurt yawning loudly, " very foggy, I take it:" ana le rote. PTTI looked into the street. 120 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. Peter perceived that his companion wore a dress of dark brown, of the cut of the last century. A thick row of orass buttons ornamented his doublet; so thickly, indeed, were they placed, that they appeared one stripe of metal. His shoes were high-heeled and square-toed, like those worn by a company of maskers, represented in a picture which hung in Peter's parlour at Voorbooch. The stranger was of a spare figure, and his countenance was, as before stated, pale; but there was a wild brightness in his eye, which inspired the farmer with a feeling of awe. After taking a few turns up and down the apartment, the stranger drew a chair near to Peter, and sat down. " Are you a burgher of Delft?" he inquired. " No," was the reply; " I am a small farmer, and live in the village of Voorbooch." " Umph !" said the stranger, " you have a dull road to travel See, your glass is out. How like ye mine host's Schiedam ?" " 'Tis right excellent." " You say truly," rejoined the stranger, with a smile, which the farmer thought greatly improved his countenance; " but here is A 'iquor which no burgomaster in Holland can pro- cure. 'Tis fit for a prince." He drew forth a phial from the breast of his doublet, and. mixing a small quantity of the red liquid it contained, with some water that stood on the table, he poured it into Peter's empty glass. The farmer tasted It, and found it to excel every liquid he had ever drank. Its effect was soon visible: he pressed the hand of the stranger with great warmth, and swore he would not leave Delft that night. " You are perfectly right," said his companion, " these fogs are unusually heavy: they are trying, even to the consti- tution of a Hollander. As for me, I am nearly choked with them. How different is the sunny clime of Spain, which I have just left." " You have travelled, then?" said Peter, inquiringly. " Travelled! ay, to the remotest corner of the Indies, amongst Turks, Jews, and Tartars." " Eh, but does it please ye to travel always in that garb, Mynheer?" " Even so," replied the stranger; " it has descended from father to son, through more than three generations. See you this hole on the left breast of my doublet?" The farmer stretched out his neck, and by the dim light, THE MAGIC PHIAL. 121 perceived a small perforation on the breast of the stranger's doublet, who continued " Ah! the bullet that passed through itlodg-ed in the heart of my great-grandsire, at the sack of Zutphen." " I have heard of the bloody doings at that place from my grandfather, Heaven rest his soul!" Peter was startled on perceiving the unearthly smile which played over the countenance of the stranger, on his hearing thi? pious ejaculation. He muttered to himself, in an inaudible tone, the word Duyvell but was interrupted by the loud laugh of his companion, who slapped him on the shoulder, and cried " Come, come, Mynheer, you look sad; does not my liquor sit well on your stomach?" " 'Tis excellent!" replied Peter, ashamed to think that the stranger had observed his confusion: " will you sell me your phial ( f" " I had it from a dear friend, who has been long since dead," replied the stranger; " he strictly enjoined me never to sell it, for, d'ye see, no sooner is it emptied, than, at the wish of the possessor, it is immediately re-filled: but, harkee, as you seem a man of spirit, it shall be left to chance to decide who shall possess it."- He took from his bosom a bale of dice: " I will stake it against a guilder." " Good," said Peter, " but I fear there is some devilry in the phial." " Pshaw!" cried his companion, with a bitter smile, "those who have travelled understand these things better. Devilry, forsooth !" " I crave your pardon," said Peter, " I will throw for it;" and he placed a guilder on the table. The farmer met with ill luck, and lost. He took a draught of his companion's liquor, and determined to stake another guilder; but he lost that also! Much enraged at his want of success, he drew forth the canvass bag which contained the produce of the sale of his corn, and resolved either to win the phial (the contents of which had gone far to fuddle his senses,) or lose all. He threw ajrain with better luck; but, elated at this, he played with less caution, and in a few minutes was left penny less. The stranger gathered up the money, and placed it in his pocket. You are unlucky to-night, Mynheer," said he, with pro- voking indifference, ^hich greatly increased the farmer's chagrin; " but come, you have a goodly ring on your finger; will you not venture that against my phial?" H 122 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. The farmer paused for a moment it was the ftiit ct an OT friend yet he could not stomach the idea of bemtf ciearod ot his money in such a manner; what would Jan Biower, tne host of the Van Tromp, and little Rip Winkeiaar. tne schoolmaster, say to it ? It was the first time he had ever been a loser in any game, for he was reckoned the best harm at nine pins in his village; he therefore took the ring from his finger threw again and lost it! He sank back in his chair with a suppressed groan, &t which his companion smiled. The loss of his money, toge- ther with this ring, had nearly sobered him, and he gazed on the stranger with a countenance indicative of anything but good will; while the latter drew from his bosom a scroll of parchment. " You grieve," said he, " for the loss of a few paltry guilders; but know, that I have the power to make you amends for your ill-luck to make you rich ay, richer than the Stadtholder!" " Ha! the fiend!" thought Peter, growing still soberer, while he drank in every word, and glanced at the legs of the stranger, expecting, of course, to see them, as usual, terminate with a cloven foot; but he beheld" no such unsightly spectacle; the feet of the stranger were as perfect as his own, or even more so. " Here, said his companion, " read over this, and if the terms suit you, subscribe your name at foot." The farmer took the parchment, which he perceived was closely written, and contained many signatures at the bottom. His eye glanced hastily over the first few lines, but they sufficed. " Ha ! now I know thee, fiend !" screamed the affrighted Peter, as he dashed the scroll in the face of the stranger, and rushed wildly out of the room. He gained the street, down which he fled with the swiftness of the wind, and turned quickly, thinking he was safe from the vengeance of him, whom he now supposed to be no other than the foul fiend himself, when the stranger met him on the opposite side, his eyes dilated to a monstrous size, and glowing- like red-hot coals. A deep groan burst from tlie surcharged breast of the unfortunate farmer, as he staggered back several paces. " Avaunt! avaunt!" he cried, " Sathan, I defy thee! 1 have not signed that cursed parchment !" He turned and fled in an opposite direction; but, though he exerted his ut- most speed, the stranger, without any apparent exertion, kept by his side. At length he arrived at the bank of the canal. THE MAGIC PHIAL. 123 and leaued into a boat which was moored alongside. Stii. uis pursuer lOiiowed, and Peter felt the iron grasp of his hand on tne nap<.> of his neck. He turned round, and struggled iiard 10 tree himself from the gripe of his companion, roaring out in agony, " Oh, Mynheer Duy vel ! have pity, for the sake of my wife and my boy Karel !" But, when was the devil ever known to pity? The stranger held him tightly, and, spite of hi* struggles, dragged him ashore. He felt the grasp of his pursuer like the clutch of a bird of prey, while his hot breath almost scorched him; but, disengaging himself, with a sudden bound, he sprung from his enemy, and pitched headlong from his elbow-chair on to the floor of his own room at Voorbooch. The noise occasioned by the fall of the burly Hollander, aroused his affrighted helpmate from the sound slumber she had been wrapped in for more than two hours: during which time, her husband had been indulging in potations deep and strong, until, overpowered with the potency of his beloved liquor, he had sunk to sleep in hre elbow-chair, and dreamed the hellish dream we have endeavoured to relate. The noise of his fall aroused his vrow from her slumber?. Trem- bling in every limb on hearing the unruly sound below, she descended by a short flight of steps, screaming loudly for help, into the room where she had left her spouse when she retired to rest, and beheld Peter, her dear husband, E rostrate on the stone floor, the table overturned, his glass roken, and the remainder of the accursed liquor flowing in a stream from the stone bottle, which lay upset on the ground. A TALE OF THE CIVIL WARS. " Oh grief! beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without the only tie For which it loved to live or fear'd to die ; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken, Since the sad day its master -chord was broken." Is the little village of E , in Wiltshire, stands a small chapel, which, although it has not found a place in " The Beauties of England and Wales," is an object by no means devoid of interest. The supposition entertained by the local 124 TALES OF OTHER HAYS. antiquaries, that it was one of our primitive churches, (although modern innovations had rendered it subordinate to the unarchitectural mass designated as the parish church,) is borne out by its shape and indisputable antiquity: and the few ornaments which time has left still undestroyed on the walls serve to strengthen this opinion. Many associations, too, are connected with the spot on which it stands; tradition asserts it to have been formerly the site of a Roman encampment; and the existence of a deep and extended trench which reaches to a river winding round the base of the hill on which the chapel stands, strengthens the supposition. The burial ground, where " Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," contains many tributes to departed worth, erected by those whose children shall in turn perform for them the same melancholy duty. But there is one lonely, though not wholly forgotten grave, to which is attached a tale which furnishes a striking illustration of the manners of the period during which the unfortunate Charles incurred the displeasure of his rebellious subjects, and the country was disturbed by the strife of the contending parties; when the ties of friend- ship and kindred were severed by the violent factions, then known by the several names of Cavaliers, Independents, Anabaptists, Fifth-monarchy-men, Presbyterians, &c., all professing to be guided by their zeal for religion, or their love for the king; the licentious freedom of o::e party being exceeded in iniquity only by the cool and deliberately atrocious acts of the other. But to return from our digression. The small stone slab, which covers the grave alluded to, is now cracked in many places, whilst around its margin the grass has risen, so as to screen it from view, and the weeds, forcing themselves through the fissures, spread over the tablet, from which time, assisted, perhaps, by the foot of the wanton schoolboy, has long since erased the inscription. It was only during my last visit to this spot, that I received from the old sexton the materials which enabled me to pre- sent the following tale. I tell it because it is of other times; to the relations of which, I have, from my infancy, been most passionately attached. Emma Walgrave was the only child of a country gentle- man, in the village of E , who had sacrificed his life, and A TALE OF THE CIVIL \VARS. 125 nearly the whole of his property, in the cause of Charles the First. At the commencement of the " troubles," as they were then emphatically called, he mortgaged the greater part of his estate to a grasping attorney in the neighbouring town, and with it equipped a troop of horse, which did good service for Charles in the desperate engagement at Nazeby; but their leader, and the chief of his company, perished in the field. One of those who escaped the disastrous conflict was Everhard Champernowne, the son of a wealthy yeoman of Purton; and it fell to his lot to be the bearer of the sad tid- ings to the widow and child of the fallen royalist. With a heavy heart the young soldier returned home. The mission was doubly painful to him, for he was the betrothed of the gentle Emma. Those who are lovers can tell how they met, after absence on a service fraught with much danger; and those who have loved may still call to mind such scenes; but the pen cannot describe such moments of rapture. The maiden's sec*ond thought was of her father, (and who will not pardon its being her second thought?) when her joy was suddenly clouded by her lover informing her of his death. Her widowed mother, her first burst of grief being over, saw with alarm their destitute condition; whilst Emma consoled herself in that particular by a reliance on the honour of her lover, whose conduct became more marked and affectionate than it had been, even in the lifetime of her father. Ever- hard returned to his family at Purton, but made frequent visits to his beloved, during which time nothing occurred to interrupt their tranquillity. The Prince, afterwards Charles the Second, had, after many hair-breadth escapes, evaded his pursuers, and reached the Continent in safety. But this state of things did not last long; news soon arrived that the exiled Prince had landed in Scotland, and was advancing with a powerful army to claim his just rights. The intelligence once more aroused both friend and foe to monarchy; and, while some of the royalists set out to join their Prince, the Parliamentarians assembled their forces in that prompt, yet steady manner, which always characterized their proceedings, and strongly contrasted with the headstrong zeal of the other party, and prepared to resist him, " to whom," says the author of ' Boscobel,' " they could afford no better title than Charles Stuart." It was then that the young soldier tore himself from the arms of his beloved, and hastened to prove again that valour which had gained for him the applause of older and more experienced cavaliers. J26 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. Wo shall not follow Everhard through his journey, whim was one of neither pleasure nor security for the Prince nad many bitter enemies, who were continually on the watch to entrap his adherents but return to her, in whom all his earthly hopes were centered. Many months passed away, during which period no tidings were heard of Everhard. At length it was known that the Prince's army had entered England. All was anxiety and excitement; Emma had heard that a battle would soon be fought, and her heart sunk within her when she reflected, that thougrh the victory might be given to the royalists, her lover might be one of the victims in the fight. She remained for some days in torturing suspense, when intelligence arrived that the army of Charles was advancing upon Worcester. Anxious, yet dreading to hear the issue of the contest, the maiden would, for hours, sit at her casement, and watch the landscape till the sun had descended, and left every object undistinguishable. She had thus*vatclied one evening, whilst the sun was yet above the horizon, intently- gazing on every figure that appeared in sight; but the form of her lover met not her gaze. The rays of the setting sun still lit up the latticed windows of the small chapel, and glowed in the stream which wound round the base of the hill. In the distance stood the town, the spire of its noble church rising 1 majestically above the houses which surrounded it. Not a breeze moved a leaf of the stately elms which shaded the house of the once happy family. Twilight succeeded, and the Jight-shunning bat flitted in the cool evening, and flapped its leathern wing as it flew in fantastic circles round their dwelling; but the hour had no charms for its inmates: Everhard