Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
THE BLACK CHAMBER AGAIN
IT was now the beginning of April, and the
bleak winds had yielded to the genial breath of an early spring.
At ten o'clock, one morning, an elderly gentleman, with
a high forehead, open countenance, thin white hair falling over his coat
collar, and dressed in a complete suit of black, ascended the steps of the
northern door, leading to the Inland Letter Department of the General Post
Office, Saint Martin's-le-Grand.
He paused for a moment, looked at his watch, and then
entered the building. Having ascended a narrow staircase, he stopped at a door
in that extremity of the building which is the nearer to Aldersgate Street.
Taking a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door, glanced cautiously behind
him, and then entered the Black Chamber.
Having carefully secured the door by means of a bolt
and chain, he threw himself into the arm-chair which stood near the large round
oaken table.
The Examiner - for the reader has doubtless already
recognised him to be the same individual whom we introduced in the twenty-ninth
chapter of our narrative - glanced complacently around him; and a smile of
triumph curled his thin pale lips. At the same time his small, grey, sparkling
eyes were lighted up with an expression of diabolical cunning: his whole
countenance was animated with a glow of pride and conscious power and no one
would have supposed that this was the same old man who meekly and quietly
ascended the steps of the Post-Office a few minutes ago.
Bad deeds, if not the results of bad passions and
feelings, soon engender them. This was the case with the Examiner. He was the
agent of the Government in the perpetration of deeds which disgraced his white
hair and his venerable years; he held his appointment, not from the
Postmaster-General, but direct from the Lords of the Treasury themselves; he
filled a situation of extreme responsibility and trust;-he knew his influence -
he was well aware that he controlled an engine of fearful power - and he
gloated over the secrets that had been revealed to him in the course of his
avocation, and which he treasured up in his bosom.
He had risen from nothing; and yet his influence with
the Government was immense. His friends, who believed him to be nothing more
than a senior clerk in the Post-Office, were surprised at the great interest
which he evidently possessed, and which was demonstrated by the handsome manner
in which all his relatives were provided for. But the old man kept his secret.
The four clerks who served in his department under him, were all tried and
trustworthy young men; and their fidelity was moreover secured by good
salaries. Thus every precaution was adopted to render the proceedings of the
Black Chamber as secret as possible; and, at the time of which we are writing,
the uses to which that room was appropriated were even unknown to the greater
number of the persons employed in the General Post-Office.
The Examiner was omnipotent in his inquisitorial
tribunal. There alone the authorities of the Post-Office had no power. None
could enter that apartment without his leave:- he was responsible for his
proceedings only to those from whom he held his appointment. At the same time,
he was compelled to open any letters upon a warrant issued and directed to him
by the Secretaries of State for the Home and Foreign Departments, and for the
Colonies, as well as in obedience to the Treasury. Thus did he superintend an
immense system of
espionage
, which was extended to every
class of society, and had its ramifications through every department of the
state.
It must be observed that, although the great powers of
Europe usually communicated with their representatives at the English court by
means of couriers, still the agency of post-offices was frequently used to
convey duplicates of the instructions borne by these express-messengers; and
many of the minor courts depended altogether upon the post-office for the
transport of their despatches to their envoys and ambassadors. All diplomatic
correspondence, thus transmitted, was invariably opened, and notes of entire
copies were taken from the despatches, in the Black Chamber. Hence it will be
perceived that the English Cabinet became possessed of the nature of the
greater part of all the instructions conveyed by foreign powers to their
representatives at the court of Saint James's.
But the Government carried its proceedings with regard
to the violation of correspondence, much farther than this. It caused to be
opened all letters passing between important political personages - the friends
as well as the enemies of the Cabinet; and thus detected party combinations
against its existence ascertained private opinions upon particular measures and
became possessed of an immense mass of information highly serviceable to
diplomatic intrigue end general policy.
