ARTHUR MERVYN.
:
i .
IN THREE VOLUMES.
BY
C. B. BROWN,
AUTHOR OF
JANE TALBOT, EDGAR HUNTLY, PHILIP STANLEY, &c-
VOL. I. .
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR
A. K. NRWMAN AND CO. LEA DENH ALL-STREET.
1821.
Printed by J. Darling, Leadenhall-Street London.
TS
"34-
;'|'V V- I
PREFACE.
n
JL HE evils of pestilence by which
the city of Philadelphia has lately
been afflicted, will probably form an
aera in its history. The schemes of
reformation and improvement to which
they will give birth or, if no efforts of
human wisdom can avail to avert the
periodical visitations of this calamity,
the change in manners and population
which they will produce, will be in the
highest degree memorable. They have
already
157074
li PREFACE.
already supplied new and copious ma-
terials for reflection to the physician
and the political economist. They
have not been less fertile of instruction
to the moral observer, to whom they
have furnished new displays of the in-
fluence of human passions and mo-
tives.
Amidst the medical and political
discussions which are now afloat in the
community relative to this topic, the
author of these remarks has ventured
to methodize his own reflections, and
to weave into a humble narrative such
incidents as appeared to him most in-
structive and remarkable among those
which came within the sphere of his
own
PREFACE. Ill
own observation. It is every one's
duty to profit by all opportunities of
inculcating on mankind the lessons of
justice and humanity. The influences
of hope and fear, the trials of fortitude
and constancy, which took place in this
city in the autumn of 1 793, have per-
haps never been exceeded in any age.
It is but just to snatch some of these
from oblivion, and to deliver to pos-
terity a brief, but faithful sketch of the
condition of this metropolis during
that calamitous period. Men only re-
quire to be made acquainted with dis-
tress, for their compassion and their
charity to be awakened. He that de-
picts in lively colours the evils of dis-
ease and poverty, performs an eminent
service
IV PEEFACE.
service to the sufferers, by calling forth
benevolence in those who are able to
afford relief; and he who portrays ex-
amples of disinterestedness and intre-
pidity, confers on virtue the celebrity
and homage that are due to it, and
rouses in the spectators the spirit of
salutary emulation.
C. B. B.
ARTHUJR MERVYN.-
CHAP. I.
INTRODUCTORY.
JL WAS refident in the city of Philadelphia
during the year 1793. Many motives con-
tributed to detain me, though departure
was eafy and commodious, and my friends
were generally felicitous for me to go. It
is not my purpole to enumerate thefe mo-
tives, or to dwell on my prefent concerns and
tranfadions, but merely to compofe a nar-
rative of fome incidents with which my
fituation made me acquainted.
VOL, j. B Returning
3 ARTHUR MERVYN.
Returning one evening, fomewhat later
than ufual, to my own iioufc, my attention
was attracted ju(t as I entered the porch, by
the figure of a man reclining againft the
wall at a few paces from me My fight was
imperfectly afiifted by a diftant lamp; but
-the pofture in which he fat, the hour, and
the place, immediately fuggeftcd the idea of
one difabled by ficknefs. It was obvious to
conclude that his difeaie was ]-eftilential.
This did not deter me from approaching,
and examining him more cloftiy.
He leaned his head againft the wall, his
eyes were fhut, his hands clafped in each
other, and his body feemed to be fultained
in an upright pofition merely by the cellar-
door, againft .which 1 he reftcd his left
fhouldcr. The lethargy into which he was
funk, feemed fcarcely imerrupted by my feel-
ing his hand and his forehead. Mis throb-
bing temples and burning ikin indicated a
fever; and his form, already emaciated,
feemed to prove that it had not been of
' Ihort duration.
There
ARTHUR MERVYN. 3
There was only one circumftance that
hindered me from forming an immediate
determination .in what manner this perfon
fhould be treated. My family confifted of
my wife and a young child. Our fervant
maid had been feized three days before by
the reigning malady, and, at her own re-
queft, had been conveyed to the hofpital.
We ourfelves enjoyed good health, and
were in hopes of efcaping with our lives.
Our meafures for this end had been cati-
tioufly taken, and carefully adhered to. They
did not confift in avoiding the receptacles of
infcclion, for my office required me to go
daily into the midft of them ; nor in filling
the houfe with the exhalations of gunpowder,
vinegar, or tar. They confifted in clean-
lineis, reafonable exercife, and wholefome
diet. Cuftom had likewife blunted the edge
of our apprehenfions. To take this perfon
into my houfe, and beftow upon him the
requifite attendance, was the fcheme that
firft occurred to me. In this, however, the
advice of my wife was to govern me.
B 2 I men-
4 ARTHUR MERVYN.
I mentioned the incident to her. I
pointed out the dsngcr which was to be
dreaded from fuch an inmate. I drfired
her to decide with caution, and mentioned
my resolution to conform myftlf implicitly
to her decifion. Should we refufe to har-
bour him, we muft not forget that there was
an hofpital to which he would perhaps con-
fent to be carried, and where he would be
accommodated in the bed manner the times
would admit.
" Nay," faid me, " talk not of hof-
pitals ; at leaft let him have his choice. I
have no fear about me for my part, in a
cafe where the injunctions of duty are fb
obvious. Let us take the poor unfortunate
wretch into our protection and care, and
leave the confequences to Heaven."
I expected, and was pleafed with this
propofal. I returned to the fick mat), and,
on roufing him from his ftupor, found him
flill in pofleflion of his reafon. By the
light of a candle, I now examined him
more accurately.
His
ARTHUR MERVYW. 5
His garb was plain, carelefs, and denoted
ruflicity : his a r pe<5l was fimple and ^n-
genuous, and his decayed vifige flill re-
tained traces of uncommon, but manlike
beauty. He had a:l the appearances of
mere youth, unfpoiled by luxury and un-
inured to misfortune. I fcarcely ever be-
held an object which laid fo powerful and
fudden a claim to my affection and fuccour*
" You are fick," laid I, in as cheerful
a tone as I could aflume. " Cold bricks
and night airs are comfortiefs attendants
for one in your condition. Rife, I pray
you, anJ come into the houfe. We will try
to fupply you with accommodations a little
more fuitable."
At this addrefs he fixed his languid eyes
upon me. * c What would you have ?" faid
he. " I am very well ; s I am. While I
breathe, which will not be long, 1 fhall
breathe with more freedom here than elfe-
where. Let me alone I am very well as
I am."
Nay,"
ARTHUR MERVYN.
"Nay," faid I, " this fituation is un-
fuirable to -a fick man. I only afk you to
come into my houfc, and receive all the
kindnefs that it is in cur power to beflow.
Pluck up courage, and I will anfwer for your
recovery, provided you fubmit to our direc-
tions, and do as we would have you. Rife,
and come along with me. We will find you a
phyfician and a nurfe ; and all we afk in
return is good fpirits and compliance."
" Do you not know," he replied, " what
my difeafe is ? Why fhould you riik your
fafety for the fake of one whom your kind-
nefs cannot benefit, and who has nothing to
give in return ?''
Tiiere was fomething in the flyle of this
remark that heightened, my prepofleflion in
his favour, and made me purfue my purpofe
with more zeal.
" Let us try what we can do for you," I
anfwered. " If we fa ve your life, we fhall
have done you fome fervice ; and as for re-
compence, we will look to that."
It
ARTHUR MERVYN. .7
It was with confiderable difficulty that he
was perfuaded to accept our invitation. He
was conduced to a chamber, and the criti-
calnefs of his cafe requiring unufual attention, -
I fpent the night at his bedfide.
My wife was encumbered with the care
both of her infant and her family. The
charming babe was in perfect health, but
her mother's constitution was frail and deli-
cate. We fimplified the houfehold duties
as much as pofiible; but ftill thefe duties
were confiderably burthenfome to one not
ufed to the performance, and luxurioufly
educated. The addition of a fick man was
likely to be productive of much fatigue.
My engagements would not allow me to be
always at home ; and the (late of my patient,
and the remedies neceffary to be prefcribed,
were attended with many noxious and dif-
guftful circumftances. My fortune would
not allow me to hire affiftance : my wife
with a feeble frame, and a mind mrinking
on ordinary occailons from fuch offices with.
B 4 faftidious
O ARTHUR MERVYN.
"Nay," faid I, " this fituation is un-
fuirable to ^ fick man. I only afk you to
come into my houfe, and receive all the
kindneis that it is in cur power to beftovv.
Pluck up courage, and I will anfwer for your
recovery, provided you fubmit to our direc-
tions, and do as we would have you. Rife,
and come along wi:h me. We will find you a
phyfician and a nurfe ; and all we afk in
return is good fpirits and compliance."
" Do you not know," he replied, " what
my difeafe is ? Why mould you rifk your
fafety for the fake of one whom your kind-
nefs cannot benefit, and who has nothing to
give in return ?''
There was fomething in the ftyle of this
remark that heightened, my prepofieflion in
his favour, and made me purfue my purpofe
with more zeal.
" Let us try what we can do for you," I
anfwered. " If we fave your life, we lhall
have done you fome fervice ; and as for re-
compence, we will look to that."
It
ARTHUR MERVYtf. . ?
It was with confiderable difficulty that he
was perfuaded to accept our invitation. He
was conduced to a chamber, and the criti-
calnefs of his cafe requiring unufual attention,
I fpent the night at his bedfide.
My wife was encumbered with the care
both of her infant "and her family. The
charming babe was in perfect health, but
her mother's conflitution was frail and deli-
cate. We fimplified the houfehold duties
as much as pofiible; but ftill thefe duties
were confiderably burthenfome to one not
ufed to the performance, and luxuriously
educated. The addition of a fick man was
likely to be productive of much fatigue*
My engagements would not allow me to be
always at home ; and the ftate of my patient,
and the remedies neceffary to be prefcribed,
were attended with many noxious and dif-
guftful circumftances. My fortune would
not allow me to hire affiftance : my wife
with a. feeble frame, and a rnind mrinking
on ordinary occafions from fuch offices with
B 4 faftidious
8 ARTHUR MRVYN.
faftidious fcrupuloufnefs, was to be his only
or principal nurfe.
My neighbours were fervent in their well-
meant ztal, and loud in their remonftrances
on the imprudence and rafhnefs of my con-
duel: they called me prefumptuousand cruel
in expofing my wife and child, as well as
myfelf, to fuch imminent hazard, for the
fake of one too who, moft probably, was
worthlefs, and whofe difeafe had doubtlefs
been, by negligence or improper treatment,
rendered incurable.
I did not turn a deaf ear to thefe cenfurers.
I was aware of all the inconveniences and
perils to which I thus fpontaneoufly expofed
myfelf: no one knew better the value of
that woman whom I called mine, or fet a
higher price upon her life, her health, and
her eafe. The virulence__and__a6i:ivity oj"
this contagion, the dangerous condiiion_of
^ ki $ cna "
racter, jvere not forgotten by me ; but ftill
my conduct in this affair received my own
entire
ARTHUR MERVYN. 9
entire approbation. All objections on the
fcore of my wife were removed by her
own wiliingnefs and even folicitude to under-
take the province. I had more confidence
than others in the vincibility of this difeale,
and in the lucceis 6V thole" 1 meaiures which
we had ufed for our defence againft it : but,
whatever were the evils to accrue to us, we
were fure of one thing namely, that the
conicioufnefs of having neglected this un-
fortunate perfon wou'd Le a fource of more
unhappinefs, than could poffibly redound from
the attendant and care that he would claira.
The more we faw of him, indeed, the
more did we congratulate ourfelves on our
proceeding. His torments were acute and
tedious j but in the midft even of delirium
his heart feemed to overflow with gratitude,
and to be actuated by no wifh but to alle-
viate our toil ;md our danger. He made
prodigious exertion to perform neceffary
offices for himfelf: he fupprefied his feelings,
and ftruggled to main, in a chetrful tone
and countenance, that he might -prevent
B 5 that
IO ARTHUR MERVYN,
that anxiety which the fight of his fufferings
produced in us : he was perpetually fur-
niihing reafons why his nurfe mould leave him
alone, and betrayed diflatisfaiflion whenever
fhe entered his apartment.
In a few days there was reafon to con-
clude him out of danger : and in a fortnight
nothing but exercife and' nourifhment was
wanting to complete his reftoration. Mean-
while nothing was obtained from him but
general information, that his place of abode
was Chefter County, and that fome moment-
ous engagement induced him to hazard his
iafety by coming to the city in the height of
the epidemic.
He was far from being talkative. His
filence feemed to be the joint refult of
modefty and unpleafing remembrances ; his
features were characterized by pathetic feriouf-
nefs, and his deportment by a gravity very
unufual at his age. According to his own
reprefentation, he was no more than eighteen
years old ; but the depth of his remarks
indicated a much greater advance. His
name
ARTHUR MERVYN. II
name was Arthur Mervyn. He defcribed
himfelf as having patted his life at the
plough-tail and the thralhing-fioor, as being
deftitute of all fcholaftic inftruction, and as
being long fince bereft of the affectionate
regards of parents and kinfmen.
When quedioned as to the courfc of life
he meant to purfue upon his recovery, he
profeiled himfelf without any precife objeft.
He was willing to be guided by the advice
Cl fc~* *
of others, and by the lights .which experi-
ence fhoukl furnifh. The country v/as open
to him, and he fuppofed that there was no
part of it in which food could not be pur-
chafed by his labour. He was unqualified
by his education for any liberal profeffion.
His poverty was likewife an infuperable im-
pediment. He could afford to fpencl no
time in the acquisition of a.,lra.de: he -muft
labour not for future ^rholurji&n^ but for
immediate fubfiftence. The only purfuit
which his prcfent circumftances would allow
him toadopr, was that which, he was inclined
to believe, was iikewife the moft eligible.
B 6 Without
14 ARTHUR. MERVYN.
how to value the thoughts of other people,
but he could not part with the privilege of
obferving and thinking for himfelf. He
wanted bufmefs which. would fuffer at leaft
nine-tenths of his attention to go free. If it
afforded agreeable employment to that part
of his attention which it applied to its own
ufe, fo much the better ; but if it did not,
he mould not repine. He fiiould be content
with a life whole pleafures were to its pains
as nine are to one. He had tried the trade
of a copy id, and in circumftances more
favourable than it was likely he fhould ever
again have an opportunity of trying it j and
he had found that it did not fulfil the re-
quifite conditions : whereas the trade of a
ploughman was friendly to health, liberty,
and pleafure.
The peftilence, if it may be fo called,
was now declining. The health of my
young friend allowed him to breathe the
frefh air, and to walk. A friend of mine,
by name Wortley, who had {pent two
months from the city, and to whom, in the
courfe
ARTHUR MERVYN. 15
courfe of a familiar correfpondence, I had
mentioned the foregoing particulars, re-
turned from his rural excurfion. He was
porting, on the evening of the day of his
arrival, with a friendly expedition to my
houfe, when he overtook Mervyn going
in the fame diredion. He was furprifed to
find him go before him into my dwelling,
and to difcover, which he fpeedily did, that
this was the youth whom I had fo frequently
mentioned to him. I was' prefcnt at their
meeting.
There was a ftrange mixture in the coun-
tenance of Wortley when they were pre-
fented to each other. His fatisfaftion was
mingled with furprife, and his furprife with
anger. Mervyn, in his turn, betrayed con-
fiderable embarraiTment. Wortley's thoughts
were too earned on fome topic to allow him
to converle : he fhortly made fome excufe
for taking leave, and rifing, addrefled him-
felf to the youth, with a requeft that he
would walk home with him. This invita-
tion, delivered in a-tone which left it doubtful
whether
l6 ARTHUR MERVYN.
whether a compliment or menace were meant,
augmented Mervyn's confufion. He com-
plied without fpeaking, and they went out
together. My wife and I were left to com-
ment upon the fcene.
It could not fail to excite uneafmefs: they
were evidently no ftrangers to each other.
The indignation that fiafhed from the eyes
of Wortley, and the trembling confcioufnefs
of Mervyn were unwelcome tokens : the
former was my deareft friend, and_yenerable
for his difctrnment and integrity ; the
latter appeared to have drawn upon himfelf
the anger and difdain of this man. We
already anticipated the mock which the dif-
covery of his unworthinefs would produce.
In half an hour Mervyn returned. His
embarraffment had given place to dejection.
He was always feri'^us, but his features were
now overcaft by the .deepeft gloom. The
anxiety which I fek would not allow me to
hefitate long.
" Arthur," faid I, " fomething is the
matter with you. Will you not difclofe it to
us?
ARTHUR MERVYN. 17
us ? Perhaps you have brought yourfelf
into fome dilemma, out of which we may
help you to efcape. Has any thing of an
unpleafant nature paffed between you and
Wortley ?"
The youth did not readily anfwer. He
feemed at a lofs for a fuitable reply. At
length he faid, that fomething difagree-
able had indeed paiTed between him and
Worcley. \He had had the misfortune to
be connected with a man by whom Wortley
conceived himfelf to be injured. He had
borne no part in inflicting this injury, but
had nevertheleis been tnreatened witli ill-
treatment if he did not make difclofures
which indeed it was in his power to make,
but which he was bound oy every fan<5lion to
withhold. This diiclofure would be of no
benefit to Wortley it would rather operate
injurioufly than otherwife j yet it was endea-
voured to be wrefted from him by the
heavieft menaces.!
There he paufed. We were naturally
inquifuive as to the fcope of thefe menaces ;
but
l8 ARTHUR MERVYN.
but Mervyn entreated us to forbear any
further difcuffion of this topic. He forefaw
the difficulties _to which his filence would
fubject him. One of its moft fearful con-
fequences would be the lofs of our good
opinion. He knew not what he had to
dread from the enmity of Wortley : Mr.
Wortley's violence was not without excufe.
It was his mifnap to be expofed to fufpi-
cions, which could only be obviated by break-
ing his faith : but, indeed, he knew not
whether any degree of explicitnefs would
confute the charges that were made againrt
him ; whether by trampling on his facred
promife h? would not multiply his perils,
inftead of lefiening their number. A dif-
ficult part had been affigned to-him; by
much too difficult for one young, impro-
vident, and inexperienced as he wasj
Sincerity perhaps was the belt courfe.
Perhaps, after having had an opportunity
for deliberation, he fliould conclude to
adopt itj meanwhile he entreated permiffion
to retire to his chamber. He was. unable
to
ARTHUR MERVYN. 19
to exclude from his mind ideas which yet
could, with no propriety, at leaft at prefent,
be made the theme of converfation.
Thefe words were accompanied with fim-
plicity and patho ; , aod with tokens of
unaffected difrrefs.
'* Arthur," faid I, <c you are mafter
of your actions and time in this houfe. Re-
tire when you pleafe : but you will naturally
fuppofe us anxious to difpel this myftery.
Whatever ihall tend to obfcure or malign
your character, will, of courfe, excite our
folicitude. Wordey is not fhort-fighted, or
hafty to condemn. 'So great is my con-
fidence in his integrity, that I will not pro-
mife my elteem to one who has irrecoverably
loft that of Wortley. I am not acquainted
with your motives for concealment, or what
it is you conceal j but take the word of one
who pofTeiTes that experience which you
complain of wanting, that fmcerity is always
As foon as he had retired, my curiofity
prompted me to pay an immediate vifit to
Wortley.
'
20 ARTHUR MERVYN.
Wortley. I found him at home. He was
no lefs defirous of an interview, and an-
fwered my enquiries with as much eagernefs
as they were made.
" You know," faid he, " my difaflrous
connexion with Thoma^ Welbeck. You
recolleft his fudden difappearance laft July,
by which I was reduced to the brink of ruin :
nay, I am even now far from certain that
I m^ll lurvive that event. I fp-^ke to you
about the youth who lived with him, and by
what means that youth was difcovered to
have crofied the river in his company on the
night of his departure. This is that very
youth,
< c This will account for my emotion at
meeting him at your houfe : I brought him ouc
with me ; his cocfufi on fufficiently indicated
his knowledge of all the tranfiftions between
Welbeck and me. I queilioned him as to
the fate of that man. To own the truth,
I expected fome well -digefted lie ; but he
merely faid that he had promifed fecrecy on
that fubject, and mult therefore be excufed
from
ARTHUR MERVYN. 41
from giving me any information. I afked him
if he knew that his mafter, or accorr^pUce, or
whatever was his relation to him, abfconded
in my debt ? He anfwered that he knew it
well ; but ftill pleaded a promife of inviolable
fecrecy as to his hiding-place. This con-
duct juftly exafperated me, and I treated him
with the feverity which he deferved. I am
half afhamed to confefs the excefles of my
paffion : I even went fo far as to ftrike
him. He bore my infults with the utmoft
patience : no doubt the young villain is
well inftructed in his leflbn ; he knows that
he may fafely defy my power. From threats
I defcended to entreaties: I even endea-
voured to wind the truth from him by arti-
fice. I promifed him a part of the debt if
he would enable me to recover the whole ;
I offered him a confiderable reward if he
would merely afford me a clue by which I
might trace him to his retreat : but all was
infufficient. He merely put on an air of
perplexity, and (hook his head in token of
non-compliance."
Such
22 ARTHUR MERVYN.
Such was my friend's account of this
interview. His fufpicions were unqueftion-
ably plaufible, but I was difpofed to put a
more favourable conftruclion on Mervyn's
behaviour. I recollected the defolate and
pennilcis condition in which I found him,
and the uniform complacency and reclitude
of his deportment for the period during
which we had witneficd it. Thefe ideas had
confidrrable influence on my judgment, and
indifpofed me to follow the advice of my
friend, which was to turn him forth from my
doors that very night.
My wife's preporTefTions were dill more
powerful advocates of this youth: (he would
vouch, fhc faid, before any tribunal for his
innocence ; but (he willingly concurred with
me in allowing him the continuance of our
friend (hip, on no other condition than that
of a difclofure of the truth. To entitle
ourlelves to this confidence \ve were willing
to engage in our turn for the obfervance
of iecrecy, fo far that no detriment mould
accrue
ARTHUR MERVYN. 2J
accrue from this difclofure to himfelf or his
friend.
Next morning at breakfaft our gueft ap-
peared with a countenance lefs expreffive of
embarraiTment than on the laft evening.
His attention was chiefly engaged by his
own thoughts, and little was faid till the
breakfaft was removed. I then reminded
him of the incidents of the former day, and
mentioned that the uneafmefs which thence
arofe to u?, had rather been increafed than
diminiilied by time.,
" It is in your power, my young friend/*
continutrd I, " to add flill more to this
uneafinefs, or to take it entirely away. I
had no perfonal acquaintance with Thomas
Welbeck : I have been informed by others
that his character, f)r a certain period, was
refpectable ; but that at length he contracted
large debts, and, inftead of paying them,
abfconded. You,, it feems, .lived with him.
On the night of his departure, you are
known to have accompanied him acrofs the
river ; and this it feems is the fiiil of
4 your
24 ARTHUR MERVYN.
your re-appearance on the ftage. Welbeck's
conduct was difhoneft : he ought doubtlefs
to be purfued to his afylum, and com-
pelled to refund his winnings. You confefs
yourfelf to know his place of refuge, but
urge a promife of fecrecy. Know you not
that to affift, or connive at the-efcape of
this man was wrong ? To have promifed
to favour his concealment and impunity by
filence, was only an aggravation of this
wrong. That, however, is paft. Your
youth and circumftances, hitherto unex-
plained, may apologize for that mifcondu6l;
but it is certainly your duty to repair it to
the utmoft of your power. Think, whether
by difclofing what you know, you will not
repair it."
" I have fpent moft of laft night," faid
the youth, " in reflecting on this fubjedh
I had come to a refolution before you fpoke,
of confiding to you my fimple tale. I per-
ceive in what circumftances I am placed,
and that I can keep my hold of your good
opinion only by a candid deportment. I
have
ARTHUR MERVYJi. 25
have indeed given a promife which it was
wrong, or rather abfurd in another to exact,
and in me to give -, yet none but considerations
of the higheft importance would perfuade
me to break my 'promife. No injury will
accrue from my difclofure to Welbeck ; if
there fhould, diChoneft as he was, that
would be a fufncient reafon for my filence.
Wortley will not, in any degree, be bene-
fited by any communication that I can
make. Whether I grant or withhold in-
formation, my conduct will have, influence
only on my own happinefs ; and that in-
fluence will juftify me in granting it. I re-
ceived your protection when I was friendle-fs
and forlorn. You have a right to know
whom it is that you protected. My own
fate is connected with the fate of Welbeck ;
and that connection, together with the in-
tereft you are pleafed to take in my concerns,
becaufe they are mine, will render a tale
worthy of attention, which will not be re-
commended by variety of facts, or ikill in
VOL. i. c the
2.6 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the difplay of them. Wortley, though
pafilonate, and with regard to me, unjuft,
may yet be a good man ; but I have no
defire to make him one of my auditors.
You, Sir, may, if you think proper, relate
to him afterwards what particulars con-
cerning Welbeck it may be of importance
for him to know ; but at prefcnt it will be
well if your indulgence (hall fupport me to
the end of a tedious but humble [ale."
The eyes f my Eliza fparkkd with
delight at this propofal. She icgTcled this
youth with a fifterly affection, and con-
fklcred his candour in this rcfptft, as an
unerring left of his reditude. She was
prepared to hear and to forgive the errors
'of inexperience and precipi r ation. I did
not fully participate in her fatisfadion, but
was neverthelefs moft zealoufly difpofed to
liften to his narrative.
My engagements obliged me to poftpone
this reheanal till late in the evening. Col-
lected then round a cheerful hearth, exempt
4 from
ARTHUR MERVYN.
from all likelihood of interruption from
without, and our babe's unpraftifed fenfes
{hut up in the fweeteft and profoundeft
fleep, Mervyn, after a paufe of recollection,
began.
CHAP. II.
A SINGULAR NARRATIVE.
M.Y natal foil is Chefter County. My
father had a fmall farm ^on which he has
been able, by induftry, to maintain himfelf
and a numerous family. He has had many
children ; but fome dtfeft in the conflitutioja
of our mother has been fatal to all of them but
me ^ they died fuccefively as they attained
c 2 the
28 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the age of nineteen or twenty j and, fince I
have not yet reached that age, I may reafon-
. ably look for the fame premature fate. In
the ipring of Jaft year my mother fol-
lowed her fifth child to the grave, and three
months afterwards died herfclf.
My conftitution has always been frail j ^
and till the death of my mother, I enjoyed
unlimitted indulgence. I cheerfully fuftained
my portion of labour, for that neceffity pre-
fcribed ; but the intervals were always at
rny own difpofal : and in whatever manner
I thought proper to employ them, my plans
were encouraged and afiifted. Fond appel-
lations, tones of mildnef?, felicitous attend-
ance when I was fick, defeience to my
opinions, and veneration for my talents,
compole the image -which I dill retain of
my mother. I had the thoughtleflhefs and
prefumption of youth j and now that (he is
gene, my compunction is awakened by a
thoufand recollections of my treatment of
her. I was indeed guilty of no flagrant acts
of contempt or rebellion. Perhaps her
deportment
ARTHUR MERVY5T. 29
deportment was inevitably calculated to
inftil into me a f reward and refraflary
fpirit : my faults, however, were fpeedil.y
followed by repentance; arrd in the midffc
of impatience and paffion, a look of tender,
upbraiding from her was always fufficient
to melt me into tears, and make me ductile
to her will. If forrow for her lofs be an
atonement for the offences which I com-
mitted during her life, ample atonement
hab been made,
My father was a man of (lender capacity,
fciit of a temper ea.y and flexible. He
was fober and induftrious by habit : he was
content to be guided by the luperior intel-
ligence -of his wire. Under this guidance
he prospered ; but when that was withdrawn,
his affairs foon began to betray marks of
unfkilfulnefs and negligence. My under-
(landing, perhaps, qualified me to couufcl
and aflTift my father; but I was wholly un-
accuiiomed to the talk of fuperintehJence :
befides, gendcnels and fortku Je did not de-
fcend to me from my mother, and thefe
c 3 were
JO ARTHUR MERVYtf.
were indifpenfable attributes in a boy who
defires to dictate to his grey-headed parent.
Time perhaps might have conferred dex-
terity on me, or prudence on him, had not
a moft unexpected event given a different
direction to my views.
Betty Lawrence was a wild girl from the
pine forefts of New-Jerfey. At the age of
ten years fhe became a bound fcrvant in this
city ; and, after the expiration of her time,
came into my father's neighbourhood in
learch of employment. She was hired in
our family as milk -maid and market-woman.
Her features were coarfe, her frame robuft,
her mind totally unlettered , and her morals
defective in that point in which female
excellence is fuppofed chiefly to confift.
She pofieffed fuperabundant health and good
humour, and was quite a fupportable com-
panion in the hay- field or the barn-yard.
On the death of my mother fhe was exalted
to a fomewhat higher flat ion. The fame
tafks fell to her lot; but the time and manner
of performing them were in fume degree
fubmitted
. ARTHUR MERVYW. 31
fubmitted to her own choice. The cows
and the dairy were (till her province; but
in this no one interfered wirh her, or pre-
tended to prefcribe her meafures : for this
province fhe feemed not unqualified ; and
as long as my father was pleafed with her
management, I had nothing to object.
This (late of things continued without
material variation for feveral months. There
were appearances in my father's deportment
to Betty which excited my reflections, but
not my fears. The deference which was
occafionally paid to the advice or the claims
of this girl, was accounted for by that
feeblenefs of mind which degraded my
father in whatever fcene he mould be placed,
to be the tool of others. I had no con-
ception that her claims extended beyond a
temporary or fjperficial gratification.
At length, however, a vifible change took
place in her manners. A fcornful affectation,
an awkward dignity began to be aflumed: a
greater attention was paid to drefs, which was
of gayer hues and more fafhionable texture.
\ rallied her on thele tokens of a fweetheart,
f- <* and
32 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
and amufed myfdf with expatiating to her
on the qualifications of her lover: a clownifh
fellow was frequently her vifitantj his atten-
tions did not appear to be difcouraged ; he
therefore was ^ readily fuppofcd to be the
.man. When pointed out as the favourite,
great refentment was exprefled, and obfcure
infinuations were made that her aim was not
quite fo low as that. Thefe 'denials I fup-
pofcd to be cuftomary on fuch occafions,
and confidered the continuance of his vifits
as a fufficient confutation of them.
I frequently fpoke of Betty, her newly-
acquired dignity, and of the probable caufe
of her change of manners to my father.
When this theme was ftarted, a certain
coldnefs and refei ve overfpread his features :
he dealt in monofyllables, and either laboured
to change the fubjtcl:, or made fome excufe
for leaving me. This behaviour, though it
occafioned furprife, was never very deeply
reflected on. My father was old ; and the
mournful impreflions which were made upon
him by the death of his wife, the lapfe of
almoft
ARTHUR MERVYtf. JJ
almoft half a year Teemed fcarcely fo have
weakened. Betty had chofen her partner,
and I was in daily expectation cf receiving
a fummons to the wedding.
One afternoon this girl drefled herfelf in
the gayeft manner, and Teemed making
preparations for fome momentous ceremony.
My father had directed me to put the horfe
to the chaife. On my enquiring whither he
was going, he anfwered me in general terms,
that he had fome bufincfs at a few miles' dif-
tance. I offered to go in his (lead, but he
faid that was impoffible. I was proceeding
to afcertain the poffibility of this when he
left me to go to a field where his workmen
were bufy, directing me to inform him
when the chaife was ready, and to fupply his
place while abfent in overlooking the work-
men.
This office was performed; but before I
called him from the field, I exchanged a few
words with the milk-maid, who fat on a bench
in all the primnefs of expectation, and
decked with the moft gaudy plu.nage. I
c 5 rated
34 ARTHUR MERVYW.
rated her imaginary lover for his tardinefs,
and vowed eternal hatred to them both for
not making me a bride's attendant. She
liftened to me with an air in which embar-
raffment was mingled fometimes with exulta-
tion, and fometimes with malice. I left her
at length, and returned to the houfe not till
a late hour. As foon as I entered, my
father prefented Betty to me as his wife, and
defired me might receive that treatment
.from me which was due to a mother.
It was not till after repeated and folemn
declarations from both of them that I was
prevailed upon to credit this event. Its
effect upon my feelings may be eafily con-
ceived. I knew the woman to be rude,
ignorant, and licentious. Had I fufpected
this event, I might have fortified my father's
weaknefs, and enabled him to fhun the gulf
to which he was haftening ; bat my prefump-
tion had been carelefs of the danger. To
think that fuch an one fhould take the place
of my revered mother was intolerable. -
To
ARTHUR MERVYN. 35
To treat her in any way not correfponding
with her real merits to hinder anger and
fcorn from rifing at the fight of her in her new
condition, was not in my power. To be
degraded to the rank of her fe-rvant, to be-
come the fport of her malice and her artifices,
was not to be endured. I had no inde-
pendent provifion; but I was the only child
of my father, and had reafonably hoped to
fucceed to his patrimony. On this hope I
had built a thoufand agreeable vifions : I
had meditated innumerable projects which the
pofieffion of this eftate would enable me to
execute. I had no wifh beyond the trade
of agriculture, and beyond the opulence
which a hundred acres would give.
Thefc vifions were now at an end. No
doubt her own intereft would b^ to this
woman the fupreme Jaw ; and this would be
confidered as irreconcileabSy hoftile to mine.
My father would eafily be moulded to her
purpofe, and that act eafily extorted from him
which mould reduce me to beggary. She
had a grofs and perverfe taile : (he had a
c 6 numerous
36 ARTHUR MERVYN.
numerous kindred indigent and hungry. On
thefe his fubftance would fpeedily be Javifhed.
Me fhe hated, becaufe me was confcious of
having injured me, becaufe fhe knew that I
held her in contempt, and becaufe I had
detected her in an illicit intercourfe with the
fon of a neighbour.
The houfe in which I lived was no longer
Ep
my own, nor even my father's. Hitherto I
had thought and adted in it with the freedom
of a mafter j but now I was become in my
own conceptions, an alien and an enemy to
the roof under which I was born. Every
tie which had bound me to it was diflblved,
or converted into fomething which repelled
me to a diftance from it. I was a' gueft,
whofe prefence was borne , with anger and
impatience.
I was fully impre (Ted with the neceffity of
removal, but I knew not whither to go, or
what kind of fubfiftence to feek. My father
had been a Scottifh emigrant, and had no
kindred on this fide of the ocean. My
mother's family lived in New-Hampfhire,
and
ARTHUR MERVYNf. 37
and long reparation had extinguimed all
rights uf rejationfhip in her offspring. Tilling
the earth was my only profeffion, and to
profit by my ikill in it, it would be neceflary
to become a day-labourer in the fervice of
Grangers ; but this was a deftiny to which I,
who had fo long enjoyed the pleafures of
independence and command, could not fud-
denly reconcile myfel It occurred to me
that the city might afford me an afylum. A
mort day's journey would tranfport me into
it. I had been there twice or thrice in my
life, but only for a few hours each time. I
knew not a human face, and was a ftranger
to its modes and dangers. I was qualified
. eormDadble with a Town
lifej^ but that of the pen. This, indeed,
had ever been a~[ifavotjrite tool with me*
and though it may appear fomewhat ftrange,
it is no lefs true that I had had nearly as
much practice at the quill as at the mattock.
But the fum of my {kill lay in tracing diftindl
characters ; 1 had ufed it merely to tranfcribe
what others had written, or to give form to
my
157074
38 ARTHUR MERVYN.
my own conceptions. Whether the city
would afford me employment as a mere
copyift, fufficiently lucrative, was a point
on which I pofTcfied no means of infor-
mation.
