by Walter Scott
CHAPTER FIFTH.
How melts my beating heart as I behold Each lovely nymph, our island's boast and pride, Push on the generous steed, that sweeps along O'er rough, o'er smooth, nor heeds the steepy hill, Nor falters in the extended vale below! The Chase.
I approached my native north, for such I esteemed it, with thatenthusiasm which romantic and wild scenery inspires in the lovers ofnature. No longer interrupted by the babble of my companion, I could nowremark the difference which the country exhibited from that through whichI had hitherto travelled. The streams now more properly deserved thename, for, instead of slumbering stagnant among reeds and willows, theybrawled along beneath the shade of natural copsewood; were now hurrieddown declivities, and now purled more leisurely, but still in activemotion, through little lonely valleys, which, opening on the road fromtime to time, seemed to invite the traveller to explore their recesses.The Cheviots rose before me in frowning majesty; not, indeed, with thesublime variety of rock and cliff which characterizes mountains of theprimary class but huge, round-headed, and clothed with a dark robe ofrusset, gaining, by their extent and desolate appearance, an influenceupon the imagination, as a desert district possessing a character of itsown.
The abode of my fathers, which I was now approaching, was situated in aglen, or narrow valley, which ran up among those hills. Extensiveestates, which once belonged to the family of Osbaldistone, had been longdissipated by the misfortunes or misconduct of my ancestors; but enoughwas still attached to the old mansion, to give my uncle the title of aman of large property. This he employed (as I was given to understand bysome inquiries which I made on the road) in maintaining the prodigalhospitality of a northern squire of the period, which he deemed essentialto his family dignity.
From the summit of an eminence I had already had a distant view ofOsbaldistone Hall, a large and antiquated edifice, peeping out from aDruidical grove of huge oaks; and I was directing my course towards it,as straightly and as speedily as the windings of a very indifferent roadwould permit, when my horse, tired as he was, pricked up his ears at theenlivening notes of a pack of hounds in full cry, cheered by theoccasional bursts of a French horn, which in those days was a constantaccompaniment to the chase. I made no doubt that the pack was my uncle's,and drew up my horse with the purpose of suffering the hunters to passwithout notice, aware that a hunting-field was not the proper scene tointroduce myself to a keen sportsman, and determined when they had passedon, to proceed to the mansion-house at my own pace, and there to awaitthe return of the proprietor from his sport. I paused, therefore, on arising ground, and, not unmoved by the sense of interest which thatspecies of silvan sport is so much calculated to inspire (although mymind was not at the moment very accessible to impressions of thisnature), I expected with some eagerness the appearance of the huntsmen.
The fox, hard run, and nearly spent, first made his appearance from thecopse which clothed the right-hand side of the valley. His droopingbrush, his soiled appearance, and jaded trot, proclaimed his fateimpending; and the carrion crow, which hovered over him, alreadyconsidered poor Reynard as soon to be his prey. He crossed the streamwhich divides the little valley, and was dragging himself up a ravine onthe other side of its wild banks, when the headmost hounds, followed bythe rest of the pack in full cry, burst from the coppice, followed by thehuntsman and three or four riders. The dogs pursued the trace of Reynardwith unerring instinct; and the hunters followed with reckless haste,regardless of the broken and difficult nature of the ground. They weretall, stout young men, well mounted, and dressed in green and red, theuniform of a sporting association, formed under the auspices of old SirHildebrand Osbaldistone.--"My cousins!" thought I, as they swept past me.The next reflection was, what is my reception likely to be among theseworthy successors of Nimrod? and how improbable is it that I, knowinglittle or nothing of rural sports, shall find myself at ease, or happy,in my uncle's family. A vision that passed me interrupted thesereflections.
