Aftertheeditionof1798
  CONTENTS
  PrefacebyWilliamS。GodwinAuthor’sPrefaceMaria
  MARIA
  orTheWrongsofWomanPREFACE
  THEPUBLICareherepresentedwiththelastliteraryattemptofanauthor,whosefamehasbeenuncommonlyextensive,andwhosetalentshaveprobablybeenmostadmired,bythepersonsbywhomtalentsareestimatedwiththegreatestaccuracyanddiscrimination。
  Therearefew,towhomherwritingscouldinanycasehavegivenpleasure,thatwouldhavewishedthatthisfragmentshouldhavebeensuppressed,becauseitisafragment。Thereisasentiment,verydeartomindsoftasteandimagination,thatfindsamelancholydelightincontemplatingtheseunfinishedproductionsofgenius,thesesketchesofwhat,iftheyhadbeenfilledupinamanneradequatetothewriter’sconception,wouldperhapshavegivenanewimpulsetothemannersofaworld。
  Thepurposeandstructureofthefollowingwork,hadlongformedafavouritesubjectofmeditationwithitsauthor,andshejudgedthemcapableofproducinganimportanteffect。Thecompositionhadbeeninprogressforaperiodoftwelvemonths。Shewasanxioustodojusticetoherconception,andrecommencedandrevisedthemanuscriptseveraldifferenttimes。Somuchofitasisheregiventothepublic,shewasfarfromconsideringasfinished,and,inalettertoafrienddirectlywrittenonthissubject,shesays,"Iamperfectlyawarethatsomeoftheincidentsoughttobetransposed,andheightenedbymoreharmoniousshading;andIwishedinsomedegreetoavailmyselfofcriticism,beforeIbegantoadjustmyeventsintoastory,theoutlineofwhichIhadsketchedinmymind。"*Theonlyfriendstowhomtheauthorcommunicatedhermanuscript,wereMr。Dyson,thetranslatoroftheSorcerer,andthepresenteditor;anditwasimpossibleforthemostinexperiencedauthortodisplayastrongerdesireofprofitingbythecensuresandsentimentsthatmightbesuggested。**
  *Amorecopiousextractofthisletterissubjoinedtotheauthor’spreface。
  **Thepartcommunicatedconsistedofthefirstfourteenchapters。
  Inrevisingthesesheetsforthepress,itwasnecessaryfortheeditor,insomeplaces,toconnectthemorefinishedpartswiththepagesofanoldercopy,andalineortwoinadditionsometimesappearedrequisiteforthatpurpose。Whereversuchalibertyhasbeentaken,theadditionalphraseswillbefoundinclosedinbrackets;itbeingtheeditor’smostearnestdesiretointrudenothingofhimselfintothework,buttogivetothepublicthewords,aswellasideas,oftherealauthor。
  Whatfollowsintheensuingpages,isnotaprefaceregularlydrawnoutbytheauthor,butmerelyhintsforapreface,which,thoughneverfilledupinthemannerthewriterintended,appearedtobeworthpreserving。
  W。GODWIN。
  AUTHOR’SPREFACE
  THEWRONGSOFWOMAN,likethewrongsoftheoppressedpartofmankind,maybedeemednecessarybytheiroppressors:butsurelythereareafew,whowilldaretoadvancebeforetheimprovementoftheage,andgrantthatmysketchesarenottheabortionofadistemperedfancy,orthestrongdelineationsofawoundedheart。
  Inwritingthisnovel,Ihaveratherendeavouredtopourtraypassionsthanmanners。
  InmanyinstancesIcouldhavemadetheincidentsmoredramatic,wouldIhavesacrificedmymainobject,thedesireofexhibitingthemiseryandoppression,peculiartowomen,thatariseoutofthepartiallawsandcustomsofsociety。
  Intheinventionofthestory,thisviewrestrainedmyfancy;
  andthehistoryoughtrathertobeconsidered,asofwoman,thanofanindividual。
  ThesentimentsIhaveembodied。
  Inmanyworksofthisspecies,theheroisallowedtobemortal,andtobecomewiseandvirtuousaswellashappy,byatrainofeventsandcircumstances。Theheroines,onthecontrary,aretobebornimmaculate,andtoactlikegoddessesofwisdom,justcomeforthhighlyfinishedMinervasfromtheheadofJove。
  [Thefollowingisanextractofaletterfromtheauthortoafriend,towhomshecommunicatedhermanuscript。]
  Formypart,Icannotsupposeanysituationmoredistressing,thanforawomanofsensibility,withanimprovingmind,tobeboundtosuchamanasIhavedescribedforlife;obligedtorenounceallthehumanizingaffections,andtoavoidcultivatinghertaste,lestherperceptionofgraceandrefinementofsentiment,shouldsharpentoagonythepangsofdisappointment。Love,inwhichtheimaginationminglesitsbewitchingcolouring,mustbefosteredbydelicacy。Ishoulddespise,orrathercallheranordinarywoman,whocouldenduresuchahusbandasIhavesketched。
  Theseappeartome(matrimonialdespotismofheartandconduct)
  tobethepeculiarWrongsofWoman,becausetheydegradethemind。
  Whataretermedgreatmisfortunes,maymoreforciblyimpressthemindofcommonreaders;theyhavemoreofwhatmayjustlybetermedstage—effect;butitisthedelineationoffinersensations,which,inmyopinion,constitutesthemeritofourbestnovels。ThisiswhatIhaveinview;andtoshowthewrongsofdifferentclassesofwomen,equallyoppressive,though,fromthedifferenceofeducation,necessarilyvarious。
  CHAPTER1
  ABODESOFHORRORhavefrequentlybeendescribed,andcastles,filledwithspectresandchimeras,conjuredupbythemagicspellofgeniustoharrowthesoul,andabsorbthewonderingmind。But,formedofsuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof,whatweretheytothemansionofdespair,inonecornerofwhichMariasat,endeavouringtorecallherscatteredthoughts!
  Surprise,astonishment,thatborderedondistraction,seemedtohavesuspendedherfaculties,till,wakingbydegreestoakeensenseofanguish,awhirlwindofrageandindignationrousedhertorpidpulse。Onerecollectionwithfrightfulvelocityfollowinganother,threatenedtofireherbrain,andmakeherafitcompanionfortheterrificinhabitants,whosegroansandshriekswerenounsubstantialsoundsofwhistlingwinds,orstartledbirds,modulatedbyaromanticfancy,whichamusewhiletheyaffright;butsuchtonesofmiseryascarryadreadfulcertaintydirectlytotheheart。
  Whateffectmusttheythenhaveproducedonone,truetothetouchofsympathy,andtorturedbymaternalapprehension!
  Herinfant’simagewascontinuallyfloatingonMaria’ssight,andthefirstsmileofintelligenceremembered,asnonebutamother,anunhappymother,canconceive。Sheheardherhalfspeakinghalfcooing,andfeltthelittletwinklingfingersonherburningbosom——abosomburstingwiththenutrimentforwhichthischerishedchildmightnowbepininginvain。Fromastrangershecouldindeedreceivethematernalaliment,Mariawasgrievedatthethought——
  butwhowouldwatchherwithamother’stenderness,amother’sself—denial?
  Theretreatingshadowsofformersorrowsrushedbackinagloomytrain,andseemedtobepicturedonthewallsofherprison,magnifiedbythestateofmindinwhichtheywereviewed——Stillshemournedforherchild,lamentedshewasadaughter,andanticipatedtheaggravatedillsoflifethathersexrenderedalmostinevitable,evenwhiledreadingshewasnomore。Tothinkthatshewasblottedoutofexistencewasagony,whentheimaginationhadbeenlongemployedtoexpandherfaculties;yettosupposeherturnedadriftonanunknownsea,wasscarcelylessafflicting。
  Afterbeingtwodaysthepreyofimpetuous,varyingemotions,Mariabegantoreflectmorecalmlyonherpresentsituation,forshehadactuallybeenrenderedincapableofsoberreflection,bythediscoveryoftheactofatrocityofwhichshewasthevictim。
  Shecouldnothaveimagined,that,inallthefermentationofcivilizeddepravity,asimilarplotcouldhaveenteredahumanmind。Shehadbeenstunnedbyanunexpectedblow;yetlife,howeverjoyless,wasnottobeindolentlyresigned,ormiseryenduredwithoutexertion,andproudlytermedpatience。Shehadhithertomeditatedonlytopointthedartofanguish,andsuppressedtheheartheavingsofindignantnaturemerelybytheforceofcontempt。
  Nowsheendeavouredtobracehermindtofortitude,andtoaskherselfwhatwastobeheremploymentinherdrearycell?Wasitnottoeffectherescape,toflytothesuccourofherchild,andtobaffletheselfishschemesofhertyrant——herhusband?