had not appeared to remove their anxiety, and the widowed lady, as the niarht arrived, sought consolation in her Bible, a chapter of which she was reading to her daughter who sat absorbed in her own meditations, her inward prayers directed to the great Author of all things, when the distant clatter of horses' hoofs arrested their attention. " 'Tis Everhard!" exclaimed the maiden, in a half-smothered tone, partaking both of pleasure and doubt and her hand was upon the bolt of the door.ere her mother was aware of the cause. ' Wist, child, what would ye do? Are we not alone, and unprotected? What if it should be some of the wild and lawless troopers abroad ? would ye give such as them en- trance? Pr'vthee withdraw thy hand from the fastening, and come hither. A TALE 01- Tilt C1V1I, VVAKS. l'2J To these remonstrances the maiden made no reply, but, turning from the door, was about to resume her seat, when the noise of footsteps was heard, and a gentle knock was given on the outside. " Who's there?" demanded the matron, shutting her Bible, and looking over her spectacles, while she motioned her daughter to keep the door fast. "'Tis 1," replied a well-known voice; and the next moment the bolt was drawn, and, Everhard Champernowne entering, received in his arms the almost fainting form of Ernma. In a few brief words he informed them of the issue of the battle, and of his own danger. His buff 1 coat, the sleeves of which were sprinkled with blood, was cut and torn, and but a rem- nant of the feather in his morion was left; his face looked wild and haggard, and his whole appearance gave evident token that he had not been idle in the bloody strife. "All is lost!" he mournfully exclaimed; "our army is dispersed, and the Prince has fled, Heaven knows whither! I have ridden hard to escape from -the bloodhounds, who may be even now at my heels, for they followed me and Ockle of Marston for twenty miles. The poor fellow had his arm broken by a harquebuize shot; but he is safely housed now, and may escape." " You will remain here to-night?" said the widow and her daughter. " 'Tis impossible," replied Everhard, " I must get to Purton before day-break, and conceal myself, or ha! what noise is that?" he suddenly cried, as the distant clatter of horses' hoofs struck on his ear; "by Heaven! the blood-hounds are here; whither shall I fly?" " To the secret place," cried Emma, eagerly; "there is a sliding panel in the wall of the little red chamber above there you may lie secure." As she spoke the noise became more distinct, and the voices of several men were heard. Without loss of time they proceeded to the little chamber of which Emma had spoken, when the hangings were drawn aside, and the maiden, touching a spring in the oak wainscot, a panel slid back, and discovered a recess capable of holding two or three persons. Everhard had scarcely entered it when voices were heard under the window, and, immediately after, a loud knocking sounded at the door. To have remained with the fugitive would have tended but to excite the sus- picion of the pursuers: the widow and her daughter therefore hastened down, just as a female servant (their only domestic) 1?8 TATES OF OTHER DAYS. had opened the door, and five or six men, habited as troopers rniered the house. The state of their dress and accoutre lueuts told that they had been engaged in the work of death and, as the light flashed on their grim and determined fea- I'ITOS, tho terrified women shrunk from their gaze in alarm. ' Woman!" said the foremost of the troop, " where is the j-oung malignant ye have sheltered?" What mean ye, sir?" inquired the matron, endeavouring to conceal her agitation. " It is not for thee to interrogate," replied the trooper; ' waste not our time, but tell us where he is hidden, for the Lord hath this day delivered into our hands these sons of the ungodly, whom we have smitten till the going down of the sun." " He is gone hence," said the maiden, in an almost inarti- culate voice. " Daughter of Moab," replied the trooper, taking a light, and holding it before her beautiful face, as a tear glistened on her blanched cheek; " thy trembling frame and faltering voice tell me that thou hast spoken the words of falsehood. In, brethren, in, and search the dwelling of these Moabitish women." As soon as the signal for havoc was given, the rest of the troopers drew their swords, and dispersed themselves over the house, whilst the females remained in the room below, half dead with fear; but in a short time they were summoned to open the several cupboards and presses, in which the rebel troopers imagined their victim might be con- cealed. The room to which they principally confined their search was that in which Everhard was secreted; and they hesitated not to tear down and destroy those pieces of furniture which they supposed might furnish a shelter for the fugitive; while the females remained in a state of frightful apprehension. Some of the troopers tore off' the bedding, and pierced the furniture with their swords; while others struck on the panels of the oak wainscot, in the hope that they might discover, by the sound, the hiding-place of their victim, whom they knew, from the agitation of the women, must be somewhere in the house. On a sudden, one of them struck the panel which concealed the recess, with the hilt of his sword, when a hollow sound was returned, which plainly indicated that it did not cover the wall alone. " Come hither, brethren," cried the trooper, in a tone of exultation, " and lend rue your aid to te ir dow n this wainscot. A TALE OF THE CIVIL WARS. 129 for I have a shrewd suspicion that a secret place is behind it. Zebulon-fear-the-Lord, pr'ythee lend me thy dagger, it. is much stronger than mine, and will serve to force out this panel." The dagger was handed to him; but his efforts to break the hard oak, of which the panel was formed, proved abor- tive. " Hold," cried one of his companions, as he drew a petrionel from his belt, " this will tell if any one be concealed behind it. 1 will fire through the wood." These words were like an electric shock to the nerves of the poor maiden, who, in a frantic manner, besought the ruffian to spare the life of her lover, and, falling on her knees before them, she entreated them to have mercy, while her fair eyes streamed with tears, and her heaving bosom be- trayed the agony of her mind. But she spoke to men whom a gloomy fanaticism had rendered callous to human misery, and a grim smile played on their countenances as they beheld her distress, for it told them their victim was already within their grasp. " Daughter," said the first trooper, as he coolly wound up the lock of the large horse-pistol, or petrionel, he held in his hand, " we are none of those who do their work negligently; the Lord of Hosts hath delivered him into our hands, is it not written, ' the ungodly shall be cut off,' even as" "Oh spare him! spare him!" cried the agonized girl, clasp- ing the knees of the trooper; " spare him, and all we have is yours." " Tempt not a soldier of Emanuel with the riches of this world," replied the trooper; " away with thee, thou child of the ungodly!" and, striding forward, he fired at the wall. The report shook the house, but high above it rose the shriek of the almost frantic Emma; the glass in the latticed window showered down on the floor, and the chamber was filled with smoke. The terrified youth, uninjured by the bullet which, however, passed near him during the con- fusion gently drew aside the panel, and emerged into the chamber. He immediately made towards the door, thinking to escape unobserved, but two of the troop were already there, and shouted loudly at his appearance, while their drawn swords were presented at his breast, and he was desired to surrender. They pressed forward to seize him, when, quickly drawing a pistol from his belt, he presented it at the foremost, whilst with his right hand he drew his sword. 7 130 TA1ES OF 01HEK DAIS. " Down with the son of Belial!" cn;d ino seneanr. <.?../. troop; " smite him dead!" but Everharu's niensciiis> aUiiuurt kept them at bay, when the serjeaut tired nis uNtui. me shot was deadly: the unhappy youth, stagsrerinp 1 back a lew paces, fell prostrate, and a torrent of blood deiugert the nuor Who shall describe the anguish of the hapless Emma at tins moment? As her lover fell, she burst from the arms of her mother, and threw herself upon the corpse, with a shriek so loud and shrill, that it sounded like no human cry. It was followed by a death-like silence, interrupted only by the con- vulsive sobs of her widowed parent. " Thus perish the ungodly," said the serjeant, in a drawling tone. " Now, brethren, get to your horses, for it waxeth late, and there are more abroad, who must be smitten with the edge of the sword; tarry not, but let us away, lest, peradventure,.the son of the late man, whom the ungodly call king, escape from the land. But, first," he con- tinued, as if a sudden thought had occurred to him, " let us possess ourselves of the vessels of gold and silver which this Midianitish woman hath." He quitted the room as he spoke, after casting a glance of satisfaction on the corpse of the ill-fated young royalist, from which the distressed lady, assisted by her servant, was endeavouring to raise her child. The heavy tramp of the troopers was heard throughout the house, and the violence to which they resorted to obtain everything of value, was indicated by the crashing of the various articles of furniture which contained anything portable. At length their foot- steps were heard in the court in front of the house; imme- diately after, the trampling of their horses told that they were mounting, and, in a few minutes, they quitted the place at a round trot. The agonized mother listened to the hollow sound of the horses' hoofs, until it died away in silence, and then again endeavoured to raise her child, who still remained in a state almost as death-like and as pale as the corpse of her lover. Having succeeded in removing her from the body, they bore her to her chamber, where she remained for several days in a state that left but little hope of her recovery. Intelligence of Everhard's murder was conveyed to Purton, from whence, however, the Champernownes had fled, to escape the vengeance of the Parliamentarians, who, from their having espoused the cause of Charles, were much incensed against them. The corpse of the murdered youth A T4T.E OF THE CIVIL WARS. 131 as in'prrpH in the church-yard of E , and was attended rr> trio grave hv the widow and her daughter. It was not nnrA tnis awtui ceremony took place, that Emma returned to a Ptnlv by their avarice, their swords and lances were ever at V service of those who could afford most. The latter weapon was much in repute in those days, and these men were particularly dexterous in the use of it; hence the name of " nee-lance," which was given, without distinction, to those restless spirits. Besides their pay, which was always considerable, there was with them another consideration, namely, plunder; which they seldom failed to get, even though the party they had joined should have been worsted in the fight; for, being mounted on fleet horses, they always defied pursuit. Amongst those who had distinguished themselves in the late contests, was one Ghysbrecht, captain of a band of free- lances, who had done good service in the pay of Stephen, during his struggle for the sovereignty. He and his band had been well paid for their assistance; but, calculating on the possibility of a renewal of hostilities, he still lingered in England, and, in the month of October, A. D. 1154, he and his fellows had taken up their abode at a hostelry in the city of Lincoln, which was then a place of considerable strength. One fine evening, towards the latter end of October, two soldiers were observed under the walls of the cathedral, from which they had an extensive view of the country around Their dress, and their arms, which they carried with them showed that they belonged to Ghysbrecht's band. They were engaged in earnest conversation as they walked to and fro. " Well, Bernhard," said he who appeared to be the younger of the two, " think ye this Henry, when he succeeds to the crown, will order us home again ?" " I know not," was the other's reply; " but he is said to entertain no good will towards us, for having helped his rival to the seat which by good right belongs to him." " Whist, man! the walls of this cathedral have ears. What if some of the sleek monks within should hear thy words and report them to the king? Thy head would fly from thy shoulders in the turning of a die." GHYSBRECHT, THE FREE-LANCE. 141 " Tut, I fear it not: King Stephen knows I have helped him in the hour of need. Seest thou that broad tree in yon meadow to the right ?" " Ay what of it?" " I'll tell thee. Where that tree flings its shadow, King Stephen, in the late battle, stood it manfully against a host of his enomios, even though his men had fled from him. Earl Ranalph advanced upon him, and bore the kh.g to the ground; but, at the same moment, I cast the earl out of his saddle with my lance, and should have made him prisoner had not his fellows rescued him. The king then gave me that goodly chain which I lost at play with Caspar Hend- ricksen." " Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the younger soldier, " by my halidame, thou hast set a proper value on a king's bounty! Why, there was enough to keep thee at home all thy life, without ever setting foot in the stirrup again." "At home!" replied the other, with a sneer; " think'st thou I can live at home when broad pieces can be won so easily? The free-lance has no home. May the fiend rive me if I hold the plough while I can grasp a lance or rein a good steed." " Well, chafe it not, man; I meant not to offend thee. See, who rides so fast up yonder road ?" As he spoke, a horseman was descried at some distance, advancing towards the city at a rapid pace. The rider bore a long lance, wore a jacket of linked mail, and a basenet, and rode a strong bony horse, which seemed much jaded. The two worthies continued their colloquy. " Who owns yonder castle?" inquired Bernhard, pointing to a strongly-embattled building, on which the sun, fast sinking towards the horizon, threw its departing rays. " Dost thou not know?" answered his companion; " 'tis Sir Ralph Brabazon's, an old knight, who promised our captain his fair daughter, in reward for having saved his life in a skirmish with the earl's men some short time since. But see, yonder horseman approaches. By this light, 'tis Conrade Braquemart! what the fiend makes him ride so fast?" The object which had occasioned this remark arrived at the city gates, and, on being admitted, rode hastily up the street. In a few moments, a trumpet sounded from below, which startled the two soldiers, and interrupted their conver- sation. 