Shakspeare.
Late in September, some thirty years ago, Henry Trevethlan lay dyingin the state-bedchamber of Trevethlan Castle; in Cornwall. It was alarge and lofty apartment, indifferently lighted by Gothic casements[Pg 2]overlooking the sea, and wearing a gloomy and desolate aspect. Oldhangings of tapestry, much faded and worn, covered the walls; thefurniture was scanty and inconvenient; the floor was bare, and thedark oak had lost its polish; the very logs in the spacious chimneyseemed damped by the cheerlessness of the room, and threw a dull redglare over the prodigious bed, where death was silently counting thefew sands yet remaining in the upper half of his hour-glass.
As soon as he found himself seriously ill, Mr. Trevethlan had solemnlycharged his medical attendant to warn him of the first approach ofdanger; and immediately that the announcement was made, he causedhimself to be removed from the smaller but more commodious apartmentwhich he usually occupied, to the dreary greatness of thestate-chamber, taking no heed of the remonstrance that the changewould probably hasten his dissolution.
"Pshaw!" said he. "What matter a few days? The Trevethlans always diein the state-rooms."
Accordingly their present representative was duly observing thecustom. Four days had elapsed since his removal, and he had sunk sorapidly, that it was now doubtful whether as many more hours remainedto him; but his mental faculties were still clear and unclouded. Hisson and daughter watched mournfully by his bedside.
"Helen," he said, "Helen Trevethlan, I wish to speak with yourbrother. Leave us for a while."
The girl rose silently, and glided out of the room. As soon as she hadclosed the door, the dying man turned feebly upon his pillows, fixedhis still bright eyes upon his son, and spoke in low but distinctaccents:
"Randolph, I leave you a beggar and a Trevethlan! May my curse clingto you, if ever you suffer poverty to tamper with pride. Employment[Pg 4]will be open to you: may your appointment be your death-warrant. Ay,methinks it may raise my ghost, if Randolph Trevethlan accept a favourfrom Philip Pendarrel. Live, sir, here, as I have lived. Marry, sir,as I married. Rear an heir to the castle, as I have reared you.Bequeath him the same leg