Ormond; Or, The Secret Witness. Volume 2 (of 3) Read online

  ORMOND;

  Or,

  The Secret Witness.

  by

  B. C. BROWN,

  Author of Wieland, or Transformation.

  In Three Volumes.

  VOL. II.

  "Saepe intereunt aliis meditantes necem."

  PHAEDRUS

  "Those who plot the destruction of others, very often fall,themselves the victims."

  Philadelphia Printed,London, Re-Printed for Henry Colburn,English and Foreign Public Library,Conduit-Street, Bond-Street.1811.

  ORMOND,

  OR THE

  SECRET WITNESS

  CHAPTER I.

  On leaving Mr. Ormond's house, Constantia was met by that gentleman. Hesaw her as she came out, and was charmed with the simplicity of herappearance. On entering, he interrogated the servant as to the businessthat brought her thither.

  "So," said he, as he entered the drawing-room, where Craig was seated,"you have had a visitant. She came, it seems, on a pressing occasion,and would be put off with nothing but a letter."

  Craig had not expected this address, but it only precipitated theexecution of a design that he had formed. Being aware of this orsimilar accidents, he had constructed and related on a previous occasionto Ormond a story suitable to his purpose.

  "Ay," said he, in a tone of affected compassion, "it is a sad affairenough. I am sorry it is not in my power to help the poor girl. She iswrong in imputing her father's misfortunes to me, but I know the sourceof her mistake. Would to heaven it was in my flower to repair the wrongsthey have suffered not from me, but from one whose relationship is adisgrace to me."

  "Perhaps," replied the other, "you are willing to explain this affair."

  "Yes, I wish to explain it. I was afraid of some such accident as this.An explanation is due to my character. I have already told you my story.I mentioned to you a brother of mine. There is scarcely thirteen monthsdifference in our ages. There is a strong resemblance between him andme in our exterior, though I hope there is none at all in our minds.This brother was a partner of a gentleman, the father of this girl, atNew York. He was a long time nothing better than an apprentice to Mr.Dudley, but he advanced so much in the good graces of his master, thathe finally took him into partnership. I did not know till I arrived onthe continent the whole of his misconduct. It appears that he embezzledthe property of the house, and fled away with it, and the consequencewas, that his quondam master was ruined. I am often mistaken for mybrother, to my no small inconvenience: but all this I told you formerly.See what a letter I just now received from this girl."

  Craig was one of the most plausible of men. His character was a standingproof of the vanity of physiognomy. There were few men who could refusetheir confidence to his open and ingenuous aspect. To thiscircumstance, perhaps, he owed his ruin. His temptations to deceivewere stronger than what are incident to most other men. Deception was soeasy a task, that the difficulty lay, not in infusing false opinionsrespecting him, but in preventing them from being spontaneously imbibed.He contracted habits of imposture imperceptibly. In proportion as hedeviated from the practice of truth, he discerned the necessity ofextending and systematizing his efforts, and of augmenting the originalbenignity and attractiveness of his looks, by studied additions. Thefurther he proceeded, the more difficult it was to return. Experienceand habit added daily to his speciousness, till at length the worldperhaps might have been searched in vain for his competitor.

  He had been introduced to Ormond under the most favourable auspices. Hehad provided against a danger which he knew to be imminent, by relatinghis own story as if it were his brother's. He had, however, madevarious additions to it, serving to aggravate the heinousness of hisguilt. This arose partly from policy, and partly from the habit oflying, which was prompted by a fertile invention, and renderedinveterate by incessant exercise. He interwove in his tale an intriguebetween Miss Dudley and his brother. The former was seduced, and thisman had employed his skill in chirographical imitation, in composingletters from Miss Dudley to his brother, which sufficiently attested herdishonour. He and his brother, he related, to have met in Jamaica, wherethe latter died, by which meant his personal property and papers cameinto his possession.

  Ormond read the letter which his companion presented to him on thisoccasion. The papers which Craig had formerly permitted him to inspecthad made him familiar with her handwriting. The penmanship was, indeed,similar, yet this was written in a spirit not quite congenial with thatwhich had dictated her letters to her lover. But he reflected that theemergency was extraordinary, and that the new scenes through which shehad passed, had, perhaps, enabled her to retrieve her virtue and enforceit. The picture which she drew of her father's distresses affected himand his companion very differently. He pondered on it for some time insilence; he then looked up, and with his usual abruptness said, "Isuppose you gave her something?"

