| | 1 | Author: | Parkman
Francis
1823-1893 | Add | | | Title: | Vassall Morton  | | | | Published: | 2003 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | “Macknight on the Epistles, — that's the name of
the book?” Sir: I am a native of the United States, who, for the
past four years, have been a prisoner in the Castle of Ehrenberg,
confined for no offence, political or otherwise, but
on a groundless suspicion. I escaped by the assistance
of a soldier in the garrison, and have made my way thus far
in the dress of a peasant. I am anxious to reach Genoa, or
some other port beyond the power of Austria, but am embarrassed
and endangered by my ignorance of the routes and
the state of the country. Information on these points, and
the means of communicating with an American consul, are the
only aid of which I am in necessity; and I take the liberty
of applying to you in the hope of obtaining it. By giving it,
you will oblige me in a matter of life and death. The people
of the country cannot be trusted; but I may rely securely on
the generosity of an English gentleman. Dear M.: Uncle Sam in a deuse of a hurry. Ordered to
the island this afternoon. Off for Mexico to-morrow. Sorry
not to see you, but haven't a minute to spare. Good luck. —
Au revoir. Dear Sir: You cannot have forgotten some interviews
and correspondence which formerly passed between us concerning
a person who soon after was unfortunate enough to
fall under the notice of the Austrian police. Nothing has
since been heard of him, and it is commonly believed here
that he is dead. It is my desire to have this opinion confirmed;
and having found you honorable and efficient on another
occasion, I cannot doubt that I shall find you so in this.
May I beg your services in the following particulars? I heard all. I have learned, at last, to know you. These
were your bad dreams! This was the cloud that overshadowed
you! No wonder that your eye was anxious, your
forehead wrinkled, and your cheek pale. To have led that
brave and loyal heart through months and years of anguish!
— to have buried him from the light of day! — to have
buried him in darkness and despair, if despair could ever touch
a soul like his! And there he would have been lost forever,
if you had had your will, — if a higher hand had not been
outstretched to save him. One whom you dared not meet
face to face; one as far above your sphere as the eagle is
above the serpent to which he likened you! You have taught
me how sin can cringe and cower under the anger of a true
and deeply outraged man. That I should have lived to hear
my husband called a villain! — and still live to tell him that
the word was just! My husband! You are not my husband.
It was not a criminal, a traitorous wretch, whom I
pledged myself to love and honor. You have insnared me;
you have me, for a time, safely entangled in your meshes.
The same cause which led me to this yoke must withhold me
from casting it off. I cannot imbitter my father's dying moments.
I cannot bring distress and horror to his tranquil
death bed. For his sake, I will play the hypocrite, and
stoop to pass in the world's eye as your wife. For the few
weeks he has to live, I will lodge, if I must, under your roof;
I will sit, if I must, at your table; but when my father is
gone, let the world impute to me what blame it will, I will
leave you forever. You need not fear that I shall expose
your crimes. If he could spare you, it does not become me
to speak. Live on, and make what atonement you may;
but meanwhile there is a gulf between us wider than death. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
|
