J94 
 
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 JULIA 
 
 DE 
 
 V I E N N E. 
 
 A NOVEL. 
 IN FOUR VOLUMES. 
 
 IMITATED FROM THE FRENCH, 
 BY A LADY. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN, 
 
 "ENGLISH AND FOREIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY; 
 CONDUIT-STREET, NEW BOND-STREET. 
 
 1811.
 
 
 B. CiARKE, Printer, Well-Street, London.
 
 io 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS, 
 
 His Royal Highness The Pinnae of Wales. 
 His Royal Highness The Duke of York. 
 HerRoyal Highness The Duchess of York. 
 Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. 
 
 Her Grace The Du- 
 chess of Devonshire 
 Earl O'Neill 
 Lord Vise. Folkstonc 
 Lord Borringdon 
 Ladj Bor.ingdon 
 Hon. Col O'Neill 
 Sir Beaumont Hotham 
 Lady Hotham 
 Sir Henry Wilson 
 Edm. Antrobus, Esq. 
 
 130461
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS 
 
 Mrs. Anderson 
 General Baker 
 Stephen Barber, Esq. 
 S. N. Barber, Esq. 
 Mr. J. Barber 
 Mr. E. Barber 
 John Conlson, E^q. 
 Mrs. Cameron , 
 John Day, Esq. 
 Mrs. Day 
 Miss Day 
 Mrs. Fitzherbert 
 Char.Greenwood,Esq. 
 Lieut. Col. Jackson 
 Charles Jones > Esq. 
 
 Col. M'Mahon, M. P. 
 Robert Morris, Esq. 
 
 M. P. 
 Mrs. Manners 
 Miss Manners 
 Miss Louisa Manners 
 Henry Plasket, Esq. 
 J. Pilton, Esq. 
 JamesRandolph, Esq. 
 CharlesWilliams, Esq. 
 Mrs. Williams 
 J as. Woodbridge, Esq , 
 Miss Wentworth 
 Mrs. Wilmot 
 Miss Wilmot,
 
 TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS 
 
 THE PRINCE OF WALES 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Your Royal Highness, ever 
 graciously disposed to patronize the 
 efforts of any individual, whose mo- 
 tives for exertion appear deserving of 
 approbation, has, by condescending 
 to permit the Dedication of this Work 
 to your Royal Highness, given it an 
 importance to which I am aware it 
 can in no other respect be entitled.
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 With the deepest gratitude for the 
 distinguished favo* which your Royal 
 Highness has deigned to confer on ine, 
 I venture to inscribe this my first at- 
 tempt to your Royal Highness ; and 
 have the honour to be, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 With the most profound Respect, 
 Your Royal Highness 's 
 
 Very obedient Servant, 
 
 THE AUTHOR.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNK 
 
 u You may do as jou please, ma- 
 dam/' said M. de Seligny to his wife, 
 who heard him with every appearance 
 of contempt : cc you may do as you 
 please ; but I repeat, my opinion is 
 against this marriage. ^ 
 
 " And who asks your opinion, sir ? 5 ' 
 replied Madame de Seligny with aspe- 
 rity. cc My daughter shall marry the 
 young Count de Montmorency ; it is 
 my pleasure ; the connexion is a suit- 
 able one ; and thank heaven her for- 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 tune is not so limitted as to oblige her 
 to become, like her mother, the wife of 
 a financier/' 
 
 C{ Permit me to ask you from whom 
 she obtains this fortune," retorted 
 M. de Seligny, shaking his head with 
 much self-importance. " The eighty 
 thousand livres per annum, which I 
 intend as her marriage portion, do not 
 come from your illustrious ancestors 
 I believe, madam; and a plodding man 
 of business like myself, as you are 
 pleased sometimes to call me, after 
 having spent his life in acquiring four 
 millions, may, I think, without much 
 vanity, place himself on a footing with 
 your gentlemen, whose only possessions 
 are their pedigree from Noah, pride, 
 and poverty/'
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. S 
 
 " Hold jour tongue, sir," exclaimed 
 Madame de Seligny. 
 
 To this imperious order (the effect 
 of which was always infallible on the 
 mind of the financier) he dared not 
 reply, but coughed, took out his 
 snuff-box, twirled it about with his 
 fingers, and then, whistling his 
 favourite tune, fixed his large un- 
 meaning eyes on the countenance of his 
 daughter, who was seated opposite to 
 him, and next to Julia d'Aubigny, the 
 niece of Madame de Seligny. 
 
 The conversation we have recited 
 had occurred in M. de Seligny's splen- 
 did carriage, drawn by six beautiful 
 English horses, and on the high road 
 from Paris to Tours. At a distance of 
 about two miles from the latter town 
 b2
 
 4 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 and on the border of the Loire, w as the 
 Chateau de St. Louis, where the family 
 were to pass the summer, and conclude 
 the union of Louisa deSeligny and the 
 young Count de Montmorency. 
 
 Louisa, after reflecting for some 
 moments, broke the silence that pre- 
 vailed in the carriage, by asking her 
 mother if the husband she intended for 
 her had a pretty face. {< Yes, my 
 dear," answered Madame de Seligny ; 
 ec and what is much better, by your 
 marriage with him, you will enjoy all 
 the advantages attached to an illustri- 
 ous birth, and you will be presented at 
 court/* 
 
 u Ah ! cousin," exclaimed the art- 
 less Julia, " how fortunate you are ! — 
 a handsome husband I and be presented
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 5 
 
 at court ! Heavens ! what a differ- 
 ence between your fate and mine ! for 
 I am to be shut up for ever in a cloister, 
 because I am a girl of quality without 
 fortune ! That is hard, very hard in- 
 deed/' she added in tears. 
 
 Madame de Seligny affected to com- 
 fort her niece, and already repented of 
 having yielded to her request of being 
 permitted to leave the convent, to pass 
 the summer at the Chateau de St. Louis. 
 Probably her regret was occasioned by 
 comparing the intelligent countenance 
 of Julia with the insipid face of 
 her daughter. She feared the young 
 Count de Montmorency might make 
 the same comparison ; and this appre- 
 hension ended in putting her out of 
 humour with the innocent Julia, whom 
 bS
 
 6 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 she desired, rather angrily, not again 
 to annoy her with complaints. 
 
 Julia obeyed, but with difficulty 
 suppressed her sighs. Louisa appeared 
 in no way affected by her cousin's un- 
 happiness ; not that she had a bad 
 heart, but it was impossible for her to 
 feel; and her intercourse with the 
 world had not yet rendered her suffici- 
 ently a hypocrite to feign a sensibility 
 she did not possess. 
 
 Her face, like her mind, was devoid 
 of expression, or character. In her 
 large pale blue eyes no meaning what- 
 ever was discoverable: her hair and 
 eye-brows were of the most insipid 
 flaxen. She was tall and thin, but her 
 form was totally destitute of grace ; 
 and notwithstanding the elegance of
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. / 
 
 her dress, which distinguished her 
 from her cousin, the latter, with her 
 simple short white frock, attracted 
 more attention than Louisa in her 
 flowing robe of magnificently embroi- 
 dered muslin. 
 
 Julia d'Aubigny, at sixteen, had 
 one of those faces it is impossible to 
 describe: her features, if judged of 
 singly, could not be called regularly 
 beautiful ; but they were altogether 
 so expressive, animated, and engaging, 
 that the most severe critic might have 
 found, even in their defects, something 
 to admire. Her dark eyes were not 
 large, but their expression was so 
 penetrating, affectionate, and modest, 
 that they were preferable to the finest 
 eyes in the world : a well-shaped nose, 
 b 4
 
 8 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 a dazzling complexion, and her bright 
 chesnut hair, excited much admira- 
 tion, no one perceived that her oval 
 face had not the exact contour of per- 
 fect beauty, or that her figure, al- 
 though fine, wanted the graceful ease 
 which adds so many charms to femi- 
 nine loveliness. 
 
 Julia was born at Vienne, an ancient 
 town of Dauphiny. She was the 
 daughter of Madame de Seligny's 
 sister, and lost her mother whilst still 
 in her cradle ; and in the following 
 year her father was naortally wounded 
 at the siege of Prague, in 1741. Be- 
 fore his death, he requested his bro- 
 ther, the Chevalier d'Aubigny, who 
 received his last sigh, to entreat the pro- 
 tection of her aunt for his little Julia, to
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE, 9 
 
 whom he left no other patrimony than 
 an illustrious name, and the hope of 
 some trifling pension, which he thought 
 his country could not refuse to services 
 that had cost him his life. Madame 
 de Seligny willingly took the charge 
 of her niece ; and having, after infinite 
 trouble, obtained an annual gratuity 
 o-f four hundred and fifty livres for the 
 little orphan, she placed her in the 
 same convent where her own daughter 
 was educating, strictly enjoining the 
 nuns early to inculcate in Julia's mind 
 such principles as would make her con- 
 sider the cloister her only asylum. She 
 promised to pay her dowry when Julia 
 became of a proper age to take the 
 veil; and she never afterwards saw her 
 niece, without reminding her of her po- 
 ll 5
 
 10 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 verty, and the destitute situation she 
 would have been reduced to but for 
 lier goodness. " It is for you, young 
 lady, to recompense me for my kind- 
 ness, by implicitly following my or- 
 ders/' added Madame de Seligny, 
 " always bearing in your mind, that if 
 you dare to disobey me, you have no- 
 thing to expect but the most abject 
 poverty and wretchedness. M 
 
 Julia kissed her aunt's hand, pro- 
 mised never to give her cause for dis- 
 pleasure; and during her childhood 
 these promises were made with since- 
 rity : but scarcely had she attained her 
 fifteenth year when she became gloomy, 
 absent, and thoughtful ; and whenever 
 Madame de Seligny addressed to her 
 the same sort of discourse, tears were
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 11 
 
 her only answer. Her disposition, 
 which had ever until now been remark- 
 ed for docility and sweetness, appeared 
 altogether changed. She was affected 
 by the slightest contradiction, and saw 
 in every remonstrance an intention to 
 wound her feelings and self-love, and 
 to reproach her with her poverty : even 
 the affection of her companions ap- 
 peared to her the result of compassion, 
 and she avoided their society. To 
 Louisa she was ever the same, because 
 she believed herself necessary to her 
 cousin; for that young creature, whose 
 supineness and indolence were extreme, 
 never took any step, or formed any re- 
 solution whatever, until she had first 
 obtained her cousin's opinion. 'Twas 
 Julia presided at her toilet, arranged
 
 12 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 the fashion of her cloaths, and the 
 colours most becoming to her ; and 
 Julia having naturally an elegant taste, 
 Louisa's style was always thought the 
 model of excellence. 
 
 Madame de Seligny, gratified by the 
 admiration bestowed on her daughter's 
 elegance, felt something- like gratitude 
 to Julia, for making her child appear 
 to the best advantage : she most 
 anxiously wished her to fascinate the 
 young Count De Montmorency, and to 
 this desire only was Julia indebted for 
 permission to accompany (hem to the 
 Chateau de St. Louis. 
 
 The hope ofleaving for some months 
 the convent, from which she had not 
 from her infancy been absent, restored 
 all Julia's vivacity. She was at length
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 13 
 
 about to know that world of which 
 she often heard so infatuating a descrip- 
 tion. — She should no longer see that 
 dismal governess of the novices, who 
 daily wearied her with lectures on the 
 invaluable advantages of a life de- 
 voted to religion. 
 
 "Ah!" exclaimed Julia, her eyes 
 glistening with delight, "the amiable 
 persons with whom I am going to 
 associate will speak a different lan- 
 guage; they will not think as my cruel 
 aunt does, that I ought to be buried in 
 a cloister, because I am poor ! who 
 knows but they may induce her to 
 change her intentions ; perhaps too 
 I may obtain permission to remain 
 with Louisa v*hen she is married/' 
 
 This idea made Julia start from
 
 14 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 her seat; she flew to her cousin's 
 apartment, kissed her repeatedly, with- 
 out being able to speak: at length 
 she so far succeeded in governing 
 her emotion as to give utterance to 
 her wishes. Louisa heard her without 
 being at all affected or moved by the 
 ardour of her cousin, and answered 
 he% with perfect calmness, that she 
 would speak about it to her mother. 
 The next day M. and Madame Seligny 
 took away their daughter and niece in 
 the same carriage we have already men- 
 tioned ; and accompanied by a post- 
 chaise, conveying the servants of their 
 suite, they took, as we before have said, 
 the road to the Chateau de St. Louis. 
 The family slept on the road, and 
 at an early hour in the evening of the
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. ]5 
 
 following day arrived at the end of 
 their journey. 
 
 When the carriage entered the ave- 
 nue leading to the castle, Julia could 
 not restrain a shriek of admiration. 
 
 " Heavens ! aunt, what a beautiful 
 house !" said she. " This M. de 
 Montmorency must be very rich to 
 inhabit so fine a palace ; and then this 
 park, these statues: oh, Louisa! 
 Louisa! do look at that round build- 
 ing all over gold, in the midst of the 
 trees ; it is surrounded by little bells, 
 which make the most delightful noise 
 in the world/' 
 
 " It is a Chinese temple," replied 
 Louisa, scarcely raising her eyes. 
 
 w What a lovely thing a Chinese 
 temple is 1." cried Julia,
 
 16 JULIA DE YILNNE. 
 
 4 
 
 Leaning out of the carriage window, 
 she continued to enumerate all the ob- 
 jects passing before her vision. Her 
 head was in continual motion. The 
 expression of her astonishment and 
 joy infinitely amused M. de Seligny, 
 and almost raised a faint smile on the 
 lips of his haughty wife; but she soon 
 regained her usual grave and austere 
 manners, ordered her niece to put a 
 period to her silly observations, and 
 above all to be careful not to exhibit 
 her convent ignorance in the presence 
 of those to whom she would shortly 
 be introduced. 
 
 The financier and his family were 
 received with extreme politeness by the 
 Countess de Montmorency, mother to 
 the young man for whom Louisa waff
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 17 
 
 intended ; but there was something so 
 repulsive in her manners — her physio- 
 nomy was so frigid and scornful, that 
 for the first time in her life, Louisa, 
 losing her natural apathy, took a de- 
 cided aversion to her future mother- 
 in-law. 
 
 As for Julia, she had not remarked 
 either the figure or manners of the 
 countess : entirely occupied by the 
 magnificence of the apartments, she 
 darted her looks of admiration and 
 surprise upon all the objects by which 
 she was surrounded. The beauty and 
 grandeur of the glasses, which from 
 all sides reflected the well executed 
 paintings on the cieling and pannels ; 
 the porcelain vases, filled with the 
 sweetest flowers, that decorated the
 
 18 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 chimney-piece — all appeared to her the 
 effect of magic and enchantment ; but 
 what most particularly attracted her 
 attention was a picture of Love Ado- 
 lescent. — A youthful cupid was leaning 
 against a tree, several arrows were 
 scattered at his feet, and he \va9 em- 
 ployed in selecting others from his 
 quiver. 
 
 " Oh ! dear aunt, what a most 
 beautiful St. Sebastian I" exclaimed 
 Julia ; " do come nearer to admire it ; 
 see how he seems to be playing with 
 the instruments of his martyrdom." 
 
 Bursts of laughter from all the 
 company a little disconcerted poor 
 Julia. She turned round rather 
 alarmed, but was completely con- 
 founded on perceiving a young man in
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 19 
 
 a hunting dress, who had just entered 
 the room, and whom she instantly re- 
 cognized as the original of the beauti- 
 ful St. Sebastian. She blushed, dared 
 not raise her eyes, and was motionless 
 on the place where she stood. 
 
 " Allow me, madam, the honour of 
 presenting my son to you/' said the 
 Countess de Montmorency to Madame 
 de Seligny. 
 
 The young man gracefully bowed ; 
 and when he advanced to address 
 Louisa, he cast a glance on Julia that 
 rendered her face and bosom quite 
 scarlet, and entirely disconcerted her, 
 
 A magnificent supper was served, 
 after which the ladies retired early to 
 their apartments, to recover from the 
 fatigue of their journey. On the next
 
 20 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 day all the families of consideration 
 in the vicinity, and many individuals 
 from the neighbouring towns, visited 
 the castle, on the invitation of the 
 Countess de Montmorency. In the 
 evening the front of the mansion and 
 the park were illuminated, and the 
 entertainment concluded with a ball; 
 indeed the countess spared no pains to 
 convince her guests of the happiness 
 she experienced in their society, for as 
 the fortune and expectations of Miss 
 de Seligny exactly suited the ambi- 
 tious projects she had conceived for 
 her son, she contrived in all ways to 
 please the family of the financier, 
 although for every member of it she 
 had notwithstanding a most perfect 
 contempt.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 21 
 
 Julia during the early part of the 
 evening- danced with the Chevalier de 
 Courcy, an intimate friend of young 
 De Montmorency. She experienced a 
 delirium of joy till then unknown to 
 her. The convent, and her fear of re- 
 turning to it, were soon erased from 
 her remembrance, and she gave herself 
 up with delight to the present moment. 
 
 Her face, animated by pleasure, ap- 
 peared more than usually attractive — 
 even the simplicity of her dress gave 
 her new charms. 
 
 " Oh ! the lovely creature!" was 
 exclaimed from all quarters ; f * Oh ! 
 what a lovely creature !" 
 
 Montmorency, although obliged to 
 converse with Louisa, looked only at 
 Julia: after dancing part of the evening
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 with Ins intended bride, he requested the 
 hand of the beautiful orphan, who, re- 
 collecting the incident of the preceding 
 day, blushed deeply on presenting it. 
 She soon, however, recovered from her 
 embarrassment, and thought of nothing 
 but the pleasure of dancing. Mont- 
 morency, enchanted with his pretty 
 partner, could not conceal his admi- 
 ration ; he expressed it with so little 
 discretion, that Madame de Seligny, 
 uneasy and discontented, retired at a 
 very early hour from the ball-room to 
 her apartment, ordering her daughter 
 and niece to follow her. 
 
 In ascending the great stair-case 
 Julia unconsciously accompanied in a 
 low tone the instruments in the 
 orchestra, and as she went on, hummed
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 23 
 
 the tunes that still vibrated on her 
 delighted ears; but her innocent 
 mirth was soon checked by her aunt 
 saying, in no very gentle key : — 
 
 t( Be silent, Miss d'Aubigny ; these 
 volatile, nay bold manners, do not at 
 all become a person who ought to con- 
 secrate herself to God. I shall for 
 ever condemn myself for my weakness 
 in having yielded to your entreaties of 
 accompanying us here ; be assured, 
 however, that you shall return to your 
 convent to-morrow/' 
 
 She then pushed the unfortunate girl 
 into the room prepared for her, shut 
 the door, and left her greatly dismayed 
 at her cruel intention. 
 
 "Alas!" cried poor Julia, "thus 
 vanish my anticipations of the happi-
 
 24 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ness I should derive from this visit; 
 to-morrow she will send me back — to- 
 morrow!" she repeated, and melted 
 into tears. <c I shall not assist at the 
 concert, nor shall I partake of the 
 pleasure they will have at the fishing 
 party. No! I shall see nothing* of all 
 these; every body will be amused and 
 happy, whilst I — I alone shall be in 
 tears. Happy, fortunate Louisa! 
 she added peevishly, " what have you 
 done that heaven allows you so many 
 privileges from which I am so cruelly 
 excluded?" 
 