  "No. I was extremely sorry that it was not in my power. I have nothingbut a little trifling silver about me. I I have no more at home thanwill barely suffice to pay my board here, and my expenses to Baltimore.Till I reach there I cannot expect a supply. I was less uneasy I confesson this account, because I knew you to be equally willing and much moreable to afford the relief she asks."

  This Mr. Ormond had predetermined to do. He paused only to deliberate inwhat manner it could, with most propriety, be done. He was alwayswilling, when he conferred benefits, to conceal the author. He was notdispleased when gratitude was misplaced, and readily allowed hisinstruments to act as if they were principals. He questioned not theveracity of Craig, and was, therefore, desirous to free him from themolestation that was threatened in the way which had been prescribed. Heput a note of one hundred dollars into his hand, and enjoined him tosend it to the Dudleys that evening, or early the next morning. "I ampleased," he added, "with the style of this letter: It can be of noservice to you; leave it in my possession."

  Craig would much rather have thrown it into the fire; but he knew thecharacter of his companion, and was afraid to make any objection to hisrequest. He promised to send, or carry the note the next morning,before he set out on his intended journey.

  This journey was to Baltimore, and was undertaken so soon merely tooblige his friend, who was desirous of remitting to Baltimore aconsiderable sum in English guineas, and who had been for some time insearch of one who might execute this commission with fidelity. The offerof Craig had been joyfully accepted, and next morning had been the timefixed for his departure, a period the most opportune for Craig's designsthat could be imagined. To return to Miss Dudley.

  The sum that remained to her after the discharge of her debts wouldquickly be expended. It was no argument of wisdom to lose sight of thefuture in the oblivion of present care. The time would inevitably comewhen new resources would be necessary. Every hour brought nearer theperiod without facilitating the discovery of new expedients. She relatedthe recent adventure to her father. He acquiesced in the propriety ofher measures, but the succour that she had thus obtained consoled himbut little. He saw how speedily it would again be required, and washopeless of a like fortunate occurrence.

  Some days had elapsed, and Constantia had been so fortunate as toprocure some employment. She was thus engaged in the evening when theywere surprised by a visit from their landlord. This was an occurrencethat foreboded them no good. He entered with abruptness, and scarcelynoticed the salutations that he received. His bosom swelled withdiscontent, which seemed ready to be poured out upon his two companions.To the inquiry as to the condition of his health and that of his family,he surlily answered: "Never mind how I am: none the better for mytenants I t
hink. Never was a man so much plagued as I have been; whatwith one putting me off from time to time; what with another quarrellingabout terms, and denying his agreement, and another running away in mydebt, I expect nothing but to come to poverty--God help me!--at last.But this was the worst of all. I was never before treated so in all mylife. I don't know what or when I shall get to the end of my troubles.To be fobbed out of my rent and twenty-five dollars into the bargain! Itis very strange treatment, I assure you, Mr. Dudley."

  "What is it you mean?" replied that gentleman. "You have received yourdues, and--"

  "Received my dues, indeed! High enough too! I have received none of mydues. I have been imposed upon. I have been put to very great trouble,and expect some compensation. There is no knowing the character of one'stenants. There is nothing but knavery in the world one would think. I'msure no man has suffered more by bad tenants than I have. But this isthe strangest treatment I ever met with. Very strange indeed, Dudley,and I must be paid without delay. To lose my rent and twenty-fivedollars into the bargain, is too hard. I never met with the equal ofit--not I. Besides, I wou'dn't be put to all this trouble for twice thesum."

  "What does all this mean, Mr. M'Crea? You seem inclined to scold; but Icannot conceive why you came here for that purpose. This behaviour isimproper--"

  "No, it is very proper, and I want payment of my money. Fifty dollarsyou owe me. Miss comes to pay me my rent as I thought. She brings me afifty-dollar note; I changes it for her, for I thought to be sure I wasquite safe: but, behold, when I sends it to the bank to get the money,they sends me back word that it's forged, and calls on me, before amagistrate, to tell them where I got it from. I'm sure I never was soflustered in my life. I would not have such a thing for ten times thesum."

  He proceeded to descant on his loss without any interruption from hisauditors, whom this intelligence had struck dumb. Mr. Dudley instantlysaw the origin and full extent of this misfortune. He was, nevertheless,calm, and indulged in no invectives against Craig. "It is all of apiece," said he: "our ruin is inevitable. Well then, let it come."