142 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. " Ha!" cried Karl, the younger one, " that's our trumpet what means this sudden summons? it bodes no good, me- thinks." " Peace !" muttered Bernhard, sullenly; " let us go at once, or we shall be welcomed with a few of Ghysbrecht's round oaths. Sathan himself cannot curse more heartily come to the hostelry." They immediately left the spot, and repaired to the hostelry, where their leader and the rest of his followers were assembled in council. The arrival of Conrade Braquemart had caused a great ferment amongst them; from him they learnt that Stephen had paid that debt which even kings must discharge, and had bequeathed the crown to Henry, who had been proclaimed king, and had issued orders tor the disbanding of all the foreign troops throughout the kingdom. This intelligence was by no means pleasing to the ears of these desperadoes. " 'Twonld be witless to resist this mandate," said Ghys- brecht to his followers, who were assembled round him, " for 'tis well known we are not liked by these raw-boned islanders; we must proceed to the coast at once." As he spoke, his eye glanced hastily round the room. " Ho\v is this?" cried he; " where are those two louts, Karl and Bernhard?" They entered at that moment, and approached the table where their leader was sitting. His inflamed eyes and unsteady hand plainly told that he had drank deeply of the liquor before him. " How now," he cried, or rather roared out, " where the fiend have ye been loitering? Look to my horse instantly, and see that it have but a spare measure of corn, and no water; we must ride hard to-night do you hear? Get ye hence, knaves, and look to your beasts. You, Kurl, remain here; I have something for your ear alone." Ghysbrecht's followers immediately repaired to the stables, for the purpose of getting their horses in readiness, wondering what could be the occasion of his giving such peremptory orders, which greatly perplexed them. Ere twilight had spread its veil over the city, the free- lance and his band quitted the hostelry, and, passing through one of the gates, soon reached the high road, along whiclt they proceeded at a rapid rate. Leaving Ghysbrecht and his companions on their way, wo must proceed to describe the castellated building referred to by Bernhard. It was a massive structure of Saxon origin, GHYSBRECHT, THE FREE-LANCE. 143 with circular towers of a great height at each angle. Its walls were immensely thick, and the whole building was in those days justly considered impregnable. At this time it was held by an old knight, named Sir Ralph Brabazon, who had in the late contest rendered Stephen great assistance. Declining an offer from that monarch of a place near the throne, he had retired to his castle to enjoy, undisturbed, the society of his lovely daughter, whose personal and mental charms were the theme of all the neighbouring youths. It should be mentioned, that in a battle between Stephen and his rival near Lincoln, the old knight was unhorsed by a spearman, who would have slain him, had not Ghysbrecht arrived in time to strike down the soldier with his mace. In a transport of gratitude for this timely service, Sir Ralph grasped the hand of the free-lance, and swore to repay him with the hand of his only child. As Ghysbrecht was at the time clad in a rich suit of mail, and unknown to him, Sir Ralph doubted not but that he had made this promise to no other than a belted knight; but, how great was his vexation and sorrow, on hearing, shortly after, that his word was pledged to a daring mercenary, whose services were at the disposal of the highest bidder. On Prince Henry's relinquishing, for a time, his claim to the crown, upon the conditions before stated, hostilities ceased, and the old knight hastened to his castle, hoping that Ghysbrecht might quit the country without pressing his claim. The free-lance and his band, shortly after the battle near Lincoln, removed to a distant part of England, which. in some degree, allayed the old knight's fears; but, not long after, he was both perplexed and alarmed on hearing that Ghysbrecht and his fierce companions were again sojourning in that city. Though it. grieved him to reflect that, in refusing the demand of the free-lance, he should be breaking his knightly word, yet, the prospect of his only child be- coming the wife of such a man, banished his scruples, and he determined to seek some noble youth whom he might think worthy of such a lovely partner. This was a task of no difficulty, for the wealth and beauty of the Lady Beatrice had already procured her many admirers. Sir Ralph was not long in finding one, whose noble birth, gallant bearing, and comely person, led the knight to suppose that his daughter could not be averse to the match. His fondest hopes were realized. Sir Aubrey De la Zouch was introduced to the .oveiv Beatrice; and, ere many weeks had passed, the lovers 144 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. were daily seen on the ramparts of the castle, enjoying tne cool evening breeze, and indulging in those Ibnd endearments which those of riper years may smile at, but which true loveis alone can fully appreciate. The old knight was rejoiced ;it the success of his plan; it was settled that the marriage should take place without delay; and Sir Aubrey departed for his own castle, to make preparations for the approaching ceremony. The evening on which Ghysbrecht and b : _ oaim naa left Lincoln was fast drawing in, when the *-ady Beatrice sat in her chamber, attended by her .avuante waiting-maid, who was completing her bridal dress. Sir Aubrey was hourly ex- pected. But few of the old knight's men were at the castle, several of them having attended the young Sir Aubrey, for the purpose of assisting in the removal of many necessaries for the wedding, to Sir Ralph's castle; for, in those days, good cheer was not forgotten upon such occasions. There were, at this time, only five or six servants remaining at the castle, who were busily engaged in making preparations for the morrow. Beatrice looked eagerly over the country, intently watching every part of the road which was not obscured by tall trees and hedges, for the approach of her lover, Sir Aubrey at times directing her attention to the cathedral of Lincoln in the distance, which reared its tall white spires majestically above the city, now shown in fine relief by the dark and heavily charged clouds which lowered behind it. The maiden looked in vain fur the glittering train of her lover; for, no figures were seen, except that of a rustic returning from his labour, or a solitary strolling spearman sauntering along the road. There was a stillness unbroken by any sound, save the cawing of the rooks and daws as they winged their hasty flight to the forest, warning the traveller to seek shelter from the coming storm. The reigning silence which pervaded the evening, well accorded with the spirits of the anxious maiden: it was a feeling which those who have loved can well remember a languor which, though it oppresses the heart, we are unwilling to dismiss. Beatrice heeded not the gabble of her maid Maud, who, with a freedom from time immemorial allowed to such persons, ran on in a strain of raillery, which might, in a moment of less anxiety, have revived the drooping spirits of her mistress, who gazed intently on the murky clouds, whose edges, catching the la-t rays of the setting sun, assumed that deep brassy hue wliiii, generally portends a thunder-storm. At length their dark GHYSBHECIIT, THE FREE-LANCE. 145 masses began to be illumined by an occasional flash, or a quivering stream of light, which, shooting upwards, playeu in fantastic lines across the heavens, and, as they died away, the deep prolonged rumble of the thunder told that the storm was commencing. The Lady Beatrice would have viewed this warring of the elements with unconcern, had it not been for the frequent exclamations of Maud, who, as every succeeding flash quivered on the floor of the chamber, screamed with terror, and be- sought her mistress to descend into the hall. Maud was a plump, round, rosy-cheeked lass, a coquette in the sphere in which she moved, and had caused much bickering between Sir Ralph's park-keeper and the falconer, who had both been smitten with her charms. Yielding to the entreaties of her maid, Beatrice quitted her chamber, and repaired to the hall where her father, the old knight, sat playing with a valued hawk, which was perched on his fist, and talking to his falconei about a new hood for his favourite bird, which, by the glance of its quick bright eye, seemed almost conscious of the in tended arrangement. Beatrice drew near her father, who observed her agitation with a smile. " Ay, ay," said he, " I'll warrant thou hast been looking for Sir Aubrey, and art chafed because he has not arrived; but do not vex thyself; he will doubtless be here anon: no doubt the storm has obliged him to seek shelter on the road. Will, pr'ythee bring lights." A servant left the hall, and Sir Ralph continued " Come hither, my child, and seat thyself by my side: how pale thou look'st!" At this moment the horn windows of the hall were illumined with a vivid flash of lightning, which rendered every object in the apartment visible. The several pieces of armour which hung against the walls threw back the strong glare of light, and a peal of thunder burst over the castle, which shook to the foundation. Beatrice clung to her father in speechless terror, while the red cheeks of Maud, who stood near, assumed an ashy paleness. She kept crossing herself, and ejaculating prayers to the Virgin, while the two waiting men attempted, by smiling" at her fears, to conceal their own; but it was easy to perceive, bj their bewildered looks, that they partook of the general alarm, which extended even to the large mastiff' that lay at the feet of the old knight, and whined piteously. Torches were brought, and fixed in the iron staples against the wall; but they only served to show the contrast 146 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. of their own faint light with the vivid glare of the lightning 1 , which still continued to illumine the hall, while loud peals of thunder burst in quick succession over the castle. On a sudden, between one of the pauses of the storm, the shrill sound of a horn was heard without. " Ha!" cried the old knight, "here is Sir Aubrey at last! Run, knaves, open gate and lower drawbridge! Quick, ye varlets!" The servants left the hall, and a smile lit up the pale countenance of the Lady Beatrice, whose joy at the sup- posed return of her lover made her forget the storm, which still continued to rage with unabated fury. At length, the heavy tramp of feet was heard without. Beatrice rose, and, prepared with a few words of gentle reproof for his absence, flew to the door, expecting to be clasped in the arms of her lover; but she recoiled on perceiving the tall herculean figure of a man who entered at the moment. With some difficulty she staggered to a seat, almost overpowered with mingled disappointment and alarm. He who entered was clad in a complete suit of mail, over which he wore an acton of tough leather, on which was emblazoned a red griffin. He bore in his hand a long lance, and wore a sword and dagger. One glance sufficed to show the old knight that Ghysbrecht, the free-lance, stood before him. With an effort to subdue his emotion, he asked what had done him the honour of a visit, at the same time handing a seat to the unwelcome guest. " That ye shall know quickly," replied the free-lance, seat- ing himself; "but, first, let your knaves wipe the rain from my harness, for the wet will rust it." This request was complied with, and Ghysbrecht. benuing a scrutinizing glance on Beatrice, continued " So, this is the fair lady, your daughter, who is to reward me for having knocked your enemy's basenet over his eyes in the ruffle near Lincoln? By my halidame and St. Anthony to boot, 'tis a rich guerdon! What say ye, fair lady? will ye become the bride of a free-lance?" Here he addressed a coarse remark to the terrified lady. The withered cheek of Sir Ralph reddened with rage, which he could ill conceal. " Sir," said he sharply, " this is not fitting language for a maiden's ear; pr'ythee cease, and" " Ha!" cried Ghysbrecht, in a fierce tone, " is it so, Sir GHYaBRECHT, '1HE FREE-LANCE. 147 Knight? is she not mine? clid'st thou not pledge thy word, ay, thy oath, that she should be my bride? Look that ye attempt not to deceive me, or wo to thy grey head?" The old knight dreaded the worst consequences in this visit; Ghysbrecht's words almost deprived him of the power of utterance, and he groaned bitterly. " Ay, groan on," continued the free-lance, " while I shall read thy treachery to thee. Know, then, that I am come to claim my bride, of whom thou wouldst rob me. I am ac- quainted with thy base treachery, and will maintain my right to the death!" These words struck to the heart of the old knight, who wrung his hands and remained silent. The mercenary observed his anguish with a grin. " Come," said he to Beatrice, " come, fair lady, you must away with me." Then raising his voice, he cried, " What ho! Conrade, Bernhard, Karl, where loiter ye, knaves?" They entered at this summons, followed by several of theJT comrades. Ghysbrecht approached his victim, when the old knight, starting up, threw himself at the feet of the free-lance. " Oh, slay me here," cried he; " lay my grey hairs in the dust, but spare my child; take not the prop of my old age, the solace of my lonely widowhood from me; forego your claim, and half my wealth is your's." " Ay," replied the free-lance, " half thy broad lands, which thou knowest I cannot inherit. Know, Sir Knight, that I must bid you and your countrymen farewell" " But hear me!" cried Sir Ralph, imploringly; " 1 ne'er till now knelt to mortal man, save to his Grace. On my knees I implore thee to take pity!" " Peace, old man," replied the free-lance, coolly; " thy daughter is mine, were she twenty times thy child; rise, there- fore, and disgrace not thy knighthood, for by Heaven and all its saints I will not part with her but with my life!" "For our Lady's sake, take pity!" cried the old knight; " you are a soldier, and have behaved manfully in many a gallant encounter. You would not rob an old man of his only child?" " Sir Ralph," calmly replied the free-lance, " I came pre- pared to meet such humble words, for I well knew your knaves were absent, else should I have met with taunts and reproaches: but you are in my power; your daughter is mine, and I would not lose my reward for a prince's ransom." The old knight sighed deeply, as he thought on his utter 118 TALES op OTHER DAYS. incapability of resisting the free-lance and his band He knew he was in Ghysbrecht's power, and, in the fury of despair, he started on his feet, drew his dagger, and struck at the breast of the free-lance with all his force; but the latter, without any apparent exertion, caught in his iron grasp the wrist of his adversary as the blow descended, and, wresting the dagger from him, threw it to the other end of the hall. " By the rood!" he exclaimed, " I would requite your courtesy, Sir Knight, with a stroke of my basilard, but it would not be fitting to receive mv bride with a red hand." Sir Ralph struggled to free himself from the grasp of the free-lance, when the large mastiff' suddenly sprung up and seized Ghysbrecht by the throat. The bite would have been mortal, had it. not been for a gorget of linked mail which he wore. With some difficulty he shook off the faithful animal, which was instantly despatched by his com- panions. " Bind the old dotard and his knaves, and follow me!" cried Ghysbrecht, who threw his mailed arm round the waist of the fainting Beatrice, and bore her out of the hall. His companions quickly secured Sir Ralph and his men, by binding them back to back, and were preparing to follow their leader, when Conrade Braquemart espying Maud, who stood in one corner of the hall, almost petrified with terror, cried " So, comrades, here is my prize; by my beard, we shall have a merry night on't! Come, wench, thou shall ride with me." As he spoke, he raised Maud in his arms, and hurried to the court-yard, where his comrades had already assembled with their leader, who was lifting the almost lifeless body of the Lady Beatrice on his own horse. Conrade, spite of her screams, placed Maud before him, when the whole troop pushed over the drawbridge, and soon left the castle far behind them. The storm still raged, the thunder rolled, the rain poured in torrents, and the lightning, as it descended, rolled along the ground like waves of fire. Such a night would have calmed the evil workings of ordinary minds; but to Ghysbrecht and his band, with the exception of one, it had no terrors. The lightning, attracted by their armour, formed a halo round the helmets of the troop, who, nothing daunted at a circumstance they were accustomed to, cracked their impious jokes between the pauses of the storm, as freely as if they had been quietly seated in a hostelry GHYSBRECHT, THE FREE-LANCE. 