by T. S. Arthur
“I am almost sorry that I was tempted to embark in this business,” he at length said to himself, the admission being extorted by the pressure on his feelings. “If I could, with honour and safety, withdraw, I believe I would be tempted to do so. But that is really not to be thought of now. My hands have grasped the plough, and there must be no wavering or looking back. This is all an unworthy weakness.”
Mr. Markland had gained the entrance to Woodbine Lodge, but he was in no state of mind to join his family. So he alighted and sent his carriage forward, intending to linger on his way to the house, in order to regain his lost equilibrium. He had been walking alone for only a few minutes, with his eyes upon the ground, when a crackling noise among the underwood caused him to look up, and turn himself in the direction from which the sound came. In doing so, he caught sight of the figure of a man retiring through the trees, and evidently, from his movements, anxious to avoid observation. Mr. Markland stood still and gazed after him until his figure passed from sight. The impression this incident made upon him was unpleasant. The person of the stranger was so much hidden by trees, that he could make out no resemblance whatever.
It was near that part of Mr. Markland’s grounds known as the Fountain Grove, where this occurred, and the man, to all appearance, had been there. The impulse for him to turn aside was, therefore, but natural, and he did so. Passing through a style, and ascending by a few steps to the level of the ornamental grounds surrounding the grove and fountain, the first object that he saw was his daughter Fanny, moving hastily in the direction of the summer-house which has been described. She was only a short distance in advance. Mr. Markland quickened his steps, as a vague feeling of uneasiness came over him. The coincidence of the stranger and his daughter’s presence produced a most unpleasant impression.
“Fanny!” he called.
That his daughter heard him, he knew by the start she gave. But instead of looking around, she sprang forward, and hastily entered the summer-house. For a moment or two she was hidden from his view, and in that short period she had snatched a letter from the table, and concealed it in her bosom. Not sufficiently schooled in the art of self-control was Fanny to meet her father with a calm face. Her cheeks were flushed, and her chest rose and fell in hurried respiration, as Mr. Markland entered the summer-house, where she had seated herself.
“You are frightened, my child,” said he, fixing his eyes with a look of inquiry on her face. “Didn’t you see me, as I turned in from the carriage-way?” he added.
“No, sir,” was falteringly answered. “I did not know that you had returned from the city until I heard your voice. It came so unexpectedly that I was startled.”
Fanny, as she said this, did not meet her father’s gaze, but let her eyes rest upon the ground.
“Are you going to remain here?” asked Mr. Markland.
“I came to spend a little while alone in this sweet place, but I will go back to the house if you wish it,” she replied.
“Perhaps you had better do so. I saw a strange man between this and the main road, and he seemed as if he desired to avoid observation.”
Fanny started, and looked up, with an expression of fear, into her father’s face. The origin of that look Mr. Markland did not rightly conjecture. She arose at once, and said—
“Let us go home.”
But few words passed between father and daughter on the way, and their brief intercourse was marked by a singular embarrassment on both sides.
How little suspicion of the real truth was in the mind of Mr. Markland! Nothing was farther from his thoughts than the idea that Fanny had just received a letter from Mr. Lyon, and that the man he had seen was the messenger by whom the missive had been conveyed to the summer-house. A minute earlier, and that letter would have come into his hands. How instantly would a knowledge of its contents have affected all the purposes that were now leading him on with almost the blindness of infatuation. The man he was trusting so implicitly would have instantly stood revealed as a scheming, unprincipled adventurer. In such estimation, at least, he must have been held by Mr. Markland, and his future actions would have been governed by that estimate.
The answer to Fanny’s earnest, almost peremptory demand, to be released from the injunction not to tell her parents of Mr. Lyon’s return, was in her possession, and the instant she could get away to her own room, she tore the letter open. The reader already knows its contents. The effect upon her was paralyzing. He had said that she was in freedom to speak, but the consequences portrayed were too fearful to contemplate. In freedom? No! Instead of loosing the cords with which he had bound her spirit, he had only drawn them more tightly. She was in freedom to speak, but the very first word she uttered would sound the knell of her young heart’s fondest hopes. How, then, could she speak that word? Lyon had not miscalculated the effect of his letter on the inexperienced, fond young girl, around whose innocent heart he had woven a spell of enchantment. Most adroitly had he seemed to leave her free to act from her own desires, while he had made that action next to impossible.
How rapidly, sometimes, does the young mind gain premature strength when subjected to strong trial. Little beyond an artless child was Fanny Markland when she first met the fascinating young stranger; and now she was fast growing into a deep-feeling, strong-thinking woman. Hitherto she had leaned with tender confidence on her parents, and walked the paths lovingly where they led the way. Now she was moving, with unaided footsteps, along a new and rugged road, that led she knew not whither; for clouds and darkness were in the forward distance. At every step, she found a new strength and a new power of endurance growing up in her young spirit. Thought, too, was becoming clearer and stronger. The mature woman had suddenly taken the place of the shrinking girl.
CHAPTER XX.
