Continental Monthly, Vol. I, No. V, May, 1862 by Various

V >> Various >> Continental Monthly, Vol. I, No. V, May, 1862

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'The convent-bells of all Mexico were ringing the _Angelus_, and I was
still seated at the dinner-table, absorbed in deep thought. My
imagination had been so racked that it passed from the domain of the
real, and reveled in the most fantastic regions of the ideal, and it
required a strong effort of the will to bring back my mind to the dull
matter-of-fact aspects of actual life.

'As the evening promised to be magnificent, I determined to refresh my
mind by taking a brisk walk.

'Passing down the Calle del Arco, I met an acquaintance, at whose
solicitation I entered one of the most fashionably-frequented
gambling-houses in the city; it was about nine o'clock, and quite a
number of players were assembled.

'Soon after taking my stand at the board of green cloth, so as to have a
good view of the game, and to watch the conflicting emotions depicted
on the countenances of these devotees of the fickle goddess, I felt a
gentle tap on the shoulder, and turning round, beheld at my side General
Valiente.

''Would you, Senor Rideau, have the goodness to give me an ounce in
exchange for sixteen dollars?'

''Certainly, General.' And I immediately handed it to him, placing the
dollars he gave me in return, on the table immediately before me.

''You had better see if it is all right,' said he.

''It is not necessary, General.'

''Oh! I beg of you to count them, an error is so easily committed.'

'Accordingly I counted the pile, and found there were only fifteen.

''You see now, Senor, how necessary it is to be particular. I am
delighted now that I pressed upon you to examine them; you see I owe you
a dollar.' Saying which, he turned to the table and put down his stake.

'After two or three games, I suggested to my friend that it was about
time to leave, but before retiring, I just put down five dollars as my
one offering to chance. A very short suspense was all that I had to
endure, for in a minute my card won.

'The croupier, after raking in his winnings and paying two or three of
his losses, took up my stake, and after quietly glancing at each coin,
held them out toward me, and said:

''I do not feel bound to pay.'

''Why not, I should like to know?'

''Because, Caballero, your dollars are spurious.'

''General Valiente,' said I, raising my voice, 'here is this croupier
pretending that the money I received from you just now, is false.'

''The croupier is an impertinent rascal, whose ears I would crop off if
I had him any where else than where we are,' said the General. 'As for
your dollars, my dear Caballero, I really can not vouch for their
purity, you know there are such gangs of counterfeiters throughout the
country. You see how far I was right in begging you to examine them just
now. This little accident now will impress it on your mind and make you
more cautious in future.'

'I knew too much of Mexican life to be surprised at this cool reply. As
for resenting the General's conduct, I did not for an instant dream of
it. Military men in Mexico assume, and in fact enjoy such extensive
privileges, that to have made a fuss about such a trifle would been
looked on by all civilians as sheer madness. I therefore merely examined
my pile very carefully, and congratulated myself at finding that three
out of the fifteen were genuine. It was very evident that despite his
very sound advice, my friend General Valiente had neglected to examine
them with any great nicety.

'While thus engaged, the clocks struck ten, and at the sound the players
arose to stretch their legs and take part in the interlude. Servants
appeared with what passed for refreshments, that is to say, tumblers and
decanters containing three or four different kinds of liquor, all of
domestic manufacture, and which differed only in their colors. Glasses
and decanters soon circulated freely, and each man helped himself
without stint.

'Seated near the door, chatting to two or three Americans, my attention
was attracted by the entrance of a ranchero, gayly dressed in the rich
national costume of the country. His jaunty air amused me, and I
moreover fancied I recognized his features. After running his eye over
the assemblage, his countenance brightened up, and with an air of
boldness he walked directly toward a window, where with his back to us,
was standing my delectable friend, the General.

'I can scarcely define the feeling which prompted me, but instinctively
I changed my seat for one not far distant from the window.

V.

'On beholding the ranchero, Valiente was unable to suppress an outburst
of ill-humor.

''What do you come here for, Pedro?' said he, lowering his voice; 'you
know well enough that I have forbidden you to accost me in public.'

'This flattering reception, however, did not disturb Pedro's equanimity.

''Before you fly off into a passion, General,' said he, 'perhaps you
will deign to cast a glance at my change of attire. How does it strike
you?'

