Volume 14 , Issue 3

The History of Eliza - Vol. I

We begin this week and end this week at pages 64 thru 118, of Vol. I, of The History of Eliza Warwick as she tells her story to Lord Huntley. Last week we began reading The History of Eliza Warwick, Vol. I., when the Duke of Beauvarise wrote Lord Tenterdon a letter explaining his part in helping Eliza (Lady Darcy) elope with Col. Harry Warwick (pledged to another), son of Capt. William Warwick.

Before we get started with another another transcription into 1700's England culture and our sad love story, let me expand on the arranged marriages of that period when the head of the family fixed and picked the suitor for their sons and daughters for wealth, position and title. To marry below oneself for love only was not proper and you could be chastised for your disobedience if you refused your family's wishes.

Lady Darcy (Eliza) was our sad, briefing, beautiful daughter that had fallen into that dilemma, as well as Col. Warwick.

As we begin again we find Colonel and Eliza's daughter telling her story to Lord Huntley through letters while she lies in a convent, in ill health.

When we left off last week Duke of Beauvarise, Eliza's picked suitor, had help Eliza and Col. Warwick to elope to Scotland and Beauvarise had written a letter to Lord Tenterdon in hopes to soften the blow to the family, but it did not do what he expected it to do. Lord Tenterdon replied to that letter from the Duke of Beauvarise with the following:

"To his Grace the Duke of Beaufvarise - My Lord, Your Grace's letter has filled me with astonishment. I took you for a friend, but you have proved a most dangerous enemy. It is necessary to assure your Grace, that I require from you no more good offices, and yet I have a favor to ask of you, my Lord, which is this, that you will inform the artful wretch whom you insultingly remind me of being father to, to keep herself, her husband, and her poverty, far from my doors. They shall be shut to all three and never will I, in the awful sight of heaven I swear it, never will I relieve her or hers, though ruin should stare them in the face, and beggary walk close upon their steps.

"Tell them this, my Lord, and assure Lady Eliza WArwick she shall never see or hear more from her enraged father, and Your Grace's much disappointed servant, Tenterdon."

Without their parents approval the Colonel Warwick, Lady Eliza and her faithful domestic (Jennet) arrived, after many fears of being overtaken, at the place of destination. These faithful lovers immediately parted with their liberty, without one regret. lady Eliza often sighed at the resentment she must experience from her family, but the idea of their cruelty to make a sacrifice of her, in spite of all her tears and in treaties, vindicated her conduct in her own eyes. Eliza was not destitute of hope that the Duke would be a successful intercessor with Lord and lady Tenterdon, and anticipated the joy she should feel at being restored to their favour. But it was not to be. The blackest prospects were gathering around, and the short sunshine that illumined her nuptials only gave an increase of horror to her situation when engulfed in the storms of Fate.

Eliza and Colonel Warwick, after a fortnight spent in Scotland, in which time they received no intelligence from the Duke, returned to England, and determined to know what they were to expect from Lord Tenterdon. Warwick did not suppose his after would ever part with a shilling towards their support. But on his marriage, he wrote him a very respectful letter, and acquainted him with his connection, which he hoped would not offend the father, since it made the son happy.

Sir William made no reply to this, but some days after mentioned, in the hearing of a friend of Col. Warwick, that he never would take any notice of the imprudent youth, who had forfeited a fine fortune by his folly, and with it his affection for ever. Sir Warwick added, "He will now find the difference and that to live upon a wife's beauty is easier in a lover's theory than a husband's practice."

The newly married pair arrived in London, and sent to the Duke of Beauvarise, begging to see him as soon as his conveniency would permit them that pleasure. Their amiable friend flew immediately to Col. WArwick's lodgings, and there with infinite reluctance he revealed the whole of Lord Tenterdon's behaviour, "Sorry am I to give a moment's uneasiness to persons whom love and honor conspired to render happy. But alas! Those two noble sentiments, though they may contribute towards felicity, do not always insure it and Lord Tenterdon's restless ambition has power sufficient to deprive them of their just reward. He is inexorable, he is unnatural, he forgets humanity while he prophesies wretchedness, and he shuts close his heart when he foretells poverty. Weep not, beautiful Eliza, those tears affect me too deeply! Is it my fate ever to give you uneasiness? My fortune, my interest shall be employed in the service of our Warwick, not shall he, or his ever know the stings of indigence, as your illiberal father portends."

