CHAPTER VI.
Our hero was not deceived in his supposition, that the savage tribesinhabiting the Peninsula would make a desperate effort to retainpossession of a country so admirably adapted to their mode of life. Twonoble rivers, one on either hand, abounding with a variety of fish, anda fertile soil, yielding its treasures with little culture, wereconsiderations in the eyes of these ignorant but not misjudging sons ofthe forest, not to be surrendered without a struggle.
As the army of the colonists pursued its march toward the point alreadyindicated as the rendezvous of the again confederated tribes, it wasconstantly harassed with alarms--signal fires and flying bodies ofmounted warriors, first cutting off their communication with theriver--now assailing the vanguard, and then hovering upon the rear.Three weeks and more were thus consumed in partial and unsatisfactoryengagements; the skirmishers first approaching one river, upon therepresentation of some treacherous savage, and then hurrying back in theopposite direction to meet some illusive demonstration made by thecunning enemy. The youthful commander soon perceived that this mode ofwarfare was the one exactly suited to the nature and condition of hisfoes, and the least adapted to the impetuous courage of his own troops.He saw too, that the savages had the double design of wearying out theirinvaders in the manner we have described, and of collecting andconcentrating their forces, at some point where their own mode ofwarfare could be rendered available, without exposing themselves to thedestructive discharges of artillery which they still held insuperstitious terror. A very little reflection satisfied him that therewould be no immediate danger in pursuing the direct route between thePowhatan and Chickahominy rivers, toward the falls of the former, wherehe had already some intimation that the enemy were collecting in greatforce. He was well satisfied that the tribes already dislodged hadremoved all their winter provisions, and their wigwams being destroyed,there could be little hazard to the city in disregarding their dailydemonstrations in his front, flank, and rear. Accordingly his troopswere concentrated in a solid column, and marched directly toward thefalls, entirely disregarding the petty annoyances which had alreadydetained them so ingloriously in the Peninsula.
While they were marching toward the scene of the great and finalstruggle for supremacy between their own race and the Aborigines, inthis narrow neck of land, which had so long been the scene ofcontention, we will retrace our steps for a short space, in order tobring up the proceedings at Jamestown to the point at which we have justarrived.
In doing so, however, it is not our intention to fatigue the reader witha minute account of the long and tedious days, and still more wretchednights, spent by our heroine after the shock given to her delicateconstitution by the painful and unexpected adventure in the chapel, andby the subsequently reported death of her mother under peculiarly awfuland afflicting circumstances. The reader has doubtless more trulyimagined her condition during the first paroxysms of the fever, than wecould describe it. Down to the time when her favourite and confidant waspermitted to enter her room, the daily occurrences of her yet endangeredlife were sad and monotonous enough, but the paramount cravings ofdiseased nature once assuaged, her mental excitement once more rose inthe ascendant. Not that her reason ever became deranged, except fromviolent febrile action during the height of the attack; however feebleher physical organization, her mental powers were clear and unclouded,and her spirits, though of necessity somewhat broken, were firm andelastic. The truth is, that she did not believe the assertion of theRecluse by which the nuptial ceremony was so dreadfully interrupted. Shehad indeed a feeling of superstitious reverence for whatever came fromhis lips, but she had also seen the wild fire of his eye when under deepexcitement, and she did not therefore give implicit confidence to anydeclaration he should make.
