Chapter 9 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 9.  Drama. The large, irregular building inhabited by Colonel Howard, well-deserved the name it had received from the pen of Catherine Ploudin. Notwithstanding the confusion in its orders owing to the different ages in which its several parts had been erected, the interior was not wanting in that appearance of comfort, which forms the great characteristic of English domestic life. Its dark and intricate mazes of halls, galleries, and apartments were all well-provided with good and substantial furniture and whatever might have been the purposes of their original construction, they were now peacefully appropriated to the service of a quiet and well-ordered family. There were diverse portentous traditions of cruel separations and blighted lads which always linger like cobwebs around the walls of old houses to be heard here also and which doubtless enabler hands might easily have been wrought up into scenes of high interest and delectable pathos. But our humbler efforts must be limited by an attempt to describe man as God has made him vulgar and unseemly as he may appear to sublimated faculties to the possessors of which enviable qualifications we desire to say at once that we are determined to eschew all things supernaturally refined as we would the devil. To all those then who are tired of the company of their species we would bluntly insinuate that the sooner they throw aside our pages and seize upon those of some more highly gifted bard the sooner will they be in the way of quitting earth if not of attaining heaven. Our business is solely to treat a man and this fair scene on which he acts and that not in his subtleties and metaphysical contradictions but in his palpable nature that all may understand our meaning as well as ourselves whereby we may manifestly reject the prodigious advantage of being thought a genius by perhaps foolishly refusing the mighty aid of incomprehensibility to establish such a character. Leaving the gloomy shadows of the cliffs under which the little aerial had been seen to steer and the sullen roaring of the surf along the margin of the ocean we shall endeavor to transport the reader to the dining parlor of St. Ruth's Abbey taking the evening of the same day as the time for introducing another collection of those personages whose acts and characters it has become our duty to describe. The room was not of very large dimensions and every part was glittering with the collected light of half a dozen candles aided by the fierce rays that glanced from the great which held the most cheerful fire of sea coal. The moldings of the dark oak wane scotting through back upon the massive table of mahogany streaks of strong light which played among the rich fluids that were sparkling on the board in mimic halos. The outline of this picture of comfort was formed by damask curtains of a deep red and enormous oak chairs with leather and backs and cushioned seats as if the apartment were hermetically sealed against the world and its chilling cares. Around the table which still stood in the center of the floor were seated three gentlemen in the easy enjoyment of their daily repast. The cloth had been drawn and the bottle was slowly passing among them as if those who partook of its bounty well knew that neither the time nor the opportunity would be wanting for their deliberate indulgence in its pleasures. At one end of the table an elderly man was seated who performed whatever little acts of courtesy the duties of a host would appear to render necessary in a company where all seemed to be equally at their ease and at home. This gentleman was in the decline of life though his erect carriage, quick movements and steady hand equally denoted that it was an old age free from the usual infirmities. In his dress he belonged to that class whose members always followed the fashions of the age anterior to the one in which they lived, whether from disinclination to sudden changes of any kind or from the recollections of a period which with them has been hollowed by scenes and feelings that the chilling evening of life can neither revive nor equal. Age might possibly have thrown its blighting frosts on his thin locks but art had labored to conceal the ravages with the nicest care. An accurate outline of powder covered not only the parts where the hair actually remained but wherever nature had prescribed that hair should grow. His countenance was strongly marked in features if not in expression exhibiting on the whole a look of noble integrity and high honor which was a good deal aided in its effect by the lofty receding forehead that rose like a monument above the whole to record the character of the aged veteran. A few streaks of branching red mingled with us for theness of complexion that was rendered more conspicuous by the outline of uncelled white which nearly surrounded his prominent features. Opposite to the host who it will at once be understood was Colonel Howard was the thin yellow visage of Mr. Christopher Dillon that bane to the happiness of her cousin already mentioned by Miss Plowden. Between these two gentlemen was a middle-aged, hard-featured man attired in the livery of King George whose countenance emulated the scarlet of his coat and his principal employment at the moment appeared to consist in doing honor to the cheer of his entertainer. Occasionally a servant entered or left the room in silence giving admission however through the open door to the rushing sounds of the gale as the wind murmured amid the angles and high chimneys of the edifice. A man in the dress of a rustic was standing near the chair of Colonel Howard between whom and the master of the mansion a dialogue had been maintained which closed as follows. The Colonel was the first to speak after the curtain is drawn from between the eyes of the reader and the scene.  The answer was a simple negative. Well, well, continue the Colonel, you can withdraw. The man made a rude attempt at a bow which being returned by the old soldier with formal grace he left the room. The host, turning to his companions, resumed the subject. If those rash boys had really persuaded the silly doter who commands the frigate to trust himself within the shoals on the eve of such a gale as this their case must have been hopeless indeed. Thus may rebellion and disaffection ever meet with the just indignation of providence. It would not surprise me, gentlemen, to hear that my native land had been engulfed by earthquakes or swallowed by the ocean. So awful and inexcusable has been the weight of her transgressions. And yet it was a proud and daring boy who held the second station in that ship. I knew his father well and a gallant gentleman he was who, like my own brother, the parent of Cecilia, preferred to serve his master on the ocean rather than on the land. His son inherited the bravery of his high spirit without its loyalty. One would not wish to have such a youth drowned either. This speech, which partook much of the nature of a soliloquy, especially toward its close, called for no immediate reply, but the soldier having held his glass to the candle to admire the rosy hue of its contents and then sift of the fluid so often that nothing but a clear light remained to gaze at, quietly replace the empty vessel on the table and as he extended an arm toward the blushing bottle he spoke in the careless tones of one whose thoughts were dwelling on another theme. I, true enough, sir, good men are scarce and as you say one cannot but mourn his fate. Though his death be glorious, quite a loss to his majesty's service, I dare say it will prove. A loss to the service of his majesty, that could the host his death glorious? No, Captain Burrow-Cliff, the death of no rebel, can be glorious and how he can be a loss to his majesty's service I myself am quite at a loss to understand. The soldier whose ideas were in that happy state of confusion that renders it difficult to command the one most needed but who is still from long discipline had them under a wonderful control for the disorder of his brain answered with great promptitude. I mean the loss of his example, sir. It would have been so appalling to others to have seen the young man executed instead of shot in battle. He is drowned, sir. Ah, that is the next thing to being hanged. That circumstance has escaped me. It is by no means certain, sir, that the ship and schooner that the drover saw are the vessels. You take them to have been, said Mr. Dillon, in a harsh, drawling tone of voice. I should doubt their daring to venture so openly on the coast and in the direct track of our vessels of war. These people are our countrymen, Christopher, though they are rebels, they exclaim the colonel. They are a hearty and brave nation. When I had the honor of serving his majesty some 20 years since it was my fortune to face the enemies of my king in a few small affairs. Captain Burrow-Cliff, such as the Siege of Quebec and the battle before its gates, a trifling occasion at Ticonderoga and that unfortunate catastrophe of General Braddock with a few others. I must say, sir, in favor of the colonists, that they played a manful game on the latter day and this gentleman, who now heads the rebels, sustained a gallant name among us for his conduct in that disastrous business. He was a discreet, well-behaved young man and quite a gentleman. I've never denied that Mr. Washington was very much of a gentleman. Yes, said the soldier Yawning, he was educated among his majesty's troops and he could hardly be otherwise, but I'm quite melancholy about this unfortunate drowning. Colonel Howard, here will be an end of my vocation, I suppose, and I am far from denying that your hospitality has made these quarters most agreeable to me. Then, sir, the obligation is only mutual. Return the host with a polite inclination of his head, but, gentlemen, who, like ourselves, have been made free of the camp, need not bandy idle compliments about such trifles if it were my kinsman Dylan, now whose thoughts ran more on coke upon Littleton than on the gayities of a mess table in a soldier's life, he might think such formalities as necessary as his hard words are to a deed. Come, borough cliff, my dear fellow, I believe we have given an honest glass of the royal family, God bless them all. Let us swallow a bumper to the memory of the immortal wolf. An honest proposal, my gallant host, and such a one as a soldier will never decline. Return the captain who roused himself with the occasion. God bless them all, say I, in echo, and if this gracious queen of ours ends as famously as she has begun, it will be such a family of princes as no other army of Europe can brag of around a mess table. I, there is some consolation in that thought in the midst of this dire rebellion of my countrymen, but I'll vex myself no more with the unpleasant recollections. The arms of my sovereign will soon purge that wicked land of the foul stain. Of that there can be no doubt, said borough cliff, whose thoughts still continue to a little obscured by the sparkling Madeira, that a long lane ripening under a Carolinian sun, these Yankees fly before his majesty's regulars, like so many dirty clowns in a London mob before a charge of the horse guards. Pardon me, Captain borough cliff, said his host, elevating his person to more than its usually erect attitude. They may be misguided, deleted and betrayed, but the comparison is unjust. Give them arms and give them discipline, and he who gets an inch of their land from them, plentiful as it is, will find a bloody day on which to take possession. The various coward and christened him would fight in country where wine brews itself into such a cordial as this, return the cool soldier. I am a living proof that you must took my meaning, for had not those loose flapped gentlemen, they call very montees and hamsher granters. God grant them his blessing for the deed finished two-thirds of my company. I should not have been at this day under your roof of recruiting instead of a marching officer. Neither should I have been bound up in a covenant like the law of Moses. Good burgoing have made head against their long-legged marchings and counter-marchings. So I drink their health with all my heart, and with such a bottle of gold and sunshine before me, rather than displease so good a friend, I will go through Gates whole army regiment by regiment, company by company, or if you insist on the same, even man by man in a bumper.  