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AMATORY TALES,
VOL. I,
White and Lewis, Printers,
2.5, New Street, Bishopsgate Without, London.
AMATORY TALES
OF
SPAIN, FRANCE, SWITZEHLAND,
AND THE
MEDITERRANEAN :
COJITAININ©
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN; ROSOLIA OF PALERMai
AND
THE MALTESE PORTRAIT ;
INTERSPERSED WITH PIECES OF ORIGINAL POETRY,
IN FOUR VOLUMES.
By HONORIA SCOTT,
AUTHOR OF THE >yiNTER IN EDINBURGH, &Ci
*' Oh ! how tlMS spring of Love resembletk
" Th' uncertain glory of an April day ;
" Which now sliews all the beauty of t!ie sun^
^ And by and by a cloud takes all away."
VOL. L
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY J. DICK, 55, CHISWELL STREETj.
AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS.
1810.
THE
FAIR ANDALUSIAN
CHAPTER I.
Stem winter smiled on this auspicious clime ;
The rocks are fiorid with unfading prime :
From the bleak pole no winds inclement blow.
Mould the roand hail, and flake the fleecy snow <
But, from the breezy deep, the blest inhale
The fragrant murmurs of the western gale.
HOMLB.
rf On the 17th of March, the Swiss re-
^ giitteiit of Valmont disembarked on
^ Mount Calpe ; a season when the i^ny
^cataracts having subsided, every fissure
A^' TOL. I. B
<!^
2 THE FAIR ANDAJLUSIAN.
of the rock yielded its tribute of vege-
tation. Morning slowly withdrew its
veil of mists, as the early gun, rever-
brating through the excavations of the
mountain, awoke the hum of languages,
the various occupations of the motley
people: — Spaniards, entering the bar-
riers with fruit and game; fishermen,
drawing from their nets the varieties
of the Mediterranean sea, or vending
the coralline productioiii fished from
watry caverns at the feet of Abyla;
listless Genoese, reclining near piles of
lemons and dates ; Jews, carrying bur-
thens, or exposing merchandise for sale;
and Moors, hastening to^ the Almeyda,
with Esparto mats, and ring-doves of
Mauritania, in cages of reed.
Passing hastily through a crowd, sin-
gularly picturesque from variety of cos-
tume, the strangers proceeded to the
south ; where giving the necessary or-
^HE rAiR ANDAXUSIAN. S>
ders for the accommodation of their
men, the officers dispersed amongst the
romantic sheds of Europa, in quest of
the quarters severally allotted them.
Situated on a rugged mass, evidently
rent from the surrounding ones by the
convulsions of an earthquake, and ele-
vated to all the grandeur of prospect,
the Chevalier Du Marr beheld with
pleasure his assigned abode, porticoed
by vines, and placed in the centre of i\
'^mall hanging garden, from whence the
iiowring myrtle and geranium pursued
each rich vein of mould, down the steep
acclivities of the rock.
Whilst his servant busied himself in
the interior of the shed, the chevalier
seated himself near its entrance, and
surveyed with admiration a prospect^
magnificent even to one accustomed to
Alpine views. Behind the group of
rustic cabins scattered near Europa, th(i
B 2
4 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.,
lofty rock arose, rescLnbling in its up-
ward sweep an immense and broken
wave; rejecting alike cultivation or
spontaneous verdure, its summit frov^ned
on the luxuriance below, where Mount
Pleasant, and the romantic dwellings
in its vicinity, first lured its bosom to
the embraces of Flora: there, the
Spanish broom mixed its white and
yellow blossoms with the departing
blush of the almond ; the dark Alca-
robe received on its sombre foliage the
scarlet flowers of the pomegranate;
fragrant orange and lemon trees show-
ered perfume on myrtles; and the
spiky pear formed its barrier of rich
and impenetrable leaves. Below, hung
the vineyards and gardens, raised on the
ruins of St. Rosia ; extending to its ro-
mantic mound, edged with fortification,
and laved by the ocean.
The wild pass of Europa just dis-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. O
closed on the left the few rudely sculp-
tured tombs, raised amid its solitary
rocks, marked by the frequent cross.
The eye, bounded on the right in its
home view, passed to Andalusia ; where
the scattered village of St. Roque re-
ceived, from its elevation, the beams of
morning. A Moorish ruin appeared in
misty distance ; more advanced, glided
the Palmones, tribute of Granadine
snows, and the Guadaranque, laving
ancient Carteia. The lofty Orespedas
extended their Pyrenean branch in front,
screening Algesiras audits " forted isle;"
and rising partly dark with immense fo-
rests of cork, partly elevated above the
sombre green, in rugged masses, marked
alone by the scath of lightning, or th^
mule's adventurous path.
Crossing the sparkling ocean, dotted
by the picturesque sails of the Mediter-
ranean, the eye of Du Marr rested on
B 3
6 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
striking features of African scenery : —
Abyla, giving a bold character to the
foreground, and more distant the moun-
tains of Mauritania, forming in purpling
shades, their rich aerial perspective.
Vision does not pass more rapidly the
extent of prospect, than mind embraces
its history, however distant the dates.
The actions of the modern Elliott, con-
secrating the rock on %vhich he stood ;
the exploits of the ancient Hannibal,
involving in tlieir fury the destruction of
Garteia, mcu*ked only by the few frag-
njents strewed round the solitary tower
of Rccadilla; the misty mountain of
Munda, famed by the victory of Caesar
over the Porapeys ; the sandy desarts,
from which the exiled Moor beholds the
terrestrial paradise of his fathers ; and
inspired by hope, gives in his departing
hour their legacy in turn to his children ;
** The sacred key of Spanish bowers :
THE FAIR'ANDALUSIAN.
-.All, on the rapid ^ving- of imagination ;
cauie ta the mind of the chevalier, as
wrapt ia contemplation, he surveyed the
scene.
He was roused at length from his re-
verie, by an invitation from the owner
of an adjoining dwelling. Captain
Montolieu had observed the arrival of
the stranger, and sent his domestic to
request he would partake of his morn-
ing repast, spread in the influence of
the western breeze.
Da Marr found his entertainer a
young man of very pleasing exterior^
graceful in the courtesies of life, a
" thought graver than youth," with some-
•what of the affectation of singularity.
In the Swiss, Montolieu beheld that
estimable character the storms of the
revolution have nearly swept from so-j
ciety ; the foreigin^fficer of accomplish-
ed manners, chivalric principle, and
B 4
» THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
enthusiastic honor. Du Marr approach-
ed forty, yet looked younger ; and had
much of the intelligent expression rarely
accompanying fine features.
Their conversation commenced ia
French; but Montolieu understanding
his guest spoke English, and prided
himself in the attainment, delicately gave
him an opportunity of displaying it.
The stranger expressed himself delighted
with the external appearance of Gibral*
tar, and was minute in his enquiries as
to the state of its society, amusements,
and sources of intellectual pleasure.
Montolieu smiled. *' I am," observed
ie, " considered a cynic; from me,
therefore, no opinion should be received;
yet I am free to declare my belief, your
admiration of surrounding objects, your
high-wrought expectation, will sink to
the apathy epidemic here; and only
Toused by the signs of a Levanter, Of
the arrival of a fleet."
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 9l
** The influence of the fair must, how-
ever, be great," said the Swiss; "are
not the lovely Briton and graceful An-
dalusian charming contrasts ?"
** My countrywomen," replied Mon-
tolieu, " assume here a cliaracter that
displeases me ; this I leave to your ex-
perience : — as to the Andalusians, few
of any rank visit the fortress; but tlie
general traits of their women are une-
qualled captivation, inconstancy, and
romance ; and in saying only this, I imi-
tate their coquetry, and draw a veil
over the worst feature. Our society
may not be unaptly compared to the
scene before us : above, tower com-
manding, bold, but sterile summits;
below, lurk dangerous rocks, half hid
by the refuse of the Spanish shores ; a
rich vein runs between the extremes ;
thither I direct my steps in search of
health; ajid by observiiig the same rule
E 5
JO THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
in the Almeyda, the parade, the library,
the assembly, and the playhouse, I
avoid spleen, disgust, and the train of
mental diseases. Come," added he,
smiling at the serious expression of
Du Marr's countenance, " I invite you
to a tonr of my abode ; it may divert
ypur mind from the austerity of my
opinions."
Montolieu's dwelling consisted of
three rooms, opening to the west ; a trel-
lis of vines and passion flowers extend-
ed in front of the windows, forming a
portico of fcjliage, to whose pillars
Spanish alcarazas "^ presented elegant
chapiters ; on the humid surface of these
clay vases seeds had been strewn^
whose rapid vegetation twined them
with garlands. A space paved with
* Used fer cooling waters.
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. H
smooth pebbles, and strewed with
maize, lured
•* The little trooping doves/'
the large Spanish pigeon and Barbary
turtle.
The furniture of the apartments con-
sisted of sofas of green Maltese rush,
unframed drawings, fastened by knots
of ribbon ; African mats ; a bed covered
with green net, and a table of dark and
highly polished marble, on which was
placed a bowl of rock spar; round,
hung shelves, on which some fine speci-
mens of coral and shells, mingled with
music and books. ,
The petite garden,, divided in paf-
terres by the marine spoils of the isth-
mus, shed carnations and jessamine
over the rocks, down which the fisher-
B 6
12 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
man's dangerous path appeared winding
to the ocean.
Montolieu, at parting, pressed a re-
newal of Du Marr's visit with warmth
unusual to him ; nor did the Swiss he-
sitate in his promise : he felt gratified by
attention from an accomplished man,
who had owned himself averse to so-
ciety, and even the tincture of misan-
thropy mingling in Montolieu's discourse
excited curiosity. Thus the seeds of
friendship are sown: — the fault is ob-
vious ; but we seek the society of the
possessor, solicitous, by marking hina
in society, to find its excuse.
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 13
CHAPTER II.
*' If misfortune comes, she brings along
** The bravest virtues • •
*t
^* To men of other minds my fancy flies."
The regiment of Valmont were com-
posed of different nations; men whom
misfortune had united, but whose spirit
she had not subdued. The cup of ca-
lamity had been severally presented
them during the sanguinary scenes of a
continental war; but the impression
had faded or remained, according to the
national shades of character.
The venerable Count de Valmont, on
whose aged head the storms of France
14 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
had beat heavy, on whose heart the fate
of a once loved, and yet regretted fa-
mily pressed, regarded his officers with
the affection of a parent, yet, in their
hours of hilarity retired to musing and
solitude.
His major, a cool phlegmatic Ger-
man, though he felt from indolence of
habit and advanced age, little relish for
parties usually denominated those of
pleasure, permitted his young wife to
enter every scene of gaiety. Du Rose,
at sixty, had married the daughter of a
Swiss Pastor, who, dreading the ap-
proaches of war to his once happy
abode, joyfully gave his Josephine to
the veteran's protection, at a period when
her beauty had scarce passed the con-
lines of childhood. By the care of her
husband she received instruction in
every accomplishment, from the first
masters ; and gaining dignity with hec
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 15
years, was now an elegant and fasci-
nating woman. The major, by his con-
fid ence^ shewed an accurate judgment
of her character ; her gaiety proceeded
from innocence of heart, her almost in-
fantine playfulness, from " unblemished
thoughts."
Most of the elder officers were men
mingling thought with talent; but it
was amongst the ephemera of the corps
that national traits were most ob-
servable. Du Marr, ** too far travelled
to allow the prejudices of country to
adhere as burs in his garment," could
not repress a smile, when on his tour of
visits, after arriving in garrison, he be-
held their variety of occupations and
approaches to comfort.
The gourmand Bosse, an inflated
German, sat surrounded by liqueurs
and incitements to the pleasures of the
table.
16 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
Borgoise, a young Frenchman, by an
imhicky coup de main, had secured the
equilibrium of a wretched daubing of
his tutelary saint, Jean Jaques Rousseau,
by volumes of Rabelais and Voltaire;
above appeared a threatening couteau
de chasse and a pair of pistols.
Immorality and infidelity, as sup-
porters of sentiment, and crowned by
suicide, might reasonably awake fears
ibr the owner of the abode. Du Marr's
were, however quieted, by a glance to-
wards the garden, where Borgoise sat
caressing a monkey, who doubtless,
from his affectation of gravity previous
to any imlucky prank, was designated
St. Preux.
Danville, more the child of folly than
offence, had directed his servant to
twine dark branches round his case-
ment, '^ pour inspirer le philosophie,'^ as
he penned a sonnet to a swarthy Spa-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 17
nish belle, loitering near, and chanting
at intervals notes, to which his neigh-
bour, an Italian, obstinately shut every
aperture of sound.
Du Marr reached the cabin of his
Swiss friend Vosier, around which the
dappled goat broused, as his domestic
was petitioning to ascend the rock, from
whose elevation he had heard a petite
Mont Blanc might be descried.— Sacred
be the love of country, however rude
the bosom that enshrines it!
Du Marr, a« he slowly pursued his
way along the road leading to the towii,
shaded on one side by lofty trees, oii
the other exposed to the freshest breath
of that element whose waters laved the
batteries, was overtaken by Montolieu,
They paused near South Port, to
observe gardens extending on the
left, blooming in vegetative life, and
18 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
tiieir gloomy contrast on the other,
Avhcre tombs, decorated with shells,
rose from " dank weeds and noisome
brakes."
As they entered the town, the Swiss,
with some humour described the occu-
pations of his brother officers.
" Do you not in this imitate the po-
licy of Scarron?" replied Montolieu ;
•*^ and by laughing yourself, prevent the
laugh of others? believe me, you need
not ; for every foreign absurdity I pledge
myself to produce ten English. Come,'*
added he, looking at his watch, ** I have
an hour to devote to you before I at-
tend the theatre; you must accompany
me to the library."
** The theatre I" said the Swiss, some-
what surprised.
'' Did I omit informing you I act the
lover?" replied Montolieu;, nay, " I
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 19
write prologues, too ; no easy task for
a mail more ** commanded than com-
manding :'*
" For how should mortal man, in mortal verse,
'' Their titles, merits, or their names rehearse?
" But give, kind dullness, memory and rhyme,
" We'll put off genius till another time."
At these words thev came on the
stone terrace, extending before the li-
brary, surrounded by high iron rails,
and adorned by plots of flowers. The
edifice forms a handsome object in view;
the lower part a^nrpropriated to a well-
chosen collection of books, and the
rooms above to the amusements' of the
garrison. Balconies open on a garden,
rising with the acclivity, and filled with
orange and pomgranstte trees, the spread-
ing tig, and hardy myrtle.
The stranger, as he surveyed the
20 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
groiipes seated round the library, and
cast bis eyes on their incentives to
study, displayed in the surrounding vo-
lumes, could have wished the absence
oT Montolieu ; who, as he pointed out
men and books, spoke of either wrth
more of his assumed severity than- his
smothered judgment.
" Behold," said he, motioning to a
shelf on which lay a late purchase of
scarce and valuable Spanish books;
^' the canons legacy to Gil Bias!'*
Could we not have been content with
our ancient treasures, that rare trial,
Rome versus Fandango, and Donna Se-
gudilla's holy farces? — Here," proceeding
on, " are novels ; may they soften our
fair; so shall young subalterns find
partners, and old field officers lack
them."
The librarian now accosted Du Marr,
aiid finding he was appointed represen-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 21
<ative of his corps, explained a code of
excellent regulations, and pointed out
some valuable additions to the library
lately arrived. Mr. B was an
emisrrant of extensive literary informa-
tion, and of most unshaken fidelity to-
wards the government under whose pro-
tection he remained. After a friendly
recognition of him, Montolieu walked
to the further end of the apartment in
quest of a book.
*' Captain Montolieu is a character,"
said Du Marr, smilingly, to B — .
" A man, who with his person does
not intrigue, his purse does not game,
must be so here," replied B- : " it
is to be regretted he suffers an affecta-
tion of satirical humour, say, at times,
the reality of it, to marr a fine mind,
and render him less desirable to so-
ciety; we are too indolent here to seek
for hidden virtues. A variety of reports
/
21 THE FAIR ANDALU9IAN.
are in circulation concerning the birth
of Captain Montolieu's misanthropy;
some impute it to the fatal termination
of a point of honour, younjoer people to
love. In the theatre you will have an
opportunity of judging whether he there
lays aside the mask, or assumes one."
" You seemed to attend but little to
the news to-day," «aid Du Marr to his
friend, as they quitted the library, and
paused an instant before they pursued
their different routes; '' surely, the
greater part of what those young men
who accosted you, were eager to impart,
was important."
" My dear Du Marr," said Monto-
lieu, laying his hand gently on his shoul-
der, ** shall I treat a serious evil gravely,
or jestingly ?"
** Would not the last be more in
character?" replied the Swiss.
" Know then, most unenlightened
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 23
stranger, that, taking into their profound
consideration the dangerous effects of
climate, the Creolean softness of our
fair, and the yawning listlessness of their
lovers, some young heroes, sacrificing
" the bubble reputation," for the ge-
neral good, devote themselves to Fa-
hular
*' Still I am the ' unenlightened stran-
ger,*" said Du Marr.
" In a fevjr turns of the parade," re-
plied his friend, taking his arm, " I can
explain : — suppose,
" Pons
** Sat meditating on her beauty,
** And now was pensive,
" And loll'd the sultry hours away ;''
" The news of the arrival of the Hyme-
neal frigate, commanded by Lord Boreas
Tempest,
" To her own stature lifts the feeble maid,"
M THE FAIR AJNDALUSIAN.
" and the evening assembly is a grace
prouder. Many a marriage is expedited
less by the inclination of the parties,
than the tongiue grejvades thro^vn in. —
The rich merchant has made an offer ;-^
the lady prefers riches to love; — pique
takes the duty of Cupid, and old Colonel
Totter storms the place. But it is
among politicians these beardless priests
of Fabula find most success; an am-
bassador gone through the Straits in
the last orange boat, for the Sublime
Porte; — the death of Bonaparte; — nay,
during the height of a sirocco, his ar-
rival in tlie fortress. — Sometimes, they
fly to the library, where Paris sits
sighing over tlie pages of the senti-
mental Charlotte: a beauty arrived;
young, lovely, rich; — you cannot mount
the guard at the Mole for gazers."
*' But surely," argued Du Marr, " this
cannot be repeated more than twice, in
the worst complaints of the head ?"
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK. ^»
** Pardon me,'* replied Montolieu;
'^ it is, as in wine, the head finds its in-
firmity in the morning, but not a cork
the less is drawn in the evening.**
VOL, I,
26 THE FAIR ANDALUSI AN.
CHAPTER III.
*' Had she been true,
** If heaven would have made me such another
world,
" Of one entire and perfect chrjsolile,
*' I'd not have sold her for it."
Du Marr, at the time Madame Du
Rose called forth most powerfully his
respect and esteem, could not, per-
haps, forg'et, in happier days, the fair
Swiss, with her aged parent, had vi-
sited the chateau of his father; and
the son exchanged with her the love
tokens of a simple people; had sent the
osier basket, and received the wreath.
Yet the recollection led to no em-
barrasment; Madame Du Rose made
THE FAIR ANDALUSIA]S(. 27
ft a point, ill the absence of her husband.
to place herself under his protection : a
libertine would ha^e understood the de-
licacy of the compliment ; and the high-
minded and honourable Swiss received
this proof of her confidence with a
conviction, his sword was unsheatlied
equally against himself as another, were
he capable of injuring it. *
The society of the garrison soon ga-
thered round the fair stranger; and
though the simple elegance of her
suppers, where fruit and sweetmeats
were alone admitted, presented a con-
trast to the ostentatious parties of many
she invited, they w ere the centre of at-
traction. The major usually formed a
loto table, whilst his beautiful wife re-
ceived offerings of extempore verse, new
music, or the recital of some interesting
story, blending united feeling and wit ; —
" rare associates.'*
c 2
28 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
Du Marr did not fail introducing his
friend to these parties; and though
Montolieu affected great indifference
towards the arbitrators of male destiny,
he was compelled to own the attractions
of the fair Swiss; and so far relaxed
from his usual imgallant modes, as to
accompany her to several parties formed
for her amusement by the wife of Ge-
neral Layde, a lady known to the family
of Montolieu, and whom he regarded
with an esteem that banished the mists
of his character when he approached
her.
Mrs. Layde had been imjustly ac-
cused of pride, and an observance of
rank, even to the banishment of subal-
tern virtue. The fact was, that consi-
dered as the wife, the sister, the friend,
she had been through life an example;
as the elegant hostess, the superior fe-
male presiding at the garrison parties,
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 2§
the " glass of fashion," Mrs. Layde left
no want in the expectation of her guests.
Manners easy, kind, and polished ; a
person pleasing though in its meridian ;
and unblemished virtue, extending even
to appearances, called fqrth united
esteem and respect. To foreigners she
was certainly partial; and Madame Du
Rose soon became her cherished friend.
Far from her country, the fair emigre
experienced in her kindness, and that
of General Layde, a man universally
beloved, a jrecompence for many slights
from
" Meaner minds/'
The Count de Valmont, on receiving
an invitation to Mrs. Layde's first party
after his arrival, had excused himself,
by sending in lieu his most accomplished
officers; amongst them Du Marr. The
c3
30 THE FAIR ANDALCSiAN.
general's aid-clu-camp, on introducing
them, whispered the daughters of a rick
contractor, in passing, thes;e rials were
the change of a douhloon.
One evening, after a public dinner, the
friends strolled towards the abode of Ma-
dame du Rose, who was expected to
hold her comer zaiioni. A bjight moon,
unclouded by the obscurities of the west,
trembled on the waters, and tinged the
rock with light; the gardens sent forth
their aromatic sighs of orange flowers
and jassmine; no sound disturbed the
silence, save the answering call of the
centinel, or the distant beat of the Cas-
tanet, from terraces where the foreign
groupes assembled to their national
dance. Entering the apartment appro-
priated to the reception of visitants, the
friends found it deserted. A note from
the major lay on the table, informing
them the field-officers had been hastily
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 31
summoned to the governor's to receive
the Marquis Mondecar and his daugh-
ter, who had arrived from Spain, with
the intention of remaining some days in
a fortress, the government of which was
an hereditary though nominal title in
their family. The major concludecl his
billet by requesting the friends would
pass the evcniag at his house.