 Julia, on entering the room, had 
 thrown herself into an arm chair, in 
 which she continued for some time 
 crying bitterly; soon, however, the 
 confusion of her ideas, and the fatigue
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 25 
 
 by which she was overcome, weighed 
 down her eye-lids, and she slept 
 soundly. 
 
 The sun had already penetrated 
 through the interstices of the Venetian 
 blinds suspended to the windows .of 
 her chamber when she awoke. A 
 violent head- ache was her first sen- 
 sation; but she forgot her pain in the 
 contemplation of her sorrows. After 
 deploring her unfortunate destiny she 
 determined on seeing her aunt. 
 
 " I will," she said, ""entreat her on 
 my knees to revoke the cruel sentence 
 that drives me nearly to desperation." 
 
 No sooner had she conceived this 
 plan than she hastened to execute it. 
 She left her own room, and with great 
 gentleness knocked at the door of 
 
 vol, i. c
 
 26 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Madame de Seligny's bed-chamber ; it 
 was in a few minutes opened by that 
 lady's waiting woman. 
 
 *' My God ! miss, what brings you 
 here at such an hour?" was the first 
 sentence addressed to the unhappy girl. 
 
 <e Dear Claudine, allow me to go in. 
 I wish to see my aunt. I must speak 
 to her this very moment." 
 
 " That is quite impossible,, miss/* 
 said Claudine, rubbing her eyes; 
 tc recollect, 'tis only seven o'clock, and 
 my lady would make a fine uproar if I 
 was to awake her so early." 
 
 * Claudine, she says I must return 
 to my convent this very day/' said 
 Julia, with tears in her eyes. " I know 
 she will send me away, and I shall not 
 pavtake of the delightful entertain-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 27 
 
 ments that will be given here in honour 
 of my cousin*s marriage." 
 
 (< My dear young lady," said Clau- 
 dine, quite softened, " what can you 
 have done to occasion my lady's dis- 
 pleasure ? I can tell you she is in- 
 deed very angry with you, for last 
 night, whilst undressing, she never 
 ceased scolding Miss Louisa, for say- 
 ing you ought to remain here. f No/ 
 said my mistress, e 1 have decided — 
 Julia shall go.* ' Well, mamma/ an- 
 swered Miss Louisa, 'then you have 
 only to send me with her, for I am 
 very Weary and low spirited here. The 
 Countess de Montmorency I absolutely 
 hate, and her son infinitely displeases me, 
 by his insupportable vivacity; there- 
 fore, if you deprive me of my cousin, 
 c2
 
 28 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 whose society I have been accustomed 
 to from my infancy, I know not what 
 will become of me.' f You are a fool,' 
 said my lady; she then added some- 
 thing in a whisper to Miss Louisa, 
 and ordered me to leave the room. 
 I will own to you, Miss Julia, 
 that my attachment to you rendered 
 my obedience very unpleasant, and I 
 did all in my power, by listening at 
 the door, to hear the remainder of the 
 conversation, but it was impossible; 
 and when my mistress rang the bell for 
 my return, she was alone. Miss Louisa 
 had retired to her own room/' 
 
 " My dear, dear Claudine, let me 
 speak to Louisa," cried Julia; " per- 
 haps she- has obtained of my aunt the 
 object I so ardently desire."
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. £9 
 
 " It really pains me to refuse you 
 any thing, Miss Julia/' Claudine an- 
 swered, " but I cannot obey you, for 
 you must pass through my lady's cham- 
 ber to go to that where your cousin 
 sleeps, and I received strict orders 
 yesterday not to enter the room till ten 
 o'clock. " 
 
 " Well/' said Julia impatiently, 
 " at any rate promise to come and tell 
 me when my aunt is visible/' 
 
 " Be assured I will not fail/" re- 
 plied Claudine, softly closing the door. 
 
 In sadness, Julia returned to hei 
 room; she opened her windows to view 
 the enchanting landscape before her. 
 The fresh and balsamic morning air 
 insensibly calmed her agitation, and 
 she resolved to walk in the park until 
 c3
 
 30 JULIA DE TIENNE. 
 
 the hour she could see Madame de 
 Seligny. 
 
 Uncertain which way she ought to 
 take, she, by chance, entered a magni- 
 ficent vista, the most distant trees of 
 which bent their tufted branches to 
 the brink of the Loire. She leaned 
 for some minutes against the gilded 
 balustrade that on one side bounded 
 the park. Here her own painful sen- 
 sations yielded to admiration of the 
 sublime scene which presented itself. 
 The river, sparkling with sun-beams, 
 irrigated on the opposite shore the 
 roots of many ancient willows, through 
 whose delicate foliage could be per- 
 ceived to a great distance fertile val- 
 leys, hillocks covered with wild flow- 
 ers, and several magnificent mansions,
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 31 
 
 the elegant architecture of which 
 formed a striking contrast with the 
 modest cottages, whose thatched roofs 
 were perceptible here and there 
 among luxuriant tufts of shrubs. 
 
 Julia could only withdraw her looks 
 from this enchanting prospect, to bring 
 back her attention to the beautiful 
 riven on the serene bosom of which 
 glided several light barges, conveying 
 provisions to the neighbouring towns, 
 whilst the fishermens' boats, motionless 
 on the water, seemed to be the emblem 
 of patience, calculating with fate. 
 
 Having for a long time contem- 
 plated the various landscapes of this 
 truly picturesque shore, Julia directed 
 her steps towards the interior of the 
 park, and reached a grove of lilacs, 
 
 € 4
 
 32 JULIA DE V1ENNE, 
 
 intermingled with Italian poplars, m 
 the centre of which was the Chinese 
 temple she had remarked on the day of 
 her arrival. The door of this little 
 building being open, she ventured in to 
 examine it more accurately. Glasses, 
 skilfully joined to each other, on which 
 were painted trees and flowers from 
 every quarter of the world, covered 
 the walls and ceiling. Seats of per- 
 fectly imitated green turf were ranged 
 around ; a carpet of the same material 
 richly enamelled with rural flowers 
 was spread upon the floor. In the 
 middle of this little rotunda was placed 
 a table of white marble, on which 
 Julia perceived a clarinet, and se- 
 veral books of music. 
 
 A deep sigh escaped from her bo-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. S3 
 
 som, when she recollected she must 
 that day leave a place which each hour 
 offered new subjects for her admiration 
 and regret. 
 
 Her heart was oppressed with sor- 
 row, and her eyes filled with tears; she 
 threw herself upon one of the green 
 seats, covered her face with her hand- 
 kerchief, and gave herself up to her 
 grief. She had remained for some 
 minutes totally absorbed in affliction, 
 when a slight noise attracted her at- 
 tention ; she arose in haste, and saw, 
 through her tears, the Count de Mont- 
 morency standing near the door, who 
 appeared to be observing her with sur- 
 prise and interest. 
 
 Julia, extremely disconcerted, and 
 still more displeased at being seen in 
 c 5
 
 34 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 a situation of mind her natural pride 
 would have made her anxious to con- 
 ceal from the eyes of a stranger., slightly 
 bowed to the count, and instantly left 
 the rotunda. 
 
 * Pardon me, I entreat you, madam/' 
 said the young man respectfully, " and 
 he assured no improper curiosity di- 
 rected my steps to this place, or de- 
 tained me in it. I came here for a 
 music book, left by me yesterday ; and 
 when I perceived the most lovely being 
 nature ever created ; when I saw her 
 tears, I could not withdraw myself, or 
 subdue the sensation which betrayed 
 me to your observation/' 
 
 Julia had proceeded some steps from 
 the Chinese temple, when she stopped, 
 and half turning towards the Count de
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 35 
 
 Montmorency, again bowed to him, 
 and continued on her way to the 
 Castle. Her heart beat with violence. 
 Shame and vexation had yielded to 
 pride. (f What will he conjecture from 
 the situation in which he saw me ?" 
 thought she, " he will assuredly guess 
 the truth. He will know they inhu- 
 manly send me away because I am 
 poor I He will feel for me. I shall 
 excite his pity, the pity of every one. 
 Great God ! am I not too, too unfor- 
 tunate." 
 
 At this moment she observed from 
 the walk she was crossing several 
 persons coming out of the castle, to 
 enjoy in the park a most beautiful 
 morning; and fearful of having more
 
 36 JULIA DE VIENNB. 
 
 witnesses of her agitation, she took a 
 less frequented path, and reached her 
 room, without having met any one on 
 her way. 
 
 Louisa was waiting for her. Indo- 
 lently reclined on an Ottoman, she 
 hardly turned her head on hearing 
 her cousin enter the room. Julia, 
 agreeably surprised at finding her^ 
 kissed her with much affection. 
 
 " Oh heavens ! my dear," said 
 Louisa, yawning, " I am dying with 
 fatigue ; this vortex into which I am 
 thrown is quite insufferable. I like 
 the calm and uniform life we led in the 
 convent a thousand times better, and 
 was I in your situation, I should be 
 very glad to be sent back to it."
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 37 
 
 " It is then decided/' exclaimed 
 Julia ; ee I must go, and Madame de 
 Seligny is inexorable.' ' 
 
 '.' No/' said Louisa, with perfect 
 apathy, ce you are to remain here, and 
 I have prevailed so far that you are 
 never to leave me if it gives you plea- 
 sure to be with me. I got up an 
 hour sooner than usual to tell you so." 
 
 <c Cruel Louisa," said Julia t smiling 
 through her tears, (( why not tell me 
 at once ? Is it then true, really true, 
 that I am not to return to the con- 
 vent V* 
 
 " Really true," replied Louisa. 
 
 " And I shall be permitted to re- 
 main always with you ?" 
 
 ff Yes," said Louisa, " but I do 
 not think," and she again yawned^
 
 38 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 u I do not think it will be here ; for 
 the husband they intend for me does 
 not please me, and his mother still 
 less than hlM/* 
 
 " The Count de Montmorency is 
 however very handsome/' replied Julia. 
 
 " That may be/' said Louisa, *' I 
 have not attended much to him. I 
 prefer his friend, the Knight of Malta, 
 whom I believe they call De Courcy, 
 and I am sorry to hear he leaves us 
 to-morrow. That Montmorency is 
 the most hair-brained giddy being 
 in existence ; he almost danced me to 
 death ; and yesterday he overwhelmed 
 me with fifty questions in a breath, 
 without giving me time to answer one 
 of them ; besides, he has an absence 
 of mind that is extremely unpleasant.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 39 
 
 for when I, in my turn, addressed my- 
 self to him, he replied without looking 
 at me, that you was the loveliest girl 
 he had ever seen in his life." 
 
 Here the conversation of the cousins 
 was interrupted by Claudine, who 
 came to tell Julia that Madame de 
 i>eligny desired she would immediately 
 attend her in her own apartment. 
 
 Julia obeyed; and found her aunt at 
 her toilet. Madame de Seligny, after 
 having dismissed her woman, said to 
 the young orphan, with much severity, 
 et I could not refuse my daughter the 
 favour she asked; but remember, young 
 lady, your stay here, nay indeed your 
 future fate will depend on your own 
 conduct. I am much dissatisfied at the
 
 40 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 coquetry you displayed in the ball-room 
 last night : I command you to have 
 no private conversation whatever with 
 the Count de Montmorency,, and I ex- 
 pect you most carefully to avoid an- 
 swering any questions he may put to 
 you. It is by modesty, and extreme 
 reserve, that you ought to distinguish 
 yourself. You seem to forget the 
 enormous distance fortune has placed 
 between you and most of the young 
 persons now here." 
 
 " You have said quite enough, ma- 
 dam/' said Julia, reddening with vex- 
 ation. (t You need not trouble your- 
 self to make me feel more acutely 
 the wretchedness of my dependant 
 situation. I shall always endeavour to
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 41 
 
 render myself worthy of those favors 
 I am perfectly aware I owe to your 
 compassion/' 
 
 t( Go, my dear," said Madame de 
 Seligny, a Utile softened, " goto your 
 room, and mind you take care that 
 Louisa is to-day dressed with more than 
 usual elegance/* 
 
 Julia retired with a heavy heart. 
 Never had Madame de Seligny spoken 
 to her so unfeelingly ; but the idea of 
 never returning to the convent, for 
 which she felt an invincible repug- 
 nance, soon dispersed her gloomy sen- 
 sations., and she redoubled her zeal and 
 eagerness to please Louisa, to whose 
 influence she attributed the fortunate 
 change in her aunt's intentions. 
 
 More than three weeks elapsed in
 
 42 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 the midst of every species of pleasure 
 and gratification. Julia, obedient to 
 the orders she had received from her 
 aunt, sedulously avoided De Montmo- 
 rency, and never walked alone in the 
 park, fearful of meeting him. The 
 young man with difficulty concealed 
 his vexation at her reserved conduct, 
 and each day increased his coldness 
 towards Louisa. Suddenly he became 
 gloomy, thoughtful, and when spoken 
 to, answered only by monosyllables. 
 Even Julia did not seem to interest 
 him. Instead of watching, as he had 
 hitherto done, for occasions to be near 
 her, he allowed many to escape, when 
 they might have conversed without 
 witnesses. 
 
 The lovely orphan at first felt sur-
 
 JULIA DE VIEN1ME. 43 
 
 prised at his altered planners. Soon 
 her surprise changed to anger, and an- 
 ger became sorrow; and she expe- 
 rienced a depression of spirits for which 
 she was unable to account. 
 
 Nature had bestowed on Frederic 
 de Montmorency a good and interest- 
 ing face, but the deep melancholy into 
 which he appeared to be plunged gave 
 an expression to his countenance, that, 
 in Julia's opinion, rendered him really 
 handsome. She sometimes ventured 
 to steal a look at him, but blushed if 
 their eyes met. She now became, in her 
 turn, grave, and full of thought- 
 dissatisfied with herself and every one 
 about her. 
 
 Her imagination, which had hitherto 
 painted the world and its pleasures in
 
 44 JULIA DE YIENNE. 
 
 the most alluring and vivid colours, 
 now presented to her nothing but the 
 perspective of miseries consequent on 
 dependance ; the imperious and un- 
 kind conduct of Madame de Seligny 
 and the severe injunction she had 
 received, never to have any conver- 
 sation whatever with De Montmo- 
 rency, incessantly recurred to her re- 
 collection. Ah ! thought Julia, ray 
 cruel aunt is not content to crush me 
 with humiliations, but she wishes me 
 to become odious to every one inclined 
 to feel interested for me, and the con- 
 duct she has forced me to assume has 
 but too well succeeded in rendering 
 me hateful to every body here. 
 
 Julia was incorrect in her judgment, 
 if she thought herself odious to all the
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 45 
 
 inhabitants of the castle, as will 
 shortly be seen ; but of all the pow- 
 erful sensations of the youthful heart, 
 that of self-love is the strongest and 
 most decisive. It substantiates the 
 shades that nature has assigned to 
 every character; and either decomposes 
 or regenerates the germs of our virtues. 
 Julia was high-minded, had sense 
 and penetration, possessed some cou- 
 rage, a little reason, and much argu- 
 ment; but her susceptibility was ex- 
 treme ; and the harshness and degrada- 
 tions with which, from her infancy, 
 Madame de Seligny had oppressed her, 
 gave to her character an appearance of 
 perverseness not natural t to it. Her 
 self-love was constantly receiving the 
 most cruel wounds ; therefore, any at-
 
 46 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 tention or kindness shewn to her ex- 
 cited first her surprise, then her sincere 
 gratitude. She had been highly flat- 
 tered by the admiration of the young 
 Count de Montmorency, and the ex- 
 pressions of ardent affection he used, 
 whenever he addressed her. They 
 were a homage to her charms, a triumph 
 till then unknown to her ; and the 
 change she observed in his manners 
 during the last few days had grieved 
 her beyond description. 
 
 De Montmorency, always anxious to 
 please her, and flying to execute her 
 slightest wish, might never have found 
 the way to her heart ; but De Mont- 
 morency became cold, reserved, insen- 
 sible to the delight of her presence ; 
 excited all her interest. She thought
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 47 
 
 his present conduct towards her was 
 occasioned bj her having tried to avoid 
 him ; and really afflicted at appearing 
 to him so very ungrateful, she could 
 with difficulty restrain the bitter re- 
 proaches with which she would, had 
 she dared, have loaded Madame de 
 Seligny. 
 
 Her mind being thus occupied by 
 De Montmorency, her imagination each 
 day presented some (till then unseen) 
 perfection in the young man, and pre- 
 disposed her heart to admit a sentiment, 
 ■which* it was decreed, was to decide her 
 fate for ever. She had become insen- 
 sible to the homage others paid to her 
 ^attractions, and even disdained to ob- 
 serve the marked predilection of one of 
 the Countess de Montmorency's rela- 
 tions, then an inmate of the family,
 
 48 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 whose estate was in the vicinity of the 
 Chateau de St. Louis. 
 
 M. de Rosinval, a Counsellor of the 
 Parliament of Paris, was about thirty- 
 six years old, had an income of fifty 
 thousand livres a year, possessed a fine 
 house superbly furnished in Paris., 
 besides his family seat in Touraine, 
 and had also a great deal of ready 
 money ; but it was impossible for any 
 human being to have a more disagree- 
 able, nay, disgusting face ; and his cha- 
 racter exactly matched the repulsive 
 exterior with which nature had af- 
 flicted him. Malicious, treacherous, 
 and revengeful, yet submissive and 
 cringing, when it suited his purpose, 
 no means, however depraved, were 
 considered unfair by him, if his object 
 Mas to succeed in any favourite pursuit.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 49 
 
 for feeling, honesty, and honour if they 
 ever did exist, were now extinct in his 
 cold calculating bosom. 
 
 With so few requisites to please, 
 M. de Rosinval paid an assiduous 
 court to all the pretty faces that pre- 
 sented themselves to his observation ; 
 but not one of them had as yet made 
 so deep an impression on his heart as 
 our heroine. 
 
 He followed her every where, was 
 always near her, stood behind her 
 chair when she worked, flew to get her 
 hat and gloves if she was inclined to 
 walk, paid her the most fulsome, insi- 
 / pid, and silly compliments on her per- 
 sonal beauty, &c. and was never in the 
 least discouraged by the freezing re- 
 ception she gave to his troublesome 
 
 officiousness. 
 
 vol. i. n
 
 50 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 One day, Julia, more than usually 
 wearied by the attentions with which 
 he incessantly annoyed her, had retired 
 to her own room to avoid his disgust- 
 ing conversation, where she was sur- 
 prised by the unexpected entrance of 
 Madame de Seligny. Alarmed at a 
 visit with which she had never until 
 now been honoured, Julia turned pale, 
 and trembled, fully expecting she was 
 fated patiently to endure some new 
 mortification. Venturing, however, 
 to look at her aunt, she was in a mo- 
 ment relieved from her apprehensions. 
 Never had her countenance appeared 
 so smiling; nay, it almost expressed a 
 sentiment of kindness. 
 
 " I come, my dear Julia, " said Ma- 
 dame de Seligny, et to congratulate 
 you on a piece of good fortune I very
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 51 
 
 little indeed expected for jcu. A man 
 of consequence, rich, of good morals 
 and manners, allied to the first families 
 in France,, indeed, altogether unexcep- 
 tionable, solicits your hand : I have 
 accepted his proposal with gratitude, 
 therefore prepare to meet him at the 
 aUar. We have determined that jour 
 marriage, and the union of the Count 
 de Montmorency and your cousin, shall 
 be celebrated on the same day. You 
 have a month in which to form a more 
 intimate acquaintance with your future 
 husband/* 
 
 During this conversation Julia's 
 colour had frequently varied ; at length 
 she said in a tremulous voice, c< May 
 I venture, madam, to ask the name cf 
 the person who has so highly honoured 
 
 me?" 
 
 d 2
 
 02 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 " Nothing can be more natural or 
 reasonable, my dear child/' replied 
 Madame de Seligny. " It is M. de 
 Rosinval." 
 
 cc M. de Rosinval!" cried Julia 
 with horror. " Great God ! is it pos- 
 sible !" 
 
