LI E) RAFLY OF THE UN IVLR5ITY or ILLINOIS 8^3 G (^6 fa . t • i FASCINATION, AND OTHER TALES. EDITED BY MRS. GORE, AUTHORESS OF MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS," " THE MAN OF FORTUNE," " GREVILLE," &C. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. L LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1842. WHITING, BEAUFORT HOUSE, STRAND. 8^^ ^ ^ ^ ADVERTISEMENT. Specimens of the most popular writers of France are here offered to the EngUsh reader; the works of a gentleman, who, though an able linguist, is sufficiently inexperienced in the tech- nicalities of the press to have required my aid in the revisal. Such is my shape in the book ; — the varied, dramatic, and striking nature of which will plead its own cause with unprejudiced Readers. C. F. G. FASCINATION, VOL. I. FASCINATION. CHAPTER 1. About the year 1769, there stood in the Rue St. Honore, not far from the Palais Royal, an unpretending tailor's shop, over which swung from an iron triangle the sign of " The Golden Shears." Master Landry, the proprietor, was a diminu- tive, lank, apathetic little fellow, offering a striking contrast to Dame Madeleine, his wife. From thirty-five to forty years old, her hard features, and abrupt, imperious, masculine bearing, announced absolute dominion in the establishment. B 2 4 FASCINATION. One rainy, gloomy day of December, about the hour of eleven, Master Landry was seated on his board, flourishing alternately the shears and needle, in company with Martin Kraft, his apprentice; a fat, phlegmatic German, of twenty, with full and rosy cheeks, a dull, heavy countenance, and bright yellow hair. As the tailor^s spouse was not in the most serene of tempers, Landry and his apprentice observed a respectful silence. — At length, weary of his patience, Madeleine addressed her husband, with a bitter sneer. " Have you no blood in your veins, man ?" quoth she. " Do you mean to let them rob you of your last customer, like a dolt as you are ?^' Landry nudged his companion, and winked aside to Martin Kraft, but answered not a word ; only flourishing his needle with a little more spirit than before. Irritated beyond measure by his discretion, the housewife apos- trophised him more pointedly. " To whom am I speaking, pray ?" cried she, in a rage. The tailor and the apprentice were still FASCINATION. 5 mute ; whereupon the exasperated Madeleine applied a well-directed box on the ear to her luckless spouse. " When I say dolt/^ cried she, " who can I mean but your stupid self ? Answer me, un- licked cub ! — answer me !^' '^ What do you think of that, Kraft, by way of a treat r'^ faltered the startled tailor to his apprentice ; who replied by energetically slam- ming his goose upon the skirts of the coat he had been stitching. At this token of indig- nation. Dame Landry — quick as thought — bestowed upon him the same vigorous cor- rection which still caused the ears of her hus- band to tingle. " I will soon teach you to behave yourself, lazy brute l'^ cried she. '' What do you think of that, pray, Master Landry ?" stammered the apprentice, in his turn. " And now,^^ said poor Landry, hoping to assuage the irritation of his wife, — "pray explain to us, temperately, the meaning of this violent fury? We know that you meant no harm,^^ said he, putting his hand to his ear. 6 FASCINATION. " and will attend to what you say. But ex- plain — pry thee, explain 1" — " Sloth — sluggard — miserable man, that ye are !" replied the termagant ; " know, that while dawdling over your needle, one of your best customers, the valet- de-chambre of the Parliament Counsellor, has given his custom to our neighbour, Mathurhi/' " That is one of your patrons, Martin," murmured the henpecked husband, trying to transfer his wife's resentment to his wretched companion. " Your customers are fine things to boast of I MmCf thank God, are more to be trusted, — mine are faithful as the thread to the needle,— as the thimble to the finger — as—" " Hold your peace, blockhead !" cried Dame Landry, interrupting the tailor. ^^You have much to brag of, forsooth. Didn't the clerk of Monsieur Bustcn, the attorney of the Chatelet, also leave you, to employ that infernal Ma- thurin ?" " No fault of mine, wife !— no fault of mine V sighed the poor tailor. ^' 1 vow I think Ma- thurin must be a conjuror to entice away so FASCINATION. 7 many customers. I defy any member of our corporation to cut out better than I do. Sainte Genevieve^ the patroness of our good city can bear witness as to whether I was ever the bet- ter the ten-thousandth part of an ell, for all the stuffs that ever passed through my hands. I may say the same of lace and linings ; and if so be—" "Enough of your talents and virtues, booby," interrupted the wife. " Our neighbour Ma- thurin is a cheat ; but still he moves about, opens his eyes, makes connexions, and is not satisfied, like you, to remain seated all day with his arms crossed." " I humbly crave pardon, madam," said Kraft^ " my master sits with his legs crossed, not his arms, which is quite another thing.^' "Listen to this prating insect !" cried the scold, with an exterminating glance at the hum- ble snip, who quickly resorted to a vigorous ap- plication of the goose, in order to conceal his terror. " And pray of what kind and denomi- nation are your customers ?" she continued, ad- dressing her spouse. " Law^^ers' clerks, ex- cisemen, artizans, — not the shadow of a gentle- man among the whole lot." B FASCINATION, " A s to gentlemen, Madeleine/* observed the tailor, mustering courage for once to answer his wife. ^^ One I certainly have in my books ; and it is you who would fain prevent my working for him/' ^'Ay[ a gentleman among a thousand/' cried the infuriated Madeleine, ^^ How dare you talk to me of the fellow ! Your charming Marquis ! the skinflint who has owed us three hundred livres this year and more. The colour of his coin we have still to discover." — " Well ! if you choose to have gentlemen — '^ '^ I want gentlemen who pay, and not vagabonds who strut about the streets of Paris with swords by their sides, and their hats cocked on one side, duping blockheads such as you, and poor tradespeople like ourselves.'^ The meek tailor raised his eyes to heaven. '' I perceive Madeleine, that you know no more of the Marquis than of the Great Mogul. He a sharper ? — he, poor sweet gentleman, — so sweet that one stands gazing upon him as before the shrine of a saint ! " " So sweet, so sweet,^^ cried the scold, mock- ing her husband. " And pray what does all his sweetness prove? — Stuif and nonsense! — As FASCINATION. » if he paid the better for being sweet-looking or sweet-spoken. Once for all, what is his face to you?" '^Not much certainly. But when I see a young nobleman, poor and unfortunate, and civil-spoken, I want courage to ask him for mo- ney—that's all. Ask Martin Kraft. You sent him there the other day to refresh the Mar- quis's memory as you call it. What was the end of it ? Such was the young gentleman's power of fascination, that instead of asking him to settle his account, Martin inquired whether he should make him a new coat." "Which only proves that Martin is an ass like yourself." " It proves that the young gentleman is as pretty as one of the coloured carvings of Nurenberg," said the German, betraying his ideal of perfection in works of arc and nature. "So," cried Dame Landry, impatiently, " I see we shall do nothing with this young scape- grace till I visit him myself. Let me only see whether he will offer to pay Madeleine Landry with fine speeches and sweet smiles. Let me see— that's all." B 3 10 FASCINATION. A hackney-coach drove up at that moment to the door, — the ram falling in torrents. A smile overspread the features of the scold, who expected to see a customer step from the vehicle. To her astonishment, the driver, having descended deliberately from his seat, looked up at the sign of the shop, and entered. ^« Does Master Landry live here ?" said he, shaking his great coat, which was streaming with rain. "You need not shake yourself, like a dog out of the water, while you ask the question !'* — cried Madeleine angrily. "What do you want with Master Landry ?" " Saving your presence, my good lady, as I am half drowned, the faster the water falls from me, the dryer I am likely to be,'^ replied the coachman, renewing his movements. " Much obliged to you for the preference," retorted the scold, " but I will thank you to dry yourself elsewhere/' "As for Master Landry, I have something to say to him from a young nobleman, and a nice young nobleman he is, or my name is not Jerome Sicard ! — I never saw a nicer I — Devil FASCINATION. 11 take it !'* cried he, interrupting himself, " if the water is not streaming off my hat down my back !^' He then took off his hat and shook it without regard to the grimaces of Dame Madeleine, who was on the point of exploding again. At that moment, the glass of the coach was let down ; and a man about fifty years of age, fat, rubicund, powdered, and dressed in black, bawled out to the coachman in a sten- torian voice. Having repeatedly and vainly renewed his efforts, he suddenly dashed open the door, and burst into the shop — " Will you be pleased to explain, vagabond," said he, "why you stop here, instead of pro- ceeding to the Hotel de Soubise as I ordered you?'^ " I beg pardon, sir, — I'd a little commission here to Master Landry, from a young noble- man." " What signifies that to me ? '' cried the indignant fare. " Back to your seat^ sir ; I am in a hurry !^' " One minute more, my good gentleman ! I must finish my job. I promised the fasci- 12 FASCINATION. nating young nobleman to execute his com- mission, and it must be done !"" " You refuse then to obey me ? Beware ! or I may chance to make you better acquainted with the heutenant of police.'^ '"^As you please. It will only be a night spent in prison ; and what signifies that so long as I keep my promise V After some further threats and remon- strances, which only seemed to confirm the coachman^s obstinacy, the fat gentleman in black, who was major-domo to the Princesse de Soubise, sat down muttering beside the shop- board. "And now/' said the sullen Madeleine, pulling Sicard by the sleeve, '' pray what have you to say to my husband ?" And she pointed to Landry, seated with his needle-hand up- raised, and his mouth wide open, in astonish- ment at the dispute between the two strangers. " You are to know," said the man, " that as I was driving along the Faubourg St Honore, where it was raining torrents, I perceived a young man taking shelter under the gateway of the Hotel Pompadour, He was so good look- FASCIXATIO.V. 13 ing, so angelic, that I could not take my eyes off him. And yet, notwithstanding the in- clement weather, he was clad in a wretched threadbare coat, with black lace — yes, positively a shabby brown coat, with black lace l^' — " Our own coat, as I hope to be saved !" — cried Dame Landry. '^ Our pretty Marquis, Til be sworn! A plague upon him ! The fellow has only that one coat, and even that obtained on credit. No mistake, — it is our Marquis !'' " Marquis or no marquis, if anybody had ever a right to wear an embroidered coat, it is he, or my name is not Jerome Sicard,^^ cried coachee warmly. " He has the face of a good angel. ^^ •^ Angel, forsooth I'' reiterated the termagant. '• Has he sent us any money ? Three hundred livres has he owed us this year past ! — Have you brought us our money ?" — •• Not I, by the Blessed Virgin V' criecl the coachman. '* Who could have the heart to ask him for payment ? Why, I drove him for no- thing to the Palais Marchand." " You see, wife ?' cried the snip triumph- antly. 14 FASCINATION. "Hold your tongue, idiot!" cried Made- leine furiously. " He has cheated the coach- man as he cheated you. Only another proof that he is no better than he should be." " Cheated me V cried the worthy Sicard, stamping his foot with rage. " Cheated 1 — Let me tell you, old lady, that he is the last man likely to cheat any of us. If I drove him for nothing, it was to please myself. When I saw him take shelter from the rain, near the hotel, ' Please to get into my coach, sir,' said I. ' Thank you, my fine fellow,^ he replied, with a voice that sank into my heart like music, ' I am very well here.^ ' But you will be soaked to the skin.^ * No matter — no matter ; only justbe kind enough to tell me, my good friend, what o'clock it is ?' ^ Eleven, sir,^ said I. 'Eleven? and I must be at the Palais Marchand at half-past,' said he, contemplating the gutters, which were overflowing. ' Get in, I beg you, sir,' said I. *You shall be there in twenty minutes. On foot, in such weather as this, you wouldn't reach it before twelve.' 'A thousand thanks, my good fellow,' said he, ' but I have no money, so do not lose your time.' ' No money ?' said I, FASCINATION. 15 almost thrusting him into my coach, for he was as slender as a reed. * What signifies money ? Do you think Jerome Sicard would allow a gentleman like you to miss an appointment for want of a piece of twenty-four sols ? No, no ; take my number, sir, and pay me when you like.^ Then, without giving him time to an- swer, I leapt into my seat, and off we trotted to the Palais Marchand. And now, pray, who was the dupe ?'' "Why, this fellow seems to bewitch them, hackney-coachmen and all!"" cried DameLandry, shrugging her shoulders. " Well, well I we shall soon see the upshot of it." " Have you done T exclaimed the major- domo of the Princess, almost bursting with impatience. '•'A moment more, sir I" cried coachee. " On arriving at the Palais Marchand, says the hand- some young gentleman, ' Your number, my honest fellow ? — God grant I may one day be able to repay this act of good nature, as it deserves ; for without your assistance, I should have been too late for an important audience concerning my lawsuit. Since you are so 16 FASCINATION. obliging, however, be pleased to render me a further service. I was on my way to my tailor's, will you go and remind him of his pro- mise for this evening? He lives in the Rue St. Honore, at the sign of the Golden Shears, If not much out of your way, pray call and say that the Marquis — Let— Less — Letoriere, ay ! that is the name — Letoriere — expects the coat home this evening for which he was measured a fort- night ago/ ^ Out of my way or not, cried,' I ^ 1 shall certainly go I' — Just afterwards you took me by the hour, sir," continued coachee, turning to the fat gentleman, " and as you were coming this way, I have executed my errand to the knight of the needle and thimble. And now, my trump of a tailor ! only tell me at what hour the coat will be ready, and I will be here in time to take it to the fascinating young Marquis, and give you a trip there for nothing . ay, as often as he wants you ; — for to render a good turn to such an angel-faced man must bring one luck in the end/' Then, turning to his patient fare, " 1 humbly ask your pardon, sir," said he, ^^ when you're ready, I'm at your service." FASCINATIQ.y. 17 The major-domo, an unwilling witness to this singular scene, had begun to feel strangely interested, more particularly when he heard Dame Landry burst into further upbraidings of her slender half. " Have you dared then to promise another coat to that pauper Marquis?" cried she. " You have not begun it I hope ?" " But, my dear duck/^ remonstrated the poor tailor. '' Duck me no ducks, — but answer !" cried she. " I have more than begun it 1" said the in- timidated man of measures. '^ You have made it, ay— I see that you have made it ! — When, — how, — where,— when,— pray ? For this week past, I have not seen you or the other lout at vAork on any thing but ratteen cloaks, and plush small-clothes." By way of coming to the assistance of his master, Martin Kraft ventured to observe, " It is I, madam, who with my savings purchased five ells of amaranth-coloured Segovian cloth, too-ether with three ells of taffeta for the lining ; and we worked at it. Master Landry and I, 18 FASCINATION. during the night, so as not to interfere with our work during the day.'^ '' Very pretty doings, on my troth ! — So, while I was taking my honest, quiet sleep, you got up like thieves in the night, to finish this precious concern !" " What was I to do, wife ? that sweet gentle- man was in actual want of a coat to keep him warm this dreadful winter I By St. Genevieve, it was heart-rending to see him shiver in his threadbare jacket. I could not resist the pleasure of seeing him dressed like a gentleman, as he certainly is. Make yourself easy, how- ever. Sooner or later, I warrant ye, we shall be paid! I'll thrust my hand into the fire, if he be not as honest as he is charming." Jerome Sicard, a stout fellow . of about thirty, had listened to the tailor's recital with evident satisfaction. He now stretched out his ponderous hand to the trembling tailor. " Tip us your fist, old boy !" cried he, " you are one of the right sort ! Send out for a bottle of the best Macon, and I'll pledge you in a glass of good fellowship, you and your brother of the thimble. You are an honour to FASCIxN'ATION. 19 the board and shears^ and confer dignity upon the worshipful corporation of snips." "If you only manage to drink the wine / send to fetch for you/' said the scold of a wife, ^' you won^t be much the worse for it. You are a fit companion truly for my fool of a husband ! — Your pate is as soft as his own ! And now, since you are so fond of executing commissions for your fascinating Marquis, just inform him that the coat shall never leave this house, until he has settled the old account. Here it is for you. But no ! I'll take it myself; and if the pretty Marquis be not at home, I'll wait for him ; and if he does not settle it in part this very day, somebody else shall pay him a visit shortly afterwards. I'll show him that we women have a little more pluck than such sneaking hounds as you are." '^ Hounds ? '' reiterated the indignant Jehu, — ^' Hounds ? Had I only in my hands my Per- pignan, which lies on the roof of the coach, or even the ell-measure of your unhappy husband, and you were lucky enough to be Madame Sicard, Pd teach you better manners, and how to refuse a glass of wine to honest fellows like 20 FASCINATION. US. Never mind, worthy tailor, pluck up your spirits, and don't let my hint of the ell-measure be thrown away." Then turning to the rubicund gentleman in black, — *^I wait your pleasure, worthy sir/' said he, coolly. " I am glad to hear it/' replied the major- domo, not a little diverted by the humour of the scene. No sooner had the hackney-coach rattled off, than Dame Landry, taking her hood, cloak, and capacious umbrella, ordered her hus- band to fetch the coat of Segovian cloth, — and carefully locked it up for safety during her absence. It was only too plain to Landry and his apprentice, that she was going in pursuit of him whom she ironically styled the fascinating Marquis. FASCINATIOX. 21 CHAPTER 11. The Marquis resided at only a short distance from his creditor, in a house in the Rue St. Florentine where he occupied two small cham- bers on the fifth story. Even this modest lodging was shared with a certain Doctor Jean Francois Dominique, ex- regius professor of the College du Plessis. By a singular fatality, the young Marquis, who by his amiable qualities had made so favourable an impression upon people of such various conditions of life, had by the same influence obtained the sincere regard of this venerable professor, who bestowed on him a truly paternal affection. 22 FASCINATIOX. In spite of a few childish propensities^ the learned Dominique had early detected in his pupil much warmth of heart, and nobleness of soul. Nor had the rapid proficiency of the young Marquis in the ancient tongues been without its influence in winning the enthusiastic friendship of the old professor. The Abbot of Vighan, uncle to Monsieur de Letoriere, had supported his nephew for six years at the College du Plessis. On one oc- casion while sojourning at his Abbey, a quarter's payment became in arrear; when the Marquis, taking umbrage at an observation made by the principal on the accidental delay, resolved to quit the college. Apprised of his pupil's intentions, poor Do- minique tried by all the eloquence in his power to dissuade him ; but the Marquis was nineteen years of age, and of a determined disposition. At length, rather than see his pupil exposed to the vices and hazards of a metropolis, the fond professor decided upon accompanying him in his flight. He actually assisted in the prepara- tives for his rash act ; and in the darkness of the night, both master and scholar scaled the FASCINATION. 23 walls of the college, — an amazing effort to the old gentleman, who on that occasion took his first lesson in gymnastics. The Principal, rejoiced perhaps to get rid of a turbulent scholar, took no measures for the recovery of the fugitive. Letoriere, meanwhile, was in possession of only fifteen louis ; while Dominique boasted a modest annuity of about fifty pistoles. Such were the resources w4th which the imprudent couple set out ! — The sole patrimony bequeathed to the Marquis by his father, w^ere two or three in- terminable lawsuits, the most considerable of which had lasted for fifty years ; being an action ao-ainst the Dukes of Brunswick-Oels, and the Princes of Brandenberg-Bareuth, in behalf of the claims of the great aunt of Monsieur de Letoriere, Mademoiselle D'Olbreuse, who at the revocation of the edict of Nantes, had emigrated and married one of the collaterals of the Duchy of Brunswick. A poor nobleman of Saintonge, without sup- port or credit, Letoriere had scarcely the means of following up a suit from which he might de- 24 FASCINATION. rive a splendid fortune. Twenty times was he on the point of enhsting as a soldier^ had not the influence of Dominique prevented his tak- ing that step. The ex-professor had closely investigated the documents connected with the subject of litigation. Out of love for his pupil, he had become a very tolerable lawyer; and the claims of the Marquis appeared to him well founded. By waiting patiently, the Marquis must indubitably sooner or later gain his suit. In the heat of his enthusiasm for his charm- ing disciple, he addressed him as Alcibiades, modestly comparing himself, Jean Francois Dominique, with Socrates, and never ceasing to predict to his pupil a brilliant destiny in the sequel. ^^ But, my poor Dominique,^' remonstrated Letoriere, '^ how is all this to be brought about ? My only chance lies in the law or the army. You are my only friend ;—wdthout yow I should stand alone in the w^orld." " But you are so fascinating, my dear boy, that every one who sees you adores you,^^ cried the old tutor. "Your good and generous nature would attach any one to your person. FASCINATION. 25 You have learning and information. You understand Greek and Latin as well as myself, to say nothing of German and French, thanks to the foresight of your father, who had a German valet-de-chambre to wait upon you. You are of ancient descent, too, though you cannot count back to Euryalus, son of Ajax, like Alcibiades, — whom I call my hero, because I can fancy a resemblance between you. Be patient, however, and your career will be more brilliant than his ! Ay ! as sure as that Socrates saved the life of his pupil at Potidea ! But I know your heart I — Once at the zenith of your prosperity, you will no more forget Jean Francois Dominique, than Alcibiades forgot the old philosopher.^^ However fanciful, or indeed absurd, such predictions were in the eyes of the fascinating Marquis, they served to maintain his courage, pending the success of his lawsuit, as well as to prevent him enlisting, as he often threatened. Meanwhile, Dame Landry was not long in finding her way to the Rue St. Florentin. On arriving at the door of her debtor, on the fifth story, the tailor's spouse rested for a short time VOL. I. C 26 FASCINATION. upon the landing-place^ in order to recover her breath, and prepare herself for her burst of rage. When she had knocked at the door, a slow and heavy tread was heard approaching. To the surprise of Madeleine, a man of the most unprepossessing appearance presented himself, to inquire her business, in the shape of the ex-regius professor of the College du Plessis. He was about fifty years of age, tall and gaunt : his elongated pale face being pitted by the smallpox, while his grizzly lank hair was bound with a ribbon behind his head into a slender pig-tail. — An old blanket in which he had ma- jestically enfolded himself, served him as a dressing-gown. Yet^ in spite of this singular dress, his physiognomy was tinged with pe- dantic arrogance, amounting almost to absurdity. The appearance of the apartments visible through the open door was mean, though of scrupulous cleanliness. In a recess, stood a bed composed of a single mattress ; a chest of drawers, a table, and four chairs of walnut- wood, highly polished, completed the inventory of the furniture. In a gloomy inner room, stood FASCINATION. 27 a common stretcher-bed^ still more meagrely appointed ; and though the winter was unusually hard, there was not a trace of fire in this chilling abode ! At the foot of the wretched bed were sus- pended two portraits, in richly gilded frames ; the one representing a man of advanced age, with a wig in the style of Louis XIV., and the cross of St. Louis suspended from his cuirass ; the other, a woman of exquisite beauty, habited as Diana. Throughout the room prevailed symptoms of mingled pride and indigence, cal- culated to touch the heart of any woman less stubborn than Dame Madeleine Landry. ^•Does one Monsieur Lttoriere live here?^' she inquired abruptly of the old man in the blanket. The words — ^^ one Monsieur Letoriere/^ grated upon the ears of the Ex-professor ; who replied, with, the most caustic dignity, — ^^ The Right Honourable Lord Lancelot Marie Joseph du Vighan, of Marseilles, Marquis Letoriere, resides in this apartment, my good woman; have you any business with him ? " " Good woman, forsooth ! — Call me good c 2 28 FASCINATION. woman again, and Pll soon let you know whether I am a good woman or not ! " cried the enraged lady. "Where is your master, pray? — Your sharper Marquis — your Right Honourable Lord Out-at-elbows ? '^ Jean Frangois Dominique threw his toga ma-, jestically over his shoulders, and in an im- perial voice bad her begone. "The Marquis, my noble pupil, is not come home,^^ said he ; " nor do I know when he is likely to be here. Moreover, your visit is scarcely likely to be acceptable ; for if rage distort the face of beauty, a fortiori it acts with double influence upon those towards which nature has been less bountiful. I am sorry for your case, my dear lady, and have the honour to wish you a good morning.^' And Dominique pointed to the stairs with a most significant gesture. The tailor's wife had now lost all patience. Laying aside her formidable umbrella, she ab- ruptly seated herself, evidently resolved to remain. *^ It becomes you truly to talk of ugliness ! '' pried she. "Out upon you for an owUfaced FASCINATION. 29 monster ! And so you are father to the fasci- nating Marquis ! — I wish him joy of you. Why, you are barely fit for a scarecrow ! Take my word for it, I'll not budge a step from this room till my bill is paid ; or if I go away without my money, by the holy St. Madeleine, it shall be to fetch a bailiff ! " '^ Your money for what ? " inquired the old Professor, gravely. " For the clothes your scamp of an offspring has on his back ! I am Madeleine Landry, of the Golden Shears ; and if my husband has been ninny enough to give your fascinating Marquis credit, I am not mad enough to say yes to the bargain. My money I will have, or know why ! So here I remain, if 'tis till night/' '^Do you mean," exclaimed Dominique, crossing his arms imperiously, "that all this farrago of nonsense and loss of time is because you come hither to molest the Marquis about a paltry sum of money ? — Woman! woman ! learn that the cities of Greece disputed the honour of serving Alcibiades, — that the Ephesians pitched his tent, — that Chias kept his horses, — the Les- bians his table,— ay ! for nothing, or rather for 30 FASCINATION. the gratification of offering gifts to the all- fascinating Alcibiades; while you, botching sempstress that you are, presume, for the pitiful sum of three hundred dirty livres, to come and shriek like a screech-owl in my ears ! Know that the Marquis, my charming pupil, is worth a hundred of Alcibiades. Bless your stars, lifeless lump of ignorance as you are, that such a being ever deigned to cast his eyes upon your ill-fashioned graceless coat. A certain Athenian son of Crispin, gained more by having made the first pair of shoes for Alci- biades, than ever you will in the course of your base existence/' Amazed by the exasperation of the strange man in the blanket, Dame Landry began to fancy him escaped from some mad-house. " And prythee,'* said he, more calmly, " where is the promised coat which the Marquis did your husband the honour to order ? Bid him surpass his usual dexterity in its completion, if he has his prospects at heart; for should my charming pupil be satisfied, his fortune is made. Let me see the coat I" cried he, gravely advanc- ing towards Madeleine. FASCINATION. 31 Dame Landry started up, determined to tear out the eyes, if necessary, of one whom she regarded as a madman. " Not a step, man," cried she, " or I will break my umbrella upon your back !" and with a determined air, she brandished the formidable weapon. " You are surely out of your senses, old lady," cried he. "Who wants to hurt you, — or who is afraid of your umbrella ? And after aU, then, vou have not brought the coat?" persisted Dominique, in a milder voice. "Brought the coat?'' exclaimed the angry woman. " Not I, believe me ! and it is no thanks to me that your charming Marquis has got one to his back at this moment ! — Had not my dolt of a husband chosen to make it, he might have gone bare for me ! — But I'll not leave this house without being paid for it; and if I am not, there is still the prison of Fort-F-Eveque, to accommodate penniless noblemen, in spite of all their fascination. When people have no money to pay for smart clothes, they wear what they can, and do not fiich the time and bread of poor working people !" 32 FASCINATION, At that moment, steps were heard hghtly tripping up stairs. **Itisthe Marquis himseK," exclaimed Do- minique. " Ah I now, then, we shall come to an ex- planation !" exclaimed Madeleine. " Moderate your exasperation, old lady; and as there is breath in my body, you shall be paid,'^ ejaculated the terrified Professor. *^ Moonshine,'^ replied Madeleine, ^' all moon- shine ! — I'll soon see what this tinsel young Marquis is made of !'*^ — As she spoke, the door opened, and the Marquis de Letoriere entered the room. " I have not courage to see the poor dear fellow insulted !" murmured the old man, and hastily withdrawing, he took shelter in the inner chamber^ FASCINATION. 33 CHAPTER III. Madeleine had now assumed the attitude of a game-cock, — her eyes flashing fire upon the fascinating young man who presented himself before her. The Marquis de Letoriere seemed to have attained his twenty-first year. Portraits still extant, as well as the records of his contem- poraries, unite in representing him as one of the handsomest men of his time. His person was of the most elegant symmetry, approaching nearer to the Cupid of antiquity, than to the Antinous ; but no statue remaining to us of the Greeks conveys an ideal comparable with his admirable beauty of form. With this pretty exterior, however, nature had endowed him c 3 34 FASCINATION. with iron muscles, the courage of a Hon, a superior mind, an elevated soul, and a generous character. Though his face could not boast of the severe style of masculine beauty, nothing could be more attractive than its features and expression. — Fascination emanated from every glance; and if herculean strength and gigantic stature were wanting, the use of armour rendered them no longer indispensable, while a grave and dig- nified air would have been as much out of date as one of the ponderous wigs of Louis XIV. The day of Letoriere was that of pink powder, embroidery, ribbons, silk, and precious stones ; and all his movements partook of an elegance almost feminine, yet in admirable keeping with the costume and manners of the period. Endowed with the art of pleasing to the most supreme degree, his physiognomy was capable of expressing by turns mirth and irony, pride, audacity, tenderness, or the most melancholy dejection ; and the reports of those days avouch that the look and voice of the Marquis de Letoriere were so powerfully irre- sistible, that the partisans of the new science FASCINATION. 35 attributed his powers of fascination to the charm of magnetic attraction. At the time of which we write, however, he was still a youth^ and whether endowed or not "with magnetic power, the tailor's wife w^as about to subject him to an ordeal of no ordinary se- verity. On beholding her debtor, she grev/ more furious than ever. Drenched with rain, the hands of the Marquis were blue with cold ; while his wet brown locks, which he wore with- out powder, were clinging to his moistened brow. On seeing Madeleine, he could not forbear evinc- ing symptoms of regret. He bowed politely how- ever ; and fixing his large dark eyes, at once so mournful and so sweet, upon his angry guest, addressed her in a voice of the most harmoni- ous accents. '^ Do you wish to speak to me, madam?" said he. " Speak quotha ? — Ay, to bid you pay me for the coat you have got upon your back^' cried she. ^^ It belongs to me and my husband Landry, tailor by appointment to the most fascinating of Marquises !" said she, looking insolently at her debtor. 36 FASCINATION. A deep blush tinged the cheeks of the noble youth ; but though writhing under this bitter reproof, he answered with the utmost gentle- ness, ^^ I regret it is not in my power to pay you at present/' '^ At present !^* cried she. "Ay ay,— an easy word to say ; but I did not come here for empty words ! When people can't pay for coats, they don't order them. Out of this room I don't go without my money!'' And seating herself with a sturdy air, she left the Marquis standing by her side. " Believe me that in one month I will dis- charge my debt !" said he. '^ I pledge my word as a gentleman, madam, and rely upon your goodnature to grant me until then. I entreat you to be patient." These words were so pathetically and nobly uttered, that Madeleine, already struck by the abject misery of the position which he so heroically endured, and fearing lest her com- passion should get the better of her, made an effort to reply. '' Your word of honour as a gentleman, truly ! FASCINATION. 37 — of what use is any gentleman^s word of honour when money is in question ?^^ " It is cruel of you, madam, to address me thus reproachfully," interrupted the Marquis. '^ You are a woman — I owe you money — I am here in my own house. I implore you, do not aggravate the wretchedness of a position such as I earnestly trust may never fall to your lot." *^ But you have no more chance of having money at your disposal a month hence than now,'^ said Madeleine imperiously. " I am not to be made a fool of so easily." " If in a month my uncle, the Abbot of Vighan, of whom I shall ask pecuniary assist- ance to pay my debts, be not returned, I will enlist as a soldier, and the amount of my bounty-money shall be faithfully transmitted to you," said Letoriere, firmly. "You will find, madam, that the word of a gentleman may be worth something." The Marquis announced this resolution with so much dignity, and in so frank a tone, that Madeleine almost repented having gone so far. " God forbid that I should force you to enlist,^' 38 FASCINATION. said she, " but be paid I must. It has gone on too long. You ought to part with some of your furniture .^^ " My furniture, madam ?'* he repeated, glancing with a heart-rending look of distress round his cold dismantled chamber. At this significant reply, Madeleine felt painfully oppressed ; yet she ventured to add, " But those two pictures V " Those two pictures," said the Marquis, gravely, " are all that remain to me of my father and mother. Those two beloved faces seem alone to compassionate their son, as he blushes for his own poverty and your harsh dealing.^^ At these words, Madeleine involuntarily com- pared the interior of her comfortable home with the cold wretched abode of the nobleman be- fore her ; and her anger subsided into pity at the aspect of the handsome young Marquis shivering in his dripping clothes. From violent characters violent extremes are to be expected. Since her departure from the Golden Shears, she had continued in a state of exasperation so outrageous, that the paroxysm could not hold out. Like all exaggerated feel- FASCINATION. 39 ings, her anger vanished the moment reflection afforded play for the better impulses of her heart. The Marquis was so mild — so graceful, — had replied to her injuries with so much dignity and calmness, and seemed suffering so severely from the intense cold, he being doubtless reared in the lap of luxury, that the furious woman sank under the irresistible influence of the fas- cinating youth. Her violence gave way to a tone of respect — her harshness to looks of commiseration. Throwing on her hood, she muttered some indistinct words, and disap- peared. The Marquis was utterly amazed at her sud- den exit ; while the Ex-professor, who waited the issue of this interview to come forth from his den, partly opened the door to inquire whether the old witch were really gone. •^ Pardon me for ha\ning turned my back to the enemy,*' said he ; " but I had not courage for such a vixen.*^ " You heard all then, my good Dominique V said the poor Marquis. " What misery, what humiliation ! To be accused of want of probity 40 FASCINATION. by such a woman as that ! It is too dreadful ! Dear Dominique, I have made up my mind ! If my uncle do not arrive, I enlist. I will pay this accursed debt. I cannot support this load of shame.'' "Enlist and renounce your expectations?" cried the Professor ; — "madness, madness !" " This very day,'' replied Letoriere, " I have been to my lawyer. There is not a shadow of hope. To persevere in this suit against the Ger- man princes, 1 must pay down a larger sum of money than I am ever likely to possess. I have only to withdraw my claims ! — But what ails me?*' suddenly exclaimed the Marquis. "Dear Dominique, I am wretchedly ill !" — and trem- bling from head to foot, he sank into a chair. "111? — no wonder — no wonder \" observed the good Professor, wringing his hands. " To have been out in this merciless rain, and not a spark of fire to dry you on your return. Such a recep- tion too from that spiteful old witch, whom I would fain have burning here on the hearth in place of a faggot ! — As to wood, God knows — '' "Good Dominique!" interrupted Letoriere, "do not distress yourself! You have already FASCINATION. 41 done too much for me. Did you not resign your situation ?^^ " And Socrates, pray ? — Did not that great philosopher sacrifice all to follow Alcibiades !