  Thesethoughtsrousedhersleepingspirit,andtheself—possessionreturned,thatseemedtohaveabandonedherintheinfernalsolitudeintowhichshehadbeenprecipitated。Thefirstemotionsofoverwhelmingimpatiencebegantosubside,andresentmentgaveplacetotenderness,andmoretranquilmeditation;thoughangeroncemorestoptthecalmcurrentofreflectionwhensheattemptedtomovehermanacledarms。Butthiswasanoutragethatcouldonlyexcitemomentaryfeelingsofscorn,whichevaporatedinafaintsmile;forMariawasfarfromthinkingapersonalinsultthemostdifficulttoendurewithmagnanimousindifference。
  Sheapproachedthesmallgratedwindowofherchamber,andforaconsiderabletimeonlyregardedtheblueexpanse;thoughitcommandedaviewofadesolategarden,andofpartofahugepileofbuildings,that,afterhavingbeensuffered,forhalfacentury,tofalltodecay,hadundergonesomeclumsyrepairs,merelytorenderithabitable。Theivyhadbeentornofftheturrets,andthestonesnotwantedtopatchupthebreachesoftime,andexcludethewarringelements,leftinheapsinthedisorderedcourt。Mariacontemplatedthisscenesheknewnothowlong;orrathergazedonthewalls,andponderedonhersituation。Tothemasterofthismosthorridofprisons,shehad,soonafterherentrance,ravedofinjustice,inaccentsthatwouldhavejustifiedhistreatment,hadnotamalignantsmile,whensheappealedtohisjudgment,withadreadfulconvictionstifledherremonstratingcomplaints。Byforce,oropenly,whatcouldbedone?Butsurelysomeexpedientmightoccurtoanactivemind,withoutanyotheremployment,andpossessedofsufficientresolutiontoputtheriskoflifeintothebalancewiththechanceoffreedom。
  Awomanenteredinthemidstofthesereflections,withafirm,deliberatestep,stronglymarkedfeatures,andlargeblackeyes,whichshefixedsteadilyonMaria’s,asifshedesignedtointimidateher,sayingatthesametime"Youhadbettersitdownandeatyourdinner,thanlookattheclouds。"
  "Ihavenoappetite,"repliedMaria,whohadpreviouslydeterminedtospeakmildly;"whythenshouldIeat?"
  "But,inspiteofthat,youmustandshalleatsomething。
  Ihavehadmanyladiesundermycare,whohaveresolvedtostarvethemselves;but,soonorlate,theygaveuptheirintent,astheyrecoveredtheirsenses。"
  "Doyoureallythinkmemad?"askedMaria,meetingthesearchingglanceofhereye。
  "Notjustnow。Butwhatdoesthatprove?——Onlythatyoumustbethemorecarefullywatched,forappearingattimessoreasonable。
  Youhavenottouchedamorselsinceyouenteredthehouse。"——Mariasighedintelligibly。——"Couldanythingbutmadnessproducesuchadisgustforfood?"
  "Yes,grief;youwouldnotaskthequestionifyouknewwhatitwas。"Theattendantshookherhead;andaghastlysmileofdesperatefortitudeservedasaforciblereply,andmadeMariapause,beforesheadded——"YetIwilltakesomerefreshment:Imeannottodie。——No;Iwillpreservemysenses;andconvinceevenyou,soonerthanyouareawareof,thatmyintellectshaveneverbeendisturbed,thoughtheexertionofthemmayhavebeensuspendedbysomeinfernaldrug。"
  Doubtgatheredstillthickeronthebrowofherguard,assheattemptedtoconvictherofmistake。
  "Havepatience!"exclaimedMaria,withasolemnitythatinspiredawe。"MyGod!howhaveIbeenschooledintothepractice!"
  Asuffocationofvoicebetrayedtheagonizingemotionsshewaslabouringtokeepdown;andconqueringaqualmofdisgust,shecalmlyendeavouredtoeatenoughtoproveherdocility,perpetuallyturningtothesuspiciousfemale,whoseobservationshecourted,whileshewasmakingthebedandadjustingtheroom。
  "Cometomeoften,"saidMaria,withatoneofpersuasion,inconsequenceofavagueplanthatshehadhastilyadopted,when,aftersurveyingthiswoman’sformandfeatures,shefeltconvincedthatshehadanunderstandingabovethecommonstandard,"andbelievememad,tillyouareobligedtoacknowledgethecontrary。"
  Thewomanwasnofool,thatis,shewassuperiortoherclass;norhadmiseryquitepetrifiedthelife’s—bloodofhumanity,towhichreflectionsonourownmisfortunesonlygiveamoreorderlycourse。
  Themanner,ratherthantheexpostulations,ofMariamadeaslightsuspiciondartintohermindwithcorrespondingsympathy,whichvariousotheravocations,andthehabitofbanishingcompunction,preventedher,forthepresent,fromexaminingmoreminutely。
  Butwhenshewastoldthatnoperson,exceptingthephysicianappointedbyherfamily,wastobepermittedtoseetheladyattheendofthegallery,sheopenedherkeeneyesstillwider,anduttereda——"hem!"beforesheenquired——"Why?"Shewasbrieflytold,inreply,thatthemaladywashereditary,andthefitsnotoccurringbutatverylongandirregularintervals,shemustbecarefullywatched;forthelengthoftheselucidperiodsonlyrenderedhermoremischievous,whenanyvexationorcapricebroughtontheparoxysmofphrensy。
  Hadhermastertrustedher,itisprobablethatneitherpitynorcuriositywouldhavemadeherswervefromthestraightlineofherinterest;forshehadsufferedtoomuchinherintercoursewithmankind,nottodeterminetolookforsupport,rathertohumouringtheirpassions,thancourtingtheirapprobationbytheintegrityofherconduct。Adeadlyblighthadmetherattheverythresholdofexistence;andthewretchednessofhermotherseemedaheavyweightfastenedonherinnocentneck,todragherdowntoperdition。
  Shecouldnotheroicallydeterminetosuccouranunfortunate;but,offendedatthebaresuppositionthatshecouldbedeceivedwiththesameeaseasacommonservant,shenolongercurbedhercuriosity;
  and,thoughsheneverseriouslyfathomedherownintentions,shewouldsit,everymomentshecouldstealfromobservation,listeningtothetale,whichMariawaseagertorelatewithallthepersuasiveeloquenceofgrief。
  Itissocheeringtoseeahumanface,eveniflittleofthedivinityofvirtuebeaminit,thatMariaanxiouslyexpectedthereturnoftheattendant,asofagleamoflighttobreakthegloomofidleness。Indulgedsorrow,sheperceived,mustbluntorsharpenthefacultiestothetwooppositeextremes;producingstupidity,themopingmelancholyofindolence;ortherestlessactivityofadisturbedimagination。Shesunkintoonestate,afterbeingfatiguedbytheother:tillthewantofoccupationbecameevenmorepainfulthantheactualpressureorapprehensionofsorrow;andtheconfinementthatfrozeherintoanookofexistence,withanunvariedprospectbeforeher,themostinsupportableofevils。Thelampoflifeseemedtobespendingitselftochasethevapoursofadungeonwhichnoartcoulddissipate。——Andtowhatpurposedidsherallyallherenergy?——Wasnottheworldavastprison,andwomenbornslaves?
  Thoughshefailedimmediatelytorousealivelysenseofinjusticeinthemindofherguard,becauseithadbeensophisticatedintomisanthropy,shetouchedherheart。Jemima(shehadonlyaclaimtoaChristianname,whichhadnotprocuredheranyChristianprivileges)couldpatientlyhearofMaria’sconfinementonfalsepretences;shehadfeltthecrushinghandofpower,hardenedbytheexerciseofinjustice,andceasedtowonderattheperversionsoftheunderstanding,whichsystematizeoppression;but,whentoldthatherchild,onlyfourmonthsold,hadbeentornfromher,evenwhileshewasdischargingthetenderestmaternaloffice,thewomanawokeinabosomlongestrangedfromfeminineemotions,andJemimadeterminedtoalleviateallinherpower,withouthazardingthelossofherplace,thesufferingsofawretchedmother,apparentlyinjured,andcertainlyunhappy。Asenseofrightseemstoresultfromthesimplestactofreason,andtopresideoverthefacultiesofthemind,likethemaster—senseoffeeling,torectifytherest;
  but(forthecomparisonmaybecarriedstillfarther)howoftenistheexquisitesensibilityofbothweakenedordestroyedbythevulgaroccupations,andignoblepleasuresoflife?