 " Yes, himself/' said Madame de 
 Seligny. " I can readily imagine your 
 surprise, for certainly you never could 
 have flattered yourself with having 
 such a husband : to be sure he is not 
 handsome ; but you are so poor, your 
 situation *o precarious, that I cannot 
 conceive why he has condescended to 
 think of you." 
 
 " M. de Rosinval I" repeated Julia, 
 and dissolved into tears. 
 
 " What ftignifiei this childishness V 
 Madame de Seligny, reddening
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 53 
 
 with passion. It certainly well be- 
 comes you, indeed, to be difficult, be- 
 cause the man for whom I intend you 
 has not an agreeable exterior. Do 
 you forget, young lady, what you are' 
 and what you would be but for my 
 kindness ? However, I tell you that 
 you must either promise to marry 
 M. de Rosinval in one month, or you 
 depart this very moment for your con- 
 vent." 
 
 lc Oh ! madam/' cried Julia, kneel- 
 ing at her aunt's feet, " in pity do not 
 thus distress me : deign to recollect lam 
 the only child of your sister : for the 
 sake of her memory, which must be 
 dear to you, do not drive me to despe- 
 ration : grant me a little time., and do 
 not so peremptorily decide my fate." 
 d 3
 
 54 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Julia looked at this moment so 
 lovely, her tears gave to her counte- 
 nance an expression so affecting, that 
 Madame ds Seligny could not repress 
 a slight emotion of interest for the 
 poor orphan. 
 
 <c Rise, my dear niece/' she said, 
 turning away her head lest she should 
 be softened. " Rise, and do not thus 
 afflict yourself. If I was obliged to 
 place before you the picture of your 
 melancholy position, be assured my 
 only motive was anxiety for your wel- 
 fare. The marriage I propose is in 
 every way desirable; but it rests with 
 yourself to decide between that and a 
 convent. I will give you a week, du- 
 ring which you will make your final 
 election ; but I wish you fully to un-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 55 
 
 derstaud," she added, resuming her 
 austerity of manner, " that after the 
 eight days are expired, I shall not listen 
 to any objections, therefore reflect well 
 — the veil or M. de Rosinval." 
 
 And finishing these \vord§, she left the 
 room, without condescending to answer 
 her niece, who was entreating to be 
 heard for one moment. 
 
 'Ah!" exclaimed Julia, weeping 
 bitterly, " my choice is made; much 
 rather would I die than marry that 
 disgusting M. de Rosinval. Alas! 1 
 must become a nun, and for ever quit 
 the world and its..-." 
 
 She was about to add pleasures, but 
 De Montmorency only presented him- 
 self to her imagination ; and her tears 
 increased. 
 
 Whilst she was still under the influ-
 
 56 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ence of extreme sorrow, the dinner bell 
 obliged her to enter the room ; in which 
 the company was already assembled. 
 M. de Rosinval met her as usual at the 
 door, but instead of accepting his 
 offered hand, she drew back with a 
 sensation of horror, and trembling with 
 agitation, placed herself on a chair 
 next to De Montmorency. 
 
 Some minutes elapsed before she 
 dared to raise her eyes ; indeed she 
 was so entirely absorbed in her own 
 reflections, that she did not attend to a 
 word of the conversation of those 
 about her, A deep-drawn sigh struck 
 her ear; she turned her head and 
 started, on seeing Montmorency atten- 
 tively observing her. A crimson blush 
 coloured her cheek, when the count 
 addressing her in a low voice, said : — ■
 
 JULIA DE TIENNE. 57 
 
 €t Is it true that 3 ou are to marry 
 M. de Rosinval?" 
 
 Julia raised her eyes, and perceived 
 in his an expression of so much feeling, 
 affection, and melancholy, that her 
 tears would have again begem to 
 flow, had she not made a great effort 
 to controul an emotion which 
 Madame de Seligny would never 
 have forgiven. She stifled her sighs, 
 and replied, turning away her head : 
 " It is my aunt's will, she allows me 
 no choice but this marriage or the 
 veil." 
 
 De Montmorency made no reply 
 but instantly left the room. 
 He did not appear at the dinner table, 
 and the servant who had orders to an- ' 
 nounce its being served, returned, say- 
 d5
 
 58 JULIA DE V1ENNE. 
 
 ing the count was not in his apart- 
 ment, and he believed he* was gone 
 out. 
 
 Madame de Scligny seemed much 
 outof humour. The Countess deMont- 
 morericy encreased her attention and 
 politeness towards her, and was more 
 than usually kind to Louisa, who was 
 always seated at the table between her 
 son and herself. 
 
 She frequently, however, cast upon 
 Julia looks in which were depicted 
 vexation and anger, and she several 
 times spoke to her with acrimony and 
 unkindness. 
 
 The interesting orphan would have 
 given the world to escape from the 
 scrutiuizingobservation of her aunt and 
 the countess; but still more from the
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 59 
 
 officious attentions of M. de Rosinval, 
 whose affection of triumph and delight 
 was to her insufferable. 
 
 She took advantage of the earliest 
 possible moment to fly to her room, 
 where she gave herself up to her re- 
 flections, without obtaining courage to 
 determine how she ought to act in her 
 present difficult position ; but, not- 
 withstanding the real causes she had 
 for affliction, she experienced a calm, 
 an involuntary sensation of pleasure, 
 the source of which she was not long 
 in ascertaining: the recollection of the 
 count's looks, the lively interest he ap- 
 peared to take about her, made her 
 heart palpitate, and tended much to 
 lighten the burthen with which it was 
 oppressed.
 
 60 JULIA DE VIENNB. 
 
 She remembered the tone of his 
 voice, the emotion of his manner when 
 he spoke to her, and tried to account 
 for his sudden departure from the 
 dinner table. Very soon her mind was 
 occupied by him only, and M. de 
 Rosinval, Madame de Seligny, and the 
 convent were altogether forgotten. 
 
 She remained in this state for nearly 
 an hour, her thoughts dwelling on 
 every expression uttered by De Mont- 
 morency; when the chain of her ideas 
 was broken by Louisa, who entered 
 the room with a precipitation very 
 unusual to her. 
 
 "Ah, Julia/' said she, lt my mother 
 has been in such a terrible passion with 
 me, and as I could not recover myself, 
 after hearing her long sermon, which
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 61 
 
 has nearly tired me to death, I have 
 flown from her, to seek a little peace 
 with you." 
 
 " What is the matter, my dear 
 Louisa ?" said Julia, taking her 
 cousin's hand affectionately. " You 
 cannot doubt my friendship, and the 
 interest I shall ever take in whatever 
 concerns you." 
 
 " For God's sake!" replied Louisa, 
 throwing herself on a sofa, " allow me 
 a moment to breathe ; I am fatigued, 
 annihilated; the end will be an illness, 
 perhaps my death ; and then that De 
 Montmorency," she added with absence 
 
 of mind, "that De Moutmorencv ■ 
 
 don't you think my mother is \ery 
 hasty and passionate ?" 
 
 " Yes/' answered Julia, " but what
 
 62 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 was you saving about the Count de 
 Montmorency ?" 
 
 " Oh ! for heaven's sake/' exclaim- 
 ed Louisa, "don't let us spoak of 
 him ; for nearly one whole hour have 
 I been persecuted on this hateful sub- 
 ject, and I did nut come here to con- 
 tinue the tiresome conversation." 
 
 <c I only ask you for one word," re- 
 plied Julia, blushing ; * f was he with 
 you when you was thus tormented ?*' 
 
 (e No," said Louisa, tc he has not 
 returned since he vanished from the 
 dining-room, and that is exactly the 
 reason why my mother scolded me so 
 unmercifully : she asserts that I am 
 too cold in my manner towards him, 
 and says;I ought to be more affec- 
 tionate and lively ; and she gave me
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 63 
 
 I don't know how many reasons why 
 my conduct disgusts him ; but she 
 may talk — her favourite Montmorency 
 will never please me, and I do verily 
 believe I should be completely wretch- 
 ed if they force me to marry him." 
 
 " Dearest Louisa," cried Julia, 
 throwing herself into her cousin's 
 arms, and kissing her with affection ; 
 te dearest Louisa, but what will you 
 do if my aunt should absolutely insist 
 on this marriage I" 
 
 (( What will I do ? I will tell her— 
 I will represent to her — but in mercy 
 say no more about it; for I am really 
 overcome, and have besides a distract- 
 ing head-ache." 
 
 Julia encreased her attentions to- 
 wards her ccusin; never before had
 
 64 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 she expressed herself so tenderly, so 
 affectionately ; for during the re- 
 mainder of the day she called her 
 constantly her dearest Louisa, her best 
 friend ; made her lean on her arm when 
 they walked in the park, and never 
 quitted her for a moment. 
 
 The count remained absent all the 
 evening; the next day, and the one fol- 
 lowing elapsed, and still he did not ap- 
 pear : at length, on the morning of the 
 third, a carriage drove into the court 
 yard of the castle, and immediately 
 afterwards the Count de Montmorency 
 entered his mother's dressing room, 
 accompanied by a most elegant man, of 
 fifty, whose form was at once majestic, 
 striking, and noble. 
 
 The Countess de Montmorency was
 
 JULIA. DE VIENNE. 65 
 
 at her toilet ; she dismissed her attend- 
 ants, cast a most angry glance towards 
 her son, and respectfully curtsied to 
 his companion, without uttering a single 
 word. 
 
 " Faith, madam,'* said the latter, 
 bluntly, and without returning the 
 countess's salutation, " you must be a 
 good deal surprised at seeing me here, 
 for I had sworn never to enter your 
 doors, but my nephew begged me so 
 earnestly to come, that I could not re- 
 sist his entreaties ; besides he tells me 
 a marriage for him is in contemplation, 
 and I confess, I think it a little strange 
 the Baron de Montmorency, his fathers 
 brother, should not have been consult- 
 ed, as a preliminary measure. I have 
 not the slightest wish to meddle in your
 
 66 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 affairs, you may manage them as you 
 please ; that is your own concern ; but 
 by the living God, no one shall dispose 
 of my nephew without his own consent, 
 or if they do, he shall never see one 
 farthing of my property/' 
 
 And ending these words, the Baron 
 walked up and down the room with 
 hasty strides, not deigning to attend to 
 some insignificant expressions address- 
 ed to him by his sister-in-law. as her 
 apology for the conduct he complain- 
 ed of. 
 
 Mademoiselle de Senneville, at the 
 age of twenty, married the Baron de 
 Montmorency's eldest brother. This 
 union terminated an unfortunate law 
 suit, which for many years had divid- 
 ed the families of the husband and
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 6? 
 
 wife; both of them with equal fury con- 
 tended for the inheritance, to which each 
 had nearly an equal claim ; and neither 
 would yield a tittle of their pretension. 
 At length the court of justice having 
 recommended an arrangement between 
 themselves, as the most equitable ter- 
 mination to this long procrastinated 
 litigation, they decided after much 
 cavilling to arrange a marriage 
 between the heiress of one house., and 
 the eldest of the De Montmorency's 
 family. This union, formed on the 
 basis of pecuniary convenience, was far 
 from producing that happiness which 
 may be expected to result from a con- 
 nection founded on mutual esteem, at- 
 tachment, and above all, a conformity 
 of taste and character.
 
 68 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 The countess, selfish, vain, and 
 peevish, made her husband wretched : 
 his sensibility and extreme mildness 
 formed an exact contrast to the cold 
 indifference, and overbearing disposition 
 of his companion. He died five years 
 after this ill-assorted marriage, and left 
 the countess two children, a son then 
 four .years old, and a daughter who 
 did not long survive her father. 
 
 Madame de Montmorency, a widow, 
 and absolutely her own mistress, no 
 longer controuled the bad propensities 
 she inherited from nature. She alienat- 
 ed the hearts of all her husband's rela- 
 tions by her haughty character, and 
 imperious manners. The baron was 
 the only one of them with whom she 
 remained on terms.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 69 
 
 Married,, but childless, and sepa- 
 rated from his wife, who resided in a 
 convent at Blois, the baron pos- 
 sessed a very affluent fortune, which 
 was entirely at his own disposal. — 
 This the countess most anxiously wished 
 to descend to her son, and consequently 
 she was more cautious not to display 
 her bad disposition to the baron than 
 to other of her connections ; but when 
 she found him enthusiastically attached 
 to his nephew, and no longer feared 
 his chusing any other heir, she ceased 
 to constrain her conduct, and shewed 
 herself to him such as she really was. 
 The baron, whose biuntness of manner 
 almost amounted to rudeness, fre- 
 quently expressed, in no very gentle 
 terms, his opinion of his sister-in-law,
 
 70 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 and at last held her in such aversion, 
 that he swore never again to put his 
 foot in her house. 
 
 He had kept his word for ten years, 
 and would probably have maintained 
 his resolution during his life, had not 
 his nephew prevailed on him to relax 
 from his determination. His firmness, 
 or rather his obstinacy, could not stand 
 against the entreaties of Frederick de 
 Montrnorency : he resisted, however, 
 two entire days ; but on the third, 
 grumbling, scolding, and swearing, he 
 got into his carriage, and arrived at 
 his sister-in-law's, perfectly disposed 
 to remain in the same humour during 
 the period of his forced visit at the 
 castle. 
 
 Young De Montmorency had re-
 
 JUMADE VIENNE. 71 
 
 sorted to this step, so unpleasant to 
 his mother, only at the last extremity. 
 Persecuted by her, to consent to an 
 union with Louisa de Seligny, he had, 
 though in vain, successively employed 
 every possible argument to dissuade 
 her from supposing the intended mar- 
 riage would constitute his felicity. 
 
 " Of what importance are Miss de 
 Seligny's riches? 5 ' said he one day to 
 the countess, " I should a thousand 
 times prefer a wife, destitute of for- 
 tune, whosebeauty. sense, good humour, 
 and feeling heart, would make me ex- 
 perience in the bosom of my family 
 those blessings which alone are worthy 
 of being envied. Do you think, my 
 dear mother, this animated automaton, 
 whom you intend for my wife, will
 
 72 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ever realise the delightful idea I have 
 formed of an union founded on love 
 and reciprocal esteem ?" 
 
 tf A truce, I entreat you, Frederick, 
 to all this romantic bombast/' said the 
 countess, with ill humour. <s I have 
 given my word, you therefore will 
 marry Miss de Seligny. Nothing can 
 induce me to change my resolution. 
 You ought sir, to have made me ac- 
 quainted with these ridiculous a-.id sen- 
 timental scruples before I pledged my- 
 self to those people. You, until very 
 lately, appeared well disposed to obey 
 me. Indeed, it was with your own 
 consent I took the necessary steps in 
 this negociation. Do you flatter your- 
 self I shall now be weak enough to 
 pay any attention to these high-flown
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 73 
 
 notions you mistake for sentiment ? 
 No indeed, and I again desire you to 
 understand that this marriage will 
 either take place, or you must forget 
 you have a mother ; and only consider 
 me as an injured and highly irritated 
 individual, who wift find means to 
 make you repent of a fancy equally ill 
 placed and absurd. " 
 
 tt I am perfectly aware, madam/' 
 replied her son calmly, sc that you 
 have the power to disinherit me, but 
 be assured the fear of afflicting and 
 displeasing you would weigh much 
 more with me than the loss of fortune,, 
 and I should most readily sacrifice to 
 your wishes any thing but the happi- 
 ness of my life. I must now be al- 
 lowed to assert, most unequivocally, 
 
 tol. I. E
 
 74 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 that I never will be the husband of Miss 
 de Seligny." 
 
 " I see very plainly/' exclaimed the 
 countess, almost suffocated with pas- 
 sion, tc what has induced you to forget 
 the respect and duty you owe your 
 mother. That caeature Madame de 
 Seligny brought here with her has 
 turned your brain. But tremble for 
 her — this very day I will have her 
 driven from this house, and conducted 
 to a place where she may, at her lei- 
 sure, repent of having caused so much 
 trouble and confusion in my family." 
 
 " I know not, madam," replied De 
 Montmorency, with a sensation he 
 found it difficult to command, " I 
 know not on whom you beslow the 
 epithet of creature, but if 'tis Julia
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 75 
 
 D'Aubigny to whom you allude, a girl 
 both respectable and interesting, from 
 her birth and misfortunes, I declare 
 on my honour, she, in no way what- 
 ever, influences my resolution ; and 
 had she not accompanied her cousin 
 here, I should not have been less de- 
 termined never to accept of Louisa de 
 Seligny as a wife." 
 
 The countess, irritated to the utmost 
 degree, commanded her son instantly 
 to leave her. He obeyed the more 
 willingly from the fear that he might 
 betray to his mother the sorrow and 
 alarm she occasioned him, by her 
 threats against the innocent orphan. 
 He did not doubt her capability of 
 realising them, and he knew she had 
 an able auxiliary in Madame de Se- 
 e2
 
 76 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ligny, whose harsh and unkind conduct 
 towards her niece had not escaped his 
 observation. 
 
 Trembling, lest he should draw 
 down on Julia certain misery, he 
 thought it better to enclose in his 
 heart the sentiment with which she had 
 iospired him ; and it was at this period 
 he affected towards her that distance 
 and coldness already mentioned, and 
 which produced an effect on Julia very 
 different from the one he had reason 
 to fear. His mind, constantly occupied 
 by her, incessantly obliged to keep a 
 strict guard over himself, lest his af- 
 fection, which every day encreased, 
 should become apparent, Frederick de 
 Montmorency's sensations were un- 
 bearable. He had received from na-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 77 
 
 ture one of those dispositions which 
 revolt at, and become irritated by ob- 
 stacles. Careless when events accorded 
 with his whims, saon disgusted with 
 whatever he easily obtained, he was 
 indefatigable in the pursuit of any 
 object likely to escape him. Julia,, 
 from the first moment of their meet- 
 ing., had pleased him — indeed she was 
 the only female for whom he had felt 
 seriously interested : but from the mo- 
 ment he began to fear she would never 
 be his, he felt for her the most violent 
 and enthusiastic attachment, and 
 thought of nothing but the means by 
 which he could become the husband 
 of this adorable girl ; and no sacrifice 
 he considered too great to obtain a 
 blessing, the mere idea of which 
 e3
 
 78 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 filled his imagination with inexpressible 
 delight. 
 
 It will easily be perceived, that with 
 these sentiments poor Louisa de Se- 
 ligny must have become truly hateful 
 to him, and his veracity will be ob- 
 vious, in declaring to his mother that 
 he never would become her husband. 
 He was equally thought ful when he 
 added, that his resolution would have 
 been the same had he never seen 
 Julia. 
 
 De Montmorency, after well reflect- 
 ing on his situation, and still finding 
 the countess inflexible, determined to 
 have recourse to his uncle's influence, 
 to prevent a marriage to which he had 
 an unconquerable antipathy. He knew 
 how affectionately the baron regarded
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 79 
 
 him, and was well aware of his hatred 
 to the countess, and of the ardour 
 with which he would seize any oppor- 
 tunity of opposing her : he therefore 
 formed his plan,, which he intended to 
 execute in a few days, when the report 
 of the intended marriage of Julia and 
 De Rosinval alarmed him, and acce- 
 lerated his proceedings. 
 