It was a young lady, the loveliness of whose very striking features wasenhanced by the animation of the chase and the glow of the exercise,mounted on a beautiful horse, jet black, unless where he was flecked byspots of the snow-white foam which embossed his bridle. She wore, whatwas then somewhat unusual, a coat, vest, and hat, resembling those of aman, which fashion has since called a riding habit. The mode had beenintroduced while I was in France, and was perfectly new to me. Her longblack hair streamed on the breeze, having in the hurry of the chaseescaped from the ribbon which bound it. Some very broken ground, throughwhich she guided her horse with the most admirable address and presenceof mind, retarded her course, and brought her closer to me than any ofthe other riders had passed. I had, therefore, a full view of heruncommonly fine face and person, to which an inexpressible charm wasadded by the wild gaiety of the scene, and the romance of her singulardress and unexpected appearance. As she passed me, her horse made, in hisimpetuosity, an irregular movement, just while, coming once more uponopen ground, she was again putting him to his speed. It served as anapology for me to ride close up to her, as if to her assistance. Therewas, however, no cause for alarm; it was not a stumble, nor a false step;and, if it had, the fair Amazon had too much self-possession to have beenderanged by it. She thanked my good intentions, however, by a smile, andI felt encouraged to put my horse to the same pace, and to keep in herimmediate neighbourhood. The clamour of "Whoop! dead! dead!"--and thecorresponding flourish of the French horn, soon announced to us thatthere was no more occasion for haste, since the chase was at a close. Oneof the young men whom we had seen approached us, waving the brush of thefox in triumph, as if to upbraid my fair companion,
"I see," she replied,--"I see; but make no noise about it: if Phoebe,"she said, patting the neck of the beautiful animal on which she rode,"had not got among the cliffs, you would have had little cause forboasting."
They met as she spoke, and I observed them both look at me, and conversea moment in an under-tone, the young lady apparently pressing thesportsman to do something which he declined shyly, and with a sort ofsheepish sullenness. She instantly turned her horse's head towards me,saying,--"Well, well, Thornie, if you won't, I must, that's all.--Sir,"she continued, addressing me, "I have been endeavouring to persuade thiscultivated young gentleman to make inquiry of you whether, in the courseof your travels in these parts, you have heard anything of a friend ofours, one Mr. Francis Osbaldistone, who has been for some days expectedat Osbaldistone Hall?"
I was too happy to acknowledge myself to be the party inquired after, andto express my thanks for the obliging inquiries of the young lady.
"In that case, sir," she rejoined, "as my kinsman's politeness seems tobe still slumbering, you will permit me (though I suppose it is highlyimproper) to stand mistress of ceremonies, and to present to you youngSquire Thorncliff Osbaldistone, your cousin, and Die Vernon, who has alsothe honour to be your accomplished cousin's poor kinswoman."
There was a mixture of boldness, satire, and simplicity in the manner inwhich Miss Vernon pronounced these words. My knowledge of life wassufficient to enable me to take up a corresponding tone as I expressed mygratitude to her for her condescension, and my extreme pleasure at havingmet with them. To say the truth, the compliment was so expressed, thatthe lady might easily appropriate the greater share of it, for Thorncliffseemed an arrant country bumpkin, awkward, shy, and somewhat sulkywithal. He shook hands with me, however, and then intimated his intentionof leaving me that he might help the huntsman and his brothers to coupleup the hounds,--a purpose which he rather communicated by way ofinformation to Miss Vernon than as apology to me.
"There he goes," said the young lady, following him with eyes in whichdisdain was admirably painted--"the prince of grooms and cock-fighters,and blackguard horse-coursers. But there is not one of them to mendanother.--Have you read Markham?" said Miss Vernon.
"Read whom, ma'am?--I do not even remember
the author's name."
"O lud! on what a strand are you wrecked!" replied the young lady. "Apoor forlorn and ignorant stranger, unacquainted with the very Alcoran ofthe savage tribe whom you are come to reside among--Never to have heardof Markham, the most celebrated author on farriery! then I fear you areequally a stranger to the more modern names of Gibson and Bartlett?"
"I am, indeed, Miss Vernon."
"And do you not blush to own it?" said Miss Vernon. "Why, we mustforswear your alliance. Then, I suppose, you can neither give a ball, nora mash, nor a horn!"
"I confess I trust all these matters to an ostler, or to my groom."
"Incredible carelessness!--And you cannot shoe a horse, or cut his maneand tail; or worm a dog, or crop his ears, or cut his dew-claws; orreclaim a hawk, or give him his casting-stones, or direct his diet whenhe is sealed; or"--
"To sum up my insignificance in one word," replied I, "I am profoundlyignorant in all these rural accomplishments."
"Then, in the name of Heaven, Mr. Francis Osbaldistone, what _can_ youdo?"
"Very little to the purpose, Miss Vernon; something, however, I canpretend to--When my groom has dressed my horse I can ride him, and whenmy hawk is in the field, I can fly him."
"Can you do this?" said the young lady, putting her horse to a canter.