  After M'Crea had railed himself weary, he flung out of the house,warning them that next morning he should distrain for his rent, and, atthe same time, sue them for the money that Constantia had received inexchange for her note.

  Miss Dudley was unable to pursue her task. She laid down her needle, andfixed her eyes upon her father. They had been engaged in earnestdiscourse when their landlord entered. Now there was a pause of profoundsilence, till the affectionate Lucy, who sufficiently comprehended thisscene, gave vent to her affliction in sobs. Her mistress turned toher:--

  "Cheer up, my Lucy. We shall do well enough, my girl. Our state is badenough, without doubt, but despair will make it worse."

  The anxiety that occupied her mind related less to herself than to herfather. He, indeed in the present instance, was exposed to prosecution.It was he who was answerable for the debt, and whose person would bethrown into durance by the suit that was menaced. The horrors of aprison had not hitherto been experienced or anticipated. The worst evilthat she had imagined was inexpressibly inferior to this. The idea hadin it something of terrific and loathsome. The mere supposition of itsbeing possible was not to be endured. If all other expedients shouldfail, she thought of nothing less than desperate resistance. No. It wasbetter to die than to go to prison.

  For a time she was deserted of her admirable equanimity. This, no doubt,was the result of surprise. She had not yet obtained the calmnessnecessary to deliberation. During this gloomy interval, she would,perhaps, have adapted any scheme, however dismal and atrocious, whichher father's despair might suggest. She would not refuse to terminateher own and her father's unfortunate existence by poison or the cord.

  This confusion of mind could not exist long; it gradually gave place tocheerful prospects. The evil perhaps was not without its timely remedy.The person whom she had set out to visit, when her course was divertedby Craig, she once more resolved to apply to; to lay before him, withoutreserve, her father's situation, to entreat pecuniary succour, and tooffer herself as a servant in his family, or in that of any of hisfriends who stood in need of one. This resolution, in a slight degree,consoled her; but her mind had been too thoroughly disturbed to allowher any sleep during that night.

  She equipped herself betimes, and proceeded with a doubting heart to thehouse of Mr. Melbourne. She was informed that he had risen, but wasnever to be seen at so early an hour. At nine o'clock he would bedisengaged, and she would be admitted. In the present state of heraffairs this delay was peculiarly unwelcome. At breakfast, her suspenseand anxieties would not allow her to eat a morsel; and when the hourapproached she prepared herself for a new attempt.

  As she went out, she met at the door a person whom she recognized, andwhose office she knew to be that of a constable. Constantia hadexercised, in her present narrow sphere, that beneficence which she hadformerly exerted in a larger. There was nothing, consistent with herslender means, that she did not willingly perform for the service ofothers. She had not been sparing of consolation and personal aid inmany cases of personal distress that had occurred in her neighbourhoodHence, as far as she was known, he was reverenced.

  The wife of their present visitant had experienced her succour andsympathy, on occasion of the death of a favourite child. The man,notwithstanding his office, was not of a rugged or ungrateful temper.The task that was now imposed upon him he undertook with extremereluctance. He was somewhat reconciled to it by the reflection thatanother might not perform it with that gentleness and lenity which hefound in himself a disposition to exercise on all occasions, butparticularly on the present.

  She easily guessed at his business, and having greeted him with theutmost friendliness, returned with him into the house. She endeavouredto remove the embarrassment that hung about him, but in vain. Havinglevied what the law very properly calls a distress, he proceeded, aftermuch hesitation, to inform Dudley that he was charged with a messagefrom a magistrate, summoning him to come forthwith, and account forhaving a forged banknote in his possession.

  M'Crea had given no intimation of this. The painful surprise that itproduced soon yielded to a just view of this affair. Temporaryinconvenience and vexation was all that could be dreaded from it. Mr.Dudley hated to be seen or known. He usually walked out in the dusk ofevening, but limited his perambulations to a short space. At all othertimes he was obstinately recluse. He was easily persuaded by hisdaughter to allow her to perform this unwelcome office in his stead. Hehad not received, nor even seen the note. He would have willingly sparedher the mortification of a judicial examination, but he knew that thiswas unavoidable. Should he comply with this summons himself, hisdaughter's presence would be equally necessary.