^' cried Dominique ; " only it was not quite so cold perhaps at Athens as at Paris. Socrates had not to behold his beloved pupil tremble with cold. But stop a moment. — Take oflf your wet clothes, and lie down 1'^ he continued. "You will be warmer in bed. ^' ^^ You are right, Dominique/^ faltered Letoriere^ ^' But I am really ill. I fear I have got an ague." '^ No, no ! take courage, my poor child. You will be well enough to-morrow! "cried Dominique holding up his fist, as he pointed at the door through which Madeleine had retired. " The infernal old sorceress is the cause of alV^ said he. "I only regret I did not turn her out by the shoulders before you arrived !'^ In the midst of this apostrophe, the door opened, and to the great astonishment of the Professor, a porter made his appearance, carrying two immense bundles of faggots made of vine-stems. " You are mistaken, my good man,'^ said he, " these faggots are not for us.'^ 42 FASCINATION. " Why, isn't this the lodging of the Marquis Letoriere ? '^ said the man. " To be sure it is ! '' " Well then, the wood's for him. The old lady in the brown hood told me that she was going to return here in a jifFy, to make up the fire and bring a posset for the Marquis, who was indisposed." *^The old lady in the brown hood?" cried Dominique, astounded. *' Ay, good sir ! The same who paid me for the wood/' '^ Who paid you for the wood ? — Do you hear all this, my beloved pupil ? You are about to have fire and food," cried joyously the Pro- fessor, turning towards the Marquis, who, over- powered by the approach of fever, had thrown himself on the bed. Dame Landry soon arrived to explain the enigma. The penitent woman made her ap- pearance with a can of hot water in one hand, and in the other a shovelful of burning embers. As soon as the porter was gone, she noticed the paleness of the Marquis, and exclaimed FASCINATION. 43 With horror,— «' He has got the ague, poor young gentleman ! The cold has laid hold of him ; and I, who had the inhumanity to detain him talking, while he was shivering in his wet clothes ! Come, come, old gentleman, don't stand there staring at me, like the Grand Mo- gul in the wax-work ! Make yourself useful, throw some wood into the fireplace, and light it, while I go and break the eggs to make the posset. A clean cup, quick \*' Then, going towards the bed, she exclaimed, " Holy Virgin ! only one blanket. Fetch him instantly something to cover his feet. — And his head is too low 1 Another pillow here ; go fetch one. — Draw the curtains. What ! no cur- tains ? nor to the windows neither ? The light hurts his poor eyes. Go, go, exert yourself, — I cannot do all myself.'^ — The worthy man to whom these abrupt com- mands were addressed, stood amazed at so un- accountable an influx of tender mercies. *^ It is all the irresistible fascination with which nature has endowed him !" cried he. " He captivates the tailor's termagant wife, as Alci- biades seduced Timea, wife of Agis, king of 44 FASCINATION. Lacedemonia ; and respecting her virtue all the while, — which is infinitely more extraordinary, as well as disinterested/^ '^ My dear good lady, we have neither pillows, blankets, nor curtains ! ^^ continued the Pro- fessor, turning despondingly towards Madeleine. " What abject misery ! '' was her secret re- flection; when suddenly perceiving the toga with which the Professor had adorned himself, she observed aloud, — '^ But supposing you were to give me the blanket oflf your shoulders ? — At your age is it not shameful to go about in such childish masquerade V — Madeleine gave a violent tug at the toga as she spoke, which Dominique resolutely resisted, ex- claiming, — '' Listen, exceHent lady, listen I beseech you ! — Beware ! — Pull not so hard. It is a subject of the utmost delicacy ! Suffer me to confide to you, respectable tailor"*s wife as you are as likewise of a mature age, that my hosen, as our forefathers called a portion of their habiUments, had arrived at the verge of the most equivocal decency ; and having no dressing- gown, I am obUged to adopt a Roman toga, in the absence of a more convenient covering." FASCINATION. 45 " Goodness be gracious to us," cried Ma- deleine, aghast, — ^' can such things be ! — Well, well ! — I must send Landry to you this evening." Having blown up the fire till it threw the light of a cheerful blaze upon this scene of want, — "Is the Marquis asleep?" — said she. " If not, pry thee make him drink this ; " — and she presented a cup of the restorative beverage she had been brewing. Dominique crept softly to the bedside. "How do you find yourself ? " — said he to his suffering pupil. " I am cold as death, and my head aches cruelly ! ^' said he, in feeble accents. " How is it that we have a fire ? " — " How, indeed ! Why simply because your own powers of fascination have kindled one. Moreover, yonder excellent woman has made you this posset, which I pray of you to drink. — Courage, courage ! Your star is shining forth again, under the auspices of Dame Ma- deleine Landry, the tailor's wife."" The Marquis, sufi*ering acutely, barely under- stood the incoherent words of Dominique, nor to what star he alluded ; but having swallowed 46 FASCINATION. the posset, he fell into a profound sleep ; on per- ceiving which, Madeleine with motherly kind- ness approached the bed, and having tucked up the coverings, returned towards Dominique- '^ You must show a good heart and forgive me,^' said she. " I own I was shamefully harsh with your charming Marquis. But you see I had been put out of sorts at home, and had never seen yonder poor invalid. So young, so gentle, an orphan, and a nobleman besides, to be without clothing and fire in the midst of winter, while even we poor workmen have a good warm stove to keep us comfortable ! My good sir, I shall never forgive myself for having aiFronted the Marquis ; and remember that so long as Madeleine Landry lives, he shall never want a nurse to watch over him. Between ourselves," she continued, ^^and no offence I hope/^ a tear rolling down her cheek as she drew forth a small leathern bag, " as I was coming here, I re- ceived a payment of three hundred livres. The Marquis is ill and may want medical assistance. Never would I have dared offer such a sum to him. But with you, sir, his kind old friend, I am bolder. Let me only just add the amount FASCINATION. 47 to our little bill, sir, and say no more about the matter. All I ask is, that you will forget the foolish angry words I so much regret/^ " Upon that point, my dear lady," replied the Doctor gravely, '' I fear we are even. You called me owl, — I called you witch, — no great odds. With respect to the loan, allow me to say that the return of my pupiPs uncle, the Abbot of Vighan, may be deferred ; and it will then be some time before we are able to repay what you so generously offer ; and after the scene of this morning — " ^' Pray, pray, do not mention it, sir,^' cried Madeleine, " or I shall die of shame ! The Marquis will repay us when he can. It is not the loss of so trifling a sum that will ruin us.'^ " Well, well, I make myself responsible,'-' said the overjoyed Dominique. " My next quarter shall be answerable for the loan.'^ "Thanks, thanks. I now feel that I have made some small atonement for my heartless conduct,^^ cried Dame Landry, much comforted : " so I will even return home, and bring back a few of the comforts of which our poor sufferer so stands in need. I shall look in every day, and 48 FASCIxNATION. nurse him, if he will allow me ; — for men, how- ever kind, do not understand the wants of the sick." And with an humble curtsey to the ex- regius Professor, she withdrew, leaving him to snooze beside the fire, while the Marquis was reposing ; — an enjoyment long unknown to poor Dominique. FASCINATION. 49 CHAPTER IV. The illness of Monsieur de Letoriere was drawing to its close. Thanks to the care of Ma- deleine^ her husband, and the apprentice Kraft, he was almost convalescent. All three had vied in attention with the kind Professor ; and the Marquis evinced such affectionate gratitude for these proofs of interest, and by the delicacy and goodness of his heart seemed so much to de- serve them, that both the tailor and his wife be- came more attached than ever to their fascinat- ing protege. Spring was approaching; when one day Domi- nique, who had gone forth to persuade a lawyer to undertake the important suit of the Marquis, VOL. r. D 50 FASCINATION. returned home with joy and astonishment in his face; followed by the apprentice, Martin Kraft, carrying an immense basket of the rarest fruits and flowers. On a card stuck to a magnificent pine-apple was inscribed, ^^ To Monsieur le Marquis de Letoriere." Having admired this magnificent present with infantine curiosity, he quickly changed the address ; substituting — " To my good friends, Landry and his wife f' and entreated Kraft to carry it immediately to its destination. '' Tell them,'' said he, " that I know not whence it came ; but it is the first time I have possessed any thing I could offer them as a pledge of my eternal gratitude." Some days afterwards, to his still further surprise, a magnificent desk was left at the porter's lodge. In one of the compartments was found the following note : " Your conduct has not disappointed our expectations. Proceed as you have begun ! Forward the accompanying letters." In another of the comi)artments, Letoriere found two sealed letters, one addressed to " Master Landry, Tailor, at the Golden Shears.*' FASCINATION. 51 The other to " Monsieur Buston, Attorney, at the Chatelet." The latter gentleman was the lawyer em- ployed in the Marquises suit; and had shown considerable reluctance to proceed, fearing the inabihty of the party to reimburse his ex- penses. On the discovery of these letters, Letoriere and Dominique looked at one another in utter astonishment. *^ Did I not tell your" cried the Ex-pro- fessor. *^ Will you believe me another time ? Dare you still mistrust your destiny ? — I tell you that you will soon have nothing to envy in the fate of the son of Clinias V' Bewildered by this new incident, the Mar- quis begged him to carry the letters to their respective addresses. An hour afterwards, the tailor and his wife were at the feet of the young nobleman. "Thanks to you, Monsieur le Marquis, I have the custom of the Duke of Bourbon !" cried Landry. " A clear gain of six thousand livres per annum ! — I am now a made man !^' D 2 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY ^2 FASCINA^TION. " Thanks to you, Monsieur le Marquis, our neighbour Mathurin, v\ho took away all our customers, will burst with envy!" cried Madeleine. *^ And thanks to you, Monsieur le Marquis, Dame Landry will no longer give me cuffs on the head,^* added the tailor in a whisper, •^ My dear friends," said Letoriere, " I am sorry to say that it is not I who am the cause of all this!'' '^ Why deny it, Marquis?" — cried Made- leine. "Wherefore deny it !"•— Then drawing the precious missive from her pocket, she read aloud, " Master Landry : This is to notify, that you are hereby appointed body- tailor to my lord, the Duke of Bourbon ; being at the express recommendation of the Marquis de Letoriere." " Look, sir, look and believe !" added Made- leine, her eyes overflowing with tears ; " we shall be rich for the remainder of our days. And yet,- if I dare confess it. Monsieur le Marquis, the basket of fruit and flowers you sent us yesterday gave us still greater pleasure than this appointment!" FASCINATION. 53 " You have guessed right this time, my good friends/' said Letoriere» " It was / who sent you that present, though I knew not from whence it came. As to the matter of to day, I swear to you that the contents of the letter are an impenetrable mystery." At this moment, Dominique entered the room^ completely out of breath. He had mounted the five flights of stairs with such rapidity that he could barely utter the following words : ^^ Rich as a Jew — the lawsuit — ay ! I told you so P' — and he threw his arms round his pupil's neck, and tenderly embraced him. " My good Dominique, compose yourself," said his pupil. " Explain this joyous news." " Joyous news, indeed !" cried the breathless Professor. " Just imagine ! — According to your desire, I proceeded to Buston, that bird of prey, your precious solicitor; and no sooner did the clerks behold me enter, than they com- menced their usual insults. Entertaining the most Socratical contempt for them, I simply de- manded to see Master Buston. According to custom, these impudent varlets instantly cried out, in chorus, ' Not at home — not at home !' 54 FASCINATION. And it was in the midst of this diaboHcal row, that I advanced towards the principal clerk, and showed hira the letter. Had you only seen his face!" exclaimed Dominique, slapping his thighs, and bursting with laughter. ^' Proceed ! proceed/' exclaimed the Mar- quis, full of interest in the recital. " Well then, — the principal clerk, on opening the letter, became suddenly as serious as an ass that is being currycombed. Commanding si- lence to be observed, he rose and respectfully addressed me. " ^ I shall have the honour of conducting Monsieur Dominique to Monsieur Buston,' said he ; and with a flourish of the hand he preceded me into the presence of his employer — the gen- tleman who had just been ^ not at home.' The old vulture transformed into a dove, mumbled forth the following words : — '* * I never doubted, sir, the success of the suit in question. The letter you have brought removes the only obstacle opposing the pro- secution of the cause, which shall be the object of my undivided attention, while our opponents, the German princes, are preparing FASCINATION. 55 their defence. Nay, I have such faith, sir, in the honour of the Marquis de Letoriere, that I offer him, through you, a credit of twenty thousand livres on account, which is not the fifth part of what will accrue to him, besides the certainty of success in the Saintonge affair.' " " All this is a dream!" — exclaimed the Mar- quis, clasping his hands upon his brows. "To me it appeared so, likewise ; and to convince myself to the contrary I accepted, as your representative, the offer of Buston.'' " You did?'' cried Letoriere, aghast. " Upon my simple signature, the lawyer placed in my hand this pocket-book, containing twenty notes of a thousand livres each!"— said the Professor. It would be difficult to depict the joy of the various personages present at the foregoing scene. After endless acknowledgments and benedic- tions, the tailor, his wife, and apprentice with- drew; and, when left alone with Dominique, the Marquis exhausted his conjectures as to the source of these mysterious benefactions. Bordier, the famous cabinet-maker, whose name 56 FASCINATION. was in the desk, declared himself to be in posi- tive ignorance as to the purchaser ; while the sohcitor persisted in obstinate silence concern- ing the author of the letter which had conveyed so favourable an opinion of the success of the suit. The private secretary of the Duke de Bourbon came indeed in person to confirm the appointment of Master Landry to be tailor to his household ; but the private secretary was " private and confidential/^ As soon as the Marquis was finally recovered, he and Dominique removed to a small apart- ment in the Faubourg St. Germain. Honest Jerome Sicard, the hackney-coachman who so kindly came to the assistance of the Marquis in the rain, was now promoted to the dignity of his valet-de-chambre — the only reward he soli- cited when asked by the Marquis in what man- ner he could testify his gratitude. It is needless to say, that Sicard, Master Landry and his spouse, received handsome testimonials of gra- titude from Letoriere. By some unaccountable means, not one of the good and generous actions of the young Marquis but became instantly known to his FASCINATION. 67 mysterious but powerful protector !— On every fresh occurrence, a note arrived by the post, saying — " It is well !— Persevere !— We watch over you!"— At other times, these letters afforded advice full of sound wisdom, recommending him to enjoy the pleasures natural to his age ; without losing sight of that rectitude and uprightness, on the stability of which depended his future prospects. At other times, they recommended him to keep up the exercises and accomphsh- ments suitable to a nobleman ; and following this advice, he soon excelled in every manly exercise requiring skill and agility. These letters sometimes found their way to the Marquis by agreeable surprises; at one time, in a magnificent Sevres vase ; at another, on returning home from tennis a letter was slipped into his pocket, enveloped in a satin cover, beautifully embroidered with his arms and cipher. This curious correspondence had continued D 3 58 FASCINATION. during a year, when the Saintonge cause was decided in his favour. The day following the decision, a groom, attired in the livery of the Marquis, led up to his door two magnificent saddle-horses, which were just then beginning to be the fashion. Their caparisons were per- fect; and a letter accompanied this sumptuous present, conceived in the following terms : " Your suit is gained, and you are now able to live as becomes your rank in life. Go to Cherin the genealogist, who will make out your pedigree, which must be deposited with the archivists to be submitted to the king, and secure your presentation at court. You will doubtless accompany his Majesty to the chase, where these horses are necessary. Your con^ duct meets with our approbation." To every question put by the Marquis, the groom merely replied, that a stranger who had purchased the two horses at the famous Gabarts, saying he would send the appurtenances pre- sently, was dressed in black, and of about fifty years of age. Shortly after this surprise, the Marquis re- ceived the following billet : FASCINATION. 59 « Go to the masked ball at the opera this evening. You must station yourself on the king's side, and wear a black domino, with a blue and white bow.'^ Letoriere had never been to a ball at the opera. Without leading the life of a recluse, his time was chiefly devoted to manly exer- cises, long excursions with Dominique, study of Greek and Latin authors, and frequent at- tendance at the national theatre. Though Dominique had deeply studied the attributes of the human heart, he was frequently amazed at the self-denial of his pupil, at an age when the passions develop themselves in all their vigour. Sometimes the virtuous old Professor ventured to surmise that Letoriere's guardian angel must be a woman; but refrained from communicating such an idea to his disciple. On sohciting Dominique to accompany him to the masked ball, the astonished Professor readily consented ; but when bewildered in the vortex of that novel and tumultuous scene, the two novices had some difficulty in discovering the king's side, and were the subject of many jokes to the bystanders. The Marquis, with 60 FASCINATION. his slender waist, elegant figure, and diminutive hands and feet, was mistaken for a woman ;- while the tall, starched Professor was generally supposed to he the husband of the fair incognita ! Letoriere's blood rushed into his cheeks with rage, at such an insinuation ; and all the sup- plications of Dominique could scarcely per- suade him to control his anger. Two dominoes at length approached them, one of which took Dominique by the arm, while the other whis- pered into Letoriere^s ear : " Persevere ! — we are satisfied ! — Patience and Hope !" At that moment, he felt something in- sinuated into his hand ; but already the mask had disappeared in the crowd. The young man was enchanted ! The voice vi^hich had whispered these often repeated words of encouragement into his ear, was that of a woman, young, and probably fair, for he had detected two soft blue eyes gazing through the mask. Frantic with delight, a thousand new sensa- tions caused the chords of his heart to vibrate. He even totally forgot poor Dominique in his FASCINATION. 61 eager search after the soft blue eyes which had gazed upon him with so tender an expression. Towards five in the morning, perceiving the futility of his search, he returned home, impa- tient to ascertain the contents of the mysteri- ous packet. It contained a ring, in which was set a table diamond, just then the rage; w^hile upon the enamel in which it was set, figured a soft blue eye, which he seemed to recognize as the one which had peeped from under the mask. Be^ neath, was engraved in microscopic letters, ^^ Watching over thee.'^ The letter contained the following words : "You are now twenty, young, handsome, clever, well born, of fascinating manners, and possessed of ample resources. The future is your own. We shall see whether the advice bestowed upon you during the last year, will bring forth goodly fruit. This is the last letter you will receive. You are your own free agent ; but you w411 be watched at every step. In four years, dating from this day, whether your con- duct continue to be approved or not, you will receive a further communication. Till then, Courage, Hope, Patience ! — Farewell !" 62 FASCINATION. For a whole month, the Marquis was wild with curiosity. He wandered about like one demented ; anxiously scrutinising every blue eye he met, which he compared with the one depicted on his ring. Many were the blue eyes which turned timidly away from his ardent and inquiring gaze ; some looked angry, some tender: but his scrutiny and surmises were equally unavailing. At last, he recollected the pedigree to be deposited upon the architable of the king. But to fulfil every necessary formality, he waited the return of his distant relation, the Count d'Apreville, by whom he was to be presented at the court of Louis XV. FASCINATION. 63 CHAPTER V. The Marquis de Letoriere was walking one day on the banks of the Grand Canal at Ver- sailles, much dejected, and fancying himself de- serted by his mysterious protectress. He was re- turning from the manege, attired in a costume that marvellously enhanced his fascinating per- son. A green embroidered coat, scarlet breeches, a waistcoat to match, with large black morocco boots of splendid lustre, above which knee-caps of the finest cambric were perceptible, com- pleted his dress. When lo ! at a few paces dis- tance, he perceived an aged gentleman on horse- back, who, in spite of all his efforts, could not persuade his horse to pass a pedestal of marble. 64 FASCINATION. at which it had taken fright. There were two other witnesses of the scene ; — a man of about sixty years of age in a coat of pearl-grey taffeta, with silk braidings of the same colour, of a courteous and noble countenance ; who was leaning on a gentleman still more advanced in years, below the middle stature, and of a stoop- ing gait, superbly dressed in the style of the Regenc}^, — his pale face being stamped with unerring marks of age. The more simply dressed of the two ob- served, pointing to Letoriere, "What a charming countenance ! what a distinguished air! — I never saw a more fascinating young man. — What do you think of him. Marshal ?" " So, so !^' replied the old gentleman with a dry cough, " good-looking certainly, — but awk- ward as a clerk of the Holy Water." — The Duke de Richelieu retained all the sar- castic slang of the Regency ; but his companion instantly retorted, — " He ! — that fine young man a dealer in holy water ? It must be in the name then of a saint of your own stamp.^' The horse, meanwhile, was still restive. At every effort of whip and spur, the animal be- FASCINATION. 65 came more restless and unmanageable. By- degrees, Richelieu and his companion drew nearer to the Marquis, who, from respect to two persons of such venerable exterior, saluted them with a profound bow. "And pray my young friend, which is at fault, the horse or the rider ? ^' — demanded Richelieu's companion. " The point is somewhat difficult to decide," replied Letoriere. " The rider argues with cuts of the whip, — the horse replies by kicking.'^ — This answer, given with modest assurance atid the confiding gaiety of youth, amused the elderly gentlemen. "You seem to make little of the dilemma, my young cavalier ! I should like to see j/ow in the place of the rider !^' — resumed the same speaker. " Let me tell you that this is a Ukraine mare just come from Germany, and a very devil. — Gueriniere himself cannot ma- nage her.^' '^ Were I in the place of yonder rider, sir, I might not be more skilful, but perhaps more fortunate,^' said the Marquis, with firmness. 66 FASCINATION. "Would you like to try?" — resumed his friend ; " Barbara is a noble animal in spite of her temper." " I accept your offer, sir, with all my heart/' cried the Marquis. " Besides, one could hardly find a more alluring spot for a roll, than this velvet turf,'^ replied the Marquis, gaily. " I fear he will break his neck,^^ said the Marshal in a low voice. ^' No, no ! With that merry reckless dis- position, a man has nothing to fear from horses, men, or women. Holla, St. Clair ! " — said he, addressing the rider of Barbara, " get off your horse, and allow this young gentleman the opportunity of a lesson. He cannot receive one from better hands." St. Clair instantly obeyed; when Letoriere irritated by the last words of the stranger, firmly but respectfully replied, " I receive, sir, with gratitude, the lessons I solicit or deserve ; but here, 1 trust you will find that I may dispense with instruction." The stranger and M. de Richelieu were a little disposed to laugh at his petulance. FASCINATION. 67 *•' Take heed/^ said the Marshal to his com- panion ; '^ the boy looks terribly like a fire- eater!" — " He will perhaps propose a meeting to me, with the oldest Marshal in France, and Pre- sident of the Tribunal of Honour, for my second/^ Then, looking sternly at the Marquis, — " You take things somewhat high for your age, young gentleman !"— said he. " By St. Louis, sir, you must even take me as you find me," replied Letoriere, with angry brevity. At this bravado, Richelieu and the stranger burst into a fit of laughter ; when St. Clair, who had just got off his horse, approached, hat in hand, the gentleman in the grey suit. " Sire V' — said he, " we shall never do anything with this abominable mare ! " — " The King ! " — exclaimed the Marquis, utterly confounded ; and falling on his knee he gracefully inclined his head. " By St. Louis, my young friend,'^ said Louis XV. smiling, " you must even take me as you find me. You were on the point, I fancy, of 68 FASCINATION. asserting the feudal right of a noble, to cross a lance with his Sovereign." '^ Pardon me, sire ! " said he, — '' pardon me !" " Rise, rise gentle knight ! '^ exclaimed the king ; and with the majesty and grace peculiar to that monarch, he put forth his hand to Le- toriere, who, still upon his knees, kissed it with profound veneration. When the Marquis rose from his knees, his face was coloured with a becoming blush, and his fine black eyes were moistened with tears ; so much was he affected by the affability of his beloved Sovereign. This agitation, so ingenuous, so genuine, delighted the king far more than the most studied flattery. '^ Your name, young man ? "■ — said he, look- ing with undisguised interest at the Marquis. *^ Charles Louis du Vighan, Marquis de Le- toriere, sire,^^ he replied, with modest assurance* "You are from Saintonge, then?"— said his Majesty, who was intimately acquainted with the genealogy of his nobility. " Your pedigree has been already laid upon the architable, pre- vious to your presentation. Why have you not been to Court ? " — FASCINATION. 69 " I wait the return, sire, of my relation. Count d'Apreville, to have that honour." " Richeheu ! will you be his sponsor?'^ — de- manded Louis; and the old duke instantly bowed in respectful acquiescence. "Meanwhile,'^ added the king, "let me not forget that you all but criticised St. Clair, just now. I choose to keep you to your defiance. Dare you undertake Barbara r'^ — said he, point- ing to the mare, who was rearing and plunging in spite of the efforts of St. Clair to subdue or pacify her. ** 1 fear but one thing on earth, sire,^' cried Letoriere ; " which is to prove unworthy the distinguished honour your Majesty has deigned to confer upon me.^' " He is really charmhig ! — What exquisite tact!'' — said the king to Richelieu; while Le- toriere, with a beating heart, approached the dauntless animal. '^ Your Majesty has often assured me," replied the duke, " that I am not a bad physiognomist ; and I prophesy that before six months have elapsed, this young falcon will have soared aloft ; and then, woe to the doves !"— "Your patronage can but be propitious to 70 FASCINATION. him, Marshal/^ observed Louis with a smile ; then suddenly adding, — " Ah ! poor fellow ! he will certainly be killed. St. Clair has let go the bridle. — Barbara will let no one approach her ! See how she rears ! He will hardly get into the saddle ! She is the very devil to mount ! — St. Clair, why did you quit the bridle before the young gentleman had mounted ? '* "Sire," said the stud-groom sullenly, "he told me he could dispense with my assistance.'' "And by heavens he ivi/l too!'' cried the king, in utter astonishment. " Look Marshal, on my word he must have bewitched her ! The mare is still as a lamb for him, while he caresses her ! What do you say to that St. Clair ?" " I say, sire, — I say — that it is beyond my comprehension. I have always found it im- possible to mount her without a switch." " And how firm he is in his saddle ! '' ex- claimed the king, enchanted ; "and what per- fect ease and grace ! What say you RicheUeu, and you St. Clair ? " cried Louis XV., delighted with the prowess of his new acquaintance. " On the word of an honest man, your Ma- jesty, whoever he may be, he is a first-rate FASCINATION. 71 rider ! No one can complain of his seat ! '^ said old St. Clair, frankly ; " his legs are well placed, and his hand is firm and light/' "What the devil do you require more?'' cried the king. ^' Well, well ! let us see whether he can make her pass the statue,'' cried Richelieu. ^^ No ! she rebels again, yet he positively remains screwed upon her back ; and though his face is that of a girl, he is as strong as Hercules !" — " My liege is aware that it is nothing to sit a horse while plunging. The grand science consists in preventing him ! " observed St. Clair. *' In that case you ought to be satisfied ; for see ! he has passed the statue as quietly as a market-nag. The boy must be a conjuror ! " said Louis XV., glancing with astonishment at the Marshal, who was not less surprised than himself. Letoriere having repeatedly passed and re- passed the alarming statue, approached the king holding his hat in his right hand, while with the left he managed Barbara ; who lightly champed her bit, as if proud of the graceful youth who had proved himself worthy of her. 72 FASCIjSATION. The face of the young nobleman^ still more animated by his exertions and the proud exultation of success in presence of the king, was radiant with youth and beauty. In contemplating this graceful young man, the king experienced that deep and melancholy in- terest common to men advanced in life, when wit- nessing the joy and ardour of impetuous youth. The kind-hearted prince felt a kingly satis- faction in being able to open a brilliant career to one thus supernaturally gifted. " It is sometimes worth while to be a king,'' said he, in a subdued tone, to the duke of Richelieu. The old marshal, previous to answering, seemed to interrogate his Majesty's countenance, in order to penetrate the precise meaning of his last exclamation. All was dead within his own heart, controlled by narrow but unbridled ambition, assisted by exclusive egotism. In- capable, therefore, of appreciating his mas- ter's generous enthusiasm, he replied with a courteous sycophancy, " It is at all times fortunate, sire, to be the subject of such a king .'" FASCINATION. 73 Louis XV. smiled with a cold and searching glance, in reply ; then turning to the Marquis, observed, " How did you manage, my skilful friend, to subdue so quickly this unmanageable animal?^' — " Your Majesty informed me that she came from Germany, sire," replied Letoriere ; " aware that the Germans talk to their horses, — and manage them as much by the voice as the spur, — I spoke to her in German. At the sound of her native tongue, she was immediately pacified.'' " Nothing can be more simple,'^ cried the king. *' Do you hear, St. Clair?" '^ Nothing, indeed, sire, can be more simple," interposed Letoriere, looking at old St. Clair, who stood by, deeply humiliated, " that is, nothing more simple for those who speak German." This answer, though bold, was dictated by so delicate and generous a feehng, that Louis XY. could not forbear exclaiming, " Bravo, bravo ! — well done, young man ! you are right. Had my poor old St. Clair under- stood German, he would have done as you have. VOL. T. E 74 FASCINATION. But he is too old now to learn it, and Barbara despises the language of our Academy. Keep the mare, therefore, Marquis of Letoriere ; accept her as a gift from the king." The Marquis bowed respectfully. " To-morrow, Richelieu, you will present him at my levee," resumed the king, and nod- ding familiarly to Letoriere, Louis XV. returned to the palace. The following day, the Marquis was presented in due form ; and immediately afterwards, the king appointed him to the household, and in process of time, to a commission in the mus- keteers. From that period, his Majesty's af- fection for Letoriere seemed to augment from day to day. He became the very pink of fashion. No- thing could be more simple. Endowed with rare advantages of mind, birth, beauty, and nobleness of heart, his taste gave the law to all. His horses, dress, furniture, were the type of all that was elegant and in good taste. The poor scholar of the College du Plessis was now one of the chief ornaments of the court; and like all persons gifted with superiority of faculties. FASCINATION. 75 he became by turns an object of envy, hatred, and admiration. It is not intended that the present narrative should record the history of those endless con- quests, in which his success was only equalled by his discretion. In his love affairs, as in all else, he proved himself as brave as he was generous, profuse extravagance being his only failing. To indulge this, however, he had sufficient means, thanks to the munificence of the king, who conferred upon him various dis- tinctions, as honourable as they were lucrative. Four years after his memorable interview at Versailles, his fortune was of the most briUiant nature. In the midst of all his prosperity, however, he had not forgotten the tender blue eyes of the masked ball at the opera, and every day, he fixed his eyes mournfully upon the ring !— In spite of the device — "Watching over thee,'^ inscribed above the azure eye gazing upon him with a look of confidence and sere- nity, the Marquis feared that he was completely forgotten by his fascinating protectress. For four years, he had received no tidings of her. E 2 76 FASCINATION. Sometimes, he feared that his reputation for gallantry, by provoking a feeling of jealousy, might have estranged her from him for ever. At other moments, he feared lest absence or disease, or even death, might have deprived him of the object of his mysterious attach- ment. By an almost incomprehensible association, Letoriere invariably avoided the allurements of blue eyes. He was, perhaps, unwilling to pro- fane a passion so pure. The more he enjoyed an existence so favoured by destiny, the more he thought with idolatry, almost with regret, of that season of tranquil happiness, when the chief emotion of his days was the receipt of the mysterious missives urging him to an honourable career. With the deepest anxiety did he look for- ward to the arrival of the promised letter, which was to decide his fate. But not till four years after the interview at the opera, day for day, was it placed in his hands. It ran as follows : — " For these five years, have I loved you. I have followed you through all the phases of FASCINATION. 77 your life, obscure or brilliant, — ^in indigence or affluence ; and I feel that you are worthy of my aflfection. I am an orphan. My hand is free. I offer it you. No earthly power can alter my resolution to be yours. Should you reject me, I will retire into a convent; where every day I will pray to heaven to grant you that happiness, for which I would fain have lived to bless you. *^ Julie de Soissons, " Princesse de Salms.'* 78 FASCINATION. CHAPTER VI. Mademoiselle Victoire-Julie de Sois- sONS, Princesse de Salms, resided with her aunt, the Princesse de Rohan Soubise, At the age of twenty -five, the Princesse JuHe was rather pretty than handsome ; but her figure tliough small, was perfectly graceful. Powder was then in fashion; but Mademoiselle de Soissons only slightly sprinkled her profuse and beautiful flaxen hair, which she arranged in curls round her face in a most becoming manner. Her eyes were blue, her lips vivid, her teeth of ivory, her face of the most delicate oval ; while her complexion, too dark, perhaps, FASCINATION. 79 for the colour of her hair, was so animated in its tints, that no one could regret it was not fairer. Her habitual expression was that of a melancholy tenderness. At once reserved and sensitive, the least emotion produced a vivid blush upon her cheeks and neck. While listening to a pathetic narration, tears quickly flowed from her eyes ; and though a princess of the blood royal, nobody less prized the homage rendered to her ex- alted position. — She preferred a retired and simple life, to the ostentatious existence to which she was condemned. Proud only with the consciousness of mental elevation, the prin- cesse Julie passed for being haughty, though in fact timid and gentle. She had an aversion to people of vulgar or pretending manners, and the prominent feature of her character was its noble firmness. Under the most feminine exterior, resided a heart as honourable as it was courageous. No human influence could shake her decisions when founded upon reason and justice ; while by an unaccountable contradic- tion, in spite of her exalted birth, her nobleness of heart, and a mind as amiable as it was cul- 80 FASCINATION. tivated, the Princesse Julie was shy almost to infirmity in the presence of persons who fancied themselves too much her inferiors even to aspire to her notice. An orphan from an early age, she lived with her kinswoman Madame la Marechale de Rohan Soubise, with whom she enjoyed little sym- pathy of affection. The warmer feelings of her heart were re- served for Martha her nurse ; a good ingenuous creature, who had brought her up and cherish- ed her with the tenderness of a mother. For the last five years, Mademoiselle de Soissons had presisted in refusing the most brilliant offers, whether as regards birth or for- tune ; for precisely during the same lapse of time had she been attached to the Marquis de Leto- riere. Her affectionate heart, and romantic and independent turn of mind, could not fail to sympathise in the adversity so courageously supported by that young nobleman. When Jerome Sicard executed the first commission of the fascinating Marquis, it may be remembered that an individual got out of the vehicle, who witnessed the exasperation of Dame Landry FASCINATION. 