''Oh! good enough, good enough, Pedro, but--'

''Suits me admirably, I think, don't you? I need not say it's the
first-fruits of a lucky hit. The run on the odds gave up, and I went in
and won twice running on the evens. I find it impossible to express to
you, General, my delight, the intense joy I experienced, when I threw
that villainous old suit of mine out of the window, it was a hideous
abomination, and I really felt ashamed to walk with you this morning
across the Alameda. But now luck has changed; Pedro and the evens win,
and I feel ready to undertake what other men might deem
impossibilities.'

''I am very glad your luck has turned, Pedro, and I appreciate your
willingness to act; but as I before told you, you must not be seen
talking to me, thus publicly, so be off quickly.'

''Yes, I know all that, General, but first let me hand you a letter that
I received just now from Brown and Hunt.'

''Hush! Are you drunk or mad, to mention names in such a place as this?'

'The General looked around him, but the precision with which I was
comparing my watch with the clock over the mantelpiece, saved me from
suspicion, and he resumed his conversation, in a voice which evidently
betokened suppressed rage.

''Listen, Pedro; twice have I expressly forbidden you holding any
communication with that firm; beware, lest I find you daring again to
disobey me. This once more I will overlook it; but keep this well in
mind, that it is far better to have me for your friend than your enemy.
Now not another word; begone!'

'Pedro, whose consequential air had gradually faded into one of deep
humility, as soon as the General ceased speaking, bowed very low and
left without uttering a sound. The voice of the croupier was soon heard
announcing that the monte would recommence, and yielding to the pressing
invitation of those around me, I resumed my position at the table.

'It was past midnight ere the bank closed, and I rose the winner of some
ten ounces. Not being at all ambitious of exciting the cupidity of the
less fortunate brethren around me, I was very particular in intrusting
all my money to the croupier and taking his receipt for it, payable to
my order. This precaution settled in the most public manner, I bade my
friends good night.

'At the foot of the stairs I found General Valiente waiting for me,
apparently, for he accosted me in the most gracious tone, and bowed with
the most exquisite air of well-bred politeness.

''Believe me, Senor Rideau, I feel extremely mortified about that little
affair of the counterfeit dollars.'

''You are altogether too considerate, General, to think about the matter
in any way.'

''O Senor! such a circumstance jars upon my feelings; those confounded
villains! we must have a strong government, and make an example of some
of them. I feel anxious to make amends to you--something more than a
mere apology. Now an idea struck me as I came down-stairs. Will you
oblige me by allowing me to buy the spurious dollars? Well, now, suppose
I give you four good ones, it will be so much out of the fire.'

''Willingly, General, most willingly; but the fact is, I can only return
you twelve; I have a particular use for the other three.'

''Ah! you sly rogue, you passed off three on the croupier, eh? Well,
that is not so bad.'

''General, you flatter me too highly. I assure you I have a special
purpose for three of them.'

''Oh! well,' said he, 'it is not of the least importance; I happen to
have four dollars in my pocket, and I will give them to you in exchange
for your twelve, rather than see a friend lose all.'

''General, I thank you a thousand times; here are your twelve
counterfeits.'

''O Senor! pray do not mention thanks; between caballeros, there is no
need for thanks; I have only done the right thing; here are four genuine
dollars. Good-night--pleasant dreams.'

'Half-past twelve was striking as I reached, without further adventure,
the door of my habitation.

''Who is there?' cried I, as I suddenly beheld, a few steps from the
door, wrapped in a large cloak, leaning against the railing, a tall man.

'The unknown made no reply. I therefore stepped back and drew out my
revolver. Dialogues carried on by knives and fire-arms are by no means
of rare occurrence at mid-night in the streets of Mexico; but I was
anxious, ere proceeding to extremities, to have a good look at my
antagonist. Although the Cathedral Square was illumined by a magnificent
moonlight, still I could not succeed. His hat was forced down over his
brow; his ample cloak was raised, and the folds covered the lower
portion of his face entirely. I could distinguish only a pair of glaring
eyes, and also discover that his long hair, which nearly reached his
shoulders, was almost perfectly white.

'The contemptuous silence and disdainful listlessness of my cloaked
adversary tended rather to enrage than calm me; so, with my revolver in
full view, and my arm stretched forth, I advanced toward him.

''I have already once demanded who you are, and you have not seen fit to
answer me. As I intend entering this house, and can not do so in safety,
since you block my passage, and may have a dagger hidden beneath your
cloak, I warn you, unless you clear the way, I shall be obliged to
proceed to violent means to enforce my demand.'

'Whether the unknown was duly impressed with wholesome prudence, by the
tone of my voice and the sight of my pistol; whether, finding he had
woke up the wrong customer, he determined to change his tactics; or
whether he had no sinister motives, I could not then determine; suffice
it to say, he evacuated the disputed territory, and with a measured and
majestic step, moved away some eight or ten paces, reminding me of a
stage bandit, in some Bowery melodrama.

