CHAP. IX.
There was
nothing now to retard their journey; and Mary chose Lisbon rather than France,
on account of its being further removed from the only person she wished not to see.
They set off
accordingly for Falmouth, in their way to that city. The journey was of use to
Ann, and Mary's spirits were raised by her recovered looks—She had been in
despair—now she gave way to hope, and was intoxicated with it. On ship-board
Ann always remained in the cabin; the sight of the water terrified her: on the
contrary, Mary, after she was gone to bed, or when she fell asleep in the day,
went on deck, conversed with the sailors, and surveyed
the boundless expanse before her with delight. One instant she would regard the
ocean, the next the beings who braved its fury. Their insensibility and want of
fear, she could not name courage; their thoughtless mirth was quite of an
animal kind, and their feelings as impetuous and
uncertain as the element they plowed.
They had
only been a week at sea when they hailed the rock of Lisbon, and the next
morning anchored at the castle. After the customary visits, they were permitted
to go on shore, about three miles from the city; and while one of the crew, who
understood the language, went to procure them one of the ugly carriages
peculiar to the country, they waited in the Irish convent, which is situated
close to the Tagus.
Some of the people offered to conduct them into the church, where there was
a fine organ playing; Mary followed them, but Ann preferred staying with a nun
she had entered into conversation with.
One of the
nuns, who had a sweet voice, was singing; Mary was struck with awe; her heart
joined in the devotion; and tears of gratitude and tenderness flowed from her
eyes. My Father, I thank thee! burst from her—words were inadequate to express
her feelings. Silently, she surveyed the lofty dome; heard unaccustomed sounds;
and saw faces, strange ones, that she could not yet
greet with fraternal love.
In an
unknown land, she considered that the Being she adored inhabited eternity, was
ever present in unnumbered worlds. When she had not any one she loved near her,
she was particularly sensible of the presence of her
Almighty Friend.
The arrival
of the carriage put a stop to her speculations; it was to conduct them to an
hotel, fitted up for the reception of invalids. Unfortunately, before they
could reach it there was a violent shower of rain; and as the wind was very
high, it beat against the leather curtains, which they drew along the front of
the vehicle, to shelter themselves from it; but it availed not, some of the
rain forced its way, and Ann felt the effects of it, for she caught cold, spite
of Mary's precautions.
As is the
custom, the rest of the invalids, or lodgers, sent to enquire after their
health; and as soon as Ann left her chamber, in which her complaints seldom
confined her the whole day, they came in person to pay their compliments. Three fashionable females, and two
gentlemen; the one a brother of the eldest of the young ladies, and the other
an invalid, who came, like themselves, for the benefit of the air. They
entered into conversation immediately.
People who
meet in a strange country, and are all together in a house, soon get acquainted,
without the formalities which attend visiting in separate houses, where they
are surrounded by domestic friends. Ann was particularly delighted at meeting
with agreeable society; a little hectic fever generally made her low-spirited
in the morning, and lively in the evening, when she wished for company. Mary,
who only thought of her, determined to cultivate their acquaintance, as she
knew, that if her mind could be diverted, her body might gain strength.
They were all musical, and proposed having little concerts. One of the
gentlemen played on the violin, and the other on the german-flute.
The instruments were brought in, with all the eagerness that attends putting a
new scheme in execution.
Mary had not
said much, for she was diffident; she seldom joined in general conversations;
though her quickness of penetration enabled her soon to enter into the
characters of those she conversed with; and her sensibility made her desirous
of pleasing every human creature. Besides, if her mind was not occupied by any
particular sorrow, or study, she caught reflected pleasure, and was glad to see
others happy, though their mirth did not interest her.
This day she
was continually thinking of Ann's recovery, and encouraging the
cheerful hopes, which though they dissipated the spirits that had been
condensed by melancholy, yet made her wish to be silent. The music, more than
the conversation, disturbed her reflections; but not at first. The gentleman who played on the german-flute,
was a handsome, well-bred, sensible man; and his observations, if not original,
were pertinent.
The other,
who had not said much, began to touch the violin, and played a little Scotch
ballad; he brought such a thrilling sound out of the instrument, that Mary
started, and looking at him with more attention than she had done before, and
saw, in a face rather ugly, strong lines of genius. His manners were awkward,
that kind of awkwardness which is often found in literary men: he seemed a
thinker, and delivered his opinions in elegant
expressions, and musical tones of voice.
When the
concert was over, they all retired to their apartments. Mary always slept with
Ann, as she was subject to terrifying dreams; and frequently in the night was
obliged to be supported, to avoid suffocation. They chatted about their new
acquaintance in their own apartment, and, with respect to the gentlemen,
differed in opinion.