The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Volume 02

by T. Smollett

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND, AND MIDNIGHT PILGRIMAGE TO MONIMIA'S TOMB.

  He considered the date of that unparalleled transaction, which agreedwith his conjecture, and from the inquiries he made concerning the personof the traitor, gathered reasons sufficient to confirm his supposition.Thus certified, "That is the villain," cried the Count, "whose infernalarts have overwhelmed me with such misery as Heaven itself hath made noremedy to dispel! To revenge my wrongs on that perfidious miscreant, isone of the chief reasons for which I deign to drag about an hatefulbeing. O Don Diego! what is life, when all its enjoyments are so easilypoisoned by the machinations of such a worm!" So saying, he smote hisbreast in all the agony of woe, and besought the Spaniard to relate thesteps he took in consequence of this disaster.

  The Castilian's cheeks reddened at this information, which enforced hisown resentment, and casting up his eyes to heaven, "Sacred powers!" criedhe, "let him not perish, before you bring him within my reach. You askme, noble cavalier, what measures I took in this abyss of misery? Forthe first day, I was tortured with apprehensions for the friendly Fadini,fearing that he had been robbed and murdered for the jewels which he had,perhaps, too unwarily exposed to sale. But this terror soon vanishedbefore the true presages of my fate, when, on the morrow, I found thewhole family in tears and confusion, and heard my landlord pour forth themost bitter imprecations against the fugitive, who had deflowered hisdaughter, and even robbed the house. You will ask, which of the passionsof my heart were interested on this occasion? they were shame andindignation. All my grief flowed in another channel; I blushed to findmy judgment deceived; I scorned to complain; but, in my heart, denouncedvengeance against my base betrayer. I silently retired to my apartment,in order to commune with my own thoughts.

  "I had borne greater calamities without being driven to despair; Isummoned all my fortitude to my assistance, and resolved to live in spiteof affliction. Thus determined, I betook myself to the house of ageneral officer, whose character was fair in the world; and havingobtained admission in consequence of my Oriental appearance, 'To a man ofhonour,' said I, 'the unfortunate need no introduction. My habitproclaims me a Persian; this passport from the States of Holland willconfirm that supposition. I have been robbed of jewels to a considerablevalue, by a wretch whom I favoured with my confidence; and now, reducedto extreme indigence, I come to offer myself as a soldier in the armiesof France. I have health and strength sufficient to discharge that duty.Nor am I unacquainted with a military life, which was once my glory andoccupation. I therefore sue for your protection, that I may be received,though in the lowest order of them that serve the King; and that yourfuture favour may depend upon my behaviour in that capacity.'

  "The general, surprised at my declaration, surveyed me with uncommonattention; he perused my certificate; asked divers questions concerningthe art of war, to which I returned such answers as convinced him that Iwas not wholly ignorant in that particular. In short, I was enlisted asa volunteer in his own regiment, and soon after promoted to the rank of asubaltern, and the office of equerry to his own son, who, at that time,had attained to the degree of colonel, though his age did not exceedeighteen years.

  "This young man was naturally of a ferocious disposition, which had beenrendered quite untractable by the pride of birth and fortune, togetherwith the licence of his education. As he did not know the respect due toa gentleman, so he could not possibly pay it to those who were,unfortunately, under his command. Divers mortifications I sustained withthat fortitude which became a Castilian who lay under obligations to thefather; till, at length, laying aside all decorum, he smote me. SacredHeaven! he smote Don Diego de Zelos, in presence of his whole household.

  "Had my sword been endowed with sensation, it would of itself havestarted from its scabbard at this indignity offered to its master. Iunsheathed it without deliberation, saying, 'Know, insolent boy, heis a gentleman whom thou hast outraged; and thou hast thus cancelled theties which have hitherto restrained my indignation.' His servants wouldhave interposed, but he commanded them to retire; and, flushed with thatconfidence which the impetuosity of his temper inspired, he drew, in histurn, and attacked me with redoubled rage; but his dexterity being veryunequal to his courage, he was soon disarmed, and overthrown; when,pointing my sword to his breast, 'In consideration of thy youth andignorance,' said I, 'I spare that life which thou hast forfeited by thyungenerous presumption.'

