Here Mynheer Poots was under considerable alarm, for the character of Philip Vanderdecken was well known.
“I will come by-and-by, Mynheer Philip, if I can.”
“You’ll come now, you wretched old miser,” exclaimed Philip, seizing hold of the little man by the collar, and pulling him out of his door.
“Murder! murder!” cried Poots, as he lost his legs, and was dragged along by the impetuous young man.
Philip stopped, for he perceived that Poots was black in the face.
“Must I then choke you, to make you go quietly? for, hear me, go you shall, alive or dead.”
“Well, then,” replied Poots, recovering himself, “I will go, but I’ll have you in prison to-night: and, as for your mother, I’ll not — no, that I will not — Mynheer Philip, depend upon it.”
“Mark me, Mynheer Poots,” replied Philip, “as sure as there is a God in heaven, if you do not come with me, I’ll choke you now; and when you arrive, if you do not your best for my poor mother, I’ll murder you there. You know that I always do what I say, so now take my advice, come along quietly, and you shall certainly be paid, and well paid — if I sell my coat.”
This last observation of Philip, perhaps, had more effect than even his threats. Poots was a miserable little atom, and like a child in the powerful grasp of the young man. The doctor’s tenement was isolated, and he could obtain no assistance until within a hundred yards of Vanderdecken’s cottage; so Mynheer Poots decided that he would go — first, because Philip had promised to pay him, and secondly, because he could not help it.
This point being settled, Philip and Mynheer Poots made all haste to the cottage; and on their arrival, they found his mother still in the arms of two of her female neighbours, who were bathing her temples with vinegar. She was in a state of consciousness, but she could not speak; Poots ordered her to be carried up stairs and put to bed, and pouring some acids down her throat, hastened away with Philip to procure the necessary remedies.
“You will give your mother that directly, Mynheer Philip,” said Poots, putting a phial into his hand; “I will now go to the child of the Burgomaster, and will afterwards come back to your cottage.”
“Don’t deceive me,” said Philip, with a threatening look.
“No, no, Mynheer Philip, I would not trust to your uncle Vanbrennen for payment, but you have promised, and I know that you always keep your word. In one hour I will be with your mother; but you yourself must now be quick.”
Philip hastened home. After the potion had been administered, the bleeding was wholly stopped; and in half an hour, his mother could express her wishes in a whisper. When the little doctor arrived, he carefully examined his patient, and then went down stairs with her son into the kitchen.
“Mynheer Philip,” said Poots, “by Allah! I have done my best, but I must tell you that I have little hopes of your mother rising from her bed again. She may live one day or two days, but not more. It is not my fault, Mynheer Philip,” continued Poots, in a deprecating tone.
“No, no; it is the will of Heaven,” replied Philip, mournfully.
“And you will pay me, Mynheer Vanderdecken?” continued the doctor after a short pause.
“Yes,” replied Philip in a voice of thunder, and starting from a reverie. After a moment’s silence, the doctor recommenced:
“Shall I come to-morrow, Mynheer Philip? You know that will be a charge of another guilder: it is of no use to throw away money or time either.”
“Come to-morrow, come every hour, charge what you please; you shall certainly be paid,” replied Philip, curling his lip with contempt.
“Well, it is as you please. As soon as she is dead the cottage and the furniture will be yours, and you will sell them of course. Yes, I will come. You will have plenty of money. Mynheer Philip, I would like the first offer of the cottage, if it is to let.”
Philip raised his arm in the air as if to crush Mynheer Poots, who retreated to the corner.
“I did not mean until your mother was buried,” said Poots, in a coaxing tone.
“Go, wretch, go!” said Philip, covering his face with his hands, as he sank down upon the blood-stained couch.
After a short interval, Philip Vanderdecken returned to the bedside of his mother, whom he found much better; and the neighbours, having their own affairs to attend to, left them alone. Exhausted with the loss of blood, the poor woman slumbered for many hours, during which she never let go the hand of Philip, who watched her breathing in mournful meditation.
It was about one o’clock in the morning when the widow awoke. She had in a great degree recovered her voice, and thus she addressed her son: —
“My dear, my impetuous boy, and have I detained you here a prisoner so long?”
“My own inclination detained me, mother. I leave you not to others until you are up and well again.”
“That, Philip, I shall never be. I feel that death claims me; and O my son, were it not for you, how should I quit this world rejoicing! I have long been dying, Philip, — and long, long have I prayed for death.”
“And why so, mother?” replied Philip, bluntly; “I’ve done my best.”
“You have, my child, you have: and may God bless you for it. Often have I seen you curb your fiery temper — restrain yourself when justified in wrath — to spare a mother’s feelings. ’Tis now some days that even hunger has not persuaded you to disobey your mother. And, Philip, you must have thought me mad or foolish to insist so long, and yet to give no reason. I’ll speak — again — directly.”
The widow turned her head upon the pillow, and remained quiet for some minutes; then, as if revived, she resumed:
“I believe I have been mad at times — have I not, Philip? And God knows I have had a secret in my heart enough to drive a wife to frenzy. It has oppressed me day and night, worn my mind, impaired my reason, and now, at last, thank Heaven! it has overcome this mortal frame: the blow is struck, Philip — I’m sure it is. I wait but to tell you all, — and yet I would not, — ’twill turn your brain as it has turned mine, Philip.”
“Mother,” replied Philip, earnestly, “I conjure you, let me hear this killing secret. Be heaven or hell mixed up with it, I fear not. Heaven will not hurt me and Satan I defy.”
“I know thy bold, proud spirit, Philip, — thy strength of mind. If any one could bear the load of such a dreadful tale, thou couldst. My brain, alas! was far too weak for it; and I see it is my duty to tell it to thee.”
The widow paused as her thoughts reverted to that which she had to confide; for a few minutes the tears rained down her hollow cheeks; she then appeared to have summoned resolution, and to have regained strength.
“Philip, it is of your father I would speak. It is supposed — that he was — drowned at sea.”
“And was he not, mother?” replied Philip, with surprise.
“O no!”
“But he has long been dead, mother?”
“No, — yes, — and yet — no,” said the widow, covering her eyes. Her brain wanders, thought Philip, but he spoke again:
“Then where is he, mother?”
The widow raised herself, and a tremor visibly ran through her whole frame, as she replied —
“In Living Judgment.”
The poor woman then sank down again upon the pillow, and covered her head with the bedclothes, as if she would have hid herself from her own memory. Philip was so much perplexed and astounded, that he could make no reply. A silence of some minutes ensued when, no longer able to bear the agony of suspense, Philip faintly whispered —
“The