81 against Letori^re. Curious to ascertain the sequel, this man^the major-domo of Madame de Rohan Soubise, returned so me days afterwards to the sign of the Golden Shears, and found Madeleine in a state of bewilderment as regarded her debtor. The major-domo happened to relate this sin- gular history to the nurse of Mademoiselle de Soissons, accompanied by the most minute de- tails and the warmest encomiums of Letoriere ; all which were again repeated by Martha to the Princess. Such was the first origin of her deep interest in the fascinating Marquis ; and during his illness, the princess often sent her faith- ful Martha disguised in a cloak and hood, to inquire after the pupil of Dominique. Upon the convalescence of Letoriere, Martha was the person who secretly conveyed the costly basket of fruit and flowers ; as well as undertook to find out the day on which he went out, that the princess might behold the charming youth who had the power of bewitching pedantic pro- fessors, rebellious tailors' wives, and cross- grained hackney-coachmen. As a woman of her condition could not 2:0 out o E 3 82 FASCINATION. unattended^ Martha fixed upon some shop in the rue St. Florentin, where^ under the pretext of making purchases^ she could quietly watch for the passing of the invalid. Opposite the hotel in which the Marquis re- sided, was a small milliner's shop ; and there, on discovering the hour at which he went out, the Princesse Julie, attended by one of the women-in-waiting of her aunt, proceeded, on pretence of making purchases. From behind the blinds, she soon descried the Ex-professor and his pupil; and the pensive expression remarkable in the countenance of the young nobleman of whom Dominique seemed to take such affectionate and paternal care, so excited the interest of the Princess, that she was moved to tears. Having executed her commissions, the Princess proceeded to the gardens of the Tuileries. Letoriere and the Professor quickly followed, and seated them- selves in the sunshine. As she contemplated at ease the fascinating countenance of Letoriere, Mademoiselle de Soissons experienced, for the first time, a mys- terious and profound emotion. Tears trem- FASCINATION. 83 bled in her eyes, blushes glowed on her cheeks, — she was already deeply in love ! In the eyes of the princess, one of the most powerful seductions of the charming Marquis was the evil fortune to which he had resigned himself. She seemed to discern an injustice on the part of destiny, which she was deter- mined to counteract. In the enjoyment of a considerable fortune, and sure of the trustworthiness of Brissot, formerly attached to the household of the prince her father, Mademoiselle de Soissons commissioned him to procure information re- specting the affairs of the Marquis ; having obtained which, he wrote to the solicitor, who was also their own, and advanced the funds requisite for the continuation of the law^suit. He it was, too, who had obtained for Landry the appointment of tailor to the household of the Duke of Bourbon. The princess now resigned herself to the in- fluence of this pure and ardent passion ; — eagerly waiting for opportunities of seeing the object of her affection, and occasionally ad- dressing him a letter. When through her un- 84 JASCINATION. known assistance, he gained his suit^ she resolved to leave him his own free agent, in order that she might ascertain his worthiness of her regard. The last letter she addressed to him was delivered in person at the opera ; after which, she resigned herself to the proposed probation. On the day of the Marquis's presentation to the king, Mademoiselle de Soissons, who accompanied the Dauphiness, was near enough to Louis XV. to hear him say, pointing to Letoriere, *^ No one, I think, will dispute the fascination of my young friend ! — " With what joy — what pride did she behold the ob- ject of her choice approved by the lips of her sovereign, and promoted by the royal favour to a place in the household ! — Mademoiselle de Soissons, till then indifferent to the splendours of the court, and careless of the pleasures of Marly, now sought every op- portunity of being invited. Louis XV. had alreadydi stinguished his young protege, so far as to place him in his staff. At the chase, he continually pointed out to admiration the rare grace and dexterity of Letoriere, and frequently FASCINATION. 85 cited his well-bred but brilliant repartees. At the close of two years the honours and favours lavished upon the Marquis were at their height. Though a general favourite among the beauties of Versailles, Mademoiselle de Soissons was incapable of jealousy; — the pure and proud devotion of the princess regarded with contempt the frivolous and ephemeral affairs of gallantry attributed to Letoriere. After satisfying herself with her own eyes that the man she preferred was worthy of her, she was not surprised to find his personal attrac- tions command the most brilhant triumphs ; but she also wished to ascertain whether his heart remained as generous and noble as ever, amid such unprecedented adulation. Occasional proofs of merit do not satisfy an enthusiastic preference. It is from the habi- tual conduct of daily life that we ought to form our judgment, rather than from the sudden im- pulses so often arising out of accidental causes. Three humble and obscure persons had rendered essential services to the Marquis during his days of adversity — Dominique, the tailor, and his wife. It was \vith dehght that Mademoi- 86 FASCINATION. selle de Soissons heard through Martha how the Marquis remained gratefully faithful to Dominique^ — continuing to manifest towards him the utmost deference and friendship. Often did he revert with feelings of grateful emotion to the obligations he was under to these worthy people ; and a young man of his manners and appearance who, in the midst of prosperity, remains true to his benefactors, however obscure, must be accounted a man of stedfast principles and genuine affections. The intentions of Julie were thus confirmed. She resolved to offer her hand to him who had proved himself worthy of her preference. Dis- parity of birth and fortune did not suffice to deter her from her determination. As an orphan, she was unshackled in the choice of a husband. Profoundly indifferent to the asser- tions of her aunt that certain distinctions were as indispensable to her alliance as being of the blood royal, the princess Julie declared, that though on such an occasion she wanted no precedent, Mademoiselle de Montpensier had given her hand to Monsieur de Lauzun ; — and that, as regarded herself, she would marry with- FASCINATION. 87 out scruple a simple artisan whose conduct proved him worthy of her love. Madame de Rohan Soubise, ignorant of her niece^s projects, treated such ideas as the re- sult of the maxims of Rousseau, just then in vogue. Julie made no reply, but secretly per- sisted in her plans with incredible perseverance. She seemed to wait the utmost triumph of the Marquis, in order that the offer of her hand and heart might form the crowning consecration of his happiness. At length, fully satisj&ed of the nobleness and prudence of her choice, in all the security of candour and confidence of an unblemished heart, she addressed to Monsieur de Letoriere the letter already transcribed. Luckily for himself and Mademoiselle de Soissons, Leto- riere was able to appreciate all the magnanimity? all the devotion of such a passion. Disgusted with his previous triumphs, he henceforward devoted himself to adoration of the lovely woman who had sacrificed such brilHant pro- spects for his sake. Mademoiselle de Soissons, who often granted interviews to the Marquis in the presence of her faithful Martha, decided that he should solicit 88 FASCINATION. her hand of Madame de Rohan Soubise ; but merely for the sake of etiquette, for she was determined to use her indisputable right of choice without regard to the acquiescence or refusal of her aunt. As a man of honour and good taste, Letoriere represented to Mademoiselle de Soissons that it depended entirely upon his gain or loss of the lawsuit against the Duke of Brunswick and the Prince of Brandebourg-Bareuth whether he were acknowledged of a princely house and possessed a fortune suitable to his rank ; and that it would consequently be advisable to wait the issue, of the suit, before he made his formal proposals to Madame de Rohan Soubise. Should the lawsuit be decided in his favour, his position became so eminent that not an objection could be raised against his union with the Princesse Julie; — but if otherwise, and he retained his present position, it would still be possible to defy the authority of the aunt, should she oppose the marriage. It was impolitic, he said, to provoke unnecessary op- position. Such was the opinion of Letoriere. That of FASCINATION. 89 the princess, was prompted by the resolute character of her mind ; and the Marquis finally- proposed to throw himself on the pleasure of the king, who manifested a daily increasing interest in his favour. Mademoiselle de Soissons readily accepted the arbitration; when Louis XV. approved the delicacy of Letoriere, and pro- mised to write to his ambassador at Vienna, to protect his just pretensions. In case of the failure of the suit, the kind-hearted prince promised to speak to Madame de Rohan Sou- bise, and smoothe any difficulties which the house of Savoy might raise in opposition to the alliance. The worthy Professor had already proceeded to Vienna, to procure precise information as to the opinions of the Aulic Council, which was about to decide upon a suit that had now lasted nearly a century ! The anxiety of the Marquis for the return of Dominique, may easily be imagined ; for on the issue of the cause, depended his marriage with the charming woman who had been a second providence to his destinies ! — 90 FASCINATION. CHAPTER VII. At the period in question, the Marquis re- sided in a dilapidated house standing in a garden near the rampart, not far from the pavilion of Hanover, on the premises of the superb hotel of the Duke of Richelieu. The residence of the Marquis resembled rather an elegant villa than a town house, being equally sumptuous and secluded. During the summer, a belt of fine trees rendered the garden impenetrable to the eye ; while in winter, an extensive trellis-work, thickly overgrown with ivy, was a substitute for the absent foliage of the trees. One day, the Marquis was sitting in FASCINATION. 91 his study, waiting the return of Dominique, who was hourly expected from Vienna. The princes against whom he was pleading were of the highest influence in Germany, and it was supposed that the Aulic Council favoured their interests ; so that, single handed, Leto- riere had to compete with the most powerful adversaries. The old Professor had been pro- vided with urgent letters from the Due de Choiseul to the ambassador of France at the court at Vienna ; and Louis XV. himself had signified to his representative that he felt unusual interest in the success of Letoriere's lawsuit, and commanded him to assist to the utmost the confidential agent of the Marquis. A travelling chaise soon rattled to the door, and Jean Fran§ois Dominique entered the study. " WeU, dearest Dominique, what hope ?" — cried the Marquis, embracing him cordially. " Alas ! Monsieur le Marquis,'^ — cried he, ^•' I begin to have my doubts and fears I" ^' The Auhc Councillors, then, are difficult to manage ?" — 92 FASCINATION. " I should say impossible, but for my re- membrance of Alcibiades, who after all, tri- umphed over Tisaphernes ! But the Germans are still more stubborn than that saturnine satrap!" " And who are these Councillors ?" — de- manded Letoriere ; — " do you know any thing about them V — " Too much, too much!" ejaculated the doc- tor ; " it is that which drives me to despair ! They are three in number ; first, the Baron de Henferester, the keenest sportsman and hardest drinker in all Germany, — a Nimrod, who only quits the forests to take his seat at the Council twice a week ; secondly, Dr. Aloysius Sphex, the profound commentator of Persius, armed with Greek and Latin as a porcupine with its quills ; and, thirdly, there is Monsieur de Flac- sinfingues, greedy as an ostrich and villanously henpecked by his wife, who is the driest, sourest, most peevish Protestant that ever wore a copy of the Scriptures suspended to her girdle by a silver chain I" — " Your portraits are hit off with a masterly FASCINATION, 93 hand^ Dominique! — '^ cried Letoriere. "But how are these gentlemen of the council inclined towards the princes ?" — '^ Most favourably ! — In this case only, the three councillors, who detest one another, are for once unanimous. Usually the support of one of the three is sufficient to insure the ill will of the other two." " So, then, — these German princes.^^ — " Between ourselves, at Vienna they look upon you as the protege of the devil." " You are joking, Dominique ! — " " Would to God that I were ! — but it is only too true. Your reputation for gallantry, extra- vagance, and luxury, has reached the ears of these grave Germans ; and you pass for a Will-o^-the- wisp, an imp ; in fact for a being as subtle as you are dazzling, inexplicable, and dangerous I Two centuries ago, you would have been sen- tenced to a lustration of holy water, before they would have received you into their houses ; but in these philosophical times, they simply shut the door in your face, saying, — Vade retro ! as to the devil in propria persona. Unfortunately, in the course of three weeks, your cause is to be 94 FASCINATION. decided by' these three gentlemen. Oh ! that Pluto would only assert his right to them in the meantime!" added Dominique, by way of imprecation. After a grave pause, the Marquis rose, wrote a few hasty words, rang the bell, and gave the note to one of his attendants. " Take this/' said he, « to the Hotel de Rohan Soubise. Ask for Dame Martha. Give it her, and wait for the answer. This very evening will I start for Vienna,^' said be, turning to- wards the old Professor. " For Vienna^? — You intend then to corrupt your judges ? — Why to be sure, Alcibiades ate black broth in Sparta, played the Centaur in Thrace, and crowned himself with violets while chaunting to the lyre the voluptuous verses of sweet Ionia." '^ I have not the pretension of seducing my judges, my kind old friend," interrupted Le- toriere. " But in these affairs, it is better to see with one's own eyes.'' The conversation continued for some time between Dominique and his pupil, to the fur- ther explanation of various details of the lawsuit. FASCINATION. 95 In half an hour, the servant returned, and de- livered a letter to Monsieur de Letoriere who exclaimed with great astonishment, — ^' Is such then your opinion. — Be it so ! I submit/'' — Immediately ordering his carriage, he begged Dominique to superintend the preparatives of his departure, for that very evening. Let us now proceed to the H6tel de Soubise, where four individuals were conversing in a chamber of exquisite proportions, lined with red Japan. The furniture of this fairy cell, one of the wonders of the Hotel, was ornamented with sil- ver brocade, relieved with a large crimson pat- tern. The window- curtains were of similar stuff, sweeping the floor with their majestic drapery. A Japan vase, blue and gold, three feet high, filled with exotics and placed before the window, dispersed the choicest odours through the room. Upon a bracket of solid silver, beautifully carved and inlaid with coral medallions by some exqui- site Florentine artist, were crowded a variety of Chinese ornaments too numerous to describe. Near a magnificent chimney-piece of rosso antico, the frieze of which was ornamented with garlands of fruit and flowers, enriched with pre- 96 FASCINATION. cious stones, was a miniature bed, in itself a gem, surmounted with waving plumes, unique in its kind. An almost imperceptible King Charles's spaniel, its long silken tresses coquet- tishly plaited with silver and cherry-coloured ribbon, reposed upon this bed, half covered up in eider down. A saucer of blue Sevres China filled with almond biscuits steeped in almond milk, awaited the slumbers of the luxurious Puff ! — The Princesse de Rohan Soubise, her niece Mademoiselle de Soissons, the Comte de Lugeac, and the Abbe d'Arceuil, were the personages who took part in the following scene. Monsieur de Lugeac had just arrived at the Hotel. '^ What a loss you had, my dear princess," said he, "in the concert of sacred music yester- day ! — You would have witnessed the most extraordinary thing in the world.'" '^ What was it?" — gravely inquired the Abbe. '^Did Jean Jacques and Arouet bestow on each other a fraternal salute in public ? — or did they sing a te Deum in honour of the chancellor ?" ^' Quick — quick — pray tell us this curious adventure!" cried the Princess. " Yesterday, at the concert. Monsieur de Le- FASCINATION. .97 toriere was publicly and enthusiastically applaud- ed," said de Lugeac^ with evident signs of envy. " Applauded for what ? As Monsieur de Le- toriere is neither a prince of the blood nor a comedian (at least as far as I know), I do not un- derstand it!" cried the Princess, who without motive or reason, cordially detested the Marquis. Mademoiselle de Soissons blushed deeply, and broke the thread of her embroidery by a move- ment of petulance which passed unobserved by her aunt. ^^ Monsieur de Letoriere was applauded for his coat l'^ replied the Count. — " Such a dress !" ^' The handsome Marquis is never happy unless people are talking of him !'' said the Abbe. " On this occasion they had cause. His dress was magnificent and in good taste. Though I cannot rank myself among the Mar- quis's friends, 1 confess I never saw anything more graceful than his appearance and cos- tume P' cried Lugeac. " Why, when people devote their lives to such futilities, the least they can do is to achieve an occasional triumph. But pray describe this won- derful toilet ?^^ said the princess, "and I will VOL. I. F 98 FASCINATION, tell you in return a remarkable anecdote con- cerning Monsieur Letoriere, in singular contrast with his present magnificence/' '^ Only this morning," said the Abbe^ " my lord the archbishop was relating to me endless absurdities of this famous Marquis ?' — ^•' To resume, Madam," said Lugeac, ^^ as soon as the first part of the concert was over, I per- ceived Letoriere in the box of Monsieur de So- lard — the ambassador of the king of Sardinia,'^ added Lugeac, looking towards Mademoiselle de Soissons, who was his Majesty's cousin. '^ The box was empty, when the Marquis stood up to examine the house. He wore a straw-colour watered silk coat, faced with a brocade of gold and aqua-marine colour. Upon his shoulder, was a gold and green aiguille tte. Hitherto, Madam, all is simple enough.'^ '^The colours are certainly well chosen, — and that is all,'^ said the Abbe. " The miracle consisted," resumed the Count "in the ornaments of this coat. First of all, his Steinkerque ribbon was fastened by a superb emerald broach ; then, the large and small but- FASCINATION. 99 tons of his coat and waistcoat, his shoe buckles and the hilt of his sword, were dazzling with opals,— throwing out orange and azure beams almost as brilliant as the diamonds which were profusely interspersed among them /^ '' Why, they must have been worth twenty thousand crowns at least !'^-— cried the Abbe. '' Undoubtedly .'"—replied Lugeac, « and it is an unheard-of instance of prodigality !— And when the Marquis, thus magnificently attired, his hair beautifully frosted falling low on either side the temples, made his appearance, I pro- test to you, that there prevailed among the spectators an ecstasy of admiration, succeeded by a murmur of approbation which at length burst forth into unanimous plaudits.^' '' One would really think you were descrih ing a Pagan ovation. What a ridiculous apo- theosis V cried the Princess, contemptuously. " The only thing more amusing than the en- thusiasm of the Parisians for this far-famed Marquis, is his profound admiration of himself. The vanity of the modern Narcissus is now so ridiculous, that his pride consists in driving to F 2 100 FASCINATION. despair a thousand beauties, who are breaking their hearts for the disdainful Celadon. No woman, it seems, is accounted worthy of his homage." " Or, perhaps, there may be only one whom he deems worthy of his love/' interposed the Princesse Julie, raising her noble face, beaming with love and pride, on hearing this uninten- tional eulogium of the fidelity of the Marquis. The Princess, unobservant of the agitation of Mademoiselle Juhe de Soissons, observed, " But my dear child, if it were thus, one should have heard of this paragon, this phoenix ? — Discretion is not the prominent quality of Monsieur Leto- riere's character. No, no ! believe me, if he be engaged, his choice is so unworthy that he con- ceals it from the world." " On the contrary,'' rephed Juhe, — " it may be the world whom he scorns to make acquainted with his secret feelings." This second repartee struck the princess, her aunt, who exclaimed: — "It is easy to see, my dear, that you know nothing of Monsieur de Letoriere, or you would not so strenuously defend him !" FASCINATION. 101 " I am speaking now in genered terms. Ma- dam. But be assured that, if I chose truly to take up the defence of any one, it should be boldly and without reserve/' said Made- moiselle de Soissons, with energy. ^' Oh ! I am fully aware of your frankness, and that you do the part of a friend by a friend," cried the Princess. — "On the other hand, your enemies are no less your enemies. Allow me, however, to indulge in my own pre- dilections and antipathies ; and, frank as 3^our- self, I class Monsieur Letoriere among the latter. I hate all that implies intrigue and mys- tery. Five years ago, this Marquis possessed nothing but his sword. I wish to know, there- fore, how he finds means to dress in coats which cost him twenty thousand crowns, to support an expensive establishment, and to gamble like a Croesus ?" " Persons who are addicted to making si- milar inquiries, madam, are usually the most competent to answer them,'' said Julie, dryly. ^•' As far as that goes, my dear, I swear to i02 FASCINATION. you that I am not in the slightest degree ac- quainted with Monsieur de Letoriere ; but had I the misfortune to be one of his friends, for the sake of his reputation I would have him burned for a magician, however incredulous I might be respecting the philosophers' stone/^ At this last sarcasm. Mademoiselle de Sois- sons looked at the timepiece with anxious im- patience. '^ His magnificence is truly inconceivable \'^ said Monsieur de Lugeac. " Some say he is lucky at play. Others, that he is in the good graces of Madame Dubarry and the king, who have assisted him materially in the judgment of two lawsuits in his favour. The fact is, that his Majesty has been fascinated by him like all the rest of the world ; and one might really imagine that everything he touched turned to gold. Would you believe. Madam, that he has brought into fashion a poor devil of a tailor who used to give him credit when he was at college ! — The Marquis boasts of it openly. Landry, of the Golden Shears, whose shop now ranks amongst the richest of the capital, is indebted for his FASCINATION. 103 vogue to these simple words: — Tailor to Monsieur le Marquis de Letoriere V " It seems to me/^ said the Princess, impa- tiently, "that these miracles are worthy to figure in the fairy-tales of Perrault !" — "What still more resembles a fairy-tale," said Lugeac, " is the description of his bedroom. They talk of a complete toilet apparatus in gold, chased by Gouttiere, and enriched with precious stones." "For my part/' said the Abbot, "I have heard my lord archbishop declare that Mon- sieur de Letoriere was little better than the ser- pent of the garden of Eden. Had he anything to do with the episcopal court of Paris, I would have him masked like a black penitent, to hide his looks and stifle the sound of his voice ; for upon a question of precedence which af- fected one of my relatives, this tempter upset the whole chapter, and bewitched all the canons, who talk of nothing but his powers of fascination !" — At this moment, the door of the little cham- ber was thrown open ; and a lackey announced " Monsieur le Marquis de Letoriere I" 104 FASCINATION. " M. de Letoriere in my house ? — I have no acquaintance with him. — What audacity ?' ex- claimed the Princess. Her indignation almost equalled her astonishment. FASCINATION. 105 CHAPTER VIII. On hearing the Marquis announced, Madame de Rohan Soubise arose, and the Count, the Abbot, and the Princesse Juhe followed her example. The Marquis, on entering the room, found them all standing : the Princess with a peevish, irritated, haughty air ; the Abbe, by way of keeping his countenance, was caressing Puff, who, roused from his slumbers, whined piti- fully ; the Count, leaning against the chimney- piece, was carelessly playing with the seals of his watch ; while Julie de Soissons, calm and determined, remained at her embroidery-frame, r 3 106 FASCINATION. and with a gentle smile acknowledged Leto- riere's salutation. The Marquis had barely made his bow to Madame de Rohan Soubise, when she turned towards Monsieur de Lugeac^ and pointed to the Marquis with a gesture of sovereign con- tempt ; — demanding, aloud, " Pray, who is this gentleman ?" — The Count, somewhat embarrassed, hesitated; when the Marquis briefly remarked, '^ Monsieur de Letoriere can dispense with the offices of Monsieur de Lugeac in his behalf/^ To which the Princesse Julie added, in a firm voice, " It is at my solicitation only, madam, that the Marquis Letoriere is come hither." " At your solicitation — you — Julie ? '^ — ex- claimed her aunt, at the very acme of astonish- ment — " It is impossible 1" — " Howsoever unknown I may be to Madame de Rohan de Soubise/' observed Letoriere, " I beg her to understand that it is at the express commands of Mademoiselle de Soissons I present myself in the Hotel de Soubise, an FASCINATION. 107 honour to which, till now, I have never had the ambition to aspire/' " Princesse Julie ! — will you be kind enough to explain these mysteries which have already lasted too long/^ exclaimed the aunt, impe- riously. The Count and the Abbe were about to take their departure, but Mademoiselle de Soissons earnestly addressed them. "You will oblige me by remaining, gentlemen,^^ said she, " as I wish you to be witnesses to what I am about to communicate to the Princess, my aunt." Both respectfully assented, and Mademoiselle de Soissons then addressed the Princess. " I solicited Monsieur de Letoriere to come hither, madam,^^ said she, '^because I wish to declare my irrevocable intentions in his favour ! I am an orphan, free in all my actions — pro- vided they be compatible with the rank I hold in society. But you are my relative, madam ; and I appreciate all that is due to you. I cannot give you a greater proof of my respect than by communicating to you, in the first place, a resolution upon which depends my future happiness in life.'^ 108 FASCINATION. With the exception of the Marquis, each of the actors in this singular scene stood in com- plete amazement. Madame de Rohan Soubise, confounded by the firm tone of the Princesse Julie, could hardly believe the testimony of her ears. ^' I have offered my hand to Monsieur de Letoriere/^ continued Mademoiselle de Sois- sons, *^ and he has accepted it \" "You have offered your hand?" exclaimed the Marechale, aghast : — " you — the Princesse Julie de Soissons ? — You must be out of your mind, or this is some unworthy jest !'^ "Ah Mademoiselle 1" exclaimed Letoriere, "you perceive that you ought to have waited the issue of my suit, before you made known your determination in my favour.^' " Nay," replied the Princess, turning towards him, "let me explain to you why I have acted thus." Then solemnly addressing her aunt, " I possess my full reason, madam,^' said she, " and what I say is serious. In the presence of God, who hears me, before you madam, before you Count de Lugeac, — and you Mon- sieur I'Abbe, I, Julie Victoire de Soissons, FASCINATION. 109 swear to wed no other man than the Marquis de Letoriere, who is now before you.^' She then held forth her hand to him, with a look of pride and sincerity. The Marquis pressed it to his lips, with the most fervent and deferential tenderness. This scene was so wholly unexpected, that the old Marechale remained mute. With her eyes, she interrogated the looks of the other witnesses, who were equally petrified. '' And I," said the Marquis, '• swear to devote my life to the noble and generous princess, who deigns to honour me with her choice." " And I, in my quality of your nearest re- lative, by all the authority of the laws, declare to you,'' said the aunt, " that this disgraceful alliance is impossible, and that it shall never take place!" — " The honour done me by Mademoiselle de Soissons reheves me, madam, from all necessity of replying to your oifensive words,'' said the Marquis, evidently labouring with feehngs of profound emotion. The Princess now gravely addressed her aunt. " With the delicacy which characterises the 110 FASCINATION. man upon whom I have fixed my choice," said she, " M. de Letoriere would fain have waited the issue of a lawsuit now in progress before the Aulic Council, before accepting the hand which T have freely offered him; for if it be successful, he must be recognised as of a princely house, when there will be no disparity of rank between us. But if such a proposition were on his part a noble and difficult conces- sion, my accepting it would have been an act of baseness. I should have avowed the existence of obstacles which I despise, and have ap- peared to await the fortunate issue of the suit, in order to come to a decision. I therefore determined openly, madam, to declare my de- termination whether the suit be gained or lost. — M. de Letoriere starts for Vienna this evening. — I will retire to the convent of Mont- martre, and wait his return. You must be aware, madam, of the impossibility of residing longer under this roof, after the opinions you have expressed." " Doubtless the Hotel de Soubise must be insupportable to you, mademoiselle," replied the enraged kinswoman. " Nevertheless, you FASCINATION. HI must resign yourself to remain here till you decide upon a marriage in unison with your condition in life, or determine to take the veil." " Unless, madam, as I shall have the honour to show you, it be the pleasure of his Majesty that I should take refuge with the lady-abbess of Montmartre," said Mademoiselle de Sois- sons, handing to her aunt a letter which she had drawn forth. '' The handwriting of the king ! ^^— cried the Princess. " Yesterday, madam, I confided my secret to his Majesty. I entreat you to read the answer, which is addressed to yourself.^' " Trusty and well-beloved cousin !— We have determined that the Princess Julie de Soissons shall retire to the convent of Montmartre, till o ur further pleasure. "Louis.'' Madam de Rohan Soubise read and re-read the letter in perfect amazement. '' Wonderful V said she, with repressed in- dignation. « I admit, Mademoiselle, that you 112 FASCINATIOX. are triumphant. But his Majesty may be moved to revoke a decision into which he has been artfully surprised/^ ^^ I am sufficiently acquainted with the inten- tions of his Majesty, madam, to certify to you the fruitlessness of your project," replied Ma- demoiselle de SoissonSj with disgust. Then, affectionately holding forth her de- licate hand to the Marquis, ^^ Farewell, dearest friend !" — said she. " Proceed to Vienna. On your return, you will find me at the convent of Montmartre.'^ That evening Letoriere quitted Paris for Vienna. FASCINATION. Il3 CHAPTER IX. Ten leagues north of Vienna stood the spa- cious old manor-house of Henferester. This ancient edifice, blackened by time, with its ivy- covered walls and moss clad roof, appeared to be totally abandoned. The principal part of the house, and a high tower flanking it towards the east, were nearly in ruins. The inhabited part of the chateau consisted of the western tower, in front of which, from some old box hedges shooting up in vari- ous directions, one could detect the trace of gardens and parterres, now overgrown by weeds. 114 FASCINATION. The autumn was drawing to a close, and the foliage of the distant woods had already assumed the purple tints of decay. The sky was heavy, announcing rain ; the air damp and cold, and night drawing on ; when suddenly, the high and narrow window of the room on the ground-floor of the tower became bright with light ; the windows, though black- ened with smoke, being so fully illumined, that the armorial bearings of the Henferesters became distinctly visible. The hall in the tower was of extensive dimen- sions, serving both' for an eating-room and kitchen to the lord of Henferester. The upper stories contained several comfortless rooms which were reached by a spiral staircase, along which ran a rope confined by iron rings, in order to assist in the difficult ascent. An immense fire crackled on the kitchen-hearth ; a copper lamp with three burners, suspended from the time-worn beams, shed its light below ; and against the walls were suspended rows of stag's horns, from which were slung guns, boar- knives, and warlike trophies and various kinds FASCINATION. 115 of implements of destruction, as well as several grinning heads of the wolves. The floor, beaten like that of a threshing- barn, was strewn -udth chopped straw, forming a rustic carpet. In the corner, stood an im- mense barrel of beer, resting upon two pon- derous blocks; while above, were two other tuns, the bigger containing Rhine wine, and the other kirschenwasser from the Black Forest. On either side of these vessels, were displayed drinking-cans of progressive sizes. Further on, were two barrels backing against the wall, the one filled with salted provisions, the other with sauerkraut. A large iron fork and spoon were suspended above each ; and, lastly, a rack containing a dozen loaves resem- bling millstones, completed the culinary furni- ture of the hall. With the exception of a haunch of venison roasting at the fire, and a cauldron bubbling over it, in which was prepared an abundant mess of pork and sauerkraut, nothing recalled the appearance of a kitchen. No scientific stoves, — none of those moulds or stewpans so dear to the heart of the gourmand. In the 116 FASCINATION. way of utensils, there was only an immense gridiron over the mouth of the oven, and a coarse spit put in motion by a turnspit dog. A second piece of venison hung bleeding from a hook, close to the principal door. Thanks to the combined effluvia of venison, sauerkraut, beer, wine, and spirits, there pre- vailed so alimentary an atmosphere, that a delicate stomach might have found sufficient nutriment without the aid of dinner. Rain and hail falling in torrents, made the windows rattle loudly; while two venerable Germans, with silver hair, dressed in grey coats, belted round the waist with buff leather girdles, were superintending the preparatives of a repast for the lord of Henferester, who had been out hunting since morning, and was not yet returned. These preparatives were very simple. The servants moved a long and massive oak table to- wards the fire, and placed at the upper end the high oak chair of their lord, clumsily embellished with his escutcheon, but whereon no vestige of a cushion tempted the sitter to repose. Before this chair was placed a large silver FASCINATION. 117 plate, a huge slice of bread, and three embla- zoned silver tankards, serving both for bottles and goblets. The first, intended for beer, con- tained two pints ; the second was intended for one pint of wine ; and the third, for kirschen- wasser, contained half a pint. These tankards were generally filled a second time, during the repast. Napkins and table- cloths were mere matters of tradition, these articles being regarded as ridiculous super- fluities in the castle of Herenfester ; and in the way of covers, sportsmen in those days were always armed with long knives at their girdles ; one, straight and long, intended to stab the animal, the other, rather larger than a table- knife, was destined for the cutting up, as well as to carve the joints upon table at meal- time. The waiting-men next proceeded to place ten trenchers on either side of the table, des- tined for the household, each sitting according to his pretensions. The lord of Henferester, faithful to the patriarchal traditions of his fathers, ate with his household. On his right hand, sat Erhard 118 FASCINATION. Trusches, his huntsman ; on his left, Selbitz, his major-domo. This last, after having superintended the pre- paration of the sauerkraut, and the roasting of the venison, proceeded to arrange the table, assisted by Link, an old stud-groom. As to women, they were unknown in the chateau. On Saturdays, old Wilhelmina, the house- keeper of the curate, came to bake bread for the week, during the absence of the proprietor at the Aulic Council. Upon another similar occasion, on the Wednesdays, Dame Wilhelmina inspected the linen of the chateau; but al- ways in the absence of the lord, who held the fair sex in utter detestation. " My lord returns late," said the major- domo, looking dolefully at the haunch, which was beginning to dry on the spit. ^' The night is dark, Master Selbitz, and it rains hard." " Perhaps the chase has led them away to- wards the forest of Harterassen," rephed the other ; " Master Erhard Trusches sent to say, this morning, by Karl, the kennel-man, that FASCINATION. 119 they had tracked a boar ; and the boars always come out of the forest of Harterassen, and run towards the Priory lake, which makes at least eight leagues there and back, Master Selbitz. — The night — the rain — bad roads — and-" " Listen ! listen, Link !'^ interrupted the major-domo ; " do I not hear my lord's horn ?"— " No, Master Selbitz !'' replied his com- panion, " 'tis but the wind whistling through the weathercock on the tower !" ''What o'clock do you suppose it?" said the major-domo, for timepieces had not yet made their way to the manor, " It must be betwixt six and seven. Master Selbitz/' replied the other; "for Elphin, my lord's roan-horse, is fidgeting for his corn. There, do you hear ? Patience — patience — old Elphin !" cried the old stud-groom, going towards the door; " when your com- panions, Kolk and Lippen, are arrived, then for your provender, and not before, old glutton ! " 120 FASCINATION. " This then must be my lord^s horn I'' sudden- ly exclaimed the major-domo, starting, " God he praised ! What weather ! Come out with you to hold my lord's stirrup^ Link, while I throw on a scuttle of fir-apples to make the fire blaze." " That is indeed my lord's horn," observed Link, having listened attentively ; " but he does not sound the Take. Ah ! master Selbitz, — it has been a blank day \" " The more reason not to keep him waiting, for he wiU be out of sorts. Haste, haste !" The stud-groom ran out ; and Selbitz, hav- ing revived the fire, placed upon his lordship's silver plate a letter with a large red seal, sent express from Vienna. At that moment, the smacking of a whip, ac- companied by a grumbling and stentorian voice, was heard. *^ Go to the devil, accursed curs !" it exclaimed. '^ Erhard, see that the piebald horse be taken care of, for we have had a severe day.^^ — This was followed by the heavy tramp of iron-shod boots; — and lo! the door was flung open, and the lord of Henferester entered, in the midst of a dozen fine hounds. FASCINATION. 