  "With these words, I put up my weapon, retired through the midst of hisdomestics, who, seeing their master safe, did not think proper to opposemy passage, and, mounting my horse, in less than two hours entered theAustrian dominions, resolving to proceed as far as Holland, that I mightembark in the first ship for Spain, in order to wash away, with my ownblood, or that of my enemies, the cruel stain which hath so long defiledmy reputation.

  "This was the grievance that still corroded my heart, and renderedineffectual the inhuman sacrifice I had made to my injured honour. Thiswas the consideration that incessantly prompted, and still importunes meto run every risk of life and fortune, rather than leave my fame undersuch an ignominious aspersion. I purpose to obey this internal call. Iam apt to believe it is the voice of Heaven--of that Providence whichmanifested its care by sending such a generous auxiliary to my aid, whenI was overpowered by banditti, on the very first day of my expedition."

  Having in this manner gratified the curiosity of his deliverer, heexpressed a desire of knowing the quality of him to whom he was sosignally obliged; and Renaldo did not scruple to make the Castilianacquainted with his name and family. He likewise communicated the storyof his unfortunate love, with all the symptoms of unutterable woe, whichdrew tears from the noble-hearted Spaniard, while, with a groan, thatannounced the load which overwhelmed his soul, "I had a daughter," saidhe, "such as you describe the peerless Monimia; had Heaven decreed herfor the arms of such a lover, I, who am now the most wretched, shouldhave been the most happy parent upon earth."

  Thus did these new friends alternately indulge their mutual sorrow, andconcert measures for their future operations. Melvil earnestly solicitedthe Castilian to favour him with his company to England, where, in allprobability, both would enjoy the gloomy satisfaction of being revengedupon their common betrayer, Fathom; and, as a farther inducement, heassured him, that, as soon as he should have accomplished the melancholypurposes of his voyage, he would accompany Don Diego to Spain, and employhis whole interest and fortune in his service. The Spaniard,thunderstruck at the extravagant generosity of this proposal, couldscarce believe the evidence of his own senses; and, after some pause,replied, "My duty would teach me to obey any command you should thinkproper to impose; but here my inclination and interest are so agreeablyflattered, that I should be equally ungrateful and unwise, in pretendingto comply with reluctance."

  This point being settled, they moved forwards to Mons, as soon as DonDiego was in a condition to bear the shock of such a removal, and thereremaining until his wounds were perfectly cured, they hired a post-chaisefor Ostend, embarked in a vessel at that port, reached the opposite shoreof England, after a short and easy passage, and arrived in London withouthaving met with any sinister accident on the road.

  As they approached this capital, Renaldo's grief seemed to regurgitatewith redoubled violence. His memory was waked to the most minute andpainful exertion of its faculties; his imagination teemed with the mostafflicting images, and his impatience became so ardent, that never loverpanted more eagerly for the consummation of his wishes, than Melvil, foran opportunity of stretching himself upon the grave of the lost Monimia.The Castilian was astonished, as well as affected, at the poignancy ofhis grief, which, as a proof of his susceptibility and virtue, endearedhim still more to his affection; and though his own misfortunes hadrendered him very unfit for the office of a comforter, he endeavoured, bysoothing discourse, to moderate the excess of his friend's affliction.

  Though it was dark when they alighted at the inn, Melvil ordere
d a coachto be called; and, being attended by the Spaniard, who would not bepersuaded to quit him upon such an occasion, he repaired to the houseof the generous Jew, whose rheum distilled very plentifully at hisapproach. The Count had already acquitted himself in point of pecuniaryobligations to this benevolent Hebrew; and now, after having made suchacknowledgments as might be expected from a youth of his disposition, hebegged to know by what channel he had received that letter which he hadbeen so kind as to forward to Vienna.

  Joshua, who was ignorant of the contents of that epistle, and saw theyoung gentleman extremely moved, would have eluded his inquiry, bypretending he had forgot the circumstance; but when he understood thenature of the case which was not explained without the manifestation ofthe utmost inquietude, he heartily condoled the desponding lover, tellinghim he had in vain employed all his intelligence about that unfortunatebeauty, in consequence of Melvil's letter to him on that subject; andthen directed him to the house of the physician, who had brought thefatal billet which had made him miserable.

