griffith, white as a ghost, and unable to shake off the forebodings catherine had communicated to him, walked incessantly up and down the room; and at his earnest request, one or other of the four doctors in attendance was constantly coming to him with information.
the case proceeded favorably, and to griffith's surprise and joy, a healthy boy was born about two o'clock in the morning. the mother was reported rather feverish, but nothing to cause alarm.
griffith threw himself on two chairs and fell fast asleep.
towards morning lie found himself shaken, and there was ashley, the young doctor, standing beside him with a very grave face. griffith started up, and cried, "what is wrong, in god's name?"
"i am sorry to say there has been a sudden hemorrhage, and the patient is much exhausted."
"she is dying, she is dying!" cried griffith, in anguish.
"not dying. but she will infallibly sink unless some unusual circumstance occur to sustain vitality."
griffith laid hold of him. "oh, sir, take my whole fortune, but save her! save her! save her!"
"mr. gaunt," said the young doctor, "be calm, or you will make matters worse. there is one chance to save her; but my professional brethren are prejudiced against it. however, they have consented, at my earnest request, to refer my proposal to you. she is sinking for want of blood: if you consent to my opening a vein and transfusing healthy blood from a living subject into hers, i will undertake the operation. you had better come and see her; you will be more able to judge."
"let me lean on you," said griffith. and the strong wrestler went tottering up the stairs. there they showed him poor kate, white as the bed-clothes, breathing hard, and with a pulse that hardly moved.
griffith looked at her horror-struck.
"death has got hold of my darling," he screamed. "snatch her away! for god's sake, snatch her from him!"
the young doctor whipped off his coat, and bared his arm.
"there," he cried, "mr. gaunt consents. now, come, be quick with the lancet, and hold this tube as i tell you; warm it first in that water."
here came an interruption. griffith gaunt griped the young doctor's arm, and with an agonized and ugly expression of countenance cried out, "what? your blood! what right have you to lose blood for her?"
"the right of a man who loves his art better than his blood," cried ashley, with enthusiasm.
griffith tore off his coat and waistcoat, and bared his arm to the elbow. "take every drop i have. no man's blood shall enter her veins but mine." and the creature seemed to swell to double his size, as with flushed cheek and sparkling eyes he held out a bare arm corded like a black-smith's, and white as a duchess's.
the young doctor eyed the magnificent limb a moment with rapture: then fixed his apparatus and performed an operation which then, as now, was impossible in theory; only he did it. he sent some of griffith gaunt's bright red blood smoking hot into kate gaunt's veins.
this done, he watched his patient closely, and administered stimulants from time to time.
she hung between life and death for hours. but at noon next day she spoke, and seeing griffith sitting beside her, pale with anxiety and loss of blood, she said, "my dear, do not thou fret. i died last night. i knew i should. but they gave me another life; and now i shall live to a hundred."
they showed her the little boy; and, at sight of him, the whole woman made up her mind to live.
and live she did. and, what is very remarkable, her convalescence was more rapid than on any former occasion.
it was from a talkative nurse she first learned that griffith had given his blood for her. she said nothing at the time, but lay with an angelic, happy smile, thinking of it.
the first time she saw him after that, she laid her hand on his arm, and looking heaven itself into his eyes, she said, "my life is very dear to me now. 'tis a present from thee."
she wanted a good excuse for loving him as frankly as before, and now he had given her one. she used to throw it in his teeth in the prettiest way. whenever she confessed a fault, she was sure to turn slyly round and say, "but what could one expect of me? i have his blood in my veins."
but once she told father francis, quite seriously, that she had never been quite the same woman since she lived by griffith's blood; she was turned jealous; and moreover it had given him a fascinating power over her; and she could tell blindfold when he was in the room. which last fact indeed she once proved by actual experiment. but all this i leave to such as study the occult sciences in this profound age of ours.
starting with this advantage, time, the great curer, gradually healed a wound that looked incurable.
mrs. gaunt became a better wife than she had ever been before. she studied her husband, and found he was not hard to please. she made his home bright and genial; and so he never went abroad for the sunshine he could have at home.
and he studied her; he added a chapel to the house, and easily persuaded francis to become the chaplain. thus they had a peacemaker, and a friend, in the house, and a man severe in morals, but candid in religion, and an inexhaustible companion to them and their children.
and so, after that terrible storm, this pair pursued the even tenour of a peaceful united life, till the olive branches rising around them, and the happy years gliding on, almost obliterated that one dark passage, and made it seem a mere fantastical, incredible, dream.
mercy vint and her child went home in the coach. it was empty at starting, and, as mrs. gaunt had foretold, a great sense of desolation fell upon her.
she leaned back, and the patient tears coursed steadily down her comely cheeks.
at the first stage a passenger got down from the outside, and entered the coach.