121 covered with wet and dirt, who rushed into the kitchen to enjoy the warmth of the fire. Their master allowed them this privilege, as much from love of the canine race, as from a regard for his own amusement, knowing full well that dogs confined in a kennel often become weak and sickly. The lord of Henferester was about fifty years of age, of colossal height, and Herculean strength. On entering the hall, he threw down his cap upon the dresser. His fair hair was cut short ; while his beard, which he only shaved on council days, was so thick and abundant, that his face was nearly covered. His features, strongly defined and bronzed by the open air, were somewhat hard, but of a noble expres- sion. His old green vest, buttoned up to the chin, was dripping with wet. His leather breeches, black with age, and his heavy boots coming up to his thighs were cased with mud ; while his girdle was garnished with horn-handled hunting knives. Slung over his chest was his horn, and he held in his hand a hunting-whip and rifle. Having delivered up the last-mentioned articles VOL. I. G 122 FASCINATION. to his major-domo, who hung them carefully up, he advanced to the fire with a dissatisfied look ; distributed a few kicks of his boot to dis- perse the dogs, and sat down heavily in the old oak chair, crying out to the hounds in an irritated voice, *' Back, back there ! you are only wor- thy to turn the spit yonder, instead of pursuing noble animals in the chase. Give in after five hour's run, because the boar's hole was a little too thorny ? You are become precious delicate, forsooth ! Even you, old beast Ralph !" cried he^ lashing out a smart kick at a very fine hound. The major-domo, perceiving the ill-humour of his lord, alluded to more successful days. '^ I can understand his Lordship's discontent," said he, ^' so little accustomed as he is to such ill-fortune, but — " "Enough, enough!" cried his lordship. " Prythee, serve the venison. I want my sup- per, for I am as hungry as a wolf. The boar took us as far as the forest of Henterpres- sen." "My lord must admit that the dogs were not so much in fault. But will not my lord FASCINATION. 123 be pleased to change his coat — he is so very- wet ? '' " Change, quotha ? Why, what the devil — master Selbitz, am I turned milksop?" cried the irritated sportsman. ^'Do you take me for a young lady or a Frenchman ? — do I ever change when I return from hunting ? — do my dogs change ? — do my horses change ?" '*No, certainly not, my lord. But your Lord- ship's clothes smoke like a washing-tub." '^ Well^ well ! That proves that the humidity is evaporating." " But, my lord—-" " Hold your tongue, sir ! — Selbitz, the ass — Selbitz, the chatterbox as you are — and give me a glass of kirschenwasser." Then, seeing the letter upon his plate, he added, ^^What the deuce is this, master Selbitz ?" " A letter brought by express from the Count of Hasfeld," replied the major-domo. " To the devil with business to-night !" cried Henferester. " It is quite enough to go to Vienna twice a week," said his Lordship, open- ing the letter, "without being troubled at home." He then read the following epistle : — G 2 124 FASCINATION. " I beg leave to apprize you^ my dear Baron^ that the French Marquis Letoriere will arrive at your house to-day^ to solicit you respecting his lawsuit. I need not recall to your mind the almost formal promise you made me, to act with your two colleagues in furthering the interests of the Duke of Brandenbourg." " I have the honour, &c. " J. T.'' " What the devil can thi^ Frenchman want here ?" exclaimed the irritable lord. " By the holy kings of Cologne ! I never have a moment^s quiet. Here is this Versailles fop coming to worry me like a boar in its hold. In my opinion, his suit is already lost — that is, half lost. What can he want now ? Does he suppose I can feel interested about an effemi- nate fop, who embroiders and wears rouge and patches ? But, pest take it ! how to avoid the fellow ? If he come, I must give him hospitality, Vienna is fifteen leagues from hence. How am I to send him back ? To the devil, I say, with all lawyers and lawsuits ! Should he come FASCINATION. 125 to-night he must sleep here, — and where, pray ? One might as well have a lying-in in the house as a French fop." The Baron stamped on the floor with rage, as he observed to his major-domo, "A French- man will be here to-night — a Marquis — about some law business. I cannot let him return to Vienna in such weather as this. Where the deuce can we lodge him ? — I dare say he has as many bandboxes as a woman !" '' Faith, my lord, I scarcely know, unless it be in the rat-garret," replied Selbitz. " With all my soul — be it so V cried his Lordship, ironically. " And in order that he may have a favourable notion of the hospita- lity of my chateau, mind that there be silk curtains to the bed, pillows of eider-down, fine Holland sheets, perfumed candles in China candelabra, and let his bed be warmed with ashes of aloes-wood. — Do you hear, sir ?" " I do, my lord !" replied Selbitz, dishing up the venison, the pork and sauerkraut, and delighted with the jocularity of his master. '^ Be sure, my lord, I will fulfil your Lordship's 126 FASCINATION. instructions. The straw of the mattrass shall be shaken up, — the coverlid well beat, — all the cob-webs swept away,— -that the moonlight may not be obstructed; and finally, since he is so particular, his bed shall be warmed by the turnspit !" Henferester appeared vastly diverted by this facetious manner of describing the rat-garret; which in all respects resembled his own cham- ber, for he was completely indifferent to the common necessities of life. ^' To table, to table V cried his Lordship, drawing his knife from his girdle. At that moment, a postboy's horn was heard without. ^' It is perhaps this damned Marquis i**^ cried he. " Here— Erhard !— Selbitz ! Run to meet the fellow — run !" And, rising from his seat, the Baron ob- served, " He must be possessed by the devil, to travel in such weather ! Bless his soul ! on the soft cushions of his travelhng-carriage he is much better off than under my roof ! Well, well ! let us have a look at this pink of a man FASCINATION. 127 — the most effeminate of the effeminate court of France !" And in spite of his disinclination, the Baron stepped out to welcome his newly arrived guest. 128 FASCINATION. CHAPTER X. To the surprise of the Baron, Letoriere was come on horseback, in preference to a carriage ; and had left his horse in the care of the post- boy. The lord of Henferester understood the duties of hospitahty too well to give an un- welcome reception to a nobleman, seeking the shelter of his roof; Letoriere and appeared to him much less effeminate, and less foppish than he expected. Besides, it was a feat of some energy to ride fifteen leagues by night, on a common post-horse, in such inclement weather. FASCINATION. 129 On entering the hall^ the Marquis was almost suffocated by the atmosphere of tlie kitchen, just then enhanced by the perfume of the kennel, in consequence of the presence of the hounds ; who upon seeing him, treated him to a chorus that might have alarmed a wolf! The Marquis appeared to listen, however, to this music with unspeakable satisfaction, ob- serving in excellent German, " Faith, Baron, I never heard such voices ! By St. Hubert, it makes a sportsman's heart beat V' and he proceeded to examine, with in- creasing admiration every hound that ap- proached him. " Superb dogs, indeed I'' cried he ; '' and thorough-bred. Our Norman and Poitou do^s are not half as strong ! These are certainly of higher race !— Here, Hector, here ;" and the Marquis laid hold of a huge white and black hound by the two fore-feet, and having looked at him with a sportsman's eye for several minutes, exclaimed, " the best dog in the pack!" Astonished by the assurance and off-handed ease of the Marquis, the Baron, too old a g3 130 FASOINATIOX. sportsman to be offended with the precedence given to the dogs, and struck by the able opinion passed upon Hector, observed, ^^ You are right ; may I ask, sir, on what ground you formed your opinion ?" — ^^ Look at his chest ! — What a stern, too, and what splendid nostrils. It would be difficult. Baron, to find his match. — Make the most of him. But what a haunch of venison is getting cold yonder ! our neglect of it is inexcusable. Pardon me, Baron, but I am as hungry as a hun- dred devils. You shall soon judge the capa- bilities of my jaws ! Your hand, my dear Baron. By St. Hubert, our common patron, you are worthy of old Germany ! They told me so, and I now amsure of it ! *^ May I beg to inquire, sir, whom I have the honour of addressing V said the Baron, pro- voked by the cool self-possession of his guest. "That may you, Baron, and no offence ! — I am the Marquis de Letoriere, come to talk to you about my lawsuit. But as one must have one's eyes open before one presumes to enter so dark a chaos, let us wait till to-morrow, when we will talk about it at leisure. — So now FASCINATION. 131 for the table. Excuse my want of ceremony^ and the simplicity of my manners, but I am a child of the forest/^ The old Baron was amazed. — Expecting to hear only of affectation and essences from the young courtier, and that his guest would be as ignorant of venery as a Leipzig burgher, he was most agreeably surprised to find a frank- hearted joyous youth, whose negligence of cos- tume was barely exceeded by his own. Ah-eady the baron began to look upon his guest with a favourable eye. Letoriere^s admi- ration of his hounds greatly enhanced his kindly feelings, and he found himself inspired by cor- dial feehngs of hospitality. " The manor of Henferester is at your com- mands, such as it is. Monsieur le Marquis !'' said he. ^^ I only wish my hospitaUty were worthier of you." " You are too fastidious, Baron,'^ cried his friend. " When you know me better, you will see that I am in my element ! Come, come, the venison is cooling: to table ;^' and the Marquis drew near to the fire. Letoriere, as it may be perceived, was com- 132 FASCINATION. pletely metamorphosed. He who had been publicly applauded at the theatre for his mag- nificent dress, and the grace of his appearance, now wore an old blue hunting-coat with a failed velvet collar, formerly red, with huge jack boots, as muddy aad as heavily shod as those of the German Nimrod. His hair, un- powdered and in disorder, was confined behind by a leather strap, his beard unshaved ; — while his hands, once so delicate and white, were of the same hue as those of the hardy Baron. All was changed in the fascinating Marquis, even to the tone of his voice, which sounded as hoarse and loud as that of a boatswain. These particulars did not escape the notice of the Baron. ^^ Erhard !" said he to his old huntsman. "What think you of my young visitor? — a Frenchman ! yet he only looked at Hector to find out he was the prime dog of our pack !" " Really, my lord?" replied Erhard, misdoubt- ing the possibility of such a stroke of genius. ^' Even so, Erhard ! I have already a better idea of the French, from such a representative !" Then addressing his major-domo, while the FASCINATION. 133 Marquis was drying his wet clothes at the fire, " Take off the covers of the household, Sel- bitz/^ said he. " The French are not ac- quainted with our usages." Selbitz was about to execute this order to the great dissatisfaction of himself and Erhard ; when Letoriere, unwilling to make two enemies unnecessarily at Henferester, cried out — " For what do you take me, my dear Baron? Un- less you mean me to ride back to Vienna with- out my supper, why remove the knives and forks of these good folks ? Am T less a noble- man than you, to be shocked by your good old customs ?" " It is our ancient German usage, I admit,'^ replied the Baron. "But I fancied that in France — ^' " We are now in Germany, Baron, and in the house of one of the most ancient of the impe- rial nobility,'^ cried Letoriere. " The rule of the house ought to be inviolable. Be seated there- fore, my valiant huntsman, — and you, my king of tubs and barrels ! The Baron will not, I am sure, refuse me that favour." The two attendants, upon a sign from their 1 34 FASCINATION. master, now placed their covers at the end of the table. The Baron pointed out. a seat to the Marquis, and all prepared for an assault upon the tempting haunch and abundant dish of pork and sauerkraut, which sent forth clouds of savory steam. Scarcely had the baron plung-ed his knife into the venison, when Letoriere exclaimed with an air of gravity, placing his hand upon the carving arm of his host, " Halt a minute, Baron ! The devil's in me if I eat a mouthful before we have said our benedicite !" The baron, scarcely refrained from a frown as he replied — ^' Since the death of my chaplain, I have forgotten the text a little. But you can say it, can't you Erhard ?'* said he turning round to the huntsman. *' No, my lord,^^ said Erhard somewhat em» barrassed. " I say it once a year, and let it serve the rest, to save trouble.^' «' And you Selbitz ?" ^' I my lord ? — My brother, the curate of Blu- menthal, says it regularly for me f " Then you are all a set of Turks, and I will say it for the rest of the party ! — '^and the Mar- FASCINATION. 135 quis, rising from his seat,^ exclaimed with a loud voice — "Mighty St. Hubert: let our venison be fat, — our wine good, — our ap- petite sharp, — and our thirst unquenchable." After which^ he threw off a tankard of rhenish at a single draft, wiped his mustachios with the back of his hand, and cried " Amen/^ as he dropped the tankard heavily upon the table. Roaring with laughter, the old baron imitat- ing the prowess of his guest, drank off his pint of rhenish, and repeated the " Amen,^^ with a stentorian voice, which seemed to enchant his lively companion. The two attendants, as much diverted with this novel benedicite as their lord, could scarcely moderate their merriment. " Selbitz,^' said the baron, excited by the ani- mation of the ta]:)le and Letoriere^s vivacity, *' fill the tankards again, not forgetting your own and Erhard's. This shall be a gala night in honour of our guest !" The Baron then presented his monstrous hand to the Marquis with a grasp whose firm- ness purported to evince his cordiality as well as to display his prodigious strength. 136 FASCINATION. Letoriere who, under an effeminate appear- ance, was endowed with prodigious strength, responded with equal vigour. The Baron, not expecting such a proof of energy, observed merely, ^^A steel rod is often stronger than a bar of iron \" " But, unfortunately, the tankard holds more than the glass," replied the Marquis. Strong beer and wine now began to circulate. The Baron perceived with sentiments of na- tional pride that Letoriere, after having plenti- fully partaken of the venison, vigorously attacked the pork and sauerkraut, to the excellent qua- lity of which he bore ample testimony, by emptying his tankard several times. While appeasing his hearty appetite, Leto- riere was by no means dumb. His active mind quickly adapted itself to the tone of the com- pany, and he amused the old Baron with end- less conceits and oddities, till Erhard and Sel- bitz, to their great surprise, beheld their master, generally so dull and taciturn, laugh more heartily than he had done during many pre- ceding years. The huntsman, perceiving that the Marquis FASCINATION. 137 was a first-rate sportsman, listened attentively to his most insignificant observations. His admira- tion was at its height, when the Baron ordered him to take the hounds to the kennel and feed them ; whereupon, a second boiler w^hich con- tained supper for the dogs, was taken off the fire. The major-domo then placed on the table two cans of kirschenwasser, a large jar of tobacco, and presented a venerable old pipe to the Baron; who, turning round to the Marquis, inquired, whether the smell of tobacco annoyed him ? In reply, the Marquis produced a pipe, the colour of which attested long and faithful service, which he began to charge with evident experience as a smoker. " You smoke, then,^^ cried the Baron, with great glee. ^' Can one live without one's pipe, my dear Baron ? — After a good run and a good dinner? what equals the pleasure of a good pipe of tobacco, with one's feet upon the hobs, sipping from time to time a thimbleful of kirschenwasser — that nectar of the forest which, in my idea, as 138 FASCINATION. far exceeds the brandy of France, as a cock-of- ttie-woods a barn-door fowl.^' The Baron, animated by frequent libations, and whose head was not as cool and as calm as that of his guest, now gazed upon the Marquis with astonishment and admiration. He could not understand how so puny a body could possess such vigorous virtues; or how a Frenchman could eat and smoke more than himself, who was regarded as the most formi- dable toper in the empire. " Here is the health of your sweetheart I" said he to the Marquis, gaily. *^ My mistress is my carbine !" — said Letoriere, stretching himself towards the fire, and poking about the ashes with his inch-thick boot. "To the devil, I say, with that dainty sex who can- not abide the smell of the kennel or tobacco, without holding a scent-bottle to their noses! — Do you care much about women, Baron ?'" " I prefer the rattling of spurs to the rust- ling of petticoats. But then, mine is the age of wisdom !" said the Baron, more and more astonished at his guest^s rustic predilections*. " Wisdom is of all ages. Baron. As far as FASCINATION. 139 / am concerned, I would give all your amorous guitars and doleful ditties of the troubadours, for one good blast of the hunting-horn !" '^ Pll tell you what/^ said the Baron, clink- ing his tankard with that of the Marquis. — " Say out. Baron !" cried the Marquis, sending forth a cloud of smoke. " Before I knew you, aware that you were coming about your suit, which unfortu- nately — " " To the devil with the suit !" — interrupted Letoriere : " if either of us allude to it this evening, let him be condemned to drink a pint of water 1" " Good, Marquis, I ^ilUngly agree. Be- fore I saw you, I thought to myself, I had rather have a blank day with my pack, than receive such a popinjay into my house. I thought you a fop, — a — '^ " Thanks for your good opinion, my dear Baron ! Well, then, I for my part conceived you to be an Alcindor, a Cytherean shep- herd—" " Now, though I only know you from to- night/^ resumed the Baron, " I am willing to 140 FASCINATION. own now, as frankly as when you quit the humble Manor of Henferester, that you are the most agreeable fellow I ever passed a winter's evening with ! And I have little doubt you are just as good for a hard day with the hounds in the heart of the forest ! To the devil, say I, with those milksops who prefer balls and women, to pipes, horses, and hunt- ing 1'^ '' Try me, Baron, only try me ! If your hounds be as staunch as they are handsome, you shall see what I am made of !" '^ Give me your hand, then. To-morrow, at break of day, we will be a-field." " Agreed — agreed ! The lawsuit will sleep for to-night, — or remember the pint of water." " Bravo !" cried the Baron. ^^ It is now late. If you are fatigued, Selbitz shall conduct you to your room, — that is to say, 'tis but a sort of furnished ban., but it is the only one I have to offer. My own room, I can tell you, has quite as little to boast of." " No ceremony. Baron ! A truss of straw, if you will, with one of my boots for a bolster, and I will pass my night here before the FASCINATION. 141 embers, which will keep me warm till morn- ing." " I have passed many such in the hovels of the charcoal-burners, when formerly hunting in the Black Forest/' sighed the host. ^^ But such as your bed may be, it is better than this dirty floor/' " Farewell, then, till to-morrow, when I will sound the reveil myself!'^ said the Mar- quis. '^ You must now let me sound the boti'Soir." Saying which, he took down a hunting-horn, suspended against the wall, and played it with such clear and shrill precision, that the Baron exclaimed in delight — " I swear to Heaven I have heard nothing like it these thirty years !" " Because you do not hear yourself ! — But I am persuaded you excel in the noble science." " To-morrow you shall judge. Meanwhile, dream neither of water, vinegar, nor empty bottles! — Farewell till morning, my dear Marquis." The Baron now ordered Selbitz to conduct the Marquis to the rats' favourite apartment, 142 FASCINATION. where they had had the precaution to light a blazing fire. Both Letoriere and the Baron slept profoundly; the latter expressing his great regret to his huntsman, that the Marquis had the ill fate to be a Frenchman, and pro- testing that, by his nature and accomplish- ments, he was worthy to have been born in Germany. FASCINATION. 143 CHAPTER XI. The next morning, on awaking, the Baron learnt from Selbitz that the Marquis, accom- panied by Erhard Trusches, had set out for the forest, and commissioned the major-domo to present his excuses to him. '^ Who would have expected to have found so keen a sportsman, and so hard a drinker, in this Marquis V cried Selbitz. '^ Did you see how he kept a-head of us at table, last night V ''We drank freely too !"said the Baron. '• Yet he stepped up to bed, my lord, with as firm a footing as if he had only drank milk-and- water." — 144 FASCINATION. " Come come/' said the Baron, receiving from the major-domo his equipments for the chase, " Come Selbitz ! we must allow the Marquis, though a Frenchman, to be a noble fellow; and withal of a gaiety which rejoices one's heart ! — What amusing stories he told us ! — 1 only wish he would remain here a short time longer — 'fore Gad, he is an agreeable com- panion. Though there be twenty years dif- ference of age betwixt us, I seem to have known him for years ! In fact, were he not so recent an acquaintance, I should say — devil take me if I know why, — I should say, Selbitz, that I felt a friendship for him ! Give me frank and open characters — there is nothing like them ! " Having eaten a slice of cold venison, with a basin of beer-posset, and drunk off two pints of rhenish, the Baron mounted his horse, and galloped to the spot where he had appointed to meet Erhard Trusches. He there found the huntsman and the hounds. — Erhard seemed down in the mouth; and the Baron, surprised at not finding Letoriere, in- quired eagerly after him. FASCINATION. 145 After a moment's silence, Erhard replied with an air of timidity, "Is my lord much acquainted with his guest?" — "What mean you, Erhard ?'' cried his master, " did you not accompany him to prick the wood this morning ?" — ^* Even so, my lord, which is precisely the reason why I inquire if you are sure of him. We may repent having laughed at the Bene- dicite last night at supper \" — " What the devil are you driving at ?" " I mean to say, my lord,^' repUed Erhard in a faint and trembling voice, *^ that I fear your guest is the man we sometimes see in the moon, and who, in the crosspaths of the forest, offers three bullets to luckless hunters, — one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead, — the whole for the price of their souls !" said Erhard, shud- dering with fear. " In short, you take my guest for the devil !^'* — exclaimed the Baron, shrugging his shoulders with contempt. " Why your morning cup has upset your brain, old Erhard J '^ The huntsman shook his head. " Then how is it, my lord, that this person, whom you call VOL. I. H 146 FASCINATION. your guest, knows the forest better than our- selves ? '' — *^ How so, prythee ? " — inquired the Baron. ''This morning, sir, we set out together- * Master Erhard !^ quoth he, ^ if you will lend me a good tracker, we will divide the forest. I will beat the woods of the Priory, the Her- mit's-chapel, and the Black-lake/ '^ '^ He told you that ? '' — interrupted the Ba- ron, utterly confounded. ^' Just as I tell it you, my lord ; adding, ' I have an idea that I shall find a ten-horned stag, for the hold about the Hermit's-chapel is an excellent cover for a stag. On your side. Master Erhard, look out for a boar in the stone-pits of Henrichs : there are always some among the thorns, so that the Baron may choose which he likes best/ " ^ Marquis,^ said I, ' you seem to know this forest pretty well; — did you ever hunt here before ? ' — '^ ' I never hunted here/ said he, ' but I know it as well as you do. Good luck to you ! ' and he disappeared, taking with him our best tracker, Hector, who will return home with FASCINATION. 147 seven legs, or turned into a lynx perhaps, — thanks to the devilry of this stranger." — The Baron was not naturally superstitious, but he could barely understand the words of Erhard, whom he knew to be too serious and respectful to participate in a joke at his expense. Still, he could scarcely believe in the topo- graphical knowledge of the Marquis, as de- scribed by the huntsman. ^^ Well, have you tracked anything ? '^ in- quired he of Erhard. " No, my lord ! The person you call your guest, brought me ill-luck. I have found nothing." *^ Nothing ? — how nothing ? — It is the first time these three years you have been unsuccess- ful ; and on a day when we have a foreigner for witness of the sport ! " — ^^ Man can do nothing against the influence of the evil one, my lord," said Erhard, gravely. ^^ Your guest has only to wind his horn, and all the animals of the forest obey it as the bird flies to the jaws of the serpent.^' ^^ Go to the de\'il with your nonsense, old simpleton ! '^ exclaimed the Baron in a rage. H 2 14S FASCINATION. ^^I have not far to go for that/^ murmured Erhardj pointing to Letoriere, who now ap- peared^ coming out of a thicket, leading old Hector. *^ Good news ! good news, Baron ! '' cried he; " I have pricked a ten-horned stag, and we can lay the dogs on at La Chapelle. By the width of his hoofs, I will wager that he is one of the bald-faced stags, with white legs. The king of France has got some of that sort in the forest of Chambord. I know their footmarks amongst a thousand/' ^^ You are lucky, Marquis," said the lord of Henferester. " But you must be a conjuror !'' " Our friend Hector is, my dear lord. It is to him I am indebted for the stag. As to you, my brave Erhard,'' said he, turning towards the huntsman, '^ had Hector been with you, you would have had the same luck as myself. And now let us mount and be oiF. There is at least a league from here to my track, and the days are short. Lay hold of Hector, Erhard." Saying which, the Marquis slipped a louis- d'or into the hand of the huntsman. Unobserved by the Marquis, the man threw FASCINATION. 149 away the piece of gold as if it had been red- hot iroiij and with his boot covered it up with dry leaves. " The current coin of hell !" — cried he, " Had I put it into my pocket, in a quarter of an hour I should have found there a red bat, or a black frog !" Then taking hold of the cord to which Hector was tied, with as much precaution as if Letoriere had been afflicted with the plague, he looked most anxiously at the dog, believing him to be under the in- fluence of sorcery. Meanwhile, having drawn on strong boots over his leather leggings, the Baron mounted Elphin, and was delighted to remark the superior horsemanship of the Marquis. " Baron !" said Letoriere, on arriving in a secluded part of the forest ; " here is my track ! Order the hounds to be uncoupled, and I will beat the underwood with three or four of the surest." " Stay a moment 1 Erhard Trusches already thinks you a sorcerer. His head will turn out- right if he takes you for the devil ; and he will be thinking of his soul and not of the stag.^* ]50 FASCINATION. ^^ Explain, explain, my dear Baron !'* " Come hither, Erhard I" said the old sports- man. The huntsman came forward reluctantly. ^^ Is it not true that you cannot comprehend how my guest, who has never been in our forest before, knows it so well ; or how he came to guess that the beat of the Hermit's-chapel is surest for a stag; and that the best stations for relays are the White-cross and the meadows of the Priory?" — " Certainly, my lord,^' replied Erhard. " Peo- ple cannot know what they never beheld.'^ ^^ Devil take my soul if I understand it either," said the Baron, half jokingly. — Slightly shrugging his shoulders, the Mar- quis now pulled out a little red book, and coming up to Erhard, said, " Here lies the secret of my black art !'^ Involuntarily the huntsman drew back. The Marquis then displayed on the pommel of his saddle a map especially intended for the use of the imperial hunt, whereon the roads, paths, and haunts of the animals were accurately laid down and pointed out. FASCINATION. 151 "The map of the imperial hunt !" exclaimed the Baron. " T ought to have guessed it ? The whole mystery is explained; still it requires great experience, as well as much acuteness, to make such ready use of it ! Ah, Marquis, Marquis ! there are not two of you in Europe ! Track a ten-horn the first time you are in the forest ! It beats all I ever saw in the course of sportsmanship !" said the Baron, to the huntsman. *' We ought to bow to the Marquis as our master of the craft !" " True, true, my good lord ! — I now under- stand all ; and God be praised, — for I feared some great misfortune.^^ And as he uttered this, the huntsman dis- charged his rifle. " What is that for, Erhard ?" cried the Baron. In reply, the huntsman held up a black bullet, marked with a cross. " Only that, at the first thicket, I should have sent this ball, which is charmed, straight through the body of your guest," said he, " whom I took for the devil. Old Ralph as- sures me that there is nothing like it to coun- teract a charm !" 152 FASCINATION. " Wretch !" exclaimed the Baron. " I dis- claim you V' '^ He was quite right, '^ said Letoriere, coolly. " But you forget, my good Erhard, that in order to make the charm complete, you ought to have three pieces of gold in the left pocket, to prevent the devil getting into your purse !" And the Marquis threw him three more pieces of gold, which, in this instance, were not buried under the leaves. The stag was now started. It is useless to describe the various incidents of the hunt ; during which Letoriere gave numberless proofs of consummate experience. The stag was taken ; and the Marquis coming in first at the take, plunged his knife into the animal, who was keeping the hounds at bay* At nightfall, they returned to Henferester. Selbitz had prepared the usual fare of venison, bacon and sauerkraut ; and the tankards were all well charged. As on the previous evening, the Baron and the Marquis did ample honour to their meal. After dinner, they charged their pipes, and en- FASCINATION. 153 sconced themselves in the corner of the fire- place^ while the major-domo attended to his ac- customed duties. Though the Baron was enchanted by the frank, jovial character of Letoriere, he still felt piqued at the superiority of so young a man, whether in the chase or at the table; and Letoriere, too clear-sighted not to see through his foibles, determined to afford him a triumph most gratifying to his vanity. But he now seemed bent upon recurring to the topic of the lawsuit. " The devil take the lawsuit!" exclaimed the Marquis. " If I lose it, what signifies ? — I shall have gained an excellent friend. Your hand. Baron ! I would lose twenty suits in such a cause. Ho, there ! my tankard is empty. Halloo Selbitz!— Old Satan !—knov/ that kirschenwasser evaporates under my thirsty as water before the sun !" " Poor fellow ! he is seeking to drown his cares perhaps!" thought the good old man; " I must not let him drink alone \" The Baron filled his glass. 154 FASCINATION. " A song, my dear Baron \" cried Letoriere gaily. " Can you sing the Retreat ? I have heard that the air and the words were composed by one of your old hunters of the forest here."" " Sing it yourself, Marquis, and I will tell you afterwards/^ Letoriere quaffed off his cup, — turned up his pipes, — then shouted forth the following hunt- ing song : *• ' On, on, my merry men ! Let your bugles gaily sound ! A stag — a stag of ten, — Lies bleeding on the ground !* " Come, come. Baron ! join in chorus. To day we have ample right to sing it \" cried he. " With all my souV^ replied his companion ; " I am not acquainted with the air ; but odd's life ! the music seems worthy of Mozart I*' The old gentleman then roared forth a sound intended to be harmonious, to the imminent danger of the surrounding windows. " Listen to the other stanzas. Baron ; which are as melancholy as the expiring strains of the distant horn during a summer^s night," cried FASCINATION. 155 Letoriere ; and he continued, in a more subdued tone : " The leafless forest boughs Creak hoarsely to and fro, — And strange and fearful shadows, Are lengthening o'er the snow. 'Tis the gloomy track Of the Huntsman Black ; — Ave Maria! — shield and shelter us from woe !*' The voice of the Marquis appeared to quaver and grow weak, as he gave utterance to these doleful words. His face no longer expressed joyous indifference ; but a cloud of sorrow over- shadowed his brow, which he inclined upon his hand. Selbitz, who was standing behind his mas= ter's chair, whispered in a low voice : — " When the flower is over-watered, it droops upon the stalk. In drinking, yesterday is not always the sire of to-day. Ah, my lord, never fear ! yours will ever be the virgin tankard. The Frenchman is already holding his head upon his hand. So used the forest-mas- ter of Hasbruck, when he had drunk his 1 56 FASCINATION. fill. However, it is just to add that he began from the first day." The Baron, glorying in his triumph, ob- served with proud satisfaction, in a low voice : " The Marquis is young, my good Selbitz ! In spite of his youth, however, he goes a great pace. Yesterday, he kept a-head of me. Two days running are too much for him. But after me, there is nobody equal to him.'^ — '^ Finish him, my lord, — finish him, for the honour of old Germany,^' — cried Selbitz, jogging the Baron^s elbow. ^* Well, Marquis, is your song finished ?^' quoth Henferester, on this hint. " Sha'n't we fill another cup in honour of our glorious sport to-day?'' "Ay, ay, let us drink,!" — cried Letoriere, aff'ecting to hand forth his cup with an arm half- paralyzed ; and having drained it, he repeated the concluding verse of the song. " The Frenchman is low in his cups \" — said the major-domo. *' That recals to my mind the famous Count Ralph, who, at his tenth bottle, you know, my FASCINATION. 157 lord^ used to begin chauntmg the burial- service/' added Selbitz, in a low voice. " Come;, Marquis ! — Here is to the first boar we slaughter l^' cried the Baron, desirous to give the finishing-stroke to his defeat. " Drink, then !"" — said Letoriere, giving the usual signs of drunkenness, — being by- turns noisy, joyous, and lachrymose. ^^ Here's to the hunt, Baron! — the hunt for me! — the wine, too ! — only it makes one giddy ! — One cannot think — one tries to keep up the ball, all the time ! But listen, my dear Baron ; I have something to confide to you." "So, so!" cried the major-domo; "he is beginning his confidences, like the Curate of Blumenthal. But his reverence never com- menced preaching till the eighth tankard. Do you remember, my lord, that nice little story about the miller's wife at the Val-aux- Primeveres 1" — " Hold your tongue, and listen !" cried the Baron. " Come, Marquis ! let us drink to your confidences !" — "• Know then. Baron, between ourselves, that this damnable lawsuit turns my brain !" 158 FASCINATION. " You don't say so ! — Ay, ay ?'*— added the Baron, aside, " I was sure the poor fellow was trying to forget his cares \" — "As true as that my cup is empty ! — I am almost distracted. J did not intend to tell you all this. Baron, — only you seem my friend. I owe my full confidence to you,' Know that I have already paid a visit to my jud^©;^* "The deuce you have!" said the jBaron; right glad of this involuntary communication, and curious to learn the steps he had taken. " You have actually seen your judges ?*" — ^' Yes, Baron. First, a fellow of the name of Spec— ^^ " You would say Sphex, my dear Marquis !*" " Sphex, or Spectre, no matter, — it is as broad as it is long. But ten thousand devils, my dear Baron ! — forgive me for laughing at one of your colleagues ! A pedant in us is about as fine a thing in my poor estimation, as a cracked rummer, or a glandered horse.*' " Right, right, Marquis !" cried Henferester. ^^Like me, you have a soul above book- worms 1'' " Just imagine, Baron, that this old Spectre, FASCINATION. 159 — I call him Spectre in preference, because the name seems to bring the old fellow before me I — this old Spectre, I say, had the impertinence to ask me whether I understood Latin }'' " You, Latin, — you ?" — exclaimed the Baron disdainfully. — "Where the devil were his spec- tacles? Do you look like a man who talks Latin ? — An old idiot ! for whom does he take you ?" *^ Can you conceive, Baron, that any body with a particle of sensibility could listen to such an insinuation in cold blood, even from a judge ? ^ Pray, sir, do I look Hke an old rat that has spent its days in gnawing the classics ?' cried I. ^ Am I an ink tippler ?— a college sizar ? — Speak Latin, quotha ? — Ten thousand devils ! Were I not come here to consult you on my lawsuit, I would soon teach you what it is to talk about Latin to a gentleman of my habits.' " " Spoke like a man, my worthy guest ! I'd have given a thousand florins to have been present,^' cried the Baron, roaring with laughter. " No sooner had I said the word, than the Doctor frankly told me I had not the sH^htest 160 FASCINATION. chance, — that I was too well known in Vienna. A thousand devils ! Because I am known, I am to lose my rights. First, he insulted me by- talking about Latin ; and then I could not contain myself — I proposed a meeting to him or an apology I" ^^To Sphex?" cried the Baron, laughing heartily, — " and pray what answer did the old ape make to your proposition ?" '' He raised his eyes to heaven, and disap- peared like a spectre behind a stack of musty books ; whereupon I took my leave. I saw that the Doctor was likely to bear me malice ; though the devil knows why, — for it does not follow, because you run a man through the body, that you may not be perfectly good friends with him." " He is as ingenuous as a child !^' — mur- mured the Baron. " His character and ap- pearance are strangely at variance !" " I next proceeded/^ resumed Letoriere, " to see counsellor Flacsinfingen ; and on arriving at his house, found an old sorceress dressed in black, who might have passed for the female of the male pedant, — dry, skinny, and armed to the FASCINATION. 161 teeth^ with a copy of the early Scriptures in her hand. — ^ My business is with the Counsellor and not his wife/ said I to the provost who pretended to announce me. — ' I or the Coun- sellor, — it is the same thing/ said she. ^ Be pleased therefore to explain to me your busi- ness with my husband/ You may imagine^ however, my dear Baron, that having my eyes open, I soon found means to rid me of the wife, and bring the husband into my presence/^ "And what were they. Marquis?" cried the old Baron ; adding in a low voice, — " He is too open-hearted by half, — rough and knotty as the oak, but free as the willow ! — Well, Marquis," he added aloud, " and how did you contrive?" "'Fair lady!' said I to the old witch, — * what I have to communicate to your hus- band is not fit to be mentioned to ears so chaste as yours. It is a case to be heard with closed doors ;' whereupon I commenced a story that would have produced a blush on the face of a pioneer !" 