My determination -was haftened by the
conduct of my new mother; my conjectures
as to the courfe me would purlue with regard
to me, had not been erroneous. My father's
deportment in a fhort time grew fullen and
auftere. Directions were given in a magif-
terial tone, and any remiffhefs in the execution
of his orders was rebuked with an air of
authority. At length thefe rebukes were
followed by certain intimations that I was
now old enough to provide for myfelf
that it was time to think of fome employ-
ment by which I might fecure a livelihood
that it was a fhame for me to fpend my
youth in idlenefs that what he had gained
was by his oven labour, and I mult be
indebted for my living to the fame fource.
Thefe hints were eafily underftood. At
firft they excited indignation and grief:
I knew
ARTHUR MERVYN. 39
I knew the fource whence they fprung, and
was merely able to fupprefs the utterance of
my feelings in her prefence. My looks,
however, were abundantly fignificant, and
my company became hourly more infup-
portable. Abftracted from theie confidera-
tions, my father's remonftrances were not
deftitute of weight j he gave me being, but
fuftenance ought furely to be my own gift.
In the ufe of that for which he had been
indebted to his own exertions, he might
reafonably confult his own choice. He
affumed no controul over me he merely
did what he would with his own , and fo far
from fettering my liberty, he exhorted me
to ufe it for my own benefit, and to make
provifion fur myfeif.
I now reflected that there were other
manual occupations befides that of the
plough ; among thefe, none had fewer dif-
advantages than that of carpenter or cabinet-
maker. I had no knowledge of this art j but
neither cuftom, nor law, nor the impene-
trableneis of the myftery required me to
ferve
4<D ARTHUR MERVYN.
ferve a feven years' apprenticefhip to it. A
matter in this trade might poffibly be per-
luaded to take me under his tuition ; two
or .three years would fuffice to give me the
requifite Ikill. Meanwhile, my father would
perhaps confent to bear the coil of my
maintenance : nobody could live upon leis
than I was willing to do.
I mentioned thefe ideas to my father,
but he merely commended my intentions
without offering to affift me in the execution
of them j he had full employment, he laid,
for all the profits of his ground. No doubt,
if I would bind myfelf to ferve four or five
years, my mailer would be at the expcnce of
my fubfiftence. Be that as it would, I mud
look fur nothing from him ; I had fliewn
very little regard for his happinefs I had
refufed all marks .of rcfpedt to a woman who
was entitled to it from her relationfhip to him.
He did not fee why he mould treat as a
fon, one who refufed what was due to him as
a father 5 he thought it right that 1 (hould
henceforth maintaia mylclr'j he did not want
my
ARTHUR MERVYN. 4t
my fervices on the farm, and the fooner I
quitted his houfe, the better.
I retired from this conference with a relb-
lution to follow the advice that was given ;
I faw that henceforth I muft be my own
proteclor, and wondered at the folly that
detained me fo long under his roof; to
leave it was now become indifpenfable, and
there could be no reafon fof delaying my
departure fora fingle hour. I determined
to bend my courfe to the city ; the fcheme
foremoft in my mind was to apprentice myfelf
to fome mechanical trade. I did not over-
look the evils of conftraint, and the dubi-
oufnefs as to the character of the mafter
I mould chuie j I was not without hopes
that accident would fugged a different expe-
dient, and enable me to procure an inrrie-
diaie fubfiitence without forfeiting my liberty.
I determined to commence my journey
the next morning : no wonder the profpecl:
of fo confiderable a change in my condition
fhould deprive me of deep. I fpent the
night ruminating on the future, and in
painting
42 ARTHUR MERVYN,
painting to my fancy the adventures which
I fhould be likely to meet. The forefight
of man is in proportion to his knowledge :
no wonder that, in my date of profound
ignorance, not the fainted preconception
fhould be formed of the events that really
befel me. My temper was inquifuive, but
there was nothing in the fcene to which I
was going, from which my curiofity expected
to derive gratification ; difcords and evil
fmells, unfavoury food, unwholefome labour,
and irkfome companions were, in my
opinion, the unavoidable attendants of a
city.
My bed clothes were of the homelieft
texture and fhape j my whole flock of linen
confided of three check mirts. Part of
my winter evening's employment, fmce the
death of my mother, confided in knitting my
own dockings i of thefe I had three pair,
one of which I put on, and the reft I formed,
together with two mirts, into a bundle.
Three quarter-dollar pieces compofed my
whole fortune in money.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 43
CHAP, III.
A FIRST ADVENTURE.
IM ''
ROSE at the dawn, and without afking
or beftowing a bleffing, Tallied forth into
the high road to the city which pafled near
the houfe ; I left nothing behind, the lofs
of which I regretted. I had purchafed
moft of my own books with the produft of
my own feparate induftry ; and their number
being of courfe fmall, 1 had, by incelfant
application, learned the whole of them by
rote. They had ceafed, therefore, to be of/
any further ufe j 1 left them, without
relufhnce, to the fate for which I knew
them
44 ARTHUR MERVYN.
them to be referved, that of affording food
and habitation to mice.
I trod this unwonted path with all the
fearleffhefs of youth ; in fpite of the motives
to defpondency and apprehenfion incident to
my (late, my heels were light, and my heart
joyous. "-Now," faid I, " I am mounted
into man ; I mutt build a name and a for-
tune for myfelfj (Irange if this intellect
and thefe hands will no! fupply me wiih an
honeft livelihood. I will try the city in
the firft place ; but if that mould fail, re-
fourqes are fi.il! left tome I vullrefume my
poft in the corn-field and thrafh;ng floor, to
which I lhall always have accefs, and where
I (hall always be happy."
I had proceeded fome miles on my
journey, when I began to feel the inroads
of hunger. I might have flopped at any
farmhoufe, and have breakfafted for nothing
it was prudent to hufband, with the utmoft
care, my (lender (lock ; but I felt reluftance
to beg as long as I had the means of bu) ing,
and I imagined that coarfe bread and a little
milk
ARTHUR MERVYN-. 45
milk would coft little even at a tavern,
when any farmer was willing to beftow them
for nothing. My refolution was farther in-
fluenced by the appearance of a fign-poft.
What excufe could I make for begging a
breakfaft with an inn at hand, and filver in
my pocket?
I (topped accordingly, and breakfafted j
the landlord was remarkably attentive and
obliging, but his bread was dale, his milk
four, and his cheefe the greened imaginable.
I difdained to animadvert on thefe defects,
naturally fuppofing that his houfe could furnilh
no better.
Having finifhed my meal, I put, without
ipeaking, one of my pieces into his hand ;
this deportment I conceived to be highly
becoming, and to indicate a liberal and manly
fpirit : I always regarded with contempt a
fcrupulous maker of bargains. He received
the money with a complaifant obeifance.
" Right," faid he-- c< juft the money, Sir !
You are on foot, Sir ! a pleafant way of
travelling,
4# ARTHUR MERVYN.
travelling, Sir. 1 wifh you a good day,
Sir!" So faying, he walked away.
This proceeding was wholly unexpected j
I conceived my felf entitled to at lead three-
fourths of it in change. The firft impulie
was to call him back, and conteft the equity
of his demand, but a moment's reflection
fhewed me the abfurdity of fuch conduct. I
refumed my journey with fpirits fomewhat
deprefled. I have heard of voyagers, and
wanderers in deferts who were willing to
give a cafket of gems for a cup of cold
water. I had not fuppofed my own con-
dition to be in any refpecl: fimilar, yet I
had juft given one- third of my eftate for a
brtakfaft.
1 (kpped at noon at another inn; I counted
on purchafing a dinner for the fame price,
fince I meant to content myfclf with the
fame fare, A large company was juft fittng
down to a fmoking banquet the landlord
invited me to join them. I took my place
at the table, but was furnifhed with bread
and
ARTHUR MERVYN. 47
and milk. Being prepared to depart, I
took him afide. " What is to pay ?"
faid f.
" Did you drink any thing, Sir ? M
" Certainly I drank the milk which was
furnished."
4< Rue any liquors, Sir ?'*
." No.'*
He deliberated a moment, and then aflbming
an air of uifmtereftednefs " Tis our cuftorn
to charge dinner and club j but as you drank
nothing we'll let the club go. A mere
> *~J
dinner is half a dollar, Sir."
He had no leifure to attend to my fluftu-
ations. After debating with myfelf on what
was to be done, I concluded thai compliance
was beft ; and leaving the money at the bar,
re fumed my way.
J had not performed more than half my
journey, yet my purfe was entirely exhaufted:
this was a fpecimen of the coft incurred by
living at an inn. If I entered the city, a
tavern muft, at leaft for fome time, be my
abode, but I had not a farthing remaining
to
48 ARTHUR MERVYN.
to defray my charges. My father had for-
merly entertained a boarder for a dollar per
week; and, in a cafe of need, I was willing
to fubfift upon coarfer fare, and lie on a
harder bed than thofc with which our gueft
had been fupplied. Thefe fuels had been
the foundation of my negligence on "this
occafion.
What was now to be done ? To return
to my paternal manfion was impoffible j to
relinquifh my defign of entering the city,
and to fcrek a temporary afylum, if not
permanent employment, at fome one of the
plantations within view, was the moft obvious
expedient. Thefe deliberations did not
flacken my pace ; I was almoft unmindful of
my way, when I found I had pafled Schuylkill
at the upper bridge. I was now within the
prccin&s of the city, and night was haftemng;
It behoved me to come to a fpeedy decilion.
Suddenly I recollected that I had not
paid the cuftomary toll at the bridge, neither
had I money wherewith to pay it. A
demand of payment would have fuddenly
arrefted
ARTHUR MERVYN. 49
arreftcd my progrefs ; and fo flight an inci-
dent would have precluded that wonderful
deftiny to which I was referved. The
obftacle that would have hindered my advance,
now prevented my return; fcrupulous honefty
did not require me to. turn back, and awaken
the vigilance of the toll-gatherer. I had
nothing to pay, and by returning I fhould
only double my debt.
"Let it ftand," faid I, "where it does;
all the t honour enjoins, is to pay when I
aai able."
I adhered to the crofs-ways till I reached
Market- ftreet. Night had fallen, and a
triple row of lamps prefented a Ipectacle
enchanting and new. My perfonal cares
were for a time loft in the tumultuous fen-
fations with which I was now engrofled. I
had never vifited the city at this hour : when
my laft vifit was paid, I was a mere child ;
the novelty which environed every object
was therefore nearly abfolute. I proceeded
with more cautious fteps, but was ftill ab-
forbed in attention to paffing objects. I
VOL. i. D reached
50 ARTHUR MERVYN.
reached the market houfe, and, entering it,
indulged myfelf in new delight and new
wonder.
I need not remark that our ideas of
magnificence and fplendour are merely com-
parative ; yet you may be prompted to fmile
when I tell you that, in walking through
this avenue, I for a moment conceived
myfelf tranfported to the hail < pendant with
many a row of ftarry lamps and blazing
cjefcents fed by naphtha and afphaltos."
That this tranfition from my homely and
quiet retreat had been efFccled in fo few
hours, wore the afpect of miracle or magic.
I proceeded from one of thefe buildings
to another, till I reached their termination
in Front-flrett. Here my progrefs was
checked, and I fought repoie to my weary
limhs by fcating myfelf on a ftall. No
wonder fome fatigue was fcJt by me, unaccuf-
tomed as I was to ftrenuous exertions, fince,
exclusive of the minutes fpent at breakfaft
and dinner, I had travelled fifteen hours and
forty -five m.ies.
I began
I began now to reflect, with fome
earneftnefs, on my condition ; I was a
llranger, friendlefs and moneylcfs I was
unable to pufchafe food and (belter, and was
wholly unufed to the bufmefs of begging.
Hunger was the only ferious inconvenience
to which I was immediately expofed. I had
no objection to fpend the night in the fpot
where I then fat I had no fear that my
vifions would be troubled by the officers of
police. It was no crime to be without a
home ; but how mould I fupply my prefent
cravings, and the cravings of to-morrow ?
At length it occurred to me that one of
our country neighbours was probably at this
time in the city ; he kept a (lore, as well as
cultivated a farm. He was a plain and well-
meaning man j and mould I be fo fortunate
as to meet him, his fuperior knowledge of
the city might be of eflential benefit to me
in my prefent forlorn circumftances j his
generofity might likewife induce him to lend
me as much as would purchafe one meal.
1 had formed the refolution to leave the city
D 2 next
52 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
next day, and was aftoniflied at the folly that
had led me into it j but, meanwhile, my
phyfical wants muft be fupplied.
Where fhould I look for this man ? In
the courfe of converfation I recolleded him
to have referred to the place of his temporary
abode. It was an innj but the fign, or the
name of the keeper, for fome time withftood
all my efforts to recal them.
Ac length I lighted on the lad it was
Lemer's Tavern. I immediately fet out in.
learch of it. After many enquiries, 1 at
laft arrived at the door. 1 was preparing to
enter the houle, when I perceived that my
bundle was gone I had left it on the flail
where I had been fitting. People were per-
petually paffing to and fro it was fcarcely
poffible not to have been noticed - 3 no one
that obferved it, would fail to make it his
prey yet it was of too much value to
me, to allow me to be governed by a bare
probability. I refolved to lofe not a moment
in returning.
"With fome difficulty I retraced my Heps,
but;
ARTHUR MERVYN. 5J
but the bundle had difappeared. The clothes
;v - * ' ; f
were in themselves of fmall value, but they
conftituted the vyhole of my wardrobe ; and
I now reflected that they were capable of
being tranfmuted, by the pawn or lale of
them, into food, There were other wretches
as indigent as I was, and I confoied myfelf
by thinking that my {hires and liockings
might furnifh a feafonable covering to their
nakednefs ; but there was a relique concealed
within this bundle, the lofs of which could
fcarcely be endured by me- ic was- the
portrait of a young man who died three
years ago at my father's houfe, drawn by
his own hand.
He was difcovered one morning in the
orchard with many marks of infanity upon
him ; his air and drels befpoke fome eleva-
tion of rank and fortune. My mother's
compaflion was excited; and, as his fmgu-
larities were harmlefs, an afylum was afforded
him, though he was unable to pay for it. He
was conftantly declaiming, in an incoherent
cnanner, about fome miftrefs who had proved
D 2. faithlefs ;,
54 ARTHUR MERVYN.
faithlefs ; his fpeeches feemed, however, like
the rantings of an aftor, to be rehearfcd by
rote, or for the fake of exercife. He was
totally carelefs of his perfon and health j and,
by repeated negligences of this kind, at laft
contracted a fever, of which he fpeedily died.
The name which he aflumed was Clavering.
He gave no diftincT: account of his family,
but dated in loofe terms that they were refi-
dents in England, high born and wealthy
that they had denied him the woman whom
he loved, and banifhed him to America,
under penalty of death if he mould dare to
return, and that they had refufed him all
means of fubfiftence in a foreign land. He
predicted, in his wild and declamatory way,
his own death. He was very fkilful at the
pencil, and drew his portrait a fhort time
before his diffolution preferred it to me,
and charged me to prefervc it in remem-
brance of him. My mother loved the youth
becaufe he was amiable and unfortunate, and
chiefly becaufe (he fancied a very powerful
refemblance between his countenance and
mine.
ARTHUR MERVYIT. $$
jmihtf, I was too young to build affection
on any rational foundation. I loved him,
for what reafon I know not, with an ardour
unufual at my age, and which this portrait
had contributed to prolong and to cherifli.
In thus finally leaving my home, I was
careful not to leave this picture behind j I
wrapped- it in paper, in which a few elegiac
ftanzas were inferibcd in my own hand, and
with my utmoft elegance of pcnmanfhip $-
I then placed it in a leathern cafe, which,
for greater fecurity, was depofited in the
center of my bundle. It will occur to you^
perhaps, that it would have been fafer in fome
fold or pocket of the clothes which I wore ;
I was of a different opinion, and was now
to endure the penalty of my error.
It was in vain to heap execrations on my
negligence, or to confume the. little ftrength.
left to me in regrets. I returned once more
to the tavern, and made enquiries for Mr.
Capper, the perfon whom 1 have juit men-
tioned as my father's neighbour. I was
informed that Capper was now in town that
D 4 he
56 ARTHUR MERVYN.
lie had lodged, on the laft night, at this
houfe that he had expected to do the fame
to-night, but a gentleman had called ten
minutes ago, vvhofe invitation to lodge with
him to-night had been accepted j they
had juft gone out together** " Who," I
afked, " was the gentleman ?"
The landlord had no knowledge of him j
he knew neither his place of abode nor his
name. " Was Mr. Capper expected ta
return hither in the morning ?"
" No i he had heard the ftranger propofe
to Mr. Capper to go with him into the
country to-morrow, and Mr. Capper he
believed had afiented.
This difappointment was peculiarly fevere;
1 had loft, by my own negligence, the only
opportunity that would offer, of meeting my
friend : had even the recollection of my
lofs been poftponed for three minutes, I
mould have entered the houfe, and a meeting
would have been fecured. I could difcover
no other expedient to obviate the prefenc
evil. My heart began now for the firft
time
JERTH'irR MERVYN.
. 4 V v n ! ;ff .r * .1 Y v A. \
time to droop ; I looked back, with name-
Jefs emotions, on the days of my infancy I
called up the image of my mother I reflected
on the infatuation of my furviving parent,
and the ufurpation of the deteftable Betty
with horror I viewed myfelf as the moft
foT^ beings.
At this time I was fitting in~tKe~c6mmoii
room j there were others in the fame apart-
ment, lounging, or whiilling, or finging.
I noticed them not, but, leaning my head
upon my hand, delivered myfelf up to-
painful and intenfe meditation -, from this I
was roufed by fome one placing himfelf on.
the bench near me, and addreffing me thus
"Pray, Sir, if you will excufe me, who
was the perfon whom you were looking for
juft now ? Perhaps I can give you the
information you want. If I can, you will be
very welcome to it.'*'
I fixed my eyes with fome eagernefs on
the peribn that [ Tpoke j he was a young
man, expenfively and fafhionably drciTcd,
whofc mien was very prepoficiling, and-
D 5 whole:
58 ARTHUR MERVYN".
whofe countenance befpoke fome portion of
difcernment, I defcribed to him the man
whom T fought.
" I am in fearch of the fame man myfelf,"
faid he, " but I exped to meet him here.
He may lodge elfewhere, but he promifed to
meet me here at half after nine. I have
no doubt he will fulfil his promife, fo that
you will meet the gentleman."
I was highly gratified by this information,
and thanked my informant with fome degree
of warmth. My gratitude he did not
notice, but continued.
" In order to beguile expectation, I have
ordered fupper j will you do me the favour
to j artake with me, unlefs indeed you have
Tupped already ?"
1 was obliged, Ibmewhat awkwardly, to
decline his invitation, confcious as I was that
the means of payment were not in my
power. He continued, however, to urge
my compliance, till at length it was, ihough
relufiantly, yielded. My chief motive was
the certainty of feeing Capper.
My
ARTHUR MERVYN-. 59
My new acquaintance was exceedingly
convertible, but his converfation was chiefly
characterized by franknefs and good -humour.
My reftrve gradually diminilhed, and I
ventured to inform him, in general terms, of
my former condition and prelcnt views. He
liftened to my details with Teeming attention,,
and commented on them with fome judi-
cioufnefs ; his ftatements;, however, tended
to difcourage me from remaining in the city.
Meanwhile,, the hour pafled, and Capper
did not appear. I noticed this circumftance
to him with no little folicitude ; he faid that
pofiibly he might have forgotten or neglected'
his engagement his affair was not of the
higheft importance, and might be readiry
poftponed to a future opportunity. He per-
ceived that my vivacity was greatly damped
by this intelligence ; he importuned me to
difclofe the caufe he made himfelf very
merry with rny diftrefs when it was at length
difcovered. As to the expence of fupper,
I had partaken of it at his- invitation} he:
therefore fhould of courfe be charged - w-ith
&6 it.-
60 ARTHUR MERVYN.
it. As to a lodging, he had a chamber
and a bed, which he would infift upon my
Iharing with him.
My faculties were thus kept upon the
ilretch of wonder every new aft of kind-
nefs in this man furpaffed the fondcft ex-
pectation thit I had formed. I faw no
reafon why I mould be treated with bene-
volence I fliould have afbed in the fame
manner if placed in the fame circumftances,
-yet it appeared incongruous and inexplica-
ble. 1 know not whence my ideas of human
nature were derived they certainly were
not the offspring of my own feelings ; thefe
#ould have taught me that intereft and duty
were blended in every act of generality.
I did not come into the world without my
fcruples and fufpicions ; I was more apt to
impute kindnefs to finider and hidden, than
to obvious and laudable motives. I paufed
to reflect upon the poffible defigns of this
perfon. What end could be ferved by this
behaviour ? I was no fubject of violence or
fraud I had neither trinket nor coin to
ftimulate
-
ARTHUR MERVYN. 6l
flimulate the treachery of others ; what was
offered was merely lodging for the night.
Was this an ad of fuch tranfcendent difin-
tereftednefs as to be incredible ? My garb
was meaner than that of my companion, but
my intelleftual accomplifhments were at
lead upon a level with his. Why mould he
be fuppofed to be infenfible to my claims
upon his kindnefs ? I was a youth deftitute
of experience, money, and friends j but I
was not devoid of all mental and perfonal
endowments. That my merit fhould be
difcovered even on fuch (lender intercpurfe,
had furely nothing in it that had (hocked
belief.
While I was thus deliberating, my new
friend was earned in his folicitations for my
company j he remarked my hefitation, but
afcribed it to a wrong caufe.
" Come," faid he, " I can guefs your
objeftions, and can obviate them. You are
afraid of being u (he red into company ; and
people who have pafled their lives like you,
have a wonderful antipathy to ftrange faces :
3 but
6l ARTHUR
but this is bed-time with our family, fb
that we can defer your introduction to them
till to-morrow. We may go to our chamber
without being feen by any but fervants."
I had not been aware of this circumftance
my reluctance flowed from a different caufe-;
but now that the inconveniences of ceremony
were mentioned, they appeared to me of
confiderable weight. I was well pleafed that
they Pnould thus be avoided,, and confented
to accompany him.
We patted feveral ftreets r and turned
feveral corners ; at laft he led me into a kind
of court whichfeemed to be chiefly occupied
by ftables.
" We will go," faid he, "by the back-
way into the houfe ; we mail thus fave our-
felves the neceffity of entering the parlour,
where fome of the family may dill be."
My companion- was as talkative as ever,
but faid nothing from which I could gather
any knowledge of the number, character,
and condition of his family,
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 6$
CHAP. IV.
A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
arrived at a brick wall, through
which we patted by a gate into an extend vc
court, or yard : the darknefs would allow
me to fee nothing but outlines ; compared
with the pigmy dimenfions of my father's
wooden hovel, the buildings before me were
of gigantic loftinels. The horfes were here
far more magnificently accommodated than
I had been. By a large door we entered an
elevated hall.
" Stay here," faid he, juft while I
fetch a light."
He
64 ARTHFR
He returned with a candle, before I had
time to ponder on my prefent fituation.
We now afcended a flaircafe, covered
with painted canvas. No one whofe inex-
perience is lefs than mine, can imagine to
himfelf the impreffions made upon me bjr
furrounding objefts. The height to which-
this ftaircafe afcended, its dimenfions and its
ornaments, appeared to me a combination
of all that was pompous and fuperb.
We flopped not till we had reached the
third ftory : here my companion unlocked
and led the way into a chamber.
<c This," faid he, " is my room : permit
me to welcome you into it."
I had no time to examine this room
before, by fome accident, the candle was
extinguifhed.
.' Curfe upon my careleffnefs !" faid he;
" I muft go down again, and light the
candle. I will return in a twinkling : mean-
while you may undrefs yourfelf, and go to
bed."
He
ARTHUR MERVYN, 6$
He went out ; and as I afterwards recol-
lected, locked the door.
I was not indifpofed to follow his advice,
but my curiofity would - firft be gratified by
a furvey of the room. Its height and fpe-
cioufnefs were imperfectly difcernible by
ftarlight, and by gleams from a ftrcet-
lamp. The floor was covered with a carpet*
and the walls with brilliant hangings ; the bed
and windows were llirouded by curtains of a
rich texture and glofly hue. Hitherto I
had merely read of thefe things : I knew
them to be the decorations of opulence; and
yet as I viewed them, and remembered
where and what I was on the fame hour the
preceding day, I could fcarcely believe
myfelf awake, or that my fenfes were not
beguiled by fome fpell.
" Where," faid I, " will this adventure
terminate? I rife on the morrow with the
dawn, and fpeed into the country. When
this night is remembered, how like a vifion
will it appear ! If I tell the tale by a
kitchen fire, my veracity will be difputed ;
W ARTHUR MERVYNT.
I mail be ranked with the {lory-tellers of
Shirauz and Bagdad.'*
Though bnfied in thefe reflexions, I was
not inattentive to the progrefs of time.
Methought my companion was remarkably
dilatory ; he went merely to relight his
candle, but certainly he might during this
time have performed the operation ten
times over : Ibme unforefeen accident might
occafion his delay.
Another interval paffed, and no tokens of
his coming. I began now to grow uneafy r
I was unable to account for his detention.
Was not fome treachery defigned ? 1 went
to the door, and found that it was locked.
This heightened my fufpicions: I was alone,,
a ftranger, in an upper room of the houfe.
Should my conductor have difappeared by
defign or accident, and fome one of the family
fhould find me here, what would be the con*
fequence ? Should I not be a r re (led as a
thief, and conveyed to prifon ? My tranfition
from the ftreet to this chamber wouU not be
more rapid than my paffage hence to a
gaol.
Thefer
ARTHUR MERVYN. 7
Thefe ideas (truck me with panic : I
revolved them anew, but they only acquired
greater plaufibility. No doubt I had been
the victim of malicious artifice : inclination^
however, conjured up oppofite fentiments,
and my fears began to fubfide. What
motive, I afked, could induce a human
being to inflifl wanton injury ? I could
not account for his delay, but how number-
lefs were the contingencies that might occa-
fion it ?
I was fomewhat comforted by thefe re-
flections ; but the confolation they afforded
was fhort- lived. I was liftening with the
utmolt eagernefs to catch the found of a foot,
when a notfe was indeed heard, but totally
unlike a flep : it was human breath ftrug-
gling, as it were, for paflage. On the firft
effort of attention, it appeared like a groan :
whence it arofe I could not tell. He that
uttered it was near perhaps in the room.
Prefently the fame noife was again heard,
and now I perceived that it came from the
bed : it was accompanied with a motion like
fome
63 ARTHUR MERVYN*
fame one changing his pofture. What I at
firft conceived to be a groan, appeared now
to be nothing more than the refpiration of a
keeping man. What mould I infer from
this incident ? My companion did not
apprize me that the apartment was inhabited*
Was his impofture a jeftfuJ, or a wicked
one ?
There was no need to deliberate : there
were no means of concealment or efcape ;
the perfon would fome time awake, and
detect me; the interval would only be
fraught with agony, and it was wife ta
Ihorten it. Should I not withdraw the cur-
tain, awake the perfon, and encounter at once
all the confequences of my Gtuadon ? I
glided foftly to the bed, when the thought
occurred may not the deeper be a female ?
I cannot defcribe the mixture of dread
and of fhame which glowed in my veins.
The light in which fuch a vifitant would be
probably regarded by a woman's fears, the
precipitate alarms that might be given, the
injury which 1 might unknowingly inflict, or
undefervedly
ARTHUR MERVYN. 69
undefervedly fuffer, threw my thoughts into
painful cohfufioh. My prefence might
pollute a fpotlefs reputation, or fiirnim fuel
to jealoufy.
Still, though it were a female, would not
lead injury be done by .gently interrupting
her (lumber ? But the queftion of fex (lill
remained to be decided. For this end I
once more approached the bed, and drew
afide the filk. The fleeper was a babe :
this I difcovered by the glimmer of a
ftreet lamp.
Part of my fblicitudes were new removed:
it was plain that this chamber belonged to a
nurfe or a mother. She had not yet come to
bed. Perhaps it was a married pair, and their
approach might be momentarily expefbed.
I pictured to myfeif their entrance and my
own detedion; I could imagine no confe-
quence that was not difaftrous and horrible,
and from which 1 would not at any price
efcape. I again examined the door, and
found that egrefs by this avenue was impof-
fible. 'There were other doors in this room.
Any
7O ARTHUR MERVYN,
Any practicable expedient in this extremity
was to be purfued. One of thefe was bolted.
I unfaftened it, and found a confiderable
fpace within. Should I immure myfelf in
this clofet, I faw no benefit that would finally
refult from it. I difcovered that there was
a bolt on the infide, which would fomewhat
contribute to fecurity : this being drawn,
rto one could enter without breaking the
door.
I had fcarcely paufed when the long ex-
pected found of footfteps was heard in the
entry. Was it my companion or a ftranger ?
If it were the latter, 1 had not yet muftered
courage fufficient to meet him. I cannot
applaud the magnanimity of my proceeding ;
but no one can expect intrepid or judicious
meafures from one in my circumftances. I
Hepped into the clofet, and clofed the door;
fome one immediately after unlocked the
chamber* door He was unattended with a
light. The footfteps, as they moved along
the carpet, could fcarcely be heard.
I waited impatiently for fome token by
which
ARTHUR MERVYH. 71
which I might be governed : I put my car
to the keyhole, and at length heard a voice,
but not that of my companion, exclaim,
fomrwhat above a whifper
" Smiling cherub! fafe and found, I fee.
Would to God my experiment may fuccieed,
and that thou may ft find a mother where I
have found a wife !'*
There he flopped. He appeared to kifs
the babe, and prefently retiring, locked the
door after him.
Thefe words were capable of no confiftent
meaning: they ferved at lead to allure me
that I had been treacheroufly dealt with,
This chamber, it was manifeft, did not be-
long to my companion: 1 put up prayers to
my deity that he would deliver me from
thefe toils. What a condition was mine ?
Jmmerfed in palpable darknefs ? (hut up
*in this unknown recefs! lurking like a
jobber !
My meditations were difturbed by new
-founds. The door was unlocked, more
than
72 ARTHUR MERVYN.
than one perfon entered the apartment, and
light dreamed through the ke\hole. I
looked; but the aperture was too fmall, and
the figures paffcd too quickly to permit me
the fight of them. I bent my car, and this
imparted fome more authentic information.
The man, as I judged by the voice, was
the fame who had juft departed. Ruftling
of filk denoted his companion to be a female.
Some words being uttered by the man in
too low a key to be overheard, the lady
burft into a paffion of tears. He ftrove to
comfort her by Ibothing tones and tender
appellations.
'" How can it be helped ?" faid he. " It
is time to refume your courage. Your
duty to yourfelf and to me requires you to
fubdue this unreafonable grief."
He fpoke frequently in this ftrain ; but
all he faid feemed to have little influence in
pacifjing the lady. At length, however,
her fobs began to lefien in vehemence and
frequency. He exhorted her to feek for
fome
ARTHUR MERVYN. 7J
fome repofe. Apparently fhe prepared to
comply i and converfation was for a few
minutes intermitted.
I could not but advert to the pofiibility
that fome occafion to examine the clofet in
which I was immured, might occur. I knew
not in what manner to demean myfelf if this
fhould take place. I had no option at pre-
fent: by withdrawing myfelf from view, I
had loft the privilege of an upright deport-
ment j yet the thought of fpending the night
in this fpot was not to be endured.
Gradually I began to view the project of
burfting from the clofet, and trufting to the
energy of truth and of an artlels tale with
more complacency. More than once my
hand was placed upon the bolt, but with-
drawn by a fudden faltering of refolution.
When one attempt failed, I recurred once
more to fuch reflexions as were adapted to
renew my purpofe.
I preconcerted the addrefs which I fhould
ufe. I refolved to be perfectly explicit j to
withhold no particular of my adventures
VOL. i. E from
74 ARTHUR MERVYN.
from the moment of my arrival. My de-
fcription muft neccfiarily fuit fome perfon
within their knowledge. All I mould want
was liberty to depart j but if this were not
allowed, I might at lead hope to efcape any
ill treatment, and to be confronted with my
betrayer : in that cafe I did not fear to make
him the attefter of my innocence.
Influenced by thefe confiderations, I once
more touched the bolt. At that moment
the lady fhrieked, and exclaimed
<c Good God ! what is here ?"
An interefting converfation enfued, The
object that excited her aftonilhment was the
child. I collected from what pafled that the
difcovery was wholly unexpected by her.
Her hufband acl:ed as if equally unaware of
this event: he joined in all her exclama-
t'ons of wonder and all her wild c njectures.
"VN hen thefl- were lomewhat exhauiled, he
a i, ally infinuated the propriety of btftowing
Ci.u u, oo the i.ttle foundling. I now found
that her grid .. c been occafioneu by the
recent lols of her own offspring. She was
for
ARTHUR MERVYN. 75
for fome time averfe to her hufband's pro-
pofal j but at length was perfuaded to take
the babe to her boforn, and give it nourifh'
ment.
This incident had diverted my mind
from its favourite project, and filled me
with fpeculations on the nature of the
fcene. One explication was obvious* that
the hufband was the parent of this child,
and had ufed this fingular expedient to pro-
cure for it the maternal protection of his
wife-: it would loon claim from her all the
fondnefs which (he entertained for her own
progeny. No fufpicion probably had yet,
or would hereafter occur, with regard to its
<j
true parent. If her character be diftinguifhed
by the ufual attributes of women, the know-
ledge of this truth may convert her love
into hatred. I reflected with amazement on
the flightnefs of that thread by which human
paffions are led from their true direftion.
With no lefs amazement did I remark the
complexity of incidents by which I had
been empowered to communicate to her
2 this
76 ARTHUR MERVYN.
this truth. How bafelefs are the ftruc"lures
of faifehood which we build in oppofition to
the fyftem of eternal nature ! If I fhould
cfcape undetected from this recefs, it will
be true that I never faw the face of either
of thefe perfons; and yet 1 am acquainted
with the moil fecret tranfaftion of their
lives.
My own fituation was now more critical
than before, The .lights were extinguished,
and the parties had fought repofe. To
iiiue from the cloftt now would be eminently
dangerous. My councils were again at a
{land, and my defigns fruft rated : meanwhile
the j erions did not drop their difcourfe, and
I thought myiclf juiliried in liftening. Many
fadls of the moit fecret and momentous
nature were alluded to. Some alluficns were
unii;ull%ible ; to others i was able to affix
a plaufibk meaning} and fome were palpable
enough Every vvuiu that was uttered on
that occafion is indelibly imprinted on my
tuen.ory. Per!;aps the fingularity of my
circumilanctb, aiid my pievious ignorance
of
ARTHUR MERVYN. ' 77
of what was paffing in the world, contributed
to render me a greedy liftener. Mod that
was faid I fhall overlook; but one part of
the converfation it will be neceflary to
repeat.
A large company had aflembled that
evening at their houfe. They criticized the
characters and manners of feveral : at lad the
hufband faid
" What think you of the Nabob, efpe-
cially when he talked about riches ? Ho\V
artfully he encourages the notion of his
poverty ! yet not a foul believes him. I
cannot, for my part, account for that fcheme
of his. I half fufpeft that his wealth flows
from a bad fource, fince he is fo ftudious of
concealing it."
cc Perhaps, after all," faid the lady, " you.
are miflaken as to his wealth."
" ImpofTible !" exclaimed the other.
*' Mark how he lives. Have I not feen
his bank account ? His depofits fince he
has been here amount to no lefs than half a
million."
E 3 ". Heaven
78 ARTHUR MERVYN.
" Heaven grant that it be fo!" faid the
lady, with a figh : " I {hall think with le&
averfion of your fcheme. If poor Tom's
fortune be made, and he not the worfe, or
but little the worfe on that account, I fhall
think it on the whole beft."
" That," replied he x " is what reconciles
me to the fcheme. To him thirty thou-
fand are nothing."
" But will he not fufpect that you are
concerned in it?"
