CHAPTER XXVII.
--"I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love." _Merchant of Venice._
Cecilia and Katherine separated from Alice Dunscombe in the lowergallery of the cloisters; and the cousins ascended to the apartmentwhich was assigned them as a dressing-room. The intensity of feelingthat was gradually accumulating in the breasts of the ladies, ascircumstances brought those in whom their deepest interests were centredinto situations of extreme delicacy, if not of actual danger, perhaps,in some measure, prevented them from experiencing all that concern whichthe detection and arrest of Merry might be supposed to excite. The boy,like themselves, was an only child of one of those three sisters, whocaused the close connection of so many of our characters; and his tenderyears had led his cousins to regard him with an affection that exceededthe ordinary interest of such an affinity; but they knew that in thehands of Colonel Howard his person was safe, though his liberty mightbe endangered. When the first emotions, therefore, which were createdby his sudden appearance after so long an absence had subsided, theirthoughts were rather occupied by the consideration of what consequences,to others, might proceed from his arrest, than by any reflections onthe midshipman's actual condition. Secluded from the observations ofany strange eyes, the two maidens indulged their feelings, withoutrestraint, according to their several temperaments. Katherine moved toand fro in the apartment, with feverish anxiety, while Miss Howard,by concealing her countenance under the ringlets of her luxuriant darkhair, and shading her eyes with a fair hand, seemed to be willing tocommune with her thoughts more quietly.
"Barnstable cannot be far distant," said the former, after a few minuteshad passed; "for he never would have sent that child on such an errand,by himself!"
Cecilia raised her mild blue eyes to the countenance of her cousin, asshe answered:
"All thoughts of an exchange must now be abandoned; and perhaps thepersons of the prisoners will be held as pledges, to answer for the lifeof Dillon."
"Can the wretch be dead? or is it merely a threat, or some device ofthat urchin? He is a forward child, and would not hesitate to speak andact boldly, on emergency."
"He is dead!" returned Cecilia, veiling her face again in horror; "theeyes of the boy, his whole countenance, confirmed his words! I fear,Katherine, that Mr. Barnstable has suffered his resentment to overcomehis discretion, when he learned the treachery of Dillon; surely, surely,through the hard usages of war may justify so dreadful a revenge on anenemy, it was unkind to forget the condition of his own friends!"
"Mr. Barnstable has done neither, Miss Howard," said Katherine,checking her uneasy footsteps, her light form swelling with pride; "Mr.Barnstable is equally incapable of murdering an enemy or of deserting afriend!"
"But retaliation is neither deemed nor called murder, by men in arms."
"Think it what you will, call it what you will, Cecilia Howard, I willpledge my life, that Richard Barnstable has to answer for the blood ofnone but the open enemies of his country."
"The miserable man may have fallen a sacrifice to the anger of thatterrific seaman, who led him hence as a captive!"
"That terrific seaman, Miss Howard, has a heart as tender as your own.He is----"
"Nay, Katherine," interrupted Cecilia, "you chide me unkindly; let usnot add to our unavoidable misery, by such harsh contention."
"I do not contend with you, Cecilia; I merely defend the absent and theinnocent from your unkind suspicions, my cousin."
"Say, rather, your sister," returned Miss Howard, their handsinvoluntarily closing upon each other, "for we are surely sisters! Butlet us strive to think of something less horrible. Poor, poor Dillon!now that he has met a fate so terrible, I can even fancy him less artfuland more upright than we had thought him! You agree with me, Katherine,I see by your countenance, and we will dwell no longer on thesubject.--Katherine! my cousin Kate, what see you?"
Miss Plowden, as she relinquished her pressure of the hand of Cecilia,had renewed her walk with a more regulated step; but she was yet makingher first turn across the room, when her eyes became keenly set on theopposite window, and her whole frame was held in an attitude of absorbedattention. The rays of the setting sun fell bright upon her darkglances, which seemed fastened on some distant object, and gave anadditional glow to the mantling color that was slowly stealing, acrossher cheeks, to her temples. Such a sudden alteration in the manner andappearance of her companion had not failed to catch the attentionof Cecilia, who, in consequence, interrupted herself by the agitatedquestion we have related. Katherine slowly beckoned her companion to herside, and, pointing in the direction of the wood that lay in view, shesaid:
"See yon tower, in the ruin! Do you observe those small spots of pinkand yellow that are fluttering above its walls?"
"I do. They are the lingering remnants of the foliage of some tree;but they want the vivid tints which grace the autumn of our own dearAmerica!"