This questioning of his oracular authority was an after-consideration itis true, and was itself prompted by other feelings, having theirfoundation in the affections of the heart. She could not believe thather lover was her own brother; her feelings toward him werepeculiar--powerful, and different from the love of mere kindred.Besides, there were little almost undefinable circumstances in theintercourse of their halcyon days, which she did not believe, could inthe nature of man, have taken place between brother and sister. She mosttruly thought that her lover and herself were expressly created for eachother; that their union had been decreed in heaven. That in the firstdawnings of their mutual understanding of each other, there had beenelectrical, spiritual and ever sublime transmissions of mutualintelligence and exquisite pleasure, which could not exist betweenchildren of the same parents. These were some of the reasonings whichfirst led her to doubt the infallibility of the Recluse, or rather thiswas something like the process by which she arrived at firm andundoubting conviction. She viewed the case in this light from the veryfirst moment of unclouded perception, but at first it was a wildtumultuous and suffocating mixture of vague perceptions, and scarcelypermitted hopes. As she gradually analyzed her feelings, and examinedthe reasons for her convictions, the truth dawned more and more clearlyupon her view. She was one day sitting, propped up on her couch, duringthe three weeks in which Bacon was engaged in his Indian campaign, thedoctor sitting by her side with his finger upon her pulse. Both weresilent and abstracted. The pale beautiful countenance of the invalid wasfixed in deep and earnest thought. Her eyes wandered through an openwindow, and sought a resting place upon some sunny spot of green andrefreshing nature. Her lips moved just perceptibly, as if she wereconversing with some one in an under tone. At length she slightly raisedher head, her eyes sparkled with the brilliancy of stars, waxingbrighter and brighter, and her head rising higher and higher from herpillow, until she screamed in wild delight, "The light of heaven andlove's inspiration itself declare it false."
The doctor rose with a grave and anxious look, and placing one hand uponher shoulders, and with the other removing the pillows that supportedher, laid her gently down, saying,
"I fear there is more excitement about your head to-day, my dear younglady; if it continues you must lose blood again."
"Oh, dear doctor, there is indeed excitement about my head and my hearttoo, but it is not the excitement of fever; or if it is, it is a deardelightful fever, which I trust in God will never leave me, for it camejust now wafted on my brain as if by the music of the spheres."
"Your room must be darkened again, and the cold applications to yourhead repeated."
"You think I am losing my senses again, dear doctor, but I assure you Iam just regaining them, as I will show you from this time forward. Ihave now done with physic. I have a medicine here," (and she laid herhand upon her heart, while a bewitching smile played around her mouth,that staggered the good doctor,) "which is worth more to me than all thecostly drugs of India, or the islands of the sea."
And the event justified her words. Her mind was no sooner settled indeep conviction, and her heart comparatively at ease, than she beganrapidly to recover. It was some days before the scene just related, whenHarriet Harrison was admitted to her presence, and when, as the readerhas already learned from that maiden herself, Virginia propounded to herthe questions touching her lover's belief in their reportedrelationship, which were repeated by Miss Harrison to Bacon.
So long as that interview continued between the two intimates,untramelled by the presence of a third person, it was one of deepinterest; but unfortunately the heir of the house had too much reason tosuspect that Harriet's feelings were engaged in another's interest, longto indulge them with an unbroken interview. Virginia barely had time toask those questions, and whisper to her friend the tidings of her owndawning hopes, before the doctor entered, attended to the door asHarriet perceived through the partial opening, by Frank Beverly himself;she therefore took her leave, promising a speedy return.
As she retired from the chamber of the invalid, she accidentallyoverheard the Governor's orders for Bacon's arrest, the result of whichhas already been related. Her next visit to the house was on the day ofthe scene between the doctor and his patient, which
we have justattempted to describe. She was ushered into the room of state, usuallyoccupied by the Governor for the reception of his most distinguishedguests. No formality was neglected in duly receiving her at the door,and conducting her to this presence chamber of his Excellency, by theofficial who acted as master of ceremonies.
"I have no business of state to communicate to the Governor, Sir Porter;I came to see his niece!"
The porter bowed profoundly as he replied, "But his Excellency has somebusiness with you, madam, as he informed me, when he directed me tousher you into this apartment." Another profound inclination followed,with an accompaniment of rubbing hands and shuffling his feet backward;while the arch, but somewhat alarmed and astonished maiden, was left tocon her speech to the Governor at her leisure. After a most tediousinterval of half an hour, the formal representative of majesty made hisappearance, with such a profusion of bows that his merry master himselfwould have smiled to witness them. Of course Harriet bit her lips inorder to restrain their mirthful inclinations. While the old knight drewa chair, and after sundry hems and stroking his chin, thus gravelyaddressed her: "I am informed, Madam, that you are desirous of aninterview with me; will you be so good as to enlighten me as to thecause of the unexpected honour?"