The genius of elegance and beauty
had accompanied the fair Du Rose ; but
around were scattered her various and
polished arrows. Du Marr paced the
apartment in quest of every object ou
which her eye or hand had rested. —
Touching lightly the embroidery over
which he had seen her lean in the
flexible and picturesque attitudes of a
grace, he bent to examine it. A well
known Swiss scene was skilfully traced ;
round twined a w reath of flowers. Du
c 4 »
52 THE FAIR ANDALUSUN,
Marr turned away; the simple gift of
nature was faded, however bright the
colours of art.
At the extremity of the apartment
fitood Josephine's harp; her shawl, of
** roseate tint," thrown gracefully over,
had lured a dove from an adjoining cage.
The bird, with wing half expanded, slum-
bered in the down : the attitude of its re-
pose, the drapery, partially drawn over
the instrument in classic folds, the sil-
Tery plumage of the favourite, and the
elegance of its perch, invited the pencil.
Du Marr executed his sketch ** con
amorey As he deposited his offering
in a portfolio that lay on the table, he
observed the attention of his friend had
been engaged with the drawings it
contained.
"■ These are French^,*' obserred Mon-
tolieu4
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 33
*' Yes," answered Du Marr ; " they
are traces of a troubled path. I recog-
nise the Count de Valmont's style. His
story is intimately connected with mine :
my aim is to invite confidence; — will
you accept the mingled recital, as the
amusement of the evening ?
** There is something so peculiarly
gratifying," continued he, as he met his
friend's assenting glance, *' in recurring
to days, when the beam of beauty, or
the call of arms, first awoke the dormant
spark of love or valour, that I cannot
resist commencing my recital at an ear-
lier period of life, than the interest ex-
cited may perhaps justify. My father,
after spending his best days in the im-
perial service, retired to his native Swit-
zerland, . and fixed his abode on the
banks of the Arlach, bordered by a
country singularly picturesque. Amid
all the changing events of my life, the
c 5
34 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
obliterating traces of sorrow or time,
memory could at will bring vivid touches
of the scene.
** The craggy mountains of Friburg,
and the magnificent glaciers of Berne,
formed the amphitheatre ; down their
steep ascents the daring hand of nature
threw the chesnut, the beech, and the
pine ; foaming torrents thundering to
the lake, the hermit's solitary cejl, or
the herdsman's hut, burst at intervals
from the woody foliage, in beautiful ef-
fect. Nearer the lake, a softer species
of w^ood, in slenderer form and lighter
leaf, led the eye, by verdant meadows
and pastoral groupes, to the emerald
W'aters, from whose rocky bed rose fan-
tastic rocks, an imaginary watch tower,
or pyramidic column.
** My father inhabited an old chateau
belonsfinff to the Count de Valmont, with
whom he had served, and contracted an
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 55
inviolable friendship. The apartments
had sufl'ered from age and neglect ; but
our family consisted of few persons,
easily accommodated. An extensive
library owed its preservation to the
amusement it had afforded the late
count during a year of indisposition he
had spent in Switzerland. The family,
from female alliances, possessing estates
in France, it was considered useless to
exhaust their resources in the repairs of
a property seldom visited. The present
count, when he presented his friend
with an asylum, dear to the veteran
from its vicinity to abodes whose pos-
sessors had flown on the wings of time
and death, directed a few apartments,
adjoining the library, should be pre-
pared for his reception : these wei*e fur-
nished with massy gilded furniture, in
character with the building.
** From the chateau a terrace extend-
c 6
36 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN^
ed to the lake, -whose verdant bosom
gave root to rows of linden, poplar,
and birch ; a fallen tower lay in pictu-
resque beauty, half hid by moss and
spreading foliage ; in the back ground,
a cascade burst from the dark woods,
dashing through the scattered masses,
towards the rustic alleys and wild par-
terres of the deserted gardens ; where
softening with the altered scene, it
branched out in silvery currents, bathing
the rose and saffron flow er.
" My father lost the partner of bi»
joys and sorrows at my birth : the child
of his age, I was consequently that of
indulgence. Had he formed me ac-
cording to his own ideas of perfection,
my education would have been entirely
military; but the count, in his annual
visits, urged the admission of literature
and the arts ; and obtained me permis-
sion to wander amid the sublime scenes
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 37
by which I was surrounded, accompa-
nied by the poet or the historian. Hap-
py age! unalloyed by care, devoid of
wish, save that of emulating the hero,
the worthy, or the sage. I delight to
recall to recollection, when stretched
on some verdant platform, from which
the magic dews called forth aromatic
sweets, in half ascent of some Alpine
steep, I lulled my wrapt senses in the
contemplation of a Homer or a Vir-
gil; forgetting in the morning I had
been the infant Tell of a village; and
that my venerable father, anticipating
future fame, twined my arrow with
laurel.
" At fourteen I became an enrolled
citizen ; and shortly after obtained ad-.-
mission to the Ernest regiment of Berne,
commanded by Dn Yalraont. My
young fancy, aided by history, had long
burst the Alpine barrier that surrounded
38 THfi FAIR ANDALUSIAJT.
me ; but too loosely reined, the new
fledged passions fluttered with ideas of
nobler wing : — together unveiling the
distant rocks of Melliere, and the sa-
cred chapel where the tyrant of my
country fell. Thus by turns my steps
traversed every spot immortalized by
Tell ; or, seeking the light boat, glided
through the lakes, to wander amid
dewy plants or shadowy foliage, where
once ruminated the Rousseau, however
mistaken in feeling, however gloomy ia
misanthropy, but too dear to youth, too
sacred to sensibility !
" These dreams are dispersed ; called
as I have been, to act, in my own per-
son, the scenes his ardent pencil drew,
I can detect the fallacy of his reasoning,
the dangerous tendency of his maxims.
How different w as it in youth ! The
light mists concealing the fatal preci-
pice, the overwhelming avalanche of
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 39
my native hills floated not more beauti-
fully, veiled not more effectually, all
that ought to rouse caution, than the
tender eloquence, the sophistry of the
passions, did the immorality of the au-
thor. The understanding, however hum-
ble, like the day, has its meridian ; be-
fore which the mists of reason and of
nature alike disperse.
" A residence of two 3 ears in the
different French towns, in which my
regiment were quartered, did not weak-
en my attachment to Switzerland, or
close the leaf of volumes in which I had
delighted amid its shades. At this pe-
riod I became indebted to the count for
the attentions of a parent : exposed, in
the ardency of feeling and uncontrouled
youth, to the temptations of a gay peo-
ple, his roof was my sanctuary, his life
my example. United to a beautiful
woman, and father to a lovely girl, in
40 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
the observance of every duty he was
ardent as love, steady as judgment.
Few houses could boast more gaiety ;
but it was such as charmed youth,
without offending age.
** The count condescended to direct
my studies ; his lovely wife, then in the
brilliancy of life and character, taught
me to respect her sex : and directed by
the affection of her parents, the infant
Clarice hovered round me with a younger
sister's love.
" At A I learnt the liberal ac-
complishments. My regiment were
quartered in its environs, and mixed
with its society, where now the seeds
of the revolution were thickly strewn.
Folly and vice began boldly to utter
opinions, from which those who thought,
in the silence of fear, anticipated san-
guinary fruit.
*' Amid this storm of society, the
THE FAin ANDALUSIAN* 41
count found it difficult to choose asso-
ciates. Unfortunately, at the time he
yielded many friendBhii^s to duty, he
gave his confidence so fatally to one
man, as evinced his discernment equal-
led not his other great qualities. Fayau,
accomplished, of family and considera-
ble fortune, though no longer young,
and by no means possessing personal
attraction, had a prepossessing elegance
of manner that rendered him agreeable
to females, and an extensive informa-
tion, occasioning his society to be sought
for by the men. With the count, from
whom with consummate hypocrisy he
veiled an immoral character, he Mas a
favourite; and admitted at all times to
his roof, he soon became intimately ac-
quainted with those secret springs of
mind, that once known, render virtue
the easy prey of vice.
*' Yalmont, generous, noble, and enthu-
4i THE FAIR ANDALUSIA'S. .
jsiastic, needed but a hesitating doubt of
tlie liouour of an action, to diverge from
liis purpose into eccentricities scorning
thought. His beautiful ^\ife, admired
and beloved, invulnerable as she ap-
peared to flattery, had yet an avenue
of approach. Fayau marked the in-!-
quietude the count displayed, as his
Louise, forgetting how much a degrading
passion had preponderated in the scale,
applauded the deference paid female
talent in France, and the part it had
ever been allowed to take in the poli-
ticks of that country. The females of
A , banishing the tenderer loves
and milder graces, harangued on the
reform of kingdoms ; yet Madame Val-
mont, hitherto allowed the most accom-
plished of the circle, was condemned
to silence on the forbidden topic ; and
Fayau saw her wounded pride revolt
from the contemptuous sneer, and the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, 43
" Elk est Suisse' of the French ayo-
111 en.
" The treacherous republican, affect-
ing to form his opinion from hers, drew
her incautious steps nearer the guiph of
atheism and vice, whispering to the vanity
of Louise, her virtue might remain un-
shaken, her talents unalloyed, by errors
into which disputations on religion and
government involved the weaker of the
sex. Lessons of platonism are usually
acceptable to the superior class of wo-
men ; in this language alone the liber-
tine can address virtue. Fayau, by con^
suiting Madame Yalmont in affairs of
moment, engaged her attention ; by
laying his admiration of her person on
the shrine of her virtue, her esteem.
" AVe are said, should our habits af-
ford nurture, to be each bom with the
seeds of the disease that will occasion
death :— how awfully does the mind pre-
44 THE FAIR ANDALt.SIAN\
sent the same idea ! It is dangerous to
pursue it, lest we allow virtue no merit;
and believe all excellence or vice to be
the result of situation."
" My comment on love and politicks
shall not be so grave," said Montolieu,
smiling. " I have heard the French
women of your day were remarkable
for imagining their parrots birds of wis-
dom. The frail mistress of a member
of the convention, whose extreme beau-
ty and lack of wit converted her bonnet
rouge into a cap and bells, used to min-
gle the language of reform with the er-
rors of passion, in the quantum the
Spanish w^omen do devotion. * Ah !*
cried she, breaking from her lover's
arms, and assuming an air of extreme
distress, ' the state totters ; — what can
we do for its support, Monsieur? — I offer
you the union of my talents with your
pliilosophy/
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAV. 4$
" ' My dear Annette/ returned B ,
* when you can preserve your own equi-
Jibriura, you will assuredly be called
on to prop a falling state." '
" The adulation of Fayau," continued
Du Marr, *' became necessary to Ma-
dame Valmont. It was at this crisis the
count, by the suggestions of her se-
ducer, resolved on visiting Switzerland,
and leaving his family to his protection.
'* Public measures began to wear an
alarming aspect, and it was rumoured
the councils of the cantons meditated
the recall of their troops in the service
of France. My father, now in extreme
^g^» yearned to embrace me; and it
was resolved I should accompany the
count to Switzerland.
" Young as I was, I had not been
an unattentive observer cf* Fayau's man-
ner. On Madame Valmont 3 virtue I
40 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX.
confess I had reliance : the chaste and
noble dignity of a Roman matron
beamed on her [ierson, as the count
gave, with a steady hand, herself and
child to the protection of Fayau ; w ho,
on his part, seemed more engrossed by
the object of the count's journey, than
lavish of professions as to his charge.
" Valmont lingered in the embraces
of his family, whilst I proceeded to the
court, where my old servant held my
horse. The expression of his face
struck me : his aged head bent over the
charo'er, and his eve seemed to avoid
mine, yet to be fraught with sorrowfid
meaning. His age, and an education
not shamed by his conduct, rendered
him more my riend than servant. —
* Claude^' said I, taking his hand in
mine, * do not regi'et, infirm as you are.
n»t accompanying me : I rejoice,' added
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN'. 47
I, hesitating: at the suspicion I betrayed,
* I rejoice you remain ^^hh 3Iadame
Valraont/
'' Turning quickly towards me, he
exclaimed, ' Ah 1 my dear master, the
count is deceived: as Heaven is just,
Monsieur Fayau is a villain I'
*' The appearance of the count pre-
vented reply; we rode on, and his ani-
mation served to brighten the colour of
my thoughts.
" The pleasurable emotions with
which a Swiss revisits his country are
proverbial. At sixteen the heart is alive
to the chords of energetic feeling. How
did the majestic hills of my country
seem to beckon, Tong before I left the
French confines, to peaceful vallies and
uncontaminated shades ! — The bounda-
ry once passed, how did object after
object rise to recollection — firiend after
friend appear !
4S THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
'* We arrived near Arlach at the
beautiful close of a summers day.
The distant glaciers yet retained the
roseate fires of the departing sun ; dark-
er tints approached the lake, on whose
tranquil bosom a few fading rays yet
gleamed : above, mid the sere foliage of
the surrounding Alps, the chapel lit its
holy tapers, or the torrent dashed its
waters in silvery mists. Leaving heights
through whose echoes the plaintive
Kuhreigeji resounded, answered by the
bells of descending cattle, we traced
the Arlach, and arrived on the terrace
©f the chateau.
** The count, as he pointed out a
group of village dancers winding through
the avenues, reminded me of the day :
it was my natal one ; and my venerable
father, leaning on his staff, though his
eye, misted by age, viewed not the
dancers, though his ear refused the tones
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 49
of their viol, encouraged their festivity^
My appearance added to the hilarity
that prevailed ; and the count, after the
first emotions of meeting" had subsided,
as tlie venerable pastor of an adjoining
village, then on a visit to My father, pre-
sented me his daughter, motioned me to
join the dance. Josephine Carlotz here
became first known to uie, and was
perhaps' the youngest beauty that ever
received the devotion of a heart. As
Madame Du Rose, she is greatly altgred,
both in person and manner ; and so
changed with regard to Du Marr that
he need not hesitate at naming her.
" The simple dress of the Swiss pea-
sant ^as favourable to her style of
Ijeauty : — a large hat placed on one
side of luxuriant flaxen tresses, a tight
boddice of blue silk, from whose short
chemise sleeves of lawn, her beautiful
•urnis disclosed tiieir uncovered snows ;
TOL. I. D
50 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
a short petticoat, and a large bouquet
of Alpine rose and saffron flowers, corn-
posed the neat habiliments and rural
ornaments of the graceful child. I
gazed on her sylph-like form, the deli-
cate transparency of her complexion,
which no blush, save that of timidity,
had yet heightened; with admiration
contrasting their simple elegance with
the meretricious air, the rouged cheek,
and gaudy costume of France.
" The object of first love is always
presented by virtue : the heart need not
reject it, the memory refuse it place. —
O, that prudence and fortune were for-
bid to interpose between the union of
youth and marriage !— * I return to na-
ture's purest scenes,' ejaculated I men-
tally, as I clasped her fairest child.
" Long continued the waltz, after a
bright moon, rising over the woods, call-
ed forth from sliadow pale phantoms of
.THE I AIR ANDALUSIAX. 51
noon day scenes. A simple supper was
vspread in a lower apartment of the cha-
teau, openin^^ to the terrace. My father,
Cariotz, and the count soon engrossed
by the discourse \ almont's journey gave
rise to, left Josephine to my attentions.
*' The heart that has mingled with the
world loses the power of describing* such
objects. I can only compare my feel-
ings, at the developement of her pure
and ingenuous thoughts, in every con-
versation I held with this channing child
of nature, to those I experienced on
first viewing the power of a microscope
on a simple flow er : — the m iid blosvsom
sparkled with beauty hid to common
eyes ; the hand of a deity had given it
perfection beyond the imitation of art;
and conviction struck the mind, that the
visual mist need only be removed to
render all around a paradise.
*' In the conteniplatio^i ^f Josephine's
D 2
^f^fVERsiTY on
52 THE FAIR ANDALrSL\N.
character, soon my companion in ni^"
walks, my studies, the library, or the
rustic cabin, I was on the brink of a
dangerous error, that of admitting the
senses and the heart might have differ-
ent objects of passion. Necessary as it
\\as for my happiness, I hesitated to
unlock the secrets treasured in the in-
nocent bosom of my x41pine beauty.
Romantic as it may appear, I dreaded
the hour ^vhen its zone of peace should
be unbound ; and love, parent of cares,
doubt, and tears, such as agitated my
breast, should disturb the tranquillity
of hers. Gladly would I have guarded
her from the passion, though I had ba-
nished myself with it.
" How beats your pulse, now," in-
terrogated Montolieu, " your angel has
become woman?"
*' The question is easily answered,''
replied Du Marr ; " the vainest hope
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 53
must die beneath the modest beam of
her eye. Were it otherwise, I should
not recognise Josephine.
" A rapid month flew over our heads
amid my native scenes. Never had they
appeared so beautiful. Yahnont was
soon convinced of the error he had
committed in leaving his corps : alarm-
ing news arrived from France ; the blaze
of watch-towers summoned the coun-
cils of the respective cantons ; and the
post of my colonel and myself un-
doubtedly became the head of our regi-
ment.
" All my prudent resolves, the con-
cealment of my passion, the intended
probation of years, vanished at the ex-
pectation of a parting. I sought the
eyes of Josephine, as I announced the
day of my departure ; their sweet ex-
pression convinced me she awoke at the
intelligence to her first love ; and I
d3
o4 THE FAIR ANDALUSIANT.
turned away from their beam, half soi**
rowfiil. half transported at the certainty
of being" beloved.
^* In the evening 1 led her to the mar-
riage of two happy rustics, whose com*
panions bore in triumph the osier bas-
ket and flowery wreath— simple gifts,^
by w4iich their hearts had been ex-
changed. Josephine, as she pressed the
hand of the bride, asked a thousand
questions arising from her new emotion.
* Had she long loved r — truly loved ? —
Oh !' ejaculated she, as the villager an-
swered, * may you then be happy!*
tears sprang ta her eyes as she softly
add^d, ** and all who truly iovef
** ' Shall we not tlien be happy, Jose-
phine ?' said I, as I led her to a glade
where the dance had begim. Her hand
trembled an instant in mine : — she with-
drew it and fled.
" Respecting the modesty of her in-
THE FAIR ANDALLS1A^^ d«i
fant passion, I followed slowly, and
was met by the count; Mho, with alarm
ill his looks, delivered me a letter. I
took it in silence ; and with confusion
recognised, in the hand of Claude, these
words :
" ' Return, my lord :--pnl>lic and
* private danger threatens you :— l\iyau
* deceives both his country and his
' friend. ^The writer hazards his life
* in sending this •—can you disregard
' it ?'
** Valmont at the moment a suspi-
cion of his wife glanced across his mind,
seemed to consider it injurious to her
former honour not to meditate on the
misfortune in solitude. In hasty and
broken words desiring me to return to
the chateau, he plunged into the re-
cesses of the woods.
'* After giving the servants directions
to prepare for our departure, I sought
d4
56 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN-.
niy father in the library. The heat of
the day, and the lassitude of extreme
age, had thrown him into a slumber.
The fair Jose}3hine suj3ported his head
on her arm. How charming was the
contrast of his silver age, marked with
furrows of time and scars of battle, to
her delicate, pure, and fragile beauty ! —
So twines the fair and tender jassmine
Tound a scathed and venerable oak.
Her attitude was such as did not allow
her to withdraw, without fear of dis*
turbing the object of her care. I sought
the tender expression of her eyes ; she
hid them in the blanched locks of my
sleeping father, nor raised them till the
Wtltl and incoherent exclamations of his
slumbers roused at once her attention
and terror. Over his mind, filled with
fears for France and the fame of his
countrymen, an awful vision of the fxi-
ture seemed to pasS:
THE FAIR ANDALUSL\N. 57
*' ^ Guard the king!' exclaimed the
veteran ; ' shed your blood in his de-
fence !'
'' Josephine, starting from his pillow,
clasped her fair hands, and gazed on the
sleeper with wild expression. ' Where
is my son ?' exclaimed he ; ' is he not
foremost ? — Spare him not ! Where
are the Swiss ?' reiterated he, after a
pause: ' lost! — gone! — let their bodies
form the barrier to the throne ! — Oh na-
ture- My son! fell he at the mo-
narch's feet ! — I am satisfied— I am sa-
tisfied !'
" My extended arms caught my sweet
flower, as overcome witli horror, she
faded and fell. I carried her into the
air, and soothed her with the tenderest
expression of the heart. The even-
ing was sacred to love's purest tri-
umph- and our vows were ratified by
D 5
58 THE FAIR AXDALUSIAN.
the simple seals of iiiisophislicated
manners.
*' On the morrow my father, sup-
ported by Carlotz, addressed me in lan-
guage warmed by the last spark of his
military and ardent spirit. * Charles/
said he, ' should your regiment march
to join their countrymen, remember I
ask of De Yalmont, your fame, not
your life. Guard the unfortunate Louis !
keep sacred from the touch of treason,
his royalty, misfortune, and virtue.'
" Respected and venerable Du Marrl
thy flame of loyalty, thy enthusiastic
valour burned bright to the close of life :
in the week following my revered father
died the death of the just.
" As the count engrossed the adieus^
of Carlotz and his friend, I breathed
the last expressions of attachment to
Josephine. — ' Look round, my gentle
love,' I softly exclaimed, as I pressed
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 50
my lips to her fair forehead ; ' enjoy
these tranquil scenes — indulge in happy
dreams • — Charles will live, and live for
you.'
mG
tiO THE FAIR AXDALUSIA?;,
CHAPTER IV.
** O you, whom vanity's light bark conveys,
" On fame's mad voyage, by the wind of prai^,
*' With what a shifting gale your course you ply;
^' For ever sunk too low, or borne too high.'*
" In \\hatever flattering shapes,'* con-
tinued the Swiss, *' love presented the
future, the count's discourse on the
journey might have dispelled them. My
fathers small pension, from which he
had been unable to lay by any sum for
my support, died with him. The sword
'was my only possession, and my^ com-
mission, in the preserU; dangerous crisis
of France, uncertain. What a provision
for one, who longed for empire, to sa-
crifice at the feet of love! Youth is not
an easy prey to despondency :— turning
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 61
•back my moistened eyes to the fast re-
tiring- hills of Switzerland, wliere bloom-
ed my sweet and simple beauty, the
humblest scenery on their woody steeps
seemed a palace, where love might reign
from youth to age.
