Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins.

by John Esten Cooke

  "This work, I calculated, would be completed about midnight--and atmidnight I promised myself an interview with my friend Mortimer.

  "Nighthawk groaned as he listened to my cold and resolute voice, givingminute instructions for the work of darkness--looked at my face, todiscover if there were any signs of yielding there--doubtless saw nonewhatever--and disappeared, uttering a groan, to carry out the orderswhich he had received from me.

  "Then I took the two foils from the top of the bookcase where they werekept; broke off the buttons by placing my heel upon them; procured afile, and sharpened the points until they would have penetrated throughan ordinary plank. That was sufficient, I said to myself--they wouldpierce a man's breast--and placing them on the buffet, I went to adrawer and took out a loaded revolver, which I thrust into my breast.

  "Two minutes afterward I had ascended to madam's chamber, opened thedoor, and entered."

  XXII.

  WHILE WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT.

  "I did not arrive a moment too soon--in fact I came in the nick of time.

  "Madam had hastily collected watches, chains, breastpins, necklaces, andall the money she could find; had thrust the whole into a jewel casket;thrown her rich furs around her shoulders; and was hurrying toward thedoor, in rear of the apartment which opened on the private staircase.

  "She had not locked the main door of the apartment, doubtless fearing toexcite suspicion, or knowing I could easily break the hasp with a singleblow of my foot. She had plainly counted on my stupor of astonishmentand horror at her crime, and was now trying to escape.

  "That did not suit my view, however. In two steps, I reached the privatedoor, turned the key, drew it from the lock, and placed it in my pocket.

  "'Sit down, madam,' I said, 'and do not be in such a hurry to desertyour dear husband. Let us talk for a few moments, at least, before youdepart.'

  "She glared at me and sat down. She looked regal in her costly furs,holding the casket, heaped with rich jewels.

  "'What is your programme, madam, if I may ask?' I said, taking a chairwhich stood opposite to her.

  "'To leave this house!' she said, hoarsely.

  "'Ah! you are tired of me, then?'

  "'I am sick of you!--have long been sick of you!'

  "'Indeed!' I said. 'That is curious! I thought our marriage was a loveaffair, madam; at least you induced me to suppose so. What, then, hassuddenly changed your sentiments in my direction? Am I a monster? Have Ibeen cruel to you? Am I unworthy of you?'

  "'I hate and despise you!'

  "It was the hoarse growl of a wild animal rather than the voice of awoman. She was imperial at that moment--and I acknowledge, Surry, thatshe was 'game to the last!'

  "'Ah! you hate me, you despise me!' I said. 'I have had the misfortuneto incur madam's displeasure! No more connubial happiness--no moreendearments and sweet confidences--no more loving words, and glances--nomore bliss!'

  "She continued to glare at me.

  "'I am unworthy of madam; I see that clearly,' I went on. 'I am only apoor little, plain little, insignificant little country clodhopper! I amnothing--a mere nobody,--while madam is--shall I tell you, madam? Whileyou are a convict--a bigamist,--and a poisoner! Are you not?'

  "Her face became livid, but her defiant eyes never sank before myglance. I really admired her, Surry. No woman was ever braver thanthat one. I had supposed that these words would overwhelm her; that thediscovery of my acquaintance with her past life, and full knowledge ofher attempted crime, would crush her to the earth. Perhaps I had someremnant of pity for this woman. If she had been submissive, repentant!but, instead of submission and confusion, she exhibited greater defiancethan before. In the pale face her eyes burned like coals of fire--and itwas rage which inflamed them.

  "'So you have set your spies on me!' she exclaimed, in accents ofinexpressible fury. 'You are a chivalric gentleman, truly! You areworthy of your boasted family! You pretend to love and confide inme--you look at me with smiles and eyes of affection--and all the timeyou are laying a trap for me--endeavoring to catch me and betray me!Well, yes, sir! yes! What you have discovered through your spies istrue. I _was_ tried and sentenced as a thief--I _was_ married when Ifirst saw you--and it is this miserable creature, this offscouring ofthe kennels, this thief, that has become _the wife_ of the proud Mr.Mohun--in the eyes of the world at least! I am so still--my characteris untainted--dare to expose me and have me punished, and it is _your_proud name that will be tarnished! _your_ grand escutcheon that will beblotted! Come! arrest me, expose me, drag me to justice! I will stand upin open court, and point my finger at you where you stand cowering, inthe midst of jeers and laughter, and say: "There is Mr. Mohun, of theancient family of the Mohuns,--he is the husband and the dupe of athief!"'