" How can he ? Will I not appear to
lofe as well as himftlf ? Tom is my brother;
but who can be fuppofed to anfwer for a
brother's integrity ? But he cannot fufpeft
either of us. Nothing lef- than a miracle
can bring our plot to light. Befides, this
man is not what he ought to be ; he will,
feme time or other, come out 10 be a grand
im; oilur. He makes money by other arts
than bargain and lale. He has found his
way by iome means to the Portuguefe
Treafury*"
Here
ARTHUR MERVYN. 79
Here the converfation took a new di-
rection j and, after fome time,, the filence
of fleep enfued.
" Who," thought I, " is this Nabob, who
counts his dollars by half millions, and on
whom it feems'as if fome fraud was intended
to be practifed ? Amidll their warinefs and
fubtilty how little are they aware that their
.converfation has been overheard ? By means
as infcrutable as thofc which conduced me
hither, I may hereafter be enabled to profit by
a detection of this plot." But, meanwhile,
what was 1 to do ? How was I to effect my
efcape from this perilous afylum ?
After much reflection, it occurred to me
that to gain the ftreet without exciting their
notice was not utterly impoflible. Sleep
does not commonly end of itfclf, unlefs at a
certain period. What impediments were
there between me and liberty which I could
not remove, and- remove with fo much
caution as to efcape notice ? Motion and
found inevitably go together, but every
found is not attended to. The doors of
4 the
OO ARTHUR MERVYN.
the clofet and the chamber did not creak
upon their hinges. The latter might be
locked : this I was able to afcertain only by
experiment, If it were fo, yet the key was
probably in the lock, and might be ufed
without much noife.
I waited till their flow and hoarfer re-
fpirations mewed them to be both afleep.
Juft then., on changing my pofition, my head
ftruck againft fome things which depended
from the ceiling of the clofet. They were
implements of fome kind, which rattled
againft each other in confequence of this
unlucky blow. I was fearful left this noife
fhould alarm them, as the clofet was little
ciiftant from the bed. The breathing of one
inftantly ceaied j and a motion was made as
if the head were lifted from the pillow.
This moiion, which was made by the huf-
band, awaked his companion, who ex-
claimed :
""What is the matter?"
" Something, I believe," replied he,
" in the clufet. If I was not dreaming, j
heard
ARTHUR MERVYN. 8l
heard the piftols ftrike againfl each other as
if fome one was taking them down."
This incimation was well fuited t-> alarm
the lady. She befought him to ascertain
the matter. This to my utter difmay he at
firft confcnted to do ; but prefently obfcrved
that probably his ears had misinformed him :
it was hardly pofTible that the found pro*
ceeded from them : it might be a rat, or his
own fancy might have falhioned it. It is
not ealy to defcribe my trepidations while
this conference was holding. I faw how
eafilv their (lumber was . difturbed. The
obllacks to my efcape were lefs furmountablc
than 1 had imagined.
O
In a little ti.ne all was again ft ill. ' I
waited till the ufual tokens of deep were
diftinguimable. I once mofe relumed my
attempt. The bolt was withdrawn with all
poffible flownels; but I could by no means
prevent all found. My ftate was full of
inquietude and iufpcnfe ; my, attention being
painfully divided between the bolt and the
condition ot the flcepers. The difficulty
5 lay
8l ARTHUR
lay in giving that degree of force which was
barely fufficient. Perhaps not lefs than
fifteen minutes were confumed in this opera-
tion. At lad it was happily effected, and
the door was caudoufly opened.
Emerging as I did from utter darknefs,
the light admitted into three windows, pro-
duced to my eyes a confide rable illumination*
Obj,ds which on my ftrft entrance into
this apartment were invisible, were now
ckarly diicerned. 1 he bed was fhrouded
by curtains j yet I fhiunk back into my
covt-rt, fearful of being feen. To facilitate
my efcape, I put off my fhoes^ My mind
was fo full ot objects of more us gent mo-
ment, that the propriety of taking them
with me never tccurred. I left them in
the clofet.
I now glided acrofs the apartment to the
do r. I was not a little difcouraged by
obferving that the key was wanting:
my whole hope depended on the omiflion to
lock t. In my hafte to afcertain this point
fume noifc, which again loufed one
of
ARTHUR MERvyW. 83
of the fleepers. He ftarted, and cried
" Who is there ?"
I now regarde ] my cafe a<? defperate, and
deteftion as inevitable. My appr^htnfions
rather than my cauii -n kept me mute. I
fhrunk to the wall, and waited in a kind of
agony for the moment that fhouid decide
my fate.
The lady was again roufed. In anfwer
to her enquiries, her hufband faid that f>me
one he believed was at the door, but these
was no danger of their entering,, for he had
locked it, and the key was in his pocket.
My courage was completely annihilated
by this intelligence. Mv refourccs were
now at an end. I could only remain in
tli is fpot till the morning light, which could
be at no great diftance, mould difcover
me. My inexperience difabled me from
estimating all the perils- of my fituation.
Perhaps I had no more than temporary m-
convenicn.es to diead:- my intention .was
innocent,, and I had been betrayed into my
E 6 prefent
$4 ARTHUR MERVTN 1 .
prefent fituation, not by my own wicked-
neis, but the wick ednefs of others.
I w s deeply impreffed with the ambi-
guoulhefs v\hich would neceflarily reft upon
my motives, and the fcriuiny to which they
wou'd be iu jedtecl : I fhuddered at the
bare poffibility of I eing ranked with thieves.
Thefe reflections again gave edge to my
ingenuity in fcarch of the means of efcape.
I had carciully attended to the circumfla, ce&
of their entrance. Pofribly the aft of lack-
ing had been unnoticed ; but was it not like-
wife poflible that this perfon had been niif-
taken ? The key was gone. Would this
have been the cafe if the door were un-
locked.
My fears, rather than my hopes, impelled
me to make the experiment. I drew back
the latch ; and, to my unfpeakable joy>
the door opened.
I palled through, -and explored my way
to the ftaircafe. 1 dcicended till I reached
the bottom : I could not recoiled: with,
accuracy the pofuioa of the door leading into
the
ARTHUR MERVYN. 85
the court ; but bv carefully feeling along the
wall with my hands, I at length di<cove-ed
it it was fattened by feveral blts and a
lock. The bolts were eafily withdrawn, but
the key was removed : I knew not where it
was df.pofired. I thought I had reached the
thrcfhold of liberty, but here was a;i im-
pediment that threatened to be infurmount-
able.
But if doors could not be palled, windows
might be unbarred. I remembered that mjr
companion had gone into a door on the left
hand in iearch of a light. I fearched for
this door. Fortunately it was fattened only
by a bolt : it admitted me into a room
which 1 carefully explored till I reached a
window. 1 will not dwell on my effort* to
unbar this entrance. Suffice it to fay that,,
afu,r much exertion and frequent miftakes, I
at length found my way into- the yard, and
thence padcd into the court.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN.
CHAP. V..
SINGULAR RENCONTRE.
OW I was once more on public ground;
By fo many anxious efforts had I dilcngaged
myft-lf from the perilous precinds.of private
property as many ftratagems as are ufually
made to enter a houfe, had been employed
by me to get out of it. I was urged to the
ufe of them by my fears j yet io far from
carrying off fpoil, I had efcaped with the
lofs of an effential part of my drefs.
I had now leifure to reflect. I feated
myfelf on the ground, and reviewed the
fcenes through which I had juft paffed. I
ARTHUR MERVT1*. &/
began to think that my induftry had been
mifemployed. Suppose I had met the perfon
on his firft entrance into his chamber, was
the truth fo utterly wild as not to have found
credit? Since the door was locked, and
there was no other avenue, what other ftate^-
ment but the true one would account for
my being found there ?: This deportment had
been worthy ofan honeftpurpofe. My betrayer
probably expected that this would be the iffue
of his> jeft. My ruftic ftmplictty, he might
think, would fugged no more ambiguous or
elaborate expedient ; he might likewife have
predetermined to interfere if my. fafety had
been really endangered;
On the morrow the two doors of the
chamber, and the window below, will be
found, unclofed j- they will fufpeft a defign
to pillage, but their fearches will terminate
in nothing but in the difcovery of a pair of
clumfy and dufty fhoes in the clofet. Now
that I was fafe, I could not help fmiling at
the pifture which my fancy drew of their
anxiety and wonder j thefe thoughts,, how-
ever,
88 ARTHUR MERVYN.
ever, gave place to more momentous con-
fide rations.
I could not image to my r elf a more perfect
example ofindigence than I now exhibited ;
there was no being in the dry on whole
kindnefs I had any claim. Money I had
none, and what 1 then wore comprifed my
whole ftock of moveable . I had juft loft
my fhoes, and this lofs rendered my (lockings
of no ufe. My dignity remonftrated againffc
a barefoot pilgrimage, but to this neceffity
now reconciled me. I threw my ftocid gs
between the bars of a (table windo v, belong-
ing, as I thought, to the manfion I had jufb
left ; thefe, together with my fhoes, J left
to pay the cod of my entertainment.
I law that the city' was no place for me.
The end that I had had in view, of pro-
curing fome mechanical employment, could
only be obtained by the ufc of mean? ; but
\vhac means to purue I knew not. This
night's perils and deceptions gave me a
diitaUe to a city life, and my ancient occu-
pations rofc to my view, eimanced by a
5 thouiand
ARTHUR MERVYN. 9
thoufand imaginary charms. I refolved forth-
with to ftrike into the country.
The day began now to dawn. It was
Sunday, and I was defirous of eluding ob-
fervation. I was fomewhat recruited by
reft, though the languors of fleepleffhefs op-
prefied me. I meant to thro A' myfelf on
the firft lap of verdure I fhould meet, and
indulge in fleep that I fo much wanted. I
knew not the direction of the ftreets, but
followed that which I firft entered from the
court, trufting that, by adhering fteadily to
one courfe, J mould fome time' reach the
fields. This ftreet, as I afcerwards found*
led to Schuylkill, and foon extricated
me from houlcs. I could not crofs this
river without payment of toll: it was requi-
fite to crofs it, in order to reach thar part
of the country whither I was defirous of
going ; but how fhould I effeft my paffage ?
I knew of no ford, and the fmalleft expence
exceeded my capacity. Ten thouiand guineas
and a farthing were equally remote from
nothing.
9O ARTHUR MERVTN.
nothing, and nothing was the portion allotted
to me,
While my mind was thus occupied, I
turned up one of the ftreets which tend
northward ; it was for fome length unin-
habited and unpaved. Prefently I reached
a pavement and a painted fence, along
which a row of poplars was planted. It
bounded a garden-, into which a knot-hole
permitted me to pry. The enclofure was a
charming .green, which I faw belonged to a
houfe of the lofueft and moft ftately order ;
it fecmed like a recent erection^ had all the
glok of novelty, and exhibited, to my un-
pra&ifed eyes, the magnificence of palaces.
My father's dwelling did not equal the
height of one ftory, and might be eafily
comprifcd in one- fourth of thofe buildings
which here were defigned to accommodate
the menials. .My heart dictated the com-
panion between my own condition and that
of the proprietors of this domain How wide
sad how impaffable was the gulf by which
we
ARTHUR MERVYbT. t
we were feparated ! This fair inheritance
had fallen to one who, perhaps, would only
abule it to the purpofes of luxury, while I,.
with intentions worthy of the friend of man-
kind, was doomed to wield the flail and the
mattock.
J had been entirely unaccustomed to this
train of reflection j my books had taughjt
me the dignity and fafety of the middle path,
and my darling writer abounded with enco.-
miums on rural life. At a diftance from
luxury and pomp, I viewed them, perhaps,
in a juft light. A nearer fcrutiny confirmed
my early prepofTcfTionSi but at the diftance
at which I now flood, the lofty edifices, the
fplendid furniture, and the copious accom-
modations of the rich excited my admiration
and my envy.
I relinquifhcd my ftation, and proceeded,
in a heartlefs mood, along the fence. I
now came to the manfion Ufelr ; the princi-
pal door was entered by a (laircafe of marble.
[ had never fcen the ftone of Carrara, and
wildly fuppofed this to have been dug from
Italiaa
$2 ARTHUR MERVYNV
Italian quarries. - The beauty of the poplars,
the coolnefs exhaled from the dew-befprent
bricks, the commodioufnefs of the feat which
thefe ftcps afforded, and the uncertainty into
which 1 was plunged refpecYmg my future
conduct, all combined to make me paufe.
I fat down on the lower ftep, and began to
meditate.
By fome tranfition it occurred to me that
the fupply of my moft urgent wants might
be found in fome inhabitant of this houfe. I
needed at prefent a few cents; and what
were a few cents to the tenant of a manfion
like this ? I had an invincible aversion to
the calling of a beggar i but I regarded,
with ftili more antipathy, the vocation of a
thief: to this alternative, however, 1 was
now reduced 1 mutt either fttal or beg,
unlefs indeed afiiftance could be procured
under the notion of a 1 >an. Would a flran^er
refuft to lend the pittance that 1 wanted ?
Surely not, when the urgency of my wants
was explained.
I rctoikcied other obftacles. To fummon
the
ARTHUR MERVYN. 9J
the mafter of the houfe from his bed perhaps,
for the fake of fuch an application, would
be prepofterous I mould be in more danger
of provoking his ange.r, than exciting his
benevolence. This requeil might furely,
with more propriety, be preferred to a paf-
fenger I mould probably meet feveral before
I ihould arrive at Schuylkill.
A fervant juft then appeared at the door
with a bucket and brufh j this obliged me,
much fooncr than I intended, to decamp.
With fome reluctance I rofe, and proceeded.
This houfe occupied the corner of the ftreet,
and I now turned this corner towards the
country. A perfon at fome diftanee before
me was approaching in an oppofite direction.
<f Why," faid I, " may I not make my
demand of the firft man I meet ? .This
perfon exhibits tokens of ability to lend
there is nothing chilling or auftere in his
demeanour."
The refolution to addrefs this paflcnger was
almoft formed, but the nearer he advanced,
my refolves grew lefs firm. He noticed
me
94 ARTHUR. MERVYtf.
me not till he came within a few paces*, he
fe'emed bufy in reflection ; and had not my
figure caught his eye, or had he merely
beuowed a paffing glance upon me, I mould
not have been iufficiemly courageous to have
detained him. The event, however, was
widely different.
He looked at me, and darted j for an
inftant, as it were, and till he had time to
dart at me a iecond glance, he checked his
pace. This behaviour decided mine, and
be flopped on perceiving tokens of a defirc
to addrcfs him. I fpoke, but my accents
and air fufficiently denoted my embar-
raffments.
" I am going to folicit a favour, which
my fituation makes of the higheft impor-
tance to me, and which I hope it will be
eafy for you, Sir, to grant. It is not an
alms, but a loan that I feek a loan that I
will repay the moment I am able to do it.
J am going to the country, but have not
wherewith to pay my paflage over Schuylkil],
or to buy a morfel of bread. May I ven-
ture
ARTHUR MERVYN. 9^
ture to requeft of you, Sir, the loan of fix-
pence ? As I told you, ic ia my intention
to repay ir."
I (delivered this addrefs, not without fome
faltering, but with great earneftnefs j I laid
particular ftrefs upon my intend >n to refund
the money. He liftened with a moft inqui-
fitive air his eye furveyed me from head
to foot.
Afcer fome paufe, he faid, in a very
emphatic manner " Why into the country ?
Have you family kindred friends ?"
" No," anfwered I, " I have neither > I
go in fcarch of the means of fubfiftence. I
have pafied my life upon a farm, and pro-
pofe to die in the fame condition."
" Whence have you come ?"
" I came yelterday from the country,
with a view to earn my bread in fjme way ;
but have changed my plan, and propofe now
to return."
" Why have you changed it ? In what
way are you capable of earning your
bread ?"
" I hardly
ARTHUR MERVYSt.
I hardly know," faid I ; " I can as yet
manage no tool that can be managed in
the city, but the pen. My Jul^sjiaye^ in
fomt^-firrall-tiegree, .qualified me for a writer j
1 would willingly accept employment of that
kind.'*
He fixed his eyes upon the earth, and
was filent for fome minuses. At length reco-
vering himfelf, he faid " Follow me to
my houfe perhaps fomething may be done
for you ; if not, 1 will lend you fixpence."
It may be fuppofed that I eagerly com-
plied with the invitation. My companion
faid no more, his air betpeaking him to be
abforbed by his own thoughts, till he reached
his houfe, which proved to be that at the
door of which I had been fcuted. We
entered a parlour together.
, Unlefs you can aifumc my ignorance and
my fimplicity, you will be unable to con-
ceive the impreffions that were made by the
fize and ornaments of this apartment, i mall
omit thele impreffions, which, indeed, no
defcriptions could adequately convey, and
dwell
ARTHUR MERVYW. 97
dwell on incidents of greater moment. He
afked me to give him a fpecimen of my
penmanmip. I told you that I had beftowed
very great attention upon this art. Imple-
ments were brought, and I fat down to the
tafk. By fome inexplicable connection, a
line in Shakefpeare occurred to me, and I
wrote,
** My poverty, but not tny will confents.'*
The fcmiment conveyed in this line
powerfully affected him, but in a way which
I could not then comprehend. I collected
from fubfequent events that the inference
was not unfavourable to my underftanding
or my morals. He queftioned me as to
my hiftory. I related my origin, and my
inducements to dcfert my father's houfe.
"With refpect to laft night's adventures I
was filent ; I faw no ufeful purpofe that
could be anfwered by difclofure, and I half
fufpected that my companion would refute
credit to my tale.
There were frequent intervals of abftrac-
tion and reflection between his queftions.
VOL. i. E My
98 ARTHUR MERVYN.
My examination laftcd not much Icfs than an
hour. At length he faid " I want an ama-
nuenlis or copyilt on what terms will you
live with me i 1 "
I anfwered that I knew not how to efti-
mate the value of my fervices I knew not
whether thefe fervices were agreeable or
healthful. My life had hitherto been active ;
my conftitution was predifpofed to difeafes
of the lungs, and the change might be
hurtful. 1 was willing, however, to try, and
to content myfelf for a month or a year
with fo much as would furniih me with
food, clothing, and lodging.
cf 'Tis well," f~id he ; " you remain with
me as long, and no longer than both of us
pleafe. You fl all lodge and eat in this
houfe j I will fupply you with clothing, and
your tafk will be to write what I dictate.
Your perfon, J fee, has nor ihared much of
your arrention ; it is in my power to equip
you i ftantly in the manner which becomes
a rcfidcnt in this hcuie. Come with me."
He led the way into the court behind,
and
ARTHUR MERVYN. 99
and thence into a neat building, which con-
tained large wooden veflels and a pump.
" There, faid he, " you may wa(h your-
felf; and whe,n that is done, I will conduct
you to your chamber and your wardrobe."
This was fpeedily performed, and he ac-
cordingly led the way to the chamber. It
was an apartment in the third (lory, finimed
and furnifhed in the fame coftly and fuperb
flyle with the reft of the houfe. He opened
clofets and drawers which overflowed with
clothes and linen of all and of the bell
kinds,
" Thefe are your's," faid he, " as long
as you flay with me ; drefs yourfelf as you
like beft here is every thing your naked-
ncfs requires. When drefied, you may
defcend to breakfaft."
With thefe words he left me.
The clothes were all in the French ftyle,
as I afterwards, by comparing my garb with
that of others, difcovered ; they were fitted
to my fhape with the niceft precifion. I
bedecked myfelf with all my care I remem-
F 2 be red
1OO ARTHUR MERVYtf.
bered the ftyle of drefs ufed by my beloved
Clavering. My locks were of fhining
auburn, flowing and fmooth like his. Having
wrung the wet from them, and combed, I
tied them carelefsly in a black ribbon. Thus
equipped, I furveycd myfelf in a mirror.
You may imagine, if you can, the fenfa-
tions which this inftantaneous transformation
produced. Appearances are wonderfully in-
fluenced by drefs. A check fhirt buttoned
at' the neck, an awkward fuftian coat, check
trowfers, and bare feet were now fupplanted
by linen and muflin, nankeen coat ftriped
with green, a white fiik waiftcoat elegantly
needle- wrought, kerfeymere pantaloons,
{lockings of variegated filk, and {hoes that,
in their foftnefs, pliancy, and polished fur-
face, vied with fatin. 1 could fcarcely
forbear looking; back to fee whether the
O
image in the glafs, fo well proportioned, fo
gallant, and fo graceful, did not belong to
another ; I could fcarcely rccognife any
lineaments of my own. I walked to
the window. " An hour ago," faid 1,
" I was
ARTHUR MERVYN. 1O*
Cf I was traverfing that path a barefoot
beggar now I am thus!"
Again I furveyed myfelf. " Surely fome
infanity has fattened on my understanding
my fenfes arc the fport of dreams j fome
magic that difdains the cumbroufnefs of
nature's progrefs has wrought this change !"
I was roufed from thefe doubts by a
fummons to breakfaft, obfequioufly delivered
by a black fervant.
. JO I found Welbeck (for I mail henceforth
'call him by his true name) at the breakfaft
table. A fuperb equipage of filver and China
was before him. He was itartled at my
entrance : the change in my drels feemed
for a moment to have deceived him his eye
was frequently fixed upon me whh unulual
fledfaitnefs. At thefe times there was inqui-
etude and wonder in his features.
I had now an opportunity of examining
my hoft. There was nicety, but no ornament
in his drefs. His form was of the middle
height, fpare, but vigorous and graceful.
His face was caft, I thought, in a foreign
F 3 mould.
IO2 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
mould. His forehead receded beyond the
ufual degree in vifages which I had feen.
His eyes large and prominent, but imparting
no marks of benignity and habitual joy. The
reft of his face forcibly fuggefted the idea of
a convex edge. His whole figure impreflfed
me with emotions of veneration and awe - t a
gravity that almoft amounted to fadnefs
invariably attended him when we were alone
together.
He whifpered the fervant that waited,
who immediately retired. He then faid,
turning to me " A lady will enter pre-
fently, whom you are to treat with the refpecl:
due to my daughter. You muft not notice
any emotion me may betray at the fight of
you, nor expect her to converfc with you ;
for fhe does not underhand your language."
He had fcarcely fpoken, when fhe entered.
I was feized with certain mifgivings and flut-
terings which a clownim education may
account for. I fo far conquered my timidity,
however, as to fnatch a look at her. 1 was
not born to execute her portrait. Perhaps
the
ARTHUR MERVYN.
the turban that wreathed her head the bril-
liant texture and inimitable folds of her
drapery, and nymphlike port, more than
the eftential attributes of her perfon, gave
fplendour to the celeftial vifion j perhaps it
was her fnowy hues and the caft rather
than the pofition of her features that were
fp prolific of enchantment ; or perhaps the
wonder originated only in my own igno-
rance.
She did not immediately notice me. When
fhe did, fhe almoft (bricked with furprife.
She held up her hands, and gazing upon me,
uttered various exclamations which I could
not undcrdand. I could only remark that
her accents were thrillingly mufical. Her
perturbations refufed to be ftilled j it was
with difficulty that (he withdrew her regards
from me. Much converfation pafled between
her and Welbeck, but 1 could comprehend
no part of it. I was at liberty to animadvert
on the vifible part of their intercourfe. I
diverted fame part of my attention from my
f 4 own
104 ARTHUR MERVYN.
own embarraffinents, and fixed it on their
looks.
In this art, as in mod others, I was an
unpractifed fimpleton. In the countenance
of Welbeck there was fomewhat elfc than
fympathy with the aflonifhment and diftrefs
of the lady j but I could not interpret thefc
additional tokens. When her attention was
engroffed by Welbeck, her eyes were fre-
quently vagrant or downcaft, her cheeks
contracted a deeper hue, and her breathing
was almoft prolonged into a figh. Thefe
were marks on which I made no comments
at the time ; my own fituation was calculated
to breed corfulon in my thoughts, and awk-
wardnefs in my gefturcs.
BreakfaO being finished, the lady, appa-
renrly at the requeil of Welbeck, fat down to
a piano forte.
Here agrin I muft be filfnt. I was not
wholly deftitute of mufical practice and
imifical tafte ; I had that degree of know-
ledge which enabled me to eftimate the
Uanfcenderit
ARTHUR MERVYV. 10$
tranfcendent fkilf of this performer. As
if the pathos of her touch were infufHcient,
I fjund after fome time that the lawlefs
jarrings of the keys were chaftened by her
own more liquid notes. She played without
a book ; and though her bafs might be
preconcerted, it was plain that her right-
hand notes were momentary and fponta-
n^ous infpirations. Meanwhile, Welbeck
flood leaning his arms on the back of
chair near her, with his eyes fixed on her
face. His features were fraught with a mean-
ing which I was eager to^ interpret, but
unable.
I have read of tranfitions effected by
magic I have read of palaces and deferts
which were fubjeft to the dominion of fpells.
Poets may fport with their power,, but I
am certain that no tranfidon was ever con-
ceived more marvellous, and more beyond
the reach of fore fight, than that which I
had juft experienced. Heaths, vexed by
a midnight ftorm, may be changed into a
hall of ciiorai nymphs and regal banquetting ;
F 5 foreft
1O6 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
forcft glades may give fudden place to colon-
nades and Carnivals j but he whofe fenfes
are deluded, finds himfelf ftill on his natal
earth. Thefe miracles are contemptible
when compared witb that which placed
me under this roof, and gave me to partake
in this audience. I know that my emotions
are in danger of being regarded as ludicrous
by thole who cannot figure to themfelves-
the confequences of a limited and ruftic
education.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVY1I. 107
CHAP. VI.
NEW SCENES*
IN a fliort time the kdy retired. I natu-
rally expected that fome comments would
be made on her behaviour, and that the
caufe of her furprife and ciiftrefs on feeing
me would be explained ; but Welbeck faid
nothing on that fubject. When me was
gone, he wenc to the window, and ftood for
fome time occupied, as it feemed, with his
own thoughts ; then he turned to- me, and
calling me by my name, defired me to>
accompany him up flairs. There was neither
cheerfulnefs nor mildnefs in his addrels, but
F d neither
1O3 ARTHUR MERVYN.
neither was there any thing domineering or
arrogant.
. We entered an apartment on the fame
floor with my chamber, but feparated from it
by a fpacious entry. It was fupplied with
bureaus, cabinets, and bookcafes.
" This," faid he, " is your room and*
mine j but we muft enter it, and leave it
together. I mean to aft not as your mafter,.
but your friend. My maimed hand," fo
faying, he fhewed me his right hand, the
forefinger of which was wanting, c< wi'l not
allow me to write accurately or copioufly j
for this reafon I have required your aid in a
work of fome moment. MUCH hade will
not be requifite ; and as to the hours and
duration ot employment, tnefe will be ftafon-
able and (hort.
*' Your prefent fituation is new to you,
and we will therefore defer er.tcring on our
bufinefs ; meanwhile, you may amuic your-
fclf in what manner you p'cafc. Confider
this houfe as your home, a id make yourlclf
familar Witii it. Siay witnin or go out, be
bufy
ARTHUR MERVYtf. IG<>
buty or be idle, as your fancy (hall prompt ;
only you will conform to our domeftic fyftem
as to eating and fleep the lervants will
inform } ou of this. Next week we will enter
on the tafk for which I defign you. You
may now withdraw,"
I obeyed this mandate with fome awkward-
nefs and hefitation. I went into my own
chamber, not difpleafed with an opportunity
of lonelinefs. I threw myfclfon a chair, and
refigned myfelf to thofc thoughts which
would naturally ariie in this fituation. I fpe-
culated on the character and views of Wei-
beck. I faw that he was embofomed in
tranquillity and grandeur ; riches, therefore,
were his but in what did his opulence
confift, and whence did it arife ? What
were the limits by which it was confined,
and what its degree of permanence I I was un-
habituated to ideas of Seating or transferable
wealth: the rentofc houles and lands was the
eniy fpecies of property which was as yet
perfectly intelligible. My previous ideas led
n:e to regard Wclbeck as the proprietor of
5 this
IIO ARTHUR MERVYtf.
this dwelling, and of numerous houfes and
farms. By the fame caufe I was fain to
fuppofe him enriched by inheritance, and
than his life had been uniform.
I next adverted to his focial condition.
This manfion appeared to have but two inha-
bitants be fides fervants. Who was the nympli
who had hovered for a moment in my fight ?
Had he not called her his daughter I The
apparent difference in their ages would juftify
this relationj but herguife, her features, and
her accents were foreign her language I fuf-
peded flrongly to be that of Italy. How
fhould he be the father of an Italian ? But
were there not fome foreign lineaments in
his countenance ?
This idea feemed to open a new world to
my view. I had gained from my books con-
fufed ideas of European governments and man-
ners. I knew that the prefent was a period of
revolution and hoftility j might not thefe be
illuftrious fugitives from Provence or the
Milanefe ?. Their portable wealth, which,
may reafonably be fuppofed to be great, they
have
ARTHUR MERVVN. ill
have tranfported hither. Thus may be ex-
plained the forrow that veils their countenance >
the lofs of eftates and honours the untimely
death of kindred, and perhaps of his wife,
may furnifh eternal food for regrets. Wei-
beck's utterance, though rapid and diftinct,
partook, as I conceived, in fome very flight
degree of a foreign idiom.
Such was the dream that haunted my urt-
difciplined and unenlightened imagination ;
the more I revolved it, the more plaufible it
feemed. On this fuppofition every appear-
ance that I had witnefled was eafiJy folved,
unlefs it were their treatment of me. This
at firft was a fource of hopelefs perplexity -,
gradually, however, a clue feemed to be
afforded. Welbeck had betrayed aftonim-
ment on my firft appearance :. the lady's
wonder was mingled with diftrefs. Perhaps
they difcovered a remarkable refemblance
between me and one who ftood in the relation-
of fon to Welbeck, and of brother to the
lady. This youth might have perimcd on,
the fcaffold or in war. Thefc, no doubt, were
his
112 ARTHUR MERVtN.
his clothes. This chamber might have been
referved for him, but his death left it to be
appropriated to another.
I had hitherto been unable to guefs at
the reafon why all this kindnefs had been
lavifhed on me. Will not this conjecture
fufficiently account for it ? No wonder that
this refcmblance was enhanced by affuming
his drcfs.
Taking all cireumftances into view, thefe
ideas were not, perhaps, deftitute of proba-
bility. Appearances naturally fuggeftcd them
to me ; they were alfo powerfully enforced
by inclination. They threw me into tranfports
of wonder and hope. When I dwelt upon
the incidents of my pad life, and traced the
chain of events from the death of my mother
to the prefent moment, I almoft acquiefced
in the notion that fbme beneficent and ruling
genius had prepared my path for me. Events
which, when forefeen, would moft ardently
have been deprecated, and when they hap-
pened, were accounted in the higheft degree
lucklefs, were now fcen to be propitious.
Hence
ARTHUR MERVYN. I IJ
Hence I inferred the infatuation of defpair,
and the folly of precipitate conclufions.
But what was the fate referved for me ?
Perhaps Wclbeck would adopt me for his
own fon. Wealth has ever been capricioufly
diftributed ; the mere phyfical relation of
birth is all that entitles us to manors and
thrones : identity itfelf frequently depends
upon a cafual likenefs, or an old nurfe's
impofture. Nations have rifen in arms, as
in the cafe of the Stewarts, in the caufe of
one, the genuinenefs of whofe birth has been
denied, and can never he proved ; but if the
caufe be trivial and fallacious, the effects are
momentous and folid -, it afcertains our portion
of felicity anJ uf fulneis, and fixes our lot
aaiong peafants or Princes,
Something may depend upon my own
deportment. Will it not behove me to
cultivate all my virtues, and eradicate all my
defects ? I lee that the abilities of this man
are venerable. Perhaps he will not lightly or
nattily decide in my favour he will be
governed by the proofs that I mall give of
difcernment.
JI4 ARTHUR MERVYN.
difcernment and integrity. I had always
been exempt from temptation, and was there-
fore undepraved ; but this view of things
had a wonderful tendency to invigorate my
virtuous refutations ail within me "was exhi-
laration and joy,
There was but one thing wanting to exalt
me to a dizzy height, and give me place
among the ftars of heaven. My refemblance
to her brother had forcibly affected this lady -,
but I was not her brother I was raifed to
a level with her, and made a tenant of the
fame manfion. Some intercourfe would take
place between us ; time would lay level
impediments, and eftablith familiarity, and
this intercourfe might fofier love, and ter-
minate in marriage !
Thefe images were of a nature too glowing
and expanfwe to allow me to be longer in-
active. 1 failied forth into the open air.
This tumult of delicious thoughts in fome time
fubfided, and gave way to images relative to
my prefent fuuaiion. My curiofity was
awake - t as yet I had fecn Uttie of the city,
and
ARTHUR MF.RVVN. 115
and this opportunity for obfervation was not
to be negle&ed. 1 therefore courfed through
feveral ftreets, attentively examining the
objects that fuccefiivcly prefented them-
fclves.
At length it occurred to me to It-arch out
the houfe in which 1 had lately been im-
mured. I was not without hopes that at
fome future period I mould be able to
comprehend the allufions, and brighten the
obfcurities that hung about the dialogue of
laft night.
The houfe was eafily difcovered. I re-
connoitred the court and gate through which
I had pafled. The manfion was of the firft
order in magnitude and decoration. This
was not the bound of my prefent difcoveryj
for I was gifted with that confidence which
would make me let on foot enquiries in the
neighbourhood. I looked around for a
fuitable medium of intelligence. The oppo-
fite and adjoining houfes were fmall, and
apparently occupied by perfons of an indi-
gent clafs. At one of thefe was a fign>
denoting
Il6 ARTHUR MERVYN.
denoting it to be the refidence of a tailor.
Seated on a bench at the door was a young
man with coarfe uncombed locks, breeches-
knees unbuttoned, ftockings ungartered, (hoes
flip-fhod and unbuckled, and a face im-
wafhed, gazing ftupidly from hollow eyes.
His afpeft was embdiifhed with good-
nature, though indicative of ignorance.
This was the only perfon in fight, He
might be able to fay fomething concerning
his opulent neighbour to him, therefore, I
refolved to apply. I went up to him, and
pointing to the houfe in queftion, alked him
who lived there.
He anfwcrcd, " Mr. Matthews."
" What is his proleiiion his way of
life ?"
" A gentleman. He does nothing but
walk about."
" How long has he been married ?"
" Married ! He is not married as I
know on. He never has been married : lie
IS a bachelor."
This intelligence was unexpected. It made
me
ARTHUR MERVYN. H7
me paufe to reflect whether I had not mif-
taken the houfe. This, however, feemed
impoffible. I renewed my queftions.
" A bachelor, fay you ? Are you not
miftaken ?"
tc No : it would be an odd thins: if he
9
was married. An old fellow, with one foot
in the grave comical enough for him to^//
a vife /"
" An old man ? . Does he live alone ?
What is his family ?"
" No; he does not live alone: he has a
niece that lives with him. She is married,
and her hufband lives there too."
" What is his name ?"
" I don't know. I never heard it as I
know on."
" What is his trade?"
" He's a marchant; he keeps a ftore
fome where or other, but I don't know where."
" How long has he been married ?"
" About two years. They loft a child
lately. The young woman was in a huge
taking about it. They fays fhe was quite
crazjr
Il8 ARTHUR MEP.VYN.
crazy fome days for the death of the child :
and fhe is not quite out of the dumps yet.
To be fure, the child was a fweet little thing;
but they need not make fuch a rout about
it. I'll warn they'll have enough of them
before they die."
" What is the character of the young
man ? Where was he born and educated ?
Has he parents or brothers ?"
My companion was incapable of anfwering
thefe queftions, and I left him with little
cfiential addition to the knowledge I already
poflefled.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 1 19
CHAP. VII.
CURIOSITY.
