Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes Charlotte, Emily, Anne Brontë (Illustrated) (284 page)

“May I ausk” said he addressing the page in a tone which retained something of the ancient long-drawn twang, “Whather you were by yourself when you went to the Raubels?”

“No My master went part of the way with me the first time” replied Andrew.

“I thought so for the night before last whan I was returning from de counshel saupper, I saw a tall man & a little boy going towards the camp boundaries & the man was dressed in a green plaid such as laurd St Clair wears”

“That is conclusive evidence” observed Colonel Percy, “it’s corroborative” said the Duke “but I do not allow it to be quite conclusive”.

Steps were now heard approaching the door of the pavillion. & in another moment General Bobadil entered bearing a black box in one hand & a folded silk garment in the other. he silently deposited both on the table, the Duke first examined the latter article, it was one of those splendid Ashantee cloths which exhibit in their ever-varying hues all the vivid coulours of the rainbow, he then opened the casket & took out its contents which consisted of five double gold chains each two yards long, a collar & a pair of bracelets of the same costly metal, several ornaments in aggry beads & an amulet in a gold case blazing with the finest diamonds.

“Good God” said he when he had completed the survey “I could not have thought that these paltry trinkets would have purchased a British Soldiers faith. St Clair rise - let me hear your defence. I wish with my whole heart that you may be able to disprove all we have heard this night”

“My lord” said the Earl who had hitherto been sitting motionless with his head muffled in his plaid “I have no defence to make. Heaven knows my innocence, but how can I prove to man that all the seemingly fair & consistent evidence which has just been delivered is in reality a most Satanic compound of the deepest & blackest falsehoods, my destiny is at present dark & gloomy I will wait with patience till a better prospect rises”

So saying he folded his arms & resumed his former attitude, the Duke then proceeded to say that he should not yet pronounce sentence but should give the accused six weeks to collect witnesses & prepare for a formal trial, he informed him likewise that he should be instantly conveyed to Verdopolis & intimated his intention of repairing thither himself as soon as the rebellion should be finally quelled. The council now broke up & St Clair was removed by a band of soldiers to the tent usually appropriated to prisoners.

I must beg the reader to immagine that a space of six weeks has elapsed before he again beholds my hero, during which time he has been removed to Verdopolis & placed in one of those state dungeons that lie under the Tower of All nations. It was a gloomy place, a thousand feet below the upper world, the thick walls & the low roof elevated on short broad arches as massive as the rock whence they were hewn, admitted no sound however faint transient & far away by which the tenant of this living tomb might be reminded that near three millions of his fellow men were living & moving in the free light of heaven above him. The dead the dreary silence which hung in the grave-like atmostphere was however broken at intervals by a noise which low indeed & seemingly as distant as the earth’s central abyss yet shook the dungeon’s walls & as it reverberated among the other subterranean caverns which were excavated above below & around rung on the ear with a deep hollow boom that chilled the heart & brought the sweat-drops of terror to the brow. This was the clam-clam sounding through underground passages a thousand miles in length from the haunted hills ofjibbel Kumri.

Here on the evening of that day preceding the one appointed for his final trial, St Clair lay stretched on a bed of straw, a glimmering lamp was placed on the damp ground beside him, its feeble rays inadequate to dissipate the almost palpable darkness which shrouded the remote recesses of this fearful prison yet shed a faint dying light on the unfortunate nobleman’s wasted person & features. Not a trace remained of that bright bloom which health & youthful vigour had once communicated to his now wan & sunken cheek, the light of his eye however yet remained unquenchedf; the princely beauty of his countenance though faded was not destroyed.

Suddenly as a harsh, grating sound like a key turning in a rusty lock proclaimed the jailor’s approach he started from his recumbent posture & sat upright. It was full ten minutes before all the fastenings which secured the dungeon door were removed, but at length the last bolt was withdrawn & the heavy iron portals being unfolded gave admittance not to the jailor but to a tall man whose form & face were wholly concealed by the foldings of his ample mantle. With a slow & cautious step he advanced toward the Earl’s straw couch, & placing himself on that side which was most dimly illuminated by the lamp addressed him thus.

“Earl of St Clair if I mistake not you lie here on the charge of Treachery”

“And if I do” replied the prisoner whose spirit confinement had not in the least subdued “does that circumstance give strangers a right to insult me by the mention of it?”

“Certainly not” returned the unknown visitor unmoved by the indirect reproach which his words conveyed “Nor did I intend to insult you by the question I have just asked, my firm conviction is that you are innocent of the crime laid to your charge - do I err in that belief?”

“Do you err in a belief of your own existencef?” “I should think not”

“Be as certain then of the one fact as you are of the other & you will be right. “

“That is decisive” replied the stranger in a tone which revealed that a smile was curling his lip & then after a pause he added “My lord does not your trial for this false offence come on tomorrow?” “it does”

“& are you provided with evidence to disprove it?” “No & I doubt not that before forty eight hours go by I shall have fallen a victim to the hate of a malignant enemy. Yes the last son of the lords of Roslyn will go to his grave branded with the name of traitor” “Not if I can help it!” said the unknown “and I will do my utmost” “Stranger you are kind but what alas is it in your power to effect? the evidence against me is strong, the web of deceit has been woven with impenetrable art.”

“Oh but fear nothing. Truth shall prevail at last. tell me only who your concealed enemy is” “Colonel Percy, my accuser”

“I thought as much, & now I come to the object of my visit to you in this loathsome dungeon; why does he hate you?”

“Before I answer that question I must know who it is that asks me” “That cannot be” replied the Stranger drawing his ample cloak more firmly round him. “Thus far however I may say. I am the person who sometime since warned you to beware of Colonel Percy. I was present when the charge was brought against you & as I know something of the accuser’s character & disposition I was led to suspect the truth of what he said knowing that nothing but a motive of the most powerful kind could induce him to be so active in an affair of that nature. I ask you to inform me what that motive is if you will be candid with me the young vulture shall miss his prey this time.”

“Sir” replied the Earl “there is something in your voice which tells me I ought to trust you. Know then that I loved a woman who as I thought was the most beautiful & excellent of her sex. the Colonel was my rival and -”

“You have said enough” interrupted the stranger “I need no more to convince me fully of your perfect innocence. In such a case I know Colonel Percy would never rest till he had wreaked on his rival the deepest & deadliest revenge were that rival his own brother, the whole black conspiracy is now revealed: he is the traitor & heaven willing he shall die the traitor’s death. Tomorrow when you are called upon to produce evidence of your innocence do not hesitate to say that there is one in the court who if he will can prove you guiltless of the crime, leave the rest to me & now farewell I hope to-morrow night you will lay your head on a different pillowf “Farewell” said St Clair warmly grasping the stranger’s hand “& doubt not my unknown friend that a Roslyn will know how to recompense those who have saved his honour”

with these words the Earl fell back on his lowly pallet, while the stranger hastened to regain the upper Earth which he had quitted to fulfil his benevolent erand.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH

The old Hall of Military Justice (it has lately been pulled down and a new one erected in its stead) was a vast & gloomy building, surrounded by Galleries & surmounted by a huge dark dome upheld by massive columns the shadow of whose ponderous shafts united with the louring roof diffused around an air of profound & appropriate solemnity, here on the 25th of September 1814, upward of ten thousand people were assembled to view the trial of the Earl of St Clair for high Treason. The Duke of Wellington occupied the principal seat among thejudges who were twelve in number. A degree of intense interest contracted every brow as the noble prisoner loaded with irons & attired in the striking costume of his clan was led by a guard of soldiers into the centre of the hall. None could behold his lofty bearing his majestic form, his youthful & handsome features, & the stately gait with wich he moved in spite of his heavy fetters, without experiencing an involuntary conviction that he who stood before them was no traitor.

The first step taken by the court was to demand a recapitulation of the evidence which had already been adduced, this was accordingly gone into: the jewels, the amulet, the cloth, & the sword were all sedulously displayed & it appeared that nothing was wanting to prove the prisoner’s guilt in the most satisfactory manner. “He is lost beyond redemption” was the general feeling which prevaded the bosom of every spectator. The Earl was now called upon for his defence, slowly he rose & with a calm dignity of manner proceeded to assert his innocence & deprecate the clemency of his Judges .

“My Lords” said he rising in energy as he went on “I do not implore an acquittal . that would be the part of a man who conscious of guilt seeks mercy as a boon. no I claim it, it is my right, I am innocent & I demand to be treated as such, I conjure you to do your duty, believe the word of a nobleman whose honnour till now was never doubted & reject that of a - what shall I call him - of a man who to speak in mild terms is well known utterly to disregard both truth & honour when injuries either real or supposed awake in his bosom the blood-thirsty passion of revenge. And my lords for the other witness” (here he turned his full dark eyes on the perjured page who shrunk as if blighted by his glance) “I know not what demon has possessed my vassal’s breast what hell-born eloquence has persuaded the orphan who since his birth has existed only on my bounty, to aid in the destruction of his lord & benefactor, but this I know they who shall condemn me for such cursed testimony will sin both in the eyes of men & angels. My lords avoid the sin for the sake of that Justice whose servants you profess to be & whose image stands there the Guardian of your hall.” (every eye turned as he spoke to the colossal statue of Justice which stood conspicuous in the light of the lofty window. meantime the Earl continued) “My lords avoid it for your own sake for I warn you the last St Clair will not die unavenged. There are on the heights of my own Elimbos ten thousand unconquered warriors, seven times that number fierce as lions & free as the Eagles that furnish their crests dwell in the bosoms of those hundred glens that ruled by no sovereign controled by no laws lie among the wild Branni Hills. And when the news that I am dead that the house of their chief is fallen, that his name & fame are blasted shall reach these wild sons of the mist, let my
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ho cut me off with the sword & under the mask of Justice tremble in their high places. My lords I will say no more, do as you list & gather the fruit of your deed.”