"My Lord," cried Eliza, "Spare my father! I have no reason to condemn him. He holds me culpable, and that I merit his resentment - My Warwick - ah! What distresses have I brought down on thee! Do not Love me less. Something may yet happen to pacify Lord Tenterdon. In that hope be comforted and banish that look of despair, my dar Warwick, which seems as if you already felt the wretchedness of Fate."

Colonel Warwick replied, "Despair! Wretchedness! Ah! Why these heart rending expressions, Eliza?" clasping her to his bosom, "No, my angel, with you I can fear neither and I swear by Heaven the single happiness of calling you mine transcends every other felicity this world can give. Pomp and splendor are despised by me. I am a soldier and whilst I serve with zeal my county, and the best of Kings, we need not fear the frowns of fortune. They will both provide for my Eliza and if she can forego the opulence and luxuries she is entitled to, we shall have enough to live on, and be more than blest in each other."

The Duke of Beauvarise, after repeating his assurances of friendship, bade the lovely couple adieu and parted to leave them in their scene of much tenderness.

Even though both had been brought up in the splendor of greatness, it was however, that love can metamorphose strangely, and the gentle lady Eliza became such an adept in domestic affairs, as to live with elegance on the trifling sum of three hundred a year. Col. Warwick's house was small, but it was a perfect pattern for nearness. They kept two female servants, and a footman. Her faithful domestic, Jennet, was still with Eliza, and officiated about her person. Never did happiness drive at a greater eight. Not even amongst the great. Nor did fewer wants arise unsatisfied than in this little humble dwelling.

Lady Eliza was not quite a year married when she presented WArwick with a son, but it lived only long enough to receive the rites of baptism, and the embraces of its parents. The Duke of Beauvarise never forgot that he had loved Lady Eliza, and possessed the highest sentiments of regard for her husband. He was tender, assiduous, and faithful, to them both. After having for a long time fought an opportunity of getting Warwick promoted, it so happened, that the regiment of which the Duke was General was ordered to the East Indies, and he lost not a moment in having his friend raised to the rank of Lieutenant General. But the conditions were rather harder than the Duke swished them to be. Warwick's accompanying the regiment was not to be obviated.

Beauvarise, unable to convey the pleasing yet alarming intelligence in person, wrote Warwick a letter, in which his joy and grief were visibly blended, at the instant he congratulated him on the promotion he had acquired in the army, he trembled at the idea of Lady Eliza's feelings, when she should learn that their separation was ton e the consequence of it. The news, however dreadful, was soon imparted to Eliza about eighteen months after their nuptials, it was doomed that they should part for ever.

This is where the telling of the remainder of the story it shorten to hasten over the tragical death of Eliza's father, General Warwick. He was drowned in attempting to save the unfortunate parent of a large family, who had gone on board to pour down his last blessings on the bole Warwick's head, for having charitably provided for three of his children. The seas ran high between Portsmouth and Spithead. The old man of war in which the General waited some hours for sailing orders. They arrived at length and after many tears and prayers for his happiness, the grateful father took a final leave of his benefactor. The vessel which he stepped into was a mere cockle shell, and in sight of the ship it had left, and the humane Warwick, it was overset by a monstrous wave.

The General cried, "Throw our your boats, and let us save that worthy man, and the wretched creatures who are with him." He was directly obeyed and upon some of the sailors looking terrified at venturing out of the ship in such a tempest, the General leaped into the boat, and calling on a few to follow him, it was in an instant filled. They encountered the waves for some time with hopes of success and indeed they in some measure succeeded for they saved the good old man, though all the rest were irrevocably lost.

Warwick then gave orders to make to the ship, but the wind rose higher, and the seas seemed to kiss the heavens. At length the boat was unable to bear against the force of the contending elements and split into a thousand pieces. Every man could swim but General warwick (Eliza's father) and his aged friend. One of the good natured crew offered to assist the General, and promised to convey him to the first ship, but he begged him to preserve his own life, and that of the old man's, if it were possible.

