Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
crime now alleged against him, as the motive of his flight.
Markham was certainly astounded when be heard the stress
laid upon those letters by the solicitor for the prosecution, and the manner in
which their real meaning was made to tell against him.
The Magistrate called upon him for his defence, and Markham,
forgetful that Mac Chizzle was there to represent him, addressed himself in an
earnest tone to Mr. Chichester, exclaiming,
"
You can now set me right in the
eyes of the magistrate, and in the opinion of even the prosecuting counsel, who
seems so anxious to distort every circumstance to my disadvantage."
"I really am not aware," said Mr. Chichester
caressing his chin in a very
nonchalant
manner, "that I can throw any light upon this subject."
"All I require is the truth," ejaculated Richard surprised
at the tone and manner of his late friend "Did you not give me that note
for five hundred pounds to change for you? and did I not receive the second
note from you in exchange for fifty sovereigns?"
Mr. Chichester replied in an indignant negative.
The magistrate shook his head: the prosecuting solicitor
took snuff significantly;- Mac Chizzle made a memorandum ;-
and Whittingham murmured, "Ah! that mitigated villain
Axminster."
"What do I hear!" exclaimed Richard' "Mr
Chichester, your memory must fail you sadly I suppose you recollect the
occasion upon which Mr Talbot gave you the five hundred pound note?"
"Mr. Talbot never gave me any note at all,"
answered Chichester, in a measured and determined manner.
"It is false - false as hell!" cried Markham more
enraged than alarmed; and he forthwith detailed to the magistrate the manner in
which he had been induced to change the one note, and had be come possessed of
the other.
"This is a very lame story, indeed," said the
magistrate; "and you must try and see if you can get a jury to believe it.
You stand committed."
Before Richard could make any reply, he was lugged out of
the dock by the jailor; the next case was called on; and he was hurried back to
his cell, whither Mac Chizzle and the butler were permitted to follow him.
"OH! how can I prove my innocence now?" exclaimed
Richard, wringing his bands, and walking hastily up and down the cell "how
shall I convince the world that a fearful combination of circumstances has so
entangled me in this net, that never was man so wronged before? how can I
communicate my dread position to Monroe? how ever again look society in the
face? how live after this exposure - this disgrace?"
"Master Richard, Master Richard," cried the poor
old butler, "don't take on so - don't now! Your innocence must conspire on
the day of trial, and the jury will do you justice. Now, don't take on so,
Master Richard - pray don't!"
As the faithful domestic uttered these words, the tears
chased each other so rapidly down his cheeks that he seemed to need consolation
quite as much as his master.
"Oh! that villain Chichester - the wretch - the
cheat!" continued Richard; "and no doubt his vulgar companion Talbot
is as bad. And the baronet - perhaps be also —"
Markham stopped short, and seated himself upon
the bench. He suddenly became very faint, and
turned ashy pale. Whittingham hastened to loosen his shirt-collar,
and the policeman present humanely procured a glass of water.
In a few minutes be recovered: and he then endeavoured to
contemplate with calmness the full extent of the perils which, environed him.
His opinion of Chichester and Talbot was already formed but the baronet - could
he have been a party to their scheme of villany? After a moment's reflection,
he answered the question to himself in an affirmative.
He had, then, fallen into a nest of adventurers and
swindlers. But Diana - oh! no, she could not have been cognizant of the
treacherous designs practised against him: she was doubtless made use of
as an instrument, to further the plans of the conspirators.
Such were his convictions. Should he then give her due
warning in time, and afford her an opportunity of abandoning, ere it might be
too late, an
individual who would doubtless involve her, in the
long run, in infamy and peril?
To pen a hasty note to Mrs. Arlington was now a duty which
he conceived entailed upon him, and which he immediately performed. He then
wrote a letter to Mr. Monroe, detailing the particulars of his unfortunate
position, and beseeching him not to be prejudiced against him by the report
which be might read in the newspapers the following day.
"Whittingham, my old friend," said Markham, when
he had disposed of these matters; "we must now separate for the present.
This letter for Mr. Monroe you will forward by post: the other, to Mrs.
Arlington, you will take yourself to Bond Street, and deliver into her own
hand." Then, addressing himself to Mac Chizzle, he observed, "I thank
you, sir, for your attendance here to-day. Whittingham will give you the
address of my guardian, Mr. Monroe; and that gentleman will consult with you
upon the proper course to be pursued. He will also answer any pecuniary demands
you may have occasion to make upon him."
Richard had preserved an unnatural degree of calmness as he
uttered these words; and Whittingham was himself astonished at the coolness
with which his young master delivered his instructions. The old butler wept
bitterly when he took leave of "Master Richard;"
and it cost the young man himself no inconsiderable effort to
restrain his own tears.
"What is raly your inferential opinion in this
matter?" demanded the butler of the lawyer, as they issued from the door
of the police-office together.