I stand too much your debtor, Captain Borough Cliff, for so freely volunteering to defend my house against the attacks of my piratical, rebellious, and misguided countrymen to think of requiring such a concession. Harder duty might be performed and no favors asked. My respectable host returned the soldier. Country quarters are apt to be dull, and the liquor is commonly execrable. But in such a dwelling as this, a man can rock himself in the very cradle of contentment. And yet there is one subject of complaint that I should disgrace my regiment, that I not speak of, for it is incumbent on me, both as a man and a soldier, to be no longer silent. Name it, sir, freely, and its cause shall be as freely redressed, said the host in some amazement. Here we three sit for morning to night, continued the soldier, bachelor's all, well provisioned, and better liquor, I grant you, but like so many well-fed anchorites, while two of the loveliest damsels in the island, pine in solitude within a hundred feet of us without tasting the homage of our size. This I will maintain as a reproach, both to your character, Colonel Howard, as an old soldier and to mine as a young one. As to our old friend Coke on top of Littleton here, I leave him to the quiddities of the law to plead his own cause. The brow of the host contracted for a moment, and the shallow cheek of Dylan, who had sat during the dialogue in a sullen silence, appeared to grow even livid. But gradually the open brow of the veteran resumed its frank expression, and the lips of the other relaxed into a Jesuitical sort of a smile that was totally disregarded by the captain, who amused himself with sipping his wine while he waited for an answer, as if he analyzed each drop that crossed his palate. After an embarrassing pause of a moment, Colonel Howard broke the silence. There is reason in Borough Cliff's hint for such, I take it to be, amended for a plain matter of fact complaint. Interrupted the soldier, and you have cause for it, continued the Colonel, it is unreasonable, Christopher, that the lady should allow their dread of these piratical countrymen of ours to exclude us from their society, though prudence may require that they remain secluded in their apartments. We owe the respect to Captain Borough Cliff and we admit him to the sight of the coffee earned in an evening. That is precisely my meaning, said the Captain, as for dining with NY, I'm well provided for here, but there is no one knows how to set hot water a hissing in so professional manner as a woman. So forward, my dear and honored Colonel, and lay your injunctions on them that they command your humble servant, and Mr. Koch unto Littleton to advance and give the counter-sign of gallantry. Dillon contracted his disagreeable features into something that was intended for a satirical smile before he spoke as follows. Both the veteran Colonel Howard and the gallant Captain Borough Cliff may find it easier to overcome the enemies of his Majesty in the field than to shake a woman's caprice. Not a day has passed these three weeks that I have not sent my inquiries to the door of Miss Howard, as became her father's kinsman with a wish to appease her apprehensions of the pirates, for little has she deigned me in reply. More than such, thanks as her sex and breeding could not well dispense with. Well, you have been as fortunate as myself in why you should be more so. I see no reason, cried the soldier, throwing a glance of cool contempt at the other. Fear whitens the cheek and ladies' best love to be seen when the roses flourish rather than the lilies. A woman is never so interesting. Captain Borough Cliff said the gallant host as when she appears to lean on man for her support of the lady who does not feel himself honoured by the trust as a disgrace to his species. Bravo, my honoured sir, a worthy sentiment and spoken like a true soldier, but I have heard much of the loveliness of the ladies of the Abbey since I have been in my present quarters, and I feel a strong desire to witness beauty and circle by such loyalty as could induce them to flee their native country rather than to devote their charms to the rude keeping of their rebels. The Colonel looked grave and for a moment fierce, but the expression of his displeasure soon passed away in a smile of forced gaiety and as he cheerfully rose from his seat, he cried, You shall be admitted this very night and this instant, Captain Borough Cliff, we owe it sir to your services here as well as in the field, and those forward girls shall be humoured no longer. Nay, it is nearly two weeks since I have seen my ward myself, nor have I laid my eyes on my knees but twice in all that time. I leave the Captain under your good care while I go seek admission into the cloisters. We call that part of the building the cloisters because it holds our nuns, sir. You will pardon my early absence from the table, Captain Borough Cliff. I beg it may not be mentioned. You leave an excellent representative behind you, sir. Cry the soldier, taking in the length figure of Mr. Dillon in a sweeping glance that terminated with a subtle gaze on his decanter. Make my devours to the recluses all that your own excellent witch shall suggest as an apology from my impatience, Mr. Dillon. I meet you in a bumper to their health and in their honour. The challenge was coldly accepted and while these gentlemen still held their glasses to their lips, Colonel Howard left the apartment bowing low and uttering a thousand excuses to his guest as he proceeded and even offering a very unnecessary apology of the same effect to his habitual inmate, Mr. Dillon. His fears were very powerful within these old walls, said the soldier, when the door closed behind their host that your ladies deem it necessary to conceal themselves before even an enemy is known to have landed. Dillon coldly replied, the name of Paul Jones is terrific to all on this coast, I believe, nor are the ladies of St. Ruth singular in their apprehensions. Ah, the pirate has bought himself a desperate name since the affair of Flamborough had, but let him look to it if he trusts himself in another Whitehaven expedition while there is a detachment of the blank teeth in the neighbourhood, though the men should be nothing better than recruits. Our last accounts leave him safe in the court of Louis, returned his companion, but there are men as desperate as himself who sail the ocean under the rebel flag and from one or two of them we have had much reason to apprehend the vengeance of disappointed men. It is they that we hope we lost in this gale. I hope they were dastards or your hopes are a little unchristian and he would have proceeded, but the door opened and his orderly entered and announced that a sentinel had detained three men who were passing along the highway near the abbey and who by their dress appeared to be seamen. Well, let them pass, cried the captain, what have we nothing to do better than to stop passengers like foot pads on the king's highway, give them of your canteens and let the rascals pass. Your orders were to give the alarm so that they could be landed on the coast, not to detain peaceable subjects on their lawful business. I beg your honour's pardon, return the sergeant, but these men seemed lurking about the grounds for no good and as they kept carefully aloof from the place where our sentinel was posted until tonight, Downing thought it looked suspiciously and detained them. Downing is a fool and it may go hard with him for his officiousness. What have you done with the men? I took them through the guard room then feed them and hark ye, sir, liquor them well, that we hear no complaints and let them go. Yes, sir, yes, your honour, shall be obeyed, but there is a straight, soldierly looking fellow among them that I think might be persuaded to enlist if he were detained till morning. I doubt, sir, by his walk, but he has served already.  There are signs about him, your honour, to that effect, an old soldier seldom deceived in such a thing and, considering his disguise, for it can be no other, and the place where we took him there is no danger of a have-us corpses until he is tied to us by the laws of the kingdom. Peace, you naïve, said Borough Cliff, rising and making a devious route toward the door. You speak in the presence of my Lord Chief Justice, that is to be and should not talk likely of the laws, but still you say reason. Give me your arm, Sergeant, and lead the way to the east wing. My eyesight is good for nothing in such a dark night. A soldier should always visit his guard before the tattoo beats. After emulating the courtesy of their host, Captain Borough Cliff retired on this patriotic errand, leaning on his subordinate in a style of most familiar condescension, Dylan continued at the table, endeavouring to express the ranker's feelings of his breast by a satirical smile of contempt that was necessarily lost on all but himself as a large mirror through back the image of his morose and unpleasant features, but we must precede the veteran colonel in his visits to the Cloisters. End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of The Pilot by James Bonamour Cooper This Levervox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 End kindness like their own inspired those eyes affectionate and glad that seemed to love what air they looked upon whether with heebie's mirth or features shown or if a shade more pleasing them or cast, yet so becomingly the expression past that each succeeding look was lovelier than the last. Gertrude of White-Oming The western wing of St. Ruth House or Abbey as the building was indiscriminately called retained but few vestiges of the uses to which it had been originally devoted. The upper apartments were small and numerous extending on either side of a long, low and dark gallery and might have been the dormitories of the sisterhood who were said to have once inhabited that portion of the edifice. But the ground floor had been modernized as it was then called about a century before and retained just enough of its ancient character to blend the venerable with what was thought comfortable in the commencement of the reign of the Third George. His wing had been appropriated to the mistress of the mansion ever since the building had changed his spiritual character for one of a more carnal nature. Colonel Howard continued the arrangement when he became the temporary possessor of St. Ruth until in the course of events the apartments which had been appropriated for the accommodation and the convenience of his niece were eventually converted to her prison. But as the severity of the old veteran was as often marked by an exhibition of his virtues as of his foibles the confinement and his displeasure constituted the sole subjects of complaint that were given to the young lady that our readers may be better qualified to judge of the nature of their imprisonment we shall transport them without further circumlocution into the presence of the two females whom they must be already prepared to receive. The withdrawing room of St. Ruth was an apartment which tradition said had formerly been the refractory of the little bevy of fair sinners who sought a refuge within his walls from the temptations of the world. Their number was not large nor their entertainments very splendid or this limited space could not have contained them. The room, however, was of fair dimensions and an air of peculiar comfort mingled with chase and luxury was thrown around it by the voluminous folds of that blue, damas curtains that nearly concealed the sides where the deep windows were placed and by the dark leather hangings richly stamped with cunning devices in gold that ornamented the two others. Massive couches encarved mahogany with chairs of a similar material and fashion all covered by the same rich fabric that composed the curtains together with a turkey carpet over the shaggy surface of which all the colors of the rainbow were scattered in bright confusion united to relieve the gloomy splendor of the enormous mantle deep heavy cornices and the complicated carvings of the massive woodwork which numbered the walls. A brisk fire of wood was burning on the hearth in compliment to the willful prejudice of Miss Plowden who had maintained in her most vivacious manner that sea coal was only tolerable for black smiths and Englishmen in addition to the cheerful blaze from the hearth to waxen lights in candlesticks of massive silver were lending her aid to enliven the apartment one of these was casting its rays brightly along the confused colors of the carpet on which it stood flickering before the active movements of the form that played around it with light and animated inflections the posture of this young lady was in thin towel in grace and with one ignorant of her motives her employment would have been obnoxious to the same construction divers, small, square pieces of silk strongly contrasted to each other in color lay on every side of her and were changed as she kneeled on the floor by her nimble hands into as many different combinations as if she was humoring the fancies of her sex or consulting the shades of her own dark but rich complexion in the shop of a Mercer the close satin dress of this young female served to display her small figure in its true proportions while her dancing eyes of jet black shamed the dyes of the Italian manufacturer by their superior radiance a few ribbons of pink disposed about her person with an air partly studied and yet carelessly coquettish seemed rather to reflect than lend the rich bloom that mantled around her laughing countenance leaving to