Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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for the night, to which he was obliged to consent, as he was told the desired potion
could not he prepared in less time; but first with one excuse and then another (which
all appeared unanswerable), his return was postponed for three days. Charles, during
all this time, was never argued with upon his change of creed, so he concluded that
Father Clement must have said nothing of his apostasy. He was treated with great
consideration, and shewn all that was worthy of notice in the ancient burgh. Unsus¬
picious Charles ! this kindness was but one link in the chain that was being
forged with the hopes of binding you more securely than ever in your allegiance to
Rome. When at last he was permitted to depart, he feared that his poor father
would he beyond the reach of help before he could get home; and Alice ! what of her ?
—the thought of her, alone and in sorrow, almost maddened him, so that it was in no
very enviable state of mind, that, on the seventh day after his departure, he returned
to his father’s house. He was welcomed, as was arranged, in the same manner in which
he had taken leave; but this he scarcely noticed, as his thoughts were elsewhere; and he
longed for the time of his meeting with Alice, that he might assure himself of her safety.
He felt much relieved by hearing that his father was considerably better, and
although he was not allowed to see him, Catherine told him that they had great
hopes that the potion which he had procured would complete the cure which was
begun. When the evening came, Charles left as usual to visit Alice, followed by the
half-pitying glance of Kate and the cruel and self-satisfied look of Father Clement, for
he had assured himself that Miss Howard had really left, for where he neither knew
nor cared.
Charles, as was his custom, after being admitted, was proceeding at once, to Mr
Howard’s room, when Mrs Young detained him, saying, “ Oh sir ! our worthy minister
is dead, and his bonny young daughter away, and left no clue by which I can find her.
I would give, I can’t tell you how much, to know that the sweet lassie is safe and
well; for Oh ! she looked ill and weak when she said good-bye. But I thought you
would know all about her, sir ? for, begging your pardon, I was always hoping to see
my dear Miss Howard and you, husband and wife before long.”
As Mrs Young concluded, Charles caught her by the arm, saying, “ Dead ! gone !
did you say ? gone where i 0! Alice, Alice, is it thus I find you—you, who I thought
were pure and true as an angel; ” and covering his face with his hands, he sobbed
aloud, leaving good Mrs Young at a loss to account for such a torrent of grief being
occasioned by anything that she had said. After he was a little calmer he begged
Mrs Young to tell him every particular of Alice’s leave taking, and her father’s death;
her account of which we must reserve for another chapter. Ladybird.