  No sooner did he receive this information than he took his leaveabruptly, with promise of returning next day, and hied him to thelodgings of that gentleman, whom he was lucky enough to find at home.Being favoured with a private audience, "When I tell you," said he, "thatmy name is Renaldo Count de Melvil, you will know me to be the mostunfortunate of men. By that letter, which you committed to the charge ofmy worthy friend Joshua, the fatal veil was removed from my eyes, whichhad been so long darkened by the artifices of incredible deceit, and myown incurable misery fully presented to my view. If you were acquaintedwith the unhappy fair, who hath fallen a victim to my mistake, you willhave some idea of the insufferable pangs which I now feel in recollectingher fate. If you have compassion for these pangs, you will not refuse toconduct me to the spot where the dear remains of Monimia are deposited;there let me enjoy a full banquet of woe; there let me feast that worm ofsorrow that preys upon my heart. For such entertainment have I revisitedthis (to me) ill-omened isle; for this satisfaction I intrude upon yourcondescension at these unseasonable hours; for to such a degree ofimpatience is my affliction whetted, that no slumber shall assail mineeyelids, no peace reside within my bosom, until I shall have adored thatearthly shrine where my Monimia lies! Yet would I know the circumstancesof her fate. Did Heaven ordain no angel to minister to her distress?were her last moments comfortless? ha! was not she abandoned toindigence, to insults; left in the power of that inhuman villain whobetrayed us both? Sacred Heaven! why did Providence wink at the triumphof such consummate perfidy?"

  The physician, having listened with complacency to this effusion,replied, "It is my profession, it is my nature to sympathise with theafflicted. I am a judge of your feelings, because I know the value ofyour loss. I attended the incomparable Monimia in her last illness, andam well enough acquainted with her story to conclude that she fell asacrifice to an unhappy misunderstanding, effected and fomented by thattraitor who abused your mutual confidence."

  He then proceeded to inform him of all the particulars which we havealready recorded, touching the destiny of the beauteous orphan, andconcluded with telling him he was ready to yield him any othersatisfaction which it was in his power to grant. The circumstances ofthe tale had put Renaldo's spirits into such commotion, that he couldutter nothing but interjections and unconnected words. When Fathom'sbehaviour was described, he trembled with fierce agitation, started fromhis chair, pronouncing, "Monster! fiend! but we shall one day meet."

  When he was made acquainted with the benevolence of the French lady, heexclaimed, "O heaven-born charity and compassion! sure that must be somespirit of grace sent hither to mitigate the tortures of life! where shallI find her, to offer up my thanks and adoration?" Having heard theconclusion of the detail, he embraced the relater, as the kind benefactorof Monimia, shed a flood of tears in his bosom, and pressed him to crownthe obligation, by conducting him to the solitary place where now sherested from all her cares.

  The gentleman perceiving the transports of his grief were such as couldnot be opposed, complied with his request, attended him in the vehicle,and directed the coachman to drive to a sequestered field, at somedistance from the city, where stood the church, within whose awful aislethis scene was to be acted. The sexton being summoned from his bed,produced the keys, in consequence of a gratification, after the physicianhad communed with him apart, and explained the intention of Renaldo'svisit.

  During this pause the soul of Melvil was wound up to the highest pitch ofenthusiastic sorrow. The uncommon darkness of the night, the solemnsilence, and lonely situation of the place, conspired with the occasionof his coming, and the dismal images of his fancy, to produce a realrapture of gloomy expectation, which the whole world would not havepersuaded him to disappoint. The clock struck twelve, the owl screechedfrom the ruined battlement, the door was opened by the sexton, who, bythe light of a glimmering taper, conducted the despairing lover to adreary aisle, and stamped upon the ground with his foot, saying, "Herethe young lady lies interred."

  Melvil no sooner received this intimation, than falling on his knees, andpressing his lips to the hallowed earth, "Peace," cried he, "to thegentle tenant of this silent habitation." Then turning to thebystanders, with a bloodshot eye, said, "Leave me to the full enjoymentof this occasion; my grief is too delicate to admit the company even ofmy friends. The rites to be performed require privacy; adieu, then, heremust I pass the night alone."

