CHAPTER III
_Domestic Troubles--A Scene, and a Compromise--an Escape--variousmatters amative, explanatory and miscellaneous, in the Tale of theCourtezan._
'Well, madam,' said my father, in a cold, severe tone--'this is truly astrange and serious accusation which our daughter has brought againstyou. The crime of adultery, and with a Christian minister!'
'Surely,' rejoined my mother, sobbing--'you will not believe theassertions of that young hussy. I am innocent--indeed, indeed I am.'
'I am inclined to believe that you _are_ innocent, and yet I never shallrest perfectly satisfied until you _prove_ yourself guiltless in thismatter,' rejoined my father, speaking in a kinder tone. 'Now listen tome,' he continued. 'I have thought of a plan by which to put yourvirtue, and the purity of our pastor, to the test. I shall invite thereverend gentleman to dinner this afternoon, after divine service; andwhen we have dined, you shall retire with him to this room, for privateprayer. You shall go first, and in a few minutes he shall follow you;and I shall take care that no secret communication is held between you,in the way of whispering or warnings of any kind, whether by word orsign. I will contrive means to watch you narrowly, when you are with himin the chamber; and I caution you to beware of giving him the slightesthint to be on his guard, for that would be a conclusive evidence of yourguilt. He will of course conduct himself as usual, not knowing that heis watched. If you are innocent, he will pray or converse with you in aChristian and proper manner; but if you ever _have_ had criminalintercourse with him, he will, in all human probability, indicate thesame in his language and actions. This is most plain; and I trust thatthe result will clear you of all suspicion.'
'My mother knew it would be useless to remonstrate, for my father wasunchangeable, when once he had made up his mind to anything. Shetherefore was obliged to submit. Accordingly, Mr. Flanders dined with usthat day: once, during the meal, happening to look into his face, I sawthat he was gazing at me intently, and I was startled by the expressionof his countenance: for that expression was one of the deadliest hate.It was but for an instant, and then he turned away his eyes; yet I stillremember that look of bitter hatred. As soon as dinner was over, mymother withdrew, and a few minutes afterwards my father said to theminister:
'Brother Flanders, I am going out for a short walk, to call upon afriend; meantime, I doubt not that Mrs. ---- will be happy to holdsisterly and Christian communion with you. You will find her in herchamber.'
'It is very pleasant, my brother,' responded the other--'to hold privateand holy communion with our fellow seekers after divine truth. Thesefamily visits I regard as the priceless privilege of the pastor; by themthe bond of love which unites him to his flock, is more stronglycemented. I will go to my sister and we will pray and conversetogether.'
'Saying this, Mr. Flanders arose and left the room; he had scarcely timeto ascend the stairs and enter my mother's chamber, when my fatherquickly and noiselessly followed him, and entered an apartmentadjoining. He had previously made a small hole in the wall, and to thishole he applied his eye. So rapid had been his movements, that theminister had just closed the door, when he was at his post ofobservation; so that it was rendered utterly impossible for my mother towhisper a word or make a sign, to caution her paramour againstcommitting both her and himself. I lost no time in taking up my positionat the chamber door, and availed myself of the keyhole as a convenientchannel for both seeing and hearing. I saw that my mother was very paleand seemed ill at ease, and I did not wonder at it, for her position wasan extremely painful and embarrassing one. She well knew that myfather's eye was upon her, watching her slightest movement; she knew,also, that the minister was utterly unaware of my father's _espionage_,and she had good reason to fear that the reverend libertine would, asusual, begin the interview by amorous demonstrations. Oh, how she musthave longed to put him on his guard, and thereby save both her honor andher reputation!--But she dare not.
'The minister seated himself near my unhappy mother, and opened theconversation as follows:
'Well, my dear Mrs. ----, I am sorry to inform you that I have tidingsof an unpleasant nature to communicate to you. _We are discovered!_'
'These fatal words were uttered in a low whisper; but yet I doubt notthat my father had heard them. I could see that my mother trembledviolently--yet she spoke not a syllable.
