That which I had
deemed so arduous, to require such circumspect approaches, such
well-concerted speeches, was done. I had started up before this woman as if from the pores of the ground. I
had vanished with the same celerity, but had left her in possession of
proofs sufficient that I was neither spectre nor demon. "I will visit
her," said I, "again. I will see her brother, and know the full effect
of my disclosure. I will tell them all that I myself know. Ignorance
would be no less injurious to them than to myself; but, first, I will
see the Maurices." CHAPTER XLI. Next morning I arose betimes, and equipped myself without delay. I had
eight or ten miles to walk, so far from the town being the residence of
these people; and I forthwith repaired to their dwelling. The persons
whom I desired to see were known to me only by name, and by their place
of abode. It was a mother and her three daughters to whom I now carried
the means not only of competence but riches; means which they, no doubt,
had long ago despaired of regaining, and which, among all possible
messengers, one of my age and guise would be the least suspected of
being able to restore. I arrived, through intricate ways, at eleven o'clock, at the house of
Mrs. Maurice. It was a neat dwelling, in a very fanciful and rustic
style, in the bosom of a valley, which, when decorated by the verdure
and blossoms of the coming season, must possess many charms. At present
it was naked and dreary. As I approached it, through a long avenue, I observed two female
figures, walking arm-in-arm and slowly to and fro, in the path in which
I now was. "These," said I, "are daughters of the family. Graceful,
well-dressed, fashionable girls they seem at this distance. May they be
deserving of the good tidings which I bring!" Seeing them turn towards
the house, I mended my pace, that I might overtake them and request
their introduction of me to their mother. As I more nearly approached, they again turned; and, perceiving me, they
stood as if in expectation of my message. I went up to them. A single glance, cast at each, made me suspect that they were not
sisters; but, somewhat to my disappointment, there was nothing highly
prepossessing in the countenance of either. They were what is every day
met with, though less embellished by brilliant drapery and turban, in
markets and streets. An air somewhat haughty, somewhat supercilious,
lessened still more their attractions. These defects, however, were
nothing to me. I inquired, of her that seemed to be the elder of the two, for Mrs.
Maurice. "She is indisposed," was the cold reply. "That is unfortunate. Is it not possible to see her?" "No;" with still more gravity. I was somewhat at a loss how to proceed. A pause ensued. At length the
same lady resumed, "What's your business? You can leave your message
with me." "With nobody but her. If she be not _very_ indisposed----"

"She is very indisposed," interrupted she, peevishly. "If you cannot
leave your message, you may take it back again, for she must not be
disturbed." This was a singular reception. I was disconcerted and silent. I knew not
what to say. "Perhaps," I at last observed, "some other time----"

"No," (with increasing heat,) "no other time. She is more likely to be
worse than better. Come, Betsy," said she, taking hold of her
companion's arm; and, hieing into the house, shut the door after her,
and disappeared. I stood, at the bottom of the steps, confounded at such
strange and unexpected treatment. I could not withdraw till my purpose
was accomplished. After a moment's pause, I stepped to the door, and
pulled the bell. A negro came, of a very unpropitious aspect, and,
opening the door, looked at me in silence. To my question, Was Mrs.
Maurice to be seen? he made some answer, in a jargon which I could not
understand; but his words were immediately followed by an unseen person
within the house:--"Mrs. Maurice can't be seen by anybody. Come in,
Cato, and shut the door." This injunction was obeyed by Cato without
ceremony. Here was a dilemma! I came with ten thousand pounds in my hands, to
bestow freely on these people, and such was the treatment I received. "I
must adopt," said I, "a new mode." I lifted the latch, without a second warning, and, Cato having
disappeared, went into a room, the door of which chanced to be open, on
my right hand. I found within the two females whom I had accosted in the
portico. I now addressed myself to the younger:--"This intrusion, when I
have explained the reason of it, will, I hope, be forgiven. I come,
madam----"

"Yes," interrupted the other, with a countenance suffused by
indignation, "I know very well whom you come from, and what it is that
prompts this insolence; but your employer shall see that we have not
sunk so low as he imagines. Cato! Bob! I say." "My employer, madam! I see you labour under some great mistake. I have
no employer. I come from a great distance. I come to bring intelligence
of the utmost importance to your family. I come to benefit and not to
injure you." By this time, Bob and Cato, two sturdy blacks, entered the room. "Turn
this person," said the imperious lady, regardless of my explanations,
"out of the house. Don't you hear me?" she continued, observing that
they looked one upon the other and hesitated. "Surely, madam," said I, "you are precipitate. You are treating like an
enemy one who will prove himself your mother's best friend." "Will you leave the house?" she exclaimed, quite beside herself with
anger. "Villains! why don't you do as I bid you?" The blacks looked upon each other, as if waiting for an example. Their
habitual deference for every thing _white_, no doubt, held their hands
from what they regarded as a profanation. At last Bob said, in a
whining, beseeching tone, "Why, missee, massa buckra wanna go for doo,
dan he winna go fo' wee." The lady now burst into tears of rage. She held out her hand,
menacingly. "Will you leave the house?" "Not willingly," said I, in a mild tone. "I came too far to return with
the business that brought me unperformed. I am persuaded, madam, you
mistake my character and my views. I have a message to deliver your
mother which deeply concerns her and your happiness, if you are her
daughter. I merely wished to see her, and leave with her a piece of
important news; news in which her fortune is deeply interested." These words had a wonderful effect upon the young lady. Her anger was
checked. "Good God!" she exclaimed, "are you Watson?" "No; I am only Watson's representative, and come to do all that Watson
could do if he were present." She was now importunate to know my business. "My business lies with Mrs. Maurice. Advertisements, which I have seen,
direct me to her, and to this house; and to her only shall I deliver my
message." "Perhaps," said she, with a face of apology, "I have mistaken you. Mrs.
Maurice is my mother. She is really indisposed, but I can stand in her
place on this occasion." "You cannot represent her in this instance.