 The baron received his nephew with 
 so much kindness, appeared so greatly 
 affected and delighted by his visit, that 
 the latter entertained the most sanguine 
 hopes for the success of his wishes : 
 but when he related his mother's in- 
 tentions, and mentioned the persecu- 
 tions he had endured, the baron was so 
 greatly enraged at the mystery she had 
 made of the projected marriage, that 
 e 4
 
 80 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Montmorency tried in vain to calm the 
 terrible explosion. 
 
 " How V cried the baron, ft marry 
 my nephew without telling me a word 
 of it, was there ever known such im- 
 pertinence. No ! by the great God, 
 this shall not be passed over. No, 
 no !" added he, stamping his foot, she 
 shall see if I am to be offended with 
 impunity. Ah ! my lady, I will teach 
 you to — I have means you little 
 dream of to revenge myself of you, 
 in a precious manner. I will employ 
 them too ; nothing shall prevent me — 
 rest assured of it. Yes, yes, be quite 
 sure " 
 
 " My dear uncle," said De Mont- 
 morency, interrupting him, " I be- 
 seech you to be calm ; I am quite
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 81 
 
 convinced my mother would not have 
 failed to write to you, had I given my 
 consent to this union. It is to en- 
 treat you to interfere with her, and 
 dissuade her from it, that I come to 
 you. In pity, see her, speak to her." 
 
 iC Speak to the devil/' said the ba- 
 ron, fC let me alone — what me ? I see 
 that woman ? Zounds, sir, I am your 
 most obedient and very humble ser- 
 vant. Go, and find where you can 
 the mediator you want, but to a cer- 
 tainty it will not be me/' 
 
 De Montmorency had recourse to 
 all the power he usually had over the 
 mind of his uncle to induce him to 
 hear reason ; but he could extract 
 from him no answer but imprecations 
 and threats. That entire day, and the 
 e 5
 
 82 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 next, were thus fruitlessly spent. The 
 young count, seriously afflicted, knew 
 not what further means he could em- 
 ploy ; after exhausting every expe- 
 dient, in a moment of anger he said, 
 *' Well, sir, I will no longer urge you. 
 I am going — you may enjoy by antici- 
 pation, my mother's triumph, when 
 she learns the success of my visit. 
 You and her are without doubt of the 
 same opinion, as you will not take one 
 step to extricate me from the misery of 
 marrying a woman 1 detest." 
 
 " What do you say, sir ?*' said the 
 baron, nearly choaking with passion — 
 €t a fine pack of nonsense you are tell- 
 ing me. Have I not for two days been 
 drumming in your ears that I would 
 make that woman repent her imperti-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 83 
 
 nence, and you wish now to persuade 
 me we are of the same opinion. Now, 
 nephew, tell me as quickly as you can, 
 if it is your intention to make me lose 
 my patience ?" 
 
 Frederick deMontmorency, who knew 
 his uncle, did not think it right to 
 make the least answer. He rang the 
 bell, ordered his horses, and seemed 
 busily employed in preparing for his 
 departure, whilst the baron, walking 
 up and down in great agitation, mut- 
 tered to himself, (C Me of the same 
 opinion with her ! I think as she does ! 
 He believes it— yes, that fellow be- 
 lieves it, on purpose to madden me. I 
 of her opinion!" 
 
 ct Sir," said De Montmorency, res- 
 pectfully approaching to take leave, "I
 
 84 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 pray you to pardon the step I have 
 dared to take; the kindness I have ever 
 experienced from you has alone autho- 
 rised it; but I see with infinite pain 
 that I have in the present instance cat- 
 culated too highly on your affection; 
 and I take with me the afflicting idea 
 of not having found in him whom I 
 love and reverence as the best of 
 fathers the indulgence and assistance 
 of a friend." 
 
 <e Vastly well. Now he is going/' 
 cried the baron, running after his 
 nephew; " Montmorency ! Frederick f 
 comeback. What in the devil's name 
 has stuffed it into your head that I am 
 changed towards you ? Don't you do 
 with me just what you please ? Have 
 I ever refused you any thing ? Say,
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 85 
 
 dare you to say one word to the con- 
 trary?" 
 
 " Until this moment/' replied De 
 Montmorency, " you have been the 
 best, the most affectionate of friends : 
 but dearest uncle, he added, with en- 
 creased dejection, cc you abandon me 
 under circumstances where your friend- 
 ship and protection are more necessary 
 to me than ever, and that it is which 
 inexpressibly afflicts me." 
 
 tc Don't afflict yourself, my boy," 
 said the baron with emotion, " don't 
 afflict yourself: let us hear what it is 
 you want me to do ; I will readily 
 undertake any thing so that you do 
 not require me to go to your mother's. 
 I will take any measure you direct. 
 Now I hope you are contented. "
 
 86 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 " I thank you, dear uncle/' replied 
 De Montmorency, <e for your expres- 
 sions of kindness, but all will be use- 
 less ; for as you decline seeing my 
 mother, I know no way of avoiding 
 the misfortune I dread." 
 
 " Zounds, sir, did I not tell you I 
 would not go?" cried the passionate 
 baron ; fC I repeat positively I will not 
 
 go." 
 
 De Montmorency urged his request. 
 
 The baron became more enraged, 
 swore, stamped, and ended by order- 
 ing his carriage, when he saw his 
 nephew was a second time approach- 
 ing him to take lea^e." 
 
 ct That woman and me of the same 
 opinion !" he still repeated on getting 
 into the carriage. " You will see,
 
 JULIA. DE VIENNE. 87 
 
 nephew, you will soon see if we are of 
 the same opinion. " 
 
 As the young count most ardently 
 wished it, he allowed his uncle to con- 
 vince him that nothing on earth could 
 make him think the countess right ; 
 and in this disposition they arrived at 
 the castle — the one scolding and 
 threatening, the other politely listening 
 to the detail of the several means they 
 were to use in order to prevent the 
 intended marriage. 
 
 When they entered the countess's 
 apartment, she appeared, as we have 
 already said, more displeased than 
 surprised at this visit. Her son's con- 
 duct during the last few days, and his 
 sudden departure, had made her 
 readily guess he was gone to interest
 
 88 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 his uncle in bis favour. Determined 
 not to vary from her plan, she quietly 
 awaited the result of a proceeding 
 which did not occasion her the slight- 
 est uneasiness; but as she cordially 
 detested her brother-in-law, she could 
 not again see him without experi- 
 encing a sensation of ill humour she 
 could with difficulty conceal. 
 
 s( Well, madam," said the baron, 
 " will you at last condescend to enu- 
 merate all the brilliant advantages that 
 will result to my nephew from this 
 intended marriage?" 
 
 i( I am not accountable to any per- 
 son, sir," coldly replied the countess, 
 ff and when anyone dares to interro- 
 gate me thus imperiously, contempt 
 is my usual answer."
 
 JULIA DE VlENNE. 89 
 
 "Very well/' answered the baron, 
 trembling with passion ; u very well, 
 madam : you drive me to extremes — 
 'tis what I fully expected ; but know, 
 madam, it is in my power to ruin 
 you, to destroy you past recovery, 
 and- *» 
 
 es Leave the room, Frederick," said 
 the coutess, turning pale; "it is un- 
 necessary you should be a witness to 
 the impropriety with which your 
 mother is treated ; besides I wish to 
 converse with the baron alone/' 
 
 Her son obeyed, and retired to his 
 own room, where he awaited with an 
 anxiety no words can describe the re- 
 sult of a conversation on which in all 
 probability depended the happiness of 
 his life.
 
 90 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Julia was not less agitated. She had 
 seen De Montmorency arrive, accom- 
 panied by a gentleman, whose person 
 she was totally a stranger to. She 
 knew they were both closeted with the 
 countess, and would have given the 
 world to learn the subject of their 
 conference. At length, not being able 
 to subdue her uapleasant sensations, 
 she determined to walk in the park. 
 Certain of not meeting the count, she 
 penetrated into the thickest part of the 
 wood, to avoid the heat of the sun, 
 which was intense, and to reflect with- 
 out interruption on her sorrows. 
 
 She had slowly and pensively saun- 
 tered for nearly an hour in one of the 
 most retired walks, when suddenly 
 she perceived De Montmorency in a
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 91 
 
 path that crossed the Vista she was 
 about to enter. 
 
 On seeing him her first sensation 
 was terror. She recollected Madame 
 de Seligny's prohibition, and hastily 
 retraced her steps. 
 
 " Stop/' said De Montmorency, 
 hastening after her ; t§ in mercy do not 
 fly me; allow me to enjoy the only 
 moment my cruel destiny has as yet 
 permitted me." 
 
 Julia, confused, perplexed, not 
 knowing how to act, involuntarily 
 slackened her pace, turned her head, 
 cast" a timid glance on the count, and 
 perceived in his looks an expression of 
 so much anxiety and affection, that she 
 cast down her eves and stopped; but 
 the fear of being accused (and with
 
 92 JULIA DK VIENNE. 
 
 reason) of disobedience to her aunt's 
 orders, soon restored her courage, and 
 she continued to walk onwards as fast 
 as the excess of her perturbation 
 would allow. 
 
 ce No ! you shall not thus leave me * M 
 cried de Montmorency, who had join- 
 ed her. " No V* he repeated, seizing 
 one of her hands, which he conveyed 
 with rapture to his lips ; " lovely 
 Julia ! you who are the only object of 
 my best affections, the possessor of my 
 heart, you will not refuse to listen for 
 one moment to him who is for ever 
 devoted Ho you." 
 
 " Leave me, sir," said Julia, assum- 
 ing a severity of manner very foreign 
 from her sensations ; cc do not render 
 it necessary for me to express the in-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 93 
 
 dignation I feel at the language I have 
 just heard. You doubtlessly have 
 forgotten the sacred tie by which your 
 family and mine will soon be united," 
 
 ' e In mercy do not name that hateful 
 tie/' said the count; f ' never, never 
 will I consent to become the husband 
 of Louisa de Seligny. I swear it at 
 her feet to whom only I will be unit- 
 ed! and with these words he threw 
 himself on his knees, notwithstanding 
 the efforts of Julia to prevent him. 
 
 " Oh, sir ! do not remain here I 
 implore you/' she repeated greatly af- 
 fected; cc I should be irretrievably lost 
 if we were to be seen together. " 
 
 She endeavoured to leave him, but 
 the count took hold of her gown and 
 detained her, saying : —
 
 94 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ''Julia! my beloved Julia! stop 
 only for one instant — say you do not 
 hate me ; tell me you would un- 
 reluctantly become my wife — the 
 adored partner of my existence ! 
 
 You do not yet know you are 
 
 not aware that my uncle Ah ! 
 
 let me read my destiny in those dear 
 eyes — do not turn away from me, 
 Julia." 
 
 " You will soon marry my cousin, 5 ' 
 replied Julia, in a voice scarcely audi- 
 ble, "and I shall be wretched/' 
 
 "Great God! I thank thee/' ex- 
 claimed De Montmorency, almost 
 frantic with emotion ; tf Julia will be 
 wretched — wretched at seeing me the 
 husband of her cousin. That con- 
 fession is enough, Julia— all I wish 
 for."
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 95 
 
 The lovely girl tried in vain to give 
 a different meaning to the words that 
 had just escaped her. Montmorency, 
 delirious with joy, heard nothing, and 
 gave himself up to the most noisy 
 transports. Julia, much affected and 
 softened by the ardent expressions of 
 her lover's attachment, consented to 
 remain with him a little louger, and 
 very soon gave him a candid descrip- 
 tion of the state of her heart. She 
 also informed him of Louisa's repug- 
 nance to the marriage arranged 
 between the two families. This last 
 explanation encreased the extravagant 
 joy of the now almost wild De Mont- 
 morency. 
 
 " Divine, heavenly Louisa !" he re- 
 peatedly exclaimed. " My Julia, we
 
 96 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 shall be happy. Yes, Julia will be 
 mine!" 
 
 After a conversation of two hours, 
 which passed away with the rapidity 
 of lightning, they left the green bank 
 on which they had been seated, and 
 were about to proceed towards the 
 castle, when their attention was attract- 
 ed by a rustling noise in a little shrub- 
 bery close behind them. Julia turned 
 pale, and motioned to the count to 
 leave her. The alarm she experienced 
 almost deprived her of the power to 
 move. She, however, advanced two 
 or three steps, then stopped to recover 
 her respiration, and again attentively 
 listened. She ventured to look behind 
 her, Montmorency was out of sight, 
 and she could perceive nothing to
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 97 
 
 cause her the slightest uneasiness. 
 Her confidence having in some measure 
 returned after this examination, she 
 continued on her way to the mansion, 
 endeavouring to persuade herself the 
 noise she had heard was occasioned by 
 some wild animal, who had from its 
 isolated situation elected on that spot 
 as its place of retreat; but scarcely 
 had she reasoned herself into security, 
 when she was once more thrown into 
 the same state of alarm, by hearing a 
 similar noise close to her. She started, 
 turned her head quickly round, and 
 perceived M. de Rosinval, who was 
 creeping along the path which run 
 parallel with, and was by a hedge 
 divided from the road she was taking. 
 He seemed gloomy, full of thought, 
 vol. i. p
 
 98 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 and did not appear to remark Julia, 
 who, pale and trembling, was leaning 
 against a tree, following with her eyes 
 the hurried steps of him whom she 
 doubted not had been listening to her 
 conversation with De Montmorency. 
 
 ft Oh ! I am for ever undone!" 
 thought poor Julia ; cc this odious man 
 will certainly communicate to my aunt 
 all he has heard." 
 
 Overcome by the crowd of painful 
 feelings this idea gave birth to, she 
 remained motionless on the spot where 
 she had stopped. Having in vain re- 
 sorted to her mind for expedients by 
 which she could avert the impending 
 evil, she at length resigned herself 
 to her fate, and in desperation proceed- 
 ed towards the castle, which she
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 99 
 
 reached at the same moment with M. de 
 Rosinval. 
 
 This gentleman did not now appear 
 in that austere and gloomy humour 
 she thought she had observed on his 
 countenance whilst crossing the park,, 
 but with his usual eagerness to pay 
 her every attention, preseuted his 
 hand to conduct her to the drawing- 
 room. Julia, surprised and disconcert- 
 ed, blushingly accepted it, and allowed 
 him to lead her to a sofa, on which 
 she seated herself, almost stupified by 
 the events of the morning. Madame 
 de Seligny was netting at the window, 
 who, perfectly satisfied at Julia and 
 M. de Rosinval entering the house 
 together, attributed her niece's blushes 
 aup! confusion to the modesty and dif- 
 f2
 
 100 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 fidence natural to a young female 
 when she for the first time hears the 
 man intended for her husband express 
 his sentiments of regard and affection. 
 She with much kindness asked her 
 niece if she had taken a pleasant walk. 
 
 Julia, still more disconcerted by this 
 question, reddened excessively ; and 
 looked on the ground, without daring 
 to say a word. 
 
 " Do not interrogate Miss Daubig- 
 ny, madam/' said M. deRosinval; 
 " permit me to reply instead of her; 
 and assure you that she is not dissa- 
 tisfied with the conversation she has 
 just had with a man who M 
 
 " Sir," said Julia, interrupting him 
 in terror, " I venture to believe you 
 will not be so very indiscreet as to 
 say — to own — thai "
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 101 
 
 The words expired on her lips, and 
 she almost fainted. 
 
 " Well, well/' said Madame de 
 Seligny, " do not be alarmed, my 
 dear ; I will not try to dive into your 
 secrets. If you have chosen M. de 
 Rosinval for a confidant, and he is 
 satisfied, that is quite enough for me/' 
 
 M Oh, very much satisfied indeed," 
 replied M. de Rosinval, ironically; 
 " yet if the charming Julia will con- 
 descend to grant me a few moments 
 more of her conversation, probably she 
 also may be satisfied with what I have 
 still to say to her : on these terms she 
 may confidently rely on my discre- 
 tion. 5 ' 
 
 Julia fixed a look on M. de Rosin- 
 val's face, which at once expressed 
 f3
 
 102 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 astonishment, fear, hope, and above all, 
 curiosity. 
 
 cc I hope you will not mind me," 
 said Madame de Seligny; " you can 
 both converse as freely as if I was not 
 here,, for I give you my word I will 
 not even try to hear your discourse." 
 
 M. de Rosinval seated himself close 
 to Julia: he had, against her will, 
 placed one of her hands between both 
 of his, and had begun some words in 
 a low voice, when the door opeued, 
 and the Countess de Montmorency, ac- 
 companied by her son and her brother- 
 in-law, entered the room. 
 
 The young count seemed surprised 
 and vexed at seeing M. de Rosinval 
 familiarly sitting so near to Julia ; and 
 Lis displeasure increased on noticingthe
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 103 
 
 attention with which she appeared to 
 listen to him. One glance had sufficed 
 for this observation, as Julia, on the 
 countess's entrance, had instantly risen 
 to pay her the compliments of the day, 
 whilst she acknowledged by a graceful 
 courtesy the profound salutation of 
 the baron. 
 
 " This, without doubt, is my future 
 niece ? " said the baron, looking at Julia 
 with admiration. 
 
 " No, sir," replied Madame de 
 Seligny, drily, to whom the countess 
 had just presented her brother-in-law ; 
 <( my daughter is not here at this 
 moment. The young person you see 
 is an orphan without fortune, whose 
 position would have been truly wretch- 
 ed and destitute but for my kind-
 
 104 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 " Faith, madam," said the baron, 
 bluntly; tc nature has most amply in- 
 demnified her against the unkindness 
 of fortune; for I defy any thing to be 
 more lovely. " 
 
 Madame de Seligny bit her lips, cast 
 a look on Julia replete with anger 
 and every bad passion, and reseated 
 herself, without answering the coun- 
 tess's inquiries as to the absence of 
 Louisa, who, at the moment her name 
 was a second time mentioned, entered 
 the room, and carelessly approached 
 her mother, after making a very 
 awkward courtesy to the baron, who 
 bowed to her in silence. 
 
 The Count de Montmorency, in a fit 
 of abstraction, was standing inanimate 
 as a statue behind the couutess's 
 chair; but on steiug Louisa, he
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 105 
 
 advanced, and offered her a seat : he 
 then placed himself opposite to Julia, 
 whom he affected, however, not to 
 look at, but seemed attentively ex- 
 amining the baron and his mother ; 
 trying to read in their countenances the 
 result of their private conversation. 
 
 This scrutiny was fruitless, as far as 
 regarded the countess, on whose face 
 he could not perceive the slightest al- 
 teration; butthe baron appeared greatly 
 agitated, and De Montmorency would 
 have given the world to obtain a 
 private conference of only five minutes 
 with him. 
 
 After an insipid conversation, in 
 which the baron took no part, but re- 
 mained sullenly silent ; they adjourned 
 to the dining-room. Montmorency, 
 f5
 
 106 JULIA DE VIENNE, 
 
 whilst offering his hand to Madame de 
 Seligny, overheard M. de Rosinval say 
 to Julia in a very low voice : — 
 
 (< Recollect what you have promised 
 me— precisely at five o'clock, in the 
 Chinese Temple, I shall expect you." 
 
