Charles O'Malley; the Irish Dragoon (Rackham, 1897)/Chapter 5
Chapter V
The Drawing-Room
On the fourth day following the adventure detailed in the last chapter I made my appearance in the drawing-room; my cheek well blanched by copious bleeding, and my step tottering and uncertain. On entering the room I looked about in vain for some one who might give me an insight into the occurrences of the four preceding days, but no one was to be met with, The ladies, I learned, were out riding; Matthew was buying a new setter; Mr. Blake was canvassing; and Captain Hammersly was in bed. Where was Miss Dashwood?—in her room; and Sir George?—he was with Mr. Blake.
“What! canvassing too?”
“Troth, that same was possible,” was the intelligent reply of the old butler, at which I could not help smiling. I sat down, therefore, in the easiest chair I could find, and, unfolding the county paper, resolved upon learning how matters were going on in the political world. But, somehow, whether the editor was not brilliant, or the fire was hot, or that my own dreams were pleasanter to indulge in than his fancies, I fell sound asleep.
How differently is the mind attuned to the active busy world of thought and action, when awakened from sleep by any sudden and rude summons to arise and be stirring, and when called into existence by the sweet and silvery notes of softest music, stealing over the senses, and while they impart awakening thoughts of bliss and beauty, scarcely dissipating the dreary influence of slumber; such was my first thought as, with closed lids, the thrilling cords of a harp broke upon my sleep, and aroused me to a feeling of unutterable pleasure. I turned gently round in my chair, and beheld Miss Dashwood. She was seated in the recess of an old-fashioned window; the pale yellow glow of a wintry sun at evening fell upon her beautiful hair, and tinged it with such a light as I have often since then seen in Rembrandt’s pictures; her head leaned upon the harp, and, as she struck its cords at random, I saw that her mind was far away from all round her; as I looked, she suddenly started from her leaning attitude, and, parting back her curls from her brow, she preluded a few chords, and then sighed forth, rather than sang, that most beautiful of Moore’s melodies:
“She is far from the land where her young hero sleeps.”
Never before had such pathos, such deep utterance of feeling, met my astonished sense. I listened breathlessly as the tears fell one by one down my cheek; my bosom heaved and fell; and, when she ceased, I hid my head between my hands and sobbed aloud. In an instant she was beside me, and placing her hand upon my shoulder, said—
“Poor dear boy, I never suspected you of being there, or I should not have sung that mournful air.”
I started and looked up, and, from what I know not, but she suddenly crimsoned to her very forehead, while she added in a less assured tone—
“I hope, Mr. O’Malley, that you are much better, and I trust there is no imprudence in your being here.”
“For the letter I shall not answer,” said I, with a sickly smile; “but already I feel your music has done me service.”
“Then, pray let me sing more for you.”
“If I am to have a choice, I should say, sit down and let me hear you talk to me; my illness and the doctor together, have made wild work of my poor brain; but, if you will, talk to me.”
“Well, then, what shall it be about? Shall I tell you a fairy tale?”
“I need it not; I feel I am in one this instant.”
“Well, then, what say you to a legend, for I am rich in my stores of them?”
“The O’Malleys have their chronicles, wild and barbarous enough, without the aid of Thor and Woden.”
“Then, shall we chat of everyday matters? Should you like to hear how the election and the canvass go on?”
“Yes; of all things,”
“Well, then, most favourably. Two baronies, with most unspeakable names, have declared for us, and confidence is rapidly increasing among our party. This I learned by chance yesterday—for papa never permits us to know anything of these matters; not even the names of the candidates.”
“Well, that was the very point I was coming to, for the Government were about to send down some one, just as I left home; and I am most anxious to learn who it is.”
“Then am I utterly valueless; for I really can’t say what party the Government espouses, and only know of our own.”
“Quite enough for me, that you wish it success,” said I gallantly; “perhaps you can tell me if my uncle has heard of my accident?”
“Oh yes; but, somehow, he has not been here himself, but sent a friend, a Mr. Considine, I think; a very strange person he seemed. He demanded to see papa, and, it seems, asked him if your misfortune had been a thing of his contrivance, and whether he was ready to explain his conduct about it; and, in fact, I believe he is mad”
“Heaven confound him!” I muttered between my teeth.
“And then he wished to have an interview with Captain Hammersly, but he is too ill; but as the doctor hoped he might be downstairs in a week, Mr. Considine kindly hinted that he should wait.”
“Oh, then, do tell me how is the captain?”
“Very much bruised, very much disfigured, they say,” said she, half smiling; “but-not so much hurt in body as in mind,”
“As how, may I ask?” said I, with an appearance of innocence.
“I don’t exactly understand it; but it would appear that there was something like rivalry among you gentlemen chasseurs on that luckless morning, and that, while you paid the penalty of a broken head, he was destined to lose his horse and break his arm.”
“I certainly am sorry—most sincerely sorry—for any share I might have had in the catastrophe; and my greatest regret, I confess, arises from the fact that I should cause you unhappiness.”
“Me—pray explain?”
“Why, as Captain Hammersly”
“Mr. O’Malley, you are too young now, to make me suspect you have an intention to offend; but I caution you, never repeat this,”
I saw that I had transgressed, but how, I must honestly confess, I could not guess; for though I certainly was the senior of my fair companion in years, I was most lamentably her junior in tact and discretion.
The grey dusk of evening had long fallen as we continued to chat together beside the blazing wood embers—she evidently amusing herself with the original notions of an untutored, unlettered boy, and I drinking deep those draughts of love that nerved my heart through many a breach and battlefield.
Our colloquy was at length interrupted by the entrance of Sir George, who shook me most cordially by the hand, and made the kindest inquiries about my health.
“They tell me you are to be a lawyer, Mr. O'Malley,” said he; “and, if so, I must advise your taking better care of your head-piece”
“A lawyer, papa? oh, dear me! I should never have thought of his being anything so stupid.”
“Why, silly girl, what would you have a man be?”
“A dragoon, to be sure, papa,” said the fond girl, as she pressed her arm around his manly figure, and looked up in his face with an expression of mingled pride and affection.
That word sealed my destiny.