" It is not a slight struggle that sepa-
rates two youthful and impassioned
lovers ; yet I blushed at my w eakness,
when, on our arrival at A the
noble Valmont received the death blow
of his happiness. I had left the treasui*e
of my heart amid scenes of trancpiil hap-
piness ; her innocence secured her the
protection of Heaven. — Where was
Louise? following the fortunes of a vil-
lain, who, unmasking with "the times,
avowed himself the enemy of God and
his country ! — Where the sweet Clarice?
exposed to the example of a mother^s
guilt, involved in a mother's desti'uc-
tiou! — Claude was missing; and no
62 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
doubt remained of his having fallen a
victim to his attachment.
** Our corps were quartered in a
small fort near A , in ciixum-
stances of much danger. Their friend-
ships in society dissolved ; uncertain how
they might be called on to use those
arms their indignant bosoms now felt
had a price; alarmed for the fate of
their countrymen near the throne ; and
in expectation of extermination from a
mob, — apprehensive of every thing ; and
turning at the most vague alarm of Ger-
man, English, or Swiss troops advancing,
to wild and murderous excess: — thus
were the Ernest regiment situated;
and, Valmont, in the contemplation of
the probable fate of his corps, seemed
to be indifferent to the wounds of his
heart.
*' Two French regiments, with whom
-we had ever been united, both in duty
THE FAIR AKDALUSIAN. OS
and friendship, avoided us with averted
looks ; yet it was to tliese our little band
owed ultimately their lives.
'* On the third w eek of awful sus-
pense, our colonel was called on to at-
tend one of the many minions of power
that had reigned successively since the
introduction of republicans in A ,
" At his return we were ordered to
attend on the parade ; — the corps, form-
ing their martial lines, gazed in respect-
ful silence on de Yahnont, who, pale
and trembling, seemed overcome with
emotion. Near him stood the aged
chaplain of the regiment, Maritz. The
count, advancing to the centre, in a so-
lemn and broken Toice, addressed us: —
*' * My friends,' exclaimed he, point-
ing to his arm, round which a mourning
crape was twined; " the Swiss have
done their duty ; a regiment of martyrs
lie at the feet of their king! how awfui
64 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
the boast of their deeds! Let us, my
fello\y-soldiers, as we thank Heaven for
their deathless fame, implore mercy for
the souls of our unburied brothers.'
*' Prostrate on the ground, the arms
of France cast indignantly from us, we
mourned for those, who, whilst honour
lives, cannot fade from the memory of
nations.
** An awful night succeeded. The
Marseillois on their march to Paris, de-
tached a band of blood-hounds thirst-
ing for the remnant of the Swiss. Their
fiend-like cries, their demands of ven-
geance, mingled with the discharge of
fire-arms and the death-sounding tocsin.
*' The count, assured our destruction
was inevitable, assumed a noble firm-
ness, in meeting death, worthy of his
virtues. As the morning dawned, the
regiment received the sacrament from
the venerable Maritz ; and those who
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 6-3
had cherished animosity, embraced in
forgiveness ; and twining the arms here-
tofore raised against each other, agreed
to meet their death tooether.
*' The comit, on learning the fate of
the Swiss Guard •, had been likewise
apprised, that the National Assembly,
learning the intentions of the Tagsat-
zung to invade France with sixty thou-
sand men, suffered the regiment of
Berne to march to Switzerland without
arms.
** Valmont, indifferent to existence,
yet wishing to restore his little band to
homes where affectic^ panted to receive
them with all the tender ties of affinity,
lost all hope of such restoration, as the
monsters of destruction with shouts ap-
proached the fort.
"* Let us meet our fate!' exclaimed
Valmont : * sully not the sacred memory
of tliose who have fallen in dorv/
§(> THE FAIR ANDALVSIAN.
*' The folding gates were opened at his
comniand, and with step erect and firm,
his arms crossed on his breast, from
%vhence he had torn a Gallic order, his
head uncovered from the badge of ser-
vitude, he marched out, as in battle, the
first to meet the danger. As lie ad-
vanced, he started back in amazement.
How afi'ectiug Mas the sight presented I
The Marseillois appeared in the back
ground, on either side menacing de-
struction ; but a barrier was formed, a
mob, armed only by missile weapons,
could not pierce. Our former associates,
our military friends, with heads averted,
formed, with their fire-arms and swords,
an avenue of safety to our little band.
With what sensations did we tread this
path enshrined by friendship ! at every
step the eye of an intimate w as seen to
turn from the glance of gratitude; no
sound replied to our expression of regard,
THE FAIR ANT)ALUSIA^. 67
but every arm was raised with the reso-
lution to die in our defence. File after
file moving on as we passed, escorted us,
without injury, to a small village six
miles from A , round which they
encamped.
*' The cry of ' plunder in the fort,'
had diverted the pursuit of the mob, in
a manner wonderful to those who have
not witnessed how the advancing or re-
ceding waves of riot can be governed bj
a breath.
** No communication passed between
our preservers and us till the morrow;
when learning tlie Marseillois had pro-
ceeded on, ruin marking*' their blood-
stained way, the colonel, between whom
and the count an intimacy had formerly
subsisted, entered the apartment of the
auberge, in which Valmont had vainly
souglit repose. I stood near, contem-
plating with dejected looks, the change
68 THE FAIR ANDALLSIAX
♦
a few hours of misfortune had mAde in
my protector; nor did my young love
interpose a selfish idea to blunt my mind
to his sorrow.
" / Valliant,' said the count, stretch-
ing out his hand to the Frenchman as
he approached him, * I thank you for the
lives of my soldiers.'
Valliant pressed his hand with emo-
tion : * Do not let us, Valmont,' replied
he, * in the last moments of intercourse,
endeavour to combat each other's opi-
nions ; it is sufficient you are safe, for
in the provinces through which your
route extends, I believe, to unarmed
men, no danger exists. My corps have
given their last offering of friendship: it
is true they had orders to permit your
departure ; in what they have exceeded
they glory, and only rec{uest that when
you think of them, you will not con-
found their principles with those from
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 69
whose fury they have saved you. —
Adieu!'
** ' Stay, Valliant/ cried the count ;
** I would ask you one question, on
which all my happiness is staked : —
where is my wife? Can it be possible,
that related to Fayau, you can yet be
ignorant of her retreat ? — How often have
you caressed my child! — cail you refuse
her father the consolation of knowing
she lives?'
*' Valliant seemed deeply affected,
* My friend,' said he, soothingly; 'en-
deavour to forget the existence of Ma-
dame Valmont ; — Fayau is at Paris, anH
your divorced wife '
" ' My divorced wife!' exclaimed Val-
mont ; * but, proceed- — '
" ' Is at his estate, near Nions. — Be-
ware how you attempt an interview ;
and remember, you will by so doing,
70 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
hazard, in a fruitless attempt, your
friends.'
** * Have you seen her, Yalliant,' in-
terrupted the count, ' since .' his lip
quivered as he added, * since her dis-
honour?'
*' ' I have,' answered he ; * she doe?
not regret her change ; — imitate her.'
** * You take the life you have given T
cried the count; * but what of Clarice?'
"/* The evening before her mother left
A ,' replied Valliant, * Claude dis-
appeared ^vith the child, and has since
eluded search.'
*'* Faithful creature!' exclaimed the
count, raising his eyes iir ^^ratitude to
heaven ; * whether ray innocent perishes
by hunger or storm, sinks beneath the
tempest or the sword, how preferable
her fate to her mother's !'
** Our little corps reached unmolest-
THE PAIR AKDALUSIAX. 71
ed the town of Nions, on the third
day. The men, exhausted, required rest ;
and Valmont receiving no insult from
the inhabitants, consented to their halt-
ing. I perceived much agitation in his
manner, and was convinced he intend-
ed attempting an interview with his wife.
Determined on accompanying him, 1
used every effort in my power to in*
duce him to permit it, and succeeded.
Dressed in the disguise of peasants,
with baskets, returning from the town,
we communicated our plan to the officer
next in command, and left Nions by
moon-light. It was the latter end of
Auguf t, and nature smiled in beautiful
composure. About a mile from the
town we reached the extremity of the
enclosures, and leaping over, with con*
cealed pistols, advanced up an avenue
leading to one of the wings of the cha**
teau. The tender varieties of luna*
T2 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN*
light silvered our path, and the breath
of nature ^vafted perfume.
" * Can the season smile !' sighed the
count ; * can the abodes of vice be thus
lovely! — but, why the question? — from
the heart she has broken, the bosom she
has deceived, Louise is not banished!'
** ' Charles !' exclaimed he, ' you know
not what it is to love, you know not how"
difficult it is to hater
*' Our cautious steps soon reached a
wing of the building opening to the gar-
den by glass doors, thrown open to the
night-breeze and scented parterre. Sud-
denly we discerned Madame Yalmont
reclining on a sopha, in earnest contem-
plation of papers lying scattered around.
'* The tapei's, rendering the foliage in
which we sheltered more obscure, shed
their brilliant light round the fallen beau-
ty. Modesty no longer threw its veil on
Jier charms ; the empire of virtue and Yal-
tnE FAIR ANDALUSlAX. 73
inont was past ; — another had succeed-
ed; and reduced by the consequences
of her crime to the arts and attire of a
harlot, the victim of vanity awaited, me-
retriciously adorned, the promised re-
turn of her seducer. A moment Val-
mont recoiled in anguish from the de-
stroyer of his peace. I would have re-
tired ; but he commanded me to follow,
in a voice whose agitated tones awoke
tlie attention of his wife: — faintly articu-
Jating his name, she attempted to ring
for assistance.
** ' Louise,' cried the count, sternly
graspmg her arm, * recall recollection ! —
it is no midnight assassin who invades
your retirement; — no villain, whose
hands, reeking with murder, presses
yours; — but oie, Louise,' his lip quivered
as he spoke> * one who has often guard-
ed you from others— who would have
VOL. i» E
74 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
guarded you from yourself] had you
sought the counsels of his heart!'
*' Madame Valmont turned her head
away ; — pride struggled a moment \vith
memory.
" ' I come/ resumed the count, * to
offer you the means of retrieving the
past; — to invite you to be the compa-
nion of my return ! — Yet, understand
me,' added he, as he caught her glance ;
Mtf Louise, adorned, as I once knew
her ; — virtuous, as I once adored her, is
no more! — you are but as her grave! —
yet, thickly strewn as it is with weedg,
obscured as is every vestige of mental
beauty from him who loved it, he would
yet raise a sanctuary around the hollow
image that rises from the ashes, to save
it from further ruin !'
'* ' How bitter are your words, citoyen /'
cried Madame Valmont, her incensed
^He FAIR ANDALUSf AN. 75
eyes darting- fire ; * nay, start not at the
name: — Behold,' said she, pointing to
the table, * the deed that gives me your
possessions ; — insult me not with aid ;—
know you not yowv life is in my power *
"* Take it, Louise!' exclaimed the
tmhappy husband ; ' you have bereft me
of happiness ; of what avail is an exist-
ence of torture !'
" I received the agonized Valmont
in my arms; struggluig at length to ac-
quire resolution, he solemnly demanded
his child.
" The an<?wer of the hardened mother
confirmed Valliant's intelligence; she
had disappeared with Claude; and her
unnatural parent seemed more actuated
by revenge than melted to compassion,
as she lamented the fruitless search
made for the fugitive.
"^ Night wore apace in fruitless en-
deavours to prevail on the infatuated
e2
7(3 THE FAIR AXDALUSIAK,
Louise to regain the path from which
she had wandered: — pale, and nearly
overcome with emotion, the count, with
averted eyes, bade her farewell!
*^ As we paced the shrubbery towards
the spot by which we had entered, I
was alarmed by a light tread in pursuit
of our steps. The solitude in which
Madame Valmont appeared, and the
miinterrupt^d hours we had discoursed
with her, had appeared strange ; I did
not, at the instant reflect on the revo-
lutionary habits of the domestics, to
whom attendance or respect seemed in-
fringments of dawning liberty. Alarm-
ed, I turned, and awaited the approach
of our supposed enemy; — it was Ven-
dee, a dog once favoured by Valmont,
who had left his mistress to follow the
fortunes of her husband.
'* The count was deeply affected at
the preference. — * Behold, Charles,' said
TIJE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 77
he, * the slight caress, the kind eye has
excited a gratitude m this animal, the
attachment of a life has failed to inspire
in his mistress. — Come, then, faithful
Vendee, be the follower of my fortunes ;
however regardless I may be of my
own life, yours shall be guarded and
cherished.'
" Our little band, avoiding large towns,
skirted the frontiers in safety, only ven-
tuiijfig into villages where the horrors of
Paris came like distant thunder, and the
revolutionary bolts fell harmless. This
circuitous route occasioned our being
nearly three months before we reached
the coniines of Switzerland. In the
ecstacy of his soldiers, the count seemed
to forget awhile his own cares. Those
harbingers of joy, the icy glaciers of
their native country, arose, and acted as
magnets to each weary step and trou-
bVed heart. The Randale Vacke quick-
E 3
75 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
eiied the fainting Switzers; and 0115
burst of rapture broke from their rankiK,
as the lake of Geneva rose in all the
enchantment of prospect. We resteil
in the beams of an evening sun, and
contemplated with delight om* haven of
safety.
" The count^s dog, who had left U3
to explore a small copse near, uneasy
and restless, soon drew our attention;
running some paces into the wood, he
quickly returned, and seemed to invite
us to follow liira, shewing disappoint-
ment if our steps retired from the path
he pointed out, and the most extrava-
gant joy when they advanced. Curio-
sity soon procured him followers; and,
on seeing him advance to a deep hole
or cave, whose entrance was obscured
by underwood, I proposed firing into it;
but the count restrained me, and himself
Assisted in removing the tangled foliaj^e*
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 79
The body of the faithful Claude lay
near the entrance; worn ont by extreme
age and undoubted hardship, he seemed
to have cast his eyes on his idolized
country, and closed them for ever !
" ' There must be another body,
Charles!' cried the wretched father; * I
fly from the sight !'
" As the count, in the agony of
despair, left the spot, I boldjy advanced
into the cavern ; hoping, though the oak
had been torn, the tendril had bent to
the storm. — Nor were my hopes vain ; —
seeking my inestimable friend, I placed
the breathing shadow of his child in his
arms, and left him to the triumph of
nature.
" From this hour, Valmont smiled;
he led his men to the heart of their na-
tive country ; and accepted from the
Cantons the command of a corps in the
Dntch service, stationed at Ceylon.
e4
80 THE FAIR AND.VLUSIAN.
" Had not Josephine existed, liow
gladly would I have sought this banish-
ment? Alas! she lived, but no longer
for me !
" At Berne, I learned the death of
my father, and the marriage of my mis-
tress : — Carlotz had given her to age
and riches. A friend imparted the in-
telligence, but I could not press his hand
at parting.
*' My first impuke was to fly to Ar-
lach, to demand of Josephine if her will
had been respected ; — if she still loved
me ?— My better genius led me to the
count: I related my romance; he gave
me his advice, and I entered into his
corps.
" Some years passed at Ceylon. Cla-
rice, the darling of her accomplished
fiither, learned from him the polish of
education; — her person attained the
perfection of beauty : — the misfortunei-
of her mother were hid fron\ her.
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 81
" When the English became possessed
of Ceylon, our corps havhig entered mto
the service of Great Britain, proceeded
to the East Indies, and entered the
Mysore country. Here, our little band
began to acquire independence: — many
an affectionate son, tender husband, or
anxious father, hoarded their litde
wealth, with feelings as distinct from
avarice as honourable to the heart.
*^ The count, who beheld with ap-
proval the love of his fair daughter to
a young officer of his regiment, fondly^
hoped, on the home that should shelter
their pure hearts and lovely persons, to
shower the gifts of fortune. Menville was
two years older than his affianced bride ;
their youth gave rich promise, and when
we would express all that was good
and lovely, we used their names.
" In the memorable capture of Se-
ringapatam, Valmont distinguished him-
E 5
2 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
self. Shortly after, the regiment was
ordered to England. At Madras, they
learned the alHicting intelligence, that the
banker in whose hands their little saving
of years had been imprudently depo-
sited in consequence of the interest
offeredj had failed. What a blow to
men who had dwelt with rapture on the
rescue of relatives from poverty; — oa
claiming a wife, or cherishing a child !
*' On oar unfortunate commander
misfortune came with so sure an aim, it
pierced his heart. On embarking his
corps on board the Indiamen,. lying ia
•the outer roads,, he had consigned hij»
Clarice to the care of her affianced hus-
band. The youthful pair in an evil hour
rejected the Masulach boats, which
alone stem in safety the surf of the
the monsoons, and embarked in the
state boat of the settlement. Far from
shore, we beheld in dismay their strug-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 83
gle M'ith danger and death : the count,
with uplifted hands, watched the boat,
as, with its inestimable freight, sport of
the ocean, it hurried to its fate, till hope
was gone, and clasped in each other's
arms, the innocent pair were seen to
sink for ever.
" Such grief as Valmont's admits not
of description. In answer to our endea-
vours of consolation, he would cry,
' Let none approach but him who has
lost a child, virtuous, good, and beauti-
ful as mine. — Alas ! this cannot be
found ! — Leave me ! — leave me ! — Oh
God ! pardon, if for hours, days, months,
years, I blaspheme; and dare to ask,
why thou hast suffered my loved, my
lost one, to grow up good and fair, to
take her thus !'
" The emaciated form, the pallid look
of the unfortimate father, when, on the
termination of his voyage, he left the
E 6
84 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
solitude of his cabiiij too plainly told
the progress of grief.
** Our regiment receiving orders ta
embark in transports and proceed to
Gibraltar, the count visited Loudon on
military business, and thither I accom-
panied him.
" A major having been lately ap-
pointed, who we understood intended
accompanying us with his lady to the
Mediterranean, I waited on him, and re-
cognised in Madame Du Rose, my fair
and faithless Josephine. The change
years had made in her person, and edu-
cation in her manner, in some degree
checked my emotion ; and taught by her
example 1 became what I am, her friend.
" Josephme's delicate childish fragi-
lity of form had grown to full propor-
tion, and polished fashionable ease suc-
ceeded simplicity : her gaiety of dispo-
sition would almost convince me the past
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, 85
was a dream, did I not experience the
most honoiirable friendship ; so marked,
as to ensure a gratitude careful of of
fence, so pure, as to gain me the esteem
of her husband. She has undoubtedly
great obligations to him ; an expensive
education, undeviating confidence, and
the care of aifection, claim the tender-
ness she bestows. Altered as Madame
Du Rose is in many instances, all the
estimable qualities of her heart remain.
Softened to tenderness by the misfor-
tunes of Valmont, she dedicates many
hours to his comfort; and when assured
of finding her alone, he ventures here
to talk of Clarice. The good old Major
draws with him. This subject is an af-
fecting one — ^tis the discovery of Claude
and his charge."
Du Marr receiving no answer, looked
at Montolieu, and perceived him affect-
ed. Stretching out his hand affection-
86 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
ately to liiiii, the Swiss exclaimed, ^^ you
have a heart, and cannot risk one jest
on my romance. Montolieu, the frivo-
lity of your satire seems like briars
thrown over a parterre : eluding obser-
vation, the flowers will yet spring."
" Why," replied Montolieu, affecting
to laugh at his seriousness, " I do not
say I could love and forget as you have
done ; but I honour the man who can.
As to the count, I shall be miserable till
I render him a service. What can I
do I — his garden is in ruin ; I will go di-
rectly and remove my flowers to his ter-
race."
*' Not by moon-light!" said Du Marr,
laughing ; " and remember, that to-mor-
row, your facility in speaking Spanish,
and your insensibility tc beauty, may
give you to the curiosity and jealousy
of the strangers."
" 1 shall recommend a library inti-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN". 87
mate," said Montolieu ; " the Lord Boyet
of embassies ; one ^vho understands the
tongues, and can interpret from the
' craniez rien of a French courtesan's
garter, to the rosary of an Algizariaa
devotee,''
88 THE FAIR ANDALUSIA^.
CHAPTER V.
** So soft, SO elegant, so fair,
^ Sure something more than human's there!
« What, do I love her !
*' That I desirt to hear her speak again,
" And feast upon her eyes ? — What is't I dream
,onr
1 HE arrival of the Marquis Mondecar
and his fair daughter was by no means
a matter of common interest in the for-
tress. Aheady had ' rumour's various^
tongues' pronounced the lovely stranger
fair, brown, petite, lively, and grave.
Ine various invitations given in her ho-
nour promised an elucidation of the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 8J>
Hiystery to such as listened astonished
to the Pro tens-like description.
Montoheu, snmmoned, as Du Marr
expected, attended the following morn-
ing at the dejuue of General Layde's
lady, with whom the fair Spaniard re-
mained during her stay, and was intro-
duced by the general to his guests.
The marquis, though slightly tinc-
tured with hauteur, or rather the re-
served m;^nner bearing its resemblance,
commanded, from his manner, respect.
An affable condescension, raising to con-
sequence, not degrading the person he
addressed, mingled in his conversation,
vrith the conscious dignity rank inspires.
In person extremely plain, he resembled
the higher orders of his country, who
seem to have yielded every species of
personal attraction to females, decidedly
the most captivating in the world.
Montolieu having paid his compli-
90 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
ments, left the Marquis in conversation
•with the governor, and turned to^vards
the sofa, where Mrs. Layde and her
beautiful guest reclined.
la Estella de Mondecar Montolieu
beheld the most lovely of women. A
fine easy shape, elegantly displayed by
the indescribable grace proverbial to
Andaliisian women, rendering every at-
titude and movement captivating. Her
face, a fine oval, characterised by dig-
nity and beauty, its white rose tint clear
to paleness ; Ipng silken fringes softening
the scintillations of large black eyes,
full of melting expression, sparkling ia
clear and brilliant beauty through the
half-drawn veil, magic ornament of
Spanish attraction ; a redezilla of black
floss silk confined her tresses ; the beau-
ty of her hands were displayed by the
&able velvet of her vest. Montolieu
gazed on them with admiration. The
^HE FAIR AXDALUSIAN. 01
unsealed virgin ^vax could not present a
purer model for the statuary. At the
back of the sofa leaned Father Ximenes,
the family confessor, and tvro young
gentlemen in the Marquis's suite.