  Thepreservinghersituationwas,indeed,animportantobjecttoJemima,whohadbeenhuntedfromholetohole,asifshehadbeenabeastofprey,orinfectedwithamoralplague。Thewagesshereceived,thegreaterpartofwhichshehoarded,asheronlychanceforindependence,weremuchmoreconsiderablethanshecouldreckononobtaininganywhereelse,wereitpossiblethatshe,anoutcastfromsociety,couldbepermittedtoearnasubsistenceinareputablefamily。HearingMariaperpetuallycomplainoflistlessness,andthenotbeingabletobeguilegriefbyresuminghercustomarypursuits,shewaseasilyprevailedon,bycompassion,andthatinvoluntaryrespectforabilities,whichthosewhopossessthemcannevereradicate,tobringhersomebooksandimplementsforwriting。Maria’sconversationhadamusedandinterestedher,andthenaturalconsequencewasadesire,scarcelyobservedbyherself,ofobtainingtheesteemofapersonsheadmired。Theremembranceofbetterdayswasrenderedmorelively;andthesentimentsthenacquiredappearinglessromanticthantheyhadforalongperiod,asparkofhoperousedhermindtonewactivity。
  HowgratefulwasherattentiontoMaria!Oppressedbyadeadweightofexistence,orpreyedonbythegnawingwormofdiscontent,withwhateagernessdidsheendeavourtoshortenthelongdays,whichleftnotracesbehind!Sheseemedtobesailingonthevastoceanoflife,withoutseeinganyland—marktoindicatetheprogressoftime;tofindemploymentwasthentofindvariety,theanimatingprincipleofnature。
  CHAPTER2
  EARNESTLYasMariaendeavouredtosoothe,byreading,theanguishofherwoundedmind,herthoughtswouldoftenwanderfromthesubjectshewasledtodiscuss,andtearsofmaternaltendernessobscuredthereasoningpage。Shedescantedon"theillswhichfleshisheirto,"withbitterness,whentherecollectionofherbabewasrevivedbyataleoffictitiouswoe,thatboreanyresemblancetoherown;andherimaginationwascontinuallyemployed,toconjureupandembodythevariousphantomsofmisery,whichfollyandvicehadletlooseontheworld。Thelossofherbabewasthetenderstring;againstothercruelremembrancesshelabouredtosteelherbosom;andevenarayofhope,inthemidstofhergloomyreveries,wouldsometimesgleamonthedarkhorizonoffuturity,whilepersuadingherselfthatsheoughttoceasetohope,sincehappinesswasnowheretobefound。——Butofherchild,debilitatedbythegriefwithwhichitsmotherhadbeenassailedbeforeitsawthelight,shecouldnotthinkwithoutanimpatientstruggle。
  "I,alone,bymyactivetenderness,couldhavesaved,"
  shewouldexclaim,"fromanearlyblight,thissweetblossom;
  and,cherishingit,Ishouldhavehadsomethingstilltolove。"
  Inproportionasotherexpectationsweretornfromher,thistenderonehadbeenfondlyclungto,andknitintoherheart。
  Thebooksshehadobtained,weresoondevoured,byonewhohadnootherresourcetoescapefromsorrow,andthefeverishdreamsofidealwretchednessorfelicity,whichequallyweakentheintoxicatedsensibility。Writingwasthentheonlyalternative,andshewrotesomerhapsodiesdescriptiveofthestateofhermind;
  buttheeventsofherpastlifepressingonher,sheresolvedcircumstantiallytorelatethem,withthesentimentsthatexperience,andmorematuredreason,wouldnaturallysuggest。Theymightperhapsinstructherdaughter,andshieldherfromthemisery,thetyranny,hermotherknewnothowtoavoid。
  Thisthoughtgavelifetoherdiction,hersoulflowedintoit,andshesoonfoundthetaskofrecollectingalmostobliteratedimpressionsveryinteresting。Shelivedagainintherevivedemotionsofyouth,andforgotherpresentintheretrospectofsorrowsthathadassumedanunalterablecharacter。
  Thoughthisemploymentlightenedtheweightoftime,yet,neverlosingsightofhermainobject,MariadidnotallowanyopportunitytoslipofwinningontheaffectionsofJemima;forshediscoveredinherastrengthofmind,thatexcitedheresteem,cloudedasitwasbythemisanthropyofdespair。
  Aninsulatedbeing,fromthemisfortuneofherbirth,shedespisedandpreyedonthesocietybywhichshehadbeenoppressed,andlovednotherfellow—creatures,becauseshehadneverbeenbeloved。Nomotherhadeverfondledher,nofatherorbrotherhadprotectedherfromoutrage;andthemanwhohadplungedherintoinfamy,anddesertedherwhenshestoodingreatestneedofsupport,deignednottosmoothwithkindnesstheroadtoruin。Thusdegraded,wassheletlooseontheworld;andvirtue,nevernurturedbyaffection,assumedthesternaspectofselfishindependence。
  Thisgeneralviewofherlife,Mariagatheredfromherexclamationsanddryremarks。Jemimaindeeddisplayedastrangemixtureofinterestandsuspicion;forshewouldlistentoherwithearnestness,andthensuddenlyinterrupttheconversation,asifafraidofresigning,bygivingwaytohersympathy,herdear—boughtknowledgeoftheworld。
  Mariaalludedtothepossibilityofanescape,andmentionedacompensation,orreward;butthestyleinwhichshewasrepulsedmadehercautious,anddeterminenottorenewthesubject,tillsheknewmoreofthecharactershehadtoworkon。Jemima’scountenance,anddarkhints,seemedtosay,"Youareanextraordinarywoman;butletmeconsider,thismayonlybeoneofyourlucidintervals。"Nay,theveryenergyofMaria’scharacter,madehersuspectthattheextraordinaryanimationsheperceivedmightbetheeffectofmadness。"Shouldherhusbandthensubstantiatehischarge,andgetpossessionofherestate,fromwhencewouldcomethepromisedannuity,ormoredesiredprotection?Besides,mightnotawoman,anxioustoescape,concealsomeofthecircumstanceswhichmadeagainsther?Wastruthtobeexpectedfromonewhohadbeenentrapped,kidnapped,inthemostfraudulentmanner?"
  InthistrainJemimacontinuedtoargue,themomentaftercompassionandrespectseemedtomakeherswerve;andshestillresolvednottobewroughtontodomorethansoftentherigourofconfinement,tillshecouldadvanceonsurerground。
  Mariawasnotpermittedtowalkinthegarden;butsometimes,fromherwindow,sheturnedhereyesfromthegloomywalls,inwhichshepinedlifeaway,onthepoorwretcheswhostrayedalongthewalks,andcontemplatedthemostterrificofruins——thatofahumansoul。Whatistheviewofthefallencolumn,themoulderingarch,ofthemostexquisiteworkmanship,whencomparedwiththislivingmementoofthefragility,theinstability,ofreason,andthewildluxuriancyofnoxiouspassions?Enthusiasmturnedadrift,likesomerichstreamoverflowingitsbanks,rushesforwardwithdestructivevelocity,inspiringasublimeconcentrationofthought。
  ThusthoughtMaria——Thesearetheravagesoverwhichhumanitymustevermournfullyponder,withadegreeofanguishnotexcitedbycrumblingmarble,orcankeringbrass,unfaithfultothetrustofmonumentalfame。Itisnotoverthedecayingproductionsofthemind,embodiedwiththehappiestart,wegrievemostbitterly。
  Theviewofwhathasbeendonebyman,producesamelancholy,yetaggrandizing,senseofwhatremainstobeachievedbyhumanintellect;
  butamentalconvulsion,which,likethedevastationofanearthquake,throwsalltheelementsofthoughtandimaginationintoconfusion,makescontemplationgiddy,andwefearfullyaskonwhatgroundweourselvesstand。
  Melancholyandimbecilitymarkedthefeaturesofthewretchesallowedtobreatheatlarge;forthefrantic,thosewhoinastrongimaginationhadlostasenseofwoe,werecloselyconfined。Theplayfultricksandmischievousdevicesoftheirdisturbedfancy,thatsuddenlybrokeout,couldnotbeguardedagainst,whentheywerepermittedtoenjoyanyportionoffreedom;for,soactivewastheirimagination,thateverynewobjectwhichaccidentallystrucktheirsenses,awoketophrenzytheirrestlesspassions;asMarialearnedfromtheburdenoftheirincessantravings。
  Sometimes,withastrictinjunctionofsilence,JemimawouldallowMaria,atthecloseofevening,tostrayalongthenarrowavenuesthatseparatedthedungeon—likeapartments,leaningonherarm。Whatachangeofscene!Mariawishedtopassthethresholdofherprison,yet,whenbychanceshemettheeyeofrageglaringonher,yetunfaithfultoitsoffice,sheshrunkbackwithmorehorrorandaffright,thanifshehadstumbledoveramangledcorpse。
  Herbusyfancypicturedthemiseryofafondheart,watchingoverafriendthusestranged,absent,thoughpresent——overapoorwretchlosttoreasonandthesocialjoysofexistence;andlosingallconsciousnessofmiseryinitsexcess。Whatatask,towatchthelightofreasonquiveringintheeye,orwithagonizingexpectationtocatchthebeamofrecollection;tantalizedbyhope,onlytofeeldespairmorekeenly,atfindingamuchlovedfaceorvoice,suddenlyremembered,orpatheticallyimplored,onlytobeimmediatelyforgotten,orviewedwithindifferenceorabhorrence!