 " Yes," replied Julia, " you may 
 rely on my punctuality." 
 
 Frederick de Montmorency started, 
 changed colour, and so entirely forgot 
 himself, that instead of giving his hand 
 to Madame de Seligny, he presented it 
 to the haron, who instantly took it, 
 drew it under his arm, and dragged 
 his nephew out of the room, saying: — 
 
 " But, my good fellow, you did not 
 tell me that this young woman they 
 intend for you will have four millions : 
 you never named the eighty thousand
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 107 
 
 livres a year. The devil! four millions! 
 I can tell you that is something, and 
 deserves mature consideration/' 
 
 Cf Perfidious creature !" said Mont- 
 morency, muttering to himself — " per- 
 fidious, treacherous woman ! she has 
 basely sported with me : precisely at 
 five o'clock she will meet him in the 
 Chinese Temple." 
 
 " Whatthedevil are you saying about 
 the Chinese Temple ? " cried the baron, 
 tf Nephew! Montmorency! Frederick ! 
 are you mad ?" 
 
 " We shall see/' said the count, 
 <( we shall see ; but certainly I will not 
 be her dupe." 
 
 " I don't wish you to be her dupe," 
 replied the baron; ct but I say the 
 matter is worthy of reflection. , '
 
 108 JULIA DE VIENNA. 
 
 The rest of ihe company coming in 
 interrupted this strange conversation. 
 After dinner the baron made many at- 
 tempts to draw his nephew into fami- 
 liar discourse, but not one rational 
 word could he extract from him ; and 
 the displeasure he felt at his nephew's 
 unaccountable manner greatly increas- 
 ed, when on hearing five o'clock 
 strike, the latter abruptly left him, 
 whilst in the midst of a speech, intend- 
 ed to convince the young man that 
 although he was far from being of the 
 same opinion with the countess, he 
 nevertheless thought a girl with four 
 million of money ought not to be re- 
 jected with levity. 
 
 " I wish the de\il had you," said 
 the baron, running after De Montmo-
 
 JULIA DE VTENNE. 109 
 
 rency. <e Zounds, sir, you made me 
 come here against m> will ; and this 
 is the way I am served when I speak 
 reason/' 
 
 The count was already too far dis- 
 tant to hear a word said by his uncle. 
 Enraged and jealous, he could not 
 command himself. He flew with the 
 rapidity of a dove, and did not stop to 
 take breath until he reached the 
 Chinese Temple : he then placed him- 
 self in the midst of a tuft of evergreens, 
 that shaded, one of the windows of the 
 little building, and from whence he 
 could unobserved hear all that was 
 said in its interior. K :•_, thus conceal- 
 ed, listened attentively for more than 
 five minutes; a perfect silence reigned 
 around him; he ventured to look
 
 110 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 through the branches into the temple, 
 but saw no one, and was just leaving 
 his retreat, when a slight agitation of 
 the leaves a few paces from where he 
 stood ascertained the approach of those 
 he expected. Julia was walking slowly, 
 leaning on De Rosinval's arm. She 
 seemed extremely attentive to what he 
 was saying; but their discourse was 
 carried on in so very low a tone, that 
 he could not distinguish a word of it. 
 When they had both crossed the path 
 that surrounded the shrubbery, in which 
 he had concealed himself, the latter 
 once more divided the branches to 
 observe their footsteps, and had very 
 nearly betrayed himself, when he saw 
 Rosinval kneeling to Julia, and kiss- 
 ing her hands with apparent devotion.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNK. Ill 
 
 A convulsive shivering seized De 
 Montmorency at (he sight ; he anathe- 
 matized all women, and cursed himself 
 for having for one instant been the dupe 
 to that artless and ingenuous manner 
 which so peculiarly distinguished 
 Julia. He mentally bestowed on her 
 all the epithets his indignation and 
 jealousy could suggest, and quitted 
 his retreat with the same caution he had 
 entered it. He reached the castle 
 firmly persuaded that contempt and 
 indifference had superseded in his 
 mind the admiration and delight with 
 which he had hitherto regarded Julia. 
 Yet, notwithstanding this conviction, 
 instead of returning to the drawing- 
 room, he shut himself up in his own 
 apartment, and resigned himself des-
 
 112 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 pairingly to his bitter disappointment, 
 a thousand times repeating that he no 
 longer loved Julia. 
 
 Having thus succeeded, as he 
 thought, in ascertaining the nature of 
 his sentiments, he went down stairs, 
 fully determined to humiliate and 
 mortify the being to whom he had on 
 that same morning professed the most 
 ardent and unalterable affection. 
 
 Julia was seated between the baron 
 and M. de Rosiuval : the deepened 
 colour on her cheeks gave to her eyes 
 a more than usual brilliancy ; her 
 beautiful brown hair, partially 
 escaped from the light blue net thai 
 gracefully confined it, waved in light 
 curls on her forehead and shoulders. 
 
 She had taken off the chip hat she
 
 JULIA DE V1ENNE. 113 
 
 generally wore when walking, and 
 seemingly absorbed in her own reflec- 
 tions;, was employed in arranging its 
 bending plumes the wind had discom- 
 posed. Never had she appeared to De 
 Montmorency so lovely. He was struck 
 by the expression of unhappiness 
 evident on her countenance ; he felt 
 affected, and his sentiments of regard 
 were rapidly returning, when unfor- 
 tunately for Julia, she smiled at some 
 words addressed to her by M. de Ro- 
 sinval. The count instantly recollected 
 the assignation in the park ; the idea 
 renewed his disgust, and during the 
 remainder of the evening he devoted 
 himself entirely to Louisa. 
 
 Madame de Seligny and the countess, 
 agreeably surprised at this change of
 
 114 JULIA DS VIEXNE. 
 
 conduct, were perfectly good humour- 
 ed, whilst Julia, on the contrary, who 
 remaned with pain and astonishment 
 the count's frigid and unkind behaviour 
 towards herself, with difficulty re- 
 frained from tears. She several times 
 in the course of the evening endea- 
 voured to g;et near him, as if anxious to 
 communicate something of moment; 
 but De Montmorency affected to avoid 
 her with so much unkindness, that she 
 relinquished the hope of speaking to 
 him, and could scarcely conceal her 
 vexation at his extraordinary change of 
 manners. 
 
 The baron was sullen and silent, yet 
 his countenance brightened each time 
 he looked at Julia; he benevolently 
 smiled on her, and nodded his approba-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 115 
 
 Hon of all she said ; but whenever he 
 examined the other persons about him, 
 he became gloomy and dissatisfied, and 
 at length, not being able any longer to 
 subdue his fit of ill-humour, he abrupt- 
 ly rose from his chair, took his 
 nephew by the arm, and drew him 
 towards the window. 
 
 ef I beg, sir, you will be pleased to 
 tell me," cried he, "what Iambrought 
 here for ? Do you take me for a man- 
 darin, merely to be stuck up in your 
 mother's drawing room ? Zounds, sir, 
 you never ceased tormenting me until 
 I came to this infernal house. You 
 told me the happiness of your existence 
 depended upon my efforts to break off 
 this projected marriage; I sacrificed 
 for you my just resentment ; I came.
 
 .116 JULIA DE V1ENNE. 
 
 I spoke to your mother, I even induced 
 her not to terminate any thing without 
 my consent. I want to explain all 
 these matters to you, and instead of 
 attending to me, you talk like a mad- 
 man, and fly from me in the middle of 
 my speech : you then return, and appear 
 so devoted to the woman you pretend to 
 hate, that it is impossible to drag you 
 from her. I only ask you, if all this is 
 not enough to provoke the most phleg- 
 matic man, and whether you suppose 
 the patience of a saint could endure 
 such conduct ?" 
 
 " Speak lower, my dear uncle, said 
 De Montmorency, much agitated ; 
 u you perceive we are observed, and I do 
 notwish the subject of our conversation 
 to be known."
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 117 
 
 " I care very little who hears us," 
 cried the baron, raising his voice; 
 " what I have to say requires no 
 mystery. I only beg, sir, to make 
 you my bow/' he added ironically, 
 iC and to be permitted to take my 
 leave." 
 
 <( Uncle/' replied De Montmorency, 
 stopping the baron ; <c dearest uncle, 
 in mercy hear me ; allow me to accom- 
 pany you to the terrace, where we can 
 converse with more freedom/' 
 
 The baron resisted, and got so 
 angry, that De Montmorency, who 
 seriously feared the effect of one of 
 those dreadful paroxysms of passion to 
 which he was subject, took his hand, and 
 although agaiiist his will, succeeded in 
 hurrying him out of the room,
 
 118 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 They were .absent about an hour, and 
 on their return a perfectly good under- 
 standing seemed to prevail between 
 them. Dc Montmorency again placed 
 himself by Louisa, but without any ap- 
 pearance of that solicitude to please he 
 had before affected towards her. He 
 was dull and dejected; but the baron, 
 who vvas in an excellent humour, re- 
 doubled his attention to Julia ; the 
 reiterated proofs he gave her of his ap- 
 probation in some measure consoled 
 her for the count's inexplicable indif- 
 ference. 
 
 On the next day the melancholy of 
 the latter appeared materially encreased, 
 and Julia with inexpressible grief 
 observed him still anxious to avoid her. 
 She would have given the world for a
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 119 
 
 conversation of only a few minutes with 
 him, what she had to communicate 
 being of the highest importance. At 
 length, perceiving it impossible to ac- 
 complish her wishes, anger and resent- 
 ment took place of her anxiety to con- 
 fide in him ; and she determined not to 
 make any more equally fruitless and 
 unpleasant attempts to speak to him. 
 The day thus passed, and in the even- 
 ing all the party walked in the grounds. 
 Julia, when in the par<feperceiving she 
 had forgotten her gloves, returned to 
 the drawing-room for them. A sultry 
 heat still prevaded the atmosphere, and 
 the newly risen moon cast a pale and 
 uncertain light through the clouds by 
 which it was enveloped. 
 Julia's mind, overcome by her sorrows,
 
 120 JULTA DE VIENNE. 
 
 she insensibly forgot the motive which 
 occasioned her return to the castle. She 
 pensively seated herself at the window, 
 and gave herself entirely up to her re- 
 flections, or rather to that indefinite 
 abstraction which invigorates the soul, 
 and gives it new courage to struggle 
 against adversity. After having spent 
 several minutes in a sort of forgetful- 
 ness, not altogether unpleasant ; Julia 
 left the window, and approaching the 
 table to take *§> her gloves, her eyes 
 rested on De Montmorency's portrait, 
 which was suspendedexactly aboveher. 
 It was the same picture of cupid adoles- 
 cent that had caused the ridiculous 
 mistake she made on the day of her ar- 
 rival. The moon shone fully on it 
 Julia who fearful of betraying her
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE; 121 
 
 sentiments for the original, dared not 
 even look at it when any person was 
 present, now yielded to the delight of 
 contemplating it unobserved. Her 
 tears flowed abundantly; she recol- 
 lected all the events of the preceding 
 day, and exclaimed in sobbing, " Cruel 
 Frederick ! is it thus you ought to have 
 repaid my undisguised and sincere 
 avowal of affection ?*' 
 
 " Is it possible you could be sin- 
 cere ?" replied some one, in a voice 
 hardly distinguishable. 
 
 Julia screamed, and hastily looking 
 round, perceived De Montmorency, 
 who was cautiously advancing, after 
 having shut the door he had found half 
 open. 
 
 " Why are you here, sir ?" she 
 
 TOL. I. G
 
 123 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 exclaimed in terror, <c let me go out. 
 
 Oh, heavens ! if they should know 
 
 If we should be seen What fancy is 
 
 this, sir ?" she added angrily, as De 
 Montmorency endeavoured to detain 
 her ; " can you suppose I will tolerate 
 your inexplicable conduct?" 
 
 te Julia," replied De Montmorency 
 gravely, " Julia, you would pity me, 
 if you knew what I have suffered du- 
 
 ing the last twenty-four hours. Do 
 not condemn me unheard — less un- 
 just, or, rather, more feeling than you, 
 I welcome with delight the slightest 
 glimpse of hope that I may find you 
 
 innocent." 
 
 " What do you mean!" cried Julia. 
 
 "Do you intend to add insult to the 
 
 whimsical conduct I have experienced
 
 JUMA DE VIENNE. 123 
 
 from you? Be assured, sir/' she added 
 proudly, c< I will never consent to be 
 the sport of the various sensation* 
 which so rapidly succeed each other 
 in your mind," and ending these words> 
 she passed De Montmorency, and 
 opened the door to leave the room. 
 
 " Forgive me, madam, I pray you,*' 
 said the count. " I will place among 
 the pleasing illusions with which I have 
 sometimes been made happy the words 
 I heard you utter before my picture ; 
 and I will never again doubt M. de 
 Rosinval's privilege of ■■" 
 
 " M. de Rosinval !" replied 
 Julia, interrupting him, with the ut- 
 most astonishment. 
 
 The count did not seem to notice 
 this exclamation, but threw himself 
 e 2
 
 124 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 into a chair, and supported his head 
 with one of his hands. 
 
 " Explain to me if you please, sir/' 
 said Julia, greatly agitated, " the 
 meaning of the words just escaped 
 you." 
 
 De Montmorency still continued 
 silent. 
 
 <c I see," added she, advancing to- 
 wards him in great agitation, " I see 
 I have not erred in attributing to you 
 the most intolerable caprice; and I 
 must beg, sir, that henceforward we may 
 be strangers to each other, and that 
 you will consider this as my final de- 
 termination." 
 
 c< This is too much," exclaimed De 
 Montmorency, rising with an impetuo- 
 sity that terrified Julia. " This is
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 125 
 
 too much. Now, madam, you will 
 permit me also to give you my final 
 determination. I must inform you I 
 am not, neither will I ever be, the dupe 
 to coquetry and falsehood. M. de 
 Rosinval at your feet may have 
 held a different language, and I wish 
 for the sake of his peace, he may, 
 longer than I have done, cherish the 
 illusion by which his senses have been 
 fascinated." 
 
 €t Is it possible !" exclaimed Julia, 
 clasping her hands with surprise, min- 
 gled with an expression of pleasure 
 that forcibly struck De Montmo- 
 rency, " is it possible ! You have 
 then really thought that M. de 
 
 Rosinval Oh, Frederick \" she 
 
 added, with a smile that scattered a 
 g3
 
 126 JULIA DE^VIENNE. 
 
 thousand charms over her lovely face, 
 " how can you ever be pardoned such 
 an absurdity ? I was far, very far, I 
 assure you, from suspecting you jealous 
 of M. de Rosinval." 
 
 " Why/' said De Montmorency, 
 €t did you allow him a mysterious as- 
 signation ? Why suffer him to kneel 
 tdyou? Why listen to him with an 
 attention and regard for which I 
 would have paid half my existence ? 
 Julia, is it thus you ought to have 
 conducted yourself to him, after hay- 
 ing on the very same morning per- 
 mitted me to hope I was the beloved 
 object of your heart ?" 
 
 ce If I was fond of retaliation/' re- 
 plied Julia, again sweetly smiling, €C I 
 should experience pleasure in punish-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 127 
 
 ing you for the rashness with which 
 you have so unfairly judged and con- 
 demned me ; and I should leave you 
 in your present uncertainty ; but you 
 will feel quite remorse enough when I 
 most seriously assure you, that had 
 you not so carefully endeavoured to 
 shun me, you would long ere this 
 have been informed of an event, on 
 which you have been pleased to build 
 conjectures equally absurd and un- 
 kind." 
 
 u Dearest Julia," said De Montmo- 
 rency rapturously, " is it indeed truo 
 that you are still the same? How shall 
 I ever expiate my error ? how hope you 
 will pardon a suspicion which. ... , ' 
 
 t( The moments are precious/' said 
 Julia, interrupting him : " to-morrow 
 c4
 
 123 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 the eight days in which my aunt or- 
 dered me to make my election between 
 the veil or a marriage with M. de 
 Rosinval will expire; consequently 
 it is of the utmost importance I should 
 relate to you a conversation I have had 
 with that gentleman. 1 know not," she 
 added sighing, " whether the evil 
 destiny that presided at my birth will 
 for ever pursue me, but the misery of 
 being the wife of De Rosinval shall 
 never fall to my lot.'' 
 
 The count took Julia's hand, and 
 raised it to his lips, saying, " My 
 sweet, my lovely friend, I will avert 
 from my Julia every misery :-' then 
 drawing her gently towards him, they 
 seated themselves on a sofa, and he 
 prepared to listen with attention to 
 what she wished to tell him.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 129 
 
 Julia, thinking of nothing so much 
 as of justifying herself to her lover, 
 forgot for the first few moments that 
 she was alone with him, and at a dis- 
 tance from the rest of the party, who 
 would not fail to observe her and De 
 Montmorency's absence ; but as soon 
 as this reflection occurred to her, she 
 instantly left the sofa, and explained 
 her fears to De Montmorency, who 
 soon dispelled them by assurances that 
 all the company were occupied in 
 fishing on the canal by moonlight. — 
 " Besides/' he added, " they know 
 you frequently walk alone on the banks 
 of the river, and I mentioned to my 
 mother that I should retire to the li- 
 brary, having several letters to write 
 before supper, which was in fact my 
 6 5
 
 130 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 intention, but on passing this room I 
 saw you, and could not resist the op- 
 portunity of looking at an object, 
 whom I, as I thought, both adored and 
 detested. I remained at the door a 
 few seconds, and I believe should have 
 gone on to the library without speaking 
 to you, so blinded was I by error, and 
 I fear jealousy, had I not heard the 
 sweet voice of my Julia addressing 
 those reproaches to my unconscious 
 picture which have occasioned the 
 explanation that ensures nvy future 
 happiness." 
 
 Julia, a little tranquillized by this 
 explanation, consented to reseat her- 
 self, and at length entered into those 
 particulars so very anxiously expected 
 by her lover.
 
 JULIA DE VIENNB. 131 
 
 After having explained to him the 
 reasons that induced her to suspect 
 she had been watched by M. de 
 Rosinval on the preceding morning*, 
 she mentioned her excessive alarm 
 when she thought he was going to 
 betray her to Madame de Seligny : e{ I 
 saw no alternative/' continued Julia, 
 fC but to grant him the private inter- 
 view he requested, as he had said, on 
 those terms I might depend on his 
 perfect discretion. I therefore con- 
 sented to meet him at the appointed 
 place, and I was punctual to the 
 instant. 
 
 M. de Rosinval on ccosting 
 me appeared greatly agitated ; I even 
 fancied I could discover on his counte* 
 nance an expression of malicious joy,
 
 132 JULIA DE VTENNE. 
 
 a species of savage tiiumpb, which 
 indeed he did not long try to restrain ; 
 but the determined frigidity with 
 which the insolent proposals he dared 
 to make me were received very shortly 
 obliged him to assume a more becom- 
 ing conduct, and I then consented to 
 hear what he had to say. 
 
 " It will be impossible to give you 
 an exact account of all the conversa- 
 tion we had together," added Julia, 
 " as our time will not permit it ; but 
 you shall have the result of the sin- 
 gular proposition made to me by M. 
 de Rosinval, and to which I 
 thought it right to accede ; as, in the 
 event of my refusal, he threatened 
 to inform my aunt of my sentiments 
 for you. After having represented in
 
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 183 
 
 the strongest colours the insurmount- 
 able objections that would for ever 
 operate against your union with me, 
 and when he had very emphatically 
 delineated the advantages which must 
 result from my marrying him, he ex- 
 acted from me a sacred promise to 
 make him acquainted with the subject 
 of every private conversation I shall 
 in future have with you. I am to 
 inform him of our hopes, our inten- 
 tions, and our fears. In short, of 
 every circumstance interesting to us." 
 