"what, george neville!" said mercy.
"the same," said he.
she expressed her surprise that he should be going her way.
"'tis strange," said he; "but to me most agreeable."
"and to me too, for that matter," said she.
sir george observed her eyes were red, and, to divert her mind and keep up her spirits, launched into a flow of small talk.
in the midst of it, mercy leaned back in the coach, and began to cry bitterly. so much for that mode of consolation.
upon this he faced the situation, and begged her not to grieve. he praised the good action she had done, and told her how everybody admired her for it, especially himself.
at that she gave him her hand in silence, and turned away her pretty head. he carried her hand respectfully to his lips; and his manly heart began to yearn over this suffering virtue; so grave, so dignified, so meek. he was no longer a young man; he began to talk to her like a friend. this tone, and the soft sympathetic voice in which a gentleman speaks to a woman in trouble, unlocked her heart, and for the first time in her life she was led to talk about herself.
she opened her heart to him. she told him she was not the woman to pine for any man. her youth, her health, and love of occupation would carry her through. what she mourned was the loss of esteem, and the blot upon her child. at that she drew the baby with inexpressible tenderness, and yet with a half defiant air, closer to her bosom.
sir george assured her she would lose the esteem of none but fools. "as for me," said he, "i always respected you, but now i revere you. you are a martyr, and an angel."
"george," said mercy, gravely, "be you my friend, not my enemy."
"why, madam," said he, "sure you can't think me such a wretch."
"i mean, our flatterers are our enemies."
sir george took the hint, given, as it was, very gravely and decidedly; and henceforth showed her his respect by his acts; he paid her as much attention as if she had been a princess. he handed her out, and handed her in; and coaxed her to eat here, and to drink there; and at the inn where the passengers slept for the night, he showed his long purse, and secured her superior comforts. console her he could not; but he broke the sense of utter desolation and loneliness with which she started from carlisle. she told him so in the inn, and descanted on the goodness of god, who had sent her a friend in that bitter hour.
"you have been very kind to me, george," said she. "now heaven bless you for it, and give you many happy days, and well spent."
this, from one who never said a word she did not mean, sank deep into sir george's; heart, and he went to sleep thinking of her, and asking himself, was there nothing he could do for her.
next morning sir george handed mercy and her babe into the coach; and the villain tried an experiment to see what value she set on him. he did not get in, so mercy thought she had seen the last of him.
"farewell, good, kind george," said she; "alas, there's nought but meeting and parting in this weary world."
the tears stood in her sweet eyes, and she thanked him, not with words only, but with the soft pressure of her womanly hand.
he slipped up behind the coach, and was ashamed of himself, and his heart warmed to her more and more.
as soon as the coach stopped, my lord opened the door for mercy to alight. her eyes were very red, he saw that. she started, and beamed with surprise and pleasure.
"why, i thought i had lost you for good," said she. "whither are you going? to lancaster?"
"not quite so far. i am going to the 'packhorse.'"
mercy opened her eyes, and blushed high. sir george saw, and, to divert her suspicions, told her merrily to beware of making objections. "i am only a sort of servant in the matter. 'twas mrs. gaunt ordered me."
"i might have guessed it," said mercy. "bless her; she knew i should be lonely."
"she was not easy till she had got rid of me, i assure you," said sir george. "so let us make the best on't, for she is a lady that likes to have her own way."
"she is a noble creature. george, i shall never regret anything i have done for her. and she will not be ungrateful. oh, the sting of ingratitude: i have felt that. have you?"
"no," said sir george; "i have escaped that, by never doing any good actions."
"i doubt you are telling me a lie," said mercy vint.
she now looked upon sir george as mrs. gaunt's representative, and prattled freely to him. only now and then her trouble came over her, and then she took a quiet cry without ceremony.
as for sir george, he sat and studied, and wondered at her.
never in his life had he met such a woman as this, who was as candid with him as if he had been a woman. she seemed to have a window in her bosom, through which he looked, and saw the pure and lovely soul within.
in the afternoon they reached a little town, whence a cart conveyed them to the "packhorse."
here mercy vint disappeared, and busied herself with sir george's comforts.
he sat by himself in the parlor, and missed his gentle companion.
in the morning mercy thought of course he would go.
but instead of that, he stayed, and followed her about, and began to court her downright.
but the warmer he got, the cooler she. and at last she said, mighty drily, "this is a very dull place for the likes of you."