  Theheart—rendingsighofmelancholysunkintohersoul;
  andwhensheretiredtorest,thepetrifiedfiguresshehadencountered,theonlyhumanformsshewasdoomedtoobserve,hauntingherdreamswithtalesofmysteriouswrongs,madeherwishtosleeptodreamnomore。
  Dayafterdayrolledaway,andtediousasthepresentmomentappeared,theypassedinsuchanunvariedtenor,Mariawassurprisedtofindthatshehadalreadybeensixweeksburiedalive,andyethadsuchfainthopesofeffectingherenlargement。Shewas,earnestlyasshehadsoughtforemployment,nowangrywithherselfforhavingbeenamusedbywritinghernarrative;andgrievedtothinkthatshehadforaninstantthoughtofanything,butcontrivingtoescape。
  Jemimahadevidentlypleasureinhersociety:still,thoughsheoftenleftherwithaglowofkindness,shereturnedwiththesamechillingair;and,whenherheartappearedforamomenttoopen,somesuggestionofreasonforciblyclosedit,beforeshecouldgiveutterancetotheconfidenceMaria’sconversationinspired。
  Discouragedbythesechanges,Mariarelapsedintodespondency,whenshewascheeredbythealacritywithwhichJemimabroughtherafreshparcelofbooks;assuringher,thatshehadtakensomepainstoobtainthemfromoneofthekeepers,whoattendedagentlemanconfinedintheoppositecornerofthegallery。
  Mariatookupthebookswithemotion。"Theycome,"saidshe,"perhaps,fromawretchcondemned,likeme,toreasononthenatureofmadness,byhavingwreckedmindscontinuallyunderhiseye;andalmosttowishhimself——asIdo——mad,toescapefromthecontemplationofit。"Herheartthrobbedwithsympatheticalarm;andsheturnedovertheleaveswithawe,asiftheyhadbecomesacredfrompassingthroughthehandsofanunfortunatebeing,oppressedbyasimilarfate。
  Dryden’sFables,Milton’sParadiseLost,withseveralmodernproductions,composedthecollection。Itwasamineoftreasure。
  Somemarginalnotes,inDryden’sFables,caughtherattention:theywerewrittenwithforceandtaste;and,inoneofthemodernpamphlets,therewasafragmentleft,containingvariousobservationsonthepresentstateofsocietyandgovernment,withacomparativeviewofthepoliticsofEuropeandAmerica。Theseremarkswerewrittenwithadegreeofgenerouswarmth,whenalludingtotheenslavedstateofthelabouringmajority,perfectlyinunisonwithMaria’smodeofthinking。
  Shereadthemoverandoveragain;andfancy,treacherousfancy,begantosketchacharacter,congenialwithherown,fromtheseshadowyoutlines。——"Washemad?"Shereperusedthemarginalnotes,andtheyseemedtheproductionofananimated,butnotofadisturbedimagination。Confinedtothisspeculation,everytimeshere—readthem,somefreshrefinementofsentiment,oraccutenessofthoughtimpressedher,whichshewasastonishedatherselffornothavingbeforeobserved。
  Whatacreativepowerhasanaffectionateheart!Therearebeingswhocannotlivewithoutloving,aspoetslove;andwhofeeltheelectricsparkofgenius,whereveritawakenssentimentorgrace。Mariahadoftenthought,whendiscipliningherwaywardheart,"thattocharm,wastobevirtuous。""Theywhomakemewishtoappearthemostamiableandgoodintheireyes,mustpossessinadegree,"shewouldexclaim,"thegracesandvirtuestheycallintoaction。"
  Shetookupabookonthepowersofthehumanmind;but,herattentionstrayedfromcoldargumentsonthenatureofwhatshefelt,whileshewasfeeling,andshesnaptthechainofthetheorytoreadDryden’sGuiscardandSigismunda。
  Maria,inthecourseoftheensuingday,returnedsomeofthebooks,withthehopeofgettingothers——andmoremarginalnotes。
  Thusshutoutfromhumanintercourse,andcompelledtoviewnothingbuttheprisonofvexedspirits,tomeetawretchinthesamesituation,wasmoresurelytofindafriend,thantoimagineacountrymanone,inastrangeland,wherethehumanvoiceconveysnoinformationtotheeagerear。
  "Didyoueverseetheunfortunatebeingtowhomthesebooksbelong?"askedMaria,whenJemimabroughtherslipper。"Yes。Hesometimeswalksout,betweenfiveandsix,beforethefamilyisstirring,inthemorning,withtwokeepers;buteventhenhishandsareconfined。"
  "What!ishesounruly?"enquiredMaria,withanaccentofdisappointment。
  "No,notthatIperceive,"repliedJemima;"buthehasanuntamedlook,avehemenceofeye,thatexcitesapprehension。Werehishandsfree,helooksasifhecouldsoonmanagebothhisguards:
  yetheappearstranquil。"
  "Ifhebesostrong,hemustbeyoung,"observedMaria。
  "Threeorfourandthirty,Isuppose;butthereisnojudgingofapersoninhissituation。"
  "Areyousurethatheismad?"interruptedMariawitheagerness。
  Jemimaquittedtheroom,withoutreplying。
  "No,no,hecertainlyisnot!"exclaimedMaria,answeringherself;"themanwhocouldwritethoseobservationswasnotdisorderedinhisintellects。"
  Shesatmusing,gazingatthemoon,andwatchingitsmotionasitseemedtoglideundertheclouds。Then,preparingforbed,shethought,"OfwhatusecouldIbetohim,orhetome,ifitbetruethatheisunjustlyconfined?——Couldheaidmetoescape,whoishimselfmorecloselywatched?——StillIshouldliketoseehim。"
  Shewenttobed,dreamedofherchild,yetwokeexactlyathalfafterfiveo’clock,andstartingup,onlywrappedagownaroundher,andrantothewindow。Themorningwaschill,itwasthelatterendofSeptember;yetshedidnotretiretowarmherselfandthinkinbed,tillthesoundoftheservants,movingaboutthehouse,convincedherthattheunknownwouldnotwalkinthegardenthatmorning。Shewasashamedatfeelingdisappointed;andbegantoreflect,asanexcusetoherself,onthelittleobjectswhichattractattentionwhenthereisnothingtodivertthemind;andhowdifficultitwasforwomentoavoidgrowingromantic,whohavenoactivedutiesorpursuits。
  Atbreakfast,JemimaenquiredwhethersheunderstoodFrench?
  for,unlessshedid,thestranger’sstockofbookswasexhausted。
  Mariarepliedintheaffirmative;butforboretoaskanymorequestionsrespectingthepersontowhomtheybelonged。AndJemimagaveheranewsubjectforcontemplation,bydescribingthepersonofalovelymaniac,justbroughtintoanadjoiningchamber。ShewassingingthepatheticballadofoldRob*withthemostheart—meltingfallsandpauses。Jemimahadhalf—openedthedoor,whenshedistinguishedhervoice,andMariastoodclosetoit,scarcelydaringtorespire,lestamodulationshouldescapeher,soexquisitelysweet,sopassionatelywild。Shebeganwithsympathytopourtraytoherselfanothervictim,whenthelovelywarblerflew,asitwere,fromthespray,andatorrentofunconnectedexclamationsandquestionsburstfromher,interruptedbyfitsoflaughter,sohorrid,thatMariashutthedoor,and,turninghereyesuptoheaven,exclaimed——"GraciousGod!"