There was a sort of rude overgrown fence crossed the path before us, witha gate composed of pieces of wood rough from the forest; I was about tomove forward to open it, when Miss Vernon cleared the obstruction at aflying leap. I was bound in point of honour to follow, and was in amoment again at her side. "There are hopes of you yet," she said. "I wasafraid you had been a very degenerate Osbaldistone. But what on earthbrings you to Cub-Castle?--for so the neighbours have christened thishunting-hall of ours. You might have stayed away, I suppose, if youwould?"
I felt I was by this time on a very intimate footing with my beautifulapparition, and therefore replied, in a confidential under-tone--"Indeed,my dear Miss Vernon, I might have considered it as a sacrifice to be atemporary resident in Osbaldistone Hall, the inmates being such as youdescribe them; but I am convinced there is one exception that will makeamends for all deficiencies."
"O, you mean Rashleigh?" said Miss Vernon.
"Indeed I do not; I was thinking--forgive me--of some person much nearerme."
"I suppose it would be proper not to understand your civility?--But thatis not my way--I don't make a courtesy for it because I am sitting onhorseback. But, seriously, I deserve your exception, for I am the onlyconversable being about the Hall, except the old priest and Rashleigh."
"And who is Rashleigh, for Heaven's sake?"
"Rashleigh is one who would fain have every one like him for his ownsake. He is Sir Hildebrand's youngest son--about your own age, but notso--not well looking, in short. But nature has given him a mouthful ofcommon sense, and the priest has added a bushelful of learning; he iswhat we call a very clever man in this country, where clever men arescarce. Bred to the church, but in no hurry to take orders."
"To the Catholic Church?"
"The Catholic Church? what Church else?" said the young lady. "But Iforgot--they told me you are a heretic. Is that true, Mr. Osbaldistone?"
"I must not deny the charge."
"And yet you have been abroad, and in Catholic countries?"
"For nearly four years."
"You have seen convents?"
"Often; but I have not seen much in them which recommended the Catholicreligion."
"Are not the inhabitants happy?"
"Some are unquestionably so, whom either a profound sense of devotion, oran experience of the persecutions and misfortunes of the world, or anatural apathy of temper, has led into retirement. Those who have adopteda life of seclusion from sudden and overstrained enthusiasm, or in hastyresentment of some disappointment or mortification, are very miserable.The quickness of sensation soon returns, and like the wilder animals in amenagerie, they are restless under confinement, while others muse orfatten in cells of no larger dimensions than theirs."
"And what," continued Miss Vernon, "becomes of those victims who arecondemned to a convent by the will of others? what do they resemble?especially, what do they resemble, if they are born to enjoy life, andfeel its blessings?"
"They are like imprisoned singing-birds," replied I, "condemned to wearout their lives in confinement, which they try to beguile by the exerciseof accomplishments which would have adorned society had they been left atlarge."
"I shall be," returned Miss Vernon--"that is," said she, correctingherself--"I should be rather like the wild hawk, who, barred the freeexercise of his soar through heaven, will dash himself to pieces againstthe bars of his cage. But to return to Rashleigh," said she, in a morelively tone, "you will think him the pleasantest man you ever saw in yourlife, Mr. Osbaldistone,--that is, for a week at least. If he could findout a blind mistress, never man would be so secure of conquest; but theeye breaks the spell that enchants the ear.--But here we are in the courtof the old hall, which looks as wild and old-fashioned as any of itsinmates. There is no great toilette kept at Osbaldistone Hall, you mustknow; but I must take off these things, they are so unpleasantlywarm,--and the hat hurts my forehead, too," continued the lively girl,taking it off, and shaking down a profusion of sable ringlets, which,half laughing, half blushing, she separated with her white slenderfingers, in order to clear them away from her beautiful face andpiercing hazel eyes. If there was any coquetry in the action, it waswell disguised by the careless indifference of her manner. I could nothelp saying, "that, judging of the family from what I saw, I shouldsuppose the toilette a very unnecessary care."
"That's very politely said--though, perhaps, I ought not to understand inwhat sense it was meant," replied Miss Vernon; "but you will see a betterapology for a little negligence when you meet the Orsons you are to liveamongst, whose forms no toilette could improve. But, as I said before,the old dinner-bell will clang, or rather clank, in a few minutes--itcracked of its own accord on the day of the landing of King Willie, andmy uncle, respecting its prophetic talent, would never permit it to bemended. So do you hold my palfrey, like a duteous knight, until I sendsome more humble squire to relieve you of the charge."