A.FTER viewing various parts of the
city, intruding into Churches, and diving
into alleys, I returned. The reft of the day I
fpent chiefly in my chamber, reflecting on
my new condition, furveying my apartment,
its prefles and clofets, and conjecturing the
caufes of appearances.
At dinner and flipper I was alone. Ven-
turing to enquire of the fervant where his
matter and miftrefs were, J was anfwered
that they were engaged. I did not queftion
him
ISO ARTHUR MERVYN.
him at to the nature of their engagement,
though it was a fertile fource of curiofity.
Next morning, at breakfaft, I again met
Welbeck and the lady. The incidents were
nearly thofe of the preceding morning, if it
were not that the lady exhibited tokens of
feme what greater uneafinefs, When fhe
left us, Welbeck funk into apparent medi-
tation. I was at a lofs whether to retire, or
remain where I was. At laft, however, I
was on the point of leaving the room, when
he broke {ilence> and began a convcrlation
with me.
He put queftions to me, the obvious
fcope of which was to know my fentiments
on moral topics, I had no motives to conceal
my opinions, and therefore delivered them
with franknefs. At length he introduced
allufions to my own hiftory, and made more
particular enquiries on that head. Here I was
not equally frank j yet I did not feign any
thing, but merely dealt in generals. J had
acquired notions of propriety on this head,
perhaps fomewhat faitidious. Minute details
reflecting
ARTHUR MERVYN. 121
fefpecVing our own concerns are ap! to
weary all but the narrator himfdf. I (aid
thus much, and the truih of my remark was
eagerly aflented to.
With feme marks of hefitation, 2nd after
various preliminaries, my companion hinted
that my own intereft, as well as his, en-
joined upon me filence to all but himfclf, on
the fubjecl: of my birth and early adventures.
It was not likely that, while in his fervice,
my circle of acquaintance would be large,
or my intercourfe with the world frequent i
but in my communication with others, he re-
quefted me to fpeak rather of others than of
myfclf. This requeil, he laid, might appear
fingular to me ; but he had his reafons for
making it, which it was not ncccfTary at
prefent to difclofe ; though when I ihould
. know them, I ihould readily acknowledge
their validity.
I fcarccly knew what anfwer to make. I
was willing to oblige him. 1 was far from
expecting that any exigence would oc.ur,
making difclofure my duiy. The emplcy-
VOL. i. G menc
122 ARTHUR MERVYN.
ment was productive of pain more than of
pleafure ; and the curiofity that would ufe-
lefsly feck a knowledge of my pad life, was
no lefs impertinent than the loquacity that
would ufelefsly communicate that knowledge.
I readily promifed, therefore, to adhere to
his advice.
This affurance afforded him evident fatis-
faction ; yet it did not feem to amount to
quite as much as he wifhed. He repeated,
in frronger terms, the neceflity there was for
caution. He was far from fufpecling me to
pofTcfs an impertinent and talkative difpo-
fition, or that in my eagernefs to expatiate
on my own concerns, I mould overftep the
limits of politenefs. But this was not
enough : I was to govern myfclf by a per-
fuafion that the interdts of my friend and
myfelf would be materially affected by my
condudt.
Perhaps I ought to have allowed thefe
infinuations to breed fufpicion in my mind ;
but, confcious as I was of the benefits which
I had received from this man, prone, from
my
ARTHUR MERVYN.-
'my inexperience, to rely upon profeffions, and
confide in appearances, and unaware that I
could be placed in any condition in which
mere filence refpecling my felf could be in-
jurious or criminal, I made no fcruple to
promife compliance with his wifhes. Nay,
I went farther than this I defired to be
accurately informed as to what it was proper
to conceal. He anfwered that my filence
might extend to every thing anterior to my
arrival in the city, and my being incorporated
with his family. Here our converfation
ended, and I retired to ruminate on what
had pafTed.
I derived little latisfadion from my reflec-
tions. I began now to perceive inconveniences
that might arife from this precipitate promife.
Whatever mould happen in confequence of
my being immured in the chamber, and of
the lofs of my clothes and of the portrait
of my friend, I had bound myfelf to filence.
Thefe inquietudes, however, were tranfient.
I trufted that thefe events would operate
aufpicioufly ; but my curiofity was now
c 2 awakened
124 ARTHUR MERVYN.
awakened as to the motives which Welbeck
could have for exacting from me this con-
cealment. To act tinder the guidance of
another, and to wander in the dark, ignorant
whither -my pnh tended, and what effects
might flow from my agency, was a new and
irkfome filiation.
From tbefe thoughts I was recalled by a mef-
fae from Welbeck. He e;ave me a folded
O G
paper, which he requefted me to carry to
No. South Fourth Street. " Enquire,'*
faid he, <l for Mrs. Wentworth, in order
merely to afcertain the houfe, for you need
not afk to fee her : merely give the letter
to the fervant, and retire. Excufe me for
impofing this fervice upon you : it is of too
great moment to be trufted to a common
mtfienger. I ufually perform it myfelf, but
am at prefent otherwife engaged."
I took the letter, and fet out to deliver
it. This was a trifling circuraftance, yet
my mind was full of reflections on the con-
iequences that might flow from it. I re-
membered the directions that were given,
but
ARTHUR MERVYN 1 . 125
but conftrued them in a manner different,
perhaps, fro-n Welbeck's expectations or
vvifhes. He had charged me co leave the
bilirt with the fervant who happened to
anfwer my fummons ; but had he .not faid
that the mefluige was important, infomuch
that it could not be entrufted to common
hands? He had permitted, rather than en-
joined me, to difpenfe witii feeing the lady j
and this permiflion I conceived to be
dictated merely by regard to my con-
venience. Jt was incumbent on me, there-
fore, to take forne pains to deliver the letter
in:o her own hands.
I arrived at the houfe, and knocked. A'
female fervant appeared. Her miflrefs was
up ftairs. She would tell her if I wiihed to
fee her ; and meanwhile invited me to enter
the parlour. I did fo; and the girl retired
to inform, her miftrcfs that one waited for
her. I ought to mention that my departure
from the directions which I had received,
was, in fome degree, owing to an inquifuive
temper. I was eager a.'ccr knowledge, and
c 2 was
Jl6 ARTHUR MERVYN.
was difpofed to profit by every opportunity
to furvey the interior 'of dwellings, and con-
verfe with their inhabitants.
I (canned the walls, the furniture, the
pictures. Over the fire-place was a portrait
in oil of a female me was elderly and
matronlike : perhaps (he was the miftrefs
of this habitation, and the perfon to whom
I mould be immediately introduced. Was
it a cafual fuggeftion, or was there an actual
refcmblance between the (Irokes of the
pencil which executed this portrait, and that
of Clavering ? Hswever that might be, the
fight of this picture revived the memory
of my friend, and called up a fufpicion
that this was the production of his (kill.
I was bufily revolving this idea, when the
lady herfclf entered. It was the fame whole
portrait I had been examining. She fixed
fcrutinizing and powerful eyes upon me.
She looked at the fuperfcription of the letter
which I prefented, and immediately refumed
her examination of me. I was fomewhat
a^amed by the clofenefs of her obfervation,
and
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
and gave tokens of this ftate of mind, which
O
did noc pafs unobferved. They feemed in-
ftantly to remind her that (he behaved with
too little regard to civility. She recovered
herfelf, and began to perufe the letter.
Having done this, her attention was once
more fixed upon me: (he was evidently
dcfirous of entering into converfation,
but feemed at a lofs in what manner to
begin. This fituation was new to me, and
was productive of no fmall embarraffment. I
was preparing to take my leave, when (he
fpcke, though not without confiderable hefita-
tion.
" This letter is from Mr. Welbeck ? You
are his friend, I prefume perhapsa relation?"
I was confcious that I had no claim to
either of thefc titles, and that I was no more
than his fervant. My pride would not allow
ine to acknowledge this, and 1 merely faid
" 1 live with him at prefent, Madam."
I imagined that this anfwer did not per-
fectly fatisfy her; yet (he received it with
a certain air of acquiefcence. She was filent
for a few minutes, and then rifing, faid
04 " Excuie
128 ARTHUR MERVYtf,
* { Excufe me, Sir, for a few minutes,
I will write a few words to Mr. Welbeck."
So laying, fhe withdrew.
1 returned to the contemplation of the
pi&Lire. From this, however, my atten-
tion was quickly diverted by a paper that lay
on the mantle -piece. A fingle glance was
fufficient to put my blood into motion. I
flartcd, and laid my hand upon the well-
known packet. It was that which enclofcd
the portrait ofClavering!
I unfcrlded, and examined it with eager-
riffs. By what miracle came it hither? It
was found, together with my 'bundle, two-
nights before. I had defpaired of ever
feeing it again j and yet here was the fame
portrait enclofed in the felf-fame paper! I
have forborne to dwell upon the regret
smounting to grief with which I was afrccled,
in confequence of the lofs of this precious
relic. My joy on thus fpeedily and unex-
pectedly regaining it, is not ealily defcribed.
For a time I did not rene<5t that to hold it
in my hand, was not fufficient to entitle
me
ARTHUR MERVYN. 129
me to repo.Teffion. I muft acquaint this
lady with the hiftory of this piclure, and
convince her of my O'.vnerfhip. But how
was this to be done ? Was (he connected in
any way by friendmip or by confanguinity with
that unfortunate }outh? If (lie were, fome
information as to his deftiny would be
anxbufly fought. I did not juft then per-
ceive any impropriety in imparting it. If
it came into her Lands by accident, ftill it
will be neceffary to relate the mode in which
it was loft, in order to prove my title
to it.
I now heard her defcending footfteps, and
haftily replaced the picture on the mantle-piece.
She enrered, and prefenting me a letter, de-
fired me to deliver it to Mr. Welbeck. I
had no pretext for deferring my departure, but
was unwilling to- go without obtaining pof-
fcriT;on of the portrait. An interval of
filence and irrcfolutioq fucceeded. I caft
fignincant glances at the fpot where it lay,
and at length muftered up my ftrength of
mind, and pointing to the paper
05 " Madam,"'
I3O ARTHUR MERVYN.
<f Madam,'* faid I, " there is fomethmg-
which I recognife to be mine. I know not
how it came into your poffeflion, but fo
lately a> the day before yefterday it was in
mine. I loft it by a ftrange accident; and
as I deem it of ineftimable value, I hope
you will have no objection to reftore it."
During this fpeech the lady's countenance
exhibited marks of the utmoft perturba-
tion.
tf Your picture !" me exclaimed ; " you
loft it ! How ? Where ? Did you know
that perfon ? What has become of him ?"
I knew him well," faid I.. " That:
picture was executed by himfelf.. He gave
k to me with his own hands j and till the
moment I unfortunately loft it, it. was my
dear and perpetual companion."
'' Good Heaven !" fhe exclaimed with
increafing vehemence, " where did you
mtet with him ? What is become of him ?
Is he dead or alive ?"
Thffc appearances fulHciently fhewed me
that Clavering and this lady were connected
by
ARTHUR MERVYff. 13 I
by Come ties of tendernefs. I anfwered that
he was dead; that my mother and myfelf
were his attendants and nurfes, and that this
portrait was his legacy to me.
This intelligence melted her into tears;
and it was fome time before fhe recovered
ftrength enough to reftime the converfation.
She then enquired when and where it was
that he died ? e ' c How did you lofe this por-
trait ? It was found wrapped in forne coarfe
clothes, lying in a ftall in the market-houfe
en Saturday evening. Two negro women,
fervants of one of my friends-, drolling through,
the market, found it, and brought it to
their miftrefs, who,, recognifing the por-
trait, fent it to me. To whom did that
bundle belong? Was it your's."
Thefe queitions. reminded me of. the
painful predicament in which I now flood. I
had promifed Welbeck to conceal from
every one my former condition ; but to
explain in what manner this bundle was loft,
and how my intercourfe with Clavcring had,
taken place, was to violate this promife. It
c 6 was
132 ARTHUR MERVYN.
was pofiible, perhaps, to efcape the con-
feffion of the truth by equivocation. Falfe-
hocds were eafily invented, and might lead
her far away from my true condition ; but I
was wholly unufed to equivocation never
yet had a lie polluted my lips. I was not
weak enough to be aihamed of my origin.
This lady had an intereft in the fate of
Clavering, and might juftly claim all the
information which I was able to impart ; yet
to forget the compact which I had fo lately
made, and an adherence to which might
poffibly be in the highrft degree beneficial:
to me and to Wclbeck, I was willing to
adhere to it, provided falichood could be
avoided.
Thefe thoughts rendered me filent. The
pain of my embarraffment amounted almolt
to agony. I felt the keeneft regret at my
own precipitation in claiming the picture:
its value to me was altogether imaginary.
The arilfHan which this lady had borne the
original,, whatever was the fource of that
O f
affec.iion, would prompt her to cherifh the
ARTHUR MERVYN.
copy; and, however precious it was in 'my
eyes, I mould cheerfully refign it to her.
In the confufion of my thoughts, an ex-
pedient fuggefted icfelf fufficiently inartificial
and bold. <c It is true, Madam, what I
have faid : I faw him breathe his laft ! This
is his only legacy. If you wiih it x I wil-
lingly refign it; but this is all that I can
now difclofe- I am placed in circumfhnces
which render it improper to fay more."
Thcfe words were littered not very dif-
tinclly ; and the lady's vehemence hindered
her from noticing them. She again repeated
her interrogation^ to which 1 returned the
fame anfwer.
At firfl me expreffed the utmoft furprife
at my conduct. From this fhe defcended
to fo-ne degree of afpcrity* She made
rapid alkifions to the hiftory of Clavering.
He was the fon of the gentleman who owned
the houfe in which Welbeck refided. He
was the objeft of immeafurablc fondnefs
and indulgence. He had fjught pcraVifHon,
to travel i and this being refufcd by the
abfurd
134 ARTHUR MERVYN".
ahfurd timidity of his parents, he had twice
been fruftrated in attempting to embark for
Europe clandeftinely. They a-fcribed his
difappearance to a third and fuccefsful
attempt of this kind, and had exercifed
anxious and unwearied diligence in endea-
vouring to trace his foutfteps. All their
efforts had failed. One motive for their
returning to Europe, was the hope of dif-
covering fome traces of him, as they enter-
tained no doubt of his having croflcd the
ocean. The vehemence of Mrs. VVcnt-
worth's curiofity as to thofe particulars of
his life and death, may be eafily conceived.
My refufal only heightened this paflion.
Finding me refractory to all her efforts,,
flie at length difmiffcd me in. anger..
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN.
CHAP. VIIT.
SURPRISE AND ANXIETY-..
T.
HIS extraordinary interview was now
paffed. Pleafure as well as pain attended,
my reflexions on if. I adhered to t
promife I had improvidently given to Wei-
beck, but had excited difpleafure, and
perhaps fufpicion in the lady. She would
find it hard to account for my filence. She
would probably impute it to perverfenefs,
or imagine it to flow from fome incident
connected with the death of Glavering,
calculated to give a new edge to her curi-
ofity.
It
J6 ARTHFR MERVTN".
It was plain that feme connexion fub-
filled between her and Welbeck. Would
flie drop the fubject at the point which it
had now attained? Would fhe ceafe to
exert herfelf to extract from me the defined
information ? or would me not rather make
Welbeck a party in the cau-fe, and prejudice
my new friend againft me ? This was an
evil proper by all lawful means to avoid,
I knew of no other expedient than to con-
fcfs to him the truth with regard to Cla-
verirg, and explain to him the dilemma in-
which my adherence to my promife had
involved me.
I found him on my return home, and
delivered him the letter with which I was
charged. At the fighc of it furprife, mingled
with fome uneafiiids, appeared in his looks,
" What!" faid he, in a tone of difap-
point-merit, '" you then faw the lady?"
I now remembered his directions to leave
my melfage at the ctoor, and apologized for
my neglecting them by telling my reaibns.
His chagrin vanifhed, but not without aa
apparent
ARTHUR MERVTN. 137
apparent effort, and he faid that all was
well : the affair was of no moment.
After a paufc of preparation, I entrentecf
his attention to fornething which I had tc*
relate. I then detailed the hiftory of C le-
vering, and of my late embarraffments.
As I went on, his countenance betokened
increafing folicitude : his emotion was par-
ticularly ftrong when I came to the inter-
rogatories of Mrs. Went worth in relation to
Clavering; but this emotion gave way to
profound furprile when I related the manner
in which I had eluded her enquiries. I
concluded with obfcrving that, when I pro-
mifed forbearance on the fubject of my own
adventure?, I had not forefcen any exigence
which would make an adherence to my
promife clifHculc ~or inconvenient; that, if
his intereft was promoted by my filcnce,
I was ftill willing to maintain it, and re-
quefted his directions how to conduct myiclf
on this occafion.
He appeared to ponder Deeply, and with,
much perplexity on what I had faid. When
he
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
he fpoke, there was hefitation in his man-
ner, and circuity in his expreffions, that
proved him to have fomething in his
thoughts which he knew not how to com-
municate. He frequently paufed ; but my
anfwers and remarks occafionally given,
appeared to deter him from the revelation
of his purpofe. Our difcourfc ended for
the prefent, by his de firing me to perfift in
my prefent plan. I mould fuffer no incon-
veniences from it, fince it would be my
own fault if an interview again took place
between the lady and myfelf: meanwhile
he mould fee her, and effectually filence her
enquiries.
I ruminated not fuperfcially or briefly on
this dialogue. By what means would he
iilence her enquiries ? He furely meant not
to miflead her by fallacious reprefentadons ?
Some inquietude now crept into my thoughts.
I began to form conjectures as to the nature
of the fcheme, to which my fuppreffion of
the truth was to be thus made fubfervient.
It fcemed as if I were walking in the dark*
and
ARTHUR MERVYN.
and might rufh into fnares, or drop into
pits before I was aware of my danger. Each
moment accumulated my doubts* and I che-
riflied a fecret foreboding that the eveac
would prove my new fituation to be far lefc
fortunate than I had at firft fondly believed.
The queftion now occurred with painful
repetition who and what was Welbeck ?
What was his relation to this foreign lady ?
What was the fervice for which I was to be
employed ?
I could not be contented without a folu-
tion of thefe myfteries. Why mould I not
lay my foul open before my new friend ?
Confidering my fituation, would he regard
my fears and my furmifes as criminal ? I
felt that they originated in laudable habits and
views; my peace of mind depended on the
favourable verdid which confcience mould
pafs on my proceedings ; I faw the empti- ;
nefs of fame and luxury when put in the
balance againft the recompence of virtue.
Never would I purchafe the blandifhments
of
1-43 ARTHtJR
of adulation and the glare of opulence at
the price of my hone-fty.
Amidft thcfe reflect inns the dinner hour
arrived. 1 he lady and Wclbeck were prefent.
A new train of fentiments now occupied
my mind. I regarded them both with in-
quifitive eyes. 1 cannot well account for the
revolution which had taken place in my
mind , perhaps it was a proof of the capri-
cioufnefs of my temper, or it was merely*
the fruit of my profound ignorance of life
and manners. Whenever it arofe, certain
it is that I contemplated the fcene before me
with altered eyes ; its order and pomp were
no longer the parents of tranquillity and
awe. My wild reveries of inheriting this-
iplendour, and appropriating the affcdions
of this nymph, I now regarded as lunatic
hope and childifh folly ; education and
nature had qualified me for a difTerent fcene.
T his might be the maik of mifery, and the
ftriiL\ure of vice.
My companions, as well as myfelf, were
iilent
ARTHUR MERVYN-, 14!
filent during the meal. The lady retired as
foon as it was ftniilied. My inexplicable
melancholy increased it did not pafs unno-
ticed by Welbeck, who enquired with aa
air of kindnefs into the caufe of rny vifiole
dejection. I am al nod adiamcd to relate
to what extremes my folly tranfported me;
ihftead of anfvvering him, I was weak enough
t^j ,_j
to flhed tears.
This excited afrefh his furprife and his
fympathy. He renewed his enquiries. My
heart was full, but how to dilburthen it I
knew not. At length, with fome difficulty,
I expreffed my wimes to leave his houje, and
return into the country.
What, he aiked, had occurred to fug-
geft this new plan ? What motive could
incite me to bury myfelfin rufiic obfcurity ?
How did I purpofe to difpofe of myfelf ?
Had fome new friend fprung up more able
or more willing to benefit me than he had
been ?
" No," I anfwered, " I have no relation
who would own me, or friend who would
6 protect
ARTHUR MERVYN.
proteft me. If I went into the country, it
would be to the toilfome occupations of a
day-labourer j but even that was better than
my prefent fituation."
" This opinion," he obferved, " muft be
newly formed. What is there irkfome or
offer five in your prefent mode of life ?
That this man condefcended to expof-
tulate with me, to diflliade me from my
new plan, and to enumerate the benefits
which he was willing to confer, penetrated
my heart with gratitude. I could not but
acknowledge that leifure and literature, copi-
ous and elegant accommodation were valuable
u
for their own fake that all the delights of
fenfation, and refinements of intelligence
"Vere comprifed within my prefent fphere,
and would be nearly wanting in that to which
I was going ; I felt temporary compunction
for my folly, and determined to adopt a
different deportment. I could not prevail
upon mylelt to unfold the true caufe of my
dejection, and permitted him, therefore, to
afcribe it to a kind of home-ficknefs, to
inexperience,
ARTHUR MERVYN. 143
inexperience, and to that ignorance which,
on being ufhered into a new fcene, is op-
prefled with a fenfation of foriornnefs. He
remarked that thefe chimeras would vaniih
before the influence of time, and company,
and occupation. On the next week he
would mrnifh me with employment j mean-
while, he would introduce me into company,
where intelligence and vivacity would com-
bine to difpel my gloom.
As foon as we feparated, my inquietudes
returned. I contended with them in vain,
and finally refolved to abandon my prelent
fituation. When and how this purpofe was
to be effected I knew not that was to be
the theme of future deliberation,
Evening having arrived, Welbeck pro-
pofed to me to accom- any him on a vifin
to one of his friends. I cheerfully accepted
the invitation, and went with him to your
friend, Mr. Wortle\ 's. A numerous party
was aiTembled, chiefly of the female fex. I
was introduced by \Veibeck by the title of
6 yuung Jtiend of his. JNotwithftanding my
embarraffment,
144 ARTHUR MERVYN.
^mbarrarlment, I did not fail to attend to
what pafTcd on this occafion. I remarked
that the utrnoft deference was paid to my
companion, on whom his entrance into this
company appeared to operate like magic.
Ir]is eyes fparkled, his features expanded ir.to -
a benign ferenity, and his wonted rcferve
.gave -place to a torrent-like and overflowing
elocution.
I marked this change in his deportment
with the utmoft aft on i foment. So great was
-it, that I could hardly perfuade myfeif that
. it was the fame perfon. A mind thus fuf-
ceptible of new imprefTions, mull be, I
conceived, of a wonderful texture. Nothing
was further from my expectations than that
this vivacity was mere diffimulation, and
would take its have of him when he left the
company; yet this I found to be the cafe.
The door was no fooner clofed after him,
than his accuftomed folemnuy returned ; he
ipake little, and that liitle was delivered with
emphatical and monofyliabic brevity.
V\ e returned home at a late hour, and I
immediately
ARTHUR MERVYN. 145"
immediately retired to my chamber, not fo
much from the defire of repofe, as in order
to enjoy and purfue my own reflections without
interruption,
The condition of my mind was confider-
ably remote from happinefs. i was placed in
a fcene that furnifhed fuel to my curiofity.
This paffion is a fource of pleafure, provided
its gratification be practicable. I had no
reafon, in my prefent circumftances, to
defpair of knowledge, yet fufpicion and
anxiety befet me. t I thought upon the delay
and toil which the removal of my ignorance
would coft, and reaped only pain and fear
from the reflection.
The air was remarkably fultry. Lifted fafhes
and lofty ceilings were infufficient to attemper
it. The perturbation of my thoughts affected
my body, and the heat which opprefled me
was aggravated, by my reftleffhefs, almoft
into fever. Some hours were thus painfully
patted, when I recollected that the bath,
erected in the court below, contained a
VOL. i. H
146 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
fufficient antidote to the fcorching influence
of the atmofphere.
I rofe, and defcended the flairs foftly, that
I might not alarm Wclbeck and the lady,
who occupied the two rooms on the fecond
floor. I proceeded to the bath ; and filling
the refervoir with water, fpeedily diffipated
the heat that incommoded me. Of all
Jpecies of fenfual gratification, that was the
moft delicious ; and I continued for a long
time laving my limbs, and mciftening my
hair. In the midft of this amufement, I
noticed the approach of day, and immediately
faw the propriety of returning to my cham-
ber. I returned with the fame caution which
I had ufed in defcending. My feet were bare,
fo that it was eafy to proceed, unattended by
the fmalleft fignal of my progrefs.
I had reached the carpetted ftaircafe, and
was flowly afcending, when I heard, within
the chamber that was occupied by the lady,
a noife as of fome one moving. Though
not confcious of having acted improperly,
yet
ARTHUR MERVYN. 147
yet I felt reluctance to be feen. There was
no reafon to fuppofe that this found was
connected with the detection of me in this
fituationj yet I acted as if this reafon exifted,
and made hafte to pafs the door, and gain the
fecond flight of Hairs.
I was unable to accomplifli my defign,
when the chamber-door (lowly opened, and
Welbeck, with a light in his hand, came
out. I was abafhed and difconcerted at this
interview. He ftarted at feeing me ; but
difcovering in an inftant who it was, his face
afTumed an expreffion in which fhame and
anger were powerfully blended. He leemed
on the point of opening his mouth to rebuke
me ; but fuddenly checking himfelf, he laid,
in a tone of. mildnefs " How is this ?
"Whence come you ?"
His emotion fcemed to communicate
itfelf, with an electrical rapidity, to my heart.
My tongue faltered while I made fome
anfwer. I fald cc I have been feekino relief
^ *~j
from the heat of the weather in the bath."
He heard my explanation in iilence ; and
H 2 after
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
after a moment's paufe, pafied into his own
room, and fhut himfclf in. I haflened to
my chamber.
A different obferver might have found in
thefe circumftances no food for his fufpicion
or his wonder ; to me, however, they fug-
gefted vague and tumultuous ideas.
As 1 ftrode acrofs the room, I repeated -
Cf This woman is his daughter. What proof
have [ of 'that? He once averted it, and
has frequently uttered allufions and hints,
from which no other inference could be
drawn. The chamber from wjiich he came,
in an hour devoted to deep, was her's. For
what end could a vifit like this be paid ? A
parent may vifit his child at all feafons without
a crime. On feeing me, methought his
features indicated more than furprife. A
keen interpreter would be apt to fufpect
a confcioufnefs of wrong. What if this
woman be not his child ! How (hall their
relationship be afcertained ?"
I was fummoned at the cuftomary hour to
breakfaft. My mind was full of ideas con-
nected
ARTHUR MERVYN. 149
ne&ed with this incident. I was not endowed
with fufficient firmnefs to propofe the cool
and fyftematic obfervation of this man's
deportment. I felt as if the (late of my
mind could not but be evident to him, and
experienced in myfelf all the confufion which
this difcovery was calculated to produce in
him. I would have willingly excufed myfelf
from meeting him, but that was impodible.
At breakfaft, after the ufual falurations,
nothing was faid. For a time I fcarcely lifted
my eyes from the table. Stealing a glance
at Welbeck, I difcovered in his features
nothing but his wonted ^gravity. He ap-
peared occupied with thoughts that had no
relation to laft night's adventure. This
encouraged me, and I gradually recovered
my compofure. Their inattention to me
allowed me cccafionally to throw fcrutinizing
and comparing glances at the face of each.
The rclationfnip of parent and child is
commonly difcoverable in the vifage ; but
the child may refemble either of its parents,
yet have no feature in common with both.
H 3 Here
ARTHUR MERVYN.
Here outlines, furfaces, and hues were in
abfolute contrariety. That kindred fubfifted
between them was poffible, notwithftanding
this diffimilitude ; but this circumftance
contributed to envenom my fufpicions.
Breakfaft being finifhed, Welbeck caft an
eye cf invitation to the piano-forte. The
lady rofe to comply with his requeft. My
eye chanced to be at that moment fixed on
her. In ftepping to the inftrument, fome
motion or appearance awakened a thought
in my mind, which affected my feelings like
the (hock of an earthquake.
I have too flight an acquaintance with the
hiftory of the pafiions to truly explain the
emotion which now throbbed in my veins.
I had been a ftranger to what is called love.
From fubfequent reflection I have contracted
a fufpicion that the fentiment with which I
regarded this lady was not untindtured from
this fource, and that hence arofe the turbu-
lence of my feelings on obferving what I
conftrued into marks of pregnancy. The
evidence
ARTHUR MERVYN.
evidence afforded me was flight, yet it exer-
cifed an abfolute fway over my belief.
It was well that this fufpicion had not
been fjoner excited. Now civility did not
require my (lay in the apartment, and nothing
but flight could conceal the ftate of my
mind. I haftened, therefore, to a dulance,
and fhrouded myfclf in the friendly fccrecy
of my own chamber.
The conftitution of my mind is doubtlefs
fingular and perverfe j yet that opinion,
perhaps, is the fruit of my ignorance. It
may by no means be uncommon for men to
faJJiion their conclufions in oppofition to evi-
dence and probability, and fo as to feed their
malice, and fubvert their bappinefs. Thus
it was, in an eminent degree, in my cafe ;
the fimple fact was connected, in my mind,
with a train of the rnoft hateful confe-
quences. The depravity of Welbeck was
inferred from it. The charms of this angelic
woman were tarniftied and withered. I had
formerly furveyed her as a precious and
H 4 perfect
152 ARTHUR MERVYN.
perfect monument, but now it was a fcene
of ruin and blaft.
This had been a fource of fufficient an-
guifh ; but this was not all, I recollected
that the claims of a parent had been urged.
Will you believe that thefe claims were now
admitted, and that they heightened the ini-
quity of Welbeck into the blacked and moft
ftupendous of all crimes ? Thefe ideas were
neceflariiy tranfient. Conclufions more for-
midable to appearances fucceeded. This
Jady might have been lately reduced to
widowhood. The recent lofs of a beloved
companion would fufficiently account for her
dejection, and make her prefent fituation
compatible with duty.
By this new train of ideas I was fome-
what comforted. I faw the folly of preci-
pitate inferences, and the injuftice of my
atrocious imputations, and acquired fome
degree of patience in my prefent ftate of
uncertainty. My heart was lightened of its
wonted bunhen j and I laboured to invent
fome
ARTHUH MERVYN. 153
fome harmlefs explication of the fcene that
1 had witnefled the preceding night.
At dinner Welbeck appeared as ufual, hut
not the lady. I afcribed her abfence to fome
cafual indifpofition, and ventured to enquire
into the ftate of her health. My companion
faid Hie was well, but that me had left the
city for a month or two, finding the heat of
fummer inconvenient where (he was. This
was no unplaufible reafon for retirement. A
candid mind would have acquiefced in this
reprefentation, and found in it nothing incon-
fiftent with a fuppofition refpeding the caule
of appearances favourable to her character :
butotherwife was I affected. The uneafmefs
which had flown for a moment, returned,
and I funk into gloomy fiience.
From this I was roufed by my patron,
who requefted me to deliver a billet, which
he put into my hand, at the counting- houfe
of Mr. Thetford, and to bring him an
anfwer. This meffage was fpeedily per-
formed. I entered a large building by the
river fide. A fpacious apartment prefented
H 5 itfdf,
154 ARTHUR MERVYN.
itfelf, well furnifhed with pipes and hogfheads.
In one corner was a fmaller room, in which-
a gentleman was bufy at writing. I advanced
to the door of the room, but was there met
by a young perfon, who received my paper,
and delivered it to him within. I flood
Hill at the door, but was near enough to
overhear what would pafs between them.
The letter was laid upon the defk, and
prefently he that fat at it, lifted his eyes, and
glanced at the fuperfcription. He fcarcely
fpoke above a whifper ; but his words, never-
thelefs, were clearly diftinguilhable. I did
not call to mind the found of his voice, but
his words called up a train of recollections.
" Lo !" faid he, carelefsly, " this is from
the Nabob /"
An incident fo flight as this was fufficient
to open a fpacious fcene of meditation. This
little word, half whifpered in a thoughtlels
mood, was a key to unlock an extenfive
cabinet of fecrets. Thetford was probably
indifferent whether his exclamation was over-
heard.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 155
heard. Little did he think on the inferences
which would be built upon it.
" The Nabob !" By this appellation had
Ibme one been denoted in the chamber-
dialogue, of which I had been an unfuf-
pected auditor. The man who pretended
poverty, and yet gave proofs of inordinate
wealth whom it was pardonable to defraud
of thirty thoufand dollars firft, becaufe the
lofs of that fum would be trivial to one
opulent as he ; and, fecondly, becaufe he
was imagined to have acquired this opulence
by other than honed methods. Inftead of
forthwith returning home, I wandered into
the fields to indulge myfelf in the new
thoughts which were produced by this oc-
currence.
I entertained no doubt that the per fan
alluded to was my patron. No new light
was thrown upon his character, unlcis forne^
thing were deducible from the charge vaguely
made, that his wealth was the fruit of illicit
practices. He was opulent, and the fources
of his wealth were unknown, if not to the
H 6 reft
156 ARTHUR MERVYN.
reft of the community, at leaft to Thetford.
But here a plot had been laid. The fortune
of Thetford's brother was to rife from the
fuccefs of artifices, of which the credulity of
Welbeck was to be the victim. To detect
and to counterwork this plot was obvioufly
my duty. My interference might now indeed
be too late to be ufeful ; but this was at leaft
to be afcertained by experiment.
How mould my intention be effected ?
I had hitherto concealed from Welbeck my
adventures at Thetford's houfe. Thefe it was
now neceffary to difclofc, and to mention
the recent occurrence. My deductions, in
confequence of my ignorance, might be
erroneous j but of their truth, his knowledge
of his own affairs would enable him to judge.
It was poffible that Thetford and he, whofe
chamber-converfation I had overheard, were
different perfons. I endeavoured in vain
to afcertain their identity by a comparifon of
their voices. The words lately heard, my
remembrance did not enable me certainly to
pronounce to be uttered by the fame organs.
*" This
ARTHUR MERVYN. 157
This uncertainty was of little moment.
It fufficed that Welbeck was defignated by
this appellation, and that therefore he was
proved -to be the fubjec~b of fome fraudulent
proceeding. The information that I pof-
fcfled, it was my duty to communicate as
expeditioufly as pofiible, I was refolved to
employ the firft opportunity that offered for
this end.
My meditations had been ardently pur-
fuedj arid when I recalled my attention, I
found myfelf bewildered among fields and
fences. It was late before I extricated
myfelf from unknown paths, and readhed
home.
I entered the parlour, but Welbeck was
not there. A table, with tea-equipage for one
perfon, was fet, from which I inferred that
Welbeck was engaged abroad. This belief
was confirmed by the report of the fervant.
He could not inform me where his mafter
was, but merely that he would not take tea
at home. This incident was a fource of
vexation and impatience. I knew not but
that
158 ARTHUR MERVYTN.
that delay would be of the utmoft moment
to the fafety of my friend. Wholly unac-
quainted as I was with the nature of his con-
tracts with Thetford, I could not decide
whether a fmgle hour would not avail to
obviate the evils that threatened him. Had
I known whither to trace his footfleps, I
(hould certainly have fought an immediate
interview ; but as it was, I was obliged to
wait with what patience I could collect: for
his return to his own houfe.
I waited hour after hour in vain. The fun
declined, and the fhades of evening defcended^
but Welbeck was ftill at a diftance.
CHAP
ARTHUR MERVYN. 159
CHAP. IX.