  *Ablankspaceabouttencharactersinlengthoccurshereintheoriginaledition[Publisher’snote]。
  SeveralminuteselapsedbeforeMariacouldenquirerespectingtherumourofthehouse(forthispoorwretchwasobviouslynotconfinedwithoutacause);andthenJemimacouldonlytellher,thatitwassaid,"shehadbeenmarried,againstherinclination,toaricholdman,extremelyjealous(nowonder,forshewasacharmingcreature);andthat,inconsequenceofhistreatment,orsomethingwhichhungonhermind,shehad,duringherfirstlying—in,losthersenses。"
  Whatasubjectofmeditation——eventotheveryconfinesofmadness。
  "Woman,fragileflower!whywereyousufferedtoadornaworldexposedtotheinroadofsuchstormyelements?"thoughtMaria,whilethepoormaniac’sstrainwasstillbreathingonherear,andsinkingintoherverysoul。
  Towardstheevening,JemimabroughtherRousseau’sHeloise;
  andshesatreadingwitheyesandheart,tillthereturnofherguardtoextinguishthelight。Oneinstanceofherkindnesswas,thepermittingMariatohaveone,tillherownhourofretiringtorest。Shehadreadthisworklongsince;butnowitseemedtoopenanewworldtoher——theonlyoneworthinhabiting。Sleepwasnottobewooed;yet,farfrombeingfatiguedbytherestlessrotationofthought,sheroseandopenedherwindow,justasthethinwaterycloudsoftwilightmadethelongsilentshadowsvisible。Theairsweptacrossherfacewithavoluptuousfreshnessthatthrilledtoherheart,awakeningindefinableemotions;andthesoundofawavingbranch,orthetwitteringofastartledbird,alonebrokethestillnessofreposingnature。Absorbedbythesublimesensibilitywhichrenderstheconsciousnessofexistencefelicity,Mariawashappy,tillanautumnalscent,waftedbythebreezeofmornfromthefallenleavesoftheadjacentwood,madeherrecollectthattheseasonhadchangedsinceherconfinement;yetlifeaffordednovarietytosolaceanafflictedheart。Shereturneddispiritedtohercouch,andthoughtofherchildtillthebroadglareofdayagaininvitedhertothewindow。Shelookednotfortheunknown,stillhowgreatwashervexationatperceivingthebackofaman,certainlyhe,withhistwoattendants,asheturnedintoaside—pathwhichledtothehouse!Aconfusedrecollectionofhavingseensomebodywhoresembledhim,immediatelyoccurred,topuzzleandtormentherwithendlessconjectures。Fiveminutessooner,andsheshouldhaveseenhisface,andbeenoutofsuspense——waseveranythingsounlucky!Hissteady,boldstep,andthewholeairofhisperson,burstingasitwerefromacloud,pleasedher,andgaveanoutlinetotheimaginationtosketchtheindividualformshewishedtorecognize。
  Feelingthedisappointmentmoreseverelythanshewaswillingtobelieve,sheflewtoRousseau,asheronlyrefugefromtheideaofhim,whomightproveafriend,couldshebutfindawaytointeresthiminherfate;stillthepersonificationofSaintPreux,orofanidealloverfarsuperior,wasafterthisimperfectmodel,ofwhichmerelyaglancehadbeencaught,eventotheminutiaeofthecoatandhatofthestranger。ButifshelentSt。Preux,orthedemi—godofherfancy,hisform,sherichlyrepaidhimbythedonationofallSt。Preux’ssentimentsandfeelings,culledtogratifyherown,towhichheseemedtohaveanundoubtedright,whenshereadonthemarginofanimpassionedletter,writteninthewell—knownhand——"Rousseaualone,thetruePrometheusofsentiment,possessedthefireofgeniusnecessarytopourtraythepassion,thetruthofwhichgoessodirectlytotheheart。"
  Mariawasagaintruetothehour,yethadfinishedRousseau,andbeguntotranscribesomeselectedpassages;unabletoquiteithertheauthororthewindow,beforeshehadaglimpseofthecountenanceshedailylongedtosee;and,whenseen,itconveyednodistinctideatohermindwhereshehadseenitbefore。Hemusthavebeenatransientacquaintance;buttodiscoveranacquaintancewasfortunate,couldshecontrivetoattracthisattention,andexcitehissympathy。
  Everyglanceaffordedcolouringforthepictureshewasdelineatingonherheart;andonce,whenthewindowwashalfopen,thesoundofhisvoicereachedher。Convictionflashedonher;
  shehadcertainly,inamomentofdistress,heardthesameaccents。
  Theyweremanly,andcharacteristicofanoblemind;nay,evensweet——orsweettheyseemedtoherattentiveear。
  Shestartedback,trembling,alarmedattheemotionastrangecoincidenceofcircumstancesinspired,andwonderingwhyshethoughtsomuchofastranger,obligedasshehadbeenbyhistimelyinterference;[forsherecollected,bydegreesallthecircumstancesoftheirformermeeting。]Shefoundhoweverthatshecouldthinkofnothingelse;or,ifshethoughtofherdaughter,itwastowishthatshehadafatherwhomhermothercouldrespectandlove。
  CHAPTER3
  WHENPERUSINGthefirstparcelofbooks,Mariahad,withherpencil,writteninoneofthemafewexclamations,expressiveofcompassionandsympathy,whichshescarcelyremembered,tillturningovertheleavesofoneofthevolumes,latelybroughttoher,aslipofpaperdroppedout,whichJemimahastilysnatchedup。
  "Letmeseeit,"demandedMariaimpatiently,"Yousurelyarenotafraidoftrustingmewiththeeffusionsofamadman?""Imustconsider,"repliedJemima;andwithdrew,withthepaperinherhand。
  Inalifeofsuchseclusion,thepassionsgainundueforce;
  Mariathereforefeltagreatdegreeofresentmentandvexation,whichshehadnottimetosubdue,beforeJemima,returning,deliveredthepaper。
  "Whoeveryouare,whopartakeofmyfate,acceptmysincerecommiseration——Iwouldhavesaidprotection;buttheprivilegeofmanisdeniedme。
  "Myownsituationforcesadreadfulsuspiciononmymind——Imaynotalwayslanguishinvainforfreedom——
  sayareyou——Icannotaskthequestion;yetIwillrememberyouwhenmyremembrancecanbeofanyuse。
  Iwillenquire,whyyouaresomysteriouslydetained——
  andIwillhaveananswer。
  "HENRYDARNFORD。"
  Bythemostpressingintreaties,MariaprevailedonJemimatopermithertowriteareplytothisnote。Anotherandanothersucceeded,inwhichexplanationswerenotallowedrelativetotheirpresentsituation;butMaria,withsufficientexplicitness,alludedtoaformerobligation;andtheyinsensiblyenteredonaninterchangeofsentimentsonthemostimportantsubjects。Towritetheseletterswasthebusinessoftheday,andtoreceivethemthemomentofsunshine。Bysomemeans,DarnfordhavingdiscoveredMaria’swindow,whenshenextappearedatit,hemadeher,behindhiskeepers,aprofoundbowofrespectandrecognition。
  Twoorthreeweeksglidedawayinthiskindofintercourse,duringwhichperiodJemima,towhomMariahadgiventhenecessaryinformationrespectingherfamily,hadevidentlygainedsomeintelligence,whichincreasedherdesireofpleasinghercharge,thoughshecouldnotyetdeterminetoliberateher。Mariatookadvantageofthisfavourablecharge,withouttoominutelyenquiringintothecause;andsuchwashereagernesstoholdhumanconverse,andtoseeherformerprotector,stillastrangertoher,thatsheincessantlyrequestedherguardtogratifyhermorethancuriosity。
  WritingtoDarnford,shewasledfromthesadobjectsbeforeher,andfrequentlyrenderedinsensibletothehorridnoisesaroundher,whichpreviouslyhadcontinuallyemployedherfeverishfancy。
  Thinkingitselfishtodwellonherownsufferings,wheninthemidstofwretches,whohadnotonlylostallthatendearslife,buttheirveryselves,herimaginationwasoccupiedwithmelancholyearnestnesstotracethemazesofmisery,throughwhichsomanywretchesmusthavepassedtothisgloomyreceptacleofdisjointedsouls,tothegrandsourceofhumancorruption。Oftenatmidnightwasshewakedbythedismalshrieksofdemoniacrage,orofexcruciatingdespair,utteredinsuchwildtonesofindescribableanguishasprovedthetotalabsenceofreason,androusedphantomsofhorrorinhermind,farmoreterrificthanallthatdreamingsuperstitioneverdrew。Besides,therewasfrequentlysomethingsoinconceivablypicturesqueinthevaryinggesturesofunrestrainedpassion,soirresistiblycomicintheirsallies,orsoheart—piercinglypatheticinthelittleairstheywouldsing,frequentlyburstingoutafteranawfulsilence,astofascinatetheattention,andamusethefancy,whiletorturingthesoul。Itwastheuproarofthepassionswhichshewascompelledtoobserve;
  andtomarkthelucidbeamofreason,likealighttremblinginasocket,orliketheflashwhichdividesthethreateningcloudsofangryheavenonlytodisplaythehorrorswhichdarknessshrouded。
  Jemimawouldlabourtobeguilethetediousevenings,bydescribingthepersonsandmannersoftheunfortunatebeings,whosefiguresorvoicesawokesympatheticsorrowinMaria’sbosom;andthestoriesshetoldwerethemoreinteresting,forperpetuallyleavingroomtoconjecturesomethingextraordinary。StillMaria,accustomedtogeneralizeherobservations,wasledtoconcludefromallsheheard,thatitwasavulgarerrortosupposethatpeopleofabilitieswerethemostapttolosethecommandofreason。Onthecontrary,frommostoftheinstancesshecouldinvestigate,shethoughtitresulted,thatthepassionsonlyappearedstronganddisproportioned,becausethejudgmentwasweakandunexercised;
  andthattheygainedstrengthbythedecayofreason,astheshadowslengthenduringthesun’sdecline。
  Mariaimpatientlywishedtoseeherfellow—sufferer;butDarnfordwasstillmoreearnesttoobtainaninterview。Accustomedtosubmittoeveryimpulseofpassion,andnevertaught,likewomen,torestrainthemostnatural,andacquire,insteadofthebewitchingfranknessofnature,afactitiousproprietyofbehaviour,everydesirebecameatorrentthatboredownallopposition。
  Histravellingtrunk,whichcontainedthebookslenttoMaria,hadbeensenttohim,andwithapartofitscontentshebribedhisprincipalkeeper;who,afterreceivingthemostsolemnpromisethathewouldreturntohisapartmentwithoutattemptingtoexploreanypartofthehouse,conductedhim,intheduskoftheevening,toMaria’sroom。
  Jemimahadapprizedherchargeofthevisit,andsheexpectedwithtremblingimpatience,inspiredbyavaguehopethathemightagainproveherdeliverer,toseeamanwhohadbeforerescuedherfromoppression。Heenteredwithananimationofcountenance,formedtocaptivateanenthusiast;and,hastilyturnedhiseyesfromhertotheapartment,whichhesurveyedwithapparentemotionsofcompassionateindignation。Sympathyilluminatedhiseye,and,takingherhand,herespectfullybowedonit,exclaiming——"Thisisextraordinary!——againtomeetyou,andinsuchcircumstances!"
