by Walter Scott
CHAPTER XVII.
This looks not like a nuptial.--MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
The chapel in the castle of Ellieslaw, destined to be the scene of thisill-omened union, was a building of much older date than the castleitself, though that claimed considerable antiquity. Before the warsbetween England and Scotland had become so common and of such longduration, that the buildings along both sides of the Border were chieflydedicated to warlike purposes, there had been a small settlement ofmonks at Ellieslaw, a dependency, it is believed by antiquaries, on therich Abbey of Jedburgh. Their possessions had long passed away under thechanges introduced by war and mutual ravage. A feudal castle hadarisen on the ruin of their cells, and their chapel was included in itsprecincts.
The edifice, in its round arches and massive pillars, the simplicityof which referred their date to what has been called the Saxonarchitecture, presented at all times a dark and sombre appearance, andhad been frequently used as the cemetery of the family of the feudallords, as well as formerly of the monastic brethren. But it lookeddoubly gloomy by the effect of the few and smoky torches which were usedto enlighten it on the present occasion, and which, spreading a glareof yellow light in their immediate vicinity, were surrounded beyond bya red and purple halo reflected from their own smoke, and beyond thatagain by a zone of darkness which magnified the extent of the chapel,while it rendered it impossible for the eye to ascertain its limits.Some injudicious ornaments, adopted in haste for the occasion, ratheradded to the dreariness of the scene. Old fragments of tapestry, tornfrom the walls of other apartments, had been hastily and partiallydisposed around those of the chapel, and mingled inconsistently withscutcheons and funeral emblems of the dead, which they elsewhereexhibited. On each side of the stone altar was a monument, theappearance of which formed an equally strange contrast. On the one wasthe figure, in stone, of some grim hermit, or monk, who had died inthe odour of sanctity; he was represented as recumbent, in his cowl andscapulaire, with his face turned upward as in the act of devotion, andhis hands folded, from which his string of beads was dependent. Onthe other side was a tomb, in the Italian taste, composed of the mostbeautiful statuary marble, and accounted a model of modern art. Itwas erected to the memory of Isabella's mother, the late Mrs. Vere ofEllieslaw, who was represented as in a dying posture, while a weepingcherub, with eyes averted, seemed in the act of extinguishing adying lamp as emblematic of her speedy dissolution. It was, indeed, amasterpiece of art, but misplaced in the rude vault to which it had beenconsigned. Many were surprised, and even scandalized, that Ellieslaw,not remarkable for attention to his lady while alive, should erect afterher death such a costly mausoleum in affected sorrow; others cleared himfrom the imputation of hypocrisy, and averred that the monument hadbeen constructed under the direction and at the sole expense of Mr.Ratcliffe.
Before these monuments the wedding guests were assembled. They werefew in number; for many had left the castle to prepare for the ensuingpolitical explosion, and Ellieslaw was, in the circumstances of thecase, far from being desirous to extend invitations farther than tothose near relations whose presence the custom of the country renderedindispensable. Next to the altar stood Sir Frederick Langley, dark,moody, and thoughtful, even beyond his wont, and near him, Mareschal,who was to play the part of bridesman, as it was called. The thoughtlesshumour of this young gentleman, on which he never deigned to placethe least restraint, added to the cloud which overhung the brow of thebridegroom.
"The bride is not yet come out of her chamber," he whispered to SirFrederick; "I trust that we must not have recourse to the violentexpedients of the Romans which I read of at College. It would be hardupon my pretty cousin to be run away with twice in two days, though Iknow none better worth such a violent compliment."
Sir Frederick attempted to turn a deaf ear to this discourse, humming atune, and looking another may, but Mareschal proceeded in the same wildmanner.
"This delay is hard upon Dr. Hobbler, who was disturbed to acceleratepreparations for this joyful event when he had successfully extractedthe cork of his third bottle. I hope you will keep him free of thecensure of his superiors, for I take it this is beyond canonicalhours.--But here come Ellieslaw and my pretty cousin--prettier thanever, I think, were it not she seems so faint and so deadly pale--Harkye, Sir Knight, if she says not YES with right good-will, it shall be nowedding, for all that has come and gone yet."
"No wedding, sir?" returned Sir Frederick, in a loud whisper, thetone of which indicated that his angry feelings were suppressed withdifficulty.
"No--no marriage," replied Mareschal, "there's my hand and glove on't."
Sir Frederick Langley took his hand, and as he wrung it hard, said ina lower whisper, "Mareschal, you shall answer this," and then flung hishand from him.
"That I will readily do," said Mareschal, "for never word escaped mylips that my hand was not ready to guarantee.-So, speak up, my prettycousin, and tell me if it be your free will and unbiassed resolution toaccept of this gallant knight for your lord and husband; for if you havethe tenth part of a scruple upon the subject, fall back, fall edge, heshall not have you."