"Some one must have deceived you with a most egregious story, SirWilliam. I desired no such thing. I came here to see my friend, VirginiaFairfax."
"I am exceedingly pained to inform you, Miss Harriet, that from certainlate circumstances, which it is needless to particularize, and in whichyou were somewhat a participator, I, as Virginia's natural guardian,have thought proper to end the intercourse between you at once. My nieceis destined soon to become the wife of my young kinsman, Beverly, and itis most prudent to keep her from the sight of such persons and things asmight remind her of that most strange and disgraceful transaction ofwhich I will not speak more openly. I am very sorry to give you pain,but there was no other course left for me to pursue than to be plain andcandid with you."
"And does this marriage take place with Virginia's consent?"
"She has not been consulted as yet; her health, in the first place, didnot admit of it, and in the second, the evidence which she so latelygave of being utterly incapable of choosing a husband calculated tosecure her own happiness, or reflect honour upon her family andconnexions, has caused that duty to devolve on me."
"But, Sir William, suppose she should refuse to accept the husband ofyour choice? You certainly will not enforce your determination."
"Her lamented father and myself entered long since into a covenant bywhich these young people were to be united. On the very morning of hisdeath, we talked the matter over; he freely and fully consented to thecompletion of the engagement, and forthwith it shall be carried intoexecution, if sufficient authority remains to me in these turbulent andrebellious times to enforce it."
"But you will give her time to assuage her grief, and make up her mindto the lot which awaits her. You surely will not precipitate her intothe celebration of these nuptials?"
"You talk, young lady, as if it were some horrible and revolting monsterto whom I intended uniting her, instead of the presumptive heir andnearest kinsman of Sir William Berkley, well favoured and highlyaccomplished, as you must acknowledge that he is. She has had timeenough to recover her equanimity, and as soon as her health is equallyrestored, the ceremony shall be performed; and whether or not, it is mypurpose to complete it before the return of that arch-rebel Bacon to thecity. Please God, however, I intend he shall return in irons to undergothe penalty demanded by the outraged laws of his country."
"And you will not permit me to see my friend for five minutes--only fiveminutes?"
"No! lady, you are now advised of my intentions touching the disposal ofmy niece, and you may readily comprehend the reasons of your exclusionfrom her presence, without my entering into further and more painfulexplanations."
With this answer, Harriet was compelled to be content, and thereforemaking a reverence, more than usually formal, to his Excellency, shewithdrew. It was not in her nature, however, to resign her friend to thefate which threatened her, without an effort to relieve her. From thegubernatorial mansion she immediately hastened in pursuit of O'Reily, inorder to despatch him with a communication for his master. But Brian wasnowhere to be found; her own researches and those of the servant whomshe despatched in pursuit of him were of no effect; she was thereforecompelled to entrust her message to one of her father's negroes, who waswell mounted, and despatched upon his errand, within less than two hoursfrom the time of her interview with his Excellency.
During the absence of the army in the Peninsula, Sir William Berkley hadnot been idle, as has already been intimated. The commands borne by hiscouriers to those Cavaliers throughout the colony, who were yet wellaffected to his government, began now to bring them in from alldirections, and the regular soldiers stationed at the forts, which wereso offensive to the citizens, were marching rapidly upon the capitalfrom every quarter. Some had already arrived, and the city was once morethronged with eager faces. Sounds of martial music were again heardthrough the streets, and the more quiet citizens again disturbed withthe stern preparations for war.
The present military and Cavalier assemblages in the capital were,however, of a very different political character, and brought togetherwith very different motives from those which had preceded them. Theywere not less in numbers, spirit and appointments; but their object wasnot to cope with the savage--it was to measure arms in deadly strifewith their own countrymen and fellow-citizens. The army now assembling,was intended by the Governor to suppress what he called the rebellion,and his purpose was, as soon as his forces should all arrive, to marchat once to the Falls of the Powhatan, and while the popular army wereengaged in front with the savage enemies of their country, to fall upontheir rear, and either cut them in pieces, or compel them to surrenderas rebels found bearing arms against his majesty's authority in thecolony.
