The Buccaneer - A Tale

A few moments after the occurrence of this little incident, Constance

was seated on the bank in "the Fairy Ring," pondering the dread change

that had taken place since the previous night.

The evening, as Barbara had expressed it, was fine but sober. The lilac

and the laburnum were in full blossom, but they appeared faded to

Constantia's eyes; so completely are even our senses under the control

of circumstances. Sorrow is a sad mystifier, turning the green leaf

yellow and steeping young roses in tears. She had not been long seated,

when a step, a separating of the branches, and Walter De Guerre was at

her feet. Constance recoiled from what at heart she loved, as it had

been a thing she hated; and the look and motion could not have been

unnoticed by her lover.

"I have heard, Mistress Cecil--heard all!--that you are about to be

married--married to a man you despise--about to sacrifice yourself for

some ambitious view--some mad resolve--some to me incomprehensible

determination! And I swore to seek you out--to see you before the fatal

act, had it been in your own halls; and to tell you that you will never

again feel what happiness is----"

"I know it!" interrupted Constance, in a voice whose music was solemn

and heavy as her thoughts: "Walter, I know it well. I never shall feel

happy--never expect it--and it would have been but humanity to have

spared me this meeting, unwished for as it now is. You, of all creatures

in this wide, wide world, I would avoid.--Yes, Walter, avoid for ever!

Besides," she continued with energy, "what do you here? This place--this

spot, is no more safe from his intrusion than from yours. If you

loved, if you ever loved me, away! And oh, Walter! if the knowledge--the

most true, most sad knowledge, that I am miserable--more miserable than

ever you can be--be any soothing to your spirit, take it with you! only

away, away--put the broad sea between us, now and for ever! If Sir

Willmott Burrell slept with his fathers the sleep of a thousand dead, I

could never be yours. You seem astonished, and so was I yesternight; but

it is true--true--true--so put the broad sea between us quickly,

Walter--now, and for ever!"

The Cavalier looked as if he understood her not, or thought her senses

wandered: at last he said, "But why need you, with a fortune to command,

and a spirit to enjoy whatever is bright, or beautiful, or glorious--why

should you fetter your free-born will? There is a cunning mystery about

it, Constance" (Constance shuddered, and hid her face, lest its

expression should betray something of her secret); "a mystery I cannot

solve: confide it to me, and solemnly I swear, not only never to

divulge, but to peril, with my good sword, my heart's richest and

warmest blood, in any cause that can free you from this bad man. Nor do

I expect aught of you in return, nor any thing ask, save that you may be

happy, with any, any but this---- I cannot speak his hated name."