"Why, that it was a capital scheme to raise the wind,
and a very great pity that it did not succeed to a far greater extent,"
cried the professional adviser.
"Well, if you put that opinion down in your bill and
charge six-and-eight-pence for it," said Whittingham, with a very serious
countenance, "I shall certainly dispute the item, and computate it, when I
audit the accounts."
"I am really at a loss to comprehend you," said
the lawyer. "Of course there are no secrets between you and me: indeed,
you had much better tell me the whole truth —"
"Truth!" ejaculated Whittingham: "of course I
shall tell you the truth."
"Allow me to ask a question or two, then," resumed
the lawyer. "I suppose that you were in the plant, and divided the
swag?"
Mr. Whittingham stared at the professional man with the most
unfeigned astonishment, which, indeed, was so great that it checked all reply.
"Well," proceeded the shrewd Mr. Mac Chizzle,
"it wasn't a bad dodge either. And I suppose that this Monroe is a party
to the whole concern?"
"Is it possible, Mr. Mac Chizzle," exclaimed the
butler, "that —"
"But the business is awkward - very awkward,"
added the solicitor, shaking his head. "It was however fortunate that
nothing transpired to implicate you also. When one pal is at large, he can do
much for another who is in lavender. It would have been worse if you had been
lumbered too - far worse.
"Plant - pal - lumbered - lavender!" repeated
Whittingham. with considerable emphasis on each word as he slowly uttered it.
"I suppose you rely think my master is guilty of the crime computed to
him?"
"Of course I do," replied Mac Cbizzle: "I can
see as far into a brick wall as any one."
"Well, it's of no use argufying the pint," said
the butler, after a moment's pause. " Here is Mr. Monroe's address:
perhaps when you have seen him, you will arrive at new inclusions."
Mr. Whittingham then took leave of the solicitor, and
proceeded to Bond Street.
Within a few yards of the house in which Mrs. Arlington
resided, the butler ran against an individual who, with his hat perched
jauntily on his right ear, was lounging along.
"
Holloa, you fellow!"
ejaculated Mr. Thomas Sugget - for it was he - what do you mean by coming bolt
agin a gen'leman in that kind of way?"
"Oh! my dear sir,"
cried Whittingham, "is that you? I am raly perforated with delight to see
you."
Mr. Suggett gave a good long stare at Mr. Whittingham, and
then exclaimed, "Oh! it is you - is it? well, I must say that your legs
are in a very unfinished condition."
"How, sir, - how?" demanded the irritated butler.
"Why, they want a pair of fetters, to be sure,"
said Suggett; and breaking into a horse-laugh, he passed rapidly on.
Whittingham felt humiliated; and the knock that he gave at
the door of Diana's lodgings was sneaking and subdued. In a few minutes,
however, he was ushered into a back room on the first floor, where Mrs.
Arlington received him.
"Here is a letter, ma'am, which I was to deliver only
into your own identical hand."
"Is it - is it from your master?" demanded the I
Enchantress.
"It is, ma'am."
"Where is Mr. Markham?" asked Diana, receiving the
letter with a trembling hand.
"He is now in Bow-street Police-office, ma'am: in the
course of the day he will be in Newgate?" and the old butler wiped away a
tear.
"Good heavens!" exclaimed Diana; "then it is
really too true!"
She immediately tore open the letter, and ran her eye over
the contents, which were as follow:-
"The villany of one of the individuals with whom you
are constantly associating, and in whom it has been my misfortune to place
unlimited confidence, will perhaps involve you in an embarrassment similar to
the one in which I am now placed. I cannot, I do not for one moment imagine
that you are in by way conversant with those vile schemes:- I can read your
heart; I know that you would scorn such a confederary. Your frankness, your
candour, are in your favour: your countenance, which is engraven upon my memory,
and which I behold at this moment as if it were really before me, forbids all
suspicions injurious to your honour. Take a timely warning, then: take warning
from one who wishes you well: and dissolve the connexion ere It be too
late. "R. M."
"When shall you see your master again?" enquired
Diana of the Butler, after the perusal of this letter.
"To-morrow, ma'am - with the blessing of God."
"My compliments to him - my very best
remembrances," said Mrs. Arlington; "and I feel deeply grateful for
this communication."
Whittingham bowed, and rose to depart.
"And," added Diana, after a moment's pause,
"if there be anything in which my humble services can be made available,
pray do not hesitate to come to me. Indeed, I hope you will call - often - and
let me know how this unfortunate business proceeds."
"Then you don't believe that Master Richard is capable
of this obliquity, madam?" cried the butler.
"Oh! no - impossible!" said Diana emphatically.
"Thank 'ee, ma'am, thank 'ee," exclaimed
Whittingham: "you have done my poor old heart good. God bless you, ma'am -
God bless you!"