Seldom have political parties of any country presented so strange anaspect as did those of Virginia at this period. First, the people of thecity had been divided between the Cavaliers and Roundheads. The latterwere no sooner brought into complete subjection, than a newamalgamation took place, by which their distinctive character was lost.Then, growing out of the puerile obstinacy of Sir William Berkley, inrefusing to repel the incursions of the Indians merely because he had atfirst maintained that there was no danger to be apprehended from theirhostility, the popular or conservative party sprang into existence.Against these were now arrayed the loyalist faction, and most of thosedescended from noble ancestors or bearing titles, headed by the Governorhimself.
In a very few days this latter party had assembled their whole militaryforce in the city, and the most active preparations were made to marchagainst Bacon and his followers who were carrying fire and sword intothe very heart of the country occupied by the real enemies of thecolony.
The temporary duties of the government were resigned into the hands ofSir H. Chicherley, while Sir William Berkley, Sir Herbert Jeffries,Francis Beverly, Philip Ludwell, and their compeers, assumed the mostimportant stations of command in the army of the loyalists. Much thelarger portion of the regular troops were composed of foreignmercenaries, sent over from England to perform those very duties whichBacon and his followers were now to be punished for assuming. The verysoldiers who ought to have protected the whites against the incursionsof the Indians were to be turned against the patriot band which hadvolunteered to perform a service no longer to be deferred with safety tothe colony. It is true that the commissions of Bacon and his officerswere not legally signed by the constituted authorities; but an emergencyhad arisen which threw the citizens back at once upon their originalrights and powers. The government having failed to afford themprotection for their lives and property, they had assumed that officefor themselves. This was the condition of the colony at the juncture ofwhich we write.
While Sir William and his coadjutors were thus busily collecting anddisciplini
ng their forces, the citizens of the capital were notuninterested spectators of this unwonted succession of militarypreparations. Most of those remaining in the city had friends andrelations in the ranks of the popular army, and though they dared notopenly express their disapprobation of the Governor's proceedings, theirdiscontent was deep and settled, and only awaited the departure of thepresent overpowering force, again to burst into open resistance againstthe government.
While these preparations for civil strife were going on in the streetsof the city, a discussion of not less interesting import to some of theleading characters of our story, was carried on within the walls of theGovernor's mansion. The stout old Cavalier had fixed upon the daypreceding the departure of his army, for the solemnization of themarriage between his niece and his kinsman Beverly. He had himself heldseveral interviews with the former, but had failed to make the leastimpression on her mind, either by his reasoning or his more artfulappeals to her filial duty and affections.
In vain had he detailed her father's plans and expectations. In vain hadhe appealed to her love and respect for his memory. In vain had hedescended from his dignity to reproach her with the late disastrousoccurrence at the chapel. In vain had he coarsely charged her withdesiring an alliance, contrary alike to the laws of God and man. She wasdeaf to his arguments and his threats. But the time approached withfearful rapidity, which he had appointed for the ceremony. The intendedbridegroom held an important command in the expedition now preparing,and it was Sir William's intention that he should be married and set outon the succeeding morning. Notwithstanding our heroine's apparentfirmness, therefore, in presence of her stern relative, every note ofpreparation which was wafted into her chamber sent the bloodoppressively to her heart. Her naturally mild and gentle nature shrunkfrom the contemplation of the violence which her fears and her knowledgeof her kinsman induced her to believe would be used to overcome herresolution.
His pretended dread of the disgrace which he charged her with desiringto bring upon his family she knew was exactly the apology he wanted forthe arbitrary measures necessary to the completion of the plan.