  Still,impressiveaswasthecoincidenceofeventswhichbroughtthemoncemoretogether,theirfullheartsdidnotoverflow。——*
  *Thecopywhichhadreceivedtheauthor’slastcorrectionsbreaksoffinthisplace,andthepageswhichfollow,totheendofChap。IV,areprintedfromacopyinalessfinishedstate。
  [Godwin’snote]
  [Andthough,afterthisfirstvisit,theywerepermittedfrequentlytorepeattheirinterviews,theywereforsometimeemployedin]areservedconversation,towhichalltheworldmighthavelistened;excepting,whendiscussingsomeliterarysubject,flashesofsentiment,inforcedbyeachrelaxingfeature,seemedtoremindthemthattheirmindswerealreadyacquainted。
  [Bydegrees,Darnfordenteredintotheparticularsofhisstory。]Inafewwords,heinformedherthathehadbeenathoughtless,extravagantyoungman;yet,ashedescribedhisfaults,theyappearedtobethegenerousluxuriancyofanoblemind。
  Nothinglikemeannesstarnishedthelustreofhisyouth,norhadthewormofselfishnesslurkedintheunfoldingbud,evenwhilehehadbeenthedupeofothers。Yethetardilyacquiredtheexperiencenecessarytoguardhimagainstfutureimposition。
  "Ishallwearyyou,"continuedhe,"bymyegotism;anddidnotpowerfulemotionsdrawmetoyou,"——hiseyesglistenedashespoke,andatremblingseemedtorunthroughhismanlyframe,——
  "Iwouldnotwastethesepreciousmomentsintalkingofmyself。
  "Myfatherandmotherwerepeopleoffashion;marriedbytheirparents。Hewasfondoftheturf,sheofthecard—table。I,andtwoorthreeotherchildrensincedead,werekeptathometillwebecameintolerable。Myfatherandmotherhadavisibledisliketoeachother,continuallydisplayed;theservantswereofthedepravedkindusuallyfoundinthehousesofpeopleoffortune。Mybrothersandparentsalldying,Iwaslefttothecareofguardians;andsenttoEton。Ineverknewthesweetsofdomesticaffection,butIfeltthewantofindulgenceandfrivolousrespectatschool。
  Iwillnotdisgustyouwitharecitalofthevicesofmyyouth,whichcanscarcelybecomprehendedbyfemaledelicacy。IwastaughttolovebyacreatureIamashamedtomention;andtheotherwomenwithwhomIafterwardsbecameintimate,wereofaclassofwhichyoucanhavenoknowledge。Iformedmyacquaintancewiththematthetheaters;and,whenvivacitydancedintheireyes,Iwasnoteasilydisgustedbythevulgaritywhichflowedfromtheirlips。
  Havingspent,afewyearsafterIwasofage,[thewholeof]aconsiderablepatrimony,exceptingafewhundreds,Ihadnoresourcebuttopurchaseacommissioninanew—raisedregiment,destinedtosubjugateAmerica。TheregretIfelttorenouncealifeofpleasure,wascounter—balancedbythecuriosityIhadtoseeAmerica,orrathertotravel;[norhadanyofthosecircumstancesoccurredtomyyouth,whichmighthavebeencalculated]tobindmycountrytomyheart。Ishallnottroubleyouwiththedetailsofamilitarylife。Mybloodwasstillkeptinmotion;till,towardsthecloseofthecontest,Iwaswoundedandtakenprisoner。
  "Confinedtomybed,orchair,byalingeringcure,myonlyrefugefromthepreyingactivityofmymind,wasbooks,whichI
  readwithgreatavidity,profitingbytheconversationofmyhost,amanofsoundunderstanding。Mypoliticalsentimentsnowunderwentatotalchange;and,dazzledbythehospitalityoftheAmericans,Ideterminedtotakeupmyabodewithfreedom。I,therefore,withmyusualimpetuosity,soldmycommission,andtravelledintotheinteriorpartsofthecountry,tolayoutmymoneytoadvantage。
  Addedtothis,Ididnotmuchlikethepuritanicalmannersofthelargetowns。Inequalityofconditionwastheremostdisgustinglygalling。Theonlypleasurewealthafforded,wastomakeanostentatiousdisplayofit;forthecultivationofthefinearts,orliterature,hadnotintroducedintothefirstcirclesthatpolishofmannerswhichrenderstherichsoessentiallysuperiortothepoorinEurope。Addedtothis,aninfluxofviceshadbeenletinbytheRevolution,andthemostrigidprinciplesofreligionshakentothecentre,beforetheunderstandingcouldbegraduallyemancipatedfromtheprejudiceswhichledtheirancestorsundauntedlytoseekaninhospitableclimeandunbrokensoil。Theresolution,thatledthem,inpursuitofindependence,toembarkonriverslikeseas,tosearchforunknownshores,andtosleepunderthehoveringmistsofendlessforests,whosebalefuldampsaguedtheirlimbs,wasnowturnedintocommercialspeculations,tillthenationalcharacterexhibitedaphenomenoninthehistoryofthehumanmind——aheadenthusiasticallyenterprising,withcoldselfishnessofheart。
  Andwoman,lovelywoman!——theycharmeverywhere——stillthereisadegreeofprudery,andawantoftasteandeaseinthemannersoftheAmericanwomen,thatrendersthem,inspiteoftheirrosesandlilies,farinferiortoourEuropeancharmers。Inthecountry,theyhaveoftenabewitchingsimplicityofcharacter;but,inthecities,theyhavealltheairsandignoranceoftheladieswhogivethetonetothecirclesofthelargetradingtownsinEngland。
  Theyarefondoftheirornaments,merelybecausetheyaregood,andnotbecausetheyembellishtheirpersons;andaremoregratifiedtoinspirethewomenwithjealousyoftheseexterioradvantages,thanthemenwithlove。Allthefrivolitywhichoften(excuseme,Madam)rendersthesocietyofmodestwomensostupidinEngland,hereseemedtothrowstillmoreleadenfettersontheircharms。
  Notbeinganadeptingallantry,IfoundthatIcouldonlykeepmyselfawakeintheircompanybymakingdownrightlovetothem。
  "But,nottointrudeonyourpatience,IretiredtothetrackoflandwhichIhadpurchasedinthecountry,andmytimepassedpleasantlyenoughwhileIcutdownthetrees,builtmyhouse,andplantedmydifferentcrops。Butwinterandidlenesscame,andI
  longedformoreelegantsociety,tohearwhatwaspassingintheworld,andtodosomethingbetterthanvegetatewiththeanimalsthatmadeaveryconsiderablepartofmyhousehold。Consequently,Ideterminedtotravel。Motionwasasubstituteforvarietyofobjects;and,passingoverimmensetracksofcountry,Iexhaustedmyexuberantspirits,withoutobtainingmuchexperience。Ieverywheresawindustrythefore—runnerandnottheconsequence,ofluxury;butthiscountry,everythingbeingonanamplescale,didnotaffordthosepicturesqueviews,whichacertaindegreeofcultivationisnecessarygraduallytoproduce。Theeyewanderedwithoutanobjecttofixuponoverimmeasureableplains,andlakesthatseemedreplenishedbytheocean,whilsteternalforestsofsmallclusteringtrees,obstructedthecirculationofair,andembarrassedthepath,withoutgratifyingtheeyeoftaste。Nocottagesmilinginthewaste,notravellershailedus,togivelifetosilentnature;or,ifperchancewesawtheprintofafootstepinourpath,itwasadreadfulwarningtoturnaside;andtheheadachedasifassailedbythescalpingknife。TheIndianswhohoveredontheskirtsoftheEuropeansettlementshadonlylearnedoftheirneighbourstoplunder,andtheystoletheirgunsfromthemtodoitwithmoresafety。
  "Fromthewoodsandbacksettlements,Ireturnedtothetowns,andlearnedtoeatanddrinkmostvaliantly;butwithoutenteringintocommerce(andIdetestedcommerce)IfoundIcouldnotlivethere;and,growingheartilywearyofthelandoflibertyandvulgararistocracy,seatedonherbagsofdollars,IresolvedoncemoretovisitEurope。IwrotetoadistantrelationinEngland,withwhomIhadbeeneducated,mentioningthevesselinwhichIintendedtosail。ArrivinginLondon,mysenseswereintoxicated。Iranfromstreettostreet,fromtheatertotheater,andthewomenofthetown(againImustbegpardonformyhabitualfrankness)
  appearedtomelikeangels。
  "Aweekwasspentinthisthoughtlessmanner,when,returningverylatetothehotelinwhichIhadlodgedeversincemyarrival,Iwasknockeddowninaprivatestreet,andhurried,inastateofinsensibility,intoacoach,whichbroughtmehither,andIonlyrecoveredmysensestobetreatedlikeonewhohadlostthem。Mykeepersaredeaftomyremonstrancesandenquiries,yetassuremethatmyconfinementshallnotlastlong。StillIcannotguess,thoughIwearymyselfwithconjectures,whyIamconfined,orinwhatpartofEnglandthishouseissituated。IimaginesometimesthatIhearthesearoar,andwishedmyselfagainontheAtlantic,tillIhadaglimpseofyou。"*
  AfewmomentswereonlyallowedtoMariatocommentonthisnarrative,whenDarnfordlefthertoherownthoughts,tothe"neverending,stillbeginning,"taskofweighinghiswords,recollectinghistonesofvoice,andfeelingthemreverberateonherheart。
  *TheintroductionofDarnfordasthedelivererofMariainaformerinstance,appearstohavebeenanafter—thoughtoftheauthor。Thishasoccasionedtheomissionofanyallusiontothatcircumstanceintheprecedingnarration。
  EDITOR。[Godwin’snote]
  CHAPTER4
  PITY,andtheforlornseriousnessofadversity,havebothbeenconsideredasdispositionsfavourabletolove,whilesatiricalwritershaveattributedthepropensitytotherelaxingeffectofidleness;whatchancethenhadMariaofescaping,whenpity,sorrow,andsolitudeallconspiredtosoftenhermind,andnourishromanticwishes,and,fromanaturalprogress,romanticexpectations?