'Keeping my face toward him, and letting no movement of his body escape
me, I knocked loudly at the door, and in a minute more Donna Lopez
herself opened it, and I entered.

'Mexican houses all are provided with two doors, and my hostess and I
had not crossed the vestibule leading to the inner one, when the knocker
fell on the outer door, with a force that fairly startled the obese
Teresa.

''Holy Virgin!' exclaimed she, 'who can be there at this hour? But
angels defend us, why, Senor, have you your pistol in your hand?'

'In a few words, I explained to her the adventure which had befallen me
at the door; but ere I had fairly ended, the door shook with the
increased violence with which the knocker now fell upon it. I rushed
forward to open it.

''For mercy's sake, Senor, be prudent; do not open it,' said my
terrified hostess, 'wait--wait, I will go myself.'

'Poor Donna Teresa, overpowered by fear, was slower than even was her
custom, in obeying the impetuous summons, and as she reached the door,
it shook for the third time beneath the rapid blows of the knocker.

'Who is there?' said she, in a faltering tone, opening a little slide
which was so protected by bars and cross-bars as to prevent the
intrusion of a dagger or even the muzzle of a pistol; 'who is there?'

''_The price of liberty is eternal vigilance_,' was the answer from
without.

VI.

'Donna Lopez looked at me with terror and amazement.

''This must be the man Senor Pride has been so impatiently waiting for
during the past three months,' said she, 'he must be admitted.'

''One moment, Senora, let me first put one question to this impetuous
stranger; perchance he may have uttered these words without knowing
their full import.'

''Friend,' said I, approaching the grating, 'it is very true that 'the
price of liberty is eternal vigilance;' but allow me to suggest that
this is not a very appropriate hour for uttering truisms, however
excellent, especially in the way you do. Let peaceable people retire to
rest, and take my advice and get you to your own home.'

''I must see Albert Pride without delay; imminent danger threatens him.
If you persist in refusing me admittance, on your head be the
consequences.'

'This reply dissipated all doubt. I opened the door immediately. A man,
wrapped in a large cloak, entered, whom I instantly recognized as the
same person I had found leaning against the rails. His face, no longer
concealed, betrayed evidence of deep emotion.

'Taking a small lamp in her hand, Donna Teresa, after casting a piteous
glance toward me, as though she were begging me not to lose sight of
them, told the stranger to follow her, and she would show him the way.
He followed, without uttering a word.

''This is the door of Senor Pride's room,' said she, on reaching the
head of the stairs.

''Senora,' said the stranger, 'it may be that he is a sound sleeper, and
may not answer my first rap. I will therefore, with your permission,
take the lamp, and will not detain you longer.'

'How far this proposition suited my worthy hostess, I can not say; at
any rate, she made no opposition. As we retired, we heard a firm hand
rattling the handle of Pride's door.

'The sleeping-room I occupied, although contiguous to and on the same
floor with Albert Pride's, was reached by another staircase. It was very
narrow; but I was so familiar now with the house, that I did not wait
for my hostess to bring a light, especially as I had candles in my room.
As I entered my room, I fancied I heard a gentle tapping at the door,
which was closed up near the foot of my bed, and to which I have already
alluded. If opened, I knew it must lead into Pride's apartments.

'Again I heard the tapping, and exclaimed: 'Who is there?'

''Open the door, for Heaven's sake, open the door,' was the reply, in a
low tone; 'quick, my life is in danger!'

'I approached the door, and in equally low tones asked: 'Who are you?'

''A woman--but quick, open--open the door, for every moment is precious.
I tell you my life is at stake!'

'It seemed to me it was rather a time for action than for explanations,
so, taking an excellent Spanish dagger, which I had had in my possession
many years, I succeeded in wrenching out the two staples which fastened
the door on my side, and then putting my mouth to the key-hole, I asked:
'Have you the key?'

''Yes.'

''Then unlock the door, and bring the key with you to this side.'

'A few moments more, and a woman, to judge from the lightness of the
tread, for I was still without light, precipitated herself into, rather
than entered, the room.

''Oh! thanks; from my heart I thank you, Senor, whoever you are; I owe
my life to your kind assistance.'

'The sound of her voice, which I at once recognized, changed the
suspicion which had from the first moment flashed upon my mind, into
full assurance.

