University of Virginia Library

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20. CHAPTER XX.

As one partially wakened while under the influence
of some dismal and disturbing dream, our
hero, with reeling brain and bewildered consciousness,
could not for some time collect his scattered
thoughts sufficiently to determine whether he had
really perused the narrative of Maddox, or whether
it was the “baseless fabric” of distempered fancy.
When the truth at length burst on his mind in all
its strange and sad reality, his emotions were wound
to that fearful state of excitement which so nearly
approaches the confines of insanity.

Overpowered with his reflections he rushed wildly
from the house; and unconscious of every thing but
the dark impressions that were so deeply stamped
on his mind, he strode with rapid steps through
street after street, careless whither he strayed or
where his wanderings would end. The removal of
the stigma which rested on his name, in consequence
of his supposed parentage, was to him worse than

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“Why, oh why,” he murmured, “did I so eagerly
desire to unveil the secret of my birth? If this
horrible reality had been buried with Maddox, I
might have enjoyed the dream of love to the close
of my earthly career; while Julia would either have
been the bride of some more favoured mortal, or remained
unmarried for my sake.”

Longer reflection caused him to rejoice that he
had been unable to procure an interview, which he
now determined to avoid.

If, after Mr. Borrowdale had returned to America,
his mind could be brought to divulge the knowledge
of his birth, it could be done by letter, without the
necessity of reverting to painful reminiscences. On
one thing he was fully determined, and that was to
refuse any pecuniary aid from his parents.

“If they would not do me the justice,” he continued,
“to permit an opportunity for explanation of
my conduct, after the service I had rendered Julia,
it shall never be said that I received any favour at
their hands.”

As he passed along one of the streets at the court
end of the metropolis, a fashonably attired young
lady was seen emerging from a spacious mansion,
attended by a footman. Although deeply veiled, the
flashing brilliancy of her eyes pierced their gossamer
prison, while a well-turned neck, and ancle sufficiently

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Notwithstanding the erect carriage and stately
movements of the veiled lady were well sustained,
yet a close observer might have detected a slight
hesitation in her manner, and a wandering of her
dark eye to the spot where Clifton was passing.

As they both arrived on opposite sides of the street
at the corner of another by which it was intersected,
Clifton turned to the right, when the lady quickly
spoke to her attendant:

“Now is the time. Make no mistake—the tall
young gentleman in black is the person.”

The footman hastily followed in the direction
which Clifton had taken, and respectfully touching
his hat, asked if he had the honour to address Mr.
Sydney Clifton. On his reply in the affirmative the
man gave him a sealed note and immediately rejoined
his mistress, who had slowly passed on.

Clifton lost no time in withdrawing from public
view, and entering a neighbouring hotel, called for
some slight refreshment, and eagerly opened the
letter, which we here transcribe.

“Portland Place,
April 18.

“The writer of this note has, in happier hours,
enjoyed brief opportunities of estimating the talents
and virtues of Mr. Sydney Clifton. That the impressions
left by the slight intercourse were highly
flattering to Mr. C. may be inferred from the reception

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of this unusual solicitation for its renewal.
When slander was busy with the name of Mr. Clifton,
the writer, whose station in society is inferior to
none, formed the bold plan of dragging forth his detractors
from their hiding-places, and exposing their
infamy to the eyes of an indignant world. Success
having attended her efforts, she has visited England
to lay her claims before him whose fair fame she
can re-establish. Flattering herself that the deep
interest thus manifested in Mr. Clifton's welfare will
constitute some claims to his regard, the writer is
now ready to communicate her knowledge if he
feels disposed to make a corresponding return, by
uniting his fate to hers for life. Lest the imagination
of Mr. Clifton should picture his correspondent
in the lineaments of age, it is proper to say that she
has numbered fewer years than himself; and if the
good-natured world has not descended to egregious
flattery, is not deficient in personal attractions.

“Knowing the high character of Mr. Clifton, the
writer feels confident that if previous engagements
preclude the alliance suggested, he will burn this
note, and bury its contents in his own bosom; nor
seek an interview that will neither retrieve his character
nor contribute to his happiness. If, on the
contrary, he is desirous of consummating a union
on which the happiness of the writer depends, and
which she firmly believes will cause no subsequent
regrets to either—an interview will be afforded him

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by calling at No. —, — street at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning, and inquiring for Miss Williams.”

`H.”

“To Sydney Clifton, Esq.”

This extraordinary epistle excited anew those
turbulent emotions which were before gently subsiding
in his bosom. Again the charms of Julia occurred
to his fancy, arrayed in more attractive colours
than they had ever before assumed, causing him to
look on the possibility of an alliance with another
with sentiments of horror.

After he had regained his residence, and attempted
to compose his mind, his judgment resumed somewhat
of its original sway over his imagination, and
he was compelled to confess that if the sacrifice his
unknown correspondent demanded at his hands was
great, the service she proposed rendering was correspondingly
important. And, after all, why would
it not be better for all parties that he should at once
sever the tie that bound his affections to Julia? Was
not the very idea of retaining her love wicked and
preposterous?

That every principle of honour and rectitude forbade
his dwelling on emotions, which, however innocent
in their origin, were now without the pale of
virtue and principle, was certain; and, after long
hesitation, he determined to seek an interview with
this unknown correspondent; and after frankly informing
her of his love for another, whom circumstances

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“At least,” he said to himself, “I will stand forth
before the world in the majesty of innocence, and if,
like Caius Marius amid the ruins of Carthage, I
brood over the wreck of all that is dear to memory,
the spectacle that I shall present will so thickly cluster
with the most elevated moral associations, that
he who pauses to sneer will unconsciously tender
the tribute of a sigh.”

With such consolatory feelings his eyelids at last
curtained the hitherto wakeful orbs which they
guarded, and the land of dreams was peopled with
the same visitants that had been present to his sense
during the eventful day, although the part assigned
them in the vale of shadows was frequently the opposite
of that which was performed by their representatives
on earth.