149 There was one, however, who could not think of the night's adventure, and its probable termination, without shuddering: this was Karl, the youngest of the band, who, for having saved the life of Ghysbrecht in some battle, had obtained that desperado's confidence he, alone, saw the iniquity of their proceeding. The two females, roused by the loud peals of thunder to a state of consciousness, entreated for mercv, but were only laughed at by the savage band, who still pro- ceeded at a furious pace. Ghysbrecht rode in advance of his troop, and frequently called to his companions, at the top of his voice, to increase their speed; but the horse he rode was superior in strength and swiftness to any of their's. Vexed at what he considered to be their tardiness, he fiercely rebuked them, adding a volley of oaths too frightful to be recorded. Almost at the same instant, a thunder-bolt fell near, and, striking a large tree, hurled it withered and blasted across the road. With some difficulty they surmounted this impediment, and pro- ceeded on their way. Karl, who rode by the side of Braquemart, endeavoured to persuade the ruffian to leave the girl at the next village, but Conrade replied only with a laugh. He again urged him to abandon his intention, when, the ruffian answered fiercely, " Think ye that I am to lose so fair a prize, because the thunder rolls a little louder than it is wont, and the lightning flashes quicker and stronger than usual ? No, no, Karl, keep thy sermon for fools and doddy pates!" A peal of thunder drowned the remainder of the ruffian's speech, and a vivid flash of lightning glared over the country; by its light the rough uneven road was shown, and, at a little distance, a small cross of freestone was perceived. " Yonder is St. Anne's Cross," said Karl; " leave the girl here; there is an abbey not more than an arrow's flight from the spot, where she may get shelter for the night." " Peace, ninny !" roared Braquemart, " the wench is mine; if thou troubles! me much longer, I may make" Here he was again interrupted by a bright flash, which, descending in the midst of the band, followed by a tre- mendous peal of thunder, brought Ghysbrecht, his horse, and the Lady Beatrice, violently to the ground. The troop, perceiving what had happened to their leader and his prize, instantly halted, and several of the band dismounted. " Our o2 156 TALES OF OTHER DAYS leader is dead!" exclaimed one of them, as he lifted up the lifeless body of Ghysbrecht, which, scorched and horribly disfigured, presented an appalling spectacle. His helmet had been melted by the intense heat of the electric fluid, and the metal had run in streams down his shoulders; his beard and thick moustaches were singed, and not a single feature of his face was distinguishable. Even some of the free-lances, daring: and hardened as they were, shuddered with horror on beholding the disfigured and blackened corpse of him who had so often led them to battle and conquest. They turned to the Lady Beatrice, who appeared to have shared the same fate; but on lifting her from the ground, they dis- covered that she had received no external injury. On a sudden, lights were seen advancing, and voices were distinctly heard; for the storm, as is often the case, after venting its fury in one departing peal, gradually hushed, while th 3 lights still continued to advance rapidly. In a few moments a part)' of armed men were observed approaching, preceded by four, who rode in advance and carried torches. The free-lances were not men to fly; indeed, escape was impossible. They were instantly in their saddles, and awaited, with couched lances, the approach of the party. Karl endeavoured to restore the Lady Beatrice; but, finding his attempt proved fruitless, yet unwilling to leave her in danger of beinsr trodden under the horses' feet during the anticipated skirmish, he bore her to a bank by the road-side, and left her in the care of Maud, who, with the help of some water, which she procured from a small spring which run near the stone cross before mentioned, succeeded in restoring her mistress. At this moment the party in pursuit came up; they halted about twenty yards off, and, Sir Aubrey advancing, demanded the surrender of the Lady Beatrice. Well knowing that they could not trust to the knight's clemency, the free-lances replied with a torrent of abuse. Sir Aubrey, perceiving that it was of no use to parley with such ruffians, rode back, and, putting himself at the head of his party, advanced with the fury of a whirlwind upon them. The old knight had, spite of Sir Aubrey's entreaties, accompanied the party in pursuit of Ghysbrecht and his band. The mercenaries, on perceiving that their pursuers were resolute, determined to meet, them with that obstinacy winch a hopeless case like theirs generally inspires. GHYSBRECHT, THE FREE-LANCE. , 151 " Now," cried Braqucmart, " a firm hand, a well pitted saddle, and another fling at these whoreson islanders, ere we part!" " Peace!" interrupted Bernhard, (who, perceiving their pursuer's form, had ordered his companions to set forward when he should give the word,) "here will be bloody work of it anon. Ah! by Heaven, they come! Now, if ye be true men, flinch not; set on! upon 'ern charge!" In an instant the two parties closed, at about midway, with a dreadful shock: nearly a score of lances were shivered to pieces, and more than half that number of saddles were emptied: while those who were less fortunate than their fellows, lay sprawling in their gore, the shouts of those above them, engaged in the deadly conflict, seemed more like the yells of demons than of mortal men. " A Brabazon! De la Zouch to the rescue!" shouted one party; while the other answered with loud cries of " Down with the dull islanders! One blow for the free companions! Strike for the Red Griffin!" Twelve of the free-lances, in a short time, lay on the ground horribly mutilated, while sixteen of the knight's men were either killed or disabled. In one place might be seen two, who, unhorsed, were engaged in a deadly struggle, dealing blows with their daggers in the blind fury of bitter enmity; while in another lay a mangled wretch, unable to crawl out of the melee, trampled on by the horses, and imploring his comrade to end his agony by a friendly thrust. Horses snorted, men yelled and swore, and swords and maces clashed on the armour of the combatants, who fought with all the fury that revenge and hatred could inspire. Sir Aubrey laid about him with a desperate valour; two of his adversaries had already fallen beneath his powerful strokes, when Bernhard spurred against him. The athletic free-lance showered his blows upon the knight, and, though many were parried, nought but his helmet and hauberk of proof could have saved him. Sir Aubrey, with his mace, returned the blows of his adversary with such effect, that Bernhard's sword was shivered to pieces; but, ere the knight could strike him down, the free-lance closed and grasped him tightly by the throat. Sir Aubrey dropped his mace, and a desperate struggle ensued, which was maintained for a few moments, when the knight, disengaging his right hand, quickly drew ti* 3ii*eri- 152 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. corde,* and struck his adversary on the face with all his force. The blade glanced from the hard forehead of the free- lance, who struggled hard to force the knight from his horse; hut it was a vain effort; Sir Aubrey held him tightly with his left hand, and dealt his adversary several successive strokes, till Bernhard's hands relaxed their grasp; a con- vulsive tremor shook his whole frame, and, with a half- muttered curse upon his destroyer, he dropped lifeless from his horse. Quickly wheeling round, Sir Aubrey beheld the old knight stoutly contending against two of the free-com- panions, who had slain his horse. In an instant one of the assailants was stretched lifeless on the ground; he then en- gaged the second, but, in the rush which took place at the same moment, they were parted. Sir Aubrey assisted the old knight to remount, and then, heading his men, rushed again upon the free-companions. The charge was decisive; unable to contend any longer against such a superiority of numbers, they broke ground, and fled precipitately. Conrade Braquemart, though generally the foremost in the fray, was in this instance the first to set the example of flight; this ruffian, seeing all was lost, had fallen back, unperceived by his companions, as far as the fountain, whence Maud and her terrified>mistress had watched the furious conflict by the light of the few remaining torches, which scarcely served to distinguish friend from enemy. Conrade spurred up to the fountain, and dismounting, spite of her struggling and screaming, placed Maud on his horse's back, then quickly remounting, he rode furiously along the road. At the same moment his companions fled, but being without ineuinbrance they soon passed Conrade, and left him far behind them.. He, of course, was the first overtaken by the knight's party. The park-keeper and falconer both perceived his flight with Maud, and, eager to prove their devotion and readiness to serve her, pursued the ruffian with couched lances. But the park- keeper's horse soon outstripped that of the falconer: he came up with the ruffian, and, heedless of the consequences, levelled his lance at Conrade. The weapon, piercing his tough jack, passed through his body, and cast him and Maud to the ground. With a groan of agony the soul of Conrade * The " Misericorde," or, as it was sometimes called, the " Mercy of God," was a strong dagger worn by the armed knights of that period, and in after ages. GHYSBRECHT, THt FREE-LANCE. 153 took its flight, while Maud was raised from the ground (unhurt, save a few bruises) by her lover, who bore her in safety back to the spot where her mistress was already in the arms of Sir Aubrey. Need the sequel be added? The next day's sun smiled on the union of the knight and the fair Lady Beatrice; and, ere the week was out, the buxom Maud became the wife of the happy park-keeper. Whether the less fortunate falconer stabbed or hung himself in despair, or sought a watery grave, is not recorded; and, indeed, were we in possession of the facts, we should question the propriety of dwelling on a subject which would tear the bandage of the healing wounds of t'hose who have experienced the tortures of hopeless love. THE THREE SUITORS. With holy joy upon his face, The good old father smiled, While fondly in his wither'd arms He clasp'd again his child. THE days were, when " Finsburie Fields," instead of the eternity of bricks and mortar which now pollutes their site: instead of the uncatholic piece of Catholicism which modern taste has substituted for the architecture of a York minster and a Westminster Abbey; instead of mathematical circuses and squares, with houses built by logarithms and gardens arrayed at right angles presented to the view the delightful irregularity of nature, where the substantial citizens, with their buxom daughters and wrinkled dames, would retire, after the fatigue of business, to imbibe the free air and enjoy the rnanly sports which they then afforded. Amongst the most frequent and attractive exercises of the period in which we now lay our tale, was that practised by the far-famed London Bowmen; and we presume, that few of our readers nave not heard of their exploits, so frequently recorded in the tales of that time, and sung in their rude, though quaint ballads. On those days the tailor left his doublet unfinished, thereby disappointing the young gallant who ordered it to surprise his mistress with its splendour; the smith flung aside 154 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. his heavy hammer, and, doffing his coarse apron, betook him- self to the scene of action, and the 'prentice, taking his bat from its accustomed nook, spite of his master, trudged off to witness the sports. Then was the far-famed Grub-street known by another name, and inhabited by Bowyers and Fletchers, and the strong walls which girted the city .still continued to be repaired; and ofttimes, as we read, the good citizens, ere they quitted this sublunary world, forgot not to bequeath large sums towards the repairing and beautifying of its gates and towers. But, long since have these famed dis- plays of. archery ceased; long since has the cloth-yard shaft, once so terrible to our enemies abroad, ceased to whistle over the fields of Finsbury. Upwards of two centuries have passed away, since the twang of the archer's bow was heard on that spot. The harquebuze, the caliver, and the haquebut, all names for the various kinds of hand-guns, took precedence of the long bow, and Elizabeth and her successors tried in vain to revive those sports, which, while they served as a holiday, at the same time perfected the youth of the city in the use of that then tremendous weapon. But, although the long bow was laid aside by some, when fire-arms were in- troduced, still it was by many preferred to the harquebuze, which was for some time after a clnmsy and unwieldly engine. In the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth, on a fine summer's evening, the youth of the wards " Vintrie" and " Breade Streete" were met in Finsbury FieMs, to decide a match at shooting with the long bow. Such a concourse ot people had not assembled for some time before this; the greater part of the inhabitants of the before-named wards had Hocked to witness this match; the Chepe was almost deserted, and hundreds of the more wealthy citizens poured out from Moorgate, with their wives and daughters. Temporary booths and tents were erected on the spot, and notices were chalked on the outside, stating that wine, ale, and sack were sold within, to tempt those who were weary of the sport. In these places rude ballads were heaid, chanted by stentorian voices, mingled with jest and oath, and the rattle of the dice-box. Seats were let to those who could afford to pay for them, and for which the projectors of these accommodations took good care to exact a fair price. All classes were mingled together; the gallant, with his embroi- dered doublet, and gaily trimmed tnustachios, stood by the gravely-clad and spade-bearded citizen, who in his turn was pushed and jostled by the lately washed artificer; all seemed THE THREE SUITORS. 15.5 to forget their degree while looking on, though, sometimes, here and tliere, inutterings were heard, and fierce words were exchanged, when one would, by accident, tread on the toes of his neighbour, or rumple the plait of his starched ruff. But these were not sufficient to break the general harmony, or abstract the attention of the spectators from the sports. If, however, there were some who paid them but little attention, it was the fair forms and bright eyes of the city damsels who were to blame; for, though many of the competitors' shafts were delivered wide of the mark, Cupid's never failed. Amongst the spectators, near one of the booths we have spoken of, stood a citizen somewhat advanced in years, clad in a doublet of black velvet, with hose of the same colour; on his arm hung his daughter, his only child, and, when we say that a crowd cf gallant.