  "She was splendid as she uttered these words, Surry. They thrilledme, and made my blood flame. I half rose, nearly beside myself--then Iresumed my seat and my coolness. A moment afterward I was as calm as Iam at this moment, and said, laughing:--

  "'So you have prepared that pretty little tableau, have you, madam? Icompliment you on your skill;--and even more on your nerve. But haveyou not omitted one thing--a very trifling portion, it is true, of theindictment to be framed against you? I refer to the little scene of thisevening, madam.'

  "Her teeth closed with a snap. Otherwise she exhibited no emotion. Herflashing eyes continued to survey me with the former defiance.

  "'Is there not an additional clause in the said indictment, madam?' Icalmly continued, 'which the commonwealth's attorney will perhapsrely on more fully than upon all else in the document, to secureyour conviction and punishment? You are not only a bigamist and anex-convict,--you are also a poisoner, my dear madam, and may be hangedfor that. Or, if not hanged--there is that handsome white house atRichmond, the state penitentiary. The least term which a jury can affixto your crime, will be eighteen years, if you are not sent there forlife! For life!--think of that, madam. How very disagreeable it willbe! Nothing around you but blank walls; no associates but thieves andmurderers--hard labor with these pretty hands--a hard bed for thishandsome body--coarse and wretched food for these dainty red lips--thedress, the food, the work, and the treatment of a convict! Disagreeable,is it not, madam? But that is the least that a felon, convicted of anattempt to poison, can expect! There is only one point which I haveomitted, and which may count for you. This life in prison will not be sohard to you--since your ladyship has already served your apprenticeshipamong felons.'

  "The point at last was reached. Madam had listened with changing color,and my words seemed to paint the frightful scene in all its horror.Suddenly fury mastered her. She rose and seemed clutching at some weaponto strike me.

  "'You are _a gentleman_! you insult a woman.'

  "'You are a poisoner, madam--you make tea for the gentleman!'

  "'You are a coward! do you hear? a coward!'

  "'I can not return, madam, the same reproach!' I replied, rising andbowing; 'it required some courage to attempt to poison me upon the verynight of my wedding!'

  "My words drove her to frenzy.

  "'Beware!' she exclaimed, taking a step toward me, and putting her handinto her bosom.

  "'Beware!' I said, with a laugh, 'beware of what, my dear MadamLaffarge?'

  "'Of this!'

  "And with a movement as rapid as lightning she drew from her breast asmall silver-mounted pistol, which she aimed straight at my breast.

  "I was not in a mood to care much for pistols, Surry. When a man isengaged in a little affair like that, bullets lose their influence onthe nerves.

  "'That is a pretty toy!' I said. 'Where did you procure it madam, thepoisoner?'

  "With a face resembling rather a hideous mask than a human countenance,she rushed upon me; placed the muzzle of the pistol on my very breast;and drew the trigger.

  "The weapon snapped.

  "A moment afterward I had taken it from her hand and thrown it into acorner.

  "'Very well done!' I said. 'What a pity that you us
e such indifferentcaps! Your pistol is as harmless as your tea!'

  "She uttered a hoarse cry, but did not recoil in the least, Surry! Thiswoman was a curiosity. Instead of retreating from me, she clenched hersmall white hand, raised it above her head, and exclaimed:--

  "'If _he_ only were here!'

  "'_He_, madam?' I said. 'You refer to your respected _brother_--to Mr.Mortimer?'

  "'Yes! _he_ would make you repent your cowardly outrages and insults.'

  "I looked at my watch, it was just eleven.

  "'The hour is earlier than I thought, madam,' I said, 'but perhaps hehas already arrived.'

