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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/6566.txt b/6566.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e23b898 --- /dev/null +++ b/6566.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21395 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Thaddeus of Warsaw, by Jane Porter +#2 in our series by Jane Porter + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Thaddeus of Warsaw + +Author: Jane Porter + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6566] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on December 28, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THADDEUS OF WARSAW *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + +[Illustration: DR. MIDDLETON.] + + + +THADDEUS OF WARSAW + +BY + +JANE PORTER + +AUTHOR OF "THE SCOTTISH CHIEFS," ETC. + + + + + "Loin d'aimer la guerre, il l'abhorre; + En triomphant même il déplore + Les désastres qu'elle produit + Et, couronné par la victoire, + II gémit de sa propre gloire. + Si la paix n'en est pas le fruit." + + + + +A NEW AND REVISED EDITION +WITH NEW NOTES, ETC., BY THE AUTHOR + + + + + THE AUTHOR, + TO + HER FRIENDLY READERS. + + +Written for the new edition of "Thaddeus of Warsaw," forming one of +the series called "The Standard Novels." + +To such readers alone who, by the sympathy of a social taste, fall in +with any blameless fashion of the day, and, from an amiable interest, +also, in whatever may chance to afford them innocent pleasure, would +fain know something more about an author whose works have brought +them that gratification than the cold letter of a mere literary +preface usually tells: to such readers this--something of an +egotistical--epistle is addressed. + +For, in beginning the republication of a regular series of the +novels, or, as they have been more properly called, biographical +romances, of which I have been the author, it has been considered +desirable to make certain additions to each work, in the form of a +few introductory pages and scattered notes, illustrative of the +origin of the tale, of the historical events referred to in it, and +of the actually living characters who constitute its personages, with +some account, also, of the really local scenery described; thus +giving, it is thought, a double zest to the entertainment of the +reader, by bringing him into a previous acquaintance with the persons +he is to meet in the book, and making him agreeably familiar with the +country through which he is to travel in their company. Indeed, the +social taste of the times has lately fully shown how advantageous the +like conversational disclosures have proved to the recent +republications of the celebrated "Waverley Novels," by the chief of +novel-writers; and in the new series of the admirable naval tales by +the distinguished American novelist, both of whom paid to the mother- +country the gratifying tribute of making it their birthplace. + +Such evidences in favor of an argument could not fail to persuade me +to undertake the desired elucidating task; feeling, indeed, +particularly pleased to adopt, in my turn, a successful example from +the once Great Unknown--now the not less great avowed author of the +Waverley Novels, in the person of Sir Walter Scott, who did me the +honor to adopt the style or class of novel of which "Thaddeus of +Warsaw" was the first,--a class which, uniting the personages and +facts of real history or biography with a combining and illustrative +machinery of the imagination, formed a new species of writing in that +day, and to which Madame de Staël and others have given the +appellation of "an epic in prose." The day of its appearance is now +pretty far back: for "Thaddeus of Warsaw" (a tale founded on Polish +heroism) and the "Scottish Chiefs" (a romance grounded on Scottish +heroism) were both published in England, and translated into various +languages abroad, many years before the literary wonder of Scotland +gave to the world his transcendent story of Waverley, forming a most +impressive historical picture of the last struggle of the papist, but +gallant, branch of the Stuarts for the British throne. [Footnote: It +was on the publication of these, her first two works, in the German +language that the authoress was honored with being made a lady of the +Chapter of St. Joachim, and received the gold cross of the order from +Wirtemburg.] + +"Thaddeus of Warsaw" being the first essay, in the form of such an +association between fact and fancy, was published by its author with +a natural apprehension of its reception by the critical part of the +public. She had not, indeed, written it with any view to publication, +but from an almost resistless impulse to embody the ideas and +impressions with which her heart and mind were then full. It was +written in her earliest youth; dictated by a fervent sympathy with +calamities which had scarcely ceased to exist, and which her eager +pen sought to portray; and it was given to the world, or rather to +those who might feel with her, with all the simple-hearted enthusiasm +which saw no impediment when a tale of virtue or of pity was to be +told. + +In looking back through the avenue of life to that time, what events +have occurred, public and private, to the countries and to the +individuals named in that tale! to persons of even as lofty names and +excellences, of our own and other lands, who were mutually affected +with me in admiration and regret for the virtues and the sorrows +described! In sitting down now to my retrospective task, I find +myself writing this, my second preface to the story of "Thaddeus of +Warsaw," just thirty years from the date of its first publication. +Then, I wrote when the struggle for the birthright independence of +Poland was no more; when she lay in her ashes, and her heroes in +their wounds; when the pall of death spread over the whole country, +and her widows and orphans travelled afar. + +In the days of my almost childhood,--that is, eight years before I +dipped my pen in their tears,--I remember seeing many of those +hapless refugees wandering about St. James's Park. They had sad +companions in the like miseries, though from different enemies, in +the emigrants from France; and memory can never forget the variety of +wretched yet noble-looking visages I then contemplated in the daily +walks which my mother's own little family group were accustomed to +take there. One person, a gaunt figure, with melancholy and bravery +stamped on his emaciated features, is often present to the +recollection of us all. He was clad in a threadbare blue uniform +great coat, with a black stock, a rusty old hat, pulled rather over +his eyes; his hands without gloves; but his aspect was that of a +perfect gentleman, and his step that of a military man. We saw him +constantly at one hour, in the middle walk of the Mall, and always +alone; never looking to the right nor to the left, but straight on; +with an unmoving countenance, and a pace which told that his thoughts +were those of a homeless and hopeless man--hopeless, at least, of all +that life might bring him. On, on he went to the end of the Mall; +turned again, and on again; and so he continued to do always, as long +as we remained spectators of his solitary walk: once, indeed, we saw +him crossing into St. Martin's Lane. Nobody seemed to know him, for +he spoke to none; and no person ever addressed him, though many, like +ourselves, looked at him, and stopped in the path to gaze after him. +We often longed to be rich, to follow him wherever his wretched abode +might have been, and then silently to send comforts to him from hands +he knew not of. We used to call him, when speaking of him to +ourselves, _Il Penseroso;_ and by that name we yet not unfrequently +talk of him to each other, and never without recurrence to the very +painful, because unavailing, sympathy we then felt for that apparently +friendless man. Such sympathy is, indeed, right; for it is one of the +secondary means by which Providence conducts the stream of his mercies +to those who need the succor of their fellow-creatures; and we cannot +doubt that, though the agency of such Providence was not to be in +our hands, there were those who had both the will and the power +given, and did not, like ourselves, turn and pity that interesting +emigrant in vain. + +Some time after this, General Kosciusko, the justly celebrated hero +of Poland, came to England, on his way to the United States; having +been released from his close imprisonment in Russia, and in the +noblest manner, too, by the Emperor Paul, immediately on his +accession to the throne. His arrival caused a great sensation in +London, and many of the first characters of the times pressed forward +to pay their respects to such real patriotic virtue in its adversity. +An old friend of my family was amongst them; his own warm heart +encouraging the enthusiasm of ours, he took my brother Robert to +visit the Polish veteran, then lodging at Sablonière's Hotel, in +Leicester Square. My brother, on his return to us, described him as a +noble looking man, though not at all handsome, lying upon a couch in +a very enfeebled state, from the effects of numerous wounds he had +received in his breast by the Cossacks' lances after his fall, having +been previously overthrown by a sabre stroke on his head. His voice, +in consequence of the induced internal weakness, was very low, and +his speaking always with resting intervals. He wore a black bandage +across his forehead, which covered a deep wound there; and, indeed, +his whole figure bore marks of long suffering. + +Our friend introduced my brother to him by name, and as "a boy +emulous of seeing and following noble examples." Kosciusko took him +kindly by the hand, and spoke to him words of generous encouragement, +in whatever path of virtuous ambition he might take. They never have +been forgotten. Is it, then, to be wondered at, combining the mute +distress I had so often contemplated in other victims of similar +misfortunes with the magnanimous object then described to me by my +brother, that the story of heroism my young imagination should think +of embodying into shape should be founded on the actual scenes of +Kosciusko's sufferings, and moulded out of his virtues! + +To have made him the ostensible hero of the tale, would have suited +neither the modesty of his feelings nor the humbleness of my own +expectation of telling it as I wished. I therefore took a younger and +less pretending agent, in the personification of a descendant of the +great John Sobieski. + +But it was, as I have already said, some years after the partition of +Poland that I wrote, and gave for publication, my historical romance +on that catastrophe. It was finished amid a circle of friends well +calculated to fan the flame which had inspired its commencement some +of the leading heroes of the British army just returned from the +victorious fields of Alexandria and St. Jean d'Acre; and, seated in +my brother's little study, with the war-dyed coat in which the +veteran Abercrombie breathed his last grateful sigh, while, like +Wolfe, he gazed on the boasted invincible standard of the enemy, +brought to him by a British soldier,--with this trophy of our own +native valor on one side of me, and on the other the bullet-torn vest +of another English commander of as many battles,--but who, having +survived to enjoy his fame, I do not name here,--I put my last stroke +to the first campaigns of Thaddeus Sobieski. + +When the work was finished, some of the persons near me urged its +being published. But I argued, in opposition to the wish, its +different construction to all other novels or romances which had gone +before it, from Richardson's time-honored domestic novels to the +penetrating feeling in similar scenes by the pen of Henry Mackenzie; +and again, Charlotte Smith's more recent, elegant, but very +sentimental love stories. But the most formidable of all were the +wildly interesting romances of Anne Radcliffe, whose magical wonders +and mysteries were then the ruling style of the day. I urged, how +could any one expect that the admiring readers of such works could +consider my simply-told biographical legend of Poland anything better +than a dull union between real history and a matter-of-fact +imagination? + +Arguments were found to answer all this; and being excited by the +feelings which had dictated my little work, and encouraged by the +corresponding characters with whom I daily associated, I ventured the +essay. However, I had not read the sage romances of our older times +without turning to some account the lessons they taught to +adventurous personages of either sex; showing that even the boldest +knight never made a new sally without consecrating his shield with +some impress of acknowledged reverence. In like manner, when I +entered the field with my modern romance of Thaddeus of Warsaw, I +inscribed the first page with the name of the hero of Acre. That +dedication will be found through all its successive editions, still +in front of the title-page; and immediately following it is a second +inscription, added, in after years, to the memory of the magnanimous +patriot and exemplary man, Thaddeus Kosciusko, who had first filled +me with ambition to write the tale, and who died in Switzerland, A. +D. 1817, fuller of glory than of years. Yet, if life be measured by +its vicissitudes and its virtues, we may justly say, "he was gathered +in his ripeness." + +After his visit to old friends in the United States,--where, in his +youth, he had learned the art of war, and the science of a noble, +unselfish independence, from the marvel of modern times, General +Washington,--Kosciusko returned to Europe, and abode a while in +France, but not in its capital. He lived deeply retired, gradually +restoring his shattered frame to some degree of health by the peace +of a resigned mind and the occupation of rural employments. +Circumstances led him to Switzerland; and the country of William +Tell, and of simple Christian fellowship, could not but soon be found +peculiarly congenial to his spirit, long turned away from the +pageants and the pomp of this world. In his span he had had all, +either in his grasp or proffered to him. For when nothing remained of +all his military glory and his patriotic sacrifices but a yet +existing fame, and a conscious sense within him of duty performed, he +was content to "eat his crust," with that inheritance alone; and he +refused, though with an answering magnanimity of acknowledgment, a +valuable property offered to him by the Emperor of Russia, as a free +gift from a generous enemy, esteeming his proved, disinterested +virtues. He also declined the yet more dazzling present of a crown +from the then master of the continent, who would have set him on the +throne of Poland--but, of a truth, under the vassalage of the Emperor +of the French! Kosciusko was not to be consoled for Poland by riches +bestowed on himself, nor betrayed into compromising her birthright of +national independence by the casuistry that would have made his +parental sceptre the instrument of a foreign domination. + +Having such a theme as his name, and the heroes his co-patriots, the +romance of "Thaddeus of Warsaw" was no sooner published than it +overcame the novelty of its construction, and became universally +popular. Nor was it very long before it fell into General Kosciusko's +hands, though then in a distant land; and he kindly and promptly lost +no time in letting the author know his approbation of the narrative, +though qualified with several modest expressions respecting himself. +From that period she enjoyed many treasured marks of his esteem; and +she will add, though with a sad satisfaction, that amongst her +several relics of the Great Departed who have honored her with +regard, she possesses, most dearly prized, a medal of Kosciusko and a +lock of his hair. About the same time she received a most +incontestable proof of the accuracy of her story from the lips of +General Gardiner, the last British minister to the court of +Stanislaus Augustus. On his reading the book, he was so sure that the +facts it represented could only have been learned on the spot, that +he expressed his surprise to several persons that the author of the +work, an English lady, could have been at Warsaw during all the +troubles there and he not know it. On his repeating this observation +to the late Duke of Roxburgh, his grace's sister-in-law, who happened +to overhear what was said, and knew the writer, answered him by +saying, "The author has never been in Poland." "Impossible!" replied +the general; "no one could describe the scenes and occurrences there, +in the manner it is done in that book, without having been an +eyewitness." The lady, however, convinced the general of the fact +being otherwise, by assuring him, from her own personal knowledge, +that the author of "Thaddeus of Warsaw" was a mere school-girl in +England at the time of the events of the story. + +How, then, it has often been asked, did she obtain such accurate +information with regard to those events? and how acquire her familiar +acquaintance with the palaces and persons she represents in the work? +The answer is short. By close questioning every person that came in +her way that knew anything about the object of her interest; and +there were many brave hearts and indignant lips ready to open with +the sad yet noble tale. Thus every illustrious individual she wished +to bring into her narrative gradually grew upon her knowledge, till +she became as well acquainted with all her desired personages as if +they were actually present with her; for she knew their minds and +their actions; and these compose the man. The features of the +country, also, were learned from persons who had trodden the spots +she describes: and that they were indeed correct pictures of their +homes and war-fields, the tears and bursting enthusiasm of many of +Poland's long expatriated sons have more than once borne testimony to +her. + +As one instance, out of the number I might repeat, of the +inextinguishable love of those noble wanderers from their native +country, I shall subjoin the copy of a letter addressed to me by one +of those gallant men, then holding a high military post in a foreign +service, and who, I afterwards learned, was of the family of +Kosciusko, whose portrait he sent to me: for the letter was +accompanied with a curiously-wrought ring of pure gold, containing a +likeness of that hero. The letter was in French, and I transcribe it +literally in the words of the writer:-- + +"Madame! + +"Un inconnu ose addresser la parole à l'auteur immortel de Thaddeus +de Warsaw; attaché par tent de liens à l'héros que vous avez chanté, +je m'enhardis à distraire pour un moment vos nobles veilles. + +"Qu'il me soit permis de vous offrir, madame, l'hommage de mon +admiration la plus exaltée, en vous présentant la bague qui contient +le buste du Général Kosciusko:--elle a servi de signe de ralliment +aux patriots Polonois, lorsque, en 1794, ils entreprirent de sécouer +leur joug. + +"Les anciens déposoient leurs offrandes sur l'autel de leurs +divinités tutélaires;--je ne fais qu'imiter leur exemple. Vous êtes +pour tous les Polonois cette divinité, qui la première ait élevée sa +voix, du fond de l'impériale, Albion, en leur faveur. + +"Un jour viendra, et j'ose conserver dans mon coeur cet espoir, que +vos accens, qui ont retenti dans le coeur de l'Europe sensible, +produiront leur effêt célestial, en ressuscitant l'ombre sanglante de +ma chère patrie. + +"Daignez agréer, madame, l'hommage respectueuse d'un de vos +serviteurs le plus dévoué, &c. &c." + +Probably the writer of the above is now returned to his country, his +vows having been most awfully answered by one of the most momentous +struggles she has ever had, or to which the nations around have ever +yet stood as spectators; for the balance of Europe trembles at the +turning of her scale. + +Thus, then, it cannot but be that in the conclusion of this my, +perhaps, last introductory preface to any new edition of "Thaddeus of +Warsaw," its author should offer up a sincerely heartfelt prayer to +the King of kings, the Almighty Father of all mankind, that His all- +gracious Spirit may watch over the issue of this contest, and dictate +the peace of Poland! + +ESHER, _May_, 1831. + + + + DEDICATION TO THE FIRST EDITION. + + THADDEUS OF WARSAW + + is inscribed to + + SIR SIDNEY SMITH; + + in the hope that, as + + SIR PHILIP SIDNEY + + did not disdain to write a romance, + + SIR SIDNEY SMITH + + will not refuse to read one. + + SIR PHILIP SIDNEY CONSIGNED HIS EXCELLENT WORK TO THE + AFFECTION OF A SISTER. + + I CONFIDE MY ASPIRING ATTEMPT TO THE + URBANITY OF THE BRAVE; TO THE MAN OF TASTE, + OF FEELING, AND OF CANDOR; + + TO HIM WHOSE FRIENDSHIP WILL BESTOW + THAT INDULBENCE ON THE AUTHOR WHICH HIS JUDGMENT + MIGHT HAVE DENIED TO THE BOOK; + + TO HIM OF WHOM FUTURE AGES WILL SPEAK WITH HONOR + AND THE PRESENT TIMES BOAST AS THEIR GLORY! + + TO + + SIR SIDNEY SMITH, + +I SUBMIT THIS HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF THE HIGHEST RESPECT + WHICH CAN BE OFFERED BY A BRITON, + OR ANIMATE THE HEART OF + HIS SINCERE FRIEND, + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + + + +PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. + +Having attempted a narrative of the intended description, but +written, in fact, from the mere impulse of sympathy with its subject +still fresh in my own and every pitying memory, it is natural that, +after having made up my mind to assent to its publication, in which +much time and thought has been expended in considering the +responsibility of so doing, from so unpractised a pen, I should feel +an increase of anxiety respecting its ultimate fate. + +Therefore, before the reader favors the tale itself with his +attention, I beg leave to offer him a little account of the +principles that actuated its composition, and in regard to which one +of the most honored heads in the author's family urged her "not to +withhold it from the press;" observing, in his persuasions, that the +mistakes which many of my young contemporaries of both sexes +continually make in their estimates of human character, and of the +purposes of human life, require to have a line of difference between +certain splendid vices and some of the brilliant order of virtues to +be distinctly drawn before them. "And," he remarked, "it appeared to +be so done in the pages of my Polish manuscript. Therefore," added +he, "let Thaddeus of Warsaw speak openly for himself!" + +This opinion decided me. Though with fear and trembling, yet I felt +an encouraging consciousness that in writing the manuscript narrative +for my own private enjoyment only, and the occasional amusement of +those friends dearest around me, I had wished to portray characters +whose high endowments could not be misled into proud ambitions, nor +the gift of dazzling social graces betray into the selfish triumphs +of worldly vanity,--characters that prosperity could not inflate, nor +disappointments depress, from pious trust and honorable action. The +pure fires of such a spirit declare their sacred origin; and such is +the talisman of those achievements which amaze everybody but their +accomplisher. The eye fixed on it is what divine truth declares it to +be "single!" There is no double purpose in it; no glancing to a man's +own personal aggrandizement on one side and on professing services to +his fellow-creatures on the other; such a spirit has only one aim-- +Heaven! and the eternal records of that wide firmament include within +it "all good to man." + +What flattered Alexander of Macedon into a madman, and perverted the +gracious-minded Julius Caesar into usurpation and tyranny, has also +been found by Christian heroes the most perilous ordeal of their +virtue; but, inasmuch as they are Christian heroes, and not pagan +men, worshippers of false gods, whose fabled examples inculcated all +these deeds of self-absorbing vain-glory, our heroes of a "better +revelation" have no excuse for failing under their trial, and many +there be who pass through it "pure and undefiled." Such were the +great Alfred of England, Gustavus Vasa of Sweden, and his greater +successor in true glory, Gustavus Adolphus,--all champions of +immutable justice and ministers of peace. And though these may be +regarded as personages beyond the sphere of ordinary emulations, yet +the same principles, or their opposites, prevail in every order of +men from the prince to the peasant; and, perhaps, at no period of the +world more than the present were these divers principles in greater +necessity to be considered, and, according to the just conclusion, be +obeyed. On all sides of us we see public and private society broken +up, as it were by an earthquake: the noblest and the meanest passions +of the human bosom at contention, and the latter often so disguised, +that the vile ambuscade is not even suspected till found within the +heart of the fortress itself. We have, however, one veritable +touchstone, that of the truest observation, "ye shall know a tree by +its fruits." Let us look round, then, for those which bear "good +fruits," wholesome to the taste as well as pleasant to the sight, +whether they grow on high altitudes or in the humbler valleys of the +earth; let us view men of all degrees in life in their actions, and +not in their pretensions,--such men as were some of the Sobieski race +in Poland, in every change of their remarkable lives. When placed at +the summit of mortal fame, surrounded by greatness and glory, and +consequent power, they evinced neither pride to others nor a sense of +self-aggrandizement in themselves; and, when under a reverse +dispensation, national misfortunes pursued them, and family sorrows +pierced their souls, the weakness of a murmur never sunk the dignity +of their sustaining fortitude, nor did the firmness of that virtue +harden the amiable sensibilities of their hearts. + +To exhibit so truly heroic and endearing a portrait of what every +Christian man ought to be,--for the law of God is the same to the +poor as to the rich,--I have chosen one of that illustrious and, I +believe, now extinct race for the subject of my sketch; and the more +aptly did it present itself, it being necessary to show my hero +amidst scenes and circumstances ready to exercise his brave and +generous propensities, and to put their personal issues to the test +on his mind. Hence Poland's sadly-varying destinies seemed to me the +stage best calculated for the development of any self-imposed task. + +There certainly were matters enough for the exhibition of all that +human nature could suffer and endure, and, alas! perish under, in the +nearly simultaneous but terrible regicidal revolution of France; but +I shrunk from that as a tale of horror, the work of demons in the +shapes of men. It was a conflict in which no comparisons, as between +man and man, could exist; and may God grant that so fearful a +visitation may never be inflicted on this world again. May the +nations of this world lay its warnings to their hearts! + +It sprung from a tree self-corrupted, which only could produce such +fruits: the demon hierarchy of the French philosophers, who had long +denied the being of that pure and Almighty God, and who, in the +arrogance of their own deified reason, and while in utter subjection +to the wildest desires of their passions, published their profane and +polluted creed amongst all orders of the people, and the natural and +terrible consequences ensued. Ignorant before, they became like unto +their teachers, demons in their unbelief,--demons in one common envy +and hatred of all degrees above them, or around them, whose existence +seemed at all in the way of even their slightest gratification: +mutual spoliation and destruction covered the country. How often has +the tale been told me by noble refugees, sheltered on our shores from +those scenes of blood, where infamy triumphed and truth and honor +were massacred; but such narratives, though they never can be +forgotten, are too direful for the hearer to contemplate in memory. + +Therefore, when I sought to represent the mental and moral contest of +man with himself, or with his fellow-men, I did not look for their +field amongst human monsters, but with natural and civilized man; +inasmuch as he is seen to be influenced by the impulses of his +selfish passions--ambition, covetousness, and the vanities of life, +or, on the opposite side, by the generous amenities of true +disinterestedness, in all its trying situations; and, as I have said, +the recent struggle in Poland, to maintain her laws and loyal +independence, against the combined aggressions of the three most +powerful states in Europe, seemed to afford me the most suitable +objects for my moral aim, to interest by sympathy, while it taught +the responsible commission of human life. + +I have now described the plan of my story, its aim and origin. + +If it be disapproved, let it be at once laid aside; but should it +excite any interest, I pray its perusal may be accompanied with an +indulgent candor, its subjects being of so new, and therefore +uncustomary, a character in a work of the kind. But if the reader be +one of my own sex, I would especially solicit her patience while +going through the first portion of the tale, its author being aware +that war and politics are not the most promising themes for an +agreeable amusement; but the battles are not frequent, nor do the +cabinet councils last long. I beg the favor, if the story is to be +read at all, that no scene may be passed over as extraneous, for +though it begin like a state-paper, or a sermon, it always terminates +by casting some new light on the portrait of the hero. Beyond those +events of peril and of patriotic devotedness, the remainder of the +pages dwell generally with domestic interests; but if the reader do +not approach them regularly through the development of character +opened in the preceding troubled field, what they exhibit will seem a +mere wilderness of incidents, without interest or end; indeed I have +designed nothing in the personages of this narrative out of the way +of living experience. I have sketched no virtue that I have not seen, +nor painted any folly from imagination. I have endeavored to be as +faithful to reality in my pictures of domestic morals, and of heroic +duties, as a just painter would seek to be to the existing objects of +nature, "wonderful and wild, or of gentlest beauty!" and on these +grounds I have steadily attempted to inculcate "that virtue is the +highest proof of understanding, and the only solid basis of +greatness; that vice is the natural consequence of grovelling +thoughts, which begin in mistake and end in ignominy." + + * * * * * * * + + + + +POSTCRIPT TO A SUBSEQUENT EDITION. + +After so many intervening years have passed since the author of +Thaddeus of Warsaw wrote the foregoing preface, to introduce a work +so novel in its character to the notice and candid judgment of the +British public, it was her intention to take the present occasion of +its now perfectly new republication, at the distance of above forty +years from its earliest appearance and so continued editions, to +express her grateful sense of that public's gratifying sympathies and +honoring testimonies of approbation, from its author's youth to age; +but even in the hour she sits down to perform the gracious task, she +feels a present incapability to undertake it. The very attempt has +too sensibly recalled to her heart events that have befallen her +since she lived amongst the models of her tale; and she has also more +recently been in many of the places it describes; and circumstances, +both of joys and sorrows, having occurred to her there to influence +the whole future current of her mortal life, she finds it impossible +to yet touch on those times and scenes connected with the subjects of +her happy youth, which would now only reverberate notes of sadness it +is her duty to repress. Hence, though while revising the work itself +she experiences a calm delight in the occupation, being a kind of +parting duty, also, to the descendants of her earliest, readers, she +would rather defer any little elucidations she may have met with +regarding the objects of her pen to a few pages in the form of an +Appendix at the end of the work; all, indeed, bringing her +observations, whether by weal or woe, to the one great and guiding +conclusion. "Man is formed for two states of existence--a mortal and +an immortal being;" in the Holy Scriptures authoritatively declared, +"For the life that now is, and for that which is to come." + +JANE PORTER. + +BRISTOL, _November_, 1844. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + I. + II. The Mill of Mariemont. + III. The Opening of the Campaign. + IV. The Pass of Volunna. + V. The Banks of the Vistula. + VI. Society in Poland. + VII. The Diet of Poland. + VIII. Battle of Brzesc--The Tenth of October. + IX. The Last Days of Villanow. + X. Sobieski's Departure from Warsaw. + XI. The Baltic. + XII. Thaddeus's First Day in England. + XIII. The Exile's Lodgings. + XIV. A Robbery and its Consequences. + XV. The Widow's Family. + XVI. The Money-Lender. + XVII. The Meeting of Exiles. + XVIII. The Veteran's Narrative. + XIX. Friendship a Staff in Human Life. + XX. Woman's Kindness. + XXI. Fashionable Sketches from the Life. + XXII. Honorable Resources of an Exile. + XXIII. + XXIV. Lady Tinemouth's Boudoir. + XXV. The Countess of Tinemouth's Story. + XXVI. The Kindredship of Minds. + XXVII. Such Things Were. + XXVIII. Mary Beaufort and her Venerable Aunt. + XXIX. Hyde Park. + XXX. Influences of Character. + XXXI. The Great and the Small of Society. + XXXII. The Obduracy of Vice--The Inhumanity of Folly. + XXXIII. Passion and Principle. + XXXIV. Requiescat in Pace. + XXXV. Deep are the Purposes of Adversity. + XXXVI. An English Prison. + XXXVII. + XXXVIII. Zeal is Power. + XXXIX. The Vale of Grantham--Belvoir. + XL. Somerset Castle. + XLI. The Maternal Heart. + XLII. Harrowby Abbey. + XLIII. The Old Village Hotel. + XLIV. Letters of Farewell. + XLV. Deerhurst. + XLVI. The Spirit of Peace. + XLVII. An Avowal. + XLVIII. A Family Party. + XLIX. + L. + APPENDIX. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The large and magnificent palace of Villanow, whose vast domains +stretch along the northern bank of the Vistula, was the favorite +residence of John Sobieski, King of Poland. That monarch, after +having delivered his country from innumerable enemies, rescued Vienna +and subdued the Turks, retired to this place at certain seasons, and +thence dispensed those acts of his luminous and benevolent mind which +rendered his name great and his people happy. + +When Charles the Twelfth of Sweden visited the tomb of Sobieski, at +Cracow, he exclaimed, "What a pity that so great a man should ever +die!" [Footnote: In the year 1683, this hero raised the siege of +Vienna, then beleagured by the Turks; and driving them out of Europe, +saved Christendom from a Mohammedan usurpation.] Another generation +saw the spirit of this lamented hero revive in the person of his +descendant, Constantine, Count Sobieski, who, in a comparatively +private station, as Palatine of Masovia, and the friend rather than +the lord of his vassals, evinced by his actions that he was the +inheritor of his forefather's virtue as well as of his blood. + +He was the first Polish nobleman who granted freedom to his peasants. +He threw down their mud hovels and built comfortable villages; he +furnished them with seed, cattle, and implements of husbandry, and +calling their families together, laid before them the deed of their +enfranchisement; but before he signed it, he expressed a fear that +they would abuse this liberty of which they had not had experience, +and become licentious. + +"No," returned a venerable peasant; "when we were ignorant men, and +possessed no property of our own except these staffs in our hands, we +were destitute of all manly motives for propriety of conduct; but you +have taught us to read out of the Holy Book, how to serve God and +honor the king. And shall we not respect laws which thus bestow on +us, and ensure to us, the fruits of our labors and the favor of +Heaven!" + +The good sense and truth of this answer were manifested in the event. +On the emancipation of these people, they became so prosperous in +business and correct in behavior, that the example of the palatine +was speedily followed by the Chancellor Zamoiski [Footnote: This +family had ever been one of the noblest and most virtuous in Poland. +And had its wisdom been listened to in former years by certain +powerful and wildly ambitious lords that once great kingdom would +never have exchanged its long line of hereditary native-princes for +an elective monarchy--that arena of all political mischiefs.] and +several of the principal nobility. The royal Stanislaus's beneficent +spirit moved in unison with that of Sobieski, and a constitution was +given to Poland to place her in the first rank of free nations. + +Encircled by his happy tenantry, and within the bosom of his family, +this illustrious man educated Thaddeus, the only male heir of his +name, to the exercise of all the virtues which ennoble and endear the +possessor. + +But this reign of public and domestic peace was not to continue. +Three formidable and apparently friendly states envied the effects of +a patriotism they would not imitate; and in the beginning of the year +1792, regardless of existing treaties, broke in upon the unguarded +frontiers of Poland, threatening with all the horrors of a merciless +war the properties, lives, and liberties of the people. + +The family of Sobieski had ever been foremost in the ranks of their +country; and at the present crisis its venerable head did not hang +behind the youngest warrior in preparations for the field. + +On the evening of an anniversary of the birthday of his grandson, the +palatine rode abroad with a party of friends, who had been +celebrating the festival with their presence. The countess (his +daughter) and Thaddeus were left alone in the saloon. She sighed as +she gazed on her son, who stood at some distance, fitting to his +youthful thigh a variety of sabres, which his servant a little time +before had laid upon the table. She observed with anxiety the +eagerness of his motion, and the ardor that was flashing from his +eyes. + +"Thaddeus," said she, "lay down that sword; I wish to speak with +you." Thaddeus looked gayly up. "My dear Thaddeus!" cried his mother, +and tears started to her eyes. The blush of enthusiasm faded from his +face; he threw the sabre from him, and drew near the countess. + +"Why, my dear mother, do you distress yourself? When I am in battle, +shall I not have my grandfather near me, and be as much under the +protection of God as at this moment?" + +"Yes, my child," answered she, "God will protect you. He is the +protector of the orphan, and you are fatherless." The countess +paused--"Here, my son," said she, giving him a sealed packet, "take +this; it will reveal to you the history of your birth and the name of +your father. It is necessary that you should know a painful fact, +which has hitherto been concealed from you by the wish and noble +judgment of your grandfather." Thaddeus received it, and stood silent +with surprise. "Read it, my love," continued she, "but go to your own +apartments; here you may be interrupted." + +Bewildered by the manner of the countess, Thaddeus, without +answering, instantly obeyed. Shutting himself within his study, he +impatiently opened the papers, and soon found his whole attention +absorbed in the following recital. + +"TO MY DEAR SON, THADDEUS CONSTANTINE SOBIESKI. + +"You are now, my Thaddeus, at the early age of nineteen, going to +engage the enemies of your country. Ere I resign my greatest comfort +to the casualties of war; ere I part with you, perhaps forever, I +would inform you who your father really was--that father whose +existence you have hardly known and whose name you have never heard. +You believe yourself an orphan, your mother a widow; but, alas! I +have now to tell you that you were made fatherless by the perfidy of +man, not by the dispensation of Heaven. + +"Twenty-three years ago, I accompanied my father in a tour through +Germany and Italy. Grief for the death of my mother had impaired his +health, and the physicians ordered him to reside in a warmer climate; +accordingly we fixed ourselves near the Arno. During several visits +to Florence, my father met in that city with a young Englishman of +the name of Sackville. These frequent meetings opened into intimacy, +and he was invited to our villa. + +"Mr. Sackville was not only the most interesting man I had ever seen, +but the most accomplished, and his heart seemed the seat of every +graceful feeling. He was the first man for whose society I felt a +lively preference. I used to smile at this strange delight, or +sometimes weep; for the emotions which agitated me were undefinable, +but they were enchanting, and unheedingly I gave them indulgence. The +hours which we passed together in the interchange of reciprocal +sentiments, the kind beaming of his looks, the thousand sighs that he +breathed, the half-uttered sentences, all conspired to rob me of +myself. + +"Nearly twelve months were spent in these delusions. During the last +three, doubts and anguish displaced the blissful reveries of an +infant tenderness. The attentions of Mr. Sackville died away. From +being the object of his constant search, he then sedulously sought to +avoid me. When my father withdrew to his closet, he would take his +leave, and allow me to walk alone. Solitary and wretched were my +rambles. I had full leisure to compare my then disturbed state of +mind with the comparative peace I had enjoyed in my own country. +Immured within the palace of Villanow, watching the declining health +of my mother, I knew nothing of the real world, the little I had +learned of society being drawn from books; and, uncorrected by +experience, I was taught to believe a perfection in man which, to my +affliction, I since found to be but a poet's dream. When my father +took me to Italy, I continued averse to public company. In such +seclusion, the presence of Sackville, being almost my only pleasure, +chased from my mind its usual reserve, and gradually and surely won +upon the awakened affections of my heart. Artless and unwarned, I +knew not the nature of the passion which I cherished until it had +gained an ascendancy that menaced my life. + +"On the evening of one of those days in which I had been disappointed +of seeing this too-dearly-prized companion, I strolled out, and, +hardly conscious of my actions, threw myself along the summit of a +flight of steps in our garden that led down to the Arno. My head +rested against the base of a statue which, because of its resemblance +to me, Sackville had presented to my father. Every recollected +kindness of his now gave me additional torment; and clinging to the +pedestal as to the altar of my adoration, in the bitterness of +disappointment I addressed the insensible stone: 'O! were I pale as +thou art, and this breast as cold and still, would Sackville, when he +looked on me, give one sigh to the creature he had destroyed? My sobs +followed this adjuration, and the next moment I felt myself encircled +in his arms. I struggled, and almost fainting with shame at such +utter weakness, implored to be released. He did release me, and, in +an agony of emotion, besought my pardon for the misery I had endured. +'Now, Therese,' cried he, 'all is as it ought to be! you are my only +hope. Consent to be mine, or the world has no hold on me!' His voice +was hurried and incoherent. Raising my eyes to his, I beheld them +wild and bloodshot. Terrified at his look, and overcome by my own +distracted thoughts, my head sunk on the marble. With increased +violence he exclaimed, 'Have I deceived myself here too? Therese, did +you not prefer me? Did you not love me? Speak now, I conjure you, by +your own happiness and mine! Do you reject me?' He clasped my hands +with a force that made me tremble, and I hardly articulated, 'I will +be yours.' At these words he hurried me down a dark vista, which led +out of the gardens to the open country. A carriage stood at the gate. +I fearfully asked what he intended. 'You have given yourself to me,' +cried he; 'and by that vow, written in heaven, no power shall +separate us until you are mine beyond the reach of man!' Unnerved in +body and weak in mind, I yielded to his impetuosity, and suffering +him to lift me into the chariot, was carried to the door of the +nearest monastery, where in a few minutes we were married. + +"I am thus particular in the relation of every incident, in the hope +that you, my dear son, will find some excuse for my great +imprudence,--in the circumstances of my youth, and in the influence +which a man who seemed all excellence had gained over my heart. +However, my fault went not long unpunished. + +"The ceremony past, my husband conducted me in silence back to the +carriage. My full bosom discharged itself in abundance of tears, +while Sackville sat by me, without any movement, and mute. Two or +three times I raised my eyes, in hopes of discerning in his some +consolation for my hasty compliance. But no; his gaze, vacant and +glaring, was fixed on the window, and his brow became heavily +clouded, as if he had been forced into an alliance with one he hated, +rather than had just made a voluntary engagement with the woman he +loved. My soul shuddered at this commencement of a contract which I +had dared to make unsanctioned by my father's consent. At length my +sighs seemed to startle my husband; and suddenly turning round, he +cried, 'Therese, this marriage must not be told to the palatine. I +have been precipitate. It would ruin me with my family. Refrain, only +for one month, and then I will publicly acknowledge you.' The +agitation of his features and the feverish burning of his hand, which +then held mine, alarmed me. Trembling from head to foot, I answered, +'Sackville! I have already erred enough in consenting to this stolen +marriage. I will not transgress further by concealing it. I will +instantly throw myself at my father's feet, and confess all.' His +countenance darkened again. 'Therese,' said he, 'I am your husband. +You have sworn to obey me, and till I allow you, divulge this +marriage at your peril!' This last stern sentence, and the sterner +look that accompanied it, pierced me to the heart, and I fell +senseless on the seat. + +"When I recovered, I found myself at the foot of that statue beneath +which my unfortunate destiny had been fixed. My husband was leaning +over me. He raised me with tenderness from the ground, and conjured +me, in the mildest accents, to be comforted; to pardon the severity +of those words, which had arisen from a fear that, by an imprudent +avowal on my part, I should risk both his happiness and my own. He +informed me that he was heir to one of the first families in England; +and before he set out for the continent, he had pledged his honor to +his father never to enter into any matrimonial engagement without +first acquainting him with the particulars of the lady and her +family. Should he omit this duty, his father declared that, though +she were a princess, he would disinherit him, and never again admit +him to his presence. + +"'Consider this, my dear Therese,' continued he; 'could you endure to +behold me an outcast, and stigmatized with a parent's curse, when a +little forbearance on your part would make all right? I know I have +been hasty in acting as I have done, but now I cannot remedy my +error. To-morrow I will write to my father, describe your rank and +merits, and request his consent to our immediate union. The moment +his permission arrives, I will cast myself on the palatine's +friendship, and reveal what has passed.' The tenderness of my husband +blinded my reason, and with many tears, I sealed his forgiveness and +pledged my faith on his word. + +"My dear deceived parent little suspected the perfidy of his guest. +He detained him as his visitor, and often rallied himself on the hold +which this distinguished stranger's accomplishments had taken on his +heart. Sackville's manner to me in public was obliging and free; it +was in private only that I found the tender, the capricious, the +unkind husband. Night after night I have washed the memory of my want +of duty to my father with bitter tears; but my husband was dear to +me--he was more precious than my life! One affectionate look from +him, one fond word, would solace every pain, and make me wait the +arrival of his father's letter with all the sanguine anticipations of +youth and love. + +"A fortnight passed away. A month--a long and lingering month. +Another month, and a packet of letters was presented to Sackville. He +was conversing with us. At sight of the superscription, he tore open +the paper, ran his eyes over a few lines, and then, flushed and +agitated, started from his seat and left the room. My emotions were +almost uncontrollable. I had already half risen from my chair to +follow him, when the palatine exclaimed, 'What can be in that letter? +Too plainly I see some afflicting tidings.' And without observing me, +or waiting for a reply, he hurried out after him. I hastened to my +chamber, where, throwing myself on my bed, I tried, by all the +delusions of hope, to obtain some alleviation from the pangs of my +suspense. + +"The dinner-bell roused me from my reverie. Dreading to excite +suspicion, and anxious to read in the countenance of my husband the +denunciation of our fate, I obeyed the summons and descended to the +dining-room. On entering it, my eyes irresistibly wandered round to +fix themselves on Sackville. He was leaning against a pillar, his +face pale as death. My father looked grave, but immediately took his +seat, and tenderly placed his friend beside him. I sat down in +silence. Little dinner was eaten, and few words spoken. As for +myself, my agitation almost choked me. I felt that the first words I +should attempt to pronounce must give them utterance, and that their +vehemence would betray our fatal secret. + +"When the servants had withdrawn, Sackville rose, and said, in a +faltering voice, 'Count, I must leave you.' 'Nay,' replied the +palatine; 'you are unwell--disturbed--stay till to-morrow.' 'I thank +your excellency,' answered he, 'but I must go to Florence to-night. +You shall see me again before to-morrow afternoon; all will then, I +hope, be settled to my wish.' My husband took his hat. Motionless, +and incapable of speaking, I sat fixed to my chair, in the direct way +that he must pass. His eye met mine. He stopped and looked at me, +abruptly snatched my hand; then as abruptly quitting it, darted out +of the room. I never saw him more. + +"I had not the power to dissemble another moment. I fell back into +the arms of my father. He did not, even by this imprudence, read what +I almost wished him to guess, but, with all the indulgence of perfect +confidence, lamented the distress of Sackville, and the sensibility +of my nature, which sympathized so painfully with his friend. I durst +not ask what was the distress of his friend. Abashed at my duplicity +to my father, and overwhelmed with a thousand dreads, I obtained his +permission to retire to my chamber. + +"The next day I met him with calmness, for I had schooled my heart to +endure the sufferings it had deserved. He did not remark my recovered +tranquillity, so entirely was his generous heart occupied in +conjecturing the cause of Sackville's grief, who had acknowledged +having received a great shock, but would not reveal the occasion. +This double reserve to my father surprised and distressed me, and to +all his suppositions I said little. My soul was too deeply interested +in the subject to trust to the faithfulness of my lips. + +"The morning crept slowly on, and the noon appeared to stand still. I +anxiously watched the declining sun, as the signal for my husband's +return. Two hours had elapsed since his promised time, and my father +grew so impatient that he went out to meet him. I eagerly wished that +they might miss each other. I should then see Sackville a few minutes +alone, and by one word be comforted or driven to despair. + +"I was listening to every footstep that sounded under the colonnade, +when my servant brought me a letter which had just been left by one +of Mr. Sackville's grooms. I broke open the seal, and fell senseless +on the floor ere I had read half the killing contents." + +Thaddeus, with a burning cheek, and a heart all at once robbed of +that elastic spring which till now had ever made him the happiest of +the happy, took up the letter of his father. The paper was worn, and +blistered with his mother's tears. His head seemed to swim as he +contemplated the handwriting, and he said to himself, "Am I to +respect or to abhor him?" He proceeded in the perusal. + +"TO THERESE, COUNTESS SOBIESKI. + +"How, Therese, am I to address you? But an attempt to palliate my +conduct would be to no purpose; indeed it is impossible. You cannot +conceive a viler opinion of me than I have of myself. I know that I +forfeit all claim to honor, in the most delicate point of your noble +and trusting heart!--that I have sacrificed your tenderness to my +distracted passions; but you shall no more be subject to the caprices +of a man who cannot repay your innocent love with his own. _You_ +have no guilt to torture you; and you possess virtues which will +render you tranquil under every calamity. I leave you to your own +purity, and, therefore, peace of mind. Forget the ceremony which has +passed between us; my wretched heart disclaims it forever. Your +father is happily ignorant of it; pray spare him the anguish of +knowing that I was so utterly unworthy of his kindness; I feel that I +am more than ungrateful to you and to him. Therese, your most +inveterate hate cannot more strongly tell me than I can tell myself +that to you I have been a villain. But I cannot retract. I am going +where all search will be vain; and I now bid you an eternal farewell. +May you be happier than ever can be the self-abhorring. + + "R. S------." + "FLORENCE." + +Thaddeus, after a brief pause, went on with his mother's narrative. + +"When my senses returned, I was lying on the floor, holding the half- +perused paper in my hand. Grief and horror had locked up the avenues +of complaint, and I sat as one petrified to stone. My father entered. +At the sight of me, he started as if he had been a spectre. His well- +known features opened at once my agonized heart. With fearful cries I +cast myself at his feet, and putting the letter into his hand, clung, +almost expiring, to his knees. + +"When he had read it, he flung it from him, and dropping into a +chair, covered his face with his hands. I looked up imploringly, for +I could not speak. My father stooped forward, and raising me in his +arms, pressed me to his bosom. 'My Therese,' said he, 'it is I who +have done this. Had I not harbored this villain, he never could have +had an opportunity of ruining the peace of my child.' In return for +the unexampled indulgence of this speech, and his repeated assurances +of forgiveness, I promised to forget a man who could have had so +little respect for truth and gratitude, and his own honor. The +palatine replied that he expected such a resolution, in consequence +of the principles my exemplary mother had taught me; and to show me +how far dearer to him was my real tranquillity than any false idea of +impossible restitution, he would not remove even from one +principality to another, were he sure by that means to discover Mr. +Sackville and to avenge my wrongs. My understanding assented to the +justice and dignity of all he said; but long and severe were my +struggles before I could erase from my soul the image of that being +who had been the lord of all my young hopes. + +"It was not until you, my dear Thaddeus, were born that I could repay +the goodness of my father with the smiles of cheerfulness. And he +would not permit me to give you any name which could remind him or +myself of the faithless husband who knew not even of your existence; +and by his desire I christened you Thaddeus Constantine, after +himself, and his best beloved friend General Kosciusko. You have not +yet seen that illustrious Polander; his prescient watchfulness for +his country keeps him so constantly employed on the frontiers. He is +now with the army at Winnica, whither you must soon go; and in him +you may study one of the brightest models of patriotic and martial +virtue that ever was presented to mankind. It is well said of him +'that he would have shone with distinguished lustre in the ages of +chivalry.' Gallant, generous, and strictly just, he commands +obedience by the reverence in which he is held, and attaches the +troops to his person by the affability of his manners and the purity +of his life. He teaches them discipline, endurance of fatigue, and +contempt of danger, by his dauntless example, and inspires them with +confidence by his tranquillity in the tumult of action and the +invincible fortitude with which he meets the most adverse stroke of +misfortune. His modesty in victory shows him to be one of the +greatest among men, and his magnanimity under defeat confirms him to +be a Christian hero. + +"Such is the man whose name you share. How bitterly do I lament that +the one to which nature gave you a claim was so unworthy to be united +with it, and that of my no less heroic father! + +"On our return to Poland, the story which the palatine related, when +questioned about my apparently forlorn state, was simply this:--'My +daughter was married and widowed in the course of two months. Since +then, to root from her memory as much as possible all recollection of +a husband who was only given to be taken away, she still retains my +name; and her son, as my sole heir, shall bear no other.' This reply +satisfied every one; the king, who was my father's only confidant, +gave his sanction to it, and no further inquiries were ever made. + +"You are now, my beloved child, entering on the eventful career of +life. God only knows, when the venerable head of your grandfather is +laid in dust, and I, too, have shut my eyes upon you in this world, +where destiny may send you! perhaps to the country of your father. +Should you ever meet him--but that is unlikely; so I will be silent +on a thought which nineteen years of reflection have not yet deprived +of its sting. + +"Not to embitter the fresh spring of your youth, my Thaddeus, with +the draught that has poisoned mine: not to implant in your breast +hatred of a parent whom you may never behold, have I written this; +but to inform you in fact from whom you sprung. My history is made +plain to you, that no unexpected events may hereafter perplex your +opinion of your mother, or cause a blush to rise on that cheek for +her, which from your grandfather can derive no stain. For his sake as +well as for mine, whether in peace or in war, may the angels of +heaven guard my boy! This is the unceasing prayer of thy fond mother, + +"THERESE, COUNTESS SOBIESKI. + +"VILLANOW, _March_, 1792." + + When he finished reading, Thaddeus held the papers in his hand; but, +unable to recover from the shock of their contents, he read them a +second time to the end; then laying them on the table, against which +he rested his now aching head, he gave vent to the fulness of his +heart in tears. + +The countess, anxious for the effect which her history might have +made on her son, at this instant entered the room. Seeing him in so +dejected an attitude, she approached, and pressing him to her bosom, +silently wept with him. Thaddeus, ashamed of his emotions, yet +incapable of dissembling them, struggled a moment to release himself +from her arms. The countess, mistaking his motive, said in a +melancholy voice, "And do you, my son, despise your mother for the +weakness which she has revealed? Is this the reception that I +expected from a child on whose affection I reposed my confidence and +my comfort?" + +"No, my mother" replied Thaddeus; "it is your afflictions which have +distressed me. This is the first unhappy hour I ever knew, and can +you wonder I should be affected? Oh! mother," continued he, laying +his hand on his father's letter, "whatever were his rank, had my +father been but noble in mind, I would have gloried in bearing his +name; but now, I put up my prayers never to hear it more." + +"Forget him," cried the countess, hiding her eyes with her +handkerchief. + +"I will," answered Thaddeus, "and allow my memory to dwell on the +virtues of my mother only." + +It was impossible for the countess or her son to conceal their +agitation from the palatine, who now opened the door. On his +expressing alarm at a sight so unusual, his daughter, finding herself +incapable of speaking, put into his hand the letter which Thaddeus +had just read. Sobieski cast his eye over the first lines; he +comprehended their tendency, and seeing the countess had withdrawn, +he looked towards his grandson. Thaddeus was walking up and down the +room, striving to command himself for the conversation he anticipated +with his grandfather. + +"I am sorry, Thaddeus," said Sobieski, "that your mother has so +abruptly imparted to you the real country and character of your +father. I see that his villany has distressed a heart which Heaven +has made alive to even the slightest appearance of dishonor. But be +consoled, my son! I have prevented the publicity of his conduct by an +ambiguous story of your mother's widowhood. Yet notwithstanding this +arrangement, she has judged it proper that you should not enter +general society without being made acquainted with the true events of +your birth. I believe my daughter is right. And cheer yourself, my +child! ever remembering that you are one of the noblest race in +Poland! and suffer not the vices of one parent to dim the virtues of +the other." + +"No, my lord," answered his grandson; "you have been more than a +parent to me; and henceforward, for your sake as well as my own, I +shall hold it my duty to forget that I draw my being from any other +source than that of the house of Sobieski." + +"You are right," cried the palatine, with an exulting emotion; "you +have the spirit of your ancestors, and I shall live to see you add +glory to the name!" [Footnote: John Sobieski, King of Poland, was the +most renowned sovereign of his time. His victories over the Tartars +and the Turks obtained for him the admiration of Europe. Would it +might be said, "the gratitude also of her posterity!" For his signal +courage and wondrous generalship on the field of Vienna, against the +latter Mohammedan power, rescued Austria, and the chief part of +Christendom at that time, from their ruinous grasp. Where was the +memory of these things, when the Austrian emperor marched his +devastating legions into Poland, in the year 1793?] + +The beaming eyes and smiling lips of the young count declared that he +had shaken sorrow from his heart. His grandfather pressed his hand +with delight, and saw in his recovered serenity the sure promise of +his fond prophecy. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE MILL OF MARIEMONT. + + +The fearful day arrived when Sobieski and his grandson were to bid +adieu to Villanow and its peaceful scenes. + +The well-poised mind of the veteran bade his daughter farewell with a +fortitude which imparted some of its strength even to her. But when +Thaddeus, ready habited for his journey, entered the room, at the +sight of his military accoutrements she shuddered; and when, with a +glowing countenance, he advanced, smiling through his tears, towards +her, she clasped him in her arms, and riveted her lips to that face +the very loveliness of which added to her affliction. She gazed at +him, she wept on his neck, she pressed him to her bosom. "Oh! how +soon might all that beauty be mingled with the dust! how soon might +that warm heart, which then beat against hers, be pierced by the +sword--be laid on the ground, mangled and bleeding, exposed and +trampled on!" These thoughts thronged upon her soul, and deprived her +of sense. She was borne away by her maids, while the palatine +compelled Thaddeus to quit the spot. + +It was not until the lofty battlements of Villanow blended with the +clouds that Thaddeus could throw off his melancholy. The parting +grief of his mother hung on his spirits; and heavy and frequent were +his sighs while he gazed on the rustic cottages and fertile fields, +which reminded him that he was yet passing through the territories of +his grandfather. The picturesque mill of Mariemont was the last spot +on which his sight lingered. The ivy that mantled its sides sparkled +with the brightness of a shower which had just fallen; and the rays +of the setting sun, gleaming on its shattered wall, made it an object +of such romantic beauty, that he could not help pointing it out to +his fellow-travellers. + +Whilst the eyes of General Butzou, who was in the carriage, followed +the direction of Thaddeus, the palatine observed the heightening +animation of the old man's features; and recollecting at the same +time the transports which he himself had enjoyed when he visited that +place more than twenty years before, he put his hand on the shoulder +of the veteran, and exclaimed, "General, did you ever relate to my +boy the particulars of that mill?" + +"No, my lord." + +"I suppose," continued the palatine, "the same reason deterred you +from speaking of it, uncalled for, as lessened my wish to tell the +story? We are both too much the heroes of the tale to have +volunteered the recital." + +"Does your excellency mean," asked Thaddeus, "the rescue of our king +from this place?" + +"I do." + +"I have an indistinct knowledge of the affair," continued his +grandson, "from I forget who, and should be grateful to hear it +clearly told me, while thus looking on the very spot." + +"But," said the palatine, gayly, whose object was to draw his +grandson from melancholy reflections, "what will you say to me +turning egotist?" + +"I now ask the story of you," returned Thaddeus, smiling; "besides, +as soldiers are permitted by their peaceful hearth to 'fight their +battles o'er again,' your modesty, my dear grandfather, cannot object +to repeat one to me on the way to more." + +"Then, as a preliminary," said the palatine, "I must suppose it is +unnecessary to tell you that General Butzou was the brave soldier +who, at the imminent risk of his own life, saved our sovereign." + +"Yes, I know that!" replied the young count, "and that you too had a +share in the honor: for when I was yesterday presented to his +majesty, amongst other things which he said, he told me that, under +Heaven, he believed he owed his present existence to General Butzou +and yourself." + +"So very little to me," resumed the palatine, "that I will, to the +best of my recollection, repeat every circumstance of the affair. +Should I err, I must beg of you, general" (turning to the veteran), +"to put me right." + +Butzou, with a glow of honest exultation, nodded assent; and Thaddeus +bowing in sign of attention, his smiling grandsire began. + +"It was on a Sunday night, the 3d of September, in the year 1771, +that this event took place. At that time, instigated by the courts of +Vienna and Constantinople, a band of traitorous lords, confederated +together, were covertly laying waste the country, and perpetrating +all kinds of unsuspected outrage on their fellow-subjects who adhered +to the king. + +"Amongst their numerous crimes, a plan was laid for surprising and +taking the royal person. Casimir Pulaski was the most daring of their +leaders; and, assisted by Lukawski, Strawenski, and Kosinski, three +Poles unworthy of their names, he resolved to accomplish his design +or perish. Accordingly, these men, with forty other conspirators, in +the presence of their commander swore with the most horrid oaths to +deliver Stanislaus alive or dead into his hands. + +"About a month after this meeting, these three parricides of their +country, at the head of their coadjutors, disguised as peasants, and +concealing their arms in wagons of hay, which they drove before them, +entered the suburbs of Warsaw undetected. + +"It was about ten o'clock P. M., on the 3d of September, as I have +told you, they found an apt opportunity to execute their scheme. They +placed themselves, under cover of the night, in those avenues, of the +city through which they knew his majesty must pass in his way from +Villanow, where he had been dining with me. His carriage was escorted +by four of his own guards, besides myself and some of mine. We had +scarcely lost sight of Villanow, when the conspirators rushed out and +surrounded us, commanding the coachman to stop, and beating down the +serving men with the butt ends of their muskets. Several shots were +fired into the coach. One passed through my hat as I was getting out, +sword in hand, the better to repel an attack the motive of which I +could not then divine. A cut across my right leg with a sabre laid me +under the wheels; and whilst in that situation, I heard the shot +pouring into the coach like hail, and felt the villains stepping over +my body to finish the murder of their sovereign. + +"It was then that our friend Butzou (who at that period was a private +soldier in my service) stood between his majesty and the rebels, +parrying many a stroke aimed at the king; but at last, a thrust from +a bayonet into his gallant defender's breast cast him weltering in +his blood upon me. By this time all the persons who had formed the +escort were either wounded or dispersed, and George Butzou, our +friend's only brother, was slain. So dropped one by one the +protectors of our trampled bodies and of our outraged monarch. Secure +then of their prey, one of the assassins opened the carriage door, +and with shocking imprecations seizing the king, discharged his +pistol so near his majesty's face, that he felt the heat of the +flash. A second villain cut him on the forehead with a sabre, whilst +the third, who was on horseback, laying hold of the king's collar, +dragged him along the ground through the suburbs of the city. + +"During the latter part of this murderous scene, some of our +affrighted people, who had fled, returned with a detachment, and +seeing Butzou and me apparently lifeless, carried us to the royal +palace, where all was commotion and distraction. But the foot-guards +followed the track which the conspirators had taken. In one of the +streets they found the king's hat dyed in blood, and his pelisse +also. This confirmed their apprehensions of his death; and they came +back filling all Warsaw with dismay. + +"The assassins, meanwhile, got clear of the town. Finding, however, +that the king, by loss of blood, was not likely to exist much longer +by dragging him towards their employer, and that delay might even +lose them his dead body, they mounted him, and redoubled their speed. +When they came to the moat, they compelled him to leap his horse +across it. In the attempt the horse fell and broke its leg. They then +ordered his majesty, fainting as he was, to mount another and spur it +over. The conspirators had no sooner passed the ditch, and saw their +king fall insensible on the neck of his horse, than they tore from +his breast the ribbon of the black eagle, and its diamond cross. +Lukawski was so foolishly sure of his prisoner, dead or alive, that +he quitted his charge, and repaired with these spoils to Pulaski, +meaning to show them as proofs of his success. Many of the other +plunderers, concluding that they could not do better than follow +their leader's example, fled also, tired of their work, leaving only +seven of the party, with Kosinski at their head, to remain over the +unfortunate Stanislaus, who shortly after recovered from his swoon. + +"The night was now grown so dark, they could not be sure of their +way; and their horses stumbling at every step, over stumps of trees +and hollows in the earth, increased their apprehensions to such a +degree, that they obliged the king to keep up with them on foot. He +literally marked his path with his blood; his shoes having been torn +off in the struggle at the carriage. Thus they continued wandering +backward and forward, and round the outskirts of Warsaw, without any +exact knowledge of their situation. The men who guarded him at last +became so afraid of their prisoner's taking advantage of these +circumstances to escape, that they repeatedly called on Kosinski for +orders to put him to death. Kosinski refused; but their demands +growing more imperious, as the intricacies of the forest involved +them completely, the king expected every moment to find their +bayonets in his breast. + +"Meanwhile," continued the palatine, "when I recovered from my swoon +in the palace, my leg had been bound up, and I felt able to stir. +Questioning the officers who stood about my couch, I found that a +general panic had seized them. They knew not how to proceed; they +shuddered at leaving the king to the mercy of the confederates, and +yet were fearful, by pursuing him further, to incense them through +terror or revenge to massacre their prisoner, if he were still alive. +I did all that was in my power to dispel this last dread. Anxious, at +any rate, to make another attempt to preserve him, though I could not +ride myself, I strenuously advised an immediate pursuit on horseback, +and insisted that neither darkness nor apprehension of increasing +danger should be permitted to impede their course. Recovered presence +of mind in the nobles restored hope and animation to the terrified +soldiers, and my orders were obeyed. But I must add, they were soon +disappointed, for in less than half an hour the detachment returned +in despair, showing me his majesty's coat, which they had found in +the fosse. I suppose the ruffians tore it off when they rifled him. +It was rent in several places, and so wet with blood that the officer +who presented it to me concluded they had murdered the king there, +and drawn away his body, for by the light of the torches the soldiers +could trace drops of blood to a considerable distance. + +"Whilst I was attempting to invalidate this new evidence of his +majesty's being beyond the reach of succor, he was driven before the +seven conspirators so far into the wood of Bielany, that, not knowing +whither they went, they came up with one of the guard-houses, and, to +their extreme terror, were accosted by a patrol. Four of the banditti +immediately disappeared, leaving two only with Kosinski, who, much +alarmed, forced his prisoner to walk faster and keep a profound +silence. Notwithstanding all this precaution, scarce a quarter of an +hour afterwards they were challenged by a second watch; and the other +two men taking flight, Kosinski, full of indignation at their +desertion, was left alone with the king. His majesty, sinking with +pain and fatigue, besought permission to rest for a moment; but +Kosinski refused, and pointing his sword towards the king, compelled +him to proceed. + +"As they walked on, the insulted monarch, who was hardly able to drag +one limb after the other, observed that his conductor gradually +forgot his vigilance, until he was thoroughly given up to thought. +The king conceived some hope from this change, and ventured to say 'I +see that you know not how to proceed. You cannot but be aware that +the enterprise in which you are engaged, however it may end, is full +of peril to you. Successful conspirators are always jealous of each +other. Pulaski will find it as easy to rid himself of your life as it +is to take mine. Avoid that danger, and I will promise you none on my +account. Suffer me to enter the convent of Bielany: we cannot be far +from it; and then, do you provide for your own safety.' Kosinski, +though rendered desperate by the circumstances in which he was +involved, replied, 'No; I have sworn, and I would rather sacrifice my +life than my honor.' + +"The king had neither strength nor spirits to urge him further, and +they continued to break their way through the bewildering underwood, +until they approached Mariemont. Here Stanislaus, unable to stir +another step, sunk down at the foot of the old yew-tree, and again +implored for one moment's rest. Kosinski no longer refused. This +unexpected humanity encouraged his majesty to employ the minutes they +sat together in another attempt to soften his heart, and to convince +him that the oath which he had taken was atrocious, and by no means +binding to a brave and virtuous man. + +"Kosinski heard him with attention, and even showed he was affected. +'But,' said he, 'if I should assent to what you propose, and +reconduct you to Warsaw, what will be the consequence to me? I shall +be taken and executed.' 'I give you my word,' answered the king, +'that you shall not suffer any injury. But if you doubt my honor, +escape while you can. I shall find some place of shelter, and will +direct your pursuers to take the opposite road to that which you may +choose.' Kosinski, entirely overcome, threw himself on his knees +before his majesty, and imploring pardon from Heaven for what he had +done, swore that from this hour he would defend his king against all +the conspirators, and trust confidently in his word for future +preservation. Stanislaus repeated his promise of forgiveness and +protection, and directed him to seek refuge for them both in the mill +near which they were discoursing. Kosinski obeyed. He knocked, but no +one gave answer. He then broke a pane of glass in the window, and +through it begged succor for a nobleman who had been waylaid by +robbers. The miller refused to come out, or to let the applicants in, +expressing his belief that they were robbers themselves, and if they +did not go away he would fire on them. + +"This dispute had continued some time, when the king contrived to +crawl up close to the windows and spoke. 'My good friend,' said he, +'if we were banditti, as you suppose, it would be as easy for us, +without all this parley, to break into your house as to break this +pane of glass; therefore, if you would not incur the shame of +suffering a fellow-creature to perish for want of assistance, give us +admittance.' This plain argument had its weight upon the man, and +opening the door, he desired them to enter. After some trouble, his +majesty procured pen and ink, and addressing a few lines to me at the +palace, with difficulty prevailed on one of the miller's sons to +carry it, so fearful were they of falling in with any of the troop +who they understood had plundered their guests. + +"My joy at the sight of this note I cannot describe. I well remember +the contents; they were literally these:-- + +"'By the miraculous hand of Providence I have escaped from the hands +of assassins. I am now at the mill of Mariemont. Send immediately and +take me hence. I am wounded, but not dangerously.' + +"Regardless of my own condition, I instantly got into a carriage, and +followed by a detachment of horse, arrived at the mill. I met +Kosinski at the door, keeping guard with his sword drawn. As he knew +my person, he admitted me directly. The king had fallen into a sleep, +and lay in one corner of the hovel on the ground, covered with the +miller's cloak. To see the most virtuous monarch in the world thus +abused by a party of ungrateful subjects pierced me to the heart. +Kneeling down by his side, I took hold of his hand, and in a paroxysm +of tears, which I am not ashamed to confess, I exclaimed, 'I thank +thee, Almighty God, that I again see our true-hearted sovereign still +alive!' It is not easy to say how these words struck the simple +family. They dropped on their knees before the king, whom my voice +had awakened, and besought his pardon, for their recent opposition to +give him entrance. The good Stanislaus soon quieted their fears, and +graciously thanking them for their kindness, told the miller to come +to the palace the next day, when he would show him his gratitude in a +better way than by promises. + +"The officers of the detachment then assisted his majesty and myself +into the carriage, and accompanied by Kosinski, we reached Warsaw +about six in the morning." + +"Yes," interrupted Butzou; "I remember my tumultuous joy when the +news was brought to me in my bed that my brave brother had not died +in vain for his sovereign; it almost deprived me of my senses; and +besides, his majesty visited me, his poor soldier, in my chamber. +Does not your excellency recollect how he was brought into my room on +a chair, between two men? and how he thanked me, and shook hands with +me, and told me my brother should never be forgotten in Poland? It +made me weep like a child." + +"And he never can!" cried Thaddeus, hardly recovering from the deep +attention with which he had listened to this recital. [Footnote: The +king had his brave defender buried with military honors, and caused a +noble monument to be raised over him, with an inscription, of which +the following is a translation:-- + +"Here lieth the respected remains of George Butzou, who, on the 3d of +September, 1771, opposing his own breast to shield his sovereign from +the weapons of national parricides, was pierced with a mortal wound, +and triumphantly expired. Stanislaus the king, lamenting the death of +so faithful a subject, erects this monument as a tribute to him and +an example of heroic duty to others."] "But what became of Kosinski? +For doubtless the king kept his word." + +"He did indeed," replied Sobieski; "his word is at all times sacred. +Yet I believe Kosinski entertained fears that he would not be so +generous, for I perceived him change color very often while we were +in the coach. However, he became tranquillized when his majesty, on +alighting at the palace in the midst of the joyous cries of the +people, leaned upon his arm and presented him to the populace as his +preserver. The great gate was ordered to be left open; and never +whilst I live shall I again behold such a scene! Every loyal soul in +Warsaw, from the highest to the lowest, came to catch a glimpse of +their rescued sovereign. Seeing the doors free, they entered without +ceremony, and thronged forward in crowds to get near enough to kiss +his hand, or to touch his clothes; then, elated with joy, they turned +to Kosinski, and loaded him with demonstrations of gratitude, calling +him the 'saviour of the king.' Kosinski bore all this with surprising +firmness; but in a day or two, when the facts became known, he feared +he might meet with different treatment from the people, and therefore +petitioned his majesty for leave to depart. Stanislaus consented--and +he retired to Semigallia, where he now lives on a handsome pension +from the king." + +"Generous Stanislaus!" exclaimed the general; "you see, my dear young +count, how he has rewarded me for doing that which was merely my +duty. He put it at my option to become what I pleased about his +person, or to hold an officer's rank in his body-guard. Love ennobles +servitude; and attached as I have ever been to your family, under +whom all my ancestors have lived and fought, I vowed in my own mind +never to quit it, and accordingly begged permission of my sovereign +to remain with the Count Sobieski. I did remain; but see," cried he, +his voice faltering, "what my benefactors have made of me. I command +those troops amongst whom it was once my greatest pride to be a +private soldier." + +Thaddeus pressed the hand of the veteran between both his, and +regarded him with respect and affection, whilst the grateful old man +wiped away a gliding tear from his face. [Footnote: Lukawski and +Strawenski were afterwards both taken, with others of the +conspirators. At the king's entreaty, those of inferior rank were +pardoned after condemnation; but the two noblemen who had deluded +them were beheaded. Pulaski, the prime ring-leader, escaped, to the +wretched life of an outlaw and an exile, and finally died in America, +in 1779.] + +"How happy it ought to make you, my son," observed Sobieski, "that +you are called out to support such a sovereign! He is not merely a +brave king, whom you would follow to battle, because he will lead you +to honor; the hearts of his people acknowledge him in a superior +light; they look on him as their patriarchal head, as being delegated +of God to study what is their greatest good, to bestow it, and when +it is attacked, to de-fend it. To preserve the life of such a +sovereign, who would not sacrifice his own?" + +"Yes," cried Butzou; "and how ought we to abhor those who threaten +his life! How ought we to estimate those crowned heads who, under the +mask of amity, have from the year sixty-four, when he ascended the +throne, until now, been plotting his overthrow or death! Either +calamity, O Heaven, avert! for his death, I fear, will be a prelude +to the certain ruin of our country." + +"Not so," interrupted Thaddeus, with eagerness; "not whilst a +Polander has power to lift an arm in defence of a native king, and an +hereditary succession, can she be quite lost! What was ever in the +hearts of her people that is not now there? For one, I can never +forget how her sons have more than once rolled back on their own +lands legions of invaders, from those very countries now daring to +threaten her existence!" + +Butzou applauded his spirit, and was warmly seconded by the palatine, +who (never weary of infusing into every feeling of his grandson an +interest for his country) pursued the discourse, and dwelt minutely +on the happy tendency of the glorious constitution of 1791, in +defence of which they were now going to hazard their lives. As +Sobieski pointed out its several excellences, and expatiated on the +pure spirit of freedom which animated its revived laws, the soul of +Thaddeus followed his eloquence with all the fervor of youth, +forgetting his late domestic regrets in the warm aspirations of +patriotic hopes; and at noon on the third day, with smiling eyes he +saw his grandfather put himself at the head of his battalions and +commence a rapid march. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN. + + +The little army of the palatine passed by the battlements of Chelm, +crossed the Bug into the plains of Volhinia, and impatiently counted +the leagues over those vast tracts until it reached the borders of +Kiovia. + +When the column at the head of which Thaddeus was stationed descended +the heights of Lininy, and the broad camp of his countrymen burst +upon his sight, his heart heaved with an emotion quite new to him. He +beheld with admiration the regular disposition of the intrenchments, +the long intersected tented streets, and the warlike appearance of +the soldiers, whom he could descry, even at that distance, by the +beams of a bright evening sun which shone upon their arms. + +In half an hour his troops descended into the plain, where, meeting +those of the palatine and General Butzou, the three columns again +united, and Thaddeus joined his grandfather in the van. + +"My lord," cried he, as they met, "can I behold such a sight and +despair of the freedom of Poland!" + +Sobieski made no reply, but giving him one of those expressive looks +of approbation which immediately makes its way to the soul, commanded +the troops to advance with greater speed. In a few minutes they +reached the outworks of the camp, and entered the lines. The eager +eyes of Thaddeus wandered from object to object. Thrilling with that +delight with which youth beholds wonders, and anticipates more, he +stopped with the rest of the party before a tent, which General +Butzou informed him belonged to the commander-in-chief. They were met +in the vestibule by an hussar officer of a most commanding +appearance. Sobieski and he having accosted each other with mutual +congratulations, the palatine turned to Thaddeus, took him by the +hand, and presenting him to his friend, said with a smile, + +"Here, my dear Kosciusko, this young men is my grandson; he is called +Thaddeus Sobieski, and I trust that he will not disgrace either of +our names!" + +Kosciusko embraced the young count, and with a hearty pressure of his +hand, replied, "Thaddeus, if you resemble your grandfather, you can +never forget that the only king of Poland who equalled our patriotic +Stanislaus was a Sobieski; and as becomes his descendant, you will +not spare your best blood in the service of your country." [Footnote: +Kosciusko, noble of birth, and eminently brave in spirit, had learnt +the practice of arms in his early youth in America. During the +contest between the British colonies there and the mother country, +the young Pole, with a few of his early compeers in the great +military college at Warsaw, eager to measure swords in an actual +field, had passed over seas to British America, and offering their +services to the independents, which were accepted, the extraordinary +warlike talents of Kosciusko were speedily honored by his being made +an especial aid-de-camp to General Washington. When the war ended, in +the peace of mutual concessions between the national parent and its +children on a distant land, the Poles returned to their native +country, where they soon met circumstances which caused them to +redraw their swords for her. But to what issue, was yet behind the +floating colors of a soldier's hope.] + +As Kosciusko finished speaking, an aid-de-camp came forward to lead +the party into the room of audience. Prince Poniatowski welcomed the +palatine and his suite with the most lively expressions of pleasure. +He gave Thaddeus, whose figure and manner instantly charmed him, many +flattering assurances of friendship, and promised that he would +appoint him to the first post of honor which should offer. After +detaining the palatine and his grandson half an hour, his highness +withdrew, and they rejoined Kosciusko, who conducted them to the +quarter where the Masovian soldiers had already pitched their tents. + +The officers who supped with Sobieski left him at an early hour, that +he might retire to rest; but Thaddeus was neither able nor inclined +to benefit by their consideration. He lay down on his mattress, shut +his eyes, and tried to sleep; but the attempt was without success. In +vain he turned from side to side; in vain he attempted to restrict +his thoughts to one thing at once; his imagination was so roused by +anticipating the scenes in which he was to become an actor, that he +found it impossible even to lie still. His spirits being quite awake, +he determined to rise, and to walk himself drowsy. + +Seeing his grandfather sound asleep, he got up and dressed himself +quietly; then stealing gently from the marquée, he gave the word in a +low whisper to the guard at the door, and proceeded down the lines. +The pitying moon seemed to stand in the heavens, watching the awaking +of those heroes who the next day might sleep to rise no more. At +another time, and in another mood, such might have been his +reflections; but now he pursued his walk with different thoughts: no +meditations but those of pleasure possessed his breast. He looked on +the moon with transport; he beheld the light of that beautiful +planet, trailing its long stream of glory across the intrenchments. +He perceived a solitary candle here and there glimmering through the +curtained entrance of the tents, and thought that their inmates were +probably longing with the same anxiety as himself for the morning's +dawn. + +Thaddeus walked slowly on, sometimes pausing at the lonely footfall +of the sentinel, or answering with a start to the sudden challenge +for the parole; then lingering at the door of some of these canvas +dwellings, he offered up a prayer for the brave inhabitant who, like +himself, had quitted the endearments of home to expose his life on +this spot, a bulwark of liberty. Thaddeus knew not what it was to be +a soldier by profession; he had no idea of making war a trade, by +which a man may acquire subsistence, and perhaps wealth; he had but +one motive for appearing in the field, and one for leaving it,--to +repel invasion and to establish peace. The first energy of his mind +was a desire to maintain the rights of his country; it had been +inculcated into him when an infant; it had been the subject of his +morning thoughts and nightly dreams; it was now the passion which +beat in every artery of his heart. Yet he knew no honor in slaughter; +his glory lay in defence; and when that was accomplished, his sword +would return to its scabbard, unstained by the blood of a vanquished +or invaded people. On these principles, he was at this hour full of +enthusiasm; a glow of triumph flitted over his cheek, for he had felt +the indulgences of his mother's palace, had left her maternal arms, +to take upon him the toils of war, and risk an existence just blown +into enjoyment. A noble satisfaction rose in his mind; and with all +the animation which an inexperienced and raised fancy imparts to that +age when boyhood breaks into man, his soul grasped at every show of +creation with the confidence of belief. Pressing the sabre which he +held in his hand to his lips, he half uttered, "Never shall this +sword leave my arm but at the command of mercy, or when death +deprives my nerves of their strength." + +Morning was tinging the hills which bound the eastern horizon of +Winnica before Thaddeus found that his pelisse was wet with dew, and +that he ought to return to his tent. Hardly had he laid his head upon +the pillow, and "lulled his senses in forgetfulness," when he was +disturbed by the drum beating to arms. He opened his eyes, and seeing +the palatine out of bed, he sprung from his own, and eagerly inquired +the cause of his alarm. + +"Only follow me directly," answered his grandfather, and quitted the +tent. + +Whilst Thaddeus was putting on his clothes, and buckling on his arms +with a trembling eagerness which almost defeated his haste, an aid- +de-camp of the prince entered. He brought information that an +advanced guard of the Russians had attacked a Polish outpost, under +the command of Colonel Lonza, and that his highness had ordered a +detachment from the palatine's brigade to march to its relief. Before +Thaddeus could reply, Sobieski sent to apprise his grandson that the +prince had appointed him to accompany the troops which were turning +out to resist the enemy. + +Thaddeus heard this message with delight; yet fearful in what manner +the event might answer the expectations which this wished distinction +declared, he issued from his tent like a youthful Mars,--or rather +like the Spartan Isadas,--trembling at the dazzling effects of his +temerity, and hiding his valor and his blushes beneath the waving +plumes of his helmet. Kosciusko, who was to head the party, observed +this modesty with pleasure, and shaking him warmly by the hand, said, +"Go, Thaddeus; take your station on the left flank; I shall require +your fresh spirits to lead the charge I intend to make, and to ensure +its success." Thaddeus bowed to these encouraging words, and took his +place according to order. + +Everything being ready, the detachment quitted the camp, and dashing +through the dews of a sweet morning (for it was yet May), in a few +hours arrived in view of the Russian battalions. Lonza, who, from the +only redoubt now in his possession, caught a glimpse of this welcome +reinforcement, rallied his few remaining men, and by the time that +Kosciusko came up, contrived to join him in the van. The fight +recommenced. Thaddeus, at the head of his hussars, in full gallop +bore down upon the enemy's right flank. They received the charge with +firmness; but their young adversary, perceiving that extraordinary +means were necessary to make the desired effect, calling on his men +to follow him, put spurs to his horse and rushed into the thickest of +the battle. His soldiers did not shrink; they pressed on, mowing down +the foremost ranks, whilst he, by a lucky stroke of his sabre, +disabled the sword-arm of the Russian standard-bearer and seized the +colors. His own troops seeing the standard in his hand, with one +accord, in loud and repeated cries, shouted victory. Part of the +reserve of the enemy, alarmed at this outcry, gave ground, and +retreating with precipitation, was soon followed by some of the rear +ranks of the centre, to which Kosciusko had penetrated, while its +commander, after a short but desperate resistance, was slain. The +left flank next gave way, and though holding a brave stand at +intervals, at length fairly turned about and fled across the country. + +The conquerors, elated with so sudden a success, put their horses on +full speed; and without order or attention, pursued the fugitives +until they were lost amidst the trees of a distant wood. Kosciusko +called on his men to halt, but he called in vain; they continued +their career, animating each other, and with redoubled shouts drowned +the voice of Thaddeus, who was galloping forward repeating the +command. At the entrance of the wood they were stopped by a few +Russian stragglers, who had formed themselves into a body. These men +withstood the first onset of the Poles with considerable steadiness; +but after a short skirmish, they fled, or, perhaps, seemed to fly, a +second time, and took refuge in the bushes, where, still regardless +of orders, their enemies followed. Kosciusko, foreseeing the +consequence of this rashness, ordered Thaddeus to dismount a part of +his squadron, and march after these headstrong men into the forest. +He came up with them on the edge of a heathy tract of land, just as +they were closing in with a band of the enemy's arquebusiers, who, +having kept up a quick running fire as they retreated, had drawn +their pursuers thus far into the thickets. Heedless of anything but +giving their enemy a complete defeat, the Polanders went on, never +looking to the left nor to the right, till at once they found +themselves encompassed by two thousand Muscovite horse, several +battalions of chasseurs, and in front of fourteen pieces of cannon, +which this dreadful ambuscade opened upon them. + +Thaddeus threw himself into the midst of his countrymen, and taking +the place of their unfortunate conductor, who had been killed in the +first sweep of the artillery, prepared the men for a desperate stand. +He gave his orders with intrepid coolness--though under a shower of +musketry and a cannonade which carried death in every round--that +they should draw off towards the flank of the battery. He thought not +of himself; and in a few minutes the scattered soldiers were +consolidated into a close body, squared with pikemen, who stood like +a grove of pines in a day of tempest, only moving their heads and +arms. Many of the Russian horse impaled themselves on the sides of +this little phalanx, which they vainly attempted to shake, although +the ordnance was rapidly weakening its strength. File after file the +men were swept down, their bodies making a horrid rampart for their +resolute brothers in arms, who, however, rendered desperate, at last +threw away their most cumbrous accoutrements, and crying to their +leader, "Freedom or death!" followed him sword in hand, and bearing +like a torrent upon the enemy's ranks, cut their way through the +forest. The Russians, exasperated that their prey should not only +escape, but escape by such dauntless valor, hung closely on their +rear, goading them with musketry, whilst they (like a wounded lion +closely pressed by the hunters, retreats, yet stands proudly at bay) +gradually retired towards the camp with a backward step, their faces +towards the foe. + +Meanwhile the palatine Sobieski, anxious for the fate of the day, +mounted the dyke, and looked eagerly around for the arrival of some +messenger from the little army. As the wind blew strongly from the +south, a cloud of dust precluded his view; but from the approach of +firing and the clash of arms, he was led to fear that his friends had +been defeated, and were retreating towards the camp. He instantly +quitted the lines to call out a reinforcement; but before he could +advance, Kosciusko and his squadron on the full charge appeared in +flank of the enemy, who suddenly halted, and wheeling round, left the +harassed Polanders to enter the trenches unmolested. + +Thaddeus, covered with dust and blood, flung himself into his +grandfather's arms. In the heat of action his left arm had been +wounded by a Cossack. [Footnote: Cossacks. There are two descriptions +of these formidable auxiliaries: those of clear Tartar race, the +other mixed with Muscovites and their tributaries. The first and the +fiercest are called Don Cossacks, because of their inhabiting the +immense steppes of the Don river, on the frontiers of Asia. They are +governed by a hetman, a native chief, who personally leads them to +battle. The second are the Cossacks of the Crimea, a gallant people +of that finest part of the Russian dominions, and, by being of a +mingled origin, under European rule, are more civilized and better +disciplined than their brethren near the Caucasus. They are generally +commanded by Russian officers.] Aware that neglect then might disable +him from further service, at the moment it happened he bound it up in +his sash, and had thought no more of the accident until the palatine +remarked blood on his cloak. + +"My injury is slight, my dear sir." said he. "I wish to Heaven that +it were all the evil which has befallen us to-day! Look at the +remnant of our brave comrades." + +Sobieski turned his eyes on the panting soldiers, and on Kosciusko, +who was inspecting them. Some of them, no longer upheld by +desperation, were sinking with wounds and fatigue; these the good +general sent off in litters to the medical department; and others, +who had sustained unharmed the conflict of the day, after having +received the praise and admonition of their commander, were dismissed +to their quarters. + +Before this inspection was over, the palatine had to assist Thaddeus +to his tent; in spite of his exertions to the contrary, he became so +faint, it was necessary to lead him off the ground. + +A short time restored him. With his arm in a sling, he joined his +brother officers on the fourth day. After the duty of the morning, he +heard with concern that, during his confinement, the enemy had +augmented their force to so tremendous a strength, it was impossible +for the comparatively slender force of the Poles to remain longer at +Winnica. In consequence of this report, the prince had convened a +council late the preceding night, in which it was determined that the +camp should immediately be razed, and removed towards Zielime. + +This information displeased Thaddeus, who in his fairy dreams of war +had always made conquest the sure end of his battles; and many were +the sighs he drew when, at an hour before dawn on the following day, +he witnessed the striking of the tents, which he thought too like a +prelude to a shameful flight from the enemy. While he was standing by +the busy people, and musing on the nice line which divides prudence +from pusillanimity, his grandfather came up, and bade him mount his +horse, telling him that, owing to the unhealed state of his wound, he +was removed from the vanguard, and ordered to march in the centre, +along with the prince. Thaddeus remonstrated against this +arrangement, and almost reproached the palatine for forfeiting his +promise, that he should always be stationed near his person. The +veteran would not be moved, either by argument or entreaty; and +Thaddeus, finding that he neither could nor ought to oppose him, +obeyed, and followed an aid-de-camp to his highness. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PASS OF VOLUNNA. + + +After a march of three hours, the army came in sight of Volunna, +where the advanced column suddenly halted. Thaddeus, who was about a +half mile to its rear, with a throbbing heart heard that a momentous +pass must be disputed before they could proceed. He curbed his horse, +then gave it the spur, so eagerly did he wish to penetrate the cloud +of smoke which rose in volumes from the discharge of musketry, on +whose wing, at every round, he dreaded might be carried the fate of +his grandfather. At last the firing ceased, and the troops were +commanded to go forward. On approaching near the contested defile, +Thaddeus shuddered, for at every step the heels of his charger struck +upon the wounded or the dead. There lay his enemies, here lay his +friends! His respiration was nearly suspended, and his eyes clung to +the ground, expecting at each moment to fasten on the breathless body +of his grandfather. + +Again the tumult of battle presented itself. About an hundred +soldiers, in one firm rank, stood at the opening of the pass, firing +on the now vacillating steadiness of the enemy. Thaddeus checked his +horse. Five hundred had been detached to this post; how few remained! +Could he hope that Sobieski had escaped so desperate a rencontre? +Fearing the worst, and dreading to have those fears confirmed, his +heart sickened when he received orders from Poniatowski to examine +the extent of the loss. He rode to the mouth of the defile. He could +nowhere see the palatine. A few of his hussars, a little in advance, +were engaged over a heap of the killed, defending it from a troop of +Cossacks, who appeared fighting for the barbarous privilege of +trampling on the bodies. At this sight Thaddeus, impelled by despair, +called out, "Courage, soldiers! The prince with artillery!" The +enemy, looking forward, saw the information was true, and with a +shout of derision, took to flight. Poniatowski, almost at the word, +was by the side of his young friend, who, unconscious of any idea but +that of filial solicitude, had dismounted. + +"Where is the palatine?" was his immediate inquiry to a chasseur who +was stooping towards the slain. The man made no answer, but lifted +from the heap the bodies of two soldiers; beneath, Thaddeus saw the +pale and deathly features of his grandfather. He staggered a few +paces back, and the prince, thinking he was falling, hastened to +support him; but he recovered himself, and flew forward to assist +Kosciusko, who had raised the head of the palatine upon his knee. + +"Is he alive?" inquired Thaddeus. + +"He breathes." + +Hope was now warm in his grandson's breast. The soldiers soon +released Sobieski from the surrounding dead; but his swoon +continuing, the prince desired that he might be laid on a bank, until +a litter could be brought from the rear to convey him to a place of +security. Meantime, Thaddeus and General Butzou bound up his wounds +and poured some water into his mouth. The effusion of blood being +stopped, the brave veteran opened his eyes, and in a few moments +more, whilst he leaned on the bosom of his grandson, was so far +restored as to receive with his usual modest dignity the thanks of +his highness for the intrepidity with which he had preserved a +passage which ensured the safety of the whole army, + +Two surgeons, who arrived with the litter, relieved the anxiety of +the bystanders by an assurance that the wounds, which they re-examined, +were not dangerous. Having laid their patient on the vehicle, they were +preparing to retire with it into the rear, when Thaddeus petitioned the +prince to grant him permission to take the command of the guard which +was appointed to attend his grandfather. His highness consented; but +Sobieski positively refused. + +"No, Thaddeus," said he; "you forget the effect which this solicitude +about so trifling a matter might have on the men. Remember that he +who goes into battle only puts his own life to the hazard, but he +that abandons the field, sports with the lives of his soldiers. Do +not give them leave to suppose that even your dearest interest could +tempt you from the front of danger when it is your duty to remain +there." Thaddeus obeyed his grandfather in respectful silence; at +seven o'clock the army resumed its march. + +Near Zielime the prince was saluted by a reinforcement. It appeared +very seasonably, for scouts had brought information that directly +across the plain a formidable division of the Russian army, under +General Brinicki, was drawn up in order of battle, to dispute his +progress. + +Thaddeus, for the first time, shuddered at the sight of the enemy, +Should his friends be defeated, what might be the fate of his +grandfather, now rendered helpless by many wounds! Occupied by these +fears, with anxiety in his heart, he kept his place at the head of +the light horse, close to the hill. + +Prince Poniatowski ordered the lines to extend themselves, that the +right should reach to the river, and the left be covered by the +rising ground, on which were mounted seven pieces of ordnance. +Immediately after these dispositions, the battle commenced with +mutual determination, and continued with unabated fury from eight in +the morning until sunset. Several times the Poles were driven from +their ground; but as often recovering themselves, and animated by +their commanders, they prosecuted the fight with advantage. General +Brinicki, perceiving that the fortune of the day was going against +him, ordered up the body of reserve, which consisted of four thousand +men and several cannon. He erected temporary batteries in a few +minutes, and with these new forces opened a rapid and destructive +fire on the Polanders. Kosciusko, alarmed at perceiving a retrograde +motion in his troops, gave orders for a close attack on the enemy in +front, whilst Thaddeus, at the head of his hussars, should wheel +round the hill of artillery, and with loud cries charge the opposite +flank. This stratagem succeeded. The arquebusiers, who were posted on +that spot, seeing the impetuosity of the Poles, and the quarter +whence they came, supposed them to be a fresh squadron, gave ground, +and opening in all directions, threw their own people into a +confusion that completed the defeat. Kosciusko and the prince were +equally successful, and a general panic amongst their adversaries was +the consequence. The whole of the Russian army now took to flight, +except a few regiments of carabineers, which were entangled between +the river and the Poles. These were immediately surrounded by a +battalion of Masovian infantry, who, enraged at the loss their body +had sustained the preceding day, answered a cry for quarter with +reproach and derision. At this instant the Sobieski squadron came up, +and Thaddeus, who saw the perilous situation of these regiments, +ordered the slaughter to cease, and the men to be taken prisoners. +The Masovians exhibited strong signs of dissatisfaction at such +commands; but the young count charging through them, ranged his +troops before the Russians, and declared that the first man who +should dare to lift a sword against his orders should be shot. The +Poles dropped their arms. The poor carabineers fell on their knees to +thank his mercy, whilst their officers, in a sullen silence, which +seemed ashamed of gratitude, surrendered their swords into the hands +of their deliverers. + +During this scene, only one very young Russian appeared wholly +refractory. He held his sword in a menacing posture when Thaddeus +drew near, and before he had time to speak, the young man made a cut +at his head, which a hussar parried by striking the assailant to the +earth, and would have killed him on the spot, had not Thaddeus caught +the blow on his own sword; then instantly dismounting, he raised the +officer from the ground, and apologized for the too hasty zeal of his +soldier. The youth blushed, and, bowing, presented his sword, which +was received and as directly returned. + +"Brave sir," said Thaddeus, "I consider myself ennobled in restoring +this weapon to him who has so courageously defended it." + +The Russian made no reply but by a second bow, and put his hand on +his breast, which seemed wet with blood. Ceremony was now at an end. +Thaddeus never looked upon the unfortunate as strangers, much less as +enemies. Accosting the wounded officer with a friendly voice, he +assured him of his services, and bade him lean on him. Overcome, the +young man, incapable of speaking, accepted his assistance; but before +a conveyance could arrive, for which two men were dispatched, he +fainted in his arms. Thaddeus being obliged to join the prince with +his prisoners, unwillingly left the young Russian in this situation; +but before he did so he directed one of his lieutenants to take care +that the surgeons should pay attention to the officer, and have his +litter carried next to the palatine's during the remainder of the +march. + +When the army halted at nine o'clock, P.M., preparations were made to +fix the camp; and in case of a surprise from any part of the +dispersed enemy which might have rallied, orders were delivered for +throwing up a dyke. Thaddeus, having been assured that his +grandfather and the wounded Russian were comfortably stationed near +each other, did not hesitate to accept the command of the intrenching +party. To that end he wrapped himself loosely in his pelisse, and +prepared for a long watch. The night was beautiful. It being the +month of June, a softening warmth still floated through the air, as +if the moon, which shone over his head, emitted heat as well as +splendor. His mind was in unison with the season. He rode slowly +round from bank to bank, sometimes speaking to the workers in the +fosse, sometimes lingering for a few minutes. Looking on the ground, +he thought on the element of which he was composed, to which he might +so soon return; then gazing upward, he observed the silent march of +the stars and the moving scene of the heavens. On whatever object he +cast his eyes, his soul, which the recent events had dissolved into a +temper not the less delightful for being tinged with melancholy, +meditated with intense compassion, and dwelt with wonder on the mind +of man, which, whilst it adores the Creator of the universe, and +measures the immensity of space with an expansion of intellect almost +divine, can devote itself to the narrow limits of sublunary +possessions, and exchange the boundless paradise above for the low +enjoyments of human pride. He looked with pity over that wide tract +of land which now lay betwixt him and the remains of those four +thousand invaders who had just fallen victims to the insatiate +desires of ambition. He well knew the difference between a defender +of his own country and the invader of another's. His heart beat, his +soul expanded, at the prospect of securing liberty and life to a +virtuous people. He _felt_ all the happiness of such an achievement, +while he could only _imagine_ how that spirit must shrink from +reflection which animates the self-condemned slave to fight, not +merely to fasten chains on others, but to rivet his own the closer. +The best affections of man having put the sword into the hand of +Thaddeus, his principle as a Christian did not remonstrate against +his passion for arms. + +When he was told the fortifications were finished, he retired with a +tranquil step towards the Masovian quarters. He found the palatine +awake, and eager to welcome him with the joyful information that his +wounds were so slight as to promise a speedy amendment, Thaddeus +asked for his prisoner. The palatine answered that he was in the next +tent, where a surgeon closely attended him, who had already given a +very favorable opinion of the wound, which was in the muscles of the +breast. + +"Have you seen him, my dear sir?" inquired Thaddeus. + +"Yes," replied the palatine; "I was supported into his marquée before +I retired to my own. I told him who I was, and repeated your offers +of service. He received my proffer with expressions of gratitude, and +at the same time declared he had nothing to blame but his own folly +for bringing him to the state in which he now lies." + +"How, my lord?" rejoined Thaddeus. "Does he repent of being a +soldier? or is he ashamed of the cause for which he fought?" + +"Both, Thaddeus; he is not a Muscovite, but a young Englishman." + +"An Englishman! and raise his arm against a country struggling for +loyalty and liberty!" + +"It is very true," returned the palatine; "but as he confesses it was +his folly and the persuasions of others which impelled him, he may be +pardoned. He is a mere youth; I think hardly your age. I understand +that he is of rank; and having undertaken a tour in whatever part of +Europe is now open to travellers, under the direction of an +experienced tutor, they took Russia in their route. At St. Petersburg +he became intimate with many of the nobility, particularly with Count +Brinicki, at whose house he resided; and when the count was named to +the command of the army in Poland, Mr. Somerset (for that is your +prisoner's name), instigated by his own volatility and the arguments +of his host, volunteered with him, and so followed his friend to +oppose that freedom here which he would have asserted in his own +nation." + +Thaddeus thanked his grandfather for this information; and pleased +that the young man, who had so much interested him, was a brave +Briton, not in heart an enemy, he gayly and instantly repaired to his +tent. + +A generous spirit is as eloquent in acknowledging benefits as it is +bounteous in bestowing them; and Mr. Somerset received his preserver +with the warmest demonstrations of gratitude. Thaddeus begged him not +to consider himself as particularly obliged by a conduct which every +soldier of honor has a right to expect from another. The Englishman +bowed his head, and Thaddeus took a seat by his bedside. + +Whilst he gathered from his own lips a corroboration of the narrative +of the palatine, he could not forbear inquiring how a person of his +apparent candor, and who was also the native of a soil where national +liberty had so long been the palladium of its happiness, could +volunteer in a cause the object of which was to make a brave people +slaves? + +Somerset listened to these questions with blushes; and they did not +leave his face when he confessed that all he could say in extenuation +of what he had done was to plead his youth, and having thought little +on the subject. + +"I was wrought upon," continued he, "by a variety of circumstances: +first, the predilections of Mr. Loftus, my governor, are strongly in +favor of the court of St. Petersburg; secondly, my father dislikes +the army, and I am enthusiastically fond of it--this was the only +opportunity, perhaps, in which I might ever satisfy my passion; and +lastly, I believe that I was dazzled by the picture which the young +men about me drew of the campaign. I longed to be a soldier; they +persuaded me; and I followed them to the field as I would have done +to a ballroom, heedless of the consequences." + +"Yet," replied Thaddeus, smiling, "from the intrepidity with which +you maintained your ground, when your arms were demanded, any one +might have thought that your whole soul, as well as your body, was +engaged in the cause." + +"To be sure," returned Somerset, "I was a blockhead to be there; but +when there, I should have despised myself forever had I given up my +honor to the ruffians who would have wrested my sword from me! But +when _you_ came, noble Sobieski, it was the fate of war, and I +confided myself to a brave man." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE BANKS OF THE VISTULA. + + +Each succeeding morning not only brought fresh symptoms of recovery +to the two invalids, but condensed the mutual admiration of the young +men into a solid and ardent esteem. + +It is not the disposition of youthful minds to weigh for months and +years the sterling value of those qualities which attract them. As +soon as they see virtue, they respect it; as soon as they meet +kindness, they believe it: and as soon as a union of both presents +itself, they love it. Not having passed through the disappointments +of a delusive world, they grasp for reality every pageant which +appears. They have not yet admitted that cruel doctrine which, when +it takes effect, creates and extends the misery it affects to cure. +Whilst we give up our souls to suspicion, we gradually learn to +deceive; whilst we repress the fervors of our own hearts, we freeze +those which approach us; whilst we cautiously avoid occasions of +receiving pain, at every remove we acquire an unconscious influence +to inflict it on those who follow us. They, again, meet from our +conduct and lips the lesson that destroys the expanding sensibilities +of their nature; and thus the tormenting chain of deceived and +deceiving characters may be lengthened to infinitude. + +About the latter end of the month, Sobieski received a summons to +court, where a diet was to be held on the effect of the victory at +Zielime, to consider of future proceedings. In the same packet his +majesty enclosed a collar and investiture of the order of St. +Stanislaus, as an acknowledgment of service to the young Thaddeus; +and he accompanied it with a note from himself, expressing his +commands that the young knight should return with the palatine and +other generals, to receive thanks from the throne. + +Thaddeus, half wild with delight at the thoughts of so soon meeting +his mother, ran to the tent of his British friend to communicate the +tidings. Somerset participated in his pleasure, and with reciprocal +warmth accepted the invitation to accompany him to Villanow. + +"I would follow you, my friend," said he, pressing the hand of +Thaddeus, "all over the world." + +"Then I will take you to the most charming spot in it?" cried he. +"Villanow is an Eden; and my mother, the dear angel, would make a +desert so to me." + +"You speak so rapturously of your enchanted castle, Thaddeus," +returned his friend, "I believe I shall consider my knight-errantry, +in being fool enough to trust myself amidst a fray in which I had no +business, as one of the wisest acts of my life!" + +"I consider it," replied Thaddeus, "as one of the most auspicious +events in mine." + +Before the palatine quitted the camp, Somerset thought it proper to +acquaint Mr. Loftus, who was yet at St. Petersburg, of the +particulars of his late danger, and that he was going to Warsaw with +his new friends, where he should remain for several weeks. He added, +that as the court of Poland, through the intercession of the +palatine, had generously given him his liberty, he should be able to +see everything in that country worthy of investigation, and that he +would write to him again, enclosing letters for England, soon after +his arrival at the Polish capital. + +The weather continuing fine, in a few days the party left Zielime; +and the palatine and Somerset, being so far restored from their +wounds that they could walk, the one with a crutch and the other by +the support of his friend's arm, they went through the journey with +animation and pleasure. The benign wisdom of Sobieski, the +intelligent enthusiasm of Thaddeus, and the playful vivacity of +Somerset, mingling their different natures, produced such a beautiful +union, that the minutes flew fast as their wishes. A week more +carried them into the palatinate of Masovia, and soon afterwards +within the walls of Villanow. + +Everything that presented itself to Mr. Somerset was new and +fascinating. He saw in the domestic felicity of his friend scenes +which reminded him of the social harmony of his own home. He beheld +in the palace and retinue of Sobieski all the magnificence which +bespoke the descendant of a great king, and a power which wanted +nothing of royal grandeur but the crown, which he had the magnanimity +to think and to declare was then placed upon a more worthy brow. +Whilst Somerset venerated this true patriot, the high tone his mind +acquired was not lowered by associating with characters nearer the +common standard. The friends of Sobieski were men of tried probity-- +men who at all times preferred their country's welfare before their +own peculiar interest. Mr. Somerset day after day listened with deep +attention to these virtuous and energetic noblemen. He saw them full +of fire and personal courage when the affairs of Poland were +discussed; and he beheld with admiration their perfect forgetfulness +of themselves in their passion for the general good. In these moments +his heart bowed down before them, and all the pride of a Briton +distended his breast when he thought that such men as these his +ancestors were. He remembered how often their chivalric virtues used +to occupy his reflections in the picture-gallery at Somerset Castle, +and his doubts, when he compared what is with what was, that history +had glossed over the actions of past centuries, or that a different +order of men lived then from those which now inhabit the world. Thus, +studying the sublime characters of Sobieski and his friends, and +enjoying the endearing kindness of Thaddeus and his mother, did a +fortnight pass away without his even recollecting the promise of +writing to his governor. At the end of that period, he stole an hour +from the countess's society, and enclosed in a short letter to Mr. +Loftus the following epistle to his mother:-- + +To LADY SOMERSET, SOMERSET CASTLE, LEICESTERSHIRE. + +"Many weeks ago, my dearest mother, I wrote a letter of seven sheets +from the banks of the Neva, which, long ere this time, you and my +dear father must have received. I attempted to give you some idea of +the manners of Russia, and my vanity whispers that I succeeded +tolerably well. The court of the famous Catharine and the attentions +of the hospitable Count Brinicki were then the subjects of my pen. + +"But how shall I account for my being here? How shall I allay your +surprise and displeasure on seeing that this letter is dated from +Warsaw? I know that I have acted against the wish of my father in +visiting one of the countries he proscribes. I know that I have +disobeyed your commands in ever having at any period of my life taken +up arms without an indispensable necessity; and I have nothing to +allege in my defence. I fell in the way of temptation, and I yielded +to it. I really cannot enumerate all the things which induced me to +volunteer with my Russian friends; suffice it to say that I did so, +and that we were defeated by the Poles at Zielime; and as Heaven has +rather rewarded your prayers than punished my imprudence, I trust you +will do the same, and pardon an indiscretion I vow never to repeat. + +"Notwithstanding all this, I must have lost my life through my folly, +had I not been preserved, even in the moment when death was pending +over me, by a young officer with whose family I now am. The very +sound of their title will create your respect; for we of the +patrician order have a strange tenacity in our belief that virtue is +hereditary, and in this instance our creed is duly honored. Their +patronymic is Sobieski; the family which bears it is the only +remaining posterity of the great monarch of that name; and the count, +who is at its head, is Palatine of Masovia, which, next to the +throne, is the first dignity in the state. He is one of the warmest +champions of his country's rights; and though born to command, has so +far transgressed the golden adage of despots, 'Ignorance and +subjection,' that throughout his territories every man is taught to +worship his God with his heart as well as with his knees. The +understandings of his peasants are opened to all useful knowledge. He +does not put books of science and speculation into their hands, to +consume their time in vain pursuits: he gives them the Bible, and +implements of industry, to afford them the means of knowing and of +practising their duty. All Masovia around his palace blooms like a +garden. The cheerful faces of the farmers, and the blessings which I +hear them implore on the family when I am walking in the field with +the young count (for in this country the sons bear the same title +with their fathers [Footnote: _Prince_, (ancient _Kniaz_) and +_Boyard_, (which is equivalent in rank to our old English Baron,) +are titles used by Russians and Polanders, both nations being descended +from the Sclavonians, and their languages derived from the same roots. +_Prince_ indicates the highest rank of a subject; _Boyard_ +simply that of _Nobleman_. But both personages must be understood +to be of hereditary power to raise forces on their estates for the service +of the sovereign, to lead them in battle, and to maintain all their +expenses. The title of _Count_ has been adopted within a century or +two by both nations, and occasionally appended to the ancient heroic +designation of _Boyard_. The feminine to these titles is formed by adding +_gina_ to the paternal title; thus _Kniazgina Olga_, means Princess Olga; +also, _Boyarda_, Lady. The titles of _Palatine, Vaivode, Starost_ +and the like belong to civil and military offices.]), have even drawn +a few delighted drops from the eyes of your thoughtless son. I know +that you think I have nothing sentimental about me, else you would +not so often have poured into my not inattentive ears, 'that to estimate +the pleasures of earth and heaven, we must cultivate the sensibilities +of the heart. Shut our eyes against them, and we are merely nicely- +constructed speculums, which reflect the beauties of nature, but +enjoy none.' You see, mamma, that I both remember and adopt your +lessons. + +"Thaddeus Sobieski is the grandson of the palatine, and the sole heir +of his illustrious race. It is to him that I owe the preservation of +my life at Zielime, and much of my happiness since; for he is not +only the bravest but the most amiable young man in the kingdom; and +he is my friend! Indeed, as things have happened, you must think that +out of evil has come good. Though I have been disobedient, I have +repented my fault, and it has introduced me to the knowledge of a +people whose friendship will henceforward constitute the greatest +pleasure of my days. The mother of Thaddeus is the only daughter of +the palatine; and of her I can say no more than that nothing on earth +can more remind me of you; she is equally charming, equally tender to +your son. + +"Whilst the palatine is engaged at the diet, her excellency, +Thaddeus, and myself, with now and then a few visitors from Warsaw, +form the most agreeable parties you can suppose. We walk together, we +read together, we converse together, we sing together--at least, the +countess sings to us, which is all the same; and you know that time +flies swiftly on the wings of harmony. She has an uncommonly sweet +voice, and a taste which I never heard paralleled. By the way, you +cannot imagine anything more beautiful than the Polish music. It +partakes of that delicious languor so distinguished in the Turkish +airs, with a mingling of those wandering melodies which the now- +forgotten composers must have caught from the Tartars. In short, +whilst the countess is singing, I hardly suffer myself to breathe; +and I feel just what our poetical friend William Scarsdale said a +twelvemonth ago at a concert of yours, 'I feel as if love sat upon my +heart and flapped it with his wings.' + +"I have tried all my powers of persuasion to prevail on this charming +countess to visit our country. I have over and over again told her of +you, and described her to you; that you are near her own age (for +this lovely woman, though she has a son nearly twenty, is not more +than forty;) that you are as fond of your ordinary boy as she is of +her peerless one; that, in short, you and my father will receive her +and Thaddeus, and the palatine, with open arms and hearts, if they +will condescend to visit our humbler home at the end of the war. I +believe I have repeated my entreaties, both to the countess and my +friend, regularly every day since my arrival at Villanow, but always +with the same issue: she smiles and refuses; and Thaddeus 'shakes his +ambrosial curls' with a 'very god-like frown' of denial; I hope it is +self-denial, in compliment to his mother's cruel and unprovoked +negative. + +"Before I proceed, I must give you some idea of the real appearance +of this palace. I recollect your having read a superficial account of +it in a few slight sketches of Poland which have been published in +England; but the pictures they exhibit are so faint, they hardly +resemble the original. Pray do not laugh at me, if I begin in the +usual descriptive style! You know there is only one way to describe +houses and lands and rivers; so no blame can be thrown on me for +taking the beaten path, where there is no other. To commence:-- + +"When we left Zielime, and advanced into the province of Masovia, the +country around Praga rose at every step in fresh beauty. The +numberless chains of gently swelling hills which encompass it on each +side of the Vistula were in some parts checkered with corn fields, +meadows, and green pastures covered with sheep, whose soft bleatings +thrilled in my ears and transported my senses into new regions, so +different was my charmed and tranquillized mind from the tossing +anxieties attendant on the horrors I had recently witnessed. Surely +there is nothing in the world, short of the most undivided reciprocal +attachment, that has such power over the workings of the human heart +as the mild sweetness of nature. The most ruffled temper, when +emerging from the town, will subside into a calm at the sight of a +wide stretch of landscape reposing in the twilight of a fine evening. +It is then that the spirit of peace settles upon the heart, unfetters +the thoughts and elevates the soul to the Creator. It is then that we +behold the Parent of the universe in his works; we see his grandeur +in earth, sea, and sky: we feel his affection in the emotions which +they raise, and, half mortal, half etherealized, forget where we are, +in the anticipation of what that world must be of which this earth is +merely the shadow. [Footnote: This description of the banks of the +Vistula was given to me with smiles and sighs. The reality was once +enjoyed by the narrator, and there was a delight in the retrospection +"sweet and mournful to the soul." At the time these reflections arose +on such a scene, I often tasted the same pleasure in evening visits +to the beautiful rural environs of London, which then extended from +the north side of Fitzroy Square to beyond the Elm Grove on Primrose +Hill, and forward through the fields to Hampstead. But most of that +is all streets, or Regent's Park; and the sweet Hill, then the resort +of many a happy Sunday group, has not now a tree standing on it, and +hardly a blade of grass, "to mark where the primrose has been."] + +"Autumn seemed to be unfolding all her beauties to greet the return +of the palatine. In one part the haymakers were mowing the hay and +heaping it into stacks; in another, the reapers were gathering up the +wheat, with a troop of rosy little gleaners behind them, each of whom +might have tempted the proudest Palemon in Christendom to have +changed her toil into 'a gentler duty.' Such a landscape intermingled +with the little farms of these honest people, whom the philanthropy +of Sobieski has rendered free (for it is a tract of his extensive +domains I am describing), reminded me of Somerset. Villages repose in +the green hollows of the vales, and cottages are seen peeping from +amidst the thick umbrage of the woods which cover the face of the +hills. The irregular forms and thatched roofs of these simple +habitations, with their infant inhabitants playing at the doors, +compose such lovely groups, that I wish for our dear Mary's pencil +and fingers (for, alas! that way mine are motionless!) to transport +them to your eyes. + +"The palace of Villanow, which is castellated, now burst upon my +view. It rears its embattled head from the summit of a hill that +gradually slopes down towards the Vistula, in full view to the south +of the plain of Vola, a spot long famous for the election of the +kings of Poland. [Footnote: It was from this very assumption by the +nation, on the extinction of the male line of the monarchs of the +house of Jaghellon, that all their subsequent political calamities +may be dated. The last two sovereigns of this race were most justly +styled good and great kings---father and son--Sigismund I. and II. +But on the death of the last, about the middle of the sixteenth +century, certain nobles of the nation, intoxicated with their wealth +and privileges, run wild for dictation in all things; and as the +foundation for such rule, they determined to make the succession of +their future kings entirely dependent on the free vote of public +suffrage; and the plain of Vola was made the terrible arena. So it +may be called; for, from the time of the first monarch so elected, +Henry of Valois, a stranger to the country, and brother to the +execrable Charles IX. of France, bribery or violence have been the +usual keys to the throne of Poland. For the doors of the country +being once opened by the misguided people themselves to the influence +of ambition, partiality, and passion, and shut against the old tenure +of a settled succession, foreign powers were always ready to step in, +with the gold or the sword; and Poland necessarily became a vassal +adjunct to whatever neighboring country furnished the new sovereign. +Thus it was, with a few exceptions (as is still case of the glorious +John Sobieski), until the election of Stanislaus Augustus, who, +though nominated by the power of the Empress of Russia, yet being, +like Sobieski, a native prince of the nation, determined to govern +the people of Poland in the spirit of his and their most glorious +ancestors; and true to the vow, treading in the steps of the last of +the Jaghellons, he gave to Poland the constitution of 1791, which, +with the re-enaction of many wise laws, again made the throne +hereditary. Hence the devoted struggles of every arm in the country +in loyal defence of such a recovered existence.] On the north of the +building, the earth is cut into natural ramparts, which rise in high +succession until they reach the foundations of the palace, where they +terminate in a noble terrace. These ramparts, covered with grass, +overlook the stone outworks, and spread down to the bottom of the +hill, which being clothed with fine trees and luxuriant underwood, +forms such a rich and verdant base to the fortress as I have not +language to describe: were I privileged to be poetical, I would say +it reminds me of the God of war sleeping amid roses in the bower of +love. Here the eye may wander over the gifts of bounteous Nature, +arraying hill and dale in all the united treasures of spring and +autumn. The forest stretches its yet unseared arms to the breeze; +whilst that breeze comes laden with the fragrance of the tented hay, +and the thousand sweets breathed from flowers, which in this +delicious country weep honey. + +"A magnificent flight of steps led us from the foot of the ramparts +up to the gate of the palace. We entered it, and were presently +surrounded by a train of attendants in such sumptuous liveries, than +I found myself all at once carried back into the fifteenth century, +and might have fancied myself within the courtly halls of our Tudors +and Plantagenets. You can better conceive that I can paint the scene +which took place between the palatine, the countess, and her son. I +can only repeat, that from that hour I have known no want of +happiness but what arises from regret that my dear family are not +partakers with me. + +"You know that this stupendous building was the favorite residence of +John Sobieski, and that he erected it as a resting-place from the +labors of his long and glorious reign. I cannot move without meeting +some vestige of that truly great monarch. I sleep in his bed chamber: +there hangs his portrait, dressed in the robes of sovereignty; here +are suspended the arms with which he saved the very kingdoms which +have now met together to destroy his country. On one side is his +library; on the other, the little chapel in which he used to pay his +morning and evening devotions. Wherever I look, my eye finds some +object to excite my reflections and emulation. The noble dead seem to +address me from their graves; and I blush at the inglorious life I +might have pursued had I never visited this house and its +inhabitants. Yet, my dearest mother, I do not mean to insinuate that +my honored father and brave ancestors have not set me examples as +bright as man need follow. But human nature is capricious; we are not +so easily stimulated by what is always in our view as with sights +which, rising up when we are removed from our customary associations, +surprise and captivate our attention. Villanow has only awakened me +to the lesson which I conned over in drowsy carelessness at home. +Thaddeus Sobieski is hardly one year my senior; but, good heaven! +what has he not done? what has he not acquired? Whilst I abused the +indulgence of my parents, and wasted my days in riding, shooting, and +walking the streets, he was learning to act as became a man of rank +and virtue; and by seizing every opportunity to serve the state, he +has obtained a rich reward in the respect and admiration of his +country. I am not envious, but I now feel the truth of Caesar's +speech, when he declared 'The reputation of Alexander would not let +him sleep.' Nevertheless, I dearly love my friend. I murmur at my own +dements, not at his worth. + +"I have scribbled over all my paper, otherwise I verily believe I +should write more; however, I promise you another letter in a week or +two. Meanwhile I shall send this packet to Mr. Loftus, who is at St. +Petersburg, to forward it to you. Adieu, my dear mother! I am, with +reverence to my father and yourself. + +"Your truly affectionate son, + +"PEMBROKE SOMERSET. + +"VILLANOW, _August_, 1792." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SOCIETY IN POLAND. + + +"TO LADY SOMERSET, SOMERSET CASTLE, ENGLAND. + +[Written three weeks after the preceding.] + +"You know, my dear mother, that your Pembroke is famous for his +ingenious mode of showing the full value of every favor he confers! +Can I then relinquish the temptation of telling you what I have left +to make you happy with this epistle? + +"About five minutes ago, I was sitting on the lawn at the feet of the +countess, reading to her and the Princess Poniatowski the charming +poem of 'The Pleasures of Memory.' As both these ladies understand +English, they were admiring it, and paying many compliments to the +graces of my delivery, when the palatine presented himself, and told +me, if I had any commands for St. Petersburg, I must prepare them, +for a messenger was to set off on the next morning, by daybreak.' I +instantly sprang up, threw my book into the hand of Thaddeus, and +here I am in my own room scribbling to you! + +"Even at the moment in which I dip my pen in the ink, my hurrying +imagination paints on my heart the situation of my beloved home when +this letter reaches you. I think I see you and my good aunt, seated +on the blue sofa in your dressing-room, with your needle work on the +little table before you; I see Mary in her usual nook--the recess by +the old harpsichord--and my dear father bringing in this happy letter +from your son! I must confess this romantic kind of fancy-sketching +makes me feel rather oddly: very unlike what I felt a few months ago, +when I was a mere coxcomb--indifferent, unreflecting, unappreciating, +and fit for nothing better than to hold pins at my lady's toilet. +Well, it is now made evident to me that we never know the blessings +bestowed on us until we are separated from the possession of them. +Absence tightens the strings which unites friends as well as lovers: +at least I find it so; and though I am in the fruition of every good +on this side the ocean, yet my very happiness renders me ungrateful, +and I repine because I enjoy it alone. Positively, I must bring you +all hither to pass a summer, or come back at the termination of my +travels, and carry away this dear family by main force to England. + +"Tell my cousin Mary that, either way, I shall present to her esteem +the most amiable and accomplished of my sex; but I warn her not to +fall in love with him, neither in _propriâ, personâ_, nor by his +public fame, nor with his private character. Tell her 'he is a bright +and particular star,' neither in her sphere nor in any other woman's. +In this way he is as cold as 'Dian's Crescent;' and to my great +amazement too, for when I throw my eyes over the many lovely young +women who at different times fill the drawing-room of the countess, I +cannot but wonder at the perfect indifference with which he views +their (to me) irresistible charms. + +"He is polite and attentive to them all; he talks with them, smiles +with them, and treats them with every gentle complacency; but they do +not live one instant in his memory. I mean they do not occupy his +particular wishes; for with regard to every respectful sentiment +towards the sex in general, and esteem to some amiable individuals, +he is as awake as in the other case he is still asleep. The fact is, +he has no idea of appropriation; he never casts one thought upon +himself; kindness is spontaneous in his nature; his sunny eyes beam +on all with modest benignity, and his frank and glowing conversation +is directed to every rank of people. They imbibe it with an avidity +and love which makes its way to his heart, without kindling one spark +of vanity. Thus, whilst his fine person and splendid actions fill +every eye and bosom, I see him moving in the circle unconscious of +his eminence and the admiration he excites. + +"Drawn by such an example, to which his high quality as well as +extraordinary merit gives so great an influence, most of the younger +nobility have been led to enter the army. These circumstances, added +to the detail of his bravery and uncommon talents in the field, have +made him an object of universal regard, and, in consequence, wherever +he is seen he meets with applause and acclamation: nay, even at the +appearance of his carriage in the streets, the passengers take off +their hats and pray for him till he is out of sight. It is only then +that I perceive his cheek flush with the conviction that he is seated +in their hearts. + +"'It is this, Thaddeus,' said I to him one day, when walking together +we were obliged to retire into a house from the crowds that followed +him; 'it is this, my dear friend, which shields your heart against +the arrows of love. You have no place for that passion; your mistress +is glory, and she courts you.' + +"'My mistress is my country,' replied he; 'at present I desire no +other. For her I would die; for her only would I wish to live.' +Whilst he spoke, the energy of his soul blazed in his eye. I smiled. + +"'You are an enthusiast, Thaddeus,' I said. + +"'Pembroke!' returned he, in a surprised and reproachful tone. + +"'I do not give you that name opprobriously,' resumed I, laughing; +'but there are many in my country, who, hearing these sentiments, +would not scruple to call you mad.' + +"'Then I pity them,' returned Thaddeus. 'Men who cannot ardently +feel, cannot taste supreme happiness. My grandfather educated me at +the feet of patriotism; and when I forget his precepts and example, +may my guardian angel forget me!' + +"'Happy, glorious Thaddeus!' cried I, grasping his hand; 'how I envy +you your destiny! to live as you do, in the lap of honor, virtue and +glory the aim and end of your existence!' + +"The animated countenance of my friend changed at these words, and +laying his hand on my arm, he said, 'Do not envy me my destiny. +Pembroke, you are the son of a free and loyal country, at peace with +itself; insatiate power has not dared to invade its rights. Your +king, in happy security, reigns in the confidence of his people, +whilst our anointed Stanislaus is baited and insulted by oppression +from without and ingratitude within. Do not envy me; I would rather +live in obscurity all my days than have the means which calamity may +produce of acquiring celebrity over the ruins of Poland. O! my +friend, the wreath that crowns the head of conquest is thick and +bright; but that which binds the olive of peace on the bleeding +wounds of my country will be the dearest to me.' + +"Such sentiments, my clear madam, have opened new lights upon my poor +mistaken faculties. I never considered the subject so maturely as my +friend has done; victory and glory were with me synonymous words. I +had not learned, until frequent conversations with the young, ardent, +and pious Sobieski taught me, how to discriminate between animal +courage and true valor--between the defender of his country and the +ravager of other states. In short, I see in Thaddeus Sobieski all +that my fancy hath ever pictured of the heroic character. Whilst I +contemplate the sublimity of his sentiments and the tenderness of his +soul, I cannot help thinking how few would believe that so many +admirable qualities could belong to one mind, and that mind remain +unacquainted with the throes of ambition or the throbs of self-love." + +Pembroke judged rightly of his friend; for if ever the real +disinterested _amor patriæ_ glowed in the breast of a man, it +animated the heart of the young Sobieski. At the termination of the +foregoing sentence in the letter to his mother, Pembroke was +interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who presented him a packet +which had that moment arrived from St. Petersburg. He took it, and +putting his writing materials into a desk, read the following epistle +from his governor: + +"TO PEMBROKE SOMERSET, ESQ. + +"My dear sir, + +"I have this day received your letter, enclosing one for Lady +Somerset. You must pardon me that I have detained it, and will +continue to do so until I am favored with your answer to this, for +which I shall most anxiously wait. + +"You know, Mr. Somerset, my reputation in the sciences; you know my +depth in the languages; and besides, the Marquis of Inverary, with +whom I travelled over the Continent, offered you sufficient +credentials respecting my knowledge of the world, and the honorable +manner in which I treat my pupils. Sir Robert Somerset and your lady +mother were amply satisfied with the account which his lordship gave +of my character; but with all this, in one point every man is +vulnerable. No scholar can forget those lines of the poet:-- + + 'Felices ter, et amplius, + Quos irrupta tenet copula; nec malis + Divulsus quærimoniis, + Supremâ citius solvet amor die.' + +It has been my misfortune that I have felt them. + +"You are not ignorant that I was known to the Brinicki family, when I +had the honor of conducting the marquis through Russia. The count's +accomplished kinswoman, the amiable and learned widow of Baron +Surowkoff, even then took particular notice of me; and when I +returned with you to St. Petersburg. I did not find that my short +absence had obliterated me from her memory. + +"You are well acquainted with the dignity of that lady's opinions on +political subjects. She and I coincided in ardor for the +consolidating cause of sovereignty, and in hatred of that levelling +power which pervades all Europe. Many have been the long and +interesting conversations we have held together on the prosecution of +the grand schemes of the three great contracting monarchs. + +"The baroness, I need not observe, is as handsome as she is +ingenuous; her understanding is as masculine as her person is +desirable; and I had been more or less than man had I not understood +that my figure and talents were agreeable to her. I cannot say that +she absolutely promised me her hand, but she went as far that way as +delicacy would permit. I am thus circumstantial, Mr. Somerset, to +show you that I do not proceed without proof, She has repeatedly said +in my presence that she would never marry any man unless he were not +only well-looking, but of the profoundest erudition, united with an +acquaintance with men and manners which none can dispute. 'Besides,' +added she, 'he must not differ with me one tittle in politics, for on +that head I hold myself second to no man or woman in Europe.' And +then she has complimented me, by declaring that I possessed more +judicious sentiments on government than any man in St. Petersburg, +and that she should consider herself happy, on the first vacancy in +the imperial college, to introduce me at court, where she was 'sure +the empress would at once discover the value of my talents; but,' she +continued, 'in such a case, I will not allow that even her majesty +shall rival me in your esteem.' The modesty natural to my character +told me that these praises must have some other source than my +comparatively unequal abilities; and I unequivocally found it in the +partiality with which her ladyship condescended to regard me. + +"Was I to blame, Mr. Somerset? Would not any man of sensibility and +honor have comprehended such advances from a woman of her rank and +reputation? I could not be mistaken; her looks and words needed no +explanation which my judgment could not pronounce. Though I am aware +that I do not possess that _lumen purpureum juveniæ_ which +attracts very young, uneducated women, yet I am not much turned of +fifty; and from the baroness's singular behavior, I had every reason +to expect handsomer treatment than she has been pleased to dispense +to me since my return to this capital. + +"But to proceed regularly--(I must beg your pardon for the warmth +which has hurried me to this digression): you know, sir, that from +the hour in which I had the honor of taking leave of your noble +family in England, I strove to impress upon your rather volatile mind +a just and accurate conception of the people amongst whom I was to +conduct you. When I brought you into this extensive empire, I left no +means unexerted to heighten your respect not only for its amiable +sovereign, but for all powers in amity with her. It is the +characteristic of genius to be zealous. I was so, in favor of the +pretensions of the great Catherine to that miserable country in which +you now are, and to which she deigned to offer her protection. To +this zeal, and my unfortunate though honorable devotion to the wishes +of the baroness, I am constrained to attribute my present dilemma. + +"When Poland had the insolence to rebel against its illustrious +mistress, you remember that all the rational world was highly +incensed. The Baroness Surowkoff declared herself frequently, and +with vehemence she appealed to me. My veracity and my principles were +called forth, and I confessed that I thought every friend to the +Tzaritza ought to take up arms against that ungrateful people. The +Count Brinicki was then appointed to command the Russian forces +preparing to join the formidable allies; and her ladyship, very +unexpectedly on my part, answered me by approving what I said, and +added that of course I meant to follow her cousin into Poland, for +that even she, as a woman, was so earnest in the cause, she would +accompany him to the frontiers, and there await the result. + +"What could I do? How could I withstand the expectations of a lady of +her quality, and one who I believed loved me? However, for some time +I did oppose my wish to oblige her; I urged my cloth, and the +impossibility of accounting for such a line of conduct to the father +of my pupil? The baroness ridiculed all these arguments as mere +excuses, and ended with saying, 'Do as you please, Mr. Loftus. I have +been deceived in your character; the friend of the Baroness Surowkoff +must be consistent; he must be as willing to fight for the cause he +espouses as to speak for it: in this case, the sword must follow the +oration, else we shall see Poland in the hands of a rabble.' + +"This decided me. I offered my services to the count to attend him to +the field. He and the young lords persuaded you to do the same; and +as I could not think of leaving you, when your father had placed you +under my charge, I was pleased to find that my approval confirmed +your wish to turn soldier. I was not then acquainted, Mr. Somerset +(for you did not tell me of it until we were far advanced into +Poland), with Sir Robert's and my lady's dislike of the army. This +has been a prime source of my error throughout this affair. Had I +known their repugnance to your taking up arms, my duty would have +triumphed over even my devotion to the baroness; but I was born under +a melancholy horoscope; nothing happens as any one of my humblest +wishes might warrant. + +"At the first onset of the battle, I became so suddenly ill that I +was obliged to retire; and on this unfortunate event, which was +completely unwilled on my part (for no man can command the periods of +sickness), the baroness founded a contempt which has disconcerted all +my schemes. Besides, when I attempted to remonstrate with her +ladyship on the promise which, if not directly given, was implied, +she laughed at me; and when I persisted in my suit, all at once, like +the rest of her ungrateful and undistinguishing sex, she burst into a +tempest of invectives, and forbade me her presence. + +"What am I now to do, Mr. Somerset? This inconsistent woman has +betrayed me into conduct diametrically opposite to the commands of +your family. Your father particularly desired that I would not suffer +you to go either into Hungary or Poland. In the last instance I have +permitted you to disobey him. And my Lady Somerset (who, alas! I now +remember lost both her father and brother in different engagements), +you tell me, had declared that she never would pardon the man who +should put military ideas into your head. + +"Therefore, sir, though you are my pupil, I throw myself on your +generosity. If you persist in acquainting your family with the late +transactions at Zielime, and your present residence in Poland, I +shall finally be ruined. I shall not only forfeit the good opinion of +your noble father and mother, but lose all prospect of the living of +Somerset, which Sir Robert was so gracious as to promise should be +mine on the demise of the present incumbent. You know, Mr. Somerset, +that I have a mother and six sisters in Wales, whose support depends +on my success in life; if my preferment be stopped now, they must +necessarily be involved in a distress which makes me shudder. + +"I cannot add more, sir; I know well your character for generosity, +and I therefore rest upon it with the utmost confidence. I shall +detain the letter which you did me the honor to enclose for my Lady +Somerset till I receive your decision; and ever, whilst I live, will +I henceforth remain firm to my old and favorite maxim, which I +adopted from the glorious epistle of Horace to Numicius. Perhaps you +may not recollect the lines? They run thus:-- + + Nil admirari, prope res est una, Numici, + Solaque, quae possit facere et servare beatum. + + "I have the honor to be, + "Dear sir, + "Your most obedient servant, + "ANDREW LOFTUS. + + "St. PETERSBURG, _September_, 1792." + +"P. S. Just as I was about sealing this packet, the English +ambassador forwarded to me a short letter from your father, in which +he desires us to quit Russia, and to make the best of our way to +England, where you are wanted on a most urgent occasion. He explains +himself no further, only repeating his orders in express commands +that we set off instantly. I wait your directions." + +This epistle disconcerted Mr. Somerset. He always guessed the +Baroness Surowkoff was amusing herself with his vain and pedantic +preceptor; but he never entertained a suspicion that her ladyship +would carry her pleasantry to so cruel an excess. He clearly saw that +the fears of Mr. Loftus with regard to the displeasure of his parents +were far from groundless; and therefore, as there was no doubt, from +the extreme age of Dr. Manners, that the rectory of Somerset would +soon become vacant, he thought it better to oblige his poor governor, +and preserve their secret for a month or two, than to give him up to +the indignation of Sir Robert. On these grounds, Pembroke resolved to +write to Mr. Loftus, and ease the anxiety of his heart. Although he +ridiculed his vanity, he could not help respecting the affectionate +solicitude of a son and a brother, and as that plea had won him, half +angry, half grieved, and half laughing, he dispatched a few hasty +lines. + +"To THE REVEREND ANDREW LOFTUS, ST. PETERSBURG. + +"What whimsical fit, my dear sir, has seized my father, that I am +recalled at a moment's notice? Faith, I am so mad at the summons, and +at his not deigning to assign a reason for his order, that I do not +know how I may be tempted to act. + +"Another thing, you beg of me not to say a word of my having been in +Poland; and for that purpose you have withheld the letter which I +sent to you to forward to my mother! You offer far-fetched and +precious excuses for having betrayed your own wisdom, and your +pupil's innocence, into so mortal an offence. One cause of my being +here, you say, was your 'ardor in the cause of insulted Russia, and +your hatred of that levelling power which pervades all Europe.' + +"Well, I grant it. I understood from you and Brinicki that you were +leading me against a set of violent, discontented men of rank, who, +in proportion as each was inflated with his own personal pride, +despised all of their own order who did not agree with them, and, +coalescing together under the name of freedom, were introducing +anarchy throughout a country which Catharine would graciously have +protected. All this I find to be in error. But both of you may have +been misled: the count by partiality and you by misrepresentation; +therefore I do not perceive why you should be in such a terror. The +wisest man in the world may see through bad lights; and why should +you think my father would never pardon you for having been so +unlucky? + +"Yet to dispel your dread of such tidings ruining you with Sir +Robert, I will not be the first to tell him of our quixoting. Only +remember, my good sir,--though, to oblige you, I withhold my letters +to my mother, and when I arrive in England shall lock up my lips from +mentioning Poland,--that positively, I will not be mute one day +longer than that in which my father presents you with the living of +Somerset; then you will be independent of his displeasure, and I may, +and will, declare my everlasting gratitude to this illustrious +family. + +"I am half mad when I think of leaving them. I must now tear myself +from this mansion of comfort and affection, to wander with you in +some rumbling old barouche 'over brake and through briar!' Well, +patience! Another such upset to your friends of the Neva, and with +'victory perched like an eagle on their laurelled brows,' I may have +some chance of wooing the Sobieskis to the banks of the Thames. At +present, I have not sufficient hope to keep me in good-humor. + +"Meet me this day week at Dantzic: I shall there embark for England. +You had best not bring the foreign servants with you; they might +blab. Discharge them at St. Petersburg, and hire a courier for +yourself, whom we may drop at the seaport. + +"I have the honor to remain, + +"Dear sir, + +"Your most obedient servant, + +PEMBROKE SOMERSET. + +"VILLANOW, _September_, 1792." + +When Somerset joined his friends at supper, and imparted to them the +commands of his father, an immediate change was produced in the +spirits of the party. During the lamentations of the ladies and the +murmurs of the young men, the countess tried to dispel the effects of +the information by addressing Pembroke with a smile, and saying, "But +we hope that you have seen enough at Villanow to tempt you back again +at no very distant period? Tell Lady Somerset you have left a second +mother in Poland, who will long to receive another visit from her +adopted son." + +"Yes, my dear madam," returned he; "and I shall hope, before a very +distant period, to see those two kind mothers united as intimately by +friendship as they are in my heart." + +Thaddeus listened with a saddened countenance. He had not been +accustomed to the thought of a long separation, and when he met it +now, he hardly knew how to proportion his uneasiness to the +privation. Hope and all the hilarities of youth flushed in his soul; +his features continually glowed with animation, whilst the gay +beaming of his eyes ever answered to the smile on his lips. Hence the +slightest veering of his mind was perceptible to the countess, who, +turning round, saw him leaning thoughtfully in his chair, whilst +Pembroke, with increasing vehemence, was running through various +invectives against the hastiness of his recall. + +"Come, come, Thaddeus!" cried she; "let us think no more of this +parting until it arrives. You know that anticipation of evil is the +death of happiness; and it will be a kind of suicide should we +destroy the hours we may yet enjoy together in vain complainings that +they are so soon to terminate." + +A little exhortation from the countess, and a maternal kiss which she +imprinted on his cheek, restored him to cheerfulness, and the evening +passed more pleasantly than it had portended. + +Much as the palatine esteemed Pembroke Somerset, his mind was too +deeply absorbed in the condition of the kingdom to attend to less +considerable cares. He beheld his country, even on the verge of +destruction, awaiting with firmness the approach of the earthquake +which threatened to ingulf it in the neighboring nations. He saw the +storm lowering; but he determined, whilst there remained one spot of +vantage ground above the general wreck, that Poland should yet have a +name and a defender. These thoughts possessed him; these plans +engaged him; and he had not leisure to regret pleasure when he was +struggling for existence. + +The empress continued to pour her armies into the heart of the +kingdom. The King of Prussia, boldly flying from his treaties, +marched to bid her colors a conqueror's welcome; and the Emperor of +Germany, following the example of so great a prince, did not blush to +show that his word was equally contemptible. + +Dispatches daily arrived of the villages being laid waste; that +neither age, sex, nor situation shielded the unfortunate inhabitants, +and that all the frontier provinces were in flames. + +The Diet was called, [Footnote: The constitutional Diet of Poland +nearly answers in principle to the British three estates in +Parliament--King, Lords, and Commons.] and the debates agitated with +the anxiety of men who were met to decide on their dearest interests. +The bosom of the benevolent Stanislaus bled at the dreadful picture +of his people's sufferings, and hardly able to restrain his tears, he +answered the animated exordiums of Sobieski for resistance to the +last with an appeal immediately to his heart. + +"What is it that you urge me to do, my lord?" said he. "Was it not to +secure the happiness of my subjects that I labored? and finding my +designs impracticable, what advantage would it be to them should I +pertinaciously oppose their small numbers to the accumulated array of +two empires, and of a king almost as powerful as either. What is my +kingdom but the comfort of my people? What will it avail me to see +them fall around me, man by man, and the few who remain bending in +speechless sorrow over their graves? Such a sight would break my +heart. Poland without its people would be a desert, and I a hermit +rather than a king." + +In vain the palatine combated these arguments, showing the vain quiet +such a peace might afford, by declaring it could only be temporary. +In vain he told his majesty that he would purchase safety for the +present race at the vast expense of not only the liberty of +posterity, but of its probity and happiness. + +"However you disguise slavery," cried he, "it is slavery still. Its +chains, though wreathed with roses, not only fasten on the body but +rivet on the mind. They bend it from the loftiest virtue to a +debasement beneath calculation. They disgrace honor; they trample +upon justice. They transform the legions of Rome into a band of +singers. They prostrate the sons of Athens and of Sparta at the feet +of cowards. They make man abjure his birth right, bind himself to +another's will, and give that into a tyrant's hands which he received +as a deposit from Heaven--his reason, his conscience, and his soul. +Think on this, and then, if you can, subjugate Poland to her +enemies." + +Stanislaus, weakened by years and subdued by disappointment, now +retained no higher wish than to save his subjects from immediate +outrage. He did not answer the palatine, but with streaming eyes bent +over the table, and annulled the glorious constitution of 1791. Then +with emotions hardly short of agony, he signed an order presented by +a plenipotentiary from the combined powers, which directed Prince +Poniatowski to deliver the army under his command into the hands of +General Brinicki. + +As the king put his signature to these papers, Sobieski, who had +strenuously withstood each decision, started from his chair, bowed to +his sovereign, and in silence left the apartment. Several noblemen +followed him. + +These pacific measures did not meet with better treatment from +without. When they were noised abroad, an alarming commotion arose +among the inhabitants of Warsaw, and nearly four thousand men of the +first families in the kingdom assembled themselves in the park of +Villanow, and with tumultuous eagerness declared their resolution to +resist the invaders of their country to their last gasp. The Prince +Sapieha, Kosciusko, and Sobieski, with the sage Dombrowski, were the +first who took this oath of fidelity to Poland; and they administered +it to Thaddeus, who, kneeling down, inwardly invoked Heaven to aid +him, as he swore to fulfil his trust. + +In the midst of these momentous affairs, Pembroke Somerset bade adieu +to his Polish friends, and set sail with his governor from Dantzic +for England. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE DIET OF POLAND. + + +Those winter months which before this year had been at Villanow the +season for cheerfulness and festivity, now rolled away in the sad +pomp of national debates and military assemblies. + +Prussia usurped the best part of Pomerelia, and garrisoned it with +troops; Catharine declared her dominion over the vast tract of land +which lies between the Dwina and Borysthenes; and Frederick William +marked down another sweep of Poland. to follow the fate of Dantzic +and of Thorn, while watching the dark policy of Austria regarding its +selecting portions of the dismembering state. + +Calamities and insults were heaped day after day on the defenceless +Poles. The deputies of the provinces were put into prison, and the +provisions intended for the king's table interrupted and appropriated +by the depredators to their own use. Sobieski remonstrated on this +last outrage; but incensed at reproof, and irritated at the sway +which the palatine still held, an order was issued for all the +Sobieski estates in Lithuania and Podolia to be sequestrated and +divided between four of the invading generals. + +In vain the Villanow confederation endeavored to remonstrate with the +empress. Her ambassador not only refused to forward the dispatches, +but threatened the nobles "if they did not comply with every one of +his demands, he would lay all the estates, possessions, and +habitations of the members of the Diet under an immediate military +execution. Nay, punishment should not stop there; for if the king +joined the Sobieski party (to which he now appeared inclined), the +royal domains should not only meet the same fate, but harsher +treatment should follow, until both the people and their proud +sovereign were brought into due subjection." + +These menaces were too arrogant to have any other effect upon the +Poles than that of giving a new spur to their resolution. With the +same firmness they repulsed similar fulminations from the Prussian +ambassador, and, with a coolness which was only equalled by their +intrepidity, they prepared to resume their arms. + +Hearing by private information that their threats were despised, next +morning, before daybreak, these despotic envoys surrounded the +building where the confederation was sitting with two battalions of +grenadiers and four pieces of cannon, and then issued orders that no +Pole should pass the gates without being fired on. General +Rautenfeld, who was set over the person of the king, declared that +not even his majesty might stir until the Diet had given an unanimous +and full consent to the imperial commands. + +The Diet set forth the unlawfulness of signing any treaty whilst thus +withheld from the freedom of will and debate. They urged that it was +not legal to enter into deliberation when violence had recently been +exerted against any individual of their body; and how could they do +it now, deprived as they were of five of their principal members, +whom the ambassadors well knew they had arrested on their way to the +Senate? Sobieski and four of his friends being the members most +inimical to the oppression going on, were these five. In vain their +liberation was required; and enraged at the pertinacity of this +opposition, Rautenfeld repeated the former threats, with the addition +of more, swearing that they should take place without appeal if the +Diet did not directly and unconditionally sign the pretensions both +of his court and that of Prussia. + +After a hard contention of many hours, the members at last agreed +amongst themselves to make a solemn public protest against the +present tyrannous measures of the two ambassadors; and seeing that +any attempt to inspire them even with decency was useless, they +determined to cease all debate, and kept a profound silence when the +marshal should propose the project in demand. + +This sorrowful silence was commenced in resentment and retained +through despair; this sorrowful silence was called by their usurpers +a consent; this sorrowful silence is held up to the world and to +posterity as a free cession by the Poles of all those rights which +they had received from nature, ratified by laws, and defended with +their blood. [Footnote: Thus, like the curule fathers of Rome, they +sat unyielding, awaiting the threatened stroke. But the dignity of +virtue held her shield over them; and with an answering silence on +the part of the confederated ambassadors, the Diet-chamber was +vacated.] + +The morning after this dreadful day, the Senate met at one of the +private palaces; and, indignant and broken-hearted, they delivered +the following declaration to the people:-- + + "The Diet of Poland, hemmed in by foreign troops, menaced with an +influx of the enemy, which would be attended by universal ruin, and +finally insulted by a thousand outrages, have been forced to witness +the signing of a submissive treaty with their enemies. + +"The Diet had strenuously endeavored to have added to that treaty +some conditions to which they supposed the lamentable state of the +country would have extorted an acquiescence, even from the heart of a +conqueror's power. But the Diet were deceived: they found such power +was unaccompanied by humanity; they found that the foe, having thrown +his victim to the ground, would not refrain from exulting in the +barbarous triumph of trampling upon her neck. + +"The Diet rely on the justice of Poland--rely on her belief that they +would not betray the citadel she confided to their keeping. Her +preservation is dearer to them than their lives; but fate seems to be +on the side of their destroyer. Fresh insults have been heaped upon +their heads and new hardships have been imposed upon them. To prevent +all deliberations on this debasing treaty, they are not only +surrounded by foreign troops, and dared with hostile messages, but +they have been violated by the arrest of their prime members, whilst +those who are still suffered to possess a personal freedom have the +most galling shackles laid upon their minds. + +"Therefore, I, the King of Poland, enervated by age, and sinking +under the accumulated weight of my kingdom's afflictions, and also +we, the members of the Diet, declare that, being unable, even by the +sacrifice of our lives, to relieve our country from the yoke of its +oppressors, we consign it to our children and the justice of Heaven. + +"In another age, means may be found to rescue it from chains and +misery; but such means are not put in our power. Other countries +neglect us. Whilst they reprobate the violations which a neighboring +nation is alleged to have committed against rational liberty, they +behold, not only with apathy but with approbation, the ravages which +are now desolating Poland. Posterity must avenge it. We have done. We +accede in silence, for the reasons above mentioned, to the treaty +laid before us, though we declare that it is contrary to our wishes, +to our sentiments, and to our rights." + +Thus, in November, 1793, compressed to one fourth of her dimensions +by the lines of demarcation drawn by her invaders, Poland was +stripped of her rank in Europe; her "power delivered up to strangers, +and her beauty into the hands of her enemies!" Ill-fated people! +Nations will weep over your wrongs; whilst the burning blush of +shame, that their fathers witnessed such wrongs unmoved, shall cause +the tears to blister as they fall. + +During these transactions, the Countess Sobieski continued in +solitude at Villanow, awaiting with awful anxiety the termination of +those portentous events which so deeply involved her own comforts +with those of her country. Her father was in prison, her son at a +distance with the army. Sick at heart, she saw the opening of that +spring which might be the commencement only of a new season of +injuries; and her fears were prophetic. + +It being discovered that some Masovian regiments in the neighborhood +of Warsaw yet retained their arms, they were ordered by the foreign +envoys to lay them down. A few, thinking denial vain, obeyed; but +bolder spirits followed Thaddeus Sobieski towards South Prussia, +whither he had directed his steps on the arrest of his grandfather, +and where he had gathered and kept together a handful of brave men, +still faithful to their liberties. His name alone collected numbers +in every district through which he marched. Persecution from their +adversary as well as admiration of Thaddeus had given a resistless +power to his appearance, look, and voice, all of which had such an +effect on the peasantry, that they eagerly crowded to his standard, +whilst their young lords committed themselves without reserve to his +sole judgment and command. The Prussian ambassador, hearing of this, +sent to Stanislaus to command the grandson of Sobieski to disband his +troops. The king refusing, and his answer being communicated to the +Russian envoy also, war was renewed with redoubled fury. + +The palatine remained in confinement, hopeless of obtaining release +without the aid of stratagem. His country's enemies were too well +aware of their interest to give freedom to so active an opponent. +They sought to vex his spirit with every mental torture; but he +rather received consolation than despair in the reports daily brought +to him by his jailers. They told him "that his grandson continued to +carry himself with such insolent opposition in the south, it would be +well if the empress, at the termination of the war, allowed him to +escape with banishment to Siberia." But every reproach thus levelled +at the palatine he found had been bought by some new success of +Thaddeus; and instead of permitting their malignity to intimidate his +age or alarm his affection, he told the officer (who kept guard in +his chambers) that if his grandson were to lose his head for fidelity +to Poland, he should behold him with as proud an eye mounting the +scaffold as entering the streets of Warsaw with her freedom in his +hand. "The only difference would be," continued Sobieski, "that as +the first cannot happen until all virtue be dead in this land, I +should regard his last gasp as the expiring sigh of that virtue +which, by him, had found a triumph even under the axe. But for the +second, it would be joy unutterable to behold the victory of justice +over rapine and violence! But, either way, Thaddeus Sobieski is still +the same--ready to die or ready to live for his country, and equally +worthy of the sacred halo with which posterity would encircle his +name forever." + +Indeed, the accounts which arrived from this young soldier, who had +formed a junction with General Kosciusko, were in the highest degree +formidable to the coalesced powers. Having gained several advantages +over the Prussians, the two victorious battalions were advancing +towards Inowlotz, when a large and fresh body of the enemy appeared +suddenly on their rear. The enemy on the opposite bank of the river, +(whom the Poles were driving before them,) at sight of this +reinforcement, rallied; and not only to retard the approach of the +pursuers, but to ensure their defeat from the army in view, they +broke down the wooden bridge by which they had escaped themselves. +The Poles were at a stand. Kosciusko proposed swimming across, but +owing to the recent heavy rains, the river was so swollen and rapid +that the young captains to whom he mentioned the project, terrified +by the blackness and dashing of the water, drew back. The general, +perceiving their panic, called Thaddeus to him, and both plunged into +the stream. Ashamed of hesitation, the others now tried who could +first follow their example; and, after hard buffeting with its tide, +the whole army gained the opposite shore. The Prussians who were in +the rear, incapable of the like intrepidity, halted; and those who +had crossed on their former defeat, now again intimidated at the +daring courage of their adversaries, concealed themselves amidst the +thickets of an adjoining valley. + +The two friends proceeded towards Cracow, [Footnote: Cracow is +considered the oldest regal city in Poland; the tombs of her earliest +and noblest kings are there, John Sobieski's being one of the most +renowned. It stands in a province of the same name, about 130 miles +south-west of Warsaw, the more modern capital of the kingdom, and +also the centre of its own province.] carrying redress and protection +to the provinces through which they marched. But they had hardly +rested a day in that city before dispatches were received that Warsaw +was lying at the mercy of General Brinicki. No time could be lost; +officers and men had set their lives on the cause, and they +recommenced their toil of a new march with a perseverance which +brought them before the capital on the 16th of April. + +Things were in a worse state than even was expected. The three +ambassadors had not only demanded the surrender of the national +arsenal, but subscribed their orders with a threat that whoever of +the nobles presumed to dispute their authority should be arrested and +closely imprisoned there; and if the people should dare to murmur, +they would immediately order General Brinicki to lay the city in +ashes. The king remonstrated against such oppression, and to "punish +his presumption," his excellency ordered that his majesty's garrison +and guards should instantly be broken up and dispersed. At the first +attempt to execute this mandate, the people flew in crowds to the +palace, and, falling on their knees, implored Stanislaus for +permission to avenge the insult offered to his troops. The king +looked at them with pity, gratitude, and anguish. For some time his +emotions were too strong to allow him to speak; at last, in a voice +of agony, wrung from his tortured heart, he answered, "Go, and defend +your honor!" + +The army of Kosciusko marched into the town at this critical moment; +they joined the armed people; and that day, after a dreadful +conflict, Warsaw was rescued from the immediate grasp of the hovering +Black Eagle. During the fight, the king, who was alone in one of the +rooms of his palace, sank in despair on the floor; he heard the +mingling clash of arms, the roar of musketry, and the cries and +groans of the combatants; ruin seemed no longer to threaten his +kingdom, but to have pounced at once upon her prey. At every renewed +volley which followed each pause in the firing, he expected to see +his palace gates burst open, and himself, then indeed made a willing +sacrifice, immolated to the vengeance of his enemies. + +While he was yet upon his knees petitioning the God of battles for a +little longer respite from that doom which was to overwhelm devoted +Poland, Thaddeus Sobieski, panting with heat and toil, flew into the +room, and before he could speak a word, was clasped in the arms of +the agitated Stanislaus. + +"What of my people?" asked the king. + +"They are victorious!" returned Thaddeus. "The foreign guards are +beaten from the palace; your own have resumed their station at the +gates." + +At this assurance, tears of joy ran over the venerable cheeks of his +majesty, and again embracing his young deliverer, he exclaimed, "I +thank Heaven, my unhappy country is not bereft of all hope! Whilst a +Kosciusko and a Sobieski live, she need not quite despair. They are +thy ministers, O Jehovah, of a yet longer respite!" + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +BATTLE OF BRZESC--THE TENTH OF OCTOBER. + + +Thaddeus was not less eager to release his grandfather than he had +been to relieve the anxiety of his sovereign. He hastened, at the +head of a few troops, to the prison of Sobieski, and gave him +liberty, amidst the acclamations of his soldiers. + +The universal joy at these prosperous events did not last many days: +it was speedily terminated by information that Cracow had surrendered +to a Prussian force, that the King of Prussia was advancing towards +the capital, and that the Russians, more implacable in consequence of +the late treatment their garrison had received at Warsaw, were +pouring into the country like a deluge. + +At this intelligence the consternation became dreadful. The Polonese +army in general, worn with fatigue and long service, and without +clothing or ammunition, were not in any way, excepting courage, +fitted for resuming the field. + +The treasury was exhausted, and means of raising a supply seemed +impracticable. The provinces were laid waste, and the city had +already been drained of its last ducat. In this exigency a council +met in his majesty's cabinet, to devise some expedient for obtaining +resources. The consultation was as desponding as their situation, +until Thaddeus Sobieski, who had been a silent observer, rose from +his seat. Sudden indisposition had prevented the palatine attending, +but his grandson knew well how to be his substitute. Whilst blushes +of awe and eagerness crimsoned his cheek, he advanced towards +Stanislaus, and taking from his neck and other parts of his dress +those magnificent jewels it was customary to wear in the presence of +the king, he knelt down, and laying them at the feet of his majesty, +said, in a suppressed voice, "These are trifles; but such as they +are, and all of the like kind which we possess, I am commanded by my +grandfather to beseech your majesty to appropriate to the public +service." + +"Noble young man!" cried the king, raising him from the ground; "you +have indeed taught me a lesson. I accept these jewels with gratitude. +Here," said he, turning to the treasurer, "put them into the national +fund, and let them be followed by my own, with my gold and silver +plate, which latter I desire may be instantly sent to the mint. Three +parts the army shall have; the other we must expend in giving support +to the surviving families of the brave men who have fallen in our +defence." The palatine readily united with his grandson in the +surrender of all their personal property for the benefit of their +country; and, according to their example, the treasury was soon +filled with gratuities from the nobles. The very artisans offered +their services gratis; and all hands being employed to forward the +preparations, the army was soon enabled to take the field, newly +equipped and in high spirits. + +The countess had again to bid adieu to a son who was now become as +much the object of her admiration as of her love. In proportion as +glory surrounded him and danger courted his steps, the strings of +affection drew him closer to her soul; the "aspiring blood" of the +Sobieskis which beat in her veins could not cheer the dread of a +mother, could not cause her to forget that the spring of her +existence now flowed from the fountain which had taken its source +from her. Her anxious and watching heart paid dearly in tears and +sleepless nights for the honor with which she was saluted at every +turning as the mother of Thaddeus: that Thaddeus who was not more the +spirit of enterprise, and the rallying point of resistance, than he +was to her the gentlest, the dearest, the most amiable of sons. It +matters not to the undistinguishing bolt of carnage whether it strike +common breasts or those rare hearts whose lives are usually as brief +as they are dazzling; this leaden messenger of death banquets as +greedily on the bosom of a hero as if it had lit upon more vulgar +prey; all is levelled to the seeming chance of war, which comes like +a whirlwind of the desert, scattering man and beast in one wide ruin. + +Such thoughts as these possessed the melancholy but prayerful +reveries of the Countess Sobieski, from the hour in which she saw +Thaddeus and his grandfather depart for Cracow until she heard it was +retaken, and that the enemy were defeated in several subsequent +contests. + +Warsaw was again bombarded, and again Kosciusko, with the palatine +and Thaddeus, preserved it from destruction. In short, wherever they +moved, their dauntless little army carried terror to its adversaries, +and diffused hope through the homes and hearts of their countrymen. + +They next turned their course to the relief of Lithuania; but whilst +they were on their route thither, they received intelligence that a +division of the Poles, led by Prince Poniatowski, having been routed +by a formidable body of Russians under Suwarrow, that general, elated +with his success, was hastening forward to re-attack the capital. + +Kosciusko resolved to prevent him, prepared to give immediate battle +to Ferfen, another Russian commander, who was on his march to form a +junction with his victorious countrymen. To this end Kosciusko +divided his forces; half of them to not only support the retreat of +the prince, but to enable him to hover near Suwarrow, and to keep a +watchful eye over his motions; whilst Kosciusko, accompanied by the +two Sobieskis, would proceed with the other division towards Brzesc. + +It was the tenth of October. The weather being fine, a cloudless sun +diffused life and brilliancy through the pure air of a keen morning. +The vast green plain before them glittered with the troops of General +Ferfen, who had already arranged them in order of battle. + +The word was given. Thaddeus, as he drew his sabre [Footnote: The +sabre (like the once famed claymore of Scotland) was the +characteristic weapon of Poland. It was the especial appendage to the +sides of the nobles;--its use, the science of their youth, their +ornament and graceful exercise in peace, their most efficient manual +power of attack or defence in war. It is impossible for any but an +eye-witness to have any idea of the skill, beauty, and determination +with which this weapon was, and is, wielded in Poland.] from its +scabbard, raised his eyes to implore the justice of Heaven on that +day's events. The attack was made. The Poles kept their station on +the heights. The Russians rushed on them like wolves, and twice they +repulsed them by their steadiness. Conquest declared for Poland. +Thaddeus was seen in every part of the field. But reinforcements +poured in to the support of Ferfen, and war raged in new horrors. +Still the courage of the Poles was unabated. Sobieski, fighting at +the head of his cavalry, would not recede a foot, and Kosciusko, +exhorting his men to be resolute, appeared in the hottest places of +the battle. + +At one of these portentous moments, the commander-in-chief was seen +struggling with the third charger which had been shot under him that +day. Thaddeus galloped to his assistance, gave him his horse, mounted +another offered by a hussar, and remained fighting by his side, till, +on the next charge, Kosciusko himself fell forward. Thaddeus caught +him in his arms, and finding that his own breast was immediately +covered with blood, (a Cossack having stabbed the general through the +shoulder,) he unconsciously uttered a cry of horror. The surrounding +soldiers took the alarm, and "Kosciusko, our father, is killed!" was +echoed from rank to rank with such piercing shrieks, that the wounded +hero started from the breast of his young friend just as two Russian +chasseurs in the same moment made a cut at them both. The sabre +struck the exposed head of Kosciusko, who sunk senseless to the +ground, and Thaddeus received a gash near his neck that laid him by +his side. + +The consternation became universal; groans of despair seemed to issue +from the whole army, whilst the few resolute Poles who had been +stationed near the fallen general fell in mangled heaps upon his +breast. Thaddeus with difficulty extricated himself from the bodies +of the slain; and, fighting his way through the triumphant troops +which pressed around him, amidst the smoke and confusion soon joined +his terror-stricken comrades, who in the wildest despair were +dispersing under a heavy fire, and flying like frighted deer. In vain +he called to them--in vain he urged them to avenge Kosciusko; the +panic was complete, and they fled. + +Almost alone, in the rear of his soldiers, he opposed with his single +and desperate arm party after party of the enemy, until a narrow +stream of the Muchavez stopped his retreat. The waters were crimsoned +with blood. He plunged in, and beating the blushing wave with his +left arm, in a few seconds gained the opposite bank, where, fainting +from fatigue and loss of blood, he sunk, almost deprived of sense, +amidst a heap of the killed. + +When the pursuing squadrons had galloped past him, he again summoned +strength to look round. He raised himself from the ground, and by the +help of his sabre supported his steps a few paces further; but what +was the shock he received when the bleeding and lifeless body of his +grandfather lay before him? He stood for a few moments motionless and +without sensation; then, kneeling down by his side, whilst he felt as +if his own heart were palsied with death, he searched for the wounds +of the palatine. They were numerous and deep. He would have torn away +the handkerchief with which he had stanched his own blood to have +applied it to that of his grandfather; but in the instant he was so +doing, feeling the act might the next moment disable himself from +giving him further assistance, he took his sash and neck-cloth, and +when they were insufficient, he rent the linen from his breast; then +hastening to the river, he brought a little water in his cap, and +threw some of its stained drops on the pale features of Sobieski. + +The venerable hero opened his eyes; in a minute afterwards he +recognized that it was his grandson who knelt by him. The palatine +pressed his hand, which was cold as ice: the marble lips of Thaddeus +could not move. + +"My son," said the veteran, in a low voice, "Heaven hath led you +hither to receive the last sigh of your grandfather." Thaddeus +trembled. The palatine continued; "Carry my blessing to your mother, +and bid her seek comfort in the consolations of her God. May that God +preserve you! Ever remember that you are his servant; be obedient to +him; and as I have been, be faithful to your country." + +"May God so bless me!" cried Thaddeus, looking up to heaven. + +"And ever remember," said the palatine, raising his head, which had +dropped on the bosom of his grandson, "that you are a Sobieski! it is +my dying command that you never take any other name." + +"I promise." + +Thaddeus could say no more, for the countenance of his grandfather +became altered; his eyes closed. Thaddeus caught him to his breast. +No heart beat against his; all was still and cold. The body dropped +from his arms, and he sunk senseless by its side. + +When consciousness returned to him, he looked up. The sky was +shrouded in clouds, which a driving wind was blowing from the orb of +the moon, while a few of her white rays gleamed sepulchrally on the +weapons of the slaughtered soldiers. + +The scattered senses of Thaddeus gradually returned to him. He was +now lying, the only living creature amidst thousands of the dead who, +the preceding night, had been, like himself, alive to all the +consciousness of existence! His right hand rested on the pale face of +his grandfather. It was wet with dew. He shuddered. Taking his own +cloak from his shoulders, he laid it over the body. He would have +said, as he did it, "So, my father, I would have sheltered thy life +with my own!" but the words choked in his throat, and he sat watching +by the corpse until the day dawned, and the Poles returned to bury +their slain. + +The wretched Thaddeus was discovered by a party of his own hussars +seated on a little mound of earth, with the cold hand of Sobieski +grasped in his. At this sight the soldiers uttered a cry of dismay +and sorrow. Thaddeus rose up. "My friends," said he, "I thank God +that you are come! Assist me to bear my dear grandfather to the +camp." + +Astonished at this composure, but distressed at the dreadful hue of +his countenance, they obeyed him in mournful silence, and laid the +remains of the palatine upon a bier, which they formed with their +sheathed sabres; then gently raising it, they retrod their steps to +the camp, leaving a detachment to accomplish the duty for which they +had quitted it. Thaddeus, hardly able to support his weakened frame, +mounted a horse and followed the melancholy procession. + +General Wawrzecki, on whom the command had devolved, seeing the party +returning so soon, and in such an order, sent an aid-de-camp to +inquire the reason. He came back with dejection in his face, and +informed his commander that the brave Palatine of Masovia, whom they +supposed had been taken prisoner with his grandson and Kosciusko, was +the occasion of this sudden return; that he had been killed, and his +body was now approaching the lines on the arms of the soldiers. +Wawrzecki, though glad to hear that Thaddeus was alive and at +liberty, turned to conceal his tears; then calling out a guard, he +marched at their head to meet the corpse of his illustrious friend. + +The bier was carried into the general's tent. An aid-de-camp and some +gentlemen of the faculty were ordered to attend Thaddeus to his +quarters; but the young count, though scarcely able to stand, +appeared to linger, and holding fast by the arm of an officer, he +looked steadfastly on the body. Wawrzecki understood his hesitation. +He pressed his hand. "Fear not, my dear sir," said he; "every honor +shall be paid to the remains of your noble grandfather." Thaddeus +bowed his head, and was supported out of the tent to his own. + +His wounds, of which he had received several, were not deep; and +might have been of little consequence, had not his thoughts +continually hovered about his mother, and painted her affliction when +she should be informed of the lamentable events of the last day's +battle. These reflections, awake or in a slumber, (for he never +slept,) possessed his mind, and, even whilst his wounds were healing, +produced such an irritation in his blood as hourly threatened a +fever. + +Things were in this situation, when the surgeon put a letter from the +countess into his hand. He opened it, and read with breathless +anxiety these lines: + +"TO THADDEUS, COUNT SOBIESKI. + +"Console yourself, my most precious son, console yourself for my +sake. I have seen Colonel Lonza, and I have heard all the horrors +which took place on the tenth of this month. I have heard them, and I +am yet alive. I am resigned. He tells me you are wounded. Oh! do not +let me be bereft of my son also! Remember that you were my dear +sainted father's darling; remember that, as his representative, you +are to be my consolation; in pity to me, if not to our suffering +country, preserve yourself to be at least the last comfort Heaven's +mercy hath spared to me. I find that all is lost to Poland as well as +to myself! that when my glorious father fell, and his friend with +him, even its name, as a country, became extinct. The allied invaders +are in full march towards Masovia, and I am too weak to come to you. +Let me see you soon, very soon, my beloved son. I beseech you to come +to me. You will find me feebler in body than in mind; for there is a +holy Comforter that descends on the bruised heart, which none other +than the unhappy have conceived or felt. Farewell, my dear, dear +Thaddeus! Let the memory that you have a mother check your too ardent +courage. God forever guard you! Live for your mother, who has no +stronger words to express her affection for you than she is thy +mother--thy + +"THERESE SOBIESKI. + +"VILLANOW, _October,_ 1794." + +This letter was indeed a balm to the soul of Thaddeus. That his +mother had received intelligence of the cruel event with such "holy +resignation" was the best medicine that could now be applied to his +wounds, both of mind and body; and when he was told that on the +succeeding morning the body of his grandfather would, be removed to +the convent near Biala, he declared his resolution to attend it to +the grave. + +In vain his surgeons and General Wawrzecki remonstrated against the +danger of this project; for once the gentle and yielding spirit of +Thaddeus was inflexible. He had fixed his determination, and it was +not to be shaken. + +Next day, being the seventh from that in which the fatal battle had +been decided, Thaddeus, at the first beat of the drum, rose from his +pallet, and, almost unassisted, put on his clothes. His uniform being +black, he needed no other index than his pale and mournful +countenance to announce that he was chief mourner. + +The procession began to form, and he walked from his tent. It was a +fine morning. Thaddeus looked up, as if to upbraid the sun for +shining so brightly. Lengthened and repeated rounds of cannon rolled +along the air. The solemn march of the dead was moaning from the +muffled drum, interrupted at measured pauses by the shrill tremor of +the fife. The troops, preceded by their general, moved forward with a +decent and melancholy step. The Bishop of Warsaw followed, bearing +the sacred volume in his hands; and next, borne upon the crossed +pikes of his soldiers, and supported by twelve of his veteran +companions, appeared the body of the brave Sobieski. A velvet pall +covered it, on which were laid those arms with which for fifty years +he had asserted the loyal independence of his country. At this sight +the sobs of the men became audible. Thaddeus followed with a slow but +firm step, his eyes bent to the ground and his arms wrapped in his +cloak; it was the same which had shaded his beloved grandfather from +the dews of that dreadful night. Another train of solemn music +succeeded; and then the squadrons which the deceased had commanded +dismounted, and, leading their horses, closed the procession. + +On the verge of the plain that borders Biala, and within a few paces +of the convent gate of St. Francis, the bier stopped. The monks +saluted its appearance with a requiem, which they continued to chant +till the coffin was lowered into the ground. The earth received its +sacred deposit. The anthems ceased; the soldiers, kneeling down, +discharged their muskets over it; then, with streaming cheeks, rose +and gave place to others. Nine volleys were fired, and the ranks fell +back. The bishop advanced to the head of the grave. All was hushed. +He raised his eyes to heaven; then, after a pause, in which he seemed +to be communing with the regions above him, he turned to the silent +assembly, and, in a voice collected and impressive, addressed them in +a short but affecting oration, in which he set forth the brightness +of Sobieski's life, his noble forgetfulness of self in the interests +of his country, and the dauntless bravery which laid him in the dust. +A general discharge of cannon was the awful response to this appeal. +Wawrzecki took the sabre of the palatine, and, breaking it, dropped +it into the grave. The aids-de-camp of the deceased did the same with +theirs, showing that by so doing they resigned their offices; and +then, covering their faces with their handkerchiefs, they turned away +with the soldiers, who filed off. Thaddeus sunk on his knees. His +hands were clasped, and his eyes for a few minutes fixed themselves +on the coffin of his grandfather; then rising, he leaned on the arm +of Wawrzecki, and with a tottering step and pallid countenance, +mounted his horse, which had been led to the spot, and returned with +the scattered procession to the camp. + +The cause for exertion being over, his spirits fell with the rapidity +of a spring too highly wound up, which snaps and runs down to +immobility. He entered his tent and threw himself on the bed, from +which he did not raise for the five following days. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE LAST DAYS OF VILLANOW. + + +At a time when the effects of these sufferings and fatigues had +brought his bodily strength to its lowest ebb, the young Count +Sobieski was roused by information that the Russians had planted +themselves before Praga, and were preparing to bombard the town. The +intelligence nerved his heart's sinews again, and rallied the +spirits, also, of his depressed soldiers, who energetically obeyed +their commander to put themselves in readiness to march at set of +sun. + +Thaddeus saw that the decisive hour was pending. And as the moon +rose, though hardly able to sit his noble charger, he refused the +indulgence of a litter, determining that no illness, while he had any +power to master its disabilities, should make him recede from his +duty. The image of his mother, too, so near the threatened spot, +rushed on his soul. In quick march he led on his troops. Devastation +met them over the face of the country. Scared and houseless villagers +were flying in every direction; old men stood amongst the ashes of +their homes, wailing to the pitying heavens, since man had none. +Children and woman sat by the waysides, weeping over the last +sustenance the wretched infants drew from the breasts of their +perishing mothers. + +Thaddeus shut his eyes on the scene. + +"Oh, my country! my country!" exclaimed he; "what are my personal +griefs to thine? It is your afflictions that barb me to the heart! +Look there," cried he to the soldiers, pointing to the miserable +spectacles before him; "look there, and carry vengeance into the +breasts of their destroyers. Let Praga be the last act of this +tragedy." + +"Unhappy young man! unfortunate country! It was indeed the last act of +a tragedy to which all Europe were spectators--a tragedy which the +nations witnessed without one attempt to stop or to delay its +dreadful catastrophe! Oh, how must virtue be lost when it is no +longer a matter of policy even to assume it." [Footnote: To answer +this, we must remember that Europe was then no longer what she was a +century before. Almost all her nations had turned from the doctrines +of "sound things," and more or less drank deeply of the cup of +infidelity, drugged for them by the flattering sophistries of +Voltaire. The draught was inebriation, and the wild consequences +burst asunder the responsibilities of man to man. The selfish +principle ruled, and balance of justice was then seen only aloft in +the heavens!] + +After a long march through a dark and dismal night, the morning began +to break; and Thaddeus found himself on the southern side of that +little river which divides the territories of Sobieski from the woods +of Kobylka. Here, for the first time, he endured all the torturing +varieties of despair. + +The once fertile fields were burnt to stubble; the cottages were yet +smoking from the ravages of the fire; and in place of smiling eyes +and thankful lips coming to meet him, he beheld the dead bodies of +his peasants stretched on the high roads, mangled, bleeding, and +stripped of that decent covering which humanity would not deny to the +vilest criminal. + +Thaddeus could bear the sight no longer, but, setting spurs to his +horse, fled from the contemplation of scenes which harrowed up his +soul. + +At nightfall, the army halted under the walls of Villanow. The count +looked towards the windows of the palace, and by a light shining +through the half-drawn curtains, distinguished his mother's room. He +then turned his eye on that sweep of building which contained the +palatine's apartments; but not one solitary lamp illumined its gloom: +the moon alone glimmered on the battlements, silvering the painted +glass of the study window, where, with that beloved parent, he had so +lately gazed upon the stars, and anticipated with the most sanguine +hopes the result of the campaign which had now terminated so +disastrously for his unhappy country. + +But these thoughts, with his grief and his forebodings, were buried +in the depths of his determined heart. Addressing General Wawrzecki, +he bade him welcome to Villanow, requesting at the same time that his +men might be directed to rest till morning, and that he and the +officers would take their refreshment within the palace. + +As soon as Thaddeus had seen his guests seated at different tables in +the eating-hall, and had given orders for the soldiers to be served +from the buttery and cellars, he withdrew to seek the countess. He +found her in her chamber, surrounded by the attendants who had just +informed her of his arrival. The moment he appeared at the room door, +the women went out at an opposite passage, and Thaddeus, with a +bursting heart, threw himself on the bosom of his mother. They were +silent for some time. Poignant recollection stopped their utterance; +but neither tears nor sighs filled its place, until the countess, on +whose soul the full tide of maternal affection pressed, and mingled +with her grief, raised her head from her son's neck, and said, whilst +she strained him in her arms, "Receive my thanks, O Father of mercy, +for having spared to me this blessing!" + +Thaddeus Sobieski (all that now remained of that beloved and honored +name!) with a sacred emotion breathed a response to the address of +his mother, and drying her tears with his kisses, dwelt upon the +never-dying fame of his revered grandfather, upon his preferable lot +to that of their brave friend Kosciusko, who was doomed not only to +survive the liberty of his country, but to pass the residue of his +life within the dungeons of his enemies. He then tried to reanimate +her spirits with hope. He spoke of the approaching battle, without +any doubt of the valor and desperation of the Poles rendering it +successful. He talked of the resolution of their leader, General +Wawrzecki, and of his own good faith in the justice of their cause. +His discourse began in a wish to cheat her into tranquillity; but as +he advanced on the subject, his soul took fire at its own warmth, and +he half believed the probability of his anticipations. + +The countess looked on the honorable glow which crimsoned his +harassed features with a pang at her heart. + +"My heroic son!" cried she, "my darling Thaddeus! what a vast price +do I pay for all this excellence! I could not love you were you +otherwise than what you are; and being what you are, oh, how soon may +I lose you! Already has your noble grandfather paid the debt which he +owed to his glory. He promised to fall with Poland; he has kept his +word; and now, all that I love on earth is concentrated in you." The +countess paused, and pressing his hand almost wildly on her heart, +she continued in a hurried voice, "The same spirit is in your breast; +the same principle binds you; and I may be at last left alone. Heaven +have pity on me!" + +She cast her eyes upward as she ended. Thaddeus, sinking on his knees +by her side, implored her with all the earnestness of piety and +confidence to take comfort. The countess embraced him with a forced +smile. "You must forgive me, Thaddeus; I have nothing of the soldier +in my heart: it is all woman. But I will not detain you longer from +the rest you require; go to your room, and try and recruit yourself +for the dangers to-morrow will bring forth. I shall employ the night +in prayers for your safety." + +Consoled to see any composure in his mother, he withdrew, and after +having heard that his numerous guests were properly lodged, went to +his own chamber. + +Next morning at sunrise the troops prepared to march. General +Wawrzecki, with his officers, begged permission to pay their personal +gratitude to the countess for the hospitality of her reception; but +she declined the honor, on the plea of indisposition. In the course +of an hour, her son appeared from her apartment and joined the +general. + +The soldiers filed off through the gates, crossed the bridge, and +halted under the walls of Praga. The lines of the camp were drawn and +fortified before evening, at which time they found leisure to observe +the enemy's strength. + +Russia seemed to have exhausted her wide regions to people the narrow +shores of the Vistula; from east to west, as far as the eye could +reach, her arms were stretched to the horizon. Sobieski looked at +them, and then on the handful of intrepid hearts contained in the +small circumference of the Polish camp. Sighing heavily, he retired +into his tent; and vainly seeking repose, mixed his short and +startled slumbers with frequent prayers for the preservation of these +last victims to their country. + +The hours appeared to stand still. Several times he rose from his bed +and went to the door, to see whether the clouds were tinged with any +appearance of dawn. All continued dark. He again returned to his +marquée, and standing by the lamp which was nearly exhausted, took +out his watch, and tried to distinguish the points; but finding that +the light burned too feebly, he was pressing the repeating spring, +which struck five, when the report of a single musket made him start. + +He flew to his tent door, and looking around, saw that all near his +quarter was at rest. Suspecting it to be a signal of the enemy, he +hurried towards the intrenchments, but found the sentinels in perfect +security from any fears respecting the sound, as they supposed it to +have proceeded from the town. + +Sobieski paid little attention to their opinions, but ascending the +nearest bastion to take a wider survey, in a few minutes he +discerned, though obscurely, through the gleams of morning, what +appeared to be the whole host of Russia advancing in profound silence +towards the Polish lines. The instant he made this discovery, he came +down, and lost no time in giving orders for the defence; then flying +to other parts of the camp, he awakened the commander-in-chief, +encouraged the men, and saw that the whole encampment was not only in +motion, but prepared for the assault. + +In consequence of these prompt arrangements, the assailants were +received with a cross-fire of the batteries, and case-shot and +musketry from several redoubts, which raked their flanks as they +advanced. But in defiance of this shower of bullets, they pressed on +with an intrepidity worthy of a better cause, and overleaping the +ditch by squadrons, entered the camp. A passage once secured, the +Cossacks rushed in by thousands, and spreading themselves in front of +the storming party, put every soul to the spear who opposed them. + +The Polish works being gained, the enemy turned the cannon on its +former masters, and as they rallied to the defence of what remained, +swept them down by whole regiments. The noise of artillery thundered +from all sides of the camp; the smoke was so great, that it was +hardly possible to distinguish friends from foes; nevertheless, the +spirits of the Poles flagged not a moment; as fast as one rampart was +wrested from them, they threw themselves within another, which was as +speedily taken by the help of hurdles, fascines, ladders, and a +courage as resistless as it was ferocious, merciless, and sanguinary. +Every spot of vantage position was at length lost; and yet the Poles +fought like lions; quarter was neither offered to them nor required; +they disputed every inch of ground, until they fell upon it in heaps, +some lying before the parapets, others filling the ditches and the +rest covering the earth, for the enemy to tread on as they cut their +passage to the heart of the camp. + +Sobieski, almost maddened by the scene, dripping with his own blood +and that of his brave friends, was seen in every part of the action; +he was in the fosse, defending the trampled bodies of the dying; he +was on the dyke, animating the few who survived. Wawrzecki was +wounded, and every hope hung upon Thaddeus. His presence and voice +infused new energy into the arms of his fainting countrymen; they +kept close to his side, until the victors, enraged at the dauntless +intrepidity of this young hero, uttered the most fearful +imprecations, and rushing on his little phalanx, attacked it with +redoubled numbers and fury. + +Sobieski sustained the shock with firmness; but wherever he turned +his eyes, they were blasted with some object which made them recoil; +he beheld his companions and his soldiers strewing the earth, and +their triumphant adversaries mounting their dying bodies, as they +hastened with loud huzzas to the destruction of Praga, whose gates +were now burst open. His eyes grew dim at the sight, and at the very +moment in which he tore them from spectacles so deadly to his heart, +a Livonian officer struck him with a sabre, to all appearance dead +upon the field. + +When he recovered from the blow, (which, having lit on the steel of +his cap, had only stunned him,) he looked around, and found that all +near him was quiet; but a far different scene presented itself from +the town. The roar of cannon and the bursting of bombs thundered +through the air, which was rendered livid and tremendous by long +spires of fire streaming from the burning houses, and mingling with +the volumes of smoke which rolled from the guns. The dreadful tocsin, +and the hurrahs of the victors, pierced the soul of Thaddeus. +Springing from the ground, he was preparing to rush towards the +gates, when loud cries of distress issued from within. They were +burst open, and a moment after, the grand magazine blew up with a +horrible explosion. + +In an instant the field before Praga was filled with women and +children, flying in all directions, and rending the sky with their +shrieks. "Father Almighty!" cried Thaddeus, wringing his hands, +"canst thou suffer this?" Whilst he yet spake, some straggling +Cossacks near the town, who were prowling about, glutted, but not +sated with blood, seized the poor fugitives, and with a ferocity as +wanton as unmanly, released them at once from life and misery. + +This hideous spectacle brought his mother's defenceless state before +the eyes of Sobieski. Her palace was only four miles distant; and +whilst the barbarous avidity of the enemy was too busily engaged in +sacking the place to permit them to perceive a solitary individual +hurrying away amidst heaps of dead bodies, he flew across the +desolated meadows which intervened between Praga and Villanow. + +Thaddeus was met at the gate of his palace by General Butzou, who, +having learned the fate of Praga from the noise and flames in that +quarter, anticipated the arrival of some part of the victorious army +before the walls of Villanow. When its young count, with a breaking +heart, crossed the drawbridge, he saw that the worthy veteran had +prepared everything for a stout resistance; the ramparts were lined +with soldiers, and well mounted with artillery. + +"Here, thou still honored Sobieski," cried he, as he conducted +Thaddeus to the keep; "let the worst happen, here I am resolved to +dispute the possession of your grandfather's palace until I have not +a man to stand by me!" [Footnote: It was little more than just a +century before this awful scene took place that the invincible John +Sobieski, King of Poland, acting upon the old mutually protecting +principles of Christendom, saved the freedom and the faith of +Christian Europe from the Turkish yoke. And in this very mansion he +passed his latter years in honored peace. He died in 1694--a +remarkable coincidence, the division of Poland occurring in 1794.] + +Thaddeus strained him in silence to his breast; and after examining +the force and dispositions, he approved all with a cold despair of +their being of any effectual use, and went to the apartments of his +mother. + +The countess's women, who met him in the vestibule, begged him to be +careful how he entered her excellency's room, for she had only just +recovered from a swoon, occasioned by alarm at hearing the cannonade +against the Polish camp. Her son waited for no more, but not hearing +their caution, threw open the door of the chamber, and hastening to +his mother's couch, cast himself into her arms. She clung round his +neck, and for a while joy stopped her respiration. Bursting into +tears, she wept over him, incapable of expressing by words her +tumultuous gratitude at again beholding him alive. He looked on her +altered and pallid features. + +"O! my mother," cried he clasping her to his breast; "you are ill; +and what will become of you?" + +"My beloved son!" replied she kissing his forehead through the +clotted blood that oozed from a cut on his temple; "my beloved son, +before our cruel murderers can arrive, I shall have found a refuge in +the bosom of my God." + +Thaddeus could only answer with a groan. She resumed. "Give me your +hand. I must not witness the grandson of Sobieski given up to +despair; let your mother incite you to resignation. You see I have +not breathed a complaining word, although I behold you covered with +wounds." As she spoke, her eye pointed to the sash and handkerchief +which were bound round his thigh and arm. "Our separation will not be +long; a few short years, perhaps hours, may unite us forever in a +better world." + +The count was still speechless; he could only press her hand to his +lips. After a pause, she proceeded-- + +"Look up, my dear boy! and attend to me. Should Poland become the +property of other nations, I conjure you, if you survive its fall, to +leave it. When reduced to captivity, it will no longer be an asylum +for a man of honor. I beseech you, should this happen, go that very +hour to England: that is a free country; and I have been told that +the people are kind to the unfortunate. Perhaps you will find that +Pembroke Somerset hath not quite forgotten Poland. Thaddeus! Why do +you delay to answer me? Remember, these are your mother's dying +words!" + +"I will obey them, my mother!" + +"Then," continued she, taking from her bosom a small miniature, "let +me tie this round your neck. It is the portrait of your father." +Thaddeus bent his head, and the countess fastened it under his neck- +cloth. "Prize this gift, my child; it is likely to be all that you +will now inherit either from me or that father. Try to forget his +injustice, my dear son; and in memory of me, never part with that +picture. O, Thaddeus! From the moment in which I first received it +until this instant, it has never been from my heart!" + +"And it shall never leave mine," answered he, in a stifled voice," +whilst I have being." + +The countess was preparing to reply, when a sudden volley of firearms +made Thaddeus spring upon his feet. Loud cries succeeded. Women +rushed into the apartment, screaming, "The ramparts are stormed!" and +the next moment that quarter of the building rocked to its +foundation. The countess clung to the bosom of her son. Thaddeus +clasped her close to his breast, and casting up his petitioning eyes +to heaven, cried, "Shield of the desolate! grant me a shelter for my +mother!" + +Another burst of cannon was followed by a heavy crash, and the most +piercing shrieks echoed through the palace. "All is lost!" cried a +soldier, who appeared for an instant at the room door, and then +vanished. + +Thaddeus, overwhelmed with despair, grasped his sword, which had +fallen to the ground, and crying, "My mother, we will die together!" +would have given her one last and assuring embrace, when his eyes met +the sight of her before-agitated features tranquillized in death. She +fell from his palsied arms back on the couch, and he stood gazing on +her as if struck by a power which had benumbed all his faculties. + +The tumult in the palace increased every moment; but he heard it not, +until Butzou, followed by two or three of his soldiers, ran into the +apartment, calling out "Count, save yourself!" + +Sobieski still remained motionless. The general caught him by the +arm, and instantly covering the body of the deceased countess with +the mantle of her son, hurried his unconscious steps, by an opposite +door, through the state chambers into the gardens. + +Thaddeus did not recover his recollection until he reached the +outward gate; then, breaking from the hold of his friend, was +returning to the sorrowful scene he had left, when Butzou, aware of +his intentions, just stopped him in time to prevent his rushing on +the bayonets of a party of the enemy's infantry, who were pursuing +them at full speed. + +The count now rallied his distracted faculties, and making a stand, +with the general and his three Poles, they compelled this merciless +detachment to seek refuge among the arcades of the building. + +Butzou would not allow his young lord to follow in that direction, +but hurried him across the park. He looked back, however; a column of +fire issued from the south towers. Thaddeus sighed, as if his life +were in that sigh, "All is indeed over;" and pressing his hand to his +forehead, in that attitude followed the steps of the general towards +the Vistula. + +The wind being very high, the flame soon spread itself over the roof +of the palace, and catching at every combustible in its way, the +invaders became so terrified at the quick progress of fire which +threatened to consume themselves as well as their plunder, that they +quitted the spot with precipitation. Decrying the count and his +soldiers at a short distance, they directed their motions to that +point. Speedily confronting the brave fugitives, they blocked up a +bridge by a file of men with fixed pikes, and not only menaced the +Polanders as they advanced, but derided their means of resistance. + +Sobieski, indifferent alike to danger and to insults, stopped short +to the left, and followed by his friends, plunged into the stream, +amidst a shower of musket-balls from the enemy. After hard buffeting +with the torrent, he at last reached the opposite bank, and was +assisted from the river by some of the weeping inhabitants of Warsaw, +who had been watching the expiring ashes of Praga, and the flames +then devouring the boasted towers of Villanow. + +Emerged from the water, Thaddeus stood to regain his breath; and +leaning on the shoulder of Butzou, he pointed to his burning palace +with a smile of agony. "See," said he, "what a funeral pile Heaven +has given to the manes of my unburied mother!" + +The general did not speak, for grief stopped his utterance; but +motioning the two soldiers to proceed, he supported the count into +the citadel. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +SOBIESKI'S DEPARTURE FROM WARSAW. + + +From the termination of this awful day, in which a brave and hitherto +powerful people were consigned to an abject dependence, Thaddeus was +confined to his apartment in the garrison. + +It was now the latter end of November. General Butzou, supposing that +the illness of his young lord might continue some weeks, and aware +that no time ought to be lost in maintaining all that was yet left of +the kingdom of Poland, obtained his permission to seek its only +remaining quarter. Quitting Warsaw, he joined Prince Poniatowski, who +was yet at the head of a few troops near Sachoryn, supported by the +undaunted Niemcivitz, the bard and the hero, who had fought by the +side heart, would have thrown himself on his knee, but the king +presented him, and pressed him with emotion in his arms. + +"Brave young man!" cried he, "I embrace in you the last of those +Polish youth who were so lately the brightest jewels in my crown." + +Tears stood in the monarch's eyes while he spoke. Sobieski, with +hardly a steadier utterance, answered, "I come to receive your +majesty's commands. I will obey them in all things but in +surrendering this sword (which was my grandfather's) into the hands +of your enemies." + +"I will not desire it," replied Stanislaus. "By my acquiescence with +the terms of Russia, I only comply with the earnest petitions of my +people. I shall not require of you to compromise your country; but +alas! you must not throw away your life in a now hopeless cause. Fate +has consigned Poland to subjection; and when Heaven, in its +mysterious decrees, confirms the chastisement of nations, it is man's +duty to submit. For myself, I am to bury my griefs and indignities in +the castle of Grodno." + +The blood rushed over the cheek of Thaddeus at this declaration, to +which the proud indignation of his soul could in no way subscribe, +and with an agitated voice he exclaimed, "If my sovereign be already +at the command of our oppressors, then indeed is Poland no more! and +I have nothing to do but to perform the dying will of my mother. Will +your majesty grant me permission to set off for England, before I may +be obliged to witness the last calamity of my wretched country?" + +"I would to Heaven," replied the king, "that I, too, might repose my +age and sorrows in that happy kingdom! Go, Sobieski; your name is +worthy of such an asylum; my prayers and blessings shall follow you." + +Thaddeus pressed his hand in silence to his lips. + +"Believe me, my dear count," continued Stanislaus, "my soul bleeds at +this parting. I know the treasure which your family has always been +to this nation; I know your own individual merit. I know the wealth +which you have sacrificed for me and my subjects, and I am powerless +to express my gratitude." + +"Had I done more than my duty in that," replied Thaddeus, "such words +from your majesty would have been a reward adequate to any privation; +but, alas! no. I have perhaps performed less than my duty; the blood +of Sobieski ought not to have been spared one drop when the liberties +of his country perished!" Thaddeus blushed while he spoke, and almost +repented the too ready zeal of his friends in having saved him from +the general destruction at Villanow. + +The voice of the venerable Stanislaus became fainter as he resumed-- + +"Perhaps had a Sobieski reigned at this time, these horrors might not +have been accomplished. That resistless power which has overwhelmed +my people, I cannot forget is the same that put the sceptre into my +hand. But Catherine misunderstood my principles, when assisting in my +election to the throne; she thought she was planting merely her own +viceroy there. But I could not obliterate from my heart that my +ancestors, like your own, were hereditary sovereigns of Poland, nor +cease to feel the stamp the King of kings had graven upon that heart-- +to uphold the just laws of my fathers! and, to the utmost, I have +struggled to fulfil my trust." + +"Yes, my sovereign," replied Thaddeus; "and whilst there remains one +man on earth who has drawn his first breath in Poland, he will bear +witness in all the lands through which he may be doomed to wander +that he has received from you the care and affection of a father. O! +sire, how will future ages believe that, in the midst of civilized +Europe, a brave people and a virtuous monarch were suffered, unaided, +and even without remonstrance, to fall into the grasp of usurpation!-- +nay, of annihilation of their name!" + +Stanislaus laid his hand on the arm of the count. + +"Man's ambition and baseness," said the king, "are monstrous to the +contemplation of youth only. You are learning your lesson early; I +have studied mine for many years, and with a bitterness of soul which +in some measure prepared me for the completion. My kingdom has passed +from me at the moment you have lost your country. Before we part +forever, my dear Sobieski, take with you this assurance--you have +served the unfortunate Stanislaus to the latest hour in which you +beheld him. That which you have just said, expressive of the +sentiments of those who were my subjects, is indeed a balm to my +heart, and I will earn its consolations to my prison." + +The king paused. Sobieski, agitated, and incapable of speaking, threw +himself at his majesty's feet, and pressed his hand with fervency and +anguish to his lips. The king looked down on his graceful figure, and +pierced to the soul by the more graceful feelings which dictated the +action, the tear which stood in his eye, rolled over his cheek, and +was followed by another before he could add--pented the too ready +zeal of his friends in having saved him from the general destruction +at Villanow. + +The voice of the venerable Stanislaus became fainter as he resumed-- + +"Perhaps had a Sobieski reigned at this time, these horrors might not +have been accomplished. That resistless power which has overwhelmed +my people, I cannot forget is the same that put the sceptre into my +hand. But Catherine misunderstood my principles, when assisting in my +election to the throne; she thought she was planting merely her own +viceroy there. But I could not obliterate from my heart that my +ancestors, like your own, were hereditary sovereigns of Poland, nor +cease to feel the stamp the King of kings had graven upon that heart-- +to uphold the just laws of my fathers! and, to the utmost, I have +struggled to fulfil my trust." + +"Yes, my sovereign," replied Thaddeus; "and whilst there remains one +man on earth who has drawn his first breath in Poland, he will bear +witness in all the lands through which he may be doomed to wander +that he has received from you the care and affection of a father. O! +sire, how will future ages believe that, in the midst of civilized +Europe, a brave people and a virtuous monarch were suffered, unaided, +and even without remonstrance, to fall into the grasp of usurpation!-- +nay, of annihilation of their name!" + +Stanislaus laid his hand on the arm of the count. + +"Man's ambition and baseness," said the king, "are monstrous to the +contemplation of youth only. You are learning your lesson early; I +have studied mine for many years, and with a bitterness of soul which +in some measure prepared me for the completion. My kingdom has passed +from me at the moment you have lost your country. Before we part +forever, my dear Sobieski, take with you this assurance--you have +served the unfortunate Stanislaus to the latest hour in which you +beheld him. That which you have just said, expressive of the +sentiments of those who were my subjects, is indeed a balm to my +heart, and I will carry its consolations to my prison." + +The king paused. Sobieski, agitated, and incapable of speaking, threw +himself at his majesty's feet, and pressed his hand with fervency and +anguish to his lips. The king looked down on his graceful figure, and +pierced to the soul by the more graceful feelings which dictated the +action, the tear which stood in his eye, rolled over his cheek, and +was followed by another before he could add-- + +"Rise, my young friend. Take from me this ring. It contains my +picture. Wear it in remembrance of a man who loves you, and who can +never forget your worth or the loyalty and patriotism of your house." + +The Chancellor Zamoyisko at that moment being announced, Thaddeus +rose from his knee, and was preparing to leave the room, when his +majesty, perceiving his intention, desired him to stop. + +"Stay, count!" cried he, "I will burden you with one request. I am +now a king without a crown, without subjects, without a foot of land +in which to bury me when I die. I cannot reward the fidelity of any +one of the few friends of whom my enemies have not deprived me; but +you are young, and Heaven may yet smile upon you in some distant +nation. Will you pay a debt of gratitude for your poor sovereign? +Should you ever again meet with the good old Butzou, who rescued me +when my preservation lay on the fortune of a moment, remember that I +regard him as once the saviour of my life! I was told to-day that on +the destruction of Praga this brave man joined the army of my +brother. It is now disbanded, and he, with the rest of my faithful +soldiers, is cast forth in his old age, a wanderer in a pitiless +world. Should you ever meet him, Sobieski, succor him for my sake." + +"As Heaven may succor me!" cried Thaddeus; and putting his majesty's +hand a second time to his lips, he bowed to the chancellor and passed +into the street. + +When the count returned to the citadel, he found that all was as the +king had represented. The soldiers in the garrison were reluctantly +preparing to give up their arms; and the nobles, in compassion to the +cries of the people, were trying to humble their necks to the yoke of +the dictator. The magistrates lingered as they went to take the city +keys from the hands of their good king, and with sad whispers +anticipated the moment in which they must surrender them, and their +laws and national existence, to the jealous dominion of three +despotic foreign powers. + +Poland was now no place for Sobieski. He had survived all his +kindred. He had survived the liberties of his country. He had seen +the king a prisoner, and his countrymen trampled on by deceit and +usurpation. As he walked on, musing over these circumstances, he met +with little interruption, for the streets were deserted. Here and +there a poor miserable wretch passed him, who seemed, by his wan +cheeks and haggard eyes, already to repent the too successful prayers +of the deputation, The shops were shut. Thaddeus stopped a few +minutes in the great square, which used to be crowded with happy +citizens, but now, not one man was to be seen. An awful and painful +silence reigned over all. His soul felt too truly the dread +consciousness of this utter annihilation of his country, for him to +throw off the heavy load from his oppressed heart, in this his last +walk down the east street towards the ramparts which covered the +Vistula. + +He turned his eyes to the spot where once stood the magnificent +towers of his paternal palace. + +"Yes," cried he, "it is now time for me to obey the last command of +my mother! Nothing remains of Poland but its soil--nothing of my home +but its ashes!" + +The victors had pitched a detachment of tents amidst the ruins of +Villanow, and were at this moment busying themselves in searching +amongst the stupendous fragments for what plunder the fire might have +spared. + +"Insatiate robbers!" exclaimed Thaddeus; "Heaven will requite this +sacrilege." He thought on his mother, who lay beneath the ruins, and +tore himself from the sight, whilst he added, "Farewell! forever +farewell! thou beloved, revered Villanow, where I was reared in bliss +and tenderness! I quit thee and my country forever!" As he spoke, he +raised his hands and eyes to heaven, and pressing the picture his +mother had given him to his lips and bosom, turned from the parapet, +determining to prepare that night for his departure the next morning. + +He arose by daybreak, and having gathered together all his little +wealth, the whole of which was compressed within the portmanteau that +was buckled on his gallant horse, precisely two hours before the +triumphal car of General Suwarrow entered Warsaw, Sobieski left it. +As he rode along the streets, he bedewed its stones with his tears. +They were the first that he had shed during the long series of his +misfortunes, and they now flowed so fast, that he could hardly +discern his way out of the city. + +At the great gate his horse stopped, and neighed with a strange +sound. + +"Poor Saladin!" cried Thaddeus, stroking his neck; "are you so sorry +at leaving Warsaw that, like your unhappy master, you linger to take +a last lamenting look!" + +His tears redoubled; and the warder, as he closed the gate after him, +implored permission to kiss the hand of the noble Count Sobieski, ere +he should turn his back on Poland, never to return. Thaddeus looked +kindly round, and shaking hands with the honest man, after saying a +few friendly words to him, rode on with a loitering pace, until he +reached that part of the river which divides Masovia from the +Prussian dominions. + +Here he flung himself off his horse, and standing for a moment on the +hill that rises near the bridge, retraced, with his almost blinded +sight, the long and desolated lands through which he had passed; then +involuntarily dropping on his knee, he plucked a tuft of grass, and +pressing it to his lips, exclaimed, "Farewell, Poland! Farewell all +my earthly happiness!" + +Almost stifled by emotion, he put this poor relic of his country into +his bosom, and remounting his noble animal, crossed the bridge. + +As one who, flying from any particular object, thinks to lose himself +and his sorrows when it lessens to his view, Sobieski pursued the +remainder of his journey with a speed which soon brought him to +Dantzic. + +Here he remained a few days, and during that interval the firmness of +his mind was restored. He felt a calm arising from the conviction +that his afflictions had gained their summit, and that, however heavy +they were, Heaven had laid them on him for a trial of his faith and +virtue. Under this belief, he ceased to weep; but he never was seen +to smile. + +Having entered into an agreement with the master of a vessel to carry +him across the sea, he found the strength of his finances would +barely defray the charges of the voyage. Considering this +circumstance, he saw the impossibility of taking his horse to +England. + +The first time this idea presented itself, it almost overset his +determined resignation. Tears would again have started into his eyes, +had he not by force repelled them. + +"To part from my faithful Saladin," said he to himself, "that has +borne me since I first could use a sword; that has carried me through +so many dangers, and has come with me even into exile--it is painful, +it is ungrateful!" He was in the stable when this thought assailed +him; and as the reflections followed each other, he again turned to +the stall. "But, my poor fellow, I will not barter your services for +gold. I will seek for some master who may be kind to you, in pity to +my misfortunes." + +He re-entered the hotel where he lodged, and calling a waiter, +inquired who occupied the fine mansion and park on the east of the +town. The man replied, "Mr. Hopetown, an eminent British merchant, +who has been settled at Dantzic above forty years." + +"I am glad he is a Briton!" was the sentiment which succeeded this +information in the count's mind. He immediately took his resolution, +but hardly had prepared to put it into execution, when he received a +summons from the vessel to be on board in half an hour, the wind +having set fair. + +Thaddeus, somewhat disconcerted by this hasty call, with an agitated +hand wrote the following letter:-- + +"TO JOHN HOPETOWN, ESQ. + +"Sir, + +"A Polish officer, who has sacrificed everything but his honor to the +last interests of his country, now addresses you. + +"You are a Briton; and of whom can an unhappy victim to the cause of +loyalty and freedom with less debasement solicit an obligation? + +"I cannot afford support to the fine animal which has carried me +through the battles of this fatal war; I disdain to sell him, and +therefore I implore you, by the respect that you pay to the memory of +your ancestors, who struggled for and retained that liberty in +defence of which we are thus reduced--I implore you to give him an +asylum in your park, and to protect him from injurious usage. + +"Perform this benevolent action, sir, and you shall ever be +remembered with gratitude by an unfortunate + +"POLANDER. + +"DANTZIC, _November_, 1794." + +The count, having sealed and directed this letter, went to the hotel +yard, and ordered that his horse might be brought out. A few days of +rest had restored him to his former mettle, and he appeared from the +stable prancing and pawing the earth, as he used to do when Thaddeus +was about to mount him for the field. + +The groom was striving in vain to restrain the spirit of the animal, +when the count took hold of the bridle. The noble creature knew his +master, and became gentle as a lamb. After stroking him two or three +times, with a bursting heart Thaddeus returned the reins to the man's +hand, and at the same time gave him a letter. + +"There," said he; "take that note and the horse directly to the house +of Mr. Hopetown. Leave them, for the letter requires no answer." + +This last pang mastered, he walked out of the yard towards the quay. +The wind continuing fair, he entered the ship, and within an hour set +sail for England. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE BALTIC. + + +Sobieski passed the greater part of each day and the whole of every +night on the deck of the vessel. He was too much absorbed in himself +to receive any amusement from the passengers, who, observing his +melancholy, thought to dispel it by their company and conversation. + +When any of these people came upon deck, he walked to the head of the +ship, took his seat upon the cable which bound the anchor to the +forecastle, and while their fears rendered him safe from their well- +meant persecution, he gained some respite from vexation, though none +from misery. + +The ship having passed through the Baltic, and entered on the British +sea, the passengers, running from side to side of the vessels, +pointed out to Thaddeus the distant shore of England, lying like a +hazy ridge along the horizon. The happy people, whilst they strained +their eyes through glasses, desired him to observe different spots on +the hardly-perceptible line which they called Flamborough Head and +the hills of Yorkshire. His heart turned sick at these objects of +their delight, for not one of them raised an answering feeling in his +breast. England could be nothing to him; if anything, it would prove +a desert, which contained no one object for his regrets or wishes. + +The image of Pembroke Somerset, indeed, rose in his mind, like the +dim recollection of one who has been a long time dead. Whilst they +were together at Villanow, they regarded each other warmly, and when +they parted they promised to correspond. One day, in pursuit of the +enemy, Thaddeus was so unlucky as to lose the pocket-book which +contained his friend's address; but yet, uneasy at his silence, he +ventured two letters to him, directed merely at Sir Robert +Somerset's, England. To these he received no answer; and the palatine +evinced so just a displeasure at such marked neglect and ingratitude, +that he would not suffer him to be mentioned in his presence, and +indeed Thaddeus, from disappointment and regret, felt no inclination +to transgress the command. + +When the young count, during the prominent interests of the late +disastrous campaign, remembered these things, he found little comfort +in recollecting the name of his young English guest; and now that he +was visiting England as a poor exile, with indignation and grief he +gave up the wish with the hope of meeting Mr. Somerset. Sensible that +Somerset had not acted as became the man to whom he could apply in +his distress, he resolved, unfriended as he was, to wipe him at once +from his memory. With a bitter sigh he turned his back on the land to +which he was going, and fixed his eyes on the tract of sea which then +divided him from all that he had ever loved, or had given him true +happiness. + +"Father of mercy!" murmured he, in a suppressed voice, "what have I +done to deserve this misery? Why have I been at one stroke deprived +of all that rendered existence estimable? Two months ago, I had a +mother, a more than father, to love and cherish me; I had a country, +that looked up to them and to me with veneration and confidence. Now, +I am bereft of all. I have neither father, mother, nor country, but I +am going to a land of utter strangers." + +Such impatient adjurations were never wrung from Sobieski by the +anguish of sudden torture without his ingenuous and pious mind +reproaching itself for such faithless repining. His soul was soft as +a woman's; but it knew neither effeminacy nor despair. Whilst his +heart bled, his countenance retained its serenity. Whilst affliction +crushed him to the earth, and nature paid a few hard-wrung drops to +his repeated bereavements, he contemned his tears, and raised his +fixed and confiding eye to that Power which poured down its tempests +on his head. Thaddeus felt as a man, but received consolation as a +Christian. + +When his ship arrived at the mouth of the Thames, the eagerness of +the passengers increased to such an excess that they would not stand +still, nor be silent a moment; and when the vessel, under full sail, +passed Sheerness, and the dome of St. Paul's appeared before them, +their exclamations were loud and incessant. "My home! my parents! my +wife! my friends!" were the burden of every tongue. + +Thaddeus found his calmed spirits again disturbed; and, rising from +his seat, he retired unobserved by the people, who were too happy to +attend to anything which did not agree with their own transports. The +cabin was as deserted as himself. Feeling that there is no solitude +like that of the heart, when it looks around and sees in the vast +concourse of human beings not one to whom it can pour forth its +sorrows, or receive the answering sigh of sympathy, he threw himself +on one of the lockers, and with difficulty restrained the tears from +gushing from his eyes. He held his hand over them, while he contemned +himself for a weakness so unbecoming his manhood. + +He despised himself: but let not others despise him. It is difficult +for those who lie morning and evening in the lap of domestic +indulgence to conceive the misery of being thrown out into a bleak +and merciless world; it is impossible for the happy man, surrounded +by luxury and gay companions, to figure to himself the reflections of +a fellow-creature who, having been fostered in the bosom of affection +and elegance, is cast at once from all society, bereft of home, of +comfort, of "every stay, save innocence and Heaven." None but the +wretched can imagine what the wretched endure from actual distress, +from apprehended misfortune, from outraged feelings, and ten thousand +nameless sensibilities to offence which only the unfortunate can +conceive, dread and experience. But what is it to be not only without +a home, but without a country? Thaddeus unconsciously uttered a groan +like that of death. + +The noise redoubled above his head, and in a few minutes afterwards +one of the sailors came rumbling clown the stairs. + +"Will it please your honor," said he, "to get up? That be my chest, +and I want my clothes to clean myself before I go on shore. Mother I +know be waiting me at Blackwall." + +Thaddeus rose, and with a withered heart again ascended to the deck. + +On coming up the hatchway, he saw that the ship was moored in the +midst of a large city, and was surrounded by myriads of vessels from +every quarter of the globe. He leaned over the railing, and in +silence looked down on the other passengers, who where bearing off in +boats, and shaking hands with the people who came to receive them. + +"It is near dark, sir," said the captain; "mayhap you would wish to +go on shore? There is a boat just come round, and the tide won't +serve much longer: and as your friends don't seem to be coming for +you, you are welcome to a place in it with me." + +The count thanked him; and after defraying the expenses of the +voyage, and giving money amongst the sailors, he desired that his +portmanteau might be put into the wherry. The honest fellows, in +gratitude to the bounty of their passenger, struggled who should obey +his commands, when the skipper, angry at being detained, snatched +away the baggage, and flinging it into the boat, leaped in after it, +and was followed by Thaddeus. + +The taciturnity of the seamen and the deep melancholy of his guest +were not broken until they reached the Tower stairs. + +"Go, Ben, fetch the gentleman a coach." + +The count bowed to the captain, who gave the order, and in a few +minutes the boy returned, saying there was one in waiting. He took up +the portmanteau, and Thaddeus, following him, ascended the Tower +stairs, where the carriage stood. Ben threw in the baggage and the +count put his foot on the step. "Where must the man drive to?" + +Thaddeus drew it back again. + +"Yes, sir," continued the lad; "where be your honor's home?" + +"In my grave," was the response his aching heart made to this +question. He hesitated before he spoke. "An hotel," said he, flinging +himself on the seat, and throwing a piece of silver into the lad's +hat. + +"What hotel, sir?" asked the coachman. + +"Any." + +The man closed the door, mounted his box, and drove off. + +It was now near seven o'clock, on a dark December evening. The lamps +were lighted; and it being Saturday-night, the streets were crowded +with people. Thaddeus looked at them as he was driven along. "Happy +creatures!" thought he; "you have each a home to go to; you have each +expectant friends to welcome you; every one of you knows some in the +world who will smile when you enter; whilst I, wretched, wretched +Sobieski where are now all thy highly-prized treasures, thy boasted +glory, and those beloved ones who rendered that glory most precious +to thee? Alas! all are withdrawn; vanished like a scene of +enchantment, from which I have indeed awakened to a frightful +solitude." + +His reflections were broken by the stopping of the carriage. The man +opened the door. + +"Sir, I have brought you to the Hummums, Covent Garden; it has as +good accommodations as any in the town. My fare is five shillings." + +Thaddeus paid the amount, and followed him and his baggage into the +coffee-room. At the entrance of a man of his figure, several waiters +presented themselves, begging to know his commands. + +"I want a chamber." + +He was ushered into a very handsome dining-room, where one of them +laid down the portmanteau, and then bowing low, inquired whether he +had dined. + +The waiter having received his orders, (for the count saw that it was +necessary to call for something,) hastened into the kitchen to +communicate them to the cook. + +"Upon my word, Betty," cried he, "you must do your best to-night; for +the chicken is for the finest-looking fellow you ever set eyes on. By +Jove, I believe him to be some Russian nobleman; perhaps the great +Suwarrow himself! and he speaks English as well as I do myself." + +"A prince, you mean, Jenkins!" said a pretty girl who entered at that +moment. "Since I was borne I never see'd any English lord walk up and +down the room with such an air; he looks like a king. For my part, I +should not wonder if he is one of them there emigrant kings, for they +say there is a power of them now wandering about the world." + +"You talk like a fool, Sally," cried the sapient waiter. "Don't you +see that his dress is military? Look at his black cap, with its long +bag and great feather, and the monstrous sword at his side; look at +them, and then if you can, say I am mistaken in deciding that he is +some great Russian commander,--most likely come over as ambassador!" + +"But he came in a hackney-coach," cried a little dirty boy in the +corner. "As I was running up stairs with Colonel Leson's shoes, I +see'd the coachman bring in his portmanteau." "Well, Jack-a-napes, +what of that?" cried Jenkins; "is a nobleman always to carry his +equipage about him, like a snail with its shell on its back? To be +sure, this foreign lord, or prince, is only come to stay here till +his own house is fit for him. I will be civil to him." + +"And so will I, Jenkins," rejoined Sally, smiling; "for I never see'd +such handsome blue eyes in my born days; and they turned so sweet on +me, and he spoke so kindly when he bade me stir the fire; and when he +sat down by it, and throwed off his great fur cloak, I see'd a +glittering star on his breast, and a figure so noble, that indeed, +cook, I do verily believe he is, as Jenkins says, an enthroned king!" + +"You and Jenkins be a pair of fools," cried the cook, who, without +noticing their description, had been sulkily basting the fowl. "I +will be sworn he's just such another king as that palavering rogue +was a French duke who got my master's watch and pawned it! As for +you, Sally, you had better beware of hunting after foreign men-folk: +it's not seemly for a young woman, and you may chance to rue it." + +The moralizing cook had now brought the whole kitchen on her +shoulders. The men abused her for a surly old maid, and the women +tittered, whilst they seconded her censure by cutting sly jokes on +the blushing face of poor Sally, who stood almost crying by the side +of her champion, Jenkins. + +Whilst this hubbub was going forward below stairs, its unconscious +subject was, as Sally had described, sitting in a chair close to the +fire, with his feet on the fender, his arms folded, and his eyes bent +on the flames. He mused; but his ideas followed each other in such +quick confused succession, it hardly could be said he thought of +anything. + +The entrance of dinner roused him from his reverie. It was carried in +by at least half a dozen waiters. The count had been so accustomed to +a numerous suite of attendants, he did not observe the parcelling out +of his temperate meal: one bringing in the fowl, another the bread, +his neighbor the solitary plate, and the rest in like order, so +solicitous were the male listeners in the kitchen to see this +wonderful Russian. + +Thaddeus partook but lightly of the refreshment. Being already +fatigued in body, and dizzy with the motion of the vessel, as soon as +the cloth was withdrawn, he ordered a night candle, and desired to be +shown to his chamber. + +Jenkins, whom the sight of the embroidered star confirmed in his +decision that the foreigner must be a person of consequence, with +increased agility whipped up the portmanteau and led the way to the +sleeping-rooms. Here curiosity put on a new form; the women servants, +determined to have their wishes gratified as well as the men, had +arranged themselves on each side of the passage through which the +count must pass. At so strange an appearance, Thaddeus drew back; but +supposing that it might be a custom of the country, he proceeded +through this fair bevy, and bowed as he walked along to the low +curtesies which they continued to make, until he entered his +apartment and closed the door. + +The unhappy are ever restless; they hope in every change of situation +to obtain some alteration in their feelings. Thaddeus was too +miserable awake not to view with eagerness the bed on which he +trusted that, for a few hours at least, he might lose the +consciousness of his desolation, with its immediate suffering. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THADDEUS'S FIRST DAY IN ENGLAND. + + +When he awoke in the morning, his head ached, and he felt as +unrefreshed as when he had lain down; he undrew the curtain, and saw, +from the strength of the light, it must be midday. He got up; and +having dressed himself, descended to the sitting-room, where he found +a good fire and the breakfast already placed. He rang the bell, and +walked to the window, to observe the appearance of the morning. A +heavy snow had fallen during the night; and the sun, ascended to its +meridian, shone through the thick atmosphere like a ball of fire. All +seemed comfortless without; and turning back to the warm hearth, +which was blazing at the other end of the room, he was reseating +himself, when Jenkins brought in the tea-urn. + +"I hope, my lord," said the waiter, "that your lordship slept well +last night?" + +"Perfectly, I thank you," replied the count, unmindful that the man +had addressed him according to his rank; "when you come to remove +these things, bring me my bill." + +Jenkins bowed and withdrew, congratulating himself on his dexterity +in having saluted the stranger with his title. + +During the absence of the waiter, Thaddeus thought it time to examine +the state of his purse. He well recollected how he had paid at +Dantzic; and from the style in which he was served here, he did not +doubt that to defray what he had already contracted would nearly +exhaust his all. He emptied the contents of his purse into his hands; +a guinea and some silver was all that he possessed. A flush of terror +suffused itself over his face; he had never known the want of money +before, and he trembled now lest the charge should exceed his means +of payment. + +Jenkins entered with the bill. On the count's examining it, he was +pleased to find it amounted to no more than the only piece of gold +his purse contained. He laid it upon the tea-board, and putting half- +a-crown into the hand of Jenkins, who appeared waiting for something, +wrapped his cloak round him as he was walking out of the room. + +"I suppose, my lord," cried Jenkins, pocketing the money with a +smirk, and bowing with the things in his hands, "we are to have the +honor of seeing your lordship again, as you leave your portmanteau +behind you?" + +Thaddeus hesitated a few seconds, then again moving towards the door, +said, "I will send for it." + +"By what name, my lord?" + +"The Count Sobieski." + +Jenkins immediately set down the tea-board, and hurrying after +Thaddeus along the passage, and through the coffee-room, darted +before him, and opening the door into the lobby for him to go out, +exclaimed, loud enough for everybody to hear, "Depend upon it, Count +Sobieski, I will take care of your lordship's baggage." + +Thaddeus, rather displeased at his noisy officiousness, only bent his +head, and proceeded into the street. + +The air was piercing cold; and on his looking around, he perceived by +the disposition of the square in which he was that it must be a +market-place. The booths and stands were covered with snow, whilst +parts of the pavement were rendered nearly impassable by heaps of +black ice, which the market people of the preceding day had shoveled +up out of their way. He recollected it was now Sunday, and +consequently the improbability of finding any cheaper lodgings on +that day. [Footnote: Those who remember the terrible winter of 1794, +will not call this description exaggerated. That memorable winter was +one of mourning to many in England. Some of her own brave sons +perished amidst the frozen dykes of Holland and the Netherlands, +vainly opposing the march of the French anarchists. How strange +appeared then to him the doom of nations.] + +Thaddeus stood under the piazzas for two or three minutes, bewildered +on the plan he should adopt. To return to the hotel for any purpose +but to sleep, in the present state of his finances, would be +impossible; he therefore determined, inclement as the season was, if +he could not find a chapel, to walk the streets until night. He might +then go back to the Hummums to his bed chamber; but he resolved to +quit it in the morning, for a residence more suitable to his slender +means. + +The wind blew keenly from the north-east, accompanied with a violent +shower of sleet and rain; yet such was the abstraction of his mind, +that he hardly observed its bitterness, but walked on, careless +whither his feet led him, until he stopped opposite St. Martin's +church. + +"God is my only friend! and in any house of His I shall surely find +shelter!" + +He turned up the steps, and was entering the porch, when he met the +congregation thronging out of it. + +"Is the service over?" he inquired of a decent old woman who was +passing him down the stairs. The woman started at this question, +asked her in English by a person whose dress was so completely +foreign. He repeated it. Smiling and curtseying, she replied-- + +"Yes, sir; and I am sorry for it. Lord bless your handsome face, +though you be a stranger gentleman, it does one's heart good to see +you so devoutly given!" + +Thaddeus blushed at this personal compliment, though it came from the +lips of a wrinkled old woman; and begging permission to assist her +down the stairs, he asked when service would begin again. + +"At three o'clock, sir, and may Heaven bless the mother who bore so +pious a son!" + +While the poor woman spoke, she raised her eyes with a melancholy +resignation. The count, touched with her words and manner, almost +unconsciously to himself, continued by her side as she hobbled down +the street. + +His eyes were fixed on the ground, until somebody pressing against +him, made him look round. He saw that his aged companion had just +knocked at the door of a mean-looking house, and that she and himself +were surrounded by nearly a dozen people, besides boys who through +curiosity had followed them from the church porch. + +"Ah! sweet sir," cried she, "these folks are staring at so fine a +gentleman taking notice of age and poverty." + +Thaddeus was uneasy at the inquisitive gaze of the bystanders; and +his companion observing the fluctuation of his countenance, added, as +the door was opened by a little girl, + +"Will your honor walk in out of the rain, and warm yourself by my +poor fire?" + +He hesitated a moment; then, accepting her invitation, bent his head +to get under the humble door-way, and following her through a neatly- +sanded passage, entered a small but clean kitchen. A little boy, who +was sitting on a stool near the fire, uttered a scream at the sight +of the stranger, and running up to his grandmother, rolled himself in +her cloak, crying out, + +"Mammy, mammy, take away that black man!" + +"Be quiet, William; it is a gentleman, and no black man. I am so +ashamed, sir; but he is only three years old." + +"I should apologize to you," returned the count, smiling, "for +introducing a person so hideous as to frighten your family." + +By the time he finished speaking, the good dame had pacified the +shrieking boy, who stood trembling, and looking askance at the +tremendous black gentleman stroking the head of his pretty sister. + +"Come here, my dear!" said Thaddeus, seating himself by the fire, and +stretching out his hand to the child. He instantly buried his head in +his grandmother's apron. + +"William! William!" cried his sister, pulling him by the arm, "the +gentleman will not hurt you." + +The boy again lifted up his head. Thaddeus threw back his long sable +cloak, and taking off his cap, whose hearse-like plumes he thought +might have terrified the child, he laid it on the ground, and again +stretching forth his arms, called the boy to approach him. Little +William now looked steadfastly in his face, and then on the cap, +which he had laid beside him; whilst he grasped his grandmother's +apron with one hand, he held out the other, half assured, towards the +count. Thaddeus took it, and pressing it softly, pulled him gently to +him, and placed him on his knee. "My little fellow," said he, kissing +him, "you are not frightened now?" + +"No," said the child; "I see you are not the ugly black man who takes +away naughty boys. The ugly black man has a black face, and snakes on +his head; but these are pretty curls!" added he, laughing, and +putting his little fingers through the thick auburn hair which hung +in neglected masses over the forehead of the count. + +"I am ashamed that your honor should sit in a kitchen," said the old +lady; "but I have not a fire in any other room." + +"Yes," said her granddaughter, who was about twelve years old; +"grandmother has a nice first-floor up stairs, but because we have no +lodgers, there be no fire there." + +"Be silent, Nanny Robson," said the dame; "your pertness teases the +gentleman." + +"O, not at all," cried Thaddeus; "I ought to thank her, for she +informs me you have lodgings to let; will you allow me to engage +them!" + +"You, sir!" cried Mrs. Robson, thunderstruck; "for what purpose? +Surely so noble a gentleman would not live in such a place as this?" + +"I would, Mrs. Robson: I know not where I could live with more +comfort; and where comfort is, my good madam, what signifies the +costliness or plainness of the dwelling?" + +"Well, sir, if you be indeed serious; but I cannot think you are; you +are certainly making a joke of me for my boldness in asking you into +my poor house." + +"Upon my honor, I am not, Mrs. Robson. I will gladly be your lodger +if you will admit me; and to convince you that I am in earnest, my +portmanteau shall this moment be brought here." + +"Well, sir," resumed she, "I shall be honored in having you in my +house; but I have no room for any one but yourself, not even for a +servant." + +"I have no servant." + +"Then I will wait on him, grandmother," cried the little Nanny; "do +let the gentleman have them; I am sure he looks honest." + +The woman colored at this last observation of the child, and +proceeded: + +"Then, sir, if you should not disdain the rooms when you see them, I +shall be too happy in having so good a gentleman under my roof. +Pardon my boldness, sir; but may I ask? I think by your dress you are +a foreigner?" + +"I am," replied Thaddeus, the radiance which played over his features +contracting into a glow; "if you have no objection to take a stranger +within your doors, from this hour I shall consider your house my +home?" + +"As your honor pleases," said Mrs. Robson; "my terms are half-a- +guinea a week; and I will tend on you as though you were my own son! +for I cannot forget, excellent young gentleman, the way in which we +first met." + +"Then I will leave you for the present;" returned he, rising, and +putting down the little William, who had been amusing himself with +examining the silver points of the star of St. Stanislaus which the +count wore on his breast. "In the meanwhile," said he, "my pretty +friend," stooping to the child, "let this bit of silver," was just +mounting to his tongue, as he put his hand into his pocket to take +out half-a-crown; but he recollected that his necessities would no +longer admit of such gifts, and drawing his hand back with a deep and +bitter sigh, he touched the boy's cheek with his lips, and added, +"let this kiss remind you of your new friend." + +This was the first time the generous spirit of Sobieski had been +restrained; and he suffered a pang, for the poignancy of which he +could not account. His had been a life accustomed to acts of +munificence. His grandfather's palace was the asylum of the unhappy-- +his grandfather's purse a treasury for the unfortunate. The soul of +Thaddeus did not degenerate from his noble relative: his generosity, +begun in inclination, was nurtured by reflection, and strengthened +with a daily exercise which had rendered it a habit of his nature. +Want never appeared before him without exciting a sympathetic emotion +in his heart, which never rested until he had administered every +comfort in the power of wealth to bestow. His compassion and his +purse were the substance and shadow of each other. The poor of his +country thronged from every part of the kingdom to receive pity and +relief at his hands. With those houseless wanderers he peopled the +new villages his grandfather had erected in the midst of lands which +in former times were the haunts of wild beasts. Thaddeus participated +in the happiness of his grateful tenants, and many were the old men +whose eyes he had closed in thankfulness and peace. These honest +peasants, even in their dying moments, wished to give up that life in +his arms which he had rescued from misery. He visited their cottage; +he smoothed their pillow; he joined in their prayers; and when their +last sigh came to his ear, he raised the weeping family from the +dust, and cheered them with pious exhortations and his kindest +assurances of protection. How often has the countess clasped her +beloved son to her breast, when, after a scene like this, he has +returned home, the tears of the dying man and his children yet wet +upon his hand! how often has she strained him to her heart, whilst +floods of rapture have poured from her own eyes! Heir to the first +fortune in Poland, he scarcely knew the means by which he bestowed +all these benefits; and with a soul as bounteous to others as Heaven +had been munificent to him, wherever he moved he shed smiles and +gifts around him. How frequently he had said to the palatine, when +his carriage-wheels were chased by the thankful multitude, "O my +father! how can I ever be sufficiently grateful to God for the +happiness he hath allotted to me in making me the dispenser of so +many blessings! The gratitude of these people overpowers and humbles +me in my own eyes; what have I done to be so eminently favored of +Heaven? I tremble when I ask myself the question." "You may tremble, +my dear boy," replied his grandfather, "for indeed the trial is a +severe one. Prosperity, like adversity, is an ordeal of conduct. Two +roads are before the rich man--vanity or virtue; you have chosen the +latter, and the best; and may Heaven ever hold you in it! May Heaven +ever keep your heart generous and pure! Go on, my dear Thaddeus, as +you have commenced, and you will find that your Creator hath bestowed +wealth upon you not for what you have done, but as the means of +evincing how well you would prove yourself his faithful steward." + +This _was_ the fortune of Thaddeus; and _now_, he who had +scattered thousands without counting them drew back his hand with +something like horror at his own injustice, when he was going to give +away one little piece of silver, which he might want in a day or two, +to defray some indispensible debt. + +"Mrs. Robson," said he, as he replaced his cap upon his head, "I +shall return before it is dark." + +"Very well, sir," and opening the door, he went out into the lane. + +Ignorant of the town, and thanking Providence for having prepared him +an asylum, he directed his course towards Charing Cross. He looked +about him with deepened sadness; the wet and plashy state of the +streets gave to every object so comfortless an appearance, he could +scarcely believe himself to be in that London of which he had read +with so much delight. Where were the magnificent buildings he +expected to see in the emporium of the world? Where that cleanliness, +and those tokens of greatness and splendor, which had been the +admiration and boast of travellers? He could nowhere discover them; +all seemed parts of a dark, gloomy, common-looking city. + +Hardly heeding whither he went, he approached the Horse-Guards; a +view of the Park, as it appears through the wide porch, promised him +less unpleasantness than the dirty pavement, and he turned in, taking +his way along the Bird-Cage Walk. [Footnote: The young readers of +these few preceding pages will not recognize this description of St. +Martin's Lane, Charing Cross, and St. James's Park, in 1794, in what +they now see there in 1844. St. Martin's noble church was then the +centre of the east side of a long, narrow, and somewhat dirty lane of +mean houses, particularly in the end below the church. Charing Cross, +with its adjoining streets, showed nothing better than plain +tradesmen's shops; and it was not till we saw the Admiralty, and +entered the Horse-Guards, that anything presented itself worthy the +great name of London. The Park is almost completely altered. The +lower part of the lane has totally disappeared; also its adjunct, the +King's Mews, where now stands the royal National Gallery, while the +church of St. Martin's rears its majestic portico and spire, no +longer obscured by its former adjacent common buildings; and the +grand naval pillar lately erected to the memory of Britain's hero, +Nelson, occupies the centre of the new quadrangle now called +Trafalgar Square.] + +The trees, stripped of their leaves, stood naked, and dripping with +melten snow. The season was in unison with the count's fate. He was +taking the bitter wind for his repast, and quenching his thirst with +the rain that fell on his pale and feverish lips. He felt the cutting +blast enter his soul, and shutting his eyelids to repel the tears +which were rising from his heart, he walked faster; but in spite of +himself, their drops mingled with the wet that trickled from his cap +upon his face. One melancholy thought introduced another, until his +bewildered mind lived over again, in memory, every calamity which had +reduced him from happiness to all this lonely misery. Two or three +heavy convulsive sighs followed these reflections; and quickening his +pace, he walked several times quite round the Park. The rain ceased. +But not marking time, and hardly observing the people who passed, he +threw himself down upon one of the benches, and sat in a musing +posture, with his eyes fixed on the opposite tree. + +A sound of voices approaching roused him. Turning his eyes, he saw +the speakers were two young men, and by their dress he judged they +must belong to the regiment of a sentinel who was patrolling at the +end of the Mall. + +"By heavens! Barrington," cried one, "it is the best shaped boot I +ever beheld! I have a good mind to ask him whether it be English +make." + +"And if it be," replied the other, "you must ask him who shaped his +legs, that you may send yours to be mended." + +"Who the devil can see my legs through that boot?" + +"Oh, if to veil them be your reason, pray ask him immediately." + +"And so I will, for I think the boot perfection." + +At these words, he was making towards Sobieski with two or three long +strides, when his companion pulled him back. + +"Surely, Harwold, you will not be so ridiculous? He appears to be a +foreigner of rank, and may take offence, and give you the length of +his foot!" + +"Curse him and rank too; he is some paltry emigrant, I warrant! I +care nothing about his foot or his legs, but I should like to know +who made his boots!" + +While he spoke he would have dragged his companion along with him, +but Barrington broke from his arm; and the fool, who now thought +himself dared to it, strode up close to the chair, and bowed to +Thaddeus, who (hardly crediting that he could be the subject of this +dialogue) returned the salutation with a cold bend of his head. + +Harwold looked a little confounded at this haughty demeanor; and, +once in his life, blushing at his own insolence, he roared out, as if +in defiance of shame. + +"Pray, sir, where did you get your boots?" + +"Where I got my sword, sir," replied Thaddeus, calmly; and rising +from his seat, he darted his eyes disdainfully on the coxcomb, and +walked slowly down the Mall. Surprised and shocked at such behavior +in a British officer, while he moved away he distinctly heard +Barrington laughing aloud, and ridiculing the astonished and set-down +air of his impudent associate. + +This incident did not so much ruffle the temper of Thaddeus as it +amazed and perplexed him. + +"Is this a specimen," though he, "of a nation which on the Continent +is venerated for courage, manliness, and generosity? Well, I find I +have much to learn. I must go through the ills of life to estimate +myself thoroughly; and I must study mankind in themselves, and not in +reports of them, to have a true knowledge of what they are." + +This strange rencontre was of service to him, by diverting his mind +from the intense contemplation of his situation; and as the dusk drew +on, he turned his steps towards the Hummums. + +On entering the coffee-room, he was met by the obsequious Jenkins, +who, being told by Thaddeus that he wanted his baggage and a carnage, +went for the things himself, and sent a boy for a coach. + +A man dressed in black was standing by the chimney, and seemed to be +eyeing Thaddeus, as he walked up and down the room, with great +attention. Just as he had taken another turn, and so drew nearer the +fireplace, this person accosted him rather abruptly-- + +"Pray, sir, is there any news stirring abroad? You seem, sir, to come +from abroad." + +"None that I know of, sir." + +"Bless me, that's strange! I thought, sir, you came from abroad, sir; +from the Continent, from Poland, sir? at least the waiter said so, +sir." + +Thaddeus colored. "The waiter, sir?" + +"I mean, sir," continued the gentleman, visibly confused at the +dilemma into which he had brought himself, "the waiter said that you +were a count, sir--a Polish count; indeed the Count Sobieski! Hence I +concluded that you are from Poland. If I have offended, I beg pardon, +sir; but in these times we are anxious for every intelligence." + +Thaddeus made no other reply than a slight inclination of his head, +and walking forward to see whether the coach had arrived, he thought, +whatever travellers had related of the English, they were the most +impertinent people he had ever met with. + +The stranger would not be contented with what he had already said, +but plucking up new courage, pursued the count to the glass door +through which he was looking, and resumed: + +"I believe, sir, I am not wrong? You are the Count Sobieski; and I +have the honor to be now speaking with the bravest champion of Polish +liberty!" + +Thaddeus again bowed. "I thank you, sir, for the compliment you +intend me, but I cannot take it to myself; all the men of Poland, old +and young, nobles and peasants, were her champions, equally sincere, +equally brave." + +Nothing could silence the inquisitive stranger. The coach drew up, +but he went on: + +"Then I hope that many of these patriots, besides your excellency, +have taken care to bring away their wealth from a land which they +must now see is abandoned to destruction?" + +For a moment Thaddeus forget himself, indignation for his country, +and all her rights and all her sufferings rose in his countenance. + +"No, sir! not one of those men, and least of all would I have drawn +one vital drop from her heart! I left in her murdered bosom all that +was dear to me--all that I possessed; and not until I saw the chains +brought before my eyes that were to lay her surviving sons in irons +did I turn my back on calamities I could no longer avert or +alleviate." + +The ardor of his manner and the elevation of his voice had drawn the +attention of every person in the room upon him, when Jenkins entered +with his baggage. The door being opened, Sobieski sprang into the +coach, and gladly shut himself there, from a conversation which had +awakened all his griefs. + +"Ah, poor enthusiast!" exclaimed his inquisitor, as the carriage +drove off. "It is a pity that so fine a young man should have made so +ill a use of his birth, and other natural advantages!" + +"He appears to me," observed an old clergyman who sat in an adjoining +box, "to have made the best possible use of his natural advantages; +and had I a son, I would rather hear him utter such a sentiment as +the one with which that young man quitted the room, than see him +master of millions." + +"May be so," cried the questioner, with a contemptuous glance; +"'different minds incline to different objects!' His has decided for +'the wonderful, the wild;' and a pretty finale he has made of his +choice!" + +"Why, to be sure," observed another spectator, "young people should +be brought up with reasonable ideas of right and wrong, and prudence; +nevertheless, I should not like a son of mine to run harum-scarum +through my property, and his own life; and yet one cannot help, when +one hears such a brave speech as that from yonder Frenchman just gone +out,--I say one cannot help thinking it very fine." "True, true," +cried the inquisitor; "you are right, sir; very fine indeed, but too +fine to wear; it would soon leave us acreless, as it has done him; +for it seems, by his own confession, he is penniless; and I know that +a twelvemonth ago he was an heir to a fortune which, however +incalculable, he has managed, with all his talents, to see the end +of." + +"Then he is in distress!" exclaimed the clergyman, "and you know him. +What is his name?" + +The man colored at this unexpected inference; and glad the company +had not attended to that part of the dialogue in which the name of +Sobieski was mentioned, he stammered some indistinct words, took up +his hat, and looking at his watch, begged pardon, having an +appointment, and hurried out of the room without speaking further; +although the good clergyman, whose name was Blackmore, hastened after +him, requesting to know where the young foreigner lived. + +"Who is that spectacled coxcomb?" cried the reverend doctor, as he +returned from his unavailing application. + +"I don't know, sir," replied the waiter "I never saw him in this +house before last night, when he came in late to sleep; and this +morning he was in the coffee-room at breakfast, just as that foreign +gentleman walked through; and Jenkins bawling his name out very loud, +as soon as he was gone, this here gentleman asked him who that count +was. I heard Jenkins say some Russian name, and tell him he came last +night, and would likely come back again; and so that there gentleman +has been loitering about all day till now, when the foreign gentleman +coming in, he spoke to him." + +"And don't you know anything further of this foreigner?" + +"No, sir; I forget what he is called; but I see Jenkins going across +the street; shall I run after him and ask him?" + +"You are very obliging," returned the old clergyman; "but does +Jenkins know where the stranger lives?" + +"No, sir I am sure he don't." + +"I am sorry for it," sighed the kind questioner; "then your inquiry +would be of no use; his name will not do without his direction. Poor +fellow! he has been unfortunate, and I might have befriended him." + +"Yes, to be sure, doctor," cried the first speaker, who now rose to +accompany him out; "it is our duty to befriend the unfortunate; but +charity begins at home; and as all's for the best, perhaps it is +lucky we did not hear any more about this young fellow. We might have +involved ourselves in a vast deal of unnecessary trouble; and you +know people from outlandish parts have no claims upon us." + +"Certainly," replied the doctor, "none in the world, excepting those +which no human creature can dispute,--the claims of nature. All +mankind are born heirs of suffering; and as joint inheritors, if we +do not wipe away each other's tears, it will prove but a comfortless +portion." + +"Ah! doctor," cried his companion, as they separated at the end of +Charles-street, "you have always the best of an argument: you have +logic and Aristotle at your finger ends." + +"No, my friend; my arguments are purely Christian. Nature is my +logic, and the Bible my teacher." + +"Ah, there you have me again. You parsons are as bad as the lawyers; +when once you get a poor sinner amongst you, he finds it as hard to +get out of the church as out of chancery. However, have it your own +way; charity is your trade, and I won't be in a hurry to dispute the +monopoly. Good-day! If I stay much longer, you will make me believe +that black is white." + +Dr. Blackmore shook him by the hand, and wishing him good-evening, +returned home, pitying the worldliness of his friend's mind, and +musing on the interesting stranger, whom he could not but admire, and +compassionate with a lively sorrow, for he believed him to be a +gentleman, unhappy and unfortunate. Had he known that the object of +his solicitude was the illustrious subject of many a former eulogium +from himself, how increased would have been his regret--that he had +seen Count Thaddeus Sobieski, that he had seen him an exile, and that +he had suffered him to pass out of the reach of his services! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE EXILE'S LODGINGS. + + +Meanwhile the homeless Sobieski was cordially received by his humble +landlady. He certainly never stood in more need of kindness. A slow +fever, which had been gradually creeping over him since he quitted +Poland, soon settled on his nerves, and reduced him to such weakness, +that he possessed neither strength nor spirits to stir abroad. + +Mrs. Robson was sincerely grieved at this illness of her guest. Her +own son, the father of the orphans she protected, had died of +consumption, and any appearance of that cruel disorder was a certain +call upon her compassion. + +Thaddeus gave himself up to her management. He had no money for +medical assistance, and to please her he took what little medicines +she prepared. According to her advice, he remained for several days +shut up in his chamber, with a large fire, and the shutters closed, +to exclude the smallest portion of that air which the good woman +thought had already stricken him with death. + +But all would not do; her patient became worse and worse. Frightened +at the symptoms, Mrs. Robson begged leave to send for the kind +apothecary who had attended her deceased son. In this instance only +she found the count obstinate, no arguments, nor even tears, could +move him to assent. When she stood weeping, and holding his burning +hand, his answer was constantly the same. + +"My excellent Mrs. Robson, do not grieve on my account; I am not in +the danger you think; I shall do very well with your assistance." + +"No, no; I see death in your eyes. Can I feel this hand and see that +hectic cheek without beholding your grave, as it were, opening before +me?" + +She was not much mistaken; for during the night after this debate +Thaddeus grew so delirious that, no longer able to subdue her +terrors, she sent for the apothecary to come instantly to her house. + +"Oh, doctor!" cried she, while he ascended the stairs, "I have the +best young gentleman ever the sun shone on dying in that room! He +would not let me send for you; and now he is raving like a mad +creature." + +Mr. Vincent entered the count's humble apartment, and undrew the +curtains of the bed. Exhausted by delirium, Thaddeus had sunk +senseless on his pillow. At this sight, supposing him dead, Mrs. +Robson uttered a shriek, which was echoed by the cries of the little +William, who stood near his grandmother. + +"Hush! my good woman," said the doctor; "the gentleman is not dead. +Leave the room till you have recovered yourself, and I will engage +that you shall see him alive when you return." + +Blessing these words she quitted the room with her grandson. + +On entering the chamber, Mr. Vincent had felt that its hot and +stifling atmosphere must augment the fever of his patient; and before +he attempted to disturb him from the temporary rest of insensibility, +he opened the window-shutters and also the room-door wide enough to +admit the air from the adjoining apartment. Pulling the heavy clothes +from the count's bosom he raised his head on his arm and poured some +drops into his mouth. Sobieski opened his eyes and uttered a few +incoherent words; but he did not rave, he only wandered, and appeared +to know that he did so, for he several times stopped in the midst of +some confused speech, and laying his hand on his forehead, strove to +recollect himself. + +Mrs. Robson soon after re-entered the room, and wept out her thanks +to the apothecary, whom she revered as almost a worker of miracles. + +"I must bleed him, Mrs. Robson," continued he; "and for that purpose +shall go home for my assistant and lancets; but in the meanwhile I +charge you to let every thing remain in the state I have left it. The +heat alone would have given a fever to a man in health." + +When the apothecary returned, he saw that his commands had been +strictly obeyed; and finding that the change of atmosphere had +wrought the expected alteration in his patient, he took his arm +without difficulty and bled him. At the end of the operation Thaddeus +again fainted. + +"Poor gentleman!" cried Mr. Vincent, binding up the arm. "Look here, +Tom," (pointing to the scars, on the count's shoulder and +breast;) "see what terrible cuts have been here! This has not been +playing at soldiers! Who is your lodger, Mrs. Robson?" + +"His name is Constantine, Mr. Vincent; but for Heaven's sake recover +him from that swoon." + +Mr. Vincent poured more drops into his mouth; and a minute afterwards +he opened his eyes, divested of their feverish glare, but still dull +and heavy. He spoke to Mrs. Robson by her name, which gave her such +delight, that she caught his hands to her lips and burst again into +tears. The action was so abrupt and violent, that it made him feel +the stiffness of his arm. Casting his eyes towards the surgeon's, he +conjectured what had been his state, and what the consequence. + +"Come, Mrs. Robson," said the apothecary, "you must not disturb the +gentleman. How do you find yourself, sir?" + +As the deed could not be recalled, Thaddeus thanked the doctor for +the service he had received, and said a few kind and grateful words +to his good hostess. + +Mr. Vincent was glad to see so promising an issue to his proceedings, +and soon after retired with his assistant and Mrs. Robson, to give +further directions. + +On entering the parlor, she threw herself into a chair and broke into +a paroxysm of lamentations. + +"My good woman, what is all this about?" inquired the doctor. "Is not +my patient better?" + +"Yes," cried she, drying her eyes; "but the whole scene puts me so in +mind of the last moments of my poor misguided son, that the very +sight of it goes through my heart like a knife. Oh! had my boy been +as good as that dear gentleman, had he been as well prepared to die, +I think I would scarcely have grieved! Yet Heaven spare Mr. +Constantine. Will he live?" + +"I hope so, Mrs. Robson. His fever is high; but he is young, and with +extreme care we may preserve him." + +"The Lord grant it!" cried she, "for he is the best gentleman I ever +beheld. He has been above a week with me; and till this night, in +which he lost his senses, though hardly able to breath or see, he has +read out of books which he brought with him; and good books too: for +it was but yesterday morning that I saw the dear soul sitting by the +fire with a book on the table, which he had been studying for an +hour. As I was dusting about, I saw him lay his head down on it, and +put his hand to his temples. 'Alas!, sir,' said I, 'you tease your +brains with these books of learning when you ought to be taking +rest.' No, Mrs. Robson,' returned he, with a sweet smile, 'it is this +book which brings me rest. I may amuse myself with others, but this +alone contains perfect beauty, perfect wisdom, and perfect peace. It +is the only infallible soother of human sorrows.' He closed it, and +put it on the chimney-piece; and when I looked at it afterwards, I +found it was the Bible. Can you wonder that I should love so +excellent a gentleman?" + +"You have given a strange account of him," replied Vincent. "I hope +he is not a twaddler; [Footnote: A term of derision, forty years ago, +amongst unthinking persons, when speaking of eminently religious +people.] if so, I shall despair of his cure, and think his delirium +had another cause besides fever." + +"I don't understand you, sir. He is a Christian, and as good a +reasonable, sweet-tempered gentleman as ever came into a house. Alas! +I believe he is most likely a papist; though they say papists don't +read the Bible, but worship images." + +"Why, what reason have you to suppose that? He's an Englishman, is he +not?" + +"No, he is an emigrant." + +"An emigrant! Oh, ho!" cried Mr. Vincent, with a contemptuous twirl +of his lip. "What, a poor Frenchman! Good Lord! how this town is +overrun with these fellows!" + +"No, doctor," exclaimed Mrs. Robson, greatly hurt at this scorn to +her lodger, whom she really loved; "whatever he be, he is not poor, +for he has a power of fine things; he has got a watch all over +diamonds, and diamond rings, and diamond pictures without number. So, +doctor, you need not fear you are attending him for charity; no, I +would sell my gown first." + +"Nay, don't be offended, Mrs. Robson; I meant no offence," returned +he, much mollified by this explanation; "but, really, when we see the +bread that should feed our children and our own poor eaten up by a +parcel of lazy French drones--all _Sans Culottes_ [The democratic +rabble were commonly so called at that early period of the French +Revolution; and certainly some of their demagogues did cross the +Channel at times, counterfeiting themselves to be loyal emigrants, +while assiduously disseminating their destructive principles wherever +they could find an entrance.] in disguise, for aught we know, who +cover our land, and destroy its produce like a swarm of filthy +locusts--we should be fools not to murmur. But Mr.----, Mr.----, what +do you call him, Mrs. Robson? is a different sort of body." + +"Mr. Constantine," replied she, "and indeed he is; and no doubt, when +you recover him, he will pay you as though he were in his own +country." + +This last assertion banished all remaining suspicion from the mind of +the apothecary; and, after giving the good woman what orders he +thought requisite, he returned home, promising to call again in the +evening. + +Mrs. Robson went up stairs to the count's chamber with other +sentiments to her sapient doctor than those with which she came down. +She well recollected the substance of his discourse, and she gathered +from it that, however clever he might be in his profession, he was a +hard-hearted man, who would rather see a fellow-creature perish than +administer relief to him without a reward. She had paid him to the +uttermost farthing for her poor son. + +But here Mrs. Robson was mistaken. She did him justice in esteeming +his medical abilities, which were great. He had made medicine the +study of his life, and not allowing any other occupation to disturb +his attention, he became master of that science, but remained +ignorant of every other with which it had no connection. He was the +father of a family, and, in the usual acceptation of the term, a very +good sort of a man. He preferred his country to every other, because +it was his country; he loved his wife and his children; he was kind +to the poor, to whom he gave his advice gratis, and letters to the +dispensary for drugs; and when he had any broken victuals to spare, +he desired that they might be divided amongst them; but he seldom +caught his maid obeying this part of his commands without +reprimanding her for her extravagance, in giving away what ought to +be eaten in the kitchen: "in these times, it was a shame to waste a +crumb, and the careless hussy would come to want for thinking so +lightly of other people's property." + +Thus, like many in the world, he was a loyal citizen by habit, an +affectionate father from nature, and a man of charity because he now +and then felt pity, and now and then heard it preached from the +pulpit. He was exhorted to be pious, and to pour wine and oil into +the wounds of his neighbor; but it never once struck him that piety +extended further than going to church, mumbling his prayers and +forgetting the sermon, through most of which he generally slept; and +his commentaries on the good Samaritan were not more extensive, for +it was so difficult to make him comprehend who was his neighbor, that +the subject of the argument might have been sick, dead and buried +before he could be persuaded that he or she had any claims on his +care. Indeed, his "chanty began at home;" and it was so fond of its +residence, that it stopped there. To have been born on the other side +of the British Channel, spread an ocean between every poor foreigner +and Mr. Vincent's purse which the swiftest wings of chanty could +never cross. "He saw no reason," he said, "for feeding the natural +enemies of our country. Would any man be mad enough to take the meat +from his children's mouths and throw it to a swarm of wolves just +landed on the coast?" "These wolves" were his favorite metaphor when +he spoke of the unhappy French, or of any other penniless strangers +that came in his way. + +After this explanation, it may appear paradoxical to mention an +inconsistency in the mind of Mr. Vincent which never permitted him to +discover the above Cainish mark of outlawry upon a wealthy visitor, +of whatever country. In fact, it was with him as with many: riches +were a splendid and thick robe that concealed all blemishes; take it +away, and probably the poor stripped wretch would be treated worse +than a criminal. + +That his new patient possessed some property was sufficient to ensure +the respect and medical skill of Mr. Vincent; and when he entered his +own house, he told his wife he had found "a very good job at Mrs. +Robson's, in the illness of her lodger--a foreigner of some sort," he +said, "who, by her account, had feathered his nest well in the spoils +of battle (like Moore's honest Irishman) with jewels and gold." So +much for the accuracy of most quotations adopted according to the +convenience of the speaker. + +When the Count Sobieski quitted the Hummums, on the evening in which +he brought away his baggage, he was so disconcerted by the +impertinence of the man who accosted him there, that he determined +not to expose himself to a similar insult by retaining a title which +might subject him to the curiosity of the insolent and insensible; +and, therefore, when Mrs. Robson asked him how she should address +him, as he was averse to assume a feigned name, he merely said Mr. +Constantine. + +Under that unobtrusive character, he hoped in time to accommodate his +feelings to the change of fortune which Providence had allotted to +him. He must forget his nobility, his pride, and his sensibility; he +must earn his subsistence. But by what means? He was ignorant of +business; and he knew not how to turn his accomplishments to account. +Such were his meditations, until illness and delirium deprived him of +them and of reason together. + +At the expiration of a week, in which Mr. Vincent attended his +patient very regularly, Sobieski was able to remove into the front +room; but uneasiness about the debts he had so unintentionally +incurred retarded his recovery, and made his hours pass away in +cheerless musings on his poor means of repaying the good widow and of +satisfying the avidity of the apothecary. Pecuniary obligation was a +load to which he was unaccustomed; and once or twice the wish almost +escaped his heart that he had died. + +Whenever he was left to think, such were his reflections. Mrs. Robson +discovered that he appeared more feverish and had worse nights after +being much alone during the day, and therefore contrived, though she +was obliged to be in her little shop, to leave either Nanny to attend +his wants or little William to amuse him. + +This child, by its uncommon quickness and artless manner, gained upon +the count, who was ever alive to helplessness and innocence. Children +and animals had always found a friend and protector in him. From the +"majestic war-horse, with his neck clothed in thunder," to "the poor +beetle that we tread upon"--every creature of creation met an +advocate of mercy in his breast; and as human nature is prone to love +what it has been kind to, Thaddeus never saw either children, dogs, +or even that poor slandered and abused animal, the cat, without +showing them some spontaneous act of attention. + +Whatever of his affections he could spare from memory, the count +lavished upon the little William. The child hardly ever left his +side, where he sat on a stool, prattling about anything that came +into his head; or, seated on his knee, followed with his eyes and +playful fingers the hand of Thaddeus, while he sketched a horse or a +soldier for his pretty companion. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A ROBBERY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. + + +By these means Thaddeus slowly acquired sufficient strength to allow +him to quit his dressing-gown, and prepare for a walk. + +A hard frost had succeeded to the chilling damps of November; and +looking out of the window, he longed, almost eagerly, to inhale again +the fresh air. After some tender altercations with Mrs. Robson, who +feared to trust him even down stairs, he at length conquered; and +taking the little William by his hand, folded his pelisse round him, +and promising to venture no further than the King's Mews, was +suffered to go out. + +As he expected, he found the keen breeze act like a charm on his +debilitated frame; and with braced nerves and exhilarated spirits, he +walked twice up and down the place, whilst his companion played +before him, throwing stones, and running to pick them up. At this +moment one of the king's carriages, pursued by a concourse of people, +suddenly drove in at the Charing-Cross gate. The frightened child +screamed, and fell. Thaddeus darted forward, and seizing the heads of +the horses which were within a yard of the boy, stopped them; +meanwhile, the mob gathering about, one of them raised William, who +continued his cries. The count now let go the reins, and for a few +minutes tried to pacify his little charge; but finding that his alarm +and shrieks were not to be quelled, and that his own figure, from its +singularity of dress, (his high cap and plume adding to its height) +drew on him the whole attention of the people, he took the trembling +child in his arms, and walking through the Mews, was followed by some +of the bystanders to the very door of Mrs. Robson's shop. + +Seeing the people, and her grandson sobbing on the breast of her +guest, she ran out, and hastily asked what had happened. Thaddeus +simply answered, that the child had been frightened. But when they +entered the house, and he had thrown himself exhausted on a seat, +William, as he stood by his knee, told his grandmother that if Mr. +Constantine had not stopped the horses, he must have been run over. +The count was now obliged to relate the whole story, which ended with +the blessings of the poor woman, for his goodness in risking his own +life for the preservation of her darling child. + +Thaddeus in vain assured her the action deserved no thanks. + +"Well," cried she, "it is like yourself, Mr. Constantine; you think +all your good deeds nothing; and yet any odd little thing I can do, +out of pure love to serve you, you cry up to the skies. However, we +won't fall out; I say, heaven bless you! and that is enough. Has your +walk refreshed you? But I need not ask; you have got a fine color." + +"Yes," returned he, rising and taking off his cap and cloak, "it has +put me in aglow, and made me quite another creature." As he finished +speaking, he dropped the things from the hand that held them, and +staggered back a few paces against the wall. + +"Good Lord! what is the matter?" cried Mrs. Robson, looking in his +face, which was now pale as death; "what is the matter?" + +"Nothing, nothing," returned he, recovering himself, and gathering up +the cloak he had let fall; "don't mind me, Mrs. Robson; nothing:" and +he was leaving the kitchen, but she followed him, terrified at his +look and manner. + +"Pray, Mr. Constantine!" + +"Nay, my dear madam," said he, leading her back, "I am not well; I +believe my walk has overcome me. Let me be a few minutes alone, till +I have recovered myself. It will oblige me." + +"Well, sir, as you please!" and then, laying her withered hand +fearfully upon his arm, "forgive me, dear sir," said she, "if my +attentions are troublesome. Indeed, I fear that sometimes great love +appears like great impertinence; I would always be serving you, and +therefore I often forget the wide difference between your honor's +station and mine." + +The count could only press her hand gratefully, and with an emotion +which made him hurry up stairs to hide. When in his own room, he shut +the door, and cast a wild and inquisitive gaze around the apartment; +then, throwing himself into a chair, he struck his head with his +hand, and exclaimed, "It is gone! What will become of me?--of this +poor woman, whose substance I have consumed?" + +It was true; the watch, by the sale of which he had calculated to +defray the charges of his illness, was indeed lost. A villain in the +crowd, having perceived the sparkling of the chain, had taken it +unobserved from his side; and he knew nothing of his loss until, +feeling for his watch to see the hour, he discovered his misfortune. + +The shock went like a stroke of electricity through his frame; but it +was not until the last glimmering of hope was extinguished, on +examining his room where he thought he might have left it, that he +saw the full horror of his situation. + +He sat for some minutes, absorbed, and almost afraid to think. It was +not his own, but the necessities of the poor woman, who had, perhaps, +incurred debts on herself to afford him comforts, which bore so hard +upon him. At last, rising from his seat, he exclaimed, + +"I must determine on something. Since this is gone, I must seek what +else I have to part with, for I cannot long bear my present +feelings!" + +He opened the drawer which contained his few valuables. + +With a trembling hand he took them out one by one. There were several +trinkets which had been given to him by his mother; and a pair of +inlaid pistols, which his grandfather put into his belt on the +morning of the dreadful 10th of October; his miniature lay beneath +them: the mild eyes of the palatine seemed beaming with affection +upon his grandson. Thaddeus snatched it up, kissed it fervently, and +then laid it back into the drawer, whilst he hid his face with his +hands. + +When he recovered himself, he replaced the pistols, believing that it +would be sacrilege to part with them. Without allowing himself time +to think, he put a gold pencil-case and a pair of brilliant sleeve- +buttons into his waistcoat pocket. + +He descended the stairs with a soft step, and passing the kitchen- +door unperceived by his landlady, crossed through a little court; and +then anxiously looking from right to left, in quest of some shop +where he might probably dispose of the trinkets, he took his way up +Castle Street, and along Leicester Square. + +When he turned up the first street to his right, he was impeded by +two persons who stood in his path, the one selling, the other buying +a hat. The thought immediately struck Thaddeus to ask one of these +men (who appeared to be a Jew, and a vender of clothes) to purchase +his pelisse. By parting with a thing to which he annexed no more +value than the warmth it afforded him, he should possibly spare +himself the pain, for this time at least, of sacrificing those gifts +of his mother, which had been bestowed upon him in happier days, and +hallowed by her caresses. + +He did not permit himself to hesitate, but desired the Jew to follow +him into a neighboring court. The man obeyed; and having no ideas +independent of his trade, asked the count what he wanted to buy. + +"Nothing: I want to sell this pelisse," returned he, opening it. + +The Jew, without any ceremony, inspected its covering and its lining +of fur. + +"Ay, I see: black cloth and sable; but who would buy it of me? An +embroidered collar! nobody wears such things here." + +"Then I am answered," replied Thaddeus. + +"Stop, sir," cried the Jew, pursuing him, "what will you take for +it?" + +"What would you give me?" + +"Let me see. It is very long and wide. At the utmost I cannot offer +you more than five guineas." + +A few months ago, it had cost the count a hundred; but glad to get +any money, however small, he readily closed with the man's price; and +taking off the cloak, gave it to him, and put the guineas into his +pocket. + +He had not walked much further before the piercing cold of the +evening, and a shower of snow, which began to fall, made him feel the +effects of his loss; however, that did not annoy him; he had been too +heavily assailed by the pitiless rigors of misfortune to regard the +pelting of the elements. Whilst the wind blew in his face, and the +sleet falling on his dress, lodged in its lappels, he went forward, +calculating whether it were likely that this money, with the few +shillings he yet possessed, would be sufficient to discharge what he +owed. Unused as he had been to all kinds of expenditure which +required attention, he supposed, from what he had already seen of a +commerce with the world, that the sum he had received from the Jew +was not above half what he needed; and with a beating heart he walked +towards one of those shops which Mrs. Robson had described, when +speaking of the irregularities of her son, who had nearly reduced her +to beggary. + +The candles were lit. And as he hovered about the door, he distinctly +saw the master through the glass, assorting some parcels on the +counter. He was a gentleman-like man, and the count's feelings took +quite a different turn from those with which he had accosted the Jew, +who, being a low, sordid wretch, looked upon the people with whom he +trafficked as mere purveyors to his profit. Thaddeus felt little +repugnance at bargaining with him: but the sight of a respectable +person, before whom he was to present himself as a man in poverty, as +one who, in a manner, appealed to charity, all at once overcame the +resolution of a son of Sobieski, and he debated whether or not he +should return. Mrs. Robson, and her probable distresses, rose before +him; and fearful of trusting his pride any further, he pulled his cap +over his face, and entered the shop. + +The man bowed very civilly on his entrance, and requested to be +honored with his commands. Thaddeus felt his face glow; but indignant +at his own weakness, he laid the gold case on the counter, and said, +in a voice which, notwithstanding his emotion, he constrained to be +without appearance of confusion, "I want to part with this." + +Astonished at the dignity of the applicant's air, and the nobility of +his dress, (for the star did not escape the shop-keeper's eye), he +looked at him for a moment, holding the case in his hand. Hurt by the +steadiness of his gaze, the count, rather haughtily, repeated what he +had said. The man hesitated no longer. He had been accustomed to +similar requests from the emigrant French _noblesse_; but there +was a loftiness and aspect of authority in the countenance and mien +of this person which surprised and awed him; and with a respect which +even the application could not counteract, he opened the case, and +inquired of Thaddeus what was the price he affixed to it. + +"I leave that to you," replied he. + +"The gold is pure," returned the man, "but it is very thin; I cannot +give more than three guineas. Though the workmanship is fine, it is +not in the fashion of England, and will be of no benefit to me till +melted." + +"You may have it," said Thaddeus, hardly able to articulate, while +the gift of his mother was passing into a stranger's hand. + +The man directly paid him down the money, and the count, with a +bursting heart, darted out of the shop. + +Mrs. Robson was shutting up the windows of her little parlor, when he +hastily passed her and glided up the stairs. Hardly believing her +senses, she hastened after him, and just got into the room as he +drank off a glass of water. + +"Good lack! sir, where has your honor been? I thought you were all +the while in the house, and I would not come near, though I was very +uneasy; and there has been poor William crying himself blind, because +you desired to be left alone." + +Thaddeus was unprepared to make an answer. He was in hopes to have +gotten in as he had stolen out, undiscovered; for he determined not +to agitate her too kind mind by the history of his loss. He would not +allow her to know anything of his embarrassments, from a sentiment of +justice, as well as from that sensitive pride which all his +sufferings and philosophy could not wholly subdue. + +"I have been taking a walk, Mrs. Robson." + +"Dear heart! I thought when you staggered back, and looked so ill, +after you brought in William, you had over-walked yourself." + +"No; I fancy my fears had a little discomposed me; and I hoped that +more air might do me good; I tried it, and it has: but I am grieved +for having alarmed you." + +This ambiguous speech satisfied his worthy landlady; and, fatigued by +a bodily exertion, which, in the present feeble state of his frame, +nothing less than the resolution of his mind could have carried him +through, Thaddeus went directly to bed, where tired nature soon found +temporary repose in a profound sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE WIDOW'S FAMILY. + + +Next morning Sobieski found himself rather better than worse by the +exertions of the preceding clay. When Nanny appeared as usual with +his breakfast and little William, (who always sat on his knee, and +shared his bread and butter,) the count desired her to request her +grandmother to send to Mr. Vincent with his compliments, and to say +her lodger felt himself so much recovered as to decline any further +medical aid, and therefore wished to have his bill. + +Mrs. Robson, who could not forget the behavior of the apothecary, +undertook to deliver the message herself, happy in the triumph she +should enjoy over the littleness of Mr. Vincent's suspicions. + +After the lapse of a quarter of an hour, she re-appeared in the +count's rooms, accompanied by the apothecary's assistant, who, with +many thanks, received the sum total of the account, which amounted to +three guineas for ten days' attendance. + +The man having withdrawn, Thaddeus told Mrs. Robson, he should next +defray the smallest part of the vast debt he must ever owe to her +parental care. + +"Oh, bless your honor, it goes to my heart to take a farthing of you! +but these poor children," cried she, laying a hand on each, and her +eyes glistening, "they look up to me as their all here; and my +quarter-day was yesterday, else, dear sir, I should scorn to be like +Doctor Vincent, and take your money the moment you offer it." + +"My good madam," returned Sobieski, giving her a chair, "I am +sensible of your kindness: but it is your just due; and the payment +of it can never lessen your claim on my gratitude for the maternal +care with which you have attended me, a total stranger." + +"Then, there, sir," said she, looking almost as ashamed as if she +were robbing him, when she laid it on the table; "there is my bill. I +have regularly set down everything. Nanny will bring it to me." And +quite disconcerted, the good woman hurried out of the room. + +Thaddeus looked after her with reverence. + +"There goes," thought he, "in that lowly and feeble frame, as +generous and noble a spirit: as ever animated the breast of a +princess! Here, Nanny," said he, glancing his eye over the paper, +"there is the gold, with my thanks; and tell your grandmother I am +astonished at her economy." + +This affair over, the count was relieved of a grievous load; and +turning the remaining money in his hand, how he might replenish the +little stock before it were expended next occupied his attention. +Notwithstanding the pawnbroker's civil treatment, he recoiled at +again presenting himself at his shop. Besides, should he dispose of +all that he possessed, it might not be of sufficient value here to +subsist him a month. He must think of some source within himself that +was not likely to be so soon exhausted. To be reduced a second time +to the misery which he had endured yesterday from suspense and +wretchedness, appeared too dreadful to be hazarded, and he ran over +in his memory the different merits of his several accomplishments. + +He could not make any use of his musical talents; for at public +exhibitions of himself his soul revolted; and as to his literary +acquirements, his youth, and being a foreigner, precluded all hopes +on that head. At length he found that his sole dependence must rest +on his talents for painting. Of this art he had always been +remarkably fond; and his taste easily perceived that there were many +drawings exhibited for sale much inferior to those which he had +executed for mere amusement. + +He decided at once; and purchasing, by the means of Nanny, pencils +and Indian ink, he set to work. + +When he had finished half-a-dozen drawings, and was considering how +he might find the street in which he had seen the print-shops, the +recollection occurred to him of the impression his appearance had +made on the pawnbroker. He perceived the wide difference between his +apparel and the fashion of England; and considering the security from +impertinence with which he might walk about, could he so far cast off +the relics of his former rank as to change his dress, he rose up with +an intention to go out and purchase a surtout coat and a hat for that +purpose, when catching an accidental view of his uniform, with the +star of St. Stanislaus on its breast, as he passed the glass, he no +longer wondered at the curiosity which such an appendage, united with +poverty, had attracted. Rather than again subject himself to a +similar situation, he summoned his young messenger; and, by her +assistance, furnished himself with an English hat and coat, whilst +with his penknife he cut away the embroidery of the order from the +cloth to which it was affixed. + +Thus accoutred, with his hat flapped over his face and his great-coat +wrapped round him, he put the drawings into his bosom, and about +eight o'clock in the evening walked out on his disagreeable errand. +After some wearying search, he at last found Great Newport Street, +the place he wanted; but as he advanced, his hopes died away, and his +fears and reluctance re-awakened. He stopped at the door of the +nearest print-shop. All that he had suffered at the pawnbroker's +assailed him with redoubled violence. What he presented there +possessed a fixed value, and was at once to be taken or refused; but +now he was going to offer things of mere taste, and he might meet not +only with a denial, but affronting remarks. + +He walked to the threshold of the door, then as hastily withdrew, and +hurried two or three paces down the street. + +"Weak, contemptible that I am!" said he to himself, as he again +turned round; "where is all my reason, and rectitude of principle, +that I would rather endure the misery of dependence and self-reproach +than dare the attempt to seek support from the fruits of my own +industry?" + +He quickened his step and started into the shop, almost fearful of +his former irresolution. He threw his drawings instantly upon the +counter. + +"Sir, you purchase drawings. I have these to sell. Will they suit +you?" + +The man took them up without deigning to look at the person who had +accosted him, and turning them over in his hand, "One, two, three, +hum; there is half-a-dozen. What do you expect for them?" + +"I am not acquainted with the prices of these things." + +The printseller, hearing this, thought, by managing well, to get them +for what he liked, and throwing them over with an air of contempt, +resumed-- + +"And pray, where may the views be taken?" + +"They are recollections of scenes in Germany." + +"Ah!" replied the man, "mere drugs! I wish, honest friend, you could +have brought subjects not quite so threadbare, and a little better +executed; they are but poor things! But every dauber nowadays sets up +for a fine artist, and thinks we are to pay him for spoilt paper and +conceit." + +Insulted by this speech, and, above all, by the manner of the +printseller, Thaddeus was snatching up the drawings to leave the shop +without a word, when the man, observing his design, and afraid to +lose them, laid his hand on the heap, exclaiming-- + +"Let me tell you, young man, it does not become a person in your +situation to be so huffy to his employers. I will give you a guinea +for the six, and you may think yourself well paid." + +Without further hesitation, whilst the count was striving to subdue +the choler which urged him to knock him down, the man laid the gold +on the counter, and was slipping the drawings into a drawer; but +Thaddeus, snatching them out again, suddenly rolled them up, and +walked out of the shop as he said-- + +"Not all the money of all your tribe should tempt an honest man to +pollute himself by exchanging a second word with one so +contemptible." + +Irritated at this unfeeling treatment, he returned home, too much +provoked to think of the consequences which might follow a similar +disappointment. + +Having become used to the fluctuations of his looks and behavior, the +widow ceased altogether to tease him with inquiries, which she saw he +was sometimes loath to answer. She now allowed him to walk in and out +without a remark, and silently contemplated his pale and melancholy +countenance, when, after a ramble of the greatest part of the day, he +returned home exhausted and dispirited. + +William was always the first to welcome his friend at the threshold, +by running to him, taking hold of his coat, and asking to go with him +up stairs. The count usually gratified him, and brightened many dull +hours with his innocent caresses. + +This child was literally his only earthly comfort; for he saw that in +him he could still excite those emotions of happiness which had once +afforded him his sweetest joy. William ever greeted him with smiles, +and when he entered the kitchen, sprang to his bosom, as if that were +the seat of peace, as it was of virtue. But, alas! fate seemed +adverse to lend anything long to the unhappy Thaddeus which might +render his desolate state more tolerable. + +Just risen from a bed of sickness, he required the hand of some +tender nurse to restore his wasted vigor, instead of being reduced to +the hard vigils of poverty and want. His recent disappointment, added +to a cold which he had caught, increased his feverish debility; yet +he adhered to the determination not to appropriate to his own +subsistence the few valuables he had assigned as a deposit for the +charges of his rent. During a fortnight he never tasted anything +better than bread and water; but this hermit's fare was accompanied +by the resigned thought that if it ended in death, his sufferings +would then be over, and the widow amply remunerated by what little of +his property remained. + +In this state of body and mind he received a most painful shock, when +one evening, returning from a walk of many hours, in the place of his +little favorite, he met Mrs. Robson in tears at the door. She told +him William had been sickening all the day, and was now so delirious, +that neither she nor his sister could keep him quiet. + +Thaddeus went to the side of the child's bed, where he lay gasping on +the pillow, held clown by the crying Nanny. The count touched his +cheek. + +"Poor child!" exclaimed he; "he is in a high fever. Have you sent for +Mr. Vincent?" + +"O, no; I had not the heart to leave him." + +"Then I will go directly," returned Thaddeus "there is not a moment +to be lost." + +The poor woman thanked him. Hastening through the streets with an +eagerness which nearly overset several of the foot-passengers, he +arrived at Lincoln's-Inn-fields; and in less than five minutes after +he quitted Mrs. Robson's door he returned with the apothecary. + +On Mr. Vincent's examining the pulse and countenance of his little +patient, he declared the symptoms to be the small-pox, which some +casualty had repelled. + +In a paroxysm of distress, Mrs. Robson recollected that a girl had +been brought into her shop three days ago, just recovered from that +frightful malady. + +Thaddeus tried to subdue the fears of the grandmother, and at last +succeeded in persuading her to go to bed, whilst he and Nanny would +watch by the pillow of the invalid. + +Towards morning the disorder broke out on the child's face, and he +recovered his recollection. The moment he fixed his eyes on the +count, who was leaning over him, he stretched out his little arms, +and begged to lie on his breast. Thaddeus refused him gently, fearing +that by any change of position he might catch cold, and so again +retard what had now so fortunately appeared; but the poor child +thought the denial unkind, and began to weep so violently, that his +anxious friend believed it better to gratify him than hazard the +irritation of his fever by agitation and crying. + +Thaddeus took him out of bed, and rolling him in one of the blankets, +laid him in his bosom; and drawing his dressing-gown to shield the +little face from the fire, held him in that situation asleep for +nearly two hours. + +When Mrs. Robson came down stairs at six o'clock in the morning, she +kissed the hand of the count as he sustained her grandson in his +arms; and almost speechless with gratitude to him, and solicitude for +the child, waited the arrival of the apothecary. + +On his second visit, he said a few words to her of comfort, but +whispered to the count, while softly feeling William's pulse, that +nothing short of the strictest care could save the boy, the infection +he had received having been of the most malignant kind. + +These words fell like an unrepealable sentence on the heart of +Thaddeus. Looking on the discolored features of the patient infant, +he fancied that he already beheld its clay-cold face, and its little +limbs stretched in death. The idea was bitterness to him; and +pressing the boy to his breast, he resolved that no attention should +be wanting on his part to preserve him from the grave. And he kept +his promise. + +From that hour until the day in which the poor babe expired in his +arms, he never laid him out of them for ten minutes together; and +when he did breathe his last sigh, and raised up his little eyes, +Thaddeus met their dying glance with a pang which he thought his soul +had long lost the power to feel. His heart seemed to stop; and +covering the motionless face of the dead child with his hand, he made +a sign to Nanny to leave the room. + +The girl, who from respect had been accustomed to obey his slightest +nod, went to her grandmother in the shop. + +The instant the girl quitted the room, with mingled awe and grief the +count lifted the little corpse from his knee; and without allowing +himself to cast another glance on the face of the poor infant, now +released from suffering, he put it on the bed, and throwing the sheet +over it, sunk into a chair and burst into tears. + +The entrance of Mrs. Robson in some measure restored him; for the +moment she perceived her guest with his handkerchief over his eyes, +she judged what had happened, and, with a piercing scream, flew +forward to the bed, where, pulling down the covering, she uttered +another shriek, and must have fallen on the floor had not Thaddeus +and little Nanny, who ran in at her cries, caught her in their arms +and bore her to a chair. + +Her soul was too much agitated to allow her to continue long in a +state of insensibility; and when she recovered, she would again have +approached the deceased child, but the count withheld her, and trying +by every means in his power to soothe her, so far succeeded as to +melt her agonies into tears. + +Whilst she concealed her venerable head in the bosom of her +granddaughter, he once more lifted the remains of the little William; +and thinking it best for the tranquillity of the unhappy grandmother +to take him out of her sight, he carried him up stairs, and laid him +on his own bed. + +By the time he returned to the humble parlor, one of the female +neighbors, having heard the unusual outcry, and suspecting the cause, +kindly stepped in to offer her consolation and services. Mrs. Robson +could only reply by sobs, which were answered by the loud weeping of +poor Nanny, who lay with her head against the table. + +When the count came down, he thanked the worthy woman for her +benevolent intentions, and took her up stairs into his apartments. +Pointing to the open door of the bedroom, "There, madam," said he, +"you will find the remains of my dear little friend. I beg you will +direct everything for his interment that you think will give +satisfaction to Mrs. Robson. I would spare that excellent woman every +pang in my power." + +All was done according to his desire; and Mrs. Watts, the charitable +neighbor, excited by a kindly disposition, and reverence for "the +extraordinary young gentleman who lodged with her friend," performed +her task with tenderness and activity. + +"Oh! sir," cried Mrs. Robson, weeping afresh as she entered the +count's room, "Oh, sir, how shall I ever repay all your goodness? and +Mrs. Watt's? She has acted like a sister to me. But, indeed, I am yet +the most miserable creature that lives. I have lost my dearest child, +and must strip his poor sister of her daily bread to bury him. That +cruel Dr. Vincent, though he might have imagined my distress, sent +his account late last night, saying he wanted to make up a large +bill, and he wished I would let him have all, or part of the payment. +Heaven knows, I have not a farthing in the house; but I will send +poor little Nanny to pawn my silver spoons, for, alas! I have no +other means of satisfying the cruel man." + +"Rapacious wretch!" cried Thaddeus, rising indignantly from his +chair, and for a moment forgetting how incapable he was to afford +relief: "you shall not be indebted one instant to his mercy. I will +pay him." + +The words had passed his lips; he could not retract, though +conviction immediately followed that he had not the means; and he +would not have retracted, even should he be necessitated to part with +everything he most valued. + +Mrs. Robson was overwhelmed by this generous promise, which, indeed, +saved her from ruin. Had her little plate been pledged, it could not +have covered one half of Mr. Vincent's demand, who, to do him +justice, did not mean to cause any distress. But having been so +readily paid by Thaddeus for his own illness, and observing his great +care and affection for the deceased child, he did not doubt that, +rather than allow Mrs. Robson a minute's uneasiness, her lodger would +defray his bill. So far he calculated right; but he had not +sufficient sagacity to foresee that in getting his money this way, he +should lose the future business of Mrs. Robson and her friend. + +The child was to be buried on the morrow, the expenses of which event +Thaddeus saw he must discharge also; and he had engaged to pay Mr. +Vincent that night! He had not a shilling in his purse. Over and over +he contemplated the impracticability of answering these debts; yet he +could not for an instant repent of what he had undertaken: he thought +he was amply recompensed for bearing so heavy a load in knowing that +he had taken it off the worn-down heart of another. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE MONEY-LENDER. + + +Since the count's unmannerly treatment at the printseller's, he had +not sufficiently conquered his pride to attempt an application to +another. Therefore, he had no prospect of collecting the money he had +pledged himself to Mrs. Robson to pay but by selling some more of his +valuables to the pawnbroker. + +For this purpose he took his sabre, his pistols, and the fated +brilliants he had brought back on a similar errand. He drew them from +their deposit, with less feeling of sacrilege, in so disposing of +such relics of the sacred past, than he had felt on the former +occasion. They were now going to be devoted to gratitude and +benevolence--an act which he knew his parents, were they alive, would +warmly approve; and here he allowed the end to sanctify the means. + +About half-past six in the evening, he prepared himself for the task. +Whether it be congenial with melancholy to seek the gloom, or whether +the count found himself less observed under the shades of night, is +not evident; but since his exile, he preferred the dusk to any other +part of the day. + +Before he went out, he asked Mrs. Robson for Mr. Vincent's bill. +Sinking with obligation and shame, she put it into his hand, and he +left the house. When he approached a lighted lamp, he opened the +paper to see the amount, and finding that it was almost two pounds, +he hastened forward to the pawn-broker's. + +The man was in the shop alone. Thaddeus thought himself fortunate; +and, after subduing a few qualms, entered the door. The moment he +laid his sword and pistols on the counter, and declared his wish, the +man, even through the disguise of a large coat and slouched hat, +recollected him. This honest money-lender carried sentiments in his +breast above his occupation. He did not commiserate all who presented +themselves before him, because many exhibited too evidently the +excesses which brought them to his shop. But there was something in +the figure and manner of the Count Sobieski which had struck him at +first sight, and by continuing to possess his thoughts, had excited +so great an interest towards him as to produce pleasure with regret, +when he discerned the noble foreigner again obliged to proffer such +things. + +Mr. Burket (for so this money-lender was called) respectfully asked +what he demanded for the arms. + +"Perhaps more than you would give. But I have something else here," +laying down the diamonds; "I want eight guineas." + +Mr. Burket looked at them, and then at their owner, hesitated and +then spoke. + +"I beg your pardon, sir; I hope I shall not offend you, but these +things appear to have a value independent of their price; they are +inlaid with crests and ciphers." + +The blood flushed over the cheeks of the count. He had forgotten this +circumstance. Unable to answer, he waited to hear what the man would +say further. + +"I repeat, sir, I mean not to offend; but you appear a stranger to +these transactions. I only wish to suggest, in case you should ever +like to repossess these valuables--had you not better pledge them?" + +"How?" asked Thaddeus, irresolutely, and not knowing what to think of +the man's manner. + +At that instant some other people came into the shop; and Mr. Burket, +gathering up the diamonds and the arms in his hand, said, "If you do +not object, sir, we will settle this business in my back-parlor." + +The delicacy of his behavior penetrated the mind of Thaddeus, and +without demurring, he followed him into a room. While Mr. Burket +offered his guest a chair, the count took off his hat and laid it on +the table. Burket contemplated the saddened dignity of his +countenance with renewed interest entreating him to be seated, he +resumed the conversation. + +"I see, sir, you do not understand the meaning of pledging, or +pawning, for it is one and the same thing; but I will explain it in +two words. If you leave these things with me, I will give you a paper +in acknowledgment, and lend on them the guineas you request; for +which sum, when you return it to me with a stated interest, you shall +have your deposit in exchange." + +Sobieski received this offer with pleasure and thanks. He had +entertained no idea of anything more being meant by the trade of a +pawnbroker than a man who bought what others wished to sell. + +"Then, sir," continued Burket, opening an escritoire, "I will give +you the money, and write the paper I spoke of." + +Just as he put his hand to the drawer, he heard voices in an +adjoining passage; and instantly shutting the desk, he caught up the +things on the table, threw them behind a curtain, and hastily taking +the count by the hand, said, "My dear sir, do oblige me, and step +into that closet; you will find a chair. A person is coming, whom I +will dispatch in a few seconds." + +Thaddeus, rather surprised at such hurry, did as he was desired; and +the door was closed on him just as the parlor door opened. Being +aware from such concealment that the visitor came on secret business, +he found his situation not a little awkward. Seated behind a +curtained window, which the lights in the room made transparent, he +could not avoid seeing as well as hearing everything that passed. + +"My dear Mr. Burket," cried an elegant young creature, who ran into +the apartment, "positively without your assistance, I shall be +undone." + +"Anything in my power, madam," returned My. Burket, with a distant, +respectful voice; "will your ladyship sit down?" + +"Yes; give me a chair. I am half dead with distraction. Mr. Burket, I +must have another hundred upon those jewels." + +"Indeed, my lady, it is not in my power; you have already had twelve +hundred; and, upon my honor, that is a hundred and fifty more than I +ought to have given." + +"Pshaw! who minds the honor of a pawnbroker!" cried the lady, +laughing; "you know very well you live by cheating." + +"Well, ma'am," returned he, with a good-natured smile, "as your +ladyship pleases." + +"Then I please that you let me have another hundred. Why, man, you +know you let Mrs. Hinchinbroke two thousand upon a case of diamonds +not a quarter so many as mine." + +"But consider, madam; Mrs. Hinchinbroke's were of the best water." + +"Positively, Mr. Burnet," exclaimed her ladyship, purposely +miscalling his name, "not better than mine! The King of Sardinia gave +them to Sir Charles when he knighted him. I know mine are the best, +and I must have another hundred. Upon my life, my servants have not +had a guinea of board wages these four months, and they tell me they +are starving. Come, make haste, Mr. Burnet you cannot expect me to +stay here all night; give me the money." + +"Indeed, my lady, I cannot." + +"Heavens! what a brute of a man you are! There," cried she, taking a +string of pearls from her neck, and throwing it on the table; "lend +me some of your trumpery out of your shop, for I am going immediately +from hence to take the Misses Dundas to the opera; so give me the +hundred on that, and let me go." + +"This is not worth a hundred." + +"What a teasing man you are!" cried her ladyship, angrily. "Well, let +me have the money now, and I will send you the bracelets which belong +to the necklace to-morrow." + +"Upon those conditions I will give your ladyship another hundred." + +"Oh, do; you are the veriest miser I ever met with. You are worse +than Shylock, or,--Good gracious! what is this?" exclaimed she, +interrupting herself, and taking up the draft he had laid before her; +"and have you the conscience to think, Mr. Pawnbroker, that I will +offer this at your banker's? that I will expose myself so far? No, +no; take it back, and give me gold. Come, dispatch! else I must +disappoint my party. Look, there is my purse," added she, showing it; +"make haste and fill it." + +After satisfying her demands, Mr. Burket handed her ladyship out the +way she came in, which was by a private passage; and having seated +her in her carriage, made his bow. + +Meanwhile the Count Sobieski, wrapped in astonishment at the +profligacy which the scene he had witnessed implied, remained in +concealment until the pawnbroker returned, and opened the closet- +door. + +"Sir," said he, coloring, "you have, undesignedly on your part, been +privy to a very delicate affair; but my credit, sir, and your honor--" + +"Shall both be sacred," replied the count, anxious to relieve the +poor man from his perplexity, and forbearing to express surprise. But +Burket perceived it in his look; and before he proceeded to fulfill +the engagement with him, stepped half way to the escritoire, and +resumed. + +"You appear amazed, sir, at what you have seen. And if I am not +mistaken, you are from abroad?" + +"Indeed, I am amazed," replied Sobieski; "and I am from a country +where the slightest suspicion of a transaction such as this would +brand the woman with infamy." + +"And so it ought," answered Burket; "though by that assertion I speak +against my own interest, for it is by such as Lady Hilliars we make +our money. Now, sir," continued he, drawing nearer to the table, +"perhaps, after what you have just beheld, you will not hesitate to +credit what I am going to tell you. I have now in my hands the jewels +of one duchess, of three countesses, and of women of fashion without +number. When these ladies have an ill run at play, they apply to me +in their exigencies; they bring their diamonds here, and as their +occasions require, on that deposit I lend them money, for which they +make me a handsome present when the jewels are released." + +"You astonish me!" exclaimed Thaddeus; "what a degrading system of +deceit must govern the lives of these women!" + +"It is very lamentable," returned Burket; "but so it is. And they +continue to manage matters very cleverly. By giving me their note or +word of honor, (for if these ladies are not honorable with me, I know +by what hints to keep them in order,) I allow them to have the jewels +out for the birth-days, and receive them again when their exhibition +is over. As a compensation for these little indulgences, I expect +considerable additions to the _douceur_ at the end." + +Thaddeus could hardly believe such a history of those women, whom +travellers mentioned as not only the most lovely but the most amiable +creatures in the world. + +"Surely, Mr. Burket," cried he, "these ladies must despise each +other, and become contemptible even to our sex." + +"O, no," rejoined the pawnbroker; "they seldom trust each other in +these affairs. All my fair customers are not so silly as that pretty +little lady who just now left us. She and another woman of quality +have made each other confidants in this business. And I have no mercy +when both come together! They are as ravenous of my money as if it +had no other use but to supply them. As to their husbands, brothers, +and fathers, they are usually the last people who suspect or hear of +these matters; their applications, when they run out, are made to +Jews and professed usurers, a race completely out of our line." + +"But are all English women of quality of this disgraceful stamp?" + +"No; Heaven forbid!" cried Burket; "if these female spendthrifts were +not held in awe by the dread of superior characters, we could have no +dependence on their promises. Oh, no; there are ladies about the +court whose virtues are as eminent as their rank; women whose actions +might all be performed in mid-day, before the world; and them I never +see within my doors." + +"Well, Mr. Burket," rejoined Thaddeus, smiling; "I am glad to hear +that. Yet I cannot forget the unexpected view of the famous British +fair which this night has offered to my eyes. It is strange!" + +"It is very bad, indeed, sir," returned the man, giving him the money +and the paper he had been preparing; "but if you should have occasion +to call again upon me, perhaps you may be astonished still further." + +The count bowed; and thanking him for his kindness, wished him a good +evening and left the shop. [Footnote: The whole of this scene at the +pawnbroker's is too true; the writer knows it from an eye and ear- +witness.] + +It was about seven o'clock when Thaddeus arrived at the apothecary's. +Mr. Vincent was from home. To say the truth, he had purposely gone +out of the way. For though he did not hesitate to commit a shabby +action, he wanted courage to face its consequence; and to avoid the +probable remonstrances of Mrs. Robson, he commissioned his assistant +to receive the amount of the bill. Without making an observation, the +count paid the man, and was returning homeward along Duke Street and +the piazzas of Drury Lane Theatre, when the crowd around the doors +constrained him to stop. + +After two or three ineffectual attempts to get through the bustle, he +retreated a little behind the mob, at the moment when a chariot drew +up, and a gentleman stepping out with two ladies, darted with them +into the house. One glance was sufficient for Sobieski, who +recognized his friend Pembroke Somerset, in full dress, gay and +laughing. The heart of Thaddeus sprang to him at the sight; and +forgetting his neglect, and his own misfortunes, he ejaculated-- + +"Somerset!" + +Trembling with eagerness and emotion, he pressed through the crowd, +and entered the passage at the instant a green door within shut upon +his friend. + +His disappointment was dreadful. To be so near Somerset, and to lose +him, was more than he could sustain. His bounding heart recoiled, and +the chill of despair running through his veins turned him faint. +Leaning against the passage door, he took his hat off to give himself +air. He scarcely had stood a minute in this situation, revolving +whether he should follow his friend into the house or wait until he +came out again, when a gentleman begged him to make way for a party +of ladies that were entering. Thaddeus moved to one side; but the +opening of the green door casting a strong light both on his face and +the group behind, his eyes and those of the impertinent inquisitor of +the Hummums met each other. + +Whether the man was conscious that he deserved chastisement for his +former insolence, and dreaded to meet it now, cannot be explained; +but he turned pale, and shuffled by Thaddeus, as if he were fearful +to trust himself within reach of his grasp. As for the count, he was +too deeply interested in his own pursuit to waste one surmise upon +him. + +He continued to muse on the sight of Pembroke Somerset, which had +conjured up ten thousand fond and distressing recollections; and with +impatient anxiety, determining to watch till the performance was +over, he thought of inquiring his friend's address of the servants; +but on looking round for that purpose, he perceived the chariot had +driven away. + +Thus foiled, he returned to his post near the green door, which was +opened at intervals by footmen passing and repassing. Seeing that the +chamber within was a lobby, in which it would be less likely he +should miss his object than if he continued standing without, he +entered with the next person that approached; finding seats along the +sides he sat down on the one nearest to the stairs. + +His first idea was to proceed into the playhouse. But he considered +the small chance of discovering any particular individual in so vast +a building as not equal to the expense he must incur. Besides, from +the dress of the gentlemen who entered the box-door, he was sensible +that his greatcoat and round hat were not admissible. [Footnote: A +nearly full dress was worn at that time by ladies and gentlemen at +the great theatres. And much respect has been lost to the higher +classes by the gradual change.] + +Having remained above an hour with his eyes invariably fixed on the +stairs, he observed that some curious person, who had passed almost +directly after his friend, came down the steps and walked out. In two +minutes he was returning with a smirking countenance, when, his eyes +accidentally falling on the count, (who sat with his arms folded, and +almost hidden by the shadow of the wall,) he faltered in his step. +Stretching out his neck towards him, the gay grin left his features; +and exclaiming, in an impatient voice, "Confound him," he hastened +once more into the house. + +This rencontre with his Hummums' acquaintance affected Thaddeus as +slightly as the former; and without annexing even a thought to his +figure as it flitted by him, he remained watching in the lobby until +half-past eleven. At that hour the doors were thrown open, and the +company began to pour forth. + +The count's hopes were again on his lips and in his eyes. With the +first party who came clown the steps, he rose; and planting himself +close to the bottom stair, drew his hat over his face, and narrowly +examined each group as it descended. Every set that approached made +his heart palpitate. How often did it rise and fall during the long +succession which continued moving for nearly half an hour! + +By twelve the house was cleared. He saw the middle door locked, and, +motionless with disappointment, did not attempt to stir, until the +man who held the keys told him to go, as he was about to fasten the +other doors. + +This roused Thaddeus; and as he was preparing to obey, he asked the +man if there were any other passage from the boxes. + +"Yes," cried he; "there is one into Drury Lane." + +"Then, by that I have lost him!" was the reply which he made to +himself. And returning homewards, he arrived there a few minutes +after twelve. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE MEETING OF EXILES. + + + "And they lifted up their voices and wept." + + +Thaddeus awoke in the morning with his heart full of the last night's +rencontre. One moment he regretted that he had not been seen by his +friend. In the next, when he surveyed his altered state, he was +almost reconciled to the disappointment. Then, reproaching himself +for a pride so unbecoming his principles and dishonorable to +friendship, he asked, if he were in Somerset's place, and Somerset in +his, whether he could ever pardon the morose delicacy which had +prevented the communication of his friend's misfortunes, and arrival +in the same kingdom with himself. + +These reflections soon persuaded his judgment to what his heart was +so much inclined: determining him to inquire Pembroke's address of +every one likely to know a man of Sir Robert Somerset's consequence, +and then to venture a letter. + +In the midst of these meditations the door opened, and Mrs. Robson +appeared, drowned in tears. + +"My dear, dear sir!" cried she, "my William is going. I have just +taken a last look of his sweet face. Will you go down and say +farewell to the poor child you loved so dearly?" + +"No, my good madam," returned Thaddeus, his straying thoughts at once +gathering round this mournful centre; "I will rather retain you here +until the melancholy task be entirely accomplished." + +With gentle violence he forced her upon a seat, and in silence +supported her head on his breast, against which she unconsciously +leaned and wept. He listened with a depressed heart to the removal of +the coffin; and at the closing of the street door, which forever shut +the little William from that house in which he had been the source of +its greatest pleasure, a tear trickled down the cheek of Thaddeus; +and the sobbings of the poor grandmother were audible. + +The count, incapable of speaking, pressed her hand in his. + +"Oh, Mr. Constantine!" cried she, "see how my supports, one after the +other, are taken from me! first my son, and now his infant! To what +shall I be reduced?" + +"You have still, my good Mrs. Robson, a friend in Heaven, who will +supply the place of all you have lost on earth." + +"True, dear sir! I am a wicked creature to speak as I have done; but +it is hard to suffer: it is hard to lose all we loved in the world!" + +"It is," returned the count, greatly affected by her grief. "But God, +who is perfect wisdom as well as perfect love, chooseth rather to +profit us than to please us in his dispensations. Our sweet William +has gained by our loss: he is blessed in heaven, while we weakly +lament him on earth. Besides, you are not yet deprived of all; you +have a grand-daughter." + +"Ah, poor little thing! what will become of her when I die? I used to +think what a precious brother my darling boy would prove to his +sister when I should be no more!" + +This additional image augmented the affliction of the good old woman; +and Thaddeus, looking on her with affectionate compassion, exclaimed-- + +"Mrs. Robson, the same Almighty Being that protected me, the last of +my family, will protect the orphan offspring of a woman so like the +revered Naomi!" + +Mrs. Robson lifted up her head for a moment. She had never before +heard him utter a sentence of his own history; and what he now said, +added to the tender solemnity of his manner, for an instant arrested +her attention. He went on. + +"In me you see a man who, within the short space of three months, has +lost a grandfather, who loved him as fondly as you did your William; +a mother, whom he saw expire before him, and whose sacred remains he +was forced to leave in the hands of her murderers! Yes, Mrs. Robson, +I have neither parents nor a home. I was a stranger, and you took me +in; and Heaven will reward your family, in kind. At least, I promise +that whilst I live, whatever be my fate, should you be called hence, +I will protect your grand-daughter with a brother's care." + +"May Heaven in mercy bless you!" cried Mrs. Robson, dropping on her +knees. Thaddeus raised her with gushing eyes; having replaced her in +a seat, he left the room to recover himself. + +According to the count's desire, Mrs. Watts called in the evening, +with an estimate of the expenses attending the child's interment. +Fees and every charge collected, the demand on his benevolence was +six pounds. The sum proved rather more than he expected, but he paid +it without a demur, leaving himself only a few shillings. + +He considered what he had done as a fulfilment of a duty so +indispensible, that it must have been accomplished even by the +sacrifice of his uttermost farthing. Gratitude and distress held +claims upon him which he never allowed his own necessities to +transgress. All gifts of mere generosity were beyond his power, and, +consequently, in a short time beyond his wish; but to the cry of want +and wretchedness his hand and heart were ever open. Often has he +given away to a starving child in the street that pittance which was +to purchase his own scant meal; and he never felt such neglect of +himself a privation. To have turned his eyes and ears from the little +mendicant would have been the hardest struggle; and the remembrance +of such inhumanity would have haunted him on his pillow. This being +the disposition of Count Sobieski, he found it more difficult to bear +calamity, when viewing another's poverty he could not relieve, than +when assailed himself by penury, in all its other shapes of +desolation. + +Towards night, the idea of Somerset again presented itself. When he +fell asleep, his dreams repeated the scene at the playhouse; again he +saw him, and again he eluded his grasp. + +His waking thoughts were not less true to their object; and next +morning he went to a quiet coffee-house in the lane where he called +for breakfast, and inquired of the master, "did he know the residence +of Sir Robert Somerset?" The question was no sooner asked than it was +answered to his satisfaction. The Court Guide was examined, and he +found this address: _"Sir Robert Somerset, Bart., Grosvenor +Square,--Somerset Castle, L----shire,----Deerhurst, W----shire."_ + +Gladdened by the discovery, Thaddeus hastened home and unwilling to +affect his friend by a sudden appearance, with an overflowing heart +he wrote the following letter:-- + +"To PEMBROKE SOMERSET, ESQ., GROSVENOR SQUARE. + +"Dear Somerset, + +"Will the name at the bottom of this paper surprise you? Will it give +you pleasure? I cannot suffer myself to retain a doubt! although the +silence of two years might almost convince me I am forgotten. In +truth, Somerset, I had resolved never to obtrude myself and my +misfortunes on your knowledge, until last Wednesday night, when I saw +you going into Drury Lane Theatre; the sight of you quelled all my +resentment, and I called after you, but you did not hear. Pardon me, +my dear friend, that I speak of resentment. It is hard to learn +resignation to the forgetfulness of those we love. + +"Notwithstanding that I lost the pocket-book in a battlefield which +contained your direction, I wrote to you frequently at a venture; and +yet, though you knew in what spot in Poland you had left Thaddeus and +his family, I have never heard of you since the day of our +separation. You must have some good reason for your silence; at least +I hope so. + +"Doubtless public report has afforded you some information relative +to the destruction of my ever-beloved country! I bear its fate on +myself. You will find me in a poor lodging at the bottom of St. +Martin's Lane. You will find me changed in everything. But the first +horrors of grief have subsided; and my clearest consolation in the +midst of my affliction rises out of its bitterest cause: I thank +Heaven, my revered grandfather and mother were taken from a +consummation of ills which would have reduced them to a misery I am +content to endure alone. + +"Come to me, dear Somerset. To look on you, to press you in my arms, +will be a happiness which, even in hope, makes my heart throb with +pleasure. + +"I will remain at home all day to-morrow, in the expectation of +seeing you; meanwhile, adieu, my dear Somerset. You will find at No. +5 St. Martin's Lane your ever affectionate + +"THADDEUS CONSTANTINE, COUNT SOBIESKI." _Friday noon._ + +"_P.S._ Inquire for me by the name of Mr. Constantine." +[Footnote: The humble, English home of Thaddeus Sobieski is now +totally vanished, along with the whole row of houses of which it was +one.] With the most delightful emotions, Thaddeus sealed this letter +and gave it to Nanny, with orders to inquire at the post-office "when +he might expect an answer?" The child returned with information that +it would reach Grosvenor Square in an hour, and he could have a reply +by three o'clock. + +Three o'clock arrived, and no letter. Thaddeus counted the hours +until midnight, but they brought him nothing but disappointment. The +whole of the succeeding day wore away in the same uncomfortable +manner. His heart bounded at every step in the passage; and throwing +open his room-door, he listened to every person that spoke, but no +voice bore any resemblance to that of Somerset. + +Night again shut in; and overcome by a train of doubts, in which +despondence held the greatest share he threw himself on his bed, +though unable to close his eyes. + +Whatever be our afflictions, not one human creature who has endured +misfortune will hesitate to aver, that of all the tortures incident +to mortality, there are none like the rackings of suspense. It is the +hell which Milton describes with such horrible accuracy; in its hot +and cold regions, the anxious soul is alternately tossed from the +ardors of hope to the petrifying rigors of doubt and dread. Men who +have not been suspended between confidence and fear, in their +judgment of a beloved friend's faithfulness, are ignorant of "the +nerve whence agonies are born." It is when sunk in sorrow, when +adversity loads us with divers miseries, and our wretchedness is +completed by such desertion!--it is then we are compelled to +acknowledge that, though life is brief, there are few friendships +which have strength to follow it to the end. But how precious are +those few! The are pearls above price! + +Such were the reflections of the Count Sobieski when he arose in the +morning from his sleepless pillow. The idea that the letter might +have been delayed afforded him a faint hope, which he cherished all +day, clinging to the expectation of seeing his friend before sunset. +But Somerset did not appear; and obliged to seek an excuse for his +absence, in the supposition of his application having miscarried, +Thaddeus determined to write once more, and to deliver the letter +himself at his friend's door. Accordingly, with emotions different +from those with which he had addressed him a few days before, he +wrote these lines-- + +"To PEMBROKE SOMERSET, ESQ., + +"If he who once called Thaddeus Sobieski his friend has received a +letter which that exile addressed to him on Friday last, this note +will meet the same neglect. But if this be the first intelligence +that tells Somerset his friend is in town, perhaps he may overlook +that friend's change of fortune; he may visit him in his distress! +who will receive him with open arms, at his humble abode in St. +Martin's Lane. + +"SUNDAY EVENING, No. 5, St. Martin's Lane." + +Thaddeus having sealed the letter, walked out in search of Sir Robert +Somerset's habitation. After some inquiries, he found Grosvenor +Square; and amidst the darkness of the night, was guided to the house +by the light of the lamps and the lustres which shone through the +open windows. He hesitated a few minutes on the pavement, and looked +up. An old gentleman was standing with a little boy at the nearest +window. Whilst the count's eyes were fixed on these two figures, he +saw Somerset himself come up to the child, and lead it away towards a +group of ladies. + +Thaddeus immediately flew to the door, with a tremor over his frame +which communicated itself to the knocker; for he knocked with such +violence that the door was opened in an instant by half-a-dozen +footmen at once. He spoke to one. + +"Is Mr. Pembroke Somerset at home?" + +"Yes," replied the man, who saw by his plain dress that he could not +be an invited guest; "but he is engaged with company." + +"I do not want to see him now," rejoined the count; "only give him +that letter, for it is of consequence." + +"Certainly, sir," replied the servant; and Thaddeus instantly +withdrew. + +He now turned homeward, with his mind more than commonly depressed. +There was a something in the whole affair which pierced him to the +soul. He had seen the house that contained the man he most warmly +loved, but he had not been admitted within it. He could not forbear +recollecting that when his gates opened wide as his heart to welcome +Pembroke Somerset, how he had been implored by his then grateful +friend to bring the palatine and the countess to England, "where his +father would be proud to entertain them, as the preservers of his +son." How different from these professions did he find the reality! +Instead of seeing the doors widely unclose to receive him, he was +allowed to stand like a beggar on the threshold; and he heard them +shut against him, whilst the form of Somerset glided above him, even +as the shadow of his buried joys. + +These discomforting retrospections on the past, and painful +meditations on the present, continued to occupy his mind, until +crossing over from Piccadilly to Coventry Street, he perceived a +wretched-looking man, almost bent double, accosting a party of people +in broken French, and imploring their charity. + +The voice and the accent being Sclavonian, arrested the ear of +Thaddeus. Drawing close to the man, as the party proceeded without +taking notice of the application, he hastily asked, "Are you a +Polander?" + +"Father of mercies!" cried the beggar, catching hold of his hand, "am +I so blessed! have I at last met him?" and, bursting into tears, he +leaned upon the arm of the count, who, hardly able to articulate with +surprise, exclaimed-- + +"Dear, worthy Butzou! What a time is this for you and I to meet! But, +come, you must go home with me." + +"Willingly, my dear lord," returned he; "for I have no home. I begged +my way from Harwich to this town, and have already spent two dismal +nights in the streets." + +"O, my country!" cried the full heart of Thaddeus. + +"Yes," continued the poor old soldier; "it received its death wounds +when Kosciusko and my honored master fell." + +Thaddeus could not reply; but supporting the exhausted frame of his +friend, who was hardly able to walk, after many pauses, gladly +descried his own door. + +The widow opened it the moment he knocked; and seeing some one with +him, was retreating, when Thaddeus, who found from the silence of +Butzou that he was faint, begged her to allow him to take his +companion into her parlor. She instantly made way, and the count +placed the now insensible old man in the arm-chair by the fire. + +"He is my friend, my father's friend!" cried Thaddeus, looking at his +pale and haggard face, with a strange wildness in his own features; +"for heaven's sake give me something to restore him." + +Mrs. Robson, in dismay, and literally having nothing better in the +house, gave him a glass of water. + +"That will not do," exclaimed he, still upholding the motionless body +on his arm; "have you no wine? No anything? He is dying for want." + +"None, sir; I have none," answered she, frightened at the violence of +his manner. "Run, Nanny, and borrow something warming of Mrs. Watts." + +"Or," cried Thaddeus, "bring me a bottle of wine from the nearest +inn." As he spoke, he threw her the only half-guinea he possessed, +and added, "Fly, for he may die in a moment." + +The child flew like lightning to the Golden Cross, and brought the +wine just as Butzou had opened his eyes, and was gazing at Thaddeus +with a languid agony that penetrated his soul. Mrs. Robson held the +water to his lips. He swallowed a little, then feebly articulated, "I +am perishing for want of food." + +Thaddeus had caught the bottle from Nanny, and pouring some of its +contents into a glass, made him drink it. This draught revived him a +little. He raised himself in his seat; but still panting and +speechless, leaned his swimming head upon the bosom of his friend, +who knelt by his side, whilst Mrs. Robson was preparing some toasted +bread, with a little more heated wine, which was fortunately good +sherry. + +After much kind exertion between the good landlady and the count, +they sufficiently recovered the poor invalid to enable them to +support him up stairs to lie down on the bed. The drowsiness usually +attendant on debility, aided by the fumes of the wine, threw him into +an immediate and deep sleep. + +Thaddeus seeing him at rest, thought it proper to rejoin Mrs. Robson, +and by a partial history of his friend, acquaint her with the +occasion of the foregoing scene. He found the good woman surprised +and concerned, but no way displeased; and, in a few words, he gave +her a summary explanation of the precipitancy with which, without her +permission, he had introduced a stranger under her roof. + +The substance of what he said related that the person up stairs had +served with him in the army; that on the ruin of his country (which +he could no longer conceal was Poland), the venerable man had come in +quest of him to England, and in his journey had sustained misfortunes +which had reduced him to the state she saw. + +"I met him," continued he, "forlorn and alone in the street; and +whilst he lives, I shall hold it my duty to protect him. I love him +for his own sake, and I honor him for my grandfather's. Besides, Mrs. +Robson," cried he, with additional energy, "before I left my country, +I made a vow to my sovereign that wherever I should meet this brave +old man, I would serve him to the last hour of his life. Therefore we +must part no more. Will you give him shelter?" added he, in a subdued +voice. "Will you allow me to retain him in my apartments?" + +"Willingly, sir; but how can I accommodate him? he is already in your +bed, and I have not one to spare." + +"Leave that to me, best, kindest of women!" exclaimed the count; +"your permission has rendered me happy." + +He then wished her a good night, and returning up stairs, wrapped +himself in his dressing-gown, and passed the night by the little fire +of the sitting-room. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE VETERAN'S NARRATIVE. + + +Owing to comfortable refreshment and a night of undisturbed sleep, +General Butzou awoke in the morning much recovered from the weakness +which had subdued him the preceding day. + +Thaddeus observed this change with pleasure. Whilst he sat by his +bed, ministering to him with the care of a son, he dwelt with a +melancholy delight on his revered features, and listened to his +languid voice with those tender associations which are dear to the +heart, though they pierce it with regretful anguish. + +"Tell me, my dear general," said he, "for I can bear to hear it now-- +tell me what has befallen my unhappy country since I quitted it." + +"Every calamity," cried the brave old man, shaking his head, "that +tyranny could devise." + +"Well, go on," returned the count, with a smile, which truly declared +that the composure of his air was assumed; "we, who have beheld her +sufferings, and yet live, need not fear hearing them described! Did +you see the king before he left Warsaw?" + +"No," replied Butzou; "our oppressors took care of that. Whilst you, +my lord, were recovering from your wounds in the citadel, I set off +for Sachoryn, to join Prince Poniatowski. In my way thither I met +some soldiers, who informed me that his highness, having been +compelled to discharge his troops, was returning to support his royal +brother under the indignities which the haughtiness of the victor +might premeditate. I then directed my steps towards Sendomir, where I +hoped to find Dombrowski, with still a few faithful followers; but +here, too, I was disappointed. Two days before my arrival, that +general, according to orders, had disbanded his whole party.[Footnote: +Dombrowski withdrew into France, where he was soon joined by +others of his countrymen; which little band, in process of time, +by gradual accession of numbers, became what was afterwards +styled the celebrated Polish legion, in the days of Napoleon; at the +head of which legion, the Prince Poniatowski, so often mentioned in +these pages, lost his life in the fatal frontier river his dauntless +courage dared to swim. His remains were taken to Cracow, and buried +near to the tomb of John Sobieski.] I now found that Poland was +completely in the hands of her ravagers, and yet I prepared to return +into her bosom; my feet naturally took that course. But I was +agonized at every step I retrod. I beheld the shores of the Vistula, +lined on every side with the allied troops. Ten thousand were posted +on her banks, and eighteen thousand amongst the ruins of Praga and +Villanow. + +"When I approached the walls of Warsaw, imagine, my dear lord, how +great was my indignation! How barbarous the conduct of our enemies! +Batteries of cannon were erected around the city, to level it with +the ground on the smallest murmur of discontent. + +"On the morning of my arrival, I was hastening to the palace to pay +my duty to the king, when a Cossack officer intercepted me, whom I +formerly knew, and indeed kindly warned me that if I attempted to +pass, my obstinacy would be fatal to myself and hazardous to his +majesty, whose confinement and suffering were augmented in proportion +to the adherents he retained amongst the Poles. Hearing this, I was +turning away, overwhelmed with grief, when the doors of the audience +chamber opened, and the Counts Potocki, Kilinski, and several others +of your grandfather's dearest friends, were led forth under a guard. +I was standing motionless with surprise, when Potocki, perceiving me, +held forth his hand. I took it, and wringing it, in the bitterness of +my heart uttered some words which I cannot remember, but my Cossack +friend whispered me to beware how I again gave way to such dangerous +remarks. + +"'Farewell, my worthy general' said Potocki, in a low voice, 'you see +we are arrested. We loved Poland too faithfully, for her enemies: and +for that reason we are to be sent prisoners to St. Petersburg. +Sharing the fate of Kosciusko, our chains are our distinction; such a +collar of merit is the most glorious order which the imperial sceptre +could bestow on a knight of St. Stanislaus.' + +"'Sir, I cannot admit of this conversation,' cried the officer of the +guard; and commanding the escort to proceed, I lost sight of these +illustrious patriots, probably forever.[Footnote: The Potocki family +at that time had still large possessions in the Crimean country of +the Cossacks; for it had formerly belonged to the crown of Poland. +And hence a kind of kindred memory lingered amongst the people: not +disaffecting them from their new masters but allowing a natural +respect for the descendants of the old.] + +"I understood, from the few Poles who remained in the citadel, that +the good Stanislaus was to be sent on the same dismal errand of +captivity, to Grodno, the next day. They also told me that Poland +being no more, you had torn yourself from its bleeding remains, +rather than behold the triumphant entry of its conqueror. This +insulting pageant was performed on the 9th of November last. On the +8th, I believe you left Warsaw for England." + +"Yes," replied the count, who had listened with a breaking heart to +this distressing narrative; "and doubtless I saved myself much +misery." + +"You did. One of the magistrates described to me the whole scene, at +which I would not have been present for the world's empire! He told +me that when the morning arrived in which General Suwarrow, attended +by the confederated envoys, was to make his public _entrée_, not +a citizen could be seen that was not compelled to appear. A dead +silence reigned in the streets; the doors and windows of every house +remained so closed that a stranger might have supposed it to be a +general mourning; and it was the bitterest sight which could have +fallen upon our souls! At this moment, when Warsaw, I may say, lay +dying at the feet of her conqueror, the foreign troops marched into +the city, the only spectators of their own horrible tragedy. At +length, with eyes which could no longer weep, the magistrates, +reluctant, and full of indignation, proceeded to meet the victor on +the bridge of Praga. When they came near the procession, they +presented the keys of Warsaw on their knees."-- + +"On their knees!" interrupted Thaddeus, starting up, and the blood +flushing over his face. + +"Yes," answered Butzou, "on their knees." + +"Almighty Justice!" exclaimed the count, pacing the room with +emotion; "why did not the earth open and swallow them! Why did not +the blood which saturated the spot whereon they knelt cry out to +them? O Butzou, this humiliation of Poland is worse to me than all +her miseries!" + +"I felt as you feel, my lord," continued the general, "and I +expressed myself with the same resentment; but the magistrate who +related to me that circumstance urged in excuse for himself and his +brethren that such a form was necessary; and had they refused, +probably their lives would have been forfeited." + +"Well," inquired Thaddeus, resuming his seat, "but where was the king +during this transaction?" + +"In the castle, where he received orders to be present next day at a +public thanksgiving, at which the inhabitants of Warsaw were also +commanded to attend, to perform a _Te Deum_, in gratitude for +the destruction of their country. Thank heaven! I was spared from +witnessing this blasphemy; I was then at Sendomir. But the day after +I had heard of it, I saw the carriage which contained the good +Stanislaus guarded like a traitor's out of the gates, and that very +hour I left the city. I made my way to Hamburgh, where I took a +passage to Harwich. But when there, owing to excessive fatigue, one +of my old wounds broke out afresh; and continuing ill a week, I +expended all my money. Reduced to my last shilling, and eager to find +you, I begged my way from that town to this. I had already spent two +miserable days and nights in the open air, with no other sustenance +than the casual charity of passengers, when Heaven sent you, my +honored Sobieski, to save me from perishing in the streets." + +Butzou pressed the hand of his young friend, as he concluded. +Indignation still kept its station on the count's features. + +The poor expatriated wanderer observed it with satisfaction, well +pleased that this strong emotion at the supposed pusillanimity of his +countrymen had prevented those bursts of grief which might have been +expected from his sensitive nature, when informed that ruined Poland +was not only treated by its ravagers like a slave, but loaded with +the shackles and usage of a criminal. + +Towards evening, General Butzou fell asleep. Thaddeus, leaning back +in his chair, fixed his eyes on the fire, and mused with amazement +and sorrow on what had been told him. When it was almost dark, and he +was yet lost in reflection, Mrs. Robson gently opened the door and +presented a letter. "Here, sir," said she, "is a letter which a +servant has just left; he told me it required no answer." + +Thaddeus sprang from his seat at sight of the paper, and almost +catching it from her, his former gloomy cogitations dispersed before +the hopes and fond emotions of friendship which now lit up in his +bosom. Mrs. Robson withdrew. He looked at the superscription--it was +the handwriting of his friend. Tearing it asunder, two folded papers +presented themselves. He opened them, and they were his own letters, +returned without a word. His beating heart was suddenly checked. +Letting the papers fall from his hand, he dropped back on his seat +and closed his eyes, as if he would shut them from the world and its +ingratitude. + +Unable to recover from his astonishment, his thoughts whirled about +in a succession of accusations, surmises and doubts, which seemed for +a few minutes to drive him to distraction. + +"Was it really the hand of Somerset?" + +Again he examined the envelope. It was; and the enclosures were his +own letters, without one word of apology for such incomprehensible +conduct. + +"Could he make one? No," replied Thaddeus to himself. "Unhappy that I +am, to have been induced to apply twice to so despicable a man! Oh, +Somerset," cried he, looking at the papers as they lay before him; +"was it necessary that insult should be added to unfaithfulness and +ingratitude, to throw me off entirely? Good heavens! did he think +because I wrote twice, I would persecute him with applications? I +have been told this of mankind; but, that I should find it in him?" + +In this way, agitated and muttering, and walking up and down the +room, he spent another wakeful and cheerless night. + +When he went down stairs next morning, to beg Mrs. Robson to attend +his friend until his return, she mentioned how uneasy she was at +having heard him most of the preceding night moving above her head. +He was trying to account to her for his restlessness, by complaining +of a headache, but she interrupted him by saying, "O no, sir; I am +sure it is the hard boards you lie on, to accommodate the poor old +gentleman. I am certain you will make yourself ill." + +Thaddeus thanked her for her solicitude; but declaring that all beds +hard, or soft, were alike to him, he left her more reconciled to his +pallet on the floor. And with his drawings in his pocket, once more +took the path to Great Newport Street. + +Resentment against his fickle friend, and anxiety for the +tranquillity of General Butzou, whose age, infirmities and sufferings +threatened a speedy termination of his life, determined the count to +sacrifice all false delicacy and morbid feelings, and to hazard +another attempt at acquiring the means of affording those comforts to +the sick veteran which his condition demanded. Happen how it would, +he resolved that Butzou should never know the complete wreck of his +property. I shuddered at loading him with the additional distress of +thinking he was a burden on his protector. + +Thaddeus passed the door of the printseller who had behaved so ill to +him on his first application; and walking to the farthest shop on the +same side, entered it. Laying his drawings on the counter, he +requested the person who stood there to look at them. They were +immediately opened; and the count, dreading a second repulse, or even +more than similar insolence, hastily added-- + +"They are scenes in Germany. If you like to have them their price is +a guinea." + +"Are you the painter, sir?" was the reply. + +"Yes, sir. Do they please you?" + +"Yes," answered the tradesman, (for it was the master, examining them +nearer); "there is a breadth and freedom in the style which is novel, +and may take. I will give you your demand;" and he laid the money on +the counter. + +Rejoiced that he had succeeded where he had entertained no hope, +Thaddeus, with a bow, was leaving the shop, when the man called after +him, "Stay, sir!" + +He returned, prepared to now hear some disparaging remark. + +It is strange, but it is true, that those who have been thrust by +misfortune into a state beneath their birth and expectations, too +often consider themselves the objects of universal hostility. They +see contempt in every eye, they suppose insult in every word; the +slightest neglect is sufficient to set the sensitive pride of the +unfortunate in a blaze; and, alas! how little is this sensibility +respected by the rich and gay in their dealings with the unhappy! To +what an addition of misery are the wretched exposed, meeting not only +those contumelies which the prosperous are not backward to bestow, +but those fancied ills which, however unfounded, keep the mind in a +feverish struggle with itself, and an uttered warfare with the +surrounding world! + +Repeated insults infused into the mind of Sobieski much of this +anticipating irritability; and it was with a very haughty step that +he turned back to hear what the printseller meant to say. + +"I only want to ask whether you follow this art as a profession?" + +"Yes." + +"Then I shall be glad if you can furnish me with six such drawings +every week." + +"Certainly," replied Thaddeus, pleased with the probability thus +securing something towards the support of his friend. + +"Then bring me another half-dozen next Monday." + +Thaddeus promised, and with a relieved mind took his way homeward. + +Who is there in England, I repeat, who does not remember the +dreadfully protracted winter of 1794, when the whole country lay +buried in a thick ice which seemed eternal? Over that ice, and +through those snows, the venerable General Butzou had begged his way +from Harwich to London. He rested at night under the shelter of some +shed or outhouse, and cooled his feverish thirst with a little water +taken from under the broken ice which locked up the springs. The +effect of this was a painful rheumatism, which fixed itself in his +limbs, and soon rendered them nearly useless. + +Two or three weeks passed over the heads of the general and his young +protector, Thaddeus cheering the old man with his smiles, and he, in +return, imparting the only pleasure to him which his melancholy heart +could receive--the conviction that his attentions and affection were +productive of comfort. + +In the exercise of these duties, the count not only found his health +gradually recover its tone, but his mind became more tranquil, and +less prone to those sudden floods of regret which were rapidly +sapping his life. By a strict economy on his part, he managed to pay +the widow and support his friend out of the weekly profits of his +drawings, which were now and then augmented by a commission to do one +or two more than the stipulated number. + +Thus, conversing with Butzou, reading to him when awake or pursuing +his drawings when he slept, Thaddeus spent the time until the +beginning of March. + +One fine starlight evening in that month, just before the frost broke +up, after painting all day, he desired little Nanny to take care of +the general; and leaving his work at the printseller's, he then +proceeded through Piccadilly, intending to go as far as Hyde Park +Corner, and return. + +Pleased with the beauty of the night, he walked on, not remarking +that he had passed the turnpike, until he heard a scream. The sound +came from near the Park wall. He hurried along, and at a short +distance perceived a delicate-looking woman struggling with a man, +who was assaulting her in a very offensive manner. + +Without a moment's hesitation, with one blow of his arm, Thaddeus +sent the fellow reeling against the wall. But while he supported the +outraged person who seemed fainting, the man recovered himself, and +rushing on her champion, aimed a stroke at his head with an immense +bludgeon, which the count, catching hold of as it descended, wrenched +out of his hand. The horrid oaths of the ruffian and the sobs of his +rescued victim collected a mob; and then the villain, fearing worse +usage, made off and left Thaddeus to restore the terrified female at +his leisure. + +As soon as she was able to speak, she thanked her deliverer in a +voice and language that assured him it was no common person he had +befriended. But in the circumstance of her distress, all would have +been the same to him;--a helpless woman was insulted; and whatever +her rank might be, he thought she had an equal claim on his +protection. + +The mob dispersed; and finding the lady capable of walking, he begged +permission to see her safe home. + +"I thank you, sir," she replied, "and I accept your offer with +gratitude. Besides, after your generous interference, it is requisite +that I should account to you how a woman of my appearance came out at +this hour without attendance. I have no other excuse to advance for +such imprudence than that I have often done so with impunity. I have +a friend whose husband, being in the Life-Guards, lives near the +barracks. We often drink tea with each other; sometimes my servants +come for me, and sometimes, when I am wearied and indisposed, I come +away earlier and alone. This happened to-night; and I have to thank +your gallantry, sir, for my rescue from the first outrage of the kind +which ever assailed me." + +By the time that a few more complimentary words on her side, and a +modest reply from Thaddeus, had passed, they stopped before a house +in Grosvenor Place. [Footnote: All this local scenery is changed. +There is no turnpike gate now at the Hyde Park end of Piccadilly; +neither is there a park wall. Splendid railings occupy its place; and +two superb triumphal arches, in the fashion of France, one leading +into the Park and the other leading towards Buckingham Palace, +gorgeously fill the sites of the former plain, wayfaring, English +turnpike-lodges.--1845.] The lady knocked at the door; and as soon as +it was opened, the count was taking his leave, but she laid her hand +on his arm, and said, in a voice of sincere invitation: + +"No, sir; I must not lose the opportunity of convincing you that you +have not succored a person unworthy of your kindness. I entreat you +to walk in!" + +Thaddeus was too much pleased with her manner not to accept this +courtesy. He followed her up stairs into a drawing-room, where a +young lady was seated at work. + +"Miss Egerton," cried his conductress, "here is a gentleman who has +this moment saved me from a ruffian. You must assist me to express my +gratitude." + +"I would with all my heart," returned she; "but your ladyship confers +benefits so well, you cannot be at a loss how to receive them." + +Thaddeus took the chair which a servant set for him, and, with +mingled pleasure and admiration, turned his eyes on the lovely woman +he had rescued. She had thrown off her cloak and veil, and displayed +a figure and countenance full of dignity and interest. + +She begged him to lay aside his great-coat, for she must insist upon +his supping with her. There was a commanding softness in her manner, +and a gentle yet unappealable decision in her voice, he could not +withstand; and he prepared to obey, although he was aware the fashion +and richness of the military dress concealed under his coat would +give her ideas of his situation he could not answer. + +The lady did not notice his hesitation, but, ringing the bell, +desired the servant to take the gentleman's hat and coat. Thaddeus +instantly saw in the looks of both the ladies what he feared. + +"I perceive," said the elder, as she took her seat, "that my +deliverer is in the army: yet I do not recollect having seen that +uniform before." + +"I am not an Englishman," returned he. + +"Not an Englishman," exclaimed Miss Egerton, "and speak the language +so accurately! You cannot be French?" + +"No, madam; I had the honor of serving under the King of Poland." + +"Then his was a very gallant court, I suppose," rejoined Miss +Egerton, with a smile; "for I am sorry to say there are few about St. +James's who would have taken the trouble to do what you have done by +Lady Tinemouth." + +He returned the young lady's smile. "I have seen too little, madam, +of Englishmen of rank to show any gallantry in defending this part of +my sex against so fair an accuser." Indeed, he recollected the +officers in the Park, and the perfidy of Somerset, and thought he had +no reason to give them more respect than their countrywomen +manifested. + +"Come, come, Sophia," cried Lady Tinemouth; "though no woman has less +cause to speak well of mankind than I have. I will not permit my +countrymen to be run down _in toto_. I dare say this gentleman +will agree with me that it shows neither a candid nor a patriotic +spirit." Her ladyship uttered this little rebuke smilingly. + +"I dare say he will not agree with you, Lady Tinemouth. No gentleman +yet, who had his wits about him, ever agreed with an elder lady +against a younger. Now, Mr. gentleman!--for it seems the name by +which we are to address you,--what do you say? Am I so very +reprobate?" + +Thaddeus almost laughed at the singular way she had chosen to ask his +name; and allowing some of the gloom which generally obscured his +fine eyes to disperse, he answered with a smile-- + +"My name is Constantine." + +"Well, you have replied to my last question first; but I will not let +you off about my sometimes bearish countrymen. I do assure you, the +race of the Raleighs, with their footstep cloaks, is quite _hors de +combat_; and so don't you think, Mr. Constantine, I may call them +so, without any breach of good manners to them or duty to my country? +For you see her ladyship hangs much upon a spinster's patriotism?" + +Lady Tinemouth shook her head. + +"O, Sophia, Sophia, you are a strange mad-cap." + +"I don't care for that; I will have Mr. Constantine's unprejudiced +reply. I am sure, if he had taken as long a time in answering your +call as he does mine, the ruffian might have killed and eaten you too +before he moved to your assistance. Come, may I not say they are +anything but well-bred men?" + +"Certainly. A fair lady may say anything." + +"Positively, Mr. Constantine, I won't endure contempt! Say such +another word, and I will call you as abominable a creature as the +worst of them." + +"But I am not a proper judge, Miss Egerton. I have never been in +company with any of these men; so, to be impartial, I must suspend my +opinion." + +"And not believe my word!" + +Thaddeus smiled and bowed. + +"There, Lady Tinemouth," cried she, affecting pet, "take your +champion to yourself; he is no _preux chevalier_ for me?" + +"Thank you, Sophia," returned her ladyship, giving her hand to the +count to lead her to the supper-room. "This is the way she skirmishes +with all your sex, until her shrewd humor transforms them to its own +likeness." + +"And where is the man," observed Thaddeus, "who would not be so +metamorphosed under the spells of such a Circe?" + +"It won't do, Mr. Constantine," cried she, taking her place opposite +to him: "my anger is not to be appeased by calling me names; you +don't mend the compliment by likening me to a heathen and a witch." + +Lady Tinemouth bore her part in the conversation in a strain more in +unison with the count's mind. However, he found no inconsiderable +degree of amusement from the unreflecting volubility and giddy +sallies of her friend; and, on the whole, spent the two hours he +passed there with some perceptions of his almost forgotten sense of +pleasure. + +He was in an elegant apartment, in the company of two lovely and +accomplished women, and he was the object of their entire attention +and gratitude. He had been used to this in his days of happiness, +when he was "the expectancy and rose of the fair state, the glass of +fashion and the mould of form,--the observed of all observers!" and +the re-appearance of such a scene awakened, with tender remembrances, +an associating sensibility which made him rise with regret when the +clock struck eleven. + +Lady Tinemouth bade him good-night, with an earnest request that he +would shortly repeat his visit; and they parted, mutually pleased +with each other. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +FRIENDSHIP A STAFF IN HUMAN LIFE. + + +Pleased as the count was with the acquaintance to which his gallantry +had introduced him, he did not repeat his visit for a long time. + +A few mornings after his meeting with Lady Tinemouth, the hard frost +broke up. The change in the atmosphere produced so alarming a relapse +of the general's rheumatic fever, that his friend watched by his +pillow ten days and nights. At the end of this period he recovered +sufficiently to sit up and read or to amuse himself by registering +the melancholy events of the last campaigns in a large book, and +illustrating it with plans of the battles. The sight of this volume +would have distressed Thaddeus, had he not seen that it afforded +comfort to the poor veteran, whom it transported back into the scenes +on which he delighted to dwell; yet he would often lay down his pen, +shut the book, and weep like an infant. + +The count left him one morning at his employment, and strolled out, +with the intention of calling on Lady Tinemouth. As he walked along +by Burlington House, he perceived Pembroke Somerset, with an elderly +gentleman, of a very distinguished air, leaning on his arm. They +approached him from Bond Street. + +All the blood in the count's body seemed rushing to his heart. He +trembled. The ingenuous smile on his friend's countenance, and his +features so sweetly marked with frankness, made his resolution +falter. + +"But proofs," cried he to himself, "are absolute!" and turning his +face to a stand of books that was near him, he stood there until +Somerset had passed. He went past him, speaking these words-- + +"I trust, father, that ingratitude is not his vice." + +"But it is yours, Somerset!" murmured Thaddeus, while for a moment he +gazed after them, and then proceeded on his walk. + +When his name was announced at Lady Tinemouth's, he found her with +another lady, but not Miss Egerton. Lady Tinemouth expressed her +pleasure at this visit, and her surprise that it had been so long +deferred. + +"The pain of such an apparent neglect of your ladyship's goodness," +replied he, "has been added to my anxiety for the declining health of +a friend, whose increased illness is my apology," + +"I wish," returned her ladyship, her eyes beaming approbation, "that +all my friends could excuse their absence so well!" + +"Perhaps they might if they chose," observed the other lady, "and +with equal sincerity." + +Thaddeus understood the incredulity couched under these words. So did +Lady Tinemouth, who, however, rejoined, "Be satisfied, Mr. +Constantine, that I believe you." + +The count bowed. + +"Fie, Lady Tinemouth!" cried the lady; "you are partial: nay, you are +absurd; did you ever yet hear a man speak truth to a woman?" + +"Lady Sara!" replied her ladyship, with one of those arch glances +which seldom visited her eyes, "where will be your vanity if I assent +to this?" + +"In the moon, with man's sincerity." + +Thaddeus paid little attention to this dialogue. His thoughts, in +spite of himself, were wandering after the figures of Somerset and +his father. + +Lady Tinemouth, whose fancy had not been quiet about him since his +prompt humanity had introduced him to her acquaintance, observed his +present absence without noticing it. Indeed, the fruitful imagination +of Sophia Egerton had not lain still. She declared, "he was a soldier +by his dress, a man of rank from his manners, an Apollo in his +person, and a hero from his gallantry!" + +Thus had Miss Egerton described him to Lady Sara Ross; "and," added +she, "what convinces me he is a man of fashion, he has not been +within these walls since we told him we should take it as a favor." + +Lady Sara was eager to see this handsome stranger; and having +determined to drop in at Lady Tinemouth's every morning until her +curiosity was gratified, she was not a little pleased when she heard +his name announced. + +Lady Sara was married; but she was young and of great beauty, and she +liked that its power should be acknowledged by others besides her +husband. The instant she beheld the Count Sobieski, she formed the +wish to entangle him in her flowery chains. She learnt, by his pale +countenance and thoughtful air, that he was a melancholy character; +and above all things, she sighed for such a lover. She expected to +receive from one of his cast a rare tenderness and devotedness; in +short, a fervent and romantic passion!--the fashion of the day ever +since the extravagant French romances, such as Delphine and the like, +came in; and this unknown foreigner appeared to her to be the very +creature of whom her fancy had been in search. His abstraction, his +voice and eyes, the one so touching and the other so neglectful of +anything but the ground, were irresistible, and she resolved from +that moment (in her own words) "to make a set at him." + +Not less pleased with this second view of her acquaintance than she +had been at the first, Lady Tinemouth directed her discourse to him, +accompanied by all that winning interest so endearing to an ingenuous +heart. Lady Sara never augured well to the success of her +fascinations when the countess addressed any of her victims; and +therefore she now tried every means in her power to draw aside the +attention of the count. She played with her ladyship's dog; but that +not succeeding, she determined to strike him at once with the full +graces of her figure. Complaining of heat, she threw off her large +green velvet mantle, and rising from her chair, walked towards the +window. + +When she looked round to enjoy her victory, she saw that this +manoeuvre had failed like the rest, for the provoking countess was +still standing between her and Thaddeus. Almost angry, she flung open +the sash, and putting her head out of the window, exclaimed, in her +best-modulated tones: + +"How d'ye do?" + +"I hope your ladyship is well this fine morning!" was answered in the +voice of Pembroke Somerset. + +Thaddeus grew pale, and the countess feeling the cold, turned about +to ask Lady Sara to whom she was speaking. + +"To a pest of mine," returned she gayly; and then, stretching out her +neck, resumed: "but where, in the name of wonder, Mr. Somerset, are +you driving with all that travelling apparatus?" + +"To Deerhurst: I am going to take Lord Avon down. But I keep you in +the cold. Good-morning!" + +"My compliments to Sir Robert. Good-by! good-by!" waving her white +hand until his curricle vanished from sight; and when she turned +round, her desires were gratified, for the elegant stranger was +standing with his eyes fixed on that hand. But had she known that, +for any cognizance they took of its beauty, they might as well have +been fixed on vacancy, she would not have pulled down the window, and +reseated herself with such an air of triumph. + +The count took his seat with a sigh, and Lady Tinemouth did the same. + +"So that is the son of Sir Robert Somerset?" + +"Yes," replied Lady Sara; "and what does your ladyship think of him? +He is called very handsome." + +"You forget that I am near-sighted," answered the countess; "I could +not discriminate his features, but I think his figure fine. I +remember his father was a singularly-admired man, and celebrated for +taste and talents." + +"That may be," resumed Lady Sara, laughing, and anxious to excite +some emotion of rivalry in the breast of Thaddeus. "I am sure I ought +not to call in question his talents and taste, for he has often +wished that fate had reserved me for his son." She sighed while she +spoke, and looked down. + +This sigh and gesture had more effect upon her victim than all her +exhibited personal charms. So difficult is it to break the cords of +affection and habit. Anything relating to Pembroke Somerset could yet +so powerfully interest the desolate yet generous Sobieski, as to +stamp itself on his features. Besides, the appearance of any latent +disquietude, where all seemed splendor and vivacity, painfully +reminded him of the checkered lot of man. His eyes were resting upon +her ladyship, full of a tender commiseration, pregnant with +compassion for her, himself, and all the world, when she raised her +head. The meeting of such a look from him filled her with agitation. +She felt something strange at her heart. His eyes seemed to have +penetrated to its inmost devices. Blushing like scarlet, she got up +to hide an embarrassment not to be subdued; and hastily wishing the +countess a good-morning curtseyed to him and left the room. + +Her ladyship entered her carriage with feelings all in commotion. She +could not account for the confusion which his look had occasioned; +and half angry at a weakness so like a raw, inexperienced girl, she +determined to become one of Lady Tinemouth's constant visitors, until +she should have brought him (as she had done most of the men in her +circle) to her feet. + +These were her ladyship's resolutions, while she rolled along towards +St. James's Place. But she a little exceeded the fact in the +statement of her conquests; for notwithstanding she could have +counted as many lovers as most women, yet few of them would have +ventured the folly of a kneeling petition. In spite of her former +unwedded charms, these worthy lords and gentlemen had, to a man, +adopted the oracle of the poet-- + + "Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, + Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies." + + They all professed to adore Lady Sara; some were caught by her +beauty, others by her _eclat_, but none had the most distant +wish to make this beauty and _eclat_ his own legal property. For +she had no other property to bestow. + +The young Marquis of Severn seemed serious towards her ladyship +during the first year of his appearance at court; but at the end of +that time, instead of offering her his hand, he married the daughter +of a rich banker. + +Lady Sara was so incensed at this disappointment, that, to show her +disdain of her apostate lover, she set off next day for Gretna Green, +with Horace Ross, a young and early celebrated commander in the navy, +whose honest heart had been some time sueing to her in vain. He was +also nephew to the Earl of Wintown. They were married, and her +ladyship had the triumph of being presented as a bride the same day +with the Marchioness of Severn. + +When the whirlwind of her resentment subsided, she began most +dismally to repent her union. She loved Captain Ross as little as she +had loved Lord Severn. She had admired the rank and fashion of the +one, and the profound adoration of the other had made a friend of her +vanity. But now that her revenge was gratified, and the homage of a +husband ceased to excite the envy of her companions, she grew weary +of his attentions, and was rejoiced when the Admiralty ordered him to +take the command of a frigate bound to the Mediterranean. + +The last fervent kiss which he imprinted on her lips, as she breathed +out the cold "Good-by, Ross; take care of yourself!" seemed to her +the seal of freedom; and she returned into her dressing-room, not to +weep, but to exult in the prospect of a thousand festivities and a +thousand captives at her feet. + +Left at an early age without a mother, and ignorant of the duties of +a wife, she thought that if she kept her husband and herself out of +Doctor's Commons, she should do no harm by amusing herself with the +heart of every man who came in her way. Thus she hardly moved without +a train of admirers. She had already attracted everyone she deemed +worthy of the trouble, and listened to their compliments, and +insolent presumptions, until she was wearied of both. In this +juncture of _ennui_, Miss Egerton related to her the countess's +recontre with the gallant foreigner. + +As soon as she heard he was of rank, (for Miss Egerton was not +backward to affirm the dreams of her own imagination,) she formed a +wish to see him; and when, to her infinite satisfaction, he did +present himself, in her eyes he exceeded everything that had been +described. To secure such a conquest, she thought, would not only +raise the envy of the women, but put the men on the alert to discover +some novel and attractive way of proving their devotion. + +Whilst Lady Sara was meditating on her new conquest, the count and +Lady Tinemouth remained in their _tete-à-tete_. Her ladyship +talked to him on various subjects; but he answered ill upon them all, +and sometimes very wide of the matter. At last, conscious that he +must be burdensome, he arose, and, looking paler and more depressed +than when he entered, wished her a good morning. + +"I am afraid, Mr. Constantine, you are unwell." + +Like most people who desire to hide what is passing in their minds, +Thaddeus gladly assented to this, as an excuse for a taciturnity he +could not overcome. + +"Then," cried her ladyship, "I hope you will let me know where to +send to inquire after your health." + +Thaddeus was confounded for a moment; then, returning into the room, +he took up a pen, which lay on the table, and said, + +"I will write my address to a place where any of your ladyship's +commands may reach me; but I will do myself the honor to repeat my +call very soon." + +"I shall always be happy to see you," replied the countess, while he +was writing; "but before I engage you in a promise of which you may +afterwards repent, I must tell you that you will meet with dull +entertainment at my house. I see very little company; and were it not +for the inexhaustible spirits of Miss Egerton, I believe I should +become a complete misanthrope." + +"Your house will be my paradise!" exclaimed the count, with an +expressiveness to the force of which he did not immediately attend. + +Lady Tinemouth smiled. + +"I must warn you here, too," cried she. "Miss Egerton must not be the +deity of your paradise. She is already under engagements." + +Thaddeus blushed at being mistaken, and wished to explain himself. + +"You misunderstand me, madam. I am not insensible to beauty; but upon +my word, at that moment I had nothing else in my thoughts than +gratitude for your ladyship's kindness to an absolute stranger." + +"That is true, Mr. Constantine: you are an absolute stranger, if the +want of a formal introduction and an ignorance of your family +constitute that title. But your protection introduced you to me; and +there is something in your appearance which convinces me that I need +not be afraid of admitting you into the very scanty number of my +friends." + +Thaddeus perceived the delicacy of Lady Tinemouth, who wished to know +who he was, and yet was unwilling to give him pain by a question so +direct that he must answer it. As she now proposed it, she left him +entirely to his own discretion; and he determined to satisfy her very +proper curiosity, as far as he could without exposing his real name +and circumstances. + +The countess, whose benevolent heart was deeply interested in his +favor, observed the changes of his countenance with an anxious hope +that he would be ingenuous. Her solicitude did not arise from any +doubts of his quality and worth, but she wished to be enabled to +reply with promptness to the inquisitive people who might see him at +her house. + +"I hardly know," said Thaddeus, "in what words to express my sense of +your ladyship's generous confidence in me; and that my character is +not undeserving of such distinction, time, I trust, will prove." He +paused for a moment, and then resumed: "For my rank, Lady Tinemouth, +it is now of little consequence to my comfort; rather, perhaps, a +source of mortification; for--" he hesitated, and then proceeded, +with a faint color tinging his cheek: "exiles from their country, if +they would not covet misery, must learn to forget; hence I am no +other than Mr. Constantine; though, in acknowledgment of your +ladyship's goodness, I deem it only just that I should not conceal my +real quality from you. + +"My family was one of the first in Poland. Even in banishment, the +remembrance that its virtues were as well known as its name, affords +some alleviation to the conviction that when my country fell, all my +property and all my kindred were involved in the ruin. Soon after the +dreadful sealing of its fate, I quitted it, and by the command of a +dying parent, who expired in my arms, sought a refuge in this island +from degradations which otherwise I could neither repel nor avoid." + +Thaddeus stopped; and the countess, struck by the graceful modesty +with which this simple account was related, laid her hand upon his. + +"Mr. Constantine, I am not surprised at what you have said. The +melancholy of your air induced me to suspect that you were not happy, +and my sole wish in penetrating your reserve was to show you that a +woman can be a sincere friend." + +Tears of gratitude glistened in the count's eyes. Incapable of making +a suitable reply, he pressed her hand to his lips. She rose; and +willing to relieve a sensibility that delighted her, added, "I will +not detain you longer: only let me see you soon." + +Thaddeus uttered a few inarticulate words, whose significancy +conveyed nothing, but all he felt was declared in their confusion. +The countess's eloquent smile showed that she comprehended their +meaning; and he left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +WOMAN'S KINDNESS. + + +On the count's return home, he found General Butzou in better +spirits, still poring over his journal. This book seemed to be the +representative of all which had ever been dear to him. He dwelt upon +it and talked about it with a doating eagerness bordering on +insanity. + +These symptoms, increasing from day to day, gave his young friend +considerable uneasiness. He listened with pain to the fond dreams +which took possession of the poor old man, who delighted in saying +that much might yet be done in Poland when he should be recovered, +and they be enabled to return together to Warsaw, and stimulate the +people to resume their rights. + +Thaddeus at first attempted to prove the emptiness of these schemes; +but seeing that contradiction on this head threw the general into +deeper despondency, he thought it better to affect the same +sentiments, too well perceiving that death would soon terminate these +visions with the venerable dreamer's life. + +Accordingly, as far as lay in the count's power, he satisfied all the +fancied wants of his revered friend, who on every other subject was +perfectly reasonable; but at last he became so absorbed in this +chimerical plot, that other conversation, or his meals, seemed to +oppress him with restraint. + +When Thaddeus perceived that his company was rather irksome than a +comfort to his friend, he the more readily repeated his visits to +Lady Tinemouth. She now looked for his appearance at least once a +day. If ever a morning and an evening passed away without his +appearance, he was sure of being scolded by Miss Egerton, reproached +by the countess, and frowned at by Lady Sara Ross. In defiance of all +other engagements, this lady contrived to drop in every night at Lady +Tinemouth's. Her ladyship was not more surprised at this sudden +attachment of Lady Sara to her house than pleased with her society. +She found she could lay aside in her little circle that tissue of +affectation and fashion which she wore in public, and really became a +charming woman. + +Though Lady Sara was vain, she was mistress of sufficient sense to +penetrate with tolerable certainty into the characters of her +acquaintance. Most of the young men with whom she had hitherto +associated having lived from youth to manhood amongst those +fashionable assemblies where individuality is absorbed in the general +mass of insipidity, she saw they were frivolous, though obsequious to +her, or, at the best, warped in taste, if not in principle; and the +fascinations she called forth to subdue them were suited to their +objects--her beauty, her thoughtless, or her caprice. But, on the +reverse, when she formed the wish to entangle such a man as Thaddeus, +she soon discovered that to engage his attention she must appear in +the unaffected graces of nature. To this end she took pains to +display the loveliness of her form in every movement and position; +yet she managed the action with so inartificial and frank an air, +that she seemed the only person present who was unconscious of the +versatility and power of her charms. She conversed with good sense +and propriety. In short, she appeared completely different from the +gay, ridiculous creature he had seen some weeks before in the +countess's drawing-room. + +He now admired both her person and her mind. Her winning softness, +the vivacity of Miss Egerton, and the kindness of the countess, +beguiled him many an evening from the contemplation of melancholy +scenes at his humble and anxious home. + +One night it came into the head of Sophia Egerton to banter him about +his military dress. "Do, for heaven's sake, my dear Don Quixote," +cried she, "let us see you out of your rusty armor! I declare I grow +frightened at it. And I cannot but think you would be merrier out of +that customary suit of solemn black!" + +This demand was not pleasing to Thaddeus, but he good-humoredly +replied, "I knew not till you were so kind as to inform me that a +man's temper depends on his clothes." + +"Else, I suppose," cried she, interrupting him, "you would have +changed yours before? Therefore, I expect you will do as I bid you +now, and put on a Christian's coat against you next enter this +house." + +Thaddeus was at a loss what to say; he only bowed; and the countess +and Lady Sara smiled at her nonsense. + +When they parted for the night, this part of the conversation passed +off from all minds but that of Lady Tinemouth. She had considered the +subject, but in a different way from her gay companion. Sophia +supposed that the handsome Constantine wore the dress of his country +because it was the most becoming. But as such a whim did not +correspond with the other parts of his character, Lady Tinemouth. in +her own mind, attributed this adherence to his national habit to the +right cause. + +She remarked that whenever she wished him to meet any agreeable +people at her house, he always declined these introductions under the +plea of his dress, though he never proposed to alter it. This +conduct, added to his silence on every subject which related to the +public amusements about town, led her to conclude, that, like the +banished nobility of France he was encountering the various +inconveniences of poverty in a foreign land. She hoped that he had +escaped its horrors; but she could not be certain, for he always +shifted the conversation when it too closely referred to himself. + +These observations haunted the mind of Lady Tinemouth, and made her +anxious to contrive some opportunity in which she might have this +interesting Constantine alone, and by a proper management of the +discourse, lead to some avowal of his real situation. Hitherto her +benevolent intentions had been frustrated by various interruptions at +various times. Indeed, had she been actuated by mere curiosity, she +would long ago have resigned the attempt as fruitless; but pity and +esteem kept her watchful until the very hour in which her considerate +heart was fully satisfied. + +One morning, when she was writing in her cabinet, a servant informed +her that Mr. Constantine was below. Pleased at this circumstance, she +took advantage of a slight cold that affected her; and hoping to draw +something out of him in the course of a _tete-à-tete_, begged he +would favor her by coming into her private room. + +When he entered, she perceived that he looked more pensive than +usual. He sat down by her, and expressed his concern at her +indisposition. She sighed heavily, but remained silent. Her thoughts +were too much occupied with her kind plan to immediately form a +reply. She had determined to give him a cursory idea of her own +unhappiness, and thus, by her confidence, attract him. + +"I hope Miss Egerton is well?" inquired he. + +"Very well, Mr. Constantine. A heart at ease almost ever keeps the +body in health. May she long continue as happy as at this period, and +never know the disappointments of her friend!" + +He looked at the countess. + +"It is true, my dear sir," continued she. "It is hardly probable that +the mere effect of thirty-seven years could have made the inroads on +my person which you see; but sorrow has done it; and with all the +comforts you behold around me, I am miserable. I have no joy +independent of the few friends which Heaven has preserved to me; and +yet," added she, "I have another anxiety united with those of which I +complain; some of my friends, who afford me the consolation I +mention, deny me the only return in my power, the office of sharing +their griefs." + +Thaddeus understood the expression of her ladyship's eye and the +tenderness of her voice as she uttered these words. He saw to whom +the kind reproach was directed, and he looked down confused and +oppressed. + +The countess resumed. + +"I cannot deny what your countenance declares; you think I mean you. +I do, Mr. Constantine. I have marked your melancholy; I have weighed +other circumstances; and I am sure that you have many things to +struggle with besides the regrets which must ever hang about the +bosom of a brave man who has witnessed the destruction of his +country. Forgive me, if I give you pain," added she, observing his +heightening color. "I speak from real esteem; I speak to you as I +would to my own son were he in your situation." + +"My dearest madam!" cried Thaddeus, overcome by her benevolence, "you +have judged rightly; I have many things to struggle with. I have a +sick friend at home, whom misfortune hath nearly bereft of reason, +and whose wants are now so complicated and expensive, that never till +now did I know the complete desolation of a man without a country or +a profession. For myself, Lady Tinemouth, adversity has few pangs; +but for my friend, for an old man whose deranged faculties have +forgotten the change in my affairs, he who leans on me for support +and comfort,--it is this that must account to your ladyship for those +inconsistencies in my manner and spirits which are so frequently the +subject of Miss Egerton's raillery." + +Thaddeus, in the course of this short and rapid narrative, gradually +lowered the tone of his voice, and at the close covered his face with +his hand. He had never before confided the history of his +embarrassments to any creature; and he thought (notwithstanding the +countess's solicitations) he had committed an outrage on the firmness +of his character by having in anyway acknowledged the weight of his +calamities. + +Lady Tinemouth considered a few minutes, and then addressed him. + +"I should ill repay this generous confidence, my noble young friend, +were I to hesitate a moment in forming some plan which may prove of +service to you. You have told me no more, Mr. Constantine, than I +suspected. And I had something in view." Here the countess stopped, +expecting that her auditor would interrupt her. He remained silent, +and she proceeded: "You spoke of a profession, of an employment." + +"Yes, madam," returned he, taking his hands from his eyes; "I should +be glad to engage in any profession or employment you would +recommend." + +"I have little interest," answered her ladyship, "with people in +power; therefore I cannot propose anything which will in any degree +suit with your rank; but the employment that I have in view, several +of the most illustrious French nobility have not disdained to +execute." + +"Do not fear to mention it to me," cried the count, perceiving her +reluctance; "I would attempt anything that is not dishonorable, to +render service to my poor friend." + +"Well, then, would you have any objection to teach languages?" + +Thaddeus immediately answered, "Oh, no! I should be happy to do so." + +"Then," replied she, greatly relieved by the manner in which he +received her proposal, "I will now tell you that about a week ago I +paid a visit to Lady Dundas, the widow of Sir Hector Dundas, the rich +East Indian director. Whilst I was there, I heard her talking with +her two daughters about finding a proper master to teach them German. +That language has become a very fashionable accomplishment amongst +literary ladies; and Misa Dundas, being a member of the Blue-stocking +Club, [Footnote: Such was the real name given at the time to Mrs. +Montague's celebrated literary parties, held at her house in Portman +Square. The late venerable Sir William Pepys was one of their last +survivors.] had declared her resolution to make a new translation of +Werter. Lady Dundas expressed many objections against the vulgarity +of various teachers whom the young ladies proposed, and ended with +saying that unless some German gentleman could be found, they must +remain ignorant of the language. Your image instantly shot across my +mind; and deeming it a favorable opportunity, I told her ladyship +that if she could wait a few days, I would sound a friend of mine, +who I knew, if he would condescend to take the trouble, must be the +most eligible person imaginable. Lady Dundas and the girls gladly +left the affair to me, and I now propose it to you." + +"And I," replied he, "with a thousand thanks, accept the task." + +"Then I will make the usual arrangements," returned her ladyship, +"and send you the result." + +After half an hour's further conversation, Lady Tinemouth became more +impressed with the unsophisticated delicacy and dignity of the +count's mind; and he, more grateful than utterance could declare, +left his respects for Miss Egerton, and took his leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +FASHIONABLE SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE. + + +Next morning, whilst Thaddeus was vainly explaining to the general +that he no longer possessed a regiment of horse, which the poor old +man wanted him to order out, to try the success of some manoeuvres he +had been devising, little Nanny brought in a letter from Slaughter's +Coffee-house, where he had noted Lady Tinemouth to direct it to +him.[Footnote: This respectable hotel still exists, near the top of +St. Martin's Lane.--1845.] He opened it, and found these contents:-- + +"My dear Sir, + +"So anxious was I to terminate the affair with Lady Dundas, that I +went to her house last night. I affirmed it as a great obligation +that you would undertake the trouble to teach her daughters; and I +insist that you do not, from any romantic ideas of candor, invalidate +what I have said. I know the world too well not to be convinced of +the truth of Dr. Goldsmith's maxim,--'If you be poor, do not seem +poor, if you would avoid insult as well as suffering.' + +"I told Miss Dundas that you had undertaken the task solely at my +persuasion, and that I could not propose other terms than a guinea +for two lessons. She is rich enough for any expense, and made no +objection to my demand; besides, she presented the enclosed, by way +of entrance-money. It is customary. Thus I have settled all +preliminaries, and you are to commence your first lesson on Monday, +at two o'clock. But before then, pray let me see you. + +"Cannot you dine with us on Sunday? A sabbath privilege! to speak of +good is blameless. I have informed Miss Egerton of as much of the +affair as I think necessary to account for your new occupation. In +short, gay in spirits as she is, I thought it most prudent to say as +little to her and to Lady Sara as I have done to the Dundases; +therefore, do not be uneasy on that head. + +"Come to-morrow, if not before, and you will give real pleasure to +your sincere friend, + + "ADELIZA TINEMOUTH." + "SATURDAY MORNING, GROSVENOR PLACE." + +Truly grateful to the active friendship of the countess, and looking +at the general, who appeared perfectly happy in the prosecution of +his wild schemes, Thaddeus inwardly exclaimed, "By these means I +shall at least have it in my power to procure the assistance which +your melancholy state, my revered friend, requires." + +On opening the enclosed, which her ladyship mentioned, he found it to +be a bank note for ten pounds. Both the present and its amount gave +him pain: not having done any service yet to the donor, he regarded +the money more as a gift than as a bond of engagement. However, he +found that this delicacy, with many other painful repugnances, must +at this moment be laid aside; and, without further self-torment, he +consigned the money to the use for which he felt aware the countess +had wished it to be applied, namely, to provide himself with an +English dress. + +During these various reflections, he did not leave Lady Tinemouth's +letter unanswered. He thanked her sincerely for her zeal, but +declined dining with her the next day, on account of leaving his poor +friend so long alone; though he promised to come in the evening when +he should be retired to rest. + +This excuse was regretted by none more than Lady Sara Ross, who, +having heard from Lady Tinemouth that she expected Mr. Constantine to +dinner on a Sunday, invited herself to be one of the party. She had +now seen him constantly for nearly a month, and found, to her +amazement, that in seeking to beguile him, she had only ensnared +herself. Every word he uttered penetrated to her heart; every glance +of his eyes shook her frame like electricity. + +She had now no necessity to affect softness. A young and unsuspected +passion had stolen into her bosom, and imparted to her voice and +countenance all its subtle power to enchant and to subdue. Thaddeus +was not insensible to this gentle fascination; for it appeared to his +ingenuous nature to be unconsciously shown, and from under "veiled +lids." He looked on her as indeed a lovely woman, who, with a +touching delicacy, he observed, often tried to stifle sigh after +sigh, which, fluttering rose to her silent lips. Thus, as silently +remarking her, he became deeply interested in her; for he believed +her yearning heart then thought of her gallant husband, far, far at +sea. So had been his conclusion when he first noticed these +demonstrations of an inward unuttered sensibility. But in a little +while afterwards, when those veiled lids were occasionally raised, +and met his compassionate gaze, she mistook the nature of its +expression; and her responsive glance, wild with ecstasy, returned +him one that darted astonishment, with an appalling dread of his +meaning, through his every vein. But on his pillow the same night, +when he reflected on what he had felt on receiving so strange a look +from a married woman, and one, too, whom he believed to be a virtuous +one! he could not, he would not, suppose it meant anything to him; +and ashamed of even the idea having entered his head, he crushed it +at once, indignant at himself. Though, whenever he subsequently met +her at Lady Tinemouth's, he could not help, as if by a natural +impulse, avoiding the encountering of her eyes. + +In the course of conversation at dinner, on the day Thaddeus had been +expected by Lady Tinemouth, in a tone of pleasure she mentioned that +she had conferred a great favor on her young cousins, the Misses +Dundas, by having prevailed on Mr. Constantine to undertake the +trouble of teaching them German. Lady Sara could not conceal her +vexation, nor her wonder at Lady Tinemouth's thinking of such a +thing; and she uttered something like angry contempt at acquiescence, +while inwardly she hated her former old friend for having made the +proposal. + +Miss Egerton laughed at the scrape into which Lady Tinemouth had +brought his good nature, and declared she would tell him next time +she saw him what a mulish pair of misses he had presumed to manage. + +It was the youngest of these misses that excited Lady Sara's +displeasure. Euphemia Dundas was very pretty; she had a large fortune +at her disposal; and what might not such united temptations effect on +the mind of a man exposed every day to her habitual flirtation? Stung +with jealousy, Lady Sara caught at a slight intimation of his +possibly coming in before the evening should close. Rallying her +smiles, she resolved to make one more essay on his relapsed +insensibility, before she beheld him enter scenes so likely to +extinguish her hopes. Hopes of what? She never allowed herself to +inquire. She knew that she never had loved her husband, that now she +detested him, and was devoted to another. To be assured of a +reciprocal passion from that other, she believed was the extent of +her wish. Thinking that she held her husband's honor safe as her +life, she determined to do what she pleased with her heart. Her +former admirers were now neglected; and, to the astonishment and +admiration of the graver part of her acquaintance, she had lately +relinquished all the assemblies in which she had so recently been the +brightest attraction, to seclude herself by the domestic fireside of +the Countess of Tinemouth. + +Thus, whilst the world were admiring a conduct they supposed would +give a lasting happiness to herself and to her husband, she was +cherishing a passion which might prove the destruction of both. + +On Sunday evening, Thaddeus entered Lady Tinemouth's drawing-room +just as Miss Egerton seated herself before the tea equipage. At sight +of him she nodded her head, and called him to sit by her. Lady +Tinemouth returned the grateful pressure of his hand. Lady Sara +received him with a palpitating heart, and stooped to remove +something that seemed to incommode her foot; but it was only a feint, +to hide the blushes which were burning on her cheek. No one observed +her confusion. So common is it for those who are the constant +witnesses of our actions to be the most ignorant of their expression +and tendency. + +Thaddeus could not, in spite of himself, be so uninformed, and he +gladly obeyed a second summons from the gay Sophia, and drew his +chair close to hers. + +Lady Sara observed his motions with a pang she could not conceal; and +pulling her seat as far from the opposite side as possible, began in +silence to sip her tea. + +"Ye powers of gallantry!" suddenly exclaimed Miss Egerton, pushing +away the table, and lifting her eye-glass to her eye, "I declare I +have conquered! Look, Lady Tinemouth; look, Lady Sara! If Mr. +Constantine does not better become this English dress than his Polish +horribles did him, drown me for a witch!" + +"You see I have obeyed you, madam," returned Thaddeus smiling. + +"Ah! you are in the right. Most men do that cheerfully, when they +know they gain by the bargain. Now, you look like a Christian man; +before, you always reminded me of some stalking hero in a tragedy." + +"Yes," cried Lady Sara, forcing a smile; "and now you have given him +a striking resemblance to George Barnwell!" + +Sophia, who did not perceive the sarcasm couched under this remark, +good-humoredly replied: + +"May be so, Lady Sara; but I don't care for his black suit: obedience +was the thing I wanted, and I have it in the present appearance." + +"Pray, Lady Tinemouth," asked her ladyship, seeking to revenge +herself on his alacrity to obey Miss Egerton, "what o'clock is it? I +have promised to be at Lady Sarum's concert by ten." + +"It is not nine," returned the countess; "besides, this is the first +time I have heard of your engagement. I hoped you would have spent +all the evening with us." + +"No," answered Lady Sara, "I cannot." And ringing the bell, she rose. + +"Bless me, Lady Sara!" cried Miss Egerton, "you are not going? Don't +you hear that it is little more than eight o'clock?" + +Busying herself in tying her cloak, Lady Sara affected not to hear +her, and told the servant who opened the door to order her carriage. + +Surprised at this precipitation, but far from guessing the cause, +Lady Tinemouth requested Mr. Constantine to see her ladyship down +stairs. + +"I would rather not," cried she, in a quick voice; and darting out of +the room, was followed by Thaddeus, who came up with her just as she +reached the street door. He hastened to assist her into the carriage, +and saw by the light of the flambeaux her face streaming with tears. +He had already extended his hand, when, instead of accepting it, she +pushed it from her, and jumped into the carriage, crying in an +indignant tone, "To Berkeley Square." He remained for a few minutes +looking after her; then returned into the house, too well able to +translate the meaning of all this petulance. + +When he reascended the stairs, Lady Tinemouth expressed her wonder at +the whimsical departure of her friend; but as Thaddeus (who was +really disturbed) returned a vague reply, the subject ended. + +Miss Egerton, who hardly thought two minutes on the same thing, sent +away the tea-board, and, sitting down by him, exclaimed,-- + +"Mr. Constantine, I hold it right that no man should be thrown into a +den of wild creatures without knowing what sort of animals he must +meet there. Hence, as I find you have undertaken the taming of that +_ursa major_ Lady Dundas, and her pretty cubs, I must give you a +taste of their quality. Will you hear me?" + +"Certainly." + +"Will you attend to my advice?" + +"If I like it." + +"Ha!" replied she, returning his smile with another; "that is just +such an answer as I would have made myself, so I won't quarrel with +you. Lady Tinemouth, you will allow me to draw your kinsfolks' +pictures?" + +"Yes, Sophia, provided you don't make them caricatures. Remember, +your candor is at stake; to-morrow Mr. Constantine will judge for +himself." + +"And I am sure he will agree with me. Now, Lady Dundas, if you +please! I know your ladyship is a great stickler for precedence." + +Lady Tinemouth laughed, and interrupted her-- + +"I declare, Sophia, you are a very daring girl. What do you not risk +by giving way to this satirical spirit?" + +"Not anybody's love that I value, Lady Tinemouth: _you_ know +that I never daub a fair character; Mr. Constantine takes me on your +credit; and if you mean Charles Montresor, he is as bad as myself, +and dare not for his life have any qualms." + +"Well, well, proceed," cried her ladyship; "I will not interrupt you +again." + +"Then," resumed she, "I must begin with Lady Dundas. In proper +historical style, I shall commence with her birth, parentage, and +education. For the first, my father remembers her when she was +_damoiselle a'honneur_ to Judge Sefton's lady at Surat, and soon +after her arrival there, this pretty Abigail by some means captivated +old Hector Dundas, (then governor of the province,) who married her. +When she returned in triumph to England, she coaxed her foolish +husband to appropriate some of his rupee riches to the purchase of a +baronetage. I suppose the appellation _Mistress_ put her in mind +of her ci-devant abigailship; and in a fond hour he complied, and she +became _My Lady_. That over, Sir Hector had nothing more +obliging to do in this world but to clear her way to perhaps a +coronet. He was so good as to think so himself: and, to add to former +obligations, had the civility to walk out of it; for one night, +whether he had been dreaming of his feats in India, or of a review of +his grand entry into his governorship palace, I cannot affirm, but he +marched out of his bed room window and broke his neck. Ever since +that untoward event, Lady Dundas has exhibited the finest parties in +town. Everybody goes to see her, but whether in compliment to their +own taste or to her silver muslins, I don't know; for there are half +a dozen titled ladies of her acquaintance who, to my certain +knowledge, have not bought a ball-dress this twelvemonth. Well, how +do you like Lady Dundas?" + +"I do not like your sketch," replied Thaddeus, with an unconscious +sigh. + +"Come, don't sigh about my veracity," interrupted Miss Egerton; "I do +assure you I should have been more correct had I been more severe; +for her Indian ladyship is as ill-natured as she is ill-bred, and is +as presumptuous as ignorant; in short she is a fit mamma for the +delectable Miss Dundas, whose description you shall have in two +questions. Can you imagine Socrates in his wife's petticoats? Can you +imagine a pedant, a scold, and a coquette in one woman? If you can, +you have a foretaste of Diana Dundas. She is large and ugly, and +thinks herself delicate and handsome; she is self-willed and +arrogant, and believes herself wise and learned; and, to sum up all, +she is the most malicious creature breathing." + +"My dear Sophia," cried Lady Tinemouth, alarmed at the effect such +high coloring might have on the mind of Thaddeus; "for heaven's sake +be temperate! I never heard you so unbecomingly harsh in my life." + +Miss Egerton peeped archly in her face. + +"Are you serious, Lady Tinemouth? You know that I would not look +unbecoming in your eyes. Besides, she is no real relation of yours. +Come, shake hands with me, and I will be more merciful to the gentle +Euphemia, for I intend that Mr. Constantine shall be her favorite. +Won't you?" cried she, resigning her ladyship's hand. Thaddeus shook +his head. "I don't understand your Lord Burleigh nods; answer me in +words, when I have finished: for I am sure you will delight in the +zephyr smiles of so sweet a fairy. She is so tiny and so pretty, that +I never see her without thinking of some gay little trinket, all over +precious stones. Her eyes are two diamond sparks, melted into lustre; +and her teeth, seed pearl, lying between rubies. So much for the +casket; but for the quality of the jewel within, I leave you to make +the discovery." + +Miss Egerton having run herself out of breath, suddenly stopped. +Seeing that he was called upon to say something, Thaddeus made an +answer which only drew upon him a new volley of raillery. Lady +Tinemouth tried to avert it, but she failed; and Sophia continued +talking with little interruption until the party separated for the +night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +HONORABLE RESOURCES OF AN EXILE. + + +Now that the count thought himself secure of the means of payment, he +sent for a physician, to consult him respecting the state of the +general. When Dr. Cavendish saw and conversed with the venerable +Butzou, he gave it as his opinion that his malady was chiefly on the +nerves, and had originated in grief. + +"I can too well suppose it," replied Thaddeus. + +"Then," rejoined the physician, "I fear, sir, that unless I know +something of its cause, my visits will prove almost useless." + +The count was silent. The doctor resumed-- + +"I shall be grieved if his sorrows be of too delicate a nature to be +trusted with a man of honor; for in these cases, unless we have some +knowledge of the springs of the derangement, we lose time, and +perhaps entirely fail of a cure. Our discipline is addressed both to +the body and the mind of the patient." + +Thaddeus perceived the necessity of compliance, and did so without +further hesitation. + +"The calamities, sir, which have occasioned the disorder of my friend +need not be a secret: too many have shared them with him; his sorrows +have been public ones. You must have learnt by his language, Dr. +Cavendish, that he is a foreigner and a soldier. He held the rank of +general in the King of Poland's service. Since the period in which +his country fell, his wandering senses have approximated to what you +see." + +Dr. Cavendish paused for a moment before he answered the count; then +fixing his eyes on the veteran, who was sitting at the other end of +the room, constructing the model of a fortified town, he said-- + +"All that we can do at present, sir, is to permit him to follow his +schemes without contradiction, meanwhile strengthening his system +with proper medicines, and lulling its irritation by gentle opiates. +We must proceed cautiously, and I trust in Heaven that success will +crown us at last. I will order something to be taken every night." + +When the doctor had written his prescription, and was preparing to +go, Thaddeus offered him his fee; but the good Cavendish, taking the +hand that presented it, and closing it on the guinea, "No, my dear +sir" said he; "real patriotism is too much the idol of my heart to +allow me to receive payment when I behold her face. Suffer me, Mr. +Constantine, to visit you and your brave companion as a friend, or I +never come again." + +"Sir, this generous conduct to strangers--" + +"Generous to myself, Mr. Constantine, and not to strangers; I cannot +consider you as such, for men who devote themselves to their country +must find a brother in every honest breast. I will not hear of our +meeting on any other terms." [Footnote: This generous man is no +fictitious character, the original being Dr. Blackburne, late of +Cavendish Square; but who, since the above was written, has long +retired from his profession, passing a revered old age in the +beautiful neighborhood of our old British classic scenes, the Abbey +of Glastonbury.] + +Thaddeus could not immediately form a reply adequate to the sentiment +which the generous philanthropy of the doctor awakened. Whilst he +stood incapable of speaking, Cavendish, with one glance of his +penetrating eye, deciphered his countenance, and giving him a +friendly shake by the hand, disappeared. + +The count took up his hat; and musing all the way he went on the +unexpected scenes we meet in life,--disappointment where we expected +kindness, and friendship where no hope could arise,--he arrived at +the door of Lady Dundas, in Harley Street. + +He was instantly let in, and with much ceremony ushered into a +splendid library, where he was told the ladies would attend him. +Before they entered, they allowed him time to examine its costly +furniture, its glittering book-cases, bird-cages, globes, and +reading-stands, all shining with burnished gilding; its polished +plaster casts of the nine muses, which stood in nine recesses about +the room, draperied with blue net, looped up with artificial roses; +and its fine cut-steel Grecian stove, on each side of which was +placed, on sandal-wood pedestals, two five-feet statues of Apollo and +Minerva. + +Thaddeus had twice walked round these fopperies of learning, when the +door opened, and Lady Dundas, dressed in a morning wrapper of Indian +shawls, waddled into the apartment. She neither bowed nor curtseyed +to the count, who was standing when she entered, but looking at him +from head to foot, said as she passed, "So you are come;" and ringing +the bell, called to the servant in no very soft tones, "Tell Miss +Dundas the person Lady Tinemouth spoke of is here." Her ladyship then +sat down in one of the little gilded chairs, leaving Thaddeus still +standing on the spot where he had bowed to her entrance. + +"You may sit down," cried she, stirring the fire, and not deigning to +look at him; "for my daughter may not choose to come this half-hour." + +"I prefer standing," replied the count, who could have laughed at the +accuracy of Miss Egerton's picture, had he not prognosticated more +disagreeableness to himself from the ill manners of which this was a +specimen. + +Lady Dundas took no further notice of him. Turning from her bloated +countenance, (which pride as well as high living had swollen from +prettiness to deformity,) he walked to a window and stationed himself +there, looking into the street, until the door was again opened, and +two ladies made their appearance. + +"Miss Dundas," cried her ladyship, "here is the young man that is to +teach you German." + +Thaddeus bowed; the younger of the ladies curtseyed; and so did the +other, not forgetting to accompany such condescension with a toss of +the head, that the effect of undue humility might be done away. + +Whilst a servant was setting chairs round a table, on which was +painted the Judgment of Hercules, Lady Dundas again opened her lips. + +"Pray, Mr. Thingumbob, have you brought any grammars, and primers, +and dictionaries, and syntaxes with you?" + +Before he had time to reply in the negative, Miss Dundas interrupted +her mother. + +"I wish, madam, you would leave the arrangement of my studies to +myself. Does your ladyship think we would learn out of any book which +had been touched by other people? Thomas," cried she to a servant, +"send Stephens hither." + +Thaddeus silently contemplated this strange mother and daughter, +whilst the pretty Euphemia paid the same compliment to him. During +his stay, he ventured to look once only at her sylph-like figure. +There was an unreceding something in her liquid blue eyes, when he +chanced to meet them, which displeased him; and he could not help +seeing that from the instant she entered the room she had seldom +ceased staring in his face. + +He was a little relieved by the maid putting the books on the table. +Miss Dundas, taking her seat, desired him to sit down by her and +arrange the lessons. Lady Dundas was drawing to the other side of +Thaddeus, when Euphemia, suddenly whisking round, pushed before her +mother, and exclaimed-- + +"Dear mamma! you don't want to learn!" and squeezed herself upon the +edge of her mother's chair, who, very angrily getting up, declared +that rudeness to a parent was intolerable from such well-bred young +women, and left the room. + +Euphemia blushed at the reproof more than at her conduct; and Miss +Dundas added to her confusion by giving her a second reprimand. +Thaddeus pitied the evident embarrassment of the little beauty, and +to relieve her, presented the page in the German grammar with which +they were to begin. This had the desired effect; and for an hour and +a half they prosecuted their studies with close attention. + +Whilst the count continued his directions to her sister, and then +turned his address to herself, Miss Euphemia, wholly unseen by him, +with a bent head was affecting to hear him though at the same time +she looked obliquely through her thick flaxen ringlets, and gazing +with wonder and admiration on his face as it inclined towards her, +said to herself, "If this man were a gentleman, I should think him +the most charming creature in the world." + +"Will your task be too long, madam?" inquired Thaddeus; "will it give +you any inconvenience to remember?" + +"To remember what?" asked she, for in truth she had neither seen what +he had been pointing at nor heard what he had been saying. + +"The lesson madam, I have just been proposing." + +"Show it to me again, and then I shall be a better judge." + +He did as he was desired, and was taking his leave, when she called +after him: + +"Pray, Mr. Constantine, come to-morrow at two. I want you +particularly." + +The count bowed and withdrew. + +"And what do you want with him to-morrow, child?" asked Miss Dundas; +"you are not accustomed to be so fond of improvement." + +Euphemia knew very well what she was accustomed to be fond of; but +not choosing to let her austere sister into her predilection for the +contemplation of superior beauty, she merely answered, "You know, +Diana, you often reproach me for my absurd devotion to novel-reading, +and my repugnance to graver books; now I want at once to be like you, +a woman of great erudition: and for that purpose I will study day and +night at the German, till I can read all the philosophers, and be a +fit companion for my sister." + +This speech from Euphemia (who had always been so declared an enemy +to pedantry as to affirm that she learnt German merely because it was +the fashion) would have awakened Miss Dundas to some suspicion of a +covert design, had she not been in the habit of taking down such +large draughts of adulation, that whenever herself was the subject, +she gave it full confidence. Euphemia seldom administered these doses +but to serve particular views; and seeing in the present case that a +little flattery was necessary, she felt no compunction in sacrificing +sincerity to the gratification of caprice. Weak in understanding, she +had fed on works of imagination, until her mind loathed all kinds of +food. Not content with devouring the elegant pages of Mackenzie, +Radcliffe, and Lee, she flew with voracious appetite to sate herself +on the garbage of any circulating library that fell in her way. + +The effects of such a taste were exhibited in her manners. Being very +pretty, she became very sentimental. She dressed like a wood nymph, +and talked as if her soul were made of love and sorrow. Neither of +these emotions had she ever really felt; but in idea she was always +the victim of some ill-fated passion, fancying herself at different +periods in love with one or other of the finest young men in her +circle. + +By this management she kept faithful to her favorite principle that +"love was a want of her soul!" As it was the rule of her life, it +ever trembled on her tongue, ever introduced the confession of any +new attachment, which usually happened three times a year, to her +dear friend Miss Arabella Rothes. Fortunately for the longevity of +their mutual friendship, this young lady lived in an ancient house, +forty miles to the north of London. This latter circumstance proved a +pretty distress for their pens to descant on; and Arabella remained a +most charming sentimental writing-stock, to receive the catalogue of +Miss Euphemia's lovers; indeed, that gentle creature might have +matched every lady in Cowley's calendar with a gentleman. But every +throb of her heart must have acknowledged a different master. First, +the fashionable sloven, Augustus Somers, lounged and sauntered +himself into her good graces; but his dishevelled hair, and otherwise +neglected toilette, not exactly meeting her ideas of an elegant +lover, she gave him up at the end of three weeks. The next object her +eyes fell upon, as most opposite to her former fancy, was the +charming Marquis of Inverary. But here all her arrows failed, for she +never could extract from him more than a "how d'ye do?" through the +long lapse of four months, during which time she continued as +constant to his fine figure, and her own folly, as could have fallen +to the lot of any poor despairing damsel. However, my lord was so +cruel, so perfidious, as to allow several opportunities to pass in +which he might have declared his passion; and she told Arabella, in a +letter of six sheets, that she would bear it no longer. + +She put this wise resolution in practice, and had already played the +same game with half a score, (the last of whom was a young guardsman, +who had just ridden into her heart by managing his steed with the air +of a "feathered Mercury," one day in Hyde Park,) when Thaddeus made +his appearance before her. + +The moment she fixed her eyes on him, her inflammable imagination was +set in a blaze. She forgot his apparent subordinate quality in the +nobleness of his figure; and once or twice that evening, while she +was flitting about, the sparkling cynosure of the Duchess of Orkney's +masquerade, her thoughts hovered over the handsome foreigner. + +She viewed the subject first one way and then another, and, in her +ever varying mind, "he was everything by turns, and nothing long;" +but at length she argued herself into a belief that he must be a man +of rank from some of the German courts, who having seen her somewhere +unknown to herself, had fallen in love with her, and so had persuaded +Lady Tinemouth to introduce him as a master of languages to her +family that he might the better appreciate the disinterestedness of +her disposition. + +This wild notion having once got into her head, received instant +credence. She resolved, without seeming to suspect it, to treat him +as his quality deserved, and to deliver sentiments in his hearing +which should charm him with their delicacy and generosity. + +With these chimeras floating in her brain, she returned home, went to +bed, and dreamed that Mr. Constantine had turned out to be the _Duc +d'Enghien_, had offered her his hand, and that she was conducted +to the altar by a train of princes and princesses, his brothers and +sisters. + +She woke the next morning from these deliriums in an ecstasy, deeming +them prophetic; and, taking up her book, began with a fluttering +attention to scan the lesson which Thaddeus had desired her to learn. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "What are these words? These seeming flowers? Maids to call them, +'Love in idleness.'" + + +The following day at noon, as the Count Sobieski was crossing +Cavendish Square to keep his appointment in Harley Street, he was met +by Lady Sara Ross. She had spoken with the Misses Dundas the night +before, at the masquerade, where discovering the pretty Euphemia +through the dress of Eloisa, her jealous and incensed heart could not +withstand the temptation of hinting at the captivating Abelard she +had selected to direct her studies. Her ladyship soon penetrated into +the situation of Euphemia's heated fancy, and drew from her, without +betraying herself, that she expected to see her master the following +day. Stung to the soul, Lady Sara quitted the rooms, and in a +paroxysm of disappointment, determined to throw herself in his way as +he went to her rival's house. + +With this hope, she had already been traversing the square upwards of +half an hour, attended by her maid, when her anxious eye at last +caught a view of his figure proceeding along Margaret Street. Hardly +able to support her tottering frame, shaken as it was with contending +emotions, she accosted him first: for he was passing straight onward, +without looking to the right or the left. On seeing her ladyship, he +stopped, and expressed his pleasure at the meeting. + +"If you _really_ are pleased to meet me," said she, forcing a +smile, "take a walk with me round the square. I want to speak with +you." + +Thaddeus bowed, and she put her arm through his, but remained silent +for a few minutes, in evident confusion. The count recollected it +must now be quite two. He knew the awkwardness of making the Misses +Dundas wait; and notwithstanding his reluctance to appear impatient +with Lady Sara, he found himself obliged to say-- + +"I am sorry I must urge your ladyship to honor me with your commands, +for it is already past the time when I ought to have been with the +Misses Dundas." + +"Yes," cried Lady Sara, angrily, "Miss Euphemia told me as much; but, +Mr. Constantine, as a friend, I must warn you against her acts, as +well as against those of another lady, who would do well to correct +the boldness of her manner." + +"Whom do you mean, madam?" interrogated Thaddeus, surprised at her +warmth, and totally at a loss to conjecture to whom she alluded. + +"A little reflection would answer you," returned she, wishing to +retreat from an explanation, yet stimulated by her double jealousy to +proceed: "she may be a good girl, Mr. Constantine, and I dare say she +is; but a woman who has promised her hand to another ought not to +flirt with you. What business had Miss Egerton to command you to wear +an English dress. But she must now see the danger of her conduct, by +your having presumed to obey her." + +"Lady Sara!" exclaimed the count, much hurt at this speech, "I hardly +understand you; yet I believe I may venture to affirm that in all +which you have just now said, you are mistaken. Who can witness the +general frankness of Miss Egerton, or listen to the candid manner +with which she avows her attachment to Mr. Montresor, and conceive +that she possesses any thoughts which would not do her honor to +reveal? And for myself," added he, lowering the tone of his voice, "I +trust the least of my faults is presumption. It never was my +character to presume on any lady's condescension; and if dressing as +she approved be deemed an instance of that kind, I can declare, upon +my word, had I not found other motives besides her raillery, my +appearance should not have suffered a change." + +"Are you sincere, Mr. Constantine?" cried Lady Sara, now smiling with +pleasure. + +"Indeed I am, and happy if my explanation have met with your +ladyship's approbation." + +"Mr. Constantine," resumed she, "I have no motive but one in my +discourse with you,--friendship." And casting her eyes down, she +sighed profoundly. + +"Your ladyship does me honor." + +"I would have you to regard me with the same confidence that you do +Lady Tinemouth. My father possesses the first patronage in this +country, I therefore have it a thousand times more in my power than +she has to render you a service." + +Here her ladyship overshot herself; she had not calculated well on +the nature of the mind she wished to ensnare. + +"I am grateful to your generosity," replied Thaddeus, "but on this +head I must decline your kind offices. Whilst I consider myself the +subject of one king, though he be in a prison, I cannot accept of any +employment under another who is in alliance with his enemies." + +Lady Sara discovered her error the moment he had made his answer; +and, in a disappointed tone, exclaimed, "Then you despise my +friendship!" + +"No, Lady Sara; it is an honor far beyond my merits; and any +gratitude to Lady Tinemouth must be doubled when I recollect that I +possess such honor through her means." + +"Well," cried her ladyship, "have that as you will; but I expect, as +a specimen of your confidence in me, you will be wary of Euphemia +Dundas. I know she is artful and vain; she finds amusement in +attracting the affections of men; and then, notwithstanding her +affected sensibility, she turns them into a subject for laughter." + +"I thank your ladyship," replied the count; "but in this respect I +think I am safe, both from the lady and myself." + +"How," asked Lady Sara, rather too eagerly, "is your heart?"--She +paused and looked down. + +"No, madam!" replied he, sighing as deeply as herself: but with his +thoughts far from her and the object of their discourse; "I have no +place in my heart to give to love. Besides, the quality in which I +appear at Lady Dundas's would preclude the vainest man alive from +supposing that such notice from any lady there to him could be +possible. Therefore, I am safe, though I acknowledge my obligation to +your ladyship's caution." + +Lady Sara was satisfied with the first part of this answer. It +declared that his heart was unoccupied; and, as he had accepted her +proffered friendship, she doubted not, when assisted by more frequent +displays of her fascinations, she could destroy its lambent nature, +and in the end light up in his bosom a similar fire to that which +consumed her own. + +The unconscious object of all these devices began internally to +accuse his vanity of having been too fanciful in the formation of +suspicions which on a former occasion he had believed himself forced +to admit. Blushing at a quickness of perception his contrition now +denominated folly, he found himself at the bottom of Harley Street. + +Lady Sara called her servant to walk nearer to her; and telling +Thaddeus she should expect him the next evening at Lady Tinemouth's, +wished him good-morning. + +He was certain that he must have stayed at least half an hour beyond +the time when he ought to be with the sisters. Anticipating very +haughty looks, and perhaps a reprimand, he knocked at the door, and +was again shown into the library. Miss Euphemia was alone. + +He offered some indistinct excuse for having made her wait; but +Euphemia, with good-humored alacrity, interrupted him. + +"O pray, don't mind; you have made nobody wait but me, and I can +easily forgive it; for mamma and my sister chose to go out at one, it +being May-day, to see the chimney-sweepers dine at Mrs. +Montague's.[Footnote: This was a gay spectacle, and a most kind act +to these poor children, who thus once a-year found themselves +refreshed and happy. They resorted to the green court-yard of Mrs. +Montague's house every May-day, about one o'clock, dressed in their +gala wreaths, and sporting with their brushes and shovels, where they +found a good dinner, kind words from their hostess and her guests, +and each little sweep received a shilling at parting. On the death of +Mrs. Montague, this humane and pleasurable spectacle ceased.] They +did as they liked, and I preferred staying at home to repeat my +lesson." + +Thaddeus, thanking her for her indulgence, sat down, and taking the +book, began to question her. Not one word could she recollect. She +smiled. + +"I am afraid, madam, you have never thought of it since yesterday +morning." + +"Indeed, I have thought of nothing else: you must forgive me. I am +very stupid, Mr. Constantine, at learning languages; and German is so +harsh--at least to my ears! Cannot you teach me any other thing? I +should like to learn of you of all things, but do think of something +else besides this odious jargon! Cannot you teach me to read poetry +elegantly?--Shakspeare, for instance; I doat upon Shakspeare!" + +"That would be strange presumption in a foreigner?" + +"No presumption in the least," cried she; "if you can do it, pray +begin! There is Romeo and Juliet." + +Thaddeus pushed away the book with a smile. + +"I cannot obey. I understand Shakspeare with as much ease as you, +madam, will soon do Schiller, if you apply; but I cannot pretend to +read the play aloud." + +"Dear me, how vexatious!--but I must hear you read something. Do, +take up that Werter. My sister got it from the Prussian ambassador, +and he tells me it is sweetest in its own language." + +The count opened the book. + +"But you will not understand a word of it." + +"I don't care for that; I have it by heart in English; and if you +will only read his last letter to Charlotte, I know I can follow you +in my own mind." + +To please this whimsical little creature, Thaddeus turned to the +letter, and read it forward with a pathos natural to his voice and +character. When he came to an end and closed the volume, the cadence +of his tones, and the lady's memory, did ample justice to her +sensibility. She looked up, and smiling through her watery eyes, +which glittered like violets wet with dew, drew out her perfumed +handkerchief, and wiping them, said-- + +"I thank you, Mr. Constantine. You see by this irrepressible emotion +that I feel Goethe, and did not ask you a vain favor." + +Thaddeus bowed, for he was at a loss to guess what kind of a reply +could be expected by so strange a creature. + +She continued-- + +"You are a German, Mr. Constantine. Did you ever see Charlotte?" + +"Never, madam." + +"I am sorry for that; I should have liked to have heard what sort of +a beauty she was. But don't you think she behaved cruelly to Werter? +Perhaps you knew him?" + +"No, madam; this lamentable story happened before I was born." + +"How unhappy for him! I am sure you would have made the most charming +friends in the world! Have you a friend, Mr. Constantine." + +The count looked at her with surprise. She laughed at the expression +of his countenance. + +"I don't mean such friends as one's father, mother, sisters and +relations: most people have enough of them. I mean a tender, +confiding friend, to whom you unbosom all your secrets: who is your +other self--a second soul! In short, a creature in whose existence +you forget your own!" + +Thaddeus followed with his eyes the heightened color of the fair +enthusiast, who, accompanying her rhapsody with action expressive as +her words, had to repeat her question, "Have you such a friend?" +before he found recollection to answer her in the negative. + +The count, who had never been used to such extravagant behavior in a +woman, would have regarded Miss Euphemia Dundas as little better than +insane had he not been prepared by Miss Egerton's description; and he +now acquiesced in the young lady's desire to detain him another hour, +half amused and half wearied with her aimless and wild fancies. But +here he was mistaken. Her fancies were not aimless; his heart was the +game she had in view, and she determined a desperate attack should +make it her own, in return for the deep wounds she had received from +every tone of his voice, whilst reading the Sorrows of Werter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +LADY TINEMOUTH'S BOUDOIR. + + +Thaddeus spent nearly a fortnight in the constant exercise of his +occupations. In the forepart of each day, until two, he prepared +those drawings by the sale of which he was empowered every week to +pay the good Mrs. Robson for her care of his friend. And he hoped, +when the ladies in Harley Street should think it time to defray any +part of their now large debt to him, he might be enabled to liquidate +the very long bill of his friend's apothecary. But the Misses Dundas +possessed too much money to think of its utility; they used it as +counters; for they had no conception that to other people it might be +the purchaser of almost every comfort. Their comforts came so +certainly, they supposed they grew of necessity out of their +situation, and their great wealth owned no other commission than to +give splendid parties and buy fine things. Their golden shower being +exhaled by the same vanity by which it had been shed, they as little +regarded its dispersion as they had marked its descent. + +Hence, these amiable ladies never once recollected that their master +ought to receive some weightier remuneration for his visits than the +honor of paying them; and as poets say the highest honors are +achieved by suffering, so these two sisters, though in different +ways, seemed resolved that Thaddeus should purchase his distinction +with adequate pains. + +Notwithstanding that Miss Dundas continued very remiss in her +lessons, she unrelentingly required the count's attendance, and +sometimes, not in the most gentle language, reproached him for a +backwardness in learning she owed entirely to her own inattention and +stupidity. The fair Diana would have been the most erudite woman in +the world could she have found any fine-lady path to the temple of +science; but the goddess who presides there being only to be won by +arduous climbing, poor Miss Dundas, like the indolent monarch who +made the same demand of the philosophers, was obliged to lay the +fault of her own slippery feet on the weakness of her conductors. + +As Thaddeus despised her most heartily, he bore ill-humor from that +quarter with unshaken equanimity. But the pretty Euphemia was not so +easily managed. She had now completely given up her fanciful soul to +this prince in disguise, and already began to act a thousand +extravagances. Without suspecting the object, Diana soon discovered +that her sister was in one of her love fits. Indeed she cared nothing +about it; and leaving her to pursue the passion as she liked, poor +Euphemia, according to her custom when laboring under this whimsical +malady, addicted herself to solitude. This romantic taste she +generally indulged by taking her footman to the gate of the green in +Cavendish Square, where he stood until she had performed a pensive +saunter up and down the walk. After this she returned home, adjusted +her hair in the Madonna fashion, (because Thaddeus had one day +admired the female head in a Holy Family, by Guido, over the chimney- +piece,) and then seating herself in some becoming attitude, usually +waited, with her eyes constantly turning to the door, until the +object of these devices presented himself. She impatiently watched +all his motions and looks whilst he attended to her sister; and the +moment that was done, she ran over her own lessons with great +volubility, but little attention. Her task finished, she shut the +books, and employed the remainder of the time in translating a number +of little mottoes into German, which she had composed for boxes, +baskets, and other frippery. + +One day, when her young teacher was, as usual, tired almost beyond +endurance with making common sense out of so much nonsense, Euphemia +observed that Diana had removed to the other end of the room with the +Honorable Mr. Lascelles. To give an _éclat_ to her new studies, +Miss Dundas had lately opened her library door to morning visitors; +and seeing her sister thus engaged, Euphemia thought she might do +what she wished without detection. Hastily drawing a folded paper +from her pocket, she desired Thaddeus to take it home, and translate +it into the language he liked best. + +Surprised at her manner, he held it in his hand. + +"Put it in your pocket," added she, in a hurrying voice, "else my +sister may see it, and ask what it is!" + +Full of wonder, he obeyed her; and the little beauty, having executed +her scheme, seemed quite intoxicated with delight. When he was +preparing to withdraw, she called to him, and asked when he should +visit Lady Tinemouth. + +"This evening, madam." + +"Then," returned she, "tell her ladyship I shall come and sit half- +an-hour with her to-night; and here," added she, running up to him, +"present her that rose, with my love." Whilst she put it into his +hand, she whispered in a low voice, "and you will tell me what you +think of the verses I have given you." + +Thaddeus colored and bowed. He hurried out of the house into the +street, as if by that haste he could have gotten out of a dilemma to +which he feared all this foolish mystery might be only the +introduction. + +Though of all men in the world he was perhaps the least inclined to +vanity, yet he must have been one of the most stupid had he not been +convinced by this time of the dangerous attachment of Lady Sara. +Added to that painful certainty he now more than dreaded a similar +though a slighter folly in Miss Euphemia. + +Can a man see himself the daily object of a pair of melting eyes, +hear everlasting sighs at his entrance and departure, day after day +receive tender though covert addresses about disinterested love, can +he witness all this, and be sincere when he affirms it is the +language of indifference? If that be possible, the Count Sobieski has +no pretensions of modesty. He comprehended the "discoursing" of Miss +Euphemia's "eye;" also the tendency of the love-sick mottoes which, +under various excuses, she put into his hand; and with many a pitying +smile of contempt he contemplated her childish absurdity. + +A few days prior to that in which she made this appointment with +Thaddeus, she had presented to him another of her posies, which ran +thus: "Frighted love, like a wild beast, shakes the wood in which it +hides." + +Thaddeus almost laughed at the oddity of the conceit. + +"Do, dear Mr. Constantine," cried she, "translate it into the +sweetest French you can; for I mean to have it put into a medallion, +and to give it to the person whom I most value on earth!" + +There was something so truly ridiculous in the sentence, that, +reluctant to allow even Miss Euphemia to expose herself so far, he +considered a moment how he should make anything so bad better, and +then said, "I am afraid I cannot translate it literally; but surely, +madam, you can do it yourself!" + +"Yes; but I like your French better than mine; so pray oblige me." + +He had done the same kind of thing a hundred times for her, and, +without further discussion, wrote as follows:-- + +"L'amour tel qu'une biche blessée, se trahit lui-même par sa crainte, +qui fait remuer le feuillage qui le couvre." + +"Bless me, how pretty!" cried she, and immediately put it into her +bosom. + +To this unlucky addition of the words _se trahit lui-meme_ +Thaddeus was indebted for the present of the folded paper. The ever- +working imagination of Euphemia had seized the inverted thought as a +delicate avowal that he was the wounded deer he had substituted in +place of the wild beast; and as soon is he arrived at home, he found +the fruits of her mistake in the packet she had given with so much +secrecy. + +When he broke the seal, something dropped out and fell on the carpet. +He took it up, and blushed for her on finding a gold medallion, with +the words he had altered for Miss Euphemia engraved on blue enamel. +With a vexed haste he next looked at the envelope; it contained a +copy of verses, with this line written at the top: + +"To him who will apply them." + +On perusing them, he found them to be Mrs. Phillips's beautiful +translation of that ode of Sappho which runs-- + + "Blest as the immortal gods is he, + The friend who fondly sits by thee, + And hears and sees thee all the while + Softly speak and sweetly smile! + + "'Twas this deprived my soul of rest, + And rais'd such tumults in my breast: + For while I gazed, in transport tost, + My breath was gone, my voice was lost. + + "My bosom glow'd; the subtle flame + Ran quick through all my vital frame; + O'er my dim eyes a darkness hung; + My ears with hollow murmurs rung. + + "In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd; + My blood with gentle horrors thrill'd: + My feeble pulse forgot to play; + I fainted, sunk and died away! + + "EUPHEMIA." + +Thaddeus threw the verses and the medallion together on the table, +and sat for a few minutes considering how he could extricate himself +from an affair so truly farcical in itself, but which might be +productive of a very distressing consequence to him. + +He was thinking of at once giving up the task of attending either of +the sisters, when his eyes falling on the uncomplaining but +melancholy features of his poor friend, he exclaimed, "No; for thy +sake, gallant Butzou, I will brave every scene, however abhorrent to +my heart." + +Well aware, from observation on Miss Euphemia, that this seeming +tenderness which prompted an act so wild and unbecoming originated in +mere caprice, ha did not hesitate in determining to return the things +in as handsome a manner as possible and by so doing, at once crush +the whole affair. He felt no pain in forming those resolves, because +he saw that not one impulse of her conduct sprung from her heart. It +was a whim raised by him to-day, which might be superseded by another +to-morrow. + +But how different was the case with regard to Lady Sara! Her +uncontrolled nature could not long brook the restraints of +friendship. Every attention he gave to Lady Tinemouth, every civility +he paid to Miss Egerton, or to any other lady whom he met at the +countess's, went like a dagger to her soul; and whenever she could +gain his ear in private, she generally made him sensible of her +misery, and his own unhappiness in being its cause, by reproaches +which too unequivocally proclaimed their source. + +He now saw that she had given way to a reprehensible and headstrong +passion; and, allowing for the politeness which is due to the sex, he +tried, by an appearance of the most stubborn coldness, and an +obstinate perversity in shutting his apprehension against all her +speeches and actions, to stem a tide that threatened her with ruin. + +Lady Tinemouth at least began to open her eyes to the perilous +situation of both her friends. Highly as she esteemed Thaddeus, she +knew not the extent of his integrity. She had lived too long near the +circle of the heir apparent, and had seen too many men from the +courts of the continent, to place much reliance on the firmness of a +single and unattached young man when assailed by rank, beauty and +love. + +Alarmed at what might be the result of her observations, and fearing +to lose any time, she had that very evening in winch she expected +Thaddeus to supper drawn out of Lady Sara the unhappy state of her +heart. + +The dreadful confession was made by her ladyship, with repeated +showers of tears, and in paroxysms of agony which pierced the +countess to the soul. + +"My dear Lady Sara," cried she, "for heaven's sake, remember your +duty to Captain Ross!" + +"I shall never forget it," exclaimed her ladyship, shaking her head +mournfully, and striking her breast with her clenched hand, "I never +look on the face of Constantine that I do not execrate from my heart +the vows which I have sworn to Ross, but I have bound myself his +property, and though I hate him, whatever it may cost me, I will +never forget that my faith and honor are my husband's." + +With a countenance bathed in tears, Lady Tinemouth put her arms round +the waist of Lady Sara, who now sat motionless, with her eyes fixed +on the fire. + +"Dear Lady Sara! that was spoken like yourself. Do more; abstain from +seeing Mr. Constantine." + +"Don't require of me that?" cried she; "I could easier rid myself of +existence. He is the very essence of my happiness. It is only in his +company that I forget that I am a wretch." + +"This is obstinacy, my dear Lady Sara! This is courting danger." + +"Lady Tinemouth, urge me no more. Is it not enough?" continued she, +sullenly, "that I am miserable? Would you drive me to desperation? If +there be danger; you brought me into it." + +"I! Lady Sara?" + +"Yes, you, Lady Tinemouth; you introduced him to me." + +"But you are married! Singularly attractive and amiable as indeed he +is, could I suppose--" + +"Nonsense!" cried her ladyship, interrupting her; "you know that I am +married to a mere sailor, more in love with his ugly ship than with +me! But it is not because Constantine is so handsome that I like him. +No; though no human form can come nearer to perfection, yet it was +not that: it was you. You and Sophia Egerton were always telling me +of his bravery; what wealth and honors he had sacrificed in the +service of his country; how nobly he succored the distresses of +others; how heedless he was of his own. This fired my imagination and +won my heart. No; it was not his personal attractions: I am not so +despicable!" + +"Dear Lady Sara, be calm!" entreated the countess, completely at a +loss how to manage a spirit of such violence. "Think, my dear friend, +what horrors you would experience if Mr. Constantine were to discover +this predilection, and presume upon it! You know where even the best +men are vulnerable." + +The eyes of Lady Sara sparkled with pleasure. + +"Why, surely, Lady Sara!" exclaimed Lady Tinemouth, doubtingly. + +"Don't fear me, Lady Tinemouth; I know my own dignity too well to do +anything disgraceful; yet I would acquire the knowledge that he loves +me at almost any price. But he is cold," added she: "he is a piece of +obstinate petrefaction, which Heaven itself could not melt!" + +Lady Tinemouth was glad to hear this account of Thaddeus; but ere she +could reply, the drawing-room door opened, and Miss Euphemia Dundas +was announced. + +When the little beauty expressed her amazement at not seeing Mr. +Constantine, Lady Sara gave her such a withering look, that had her +ladyship's eyes been Medusan, poor Euphemia would have stood there +forever after, a stone statue of disappointment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE COUNTESS OF TINEMOUTH'S STORY. + + +Meanwhile the count, having seen Dr. Cavendish, and received a +favorable opinion of his friend, wrote the following note to Miss +Euphemia:-- + +"TO MISS EUPHEMIA DUNDAS. + +"Mr. Constantine very much admires the taste of Miss Euphemia Dundas +in her choice of the verses which she did him the honor of requesting +he would translate into the most expressive language, and to the +utmost of his abilities he has obeyed her commands in Italian, +thinking that language the best adapted to the versification of the +original. + +"Mr. Constantine equally admires the style of the medallion which +Miss E. Dundas has condescended to enclose for his inspection, and +assures her the letters are correct." + +Having sealed his note, and seen the general in bed, with little +Nanny seated by him to watch his slumbers, Thaddeus pursued his way +to Grosvenor Place. + +When he entered Lady Tinemouth's drawing-room, he saw that his young +_inamorata_ had already arrived, and was in close conversation +with the countess. Lady Sara, seated alone on a sofa, inwardly +upbraided Constantine for what she thought an absolute assignation +with Euphemia. + +Her half-resentful eyes, yet dewed with the tears which her discourse +with Lady Tinemouth had occasioned, sought his averted face, while he +looked at Miss Dundas with evident surprise and disgust. This pleased +her; and the more so as he only bowed to her rival, shook the +countess by the hand, and then turning, took his station beside +herself on the sofa. + +She would not trust her triumphant eyes towards Lady Tinemouth, but +immediately asked him some trifling question. At the same moment +Euphemia tapped him on the arm with her fan, and inquired how it +happened that she had arrived first. + +He was answering Lady Sara. Euphemia impatiently repeated her demand, +"How did it happen that I arrived first?" + +"I suppose, madam," replied he, smiling, "because you were so +fortunate as to set out first. But had I been so happy as to have +preceded you, the message and present with which I was honored would +have been faithfully delivered, and I hope your ladyship will permit +me to do it now," said he, rising, and taking Euphemia's rose from +his button, as he approached the countess; "Miss Euphemia Dundas had +done me the honor to make me the bearer of sweets to the sweet; and +thus I surrender my trust." He bowed, and put the flower into Lady +Tinemouth's hand, who smiled and thanked Euphemia. But the little +beauty blushed like her own rose; and murmuring within herself at the +literal apprehension of her favorite, whom she thought as handsome as +Cimon, and as stupid too, she flirted her fan, and asked Miss Egerton +whether she had read Charlotte Smith's last delightful novel. + +The evening passed off more agreeably to Thaddeus than he had augured +on his entrance. Lady Sara always embarrassed and pained him; Miss +Euphemia teased him to death; but to-night the storm which had +agitated the breast of her ladyship having subsided into +thoughtfulness, it imparted so abstracted an air to her ever-lovely +countenance, that, merely to elude communication with Euphemia, he +remained near her, and by paying those attentions which, so situated, +he could not avoid, he so deluded the wretched Lady Sara, as to +subdue her melancholy into an enchanting softness which to any other +man might have rendered her the most captivating woman on earth. + +The only person present who did not approve this change was Lady +Tinemouth. At every dissolving smile of her Circean ladyship, she +thought she beheld the intoxicating cup at the lips of Thaddeus, and +dreaded its effect. Euphemia was too busily employed repeating some +new poems, and too intensely dreaming of what her tutor might say on +the verses and medallion in his possession, to observe the dangerous +ascendency which the superior charms of Lady Sara might acquire over +his heart. Indeed, she had no suspicion of finding a rival in her +ladyship; and when a servant announced the arrival of her mother's +coach, and she saw by her watch that it was twelve o'clock, she arose +reluctantly, exclaiming, "I dare say some plaguing people have +arrived who are to stay with us, else mamma would not have sent for +me so soon." + +"I call it late," said Lady Sara, who would not lose an opportunity +of contradicting her; "so I will thank you, Mr. Constantine." +addressing herself to him, "to hand me to my coach at the same time." + +Euphemia bit her lip at this movement of her ladyship, and followed +her down stairs, reddening with anger. Her carriage being first, she +was obliged to get into it, but would not suffer the servant to close +the door until she had seen Lady Sara seated in hers; and then she +called to Mr. Constantine to speak with her. + +Lady Sara leaned her head out of the window. While she saw the man +she loved approach Lady Dundas's carriage, she, in her turn, bit her +lips with vexation. + +"Home, my lady?" asked the servant, touching his hat. + +"No; not till Miss Dundas's coach drives on." + +Miss Euphemia desired Thaddeus to step in for a moment, and he +reluctantly obeyed. + +"Mr. Constantine!" cried the pretty simpleton, trembling with +expectation, as she made room for him beside her, "have you opened +the paper I gave you?" + +"Yes, madam," returned he, holding the door open, and widening it +with one hand, whilst with the other he presented his note, "and I +have the honor, in that paper, to have executed your commands." + +Euphemia caught it eagerly; and Thaddeus immediately leaping out, +wished her a good-night, and hurried back into the house. Whilst the +carriages drove away, he ascended to the drawing-room, to take leave +of the countess. + +Lady Tinemouth, seated on the sofa, was leaning thoughtfully against +one of its arms when he re-entered. He approached her. + +"I wish you a good-night, Lady Tinemouth." + +She turned her head. + +"Mr. Constantine, I wish you would stay a little longer with me! My +spirits are disturbed, and I am afraid it will be near morning before +Sophia returns from Richmond. These rural balls are sad, dissipated +amusements!" + +Thaddeus laid down his hat and took a seat by her side. + +"I am happy, dear Lady Tinemouth, at all times to be with you; but I +am sorry to hear that you have met with any thing to discompose you. +I was afraid when I came in that something disagreeable had happened; +your eyes----" + +"Alas! if my eyes were always to show when I have been weeping, they +might ever be telling tales!" Her ladyship passed her hand across +them, while she added, "We may think on our sorrows with an outward +air of tranquillity, but we cannot always speak of them without some +agitation." + +"Ah, Lady Tinemouth!" exclaimed the count, drawing closer to her; +"could not even your generous sympathizing heart escape calamity?" + +"To cherish a sympathizing heart, my young friend," replied she, "is +not a very effectual way to avoid the pressure of affliction. On the +reverse, such a temper extracts unhappiness from causes which would +fail to extort even a sigh from dispositions of less susceptibility. +Ideas of sensibility and sympathy are pretty toys for a novice to +play with; but change those wooden swords into weapons of real metal, +and you will find the points through your heart before you are aware +of the danger--at least, I find it so. Mr. Constantine, I have +frequently promised to explain to you the reason of the sadness which +so often tinges my conversation; and I know not when I shall be in a +fitter humor to indulge myself at your expense, for I never was more +wretched, never stood more in need of the consolations of a friend." + +She covered her face with her handkerchief, and remained so for some +time. Thaddeus pressed her hand several times, and waited in +respectful silence until she recommenced. + +"Forgive me, my dear sir; I am very low to-night--very nervous. +Having encountered two or three distressing circumstances to-day, +these tears relieve me. You have heard me speak of my son, and of my +lord; yet I never collected resolution to recount how we were +separated. This morning I saw my son pass my window; he looked up; +but the moment I appeared, he turned away and hastened down the +street. Though I have received many stronger proofs of dislike, both +from his father and himself, yet slight as this offence may seem, it +pierced me to the soul. O, Mr. Constantine, to know that the child to +whom I gave life regards me with abhorrence, is dreadful--is beyond +even the anxious partiality of a mother either to excuse or to +palliate!" + +"Perhaps, dear Lady Tinemouth, you misjudge Lord Harwold; he may be +under the commands of his father, and yet yearn to show you his +affection and duty." + +"No, Mr, Constantine; your heart is too good even to guess what may +be the guilt of another. Gracious Heaven! am I obliged to speak so of +my son!--he who was my darling!--he who once loved me so dearly! But +hear me, my dear sir; you shall judge for yourself, and you will +wonder that I am now alive to endure more. I have suffered by him, by +his father, and by a dreadful woman, who not only tore my husband and +children from me, but stood by till I was beaten to the ground. Yes, +Mr. Constantine, any humane man would shudder as you do at such an +assertion; but it is too true. Soon after Lady Olivia Lovel became +the mistress of my lord, and persuaded him to take my son from me, I +heard that the poor boy had fallen ill through grief, and lay sick at +his lordship's house in Hampshire. I heard he was dying. Imagine my +agonies. Wild with distress, I flew to the park lodge, and, forgetful +of anything but my child, was hastening across the park, when I saw +this woman, this Lady Olivia, approaching me, followed by two female +servants. One of them carried my daughter, then an infant, in her +arms; and the other, a child of which this unnatural wretch had +recently become the mother. I was flying towards my little Albina, to +clasp her to my heart, when Lady Olivia caught hold of my arm. Her +voice now rings in my ears. 'Woman!' cried she, 'leave this place; +there are none here to whom you are not an object of abhorrence.' + +"Struggling to break from her, I implored to be permitted to embrace +my child; but she held me fast, and, regardless of my cries, ordered +both the women to return into the house. Driven to despair, I dropped +on my knees, conjuring her, by her feelings as a mother, to allow me +for one moment to see my dying son, and that I would promise, by my +hopes of everlasting happiness, to cherish her child as my own should +it ever stand in need of a friend. The horrid woman only laughed at +my prayers, and left me in a swoon. When I recovered, the first +objects I beheld were my lord and Lady Olivia standing near me, and +myself in the arms of a man-servant, whom they had commanded to carry +me outside the gate. At the sight of my husband, I sprang to his +feet, when with one dreadful blow of his hand he struck me to the +ground. Merciful Providence! how did I retain my senses! I besought +this cruel husband to give me a second blow, that I might suffer no +more. + +"'Take her out of my sight,' cried he; 'she is mad.' + +"I was taken out of his sight, more dead than alive, and led by his +pitying servants to an inn, where I was afterwards confined for three +weeks with a brain fever. From that hour I have never had a day of +health." + +Thaddeus was shocked beyond utterance at this relation. The paleness +of his countenance being the only reply he made, the anguished +narrator resumed. + +"I have gone out of order. I proposed to inform you clearly of my +situation, but the principal outrage of my heart rose immediately to +my lips. I will commence regularly, if I can methodize my +recollection. + +"The Earl of Tinemouth married me from passion: I will not sanctify +his emotions by the name of affection; though," added she, forcing a +smile, "these faded features too plainly show that of all mankind, I +loved but him alone. I was just fifteen when he came to visit my +father, who lived in Berkshire. My father, Mr. Cumnor, and his +father, Lord Harwold, had been friends at college. My lord, then Mr. +Stanhope, was young, handsome, and captivating. He remained the +autumn with us, and at the end of that period declared an affection +for me which my heart too readily answered. About this time he +received a summons from his father, and we parted. Like most girls of +my age, I cherished an unconquerable bashfulness against admitting +any confidant to my attachment; hence my parents knew nothing of the +affair until it burst upon them in the cruelest shape. + +"About two months after Mr. Stanhope's departure, a letter arrived +from him, urging me to fly with him to Scotland. He alleged as a +reason for such a step that his grandfather, the Earl of Tinemouth, +insisted on his forming a union with Lady Olivia Lovel, who was then +a young widow, and the favorite niece of the most powerful nobleman +in the kingdom. Upon this demand, he confessed to the earl that his +affections were engaged. His lordship, whose passions were those of a +madman, broke into such horrible execrations of myself and my family, +that Mr. Stanhope, himself, alas! enraged, intemperately swore that +no power on earth should compel him to marry so notorious a woman as +Lady Olivia Lovel, nor to give me up. After communicating these +particulars, he concluded with repeating his entreaties that I would +consent to marry him in Scotland. The whole of this letter so alarmed +me, that I showed it to my parents. My father answered it in a manner +befitting his own character; but that only irritated the impetuous +passions of my lover. In the paroxysm of his rage, he flew to the +earl his grandfather, upbraided him with the ruin of his happiness, +and so exasperated the old man, that he drew his sword upon him; and +had it not been for the interference of his father, Lord Harwold, who +happened to enter at the moment, a most fatal catastrophe might have +ensued. To end the affair at once, the latter, whose gentle nature +embraced the mildest measures, obtained the earl's permission to send +Mr. Stanhope abroad. + +"Meanwhile I was upheld by my revered parent, who is now no more, in +firmly rejecting my lover's entreaties for a private marriage. And as +his grandfather continued resolutely deaf to his prayers or threats, +he was at length persuaded by his excellent father to accompany some +friends to France. + +"At the end of a few weeks Mr. Stanhope began to regard them as spies +on him; and after a violent quarrel, they parted, no one knowing to +what quarter my lover directed his steps. I believe I was the first +who heard any tidings of him. I remember well; it was in 1773, about +four-and-twenty years ago, that I received a letter from him. Oh! how +legibly are these circumstances written on my memory! It was dated +from Italy, where, he told me, he resided in complete retirement, +under the assumed name of Sackville." + +At this name, with every feature fixed in dismay, Thaddeus fell back +on the sofa. + +The countess caught his hand. + +"What is the matter? You are ill? What is the matter?" + +The bolt of indelible disgrace had struck to his heart. It was some +minutes before he could recover; but when he did speak, he said, +"Pray go on, madam; I am subject to this. Pray forgive me, and go on; +I shall become better as you proceed." + +"No, my dear friend; I will quit my dismal story at present, and +resume it some other time." + +"Pray continue it now," rejoined Thaddeus; "I shall never be more fit +to listen. Do, I entreat you." + +"Are you sincere in your request? I fear I have already affected you +too much." + +"No; I am sincere: let me hear it all. Do not hold back anything +which relates to that stain to the name of Englishman, who completed +his crimes by rendering you wretched!" + +"Alas! he did," resumed her ladyship; "for when he returned, which +was in consequence of the Earl of Tinemouth's death, my father was +also dead, who might have stood between me and my inclinations, and +so preserved me from many succeeding sorrows. I sealed my fate, and +became Stanhope's wife. + +"The father of my husband was then Earl of Tinemouth; and as he had +never been averse to our union, he presented me with a cottage on the +banks of the Wye, where I passed three delightful years, the happiest +of womankind. My husband, my mother, and my infant son formed my +felicity; and greatly I prize it--too greatly to be allowed a long +continuance! + +"At the end of this period, some gay friends paid us a visit. When +they returned to town, they persuaded my lord to be of the party. He +went; and from that fatal day all my sufferings arose. + +"Lord Harwold, instead of being with me in a fortnight, as he had +promised, procrastinated his absence under various excuses from week +to week, during which interval my Albina was born. Day after day I +anticipated the delight of putting her into the arms of her father; +but, what a chasm! she was three months old before he appeared; and +ah! how changed. He was gloomy to me, uncivil to my mother, and +hardly looked at the child." + +Lady Tinemouth stopped at this part of her narrative to wipe away her +tears. Thaddeus was sitting forward to the table, leaning on his arm, +with his hand covering his face. The countess was grateful for an +excess of sympathy she did not expect; and taking his other hand, as +it lay motionless on his knee, "What a consolation would it be to +me," exclaimed she, "durst I entertain a hope that I may one day +behold but half such pity from my own son!" + +Thaddeus pressed her hand. He did not venture to reply; he could not +tell her that she deceived herself even here; that it was not her +sorrows only which so affected him, but the remembered agonies of his +own mother, whom he did not doubt the capricious villany of this very +earl, under the name of Sackville (a name that had struck like a +death-bolt to the heart of Thaddeus when he first heard his mother +utter it), had devoted to a life of uncomplaining but ceaseless self- +reproach. And had he derived his existence from such a man--the +reprobate husband of Lady Tinemouth! The conviction humbled him, +crushed him, and trod him to the earth. He did not look up, and the +countess resumed: + +"It would be impossible, my dear sir, to describe to you the gradual +changes which assured me that I had lost the heart of my husband. +Before the end of the winter he left me again, and I saw him no more +until that frightful hour in which he struck me to the ground. + +"The good earl came into Monmouthshire about six weeks after I parted +with my lord. I was surprised and rejoiced to see my kind father-in- +law; but how soon were my emotions driven into a different course! He +revealed to me that during Lord Harwold's first visit to town he had +been in the habit of spending entire evenings with Lady Olivia Lovel." + +'This woman,' added he, 'is the most artful of her sex. In spite of +her acknowledged dishonor, you well know my deceased father would +gladly have married her to my son; and now it seems, actuated by +revenge, she resents Lord Harwold's refusal of her hand by seducing +him from his wife. Alas! I am too well convinced that the errors of +my son bear too strict a resemblance to those of his grandfather. +Vain of his superior abilities, and impatient of contradiction, +flattery can mould him to what it pleases. Lady Olivia had discovered +these weak points in his character; and, I am informed, she soon +persuaded him that you impose on his affection by detaining him from +the world; and, seconded by other fascinations, my deluded son has +accompanied her into Spain.' + +"You may imagine, Mr. Constantine, my distraction at this +intelligence. I was like one lost; and the venerable earl, fearing to +trust me in such despair out of his sight, brought me and my children +with him to London. In less than four months afterwards, I was +deprived of this inestimable friend by a paralytic stroke. His death +summoned the new earl to England. Whilst I lay on a sick bed, into +which I had been thrown by the shock of my protector's death, my lord +and his mistress arrived in London. + +"They immediately assumed the command of my lamented father-in-law's +house, and ordered my mother to clear it directly of me. My heart- +broken parent obeyed, and I was carried in a senseless state to a +lodging in the nearest street. But when this dear mother returned for +my children, neither of them were permitted to see her. The malignant +Lady Olivia, actuated by an insatiable hatred of me, easily wrought +on my frantic husband (for I must believe him mad) to detain them +entirely. A short time after this, that dreadful scene happened which +I have before described. + +"Year succeeded year, during which time I received many cruel insults +from my husband, many horrible ones from my son; for I had been +advised to institute a suit against my lord, in which I only pleaded +for the return of my children. I lost my cause, owing, I hope, to bad +counsel, not the laws of my country. I was adjudged to be separated +from the earl, with a maintenance of six hundred a-year, which he +hardly pays. I was tied down never to speak to him, nor to his son +nor his daughter. Though this sentence was passed, I never +acknowledged its justice, but wrote several times to my children. +Lord Harwold, who is too deeply infected with his father's cruelty, +has either returned my letters unopened or with insulting replies. +For my daughter, she keeps an undeviating silence; and I have not +even seen her since the moment in which she was hurried from my eyes +in Tinemouth Park. + +"In vain her brother tries to convince me that she detests me. I will +not believe it; and the hope that, should I survive her father, I may +yet embrace my child, has been, and will be, my source of maternal +comfort until it be fulfilled, or I bury my disappointment in the +grave." + +Lady Tinemouth put her handkerchief to her eyes, which were again +flowing with tears. Thaddeus thought he must speak, if he would not +betray an interest in her narrative, which he determined no +circumstance should ever humble him to reveal. Raising his head from +his hand, he unconsciously discovered to the countess his agonized +countenance. + +"Kind, affectionate Constantine! surely such a heart as thine never +would bring sorrow to the breast of a virtuous husband! You could +never betray the self-deluded Lady Sara to any fatal error!" + +Lady Tinemouth did not utter these thoughts. Thaddeus rose from his +seat. "Farewell, my honored friend!" said he; "may Heaven bless you +and pardon your husband!" + +Then grasping her hand, with what he intended should be a pressure of +friendship, but which his internal tortures rendered almost +intolerable, he hastened down stairs, opened the outward door, and +got into the street. + +Unknowing and heedless whither he went, with the steps of a man +driven by the furies, he traversed one street and then another. As he +went along, in vain the watchmen reminded him by their cries that it +was past three o'clock: he still wandered on, forgetting that it was +night, that he had any home, any destination. + +His father was discovered!--that father of whom he had entertained a +latent hope, should they ever meet, that he might produce some excuse +for having been betrayed into an act disgraceful to a man of honor. +But when all these filial dreams were blasted by the conviction that +he owed his being to the husband of Lady Tinemouth, that his mother +was the victim of a profligate, that he had sprung from a man who was +not merely a villain, but the most wanton, the most despicable of +villains, he saw himself bereft of hope and overwhelmed with shame +and horror. + +Full of reflections which none other than a son in such circumstances +can conceive, he was lost amidst the obscure alleys of Tottenham +Court Yard, when loud and frequent cries recalled his attention. A +quantity of smoke, with flashes of light, led him to suppose that +they were occasioned by a fire; and a few steps further the awful +spectacle burst upon his sight. + +It was a house from the windows of which the flames were breaking out +in every direction, whilst a gathering concourse of people were +either standing in stupefied astonishment or uselessly shouting for +engines and assistance. + +At the moment in which he arrived, two or three naked wretches just +escaped from their beds, were flying from side to side, making the +air echo with their shrieks. + +"Will nobody save my children?" cried one of them, approaching +Thaddeus, and wringing her hands in agony; "will nobody take them +from the fire?" + +"Where shall I seek them?" replied he. + +"Oh! in that room," exclaimed she, pointing; "the flames are already +there; they will be burnt! they will be burnt!" + +The poor woman was hurrying madly forward, when the count stopped +her, and giving her in charge of a bystander, cried: "Take care of +this woman, if possible, I will save her children." Darting through +the open door, in defiance of the smoke and danger, he made his way +to the children's room, where, almost suffocated by the sulphurous +cloud that surrounded him, he at last found the bed; but it contained +one child only. This he instantly caught up in his arms, and was +hastening down the stairs, when the cries of the other from a distant +part of the building made him hesitate; but thinking it better to +secure one than to hazard both by lingering, he rushed into the +street just as a post-chaise had stopped to inquire the particulars +of the accident. The carriage-door being open, Thaddeus, seeing +ladies in it, without saying a word, threw the sleeping infant into +their laps, and hastened back into the house, where he hoped to +rescue the other child before the fire could increase to warrant +despair. The flames having now made dreadful progress, his face, +hands, and clothes were scorched by their fury as he flew from the +room, following the shrieks of the child, who seemed to change its +situation with every exertion that he made to reach it. At length, +when every moment he expected the house would sink under his feet, as +a last attempt he directed his steps along a passage he had not +before observed, and to his great joy beheld the object of his search +flying down a back staircase. The boy sprung into his arms; and +Thaddeus, turning round, leaped from one landing-place to another, +until he found himself again in the street, surrounded by a crowd of +people. + +He saw the poor mother clasp this second rescued child to her breast; +and whilst the spectators were loading her with congratulations, he +slipped away unseen, and proceeded homewards, with a warmth at his +heart which made him forget, in the joy of a benevolent action, that +petrifying shock which had been occasioned by the vices of one too +nearly allied to his being to be hated without horror. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE KINDREDSHIP OF MINDS. + + +When Thaddeus awoke next morning, he found himself more refreshed, +and freer from the effects of the last night's discovery, than he +could have reasonably hoped. The presence of mind and activity which +the fire called on him to exert, having forced his thoughts into a +different channel, had afforded his nerves an opportunity to regain +some portion of their usual strength. He could now reflect on what he +had heard without suffering the crimes of another to lay him on the +rack. The reins were again restored to his hand, and neither +agitation nor anxiety showed themselves in his face or manner. + +Though the count's sensibility was very irritable, and when suddenly +excited he could not always conceal his emotion, yet he possessed a +power of look which immediately repressed the impertinence of +curiosity or insolence. Indeed, this mantle of repulsion proved to be +his best shield; for never had man more demands on the dignity of his +soul to shine out about his person. + +Not unfrequently has his sudden appearance in the study-room at Lady +Dundas's at once called a natural glow through the ladies' rouge, and +silenced the gentlemen, when he has happened to enter while Miss +Dundas and half-a-dozen other beaux and belles have been ridiculing +Euphemia on the absurd civilities she paid to her language-master. + +The morning after the fire, a little bevy of these fashionable +butterflies were collected in this way at one corner of Miss Dundas's +Hercules table, when, during a moment's pause, "I hope, Miss +Beaufort," cried the Honorable Mr. Lascelles, "I hope you don't intend +to consume the brightness of your eyes over this stupid language?" + +"What language, Mr. Lascelles?" inquired she; "I have this moment +entered the room, and I don't know what you are talking about." + +"Good Lud! that is very true," cried he; "I mean a shocking jargon, +which a shocking penseroso man teaches to these ladies. We want to +persuade Miss Euphemia that it spoils her mouth." + +"You are always misconceiving me, Mr. Lascelles," interrupted Miss +Dundus, impatiently; "I did not advance one word against the +language; I merely remonstrated with Phemy against her preposterous +attentions to the man we hire to teach it." + +"That was what I meant, madam," resumed he, with a low bow. + +"You meant what, sir?" demanded the little beauty, contemptuously; +"but I need not ask. You are like a bad mirror, which from radical +defect always gives false reflections." + +"Very good, faith, Miss Euphemia! I declare, sterling wit! It would +honor Sheridan, or your sister." + +"Mr. Lascelles," cried Euphemia, more vexed than before, "let me tell +you such impertinence is very unbecoming a gentleman." + +"Upon my soul, Miss Euphemia!" + +"Pray allow the petulant young lady to get out of her airs, as she +has, I believe, got out of her senses, without our help!" exclaimed +Miss Dundas; "for I declare I know not where she picked up these vile +democratic ideas." + +"I am not a democrat, Diana," answered Euphemia, rising from her +seat; "and I won't stay to be abused, when I know it is all envy, +because Mr. Constantine happened to say that I have a quicker memory +than you have." + +She left the room as she ended. Miss Dundas, ready to storm with +passion, but striving to conceal it, burst into a violent laugh, and +turning to Miss Beaufort, said: "You now see, my dear Mary, a sad +specimen of Euphemia's temper; yet I hope you won't think too +severely of her, for, poor thing, she has been spoilt by us all." + +"Pray, do not apologize to me in particular!" replied Miss Beaufort; +"but, to be frank, I think it probable she would have shown her +temper less had that little admonition been given in private. I doubt +not she has committed something wrong, yet----" + +"Yes, something very wrong," interrupted Miss Dundas, reddening at +this rebuke; "both Mr. Lascelles and Lord Berington there----" + +"Don't bring in my name, I pray, Miss Dundas," cried the viscount, +who was looking over an old edition of Massinger's plays; "you know I +hate being squeezed into squabbles." + +Miss Dundas dropped the corners of her mouth in contempt, and went +on. + +"Well, then, Mr. Lascelles, and Miss Poyntz, here, have both at +different times been present when Phemy has conducted herself in a +very ridiculous way towards a young man Lady Tinemouth sent here to +teach us German. Can you believe it possible that a girl of her +fashion could behave in this style without having first imbibed some +very dangerous notions? I am sure I am right, for she could not be +more civil to him if he were a gentleman." Miss Dundas supposed she +had now set the affair beyond controversy, and stopped with an air of +triumph. Miss Beaufort perceived that her answer was expected. + +"I really cannot discover anything in the matter so very +reprehensible," replied she. "Perhaps the person you speak of may +have the qualifications of a gentleman; he may be above his +situation." "Ah! above it, sure enough!" cried Lascelles, laughing +boisterously at his own folly. He is tall enough to be above +everything, even good manners; for notwithstanding his plebeian +calling, I find he doesn't know how to keep his distance." + +"I am sorry for that, Lascelles," cried Berrington, measuring the +puppy with his good-natured eye; "for these Magog men are terrible +objects to us of meaner dimensions! 'A substitute shines brightly as +a king until a king be by,'" + +"Why, my lord, you do not mean to compare me with such a low fellow +as this? I don't understand Lord Berrington----" + +"Bless me, gentlemen!" cried Miss Dundas, frightened at the angry +looks of the little honorable; "why, my lord, I thought you hated +squabbles?" + +"So I do, Miss Dundas," replied he, laying down his book and coming +forward; "and upon my honor, Mr. Lascelles," added he, smiling, and +turning towards the coxcomb, who stood nidging his head with anger by +Miss Beaufort's chair,--"upon my honor, Mr. Lascelles, I did not mean +to draw any parallel between your person and talents and those of +this Mr,----, I forget his name, for truly I never saw him in my +life; but I dare swear no comparison can exist between you." + +Lascelles took the surface of this speech, and bowed, whilst his +lordship, turning to Miss Beaufort, began to compliment himself on +possessing so fair an ally in defence of an absent person. + +"I never have seen him," replied she; "and what is more, I never +heard of him, till on entering the room Mr. Lascelles arrested me for +my opinion about him. I only arrived from the country last night, and +can have no guess at the real grounds of this ill-judged bustle of +Miss Dundas's regarding a man she styles despicable. If he be so, why +retain him in her service? and, what is more absurd, why make a +person in that subordinate situation the subject of debate amongst +her friends?" + +"You are right, Miss Beaufort, returned Lord Berrington; but the +eloquent Miss Dundas is so condescending to her friends, she lets no +opportunity slip of displaying her sceptre, both over the republic of +words and the empire of her mother's family." + +"Are not you severe now, Lord Berrington? I thought you generous to +the poor tutor!" + +"No; I hope I am just on both subjects. I know the lady, and it is +true that I have seen nothing of the tutor; but it is natural to +wield the sword in favor of the defenceless, and I always consider +the absent in that light." + +Whilst these two conversed at one end of the room, the other group +were arraigning the presumption of the vulgar, and the folly of those +who gave it encouragement. + +At a fresh burst of laughter from Miss Dundas, Miss Beaufort +mechanically turned her head; her eye was arrested by the appearance +of a gentleman in black, who was standing a few paces within the +door. He was regarding the party before him with that lofty +tranquillity which is inseparable from high rank, when accompanied by +a consciousness of as high inward qualities. His figure, his face, +and his air contained that pure simplicity of contour which portrays +all the graces of youth with the dignity of manhood. + +Miss Beaufort in a moment perceived that he was unobserved; rising +from her seat, she said, "Miss Dundas, here is a gentleman." Miss +Dundas looked round carelessly. + +"You may sit down, Mr. Constantine." + +"Is it possible!" thought Miss Beaufort, as he approached, and the +ingenuous expression of his fine countenance was directed towards +her; "can this noble creature have been the subject of such +impertinence!" + +"I commend little Phemy's taste!" whispered Lord Berrington, leaving +his seat. "Ha! Miss Beaufort, a young Apollo?" + +"And not in disguise!" replied she in the same manner, just as +Thaddeus had bowed to her; and, with "veiled lids," was taking up a +book from the table: not to read, but literally to have an object to +look on which could not insult him. + +"What did Miss Dundas say was his name?" whispered the viscount. + +"Constantine, I think." + +"Mr. Constantine," said the benevolent Berrington, "will you accept +this chair?" + +Thaddeus declined it. But the viscount read in the "proud humility" +of his bow that he had not always waited, a dependent, on the nods of +insolent men and ladies of fashion; and, with a good-humored +compulsion, he added, "pray oblige me for by that means I shall have +an excuse to squeeze into the _Sultane_, which is so 'happy as +to bear the weight of Beaufort!'" + +Though Miss Beaufort was almost a stranger to his lordship, having +seen him only once before, with her cousin in Leicestershire, she +smiled at this unexpected gallantry, and in consideration of the +motive, made room for him on the sofa. + +Offence was not swifter than kindness in its passage to the heart of +Thaddeus, who, whilst he received the viscount's chair, raised his +face towards him with a look beaming such graciousness and +obligation, that Miss Beaufort turned with a renewed glance of +contempt on the party. The next instant they left the study. + +The instant Miss Dundas closed the door after her, Lord Berrington +exclaimed, "Upon my honor, Mr. Constantine, I have a good mind to put +that terrible pupil of yours into my next comedy! Don't you think she +would beat Katharine and Petruchio all to nothing? I declare I will +have her." + +"In _propria persona_, I hope?" asked Miss Beaufort, with a +playful smile. Lord Berrington answered with a gay sally from +Shakspeare. + +The count remained silent during these remarks, though he fully +appreciated the first civil treatment which had greeted him since his +admission within the doors of Lady Dundas Miss Euphemia's attentions +owned any other source than benevolence. + +Miss Beaufort wished to relieve his embarrassment by addressing him; +but the more she thought, the less she knew what to say; and she had +just abandoned it as a vain attempt, when Euphemia entered the room +alone. She curtseyed to Thaddeus and took her place at the table. +Lord Berrington rose. + +"I must say good-by, Miss Euphemia; I will not disturb your studies. +Farewell, Miss Beaufort!" added he, addressing her, and bending his +lips to her hand. "Adieu! I shall look in upon you to-morrow. Good- +morning, Mr. Constantine!" + +Thaddeus bowed to him, and the viscount disappeared. + +"I am surprised. Miss Beaufort," observed Euphemia, pettishly (her +temper not having subsided since her sister's lecture), "how you can +endure that coxcomb!" + +"Pardon me, Euphemia," replied she; "though I did not exactly expect +the ceremony his lordship adopts in taking leave, yet I think there +is a generosity in his sentiments which deserves a better title." + +"I know nothing about his sentiments, for I always run away from his +conversation. A better title! I declare you make me laugh. Did you +ever see such fantastical dressing? I vow I never meet him without +thinking of Jemmy Jessamy, and the rest of the gossamer beaux who +squired our grandmothers!" + +"My acquaintance with Lord Berrington is trifling," returned Miss +Beaufort, withdrawing her eyes from the pensive features of the +count, who was sorting the lessons; "yet I am so far prepossessed in +his favor, that I see little in his appearance to reprehend. However, +I will not contest that point, as perhaps the philanthropy I this +morning discovered in his heart, the honest warmth with which he +defended an absent character, after you left the room, might render +his person as charming in my eyes as I certainly found his mind." + +Thaddeus had not for a long time heard such sentiments out of Lady +Tinemouth's circle; and he now looked up to take a distinct view of +the speaker. + +In consequence of the established mode, that the presiding lady of +the house is to give the tone to her guests, many were the visitors +of Miss Dundas whose faces Thaddeus was as ignorant of when they went +out of the library as when they came in. They took little notice of +him; and he, regarding them much less, pursued his occupation without +evincing a greater consciousness of their presence than what mere +ceremony demanded. + +Accordingly, when in compliance with Lord Berrington's politeness he +received his chair, and saw him remove to a sofa beside a very +beautiful woman, in the bloom of youth, Thaddeus supposed her manner +might resemble the rest of Miss Dundas's friends, and never directed +his glance a second time to her figure. But when he heard her (in a +voice that was melody itself) defend his lordship's character, on +principles which bore the most honorable testimony to her own, his +eyes were riveted on her face. + +Though a large Turkish shawl involved her fine person, a modest grace +was observable in its every turn. Her exquisitely moulded arm, rather +veiled than concealed by the muslin sleeve that covered it, was +extended in the gentle energy of her vindication. Her lucid eyes +shone with a sincere benevolence, and her lips seemed to breathe balm +while she spoke. His soul startled within itself as if by some +strange recognition that agitated him, and drew him inexplicably +towards its object. It was not the beauty he beheld, nor the words +she uttered, but he did not withdraw his fixed gaze until it +encountered an accidental turn of her eyes, which instantly retreated +with a deep blush mantling her face and neck. She had never met such +a look before, except in an occasional penetrating glance from an +only cousin, who had long watched the movements of her heart with a +brother's care. + +But little did Thaddeus think at that time who she was, and how +nearly connected with that friend whose neglect has been a venomed +shaft unto his soul! + +Mary Beaufort was the orphan heiress of Admiral Beaufort, one of the +most distinguished officers in the British navy. He was the only +brother of the now lamented Lady Somerset, the beloved mother of +Pembroke Somerset, so often the eloquent subject of his discourse in +the sympathizing ear of Thaddeus Sobieski! The admiral and his wife, +a person also of high quality, died within a few months after the +birth of their only child, a daughter, having bequeathed her to the +care of her paternal aunt; and to the sole guardianship of that +exemplary lady's universally-honored husband, Sir Robert Somerset, +baronet, and M. P. for the county. When Lady Somerset's death spread +mourning throughout his, till then, happy home, (which unforeseen +event occurred hardly a week before her devoted son returned from the +shores of the Baltic,) a double portion of Sir Robert's tenderness +fell upon her cherished niece. In her society alone he found any +consolation for his loss. And soon after Pembroke's arrival, his +widowed father, relinquishing the splendid scenes of his former life +in London, retired into the country, sometimes residing at one family +seat, sometimes at another, hoping by change of place to obtain some +alleviating diversion from his ever sorrow-centred thoughts. + +Sir Robert Somerset, from the time of his marriage with the +accomplished sister of Admiral Beaufort to the hour in which he +followed her to the grave, was regarded as the most admired man in +every circle, and yet more publicly respected as being the +magnificent host and most munificent patron of talent, particularly +of British growth, in the whole land. Besides, by his own genius as a +statesman, he often stood a tower of strength in the senate of his +country; and his general probity was of such a stamp, that his +private friends were all solicitous to acquire the protection of his +name over any important trusted interests for their families. For +instance, the excellent Lord Avon consigned his only child to his +guardianship, and his wealthy neighbor, Sir Hector Dundas, made him +sole trusted over the immense fortunes of his daughters. + +This latter circumstance explains the intimacy between two families, +the female parts of which might otherwise have probably seldom met. + +On Sir Robert Somerset's last transient visit to London, (which had +been only on a call of business, on account of his minor charge, Lord +Avon,) Lady Dundas became so urgent in requesting him to permit Miss +Beaufort to pass the ensuing season with her in town, that he could +not, without rudeness, refuse. In compliance with this arrangement, +the gentle Mary, accompanied by Miss Dorothy Somerset, a maiden +sister of the baronet's, quitted Deerhurst to settle themselves with +her importunate ladyship in Harley Street for the remainder of the +winter--at least the winter of fashion! which, by a strange effect of +her magic wand, in defiance of grassy meadows, leafy trees, and +sweetly-scented flowers, extends its nominal sceptre over the vernal +months of April, May, and even the rich treasures of "resplendent +June." + +The summer part of this winter Miss Beaufort reluctantly consented +should be sacrificed to ceremony, in the dust and heat of a great +city; and if the melancholy which daily increased upon Sir Robert +since the death of his wife had not rendered her averse to oppose his +wishes, she certainly would have made objections to the visit. + +During the journey, she could not refrain from drawing a comparison +to Miss Dorothy between the dissipated insipidity of Lady Dundas's +way of life and the rationality as well as splendor of her late +lamented aunt's. + +Lady Somerset's monthly assemblies were not the most elegant and +brilliant parties in town, but her weekly _conversaziones_ +surpassed everything of the kind in the kingdom. On these nights her +ladyship's rooms used to be filled with the most eminent characters +which England could produce. There the young Mary Beaufort listened +to pious divines of every Christian persuasion. There she gathered +wisdom from real philosophers; and in the society of our best living +poets, amongst whom were those leaders of our classic song, Rogers +and William Southey, and the amiable Jerningham, cherished an +enthusiasm for all that is great and good. On these evenings Sir +Robert Somerset's house reminded the visitor of what he had read or +imagined of the school of Athens. He beheld not only sages, soldiers, +statesmen, and poets, but intelligent and amiable women. And in this +rare assembly did the beautiful Mary imbibe that steady reverence for +virtue and talent which no intermixture with the ephemera of the clay +could ever after either displace or impair. + +Notwithstanding this rare freedom from the chains with which her +merely fashionable friends would have shackled her mind, Miss +Beaufort possessed too much judgment and delicacy to flash her +liberty in their eyes. Enjoying her independence with meekness, she +held it more secure. Mary was no declaimer, not even in the cause of +oppressed goodness or injured genius. Aware that direct opposition +often incenses malice, she directed the shaft from its aim, if it +were in her power, and when the attempt failed, strove by respect or +sympathy to heal the wound she could not avert. Thus, whatever she +said or did bore the stamp of her soul, whose leading attribute was +modesty. By having learned much, and thought more, she proved in her +conduct that reflection is the alchemy which turns knowledge into +wisdom. + +Never did she feel so much regret at the shrinking of her powers from +coming forth by some word or deed in aid of offended worth, as when +she beheld the foreign stranger, so noble in aspect, standing under +the overbearing insolence of Miss Dundas's parasites. But she +perceived that his dignified composure rebounded their darts upon his +insulters, and respect took the place of pity. The situation was new +to her; and when she dropped her confused eyes beneath his unexpected +gaze, she marvelled within herself at the ease with which she had +just taken up the cause of Lord Berrington, and the difficulty she +had found to summon one word as a repellant to the unmerited attack +on the man before her. + +Euphemia cared nothing about Lord Berrington; to her his faults or +his virtues were alike indifferent; and forgetting that civility +demanded some reply to Miss Beaufort's last observation, or rather +taking advantage of the tolerated privilege usurped by many high-bred +people of being ill-bred, when and how they pleased, she returned to +Thaddeus, and said with a forced smile-- + +"Mr. Constantine, I don't like your opinion upon the ode I showed to +you; I think it a very absurd opinion; or perhaps you did not +understand me rightly?" + +Miss Beaufort took up a book, that her unoccupied attention might not +disturb their studies. + +Euphemia resumed, with a more natural dimple, and touching his glove +with the rosy points of her fingers, said, + +"You are stupid at translation." + +Thaddeus colored, and sat uneasily; he knew not how to evade this +direct though covert attack. + +"I am a bad poet, madam. Indeed, it would be dangerous even for a +good one to attempt the same path with Sappho and Phillips." + +Euphemia now blushed as deeply as the count, but from another motive. +Opening her grammar, she whispered, "You are either a very dull or a +very modest man!" and, sighing, began to repeat her lesson. + +While he bent his head over the sheet he was correcting; she suddenly +exclaimed, "Bless me, Mr. Constantine, what have you been doing? I +hope you don't read in bed! The top of your hair is burnt to a +cinder! Why, you look much more like one who has been in a fire than +Miss Beaufort does." + +Thaddeus put his hand to his head. + +"I thought I had brushed away all marks of a fire, in which I really +was last night." + +"A fire!" interrupted Miss Beaufort, closing her book; "was it near +Tottenham Court Road?" + +"It was, madam," answered he, in a tone almost as surprised as her +own. + +"Good gracious!" cried Euphemia, exerting her little voice, that she +might be heard before Miss Beaufort could have time to reply; "then I +vow you are the gentleman who Miss Beaufort said ran into the burning +house, and, covered with flames, saved two children from perishing!" + +"And I am so happy as to meet one of the ladies," replied he, turning +with an animated air to Miss Beaufort, "in you, madam, who so +humanely assisted the poor sufferers, and received the child from my +arms?" + +"It was indeed myself, Mr. Constantine," returned she, a tear +swimming over her eye, which in a moment gave the cue to the tender +Euphemia. She drew out her handkerchief; and whilst her pretty cheeks +overflowed, and her sweet voice was rendered sweeter by an emotion +raised by ten thousand delightful fancies, she took hold of Miss +Beaufort's hand. + +"Oh! my lovely friend, wonder not that I esteem this brave +Constantine far beyond his present station!" + +Thaddeus drew back. Miss Beaufort looked amazed; but Euphemia had +mounted her romantic Pegasus, and the scene was too sentimental to +close. + +"Come here, Mr. Constantine," cried she, extending her other hand to +his. Wondering where this folly would terminate, he gave it to her, +when, instantly joining it with that of Miss Beaufort, she pressed +them together, and said, "Sweet Mary! heroic Constantine! I thus +elect you the two dearest friends of my heart. So charmingly +associated in the delightful task of compassion, you shall ever be +commingled in my faithful bosom." + +Then putting her handkerchief to her eyes, she walked out of the +room, leaving Miss Beaufort and the count, confused and confounded, +by the side of each other. Miss Beaufort, suspecting that some +extravagant fancy had taken possession of the susceptible Euphemia +towards her young tutor, declined speaking first. Thaddeus, fixing +his gaze on her downcast and revolving countenance, perceived nothing +like offended pride at his undesigned presumption. He saw that she +was only embarrassed, and after a minute's hesitation, broke the +silence. + +"I hope that Miss Beaufort is sufficiently acquainted with the +romance of Miss Euphemia's character to pardon the action, +unintentional on my part, of having touched her hand? I declare I had +no expectation of Miss Euphemia's design." + +"Do not make any apology to me, Mr. Constantine," returned she, +resuming her seat; "to be sure I was a little electrified by the +strange situation in which her vivid feelings have just made us +actors. But I shall not forego my claim on what she promised--your +acquaintance." + +Thaddeus expressed his high sense of her condescension. + +"I am not fond of fine terms," continued she, smiling; "but I know +that time and merit must purchase esteem. I can engage for the first, +as I am to remain in town at least three months; but for the last, I +fear I shall never have the opportunity of giving such an earnest of +my desert as you did last night of yours." + +Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Thaddeus took up his hat, and +bowing, replied to her compliment with such a modest yet noble grace, +that she gazed after him with wonder and concern. Before he closed +the door he again bowed. Pleased with the transient look of a soft +pleasure which beamed from his eyes, through whose ingenuous mirrors +every thought of his soul might be read, she smiled a second adieu, +and as he disappeared, left the room by another passage. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +SUCH THINGS WERE. + + +When the count appeared the succeeding day in Harley Street, Miss +Beaufort introduced him to Miss Dorothy Somerset as the gentleman who +had so gallantly preserved the lives of the children at the hazard of +his own. + +Notwithstanding the lofty tossings of Miss Dundas's head, the good +old maid paid him several encomiums on his intrepidity; and telling +him that the sufferers were the wife and family of a poor tradesman, +who was then absent in the country, she added, "But we saw them +comfortably lodged before we left them; and all the time we stayed, I +could not help congratulating myself on the easy compliance of Mary +with my whims. I dislike sleeping at an inn; and to prevent it then, +I had prevailed on Miss Beaufort to pursue our road to town even +through the night. It was lucky it happened so, for I am certain Mary +will not allow these poor creatures a long lament over the wreck of +their little property." + +"How charmingly charitable, my lovely friend!" cried Euphemia; "let +us make a collection for this unfortunate woman and her babes. Pray, +as a small tribute, take that from me!" She put five guineas into the +hand of the glowing Mary. + +The ineffable grace with which the confused Miss Beaufort laid the +money on her aunt's knee did not escape the observance of Thaddeus; +neither did the unintended approbation of his eye pass unnoticed by +its amiable object. + +When Lady Tinemouth was informed that evening by the count of the +addition to the Harley Street party, she was delighted at the news, +saying she had been well acquainted with Miss Dorothy and her niece +during the lifetime of Lady Somerset, and would take an early day to +call upon them. During this part of her ladyship's discourse, an +additional word or two had unfolded to her auditor the family +connection that had subsisted between the lady she regretted and his +estranged friend. And when the countess paused, Thaddeus, struck with +a forgiving pity at this intelligence, was on the point of expressing +his concern that Pembroke Somerset had lost so highly-prized a +mother; but recollecting that Lady Tinemouth was ignorant of their +ever having known each other, he allowed her to proceed without a +remark. + +"I never have been in company with Sir Robert's son," continued the +countess; "it was during his absence on the Continent that I was +introduced to Lady Somerset. She was a woman who possessed the rare +talent of conforming herself to all descriptions of people; and +whilst the complacency of her attentions surpassed the most refined +flattery, she commanded the highest veneration for herself. Hence you +may imagine my satisfaction in an acquaintance which it is probable +would never have been mine had I been the happy Countess of +Tinemouth, instead of a deserted wife. Though the Somersets are +related to my lord, they had long treated him as a stranger; and +doubly disgusted at his late behavior, they commenced a friendship +with me, I believe, to demonstrate more fully their detestation of +him. Indeed, my husband is a creature of inconsistency. No man +possessed more power to attract friends than Lord Tinemouth, and no +man had less power to retain them; as fast as he made one he offended +the other, and has at last deprived himself of every individual out +of his own house who would not regard his death as a fortunate +circumstance." + +"But, Lady Somerset," cried Thaddeus, impatient to change a subject +every word of which was a dagger to his heart, "I mean Miss Dorothy +Somerset, Miss Beaufort--" + +"Yes," returned her ladyship; "I see, kind Mr. Constantine, your +friendly solicitude to disengage me from retrospections so painful! +Well, then, I knew and very much esteemed the two ladies you mention; +but after the death of Lady Somerset, their almost constant residence +in the country has greatly prevented a renewal of this pleasure. +However, as they are now in town, I will thank you to acquaint them +with my intention to call upon them in Harley Street. I remember +always thinking Miss Beaufort a very charming girl." + +Thaddeus thought her more. He saw that she was beautiful; he had +witnessed instances of her goodness, and the recollection filled his +mind with a complacency the more tender since it had so long been a +stranger to his bosom; and again he felt the strange emotion which +had passed over his heart at their first meeting. But further +observations were prevented by the entrance of Miss Egerton and Lady +Sara Ross. + +"I am glad to see you, Mr. Constantine," cried the lively Sophia, +shaking hands with him; "you are the very person I have been plotting +against." + +Lady Tinemouth was uneasy at the care with which Lady Sara averted +her face, well knowing that it was to conceal the powerful agitation +of her features, which always took place at the sight of Thaddeus. + +"What is your plot, Miss Egerton?" inquired he; "I shall consider +myself honored by your commands, and do not require a conspiracy to +entrap my obedience." + +"That's a good soul! Then I have only to apply to you, Lady +Tinemouth. Your ladyship must know," cried she, "that as Lady Sara +and I were a moment ago driving up the Haymarket, I nodded to Mr. +Coleman, who was coming out of the playhouse. He stopped, I pulled +the check-string, and we had a great deal of confab out of the +window. He tells me a new farce is to come out this day week, and he +hoped I would be there! 'No,' said I, 'I cannot, for I am on a visit +with that precise body, the Countess of Tinemouth, who would not, to +save you and all your generation, come into such a mob,' 'Her +ladyship shall have my box,' cried he; 'for I would not for the world +lose the honor of your opinion on the merits of my farce.' 'To be +sure not!' cries I; so I accepted his box, and drove off, devising +with Lady Sara how to get your ladyship as our chaperon and Mr. +Constantine to be our beau. He has just promised; so dear Lady +Tinemouth, don't be inflexible!" + +Thaddeus was confounded at the dilemma into which his ready +acquiescence had involved his prudence. The countess shook her head. + +"Now I declare, Lady Tinemouth," exclaimed Miss Egerton, "this is an +absolute stingy fit! You are afraid of your purse! You know this +private box precludes all awkward meetings, and you can have no +excuse." + +"But it cannot preclude all awkward sights," answered her ladyship. +"You know, Sophia, I never go into public, for fear of being met by +the angry looks of my lord or my son." + +"Disagreeable people!" cried Miss Egerton, pettishly; "I wish some +friendly whirlwind would take your lord and son out of the world +together." + +"Sophia!" retorted her ladyship, with a grave air. + +"Rebuke me, Lady Tinemouth, if you like; I confess I am no Serena, +and these trials of temper don't agree with my constitution. There," +cried she, throwing a silver medal on the table, and laughing in +spite of herself: "there is our passport; but I will send it back, +and so break poor Coleman's heart." + +"Fie! Sophia," answered her ladyship, patting her half-angry cheeks; +"would you owe to your petulance what was denied to your good humor?" + +"Then your ladyship will go!" exclaimed she, exultingly. "You have +yielded; these sullens were a part of my stratagem, and I won't let +you secede." + +Lady Tinemouth thought this would be a fair opportunity to show one +of the theatres to her young friend, without involving him in expense +or obligation, and accordingly she gave her consent. + +"Do you intend to favor us with your company, Lady Sara?" asked the +countess, with a hope that she might refuse. + +Lady Sara, who had been standing silently at the window, rather +proudly answered-- + +"Yes, madam, if you will honor me with your protection." + +Lady Tinemouth was the only one present who understood the resentment +which these words conveyed; and, almost believing that she had gone +too far, by implying suspicion, she approached her with a pleading +anxiety of countenance. "Then, Lady Sara, perhaps you will dine with +me? I mean to call on Miss Dorothy Somerset, and would invite her to +be of the party." + +Lady Sara curtseyed her acceptance of the invitation, and, smiling, +appeared to think no more of the matter. But she neither forgot it +nor found herself able to forgive Lady Tinemouth for having betrayed +her into a confidence which her own turbulent passions had made but +too easy. She had listened unwillingly to the reasonable declaration +of the countess, that her only way to retreat from an error which +threatened criminality was to avoid the object. + +"When a married woman," observed her ladyship, in that confidential +conference, "is so unhappy as to love any man besides her husband, +her only safety rests in the resolution to quit his society, and to +banish his image whenever it obtrudes." + +Lady Sara believed herself incapable of this exertion, and hated the +woman who thought it necessary. By letter and conversation Lady +Tinemouth tried to display in every possible light the enormity of +giving encouragement to such an attachment, and ended with the +unanswerable climax--the consideration of her duty to Heaven. + +Of this argument Lady Sara knew little. She never reflected on the +true nature of religion, though she sometimes went to church, +repeated the prayers, without being conscious of their spirit; and +when the coughing, sneezing, and blowing of noses which commonly +accompany the text subsided, she generally called up the remembrance +of the last ball, or an anticipation of the next assembly, to amuse +herself until the prosing business was over. From church she drove to +the Park, where, bowling round the ring, or sauntering in the +gardens, she soon forgot that there existed in the universe a Power +of higher consequence to please than her own vanity--and the +admiration of the spectators. + +Lady Sara would have shuddered at hearing any one declare himself a +deist, much more an atheist; but for any influence which her nominal +belief held over her desires, she might as well have been either. She +never committed an action deserving the name of premeditated injury, +nor went far out of her way to do her best friend a service,--not +because she wanted inclination, but she ceased to remember both the +petitioner and his petition before he had been five minutes from her +sight. She had read as much as most fine ladies have read: a few +histories, a few volumes of essays, a few novels, and now and then a +little poetry comprised the whole range of her studies; these, with +morning calls and evening assemblies, occupied her whole day. Such +had been the routine of her life until she met the once "young star" +of Poland, Thaddeus Sobieski, in an unknown exile, an almost nameless +guest, at Lady Tinemouth's, which event caused a total revolution in +her mind and conduct. + +The strength of Lady Sara's understanding might have credited a +better education; but her passions bearing an equal power with this +mental vigor, and having taken a wrong direction, she neither +acknowledged the will nor the capability to give the empire to her +reason. When love really entered her heart, its first conquest was +over her universal vanity; she surrendered all her admirers, in the +hope of securing the admiration of Thaddeus; its second victory +mastered her discretion; she revealed her unhappy affection to Lady +Tinemouth, and more than hinted it to himself. What had she else to +lose? She believed her honor to be safer than her life. Her +_honor_ was the term. She had no conception, or, at best, a +faint one, that a breach of the marriage vow could be an outrage on +the laws of Heaven. The word sin had been gradually ignored by the +oligarchy of fashion, from the hour in which Charles the Second and +his profligate court trod down piety with hypocrisy; and in this day +the new philosophy has accomplished its total outlawry, denouncing it +as a rebel to decency and the freedom of man. + +Thus, the Christian religion being driven from the haunts of the +great, pagan morality is raised from that prostration where, Dagon- +like, it fell at the feet of the Scriptures, and is again erected as +the idol of adoration. Guilt against Heaven fades before the decrees +of man; his law of ethics reprobates crime. But crime is only a +temporal transgression, in opposition to the general good; it draws +no consequent punishment heavier than the judgment of a broken human +law, or the resentment of the offended private parties. Morality +neither promises rewards after death nor denounces future +chastisement for error. The disciples of this independent doctrine +hold forth instances of the perfectibility of human actions, produced +by the unassisted decisions of human intellect on the limits of right +and wrong. They admire virtue, because it is beautiful. They practice +it, because it is heroic. They do not abstain from the gratification +of an intemperate wish under the belief that it is sinful, but in +obedience to their reason, which rejects the commission of a vicious +act because it is uncomely. In the first case, God is their judge; in +the latter, themselves. The comparison need only be proposed, to +humble the pride that made it necessary. How do these systematizers +refine and subtilize? How do they dwell on the principle of virtue, +and turn it in every metaphysical light, until their philosophy +rarifies it to nothing! Some degrade, and others abandon, the only +basis on which an upright character can stand with firmness. The +bulwark which Revelation erected between the passions and the soul is +levelled first; and then that instinctive rule of right which the +modern casuist denominates the citadel of virtue falls of course. + +By such gradations the progress of depravity is accomplished; and the +general leaven having worked to Lady Sara's mind on such premises, +(though she might not arrange them so distinctly,) she deduced that +what is called conjugal right is a mere establishment of man, and +might be extended or limited by him to any length he pleased. For +instance, the Turks were not content with one wife, but appropriated +hundreds to one man; and because such indulgence was permitted by +Mohammed, no other nation presumed to call them culpable. + +Hence she thought that if she could once reconcile herself to believe +that her own happiness was dearer to her than the notice of half a +thousand people to whom she was indifferent; that only in their +opinion and the world's her flying to the protection of Thaddeus +would be crime;--could she confidently think this, what should deter +her from instantly throwing herself into the arms of the man she +loved? [Footnote: Such were the moral tactics for human conduct at +the commencement of this century. But, thanks to the patience of God, +he has given a better spirit to the present age,--to his philosophy +an admirable development of the wisdom and beneficence of his works, +instead of the former metaphysical vanities and contradictory +bewilderments of opinions concerning the divine nature and the +elements of man, which, as far as a demon-spirit could go, had +plunged the created world, both physically and morally, into the +darkness of chaos again. The Holy Scriptures are now the foundation +studies of our country, and her ark is safe.--1845.] + +"Ah!" cried the thus self-deluded Lady Sara, one night, as she +traversed her chamber in a paroxysm of tears; "what are the vows I +have sworn? How can I keep them? I have sworn to love, to honor +Captain Ross; but in spite of myself, without any action of my own, I +have broken both these oaths. I cannot love him; I hate him; and I +cannot honor the man I hate. What have I else to break? Nothing. Ny +nuptial vow is as completely annihilated as if I had left him never +to return. How?" cried she, after a pause of some minutes, "how shall +I know what passes in the mind of Constantine? Did he love me, would +he protect me, I would brave the whole universe. Oh, I should be the +happiest of the happy!" + +Fatal conclusion of reflection! It infected her dreaming and her +waking fancy. She regarded everything as an enemy that opposed her +passion; and as the first of these enemies, she detested Lady +Tinemouth. The countess's last admonishing letter enraged her by its +arguments; and, throwing it into the fire with execrations and tears, +she determined to pursue her own will, but to affect being influenced +by her ladyship's counsels. + +The Count Sobieski, who surmised not the hundredth part of the +infatuation of Lady Sara, began to hope that her ardent manner had +misled him, or that she had seen the danger of such imprudence. + +Under these impressions, the party for the theatre was settled; and +Thaddeus, after sitting an hour in Grosvenor Place, returned to his +humble home, and attendance on his venerated friend. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +MARY BEAUFORT AND HER VENERABLE AUNT. + + +The addition of Miss Dorothy Somerset and Miss Beaufort to the +morning group at Lady Dundas's imparted a less reluctant motion to +the before tardy feet of the count, whenever he turned them towards +Harley Street. + +Miss Dorothy readily supposed him to have been better born than he +appeared; and displeased with the treatment he had received from Miss +Dundas and her guests, behaved to him herself with the most +gratifying politeness. + +Aunt Dorothy (for that was the title by which every branch of the +baronet's family addressed her) was full twenty years the senior of +her brother, Sir Robert Somerset. Having in her youth been thought +very like the famous and lovely Mrs. Woffington, she had been +considered the beauty of her time, and, as such, for ten years +continued the reigning belle. Nevertheless, she arrived at the age, +of seventy-two without having been either the object or the subject +of a fervent passion. + +Possessing a fine understanding, a refined taste, and fine feelings, +by some chance she had escaped love. It cannot be denied that she was +much admired, much respected, and much esteemed, and that she +received two or three splendid proposals from men of rank. Some of +those men she admired, some she respected, and some she esteemed, but +not one did she love, and she successively refused them all. Shortly +after their discharge, they generally consoled themselves by marrying +other women, who, perhaps, wanted both the charms and the sense of +Miss Somerset; yet she congratulated them on their choice, and +usually became the warm friend of the happy couple. + +Thus year passed over year; Miss Somerset continued the esteemed of +every worthy heart, though she could not then kindle the embers of a +livelier glow in any one of them; and at the epoch called a +_certain age_, she found herself an old maid, but possessing so +much good humor and affection towards the young people about her, she +did not need any of her own to mingle in the circle. + +This amiable old lady usually took her knitting into the library +before the fair students; and whenever Thaddeus entered the room, (so +natural is it for generous natures to sympathize,) his eyes first +sought her venerable figure; then glancing around to catch an +assuring beam from the lovely countenance of her niece, he seated +himself with confidence. + +The presence of these ladies operated as a more than sufficient +antidote to the disagreeableness of his situation. To them he +directed all the attention that was not required by his occupation; +he heard them only speak when a hundred others were talking; he saw +them only when a hundred others were in company. + +In addition to this pleasant change, Miss Euphemia's passion assumed +a less tormenting form. She had been reading Madame d'Arblay's +Camilla; and becoming enamored of the delicacy and pensive silence of +the interesting heroine, she determined on adopting the same +character; and at the same time taking it into her ever-creative +brain that Constantine's coldness bore a striking affinity to the +caution of Edgar Mandelbert, she wiped the rouge from her pretty +face, and prepared to "let concealment, like a worm in the bud, feed +on her damask cheek." + +To afford decorous support to this fancy, her gayest clothes were +thrown aside, to make way for a negligence of apparel which cost her +two hours each morning to compose. Her dimpling smiles were now quite +banished. She was ever sighing, and ever silent, and ever lolling and +leaning about; reclining along sofas, or in some disconsolate +attitude, grouping herself with one of the marble urns, and sitting +"like Patience on a monument smiling at grief." + +Thaddeus preferred this pathetic whim to her former Sapphic follies; +it afforded him quiet, and relieved him from much embarrassment. + +Every succeeding visit induced Miss Beaufort to observe him with a +more lively interest. The nobleness yet humility with which he +behaved towards herself and her aunt, and the manly serenity with +which he suffered the insulting sarcasms of Miss Dundas, led her not +merely to conceive but to entertain many doubts that his present +situation was that of his birth. + +The lady visitors who dropped in on the sisters' studies were not +backward in espousing the game of ridicule, as it played away a few +minutes, to join in a laugh with the "witty Diana." These gracious +beings thought their sex gave them privilege to offend; but it was +not always that the gentlemen durst venture beyond a shrug of the +shoulder, a drop of the lip, a wink of the eye, or a raising of the +brows. Mary observed with contempt that they were prudent enough not +to exercise even these specimens of a mean hostility except when its +noble object had turned his back, and regarding him with increased +admiration, she was indignant, and then disdainful, at the envy which +actuated these men to treat with affected scorn him whom they +secretly feared. + +[Illustration: MISS EUPHEMIA DUNDAS.] + +The occasional calls of Lady Tinemouth and Miss Egerton stimulated +the cabal against Thaddeus. The sincere sentiment of equality with +themselves which these two ladies evinced by their behavior to him, +and the same conduct being adopted by Miss Dorothy and her beautiful +niece, besides the evident partiality of Euphemia, altogether +inflamed the spleen of Miss Dundas, and excited her _coterie_ to +acts of the most extravagant rudeness. + +The little phalanx, at the head of which was the superb Diana, could +offer no real reason for disliking a man who was not only their +inferior, but who had never offended them even by implication. It was +a sufficient apology to their easy consciences that "he gave himself +such courtly airs as were quite ridiculous--that his presumption was +astonishing. In short, they were all idle, and it was exceedingly +amusing to lounge a morning with the rich Dundases and hoax +Monsieur." + +Had Thaddeus known one fourth of the insolent derision with which his +misfortunes were treated behind his back, perhaps even his friend's +necessity could not have detained him in his employment. The +brightness of a brave man's name makes shadows perceptible which +might pass unmarked over a duller surface. Sobieski's delicate honor +would have supposed itself sullied by enduring such contumely with +toleration. But, as was said before, the male adjuncts of Miss Dundas +had received so opportune a warning from an accidental knitting of +the count's brow, they never after could muster temerity to sport +their wit to his face. + +These circumstances were not lost upon Mary; she collected them as +part of a treasure, and turned them over on her pillow with the +jealous examination of a miser. Like Euphemia, she supposed Thaddeus +to be other than he seemed. Yet her fancy did not suppose him gifted +with the blood of the Bourbons; she merely believed him to be a +gentleman; and from the maternal manner of Lady Tinemouth towards +him, she suspected that her ladyship knew more of his history than +she chose to reveal. + +Things were in this state, when the countess requested that Miss +Dorothy would allow her niece to make one in her party to the +Haymarket Theatre. The good lady having consented, Miss Beaufort +received the permission with pleasure; and as she was to sup in +Grosvenor Place, she ventured to hope that something might fall from +her hostess or Miss Egerton which would throw a light on the true +situation of Mr. Constantine. + +From infancy Miss Beaufort had loved with enthusiasm all kinds of +excellence. Indeed, she esteemed no person warmly whom she did no +think exalted by their virtues above the common race of mankind. She +sought for something to respect in every character; and when she +found anything to greatly admire, her ardent soul blazed, and by its +own pure flame lit her to a closer inspection of the object about +whom she had become more than usually interested. + +In former years Lady Somerset collected all the virtue and talent in +the country around her table, and it was now found that they were not +brought there on a vain errand. From them Miss Beaufort gathered her +best lessons in conduct and taste, and from them her earliest +perceptions of friendship. Mary was the beloved pupil and respected +friend of the brightest characters in England; and though some of +them were men who had not passed the age of forty, she never had been +in love, nor had she mistaken the nature of her esteem so far as to +call it by that name. Hence she was neither afraid nor ashamed to +acknowledge a correspondence she knew to be her highest distinction. +But had the frank and innocent Mary exhibited half the like +attentions which she paid to these men in one hour to the common +class of young men through the course of a month, they would have +declared that the poor girl was over head and ears in love with them, +and have pitied what they would have justly denominated her folly. +Foolish must that woman be who would sacrifice the most precious gift +in her possession--her heart--to the superficial graces or empty +blandishments of a self-idolized coxcomb! + +Such a being was not Mary Beaufort; and on these principles she +contemplated the extraordinary fine qualities she saw in the exiled +Thaddeus with an interest honorable to her penetration and her heart. + +When Miss Egerton called with Lady Sara Ross to take Miss Beaufort to +the Haymarket, Mary was not displeased at seeing Mr. Constantine step +out of the carnage to hand her in. During their drive, Miss Egerton +informed her that Lady Tinemouth had been suddenly seized with a +headache, but that Lady Sara had kindly undertaken to be their +chaperon, and had promised to return with them to sup in Grosvenor +Place. + +Lady Sara had never seen Mary, though she had frequently heard of her +beauty and vast fortune. This last qualification her ladyship hoped +might have given an unmerited _éclat_ to the first; therefore +when she saw in Miss Beaufort the most beautiful creature she had +ever beheld, nothing could equal her surprise and vexation. + +The happy lustre that beamed in the fine eyes of Mary shone like a +vivifying influence around her; a bright glow animated her cheek, +whilst a pleasure for which she did not seek to account bounded at +her heart, and modulated every tone of her voice to sweetness and +enchantment. + +"Syren!" thought Lady Sara, withdrawing her large dark eyes from her +face, and turning them full of dissolving languor upon Thaddeus; +"here are all thy charms directed!" then drawing a sigh, so deep that +it made her neighbor start, she fixed her eyes on her fan, and never +looked up again until they had reached the playhouse. + +The curtain was raised as the little party seated themselves in the +box. + +"Can anybody tell me what the play is?" asked Lady Sara. + +"I never thought of inquiring," replied Sophia. + +"I looked in the newspaper this morning," said Miss Beaufort, "and I +think it is called _Sighs_,--a translation from a drama of +Kotzebue's." + +"A strange title!" was the general observation. When Mr. Suett, who +personated one of the characters, began to speak, their attention was +summoned to the stage. + +On the entrance of Mr. Charles Kemble in the character of Adelbert, +the count unconsciously turned pale. He perceived by the dress of the +actor that he was to personate a Pole; and alarmed at the probability +of seeing something to recall recollections which he had striven to +banish, his agitation did not allow him to hear anything that was +said for some minutes. + +Miss Egerton was not so tardy in the use of her eyes and ears; and +stretching out her hand to the back of the box, where Thaddeus was +standing by Lady Sara's chair, she caught hold of his sleeve. + +"There, Mr. Constantine!" cried she; "look at Adelbert! that is +exactly the figure you cut in your outlandish gear two months ago." + +Thaddeus bowed with a forced smile, and glancing at the stage, +replied-- + +"Then, for the first time in my life, I regret having followed a +lady's advice; I think I must have lost by the change." + +"Yes," rejoined she, "you have lost much fur and much embroidery, but +you now look much more like a Christian.'" + +The substance of these speeches was not lost on Mary, who continued +with redoubling interest to mark the changes his countenance +underwent along with the scene. As she sat forward, by a slight turn +of the head she could discern the smallest fluctuation in his +features, and they were not a few. Placing himself at the back of +Lady Sara's chair, he leaned over, with his soul set in his eye, +watching every motion of Mr. Charles Kemble. + +Mary knew, by some accidental words from Lady Tinemouth, that +Constantine was a Polander, and the surmise she had entertained of +his being unfortunate received full corroboration at the scene in +which Adelbert is grossly insulted by the rich merchant. During the +whole of it, she scarcely dared trust her eyes towards Constantine's +flushed and agitated face. + +The interview between Adelbert and Leopold commenced. When the former +was describing his country's miseries with his own, Thaddeus unable +to bear it longer, unobserved by any but Mary, drew back into the +box. In a moment or two afterwards Mr. Charles Kemble made the +following reply to an observation of Leopold's, that "poverty is no +dishonor." + +"Certainly none to me! To Poland, to my struggling country, I +sacrificed my wealth, as I would have sacrificed my life if she had +required it. My country is no more; and we are wanderers on a +burdened earth, finding no refuge but in the hearts of the humane and +virtuous." + +The passion and force of these words could not fail of reaching the +ears of Thaddeus. Mary's attention followed them to their object, by +the heaving of whose breast she plainly discovered the anguish of +their effect. Her heart beat with increased violence. How willingly +would she have approached him, and said something of sympathy, of +consolation! but she durst not; and she turned away her tearful eye, +and looked again towards the stage. + +Lady Sara now stood up, and hanging over Mary's chair, listened with +congenial emotions to the scene between Adelbert and the innocent +Rose. Lady Sara felt it all in her own bosom; and looking round to +catch what was passing in the count's mind, she beheld him leaning +against the box, with his head inclined to the curtain of the door. +"Mr. Constantine!" almost unconsciously escaped her lips. He started, +and discovered by the humidity on his eyelashes why he had withdrawn. +Her ladyship's tears were gliding down her cheeks. Miss Egerton, +greatly amazed at the oddness of this closet scene, turned to Miss +Beaufort, who a moment before having caught a glimpse of the +distressed countenance of the count, could only bow her head to +Sophia's sportive observation. + +Who is there that can enter into the secret folds of the heart and +know all its miseries? Who participate in that joy which dissolves +and rarifies man to the essence of heaven? Soul must mingle with +soul, and the ethereal voice of spirits must speak before these +things can be comprehended. + +Ready to suffocate with the emotions she repelled from her eyes, Mary +gladly affected to be absorbed in the business of the stage, (not one +object of which she now saw), and with breathless attention lost not +one soft whisper which Lady Sara poured into the ear of Thaddeus. + +"Why," asked her ladyship, in a tremulous and low tone, "why should +we seek ideal sorrows, when those of our own hearts are beyond +alleviation? Happy Rose!" sighed her ladyship. "Mr. Constantine," +continued she, "do not you think that Adelbert is consoled, at least, +by the affection of that lovely woman?" + +Like Miss Beaufort, Constantine had hitherto replied with bows only. + +"Come," added Lady Sara, laying her soft hand on his arm, and +regarding him with a look of tenderness, so unequivocal that he cast +his eyes to the ground, while its sympathy really touched his heart. +"Come," repeated she, animated by the faint color which tinged his +cheek; "you know that I have the care of this party, and I must not +allow our only _cavalier_ to be melancholy." + +"I beg your pardon, Lady Sara," returned he, gratefully pressing the +hand that yet rested on his arm; "I am not very well. I wish that I +had not seen this play." + +Lady Sara sunk into the seat from which she had risen. He had never +before taken her hand, except when assisting her to her carriage; +this pressure shook her very soul, and awakened hopes which rendered +her for a moment incapable of sustaining herself or venturing a +reply. + +There was something in the tones of Lady Sara's voice and in her +manner far more expressive than her words: mutual sighs which +breathed from her ladyship's bosom and that of Thaddeus, as they sat +down, made a cold shiver run from the head to the foot of Miss +Beaufort. Mary's surprise at the meaning of this emotion caused a +second tremor, and with a palpitating heart she asked herself a few +questions. + +Could this interesting young man, whom every person of sense appeared +to esteem and respect, sully his virtues by participating in a +passion with a married woman? No; it was impossible. + +Notwithstanding this decision, so absolute in his exculpation, her +pure heart felt a trembling, secret resolve, "even for the sake of +the honor of human nature," (she whispered to herself), to observe +him so hereafter as to be convinced of the real worth of his +principles before she would allow any increase of the interest his +apparently reversed fate had created in her compassionate bosom. + +What might be altogether the extent of that "reversed fate," she +could form no idea. For though she had heard, in common with the rest +of the general society, of the recent "melancholy fate of Poland!" +she knew little of its particulars, politics of every kind, and +especially about foreign places, being an interdicted subject in the +drawing-rooms of Sir Robert Somerset. Therefore the simply noble mind +of Mary thought more of the real nobility that might dwell in the +soul of this expatriated son of that country than of the possible +appendages of rank he might have left there. + +With her mind full of these reflections, she awaited the farce +without observing it when it appeared. Indeed, none of the party knew +anything about the piece (to see which they had professedly come to +the theatre) excepting Miss Egerton, whose ever merry spirits had +enjoyed alone the humor of Totum in the play, and who now laughed +heartily, though unaccompanied, through the ridiculous whims of the +farce. + +Nothing that passed could totally disengage the mind of Thaddeus from +those remembrances which the recent drama had aroused. When the +melting voice of Lady Sara, in whispers, tried to recall his +attention, by a start only did he evince his recollection of not +being alone. Sensible, however, to the kindness of her motive, he +exerted himself; and by the time the curtain dropped, he had so far +rallied his presence of mind as to be able to attend to the civility +of seeing the ladies safe out of the theatre. + +Miss Egerton, laughing, as he assisted her into the carriage, said, +"I verily believe, Mr. Constantine, had I glanced round during the +play, I should have seen as pretty a lachrymal scene between you and +Lady Sara as any on the stage. I won't have this flirting! I declare +I will tell Captain Ross--" + +She continued talking; but turning about to offer his service to Miss +Beaufort, he heard no more. + +Miss Beaufort, however self-composed in thought, felt strangely: she +felt cold and reserved; and undesignedly she appeared what she felt. +There was a grave dignity in her air, accompanied with a +collectedness and stillness in her before animated countenance, which +astonished and chilled Thaddeus, though she had bowed her head and +given him her hand to put her into the coach. + +On their way home Miss Egerton ran over the merits of the play and +farce; rallied Thaddeus on the "tall Pole," which she threatened +should be his epithet whenever he offended her; and then, flying from +subject to subject, talked herself and her hearers so weary, that +they internally rejoiced when the carriage stopped in Grosvenor +Place. + +After they had severally paid their respects to Lady Tinemouth, who, +being indisposed, was lying on the sofa, she desired Thaddeus to draw +a chair near her. + +"I want to learn," said she, "what you think of our English theatre?" + +"Prithee, don't ask him!" cried Miss Egerton, pouring out a glass of +water; "we have seen a tremendous brother Pole of his, who I believe +has 'hopped off' with all his spirits! Why, he has been looking as +rueful as a half-drowned man all the night; and as for Lady Sara, and +I could vow Miss Beaufort, too, they have been two Niobes--'all +tears.' So, good folks, I must drink better health to you, to save +myself from the vapors." + +"What is all this, Mr. Constantine?" asked the countess, addressing +Thaddeus, whose eyes had glanced with a ray of delighted surprise on +the blushing though displeased face of Miss Beaufort. + +"My weakness," replied he, commanding down a rising tremor in his +voice, and turning to her ladyship; "the play relates to a native of +Poland, one who, like myself, an exile in a strange land, is +subjected to sufferings and contumelies the bravest spirits may find +hard to bear. Any man may combat misery; but even the most intrepid +will shrink from insult. This, I believe, is the sum of the story. +Its resemblance in some points to my own affected me; and," added he, +looking gratefully at Lady Sara, and timidly towards Miss Beaufort, +"if these ladies have sympathized with emotions against which I +strove, but could not entirely conceal, I owe to it the sweetest +consolation now in the power of fate to bestow." + +"Poor Constantine!" cried Sophia Egerton, patting his head with one +hand, whilst with the other she wiped a tear from her always smiling +eye, "forgive me if I have hurt you. I like you vastly, though I must +now and then laugh at you; you know I hate dismals, so let this tune +enliven us all!" and flying to her piano, she played and sang two or +three merry airs, till the countess commanded her to the supper- +table. + +At this most sociable repast of the whole day, cheerfulness seemed +again to disperse the gloom which had threatened the circle. Thaddeus +set the example. His unrestrained and elegant conversation acquired +new pathos from the anguish that was driven back to his heart; like +the beds of rivers, which infuse their own nature with the current, +his hidden grief imparted an indescribable interest and charm to all +his sentiments and actions. [Footnote: When this was written, (in the +year 1804,) domestic hours were earlier; and the "supper hour" had +not then dissipation and broken rest for a consequence.] + +Mary now beheld him in his real character. Unmolested by the haughty +presence of Miss Dundas, he became unreserved, intelligent, and +enchanting. He seemed master of every subject talked on, and +discoursed on all with a grace which corroborated her waking visions +that he was as some bright star fallen from his sphere. + +With the increase of Miss Beaufort's admiration of the count's fine +talents, she gradually lost the recollection of what had occupied her +mind relative to Lady Sara; and her own beautiful countenance +dilating into confidence and delight, the evening passed away with +chastened pleasure, until the little party separated for their +several homes. + +Lady Tinemouth was more than ever fascinated by the lovely Miss +Beaufort. Miss Beaufort was equally pleased with the animation of the +countess; but when she thought on Thaddeus, she was surprised, +interested, absorbed. + +Lady Sara Ross's reflections were not less delightful. She dwelt with +redoubled passion on that look from the count's eyes, that touch of +his hand, which she thought were signs of a reciprocal awakened +flame. Both actions were forgotten by him the moment after they were +committed; yet he was not ungrateful; but whilst he acknowledged her +generous sympathy at that time, he could not but see that she was +straying to the verge of a precipice which no thoroughly virtuous +woman should ever venture to approach. + +He found a refuge from so painful a meditation in the idea of the +ingenuous Mary, on whose modest countenance virtue seemed to have +"set her seal." Whilst recollecting the pitying kindness of her voice +and looks, his heart owned the empire of purity, and in the +contemplation of her unaffected excellence, he the more deplored the +witcheries of Lady Sara, and the dangerous uses to which her +impetuous feelings addressed them. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +HYDE PARK. + + +Next morning, when Thaddeus approached the general's bed to give him +his coffee, he found him feverish, and his mind more than usually +unsettled. + +The count awaited with anxiety the arrival of the benevolent +Cavendish, whom he expected. When he appeared, he declared his +increased alarm. Dr. Cavendish having felt the patient's pulse, +expressed a wish that he could be induced to take a little exercise. +Thaddeus had often urged this necessity to his friend, but met with +constant refusals. He hopelessly repeated the entreaty now, when, to +his surprise and satisfaction, the old man instantly consented. + +Having seen him comfortably dressed, (for the count attended to these +minutiae with the care of a son,) the doctor said they must ride with +him to Hyde Park, where he would put them out to walk until he had +made a visit to Piccadilly, whence he would return and take them +home. + +The general not only expressed pleasure at the drive, but as the air +was warm and balmy, (it being about the beginning of June,) he made +no objection to the proposed subsequent walk. + +He admired the Park, the Serpentine River, the cottages on its bank, +and seemed highly diverted by the horsemen and carriages in the ring. +The pertinence of his remarks afforded Thaddeus a ray of hope that +his senses had not entirely lost their union with reason; and with +awakened confidence he was contemplating what might be the happy +effects of constant exercise, when the general's complaints of +weariness obliged him to stop near Piccadilly Gate, and wait the +arrival of the doctor's coach. + +He was standing against the railing, supporting Butzou. and with his +hat in his hand shading his aged friend's face from the sun, when two +or three carriages driving in, he met the eye of Miss Euphemia +Dundas, who pulling the check-string, exclaimed, "Bless me, Mr. +Constantine! Who expected to see you here? Why, your note told us you +were confined with a sick friend." + +Thaddeus bowed to her, and still sustaining the debilitated frame of +the general on his arm, advanced to the side of the coach. Miss +Beaufort, who now looked out, expressed her hope that his invalid was +better. + +"This is the friend I mentioned," said the count, turning his eyes on +the mild features of Butzou; "his physician having ordered him to +walk, I accompanied him hither." + +"Dear me! how ill you look, sir," cried Euphemia, addressing the poor +invalid; "but you are attended by a kind friend." + +"My dear lord!" exclaimed the old man, not regarding what she said, +"I must go home. I am tired; pray call up the carriage." + +Euphemia was again opening her mouth to speak, but Miss Beaufort, +perceiving a look of distress in the expressive features of Thaddeus, +interrupted her by saying, "Good-morning! Mr. Constantine. I know we +detain you and oppress that gentleman, whose pardon we ought to beg." +She bowed her head to the general, whose white hairs were blowing +about his face, as he attempted to pull the count towards the +pathway. + +"My friend cannot thank you, kind Miss Beaufort," cried Thaddeus, +with a look of gratitude that called the brightest roses to her +cheeks; "but I do from my heart!" + +"Here it is! Pray, my dear lord, come along!" cried Butzou. Thaddeus, +seeing that his information was right, bowed to the ladies, and their +carriage drove off. + +Though the wheels of Lady Dundas's coach rolled away from the +retreating figures of Thaddeus and his friend, the images of both +occupied the meditations of Euphemia and Miss Beaufort whilst, +_tete-à-tete_ and in silence, they made the circuit of the Park. + +When the carriage again passed the spot on which the subject of their +thoughts had stood, Mary almost mechanically looked out towards the +gate. + +"Is he gone yet?" asked Euphemia, sighing deeply. + +Mary drew in her head with the quickness of conscious guilt; and +whilst a color stained her face, which of itself might have betrayed +her prevarication, she asked, "Who?" + +"Mr. Constantine," replied Euphemia, with a second sigh. "Did you +remark, Mary, how gracefully he supported that sick old gentleman? +Was it not the very personification of Youth upholding the fainting +steps of Age? He put me in mind of the charming young prince, whose +name I forget, leading the old Belisarius." + +"Yes," returned Mary ashamed of the momentary insincerity couched in +her former uncertain replying word, "Who?" yet still adding, while +trying to smile, "but some people might call our ideas enthusiasm." + +"So all tell me," replied Euphemia; "so all say who neither possess +the sensibility nor the candor to allow that great merit may exist +without being associated with great rank. Yet," cried she, in a more +animated tone, "I have my doubts, Mary, of his being what he seems. +Did you observe the sick gentleman call him _My lord?_" + +"I did," returned Mary, "and I was not surprised. Such manners as Mr. +Constantine's are not to be acquired in a cottage." + +"Dear, dear Mary!" cried Euphemia, flinging her ivory arms round her +neck; "how I love you for these words! You are generous, you think +nobly, and I will no longer hesitate to--to--" and breaking off, she +hid her head in Miss Beaufort's bosom. + +Mary's heart throbbed, her cheeks grew pale, and almost unconsciously +she wished to stop the tide of Miss Dundas's confidence. + +"Dear Euphemia!" answered she, "your regard for this interesting +exile is very praiseworthy. But beware of----." She hesitated; a +remorseful twitch in her own breast stayed the warning that was +rising to her tongue; and blushing at a motive she could not at the +instant assign to friendship, selfishness, or to any interest she +would not avow to herself, she touched the cheek of Euphemia with her +quivering lips. + +Euphemia had finished the sentence for her, and raising her head, +exclaimed, "What should I fear in esteeming Mr. Constantine? Is he +not the most captivating creature in the world! And for his person! +Oh, Mary, he is so beautiful, that when the library is filled with +the handsomest men in town, the moment Constantine enters, their +reign is over. I compare them with his godlike figure, and I feel as +one looking at the sun; all other objects appear dim and shapeless." + +"I hope," returned Mary,--pressing her own forehead with her hand, +her head beginning to ache strangely,--"that Mr. Constantine does not +owe your friendship to his fine person. I think his mental qualities +are more deserving of such a gift." + +"Don't look so severe, dear Mary!" cried Miss Dundas, observing her +contracting brow; "are you displeased with me?" + +Mary's displeasure was at the austerity of her own words, and not at +her auditor. Raising her eyes with a smile, she gently replied, "I do +not mean, my dear girl, to be severe; but I would wish, for the honor +of our sex, that the objects which attract either our love or our +compassion should have something more precious than mere exterior +beauty to engage our interest." + +"Well, I will soon be satisfied," cried Euphemia, in a gayer tone, as +they drove through Grosvenor Gate; "we all know that Constantine is +sensible and accomplished: he writes poetry like an angel, both in +French and Italian. I have hundreds of mottoes composed by him; one +of them, Mary, is on the work-box I gave you yesterday; and, what is +more, I will ask him to-morrow why that old gentleman called him +_My lord?_ It he be a lord!" exclaimed she. + +"What then?" inquired the eloquent eyes of Mary. + +"Don't look so impertinent, my dear," cried the now animated beauty: +"I positively won't say another word to you today." + +Miss Beaufort's headache became so painful, she rejoiced when +Euphemia ceased and the carriage drew up to Lady Dundas's door. + +A night of almost unremitted sleep performed such good effects on the +general condition of General Butzou, that Dr. Cavendish thought his +patient so much better as to sanction his hoping the best +consequences from a frequent repetition of air and exercise. When the +drive and walk had accordingly been repeated the following day, +Thaddeus left his friend to his maps, and little Nanny's attendance, +and once more took the way to Harley Street. + +He found only Miss Dundas with her sister in the study. Mary (against +her will, which she opposed because it was her will) had gone out +shopping with Miss Dorothy and Lady Dundas. + +Miss Dundas left the room the moment she had finished her lessons. + +Delighted at being _tete-à-tete_ with the object of her romantic +fancies, Euphemia forgot that she was to act the retreating character +of Madame d'Arblay's heroine; and shutting her book the instant Diana +disappeared, all at once opened her attack on his confidence. + +To her eager questions, which the few words of the general had +excited, the count afforded no other reply than that his poor friend +knew not what he said, having been a long time in a state of mental +derangement. + +This explanation caused a momentary mortification in the imaginative +Euphemia; but her busy mind was nimble in its erection of airy +castles, and she rallied in a moment with the idea that "he might be +more than a lord." At any rate, let him be what he may, he charmed +her; and he had much ado to parry the increasing boldness of her +speeches, without letting her see they were understood. + +"You are very diffident, Mr. Constantine," cried she, looking down. +"If I consider you worthy of my friendship, why should _you_ +make disqualifying assertions?" + +"Every man, madam," returned Thaddeus, bowing as he rose from his +chair, "must be diffident of deserving the honor of your notice." + +"There is no man living," replied she, "to whom I would offer my +friendship but yourself." + +Thaddeus bit his lip; he knew not what to answer. Bowing a second +time, he stretched out his hand and drew his hat towards him. +Euphemia's eyes followed the movement. + +"You are in a prodigious haste, Mr. Constantine!" + +"I know I intrude, madam; and I have promised to be with my sick +friend at an early hour." + +"Well, you may go, since you are obliged," returned the pretty +Euphemia, rising, and smiling sweetly as she laid one hand on his arm +and put the other into her tucker. She drew out a little white +leather _souvenir_, marked on the back in gold letters with the +words, "_Toujours cher_;" and slipping it into his hand, "There, +receive that, _monsignor_, or whatever else you may be called, +and retain it as the first pledge of Euphemia Dundas's friendship." + +Thaddeus colored as he took it; and again having recourse to the +convenient reply of a bow, left the room in embarrassed vexation. + +There was an indelicacy in this absolutely wooing conduct of Miss +Euphemia which, notwithstanding her beauty and the softness that was +its vehicle, filled him with the deepest disgust. He could not trace +real affection in her words or manner; and that any woman, instigated +by a mere whim, should lay aside the maidenly reserves of her sex, +and actually court his regard, surprised whilst it impelled him to +loathe her. + +They who adopt Euphemia's sentiments,--and, alas! there are some,-- +can be little aware of the conclusion which society infer from such +intemperate behavior. The mistaken creature who, either at the +impulsion of her own disposition or by the influence of example, is +induced to despise the guard of modesty, literally "forsakes the +guide of her youth" and leaves herself open to every attack which man +can devise against her. By levelling the barrier raised by nature, +she herself exposes the stronghold of virtue, and may find, too late +for recovery, that what modesty has abandoned is not long spared by +honor. + +Euphemia's affected attachment suggested to Thaddeus a few unpleasant +recollections respecting the fervent and unequivocal passion of Lady +Sara. Though guilty, it sprung from a headlong ardor of disposition +which formed at once the error and its palliation. He saw that love +was not welcomed by her (at least he thought so) as a plaything, but +struggled against as with a foe. He had witnessed her tortures; he +pitied them, and to render her happy, would gladly have made any +sacrifice short of his conscience. Too well assured of being all the +world to Lady Sara, the belief that Miss Euphemia liked him only from +idleness, caprice, and contradiction, caused him to repay her +overtures with decided contempt. + +When he arrived at home, he threw on his table the pocket-book whose +unambiguous motto made him scorn her, and almost himself for being +the object of such folly. Looking round his humble room, whose +wicker-chairs, oil-cloth floor, and uncurtained windows announced +anything but elegance: "Poor Euphemia!" said he; "how would you be +dismayed were the indigent Constantine to really take you at your +word, and bring you home to a habitation like this!" + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +INFLUENCES OF CHARACTER. + + +The recital of the preceding scene, which was communicated to Miss +Beaufort by Euphemia, filled her with still more doubting thoughts. + +Mary could discover no reason why the old gentleman's mental +derangement should dignify his friend with titles he had never borne. +She remarked to herself that his answer to Euphemia was evasive; she +remembered his emotion and apology on seeing Mr. C. Kemble in +Adelbert; and uniting with these facts his manners and acquirements, +so far beyond the charges of any subordinate rank, she could finally +retain no doubt of his being at least well born. + +Thus this mysterious Constantine continued to occupy her hourly +thoughts during the space of two months, in which time she had full +opportunity to learn much of a character with whom she associated +almost every day. At Lady Tinemouth's (one of whose evening guests +she frequently became) she beheld him disencumbered of that armor of +reserve which he usually wore in Harley Street. + +In the circle of the countess, Mary saw him welcomed like an idolized +being before whose cheering influence all frowns and clouds must +disappear. When he entered, the smile resumed its seat on the languid +features of Lady Tinemouth; Miss Egerton's eye lighted up to keener +archness; Lady Sara's Circassian orbs floated in pleasure; and for +Mary herself, her breast heaved, her cheeks glowed, her hands +trembled, a quick sigh fluttered in her bosom; and whilst she +remained in his presence, she believed that happiness had lost its +usual evanescent property, and become tangible, to hold and press +upon her heart. + +Mary, who investigated the cause of these tremors on her pillow, +bedewed it with delicious though bitter tears, when her alarmed soul +whispered that she nourished for this amiable foreigner "a something +than friendship dearer." + +"Ah! is it come to this?" cried she, pressing down her saturated +eyelids with her hand. "Am I at last to love a man who, perhaps, +never casts a thought on me? How despicable shall I become in my own +eyes!" + +The pride of woman puts this charge to her taken heart--that heart +which seems tempered of the purest clay, and warmed with the fire of +heaven; that tender and disinterested heart asks as its appeal--What +is love? Is it not an admiration of all that is beautiful in nature +and in the soul? Is it not a union of loveliness with truth? Is it +not a passion whose sole object is the rapture of contemplating the +supreme beauty of this combined character? + +"Where, then," cried the enthusiastic Mary, "where is the shame that +can be annexed to my loving Constantine? If it be honorable to love +delineated excellence, it must be equally so to love it when embodied +in a human shape. Such it is in Constantine; and if love be the +reflected light of virtue, I may cease to arraign myself of that +which otherwise I would have scorned. Therefore, Constantine," cried +she, raising her clasped hands, whilst renewed tears streamed over +her face, "I will love thee! I will pray for thy happiness, though +its partner should be Euphemia Dundas." + +Mary's eager imagination would not allow her to perceive those +obstacles in the shapes of pride and prudence, which would stand in +the way of his obtaining Euphemia's hand; its light showed to her +only a rival in the person of the little beauty; but from her direct +confidence she continued to retreat with abhorrence. + +Had Euphemia been more deserving of Constantine, Miss Beaufort +believed she would have been less reluctant to hear that she loved +him. But Mary could not avoid seeing that Miss E. Dundas possessed +little to ensure connubial comfort, if mere beauty and accidental +flights of good humor were not to be admitted into the scale. She was +weak in understanding, timid in principle, absurd in almost every +opinion she adopted; and as for love, true, dignified, respectable +love, she knew nothing of the sentiment. + +Whilst Miss Beaufort meditated on this meagre schedule of her rival's +merits, the probability that even such a man as Constantine might +sacrifice himself to flattery and to splendor stung her to the soul. + +The more she reflected on it, the more she conceived it possible. +Euphemia was considered a beauty of the day; her affectation of +refined prettiness pleased many, and might charm Constantine: she was +mistress of fifty thousand pounds, and did not esteem it necessary to +conceal from her favorite the empire he had acquired. Perhaps there +was generosity in this openness? If so, what might it not effect on a +grateful disposition? or, rather, (her mortified heart murmured in +the words of her aunt Dorothy,) "how might it not operate on the mind +of one of that sex, which, at the best, is as often moved by caprice +as by feeling." + +Mary blushed at her adoption of this opinion; and, angry with herself +for the injustice which a lurking jealousy had excited in her to +apply to Constantine's noble nature, she resolved, whatever might be +her struggles, to promote his happiness, though even with Euphemia, +to the utmost of her power. + +The next morning, when Miss Beaufort saw the study door opened for +her entrance, she found Mr. Constantine at his station, literally +baited between Miss Dundas and her honorable lover. At such moments +Mary appeared the kindest of the kind. She loved to see Constantine +smile; and whenever she could produce that effect, by turning the +spleen of these polite sneerers against themselves, his smiles, which +ever entered her heart, afforded her a banquet for hours after his +departure. + +Mary drew out her netting, (which was a purse for Lady Tinemouth,) +and taking a seat beside Euphemia, united with her to occupy his +attention entirely, that he might not catch even one of those +insolent glances which were passing between Lascelles and a new +visitant the pretty lady Hilliars. + +This lady seemed to take extreme pleasure in accosting Thaddeus by +the appellation of "Friend," "My good man," "Mr. What's-your-name," +and similar squibs of insult, with which the prosperous assail the +unfortunate. Such random shots they know often inflict the most +galling wounds. + +However, "Friend," "My good man," and "Mr. What's-your-name," +disappointed this lady's small artillery of effect. He seemed +invulnerable both to her insolence and to her affectation; for to be +thought a wit, by even Miss Dundas's emigrant tutor, was not to be +despised; though at the very moment in which she desired his +admiration, she supposed her haughtiness had impressed him with a +proper sense of his own meanness and a high conception of her +dignity. + +She jumped about the room, assumed infantine airs, played with +Euphemia's lap-dag, fondled it, seated herself on the floor and swept +the carpet with her fine flaxen tresses; but she performed the +routine of captivation in vain. Thaddeus recollected having seen this +pretty full-grown baby, in her peculiar character of a profligate +wife, pawning her own and her husband's property; he remembered this, +and the united shafts of her charms and folly fell unnoticed to the +ground. + +When Thaddeus took his leave, Miss Beaufort, as was her custom, +retired for an hour to read in her dressing-room, before she directed +her attention to the toilet. She opened a book, and ran over a few +pages of Madame de Stael's Treatise on the Passions; but such +reasoning was too abstract for her present frame of mind, and she +laid the volume down. + +She dipped her pen in the inkstand. Being a letter in debt to her +guardian, she thought she would defray it now. She accomplished "My +dear uncle," and stopped. Whilst she rested on her elbow, and, +heedless of what she was doing, picked the feather of her quill to +pieces, no other idea offered itself than the figure of Thaddeus +sitting 'severe in youthful beauty!' and surrounded by the +contumelies with which the unworthy hope to disparage the merit they +can neither emulate nor overlook. + +Uneasy with herself, she pushed the table away, and, leaning her +cheek on her arm, gazed into the rainbow varieties of a beaupot of +flowers which occupied the fireplace. Even their gay colors appeared +to fade before her sight, and present to her vacant eye the form of +Thaddeus, with the melancholy air which shaded his movements. She +turned round, but could not disengage herself from the spirit that +was within her; his half-suppressed sighs seemed yet to thrill in her +ear and weigh upon her heart. + +"Incomparable young man!" cried she, starting up, "why art thou so +wretched? Oh! Lady Tinemouth, why have you told me of his many +virtues? Why have I convinced myself that what you said is true? Oh! +why was I formed to love an excellence which I never can approach?" + +The natural reply to these self-demanded questions suggesting itself, +she assented with a tear to the whisperings of her heart--that when +cool, calculating reason would banish the affections, it is incapable +of filling their place. + +She rang the bell for her maid. + +"Marshall, who dines with Lady Dundas to-day?" + +"I believe, ma'am," replied the girl, "Mr. Lascelles, Lady Hilliars, +and the Marquis of Elesmere." + +"I dislike them all three!" cried Mary, with an impatience to which +she was little liable; "dress me how you like: I am indifferent to my +appearance." + +Marshall obeyed the commands of her lady, who, hoping to divert her +thoughts, took up the poems of Egerton Brydges. But the attempt only +deepened her emotion, for every line in that exquisite little volume +"gives a very echo to the seat where love is throned!" + +She closed the book and sighed. Marshall having fixed the last pearl +comb in her mistress's beautiful hair, and observing that something +was wrong that disquieted her, exclaimed, "Dear ma'am, you are so +pale to-day! I wish I might put on some gayer ornaments!" + +"No," returned Mary, glancing a look at her languid features; "no, +Marshall: I appear as well as I desire. Any chance of passing +unnoticed in company I dislike is worth retaining. No one will be +here this evening whom I care to please." + +She was mistaken; other company had been invited besides those whom +the maid mentioned. But Miss Beaufort continued from seven o'clock +until ten, the period at which the ladies left the table, the annoyed +victim of the insipid and pert compliments of Lord Elesmere. + +Sick of his subjectless and dragging conversation, she gladly +followed Lady Dundas to the drawing-room, where, opening her knitting +case, she took her station in a remote corner. + +After half an hour had elapsed, the gentlemen from below, recruited +by fresh company, thronged in fast; and, notwithstanding it was +styled a family party, Miss Beaufort saw many new faces, amongst whom +she observed an elderly clergyman, who was looking about for a chair. +The yawning Lascelles threw himself along the only vacant sofa, just +as the reverend gentleman approached it. + +Miss Beaufort immediately rose, and was moving on to another room, +when the coxcomb, springing up, begged permission to admire her work; +and, without permission, taking it from her, pursued her, twisting +the purse around his fingers and talking all the while. + +Mary walked forward, smiling with contempt, until they reached the +saloon, where the Misses Dundas were closely engaged in conversation +with the Marquis of Elesmere. + +Lascelles, who trembled for his Golconda at this sight, stepped +briskly up. Miss Beaufort, who did not wish to lose sight of her +purse whilst in the power of such a Lothario, followed him, and +placed herself against the arm of the sofa on which Euphemia sat. + +Lascelles now bowed his scented locks to Diana in vain; Lord Elesmere +was describing the last heat at Newmarket, and the attention of +neither lady could be withdrawn. + +The beau became so irritated by the neglect of Euphemia, and so +nettled at her sister's overlooking him, that assuming a gay air, he +struck Miss Dundas's arm a smart stroke with Miss Beaufort's purse; +and laughing, to show the strong opposition between his broad white +teeth and the miserable mouth of his lordly rival, hoped to alarm him +by his familiarity, and to obtain a triumph over the ladies by +degrading them in the eyes of the peer. + +"Miss Dundas," demanded he, "who was that quiz of a man in black your +sister walked with the other day in Portland Place?" + +"Me!" cried Euphemia, surprised. + +"Ay!" returned he; "I was crossing from Weymouth Street, when I +perceived you accost a strange-looking person--a courier from the +moon, perhaps! You may remember you sauntered with him as far as +Sir William Miller's. I would have joined you, but seeing the family +standing in the balcony, I did not wish them to suppose that I knew +anything of such queer company." + +"Who was it, Euphemia?" inquired Miss Dundas, in a severe tone. + +"I wonder he affects to be ignorant," answered her sister, angrily; +"he knows very well it was only Mr. Constantine." + +"And who is Mr. Constantine?" demanded the marquis. Mr. Lascelles +shrugged his shoulders. + +"E'faith, my lord! a fellow whom nobody knows--a teacher of +languages, giving himself the airs of a prince--a writer of poetry, +and a man who will draw you, your house or dogs, if you will pay him +for it." + +Mary's heart swelled. + +"What, a French emigrant?" drawled his lordship, dropping his lip; +"and the lovely Euphemia wishes to soothe his sorrows." + +"No, my lord," stammered Euphemia, "he is--he is----" + +"What!" interrupted Lascelles, with a malicious grin. "A wandering +beggar, who thrusts himself into society which may some day repay his +insolence with chastisement! And for the people who encourage him, +they had better beware of being themselves driven from all good +company. Such confounders of degrees ought to be degraded from the +rank they disgrace. I understand his chief protectress is Lady +Tinemouth; his second, Lady Sara Ross, who, by way of _passant le +temps,_ shows she is not quite inconsolable at the absence of her +husband." + +Mary, pale and trembling at the scandal his last words insinuated, +opened her lips to speak, when Miss Dundas (whose angry eyes darted +from her sister to her lover) exclaimed, "Mr. Lascelles, I know not +what you mean. The subject you have taken up is below my discussion; +yet I must confess, if Euphemia has ever disgraced herself so far as +to be seen walking with a schoolmaster, she deserves all you have +said." + +"And why might I not walk with him, sister?" asked the poor culprit, +suddenly recovering from her confusion, and looking pertly up; "who +knew that he was not a gentleman?" + +"Everybody, ma'am," interrupted Lascelles; "and when a young woman of +fashion condescends to be seen equalizing herself with a creature +depending on his wits for support, she is very likely to incur the +contempt of her acquaintance and the censure of her friends." + +"She is, sir," said Mary, holding down her indignant heart and +forcing her countenance to appear serene; "for she ought to know that +if those men of fashion, who have no wit to be either their support +or ornament, did not proscribe talents from their circle, they must +soon find 'the greater glory dim the less.'" + +"True, madam," cried Lord Berrington, who, having entered during the +contest, had stood unobserved until this moment; "and their gold and +tinsel would prove but dross and bubble, if struck by the Ithuriel +touch of Merit when so advocated." + +Mary turned at the sound of his philanthropic voice, and gave him one +of those glances which go immediately to the soul. + +"Come, Miss Beaufort," cried he, taking her hand; "I see the young +musician yonder who has so recently astonished the public. I believe +he is going to sing. Let us leave this discordant corner, and seek +harmony by his side." + +Mary gladly acceded to his request, and seating herself a few paces +from the musical party, Berrington took his station behind her chair. + +When the last melting notes of "From shades of night" died upon her +ear, Mary's eyes, full of admiration and transport, which the power +of association rendered more intense, remained fixed on the singer. +Lord Berrington smiled at the vivid expression of her countenance, +and as the young Orpheus moved from the instrument, exclaimed, "Come, +Miss Beaufort, I won't allow you quite to fancy Braham the god on +whom + + Enamored Clitie turned and gazed! + +[Footnote: This accomplished singer and composer still lives--one of +the most admired ornaments of the British orchestra.--1845.] + +Listen a little to my merits. Do you know that if it were not for my +timely lectures, Lascelles would grow the most insufferable gossip +about town? There is not a match nor a divorce near St. James's of +which he cannot repeat all the whys and wherefores. I call him Sir +Benjamin Backbite; and I believe he hates me worse than Asmodeus +himself." + +"Such a man's dislike," rejoined Mary, "is the highest encomium he +can bestow. I never yet heard him speak well of any person who did +not resemble himself." + +"And he is not consistent even there," resumed the viscount: "I am +not sure I have always heard him speak in the gentlest terms of Miss +Dundas. Yet, on that I cannot quite blame him; for, on my honor, she +provokes me beyond any woman breathing." + +"Many women," replied Mary, smiling, "would esteem that a flattering +instance of power." + +"And, like everything that flatters," returned he, "it would tell a +falsehood. A shrew can provoke a man who detests her. As to Miss +Dundas, notwithstanding her parade of learning, she generally +espouses the wrong side of the argument; and I may say with somebody, +whose name I have forgotten, that any one who knows Diana Dundas +never need be at a loss for a woman to call impertinent." + +"You are not usually so severe, my lord!" + +"I am not usually so sincere, Miss Beaufort," answered he; "but I see +you think for yourself, therefore I make no hesitation in speaking +what I think--to you." + +His auditor bowed her head sportively but modestly. Lady Dundas at +that moment beckoned him across the room. She compelled him to sit +down to whist. He cast a rueful glance at Mary, and took a seat +opposite to his costly partner. + +"Lord Berrington is a very worthy young man," observed the clergyman +to whom at the beginning of the evening Miss Beaufort had resigned +her chair; "I presume, madam, you have been honoring him with your +conversation?" + +"Yes," returned Mary, noticing the benign countenance of the speaker; +"I have not had the pleasure of long knowing his lordship, but what I +have seen of his character is highly to his advantage." + +"I was intimate in his father's house for years," rejoined the +gentleman: "I knew this young nobleman from a boy. If he has faults, +he owes them to his mother, who doated on him, and rather directed +his care to the adornment of his really handsome person than to the +cultivation of talents he has since learned to appreciate." + +"I believe Lord Berrington to be very sensible, and, above all, very +humane," returned Miss Beaufort. + +"He is so," replied the old gentleman; "yet it was not till he had +attained the age of twenty-two that he appeared to know he had +anything to do in the world besides dressing and attending on the +fair sex. His taste produced the first, whilst the urbanity of his +disposition gave birth to the latter. When Berrington arrived at his +title, he was about five-and-twenty. Sorrow for the death of his +amiable parents, who died in the same month, afforded him leisure to +find his reason. He discovered that he had been acting a part beneath +him, and he soon implanted on the good old stock those excellent +acquirements which you see he possesses. In spite of his +regeneration," continued the clergyman, casting a good-humored glance +on the dove-colored suit of the viscount, "you perceive that first +impressions will remain. He loves dress, but he loves justice and +philanthropy better." + +"This eulogy, sir," said Mary, "affords me real pleasure, may I know +the name of the gentleman with whom I have the honor to converse?" + +"My name is Blackmore," returned he. + +"Dr. Blackmore?" + +"The same." + +He was the same Dr. Blackmore who had been struck by the appearance +of the Count Sobieski at the Hummums, but had never learned his name, +and who, being a rare visitor at Lady Dundas's, had never by chance +met a second time with the object of his compassion. + +"I am happy," resumed Miss Beaufort, "in having the good fortune to +meet a clergyman of whom I have so frequently heard my guardian, Sir +Robert Somerset, speak with the highest esteem." + +"Ah!" replied he, "I have not seen him since the death of his lady; I +hope that he and his son are well!" + +"Both are perfectly so now," returned she, "and are together in the +country!" + +"You, madam, I suppose are my lady's niece, the daughter of the brave +Admiral Beaufort?" + +"I am, sir." + +"Well, I rejoice at this incident," rejoined he, pressing her hand; +"I knew your mother when she was a lovely girl. She used to spend her +summers with the late Lady Somerset, at the castle. It was there I +had the honor of cultivating her friendship." + +"I do not remember ever having seen my mother," replied the now +thoughtful Mary. Dr. Blackmore observing the expression of her +countenance, smiled kindly, and said, "I fear I am to blame here. +This is a somewhat sad way of introducing myself. But your goodness +must pardon me," continued he; "for I have so long accustomed myself +to speak what I think to those in whom I see cause to esteem, that +sometimes, as now, I undesignedly inflict pain." + +"Not in this case," returned Miss Beaufort. "I am always pleased when +listening to a friend of my mother, and particularly so when he +speaks in her praise." + +The breaking up of the card-tables prevented further conversation. +Lord Berrington again approached the sofa where Mary sat, exclaiming, +as he perceived her companion, "Ah my good doctor; have you presented +yourself at this fair shrine I declare you eccentric folk may dare +anything. Whilst you are free, Miss Beaufort," added he turning to +her, "adopt the advice which a good lady once gave me, and which I +have implicitly followed: 'When you are young, get the character of +an oddity, and it seats you in an easy chair for life.'" + +Mary was interrupted in her reply by a general stir amongst the +company, who, now the cards were over, like bees and wasps were +swarming about the room, gathering honey or stinging as they went. + +At once the house was cleared; and Miss Beaufort threw herself on the +pillow, to think, and then to dream of Thaddeus. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE GREAT AND THE SMALL OF SOCIETY. + + +If it be true what the vivid imaginations of poets have frequently +asserted, that when the soul dreams, it is in the actual presence of +those beings whose images present themselves to their slumbers, then +have the spirit, of Thaddeus and Mary been often commingled at the +hour of midnight; then has the young Sobieski again visited his +distant country, again seen it victorious, again knelt before his +sainted parents. + +From such visions as these did Thaddeus awake in the morning, after +having spent the preceding evening with Lady Tinemouth. + +He had walked with her ladyship in Hyde Park till a late hour. By the +mild light of the moon, which shone brightly through the still, balmy +air of a midsummer night, they took their way along the shadowy bank +of the Serpentine. + +There is a solemn appeal to the soul in the repose of nature that +"makes itself be felt." No syllable from either Thaddeus or the +countess for some time broke the universal silence. Thaddeus looked +around on the clear expanse of water, over-shaded by the long +reflection of the darkening trees; then raising his eyes to that +beautiful planet which has excited tender thoughts in every feeling +breast since the creation of the world, he drew a deep sigh. The +countess echoed it. + +[Illustration: LADY TINEMOUTH.] + +"In such a night as this," said Thaddeus, in a low voice, as if +afraid to disturb the sleeping deity of the place, "I used to walk +the ramparts of Villanow with my dear departed mother, and gaze on +that lovely orb; and when I was far from her, I have looked at it +from the door of my tent, and fancying that her eyes were then fixed +on the same object as mine, I found happiness in the idea." + +A tear stole down the cheek of Thaddeus. That moon yet shone +brightly; but his mother's eyes were closed in the grave. + +"Villanow!" repeated the countess, in a tone of tender surprise; +"surely that was the seat of the celebrated Palatine of Masovia! You +have discovered yourself, Constantine! I am much mistaken if you be +not his grandson, the young, yet far-famed, Thaddeus Sobieski?" + +Thaddeus had allowed the remembrances pressing on his mind to draw +him into a speech which had disclosed to the quick apprehension of +the countess what his still too sensitive pride would forever have +concealed. + +"I have indeed betrayed my secret," cried he, incapable of denying +it; "but, dear lady Tinemouth, as you value my feelings, never let it +escape your lips. Having long considered you as my best friend, and +loved you as a parent, I forgot, in the recollection of my beloved +mother, that I had withheld any of my history from you." + +"Mysterious Providence!" exclaimed her ladyship, after a pause, in +which ten thousand admiring and pitying reflections thronged on her +mind: "is it possible? Can it be the Count Sobieski, that brave and +illustrious youth of whom every foreigner spoke with wonder? Can it +be him that I behold in the unknown, unfriended Constantine?" + +"Even so," returned Thaddeus, pressing her hand. "My country is no +more. I am now forgotten by the world, as I have been by fortune. I +have nothing to do on the earth but to fulfil the few duties which a +filial friendship has enjoined, and then it will be a matter of +indifference to me how soon I am laid in its bosom." + +"You are too young, dear Constantine, (for I am still to call you by +that name,) to despair of happiness being yet reserved for you." + +"No, my dear Lady Tinemouth, I do not cheat myself with such hope; I +am not so importunate with the gracious Being who gave me life and +reason. He bestowed upon me for awhile the tenderest connections-- +friends, rank, honors, glory. All these were crushed in the fall of +Poland; yet I survive, I sought resignation only, and I have found +it. It cost me many a struggle; but the contest was due to the +decrees of that all-wise Creator who gave my first years to +happiness." + +"Inestimable young man!" cried the countess, wiping the flowing tears +from her eyes; "you teach misfortune dignity! Not when all Warsaw +rose in a body to thank you, not when the king received you in the +senate with open arms, could you have appeared to me so worthy of +admiration as at this moment, when, conscious of having been all +this, you submit to the direct reverse, because you believe it to be +the will of your Maker! Ah! little does Miss Beaufort think, when +seated by your side, that she is conversing with the youthful hero +whom she has so often wished to see!" + +"Miss Beaufort!" echoed Thaddeus, his heart glowing with delight. "Do +you think she ever heard of me by the name of Sobieski?" + +"Who has not?" returned the countess; "every heart that could be +interested by heroic virtue has heard and well remembers its glorious +struggles against the calamities of your country. Whilst the +newspapers of the day informed us of these things, they noticed +amongst the first of her champions the Palatine of Masovia, +Kosciusko, and the young Sobieski. Many an evening have I passed with +Miss Dorothy and Mary Beaufort, lamenting the fate of that devoted +kingdom." + +During this declaration, a variety of indeed happy emotions agitated +the mind of Thaddeus, until, recollecting with a bitter pang the +shameless ingratitude of Pembroke, when all those glories were +departed from him, and the cruel possibility of being recognized by +the Earl of Tinemouth as his son, he exclaimed, "My dearest madam, I +entreat that what I have revealed to you may never be divulged. Miss +Beaufort's friendship would indeed be happiness; but I cannot +purchase even so great a bliss at the expense of memories which are +knit with my life." + +"How?" cried the countess; "is not your name, and all its attendant +ideas, an honor which the proudest man might boast?" + +Thaddeus pressed her hand to his heart. + +"You are kind--very kind! yet I cannot retract. Confide, dear Lady +Tinemouth, in the justice of my resolution. I could not bear cold +pity; I could not bear the heartless comments of people who, +pretending to compassion, would load me with a heavy sense of my +calamities. Besides, there are persons in England who are so much the +objects of my aversion, I would rather die than let them know I +exist. Therefore, once again, dear Lady Tinemouth, let me implore you +to preserve my secret." + +She saw by the earnestness of his manner that she ought to comply, +and without further hesitation promised all the silence he desired. + +This long moonlight conversation, by awakening all those dormant +remembrances which were cherished, though hidden in the depths of his +bosom, gave birth to that _mirage_ of imagination which painted +that night, in the rapid series of his tumultuous dreams, the images +of every being whom he had ever loved, or now continued to regard +with interest. + +Proceeding next morning towards Harley Street, he mused on what had +happened; and pleased that he had, though unpremeditatedly, paid the +just compliment of his entire confidence to the uncommon friendship +of the countess, he arrived at Lady Dundas's door before he was +sensible of the ground he had passed over, and in a few minutes +afterwards was ushered into his accustomed purgatory. + +When the servant opened the study-door, Miss Euphemia was again +alone. Thaddeus recoiled, but he could not retreat. + +"Come in, Mr. Constantine," cried the little beauty, in a languid +tone; "my sister is going to the riding-school with Mr. Lascelles. +Miss Beaufort wanted me to drive out with her and my mother, but I +preferred waiting for you." + +The count bowed; and almost retreating with fear of what might next +be said, he gladly heard a thundering knock at the door, and a moment +after the voice of Miss Dundas ascending the stairs. + +He had just opened his books when she entered, followed by her lover. +Panting under a heavy riding-habit, she flung herself on a sofa, and +began to vilify "the odious heat of Pozard's odious place;" then +telling Euphemia she would play truant to-day, ordered her to attend +to her lessons. + +Owing to the warmth of the weather, Thaddeus came out this morning +without boots; and it being the first time the exquisite proportion +of his figure had been so fully seen by any of the present company +excepting Euphemia, Lascelles, bursting with an emotion which he +would not call envy, measured the count's graceful limb with his +scornful eyes; then declaring he was quite in a furnace, took the +corner of his glove and waving it to and fro, half-muttered, "Come +gentle air." + +"The fairer Lascelles cries!" exclaimed Euphemia, looking off her +exercise. + +"What! does your master teach you wit?" drawled the coxcomb, with a +particular emphasis. + +Thaddeus, affecting not to hear, continued to direct his pupil. + +The indefatigable Lascelles having observed the complacence with +which the count always regarded Miss Beaufort determined the goad +should fret; and drawing the knitting out of his pocket which he had +snatched the night before from Mary, he exclaimed, "'Fore heaven, +here is my little Beaufort's purse!" + +Thaddeus started, and unconsciously looking up, beheld the well-known +work of Mary dangling in the hand of Lascelles. He suffered pangs +unknown to him; his eyes became dim; and hardly knowing what he saw +or said, he pursued the lesson with increased rapidity. + +Finding that his malice had taken effect, with a careless air the +malicious puppy threw his clumsy limbs on the sofa, which Miss Dundas +had just quitted to seat herself nearer the window, and cried out, as +in a voice of sudden recollection: + +"By the bye, that Miss Mary Beaufort, when she chooses to be sincere, +is a staunch little Queen Bess." + +"You may as well tell me," replied Miss Dundas, with a deriding curl +of her lip, "that she is the Empress of Russia." + +"I beg your pardon!" cried he, and raising his voice to be better +heard, "I do not mean in the way of learning. But I will prove in a +moment her creditable high-mightiness in these presumptuous times, +though a silly love of popularity induces her to affect now and then +a humble guise to some people beneath her. When she gave me this +gewgaw," added he, flourishing the purse in his hand, "she told me a +pretty tissue about a fair friend of hers, whose music-master, +mistaking some condescension on her part, had dared to press her +snowy fingers while directing them towards a tender chord on her +harp. You have no notion how the gentle Beaufort's blue eyes blazed +up while relating poor Tweedledum's presumption!" + +"I can have a notion of anything these boasted meek young ladies do +when thrown off their guard," haughtily returned his contemptuous +auditress, "after Miss Beaufort's violent sally of impertinence to +you last night." + +"Impertinence to me!" echoed the fop, at the same time dipping the +end of the knitting into Diana's lavender-bottle, and dabbing his +temples; "she was always too civil by half. I hate forward girls." + +Thaddeus shut the large dictionary which lay before him with a force +that made the puppy start, and rising hastily from his chair, with a +face all crimson, was taking his hat, when the door opened, and Mary +appeared. + +A white-chip bonnet was resting lightly on the glittering tresses +which waved over her forehead, whilst her lace-shade, gently +discomposed by the air, half veiled and half revealed her graceful +figure. She entered with a smile, and walking up to the side of the +table where Thaddeus was standing, inquired after his friend's +health. He answered her in a voice unusually agitated. All that he +had been told by the countess of her favorable opinion of him, and +the slander he had just heard from Diana's lover, were at once +present in his mind. + +He was yet speaking, when Miss Beaufort, casually looking towards the +other side of the room, saw her purse still acting the part of a +handkerchief in the hand of Mr. Lascelles. + +"Look, Mr. Constantine," said she, gayly tapping his arm with her +parasol, "how the most precious things may be degraded! There is the +knitting you have so often admired, and which I intended for Lady +Tinemouth's pocket, debased to do the office of Mr. Lascelles's +napkin." + +"You gave it to him, Miss Beaufort," cried Miss Dundas; "and after +that, surely he may use it as he values it!" + +"If I could have given it to Mr. Lascelles, madam, I should hardly +have taken notice of its fate." + +Believing what her lover had advanced, Miss Dundas was displeased at +Mary for having, by presents, interfered with any of her danglers, +and rather angrily replied, "Mr. Lascelles said you gave it to him; +and certainly you would not insinuate a word against his veracity?" + +"No, not insinuate," returned Miss Beaufort, "but affirm, that he has +forgotten his veracity in this statement." + +Lascelles yawned. "Lord bless me, ladies, how you quarrel! You will +disturb Monsieur?" + +"Mr. Constantine," returned Mary, blushing with indignation, "cannot +be disturbed by nonsense." + +Thaddeus again drew his hat towards him, and bowing to his lovely +champion, with an expression of countenance which he little suspected +had passed from his heart to his eyes, he was preparing to take his +leave, when Euphemia requested him to inform her whether she had +folded down the right pages for the next exercise. He approached her, +and was leaning over her chair to look at the book, when she +whispered, "Don't be hurt at what Lascelles says; he is always +jealous of anybody who is handsomer than himself." + +Thaddeus dropped his eyelids with a face of scarlet; for on meeting +the eyes of Mary, he saw that she had heard this intended comforter +as well as himself. Uttering a few incoherent sentences to both +ladies he hurried out of the room. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +THE OBDURACY OF VICE--THE INHUMANITY OF FOLLY. + + +The Count Sobieski was prevented paying his customary visit next +morning in Harley Street by a sudden dangerous increase of illness in +the general, who had been struck at seven o'clock by a fit of palsy. + +When Dr. Cavendish beheld the poor old man stretched on the bed, and +hardly exhibiting signs of life, he pronounced it to be a death- +stroke. At this remark, Thaddeus, turning fearfully pale, staggered +to a seat, with his eyes fixed on the altered features of his friend. +Dr. Cavendish took his hand. + +"Recollect yourself, my dear sir! Happen when it may, his death must +be a release to him. But he may yet linger a few days." + +"Not in pain, I hope!" said Thaddeus. + +"No," returned the doctor; "probably he will remain as you now see +him, till he expires like the last glimmer of a dying taper." + +The benevolent Cavendish gave proper directions to Thaddeus, also to +Mrs. Robson, who promised to act carefully as nurse; and then with +regret left the stunned count to the melancholy task of watching by +the bedside of his last early friend. + +Thaddeus now retained no thought that was not riveted to the +emaciated form before him. Whilst the unconscious invalid struggled +for respiration, he listened to his short and convulsed breathing +with sensations which seemed to tear the strings of his own breast. +Unable to bear it longer, he moved to the fireside, and seating +himself, with his pallid face and aching head supported on his arm, +which rested on a plain deal table, he remained; meeting no other +suspension from deep and awestruck meditation than the occasional +appearance of Mrs. Robson on tiptoes, peeping in and inquiring +whether he wanted anything. + +From this reverie, like unto the shadow of death, he was aroused next +morning at nine o'clock by the entrance of Dr. Cavendish. Thaddeus +seized his hand with the eagerness of his awakened suspense. "My dear +sir, may I hope--" + +Not suffering him to finish with what he hoped, the doctor shook his +head in gentle sign of the vanity of that hope, and advanced to the +bed of the general. He felt his pulse. No change of opinion was the +consequence, only that he now saw no threatenings of immediate +dissolution. + +"Poor Butzou!" murmured Thaddeus, when the doctor withdrew, putting +the general's motionless hand to his quivering lips; "I never will +leave thee! I will watch by thee, thou last relic of my country! It +may not be long ere we lie side by side." + +With anguish at his heart, he wrote a few hasty lines to the +countess; then addressing Miss Dundas, he mentioned as the reason for +his late and continued absence the danger of his friend. + +His note found Miss Dundas attended by her constant shadow, Mr. +Lascelles, Lady Hilliars, and two or three more fine ladies and +gentlemen, besides Euphemia and Miss Beaufort, who, with pensive +countenances, were waiting the arrival of its writer. + +When Miss Dundas took the billet off the silver salver on which her +man presented it, and looked at the superscription, she threw it into +the lap of Lacelles. + +"There," cried she, "is an excuse, I suppose, from Mr. Constantine, +for his impertinence in not coming hither yesterday. Read it, +Lascelles." + +"'Fore Gad, I wouldn't touch it for an earldom!" exclaimed the +affected puppy, jerking it on the table. "It might affect me with the +hypochondriacs. Pray, Phemy, do you peruse it." + +Euphemia, in her earnestness to learn what detained Mr. Constantine, +neglected the insolence of the request, and hastily breaking the +seal, read as follows:-- + +"Mr. Constantine hopes that a sudden and dangerous disorder which has +attacked the life of a very dear friend with whom he resides will be +a sufficient appeal to the humanity of the Misses Dundas, and obtain +their pardon for his relinquishing the honor of attending them +yesterday and to-day." + +"Dear me!" cried Euphemia, piteously; "how sorry I am. I dare say it +is that white-haired old man we saw in the park, You remember, Mary, +he was sick?" + +"Probably," returned Miss Beaufort, with her eyes fixed on the +agitated handwriting of Thaddeus. + +"Throw the letter into the street, Phemy!" cried Miss Dundas, +affecting sudden terror; "who knows but what it is a fever the man +has got, and we may all catch our deaths." + +"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Mary, in a voice of real alarm; but it was +for Thaddeus--not fear of any infection which the paper might bring +to herself. + +"Lascelles, take away that filthy scrawl from Phemy. How can you be +so headstrong, child?" cried Diana, snatching the letter from her +sister and throwing it from the window. "I declare you are sufficient +to provoke a saint." + +"Then you may keep your temper, Di," returned Euphemia, with a sneer; +"you are far enough from that title." + +Miss Dundas made a very angry reply, which was retaliated by another; +and a still more noisy and disagreeable altercation might have taken +place had not a good-humored lad, a brother-in-law of Lady Hilliars, +in hopes of calling off the attention of the sisters, exclaimed, +"Bless me, Miss Dundas, your little dog has pulled a folded sheet of +paper from under that stand of flowers! Perhaps it may be of +consequence." + +"Fly! Take it up, George!" cried Lady Hilliars; "Esop will tear it to +atoms whilst you are asking questions." + +After a chase round the room, over chairs and under tables, George +Hilliars at length plucked the devoted piece of paper out of the +dog's mouth; and as Miss Beaufort was gathering up her working +materials to leave the room, he opened it and cried, in a voice of +triumph, "By Jove, it is a copy of verses!" + +"Verses!" demanded Euphemia, feeling in her pocket, and coloring; +"let me see them." + +"That you sha'n't," roared Lascelles, catching them out of the boy's +hand; "if they are your writing, we will have them." + +"Help me, Mary!" cried Euphemia, turning to Miss Beaufort; "I know +that nobody is a poet in this house but myself. They must be mine, +and I will have them." + +"Surely, Mr. Lascelles," said Mary, compassionating the poor girl's +anxiety, "you will not be so rude as to detain them from their right +owner?" + +"Oh! but I will," cried he, mounting on a table to get out of +Euphemia's reach, who, half crying, tried to snatch at the paper. +"Let me alone, Miss Phemy. I will read them; so here goes it." + +Miss Dundas laughed at her sister's confused looks, whilst Lascelles +prepared to read in a loud voice the following verses. They had been +hastily written in pencil by Thaddeus a long time ago; and having put +them, by mistake, with some other papers into his pocket, he had +dropped them next day, in taking out his handkerchief at Lady +Dundas's. Lascelles cleared his throat with three hems, then raising +his right hand with a flourishing action, in a very pompous tone +began-- + + "Like one whom Etna's torrent fires have sent + Far from the land where his first youth was spent; + Who, inly drooping on a foreign shore, + Broods over scenes which charm his eyes no more: + And while his country's ruin wakes the groan, + Yearns for the buried hut he called his own. + So driv'n, O Poland! from thy ravaged plains, + So mourning o'er thy sad and but loved remains, + A houseless wretch, I wander through the world, + From friends, from greatness, and from glory hurl'd! + + "Oh! not that each long night my weary eyes + Sink into sleep, unlull'd by Pity's sighs; + Not that in bitter tears my bread is steep'd-- + Tears drawn by insults on my sorrows heap'd; + Not that my thoughts recall a mother's grave-- + Recall the sire I would have died to save, + Who fell before me, bleeding on the field, + Whilst I in vain opposed the useless shield. + Ah! not for these I grieve! Though mental woe, + More deadly still, scarce Fancy's self could know! + O'er want and private griefs the soul can climb,-- + Virtue subdues the one, the other Time: + But at his country's fall, the patriot feels + A grief no time, no drug, no reason heals. + + "Mem'ry! remorseless murderer, whose voice + Kills as it sounds; who never says, Rejoice! + To my deserted heart, by joy forgot; + Thou pale, thou midnight spectre, haunt me not! + Thou dost but point to where sublimely stands + A glorious temple, reared by Virtue's hands, + Circled with palms and laurels, crown'd with light, + Darting Truth's piercing sun on mortal sight: + Then rushing on, leagued fiends of hellish birth + Level the mighty fabric with the earth! + Slept the red bolt of Vengeance in that hour + When virtuous Freedom fell the slave of Power! + Slumber'd the God of Justice! that no brand + Blasted with blazing wing the impious band! + Dread God of Justice! to thy will I kneel, + Though still my filial heart must bleed and feel; + Though still the proud convulsive throb will rise, + When fools my country's wrongs and woes despise; + + When low-soul'd Pomp, vain Wealth, that Pity gives, + Which Virtue ne'er bestows and ne'er receives,-- + That Pity, stabbing where it vaunts to cure, + Which barbs the dart of Want, and makes it sure. + How far removed from what the feeling breast + Yields boastless, breathed in sighs to the distress'd! + Which whispers sympathy, with tender fear, + And almost dreads to pour its balmy tear. + But such I know not now! Unseen, alone, + I heave the heavy sigh, I draw the groan; + And, madd'ning, turn to days of liveliest joy, + When o'er my native hills I cast mine eyes, + And said, exulting--"Freemen here shall sow + The seed that soon in tossing gold shall glow! + While Plenty, led by Liberty, shall rove, + Gay and rejoicing, through the land they love; + And 'mid the loaded vines, the peasant see + His wife, his children, breathing out,--'We're free!' + But now, O wretched land! above thy plains, + Half viewless through the gloom, vast Horror reigns, + No happy peasant, o'er his blazing hearth, + Devotes the supper hour to love and mirth; + No flowers on Piety's pure altar bloom; + Alas! they wither now, and strew her tomb! + From the Great Book of Nations fiercely rent, + My country's page to Lethe's stream is sent-- + But sent in vain! The historic Muse shall raise + O'er wronged Sarmatia's cause the voice of praise,-- + Shall sing her dauntless on the field of death, + And blast her royal robbers' bloody wrath!" + + +"It must be Constantine's!" cried Euphemia, in a voice of surprised +delight, while springing up to take the paper out of the deriding +reader's hand when he finished. + +"I dare say it is," answered the ill-natured Lascelles, holding it +above his head. "You shall have it; only first let us hear it again, +it is so mighty pretty, so very lackadaisical!" + +"Give it to me!" cried Euphemia, quite angry. + +"Don't, Lascelles," exclaimed Miss Dundas, "the man must be a perfect +idiot to write such rhodomontade." + +"O! it is delectable!" returned her lover, opening the paper again; +"it would make a charming ditty! Come, I will sing it. Shall it be to +the tune of 'The Babes in the Wood,' or 'Chevy Chase,' or 'The Beggar +of Bethnal Green?" + +"Pitiless, senseless man!" exclaimed Mary, rising from her chair, +where she had been striving to subdue the emotions with which every +line in the poem filled her heart. + +"Monster!" cried the enraged Euphemia, taking courage at Miss +Beaufort's unusual warmth; "I will have the paper." + +"You sha'n't," answered the malicious coxcomb; and raising his arm +higher than her reach, he tore it in a hundred pieces. "I'll teach +pretty ladies to call names!" + +At this sight, no longer able to contain herself, Mary rushed out of +the room, and hurrying to her chamber, threw herself upon the bed, +where she gave way to a paroxysm of tears which shook her almost to +suffocation. + +During the first burst of her indignation, her agitated spirit +breathed every appellation of abhorrence and reproach on Lascelles +and his malignant mistress. Then wiping her flowing eyes, she +exclaimed, "Yet can I wonder, when I compare Constantine with what +they are? The man who dares to be virtuous beyond others, and to +appear so, arms the self-love of all common characters against him." + +Such being her meditations, she excused herself from joining the +family at dinner, and it was not until evening that she felt herself +at all able to treat the ill-natured group with decent civility. + +To avoid spending more hours than were absolutely necessary in the +company of a woman she now loathed, next morning Miss Beaufort +borrowed Lady Dundas's sedan-chair, and ordering it to Lady +Tinemouth's, found her at home alone, but evidently much discomposed. + +"I intrude on you, Lady Tinemouth!" said Mary, observing her looks, +and withdrawing from the offered seat. + +"No, my dear Miss Beaufort," replied she, "I am glad you are come. I +assure you I have few pleasures in solitude. Read that letter," added +she, putting one into her hand: "it has just conveyed one of the +cruelest stabs ever offered by a son to the heart of his mother. Read +it, and you will not be surprised at finding me in the state you +see." + +The countess looked on her almost paralyzed hands as she spoke; and +Miss Beaufort taking the paper, sat down and read to herself the +following letter: + +TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE COUNTESS OF TINEMOUTH. + +"Madam, + +"I am commissioned by the earl, my father, to inform you that if you +have lost all regard for your own character, he considers that some +respect is due to the mother of his children; therefore he watches +your conduct. + +"He has been apprized of your frequent meetings, during these many +months past, in Grosvenor Place, and at other people's houses, with +an obscure foreigner, your declared lover. The earl wished to suppose +this false, until your shameless behavior became so flagrant, that he +esteems it worthy neither of doubt nor indulgence. + +"With his own eyes he saw you four nights ago alone with this man in +Hyde Park. Such demonstration is dreadful. Your proceedings are +abominable; and if you do not, without further parley, set off either +to Craighall, in Cornwall, or to the Wolds, you shall receive a +letter from my sister as well as myself, to tell the dishonored Lady +Tinemouth how much she merits her daughter's contempt, added to that +of her brother. + +"HARWOLD." + +Mary was indeed heart-struck at the contents of this letter, but most +especially at the accusation which so distinctly pointed out the +innocent object of her already doubly-excited pity. "Oh! why these +persecutions," cried her inward soul to heaven, "against an +apparently obscure but noble, friendless stranger?" Unable to collect +her thoughts to make any proper remarks whatever on the letter to +Lady Tinemouth, she hastily exclaimed, "It is indeed horrible; and +what do you mean to do, my honored friend?" + +"I will obey my lord!" returned the countess, with a meek but firm +emphasis. "My last action will be in obedience to his will. I cannot +live long; and when I am dead, perhaps the earl's vigilance may be +satisfied; perhaps some kind friend may then plead my cause to my +daughter's heart. One cruel line from her would kill me. I will at +least avoid the completion of that threat, by leaving town to-morrow +night." + +"What! so soon? But I hope not so far as Cornwall?" + +"No," replied her ladyship; "Craighall is too near Plymouth; I +determine on the Wolds. Yet why should I have a choice? It is almost +a matter of indifference to what spot I am banished--in what place I +am to die; anywhere to which my earthly lord would send me, I shall +be equally remote from the sympathy of a friend." + +Miss Beaufort's heart was oppressed when she entered the room! Lady +Tinemouth's sorrows seemed to give her a license to weep. She took +her ladyship's hand, and with difficulty sobbed out this inarticulate +proposal:--"Take me with you, dear Lady Tinemouth! I am sure my +guardian will be happy to permit me to be with you, where and how +long you please." + +"My dear young friend," replied the countess, kissing her tearful +cheek, "I thank you from my heart; but I cannot take so ungenerous an +advantage of your goodness as to consign your tender nature to the +harassing task of attending on sorrow and sickness. How strangely +different may even amiable dispositions be tempered! Sophia Egerton +is better framed for such an office. Kind as she is, the hilarity of +her disposition does nor allow the sympathy she bestows on others to +injure either her mind or her body." + +Mary interrupted her. "Ah! I should be grieved to believe that my +very aptitude to serve my friends will prove the first reason why I +should be denied the duty. It is only in scenes of affliction that +friendship can be tried, and declare its truth. If Miss Egerton were +not going with you, I should certainly insist on putting my affection +to the ordeal.' + +"You mistake, my sweet friend." returned her ladyship; "Sophia is +forbidden to remain any longer with me. You have overlooked the +postscript to Lord Harwold's letter, else you must have seen the +whole of my cruel situation. Turn over the leaf." + +Miss Beaufort re-opened the sheet, and read the following few lines, +which, being written on the interior part of the paper, had before +escaped her sight:-- + +"Go where you will, it is our special injunction that you leave Miss +Egerton behind you. She, we hear, has been the ambassadress in this +intrigue. If we learn that you disobey, it shall be worse for you in +every respect, as it will convince us, beyond a possibility of doubt, +how uniform is the turpitude of your conduct." + +Lady Tinemouth grasped Miss Beaufort's hand when she laid the +matricidal letter back upon the table. "And that is from the son for +whom I felt all a mother's throes--all a mother's love!--Had he died +the first hour in which he saw the light, what a mass of guilt might +he not have escaped! It is he," added she, in a lower voice, and +looking wildly round, "that breaks my heart. I could have borne his +father's perfidy; but insult, oppression, from my child! Oh, Mary, +may you never know its bitterness!" + +Miss Beaufort could only answer with her tears. + +After a pause of many minutes, in which the countess strove to +tranquillize her spirits, she resumed in a more composed voice. + +"Excuse me for an instant, my dear Miss Beaufort; I must write to Mr. +Constantine. I have yet to inform him that my absence is to be added +to his other misfortunes." + +With her eyes now raining down upon the paper, she took up a pen and +hastily writing a few lines, was sealing them when Mary, looking up, +hardly conscious of the words which escaped her, said, with +inarticulate anxiety, "Lady Tinemouth, you know much of that noble +and unhappy young man?" Her eyes irresolute and her cheek glowing, +she awaited the answer of the countess, who continued to gaze on the +letter she held in her hand, as if in profound thought; then all at +once raising her head, and regarding the now downcast face of her +lovely friend with tenderness, she replied, in a tone which conveyed +the deep interest of her thoughts:-- + +"I do, Miss Beaufort; but he has reposed his griefs in my friendship +and honor, therefore I must hold them sacred." + +"I will not ask you to betray them," returned Mary, in a faltering +voice; "yet I cannot help lamenting his sufferings, and I esteeming +the fortitude with which he supports his fall." + +The countess looked steadfastly on her fluctuating countenance. "Has +Constantine, my dear girl, hinted to you that he ever was otherwise +than as he now appears?" + +Miss Beaufort could not reply. She would not trust her lips with +words, but shook her head in sign that he had not. Lady Tinemouth was +too well read in the human heart to doubt for an instant the cause of +her question, and consequent emotion. Feeling that something was due +to an anxiety so disinterested, she took her passive hand, and said, +"Mary, you have guessed rightly. Though I am not authorized to tell +you the real name of Mr. Constantine, nor the particulars of his +history, yet let this satisfy your generous heart, that it can never +be more honorably employed than in compassionating calamities which +ought to wreath his young brows with glory." + +Miss Beaufort's eyes streamed afresh, whilst her exulting soul seemed +ready to rush from her bosom. + +"Mary!" continued the countess, wanned by the recollection of his +excellence, "you have no need to blush at the interest which you take +in this amiable stranger! Every trial of spirit which could have +tortured youth or manhood has been endured by him with the firmness +of a hero. Ah, my sweet friend," added the countess, pressing the +hand of the confused Miss Beaufort, who, ashamed, and conscious that +her behavior betrayed how dearly she considered him, had covered her +face with her handkerchief, "when you are disposed to believe that a +man is as great as his titles and personal demands seem to assert, +examine with a nice observance whether his pretensions be real or +artificial. Imagine him disrobed of splendor and struggling with the +world's inclemencies. If his character cannot stand this ordeal, he +is only a vain pageant, inflated and garnished; and it is reasonable +to punish such arrogance with contempt. But on the contrary, when, +like Constantine, he rises from the ashes of his fortunes in a +brighter blaze of virtue, then, dearest girl," cried the countess, +encircling her with her arms, "it is the sweetest privilege of +loveliness to console and bless so rare a being." + +Mary raised her weeping face from the bosom of her friend, and +clasping her hands together with trepidation and anguish, implored +her to be as faithful to her secret as she had proved herself to +Constantine's. "I would sooner die," added she, "than have him know +my rashness, perhaps my indelicacy! Let me possess his esteem, Lady +Tinemouth! Let him suppose that I only _esteem_ him! More I +should shrink from. I have seen him beset by some of my sex; and to +be classed with them--to have him imagine that my affection is like +theirs!--I could not bear it. I entreat you, let him respect me!" + +The impetuosity, and almost despair, with which Miss Beaufort uttered +these incoherent sentences penetrated the soul of Lady Tinemouth with +admiration. How different was the spirit of this pure and dignified +love to the wild passion she had seen shake the frame of Lady Sara +Ross. + +They remained silent for some time. + +"May I see your ladyship to-morrow?" asked Mary, drawing her cloak +about her. + +"I fear not," replied the countess; "I leave this house tomorrow +morning." + +Miss Beaufort rose; her lips, hands, and feet trembled so that she +could hardly stand. Lady Tinemouth put her arm round her waist, and +kissing her forehead, added, "Heaven bless you, my sweet friend! May +all the wishes of your innocent heart be gratified!" + +The countess supported her to the door. Mary hesitated an instant; +then flinging her snowy arms over her ladyship's neck, in a voice +scarcely audible, articulated, "Only tell me, does he love Euphemia?" + +Lady Tinemouth strained her to her breast. "No, my dearest girl; I am +certain, both from what I have heard him say and observed in his +eyes, that did he dare to love any one, _you_ would be the +object of his choice." + +How Miss Beaufort got into Lady Dundas's sedan-chair she had no +recollection, so completely was she absorbed in the recent scene. Her +mind was perplexed, her heart ached; and she arrived in Harley Street +so much disordered and unwell as to oblige her to retire immediately +to her room, with the excuse of a violent pain in her head. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. + + +This interview induced Lady Tinemouth to destroy the note she had +written to Thaddeus, and to frame another, better calculated to +produce comfort to all parties. What she had declared to Mary +respecting the state of the count's affections was sincere. + +She had early pierced the veil of bashfulness with which Miss +Beaufort overshadowed, when in his presence, that countenance so +usually the tablet of her soul. The countess easily translated the +quick receding of her eye whenever Thaddeus turned his attention +towards her, the confused reply that followed any unexpected question +from his lips, and, above all, the unheeded sighs heaved by her when +he left the room, or when his name was mentioned during his absence. +These symptoms too truly revealed to Lady Tinemouth the state of her +young friend's bosom. + +But the circumstances being different, her observations on Thaddeus +were not nearly so conclusive. Mary had absolutely given the empire +of her happiness, with her heart, into his hands. Thaddeus felt that +his ruined hopes ought to prevent him laying his at her feet, could +he even be made to believe that he had found any favor in her sight! +and regarding her as a being beyond his reach, he conceived no +suspicions that she entertained one dearer thought of him than what +mere philanthropy could authorize. + +He contemplated her unequalled beauty, graces, talents and virtues +with an admiration bordering on idolatry! yet his heart flew from the +confession that he loved her; and it was not until reason demanded of +his sincerity why he felt a pang on seeing Mary's purse in the hands +of Mr. Lascelles, that with a glowing cheek he owned to himself that +he was jealous: that although he had not presumed to elevate one wish +towards the possession of Miss Beaufort, yet when Lascelles flaunted +her name on his tongue, he found how deep would be the wound in his +peace should she ever give her hand to another than himself! + +Confounded at this discovery of a passion the seeds of which he +supposed had been crushed by the weight of his misfortunes and the +depths of his griefs, he proceeded homewards in a trance of thought, +not far differing from that of the dreamer who sinks into a harassing +slumber, and, filled with terror, doubts whether he be sleeping or +awake. + +The sudden illness of General Butzou having put these ideas to +flight, Thaddeus was sitting on the bedside, with his anxious +thoughts fixed on the pale spectacle of mortality before him, when +Nanny brought in a letter from the countess. He took it, and going to +the window, read with mingled feelings the folding epistle:-- + +"TO MR. CONSTANTINE." + +I know not, my dear count, when I shall be permitted to see you +again: perhaps never on this side of the grave! + +"Since Heaven has denied me the tenderness of my own children, it +would have been a comfort to me might I have continued to act a +parent's part by you. But my cruel lord, and my more cruel son, +jealous of the consolation I meet in the society of my few intimate +friends, command me to quit London; and as I have ever made it a rule +to conform to their injunctions to the furthest extent of my power, I +shall go. + +"It pierces me to the soul, my dear son! (allow my maternal heart to +call you by that name) it distresses me deeply that I am compelled to +leave the place where you are, and the more that I cannot see you +before my departure, for I quit town early to-morrow. + +"Write to me often, my loved Sobieski; your letters will be some +alleviation to my lot during the fulfilment of my hard duty. + +"Wear the enclosed gold chain for my sake; it is one of two given me +a long time ago by Miss Beaufort. If I have not greatly mistaken you, +the present will now possess a double value in your estimation: +indeed it ought. Sensibility and thankfulness being properties of +your nature, they will not deny a lively gratitude to the generous +interest with which that amiable and noble young woman regards your +fate. It is impossible that the avowed Count Sobieski (whom, a year +ago, I remember her animated fancy painted in colors worthy of his +actions) could excite more of her esteem than I know she has bestowed +on the untitled Constantine. + +"She is all nobleness and affection. For, although I am sensible that +she would leave much behind her in London to regret, she insists on +accompanying me to the Wolds. Averse to transgress so far on her +goodness, I firmly refused her offer until this evening, when I +received so warm and urgent a letter from her disinterested, generous +heart, that I could no longer withhold my grateful assent. + +"Indeed, this lovely creature's active friendship proves of high +consequence to me now, situated as I am with regard to a new whim of +the earl's. Had she not thus urged me, in obedience to my lord's +commands I should have been obliged to go alone, he having taken some +wild antipathy to Miss Egerton whose company he has interdicted. At +any rate, her parents would not have allowed me her society much +longer, for Mr. Montresor is to return this month. + +"I shall not be easy, my dear count, until I hear from you. Pray +write soon, and inform me of every particular respecting the poor +general. Is he likely to recover? + +"In all things, my loved son, in which I can serve you, remember that +I expect you will refer yourself to me as to a mother. Your own could +hardly have regarded you with deeper tenderness than does your +affectionate and faithful + +"ADELIZA TINEMOUTH." + +"GROSVENOR PLACE," _Thursday, midnight._ + +"Direct to me at Harwold Place, Wolds, Lincolnshire." + +Several opposite emotions agitated the mind of Thaddeus whilst +reading this epistle,--increased abhorrence of the man whom he +believed to be his father, and distress at the increase of his +cruelty to his unhappy wife! Yet these could neither subdue the balmy +effect of her maternal affection towards himself nor wholly check the +emotion which the unusual mentioning of Miss Beaufort's name had +caused his heart to throb. He read the sentence which contained the +assurance of her esteem a third time. + +"Delicious poison!" cried he, kissing the paper; "if adoring thee, +lovely Mary, be added to my other trials, I shall be resigned! There +is sweetness even in the thought. Could I credit all which my dear +lady Tinemouth affirms, the conviction that I possess one kind +solicitude in the mind of Miss Beaufort would be ample compensation +for---" + +He did not finish the sentence, but sighing profoundly, rose from his +chair. + +"For anything, except beholding her the bride of another!" was the +sentiment with which his heart swelled. Thaddeus had never known a +selfish wish in his life; and this first instance of his desiring +that good to be unappropriated which he might not himself enjoy, made +him start. + +"There is an evil in my breast I wotted not of!" Dissatisfied with +himself at this, he was preparing to answer her ladyship's letter, +when turning to the date, he discovered that it had been written on +Thursday night, and in consequence of Nanny's neglect in not calling +at the coffee-house, had been delayed a day and a half before it +reached him. + +His disappointment at this accident was severe. She was gone, and +Miss Beaufort along with her. + +"Then, indeed, I am unfortunate. Yet this treasure!" cried he, fondly +clasping the separated bracelet in his hand; "it will, indeed, be a +representative of both--honored, beloved--to this deserted heart!" + +He put the chain round his neck, and, with a true lover-like feeling, +thought that it warmed the heart which mortification had chilled; but +the fancy was evanescent, and he again turned to watch the fading +life of his friend. + +During the lapse of a few days, in which the general appeared merely +to breathe, Thaddeus, instead of his attendance, despatched regular +notes of excuse to Harley Street. In answer to these, he commonly +received little tender billets from Euphemia, the strain of which he +seemed totally to overlook, by the cold respect he evinced in his +continued diurnal apologies for absence. + +This young lady was so full of her own lamentations over the trouble +which her elegant tutor must endure in watching his sick friend, that +she never thought it worth while to mention in her notes any creature +in the house excepting herself, and her commiseration. Thaddeus +longed to inquire about Miss Beaufort; but the more he wished it, the +greater was his reluctance to write her name. + +Things were in this situation, when one evening, as he was reading by +the light of a solitary candle in his little sitting-room, the door +opened, and Nanny stepped in, followed by a female wrapped in a large +black cloak. Thaddeus rose. + +"A lady, sir," said Nanny, curtseying. + +The moment the girl withdrew, the visitor cast herself into a chair, +and sobbing aloud, seemed in violent agitation. Thaddeus, astonished +and alarmed, approached her, and, though she was unknown, offered her +every assistance in his power. + +Catching hold of the hand which, with the greatest respect, he +extended towards her, she instantly displayed to his dismayed sight +the features of Lady Sara Ross. + +"Merciful Heaven!" exclaimed he, involuntarily starting back. + +"Do not cast me off, Constantine!" cried she, clasping his arm, and +looking up to him with a face of anguish; "on you alone I now depend +for happiness--for existence!" + +A cold damp stood on the forehead of her auditor. + +"Dear Lady Sara, what am I to understand by this emotion; has +anything dreadful happened? Is Captain Ross--" + +Lady Sara shuddered, and still grasping his hand, answered with words +every one of which palsied the heart of Thaddeus. "He is coming home. +He is now at Portsmouth. O, Constantine! I am not yet so debased as +to live with him when my heart is yours." + +At this shameful declaration, Thaddeus clenched his teeth in agony of +spirit; and placing his hand upon his eyes, to shut her from his +sight, he turned suddenly round and walked towards another part of +the room. + +Lady Sara followed him. Her cloak having fallen off, now displayed +her fine form in all the fervor of grief and distraction. She rung +her fair and jewelled arms in despair, and with accents rendered more +piercing by the anguish of her mind, exclaimed, "What! You hate me? +You throw me from you? Cruel, barbarous Constantine! Can you drive +from your feet the woman who adores you? Can you cast her who is +without a home into the streets?" + +Thaddeus felt his hand wet with her tears. He fixed his eyes upon her +with almost delirious horror. Her hat being off, gave freedom to her +long black hair, which, falling in masses over her figure and face, +gave such additional wildness to the imploring and frantic expression +of her eyes, that his distracted soul felt reeling within him. + +"Rise, madam! For Heaven's sake, Lady Sara!" and he stooped to raise +her. + +"Never!" cried she, clinging to him--"never! till you promise to +protect me. My husband comes home to-night, and I have left his house +forever. You--you!" exclaimed she, extending her hand to his averted +face; "Oh, Constantine! you have robbed me of my peace! On your +account I have flown from my home. For mercy's sake, do not abandon +me!" + +"Lady Sara," cried he, looking in desperation around him, "I cannot +speak to you in this position! Rise, I implore you!" + +"Only," returned she, "only say that you will protect me!--that I +shall find shelter here! Say this, and I will rise and bless you +forever." + +Thaddeus stood aghast, not knowing how to reply. Terror-struck at the +violent lengths to which she seemed determined to carry her unhappy +and guilty passion, he in vain sought to evade this direct demand. +Lady Sara, perceiving the reluctance and horror of his looks, sprang +from her knees, while in a more resolute voice she exclaimed, "Then, +sir, you will not protect me? You scorn and desert a woman whom you +well know has long loved you?--whom, by your artful behavior, you +have seduced to this disgrace!" + +The count, surprised and shocked at this accusation, with gentleness, +but resolution, denied the charge. + +Lady Sara again melted into tears, and supporting her tottering frame +against his shoulder, replied, in a stifled voice, "I know it well: I +have nothing to blame for my wretched state but my own weakness. +Pardon, dear Constantine, the dictates of my madness! Oh! I would +gladly owe such misery to any other source than myself!" + +"Then, respected lady," rejoined Thaddeus, gaining courage from the +mildness of her manner, "let me implore you to return to your own +house!" + +"Don't ask me," cried she, grasping his hand. "O, Constantine! if you +knew what it was to receive with smiles of affection a creature whom +you loathe, you would shrink with disgust from what you require. I +detest Captain Ross. Can I open my arms to meet him, when my heart +excludes him forever? Can I welcome him home when I wish him in his +grave?" + +Sobieski extricated his hand from her grasp. Her ladyship perceived +the repugnance which dictated this action, and with renewed violence +ejaculated, "Unhappy woman that I am! to hate where I am loved! to +love where I am hated! Kill me, Constantine!" cried she, turning +suddenly towards him, and sinking clown on a chair, "but do not give +me such another look as that!" + +"Dear Lady Sara," replied he, seating himself by her side, "what +would you have me do? You see that I have no proper means of +protecting you. I have no relations, no friends to receive you. You +see that I am a poor man. Besides, your character--" + +"Talk not of my character!" cried she: "I will have none that does +not depend on you! Cruel Constantine! you will not understand me. I +want no riches, no friends, but yourself. Give me _your_ home +and _your_ arms," added she, throwing herself in an agony on his +bosom, "and beggary would be paradise! But I shall not bring you +poverty; I have inherited a fortune since I married Ross, on which he +has no claim." + +Thaddeus now shrunk doubly from her. Why had she not felt a sacred +spell in that husband's name? He shuddered, and tore himself from her +clinging arms. Holding her off with his hand, he exclaimed, in a +voice of mental agony, "Infatuated woman! leave me, for his honor and +your own peace." + +"No, no!" cried she, hoping she had gained some advantage over his +agitated feelings, and again casting herself at his feet, exclaimed, +"Never will I leave this spot till you consent that your home shall +be my home; that I shall serve you forever!" + +Thaddeus pressed his hands upon his eyes, as if he would shut her +from his sight. But with streaming tears she added, while clasping +his other hand to her throbbing bosom, "Exclude me not from those +dear eyes! reject me not from being your true wife, your willing +slave!" + +Thaddeus heard this, but he did not look on her, neither did he +answer. He broke from her, and fled, in a stupor of horror at his +situation, into the apartment where the general lay in a heavy sleep. + +Little expecting to see anyone but the man she loved, Lady Sara +rushed in after him, and was again wildly pressing towards her +determined victim, when her eyes were suddenly arrested by a livid, +and, she thought, dead face of a person lying on the bed. Fixed to +the spot, she stood for a moment; then putting her spread hand on her +forehead, uttered a faint cry, and fell soul-struck to the floor. + +Having instant conviction of her mistake, Thaddeus eagerly seized the +moment of her insensibility to convey her home. He hastily went to +the top of the stairs, called to Nanny to run for a coach, and then +returning to the extended figure of Lady Sara, lifted her in his arms +and carried her back to the room they had left. + +By the help of a little water, he restored her to a sense of +existence. She slowly opened her eyes; then raising her head, looked +round with a terrified air, when her eye falling on the still open +door of the general's room, she caught Thaddeus by the arm, and said, +in a shuddering voice, "Oh! take me hence." + +Whilst she yet spoke, the coach stopped at the door. The count rose, +and attempted to support her agitated frame on his arm; but she +trembled so, he was obliged to almost carry her down stairs. + +When he placed her in the carriage, she said, in a faint tone, "You +surely will not leave me?" + +Thaddeus made no reply; then desiring Nanny to sit by the general +until his return, which should be in a few minutes, and having +stepped into the coach, Lady Sara snatched his hand, while in +dismayed accents she quickly said, + +"Who was that fearful person?" + +"Alas! the revered friend whose long illness Lady Tinemouth has +sometimes mentioned in your presence." + +Lady Sara shuddered again, but with a rush of tears, while she added +imploringly, "Then, whither are you going to take me?" + +"You shall again, dear Lady Sara," replied he, "return to guiltless +and peaceful home." + +"I cannot meet my husband," cried she, wringing her hands; "he will +see all my premeditated guilt in my countenance. O! Constantine, have +pity on me! Miserable creature that I am! It is horrible to live +without you! It is dreadful to live with him! Take me not home, I +entreat you!" + +The count took her clasped hands in his, saying, + +"Reflect for a moment. Lady Tinemouth's eulogiums on our first +acquaintance taught me to honor you. I believe that when you +distinguished me with any portion of your regard, it was in +consequence of virtues which you thought I possessed." + +"Indeed, you do me justice!" cried she, with renewed energy. + +He continued, feeling that he must be stern in words as well as in +purpose if he would really rescue her from herself. "Think, then, +should I yield to the influence of your beauty, and sink your +respected name to a level with those"--and he pointed to a group of +wretched women assembled at the corner of Pall-Mall. "Think, where +would be the price of your innocence? I being no longer worthy of +your esteem, you would hate yourself; and we should continue +together, two guilty creatures, abhorring each other, and justly +despised by a virtuous world." + +Lady Sara sat as one dumb, and did not inarticulate any sound--except +the groan of horror which had shot through her when she had glanced +at those women--until the coach stopped in James's Place. + +"Go in with me," were all the words she could utter, while, pulling +her veil over her face, she gave him her hand to assist her down the +steps. + +"Is Captain Ross arrived?" asked Thaddeus of a servant, who, to his +great joy, replied in the negative. During the drive, he had alarmed +himself by anticipating the disagreeable suspicions which might rise +in the mind of the husband should he see his wife in her present +strange and distracted state. + +When Thaddeus seated Lady Sara in her drawing room, he offered to +take a respectful leave; but she laid one hand on his arm, whilst +with the other she covered her convulsed features, and said, +"Constantine, before you go, before we part perhaps eternally, O! +tell me that you do not, even now, hate me!