  Mariawassix—and—twenty。But,suchwasthenativesoundnessofherconstitution,thattimehadonlygiventohercountenancethecharacterofhermind。Revolvingthought,andexercisedaffectionshadbanishedsomeoftheplayfulgracesofinnocence,producinginsensiblythatirregularityoffeatureswhichthestrugglesoftheunderstandingtotraceorgovernthestrongemotionsoftheheart,arewonttoimprintontheyieldingmass。Griefandcarehadmellowed,withoutobscuring,thebrighttintsofyouth,andthethoughtfulnesswhichresidedonherbrowdidnottakefromthefemininesoftnessofherfeatures;nay,suchwasthesensibilitywhichoftenmantledoverit,thatshefrequentlyappeared,likealargeproportionofhersex,onlyborntofeel;andtheactivityofherwell—proportioned,andevenalmostvoluptuousfigure,inspiredtheideaofstrengthofmind,ratherthanofbody。Therewasasimplicitysometimesindeedinhermanner,whichborderedoninfantineingenuousness,thatledpeopleofcommondiscernmenttounderratehertalents,andsmileattheflightsofherimagination。
  Butthosewhocouldnotcomprehendthedelicacyofhersentiments,wereattachedbyherunfailingsympathy,sothatshewasverygenerallybelovedbycharactersofverydifferentdescriptions;
  still,shewastoomuchundertheinfluenceofanardentimaginationtoadheretocommonrules。
  Therearemistakesofconductwhichatfive—and—twentyprovethestrengthofthemind,that,tenorfifteenyearsafter,woulddemonstrateitsweakness,itsincapacitytoacquireasanejudgment。
  Theyouthswhoaresatisfiedwiththeordinarypleasuresoflife,anddonotsighafteridealphantomsofloveandfriendship,willneverarriveatgreatmaturityofunderstanding;butifthesereveriesarecherished,asistoofrequentlythecasewithwomen,whenexperienceoughttohavetaughttheminwhathumanhappinessconsists,theybecomeasuselessastheyarewretched。Besides,theirpainsandpleasuresaresodependentonoutwardcircumstances,ontheobjectsoftheiraffections,thattheyseldomactfromtheimpulseofanervedmind,abletochooseitsownpursuit。
  Havinghadtostruggleincessantlywiththevicesofmankind,Maria’simaginationfoundreposeinpourtrayingthepossiblevirtuestheworldmightcontain。Pygmalionformedanivorymaid,andlongedforaninformingsoul。She,onthecontrary,combinedallthequalitiesofahero’smind,andfatepresentedastatueinwhichshemightenshrinethem。
  Wemeannottotracetheprogressofthispassion,orrecounthowoftenDarnfordandMariawereobligedtopartinthemidstofaninterestingconversation。Jemimaeverwatchedonthetip—toeoffear,andfrequentlyseparatedthemonafalsealarm,whentheywouldhavegivenworldstoremainalittlelongertogether。
  AmagiclampnowseemedtobesuspendedinMaria’sprison,andfairylandscapesflittedroundthegloomywalls,latesoblank。
  Rushingfromthedepthofdespair,ontheseraphwingofhope,shefoundherselfhappy。——Shewasbeloved,andeveryemotionwasrapturous。
  ToDarnfordshehadnotshownadecidedaffection;thefearofoutrunninghis,asureproofoflove,madeheroftenassumeacoldnessandindifferenceforeignfromhercharacter;and,evenwhengivingwaytotheplayfulemotionsofaheartjustloosenedfromthefrozenbondofgrief,therewasadelicacyinhermannerofexpressinghersensibility,whichmadehimdoubtwhetheritwastheeffectoflove。
  Oneevening,whenJemimaleftthem,tolistentothesoundofadistantfootstep,whichseemedcautiouslytoapproach,heseizedMaria’shand——itwasnotwithdrawn。Theyconversedwithearnestnessoftheirsituation;and,duringtheconversation,heonceortwicegentlydrewhertowardshim。Hefeltthefragranceofherbreath,andlonged,yetfeared,totouchthelipsfromwhichitissued;
  spiritsofpurityseemedtoguardthem,whilealltheenchantinggracesoflovesportedonhercheeks,andlanguishedinhereyes。
  Jemimaentering,hereflectedonhisdiffidencewithpoignantregret,and,sheoncemoretakingalarm,heventured,asMariastoodnearhischair,toapproachherlipswithadeclarationoflove。Shedrewbackwithsolemnity,hehungdownhisheadabashed;
  butliftinghiseyestimidly,theymether’s;shehaddetermined,duringthatinstant,andsufferedtheirraystomingle。Hetook,withmoreardour,reassured,ahalf—consenting,half—reluctantkiss,reluctantonlyfrommodesty;andtherewasasacrednessinherdignifiedmannerofrecliningherglowingfaceonhisshoulder,thatpowerfullyimpressedhim。Desirewaslostinmoreineffableemotions,andtoprotectherfrominsultandsorrow——tomakeherhappy,seemednotonlythefirstwishofhisheart,butthemostnobledutyofhislife。Suchangelicconfidencedemandedthefidelityofhonour;butcouldhe,feelingherineverypulsation,couldheeverchange,couldhebeavillain?Theemotionwithwhichshe,foramoment,allowedherselftobepressedtohisbosom,thetearofrapturoussympathy,mingledwithasoftmelancholysentimentofrecollecteddisappointment,said——moreoftruthandfaithfulness,thanthetonguecouldhavegivenutterancetoinhours!Theyweresilent——yetdiscoursed,howeloquently?till,afteramoment’sreflection,Mariadrewherchairbythesideofhis,and,withacomposedsweetnessofvoice,andsupernaturalbenignityofcountenance,said,"Imustopenmywholehearttoyou;youmustbetoldwhoIam,whyIamhere,andwhy,tellingyouIamawife,Iblushnotto"——theblushspoketherest。
  Jemimawasagainatherelbow,andtherestraintofherpresencedidnotpreventananimatedconversation,inwhichlove,slyurchin,waseveratbo—peep。
  Somuchofheavendidtheyenjoy,thatparadisebloomedaroundthem;orthey,byapowerfulspell,hadbeentransportedintoArmida’sgarden。Love,thegrandenchanter,"lapttheminElysium,"
  andeverysensewasharmonizedtojoyandsocialextacy。
  Soanimated,indeed,weretheiraccentsoftenderness,indiscussingwhat,inothercircumstances,wouldhavebeencommonplacesubjects,thatJemimafelt,withsurprise,atearofpleasuretricklingdownherruggedcheeks。Shewipeditaway,halfashamed;andwhenMariakindlyenquiredthecause,withalltheeagersolicitudeofahappybeingwishingtoimparttoallnatureitsoverflowingfelicity,Jemimaownedthatitwasthefirsttearthatsocialenjoymenthadeverdrawnfromher。Sheseemedindeedtobreathemorefreely;
  thecloudofsuspicionclearedawayfromherbrow;shefeltherself,foronceinherlife,treatedlikeafellow—creature。
  Imagination!whocanpaintthypower;orreflecttheevanescenttintsofhopefosteredbythee?AdespondentgloomhadlongobscuredMaria’shorizon——nowthesunbrokeforth,therainbowappeared,andeveryprospectwasfair。Horrorstillreignedinthedarkenedcells,suspicionlurkedinthepassages,andwhisperedalongthewalls。Theyellsofmenpossessed,sometimes,madethempause,andwonderthattheyfeltsohappy,inatomboflivingdeath。