"One is the work of God, and the other has been produced by the art ofman. Cecilia, those are no leaves, but they are my own childish signals,and without doubt Barnstable himself is on that ruined tower. Merrycannot, will not, betray him!"
"My life should be a pledge for the honor of our little cousin," saidCecilia. "But you have the telescope of my uncle at hand, ready for suchan event! one look through it will ascertain the truth--"
Katherine sprang to the spot where the instrument stood, and with eagerhands she prepared it for the necessary observation.
"It is he!" she cried, the instant her eye was put to the glass. "Ieven see his head above the stones. How unthinking to expose himself sounnecessarily!"
"But what says he, Katherine?" exclaimed Cecilia; "you alone caninterpret his meaning."
The little book which contained the explanations of Miss Plowden'ssignals was now hastily produced, and its leaves rapidly run over inquest of the necessary number.
"Tis only a question to gain my attention. I must let him know he isobserved."
When Katherine, as much to indulge her secret propensities as with anyhope of its usefulness, had devised this plan for communicating withBarnstable, she had, luckily, not forgotten to arrange the necessarymeans to reply to his interrogatories. A very simple arrangement of someof the ornamental cords of the window-curtains enabled her to effectthis purpose; and her nimble fingers soon fastened the pieces of silkto the lines, which were now thrown into the air, when these signals inminiature were instantly displayed in the breeze.
"He sees them!" cried Cecilia, "and is preparing to change his flags."
"Keep then your eye on him, my cousin, and tell me the colors that heshows, with their order, and I will endeavor to read his meaning."
"He is as expert as yourself! There are two more of them flutteringabove the stones again: the upper is white, and the lower black."
"White over black," repeated Katherine, rapidly, to herself, as sheturned the leaves of her book.--"'_My messenger: has he been seen?_'--Tothat we must answer the unhappy truth. Here it is--yellow, white, andred--'_He is a prisoner._' How fortunate that I should have preparedsuch a question and answer. What says he, Cecilia, to this news?"
"He is busy making his changes, dear. Nay, Katherine, you shake soviolently as to move the glass! Now he is done; 'tis yellow over black,this time."
"'_Griffith, or who?_' He does not understand us; but I had thought ofthe poor boy, in making out the numbers--ah! here it is; yellow, green,and red--'_My cousin Merry_'--he cannot fail to understand us now."
"He has already taken in his flags. The news seems to alarm him, for heis less expert than before. He shows them now--they are green, red, andyellow."
"The question is, '_Am I safe?_' 'Tis that which made him tardy, MissHoward," continued Katherine. "Barnstable is ever slow to consult hissafety. But how shall I answer him? should we mislead him now, how couldwe ever forgive ourselves!"
"Of Andrew Merry there is no fear," returned Cecilia; "and I thinkif Captain Borroughcliffe had any intimation of the proximity of hisenem
ies, he would not continue at the table."
"He will stay there while wine will sparkle, and man can swallow," saidKatherine; "but we know, by sad experience, that he is a soldier on anemergency; and yet, I'll trust to his ignorance this time--here, I havean answer: '_You are yet safe, but be wary_.'"
"He reads your meaning with a quick eye, Katherine; and he is ready withhis answer too: he shows green over white, this time. Well! do you nothear me? 'tis green over white. Why, you are dumb--what says he, dear?"
Still Katherine answered not, and her cousin raised her eyes from theglass, and beheld her companion gazing earnestly at the open page, whilethe glow which excitement had before brought to her cheek was increasedto a still deeper bloom.
"I hope your blushes and his signals are not ominous, Kate," addedCecilia; "can green imply his jealousy, as white does your purity? whatsays he, coz?"
"He talks, like yourself, much nonsense," said Katherine, turning toher flags, with a pettish air, that was singularly contradicted by hergratified countenance; "but the situation of things requires that Ishould talk to Barnstable more freely."
"I can retire," said Cecilia, rising from her chair with a grave manner.
"Nay, Cecilia, I do not deserve these looks--'tis you who exhibit levitynow! But you can perceive for yourself that evening is closing in,and that some other medium for conversation, besides the eyes, may beadopted.--Here is a signal, which will answer: _'When the abbey clockstrikes nine, come with care to the wicket, which opens, at the eastside of the paddock, on the road: until then, keep secret.'_ I hadprepared this very signal, in case an interview should be necessary."
"Well, he sees it," returned Cecilia, who had resumed her place by thetelescope, "and seems disposed to obey you, for I no longer discern hisflags or his person."
