Fabiola : or, The church of the catacombs - Digital Repository Services

A nroeipitous I: I, Sir Culhbert, however, could not
bring himself to imilale the example l
I he fugitives, and turn-
ing his horse in the opposite direction, and facing the enemy, he
'
'
cried in u loud voice, Let all brave, men follow me!
Without looking to .SOL- if his appeal hail been re.-pondi il to,
he rushed forward, lie hud mil <
pi 'ceded
from the invaders struck his hor.se;
far when a bullet
the, animal and its rider loll
over. His followers at once fled, and the Spaniards, without opposition,
entered the deserted town, and finding little to plun
der, they at onco set fire to it.
Sir Cuthbert was not hurt; he had rolled into a bush of furze,
and remained hidden till the enemy had passed, when rising
cautiously he proceeded by a circuitous road to join the people
who had assembled on a neighboring hill, and were from thence
watching the conflagration.
The flames rose high, and leaped from roof to roof like fiery
monsters; the red glare being reflected in the ocean's billows,
shedding a glow on the sky which made the setting sun look
pallid.
At sunrise a cheerful little town stood there with many a
happy home in it, aud joyous hearts and bright faces welcomed
the dawn of another day, little thinking that that day was to be
one of fearful destruction and now sunset witnessed ;
naught but
smouldering ruins and disconsolate families.
The Spaniards perhaps had intended to advance farther inland
in search of booty; but the inhabitants of Penzance. now that
the prophecy concerning their town was accomplished, regained
courage, and rushed with violence down the bill, when the astonished
invaders took to flight, and having reached their ships,
quickly spread their white sails to the evening breeze, and de-
parted, to the infinite joy of the pursuers, who, nevertheless,
now increased to large numbers on the beech, intimated that any
farther attempt to land would meet with icsistance.
"We must now return to the Manor, where Harkwright and his
companion sat enjoying themselves in the kitchen. The former
was congratulating himself on his good luck in remaining at
home, where he fancied he was in safety; but it is in vain that
the wicked search to elude the vengeance of God. Penance alone
can disarm Him. Aud oftentimes while they endeaver by human
prudence to avoid His threntened judgements, they rush
blindly to the very spot where God's wrath awaits them.
'Well, Thomas,' said Andrew, '
they will never think of coming here,"
I doubt not but we are safe;
'
Don't know that,' replied his companion, shaking his head.
What sound is that?'
Both listened anxiously.
'I will go and bar the hall-door," said the old man, 'and do
you, Andrew, run and make fast the one at the end of the corri
dor, the one leading from the old chapel you know.'
Harkwright turned pale he knew the door but too well and
hesitated.
'
Come, be ye quick,' said his companion.
'
While you loiter
here they may enter.'
Andrew seized his gun resolutely, and left the kitchen. But
as he approached the fatal spot he trembled with fear at the re-
collection of the treacherous deed he had there perpetrated.
At that moment a figure appeared at the open door; and
Andrew, losing all presence of mind, raised his gun and fired,
he knew not where or at what. The discharge was returned
from without almost immediately, when there followed a loud
scream, the report of the gun-shots resounded through the
vaulted halls of the old .Manor. A thick white smoke clouded
1 TO TR
the scene, which, clearing by degrees, rolling oft in fantastic
forms, the lifeless but still bleeding form of Andrew Harkwright
was discovered lying prostrate on the stone floor. The soul of
the unhappy man was already before its Judge.
Thomas had heard the shots. Having waited anxiously
few minutes, when all was si.ent In .
knelt down by the side of the dead body The bui'
for a
(, anil
pierced the heart, and lie soon perceived that life was extinctso
leaving the inanimate remains of his fellow-servant, tho old
man proceeded at once to his mistress' apartment to warn her
and her maids of th,
lie saw from the window a party OJ ,
who
we
dent I\ seeking for some cntra. i>arded than that win ni
they had shot Andrew. They were in number about twenty,
who, having seen ihe Manor-bouse in tip I. ad separated
from their comrades, hoping lo find a more plentiful booty.
Thomas was well aware that re.-i ,tunce was. impossible, as he was
the only man in the house.
Lady Adelina was seated surrounded by her waiting-women,
who were employed in various kinds of works, when the old servant
entered.
'
My gracious lady,' he said, 'I bear you ill-tidings.'
She turned pale at these words.
'Sir Cuthbert!' she exclaimed, '
is fin dead or wounded? '
'
No, my lady, no harm that I have heard has befallen your
noble lord, but the Spaniards are here. ITarkwright is shot,
we had better fly. /will go to the town and call Sir Cuthbert
and the men to drive away these plunderers.'
Lady Adelina was too terrified and bewildered to make any
remark, so her maids hastily collecting all the things they could
belonging to her, Thomas conducted them safely down the back
stairs; the noise now heard in the house sufficiently proving that
the marauders had found an entrance.
In a sheltered and secluded part of the park the servant left
Lady Adelina and her maids, while he went to inform Sir Cuthbert
of what was happening.
More than an hour had elapsed when the owner of Bron-Wclli
and his attendants arrived in sight of the mansion. They i
come too late, for it was already in flames. The grief and aiiirer
of Sir Cuthbert were so violent that no one durst even oiler him
consolation.
With great exertion a part of the building was saved, but all
the more ancient portions and the wood-work were consumed;
much also of the more valuable properly, plate, jewel caskets,
etc., was saved. Before nightfall all was extinguished, and
Lady Adelina, her husband and the servants found lodgings for
themselves in the remaining part of the Manor.
At the first dawn of morning Sir Cuthbert rose, after having
passed a restless night. He hurried out. and gazing with feel-
ing of morose grief, not hallowed by resignation, nor softened by
the thought that he was an innocent sufferer, on that which the
previous day had formed his pride and his pleasure; but the old
Manor- house now presented the appearance of a ruin. The front
archway, the Tower, and the part where Sir Cuihbert had spent
the night remained standing indeed, but of the main building lit-
tle had escaped; roof and floors had fallen in, leaving nothing
but the charred outer walls, and here and there might be seen
Ohe scattered wrecks of furniture.
' Twas ill-gotten property, and has brought me no good,' mur-
mured Sir Cuthbert to himself; but quickly he drove the thought
away, for there is nothing which wrong ad so much as
to own that the misfortunes which befall them are warnings
which God. as a merciful Father, semis them, or that they arc
the punishment of their own sins. Xo. they do not like to feel
an all-powerful hand so cln^e to them, they would sooner attribute
their disasters to natural cans- id the consideration
that nil Uiiti;/* spring from the One Klernal Spirit.
Disinclined to repair the Manor, Sir Cuthbert and his lady re-
turned soon after to London, where the former endeavored, by a
life of reckless dissipation and extravagant grandeur, to drown
the remorse and sadness which constantly haunted him. Before
he left Pen/anee the inhabitants, hearing of his intention of
ing to the capital, begged of him to present a petition in their
name to tho queen imploringher to grant them money wherewith
o rebuild their town. To th >:1 fully convinced
that the request would 1-e complied with en ;he part of his si:
eign. he advanced a lai: who
were in urgent need, imagining that the
repay
queen would certainly
him.