Truly, this was a mighty engine in the hands of those
who swayed the destinies of the British Empire;- but the secret springs of that
fearfully complicated machine were all set in motion and controlled by that
white-headed and aged man who now sat in the Blank Chamber!
Need we wonder if he felt proud of his strange position
can we be astonished if he gloated, like the boa-constrictor over the victim
that it retains it its deadly folds, over the mighty secrets stored in his
memory?
That man knew enough to overturn
a Ministry with one word.
That man could have set an entire empire in a blaze
with one syllable of mystic revelation.
That man was acquainted with sufficient to paralyze the
policy of many mighty states.
That man treasured in his mind facts a mere hint at
which would have overwhelmed entire families - aye, even the noblest and
highest in the land - with eternal disgrace.
That man could have ruined bankers - hurled down vast
commercial firms - levelled mercantile establishments - destroyed grand
institutions.
That man wielded a power which, were it set in motion,
would have convulsed society throughout the length and breadth of the land.
Need we wonder if the government gave him all he asked?
can we be astonished if all those in whom he felt an interest were well
provided for?
When he went into society, he met the possessors of
vast estates, whom he could prostrate and beggar with one word - a word that
would proclaim the illegitimacy of their birth. He encountered fair dames and
titled ladies, walking with head erect and unblushing brow, but whom he could
level with the syllable that should announce their frailty and their shame. He
conversed with peers and gentlemen who were lauded as the essence of honour and
of virtue, but whose fame would have withered like a parched scroll, had his
breath, pregnant with fearful revelations, only fanned its surface. There were
few, either men or women, of rank and name, of whom be knew not something which
they would wish to remain unknown.
Need we wonder if bad passions and feelings had been
engendered in his mind? Can we be astonished if he had learnt to look upon
human nature as a fruit resembling the apples of the Dead Sea, fair to gaze
upon, but ashes at the heart?
Presently a knock at the door was heard. The Examiner
opened it, and one of his clerks entered the room. He bowed respectfully to his
superior, and proceeded to take his seat at the table. In like manner, at short
intervals, the other three subordinates arrived; but the one who came last,
brought with him a sealed parcel containing a vast number of letters, which he
had received from the President of one of the sorting departments of the
establishment. These letters were now heaped upon the table before the
Examiner; and the business of this mysterious conclave commenced.
The entire process of opening the letters has been
described in detail in the twenty-ninth chapter. We shall therefore now content
ourselves, with a record of those letters which were examined upon the present
occasion.
The first was from Castelcicala to the representative
of that Grand Duchy at the English court, and was marked "Private."
It ran as follows:-
"City of Montoni, Castelcicala.
"The undersigned Is desired by his
lordship the Marquis of Gerrano, his Serene Highness's Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, to inform your Excellency that your despatches marked L1, M 2,
and N3, were received in due course. His Lordship regrets to find that Prince
Alberto positively refuses to renounce his claims to the ducal crown of
Castelcicala at the death of the reigning Grand Duke, whom God preserve for
many years! His lordship is surprised that Prince Alberto should reject the
compromise offered; inasmuch as, by complying with the terms thereof, he would
receive a pension of twenty thousand pounds sterling per annum; whereas, by
obstinately refusing the proposals made by the government of Castelcicala, he
will obtain nothing. Moreover, it must be apparent to Prince Alberto that his
claims will be set aside by the government of Castetcicala; and that a
foreign prince will receive an invitation to accept the ducal crown at the
death of his present Serene Highness the reigning Grand Duke. It would be well
to make fresh representations to Prince Alberto; and assure him that he would
act wisely to accept offers made in perfect rood will, and that he may probably
regret his obstinacy when too late. If the Prince cherishes the idea of
enforcing his claims by arms, at the death of the reigning Grand Duke, your
Excellency would do well to undeceive him; inasmuch, as his Majesty the King of
Naples and his Holiness the Pope, holding in abhorrence the liberal notions
entertained by the Prince, will support the government of Castelcicala in its
determination to place a foreign prince upon the ducal throne at the death of
his Serene Highness now reigning.