She was alone in the world. No one now stood ready to give her rescuefrom the relentless hands which placed restraint upon her inclinations.Her nearest kindred had, as she believed, fallen by the savage tomahawk,and her only remaining relative was about to force her into a marriagewhich she detested. Notwithstanding all these depressing circumstances,her elastic mind and sanguine temperament had hitherto risen above theaccumulating weight of her misfortunes. She had still preserved thevague yet constant hope, so natural to youth, that some fortunateoccurrence, some unexpected accident would yet take place to mar thewell laid plans of the Governor. But as the time approached, and thepreparations moved steadily forward without any evidence of comingsuccour, or the fortunate event which was to release her from herdreadful situation, her heart began to misgive her--she was compelled insome measure to assume an humbler posture towards the stern old man inwhose hands her destiny seemed placed. Her ingenuity had turned thesubject in all its various aspects--every chance of escape was providedagainst. Even the presence of her friend Harriet, upon which she hadfounded most of her hopes, was rigidly and perseveringly denied to her.As a last and desperate resort, she humbly supplicated her uncle for anuninterrupted interview with him to whom he purposed to marry her; andSir William seeing nothing in this request calculated to defeat hisplans, but on the contrary hoping that it proceeded from a waveringresolution, granted the request.
She sat upon a large leathern-backed chair, her head leaning upon thewindow sill, and her flaxen ringlets clustering around her pale andattenuated, but still beautiful features. Her _robe de chamber_ waswhite and simple in its fashion, and her hands were listlessly andlanguidly twined into its folds, seeming, every now and then, as if herdelicate fingers would pierce the yielding texture. A solitary tearseemed as if it had already departed from its pure fountain, astremblingly it hung upon the long dewy eyelash, the mere closing ofwhich dissipated it into a thin misty veil of sadness to her liquidmelancholy blue eye, as it was turned in fearful expectation towards thedoor.
At length Beverly entered. She had until this moment strenuouslyresisted all endeavours to promote an interview, and once, on a formersimilar occasion, had covered her face and pertinaciously resisted allattempts on his part to lead her into conversation. He now entered withthe knowledge that the invitation came from herself; he felt hissupposed power; and a lofty smile played upon his proud but handsomefeatures. As he approached, she sank upon her knees, and clasped herhands in supplication. The tears had now burst the restraints of thoughtand internal oppression, and rapidly coursed each other down her cheeksas she spoke, "You see before you, sir, a solitary female and an orphan,bereaved suddenly and cruelly of her natural protectors--deserted oroppressed by those who should have supplied their place. Before thedistracting grief for these afflictions has had time to lose its firstintensity, she has been cruelly beset and importuned to become a partyto a marriage, of which she had never before thought. You, sir, are theother party! I entreat, I implore you on my knees, at least to postponethis intended ceremony. If it is performed to-night, as my uncle hasappointed, the wrath of Heaven will be poured out upon such adesecration of its holy institutions. You, sir, will wed a corpse or araving maniac! Interpose then, I pray you. Petition Sir William, as fromyourself alone, for its postponement, at least until your return fromthe intended campaign, and I will pray for your happiness until the endof my existence. I will then indeed believe that you desire mine."
He made several attempts to raise her from her supplicating posture,during her appeal, but she maintained her attitude. Having paused tocatch her exhausted breath, he seized the opportunity to say, "Are yousure, madam, that there is no lurking weakness, no sinister design, inthis demand for farther time?"
"Of what design, what weakness do you suspect me?" she exclaimed,raising her head boldly, and losing almost instantly the subdued tone ofentreaty.
"Of base and criminal affections for one who should be blotted from thetablets of your memory for his villany, if not for his kindred blood!"
She was on her feet in an instant; her ringlets wildly tossed back by aquick motion of the head, and a corresponding effort with both hands,which she held still clasped in her hair, as she stared at him aninstant before she replied,
"Are you a man? A gentleman? A Cavalier? That you come here to insultand trample upon one already deserted of all mankind? Her whom youpretend to desire for a companion through joy and wo! How base, howcowardly, to insult a helpless female, and that female yourkinswoman--one whom you pretend to love. Out upon you, sir, for adastard! Were he now here whom you so basely slander, you would not dareemploy such language!"
"Softly, softly, my dear lady. You are only betraying your own feelings,and counteracting the relenting mood into which your well acted appealwas near betraying me."
"Oh, then, forget what I have said, and be indeed the high minded,generous Beverly, I once believed you! We were children together,caressed by the same friends and owning a common origin. Can you thenwitness unmoved my forlorn condition, without one feeling ofcompassion?"