} stood near, it will be needless to add that she was beautiful; few indeed could boast of such,, charms the envy of the city dames, and the idolatry of all the gav and youthful gallants from Paul's to Aldgate, She stood shrinking from the gaze of those around her, and blushing at the amorous glances of both old and young, while her father peered through his spectacles, over the heads of the spectators, at the archers, who had commenced shooting. Amongst those who eyed the damsel, was a tall gallant looking personage, clad in a rich, silk doublet, with peach- coloured stockings, and larjie rosettes in his shoes, with a hat of Spanish felt, in which was stuck a cock's feather. An em- broidered belt sustained on ihe one side a small dagger, and on the o\her a silver-hilted toledo of unusual length. For a long time lie stood ge trifled with, and, as it was given with some force, the pain awakened liis latent valour. " Thou untrimmed rustic," cried he, " 'tis in vain I would desire to spare thee: thou shall be indulged with the duello; make room, good people." The stranger threw himself in a posture of defence, and waited for the attack of his adversary, who pressed upon him with great vigour. The maiden clung to the arm of her father, almost fainting- with terror, while the spectators, linking their hands, formed a ring for the combatants. Both were excellent swordsmen, and showed great skill at their weapons. The gallant, finding that he could not hit his adversary, desisted, arid contented himself by parrying his thrusts, saying, as he threw aside the stranger's hinges " Well thrust, most skilful rustic! an excellent stoccado, by Jupiter! verily thou art a shrewd hand at thy bilbo; my friend the Captain would be delighted with thee so that reversa was not so good so so ha!" At this moment his sword flew from his grasp, over the heads of the spectators, and the stranger, dropping the point of his rapier, desired his adversary to ask his life; but, apparently unconscious of what was going on, the gallant cried out " There goes my durindana; hold. Sir Rustic! I would not lose it for the worth of my best doublet; a broad piece for the knave who brings it me." At this instant a man brought forward the rapier, when the stranger, taking it from him, said " Sirrah, your blade shall be shivered to pieces, and that instantly, if you delay to ask this lady's pardon for the insult you have offered her." This speech was enforced by the speaker's placing the point of the rapier on the ground, and putting his foot on the middle of it. " Hold, Sir Rustic," cried the gallant, " spare my good blade, I pray thee; though it has been false to me this time, yet we must not part." " Thou knowest the way to redeem it," was the reply. The gallant hesitated; he bent his eyes on the ground, while the stranger tried the temper of the blade by bending it backwards arid forwards; at length, after a struggle with his feelings, the fear that he should lose his rapier predomi- nated, and, striding up to the old citizen and his daughter, he muttered an apology, and the stranger, delivering him his 158 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. blade, he slunk off amidst the jeers and taunts of the spec- tators " There goes my Lord Poppinjay!" cried a fellow in a thrum cap and leathern jerkin. " Ay, ay," said his companion, " his duridinda and he agree not to-day; he'll fight better when he has taken another pottle o' sack." In the meanwhile the object of their jokes had got out of the crowd, and the stranger, after bowing to the citizen and his daughter, was about to depart, when the former spoke. " I thank thce, young friend," said he, " and would fain show thee that I am not ungrateful; pr'ythee favour us with thy company to the Old Jewry; Zachary Wyvill loves a brave youth." The stranger hesitated, and the old man continued, "Come, we will go at once; by my faith, you shall not choose." The young man hesitated no longer; so, proffering his arm to the maiden, he led her out of the crowd, and, passing through Moorgate, proceeded towards the Old Jewry, where Master Wyvill dwelt. On their way thither, Madaline was delighted with the frank and easy manner of the stranger. who addressed her father and herself by turns, till they arrived at Master Zachary's house. The old merchant learnt from the stranger that his name was Herbert Tyndale, and that he nad put up at the Windmill Inn, almost opposite to his house. Master Wyvill pressed him to stay and sup with him; and this was no difficult matter, for when it grew late Herbert unwillingly took his leave, not, however, without an invitation for the next day. He tore himself away from the gentle Madaline, and betook himself to his lodgings at the Windmill. Though much fatigued with travelling (for he had arrived in London that day) Herbert slept but little, and when he did slumber, his rest was broken by bright and lovely visions, in which Madaline held the chief feature. Early on the following morning Herbert failed not to appear at Master Zachary's, whom he found busily engaged in his couuting-house. An invitation to dinner was accepted by Herbert, because it gave him another opportunity of beholding the lovely Madaline, with whom, we hope not one of our reader's will require to be told, he had fallen desperately in love. Madaline herself was in love too, and her only fear was, lest the handsome Herbert should be already plighted to some other damsel; for she never once supposed that her father would withhold his consent. Fathers and mothers. THE THREE SUITORS. 159 put on the spectacles of discrimination, arid be careful how ye invite young gallants to your houses, especially if Heaven has blessed ye with handsome daughters. Both our young folks were in love, though their acquaintance had been so newly formed; but Cupid is no sluggard; and, after dinner, during the temporary absence of Master Wyviil, Herbert, being left alone with the beautiful Madaline, declared his passion, with all the customary vows and protestations. She listened to him with delight, not, however, without a multi- tude of blushes and hesitations, which it is not our business to record. Nothing now remained but to ask the consent of Master Wyviil; and, on a fitting opportunity presenting itself, when Madeline had left the room, Herbert at once demanded the hand of his daughter.. " Well, Master Tyndale," said the old merchant; " but I would fain know if ihou hast the means to keep a wife, and from whence thou comest?" Herbert was somewhat embarrassed on hearing these questions, for he had never once thought on his situation, since his introduction to the lovely Madaline. Master Wyviil perceived his confusion, and demanded, somewhat hastily, whether he had a fortune sufficient to aspire to the hand of the daughter of one of the richest merchants in London I* " Sir," replied Tyndale, after some hesitation, " I will e'en tell ye the truih. I arn the only son of a country gentleman, who would have me wedded to age and ugliness, because, forsooth, there is gold iu the bargain. I refused to obey him, and quitted his roof with a determination to seek my fortune in another land, when chance brought me to your assistance yesterdav. However, I have some few thousand pounds, which I will lay at your daughter's feet" Here he was interrupted by Master Wyviil, whose anger burst forth like a volcano. " Sirrah !" cried he, " is it thus thon wouldst repay my hospitality? Hence with thee she shall not be thine! What! hast thou, ingrate, left thy parents, and come abroad to teach others disobedience? Get thee gone !" " But, sir" " But me no buts, sirrah!" cried the old man; " begone this instant, or I'll bring those who shall thrust thee out!" Herbert's blood boiled on hearing this language, but the thought of Madaline checked his indignation. He arose, and, taking his hat and cloak, replied: " This language may 160 TALKS OF OTHER DAYS. be used by you, sir; hut, had it come from one of younger years, it should have been answered with cold iron !" He then passed out, and repaired to the Windmill, overwhelmed with surprise and chagrin. Master Wyvill, as soon as Herbert had left the house, summoned his daughter, and sharply rebuked her for encou- raging the addresses of one with whom she had so lately become acquainted. Madaline heard her father's determi- nation with much sorrow, which was increased when he told her that he had selected a husband for her. As he spoke, a visitor was announced, and, shortly after, a gallant entered the room, whom Master Wyvill introduced to his daughter. " This gentleman," said he, " is the son of my friend, Master Scrips; receive him as your future husband." Her father left the room, and Madaline ventured a look at the person who had been introduced to her. He was a young man of about the middle height, but clumsily made his features were coarse beyond expression, and his white starched ruff formed a singular contrast to his black hair, which was cut close, and turned up in front in the most approved manner; his large lopped ears stuck out from the sides of his head, as if they were handles by which it was ad- justed; his hose were of the most fashionable colour; his enormous slops glittered with embroidery, and his doublet shone with gold points: a long sword and dagger completed the equipment of this extraordinary person. Madalim; viewed him for some moments in silent surprise; had she been in a more merry mood, she would have laughed out- right; but her father's harsh rebuke was not forgotten. Master Christopher Scrips interpreted her confusion into admiration of his dress and person; he essayed to make use of some of the phrases which he had heard among the gallants of his acquaintance; but his memory failed him, and he played with the band of his hat, and cast his eyes on the floor when Madaline spoke: " Fair sir," said she, " may I ask the name of the worthy gentleman whom my father intends for my husband ?" " Ay, marry thou mayest, fair lady," replied the gallant: " Christopher Scrips is the name of your devoted slave; your city gallants call me Kit, but they of the Devil, in Fleet- street, are more courteous. Beshrew me, if these folks of the Chepe know a true toledo from a Sheffield back-sword. By mine honesty, fair lady, 'tis a'oitv so beauteous a damsel THE THRFE SUITORS. 161 should dwell with such doddy pates, who wear doublets of such a sad colour, that it makes one gloomy to behold them; and their rapiers, too, are most barbarous tools. My worthx- friend, Adrian Partington, hath said much of these said rapiers, which are so offensive to the sight of every true gentleman." " Doubtless 'tis a noble one you yourself wear, fair sir," said Madaline, wishing to say something to break off this long dissertation. " Marry, you shall be witness of it," replied he, drawing his rapier, " 'tis one of most excellent temper; it cost me five gold nobles, without the hilt, which I bought of Master Partington, who had it of a valiant friend of his." As he concluded this speech, Master Scrips placed his rapier in Madaline's hand. The hilt was of silver, richly chased with the representation of Hercules destroying the hydra. " Thou seest, fair lady," continued he, " there are some cleverly conceited emblems graven on the hilt Hercules and the dragon. Doubtless thou hast read of this same Hercules, and how he threw aside his weapons at the command of his lady-love, to bask in the sunshine of her smiles. I marvel, though, whether Hercules w.ore so trusty a blade." " Truly, sir, it is a noble weapon," said Madaline, looking at the rapier. " Noble, dost thou say, fair damsel ?" cried Master Chris- topher; " 'tis a trusty blade, and fit to ride on a gentleman's thigh; by rru'ne honour, 'twould ha' gladdened thee to have seen how I served mine host o' the Devil, who was sore plagued by several scape-graces: they fled at the very sight of my trusty toledo." Madaline smiled, and returned the weapon. " Fair sir," said she, " I would fain act honestly towards thee; know, then, that I cannot give my hand to a noisy reveller, or to one who vapours so highly as thou dost. There are other maidens who would be more proud of your acquaintance; pr'ythee seek them, Sir Gallant Farewell." The maiden, as she said this, left the room; and Master Scrips, giving his hat a twirl, adjusted his ruff, then looked down at the large rosettes in his shoes, then at the ceiling, and then on the spot where Madaline had lately stood, as if IK- (i:iiibte;,\fii!" i-ricd he, "she is a jilt and a malapert 1G2 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. quean, yet she hath a marvellous comely face. Heigho! Mistress Wyvill, I wish thee possessed of more courtesy." He turned, and, putting on his hat, stalked down stairs, and proceeded to the Windmill, intending to drown the recollec- tion of his interview in a pottle of sack. He entered the inn, where he found the gallant whom Herbert Tyndall had disarmed in Moorfields the preceding day. " The good time o' the evening to you, Master Partington," said he; " hast stomach for a pottle of sack?" " Ay, marry, Master Scrips but how hast fared? Was the damsel visible, or coy, or ?" " She is a jilt, friend Partington; thou mayest ha' her for me. 'Fore George, I'll not go near her again!" " Ha! say ye so? Then she shall be mine. Harkee, friend Scrips; her waiting-maid has told me, that she and her father will go on a visit to Master Frostling, the vintner's, on the Bankside, to-day. Now, if we could engage a trusty waterman, and carry her off' to-night?" " Ah! but there is danger in that; 'tis felouy why" "Pish! never fear it," continued Partington; "I warrant she will not mislike the plan." Master Scrips, after some hesitation, consented to this villanous scheme, and it was agreed that they should put it into execution that very evening; but, as their evil stars willed it, Herbert Tyndale, who sat in the next room, having caught a few of the first words of the dialogue, rose softly, and, coming on tiptoe to a crevice, saw plainly the two wor- thies, who were concerting their diabolical plan. His first impulse was to rush out upon them; but a moment's reflection told him that it would l>e better to inter- cept them in their flight with Madaline, if they should suc- ceed in carrying her off". He therefore waited until he heard the whole of their plan, and then summoned his man Peter, w ho had accompanied him to London. After some deliberation, it was agreed that they should leave the Wind- mill before the city gates were shut, and repair to the Bankside, where they might lay in wait for the gallants, and rescue Madaline. The evening came, and found Tyndale and his man at their post. Master Frostling's house was surrounded by a high hedge, and a dry ditch, which was deep enough to con- ceal them from view. They had not been concealed long, before they heard the sound of footsteps in the garden, and Herbert, on looking through the hedge, perceived Madaline, THE THREE SUITORS. 