Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/222

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her curiosity was excited. Alas !' I continued, this place increases my emotion .' As I spoke I examined the woman's features, which as I proceeded became more and more troubled. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the town of Bath to obtain exact information on the subject which agitates me so cruelly. I know only that the man to whom it is said I owe my dishonor is Sir Ormonde Mandeville. I was serving abroad ; my wife and her mother came to pass some time at Bath. Sir Ormonde visited them at an inn in Bath or its environs ; the younger lady, on pretence of indisposition , had a separate room. In the middle of the night the hostess, hearing a noise, entered her apartment ; Sir Ormonde Mandeville was there, and a hundred pounds were offered by him to this woman, who promised silence.' At these last words I thought my companion would have fainted. I had proceeded with my story as if in complete ignorance of the part this woman had acted, and she was so taken by surprise that at length she was obliged to own that all was correct, and that her Inn was the theatre of the scene. I would not urge my inquiries further, and the next day set out for town without revealing my name. There still remained a last and feeble hope-the possibility of some mistake which would exculpate Mary and restore me to happiness. Can you imagine with what agitation I again found myself at home ? Mary on seeing me threw herself into my arms with a tenderness which, at first, penetrated my heart ; but when I thought of her perfidy, I had nearly repulsed her, but I overcame myself. With what maternal fondness did she speak of our children, of their infantile graces, of her hopes. How I suffered from what, but for one fatal circumstance, would have made me most happy. She wept, still agitated by the joy of my return, and as I sorrowfully gazed upon her I fancied I could discover something horrible in her look. Though her every action breathed tenderness and truth, I only saw cunning and the most consummate deception. She brought the children to me with the joy and triumph of a mother, and then I think she perceived the constraint and torment I felt, for there was between us one moment of embarrassed silence, and I made up my resolution of speaking at once. I told them to take the children back to the nursery and leave us alone. ' Madam,' said I, 'will you have the goodness to reply to a few questions that I wish to ask you ? When did you get acquainted with Sir Ormonde Mandeville ?'

"No answer.

" Was it on your journey from London to Bath ?'

"Still the same silence.

" Answer me, unfortunate woman ; I wish with all my heart to clear you from that infamy which hangs over you- answer me !'

"At these words I rose ; she rose also, extended her arms, and burst into a convulsive laugh, so fearful that I yet tremble with horror when I recall it. For an instant she fixed her tearful gaze on me, and fell. Some regard for her remained, and I hastened to raise her, and recover her from the swoon into which my reproaches had thrown her. I then went to her father's house. The sight of him agitated me much, the tears flowing in torrents from my eyes. His coolness, contrasted with my emotion seemed to reproach me. Though I had never seen him otherwise than calm, yet miserable as I then was, his composure seemed an insult. I endeavored to subdue my feelings, and sadly recounted to him my adventure at Messina and my visit to Bath. He listened in silence. His daughter had appeared in the greatest consternation ; he was merely attentive. He paced the gallery several times as in deep thought, often passing his hand over his forehead, but without betraying any farther emotion.

" It is not impossible,' said he, at last, ' what you tell me is strange ; but we shall see.'

"A tear fell from his eye, he hastily brushed it away. The sorrow of this venerable man, the struggle of pride and paternal love, the tear forced from a man always master of himself, sunk deep into my heart. I shall leave England again soon,' said I, and till my departure I shall reside with my mother, where I shall also place my children.' " You seem to wish to lose no time, Sir,' replied my father-in-law, and I will call on you in the course of the day.' "We parted coldly. I was determined to arrange every thing for a separation as soon as possible. If legal proof was wanting, every circumstance tended to confirm my suspicions. Mary's consternation, her father's long silence, the fatal initials used by the journalists, the visit to Bath mentioned by Sir Ormonde, again by my wife in her letter, and also by the newspaper. "My head swam-my whole frame was convulsed when I arrived at my mother's house. I laid down on a sofa and waited her appearance in anguish. At length she entered saying, 'I come from your house. Your wife has set out in a chaise without saying where she is going to.' At this instant Lord Barodale was announced. He advanced to me with a mingled expression of sorrow and determination. " I have thought over all you have told me,' said he, 'let us not trifle with our happiness ; there may be some mistake in all this. We will set out immediately for Bath, and force this woman to make a full disclosure. Come, Sir!' "We set out. The journey was performed in silence, and early in the evening we arrived at the inn. What / was my astonishment, or rather my indignation, when I saw Mary in the parlor. She was come to assure herself of the discretion of the hostess ; her presence alone was