'Yes,' continued the minister, all unconscious of the disclosure he wasmaking to my father--'Your daughter knows all. She suspected, it seems,the real object of our last interview, when, you recollect, we indulgedin a little amative dalliance.--On New Year's evening, during yourabsence, I called here and saw your daughter, when she reproached me forhaving debauched you, stating in what manner she had seen the wholeaffair. Since then, I have had no opportunity of informing you that sheknew our intimacy.'
'Still my mother uttered not a single word!'
'This girl,' continued the minister,'must be made to hold her tongue,somehow or other: it would be dreadful to have it reach your husband'sears. But why are you so taciturn to-day, my dear? Come, let us enjoythe present, and dismiss all fear for the future. But first we must makesure that there are no listeners _this_ time,' and he approached thedoor.
'I retreated precipitately, and slipped into another room, while heopened the chamber; seeing no-one on the outside, he closed it again,and locked it. I instantly resumed my station; and I saw the ministerapproach my mother, (who appeared spell-bound,) and clasp her in hisarms. He was about to proceed to the usual extreme of his criminalitywhen my father uttered an expression of rage; I instantly ran into theroom which had before served me as a hiding place, and in a moment moremy father was at the door of my mother's chamber, demanding admission.After a short delay, the door was opened; and then a scene ensued whichdefies my powers of description.
''Tis needless to dwell upon the particulars of what followed. My fatherraved, the pastor entreated, and my mother wept. But after an hour orso, the tempest subsided; the parties arriving at the reasonableconclusion, that what was done could not be undone. Finally it wasarranged that Mr. Flanders should pay my father a considerable sum ofmoney, upon condition that the affair be hushed up.--My mother waspromised forgiveness for her fault--and as I was the only person likelyto divulge the matter, it was agreed that I should be placed underrestraint, and not suffered to leave the house, until such time as Ishould solemnly swear never to reveal the secret of theadultery.--Accordingly, for one month I remained a close prisoner in thehouse, and at the end of that period, not feeling inclined to give therequired pledge of secrecy, I determined to effect my escape, and leavemy parents forever.--The thought of parting from them failed to producethe least impression of sadness upon my mind, for from the moment I haddiscovered the secret of their guilty intrigues, all love and respectfor them had ceased. I knew it would be no easy matter for me to departfrom the house unperceived, for the servant wench, Janet, was a spy uponmy actions; but one evening I contrived to elude her observation, andslipping out of the door, walked rapidly away. What was to become of me,I knew not, nor cared, in my joy at having escaped from such an abode ofhypocrisy as my parents' house--for of all the vices which can disgracehumanity, I regard _hypocrisy_ as the most detestable.
'Fortunately, I had several dollars in my possession; and I had nodifficulty in procuring a boarding house. And now as my story must begetting tedious by its length, I will bring it to a close in as fewwords as possible. I supported myself for some time by the labor of myneedle; but as this occupation afforded me only a slight maintenance,and proved to be injurious to my health, I abandoned it, and sought someother employment. It was about that time that I became acquainted with ayoung man named Frederick Archer, whose manners and appearanceinterested me exceedingly, and I observed with pleasure that he regardedme with admiration. Our acquaintance soon ripened into intimacy; weoften went to places of amusement together, and he was very liberal inhis expenditures for my entertainment. He was always perfectlyrespectful in his conduct towards me, never venturi
ng upon any unduefamiliarity, and quite correct in his language. One evening Iaccompanied him to the Bowery Theatre, and after the play he proposedthat we should repair to a neighboring 'Ladies Oyster Saloon,' andpartake of refreshments. We accordingly entered a very fashionableplace, and seated ourselves in a small room, just large enough tocontain a table and sofa.--The oysters were brought, and also a bottleof champagne; and then I noticed that my companion very carefully lockedthe door of the room. This done, he threw his arms around me, and kissedme. Surprised at this liberty, which he had never attempted before, Iscolded him a little for his rudeness; and he promised not to offendagain. We then ate our oysters, and he persuaded me to drink some of thewine. Whether it contained a stimulant powder, or because I had neverdrank any before, I know not; but no sooner had I swallowed a glass ofthe sparkling liquid, than a strange dizzy sensation pervaded me--not adisagreeable feeling, by any means, but rather a delightful one. Itseemed to heat my blood, and to a most extraordinary degree. Rising, Icomplained of being slightly unwell, and requested Frederick to conductme out of the place immediately. Alas, sir, why need I dwell upon whatfollowed? Frederick's conquest was an honest one; I suffered him to dowith me as he pleased, and he soon initiated me into the voluptuousmysteries of Venus. I confess, I rather sought than avoided thisconsummation--for my passions were in a tumult, which could only beappeased by full unrestrained gratification.