Miss Howard now arose from before the glass, her observations beingended; but Katherine did not return the instrument to its corner,without fastening one long and anxious look through it, on what nowappeared to be the deserted tower. The interest and anxiety producedby this short and imperfect communication between Miss Plowden andher lover did not fail to excite reflections in both the ladies,that furnished materials to hold them in earnest discourse, until theentrance of Alice Dunscombe announced that their presence was expectedbelow. Even the unsuspecting Alice, on entering, observed a change inthe countenances and demeanor of the two cousins, which betrayed thattheir secret conference had not been entirely without contention. Thefeatures of Cecilia were disturbed and anxious, and their expression wasnot unlike melancholy; while the dark flashing eye, flushed temples,and proud, determined step of Katherine exhibited in an equal, if not agreater degree, a very different emotion. As no reference to the subjectof their conversation was, however, made by either of the young ladiesafter the entrance of Alice, she led the way, in silence, to thedrawing-room.
The ladies were received, by Colonel Howard and Borroughcliffe, withmarked attention. In the former there were moments when a deep gloomwould, in spite of his very obvious exertions to the contrary, stealover his open, generous countenance; but the recruiting officermaintained an air of immovable coolness and composure. Twenty timesdid he detect the piercing looks of Katherine fastened on him, with anintentness that a less deliberative man might have had the vanity tomisinterpret; but even this flattering testimonial of his power toattract failed to disturb his self-possession. It was in vain thatKatherine endeavored to read his countenance, where everything was fixedin military rigidity, though his deportment appeared more than usuallyeasy and natural. Tired at length with her fruitless scrutiny, theexcited girl turned her gaze upon the clock: to her amazement, shediscovered that it was on the stroke of nine, and, disregarding adeprecating glance from her cousin, she arose and quitted the apartment.Borroughcliffe opened the door for her exit, and, while the lady civillybowed her head in acknowledgment of his attention, their eyes oncemore met; but she glided quickly by him, and found herself alone in thegallery. Katherine hesitated, more than a minute, to proceed, for shethought she had detected in that glance a lurking expression, thatmanifested conscious security mingled with secret design. It was nother nature, however, to hesitate, when circumstances required that sheshould be both prompt and alert; and, throwing over her slight persona large cloak, that was in readiness for the occasion, she stole warilyfrom the building.
Although Katherine suspected most painfully that Borroughcliffe hadreceived intelligence that might prove dangerous to her lover, shelooked around her in vain, on gaining the open air, to discover anyalteration in the arrangements for the defence of the abbey, which mightconfirm her suspicions, or the knowledge of which might enable her toinstruct Barnstable how to avoid the secret danger. Every dispositionremained as it had been since the capture of Griffith and his companion.She heard the heavy, quick steps of the sentinel, who was posted beneaththeir windows, endeavoring to warm himself on his confined post; and asshe paused to listen, she also detected the rattling of arms from thesoldier who, as usual, guarded the approach of that part of the buildingwhere his comrades were quartered. The night had set in cloudy and dark,although the gale had greatly subsided towards the close of the day;still the wind swept heavily, and, at moments, with a rushing noise,among the irregular walls of the edifice; and it required the utmostnicety of ear to distinguish even these well-known sounds, among suchaccompaniments. When Katherine, however, was satisfied that her organshad not deceived her, she turned an anxious eye in the direction ofwhat Borroughcliffe called his "barracks." Everything in that directionappeared so dark and still as to create a sensation of uneasiness, byits very quiet. It might be the silence of sleep that now pervaded theordinarily gay and mirthful apartment! or it might be the stillness of afearful preparation! There was no time, however, for further hesitation,and Katherine drew her cloak more closely about her form, and proceededwith light and guarded steps to the appointed spot. As she approachedthe wicket the clock struck the hour, and she again paused, while themournful sounds were borne by her on the wind, as if expecting that eachstroke on the bell would prove a signal to unmask some secret design ofBorroughcliffe. As the last vibration melted away, she opened the littlegate, and issued on the highway. The figure of a man sprang forward frombehind an angle of the wall, as she appeared; and while her heart wasstill throbbing with the suddenness of the alarm, she found herself inthe arms of Barnstable. After the first few words of recognition andpleasure which the young sailor uttered, he acquainted his mistress withthe loss of his schooner, and the situation of the survivors.
"And now, Katherine," he concluded, "you have come, I trust, never toquit me; or, at most, to return no more to that old abbey, unless it beto aid in liberating Griffith, and then to join me again forever."
"Why, truly, there is so much to tempt a young woman to renounceher home and friends, in the description you have just given of yourcondition, that I hardly know how to refuse your request, Barnstable.You are very tolerably provided with a dwelling in the ruin; andI suppose certain predatory schemes are to be adopted to make ithabitable! St. Ruth is certainly well supplied with the necessaryarticles, but whether we should not be shortly removed to the Castleat York, or the jail at Newcastle, is a question that I put to yourdiscretion."