The Captain of the man of war, a brave officer, and a particular friend of General Warwick, sent immediately an account of his fate to the Duke of Beaufvarise. The Duke was endeavoring to reconcile the dying Earl of Tenterdon to his wretched daughter when he found out the death of General Warwick.

Tho' the hour drew nigh when Lord Tenterdon's hour drew nigh when he would rehire mercy in his turn, his firm soul shrunk not at its approach, nor could he be persuaded to change his unnatural conduct towards her. Lord Tenterdon told the Duke, "I am sensible and I cannot recover, but were I sure my daughter was even penitent for her crime, I would not pardon her the uneasiness it has cost me. I never will recall the sentence I have pronounced against her and shall leave her the comfort of reflecting on the choice she might have made, and that which her folly elected. It is now too late to recover my lost opinion, not shall I think that soul my friend who from henceforth names her in my presence."

The Duke took his leave with a degree of resentment he could not conceal. He could not go to Lady Eliza's immediately. He knew not how to inform her of the shocking sentiments that had been uttered by the Earl. The duke feared for the sufferings of her sensibility, when she should hear her father, unforgiving, died, he therefore threw himself into his carriage, and desired to be set down at home, where the arrival of the dreaded packet from Portsmouth was presented to him. He broke the seal with a perturbation which nothing but presentiment could account for. He read with an agitation and sorrow little short of frenzy.

The Duke's sorrow caused him to cry out, Ah! My adorable Eliza! My fate at length prevails, and I am the innocent cause of all your sufferings. Your husband, my gentle, amiable friend! Your beloved Warwick, whom I tore from your happy arms, is now parted from them for ever. How shall I break this new, this horrible misfortune to thee? Great heaven support her tender frame in the hour of trial!"

After the Duke sent to tell Lady Eliza that he was going out of town for a few days, and could not see her before his departure, he got into his chaise, and travelled post down to Portsmouth.

As soon as he had alighted at one of the inns in that town, the Duke found the house in great confusion, and was informed that a body had been thrown upon the strand, by the violence of the waves, about an hour before his arrival, and was carried to that house to be publicly seen and owned. After some moments spent in a state little short of total in animation, he recollected himself enough o express a desire to behold the melancholy object in question.

Beaufvarise eagerly asked his host whether Capt. Warwick was o shore? Finding out that he had sent to order a supper at his house and was expected every instant, the Duke dismissed his host, after desiring him to present his compliments to Capt. Warwick as soon as he came in, and tell him he begged to have the honor of seeing him.

The Duke lamented the wretchedness of his lovely Eliza. He beheld her widowed form in all the eloquence of grief. he raised his heart to Heaven, and supplicated that she might be endued with fortitude to survive a disclosure of the horrid tale. But how did he shudder when he considered that he must be the relater of it.

The Duke was speaking to the shadow of his dead friend Warwick when the Duke arose as he finished and was making to the door, when it opened to usher in Capt. Warwick. The Duke approached him, but an affectionate embrace was the only sigh of joy he could testify at their meeting, "AH! My Lord," cried Capt. Warwick, "WHat a loss have we sustained! There was no possibility of saving our excellent Warwick, the fury of the storm, no assistance could reach him, unhappy Harry! but far more unhappy your surviving friends!"

Ah!" replied Beauvarise, whose tears kept pace with those that fell from Capt. WArwick's eyes, "I have but one comfort left. Let us hasten to the apartment which holds the dismal corpse. Let us bury our Warwick like a soldier. Let us pay the tribute of some sighs to his memory and weep on the cold lifeless body of my friend."

They rushed out of the room together, and entered where the object was deposited. Beauvarise drew near the bed on which it lay, and looked attentively not he face. The harsh treatment it had met with front he boisterous element had changed it much, but the beauty and many countenance for which he had ever been distinguished were still easily visible.

Capt. Warwick answered, "I am sure it is no other than my dar Harry, yet his face is exceedingly changed! Would we had some evidence beyond all doubt that his poor corpse is not now floating on distant waves! Were his obsequies to be attended by men who loved him living, and revere him dead, it would be some comfort and still more in his being interred at least decently."

"Hold!' exclaimed Beauvarise, perceiving through the bosom of the shirt a ribbon fastened about his neck, which he unloosed. What is this? A miniature of a woman and on the back of it, hair worked into his motto, Even data shall not part us. This must give some light." Upon viewing the picture with attention they discovered the angelic features of Lady Eliza Warwick, and this gave them new subject for grief and lamentation.