Mrs. Layde shortly after having as-
sembled her party, ordered the car-
riages to ascend the hill as far as possi-
ble towards the Mediterranean Pass,
the Levant Steps being the object of the
morning's excursion.
Alighting near the Jewish burial
ground, singular from its Arabic in-
-scription, the party ascended, leaving
the rugged rocks of Europa at their
feet. Montolieu, hovering near the fair
Estelia, pointed out to her attention
every tine object iu the prospect. At-
las, in its majesty of mists ; Ceuta,
whose white towers were defended by
her country ; and as they slowly winded
round the pass, the Mediterranean far
02 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
below, its Latin sails quivering in the sun-
beam ; and, cross the sandy isthmus^
the scattered villages at the base of the
'Spanish mountains, terminated by the
Sierra Novo.
Their path, * high hang in air,' car-
peted by wild thyme, sent forth fra-
grance at the tread ; above, the rock,
rising in irregular n;iasses to its extreme
height, presented in rugged vases its
offerings of herbs, wild ilowexs, and
plants, to the solitary Flora ; from every
fissure rich with mould rose the lilac^
crocus, scjuill, and jonquil, the Spanish
broom, hardy myrtle, wild garlic, and
snow-drop, mingling v/ith a thousand
tarieties of * herb and flower,' pro-
iiounced African by botanists. Hence
the fable, that the winds of Barbary
kiss the Spanish rock, and waft the fa-
rina of vegetation here and there among
the fragments of fallen spar. The less
THE FAIR AXDALUSIAI^. 93
frequent vyild rose or woodbine invited
the hand ; yet were protected from the
timid, by the harmless and gaudy lizard
glittering among the leaves.
Leaving a path hitherto undeviating,
the strangers and their conductors en-
tered a deep arching of stone, hewn thro'
a gigantic fragment of the parent rock.
The sides, down which trickly streams
gave coolness, were festooned in knots
of large leaved ivy, and variegated with
lichens. Emerging from this partial
gloom, they beheld the rock rising above
their path in one mass of broken frag-
ment?^, unadorned by vegetation, bleach-
ed by time, and surmounted by the
ruin of a tower : below, the eye pur-
sued the tangled foliage to a depth
where the anchored boat seemed a speck
in vision. The path now winded to the
summit, yet carpeted by verdure, and
adorned with all the gifts of reviving
9t THE- FAIR AXDALUSIAN*
nature. The sterility of the rock uear
the tower was partial ; and its blanched
masses afforded a picturesque contrast to
those to which the party ascended. A«
the ladies rested on the marble frag-
ments, their attendants gathered the
floral varieties of the way, the tii-co-
loured everlastings, or bee-archis. From
a platform, in half ascent, the green
gardens and matted huts of Cataline
Bay can be descried. "It is here we
are to have a party to-morrow," said
Mrs. Layde, as they leaned over to sur-
vey the vivid foliage of its vines, amid
the surrounding precipices of sand.
Ascending further, the party reached
the rugged steps leading to the summit,
and paused to observe the fine effect of
the dark and large-leaved convolvolus,
here spreading in luxuriance, covering
the surrounding rocks, and twining tiieir
blue clusters round the dwarf palms.
THE PAIR ANDALU51AN. Qu>
A stone seat is here formed, over ^yl^ch
nature has thrown festoons of this beau-
tiful flower. The scene is here bound-
ed on either side by projecting rocks;
the ocean just glistens in the depth be-
low, seen imperfectly through the gu-
marras that bend over the chasm. So-
lemn stillness reigns in this unfrequent-
ed spot, save when the eagle screams
round her lofty nest, or the bounding
ape, in its passage from rock to rock,
dashes the severed fragments down the
precipice.
" High on a clitF to heav'ii up-pil'd,
♦• Of rude access, of prospect wild,
•* Where, tangled round the jealous steep,
** Strange shades o'erbrow the chasms deep,
*' And holy genii guard the rock ;
•* Its glooms embrown, its springs unlock,"
" A few steps conducts to a view as
various as the imagination can conceive,
9G THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN,
a contrast suprising yet pleasing. Oa
the side of the Levant Steps, all is the
effect of spontaneous growth ; the height
attained, the reverse of the mountain
exhibits only the gardens of art, min-
gling with the town and its military
v/orks. Many objects in the latter must
be displeasing to a Spanisli eye ; yet the
marquis requesting Montolieu to point
out the king's bastion, uttered an eulo-
gium on the gallant Elliott, as hor ur-
able as just : — * His victory w as glorious,*
concluded the generous Mondecar.
*'' Yes, my lord,' replied Montolieu;
' for his foe was worthy of his sword ; it
has been the fate of later commanders
to enter the lists with less noble ad*
versaries.'
*' The Marquis turning quickly, with
an expression of pleasure, said, ' Seignior,
these adversaries may yet be friends;
and the only sieges at St. Roque be those
of hospitality."
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, P7
Fatlier Ximenes> who attended Lis
patron's daiigliter, with an assiduity by
no means pleasing to Montolieu, ac-
cepted the offer he made him of residing
at his cottage during his stay. Per-
haps his inviter had heard the pleasant
story of the lady who married her lover
to get rid of him.
The governor, solicitous of paying
every attention to the strangers, gave a
ball in the evening. Montolieu en-
tered with Madame Du Rose and
Du Marr; his eye sought the fair Es-
tella, but Mrs. Layde, and her party
had not arrived.
The governor's house still retains the
name ofxonvent, from the former usages
of the edifice : spacious galleries, form-
ing a square, with piazzas below, lead
to apartments, whose proximity and
size renders the coup d'auil of an enter-
VQL, I. F
6s THE FAIR ANDAtrsiAN.
tainment very striking; from the saloon,
a winding stair case leads to a garden
of orange and lemon trees, where a
stone walk, extending the length of the
side nearest the sea, and canopied with
lattice work and vines, is usually illu-
minated with coloured lamps on an en-
tertainment being given. The entrance
apartment, adjoining the ball room, was
tastefully decorated with foliage and
lights, forming a rural bower; from
whence the folding doors displayed a
company, of various costumes, and
strange habits.
The king of the Jews, a lively little
vivacious man, with fine eyes and teeth,
came in a suit of English sables. H
a Barbary contractor, in an embroidered
vest and slippers, and scarlet turban,
mingled with the loungers, and shook
his white beard in approbation of Ge-
neral Clarville's lady, whose weight
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 99
equalling her consequence, entitled hier
to tlie appie of the African Paris.
V ^, a Spanish merchant, looked
down with contempt on Englishmen of
vulgar alliances, since he had married
Madame la Duchesse de Gascanados
de Reale's maitre de hotel's maid's
uncle's neice. Crowds of gay dressed
officers sauntered about, fiom tlie en-
sign, supposed a man of spirit from his
noise, to liis colonel, imagined wise from
his silence.
Few ball rooms boast more beauty
than that of Gibraltar; where tlie fe-
males of England, arrayed in the simple
style prompted by climate, and absence
of modes, would be irresistibly lovel}^
did not a fatal passion impel them to
extravagancies surpassing belief. As
the unfortunate Maria Antoinette is said
to have uttered the word etiquette to
the members of the academy of Paris, j?o
f2
100 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
might the moralist of the dance cry,
** abolish precedence! precedence! pre-
cedence !''
Round Lord Boreas Tem pest j^roupedj
the daughters of an old admiral, solici-f
tons to engage him in a cause theii de-
pending with the beautiful daughters of
General Clarville, as to their superiority
of rank. From arguments doubtless ir-
resistible, and display of waists,
*• Small by degrees, and beautifully less,"
the rough son of Neptune was released,
by the importunity of Mrs. Long ; who*
having never held a lord by the hand,
kindly overlooked the age, corpulence,
and aukwardness of gait, which cer-
tainly unqualified the eldest of the Tem-
pests for the *' liglit fantastic toe." Ac-
costing him with the declaration of a
fete having b^en betted on his com-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 10 t
pliance, she placed her fair hand io his
kimboed arm, and led him to the top
of the room,
" Goini^ to €7igage, my Lord-l*' cried
Captain Hawser, as he passed.
** Wish I was," replied Boreas, in a
growling whisper; " rock bearing ten
leagues to the eastward."
Meantime the Clarvilles^ as lovely
nymphs as " Phoebus ever kissed," ad-
vanced up the room, flanked by Colonels
Minden and Brandywine.
"The contrast is striking!" observed
Montolieu, as taking Du Marr's arm,
he paced the room in aiixious expecta-
tion of Estella's arrival ; " poor Bran-
dywine is, as you see, blind, lame, and
not cast in " nature's happiest mould ;*'
yet the ladies admire his Scotch step.
As for Minden, his peevishness, occa-
sioned by old wounds and young part-
ners, is pronounced something so 7i«u-
F 3
102 THE FAIR AND ALUS IAN.
velle, SO pleasingly singular, so irresisti-
bly odd, that he is compelled to lay his
comtnission at their feet."
" Here," cried he, turning, '* comes
the very genius of extravagance: — that
little woman you see advancing, highly
rouged, with " ornaments of price,"
gives weekly suppers to the tune of
hundreds ; yet has she her virtues ; and
it has been observed, that no one has
been severe against her, but those on
whom the weight of obligation lies
heavy. She now leans on the arnf> of
one, who wearing on her bosom th6
costly gem she bestowed, is not blinded
by its brilliancy to the faults of the do-
nor. Let us walk away : —I would not
be invited, or add a drop to the stream
that is hurrying this unfortunate woman
and her family to destruction."
" Montolieu," cried an officer, stop-
ping as he was about to pass^ '' a party
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 103
again on Thursday at Danville's — Celes-
tine has been employed ten days in pre-
parations : — the most brilliant entertain-
ment yet given ; — food for your satire,
hey ?"
" No," cried Montolieu ; *' I love ge-
nerosity, let it come in what shape it
may. Come," said he, " addressing his
friend, " I will shew you an attempt at
character.
" Look at that faded belle, the exte-
rior of whose head has adopted so
strange a mode ; — the fancies within ex-
ceed it. A few years residence in
France, and an observation (pretty ac-
curate) of no figure glowing in our fore-
ground unless rank or singularity place
it there, determines her to affect igno-
rance of her own language; and it is
pleasant enough to detect the artifice.
My lectures, Du Marr, are always ac-
companied by experiments."
f4
104 THE FAIR ANDALISIAX,
*' Madam/' said lie, addressing her.
** do you not join the dance?"
" Ah, Monsieur," cried the lady,
shrugging up her shoulders, *' la cotil-
lion, de French dance :—pardonnez moi,
me understand your language not at
all."
" I am sorry for that," remarked
Montolieu, ** as I came to inform you
your lovely daughter was preparing to
stand up with an ensign. i
" Sir, it is impossible !" cried the en-
raged lady, who could scold in English;
" you insult me ! — Parisiaiia can never
forget herself, Sir !— Her birth, Sir, 'tis |
a mysterious story, Sir: — my daughter
is entitled to the first offer in the
room !"
" Let me offer you a fan," said Mon-
tolieu • drily, taking one from tliC scat;
' you are varm."
^ '' That virasfo," ob'^erved he. as they
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 105
returned down the room, " denies her
husband access to the only habitable
room in his abode; as a most unpe-
netrable English scull cannot admit
the full force of a Gallic compliment,
or retain sufficient French for even
good-night. All the migrations of the
poor man are from the coal cellar to
the fowl-house. The lady lately open-
ing a casement immediately over the
latter, tenderly enquired how he found
himself? — * Much the same, my dear —
hen-peckedy
*• Mrs. Layde is late," answered Du
Marr, whose curiosity had been excited
by the various descriptions of Estella,
and who could not help wondering that
Montolieu had avoided his enquiries on
the subject.
The ladies, too, who had divided on
the question whether the expected stran-
ger wouM^ appear in the coj^tume ^%
p 6
106 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
Spain, or adopt the French or English
dress, as for some years has been the
mode of the higher classes, evinced an
impatience which was terminated by the
aide-du-camp*s announcing the Marquis's
arrival to the governor, who meeting the
party in an outer apartment, followed
the noble stranger, and Mrs. Layde,
with the fair Estella.
If the captivating Spaniard had ap-
peared lovely to Montolien in her ordi-
nary dress, the singularity and beauty
of the attire in which she was now
adorned, contributed to heighten charms,
whose power had already reached an
English heart.
The polished jet of her luxuriant
tresses, parted on her forehead, and fas-
tened in a knot on the crown, had no
ornament save their beauty, except a
cluster of large Spanish jessamine, fall-
iDg in fragrant blossoms on her forehead,
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 107
and a thin veil of white lace, which she
wore during the latter part of the even-
ing on her arm : her vest, strapped like
a boddice, and composed of white sat-
tin, with a rich embroidery of black
bugles, sat tight to her delicate waist;
a petticoat, likewise of white satin,
reached just below the knee, from which
a thick net of bugles, elastic to every
graceful move, reached to Medicean an-
cles and feet, drest with all the taste of
a Spanish belle. Her arms were co-
vered nearly to the elbow with a net
the same as the petticoat, and bracelets
of jet, clasped with black diamonds, set
off their snowy polish.
" How beautiful she is !" exclaimed
Du Marr.
*' I hardly know," replied Montolieu,
with affected carelessness
'* Why, you have seen her before!''
cried his astonished friend.
F G
108 THE FAIR ANDALtTSIAN.
" Uiidoubtetlly; but you know we
were then examining prospects, not the
human face divine."
" I am quite of your opinion, Sir,
observed a red-faced lady, who had
crowded to the front of the circle;
'* Miss has no colour."
** Let us move," cried Montolieu,
forgetting a moment his character of an
insensible; *' this dauber of nature^^
would rouge the Medicean Venus !"
The Spanish women, from then* ex-
treme grace, excel in the dance; nor
have travellers described with truth the
enchantments of their boleros : the truth
is, that tourists have few opportunities
of witnessing the amusements of the
higher classes ; and have judged as ac-
curately as an Andalusian would, were
he to witness the Yorkshire hornpipe,
and quote it as an instance of the vul-
garity of English dances.
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 109
As the strangers promenaded round
the rooms, Madame Du Rose, finding
the idea of dancing the guaracha only
unpleasant to Esteila, from its sin-
gularity, on her return to the ball-
raom, with much politeness began her
native waltz, selecting as her partner
a youth of fifteen, the nephew of her
husband.
** Madame Du Rose has expiated the
sin of the waltz," exclaimed Montolieu ;
" how modest her choice !"
Du Marr replied not; but following
the fair Swiss with an approving eye, as
she lightly swam round the admiring
circle, and with downcast looks finished
by a courtesy, full of humble grace, to
the governor, joined in the murmur of
applause that ran round the room.
The Marquis, however pride might
have interfered on another occasion,
could not refuse the compliment re-
quired by his entertainer, who, he had
110 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
repeatedly declared, had received him
with chivalric politeness. Treading on
the toe of Cervantes is by no means
common in Spain ; this therefore was of
the first order of compliments ; and
Estella, at the command of her father,
fastened the castenets on her lovely
hands, and began a dance that gives
" Language to the eye and lip."
The attitudes of the boleros displayed
the beauty of her fine form to its ut-
most advantage ; and at the conclusion
of each of the several parts, when the
music plays a symphony to the one fol-
lowing, and the dancer rests, she was
inexpressibly graceful; one arm waved
the pendent castenet over a head,
bending
" In airy softness from the marble neck ;'*
the other languidly reclining at her side,,
seemed to drop the instrument of ani-
mation at her feet.
THE FAIR AKDALUSIAN. Ill
The guaracha, or snake dance, suc-
ceeded.
*^ It is surely so named from its fasci-
nation !" \Yhispered Montolieu to his
friend : " Ah ! Du Marr, these Spaniards
Mould make charming mistresses; but
surely jealousy goes with the ring; — I
must avoid her !"
Montolieu, like most of his sex,
though he could see all his dear preju-
dices vanishing at Estella's smile, and
own the necessity of enforcing the les-
sons of the Stoic heart, was deficient in
practice ; for as he led the fair Spaniai'd
to the sumptuous banquet prepared in
her honour, and pressed the soft hand
he clasped, he whispered,
" Hither turn
'* Thy graceful footsteps ; hither, gentle maid,
" Incline thy polish'd forehead;
** Where whming smiles and pleasures, • • • t
'* .... temp'ring, blend their soft allurement/*
112 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN,
CHAPTER VI.
** It happened that immortal Love
" Was ranging thro* the sphere above,
" And downward hither cast his eye,
** The year's returning pomp to spy."
MoNTOLiEU, in Father Ximenes, found
an ecclesiastic of more genius than is
usual in the Spanish clergy. He had
passed many years of his life in South
America; and however such a residence
might have been supposed to have added
rigidity to the spiritual fibre, he wtis by
no means averse to throwing off the
iron mask af superstition, or sharing the
hilarity of heretics. Over the marquis
he had complete sway; and informed
Montolieu he had been preceptor to his
THE FAIR ANDALUblAN. 113
nephew, who was expected from Mexico
to espouse the fair Estella.
"* With her consent?'' enquired his
listener.
** She has never seen him," replied
Ximenes; " but will doubtless prefer
him to a convent; besides," added he,
" the young Carlos is accomplished,
and the Lady Estella has a taste for the
talents in which he excels."
** The Spaniards and English may
ere long be friends," said Montolieu,
after a pause. — His observation was
more connected with the discourse pre-
ceding it than Ximenes perceived.
'* Signior," cried the priest, whose
devotion to the bottle now became ap-
parent; " ere long they will be united."
" Not so," thought Montolieu, as he
pressed his pillow; but if I dream of
a bride, let her come in the form of
Estella."
114 THE FAIR AN'DALUSIAN.
The day following was spent at Cata-
line Bay. Carriages conveyed the ladies
through the barriers, by the tower and
guard of Saint Pedro, to the sandy
acclivities leading to this sequestered
spot. After a few minutes walk from a
sterile height, the vine-decked bowers
of Cataiine, and its huts and caverns
appeared below, with the scite of an In-
dian village; projecting rocks bound the
prospect to the opposite town of Esta-
pona, and the mountains that screen it;
between, the clear unruffled ocean,
smiling beneath the glory of a Mediter-
ranean morn, disclosed near the beach
various sea weed and shells, visible
through the transparent fluid.
Here fishermen returning with their
nocturnal spoil, cast on the sand the red
samoneta and gaudy bream; whilst their
wives and children invited the strangers
to the gardens, beneath an extensive
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 1 lt>
canopy of vines; at the extremity of
which, a cistern, raising on horizontal
wheels constant supplies to the siir-
roundingvegetables, gave coolness to the
air, a breakfast of chocolate, sweetmeats,
and fruits was spread, round which the
party, in morning undress, and manner
equally easy, conspired to render the
scene pleasing to each other.
** I love Cataline Bay," sighed Mrs.
Layde ; "we are not here too proud to
be happy."
A guard of honour was left with the
ladies, whilst the remainder of the gen-
tlemen accompanied the marquis round
about some of the adjacent bays, in pur-
suit- of wild pigeons. A large cavern ad-
joins the garden, in which a family have
resided many years; their riches consist-
ing, of a herd of goats, a spot cultivated
with vegetables, and the sale of poultry
116 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN*
of various feather, reared in the recesses^
of the cave. A door seeming to open from
one^ideof this v»ild abode, the ladies
expressed curiosity ; and the apartment
to which it led was opened for their in-
pection. It was cut through the stone^
and dimly lig^hted by a small casement.
A bed, covered with the Barbary haic,
a mat of Esparto, an old carved chest,
a crucifix, and large mandolin, com-
prised its decoration.
The old man, as he closed the door,
said, " Ladies, this apartment used to
bring a little fortune to us ; but since
the fatal fever, the bathers avoid it.
Those who look for another season of
calamity, fear lurking infection; others
fear the spirits of the unhappy lovers
who here perished. This gentlemen,"
said he, bowing to Montolieu, " has
heard their story."
^' Montolieu listen to a love story !—
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, 117
impossible!" cried Mrs. Layde, *' it
niiist be a hoyme cathalique,'' whispered
she, " that could believe in the miracle,
I believe," addressing the fair Spaniard
in French, the language in which they
usually conversed, " I omitted calling
your attention to what must undoubt-
edly be to you a curiosity — a petrified
heart; — the learned call it a lusus na-
tura. Montolieu," said she, as he took
out bis tablets and returned to the cave,
whilst the ladies waUced to the garden,
** has been known to the general and
myself since infancy."
" Is he noble ?'* enquired Estella.
** Undoubtedly," answered Mrs. Layde,
smiling at her question. ** His father.
Lord Harville, is of an ancient family and
considerable fortune, I am sorry to say
he is made of more combustible matter
than his son :— the sex have been his
bane \ and to the most worthless of it
118 THE FAIR ANDALU.SIAN.
are sacrificed the affection that would
render his amiable ^yjfe happy, and the
income that ought to allow the means of
meeting his son's liberal spirit. Lady
Harviile has spent her life in the shade,
preserving in herself the family name.
Her son some years since offended his
father, by refusing to sit at a table
where his mistress presided ; and in
consequence his income is more limited
than is here supposed. He exchanged
from the Guards, to enable his mother
to add comforts to her residence. Lord
Harville's steward refused to supply, and
to fulfil a few generous plans her high
and noble spirit prompted. Montolieu
wished likewise to avoid a father whose
conduct called forth resentment duty
would smother. Here he has passed
some years, generally considered what
we English term a character. In my
opinion, he blends his mother's tender-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 119
iiess and morality \vith his father's sa-
tire. — Sometimes secluding himself from
society for months, then emerging from
solitude, and entering our parties \siih
the manners of a misanthrope; — neither
the rude or the unfeeling venture to at-
tack him. The general and myself knew
and loved the virtues of his mother, and
"vvith us the son is at home. Montolieu
can, however, suit his manner to his
society, — witnes,s,^ fair Estella, his ho-
mage to yourgmces.'*
The subject of their discourse now
returning, addressed the stranger: ** I
have been refreshing my memory," said
he, *' with the heads of a Spanish story.