 " And have you consented to such a 
 treaty ?" said De Montmorency, in- 
 terrupting her impatiently. 
 
 " Be calm/' said Julia, <c and allow 
 me to finish what I have yet to say. 
 You must be certain I felt indignant
 
 134 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 at such a proposal, and that I ex- 
 pressed my feelings; but this was 
 M. de Rosinvul's answer: ' I 
 have become jour confidant without 
 your leave. I will either remain so> 
 with your consent, or I shall reveal to* 
 your aunt certain secrets, the impor- 
 tance of which cannot escape you." 
 
 * But what can be his motive," 
 replied De Montmorency, <c what good 
 can result to him from a confidence 
 by no means flattering, aa it is 
 forced ?"" 
 
 "I know not," said Julia; "his con- 
 duct is inexplicable, but I in vain tried 
 to make him relax from his determina- 
 tion. I even went so far as to assure 
 him most solemnly, that in no possible 
 event could my sentiments towards
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 135 
 
 him become more favorable, and that 
 even was I certain of never becoming 
 your's, I should still a thousand times 
 prefer the veil to an union with him. 
 He smiled contemptuously, and as- 
 sumed a manner which extremely dis- 
 pleased nip. He, a second time, threa- 
 tened me with discovering all to my 
 aunt, if I continued to refuse his re- 
 quest. " Do not fancy/' he added, 
 " it will be easy to evade tne condi- 
 tions I have proposed. I have infal- 
 lible means to ascertain whether you 
 deceive me ; should you make so rash 
 an attempt, I shall consider my pro- 
 mise cancelled, and then probably you 
 will repent of your imprudence and_.° 
 " That man is very daring," said 
 De Montmorency, again interrupting
 
 136 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Julia: " does he suppose I shall quiet!} 
 submit to your being thus treated ? 
 No !" he added, with an accent that 
 made Julia tremble ; Cf no, and I will 
 this instant find him, and force him to 
 give me satisfaction for his audacity 
 and impertinence." 
 
 ''Great God ! will you then destroy 
 me?" cried Julia, in terror. "Fre- 
 derick, for heaven's sake be calm/' — 
 The words died on her lips, and she 
 fell back on the sofa, without the 
 power to speak to the count, who had 
 already reached the door, where he 
 stopped, reflected a few moments, and 
 slowly returned to his seat. 
 
 " Finis^/' he said, in an angry 
 -voice; fC finish this strange recital, and 
 triumph in your power over me, for I
 
 JULIA. DE VIENNE. 137 
 
 consent not to execute the threats 
 which have just now escaped me." 
 
 Julia gave him a look of gratitude, 
 but her fear had so entirely overcome 
 her, that some time elapsed before she 
 could resume the subject with co- 
 herence. Her voice was weak, tremu- 
 lous, and scarcely audible. De Mont- 
 morency, much affected at her situa- 
 tion, repeated his promise, not to 
 challenge De Rosinval, and was soon 
 successful in tranquillising her spirits. 
 Julia then told him, that quite sub- 
 dued by the apprehension of being 
 given up to her aunt's resentment, she 
 had at last acquiesced with Rosinval's 
 terms ; but that the extravagant joy 
 he exhibited, together with the fami- 
 liarity of manner he had ever since
 
 138 JULIA BE VIENNE. 
 
 adopted towards her, notwithstanding 
 her decided contempt and disgust, 
 which she could not conceal, appeared 
 to her most extraordinary and unac- 
 countable. " You may now judge/' 
 she added, "how very desirous I must 
 have been to communicate to you all 
 these circumstances ; and how greatly 
 I was both surprised and hurt at your 
 auxiety to shun me." 
 
 De Montmorency's mind was com- 
 pletely alienated during the latter 
 part of Julia's explanation, and when 
 she had finished speaking he still con- 
 tinued silent. 
 
 " What ought I to do ?" she added 
 in a gentle tone of voice, anxious to 
 remove the gloom evidently returning 
 on De Montmorency's countenance. —
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 139 
 
 " I know Madame de Seligny, and I 
 am sure she will insist on my final de- 
 termination to-morrow. M 
 
 <( Did you not tell me/* replied De 
 Montmorency coldly, " that you would 
 never consent to be Rosinval's wife ?" 
 
 " Most certainly t did," said Julia. 
 
 te Then what prevents you saying so 
 to Madame de Seligny?" 
 
 " Recollect, Frederick, I must at 
 the same moment leave this place and 
 return to my convent.'' 
 
 '* No, you shall not leave me, my Ju- 
 lia/' said the count ; " no, they shall not 
 deprive me of all my happiness/' he 
 added with tenderness and affection : 
 cc I will go to my mother, and beseech 
 her to unite us ; if she is inexorable 
 she may disinherit me : I will thank-
 
 140 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 fully sacrifice my fortune to iny hopes 
 of Julia. Will not the advantages of 
 affluence be to me insipid unless you 
 partake of them ?" 
 
 " Frederick/' said Julia, emphati- 
 cally, " are you aware of the extent of 
 such a sacrifice ? you know the depend- 
 ant position in which fortune has 
 placed me. — I am a poor girl ! I have 
 nothing in the world except a too feel- 
 ing heart, that is all I can offer you ; 
 but that..." she blushed, and dared 
 not finish the sentence. 
 
 " And that is the only treasure I am 
 ambitious of possessing," cried De 
 Montmorency, falling at Julia's feet. 
 " My sweet friend, are you not the ob- 
 ject of my sincere and unalterable re- 
 gard ? Of what importance then are all
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE, 141 
 
 the riches of the universe, if I am but 
 blest with your affection ?" 
 
 After spending some moments in re- 
 ciprocal assurances of mutual attach- 
 ment and fidelity, Frederick and 
 Julia continued to converse with more 
 calmness; it was decided that De 
 Montmorency should yet a little longer 
 delay speaking to his mother, and that 
 he should endeavour to influence the 
 baron to promote his wishes. 
 
 cc I am ignorant," said the count, 
 "of the means my uncle has employed to 
 obtain an ascendancy over my mother's 
 mind ; he has refused to inform me, and 
 merely assured me she would never 
 dare to force my marriage with Louisa 
 without his consent. I am convinced 
 the motives must have been powerful
 
 142 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 to induce her thus to a condescension 
 very unusual to her, and therefore if 
 we should be so fortunate as to obtain 
 the baron's protection I shall indulge 
 the most flattering hopes. I think 
 you will believe I shall not omit any 
 effort to induce him to favour our 
 wishes. M 
 
 Julia quite approved of this plan, 
 and on her part proposed to solicit 
 from her aunt eight days more, in 
 which to reflect before she made her 
 final election : " But, dear Frederick/' 
 she added with alarm, Cf weare conver- 
 sing so near the window that we may 
 very easily be overheard." De Mont- 
 morency quieted her fears by again 
 assuring her that his mother and her 
 visitors were all on the water, and he
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 143 
 
 was about to resume the conversation 
 whea they heard some voices at a dis- 
 tance, and they instantly separated : 
 the count went up to his room, and Julia 
 returned to the park : at the end of the 
 long vista she saw M. and Madame de 
 Seligny with the baron, and at the same 
 moment her arm was touched by De 
 Rosinval, who came out of a thick 
 shrubbery that was nearly under the 
 drawing-room windows. He said in a 
 low voice, " I claim the condition of 
 our treaty: what was the subject of 
 your recont conversation with the Count 
 de Montmorency ?" 
 
 Julia, extremely surprised, at first 
 had not the power to articulate — but 
 Rosinval having repeated the ques-
 
 144 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 tion in a louder tone of voice, she re- 
 plied with hesitation ■ 
 
 c( I certainly have just now seen the 
 Count de Montmorency> and I told 
 him " 
 
 It was impossible for her to finish ; 
 she stammered, coughed, and could not 
 conclude the sentence. 
 
 "Well! what did you tell him?" 
 asked Rosinval. 
 
 Julia, still more disconcerted, made 
 no reply. 
 
 " I am willing/* added Rosinval, 
 ironically, "to spare you the recital of 
 what has been said by De Montmo- 
 rency and yourself, as this is your first 
 conversation since the treaty was con- 
 cluded between us. The party is about
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 145 
 
 to join us, and as I mean to give you a 
 proof of my discretion, I will merely 
 say that I take it upon myself to obtain 
 from Madame de Seligny the eight 
 days delay you intended to solicit 
 for." 
 
 Julia, notwithstanding her perplex- 
 ing situation, would doubtless have 
 answered this last sentence had not 
 the baron, seeing her with RosinvaJ, 
 quickened his s^en to reach them, and 
 thus prevented her breaking her 
 silence. 
 
 The baron addressed her with his 
 usual kindness, offered her his arm, 
 and continued to walk near her, chat- 
 ting with the utmost affability. Julia, 
 entirely occupied by her reflections on 
 De Rosinval's extraordinary conduct, 
 
 TOL. I. H
 
 146 JULIA DE TIENNE. 
 
 paid but little attention to a conver- 
 sation which, under any other than the 
 existing circumstances, would have 
 given her the greatest pleasure. She 
 frequently turned round to observe 
 Rosinval, and could not repress a sen- 
 sation of terror on seeing him join 
 Madame de Seligny and the Countess 
 de Montmorency, with whom he re- 
 tired into a less frequented path. 
 
 On reaching the castle, Julia seated 
 herself in a corner of the drawing- 
 room, from whence she ventured to 
 cast a timid look on Madame de Selig- 
 ny, who had entered with the rest of 
 the company ; and not perceiving any 
 symptom of displeasure on her counte- 
 nance, she regained a little courage and 
 tranquillity, and almost flattered her-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 147 
 
 self that Rosinval had not betrayed 
 her ; but her uneasiness and agitation 
 were again renewed by the entrance of 
 De Montmorency. The threatening 
 glance he darted on Rosinval ; the 
 contempt and disdain with which he 
 replied to every thing said by him, so 
 greatly terrified Julia, that she was 
 obliged to resort to all her self-posses- 
 sion to enable her to conceal her 
 sensations. 
 
 She assumed towards Rosinval a sort 
 of consideration and respect, in the 
 hope of qualifying the pointed rude- 
 ness of her lover, and also io make 
 the latter feel how greatly his conduct 
 alarmed her; but so far from its ope- 
 rating in the way she expected, that 
 Montmorency's ill-humour each mo- 
 h2
 
 148 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 meat encreascd. Fortunately the castle 
 bell announced the hour when the 
 party usually separated, and she was 
 one of the first to leave the room. 
 
 Alone iu her chamber, she more 
 calmly reflected onHhe incidents of the 
 evening. The count's jealousy, and 
 the menaces he had uttered relative to 
 Rosinval, made her shudder ; and her 
 own situation seemed to be a peculiarly 
 difficult one. She was doubtful of the 
 propriety or otherwise of informing 
 Montmorency of her conversation 
 with Rosinval on leaving him. Was 
 it not to be apprehended that the hate- 
 ful man's unjustifiable propensity to 
 watch all their movements, together 
 with the idea of his having so unfair- 
 ly usurped power over her mind and
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 149 
 
 actions, might influence De Montmo- 
 rency to require of his rival the atone- 
 ment expected by every man of honour 
 for conduct equally extraordinary and 
 atrocious. On the other hand, if she 
 remained silent, might she not again 
 be suspected of duplicity ; and besides, 
 how could she avoid telling De Mont- 
 morency of the persecution she still 
 expected to endure from Rosinval ? 
 
 After having successively adopted 
 and rejected the various plans that 
 presented themselves to her imagina- 
 tion, she remained as undetermined as 
 before, and passed nearly all the night 
 in fruitless endeavours to adopt the 
 best mode of emancipating herself 
 from the cruel dilemma in which she 
 was involved. 
 
 h3
 
 150 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 The next day Julia avoided with 
 equal care both De Montmorency and 
 Rosinval ; but the latter, as if he had 
 divined her intention, so detcrminately 
 followed her, that at length he suc- 
 ceeded in making himself heard. He 
 told her that Madame de Seligny not 
 only consented to the delay she wished 
 for, but that in consequence of some 
 new arrangement between the two 
 families, the marriage of the count 
 and Louisa was postponed for one 
 month. 
 
 u I hope, charming Julia," he said, 
 tc you are satisfied with my zeal. 
 You see with what fidelity I fulfil my 
 promises. You must allow that if I 
 was inclined to retaliate I should not 
 have acted as I have done towards
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 151 
 
 you; however, 1 must now assure you 
 that if for a first fault I have the in- 
 dulgence of a friend, I shall act with 
 the severity of a judge the next time I 
 discover you to have the slightest re- 
 servation with me." 
 
 On finishing these words he gave 
 Julia so arrogant a look, that she could 
 no longer suppress her indignation, 
 and she said to him with firmness — 
 
 V A spy, who attempts to exalt him- 
 self to the character of a judge, can 
 only excite my contempt, and that 
 sentiment is too incompatible with con- 
 fidence to allow of my granting you 
 mine." 
 
 "Very well, madam," coldly re- 
 plied Rosinval ; " you certainly are at 
 liberty to conduct yourself as best 
 u 4
 
 152 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 pleases you ; for my part I have so 
 strong; a mania for confidences, that I 
 am going to confide in Madame do Se- 
 1'gny." 
 
 "Sir!" exclaimed Julia, grasping 
 Rosinval's arm as he was leaving the 
 room. She could not add one more 
 word, for the Count de Montmorency 
 at that moment opened the door of the 
 library, where this conversation was 
 passing, and gave Rosinval a look so 
 expressive of rage, that Julia nearly 
 fainted'with terror. 
 
 " I hope no person here has dared to 
 insult or alarm you," said De Montmo- 
 rency, approaching Julia. 
 
 "Oh, no! No! I assure you," 
 
 replied Julia, forcing a smile. 
 
 Rosinval advanced towards the
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. • 153 
 
 door ; and Julia, terrified lest he should 
 execute his recent threat, ran after him 
 in such apparent agitation, that De 
 Montmorency, unable to comprehend 
 the scene before him, stood still in the 
 middle of* the room, and fixing his 
 eves on Julia, seemed to implore an 
 explanation of her evident embarrass- 
 ment. 
 
 <( I did not wish.... T did not want," 
 said Julia, trembling, (C M. de Rosin- 
 val to leave me until I knew — — • 
 Yes, until I knew ■ She blushed., 
 
 then became pale, and could not finish 
 the sentence. 
 
 ft I await jour commands, madam/ 3 
 
 replied Rosinval smiling ; " but I 
 
 thought," he added, perceiving her 
 
 excessive confusion, ff I had given you 
 
 i) 5
 
 154 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 my opinion of the book we were look- 
 ing over just now, which I placed on 
 this shelf/' 
 
 " Oh yes," said Julia hastily, (C that 
 is the book., the book, sir, I promise 
 you to attend to the advice you gave 
 me; it is quite right.. indeed I wiH 
 follow it... I will." 
 
 " That is quite sufficient, madam/' 
 replied Rosinval : " I entreat you al- 
 ways to rely on my zeal — it will ever 
 give me pleasure to direct your studies 
 whenever you do me the honour to con- 
 sult me;" and ending his speech, he 
 bowed most respectfully to Julia and 
 retired* 
 
 " May I be informed/' said I)e 
 Montmorency, gravely, " what very in- 
 teresting book it is that so completely
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 155 
 
 rivetted your attention as to have occa- 
 sioned your soliciting with so much fer- 
 vor M. de Rosin val's judgment upon 
 it?" 
 
 " Oh, it is/' replied Julia, " it is.. . 
 Good God, I have forgotten the title of 
 it.. oh.. it is the Henriade." 
 
 "For the last three days that book 
 has been in my room," said De Mont- 
 morency, sternly, ' ' and I know there is 
 no second copy of it here ; but, Julia/' 
 he added, seeing her blush, "let us 
 drop these disgraceful subterfuges; be 
 assured I am not their dupe. The man 
 who is just gone from hence had I am* 
 convinced a very different conversation 
 with you from the one you have fabri- 
 cated. Your confusion on my entrance, 
 nay, some tears I thought I could dis-
 
 156 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 cover in your eyes, all induce me to 
 believe he has again ventured to threa- 
 ten you." 
 
 cc No/' said Julia, interrupting him, 
 <c you are in error. In mercy do not 
 look so angrv. Frederick, voti make 
 me tremble." 
 
 <c I am ignorant of what interest you 
 take in that man, but it must be a se- 
 rious one to induce you thus to make 
 a mystery of what he was saying to 
 you." 
 
 " Unjust Frederick !" said Julia in, 
 tears; " will you always entertain these 
 offensive and ungenerous suspicions of 
 me ?" 
 
 f< It rests with yourself to destroy 
 them," replied De Montmorency; w teli 
 me why you seemed so agitated when 
 RosiiiYal was about to leave you ?"
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 157 
 
 Julia reflected for some moments, 
 then raising her sweet eyes full of tears, 
 she said to the count in a voice almost 
 stifled by her sighs : — :i I never could 
 have believed, sir, that the frankness 
 and sincerity with which I allowed you 
 to read my heart would have been re- 
 paid with such ingratitude. I forgave 
 your first suspicions, I even conde- 
 scended to enter into every minute ex- 
 planation likely to regenerate your 
 tranquillity: you are aware of the 
 extent of my hatred to M. de Rosinval, 
 and notwithstanding so many proofs of 
 my veracity and exclusive attachment, 
 you still dare to express the same mis- 
 trust, the same jealousy : I see," she 
 added sobbing, <( I am born to be for 
 ever wretched."
 
 158 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 " Julia, for heaven's sake do not tliur 
 afflict yourself: forgive me/' he added, 
 throwing himself at her feet, u forgive 
 me: thejealo us suspicions of which you 
 accused me are destroyed forever; 
 but I entreat you, again most earnestly 
 entreat you, to tell me every particu- 
 lar of the conversation between you and 
 De Rosinval. 
 
 Julia seated herself in the corner of 
 the room, and wept bitterly. De 
 Montmorency was greatly affected ; 
 he tried to soothe her by expressions of 
 affection, and again earnestly entreated 
 her forgiveness, although it could ea- 
 sily be perceived he had difficulty in 
 subduing his jealous irritability. This 
 disposition of mind did not escape 
 Julia's observation, and confirmed hes
 
 JULIA DE VIENNA. 159 
 
 in the resolution of keeping this impe- 
 tuous young man in ignorance of the 
 subject of her last vexatious interview 
 with Rosin val. 
 
 Wishing, however, to terminate a 
 conversation that was becoming rather 
 embarrassing, Julia affected to be ap- 
 peased by De Montmorency's protesta- 
 tions. She informed him of the delay 
 Madame de Seligny had granted her, 
 but without saying Rosinval had ob- 
 tained it ; and merely told him she 
 had learnt from the latter that the in- 
 tended union was postponed. " A&to 
 the confusion you observed in me," she 
 added in an unsteady voice, tf it was the 
 consequence of my extreme apprehen- 
 sion that you would execute the threads 
 I heard you utter against M. de
 
 160 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 Rosinval ; and which was infinitely 
 encreascd by the dreadful look you 
 gave him on your entering the room/' 
 
 (C But it seems to me/' replied De 
 Montmorency, <c that with those feaj/s 
 you ought to have rejoiced at his ab- 
 senting himself; and I confess I am at 
 a loss to conjecture the motive that in- 
 duced you to detain him/' 
 
 " I know not what I did.. neither 
 can I now tell what I ought to have 
 done/' said Julia, with asperity ; <e but 
 however I may be pained by perceiv- 
 ing you still entertain doubts of the 
 purity of my motives, I must be al- 
 lowed, sir, to say, I can add nothing to 
 the explanation I have already given 
 you." 
 