"Are you mad, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ellieslaw, who, having been thisyoung man's guardian during his minority, often employed a tone ofauthority to him. "Do you suppose I would drag my daughter to the footof the altar, were it not her own choice?"
"Tut, Ellieslaw," retorted the young gentleman, "never tell me of thecontrary; her eyes are full of tears, and her cheeks are whiter thanher white dress. I must insist, in the name of common humanity, that theceremony be adjourned till to-morrow."
"She shall tell you herself, thou incorrigible intermeddler in whatconcerns thee not, that it is her wish the ceremony should go on--Is itnot, Isabella, my dear?"
"It is," said Isabella, half fainting--"since there is no help, eitherin God or man."
The first word alone was distinctly audible. Mareschal shrugged up hisshoulders and stepped back. Ellieslaw led, or rather supported, hisdaughter to the altar. Sir Frederick moved forward and placed himself byher side. The clergyman opened his prayer-book, and looked to Mr. Verefor the signal to commence the service.
"Proceed," said the latter.
But a voice, as if issuing from the tomb of his deceased wife, called,in such loud and harsh accents as awakened every echo in the vaultedchapel, "Forbear!"
All were mute and motionless, till a distant rustle, and the clashof swords, or something resembling it, was heard from the remoteapartments. It ceased almost instantly.
"What new device is this?" said Sir Frederick, fiercely, eyeingEllieslaw and Mareschal with a glance of malignant suspicion.
"It can be but the frolic of some intemperate guest," said Ellieslaw,though greatly confounded; "we must make large allowances for the excessof this evening's festivity. Proceed with the service."
Before the clergyman could obey, the same prohibition which they hadbefore heard, was repeated from the same spot. The female attendantsscreamed, and fled from the chapel; the gentlemen laid their hands ontheir swords. Ere the first moment of surprise had passed by, the Dwarfstepped from behind the monument, and placed himself full in front ofMr. Vere. The effect of so strange and hideous an apparition in sucha place and in such circumstances, appalled all present, but seemed toannihilate the Laird of Ellieslaw, who, dropping his daughter's arm,staggered against the nearest pillar, and, clasping it with his hands asif for support, laid his brow against the column.
"Who is this fellow?" said Sir Frederick; "and what does he mean by thisintrusion?"
"It is one who comes to tell you," said the Dwarf, with the peculiaracrimony which usually marked his manner, "that, in marrying that younglady, you wed neither the heiress of Ellieslaw, nor of Mauley Hall,nor of Polverton, nor of one furrow of land, unless she marries with MYconsent; and to thee that consent shall never be given. Down--downon thy knees, and thank Heaven that thou art prevented from weddingqualities with which thou hast no concern--portionless truth, virtue,and innocence
--thou, base ingrate," he continued, addressing himself toEllieslaw, "what is thy wretched subterfuge now? Thou, who wouldst sellthy daughter to relieve thee from danger, as in famine thou wouldst haveslain and devoured her to preserve thy own vile life!--Ay, hide thy facewith thy hands; well mayst thou blush to look on him whose body thoudidst consign to chains, his hand to guilt, and his soul to misery.Saved once more by the virtue of her who calls thee father, go hence,and may the pardon and benefits I confer on thee prove literal coals offire, till thy brain is seared and scorched like mine!"
Ellieslaw left the chapel with a gesture of mute despair.
"Follow him, Hubert Ratcliffe," said the Dwarf, "and inform him of hisdestiny. He will rejoice--for to breathe air and to handle gold is tohim happiness."
"I understand nothing of all this," said Sir Frederick Langley; "but weare here a body of gentlemen in arms and authority for King James; andwhether you really, sir, be that Sir Edward Mauley, who has been so longsupposed dead in confinement, or whether you be an impostor assuminghis name and title, we will use the freedom of detaining you, till yourappearance here, at this moment, is better accounted for; we will haveno spies among us--Seize on him, my friends."
But the domestics shrunk back in doubt and alarm. Sir Frederick himselfstepped forward towards the Recluse, as if to lay hands on his person,when his progress was suddenly stopped by the glittering point of apartisan, which the sturdy hand of Hobbie Elliot presented against hisbosom.
"I'll gar daylight shine through ye, if ye offer to steer him!" said thestout Borderer; "stand back, or I'll strike ye through! Naebody shalllay a finger on Elshie; he's a canny neighbourly man, aye ready to makea friend help; and, though ye may think him a lamiter, yet, grippie forgrippie, friend, I'll wad a wether he'll make the bluid spin frae underyour nails. He's a teugh carle Elshie! he grips like a smith's vice."