  "And advancing to the side of the lady, I took her arm, drew her towardthe window, and said:--

  "'Why not give your friend the signal you have agreed on, madam?'

  "At a bound she reached the window, and struck a rapid series of blowswith her fingers upon the pane.

  "Five minutes afterward a heavy step was heard ascending theprivate staircase. I went to the door and unlocked it; the stepapproached--stopped at the door--the door opened, and Mortimer appeared.

  "'Come in, my dear brother-in-law,' I said, 'we are waiting for you.'"

  XXIII.

  THE RESULT OF THE SIGNAL.

  "Mortimer recoiled as if a blow had been suddenly struck at him. Hisastonishment was so comic that I began to laugh.

  "'Good! you start!' I said. 'You thought I was dead by this time?'

  "'Yes,' he coolly replied.

  "As he spoke, his hand stole under the cloak in which he was wrapped,and I heard the click of a pistol as he cocked it. I drew my own weapon,cocked it in turn, and placing the muzzle upon Mortimer's breast,said:--

  "'Draw your pistol and you are dead!'

  "He looked at me with perfect coolness, mingled with a sort ofcuriosity. I saw that he was a man of unfaltering courage, and that theinstincts of a gentleman had not entirely left him, soiled as he waswith every crime. His eye was calm and unshrinking. He did not move aninch when I placed my pistol muzzle upon his breast. At the words whichI uttered he withdrew his hand from his cloak--he had returned theweapon to its place--and with a penetrating glance, said:--

  "'What do you wish, sir; as you declare you await me?'

  "'Ask madam,' I said, 'or rather exert your own ingenuity.'

  "'My ingenuity?'

  "'In guessing.'

  "'Why not tell me?'

  "'So be it. The matter is perfectly simple, sir. I wish to kill you, orgive you an opportunity to kill me--is that plain?'

  "'Quite so,' replied Mortimer, without moving a muscle.

  "'I can understand, without further words, that all explanations anddiscussions are wholly useless.'

  "'Wholly.'

  "'You wish to fight me,' he said.

  "'Yes.'

  "'To put an end to me, if possible?'

  "'Yes.'

  "'Well, I will give you that opportunity, sir, and, even return you mythanks for not killing me on the spot.'

  "He paused a moment, and looked keenly at me.

  "'This whole affair is infamous,' he said. 'I knew that when I undertookit. I was once a gentleman, and have not forgotten every thing Ithen learned, whatever my practice may be. You have been tricked anddeceived. You have been made the victim of a disgraceful plot, and I wasthe author of the whole affair; though this lady would, herself, havebeen equal to that, or even more. You see I talk to you plainly, sir;I know a gentleman when I see him, and you are one. I was formerlysomething of the same sort, but having outlawed myself, went on in thecareer that brought me to this. I was poor--am poor now. I originatedthe idea of this pseudo-marriage, with a view to profit by it, but withno further--'

  "He suddenly paused and looked at the woman. Their glances in thatmoment crossed like lightning.

  "'Speak out!' she cried, 'say plainly--'

  "'Hush! I did not mean to--I am no coward, madam!'

  "'Say plainly that it was _I_ who formed the design to get rid of thisperson!'

  "And she pointed furiously at me.

  "'Let no scruples restrain you--take nothing upon yourself--it was I,I!--I who planned his death!'

  "Mortimer remained for an instant silent. Then he resumed, in the samemeasured voice as before:--

  "'You hear,' he said. 'I tried to shield her, to take the blame--meantto give you no inkling of this--but she spoils all. To end this. I haveoffered you a mortal insult--soiled an ancient and honorable name--thelast representative of the Mohuns has formed through me a degradingconnection. I acknowledge all that. I am going to try to kill you, tobury every thing in the grave. I would have shrunk from assassinatingyou, though I wish your death. You offer me honorable combat, and youdo me an honor, which I appreciate. Let us finish. The place, time, andweapons?'

  "There was, then, something not altogether base in this man. I listenedwith joy. I had expected to encounter a wretch without a singleattribute of the gentleman.

  "'You accept this honorable combat, then?' I said.

  "'With thanks,' he replied.

