Venetia

  CHAPTER II.

  A very few days after this excursion on the lake, Lady Annabel and herdaughter were both surprised and pleased with a visit from a friendwhose appearance was certainly very unexpected; this was CaptainCadurcis. On his way from Switzerland to Sicily, he had heard of theirresidence in the neighbourhood, and had crossed over from Arona tovisit them.

  The name of Cadurcis was still dear to Venetia, and George haddisplayed such gallantry and devotion in all his cousin's troubles,that she was personally attached to him; he had always been afavourite of her mother; his arrival, therefore, was welcomed by eachof the ladies with great cordiality. He accepted the hospitality whichLady Annabel offered him, and remained with them a week, a periodwhich they spent in visiting the most beautiful and interesting spotsof the lake, with which they were already sufficiently familiar toallow them to prove guides as able as they were agreeable. Theseexcursions, indeed, contributed to the pleasure and happiness of thewhole party. There was about Captain Cadurcis a natural cheerfulnesswhich animated every one in his society; a gay simplicity, difficultto define, but very charming, and which, without effort, oftenproduced deeper impressions than more brilliant and subtle qualities.Left alone in the world, and without a single advantage save thosethat nature had conferred upon him, it had often been remarked,that in whatever circle he moved George Cadurcis always became thefavourite and everywhere made friends. His sweet and engaging temperhad perhaps as much contributed to his professional success as hisdistinguished gallantry and skill. Other officers, no doubt, wereas brave and able as Captain Cadurcis, but his commanders alwayssignalled him out for favourable notice; and, strange to say, hissuccess, instead of exciting envy and ill-will, pleased even his lessfortunate competitors. However hard another might feel his own lot, itwas soothed by the reflection that George Cadurcis was at leastmore fortunate. His popularity, however, was not confined to hisprofession. His cousin's noble guardian, whom George had never seenuntil he ventured to call upon his lordship on his return to England,now looked upon him almost as a son, and omitted no opportunity ofadvancing his interests in the world. Of all the members of the Houseof Commons he was perhaps the only one that everybody praised, andhis success in the world of fashion had been as remarkable as in hisprofession. These great revolutions in his life and future prospectshad, however, not produced the slightest change in his mind andmanners; and this was perhaps the secret spell of his prosperity.Though we are most of us the creatures of affectation, simplicity hasa great charm, especially when attended, as in the present instance,with many agreeable and some noble qualities. In spite of the roughfortunes of his youth, the breeding of Captain Cadurcis was high; therecollection of the race to which he belonged had never been forgottenby him. He was proud of his family. He had one of those light hearts,too, which enable their possessors to acquire accomplishments withfacility: he had a sweet voice, a quick ear, a rapid eye. Heacquired a language as some men learn an air. Then his temper wasimperturbable, and although the most obliging and kindest-heartedcreature that ever lived, there was a native dignity about him whichprevented his goodnature from being abused. No sense of interesteither could ever induce him to act contrary to the dictates of hisjudgment and his heart. At the risk of offending his patron, Georgesided with his cousin, although he had deeply offended his guardian,and although the whole world was against him. Indeed, the strongaffection that Lord Cadurcis instantly entertained for George isnot the least remarkable instance of the singular, though silent,influence that Captain Cadurcis everywhere acquired. Lord Cadurcishad fixed upon him for his friend from the first moment of theiracquaintance; and though apparently there could not be two charactersmore dissimilar, there were at bottom some striking points of sympathyand some strong bonds of union, in the generosity and courage thatdistinguished both, and in the mutual blood that filled their veins.