"What has brought you here, Elliot?" said Mareschal; "who called on youfor interference?"
"Troth, Mareschal-Wells," answered Hobbie, "I am just come here, wi'twenty or thretty mair o' us, in my ain name and the King's--or Queen's,ca' they her? and Canny Elshie's into the bargain, to keep the peace,and pay back some ill usage Ellieslaw has gien me. A bonny breakfast theloons gae me the ither morning, and him at the bottom on't; and trowye I wasna ready to supper him up?--Ye needna lay your hands on yourswords, gentlemen, the house is ours wi' little din; for the doors wereopen, and there had been ower muckle punch amang your folk; we tooktheir swords and pistols as easily as ye wad shiel pea-cods."
Mareschal rushed out, and immediately re-entered the chapel.
"By Heaven! it is true, Sir Frederick; the house is filled with armedmen, and our drunken beasts are all disarmed. Draw, and let us fight ourway."
"Binna rash--binna rash," exclaimed Hobbie; "hear me a bit, hear me abit. We mean ye nae harm; but, as ye are in arms for King James, asye ca' him, and the prelates, we thought it right to keep up the auldneighbour war, and stand up for the t'other ane and the Kirk; but we'llno hurt a hair o' your heads, if ye like to gang hame quietly. And itwill be your best way, for there's sure news come frae Loudoun, that himthey ca' Bang, or Byng, or what is't, has bang'd the French ships andthe new king aff the coast however; sae ye had best bide content wi'auld Nanse for want of a better Queen."
Ratcliffe, who at this moment entered, confirmed these accounts sounfavourable to the Jacobite interest. Sir Frederick, almost instantly,and without taking leave of any one, left the castle, with such of hisattendants as were able to follow him.
"And what will you do, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ratcliffe.
"Why, faith," answered he, smiling, "I hardly know; my spirit is toogreat, and my fortune too small, for me to follow the example of thedoughty bridegroom. It is not in my nature, and it is hardly worth mywhile."
"Well, then, disperse your men, and remain quiet, and this will beoverlooked, as there has been no overt act."
"Hout, ay," said Elliot, "just let byganes be byganes, and a' friendsagain; deil ane I bear malice at but Westburnflat, and I hae gien himbaith a het skin and a cauld ane. I hadna changed three blows of thebroadsword wi' him before he lap the window into the castle-moat, andswattered through it like a wild-duck. He's a clever fallow, indeed!maun kilt awa wi' ae bonny lass in the morning, and another at night,less wadna serve him! but if he disna kilt himsell out o' the country,I'se kilt him wi' a tow, for the Castleton meeting's clean blawn ower;his friends will no countenance him."
During the general confusion, Isabella had thrown herself at the feet ofher kinsman, Sir Edward Mauley, for so we must now call the Solitary,to express at once her gratitude, and to beseech forgiveness for herfather. The eyes of all began to be fixed on them, as soon as their ownagitation and the bustle of the attendants had somewhat abated. MissVere kneeled beside the tomb of her mother, to whose statue her featuresexhibited a marked resemblance. She held the hand of the Dwarf,which she kissed repeatedly and bathed with tears. He stood fixed andmotionless, excepting that his eyes glanced alternately on the marblefigure and the living suppliant. At length, the large drops whichgathered on his eye-lashes compelled him to draw his hand across them.
"I thought," he said, "that tears and I had done; but we shed them atour birth, and their spring dries not until we are in our graves. But nomelting of the heart shall dissolve my resolution. I part here, at once,and for ever, with all of which the memory" (looking to the tomb), "orthe presence" (he pressed Isabella's hand), "is dear to me.--Speak notto me! attempt not to thwart my determination! it will avail nothing;you will hear of and see this lump of deformity no more. To you I shallbe dead ere I am actually in my grave, and you will think of me as of afriend disencumbered from the toils and crimes of existence."
He kissed Isabella on the forehead, impressed another kiss on thebrow of the statue by which she knelt, and left the chapel followed byRatcliffe. Isabella, almost exhausted by the emotions of the day,was carried to her apartment by her women. Most of the other guestsdispersed, after having separately endeavoured to impress on all whowould listen to them their disapprobation of the plots formed againstthe government, or their regret for having engaged in them. HobbieElliot assumed the command of the castle for the night, and mounted aregular guard. He boasted not a little of the alacrity with which hisfriends and he had obeyed a hasty summons received from Elshie throughthe faithful Ratcliffe. And it was a lucky chance, he said, that on thatvery day they had got notice that Westburnflat did not intend tokeep his tryste at Castleton, but to hold them at defiance; so that aconsiderable party had assembled at the Heugh-foot, with the intentionof paying a visit to the robber's tower on the ensuing morning, andtheir course was easily directed to Ellieslaw Castle.