"'tis the sweetest place in england," said he; "at least to me; for it contains—the woman i love."
mercy drew back, and colored rosy red. "i hope not," said she.
"i loved you the first day i saw you, and heard your voice. and now i love you ten times more. let me dry thy tears for ever, sweet mercy. be my wife."
"you are mad," said mercy. "what, would you wed a woman in my condition? i am more your friend than to take you at your word. and what do you think i am made of, to go from one man to another, like that?"
"take your time, sweetheart; only give me your hand."
"george," said mercy, very gravely, "i am beholden to you; but my duty it lies another way. there is a young man in these parts (sir george groaned) that was my follower for two years and better. i wronged him for one i never name now. i must marry that poor lad, and make him happy, or else live and die as i am."
sir george turned pale. "one word: do you love him?"
"i have a regard for him."
"do you love him?"
"hardly. but i wronged him, and i owe him amends. i shall pay my debt."
sir george bowed, and retired sick at heart, and deeply mortified. mercy looked after him and sighed.
next day, as he walked disconsolate up and down, she came to him and gave him her hand. "you were a good friend to me that bitter day," said she. "now let me be yours. do not bide here: 'twill but vex you."
"i am going, madam," said sir george, stiffly. "i but wait to see the man you prefer to me. if he is not too unworthy of you, i'll go; and trouble you no more. i have learned his name."
mercy blushed: for she knew paul carrick would bear no comparison with george neville.
the next day sir george took leave to observe that this paul carrick did not seem to appreciate her preference so highly as he ought. "i understand he has never been here."
mercy colored, but made no reply: and sir george was sorry he had taunted her. he followed her about, and showed her great attention, but not a word of love.
there were fine trout streams in the neighborhood, and he busied himself fishing, and in the evening read aloud to mercy, and waited to see paul carrick.
paul never came; and, from a word mercy let drop, he saw that she was mortified. then, being no tyro in love, he told her he had business in lancaster, and must leave her for a few days. but he would return, and by that time perhaps paul carrick would be visible.
now his main object was to try the effect of correspondence.
every day he sent her a long love-letter from lancaster.
paul carrick, who, in absenting himself for a time, had acted upon his sister's advice rather than his own natural impulse, learned that mercy received a letter every day. this was a thing unheard of in that parish.
so then paul defied his sister's advice, and presented himself to mercy; when the following dialogue took place:—
"welcome home, mercy."
"thank you, paul."
"well, i'm single still, lass."
"so i hear."
"i'm come to say, let bygones be bygones."
"so be it," said mercy, drily.
"you have tried a gentleman; now try a farrier."
"i have; and he did not stand the test."
"anan."
"why did you not come near mo for ten days?"
paul blushed up to the eyes. "well," said he, "i'll tell you the truth. 'twas our jess advised me to leave you quiet just at first."
"ay, ay. i was to be humbled, and made to smart for my fault; and then i should be thankful to take you. my lad, if ever you should be really in love, take a friend's advice; listen to your own heart, and not to shallow advisers. you have mortified a poor sorrowful creature who was going to make a sacrifice for you, and you have lost her for ever."
"what d'ye mean?"
"i mean that ye are to think no more of mercy vint."
"then it is true, ye jade; ye've gotten a fresh lover already."
"say no more than you know. if you were the only man on earth i would not wed you, paul carrick."
paul carrick retired home, and blew up his sister; and told her that she had "gotten him the sack again."
the next day sir george came back from lancaster, and mercy lowered her lashes for once at sight of him.
"well," said he, "has this carrick shown a sense of your goodness?"
"he has come,—and gone."
she then, with her usual frankness, told him what had passed. "and," said she, with a smile, "you are partly to blame; for how could i help comparing your behavior to me with his? you came to my side when i was in trouble, and showed me respect when i expected scorn from all the world. a friend in need is a friend indeed."
"reward me, reward me!" said sir george, gaily; "you know the way."
"nay, but i am too much your friend," said mercy.