  There seemed to be a tacit understanding between the several membersof our party that the name of Lord Cadurcis was not to be mentioned.Lady Annabel made no inquiry after him; Venetia was unwilling tohazard a question which would annoy her mother, and of which theanswer could not bring her much satisfaction; and Captain Cadurcis didnot think fit himself to originate any conversation on the subject.Nevertheless, Venetia could not help sometimes fancying, when her eyesmet his, that their mutual thoughts were the same, and both dwellingon one who was absent, and of whom her companion would willingly haveconversed. To confess the truth, indeed, George Cadurcis was on hisway to join his cousin, who had crossed over from Spain to Barbary,and journeyed along the African coast from Tangiers to Tripoli. Theirpoint of reunion was to be Sicily or Malta. Hearing of the residenceof the Herberts on the lake, he thought it would be but kind toPlantagenet to visit them, and perhaps to bear to him some messagefrom Venetia. There was nothing, indeed, on which Captain Cadurciswas more intent than to effect the union between his cousin and MissHerbert. He was deeply impressed with the sincerity of Plantagenet'spassion, and he himself entertained for the lady the greatestaffection and admiration. He thought she was the only person whom hehad ever known, who was really worthy to be his cousin's bride. And,independent of her personal charms and undoubted talents, she haddisplayed during the outcry against Lord Cadurcis so much good sense,such a fine spirit, and such modest yet sincere affection for thevictim, that George Cadurcis had almost lost his own heart to her,when he was endeavouring to induce her not utterly to reject that ofanother; and it became one of the dreams of his life, that in a littletime, when all, as he fondly anticipated, had ended as it should,and as he wished it, he should be able to find an occasional home atCadurcis Abbey, and enjoy the charming society of one whom he hadalready taught himself to consider as a sister.

  'And to-night you must indeed go?' said Venetia, as they were walkingtogether on the terrace. It was the only time that they had been alonetogether during his visit.

  'I must start from Arona at daybreak,' replied George; 'and I musttravel quickly, for in less than a month I must be in Sicily.'

  'Sicily! Why are you going to Sicily?'

  Captain Cadurcis smiled. 'I am going to join a friend of ours,' heanswered.

  'Plantagenet?' she said.

  Captain Cadurcis nodded assent.

  'Poor Plantagenet!' said Venetia.

  'His name has been on my lips several times,' said George.

  'I am sure of that,' said Venetia. 'Is he well?'

  'He writes to me in fair spirits,' said Captain Cadurcis. 'He has beentravelling in Spain, and now he is somewhere in Africa; we are to meetin Sicily or Malta. I think travel has greatly benefited him. He seemsquite delighted with his glimpse of Oriental manners, and I shouldscarcely be surprised if he were now to stretch on to Constantinople.'

  'I wonder if he will ever return to England,' said Venetia,thoughtfully.

  'There is only one event that would induce him,' said CaptainCadurcis. And then after a pause he added, 'You will not ask me whatit is?'

  'I wish he were in England, and were happy,' said Venetia.

  'It is in your power to effect both results,' said her companion.

  'It is useless to recur to that subject,' said Venetia. 'Plantagenetknows my feelings towards him, but fate has forbidden our destinies tobe combined.'

  'Then he will never return to England, and never be happy. Ah,Venetia! what shall I tell him when we meet? What message am I to bearhim from you?'

  'Those regards which he ever possessed, and has never forfeited,' saidVenetia.

  'Poor Cadurcis!' said his cousin, shaking his head, 'if any man everhad reason to be miserable, it is he.'

  'We are none of us very happy, I think,' said Venetia, mournfully. 'Iam sure when I look back to the last few years of my life it seemsto me that there is some curse hanging over our families. I cannotpenetrate it; it baffles me.'

  'I am sure,' said Captain Cadurcis with great animation, 'nay, I wouldpledge my existence cheerfully on the venture, that if Lady Annabelwould only relent towards Cadurcis, we should all be the happiest
people in the world.'

  'Heigho!' said Venetia. 'There are other cares in our house besidesour unfortunate acquaintance with your cousin. We were the last peoplein the world with whom he should ever have become connected.'

  'And yet it was an intimacy that commenced auspiciously,' said herfriend. 'I am sure I have sat with Cadurcis, and listened to him bythe hour, while he has told me of all the happy days at Cherbury whenyou were both children; the only happy days, according to him, that heever knew.'

  'Yes! they were happy days,' said Venetia.