"Why yield your thoughts to such silly subjects, lovely trifler!"said Barnstable, "when the time and the occasion both urge us to be inearnest?"
"It is a woman's province to be thrifty, and to look after the comfortsof domestic life," returned his mistress; "and I would discharge myfunctions with credit. But I feel you are vexed, for to see your darkcountenance is out of the question, on such a night. When do you proposeto commence housekeeping, if I should yield to your proposals?"
"I have not concluded relating my plans, and your provoking wit annoysme! The vessel I have taken will unquestionably come into the land, asthe gale dies; and I intend making my escape in her, after beating thisEnglishman, and securing the liberty of Miss Howard and yourself. Icould see the frigate in the offing, even befor
e we left the cliffs."
"This certainly sounds better!" rejoined Katherine, in a manner thatindicated she was musing on their prospects; "and yet there may existsome difficulties in the way that you little suspect."
"Difficulties there are none--there can be none."
"Speak not irreverently of the mazes of love, Mr. Barnstable. Whenwas it ever known to exist unfettered or unembarrassed? Even I have anexplanation to ask of you, that I would much rather let alone.
"Of me! ask what you will, or how you will; I am a careless, unthinkingfellow, Miss Plowden; but to you I have little to answer for--unless afoolish sort of adoration be an offence against your merits."
Barnstable felt the little hand that was supported on his arm, pressingthe limb, as Katharine replied, in a tone so changed from its formerforced levity, that he started as the first sounds reached his ears."Merry has brought in a horrid report!" she said; "I would I couldbelieve it untrue! but the looks of the boy, and the absence of Dillon,both confirm it."
"Poor Merry! he too has fallen into the trap! but they shall yet findone who is too cunning for them. Is it to the fate of that wretchedDillon that you allude?"
"He _was_ a wretch," continued Katherine, in the same voice, "and hedeserved much punishment at your hands, Barnstable; but life is the giftof God, and is not to be taken whenever human vengeance would appear torequire a victim."
"His life was taken by Him who bestowed it," said the sailor. "Is itKatherine Plowden who would suspect me of the deed of a dastard!"
"I do not suspect you--I did not suspect you," cried Katherine; "I willnever suspect any evil of you again. You are not, you cannot be angrywith me, Barnstable? Had you heard the cruel suspicions of my cousinCecilia, and had your imagination been busy in portraying your wrongsand the temptations to forget mercy, like mine, even while my tonguedenied your agency in the suspected deed, you would--you would at leasthave learned how much easier it is to defend those we love against theopen attacks of others, than against our own jealous feelings."
"Those words, love and jealousy, will obtain your acquittal," criedBarnstable, in his natural voice; and, after uttering a few moreconsoling assurances to Katherine, whose excited feelings found vent intears, he briefly related the manner of Dillon's death.
"I had hoped I stood higher in the estimation of Miss Howard than tobe subjected to even her suspicions," he said, when he had ended hisexplanation. "Griffith has been but a sorry representative of our trade,if he has left such an opinion of its pursuits."
"I do not know that Mr. Griffith would altogether have escaped myconjectures, had he been the disappointed commander, and you theprisoner," returned Katherine; "you know not how much we have bothstudied the usages of war, and with what dreadful pictures of hostages,retaliations, and military executions our minds are stored! but amountain is raised off my spirits, and I could almost say that I am nowready to descend the valley of life in your company."
"It is a discreet determination, my good Katherine, and God bless youfor it; the companion may not be so good as you deserve, but you willfind him ambitious of your praise. Now let us devise means to effect ourobject."
"Therein lies another of my difficulties. Griffith, I much fear, willnot urge Cecilia to another flight, against her--her--what shall I callit, Barnstable--her caprice, or her judgment? Cecilia will never consentto desert her uncle, and I cannot muster the courage to abandon my poorcousin, in the face of the world, in order to take shelter with even Mr.Richard Barnstable!"
"Speak you from the heart now, Katherine?"
"Very nearly--if not exactly."
"Then have I been cruelly deceived! It is easier to find a path in thetrackless ocean, without chart or compass, than to know the windings ofa woman's heart!"
"Nay, nay, foolish man; you forget that I am but small, and how verynear my head is to my heart; too nigh, I fear, for the discretion oftheir mistress! but is there no method of forcing Griffith and Ceciliato their own good, without undue violence?"