HALF the night, following the receipt of Mr. Lyon’s letter, was spent in writing an answer. Imploringly she besought him to release her, truly, from the obligation to secrecy with which he had bound her. Most touchingly did she picture her state of mind, and the change wrought by it upon her mother. “I cannot bear this much longer,” she said. “I am too weak for the burden you have laid upon me. It must be taken away soon, or I will sink under the weight. Oh, sir! if, as you say, you love me, prove that love by restoring me to my parents. Now, though present with them in body, I am removed from them in spirit. My mother’s voice has a strange sound in my ears; and when she gazes sadly into my face I can hardly believe that it is my mother who is looking upon me. If she touches me, I start as if guilty of a crime. Oh, sir! to die would be easy for me now. What a sweet relief utter forgetfulness would be.”
When Fanny awoke on the next morning, she found her mother standing beside her bed, and gazing down upon her face with a tender, anxious look. Sleep had cleared the daughter’s thoughts and tranquilized her feelings. As her mother bent over and kissed her, she threw her arms around her neck and clung to her tightly.
“My dear child!” said Mrs. Markland, in a loving voice.
“Dear, dear mother!” was answered, with a gush of feeling.
“Something is troubling you, Fanny. You are greatly changed. Will you not open your heart to me?”
“Oh, mother!” She sobbed out the words.
“Am I not your truest friend?” said Mrs. Markland, speaking calmly, but very tenderly.
Fanny did not reply.
“Have I ever proved myself unworthy of your confidence?” She spoke as if from wounded feeling.
“Oh, no, no, dearest mother!” exclaimed Fanny. “How can you ask me such a question?”
“You have withdrawn your confidence,” was almost coldly said.
“Oh, mother!” And Fanny drew her arms more tightly about her mother’s neck, kissing her cheek passionately as she did so.
A little while Mrs. Markland waited, until her daughter’s mind grew calmer; then she said—
“You are concealing from me something that troubles you. Whatever doubles you is of sufficient importance to be intrusted to
your mother. I am older, have had more experience than you, and am your best friend. Not to confide in me is unjust to yourself, for, in my counsels, more than in those of your own heart, is there safety.”
Mrs. Markland paused, and waited for some time, but there was no response from Fanny. She then said—
“You have received a letter from Mr. Lyon.”
Fanny started as if a sudden blow had aroused her.
“And concealed the fact from your mother.”
No answer; only bitter weeping.
“May I see that letter?” asked the mother, after a short pause. For nearly a minute she waited for a reply. But there was not a word from Fanny, who now lay as still as death. Slowly Mrs. Markland disengaged her arm from her daughter’s neck, and raised herself erect. For the space of two or three minutes she sat on the bedside. All this time there was not the slightest movement on the part of Fanny. Then she arose and moved slowly across the room. Her hand was on the door, and the sound of the latch broke the silence of the room. At this instant the unhappy girl started up, and cried, in tones of anguish—
“Oh, my mother! my mother! come back!”
Mrs. Markland returned slowly, and with the air of one who hesitated. Fanny leaned forward against her, and wept freely.
“It is not yet too late, my child, to get back the peace of mind which this concealment has destroyed. Mr. Lyon has written to you?”
“Yes, mother.”
“May I see his letter?”
There was no answer.
“Still not willing to trust your best friend,” said Mrs. Markland.
“Can I trust you?” said Fanny, raising herself up suddenly, and gazing steadily into her mother’s face. Mrs. Markland was startled as well by the words of her daughter as by the strange expression of her countenance.
“Trust me? What do you mean by such words?” she answered.
“If I tell you a secret, will you, at least for a little while, keep it in your own heart.”
“Keep it from whom?”
“From father.”
“You frighten me, my child! What have you to do with a secret that must be kept from your father!”
“I did not desire its custody.”
“If it concerns your own or your father’s welfare, so much the more is it imperative on you to speak to him freely. No true friend could lay upon you such an obligation, and the quicker you throw it off the better. What is the nature of this secret?”
“I cannot speak unless you promise me.”
“Promise what?”
“To conceal from father what I tell you.”
“I can make no such promise, Fanny.”
“Then I am bound hand and foot,” said the poor girl, in a distressed voice.
A long silence followed. Then the mother used argument and persuasion to induce Fanny to unbosom herself. But the effort was fruitless.
“If you promise to keep my secret for a single week, I will speak,” said the unhappy girl, at length.
“I promise,” was reluctantly answered.
“You know,” answered Fanny, “it was rumored that Mr. Lyon had returned from the South while father was in New York.” She did not look up at her mother as she said this.
“Yes.” Mrs. Markland spoke eagerly.
“It is true that he was here.”
“And you saw him?”
“Yes. I was sitting alone in the summer-house, over at the Fountain Grove, on the day after father went to New York, when I was frightened at seeing Mr. Lyon. He inquired anxiously if father were at home, and was much troubled when I told him he had gone to New York. He said that he had written to him to transact certain business; and that after writing he had seen reason to change his views, and fearing that a letter might not reach him in time, had hurried back in order to have a personal interview, but arrived too late. Father had already left for New York. This being so, he started back for the South at once, after binding me to a brief secrecy. He said that the fact of his return, if it became known to father, might be misunderstood by him, and the consequence of such a misapprehension would be serious injury to important interests. So far I have kept this secret, mother, and it has been to me a painful burden. You have promised to keep it for a single week.”