the eye no cause to regret that she was not fairer another female figure in virgin white was reclining on the end of a distant couch the seclusion in which they lived might have rendered this female a little careless of her appearance or what was more probable the comb had been found unequal to his burden for her tresses which rivaled the hue and gloss of the raven had burst from their confinement and dropping over her shoulders fell along her dress and rich perfusion finally resting on the damask of the couch in dark folds like littering silk a small hand which seemed to blush at its own naked beauties supported her head embedded in the volumes of her hair like the fairest alabaster said in the deepest ebony beneath the dark perfusion of her curls which notwithstanding the sweeping train that fell about her person covered the summit of her head lay a low spotless forehead of dazzling whiteness that was relieved by two arches so slightly and truly drawn that they appeared to have been produced by the nicest touches of art the fallen lids and long silken lashes conceal the eyes that rested on the floor as if they're mistress mused in melancholy the remainder of the features of this maiden were of a kind that is most difficult to describe being neither regular nor perfect in their several parts yet harmonizing and composing a whole that formed an exquisite picture of female delicacy and loveliness there might not have been a tinge of slight red in her cheeks but it varied with each emotion of her bosom even as she mused in quiet now seeming to steal insidiously over her glowing temples and then leaving on her face an almost startling paleness her stature as she reclined seemed above the medium height of womanhood and her figure was rather delicate than full though the little foot that rested on the dam as cushioned before her displayed a rounded outline that any of her sex might envy oh I'm as expert as if I were a signal officer to the Lord High Admiral of this realm exclaimed the laughing female on the floor clapping her hands together in girlish exaltation I do long Cecilia for an opportunity to exhibit my skill while her cousin was speaking Miss Howard raised her head with a faint smile and as she turned her eyes toward the other a spectator might have been disappointed but could not have been displeased by the unexpected change the action produced in the expression of her countenance instead of the piercing black eyes that the deep color of her tresses would lead him to expect he would have beheld too large mild blue orbs that seemed to float in a liquid so pure as to be nearly invisible in which were more remarkable for their tenderness and persuasion then for the vivid flashes started from the quick glances of her companion the success of your mad excursion to the seaside my cousin has bewildered your brain returns Cecilia but I know not how to conquer your disease unless we prescribe saltwater for the remedy as in some other cases of madness ah I'm afraid your nostrum would be useless it has failed to wash out the disorder from the sedate Mr. Richard Barnstable who has had the regimen administered to him through many a hard gale but who continues as fair a candidate for bedlam as ever would you think it, Cicely the crazy one urged me in the ten minutes conversation we held together on the cliffs to accept of his schooner as a shower bath I can think that your hearty hood might encourage him to expect much but surely he could not have been serious in such a proposal oh to do the wretch justice he did say something of a chaplain to consecrate the measure but there was boundless impudence in the thought I have not nor shall I forget it or forgive him for it the six and twenty years what a fine time he must have had of it in his little aerial among the waves we saw tumbling in upon the shore today cause I hope they will wash his impudence out of him I do think the man cannot have had a dry thread about him from son to son I must believe it as a punishment for his boldness and be certain I shall tell him of it I will form half a dozen signals this instant to joke at his moist condition in very revenge please with her own thoughts I am buoyant with this secret hope that her adventurous undertaking would be finally crowned with complete success the gay girl shook her black locks in infinite mirth and tossed the mimic flags gaily around her person as she was busy informing new combinations in order to amuse herself with her lover's disastrous situation but the features of her cousin clouded with her thoughts that were excited by her remarks might in a turn that bore some little of the accents of reproach Catherine Catherine can you just when there is so much to apprehend forget you what Alice Dunscombe told us of the gale this morning and that she spoke of two vessels a ship on a schooner that had been seen venturing with fearful temerity within the shoals only six miles from the abbey and that unless God and his gracious servants had been kind to them there was but little doubt that their fate would be a sad one can you that know so well who in what these daring mariners are be merry about the self same winds that cause their danger the faultless laughing girl was recalled to her recollection by this remonstrance and every trace of mirth vanished from her countenance leaving a momentary death paleness crossing her face as she clasped her hands before her and fastened her keen eyes vacantly on the splendid pieces of silk that now lay unheated around her at this critical moment the door of the room slowly opened and Colonel Howard entered the apartment with an air that displayed a droll mixture of stern indignation with a chivalric and habitual respect to this sex I solicit your pardon young ladies for the interruption he said I trust however that an old man's presence can never be entirely unexpected in the drawing room of his wards as he bowed the Colonel seated himself on the end of the couch opposite to the place where his knees had been reclining from his heart had risen at his entrance and continued standing until her uncle had comfortably closed of himself throwing a glance which was not entirely free from self commendation around the comfortable apartment the veteran proceeded in the same tone as before you are not without the means of making any guest welcome or do I see the necessity of such constant seclusion from the eyes of the world as you thus rigidly practice Cecilia looked timidly at her uncle with surprise before she returned an answer to his remark we certainly owe much to your kind attention dear sir she at length uttered but is our retirement altogether voluntary how can it be otherwise are you not mistress of this mansion madam in selecting the residence where your and permit me to add my ancestors so long dwelt in credit and honor I have surely been less governed by any natural pride that I might have entertained on such a subject than by a desire to consult your comfort and happiness everything appears to my aged eyes as if we ought not to be ashamed to receive our friends within these walls the cloisters of st. Ruth miss Howard are not entirely bare neither are their tenants truly unworthy to be seen opened in the portals of the abbey sir and your niece will endeavor to do proper credit to the hospitality of its master that was spoken like Harry Howard's daughter frankly and generously cried the old soldier insensibly edging himself nearer to his niece if my brother had devoted himself to the camp instead of the would have made one of the bravest and ablest generals in his majesty's service poor Harry he might have been living at this very day and at this moment leading the victorious troops of his sovereign through the revolted colonies in triumph but he is gone so silly and has left you behind him as his dear representative to perpetuate our family and to possess what little has been left to us from the times surely dear sir says to see you taking his hand which had unconsciously approached her person and pressing it to her lips we have no cause to complain about lot in respect to fortune though it may cause us bitter regret that so few of us are left to enjoy it no no no said Catherine in a low hurried voice Alice Dunscombe is and must be wrong Providence would never abandon brave men to so cruel a fate Alice Dunscombe is here to atone for her error if she has fallen into one so to quiet subdued voice in which the accents of a provincial dialect however were slightly perceptible in which in its low tones wanted that silver clearness that gave so much feminine sweetness to the words of Miss Howard who even rang melodiously in the ordinarily vivacious strains of her cousin the surprise greeted by these sudden interruptions caused a total suspension of the discourse Catherine Plowden who had continued kneeling in the attitude before described arose and as she looked about her in momentary confusion the blood again mantled her face with the fresh and joyous speaker advanced steadily into the middle of the room and after returning with studied civility the low bow of Colonel Howard seated herself in silence on the opposite couch the manner of her entrance her reception and her attire sufficiently denoted that the presence of this female was neither unusual nor unwelcome she was dressed with marked simplicity though with a sweetness that more than compensated for the absence of ornaments her age might not have much exceeded thirty but there was an adoption of customs in her attire that indicated she was not unwilling to be thought older her fair flaxen hair was closely confined by a dark bandeau such as was worn in a nation farther north by virgins only over which a few curls strayed manner that showed the will of their mistress alone restrained their luxuriance her light complexion had lost much of its currency but enough still remained to assert its original beauty and clearness to this description might be added fine mellow blue eyes beautifully white though large teeth a regular set of features and a person that was clad in a dark lead colored silk which fitted her full but gracefully molded form with the closest exactness colonel Howard paused a moment after this lady was seated and then turning himself to Catherine with an air that became stiff and constrained by attempting to seem extremely eavesy he said you know sooner summon miss Alice but she appears misplotted ready and I am bold to say miss Alice able to defend herself against all charges that her worst enemies can allege against her I had no charges to make against miss Dunn's comb said Catherine Pettishley nor do I wish to have dissensions created between me and my friends even by colonel Howard colonel Howard will studiously avoid such offenses in future said the veteran bowing and turning stiffly to the others he continued I was just conversing with my niece as you entered miss Alice on the subject of her emuring herself like one of the various nuns whoever inhabited these coisters I tell her madam that neither her years nor my fortune nor indeed her own for the child of Harry Howard was not left penniless required that we should live as if the doors of the world were closed against us or there was no other entrance to St. Ruth's but through those antiquated windows miss cloud and I feel it to be my duty to inquire why those pieces of silk are provided in such an unusual abundance and in so extraordinary a shape to make a gall address for the ball you are about to give sir said Catherine with a saucy smile that was only checked by the reproach for glance of her cousin you have taste in a ladies attire colonel Howard will not this bright yellow form of charming white brown face while this white and black will leave one another and this pink contrast so sweetly with black eyes will not the whole format turbine fit for an Empress to wear as the arch maiden prattled on in this unmeaning manner her rapid fingers entwined the flags in a confused maze which she threw over her head in a form not unlike the ornament for which she intimated it was intended the veteran was too polite to dispute a ladies taste and he renewed the dialogue with his slightly awakened suspicion completely quieted by her dexterity and artifice but although it was not difficult to deceive colonel Howard in matters of female dress the case was very different with Alice Dunscombe this lady gazed with a steady eye and reproving countenance on the fantastical turbine until Catherine threw herself by her side and endeavored to lead her attention to other subjects by her playful motions and whispered questions I was observing Miss Alice continue the colonel that although the times had certainly inflicted some loss on my estate yet we were not so much reduced us to be unable to receive our friends in a manner that would not disgrace the descendants of the ancient possessors of St. Ruth Cecilia here my brother Harry's daughter is a young lady that any proud to exhibit and I would have her madam show your English names that we rear no unworthy specimens