Beverly was not wholly without tender feelings, although they were soconcentrated upon himself, that it required the touch of a master handto reach his heart. Selfish men, however, are sometimes easily workedupon by allusions or appeals to their family pride. Their connexions area constituent part of the idol of their worship--self; and it is not theleast remarkable feature in their characters, that such men are almostalways affectionate husbands and devoted parents. These are but a partof self; their kindred by a farther remove are generally valued inproportion to their ability to confer honour upon the common stock.
"He that feels not love," says Goethe, "must learn to flatter."Doubtless the great German poet was contemplating the difficulties ofthe supremely selfish man in love, when he penned this aphorism. ButBeverly was not so profoundly skilled in the human heart; he ardentlydesi
red to possess the hand of his fair kinswoman, as well on account ofher many personal attractions, as of the rich inheritance of which shewas the heiress; but he had not learned his own harsh defects ofcharacter, and of course could not substitute the arts of flattery forthe softer eloquence of love. He felt and enjoyed his power, ascompensating in some degree for the want of admiration of himself in hisintended bride, and such were the feelings operating upon him when heentered her chamber; but her last appeal seemed to move his selfishnature, as he paused to contemplate the eloquent suppliant before hereplied.
"Suppose that I obtain from Sir William his consent for the postponementof the ceremony, will you then give me your hand of your own free will?"
She paused before replying. The case was desperate; no succour seemednow within the bounds of probability. The shades of evening were fastgathering around the gloomy precincts of her secluded apartment. Sheknew her uncle's determination of character. One only chance of escapeappeared remaining open to her, and she desperately resolved to seizeit. Such was the train of reasoning by which she rapidly arrived at thisconclusion, and replied,
"Our inclinations are not always within our own control, but if youobtain this reprieve, I promise to give you my hand upon the return ofthe present expedition, provided that nothing occurs in the mean time tofree me from the necessity. For I will be plain and honest with you, andavow my determination to escape this marriage if I can."
"I understand you, fair cousin; you expect deliverance at the hands ofyour degraded and new found kinsman; but trust me, he will need succourhimself before that time arrives. I expect to march him through thesestreets in irons on my wedding-day. Frown not--gather no storms ofindignation upon your brow--it shall be even so. But time wears apace;so pledge yourself before Heaven, that if I obtain Sir William's consentto this delay, you will be mine upon the return of the army."
"Before Heaven I promise you, under the condition I have named."
"It is then a bargain, and I will seek the Governor to fulfil my part ofit; should he consent, see that you remember your plighted faith. As foryour condition, I take no thought of that;" and with this remark he leftthe room.
It was with the greatest difficulty that she could suppress her risingindignation, upon his again alluding to her new found kinsman; but shedid so far suppress it as to force herself through the required promise.The door had no sooner closed upon his retreating footsteps, than sheclasped her hands, and exclaimed fervently, raising her eyes towardheaven, "Thank God! I am now freed from the immediate apprehension ofthis most hated union. Oh, if he does but come within the allotted time!and come as my flattering hopes persuade me that he will--a conqueror!hailed as the deliverer of his country--the champion of her oppressedand outraged people, and the preserver of the most wretched of hermaidens! what blessings will be his! Be he brother or kinsman or lover,he shall live for ever in this grateful heart. Brother indeed! He is abrother in kindness, devotion, and disregard of self; but a brother inkindred blood, my heart assures me he is not."
The door was again opened after the lapse of a short time, and Beverlyentered to say, "I have seen Sir William, and presented my request; herefused at first, but when I told him that you had promised to be mineat the expiration of the required time, he yielded his consent. Ipurposely concealed from him that there was any condition in the case,first, because I take no heed to it myself, and secondly, because itmight have precluded his concurrence, and would most certainly be amotive with him for placing you under still more rigid restraint. Yousee, sweet coz, that I study your happiness far more than you give mecredit for. Why will you not freely then make me its guardian for life?"