The question was now put whether he had any witnesses to call. For a moment he was silent & seemed lost in deep thought but almost immediately raising his head he said in a firm tone “I believe there is one in this hall who if he will can do me great service.” there was a pause, the Judges (except the Duke who throughout the trial had preserved his usual imperturbable calmness of demeanour) regarded each other with looks of astonishment. The exulting smile which had begun to dawn on Colonel Percy’s cheek vanished, the page turned pale, & St Clair’s own countenance assumed an expression of anxious expectation, at length a slight bustle was heard in one part of the hall, a movement became perceivable among the dense & hitherto almost motionless mass of spectators, their close ranks slowly opened & a young man of handsome & genteel appearance attired in an officer’s undress uniform, advanced to the Judges’ seats.

“Are you come to bear testimony in favour of the prisoner?” asked the Duke of Wellingtonf.

“I am” replied the young officer bowing respectfully to his interrogator.

“what is your name & profession?”

“My name is John Bud & I hold the rank of Ensign in the Sixty-fifth regiment of horse commanded by Colonel Percy”

“Repeat what you know concerning this affair but first let the oath be administered to him.”

this formula being complied with Ensign Bud proceeded to give evidence to the following effect. That on the night preceding that on which the army received orders to attack the enemies camp, he was returning to his own tent after passing the evening with a friend, when just as he passed the outskirts of a thick grove of trees, beside the river, the words “thou shalt obey me this instant Dwarf or I’ll stab thee to the heart” caught his ear, that on looking through the branches he beheld Colonel Percy & a man dressed in livery holding between them a little boy whom he believed to be the same now present in their lordships’ court, that the child fell on his knees & promised to obey them in every-thing, That the Colonel then told him to go to the African Camp & claim a reward in the name of his master the Earl of St Clair for intelligence of an important nature concerning certain plans which had just been resolved on in a council of war, that on the boy’s declaring he did not know the way the Colonel said he would go with him as far as the boundaries, that then after wrapping himself in a green plaid which he took from the child, all three left the place & were soon out of sight. As the witness concluded this singular piece of evidence, Colonel Percy started from his seat & sprung rather than stepped to the bar.

“My lords” he exclaimed in a loud but agitated voice which while his flushed cheek, fierce eye & the veins swelled almost to bursting on his forehead proclaimed the violence of the emotions that were contending within him “my lords I implore you not to believe a word which has been uttered by that forsworn that perjured minion, mean revenge has dictated -” he was going on with increasing vehemence when the Duke of Wellington commanded silence.

A short conference carried on in such low tones as scarcely to be audible then suceeded among the judges the result of which was that they declared that Ensign Bud’s testimony was not sufficiently clear & decisive to warrant an immediate acquittal but that they should remand the prisoner for the present in order that he might have an opportunity of procuring additional evidence. The court was now about to dissolve when a movement became again visible among the crowd, it opened a second time & our friend Mr Sdeath appeared’
followed by six men bearing a litter on which lay a man dressed in the blue silver laced coat of a foot man. His countenance was ghastly pale & his clothes were covered with recent stains of blood. “Set him down here at the foot of his master as in duty bound” said Mr Sdeath, coming forward with an air of bustling assiduity, & carefully assisting the men to deposit their doleful burden just beside Colonel Percy.

“What do you mean by this you villain?” asked he turning as pale as the dying man before him. Sdeath answered this question by a quiet inward chuckle & a significant nod of intelligence, then turning to the Duke he said “You see my lord I was daunering’ out this morning up the valley to get a breath of country air when just as I got to a very lonely & quiet spot I heard a long rattling groan like as it might be of a man that’s either drunk or discontented, so I turned to the place it seemed to come from & what should I see but this here carrion lying writhing on the ground like a trodden snake. “What’s to do with you?” says I “& who’s brought you to that smart pass my beauty?” “Colonel Percy” he squeeled out “Oh carry me to Verdopolis carry me to the hall of Justice ; let me be revenged on the wretch before I die” There was no resisting this pathetic appeal, besides I have a great affection for the Colonel & knowing him to be a wildish young man (youth alas! has its follies as well as old age) I thought the sight of his poor servant in the dead thraws might do him good, so I ran hired a litter & brought him here according to his wish”

“What is the meaning of all this?” asked the Duke “Who is the wounded man?”