of the parent stock on the other side of the Atlantic you have only to declare your pleasure my good uncle said Miss Howard and it shall be executed tell us how we can oblige you sir continue Catherine and if it be in any manner that will relieve the tedium of this dull residence I promise you at least one cheerful assistant to your scheme you speak fair quite the colonel and like to discreet and worthy girls well then our first step shall be to send a message to Dylan and the captain and invite them to attend your coffee I see the hour approaches Cecilia may no reply but looked distressed and dropped her mild eyes to the carpet Miss Plotin to get upon herself to answer nay sir that would be for them to proceed in the matter as your proposal was that the first step should be ours suppose we all adjourn to your part of the house and do the honors of the tea table in your drawing room instead of our own I understand sir that you have had an apartment fitted up for that purpose in some style a woman's taste might aid your designs however Miss Plotin I believe I intimated to you sometimes since said the displeased colonel that so long as certain suspicious vessels were known to hover on this coast I should desire that you and Miss Howard would confine yourselves to this wing do not say that we confine ourselves say Catherine but let it be spoken in plain English that you confine us here am I a jailer madam that you apply such epithets to my conduct Miss Alice must form strange conclusions of art manners if she received her impressions from your very singular remarks I all measures adopted from a dread of the ship and the schooner that ran within the devil's grip yesterday may be dispensed with now interrupted Miss Dunscombe in a melancholy reflecting tone there are few living who know the dangerous paths that can conduct even the smallest craft in safety from the land with daylight and fair winds but when darkness and adverse scales oppose them the chance for safety lies holy in God's kindness there is truly much reason to believe there are lost return the veteran in a voice in which no exaltation was apparent they are not lost exclaimed Catherine with startling energy leaving her seat and walking across the room exploring Cecilia with an air that seemed to elevate her little figure to the height of her cousin they are skillful and they are brave and what gallant sailors can do will they do and successfully besides in what behalf would a just providence sooner exercise its merciful power then to protect the daring children of an oppressed country while contending against tyranny and countless wrongs the conciliating disposition of the colonel deserted him as he listened his own black eyes sparkle with a vividness unusual for his years and his courtesy barely permitted the lady to conclude ere he broke forth what sin madam what damning crime would sooner call down the just wrath of heaven on the transgressors than the act of foul rebellion it was this crime madam that deluged England and blood in the reign of the first Charles it is this crime that has died more fields red than all the rest of man's offenses united it has been visited in our race as a condoned punishment from the days of the deservedly devoted down to the present time in short it lost heaven forever to some of the most glorious of its angels and there is much reason to believe that it is the one unpardonable sin named in the holy gospels I know that you have authority for believing it to be the heavy enormity that you mentioned colonel Howard said Miss Dunscombe anticipating the spirited reply of Catherine and willing to avert it she hesitated an instant and then drawing a heavy shivering sigh she continued in a voice that grew softer as she spoke it is indeed a crime of magnitude and one that throws the common backs lightings of our lives looking by comparison into the sunshine of his favor many there are who sever the dearest ties of this life by madly rushing into its sinful vortex for I faint think the heart grows hard with the sight of human calamity and becomes callous to the miseries its owner inflicts especially where we act the wrongs on our own kith and kin regardless who or how many that are dear to us suffer by our evil deeds it is besides colonel Howard a dangerous temptation to one little practice in the great world to find himself suddenly elevated into the seat of power and if it does not lead to the commission of great crimes it surely prepares the way to it by hardening the heart I hear you patiently Miss Alice said Catherine dancing her little foot in affected coolness for you neither know whom nor to whom you speak but colonel Howard has not that apology peace Cecilia for I must speak believe them not dear girl there's not a wet hair on their heads for you colonel Howard who must recollect that the sister son of the mothers of both your niece and myself is on board that frigate there is an appearance of cruelty in using such language I pity the boy from my soul I pity him exclaimed the veteran he is a child and his father the current that is sweeping our unhappy colonies down the tide of destruction there are others in that vessel who have no excuse of ignorance to offer there's a son of my old acquaintance and the bosom friend of my brother Harry Cecilia's father dashing Hugh Griffith as we called him the urchins left home together raided on board one of his majesty's vessels on the same day poor Harry lived to carry a broad penitent in the service and Hugh died in command of a frigate this boy too he was a nurtured on board his father's vessel and learned from his majesty's discipline how to turn his arms against his king there's something shockingly unnatural in that circumstance Miss Alice tis the child inflicting a blow on the parent tis such men as these with Washington at their heads who maintain the bold front this rebellion wears there are men who have never won the servile livery of Britain's sir whose names are as fondly cherished in America as any that she both said Catherine proudly I sir and those who would gladly oppose the bravest officers in the British fleet I contend not against your misguided reason said Colonel Howard rising with cool respect young lady who ventures to compare rebels with gallant gentlemen engaged in their duty to their prince cannot escape the imputation of possessing a misguided reason no man I speak not of women who cannot be supposed so well versed in human nature but no man who has reached the time of life that entitles him to be called by that name can consort with these disorganizers who would destroy everything that is sacred these levelers who would pull down the grate to exalt the little these Jacobins who who nay sir if you are at a loss for appropriate epithets said Catherine with provoking coolness call on Mr. Christopher Dillon for assistance he waits your pleasure at the door Colonel Howard turned in amazement forgetting his angry declamations at this unexpected intelligence and beheld in reality the somber visage of his kinsmen who stood holding the door in his hand apparently as much surprised at finding himself in the presence of the ladies as they themselves could be at his unusual visit end of chapter 10 chapter 11 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Frithy Kate let's stand aside and see the end of this controversy Shakespeare during the warm discussions of the preceding chapter Miss Howard had bowed her pale face to the arm of the couch and sat an unwilling and distressed listener to the controversy but now that another and one whom she thought an unauthorized intruder on her privacy was announced she asserted the dignity of her sex as proudly though it was something more of discretion than her cousin could possibly have done rising from her seat she inquired to what are we indebted for so unexpected a visit from Mr. Dillon surely he must know that we are prohibited going to the part of the dwelling where he resides and I trust Colonel Howard will tell him that common justice requires we should be permitted to be private the gentleman replied in a manner in which malignant anger was sufficiently mingled with calculating humility Miss Howard will think better of my intrusion when she knows that I am come on business of importance to her uncle to the case but the ladies must have the respect that is due to their sex I forgot somehow to have myself announced but that Barrow Cliff leads me deeper into my Madeira than I have been accustomed to go since the time when my poor brother Harry with his worthy friend Hugh Griffith the devil sees Hugh Griffith and all his race you are pardoned Miss Alice what is your business with me Mr. Dillon this is from Captain Barrow Cliff you may remember that according to your suggestions the sentinels were to be changed every night sir I I we practice that in our campaign against Montcom it was necessary to avoid the murders of their Indians who were sure Miss Alice to shoot down a man at his post if he were placed two nights running in the same place well sir your prudent precautions have not been thrown away continue Dillon moving farther into the apartment as if he felt himself becoming a more welcome guest as he proceeded the consequences are that we have already made three prisoners truly it has been a most politic scheme exclaimed Catherine Plowden with infinite contempt I suppose as Mr. Christopher Dillon applauds it so highly that it is that it has some communion with the law and that the redoubtable garrison of St. Ruth to reap the high glory of being most successful thief takers the seller face of Dillon actually became livid as he replied in his whole frame shook with the rage he faintly endeavored to suppress there may be a closer communion with the law and its ministers perhaps the Miss Plowden can desire he said for rebellion seldom finds favor in any Christian code rebellion exclaimed the Colonel in what has this detention of three vagabonds to do with rebellion kid has the damnable poison found its way across the Atlantic your pardon Miss Alice but this is a subject on which you can feel with me I know your sentiments on the allegiance that is due to our anointed sovereign speak Mr. Dillon are we surrounded by another set of demons if so we must give ourselves to the work and rally round our prints for this island is the main pillar of his throne I cannot say that there is any appearance at present of an intention to rise in this island said Dillon with demure gravity though the riots in London warrant any precautionary measures on the part of his majesties ministers even to a suspension of the habeas corpus but you've had your suspicions concerning to certain vessels that have been threatening the coast for several days past in the most piratical manner the little foot of Catherine played rapidly on the splendid carpet but she contented herself with bestowing a glance of the most sovereign contempt on the speaker as if she disdained any further reply with the Colonel however this was touching a theme that laid near his heart and he answered in a manner worthy of the importance of the subject you speak like a sensible man and a loyal subject Mr. Dillon the habeas corpus Miss Alice was obtained in the reign of King John along with Magna Carta for the security of the throne by his majesties barons some of my own blood were of the number which alone would be a pledge that the dignity of the crown was properly consulted as to our piratical countrymen Christopher there is much reason to think that the vengeance of an offended providence has already reached them those who know the coast well tell me that without a better pilot than an enemy would be likely to procure it would be impossible for any vessel to escape the shoals among which they entered on a dark night and with an adverse gale the morning has arrived and they are not to be seen but be they friends or be they enemies sir continued Dillon respectfully there is much reason to think that we have now in the abbey those who can tell us something of their true character for the men we have detained carry with them the appearance of having just landed and wear not only the dress but the air of semen echoed Catherine a deadly paleness chasing from her cheeks the bloom which indignation had heightened of semen Miss Plowden repeated Dillon with malignant satisfaction but concealing it under an air of submissive respect I thank you sir for so gentle a term replied the young lady recollecting herself and recovering her presence of mind in the same instant the imagination of Mr. Dillon is so apt to conjure the worst and he is entitled to our praise for so far humoring our weakness is not to alarm us with the apprehensions of their being pirates nay madam they may yet deserve that name return the other Cooley but my education has instructed me to hear the testimony before I pronounce sentence ah that the boy has found in his coke upon Littleton cried the colonel the law is a salutary corrective to human infirmities and among other things it teaches