162 FASCINATION. The Baron exploded with laughter at this singular device, and exclaimed : — '^ The devil you did ! — to that formal old prude ? — I would have given old Hector to wit- ness the scene ! And what did she say?" "^ She grew red as a crayfish, and motioned to me magisterially to leave her presence/' " If that be the way you interest your judges in your behalf," cried the Baron, " let me con- gratulate you on your success/* "Why what would you have had me say to such a prude V "True ! — I admit that it is as difficult for a lad of your age to put up with the jargon of an old pedant, or the babbling of an old woman." '^ All that remained for me, my dear Baron, was to come to you. You have received me nobly, with open heart and true ; so nobly that I swear I have not courage to torment you with allusions to my own selfish affairs. But this suit — if you only knew — should I lose it ! — I may appear careless, — but the fact is, should I lose ii,' continued Letoriere with much emotion, " I should not survive the loss. I should pray St. FASCINATION. 163 Cartouche to have pity on me, and make an end on't V' Having thus divulged his sinister intentions, Letoriere strove to collect his ideas, pressed his forehead wildly, and looked around him with a bewildered air. " Hallo ! where am I V' — cried he. " Are you there, Baron ! — I fancy I have been asleep. I swear your Rhenish is as heady as the devil ! " — And the Marquis closed his eyelids, as if unable to keep them open. "You have not been asleep,'^ said the old man ; ^^ but I suspect you are inclined for a nap. Your cup, however, is still full V '^ Then empty it, Baron, in my place ; for fol- lowing the suit — the hunt — to-day — the devil t^ke all suits and]aU — all — '' and Letoriere's head again fell upon his shoulder as he pretended to fall fast asleep. " Refuse to drink ?" cried Henferester. "Then I am victorious !" — and he forthwith summoned Erhard and Selbitz to attest his triumph over the Frenchman, as well as to carry oiF the Mar- quis to the rat-garret. Letoriere, whose head was somewhat more composed than that of the Baron, seemed to 164 FASCINATION. mount the stairs mechanically to his room ; where he affected to fall heavily on the bed. The Baron, meanwhile, was much perplexed. Though interested in Letoriere^s fate, he had given a sacred pledge to support the German princes, whose cause he considered a just one. In order to reconcile his desire to oblige the Marquis with the promise to the opposite in- terest, he had recourse to a singular compro- mise of conscience. Such personages as Sphex and Flacsinfin- gen, were sure to become engaged in favour of the princes ; to say nothing of the thoughtless conduct of the Marquis in their presence. Their hostility insured the triumph of the adverse party ; in which case, what signified the absence of unanimity, or the majority of two against one? ^^ All I want is to send back this charming fel- low with kind words, and a proof of my friend- ship/^ said he musing " for never should I have the courage to say ^ No' to so fascinating a com- panion !^' Thus resolved, he waited the awaking of his companion ; and announced to him that, upon FASCINATION. 165 reflection, he was determined to give him his vote in the Aulic Council. Ha\TJig acknowledged this gracious conces- sion of the Baron a thousand times, the Marquis de Letoriere accordingly returned to Vienna ; there to make his first acquaintance with Henferester^s coadjutors, the learned Dr. Sphex, and the henpecked Counsellor Flacsin^ fingen !— 166 FASCINATION. CHAPTER XII. Dr. Aloysius Sphex resided in a retired house, situated in one of the suburbs of Vienna. Heavy bars secured his windows, and strips of iron intersected one another upon the door of a low and narrow entrance, closed by a strong bolt. Visitors had, moreover, to encounter two ferocious mountain dogs, chained behind the door, before it was possible to penetrate a small court overgrown with weeds, across which the kitchen was situated; in which chilling retreat sat the Doctor^s housekeeper, by the side of a single log all but extinguished. FASCINATION. 167 The Doctor occupied, on the first story, a dusty Ubrar)', in complete disorder ; filled with awful-looking folios^ clothed by the spiders with most extensive webs. A lofty diamond- paned window, half concealed by an old piece of tapestry, admitted a mysterious light ; while an old-fashioned chimney with twisted co- lumns had been transformed into a book- case; for the Doctor allowed no fire from the fear of endangering his darling collections. But the better to secure himself from the search- ing autumnal blast. Dr. Sphex had taken refuge in an old sedan chair, placed in the centre of his study; shutting the glasses of which, he had just room sufficient for the purposes of writing and reading. The Doctor, a little spare old man, with thick eyebrows, piercing eyes, a caustic smile, un- der-jaws and deeply wrinkled cheeks, possessed a singularly sardonic and malicious countenance. At two precisely, by the old-fashioned clock on the mantlepiece, the Counsellor issued offici- ally from his refuge, with the precision of an automaton. He wore an old threadbare coat, enfolded himself in an old grey cloak, placed an 168 FASCINATION. ample-brimmed hat upon bis foxy peruque, wbicb, the better to secure, he tied down under the chin with a coloured cotton handkerchief. Then, placing his spectacles in one of his pockets, and a little black volume, one of his precious Elzevirs, in the other, he took up his cane as if to go forth. After a sudden reflection, however, he retraced his steps across the study, and entered another room in which he cau- tiously locked himself up. Touching a spring in the paneling, it opened to expose to view an iron chest ! — The eyes of the old man glistened with joy, as he took a key attached to his watch-chain, opened the coffer, and drew forth a cedar box, flat and oblong, containing a vellum manuscript in quarto. The style of the characters was that in use in the tenth century ; and the titles and capital letters were in rich gilding, embellished with arabesques. Having contemplated this manu- script with the eager anxiety with which a miser plunges his hand into his treasures, the Doctor replaced the key, shut the casket, and arranged the mechanism within, which was contrived to FASCINATION. 169 discharge a pistol against any nefarious intruder. Thus convinced of the security of this precious specimen of calKgraphy, the Counsellor went forth to enjoy his accustomed walk. On passing before the kitchen^ he addressed his attendant in a sulky tone. *^ Should the French Marquis call again,'* said he "say, whether I am returned or not; that I am absent from home I" " He was here this morning, sir/^ replied the woman. "Will the scented fop never let me alone ?" What have I to do with one whom ?ionpudet ad morem discincti vivere Nattce !" The old man now proceeded in the direction of a valley behind the city, called the Vale of Lindens. As certain exclusive amateurs admit but one school of painting, and only one particular master of that school, so the Doctor was en- thusiastic in his passion for the Satires of Persius ; placing this author far above the whole collection of Latin poets. Not alone did he possess every known edition of that work, since the rare Editio Princeps de Brescia (1470) to the modern one VOL. I. I 170 FASCINATION. of Horns (1770), which he had purchased at a tremendous price, and now considered a most inestimable treasure ; but he had himself translated and commented upon Persius, and was still daily occupied with his favourite author ; till, by imbibing his ideas, and assimi- lating his thoughts to the text, he had ended by applying to himself and others all the situ- ations described by that most satirical of the Stoics, His enthusiasm, in short, bordered upon monomania. Just as upon a mere leaf, or in a drop of water, the eye, aided by a microscope, may discover unknown worlds, the exalted imagination of Doctor Sphex found, in the most insignificant words of the poet, original and profound reflections. The Counsellor now continued his daily stroll, till on arriving near the trunk of a tree recently felled, upon which he sometimes rested him- self, he heard voices engaged in loud discussion. Disappointed to find his usual place occupied, he withdrew behind a box-tree ; when, to his surprise, he heard a pure and eloquent voice recite with the most elegant and perfect FASCINATION. 1 7 1 prosody, these verses from the first satire of Persius : — " O curas hominum I O quantum est in rebus inane ! " &c. The Doctor suspended his breath, Hstened, and finally advanced, in order to ascertain who was the estimable man that seemed to sympathise in his predilection for the most classical of writers. A young man, carelessly attired, with several scrolls of paper protruding from the pockets of his dingy black coat, and several books by his side, was seated on the tree. The exterior of Letoriere was entirely remodelled, to represent a half- starved poet ; and on the approach of the aged Counsellor, he rose respectfully from his place. " Ay, ay ! our beloved Persius is truly the king of poets V' — cried the enraptured Sphex, slapping with the palm of his hand the Elzevir he had just drawn from his pocket, and en- thusiastically welcoming the learned stranger. " Sir,^^ rephed Letoriere, in affected amaze- ment, " at my age, I cannot presume to decide on such matters.'^ I 2 172 FASCINATION. ^^ Nay, nay ! I stood yonder there, behind the bush, to hear you recite the first satire of our divine poet ! By Hercules, young man, I see that you appreciate him as 1 do. Never did Tuscan pronounce with greater purity the language of our favourite author ; and, frankly, my heart rejoices in this happy and unlooked- for incident. * Hunc, Macrine, diem numera meliorelapillo !'** exclaimed the old man, and presented his hand most cordially to his new acquaintance, having borrowed the last quotation from his darling author. " Sir, if not too great a pretension,^' an~ swered Letoriere, " I should answer — ' Non equidem hoc dubites, amborum foedere certo^ Consentire dies, et ab uno sidere duci.' " ^^ Bravo ! my young friend. Impossible to answer more aptly. You must be acquainted with my inimitable Stoic as well as I am my- self ; but alas ! you possess what I so much envy, a pure and harmonious pronunciation. And,'* added the doctor, "if I dare — I would I had FASCINATION. 173 courage to request you to recite me the first verse of the third satire ?' " With pleasure, my dear sir/^ said the Mar- quis ; and he began gravely to mouth forth— " ' H»c cedo, ut adnioveam templis et favre litabo.' " "Better and better !"' exclaimed the learned Doctor, enchanted. " But with regard to these celebrated verses, what meaning, may I ask, do you allot to the word /or ?" And the Doctor fixed an attentive look upon the young man, as if desirous to put his erudi- tion to the test. "According to mi/ humble opinion," said the Marquis, boldly, ''far can only signify the grain of which flour is made ; and, in opposition to the opinion of Casaubon and Scaliger, I think that expression does not apply to bread, but to wheat, barley, and all sorts of grain. In a word, sir, far, together with salt, was among the usual offerings of the ancients. It is alluded to by Virgil in the words * Fruges salsae— salsa mola— * ss an homage to our common divinity. Mean- 174 FASCINATION, while, permit me to recite the verses of your favourite author." Letoriere then graciously recited the whole satire, with an expression alternately so delicate, biting, and energetic, that Sphex exclaimed — ^^ As I live by bread, he omits nothing ! neither an idea, nor the shadow of an idea. The sur- face of the words does not suffice him. He penetrates through the brilliant bark, and dis- covers within the profound and hidden mean- ing. — Young man, young man, I honour you ! To recite thus, is to explain and comment ; to recite thus is to assimilate oneself with the mind of the author till one becomes identified with him. I declare to you that a man so highly gifted as to identify himself with Per- sius, is, in my estimation, entitled to equal respect with the author himself. I consider this phenomenon as a kind of intellectual rela- tionship. Give me your hand, therefore, young man. But for the great disparity of our ages, I should say we were brothers in intelligence, and procreated by the same poetical father !^' The Doctor expressed himself with such ve- hement enthusiasm, that the Marquis, asto- FASCINATION. 175 nished, began to doubt whether it were a monomaniac, or an AuHc counsellor standing before him. Unable to interpret this mortifying silence. Dr. Sphex observed, '' How absent I am !— I have actually claimed you as a brother, yet do not even ask your name/^ '' My name, sir, is Letori^re/^ said the Mar- quis, wdth a profound bow. ''Letoriere?"- exclaimed Sphex, in utter amazement. « Are you by chance connected with the Marquis of that name ?" " I am myself, sir, the Marquis.'" " You )--You ?-You ?"— cried the Doctor, in three different keys. " Impossible,— im- possible ! The Marquis is said to be as ignc rant as a carp, and as frivolous as a butterfly. One of those precious retailers of the marvel- lous—a mere romance reader, and incompetent even to the attainment of the Latin lano^uao-e As to Persius, I will answer for it, he knows nothing resembling that name nearer than Persian roses," added the Doctor, with a bitter sneer. '' I perceive with regret, sir, that you have 176 FASCINATION. given ear to the calumnies of my enemies/' replied the modest scholar. " In good truths sir, are you or are you n::t the Marquis de Letoriere ?" cried Sphex, tho- roughly confounded. "I have the honour, sir, to repeat my assurances." " Are you here, then, concerning a lawsuit ? Answer me, sir, I intreat. — Do not deceive me." " Sir," replied the Marquis, indignant at the supposition, ^^your inquiries are almost un- warrantable." "Forgive my petulance, sir. Tf I appear well acquainted with your object" — the Doctor paused with an air of vexation — ^^ it is that I have relations with the Aulic Council, and am informed of all that passes there." " It is true, sir, that I am unfortunately here for the purpose you suppose," said the Mar- quis, with a heavy sigh. '^ But my dear young friend, you appear to be singularly indifferent to your aiFairs. You stand here reciting verses to the winds, — ad- mirably it is true, but that is not the way to FASCINATION. 177 gain a lawsuit. Believe me, young man, that if justice be blind, she is not deaf ; and there are thousands of ways of influencing the opinions of your judges.'^ ^' Alas, sir ! I have seen my judges, and for that reason, entertain little hope of my cause. In my despair, therefore, I fly to learning for consolation and instruction, — above all, from our inestimable poet. Courage to meet my evil destiny seems to emanate from his truth- abounding verses. Can you not conceive, sir, that his energetic poetry, proud and high- sounding as it is, must impart vigour to des- pairing souls, just as the shrill clarion revives the drooping courage of the soldier ? ^^ The Doctor was delighted with the simple and appropriate manner in which the Marquis pronounced these words. " Pardon the interest an old man takes m you," said he. ^^ But I trust you exaggerate the unfavourable opinion of your judges. Have you done all that you ought, to interest them in your cause ? ^' "The judges I have seen can scarcely be ex- i3 178 FASCINATION. pected to have much sympathy in my cause," replied Letoriere. ^' I have lost all hope. Truly might our poet say, — * Velle suum cuique est, nee voto vivitur uno ; Hie satur irriguo mavult turgescere somno Hie campo indulget ! ' '* " I understand you/^ said the Counsellor, smiling at the just and fit application of this quotation. *^ I have heard it said, that Coun- sellor Flacsinfingen might have figured amongst the gluttons of the feast of Trimalcion, and that the brutal lord of Henferester should have figured in the Circus of Rome, in the com- bats of animals ! — And you, poor poet, poor victim of letters, what feeling can you be ex- pected to have in common with an inert mass of flesh like Flacsinfingen, never happy but at the table ! What can one say to him but — ' Quae tibi summa bona est ? Uncta vix isse patella Semper?' It is the same thing with that gladiator as with the brute Henferester, whose loutish body I FASCINATION. 179 cannot behold without recurring to the verses of our divinity. — ' Hie aliquis de gente hircosa centurionum, Dicat ; Quod satis est sapio milii ; non ego euro Esse quod Arcesilas aerumnosiqiie Solones.'" " You will at least allow/^ said the Marquis smiling, "that ha\4ng nothing more to say to my judges, I cannot hope to interest them personally in my behalf. I am neither a forester nor a glutton, — otherwise, I might have awak- ened some sympathy.^^ " But all the counsellors are not gluttons or gladiators, or hen-pecked by their wives, my dear friend ! * At me nocturnis juvat impallescere chartis.'" " Alas, sir ! if my judges only resembled you ! " *^I have heard mention of a certain Dr. Sphex,'^ said the Counsellor, keenly watching the Marquis ; " a good old man, who, after his duties at the council-table, retires every evening to his beloved studies. * His mane edictum, post prandia Callirrhoe do.'" *^ I have often presented myself in vain at 180 FASCINATION. the door of Counsellor Sphex, sir/' said L^- toriere; "and if what you tell me be true, I doubly regret it for he is perhaps the only one of the judges whom I could have inspired with a kindly feeling.'* " By Hercules, young man, you mu.st not despair ! I know that eccentric fellow Sphex. If you will only accompany me, I will be too happy to recommend you, and present you to him/^ ^^ How sir, how have I deserved, — and how can I acknowledge — so unprecedented a favour ?^^ " Young man, scholars such as yourself and Dr. Sphex are rare in the world ! A meeting between you will be a mutual benefit. Give me your arm, and we will proceed thither to- gether !" The old man felt a malicious gratification in anticipating the surprise he was about to create in Letoriere ; who did not fail to dwell upon the capricious uncertainty of fate, when the Doctor discarded his incognito. To the great astonishment of old Katharine, the Aulic Counsellor commanded her to lay two covers ; nor did the Marquis refuse to accept his FASCINATION. 181 hospitality, having just quoted, in allusion to his frugal life, " Positum est algente catino ; Durum olus, et popull cribro decussa farina :'' which was completely realised. An anchorite would have been scarcely satisfied with the humble fare placed upon the table by Katha- rine. The Counsellor, meanwhile, more and more enchanted with his guest, favoured him with the perusal of his translations, com- mentaries, &c., and last of all by a sight of his precious manuscript; on seeing which, Leto- riere manifested such vociferous admiration, that the Doctor almost regretted his imprudent confidence. ^^ Are you and the housekeeper the only in- mates of this house ?" said the Marquis, hug- ging the precious manuscript, as if inclined to appropriate it to himself. " Merciful Heaven ! — Surely his enthusiasm for Persius will not tempt him to assassinate me, in order to obtain my manuscript V mused the old Counsellor, with a mixture of fear and 182 FASCINATION. admiration ; and he actually drew near the pistol, upon which the lock of the coiFer acted, — and prepared for a vigorous defence. But at that moment the Marquis, replacing the manuscript in his hands, cried out with vehemence — " For the love of Heaven, dearest sir ! hide it, hide it ! — Forgive the incoherency of an en- thusiast !" — and he rushed out of the room, his hands clasped wildly over his eyes. The Counsellor somewhat re-assured, pro- ceeded to lock up the coffer, then rejoined the Marquis in the adjoining library. " What ails you, my young friend ?" said he, anxiously. " Alas, sir ! — pardon me ! At sight of that manuscript, an infamous and monstrous thought glanced into my mind, in spite of the sacred laws of hospitality.'^ " You intended to rob me of my treasure ?'' Letoriere, overcome with confusion, remained silent. ^^Your hand, young sir!" cried the Coun- sellor. ^* I perfectly enter into your feelings. FASCINATION. 183 It is only an additional honour conferred upon our author ; and if you only knew the history of that manuscript !" A moment afterwards the Doctor added, '' You would then admit that it is my duty to pardon the terrible temptation you have had the fortitude to resist i^"* Unfortunately the Doctor^s mysterious con- fidence went no further. The two friends passed the remainder of the day in a learned analysis of the commentaries of Casaubon, De Keenig, and Ruperti, upon their favourite poet; discovering a thousand beauties never before alluded to by these learned commentators. By a lucky accident of memory, Letoriere excited the enthusiasm of old Sphex, by pointing out to him that the passage in the third satire, alluding to the defeat of the Medes, referred to Zeno, chief of the Stoics. In a word, during this long and learned interview, Letoriere, thanks to the profound study he had recently made of the works of Persius at the in- stigation of Dominique, and the surprising flexibility of his mind, completely fascinated the affections of the learned Doctor. 184 rASCINATION» As yet, not a word concerning the lawsuit had been uttered between them. The Marquis abstained from prudence — the Counsellor from embarrassment ; for^ however well disposed to- wards Letoriere^ he regretted bitterly that his voice alone would not ensure the success of his young friend. " What a pity," said the Doctor, " that you should quit Vienna so soon ! — We might have passed many delightful hours together in the increasing admiration of divinity, and have said, like him — * Unum opus et requiem pariter disponimus ambo, Atque verecunda taxamus seria mensa.* " " I feel the sacrifice as much as yourself, venerated Counsellor," said Letoriere ; " but one's pleasures must give way to one^s duties.'^ He then rose to retire. Struck by the Marquis's silence on the sub- ject of his lawsuit, the Counsellor gazed eagerly at his guest as he observed, " But we forget the lawsuit !*" " How is it possible, sir, to remember such things when talking of the object of one's FASCINATION. 185 idolatry with one who shares our admira- tion ? " '^ Nay, nay ?' cried the Doctor, shaking his head, and laughing with a sarcastic air, as he recited the verses " * Mens bona, fama, fides ! haec clare, et ut audiat hospes, lllasibi introrsum, et sub lingua immurmurat. O si Ebullit patrui praectarum funus.' " '•' It is easy to say ' I have forgotten my law- suit;' but, sir, from the depths of your heart, you must execrate the old Counsellor, who has not given you so much as a gleam of hope — is it not true ?" " Alas, sir !" replied the Marquis, smiling, ** let me answer you by another quotation — ' Messe tenus propria vive.'" " You think, then, that I see you with in- difference V cried the Doctor, smiling. " Let me undeceive you. It shall never be said that the voice of old Sphex did not protest against the judgment of a lump of inanity like Flac- sinfingen, or an old brute like Henferester ! 186 FASCINATION. In my opinion, the cause between you and the German princes is so nicely balanced, that a breath would blow it either way." " ' Scis etenim justum gemin^ suspendere lance Ancipitis librae, &c.' " said the Marquis. " Confiding in the integrity of the judge, I never doubted the success of my cause.^^ Enchanted with this new quotation, the Doctor exclaimed, " Right, right, young man ! If my vote should stand alone, it shall protest in the most unequivocal manner against a judgment which will be iniquitous, should it decide the suit against you. Adieu, then. To- morrow, we shall deliver judgment. May the gods favour you. As to me^ by Hercules, I know my duty !" And the Doctor concluded his apostrophe by quoting — '• ' Ast vocat officium : trabe rupta, Bruttia saxa Prendit amicus inops, remque omnem, surdaque vota Condidit lonio/ " FASCINATION. 187 CHAPTER XIIJ. The day following the visit of Letoriere to Dr. Sphex, an unusual ferment prevailed in the establishment of the Auhc Counsellor Flacsin- fingen. It was just eleven in the morning, when Dame Martha Flacsinfingen, a tall woman of forty, dry, pale, and serious, attired in a long brown gown, with a high stiff frill around her neck, and a black velvet coif upon her head, was in solemn conference with her husband, a fat, lusty man, red-faced and of a jovial counte- nance. 188 FASCINATION. , Enveloped in a comfortable dressing-gown, his head thrust into a cotton night-cap bound with coloured ribbon, he appeared to listen to her with some degree of impatience, as she held between her withered fingers a letter which she was reading with the most profound attention, dwelling upon every syllable, to the following effect : ^^'The Marquis de Letoriere wiU have the honour of calling upon Frau von Flacsinfingen to day, at twelve o'clock, if she will do him the favour to receive him/ ^^ The honour of calling upon Frau von Flac- sinfingen ! " cried she, having perused the note. « What audacity !" ^' But Martha, my love," said the Counsellor meekly, ^* I do not see the great audacity of it/' " You do not ? you must be blind then. Do you not perceive that the simple fact of a letter from a dissipated, voluptuous Nebuchadnezzar of a man, such as this Marquis de Letoriere, is a regular insult toward a woman of my reputa- tion, — at all events a premeditation, or threat of insult." *^ How so, my dear Martha ?" FASCINATION. 189 '^ Have you then forgotten all that is reported of this abominable man, the terror of maid and wife ! Do you not know that he is a Pharaoh, who can bewitch one with a look ; a lawless Tarquin, who, the very first time he meets a woman, addresses her in language of the most dauntless gallantry V " In short, he is one of those scapegraces whom fathers, mothers, and husbands send to the devil twenty times a day ] — eh ! eh ! eh !" replied the Counsellor laughing heartily. This indecorous mirth was severely repri- manded by the lady, who sharply retorted, " How, sir ? — Are you silly enough to laugh, at the very moment you obtain proof of the licentious intentions of this wretch to revel in the infernal triumph of attacking the unat- tainted honour of your wife V The astonished Counsellor gazed upon his wife, wringing his hands in much perplexity. '' Attack your honour, my precious Martha ?'' cried he. " Who the devil dreams of such a thing?"' ^* Dullard that you are!'' cried the lady — *^once more be pleased to listen.*' She then recited the letter for the third time. 190 FASCINATION. " And Monsieur de Letoriere will do himself the honour of calling upon Frau von Flacsinfin- gen ! Do you comprehend ? Upon ' Frau^ — I trust that is clear. Not Mister, sir, but Mistress, an assignation as clear as daylight. He does not even make a mystery of his inten- tions. He says it without compunction. And you, sir, do not leap out of your chair upon hearing the affront ? — Shame, shame, Flac- sinfingen ! you are unworthy the hand and heart of an honest woman ! — An assignation ? — The designing wretch !'^ — cried the irate victim. *^Do you really imagine, my sweetest Martha," remonstrated her spouse, ^' that the Marquis dare ? I tell you, you are demented ! If he wants to make an appointment, believe me, it is for the purpose of discussing his suit, — his lawsuit I mean, my darling Martha. Like the rest of the world, he has heard of my unlimited con- fidence in you — I mean that you lead me by the nose, — so that to influence me, he must first naturally influence you." " Influence me ? — let him try," cried Martha with the air of a heroine. ^' I promise him I will resist at the peril of my life !" FASCINATION. 191 A carriage now stopped at the door. *^ It is himself P' exclaimed the Frau, sup- porting herself upon the arm of her husband's chair. INIy blood runs cold in my veins ! Flac- sinfingen I stay near me. In the name of the heavens, protect me. It was a false alarm. The carriage rolled on. The susceptible Martha, gently passing her hand over her brow, and trembhng with emotion, exclaimed, — " My heart failed me, I confess ! But one is not always mistress of one^s feelings." '' But since you are so afraid of this Mar- quis, why the devil receive him ?" — inquired the Counsellor. ^* Why?" — exclaimed Martha indignantly. '^ He asks me why ! — -Ndne but a soul mate- rialized by gluttony should ask such a question. Why ? — why is the warrior disgraced who flies before the enemy ? — Why is gold tested by means of fire ? — Why is the just man who con- quers in fight, superior to the just man who was absent?" " Wife, wife 1" said the Counsellor, impa- tiently interrupting his wife, ^^ I tell you you 192 FASCINATION. are mad. Who wants to attack you, or subdue, or test you in the fire? At your age, is it possible that — come, come, Martha, I do not want to offend you ?^ '^ Ay, ay ! add insult to brutality ! Nothing surprises'me at your hands !" " Once more, why receive him ?" demanded the exasperated Counsellor. "I am decided to support the pretensions of the German princes. Whatever you may say to or hear from this Nebuchadnezzar — this Pharaoh — this Tarquin — matters little to me. Compose your- self! I need neither his attack nor your re- sistance to know that you are the pattern of our German wives. Think no more of it, therefore. Close your doors, and let me take a peep at Ripper's stewpans. My stomach warns me that it is almost dinner-time ; and there is a certain baked pike, with gooseberry sauce, of which I have been dreaming all night !" Having allowed her husband to give vent to his irritation, Frau von Flacsinfingen con- temptuously resumed her apostrophe. *^ When the virtue of your wife is attacked," FASCINATION. 193 quoth she^ '^it is her duty to defend your honour as well as her own. Another Judith, I will defy this Holophernes ; and like her, im- plore of Heaven sufficient strength to vanquish Yarn.'' "Holophernes, forsooth!" — ejaculated the Counsellor. " Who will it be next ?'^ " But in spite of my resolution," continued Martha, '^as I am but a poor weak woman, and this miscreant is capable of any teme- rity, — all I ask of you is, to be well armed, and ready to fly to my assistance, should my efforts unfortunately prove in vain." " Compose yourself, dearest Martha,—com- pose yourself. We are not always the best judge of our own qualities ; and I swear to you, that you possess a certain air — a something capable of repelling any imprudent attempt — any breach of respect. So that, believe me, all these precautions are unnecessary !" ^^ What I have said, is said !^' rejoined the stately lady. *^ I regret postponing your dm- ner; but I exact that you take down your fowling-piece, and, concealed under yonder table, be present at the interview, ready to fly VOL. I. K 194 FASCINATION. to my aid when I cry out, ^ Flacsinfingen^ TO ARMS V " Hide under the table ! — for what? — Hea- ven and earth !" *^ I tell you, sir/' interrupted his wife, " that I insist upon your implicit obedience." This absurd scene took place in the Coun- sellor's study, where a variety of ancient arms were suspended against the wall. Martha se- lected an arquebuse and poniard, which she laid upon the table. She then proceeded to examine a Persian shield, and coat af chain- armour; and probably meditated buckling on these defensive arms, the better to resist the presumed attacks of the Marquis. On second thoughts, however, the poniard appeared suf- ficient ; and she quietly returned to the side of her husband. " This poniard is for me/' said she, " the arquebuse for you. Deborah had but a spike, — Judith a sword, — Dalilah a pair of shears. — Martha shall have a poniard I" " But, my dearest Martha, I beseech you to have a care ! That arquebuse has been loaded ever since the day I intended to try it at the FASCINATION. 195 mark. In the name of Heaven, what is the use of all this bother!" Again, a carriage stopped at the door, and again the valiant lady was seized with dire emo- tions of. terror when the servant announced, " a French Marquis, who wished to speak to Madame!'^ '' Holy Maria ! it is himself !''— cried sh6, ad- ding to the servant, " When I ring, you will in- troduce him into this room.'^ The servant being gone, she solemnly em- braced her husband. '« Beloved Flacsinfingen ! " said she, ^^the moment is arrived ! — Prime your arquebuse, and God defend the right!"— She then pointed beneath the table. "But, my blessing! I shall be stifled under that cursed table," said he. " All this is too absurd." "Lose not a moment!" persisted Martha in an imperious tone. " But it is unnecessary, my sweetest — it is unnecessary !" " Flacsinfingen, do you hear me /" cried the Frau, seizing her husband furiously by the arm, and accompanying each of her words by a spasmodic grasp. 2 K 196 FASCINATION. " I fancy I must be as silly as yourself to assent to such detestable absurdity \" faltered he, creeping under the table. " Now then, when I cry out ^ to arms, Flac- siNFiNGEN !' start forth and fire upon the ruffian without mercy !" And having shoved him in, she let fall the table-cover, which stifled the last murmurs of the Counsellor. In spite of this ambuscade, Martha made other preparatives of defence. The table under which she had posted her husband, stood be- twixt her and her dreaded adversary ; moreover, Martha was flanked by two chairs, and nearly surrounded by a folding screen. Thus stationed, the Frau, with a trembling hand, rang the bell, having first said in a low voice, " Flacsinfin- GEN, Attention I'' An inarticulate sound proceeded in reply from under the table. The door opened, and as Letoriere entered, the Frau clenched her dagger in her bony hand ! But could it be indeed the Marquis de Le- toriere who entered the room ? — ^So complete was his metamorphosis, that he scarcely appeared twenty years of age. His brown hair, unpow- FASCINATION. 197 dered, and parted in the centre of his forehead, fell loosely round his frank and ingenuous face. Attired in a modest suit of black, his eyes were timidly cast down ; and he t^visted his hat be- tween his hands with an air of embarrassment, scarcely daring to advance a step beyond the door. The Frau, agitated, yet fierce, grasping in one hand the dagger and with the other prepared to repel the bold and insolent young lord, of pre- suming manners and licentious address, found him, to her utter astonishment, a timid youth of extraordinary beauty, with scarcely courage to approach. Unable to believe her eyes, and fearing some mistake, Martha inquired of him in her sourest voice, " Are you, sir, the Marquis de Leto- riere ?" " I am, madam," repUed the Marquis, in a trembling voice, blushing deeply, and without raising his eyes. ^* You come from Paris, sir }'' " I arrived in Vienna, madam, only three days ago.^' At the sound of his sweet, pure, youthful 19S FASCINATION, voice, the astonishment of Martha knew no bounds. Throwing aside her weapon, she bowed to the Marquis ; observing, in a rather more amiable tone — " You are come here, I fancy, about a law- suit ?" " Yes, madam/' "Against the Dukes of Brandebourg and Brunswick ? ^' — "Yes, madam." He had not courage for more than mono- syllables ; and on hearing these timid and ingenuous replies, Martha rose, and advanced two steps towards the stranger, bidding him approach. For the first time, Letoriere now ventured to raise his soft and melancholy eyes towards her, as quickly concealing them again under their drooping lids. Never had Martha encountered a look so soft, so seductive. She felt unaccountably affected ; and at length exclaimed to the Mar- quis, with a sort of irritable impatience, — '* I bad you approach, sir ! You surely cannot be afraid of me 1 " FASCINATION. 199 " Afraid ! Oh no, madam, veneration is a very different feeling from fright. The virtuous woman is a crown of glory — the virtuous woman is the reward predestined to man for his good actions/' " Familiar with the Holy Scriptures/^ ex- claimed Martha, in a tone of admiration. "Nevertheless," added she, "you certainly stand in some awe of me." " Forgive me, madam ! Your imposing air— your noble deportment, resembling that of the daughters of my sovereign, inspire me with such reverence, that my heart beats again. '^ And the Marquis pressed his hand gracefully upon his heart. "I feel that I can hardly speak ; — forgive, forgive me, madam ! — One cannot always master one's emotions," said he, casting an imploring look upon the Frau, who felt singularly flattered by this convincing proof of her resemblance to a princess of the blood- royal. "Surely I must be dreaming," thought Martha. "Where is the libertine — the bold merciless seducer? Perhaps he is deceiving 200 FASCINATION. me ! Perhaps this appearance of candour is assumed as a mask to his evil designs, — the wariness of the tiger about to spring upon his prey ! '' As these suspicions presented themselves^ the good lady cautiously retreated to her former entrenchments behind the table, faintly whis- pering to her husband to be ready, as she was convinced that the moment approached. The table-cover moved; but it was impossible to decide whether Flacsinfingen were preparing his weapon, or impatient of his stifling position. Re-fortified, and her poniard clutched in her grasp, the stern Martha reassumed her imperious tone and crabbed physiognomy, as she harshly observed, — ^' Well, sir ! Is it your intention to announce the object of your visit? I assure you, however, that my husband is convinced of the justice of the princes' cause, and all pro- ceedings on your part will be unavailing.'' " In that case, madam, farewell/' said Le- toriere, moving towards the door. " I see you will not deign to hear me. I have no further hope. Wretch — unfortunate wretch that I am P' FASCINATION. 201 Covering his eyes with his hands, the Mar- quis, in a desponding attitude, had now almost reached the door. Convinced that her dreaded guest harboured no hostile intentions, and touched by his pro- foundly afflicted state of mind, Martha ven- tured for the second time from her stronghold, and approached nearer the Marquis, as she observed, in a milder tone, — *^ Why should you suppose, young man, that I wiU not listen to you ? — "Why go away ? — Though the gain of your lawsuit is far from certain, it is the duty of my husband to listen to the exposition of your claims. — Take courage. — Confide in my sense of justice ! — Do I then appear so alarming ? — We will see about this business. — Take a seat by my side ! — Do not be afraid." And Martha led the Marquis towards an arm-chair. ^^ Compose yourself ! " said she; ^^ compose yourself ! ^' At that moment a loud burst of laughter exploded near them. The cover of the table was raised up, and the fat Counsellor, arquebuse k3 202 FASCINATION. in hand, became visible, crying aloud between peals of laughter, — *^ Martha, your poniard ? — where is Martha? — where is your cuirass? — Martha, what is become of Martha ? — where is your shield? — Beware of this Pharaoh, my darling, — beware of this Nebuchadnezzar ! Ha, ha, ha ! — Judith tranquillizing the emotions of Holophernes ! — Oh ! oh ! oh ! ^^ — All this was incomprehensible to Letoriere, who, astonished at the abrupt apparition of the Counsellor, could barely refrain from betraying himself at the grotesque appearance of Flac- sinfingen. Furious as well as humiliated by the jocose remarks of her husband upon the wary pre- cautions she had taken, Martha rushed towards him. '^ Are you not ashamed,^' cried she, ^^ of resorting to such vile means of prying into other people's aflfairs ? Odious tyrant ! — un- justifiable jealousy ! — What, what have I done to justify the spouse of my bosom in doubting my fidelity ? "— Martha raised her eyes wildly to heaven, call- ing it to witness the injustice of her husband's FASCINATION. 