"The undersigned is moreover instructed by his
lordship the Marquis of Gerrano, to request your Excellency to pay prompt and
full attention to the following instructions:- An English lady, of the
name of Eliza Sydney, arrived a month ago at Montoni. She is apparently about
twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age, very beautiful, and unmarried. She
travelled in a handsome carriage, attended by one female servant and an elderly
valet. Although arrived at that mature age, she has preserved all the brashness
of her youthful charms - a circumstance which renders her presence here the
more dangerous, for certain reasons which the undersigned will detail to your
Excellency on a future occasion. This charming English woman brought letters of
introduction to certain noble families at Montoni, and immediately obtained
admittance into the very first society of this capital. She has taken up her
residence at the villa possessed by the Earl of Warrington. in the suburbs of
Montoni, and is, it is believed; nearly related to that English nobleman. The
service now required of your Excellency is to ascertain all particulars that
can be gleaned concerning her. This is of the utmost - the very utmost
importance. As a guide to your proceedings, it may be as well to mention that
Miss Sydney this morning sent a letter to the post-office addressed to a Mrs.
Arlington, residing in Dover Street, London.
"The undersigned avails himself of this note to
renew to your Excellency assurances of his most perfect consideration.
"March 15, 1839. BARON RUPERTO,
"Under Secretary of State for Foreign affairs, &c.
"Eliza Sydney!" exclaimed the
Examiner. "That is the same young lady whose plot with one Stephens, to
defraud the Earl of Warrington, was discovered through the medium of the Black
Chamber, and revealed to the solicitor of the Bank of England."
"The very same, no doubt, sir," observed the
first clerk.
"Then the letter which Eliza Sydney has sent from
Montoni to Mrs. Arlington in London, must be amongst this packet of
correspondence," continued the Examiner, glancing at the pile of letters
before him, "since it left Castelcicala by the same mail as the document
of Lord Ruperto."
The Examiner turned over the letters; and, at length,
extracted a particular one from the heap, observing, " Here it is."
He then passed it to the clerks, by whom it was opened. The contents were as
follows
"Montoni, l5th March, 1839
"Exactly a month ago, my
dearest Diana, I wrote to you a hasty note to state my safe arrival in this
city, after a very pleasant journey through the delicious climes of France,
Switzerland, and Northern Italy. It was at about three o'clock In the afternoon
of the l3th of February that the carriage reached the brow of a hill from
whence the eye commanded a magnificent view of a vast plain, rich with
fertility, bounded at the further extremity by the horizon, and on the right
hand stretching down to the sea, the blue of which seemed a pure reflection of
the cloudless heavens above. At the mouth of a superb river, which, after
meandering through that delicious plain, amidst groves and pleasant meadows,
flowed into the calm and tranquil sea, the tall towers and white buildings of
Montoni met my eyes. It is impossible to conceive any thing more charming or
picturesque than the sight of this peerless city of Italy. The river's verdant
banks are dotted with magnificent villas and mansions, with which are connected
beautiful gardens teeming with the choicest fruits and flowers, even at this
season of the year! For here, my
dear Diana, it is perfect summer!
I ordered the carriage to stop for at least a quarter of a hour upon the hill,
that I might enjoy the magnificent view of the vast plain and the beautiful
city Far above the edifices around, rose the two towers of the ancient
cathedral of St. Theodosia - their dark and gloomy masses forming a striking
contrast with the extensive white buildings of the ducal palace in the
immediate foreground. The port of the city was crowded with shipping, the flags
of all nations waving from the forests of masts that indicated the existence of
an extensive commerce. While I was yet gazing upon the scene, the roar of
distant artillery reached my cars. The Grand Duke (as I afterwards learnt) was
just coming back from a water excursion in his beautiful yacht, a small steamer
rigged as a frigate; and the batteries of the port, and the ships of war in the
offing thundered forth a salute in honour of the royal return. Two
line-of-battle ships, one French and the other English, and three frigates of
the Castelcicalan navy, had all their yards manned, and displayed their gayest
colours. Altogether the scene was one of the most enchanting and exhilarating
that I have ever yet beheld.