  Theyevenchidthemselvesforsuchapparentinsensibility;stilltheworldcontainednotthreehappierbeings。AndJemima,afteragainpatrollingthepassage,wassosoftenedbytheairofconfidencewhichbreathedaroundher,thatshevoluntarilybegananaccountofherself。
  CHAPTER5
  "MYFATHER,"saidJemima,"seducedmymother,aprettygirl,withwhomhelivedfellow—servant;andshenosoonerperceivedthenatural,thedreadedconsequence,thantheterribleconvictionflashedonher——thatshewasruined。Honesty,andaregardforherreputation,hadbeentheonlyprinciplesinculcatedbyhermother;
  andtheyhadbeensoforciblyimpressed,thatshefearedshame,morethanthepovertytowhichitwouldlead。Herincessantimportunitiestoprevailuponmyfathertoscreenherfromreproachbymarryingher,ashehadpromisedinthefervourofseduction,estrangedhimfromhersocompletely,thatherverypersonbecamedistastefultohim;andhebegantohate,aswellasdespiseme,beforeIwasborn。
  "Mymother,grievedtothesoulbyhisneglect,andunkindtreatment,actuallyresolvedtofamishherself;andinjuredherhealthbytheattempt;thoughshehadnotsufficientresolutiontoadheretoherproject,orrenounceitentirely。Deathcamenotathercall;yetsorrow,andthemethodssheadoptedtoconcealhercondition,stilldoingtheworkofahouse—maid,hadsuchaneffectonherconstitution,thatshediedinthewretchedgarret,wherehervirtuousmistresshadforcedhertotakerefugeintheverypangsoflabour,thoughmyfather,afteraslightreproof,wasallowedtoremaininhisplace——allowedbythemotherofsixchildren,who,scarcelypermittingafootsteptobeheard,duringhermonth’sindulgence,feltnosympathyforthepoorwretch,deniedeverycomfortrequiredbyhersituation。
  "Thedaymymother,died,theninthaftermybirth,Iwasconsignedtothecareofthecheapestnursemyfathercouldfind;
  whosuckledherownchildatthesametime,andlodgedasmanymoreasshecouldget,intwocellar—likeapartments。
  "Poverty,andthehabitofseeingchildrendieoffherhands,hadsohardenedherheart,thattheofficeofamotherdidnotawakenthetendernessofawoman;norwerethefemininecaresseswhichseemapartoftherearingofachild,everbestowedonme。
  Thechickenhasawingtoshelterunder;butIhadnobosomtonestlein,nokindredwarmthtofosterme。Leftindirt,tocrywithcoldandhungertillIwasweary,andsleepwithouteverbeingpreparedbyexercise,orlulledbykindnesstorest;couldIbeexpectedtobecomeanythingbutaweakandricketybabe?Still,inspiteofneglect,Icontinuedtoexist,tolearntocurseexistence,[hercountenancegrewferociousasshespoke,]andthetreatmentthatrenderedmemiserable,seemedtosharpenmywits。
  Confinedtheninadamphovel,torockthecradleofthesucceedingtribe,Ilookedlikealittleoldwoman,orahagshrivellingintonothing。Thefurrowsofreflectionandcarecontractedtheyouthfulcheek,andgaveasortofsupernaturalwildnesstotheeverwatchfuleye。Duringthisperiod,myfatherhadmarriedanotherfellow—servant,wholovedhimless,andknewbetterhowtomanagehispassion,thanmymother。Shelikewiseprovingwithchild,theyagreedtokeepashop:mystep—mother,if,beinganillegitimateoffspring,Imayventurethustocharacterizeher,havingobtainedasumofarichrelation,forthatpurpose。
  "Soonafterherlying—in,sheprevailedonmyfathertotakemehome,tosavetheexpenseofmaintainingme,andofhiringagirltoassistherinthecareofthechild。Iwasyoung,itwastrue,butappearedaknowinglittlething,andmightbemadehandy。
  AccordinglyIwasbroughttoherhouse;butnottoahome——forahomeIneverknew。Ofthischild,adaughter,shewasextravagantlyfond;anditwasapartofmyemployment,toassisttospoilher,byhumouringallherwhims,andbearingallhercaprices。Feelingherownconsequence,beforeshecouldspeak,shehadlearnedtheartoftormentingme,andifIeverdaredtoresist,Ireceivedblows,laidonwithnocompunctioushand,orwassenttobeddinnerless,aswellassupperless。Isaidthatitwasapartofmydailylabourtoattendthischild,withtheservilityofaslave;
  stillitwasbutapart。Iwassentoutinallseasons,andfromplacetoplace,tocarryburdensfarabovemystrength,withoutbeingallowedtodrawnearthefire,oreverbeingcheeredbyencouragementorkindness。Nowonderthen,treatedlikeacreatureofanotherspecies,thatIbegantoenvy,andatlengthtohate,thedarlingofthehouse。Yet,Iperfectlyremember,thatitwasthecaresses,andkindexpressionsofmystep—mother,whichfirstexcitedmyjealousdiscontent。Once,Icannotforgetit,whenshewascallinginvainherwaywardchildtokissher,Irantoher,saying,’Iwillkissyou,ma’am!’andhowdidmyheart,whichwasinmymouth,sink,whatwasmydebasementofsoul,whenpushedawaywith——’Idonotwantyou,pertthing!’Anotherday,whenanewgownhadexcitedthehighestgoodhumour,andsheutteredtheappropriatedear,addressedunexpectedlytome,IthoughtIcouldneverdoenoughtopleaseher;Iwasallalacrity,androseproportionablyinmyownestimation。
  "Asherdaughtergrewup,shewaspamperedwithcakesandfruit,whileIwas,literallyspeaking,fedwiththerefuseofthetable,withherleavings。Aliquorishtoothis,Ibelieve,commontochildren,andIusedtostealanythingsweet,thatIcouldcatchupwithachanceofconcealment。Whendetected,shewasnotcontenttochastizemeherselfatthemoment,but,onmyfather’sreturnintheevening(hewasashopman),theprincipaldiscoursewastorecountmyfaults,andattributethemtothewickeddispositionwhichIhadbroughtintotheworldwithme,inheritedfrommymother。Hedidnotfailtoleavethemarksofhisresentmentonmybody,andthensolacedhimselfbyplayingwithmysister。——Icouldhavemurderedheratthosemoments。Tosavemyselffromtheseunmercifulcorrections,Iresortedtofalshood,andtheuntruthswhichIsturdilymaintained,werebroughtinjudgmentagainstme,tosupportmytyrant’sinhumanchargeofmynaturalpropensitytovice。Seeingmetreatedwithcontempt,andalwaysbeingfedanddressedbetter,mysisterconceivedacontemptuousopinionofme,thatprovedanobstacletoallaffection;andmyfather,hearingcontinuallyofmyfaults,begantoconsidermeasacurseentailedonhimforhissins:hewasthereforeeasilyprevailedontobindmeapprenticetooneofmystep—mother’sfriends,whokeptaslop—shopinWapping。Iwasrepresented(asitwassaid)inmytruecolours;butshe,’warranted,’snappingherfingers,’thatsheshouldbreakmyspiritorheart。’
  "Mymotherreplied,withawhine,’thatifanybodycouldmakemebetter,itwassuchacleverwomanasherself;though,forherownpart,shehadtriedinvain;butgood—naturewasherfault。’
  "Ishudderwithhorror,whenIrecollectthetreatmentIhadnowtoendure。Notonlyunderthelashofmytask—mistress,butthedrudgeofthemaid,apprenticesandchildren,Ineverhadatasteofhumankindnesstosoftentherigourofperpetuallabour。