203 suspicions; who, confounded by these unex- pected reproaches, remained gaping on the ground, his arquebuse in his hand. *^ Wife, wife ! '' cried he, " do you really mean to insinuate " "Not another word!" interrupted Martha, taking him by the arm, — " Leave me — leave the room." "Nevertheless, my dear soul,^' the Coun- sellor was beginning. " Begone, sir ! — your presence here is an in- sult,^' cried Martha; and without further cere- mony, she assisted her husband to rise, and pushed him rudely towards the door of an inner room. He contended and remonstrated in vain. " What will this young stranger think of me V^ cried he. " Say rather what on earth will he think of fne ? '^ — exclaimed Martha. " But since it was your own mistrust which '' "To lie in wait with a loaded gun !" — added Martha, not choosing to listen to a syllable. "At your suggestion; you know very well 204 FASCINATION. that it was solely at your suggestion ! " cried the Counsellor, still retreating towards the door. " A regular ambuscade, and wortliy a captain of Italian banditti ! ^'—persisted Martha, with pretended horror. ^^ O wife, wife ! " — faltered Flacsinfingen, out of all patience, ^' may it never transpire that an Aulic Counsellor of the Empire condescended to play so ridiculous a part.'^ "I will do my best to preserve your dis- graceful secret ; but begone ! ''—cried she. Flacsinfingen was at length forced into the inner room, the doors of which his wife had the precaution to bolt upon him. " So !" mused Letoriere, smiling to find him- self alone with Frau von Flacsinfingen, "it appears likely that I, and not the lady, may stand in want of protection. I begin to regret the gentleman with the arquebuse ! " — said he to himself, looking around him with an air of alarm. Martha quickly resumed her usual air of ill- tempered prudery. '* Would I could make you sensible, sir," said she, •"* of my mortification at the absurd scene which has taken place ! Must I FASCINATION. 205 own it in presence of a stranger ? — My husband is jealous, — very jealous; — Heaven knows,with- out a motive. He is so fanciful, that, knowing / had an appointment this morning with you, — with a young nobleman" — the Frau hesitated, — "a young nobleman, to be sure — that is — whose reputation -was so — In short, sir, my husband concealed himself as a spy upon our proceedings ! '^ — " I had been already informed, madam, that the Counsellor gave way to this weakness,^^ said the Marquis, timidly. " They had already told you so ? ^' — cried Martha amazed. " I was assured that your husband was jea- lous of the influence you exercise over his clients; who, in general, preferred addressing themselves to you, rather than him. Every one knows you to be so good, and of so sound a judgment ! — Ah ! madam, well may your hus- band thank Pro\ddence for such a wife ! — The husband blest with a good wife is happy, and that the number of his years will be doubled in the land, is one of the most beneficent pro- mises of Holy Writ." ^ 206 FASCINATION. All this was pronounced in a tone of such childlike innocence, vnth so soft and pure an accent, that Martha^ while contemplating the divine face of her guest, could not refrain from observing, ^^ A Pascal! — a second Pascal ! — What fervour, yet what innocence ! Holy texts are ever on his tongue I — Impossible to describe the interest with which he inspires me ! — How is it that your parents allow you to travel alone ?" — cried she. " So young as you are, how dare they trust to i/our inexperience such impor- tant business as the management of a lawsuit ?" '' Alas, madam, I am an orphan — poor and friendless ! — I have no support, nor any friend or guide save my old tutor." ^^ But how is it, then, that at so early an age, and with manners so prepossessing, you have acquired so bad a reputation ?" — "I, madam?" cried Letoriere, with angelic simplicity. ^^ What sort of reputation ? — I do not understand ^^our meaning !" — INI ore amazed than ever, Frau von Flacsin- fingen, though aware of the exaggerations of evil tongues, could not understand how a youth of such unusual candour and purity, and of FASCINATION. 207 SO religious an education^ should ever have come to pass for a reckless libertine. "Is there no relation of yours in France bearing your name V — said she to the Marquis, in a suspicious tone. " None, madam." "It must be the German princes, then, who have mahciously circulated reports prejudicial to their adversary !" thought the Frau. — " Well, well," cried she aloud, " tell me what steps you have already taken in the business of the suit V "Alas, madam, only most fruitless ones! — First of all, I visited the Baron of Henferester." " The Baron of Henferester ? — Heavenly powers ! — Poor child, how did you venture to enter the den of that monster — that Polyphe- mus v " I own I was terrified by the prospect of such an enterprise,'^ stammered the poor youth. " Proceed, proceed !" cried Martha ; " and, to put you completely at your ease, know that both my husband and I hate the monster most cor- dially." " I was not aware of that. Indeed, madam, I am fearful of appearing indiscreet." 208 FASCINATION. " No, no, — say on ! — fear nothing." — " Well then, madam, I went to the chateau of Henferester, when the Baron began jeering me because I came in a carriage, instead of on horseback \'' *^ The old Centaur probably fancies that everybody, like himself, is made of steel and iron !^' said Martha, with indignation. " When I began to talk to him of my lawsuit, he replied, with his gruff voice — ^' ^ First, young fellow, to^ table ! We shall discuss the matter better, glass in hand.^ " '' The sot, justlike him !" — exclaimed Martha. " Unwilling to oppose the Baron, whose kind- ness I was forced to conciliate, I sat down, and at the risk of offending him, begged to say the Benedicite.'^ ^^ The Benedicite in a house like his ? — poor dear, innocent child ! — And did the brute al- low you to fulfil that pious duty ?" — '^ He did. Madam, — and laughed all the time so immoderately, as to scandalize my feelings !'^ " I should think so ! — Poor dear lamb, into what haunts had you strayed ! " — ^^ As I ate but little, the Baron accused me FASCINATION. 209 of having already dined ; and insisted^ madam, upon my drinking a glass of pure wine !" " ^ Sir/ said I, ^ I am not accustomed to such potations.^ " ' No matter/ said he. ^ It is time you should begin ! — Pledge me a bumper to your mistress/ '' '' To speak so grossly to a youth of such ten- der years ! — what an abomination ! '^ — cried Mar- tha^ raising her hands to heaven. '^ I did not quite understand the meaning of the Baron, madam ; but managed to sip the wine, and then replaced the cup upon the table. ^ My fine friend/ cried he, * you neither eat, drink, nor talk. Perhaps a cup of Kirschenwasser and a pipe of tobacco would make you more com- municative r' " — ** Kirschenwasser and tobacco I — The old Turk ! to try to impart his odious habits to such innocence!" — ejaculated Martha, with a look of horror. " It was in vain, madam, that I assured the Baron I never drank spirits or smoked. He in- stantly began to swear. * If you neither drink nor smoke/ said he, * I see we shall never suit 210 FASCINATION. each other. To win my esteem, people must have my own ways of thinking. At least, you are something of a sportsman ?' cried he. " ^I am partial to lark- shooting, Baron/ said I. Whereupon, madam, he swore at me like a heathen, for a milksop ! — " ' Excuse my frankness, young man,' said he, ' but the lord of Henferester would rather never touch a boar-knife, a bridle, or a glass of wine again, than receive a lark-catcher in his old manor-house ! — I give you up.' — " Such, madam, was the result of my inter- view with the lord of Henferester. I left him in a state of despair. I saw that all was lost." '^ And Dr. Sphex ? — Have you seen Dr. Sphex ? " — demanded Frau von Flacsinfingen. " I have, honoured madam ; but he began by catechizing me concerning my proficiency in profane literature, and pestered me concerning a certain pagan, named Persius, a most ob- jectionable author, they say, for young men. I told him I knew nothing about such writers. ^ Then,' said he, ^ your cause is not worth a straw ! — I have long considered the rights of your adversaries well founded.' I saw, there- FASCINATION. 211 fore, that there was no more hope there, than in the former quarter.' " '^ Poor youth ! " exclaimed the Frau, deeply moved by his tone of despondency. '^ Listen to me ! You interest me more than I can possibly express. It grieves me to find the other counsellors so opposed to your interests, and that I can so httle aid you. All I can do is to promise you the vote of my husband. But do not indulge in too sanguine a hope. I would not have you utterly despair, because the Baron and the Doctor may still reverse their decree.'^ Such was not her real opinion, but she had not courage to dishearten him. «^Ah, madam ! ^' exclaimed the Marquis, throwing himself at her feet, — " I bow to you as to my guardian angel ! I feel that to you I shall owe my future happiness in life ! — How good, — how generous you are ! — Once more let me acknowledge at your feet my gratitude and devotion ! " Martha, bending towards the Marquis with a compassionate look, held forth her hand. 212 FASCINATION. " Rise child/' said she ; " rise ! — That place becomes you not ! '^ The Marquis, however, still on his knees, seized the proffered hand, and pressing it to his lips, exclaimed in an impassioned voice, — " O madam, madam ! — how can I forget such kindness ! " — '^ Nay, nay ! '* resumed Martha, withdrawing her hand, and with the other caressing him gently on the ear, " do not make me repent my concessions ! " While the Marquis was still on his knees, the joyous face of the Counsellor, still holding his weapon in hand, was perceptible through the window over the door of the room in which he was imprisoned, which he had escaladed to see what was going on. On perceiving that his wife was so little disposed to raise her poniard against the Holophernes, the Tarquin, — the Nebuchadnezzar, — the worthy man, by way of avenging himself for his incarceration, fired off his arqaebuse in the air, crying out, — " Martha, did you not call — ^ To arms, Fi^ac- siNFiNGEN ?''' — Then, leaning against the ridge FASCINATIOxV. 213 of the window, he burst into loud and reiterated peals of laughter ! — The outra2:ed wife all but fainted with terror. o But Letoriere supporting her in his arms, called aloud for help; while her husband, on per- ceiving the sorry issue of his jest, quitted his position in hopes of obtaining forgive- ness. Leaving the swooning lady in the arms of her waiting-woman, with her spouse prostrate at her feet, Letoriere gently w^ithdrew. The day on which the lawsuit was to be decided, the three counsellors met in the coun- cil-room. Their votes were to be deposited in an urn. Before proceeding to business, Henferester, Flacsinfingen, and Sphex, exchanged cold civi- lities; eyeing each other with doubt and an- xiety. At one moment, the doctor thought of engaging Flacsinfingen in the interests of the Marquis ; but feared endangering his cause, instead of advancing it. Each of the counsellors secretly experiencing the same interest in his favour, mutually withheld their good intentions, and spoke only upon subjects of indifference. 214 FASCINATION. " This poor young man will fail, — I see he is destined to be victimised by the unjust par- tiality of my colleagues ; — but at least one vote shall be recorded in his favour/' was the reflection individually made by each of the judges. After the different documents had been produced by the respective solicitors, an attentive hearing on all sides, and the most ample discussion, the three counsellors rose to deposit their votes in the urn. The lord of Henferester, who on that day presided over the court, ordered the recorder to open the urn. Each counsellor had written upon a piece of paper the name of the person in whose favour his vote was given. The recorder having plunged his hand into the urn drew out a paper, and read the name of "The Marquis of Letoriere."— "That is my vote,'^ secretly concluded each of the counsellors. A second paper was drawn forth, and the re- corder again exclaimed, " The Marquis de Le- toriere.'^ A third plunge into the urn produced a si- milar rssult. The astonishment of the three Aulic Counsellors knew no bounds ! — The FASCINATION. 215 recorder having entered the judgment, all the formalities were duly observed, and the coun- sellors retired in consternation from their hall of council. In spite of their joy at the unanimous judg- ment in favour of the Marquis, they could not suppress their astonishment. An explanation was inevitable. " How the devil came you to vote for the IMarquis ?" — exclaimed the Baron, addressing Sphex and Flacsinfingen. *^ I was about to make the same inquiry, Ba- ron, of yourself,^' — replied Sphex. " Why did you give him your vote, and you, Flacsinfingen V '' In cases where right is so nicely balanced, one is apt to be swayed by one's preferences ! Is it not so ? — Well then, — seeing that my dogs and those of the Marquis ran well in couples, I gave him my vote. — He is a fellow whose cha- racter, habits, and tastes, exactly suit me. I gave him my promise of support, conceiving you both to be hostile to his interests, and am enchanted with his success. But may the devil strangle me if I can guess what decided either of you in his favour." 216 FASCINATION. " The character and habits of the Marquis consonant with yours V — exclaimed the two other counsellors astounded. '^ Why not ? — Never did a bolder hunter sound a horn in my forest ! — Never was there a more jovial companion, or pleasanter in his cups ! Letoriere is not one of those who tilt their glass upon the nail, as the French say." '^ A bold hunter ? — sound a horn ? — he ? — my pearl of scholars, — my king of classicists V cried Sphex, shrugging his shoulders. " You must be demented." " A toper ? a jovial companion ? He, the ingenuous youth from whose lips issue the precepts of Holy Writ, and who cannot look at a woman without blushing ?" — cried Flacsin- iingen, with a sardonic smile. " The jolly Marquis a Latinist ? the gallant Letoriere quote the Scriptures, or blush in pre- sence of a woman V repeated the Baron, roaring with laughter. " My good people, you are all stark madj or see things topsy-turvy through your spectacles/' " Not half so mad as yourself, with your hunt- ing-horns and tankards !" exclaimed Sphex in FASCINATION. 217 a rage, "What can there be in common between the accomplished Marquis and brutal amuse- ments fit only for gladiators and drunkards ? You would soon see your error, my dear Baron, could you only hear the Marquis recite the verses of the divine Persius/^ ^' Divine fiddle-faddle !" — cried the Baron. " I believe my own eyes and ears rather than the dreams of your sickly imagination ! Before my very eyes, the Marquis killed a stag in a style such as I never witnessed; and he winds the horn better than any pricker of the imperial hunt I In two days, he drank more wine, beer, and kirschenwasser than you, doctor Sphex, will ever swallow in your born days. He rode old Elphin, a beast that many a good rider dare not cross, as gallantly as I could myself; and I beg to as- sure both you and Flacsinfingen, again and again, that Letoriere is too good a rider and too good a hand with the bugle and the glass, to lose his time with fusty Latin and Greek, or to blush be- fore a woman. Take my word for it that on this occasion, you have proved yourselves a couple of ninnies.'^ The two Counsellors resented this apos- VOL. I. i» 218 FASCINATION, trophe with some spirit; and the discussion became so violent from the disputation of the three judges, that it soon degenerated into per- sonahty. In fact, it required the interference of one of the subordinates of the Council to end this singular quarrel. An attendant now approached and whispered into the ear of Flacsinfingen. ^' Gentlemen ! " said he, " my wife wishes to speak to me. Would you allow her to make her appearance ? No one is better qualified to enlighten you on the subject under discussion, for she conversed full two hours on divers topics witJi the Marquis de Letoricre. Listen to her ! What she has to say may be implicitly relied on.^' ^^ Let her come in if she wilV said the Baron, bluntly. " But in spite of all the petticoats in Germany, I maintain that \ saw the Marquis bring down a stag, and can bear witness that he is as staunch a bottle-companion as myself.'^ '' In spite, sir, of all the topers and boar- hunters of Germany," cried Sphex, " / main- tain that I heard the Marquis recite some verses from Persius, in a style w^orthy of Ros- cius ', as well as comment upon them more FASCINATION. 219 learnedly than could have been done by one of the professors of our universities ; and you will never convince me^ Baron, that so accomplished a man is capable of scudding about the forests like a poacher, or quaffing beer like a hussar." ^' And I, in spite of all the professors, all the topers, and all the hunters of the empire,'^ ex- claimed Flacsinfingen, "maintain that I saw Letoriere tremble in the presence of my wife, who vras obliged to soothe him before he could utter an intelligible word. Moreover, I myself heard him quote tlie bible as correctly as our pastor. — One has only to look at the Mar- q\iis to see that there is not an inch of the glad- iator or scholar in his whole composition !" — Before the dispute was half concluded, Ma- dame Flacsinfingen entered the room. " I doubt not,^' said the husband, "that my wife, though absent from our discussion, will quickly bring us all to coincide in her opinion, and " Martha did not suffer her husband to con- clude, but addressed the Baron and the Doctor with an air of much affability, " They are talking of nothing in the city, l2 220 FASCINATION. gentlemen," said she, ^^ but the triumph of the Marquis de Letoriere. Allow me to offer you my felicitations upon the unanimity of so un- expected a decision. Thanks to your wisdom, gentlemen, for once the cause of religion and innocence has triumphed ; for in my estimation, this godly youth may be accounted, botli morally and physically, the impersonation of religion and innocence. In fact, he has the voice and air of an angel of light ! '* " Well ! what did I tell you, gentlemen ? " exclaimed Flacsinfingen. "What the deuce are you talking about, madam ? '"'— cried the Baron ; "a pretty notion you must have, truly, of the heavenly host \" — llie Frau answered in a bitter tone, — " I am talking, sir, of a poor youth, with whom you are as well acquainted as myself; and whom you would fain have made hunt, drink, and smoke, after your own abominable fashion, when he visited you upon the subject of his lawsuit. You perceive, sir, that I know all. But the pious youth had strength vouchsafed him to resist your temptations, and drank water as pure as his own soul ; nor did he scruple to remind FASCINATION. 22 1 your impious household of the religious duties you appear to have forgotten.-" " I can tell you^ madara^ that you were never more egregiously in the dark .' " cried the Baron. "Nay, sir, I know all/' replied the lady, " and forgive your aspersions, seeing that by your vote this morning, the innocence of the intended victim has sufficed to remove your unjust prejudices.^' The Baron's face now reddened, and he began to murmur to himself,—" If this goes on ten minutes longer, I shall certainly have an attack of apoplexy !" — " Madam, madam ! " remonstrated in his turn Dr. Sphex; "beheve me, that in all this you have mistaken your man.'' " No matter where the mistake is ; — you gave him your vote, and glor)^ be to your sense of duty. Tell me, however, my dear sir, what could have made you fancy that a youth so religiously brought up, would pollute his chaste intellects with your profane literature ? Why rebuke him for not being acquainted with a 222 FASCINATION. certain Por — Per — Persius, the most shameless, as he informed me^ of the Latin poets ? '' — " By Hercules, madam, you are more out in this case than in the other/' cried Sphex. " By Hercules, indeed !— a pretty Pagan oath for the lips of a good Christian/' cried the Frau, raising her eyes to heaven, adding, half aside, — " I know all ; but I repeat to you as to the Baron, since you have renounced your unfair prejudices, — since, like my husband, you have caused the innocent child to triumph, glory be to you all ! — Be honour due rendered to all three ! '' — " My dear Baron, my nerves are horribly upset by this scene/' said the Doctor, turning pale, and seizing the hands of the Baron with a convulsive contraction, — " I am not well/' ** Nor I neither, my good Doctor, I have a decided vertigo, and my head is splitting. I am stifling — I must have air ! " — At that moment the door opened, and a clerk announced that the Marquis de Letoriere wished to have the honour of returning thanks to the Aulic Counsellors. FASCINATION. 223 " It is Heaven which hath sent him hither," exclaimed the lady. '^ Let him come in, — sweet Paschal lamb, let him come in ! " " Now then ^Ye shall see this quafFer of pure water ! " — cried the Baron, sneeringly. ^* Rather you will now see the enemy of all profane poets ! ^' — said the Doctor, in the same tone. '^ Or Nimrod in propria persona ! *' said Flac- sinfingen, slily. *^ Silence, I beseech you, and prepare to wel- come the pearl of the youth of the age ! '* ex- claimed Martha, with an air of authority. A moment afterwards, Letoriere entered; and the astonished, or rather petrified spectators, stared upon each other in utter amazement. The fascinating Marquis was now attired with the most remarkable elegance ; wearing a light blue velvet coat, delicately embroidered in gold and silver. His waistcoat was equally splendid ; and the rest of his costume accorded with the coat ; white silk stockings with gold embroidered clocks, — shoes with pink heels, — a sword mounted in gold with the most admirably chased silver ornaments, — and a blue aiguillette, 224 FASCINATION. gold and silver. A hat trimmed with feathers^, which the Marquis held in his hand, completed this becoming costume. So complete a metamorphosis sufficed to distance ail conjectures ; or rather to confound the impressions of Martha, and even the Counsellors themselves. But what excited their amazement to the highest degree was, the impossibility of retracing in the face of the young man before them, any one of the ex- pressions which had individually struck them in their former guest. In the graceful nobleman thus magnificently attired, at once so animated and so clever, ex- hibiting such perfection of grace and elegance, though of a somewhat effeminate character, — the Baron no longer detected his rustic and jovial sportsman, — or the Doctor his learned and poetical companion ; while Martha sought in vain, in the dark and brilliant eyes of the Marquis, the timid and bashful look of the youthful citer of the Scriptures. Letoriere, conscious of the necessity of allay- ing the surmises of his judges, bowed to them profoundly, ere he addressed them:— ^^ Will FASCINATION. 225 you allow me, gentlemen/^ said he, " to express to you collectively my heartfelt gratitude, as well as to reiterate it to each of you in par- ticular.^' The three Aulic Counsellors stood waiting in stupified silence the sequel of this unaccount able scene. Advancing towards Madame Flacsinfigen, Le- toriere took her hand with the utmost gallantry, and softly pressing it to his lips, said with a sweet and impressive voice: — "I knew well, madam, that to rise to the level of your noble cha- racter, it was necessary to possess, like you, a pure and religious soul ; and in presenting myself before you in such a light, was for the moment sincere. I made use of your own language ; and beheve me it is too noble, too beautiful, to admit of my ever forgetting it." With a re- spectful bow he now turned towards Henferester. "As to you, my dear Baron,^' said he, "to prove that I still belong to the fraternity of joyous Nimrods, I have only to entreat you will celebrate the St. Hubert of next year, at my estate of Olbreuse ; and should you deign to accompany the Baron, worthy Doctor, L 3 226 FASCINATION. we will continue our commentaries on Persius. Gentlemen ! It was formerly only in accord- ance with my own tastes, that I devoted myself to the chase, to literature, and the classics. It will now be from my fond remembrance of the deep interest you have deigned to manifest in my behalf.^' After these courteous expressions, Letoriere bowed profoundly to the three speechless Coun- sellorsj and withdrew. Full of joy at the triumph which secured the success of his marriage with Mademoiselle de Soissons, Letoriere now returned home in haste ; when lo ! the first object that met his eye was the following letter from the Princess, which had arrived by an especial courier during his absence. *^The King is dying. My liberty and our prospects are in danger. Lose not a moment in returning to France." Within a few hours, the Marquis was on his road for Paris ! FASCINATION. 227 CHAPTER XVI. The very day of his arrival in Paris, the Marquis, as he was about to proceed to Courts received a visit from a certain Baron d'Ugeon, a relation of Madame de Soubise ; who came, accompanied by two seconds, to insist upon satisfaction for his insulting conduct towards the Princess, previous to his departure for Ger- many. Astonished at this groundless accusation, Monsieur de Letoriere, although he did not decline the proposition, declared that, arriving from Vienna for the purpose of seeing his royal master once more before it was too late, 228 FASCINATION. he should not fight till he had accomplished that sacred duty. The courage of the Marquis was too well established for such a pretext to be unfavourably interpreted. It was therefore agreed that, as soon as Monsieur de Letoriere was ready to accept the meeting, his second should apprise Baron d'Ugeon of his inten- tions. Letoriere next entreated Dominique to pro- ceed to the cloisters of Montmartre, with a letter for the Princess Julie, acquainting her of his arrival; after which, the Marquis started for Versailles, where Louis XV. w^as at that moment dying of the small-pox. This terrible disease, so contagious and so fraught with danger, produced such conster- nation among the courtiers, that the Marquis found the apartments occupied by the King nearly deserted. At that time, vaccination was unknown, and even inoculation little prevalent. The royal attendants in their selfish alarm, had ceased to observe their usual etiquettes ; and the King himself had magnanimously forbidden the Dauphin, princes, and princesses, to ap- proach his chamber. FASCINATION. 229 The Viscount de T , one of the gentlemen- in-waiting, was on duty in the anti-chamber, when Letoriere, pale and breathless, made his appearance. Reckless of the heartless etiquettes of the Court at such a moment, the Marquis was about to enter the cabinet preceding the royal chamber, when the Viscount formally addressed him, — " Stay, sir !" said he. ^^ Have you the entree of the private apartments ? '* " I have been assured, sir, that the King is all but deserted by his attendants, who fear the contagion,'^ cried Letoriere in reply. '' If it be true that death reigns in that room, surely the ceremonies of etiquette are out of season ! " The Marquis smiled bitterly, and was about to pass on. '* Again, sir, I beg to observe that you can- not intrude into the royal, presence. I know not whether the king will deign to receive you.^^ " Go then and inquire,^' cried the Marquis. '* The king will not refuse, I am persuaded, the services of one whom he has treated like a son/^ This proposal to enter the king's bed-chamber, 230 FASCINATION* seemed to startle Monsieur de T , who an* swered haughtily, ^^ My orders, sir, are to ad- mit only the first lord in waiting." At that moment, a feeble but well-known voice was heard, inquiring in a low tone, — '* Who is there? — who is speaking?'^ — - '^ It is the king !^' faltered Monsieur de T.— "He has heard you, sir. You will have to answer for this indiscretion." — He then continued in a louder key, — *' Your Majesty will deign to excuse me if I answer without entering your Majesty's chamber, for my orders are positive/' " The person who has intruded, sire, is Letoriere," interrupted the Marquis, '^ who supplicates your gracious permission to ap- proach your person/' " Is it indeed you, my dear child ?" — faltered the King. '^ So soon returned ? — Heaven be praised !"' added Louis XV. in a joyful tone. Then, reflecting that by granting Letoriere access to his chamber, he exposed him to con- tagion he added, — " No, no ! — the air is pes- tiferous here ! — do not enter,— I forbid you/' " For the first time, sire, I dare disobey my FASCINATION. 23l sovereign, for I have a sacred duty to fulfil, and fulfil it I am determined !" — exclaimed Letoriere. Then, opening the door, he advanced to- wards the bed of the dying monarch. " Begone, begone, my dear heedless young friend," — cried the King, pointing imperiously towards the door. " Begone, I say ! " — In defiance of this prohibition, Letoriere rushed towards the bedside, and seizing the royal hand, pressed it repeatedly to his lips. He then knelt down, saying, *' Forgive, sire, forgive my audacity ! — But there is now no further pretext for refusing the oflfer of my services.^^ — " Leave me, Letoriere I" — persisted Louis, withdrawing his hand. ^^ Four years ago, sire, I was more fortunate in obtaining your Majesty^s kind notice in the garden of Versailles : — you then deigned to allow me to kiss the royal hand ! '' — said the Marquis, in a tone of filial veneration. ^^ Because my hand could not then impart a deadly disease I'' — said the King with deep emotion. The courageous perseverance of Letoriere 232 FASCINATION. touched the heart of the unfortunate prince ; the more so because, with the exception of a few subordinate attendants, he had been aban- doned by all the officers of the household. The great officers of the crown, whose duty it was to remain near the royal person, had but too faithfully obeyed the decree, — which enjoined them not to approach the royal pa- tient. The fine features of the King, distorted by the violence of the disease, already announced the approach of death. At that terrible mo- ment, the family dissensions, and fearful politi- cal excitement which had depressed the end of his reign, filled him with direful anticipations. But the noble devotion of Letoriere relieved him for a moment from the pain of these heart- rending reflections. ^^You are a madman, and I am bound to expostulate with you for disobeying me, and thus exposing your days/' said Louis, looking affectionately at Letoriere, who was still kneel- ing by his side. '^Pity me, sire," said he. "This may be FASCINATION. 233 my only opportunity of evincing my profound gratitude.'^ " Once more, my dear Marquis, this disease is contagious. Do you not see that they all abandon me, — that I am alone, — nay, that I wish to be alone ! " — added the King with bitter- ness, as if he had wished to revoke his first avowal ; the fidelity of the Marquis rendering the ingratitude of his courtiers still more ostensible. The Marquis replied by assuming his station at the foot of the bed. ^' Brave and generous heart,^' murmured the King, looking kindly towards him. ^' I see you are not to be alarmed, — you remain faithful ! " ** Will your Majesty deign to concede to me the favour he has denied to all beside, — the right of waiting upon his person ? '^ — said Le- toriere, with a look of supplication. '^ Refusal were now too late ! ^' said Louis XV. " The mischief is already done. But you are young, handsome, perhaps beloved, and you risk all to remain with me.— Ah ! poor young man ! When so many others — ^' A few moments afterwards he added in a 234. FASCINATION. faltering voice, — *' There are many at this mo- ment about the Dauphin, waiting only the signal of my death to bend the knee to Louis XVI ! '^ '^ Sire ! I beseech you banish so terrible an idea!^'— " Nay ! such is the destiny of the death-bed of kings. Ah ! had I nothing worse than in- gratitude to fear !— But France, — France, — what is to be the destiny of my poor country ? — What will be the fate of my unfortunate grandson ? " — " France, sire, has bestowed upon you the surname of the ' WelUbeloved.' Long, — long may you live to justify the name, and may the Dauphin one day inherit it ! " — " I grow weaker and weaker ! I feel that my end approaches," added the King, moamfully. "Deaths are ominous. D'Armentieres and Chauvelin fell dead before me. — It was a warning from heaven ! " '' Sire, this disease, though dangerous, is not incurable,^^ said Letoriere, respectfully. " The skill of your Majesty's physician " " Is powerless/^ said the King. '' I feel it, and therefore regret having risked your young FASCINATION. 235 life. It is now too late ! Your generous de- votion renders all regret impossible. But tell me^ now that you have gained your suit, there is surely no further obstacle to your marriage with the Princess Julie ? — I have argued in your favour many times against the house of Savoy," added the King, affectionately. " 1 had to inter- pose my whole authority to prevent them re- moving the Princess Julie from the convent of Montmartre." " Ahj sire ! what goodness ! ^' — exclaimed Le- toriere. '^ But this is not the moment to trouble your Majesty with my poor interests." — '^ Now, or never ! '' — faltered the King ; ^* for to-morrow it will be too late ; and when I am gone, the Princess, I fear, will find little support from my grandson. Should God grant me a few days more, we will see to it. I shall be glad, my child, to leave you as happy as you deserve." The disease of the King became hourly more virulent. Letoriere did not quit him a moment ; and it is needless to enlarge upon the respectful and tender care with which he soothed the dying hours of the indulgent monarch, who 236 FASCINATION. grasped his hand in silence, with an air of un- speakable gratitude. All hope was now at an end ; and Letoriere watched in profound grief the dead and fixed eye of the sovereign, who had manifested towards him the kindness of a father. # # # * Immediately after the fatal event, — the death of Louis XV. — the Marquis de Letoriere quitted Versailles ; and on his arrival at Paris, hastened to the convent of Montmartre, to inquire after the Princess Julie. He was already indisposed with shivering fits, as if attacked by an ague ; but he attributed his illness to the emotion and excitement of the afflicting scene he had just witnessed. Already he had interrogated Dominique con- cernhig the Princess, and he found that the prophecies of Louis XV. were but too well authenticated. — An officer from the Prevotal Court of France had been despatched by Louis XVI. to the convent, forbidding Mademoiselle de Soissons to go out, or to receive any visiter unprovided with a proper authoriza- tion from Madame de Soubise : so that Domi- FASCINATIOX. 237 nique had not been able to fulfil either of his commissions. Letoriere, though confident of the firmness of character of Mademoiselle de Soissons, was wel] aware of the all-powerful influence of the house of Savoy, as well as the favour enjoyed by Madame de Soubise at the new court. While plunged in these reflections, the se- conds of the Baron d'Ugeon presented them- selves. It was a cruel trial to the Marquis to risk his life in a duel, before he had even seen the Princess ; but he had already asked a delay, and could not exact a second favour at the hands of his adversary. He decided, therefore, to repair on the morrow, at three in the after- noon, behind the walls of the Ferme des Mathurins, then a retired spot. The Marquis had thirty-six hours before him ; during v/hich time he hoped either to see or forward intelligence to the Princess. Dame Landry was despatched to the convent, dis- guised as a milliner, with a complete assort- ment of ribbons, laces, cambric, and linen; and a handsome bribe soon ingratiated her with the porteress ; — the sister, won over by her 238 FASCINATION. gifts, promised to admit the good woman into the court, at the usual hour of recreation. Madeleine on inquiring the names of the more distinguished inmates of the cloisters, found that the Princess was simply styled Julie. " Is Martha, the old nurse of the Princess, still with her ? ^' inquired the tailor's wife. " To be sure she is ! " replied the sister. ''You will see her immediately; for she gene- rally comes down about this hour to wait upon her mistress." " I have strong recommendations to Madame Martha,^** said the pretended milliner ; *' and perhaps, with her protection, I might sell some of these pretty things to the Princess. I have a piece of lace that would not disgrace the gown of a queen ! '' — And she showed a magnificent piece of Alen^on point. — " Holy Maria ! how beautiful ; the Arch- bishop does not wear finer lace when he comes here to celebrate mass.^^ " Ah ! The Princess might perhaps be inchned to make a present of this to his Holiness,** observed Martha. FASCINATION. 239 " Here she comes/^ whispered the sister ; and at that moment, Martha with a gloomy countenance made her appearance. " This person, who is a milliner^ is particu- larly recommended to you, Madame Martha," said the sister. " What do I want here with finery ! ^' — cried Martha^ ungraciously. " But, madam,^' remonstrated Madeleine, trying to obtain her attention by signs of intel- ligence, '^ I was assured that the Princess de- sired to purchase some lace, and ^' '^ You are mistaken, my good wom^an ! '"^ said the nurse, v/ith some ill-humour ; '^ and I can tell you that you have the terrible look of one of those hucksters, who take particulary good care not to come a second time to the same house.^^ " I entreat you, ma'am, not to class me with those wretches ! ^' cried Madeleine, making fresh eflforts to obtain her notice. " Ah ! if you only knew by whom I was recommended to you ! '' — "And by whom, pray ? " — " The Marquis de Letoriere.'^ — 240 FASCINATION. As she pronounced the name, dame Martha exchanged a rapid glance with Madeleine. They understood each other in a moment. The porteress had never so much as heard of the existence of the Marquis. Nevertheless, the nurse, to avoid suspicions, continued to maintain her sulky tone and looks. '* You may look elsewhere for dupes, good woman,^* said she. " 1 do not even know the Marquis.