 De Montmorency fearing, and with
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 161 
 
 reason, that he had seriously offended 
 Julia, tried to soothe her, and appeared 
 satisfied with the manner in which she 
 had accounted for her strange conduct 
 towards De Rosinval. 
 
 He then acquainted her with his 
 having had a conversation with the 
 baron, in which the good old gentleman 
 had expressed himself well inclined to 
 protect and serve him. " My uncle 
 infinitely admires you/' he added, rr I 
 never heard him speak of any woman 
 with the enthusiasm my Julia has ex- 
 cited. I have only now some slight 
 objections of his to combat with, 
 which I hope soon to destroy ; and 
 then nothing can oppose our permanent 
 happiness/' 
 
 Julia, flattered and delighted by the
 
 162 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 perspective now opening on her mind, 
 insensibly resumed that natural and 
 affectionate manner towards De Mont- 
 morency which never failed to infa- 
 tuate him ; and he quitted her, more 
 than ever devoted to her. 
 
 Going down to the stairs he heard 
 the sound of several voices,, and among 
 them distinguished the baron's, who 
 was bawling out in no very gentle key, 
 " Where is my nephew ? seek him ; 
 call him — I must speak to him this 
 very moment." 
 
 De Montmorency hastened down, 
 and found the baron in the hall, already 
 out of patience at the tardiness of the 
 servants for not executing his orders 
 with sufficient alacrity. He held a 
 letter in his hand, which he gave to
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 163 
 
 bis nephew the instant he perceived 
 him. 
 
 " The Baroness de Montmorency is 
 dangerously ill/' said he ; " they 
 write me word she wishes to speak to 
 me before she dies : we have been 
 separated these fifteen years, during 
 which period we have never met; but 
 I cannot refuse her last request, and 
 therefore I intend instantaneously to set 
 out for Blois." 
 
 De Montmorency, although he 
 highly approved of his uncle's deter- 
 mination, could not conceal from him 
 the grief he felt at his absence from 
 the castle, when existing circumstances 
 rendered his presence so very desirable; 
 nay, even necessary. 
 
 " I shall return, my boy," replied
 
 164 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 the baron; M be assured I will return; 
 but fear nothing from your mother 
 during the interval, 1 have just now 
 left her, and J again assert to you that 
 she dare not take any strong measures 
 without my consent." 
 
 The count, a little cheered by his 
 uncle's promise of protection, con- 
 ducted him to his carriage, repeatedly 
 saying, that on him alone depended 
 all his future hopes of happiness; he 
 solicited the baron to favour him with 
 a letter during his stay at Blois ; and 
 when his uncle drove off, he experi- 
 enced a sensation of sadness, that du- 
 ring the rest of the day he in vain tried 
 to banish. 
 
 Julia partook of this impression — 
 or rather she seemed to feel it more
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 165 
 
 acutely, as gravity and reflection took 
 place of her usual good humoured 
 cheerfulness, and all the rest of the 
 evening she was thoughtful and silent. 
 Some time before supper she left the 
 room, and De Montmorency thought 
 he observed an expression of sadness 
 on her countenance, and a degree of 
 unhappiness in a look she gave him, 
 that made him shiver with fear and 
 anxiety. He would have given the 
 world to follow her ; but he could not 
 leave the game of chess he was play- 
 ing with Madame de Seligny, and was 
 constrained much against his will to 
 appear attentive, although it could 
 easily be discerned by his absence of 
 manner, and the errors he every mo- 
 ment committed, that his thoughts
 
 166 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 were altogether engaged on another 
 subject. 
 
 He continued thus for nearly three 
 hours, and his uneasiness became more 
 intolerable, owing to RosinvaPs not 
 having made his appearance in the 
 drawing-room during the evening; he 
 concluded Julia and him were toge- 
 ther. The scene in the library re- 
 curred to his imagination^ and the 
 jealousy natural to his character gave 
 a yet more sombre tint to his already 
 gloomy ideas; he accused Julia, and 
 mentally lavished on Rosinval all the 
 epithets rage and indignation could 
 suggest; and af length made up his 
 mind to call him to account, not- 
 withstanding his promise to Julia, 
 for a conduct he could no longer 
 
 tolerate, I 
 
 4
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 167 
 
 At length the party of chess was 
 finished,, and De Montmorency nearly 
 upset the table in his eagerness to get 
 away ; he left the room, and ran into 
 the park ; but as the evening was rainy, 
 he conjectured that Julia had returned 
 to the house. He sought her in her 
 room — it was empty. He went into the 
 library, with no better success; he 
 then thought of the Chinese Temple, 
 and bad no doubt of her having taken 
 shelter there— -the rain had ceased . This 
 idea was hardly conceived, before he 
 found himself in the middle of the 
 park; running with the utmost rapidity 
 towards the spot where he expected to 
 find Julia. On his reaching the Chinese 
 Temple, he saw it quite deserted ; he 
 called loudly ; but the roaring of the 
 wind was the only answer he received.
 
 168 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 II is uneasiness became so painful that 
 he flew back to the castle with the 
 same haste he had left it. lie looked 
 into the drawing-room, and observed 
 all the persons he had spent the last 
 three hours with, conversing peaceably 
 i ogcther ; but neither Julia nor De 
 Rosinval was with them. 
 
 " Where are they gone ?" he c?icd, 
 scarcely himself. 
 
 " Of whom are you speaking, 
 Frederick ?" asked the Countess dc 
 Montmorency. 
 
 " Of Miss d'Aubigny, and M. de 
 Rosinval," replied her son; "I have 
 been looking for them this half hour; 
 I have searched the park, and all the 
 apartments, without having found 
 them."
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 169 
 
 The countess smiled scornfully, and 
 continued silent. M. de Selignv, who 
 had been sleeping, opened his < 
 took his snuff box, turned it round and 
 round between his ringers, without 
 speaking a word. Madame de Seligny 
 observed tnat Julia was very fond of 
 private conferences with M. de Rosin- 
 val ; and Louisa added yawning, she 
 dared to say her cousin was not lost. 
 
 De Montmorency, not condescending 
 to answer, walked with hasty steps up 
 and down the room ; then throwing 
 himself into a chair, fixed his anxious 
 looks on the door, and remained in the 
 same posture until supper was an- 
 nounced. 
 
 When he entered the eating-room, 
 and saw them all placing tlieinseives at 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 170 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 table, apparently quite careless as to 
 the fate of Julia, he lost his patience, 
 and ordering the servants who were 
 present to follow him, he once again 
 began his researches. After having a 
 second time fruitlessly gone over all the 
 walks in the park, he was about to 
 return to the castle, when he was met 
 by one of his mother's servants, who 
 hastily said to him : — " If it is Miss 
 Julia whom you seek, sir, it is my 
 duty to inform you I saw her about 
 two hours ago in the park with M. de 
 Rosinval ; she was leaning on his arm, 
 and they were conversing together 
 with much earnestness : they went 
 down the walk leading to the park 
 gate that opens on the high road, and 
 there I lost sight of them."
 
 JULIA DE TIENNE. 171 
 
 De Montmorency, without answer- 
 ing a word, ran to the place described : 
 he reached the gate quite out of breath, 
 and it would be impossible to describe 
 what he felt on finding it open, and on 
 discovering on the sands, recently wet- 
 ted by the rain, the evident tracks of a 
 
 carriage. 
 
 ct Instantly saddle my horse," he 
 furiously cried. "Oh! the monster, I 
 will pursue, and make him a dreadful 
 example of my just revenge. I will — " 
 And uttering these words he looked 
 round, and saw himself alone. The 
 servants, not having received any fresh 
 orders, had returned to the castle. He 
 also was shortly there, mounted his 
 horse, and accompanied by a groom, 
 not in the least attending to the rain, 
 i 2
 
 172 JULIA DE Y1ENNE. 
 
 that fell in torrents, gallopped towards 
 Rosinval's house, which was situated 
 about four leagues from the Chateau de 
 St. Lcuis. 
 
 It was midnight when De Montmo- 
 rency reached the Castle of Rosinval ; 
 he dismounted, ordered his servants to 
 wait for him, and entered the court 
 yard, the gates of which he found 
 open. An absolute darkness prevailed, 
 and a mass of shade, less dense than 
 that by which he was surrounded, 
 alone indicated the building he sought 
 for. Having reached the door, he 
 knocked loudly ; but was only answer- 
 ed by the barking of several dogs, 
 which noise was succeeded by a death- 
 like silence. The count's impatience 
 and rage had attained to their height
 
 JULIA DE TIENNE. 173 
 
 since his arrival at the dwelling of his 
 rival ; he again knocked with violence, 
 and at length a window was opened, 
 and a shrill voice asked who was there. 
 
 <f I wish to speak to M. de Rosin- 
 val," said De Montmorency; "in- 
 stantly admit me." 
 
 " My master is not here/' replied 
 the same voice, " therefore I beg you 
 will withdraw, and no longer disturb 
 our rest." 
 
 The count insisted on having the 
 doors opened, adding, he had business of 
 the utmost importance to communicate 
 toM. de Rosinval, and that he must im- 
 mediately be admitted. 
 
 Instead of answering, they closed the 
 window, and left him to call, swear, and 
 wait ; not even deigning to notice his 
 i3
 
 174 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 impatience. At length, after an agoniz- 
 ing quarter of an hour, during which 
 he had incessantly assailed the knocker, 
 he perceived a light passing through 
 the apartment, and soon after heard 
 footsteps in the hall« 
 
 "I wish to see M. de Rosinval for 
 one moment/' again exclaimed Dc 
 Montmorency. 
 
 An old man half opened the door, 
 and with much civility answered that 
 M. de Rosinval had been absent for 
 the last four months. 
 
 De Montmorency, without speaking, 
 pushed the door open with violence, 
 crossed the hall, and ascended the stairs 
 with the utmost rapidity. 
 
 " Sir/' said the old man respectfully, 
 who had just recognized the Count de
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 175 
 
 Montmorency, " I have the honour 
 again to assure you my master is not 
 here; but if you do not credit me, lam 
 ready to attend you into every room in 
 the castle, and you then can judge of 
 my veracity." 
 
 '? Where is he then ?" cried De 
 Montmorency, still hastening for- 
 ward, whilst the old man could hardly 
 keep pace with his rapid steps. At 
 this moment they reached Rosinval's 
 apartment. The shutters were closed, 
 the funiture covered, and there was 
 every appearance of its being uninhabit- 
 ed : from thence they went to the other 
 rooms, De Montmorency ordering 
 every door he saw to be opened. At 
 last, after the most accurate search, 
 being convinced the old man had not 
 i4
 
 176 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 deceived him, he earnestly intreated 
 him to say where he could find his 
 master. 
 
 t( It is impossible for me to answer 
 that question; I am M. de Rosinval's 
 steward/' replied the old man, M and 
 there are no other persons in the house 
 besides my daughter, one female servant, 
 and two gardeners ; we none of us 
 know where our master is, and to any 
 other than yourself, my lord, I should 
 have stated my certainty of his being 
 at this time on a visit at the Chateau 
 de St. Louis; but as you are just come 
 from thence, and he has left it, I can 
 jay nothing conclusive on the subject, 
 but merely conjecture that possibly he 
 may have gone to Paris/' 
 
 * You are certainly right/' said the
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 177 
 
 impetuous De Montmorency, "he is 
 certainly at Paris." 
 
 And without adding another word, 
 he abruptly left the old man, descend- 
 ed the stairs, hurried across the court 
 yard, mounted his horse, and took at 
 full speed the road to the metropolis. 
 
 Having reached that immense city, 
 his first impulse was to go to Rosin- 
 vaPs house; but there he was again un- 
 successful ; all the pains he took to 
 trace the persons he was anxious to find 5 
 were fruitless. No intelligence what- 
 ever could be-obtained of them, and 
 without allowing himself time to rest 
 after the fatigue of travelling, he with 
 equal rapidity returned to the Chateau 
 de St, Louis, indulging a hope that 
 he should there discover some circunv 
 i .5.
 
 178 JULIA DE V1ENM. 
 
 stance thai might throw a light on an 
 event that distracted him. This hope, 
 like his other expectations, ended in 
 disappointment ; no one could give 
 any information relative to Julia and 
 De Rosinval. 
 
 Madame de Seligny appeared greatly 
 incensed against her niece. The coun- 
 tess repeatedly said that Rosinval had 
 violated the laws of hospitality, and 
 had forgotten the respect due to her, 
 in daring to carry off that forward 
 girl. Louisa lamented her cousin's 
 absence, but never made one effort to 
 extenuate her conduct; and M. de 
 Seligny was the only one who observed 
 that there must be something very ex- 
 traordinary in the business, for he 
 added: — 4< I cannot see why Julia
 
 JULIA. DE VIENNE. 179 
 
 should run away with M. de Rosin- 
 val, when every body wished her to 
 ^ marry him : there certainly is in this 
 affair some mystery I cannot under- 
 stand." 
 
 Madame de Seligny, for the first 
 time in her life, allowed her husband's 
 reasoning to be correct. (C And what is 
 still more unaccountable/' she added, 
 " Julia, in the morning of the same day 
 on which she absented herself, declared 
 she no longer had any repugnance to 
 the union I had proposed to her, and 
 told me, she was ready to conclude it 
 whenever I pleased. This conversa- 
 tion passed in the library, in the pre- 
 sence of M. de Rosinval ; and I left 
 them some minutes afterwards perfectly 
 satisfied with each other."
 
 180 JULIA DE VIENNE, 
 
 De Montmorency, who Mstened to 
 Madame deSeligny's speech with much 
 attention, could now no longer restrain ni± 
 indignation : — 
 
 " This is too much/' he cried ; " I 
 "will not quietly permit unprotected in- 
 nocence to be thus calumniated. I 
 will bring to light this iniquitous 
 mystery; the persecutions endured by 
 that interesting and friendless girl 
 shall be made known, and I will expose 
 aer enemies." 
 
 On finishing these words, he abrupt- 
 ly left the room, and shut himself in 
 his own apartment, nearly overcome by 
 his feelings. 
 
 Julia imploring his protection ! 
 Julia in De Rosinvars power ! perhaps 
 sinking under misery ! were the first
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 181 
 
 affecting images bis imagination pre- 
 sented ; but very soon jealousy, infus- 
 ing its destructive venom into his too 
 susceptible heart, destroyed the sweet 
 sensations of confidence and affection, 
 and m/surped an arbitrary power over 
 his understanding. He thought Julia 
 wa3 certainly attached to Rosinval ; 
 she too surely loved him : if otherwise, 
 what could have occasioned the fear 
 and anxiety she exhibited in the library,, 
 and wherefore that determined silence 
 and deep thoughtfulness during the re- 
 mainderof the day; and aboveall what 
 could be the meaning of that look of 
 sadness and dejection she had given him 
 on leaving the room ^'Ah* without doubt 
 she is guilty/' he cried, ie and her 
 remorse at having deceived me pro*-
 
 182 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 bably occasioned that fugitive emotion 
 which I had the weakness, I own, to 
 be affected by. Ah, Julia I Julia!" 
 he added, in a reproachful tone; but 
 scarcely had he pronounced her belov- 
 ed name, when commiseration an^l ten- 
 derness superseded his agitated and 
 angry sensations. He recollected his 
 Julia, gentle, artless, and affectionate, 
 saying she lived for him only — burn- 
 ing tears fell from his eyes, and all his 
 feelings concentrated in one passion, 
 that of revenge against his hated rival. 
 Whilst the Count de Montmorency, 
 thus a prey to a thousand painful re- 
 membrances, was meditating on what 
 plan he ought to pursue, Julia, shut up 
 in a post-chaise, of which the blinds 
 were carefully dosed, had already tra-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 183 
 
 Yelled to a considerable distance, and 
 was still continuing her journey by 
 cross roads, towards the most southern 
 provinces of France. 
 
 With her eyes bathed in tears, she in 
 vain interrogated the female of about 
 fifty years old, who accompanied her in 
 the carriage. The woman with much ill- 
 humour replied:— " You will know at 
 the end of your journey what is ex- 
 pected of you." 
 
 Julia, yielding to her grief, most 
 bitterly regretted not having unreserv- 
 edly confided in De Montmorency. 
 '* He would have protected me," 
 thought she ; " he would have watched 
 over my destiny, and I should not now 
 be here." But the idea of having 
 performed her duty, of having pre-
 
 184 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 yentedthe mau she loved from hazard- 
 ing a life far dearer to her than her 
 own existence, soon calmed the 
 violence of her affliction; and she felt 
 a sensation of pride, frequently mistaken 
 for real courage. She could not 
 after the strictest examination accuse 
 herself of any impropriety, and she re- 
 mained convinced that even could she 
 again be placed in similar circum- 
 stances, her conduct must stillbe the same. 
 All her anger and indignation rested 
 on Rosinval. 
 
 This odious man, overjoyed at hav- 
 ing by his artifices forced Julia to 
 adopt that reserve and concealment 
 towards De Montmorency which so 
 exactly insured the success of the in- 
 iquitous plan he had conceived, judg-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 185 
 
 ed the present a favourable period for 
 its final execution; he therefore 
 watched the moment when Julia left 
 the library, and said to her in alow 
 voice : — " I exact but one more proof 
 of your confidence. You must give 
 me a faithful account of the conversa- 
 tion you have just had with De Mont- 
 morency. I shall expect you at eight 
 o'clock this evening in the park ; pro- 
 bably your future happiness will 
 depend on this last attention to my 
 wishes, and it remains with yourself 
 either to make me a very zealous 
 friend or a most implacable enemy. " 
 
 r( I will be there/' Julia answered 
 with quickness, on hearing De Mont- 
 morency's and the baron's voice#at the 
 bottom of the stairs; and trembling lest
 
 186 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 the former should again find her with 
 Rosinval, " I will be there, you may 
 rely on it ;" and she instantly flew to 
 her own room, from whence she de- 
 scended with that grave and thoughtful 
 appearance that had struck so forcibly 
 De Montmorency. 
 
 At the appointed time she went into 
 the park ; Rosinyal had preceded, and 
 was waiting for her. Most respectfully 
 taking her hand, he expressed his 
 gratitude for her condescension, and 
 insensibly drew her into a walk, at the 
 end of which was a gate, opening to 
 the high road. 
 
 Julia, suffering from a depression of 
 spirits she in vain tried to shake off, 
 heard with absence of mind the pro- 
 testations of interest and friendship
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE, 187 
 
 reiterated by Rosinval ; and was men- 
 tally congratulating herself on his 
 silence relative to De Montmorency, 
 when having attained the extremity of 
 the walk, the gate already mentioned 
 suddenly opened, and a woman, whom 
 Julia instantly recognized as Madame 
 de Seligny's housekeeper, advanced to- 
 wards her, and presented a letter. 
 Julia, greatly surprised, at first took it, 
 without uttering a word, or looking at 
 the address ; and supposing it intended 
 for her aunt, she was turning away, 
 highly delighted at having so good a 
 pretence for leaving Rosinval. 
 