''Do not be afraid, madame,' said I, 'you are in perfect safety here.
Do you lock the door, while I look to my candles.'

'The first object my candle brought to light was the pale but still
charming face of my beautiful country-woman.

''You, sir!' she exclaimed, scarcely able to suppress her astonishment.
'In mercy I implore you, save me from the fury of my husband.'

''Of Mr. Albert Pride?'

''No, sir, Albert is not my husband; but, listen!--do you not
hear?--they are quarreling--they are struggling.'

'I listened. She was not mistaken. In spite of the two partitions which
separated us from the scene of this angry interview, we distinctly heard
the furious accents of passion. All at once a violent shock made the
wall--thin enough, it is true--creak and rattle; then, a moment
afterward, we heard the fall as of a body, accompanied with a low moan.

''Albert is dead! He has murdered him; but woe be to him. I will be
revenged yet,' exclaimed my companion, her eyes glaring with unearthly
fire.

'At this moment, hasty footsteps sounded in the adjoining room, which I
subsequently discovered was Pride's bed-chamber.

''Sir,' said a voice choked with anger, 'you are a coward, and shall
give me satisfaction for this insult.'

''You brought it on yourself, by your own obstinacy. Had you not opposed
my entrance to this room, I should not have used violence toward _you_,
at any rate. As for the satisfaction you claim, I will think about
that.'

''Well, you see that your wife is not here,' replied Albert, after a
short silence, during which we could hear the furniture being moved,
closets opened, and the curtain-rings rattle.

''True, sir; but her absence only proves one thing, that in one
particular I have been misinformed.'

''Confess rather, egregiously duped.'

''_Duped!_--nay, you are the dupe. Will you, Arthur Livermore, give me
your word of honor as a gentleman, that my wife, Adele Percival, has not
followed you to Mexico? Will you deny that she is now your mistress?'

''Yes, sir, I give you my word of honor,' replied Albert or Arthur, in a
low, husky voice.

''And I tell you, Arthur Livermore, to your teeth, you are a miserable,
contemptible liar! Nay, seek not to deny it, it is useless; for I hold
here the proof, in your own writing. Look, here is your last letter; it
arrived two days after Adele left New-Orleans. You acknowledge that--for
you turn pale at your own treachery. I bribed the tool who acted as your
go-between, so you see I attached some importance to securing proof. You
spoke, I think, of being duped. Arthur, I am amazed at your effrontery;
but I wait to hear your defense.'

'A fresh silence followed this outburst of the outraged husband, a
silence which was only broken by the heavy, rapid breathing of the two
adversaries.

''You must indeed have passionately loved that woman, or you, Arthur,
could never have been led to forswear your word of honor. O Arthur,
Arthur! be warned; I swear to you before heaven, that woman, with all
her beauty--a beauty that I once deemed angelic--is possessed by devils
whose name is legion; her heart is the receptacle of a monstrous,
hideous crowd of vices--vices the most opposite, there nestle together:
brazen effrontery and cringing cowardice; sordid cupidity and the most
lavish, reckless prodigality. With her, every act is the result of deep,
cool calculation. No generous impulse ever beat within her breast; and
love, except for self, never yet was awakened from its deathlike torpor.
She married me because I was reputed rich; she deserted me because she
deemed me ruined. What motive impelled her to follow you to Mexico, I
know not. But of this I warn you, rest assured it is not love for
you--you perchance, may be useful to her; the necessary instrument to
further some new scheme. But remember General Ramiro's fate, and take
heed lest you be the next dupe--the next victim.'

'I turned involuntarily toward the youthful creature beside me, as her
husband's voice ceased to ring on my ears. Despite the mastery she
exercised over her feelings, I nevertheless perceived she trembled; but
who, save the Judge of all, can tell whether it arose from fear, rage,
or the first emotion of repentance.

''Mr. Percival,' replied my neighbor, in a constrained voice, 'this
interview, after the violence which commenced it, must naturally be most
painful to me, and I presume equally so to you. Allow me, in as few
words as possible, to bring it to a close. I own that I was wrong in
pledging my word of honor to what was not wholly true. Until you claimed
Adele here this night, as your wife, I had for months supposed you had
abandoned all title to the name of husband; that you had mutually
consented to a divorce, and under that impression I denied that Adele
was my mistress, for in February last, I was married to her at Baton
Rouge. In presence of the proofs you possess, it were useless to deny
that Adele is at this moment in this city. I have seen her this very
day, and I own that I know where she resides. More than this, it will be
useless for you to attempt to extort from me. I refuse beforehand to
answer any further interrogatory. I can fully conceive the hatred my
presence must inspire within your breast; I will not even pretend to
regret it; for this hatred, springing from a sense of dishonor, will
preclude the possibility of any thing save the death of one of us,
terminating the appeal for satisfaction which I have already claimed. I
have done, sir, and wait your reply.'