A DREADFUL TALE.
did not return, though hour
fucceeded hour till the clock flruck ten. I
enquired of the fervants, who informed me
that their mailer was not accuflomed to flay
out fo late. I feated myielf at a table in the
parlour, on which there flood a light, and
liftened for the fignal of his coming, either
by the found of fleps on the pavement
without, or by a peal from the bell. The
filence was uninterrupted and profound, and
each minute added to my fum of impatience
and anxiety.
To
l6o ARTHUR MERVYN.
To relieve myfclf from the heat of the
weather, which was aggravated by the con-
dition of my .thoughts, as well as to beguile
this tormenting interval, it occurred to me
to betake myfelf to the bath. I left the
candle where it flood, and imagined that even
in the bath I mould hear the found of the
bell, which would be rung upon his arrival
at the door.
No fuch fignal occurred -, and after taking
this refrefhment, I prepared to return to my
poft. The parlour was Hill unoccupied.
But this was not all ; the candle I had lefc
upon the table was gone. This was an
inexplicable circumftance. On my promife
to wait for their mafter, the fervants had
retired to bed. No fignal of any one's en-
trance had been given. The ftreet-door was
locked, and the key hung at its cuftomary
place upon the wall. What was I to think?
It was obvious to fuppoie that the candle
had been removed by a domeftic, but their
footfteps could not be traced ; and I was not
fufficiently acquainted with the houfe to find
the
ARTHUR MERVYN. l6l
the way, efpecially immerled indarknefs, to
their chamber. One meafure, however, it
was evidently proper to take, which was
to ftipply myfelf anew with a light. This
was inftantly performed ; but what was next
to be done ?
I was weary of the perplexities in which
I v\as embroiled. I faw no avenue to efcape
from them, but that which led me to the
bofom of Nature, and to my ancient occu-
pations. For a moment 1 was tempted to
refume my ruflic garb, and on that very
hour to defert this habitation. One thing
only detained me the defire to apprize. my
patron of the treachery of Thetford. For
this end I was anxious to obtain an inter-
view j but now 1 reflected that this infor-
mation could by other means be imparted.
Was it not fufficient to write him briefly
thcfe particulars, and leave him to profit by
the knowledge ? Thus I might likewife
o o
acquaint him with my motives for thus ab-
ruptly and unfeafonably deferring his fervice.
To
l6l ARTHUR MERVYtf.
To the execution of this fcheme pen and
paper were necefiary. The bufmefs of writing
was performed in the chamber on the third
ftory. I had been hitherto denied accefs to
this room ; in it was a fhow of papers and
books. Here it was that rhe tafk for which
I had been retained, was to be performed ;
but I was to enter ir, and leave it only in
company with Welbcck. For what reafons,
I afked, was this procedure to be adopted ?
The influence of prohibitions and an
appearance of difguife in awakening curiofity,
are well known. My mind fattened upon the
idea of this room with an unufual degree of
intenfenefs. I had feen it but for a moment.
Many of Welbeck's hours were fpent in
it. It was not to be inferred that they
were confumed in idlenefs : what then was
the nature of his employment, over which a
veil of fuch impenetrable fecrecy was caft ?
Will you wonder that the defign of enter-
ing this recefs was infenfibly formed ? Pof-
fibly it was locked, but its accefliblenefs was
likewife
ARTHUR MERVYN.
likewife poffible. I meant not the com-
mifTion of any crime. My principal purpofe
was to procure the implements of writing,
which were elfewhere not to be found. I
mould neither unfeal pnpers, nor open draw-
ers ; I would merely take a furvey of the
volumes, and attend to the objects that
fpontaneoufly prefented themfelves to my
view. In this there furely was nothing
criminal or blameworthy. Meanwhile, I was
not unminJful of the fudden diiappei ranee of
the candle. This incident filled my boforn
with the inquietudes of fear, and the pertur-
bations of wonder.
Once more I paufed to catch any found
that might arife from without. All was ftill.
I feized the candle, and prepared to mount
the flairs. I had not reached the firft land-
ing, when I called to mind my midnight
meeting with \Velbeck at the door of his
daughter's chamber. The chamber was
now dcfjlate perhaps it was acceilible - t if fo,
no injury could be done by entering it. My
curioiity was ftrong, but it pictured to itfelf
no
164 ARTHUR MERVYN.
no precife object. Three fteps would bear
me ro the door. The trial whether ic was
fattened, might be made in a moment j and
I readily imagined that fomething might be
found within, to reward the trouble of exa-
mination. The door yielded to my hand,
and I eniered.
No remarkable objecl was difcoverahlc.
The apartment was fupplicd with the ufual
furniture. I bent my fteps towards a table,
over which a mirror was iufpended. My
glances, which roved with fwiftnefs from one
object to another, fhortly lighted on a mini-
ature portrait that hung near. I fcrutinized
it with eagernefs. It was impoffible to over-
look its refemblance to my own vifage. This
was fo great, that for a moment I imagined
myfelf to have been the original from which
it had been drawn. This flattering con-
ception yielded place to a belief merely of
fimiiitude between me and the genuine
original.
The thoughts which this opinion was fitted
to produce, were fufpended by a new object.
A fmall
ARTHUR MERVYN. 165
A fmall volume, that had apparently been
much ufed, lay upon the toilet. I opened
it, and found it to contain fome of the Dramas
of Apoftolo Zeno. I turned over the leaves :
a written paper faluted my fight. A fingle
glance informed me that it was Englifh.
For the prefent I was infenfible to all motives
that would command me to forbear. I feized
the paper with an intention to perufe it.
At that moment a ftunning report was
heard ; it was loud enough to (hake the
walls of the apartment, and abrupt enough
to throw me into tremors. I dropped the
book, and yielded far a moment to con-
fuGon and furprife. From what quarter it
came I was unable accurately to determine j
but there could be no doubt, from its loud.-
nefs, that it was near, and even in the
houfe. It was no lefs manifeft that the found
arofe from the difcharge of a piftol. Some
hand muft have drawn the trigger. I recol-
OO
lefted the dilappearance of the candle from
the room below. Inftantly a fuppofition
, 4 darted
l66 ARTHUR MEPVYN.
darted into my mind, which made my hair
rife, and my teeth chatter.
" This," I faid, is the deed of Wei-
beck. He entered while, I was abfent from
the room ; he fepaired to his chamber, and,
prom | ted by fome unknown inftigation, has
inflicted on himfelf death !"
This idea had a tendency to palfy my
limbs and my thoughts. Some time patted in
painful and tumultuous fluctuation. My
averfion to this cataftrophe, rather than a
belief of being by that means able to prevent
or repair the evil, induced me to attempt
to enter his chamber. It was poffible that
my conjectures were erroneous.
The door of his room was locked. I
knocked I demanded entrance in a low
voice. I put my eye and my ear to the
keyhole and the crevices -, nothing could be
heard or feen. It was unavoidable to con-
clude that no cne was within, yet the
effluvia of gunpowder was perceptible.
Perhaps the room above had been the
fcene of this catattrophe. 1 afcended the
fecond
ARTHUR MERVYN. 167
fecond flight of flairs. I approached the
door. No (ound could be caught, by my
moft vigilant attention. I put out the light
that I carried, and was then able to perceive
that there was light within the room. I
fcarcely knew how to act. For fome minutes
I paufed at the door. I fpoke, and re-
quefted permiffion to enter. My words were
fucceeded by a deathlike ftillnefs. At length
I ventured foftly to withdraw the bolt, to
open the door, and to advance within the
room. Nothing could exceed the horror of
my expectation, yet I was ftartled by the
fcene that I beheld.
In a chair, whofe back was placed againft
the front wall, fat Welbeck. My entrance
alarmed him not, nor rou fed him from the
ftupor into which he was plunged. He
refted his hands upon his knees, and his eyes
were rivetted to fomething that lay, at the
diftance of a few feet before him, on the
floor. A fecond glance was fufficient to
inform me of what nature this object was.
It was the body of a man, bleeding, ghaftly,
and
ARTHUR MRVYN.
and (till exhibiting the marks of convulfion
and agony !
I fhall omit to defcribe the fhock which
a fpedacle like this communicated to my
unpraftifed fenfes. I was nearly as panic-
flruck and powerlefs as Welbeck himfelf. I
gazed, without power of fpeech, at onetime,
at Welbeck j tnen I fixed terrified eyes on
the diftorted features of the dead. At length
"Welbeck, recovering from his reverie,
looked up, as if to fee \\ho it was that had
entered. No furprife, no alarm was betrayed
by him on feeing me ; he manifetled no
defire or intention to interrupt the fearful
filence.
My thoughts wandered in confufion and
terror. The mil impulfe was to fly from the
fcene, but I could not be long infenfible to
the exigencies of the moment. I faw that
affairs muft not be fuffered to remain in their
prefent fituation. The infenfibility or defpair
of Welbeck required confolation and fuccour.
How to communicate my thoughts, or offer
my afiiftance, I knew not. What led to
thb
ARTHUR MERVYN. l6<)
this murderous cataftrophe who it was whofc
breathlefs corpfe was before me what con-
cern Welbeck had in producing his death,
were as yet unknown.
At length he rofc from his feat, and ftrode
at firft with faltering, and then with more
ftedfaft fleps acrofs the floor. This motion
feemed to put him in porTeffion ofhimfcif.
He fcemed now, for the firft time, to recog-
nife my prefence. He turned to me, and
faid, in a tone of fe verity
" How now ! What brings you here ?"
This rebuke was unexpected. I ftammered
out in reply, that the report of the piftol had
alarmed me, and that I came to difcover the
caufe of it.
He noticed not my anfwer, but refumecl
his perturbed fteps, and his anxious, but
abft rafted looks. Suddenly he checked
himfelf, and glancing a furious eye at the
corpfe, he muttered " Yes, the die is caft j
this worthlefs and miferable fcene (hall laft
no longer ! I will at once get rid of life and
all its humiliations!"
VOL. i. i Here
I7O ARTHUR MERVYN>
Here fucceeded a new paufe. The
courfe of his thoughts Teemed now to become
once more tranquil. Sadnefs, rather than
fury, overfpread his features j and his accent,
when he fpoke to me, was not faltering, but
folemn.
" Mervyn," faid he, " you comprehend
not this fcene. Your youth and inexperience
make you a ilranger to a deceitful and flagi-
tious world. You know me not. It is time
that this ignorance ihould vanim. The
knowledge of me and my actions may be
of ufe to you it may teach you to avoid
the fhoals on which my virtue and my peace
have been wrecked ; but to the reft of man-
kind it can be of no ufe. The ruin of my
fame is perhaps irretrievable ; but the
height of my iniquity need not be known.
I perceive in you a rectitude and firmnefs
worthy to be trufted ; promife me, therefore,
that not a fyllable of what I tell you mail
ever pafs your lips.'*
I had lately experienced the inconvenience
of a promife j but I was now confufed,
embarrafled,
ARTHUR MERVYtt. 1J I
tmbarraffed, ardently inquifitive as to the
nature of this fcene, and unapprized of the
motives that might afterwards occur, per-
fuading or compelling me to difclofure. The
promife which he exacted was given. He
refumed
" I have detained you in my fervice,
partly for your own benefit, but chiefly for
mine. I intended to inflict upon you injury,
and to do you good. Neither of rhefe ends
can I now accomplifli, unlefs the leflons
which my example may inculcate, fhall in-
fpire you with fortitude, and arm you wich
caution.
'" What it was that made me thir, I
know not. I am not deftitute of under-
Handing. My third of knowledge, though
irregular, is ardent. I can talk and feel as
virtue and juftice prefcribe; yet the tenor
of my a&ions has been uniform. One
tifiue of iniquity and folly has been my life,
while my thoughts have been familiar with
enlightened and difinterefted principles.
Scorn and deteftation I have heaped upon
i 2 myfel
ARTHUR MERVYN-
rnyfelf. Yefterday is remembered with re-
morfe ; to-morrow, is contemplated with
anguifo and fear; yet every day is pro-
duftive of the fame crimes and of the fame
follies.
tc I was left by the infolvency of my
father (a trader of Liverpool) without any
means of fupport but fuch as labour mould
afford me. Whatever could generate pride
and the love of independence, was my
portion. Whatever could incite to diligence,
was the growth of my condition j yet my
indolence was a curelefs difeafe, and there
were no arts too fordid for me to practiie.
" I was content to live on the bounty of
a kinfman. His family was numerous, and
his revenue fmall. He forbore to upbraid
me, or even to infmuate the propriety of
providing formyfelf; but he empowered
me to purfue any liberal or mechanical pro-
feffion which might luh my taile. 1 was
infenfible to every generous motive, I
laboured to forget my dependant and dif-
graceful condition, becaufe the remembrance
was a fource of anguifh, without being able
to
ARTHUR MERVVtf. 175
to infpire me with a fteady refolution to
change it.
" I. contracted an acquaintance with a
woman who was unchafte, perverfe, and
malignant. Me, however, me found it no
difficult tafk to deceive. My uncle remon-
flrated againft the union. He took infinite
pains to unveil my error, and to convince
me that wedlock was improper for one de-
ftitute as I was of the means of iupport,
even if the object of my choice were per-
fonally unexceptionable.
" His reprefentations were liftened to
with anger. That he thwarted my will in
this refpect, even by affectionate expoftula-
tion, cancelled all that debt of gratitude
which I owed to him. I rewarded him for
all his kindnefs by invective and difdain,
and haftened to complete my ill-omened
marriage. I had deceived the woman's
father by afTertions of pofieffing fecret re-
fources. To gratify my paffion, I defcended
to diffimulation and falfehood. He admitted
me into his family as the hufband of his
child j but the character of my wife, and
i 3 the
174 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the fallacy of my affertions were quickly
difcovered. He denied me accommodation
under his roof, and I was turned forth to
the world, to endure the penalty of my ram-
nefs and my indolence*
ct Temptation would have moulded me
into any villanous fhape. My virtuous
theories and comprehenfive erudition would
not have faved me from the bafeft of crimes.
Luckily for me, I was, for the prefent, ex-
empted from temptation. I had formed an
acquaintance with a young American Cap-
tain. On being partially informed of my
fituation, he invited me to embark with him
for his own country. My pafiage was gra-
tuitous, i arrived in a fhort time at
Charlefton, which was the place of his,
abode.
" He introduced me to his family, every
member of which was, like himfelf, imbued
with affeclion and benevolence. I was
treated like their Ion and brother. I was
hofpitably entertained until I mould be able
to felect fome path of lucrative induftry.
Such
ARTHUR MERVYW. 17$
Such was my incurable depravity, that I
made no hafte to felect my purfuit. An
interval of inoccupation fucceeded, which.
I applied to the word purpofes.
" My friend had a filter who was married;
but, during the abfence of her hufband,
rcfided with her family. Hence originated
our acquaintance. The pureft of human
hearts, and the mod vigorous underftanding
were her's. She idolized her hufband, who
well deferved to be the object of her adora-
tion, Her affection for him, and her general
principles, appeared to s be confirmed beyond
the power to be maken. I fought her in-
tercourfe without illicit views ; I delighted
in the effufions of her candour, and the
flafhes of her intelligence j I conformed, by
a kind of inftinctive hypocrify, to her views;
I fpoke and felt from the influence of imme-
diate and momentary conviftion. She ima-
gined fhe had found in me a friend worthy
to partake in all her fympathies, and forward
all her \vifhes. We were mutually deceived.
She was the victim of fclf-delufion ; but I
i 4 mult
176 ARTHUR MERVYW.
muft charge myfelf with pra&ifing deceit
both upon myfelf and her.
te I reflect with aftonimment and horror
on the fteps which led to her degradation
and to my calamity. In the high career of
paffion all confequences were overlooked.
She was the dupe of the moft audacious
fophiftry, and the grofleft delufion. I was
the flave of fenfual impulfes and voluntary
blindnefs. The erTVct may be eafily con-
ceived. Not till fymptoms of pregnancy
began to appear, were our eyes opened to
the ruin which impended over us.
" Then J began to revolve the confe-
quences which the mift of paffion had hitherto
concealed. I was tormented by the pangs
of remorfe, and purfucd by the phantom of
ingratitude. To complete my defpair, this
unfortunate lady was apprized of my mar-
riage with another woman a circumftance
which I had anxioufly concealed from her.
She fled from her father's houfe at a time
when her hufband and brother were hourly
expected. What became of her I know not.
She
ARTHUR MERVYN. 177
She left behind her a letter to her father, in
which the melancholy truth was told.
" Shame and remorfe had no power over
my life. To elude the ftorm of invective
and upbraiding, to quiet the uproar of my
mind, I did not betake myfelf to voluntary
death. My pufillanimity (till clung to this
wretched exiftence. I abruptly retired from
the fcehe, and, repairing to the port, em-
barked in the firft veffel which appeared.
The fhip chanced to belong to Wilmington,
in Delaware j and here I fought ouc an
obfcure and cheap abode.
" I poflfefled no means of fubfiftence. I
was unknown to my neighbours, and defired
to remain unknown. I was unqualified for
manual labour by all the habits of my life j
but there was no choice between penury and
diligence between honeft labour and cri-
minal inactivity. I mufed inceflantly on the
forlornnefs of my condition. Hour after hour
patted, and the horrors of want began to
encompafs me. i foughr with eagernefs for
an avenue by which I mignt efcape from it.
15 The
178 ARTHUR MERVYN.
The perverfenefs of my nature led me on
from one guilty thought to another. I took,
refuge in my cuftomary fophiftries, and re-
conciled myfelf at length to a fcheme of
forgery I
CHAP. X.
t
*
THE TALE CONTINUED*
< JnLAVINGr ascertained my purpofe, it was
requifite to fearch out the means by which
I might effect it. Thefe were not clearly or
readily fuggefled. The more I contem-
plated my project, the more numerous and
arduous its difficulties appeared. I had no
aflfociates in my undertaking. A due regard
to my fafety, and the unextinguifhed fenfe
of
ARTHUR MERVYN. 179
fhonour deterred me from feeking auxiliaries
and co-agents. The efteem of mankind was
the fpririg of all my activity, the parent of
all my virtue and all my vice. To preierve
this, it was necefTary that my guilty projects
fhould have neither witnefs nor partaker.
" I quickly difcovered that to execute this-
fcheme demanded time, application, and
money ; none of which my prefent (ituation
would permit me to devote to it. At firft it
appeared that an attainable degree of fkill and
eircumfpection would enable me to arrive,,
by means of counterfeit bills, to the pinnacle
of affluence and honour. My error was
detected by a cloier fcrutiny j and I finally
faw nothing in this path but enormous perils,
and infurmountable impediments.
" Yet what alternative was offered me ? To
maintain myfelf by the labour of my hands,,
to perform any toilfbme or prefcribed tafk*
was incompatible with my nature. My
habits debarred me from country occupations.
My pride regarded as vile and ignominious
i 6 drudgery,
l8o ARTHUR MERVYN.
drudgery, any employment which the town
could afford. Meanwhile, my wants were
as urgent as ever, and my funds were ex-
haufted.
" There are few, perhaps, whofe external
iituation refembled mine, who would have
found in it any thing but incitements to in-
duftry and invention. A thoufand methods
of fubfiftence, honeft, but laborious, were
at my command ; but to thefe I entertained
an irreconcileable averfion. Eafe, and the
refpedt attendant upon opulence, I was
willing to purchafe at the price of ever-
wakeful fufpicion and eternal remorfe 3 but*
even at this price, the purchafe was im-
poflible.
" The defperatenefs of my condition became
hourly more apparent. The further I ex-
tended my view, the darker grew the clouds
which hung over futurity. Anguifli and
infamy appeared to be the infeparable con-
ditions of my exigence. There was one
mode of evading the evils that impended.
To
ARTHUR MEKVYff.
To free myfelf from felf- upbraiding, and to
fhun the perfections of my fortune, was
poffible only by (baking off life icfelf.
<c One evening, as I traverfed the ~bank of
the creek, thefe difmal meditations were un-
commonly intenfe. They at length terminated
in a refoiution to throw myfelf into the
ftream. The firft impulfe was to rufa in-
ftantly to my death ; but the remembrance
of papers lying at my lodgings, which might
unfold more than I defired to the curiofity
of furvivors, induced me to poftpone this
cataftrophe till the next morning.
" My purpofe being formed, I found my
heart lightened of its ufual weight. By you
it will be thought ftrange, but it is never-
thelefs true, that I derived from this new
profpeft not only tranquillity, but cheerful-
nefs. I haflened home. As foon as I
entered, my landlord informed me that a
perfon had been fearching for me in my
abfcnce. This was an unexampled incident,
and foreboded me no good. I was ftrongly
perfuaded that my vifitant had been led
hither
I $2 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
hither not by friendly, but hoftile purpoles,-
This perfuafion was confirmed by the de-
fcriptionof the ft ranger's guife and demeanour
given by my landlord. My fears inftandy
recoenifed the image of Watibn the mani
*-> J
by whom I had been fo eminently benefited,
and whofe kindnefs I had compenfated by
the ruin of his filler, and the confufion of
his family.
" An interview with this man was lefs-
to be endured, than to look upon the face
of an avenging Deity. I was determined to-
avoid this interview, and for this end to-
execute my fatal purpofe within the hour.
My papers were collected with a tremulous
hand, and configned to the flames. I then,
bade my landlord inform all vifitants that I
fhould not return till the next day, and once
more flattened towards the river.
" My way led pad the inn where one of
the ftages from Baltimore was accuftomed to
ftop. 1 was not unaware that Watfon had
poflibly been brought in the coach which
had recently arrived, and which now flood
before
ARTHUR KERVYN.. r8j
before the door of the inn. The danger of
my being defcried or encountered by him
as I patted, did not fail to occur. This was
to be eluded by deviating from the main
ftreet.
" Scarcely had I turned a corner for this
purpofe, when I was accoffed by a young
man, whom I knew to be an inhabitant of
the town, but with whom I had hitherto
had no intercourfe but what confided in* a
tranfient falutation. He apologized for the
liberty of addrefling me, .and at the fame
time enquired if I underftood the French
language.
Cf
Being anfwered in the affirmative, he
proceeded to tell me that in the ftage juftr
arrived, had come a paflenger a youth who
appeared to be French, who was wholly
unacquainted with our language, and who
had been feized with a violent difeafe.
" My informant had felt' companion for
the forlorn condition of the ftranger, and
had juft been feeking me at my lodgings^
in hopes that my knowledge of French
would
14 ARTHUR MERVYN.
would enable me to converfe with the fick
man, and obtain from him a knowledge of
his fituation and views,
" The apprehenfions I had precipitately
formed were thus removed, and I readily
confented to perform this fervice. The
youth was indeed in a deplorable con-
dition. Befides the pains of hisdifeafe, he
was overpowed by dejection. The innkeeper
\vas extremely anxious for the removal of his
gueft j he was by no means wi.ling to fuftain
the trouble and expence of a fick or a dying
man, for which it was fcarcely probable
that he mould ever be reimburfed. The
traveller had no baggage, and his drefs.
betokened the prefTure of many wants.
<f My companion tor this flranger was pow-
erfully a.\akened. I was in pofTelTun of a
fuitable apartment, for which 1 had no power
to pay the rent that was accruing ; but my
inability in this refpect was unknown, and I
mightenjoy my lodgings unmolefted for fome
weeks. The fate of this youth would be
fpeedily decided, and I" mould be left at"
liberty
ARTttUR MERVYN. I5
liberty to execute my firft intentions before
my embarraffments mould be vifibly in-
creafed.
" After a moment's paufe, T coridy&ed the
ftranger to my home, placed him in mj^wn
bed, and became his nurfe. His malady
was fuch as is known in the tropical iflands
by the name of the yellow or malignant
fever ; and the phyfician who was called,
fpeedily pronounced his cafe defperate.
tc It was my duty to warn him of the death
that was haftening, and to promife the ful-
filment of any of his wimes, not inconfiftent
with my prefent fituation, He received my
intelligence with fortitude, and appeared
anxious to communicate fome information
refpecling his o;vn date. His pangs and
his weaknefs fcarcely allowed him to be intel-
ligible. From his feeble efforts and broken
narrative I collected thus much concerning
his family and fortune.
" His father's name was Vincentio Lcdi.
From a merchant at Leghorn, he had
changed hiinfelf into a planter in the ifland
-of
ARTHUR MERVYtf..
of Guadaloupe. His fon had been fent, at an
early age, for the benefits of education, to
Europe. The young Vincentio was at length
informed by his father that, being weary of
his prefent mode of exiftence, he had deter-
mined to fell his property, and tranfport
himfelf to the United States. The fon was
directed tohaftenhome, that he might embark,
with his father on this voyage.
The fummons was cheerfully obeyed..
The youth, on his arrival at the ifland,,
found preparation making for the funeral of
his father. It appeared that the elder Lodi
had flattered one of his flaves with the profpeft
of his freedom, but had, neverthelefs, in-
cluded this flave in the fale that he had made
of his eftate. Actuated by revenge, the
flave aflkffinated Lodi in the open ftreet, and
refigned himfelf, without a ftruggle, to the
punilhment which the law had provided for
fuch a deed.
" The property had been recently transfer-
red, and the price was now prelented to young
Vincentio by the purchafer. He was by no
means
ARTHUR MERVYN- I 87
means inclined to adopt his father's project,
and was impatient to return with his inhe-
ritance to France. Before this could be done,
the conduct of his father had rendered a voyage
to the Continent indifpenfable.
" Lodi had a daughter, whom, a few weeks
previous to his death, he had entrufted to>
an American Captain, for whom he had con-
tracted a friendfhip. The veffel was bound
to Philadelphia j but the conduct me was to
purfue, and the abode me was to felect on
her arrival, were known only to the father,
whofe untimely death involved the fon in
confiderable uncertainty with regard to his
filter's fate. His anxiety on this account
induced him to feize the firft conveyance that
offered. In a fhort time he landed at Bal-
timore.
f As foon as he recovered from the fatigues
of his voyage, he prepared to go to Phila-
delphia: thither his baggage was imme-
diately fent under the protection of a paffenger
and countryman. His money confided of
Portuguefe gold, which, in purfuance of
advice*
lS8 ARTHUR MERVYJT.
advice, he had changed into bank-note$r
He befought me, in pathetic terms, to fearch
out his fitter, whofe youth, poverty, and
ignorance of the language and manners of
the country might expofe her to innumerable
hardships. At the fame time he put a
pocket-book and a'fmall volume into my hand,
indicating, by his countenance and geftures,
his defue that I would deliver them to his
fitter.
" His obfequies being decently performed,
I had kifure to reflect upon the change in my
condition which this incident had produced*
In the pocket-book were found bills to the
amount of twenty thoufand dollars. The
volume proved to be a manufcript, written
by the elder Lodi in Italian, and contained
memoirs of the Ducal houfe of Vifconti, from
whom the writer believed himfelf to have
lineally defcended.
" Thus had I arrived, by an avenue fo
much beyond my forefight, at the polfcffion
of wealth. The evil which impelled me to
the brink of fuicide, and which was the
fource,
ARTHUR MERVYN. 189
fource, though not of all, yec of the larger
portion of my anguifh, was now removed.
What claims to honour or to cafe were con-
f-quent on riches, were, by an extraordinary
fortune, now conferred upon me.
" Such for a time were my new-born, but
tranfitory raptures. I forgot that this money
was not min? that it had been received
under every fanclion of fidelity for another's
ufe. To retain it was equivalent to robbery.
The fitter of the deceafed was the rightful
claimant: it was my duty to fcarch^her
out, and perform my tacit, but facred obli-
gations, by putting the whole into her pof-
femon.
<f This conclufion was too adverfe to my
wifhes not to be ftrenuoufly comtaceif. I
alked what it was that gave man the power
of ascertaining the fucceflor to his property ?
During his life, he might transfer the adual
pofleflion, but if vacant at his death, he,
into whofe hands accident mould cad it, was
the genuine proprietor. It is true that the
law had fometimes othexwife decreed ; but in
law
ARTHt'R MERVVN-.
there was no validity, further than it
was able, by investigation and punifhment, to
enforce its decrees. But would the law extort
this money from me ?
" It was rather by gefture than by words
that the will of Lodi was imparted. It was
the topic of remote inferences and vague
conjecture, rather than of explicit and un-
erring declarations. Befides, if the lady were
found, would not prudence dictate the refer-
vation of her fortune to be adminiftered by
me for her benefit ? Of this her age and
education had difqualified herfelf. It was
fufficient for the maintenance of both. She
would regard me as her benefactor and
protector. By fupplying all her wants, and
watching over her fafety, without apprizing
her of the means by which I mall be enabled
to do this, I mall lay irrefiftible claims to
her love and her gratitude.
" Such were the Ibphiftries by which reafon
was feduced, and my integrity annihilated.
I haftened away from my prefent abode. I
cafily traced the baggage of the deceafed to
6 an
ARTHUR MERVYN.
: an inn, and gained pofieftion of it. It con-
tained nothing but clothes and books. I
then inftituted the moil diligent fcarch after
the young lady. For a time my exertions
were fruitlefs.
" Meanwhile, the poffeffor of this houfe
thought proper to embark with his family for
Europe. The fum which he demanded for
his furniture, though enormous, was preci-
pitately paid by me. His fervants were
continued in their former ftations ; and on
the day he relinquifhed the manfion, I en-
tered on poflcffion.
<( There was no difficulty in perfuading the
world that Welbeck was a perfonage of opu-
lence and rank. My birth and previous
adventures it was proper to conceal. The
facility with which mankind are mifled in
their eftimate of characters, their pronenefs
to multiply inferences and conjectures will
not be readily conceived by one dellitute of
my experience. My fiukden appearance on
the ftage, my {lately referve, my fplendid
habitation^ and my circumfpeft deportment,
were
ARTHUR MERVYIT.
were fufficient to entitle me to homage.
I 1 he artifices that were ufed to unveil the
truth, and the guefies that were current
refpecling rne, were adapted to gratify my
ruling paflion.
" I did not remit my diligence to difcover
the retreat of Mademoifelle Lodi. I found
her at length in the family of a kinfman of
the Captain, under whofe care me had come
to America. Her fituation was irkfome and
perilous. She had already experienced the
tvils of being deftitute and indigent, and
my feafonable interference fnatched her from
impending and lefs fupportable ills.
" I could fafely unfold all that I knew of
her brother's hiftory, except the legacy which
he had left. I afcribed the diligence with
which I had fought her, to his death-bed in-
junctions, and prevailed upon her to accept
from me the treatment which me would have
received from her brother if he had continued
to live, and if his power to benefit her had
been equal to my own.
" Though kfs can be faid in praife of the
underilanding
ARTHUR MERVYN. 193
Underftanding than of the fenfibilities of
this woman, me is one whom no one could
refrain from loving, though placed in fitu-
ations far lefs favourable to the generation of
that fentirhent than mine. In habits of do-
meftic and inceflant intercourfe, in the
perpetual contemplation of features animated
by boundlefs gratitude and ineffable fym-
pathies, it could not be expected that either
me or I mould efcape enchantment.
" The poifon was too fweet not to be
fwallowed with avidity by me. Too late I
remembered that I was already enflaved by
inextricable obligations. It was eafy to have
hidden this impediment from the eyes of my
companion, but here my integrity refufed
to yield. I can, indeed, lay claim to little
merit on account of this forbearance. If
there had been no alternative between deceit
and the fruftration of my hopes, I mould
doubtlefs have diflembled the truth with as
little fcruple on this as on a different occa-
fion ; but 1 could not be blind to the weaknefs
of her with whom I had to contend.
I. K CHAP.
194 ARTHUR MERVYW.
CHAP. XL
THE CATASTROPHE.
-EANWHILE large deductions had
been made from my ftock of money, and
the remnant would be fpeedily confumed by
my prefent mode of life. My expences far
exceeded my previous expectations. In no
long time I mould be reduced to my ancient
poverty, which the luxurious exigence that I
now enjoyed, and the regard due to my be-
loved and helplefs companion, would render
more iikfome than ever. Some fcheme to
refcue me from this fate, was indifpenfable $
but my averfion to labour to any purfuit,
the
ARTHUR MERVYN.
the end of which was merely gain, and which
would require application and attention, con-
tinued undimin.imed.
" I was plunged anew into dejection and
perplexity. From this I was fomewhat re-
lieved by a plan fuggefted by Mr. Thetford.
I thought I had experience of his knowledge
and integrity, and the fcheme that he pro-
pofed fcemed liable to no pollibility of mif-
carriage. A fhip was to be purchafed, Rip-
plied with a fuitable cargo, and difpatched to
a port in the Weft Indies. Lofs from ftorms
and enemies was to be precluded by in-
furance. Every hazard was to be enume-
rated, and the (hip and cargo valued at the
Higheft rate. Should the voyage be fafely
performed, the profits would be double the
original ex pence. Should the fhip be taken
or wrecked, the infurers would have bound
themfelves to make ample, fpeedy, and cer-
tain indemnification. Thetford's brother, a
wary and experienced trader, was to be the
fupercargo.
K a "All
196 ARTHUR MERVYN.
All my money was laid out upon this
fch< me i fcarcely enough was referved to
fupply domeftic 2nd perfonal wants. Large
debts were like wife incurred. Our caution
had, as we conceived, annihilated every
chance of failure. Too much could not be
expended on a project fo infallible ; and the
veflel, amply fitted and freighted, departed
on her voyage.
" An interval, not devoid of fufpenfe and
anxiety, fucceedcd. My mercantile inex-
perience made me diftruft the clearnefs of
my own difcernment -, and I could not but
remember that my utter and irretrievable
deftruction was connected with the failure of
my fcheme. Time added to my diftruft and
apprehenfions. The time, at which tidings
of the (hip were to be expected, elapfed
without affording any information of her del-
tiny. My anxieties, however, were to be
carefully hidden from the world. .1 had
taught mankind to believe, that this pro-
ject had been adopted more for amufement
than gain , and the debts which I had con-
tracted,
ARTHUR MERVYN.
trafted, feemed to arife from willingnefs to
adhere to eftablifhed maxims, more than from
the preflure of necefiity.
" Month fucceeded month, and intelligence
was (till withheld. The notes which I had
given for one-third of the cargo, and for the
premium of infurance, would fhortly become
due. For the payment of the former, and
the cancelling of the latter, I had relied
upon the expeditious return, or the demon-
ftrated lots of the vefTd. Neither of thefe
events had taken place.
" My cares were augmented from another
quarter. My companion's fituation now ap-
peared to be fuch as, if our intercourfe had
been fanctified by wedlock, would have been
rf gardcd with delight. As it was,, no fymp-
toms were equally to be deplored. - Confe-
quences, as long as they were involved in
uncertainty, were extenuated or overlooked ;
but now, when they became apparent and
inevitable, were fertile of diftrels and up-
braiding.
K 3 " Indefinable
198 ARTHUR MERVYN.
" Indefinable fears, and a defire to mono-
polize all the meditations and affections of
this being, had induced me to perpetuate her
ignorance of any but her native language, and
debar her from all intercourfe with the world.
My friends were of courie inquifitive refpect-
ing her character, adventures, and particu-
larly her relation to me. The confcioufnefo
how much the truth redounded to my dif-
honour, made me falicitous to lead conjec-
ture aftray ; for this purpofe I did not dif-
counrenance the conclufion that was adopted
by forne that me was my daughter. I re-
flected that all dangerous furmifes would be
effectually precluded by this belief.
" Thefc precautions afforded me fome con-
folation in my prefent difficulties. It was
requilite to conceal the lady's condition from
the world. If this mould be ineffectual, it
would not be difficult to divert fufpicion from
my perfon. The fecrecy that I had prac-
tifed would be juftified, in the apprehenfion
of thole to whom the perfonal condition of
Clemenza
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
Clemenza fliould be difclofed, by the feelings
of a father.