  "'You wish to fight as gentlemen fight?'

  "'Yes.'

  "'You fence well?'

  "'Yes--but you?'

  "'Sufficiently well.'

  "'Are you certain? I warn you I am excellent at the foils.'

  "'They suit me--that is agreed on, then?'

  "He bowed, and said:--

  "'Yes. And now, as to the place, the time, and every detail. All that Ileave to you.'

  "I bowed in turn.

  "'Then nothing will delay our affair. I have ordered a grave to be dug,in a private spot, on the river. The foils are ready, with the buttonsbroken, the points sharpened. The carriage has been ordered. A ride offifteen minutes will bring us to the grave, which is done by this time,and we can settle our differences there, by moonlight, without witnessesor interruption.'

  "Mortimer looked at me with a sinister smile.

  "'You are provident!' he said, briefly. 'I understand. The one who fallswill give no trouble. The grave will await him, and he can enter at onceupon his property!'

  "'Yes.'

  "'And this lady?'

  "'That will come afterward,' I said.

  "'If I kill you--?'

  "'She is your property.'

  "'And if you kill me--?'

  "'She is mine,' I said.

  "The sinister smile again came to the dark features of Mortimer.

  "'So be it,' he said, 'and I am ready to accompany you, sir.'

  "I drew my pistol and threw it upon the bed, looking at Mortimer asI did so. He imitated me, and opening his coat, showed me that he waswholly unarmed. I did the same, and having locked the private doorleading to the back staircase, led the way out, followed by Mortimer. Heturned and looked at madam as he passed through the door. She was erect,furious, defiant, full of anticipated triumph. Was it a glance ofgloomy compassion and deep tenderness which Mortimer threw toward her? Ithought I heard him sigh.

  "I locked the door, and we descended to the library."

  XXIV.

  WHAT TOOK PLACE IN FIFTY MINUTES.

  "As we entered the apartment, the clock on the mantel-piece struckmidnight.

  "My body servant was within call, and I ordered my carriage, whichNighthawk had been directed to have ready at a moment's warning.

  "In five minutes it was at the door, and I had just taken the two foilsunder my arm, when I heard a step in the passage. A moment afterward,Nighthawk entered.

  "He was so pale that I scarcely recognized him. When his eyesencountered Mortimer, they flashed lightnings of menace.

  "'Well?' I said, in brief tones.

  "'It is ready, sir,' Nighthawk replied, in a voice scarcely audible. Ilooked at him imperiously.

  "'And the servants are warned to keep silent?'

  "'Yes, sir.'

  "'Very well. Remain here until I return,' I said.

  "And I pointed to a seat, with a glance at Nighthawk, which saidplainly to him, 'Do not presume to attempt to turn me from my p
resentpurpose--it will be useless, and offensive to me.'

  "He groaned, and sat down in the seat I indicated. His frame was bentand shrunken like that of an old man, in one evening. Since that moment,I have loved Nighthawk, my dear Surry; and he deserves it.

  "Without delay I led the way to the carriage, which was driven bymy father's old gray-haired coachman, and entered it with Mortimer,directing the driver to follow the high-road down the river. He didso; we rolled on in the moonlight, or the shadow, as it came forth ordisappeared behind the drifting clouds. The air was intensely cold. Frombeyond the woods came the hollow roar of the Nottoway, which was swollenby a freshet.

  "Mortimer drew his cloak around him, but said nothing. In ten minutesI called to the old coachman to stop. He checked his spirited horses--Ihad some good ones then--and I descended from the carriage, with thefoils under my arm, followed by Mortimer.

  "The old coachman looked on in astonishment. The spot at which I hadstopped the carriage was wild and dreary beyond expression.

  "'Shall I wait, sir?' he said, respectfully.

  "'No; return home at once, and put away the carriage.'

  "He looked at me with a sort of stupor.

  "'Go home, sir?' he said.

  "'Yes.'

  "'And leave you?'

  "'Obey me!'

  "My voice must have shown that remonstrance would be useless. My oldservitor uttered a sigh like the groan which had escaped from the lipsof Nighthawk, and, mounting the box, turned the heads of his horsestoward home.