^' " I mean, madam, the nephew of the Abbe du Vighan.^' " The nephew of the good Abbe ? — Why could you not say so at first ? — He would not recommend any one that was not strictly honest. And what have you to sell ? '^ — " A beautiful piece of lace, ma'am,'^ said Ma- deleine. '' It is the finest in the world ; and the Princess, your lady, may unroll it from one end to the other to ascertain that it is faultless." " I will show it to her, since you so much desire it. Pray have you nothing else ? " "Nothing, I fear, ma^am, worthy of your noble mistress." "Wait here, then, and I will return/' said FASCINATION. 241 Martha, and away she went to her lovely charge. Carefully enclosed in this piece of lace, was a letter from the Marquis, inquiring concerning the possibility of an interview. Mademoiselle de Soissons, overjoyed to re- ceive this new proof of his affection, did not hesitate to despatch her answer by the same mode of conveyance. She assured him that, considering herself his wife before God, she was decided to escape from the convent, in de- fiance of all the watchfulness with which she was surrounded. At any hour of the day or night, she was entitled to perform her devotions in the chapel connected with the convent by a subterraneous vault. Part of the Abbey walls stood in the fields, and by escalading them at a spot pointed out by Julie, it would be easy for him to attam at nightfall the door which led to the passage. After forcing this door, access was gained to the chapel. Mademoiselle de Soissons informed Leto- riere, that every night, at one o'clock, she would expect him there, prepared to swear to him at the foot of the altar eternal fidelity; and VOL.. 1. M 242 FASCINATION. to form plans for their flight to England, where they might escape the persecutions of her incensed family. Having written this, Julie placed it hastily in the roll of lace, which Martha gave back to Madeleine, pretending that it was not to her taste. On receiving this intimation of her inten- tions, the Marquis despatched Jerome Sicard to take notes of the localities. — The walls were high, surrounded with a dry ditch, but easily scaled. Unluckily, the preparations in- dispensable for such an enterprise, did not allow him to attempt it before the following night. For the first time, Letoriere stood in awe of death ; for lo ! his duel with Baron D'Ugeon was to precede his interview with Mademoiselle de Soissons. The Marquis accordingly passed an anxious night, his sleep being troubled with perplexing dreams. On awaking next morning, he was weak and dejected ; and it now seemed to occur to his imagination that he might be- come the victim of his devotion to the king ! If, however^ his suppositions were well-formed. FASCINATION, 243 his disease waited the morrow to develop itself; and though in a state of considerable suffering, the Marquis, in spite of his illness, determined, from an exaggerated point of honour, to meet the Baron d'Ugeon. At three, they met. The friends of the Marquis, perceiving from his countenance the fever and weakness from which he was suffering, proposed to the Baron, unknown to Letoriere, to postpone the duel. But a harsh and insulting retort from the Baron made all reconciliation impossible, and the combat commenced. Letoriere was a superior swordsman, and his courage needed no further proof; but the rapid progress of his disorder had already weakened him so considerably, that his usual superiority was not manifested. He received a wound in the breast ; and being carried home, was consigned in a miserable condition to the attentions of his faithful tutor ! — M 2 244 FASCINATION. CHAPTER Xy. That night, when eleven o'clock struck in the cloisters of the Abbey of Montmartre, the weather was stormy, the sky heavy and clouded, in spite of the brightness of the moon which pierced from time to time through the black clouds, rent asunder by the storminess of the wind. To gain the chapel, Mademoiselle de Soissons, on leaving her apartment, had to cross in an open gallery ; the arches of which opened upon one of the interior courts of the Abbey, in the centre of which v/as erected the tomb of the charming Comtesse d^Egmont, daughter of the Duke of Richelieu. FASCINATION. 245 The Princesse Julie had already received a communication from the Marquis de LetorierC;, by the hands of Madeleine Landry, announcing that he would use every effort to find his way into the cloisters on that very night. It was eleven o^clock when Julie, overcome by terrible forebodings, knelt down beside the tomb to perform her devotions. Every moment, she expected the IVIarquis to arrive. Profound silence reigned in that solemn and sequestered spot, interrupted only by the whistling of the wind through the cloisters. In spite of her resolution, and the noble views which influenced her whole conduct, Princesse Julie regretted having appointed the meeting with Letoriere in the chapel of the Abbey. — It seemed sacrilege to profane so holy a place by a love-meeting. — By degrees, her fears deepened into the most depressing uneasiness. A lamp burning in the chapel, cast a doubtful light into the midst of the obscurity ; when Mademoiselle de Soissons, kneeling near the door communicating with the subterraneous passage, listened attentively in that direction. At last, she heard the sound of approaching 246 FASCINATION. footsteps. The lock was soon forced, and Leto- riere appeared before the Princess, who, though confidently expecting him, could not repress an exclamation of surprise and delight. ^' Is it indeed you ! — What joy ! what tri- umph ! " cried she, with wild emotion ; quickly adding, — " But let us hasten into the gallery, this spot is sacred !"" — But no sooner did the light of the moon enable the Princess to contemplate the features of Letoriere, than she was struck by their pale- ness and alteration. The Marquis was enve- loped in a cloak, and with difficmty dragged himself along. In spite of his wound and increasing indisposition, in spite of the tears and supplications of Dominique, the Marquis had insisted on keeping his appointment ; and supported by Jerome Sicard, had managed with difficulty and danger, to scale the Abbey walls. ^* It is sufficient happiness, sufficient reward, dearest Julie, to behold you again," said he, with inexpressible tenderness. ^^ Soon, very soon, we shall meet to part no more," replied the Princess, offering him her hand. FASCINATION. 247 Just, however, as the Marquis was about to accept this precious pledge, he recoiled with horror. " No, no,^^ he exclaimed, folding his hand in his cloak. " I cannot, — I dare not !" — Julie contemplated him in utter amazement. "Forgive me, my beloved,'^ said he, '^if I appear to recede thus from you ! On learning that the King was abandoned by all his fol- lowers, I devoted myself to his last moments. I was with him in the agonies of his terrible death." " I understand you only too well," faltered the Princess. " His disease was contagious, and your devotion will cost you dear, — perhaps your life, and our whole happiness.^' — ^'^No, no, Julie/' cried the Marquis, over- come by her tears, — ^^ no, do not despair ! We have still hope, still happiness in store for us. Suffering as I am, I determined to give you no cause for anxiety ; but hastened to tell you in person that I had gained my lawsuit, and that now there exists no further obstacle to our happiness." " None, none, but death !" — exclaimed the Princess, wringing her hands in despair. 248 FASCINATION. " You must leave me — you are about to undergo a terrible illness ! — Almighty Hea- ven ! — what terrors await me^ — how shall I bear these dreadful hours of anxiety !'^ ^^ Compose yourself ! — Madeleine Landry shall give you daily tidings of me. You see that I am not seriously ill, since I had the strength to come hither l'^ " I cannot live in such uncertainty/^ faltered Julie. " This very night, I will fly with you ?' ^' Dearest Julie, it is impossible ! — Nothing is prepared. Wait awhile. Do not, dearest, do not endanger our future happiness by precipita- tion.'' " Forgive my firmness," replied the agitated Princess, " but I perceive that you suffer dreadfully, and will not leave you in such a state. It is impossible ! I have energy, — I have courage ! — What you have done, / can. Once escaped from this place, 1 will place myself under the protection of the Sardinian Ambas- sador. They will not dare to invade my refuge with the representative of my kinsman, the King of Savoy. There, every day, every hour, I shall obtain tidings of you," FASCINATION. 249 " Once more^ dearest Julie ! — believe me^ it is impossible,'^ said Letoriere, supporting him- self with difficulty against the columns of the tomb of Madame d'Egmont. " Do you suppose then/' replied Made- moiselle de Soissons, "that I can have followed you, step by step, during five years, with the affection of a mother, a sister, a friend, — that I can have resisted the wishes of my family, and defied the opinion of the world, only to abandon you at last, — in sickness — perhaps in death, — and in deference only to the etiquettes of our heartless society ! No, no ! my love is too pure, too sacred to submit to such vain authority.^' " Juhe, dearest Julie ! — pardon me !" mur- mured Letoriere, sinking on the steps of the tomb. " I have not told you all !" "Oh God!— he faints— he is dying," fal- tered the Princess, kneeling by his side. " Peace, dearest — peace ! — All is indeed over ! — I would fain have lived for your sake ! Let me at least enjoy the consolation of feeling the lips of my affianced wife sealed upon my dying brow.^^ M 3 250 FASCINATION. *' Charles, Charles ! — my love, my husband/' exclaimed the Princess almost frantic, and vainly seeking his hand, so studiously had he managed to enfold himself in his cloak. " I told you, love, that the Baron d^Ugeon had challenged me,^^ said he, in a feeble voice : " as the relation of Madame de Soubise, I was forced to meet him." "They have murdered him!" shrieked the Princess. ^^ No, Julie — no, my beloved ! It was in an honourable duel I received the wound, the anguish of which forewarns me that I am about to leave you — leave you for ever ! Farewell, dearest, farewell ! Take back this ring (do you remember it ?), and wear it for the sake of him who was all your own." "Talk not thus,'^ cried the Princess, in frantic despair. " Live, live to bless me ! We must not part so soon !" Her prayers, however, were unavailing. The decree had gone forth. The following morning, when the sisterhood of Montmartre entered the church for the celebration of the first mass, they found the FASCINATION. 251 Princess with wild and haggard looks, speech- less and bereft of reason, her arms enclasping the corpse of a stranger extended upon the grave of Madame D'Egmont, — bathed in blood, as if the victim of midnight assassina- tion. It was recognised as that of Letoriere, whose wounds had opened in his exertions to reach that forbidden spot; and even those whose duty it was to denounce the sacrilege of his enterprise, were moved to tears by the touch- ing beauty of his countenance, and the over- whelming despair of her whose love had been his ruling influence in life and death. In order to stifle all publicity in an affkir so injurious to the reputation of the convent, the body was interred that night with the utmost secrecy, near the spot where it was found, and a plain stone erected over the place. Mademoiselle de Soissons did not long sur- vive her cruel bereavement. In pity to her untimely fate, she was laid in the grave beside her affianced lover; and contrary to all con- ventual form and regulation, the sisterhood of Montmartre used to take pride and pleasure 252 FASCINATION. in pointing out the last resting-place of the charming Marquis. Thus, even from the grave, Letoriere might be said to exercise his powers of P'ascina- tion. [The foregoing tale is founded on an anecdote in the Memoirs of the Marechale de Crequy. — Eb.] FIRST LOVE. FIRST LOVE, CHAPTER I. One morning in the spring of last season, somewhere about noon, one of those first-rate fine gentlemen, known in Paris under the de- signation of a lion, made his appearance at the Cafe de Paris, in a costume little in accordance with the hour and the spot. He was in full evening dress; and ordered breakfast in the sort of hurry that savours of urgent busi- ness. > " You really seem as if you had something to do, Sterny !" said one of his friends. " What have you on your hands ? — A duel ?" 266 FIRST LOVE. " A wedding,'^ replied the new comer. "A wedding? Whose— whose ?^' — exclaimed several, till Sterny, amused by their gesticula- tions, hastened to reassure them. "Nobody likely to interest any of you," said he. "' The wedding is obscure and unim- portant." " And how long shall you be getting through it ?" demanded one of the more cu- rious. "I can't imagine. But I shall escape from church as soon as possible." "Are you obliged then to be there?'' "Yes; I have promised to be brides- man.'' " Bridesman ?" again reiterated the chorus of dandies. " Yes ! bridesman," persisted Sterny, di- verted by the astonishment depicted in their faces* " The bridegroom is a godson of my father, who has addressed a charming little epistle to me on the subject, and conceives me to be doing him unspeakable honour. Such is the long and short of the business; so now FIRST LOVE. 257 finish your breakfasts in peace. Good morn- ing." As he was quitting the room, one of his friends exclaimed, " Where does the aifair come off r' ■'I do not know. We are to meet at the house of the bride at twelve, in the Rue St. Martin, and it is now a quarter past. Adieu V Away he went; and this unimportant event became the theme of a long discussion. " The old Marquis of Sterny/' said the son of a wealthy manufacturer, who retained a profound respect for hereditary traditions, "the old marquis has still the rage for patronising peculiar to our old aristocracy. Though the affair in which Sterny is engaged be highly commendable, in spite of his illustrious name, he does not understand the thing. Instead of being good and affable with these poor people, he will most likely distress them by his hau- teur." ^^ No matter !'^ said an old beau of forty, whose title to lionhood was somewhat ques- tionable. " I dare say it will be an amusing 268 FIRST LOVE. affair. The women of the middle class are vastly pretty creatures." " Pretty ?" exclaimed another, an obscure in- dividual who tried to bring himself into notice as a patron of the fine arts. " Pretty ? those plebeian creatures pretty?" — ^^ Ah ! gentlemen V remonstrated the son of the manufacturer, ^' believe me, the ancient no- bility professed a high esteem for the middle classes." " In antediluvian times," rejoined the man of virtue, '^ when the damsels in question affected no other distinction than fulfilment of their pious duties. — To them the pleasures of the world, of the fine arts, of literature, were a forbidden Paradise ; and they were taught to regard the gay frequenters of the court as the Tempter of the olden time. It must have been amusing enough to practice upon their igno- rance, and astonish them as a child is bewildered with fairy tales. Under such circumstances, I can understand the passion of Richelieu for Madame Michelin. But the middle classes of to-day are ruined by a faulty education, which % FIRST LOVE. 259 encourages their imperturbable impertinence in being astonished at nothing. Their misses affect to murder Steibelt's sonatas, and pre- fer the Postilion de Lonjumeau to Rossini and Meyerbeer ; — bluestockings who study Ma- dame Sand and devour Paul de Kock, have their portraits painted by Dubuffe, colour lithographs, and to crown all, hazard opinions upon political economy and the immortality of the soul! — It is too bad ; and I perfectly un- derstand the feelings of disgust of poor Sterny. They will stare at him as at some wonderful beast ; and expect him, after the example of some smart clerk or shopman who has written an ode in honour of the marriage, to carve the chickens, sing at dessert, dance the whole night, and all in the hope of being proclaimed the most charming man in the Rue St. Martin." While uttering this harangue, the lion lit a cigar, seized upon three chairs, one for each of his legs, and stationed himself on the third at perfect ease to contemplate the moving pano- rama of the Boulevart. His companions were similarly occupied ; and Leonce de Sterny was for a time forgotten. "260 FIRST LOVE. § Meanwhile he was making his way to the Rue St. Martin. He had no particular engagement that day : no races in the Champs de Mars, or appointment in the Bois de Boulogne ; — .so that it was not at the expense of any other pleasure he devoted his time to Prosper Gobillon, his father's godson. Conscious that he should be bored wherever he went, he felt that he might as well bore himself at^ the wedding as elsewhere. He did not attach the least import- ance to his visit, and entered the abode of Mon- sieur Laloine, the plumassier, with the utmost sangfroid and indifference. He arrived just in time. He was the last ; but, though aware of it, offered not the least apology. The bride was first presented to him, then the relations ; and he distinctly saw the young people nudging each other every time he spoke or bowed. Trying in vain to find some man in whose conversation he might take refuge from their curiosity, he retired into a corner, while the family were making prepara- tions for departure for church, when suddenly a young girl rushed into the room, exclaim- ing— ^ FIRST LOVE. 261 " I told you I should have time to change my dress before your fine Marquis made his appearance 1" " Elisa !" remonstrated Monsieur Laloine, in a severe tone, while the others were lost in confusion. Monsieur Laloine's look sufficed to indicate to his daughter the impropriety of which she had been guilty ; and she blushed to a degree which the fine gentleman of the Cafe de Paris had not supposed possible. ^' Forgive me, papa ! I did not know— " said she, as her father drew nearer to Sterny. '^ My daughter is only sixteen. Monsieur le Marquis,^^ said he, " and is ignorant of the ways of the world.^' Sterny turned his eyes upon the poor child, and thought her almost an angel. " Another daughter ?" — inquired Leonce of the plumassier. ^^ My youngest, Monsieur le Marquis." " May I beg you to present me to her ?'' again demanded the dandy. *' I must not do her so great an honour," re- 262 FIRST LOVE. plied Laloine. ^' She is scarcely out of her leading-strings." Sterny, however, was of a different opinion. Never had he seen anything more charming than this lovely girl. While her mother was reprimanding her, and advising her to be more rational, she stole a glance towards the fine gentleman more inquisitive than gratifying; and by her evident impatience of her mother's lecture, seemed clearly to express — '' T was sure this man would prove a spoil- sport !" They now took their departure for the mayor^s, and Leonce had the honour of being placed in the carriage with the bride, with Madame Laloine and one of the witnesses of the contract. Luckily, the distance was not considerable, for all four were greatly embar- rassed ; and the colleague of Leonce found no- thing better to say to the Marquis, by way of entering into conversation, than — " Pray, sir, how do you vote upon the sugar question ?" — Sterny, who was not in the chamber, and FIRST LOVE. 263 had formed no opinion on the subject, rephed coldly, ^'Sir, I am a staunch advocate of colonial interests.'^ " I understand you, sir,^' rephed the other, with some bitterness ; " the progress of national industry seems alarming. The truth is, the government and the higher classes are in col- lusion on all commercial questions/' And he pursued his argument unanswered, till they arrived at their destination, Leonce, meanwhile, could think only of the beautiful Elisa; and when he stepped out of the carriage, perceived her with her beaming face, giving her arm to a tall young man, who was one of the brides- men. At that moment she was requested by one of her young companions to tarn round and arrange some part of her head-dress ; while the bridesman stood transfixed, with his arm a-kimbo, waiting for the reinsertion of that of EUsa. Just, however, as she had completed her task, a voice summoned the young man to the 264 FIRST LOVE. head of the party ; and as he moved on, Sterny was left in his place, beside Ehsa ; who, after stretching out her arm to adjust her friend's flowers, took hold of the first she met, which happened to be that of the gay marquis. "Come, come!" said she; "make haste! we are losing time.'* On discovering her mistake, she started; and was about to make a hasty retreat, when Leonce detained her with a smile. *'* Since it is my good fortune to have ob- tained possession of your arm,'' said he, " do not recall it'' " Pardon me," she replied, " I am a brides- maid, and must take my place in the proces- sion. Monsieur Tirelot would feel slighted." " And who is Monsieur Tirelot ?" " The bridesman. I belong to him by right." " I shall dispute that right by force of arms !" replied the marquis, attaching no importance to the expression. "Sooner than that, sir," cried Elisa, "re- main with me, and I will take the mistake upon myself." FIRST LOVE. 265 The agitation with which she pronounced these words convinced Leonce that Elisa was prepared to see him rush into a duel on her account, and was prepared to kill the brides- man on the spot, had he uttered a word of re- monstrance. Meanwhile, the party was entering the muni- cipal office. Leonce and Elisa went in last ; and the young lady hastened to make her ex- planations. ^' Monsieur Tirelot left me standing on the pavement/' said she, '^ and had it not been for the marquis I should have been left alone." The mayor was not arrived, and for want of better employment Leonce seated himself by Elisa; but as he seemed to have nothing to say, his presence was rather embarrassing than otherwise. At last he observed with a smile, " Many a young lady's heart vrill beat to-day, I sus- pect." Elisa made no reply. ^' It is an interesting day for your family.^* VOL. I. N 266 FIRST LOVE. She was still silent. " Jt will not be long before you — " '* How long the mayor is keeping us ! — ^^ in- terrupted Elisa, in some confusion. Leonce saw that he had made no impression. All he could do was to sit admiring the won- derful beauty of her line of profile, and grace- ful swan-like throat. He felt, for the first time, the freshness of so pure a nature more acceptable than the perfumed refinements of a woman of fashion. '^ You speak somewhat lightly of so grave a magistrate,'^ said he, trying to renew their con- versation. "Who? — the mayor? — Is he a magis- trate ?" " Certainly. It is he who really marries your sister. The religious ceremony is a mere formality," said he, eager to hear whether her opinions were in accordance with the beauty of her person. By an instinctive impulse, she moved further from his side, as she replied — " I know, sir, there are some who think thus ; FIRST LOVE. 267 but / would never engage myself to a man who did not hold that the vow could not be solemnized unless in the house of God." ^^A little bigot !'^ — thought Leonce. "I must try some other line \" — ^' Whoever is so fortunate as to obtain your hand will be content to observe all your whims and fancies," said he. " I hope so," replied Elisa, gaily. "Ah! I see you are prepared to be a des- pot." " To be sure I am !" cried she earnestly. " You are to blame," replied Leonce, humour- ing her gaiety. " No matter to you at all events," said she. " You can never be the victim of my despotism." " That does not prevent my pitying your future victim," replied Leonce, laughing. " Perhaps he will not in his turn, think him- self in need of your compassion." " Has he already told you so ?" "No ; — but I am sure of it." " He loves you then ?" — N 2 268 FIRST LOVE. " Of whom are you talking V said Elisa, iri utter surprise. " Of this future husband of yours,— this slave — who, you say, will be enchanted to wear his chains." " I know not to whom you allude.'^ " You said just now you were sure of his compliance/^ "I meant," said Elisa, '^ that I was sure we should love each other, because my father Avould only give me to a worthy man. T feel certain of being happy.*' This was uttered in a tone of such sincerity and simplicity, that Leonce had perfect faith in her good intentions. " You are right ! He will be satisfied to become your slave." '^ Hush, hush!" interrupted Ehsa, rising, '* here is your magistrate V' The mayor was entering the office, and the ceremony instantly began. FIRST LOVE. '269 CHAPTER II. The mayor having recited to the young couple the articles recommending them to live in peace and matrimonial duty, they made the usual declarations of assent ; and then proceeded to the private office, for the purpose of signing their mutual engagement. To sign a register appears an easy matter ; yet it gave rise to a trifling incident in v/hich Leonce appeared to Elisa in a far from favour- able light. When the bride and bridegroom had signed their names, it became the turn of the wit- nesses. Leonce did as the others ; and great 270 FIRST LOVE. was his surprise when he handed the pen to the person who was to follow, to observe Elisa shaking her head with an air of dissatisfaction. Was it because he had signed himself Marquis de Sterny ? Yet the omission of his title might have appeared ungracious towards Prosper Go- billon, who was especially proud to have a marquis figure at his wedding. Had he signed out of his turn, or taken a place to which he was not entitled? — Sterny remained uncertain. He who piqued himself with always knowing his place, seemed to have called down the cen- sures of a little shop-girl. Though he knew not why, he felt perplexed and diverted ; and determined to fathom the mystery, remained near the bureau, looking now at Elisa, now at the others who signed after him. All appeared to do as he had done, till it came to the turn of the young lady, who made him sensible in a moment of his delinquency ; for when the clerk presented her the pen, she stopped to observe, half laughing, ^^ Excuse me a moment, I have not taken off my glove." The glove having been duly removed, she FIRST LOVE. 271 wrote her name with the whitest and most delicate hand in the world. Leonce now per- ceived that he had signed with his glove on. He was wrong. " Sign a marriage contract with your glove on ? Do people raise their hand in a court of justice with their glove on V Leonce admitted his fault. " The girl has a nicer sense of perception than I should have expected," said he to himself. '^ To be sure, glove or no glove signifies little to the sanctity of an oath. Neverthess, there seems more sincerity in the naked hand, raised before God, or affixing a name in attestation. It is one of those instinctive feelings better felt than explained." Leonce continued to ponder on the question till they were on the point of returning. Mon- sieur Tirelot, first bridesman and consequently grand master of the ceremonies, ordered up the carriages, when Leonce thought proper to re- ofFer his arm to Elisa. She accepted it wdth seeming indifference, forgetting she had omitted to put on her glove ; while] Leonce walked by her side, his eyes fixed upon the lovely hand which was softly resting on his arm. 272 riRST LOVE. At first, Elisa appeared to him only a young and blooming girl. He was not prepared to find her rich in those details of natural beauty so often wanting in the great world, where to be pale, thin, and withered, is ac- counted a distinction. That soft, taper hand appeared to him the fairest thing in nature, till he suddenly perceived a ring upon the fourth finger, on which there w^as engraven some almost imperceptible characters. Leonce was eager to decipher the inscription ; and so intent was he in his purpose, that he did not perceive how rapidly the party were getting into the carriages. Elisa was not so deeply engrossed; for the pretty fingers so ardently admired by Leonce, ended by unconsciously beating a tune upon his arm. Their eyes met at the moment; and Steruy, on seeing her smile, exclaimed, ^^ You are a musician then ?" " How did you make the discovery V retorted Elisa, with an almost scornful air. '^ You have just executed a charming waltz upon my arm." Ehsa blushed, and in some embarrassment withdrew her arm. FIRST LOVE. 273 *^ Pardon me, sir/' said she, " I see I have forgotten to put on my glove." " Like me, who forgot to take off mine !" he repUed, with a gentle smile. " We are all liable, you see, to mistakes." Elisa had no leisure to answer. The steps of the carriage were let down, and she tripped up them so lightly, that Leonce had scarcely time to catch a glimpse of a graceful diminitive foot and slender ankle. Sterny was about to enter in his turn, but hesitated. Without being aware of it, Ehsa had got into his own carriage ! — , " Shut the door, and follow the other car- riages !" said he to his footman, and imme- diately took his place in that of Madame La- loine. " Well !'' said the good lady, ^' and what have you done with Elisa V — " I put her into the carriage," was the Mar- quis's reply. " With whom ?" — asked the prudent mother, in some surprise. " She was quite alone, madam. She got into my carriage without knowing it.'^ N 3 274 FIRST LOVE. " Giddy girl !" cried Madame Laloine. " I really do not know what is come to her since morning !" " As it was a chariot," said Leonce, " and as there are but two places, I did not enter/* '^ How dull she will be all alone, poor child \" said Madame Laloine, less skilled than the Marquis in the etiquettes of life. Leonce suspected that she would not ; but he said nothing. Meanwhile, astonished at finding herself alone, Elisa gradually recovered from the embarrassment caused by the atten- tions of Leonce; and replying to her own re- flections, as to his observations, shook her head with a smile. She amused herself by examining the splen- did linings of the chariot, the motion of which was so soft and agreeable ; moved from cushion to cushion to try their flexibility, admired the thickness of the glass, and was irresistibly charmed by the enjoyment of so much splen- dour. She recalled to mind that such were the equipages in which she had so often admired the lovely ladies in the Champs Elysees ; and without conceiving for a moment that she might FIRST LOVE. 275 have one as well as they, began to imitate their graceful airs. The heedless child reclined as she had seen them do, in the corner of their carriages, pressing with her glowing cheek and dazzUng shoulders the luxurious silk lining, yielding to the movements of the carriage, and peeping consciously at the modest pedestrians who stood still to stare at so fair a creature. On perceiving an acquaintance in the distance, she smilingly bit her under lip, wliile slightly inclining her head. Next moment, she fancied herself called upon to acknowledge a more in- timate bow — and it happened that the intimate friend who returned the salutation, was no other than Leonce in the phantasmagoria of her mind's eye ! — Who else could it be, mounted on a superb Enghsh horse, and riding with such exquisite grace ? — It could not possibly be Mon- sieur Tirelot, whom she had seen dismounted by a donkey at Montmorency ! No ! It must be to the Marquis de Sterny she was to address her graceful and winning smiles ! Just as she was indulging in these vagaries of the imagination, the carriage stopped sud- 276 FIRST LOVE. denly, and she found the real hand of the real Leonce extended to assist her. Trembling at being surprised in the midst of her fairy dream, like a child convicted of as- suming a place to which it is not entitled, she was still further startled by the inquiry of Leonce, as he handed her out, " To whom were you bowing so graciously just as the carriage stopped V Heartily ashamed of her folly, she entered the church dispirited and sad; and Leonce remarked that she seemed to take little interest in the ceremony to which she had attached such importance. She neither attended to the bride, noticed the awkward demeanour of the bride- groom, nor even the passing of the ring upon the second joint of the finger in exaction of matrimonial obedience. Nevertheless, Elisa prayed secretly but sincerely for the welfare of her sister. It might have been supposed that she was suffering from some inward affliction^ or imploring the forgiveness of Heaven for some secret error, so grave was her countenance. If such were the case, her prayer was granted, for FIRST LOVE. 277 she arose calm and tranquillized ; and as they passed into the vestry, turned towards Sterny, who still watched her closely, and advancing towards him, quietly took his arm, saying in a gentle and altered tone, "All this, sir, must appear very tedious to a stranger like yourself/^ "Tedious?" reiterated Leonce. "You can- not really believe it.^' " It must at least interfere with your amuse- ments and occupations. But you will soon be at liberty/' Till then, Sterny had resisted the solicitations of Prosper Gobillon and Monsieur Laloine, to remain after the ceremony, and partake of the pleasures of the day. Even the grace and beauty of Elisa had not decided him to brave the vulgar insipidity of a shopkeeper's wed- ding. But now, he reflected that it was the only opportunity he should have of contemplating for two or three hours the charms of his new and fascinating acquaintance. " I trust you are not going to dismiss me so hastily," said he, "after Prosper 's hospitable 278 FIRST LOVE. invitation ? If you find my company a bore, it is your brother-in-law whom you must scold for having included me in the party." Ashamed to have incurred this gracious re- proof, Elisa could not utter a word ; but on their arrival in the vestry, she quitted the arm of Leonce and joined her young companions. To listen to their idle gossip at such a moment was, however, out of the question ; and while still absorbed in her reflections, she was startled by the voice of one of the bridesmaids, who bad her look at the Marquis de Sterny. Leonce was in the act of signing. "This time he has taken off his glove,'^ added the young lady, as if to compUment Elisa on the triumph she had achieved over so fine a gentleman. Overhearing the exclamation, Leonce directed his eyes towards Elisa, and saw that she was strangely agitated. A womanly instinct apprized her that an intimacy not strictly right was beginning be- tween her and the Marquis; and when it became her turn to sign, her eyes overflowed with tears, and her hand trembled so mani- FIRST LOVE. 279 festly, that her mother inquired the cause of her emotion. ^^ Nothing, nothing!" she replied; then, as if to tranquilhze her mother^s alarm, "take me with you, mamma," said she, with the timidity of a child who implores protection. ^' I would rather return home with 3/o^^'^ "My poor child, compose yourself — your sister wdll be very happy," said her mother, leading her into a corner of the vestry to sooth and caress her, while the elderly people of the party smiled, and the young people wondered to see her so unusually nervous. Leonce, meanwhile, conscious of being the cause of her agitation, had already made up his mmd to rejoin the party for the w^edding- dinner and the ball that was to follow. The signatures were now comj)lete; and when Sterny got into his carriage, his coach- man, ashamed of the vulgar company in which his master had chosen to demean himself, whipped his spirited horses to the danger of the humbler vehicles^ and he was soon out of sight. Elisa gave a deep sigh. Nevertheless, seated 280 FIRST LOVE. in the carriage beside her mother, she felt at her ease for the first time since morning ; and tried to interest herself in the inquiries of her companions concerning the ball -dress she was to wear at night. When lo ! struck by a sudden thought, she raised her hand to her neck. " It is gone ! I have lost my gold heart I" she exclaimed. "Yet I certainly had it on when I left home." " Perhaps it fell oiF at the mayory ? Per- haps you lost it in the carriage V — suggested her companions. ''I hope not/' cried Elisa. "Conceive if I should have left it in Monsieur de Sterny's carriage ?' " And why not, my dear V cried her mo- ther. " In that case, he will bring it back to you." " Is he to return then ?'^ — asked Elisa in utter surprise. " So he promised your brother-in-law.^^ Elisa made no reply, but became sad and silent; perhaps, because beginning to fear that her ball-dress was less becoming: than she could wish. She was at an age, however, not to per- FIRST LOVE. 281 severe long in the same mood; and scarcely- had she entered the house, when she threw aside her groundless alarm. "No, no," cried she to herself; "I will not allow myself to be out of sorts on such a day as this I" And she resolved to amuse herself in the company of the fine Marquis, as with any other young man of her acquaintance. Meanwhile, no sooner was Leonce alone, than he hesitated about returning to the party. However favourable his opinion of himself, he saw that a day spent wdth such people was a day lost to him ; and that it could bring no morrow. What had he to do in the company of these shopkeepers ? How would they receive him ? The whole project was absurd ; and the best thing he could do, was to write an excuse, and dine quietly at six o'clock at the Cafe de Paris, instead of going to the wedding-feast at the Cadran-Bleu. Just however as his inclinations gave way to these judicious reflections he descried upon the cushion a small gold locket, attached to a deli- cately woven hair chain, upon which was en- graved the same device as upon the rhig of Elisa, " Bear, and forbear !" 282 FIRST LOVE. Leonce could not refrain from a smile at the appropriate exhortation ; and with no very good designs towards the lovely owner of the golden heart, he made up his mind to return^to the wedding dinner. On his return home, he found several of his dandy friends warmly discussing the unconstitu- tional admission of the government stud to the races of the Champ de Mars. His arrival put an end to the argument. " Well, how stands our bet ? — ^"exclaimed his fat friend Lingot, from amid the folds of his enormous cravat. ^^ I have lost !^' replied the virtuoso. " How the deuce/^ said Marinet, the manu- facturer's son, " could you bet against a fellow who converts everything he touches into gold?"— "What are you talking about?" demanded Sterny, puzzled by their exclamations. "That we are to dine at the Rocher de Cancale, and that Aymar de Rabut is to frank us." *^ There has been a bet then V* — said Leonce, pricking his ears like a war-horse at the sound of the trumpet. FIRST LOVE. 283 " Even so/^ replied Aymar. ^^ I was fool enough to maintain that however bored at the wedding, you would be persuaded to remain for the dinner and ball." " Go and order your dinner then^ and let it be a first-rate one, for it is Lingot who pays !" — "Lingot?'^ exclaimed aU present. "How so ?