To-morrow, duty banishes me from your
presence; allow me, during a tedious
guard, to acquit myself of Mrs. Layde's
charge ; and, in your language, not that
of an insensible, to pen a tale too triste
for our present pleasurable plan."
1^ THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN,
Estella, as she bowed assent, co-
loured, conscious the permission might
involve many consequences.
The governor having ordered the cave
of St. Michael to be illuminated in ho-
nour of his noble visitant, the party pro-
ceeded, after a few pleasurable hours
spent in the solitudes of the bay, to the
garrison, and ascended the brow of the
hill, over rude and irregular, paths, to
the platform at the entrance, boldly
commanding the bay and distant shore,
to which fable extends the subterra-
neous caverns of St. Michael.
Descending from day, the party,
by the light of suiTOunding torches,
trod over the glittering ruins of sta-
lactites, and pursued awhile the branch-
ings of the cave. In the centre, a
fire threw its vivid light on columns
of petrified water, from whence rays
of sparkling glory spread to arches
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 121
whence depended pointed isicles, ^vllos€
watery tribute created from beneath vast
chapiters to their transparent pillars ;
round appeared innumerable caves
whose perilous paths led to small lakes,
or involved the adventurous step in un-
fathomable gulphs or inex|>licable laby-
rinths. Vast flocks of bats, roused by
the unwelcome glare, flew from the re-
cesses to tlie moutii of the cave, cc-
vering with dark wing the surrounding
rocks, and chasing the timid chama-
rese to the pass of tlie Pahnettoes.
Descending, the strangers visited the
lesser cave of Pocoroca, passing on
their way, the simple dwellings of Bruce
and Inches Farms, with their hanging
gardens, enclosed by geranium and
flowina: mvrtle.
Round the cave the landscape-stone
lies in masses, that part with slight ef-
fort, and disclose lineaments of foliagr,
vou I G
1 22 TIIE FAIR AXDALUSIAN.
flowers, or picturesque ruins. The
cave, admitting to a considerable dis-
tance the setting sun, presented, in con-
trast to the illuminated pillars of Saint
Michael, its day-scene of variegated
spar, its ices tinged with green by the
humid exhalations, or, as it hardened,
darkening into grey.
During the walk, the difficulty of
Avhich rendered it impossible the atten-
tions of Montolieu should not be ac-
cepted by Estella, he observed her man-
ner changed. In common with the wo-
men of her country, her usual conver-
sation abounded with sprightly wit ; a
kind of smile in discourse rendering the
countenance and the expression used
pointed and beautiful.
" A few days," observed Montolieu,
pointing to the hills of Andalusia, *' and
those will shelter you from us ; pardon
me, if I hope Gibraltar, and the happy
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX, 123
few who have been companions of your
excursions, may live a time in remem-
l) ranches"
" Our remembrance wiJl keep pace
with yours, Signior," said Xinienes»
advancing, and offering* his arm to the
lady. Yet was not Montolieu dis-
pleased ; her eye was eloquent ; — it
said, " Would we were of one country
and one faith I"
On the following day, while the party
of the preceding evening were tracing
the Moorish remains of the ruined cas-
tle, and taking their dcjcnne in St.
George's hall, Montolieu, condemned to
the exile of Europa guard, mingled with
the narrative of Carlos and Theresa the
springing blossoms of his first passion.
The half-ruined building, anciently
the chapel of our Lady of Europa, i»
situated on an elevated plam, scattered
with rude rocks, partially adorned with
G 2
124 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
knots of ^vild flowers. The guard is
silent and solitary, save when the ven-
turous miner rends the cliffs above, or
the fierce waves of a Levanter, leaking,
as they recoil, the pebbly bottom of the
deep, dash with vast foam over the sea-
worn caverns of Europa, and mix the
shells of the Mediterranean with those
of the Atlantic. It was now a calmer
scene; a purple haze half veiled the
African hills ; the gentle rippling of a
soft western breeze played with the so-
lar beams on the o.cean : at intervals a
sail crossed the sparkling rays, and a
shot was fired from a Spanish boat ; but
the propitious breeze soon wafted the
one on its course, and compelled the
other to retire beneath the batteries,
whose adjacent watch-towers relieved
the uniformity of the low land. Not
€ven the step of friendship broke on the
silence of the scene; and Montolieu,
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. • 12»S
softened by the recollection of the few
days spent in the society of the most
captivating woman he had yet beheld,
and whom destiny would shortly sepa-
j-ate him from, penned for lier perusal
the following narrative of a faithful, but
unfortunate, passion.
120 • THE FAIR ANDALCSIAX,
CHAPTER VII.
*' Behold, ill yon unconscious grove,
** The victims of ill-fated love !
" Heard you that agonizing throe 1
•* Sure this is not romantic woe !
** Their golden day of joy is o'er.
•* Assist them hearts from anguish free,
•* Assist them, sweet Humanity l"
CARLOS AND THERESA^
{Addressed to the Lady Estella ds Mofidecar.}
*' It is in Spain, madam, the residence
of love should be adjudged. Her wo-
men, blending in their manner wit and
sentiment; in their beauty, seductive
melancholy with graceful vivacity, in-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 127
spire no common passion; and in no
words but the energetic ones of their
country can it admit expression. To
this language of vivid imagination, the
Italian must yield its myrtle: whether
it expresses the ardour of attachment,
the anguish of hopeless passion, or,
catching from eyes formed to inspire
alike the tenderest or liveliest sensa-
tions, a Promethean spark, it indulges
in flashes of chaste and unique wit, —
its power soars with the sentiment.
Pardon me, if I use it, madam, in the
narrative of Carlos and Theresa: I have
studied your language with the preju-
dices of my country ; and though I ad-
mit its elevation above the common oc-
curences of life, I am compelled to ac-
knowledge it to be that of honour and
of love.
" As you travel homeward, fair Es-
tella, the perusal may beguile weary
128 THE FAIR AXDALUSIAN,
hours. Pardon the selfishness with
which we would wish you sad at part-
ing, from whatever cause that sadness
may spring.
** To the left of St. Roque, near the
forest of cork, leading to the monastery,
the Cassa de Velos rises, on the banks
of a stream enamelled with flowers.
Sprung from an ancient family, though
reduced in fortune, its owTier preferred
the privacy of shade, to an intercourse
with surrounding society, less noble
though more opulent. From pride of
ancestry so many virtues spring, the
moralist fears eradicating the weed, lest
a flower may accompany it.
** The cassa was built in the Moorish
style, round a court planted with orange
trees, and commanded from its verandas
a prospect extensive and beautiful. In
the interior, the simplicity of De Ve-'
los's fortunes were contrasted bv the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 129
peculiar traits of his character; — furni-
ture, covered ^vith faded gilt leather;
a library of romances and history ; ta-
pestry, on ^vhich appeared the wars of
the Moors, and their expulsion by his
great ancestor, Gonsaho ; a small ar-
moury of old swords and muskets ; and
a chapel, stored with relics, comprised
the principal apartments and decorations
of an abode, for which the aged Hidalga
would not have accepted a modern pa-
lace.
It was here the youthful Carlos, his
only child,, had remained from infancy
to manhood — from the period of indif-
ference to that of susceptibility. Form-
ed by the hand who tints the wild
flower with the hues of a royal parterre,
his person was elegant, his features fa*
Yourable to the expression of his heart.
Imagine, lady, a countenance of noble
lineament, frojm which the enamoured
g5
1 30 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX.
beam of fervent summer had withdrawn
the rose; eyes clear and brilliant, whose
sable fires were veiled by fringes, dark
and silky as the rich tresses that w an-
ton on a cheek of beauty ;-• -I draw not a
fancied portrait, fair Estella; — such a
countenance I have seen, though not in
man.
" Confined to the society of a father,
enthusiastic and unacquainted with a
world he had secluded himself from
for years, to the perusal of volumes
where love and adventure seemed essen-
tial to character ; — his hand but passing
from the grasp of the sw ord, whose de-
fence of beauty w as wont to be related
daily by his father, to the page where
woman prompted every deed of glory,
the freedom of his youthful heart but
continued till the dream of high wrought
fancy should be realized. The imagi-
nation can thus secure the aflections
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 131
from meaner loves, till excellence claims
its tribute. Years are, perhaps, passed
in seeming apathy;*— the world cannot
read the insensible; — he may even jest
with himself; yet present the reality of
his vision, and he, perhaps, may act,
think, and write as I do.
" It was in the church of St, Roque,
in the holy week, Carlos first beheld
Theresa : kneeling on the pavement, her
head meekly bending and half covered
by her veil, her attitude was that of a
Madona ;— crossed on her breast wera
arms, spotless and lovely ; — a dark and
polished rosary coHtrasted their beauty :
her mild and persuasive eyes, filled with
devotion, and cast upward, seemed to
forbid the admission of earthly passion
to the charming form they illumined.
** An author of my country, madam,
.says, devotion and love are so nearly
allied, the one assumes the language of
132 THE FAIR ANDALi'SIAN.
the other. — Reflecting-, that superior
passion must, from its purity, be ac-
ceptable to heaven, I shall not offend
you, by owning the first offerings of
Carlos's heart were bestowed on The-
resa at the foot of the altar.— He ap-
proached near her, as, with her compa-
nions, she advanced to respectfully kiss
the holy form, extended at the foot of
the sorrowing virgin : she would have
touched it with her rosary ere she de-
parted, but the eager crowd pressed
towards the altar. Carlos, taking it
from her extended hand, laid it on the
sacred corse, and returned it to The-
resa as she quitted the church. In her
manner of thanking him he saw a
thousand graces ; — the mild and beau-
tiful countenance she turned to his re-
gards was pensive, and marked by
touching expression : — it was the shade
of devotion ; for young,, innocent, and
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 135
fair, Theresa had yet a disengaged heart.
Carlos had now found an object * fair
as high fancy forms,' and as inacces-
sible of approach as romance could
paint. Living with an aged mother of
scrupulous habits, and whom she was
said to support by her industry; de-
scended from no family that could admit
of equality with his own; too innocent
to encourage love, too modest to admit
she felt it herself, in the commencement
of his passion for Theresa, Carlos was
assailed by every obstacle that could
heighten it. During the day, he dare
not appear in his new character; but,
when De Velos, wearied even with his
ancestor's exploits, and nature called
him to dream them o'er again, his son
would retire to his apartment^ and
"watch till the domestics slept; then, co-
vered with his cloak, seek the abode
of Theresa, and accompanied by a gui-
134 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
tar, devote to her beauty the offerings
of his muse.
SERENADE.
" Whence stole those eyes their liquid fire,
** Those rosy lips their rich perfume;
** Clear, brilliant orbs of young desire,
*' And richest buds of summer's bloom?
'* Theresa, whence thy matchless grace I
** Ah ! whence thy majesty of move !
" Yet more enchanting than thy face,
*' Far keener dart to infant love.
** Draw, draw thy envious veil aside,
" Break on the night in all thy charms ;
" And swift across the lattice glide,
" With lover's haste, thy polish'd arms.
*^ Why, fairest, does thy hand delay ?
" Here lingers youth and faithful love ;
** Thoughts, that from thee can never, siray,
*' Desires, that thou alone canst move !
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 135
" Come, then, Oh, come, most loved, most fair!
*' No step is heard on silent night;
*• The iovvers their perfume waft on air,
•* The brilliant moon vouchsafes a light."
" Loiig'did the enamoured Carlos sue.
his mistress, Avithout tpken of favour:
the timid girl hesitated avowing the pas-
sion that now ruled the pulses of her
heart ; — she trembled at the approach of
love without hope.
" Carlos continued, regardless of
changing seasons, of affected disdain,
his nightly homage to his veiled deity ;
till De Velos, whose suspicion was
awoke by his abstracted manner and
pallid looks, obtained information of
his passion. Learning from the domestic
he employed, that Theresa supported
her mother by the sale of lace and other
articles of feminine industry, his rage
knew no bounds. Carlos would have
exclaimed, as his father recapitulated
156 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
his ancestors and their alliances, Love
knows no such distinctions ; but unable
to bear the language used by De Velos,
as he loaded Theresa with opprobrium,
he left his presence, lest he should for-
get the father in the mistress.
'' Left to the sophistry of his heart,
Carlos th us argued ; ' My passion prompts^
no unworthy action ; vice lurks not un-
der its roses. Theresa is virtuous »
Will not the same grave close on us —
the same heaven receive us! Of what
avail then is birth ? My father may be
reconciled when opposition is rendered
fruitless by our union.' These arguments
were decisive, and Carlos determined to
learn his fate from Theresa ; and should
she meet his love, to persevere in iU
He had missed her at her devotions
some months, and lately she had totally
withdrawn from notice. Stratagem was
therefore necessary to gain admittance ;
and hope whispered the youthful adven-
THE FAIR AXDALVSIAN. 137
tiirer, the stricken hart had retired
to the shade, ^vith the arrow in its
bosom.
" To the roof of Gabarella, the sup-
posed mother of Theresa, none were ad-
mitted but her confessor, the marchand
des modes, who purchased the articles
of their industry, and the surgeon of
St. Roque. It was through the per-
suasive argument of gold, the latter in-
troduced Carlos to his mistress.
*' Under cover of night and disguise
he proceeded to her abode, situated in
the suburbs of the town, and parted
from superior mansions by an humble
garden. Crossing a small court, over
which the rich foliage and clusters of
the purple grape admitted through the
latticed roof but partial gleams of moon
light, Carlos, guided by a distant lamp,
approached an apartment on the ground
floor, and hearing voices in discourse,
138 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAf^,
paused at the entrance. The rays of
the light ^vithin allowed him to observe
the objects around it: the room was
meanly furnished. His eyes hastily
passing the antique chairs, dark cruci-
fix of ebony, and a brazier, in which a
few glimmering embers glared with me-
lancholy light, fixed on a sofa, where
lay a figure in the languid attitude of
indisposition. The face was covered
with a light veil ; but Carlos knew from
Lamiez his mistress was an invalid, and
with anxiety he endeavoured to catch
her accents.
" * Theresa,' exclaimed the old woman,
less in the tone of tenderness than dis-
appointment, * you must remove.'
" ' Allow me,' exclaimed the droop-
ing girl, ** allow me to linger a little
while : — my parents sins are visited on
me. Alas ! the passion that caused
their crime, bends their offspring to the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 139
grave ! — Promise me, ivhen I am inca-
pable of oflending his father — when the
eyes my Carlos has praised are closed,
the lips that have a thousand times
breathed his name in prayer are wan,
the confession of my heart may be made
known to him.'
*' * Come, come!' cried Gabanella,
peevishly, * the fancies of a girl can be
laid aside, if we will it. De Yelos has
power to render our abode near him
impracticable. Lamiez advises your
removal to Cataline Bay. — Old Lopez
and Marianna will nurse you till I re-
turn from Cordova: — your father must
be urged to fresh supplies. As for Car-
los, he is a boy, who soon forgetting
you, will give you cause to blush for
your folly.'
" * Who are you, Signior?' cried she,
as Carlos advanced. Hastily taking
the paper he gave her, she read it by
the lamp.
140 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
" * Doctor Lamiez is ordered from
home,' said she, as she concluded ;
* and he recommends his friend. — Ad-
vance, Signior/ cried she, holding the
lamp over the sofa.
" Carlos, disguised as an aged man,
approached his mistress, and gazed on
her with the tenderest emotion. Her
sensibihty and youth reduced her to
the grave; and the struggles that rent
her tender heart had been for him.
" If the impassioned youth had sur«
rendered at the approach of beauty,
how secure was now the conquest, when
admiration, gratitude, and all the tide
of sweet and soft affections rushed on
his heart, binding him indissolubly to
Theresa. AVith trembling hand he
pressed the arm she held to him. Ga-
barella mistaking his tremor for that of
enfeebled age, drew^ a chair near the
§.ofa, and placing the lamp at a distance^
*etired.
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 141
*' * I honour you for the humanity that
induces you to visit one so little able to
repay your kindness, Signior,' said
Theresa, in reply to the enquiry he made
of the duration of her illness, * and
^vill not deceive you. I am not happy,
and cares of various kinds corrode my
mind and impair my strength : my ma-
lady therefore is beyond your art."
" * Have you changed the scene?' en-
quired Carlos,
** * I have not resolution, nor have I the
means,' said Theresa, after a hesitating
pause. * Your age and humanity calls
for confidence. I am the oflfspring of
disgi'ace. My mother, seduced by a
villain, has expiated her crime by her
life. Neglected by her seducer, it is
five years since she died, leaving me to
the care-of her servant. I have, Signior,
supported that servant by my industry ;
for ^vhen the w orld derided htr peni-
142 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
tence, and spurned her for her crime,
she Avas my mother's only friend. Sur-
rounded by the children of marriage,
my father heeds me not ; and though
the extreme of poverty approaches, I
thank the saints I eat not the bread of
a mother's tears.'
*' Affected, and in a voice inarticu-
late from emotion, Carlos ^vould have
spoken; but she continued: ' Signior,
I have been virtuous ; and have thought,
should my mother's enemies chance to
"witnessmy life, they would almost doubt
her error, and acknowledge her precepts
were those of virtue. This hope has
animated my industry, and supported
me under scorn. To remove a stain from
the memory of her whose affection to
me was guiltless, 1 hare with steady
hand removed the intoxicating cup of
the passions from my youth, and for-
bade my heart to retain an image at-
THE F.UR ANDALUSIAN. 143
tachment would have placed there; — that
heart has broke in the conflict — but,
surely/ said she, pleadini^, * by giving
up my life in the cause of virtue, 1 shall
expiate the death of her who died in
sin r
** Her voice faltered ; and the hand
Carlos held trembled in his. The resolu-
tions he had formed on entering were has-
tily abandoned: he respected her feelings
too much to hint at a passion she avowed
her resolution of combating ; and adored
the humility that forbade her to hope
for an union with him. — It was the purest
homage Carlos could render virtue: —
he forbore to press the hand he held ; —
his warm tears dropped on her forehead.
*' * These,' said she, * are the drops
of pity ; — th^y are grateful to me.'
** ' Allow me,' said Carlos, as he rose
and bent over her faded form, * to ad-
vise and help as a friend, whose age
144 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
cannot excite suspicion, whose profes-
sion entitles him to confidence; — rest
assured, you are the care of Heaven,
and that it ^yili reward you in the in-
stance in which you have shewn most
virtue! — Use means for your recovery:
my fortune allows me to ofler it ; and,
my departure, perhaps never to meet
you again, removes the pain of obliga-
tion: — Lamiez will advise with you;—
let your departure be secret.'
** Hastily leaving his purse in the hand
he quitted, Carlos, with agitated steps,
withdrew, and regained his home.
" In the quiet of his chamber, he was
at leisure to ruminate on the events of
the evening. — Theresa was no longer
the object of boyish fancy, whose beau-
ty, awaking the dormant passions, only
promised pleasure whilst inclination was
young and charms unfaded : — he had
seen her altered ; — her graces no longer
THE PAIR ANDALUSIAX. 145
Su play, her youth and bloom Mith*
drawn ; yet \Ya.s she lo^ed with greater
ardonr.—- It was the trinmph of viitue ;
and the passion of Carlos assumed a
new and lasting character:— it combined
the manliness of maturity with the ar-
dour of youth ; nor, had he been admit-
ted to an intercourse with his mistress,
could he have praised her beauty.—
* What a mind has Theresa!' would he
exclaim ; and the lustre of her eyes
faded from recollection : yet with tlie
new sentiments her vii'tue inspired, the
determination of an union with them
became more fixed.
" From Lamiez he shortly learned
the departure of Theresa, and tlat Ga-
barella consigning- her to the care of
Lopez at Cat aline Bay, had departed.
" Carlos soon formed his resolution :
in the common habit of Spain, and fea-
tures tinctured with artificial shade, he
VOL. I H
14G THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
left his home, takmg every precaution
to divert pursuit.
** Affection prompted a farewell let-
ter to his father; — it promised speedy
return ; but every line was calculated to
mislead as to his retreat. De Velos in-
stantly sent to the abode of Gabarella ;
but learned from the owner of the house
she had occupied, that both Theresa
and herself were at Cordova.
*' Whilst his father wearied himself
by enquiries, Carlos, unsuspected by
the society to which he introduced him-
self, engaged with Lopez, to tend the
flowers of his garden, an occupation he
was acquainted with, from its having
formed a part of his amusement at his
home. The carnations reared in Cata-
line Bay form a lucrative article of sale
to the Genoese, w ho unite the occupa-
tions of fishermen and gardeners.
** For a time Carlos carefully avoided
THE FAIR AKDALUSIAX, 147
the steps of Theresa, contenting hhn~
self with the distant and melancholy
contemplation of her fragile and altered
form. Tn her absence from the garden
he wove the branches in thicker shade
near her accustomed seat, and placed
at its feet, and on the edge of its leading
avenues, the most luxuriant of his flow-
ers, the richest carnations, the myrtle
of thickest bloom. The walks where
her frame sought shelter during the
heats, were sprinkled by his hand with
cooling showers^ from the adjacent cis-
tern, and their canopy of foliage trained
to more impervious shade. Sometimes
at the close of day she would wander on
the shore> with eyes directed home-
ward. Concealed by projecting rocks,
the regards of her lover still followed
the steps of the lovely shade, guarding
them in security from the approach of a
stranger ; or by placing in her way va-
h2
148 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX.
rieties of marine weed and shells, lure
her short-lived attention to their beauty,
" In moon-light nights Lopez was
wont to assemble his family, and en-
courage the sprightly sounds of the cas-
tenet and mandoline. The gardeners,
with the exception of Carlos, were
boys ; and those, with the children of
Lopez, formed a groupe of animated
and cheerful beings, whose sports at
times had power to chase thought from
their pallid guest.
*' Carlos soon saw change of resi-
dence had failed in its power over dis-
ease. He trembled at the changing
looks of Theresa, and determined to dis-
close himself, and claim the hand, as
he possessed the heart, of his mistress.
The opportunity soon presented itself.