“I am a miserable & deluded being” replied Travers in a hollow tremulous tone “but if it please heaven to grant me strength & time for confession I will ease my conscience of a part at least of that fiery burden which presses on it. Let it be known to all in this place that the Earl of St Clair is totally innocent of the crime laid to his charge. My master is the traitor, yes - but - but I cannot get on,” here he paused from exhaustion his eyes closed his breath came thick & to all present it appeared as if he were dying. on a glass of wine being administered to him however he revived in some degree, raising himself in his litter he requested to speak with St Clair in Private. Orders were immediately given for the crowd to be cleared out, the subordinate Judges likewise removed to a distant part of the hall & none remained within hearing of his confession except the Duke of Wellington, Ensign Bud & the Earl himself, this being done the poor wretch proceeded thus.

“My lord Colonel Percy hates you for what reasons you yourself best know, he recognized you for an old enemy at the Olympic Games & ordered me after the Prizes were distributed to watch your motions & inform him where you should take up quarters for the night. I dogged you as far as the Zephyr Valley & then returned to tell my master. When we returned you were fast asleep, & that boy whom from his dress short stature & withered unnatural features my master always called the Green Dwarf was laid at your feet, the Colonel then bade me go & fetch the boy to him. I did so & when he was brought, Percy drew his sword & threatened to kill him on the spot if he would not instantly swear to obey him in every thing he should command, the lad called out that if he did obey him it should be for the promise of a reward rather than for a threat of punishment, my master told him to name his own reward; he said he would do so when he knew what his business was to be. Colonel Percy told him in the first place it was to tell him who his master was. he said he would do that for five pounds & then confessed directly that you were the Earl of St Clair, afterwards the Colonel told him that he was to be a spy on all your actions, to note particularly whether you went to Charlesworth Castle” to follow you thither, if possible to listen at the door of the appartment to which you might be shown & to report everything that was said to him. The little mercenary wretch swore to do all this for a hundred pounds. He was then informed in what part of the city his employer resided, & dismissed to commence his villainous system of espial. About a week afterwards he arrived at our house panting & quite out of breath & desired to see the Colonel instantly, he had brought information that you & lady Emily Charlesworth had concerted a plan of elopement together which was to be put in practice at twelve o’clock that night, my master commanded him to delay you as much beyond the time as he could & then dismissed him. At eleven o’clock he & myself set of in a carriage & six for the castle, we reached the place of rendezvous a chestnut avenue shortly after twelve, at the entrance my master got out & went a little way up the walk, he soon returned with the lady & handed her into the carriage”

“Did she go with him willinglyp” asked St Clair in a tone of the deepest agitationf.

“yes but it was because he had passed himself for you, & as he had on a travelling cloak & the trees threw a very dark shade it was impossible for her to discover the cheat.”

“But she might have recognized his voice, he spoke to her did he not?”

“Very seldom & when he did it was scarcely above his breath”

“Well proceed : where did you carry her?”

“That I cannot, dare not tell. I am bound by a solemn oath never to reveal it & surely you would not have me add fresh agonies to my dying hour by committing the crime of perjury?”

In this determination the man seemed fixed. St Clair tried in vain arguments, entreaties & commands & seeing it was impossible to prevail with him & that the sands of life were running very low, he at length permitted him to continue his confession.

“When she was secured” said he “We returned to Verdopolis & the next day accompanied the rest of the army on their march against the rebels, you arrived at the camp shortly after us. as soon as he saw you my master resolved to rid himself of an abhorred rival in your person & was confirmed in this resolution by seeing the distinction with which his Grace the Duke of Wellington treated you. accordingly one night he ordered me to fetch him the Green Dwarf. I proceeded to your tent for this purpose & by means of a peculiar signal with which he was acquainted called him out. Subsequently by means of threats & promises the Dwarf was induced to lend his aid in executing the scheme which my master had devised for your disgrace & death, he went to the camp, betrayed the secrets of the council in your name & brought back as a recompense the articles which are now lying on that table, these he afterwards buried in your tent, he removed the sword which was fastened to your belt & put that scymitar in its place, & finally he completed his treachery by delivering that false evidence which has so nearly been the means of causing you to incur an undeserved & shameful death”