1G3 who was walking alone. He kept still, in his hiding place, well knowing that any attempt so address her then might ruin his hopes; and supposing that, if Partington and Scrips were near, they would seize upon this favourable opportunity. He was not deceived, for he presently heard the plash of oars, and the next moment a boat approached the house. Two figures, enveloped in large cloaks, leaped ashore, while a third remained in the boat. They advanced cautiously towards the house, and then whispered to each other. The tallest, whom Herbert recognized as Partington, perceiving Madaline, leaped over the small gate into the garden, and, ere she was aware of his approach, threw his large cloak over her, and raised her in his arms. Scrips assisted his companion with his burthen, over the gate, when Madaline contrived to tear the cloak from her head, and shrieked loudly. " Villains !" cried Tyndale, starting from his hiding place, " ye are discovered; unhand that lady, or ye are but dead men !" Partington's danger rendered him desperate, and, placing 1 Madaline on her feet, he drew his rapier, and attacked Herbert with great fury; but, after a few passes he fell, from a well-directed thrust. Without waiting a moment, Tyndale turned to engage Master Scrips, who, however, had made up his mind to decline the combat, and took to his heels, pursued by Peter. Master Christopher's speed was much greater than his valour, and he arrived first at the water's edge, but unfortunately missed the boat, into which he had intended to jump, and fell souse into the river. His large cloak, which he had vainly endeavoured to thiow off, saved him from drowning, and he was dragged ashore by Peter, half dead with fright. Master Wyvill, together with his gossip Frostling and family, alarmed by the noise, hastened out, when they beheld a scene which filled them with astonishment. Partington was lying on the ground bleeding profusely, Madaline was sustained in the arms of Tyndale, almost senseless, and Scrips, with rueful countenance, begged hard to be released from the rough gripe of Peter, while his rich doublet and hose were dripping with water. His morti- fication was increased when Master Wyvill, holding a lamp in his hand, surveyed him from head to foot. After a severe reprimand he was suffered to depart; but the dangerous situation of Partington rendered the assistance of a surgeon necessary, and he was removed in a litter. It will be scarcely necessary to add, that Master Wyvill's 104 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. anger was not only appeased, but that, in a week after, nis lovely daughter was united to Tyndale. To increase the happiness of the lovers, Herbert on the following week received his father's forgiveness. Partington recovered, but not until some time after, and slunk into merited obscurity; while Master Christopher Scrips was exposed to the jokes of ais fellow-citizens for many years afterwards. THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. A LEGEND OF PALACE-YARD. " Lord, what a wind, what a fire, what a motion and commotion of earth and air would there have been! I tremble even to think of it. Miserable desolation !" Sir E. Coke, the King's Attorney, upon the trial of Guy Faukes. NUMEROUS have been the " Histories" and " Memoirs" of the reigns of Elizabeth and James the First; and, although many of them differ in trivial and unimportant points, yet they all agree in representing the one monarch as noble and merciful, saving that she was somewhat fiery and choleric, and the other, at least inoffensive; yet, none have described the restless and agitated state of this kingdom during their 'swaj'. In our infancy, the sovereign best remembered was " Good Queen Bess;" and, until lately, we have been taught to believe that Elizabeth did more to uphold the splendour of her empire than any preceding monarch. Her reign lias been called the " golden age," and she has upon all occa- sions been contrasted with her sister; but there are few now who do not consider that she was a remorseless fury, who sacrificed everything to her insatiable ambition, which was only exceeded by her conceit and disgusting personal vanity. Her people had become habituated to acts of tyranny and bloodshed during the sway of her sanguinary and brutal father, and they suffered with more patience the violence and oppression of the succeeding monarchs not because they were milder, but simply because they were not quite so terrible; but, when Elizabeth assumed the reigns of govern- ment, the rack, the halter, the gibbet, and the knife, were THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 165 agair put in requisition. Heretofore, Catholic and Pro- testant alternately gained the ascendancy, and by turns remorselessly butchered each other; but when Elizabeth grasped the sceptre, the power of the former succumbed to the latter, and her agents hunted down the innocent aud peaceable Catholic, whose only crime was his adherence to the religion of his fathers. The notorious corruption of the church of Rome certainly called aloud for a reformation; but why were the guiltless punished? why was the phial of wrath emptied upon the heads of any but those who, under the guise of sanctity, and zeal for religion, struggled for temporal power? These persecutions were carried on, with scarcely any intermission, until the death of Elizabeth, which happened in the year 1603. Perverse and obdurate in her dying mo- ments, she quitted the world without naming her successor, thereby leaving the nation in a state of great uncertainty and anxiety, as to who should be chosen to fill that throne from which she had, for more than forty years, issued her cruel mandates. Many plots were contrived to destroy her, and several daring individuals singly attempted her life; but all the parties suffered for their temerity: even suspected persons were seized and condemned. At length, a few desperate men conspired to overthrow her and her govern- ment; but, in the midst of their deliberations, the angel of death summoned their intended victim before the tribunal of Him, whose name and whose law she had so often wantonly profaned and violated. This event led the discontented to hope that a favourable change would take place, as all eyes ^ere turned towards James the Sixth of Scotland, whose pusillanimous disposition sanctioned the belief that the bloody days of persecution were passed away. His acces- sion was nailed with joy by the Catholics, both on account of his being a descendant of Mary, who was a rigid Papist, and also from his having been inclined to that religion in his youth; but, great was their surprise and rase to find him strictly executing those merciless laws which his predecessors had enacted against them. The peaceable and unambitious Catholic dreaded a renewal of Elizabeth's barbarities, while the more violent resolved to destroy the newly crowned king, or perish in the attempt James, on his arrival in England, was attended by a long train of his needy country- men, all of them seeking for places and preferment, which they obtained, to the exclusion of the English, who thus saw 100 TALES OV OTHER DAYS. those whom they had been taught to believe and whom, indeed, they had always found to be their bitterest enemies, filling every post of emolument, and suing for places on behalf of their countrymen, who were daily inundating- Eng- land, that country of which they had been the scourge for so many hundred years. The individual who first determined to destroy the king and his minions, was Robert Catesbye, a gentleman of ancient family in Northamptonshire, and a descendant of that Catesbye who so faithfully served his master, stern and cruel as he was, when all deserted him at Bosworth field. He it was who framed a plot which humanity shudders at, and which, although it cannot be justified, must allow of some degree of palliation, when we reflect upon the abject state to which many families of high birth were reduced. The plot was not contrived by a few desperate wretches in the lower walks of life, but by men of family and consequence, who had considerable property at stake; and this fact goes to prove the miserable and degraded state to which the nation had been brought by James and his horde of needy countrymen. Catesbye was the originator of that con- spiracy, in the particulars of which no two historians agree; which has been considered a mere fable by some, and which, for more than two hundred years, has been known bv the name of the GUNPOWDER PLOT " Can you show me the lodging of the English knight, Sir William Stanley?" inquired a stranger, in imperfect Dutch, of a boor whom he met in one of the streets in Ostend. " Yaw, Mynheer," replied the fellow, takinir his pipe from his mouth, " 'tis yon house, hard by de sign of de Goot Vrow." " Thank ye, good fellow," said the Englishman, interrupt- ing him, " here is a groat for your information, which is even better than your English;" and he passed on to the house pointed out to him by the boor, who acknowledged the gift with an awkward bow." " I sail drinck your honour's goot belt," said the Hol- lander, resuming his pipe, and rolling towards a bier-kroeg. In the meantime, the stranger had arrived at the house of which he was in quest, and, having knocked at the door, w of the hand. "Welcome, thrice welcome to Ostend, Master Wentour." said he; " for, by your visit I see that the hour of vengeance in at hand. Say, how is my honoured friend arid intimate, Master Catesbye V" " Well, excellent well, Sir William," replied Wentour, " and living in the hope that our enemies will, ere long, feel the vengeance we have in store for them. We have a few more fearless hearts joined with us Master Catesbye has taken a commodious dwelling at Lambeth, and all is ready we must lay in our munition without more delay." " 'Tis already prepared," replied the knight; " thirty barrels of powder are on board the galliot alongside the quay, and waiting for the first fair wind." " Truly, you are a zealous worker in the good cause. Sir William; with such souls there can be no fear of a mis- carriage: but where is the gentleman of whom our good friend Catesbye speaks so highly?" " He has not overrated him-," said the knight, whistling aloud. An attendant entered. " Bid Master Johnson attend us here, Jenkin." The servant disappeared, and, shortly after, a man of commanding stature entered the room. His aspect partook of that expression peculiar to the better class of the people of Yorkshire; his forehead was high and smooth; his nose somewhat aquiline and well-shaped; his eyes were grey, sharp, and piercing, and his whole countenance would have been prepossessing, but for the close and determined expres- sion of the mouth and chin. A spade beard of a light brown colour descended over his doublet of buff leather, and his mustachios were well trimmed and turned upwards at the ends, after the Spanish fashion. A profusion of brown hair fell in curls over his shoulders and down his back, and set oH a countenance at once noble and commanding. The appear- ance of this man made a strong impression upon Weutour who regarded him with fixed attention. " This is the gentleman," said Sir William, " who is willing to render all the assistance in his power to your great under- taking; trust me, I have ever found Master Faukes a man of courage and ready counsel." Wentour extended his hand, which Faukes seized in his own, and with an oath exclaimed, in a northern accent, which nis long residence abroad had not destroyed 168 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. " By my beard, it glads my heart to find there are a few bold and resolute souls still left to avenge the wrongs of Old England! Madre deF "Hold, Faukes!" cried Stanley, interrupting him; " yon must forget that you have carried a spontoon here; none of your Spanish oaths they will betray ye if ye use them in England." " You are right, Sir William; I will take care to keep my acquaintance with the Spaniard a secret; my new name will protect me from recognition." " I trust so," said the knight; " and now let us have a flask of burgundy, and drink success to our undertaking. What, ho! glasses and a flask of the best!" The wine having been brought, they sat down to discuss it, and arrange their plans. The midnight chimes had sounded ere they separated: Wentour retired to rest, rejoic- ing in this accession to their band, and deeply impressed with the firm and determined character of Faukes. Early in the morning of the third day of Wentour's arrival, a message from the captain of the galliot informed them that the wind was fair for England. Wentour and Faukes were soon on board, and, bidding farewell to Sir William Stanley, they set sail with their terrible cargo. In the meantime, Catesbye had taken a house* on the hanks of the Thames at Lambeth, which he had intrusted to the care of one Robert Keys, whom he had received into the association. The lower rooms had been cleared out, and everything prepared for the reception of the powder, the arrival of which was hourly expected. It was a calm and beautiful evening, on which Catesbye, Keys, Percy, Rooke- woode, and several others, sat in an apartment of this house, overlooking the river, upon which the setting sun threw its last rays. Their conversation was carried on in a low tone, but it was not the less stern and terrible. " Ye would not destroy all," queried Percy, fixing his eye upon the rigid features of Catesbye. " There are some who would rejoice to hear of our plot; must they perish too?" " Ay, Tom, all; would ye, to save some half-dozen shamb- ling fools, run the risk of betraying us? If one spark of pity linger in your breast, think of the wrongs that thou thyself hast suffered; count over the fines thou hast paid to these * This house has been for some time levelled to the ground. THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 169 villains; reckon up the broad acres thou hast lost by t'nem, and" "By Heaven, you madden me!" cried Percy; "hold, I pray thee, good Catesbye; 'twere tolly to think of the safety of a few, when a host of enemies are within our toils." " Ay," said Keys, with a bitter smile, " and unconscious of it too. The cellar is cleared, and we have but to bestow the powder." At this moment the arrival of two persons in a boat under the window interrupted the conversation, and Catesbye, throwing open the casement, discovered that it was Faukes and Wentour. Mutual greetings followed, and Wentour informed his companions that the galliot, with the powder on board, had anchored in the Thames. " We must get part of it here without delay," said Cates- bye; " we can then remove it to my house in Palace Yard at our leis'ure. You will assist us, Wentour?" " Ay, when I return," replied Wentour, " but I must first take a journey to Huddington, and prepare my daughter for the event that is to follow, by placing her in the house of some friend." Catesbye bent a stern and scrutinizing glance on his asso- ciate, which Wentour observed. " Nay," said he, " look not so searchingly; I would rather feel thy dagger in my heart, than bear a look of mistrust." "Forgive me, Wentour," said Catesbye; "I would not doubt thy zeal and fidelity for worlds; no, my good friend, I know thee too well to harbour a suspicion of so foul a thing. You will meet us on your return, at our rendezvous?" " Ay," replied Wentonr, " I shall not tarry at Huddington; in a fortnight ye shall see me again; farewell fora short time. Gentlemen, brothers, farewell." He wrung the hand of each by turns, quitted the house, hurried to the water side, and, taking a boat, ordered the waterman to row towards the city. The next morning, by sun-rise, Wentour was on his way to Huddington, attended only by one man-servant, whom ho bad left in London during his absence in Holland. On the evening of the third day he arrived in sight of his own dwelling, one of those commodious halls built in the reign ol Henry the Eighth. Deeply ruminating on the probable result of the dreadful plot in which he was engaged, he did not perceive that a cavalier and a lady, who bore a small merlin in her hand, Q '70 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. were walking their horses down the lane which led to his house, and conversing with great earnestness, while two spaniels gambolled round them and jumped to lick the hand of the cavalier. It was not until he arrived at his own gate that he found the lady to be his daughter; who, upon per- ceiving him, jumped from her palfrey and flew into his arms. Without noticing the young man, Wentour strained his daughter in his embrace, and affectionately kissed her fore- head and cheek. 44 Amy," said he, placing her arm within his, and entering the house, " 1 have much to say to thee thou must with me to London, for business of great weight calls rne thither." " Is it so pressing, dear father ?" 44 Ay, child, so pressing that we must needs be on our way by to-morrow morning." 44 Indeed!" 