  'And what connection could have offered a more rational basis forfelicity than your union?' he continued. 'Whatever the world maythink, I, who know Cadurcis to the very bottom of his heart, feelassured that you never would have repented for an instant becoming thesharer of his life; your families were of equal rank, your estatesjoined, he felt for your mother the affection of a son. There seemedevery element that could have contributed to earthly bliss. As for hislate career, you who know all have already, have always indeed,viewed it with charity. Placed in his position, who could have actedotherwise? I know very well that his genius, which might recommendhim to another woman, is viewed by your mother with more thanapprehension. It is true that a man of his exquisite sensibilityrequires sympathies as refined to command his nature. It is no commonmind that could maintain its hold over Cadurcis, and his spirit couldnot yield but to rare and transcendent qualities. He found them,Venetia, he found them in her whom he had known longest and mostintimately, and loved from his boyhood. Talk of constancy, indeed! whohas been so constant as my cousin? No, Venetia! you may think fit tobow to the feelings of your mother, and it would be impertinence in meto doubt for an instant the propriety of your conduct: I do not doubtit; I admire it; I admire you, and everything you have done; none canview your behaviour throughout all these painful transactions withmore admiration, I might even say with more reverence, than myself;but, Venetia, you never can persuade me, you have never attempted topersuade me, that you yourself are incredulous of the strength andpermanency of my cousin's love.'

  'Ah, George! you are our friend!' said Venetia, a tear stealing downher cheek. 'But, indeed, we must not talk of these things. As formyself, I think not of happiness. I am certain I am not born to behappy. I wish only to live calmly; contentedly, I would say; but that,perhaps, is too much. My feelings have been so harrowed, my mind soharassed, during these last few years, and so many causes of pain andmisery seem ever hovering round my existence, that I do assure you,my dear friend, I have grown old before my time. Ah! you may smile,George, but my heart is heavy; it is indeed.'

  'I wish I could lighten it,' said Captain Cadurcis. 'I fear I amsomewhat selfish in wishing you to marry my cousin, for then you knowI should have a permanent and authentic claim to your regard. But noone, at least I think so, can feel more deeply interested in yourwelfare than I do. I never knew any one like you, and I always tellCadurcis so, and that I think makes him worse, but I cannot help it.'

  Venetia could not refrain from smiling at the simplicity of thisconfession.

  'Well,' continued her companion,' everything, after all, is for thebest. You and Plantagenet are both very young; I live in hopes that Ishall yet see you Lady Cadurcis.'

  Venetia shook her head, but was not sorry that their somewhatmelancholy conversation should end in a livelier vein. So they enteredthe villa.

  The hour of parting was painful, and the natural gaiety of CaptainCadurcis deserted him. He had become greatly attached to the Herberts.Without any female relatives of his own, their former intimacy andprobable connection with his cousin had taught him to look upon themin some degree in the light of kindred. He had originally indeedbecome acquainted with them in all the blaze of London society, notvery calculated to bring out the softer tints and more subdued tonesof our character, but even then the dignified grace of Lady Annabeland the radiant beauty of Venetia, had captivated him, and he hadcultivated their society with assiduity and extreme pleasure. Thegrand crisis of his cousin's fortunes had enabled him to becomeintimate with the more secret and serious qualities of Venetia, andfrom that moment he had taken the deepest interest in everythingconnected with her. His happy and unexpected meeting in Italy hadcompleted the spell; and now that he was about to leave them,uncertain even if they should ever meet again, his soft hearttrembled, and he could scarcely refrain from tears as he pressed theirhands, and bade them his sincere adieus.

  The moon had risen, ere he entered his boat, and flung a rippling lineof glittering light on the bosom of the lake. The sky was without acloud, save a few thin fleecy vapours that hovered over the azure browof a distant mountain. The shores of the lake were suffused with theserene effulgence, and every object was so distinct, that the eye waspained by the lights of the villages, that every instant became morenumerous and vivid. The bell of a small chapel on the opposite shore,and the distant chant of some fishermen still working at their nets,were the only sounds that broke the silence which they did notdisturb. Reclined in his boat, George Cadurcis watched the vanishingvilla of the Herberts, until the light in the principal chamber wasthe only sign that assured him of its site. That chamber held Venetia,the unhappy Venetia! He covered his face with his hand when eventhe light of her chamber vanished, and, full of thoughts tender anddisconsolate, he at length arrived at Arona.