"In three quarters of an hour my carriage entered
Montoni by the suburb at Saint Joanna. If I had admired the city from a distant
point, how was I enraptured when I could survey it close at hand. It more
nearly resembles the Chaussé d'Antin (a fashionable quarter of Paris, which
city I had an opportunity of seeing during the four days that I remained there
on my way hither) than any other place which I have ever yet beheld. The
streets of Montoni are wide, and the buildings elegant. There are numerous
fountains, and all the principal mansions, even in the very heart of the town,
have gardens attached to them. At length I reached the fashionable quarter,
and, having passed the magnificent dwellings of the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs and the Interior, I passed through the immense arena, on one side of
which stands the ducal palace. At that moment a regiment of Horse Guards was
returning to its barracks close to the royal residence. The superb black
chargers, the glittering helmets and cuirasses of the men, the waving plumes,
the clang of armour, and the braying of trumpets, formed a
tout ensemble
so inspiring, that I almost wished I was a man to be able to serve
in such a corps.
"The carriage proceeded, crossed the river over a
suspension bridge, and, having passed the official dwellings of the Ministers
of War, Commerce, Marine, and Finance, entered the southern suburbs of the
metropolis of Castelcicala. I could not have conceived that any city could have
possibly equalled London or Pans in the magnificence of its shops and the
amount of wealth displayed in their windows;- but certainly, Montoni is a
miniature counterpart of the finest portions of either the English or French
capital.
"At length I reached the villa so generously placed at
my disposal by the Earl of Warrington, whom I can never sufficiently thank for
all his kindness towards me. The servants, already advertised of my intended
visit by letters which his lordship had written from England at the time of my
departure, were prepared to receive me. I was Immediately comfortable -
immediately
at home
. Oh! how deliciously did I sleep that night;- but before I closed
my eyes, how fervently did I pray for the welfare and happiness of the Earl of
Warrington and of Diana Arlington!
"And the Earl told you that it was a little villa,
Diana! It is a superb mansion. The rooms are magnificently furnished; the gardens
are spacious and full of all that is delicious in the shape of fruit or
enchanting in the guise of flowers. I wandered for hours in those inviting
grounds the morning after my arrival. But would you have me depict my new
abode? Listen:-
"Imagine a river half as broad as the Thames at
Richmond, and far, far more lovely in its scenery. At a distance of about fifty
yards from the stream, on a gentle acclivity rising from its very edge, stands
a large square mansion, built of white free-stone. The villa is two storeys
high and the windows on the lower floor open like folding doors down to the
ground. The hall and magnificent staircase are of the finest marble. And will
you humour me in attending to all my minor details? - I have fitted up my own
boudoir in precisely the same style as that in which I passed many happy hours
at Clapton! A grove of myrtles almost surrounds the villa, and is musical with
the warblings of a thousand birds. A gravel walk, margined with flowers, leads
down to the river's bank. Behind the mansion extend the gardens, the acclivity
still rising gently, until the summit of the verdant amphitheatre is on a level
with the first floor windows. There is a marble basin in the middle of the
grounds, filled with crystal water, in which gold and silver fish disport
joyously beneath the shade of the overhanging fruit trees on one side, or, on
the other, play with their glistening fins, in the brilliant flood of sunlight.
Oh! in truth it is a charming spot, and seems as if its barriers could for ever
exclude the footsteps of sorrow!