Marianna had gone to a sacred festival
at St. Roque ; her husband and his
children, laden with the produce of the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 14D
net and the garden, %vent singing on
their way to the garrison ; and Carlos
beholding his Theresa slowly advanc-
ing to taste the fresher air, threw him-
self at her feet, and pleaded for her
and himself. Surprise, gratitude, and
joy overcame the object of his tender-
ness : — she fainted in his arms, as she
owned life desirable for his sake.
" How delicious were now the happy
hours ! As Carlos nnreproved breathed
his passion, he saw with joy health
again flush his Theresa's cheek and
sparkle in her glance. Lopez, made
the confident of their story, accompa-
nied them to the Spanish church, where
they were married by the resident padre
of the garrison, and returned to the se-
clusion of Cataline. Here Carlos led
his bride to the influence of every tran-
sient breeze that fanned the bay. She
bent the beauty of her bosom to the
loO THE FAIR ANDALVSIAK.
wave ; and clasped by his supporting
arm, paced the gardens he had culti-
vated for her sake.
** It was the care of Carlos to point
out every probable prospect of happi-
ness in the vista of the future. Alas!
nnhappy youth ! the impending clouds
vrere already hanging over the bower of
bliss. A day of calamity began its
dawn, at whose close, love, beauty, and
attachment were consigned, with all
their sweetness, virtue, and fidelity, to
one disastrous grave.
*' To form in your imagination, lady,
the high mark at which the insatiable
archer levelled, the picture Carlos
gives of his situation, in a letter to his
father, is here presented :
*' * Allow your disobedient Carlos,
revered and beloved De Velos, to sup-
plicate your pardon. He has married
the object of his souFs ^yishes, and hei^
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, lol
alone lies his offence. Throw from yon,
my father, in imagination, the weight of
years ; — think you love like me, with
all the ardour and passion of youth ;— .
that you behold the object of that pas-
sion yield all her beauty, her pride,
her bloom of youth, to strew an early
grave with their faded sweets, and that
no fond relative, no kind friend, inter-
posed, to soothe her spirit, or rescue her
loveliness from so hard a fate ; — could
you have been a silent unmove.d specta-
tor of the approach of death, could
love have permitted the sacrifice! — Join
with me, my father, and exclaim, ' Vir-
tue, principle, honour, forbade it !' I
am now a husband. Often have you,
my father, told me my mother was tlie
choice of your youth. Think on your
sentiments for her — your feelings when
she first owned your child throbbed near
H 4
152 THE FAIR ANDALUSUN.
her heart ! — My Theresa will become a
mother ! — Check not, my loved father,
the tide of delightful emotions that rush
to my bosom, at the rapturous yet so-
lemn name of parent ! I will do my
duty by my child, q,s you have done;
and, should he offend, I will not refuse
him pardon.
" ' Dear, ever dear, be this secluded
spot! — sacred be its name to all wht>
love me ! — Here I have snatched the
treasure of my life from the grave ! —
here has she courted the breeze, the
wave, the foliaged shade, and in all
found health ! — My father, share in my
joy !— Theresa and Carlos are one ; —
both are rejected, or both received!'
*' Thus far, fair Estella, I have traced
with steady hand the story of my lovers.
Many have loved with truth, but few-
have been alike unfortunate!— -How
shall I describe the closing of their fate,
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 153
to one so tender and amiable as her I
address !
" Nature, as mourning the mortality
that shortly prevailed, gave awful signs
of the period when disease should
break the ties of affection, and one vast
grave open to thousands. A six weeks
Levanter, hiding the sun in a heavy
condensed atmosphere, spread over the
rock a dark curtain of clouds. Vast
heaps of white sea- weed, brought on
the stormy waves, accumulated on the
shores, adding to the pestilence by its
rapid decay ; and by the singularity of
its appearance^ awakening the fears of
superstition: — the ocean seemed to give
up the shrouds of its dead.
'' It was my fate, madam, to witness
the horrors of this period. Never can
it be effaced from my remembrance I —
Awhile the pride of mati preserved the
petty djgtinctioiis of the grave : — affec-
H 5
154 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
tioii sought to bury its dead, or respect
bore rank to the ' narrow house ;' — short-
ly the pestilential arrows flew too quick-
ly: — ^^the mother forsook her child! —
the union of the heart was dissolved ! —
the affections fled; and savage indif-
ference, cowardly fear, and selfish ter-
ror succeeded. Shut up in solitude,
scarce venturing to look from the closed
lattice, the wretch, who forsook all but
self, listened to the slow and heavy
sound of the death-cart, and struck by
the breath of heaven, added, at jts re-
turn, to its load, and was hurried to the
vast grave, where enemies and friends
indiscriminately met. Even Avarice
closed its palm : — the wretches who,
driven by hunger, approached the aper-
ture, where above a smoking censer ap-
peared an eye mingling terror with de-
sire of gain, dropped their gold in the
Yase of vine2:ar, and received its weight
THE FAI^ ANDALUSIAN. lo5i
ill bread. The fearful ^vretcli ^vho hur-
ried past, as if the noxious air of the
solitary and forsaken streets bore an
embodied form, and pursued him, es-
saying to strike, told, as he passed, of
friends departed, with features cold and
fixed as the monumental stone.— AYhat
"vvonder thought had no leisure to rumi-
nate on virtue, love to lament beauty^
or gratitude to mourn for greatness ? —
The shadows passed so quickly to the
grave, they forbade distinction in je*
gret.
" You rejoice, lady, that midst the
calamity I pourtray, the smiling vine-
yards of youi; native Andalusia invited
the lovers to safety — that the adven-
turous boat quickly wafted them to se-
curity ! — Far other was their fate! — The
secvis of the fatal infection were sup-
posed to have proceeded from Cataline :
centinels prevented communication ; —
a 6
3 56 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
110 boats ventured near its forbidden
shore ; and those that despair launched
towards the Spanish coast, were re-
pulsed by the inhabitants witli the ob-
duracy of men who strove for life.
" Whilst Carlos beheld no change in
Theresa, he beheld unmoved the terrific
pall of clouds above his head — the wind-
ing sheets that clung on the rocks be-^
low ; — the frequent death — the expiring
sighs of Marianna and her babes passed
Unheeded 1 — He marked not that man
avoided man, and that the accustomed
voices were still, the accustomed steps
heard no more : — all his faculties were
absorbed in one object ; nor when that
object faded, did he despair. Hope
leads on, changing her delightful form
at every step of destiny; — flatters iis
those we love shall escape the dart of
fate ; when struck, whispers recovery ;
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 157
and finally,, bending over the bed of
death, points to heaven 1
" Kneeling by his Theresa's conch, Car-
los wonld have detained awhile his an-
gel. Left her sole attendant, he prayed,
' restoration might hang its medicine on
his lips,' bnt prayed in vain 1 — Watching
by the expiring flame of a lamp, the
gleam of eyes no longer brilliant, but
dimmed by mists of death, he beheld
the last spark of life ' flutter and ex-
pire.' Awhile he gazed on her altered
face — w ept on the arras, once the love-
liest of her beauties, now livid and cold,
pressing the crucifix in their stififened
grasp: — Our second union approaches,
Theresa !' exclaimed he, as the warn-
ings of disease crept through his veins.
My strength suffices but to form the
grave that must receive us both ! — Alas \
to thy unborn babe thou art thyself the
tomb !'
158 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAfh
" Wrapping' her in her veil, he took
her in his arms as tenderly as when he
feared the slightest motion would
" Shake the buds of health from blowing/'
and advanced w ith trembling steps and
frenzied glance, to the mouth of the
cavern. Morning just dawned ; not as it
was wont, bringing breezes and fresh-
ness to nature, but fraught with pesti-
lential vapour and oppressive heat, the
exhalations of the shores, mingling with
a sulphureous scent, ascended, loaded
with contagion. No one appeared, to
assist or hinder the melancholy inter-
ment of Theresa. As Carlos laid her in
the sandy grave his trimbling hands
had prepared, a dove, struck by the
]f)estilential vapour, dropped at his feet.
* Emblem of love and innocence !' said
the unhappy youth, as he lifted the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. loD
wing that ceased to flatter, * be thou
buried with Theresa ! — lay on a bosom,'
said he, dropping it gently in the grave^
* as spotless and pure, as faitliful and
ardent, as are thy attributes !'
*' From a cave above Lopez had wit-
nessed the scene : — thither he fled with the
last of his children ; and whilst he feared
for the babe, he kept aloof from the
unhappy Carlos. When insatiable death
claimed the object of the old man's care,
regardless of an existence become hate-
ful to him, he descended to the grave
where he had beheld the bereft husband
stretched days and nights, regardless of
light or life.— The attentions of Lopez
were useless ; — his entreaties were not
heard by him who suffered no more.
" When the arm of Providence ar-
rested that of death, I enquired for De
Yelos. Age and sorrow had conferred one
of it< few blessings : — returned to the ini»
160 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
becility of childhood, he trifles Avith mis-
fortune ; — the offspring of Carlos seems
to sport in his walks, the sweet Theresa
to soothe his infirmities, and the hand
of his son support his steps.
'' If, fair Estella, yon pronounce Car-
los the most unhappy of lovers, remem-
ber he was beloved ! — he loved not with-
out hope ; and even in resigning his
treasure, he gave her not to the arms of
a rival.
" When you love, madam, may no
eloud, but such as your smiles can dis-
perse, intervene! — no sorrow obscure
the brightness of your eyes ! — no care
a2:itate vour bosom !
" Accept the wishes offered, most re-
spectfully, by your devoted
" Charles Montolieu."^
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 161
CHAPTER Tin.
" Him ev'n the dissolute admir'd ; for he
" A graceful looseness, when he pleased, put on ;
" And laughing, could instruct. Much had he
*' read,
" Much more had seen;— he studied from the
" life,
** And in th' original perus'd mankind,"
jVIontolieu, represented as the nar-
rator of Theresa and Carlos, the ad-
mirer of Estella, appears not the satirist
and the cynic of the preceding pages ; yet
the seemins: inconsistencies of his cha-
racter are such, as many, on examining
themselves in the closet and the crowd,
must acknowledge to be nature: — per-
haps he has best described his own feel-
162 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
ings in the commenceiiient of the story ;
certain, he inherited from his mother a
sensitive mind, shrinking fi>om the touch
of insensibility; he used the satire of
his father to secure it from the multi-
tude. To Estella, the tablets of a heart,
blending an admiration of beauty, de-
rived from one parent, a tender mora-
lity, from the other, had been alone un-
locked ; perhaps, unconsciously to him-
self. Greatly as he valued Du Marr,
in one point he differed :— the love he
bore Estella, sou^'ht no confidence: —
he buried it in his heart ; and when she
departed, he mentioned her not, and re-
sumed his usual manner. The marquis
had parted from him with professions
of regard, Ximenes had lingered in his
adieu, and Estella had waved her *' hand
of beaiity." He endeavoured to think
the past a delightful dreaiil; and, as if
willing to dissipate its remembrance^
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 163
mixed more in society, though by do
means more indulgent to their foibles*.
The private theatre was a source of
alternate amusement and censure; al-
ready had many rehearsals taken place
previous to opening for the season ;
and Montolieu assisted in sketches of
scenery, was the hero of every piece,
and the writer of every prologue.
** \yhat!" said he, on a request for thq
latter, will you forgive me,
* If my trembling pen displays
* What never yet was sung in mortal lays ?
* But how shall I attempt such arduous string;
' I, who have spent my nights and nightly days
* In this soul-dead 'ning place, loose loitering ?
* Ah ! how shall 1 for this uprear my moulted
* wing]*
Yet, Montolieu chose a graver theme ;
and on the theatre opening with Gold-
smith';^ admirable comedy of She Stoops
1(34 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
to Conquer, and The Mock Doctor^
though he declined taking a part, Nvish-
ing to point ont to Du Marr, the thea-
trical characters, as they came on with
the shifting scenes, he delivered the fol-
lowing
PROLOGUE.
No more the rock, unbless'd by gentle showers.
Denies the fragrance of ambrosial flowers ;
No more \vith heated bosom, parch'd and bare.
Our faulting Flora pants for western air :
Reviv'd, she rises from the humid earth.
At evei-y step gives vegetation birth ;
From rocky urns her floral gems arise.
Her scented breath along the ocean sighs.
Shall, then, the earth we tread, revive alone ;
The rocks around the power of season own ;
Yet, man, awak'ning from his listless dream.
Refuse his bosom to the mental beam ;
Or, woman, fated to the rose's doom,
Share not its sweetness with its transient bloom?
For other ends the drama formed her laws ;
For other ends her changuig curtain draws :
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 105
With solemn mien, Melpomene appears.
Instruction mingling with her tragic tears :
Thalia strews with flowers the alter'd stage.
And shews the follies of each clime and age ;
Yet breathes this moral, as her wit beguiles, —
* The purest hearts must wear the brightest
smiles,'
" Behold our manager!'' said Monto*
lieu, as Colonel Main entered : " he fills
a stage well; but having been a nautical
genius in early life, he treads one as
cautiously* as if preserving his equili-
brium in a storm ! — ' Steady ! steady !' "
'* He gets applause — I wish he'd get his part."
*' How admirably dressed !" exclaim-
ed Du Marr, as 3Irs. Hardcastle en-
tered.
" 'Tis little Doctor Dell ; he is the
comic support of our stage. Our sage
manager would fain have him in
Wd THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
breeches; yet, I appeal to you, uas
ever an enoriiious hoop, high toupee,
large ruffles, and fan, managed better: —
attend to him; he is comic to a degree."
The risibility that broke out at the
appearance of the little doctor, by no
means discomposed him. With a seem-
ing unconsciousness of the cause, he
stood adjusting his apron and ruffles,
and coolly fanned himself till they ^vere
at leisure to attend ; then, entering on
his part, his conception of the character,
and his manner of performing it, were
so admirable, as to call forth bursts of
applause.
Hardcastle supported him with much
effect.
** Observe the officer who performs
Tony^' cried Montolieu : " his mistress,
so languid,
" The breeze of Heaven risits her too roughly,"
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK. 167
is seated m the stage-box. What a
conflict!— he must lose the reputation
for noisy comedy — his whip and him-
self have held since the introduction of
the play, or give up one of the Jive
chances in our matrimonial lottery."
*' The disadvantages under ^vhich gen-
tlemen performers appear, must be
obvious : — seldom sufficiently aufait, or
sufficiently absurd for amusement, their
audience find judgment cramped by
the aukward feeling of obligation to
actors of rank, who kindly administer
their dramatic opiates. When the Spa-
nish company from Algesiras perform,
you will have more amusement."
" That will be to-morrow," replied
Du Marr; '' they passed my guard yes-
terday."
" Gil Bias is ever new," observed his
friend ; " men, of every description, are the
same as Le Sage described them, — even
168 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
Spanish players. — I have ^vitnessed their
entree ; — Jassamiiie drives in the Queen
of Flowers on a bourra; whilst, seated
on a pile of scenery, the Rose languidly
droops on her stalk, the Violets run
after. — The Garden ofFloivers thus leaves
Spain; but arrived here, the proscribed
Autos Sacramentalos are revived in all
their ancient mixture of absurdity and
profanity. The ease with which reli*
gion and frailty are mingled in these
representations, rendei's the mask of
Thalia deformed and odious. With the
exception of Guillen de Castro and Cal-
deron, the dramatic writers of Spain
appear to have little merit."
On the following evening these re-
marks were verified, during the per-
formance of El JDiahlo Predicador,
many years a favourite piece with the
inferior comedians of Spain. The X>^r//,
introducing himself into a convent of
THE FAIR ASDALUSIAS'. 1(S^
JFranciscans, seems intended as a com-
pliment to that particular order: — he,
however, proves the better preacher ;
and his hearers might forget his cha-
racter, were they not reminded of it by
.a tail of most imaccomitable length, de-
pending from his habit, over which the
Gracioso continually falls. Indeed, it ap-
pears a constant stumbling block ; — dam-
sels going to confession— old women
with assignations— lay brothers w ith pro-
visions on fast days— preachers with ab-
solution to married women ^ — ali are
stopped on their way, and strange mi-
racles w rought by its power. The few^
love scenes are extremely ludicrous; as
the Gracioso attends w ith a long feather,
watching his opportum'ty, Avhilst the
pathetic is at its height, to
" To brush the dust from his princess's nose."
" Are you satisfied?' cried Montolieu,
VOL. I I
i/O THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN,
as the curtain dropped amidst the uni-
versal applause, excited by the punish-
nient of a husband >vho would fain have
kept his wife out of the DeiiTs way,
though he appeared in the form of a
Franciscan.
*' The moral certainly is defective,"
replied the Swiss; '* and I am astonish-
ed, where the power of the clergy is un-
limited — the audience are catholics; —
nay, I observe an ecclesiastic who seems
to relish these jests on the sacerdotal
habit."
*' By opening this vein," observed
Montolieu, " they preserve the health
of their body. Those who enjoy the
jest till they tire on the stage, carry it
not home with them."
The curtain now drew up, and pre-
sented the melancholy spectacle of Ne-
buchadnezzar, on all fours, advancing
to the front of the stage, ^vith grass in
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 171
his month, chewing it with strange how^-
iings. Amid tiae singular distress of
his situation, he had not forgot fiis
toilette ; for a handsome French suit of
rather ancient taste, with broad gold
lace, ** hung over his recreant limbs ;'*
and a peruque of large dimensions,
** hien peudre^'' set off his face, and
formed a kind of lo/t for his hay. After
the Gracioso had leaped over him two
or three times> he retired to his den;
and the prompter announced aloud,
that Anthony and Cleopatra were at
supper.
** Have the great personages of the
earth the Chinese privilege of now foh
lowing their example?" enquired Du
Marr, laughing immoderately at the
cracked trumpets and rumbling cannon
sounded on the occasion.
" Undoubtedly: — but, hush! — the
scene Hfts to the guitar. Gods! is this
I 2
172 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN".
the syren that lost kingdoms ! — What
is the meaning of her breaking an egg
in a tumbler?''
" Signior," cried a Spaniard behind,
touching his arm, " shedissolva deperle:'
" Correct ; — luxurious girl ! — but An-
thony seems enraged : — his mistress
might drink a province ; but why is he
so extravagant as to burn his wig ?"
" She hava declara one grand inten-
tion to die Ah ! dere be de sprightly
girl; she changa her mind, and dance
de bolero."
" If you have any patience left, Du
Marr, " let us exhaust it elsewhere,''
said Montolieu, hurrying out of the
theatre.
On the steps he was accosted by a
young officer, who had performed the
heroine of the piece on the preceding
evenins:. " Tou lost a fund of amuse-
ment, Captain Montolieu,'' said he, *• in
THE FAIR ANDALCSIAN. 173
being absent from the feast of the bus-
kms last night/'
*' I should have imagined otherwise,"
replied he, as they entered Celestme^,
in quest of ice ; " parties ran high."
" We sat down to supper, drest in
character ; Major Main at the head of
the table, and Dell, in his hoop and
fly cap at the bottom. After a few
glasses, theatrical business began to be
discussed, and much difference of opi-
nion prevailed. 3Irs. Hardcasth grew
so enraged, that laying her elbows on
the table, over which the ruffles spread,
she or he^ which you will, placed both
hands to the sides of her huge toupee,
and obstinately refused admittance to
the colonel's words ; except when from
time to time, utterly forgetting the
dress, the litde Doctor, striking his fist
on the table, violently exclaimed, * I am
a mail ! — Colonel Main, I'm a man ;- -
i3
274 THE FAIR AXDALrsrAN.
f
it cioes not signify, I am a man /' His
iviiil disordered looks, torn petticoats,
Tvhich from their extension had caught
every scene ; his tucker and foreign bo-
som, head dress awry, and fan, with
which he fanned without ceasing^ were
such risible contradictions to the asser-
tion, it was not in nature to resist
lai^gliiiig. Our mirth was by no means
relished by Dell, who putting his great
coat over his hoop, and his cocked hat
©n his cap, gathered his train over hisi
arm, and passed the centinels rapidly
home, grumbling out to their challenges,
^ A man! a man!' Various are their
reports of the strange figure that passed.
The great ladij that died in the fever ; —
the Viro'in^ w alking out of the Spanish
church ; — the head of the French ship
sunk in the bay, have ail perambulated
in report, to the South. The moon w as
bright, and the apparition must have
THE FAIR AXDALUSIAN. 176
given its very front to the beam : —
would I had followed it !"
*' Poor Dell ! cried Montolieu, laugh-
ing, " the man does not live that plays
a better part. I hope Main has not
banished him the stage."
" By no means : but your Prologue
is not liked ; yon should have enlarged.
He means to write them in future him-
self."
** I understand you : —
** Much did he talk, in his own usual phrase,
** Of genius and of taste, of players and of plays ;
" Much too of writings, which himself had wrote,
** Of special merit, though of little note ;
** Much too he chatter'd of dramatic laws ;
*• Misjudging critics, and misplac'd applause*"*^
** Was it not so T
*' I believe it was: — but, how did f per-
form ? — You have not either blamed or
I 4
J 76 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
coittHieiided, though you chose the part
for me."
'' Why, 4hen truly your voice is too
iough for a languishing lady, and your
iiiein too aukward for a graceful one : —
you are too black for a fair praise ; and
being as you are, you -will never do ;
but were you otherwise than you are,
I should not like you. One hint : — do
not apply sal volatile to your head with
the air ef a bumper toast, or present
your fan like a pistol."
A fine morning on the following day
lured numbers to the Almeyda, where
the vendues, or sales were accustomed
to be held under the trees. A few
Moors, richly dressed, leaned listlessly
against the Maltese furniture offered for
purchase, smoaking their pipes of red
clay, amber, and ivory ; and viewing
with astonishment the gestures of a
Mediterranean Christie, wlio was ex-
THE FAIR AXDALUSIAN. 177
plaining the uses, properties, and beau-
tifynig qualities of a mosquito net, not
forgetting to remark the security pre-
sented by its leaden weiglits.
" Bullets, to be sure, are a great se-
curity !*' said Captain O^Phelim O'Coii-
7ior Shagnessy o'Tyger; *' but I put
mine in my pistols, dear.— Captain Mon-
tolieu, your sarvant ; give me your
hand. — I shall be on your guard to-
morrow, and I'll give you a story for
every bottle you bring."