And with these words the faithful dependent took his
departure, not a little delighted to think that there was at least one person
in the world who believed in the innocence of "Master Richard." In
fact, the kindness of Diana's manner, and the sincerity with which she had
expressed herself on that point, effectually wiped away from the mind of the
butler the reminiscences of Mac Chizzle's derogatory suspicions, and Suggett's
impertinence.
After a few minutes' profound reflection, Diana returned to
the drawing-room, where Sir Rupert Harborough, Mr. Chichester, and Talbot were
seated.
Her fine countenance wore an expression of melancholy
seriousness; and there was a nervous movement of the under lip that denoted the
existence of powerful emotions in her bosom.
"Well, Di.," exclaimed the baronet; "you seem
annoyed."
"You will be surprised, gentlemen, when I inform you
who has been here," she said, resuming m her seat upon the sofa.
"Indeed!" cried Chichester, turning pale:
"who could it be?"
"Not an officer, I hope?" exclaimed the
baronet.
"The chimley-sweeps, perhaps," suggested Mr.
Talbot.
"A person from Mr. Markham," said Diana,
seriously. "By his appearance I should conceive him to be the faithful old
servant of his family, of whom I have heard him speak."
"Whittingham, I'll be bound!" ejaculated
Chichester. "And what did he want?"
"He brought me a letter from his master," returned
Diana. "You may read it, if you please."
And she tossed it contemptuously towards Chichester.
"Read out," cried Talbot.
Mr. Chichester read the letter aloud, as he was requested.
"And what makes the young spark write to you in that
d—d impudent and familiar style?" demanded the baronet, angrily.
"You cannot but admit that his letter is couched
in a most friendly manner," said the lady, somewhat bitterly.
"Friendly be hanged!" cried the baronet. "I
dare say you feel a most profound and sisterly sympathy for the young
gaol-bird. After all, your profuse expenditure and extravagance helped to
involve me in no end of pecuniary trouble; and I was compelled to have recourse
to any means to obtain money. Somebody must suffer;- better Markham than any
one of us."
You do well, sir, to reproach
me
for being the cause of your
embarrassments," answered Diana, her countenance becoming almost purple
with indignation. "Have I not basely lent these rooms to your purposes,
and acted as an attraction to the young men whom you have inveigled here to
plunder at cards? I have never forgiven myself for the weakness
which prompted me thus far to enter into your schemes. But when
you informed me of your plans relative to the forged notes, I protested
vehemently against so atrocious a measure. Indeed, had it not been for your
solemn assurance that you had abandoned the idea - at all events so far as it
concerned Markham - I would have placed him upon his guard - in spite of your
threats, your menaces, your remonstrances!"
Diana had warmed as she proceeded; and by the time she
reached the end of her reply to the baronet's villanous speech, she had worked
herself up almost into a fury of rage and indignation. Her bosom heaved
convulsively - her eyes dilated; and her lips expressed ineffable scorn.
"Perdition!"
exclaimed the baronet: "the world is coming to a pretty pass
when one's own mistress undertakes to give lessons in morality."
"A desperate necessity, sir," retorted Diana,
"made me your mistress;- but I would sooner seek an asylum at the
workhouse this moment, than become a partner in villany of this stamp."
"And, as far as I care," said the baronet,
"you may go to the workhouse as soon as you choose."
With these words he rose and put on his hat.
Diana was about to answer this last brutal speech; but she
determined not to provoke a discussion which only exposed her to the insolence
of the man who was coward enough to reproach her with a frailty which had
ministered to his pleasures. She bit her lips to restrain the burst of emotions
which struggled for vent; and at that moment her bearing was as haughty and her
aspect as proud as the superb dignity of incensed Juno.
"Come, Chichester," said the baronet, after a pause
of a few minutes; "I shall be off. Talbot - this is no longer a place for
any one of us, Madam," he added, turning with mock ceremony to Diana,
"I wish you a very good afternoon. This is the last time you will ever see
me in these apartments."
"I wish it to be so," said Diana, still stifling
her rage with difficulty.
"And I need scarcely observe," exclaimed the
baronet, "that after all that has passed between, us —"
"Oh! I comprehend you, sir," interrupted the
Enchantress, scornfully "you need not fear me - your secrets are safe in
my possession."
The baronet bowed, and strode out of the room, followed by
Chichester and Talbot.
The Enchantress was then alone.
She threw herself at full length upon the sofa, and remained
for a long time buried in profound thought. A tear started into her large blue
eye; but she hastily wiped it sway with her snowy handkerchief. From time to
time her lips were compressed with scorn; and then a prolonged sigh would
escape her breast.
Had she given a free vent to her tears, she would have
experienced immediate relief; she endeavoured to stifle her passion - and it
nearly suffocated her.
But how beautiful was she during that painful and fierce
struggle with her feelings! Her countenance was flushed; and her eyes, usually
so mild and melting, seemed to burn like two stars.
"No," she exclaimed, after a long silence, "I
must not revenge myself that way! Up to the present moment, I have eaten