CHAPTER X.
THE PARTING OF VIVIANA AND HUMPHREY CHETHAM.
Humphrey Chetham was so oppressed by the idea of parting with Viviana,that he did not utter a single word during their transit to the Tower.Passing beneath the gloomy archway of Traitors' Gate, they mounted thefatal steps, and were conducted to the guard-room near the By-wardTower. The officer then despatched one of the warders to inform thelieutenant of Viviana's arrival, and telling Humphrey Chetham he wouldallow him a few minutes to take leave of her, considerately withdrew,and left them alone together.
"Oh! Viviana!" exclaimed Chetham, unable to repress his grief, "my heartbleeds to see you here. If you repent the step you have taken, anddesire freedom, say so, and I will use every effort to liberate you. Ihave been successful once, and may be so again."
"I thank you for your devotion," she replied, in a tone of profoundgratitude; "but you have rendered me the last service I shall everrequire of you. I deeply deplore the misery I have occasioned you, andregret my inability to requite your attachment as it deserves to berequited. My last prayers shall be for your happiness; and I trust youwill meet with some being worthy of you, and who will make amends for myinsensibility."
"Be not deceived, Viviana," replied Chetham, in a broken voice; "I shallnever love again. Your image is too deeply imprinted upon my heart everto be effaced."
"Time may work a change," she rejoined; "though I ought not to say so,for I feel it would work none in me. Suffer me to give you one piece ofcounsel. Devote yourself resolutely to the business of life, and youwill speedily regain your peace of mind."
"I will follow your instructions implicitly," replied Chetham; "but havelittle hope of the result you promise me."
"Let the effort be made," she rejoined;--"and now promise me to quitLondon to-morrow. Return to your native town, employ yourself in yourformer occupations; and strive not to think of the past, except as atroubled dream from which you have fortunately awakened. Do not let usprolong our parting, or your resolution may waver. Farewell!"
So saying, she extended her hand towards him, and he pressed itpassionately to his lips.
"Farewell, Viviana!" he cried, with a look of unutterable anguish. "MayHeaven support you in your trials!"
"One of them I am now enduring," she replied, in a broken voice."Farewell for ever, and may all good angels bless you!"
At this moment, the officer appeared, and announcing the approach of thelieutenant, told Chetham that his time had expired. Without hazardinganother look at Viviana, the young merchant tore himself away, andfollowed the officer out of the Tower.
Obedient to Viviana's last request, he quitted London on the followingday, and acting upon her advice, devoted himself on his return toManchester sedulously to his mercantile pursuits. His perseverance andintegrity were crowned with entire success, and he became in due seasonthe wealthiest merchant of the town. But the blighting of his earlyaffections tinged his whole life, and gave a melancholy to his thoughtsand an austerity to his manner originally foreign to them. True to hispromise, he died unmarried. His long and worthy career was marked byactions of the greatest benevolence. In proportion as his meansincreased, his charities were extended, and he truly became "a father tothe fatherless and the destitute." To him the town of Manchester isindebted for the noble library and hospital bearing his name; and forthese admirable institutions by which they so largely benefit, hismemory must ever be held in veneration by its inhabitants.