After two days spent in getting his papers and things from on board the ship, General WArwick's body was converted to London by easy stages, and interred by touch light with all the honors due to an officer of his rank.

Lady Eliza was soon informed of the wretchedness the morning after the Duke left London when she saw a particular account of the whole affair in the paper of the day. She had not gone quite through it, when Nature sickened at the sight. Her eyes refused their office further as an universal tremor seized her limbs and she fell senseless on the floor. Jennet, who was in the next room, heard her fall, and ran to her assistance. She raised her from the ground, and after having placed her on a sopha, administer some bola tiles. Eliza opened her eyes, "AH! Jennet! Why do you force me to live?"

When Jennet asked what affects the lady so, Eliza reach the paper and rising front eh reclining posture she read the whole melancholy detail of the death of General Warwick. "Come, Jennet," cried Lady Eliza, "Do not give way to sorrow. Did you go to my sisters? did you deliver them my letters?"

Jennet replied, "Yes, Madam, and they will not see me. My dar Lady, they inhumanly desired me, by one of their servants, to tell you they never will have anything toe ay to you."

Lady Eliza desired Jennet to bring her had and clone and said, "I will walk and you will walk with me." Lady Eliza seemed determined and Jennet was obliged to comply with the ladyships caprice. Lady Eliza and Jennet had arrived at Lord Tenterdon's door and inhospitable house. Lady Eliza in the softies accent, "I will see my mother and I will behold, before I die, my once tender parents. They can but use me ill and that of late I have been accustomed to." Upon Lady Eliza's desiring to be shown up to Lady Tenterdon, a footman, who was unacquainted wither, obeyed, and conducted her to an antechamber, where the old Earl was seated in a great chair, supported by pillows, with all his family around him. She rushed by the fellow, as he held the door in his hand, and was announcing her, "My father! my dear father!" as she threw herself at his feet.

The father on his death bed accused Lady Eliza of a scheme to shorten the hours of his existence. Lord Tenterdon ordered his daughter to be gone and release him from her her grip. Lord Wesley (Eliza's brother) and two sisters flew to the mourner. As they spoke they endeavored to raise her from Lord Tenterdon's knees.

Lady Eliza tried to tell of her wretchedness and the death of her beloved Warwick, but without avail. Whether nature operated in the breast of Lord Westley, or whether he wished to see his mother spurn Eliza from her as his unworthy father had done, but Lady Eliza' brother freed her from his hands and she fell on her knees to Lady Tenterdon to try bestow her forgiveness. Lady Tenterdon ordered her wretched daughter to begone!

Lady Eliza asked her dear brother to help her to her feeble limbs and she left the house immediately. But lady Eliza's figure and emaciated countenance inspired at once and fainting into Jennet arms and was taken to an portent for relief, until she recovered to carry her to he sad home.

Jennet endeavored to speak comfort to Lady Eliza when they arrived at their sad home, "Ah! My dear lady, art thous gone indeed" WHat will become of they poor Jennet? Wilt thou not live to bring thy hapless infant into the world? Wilt thou not live to protect its innocence? Wilt thou die, and leave me, a wretch who would wish to follow thee. Even to the grave Ah! My sweet lady, take me with thee, and let me inhabit with thee the mansions of the blessed."

After hours passed, Lady Eliza arose, and calling to Jennet gave her her hand, and desired her to be attentive, "Jennet, the moment is at hand when I shall bid adieu to all my troubles. I have seen my Warwick and he has soothed my heart, and spoke such things to me as would transport you with gladness could I communicate them. He hovers over me, and waits but for my coming to be happy. That he assured me would happen soon, and bid me hold myself in readiness. Grieve not for me, but rejoice that I have slipped by neck from the cruel yoke of bondage. You can best tell how I have suffered, and should be most thankful for my release. I need not tell my Jennet to love my memory and if my infant comes into the world with life, cherish, and teach it to lisp my Warwick's name, inspire ti early with reverence for its unhappy parents. I have nothing to bequeath it buy my jewels and watch. You will find ready money.sufficient to pay what debts I owe, and to resetve some trifle for yourself. If my child dies with me, everything I own is justly yours, and let them sometimes revive a tender sentiment in your bosom, when they remind you of your wretched mistress."