"It cannot be done; he is my senior in rank, and the instant I releasehim he will claim the command. A question might be raised, at a leisuremoment, on the merits of such a claim--but even my own men are, as youknow, nothing but a draft from the frigate, and they would not hesitateto obey the orders of the first lieutenant, who is not a man to trifleon matters of duty."
"Tis vexatious, truly," said Katherine, "that all my well-concertedschemes in behalf of this wayward pair should be frustrated by their ownwillful conduct! But after all, have you justly estimated your strength,Barnstable? are you certain that you would be successful, and thatwithout hazard, too, if you should make the attempt?"
"Morally, and what is better, physically certain. My men are closelyhid, where no one suspects an enemy to lie; they are anxious for theenterprise, and the suddenness of the attack will not only make thevictory sure, but it will be rendered bloodless. You will aid us in ourentrance, Katherine; I shall first secure this recruiting officer, andhis command will then surrender without striking a blow. Perhaps,after all, Griffith will hear reason; if he do not, I will not yield myauthority to a released captive, without a struggle."
"God send that there shall be no fighting!" murmured his companion,a little appalled at the images his language had raised before herimagination; "and, Barnstable, I enjoin you, most solemnly, by all youraffection for me, and by everything you deem most sacred, to protect theperson of Colonel Howard at every hazard. There must be no excuse, nopretence, for even an insult to my passionate, good, obstinate, but kindold guardian. I believe I have given him already more trouble than I amentitled to give any one, and Heaven forbid that I should cause him anyserious misfortune!"
"He shall be safe, and not only he, but all that are with him, as youwill perceive, Katherine, when you hear my plan. Three hours shallnot pass over my head before you will see me master of that old abbey.Griffith, ay, Griffith, must be content to be my inferior, until we getafloat again."
"Attempt nothing unless you feel certain of being able to maintainyour advantage, not only against your enemies, but also against yourfriends," said the anxious Katherine. "Rely on it, both Cecilia andGriffith are refining so much on their feelings, that neither will beyour ally."
"This comes of passing the four best years of his life within walls ofbrick, poring over Latin grammars and syntaxes, and such other nonsense,when he should have been rolling them away in a good box of live-oak,and studying, at most, how to sum up his day's work, and tell where hisship lies after a blow. Your college learning may answer well enough fora man who has to live by his wits, but it can be of little use toone who is never afraid to read human nature, by looking hisfellow-creatures full in the face, and whose hand is as ready as histongue. I have generally found the eye that was good at Latin was dullat a compass, or in a night squall: and yet, Griff is a seaman; thoughI have heard him even read the Testament in Greek! Thank God, I had thewisdom to run away from school the second day they undertook to teach mea strange tongue, and I believe I am the more honest man, and the betterseaman, for my ignorance!"
"There is no telling what you might have been, Barnstable, under othercircumstances," retorted his mistress, with a playfulness of manner thatshe could not always repress, though it was indulged at the expense ofhim she most loved; "I doubt not but, under proper training, you wouldhave made a reasonably good priest."
"If you talk of priests, Katherine, I shall remind you that we carry onein the ship. But listen to my plan: we may talk further of priestcraftwhen an opportunity may offer."
Barnstable then proceeded to lay before his mistress a project he hadformed for surprising the abbey that night, which was so feasible thatKatharine, notwithstanding her recent suspicions of Borroughcliffe'sdesigns, came gradually to believe it would succeed. The young seamananswered her objections with the readiness of an ardent mind, bent onexecuting its purposes, and with a fertility of resources that proved hewas no contemptible enemy, in matters that required spirited action.Of Merry's remain
ing firm and faithful he had no doubt; and although heacknowledged the escape of the peddler boy, he urged that the lad hadseen no other of his party besides himself, whom he mistook for a commonmarauder.
As the disclosure of these plans was frequently interrupted by littledigressions, connected with the peculiar motions of the lovers, morethan an hour flew by, before they separated. But Katherine at lengthreminded him how swiftly the time was passing, and how much remained tobe done, when he reluctantly consented to see her once more through thewicket, where they parted.
Miss Plowden adopted the same precaution in returning to the houseshe had used on leaving it; and she was congratulating herself on itssuccess, when her eye caught a glimpse of the figure of a man, who wasapparently following at some little distance, in her footsteps, anddogging her motions. As the obscure form, however, paused also when shestopped to give it an alarmed, though inquiring look, and then slowlyretired towards the boundary of the paddock, Katherine, believing it tobe Barnstable watching over her safety, entered the abbey, with everyidea of alarm entirely lost in the pleasing reflection of her lover'ssolicitude.