Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[graphic]

OR,

WEEKLY

THE

VISITOR.

FOR THE USE AND AMUSEMENT OF BOTH SEXES.

VOL. XI.]

Saturday, May 26,....1810.

[NO. 5.

4

THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH.

À TALE.

In Continuation.

ELIZA being tempted by an unusual fine evening to extend the limits of her excursions, she entered a neighbouring coppice, in which she soon found herself bewildered by the variety of its paths. Night approached and the heavens became obscured with clouds.

Alarmed at her situation, she attempted to quicken her pace, which was considerably retarded by briars that intersected her path. Her apprehensions became seriously painful, and were suddenly increased by the sound of indistinct voices from behind. She attempted to fly with precipitation; but the gloom around her, and the obstacles she had to encounter at every step, rendered every effort ineffectual. The sounds became more distinct, and, on a sudden, four ruffians, with sacrilegious hands, fastened on their defenceless prey. She gave them all the property she had about her, and begged to be released; but they proceeded to more violent mea

[blocks in formation]

ed the tiger of his ferocity, petitioned for mercy, which was savagely rejected. At that moment the approach of other footsteps was heard, and a youth rushed from among the trees, and with a rapidity of action that seemed to baffle all resistance and mock the perseverance of courage, soon levelled three of the villains with the earth. The other, taking advantage of his situation, aimed a blow at his adversary, which, for a while deprived him of any further resistance; but apprehensive that the screams of Eliza would bring others to their aid, he immediately fled, and his companions on coming to themselves, and finding nobody to deter them, followed his example.

Gratitude now overcame all 6ther ideas in the mind of Eliza, and her whole attention was directed to the stranger who had, perhaps, forfeited his life in her. defence. She threw herself on the ground by his side, when the beaming on his face, discovered moon, emerging from a cloud, and

to her the lifeless features of Steinfort !

Surprise, gratitude, and, love, nearly overpowered the trembling frame of Eliza on this discovery

and created emotions in her mind that elude the impotence of words. || In vain she attempted to recal the animation of her deliveret, every effort was fruitless, and she could only press his hand and mourn over him in silence. A storm that had been gathering over her head, now began to vent itself on the earth, and happily effected what her tender assiduities had failed in. Steinfort, on coming to himself, and finding the lady, whom he had attempted to release, kneeling by his side, and anxiously waiting his recovery, felt a pleasure that amply repaid him for any injuries he had sustained. The darkness that now reigned around, at once precluded the possibility of his knowing Eliza, or perceiving her embarrassment. He arose, and politely taking her hand, expressed his happiness on finding her safe, and hoped she had not suffered from the hands of the ruffi

[ocr errors]

ans.

She thanked him in tones modulated by her feelings, which never fail in addressing themselves to the heart, and which are the best recompence a feeling mind can receive. She briefly informed him of her entanglement in the wood, and of the part of the country from which she came; but expressed some concern on his account, and hoped, in return, that his generous exertions in her behalf had not been at the expense of any personal injury. He laughed her apprehensions away in a vein of pleasantry, and conducted her into a spacious walk into the interior of the wood.

Meanwhile the storm consider ably increasing, they found themselves under the necessity of taking shelter under the largest of the trees. Having secured themselves from the rage of the elements, a pause of some minutes elapsed, during which Eliza was agitated by various emotions. The idea of making herself known to Steinfort, was attended by a train of unpleasant circumstances; yet the singular services he had afforded her, rendered disingenuousness still more disagreeable. Steinfort at length interrupted her meditations, by expressing a desire to know more of the person to whom he had been so fortunate in rendering himself serviceable. "Alas!" replied Eliza, "I am an unfortunate being, whom any further acquaintance with would lead you only into new troubles." As the varied landscape assumes its wonted beauty, when lighed up by the morning sun, so are the social feelings of a sensible mind kindled at the touch of sorrow. A lady in distress, at any time was enough to make a hero of Steinfort; but when oppressed with grief, she awakened the finest touches of his nature. Tho' this complaint repressed his officiousness, it increased his desire for a further indulgence, and, in the most respectful solioitations, he begged her to let him know in what manner he could be serviceable to her, which she answered only by entreating him to desist: "Yet," added she, "a person from

"I will not attempt my justification, madam"-replied he, "I have been hurried away by my feelings and peculiar circumstances." He then enquired if she had ever resided at S