44 Ay, in good truth we must; therefore, get thy apparel in order; and now, leave me awhile. I will come to thee anon." He released her arm, and, turning to the young man, who nad followed them in, said 44 Forgive me, Master Fenton, for my seeming want of courtesy; my mind is rilled with the business which has called me abroad; give me thy hand, Cvril, and come with me to my study; I have something for thy ear alone." He led the way to a small apartment, into which the light was sparingly admitted through a narrow gotliic window: some creeping plants had spread over the casement, and, together with the arms of the Wentours, which were painted on the glass, almost obscured the view without. The sun was fast sinking in the west, and its rays streamed through the window and glared on the several objects in the room. On one side were ranged several rows of bulky volumes, each of which would now be a treasure to the bibliopolist; and in a coiner stood a suit of armour, of Milan steel, well scoured and polished. A portrait of an ancestor of Wentour, painted by Holbein, hung against the wall. " Cyril Fenton," said Wentour, closing the door, " I know thy love for my daughter; but I have hitherto forbidden thee, aware that, thy slender means would not enable thee to main- tain the style and station of a gentleman, if a wife were added to thy cares; nay, do not interrupt me; I will not hesitate to let thee know my meaning: tell me, hast thou the will to serve me? thy country? ay, thy God?" THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. J71 "Your words are mysterious, good sir; what mean ye?" " 1 mean," laying his hand on Fenton's shoulder, " that the hour of our deliverance is at hand that the wolf is within our toils an awful doom awaits our enemies the heretic band, who have so long scourged us, is doomed to destruction!" Fenton's colour fled; he stared at Wentonr with surprise, and the word " treason" fell, scarcely audible, from his lips. " Nay, call it not treason," said Wentonr; " is he who labours to free his country from the scourge of such hell- hounds, a traitor? thine own heart tells thee no. Cvril, whose bloody law doomed thy father to the rack and the scaffold? Was it not the daughter of that Herod who so long trampled on the necks of his wretched people, and revelled in their blood? By Him who died to save us, 1 am ashamed to see thee stand irresolute." " Oh, Master Wentour," said Fenton, " it grieves me to hear such words from you, w ho have been as a father to me. Say, what is the desperate undertaking? alas! 1 fear 'tis but a plot to entrap thee." " Thou art a foolish boy," said Wentour, sternly. " 'Tis a design framed by those who are by many years thy seniors; by men who, stung by persecution, have determined to break their chains and deliver England from the heretic scourge. Wilt thon join us? let ay or no be the answer." Cyril was for some moments incapable of reply. Fearing the issue of the meditated plot, which, in the event of its fiilure, would inevitably entail disgrace, ruin, and death, upon all concerned in it; and dreading, on the other hand, to dis- please the father of his beloved Amy, his heart was torn by conflicting feelings, and, sinking into a chair, he covered his face with his hands, in an anguish of mind which even softened the heart of Wentour. Cyril Fenton was the only child of a country gentleman, w ho participated in the plot contrived by Babington, to release from prison the unfortunate Queen of Scots, in the reign of Elizabeth, and paid the forfeit with his blood. His estate being confiscated and seized by the crown, Cyril, then srarce five years old, having a few months before lost his mother, was thrown on the world without a friend or protec- tor; when Wentour, taking compassion on his forlorn situa- tion, received him under his roof, and reared him as his own child. Years passed away, ami, as his protegee grew up to manhood, Wentonr mane nim his steward. Hut he did not foresee the consequences of keeping a handsome and intelli- !72 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. erent youth, like Cyril, under the same roof with his lovelv daughter; and. ere he was aware of it, both were deeply enamoured of each other. When at length he became acquainted with their passion, he sharply rebuked Cyril tor what he considered the youth's presumption and ingratitude; and extorted from him a promise that he would desist from his attentions to his child. Fearing that if he hesitated to comply with this request, he should be driven from the spot which contained all he loved in the world, Cyril pledged his word to obey this, to him, cruel injunction; but, alas ! love had taken too deep a root in his bosom, and gave the lie to all his promises and assertions. Wentour loved him as his own child, and he was now deeply affected at his distress. " Come, come," said he, " Cyril, look up and tell me thou wilt join in our glorious cause; the hand of Amy shall be yours, for it will place thee far above dependence." The voice of Wentour, which had before seemed so stern to Cyril, now sounded as music to his ears. He rose from his seat, and, seizing the hand of his benefactor, said, while lears dimmed his sight ' Oh, Master Wentour, my best and only friend, I fear S' >nie dreadful calamity will befall you; but believe not that I over thought of shrinking 1 from you in the hour of danger; no, while life lasts, I will not quit your side." "Spoken like a brave youth,"' said Wentour; "and now, Cyril, I will unfold to you this great design." He described the nature of the conspiracy, with great minuteness; painted, in glowing terms, the advantages that would accrue to those who were concerned in it; and concluded by again promising that Amy should be his, on their arrival in London, when their hands should be joined by Father Garnet, to whom he had unfolded the plot in his confession, previously to his leaving the metropolis. Early on the following morning, Wentour, accompanied by his daughter and Cyril Fenton, set out for London, where they arrived after a tedious and fatiguing journey, and Cyril was immediately blessed with the hand of his lovely daughter. In the society of Amy, Cyril was the happiest of men; and each week that passed seemed but a day, though the time was fast approaching when the tremendous work should be accomplished, and the terrible mine, which was now in a complete state of preparation, should be fired by the daring hand of Faukes. But the actions of the conspirators were closely watched, THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 173 and their most secret doings were reported to the minister Cecil, Lord Burleigh, the son of that Biirleigh who MI v.o_ executed the commands of his odious mistress, Elizabeth. It was on a dark and tempestuous night, a few evenings before the meeting of Parliament, that a figure, closely raffled in a large cloak, cautiously emerged from a posteru door of Exeter House in the Strand, and proceeded in an easterly direction down the street. Within this palace sat Burleigh, at a tahle, upon which was strewed a number of books and papers, to which he occasionally referred; at length he rose from his seat, and, after taking two or three turns up and down the apartment, he rung a small silver bell, which stood on the table, and a servant entered. " Is Master Nightshade here to-night?" inquired the earl. " Yes, my lord, he is in the hall." " Bid him attend me here anon." The domestic quitted the room, but shortly returned, and ushered in a man of diminutive size, whose phisiognomy was as singular as it was disgusting. A high pale forehead, only "xreeded in whiteness by the grey locks which shadowed it, had the full benefit of a contrast with a pair of eyes black and piercing, and expressive of great shresvdness and cunning. A. hooked nose, and a mouth of hideous proportions, gave to his whole countenance the expression of a demon. Bidding the servant quit the room, the earl shut the door, first satisfying himself that no one was lurking on the stairs; then, throwing himself into a chair, he fixed his eyes upon, this singular being. " Well, Master Brian Nightshade," said he, " you are punctual. I wish to talk to you upon a little business touching that wretched slave, Tresame. Say, have ye a drug that will make worm's food of your enemy in an hour?" Brian grinned a ghastly smile. " I have many, my lord; nd not a few that will kill in half that time. See you this little pouncet box:'" (he drew from his pouch a small silver box, not bigger than a nut-shell;) " it contains a poison so deadly, that, were a grain of it placed on the tongue of man or beast, in fifteen mortal seconds no leech's skill would avail; or, were it rubbed upon the point of sword or knife, no diirurgeon would save from death the man who received the wound." " 'Tis well," said the earl; "to be plain with thee, I would tain see how this subtle drug will work upon that knavo, Fnmcis Tresame." 9 2 174 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. " Francis Tresame!" echoed Brian, in a tone of surprise. " Ay," said the earl, sternly; " why dost thou distend that malignant eye of thine? Art thou not a hater of thy species, and dost th'ou hesitate to destroy one whom I now place within thy clutch ?" " Your pardon, my lord; I marvelled to hear your desire, for I thought he had proved of great service to your lord- ship." " Ay, Master NightsTiade, but he now knows too much. To worm myself into his confidence for he was faithful to his friends at first I possessed him with some secrets, which, if now disclosed, would brine: much evil upon the state; he must die, but not yet. He has just left me with a letter for the Lord Monteagle, which will cause the destruction of his friends, and work his" A tap at the door of the room interrupted the remainder of Burleigh's speech, and, on its being opened, a servant an- nounced the return of Tresame. Brian Nightshade, by command of the earl, quitted the room oy a secret door, while Tresame almost immediately entered by another. ****** On the evening of the 4th of November, the conspirators met in Catesbye's house in Palace Yard, and made everything ready for the approaching catastrophe. Their solemn oath was renewed, and each swore to stand by his friend, " and abyde the uttermost tryal." At midnight they separated, and departed with all possible secrecy, leaving Faukes in care of the house, with everything necessary for the firing of the train. Catesbye was the last who quitted the premises, and, as he passed out, he bent a look so eloquent and impressive upon his bold associate, that it went to the soul of Faukes. " Farewell,'' said Guy, " farewell, my honoured friend; doubt not my faith; but a few hours and a roar, as of a thou- sand culverins, shall announce to you the destruction of our foes." " Farewell for awhile," said Catesbye; " a boat shall be waiting for you at the stairs to-morrow; have a care that the train be well fired." " Never fear that, " replied Faukes, " 'twill not be the first mine this hand has helped to spring. Give you good night, Master Catesbye." " Good night," responded Catesby, as he threw his cloak around him; " we shall meet to-morrow." Faukes watched the receding figure of his daring leader, THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 175 until it was lost in the gloom; he was then about to re-enter the house, when the heavy and measured tramp of feet was distinctly heard above the moaning of the night-wind. " What can this mean?" thought Guy, straining his eyes in the direction from which the sound seemed to come. The noise was familiar to one, the greater part of whose life had been spent in the long wars of the Low countries; the sound, to his quick ear, was that of the march of a troop of soldiers, and he was deliberating how to act, should his appearance create suspicion, when a band of men, some of them bearing torches, turning the corner of an adjoining house, immediately appeared in siyht, and the leader called aloud to Faukes to "stand, in the king's name !" But he had summoned one whose back was never turned to his enemies; and, though, strengthened by numbers, his appearance did not intimidate Faukes, who suffered him to approach with his company. " What is your name, my friend ?" said the leader of the party, who was Sir Thomas Knyvet, " ai.d why are ye abroad at this late hour?" " My name," replied Guy, nothing daunted, " is John Johnson; I am a servant of Master Percy's. As to my right to be here at this time, you have no authority to question it." " Thou art a bold knave," said Sir Thomas; " but we will know what keeps you from your bed at this late hour. Here, Serjeant Warren, bring your flambeau a little nearer." The serjeant advanced, and held his torch so as to show the figure of Faukes, who was enveloped in a large dark cloak, and booted and spurred. His countenance, at all times stern and commanding, now grew black as night, and the light which flashed upon his features added to their determined and awful expression; but, checking his wrath, he affected to treat their inspection with disdain. " Well," said he, with a sarcastic smile, " what do ye dis- cover ? I should judge ye to be barbers, if it were not for your military garments, for ye seem taken with the cut of my beard." " Seize and bind the villain!" cried Sir Thomas; and the serjeant attempted to obey him, when Faukes tripped up his heels, then stepped l>aclc a few paces, cast his cloak from him, and, in an instant, his sword was bared, and a long petrionel appeared grasped in his left hand. " What! are ye all afraid of one man?" cried the knight, perceiving that the soldiers discovered no inclination to rush 176 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. u]H*r. Guy; " then I must lead ye on; surrender, t.hou traitorous ruffian, or die a dog's death!" "Never!" shouted Faukes. "Come on! here will 1 stand until this body is no longer capable of resistance; come on, I say, ye who fear not steal nor lead !" He drew the trigger of his petrionel as he spoke, and, had it not hung fire, so true was his aim, the knight would not have assisted in his capture. This failure evidently disconcerted Guy, who hurled the petriouel with great violence, and with a bitter curse, at tlie head of the foremost soldier, who honoured the salute with the lowest possible prostration. But in doing this, Faukes had neglected his guard, and the rest of the party, rushing forward, disarmed and secured him, after a desperate struggle. By command of the knight, he was conveyed into the house, which the whole party entered; and it was not long ere they descended to the large vault, where they commenced a strict search. " Pull off those fagots there," cried Sir Thomas. His commands were quickly obeyed, and a barrel was discovered beneath them another, and another appeared, and the knight, turning to Faukes, said " Tell me, vile slave, what do these tubs contain r" Faukes looked at him with the eyes of a tiger that has been robbed of its prey; he drew up his lull and athletic figure to its utmost height, and, in a voice of thunder, which rang through the vault in prolonged echoes, cried "Powder, Sir Knight! Had I received your visit here, I would ha' fired my petrionel into that cask, and sent your tools and you a-riding on the night-air!" " Then, Heaven be praised for this prevention of thy murderous design," exclaimed the knight; " lead him away, close up the house, and guard him well. I will hasten to the council, and inform them of his capture." ******* Early on the morning of the third day of his appre- hension, Faukes, who had been confined in the Tower, in one of the dungeons in which state prisoners were usually immured, was aroused from his slumbers by the heavy fall of the bar and the withdrawing of the bolts which secured the door of his prison. He started from his straw bed, and beheld the gaoler standing over him. In answer to his question, why he was disturbed, he was informed that ne must attend the council, who wen? inon sitting in the White THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 177 TVv.vcr. Gathering up his fetters, Guv, though weak from mental and bodily suffering, walked with a firm step to the GOUncil-rooni, where he beheld the noblemen who were to examine him. As he entered this gloomy apartment, his eve glanced on the rack, which stood near the door, and his wan check assumed a livid hue; but it was only momentary; he raised his head, and viewed the assembly with an undaunted glance. " He is as gallant, a figure as one would wish to behold," whispered Nightshade to the executioner, who stood leaning 1 against the rack with his doublet off, and his ar.ns bare to the elbows. " He is not so proper a man, though, as Harry Vaughan, whom I assisted in his journey to a better world some two years since come Candlemas," replied the man of deaih. One of the council now addressed Faukes, and demanded his name. "John Johnson," was the reply. " Have ve not gone bv other names?" No." * " Who are your associates in this hellish plot?" " If I thought that threats or torture would make me con- fess, I would, like the Egyptian of old, pluck out my tongue and cast it before ye"." " You have companions, then? What fiend tempted ye to contrive so bloody a conspiracy '{" Fankcs smiled bitter! v. " Ye shall know," said he. " There are hounds to the patience and submission of the most abject slaves, and such, alas! have been too many of my countrymen. I, and my fellows, have seen the broad lands, which our fathers possessed, gra-ped by tiie hands of men who have over- turned that religion which has for so many hundred years flourished like a fair vine in this once happy country.