Chapter XXXIX
"Then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression, And stolen glances, sweeter for the theft, And burning blushes, though for no transgression, Tremblings when met, and restlessness when left. All these are little preludes to possession, Of which young passion cannot be bereft, And merely tend to show how greatly love is Embarrassed, at first starting, with a novice."
BYRON.
It was in no very happy frame of mind that Newton quitted the colonel'shouse to execute his mission to the Miss Revels. That the two eldest,provided they were admitted, would not much take to heart either theconduct of their father or the coolness of their relation, he was prettywell assured; but he was too well acquainted with Isabel's character not toknow that she would deeply feel the humiliating situation in which she wasplaced, and that it would prey upon her generous and sensitive mind. As,however, there was no remedy, he almost congratulated himself that, as thecolonel's message was to be delivered, the commission had been placed inhis trust.
Captain Drawlock, tired of waiting, had escorted the young ladies on shoreto the hotel, anxiously expecting the arrival of Newton, who was conductedthere by a messenger despatched to intercept him.
"Well, Mr Forster, is it all right?" said Captain Drawlock, on hisappearance.
"The colonel's carriage will be here for the ladies in less than half anhour," replied Newton, evasively.
"Then, Miss Revels, as I am extremely busy, I shall wish you good-morning,and will have the pleasure of paying my respects before I sail. Allow me tooffer you my best thanks for your company during our voyage, and to assureyou how much your presence has contributed to enliven it. Forster, youwill, of course, remain with the Miss Revels, and see them safe in thecarriage;" and Captain Drawlock, who appeared to consider hisresponsibility over with the voyage, shook hands with them, and quitted thehotel.
"Mr Forster," said Isabel, as soon as Captain Drawlock was out of hearing,"I am sure, by your countenance, that there has been something unpleasant.Is it not so?"
"I am sorry to answer in the affirmative, and more sorry to be forced toimpart the cause." Newton then entered into a detail of what had passed atthe colonel's house. Isabel listened to it with attention, her sisters withimpatience. Miss Charlotte, with an air of consternation, inquired whetherthe colonel had refused to receive them: on being informed to the contrary,she appeared to be satisfied. Laura simpered, and observed, "How very oddof papa!" and then seemed to think no more about it. Isabel made noobservation; she remained on her chair, apparently in deep and painfulthought.
A few minutes after the communication the colonel's carriage made itsappearance, and Newton proposed that they should quit the hotel. Charlotteand Laura were all ready and impatient, but Isabel remained seated by thetable.
"Come, Isabel," cried Charlotte.
"I cannot go, my dear Charlotte," replied Isabel; "but do not let meprevent you or Laura from deciding for yourselves."
"Not go!" cried the two sisters at once. Isabel was firm; and Newton, whodid not think himself authorised to interfere, was a silent witness to thecontinued persuasions and expostulations of the two elder, and the refusalof the younger sister. Nearly half an hour thus passed away, when Charlotteand Laura decided that they would go, and send back the carriage forIsabel, who by that time would have come to her senses. The heartless,unthinking girls tripped gaily down to the carriage, and drove off. Newton,who had escorted them, retraced his steps, with a beating heart, to theroom where he had left Isabel.
She was in tears.
"Do I intrude, Miss Revel?" said Newton, who could not repress his emotionat the sight.
"Oh, no! I expected and wished that you would return, Mr Forster. Do youthink that you could find Captain Drawlock? I should feel much obliged ifyou would take that trouble for me."
"I will immediately go in search of him, if you wish it. Believe me, MissRevel, I feel most sincerely for your situation; and, if it were notconsidered an impertinent question, I should ask you what may be yourpresent intentions?"
"Acquainted as you are with all the circumstances, Mr Forster, the questionis not impertinent, but kind. God knows that I require an adviser. I would,if possible, conceal the facts from Captain Drawlock. It is not for adaughter to publish a father's errors; but you know all, and I cantherefore have no scruple in consulting with you: I do not see why Ishould. My resolution is, at best, a hasty one; but it is, never to enterthe house of my relation under such humiliating circumstances--that isdecided: but how to act, or what to do, is where I require advice. I am ina cruel situation. What a helpless creature is a woman! Were I a man, Icould have worked my passage home, or have honestly obtained my bread inthis place; but a woman--a young and unprotected woman--in a distant clime,and without a friend--"
"Do not say that you are without a friend; one who has at least the will,if not the power to serve you," replied Newton.