“And this is all?” said Mrs. Markland, looking anxiously into her daughter’s face.
“No, not all.” Fanny spoke firmly. “I have since received two letters from him.”
“May I see them?”
Fanny hesitated for some moments, and then going to a drawer, took two letters therefrom, and handed one of them to her mother. Mrs. Markland read it eagerly.
“You answered this?” she said.
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“I cannot repeat my words. I was half beside myself, and only begged him to let me speak to you freely.”
“And his reply?” said Mrs. Markland.
“Read it;” and Fanny gave her the second letter.
“Have you answered this?” inquired Mrs. Markland, after reading it over twice.
Fanny moved across the room again, and taking from the same drawer another letter, folded and sealed, broke the seal, and gave it to her mother.
“My poor, bewildered, unhappy child!” said Mrs. Markland, in a voice unsteady from deep emotion; and she gathered her arms tightly around her. “How little did I dream of the trials through which you were passing. But, now that I know all, let me be your counsellor, your supporter. You will be guided by me?”
“And you will not break your promise?” said Fanny.
“What promise?”
“To keep this from father a single week, or, until I can write to Mr. Lyon, and give him the chance of making the communication himself. This seems to me but just to him, as some interests, unknown to us, are at stake.”
“Believe me, my daughter, it will be wisest to let your father know this at once.”
“A week can make but little difference,” urged Fanny.
“Consequences to your father, of the utmost importance, may be at stake. He is, I fear, involving himself with this man.”
“Mr. Lyon is true and honourable,” said Fanny. “He committed an error, that is all. Let him at least have the privilege of making his own explanations. I will add to my letter that only for a week longer can I keep his secret, and, to make an immediate revelation imperative on him, will say that you know all, and will reveal all at the end of that time, if he does not.”
No considerations that Mrs. Markland could urge had any effect to change the purpose of Fanny in this matter.
“I must hold you to your promise,” was the brief, final answer to every argument set forth by her mother.
How far she might hold that promise sacred was a subject of long and grave debate in the mind of Mrs. Markland. But we will not here anticipate her decision.
CHAPTER XXI.
OVER ten days had elapsed since Mr. Lyon answered the letter of Fanny Markland, and he was still awaiting a reply.
“This is a risky sort of business,” so his friend had written him. “I succeeded in getting your letter into the young lady’s hands, but not without danger of discovery. For whole hours I loitered in the grounds of Mr. Markland, and was going to leave for the city without accomplishing my errand, when I saw Fanny coming in the direction of the summer-house. After the letter was deposited in the place agreed upon, and I was making my way off, I almost stumbled over her father, who had just returned from the city. He saw me, though, of course, he did not know me, nor suspect my errand. But my evident desire to avoid observation must have excited some vague suspicions in his mind; for, on reaching a point from which I could observe without being observed, I saw that he was gazing intently in the direction I had taken. Then he stepped aside from the road, and walked towards the grove. But Fanny was a little in advance of him, and secured the letter. I waited to see him join her, and then hurried off.
“I tell you again, Lee, this is a risky
business. Two days have passed, and yet there is no answer. I’ve seen Markland in the city once since that time. He looked unusually sober, I thought. Perhaps it was only imagination. You can think so if you please. Take my advice, and make no further advances in this direction. There is too much danger of discovery. Markland has paid over ten thousand dollars to Fenwick, and is to produce as much more this week. He goes in, you know, for forty thousand. The balance ought to be had from him as soon as possible. Write to Fenwick to get it without delay. That is my advice. If you get his treasure, you will have his heart. Nothing like a money interest to hold a man.
“What I fear is, that the girl has told him all. You were crazy to say that she could do so if it pleased her. Well, well! We shall soon see where this wind will drift us. You shall hear from me the moment I know any thing certain.”
Lyon was much disturbed by this letter. He at once wrote to Mr. Fenwick, suggesting the propriety of getting the whole of Mr. Markland’s investment as early as possible.
“I hear,” he said, “that he is somewhat inclined to vacillate. That, after making up his mind to do a thing, and even after initiative steps are taken, he is apt to pause, look back, and reconsider. This, of course, will not suit us. The best way to manage him will be to get his money in our boat, and then we are sure of him. He is very wealthy, and can be of great use in the prosecution of our schemes.”
Two or three days more elapsed, and Lyon was getting nervously anxious, when a letter from Fanny reached him. It was brief, but of serious import.
“I have revealed all to my mother,” it began, “and my heart feels lighter. She promises to keep our secret one week, and no longer. Then all will be revealed to father. I gained this much time in order that you might have an opportunity to write and tell him every thing yourself. This, it seems to me, will be the best way. No time is to be lost. The week will expire quite as soon as your letter can reach him. So pray, Mr. Lyon, write at once. I shall scarcely sleep until all is over.”