" The routine of duty brings my
friend and me together to Landport,"
said Montolieu, pi-esenting Du Marr.
" Ah!" cried O'Tyger, with ridiculous
gesticulation, ^^ parte Franci/, my dear/*
" I speak English."
" Then let me tell you, till you hear
Irish, you'll not understand it. — I re-
member when I attended the college at
Bogmuderti/, a pratty little place of re-
I 5
178 THE FAIR AN0ALUS1AN.
piitation, with a bird's-eye view of my
own parater fields, Father O'Laryj^ro/-
fesed the languages."
" 1 think," said Montolieii, interrupt-
ing him impatiently, '' I see Mrs. Layde s
carriage.
** Sure you do," cried O'Tyger:—
'* they are all going to see if a Jew
makes more promises to his wife than
a Christian. The great Benaboo's dater
is to be tethered to Jekel Moiader s
son. — I'm sure I might expect a favor ^
for I have paid him three cobs a month
for a doubloon, this year to come''
" This will be a new scene to you,"
observed Montolieu, as taking Du
Marr's arm he crossed the Almeyda,
•* I have interest enough to admit you."
The gentlemen were in time to hand
Mrs, Layde from her carriage ; who,
accompanied by Madame Du Rose and
General Clarville's daughters, were re-
eeived at the foot of the stair-case, with
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 17^'
great respect, by the elders of the Jewish
families, and conducted to the upper
rooms. At the head of the most spacious
of these apartments, the bride, covered
by a veil, sat under a rich and elevated
canopy, attended by her female rela-
tions, superbly dressed in the English
style, to which the siogidar costume o£
the Barbary Jewesses, who composed the
greater part of the company, formed a
picturesque and pleasing contrast.
After examining the ornaments of the
bride, estimated by her prudent lover at
thirty thousand hard dollars, but sin*
gularly inelegant from their settings and
iinwrought strings of pearl ; the party
walked round the rooms, from which
the bridegroom and his friends seemed
excluded, unles«j. when hastily crossing,
tliey offered attentions to the general's
party. The third room contained a
large canopied bed, whose pink satiu
I 6
180 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
curtains, quilt, and pillows, were en-
tirely covered with rich point lace.
The toilette presented the same splendid
support to a glass framed with silver ;
and near stood a bason and ewer of the
same costly metal.
" The riches of our Jews," said Mon-
tolieu, *' may in some degree be esti-
mated by this gorgeous display ; but by
no means their habits. Scarce has the
honey-moon past, than the parapher-
nalia of fortune is hurried away to
coffers, only opening to great events,
and the house re-assumes its scanty fur-
niture, and the inhabitants their squal-
lid attire. They are an ugly race.
Were it otherwise, how charming would
be the groupes the adjacent room pre-
sents! A marriage calling for the at-
tendance of the invited during days,
this apartment is appropriated to the
children, and the mothers come to fondle
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 181
or attend them. The cradles have the
same adornment, according to the rank
of the parents ; but the poor little black
idol of the rich shrine, brings all Loretta
to the mind. By casting your eyes
round, you ^vill observe the Barbary
Jews, a distinct race as to dress or
complexion. The conten^plation of the
beautiful woman near the lattice is an
example. Her husband is contractor
for the markets with the port of Fetuan,
and her dress the exact costume of the
Moorish Jews."
The woman of whom he spoke, and
of whom Du Marr caught a glance, had
large line eyes, a clear and fair com-
plexion ; her face a fine oval, particu >
larly beautiful above the forehead and
brow. Above the dark and regular
arches of the latter, a } '?m\ of different
coloured jewellery was placed, sur-
mounted by a turban, or thick cushioa
182 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
of red silk: over this, a large veil of
gold or silver brocade is usually ^vorn;
she had laid it aside from the heat,
and tlie absence of its stiff and
gaudy appearance Mas of advantage
to the dress. The cambric of her che-
mise and waistcoat, both cut round
above the swell of the bosom, and
dasped with rich studsjj were embroi-
dered with gold. — Her jacket, of silk,
embroidered at the wrist, and buttoned
with pearl, was confined by a large silk
sash rolled round the waist; and her
petticoat^ of white, bordered with gold,
shewed to advantage gilt slippers. Im-
mense gold rings, set with, precious
stones, completed the dress.
" This, with the exception of drawers,,
is that of the Moorish women of rank,'^
said MontolieUk; " who, incapable of
moving, if at all handsome, loll away
their davs on sofas covered with leo-
THE FAIR ANDALLSIAN. 183
pard skins, over which boards, with
golden characters of the Alcoran are
fixed. Last vear, I obtained leave to
visit Barbary on a shooting excursion ;
but never was able to gratify my curio-
sity with the sight of these ponderous
beauties. — Lighter women, however^
walked on the terraces; but the jewels
and the embroidery were closeted with
Patima:'
A bustle now pervaded the rooms;
and the rabbies, with venerable beards,
and habits of ceremony, entered to per-
form the marriage, followed by boys
carrying immense wax tapers and rolls
of parchment. One of these was un-
folded, and the male relations, taking
the edge in their hands, repeated, in a
kind of chaunt, the names of their tribe,
and select passages of scripture. The
contract was then signed ; and the bride-
groom and bride, drinking from a glasSj,
184 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
it was clashed to the ground, with the
wish, that no separation might take
place till the fragments were united.
" A tourist would remark," observed
Montolieu, " the art of mending glass
unkown amongst the Jews."
Refreshments were now served in
profusion ; gold filligree cups filled with
chocolate, salvers of dried sweetmeats,
and piles of cakes, concluding with
papers of a composition made of flour
and honey, were presented each guest,
and which must be eaten in token of
amity to the house.
The bride now withdrew her veil ; and
the Jewesses, who assembled round to
fan her, were very anxious Mrs. Layde
should pronounce her handsome: whilst
she hesitated, Madame Du Rose dis-
covered a dimple in her chin ; — the at-
tendant nymphs were satisfied, and the
party departed.
THE FAIR AXDALCSIAN. 185
CHAPTER IX.
" There's some peculiar in each leaf and grain,
" Some unmark'd fibre, or some varying vein.
" Shall only man be taken in the gross 1
** Grant but as many sorts of mind as moss ;
** That from each other differs first confess ;
** Next, that he varies from himself no less ;
** Add Nature's, Custom's, Reason's, Passion*s strife,
•' And all Opinion's colours cast on life.
** Find, if you can, in what you cannot change.**
De Valmont, whose misfortunes be-
came generally known, and whose se-
clusion, therefore, met no censure, could
not resist the many feeling attentions
paid him by his young neighbour, on
w hom the singular fate of this estimable
man had made no common impression.
18(3 TH!: FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
Montolieu received little additions to
his library] and garden by every packet
from England ; both of which were ren-
dered subservient to the amusement of
the count, in a manner that only a hu-
mane man vmderstands how to confer
without offence. After he had ex-
changed his flowers for all the weeds
he fancied in Valmont's garden, and
borrowed all the military books he pos-
sessed, sending his last publications in
French and English, merely to fill up
the shelves till they were returned, an
interview took place; and the parties
were so well pleased with each other,
that the count often called to request
Montolieu would accompany him in his
walks. One day, they were passed -by
two or three officers, in dress strangely
disordered, appearing to look for some-
thing in the interstices of the rocks.
Suddenly leaving the object of their
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 187
search, they darted up the steep paths
of the hill above, and seemed only in-
tent on gaining its summit.
Valmont, looking after them, exclaim-
ed, "I seldom take my evening or morn-
ing ramble without meeting these na-
turalists. — Have you seen their col-
lection?"
~" No, ray lord," replied Montolieu;
** none but the traiteur of their mess
has that honour. — You look astonished!
I must explain : — the Epicureans are
too numerous amongst us for mention;
not so the little band of stoics that have
excited your attention : they consist of
men, otherwise of understanding. The
aim of their singularities must undoubt-
edly be to excite attention :--drinking
oceans of claret would not effect this ;
mating deer fed on almonds, or turtle
fattened in the inundation, would only^
be copying petty heroes of the fork ;--
188 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
but to drink water in Gibraltar, and, at
a feast, call for cabbages, merits no
common praise ; and, in truth, has ex-
cited no common attention. — To keep
this awake, these Pythagoreans have
added other mortifications to those of
the table. At day-break, such as are
disengaged from duty, walk bare-footed
on the isthmus, in some places rugged
enough for the expiation of a Bernardino;
their breakfast is prepared of sallads;
they then sally forth, picking herbs for
dinner, as you have seen ; occasionally
varying the walk by storming the heights
above. The slumbers of the night too
are broken through ; and the stoics rise
from their beds for the enjoyment of a
shower-bath. As may be supposed, the
brothers of the order are pale, emaciated,
and taciturne. Some have found it ne-
cessary to quit the society, preferring
life to the death of honour. Colonel
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 189
Brandywine, for three months, filled the
superior's chair; he had abandoned the
sons of Bacchus, seriously alarmed at
the t^onsequences of intemperance, and
was hailed with joy by the votaries of
famine. The daintiest cabbages were
cut in his honour, wild asparagus ga-
thered, and libations of water poured
to the Naiads. In a month, the ghost
of Brandywine appeared to his former
companions, and resumed his seat and
and glass, A deputation of stoics were
sent to recal the fugitive ; to whose re-
monstrances, he replied, in a whining
tone; — " If I must die, leave me to the
pleasantest death, I intreat."
" It is doubtless to the sect you speak
of, the innumerable caricatures of the
garrison allude?'^ observed the count.
** Yes;" replied Montolieu, "the walls
of the guards are covered with flying
fi<ih speeding to the fountain — * stop
100 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
tliief! stop thief! labelled on their fins.
Seriously, I thmk the fraternity of usei
our young men discover any change of
life can be effected where tve tcill it.
It is a pity, what is urged as impossible
to morality, should be so possible to
singularity."
Landport Guard, where Du Marr and
his friend were solus, during the morn-
ing, is that of active duty. Books or
drawing, tlie resources at more retired
stations, are laid aside ; giving place to
the hurry of admission to groupes of
foreigners, entering the garrison with
provisions, or visiting it from curiosity.
At dinner, Montolieu spoke of Cap-
tain OThelim O'Conner Shagnessy
O'Tyger, who was expected at night
from the out-posts, in company with a
Pythagorean. " He is a man of very
singular manners,'' observed he; " his
estate, of which he gives such ample
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 191
measurement, adjoins my fatlier^s, in Ire-
land, and is by no means considered as
an addition to the prospect. My mother
values Mrs. Judy OTyger from her an-
tiquity and love of her son, and has
given me strict entreaties to be attentive
to him. Our habits are so different, this
is hardly possible, but we are on gene-
ral good terms ; and when he delights
in embellishing a story,
" Further the deponent saith not/'
I prevent, if possible, the arrow going
wide of the mark. The officer who ac-
companies him, is so complete a con-
trast, that some amusement may arise
from their disputes : — I have no appre-
hension ; for O'Tyger is a lamb in wolf's
clothing, and has a singular faculty of
cooling in proportion as his adversary
warms.; — yet he is brave in the field/'
192 THE FAIR ANDALVSIAK.
Chess be2:iiiled the hours till the ar-
rival of the Hibernian and Lieutenant
Drinkwater. A supper of rare dishes,
the customary tax on the captain of
Landport, was spread ; and O'Tvger,
doing ample justice to it, heeded little
the abstinence of Drinkwater, who, he
said, " ate his salted leaf with the mien
of a mawkin."
*• Now tell me, my dear," cried he,
*' were your cabbage water corked up in
bottles, and kept in your cellars till
crust came on them, would you fill such
a bumper to the king, or your mistress?
I was on guard," said he, changing his
theme, and addressing Du Marr; " with
an officer of yours, who tells me you
are a bit of a philosopher. — Now, Sir,
you must travel in Ireland : — Did you
ever see the Giant's Causeway?"
'' No ;' replied Du Marr, ** I should
wish to hear from an eye-witness, the
THE FAIR ANDALU:.IAK. 193
wonders I have read of that astonishins:
phaenomenoii of nature."
** You could not apply, my dear, to a
better person: — as to the height, vSir, I
have leaped it."
*' Leaped it!
'^ Aye ; and no bones broken :— true
3Ialasien breed T
" I should think," observed Monto-
lieu, dryly; "the very recital of that
story would occasion broken bones !*'
*' I should like to see a specimen of
your powers, from St. George's Hall,"
said Drink water.
" You are wrong," observed O'Tyger ;
you would not jump off into the ocean
in shallow water!— you are safer where
there is no bottom, — Come, you had
better be after aiting a bit of the turkey
than mounching sorrel."
JNIontolieu, seeing the blunt rudeness
of OTyger distressing to the young
VOL. I. K
19 i THE FAIR ANDALt?SIAN.
man, filled a tumbler equally from their
respective bottles ; and saying he com-
plied with the humours of both, drank
diluted wine to their healths.
** To the fair "Spaniard !" said O'Tyger,
affecting archness ; '' to be sure I've not
wrote the old lady you were courting
and the family priest living with you all
the while."
** This is leaping the causeway again!'*
said IVIontolieu, contemptuously.
** Now, my dear," said O'Tyger, ** you
have the advantage of being a man of
rank, and you take it."
*' If my rank," saidMontolieu, " stands
in your way, put it aside with the scab-
bard of your sword, to-morrow.-— I am
no duellist; but, as I wish to give satis-
faction, if I fail, you can take it."
** Arrah, now, be easy," cried O'Tyger,
considering himself awhile; "give me
your hand ; we are the bravest men in
THE FAIR ANDALUSIA y. 195
tlie garrison, and will spare each other
for the sake of the breed.''
Drinkwater informed ^Montolien, he
had heard in the conrse of the day, that
Generall O'Reilly had been ordered
from the command of the Spanish lines.
" I regret it," returned he; " born of an
Irish father, his heart is British; yet his
partiality leads him to no action incon-
sistent with his duty to Spain. Fiench
influence has doubtless removed him, to
make way for one more in their interests.
O'Reilly's character may be judged,'*
said he, turning towards Du Marr, " by
his conduct to an officer of this garrison*
Returning from St. Roque, Captain
F met within the Sj)anish lines,
and guarded by one of the Walloon
Guards, a soldier of his company, who
had deserted; he stopped, and with the
permission of his companioir, questioned
him. The man, who had been at work
K 2
19G THE FAIR ANDALUSIAK.
beyond the barriers, was intoxicated at
the time he deserted; and now, partly
sobered by his walk, owned his regret,
in terms that determined his officer to
turn his horse, and accompany hina to
the General's quarters. The soldier's
story was told O'Reilly, who, with
much feeling, replied, " The man is
yours again : — you describe him as at-
tached to his officer and his corps; —
J do not admit him as a deserter: — I
want no man to join our service with
regret; and will myself write your go-
vernor to pardon him." Sir H ,
though he would not make terms with-
out the barriers, pardoned the man on
his giving himself up. — Castanos is a
man firmly attached to his country, but
does not possess the talents of O'Reil-
ly. — He is attentive to the English; but
can hardly preserve terms with the
French resident, who continually ob-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 197
jects to the parties of pleasure the Eiig'-
lish are fond of forming to Algesiras
and St. Roque."
On the following week, Mrs. Layde,
accompanied by the principal families
of tlie garrison, went to the Orange
Grove, with the intention of break-
fasting there, and spending the remain-
der of the day at St. Roque. At break
of day, carriages and horses left the
barriers, and boats pushed off from the
mole with such of the party as pre-
ferred disembarking at the mouth of the
little river, formed from springs, on the
banks of the Orange Grove. Within view
of the equestrians, whose horses hoofs
dashed in the wave that sparkled over
the sands of the isthmus, the boats
glided along, — the changing appearance
of the rock affording matter of conver-
sation to the party, consisting of Mrs.
Layde, Madame Du Rose, MissClaiTille,
k3
198 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN,
and their guard of honour. Arrived at
tlie grove, it was only by representing
themselves the servants of the ladies,
the gallant Spaniard would allow the
officers to land, some etiquette in their
passport having been omitted. Under
trees bending with weight of fruit and
flower, and in an opening of the grove,
admitting a view of the hill of St. Roque,
and its white and scattered buildings, a
breakfast was spread, near the stream.
The scent of the rich fruit, hanging above
in clustering canopies of verdure; the
blossoms strewing the earth beneath;
the freshness of the morning, and the
dejemie, whose tables were decked by
the owner of the garden adjoining with
flowers, milk, honey, and fruit, afforded
a pleasing variety to the constraint of
Gibraltar, and the uniformity of its
scenes. At the Orange Grove, a small
bouse has been built, which is usually
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 199
rented by an inhabitant of the fortress*
A few gardens surround the place,
-vvhose owners reside in cane huts, built
beneath wahiut trees. The Indian aloe
forms a hedge to the gardens, adding,
by its singular appearance, to the novel
character of the sciene.
After viewing the interior of the Villa
Campagne, whose wainscot panneis are
H^oarsely painted with rural scenes, a
few of the gentlemen remained to angle
in the stream, whilst the others accom-
panied the ladies to St. Roque.
The town, irregularly built on a small
hill, down which the streets descend in
frightful and dangerous steeps, has few
houses of any rank : — its church is mean,
and it boasts no convent. — Shops, where
a variety of bijeiuc in dress are sold,
and an excellent inn kept by a French
emigrant, however, render St. Roque
the' resort of the garrison. After lean-
k4
200 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
ing over the iron balcony, surveying the
characters that passed, — (a priest with
enornioMs beaver, shading features
uniting the gourmand and the enthu-
siast in their expression — an officer,
wliose shabby habiliments and dusty
honours were strikingly contrasted by
the belle he escorted ; who, with the
mien of a duchess, paced, in rich silk
stockings and embroidered slippers, the»
dirty streets, removing with arch co-
quettry her thin veil with her fan, to give
force by a glance to an equivoque ;) the
party went to the shops, enriched by ar-
ticles for English purchase. The gold
chains, similar to the Venetian silver filli-
gree, and catholic ornaments, are not ex-
posed for sale at the windows ; but enter-
ing, the ladies were surprised to find the
mean owner of a meaner shop, produce
topazes, rubies, and emeralds of value.
Dried sweetmeats and rich crape h^nd-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN, 201
kerchiefs, worked in gold and silver;
black lace, and stamped tiffany, in imi-
tation of white point, made part of the
purchases of the morning.
In the square of the town, Montolieu
informed Du Marr, the preceding year
a bull-fight had been held : — " the mata-
dores gathered bloody laurels in the
morning, where the dance was held at
night. In the balconies of this now de-
serted place, the flower of the Anda-
lusian and Granadine families mixed
with our ladies from the garrison.
How far," said he, apart to Du Marr^
" this was consistent with the timid
softness of tht^ir character, I cannot
determine; but, undoubtedly, the Spa-
nish women, bred from infancy to con-
sider the bull-tighl a place of gallantry
and amusement, seemed less indecorous
in their attendance than the English
K 5
202 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
females, who, in their country, consider
such sports inliuman and vulgar.
After sauntering through the streets,
o'ccasionally peeping through an opened
door, at the rich jessamine growing
round the inner court, the party re-
turned to the inn, a large old mansion,
built round a square, where the horses
and mules of the travellers were fasten-
ed; forming no bad picture of the , castle
yards whei^ Sancho and his master
met with
** Variety of ^^ retchedness* ^
In the dinner, consisting of fish, game,
venison, and pastry, excellently dressed,
no peculiarity appeared, but the serving
of the whole in large round dishes. In
the centre of one, a ranger, surrounded
by smaller fish ; in another, a fowl and
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 203
small birds; a third, containing a fruit
pie, garnished with paties, giving a sin-
gular appearance to the table.
After dinner, the sound of a guitar,
accompanied by a low, sweet voice, ex-
cited the attention of the ladies ; and
Montolieu retiring, to enquire for the
musician, returned, and v^hispered Mrs.
Layde, who rose immediately, followed
by the party. The scene they hastened
to witness was an affecting one. In the
hostess's apartment sat a blind Spanish
boy, of very pleasing countenance, about
seventeen; — by his side, and intent on
her young lover, to whom she addressed
the impassioned song of attachment,
stood a girl, about his own age, leaning
over her guitar, on whicli she played
with some skill ;— her voice, mellower
thau the usual Spanish note, was ex-
tremely pleasing; but not heeding the
204 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
presence of the strangers, or their in-
treaty she would vary her song, she
persisted in repeating Pedro's; and the
■words, simple and affecting, told her
story of the heart.
" Are these lovers to be married?'"
enquired Du Marr.
** Felice is too young, "^ replied the
hostess: ** my nephew loves her; — but,
alas! he cannot support her! — They are
happier now as they are ; and when
both are older, both may alter."^
Du Marr perceived Madame Du Rose
colour and turn aw ay : presently re-
turning, she pressed her purse in Fe-
lice's hand : — " Do not love any but your
unhappy Pedro," said she; '' God will
find a portion !'*
The girl looked wistfully in her face,
and gave the- gift to her lover.
The evening approached, and leaving
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 20S
the horses to speed over the sandy
plain, to meet the evening gun, the ma-
rine party gave their sail gently to the
breeze.
" St. Prieiix," said Montolieu, softly,
to Du Marr, " had strange temptations
in a boat; he wished to precipitate him-
self to the bottom of the lake with his
married mistress! — how prompts your
fancy?"
" To hand her out ;" said Du Marr,
presenting his arm to Madame Du
Rose.
Mrs. Layde gave one of her social
suppers. Her house, ornamented with
much taste, consisted of four public
rooms, united by a gallery, open on one
side by lattice work to the sea, and
filled with flowers. — Transparent marble
vases, containing tapers, emitted a soft
mellowed light on apartments, fur-
206 THE FAIR AKDALTJSIAN.
nislied ^yith green silk haugings and
ottomans.
Cards ^vere declined, and Montolieu
and Du Marr sung Fresich songs.
" I regret you did not hear ^dadame
De Mondecar sing,' "said Mrs. Layde;
her voice is line, and her skill and taste
exquisite. What a charming woman ! —
her residence amongst us appears but
a pleasing dream T'
Montolie 1 sighed deeply; in idea, his
eye pursued Estella in the dance, dwelt
on e\ ery feature of her expressive coun-
tenance, and revelled ia her brilliant
eye I He endeavoured to sliake off the
shade of thought that had taken posses-
sion of his mind, but in vain.