  The doctor, alarmed at this declaration, which he was afraid importedsome resolution fatal to his own life, began to repent of having beenaccessory to the visit, attempted to dissuade him from his purpose, andfinding him obstinately determined, called in the assistance of thesexton and coachman, and solicited the aid of Don Diego, to force Renaldofrom the execution of his design.

  The Castilian knowing his friend was then very unfit for commonaltercation, interposed in the dispute, saying, "You need not be afraidthat he will obey the dictates of despair; his religion, his honour willbaffle such temptations; he hath promised to reserve his life for theoccasions of his friend; and he shall not be disappointed in his presentaim." In order to corroborate this peremptory address, which wasdelivered in the French language, he unsheathed his sword, and the othersretreating at sight of his weapon, "Count," said he, "enjoy your grief infull transport; I will screen you from interruption, though at the hazardof my life; and while you give a loose to sorrow, within the ghastlyvault, I will watch till morning in the porch, and meditate upon the ruinof my own family and peace."

  He accordingly prevailed upon the physician to retire, after he hadsatisfied the sexton, and ordered the coachman to return by break of day.

  Renaldo, thus left alone, prostrated himself upon the grave, and pouredforth such lamentations as would have drawn tears from the most savagehearer. He called aloud upon Monimia's name, "Are these the nuptial joysto which our fate hath doomed us? Is this the fruit of those endearinghopes, that intercourse divine, that raptured admiration, in which somany hours insensibly elapsed? where now are those attractions to which Iyielded up my captive heart? quenched are those genial eyes thatgladdened each beholder, and shone the planets of my happiness and peace!cold! cold and withered are those lips that swelled with love, and faroutblushed the damask rose! and ah! forever silenced is that tongue,whose eloquence had power to lull the pangs of misery and care! no moreshall my attention be ravished with the music of that voice, which usedto thrill in soft vibrations to my soul! O sainted spirit! O unspottedshade of her whom I adored; of her whose memory I shall still revere withever-bleeding sorrow and regret; of her whose image will be the last ideathat forsakes this hapless bosom! now art thou conscious of my integrityand love; now dost thou behold the anguish that I feel. If the pureessence of thy nature will permit, wilt thou, ah! wilt thou indulge thiswretched youth with some kind signal of thy notice, with some token ofthy approbation? wilt thou assume a medium of embodied air, in semblanceof that lovely form which now lies mouldering in this d
reary tomb, andspeak the words of peace to my distempered soul! Return, Monimia,appear, though but for one short moment, to my longing eyes! vouchsafeone smile! Renaldo will be satisfied; Renaldo's heart will be at rest;his grief no more will overflow its banks, but glide with equal currentto his latest hour! Alas! these are the raving of my delirious sorrow!Monimia hears not my complaints; her soul, sublimed far, far above allsublunary cares, enjoys that felicity of which she was debarred on earth.In vain I stretch these eyes, environed with darkness undistinguishingand void. No object meets my view; no sound salutes mine ear, except thenoisy wind that whistles through these vaulted caves of death."

  In this kind of exclamation did Renaldo pass the night, not without acertain species of woful enjoyment, which the soul is often able toconjure up from the depths of distress; insomuch that, when the morningintruded on his privacy, he could scarce believe it was the light of day,so fast had fleeted the minutes of his devotion.

  His heart being thus disburdened, and his impatience gratified, he becameso calm and composed, that Don Diego was equally pleased and astonishedat the air of serenity with which he came forth, and embraced him withwarm acknowledgments of his goodness and attachment. He frankly owned,that his mind was now more at ease than he had ever found it, since hefirst received the fatal intimation of his loss; that a few such feastswould entirely moderate the keen appetite of his sorrow, which he wouldafterwards feed with less precipitation.

  He also imparted to the Castilian the plan of a monument, which he haddesigned for the incomparable Monimia; and Don Diego was so much struckwith the description, that he solicited his advice in projecting another,of a different nature, to be erected to the memory of his own ill-fatedwife and daughter, should he ever be able to re-establish himself inSpain.