"When I had rested myself for two or three days, and
completely recovered from the fatigues of travelling, I delivered my letters of
Introduction to the families to whom they were addressed. And here I have another
instance of the Earl of Warrington's noble conduct to record. The letters all
represented me as the near relation of the Earl of Warrington! I was received
with open arms by all to whom I was thus introduced; and each kind Italian
family seemed only anxious to make me happy! Oh! what virtue there must have
been in those letters, which Count Alteroni had written, no doubt according to
the dictation of the Earl. But, ah! Diana, relative to those letters there is a
secret, which I do not choose to trust to paper, but which the Earl has perhaps
already explained to you. Oh! I do not wonder now that I was not to seek to
penetrate their contents, in England (neither did I myself ever open them at
all); nor is it a matter of marvel that those recommendations should prove such
strong passports to the favour of those to whom they were addressed!
"One of those letters was directed to General
Grachia, the colonel of that very regiment of Horse Guards which I so much
admired on my first entrance into Montoni. He and his amiable family,
consisting of a wife and three lovely daughters, overwhelmed me with kindness.
But now I am going to state something that will surprise you. A few days after
I first became known to this delightful family, there was a grand review in the
palace-square. General Grachia commanded the troops, which mustered to the
number of about seven thousand. The ladies insisted that I should accompany
them in their open carriage to see the manoeuvres. The review was to be a very
brilliant one, as the Grand Duke himself intended to inspect the troops. I
accordingly assented; and, to the review we went. Never have I beheld a more
magnificent sight. The road around the square was lined with carriages filled
with all the rank and beauty of Montoni. The troops presented a splendid
appearance - being the choice regiments of the Castelcicalan army, which, I
have understood, is seventeen thousand strong. At length the Grand Duke Angelo
III, attended by a brilliant staff, arrived upon the arena. He is a fine-looking
man for his age, which must be at least sixty. He was dressed in a Field
Marshal's uniform, and wore, amongst other orders, the insignia of the English
Garter, of which he is a knight. He rode a little in advance of the great
officers of state, who attended upon him; and when the troops presented arms,
and the band struck up the national air, he took his heron plumed hat
completely off, thus remaining bare-headed until the royal salute was ended. He
then passed along the lines; but the troops received him in silence, for, to
tell you the truth, his Serene Highness is far from popular, in consequence of
certain political reasons with which I shall not trouble you at present.
"When the review was over, the Duke, attended by
his staff, rode round the square, and graciously replied to the salutations
which awaited him on all sides, When he drew near the carriage in which General
Grachla's family and myself were seated, he rode up to it and entered into
conversation with the General's lady. Presently he glanced toward me, and
immediately bent down and whispered to Signora Grachia. The result was my
formal introduction to the Grand Duke of Castelcicala. He inquired very kindly
after the Earl of Warrington, whom he remembered perfectly. I blushed deeply as
I answered his questions, for I was ashamed of the imperfect manner in which I
speak the Italian language - for all that I know, as well as the little French
with which I am acquainted, I taught myself during my residence at the villa at
Clapton. The Grand Duke, however, seemed to comprehend me perfectly. Having
conversed with us at least a quarter at an hour, he again whispered something
to General Grachia's lady; and then rode on.
"It appeared that there was to be a grand ball and
reception at the ducal palace on the following evening; and this second whisper
expressed a positive wish - amounting, you know, on the part of royalty, to a
command - that I should accompany General Grachia's family. I could not avoid
obedience to this invitation. I therefore expressed my readiness to comply with
it. And now, my dearest Diana, pardon a woman's vanity; - but it struck me that
I never looked so well as on that evening, when I was dressed for the ducal
ball!