" The governor has received pleasant
information,'' said General Layde, enter-
ing, after a shoit absence ; — " the prin-
cipal provinces of Spain are in revolt;
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 207
•
and the yoke of France is about to be
trampled under foot, by the abandon-
ment of indolence in a brave nation.
The £n2:iish will undoubtedly en^a^e
in the expected conflict ; and Ca.stanos
has had this evening: communication with
the garrison. Jt could not be expected
tlie last insult to their sovereign would be
tolerated. — I am opinion that the Spa-
niards are ca})able of great energies."
That evening the merchants of Gibral-
tar gave a supply of money to Casta-
nos, for which they would accept no
interest; and which Mas as honourably
repaid as advanced. Communicating
boats came now daily ; the Spanish
people, aM aking into energy, astonished
the continental powers by their efforts
to free themselves from their invaders ;
and for a ^^ hile gave a bright example
of heroism and resolution.
208 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
In the course of our narrative, the
fatal causes of their failure will be
slightly touched on, with every delicacy
to a nation, who, however unfortunate in
their armies, have the sacred names of
Sara^ossa and Gerona enrolled in their
annal§ of fame !
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 209
CHAP. X.
r
*' What might's! thou do, that honour would
thee do,
*' Were all thy children kind and natural !
" But see thy fault ; — France hath in thee found
" out
** A nest of hollow bosoms, which he fills
•' With treacherous crowns I"
Spain had fov many months presented
a dawn of freedom, at which sinking
Europe revived. The spectacle of her
genius emerging from vine-decked ca-
verns of repose, and converting even the
relics of superstition, and the priei^^ts of
her altars, to the soldier's supply, and
the soldier's companion, argued greatly
of the future; and resting on their arms,
210 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
the nations awaited in suspense the
eventful combat.
The energy of Spain in the commence-
ment of her struggle surpassed example.
Their confidence betrayed, — their sove-
reign inswlted, — the respect to the altar
and the veil withdrawn, — her people rose
en masse^ and the tide of indignation
awhile swept all before it. Whether it
was the " incumbrance of help," or the
factious spirit of the Junta, that cramped
this arm of strength, the flame soon
ceased to appear, in other than faint
flashes of valour; only serving to dra\y
the demon of destruction to the spot
•whence it rose.
Castanos, no mean agent in the nego*
ciations of his country with E ,
though no statesman, was a firm patriot;
nor does his disgrace militate against
this assertion. A master-stroke of po-
licy removed from the cabinet aaid the
THE FAIR ANDALU5;IAN. 211
field, all M'hose efforts were feared by
the friends of France ; and the deluded
multitude needed but the cry of treason,
to raise their arms against those who had
led them to laurelled fields.
A generous and able nation came
forward with noble ardour to the sup-
port of Spain. What was her rej^ly ?—
" Give us money, arms, cloathing, am-
munition, but no troops ; or only garri-
son our sea-ports, and allow their armed
inhabitants to join the armies of the in-
terior. Your soldiers cannot subsist as
ours : — their habits are different ; — above
all, their faith. Their route must be
marked by famine : — the cross opposes
their entrance to our abodes : — hatred,
disunion, and reproach must ensue !" —
Prophetic words! — registered by the
ghosts of an army, — veriiied by the
feilure of every effort I
Amid the changing characters of the
212 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
Spanish page, none appears so promi-
nent in the revolution, as Pedro de Ca-
Tallos, the friend of his de^Taded king,
the follower of his fortunes, the reprover
of his enemy ; yet admiration is cheek-
ed by the Spanish shade; — stratagem
and finesse are the boast of the states-
man. Cavallos, it may be urged, sa-
crificed his own feelings to the urgency
of the times. Who does not, in the
contemplation of this distinguished cha-
racter, lament the necessity of such aa
offering.
The same enthusiasm that urged the
land of freedom to aid Spain in her
glorious struggle, difiused its spirit t(V
every British bosom in her distant poS'^
sessions. Montolieu, considering luan
in his inactive state as degraded, panted
for permission to enter a Service pre-
senting its contrast of enterpiize,
glory, and hope, to the tediou* xou-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 213
tine of duty in the prison of a garri-
«son : — he gave in his wishes to the gover-
nor, and awaited his acquiescence with
no common anxiety.
Du Marr, on hearing his resolution,
suffered the idea of Estella to sully the
Avarmth of his praise. He could not
believe her remembrance had not great
sway in the determination of his friend.
He had been a silent observer of his
manner towards the fair Spaniard, and
marked, that he feared to trust himself
with the mention of her. Montolieu
indeed felt for Estella sentiments no
other woman had ever inspired. In his
silence he gave unequivocal proofs of
the sincerity and ardour of his passion.
Romance, in the delineation of love,
errs widely in this point. It seeks no
confidant; and, buried in the bosom, it
enshrines the image of its devotion from
every " profane eye." Du Marr had
214 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
indeed confided the story of Josephine
to his friend ; but the union and reserve
of his mistress, his own principles,
and above all, the traces of time, had
weakened the flame of younger days.
Montolieu would have gladly concealed
his infant passion from himself. Love
without hope, for an object whose ha-
bits, manners, and ideas must be dissi-
milar; and who, at the close of a life
of happiness, would chose a difl'erent
path to heaven, could not be admitted,
without reason slumbering on its post.
Certain it is, no idea of Estella niingled
with his wish of joining the patriots of
her country. Here Du Marr wronged
him. The impulse of glory was dis-
tinct from that of a passion he would
rather have dissipated than encouraged,
by the active scenes he panted to engage
in. It is in the inactivity of peace, the
calms of life, the passions gains donii-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 215
tiion. From the field of valour, the
spirit of euterprize, the active expecta-
tion of every changing hour, Love spreads
its light wings; and speeds to the indo-
lence of the palace, the rural scenes of
the cottage^ and even the closet of the
philosopher.
In a few weeks news arrived of the
battle of Baylan, where Castanos, at the
head of an army, consisting mostly of
peasantry, gave glorious proofs of pa-
triot valour, Montolieu received per-
mission soon after to quit the garrison;
and the few days of his stay were mostly
spent Mith the Count Valmont and Du
Marr : the former, though resigned and
composed to the afflictions that had
singularly weighed on his heart, seemed
gradually to approach the close of life;
nor could his friends regret it. The
world was a blank, presenting no en-
dearing relative, no joyous scene ; and
216 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
€ven the conversations of friendship
wandered far from present scenes, to
recall recollections sacred to the heart.
Montolieu's character had attracted the
the attention of the count, and suc-
ceeded in withdrawing him a moment
from thought; but when he found, be-
neath the mask of humour, a heart
above price, accessible to every touch
of feeling, their converse, as they walked
among the remote paths of the rock,
assumed a graver cast. De Yalmont
did not part with his young friend with-
out regret: — "You teach me, young
gentleman," said he, " my heart is not
quite withered."
Du Marr passed the evening previous
to his departure with Montolieu. Estella
was not mentioned ; but Madame Dti
Rose, who at the moment was attend-
ing Valmont with a daughter's affection,
became tlie object of their warm pane-
THE FAIR Andalusia^:. 21>
g}'ric. " I conjure you,'' cried Moiito-
lieu, *' by the memory of the pai^t, to
suffer none to suspect you have felt
any beyond the common interest her
virtues excite. As yet slie has con-
quered even envy by the blameless
tenor of her life ; but a whisper may
destroy her peace and yours. You tell
me love has changed to friendship: —
the heart is deceitful on these points ;—
never trust it."
" If 1 know myself," cried Du Marr,
** I can avow it impossible the autunui
of my passion should produce the flow-
ers of its spring. — Fear me not ; — I only
hitreat of fate, I may shew Josephine
her honour is dearer to m^ than her
Ueautv ! '
VOL. It
218 THE FAIR A-NDALCSUN.
CHAPTER XI.
" !5ee liow the golden groves around me sniile,
" I'liat shun the coast of Britam's stormy isle !
** Here kindly warmth their mountain juice fer-
** ments,
'" To nobler tastes, and more exalted scents :
** E'en the rough rocks with tender myrtle bloom,
** And trodde4i weeds send out a rich perfume ;
*' Blossoms, and fruits, and flow'rs together rise,
'* And th€ whole year in gay coiifusion lies''
1 HE Sim had prepared the nectareoiis
juices of the grape, and hung its purple
clusters in rich ^ profusion over the lat-
ticed casa and mountain's brow; yet
spared awhile its intense ray. It was
early in July ; and the embraces of
Flora and Pt^mona gave birth to per-
ffiE FAin ANDALUSIAX. ^\f>
tlmie. Pursuing the banks of the Gua-
daranque, ^Montolieu arrived the third
day at Ximena, built on a rock> and
presenting the lirst features of moun-
tain scenery. It was his intention to
proceed to Seville by the way of Ronday
in preference to the route extending by
the coast. A Spaniard from the garri-
son accompanied jdm as his servant ;
and, dressed in the Spanish uniforin,
well ormed and mounted, tlie traveller?;
proceeded through a country singularly
picturesque, meeting only at intervals^
the mountaineer or tlie mayoral. The
varieties of foliage gave a changing cha-
racter to the scenery : — pale and melan-
choly olives; woods of cork, casting
gigaiitic shadows near the *' frequent
cross;" golden oranges, pendent vine-
yards, and ample chesnut, led up the
mountain, and resigned the traveller to
^teep rocksi, decked with tlie i?cark't
2*20 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX;
flov.ers of the opuntia, and thix)ngh
\vliose intei\stices the mountain streams
glided witli the retarded pace of sum-
mer. The peasant's cabin supplied
goats milk, in bowls of Sargentum clay;
grapes, in purpling bloom ; and pyra-
mids of figs, glittering ^vith dew.
When a countryman's abode present-
ed itself, Montolieu gave it the pre-
ference to the Possada. At the season in
which he travelled, the latter, present-
ins; so mauv inconveniences to a fo-
reigner, was divested of most of those
evils. The neon-day refreshment was
spread beneath the cork-trees ; and the
idle village group scattered at the
voice of the rising armies, A few old
men, wandering with their guitars, and
composing patriot songs, mingled with
the families of the absent, alternately
raising their enthusiasm by strains of
ralouj;, or melting the wife and the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. -221
mother by praise of those who " gTeatly
fell." At Adajate, after entering the
bosom of the mountains of Vargausin,
Montolieii sat at the door of the venta,
and taking his tablets, copied the simple
song of an itinerant musician, round
Avhom the renmant of the vine dresser:^
gathered. It Vvas thus the news of (he
patriot armies was circulated through
the mountains of Spain.
BALLAD.
*^ Have you heard how brave CastaN(5.s^
Late at Baylan fac'd the foe?
Have ye heard how, ere the sun-set.
Many thousand French were low t
*' How» brave advancing, met the charge.
All our Andalusian youth? — •
Flow'rs of valour, none are faded ;
Still they live in fame and truth !
L 3
::322 the fair andalusl^x.
*' Them tlie Holy Virgin guarded^
Casting round her sacred ray:"-'
Some to future deeds awarding,—
Some to Honor's deathless day.
*' .Sig!i no more^ ye Spanish fail* ones !
Wither not your youthful charms I
Know, than Love are other duties;
Called are youth to other arms^
^ Repkie no more at Honor's meedj.
Mothers fond and Sires Iwary : — •
Rejoice your sons atchiev'd the day,
And^ conqu'ring,. rose to glory.
*^ Bless the Saints, that brave CASTANOSy
Late at Baylan slew the foe ;
^* BlcsS the Saints, that ere the sun-set,
Many thousand French m ere low."
The few inhabitants of the late po-
pulous village formed an interesting^
group round the itinerant singer, intent
on the words of his irregular and ex^
THE FAIR ANDALUSTAN. 22S
tempore verse. The servant of Monto-
lieu mingling* with these, \yas eager to
communicate his master and himself
were on their way to join the heroes of
tlie song. To avoid the .notice this
drew on the brave E/iglesa, he walked
up heights rich with the promised vint-
age leaving the musician to conclude
his address to the politicians of th^
Possada: —
-*' Have ye heard, how great Cavallos
Round the throne his council pours T —
Ascending steeps crowned with the
wreaths of the JBaccJiayite, he beheld,
** a speck in distance," the last glimpse
of Gibraltar. Like the imperfect sha-
dows left by departed intimates on the
tablet of memory, every scene of hap-
piness brightened on his recollection,
whilst all the fancied ills with which
224 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
his ** imprisoned spirit" ^vas wont to
torment itself, mellowed M'ith the dis-
tance, till they blended with pleasures.
The evening soon veiled the object of
his gaze ; lie turned ^away with regret,
and forgetting " time and space," waved
his adieus, as he remembered friendshi|x
liallowed its scenes, and love had there
tried his infant wins:.
Journeying through mountain scenery^
the travellers approached Ronda. The
road led up the curvatures of a pre-
cepitous rock, on whose paths even the
step of the mule momentarily paused,
winding over huge and fallen branches
of gigantic corks, to the citadel, sur-
rounded by craggy mountains and natu-
ral fortifications of rock, through which a
minor river forms its moat. All around
^^s.s wild and picturesque ; unless where
on the north-east, nature smiled in or-
d)ardf5, rich in fruit and flower : on the
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 22-3
opposite, hung the cabin, its sides
formed by rock, and thatched by vines,
whose purple clusters swelled from their
foliage. The wild genius of the scene,
stretchhig his gigantic limbs to the abyss
below, bathed his rugged feet in the
mountain torrent, now lulled bv the aen-
tier airs of summer, and scarce mur-
muring at its Impediments of rock and
foliaged roots.
To the soldiers eye the remains of
works that long braved the Moorish
arms, and defended the wild passes of
the mountains from their progress, are
interesting. The walls of Ronda v, ere
regarded by ^lontolieu with veneration ;
and he mused as he paced tlieir works,
on the spirit of the buried hero, and
the kindling fiame now rapidly spread-
ing through the Spanish provinces. The
appearance of the commandant of the
fortress, and a few ill-cloathed centinek
L '3
tJ2(i THE FAIR ANIliVLrsiAN.
roused him from the dreams of past and
future. Don Diego Petronella de Le-
vos, after satisfying himself, Montoiieu
had not changed his faith ^vith his ser-
- vice, expressed no further interest, and
became so obstinately taciturn, that the
Englishman, who expected the whole
indolence of Spain had been roused by
the patriot cause, was eager to shake
off this representative of the Siesto ;
and hastened towards Ossuna.
The character of the country chang-
mg as he descended from the mountains,
was melancholy; a grey saddened soil
gave root to the pale olive ; and with
the exception of the ruined fort of Can-
nete, which he alighted to sketch, in-
troducing a traveller in the foreground,
he met with little to divert his disap-
pointment at the commandant of famed
Ronda. The Spaniard, who stood lean-
ing on a long staff, resembling the crook
THE FAIR ANIXALUSIAN. 227
of the Sierra shepherds, allowed him to
sketch his figure and national costume.
His waistcoat consisted of a fleece ;
leather slips covered his knees ; his legs
were bare, and his feet shod with
hempen sandals: a Montero cap and
cloak, folded on the shoulder, completed
the dress. A horn cup and bread were
all the precautions he had taken for a
journey, he informed xMontolieu, was of
great length: — a cork tree shaded his
bed of leaves at night.
" What soldiers such men must make !'*
exclaimed Montolieu.
"Success to the patriots! said the
Andalusian, as he went on his way.
'' The country improves," thought
our traveller : " we are rapidly leaving
all traces of Ronda."
At Ossuna an excellent inn recruited
the fatigues of travelling; and in the
cool of the evening, Montolieu walked
228 THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN.
out to survey the town. Round the al-
meyda are built several handsome
houses ; in its centre a fountain rises,
and two pillars, with Arabic characters,
placed on each side, form its support.
Montolieu, seating himself on one of
the stone benches that surround the
square, surveyed with pleasure the dif-
ferent balconies, adorned with pots of
rich carnations ; the lattices, half un-
closed, afforded him a view of the fair
owners, who chose the evening hour to
refresh their flowers, and sprinkle, with
arms of snow, their drooping beauty.
He was roused from so pleasing a con-
templation by a voice, whose tones seena^
ed familiar to his ear, and turning his
regards, beheld Ximenes. The reader
must have traversed a solitary country,
with every necessity of rec^nving advice
in the plan he may be about to pursue,
to imagine the joy with which Montolievi
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAX. 220
yecognised an acquaintance fully compe-
tent to give sucii information, and who
had received from him attentions a ge-
nerous spirit would undoubtedly feel
pleasure in returning.
Ximenes heard Montolieu's intention
of joining the Spanish armies with un-
feigned surprise. He could not Vvith-
hold the praise his spirited conduct
claimed ; but after his compliment con^
versed more of the Junta and its poli-
ticks, than the army and its heroes.
The Marquis Mondecar, he informed
Montolieu, had been nominated to the
council ; and from his interest in Anda-
lusia and Leon, might be expected to
liave great weight in public measures.
Ximenes did not affect to conceal his in-
fluence over Mondecar. His manner,
always imperious, seemed secure in au-
thority. His advice of Montolieu's pro-
ceeding to Seville, and his remaining
2o0 ^rHE FAIR ANDA>Li:SIAN.
till the nobility bad ' raised their levies^
met, however, bis ^yishes ; and, at the
invitation of Ximenes, Montolieu con-
tinued in his company the remaindel*
of his jonrney.
During their progress, Estella was fre-
quently mentioned by the Father, in terms
that convinced Montolieu she counter^
acted his influence with the Marquis.
" The Lady Estella is not at Seville,'^
said Ximenes, in answer to Montolieu »
enquiry ; *' but resides at one of the
Marquis's estates, some leagues further
on the banks of the Guadalquiver. Re-
tirement suits her best. With all the late
Marchioness's beauty, she possesses her
high and haughty spirit ; and affects a
voice in her father's councils displeas-
ing to him. The enthusiasm she dis-
plays in the patriot cause renders her
unmindful of appearances.
Montolieu felt indulgence ; the w eak-
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 231
jics?, if it could be termed so, was his
own ; but hazarded no observation, re-
maining? silently attentive.
" Estella,'" continued the Father, "has
received the accomplishment of educa-
tion : she understands several languages;
and is a musician : — vou have seen her
dance!"
Montolien coloured: he fancied Xi*
menes had read the impression her
graceful manner made.
*' Thus far," continued the priest, " she
studied the graceful accomplishments of
a Spanish lady; but Estella reads, acts,
and argues at will ; and has a most per-
tinacious obstinacy of opinion, that
bends not even to the church. Her
cousin, the Countess B , has en-
couraged this ; and in consecpience in-
curred her nncle's displeasure. The
ladies, when together, ride spirited
horses half the dav, consume the
252 THE FAIR ANDALUSIA:??.
hours of the Siesto in reaclhig' histof}'^,
and those of tlie night in singing* their
own verses. They part as lovers, and
correspond daily. The countess is now
at Seville."
On his arrival Montolieu was re-
ceivetl by the Marquis with e^ ery mark
of esteem. The cold cl^urchman, of ob-
scure birth, and debarred from arms,
had not justly appreciated his charac-
ter, or welcomed the volunteer with
ardour : — With Mondecar it was other*
%yise. He insisted on Montoiieu's resi*
dence with him; and introducing him
to the nobility that now were assembled
at Seville, as a man of rank and a pa-^
triot, secured him their attentions.
The beautiful Countess B ,
sister to the ministering angel of Sara-
gossa, understanding he had known her
loved Estella, deliglited to turn the
THE Fair andalusian. %V3
^t)nversation on her merits ; and re-
gretted an absence she scrupled not to
mipute to Xinienes. Montolieu sighed
on her praises with a lovers fervour,
hnt a lover's secrecy. He was anxious
to learn if his narrative of Carlos and
Theresa had been perused by the coun-
tess^; but finding her ignorant of its ex-
istence, he argued iavourably of his
cause.
Seville displayed more of the gaiety
«f victory than the deliberations of a
^state ; the grandees being more intent
on the display of equipage and parade,
than th^ important duties they were
called to fulfill.
Amid the captivating fair ones, the
fr«equent T^rtullias and Refrescos intro-
duced him to, no Estella appeared to
o^ur hero, bright as her his hosom che-
rished. The countess only seemed
234 THE FAIR Ax\DALUSIAN\
lovely \vhilst conversing of her friend ^
and to her his attentions were devoted.
The Refresco is the most admired of
the Spanish parties : sweetmeats, cho-
colate, and ro,9ar/a5, dissolved in water,
constitute refreshments ; wit, equivoque,
and boleros, the amusement; to which
the ladies soilietimes' add their voices,
accompanying* VSV^'w^////«5 by their gui-
tars.
*' These women are captivating and
seductive," allowed Montolieu : " but
the novelty of their manner past, they
M'ant the expression of the heart: —
their eyes, their air, and step are elo*
quent ; but their speech is that of in-
diflerence : — its repartee, its mingled de-
votion, and voluptuousness, convey not
the language of feehng."
When a lover is absent from a mis-
tress as lovely as Estella, he may be
THE FAIR ANDALUSIAN. 235
l^ardoned observations as unjust as
Montolieu directed to tlie Marquis de
Santa Croix, the wit inspired Molinas,
and the Grace of the Guaracha, Movir
4ieros>
END OF VOX. I.
White if Lewis, Printers^ 25, New Street, Bishopsgute,
Jnsl Puhli.yJicd,
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WHO 18 HE?
OR,
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A NOVEL.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
By the Author of Two Popular Works latelif
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A WINTER IN EDINBURGH;
OR,
THE RUSSIAN BROTHERS.
A NOVEL.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
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*' We have seldom, indeed, found such a ronil)ination of
various talent as is displayed in the * Winter in Edinhuryh,'
Whether the \vriter describes he romantic scenery of
Scotland, and strays amonij wild solitudes or the fallen
remains of antieut grandeur, whether she iuduljies in scenes
cf broad hnmour, or of refined and elegant wit ; or whether,
in simple narrative, she appeals only to the hearts of her
hearer?, her powers are alike felt, and her talents equally
refcplendeut." Satirist, February, 181<>.
UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOIS-URBANJ
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