  Influenced by these considerations, he was willing that his daughtershould accompany the messenger, who was content that they should consulttheir mutual convenience in this respect. This interview was to her notwithout its terrors; but she cherished the hope that it might ultimatelyconduce to good. She did not foresee the means by which this would beeffected, but her heart was lightened by a secret and inexplicable faithin the propitiousness of some event that was yet to occur. This faithwas powerfully enforced when she reached the magistrate's door, andfound that he was no other than Melbourne, whose succour she intended tosolicit. She was speedily ushered, not into his office, but into aprivate apartment, where he received her alone.

  He had been favourably prepossessed with regard to her character by thereport of the officer who, on being charged with the message, hadaccounted for the regret which he manifested, by dwelling on the meritsof Miss Dudley. He behaved with grave civility, requested her to beseated, and accurately scrutinized her appearance. She found herself notdeceived in her preconceptions of this gentleman's character, and drew afavourable omen as to the event of this interview by what had alreadytaken place. He viewed her in silence for some time, and then, in aconciliating tone, said:--

  "It seems to me, madam, as if I had seen yo
u before. Your face, indeed,is of that kind which, when once seen, is not easily forgotten. I knowit is a long time since, but I cannot tell when or where. If you willnot deem me impertinent, I will venture to ask you to assist myconjectures. Your name, as I am informed, is Acworth."--(I ought to havementioned that Mr. Dudley, on his removal from New York, among otherexpedients to obliterate the memory of his former condition, andconceal his poverty from the World, had made this change in his name.)

  "That, indeed," said the lady, "is the name which my father at presentbears. His real name is Dudley. His abode was formerly in Queen Street,New York. Your conjecture, Sir, is not erroneous. This is not the firsttime we have seen each other. I well recollect your having been at myfather's house in the days of his prosperity."

  "Is it possible?" exclaimed Mr. Melbourne, starting from his seat in thefirst impulse of his astonishment. "Are you the daughter of my friendDudley, by whom I have so often been hospitably entertained? I haveheard of his misfortunes, but knew not that he was alive, or in whatpart of the world he resided.

  "You are summoned on a very disagreeable affair, but I doubt not youwill easily exculpate your father. I am told that he is blind, and thathis situation is by no means as comfortable as might be wished. I amgrieved that he did not confide in the friendship of those that knewhim. What could prompt him to conceal himself?"

  "My father has a proud spirit. It is not yet broken by adversity. Hedisdains _to beg_, but I must now assume _that office_ for his sake. Icame hither this morning to lay before you his situation, and to entreatyour assistance to save him from a prison. He cannot pay for the poortenement he occupies; and our few goods are already under distress. Hehas, likewise, contracted a debt. He is, I suppose, already sued on thisaccount, and must go to gaol, unless saved by the interposition of somefriend."

  "It is true," said Melbourne, "I yesterday granted a warrant against himat the suit of Malcolm M'Crea. Little did I think that the defendant wasStephen Dudley; but you may dismiss all apprehensions on that score.That affair shall be settled to your father's satisfaction: meanwhilewe will, if you please, despatch this unpleasant business respecting acounterfeit note received in payment from you by this M'Crea."

  Miss Dudley satisfactorily explained that affair. She stated therelation in which Craig had formerly stood to her father, and the actsof which he had been guilty. She slightly touched on the distresseswhich the family had undergone during their abode in this city, and themeans by which she had been able to preserve her father from want. Shementioned the circumstances which compelled her to seek his charity asthe last resource, and the casual encounter with Craig, by which she wasfor the present diverted from that design. She laid before him a copy ofthe letter she had written, and explained the result in the gift of thenote which now appeared to be a counterfeit. She concluded with statingher present views, and soliciting him to receive her into his family, inquality of a servant, or use his interest with some of his friends toprocure a provision of this kind. This tale was calculated deeply toaffect a man of Mr. Melbourne's humanity.

  "No," said he, "I cannot listen to such a request. My inclination isbounded by my means. These will not allow me to place you in anindependent situation; but I will do what I can. With your leave, I willintroduce you to my wife in your true character. Her good sense willteach her to set a just value on your friendship. There is no disgracein earning your subsistence by your own industry. She and her friendswill furnish you with plenty of materials; but if there ever be adeficiency, look to them for a supply."