 " Stop, madam," cried the woman, 
 " that letter is directed # to you, which 
 you may convince yourself of, if you 
 will come on this side where there is
 
 188 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 more light. It is an order from Ma- 
 dame de Scligny for you instantly to 
 follow me." 
 
 " To follow you !" said Julia, 
 "how! where! what does it mean?" 
 
 n Read it, madam/' said the wo- 
 man, coolly interrupting her. 
 
 Julia broke the seal of the letter 
 with a trembling hand, and distin- 
 guished the following words : — 
 
 " Follow Madame Dumont, who 
 has orders to convey you to a place I 
 consider more suitable to you than 
 this : on your obedience depends your 
 fate ; — if I am satisfied with your 
 conduct, your exile will not be of long 
 duration ; but should you dare to re- 
 ist, tremble. The least opposition
 
 JULIA DE V1ENNE. 189 
 
 will draw down upon jour head a 
 punishment that will last during your 
 life. Depart instantly, and I com- 
 mand you not to attempt seeing me. 
 I. DeSeligny." 
 
 The letter fell from poor Julia's 
 hands, and the excess of her surprise 
 rendered her motionless as a statue. 
 
 " Let us go, ma'am," said Madame 
 Dumont: (C a carriage is in waiting 
 here, and we are provided with every 
 necessary for our journey." 
 
 Julia shuddered, and addressing M. 
 de Rosinval with scorn, she said : — 
 te This then is the proof you give me, 
 *sir, of the interest you take in my hap- 
 piness !" 
 
 cc Do not, I pray you, madam, judge
 
 190 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 me by appearances/' quickly replied 
 Rosinval; <c I protest to you I am 
 innocent, and I " 
 
 " The extreme contempt I have for 
 a traitor is not my only sensation. I 
 feel/' said Julia,, interrupting him ; 
 " I feel humiliated in my own eyes, 
 and shall never pardon my folly in 
 crediting for one instant his professions 
 of friendship. Madame Dumont," 
 she added, " I shall not disobey my 
 aunt's orders, I only request to go for 
 a few minutes to the castle, and I give 
 you my word to return here without 
 even attempting to soften Madame de 
 Seligny — I too well know how inex- 
 orable she is.° 
 
 " Do not be offended if I refuse you 
 this indulgence/' Madame Dumont
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 191 
 
 answered ; " but the orders I have re- 
 ceived are explicit, and extend even to 
 my using force if you delay accompa- 
 nying me; two men are now in waiting 
 to place you in the carriage, in the event 
 of your refusing to enter it quietly." 
 
 " You have certainly taken all the 
 precautions possible/' replied Julia, 
 smiling ironically ; " but Madame de 
 Seligny shall have the pleasure of 
 knowing they were useless." 
 
 Finishing this sentence, she pushed 
 open the gate and approached the 
 carriage. Rosinval had the temerity 
 to offer his hand to assist her, which, 
 however, she did not deign to notice, 
 but placing herself by Madame Du- 
 mont, she covered her face with her 
 handkerchief and remained silent.
 
 192 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 ff You vvill some day acknowledge 
 your injustice, lovely Julia/' exclaim- 
 ed Rosinval, and know me to be your 
 friend." 
 
 The carriage at this moment drove 
 off at full speed, and Julia experien- 
 ced a species of comfort in no longer 
 hearing the voice of a man whom she 
 could not think of without horror. 
 
 Rosinval took care not to return to the 
 castle. His presence would have destroy- 
 ed the jealous suspicions he wished 
 de Montmorency's heart to be tortured 
 with ; consequently, as soon as the 
 carriage was out of his view, he walk- 
 ed to a little inn at the distance of 
 about a mile, where he had ordered 
 his servant to be in waiting ; there he 
 procured post-horses, and instantly
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 193 
 
 proceeded to the estate of a friend of 
 his, situated in Alsace, where he 
 intended quietly to await the result of 
 the plot formed against the innocent 
 Julia. 
 
 Mortified at the contempt with 
 which Julia treated him, furious at 
 her preference for De Montmorency, 
 Rosin vaPs passion for her changed 
 into inveterate hatred, and he wished 
 for nothing so much as the power to 
 revenge himself for her disdainful re- 
 fusal of his hand; yet he would have 
 given the world to become her hus- 
 band, merely from a wish to torment 
 and inflict on her some cruel punish- 
 ment for her disrespectful conduct 
 towards himself. The natural depra- 
 vity of his own character rendered him 
 
 vol. i. x.
 
 194 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 mistrustful of others. He carried iuto 
 society not an observing and inquir- 
 ing mind, one of the appendages of 
 real philosophy, but that restless 
 curiosity, that insatiable desire to inter- 
 meddle with the affairs and secrets of 
 another— the usual symptoms of a 
 mean and selfish disposition, which 
 always tries to break through the 
 narrow bounds by which it is circunv 
 scribed. Rosinval never deliberated, 
 and the energy with which he endea- 
 voured to discover whatever he desired 
 to know, almost invariably ensured 
 liim success. He had perceived Ma- 
 dame de Scligny's hatred for her niece, 
 or rather her fears lest Julia's lovely 
 and attractive figure should interfere 
 with the plans she had formed for her
 
 JULIA DE YIENNE. 195 
 
 daughter's establishment. He also 
 knew the Countess de Montmorency 
 had similar apprehensions; not that 
 she at all valued Louisa,, but the im- 
 mense fortune of the latter suited her 
 views, and she trembled lest Julia's 
 beauty should make a too strong im- 
 pression on her son's heart, and prevent 
 au union so necessary to the ambitious 
 plan she had formed for him. 
 
 It will readily be imagined that 
 these two women did not long delay a 
 reciprocal confession of their uneasi- 
 ness on this subject, more especially 
 as they could no longer doubt of De 
 Montmorency's dislike to Louisa, 
 Madame de Seligny wished to send 
 Julia immediately to her convent. 
 The countess had willingly consented
 
 196 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 to this apparently essential measure, 
 when Rosinval's information of the 
 existing attachment between the young 
 count and Julia obliged them to alter 
 their plan. 
 
 " You know not/' he said to them, 
 <e how infinitely difficulties and obsta- 
 cles tend to nourish affection. De 
 Montmorency, deeply afflicted at hav- 
 ing the beloved object of his heart 
 torn from him, and shut up in a clois- 
 ter, will yet more strongly resist the 
 union you are anxious for; Julia will 
 become a thousand times more dear to 
 him from the moment he believes her 
 suffering. Allow me to manage this 
 affair; I know the jealous character 
 of this young man ; I will scatter on 
 his heart the seeds of mistrust and sus-
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 197 
 
 picion, and when I see the moment pro- 
 pitious to our views, what need pre- 
 vent you sending Julia away? Not 
 to her convent, but to one of your 
 estates, madam (addressing himself to 
 the countess) where your son will 
 never think of searching for her. I 
 will leave the castle at the same mo- 
 ment she does ; the count will believe 
 us together, or at any rate may sup- 
 pose so. He will weary himself with 
 fruitless conjectures, and in this 
 wretched state of grief at her loss, and 
 doubt of her fidelity, he will probably, 
 in desperation, conclude a marriage 
 equally advantageous to both fami- 
 lies." 
 
 "I quite approve of this plan," said 
 Madame de Seligny, <{ and am willing 
 k 3
 
 198 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 to adopt it if the countess thinks it 
 right." 
 
 The countess reflected for a few 
 moments, and then declared she had 
 no objection whatever to offer. They 
 then decided that Madame de Seligny 
 should order a confidential servant of 
 her own to conduct Julia to an estate 
 belonging to the countess, situated at 
 the foot of the Pyrenees ; and it has 
 been seen in what manner the artful 
 Rosinval conducted this shameful 
 enterprise. 
 
 Of the three persons thus leagued 
 against the happiness of Julia, the 
 Countess de Montmorency was the one 
 who most heartily rejoiced at the 
 fruition of their plan. She now felt 
 herself protected against the storm
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 199 
 
 which must have ensued from the 
 baron's violence, had he imagined her 
 trying to torment De Montmorency. 
 It was of the highest importance to 
 her not to irritate the mind of her 
 brother-in-law, who in fact could, as 
 he had threatened, effect her complete 
 ruin. 
 
 Some little time after their friendly 
 intercourse had ceased, that is to say 
 when Frederick de Montmorency was 
 about fourteen years old, the baron, 
 whilst overlooking some necessary re- 
 pairs in the interior of the castle, had 
 discovered in the hollow part of the 
 wall (until then concealed by the 
 wainscot) an old trunk covered with 
 dust, in which he found several papers 
 enclosed in a skin of parchment : he 
 & 4
 
 200 JULIA DE YIENNE. 
 
 eagerly examined them, and discover- 
 ed, not without the greatest surprise, 
 they were title-deeds., proving the long 
 contested inheritance between his 
 sister-in-law's family and his own in- 
 contestibly to belong to the house of 
 De Montmorency. 
 
 Delighted with this discovery, his 
 jfirst impulse was to convey them to his 
 solicitor, and then re-commence a 
 process, which, by depriving the count- 
 ess of all her possessions, rendered her 
 absolutely dependant on her son, but 
 after a few moment's reflection, the na- 
 tural goodness of his heart prevented 
 his taking a step so destructive to the 
 pride of his enemy. He carefully laid 
 by the papers, and had nearly forgot- 
 ten their existence, until Frederick de
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 20! 
 
 Montmorency, by claiming his protec- 
 tion, created the idea of using the title 
 deeds as a scourge over the countes9, 
 to prevent her taking any measure to- 
 wards establishing her son, without 
 having previously obtained his consent. 
 
 His success we have already seen. 
 At the first expression of ruin and rc- 
 Tenge he uttered., his sister-in-law 
 became so pale and confused, a dread- 
 ful shuddering so palsied her frame, 
 that the baron was convinced he should 
 loon bring her to his wishes. 
 
 " Do not destroy me, sir," she said, 
 
 " and above all I entreat you to con- 
 ceal from my son a secret that weighs 
 heavily on my conscience — a secret— " 
 Fortunately for her, the baron inter- 
 rupted her, for she was on the point of 
 disclosing an important and extraordi- 
 * 5
 
 202 JULIA DE VIENtfE. 
 
 nary circumstance, which she believed 
 him already acquainted with, and was 
 then alluding to. 
 
 The baron, whose heart was formed 
 in nature's gentlest mould, was greatly 
 affected by her thus humiliating herself 
 to him ; his anger instantly subsided, 
 and^hastened to cheer her spirits by 
 declaring he had no intention to in- 
 jure her; then, without giving her 
 time to. reply, he explained in what 
 manner he had found the papers, and 
 merely requested her promise not fo 
 conclude the intended marriage until 
 he thought it right to give his consent. 
 
 t( On these terms,'* he added "you 
 may rely on my secrecy, and the papers 
 shall not go out of my hands." 
 
 In proportion as the baron advanced
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 203 
 
 in this discourse, so in the same degree 
 did the countess regain her courage : 
 her pallid looks and confusion gradu- 
 ally disappeared, and she politely said 
 he should remain the arbiter of his ne- 
 phew's destiny. 
 
 The baron, very well pleased with 
 this answer, resumed his good-humour, 
 and listened with attention to the re- 
 cital of the many advantages that would 
 result to his nephew from an union 
 with Miss de Seligny. 
 
 " Well, well/' replied the baron, 
 <c it seems all right, but we must not 
 force his inclinations; let me manage 
 this matter, and if he still persists in re- 
 fusing the girl, I will soon make him 
 hear reason. " 
 
 The countess once more consented
 
 204 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 to all the baron required, and the best 
 understanding took place between them, 
 which continued until the moment the 
 latter was obliged to leave the castle. 
 
 Julia, travelling day and night, 
 nearly overcome by fatigue and sorrow, 
 had almost reached her destination. 
 Already she distinguished the chain of 
 Pyrenees mountains, whose grey sum- 
 mits seemed to be lost in the horizon. 
 
 It was now five o'clock in the morn- 
 ing; the foliage of the trees, moist 
 With a beneficent dew, wavered over 
 the roof of the carriage — a clear and 
 serene sky, tufts of flowers and aroma- 
 tic shrubs, from which exhaled the 
 sweetest perfumes, invited the mind to 
 meditation, and the heart to that soft 
 melancholy which is but the gentle
 
 JVLVL DB VIENNE. 205 
 
 repose of the soul dwelling on tender 
 recollections. 
 
 Julia already felt their influence 
 steal over her senses; a pleasing deli- 
 rium had succeeded the grief she 
 could not until now at all controul.— » 
 She still wept, hut her tears flowed 
 with less bitterness, her respiration was 
 more free, and the balmy air, circu- 
 lating aroundher, conveyed throughout 
 her being a refreshing calm. 
 
 " May I now know/' she said with 
 gentleness to Madame Dumont, lf to 
 what place you are going to conduct 
 me?" 
 
 u To-night/' replied Madame Du- 
 mont, <f we shall arrive at the end of 
 our journey, and until then I have or- 
 ders not to inform you." 
 
 Julia sighed deeply, and continued
 
 206 JULIA DE VIENNA. 
 
 silently to admire the wild and pic- 
 turesque country over which the car- 
 riage proceeded. 
 
 At three o'clock in the afternoon they 
 reached a delightful valley, interspersed 
 with several rivulets, whose waters, 
 bordered by green turf, reflected the 
 olive and ever-green oak trees, indi- 
 genous to this part of the Pyrenees. 
 
 The excessive heat induced Madame 
 Dumont to order the carriage to stop ; 
 she took a basket containing provisions, 
 and accompanied by Julia, seated her- 
 self near the edge of a streamlet, where 
 several large trees formed a natural 
 dome> impenetrable to the sun-beams. 
 After having partaken of the refresh* 
 ments, they stopped some time to enjoy 
 the refreshing breezes playing around
 
 JULIA ©E VIENNE. 207 
 
 them. Soon Madame Dumont's eyes,, 
 heavy from fatigue, insensibly closed^ 
 and she sunk into a sound sleep. Julia 
 dared not at first venture to move from 
 the place where she was for fear of 
 awaking her ; at length the desire of 
 more nearly observing the sweet walks 
 by which she was surrounded became 
 so ardent, that she determined to ex- 
 plore some of them. She with great 
 caution quitted her seat on the grass, 
 took some steps, then- stopped and look- 
 ed behind her, but believing Madame 
 Dumont still slumbering, and that the 
 coachman had also yielded to sleep, she 
 ventured to advance a little farther, 
 and attain the entrance of a beauti- 
 ful wood, around which the same 
 streamlet was winding itself which 
 she had just left the border of.
 
 203 JULIA DE VIENNE, 
 
 Several narrow and crooked paths 
 were before her; she entered one of 
 them, where the flexible branches, 
 wavering over her head, alternately 
 concealed and rendered visible the sua** 
 beams, which thus gliding over the 
 moistened grass, seemed to strew it 
 over with spangles, and give addition- 
 al beauty and brilliancy to the wild 
 flowers with which it was enamelled. 
 
 Julia walked slowly on, occasionally 
 stopping to admire the surrounding 
 landscape, and to meditate with more 
 freedom on the late painful occurrences* 
 Suddenly she perceived through a 
 hedge, that divided another walk from 
 the path she was pursuing, a peculi- 
 arly handsome dog : the animal was at 
 her feet in a moment, then loudly bark- 
 ing, immediately disappeared. Julia^
 
 JULIA DE V1ENNE. 209 
 
 struck by his uncommon beauty, ad- 
 vanced a few steps intending to follow 
 him, when she observed a young girl, 
 whose singular costume rivetted her 
 attention. Her light brown hair, grace- 
 fully twisted up, was covered by a 
 black veil thrown back and reaching 
 to her girdle. Over her bosom she 
 wore a handkerchief shaped like a nun's 
 stomacher, which was confined within 
 a corset, that marked a form equally 
 supple and elegant. A rather short 
 petticoat induced Julia to observe the 
 sandals, laced with black cord, that 
 covered her finely turned ancles and 
 beautiful feet. 
 
 The surprise of Julia could only be 
 equalled by the astonishment of the 
 young girl on examining the muslin
 
 210 JULIA DE VIENNE. 
 
 gown and straw hat ornamented with 
 feathers, worn by the stranger before 
 her. Both motionless, they were look- 
 ing attentively at each other, without 
 uttering a sentence, when a coarse voice 
 at some little distance pronounced 
 some words in a provincial dialect, 
 wholly unknown to Julia. The young 
 girl seemed much displeased at hearing 
 them, and after having bowed to Julia, 
 with infinite grace she retired slowly 
 and with much apparent reluctance. 
 But the same voice being again heard, 
 in a more loud and imperative tone, the 
 unknown female quickened her steps, 
 and soon after disappeared among the 
 trees. 
 
 Urged by curiosity, Julia's first im- 
 pulse was to follow the road she had
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. SH 
 
 seen her take, and she had already 
 crossed several footpaths, covered with 
 a light sand, on which the impression 
 of the stranger's delicate feet was per- 
 ceptible, and was proceeding towards 
 a little rustic, thatched building, nearly 
 covered by the thick branches of a 
 group of trees, when the appearance 
 of two men coming out of the cottage, 
 whose dress was as extraordinary as 
 that of the young female, caused her 
 most serious alarm, and induced her 
 speedily to retrace her footsteps. She 
 did not stop, even to breathe, until she 
 had reached the extremity of the wood, 
 then leaning against a tree, she ven- 
 tured to look behind her, and after 
 thoroughly convincing herself she was 
 not pursued, she regained sufficient
 
 213 JULIA DE VIENNE- 
 
 courage to join Madame Dumont, who 
 on awaking had felt the greatest un- 
 easiness at not finding Julia near her. 
 She reproved her severely for having 
 absented herself without permission, 
 and they soon afterwards entered th* 
 carriage. 
 
 Julia, although much occupied by 
 her late accidental meeting with the 
 sweet girl in the wood, yet most ar- 
 dently wished to interrogate Madame 
 Dumonjt as to her future destination ; 
 but the extreme ill-humour constantly 
 expressed in that woman's countenance, 
 together with the fear of obtaining 
 only unpleasant answers, forced her to 
 repress her curiosity ; and during the 
 rest of the day she contented herself 
 with dwelling on the recollection of
 
 JULIA DE VIENNE. 213 
 
 the young girl and the two strange 
 looking men, whom she conjectured 
 must be her companions in that lonely 
 spot. 
 
 The shades of twilight Lad already 
 began to extend over the country, and 
 added a sombre tint to the foliage of 
 the trees, whose tufted branches crossed 
 the road, when the carriage reached a 
 defile of the valley, where from nam* 
 berless threatening rocks the wild vine, 
 ivy, and other parasitical plants waved 
 in long festoons down their broken 
 edges. A little farther to the left 
 Julia perceived a castle flanked with 
 strong towers, and surrounded by a 
 deep ditch ; the carriage passed over 
 an ancient bridge, lined with heavy 
 plates of iron, covered by rust. The
 
 214 JULTA DE VIENNE. 
 
 trampling of (he horses' feet on passing 
 over it produced a dull and plaintive, 
 yet awful sound. Julia, with a sorrow- 
 ful heart, had been some time atten- 
 tively contemplating the venerable go- 
 thic building already half concealed 
 ■by the shades of night ; and when she 
 passed under the ponderous iron gate 
 that closed the interior a scream of 
 terror escaped her. 
 
 K.VD OF VOL f. 
 
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