* c Meanwhile, it wasan obvious expedient to
remove the unhappy lady to a diftance from
impertinent obfervers. A rural retreat,
lonely and fequeftered, was eafily procured,
and hither fhe confented to repair. This
arrangement being 'concerted, I had leifure
to refle<5t upon the evils which every hour
brought nearer, and which threatened to ex-
terminate me.
" My inquietudes forbade me to deep; and
I was accuftomed to rife before day, and feek
fome refpite in the fields. Returning from
one of thefe unfeafonable rambles, I chanced
to meet you. Your refemblance to the de-
ceafed Lodi, in perfon and vifege, is re-
juarkable. When you firft met my eye, this
fimilitude ftartied me. Your fubfequent ap-
peal to my companion was clothed in fuch
terms, as formed a powerful contraft with
your drefs, and prepofiefTed me greatly in
favour of your education and capacity.
K 4 " In
2OO ARTHUR MERVYtf.
" In my prefent hopelefs condition, every
incident, however trivial, was attentively con-
fidered, with a view to extract from it fome
means of efcaping from my difficulties. My
love for the Italian girl, in fpitc of ail my
efforts to keep it alive, had begun to lan-
guifh. Marriage was impoffible, and had
now, in fome degree, ceafed to be defirable.
We are apt to judge of others by ourfelves.
The paffion I now found myfelf difpofed to
afcribe chiefly to fortuitous circumftances
to the impulfe of gratitude, and the exclufion
of competitors ; and believed that your re-
femblance to her brother, your age, and per-
fonal accompli fhents might, after a certain
time, and in confluence of fuitable contri-
vances on my part, give a new direction to
her feelings. To gain your concurrence, I
relied upon your fnnplicity, your gratitude,
and your fufceptibiiity to the charms of this
bewitching creature.
" I contemplated, likewife, another end.
Mrs. Wentworth is rich. A youth, who was
once her favourite, and defigned to inherit
her
ARTHUR MERVYNV 2OI
her fortunes, has difappeared for fome years-
from the fcene. His death is moil probable,
but of that there is no fatisfa<5tory informa-
tion. The life of this perfon, whofe name
is Clavering, is an obftacle to fome defigns
which had occurred to me in relation to this,
woman. My pufpofes were crude and
Scarcely formed. I need not fwell the cata-
logue of my errors by expatiating upon them..
Suffice it to fay, that the peculiar circum-
ftances of your introduction to me, led me,
to reflections on the ufe that might be made
of your agency, in procuring this lady's ac-
quiefccnce in my fchemes. You were to be
ultimately perfuadcd to confirm in her the-
belief that her nephew was dead. To this-
confummadon it was indifpenfable to lead you
by flow degrees, and circuitous paths. Mean-
while, a profound filence, with regard to
your genuine hiftory, : was to be obferved j
and to this forbearance your confcnt was ob-
tained with more readinefs than I expeiled.
" There was an additional motive for the
treatment you received from me. My
K 5 perfonal
2O2 ARTHUR MERVYW.
perfonal projects and cares had hitherto pre-
vented me from reading Lodi's manufcript j
a flight infpedion, however, was fufficient
to prove that the work was profound and
eloquent. My ambition has panted, with
equal avidity, after the reputation of literature
and opulence. To claim the authorfhip of
t;his work, was too harmlefs and fpecious a
ftratagem not to be readily fuggefted.-*.. I
meant to tranflate it into Englifh, and to en-
large it by enterprifing incidents of my own
invention. My fcruples to affume the merit
of the original compofer might thus be re-
moved. For this end your affiftance, as an
amanuenfis, would be neceffary.
" You will perceive that all thefe projects
depended on the feafonable arrival of intelli-
gence from . The delay of another
week would feal my deftruclion. The filence
might arife from the foundering of the (hip,
and the deftruclion of all on board. In this
cafe the infurance was not forfeited, but pay-
ment could not be obtained within a year.
Meanwhile, the premium and other debts
3 muft
ARTHUR KTERVYN. 203
muft be immediately difcharged, and this was
beyond my power. In the interim I was to
live in a manner that would not belie my pre-
tenfions ; but my coffers were empty.
" I cannot adequately paint the anxieties
with which I have been haunted. Each
hour has added to the burthen of my exift-
ence, till, in confequence of the events of
this day, it has become altogether infupport-
able. Some hours ago I was fummoned by
Thetford to his houfe. The meffcnger in-
formed me that tidings had been received of
my (hip. In anfwer to my eager interroga-
tions, he could give na other information than
that me had been captured by the Britim-
He was unable to relate particulars*
" Newsofherfafe return would indeed have
been far more acceptable ; but even this in-
formation was a fource of infinite cons;ratu-
*j
lation. It precluded the demand of my in-
furers. The payment of other debts might
be poftponed for a month,, and my fituation,
be the fame as before the adoption of this
fuccefslefs fcheme* Hope and joy were
Jt 6 reinftated
2O4 ARTHUR MERVYN.
reinftated in my bofom, 'and I haftened to
Thetford's counting- houfe.
" He received me with an air of gloomy
difiatisfaction. I accounted for his fadnefs
by fuppofing him averfe to communicate in-
formation, which was lefs favourable than our
wimes had dictated : he confirmed, with
vifible reluctance, the news of her capture.
He had juft received letters from his brother,
acquainting him with all particulars, and
containing the official documents of this
tran fact ion.
" This had no tendency to damp my fatis-
faction, and 1 proceeded to perufe with eager-
nefs the papers which he put into my hand.
I had not proceeded far when my joyous
hopes vanished. Two French mulattoes had,
after much felicitation, and the molt folemn
promiics to carry with them no articles which
the laws of war decree to be contraband, ob-
tained a paflage in the veffcl. She was -
fpeedily encountered by a privateer, by whom
every receptacle was raniacked. Jn a cheir,
belonging to the Frenchmen, and which they
had
ARTHUR MERVVN.
had affirmed to contain nothing but their
clothes, were found two fabres, and other
accoutrements of an officer of cavalry.
Under this pretence the veflel was captured
and condemned, and this was a caufe of for-
feiture, which had not been provided againft
in the contract of infurance.
" By this untoward event my hopes were
irreparably blafted. The utmoft efforts were
demanded ta conceal my thoughts from my
companion. The anguifh that preyed upon
my heart was endeavoured to be mafked by
looks of indifference. T pretended to have
been previoufly informed by the meffenger,
not only of the capture, but of the caufe that
led to it, and forbore to expatiate upon my
Jofs, or to execrate the authors of my difap-
pointment. My mind, however, was the
theatre of difcord and agony, and I waited
with impatience for an opportunity to leave
him.
" For want of other topics, I aiked by whom
this information had been brought. He an-
fwered, that the bearer was Captain Amos
Watlbn,
206 ARTHUR MERVYN.
Watfon, whole vefiel had been forfeited, at
the fame time, under a different pretence-
He added, that my name being mentioned
accidentally to Watfon, the latter had betray-
ed marks of great furprife, and been very
earned in his enquiries refpe6ting my fitua-
tion. Having obtained what knowledge
Thetford was able to communicate, the Cap-
tain had departed, avowing a former acquaint-
ance with me, and declaring his intention of
paying me a vifit,
t( Thefe words operated on my frame like
lightning. All within me was tumult and
terror, and I rufhed precipitately out ofnhe
houfe. I went forward with unequal fteps,
and at random. Some inftrndt led me into
the fields^ and I was not apprized of the di-
rection of my fteps, till looking up, I found
myfelf upon the more of Schuylkill.
" Thus was I, a fecond time, overborne by
hopelefs and incurable evils. An interval of
motley feelings, of fpecious artifice, and con-
temptible impoflure had elapfed fince my
meeting with the ftranger at Wilmington.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 2OJ
Then my forlorn ftate had led me to the
brink of fuicide. A brief and feverifh refpite
had been afforded me ; but now was I tranf-
ported to the verge of the fame abyfs.
"AmosWatfon was the brother of the angel
whom I had degraded and dcilroyed. What
but fiery indignation and unappeafable ven-
geance could lead him into my prefence ?
With what heart could I liften to his in-
vectives ? How could I endure to look upon
the face of one, whom I had loaded with fuch
atrocious and intolerable injuries ?
" I was acquainted with his loftinefs of
mind, his deteftation of injuftice, and the
whirlwind pafllons that ingratitude and vil-
lany like mine were qualified to awaken in
his bofom. I dreaded not his violence. The
death that he might be prompted to inflict,
was no object of averfion. It was poverty
and difgrace the detection of my crimes
the looks and voice of malediction and up-
braiding, from which my cowardice fhrunk.
" Why mould I live ? I mud vanifh from
that flage which I had lately trodden. My
flight
2OS ARTHUR. MERVYlf.
flight muft be inftant and precipitate. To be 1
a fugitive from exafperated creditors, and
from the induftrious revenge of Watfon, was
an eafy undertaking ; but whither could I fly,
where I mould not be purfucd by the phan-
toms of remorfr, by the dread of hourly de-
tection, by the neceffities of hunger and
thirft ? In what fcenc fhould I be exempt;
from fervitude and drudgery ? Was my
cxiftence embellifhed with enjoyments that
would juftify my holding it, encumbered with
hardfhips, and immerfed in obfcurity ?
" There was no room for hefitation. To
rum into the ftream before me, and to put an
end at once to my life and the miferies infe-
parably linked with it, was the only proceed-
ing which fate had left to my choice. My
mufcles were already exerted for this end,
when the helplcfs condition of Clemenza was
remembered. What provilion could I make
againft the evils that threatened her? Should
I leave her utterly forlorn and friendlefs?
Mrs. Wentworth's temper was forgiving and
coinpaffionutc. Adverfity had taught her to
participate.
ARTHUR MERVVN. 209
participate, and her wealth enabled her to
relieve diftrefs. Who was there by whom
fuch powerful claims to fuccour and protec-
tion could be urged as by this dcfolate girl ?
Might I not (late her fituation in a letter to
this lady, and urge irrefiftible pleas for the
cxtenfion of her kindnefs to this object ?
" Thcfe thoughts made me fufpend my Heps.
I determined to feek my habitation once
more, and having written and depofued this
letter, to return to the execution of my fatal
purpofe. I had ( caret: ly reached my own
door, when fome one approacned along the
pavement. The form at firft was undiftin-
guifhable; but by coming at length within the
illumination of A lamp, it wag perfectly re-
cognifed.
" To avoid this detefted interview was now
impofiTible. Watfon approached and accoft-
ed me. In this conflict of tumultuous feel-
ings I was ftil) able to maintain an air of in-
trepidity. His demeanour was that of a
man who ftruggles with his rage : his accents
were hurried, and fcarcely articulate.
C .I have
2IO ARTHUR MERVYN.
f I have ten words to fay to you,' faid
he j c lead into the houfe, and to fome pri-
vate room. My bufmefs with you will be
difpatchcd in a breath.*
" I made him no anfwer j but led the way
into my houfe, and to my ftudy. On enter-
ing this room, I put the light upon thetable^
and turning to my vifitant, prepared filently
to hear what he had to unfold. He ftruclc
his clenched hand againft the table with vio-
lence. His motion was of that tempeftuous
kind as to overwhelm the power of utter-
ance, and found it eafier to vent itfelf in gcf-
ticulations than in words. At length, he
exclaimed
* It is well. Now has the hour y fo long
and fo impatiently demanded by my venge-
ance, arrived. Welbeck ! would that my
firft words could ftrike thee dead ! They
will fo, if thou haft any title to the name of
man.
' My filler is dead 1 dead of anguifh and
a broken heart ! Remote from her friends
in a hovel the abode of indigence and mifery t
'Her
ARTHUR MERVYN. 211
Her hufband is no more. He returned
after long abfence, a tedious navigation, and
vicifiitudes of hardfhips. He flew to the
bofom of his love of his wife. She was
gone; loft to him, and to virtue ! In a fit
of defpcration, he retired to his chamber,
and difpatched himfelf ! This is the inftru-
ment with which the deed was performed.'
" Saying this, Watfon took a piftcl from his
pocket, and held it to my head. I lifted not
my hand to turn afide the weapon. I did
not fhudder at the fpectacle, or (brink, from
his approaching hand. With fingers clafped
together, and eyes fixed upon the floor, I
waited till his fury was exhaufted. He con-
tinued
' All pa(Ted in a few hours. The elope-
ment of his daughter the death of his fon I
Oh my father ! moft loved and moil vene-
rable of men ! to fee thee changed into a
maniac ! haggard and wild ! deterred from
outrage on thyfelf and thofe around thee by
fetters and ftripes what was it that laved
me from a like fate ? To view this hideous
ruin.
212 ARTHUR MERVYN.
ruin, and to ihink by whom it was occafiorr-
ed ! yet not to become frantic like thee, my
father; or not deftroy myfelf like thee, my
brother ! my friend !
c No ; for this hour was I referved to
avenge your wrongs and mine in the blood of
this ungrateful villain !
c There,' continued he, producing a fe-
cond piftol, and tendering it to me, ' there
is thy defence. Take we oppofite fides of
this table, and fire at the fame inftant.'
e{ During this addrefs I was motionlefs.
He tendered the piftol, but ! unclafped not
my hands to receive it.
* Why do you hefirate ?' refumed he.
* Let the chance between us be equal ; or
fire you firft.'
c No,' faid I, < I am ready to die by
your hand. 1 wifh it. It will preclude the
neceffity of performing the office for myfelf.
I have injured you, and merit all that your
vengeance can inflict. I know your nature
too well, to believe that my death will be
perfect expiation. When the guft of indig-
nation
ARTHUR MERVYN.
nation is pad, the remembrance of your deed
will only add to your fum of mifery ; yet I
do not love you well enough to wifh that
you would forbear. I defire to die and to
die by another's hand rather than my own.'/
M$;* Coward!' exclaimed Watfon, with
augmented vehemence. f You know me
too well to believe me capable of afiafiina-
tion ! Vile fubterfuge ! Contemptible plea !
Take the piftol, and defend yourfelf ! You
want not the power or the will ; but, know-
ing that I fpurn at murder, you think your
fafety will be found in paffivenefs. Your re-
fufal will avail you little. Your fame, if not
your life, is at my mercy. If you falter now,
I will allow you to live, but only till I have
ftabbed your reputation.'
*' I now fixed my eyes fledfaftly upon him,
and fpoke * How much a ftranger are you
to the feelings of Welbeck ! How poor a
judge of his cowardice ! I take your piftol,
and confent to your conditions.'
" We took oppofite fides of the table.
' Are you ready ?' he cried , ' fire !'
" Both
214- ARTHUR MERVYN.
" Both triggers were drawn at the fame ifi-
ftant. Both piftols were difcharged. Mine
was negligently raifed. Such is the untoward
chance that prefides over human affairs
fuch is the malignant deftiny by which my
fteps have ever been purfued the bullet
whittled harmleffly by me. Levelled by an
eye that never before failed, and with fo fmall
an interval between us, I efcaped ; but my
blind and random mot took place in his
heart.
c< There is the fruit of this difaftrous meet-
ing. The catalogue or death is thus com-
pleted. Thou flcepeft, Watfon ! Thy fitter
is at reft, and fo art thou ! Thy vows of
vengeance are at an end. It was not referved
for thee to be thy own and thy fitter's avenger.
Wei beck's meafure of tranfgreffions is now
full, and his own hand muft execute the juf*
tice that is due to him !"
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 215
CHAP. XII
OUCH was Welbeck's tale, liftened tb by
me with an eagerrtefs in which every faculty-
was abforbed. How adverfe to my dreams
were the incidents that had juft been related !
The curtain was lifted, and a fcene of guilt
and ignominy difclofed where my rafli and in-
experienced youth had fufpected nothing but
lofdnefs and magnanimity.
For a while the wondroufnefs of this tale
kept me from contemplating the confequences
that awaited us. My unfledged fancy had
not
Il6 ARTHUR MERVYN.
not hitherto foared to this pitch. All was
aftounding by its novelty, or terrific by its
horror. The very fcene of thefe offences
partook, to my ruftic apprehenfion, of fairy
fplendour and magical abruptnefs. My un-
derftanding was bemazed, and my fenfes were
taught to diftruft their own teftimony.
From this mufing ftate I was recalled by
my companion, who faid to me, in folemn
accents " Mervyn ! 1 have but two requefts
to make. Affift me to bury thefe remains,
and then accompany me acrofs the river. I
have no power to compel your filence on the
ac~bs that you have witnefied. I have medi-
tated to benefit, as well as to injure you j but
I do not defire that your demeanour mould
conform to any other ilandard than juftice.
You have promifed, and to that promife I
truft.
" If you chufe to fly from this fcene to
withdraw yourfelf from what you may con-
ceive to be the theatre of guilt or peril, the
avenues are open i retire unmolefted and in
filence. If you have a manlike fpirit if
you
ARTHUR MBRVYN-*
you are grateful for the benefits beftowed
upon you if your difcernment enables you
to fee that compliance with my requeft will
entangle you in no guilt, and betray you
into no danger, ftay, and aid me in hiding
thefe remains from human fcrutiny.
" Watfon is beyond the reach of farther
injury. I never intended him harm, though.
I have torn from him his fifter and friend,
and have brought his life to an untimely
clofe. To provide him a grave is a duty
that I owe to the dead and to the living. I
fliall quickly place myfelf beyond the reach
of inquifitors and judges, but would willingly
refcue from moleflation or fufpicion thofe
whom I mail leave behind."
What would have been the fruit of deli-
beration if I had had the time or power to
deliberate, I know not : my thoughts flowed
with tumult and rapidity. To fhut this fpec-
tacle from my view was the firtt impulfe ;
but to defert this man in a time of fo much
need appeared a thanklefs and daftardly de-
portment. To remain where I was, to conform
VOL. i t L implicitly
2l3 ARTHUR MERVYN.
implicitly to his direction, required no effort.
Some fear was connected with his prefence,
and with that of the dead ; but in the tre-
mulous confufion of my prefent thoughts,
folitude would conjure up a tfcoufand phan-
toms.
I made no preparation to depart : I did
not verbally afTent to his propofal. He in-
terpreted my filence into acquiefcence : he
wrapped the body in the carpet, and then
lifting one end, caft at me a look which
indicated his expectations that I would aid
him in lifting this ghaftly burthen. During
this procefs, the filence was unbroken.
I knew not whither he intended to convey
the corpfe. He had talked of burial, but no
receptacle had been provided. How far
fafety might depend upon his conduct in this
particular, 1 was unable to eflimate. I was
in too heartlefs a mood to utter my doubts.
I followed his example in raifing the corpfe
from the floor.
He led the way into the pafTage, and down
(lairs. Having reached the firft floor, he
unbolted
ARTHUR MERVYN. 219
unbolted a door which led into the cellar.
The flairs and paflage were illuminated by
lamps that hung from the ceiling, and were
accuftomed to burn during the night. Now,
however, we were entering darkfome and
murky recefies.
c< Return," faid he, in a tone of com-
mand, " and fetch the light : I will waic
for you."
I obeyed. As I returned with the light,
a fufpicion ftole into my mind that Welbeck
had taken this opportunity to fly, and that
on regaining the foot of the flairs, I mould
find the fpot deferted by all but the dead.
My blood was chilled by this image : the
momentary refolution it infpired was to follow
the example of the fugitive, and leave the
perfons, whom the enfuing day might con-
vene on this fpot, to form their own con-
jectures as to the caufe of this cataflrophe.
Meanwhile, I caft anxious eyes forward.
Welbeck was difcovered in the fame place
and poflure in which he had been left.
Lifting the corpfe and its fhroud in his arms,
L 2 he
I22O ARTHUR MERVYN.
he directed me to follow him. The vaults
"beneath were lofty and fpacious. He paired
from one to the other till we reached a fmall
and remote cell. Here he catt his burthen
on the ground. In the fall, the face of
"Watfon chanced to be difcngaged from its
covering: its clofedeyes and funken mufcles
were rendered in a tenfold degree ghaftly
and rueful by the feeble light which the
candle med upon it.
This object did not efcape the attention
of Welbeck : he leaned againfl the wall, and,
folding his arms, refigned himfelf to reverie.
He gazed upon the countenance of Wacfon,
but his looks denoted his attention to be
elfewhere employed.
As to me, my ftate will not be eafily
defcribed. My eye roved fearfully from one
object to another. By turns it was fixed
upon the murdered peribn and the murderer.
The narrow cell in which we ftood, its rujcly
fafhioned walls and arches, deftiiute of com-
munication with the external air, and its pal-
pable darknds fcarcelj penetrated by the rays
of
ARTHUR MERVYN. 22.1.
of a folitarv candle, added to the filence
which was deep and univerfal, produced an
impreffion on my fancy which no time will
obliterate.
Perhaps my imagination was diftempered
by terror. The incident which I am going
to relate, may appear to have exifted only
in my fancy. Be that as it may, I expe-
rienced all the effeJls which the fulleft belief
is adapted to produce. Glancing vaguely
at the countenance of Watfon, my attention
was arrefted by a convulfive motion in the
eyelids. This motion increafed, till at
length the^eyes opened, and a glance, lan-
guid, but wild, was thrown around. In-
flantly they clofed, andxhe tremulous appear-
ance vanifhed*
I darted from my place, and was on the
point of uttering fome involuntary excla-
mation. At the fame moment Welbeck
feemed to recover from his reverie.
tf How is this !" laid he. " Why do we
linger here ? Every moment is precious.
We cannot dig, for him a grave with our
L 3 hands..
222 ARTHUR MERVYN.
hands. Wait here while I go in fearch of
a fpade."
Saying this, he (hatched the candle from
my hand, and haftenedaway. My eye followed
the light as its gleams fhifted their place
upon the walls and ceilings, and gradually
vanilhing, gave place to unrefpited gloom.
This proceeding was fo unexpected and
abrupt, that I had no time to remonftrate
againft it. Before I retrieved the power of
reflection, the light had difappeared, and
the footfleps were no longer to be heard.
I was not, on ordinary occafions, deftitute
t>f equanimity -, but perhaps the imagination
of man is naturally abhorrent of death until
tutored into indifference by habit. Every
circumflance combined to fill me with fhud-
dering and panic : for a while I was enabled
to endure my fituation by the exertions of
my reafon. That the lifclefs remains of a
human being are powerlefs to injure or
benefit, I was thoroughly perfuaded. I furn*
moned this belief to my aid, and was able,
if not to fubdue, yet to curb my fears. I
liftened
ARTHUR MERVYN.
Jiftened to catch the found of the returning
footfteps of Welbeck, and hoped that every
new moment would terminate my Iblitude.
No fignal of his coming was afforded.
At length it occurred to me that Welbeck
had gone with no intention to return that
his malice had feduced me hither to en-
counter the coniequences of his deed : he
had fled, and barred every door behind him.
This fufpicion may well be fuppofed to
overpower my courage, and to call forth
dcfperate efforts for my deliverance.
I extended my hands, and went forward.
J had been too little attentive te the fituation
and direction of thefe vaults and paflages, to
go forward with undeviating accuracy. My
fears likewife tended to confufe my percep-
tions, and bewilder my fteps. Notwith-
ftanding the danger of encountering obftruc-
tions, I rufhed towards the entrance with
precipitation.
My temerity was quickly punimed. In a
moment I was repelled by a jutting angle of
the wall with fuch force, that I ftaggered
L 4 backward,
224 ARTHUR MERVYN.
backward, and fell. The blow was ftunning -,
and when I recovered my fenfes, I perceived
that a torrent of blood was guming from my
noftrils. My clothes were moiftened with
this unwelcome effufion, and I could not
but reflect on the hazard which I fliould.
incur by being detected in this recefs, co-
vered by thefe accufing ftains.
This reflection once more fet me on my
feet, and incited my exertions. I now pro-
ceeded with greater warinefs and caution*,
I had loft all diftinct nations of my way.
My motions were at random : all my labour
was to mun obilruclions, and to advance
whenever the vacuity would permit. By
this means the entrance was at length found ;
and after various efforts I arrived, beyond
my hopes, at the foot of the flaircafe.
J afcended, but quickly encountered an
insuperable impediment. The door at the
ftairhead was clofed, and barred : my utmoft
ftrength was exerted in vain to break the
lock or the hinges. Thus were my direft
apprehenfions fulfilled. Welbeck had left
me
ARTHUR MERVYN. S2.
fne to fuftain the charge of murder to
obviate fufpicions the moft atrocious and
plaufible that the courfe of human events is
capable of producing.
Here I muft remain till the morrow,,
till fome one can be made to overhear my
calls, and come to my deliverance. What
effects will my appearance produce on the
fpeflaror ! Terrified by phantoms, and
ftained with blood,, mail I not exhibit the
tokens of a maniac as well as an aflfaffin ?
The corpfe of Watfon will quickly bs
difcovered. Jf, previous to this difclofure,.
I fhould change my blood- ft ained garments,
and withdraw inta the country, mall I not be
purfued by. the moft vehement fufpicions,
and, perhaps, hunted to my obfcureft retreat
by the minifters of juftice ? I am innocent j
but my tale, however circumftantial or true,
will fcarcely fuffice for my vindication. My
flight will be conftrued into a proof of incon-
teftable guilt.
While haraffed by thefe thoughts, my
attention was attracted by a faint gleam caft
L. 5 upon
226 ARTHUR MERVYN.
upon the bottom of the ftaircafe. It grew
ftronger, hovered for a moment in my
fighr, and then difappeared. That it pro-
ceeded from a lamp or candle, borne by
fome one along the pafTages, was no unte-
nable opinion, but was far lefs probable than
that the effulgence was meteorous. I con-
fided in the latter fuppofition, and fortified
my felf anew againft the dread of preternatural
dangers. My thoughts reverted to the con-
templation of the hazards and fufpicions which
flowed from my continuance in this fpot.
In the midft of my perturbed mufing my
attention was again recalled by an illumina-
tion like the former : inftead of hovering
and vanrThing, it was permanent. No ray
could be more feeble ; but the obfcurity to
which it fucceeded, rendered it confpicuous
as an electrical flam. For a while I eyed it
without moving from my place, and in
momentary expectation of its difappearance.
Remarking its liability, the propriety of
fcrutinizing it more nearly, and of afcertaining
the fource whence it flowed, was at length
3 fuggefted.
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
fuggefted. Hope, as well as curiofity, was
the parent of my conduit. Though utterly
at a lofs to affign the caufe of this appear-
ance, I was willing to believe there was fome
connection between that caufe and the means
of my deliverance.
1 had fcarcely formed the refolution of
defcending the (lairs, when my hope was
cxtinguiflied by the recollection that the cellar
had narrow and grated windows, through
O ' O
which light from the flreet might poffibly
have found accefs. A fecond recollection,
fupplanted this belief j for in my way to this
flaircafe my attention would have been at-
tracted, and my ileps in fome degree been
guided by light coming through thefe
avenues.
Having returned to the bottom of the flairs,
I perceived every part of the long-drawn
paflage illuminated. I threw a glance for-
ward to the quarter whence the rays feemed
to proceed, and beheld, at a confiderable
diftance, Welbeck in the cell which I had
left, turning up the earth with a fpade.
L 6 After
228 ARTHUR MERVYN.
After a paufe of aftonimmenf, the nature
of the error which I had committed rufhed
upon my apprehenfion. I now perceived that
the darknefs had milled me to a different
ftaircafe from that which I had originally
defcended. It was apparent that Welbeck
intended me no evil, but had really gone
in fearch of the inftrument which he had
mentioned.
Thisdifcovery overwhelmed me with con-
trition and fhame, though it freed me from
the terrors of imprifonment and accufation.
To return to the cell which I had left, and
where Welbeck was employed in his difaflrous
office, was the expedient which regard to
my own fafety unavoidably fuggefted.
"Welbeck paufed at my approach, and
betra)ed a momentary confirmation at the
fight of my enfanguined vifage. The blood,
by fome inexplicable procefs of nature, per-
haps by the counteracting influence of fear,
had quickly ceafed to flow. Whether the
caufe of my evafion, and of my flux of blood,
was gucftcd, or whether his attention was
withdrawn
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
withdrawn by more momentous objefts frora
my condition, he proceeded in his tafk ia
filence.
A mallow bed, and a flight covering of
clay, were provided for the haplefs Watfon.
Welbeck's movements were hurried and
tremulous ; his countenance betokened a
mind engrofled by a fmgle purpofe, in fomje
degree, foreign to the fcene before him. An
intentky and fixednefs of features that were
confpicuous, led me to fufpect the fubverfion
of his reafon.
Having finifhed the tafk, he threw afide
his implement. He then put into my hand
a pocket-book, faying it belonged to Wat-
fon, and might contain fbmething fervice-
able to the living : I might make what ufe
of it I thought proper. He then remounted
the flairs, and, placing the candle on a table
in the hall, opened the principal door, and
went forth. I was driven^ by a fort of
mechanical impulfe, in his footfleps. I fol-
lowed him, becaufe it was agreeable to him,
and
ARTHUR MERVYPT.
and becaufe I knew not whither elfe to direct
my fteps.
The ftreets were defolate and filent. The
watchman's call, remotely and faintly heard,
added to the general folemnity. I followed
my companion in a ftate of mind not eafily
defcribed. I had no fpirit even to enquire
whither he was going. It was not till we
arrived at the water's edge that I perfuaded
myfelf to break filence. I then began ta
reflect on the degree in which his prefent
fchemes might endanger Welbeck or myfelf,
I had acted long enough a fervile and me-
chanical part, and been guided by blind and
foreign impulfes. It was time to lay afide
my fetters, and demand to know whither the
path tended in which I was importuned to
walk.
Meanwhile I found myfelfentangled among
boats and (hipping. I am unable to defcribe
the fpot by any indifputable tokens ; I know
merely that it was the termination of one of
the principal ftreets. .Here Welbeck felected
a boat, and prepared to enter it. For a
moment
ARTHUR MERVYN.
moment I hefitated to comply with his appa-
rent invitation. I ftammered out an interroga-
tion " Why is this ? Why fhould we crols
the river ? What fervice can 1 do for you ?
I ought to know the purpofe of my voyage
before I enter it."
He checked himfelf, and furveyed me for a
minute in filence. " What do you fear ?*'
faid he. " Have I not explained my wifhes ?
Merely crofs the river with me, for I can-
rot navigate a boat by myfelf. Is there any
thing arduous or myfterious in this under-
taking ? We part on the Jerfey fhore, and
I fhall leave you to your deftiny. All I fhall
alk from you will be filence, and to hide
from mankind what you know concerning
me."
He now entered the boat, and urged me
to follow his example. I reluctantly com-
plied. I perceived that the boat contained
but one oar, and that was a fmall one. He
feemed ftartled, and thrown into great per-
plexity by this difcovery.
ARTHUR
t( It -will be impofiible," faid he, in a tone
of panic and vexation, " to- procure another
at this hour. What is to be done ?"
This impediment was by no means infu.-
perable. I had finewy arms, and knew well
how to ufe an oar for the double purpofe of
oar and rudder* I took my ftation at the
ftern, and quickly extricated the boat from
its neighbours and from the wharfs. I was
wholly unacquainted with the river. The
bar by which it was encumbered I knew to
exift ; but in what dire<5tion, and to what
extent it exifted, and how it might be
avoided in the prefent ftate of the tide, I
knew not. It was probable, therefore,
ignorant as I was of the proper track, that
our boat would fpeedily have grounded.
My attention, meanwhile, was fixed upon
the oar. My companion fat at the prow,
and was in a confiderable degree unnoticed.
I caft my eyes occafionally at the fcene which
.1 had left : its novelty, joined with the inci-
dents of my condition, threw me into a ftate
of fufpenfe and wonder which frequently
flackened
ARTHUR MERVYN. 233
flackened my hand, and left the veffel to be
driven by the downward current. Lights
were fparingly feen, and thefe were perpe-
tually fluctuating, as mails, yards, and hulls
were interpofed, and paffed before them. Ir
proportion as we receded from the more, the
clamours feemed to multiply ; and the fug-
geftion that the city was involved in con-
fufion and uproar, did not eafily give way
to maturer thoughts. Tivelve was the hour
cried ; and this afcended at once from ali
quarters, and was mingled with the baying
of dogs, fo as to produce trepidation and
alarm.
From this ftate of magnificent and awful
feeling I was fuddenly called by the conduct
of Welbeck. We had fcarcely moved two
hundred yards from the more, when he
plunged into the water. The firft concep-
tion was, that fome implement or part of
the boat had fallen overboard. I looked
back, and perceived that his feat was vacant.
In my firft aftonimment I loofened . my hold
of the oar, and it floated away. The furface
was
ARTHUR MERVYN".
was fmooth as glafs, and the eddy occafioned
by his finking was fcarcely vifible. I had not
time to determine whether this was defined
or accidental : its fuddennefs deprived me of
the power to exert myftlf for his fuccour. I
wildly gazed around me, -in hopes of feeing
him rife. After fome time, my attention
was drawn by the found of agitation in the
water st a confiderable diftance.
It was too dark for any thing to be dif-
tinctly feen : there was no cry for help. The
noife was like that of one vigoroufly ftrug-
gling for a moment, and then finking to
the bottom. I liftened with painful eager-
nefs, but was unable to diftinguifli a third
fignal. He funk to rife no more !
I was for a time inattentive to my own
fituation } the dreadfulnefs and unexpefted-
nefs of this cataftrophe occupied me wholly*
The quick motion of the lights upon the
fhore fhewed me that 1 was borne rapidly
along with the tide. How to help myfelf,
how to impede my courfe, or to regain either
fhore, fince I had loft the oar 3 I was unable
to
ARTHUR MERVYN.
to tell. I was no lefs at a lofs to conjefture
whither the current, if fuffered to controul
my vehicle, would finally tranfport me.
The difappearance of lights and buildings,
and the diminution of the noifes, acquainted
me th^t I had pafled the town. It was im-
poffible longer to hefitate : the more was
to be regained by one way onlv, which was
fwimming. To any exploit of this kind my
ftrength and my (kill were adequate. I
threw away my looie gown, put the pocket-
book of the unfortunate Watfon in my
mouth to preferve it from being injured by
moifture, and committed .myfelf to the
ftream.
I landed in a fpot incommoded with mud
and rccds : I funk knee-deep into the former,,
and was exhaufted by the fatigue of extri-
cating myfelf. At length 1 recovered firm
ground, and threw myfelf on the turf to
repair my wafted llrength, and to reflect on
the meafures which my future welfare en-
joined me to purfue.
What
ARTHUR MERVYN.
What condition was t ver parallel to mine ?
The tranfaclions of the laft three days re-
fembled the monftrous creations of delirium.
They were painted with vivid hues on my
memory ; but fo rapid and incongruous
were thefe tranfitions, that I almoft denied
belief to their reality. They exercifcd a
bewildering and ftupifying influence on my
mind, from which the meditations of an hour
were fcarcely fufficient to relieve me. Gra-
dually 1 recoveied the power of arranging
my ideas, and forming conclufions.
\Velbeck was dead. His property was
fwailowedup, and his creditors left to wonder
at his difappearance. All that v\as left was
the furniture of his houfe, to which Mrs.
Wentworth would lay claim, in difcharge of
the unpaid rent. What now was the deftiny
that awaited the loft and friendlefs Made-
moifelle Lodi ? Where was fhe concealed I
Welbeck had dropped no intimation by
which I might be led -to fufpect the place of
her abode. If my power in other refpefts
could
ARTHUR MERVYN.
could have contributed aught "to her relief
iny ignorance of her afylum had utterly dif-
abled me.
But what of the murdered perfon ? He
had fuddcnly vani(hed from the face of the
earth, His fate, and the place of his inter-
ment, would probably be fufpe&ed and
afcertained. Was I fure to efcape from the
confequences of this deed ? Watfon had
relatives and friends. What influence on
their ftate and happinefs his untimely and
myfterious fate would poffefs, it was obvious
to enquire. This idea led me to the recol-
lection of his pocket-book. Some papers
might be there explanatory to his fituation.