  Constantia's heart overflowed at this declaration. Her silence was moreeloquent than any words could have been. She declined an immediateintroduction to his wife, and withdrew; but not till her new friend hadforced her to accept some money.

  "Place it to account," said he. "It is merely paying you before hand,and discharging a debt at the time when it happens to be most useful tothe creditor."

  To what entire and incredible reverses is the tenor of human lifesubject! A short minute shall effect a transition from a state utterlydestitute of hope to a condition where, all is serene and abundant. Thepath, which we employ all our exertions to shun, is often found, upontrial, to be the true road to prosperity.

  Constantia retired from this interview with a heart bounding withexultation. She related to her father all that had happened. He waspleased on her account, but the detection of his poverty by Melbournewas the parent of new mortification. His only remaining hope relative tohimself was that he should die in his obscurity, whereas, it wasprobable that his old acquaintance would trace him to his covert. Thisprognostic filled him with the deepest inquietude, and all thereasonings of his daughter were insufficient to appease him.

  Melbourne made his appearance in the afternoon. He was introduced byConstantia to her father. Mr. Dudley's figure was emaciated, and hisfeatures corroded by his ceaseless melancholy. His blindness produced inthem a woeful and wildering expression. His dress betokened his penury,and was in unison with the meanness of his habitation and furniture. Thevisitant was struck with the melancholy contrast, which theseappearances exhibited, to the joyousness and splendour that he hadformerly witnessed.

  Mr. Dudley received the salutations of his guest with an air ofembarrassment and dejection. He resigned to his daughter the task ofsustaining the conversation, and excused himself from complying with theurgent invitations of Melbourne, while, at the same time, he studiouslyforebore all expressions tending to encourage any kind of intercoursebetween them.

  The guest came with a message from his wife, who entreated Miss Dudley'scompany to tea with her that evening, adding that she should be entirelyalone. It was impossible to refuse compliance with this request. Shecheerfully assented, and in the evening was introduced to Mrs. Melbourneby her husband.

  Constantia found in this lady nothing that called for reverence oradmiration, though she could not deny her some portion of esteem. Theimpression which her own appearance and conversation made upon herentertainer was much more powerful and favourable. A consciousness ofher own worth, and disdain of the malevolence of fortune, perpetuallyshone forth in her behaviour. It was modelled by a sort of mean betweenpresumption on the one hand, and humility on the other. She claimed nomore than what was justly due to her, but she claimed no less. She didnot soothe our vanity nor fascinate our pity by diffident reserves andfluttering. Neither did she disgust by arrogant negligence, anduncircumspect loquacity.

  At parting she received commissions in the way of her profession, whichsupplied her with abundant and profitable employment. She abridged hervisit on her father's account, and parted from her new friend just earlyenough to avoid meeting with Ormond, who entered the house a few minutesafter she had left it.

  "What pity," said Melbourne to him, "you did not come a little sooner.You pretend to be a judge of beauty. I should like to have heard youropinion of a face that has just left us."

  "Describe it," said the other.

  "That is beyond my capacity. Complexion, and hair, and eyebrows may bepainted, but these are of no great value in the present case. It is inthe putting them together that nature has here shown her skill, and notin the structure of each of the parts, individually considered. Perhapsyou may at some time meet each other here. If a lofty fellow like you,now, would mix a little common sense with his science, this girl mighthope for a husband, and her father for a natural protector."

  "Are they ill search of one or the other?"

  "I cannot say they are. Nay, I imagine they would hear any imputationwith more patience than that, but certain I am, they stand in need ofthem. How much would it be to the honour of a man like you rioting inwealth, to divide it with one, lovely and accomplished as this girl is,and struggling with indigence!"

  Melbourne then related the adventure of the morning. It was easy forOrmond to perceive that this was the same person of whom he already hadsome knowledge; but there were some particulars in the narrative thatexcited surprise. A note had been received from Craig, at the firstvisi
t in the evening, and this note was for no more than fifty dollars.This did not exactly tally with the information received from Craig. Butthis note was forged. Might not this girl mix a little imposture withher truth? Who knows her temptations to hypocrisy? It might have been apresent from another quarter, and accompanied with no very honourableconditions. Exquisite wretch! Those whom honesty will not let live mustbe knaves. Such is the alternative offered by the wisdom of society.

  He listened to the tale with apparent indifference. He speedily shiftedthe conversation to new topics, and put an end to his visit sooner thanordinary.