"No--not without a friend; but what avails a friend whose assistance Icould not accept? It is to Captain Drawlock, therefore, that I must apply,and, painful as it may be, throw myself upon his generosity; for thatreason I wished to see him. He may advise some means by which I may obtaina passage home. I will return in any capacity--as a nurse to children, asan attendant--anything that is creditable. I would watch over the couch offever, pestilence, and plague, for months, rather than appear to be a partyto my father's duplicity. Oh! Mr Forster, what must you think of thedaughters, after what you have heard of the parent's conduct?"--and Isabelburst into tears.
Newton could contain himself no longer. "My dear Miss Revel, let mepersuade you to compose yourself," said he, taking her hand, which was notwithdrawn. "If you feel on this occasion, so do I most deeply--most deeply,because I can only lament, and dare not offer to assist you. The means ofreturning to your own country I can easily procure from Captain Drawlock;but would you accept it from me? I know--I cannot expect that you would;and that, under such circumstances, it would be insulting in me to offerit. Think, then, what pain I must feel to witness your distress, and yetdare not offer to assist one for whom--oh! my God--" ended Newton, checkinghis feelings.
"I feel the kindness and the delicacy of your conduct, Mr Forster; and Iwill candidly acknowledge, that, could I accept it, there is no one to whomI would more cheerfully be under an obligation; but the world will notpermit it."
"What shall I do, Miss Revel?--shall I go for Captain Drawlock?"
"Stay a little while; I wish to reflect. What would you advise?--as afriend, tell me candidly, Mr Forster."
"I am indeed proud that you allow me that title. It is all that I ever darehope for; but Isabel (I beg your pardon, Miss Revel, I should have said)--"
"Nay, nay, I am not displeased. Why not Isabel? We have known one anotherlong enough; and, deserted as I feel, a kind word now--"
Isabel covered her face with her hand. Newton, who was standing by her, wasovercome by the intensity of his feelings; gradually they approachednearer, until by, I suppose, the same principle which holds the universetogether--the attraction of cohesion--Newton's arm encircled the waist ofIsabel, and she sobbed upon his shoulder. It was with difficulty thatNewton refrained from pouring out his soul, and expressing the ardent lovewhich he had so long felt for her; but it was taking advantage of hersituation. He had nothing to offer but himself and beggary. He did refrain.The words were not spoken; yet Isabel divined his thoughts, appreciated hisforbearance, and loved him more for his resolution.
"Isabel," said Newton, at length, with a sigh, "I never valued or wishedfor wealth till now. Till this hour I never felt the misery of being poor."
"I believe you, Mr Forster; and I am grateful, as I know that it is for mysake that you feel it; but," continued she, recovering herself, "cryingwill do no good. I asked you for your advice, and you have only given meyour arm."
"I am afraid it is all I shall ever have to offer," replied Newton. "But,Isabel, allow me to ask you one question:--Are you resolved never to enteryour relatio
n's house?"
"Not on the humiliating terms which he has proposed. Let the colonel comehere for me and take me home with him, and then I will remain there until Ican return to England; if not, I will submit to any privation, to anyhonest humiliation, rather than enter under his roof. But, indeed, MrForster, it is necessary that Captain Drawlock should be summoned. We arehere alone: it is not correct: you must feel that it is not."
"I do feel that it is not; but, Isabel, I was this morning of some triflingservice to the colonel, and may have some little weight with him. Will youallow me to return to him, and try what I can do? It will not be dark forthese two hours, and I will soon be back."
Isabel assented. Newton hastened to the colonel, who had already been muchsurprised when he had been informed by his domestics (for he had not seenthem) that only two ladies had arrived. The old gentleman was now cool. Theexplanation and strong persuasions of Newton, coupled with the spiritedbehaviour of Isabel, whose determination was made known to him, and whichwas so different from the general estimate he had formed of the sex, atlast prevailed. The colonel ordered his carriage, and, in company withNewton, drove to the hotel, made a sort of apology--a wonderful effort onhis part, and requested his grand-niece to accept of his hospitality. In afew minutes Isabel and the colonel were out of sight, and Newton was leftto his own reflections.
A few days afterwards Newton accepted the colonel's invitation to dine,when he found that affairs were going on better than he expected. The oldgentleman had been severely quizzed by those who were intimate with him, atthe addition to his establishment, and had winced not a little under thelash; but, on the whole, he appeared more reconciled than would have beenexpected. Newton, however, observed that, when speaking of the threesisters, he invariably designated them as "my grand-niece, and the twoother young women."
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