'Some seconds elapsed ere Adele's husband replied. His voice had grown
calmer and more restrained, and I imagined that he had recovered his
self-control.

''Arthur,' said he, 'I shall not challenge you, neither will I accept a
challenge from you.'

''You refuse to meet me,' said my neighbor, 'and for what reason?'

''Because I do not hate, I merely pity you; because he who first defiled
my home, lies in his sandy grave beside the waters of Lake Ponchartrain;
because beside that grave I vowed to my Maker and my God never again to
dare to take into these blood-stained hands the holy scales of justice.
Yes, Arthur, it is four long years since I sent that wretched victim of
that woman to his last solemn reckoning. Look at me to-day; my locks are
white; 'tis not with age: I have not yet lived out the half of man's
allotted span on earth. But that bleeding corpse; the trickling, oozing
drops from out that breast; the gurgling sound of the unuttered
death-words of Adele's first seducer--these have made me prematurely
old. Oh! woe to him who dares to seek and takes revenge. Vengeance has
been claimed as Heaven's sole, supreme prerogative. Arthur, I must, I do
refuse your challenge.'

''Sir, I shall not deign to notice your calumnies about Adele, for I am
anxious to terminate this interview. May I ask why you seek to prolong
it, and why, if you so loathe Adele, you persecute me by following her?'

''Because I am resolved on two points--to see her, and to learn from her
where she has secreted our child.'

''Unless you pledge yourself, Mr. Percival, not to make any further
attempt to see Adele, you shall not, if I can prevent, leave this room
alive.'

''Oh! oh! finding I won't fight, you fancy you can frighten me by
threats of assassination. It is rather creditable to your ingenuity, Mr.
Livermore, but I had provided for such a contingency. The United States
Minister has been apprized of my arrival, and I left certain papers with
his Secretary to be opened to-morrow, in case I should not return by
noon, explaining our mutual relations very concisely yet definitely.
Now you know that the Mexican idea of justice, though lenient in the
extreme to natives, is just as extremely severe to foreigners, so that I
would hardly advise you to tempt the gallows, unless, indeed, you have
less objection to suicide, for I really think that is the only way you
can possibly cheat the hangman, unless you condescend to allow me to pay
my respects to the American Legation to-morrow, in the forenoon.'

'On the stage, especially in the sanguinary melodrama, it is astonishing
how little respect is paid to the gallows; but somehow in the humbler
walks of every day life, it exercises a very salutary, deterring
influence on a very large class of minds; and I was, therefore, in no
way surprised to hear my neighbor resume the conversation in a tone
decidedly an octave or two lower.

''You have entirely misinterpreted my meaning. I may have thought of
here forcing a quarrel on you, but the commission of the crime you dare
insinuate, never entered my brain. But, now, sir, one last question: Why
do you persist in seeking an interview with the woman you pretend to
hate?'

''Pretend to hate! nay, there is no pretense, I hate, detest, and loathe
her; not because she betrayed me; not because she stained an honorable
name; not because she made me kill her lover; not because she has ruined
my happiness; but because knowing--feeling all this, and more than words
have power to convey--because knowing her infamy and shame, I still,
still love her.'

''_You_ love her still!' cried Arthur. 'Oh! thanks for that one avowal;
that explains fully the bitterness with which you calumniate her.'

''Calumniate her! oh! that were impossible for the very basest fiend to
do. But I was wrong to desecrate the word, and say I _love_ her. No, no;
I tell you I hate her, I loathe her; but in spite of hatred, in spite of
loathing, she exercises over my imagination an irresistible
fascination--a fascination you can never feel in that intensity which
haunts my dreams of early manhood. You knew her not a guileless, artless
girl just blooming into early maidenhood. But enough of these maddening
memories of the past. It were better, doubtless, that I never see her
more, for in my hatred I might kill her. But mark you, Arthur, I _will_
find my child; she is now the only tie that binds me to humanity; the
only link that chains me to this mortal coil which men call life. I must
have my darling child. The day after to-morrow I will return here to
know where she is secreted; if that be divulged to me, I swear by all
that men hold as sacred, whether in heaven or earth, to depart in peace,
and leave you to your fate, and Adele to the vengeance of the Most High.
Adieu.'

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