'From that night my secret frailties with Frederick became frequent. Igranted him all the favors he asked; yet I earnestly entreated him tomarry me. This he consented to do, and we were accordingly united in thebonds of wedlock. My husband immediately hired these furnishedapartments, which I at present occupy; and then he developed a trait inhis character, which proved him a villain of the deepest dye. How hemade a livelihood, had always to me been a profound mystery; and as heavoided the subject, I never questioned him. But how he intended tolive, after our marriage, I soon became painfully aware. _He resolvedthat I should support him in idleness, by becoming a common prostitute._When he made this debasing and inhuman proposition to me, I rejected itwith the indignation it merited; whereupon he very coolly informed me,that unless I complied, he should abandon me to my fate, and proclaim tothe world that I was a harlot before he married me. Finding me stillobstinate, he drew a bowie knife, and swore a terrible oath, thatunless I would do as he wished, he would kill me! Terrified for my life,I gave the required promise; but he made me swear upon the Bible to doas he wished. He set a woman in the house to watch me during the day,and prevent my escaping, and in the evening he returned, accompanied byan old gentleman of respectable appearance, whom he introduced to me asMr. Rogers. This person surveyed me with an impertinent stare, andcomplimented me on my beauty; in a few minutes, Frederick arose and saidto me--'Maria, I am going out for a little while, and in the meantimeyou must do your best to entertain Mr. Rogers.' He then whispered in myear--'Let him do as he will with you, for he has paid me a good price;now don't refuse him, or be in the least degree prudish, or by G---- itshall be worse for you!' Scarcely had he taken his departure, when theold wretch, who had _purchased_ me, clasped me in his palsied arms, andprepared to debauch me; in reply to my entreaties to desist, and myappeals to his generosity, he only shook his head, and said--'No, no,young lady, I have given fifty dollars for you, and you are mine!' Theold brute had neither shame, nor pity, nor honor in his breast; heforced me to comply with his base wishes, and a life of prostitution wasfor the first time opened to me.
'After this event, I attempted no further opposition to my husband'sinfamous scheme of prostituting myself for his support. Almost nightly,he brought home with him some _friend_ of his, who had previously paidhim for the use of my person. The money he gains in this way he expendsin gambling and dissipation; allowing me scarcely anything for thecommon necessaries of life, and I am in consequence obliged to solicitprivate aid from such gentlemen as are disposed to enjoy my favors. Myhusband rarely sleeps at home, and I see but very little of him; this isa source of no regret to me, for I have ceased to feel the slightestregard for him.
'And now, sir, you have heard the particulars of my history. You will dome the justice to believe that I have been reduced to my presentunfortunate position, more through the influence of circumstances, thanon account of any natural depravity.--True, I am now what is termed awoman of the town--but still I am not entirely destitute of delicacy orrefinement of feeling. I am an admirer of it in others. My parents Ihave never seen, since the day I quitted their house; but I have heardthat my mother has since given birth to a fine boy, the very image ofthe minister; and also that Jane, my father's paramour, has become themother of a child bearing an astonishing resemblance to the oldgentleman himself!
'If you ask me why I do not escape from my husband, and abandon mypresent course of living, I would remind you that, as society isconstituted, I never can regain a respectable standing in the eyes ofthe world. No, my course is marked out, and I must adhere to it. I amnot happy, neither am I completely miserable; for sometimes I have mymoments of enjoyment. When I meet a gentlemanly and intelligentcompanion, like yourself, disposed to sympathize with the misfortunes ofa poor and friendless girl, I am enabled to bear up under my hard lotwith something like cheerfulness and hope.'
Thus ended the Courtezan's Tale; and as it was now daylight, FrankSydney arose and prepared for his departure, assuring her that he wouldendeavor to benefit her in some way, and generously presenting her witha liberal sum of money, for which she seemed truly grateful. He thenbade her farewell, promising to call and see her again ere long.