patients to a hasty temperament before this cursed unnatural rebellion madam the young man would at this moment have been defusing its blessings from a judicial chair in one of the colonies I and I pledge myself to all alike black and white red and yellow with such proper distinctions as nature has made between the officer and the private keep a good heart kinsman we shall yet find a time the royal arms have many hands and things look better at the last devices but come we will proceed to the guard room and put these stragglers to the question runaways I'll venture to predict from one of his majesty's cruisers or perhaps honest subjects engaged in supplying the service with men come kit come let us go and are we then to lose the company of colonel Howard so soon said Catherine advancing to her guarding with an air of blandishment and pleasantry I know that he too soon forgets the hasty language of our little disputes to pardon anger if indeed he will even quit us till he has tasted of our coffee the veteran turned to the speaker of this unexpected address and listened with profound attention when she had done he replied with a good deal of softness in his tones ah provoking one you know me too well to doubt my forgiveness be attended to though even a young lady's smiles tempt me to remain yes yes child you too are the daughter of a very brave and worthy seamen but you carry your attachment to that profession too far Miss Plowden you do indeed you do Catherine might have faintly blushed but the slight smile which mingled with the expression of her shame gave to her countenance a look of additional archeness and she later hand lightly on the sleeve of her guardian to detain him as she replied yet while leave us Colonel Howard it is long since we have seen you in the cloisters and you know you come as a father Terry and you may yet add confessor to the title I know thy sins already girl said the worthy Colonel unconsciously yielding to her gentle efforts to lead him back to his seat they are deadly rebellion in your heart to your prince a most inveterate propensity to salt water great disrespect to the advice and wishes of an old fellow whom your father's will and the laws of the realm have made the guardian of your person and fortune nay say not the last year sir cried Catherine for there is not a syllable you've ever said to me on that foolish subject that I have forgotten will you resume your seat again Cecilia Colonel Howard consents to take his coffee with us but you forget the three men honest kid there and respectable guest Captain Burrow Cliff let honest kid stay there if you please you may send a request to Captain Burrow Cliff to join our party I have a woman's curiosity to see the soldier and as for the three men she paused and affected to muse a moment when she continued as if struck by an obvious thought yes and the men can be brought in and examined here who knows but they may have been wrecked in the gale and need our pity and assistance rather than deserve your suspicions there is a solemn warning in Miss Powden's conjecture that should come home to the breasts of all who live on this wild coast said Alice Dunscombe I've known many a sad wreck among the hidden shoals and when the wind has blown but a gentle gale compared to last night's tempest the wars and the uncertainties of the times together with man's own wicked passions have made great havoc with those who knew well the windings of the channels among the ripples some there were who could pass as I have often heard within a fearful distance of the devil's grip the darkest night that ever shattered England but all are now gone of that daring set either by the hand of death or what is even as mournful by unnatural banishment from the land of their fathers this war has then probably drawn off most of them for your recollections must be quite recent Miss Alice said the veteran as many of them were engaged in the business of robbing his majesty's revenue the country is in some measure required for the former depredations by their present services and at the same time it is happily rid of their presence ah madam ours is a glorious constitution where things are so nicely balanced that as in the physical organization of a healthy vigorous man the baser parts are purified in the course of things by its own wholesome struggles the pale features of Alice Dunskone became slightly tinged with red as the colonel proceeded nor did the faint glow entirely leave her pallid face until she had said there might have been some who knew not how to respect the laws of the land for such a never wanting but there were others who however guilty they might be in many respects need not charge themselves with that mean crime and yet who could find the passages that lie hid from common eyes beneath the rude waves as well as you could find the way through the halls and galleries of the abbey with a noonday sun shining upon its veins and high chimneys is it your pleasure colonel Howard that we examine the three men and ascertain whether they belong to the number of these gifted pilots said Christopher Dillon who was growing uneasy at his awkward situation and who hardly deemed it necessary to conceal the look of contempt which he cast at the old Alice while he spoke perhaps we may gather information enough from them to draw a chart of the coast that may gain us credit with my Lords of the Admiralty this unprovoked attack on their unresisting and unoffending guest brought the rich blood to the very temples of Miss Howard who rose and addressed herself to her kinsmen with a manner that could not easily be mistaken any more than it could be condemned if Mr. Dillon will comply with the wishes of colonel Howard as my cousin has expressed them we shall not at least have to accuse ourselves of unnecessarily detaining men who probably are more unfortunate than guilty when she concluded Cecilia walked across the apartment and took a seat by the side of Alice with whom she began to converse in a low soothing tone of voice Mr. Dillon bowed with a deprecating humility and having ascertained that colonel Howard chose to give an audience where he sat to the prisoners he withdrew to execute his mission secretly exulting at any change that promised to lead to a renewal of an intercourse that might terminate more to his advantage than the lofty beauty whose favor he courted was at present disposed to concede Christopher is a worthy serviceable good fellow said the colonel when the door closed and I hope to live yet to see that in ermine I would not be understood literally but figuratively for furs would but ill comport with the climate of the Carolinas I trust I am to be consulted by his majesty's ministers when the new appointments shall be made for the subdued colonies and he may safely rely on my good word being spoken in his favor would he not make an excellent and independent ornament of the bench Miss Plouding Catherine compressed her lips a little as she replied I must profit by his own discreet rules and see testimony to that effect before I decide sir but listen young ladies color change rapidly and her eyes became fixed in a sort of feverish gaze on the door he has at least been active I hear the heavy tread of men already approaching ah it is he certainly just as ought always to be prompt as well as certain to make it perfect like a drum head court marshal by the way is as summary a sort of government as heart could wish to live under if his majesty's ministers could be persuaded to introduce into the revolted colonies listen interrupted Catherine in a voice which bespoke her deep anxiety they draw near the sound of footsteps was in fact now so audible as to induce the colonel to suspend the delivery of his plan for governing the recovered provinces the long low gallery which was paved with a stone flagging soon brought the footsteps of the approaching party more distinctly to their ears and presently a low tap of the door announced their arrival colonel Howard arose with the air of one who was to sustain the principal character in the ensuing interview and bad them enter Cecilia and Alice Dunscombe merely cast careless looks at the opening door indifferent to the scene but the quick eye of Catherine embraced at a glance every figure in the group drawing a long quivering brush she fell back on the couch and her eyes again lighted with their playful expression as she hummed a low rapid air with a voice in which even the suppressed tones were liquid melody Dylan entered preceding the soldier whose gate had become more steady and in whose rigid eye a thoughtful expression had taken the place of its former vacant gaze in short something had manifestly restored to him a more complete command of his mental powers although he might not have been absolutely sobered the rest of the party continued in the gallery while Mr. Dylan presented the renovated captain to the colonel when the latter did him the same kind office with the ladies Miss Plowden said the veteran for she offered first in the circle this is my friend Captain Burlcliff he has long been ambitious of this honor and I have no doubt his reception will be such as to leave him no cause to repent he has been at last successful Catherine smug and answered with ambiguous emphasis I know not how to thank him sufficiently for the care he has bestowed on our poor persons the soldier looks steadily at her for a moment with an eye that seemed to threaten a retaliation in kind ere he replied one of those smiles madam would be an ample compensation for services that are more real than such as exist only in intention Catherine bowed with more complacency then she usually bestowed on those who wore the British uniform and they proceeded to the next this is Miss Alice Dunn's comb Captain Burlcliff daughter of a very worthy clergyman who was formerly the curate of this parish and a lady who does us the pleasure of giving us a good deal of her society though far less than we all wish for the captain returned to civil inclination of Alice and the colonel proceeded Miss Howard allow me to present Burlcliff a gentleman who having volunteered to defend St. Ruth in these critical times merits all the favor of its mistress Cecilia gracefully rose and received her guest with sweet complacency the soldier made no reply to the customary compliments that she uttered but stood an instant gazing at her speaking countenance and then laying his hand involuntarily on his breast bowed nearly to his sword hilt formalities duly observed the colonel declared his readiness to receive the prisoners as the door was opened by Dylan Catherine Castel cool and steady look at the strangers and beheld the light glancing along the arms of the soldiers who guarded them but the semen entered alone while the rattling of arms and the heavy dash of the muskets on the stone pavement announced that it was thought prudent to retain a force at hand to watch the secret intruders on the grounds of the abbey end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper the sleeper box recording is in the public domain food for powder they'll fill a pit as well as better fall staff the three men who now entered the apartment appeared to be nothing daunted by the presence into which they were ushered though clad in the course and whether beaten investments of semen who had been exposed to recent and severe duty they silently obeyed the direction of the soldiers finger and took their stations in a distant corner of the room like men who knew the deference due to rank at the same time that the habits of their lives had long accustomed them to encounter the vicissitudes of the world with this slight preparation again the business of examination I trust you are all good and loyal subjects the veteran commenced with a considerate respect for innocence but the times are such that even the most worthy characters become liable to suspicion and consequently if our apprehensions should prove erroneous you must overlook the mistake and attribute it to the awful condition into which rebellion has plunged this empire we have much reason to fear that some project is about to be undertaken on the coast by the enemy who has appeared we know with a frigate and a schooner and the audacity of the rebels is only equal by their shameless and wicked disrespect for the rights of the sovereign well Colonel Howard was uttering his apologetic preamble the prisoners fastened their eyes to him with much interest but when he alluded to the apprehended attack the gaze of two of them became more keenly attentive and before he concluded they exchanged furtive glances of deep meaning no reply was made however and after a short pause as if to allow time for his words to make a proper impression the veteran continued we have no evidence I understand that you are in the smallest of the enemies of this country but as you have been found out of the king's highway or rather on a by-path which I must confess is frequently used by the people of the neighborhood for which is nevertheless nothing but a by-path it