"How very different is the selfish man," thought Virginia, "who thusblazons his own little acts of merest charity, for refined and delicateattentions, from him who possesses innate benevolence and gentleness ofheart? He would have studiously concealed a hundred greater kindnessesthan this." But under present circumstances, even such unfavourablecomparisons did not prevent her from replying,
"For every act of kindness towards me, Mr. Beverly, I am sure I try tofeel very grateful, and since I have been within these walls, myfeelings have been so little exercised in that way that it is reallyrefreshing to feel under their influence, even in the smallest degree.The very servants treat me as a lost and abandoned creature. Those of myown sex that once professed love and respect for me, fly from theapartment when I speak to them, as if there were contamination in myvery voice. I know that some horrible tale has been told them about me:would you but take the trouble to correct the false impression, beforeyou depart, my solitary lot might be greatly softened, and I would thenhave double cause for gratitude."
"With the domestic arrangements of the house I dare not interfere--SirWilliam has directed all those things himself."
"And is it by his orders too that my aunt comes not to see me, nor sendsa kind word of inquiry as to my health these long sad days, or a book towhile away the longer and more gloomy nights?"
"It is. She has wept as many foolish tears almost as yourself, sinceyour confinement to this room."
"Thank God! You have taken a load from off my heart. There is then onesoul within the house, of my own sex and blood too, who sympathises withme during these stern severities."
"Your trials will soon be over, my pretty coz, and then we will removeto a house of our own, and you shall lord it over some of theseblackies, in revenge for their want of respect, to your heart'scontent." Attempting to chuck her under the chin, as he spoke, she wascompelled to turn her head suddenly toward the window, for the doublepurpose of placing herself beyond the reach of his hand, and ofconcealing the rising flush of anger and contempt that glowed upon hercountenance. She saw that he treated her as a child--that he imaginedsuch conversation suited to the level of her capacity, and longed tohumble his proud self-sufficiency, but dared not under presentcircumstances. For the first time in her life, she found herselfcompelled to disguise her natural feelings, and suppress the bitterwords which rose upon her tongue. She therefore, by way of changing theconversation, and knowing not what else to say, inquired, "How soon doesyour army expect to return?"
"Soon, my dear coz, very soon. In ten days at farthest, I hope to laysome of the trophies of victory at your feet, and twine you a bridalturban from the standard of the rebel chief." Again she was forced toturn her head away. And the harmony of their meeting, constrained andunnatural as it was, would probably very soon have been ruptured by thealmost bursting indignation which agitated her bosom, had not themartial summons to the evening parade called her tormentor from herpresence.
By dawn of day, on the morning after the interview just related, thearmy under the command of Sir William Berkley took up its line of marchtoward the falls of the Powhatan.
Virginia was a sad and silent spectator of the imposing pageant. Shestood at her window facing one of the cross streets, through which theirmarch was directed, and examined the devices of banner after banner, asthey moved along in martial pomp, to the soul-inspiring music of thedrums and trumpets. No sympathizing emotions or half embodiedsupplications to the Ruler of Nations for the safety of their persons orthe success of their arms burst from her lips. She saw the proud andself-satisfied Beverly curvetting by on his equally proud steed; sheeven saw him gayly wave his towering plumes in recognition of herpresence without an answering nod or a single indication of approval.Her heart and hopes followed the standard of the youthful Captain whocommanded the force which these were summoned to scatter and destroy.Long after the last ensign had passed from her sight, and the music washeard only in faint and distant echoes as it swelled and died away uponthe air, she stood in the same spot, her eyes apparently still occupiedwith passing objects. It was not so--she was endeavouring to look intofuturity. She pictured in her imagination the army of the Cavaliers,under Bacon, struggling in the murderous ambuscade of the concentratedsavage tribes in front, and mercilessly cut down by their own countrymenin the rear. She saw the stern and uncompromising Si
r William and hisveteran compeers, brandishing their sabres over the heads of the youngerCavaliers, and Beverly and Bacon engaged in the deadly contest ofpersonal rivalry and political hatred. Notwithstanding the disadvantagesof the latter's position, youthful hopes and a sanguine temperament,awarded the victory to the cause which she believed the just one. Shehad already, as by miracle, escaped a fate which she considered far moreto be deplored than death, and resolved to trust her own cause, and thatin which it was involved, to him who rules the destinies of battles. Sheremembered, with feelings of adoration, that he had said that the racewas not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong.