VOLUME THREE, CHAPTER TWO.
Then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression, And stolen glances, sweeter for the theft, And burning blushes, though for no transgression. Tremblings when met, and restlessness when left. All these are little preludes to possession, Of which young passion cannot be bereft, And merely tend to show how greatly love is Embarrassed, at first starting, with a novice. BYRON.
It was in no very happy frame of mind that Newton quitted the colonel'shouse to execute his mission to the Miss Revels. That the two eldest,provided they were admitted, would not much take to heart, either theconduct of their father, or the coolness of their relation, he waspretty well assured; but he was too well acquainted with Isabel'scharacter, not to know that she would deeply feel the humiliatingsituation in which she was placed, and that it would prey upon hergenerous and sensitive mind. As, however, there was no remedy, healmost congratulated himself that, as the colonel's message was to bedelivered, the commission had been placed in his trust.
Captain Drawlock, tired of waiting, had escorted the young ladies onshore to the hotel, anxiously expecting the arrival of Newton, who wasconducted there by a messenger despatched to intercept him.
"Well, Mr Forster, is it all right?" said Captain Drawlock, on hisappearance.
"The colonel's carriage will be here for the ladies in less than half anhour," replied Newton, evasively.
"Then, Miss Revels, as I am extremely busy, I shall wish you goodmorning, and will have the pleasure of paying my respects before I sail.Allow me to offer you my best thanks for your company during ourvoyage, and to assure you how much your presence has contributed toenliven it. Forster, you will of course remain with the Miss Revels,and see them safe in the carriage;" and Captain Drawlock, who appearedto consider his responsibility over with the voyage, shook hands withthem and quitted the hotel.
"Mr Forster," said Isabel, as soon as Captain Drawlock was out ofhearing, "I am sure by your countenance that there has been somethingunpleasant. Is it not so?"
"I am sorry to answer in the affirmative, and more sorry to be forced toimpart the cause." Newton then entered into a detail of what had passedat the colonel's house. Isabel listened to it with attention, hersisters with impatience. Miss Charlotte, with an air of consternation,inquired whether the colonel had refused to receive them: on beinginformed to the contrary, she appeared to be satisfied. Laura simpered,and observed, "How very odd of papa!" and then seemed to think no moreabout it. Isabel made no observation; she remained on her chair,apparently in deep and painful thought.
A few minutes after the communication the colonel's carriage made itsappearance, and Newton proposed that they should quit the hotel.Charlotte and Laura were all ready and impatient, but Isabel remainedseated by the table.
"Come, Isabel," cried Charlotte.
"I cannot go, my dear Charlotte," replied Isabel; "but do not let meprevent you or Laura from deciding for yourselves."
"Not go!" cried the two sisters at once. Isabel was firm; and Newton,who did not think himself authorised to interfere, was a silent witnessto the continued persuasions and expostulations of the two elder, andthe refusal of the younger sister. Nearly half an hour thus passed awaywhen Charlotte and Laura decided that they would go, and send back thecarriage for Isabel, who by that time would have come to her senses.The heartless, unthinking girls tripped gaily down to the carriage, anddrove off. Newton, who had escorted them, retraced his steps, with abeating heart, to the room where he had left Isabel.
She was in tears.
"Do I intrude, Miss Revel?" said Newton, who could not repress hisemotion at the sight.
"Oh, no! I expected and wished that you would return, Mr Forster. Doyou think that you could find Captain Drawlock? I should feel muchobliged if you would take that trouble for me."
"I will immediately go in search of him, if you wish it. Believe me,Miss Revel, I feel most sincerely for your situation; and, if it werenot considered an impertinent question, I should ask you what may beyour present intentions?"
"Acquainted as you are with all the circumstances, Mr Forster, thequestion is not impertinent, but kind. God knows that I require anadviser. I would, if possible, conceal the facts from Captain Drawlock.It is not for a daughter to publish a father's errors; but you knowall, and I can therefore have no scruple in consulting with you: I donot see why I should. My resolution is, at best a hasty one; but it is,never to enter the house of my relation, under such humiliatingcircumstances--that is decided: but how to act, or what to do, is whereI require advice. I am in a cruel situation. What a helpless creatureis a woman! Were I a man, I could have worked my passage home; or havehonestly obtained my bread in this place; but a woman--a young andunprotected woman--in a distant clime, and without a friend--"
"Do not say that you are without a friend; one who has at least thewill, if not the power to serve you," replied Newton.