"be less my friend, then, and more my darling."
he pressed her, he urged her, he stuck to her, he pestered her.
she snubbed, and evaded, and parried, and liked him all the better for his pestering her.
at last, one day, she said, "if mrs. gaunt thinks it will be for your happiness, i will—in six months' time: but you shall not marry in haste to repent at leisure. and i must have time to learn two things—whether you can be constant to a simple woman like me, and whether i can love again as tenderly as you deserve to be loved."
all his endeavors to shake this determination were vain. mercy vint had a terrible deal of quiet resolution.
he retired to cumberland, and in a long letter, asked mrs. gaunt's advice. she replied characteristically. she began very soberly to say that she should be the last to advise a marriage between persons of different conditions in life. "but then," said she, "this mercy is altogether an exception. if a flower grows on a dunghill, 'tis still a flower, and not a part of the dunghill. she has the essence of gentility, and indeed her manners are better bred than most of our ladies. there is too much affectation abroad, and that is your true vulgarity. tack 'my lady' on to 'mercy vint,' and that dignified and quiet simplicity of hers will carry her with credit through every court in europe. then think of her virtues—(here the writer began to lose her temper)—where can you hope to find such another? she is a moral genius, and acts well, no matter under what temptation, as surely as claude and raphael paint well. why, sir, what do you seek in a wife? wealth? title? family? but you possess them already; you want something in addition that will make you happy. well, take that angelic goodness into your house, and you will find, by your own absolute happiness, how ill your neighbors have wived. for my part i see but one objection: the child. well, if you are man enough to take the mother, i am woman enough to take the babe. in one word, he who has the sense to fall in love with such an angel, and has not the sense to marry it, if he can, is a fool."
"postscript—my poor friend, to what end think you i sent you down in the coach with her?"
sir george, thus advised, acted as he would have done had the advice been just the opposite.
he sent mercy a love-letter by every post, and he often received one in return; only his were passionate, and hers gentle and affectionate.
but one day came a letter that was a mere cry of distress.
"george; my child is dying. what shall i do?"
he mounted his horse, and rode to her.
he came too late. the little boy had died suddenly of croup, and was to be buried next morning.
the poor mother received him upstairs, and her grief was terrible. she clung sobbing to him, and could not be comforted. yet she felt his coming. but a mother's anguish overpowered all.
crushed by this fearful blow, her strength gave way for a time, and she clung to george neville, and told him she had nothing left but him, and one day implored him not to die and leave her.
sir george said all he could think of to comfort her; and at the end of a fortnight persuaded her to leave the "packhorse" and england, as his wife.
she had little power to resist now; and indeed little inclination.
they were married by special license, and spent a twelvemonth abroad.
at the end of that time they returned to neville's court, and mercy took her place there with the same dignified simplicity that had adorned her in a humbler station.
sir george had given her no lessons; but she had observed closely, for his sake; and being already well educated, and very quick and docile, she seldom made him blush except with pride.
they were the happiest pair in cumberland. her merciful nature now found a larger field for its exercise, and, backed by her husband's purse, she became the lady bountiful of the parish and the county.
the day after she reached neville's court came an exquisite letter to her from mrs. gaunt. she sent an affectionate reply.
but the gaunts and the nevilles did not meet in society.
sir george neville and mrs. gaunt, being both singularly brave and haughty people, rather despised this arrangement.
but it seems that, one day, when they were all four in the town hall, folk whispered and looked; and both griffith gaunt and lady neville surprised these glances, and determined, by one impulse, it should never happen again. hence it was quite understood that the nevilles and the gaunts were not to be asked to the same party or ball.
the wives, however, corresponded, and lady neville easily induced mrs. gaunt to co-operate with her in her benevolent acts, especially in saving young women, who had been betrayed, from sinking deeper.
living a good many miles apart, lady neville could send her stray sheep to service near mrs. gaunt; and vice versa; and so, merciful, but discriminating, they saved many a poor girl who had been weak, not wicked.
so then, though they could not eat nor dance together in earthly mansions, they could do good together; and, methinks, in the eternal world, where years of social intercourse will prove less than cobwebs, these their joint acts of mercy will be links of a bright, strong chain, to bind their souls in everlasting amity.
it was a remarkable circumstance, that the one child of lady neville's unhappy marriage died, but her nine children by sir george all grew to goodly men and women. that branch of the nevilles became remarkable for high principle and good sense; and this they owe to mercy vint, and to sir george's courage in marrying her. this mercy was granddaughter to one of cromwell's ironsides, and brought her rare personal merit into their house, and also the best blood of the old puritans, than which there is no blood in europe more rich in male courage, female chastity, and all the virtues.