I refumed my feet. I knew not where
to direct my fteps. I was dropping with
wet, and fhivering with the cold. I was
deftiture of habitation and friend. I had
neither mone\ nor any valuable thing in my
puffcffion. I moved forward mechanically
and at random. Where I landed was at no
great diftince from the verge of the tovn.
In a ihorc time 1 difcomed the glimmering
of
ARTHUR MERVYN.
of a diftant lamp. To this I directed my
fleps, and here I paufed to examine the
contents of the pocket-book.
I found three bank-notes, each of fifty
dollars, enclofed in a piece of blank paper.
BeQde thefe were three letters, apparently
written by his wife, and dated at Baltimore.
They were brief, but compofed in a ftrain
of great tendernefs, and containing affecting
allufions to their child. I could gather from
their date and tenor that they were received
during his abfence on his recent voyage,
that her condition was confidcrably neceffi-
tous, and furrounded by wants which theh*
prolonged feparation had increafed.
The fourth letter was open, and feemed
to have been very lately written. It was
directed to Mrs. Mary Watfon. He in-
formed her in it of his arrival at Philadelphia
from St. Domingo, of the lofs of his (hip
and cargo, and of his intention to haften
home with all poflible expedition. He told
her th.t all was loft but one hundred and
fifty collars, the greater part of which he
fhould
ARTHUR MERVYN. 239
Should bring with him, to relieve her more
- prefling wants. The letter was figned,
folded, and fuperfcribed, but unfealed.
A little confideration fhewed me in what
manner it became me, on this occasion, to
demean myfelf. I put the bank-notes in the
letter, and fealed it with a wafer, a few of
which were found in the pocket-book. I
hefitated fome time whether I mould add
any thing to the information which the letter
contained, by means of a pencil which
offered itfclf to my view ; but I concluded
to forbear. I could felecl: no fuitable terms
in which to communicate the mournful truth.
I refolved to depofit this letter at the pod-
office, where I knew letters could be left at
all hours.
My reflections at length reverted to my
own condition. What was the fate referved
for me ? How far my fafety might be
affeclcd by remaining in the city in confe-
quence of the difappearance of Welbeck,
and my known connection with the fugitive,
it was impoflible to forefce. My fears readily
fuggefted
ARTHUR MERVYN.
fuggefted innumerable embamfTments an'd
inconveniences which would flow from this
fource. Befides, on what pretence mould I
remain ? To whom could I apply for pro-
tection or employment ? All avenues, even
to fubfiftence, were (hut agai .ft me. The
country was my fole afylum. Here, in
exchange for my labour, I could at leaft
purchale food, fafety, and repole. But if
my choice pointed to the country, there was
no reafon for a moment's delay. It would
be prudent to regajn the fields, and be far
from this deteftcd city before the rifing of
the fun.
Meanwhile I was chilled and chafed by
the clothes that I wore. To change them
for others was abfolutely neceffary to my
cafe. The clothes which I wore were not
my own, and were extremely unfuitable to
my new condition. My ruftic and homely
garb was depofited in my chamber at Wei-
beck's. Thefe thoughts fuggefted the defign
of returning thither. I confidered that
probably the fervants had not b^en alarmed
that
ARTHUR MERVYN, 241
that the door was unfaftened, and the
houfe was accefilble. It would be eafy to
enter and retire without notice ; and this,
not without fome waverings and mifgivings,
I prefently determined to do.
Having depofited my letter at the office,
I proceeded to my hte abode. I approached,
and lifted the latch with caution. There
were no appearances of any one having been
difturbed. I procured a light in the kitchen,
and hied foftly and with dubious footfteps to
my chamber. There I difrobed, and refumed
my check fhirt, trowfers, and fuftian coat.
This change being accomplished, nothing
remained but that I mould ftrike into the
country with the utmoft expedition.
In a momentary review which I took of
the paft, the defign for which Welbeck
profefled to have originally detained me in
his fervice, occurred to my mind. I knew
the danger of reafoning loofely on the fubject
of property. To any trinket, or piece of
furniture in this houfe, I did not allow myfelf
to queftion the right of Mrs. Wentworth
VOL. i. M aright
242 ARTHUR MERVYN.
a right accruing to her in confequence of
Welbeck's failure in the payment of his
rent j but there was one thing which I felt
an irrefiftible defire, and no fcruples which
ihould forbid me to poflefs, and that was
the manufcript to which Welbeck had al-
luded, as having been written by the deceafed
Lodi.
I was well inftructed in Latin, and knew
the Tufcan language to be nearly akin to it.
I defpaired not of being at fome time able to
cultivate this language, and believed that
the pofleffion of this manufcript might eflcn-
tially contribute to this end as well as to
many others equally beneficial. Itwaseafy
to conjecture that the volume was to be
found among liis printed books, and it was
fcarcely lefs eafy to afcertain the truth of this
conjecture. I entered, not without tremu-
lous fenfations, into the apartment which
had been the fcene of the difaftrous inter-
view between Watfon and Welbeck. At
every ftcp 1 almoft dreaded to behold the
fpedlre of the former rife before me.
.Numerous
ARTHUR MBRVYN. 24$
Numerous and fplendid volumes were ar-
ranged on mahogany (helves, and fcrecned
by doors of glafs. I ran fwiftly over their
names, and was at length fo fortunate as to
light upon the book of which I was in fearch.
I immediately fecured it; and leaving the
candle extinguifhed on a table in the parlour,
I once more iffued forth into the ftreet.
With light fteps and palpitating heart I turned
my face towards the country. My neceffi-
tous condition I believed would juftify me
in pafllng without payment the Schuylkill
bridge, and the eaftern fky began to brighten
with the dawn of morning not till I had
gained the diftance of nine miles from the
city.
Such is the tale which I propofed to
relate to you. Such are the memorable inci-
dents of five days of my life, from which I
have gathered more inftru&ion than from the
whole tifiue of my previous exiftence. Such
are the particulars of my knowledge refpect-
ing the crimes and misfortunes of Welbeck,
M 2 which
244 ARTHUR MERVYN.
which the infinuaticns of Wordey, and my
defire to retain your good opinion, have
induced me to unfold.
CHAP. XIII.
CHANGE OF SITUATION.
.ERVYN'S paufe allowed his auditors
to reflect on the particulars of his narration,
and to compare them with the facts, with a
knowledge of which their own obfervation
had fupplied them. My profeffion introduced
me to the fritndfhip of Mrs. Wemworch,
by whom, after the difapptarance of Wei-
beck, many chxumftances refpecling him
had been mentioned. She particularly dwelt
upon
ARTHUR MERVYN-. 245
upon the deportment and appearance of this
youth at the fingle interview which took
place between them, and her reprefentations
were perfectly conformable to thole which
Mervyn had himfelf delivered.
Previoufly to this interview, Welbeck
had infmuated to her that a recent event had
put him in poffeffion of the truth refpe<5ting
the deftiny ofClavering. A kinfmanofhis
had arrived from Portugal, by whom this
intelligence had been brought. He dex-
teroufly eluded her entreaties to be furnifhed
with minuter information, or to introduce
this kinfman to her acquaintance. As foon
as Mervyn was ulhered into her prefence, (lie
fufpefted him to be the perfon to whom
Welbeck had alluded ; and this fufpicion his
converfation had confirmed. She was at a
lofs to comprehend the reafons of the filence
which he fo pertinacioufly maintained.
Her uneafinefs, however, prompted her
to renew her felicitations. On the day fub-
fequentto the cataftrophe related by Mervyn,
fhe fent a meflenger to Welbeck, with a
requeft to fee him. Gabriel, the black
M 3 fervant,
246 ARTHUR MERVYN.
fervant, informed the mefienger that his
matter had gone into the country for a week.
At the end of the week a meffenger was
again difpatched with the fame errand. He
called and knocked, but no one anfwered
his fignals. He examined the entrance by
the kitchen, but every avenue was clofed. It
appeared that the hcufe was wholly defcrted.
Thefe appearances naturally gave birth to
curiofuy and fufpicion. The houfe was re-
peatedly examined, but the foiitude and
filence within continued the fame. The
creditors of Wtlbeck were alarmed by thefe
appearances j and their claims to the property
remaining in the houfe were precluded by
Mrs. Wentworth, who, as owner of the
manfion, was legally entitled to the furniture,
in place of the rent which Welbeck had
iuffered to accumulate.
On examining the dwelling, all that was
valuable and portable, particularly linen and
plate, was removed. The remainder was dif-
trainedj but the tumults ofptftilencefucceeded,
and hindered it from being fold. Things were
allowed to continue in their former fituation,
and
ARTHUR MERVYN. 247
and the houfe was carefully lecured. We
had no leifure to form conjectures on the
caufes of this defertion. An explanation was
afforded us by the narrative of this youth. It
is probable that the fervants, finding their
matter's abfence continue, had pillaged the
houfe, and fled.
Meanwhile, though oar curiofity with
regard to Welbeck was appeafed, it was
obvious to enquire by what feries of induce-
ments and events Mervyn was recondufted
to the city, and led to the fpot where I fir ft
met with him. We intimated our withes in
this refpeft, and our young friend readily
contented to take up the thread of his ftory,
and bring it down to the point that was
defired. For this purpofe the enfuing evening,
was felefted. Having at an early hour (hue
ourfelves up from all intruders and vifitors^
he continued as follows :
I have mentioned that by funrife I
had gained the diftance of nine miles from
the city. My purpofe was to ftop at the
firft farmhoufe, "and feck employment as a
day-labourer. The firft perfjn whom I
M 4 obfcrved^
248 ARTHUR MERVYN.
obferved, was a man of placid mien and
plain garb. Habitual benevolence was ap-
parent amidft the wrinkles of age. He was
traverfing his buck- wheat field, and mea-
furing, as it feemed, the harveft that was now
nearly ripe.
I accofted him with diffidence, and ex-
plained my wiflies. He liftened to my tale
with complacency, enquired into my name
and family, and into my qualifications for
the office to which I aipired. My anfwera
were candid and full.
" Why," faid he, I believe thou and I
can make a bargain : we will at lead try
each other for a week or two. If it does
not fuit our mutual convenience, we can
change. The morning is damp and cool,
and thy plight does not appear the moft
comfortable that can be imagined. Come
to the houfe, and eat fome breakfaft."
The behaviour of this good man filled me
with gratitude and joy. Methought I could
embrace him as a father; and entrance into his
houfe appeared like return to a long-loft and
much-loved home. My defolate and lonely
condition
ARTHUR MERVYN. 249
condition Teemed to be changed for paternal
regards and the tendernefs of friendfhip.
Thefe emotions were confirmed and
heightened by every object that prefented
itfelf under this roof. The family confided
of Mri. Hadwin, two fimple and affectionate
girls, his daughters, and fervants. The
manners of this family, quiet, artlefs, and
cordial the occupations allotted me the
land by which the dwelling was furrounded
its pure airs, romantic walks, and cxhauftlefs
fertility, conftituted a powerful contraft to
the fcenes which I had left behind, and were
congenial with every dictate of my under-
Handing, and every fentiment that glowed in
my heart,
My youth, mental cultivation, and cir-
cumfpect deportment entitled me to defe-
rence and confidence. Each hour confirmed
me in the good opinion of Mr. Hadwin,
and in the affections of his daughters. Inr
the mind of my employer the fimplicity of
the hufbandman, and the devotion of the
Quaker, were blended with; humanity and
M 5 intelligence*
250 ARTHUR R1ERVYN.
intelligence. The fitters, Sufan and Eliza,
were unacquainted with calamity and vice
through the medium of either obfervation or
books. They were ftrangers to the benefits
of an elaborate education -, but they were
endowed with curiofity and difcernment, and
had not fuffered their (lender means of in-
flruction to remain unimproved.
The fedatenefs of the elder formed an
amufing contraft with the laughing eye and
untameable vivacity of the younger > but they
fmiled and they wept in unilbn : they thought
andadred in different, but not difccrdant keys.
On all momentous occafions they reafoncd
and felt alike : in ordinary cafes they fepa-
rated, as it were, into different tracks ; but
this diverfity was productive, not of jarring,
but of harmony.
A romantic and untutored difpofuion
like mine may be fuppcfcd liable to ftrong
impreMions from perpetual converfe with
perfuns of iheir age and fcx. The elder
v> as foon difcovered to have already difpofed
of her affections -, the younger was free, and
fomewhat
ARTHUR MERVYN". 2$ I
fbmewhat that is more eafily conceived than
named, ftole infenfibly upon my heart. The
images that haunted me at home and abroad,
O i
in her abfcnce and her prefence, gradually
coalefced into one fhape, and gave birth lo-
an incefiant train of latent palpitations and
indefinable hopes. My days were little elfe
than uninterrupted reveries, and night only
called up phantoms more vivid and equally-
enchanting.
The memorable incidents which had lately
happened, fearcely counterpoifed my new
fenfations, or diverted my contemplations
from the prefent. My views were gradually
led to reft upon futurity ; and in that I
quickly found cauie of circumfpection and
dread. My prefent labours were light, and
were fufficient for my fubfiftence in a fingle
ftate ; but wedlock was the parent of new-
wants and of new cares. Mr. Had win's
pofieffions were adequate to his own frugal
maintenance ; but, divided between his chil-
dren, would be too fcanty fop ekher. Befides,
this divifion could only take place at his death,
M 6 and
ARTHUR MERVYN.
and that was an event whofe Ipeedy occur-
rence was neither defirable nor probable.
Another obftacle was now remembered.
Hadwin was the confcientious member of a
feel which forbade the marriage of its votaries
with thofe of a different communion. I had
been trained in an oppofite creed, and ima-
gined itimpodible that I mould ever become
a profelyte to Quakerifm. It only remained
for me to feign converfion, or to root out the
opinions of Eliza, and win her confcnt to a
fecret marriage. Whether hypocrify was
eligible, was no fubjecl: of deliberation. If
the poffefiion of all that ambition can conceive
were added to the tranfports of union with
Eliza Hadwin, and offered as the price of
difiimulation, it would have been initantly
rejected. My external goods were not abun-
dant nor numerous, but the confcioufnefs of
reditude was mine ; and, in competition with
this, the luxury of the heart and of the fenfes,
the gratifications of boundlefs ambition and
incxhaufiible wealth were contemptible and
frivolous.
The
ARTHUR MERVYN.
The conqueft of Eliza's errors was eafy ;
but to introduce difcord and forrow intothis
family was an ad of the utmoft ingratitude
and profligacy : it was only requifite for my
underftanding clearly to difcern, to be con-
vinced of the infuperability of this obftacle.
It was manifeft, therefore, that the point to
which my wifhes tended, was placed beyond
my reach.
To fofter my paffion, was to fofter a difeaie
deftrudive either of my integrity or my
exiftence. It was indifpenfable to fix my
thoughts upon a different object, and to
debar myfelf even from her intercourfe. To
ponder on themes foreign to my darling
image, and to feclude myfelf from her fociety
at hours which had ufually been fpent with
her, were difficult tafks. The latter was the
lead practicable. I had to contend with
eyes which alternately wondered at, and up-
braided me for my unkindnefs. She was
wholly unaware of the nature of her own
feelings, and this ignorance made her lefs
fcrupulous in the expreffion of her fcntiments.
mi 3 Hitherto
254 ARTHUR MERVYNV
Hitherto I had needed not employment
beyond myfelf an:! my companions : now my
new motives made me eager to difcover fome
means of controuling and beguiling my
thoughts. In this flate, the manufcript of
Lodi occurred to me. In my way hither I
had refolved to make the ftudy of the lan-
guage of this book, and the tranflacion of its
contents into Engliih, the bufinefs and folace
of my leifure. Now this refolution was re-
vived with new force.
My project was perhaps fingular. The
ancient language of Italy poflefTed a ftrong
affinity with the modern. My knowledge
of the former was my only means of gaining
the latter. I had no grammar or vocabulary
to explain how far the meanings and inflec-
tions of Tufcan words varied from the Roman
dialect. I was to ponder on each fentence
and phrafe, to felect among different con-
jectures the moft plaufible, and to afcertain
the true by patient and repeated fcrutiny.
This undertaking, fantaftic and impracti-
cable as it may feem, proved upon expe-
riment
ARTHUR MERVYN.
riment to be within the compafs of my
powers. The detail of my progrefs would
be curious and inftructive. What impedi-
ments, in the attainment of a darling purpofe,
human ingenuity and patience are able to
furmount how much may be done by ilre-
nuous and folicary efforts how the mind,
unaffifted, may draw forth the principles of
inflection and arrangement may profit by
remote, analagous, and latent fimilitudes,
would be forcibly illuftrated by my example j
but the theme, however attractive, muft for
the prefent be omitted.
My progrefs was flow, but the perception
of hourly improvement afforded me unfpeak-
able pleafure. Having arrived near the lad
pages, I was able to purfue, with little in-
terruption, the thread of an eloquent narra-
tion. The triumph of a leader of outlaws
over the popular enthufiafm of the Milanefe,
and the claims of neighbouring potentates,
were about to be depicted. The Condottiero
Sforza had taken refuge from his enemies in
a tomb, accidentally difcovered amidft the
ruins
356 ARTHUR MERVYN".
ruins of a Roman fortrefs in the Apennine.
He had fought this recefs for the ftke of
concealment ; but found in it a treafure by
which he would be enabled to fecure the
wavering and venal faith of that crew of
ruffians that followed his ftandard, provided
he fell not into the hands of the enemies //ho
were now in fearch of him.
" My tumultuous curiofity was fuddenly
checked by the following leaves being glued
together at the edges. To diflever them
without injury to the written ff aces was by
no means eafy. I proceeded to the tafk,
not without precipitation. The edges were
torn away, and the leaves parted.
It may be thought that I took up the
thread where it had been broken ; but no.
The object that my eyes encountered, and
which the cemented leaves had fo long con-
cealed, was beyond the power of the mod
capricious or lawlefs fancy to have pre-
figured -, yet it bore a fhadowy refemblance
to the images with which my imagination
was
ARTHUR MERVYM. 257
previoufly occupied. I opened, and
beheld a bank-note !
To the firft tranfportsoffurprife, the con-
jecture fiicceeded that the remaining leaves,
cemented together in the fame manner, might
enclofe fimilar bills. They were haftily
feparated, and the conjecture was verified.
My lenfations at this difcovery were of an
inexplicable kind. I gazed at the notes in
filence. I moved my finger over them
held them in different pofitions read and
re-read the name of each furn and the figna-
ture added them together, and repeated to
myfclf " Twenty thoufand dollars ! They
are mine, and by fuch means !"
This fum would have redeemed the falling
fortunes of Welbeck. The dying Lodi was
* %7
unable to communicate all the contents of
this ineftimable volume. He had divided
his treafure, with a view to its greater fafety,
between this volume and his pocket-book.
Death hafted upon him too fuddenly to allow
him to explain his precautions. Welbeck
had placed the book in his collection, pur-
pofing
258 ARTHUR MERVYN.
pofingfome time to perufe it ; but, deterred
by anxieties, which the perufal would have
diflipated, he rufhed to defperation and
fuicide, from which fome contingency, by
unfolding; this treafure to his view, would
\j *
have effectually refcued him.
But was this event to be regretted ? This
fum, like the former, would probably have
been expended in the fame pernicious pro-
digality. His career would have continued
fome time longer, but his inveterate habits
would have finally conducted his exiftence to
the fame criminal and ignominious clofe.
But the deftiny of Wtlbeck was accorh-
plifhed. The money was placed, without
guilt or artifice, in my poffefTion. My for-
tune had been thus unexpectedly and won-
droufly propitious. How was I to profit
by her favour ? Would not this fum enable
me to gather round me all the inftruments of
pleafure ? Equipage, and palace,, and a mul-
titude of fervants polifhed mirrors, fplendid
hangings, banquets, and flatterers, were
equally abhorrent to my tafte and my prin-
ciples.
ARTHUR MERVYN. 259
ciples. The accumulation of knowledge, and
the diffufion of happinefs, in which riches
may be rendered eminently mftrumental,
were the only precepts of duty, and the only
avenues to genuine felicity.
" But what," faid I, " is my title to this
money ? By retaining it, mail I not be as
culpable as Weibeck ? It came into his
pofleffion as it came into mine, without a
crime j but my knowledge of the true pro-
prietor is equally certain, and the claims of
the unfortunate ftranger are as valid as ever.
Indeed, if utility, and not law, be the mea-
fure of Juftice, her claim, defolate and indi-
gent as fbe is unfitted, by her pad life, by
the foftnefs and the prejudices of her education,
for contending with calamity, is inconteftible.
" As to me, health and diligence will give
me not only the competence which I feek,
but the power of enjoying it. If my prefent
condition be unchangeable, I (hall not be
unhappy. My occupations are falutary and
meritorious ; I am a ftranger to the cares as
well as to the enjoyment of riches : abua-
dant
ft6o ARTHUR MERVYN.
dant means cf knowledge are poflefled by"
me, as long as I have eyes to gaze at man
and at nature as they are exhibited in their
original forms or in books. The precepts of
my duty cannot be miftaken. The lad)r
muft be fought, and the money be reftored
to her."
Certain obftacles exrfted to the imme-
diate execution of this fcherne. How mould
I conduct my fearch ? What apology mould
I make for withdrawing thus abruptly, and
contrary to the terms of an agreement into
which I had lately entered, from the family
and lervice of my friend and benefactor,
Hadwin 2
My thoughts were called away from pur--
fuing thefe enquiries by a rumour which had
gradually fwelled to formidable dimenfions,
and which at length reached ro in~oiir~~qujet^
retreat. The city, we were told, was in-
volved in confufion and panic i for a peftilen-
tialdifeafe had begun its deft motive progrefs.
Magtftrates and citizens were flying to the
country. The numbers of the lick mul-
tiplied
ARTHUR MERVYN.
tiplied beyond ail example even in the peft-
affected cities of the Levant. The malady
was malignant and unfparing.
The ufuai occupations and amufements
of life were at an end. Terror had exter-
minated all the fentiments of nature. Wives
were deferted by hulbands, and children by
parents. Some had fhut themfelves in their
houfcs, and debarred themfelves from all
communication with the reft of mankind.
The confirmation of others had deftroyed
their underftanding, and their mifguided fteps
hurried them into the midft of the danger
which they had previoufly laboured to (hun.
Men were feizcd by this difeafe in the ftreets ;
paffengers fled from them ; entrance into tluir
own dwelling was denied to them -, they
perimed in the public ways !
The chambers of difeafe were deferted,
and the fick left to die of negligence. None
could be found to remove the lifelefs bodies.
Their remains, fuffered to decay by piece-
meal, filled the air with deadly exhalations,
and added tenfold to the devaitation.
Such
262 ARTHUR MEPVYN.
Such was the tale, diftorted and diver-
fified a thoufand ways by the credulity and
exaggeration of the tellers. At firft I liitened
to the ttory with indifference or mirth :
methought it was confuted by its own extra-
vagance. The enormity and variety of fuch
an evil made it unworthy to be believed. I
expefted that every new day would detect
the abfurdity and fallacy of fuch reprefenta-
tions. Every new day, however, added to
the number of witnefles and the confiftency
of the tale, till at length it was not poffiblc
to withhold my faith.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MERVYN,
CHAP. XIV.
INSANITY.
JL HIS rumour was of a nature to abforb
and fufpend the whole foul. A certain fub-
limity is connected with enormous dangers,
that imparts to our confirmation or our pity
a tincture of the pleafing. This, at leaflr,
may be experienced by thofe who are beyond
the verge of peril. My own perfoa was ex-
pofed to no hazard. I had leiiure to conjure
up terrific images, a d to perfonate the wit-
ncfles and lufferers of this calamity. This
employment was not enjoined upon me by
ncccifity,
264 ARTHUR MERVYN*
neceffity, but was ardently purfued, and
muft therefore have been recommended by
fome namelefs charm.
Others were very differently affected. As
often as the tale was embellifhed with new
incidents, or enforced by new teftimony, the
hearer grew pale, his breath was {lifted by
inquietudes, his blood was chilled, and his
ftomach was bereaved of its ufual energies.
A temporary indifpofition was produced in
many : fome were haunted by a melancholy
bordering upon madnefs ; and fome, in con-
fequence of ileeplefs panics, for which no
caufe could be affigned, and for which no
opiates could be found, were attacked by
lingering or mortal difeafes.
Mr. Hadwin was fuperior to groundlefs
apprehenfions. His daughters, however,
partook in all the confirmation which fur-
rounded them. The eldeit had, indeed,
abundant reafon for her terror. The youth
to whom me was betrothed, refided in the
city. A year previous to this, he had left
the houie of -Mr. Hadwin, who was his
uncle,
ARTHUR MERVYN. 265
uncle, and had removed to Philadelphia, in
purfuit of fortune.
He made himfelf clerk to a merchant, and
by fome mercantile adventures in which he
had fuccefbfully engaged, began to flatter
himfelf with being able, in no long time,
to fupport a family. Meanwhile, a tender .
and conftant correfpondence was maintained
between him and his beloved Sulan. This
girl was a foft enthufiaft, in whofe bofom
devotion and love glowed with an ardour
that has feldom been exceeded.
The firft tidings of the yellow fever were
heard by her with unfpeakable perturbation.
Wallace was interrogated by letter reflecting
its truth. For a time, he treated ic as a
vague report , at length, a confeffion was
extorted from him that there exifted a pef-
tilential difeafe in the city ; but, he added,
that it was hitherto confined to one quarter,
diftant from the place of his abode.
The moft pathetic entreaties were urged
by her that he would withdraw into the
country. He declared his refolution to
VOL. i. N comply
Z66 ARTHUR MERVYN.
comply when the ftreet in which he lived
fliould become infedled, and his flay fhould
be attended with real danger. He Rated
how much his interefts depended upon the
favour of his prefent employer, who had ufed
the moft powerful arguments to detain him ;
but declared that, when his fituation (liould
become in the lead degree perilous, he
would flight every confid< ration of gratitude
and intereft, and fly to Malverton. Mean-
while, he promifed to communicate tidings
of his fafety by every opportunity.
Belding, Mr. Hadwin's next neighbour,
though not uninfe5led by the general panic,
perfifted to vifit the city daily with his mar-
ket-cart. He fet out by fu .rife, and
ufually returned by noon. By him a letter
was pundua'ily received by Sufan. As the
hour of Bcldi: g's return approached, her
impatience and anxiety increafed. The
daily c\ idle was leceived, and read ia a tranf-
port of eage; neis. For a while her emotion
fubfi'.led ; b.,t returned with augmented
vehemence at noon on the eniuing day.
Thefe
ARTHUR MERVYN.
Thefe agitations were loo vehement for a
O
feeble conftitution like her's. She renewed
her Replications to Wallace to quit the city.
He repeated his afiertions of being hitherto
fecure, and his promife of coming when the
danger mould be imminent. When Be!d-
ing returned, and, inftead of being accom-
panied by Wal'ace, merely brought a letter
from him, the unhappy Sufan would fink
into fits of lamentation and weeping, and
repel every cff<rt to conloie her, with an ob-
flinacy that pa 'took of madnefs. It was at
length manifv.il that Wallace's delays would
be fatally injurious to the health of his
mi ft re fs.
Mr. Hadwin had hitherto been paffive.
He conceived that the entreaties and re-
monft ranees of his daughter were more likely
to influence the conduct of Wallace than
any reprelentations which he could make.
Now, however, he wrote the contumacious
Wallace a letter, in which he laid his com-
mands upon him to return in company with
N 2 Belding,
268 ARTHUR MERVYN,
Belding, and declared that, by a longer de-
lay, the youth would foifeit his favour.
The malady had, at this time, made con-
fiderable progrefs. Beiding's iniereft at
length yielded to his fears, and this was the
laft journey which he propcfed to make.
Hence our impatience for the return of
Wallace was augmented ; fince, if this op-
portunity were loft, no fuitable conveyance
might again be offered him.
Beldir.g fet out, as ufual, at the dawn of
day. The cuflomary interval between his
departure and return was fpent by Sufan in
a tumult of hopes and fears. As noon ap-
proached, her fuf^enfe arofe to a pitch of
\vildnefs and agony : (he could fcarcely be
reftrained from running along the road many
miles towards the city, that ihe might, by
meeting Belding half way, the fooner afcer-
tain the fate of her lover, She ftationed her-
felf at a window which overlooked the road,
along which Belding was to pafi.
Her filler and her father, though lefs
4 impatient,
ARTHUR MERVYN. s<J
impatient, marked with painful eagernefs the
fii ft found of the approaching vehicle. They
{hatched a look at it as foon as it appeared
in fight. Belding was without a com*
panion.
This confirmation of her fears over*
whelmed the unhappy Sufan. She funk
into a fit, from which, for a long time,, her
recovery was hopelefs. This was fucceeded
by pamxyfms of a furious infanitv, in which,
fhe attempted to match any pointed imple-
ment which lay within her reach, with a view
to deftroy herfeJf. Thefe being carefully re-
moved, or forcibly wrefted from her, Ihe
refigned herfelf to fobs and exclamations.
Having interrogated Belding he informed
us that he occupied his ufaal.poft in the
market-place; that, heretofore, Wallace
had duly fought him out, and exchanged
letters; but that, on this morning, the
young man had not made his appearancd,
though Belding had been induced, by his
wifli to fee him, to prolong his (lay in the
city much beyond the ufual period.
N 3 That
2JO ARTHUR MERVYN.
That fome other caufe than ficknefs had
occafioned this omifllon, was barely poffible.
There was fcarcely room for the mod fan-
guine temper to indulge a hope. Wallace
was without kindred, and probably without
friends in the city. The merchant, in whole
fervice he had placed himfelf, was connected
with him by no confideration but that of
intereft. What then mufl be his fituation
when feized with a malady which all believed
to be contagious, and the fear of which was
able to diflblve the ftrongeft ties that bind
human beings together ?
1 was perfonally a ftranger to this youth.
1 had feen his letters, and they befpoke, not
indeed any great refinement or elevation of
intelligence, but a frank and generous fpirit,
to which I could not refufe my efteem , but
his chief claim to my affection confided in
his confanguinity to Mr. Hadwin, and his
place in the affections of Sufan. His welfare
was eflential to the happinefs of thofe, whofe
happinefs had become effential to mine. I
witneffed the outrages of defpair in the
daughter,
ARTHUR MERVYN. 3.J1
daughter, and the fymptoms of a deep, but
lefs violent grief in the filter and parent.
Was it not poflible for me to alleviate their
pangs ? Could not the fate of Wallace be
afcerta'med ?
This difeafe aflailed men with different
degrees of malignity. In its worft form per-
haps it was incurable ; but in fome of its
modes, it was doubtlefs conquerable by the
fkill of phyficians, and the fidelity of nurfes.
In its lead formidable fymptoms, negligence
and folitude would render it fatal.
Wallace might, perhaps, experience this
peft in its moft lenient degree ; but the de-
fertion of all mankind the want not only
of medicines, but of food, would irrevoca-
bly feal his doom. My imagination was in-
ceflantly purfued by the image of this youth
perifhing alone, and in obfcurity calling
on the name of diftant friends, or invoking,
ineffectually, the fuccour of thofe who were
near.
Hitherto diftrefs had been contemplated
at a diflance, and through the medium of a
N 4 fancy
ARTHUR MERVYN.
fancy delighting t to be ftartled by the won-
derful, or tranfperted by fublimity. Now
the calamity had entered my own doors,
imaginary evils were fupplanted by real, and
my heart was the feat of commiferation and
horror.
I found my lei f unfit for recreation or em-
ployment. I fhrouded myfelf in the gloon>
of the neighbouring foreft, or loft myfelf in
the maze of rocks and dells. I endeavour-
ed, in vain, to (hut out the phantoms of the
dying Wallace, and to forget the fpectacle
of domeftic woes. At length it occurred to
me to afk " May not this evil be obviated,
and the felicity of the Hadwins re-eflablim-
ed ? Wallace is friendlefs and fuccourlefs;
but cannot I fupply to him the place of
protector and nurfe? Why not haften to
the city, fearch out his abode, and afcer-
tain whether he be living or dead ? If he
flill retain life, may I not, by confolation
and attendance, contribute to the reftora-
tion of his health, and conduct him once
more to the bofom of his family ?
With
ARTHUR MERVYNV
*' With what tranfports will his arrival be
hailed ! How amply will their impatience
and their forrow be compenfated by his re-
turn ! In the fpectacle of their joys, how
rapturous and pure will be my delight I-
Do the benefits which I have received from
the Hadwins demand a lefs retribution than,
this ?
" It is true that my own life will be en-
dangered ; but my danger will be propor-
tioned to the duration of my ftay in this
feat of infection. The death, or the flight
of Wallace may abfolve me from the ne-
ceffity of {pending one night in the city.
The ruftics who daily frequent the market
are, as experience proves, exempt from this
difeafe ; in confequence, perhaps, of limit-
ing their continuance in the city to a few
hours. May I not, in this refped, conform
to their example, and enjoy a fimilar ex-
emption ?
" My ftay, however, may be longer than
the day. I may be condemned to (hare in
the common deftiny. What then ? Life is
N 5 dependant
74 ARTHUR MERVYN.
dependant on a thoufand contingencies, not
to be computed or forefeen. The feeds of
an early and lingering death are Town in my
conftitution. It is vain to hope to efcape
the malady by which my mother and
my brothers have died. We are a race,
whofe exiftence fome inherent property has
limited to the (liort fpace of twenty years.
We are expofed, in common with the reft
of mankind, to innumerable cafualties ; but
if thefe be fhunned, we are unalterably fated
to perim by confumption. Why then fliould
I fcruple to lay down my life in the caufe
of virtue and humanity ? It is better to die
in the confcioufnefs of having offered an
heroic facrifice to die by a fpeedy ftroke,
than by the perverfenefs of nature, in igno-
minious inactivity and lingering agonies."
Thefe confiderations determined me to
haften to the city. To mention my pur-
pofe to the Hadwins, would be ufelefs or
pernicious. It would only augment the
fum of their prefent anxieties. 1 mould
meet with a thoufand obftacles in the
tendernefs
ARTHUR MERVVN. ZJ $
tendernefs and terror of Eliza, and in the
prudent affection of her father. Their ar-
guments I fhould be condemned to hear,
but fhould not be able to confute; and
fhould only load myfelf with imputations of
perverfenefs and temerity.
But how elfe mould I explain my ab-
fence ? I had hitherto preferved my lips
untainted by prevarication or falfehood.
Perhaps there was no occafion which would
juftify an untruth ; but here, at leaft, it was
fuperfluous or hurtful. My difappearance,
if effected without notice or warning, will
give birth to fpeculation and conjecture ; but
my true motives will never be fuipected,
and therefore will excite no fears. My con-
duct will not be charged with guilt : it will
merely be thought upon with fome regret,
which will be alleviated by the opinion of
my fafety, and the daily expectation of my
return.
But, fince my purpofe was to fearch out
Wallace, I mufh be previoufly furnifhed
6 with.
ARTHUR MERVYN.
with directions to the place of his abode,
and a defcription of his perfon. Satisfac-
tion, on this head was eafily obtained from
Mr. Had win ; who was prevented from fuf-
pecting the motives of my curiofity, by my
queftions being put in a manner apparently
cafual. He mentioned the flreet, and the
number of the houfe.
I liftened with furprife. It was a houfe
with which I was already familiar. He re-
fidcd, it feems, with a merchant. Was it
pofiible for me to be miftaken ?
What, I afked, was the merchant^
name ?
Thetford."
This was a confirmation of my firR con-
jecture. I recollected the -extraordinary
means by which I had gained accefs to the
houfe and bedchamber of this gentleman.