^'— "Because Aymar has won his wager, — I do return to the dinner and ball." And at six o^clock accordingly, in full evening dress, the Marquis de Sterny entered the re- stauraunt of the Cadran Bleu. 284 FIRST LOVE. CHAPTER IIL Love is the lay figure of the noveUst. One may attire it in whatever drapery or costume one thinks proper, without much regard to fideUty or truth. How can there be truth, how can there be fidehty, in treating of a passion so wayward, so incomprehensible ? — a passion that often starts into existence, like light out of chaos, at first sight of an object utterly un- known ; but which, in some minds, is born of a tiny spark, and nursed by slow degrees into an overwhelming flame ? — Instead, however, of subtilising on mysteries which for so many ages have been prosed upon FIRST LOVE. 285 to so little purpose^ let us follow the footsteps of Leonce into the Cadran Bleu. When he entered the room, no one was ar- rived but the bridegroom and Monsieur La- loine, w^ho were superintending the preliminary arrangements of the evening. Entreatino; that he mio^ht be no restrahit upon them, Leonce remained alone in the room next to the grand saloon, while the father and son-in-law proceeded to inspect the ball-room. Yes ! the Marquis de Sterny, belonging to an order of dandies who invariably arrive in the second course, had actually made his appear- ance an hour before the time, like a clerk or a man of letters dining with a lord ! Nor could he find any better employment while waiting for the other guests, than to go round the table examining the cards affixed to the diiFerent seats, to ascertain where he should be placed. Perceiving that he was to sit between Madame Laloine and a lady unknown, he proceeded to exchange his card with that of M. Tirelot,— thus placing himself next to Elisa ! — Trembhng lest he should be de- tected in the substitution, like a child who 286 FIRST LOVE. dips his finger into a dish, the dandy of the Cafe de Paris turned towards an old print the moment the waiter entered the room ; and on his departure completed the nefarious ma- noeuvre, which he would have pronounced more than puerile had he heard it recounted of another. Nevertheless he succeeded, though not without further anxieties. On returning to the room, Monsieur Laloine proceeded to examine the cards, when Leonce had no resource but to commence an eager conversation with him about ostrich and mara- bout feathers. Then came Prosper; and Le- once was forced to engage in a thousand vulgar jests upon matrimony and the married, to engage his attention. He asked a pinch of snuff from the father-in-law, and made him despatch Prosper to hand the ladies from the carriages which were now arriving. In short, the poor Marquis is driven to all the extremities that might have been appro- priate in any of the shopkeepers about to figure at the feast, in order to compass the sa- tisfaction of sitting beside Elisa ! But success is said to justify the worst of FIRST LOVE. 287 actions — even those which are absurd. Leonce was evidently in the right, for he succeeded. The guests arrived full of salutations and gossip. Dinner was ordered by Gobillon, while Monsieur Laloine remained to do the honours, and the Marquis in the interim placed himself in the doorway between the saloon and the dining-room, wondering whether Elisa would pass him by ; for on her arrival with her mo- ther and sister, Madame Laloine having gra- ciously expressed her surprise at seeing him so early, Sterny adroitly replied by an excla- mation, half addressed to Elisa, — " One fault in a day is enough/^ — In the midst of all her joy, Elisa felt the reproach, and retired hurt into the corner. Monsieur De Sterny seemed fated to mar her pleasure for the day ! — An amusing scene arose when they were about to sit down to table. Leonce, who knew his place, proceeded to it at once, while Elisa sought hers on the other side. ^* Lower down," said Prosper, pointing to the seat next to Leonce. Prosper exchanged looks with Monsieur 288 FIRST LOVE. Laloine, who saw that there was a mistake, which he attributed to his son-in-law. On the other hand, Madame Laloine, who reckoned upon being next to the Marquis, cast her eyes upon Monsieur Tirelot with a look of astonishment; while he, proud of this acci- dental distinction, installed himself at once in the place of honour pointed out by his card. Elisa now advanced timidly to her place not knowing what to do, having observed the interchange of significant looks. As to Leonce, his eyes were fixed on the ceiling, so that he saw nothing. He was an absolute stranger to all that was going on, till Monsieur Laloine suddenly called out to Elisa, ^^ Take your place, my dear, — you are keep- ing every one standing." The authority with which these words were uttered, announced resignation to the blunders of Gobillon. Leonce trusted that, in the se- quel, all would be attributed to a mistake. On taking her seat, Elisa bowed to Leonce so coldly, that he saw immediately she had FIRST LOVE. 289 discovered her brother-in-law was not the guilty person. At his first question, Leonce perceived her determination to reply only in monosyllabies. But he had still two hours before him, and she might be persuaded to change her resolution. He felt that it was desirable to allow her to recover herself and regain her self-possession, and consequently left her to her meditations ; bestowing all his attention on a portly gen- tleman seated on the other side of the young lady, who was no other than the respectable draper, so vehement upon the sugar question in the morning; an argument which Sterny now intrepidly resumed, either by leaning forward or in the rear of the young lady, so that she heard every syllable. The eloquence of the Marquis would have exterminated a deputy ! At length, Elisa began to betray her impa- tience by gestures too significant to be mis- taken. But Sterny had no mercy, persevering in his dispute with the fat draper, till Monsieur Laloine thought proper to interfere. *' Of what are you talking, gentlemen ?" said he. X'OL. I. O 290 FIRST LOVE. *^ Of colonial produce, and beet-root su- gar, papa !" said Elisa, almost shrugging her shoulders. And Laloine was rejoiced to find the subject under discussion of so grave a na- ture. Sterny, however, profited by the occa- sion to address his antagonist in an altered tone : " I fear, sir/^ said he, ^' this interesting topic cannot be very acceptable to this young lady. Let us resume the subject later in the even- ing." '' Most wilUngly," repUed the draper, per- ceiving that the first course was ended without his having touched anything. Elisa, however, remained silent, while the draper observed, " Your mother was right, mademoiselle, in asserting, this evening, that nowadays men are less gallant than formerly. I blush to think that we have been talking of nothing but mo- lasses in the presence of so pretty a young lady. I, however, have daughters of your age. It is only this young gentleman who is qualified to make himself more agreeable." FIRST LOVE. 2iil To put an end to his insinuations^ Leonce, perceiving by the pouting Up of Ehsa that he had contrived to pique her, asked her to take wine. But though she accepted the proposal^ no conversation ensued. " I am as dense as a paving- stone !" said Leonce to himself. ^' Monsieur Tirelot yon- der would have acquitted himself far bet- ter !" He accordingly made one more desperate effort to be agreeable, and for want of a better subject, spoke of himself. " I begin to consider myself too unfortu- nate !^' said he, earnestly. " I have had the honour, mademoiselle, of seeing you twice, and have already been guilty of displeasing you four times.'' ^^ Me, sir?" — said Ehsa, not a little asto- nished. *^ First, by coming too late ; next, by not taking off my glove at the mayory ; afterwards, by arriving here too early ; and lastly — " In this instance, Ehsa probably anticipated what he was about to say. o 2 292 FIRST LOVE. " And lastly ?" said she, turning towards him with an arch smile, " And lastly/^ persisted Leonce, " by appro- priating to myself the place of Monsieur Tire- lot." Elisa blushed deeply. She had guessed right, then. The Marquis was indebted to his own skill or audacity for the seat by her side. Nevertheless, her surprise was not un- mingled with alarm. What could be his object ? She was too innocent to apprehend projects of deeper mischief; but doubted not that the fine gentleman was amusing himself by turning her awkwardness into ridicule. "You perceive," said Leonce, "that I have four times displeased you !" "Not in the last instance," replied Elisa. ^^What can it signify to me whether I am seated next to you or Monsieur Tirelot V Leonce winced at this equalization, and ad- ded, with some degree of sauciness, " A great deal, I suspect.'^ FIRST LOVE. 293 Elisa was beginning to be indignant at his self-conceit. " For I am certain/' continued Leonce, '^ that you would greatly prefer M. Tirelot." She did not answer. " Is he not a relation ?^^ — demanded Leonce. « No, sir." "Afriend, then?''— "No, sir.'' <^The friend of your brother-in-law, per- haps ?''— " Yes, sir." '^So much the better! Your family will deign to forgive Prosper's friend Sterny, in favour of his friend Tirelot." "But yoM are not the friend of Prosper ?'' " I have the greatest regard for him/' "That does not suffice to constitute a friend." " I would do him any service in my power." " I rejoice to hear it. But still I cannot call you his friend.'' " Nevertheless I flatter myself he has a great affection for me,'' 294 FIRST LOVE. *^ I am sure he has ; but you know very well you cannot be called friends/' " And why not, pray V " Because you are Marquis of Sterny, and he only Prosper Gobillon, the plumassier,'' "You are not just towards me/' said Leonce, apparently hurt by her expression. "Not just?" ^^ You mean to insinuate that my title renders me proud, vain, perhaps impertinent, and in- capable of friendship/' " You mistake me," interrupted Elisa. " To insinuate that I am not sensible of the honour and probity of those undistinguished by mere rank, is enough to make me detest my birth and name. Do we not live in an age where every man is appreciated by his own works or merits ?" This worn-out phrase, borrowed from the liberal newspapers, or the last melodrama, melted the heart of poor Elisa ! — " I thank you in Prosper's name for what you have just said," said she, "he would be much gratified to hear such expressions/' FIRST LOVE. 295 " Prosper has knowTi me long/' resumed the marquis, " we were children together. He is not like you — he does not think me a mere heartless trifler." " It is now my turn to say that you are un- just," said Elisa. *^May I presume then to inquire what is your opinion of me V Elisa hesitated — answering at length with a smile more childish than malicious, ^* I will tell you when you have explained to me your reasons for taking the place of Mon- sieur Tirelot." The embarrassment of Leonce at this apos- trophe was so marked, that the young girl could not refrain from an immoderate burst of laughter, which attracted the notice of the whole party. ^^ What is the matter, Elisa ? — What diverts you, mademoiselle ? '' — greeted her on all sides. " I am only laughing,'^ she replied, " because Monsieur le Marquis — '* " I beseech you,^' interrupted Leonce, in a low voice ; " do not betray me." 296 FIRST LOVE. " You were laughing at Monsieur le Marquis ?" persisted the guests. " Well, my dear Elisa?" added the mother, with a thousand maternal lectures written in her face. ^^ Let the poor child laugh !" cried Laloine, " she has plenty of time before her to grow serious/^ But Elisa was grave already. She fancied she had gone too far, when Leonce whispered to her, " A thousand, thousand thanks, for keeping our secret ! " ^' What secret, sir V^ demanded she, with a heightened colour. ^VThe secret of my manoeuvre to obtain a place by your side/^ '^ It was not worth while to expose anything so absurd,^* was her cold reply. " Nevertheless, I am grateful,^' said Leonce. "Judge for yourself whether I did not exercise my utmost ingenuity.^' And he proceeded to favour her with an amusing picture of his escapade, his fears and anxieties; and EHsa, after listen- FIRST LOVE. 297 ing, half laughing half serious, at last ex- claimed, "And all these perils and dangers without any inducement V " I had an inducement/^ said Leonce, with some emotion. ^^ A very poor one/^ replied Elisa, averting her face. " I would not permit any other person to treat it so lightly," said the Marquis, with growing emotion. " I perceive that you are inclined to make a jest of me,^^ said Elisa, gravely. " You think so, perhaps, mademoiselle, be- cause this morning — " " Hush, hush !^' cried Elisa; "Monsieur Tirelot is going to sing." "To sing! Who on earth wants to hear him ?" cried the Marquis de Sterny, shrugging his shoulders, irritated by an interruption so inopportune. ^^Why should you imagine that no one wants to hear him ?" ^^ I only judge of others by myself. I dislike o3 298 FIRST LOVE. your Monsieur Tirelot and all that concerns him r " For what reason ?" " Because he was honoured this morning with the privilege of giving you his arm/^ "Considering how little it profited him/^ —said Elisa, with a smile. '' And because it was intended that he should sit next to you at dinner — " ** Considering how well he managed to keep his place/' again added Elisa. "And because^" resumed Leonce, "I am convinced he will have the honour of dancing the first quadrille with you/^ " He has not so much as asked me," cried Elisa. "In that case, suifer me to forestal him,'^ said the Marquis, eagerly. "You seem disposed to forestal him in everything/^ said Elisa, with a deep blush. " Everything !" said Leonce, with reckless gaiety. " If I were near him, I would take care that he should neither eat, drink, nor sing. And now, will you deign to give an FIRST LOVE. 299 answer to my entreaty for your hand in the first dance }" "I thought it was agreed that we were to dance together ?" was Elisa's evasive reply. But Leonce had no time to thank her. Monsieur Tirelot was begirming his song ; which was precisely such as graces every wed- ding-dinner. There were four stanzas in honour of Ma- dame Laloine, Monsieur Laloine, Mademoi- selle Laloine, now Madame Gobillon, and Prosper, the bridegroom ; each of which was followed by the warmest acclamations. Tirelot was in his glory, and even Elisa applauded the efforts of his genius, and almost repented having engaged herself for the first quadrille. But Sterny, who had now pledged the healths of the family with sufficient zeal to become a little elated, whispered, " Tell them I am going to sing.^^ More than suspecting he was in jest, and that she should embarrass him by taking him at his word, Elisa rose, extended her pretty hand; and believing that she was about to 300 IIRST LOVE. sing, all became silent. But when she claimed attention for Monsieur le Marquis de Sterny, a thousand exclamations of astonishment burst forth, mingled with thanks for his amiability and condescension. Sterny was playing a desperate game. He was, perhaps, going to make himself as ridi- culous in the eyes of these people as he already was in his own. With precipitate rashness, however, he rushed into the danger before him. ^^ It appears to me,^^ said he, ^^ that a verse has been omitted in the charming and most appropriate song of Monsieur Tire- lot." And while the astonished Tirelot acknow- ledged his equivocal compliment with a bow, Sterny completed his performance by a stanza adapted to the same air, addressed to Monsieur and Madame Laloine, and commemorating with all the enthusiasm of poetic fervour the charms of the rosebud of the family tree — the match- less Ehsa, who sat trembUng and blushing by his side ! Scarcely had he reached the concluding FIRST LOVE. 301 line, when the room rang with the most rap- turous applause; while Madame Laloine with tears in her eyes, rose to embrace her youngest daughter, exclaiming to Tirelot, '' It is true, Monsieur Tirelot ! You should not have forgotten to mention EHsa." And Monsieur Laloine holding out his hand to Leonce, thanked him from the bottom of his heart. Compliments and thanks were lavished on all sides ; when, luckily for his embarrassment, GobiUon announced the arrival of guests for the ball. They proceeded accordingly to the ball-room, Leonce offering his arm to Ehsa ; who, on finding his hand tremble with emo- tion, became almost as much agitated as him- self. " Do you forgive my treasonable attempt ?" whispered Leonce, as they proceeded toge- ther. ^^How could I be otherwise than grateful for what afforded so much pleasure to papa and mamma V "Andyou, Elisa?'^ 302 FIRST LOVE. "I — I thought your verses very pretty," said she, averting her face, ^^too pretty!" — She then gently withdrew her hand to meet some young companions who were already in the saloon, to whom Monsieur and Madame Laloine were accounting for the boisterous ap- plause in the dining-room. *' Is it true that the handsome Marquis made verses in ^your honour, dear [Elisa ?" — said they. And the words ^'handsome marquis" were pronounced in so envious a tone, that Made- moiselle Laloine took courage to reply in the affirmative. " He has thrown himself at your feet then, it seems ?^' — added one of the least attractive of her young friends. ^' He may throw himself at yours before the evening is over,^' rephed EHsa, provoked by their ill-breeding. ^^ At mine ? — Thank you ! I shall take care to be engaged the whole evening, to run no risk of the kind.'' " They are beginning to dance,'' said Sterny, FIRST LOVE. 303 advancing towards them to extend his hand to Ehsa. '^I trust, mademoiselle, has not for- gotten the promise with which she honoured me for the first quadrille ?'^ Elisa instantly gave him her hand. It was still trembling ; but Leonce was scarcely less agitated than his partner. 304 FIRST LOVE, CHAPTER IV. Luckily for Sterny, he was now so com- pletely carried away by infatuation for his charming companion^ as well as by his success as a poet, that he had no time to reflect upon his own proceedings. He would have been confounded could he but have reflected how far he was exceeding his usual listless dandyism of deportment. Meanwhile, the orchestra gave the signal, and Leonce took his place beside his partner. Elisa was looking beautiful — beautiful as youth, innocence, and happiness could make her ; and Sterny contemplated the charm of that graceful form, and lovely countenance, with a FIRST LOVE. 305 fervour of enthusiasm such as he had never felt before. He fancied, too, he could discern that unusual emotions were excited in her innocent breast. A sort of ecstasy seemed to brighten her eyes, as though a new sense of existence was waking in her soul. Sterny gazed upon her with still increasing interest ; but whenever he attempted to address her, his voice faltered. The quadrille was at an end. Nothing re- mained to be said or done. But as he led her back to her place, Sterny, feeling that he should have no further pretext for lingering near her, in a faint voice solicited the honour of a waltz. ^* I do not waltz/^ replied Mademoiselle La- loine, with a wave of the head, intimating that the waltz was a forbidden dance to young ladies. ^' May I beg then for another quadrille ?" said Leonce. ^^ I am engaged, I fear, for more than will be danced," she replied ; " but mamma has given me leave to try a galop." ^^ And you will dance it with me ?" 306 FIRST LOVE. ^' On condition/^ said Elisa, " that you dance in the interim with the other young ladies." '' No, no ! With you alone !" " With my sister, at all events." " 1 thank you for having reminded me/' cried Leonce. " I was in some danger of forgetting the bride.'^ And EHsa acknowledged his acquiescence with a smile that implied an understanding be- tween them. Leonce left her with her mother, and went into the other room. In spite of himself he was happy, he knew not why. The emotion of which he was conscious was as new to him as to Ehsa ; nor did he think of marring his enjoyment by too close a scrutiny. He was perfectly at his ease. If in all that sur- rounded him excessive refinement were want- ing, he found in its stead a sincerity more enchanting. The people among whom he found himself were really amused, and he was consequently amused in his turn. It was difficult, however, to remain long away from Elisa. Returning unperceived to FIRST LOVE. 307 the door^ he stole an occasional glance towards the new object of his adoration. Though dancing, she seemed listless and absent; her eyes were either looking towards the floor or taking a rapid survey around the room. — Who or what were they seeking ?'^ Leonce feared it was not him ; but when he saw that, since he had been standing there, they had^ become stationary, he felt so happy that he began to reproach himself with his very hap- piness. " What is the meaning of all this V^ said he. ^^ Am I growing childish, or has their de- testable wine got into my head ? I must cer- tainly be mad or tipsy !^' — " And to convince himself that he was not a man to be subdued by a passing emotion, he again looked towards Elisa, who was dancing with a handsome young man, — as handsome as himself, and of equally distinguished manners ; who was talking to his partner in the most agreeable manner, with the most perfect ease, and apparently interesting her attention; for she seemed to reply with signs of approba- tion. 308 FIRST LOVE. On seeing this^ the heart of the dandy swelled within him. A rival, who, for all he knew, might be a hosier — yet over whom he possessed no positive advantage ! — His irritability increased as he noticed the expression of Elisa's countenance. The poor girl, gratified in secret to perceive that the eyes of Leonce were fixed upon her, did not disguise her satisfaction ; and though her hand was no longer pressed in his, or her ear soothed by his flattering accents, she trembled almost as much as when she was his partner. Sterny,'misinterpreting her conduct, regarded her with disgust. ^^ She is coquetting with this fellow,'^ thought he, " in order to excite my jealousy. She flat- ters herself, perhaps, that 1 may be piqued into making her an off*er of my hand !" And this notion having taken possession of his mind, in looking at Elisa, his face assumed such an expression of pride and contempt, that the light-hearted girl, deeply wounded, turned deadly pale ; and, regardless of her partner's assiduities, became so confused, that she was FIRST LOVE. 309 scarcely able to maintain her place in the dance. Leonce perceived her emotion, but doubted its sincerity ; and as soon as the quadrille was finished, with the most listless air, advanced to- wards Elisa and her mother, without even look- ing at the former. " I have to ask your pardon, madam," said he, " for neglecting to return this gold heart which I found in my carriage this morning, and which doubtless belongs to one of your guests." At the expression of ^^ one of your guests," Elisa looked reproachfully at Leonce, as if to say, " You know it to be mine \" Madame Laloine meanwhile was profuse in her thanks. "You see I was right," said she, addressing her daughter. " I told you the Marquis would bring it back !" " It belongs then to i/0Uj mademoiselle ?" said Leonce, coolly. And with a disdainful smile, he presented it to Mademoiselle Laloine ; who with an air of emotion, almost amounting to wildness, advanced to receive it. 310 FIRST LOVE. ** Let me tie it on^ my dear child," said her mother^ seeing that her hands trembled. " Presently mother/^ replied Elisa, intent only upon repressing her tears ; and she con- cealed the locket in her handkerchief, paler and more trembling than before. Leonce, satisfied with the test, resumed in a polite tone — "Mademoiselle,^^ said he, "has not, I trust, forgotten her engagement for the ga- lop V' " I fear mamma will not permit me," faltered Elisa, scarcely able to reply. " With the Marquis ? — Of course, my dear !" —said the mother, in a tone of triumph. A galop was now struck up by the orchestra ; and Leonce and Elisa rose and walked round the room, while the other dancers were taking their places. " Why have you not put on your gold heart?" inquired Sterny in a whisper. " You do not think it pretty,'' said Elisa; " but I have a great affection for it !" " A keepsake, perhaps }" *' A keepsake !" she replied. FIRST LOVE. 311 " The device engraved on it is a striking one/^ said Sterny, with an inquiring glance. " It has often inspired me with courage in moments of pain and difficulty/"* replied Elisa, her countenance assuming a graver expression. " But what moments of pain or difficulty can one so young have experienced 1" retorted the Marquis^ almost severely. " They are w^aiting for us to resume the dance," said Elisa, gently placing her arm on that of Leonce. And away they flew to the in- spiriting strains of the orchestra^ which seemed to bid defiance to e^ery careful thought. Sterny, however, whose eyes were riveted upon the lovely face of his partner, suddenly perceived tears rolling in silence down her cheeks. He stopped instantly; and leading her out of sight of the dancers, began to utter incoherent apologies. " I fear I have offended you l'^ said he. ^' I presumed just now to address you too freely. Pardon me ! —oh ! pardon me !" ^'You have given no offence, sir,"*' faltered Elisa, placing her hand upon her heart. '^ Then why are you weeping ?" SV2 FIRST LOVE. " Alas !" replied Elisa, in touching accents, ^^ I am a wayward girl — the spoiled child of my family ; and your inquiries just now concerning my locket, reminded me of the occasion when, in my sickly childhood, it was given to me by the good nun who presided over my education. She knew how much occasion I might have in afterlife for patience and courage !" — At that moment, Monsieur Tirelot advanced towards them to claim the hand of Mademoi- selle Laloine for the following dance. " I fear I shall be unable to keep my en- gagement,^' said she. '' I have already done too much. I am indisposed — 1 — " She was indeed pale as death ; and Sterny, alarmed by her appearance, was not sorry when Madame Laloine hurried towards them to claim her charge. "You have been dancing too much, my poor child !'' cried she, terrified at seeing her daughter pale and breathless. Elisa was unable to utter a syllable in reply ; and Madame Laloine hastened to withdraw her from the dancing-room. ^^ Ah ! poor girl V said Tirelot, watching her FIRST LOVE. 313 faltering steps as she quitted the room on her mother's arm. " They were very wrong to let her attempt a galop. She has been subject from childhood to palpitations of the heart, and any violent emotion might destroy her. It is perhaps because Mademoiselle Elisa's life is so precarious, that she has ever been the darling of their hearts.'^ Leonce was deeply shocked — recalling to mind all he had done to distress her ; all the scorn he had endeavoured to express, by word and gesture, on bringing back the locket. He felt sincerely grieved at the idea of having inflicted pain on the kind, simple-hearted, lovely girl, who had taken such undisguised pleasure in his society. In the utmost remorse, he stationed himself near the door of the chamber into which Elisa had retired with her mother; and for nearly half an hour did he loiter, there in unspeak- able anxiety. At length, Madame Laloine reappeared with her daughter pale and statue-like, on her arm. Instead of replying to the eager inquiries of Sterny, she merely pointed to the locket, which was now once VOL. I. P 314 FIRST LOVE. more suspended round her neck ; and the smile that accompanied the movement was so serene, so holy, so forgiving, that he would have given worlds to be assured his reck- less folly had not increased the burden of her sufferings. She now took her place beside her mother, to await the closing of the ball ; and was so sur- rounded by friends, that Leonce found it im- possible to accost her. The party was on the point of breaking up : and he consequently hastened to pay his part- ing compliments to Madame Laloine. ^^I have to oifer you my sincere thanks, madam,^' said he^ ** for the friendly manner in which you have admitted me into your little family party.^^ "Accept mine, in the name of my son-in- law, Monsieur le Marquis," replied the good woman, cordially in her turn. " I am of course aware that but for your goodwill towards Pros- per, you would not have condescended to take part in the amusements of humble people like ourselves." Leonce replied by a glance of admiration FIRST LOVE. 315 and tenderness towards Elisa^ whose tearful eyes at that moment encountered his. She was evidently grieved that the pains and plea- sures of that one happy day were at an end. Still, surrounded as she w^as, it was difficult to offer her more than a profound bow in token of adieu. The Marquis reiterated his salutation however on reaching the door of the saloon, from which the guests were hastily departing ; and there, as before, found the eyes of his graceful and gracious partner riveted mourn- fully upon his own. The next morning, on waking up in his gay bachelor apartment, all that had passed ap- peared a dream. Had he really — he, the gay and fashionable Marquis de Sterny — devoted a day to dining and dancing wdth the family of a phtmassier of the Rue St. Martin ? He could scarcely believe it ! — Still less could he under- stand that in the midst of that obscure circle^ he should have interchanged sympathy of feeling mth one so fair, so full of sensibility, so rich in elegance of nature, that, had she been of noble birth, he would have been contented to live and die at her feet. 316 FIRST LOVE. A few nights afterwards, the Marquis accom- panied to the Theatre de Madame a party com- prising two ladies of the highest fashion, equally pretty and affected. Had he been the sole attendant of his fair friends, Leonce would probably have given way to the listlessness and absence of mind which, ever since his day with the Laloines had rendered him incapable of en- joying such diversions. But Lingot was there, and Amyr, to take note of his proceedings, and he consequently exerted himself to the utmost to be agreeable ; trifling with the bouquet of the beautiful countess beside whom he was seated, and whispering in her ear a succession of those intimate nothings which convey so much or so little from the lips of a man of the world. Towards the close of the performance his friend Amyr, raising his glass to a box on the tier above them, began to make remarks on the party it contained. *^ Yonder people are evidently provincials,^"* said he, ** for everything seems new and strange to them. The creatures have had their eyes fixed upon our box during the whole of the first piece !" FIRST LOVE. 317 Leonce paid little attention to his observa- tions ; having profited by the moment that the eyes of the party were directed elsewhere, to redouble his attention to his fair companion. '^ What on earth is the matter with them now V exclaimed Lingot. " See ! one of those young girls is taken ill. They are carrying her out." Leonce now raised his eyes towards the box, in time to see Prosper and his bride following a group in which he had little doubt that his interesting little partner of the Cadran Blue was included ! — to admit any interest in the proceedings of such people in presence of the two fair ladies to whom he was devoting himself, w^as of course impossible. He deter- mined however to call on Madame Laloine the following morning, and make inquiries after her daughter. Strange to relate, he actually fulfilled his in- tention ; but the family had quitted home. The Laloines had gone to make a little wedding excursion into Normandy with Monsieur and Madame Gobillon. *^ So much the better!" was the secret re- 318 - FIRST LOVE. flection of Leonce^ as he turned from the door ; ^^ for had she been here, I feel I should have run considerable risk of making a fool of myself !" Relieved from so terrible an apprehension, he hastened to Cremieux's stables, and amused himself with bets to the amount of a thousand louis upon the ensuing races of the Champs de Mars ; then proceeded to his club, to pass the remainder of the day at billiards. Absorbed in pleasures so interesting, he was not likely to dwell with much concern upon the destinies of the Rue St. Martin. Two months afterwards as he was making a leisurely toilet ere he proceeded to pay his usual court to the charming Countess of the Theatre de Madame, who was so good as to ac- cept him as her escort in the Bois de Boulogne, or to call her carriage at the opera, he was in- formed that one Prosper Gobillon requested the honour of an audience. " My dear Prosper/^ cried the Marquis, as his father's godson entered the room. " How goes it with you ? For a bridegrom, methinks, your face is somewhat of the longest !'^ " It is indeed, Monsieur le Marquis,^^ re- FIRST LOVE. 319 plied the young man, in a tremulous voice. "My poor wife is in sad trouble. Do you happen to remember her little sister, Elisa ?" Sterny drew nearer — and had scarcely cou- rage to make a sign in the affirmative. "I am just come from her funeral," said Prosper pointing to the crape upon his hat. *^Dead?'' — faltered Leonce, inexpressibly shocked. '^ Dead ! and I fear her poor mother will follow her to the grave," replied the poor fellow with tears in his eyes. " She was the sweetest, best little creature — so good — so gentle. I had something ^ to say from her, Monsieur le Marquis ; but I am afraid you will be angry at the liberty.'^ " Speak I" said the conscious-struck Sterny, scarcely able to utter a syllable. " Three nights ago, sir, just before she died, — her mother was gone to lie down — and there were only myself and my v/ife in the room, when in a faint voice, Elisa called me to her bedside. " ' Prosper," said she, unclasping a locket from her neck, ^when I am gone, take this to your gay friend, the Marquis de Sterny. Tell t320 FIRST LOVE. him that I did not know the value of the words engraven upon it, till during the last two months — for I have suffered very much ! Bid him sometimes read them for my sake. There is more wisdom, more comfort in the lesson than he seems to understand. But may he need no comfort ! — May he, at least, be happy !' — "A few hours afterwards, sir, Elisa was in her shroud ! Poor girl, — poor sister ! — There was not a dry eye at her funeral. You must pardon her, Monsieur le Marquis, for having taken so great a liberty ; — but poor Elisa was ever an enthusiast — a spoiled child — " " An angel ! '^ — faltered Sterny, pressing the locket to his lips ; while his humble protege hurried back to his afflicted family. Till that moment he had never comprehended what might be the influence of a first love. END OF VOL. I. WHITING, BEAUFORT HOUSE, STRAND. APRIL 1842. CATxlLOGUE N E W W O R K S PRINTED FOR LOXGMAX, BEOWN, AND CO. LONDON. Part I. COMPRISING. Pages 1. GEOGRAPHY .\ND TOPOGRAPHY, VOY.\GF.S AND TRAVELS, AND GUIDE-BOOKS - - 2 and 3 2. HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY - - 4 to 9 3. NOVELS AND TALES - - 9 4. ENCYCLOPyEDIAS AND DICTIONARIES - - - - 10 and 11 5. JUVENILE WORKS II 6. AGRICULTURE, FARMING, AND LAND SURVEYING - - 12 7. GARDENING 13 8. MRS. 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(For particuhirs, sec pa^ie Id)- THE ROSE AMATEUR'S GUIDE: Contaiiiiug ample Descriptions of all the fine leading- Varieties of Roses, rc|?ularly classed in their respective Families ; their History aurl Mode Jof Culture. By T. Rivers, Jun. id Kdit. with Alterations and Additions. 1 vol. foolscap 8vo. Css. clotli lettered. j4mong the addition) to the present Edition icill be found full Directions for Raising- Aeto Roses from Seed, by modes never be/ore published, appended to each Familt/ ; with Descrip- tions of the most remarhable I\!ea Hoses lately introduced ; an Alphabetical Lis: of all the yeie Roses and Show Flowers. 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THE THEORY OF HORTICULTURE; Or, an Attempt to Explain the Principal Operations of Gardening upon Physiological Prin- ~ ley,- ■ '■ ■ • best Modes of Cooking them ; alphabetically arranged. Together with a Description of the Physical Herbs in General Use. Also, some Recollections of the Life of Philip Miller, F.A.S., Gardc^ierjo the^Worshipful Company of Apothecaries at Chelsea. By John Rogers, author jIsc ciples. By John Lindley, Ph.D. F.R.S. 1 vol. 8vo. with Illustrations on Wood. 12». cloth rhis book is written in the hope of providing the intelligent gardener, and the scifntl amateur, correctly, with the rationalia of the more important operations of Horticiiltnre This booh is written in the hope of providing the intelligent gardener, and the scit-ntijic matenr, correctly, with the rationalia of the more important operations of Horticiiltnre ; arid the author has endeavoured to present to his renders an intelligible ej-plnnation, founded on well ascertained facts, which they can judge of by their own means of observation, of the general nature of vegetable actions, and of the causes which, while they control the powers of life in plants, are capable of being regulated by themselves. The possession of such knowlege will necessarily teach thim how to improve their methods of cultivation, and lead them to the discovery of new and belter modes. 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Account of the Bridge over the Severn, near the Town of Tewkesbury, in the County of Gloucester, dcsig-ned by Thomas Telford, and erected under his superintendence. By Mr. W. Mackenzie, M.Insl.C.E. A Series of Experiments on diflferent kinds of American Timber. By W. Dennison, Esq. Lieut. Royal Engineers. F.R.S. A.Inst.C.E. On the Application of Steam as a Moving Power, considered especially with reference to the Economy of Atmospheric and Hiah Pressure Steam. By George Holworthy Palmer, Esq., M.Inst.C.E. Description of Mr. Henry Guy's Method of giving a true Spherical Figure to Balis of Metals, Glass, Agate, or Hard Substances. Communicated by Bryan Donkin, Esq. V.P. Inst.C.E. On the Expansive Action of Steam in some of the Pumping Engines at the Cornish Mines. By William Jory Henwood, Esq., F.G.S., Secretary of the' Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, H. M. Assay-Master of Tin in the Duchy of Cornwall. 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The object of this work is to instruct the itttendaiits on the sick in what way they may best assist, not supersede, t/ie physician, and has been compiled by the author on account of his having continually observed that great ignorance prevailed on the subject, and that his efforts were frequently counteracted by injudicious conduct in his absence. THE MEDICAL GUIDE ; For the use of the Clergi,', Heads of Families, Seminaries, and Junior Practitioners in Medi- cine ; comprising a coniplete Modern Dispensatory and a Practical Treatise on the distin- guishing Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Cure, and Palliation of the Diseases incident to the Human Frame. By R. Reece, M.D., late Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of London, etc. 16th Edition, Svo. 12*. boards. ON RHEUMATISM IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS, And on the Affections of the Internal Organs, more especially the Heart and Brain, to which it gives rise. By R. Macleod, M.D. Physician to St. George's Hospital. 8 vols. 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