whom I have received such singu || fare. lar favours, I cannot object to consulting as a friend. Tell me,' continued she, "how I am to a void judging wrongly of characters known only by public opinion.""For myself," replied Steinfort, She replied in the affirmative. A "I should suppose we ought not variety of questions crowded upon to judge at all decidedly, till enahis mind. "No doubt you have bled by a familiar acquaintance, heard of such a person as Miss and afterwards be directed by that Dalton ?" added be. "I know acquaintance alone; but society is her well," answered Eliza. His a whirlpool of error, in which, by agitation became extreme.-------imperceptible degrees, we accede "Madam," continued he, in an to the centre; few have sufficient elevated voice, "you have it in courage of mind, to oppose the your power to determine much in ourrent, but, after a faint resistrespect to the bent of my future ance, submit to be whirled away life; and I doubt not but you will with the rest. I am a very re- deal with me candidly. Is Miss cluse," continued he, "shut out Dalton that capricious slave of from the world; the dumb beast vicious fashions, that the world alone is my companion, he blabs pictures her, or the just and menot my secrets, he perverts not my ritorious friend of virtue ?" "I actions, he deserves well of my hope she lives but to be the latter,” confidence." "And is there no replied Eliza. "Thank Heaven, selfishness in the resolve?" repli- I have done her justice!" exed Eliza Ought those charac- claimed Steinfort, "vice must ters that are best capaciated to deform the finest set of features. rectify the judgment and direct One question more, madam," cone, the opinions of the world to be re- tinued he, and I will trouble you moved from the post in which no farther. Have you reasons to they can be most effectually ser- suppose that her affections are enviceable? Does not this, likewise, gaged?" "Irrevocably so," anin some measure, imply a want of swered Eliza. The answer was courage? Is it not making sacri- abrupt, but immediately to the fices of pleasure deemed unworthy point, and he was evidently affect-, 'our acceptance, and is not religioned with it. "'Tis enough," ex

which was intended as a mansion claimed he, "we have all our of pleasure, converted into a shel- weaknesses:-you, madam, have ter from pain?" Steinfort was discovered mine; and forgive me, struck with the propriety of her if for a moment, I have forgotten remarks, and every moment be your sorrows in my own." Eliza came more interested in her wel- I became every moment more em

barrassed; repeatedly did she attempt to declare herself, and as repeatedly did her resolution fail her. At length the storm having subsided, the silver moon, which had before revealed the features of Steinfort, revealed those of Eliza in return!

Pleasure winged away the first moments of surprize with Steinfort on this discovery, but recollection soon gave his thoughts à different direction. He found that Eliza was unfortunate-in love; and, perhaps, like himself, without hope. He summoned his resolution, and after aukwardly expressing his happiness and surprize at so unexpected a pleasure, he requested her to forget there was ever such a person as Steinfort, or permit him to devote the remainder of his life to her service.

Eliza was silent. He begged the liberty of conducting her homeshe gave him her hand, and they walked silently forward. Every moment's reflection served but the more to convince Steinfort of the loss he sustained in Eliza. Never did he stand more in need of words, and never was he so totally deprived of them. He wished not officiously to solicit, nor ungenerously to extort from her those sorrows which would occasion more pain in the recital than the concealment. They approached the gates of Eliza's residence, and Steinfort at length recalled his wandering intellects. He observ He observ ed that they both had fortuitously

became acquainted with each o ther's misfortunes; that she had learnt who was the prime object of his love and chief cause of his retirement; that he would not by an untimely officiousness, question her in respect to those untoward circumstances that had attended their acquaintance; but that all he had left to hope was from her lenity in answering him one question, and he would never more trouble her with his presence. She signified her assent. "Who then, madam," asked he, "is that highly favoured son of mortality, reserved for that enjoyment which my utmost presumption has scarce dared to glance at?" "Do you wish him any harm "" enquired Eliza. "I wish him every happiness of which human nature is susceptible," replied Steinfort, "while he acts worthy of you; but when he ceases to do this, may the lightnings of heaven pursue him!" "Sir,” rejoined Eliza, "I cannot excuse myself for having dealt disingenuously with you and trifled with yonr exalted character. You have snatched me from the brink of the most exquisite wretchedness-you have deserved more frank and generous treatment. But I will answer your question faithfully, continued she, while her check reflected a more rosy beam," for I am not ashamed to own that the name of him who best deserves, and alone pos sesses my heart, is-Steinfort:" Bidding him call on her on the morrow, without giving him time

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

and accomplished by education, with every thing that could render her suceptible of the most refined happiness throughout life, she now stood upon the very margin of a guiph which was ready to swallow up every thing that could be dear to her her honour, her rank, her peace of mind; one moment was to rob her of her children, her husband, and her throne: and that she should survive this calamitous change was a consideration fraught with new horror. Her sensibility rendered her capable of feeling her misery in its utmost extent;

and the manner in which she depicted the terrible apprehensions of her mind to Uhldal, fully shewed with what acuteness she felt them. "I should be inconsolable," said she, "if the most trifling of nry actions could have tended in the least to the dishonour or disadvantage of the king and the states. I have perhaps been imprudcut, but have never meant ill; and in those points in which I have failed, my youth and the strange circumstances in which I was placed ought to plead my apology. I was too secure of the suspicion or censure of the world, and this security may have led me into error.. "If the laws of my country condemn me, it is my duty humbly to acquiesce in their sentence; but in the mouth of my judges, I trust their rigour will be softened by humanity; and this affords me great comfort. But when I consider that my King, my husband, must confirm their sentence, then, then my languishing hopes revive-he will surely never desert me, nor cast me from him into chdless misery and despair!" Her tears. and sighs frequently, interrupted this moving address;at last she found some relief from the acuteness of her feelings in her weakness to support them, rather than in a diminution of her distress.

1.

-She spoke to Uhldal in a more tranquil tone, and consulted with him upon the best means by which her cause could be defended.

The eloquence and talents of Uhldal were in vain exerted in

« VorigeDoorgaan »