I recalled the perfon and appearance of the
youth, by vvhofe artifices I had been entan-
gled in the fnare. Thefe artifices implied
Jfome domeftic or confidential connection
between
ARTHUR MERVYN.
between Thetford and my guide. Wallace
was a member of the family. Could it be
he by whom I was betrayed ?
Suitable queftions eafily obtained from
Hadwin a defcription of the perfon and car-
riage of his nephew. Every circumftance
evinced the identity of their perfons. Wal-
lace then was the engaging and fprightly
youth whom I had encountered at Lefher's j
and who, for purpofes not hitherto difcover-
able, had led me into a fituation fo romantic
and perilous.
I was far from fufpecting that thefe par-
pofes were criminal. It was eafy to infer
that his conduct proceeded from juvenile
wantonnefs, and a love of fport. My refo-
lution was unaltered by this difclofure ; and
having obtained a!l the information which I
needed, I fecretly began my journey.
My reflections on the way were fufficient-
ly employed in tracing the confequences of
my project ; in computing the inconve-
niences and dangers to which 1 was preparing
to fubjed myfelf ; in fortifying my courage
againft
278 ARTHUR MERVYtf,
againfl the influence of rueful fights and
abrupt tranfitions ; and in imagining the
meafures which it would be proper to purfue
in every emergency.
Connected as thefe views were with the
family and character of Thetford, I could
not but fometimes advert to thofe incidents
which formerly happened. The mercantile
alliance between him and Welbeck was re-
membered 3 the allufions which were made
to the condition of the latter in the cham-
ber converfation, of which I was an unfuf-
pected auditor ; and the relation which thefe
allufions might poflefs with fubfequent oc-
currences. Welbeck's property was for-
feited. It had been confided to the care of
Thetford's brother. Had the cafe of this
forfeiture been truly or thoroughly explain-
ed ? Might not contraband articles have
been admitted through the management, or
under the connivance of the brothers, and
might not the younger Thetford be furnifh-
ed with the means of purchafing the cap-
tured veffel and her cargo, which, as ufual,
would
ARTHUR MERVYN.
would be fold by aucYion at a fifth or tenth
of its real value ?
Welbeck was not alive to profit by the
detection of this artifice, admitting thefe
conclufions to bejuft. My knowledge will
be ufelefs to the world j for by what mo-
tives can I be influenced to publifti the
truth or by whom will my fingle tefti-
raony be believed, in oppofition to that
plaufible exterior, and perhaps to that ge-
neral integrity which Thetford has main-
tained ? To myfelf it will not be unprofit-
able. Tt is a leflbn on the principles of human
nature on the delufivenefs of appearances
on the pervioufnefs of fraud and on the
power with which Nature has invefted hu-
man beings over the thoughts and adions of
each other.
Thetford and his frauds were difmifled
from my thoughts, to give place to con-
fiderations relative to Clemenza Lodi, and
the money which chance had thrown into
my pofleflion. Time had only confirmed
my purpoie to reftore thefe bills to the
rightful
ARTHUR MERVYlfi
rightful proprietor, and heightened my im-
patience to difcover her retreat. I reflected
that the means of doing this were more
likely to fuggeft themfelves at the place to
which I was going, than elfewhere. I might
indeed perifh before my views, in this re-
fpeV, could be accomplished. Againft'
thefe evils I had at prefent no power to pro-
vide. While I lived, I would bear perpe-
tually about me the volume, and its pre-
cious contents. If I died, a Superior Power
rnuft direct the courfe of this as of all other
events.
CHAP.
ARTHffR MERVYN,
CHAP. XV.
FATAL CALAMITY. /
A HESE meditations did not enfeeble my
refolution, or flacken my pace. In propor-
tion as I drew near the city, the tokens of
its calamitous condition became more ap-
parent. Every farmhoufe was rilled with
fupernumerary tenants; fugitives from home,
and haunting the fkirts of the road, eager to
detain every paflenger with enquiries after
news. The paffengers were numerous, for
the tide of emigration was by no means ex-
haufted : fome were on foot, bearing in their
countenances the tokens of the-ir recent
terror,
ARTHUR MERVYN.
terror, and filled with mournful reflexions
on the forlornnefs of their ftate. Few had
fecured to themfelves an afylum j fome were
without the means of paying for victuals or
lodging for the coining night; others, who
were not thus deftitute, yet knew not whi-
ther to apply for entertainment, every houfe
being already overftocked with inhabitants,
or barring its inhofpitable doors at their
approach.
Families of weeping mothers and difmay-
ed children, attended with a few pieces of
indifpenfable furniture, were carried in
vehicles of every form. The parent or huf-
band had peridied ; and the price of fome
moveable, or the pittance handed forth by
public charity^ had been expended to pur-
chafe the means of retiring from this theatre
of difafters, though uncertain and hopelefs
of accommodation in the neighbouring dif-
trids.
Between thefe and the fugitives whom
curiofity had led to the road, dialogues fre-
quently took place, to which I was fuffered
to
ARTHUR MERVYN. 2'j
to liften. From every mouth the tale of
forrow was repeated with new aggravations.
Pictures of their own diftrefs, or of that of
their neighbours, were exhibited in all the
hues which imagination can annex to pefti-
lence and poverty.
My pjeconceptiqns--of the evil now ap-
peared to have fallen fhort of the truth. The
dangers into which I was rufhing, feemed
more numerous and imminent than I had
previoufly imagined. I wavered not in my
purpofe. A panic crept to my heart, which
more vehement exertions were neceflary to
fubdue or controul j but I harboured not a
momentary doubt that the courfe which I
had taken was prefcribed by duty. There
was no difficulty or reluctance in proceed-
ing. All for which my efforts were de-
manded, was to walk in this path without
tumult or alarm.
Various circumftances had hindered me
from fetting out upon this journey as early
as was proper. My frequent paufes to liften
to the narratives of travellers, contributed
likewife
ARTHUR MERVYW*
like wife to procrafti nation. The fun had
nearly fet before I reached the precincts of
the city. 1 purfued the track which 1 had
formerly taken, and entered High Sueet
after nightfall. Inftead of equipages, and
a throng of { aflengers, the voice of hviry
and glee which I had formerly obferved,
and which the mildnefs of the feafon would
at other times have produced, I found no-
thing but a dreary foiitud .
f The market-place, and each fide of this
fnagnificent avenue, were illuminated, as
before, by lamps ; but between the verge of
Schuylkill and the heart of the city, I met
not more than a dozen figures, and thefe
were ghoft-like, wrapped in cloaks, from
behind which they caft upon me glances of
wonder and fufpicion ; and, as I approached,
changed their courfe, to avoid touching me.
Their clothes were fprinkled with vinegar,
and their noftrils defended from contagion
by fome powerful perfume.
I caft a look upon the houfes which I re-
collefted to have formerly been, at this hour,
brilliant
ARTHUR MERVYN, 285
brilUant with lights, refounding with lively-
voices, and thronged with bufy faces. Now
they were clofed above and below, dark, and
without tokens of being inhabited. From
the upper windows of fome, a gleam fome-
times fell upon the pavement I was traverf-
ing, and mewed that their tenants had not
fled, but were fecluded or difabled.
Thefe tokens were new, and awakened
all my panics. Death feemed to hover over
this fcene, and I dreaded that the floating
peftilence had already lighted on my frame*
I had fcarcely overcome thefe tremors, when.
J approached a houfe, the door of which was
open, and before which ftood a vehicle,
which I prefently recognifed to be a hearfe.
The driver was feated on it. I ftood flili
to mark his vifage, and to obferve tjie courfe
which he propofed to take. Frefently a
coffin, borne by two men, iffued from the
houfe. The driver was a negro, but his
companions were white. Their features were
marked by ferocious indifference to danger or
pity. One of them, as he afliiled in thrufting
the
286 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the coffin into the cavity provided for it,
faid * c I'll be damned if 1 think the poor
dog was quite dead. It was not the fever
that ailed him, but the fight of the girl and
her mother on the floor. I wonder how
they all got into that room. What carried
them there ?"
The other furlily muttered " Their legs
to be fure."
But what fhouSd they hug together in
one room for ?"
" To lave us trouble to be fure."
" And I thank them with ail my heart ;
but damn it, it was not right to put him in
his coffin before the breath was fairly gone.
I thought the laft look he gave me, told me
to ftay.a few minutes."
" Plhaw ! he could not live. The fooner
dead, the better for him, as well as for us.
Did you mark how he eyed us, when we
carried away his wife and daughter ? I never
cried in my life, fince I was knee-high ; but
curie me if I ever felt in better tune for the
bufmefs than jufl then, Hey !" continued
he,
ARTHUR MERVYN.
he, looking up, and obferving me {landing
a few paces diftant, and liftening to their
difcourfe, " what's wanted ? Any body
dead?"
I ft aid not to anfwer or par'ey, but hur-
ried forward. My joints trembled, and cold
drop ftood on my forehead. I was afhamed
of my own infirmity, and, by vigorous ef-
forts of my reafon, regained fome degree of
compofure. The evening had now ad-
Vanced, and it behoved me to procure ac-
commodation at fome of the inns.
Thefe were eafily diftinguifhed by their
figns j but. many were without inhabitants.
At length I lighted upon one, the hall of
which was open, and the windows lifted.
Afcer knocking for fome time, a young girl
appeared, with many marks of diftrcfs. In
antwer to my queflion, fhe faid that both
her parents were fick, and that they could
receive no one. I emjuired in vain for any
other tavern, at which ftrangers might be
accommodated. She knew of none fuel) ;
and left me, on fome one calling to her
from
288 ARTHUR MERVYN,
from above-, in the midft of my embarraff*-,
ment. After a moment's paufe, I return-
ed, difcomforted and perplexed, to the
ftreet.
I proceeded in a confiderable degree at
random. At length I reached a fpacious
building, in Fourth Street, which the fign-
potl (hewed me to be an inn. I knocked
loudly and often at the door. At length a
female opened the window of the fecond
flory, and, in a tone of peeviftinefs, de-
manded what I wanted ? I told her that I
wanted lodging.
*< Go hunt for it fomewhere elfe," faid
flie ; " you'll find none here."
I began to expoftulate ; but (he (hut the
window with quicknefs, and left me to my
own reflections.
I begaa now to feel fome regret at the
journey I had taken. Never, in the depths
of caverns or forefts, was I equally con-
fcious of lonelinefs. I was furrounded by
the habitations of men j but I was deftitute
of aflbciate or friend. I had money, but a
horfc
horfe fhclter, or a morfel of food, could not-
be purchafed. I came for the purpofe of
relieving others, but flood in the utmoft
need myfelf. Even in health my condition
was helplefs and forlorn ; but what would
become of me, mould this fatal malady be
contracted ? To hope that an afylum would
be afforded to a fick man, which was denied
to one in health, was unreafonabie.
The firfl impulfe which flowed from thefe
reflections, was to haften back to Malverton ;
which,- with fufficient diligence, I might
hope to regain before the morning light. I
could not, methought, return upon my fteps
with too much fpeed. I was prompted to
run, as if the pefl was rufhing upon me,
and could be eluded only by the moft preci-
pitate flight.
This impulfe was quickly counteracted by
new ideas. I thought with indignation and
fhame on the imbecility of my proceeding.
I called up the images of Sufan Hadwin and
of Wallace. 1 reviewed the motives which
had led me to the undertaking of this
VOL. i. o journey.
290 ARTHUR MERVYN.
journey. Time had by no means diminifhed
their force. I had indeed nearly arrived ac
the accomplishment of what I had intended.
A few fleps would carry me to Thetford's
habitation. This might be the critical mo-
ment, when fuccour was moft needed, and
would be moft efficacious.
I had previoufly concluded to defer going
thither till the enfuing morning ; but why
Ihould I allow myfelf a moment's delay ?
I might at lead gain an external view of the
houfe, and circumflances might arife which
would abfolve me from the obl'gition of
remaining an hour longer in the city. All
for which I came might be performed, the
deftiny of Wallace be afceitained, and I be
once more fafe within the precincts of Mal-
verton bef >re the return of day.
J immediately directed my fleps towards
the habitation of Thetford. Carriages,
bearing the dead, were frequently difcover-
ed. A few pafiengers likewife occurred,
whofe hafty and perturbed fleps denoted
their participation in the common diflrefs.
4 The
ARTHUR MERVYN. 291
The houfe, of which I was in queft, quickly
appeared. Light from an upper window
indicated that it was flill inhabited.
I paufed a moment, to reflect in what
manner it became me to proceed. To af-
certain the exiftence and condition of Wal-
lace was the purpofe of my journey. He
had inhabited this houfe ; and whether he
remained in it, was now to be known. I
felt repugnance to enter, fince my fafety
might, by entering, be unawares and ufe-
leflly endangered. Moft of the neighbour-
ing houfes were apparently deferted. In
fome there were various tokens of people
being within. Might 1 not enquire at one
ofthefe refpe-fting the condition of Thet-
ford's family ? Yet why fhould I difturb
them by enquiries fo impertinent at this un-
feafonable hour ? To knock at Thetford's
door, and put my queftions to him who
(hould obey the fignal, was the obvious
method.
I knocked dubioufly and lightly. No
one came. I knocked again, and mor^
o 2 loudly j
ARTHUR MERVYN.
loudly ; Ilikewife drew the bell I diftinctly
heard its diftant peals. If any were within,
my^fignal could not fail to be noticed. I
paufed and liftened ; but neither voice nor
footfteps could be heard. The light, though
obfcured by window- curtains, which feemed
to be drawn clofe, was dill perceptible.
I ruminated on the caufes that N might
hinder my fummons from being obeyed. I
figured to myfelf nothing but the helple'iflhefs
of difeafe, or the infenfibility of -death.
Thefe images only urged trie" to perfift in
endeavouring to obtain admiffion. With-
out weighing the. confequences of my aft, I
involuntarily lifted the latch. The door
yielded to my hand, .and I put.my feet within
the paffage.
Once more 1 paufed. The pafTage was of
confiderable extent, and at the end of it I
perceived light, as from a lamp or candle.
This impelled me to go for ward, till I reached
the foot of a flaircafe. A candle itood upon
the loweft itep.
This
ARTHUR MERVYN. 293
This was a new proof that the houfe was
not deferted. I ftruck my heel againft the
floor with fome violence ; but this, like my
former fignals, was unnoticed. Having
proceeded thus far, it would have been ab-
furd to retire with my purpofe uneffected.
Taking the candle in my hand, I opened a
door that was near : it led into a fpacious
parlour, furnimed with profufion and fplen-
dour. I walked to and fro, gazing at the
objefts which prefented themfelves ; and, in-
volved in perplexity, I knocked with my
heel louder than ever, but no lefs inef-
fectually.
Notwithstanding the lights which I had
o o
feen, it was poffiole that the houfe was un-
inhabited. This I was refolved to afcertain,
by proceeding to the chamber which I had
obferved from without to be illuminated.
This chamber, as far as the comparifon of
circumftances would permit me to decide, I
believed to be the fame in which J had pafled
the firft night of my late abode in the city.
Now was I, a fecond time, in aim >ft equal
o 3 ignorance
94 ARTHUR MERVYN
ignorance of my fituation, and of the con-
fequences which impended exploring my
way to the fame recefs.
I mounted the flairs. As I approached
the door of which I was in fearch, a vapour,
infectious and deadly, affailed my fenfes. It
refembled nothing of which I had ever be-
fore been fenfible. Many odours had been
met with, even fince my arrival in the city,
lefs fupportable than this. I feemed not fo
much to fmell, as to tafte the element that
now encompaffed me. I felt as if 1 had in-
haled a poifonous and fubtile fluid, whofe
power inftantly bereft my ftomach of all
vigour. Some fatal influence appeared to
feize upon my vitals ; and the work of cor-
rofion and decomposition to be bufily begun.
For a moment I doubted whether ima-
gination had not fome mare in producing
my fcnfaiion j but I had not been previoufly
panic ft ruck : and even now I attended to
rr>y own fenfations without mental difcom-
pofure. Tiiat I had imbibed this difeafe,
was not to be queftioned. So far the chances
in
ARTHUR MERVYN.
in my favour were annihilated. The lot of
ficknefs was drawn.
Whether my cafe would be lenient or
malignant whether I (hould recover or
perifh, was to be left to the decision of the
future. This incident, inftead of appalling
me, tended rather to invigorate my courage.
The danger which I feared, had come. I
muht enter with indifference on this theatre
of peftilence. I might execute, without fal-
tering, the duties that my circum fiances
might create. My ftate was no longer
hazardous ; and my deftiny would be totally
uninfluenced by my future conduct.
The pang with which I was firft feized,
and the momentary inclination to vomit,
which it produced, prefently fubfided My
wholefome feelings indeed did not revifit me,
but ftrength to proceed was reftored to me.
The effluvia became more fenfible as I ap-
proached the door of the chamber. The
door was ajar, and the lu,ht within was
perceived. My belief that thofe within were
o 4 dead,
296 ARTHUR MERVYN.
dead, was prefently confuted by a found,
which I firft fuppofed to be that of fleps
moving quickly and timorouily acrofs the
floor. This ceafed, and was fucceeded by
founds of different, but inexplicable import.
Having entered the apartment, I faw a
candle on the hearth. A table was covered
with vials and other apparatus of a fick cham-
ber. A bed flood on one fide, the curtain
of which was dropped at the foot", fo as to
conceal any one within. I fixed my eyes
upon this object. There were fufficient
tokens that fome one lay upon the bed.
Breath drawn at long intervals, mutterings
fcarcely audible, and a tremulous motion
in the bed {lead, were fearful and intelligible
indications.
If my heart faltered, it muft not be fup-
pofed that my trepidations arofe from any
felfim confiderations. Wallace only, the
objc ct of my fearch, was prefent to my fancy.
Pervaded with remembrance of the Had-
wins of the agonies which they had already
endured
ARTHUR MERVYN.
endured of the defpair which would over-
whelm the unhappy Sufan, when the death
of her lover mould be afcertained ob-
fervant of the lonely condition of this houfe,
whence I could only infer that the fick had
been denied fuitabie attendance ar.d re-
minded by the fymptoms that appeared, that
this being was ilruggling with the agonies
of death a ficknefs of the heart, more in-
fupportable than that which I had juft ex-
perienced, ftole upon me.
My fancy readily depicted the progreft
and completion of this tragedy. Wallace
was the firft of the family on whom the pe-
tilence had feized. Thetford had fled from
his habitation. Perhaps, as a father and a
hufband, to fhun the danger attending his
flay, was the injunction of his duty. It
was, queltionlefs, the conduct which felfifh
regards would dictate. Wallace was left to
perifh alone ; or, perhaps, which indeed was
a fuppofition fomewhat juftified by appear-
ances, he had been left to the attendance of
o 5 mercenary
9 ARTHUR MERVYN.
mercenary wretches, by whom, at this de-
fperate moment, he had been abandoned.
I was not mindlefs of the poffibility that
thefe forebodings, fpecious as they were,
might be falfe. The dying perfon might be
fome other than Wallace. The whifpers of
my hope were indeed faint ; but they at
lead prompted me to fnatch a look at the
expiring man. For this purpofe I advanced,
and thruft my head within the curtain.
CHAP.
ARTHUR MER.VYN. 259
CHAP. XVII.
DEATH.
jl HE features of one whom I had feen fo
tranfiently as Wallace, may be imagined to
be not eafily recognifed, efpecially when
thofe features were tremulous and deathful.
Here, however, the differences were toocon-
fpicuous to miflead me. I beheld one, to
whom I could recollect none that bore re-
femblance. Though ghaftly and livid, the
traces of intelligence and beauty were unde-
faced. The life of Wallace was of more
'value to a feeble individual j but furely the
being that was ftretched before me, and
o 6 who
3OO ARTHUR MERVYN.
who was battening to his laft breath, was pre-
cious to thoufands.
Was he not one in whofe place I would
willingly have died ? The offering was too
late. His extremities were already cold.
A vapour, noifome and contagious, hovered
over him. The flutterings of his pulfe had
ceafed. His exiftence was about to clofe
amidfl convulsions and pangs.
I withdrew my gaze from this object, and
walked to a table. I was nearly unconfcious
of my movements. My, thoughts were oc-
cupied with contemplations of the train of
horrors and difafters that purfue the race of
man. My mufings were quickly interrupted
by the fight of a fmall cabinet, the hinges
of which were broken, and the lid half raifed.
In the prefent itate of my thoughts, I was
prone to fufpect the worfl. Here were traces
of pillage. Some cafual or mercenary at-
tendant had not only contributed to haften
the death of the patient, but had rifled his
property, and fled.
This
ARTHUR MERVYN.
This fufpicion would, perhaps, have
yielded to mature reflections, if T had been
fuffered to reflect. A moment fcarcely
elapled, when fome appearance in the mirror
which hung over the table, called my atten-
tion. It was a human figure. Nothing;
^J t>
could be briefer than the glance that I fixed
upon this apparition ; yet there was room
enough for the vague conception to fugged
itfelf, that the dying man had ftaned from
his bed, and was approaching me. This
belief was at the f me inftant confuted by
the furvey of his form and garb. One eye,
a fear upon his cheek, a tawny fkin, a form
grotefquely mifproportioned, brawny as Her-
cules, and habited in livery, compofed as it
were the parts of one view.
To perceive, to fear, and to confront this
apparition were blended into one ientiment.
I turned towards him with the fwiftnefs of
lightning, but my fpeed was ufelefs to my
fafety. A blow upon my temple was fuc-
ceeded by an utter oblivion of thought and
of
ARTHUR MERVYtf.
of feeling. I funk upon the floor proftrate
and fenfclefs.
My infenfibility might be miftaken by
obfervers for death ; yet fome part of this
interval was haunted by a fearful dream. I
conceived myfelf lying on the brink of a pit,
whofe bottom the eye could not reach. My
hands and legs were fettered, fo as to difable
me from refilling two grim and gigantic
figures, who (looped to lift me from the
lieart. Their purpofe, methought, was to
caft me into this abyfs. My terrors were
unfpeakabte; and I ftruggled with fuch
force, that my bonds fnapped, and I found
myfelf at liberty. At this moment my fenfes
returned, and I opened my eyes.
The memory of recent events was, for a
time, effaced by my vifionary horrors. I was
confcious of tranfition from one (late of
being to another ; but my imagination was
ilill filled with images or danger. The bot-
tomlels gulf, and my gigantic pe;fecutors,
were ftill dreaded. I looked' up with
eagemefs.
ARTHUR MERVYN.
eagernefs. Befide me I difcovered three
figures, whofe chara&er or office was ex-
plained by a coffin of pine-boards which lay
upon the floor. One ftood with a hammer
and nails in his hand, as ready to replace and
faften the lid of the coffin, as foon as its
burthen fhould be received.
I attempted to rife from the floor ; but
my head was dizzy, and my fight confufed.
Perceiving me revive, one of the men afllft-
ed me to regain my feet. The mi ft and
confufion prefently vanifhed, fo as to allow
me to ftand unfupported, and to move. I
once more gazed at my attendants, and re-
cognifed the three men whom I had met in
High Street, and whofe converfation I have
memioned that I overheard. I looked again
upon the coffin. A wavering recollection of
the incidents that led me hither, and of the
ftunning blow which I had received, occur-
red to me. I faw into what error appear-
ances had milled thefe men, and fhuddered
to refled by what hair breadth means I had
efcaped being buried alive.
Before
304 ARTHUR MERVYM.
Before the men had time to interrogate
me, or to comment upon my (ituation, one
entered the apartment, whofe habit and mien
tended to encourage me. The flranger was
characterized by an afpect full of compofure
and benignity ; a face, in which the ierious
lines of age were blended with the ruddineis
and fmoothnefs of youth j and a garb that
befpoke that re igious profcflion, with whofe
benevolent doctrines the example of Had-
win had rendered me familiar.
On obferving me on my feet, he betrayed
marks of lurpriie and fatisfacti <n. He ad-
drefled me in a tone of mildnefs.
** Young man," faid he, " what is thy
condition ? Art thou fick ? If thou art,
thou mud confent to receive the belt treat-
ment which the times will afford. Thefe
men will convey thee to the hoipitalat Bulh
Hill."
The mention of that contagious and ab-
horred receptacle infpired me with fome
degree of energy. " No," faid T, " I am
not lick j a violent blow reduced me to
this
this fituation. I mall prefently recover
jdrength enough to leave this fpot without
afliftance."
He looked at me with an incredulous, but
compaffionate air." I fear thou clod de-
ceive thyfelf, or me. The ncceflity of going
to the hofpital is much to he regretted, but
on the whole it is bed. Perhaps, indeed,
thou haft kindred or friends who will take
care of theo."
" No," faid I, " neither kindred nor
friends. I am a dranger in the city. I do
not even know a fingle b^ing."
" Alas !" returned the ftranger, with a
figh, " thy date is forrowful i but how
earned thou hither ?*' continued he, looking
around him, " and whence corned thou ?"
" I came from the country. I reached
the city a few hours ago. I was in fearch of
a friend who lived in this houfe."
" Thy undertaking was drangely hazard-
ous and ram ; but who is the friend thou
feeked ? Was it he who died in that bed,
and whofe corpfe has jud been removed ?"
The
ARTHUR MERVYN.
The men now betrayed fome impatience,
and enquired of the laft comer, whom they
called Mr. Eftwick, what they were to do.
He turned to me, and aiked if I were willing
to be conducted to the hofpital.
I afiured him that I was free from difeafe,
and flood in no need of afiiftance ; adding,
that my feeblenefs was owing to a Running
blow received from a ruffian on my temple.
The marks of this blow were confpicuous,
and after fome hefitation he difmilfed the
men ; who, lifting the empty coffin on their
fhoulders, difappeared.
He now invited me to defcend into the
parlour ; " for," faid he, " the air of this
room is deadly. I feel already as if I fhould
have reafun to repent of having entered it."
He now enquired into the caufe of thofe
appearances which he had vvitnefled. 1 ex-
plained my fituation as clearly and fuccintflly
as I was able.
After pondering in filence on my ftory
" I fee how it is," faid he ; " the perfon
whom thou favveft in the agonies of death,
was
ARTHUR MERVYN.
was a ftranger. He was attended by his fer-
vant and a hired nurfc. His matter's, death
being certain, the nurfe was difpatched by
the fervant to procure a coffin. He pro-
bably chofe that opportunity to rifle his
matter's trunk that flood upon the table.
Thy unfeafonable entrance interrupted him ;
and he defigned, by the blow which he gave
thee, to fecure his retreat before the arrival
of a hearfe. I know the man, and the ap-
parition thou haft fo well ciefcribed, was his.
Thou fayeft that a friend of thine lived in
this houfe. Thou haft come too late to be of
fervice. The whole family have perilhed
not one was fuffered to efcape."
This intelligence was fatal to my hopes.
It required iome efforts to lubdue my riling
emotions. Companion not only for Wal-
lace, but for Thetford, his father, his wife,
and his child, caufed a paffionate effufion of
tears. I was afhamed of this ufelefs and
childlike fenfibility, and attempted to apo-
logize to my companion. The fympathy,
however, had proved contagious, and the
ftranger
3O8 ARTHUR MERVYtf.
ftranger turned away his face to hide his own
tears.
" Nay," faid he, in anfwer to my excufes,
" there is no need to be aftumed of thy
emotion. Merely to have known this fa-
mily, and to have witneflc-d their dep 1 orable
fate, is fufficient to melt the mofl obdurate
heart. I fufpeft that thou waft united to
fome one of this famiij, by ties of tender-
nefs like thofe which Ld the unfortunate
Maravegli hither."
This fiiggeftion was attended, in relation
to my felt, with iome degree of obfcurity;
but my curiofity was fomewhat excited by
the name that he had mentioned. I en-
quired into the character and fituation of this ,
perfon, and particularly refpecting his con-
nection with this family.
" Maravegli," anfwcred he, " was the
lover of the eldeft daughter, and already be-
trothed to her. The whole family, confift-
ing of helplefs females, had placed them-
felves under his peculiar guardianQiip.
Mary
ARTHUR MERVYN. 309
Mary Walpole and her children enjoyed in
him a huiband and a father."
The name of Walpole, to which 1 was a
ftranger, fuggefted doubts, which I haftened
to communicate. " I am in fearch," faid I,
" not of a female friend, though not devoid
of intereft'in the welfare of Thetford and
his family. My principal concern is for a
youth, by name Wallace."
He looked at me with furprife. "Thet-
ford ! this is not his abode. He changed
his habitation fome weeks previous to the
fever. Thofe who laft dwelt under this roof
were an Englilh woman and feven daugh-
ters."
This detection of my error fomewhat con-
foled me. It was ftill poflible that Wallace
was alive and in fafety. I eagerly enquired
whither Thetford had removed, and whe-
ther he had any knowledge of his prefent
condition.
They had removed to No. , in
Market Street. Concerning their ftate he
knew nothing. His acquaintance with
Thetford
^lO ARTHUR MERVYN.
Thetford was imperfect. Whether he had
left the city, or had remained, he was wholly
uninformed.
It became me to afcertain the truth in
thefe refpedb. I was preparing to offer my
parting thanks to the perfon by whom I had
been fo highly benefited ; fince, as he now
informed me, it was by his interpofition that
I was hindered from being enclofed alive in
a coffin. He was dubious of my true con-
dition, and peremptorily commanded the
followers of the hearfe to defift. A delay of
twenty minutes, and fome medical applica-
tion would, he believed, determine whether
my life was extinguilhed or fufpended. At
the end of this time, happily, my fenfes were
recovered*
Seeing my intention to depart, he enquired
why and whither 1 was going ? Having
heard my anfwer " Thy defign," refumed
he, " is highly indifcreet and ram. No-
thing will fooner generate this fever than
fatigue and anxiety. Thou haft fcarcely
recovered from the blow fo lately received.
Inftead
ARTHUR MERVYff. 3 1 1
Inftead of being ufeful to others, this
precipitation will only difable thyfelf.
Inftead of roaming the ftreets, and inhaling
this unwholefome air, thou hadft better be-
take thyfelf to bed, and try to obtain foms
fleep. In the morning thou wilt be better
qualified to afcertain the fate of thy friend,
and afford him the relief which he (hall
want."
I could not but admit the reafonablenefs
of thefe remonftrances j but where mould a
chamber and bed be fought ? It was not
likely that a new attempt to procure accom-
modation at the inns would fucceed better
than the former*
" Thy date," replied he, "is forrowfu!.
I have no houfe to which I can lead thee. I
divide my chamber, and even my bed with
another ; and my landlady could not be pre-
vailed upon to admit a flranger. What
thou wilt do, I know not* This houfe has
no one to defend it. It was purchafed and
furnilhed by the laft pofiefibr ; but the whole
family, including miftrefs, children, and fer-
vants
312 ARTHUR MERVYN.
vants, was cut off in a fingle week. Per-
haps no one in America can claim the
property. Meanwhile plunderers are nu-
merous and active. A houfe thus totally
deferted, and replenifhed with valuable fur-
niture, will, I fear, become their prey. To-
night nothing can be done towards rendering
it fecure, but flaying in it. Art thou willing
to remain here till the morrow ?
" Every bed in the houfe has probably
fuftained a dead perfon. It would not be
proper, therefore, to lie in any one of them.
Perhaps thou may ft find fome repofe upon
this carpet. It is, at leaft, better than the
harder pavement, and the open air."
This propofa!, after fome hefitation, I
embraced. He was preparing to leave me,
promifing, if life were fpared to him, to
return early in the morning. My curiofity
refpedting the perfon whole dying agonies I
had witneffed, prompted me to detain him a
few minutes.
" Ah !" faid he, " this, perhaps, is the
only one of many victims to this peililence,
whofe
ARTHUR MERYYN. 313
whose loss the remotest generations may
have reason to deplore. He was the only
descendant of an illustrious house of Ve-
nice. He had been devoted from his child-
hood to the acquisition of knowledge and
the practice of virtue. He came hither as
an enlightened observer; and after tra-
versing the country, conversing with all
the men in it, eminent for their talents or
their office, and collecting a fund of obser-
vations, whose solidity and justice have sel-
dom been paralleled, he embarked, three
months ago, for Europe.
"Previously to his departure, he formed
a tender connection with the eldest daugh-
ter of this family. The mother and her
children had recently arrived from England.
So many faultless women, both mentally
and personally considered, it was not my
fortune to meet with before. This youth
well deserved to be adopted into this fami-
ly. He proposed to return with the utmost
expedition to his native country, and after
VOL. i. P the.
314 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the settlement of his affairs, to hasten back
to America, and ratify his contract with
Fanny Walpole.
" The ship in which he embarked had
scarcely got twenty leagues to sea, before
she was disabled by a storm, and obliged to
return to port. He posted to New York,
to gain a passage in a packet shortly to sail.
Meanwhile this malady prevailed among
us. Mary Walpole was hindered, by her
ignorance of the nature of that evil which
assailed us, and the counsel of injudicious
friends, from taking the due precautions
for her safety. She hesitated to fly, till
flight was rendered impracticable. Her
death added to the helplessness and distrac-
tion of the family. They were successively
seized and destroyed by the same pest.
" Maravegli was apprized of their dan-
ger. He allowed the packet to depart
without him, and hastened to the rescue of
the Walpoles from the perils which encom-
passed them. He arrived in this city time
enough
ARTHUR MERVYN. 315
enough to witness the interment of the last
survivor ! In the same hour he was seized
himself by this disease: the catastrophe
is known to thee.
" I will now leave thee to thy repose.
Sleep is no less needful to myself than to
thee; for this is the second night which has
passed without it." Saying this, my com-
panion took his leave.
I now enjoyed leisure to review my situ-
ation I experienced no inclination to
sleep. I lay down for a moment ; but my
comfortless sensations and restless contem-
plations would not permit me to rest. Be-
fore I entered this roof, I was tormented
with hunger; but my craving had given
place to inquietude and loathing. I paced,
in thoughtful and anxious mood, across the
floor of the apartment.
I mused upon the incidents related by
Estwick upon the exterminating nature
of this pestilence and upon the horrors
of which it was productive. I compared
p2 the
316 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the experience of the last hours, with those
pictures which my imagination had drawn
in the retirements of Malverton. I won-
dered at the contrariety that exists between
the scenes of the city and the country ; and
fostered with more zeal than ever the reso-
lution to avoid those seats of depravity and
danger.
Concerning my own destiny, however,
I entertained no doubt. My new sensa-
tions assured me that my stomach had re-
ceived this corrosive poison. Whether I
should die or live, was easily decided. The
sickness, which assiduous attendance and
powerful prescriptionsmightremove^would,
by negligence and solitude, be rendered
fatal. But from whom could I expect me-
dical or friendly treatment ?
I had indeed a roof over my head. I
should not perish in the public way ; but
what was my ground for hoping to conti-
nue under this roof? My sickness being
suspected, I should be dragged in a cart to
the
ARTHUR MERVYN. 317
the hospital, where I should indeed die;
but not with the consolation of loneliness
and silence. Dying groans were the only
music, and livid corpses were the only spec-
tacle to which I should there be intro-
duced.
Immured in these dreary meditations,
the night passed away. The light glancing
through the window, awakened in my bo-
som a gleam of cheerfulness. Contrary to
my expectations, my feelings were not
more distempered, notwithstanding my
want of sleep, than on the last evening.
This was a token that my state was far from
being so desperate as I suspected. It was
possible, I thought, that this was the worst
indisposition to which I was liable.
Meanwhile the coming of Estwick was
impatiently expected. The sun arose, and
the morning advanced, but he came not.
I remembered that he talked of having rea-
son to repent his visit to this house. Per-
haps he likewise was sick, and that this was
the
318 ARTHUR MERVYN.
the cause of his delay. This man's kindness
had even my love. If I had known the
way to his dwelling, I should have hastened
thither to inquire into his condition, and to
perform for him every office that humanity
might enjoin ; but he had not afforded me
any information on that head.
END or VOL. i.
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