"No--not without a friend; but what avails a friend whose assistance Icould not accept? It is to Captain Drawlock, therefore, that I mustapply, and, painful as it may be, throw myself upon his generosity; forthat reason I wished to see him. He may advise some means by which Imay obtain a passage home. I will return in any capacity, as a nurse tochildren, as an attendant--any thing that is creditable. I would watchover the couch of fever, pestilence, and plague, for months, rather thanappear to be a party to my father's duplicity. Oh! Mr Forster, whatmust you think of the daughters, after what you have heard of theparent's conduct?"--and Isabel burst into tears.
Newton could contain himself no longer. "My dear Miss Revel, let mepersuade you to compose yourself," said he, taking her hand, which wasnot withdrawn; "if you feel on this occasion, so do I most deeply;--mostdeeply, because I can only lament, and dare not offer to assist you.The means of returning to your own country, I can easily procure fromCaptain Drawlock; but would you accept it from me? I know--I cannotexpect that you would; and that, under such circumstances, it would beinsulting in me to offer it. Think, then, what pain I must feel towitness your distress, and yet dare not offer to assist one for whom--oh! my God--" ended Newton, checking his feelings.
"I feel the kindness and the delicacy of your conduct, Mr Forster; andI will candidly acknowledge, that, could I accept it, there is no one towhom I would more cheerfully be under an obligation; but the world willnot permit it."
"What shall I do, Miss Revel?--shall I go for Captain Drawlock?"
"Stay a little while, I wish to reflect. What would you advise? as afriend, tell me candidly, Mr Forster."
"I am indeed proud that you allow me that title. It is all that I everdare hope for;--but Isabel--I beg your pardon, Miss Revel, I should havesaid--"
"Nay, nay, I am not displeased. Why not Isabel? We have known oneanother long enough, and deserted as I feel a kind word now."--Isabelcovered her face with her hand. Newton, who was standing by her, wasovercome by the intensity of his feelings; gradually they approachednearer, until by, I suppose, the same principle which holds the universetogether, the attraction of cohesion, Newton's arm encircled the waistof Isabel, and she sobbed upon his shoulder. It was with difficultythat Newton refrained from pouring out his soul, and expressing theardent love which he had so long felt for her; but it was takingadvantage of her situation. He had nothing to offer but himself andbeggary. He did refrain. The words were not spoken; yet Isabel divinedhis thoughts, appreciated his forbearance, and loved him more for hisresolution.
"Isabel," said Newton, at length, with a sigh, "I never valued or wishedfor wealth till now. Till this hour I never felt the misery of beingpoor."
"I believe you, Mr Forster; and I am grateful, as I know that it is formy sake that you feel it; but," continued she, recovering herself,"crying will do no good. I asked you for your advice, and you have onlygiven me your arm."
"I am afraid it is all I shall ever have to offer," replied Newton."But, Isabel, allow me to ask you one question:--are you resolved neverto enter your relation's h
ouse?"
"Not on the humiliating terms which he has proposed. Let the colonelcome here for me and take me home with him, and then I will remain thereuntil I can return to England; if not, I will submit to any privation,to any honest humiliation, rather than enter under his roof. Butindeed, Mr Forster, it is necessary that Captain Drawlock should besummoned. We are here alone: it is not correct: you must feel that itis not."
"I do feel that it is not; but, Isabel, I was this morning of sometrifling service to the colonel, and may have some little weight withhim. Will you allow me to return to him and try what I can do? It willnot be dark for these two hours, and I will soon be back."
Isabel assented. Newton hastened to the colonel, who had already beenmuch surprised when he had been informed by his domestics (for he hadnot seen them) that only two ladies had arrived. The old gentleman wasnow cool. The explanation and strong persuasions of Newton, coupledwith the spirited, behaviour of Isabel, whose determination was madeknown to him, and which was so different from the general estimate hehad formed of the sex, at last prevailed. The colonel ordered hiscarriage, and, in company with Newton, drove to the hotel, made a sortof apology--a wonderful effort on his part, and requested hisgrand-niece to accept of his hospitality. In a few minutes Isabel andthe colonel were out of sight, and Newton was left to his ownreflections.
A few days afterwards Newton accepted the colonel's invitation to dine,when he found that affairs were going on better than he expected. Theold gentleman had been severely quizzed by those who were intimate withhim, at the addition to his establishment, and had winced not a littleunder the lash; but, on the whole, he appeared more reconciled thanwould have been expected. Newton, however, observed that, when speakingof the three sisters, he invariably designated them as "my grand-niece,and the two other young women."