becomes no more than what self-preservation requires of us to ask you a few such questions as I trust will be satisfactorily answered to use your own nautical phrases from me pray and wither are you bound a low deep voice replied from Sunderland last and bound overland to Whitehaven this simple and direct answer was hardly given before the attention of the listeners was called to Alice Dunn's comb who uttered a faint shriek and rose from her seat involuntarily while her eyes seemed to roll fearfully and perhaps a little wildly round the room are you ill miss Alice said the sweet soothing tones of Cecilia Howard you are indeed you are lean on me that I may lead you to your apartment did you hear it or was it only fancy she answered her cheek blanched to the whiteness of death and her whole frame shuddering as if in convulsions say did you hear it too I've heard nothing but the voice of my uncle who is standing near you anxious as we all are for your recovery from this dreadful agitation Alice still gazed wildly from face to face her eye did not rest satisfied with dwelling on those who surrounded her but surveyed with a sort of frantic eagerness the figures and appearance of the three men who stood in humble patience the silent and unmoved witnesses of this extraordinary scene at length she veiled her eyes with both her hands as if to shut out some horrid vision and then removing them she smiled languidly as she signed for Cecilia to assist her from the room to the polite and assiduous offers of the gentlemen she returned no other thanks than those conveyed inner looks and gestures but when the sentinels and the ladies the gallery were passed and the ladies were alone she breathed a long shivering sigh and found an utterance it was like a voice from the silent grave she said but it could be no more than mockery no note is a just punishment for letting the image of the creature fill the place that should be occupied only with the creator ah Miss Howard Miss Plowden ye are both young in the pride of your beauty and loveliness but little do ye know and less do ye dread the temptations and errors of a sinful world her thoughts wander whispered Catherine with anxious tenderness some awful eclamity has affected her intellect yes it must be my sinful thoughts have wandered and conjured sounds that it would have been dreadful to hear in truth and within these walls said Alice more composedly asly expression as she gazed on the two beautiful solicitous maidens who supported her yielding person but the moment of weakness is past and I'm better aid me to my room and return that you may not interrupt the reviving harmony between yourselves and Colonel Howard I am now better, nay I am quite restored say not so dear Miss Alice return Cecilia your face denies what your kindness to us induces you to utter ill, very ill you are nor shall even your own commands induce me to leave you remain then said Miss Dunscombe bestowing a look of grateful affection on our lovely supporter and while our Catherine returns to the drawing room to give the gentleman their coffee you shall continue with me as my gentle nurse when they had gained the apartment and Catherine after assisting her cousin to place Alice on her bed returned to do the honors of the drawing room Colonel Howard ceased his examination of the prisoners at her entrance to inquire with courtly solicitude after the invalid and when his questions were answered he again proceeded as follows this is what the lads would call plain sailing burrow cliff they are out of employment in Sunderland and have acquaintances and relatives in Whitehaven to whom they are going for assistance and labor all very probable and perfectly harmless nothing more so my respectable host returned the jock and soldier but it seemed a grievous misfortune that a trio of such flesh and blood should need work wherewithal to exercise their thues and sinews while so many of the vessels of his majesty's fleet navigate the ocean inquest of the enemies of old England there is truth in that much truth in your remark what say you my lads will you fight the Frenchman and the Don and even my own rebellious and infatuated countrymen nay by heaven it is not a trifle that shall prevent his majesty from possessing the services of three such heroes here are five guineas apiece for you the moment that you put foot on board the alacrity cutter and that can easily be done as she lies at anchor this very night only two short leagues to the south of this in a small port where she is riding out the gale as snugly as if she were in a corner of this room one of the men affected to gaze at the money with longing eyes while he asked as if weighing the terms of the engagement whether the alacrity was called a good sea boat and was thought to give a comfortable berth to her crew comfortable echoed burrow clip for that matter she is called the bravest cutter in the navy you've seen much of the world I daresay did you ever see such a place as the marine arsenal at car the Hania in old Spain indeed I have sir returned the semen in a cool collected tone ah you have well did you ever meet with a house in Paris if they call that we really because it's a dog kennel to the alacrity I've even fallen in with the place you mentioned sir return the sailor and must own the berth quite good enough for such as I am if it tallies with your description the deuce take these blue jackets muttered burrow clip addressing himself unconsciously to miss plowden near whom he happened to be at the time they run their terry countenances into all the corners of the earth and abridge a man most lamentably in his comparisons now who the devil would have thought that fellow had ever put his sea green eyes on the palace of King Louis Catherine he did not his speech but sat eyeing the prisoners with the confused and wavering expression of countenance while Colonel Howard renewed the discourse by exclaiming come come burrow clip let us give the lives no tales for a recruit but good plain honest English God bless the language and the land for which it was first made to there is no necessity to tell these men if they are what they seem to be practical seamen that a cutter of 10 guns contains all the room and accommodation of a palace do you allow nothing for English oak and English comfort my host said the immovable captain do you think good sir that I measure fitness and propriety by square and compass as if I were planning Solomon's temple anew all I mean to say is that the alacrity is a vessel of singular compactness and magical arrangement of room like the tent of that handsome brother of the fairy in the Arabian Knights she is big or she is little as occasion needed and now hang me if I don't think I've put it more in her favor than her commander would say to help me to recruit though no lad in the three kingdoms should appear willing to try how a scarlet coat would suit his borage figure that time has not yet arrived and God forbid that it never should while the monarch needs a soldier in the field to protect his rights for what say ye my men you have heard the recommendation that captain burrow clip has given of the alacrity which is altogether true after making some allowances for language we serve shall I order you are cheering glass a man and lay by the gold till I hear from the cutter that you are enrolled under the banners of the best of kings Catherine Plowden who hardly seemed to breathe so close an intent was the interest with which she regarded the seamen fancied she observed lurking smiles on their faces but if her conjectures were true their disposition to be married went no further and the one who had spoken hitherto replied in the same calm manner as before you will excuse us if we decline shipping in the cutter sir we are used to distant voyages and large vessels whereas the alacrity is kept at coast duty and is not of a size to lay herself alongside of a don or a Frenchman with a double row of teeth if you prefer that sort of sport you must to the right about four yarmouth there you will find ships that will meet anything that swims said the colonel perhaps the gentlemen would prefer abandoning the cares and dangers of the ocean for a life of ease and gaiety said the captain the hand that has long dallied with a marlin spike may be easily made to feel a trigger as gracefully as the lady touches the keys of her piano in short there is and there is not a great resemblance between the life of a sailor and that of a soldier there are no gales of wind nor short allowances nor reefing top sails nor shipwrecks among soldiers at the same time there is just as much or even more grog drinking, jalafine care killing fun around a canteen and an open knapsack then there is on the end of a mess just with a full can and a saturday nights breeze I've crossed the ocean several times and I must own that a ship in good weather is very much the same as a camp or comfortable barracks, mined I say only in very good weather we have no doubt that all you say is true sir observe the spokesman of the three but what to you may seem a hardship to us is pleasure we have faced too many a gale to mine the capital of wind and should think ourselves always in the calm latitudes in one of your barracks but there is nothing to do but to eat our grub and to march a little for and after a small piece of green earth we hardly know one end of a musket from the other no said borough cleft musing and then advancing with a quick step toward them he cried in his spirited manner attention right dress the speaker and the seaman next to him gazed at the captain in silent wonder but the third individual of the party withdrawn himself a little aside as if willing to be unnoticed or perhaps pondering on his condition involuntarily he left this unexpected order and erected himself through his head to the right as promptly as if he had been on a parade ground oh you are apt scholars gentlemen and you can learn I see continued borough cleft I feel it to be proper that I detain these men till tomorrow morning Colonel Howard yet I would give them better quarters than the hard benches of the guard room act your pleasure captain borough cleft return the hose so you do but your duty to our royal master they shall not want for cheer and they can have a room over the servants offices in the south side of the abbey three rooms my colonel three rooms must be provided though I give up my own there are several small empty apartments there where blankets might be taken and the men placed for safekeeping if you deem it necessary though to me they seem like good loyal Tars who's greatest glory it would be to serve their prince news chief pleasure would consist in getting alongside of a Don or a monsieur we shall discuss these matters anon suburb cliff dry I seem as plowed and begins to look gray that are abusing her patience so long and I know that cold coffee is like withered love but a tasteless sort of a beverage come gentlemen on avan you have seen the three levy I must have heard a little French Mr. Christopher Dylan know you where these three small apartments are situate lying and being as your parchment three I do sir said the complying lawyer and shall take much pleasure in guiding you to them I think your decision that are prudent and sagacious officer and much doubt whether Durham castle or some other fortress will be thought too big to hold them air long as this speech was uttered while the men were passing from the room its effect on them was unnoticed Catherine Plowden who was left for a few moments by herself said and pondered over what she had seen and heard without thoughtfulness of manner that was not usual to her gay and buoyant spirits the sounds of the retiring footsteps however gradually grew fainter and the return of her guardian alone recall the recollection of the young lady to the duties of her situation while engaged in the little offices of the tea table Catherine through many furtive glances of the veteran but although he seemed to be musing there was nothing austere or suspicious in his frank open countenance there is much useless trouble taken with these wandering seamen sir said Catherine at length it seems to be the particular province of Mr Christopher Dillon to make all that come in contact with him excessively uncomfortable and what has kid to do with the detention of the men what why has he not undertaken to stand Godfather to their reasons by women's patients I think Colonel Howard this business will gain a pretty addition to the names of St. Ruth it is already called a house and Abbey a place and by summer castle that Mr Dillon have his way for a month and it will add jail to the number kid is not so happy as to possess the favor of Miss Plowden but still kid is a worthy fellow and a good fellow and a sensible fellow I and what is of more value than all these names of the Miss Catherine Mr Christopher Dillon is a faithful and loyal subject to his prints his mother was my cousin German madam and I cannot say how soon I may call him my nephew the Dillon's are of