She threw me the rein as if we had been acquainted from our childhood,jumped from her saddle, tripped across the courtyard, and entered at aside-door, leaving me in admiration of her beauty, and astonished withthe over-frankness of her manners, which seemed the more extraordinary ata time when the dictates of politeness, flowing from the court of theGrand Monarque Louis XIV., prescribed to the fair sex an unusual severityof decorum. I was left awkwardly enough stationed in the centre of thecourt of the old hall, mounted on one horse, and holding another in myhand.
The building afforded little to interest a stranger, had I been disposedto consider it attentively; the sides of the quadrangle were of variousarchitecture, and with their stone-shafted latticed windows, projectingturrets, and massive architraves, resembled the inside of a convent, orof one of the older and less splendid colleges of Oxford. I called for adomestic, but was for some time totally unattended to; which was the moreprovoking, as I could perceive I was the object of curiosity to severalservants, both male and female, from different parts of the building, whopopped out their heads and withdrew them, like rabbits in a warren,before I could make a direct appeal to the attention of any individual.The return of the huntsmen and hounds relieved me from my embarrassment,and with some difficulty I got one down to relieve me of the charge ofthe horses, and another stupid boor to guide me to the presence of SirHildebrand. This service he performed with much such grace and good-will,as a peasant who is compelled to act as guide to a hostile patrol; and inthe same manner I was obliged to guard against his deserting me in thelabyrinth of low vaulted passages which conducted to "Stun Hall," as hecalled it, where I was to be introduced to the gracious presence of myuncle.
We did, however, at length reach a long vaulted room, floored with stone,where a range of oak
en tables, of a weight and size too massive ever tobe moved aside, were already covered for dinner. This venerableapartment, which had witnessed the feasts of several generations of theOsbaldistone family, bore also evidence of their success in field sports.Huge antlers of deer, which might have been trophies of the hunting ofChevy Chace, were ranged around the walls, interspersed with the stuffedskins of badgers, otters, martins, and other animals of the chase. Amidstsome remnants of old armour, which had, perhaps, served against theScotch, hung the more valued weapons of silvan war, cross-bows, guns ofvarious device and construction, nets, fishing-rods, otter-spears,hunting-poles, with many other singular devices, and engines for takingor killing game. A few old pictures, dimmed with smoke, and stained withMarch beer, hung on the walls, representing knights and ladies, honoured,doubtless, and renowned in their day; those frowning fearfully from hugebushes of wig and of beard; and these looking delightfully with all theirmight at the roses which they brandished in their hands.
I had just time to give a glance at these matters, when about twelveblue-coated servants burst into the hall with much tumult and talk, eachrather employed in directing his comrades than in discharging his ownduty. Some brought blocks and billets to the fire, which roared, blazed,and ascended, half in smoke, half in flame, up a huge tunnel, with anopening wide enough to accommodate a stone seat within its ample vault,and which was fronted, by way of chimney-piece, with a huge piece ofheavy architecture, where the monsters of heraldry, embodied by the artof some Northumbrian chisel, grinned and ramped in red free-stone, nowjapanned by the smoke of centuries. Others of these old-fashionedserving-men bore huge smoking dishes, loaded with substantial fare;others brought in cups, flagons, bottles, yea barrels of liquor. Alltramped, kicked, plunged, shouldered, and jostled, doing as littleservice with as much tumult as could well be imagined. At length, whilethe dinner was, after various efforts, in the act of being arranged uponthe board, "the clamour much of men and dogs," the cracking of whips,calculated for the intimidation of the latter, voices loud and high,steps which, impressed by the heavy-heeled boots of the period, clatteredlike those in the statue of the _Festin de Pierre,_* announced thearrival of those for whose benefit the preparations were made.
* Now called Don Juan.
The hubbub among the servants rather increased than diminished as thiscrisis approached. Some called to make haste,--others to taketime,--some exhorted to stand out of the way, and make room for SirHildebrand and the young squires,--some to close round the table and be_in_ the way,--some bawled to open, some to shut, a pair offolding-doors which divided the hall from a sort of gallery, as Iafterwards learned, or withdrawing-room, fitted up with black wainscot.Opened the doors were at length, and in rushed curs and men,--eightdogs, the domestic chaplain, the village doctor, my six cousins, and myuncle.