Gothic fiction; Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1798 -- Fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Romans à clef
The heart sometimes swells with a forethought of approaching
dissolution; and Glenarvon, as he had cast many a homeward glance upon
his own native mountains, knew that he beheld them for the last time.
Turning with sadness towards them, “Farewell to Ireland,” he cried;
“and may better hearts support her rights, and revenge her wrongs!
I must away.” Arrived in England, he travelled in haste; nor paused
till he gained the port in which his ship was stationed. He sailed in
a fair frigate with a gallant crew, and no spirit amongst them was so
light, and no heart appeared more brave. Yet he was ill in health;
and some observed that he drank much, and oft, and that he started
from his own thoughts; then laughed and talked with eagerness, as if
desirous to forget them. “I shall die in this engagement,” he said,
addressing his first lieutenant. “Hardhead, I shall die; but I care
not. Only this remember—whatever other ships may do, let the Emerald
be first and last in action. This is Glenarvon’s command.—Say, shall
it be obeyed?”——Upon the night after Lord Glenarvon had made his
escape from Ireland, and the heir of Delaval had been restored to his
father, a stranger stood in the outer gates of St. Alvin Priory—It
was the maniac La Crusca, denouncing woe, and woe upon Glenarvon. St.
Clare marked him as she returned to the Wizzard’s Glen, and, deeply
agitated, prepared to meet her followers. It was late when the company
were assembled. A flash of agony darted from her eyes, whilst with
a forced smile, she informed them that Lord Glenarvon had disgraced
himself for ever; and, lastly, had abandoned his country’s cause.
“Shame on the dastard!” exclaimed one. “We’ll burn his castle,” cried
another. “Let us delay no longer,” was murmured by all. “There are
false friends among us. This is the night for action. To-morrow—who
can look beyond to-morrow?” “Where is Cormac O’Leary?” said St. Clare.
“He has been bribed to forsake us.” “Where is Cobb O’Connor?” “He
is appointed to a commission in the militia, but will serve us at
the moment.” “Trust not the faithless varlet: they who take bribes
deserve no trust.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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