good Irish extraction and I believe that even Miss Plowden will admit that the Howard's have some pretensions to a name it is those very things called names that I most allude to St. Catherine quickly but an hour since you suspected that I insinuated you ought to write jailer behind the name of Howard and even now you submit to have the office palmed upon you you forget Miss Catherine Plowden that it is the pleasure of one of his Majesty's officers to detain these men but I thought that the glorious British Constitution which you so often mentioned interrupted the young lady spiritedly gives liberty to all who touch these blessed shores you know so that out of how few remain the rest having fled on the wings of a spirit of British liberty this was touching a festering sore in the Colonel's feelings and his provoking war well knew the effects her observation was likely to produce her guardian did not break forth in a violent burst of rage or furnish those manifestations of his are that he was want to do on less important subjects but he arose with all his dignity concentrated in a restraining feelings within the bounds necessary to preserve the decorum of his exit he ventured to reply that the British Constitution is glorious madam is most true that this island is the sole refuge where liberty has been able to find a home is also true the tyranny and oppression of the Congress which are grinding down the colonies to the powder of desolation and poverty are not worthy the sacred name rebellion pollutes all that it touches madam although it often commences under the sanction of holy liberty it ever terminates in despotism the annals of the world from the time of the Greeks and Romans down to the present day abundantly prove it there was that Julius Caesar who was one of the your people's men and he ended a tyrant Oliver Cromwell was another a rebel a demagogue and a tyrant the gradations madam are as inevitable as from childhood to youth and from youth to age as for the little affair that you have been pleased of the of my private concerns I can only say that the affairs of nations are not to be judged of by domestic incidents any more than domestic occurrences are to be judged of by national politics the colonel like many a better logician mistook his antithesis for argument and paused a moment to admire his own eloquence but the current of his thoughts which always float in torrents on this subject swept him along in its course and he continued yes madam here and here alone is true liberty to be found with this solemn a separation which is not likely made but which is the result of 60 years experience I leave you miss plowden let it be a subject of deep reflection with you for I too well understand your treacherous feelings not to know that your political errors encourage your personal foibles reflect for your own sake if you love not only your own happiness but your respectability and standing in the world as for the black hounds that you spoke of they are a set of rebellious mutinous and grateful rascals and if ever I meet one of the damned the colonel has so far controlled his feelings as to leave the presence of the lady before he broke out into the bitter invectives we have recorded and Catherine stood a minute pressing her forefinger on her lips listening to his voice as it grumbled along the gallery until the sounds were finally excluded by the closing of a distant door the willful girl then shook her dark locks and a smile of arch mischief blended with an expression of regret in her silence as she spoke to herself while with hurried hands she threw her tea equipped to decide in a confused pile it was perhaps a cruel experiment but it has succeeded though prisoners ourselves we are at least left free for the remainder of this night these mysterious sailors must be examined more closely if the proud eye of Edward Griffith was not glaring under the black wig of one of them I'm no judge of features and where has master Barnstable concealed his charming or neither of the others could be he but now for Cecilia her light form glided from the room while she was yet speaking and fitting along the dimly lighted passages it disappeared in one of those turnings that led to the more secret apartments of the abbey end of chapter 12 chapter 13 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain how Lucia wits them have me sink away in pleasing dreams and lose myself in love Cato the reader must not imagine that the world stood still during the occurrence of the scenes we have related by the time the three seamen were placed in as many different rooms and a sentinel was stationed in the gallery common to them all in such a manner as to keep an eye on his whole charge at once the hour had run deep into the night Captain Burrow-Cliff obeyed a summons from the colonel who made him an evasive apology for the change in their evening's amusement and challenged his guest to a renewal of the attack on the Madeira this was too grateful a theme to be lightly discussed by the captain and the abbey clock had given forth as many of its mournful remonstrances as the division of the hours would permit before they separated in the meantime Mr. Dillon became invisible though a servant when questioned by the host on the subject announced that he believed Mr. Christopher had chosen to write over to blank to be in readiness to join the hunt on the morning with the dawn while the gentlemen were thus indulging themselves in the dining parlor and laughing over the tales of other times and hard campaigns two very different scenes occurred in other parts of the building when the quiet of the abbey was only interrupted by the howling of the wind or by the loud and prolonged laughs which echoed through the passages from the joyous pair who were thus comfortably established by the side of the bottle a door was gently opened on one of the galleries of the cloisters and Catherine Ploudin issued from it wrapped in a close mantle and holding in her hand a chamber lamp which through its dim light faintly along the gloomy walls in front leaving all behind her obscured in darkness she was however soon followed by two other female figures clad in the same manner and provided with similar lights when all were in the gallery Catherine drew the door softly too and proceeded in front to lead the way his said the low tremulous voice of Cecilia they are yet up in the other parts of the house and if it be as you suspect our visit would betray them and prove the means of their certain destruction is the laugh of Colonel Howard in his cups so singular and unknown to your ears Cecilia that you know it not said Catherine with a little spirit or do you forget that on such occasions he seldom leaves himself ears to hear or eyes to see with but follow me it is as I suspect it must be as I suspect and unless we do something to rescue them they are lost unless they have laid a deeper scheme than is apparent it is a dangerous road ye both journey added the placid tones of Alice Dunscombe but ye are young and ye are credulous if you disapprove of our visit said Cecilia it cannot be right and we have better return no no I have said not to disturb proof of your present errand if God has put the lives of those in your custody whom ye have taught yourselves to look up to with love and reverence such as woman is bound to yield to one man he has done it for no idle purpose lead us to their doors Catherine let us relieve our doubts at least the art and girl did not wait for a second bidding but she led them with light and quick steps along the gallery until they reached its termination where they descended to the basement floor by a flight opening a small door emerged into the open air they now stood on a small plate of grass which lay between the building and the ornamental garden across which they moved rapidly concealing their lights and bending their shrinking forms before the shivering blasts that poured their fury upon them from the ocean they soon reached a large but rough addition to the buildings that concealed its plain architecture behind the more labored and the edifice into which they entered through a massive door that stood a jar as if to admit them Chloe has been true to my orders whispered Catherine as they passed out of the chilling air now if all the servants are asleep our chance to escape unnoticed amounts to certainty it became necessary to go through the servants hall which they effective unobserved as it had but one occupant an aged black man who being posted with his ear within two feet of a bell in this attitude had committed himself to a deep sleep gliding through this hall they entered divers long and intricate passages all of which seemed as familiar to Catherine as they were unknown to her companions until they reached another flight of steps which they ascended they were now near their goal and stopped to examine whether any or what difficulties were likely to be opposed to their further progress now indeed our case seems hopeless whispered Catherine as they stood concealed by the darkness in one end of an extremely long narrow passage here is the sentinel in the building instead of being as I had supposed under the windows what is to be done now let us return sets the city in the same manner my influence with my uncle was great even though he seems unkind to us at times in the morning I will use it to persuade him to free them on receiving their promise to abandon all such attempts in future in the morning it will be too late return Catherine I saw that demon kid Dylan mount his horse under the pretense of writing to the great hunt of tomorrow but I know his malicious side too well to be deceived in his errand he is silent that he may be sure and if tomorrow comes and finds Griffith within these walls he will be condemned to a scaffold say no more so Dallastone's comb with singular emotion some lucky circumstance may aid us with this sentinel as she spoke she advanced they had not proceeded far before the stern voice of the soldier challenged the party it is no time to hesitate whispered Catherine we are the ladies of the abbey looking to our domestic affairs she continued aloud and think a little remarkable that we are to encounter armed men while going through our own dwelling the soldier respectfully presented his musket and replied my orders are to guard the doors of these three rooms ladies we have prisoners in them and as for anything else my duty will be to serve you all in my power prisoners exclaimed Catherine in effected surprised as Captain Burlcliff make Saint Ruth's Abbey a jail of what offenses are the poor men guilty I know not my lady but as they are sailors I suppose they have run through the majesty's service this is singular truly and why are they not sent to the county prison this must be examined into said Cecilia dropping the mantle from before her face as mistress of this house I claim a right to know whom its walls contain you will obliged me by opening the doors for I see you have the keys suspended from your belt the sentinel hesitated he was greatly awed by the presence and beauty of the speakers but a still voice reminded him of his duty a lucky thought however interposed to relieve him from his dilemma and at the same time to comply with the request or rather order of the lady as he handed her the keys he said here they are my lady my orders are to keep the prisoners in not to keep any one out when you are done with them you will please to return them to me if it be only to save a poor fellow's eye for unless the doors kept locked I shall not dare to look about me for a moment Cecilia promised to return the keys and she had applied one of them to a lock with a trembling hand when Alice Stunscomb arrested her arm and addressed the soldier say you there are three are they men and years know my lady all good serviceable lads who couldn't do better than to serve his majesty or as it may prove worse than to run from their colors but are their years and appearance similar I ask for I have a friend who has been guilty of some voyage tricks and has tried to seize I hear among other foolish hazards there is no boy here in the far room on the left is a smart soldier looking chap of about 30 who the captain thinks has carried a musket before now on him I'm charged to keep a particular eye next to him is as pretty a looking youth as eyes could wish to see and it makes one feel mournful to think what he must come to if he has really deserted his ship in the room near you is a smaller quiet little body who might make a better preacher than a sailor or a soldier either he has such a gentle way with him Alice covered her eyes with her hand a moment and then recovering herself proceeded gentleness they do more with the unfortunate men than fear here is a guinea withdrawal to the far end of the passage where you can watch them as well as here while we enter and endeavor to make them confess who and what they really are the soldier took the money and after looking about him and a little uncertainty he had length complied