The Soldier's Wife — page 205: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184 Redburn, maddene] to desperation, suddenly gave vent to that terrific ery, and fell down in a}her husband at the idea ewoon, Nor will the reader marvel rector of Oakleigh should have been again stricken with dismay, when Colycinth followed Gerald Redbuarn into the drawing-room, with an expression upon his countenance which at once convinced the miserable man that his worst fears were confirmed—that the secret was dis- covered—and that the surgeon intended to pro- claim it. Yes: and all was indeed now known, Coly- cinth’s tale, followed up by Arden’s confessions, revealed the whole astounding circumstances to Sir Archibald and Lady Redburn, and to Gerald, Thus did they now learn that Frederick Lons- dale—the man whose name had for years been made the object of hatred and aversion, scorn and contempt, at the Manor House—who had been driven by the Baronet and his son to en- listent—whom that same son had persecuted vo remorselessly and so pitilessly, and in a cer- tain sense had even hunted to the very death, —thus did they learn that this self-same Frederick Lonsdale was the offspring of a scion of their own family, and that the blood of the Redburns might be said to circulate in his veyns | But what was to be done? The Baronet knew not—Lady Redburn knew not—Gerald knew not. Mr. Arden, convulsed with grief, rather through dread of exposure, than through remorse for the past, could suggest nothing. And even if he were able to command his ideas and collect his thoughts, to reason deliberately, what was there that he cou/d possibly suggest, he who was overwhelmed with shame and con- fusion, in the presence of those whose relative he had dishonored, and had entailed upon her puch long years of misery! The Baronet would have spurned and driven the vile man ignomint- ously fourth from the house, only that e also -trembled at exposure, and was thinking how he could best hush up all that had been made known in that drawing-room within the past hour. He knew full well that after the painful excitement she had shown, and the sudden ebul- lition of agonized feeling to which she had given vent,—Aunt Jane, when fully restored to con- aciousness, would insist that no effort should be spared to save Lonsdale’s life. In this respect, therefore, Sir Archibald Redburn’s resolve was promptly taken. Suddenly aceosting his wife, he bent down to her, aud said in a quick excited whisper, “ Go you up to your sister in-law’s room—remain with her—endeavor as wuch as possible to dispense with the presenee of the maid, so that when she comes completely to herself, you may be at hand to give ber the immediate assurauce that all my influenee shall be exerted to procure Lonsdale’s pardon, But tell her likewise—im- press it upon her mind—make her thoroughly understand, that the secret must still be kept— that he must never know to whom he owes his being—that the wystery of his parentage must continue. Tell her also, that his future welfare shall be my care In short, do all you can to tranquillize her mind, so that she shall vot be- THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. Lady Redburn,—who trembled ss» muah ag of an. exposure iu that the|respeet toa member of the family into whieh she had married,—displayed unusual alacrity In hastening to fulfil his instructions ; and when she had left the drawing-room, Sir Archibale beckoned Mr. Colycinth to step aside with him to the farther extremity of that spacious apart- ment, ‘I'he surgeon,—who had remained seated near the table with the air of a man possessed of a tremendous seeret giving him the power te dictate his own terms,—followed the Baronet Into a window-recess; and the latter, feelin that he had no time to lose and that all his proceedings must now be expeditiously taker, at once said to the village-surgeon, “Mr, Coly- cinth, what do you require of me? Name the conditions upon which you will keep this secret.” “Five thousand pounds,” was the surgeon's immediate response: and the look r «ach he fixed upon the Baronet. showed that the terms had been already settled in his own mina, ana that be was resolved to extort the full amount of his demand without the abatement of a single farthing, “You shall have that sum,” responded Sir Archibald Redburn, “Iam about to proceea to London—the money shall be placed in your name in the Bank of England. Now hasten home, and send up such medicines as my sister may require.” Mr. Colycinth could not repress a smile of triumphant satisfaction at the readiness with which his terms were accepted; and with a slight bow he quitted the apartment. “ Mr. Arden, said the Baronet, now approach- ing the clergyman, who’ trembled like an aspen leaf when thus accosted by the brother of her whom he had so basely wronged and beguiled in her inexperienced girlhvod,—* Mr. Arden and the Baronet spoke coldly and sternly,— ‘TI need not tell you that our friendship is at an end —our acquaintance also, Nevermore may yeu, set foot within these walls; and when we mee — henceforth, it will ke as strangers. Devise what tale you will to account amongst your parish- imers for this breach, whieh they will not fail full soon to notice: but doubtless for your own sake you will keep inviolable the secret of your own base perfidy and of my sister’s shame. Be- gone, sir |” The wretched man was for a moment inclined to fling himself at the feet of Sir Archibald Red- burn and implore his pardon: but he dared not; he felt that for such guilt as his, no pardon could be accorded. In the most abject state of huuliation be slunk out of the room; and it was not till he began descending the staircase that he could so far master his feelings as to con- vratulate himself on having escaped the fullest exposure of his conduct to the whole world, or that he recollected the necessity of assuming & tranquil demeanor in order tu avoid attracting the notice of the domestics whom he might encounter while passing forth from the mane» SION, “Gerald,” said the Baronet, turning quickly to his son, the moment Mr, Arden had issued a - —@ from the drawing-room, “ what is the interva — , Gcomicbooks com tray herself,” wr