"I need scarcely say that the entertainment itself
was magnificent. Such a blaze of beauty I never saw before. Oh! what charming
creatures are the Italian women; and Montoni is justly famed for its female
loveliness! The Grand Duke is a widower, and has no children. The honour of the
evening were entrusted to the lady of the Minister of the Interior, who is also
the President of the Council. The Duke opened the bail with that lady. You may
laugh
a
t the idea of a prince of sixty dancing: but in Italy everybody
dances. I was invited by the major of General Grachia's regiment for the first
quadrille, and by Baron Ruperto, undersecretary of state for Foreign Affairs,
for the second. The third and fourth I declined dancing, being somewhat
overcome with the heat of the apartments. But a the fifth quadrille I danced:
this time
I could not refuse. No - it
was not
an invitation
that I received - it was a
command!
I danced with the Grand Duke of Castelcicala!
"I found, on this occasion, that his highness speaks
English well. He emigrated, it appears, to England, when the French armies
occupied Italy, and resided In London for some years. We accordingly conversed
in English. He expressed a hope that I should make a long stay in Montoni, and
observed that he should be very angry with General Grachia's lady if she did
not always bring me to court with her on the evenings of reception. I was at a
loss how to express myself in return for so much condescension; and I am
afraid, my dear Diana, that I was very awkward.
"On the following morning, one of the Duke's attendants
arrived at the villa with a present of the choicest fruits and flowers for me.
He informed me that they were sent by order of his highness, and the messenger
was expressly commanded to make inquiries concerning my health. I thanked him
most sincerely for this act of kindness on the part of his illustrious master;
and when he had taken his departure, I sate in a delicious summer-house the
entire morning, wondering to what circumstance I could have been indebted for
such a token of royal favour.
"A few days elapsed; and the same messenger returned,
bringing me a quantity of the most select Italian works, all beautifully bound,
and with the ducal arms printed on the fly-leaf. Beneath this blazonry, were
the words- FROM ANGELO III. TO MISS ELIZA SYDNEY' And now I asked myself, 'What
can all this mean?'
"Two days more passed, when I received an
intimation from Signora Grachia that there was to be a select
conversazione
in the evening at the palace, and that I was specially invited. I
accompanied General Grachia's family; and the moment we entered the room, the
Grand Duke accosted us. After conversing with us for a few moments, he offered
me his arm, saying that he would conduct me to inspect his sculpture-gallery.
This splendid museum communicated with the apartment wherein the company (which
was by no means numerous on the occasion) was assembled. His Highness led me
into the gallery, and explained all its curiosities. The works of art, by some
of the most eminent masters, are very valuable. His Highness evidently
prolonged the inspection as much as possible, and his language was occasionally
interspersed with a compliment calculated to flatter me - nay, Diana, to make
me very vain! When we returned to the drawing-rooms, the Duke led me to a sofa,
seated himself by me, and conversed with me for a considerable time. He asked
me many questions relative to my family - whether my father and mother were
still living, whether I had any brothers or sisters, and in what degree of
relationship I stood towards the Earl of Warrington? He then asked me how it
was that I had not as yet launched my fortunes in the bark of matrimony? I
blushed deeply at this question, and replied that I had never as yet
encountered any one with whom I had chosen to link my destinies. He then spoke
of the peculiar position of princes, observing with a deep sigh, that they
could not always follow the bent of their inclinations, nor obey the natural
dictates of their affections. During the remainder of the evening I was the
object of universal attention - I could not then conceive wherefore - on the
part of the noble and beauteous guests assembled. Every one manifested the most
respectful courtesy towards me; and General Grachia's family were more kind to
me than ever. Ah! a vague suspicion darted across my mind:- could it be
possible? Oh! no - no! that were the height of the most insane presumption!
"Day after day passed; and frequent were the tokens of
the Grand Duke's favour which I received - but all of the a most delicate
description, - flowers, fruits, and books. I was also compelled to accompany
the Grachias to all the ducal soirées and receptions; and on each occasion, the
Duke paid me marked attention. Oh! my dear friend, my heart beats when I
remember that only last evening his Serene Highness pressed my hand, and said
to me in a low but impressive tone. '
Would that I were not a prince, or that
you were a princess!'