as it was obviously true they could only escape by passing him near the flight of steps when he was beyond hearing Alice turn to her companions and a slight glow appeared in feverish spots on her cheeks as she addressed them it would be idle to attempt to hide from you that I expect to meet the individual whose voice I must have heard in reality tonight instead of only imaginary sounds as I vainly if not wickedly suppose I have many reasons for changing my opinion the chief of witches that he is lead with the rebellious Americans in this unnatural war nay child may not missplodden you will remember that I found my being on this island I come here on no vain or weak errand miss Howard but to spare human blood she paused as if struggling to speak calmly but no one can witness the interview except our God go then said Catherine secretly rejoicing at her determination while we inquire into the character of the others Alice Dunscombe turned the key and gently opening the door she desired her companions to tap for her as they returned and then instantly disappeared in the apartment Cecilia and her cousin proceeded to the next door which they opened in silence and entered cautiously into the room Catherine Plowden had so far examined into the arrangements of Colonel Howard as to know that at the same time he had ordered blankets to be provided for the prisoners he had not thought it necessary to administer any further to the accommodations of men who had apparently made their beds and pillows of planks for the greater part of their lives the ladies accordingly found the youthful sailor whom they sought with his body rolled in the shaggy covering extended at his length along the naked boards and buried in a deep sleep so timid were the steps of his visitors and so noiseless was their entrance that they approached even to his side without disturbing his slumbers the head of the prisoner lay rudely pillowed on a billet of wood one hand protecting his face from its rough surface and the other thrust in his bosom where it rested with a relaxed grasp on the handle of a dirt although he slept and that heavily yet his rest was unnatural and perturbed the breathing was hard and quick and something like the low rapid murmurings of a confused utterance mingled with his respiration the moment had now arrived when the character of Cecilia Howard appeared to undergo an entire change hitherto she had been led by her cousin whose activity and enterprise seemed to qualify her so well for the office of guide but now she advanced before Katharine and extending her lamp in such a manner as to throw the light across the face of the sleeper she bent to examine his countenance with keen and anxious eyes am I right whispered her cousin may God in his infinite compassion pity and protect him murmured Cecilia her whole frame involuntarily shuttering as the conviction that she beheld griffid flashed across her mind yes Katharine it is he and presumptuous madness has driven him here but time presses he must be awakened and his escape effected at every hazard nay then delayed no longer but rouse him from his sleep Griffith Edward Griffith said the soft tones of Cecilia Griffith awake your call is useless for they sleep nightly among tempests and boisterous sounds said Katharine but I've heard it said that the smallest touch will generally cause one of them to stir Griffith repeated Cecilia laying her fair hand timidly on his own the flash of lightning is not more nimble than the leap that the young man made to his feet which he no sooner gained than his dirt gleamed in the light of the lamps as he brandished it fiercely with one hand while with the other he extended a pistol in a menacing attitude towards his disturbors stand back he exclaimed I am your prisoner only as a corpse the fierceness of his front and the glaring eyeballs that told wildly around him appalled Cecilia who shrank back in fear dropping her mantle from her person but still keeping her mild eyes fastened on his countenance with the confiding gaze that contradicted her shrinking attitude as she replied Edward it is I Cecilia Howard come to save you from destruction you are known even through your ingenious disguise the pistol and the dirt fell together on the blanket of the young sailor whose looks instantly lost their disturbed expression in a glow of pleasure fortunate length favours me he cried this is kind Cecilia more than I deserve and much more than I expected but you are not alone tis my cousin Kate to her piercing eyes you owe your detection and she has kindly consented to accompany me that we might urge you to nay that we might if necessary assist you to fly for tis cruel folly Griffith thus to tempt your fate have I tempted it then in vain Miss Plowden to you I must appeal for an answer and a justification Catherine looked displeased but after a moment's hesitation she replied your servant Mr. Griffith I perceive that the erudite Captain Barnstable has not only succeeded in spelling through my scroll but he has also given it to all hands for perusal now you do both him and me in justice said Griffith it surely was not treachery to show me a plan in which I was to be a principal actor I doubtless your excuses are as obedient to your calls as your men return the young lady but how comes it that the hero of the aerial sends a deputy to perform a duty that is so peculiarly his own is he want to be second in rescues heaven forbid that you should think so meanly we owe you much Miss Plowden but we may have other duties you know that we serve our common country and have a superior with us whose back is our law return then Mr. Griffith while you may to the service of our bleeding country says Cecilia and after the joint efforts of her brave children have expelled the intruders from her soil let us hope there shall come a time when Catherine and myself may be restored to our homes thank you Miss Howard to how long a period the mighty arm of the British King may extend that time we shall prevail a nation fighting for its dearest rights must ever prevail but is not the work of a day for a people poor scattered and impoverished as we have been to beat down a power like that of England surely you forget that in bidding me to leave you with such expectations Miss Howard topless banishment we must trust to the will of God says Cecilia if you ordain that America is to be free only after protracted sufferings I can aid her but with my prayers but you have an arm and an experience Griffith that might do her better service weighs not your usefulness then in visionary schemes for private happiness but sees the moments as they offer and return to your ship if it is yet in safety and endeavor to forget this mad undertaking and for a time the being who has led you to the adventure this is the reception that I had not anticipated return Griffith for though accident and not intention has thrown me into your presence this evening I did hope that when I again saw the frigate it would be in your company Cecilia you cannot just the reproach me Mr. Griffith with your disappointment for I have not uttered or authorized a syllable that could induce you or anyone to believe that I would consent to quit my uncle Miss Howard will not think me presumptuous if I remind her that there was a time when she did not think me unworthy to be entrusted with her person and happiness a rich bloom mantled on the face of Cecilia as she replied nor do I now Mr. Griffith but you do well to remind me of my former weakness for the recollection of its folly and imprudence only adds to my present strength nay interrupted her eager lover if I intended a reproach or harbour a boastful thought spurn me from you forever as unworthy of your favor I quit you both much easier than I can equip myself of the charge of weakness and folly continued Cecilia but there are many things that have occurred since we last met to prevent a repetition of such inconsiderate rashness on my part one of them is she added smiling sweetly that I have numbered twelve additional months to my age and a hundred to my experience another and perhaps a more important one is that my uncle then continued among the friends of his youth surrounded by those whose blood mingles with his own but here he lives a stranger and though he finds some consolation and dwelling in a building where his ancestors have dwelt before him yet he walks as an alien through its gloomy passages and would find the empty honour but a miserable compensation for the kindness and affection of one whom he has loved and cherished from her infancy and yet he is opposed to you in your private wishes to see unless my besotted vanity has led me to believe what it would now be madness to learn was false and in your opinions of public things you are quite as widely separated I should think there could be but little happiness dependent on a connection where there is no one feeling entertained in common there is and an all important one said Miss Howard is our love he is my kind my affectionate and unless thwarted by some evil cause my indulgent uncle is my guardian and I am his brother Harry's child this tie is not easily to be severed Mr. Griffith though as I do not wish to see you crazed I shall not that your besotted vanity has played you the false but surely Edward it is possible to feel a double tie and so to act as to discharge our duties to both I never never can or will consent to desert my uncle stranger as he is in the land whose rule he upholds so blindly you know not this England Griffith she receives her children from the colonies with cold and hearty distrust like a jealous step mother who is wary of the favors that she bestows on her fictitious offspring I know her in peace I know her in war said the young sailor proudly and can add that she is a hearty friend stubborn foe but she grapples now with those who ask no more of her than an open sea and an enemy's favors but this determination will be melancholy tidings for me to convey to barn stable nay since the city is smiling I cannot vouch for others who have no uncles and who have an extra quantity of ill humor and spleen against this country its people and its loss although profoundly ignorant of them all is Miss Howard tired of seeing me under the tiles of St. Ruth asked Catherine but Hark are there not footsteps approaching along the gallery they listened in breathless silence and soon heard distinctly the approaching tread of more than one person voices were quite audible and before they had time to consult on what was best to be done the words of the speakers were distinctly heard at the door of their own apartment I he has a military air about him Peters that will make him a prize come open the door this is not his room your honor said the alarm soldier he quarters in the last room in the gallery how know you that fellow come produce the key and open the way for me I care not who sleeps here there is no saying but I may enlist them all three a single moment of dreadful insertitude succeeded when the Sentinel was heard saying in reply to this peremptory order I thought your honor wanted to see the one with the black stock and so left the rest of the keys at the other end of the passage but nothing you loom a sentinel should always carry his keys about him like a jailer follow them and let me see the lad who dresses so well to the right as the heart of Catherine began to beat less vehemently she said to his burrow cliff and too drunk to see that we have left the key in the door but what is to be done we have but a moment for consultation as the day dawn says to see you quickly I shall send here under the pretense of conveying you food my own woman there is no need of risking anything from my safety interrupted Griffith I hardly think we shall be detained if we are firearms table is at hand with a force that would scatter these recruits to the four winds of heaven that would lead to bloodshed in scenes of horror exclaims to see listen quite Catherine they approach again a man now stopped once more at their door which was opened softly and the face of the sentinel was thrust into the apartment captain burrow cliff is on his rounds and for 50 of your guineas I would not leave you here another minute but one word more said to see you not a syllable my lady for my life return the man the lady from the next room waits for you and in mercy to a poor fellow go back where you came from the appeal was unanswerable and they comply so see you saying as they left the room I shall send you food in the morning young man and directions how to take the remedy necessary to your safety in the passage they found Alice Dunskohm with her face concealed in her mantle and it was seen by the heavy size that escaped from her deeply agitated by the interview which he had just encountered but as the reader may have some curiosity to know what occurred to distress this unoffending lady so sensibly we shall detain the narrative to relate the substance of that which passed between her and the individual whom she sought into chapter 13