Lady Eliza was taken very ill directly after she had brought her daughter into the world. lady Eliza spoke to Jennet again intreated her care of her daughter and desired her to look in a particular part of her escritoire for the most material events of her life, which she had penned from time to time, and when her daughter was old enough to feel and understand them properly, to put them into her daughter hands.

Lady Eliza asked Jennet, "You can finish the remainder of my story and tell her with my dying breath I blessed her adieu! My dearest, most faithful friend. If the Duke of Beauvarise is still attached to my interest, tell him I implore him to protect my child and you. Thank him for all his goodness to me and assure him I die in peace." These were Lady Eliza's last word and she expired soon after in an ecstasy of devotion and went to join her Warwick in heaven.

When the Duke of Beauvarise arrived in town, he flew to the house of Warwick in ignarnct of the death of Lady Eliza. The Duke asked where Lady Eliza was and to her health. Jennet in a burst of sorrow and grief answered, "Ah! My Lord!" as her grief prevented her saying more.

Beauvarise without waiting to inquire further, he went upstairs, and opened the drawing room door to find Lady Eliza laid upon a sopha in her coffin at a little distance from the bed of death. Her infant daughter, Eliza, was fast asleep in her cradle, which was at Lady Eliza's feet. Jennet was kneeling by her dead mistress. Jennet in seeing the Duke's grief and horror arose, caught the infant in her arms and in a wild and pathetic manner presented the daughter to the Duke, "My Lord, that dear angel of light has left to your care this helpless infant. Her last words bequeathed to your friendship the share of this poor orphan and I conjure you, by your great humanity, never to desert her."

The Duke received Eliza Warwick into his arms and after embracing her with much tenderness, he solemnly invoked heaven to witness, he would protect me to the latest hour of his life. He then resigned me to Jennet and kneeling by Lady Eliza, he shed a shower of tears over her lifeless form. he gazed on her with admiration and compassion and after spending an hour thus mournfully by her, he gave orders about her interment, and left the house in a state of horror not be be described.

The Duke of Beauvarise took a house for Jennet and Eliza Warwick a little way out of town. As Eliza Warwick continues her story she passes over her days of infancy in order to draw nearer to those passages of her life which can only appear interesting. Eliza grew to be fond of music and had a tolerable voice. The Duke spent whole days with Eliza and Jennet continually talking to Eliza of her parents. he painted to Eliza, their many virtues and with enthusiasm. The Duke tied about Eliza's neck the miniature of my mother, and decried the dreadful scene he was engaged in when he found it. The Duke spoke of Eliza's mother's good sense and spoke of her religion, her sweetness of temper, her repentance for the only fault she ever committed in her life, and the duty and affection she vote her father and mother.

Eliza Warwick arose and asked the Duke, " And where, my dear guardian, are these parents of my mother? Where are her sisters? her brother? Have I no friends in the whole world but you and Jennet?"

The Duke responded, " My dear Eliza!" hiding tears, "You think too deeply. heaven is your friend, my child. The almighty never forsakes the virtuous and innocent."

It was about this time that Eliza Warwick was introduced to an agreeable an worthy woman at Fairy Hill. Eliza had just turned thirteen and was as beautiful or more so than her mother. Eliza was genteel and tall; proficiency in dancing, and walking well. Eliza was given an air of dignity. At that age, though she was insensible to the charms of her person, having never heard it praised and it is only the remembrance of what she then was lead her to make this assertion, "Indeed, my youth and extreme simplicity prevented my ever setting any great value on beauty, even when I saw it in another."

Young Eliza Warwick spent almost two years at Fairy Hill, in a serene pleasant manner, and thought herself very happy. While there her quardian provided her with excellent masters, not inferior to those she had from London.

It was while at Fairy Hill that Eliza first meet Sir Charles Beaufort, a nephew of Duke of Beauvarise. But we will hear more of Sir Charles Beaufort in next week's OkieLegacy Ezine.

In telling of the story of her life to Lord Huntley, Eliza Warwick (the orphan daughter of General and Lady Warwick) Eliza asks Lord Charles Huntley if misery is hereditary? Surely it may seem so when you come to the end of Eliza's story.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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