* We have seen the trems which once decked the shrines of saints and martyrs glittering in the crown of a tyrant. We * Even the gallant and accomplished Raleigh participated in the plunder. This is a lamentable truth, and would almost incline us to the opinion of Kchard, who declares Sir Walter's misfortunes to be an indication of Hie hand t>/ Heaven for his acceptance of some church l.mds in the reiffn of tilizubeth. However, it is to be hoped that Raleigh's long suffering and subsequent death made ample atonement. 178 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. nave beheld the gold and silver ornaments of the altar melted down into coin; and, O wretched land! whole bands nave been hired with it, to combat those who still hold to the good faith. We have seen the boldest and the proudest in England writhing on the rack or swinging on gibbels, because they held fast to that holy faith in which thc-ir forefathers lived and died. To crown all, we now behold this country swarming with needy foreigners with those vile Scotch, who have so long been our deadly foes. 'Twas to revenge these injuries that I would have fired that dreadful mine, and blown those needy vagrants back to their native mountains!" Here one of the council rose, and sternly bade Faukcs disclose the names of his associates. " Prisoner," said he, " we have heard enough of your treason to satisfy us that you have many of your friends in this devilish plot. You have lied in giving us the n^ine of Johnson you have gone by another, confess it, or you will be ordered to the rack without delay. Do you hesitate? Then take the consequences of your stubbornness. Exe- cutioner, to the rack with him."* * " The rack is used nowhere as in England. In other countries it s used in judicature, where there is a ' Semiplcna probatis," a half proof against a man; then, to see if they can make it full, they rack him if he will not confess. But here, in England, they take a man and rack him, I do not know why or when; not in time of judicature, but when somebody bids!" SELDEN. Our histories of England tell us that Faukes, even before the council, betrayed the same intrepidity and firmness, but that, being confined in the Tower for a few days, and the rack having been "just shown him," he made a full confession. Now, as to the fact of his being racked, it is, to say the least of it, very unlikely that one so bold and daring would, if he had not been thus treated, in a few days become so weak and emaciated as to require support whilst the hangman fastened the rope around his neck. This circumstance is related in a now very scarce tract, published a few days after the bloody tragedy in Palace Yard. As to the " full confession," this is such a monstrous lie, that it will scarcely require contradiction. If Faukes did mike such a " full confession," how was it that so few were apprehended and punished, when many hundreds were ready to meet in arms under the guidance of Sir Everliard Digby? One word more; there is, I have been informed, a document in the State Paper Office, which records the answer of James, when asked by one of his Lords whether it was his Majesty's plea-sure that Faukes should be racked? " Aw, mon," was the reply: "better he rack, than we perish"' The devil, who is, they say, the father of lies, could not havp invented mch a string of falsehoods as those which have bee:i THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 179 In spite of his powerful struggles, Guy was placed on the horrible engine. The second turn of the wheel extorted a deep hollow groan from the prisoner, who cried out in anguish " P'or the love of Him who died for us all, have mercy; my name is Faukes!" " Ha!" said Burleigh, who presided at the examination, " you have served in the Low Countries?" " I have," replied the sufferer, shaking back his long hair. ^ "In the Spanish army?" " Yes." " \Vho are your associates?" " Away with ye," cried Faukes, turning his haggard and blood-shot eye upon the questioner; " do your worst; I will not betray my friends." Another turn of the wheel was ordered, when the already distended sinews and muscles of the prisoner cracked loudly, and he fainted from excess of pain. Nightshade then ap- proached, and, grasping the clammy hand of the prisoner, ielt the throb of his feverish pulse. " He will not bear much more," said he; " but I will try the effect of this." He applied a small chased bottle to the nostrils of Faukes, who slowly revived. The question was again put to him " Who are your partners in this conspiracy ?" Still suffering the most excruciating tortures, Faukes persevered in his resolution, and the horrible torment was renewed; but it proved fruitless; the prisoner, uttering a suppressed groan, sunk under it, and lay on the rack, to all appearance dead. In vain Nightshade applied his resto- ratives; in vain he bathed with vinegar the livid brow of the written upon the subject of the Gunpowder Plot Bloody and inhuman it certainly was, but the offenders paid a bloody penalty. I will not shock the feelings of my readers by detailing the manner of their execution ; but it may be as well to mention, that part of their punishment consisted in their being first half strangled, then cut down while alive and sensible, their bowels taken out and burnt before their eyes, and their bodies afterwards quartered. This is only a portion of their punishment; and yet the monster COKE, he who taunted and insulted the unfortunate Raleigh, when arraigned for a crime of which he was never guilty, complimented the king on his clemency in not havir invented new tortures for them! 180 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. ufferer: Faukes was borne back to his prison in a most piteous state, and totally insensible. We must now return to Wentour and his family, who had, upon tfieir arrival in London, taken lodgings in the Strand. Amy knew not of the dreadful conspiracy in which her father was engaged, and, in the society of her husband, there was only one alloy to her happiness: this was the moody and reserved state of her parent, whose strange demeanour she viewed with disquiet and even alarm. Wentour had ar- ranged his plans, and was prepared to meet the result of the plot, whichever way the scale misrht turn. Should it prove abortive, he had resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible in the cause of his friends: for he had already provided a protector for his daughter, in the person of Cyril Fenton, whom he had not introduced to his confederates on that account. On the eve of the memorable 5th of November, Wentour, after affectionately embracin? his daughter, quitted his lodg- ings, saying that he should not return until the morning. Cyril witnessed his departure with a sigh, for he well knew the dreadful business which engaged his father-in-law, who had solemnly enjoined him to discharge the sacred trust he had confided to him. The caresses of his lovely bride in some degree soothed the anguish of Fenton; but when he tried to drown in sleep the horrible fears which haunted him, the most ghastly visions succeeded. He beheld a spacious building totter to its base, while loud shrieks issued from within. A black cloud obscured the whole, and a crash, louder than the discharge of a thousand cannon followed. He awoke with terror, and found that it was a dream. Again composing himself to sleep, he saw the gory head of Wentour roll on the scaffold, while the shouts of an assem- bled multitude cheered the dexterity of the headsman. He leapt from his bed, and, rushing to the window, drew aside the curtain. The morning sun shone brightly into the apartment; all was serene and quiet; the sparrows chirped on the roof, and the sky looked clear and cloudless. How dif- ferent the scene to the awful visions that had haunted him ! He turned to his bride, on whose lids sleep still sat, while the hue of the rose tinged her cheek; her lips lay apart, and dis- closed a row of teeth, small, even, and rivalling the pearl in whiteness. M Heaven shield thee, dearest," ejaculated he, as he kissed THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 1M her forehead; " thy sleep is as calm and unbroken as the un- wearied child: sleep on, for, alas! I fear thou wilt wake to hear ill tidings." Amy awoke at this moment, and Cyril evaded her ques- tions by speaking of their return to Huddington, though his unusual paleness and sunken eye too plainly told what was passing within him. A place was reserved for Wentour at the breakfast-table, but he appeared not, to partake of their morning's meal. Fenton remained in a state of harrowing suspense, every moment expecting to hear the horrible announcement of the catastrophe, which would inevitably take place, if the con- spirators remained true to each other. The cleck of St. Clement's church at length chimed the hour of ten, and, ere the sound had died away, the noise of horses' hoofs was heard in the street, and the next moment Wentour entered the room, the perspiration streaming from every pore. " Amy Cyril my children," he cried, " away from this place! All is lost! our enemies triumph Faukes is taken, and the whole is discovered; Cyril, look to my child ay, 1 know thou wilt. Amy, farewell, perhaps for ever!" Amy fainted in the arms of her husband, while \\entourcontinued, " At Fresh Wharf, near Belings Gate, a vessel sails for Ostend at eleven." " You will accompany us ?" said Cyril. "*O, no, no, no; my word is pledged to my friends. Look to thy sweet charge, I conjure thee. Farewell, Cyril, for ever there is as much gold there," pointing to a box w hich stood in a corner of the room, " as will maintain ye in com- fort as hong as ye live." Wentour kissed the cheek of his daughter, and his tears fell fast on her face, but she still remained insensible of her father's agony. He then rushed from the house, and, mounting his horse, instantly rode off' at full gallop. Our tale now draws to a close. Cyril and his bride bade a last adieu to the land of their birth, and -arrived safely at Ostend. Wentour was one of those who held out Holbeach House against the Sheriff of Worcester, who there surrounded the conspirators. The particulars of this attack are too well known to require repetition here; some were slain outright, some were taken alive, and, of the latter, Wentour was one. He suffered with his daring companions, (Faukes, Rooke- wood, and Keys,) in Palace Yard, and in sight of that building they sought to overthrow. 182 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. Tresame/ after being committed to the Tower, was found dead in his prison. History tells us, that he died of a stranguary, hut posterity will judge of the truth or falsehood of this assertion. Certain it is, that a just and speedy ven- geance followed the betrayal of his friends. A TALE OF THE LOW COUNTRIES. " It was a strange order that the doom Of these two creatures should be thus traced out." BYKON. IT was on a cold winter's evening during the reign of Eliza- beth, that a party of young gallants were carousing in the celebrated Devil Tavern in Fleet-street. Liquors of various kinds stood before them, and plainly indicated that they were determined to fortify their stomachs, while within doors, against the piercing cold without. There was malmsey, burgundy, and sack, with burnt claret in profusion; and, although they had not so far fudilled these choice spirits as to make them absolutely uproarious, they had made them lively and witty. Joke and repartee were bandied about, and would have almost inclined a more sober observer to the opinion of honest Ben, who modestly tells us that the wit and humour of him and his companions so pervaded the atmo- sphere of this tavern, that even bumpkins were inspired, after they had quitted it. " Well, Hal," said one of the gallants, slapping the shoulder of him who sat on his right-hand, " by cock and pye, it glads my heart to see thee here; and hast thou left thy books, and quitted the close air of the temple, for the good cheer of mine host o' the Devil? By mine honour, thou art regenerated: thou shall be baptized in sack, and admitted again into the society of Christian men." " Christian men!" retorted the student; " why callest thou thyself a Christian, Ned, while carousing under the sign of the very Devil himself? I'll wager a pottle o' malmsey, thou hast not seen the inside of a church since last Penticost-tide." "Thou wilt lose thy wager, Frank: ask Barnaby, the sexton of St. Martin's, if 1 was not the most devout of the congregation on Sunday last." A TALE OF THE LOW COUNTRIES. 183 " Ay, truly," cried another of the company, " thou wert there, doubtless: hut it was Mistress Bridget Barlow, the rich goldsmith's widow, who attracted thee Here's to thy success !" He drank off a glass of wine as he spoke, and his example was followed by the rest of the company, when the student called for a song. The first speaker, (who was the son of a rich merchant in the Chepe,) after giving a few preparatory hems, sung as follows: Merrily, merrily drain the bowl, If care ye would not dree; Here's malmsey, sack, and hippocras, Sherris and burgundy. Come, ye spiritless wights, who are wedded to scolds, Those shrews who are match for the devil, 'Tis wisdom to flee from their music, I trow; So hasten and join in our revel. And ye gallants, who scorch 'neath your maidens' dark glance, Who swear that your souls are like tinder, Oh hasten away from such kirtle durance, If ye would not be burnt to a cinder. " By this light !" said the student, " thou hast a marvel- lous proper voice, Ned; have ye no love tale to tell us? thou hadst once a store." " Marry, I have forgotten them; thon knowest my father likes not my travelling, so that I have small chance of hearing the adventures of love-sick damsels and gallant knights; but yonder sits a gentleman who has, methinks, seen service." The person alluded to by the young gallant was a stout, hale, middle-aged man, whose profession was indicated by his buff coat and a broad belt sustaining a long sword, and a dagger of Spanish workmanship. He had lost an arm, and the empty sleeve of his doublet was fastened by a point to his breast. " Gentlemen," said he, on being pressed to join the party, " I have, as you suppose, seen some service, and have left an arm in the Low Countries. I commanded a body of pike- men at the siege of St. Getrudenberg, in Brabant; 'twas there I became acquainted with an Englishman of good family, whose unhappy fate I shall ever lament. I will, with your permission, relate the history of our acquaintance, and the manner of his deurh." 18-1 TALES OF OTHER DAYS. To this the company gladly assented, and the captain, draining his glass, began as follows. " On my arriving in Brabant, Prince Maurice was before St. Getrudenberg, which he had assaulted several times, without success. The company under my command were picked men, and I was soon actively engaged, for the besieered made frequent sallies, and it required some of tin; best troops to repulse them. In one of these attacks, I was posted, with my company, to support the charge of a re