--that you do not hate +me!" repeated she, in a firmer tone; "I know too well how deeply I am +despised." + +"Cease, ah, cease these vehement self-reproaches!" returned he, +tenderly replacing her on the sofa. "Shame does not depend on +possessing passions, but in yielding to them. You have conquered +yours, dear Lady Sara; and in future I must respect and love you like +a sister of my heart." + +"Noble Constantine! there is no guile in thee," exclaimed she, +straining his hand to her lips. "May Heaven bless you wherever you +go!" + +He dropped on his knees, imprinted on both her hands a true brother's +sacred kiss, and, hastily rising, was quitting the room without a +word, when he heard, in a short, low sound from her voice, "O, why +had I not a mother, a sister, to love and pity me! Should I have been +such a wretch as now?" + +Thaddeus turned from the door at the tone and substance of this +apparently unconsciously uttered apostrophe. She was standing with +her hands clasped, and her eyes fixed on the ground. By an +irresistible impulse he approached her. "Lady Sara," said he, with a +tender reverence in his voice, "there is penitence and prayer to a +better Parent in those words! Look up to Him, and He will save you +from yourself, and bless you in your husband." + +She did raise her eyes at this adjuration, and without one earthward +glance at her young monitor in their movement to the heaven she +sought. Neither did she speak, but pressed, with an unutterable +emotion, the hand which now held hers, while his own heart did indeed +silently re-echo the prayer he saw in her upward eyes. Turning gently +away, he glided, in a suffusion of grateful tears, out of the +apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +REQUIESCAT IN PACE. + + +The dream-like amazement which enveloped the count's faculties after +the preceding scene was dissipated next morning by the appearance of +Dr. Cavendish. When he saw the general, he declared it to be his +opinion that, in consequence of his long and tranquil slumbers, some +favorable crisis seemed near. "Probably," added he, "the recovery of +his intellects. Such phenomena in these cases often happen +immediately before death." + +"Heaven grant it may in this!" ejaculated Thaddeus; "to hear his +venerable voice again acknowledge that I have acted by him as became +the grandson of his friend, would be a comfort to me." + +"But, sir," replied the kind physician, touching his burning hand, +"you must not forget the cares which are due to your own life. If you +wish well to the general during the few days he may have to live, you +are indispensably obliged to preserve your own strength. You are +already ill, and require air. I have an hour of leisure," continued +he, pulling out his watch; "I will remain here till you have taken +two or three walks round St. James's Park. It is absolutely +necessary; in this instance I must take the privilege of friendship, +and insist on obedience." + +Seeing the benevolent Cavendish would not be denied, Thaddeus took +his hat, and with harassed spirits walked down the lane towards +Charing Cross. + +On entering Spring Garden gate, to his extreme surprise the first +objects that met his sight were Miss Euphemia Dundas and Miss +Beaufort. + +Euphemia accosted him with ten thousand inquiries respecting his +friend, besides congratulations on his own good looks. + +Thaddeus bowed; then smiling faintly, turned to the blushing Mary, +who, conscious of what had passed in the late conversation between +herself and Lady Tinemouth, trembled so much that, fearing to excite +the suspicion of Euphemia by such tremor, she withdrew her arm, and +walked forward alone, tottering at every step. + +"I thought, Miss Beaufort," said he, addressing himself to her, "that +Lady Tinemouth was to have had the happiness of your company at +Harwold Park?" + +"Yes," returned she, fearfully raising her eyes to his face, the +hectic glow of which conveyed impressions to her different from those +which Euphemia expressed; "but to my indescribable alarm and +disappointment, the morning after I had written to fix my departure +with her ladyship, my aunt's foot caught in the iron of the stair- +carpet as she was coming down stairs, and throwing her from the top +to the bottom, broke her leg. I could not quit her a moment during +her agonies; and the surgeons having expressed their fears that a +fever might ensue, I was obliged altogether to decline my attendance +on the countess." + +"And how is Miss Dorothy?" inquired Thaddeus, truly concerned at the +accident. + +"She is better, though confined to her bed," replied Euphemia, +speaking before her companion could open her lips; "and, indeed, poor +Mary and myself have been such close nurses, my mother insisted on +our walking out to-day." + +"And Lady Tinemouth," returned Thaddeus, again addressing Miss +Beaufort, "of course she went alone?" + +"Alas, yes!" replied she; "Miss Egerton was forced to join her family +in Leicestershire." + +"I believe," cried Euphemia, sighing, "Miss Egerton is going to be +married. Hers has been a long attachment. Happy girl! I have heard +Captain Ross say (whose lieutenant her intended husband was) that he +is the finest young man in the navy. Did you ever see Mr. Montresor?" +added she, turning her pretty eyes on the count. + +"I never had that pleasure." + +"Bless me! that is odd, considering your intimacy with Miss Egerton. +I assure you he is very charming." + +Thaddeus neither heard this nor a great deal more of the same +trifling chit-chat which was slipping from the tongue of Miss +Euphemia, so intently were his eyes (sent by his heart) searching the +downcast but expressive countenance of Miss Beaufort. His soul was +full; and the fluctuations of her color, with the embarrassment of +her step, more than affected him. + +"Then you do not leave town for some time, Miss Beaufort?" inquired +he; "I may yet anticipate the honor of seeing--" he hesitated a +moment, then added in a depressed tone--"your aunt, when I next wait +on the Misses Dundas." + +"Our stay depends entirely on her health" returned she, striving to +rally herself; "and I am sure she will be happy to find you better; +for I am sorry to say I cannot agree with Euphemia in thinking you +look well." + +"Merely a slight indisposition," replied he, "the effect of an +anxiety which I fear will too soon cease in the death of its cause. I +came out now for a little air, whilst the physician remains with my +revered friend." + +"Poor old gentleman!" sighed Mary; "how venerable was his appearance +the morning in which we saw him in the Park! What a benign +countenance!" + +"His countenance," replied Thaddeus, his eyes turning mournfully +towards the lovely speaker, "is the emblem of his character. He was +the most amiable of men." + +"And you are likely to lose so interesting a friend; dear Mr. +Constantine, how I pity you!" While Euphemia uttered these words, she +put the corner of her glove to her eye. + +The count looked at her, and perceiving that her commiseration was +affectation, he turned to Miss Beaufort, who was walking pensively by +his side, and made further inquiries respecting Miss Dorothy. Anxious +to be again with his invalid, he was preparing to quit them, when +Mary, as with a full heart she curtseyed her adieu, in a hurried and +confused manner, said--"Pray, Mr. Constantine, take care of yourself. +You have other friends besides the one you are going to lose. I know +Lady Tinemouth, I know my aunt--" She stopped short, and, covered +with blushes, stood panting for another word to close the sentence; +when Thaddeus, forgetting all presence but her own, with delighted +precipitancy caught hold of the hand which, in her confusion, was a +little extended towards him, and pressing it with fervor, +relinquished it immediately; then, overcome by confusion at the +presumption of the action, he bowed with agitation to both ladies, +and hastened through the Friary passage into St. James's Street. + +"Miss Beaufort!" cried Euphemia, reddening with vexation, and +returning a perfumed handkerchief to her pocket, "I did not +understand that you and Mr. Constantine were on such intimate terms!" + +"What do you mean, Euphemia?" + +"That you have betrayed the confidence I reposed in you," cried the +angry beauty, wiping away the really starting tears with her white +lace cloak. "I told you the elegant Constantine was the lord of my +heart; and you have seduced him from me! Till you came, he was so +respectful, so tender, so devoted! Bat I am rightly used! I ought to +have carried my secret to the grave." + +In vain Miss Beaufort protested; in vain she declared herself +ignorant of possessing any power over even one wish of Constantine's. +Euphemia thought it monstrous pretty to be the injured friend and +forsaken mistress; and all along the Park, and up Constitution-hill, +until they arrived at Lady Dundas's carriage, which was waiting +opposite Devonshire wall, she affected to weep. When seated, she +continued her invectives. She called Miss Beaufort ungenerous, +perfidious, traitor to friendship, and every romantic and disloyal +name which her inflamed fancy could devise; till the sight of Harley +Street checked her transports, and relieved her patient hearer from a +load of impertinence and reproach. + +During this short interview, Thaddeus had received an impulse to his +affections which hurried them forward with a force that neither time +nor succeeding sorrows could stop nor stem. + +Mary's heavenly-beaming eyes seemed to have encircled his head with +love's purest halo. The command, "Preserve yourself for others +besides your dying friend," yet throbbed at his heart; and with ten +thousand rapturous visions flitting before his sight, he trod in air, +until the humble door of his melancholy home presenting itself, at +once wrecked the illusion, and offered sad reality in the person of +his emaciated friend. + +On the count's entrance to the sick chamber, Doctor Cavendish gave +him a few directions to pursue when the general should awake from the +sleep into which he had been sunk for so many hours. With a heart the +more depressed from its late unusual exaltation, Thaddeus sat down at +the side of the invalid's bed for the remainder of the day. + +At five in the afternoon, General Butzou awoke. Seeing the count, he +stretched out his withered hand, and as the doctor predicted, +accosted him rationally. + +"Come, dear Sobieski! Come nearer, my dear master." + +Thaddeus rose, and throwing himself on his knees, took the offered +hand with apparent composure. It was a hard struggle to restrain the +emotions which were roused by this awful contemplation the return of +reason to the soul on the instant she was summoned into the presence +of her Maker! + +"My kind, my beloved lord!" added Butzou, "to me you have indeed +performed a Christian's part; you have clothed, sheltered and +preserved me in your bosom. Blessed son of my most honored master!" + +The good old man put the hand of Thaddeus to his lips. Thaddeus could +not speak. + +"I am going, dear Sobieski," continued the general, in a lower voice, +"where I shall meet your noble grandfather, your mother, and my brave +countrymen; and if Heaven grants me power, I will tell them by whose +labor I have lived, on whose breast I have expired." + +Thaddeus could no longer restrain his tears. + +"Dear, dear general!" exclaimed he, grasping his hand; "my +grandfather, my mother, my country! I lose them all again in thee! O! +would that the same summons took me hence!" + +"Hush!" returned the dying man; "Heaven reserves you, my honored +lord, for wise purposes. Youth and health are the marks of +commission: [Footnote: I cannot but pause here, in revising the +volume, to publicly express the emotion (grateful to Heaven) I +experienced on receiving a letter quoting these words, many, many +years ago. It was from the excellent Joseph Fox, the well-known +Christian philanthropist of our country, who spent both his fortune +and his life in establishing and sustaining several of our best +charitable and otherwise patriotic institutions. And once, when some +of his anxious friends would gladly have persuaded him to grant +himself more personal indulgences, and to labor less in the then +recently-begun plans for national education, he wrote "to the author +of Thaddeus of Warsaw," and, quoting to her those words from the +work, declared "they were on his heart! and he would, with the +blessing of God, perform what he believed to be his commission to the +last powers of his youth and health." + +This admirable man has now been long removed to his heavenly country-- +to the everlasting dwelling-place of the just made perfect. And such +recollections cannot but make an historical novel-writer at least +feel answerable for more, in his or her pages, than the purposes of +mere amusement. They guide by examples. Plutarch, in his lives of +Grecian and Roman Worthies taught more effectually the heroic and +virtuous science of life than did all his philosophical works put +together.] _you_ possess them, with virtues which will bear you +through the contest. _I_ have done; and my merciful Judge has +evinced his pardon of my errors by sparing me in my old age, and +leading me to die with you." + +Thaddeus pressed his friend's hand to his streaming eyes, and +promised to be resigned. Butzou smiled his satisfaction; then closing +his eyelids, he composed himself to a rest that was neither sleep nor +stupor, but a balmy serenity, which seemed to be tempering his lately +recovered soul for its immediate entrance on a world of eternal +peace. + +At nine o'clock his breath became broken with quick sighs. The +count's heart trembled, and he drew closer to the pillow. Butzou felt +him; and opening his eyes languidly, articulated, "Raise my head." + +Thaddeus put his arm under his neck, and lifting him up, reclined him +against his bosom. Butzou grasped his hands, and looking gratefully +in his face, said, "The arms of a soldier should be a soldier's +death-bed. I am content." + +He lay for a moment on the breast of the almost fainting Thaddeus; +then suddenly quitting his hold, he cried, "I lose you, Sobieski! But +there is----" and he gazed fixedly forward. + +"I am here," exclaimed the count, catching his motionless hand. The +dying general murmured a few words more, and turning his face inward, +breathed his last sigh on the bosom of his last friend. + +For a minute Sobieski continued incapable of thought or action. When +he recovered recollection, he withdrew from his melancholy station. +Laying the venerable remains back on the bed, he did not trust his +rallied faculties with a second trial, but hastening down stairs, was +met by Mrs. Robson. + +"My dear madam," said he, "all is over with my poor friend. Will you +do me the kindness to perform those duties to his sacred relics which +I cannot?" + +Thaddeus would not allow any person to watch by his friend's coffin +besides himself. The meditations of this solitary night presented to +his sound and sensible mind every argument rather to induce rejoicing +than regret that the eventful life of the brave Butzou was +terminated. + +"Yes, illustrious old man!" cried he, gazing on his marble features; +"if valor and virtue be the true sources of nobility, thou surely +wast noble! Inestimable defender of Stanislaus and thy country! thou +hast run a long and bright career; and though thou art fated to rest +in the humble grave of poverty, it will be embalmed by the tears of +Heaven--it will be engraven on my heart." + +Thaddeus did not weep whilst he spoke. Nor did he weep when he beheld +the mold of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, close from his view the last +remains of his friend. It began to rain. The uncovered head of the +officiating minister was wet; and so was that of a little delicate +boy, in a black cloak, who stood near, holding the aged rector's hat +during the service. As the shower descended faster, Dr. Cavendish put +his arm through the count's to draw him away, but he lingered an +instant, looking on the mold while the sexton piled it up. "Wretched +Poland!" sighed he; "how far from thee lies one of thy bravest sons!" +The words were breathed in so low a murmur, that none heard them +except the ear of Heaven! and that little boy, whose gaze had been +some time fixed on Thaddeus, and whose gentle heart never forgot +them. + +Dr. Cavendish, regarding with redoubled pity the now doubly desolated +exile in this last resignation of his parental friend to a foreign +grave, attempted to persuade him to return with him to dinner. He +refused the kind invitation, alleging, with a faint smile, that under +every misfortune he found his best comforter in solitude. + +Respecting the resignation and manliness of this answer, Doctor +Cavendish urged him no further; but expressing his regret that he +could not see him again until the end of the week, as he was obliged +to go to Stanford next day on a medical consultation, he shook hands +with him at the door of Mrs. Robson and bade him farewell. + +Thaddeus entered his lonely room, and fell on his knees before the +"ark of his strength,"--the Holy Book, that had been the gift of his +mother. The first page he opened presented to him the very words +which had poured consolation onto his sad heart, from the lips of the +venerable clergyman when he met him on his entrance into the church- +porch before the coffin of his friend! + +"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that +believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and +whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die." + +After reading this, how truly did the young mourner feel that "Death +had lost its sting--the grave its victory." + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +DEEP ARE THE PURPOSES OF ADVERSITY. + + +Next morning, when the Count Sobieski unfolded the several packets of +papers which were put into his hands by little Nanny, he laid them +one after the other on the table, and sighing heavily, said to +himself, "Now comes the bitterness of poverty! Heaven only knows by +what means I shall pay these heavy charges." + +Mere personal privations, induced by his fallen fortunes, excited +little uneasiness in the mind of Thaddeus. As he never had derived +peculiar gratification from the enjoyment of a magnificent house, +splendid table, and numerous attendants, he was contented in the +field, where he slept on the bare ground, and snatched his hasty +meals at uncertain intervals. Watching, rough fare, and other +hardships were dust in the path of honor; he had dashed through them +with light and buoyant spirits; and he repined as little at the +actual wants of his forlorn state in exile, until, compelled by +friendship to contract demands which he could not defray, he was +plunged at once into the full horrors of poverty and debt. + +He looked at the amount of the bills. The apothecary was twelve +pounds; the funeral fifteen. Thaddeus turned pale. The value of all +that he possessed would not produce one half of the sum; besides, he +owed five guineas to his good landlady for numerous little comforts +procured for his deceased friend. + +"Whatever be the consequence," cried he, "that excellent woman shall +not suffer by her humanity! If I have to pay with the last memorial +of those who were so dear, she shall be repaid." + +He scarcely had ceased speaking, when Nanny re-entered the room, and +told him the apothecary's young man and the undertaker were both +below, waiting for answers to their letters. Reddening with disgust +at the unfeeling haste of these men, he desired Nanny to say that he +could not see either of them to-day, but would send to their houses +to-morrow. + +In consequence of this promise, the men made their bows to Mrs. +Robson (who too well guessed the reason of this message), and took +their leave. + +When Thaddeus put the pictures of his mother and the palatine, with +other precious articles, into his pocket, he could not forbear an +internal invective against the thoughtless meanness of the Misses +Dundas, who had never offered any further liquidation of the large +sum they now stood indebted to him than the trifling note which had +been transmitted to him, prior to his attendance, through the hands +of Lady Tinemouth. + +Whilst his necessities reproached them for this illiberal conduct, +his proud heart recoiled at making a request to their chanty; for he +had gathered from the haughty demeanor of Miss Diana that what he was +entitled to demand would be given, not as a just remuneration for +labor received, but as alms of humanity to an indigent emigrant. + +"I would rather perish," cried he, putting on his hat, "than ask that +woman for a shilling." + +When the count laid his treasure on the table of the worthy +pawnbroker, he desired to have the value of the settings of the +pictures, and the portraits themselves put into leather cases. With +the other little things, there were a pair of gold spurs, the +peculiar insignia of his princely rank, which the palatine himself +had buckled on his grandson's heels on mounting his noble charger for +his first field. There was a peculiar pang in parting with these--a +sort of last relic of what he had been! But there was no alternative: +all that had any intrinsic value must pass from him. + +Having examined the setting of the miniatures, and the gold of the +other trinkets, with that of the spurs (which their hard service had +something marred), Mr. Burket declared, on the word of an honest man, +that he could not give more than fifteen pounds. + +With difficulty Thaddeus stifled as torturing a sigh as ever +distended his breast, whilst he said, + +"I will take it, I only implore you to be careful of the things, +trifling as they are; circumstances with which they were connected +render them valuable to me to redeem." + +"You may depend on me, sir," replied the pawnbroker, presenting him +the notes and acknowledgment. + +When Thaddeus took them, Mr. Burket's eye was caught by the ring on +his finger. + +"That ring seems curious? If you won't think me impertinent, may I +ask to look at it?" + +The count pulled it off, and forcing a smile, replied, "I suppose it +is of little jewel value. The setting is slight, though the painting +is fine." + +Burket breathed on the diamonds. "If you were to sell it," returned +he, "I don't think it would fetch more than three guineas. The +diamonds are flawed, and the emeralds would be of little use, being +out of fashion here; as for the miniature, it goes for nothing." + +"Of course," said Thaddeus, putting it on again; "but I shall not +part with it." While he drew on his glove, Mr. Burket asked him +"whether the head were not intended for the King of Poland?" + +The count, surprised, answered in the affirmative. + +"I thought so," answered the man; "it is very like two or three +prints which I had in my shop of that king. [Footnote: The author +has a very correct likeness of this memorable king, copied from an +original miniature; and it is not one of the least valued portraits +in a little room which contains those of several other heroes of +different countries,--friends and gallant foes.] Indeed, I believe I +have them somewhere now: these matters are but a nine-day's wonder, +and the sale is over." + +His auditor did not clearly comprehend him, and he told him so. + +"I meant nothing," continued he, "to the disparagement of the King of +Poland, or of any other great personage who is much the subject of +conversation. I only intended to say that everything has its fashion. +The ruin of Poland was the fashionable topic for a month after it +happened; and now nobody minds it--it is forgotten." + +Thaddeus, in whose bosom all its miseries were written, with a +clouded brow bowed to the remarks of Mr. Burket, and in silence +quitted the shop. + +Having arrived at home, he discharged his debt to the worthy Mrs. +Robson; then entering his room, he laid the remainder of his money on +the bills of the two claimants. It was unequal to the demands of +either; yet, in some measure to be just to both, he determined on +dividing it between them and to promise the liquidation of the rest +by degrees. + +Surely he might hope that, even should the Misses Dundas entirely +forget his claims on them, he could, in the course of time make +drawings sufficient to discharge the residue of this debt; but he was +not permitted to put this calculation to the trial. + +When he called on the apothecary, and offered him only half his +demand, the man refused it with insolence, insisting upon having the +whole then, "or he would make him pay for it!" Unused to the language +of compulsion and vulgarity, the count quitted the shop saying "he +was at liberty to act as he thought fit." With no very serene +countenance, he entered the undertaker's warehouse. This man was +civil; to him Thaddeus gave the entire sum, half of which the +apothecary had rejected with so much derision. The undertaker's +politeness a little calmed the irritated feelings of the count, who +returned home musing on the vile nature of that class of mankind who +can with indifference heap insult upon distress. + +Judging men by his own disposition, he seldom gave credence to the +possibility of such conduct. He had been told of dastardly spirits, +but never having seen them, and possessing no archetype within his +own breast of what he heard, the repeated relation passed over his +mind without leaving an impression. He had entered the world filled +with animating hopes of virtue and renown. He was virtuous; he became +powerful, great, and renowned. Creation seemed paradise to his eyes; +it was the task of adversity to teach him a different lesson of +mankind. Not less virtuous, not less great, his fortunes fell: he +became poor. The perfidy, the hard-heartedness of man, made and kept +him friendless. When he wanted succor and consolation, he found the +world peopled by a race too mean even to bear the stamp of the devil. + +Whilst Sobieski was employed next morning at his drawing, Mrs. Robson +sent Nanny to say that there were two strange-looking men below who +wanted to speak with him. Not doubting they were messengers from the +apothecary, he desired the girl to show them up stairs. When they +entered his room, the count rose. One of the men stepped forward, and +laying a slip of paper on the table, said, "I arrest you, sir, at the +suit of Messrs. Vincent and Jackson, apothecaries!" + +Thaddeus colored; but suppressing his indignant emotion, he calmly +asked the men whither they were going to take him? + +"If you like," replied one of them, "you may be well enough lodged. I +never heard a word against Clement's in Wych Street." + +"Is that a prison?" inquired Thaddeus. + +"No, not exactly that, sir," answered the other man, laughing. "You +seem to know little of the matter, which, for a Frenchman, is odd +enough; but mayhap you have never a lock-upd-house in France, since +ye pulled down the bastile! Howsoever, if you pay well, Mr. Clements +will give you lodgings as long as you like. It is only poor rogues +who are obligated to go to Newgate; such gemmen as you can live as +ginteely in Wych Street as at their own houses." + +There was such an air of derision about this fellow while he spoke, +and glanced around the room, that Thaddeus, sternly contracting his +brows, took no further notice of him, but, turning towards his more +civil companion, said: + +"Has this person informed me rightly? Am I going to a prison, or am I +not? If I do not possess money to pay Mr. Jackson, I can have none to +spend elsewhere." + +"Then you must go to Newgate!" answered the man, in as surly a tone +as his comrade's had been insolent. + +"I'll run for a coach, Wilson," cried the other, opening the room +door. + +"I will not pay for one," said Thaddeus, at once comprehending the +sort of wretches into whose custody he had fallen; "follow me down +stairs. I shall walk." + +Mrs. Robson was in her shop as he passed to the street. She called +out, "You will come home to dinner, sir?" + +"No," replied he; "but you shall hear from me before night." "The +men, winking at each other, sullenly pursued his steps down the lane. +In the Strand, Thaddeus asked them which way he was to proceed?" + +"Straight on," cried one of them; "most folks find the road to a jail +easy enough." + +Involved in thought, the count walked forward, unmindful of the stare +which the well-known occupation of his attendants attracted towards +him. When he arrived at Somerset House, one of the men stepped up to +him, and said, "We are now nearly opposite Wych Street. You had +better take your mind again, and go there instead of Newgate. I don't +think your honor will like the debtor's hole." + +Thaddeus, coldly thanking him, repeated his determination to be led +to Newgate. But when he beheld the immense walls within which he +believed he should be immured for life, his feet seemed rooted to the +ground; and when the massive doors were opened and closed upon him, +he felt as if suddenly deprived of the vital spring of existence. A +mist spread over his eyes, his soul shuddered, and with difficulty he +followed the men into the place where his commitment was to be +ratified. Here all the proud energies of his nature again rallied +round his heart. + +The brutal questions of the people in office, re-echoed by taunts +from the wretches who had brought him to the prison, were of a nature +so much beneath his answering, that he stood perfectly silent during +the business; and when dismissed, without evincing any signs of +discomposure, he followed the turnkey to his cell. + +One deal chair, a table, and a miserable bed, were all the furniture +it contained. The floor was paved with flags, and the sides of the +apartment daubled with discolored plaster, part of which, having been +peeled off by the damp, exposed to view large spaces of the naked +stones. + +Before the turnkey withdrew he asked Thaddeus whether he wanted +anything? + +"Only a pen, ink, and paper." + +The man held out his hand. + +"I have no money," replied Sobieski. + +"Then you get nothing here," answered the fellow, pulling the door +after him. + +Thaddeus threw himself on the chair, and in the bitterness of his +heart exclaimed, "Can these scoundrels be Christians?--can they be +men?" He cast his eyes round him with the wildness of despair. +"Mysterious Heaven, can it be possible that for a few guineas I am to +be confined in this place for life? In these narrow bounds am I to +waste my youth, my existence? Even so; I cannot, I will not, degrade +the spirit of Poland by imploring assistance from any native of a +land in which avarice has extinguished the feelings of humanity." + +By the next morning, the first paroxysm of indignation having +subsided, Thaddeus entertained a cooler and more reasonable opinion +of his situation. He considered that though he was a prisoner, it was +in consequence of debts incurred in behalf of a friend whose latter +hours were rendered less wretched by such means. Notwithstanding "all +that man could do unto him," he had brought an approving conscience +to lighten the gloom of his dungeon; and resuming his wonted +serenity, he continued to distance the impertinent freedom of his +jailers by a calm dignity, which extorted civility and commanded +respect. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +AN ENGLISH PRISON. + + +Several days elapsed without the inhabitants of Harley Street hearing +any tidings of Thaddeus. + +Miss Dundas never bestowed a thought on his absence, except when, +descanting on her favorite subject, "the insolence of dependent +people," she alleged his daring to withdraw himself as an instance. +Miss Euphemia uttered all her complaints to Miss Beaufort, whom she +accused of not being satisfied with seducing the affections of Mr. +Constantine, but she must also spirit him away, lest by remorse he +should be induced to renew his former devotion at the shrine of her +tried constancy. + +Mary found these secret conferences very frequent and very teasing. +She believed neither the count's past devoirs to Euphemia nor his +present allegiance to herself. With anxiety she watched the slow +decline of every succeeding day, hoping that each knock at the door +would present either himself or an apology for his absence. + +In vain her reason urged the weakness and folly of giving way to the +influence of a sentiment as absorbing as it was unforeseen. "It is +not his personal graces," murmured she, whilst her dewy eyes remained +riveted on the floor; "they have not accomplished this effect on me! +No; matchless as he is, though his countenance, when illumined by the +splendors of his mind, expresses consummate beauty, yet my heart +tells me I would rather see all that perfection demolished than lose +one beam of those bright charities which first attracted my esteem. +Yes, Constantine!" cried she, rising in agitation, "I could adore thy +virtues were they even in the bosom of deformity. It is these that I +love; it is these that are thyself! it is thy noble, godlike soul +that so entirely fills my heart, and must forever!" + +She recalled the hours which, in his society, had glided so swiftly +by to pass in review before her. They came, and her tears redoubled. +Neither his words nor his looks had been kinder to her than to Miss +Egerton or to Lady Sara Ross. She remembered his wild action in the +park: it had transported her at the moment; it even now made her +heart throb; but she ceased to believe it intended more than an +animated expression of gratitude. + +An adverse apprehension seemed to have taken possession of her +breast. In proportion to the vehemence of Miss Euphemia's reproaches +(who insisted on the passion of Thaddeus for Mary), she the more +doubted the evidence of those delightful emotions which had rushed +over her soul when she found her hand so fervently pressed in his. +Euphemia never made a secret of the tenderness she professed; and +Miss Beaufort having been taught by her own heart to read distinctly +the eyes of Lady Sara, the result of her observations had long acted +as a caustic on her peace; it had often robbed her cheeks of their +bloom, and compelled her to number the lingering minutes of the night +with sighs. But her deep and modest flame assumed no violence; +removed far from sight, it burnt the more intensely. + +Instead of over-valuing the fine person of Thaddeus, the encomiums +which it extorted, even from the lips of prejudice, occasioned one +source of her pain. She could not bear to think it probable that the +man whom she believed, and knew, to be gifted with every attribute of +goodness and of heroism, might one day be induced to sacrifice the +rich treasure of his mind to a creature who would select him from the +rest merely on account of his external superiority. + +Such was the train of Mary's meditations. Covering her face with her +handkerchief, she exclaimed in a tender and broken voice, "Ah, why +did I leave my quiet home to expose myself to the vicissitudes of +society? Sequestered from the world, neither its pageants nor its +mortifications could have reached me there. I have seen thee, +matchless Constantine! Like a bright planet, thou has passed before +me!--like a being of a superior order! And I never, never can debase +my nature to change that love. Thy image shall follow me into +solitude--shall consecrate my soul to the practice of every virtue! I +will emulate thy excellence, when, perhaps, thou hast forgotten that +I exist." + +The fit of despondence which threatened to succeed this last +melancholy reflection was interrupted by the sudden entrance of +Euphemia. Miss Beaufort hastily rose, and drew her ringlets over her +eyes. + +"O, Mary!" cried the little beauty, holding up her pretty hands, +"what do you think has happened?" + +"What?" demanded she in alarm, and hastening towards the door; +"anything to my aunt?" + +"No, no," answered Euphemia, catching her by the arm; "but could my +injured heart derive satisfaction from revenge, I should now be +happy. Punishment has overtaken the faithless Constantine." + +Miss Beaufort looked aghast, and grasping the back of the chair to +prevent her from falling, breathlessly inquired what she meant? + +"Oh! he is sent to prison," cried Euphemia, not regarding the real +agitation of her auditor (so much was she occupied in appearing +overwhelmed herself), and wringing her hands, she continued, "That +frightful wretch Mr. Lascelles is just come in to dinner. You cannot +think with what fiendish glee he told me that several days ago, as he +was driving out of town, he saw Mr. Constantine, with two bailiffs +behind him, walking down Fleet Street! And, besides, I verily believe +he said he had irons on." + +"No, no!" ejaculated Mary, with a cry of terror, at this _ad +libitum_ of Euphemia's; "what can he have done?" + +"Bless me!" returned Euphemia, staring at her pale face; "why, what +frightens you so? Does not everybody run in debt, without minding +it?" + +Miss Beaufort shook her head, and looking distractedly about, put her +hand to her forehead. Euphemia, determining not to be outdone in +"tender woe," drew forth her handkerchief, and putting it to her +eyes, resumed in a piteous tone-- + +"I am sure I shall hate Lascelles all my life, because he did not +stop the men and inquire what jail they were taking him to? You know, +my clear, you and I might have visited him. It would have been +delightful to have consoled his sad hours! We might have planned his +escape." + +"In irons!" ejaculated Mary, raising her tearless eyes to heaven. + +Euphemia colored at the agonized manner in which these words were +reiterated, and rather confusedly replied, "Not absolutely in irons. +You know that is a metaphorical term for captivity." + +"Then he was not in irons?" cried Miss Beaufort, seizing her hand +eagerly: "for Heaven's sake, tell me he was not in irons? '"' + +"Why, then," returned Euphemia, half angry at being obliged to +contradict herself, "if you are so dull of taste, and cannot +understand poetical language, I must tell you he was not." + +Mary heard no further, but even at the moment, overcome by a +revulsion of joy, sunk, unable to speak, into the chair. + +Euphemia, supposing she had fainted, flew to the top of the stairs, +and shrieking violently, stood wringing her hands, until Diana and +Lady Dundas, followed by several gentlemen, hastened out of the +saloon and demanded what was the matter? As Euphemia pointed to Miss +Beaufort's dressing-room, she staggered, and sinking into the arms of +Lord Elesmere, fell into the most outrageous hysterics. The marquis, +who had just dropped in on his return from St. James's, was so afraid +of the agitated lady's tearing his point-lace ruffles, that, in +almost as trembling a state as herself, he gladly shuffled her into +the hands of her maid; and scampering down stairs, as if all Bedlam +were at his heels, sprung into his _vis-à-vis_, and drove off +like lightning. + +When Miss Beaufort recovered her scattered senses, and beheld this +influx of persons entering her room, she tried to dispel her +confusion, and rising gently from her seat, while supporting herself +on the arm of Miss Dorothy's maid, thanked the company for their +attention and withdrew into her chamber. + +Meanwhile, Euphemia, who had been carried down into the saloon, +thought it time to raise her lily head and utter a few incoherent +words. The instant they were breathed, Miss Dundas and Mr. Lascelles, +in one voice, demanded what was the matter? + +"Has not Mary told you?" returned her sister, languidly opening her +eyes. + +"No," answered Lascelles, rubbing his hands with delighted curiosity; +"come, let us have it." + +Euphemia, pleased at this, and loving mystery with all her heart, +waved her hand solemnly, and in an awful tone replied, "Then it +passes not my lips." + +"What, Phemy!" cried he, "you want us to believe you have seen a +ghost? But you forget, they don't walk at midday." + +"Believe what you like," returned she, with an air of consequential +contempt; "I am satisfied to keep the secret." + +Miss Dundas burst into a provoking laugh; and calling her the most +incorrigible little idiot in the world, encouraged Lascelles to fool +her to the top of his bent. Determining to gratify his spleen, if he +could not satisfy his curiosity, this witless coxcomb continued the +whole day in Harley Street, for the mere pleasure of tormenting +Euphemia. From the dinner hour until twelve at night, neither his +drowsy fancy nor wakeful malice could find one other weapon of +assault than the stale jokes of mysterious chambers, lovers +incognito, or the silly addition of two Cupid-struck sweeps popping +down the chimney to pay their addresses to the fair friends. Diana +talked of Jupiter with his thunder; and patting her sister under the +chin, added, "I cannot doubt that Miss Beaufort is the favored +Semelé; but, my dear, you over-acted your character? As confidant, a +few tears were enough when your lady fainted." During these attacks, +Euphemia reclined pompously on a sofa, and not deigning a reply, +repelled them with much conceit and haughtiness. + +Miss Beaufort remained above an hour alone in her chamber before she +ventured to go near her aunt. Hurt to the soul that the idle folly of +Euphemia should have aroused a terror which had completely unveiled +to the eyes of that inconsiderate girl the empire which Thaddeus held +over her fate, Mary, overwhelmed with shame, and arraigning her easy +credulity, threw herself on her bed. + +Horror-struck at hearing he was led along the streets in chains, she +could have no other idea but that, betrayed into the commission of +some dreadful deed, he had become amenable to the laws, and might +suffer an ignominious death. Those thoughts having rushed at once on +her heart, deprived her of self-command. In the conviction of some +fatal rencontre, she felt as if her life, her honor, her soul, were +annihilated. And when, in consequence of her agonies, Euphemia +confessed that she had in this last matter told a falsehood, the +sudden peace to her soul had for an instant assumed the appearance of +insensibility. + +Before Miss Beaufort quitted her room, various plans were suggested +by her anxiety and inexperience, how to release the object of her +thoughts. She found no hesitation in believing him poor, and perhaps +rendered wretchedly so by the burden of that sick friend, who, she +suspected, might be a near relation. At any rate, she resolved that +another sun should not pass over her head and shine on him in a +prison. Having determined to pay his debts herself, she next thought +of how she might manage the affair without discovering the hand +whence the assistance came. Had her aunt been well enough to leave +the house, she would not have scrupled unfolding to her the recent +calamity of Mr. Constantine. But well aware that Miss Dorothy's +maidenly nicety would be outraged at a young woman appearing the sole +mover in such an affair, she conceived herself obliged to withhold +her confidence at present, and to decide on prosecuting the whole +transaction alone. + +In consequence of these meditations, her spirits became less +discomposed. Turning towards Miss Dorothy Somerset's apartments, she +found the good lady sipping her coffee. + +"What is this I have just heard, my dear Mary? Williams tells me you +have been ill!" + +Miss Beaufort returned her aunt's gracious inquiry with an +affectionate kiss; and informing her that she had only been alarmed +by an invention of Miss Euphemia's, begged that the subject might +drop, it being merely one out of the many schemes which she believed +that young lady had devised to render her visit to London as little +pleasant as possible. + +"Ah!" replied Miss Dorothy, "I hope I shall be well enough to travel +in the course of a few days. I can now walk with a stick; and upon my +word, I am heartily tired both of Lady Dundas and her daughters." + +Mary expressed similar sentiments; but as the declaration passed her +lips, a sigh almost buried the last word. Go when she would, she must +leave Constantine behind, leave him without an expectation of +beholding him more--without a hope of penetrating the thick cloud +which involved him, and with which he had ever baffled any attempt +she had heard to discover his birth or misfortunes. She wept over +this refinement on delicacy, and "loved him dearer for his mystery." + +When the dawn broke next morning, it shone on Miss Beaufort's yet +unclosed eyes. Sleep could find no languid faculty in her head whilst +her heart was agitated with plans for the relief of Thaddeus. The +idea of visiting the coffee-house to which she knew the Misses Dundas +directed their letters, and of asking questions about a young and +handsome man, made her timidity shrink. + +"But," exclaimed she, "I am going on an errand which ought not to +spread a blush on the cheek of prudery itself. I am going to impart +alleviation to the sufferings of the noblest creature that ever +walked the earth!" Perhaps there are few persons who, being auditors +of this speech, would have decided quite so candidly on the +superlative by which it was concluded. Mary herself was not wholly +divested of doubt about the issue of her conduct; but conscious that +her motive was pure, she descended to the breakfast-room with a +quieter mind than countenance. + +Never before having had occasion to throw a gloss on her actions, she +scarcely looked up during breakfast. When the cloth was removed, she +rose suddenly from her chair, and turning to Miss Dorothy, who sat at +the other end of the parlor, with her foot on a stool, said in a low +voice, "Good-by, aunt! I am going to make some particular calls; but +I shall be back in a few hours." Luckily, no one observed her +blushing face whilst she spoke, nor the manner in which she shook +hands with the old lady and hurried out of the room. + +Breathless with confusion, she could scarcely stand when she arrived +in her own chamber; but aware that no time ought to be lost, she tied +on a long, light silk cloak, of sober gray, over her white morning- +dress, and covering her head with a straw summer bonnet, shaded by a +black lace veil, hesitated a moment within her chamber-door--her eyes +filling with tears, drawn from her heart by that pure spirit of truth +which had ever been the guardian of her conduct! Looking up to +heaven, she sunk on her knees, and exclaimed with impetuosity, +"Father of mercy! thou only knowest my heart! Direct me, I beseech +thee! Let me not commit anything unworthy of myself nor of the +unhappy Constantine--for whom I would sacrifice my life, but not my +duty to thee!" + +Reassured by the confidence which this simple act of devotion +inspired, she took her parasol and descended the stairs. The porter +was alone in the hall. She inquired for her servant. + +"He is not returned, madam," + +Having foreseen the necessity of getting rid of all attendants, she +had purposely sent her footman on an errand as far as Kensington. + +"It is of no consequence," returned she to the porter, who was just +going to propose one of Lady Dundas's men. "I cannot meet with +anything disagreeable at this time of day, so I shall walk alone." + +The man opened the door; and with a bounding heart Mary hastened down +the street, crossed the square, and at the bottom of Orchard Street +stepped into a hackney-coach, which she ordered to drive to +Slaughter's Coffee-house, St. Martin's Lane. + +She drew up the glasses and closed her eyes. Various thoughts +agitated her anxious mind whilst the carriage rolled along; and when +it drew up at the coffee-house, she involuntarily retreated into the +corner. The coach-door was opened. + +"Will you alight, ma'am?" + +"No; call a waiter." + +A waiter appeared; and Miss Beaufort, in a tolerably collected voice, +inquired whether Mr. Constantine lived there? + +"No, ma'am." + +A cold dew stood on her forehead; but taking courage from a latent +and last hope, she added, "I know he has had letters directed to this +place." + +"Oh! I beg your pardon, ma'am!" returned the man recollecting +himself; "I remember a person of that name has received letters from +hence, but they were always fetched away by a little girl." + +"And do you not know where he lives?" + +"No, ma'am," answered he; "yet some one else in the house may: I will +inquire." + +Miss Beaufort bowed her head in token of acknowledgment, and sat +shivering with suspense until he returned, followed by another man. + +"This person, ma'am," resumed he, "says he can tell you." + +"Thank you, thank you!" cried Mary; then, blushing at her eagerness, +she stopped and drew back into the carriage. + +"I cannot for certain," said the man, "but I know the girl very well +by sight who comes for the letters; and I have often seen her +standing at the door of a chandler's shop a good way down the lane. I +think it is No. 5, or 6. I sent a person there who came after the +same gentleman about a fortnight ago. I dare say he lives there." + +Miss Beaufort's expectations sunk again, when she found that she had +nothing but a dare say to depend on; and giving half-a-crown to each +of her informers, she desired the coachman to drive as they would +direct him. + +While the carriage drove down the lane, with a heart full of fears +she looked from side to side, almost believing she should know by +intuition the house which had contained Constantine. When the man +checked his horses, and her eyes fell on the little mean dwelling of +Mrs. Robson, she smothered a deep sigh. + +"Can this be the house in which Constantine has lived? How +comfortless! And should it not," thought she, as the man got off the +box to inquire, "whither shall I go for information?" + +The appearance of Mrs. Robson, and her immediate affirmative to the +question, "Are these Mr. Constantine's lodgings?" at once dispelled +this last anxiety. Encouraged by the motherly expression of the good +woman's manner, Mary begged leave to alight. Mrs. Robson readily +offered her arm, and with many apologies for the disordered state of +the house, led her up stairs to the room which had been the count's +house. + +Mary trembled; but seeing that everything depended on self-command, +with apparent tranquillity she received the chair that was presented +to her, and turning her eyes from the books and drawings which told +her so truly in whose apartment she was, she desired Mrs. Robson, who +continued standing, to be seated. The good woman obeyed. After some +trepidation, Mary asked where Mr. Constantine was? Mrs. Robson +colored, and looking at her questioner for some time, as if doubting +what to say, burst into tears. + +Miss Beaufort's ready eyes were much inclined to flow in concert; but +subduing the strong emotions which shook her, she added, "I do not +come hither out of impertinent curiosity. I have heard of the +misfortunes of Mr. Constantine. I am well known to his friends." + +"Dear lady!" cried the good woman, grasping at any prospect of succor +to her benefactor: "if he has friends, whoever they are, tell them he +is the noblest, most humane gentleman in the world. Tell them he has +saved me and mine from the deepest want; and now he is sent to prison +because he cannot pay the cruel doctor who attended the poor dead +general." + +"What! is his friend dead?" ejaculated Mary, unable to restrain the +tears which now streamed over her face. + +"Yes," replied Mrs. Robson; "poor old gentleman! he is dead, sure +enough; and, Heaven knows, many have been the dreary hours the dear +young man has watched by his pillow! He died in that room." + +Miss Beaufort's swimming eyes would not allow her to discern objects +through the open door of that apartment within which the heart of +Thaddeus had undergone such variety of misery. Forming an +irresistible wish to know whether the deceased were any relation of +Constantine, she paused a moment to compose the agitation which might +betray her, and then asked the question. + +"I thought, ma'am," replied Mrs. Robson, "you said you knew his +friends?" + +"Only his English ones," returned Mary, a little confused at the +suspicion this answer implied; "I imagined that this old gentleman +might have been his father or an uncle, or----" + +"O no," interrupted Mrs. Robson, sorrowfully; "he has neither father, +mother nor uncle in the wide world. He once told me they were all +dead, and that he saw them die. Alas! sweet soul! What a power of +griefs he must have seen in his young life! But Heaven will favor his +at last; for though he is in misfortune himself, he has been a +blessing to the widow and the orphan!" + +"Do you know the amount of his debts?" asked Miss Beaufort. + +"Not more than twenty pounds," returned Mrs. Robson, "when they took +him out of this room, a week ago, and hurried him away without +letting me know a word of the matter. I believe to this hour I should +not have known where he was, if that cruel Mr. Jackson had not come +to demand all that Mr. Constantine left in my care. But I would not +let him have it. I told him if my lodger had filled my house with +bags of gold, _he_ should not touch a shilling; and then he +abused me, and told me Mr. Constantine was in Newgate." + +"In Newgate!" + +"Yes, madam. I immediately ran there, and found him more able to +comfort me than I was able to speak to him." + +"Then be at rest, my good woman," returned Miss Beaufort, rising from +her chair; "when you next hear of Mr. Constantine, he shall be at +liberty. He has friends who will not sleep till he is out of prison." + +"May Heaven bless you and them, dear lady!" cried Mrs. Robson, +weeping with joy; "for they will relieve the most generous heart +alive. But I must tell you," added she, with recollecting energy, +"that the costs of the business will raise it to some pounds more. +For that wicked Jackson, getting frightened to stand alone in what he +had done, went and persuaded poor weak-minded Mr. Watson, the +undertaker, to put in a detainer against Mr. Constantine for the +remainder of his bill. So I fear it will be full thirty pounds before +his kind friends can release him." + +Mary replied, "Be not alarmed: all shall be done." While she spoke, +she cast a wistful look on the drawings on the bureau; then +withdrawing her eyes with a deep sigh, she descended the stairs. At +the street-door she took Mrs. Robson's hand, and not relinquishing it +until she was seated in the coach, pressed it warmly, and leaving +within it a purse of twenty guineas, ordered the man to return whence +he came. + +Now that the temerity of going herself to learn the particulars of +Mr. Constantine's fate had been achieved, determined as she was not +to close her eyes whilst the man whom she valued above her life +remained a prisoner and in sorrow, she thought it best to consult +with Miss Dorothy respecting the speediest means of compassing his +emancipation. + +In Oxford Road she desired the coachman to proceed to Harley Street. +She alighted at Lady Dundas's door, paid him his fare, and stepped +into the hall before she perceived that a travelling-carriage +belonging to her guardian had driven away to afford room for her +humble equipage. + +"Is Sir Robert Somerset come to town?" she hastily inquired of the +porter. + +"No, madam; but Mr. Somerset is just arrived." + +The next minute Miss Beaufort was in the drawing-room, and clasped +within the arms of her cousin. + +"Dear Mary!"--"Dear Pembroke!" were the first words which passed +between these two affectionate relatives. + +Miss Dorothy, who doted on her nephew, taking his hand as he seated +himself between her and his cousin, said, in a congratulatory voice, +"Mary, our dear boy has come to town purposely to take us down." + +"Yes, indeed," rejoined he; "my father is moped to death for want of +you both. You know I am a sad renegade! Lord Avon and Mr. Loftus have +been gone these ten days to his lordship's aunt's in Bedfordshire; +and Sir Robert is so completely weary of solitude, that he has +commanded me"--bowing to the other ladies--"to run off with all the +fair inhabitants of this house sooner than leave you behind." + +"I shall be happy at another opportunity to visit Somerset Hall," +returned Lady Dundas; "but I am constrained to spend this summer in +Dumbartonshire. I have not yet seen the estate my poor dear Sir +Hector bought of the Duke of Dunbar." + +Pembroke offered no attempt to shake this resolution. In the two or +three morning calls he had formerly made with Sir Robert Somerset on +the rich widow, he saw sufficient to make him regard her arrogant +vulgarity with disgust; and for her daughters, they were of too +artificial a stamp to occupy his mind any longer than with a magic- +lantern impression of a tall woman with bold eyes, and the prettiest +yet most affected little fairy he had ever beheld. + +After half an hour's conversation with this family group, Miss +Beaufort sunk into abstraction. During the first month of Mary's +acquaintance with Thaddeus, she did not neglect to mention in her +correspondence with Pembroke having met with a very interesting and +accomplished emigrant, in the capacity of a tutor at Lady Dundas's. +But her cousin, in his replies, beginning to banter her on pity being +allied to love, she had gradually dropped all mention of +Constantine's name, as she too truly found by what insensible degrees +the union had taken place within her own breast. She remembered these +particulars, whilst a new method of accomplishing her present project +suggested itself; and determining (however extraordinary her conduct +might seem) to rest on the rectitude of her motives, a man being the +most proper person to transact such a business with propriety, she +resolved to engage Pembroke for her agent, without troubling Miss +Dorothy about the affair. + +So deeply was she absorbed in these reflections, that Somerset, +observing her vacant eye fixed on the opposite window, took her hand +with an arch smile, and exclaimed. + +"Mary! What is the matter? I hope, Lady Dundas, you have not suffered +any one to run away with her heart? You know I am her cousin, and it +is my inalienable right." + +Lady Dundas replied that young ladies best know their own secrets. + +"That may be, madam," rejoined he; "but I won't allow Miss Beaufort +to know anything that she does not transfer to me. Is not that true, +Mary?" + +"Yes," whispered she, coloring; "and the sooner you afford me an +opportunity to interest you in one, the more I shall be obliged to +you." + +Pembroke pressed her hand in token of assent; and a desultory +conversation continuing for another half-hour, Miss Beaufort, who +dreaded the wasting one minute in a day so momentous to her peace, +sat uneasily until her aunt proposed retiring to her dressing-room a +while, and requested Pembroke to assist her up stairs. + +When he returned to the drawing-room, to his extreme satisfaction he +found all the party were gone to prepare for their usual drives, +excepting Miss Beaufort, who was standing by one of the windows, lost +in thought. He approached her, and taking her hand-- + +"Come, my dear cousin," said he, "how can I oblige you?" + +Mary struggled with her confusion. Had she loved Thaddeus less, she +found she could with greater ease have related the interest which she +took in his fate. She tried to speak distinctly, and she accomplished +it, although her burning cheek and downcast look told to the fixed +eye of Pembroke what she vainly attempted to conceal. + +"You can, indeed, oblige me! You must remember a Mr. Constantine! I +once mentioned him to you in my letters." + +"I do, Mary. You thought him amiable!" + +"He was the intimate friend of Lady Tinemouth," returned she, +striving to look up; but the piercing expression she met from the +eyes of Somerset, beating hers down again, covered her face and neck +with deeper blushes. She panted for breath. + +"Rely on me," said Pembroke, pitying her embarrassment, whilst he +dreaded that her gentle heart had indeed become the victim of some +accomplished and insidious foreigner--"rely on me, my beloved cousin: +consider me as a brother. If you have entangled yourself--" + +Miss Beaufort guessed what he would say, and interrupting him, added, +with a more assured air, "No, Pembroke, I have no entanglements. I am +going to ask your friendly assistance on behalf of a brave and +unfortunate Polander." Pembroke reddened and she went on. "Mr. +Constantine is a gentleman. Lady Tinemouth tells me he has been a +soldier, and that he lost all his possessions in the ruin of his +country. Her ladyship introduced him here. I have seen him often, and +I know him to be worthy the esteem of every honorable heart. He is +now in prison, in Newgate, for a debt of about thirty pounds, and I +ask you to go and release him. That is my request--my secret; and I +confide in your discretion that you will keep it even from him." + +"Generous, beloved Mary!" cried Pembroke, pressing her hand; "it is +thus you always act. Possessed of all the softness of thy sex, +dearest girl," added he, still more affectionately, "nature has not +alloyed it with one particle of weakness!" + +Miss Beaufort smiled and sighed. If to love tenderly, to be devoted +life and soul to one being, whom she considered as the most perfect +work of creation, be weakness, Mary was the weakest of the weak; and +with a languid despondence at her heart, she was opening her lips to +give some directions to her cousin, when the attention of both was +arrested by a shrill noise of speakers talking above stairs. Before +the cousins had time to make an observation, the disputants descended +towards the drawing-room, and bursting open the door with a violent +clamor, presented the enraged figure of Lady Dundas followed by +Diana, who, with a no less swollen countenance, was scolding +vociferously, and dragging forward the weeping Euphemia. + +"Ladies! ladies!" exclaimed Somerset, amazed at so extraordinary a +scene; "what has happened?" + +Lady Dundas lifted up her clenched hand in a passion. + +"A jade!--a hussy!" cried her vulgar ladyship, incapable of +articulating more. + +Miss Dundas, still grasping the hands of her struggling sister, broke +out next, and turning furiously towards Mary, exclaimed, "You see, +madam, what disgrace your ridiculous conduct to that vagabond +foreigner has brought on our family! This bad girl has followed your +example, and done worse-she has fallen in love with him!" + +Shocked, and trembling at so rude an accusation, Miss Beaufort was +unable to speak. Lost in wonder, and incensed at his cousin's +goodness having been the dupe of imposition. Pembroke stood silent, +whilst Lady Dundas took up the subject. + +"Ay," cried she, shaking her daughter by the shoulder, "you little +minx! if your sister had not picked up these abominable verses you +chose to write on the absence of this beggarly fellow, I suppose you +would have finished the business by running off with him! But you +shall go down to Scotland, and be locked up for months. I won't have +Sir Hector Dundas's family disgraced by a daughter of mine." + +"For pity's sake, Lady Dundas," said Pembroke, stepping between her +shrewish ladyship and the trembling Euphemia, "do compose yourself. I +dare say your daughter is pardonable. In these cases, the fault in +general lies with our sex. We are the deluders." + +Mary was obliged to reseat herself; and in pale attention she +listened for the reply of the affrighted Euphemia, who, half assured +that her whim of creating a mutual passion in the breast of Thaddeus +was no longer tenable, without either shame or remorse she exclaimed, +"Indeed, Mr. Somerset, you are right; I never should have thought of +Mr. Constantine if he had not teased me every time he came with his +devoted love." + +Miss Beaufort rose hastily from her chair. Though Euphemia colored at +the suddenness of this motion, and the immediate flash she met from +her eye, she went on: "I know Miss Beaufort will deny it, because she +thinks he is in love with her; but indeed, indeed, he has sworn a +thousand times on his knees that he was a Russian nobleman in +disguise, and adored me above every one else in the world." + +"Villain!" cried Pembroke, inflamed with indignation at his double +conduct. Afraid to read in the expressive countenance of Mary her +shame and horror at this discovery, he turned his eyes on her with +trepidation; when, to his surprise, he beheld her standing perfectly +unmoved by the side of the sofa from which she had arisen. She +advanced with a calm step towards Euphemia, and taking hold of the +hand which concealed her face whilst uttering this last falsehood, +she drew it away, and regarding her with a serene but penetrating +look, she said: "Euphemia! you well know that you are slandering an +innocent and unfortunate man. You know that never in his life did he +give you the slightest reason to suppose that he was attached to you; +for myself, I can also clear him of making professions to me. Upon +the honor of my word, I declare," added she, addressing herself to +the whole group, "that he never breathed a sentence to me beyond mere +respect. By this last deviation of Euphemia from truth, you may form +an estimate how far the rest she has alleged deserves credit." + +The young lady burst into a vehement passion of tears. + +"I will not be browbeaten and insulted, Miss Beaufort!" cried she, +taking refuge in noise, since right had deserted her. "You know you +would fight his battles through thick and thin, else you would not +have fallen into fits yesterday when I told you he was sent to jail." + +This last assault struck Mary motionless; and Lady Dundas, lifting up +her hands, exclaimed, "Good la! keep me from the forward misses of +these times! As for you, Miss Euphemia," added she, seizing her +daughter by the arm, "you shall leave town tomorrow morning. I will +have no more tutoring and falling in love in my house; and for you, +Miss Beaufort," turning to Mary, (who, having recovered herself, +stood calmly at a little distance,) "I shall take care to warn Miss +Dorothy Somerset to keep an eye over your conduct." + +"Madam," replied she, indignantly, "I shall never do anything which +can dishonor either my family or myself; and of that Miss Dorothy +Somerset is too well assured to doubt for an instant, even should +calumny be as busy with me as it has been injurious to Mr. +Constantine." + +With the words of Mrs. Robson suddenly reverberating on her heart, +"He has no father, no mother, no kindred in this wide world!" she +walked towards the door. When she passed Mr. Somerset, who stood +bewildered and frowning near Miss Dundas, she turned her eyes on her +cousin, full of the effulgent pity in her soul, and said, in a +collected and decisive voice, "Pembroke, I shall leave the room; but, +remember, I do not release you from your engagement." + +Staggered by the open firmness of her manner, he looked after her as +she withdrew, and was almost inclined to believe that she possessed +the right side of the argument. Malice did not allow him to think so +long. The moment the door closed on her, both the sisters fell on him +pell-mell; and the prejudiced illiberality of the one, supported by +the ready falsehoods of the other, soon dislodged all favorable +impressions from the mind of Somerset, and filled him anew with +displeasure. + +In the midst of Diana's third harangue, Lady Dundas having ordered +Euphemia to be taken to her chamber, Mr. Somerset was left alone, +more incensed than ever against the object of their invectives, whom +he now considered in the light of an adventurer, concealing his +poverty, and perhaps his crimes beneath a garb of lies. That such a +character, by means of a fine person and a few meretricious talents, +could work himself into the confidence of Mary Beaufort, pierced her +cousin to the soul; and as he mounted the stairs with an intent to +seek her in her dressing-room, he almost resolved to refuse obeying +her commands. + +When he opened the room-door, he found Miss Beaufort and his aunt. +The instant he appeared, the ever-benevolent face of Miss Dorothy +contracted into a frown. + +"Nephew," cried she, "I shall not take it well of you if you give +stronger credence to the passionate and vulgar assertions of Lady +Dundas and her daughters than you choose to bestow on the tried +veracity of your cousin Mary." + +Pembroke was conscious that if his countenance had been a faithful +transcript of his mind, Miss Beaufort did not err in supposing he +believed the foreigner to be a villain. Knowing that it would be +impossible for him to relinquish his reason into what he now +denominated the partial hands of his aunt and cousin, he persisted in +his opinion to both the ladies, that their unsuspicious natures had +been rendered subservient to knavery and artifice. + +"I would not, my dear madam," said he, addressing Miss Dorothy, +"think so meanly of your sex as to imagine that such atrocity can +exist in the female heart as could give birth to ruinous and +unprovoked calumnies against an innocent man. I cannot suspect the +Misses Dundas of such needless guilt, particularly poor Euphemia, +whom I truly pity. Lady Dundas forced me to read her verses, and they +were too full of love and regret for this adventurer to come from the +same breast which could wantonly blacken his character. Such wicked +inconsistencies in so young a woman are not half so probable as that +you, my clear aunt and cousin, have been deceived. + +"Nephew," returned the old lady, "you are very peremptory. Methinks a +little more lenity of opinion would better become your youth! I knew +nothing of this unhappy young man's present distress until Miss +Beaufort mentioned it to me; but before she breathed a word in his +favor, I had conceived a very high respect for his merits. From the +first hour in which I saw him, I gathered by his deportment that he +must be a gentleman, besides a previous act of benevolent bravery, in +rescuing at the hazard of his own life two poor children from a house +in flames--in all this I saw he must have been born far above his +fortunes. I thought so; I still think so; and, notwithstanding all +that the Dundasses may choose to fabricate, I am determined to +believe the assertions of an honest countenance." + +Pembroke smiled, whilst he forced his aunt's reluctant hand into his, +and said, "I see, my dear madam, you are bigoted to the idol of your +own fancy! I do not presume to doubt this Mr. Constantine's lucky +exploits, nor his enchantments: but you must pardon me if I keep my +senses at liberty. I shall think of him as I could almost swear he +deserves, although I am aware that I hazard your affection by my +firmness." He then turned to Mary, who, with a swelling and +distressed heart, was standing by the chimney. "Forgive me, my +dearest cousin," continued he, addressing her in a softened voice, +"that I am forced to appear harsh. It is the first time I ever +dissented from you; it is the first time I ever thought you +prejudiced!" + +Miss Beaufort drew the back of her hand over her glistening eyes. All +the tender affections of Pembroke's bosom smote him at once, and +throwing his arms around his cousin's waist, he strained her to his +breast, and added, "Ah! why, dear girl, must I love you better for +thus giving me pain? Every way my darling Mary is more estimable. +Even now, whilst I oppose you, I am sure, though your goodness is +abused, it was cheated into error by the affectation of honorable +impulses and disasters!" + +Miss Beaufort thought that if the prudence of reserve and decorum +dictated silence in some circumstances, in others a prudence of a +higher order would justify her in declaring her sentiments. +Accordingly she withdrew from the clasping arms of Mr. Somerset, and +whilst her beautiful figure seemed to dilate into more than its usual +dignity, she mildly replied: + +"Think what you please, Pembroke; I shall not contend with you. Mr. +Constantine is of a nature not to be hidden by obscurity; his +character will defend itself; and all that I have to add is this, I +do not release you from your promise. Could a woman transact the +affair with propriety, I would not keep yon to so disagreeable an +office; but I have passed my word to myself that I will neither +slumber nor sleep till he is out of prison." She put a pocket-book +into Pembroke's hand, and added, "Take that, my clear cousin; and +without suffering a syllable to transpire by which he may suspect who +served him, accomplish what I have desired, acting by the memorandum +you will find within." + +"I will obey you, Mary," returned he; "but I am sorry that such rare +enthusiasm was not awakened by a worthier object. When you see me +again, I hope I shall be enabled to say that your ill-placed +generosity is satisfied." + +"Fie, nephew, fie!" cried Miss Dorothy; "I could not have supposed +you capable of conferring a favor so ungraciously." + +Pained at what he called the obstinate infatuation of Miss Beaufort, +and if possible more chagrined by what he considered the blind and +absurd encouragement of his aunt, Mr. Somerset lost the whole of her +last reprimand in his hurry to quit the room. + +Disturbed, displeased, and anxious, he stepped into a hackney-coach; +and ordering it to drive to Newgate, called on the way at Lincoln's +Inn, to take up a confidential clerk of his father's law-agent there, +determining by his assistance to go through the business without +exposing himself to any interview with a man whom he believed to be +an artful and unprincipled villain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +"Calumny is the pastime of little minds, and the venomed shaft of +base ones." + + +The first week of the count's confinement was rendered in some degree +tolerable by the daily visits of Mrs. Robson, who, having brought his +drawing materials, enabled him, through the means of the always +punctual printseller, to purchase some civility from the brutal and +hardened people who were his keepers. After the good woman had +performed her diurnal kindness, Thaddeus did not suffer his eyes to +turn one moment on the dismal loneliness of his abject prison, but +took up his pencil to accomplish its daily task, and when done, he +opened some one of his books, which had also been brought to him, and +so sought to beguile his almost hopeless hours,--hopeless with regard +to any human hope of ever re-passing those incarcerating walls. For +who was there but those who had put him there who could now know even +of his existence? + +The elasticity and pressing enterprise of soul inherent in worth +renders; no calamity so difficult to be borne as that which betters +its best years and most active virtues under the lock of any +captivity. Thaddeus felt this benumbing effect in every pulse of his +ardent and energetic heart. He retraced all that he had been. He +looked on what he was. Though he had reaped glory when a boy, his +"noon of manhood," his evening sun, was to waste its light and set in +an English prison. + +At short and distant intervals such melancholy reveries gave place to +the pitying image of Mary Beaufort. It sometimes visited him in the +day--it always was his companion during the night. He courted her +lovely ideal as a spell that for a while stole him from painful +reflections. With an entranced soul he recalled every lineament of +her angel--like face, every tender sympathy of that gentle voice +which had hurried him into the rashness of touching her hand. One +moment he pressed her gold chain closer to his heart, almost +believing what Lady Tinemouth had insinuated; the next, he would sigh +over his credulity, and return with despondent though equally intense +love to the contemplation of her virtues, independent of himself. + +The more he meditated on the purity of her manners, the elevated +principles to which he could trace her actions, and, above all, on +the benevolent confidence with which she had ever treated him (a man +contemned by one part of her acquaintance, and merely received on +trust by the remainder), the more he found reasons to regard that +character with his grateful admiration. When he drew a comparison +between Miss Beaufort and most women of the same quality whom he had +seen in England and in other countries, he contemplated with +delighted wonder that spotless mind which, having passed through the +various ordeals annexed to wealth and fashion, still bore itself +uncontaminated. She was beautiful, and she did not regard it; she was +accomplished, but she did not attempt a display; what she acquired +from education, the graces had so incorporated with her native +intelligence, that the perfection of her character seemed to have +been stamped at once by the beneficent hand of Providence. + +Never were her numberless attractions so fascinating to Thaddeus as +when he witnessed the generous eagerness with which, forgetful of her +own almost unparalleled talents, she pointed out merit and dispensed +applause to the deserving. Miss Beaufort's nature was gentle and +benevolent; but it was likewise distinguishing and animated. Whilst +the count saw that the urbanity of her disposition made her +politeness universal, he perceived that neither rank, riches nor +splendor, when alone, could extract from her bosom one spark of that +lambet flame which streamed from her heart, like fire to the sun, +towards the united glory of genius and virtue. + +He dwelt on her lovely, unsophisticated character with an enthusiasm +bordering on idolatry. He recollected that she had been educated by +the mother of Pembroke Somerset; and turning from the double +remembrance with a sigh fraught with all the bitterness and sweetness +of love, he acknowledged how much wisdom (which includes virtue) +gives spirit and immortality to beauty. "Yes," cried he, "it is the +fragrance of the flower, which lives after the bloom is withered." + +From such reflections of various hues Thaddeus was one evening +awakened by the entrance of the chief jailer into his cell. His was +an unusual visit. He presented a sealed packet to his prisoner, +saying he brought it from a stranger, who, having paid the debts and +costs for which he was confined, and all the prison dues, had +immediately gone away, leaving that packet to be instantly delivered +into the hand of Mr. Constantine. + +While Thaddeus, scarcely crediting the information, was hastily +opening the packet, hoping it might throw some light on his +benefactor, the jailer civilly withdrew. But the breaking of the seal +discovered a blank cover only, save these words, in a handwriting +unknown to him--"You are free!"--and bank of England notes to the +amount of fifty pounds. + +Overwhelmed with surprise, gratitude to Heaven, and to this generous +unknown, he sank down into his solitary chair, and tried to +conjecture who could have acted the part of such a friend, and yet be +so careful to conceal that act of friendship. + +He had seen sufficient proofs of a heedless want of benevolence in +Miss Euphemia Dundas to lead him to suppose that she could not be so +munificent, and solicitous of secrecy. Besides, how could she have +learned his situation? He thought it was impossible; and that +impossibility compelled an erratic hope of his present liberty having +sprung from the goodness of Miss Beaufort to pass by him with a +painful swiftness. + +"Alas!" cried he, starting from his chair, "it is the indefatigable +spirit of Lady Sara Ross that I recognize in this deed! The generous +but unhappy interest which she yet takes in my fate has discovered my +last misfortune, and thus she seeks to relieve me!" + +The moment he conceived this idea, he believed it; and taking up a +pen, with a grateful though disturbed soul he addressed to her the +following guarded note:-- + +"TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LADY SARA ROSS. + +"An unfortunate exile, who is already overpowered by a sense of not +having deserved the notice which Lady Sara Ross has deigned to take +of his misfortunes, was this day liberated from prison in a manner so +generous and delicate, that he can ascribe the act to no other than +the noble heart of her ladyship. + +"The object of this bounty, bending under a weight of obligations +which he cannot repay, begs permission to re-enclose the bills which +Lady Sara's agent transmitted to him; but as the deed which procures +his freedom cannot be recalled, with the most grateful emotions he +accepts that new instance of her ladyship's goodness." + +Thaddeus was on the point of asking one of the turnkeys to send him +some trusty person to take this letter to St. James Place, when, +recollecting the impropriety of making any inmate of Newgate his +messenger to Lady Sara, he was determining to remove immediately to +St. Martin's Lane, and thence dispatch his packet to his generous +friend, when Mrs. Robson herself was announced by his turnkey, who, +as customary, disappeared the moment he had let her in. She hastened +forward to him with an animated countenance, and exclaimed, before he +had time to speak, "Dear sir, I have seen a dear, sweet lady, who has +promised me not to sleep till you are out of this horrid place!" + +The suspicions of the count, that his benefactress was indeed Lady +Sara Ross, were now confirmed. Seating his warmhearted landlady in +the only chair his apartment contained, to satisfy her humility, he +took his station on the table, and then said: "The lady has already +fulfilled her engagement. I am free, and I only wait for a hackney- +coach--which I shall send for immediately--to take me back to your +kind home." + +At this assurance the delighted Mrs. Robson, crying and laughing by +turns, did not cease her ejaculations of joy until the turnkey, whom +he had recalled to give the order for the coach, returned to say that +it was in readiness. + +He took up his late prisoner's small portmanteau, with the drawing- +materials, &c., which had been brought to him during his +incarceration; and Thaddeus, with a feeling as if a band of iron had +been taken from his soul, passed through the door of his cell; and +when he reached the greater portal of Newgate, where the coach stood, +he gave the turnkey a liberal _douceur_, and handing Mrs. Robson +into the vehicle, stepped in after her, full of thankfulness to +Heaven for again being permitted to taste the wholesome breeze of a +free atmosphere. + +They drove quickly on, and from the fullness of his thoughts, little +passed between the count and his happy companion till they alighted +at her door and he had re-entered his humble apartment. But so true +is it that advantages are only appreciated by comparison, when he +looked around, he considered it a palace of luxury, compared to the +stifling dungeon he had left. "Ah!" cried Mrs. Robson, pointing to a +chair, "there is the seat in which that dear lady sat--sweet +creature! I If I had known I durst believe all she promised, I would +have fallen on my knees and kissed her feet for bringing back your +dear self!" + +"I thank you, my revered friend!" replied Thaddeus, with a grateful +smile and a tear at so ardent a demonstration of her maternal +affection. "But where is little Nanny, that I may shake hands with +her?" It being yet early in the evening, he was also anxious, before +the probable retiring time of Lady Sara into her dressing-room to +prepare for dinner should elapse, to dispatch his letter to her; and +he inquired of his still rejoicing landlady "whether she could find +him a safe porter to take a small packet of importance to St. James's +Place, and wait for an answer?" + +The good woman instantly replied that "Mrs. Watts, her neighbor, had +a nephew at present lodging with her, a steady man, recently made one +of the grooms in the King's Mews, and as this was the customary hour +of his return from the stables, she was sure he would be glad to do +the service." While the count was sealing his letter, Mrs Robson had +executed her commission, and reentered with young Watts. He +respectfully received his instructions from Thaddeus, and withdrew to +perform the duty. + +Nanny had also appeared, and welcomed her grandmother's beloved +lodger with all those artless and animated expressions of joy which +are inseparable from a good and unsophisticated heart. + +The distance between the royal precincts of St. James's and the +unostentatious environs of St. Martin's church being very short, in +less than half an hour the count's messenger returned with the +wished-for reply. It was with pain that he opened it, for he saw, by +the state of the paper, that it had been blotted with tears. He +hurriedly took out the re-enclosed bills, with a flushed cheek, and +read as follows:-- + +"I cannot be mistaken in recognizing the proud and high-minded +Constantine in the lines I hold in my hand. Could anything have +imparted to me more comfort than your generous belief that there is +indeed some virtue left in my wretched and repentant heart, it would +have arisen from the consciousness of having been the happy person +who succored you in your distress. But no: that enjoyment was beyond +my deserving. The bliss of being the lightener of your sorrows was +reserved by Heaven for a less criminal creature. I did not even know +that you were in prison. Since our dreadful parting, I have never +dared to inquire after you; and much as it might console me to serve +one so truly valued, I will not insult your nice honor by offering +any further instance of my friendship than what will evince my soul's +gratitude to your prayers and my acquiescence with the commands of +duty. + +"My husband is here, without perceiving the ravages which misery and +remorse have made in my unhappy heart. Time, perhaps, may render me +less unworthy of his tenderness; at present, I detest myself. + +"I return the bills; you may safely use them, for they never were +mine. + +"S. R." + +The noble heart of Thaddeus bled over every line of this letter. He +saw that it bore the stamp of truth which did not leave him a moment +in doubt that he owed his release to some other hand. Whilst he +folded it up, his grateful suspicions next lighted on Lady Tinemouth. +He had received one short letter from her since her departure, +mentioning Sophia's stay in town to meet Mr. Montresor, and Miss +Beaufort's detention there, on account of Miss Dorothy's accident, +and closing with the intelligence of her own arrival at the Wolds. He +was struck with the idea that, as he had delayed answering this +letter in consequence of his late embarrassment, she must have made +inquiries after him; that probably Miss Egerton was the lady who had +visited Mrs. Robson, and finding the information true had executed +the countess's commission to obtain his release. + +According to these suppositions, he questioned his landlady about the +appearance of the lady who had called. Mrs. Rob-son replied, "She was +of an elegant height, but so wrapped up I could neither see her face +nor her figure, though I am certain from the softness of her voice, +she must be both young and handsome. Sweet creature! I am sure she +wept two or three times. Besides, she is the most charitable soul +alive, next to you, sir; for she gave me a purse with twenty guineas, +and she told me she knew your honor's English friends." + +This narration substantiating his hope of Lady Tinemouth's being his +benefactress, that the kind Sophia was her agent, and the gentleman +who defrayed the debt Mr. Montresor, he felt easier under an +obligation which a mysterious liberation would have doubled. He knew +the countess's maternal love for him. To reject her present +benefaction, in any part, would be to sacrifice gratitude to an +excessive and haughty delicacy. Convinced that nothing can be great +that it is great to despise, he no longer hesitated to accept Lady +Tinemouth's bounty, but smothered in his breast the embers of a proud +and repulsive fire, which, having burst forth in the first hour of +his misfortunes, was ever ready to consume any attempt that might +oppress him with the weight of obligation. + +Being exhausted by the events of the day, he retired at an early hour +to his grateful devotions and to his pillow, where he found that +repose which he had sought in vain within the gloomy and (he +supposed) ever-sealed walls of his prison. + +In the morning he was awakened by the light footsteps of his pretty +waiting-maid entering the front room. His chamber-door being open, he +asked her what the hour was? She replied nine o'clock; adding that +she had brought a letter, which one of the waiters from Slaughter's +Coffee-house had just left, with information that he did so by the +orders of a footman in a rich livery. + +Thaddeus desired that it might be given to him. The child obeyed, and +quitted the room. He saw that the superscription was in Miss Dundas's +hand; and opening it with pleasure,--because everything interested +him which came from the house which contained Mary Beaufort,--to his +amazement and consternation he read the following accusations:-- + +"To MR. CONSTANTINE. + +"Sir, + +"By a miraculous circumstance yesterday morning, your deep and daring +plan of villany has been discovered to Lady D---and myself. The +deluded victim, whom your arts and falsehoods would have seduced to +dishonor her family by connecting herself with a vagabond, has at +length seen through her error, and now detests you as much as ever +your insufferable presumption could have hoped she would distinguish +you with her regard. Thanks be to Heaven! you are completely exposed. +This young woman of fashion (whose name I will not trust in the same +page with yours) has made a full confession of your vile seductions, +of her own reprehensible weakness, in ever having deigned to listen +to so low a creature. She desires me to assure you that she hates +you, and commands you never again to attempt the insolence of +appearing in her sight. Indeed this is the language of every soul in +this house, Lady D----, Miss D----, S----, Miss B---, besides that of + +"D----D----. + +"HARLEY STREET." + +Thaddeus read this ridiculous letter twice before he could perfectly +comprehend its meaning. In a paroxysm of indignation at the base +subterfuge under which he did not doubt Euphemia had screened some +accidental discovery of her absurd passion, he hastily threw on his +clothes, and determined, though in defiance of Miss Dundas's +mandates, to fly to Harley Street, and clear himself in the eyes of +Miss Beaufort and her venerable aunt. + +Having flown rather than walked, he arrived in sight of Lady Dundas's +house just as a coachful of her ladyship's maids and packages drove +from the door. Hurrying up the step, he asked the porter if Miss +Dorothy Somerset were at home. + +"No," replied the man; "she and Miss Beaufort, with Miss Dundas and +Mr. Somerset, went out of town this morning by eight o'clock; and my +lady and Miss Euphemia, about an hour ago, set off for Scotland, +where they mean to stay all the summer." + +At this information, which seemed to be the sealing of his +condemnation with Mary, the heart of Thaddeus was pierced to the +core. Unacquainted until this moment with the torments attending the +knowledge of being calumniated, he could scarcely subdue the tempest +in his breast, when forced to receive the conviction that the woman +he loved above all the world now regarded him as not merely a +villain, but the meanest of villains. + +He returned home indignant and agitated. The probability that +Pembroke Somerset had listened to the falsehood of Euphemia, without +suggesting one word in defence of him who once was his friend, +inflicted a pang more deadly than the rest. Shutting himself within +his apartment, tossed and tortured in soul, he traversed the room. +First one idea occurred and then another, until he resolved to seek +redress from the advice of Lady Tinemouth. With this determination he +descended the stairs, and telling Mrs. Robson he should leave London +the ensuing day for Lincolnshire, begged her not to be uneasy on his +account, as he went on business, and would return in a few days. The +good woman almost wept at this intelligence, and prayed Heaven to +guard him wherever he went. + +Next morning, having risen at an early hour, he was collecting his +few articles of wardrobe to put into his cloak-bag for his meditated +short visit, when going to open one of the top drawers in his +chamber, he found it sealed, and observed on the black wax the +impress of an eagle. It was a large seal. Hardly crediting his eyes, +it appeared to be the armorial eagle of Poland, surmounted by its +regal crown. Nay, it seemed an impression of the very seal which had +belonged to his royal ancestor, John Sobieski, and which was appended +to the watch of his grandfather when he was robbed of it on his first +arrival in England. + +Thaddeus, in a wondering surprise, immediately rang the bell, and +Mrs. Robson herself came up stairs. He hurriedly but gently inquired +"how the drawer became not only locked as he had left it, but +fastened with such a seal?" + +Mrs. Robson did not perceive his agitation, and simply replied, +"While his honor was in that horrid place, and after the attempt of +Mr. Jackson to get possession of his property, she had considered it +right to so secure the drawer, which she believed contained his most +valuable pictures, and the like. So, having no impression of her own +big enough, she went and bought a bunch of tarnished copper-seals she +had seen hanging in the window of a huckster's shop at the corner of +an ally hard by, one of them appearing about the size she wanted. The +woman of the shop told her she had found them at the bottom of a tub +of old iron, sold to her a while ago by a dustman; and as, to be +sure, they were damaged and very dirty, she would not ask more than a +couple of shillings for the lot, and would be glad to get rid of +them!" + +"So, sir," continued Mrs. Robson, with a pleased look, "I gave the +money, and hastened home as fast as I could, and with Mrs. Watts by +my side to witness it, you see I made all safe which I thought you +most cared for." + +"You are very thoughtful for me, kindest of women!" returned +Thaddeus, with grateful energy; "but let me see the seals--for it is +possible I may recognize in the one of this impression, indeed, a +relic precious to my memory!" + +Mrs. Robson put her hand into her pocket, and instantly gave them to +him. There were three, one large, two small, and strung together by a +leather thong. The former massive gold chain was no longer their +link, and the rust from the iron had clouded the setting; but a +glance told Sobieski they were his! He pressed them to his heart, +whilst with glistening eyes he turned away to conceal his emotion. +His sensible landlady comprehended there was something more than she +knew of in the recognition (he never having told her of the loss of +his watch, when he had saved her little grandchild from the plunging +horses in the King's Mews;) and from her native delicacy not to +intrude on his feelings, she gently withdrew unobserved, and left him +alone. + +About half an hour afterwards, when she saw her beloved lodger depart +in the stage-coach that called to take him up, her eyes followed the +wheels down the lane with renewed blessings. + +His long journey passed not more in melancholy reveries against the +disappointing characters he had met in revered England than in +affectionate anticipations of the moment in which he should pour out +his gratitude to the maternal tenderness of Lady Tinemouth, and learn +from her ingenuous lips how to efface from the minds of Miss Dorothy +Somerset and her angel-like niece the representations, so +dishonoring, torturing, and false, which had been heaped upon him by +the calumnies of the family in Harley Street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +ZEAL IS POWER. + + +The porter at Lady Dundas's had been strictly correct in his account +respecting the destination of the dispersed members of her ladyship's +household. + +Whilst Pembroke Somerset was sullenly executing his forced act of +benevolence at Newgate, Miss Dundas suddenly took into her scheming +head to compare the merits of Somerset's rich expectancy with the +penniless certainty of Lascelles. She considered the substantial +advantages which the wife of a wealthy baronet would hold over the +thriftless _cara sposa_ of a man owning no other estate than a +reflected lustre from the coronet of an elder brother. Besides, +Pembroke was very handsome--Lascelles only tolerably so; indeed, some +women had presumed to call him "very plain." But they were "stupid +persons," who, not believing the _metempsychosis_ doctrine of +the tailor and his decorating adjuncts, could not comprehend that +although a mere human creature can have no such property, a man of +fashion may possess an _elixir vitae_ which makes age youth, +deformity beauty, and even transforms vice into virtue. + +In spite of recollection, which reminded Diana how often she had +contended that all Mr. Lascelles' teeth were his own; that his nose +was not a bit too long, being a facsimile of the feature which reared +its sublime curve over the capricious mouth of his noble brother, the +Earl of Castle Conway--notwithstanding all this, the Pythagorean +pretensions of fashion began to lose their ascendency; and in the +recesses of her mind, when Miss Dundas compared the light elegance of +Pembroke's figure with the heavy limbs of her present lover, +Pembroke's dark and ever-animated eyes with the gooseberry orbs of +Lascelles, she dropped the parallel, and resolving to captivate the +heir of Somerset Castle, admitted no remorse at jilting the brother +of Castle Conway. + +To this end, before Pembroke's return from Newgate, Diana had told +her mother of her intention to accompany Miss Dorothy to the +baronet's, where she would remain until her ladyship should think +Euphemia might be trusted to rejoin her in town. Neither Miss Dorothy +nor Miss Beaufort liked this arrangement; and next morning, with an +aching heart, the latter prepared to take her seat in the travelling +equipage which was to convey them all into Leicestershire. + +After supper, Pembroke coldly informed his cousin of the success of +her commands--that Mr. Constantine was at liberty. This assurance, +though imparted with so ungracious an air, laid her head with less +distraction on her pillow, and as she stepped into Sir Robert's +carriage next day, enabled her with more ease to deck her lips with +smiles. She felt that the penetrating eyes of Mr. Somerset were never +withdrawn from her face. Offended with his perverseness, and their +scrutiny, she tried to baffle their inspection. She attempted gayety, +when she gladly would have wept. But when the coach mounted the top +of Highgate Hill, and she had a last view of that city which +contained the being whose happiness was the sole object of her +thoughts and prayers, she leaned out of the window to hide a tear she +could not repress; feeling that another and another would start, she +complained of the dust, and pulling her veil over her eyes, drew back +into the corner of the carriage. The trembling of her voice and hands +during the performance of this little artifice too well explained to +Pembroke what was passing in her mind. At once dispelling the gloom +which shrouded his own countenance, he turned towards her with +compassionate tenderness in his words and looks; he called her +attention by degrees to the happy domestic scene she was to meet at +the Castle; and thus gradually softening her displeasure into the +easy conversation of reciprocal affection, he rendered the remainder +of their long journey less irksome. + +When, at the end of the second day, Miss Beaufort found herself in +the old avenue leading to the base of the hill which sustains the +revered walls of Somerset's castellated towers, a mingled emotion +took possession of her breast; and when the carriage arrived at the +foot of the highest terrace, she sprang impatiently out of it, and +hastening up the stone stairs into the front hall, met her uncle at +the door of the breakfast-parlor, where he held out his arms to +receive her. + +"My Mary! My darling!" cried he, embracing her now wet cheek, and +straining her throbbing bosom to his own, "Why, my dear love," added +he, almost carrying her into the room, "I am afraid this visit to +town has injured your nerves! Whence arises this agitation?" + +She knew it had injured her peace; and now that the floodgates of her +long-repelled tears were opened, it was beyond her power, or the +soothings of her affectionate uncle, to stay them. A moment +afterwards her cousin entered the room, followed by Miss Dorothy and +Miss Dundas. Miss Beaufort hastily rose, to conceal what she could +not check. Kissing Sir Robert's hand, she asked permission to retire, +under the pretence of regaining those spirits which had been +dissipated by the fatigues of her journey. + +In her own chamber she did indeed struggle to recover herself. She +shuddered at the impetuosity of her emotions when once abandoned of +their reins, and resolved from this hour to hold a stricter control +over such betrayals of her ill-fated, devoted heart. + +She sat in the window of her apartment, and looking down the +extensive vale of Somerset, watched the romantic meanderings of its +shadowed river, winding its course through the domains of the castle, +and nourishing the roots of those immense oaks which for many a +century had waved their branches over its stream. She reflected on +the revolution which had take place in herself since she walked on +its banks the evening that preceded her visit to London. Then she was +free as the air, gay as the lark; each object was bright and lovely +in her eyes hope seemed to woo her from every green slope, every +remote dingle. All nature breathed of joy, because her own breast was +the abode of gladness. Now, all continued the same, but she was +changed. Surrounded by beauty, she acknowledged its presence; the +sweetness of the flowers bathed her senses in fragrance; the setting +sun, gilding the height, shed a yellow glory over the distant hills; +the birds were hailing the falling dew which spangled every leaf. She +gazed around, and sighed heavily, when she said to herself, "Even in +this paradise I shall be wretched. Alas! my heart is far away! My +soul lingers about one I may never more behold!--about one who may +soon cease to remember that such a being as Mary Beaufort is in +existence. He will leave England!" cried she, raising her hands and +eyes to the glowing heavens. "He will live, he will die, far, far +from me! In a distant land he will wed another, whilst I shall know +no wish that strays from him." + +Whilst she indulged in these soliloquies, she forgot both Sir Robert +and her resolution, until he sent her maid to beg, if she were +better, that she would come down and make tea for him. At this +summons she dried her eyes, and with assumed serenity descended to +the saloon, where the family were assembled. The baronet having +greeted Miss Dundas with an hospitable welcome, seated himself +between his sister and his son; and whilst he received his favorite +beverage from the hands of his beloved niece, he found that comfort +once more re-entered his bosom. + +Sir Robert Somerset was a man whose appearance alone attracted +respect. His person bore the stamp of dignity, and his manners, which +possessed the exquisite polish of travel, and of society in its most +refined courts, secured him universal esteem. Though little beyond +fifty, various perplexing situations having distressed his youth, had +not only rendered his hair prematurely gray, but by clouding his once +brilliant eyes with thoughtfulness, marked his aspect with premature +old age and melancholy. The baronet's entrance into town life had +been celebrated for his graceful vivacity; he was the animating +spirit of every party, till an inexplicable metamorphosis suddenly +took place. Soon after his return from abroad, he had married Miss +Beaufort (a woman whom he loved to adoration), When, strange to say, +excess of happiness seemed to change his nature and give his +character a deep tinge of sadness. After his wife's death, the +alteration in his mind produced still more extraordinary effects, and +showed itself more than once in all the terrors of threatened mental +derangement. + +His latest attack of the kind assailed him during the last winter, +under the appearance of a swoon, while he sat at breakfast reading +the newspaper. He was carried to bed, and awoke in a delirium which +menaced either immediate death or the total extinction of his +intellects. However, neither of these dreads being confirmed, in the +course of several weeks, to the wonder of everybody, he recovered +much of his health and his sound mind. Notwithstanding this happy +event, the circumstances of his danger so deeply affected his family, +that he ceased not to be an object of the most anxious attention. +Indeed, solicitude did not terminate with them: the munificence of +his disposition having spread itself through every county in which he +owned a rood of land, as many prayers ascended for the repose of his +spirit as ever petitioned Heaven from the mouths of "monkish +beadsmen" in favor of power and virtue. + +Since the demise of Lady Somerset, this still-admired man drew all +his earthly comfort from the amiable qualities of his son Pembroke. +Sometimes in his livelier hours, which came "like angel visits, few +and far between," he amused himself with the playfulness of the +little Earl of Avon, the pompous erudition of Mr. Loftus, (who was +become his young ward's tutor), and with giving occasional +entertainments to the gentry in his neighborhood. + +Of all the personages contained within this circle (which the +hospitality of Sir Robert extended to a circumference of fifty +miles,) the noble family of Castle Granby, brave, patriotic, and +accomplished, with female beauty at its head, + + "Fitted to move in courts or walk the shade, + With innocence and contemplation joined," + +were held in the highest and most intimate appreciation; while many +of the numerous titled visitants who attended the celebrated and +magnificent Granby hunt were of too convivial notoriety to be often +admitted within the social home-society of either Castle Granby or +Somerset Castle, the two cynosure mansions which, now palace-like, +crest with their peaceful groves the summits of those two promontory +heights whereon in former times they stood in fortress strength, the +guardians of each opening pass into that spacious and once important +belligerent vale! + +Amongst the less-esteemed frequenters of the chase was devoted +Nimrod, Sir Richard Shafto, who every season fixed himself and family +at a convenient hunting-lodge near the little town of Grantham, with +his right worthy son and heir who by calling at Somerset Castle soon +after the arrival of his guests, caused a trifling change in its +arrangements. When Dick Shafto (as all the grooms in the stables +familiarly designated him) was ushered into the room, he nodded to +Sir Robert, and, turning his back on the ladies, told Pembroke he had +ridden to Somerset "on purpose to _bag_ him for Woodhill Lodge." + +"Upon my life," cried he, "if you don't come, I will cut and run. +There is not a creature but yourself within twenty miles to whom I +can speak--not a man worth a sixpence. I wish my father had broken +his neck before he accepted that confounded embassy, which encumbers +me with the charge of my old mother!" + +After this dutiful wish, which brought down a weighty admonition from +Miss Dorothy, the young gentleman promised to behave better, provided +she would persuade Pembroke to accompany him to the Lodge. Mr. +Somerset did not show much alacrity in his consent; but to rid his +family of so noisy a guest, he rose from his chair, and acquiescing +in the sacrifice of a few clays to good nature, bade his father +farewell, and gave orders for a ride to Grantham. + +As soon as the gentlemen left the saloon, Miss Dundas ran up stairs, +and from her dressing-room window in the west tower pursued the steps +of their horses as they cantered down the winding steep into the high +road. An abrupt angle of the hill hiding them from her view, she +turned round with a toss of the head, and flinging herself into a +chair, exclaimed, "Now I shall be bored to death by this prosing +family! I wish his boasted hunter had run away with Shafto before he +thought of coming here!" + +In consequence of the temper which engendered the above no very +flattering compliment to the society at the Castle, Miss Dundas +descended to the dining-room with sulky looks and a chilling air. She +ate what the baronet laid on her plate with an indolent appetite, cut +her meat carelessly, and dragged the vegetables over the table-cloth. +Miss Dorothy colored at this indifference to the usual neatness of +her damask covers; but Miss Dundas was so completely in the sullens, +that, heedless of any other feelings than her own, she continued to +pull and knock about the things just as her ill-humor dictated. + +The petulance of this lady's behavior did not in the least assimilate +with the customary decorum of Sir Robert's table; and when the cloth +was drawn, he could not refrain from expressing his concern that +Somerset Castle appeared so little calculated to afford satisfaction +to a daughter of Lady Dundas. Miss Dundas attempted some awkward +declaration that she never was more amused--never happier. + +But the small credit Sir Robert gave to her assertion was fully +warranted the next morning by the ready manner in which she accepting +a casual invitation to spend the ensuing day and night at Lady +Shafto's. Her ladyship called on Miss Dorothy, and intended to have a +party in the evening, invited the two young ladies to return with her +to Woodhill Lodge, and be her guests for a week. Miss Beaufort, whose +spirits were far from tranquillized, declined her civility; but with +a gleam of pleasure she heard it accepted by Miss Dundas, who +departed with her ladyship for the Lodge. + +Whilst the enraptured Diana, all life and glee, bowled along with +Lady Shafto, anticipating the delight of once more seating herself at +the elbow of Pembroke Somerset, Mary Beaufort, relieved from a load +of ill-requited attentions, walked out into the park, to enjoy in +solitude the "sweet sorrow" of thinking on the unhappy and far- +distant Constantine. Regardless of the way, her footsteps, though +robbed of elasticity by nightly watching and daily regret, led her +beyond the park, to the ruined church of Woolthorpe, its southern +boundary. Her eyes were fixed on the opposite horizon. It was the +extremity of Leicestershire; and far, far behind those hills was that +London which contained the object dearest to her soul. The wind +seemed scarcely to breathe as it floated towards her; but it came +from that quarter, and believing it laden with every sweet which love +can fancy, she threw back her veil to inhale its balm, then, blaming +herself for such weakness, she turned, blushing, homewards and wept +at what she thought her unreasonably tenacious passion. + +The arrival of Miss Dundas at the Lodge was communicated to the two +young men on their return from traversing half the country in quest +of game. The news drew an oath from Shafto, but rather pleased +Somerset, who augured some amusement from her attempts at wit and +judgment. Tired to death, and dinner being over when they entered, +with ravenous appetites they devoured their uncomfortable meal in a +remote room; then throwing themselves along the sofas, yawned and +slept for nearly two hours. + +Pembroke waking first, suddenly jumped on the floor, and shaking his +disordered clothes, exclaimed, "Shafto! get up This is abominable! I +cannot help thinking that if we spend one half of our days in +pleasure and the other in lolling off its fatigues, we shall have +passed through life more to our shame than our profit!" + +"Then you take the shame and leave me the profit," cried his +companion, turning himself round: "so good-night to you!" + +Pembroke rang the bell. A servant entered. + +"What o'clock is it?" + +"Nine, sir." + +"Who are above?" + +"My lady, sir, and a large party of ladies." + +"There, now!" cried Shafto, yawning and kicking out his legs. "You +surely won't go to be bored with such maudlin company?" + +"I choose to join your mother," replied Pembroke. "Are there any +gentlemen, Stephen?" + +"One sir: Doctor Denton." + +"Off with you!" roared Shafto; "what do you stand jabbering there +for? You won't let me sleep. Can't you send away the fellow, and go +look yourself?" + +"I will, if you can persuade yourself to rise off that sofa and come +with me." + +"May Lady Hecate catch me if I do! Get about your business, and leave +me to mine." + +"You are incorrigible, Shafto," returned Pembroke, as he closed the +door. + +He went up stairs to change his dress, and before he gained the +second flight, he resolved not to spend another whole day in the +company of such an ignorant, unmannerly cub. + +On Mr. Somerset's entrance into Lady Shafto's drawing-room, he saw +many ladies, but only one gentleman, who was, the before-mentioned +Dr. Denton--a poor, shallow-headed, parasitical animal. Pembroke +having seen enough of him to despise his pretensions both to science +and sincerity, returned his wide smirk and eager inquiries with a +ceremonious bow, and took his seat by the side of the now delighted +Miss Dundas. The vivid spirits of Diana, which she now strove to +render peculiarly sparkling, entertained him. When compared with the +insipid sameness of her ladyship, or the coarse ribaldry of her son, +the mirth of Miss Dundas was wit and her remarks wisdom. + +"Dear Mr. Somerset!" cried she, "how good you are to break this sad +solemnity. I vow, until you showed your face, I thought the days of +paganism were revived, and that lacking men, we were assembled here +to celebrate the mysteries of the _Bona Dea_." + +"Lacking men!" replied he, smiling; "you have over-looked the +assiduous Doctor Denton?" + +"O, no; that is a chameleon in man's clothing. He breathes air, he +eats air, he speaks air; and a most pestilential breath it is. Only +observe how he is pouring its fumes into the ear of yonder sable +statue." + +Pembroke directed his eyes as Miss Dundas desired him, and saw Dr. +Denton whispering and bowing before a lady in black. The lady put up +her lip: the doctor proceeded; she frowned: he would not be daunted; +the lady rose from her seat, and slightly bending her head, crossed +the room. Whilst Mr. Somerset was contemplating her graceful figure, +and fine though pale features, Miss Dundas touched his arm, and +smiling satirically, repeated in an affected voice-- + + "Hail, pensive nun! devout and holy! + Hail, divinest Melancholy!" + +"If she be Melancholy," returned Pembroke, "I would forever say + + "Hence, unholy Mirth, of Folly born!" + +Miss Dundas reddened. She never liked this interesting woman, who was +not only too handsome for competition, but possessed an understanding +that would not tolerate ignorance or presumption. Diana's ill-natured +impertinence having several times received deserved chastisement from +that quarter, she was vexed to the soul when Pembroke closed his +animated response with the question, "Who is she?" + +Rather too bitterly for the design on his heart, Miss Dundas iterated +his words, and then answered, "Why, she is crazed. She lives in a +place called Harrowby Abbey, at the top of that hill," continued she, +pointing through the opposite window to a distant rising ground, on +which the moon was shining brightly; "and I am told she frightens the +cottagers out of their wits by her midnight strolls." + +Hardly knowing how to credit this wild account, Pembroke asked his +informer if she were serious. + +"Never more so. Her eyes are uncommonly wild." + +"You must be jesting," returned he; "they seem perfectly reasonable." + +Miss Dundas laughed, "like Hamlet's, they 'know not seems, but have +that within which passeth show!' Believe me, she is mad enough for +Bedlam; and of that I could soon convince you. I wonder how Lady +Shafto thought of inviting her, she quite stupefied our dinner." + +"Well," cried Pembroke, "if those features announce madness, I shall +never admire a look of sense again." + +"Bless us," exclaimed Miss Dundas, "you are wonderfully struck! Don't +you see she is old enough to be your mother?" + +"That maybe," answered he, smiling; "nevertheless she is one of the +most lovely women I ever beheld." Come, tell me her name." + +"I will satisfy you in a moment," rejoined Diana; "and then away with +your rhapsodies! She is the very Countess of Tinemouth, who brought +that vagabond foreigner to our house who would have run off with +Phemy!" + +"Lady Tinemouth!" exclaimed Pembroke; "I never saw her before. My +ever-lamented mother knew her whilst I was abroad, and she esteemed +her highly. Pray introduce me to her!" + +"Impossible," replied Diana, vexed at the turn his curiosity had +taken; "I wrote to her about the insidious wretch, and now we don't +speak." + +"Then I will introduce myself," answered he. He was moving away, when +Miss Dundas caught his arm, and by various attempts at badinage and +raillery, held him in his place until the countess had made her +farewell curtsey to Lady Shafto, and the door was closed. + +Disappointed by this manoeuvre, Pembroke re-seated himself; and +wondering why his aunt and cousin had not heard of Lady Tinemouth's +arrival at Harrowby, he determined to wait on her next day. +Regardless of every word which the provoked Diana addressed to him, +he remained silent and meditating, until the loud voice of Shafto, +bellowing in his ear, made him turn suddenly round. Miss Dundas tried +to laugh at his reverie, though she knew that such a flagrant +instance of inattention was death to her hopes; but Pembroke, not +inclined to partake in the jest, coolly asked his bearish companion +what he wanted? + +"Nothing," cried he, "but to hear you speak! Miss Dundas tells me you +have lost your heart to yonder grim countess? My mother wanted me to +gallant her up the hill; but I would see her in the river first!" + +"Shafto!" answered Pembroke, rising from his chair, "you cannot be +speaking of Lady Tinemouth?" + +"Efaith I am," roared he; "and if she be such a scamp as to live +without a carriage, I won't be her lackey for nothing. The matter of +a mile is not to be tramped over by me with no pleasanter companion +than an old painted woman of quality." + +"Surely you cannot mean," returned Pembroke, "that her ladyship was +to walk from this place?" + +"Without a doubt," cried Shafto, bursting into a hoarse laugh; "you +would be clever to see my Lady Stingy in any other carriage than her +clogs." + +Irritated at the malice of Miss Dundas, and despising the vulgar +illiberality of Shafto, without deigning a reply, Pembroke abruptly +left the room, and hastening out of the house, ran, rather than +walked, in hopes of overtaking the countess before she reached +Harrowby. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +THE VALE OF GRANTHAM.--BELVOIR. + + +Pembroke crossed the little wooden bridge which lies over the Witham; +he scoured the field; he leaped every stile and gate in his way, and +at last gained the enclosure that leads to the top of the hill, where +he descried a light moving, and very rightly conjectured it must be +the lantern carried by the countess's attendant. Another spring over +the shattered fence cleared all obstacles, and he found himself close +to Lady Tinemouth, who was leaning on the arm of a gentleman. +Pembroke stopped at this sight. Supposing she had been met by some +person belonging to the neighborhood, whose readier gallantry now +occupied the place which Miss Dundas had prevented him from filling, +he was preparing to retreat, when Lady Tinemouth happening to turn +her head, imagined, from the hesitating embarrassment of his manner, +that he was a stranger, who had lost his way, and accosted him with +that inquiry. + +Pembroke bowed in some confusion, and related the simple fact of his +having heard that she had quitted Lady Shafto's house without any +guard but the servant, and that the moment he learned the +circumstance he had hurried out to proffer his services. The countess +not only thanked him for such attention, but, constrained by a +civility which at that instant she could have wished not to have been +necessary, asked him to walk forward with her to the abbey, and +partake of some refreshment. + +"But," added she, "though I perfectly recollect having seen another +gentleman in Lady Shafto's room besides Doctor Denton, I have not the +honor of knowing your name." + +"It is Somerset," returned Pembroke; "I am the son of that Lady +Somerset, who, during the last year of her life, had the happiness of +being intimate with your ladyship." + +Lady Tinemouth expressed her pleasure at this meeting; and turning to +the gentleman who was walking in silence by her side, said, "Mr. +Constantine, allow me to introduce to you the cousin of the amiable +Miss Beaufort." + +Thaddeus, who had too well recognized the voice of his false friend +in the first accents he addressed to the countess, with a swelling +heart bent his head to the cold salutation of Somerset. Hearing that +her ladyship's companion was the same Constantine whom he had +liberated from prison, Pembroke was stimulated with a desire to take +the perhaps favorable occasion to unmask his double villany to Lady +Tinemouth; and conceiving a curiosity to see the man whose person and +meretricious qualities had blinded the judgment of his aunt and +cousin, he readily obeyed the second invitation of the countess, and +consented to go home and sup with her. + +Meanwhile, Thaddeus was agitated with a variety of emotions. Every +tone of Pembroke's voice, reminding him of happier days, pierced his +heart, whilst a sense of his ingratitude awakened all the pride and +indignation of his soul. Full of resentment, he determined that, +whatever might be the result, he would not shrink from an interview, +the anticipation of which Pembroke (who had received from himself an +intimation of the name he had assumed) seemed to regard with so much +contemptuous indifference. + +Not imagining that Somerset and the count had any personal knowledge +of each other, Lady Tinemouth begged the gentlemen to accompany her +into the supper-parlor, Pembroke, with inconsiderate, real +indifference, passed by Thaddeus to give his hand to the countess. +Thaddeus was so shocked at this instance of something very like a +personal affront, that, insulted in every nerve, he was obliged to +pause a moment in the hall, to summon coolness to follow him with a +composed step and dispassionate countenance. He accomplished this +conquest over himself, and taking off his hat, entered the room. Lady +Tinemouth began to congratulate herself with many kind expressions on +his arrival. The eyes of Pembroke fixed themselves on the calm but +severe aspect of the man before him; he stood by the table with such +an air of noble greatness, that the candid heart of Pembroke Somerset +soon whispered to himself, "Sure nothing ill can dwell in such a +breast!" + +Still his eyes followed him, when he turned round, and when he bent +his head to answer the countess, but in a voice so low that it +escaped his ear. Pembroke was bewildered. There was something in the +features, in the mien of this foreigner, so like his friend Sobieski! +But then Sobieski was all frankness and animation; his cheek bloomed +with the rich coloring of youth and happiness; his eyes flashed +pleasure, and his lips were decked with smiles. On the contrary, the +person before him was not only considerably taller, and of more manly +proportions, but his face was pale, reserved, and haughty; besides, +he did not appear even to recollect the name of Somerset; and what at +once might destroy the supposition, his own was simply Constantine. + +These reasonings having quickly passed through the mind of Pembroke, +they left his heart unsatisfied. The conflict of his doubts flushed +his cheeks; his bosom beat; and keeping his searching and ardent gaze +riveted on the man who was either his friend or his counterpart, on +Lady Tinemouth turning away to lay her cloak down, the eyes of the +young men met. Thaddeus turned paler than before. There is an +intelligence in the interchange of looks which cannot be mistaken; it +is the communication of souls, and there is no deception in their +language. Pembroke flew forward, and catching hold of his friend's +hand, exclaimed in an impetuous voice, "Am I right? Are you +Sobieski?" + +"I am," returned Thaddeus, almost inarticulate with emotion, and +hardly knowing what to understand by Somerset's behavior. + +"Gracious heaven!" cried he, still grasping his hand; "can you have +forgotten your friend Pembroke Somerset?" + +The ingenuous heart of Thaddeus acknowledged the words and manner of +Pembroke to be the language of truth. Trusting that some mistake had +involved his former conduct, he at once cast off suspicion, and +throwing his arms around him, strained him to his breast and burst +into tears. + +Lady Tinemouth, who during this scene stood mute with surprise, now +advanced to the friends, who were weeping on each other's necks, and +taking a hand of each, "My dear Sobieski," cried she, "why did you +withhold the knowledge of this friendship from me? Had you told me +that you and Mr. Somerset were acquainted, this happy meeting might +have been accomplished sooner." + +"Yes," replied Pembroke, turning to the countess, and wiping away the +tears which were trembling on his cheek; "nothing could have given me +pain at this moment but the conviction that he who was the preserver +of my life, and my most generous protector, should in this country +have endured the most abject distress rather than let me know it was +in my power to be grateful." + +Thaddeus took out his handkerchief, and for a few moments concealed +his face. The countess looked on him with tenderness; and believing +he would sooner regain composure were he alone with his friend, she +stole unobserved out of the room. + +Pembroke affectionately resumed: "But I hope, dear Sobieski, you will +never leave me more. I have an excellent father, who, when he is made +acquainted with my obligations to you and your noble family, will +glory in loving you as a son." + +Having subdued "the woman in his heart," Thaddeus raised his head +with an expression in his eyes far different from that which had +chilled the blood of Pembroke on their first encounter. + +"Circumstances," said he, "dear Somerset, have made me greatly injure +you. A strange neglect on your side, since we separated at Villanow, +gave the first blow to my confidence in your friendship. Though I +lost your direct address, I wrote to you often, and yet you +persevered in silence. After having witnessed the destruction of all +that was dear to me in Poland, and then of Poland itself, when I came +to England I wished to give your faithfulness another chance. I +addressed two letters to you. I even delivered the last at your door +myself, and I saw you in the window when I sent it in." + +"By all that is sacred," cried Pembroke, vehemently, and amazed, "I +never saw any letter from you! I wrote you many. I never heard of +those you mention. Indeed, I should even now have been ignorant of +the palatine's and your mother's cruel fate had it not been too +circumstantially related in the newspapers." + +"I believe you," returned Thaddeus, drawing an agonizing sigh at the +dreadful picture which the last sentence recalled. "I believe you; +though at the time of which I speak, I thought otherwise, for both my +last letters were re-enclosed to me in a blank cover, directed as if +by your hand, and brought by a servant, with a message that there was +no answer." + +"Amazing!" exclaimed Somerset; "there must be some horrible +treachery! Can it be that some lurking foreign spy got amongst my +servants at Dantzic, and has been this traitor ever since? Oh, +Thaddeus!" cried he, abruptly interrupting himself, and grasping his +hand, "I would have flown to you, had it been to meet death, instead +of the greatest joy Heaven could bestow upon me. But why did you not +come in yourself? then no mistake could have happened! Oh, why did +you not come in?" + +"Because I was uncertain of your sentiments. My first letter remained +unnoticed: and my heart, dear Somerset," added he, pressing his hand, +"would not stoop to solicitation." + +"Solicitation!" exclaimed Pembroke, with warmth; "you have a right to +demand my life! But there is some deep villany in this affair; +nothing else could have carried it through. Oh, if anybody belonging +to me have dared to open these letters--Oh, Sobieski!" cried he, +interrupting himself, "how you must have despised me!" + +"I was afflicted," returned Thaddeus, "that the man whom my family so +warmly loved could prove so unworthy; and afterwards, whenever I met +you in the streets, which I think was more than once or twice, I +confess that to pass you cut me to the heart." + +"And you have met me?" exclaimed Pembroke, "and I not see you; I +cannot comprehend it." + +"Yes," answered Thaddeus; "and the first time was going into the +playhouse. I believe I called after you." + +"Is it not now ten months since?" returned Pembroke. "I remember very +well that some one called out my name in a voice that seemed known to +me, while I was handing Lady Calthorpe and her sister into the porch. +I looked about, but not seeing any one I knew, I thought I must have +been mistaken. But why, dear Sobieski, why did you not follow me into +the theatre?" + +Thaddeus shook his head and smiled languidly. "My poverty would not +permit," replied he; "but I waited in the hall until everybody left +the house, in hopes of intercepting you as you passed again." + +Pembroke sprung from his chair at these words, and with vehemence +exclaimed, "I see it! That hypocrite Loftus is at the bottom of it! +He followed me into the theatre; he must have seen you, and his +cursed selfishness was alarmed. Yes; it is no foreign traitor! it +must be he! He would not allow me to return that way. When I said I +would, he told me a thousand lies about the carriages coming round; +and I, believing him, went out by another door. I will tax him of it +to his face!" + +"Who is Mr. Loftus?" inquired Thaddeus, surprised at his friend's +suspicion; "I do not know the man." + +"What!" returned Pembroke, "don't you remember that Loftus is the +name of my scoundrel tutor who persuaded me to volunteer against +Poland? To screen his baseness I have brought all this upon myself." + +"Now I recollect it," replied Thaddeus; "but I never saw him." + +"Yet I am not less certain that I am right," replied Somerset. "I +will tell you my reasons. After I quitted Villanow, you may remember +I was to meet him at Dantzic. Before we left the port, he implored, +almost on his knees, that in pity to his mother and sisters, whom he +said he supported out of his salary, I would refrain from incensing +my parents against him by relating any circumstance of our visit to +Poland. The man shed tears as he spoke; and, like a fool, I consented +to keep the secret till the Vicar of Somerset (a poor soul, still ill +of dropsy) dies, and he be in possession of the living. When we +landed in England, I found the cause of my sudden recall had been the +illness of my dear mother. But Heaven denied me the happiness of +beholding her again; she had been buried two days before I reached +the shore." Pembroke paused a moment, and then resumed: "For near a +month after my return, I could not quit my room; on my recovery, I +wrote both to you and to the palatine. But I still locked up your +names within my heart, the old rector being yet in existence. I +repeated my letters at least every six weeks during the first year of +our separation, though you persisted in being silent. Hurt as I was +at this neglect, I believed that gratitude demanded some sacrifices +from pride, and I continued to write even till the spring following. +Meanwhile the papers of the day teemed with Sobieski's actions-- +Sobieski's fame; and supposing that increasing glory had blotted me +out of your memory, I resolved thenceforth to regard our friendship +as a dream, and never to speak of it more." + +Confounded at this double misapprehension, Thaddeus with a glowing +countenance expressed his regret for having doubted his friend, and +repeating the assurance of having been punctual to his promise of +correspondence, even when he dreamed him inconstant, acknowledged +that nothing but a premeditated scheme could have effected so many +disappointments. + +"Ay," returned Pembroke, reddening with awakened anger; "I could +swear that Mr. Loftus has all my letters in his bureau at this +moment! No house ever gave a man a better opportunity to play the +rogue in than ours. It is a custom with us to lay our letters every +morning on the hall-table, whence they are sent to the office; and +when the post arrives they are spread out in the same way, that their +several owners may take them as they pass to breakfast. From this +arrangement I cannot doubt the means by which Mr. Loftus, under the +hope of separating us forever, has intercepted every letter to you +and every letter from you. I suppose the wretch feared I might become +impatient, and break my engagement if our correspondence were +allowed. He trembled lest the business should be blown before the +rector died, and he, in consequence, lose both the expected living +and his present situation about Lord Avon. A villain! for once he has +judged rightly. I will unmask him to my father, and show him what it +is to purchase advancement at the expense of honor and justice." + +Thaddeus, who could not withhold immediate credit to these evidences +of chicanery, tried to calm the violence of his friend, who only +answered by insisting on having his company back with him to Somerset +Castle. + +"I long to present you to my father," cried he. "When I tell him who +you are, of your kindness to me, how rejoiced will he be! How happy, +how proud to have you his guest; to show the grandson of the Palatine +of Masovia the warm gratitude of a Briton's heart! Indeed, Sobieski, +you will love him, for he is generous and noble, like your +inestimable grandfather. Besides," added he, smiling with a sudden +recollection, "there is my lovely cousin, Mary Beaufort, who I verily +believe will fly into your arms!" + +The blood rushed over the cheeks of Thaddeus at this speech of his +friend, and suppressing a bitter sigh, he shook his head. + +"Don't look so like an infidel," resumed Somerset. "If you have any +doubts of possessing her most precious feelings, I can put you out of +your suspense by a single sentence! When Lady Dundas's household, +with myself amongst them (for little did I suspect I was joining the +cry against my friend), were asserting the most flagrant instances of +your deceit to Euphemia, Mary alone withstood the tide of malice, and +compelled me to release you." + +"Gracious Providence!" cried Thaddeus, catching Pembroke's hand, and +looking eagerly and with agitation in his face "was it you who came +to my prison? Was it Miss Beaufort who visited my lodgings?" + +"Indeed it was," returned his friend, "and I blush for my self that I +quitted Newgate without an interview. Had I followed the dictates of +common courtesy, in the fulfilment of my commission, I should have +seen you; and then, what pain would have been spared my dear cousin! +What a joyful surprise would have awaited myself!" + +Thaddeus could only reply by pressing his friend's hand. His brain +whirled. He could not decide on the nature of his feelings; one +moment he would have given worlds to throw himself at Miss Beaufort's +feet, and the next he trembled at the prospect of meeting her so +soon. + +"Dear Sobieski!" cried Pembroke, "how strangely you receive this +intelligence! Is it possible such sentiments from Mary Beaufort can +be regarded by a soul like yours with coldness?" + +"O no!" cried the count, his fine face flushed with emotion. "I adore +Miss Beaufort. Her virtues possess my whole heart. But can I forget +that I have only that heart to offer? Can I forget that I am a +beggar?--that even now I exist on her bounty?" The eyes of Thaddeus, +and the sudden tremor which shook his frame, finished this appeal to +his fate. + +Pembroke found it enter his soul. To hide its effect, he threw +himself on his friend's breast, and exclaimed, "Do not injure me and +my father by such thoughts. You are come, dearest Sobieski, to a +second home. Sir Robert Somerset will consider himself ennobled in +supplying the place of your lamented grandfather--in endowing you +like a son! Oh, Thaddeus, you must be my cousin, dear as a brother, +as well as my friend!" + +Thaddeus replied with an agitated affection as true as that of the +generous speaker. "But," added he, "I must not allow the noble heart +of my now regained Somerset to believe that I can live a dependant on +any power but the Author of my being. Therefore, if Sir Robert +Somerset will assist me to procure some unobtrusive way of acquiring +my own support in the simplicity I wish, I shall thank him from my +soul. In no other way my kindest friend, can I ever be brought to tax +the munificence of your father." + +Pembroke colored at this, and exclaimed, in a voice of distress and +displeasure, "Sobieski! what can you mean? Do you imagine that ever +my father or myself can forget that you were little less than a +prince in your own country?--that when in so high a station you +treated me like a brother; that you preserved me even when I lifted +my arm against your life. Can we be such monsters as to forget all +this, or to think that we act justly by you in permitting you to +labor for your bread? No, Thaddeus; my very soul spurns the idea. +Your mother sheltered me as a son; and I insist that you allow my +father to perform the same part by you! Besides, you shall not be +idle; you may have a commission in the army, and I will follow you." + +The count pressed the hand of his friend, and looking gratefully but +mournfully in his face, replied, "Had I a hundred tongues, my +generous Pembroke, I could not express my sense of your friendship; +it is indeed a cordial to my heart; it imparts to me an earnest of +happiness which I thought had fled forever. But it shall not allure +me from my principles. I am resolved not to live a life of indolent +uselessness; and I cannot, at this period, enter the British army. +No," added he, emotion elevating his tone and manner; "rather would I +toil for subsistence by the sweat of my brow than be subjected to the +necessity of acting in concert with those ravagers who destroyed my +country! I cannot fight by the side of the allied powers who +dismembered it! I cannot enlist under the allies! I will not be led +out to devastation! Mine was, and ever shall be, a defensive sword; +and should danger threaten England, I would be as ready to withstand +her enemies as I ardently, though ineffectually, opposed those of +unhappy Poland." + +Pembroke recognized the devoted soul of Thaddeus of Warsaw in this +lofty burst of enthusiasm; and aware that his father's munificence +and manner of conferring it would go further towards removing these +scruples than all his own arguments, he did not attempt to combat a +resolution which he knew he could not subdue, but tried to prevail +with him to become his guest until something could be arranged to +suit his wishes. + +With an unuttered emotion at the thought of meeting Miss Beaufort, +Thaddeus had just consented to accompany Somerset to the Castle, +after Sir Robert had been apprized of his coming, when the countess's +old and faithfully attached manservant entered, and respectfully +informed her guests that his lady, not willing to disturb their +conversation, had retired to her room for the night, but that beds +were prepared for them in the Abbey, and she hoped to meet both +friends at her breakfast table in the morning. The honest man then +added, "It was now past eleven o'clock; and after their honors had +partaken of their yet untasted refreshment, he would be ready to +attend them to their chambers." + +Pembroke started up at this, and shaking his friend warm by the hand, +bade him, he said, "a short farewell;" and hastening down the hill, +arrived at the gate of the Wold Lodge just at the turn of midnight. + +At an early hour the next morning he gave orders to his groom, wrote +a slight apology to Shafto for his abrupt departure, and, mounting +his fleet horse, galloped away full of delight towards Somerset +Castle. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +SOMERSET CASTLE. + + +But Sobieski did not follow the attentive domestic of his maternal +friend to the prepared apartment in the Abbey. He asked to be +conducted back through the night shadowed grounds to the little hotel +he had seen early in the evening on his approach to the mansion. It +stood at the entrance of the adjoining village, and under its rustic +porch he had immediately entered, to engage a lodging beneath its +humble sign, "The Plough," for the few clays of his intended visit to +Lady Tinemouth. A boy had been his guide, and bearer of his small +travelling bag, from the famous old Commandery inn, the "Angel," at +Grantham, where the Wold diligence had set him down in the afternoon +at the top of the market-place of that memorable town of ancient +chivalry, to find his way up to the occasional rural palace cells on +Harrowby Hill, of the same doughty and luxurious knights who were now +lying, individually forgotten, in their not only silent but unknown +graves, there not being a trace of them amongst the chapel ruins of +the Abbey, nor below the hill, on the sight of the old Commandery +church at Grantham. + +"Ah, transit mundi!" exclaimed Thaddeus to himself, with a calmed +sigh, as he thought on those things, while resting under the modest +little portal of the hotel, whose former magnificence, when a hermit +cell, might still be discernible in a few remaining remnants of the +rich Gothic lintel yet mingling with the matted straw and the +clinging ivy of the thatch. + +"What art thou, world, and thine ambitions?" again echoed in silence +from the heart of Thaddeus. "Though yet so young, I have seen thee in +all thy phases which might wean me from this earth. But there are +still some beings dear to me in the dimmed aspect, that seem to hold +my hopes to this transitory and yet too lovely world." He was then +thinking of his restored friend Pembroke Somerset, and of her whose +name had been so fondly uttered by him, as a possible bond of their +still more intimate relationship. He tried to quell the wild hope +this recollection waked in his bosom, and hurried from the little +parlor of the inn, where Lady Tinemouth's old servant had left him, +to seek repose in his humbly-prepared chamber. + +At sight of its white-robed bed and simple furniture, and instantly +conscious to the balmy effects of the sweet freshness that breathed +around him, where no perfume but that of flowers ever entered, his +agitated feelings soon became soothed into serenity, and within a +quarter of an hour after he had laid his grateful head on that quiet +pillow, he had sunk to a sleep of gentle peace with man and Heaven. + +Next morning, when the countess met her gladly re-welcomed guest at +the breakfast-table, she expressed surprise and pleasure at the scene +of the preceding night, but intimated some mortification that he had +withheld any part of his confidence from her. Sobieski soon obtained +her pardon, by relating the manner of his first meeting with Mr. +Somerset in Poland, and the consequent events of that momentous +period. + +Lady Tinemouth wept over the distressful fate that marked the residue +of his narrative with a tenderness which yet more endeared her to his +soul. But when, in compliance with his inquiries, she informed him +how it happened that he had to seek her at Harrowby Abbey, when he +supposed her to be on the Wolds, it was his turn to pity, and to +shudder at his own consanguinity with Lord Harwold. + +"Indeed," added the countess, wishing to turn from the painful +subject, "you must have had a most tedious journey from Harwold Park +to Harrowby, and nothing but my pleasure could exceed my astonishment +when I met you last night on the hill." + +Thaddeus sincerely declared that travelling a few miles further than +he intended was no fatigue to him; yet, were it otherwise, the +happiness which he then enjoyed would have acted as a panacea for +worse ills, could he have seen her looking as well as when she left +London. + +Lady Tinemouth smiled. "You are right, Sobieski. I am worse than when +I was in town. My solitary journey to Harwold oppressed me; and when +my son sent me orders to leave it, because his father wanted the +place for the autumnal months, his capricious cruelty seemed to +augment the hectic of my distress. Nevertheless, I immediately +obeyed, and in augmented disorder, arrived here last week. But how +kind you were to follow me! Who informed you of the place of my +destination?--hardly any of Lady Olivia's household?" + +"No," returned Thaddeus; "I luckily had the precaution to inquire at +the inn on the Wolds where the coach stopped, what part of Lord +Tinemouth's family were at the Park; and when I heard that the earl +himself was there, my next question was, "Where, then, was the +countess?" The landlord very civilly told me of your having engaged a +carriage from his house a day or two before, to carry you to one of +his lordship's seats within a few miles of Somerset Castle. Hence, +from what I heard you say of the situation of Harrowby, I concluded +it must be the Abbey, and so I sought you at a venture." + +"And I hope a happy issue," replied she, "will arise from your +wanderings! This rencontre with so old a friend as Mr. Somerset is a +pleasing omen. For my part, I was ignorant of the arrival of the +family at the Castle until yesterday morning, and then I sent off a +messenger to apprize my dear Miss Beaufort of my being in her +neighborhood. To my great disappointment, Lady Shafto found me out +immediately; and when, in compliance with her importunate invitation, +I walked down to an early dinner with her yesterday, little did I +expect to meet the amiable cousin of our sweet friend. So delightful +an accident has amply repaid me for the pain I endured in seeing Miss +Dundas at the Lodge; an insolent and reproachful letter which she +wrote to me concerning you has rendered her an object of my +aversion." + +Thaddeus smiled and gently bent his head. "Since, my dear Lady +Tinemouth, her groundless malice and Miss Euphemia's folly have +failed in estranging either your confidence or the esteem of Miss +Beaufort from me, I pardon them both. Perhaps I ought to pity them; +for is it not difficult to pass through the brilliant snares of +wealth and adulation and emerge pure as when we entered them? +Unclouded fortune is, indeed, a trial of spirits; and how brightly +does Miss Beaufort rise from the blaze! Surrounded by splendor, +homage and indulgence, she is yet all nature, gentleness and virtue!" + +The latter part of this burst of heart he uttered rapidly, the nerves +of that heart beating full at every word. + +The countess, who wished to appear cheerful, rallied him on the +warmth of his expressions; and observing that "the day was fine," +invited him to walk out with her through the romantic, though long- +neglected, domains of the Abbey. + +Meanwhile, the family at Somerset were just drawn round the +breakfast-board, when they were agreeably surprised by the sudden +entrance of Pembroke. During the repast Miss Beaufort repeated the +contents of the note she had received the preceding day from Lady +Tinemouth, and requested that her cousin would be kind enough to +drive her in his curricle that morning to Harrowby. + +"I will, with pleasure," answered he. "I have seen her ladyship, and +even supped with her last night." + +"How came that?" asked Miss Dorothy. + +"I shall explain it to my father, whenever he will honor me with an +audience," returned her happy nephew, addressing the baronet with all +the joy of his heart looking out at his eyes. "Will you indulge me, +dear sir, by half an hour's attention?" + +"Certainly," replied Sir Robert; "at present I am going into my study +to settle my steward's books, but the moment I have finished, I will +send for you." + +Miss Dorothy walked out after her brother, to attend her aviary, and +Miss Beaufort, remaining alone with her cousin, made some inquiries +about the countess's reasons for coming to the Abbey. "I know nothing +about them," replied he, gayly, "for she went to bed almost the +instant I entered the house. Too good to remain where her company was +not wanted, she left me to enjoy a most delightful _tete-à-tete_ +with a dear friend, from whom I parted nearly four years ago. In +short, we sat up the whole night together, talking over past scenes-- +and present ones too, for, I assure you, you were not forgotten." + +"I! what had I to do with it?" replied Mary, smiling. "I cannot +recollect any dear friend of yours whom you have not seen these four +years." + +"Well, that is strange!" answered Pembroke; "he remembers you +perfectly; but, true to your sex, you affirm what you please, though +I know there is not a man in the world I prefer before him." + +Miss Beaufort shook her head, laughed, and sighed; and withdrawing +her hand from his, threatened to leave him if he would not be +serious. + +"I am serious," cried he. "Would you have me _swear_ that I have +seen him whom you most wish to see?" + +She regarded the expression of his countenance with a momentary +emotion; taking her seat again, she said, "You can have seen no one +that is of consequence to me; whoever your friend may be, I have only +to congratulate you on a meeting which affords you so much delight." + +Pembroke burst into a joyous laugh at her composure. + +"So cold!" cried he--"so cautious! Yet I verily believe you would +participate in my delights were I to tell you who he is. However, you +are such a skeptic, that I wont hint even one of the many fine things +he said of you." + +She smiled incredulously. + +"I could beat you, Mary," exclaimed he, "for this oblique way of +saying I am telling lies! But I will have my revenge on your +curiosity; for on my honor I declare," added he, emphatically, "that +last night I met with a friend at Lady Tinemouth's who four years ago +saved my life, who entertained me several weeks in his house, and who +has seen and adores you! Tis true; true, on my existence! And what is +more, I have promised that you will repay these weighty obligations +by the free gift of this dear hand. What do you say to this, my sweet +Mary?" + +Miss Beaufort looked anxious at the serious and energetic manner in +which he made those assertions; even the sportive kiss that ended the +question did not dispel the gravity with which she prepared to reply. + +Pembroke perceiving her intent, prevented her by exclaiming, "Cease, +Mary, cease! I see you are going to make a false statement. Let truth +prevail, and you will not deny that I am suing for a plighted faith? +You will not deny who it was that softened and subdued your heart? +You cannot conceal from me that the wanderer Constantine possesses +your affections?" + +Amazed at so extraordinary a charge from her hitherto always +respectful as well as fraternally affectionate cousin, she reddened +with pain and displeasure. Rising from her seat, and averting her +tearful eyes, she said, "I did not expect this cruel, this ungenerous +speech from you, Pembroke! What have I done to deserve so rude, so +unfeeling a reproach?" + +Pembroke threw his arm round her. "Come," said he, in a sportive +voice; "don't be tragical. I never meant to reproach you, Mary. I +dare say if you gave your heart, it was only in return for his. I +know you are a grateful girl; and I verily believe you won't find +much difference between my friend the young Count Sobieski and the +forlorn Constantine." + +A suspicion of the truth flashed across Miss Beaufort's mind. Unable +to speak, she caught hold of her cousin's hands, and looking eagerly +in his face, her eyes declared the question she would have asked. + +Pembroke laughed triumphantly. A servant entering to tell him that +Sir Robert was ready, he strained her to his breast and exclaimed, +"Now I am revenged! Farewell! I leave you to all the pangs of doubt +and curiosity!" He then flew out of the room with an arch glance at +her agitated countenance, and hurried up stairs. + +She clasped her trembling hands together as the door closed on him. +"O, gracious Providence!" cried she, "what am I to understand by this +mystery, this joy of my cousin's? Can it be possible that the +illustrious Sobieski and my contemned Constantine are the same +person?" A burning blush overspread her face at the expression +_my_ which had escaped her lips. + +Whilst the graces, the sweetness, the dignity of Thaddeus had +captivated her notice, his sufferings, his virtues, and the +mysterious interests which involved his history, in like manner had +fixed her attention had awakened her esteem. From these grounds the +step is short to love. "When the mind is conquered, the heart +surrenders at discretion." But she knew not that she had advanced too +far to retreat, until the last scene at Dundas House, by forcing her +to defend Constantine against the charge of loving her, made her +confess to herself how much she wished the charge were true. + +Poor and lowly as he seemed, she found that her whole heart and life +were wrapped in his remembrance; that his worshipped idea was her +solace; her most precious property the dear treasure of her secret +and sweetest felicity, It was the companion of her walks, the monitor +of her actions. Whenever she planned, whenever she executed, she +asked herself, how would Constantine consider this? and accordingly +did she approve or condemn her conduct, for she had heard enough from +Mrs. Robson to convince her that piety was the sure fountain of his +virtues. + +When she had left London, and so far separated from this idol of her +memory, such was the impression he had stamped on her heart; he +seemed ever present. The shade of Laura visited the solitude of +Vaucluse; the image of Constantine haunted the walks of Somerset. The +loveliness of nature, its leafy groves and verdant meadows, its +blooming mornings and luxuriant sunsets, the romantic shadows of +twilight or the soft glories of the moon and stars, as they pressed +beauty and sentiment upon her heart, awoke it to the remembrance of +Constantine; she saw his image, she felt his soul, in every object. +Subtile and undefinable is that ethereal chord which unites our +tenderest thought, with their chain of association! + +Before this conversation, in which Pembroke mentioned the name of +Constantine with so much badinage and apparent familiarity, he never +heard him spoken of by Mary or his aunt without declaring a +displeasure nearly amounting to anger. Hence when she considered his +now so strangely altered tone, Miss Beaufort necessarily concluded +that he had seen, in the person of him she most valued, the man whose +public character she had often heard him admire, and who, she now +doubted not, had at some former period given him some private reason +for calling him his friend. Before this time, she more than once had +suspected, from the opinions which Somerset occasionally repeated +respecting the affairs of Poland, that he could only have acquired so +accurate a knowledge of its events by having visited the country +itself. She mentioned her suspicion to Mr. Loftus: he denied the +fact; and she had thought no more on the subject until the present +ambiguous hints of her cousin conjured up these doubts anew, and led +her to suppose that if Pembroke had not disobeyed his father so far +as to go to Warsaw, he must have met with the Count Sobieski in some +other realm. The possibility that this young hero, of whom fame spoke +so loudly, might be the mysterious Constantine, bewildered and +delighted her. The more she compared what she had heard of the one +with what she had witnessed in the other, the more was she reconciled +to the probability of her ardent hope. Besides, she could not for a +moment retain a belief that her cousin would so cruelly sport with +her delicacy and peace as to excite expectations that he could not +fulfil. + +Agitated by a suspense which bordered on agony, with a beating heart +she heard his quick step descending the stairs. The door opened, and +Pembroke, flying into the room, caught up his hat. As he was darting +away again, unable to restrain her impatience, Miss Beaufort with an +imploring voice ejaculated his name. He turned, and displayed to her +amazed sight a countenance in which no vestige of his former +animation could be traced. His cheek was flushed, and his eyes shot a +wild fire that struck to her heart. Unconscious what she did, she ran +up to him; but Pembroke, pushing her back, exclaimed, "Don't ask me +any questions, if you would not drive me to madness." + +"O Heaven!" cried she, catching his arm, and clinging to him, while +the eagerness of his motion dragged her into the hall. "Tell me! Has +anything happened to my guardian--to your friend--to Constantine?" + +"No," replied he, looking at her with a face full of desperation; +"but my father commands me to treat him like a villain." + +She could hardly credit her senses at this confirmation that +Constantine and Sobieski were one. Turning giddy with the tumultuous +delight that rushed over her soul, she staggered back a few paces, +and leaning against the open door, tried to recover breath to regain +the room she had left. + +Pembroke, having escaped from her grasp, ran furiously down the hill, +mounted his horse, and forbidding any groom to attend him, galloped +towards the high road with the impetuosity of a madman. All the +powers of his soul were in arms, Wounded, dishonored, stigmatized +with ingratitude and baseness, he believed himself to be the most +degraded of men. + +It appeared that Sir Robert Somerset had long cherished a hatred to +the Poles, in consequence of some injury he affirmed he had received +in early youth from one of that nation. In this instance his dislike +was implacable; and when his son set out for the continent, he +positively forbade him to enter Poland. Notwithstanding his +remembrance of this violated injunction, when Pembroke joined the +baronet in his library, he did it with confidence. With a bounding +heart and animated countenance, he recapitulated how he had been +wrought upon by his young Russian friends to take up arms in their +cause and march into Poland. At these last words his father turned +pale, and though he did not speak, the denunciation was on his brow. + +Pembroke, who expected some marks of displeasure, hastened to +obliterate his disobedience by narrating the event which had +introduced not only the young Count Sobieski to his succor, but the +consequent friendship of the whole of that princely family. + +Sir Robert still made no verbal reply, but his countenance deepened +in gloom; and when Pembroke, with all the pathos of a deep regret, +attempted to describe the death of the palatine, the horrors which +attended the last hours of the countess, and the succeeding misery of +Thaddeus, who was now in England, no language can paint the frenzy +which burst at once from the baronet. He stamped on the ground, he +covered his face with his clenched hands; then turning on his son +with a countenance no longer recognizable, he exclaimed with fury, +"Pembroke! you have outraged my commands! Never will I pardon you if +that young man ever blasts me with his sight." + +"Merciful Heaven!" cried Pembroke, thunderstruck at a violence which +he almost wished might proceed from real madness: "surely something +has agitated my father! What can this mean?" + +Sir Robert shook his head, whilst his teeth ground against each +other. "Don't mistake me," replied he, in a firm voice "I am +perfectly in my senses. It depends on _you_ that I continue so. +You know my oath against all of that nation! and I repeat again, if +you ever bring that young man into my presence, you shall never see +me more." + +A cold dew overspread the body of Pembroke. He would have caught his +father's hand, but he held it back. "O sir," said he, "you surely +cannot intend that I shall treat with ingratitude the man who saved +my life?" + +Sir Robert did not vouchsafe him an answer, but continued walking up +and down the room, until, his hesitation increasing at every step, he +opened the door of an interior apartment and retired, bidding his son +remain where he left him. + +The horror-struck Pembroke waited a quarter of an hour before his +father re-entered. When he did appear, the deep gloom of his eye gave +no encouragement to his son, who, hanging down his head, recoiled +from speaking first. Sir Robert approached with a composed but severe +countenance, and said, "I have been seeking every palliation that +your conduct might admit, but I can find none. Before you quitted +England, you knew well my abhorrence of Poland. One of that country +many years ago wounded my happiness in a way I shall never recover. +From that hour I took an oath never to enter its borders, and never +to suffer one of its people to come within my doors. Rash, +disobedient boy! You know my disposition, and you have seen the +emotion with which this dilemma has shaken my soul! I But be it on +your own head that you have incurred obligations which I cannot +repay. I will not perjure myself to defray a debt contracted against +my positive and declared principles. I never will see this Polander +you speak of; and it is my express command, on pain of my eternal +malediction, that you break with him entirely." + +Pembroke fell into a seat. Sir Robert proceeded. + +"I pity your distress, but my resolution cannot be shaken. Oaths are +not to be broken with impunity. You must either resign him or resign +me. We may compromise your debt of gratitude. I will give you deeds +to put your friend in possession of five hundred pounds a-year for +life forever; nay, I would even double it to give you satisfaction; +but from the hour in which you tell him so, you must see him no +more." + +Sir Robert was quitting the room, when Pembroke, starting from his +chair, threw himself in agony on his knees, and catching by the skirt +of his father's coat, implored him for God's sake to recall his +words; to remember that he was affixing everlasting dishonor on his +son! "Remember, dear sir!" cried he, holding his struggling hand, +"that the man to whom you offer money as a compensation for insult is +of a nature too noble to receive it. He will reject it, and spurn me; +and I shall know that I deserve his scorn. For mercy's sake, spare me +the agony of harrowing up the heart of my preserver--of meeting +reproach from his eyes!" + +"Leave me!" cried the baronet, breaking from him; "I repeat, unless +you wish to incur my curse, do as I have commanded." + +Thus outraged, thus agonised, Pembroke had appeared before the eyes +of his cousin Mary more like a distracted creature than a man +possessed of his senses. Shortly after his abrupt departure, her +apprehension was petrified to a dreadful certainty of some cruel ruin +to her hopes, by an order she received in the handwriting of her +uncle, commanding her not to attempt visiting Lady Tinemouth whilst +the Count Sobieski continued to be her guest, and under peril of his +displeasure never to allow that name to pass her lips. + +Hardly knowing whither he went, Pembroke did not arrive at the ruined +aisle which leads to the habitable part of the Abbey until near three +o'clock. He inquired of the groom that took his horse whether the +countess and Mr. Constantine were at home. The man replied in the +affirmative, but added, with a sad countenance, he feared neither of +them could be seen. + +"For what reason?" demanded Somerset. + +"Alas! sir," replied the servant, "about an hour ago my lady was +seized with a violent fit of coughing, which ended in the rupture of +a blood-vessel. It continued to flow so long, that Mr. Constantine +told the apothecary, whom he had summoned, to send for a physician. +The doctor is not yet arrived, and Mr. Constantine won't leave my +lady," + +Though Mr. Somerset was truly concerned at the illness of the +countess, the respite it afforded him from immediately declaring the +ungrateful message of Sir Robert gave him no inconsiderable degree of +ease. Somewhat relieved by the hope of being for one day spared the +anguish of displaying his father in a disgraceful light, he entered +the Abbey, and desired that a maid-servant might be sent to her +ladyship's room to inform his friend that Mr. Somerset was below. + +In a few minutes the girl returned with the following lines on a slip +of paper: + +"To Pembroke Somerset, Esq. + +"I am grieved that I cannot see my dear Somerset to-day I fear my +revered friend is on her death-bed. I have sent for Dr. Cavendish, +who is now at Stanford; doubtless you know he is a man of the first +abilities. If human skill can preserve her, I may yet have hopes; but +her disorder is on the lung and in the heart, and I fear the stroke +is sure. I am now sitting by her bedside, and writing what she +dictates to her husband, her son, and her daughter. Painful, you may +believe, is this task! I cannot, my dear Somerset, add more than my +hope of seeing you soon, and that you will join in prayers to Heaven +for the restoration of my inestimable friend, with your faithful and +affectionate + +"Sobieski." + +"Alas! unhappy, persecuted Sobieski!" thought Pembroke, as he closed +the paper; "to what art thou doomed! Some friends are torn from thee +by death; others desert thee in the hour of trouble." + +He took out his pencil to answer this distressing epistle, but he +stopped at the first word; he durst not write that his father would +fulfil any one of those engagements which he had so largely promised; +and throwing away the pencil and the paper, he left a verbal +declaration of his sorrow at what had happened, and an assurance of +calling next day. Turning his back on a house which he had left on +the preceding night with so many joyful hopes, he remounted his +horse, and, melancholy and slow, rode about the country until +evening,--so unwilling was he to return to that home which now +threatened him with the frowns of his father, the tears of Mary +Beaufort, and the miserable reflections of his own wretched heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +THE MATERNAL HEART. + + +Doctor Cavendish having been detained beyond his expected time with +his invalid friend at Stanford, was happily still there, and set off +for Harrowby the instant Mr. Constanine's messenger arrived, and +before midnight alighted at the Abbey. + +When he entered Lady Tinemouth's chamber he found her supported in +the arms of Thaddeus, and struggling with a second rupture of her +lungs. As he approached the bed, Thaddeus turned his eyes on him with +an expression that powerfully told his fears. Dr. Cavendish silently +pressed his hand; then taking from his pocket some styptic drops, he +made the countess swallow them, and soon saw that they succeeded in +stopping the hemorrhage. + +Thaddeus and her physician remained by the side of the patient +sufferer until ten in the morning, when she sunk into a gentle sleep. +Complete stillness being necessary to continue this repose, the good +doctor proposed leaving the maid to watch by her ladyship, and +drawing the count out of the room, descended the stairs. + +Mr. Somerset had been arrived half an hour, and met them in the +breakfast parlor. After a few kind words exchanged between the +parties, they sat down with dejected countenances to their melancholy +meal. Thaddeus was too much absorbed in the scene he had left to take +anything but a dish of coffee. + +"Do you think Lady Tinemouth is in imminent danger?" inquired +Pembroke of the doctor. + +Dr. Cavendish sighed, and turning to Thaddeus, directed to him the +answer which his friend's question demanded. "I am afraid, my dear +Mr. Constantine," said he, in a reluctant voice, "that you are to +sustain a new trial! I fear she cannot live eight-and-forty hours." + +Thaddeus cast down his eyes and shuddered, but made no reply. Further +remarks were prevented by a messenger from the countess, who desired +Mr. Constantine's immediate attendance at her bedside. He obeyed. In +half an hour he returned, with the mark of tears upon his cheek. + +"Dearest Thaddeus!" cried Pembroke, "I trust the countess is not +worse? This threatened new bereavement is too much: it afflicts my +very heart." Indeed it rent it; for Pembroke could not help +internally acknowledging that when Sobieski should close the eyes of +Lady Tinemouth, he would be paying the last sad office to his last +friend. That dear distinction he durst no longer arrogate to himself. +Denied the fulfilment of its duties, he thought that to retain the +title would be an assumption without a right. + +Thaddeus drew his hand over his again filling eyes. "The countess +herself," said he, "feels the truth of what Dr. Cavendish told us. +She sent for me, and begged me, as I loved her or would wish to see +her die in peace, to devise some means for bringing her daughter to +the Abbey to-night. As for Lord Harwold, she says his behavior since +he arrived at manhood has been of a nature so cruel and unnatural, +that she would not draw on herself the misery, nor on him the added +guilt, of a refusal; but with regard to Lady Albina, who has been no +sharer in those barbarities, she trusts a daughter's heart might be +prevailed on to seek a last embrace from a dying parent. It is this +request," continued he, "that agitates me. When she pictured to me, +with all the fervor of a mother, her doating fondness for this +daughter, (on whom, whenever she did venture to hope, all those hopes +rested;) when she wrung my hand, and besought me, as if I had been +the sole disposer of her fate, to let her see her child before she +died, I could only promise every exertion to effect it, and with an +aching heart I came to consult you." + +Dr. Cavendish was opening his lips to speak, but Somerset, in his +eagerness to relieve his friend, did not perceive it, and immediately +answered, "This very hour I will undertake what you have promised. I +know Lord Tinemouth's family are now at the Wolds. It is only thirty +miles distant; I will send a servant to have relays of horses ready. +My curricle, which is now at the door, will be more convenient than a +chaise; and I will engage to be back before to-morrow morning. Write +a letter, Thaddeus," added he, "to Lady Albina; tell her of her +mother's situation; and though I have never seen the young lady, I +will give it into her own hand, and then bring her off, even were it +in the face of her villanous father." + +The pale cheeks of Sobieski flushed with a conscious scarlet. Turning +to Dr. Cavendish, he requested him, as the most proper person, to +write to Lady Albina, whilst he would walk out with his friend to +order the carriage. Pembroke was thanked for his zeal, but it was not +by words; they are too weak vehicles to convey strong impressions. +Thaddeus pressed his hand, and accompanied the action with a look +which spoke volumes. The withered heart of Pembroke expanded under +the animated gratitude of his friend. Receiving the letter, he sprang +into his seat, and, until he lost sight of Harrowby Hill, forgot how +soon he must appear to that friend the most ungrateful of men. + +It was near six in the evening before Mr. Somerset left his curricle +at the little inn which skirts the village of Harthorpe. He affected +to make some inquiries respecting the families in the neighborhood; +and his host informed him that the ladies of the earl's family were +great walkers, passing almost the whole of the day in the grounds. +The measures to be adopted were now obvious. The paling belonging to +Lord Tinemouth's park was only a few yards distant; but fearful of +being observed, Pembroke sought a more obscure part. Scaling a wall +which was covered by the branches of high trees, he found his way to +the house through an almost impassable thicket. + +He watched nearly an hour in vain for the appearance of Lady Albina, +whose youth and elegance, he thought, would unequivocally distinguish +her from the rest of the earl's household. Despairing of success, he +was preparing to change his station, when he heard a sound among the +dry leaves, and the next moment a beautiful young creature passed the +bush behind which he was concealed. The fine symmetry of her profile +assured him that she must be the daughter of Lady Tinemouth. She +stooped to gather a china-aster. Knowing that no time should be lost, +Pembroke gently emerged from his recess, but not in so quiet a manner +as to escape the ear of Lady Albina, who instantly looking round, +screamed, and would have fled, had he not thrown himself before her, +and exclaimed, "Stay, Lady Albina! For heaven's sake, stay! I come +from your mother!" + +She gazed fearfully in his face, and tried to release her hand, which +he had seized to prevent her flight. + +"Do not be alarmed," continued he; "no harm is intended you. I am the +son of Sir Robert Somerset, and the friend of your mother, who is now +at the point of death. She implores to see you this night (for she +has hardly an hour to live) to hear from your own lips that you do +not hate her." + +Lady Albina trembled dreadfully, and with faded cheeks and quivering +lips replied, "Hate my mother! Oh, no! I have ever dearly loved her!" + +A flood of tears prevented her speaking further; and Pembroke, +perceiving that he had gained her confidence, put the doctor's letter +into her hand. The gentle heart of Lady Albina bled at every word +which her almost blinded eyes perused. Turning to Pembroke, who stood +contemplating her lovely countenance with the deepest interest, she +said, "Pray, Mr. Somerset, take me now to my mother. Were she to die +before I arrive, I should be miserable for life. Alas! alas! I have +never been allowed to behold her!--never been allowed to visit +London, because my father knew that I believed my poor mother +innocent, and would have seen her, had it been possible." + +Lady Albina wept violently while she spoke, and giving her hand to +Pembroke, timidly looked towards the house, and added, "You must take +me this instant. We must haste away, in case we should be surprised. +If Lady Olivia were to know that I have been speaking with anybody +out of the family I should be locked up for months." + +Pembroke did not require a second command from his beautiful charge. +Conducting her through the unfrequented paths by which he had +entered, he seated her in his curricle and whipping his horses, set +off, full speed, towards the melancholy goal of his enterprise. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +HARROWBY ABBEY. + + +Whilst the two anxious travellers were pursuing their sad journey, +the inhabitants of the Abbey were distracted with apprehension lest +the countess might expire before their arrival. Ever since Lady +Tinemouth received information that Mr. Somerset was gone to the +Wolds, hope and fear agitated her by turns, till, wearied out with +solicitude and expectation, she turned her dim eyes upon Thaddeus, +and said, in a languid voice, "My dear friend, it must be near +midnight. I shall never see the morning; I shall never in this world +see my child. I pray you, thank Mr. Somerset for all the trouble I +have occasioned; and my daughter--my Albina! O father of mercies!" +cried she, holding up her clasped hands, "pour all thy blessings upon +her head! She never wilfully gave this broken heart a pang!" + +The countess had hardly ended speaking when Thaddeus heard a bustle +on the stairs. Suspecting that it might be the arrival of his friend, +he made a sign to Dr. Cavendish to go and inquire. His heart beat +violently whilst he kept his eye fixed on the door, and held the +feeble pulse of Lady Tinemouth in his hand. The doctor re-entered, +and in a low voice whispered, "Lady Albina is here." + +The words acted like magic on the fading senses of the countess. With +preternatural strength she started from her pillow, and catching hold +of Sobieski's arm with both hers, cried, "O give her to me whilst I +have life." + +Lady Albina appeared, led in by Pembroke, but instantly quitting his +hand, with an agonizing shriek she rushed towards the bed, and flung +herself into the extended arms of her mother, whose arms closed on +her, and the head of the countess rested on her bosom. + +Dr. Cavendish perceived by the struggles of the young lady that she +was in convulsions; and taking her off the bed, he consigned her to +Pembroke and his friend, who, between them, carried her into another +apartment. He remained to assist the countess. + +Albina was removed; but the eyes of her amiable and injured mother +were never again unclosed: she had breathed her last sigh, in +grateful ecstasy, on the bosom of her daughter; and Heaven had taken +her spotless soul to Himself. + +Being convinced that the countess was indeed no more, the good doctor +left her remains in charge of the women; and repairing to the +adjoining room, found Lady Albina yet senseless in the arms of his +two friends. She was laid on a sofa, and Cavendish was pouring some +drops into her mouth, when he descried Thaddeus gliding out of the +room. Desirous to spare him the shock of suddenly seeing the corpse +of one whom he loved so truly, he said, "Stop, Mr. Constantine! I +conjure you, do not go into the countess's room!" + +The eyes of Thaddeus turned with emotion on the distressed face of +the physician; one glance explained what the doctor durst not speak. +Faintly answering, "I will obey you," he hurried from the apartment. + +In the count's silent descent from Lady Albina's room to the +breakfast-parlor, he too plainly perceived by the tears of the +servants that he had now another sorrow to add to his mournful list. +He hastened from participation in their clamorous laments, almost +unseen, into the parlor, and shutting the door, threw himself into a +chair; but rest induced thought, and thought subdued his soul. He +started from his position; he paced the room in a paroxysm of +anguish; he would have given worlds for one tear to relieve his +oppressed heart. Ready to suffocate, he threw open a window and +leaned out. Not a star was visible to light the darkness. The wind +blew freshly, and with parched lips he inhaled it as the reviving +breath of Heaven. + +He was sitting on the window-seat, with his head leaning against the +casement, when Pembroke entered unobserved; walking up to him, he +laid his hand upon his arm, and ejaculated in a tremulous voice, +"Thaddeus, dear Thaddeus!" + +Thaddeus rose at the well-known sounds: they reminded him that he was +not yet alone in the world for his soul had been full of the dying +image of his own mother. Clasping Somerset in his arms, he exclaimed, +"Heaven has still reserved thee, faithful and beloved, to be my +comforter! In thy friendship and fond memories," he added, with a yet +heaving breast, "I shall find tender bonds of the past still to +endear me to the world." + +Pembroke received the embrace of his friend; he felt his tears upon +his cheek; but he could neither return the one nor sympathize with +the other. The conviction that he was soon to sever that cord, that +he was to deprive the man who had preserved his life of the only stay +of his existence, and abandon him to despair, struck to his soul. +Grasping the hand of his friend, he gazed on his averted and dejected +features with a look of desperate horror. "Sobieski," cried he, +"whatever may happen, never forget that I swear I love you dearer +than my life! And when I am forced to abandon my friend, I shall not +be long of abandoning what will then be worthless to me." + +Not perceiving the frenzied look which accompanied this energetic +declaration, Thaddeus gave no other meaning to the words than a +renewed assurance of his friend's affection. + +The entrance of Dr. Cavendish disturbed the two young men, to whom he +communicated the increased indisposition of Lady Albina. + +"The shock she has received," said he, "has so materially shaken her +frame, I have ordered her to bed and administered an opiate, which I +hope will procure her repose; and you, my dear sir," added he, +addressing the count, "you had better seek rest! The stoutest +constitution might sink under what you have lately endured. Pray +allow Mr. Somerset and myself to prevail with you, on our accounts, +if not on your own, to retire for half an hour!" + +Thaddeus, in disregard of his personal comfort, never infringed on +that of others; he felt that he could not sleep, but he knew it would +gratify his benevolent friends to suppose that he did; and +accordingly he went to a room, and throwing himself on a bed, lay for +an hour, ruminating on all that had passed. + +There is an omnipresence in thought, or a celerity producing nearly +the same effect, which brings within the short space of a few minutes +the images of many foregoing years. In almost the same moment, +Thaddeus reflected on his strange meeting with the countess; the +melancholy story; her forlorn death-bed; the fatal secret that her +vile husband and son were his father and brother; and that her +daughter, whom his warm heart acknowledged as a sister, was with him +under the same roof, and, like him, the innocent inheritor of her +father's shame. + +Whilst these multifarious and painful meditations were agitating his +perturbed mind, Dr. Cavendish found repose on a couch; and Pembroke +Somerset, resolving once more to try the influence of entreaty on the +hitherto generous spirit of his father, with mingled hope and +despondence commenced a last attempt to shake his fatal resolution, +in the following letter: + +"TO SIR ROBERT SOMERSET, BART, SOMERSET CASTLE. + +"I have not ventured into the presence of my dear father since he +uttered the dreadful words which I would give my existence to believe +I had never heard. You denounced a curse upon me if I opposed your +will to have me break all connection with the man who preserved my +life! When I think on this, when I remember that it was from +_you_ I received a command so inexplicable from one of your +character, so disgraceful to mine, I am almost mad; and what I shall +be should you, by repeating your injunctions, force me to obey them, +Heaven only knows! but I am certain that I cannot survive the loss of +my honor; I cannot survive the sacrifice of all my principles of +virtue which such conduct must forever destroy. + +"Oh, my father! I conjure you, reflect, before, in compliance with an +oath it was almost guilt to make, you decree your only son to +everlasting shame and remorse. Act how I will, I shall never be happy +more. I cannot live under your malediction; and should I give up my +friend, my conscience will reproach me every instant of my existence. +Can I draw the breath which he prolonged and cease to remember that I +have abandoned him to want and misery? It were vain to flatter myself +that he will condescend to escape either by the munificence which you +offer as a compensation for my friendship. No; I cannot believe that +his sensible and independent nature is so changed; circumstances +never had any power over the nobility of his soul. + +"Misfortune, which threw the Count Sobieski on the bounty of England, +cannot make him appear otherwise in my eyes than as the idol of +Warsaw, whose smile was honor and whose friendship conferred +distinction. + +"Though deprived of the splendor of command; though the eager circle +of friends no longer cluster round him; though a stranger in this +country, and without a home; though, in place of an equipage and +retinue, he is followed by calamit and neglect, yet, in my mind, I +still see him in a car of triumph I see not only the opposer of his +nation's enemies, but the vanquisher of his own desires. I see the +heir of a princely house, who, when mankind have deserted him, is yet +encompassed by his virtues. I see him, though cast out from a +hardened and unjust society, still surrounded by the lingering +spirits of those who were called to better worlds! + +"And this is the man, my dear father, (whom I am sure, had he been of +any other country than Poland, you would have selected from all other +men to be the friend and example of your son),--this is he whom you +command me to thrust away. + +"I beseech you to examine this injunction! I am now writing under the +same roof with him; it depends on you, my ever-revered father, +whether I am doing so for the last time; whether this is the last day +in which your son is to consider himself a man of honor, or whether +he is henceforth to be a wretch overwhelmed with shame and sorrow! + +"I have not yet dared to utter one word of your cruel orders to my +unhappy friend. He is now retired to seek some rest, after the new +anguish of having witnessed the almost sudden death of Lady +Tinemouth. Should I have to tell him that he is to lose me too-but I +cannot add more. Your own heart, my father, must tell you that my +soul is on the rack until I have an answer to this letter." + +"Before I shut my paper, let me implore you on my knees, whatever you +may decide, do not hate me; do not load my breaking heart with a +parent's curse! Whatever I may be, however low and degraded in my own +eyes, still, that I sacrificed what is most precious to me, to my +father, will impart the only consolation which will then have power +to reach your dutiful and afflicted son. + +"P. SOMERSET. + +"HARROWBY ABBEY, TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING." + +Dr. Cavendish remained in a profound sleep, whilst Pembroke, with an +aching heart having written the above letter, and dispatched it by a +man and horse, tried to compose himself to half an hour's +forgetfulness of life and its turmoils; but he found his attempts as +ineffectual as those of his friend. + +Thaddeus had found no repose on his restless pillow. Reluctant to +disturb the doctor and Somerset, who, he hoped, having less cause for +regret, were sleeping tranquilly, he remained in bed; but he longed +for morning. To his fevered nerves, any change of position, with +movement, seemed better than where he was, and with some gleams of +pleasure he watched the dawn, and the rising of the son behind the +opposite hill. He got up, opened the window to inhale the air, and +looking out, saw a man throw himself off a horse, which was all in +foam, and enter the house. + +Surprised at this circumstance, he descended to the parlor to make +inquiry, and met the man in the hall, who, being Pembroke's +messenger, had returned express from the Castle, bearing an order +from Sir Robert (who was taken alarmingly ill) that his son must come +back immediately. + +Dismayed with this new distress, Mr. Somerset, on its instant +information, pressed the count so closely to his breast when he bade +him farewell, that a more suspicious person might have apprehended it +was a final parting; but Thaddeus discerned nothing more in the +anguish of his friend's countenance than fear for the safety of Sir +Robert; and fervently wishing his recovery, he bade Pembroke remember +that should more assistance be necessary, Dr. Cavendish would remain +at the Abbey until Lady Albina's return to the Wolds. + +Mr. Somerset being gone, towards noon, when the count was anxiously +awaiting the appearance of the physician from the room of the new +invalid, he was disappointed by the abrupt entrance of two gentlemen. +He rose, and with his usual courtesy to strangers, inquired their +business? The elder of the men, with a fierce countenance and a voice +of thunder, announced himself to be the Earl of Tinemouth, and the +other his son. + +"We are come," said he, standing at a haughty distance--"we are come +to carry from this nest of infamy Lady Albina Stanhope, whom some one +of her mother's paramours--perhaps you, sir--dared to steal from her +father's home yesterday evening. And I am come to give you, sir, who +I guess to be some fugitive vagabond! the chastisement your audacity +deserves." + +With difficulty the Count Sobieski suppressed the passions which were +rising in his breast. He turned a scornful glance on the person of +Lord Harwold (who, with an air of insufferable derision, was coolly +measuring his figure through an eyeglass); and then, replying to the +earl, said, in a firm voice, "My lord, whoever you suppose me to be, +it matters not; I now stand in the place of Lady Tinemouth's +confidential friend, and to my last gasp I will prove myself the +defender of he injured name." + +"Her lover!" interrupted Lord Harwold, turning on his heel. + +"Her defender, sir!" repeated Thaddeus, with a tremendous frown; "and +shame and sorrow will pursue that son who requires a stranger to +supply his duty." + +"Wretch!" cried the earl, forgetting his assumed loftiness, and +advancing passionately towards Thaddeus, with his stick held up; "how +dare you address such language to an English nobleman?" + +"By the right of nature, which holds her laws over all mankind," +returned Thaddeus, calmly looking on the raised stick. "When an +English nobleman forgets that he is a son, he deserves reproach from +his meanest vassal." + +"You see, my lord," cried Harwold, sliding behind his father, "what +we bring on ourselves by harboring these democratic foreigners! Sir," +added he, addressing himself to Thaddeus, "your dangerous principles +shall be communicated to Government. Such traitors ought to hanged." + +Sobieski eyed the enraged little lord with contempt; and turning to +the earl, who was again going to speak, he said, in an unaltered +tone, "I cannot guess, Lord Tinemouth, what is the reason of this +attack on me. I came hither by accident; I found the countess ill; +and, from respect to her excellent qualities, I remained with her +until her eyes were closed forever. She desired to see her daughter +before she died,--what human heart could deny a mother such a +request?--and Pembroke Somerset, her kinsman, undertook to bring Lady +Albina to the Abbey. + +"Pembroke Somerset!" echoed the earl. "A pretty guard for my +daughter, truly! I have no doubt that he is just such a fellow as his +father--just such a person as yourself! I am not to be imposed upon. +I know Lady Tinemouth to have been a disgrace to me, and you to be +that German adventurer on whose account I sent her from London." + +Shocked at this calumny on the memory of a woman whose fame from any +other mouth came as unsullied as purity itself, Thaddeus gazed with +horror at the furious countenance of the man whom he believed to be +his father. His heart swelled; but not deigning to reply to a charge +as unmanly as it was false, he calmly took out of his pocket two +letters which the countess had dictated to her husband and her son. + +Lord Harwold tore his open, cast his eyes over the first words, then +crumpling it in his hand, threw it from him, exclaiming, "I am not to +be frightened either by her arts or the falsehoods of the fellows +with whom she dishonored her name." + +Thaddeus, no longer master of himself, sprang towards his unnatural +son, and seized his arm with an iron grasp. "Lord Harwold!" cried he, +in a dreadful voice, "were it not that I have some mercy on you for +that parent's sake, to whom, like a parricide, you are giving a +second death by such murderous slander, I would resent her wrongs at +the hazard of your worthless life!" + +"My lord! my lord!" cried the trembling Harwold, quaking under the +gripe of Thaddeus, and shrinking from the terrible brightness of his +eye,--"my lord! my lord, rescue me!" + +The earl, almost suffocated with rage, called out, "Ruffian! let go +my son!" and again raising his arm, aimed a blow at the head of +Thaddeus, who, wrenching the stick out of the foaming lord's hand, +snapped it in two, and threw the pieces out of the open window. + +Lord Harwold took this opportunity to ring the bell violently, on +which summons two of his servants entered the room. + +"Now, you low-born, insolent scoundrel," cried the disarmed earl, +stamping with his feet, and pointing to the men who stood at the +door; "you shall be turned by the neck and heels out of this house. +Richard, James, collar that fellow instantly." + +Thaddeus only extended his arm to the men (who were looking +confusedly on each other), and calmly said, "If either of you attempt +to obey this command of your lord, you shall have cause to repent +it." + +The men retreated. The earl repeated his orders. + +"Rascals! do as I command you, or instantly quit my service. I will +teach you," added he, clenching his fist at the count, who stood +resolutely and serenely before him, "I will teach you how to behave +to a man of high birth." + +The footmen were again deterred from approaching by a glance from the +intimidating eyes of Thaddeus, who, turning with stern dignity to the +storming earl, said, "You can teach me nothing about high birth that +I do not already know. Could it be of any independent benefit to a +man, then had I not received the taunts and insults which you have +dared to cast upon me." + +At that moment Dr. Cavendish, having heard a bustle, made his +appearance. Amazed at the sight of two strangers, who from their +enraged countenances and the proud elevation with which Thaddeus was +standing between them, he rightly judged to be the earl and his son, +he advanced towards his friend, intending to support him in the +attack which he saw was menaced by the violent gestures of these +visitors. + +"Dr. Cavendish," said Thaddeus, speaking to him as he approached, +"your name must be a passport to the confidence of any man; I +therefore shall gratify the husband of my ever lamented friend by +quitting this house; but I delegate to you the office with which she +entrusted me. I leave you in charge of her sacred remains, and of the +jewels which you will find in her apartment. She desired that half of +them might be given with her blessing, to her daughter, and the other +half, with her pardon, to her son." + +"Tell me. Dr. Cavendish," cried the earl, as Thaddeus was passing him +to leave the room, "who is that insolent fellow? By heaven, he shall +smart for this!" + +"Ay, that he shall," rejoined Lord Harwold, "if I have any interest +with the Alien-office." + +Dr. Cavendish was preparing to speak, when Thaddeus, turning round at +this last threat of the viscount, said, "If I did not know myself to +be above Lord Harwold's power, perhaps he might provoke me to treat +him according to his deserts; but I abjure resentment, while I pity +his delusions. For you, my lord," added he, addressing the earl with +a less calm countenance, "there is an angel in heaven who pleads +against the insults you have uninquiringly and unjustly heaped upon +an innocent man!" + +Thaddeus disappeared from the apartment while uttering the last word; +hastening from the house and park, he stopped near the brow of the +hill, at the porch of his lately peaceful little hotel. The landlady +was a sister of John Jacobs, the faithful servant of his lamented +friend, and who was then watching the door of the neglected chamber +in which the sacred remains of his dear mistress lay, as he would +have guarded her life, had the foes who had now destroyed it been +still menacing its flickering flame. The worthy couple were also +attached to that benevolent lady; and with sad looks, but respectful +welcoming, they saw Mr. Constantine re-enter their humble home, and +assured him of its retirement as long as he might wish to abide in +the neighborhood of the Abbey. Any prospect of repose promised +elysium to him; and with harassed and torn nerves he took possession +of his apartment, which looked down the road that led from the old +monastic structure to the town of Grantham. The rapidity of the +recent events bewildered his senses, like the illusions of a dream. +He had seen his father, his sister, his brother; and most probably he +had parted from them forever!--at least, he hoped he should never +again be tortured with the sight of Lord Tinemouth or his son. + +"How," thought he, whilst walking up and down his solitary parlor, +"could the noble nature of my mother love such a man? and how could +he have held so long an empire over the pure heart he has just now +broken." + +He could nowhere discern, in the bloated visage and rageful gestures +of the earl, any of that beauty of countenance or grace of manners +which had alike charmed Therese Sobieski and the tender Acleliza. + +Like those hideous chasms which are dug deep in the land by the +impetuous sweep of a torrent, the course of violent passions leaves +vast and irreparable traces on the features and in the soul. So it +was with Lord Tinemouth. + +"How legibly does vice or virtue," ejaculated Thaddeus, "write itself +on the human face! The earl's might once have been fine, but the +lineaments of selfishness and sin have degraded every part of him. +Mysterious Providence! Can he be my father--can it be his blood that +is now running in my veins? Can it be his blood that rises at this +moment with detestation against him?" + +Before the sun set, Sobieski was aroused from these painful +soliloquies by still more painful feelings. He saw from his window a +hearse driving at full speed up the road that ascended to the Abbey, +and presently return at a slower pace, followed by a single black +coach. + +"Inhuman men!" exclaimed he, while pursuing with his eyes the tips of +the sable plumes as the meagre cavalcade of mourners wound down the +hill; "could you not allow this poor corse a little rest? Must her +persecution be extended to the grave? Must her cold relics be +insulted, be hurried to the tomb without reverence--without decency?" + +The filial heart that uttered this thought also of his own injured +mother, and shrunk with horror at this climax of the earl's +barbarity. Dr. Cavendish entered with a flushed countenance. He spoke +indignantly of the act he still saw from the window, which he +denounced as a sacrilege against the dead. "Not four-and-twenty hours +since," cried he, "she expired! and she is hurried into the cold +bosom of the earth, like a criminal, or a creature whose ashes a +moment above ground might spread a pestilence. Oh, how can that sweet +victim, Lady Albin, share such peccant blood?" + +Thaddeus, whose soul had just writhed under a similar question with +regard to himself, could little bear the repetition and interrupted +the good physician by tenderly inquiring how she had borne that so +abrupt removal of her mother's remains. + +"With mute anguish," returned Dr. Cavendish, in a responding, calmer +voice of pity; "and though I had warned her father that the shock of +so suddenly tearing his daughter from such beloved relics might peril +her own life, he continued obdarate; and putting her into his +travelling chariot in a state of insensibility, along with her maid, +in a few minutes afterwards I saw him set off in a hired post-chaise, +accompanied by his detestable son, loaded with more than one curse, +muttered by the honest rustics. Only servants followed in that +mourning coach." + +In the midst of this depressing conversation a courier arrived from +Stamford to Dr. Cavendish, recalling him immediately to return +thither, the invalid there having sustained an alarming relapse. The +good doctor, sincerely reluctant to quit Thaddeus (whom he still knew +by no other name than Constantine), ordered the dispatch-chaise to +the hotel door. When it was announced, he shook hands with the now +lonely survivor of his departed friend in this stranger land, +requested that he might hear from him before he left that part of the +country for London again, and bidding him many cordial adieus, +continued to look out of the back window of the carriage, until the +faint light of the moon and the receding glimmer of the village +candles finally hid the little spot that yet contained this young and +sadly-stricken exile from his lingering eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +THE OLD VILLAGE HOTEL. + + +For the first time during many nights, Thaddeus slept soundly; but +his dreams were disturbed, and he awoke from them at an early hour, +unrefreshed and in much fever. + +The simple breakfast which his attentive host and hostess set before +him was scarcely touched. Their nicely-dressed dinner met with the +same fate. He was ill, and possessed neither appetite nor spirits to +eat. The good people being too civil to intrude upon him, he sat +alone in his window from eight o'clock (at which hour he had arisen) +until the cawing of the rooks, as they returned to the Abbey-woods, +reminded him of the approach of evening. He was uneasy at the absence +of Somerset, not so much on his own account, as on that of Sir +Robert, whose increased danger might have occasioned this delay; +however, he hoped otherwise. Longing earnestly for a temporary +sanctuary under his friend's paternal roof, in the quiet of its peace +and virtues, he trusted that the sympathy of Pembroke, the only +confidant of his past sorrows, would tend to heal his recent wounds +(though the nature of the most galling, he felt, must ever remain +unrevealed even to him!) and so fit him, should it be required, to +yet further brave the buffets of an adverse fate. Nor was Miss +Beaufort forgotten. If ever one idea more than another sweetened the +bitterness of his reflections, it was the remembrance of Mary +Beaufort. Whenever her image rose before him--whether he were +standing in the lonely clay with folded arms, in vacant gaze on the +valley beneath, or when lying on his watchful pillow he opened his +aching eyes to the morning light-still, as her angel figure presented +itself to his mind, he did indeed sigh, but it was a sigh laden with +balm; it did not tear his breast like those which had been wrung from +him by the hard hand of calamity and insult. It was the soft breath +of a hallowed love, which makes man dream of heaven, while he feels +sinking to an early grave. Thaddeus felt it delightful to recollect +how she had looked on him that day in Hyde Park, when she "bade him +take care of his own life, while so devoted to that of his dying +friend!" and how she "blessed him in his task," with a voice of +tenderness so startlingly sacred to his soul in its accents, that in +remembering her words now, when so near the moment of his again +seeing and hearing her, his soul expanded towards her, agitated, +indeed, but soothed and comforted. + +"Sweet Mary!" murmured he, "I shall behold thee once more; I shall +again revive under thy kind smile! Oh, it is happiness to know that I +owe my liberty to thee, though I may not dare to tell thee so! Yet my +swelling heart may cherish the clear consciousness, and, bereaved +though I am of all I formerly loved, be indeed blessed while on earth +with the heaven-bestowed privilege of loving thee, even in silence +and forever! Alas! alas! a man without kindred or a country dare not +even wish thee to be his!" A sigh from the depths of his soul closed +this soliloquy. + +The sight of Pembroke riding through the field towards the little +inn, recalled the thoughts of Sobieski to that dear friend alone. He +went out to meet him. Mr. Somerset saw him, and putting his horse to +a brisk canter, was at his side in a few minutes. Thaddeus asked +anxiously about the baronet's health. Pembroke answered with an +incoherency devoid of all meaning. Thaddeus looked at him with +surprise, but from increased anxiety forbore to repeat the question. +They walked towards the inn; still Pembroke did not appear to recover +himself, and his evident absence of mind and the wild rambling of his +eyes were so striking, that Thaddeus could have no doubt of some +dreadful accident. + +As soon as they had entered the little parlor, his friend cast +himself into a chair, and throwing off his hat, wiped away the +perspiration which, though a cold October evening, was streaming down +his forehead. Thaddeus endured a suspense which was almost +insupportable. + +"What is the direful matter, dear Pembroke? Is any we honor, and +love, ill unto death?" His pale face showed that he apprehended it, +and he thought it might be Mary. + +"No, no," returned Pembroke; "everybody is well, excepting myself and +my father, who, I verily believe, has lost his senses; at any rate he +will drive me mad." + +The manner in which this reply was uttered astonished Thaddeus so +much, that he could only gaze with wonder on the convulsed feature of +his friend. Pembroke observed his amazement, and laying his hand on +his arm, said, "My dear, dear Sobieski! what do I not owe to you? +Good Heaven! how humbled am I in your sight! But there is a Power +above who knows how intimately you are woven with every artery of +this heart." + +"I believe it, my kind Pembroke," cried Thaddeus, yet more alarmed +than before; "tell me what it is that distresses you? If my counsel +or my sympathy can offer anything to comfort or assist you, you know +I am your own." + +Pembroke burst into tears, and covering his streaming eyes with his +handkerchief, exclaimed, "I am indeed distressed--distressed even +beyond your comfort. Oh! how can I speak it! You will despise my +father! You will spurn me!" + +"Impossible!" cried Thaddeus with energy, though his flushed cheek +and fainting heart immediately declared that he had anticipated what +he must hear. + +"I see," cried Pembroke, regarding the altered features of his friend +with a glance of agony--"I see that you think it is possible that my +father can sink me below my own contempt." + +The benumbing touch of ingratitude ran through the veins of Thaddeus; +his frame was chilled--was petrified; but his just affection and +calmed countenance proclaimed how true a judgment he had passed on +the whole. He took the burning hand of Mr. Somerset in his own, and, +with a steady and consoling voice, said, "Assure yourself, dear +Pembroke, whatever be the commands of your father, I shall adhere to +them. I cannot understand by these generous emotions that he objects +to receive me as your friend. Perhaps," added he,--a flash of +suspicion gleaming through his mind,--"perhaps Miss Beaufort may have +perceived the devotedness of my heart, and disdaining my--" + +"Hush, for Heaven's sake!" cried Pembroke, starting from his chair; +"do not implicate my poor cousin! Do not add to her disappointment +the misery that you suspect her! No, Thaddeus," continued he, in a +calmer tone; "Mary Beaufort loves you: she confessed it in an agony +of grief on my bosom, just before I came away; and only through her I +dare ever expect to meet forgiveness from _you_. In spite of my +father, you may marry her. She has no curse to dread; she need not +sacrifice all that is most precious in her sight to the obstinate +caprice of criminal resentment." + +"A curse!" reiterated Thaddeus. "How is this!--what have I done, to +deserve such hatred from your father?" + +"Oh! nothing," cried Pembroke--"nothing. My father never saw you. My +father thanks you for all that you have done for me; but it is your +country that he hates. Some Polander, years back, injured him; and my +father took a fatal oath against the whole nation. He declares that +he cannot, he will not, break it, were he by so doing to save his own +life, or even mine; for, (Heaven forgive me!) I was this morning +wrought up to such frenzy, that I threatened to destroy myself rather +than sacrifice my gratitude and honor to his cruel commands! Nay, to +convince you that his is no personal enmity to yourself, he ordered +me to give you writings which will put you in possession of an +independence forever. I have them with me." + +All the pride of his princely house rose at once in the breast of +Thaddeus. Though full of indignation at this insult of Sir Robert's, +he regarded the averted face of his friend with compassion, whilst in +a firm voice he rejected the degrading compromise. + +"Tell your father," added he, addressing Pembroke, in a tone which +even his affection could not soften from a command, "that my absence +is not to be bought with money, nor my friendship so rewarded." + +Pembroke covered his burning face with his hands. This sight at once +brought down the haughty spirit of Sobieski, who continued in gentler +accents, "Whatever be the sentiments of Sir Robert Somerset, they +shall meet with clue attention from me. He is your father, therefore +I respect him; but he has put it out of his power to oblige me; I +cannot accept his bounty. Though your heart, my dearest Pembroke, is +above all price, yet I will make it a sacrifice to your duty." And by +so doing put the last seal on my misfortunes, was the meaning of the +heavy sigh which accompanied his last words. + +Pembroke traversed the room in an agony. "Merciful Providence!" cried +he, wringing his clasped hands, "direct me! Oh, Thaddeus, if you +could read my tortured heart, you would pity me; you would see that +this affair is tearing my soul from my body. What am I to do? I +cannot, I will not, part with you forever." + +Thaddeus, with a calm sadness, drew him to a seat. "Be satisfied," +said he, "that I am convinced of your affection. Whatever may happen, +this assurance will be sufficient to give me comfort; therefore, by +that affection, I entreat you, dear Pembroke, not to bring regret to +me, and reproach on yourself, by disobeying in any way the will of +your father in this matter! If we separate for life, remember, my +beloved friend, that the span of our existence here is short; we +shall meet again in a happier world--perhaps more blest, for having +immolated our wishes to hard duty in this." + +"Cease, Sobieski, cease!" cried Pembroke; "I can draw no consolation +from this reasoning. It is not duty to obey a hatred little short of +distraction; and if we now separate, I feel that I never shall know +peace again. Good Heaven! what comfort can I find when you are +exposed to all the indignities which the world levels against the +unfortunate? Can I indulge in the luxuries of my father's house when +I know that you have neither a home nor subsistence? No, Thaddeus, I +am not such a villain. I will not give you up, though my father +should load me with curses. I trust there is a just Power above who +would avert them." + +Perceiving that argument would not only be fruitless, but might +probably incense his friend's irritated nature to the commission of +some rash action, Thaddeus pretended to overlook the frantic gesture +and voice which terminated this speech, and assuming a serene air, +replied: "Let this be the subject of a future conversation. At +present, I must conjure you, by the happiness of us both, to return +to the Castle. You know my message to Sir Robert. Present my respects +to your aunt; and," added he, after an agitated pause, "assure Miss +Beaufort that whilst I have life, her goodness, her sometimes +remembrance, will be--" + +Pembroke interrupted him. "Why these messages, dear Thaddeus? Do not +suppose, though I fulfil my father's orders to return to Somerset to- +night, that it is our separation. Gracious Heaven! Is it so easy to +part forever?" + +"Not forever! Oh, no," replied Thaddeus, grasping his hand; "we shall +see each other again; only, meanwhile, repeat those, alas! inadequate +messages to your aunt and cousin. Go, my dear Pembroke, to your +father; and may the Lord of Heaven bless you!" + +The last words were spoken in almost a stifled voice, as he opened +his arms and strained his friend to his breast. + +"I shall see you to-morrow," cried Pembroke; "on no other condition +will I leave you now." + +Thaddeus made no further answer to this demand (which he determined +should never be granted) than a second embrace. Pembroke went out of +the room to order his horse; then, returning, he stood at the door, +and holding out his hand to the count, repeated, "Farewell till to- +morrow." Thaddeus pressed it warmly, and he disappeared. + +The outward gate closed after his friend, but Sobieski remained on +the seat into which he had thrown himself. He did not venture to +move, lest he should by chance catch a second glance of Pembroke from +the window. Now that he was gone, he acknowledged the full worth of +what he had relinquished. He had resigned a man who loved him; one +who had known and revered his ever-lamented grandfather, and his +mother--the only one with whom he could have discoursed of their +virtues! He had severed the link which had united his present state +with his former fortunes! and throwing his arms along a table that +stood near him, he leaned his aching head upon them, and in idea +followed with a bleeding heart the progress and reception of his +friend at the Castle. + +The racking misery which tortured the mind of Mr. Somerset was not +borne with equal resignation. Conscious of his having inflicted fresh +wounds on the breast of his truest friend, his spirits were so ill +adapted to any conversation, that he was pleased rather than +disappointed when he found the supper-room at the Castle quite +vacant, and only one cover on the table awaiting his arrival. + +He asked a few questions of the servants, who informed him that it +was past twelve o'clock, and that Sir Robert, who had become worse, +had retired to bed early in the evening. + +"And where are my aunt and cousin?" demanded Pembroke. + +One of the men replied that, in consequence of Miss Beaufort having +been taken suddenly indisposed, both the ladies left the saloon +before eleven. Pembroke readily guessed the cause of her disorder; he +too truly ascribed it to Mary's anxiety respecting the reception +which the noble Sobieski would give to his disgraceful proposition. +Sighing bitterly, he said no more but went to his chamber. + +The restless state of his mind awoke Mr. Somerset by times. Anxious +for the success of an application which he intended to make to his +beloved cousin, whose pure and virgin heart he believed did indeed +here sympathize with his own, he traversed the terrace for an hour +before he was summoned to breakfast. The baronet continuing too ill +to leave his room, the ladies only were in the parlor when he +entered. Miss Dorothy, who had learned the particulars of the late +events from her niece, longed to ask Pembroke how his noble friend +would act on her brother's so strange and lamentable conduct--conduct +so unlike himself in any other circumstance of gratitude in his life. +But every time she moved her lips to inquire, her nephew's inflamed +eyes and wan countenance made her fear to venture on the subject. +Mary sat in mute dejection, watching the agitation of his features; +and when he rose to quit the room, still in silence, she looked +wistfully towards him. Pembroke turned at the same moment, and +holding out his hand to her, said, "Come, Mary: I want to say +something to you. Will you walk with me on the terrace?" + +With a beating heart Miss Beaufort took his arm, and proceeded +without a word until they ascended the stone steps and reached the +terrace. A mutual deep-drawn sigh was the first opening to a +conversation on which the souls of both hung. Pembroke was the first +who spoke. + +"My dear Mary," cried he, "you are now my sole dependence. From what +I told you yesterday of my father's inflexibility, we can have no +hope of his relenting: indeed, after what has passed, I could not +flatter myself that Thaddeus Sobieski would now submit to any +obligation at his hands. Already he has refused, with all the +indignation I expected, Sir Robert's offer of an annuity. My dear +cousin, how can I exist and yet witness this my best friend in +distress, and living without the succor of my friendship? Heaven +knows, this cannot be the case, for I would sooner perish than +venture to insult the man my father has treated so ill with any +pecuniary offers from me! Therefore, dear girl, it is on you alone +that I depend. With his whole soul, as our marriage service says, +Thaddeus 'worships you;' you love him! In a few days you will become +of age. You will be your own mistress. Marry him, my beloved cousin," +cried Pembroke, pressing her hand to his lips, "and relieve my heart +from a load of misery! Be generous, my sweet Mary," added he, +supporting her now trembling frame against his breast; "act up to +your noble nature, and offer him, by me, that hand which his +calamities and disinterestedness preclude him from wooing himself." + +Miss Beaufort, hardly able to articulate, replied, "I would give him +all that I possess could it purchase him one tranquil hour. I would +serve him forever could I do it and be unknown? but--" + +"O, do not hesitate!--do not doubt!" interrupted Pembroke. "To serve +your friends, I know you are capable of the most extraordinary +exertions. I know there is nothing within the range of possibility +that your generous disposition would not attempt; then, my beloved +Mary, dare to be what you are, by having the magnanimity to act as +you know you ought--by offering your hand to him. Show the noble +Sobieski that you really deserve the devotion of a hero's heart-- +deserves to be his consolation, who, in losing his mother, lost an +angel like yourself." + +"Dear Pembroke," replied Miss Beaufort, wiping the gliding tears from +her burning cheek, "after the confession which you drew from me +yesterday, I will not deny that to be this to your friend would +render me the happiest of created beings; but I cannot believe what +your sanguine affection tells me. I cannot suppose, situated as I was +at Lady Dundas's, surrounded by frivolous and contemptible society, +that he could discover anything in me to warrant such a vanity. Every +way embarrassed as I was, disliking my companions, afraid of my own +interest in him, a veil was drawn over my mind, through which he +could neither judge of my good nor bad qualities. How, then, can I +flatter myself, or do the Count Sobieski so great an injury, as to +imagine that he could conceive any preference for so insignificant a +being as I must have appeared?" + +It was some time before Pembroke could shake this prepossession of a +sincere humility from Miss Beaufort's mind. But after having set in +every possible light the terms with which his friend had spoken of +her, he at length convinced her of what her heart so earnestly wished +to believe--that the love of Sobieski was indeed hers. + +Mr. Somerset's next achievement was to overcome her scruples against +sanctioning him with the commission he was bent on communicating to +Thaddeus. But from the continual recurrence of her apprehensions, +that the warm affection of her cousin had too highly colored the +first part of his representation, this latter task was not more easy +to accomplish than the former. + +In vain she remonstrated, in vain she doubted, in vain demurred. +Pembroke would not be denied. He saw her heart was with him; and when +with faltering lips she assented to the permission, which he almost +extorted, she threw her arms round his neck, and implored him, "by +all he loved and honored, to be careful of her peace; to remember +that she put into his charge all that was most precious to woman--the +modesty of her sex and her own self-esteem !" + +Delighted at this consent, notwithstanding he received it through the +medium of many tears, he fondly and gratefully pressed her to his +bosom, uttering his own soul's fervent conviction of a future +domestic happiness to them all. Having stood till he saw her re-enter +the house from a door on the terrace, he mounted his horse and set +off on the spur towards Harrow by Hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +LETTERS OF FAREWELL. + + +When Thaddeus recovered from the reverie into which he fell on the +departure of Mr. Somerset, he considered how he might remove out of a +country in which he had only met with and occasioned distress. + +The horrid price that Pembroke's father had set on the continuance of +his son's friendship with a powerless exile was his curse. Whatever +might have been the injury any individual of now annihilated Poland +could, in its palmy days of independence, and sometimes pride, +inflict on this implacable Englishman, of a nature that appeared to +have blinded him to even human feeling, Thaddeus felt so true an +indignation against such cruel injustice, and so much of a contrary +sentiment towards the noble son of this hard parent, that he +determined to at once relieve the warring mind of Pembroke of any +further conflict on his account by immediately quitting England. +Averse to a second interview with a friend so justly beloved, which +could only produce them new pangs, he resolved on instant +preparations--that another morn should not rise upon him in the +neighborhood of Somerset Castle. Taking up a pen, with all the +renewed loneliness of his fate brooding on his heart, he wrote two +letters. + +One he addressed to Mr. Somerset, bidding him that farewell which he +confessed he could never take. As he wrote, his hand trembled, his +bosom swelled, and he hastily shut his eyelids, to withhold his tears +from showing themselves on the paper. His emotion, his grief, were +driven back, were concealed, but the tenderness of his soul flowed +over the letter. He forgave Pembroke's father for Pembroke's sake; +and in spite of their personal disunion, he vowed that no earthly +power should restrain his love from following the steps of his +friend, even into the regions of eternity. He closed his melancholy +epistle with informing Mr. Somerset that, as he should quit not only +England directly, but Europe, any search after him which his generous +nature might dictate would be in vain. + +Though Thaddeus Sobieski would have disdained a life of dependence on +the greatest potentate of the world; though he rejected with the same +sincerity a similar proposal from his friend, and despised the +degrading offer of Sir Robert, yet he did not disparage his dignity, +not infringe on the disinterested nature of friendship, when he +retained the money which Pembroke had conveyed to him in prison. +Thaddeus never acted but from principle. His honorable and +penetrating mind knew exactly at what point to draw the tender thread +of delicacy--the cord of independence. But pride and independence +were with him distinct terms. Receiving assistance from a friend and +leaning on him wholly for support have different meanings. He +accepted the first with gratitude; he would have thought it +impossible to live and endure the last. Indeed Thaddeus would have +considered himself unworthy to confer a benefit if he had not known +how to receive one. But had not Pembroke told him "the whole gift was +Mary Beaufort's?" And what were his emotions then? They were full of +an ineffable sense of happiness inexplicable to himself. Mary +Beaufort was the donor, and it was bliss to have it so, and to know +it was so. With these impressions again throbbing at his heart, he +began a short letter to her, which he felt must crush that heart +forever. + +"To Miss Beaufort. + +"My faculties lose their power when I take up my pen to address, for +the first and the last time, Miss Beaufort. I hardly know what I +would say--what I ought to say; I dare not venture to write all that +I feel. But have you not been my benefactress? Did you not assert my +character and give me liberty when I was calumniated and in distress? +Did you not ward from me the scorn of unpitying folly? Did you not +console me with your own compassion? You have done all this; and +surely you will not despise the gratitude of a heart which you have +condescended to sooth and to comfort. At least I cannot leave England +forever without imploring blessings on the head of Miss Beaufort, +without thanking her on my knees, on which I am writing, for that +gracious and benign spirit which discovered a breaking heart under +the mask of serenity, which penetrated through the garb of poverty +and dependence, and saw that the condemned Constantine was not what +he seemed! Your smiles, Miss Beaufort, your voice speaking +commiseration, were my sweetest consolations during those heavy +months of bitterness which I endured at Dundas House. I contemplated +you as a pitying angel, sent to reconcile me to a life which had +already become a burden. These are the benefits which Miss Beaufort +has bestowed on a friendless exile; these are the benefits which she +has bestowed on me! and they are written on my soul. Not until I go +down into the grave can they be forgotten. Ah! not even then, for +when I rise again, I shall find them still registered there. + +"Farewell, most respected, most dear, most honored! My passing soul +seems in those words. O, may the Father of heaven bless with his +almighty care her whose name will ever be the first and the last in +the prayer of the far distant + + "THADDEUS CONSTANTINE SOBIESKI. + + "HARROWBY VILLAGE, MIDNIGHT." + +When he had finished this epistle, with a tremulous hand he consigned +it to the same cover that contained his letter to Somerset. Then +writing a few lines to the worthy master of the inn, (the brother-in- +law of the faithful servant of his late lamented maternal friend,) +saying that a sudden occasion had required his immediate departure at +that untimely hour, he enclosed a liberal compensation in gold for +the attentive services of both the honest man and his warm-hearted +wife. Having sealed each packet, he disposed them so on the table +that they might be the first things seen on entering the room. + +He had fixed on deep night as the securest time for commencing +unobserved his pedestrian tour. The moon was now full, and would be a +sufficient guide, he thought, on his solitary way. He had determined +to walk to London by the least public paths; meaning to see kind Mrs. +Robson, and bid her a grateful farewell before he should embark, +probably never to return, for America. + +He had prepared his slender baggage before he sat down to write the +two letters which had cost him so many pangs; compressed within a +light black leather travelling-bag, he fastened it over his shoulders +by its buckled straps, in the manner of a soldier's knapsack. He then +put the memorandum-book which contained his "world's wealth," now to +be carefully husbanded, into a concealed pocket in the breast of his +waistcoat, feeling, while he pressed it down upon his heart, that his +mother's locket and Miss Beaufort's chain kept guard over it. + +"Ah!" cried he, as he gently closed the low window by which he leaped +into the garden; "England, I leave thee forever, and within thee all +that on this earth had been left to me to love. Driven from thee! +Nay, driven as if I were another Cain, from the face of every spot of +earth that ever had been or would be dear to me! Oh, woe to them who +began the course. And thou, Austria, ungrateful leader in the +destruction of the country which more than once was thy preserver!-- +could there be any marvel that the last of the Sobieskis should +perish with her? What accumulated sins must rest on thy head, thou +seducer of other nations into the spoliation and dismemberment of the +long-proved bulwark of Christendom? Assuredly, every hasty sigh that +rebels in the breasts of Poland's outcast sons against the mystery of +her doom will plead against thee at the judgment-seat of Heaven!" + +He went on at a rapid pace through several fields, his heart and soul +full of those remembrances, and the direful echoes to them he had met +in England. Stopping a moment at the boundary-gate of the Harrowby +domains,--the property of a disgraceful owner of a name that might +have been his, had not his nobler mother preserved to him that of +Sobieski,--he stretched out his arms to the heavens, over which a +bleak north-west wind was suddenly collecting dark and spreading +clouds, and exclaimed, in earnest supplication, "Oh, righteous Power +of Mercy! in thy chastening, grant me fortitude to bear with +resignation to thy will the miseries I may yet have to encounter, +Ah!" added he, his heart melting as the images presented themselves +even as visions to his soul, "teach me to forget what I have been. +Teach me to forget that on this dreadful October night twelve months +ago I clasped the dying body of my revered grandfather in these +arms!" + +He could not speak further. Leaning his pale face against the gate, +he remained for a few minutes dissolved in all a son's sorrow; then, +recovering himself by a sudden start, he proceeded with hurried steps +through the further extending meadows until they conducted him by a +short village-lane into the high road. + +It was on the 10th of October, 1795, that the Count Sobieski +commenced this lonely and melancholy journey. It was the 10th of +October in the preceding year that he found the veteran palatine +bleeding to death in the midst of a heap of slain. The coincidence of +his renewed banishment and present consequent mental sufferings with +those of that fatal period powerfully affected him, recalling, in the +vivid colors of an actual existence, scenes and griefs which the +numerous successive events he had passed through had considerably +toned down into dream-like shades. + +But now, when memory, by one unexpected stroke, had once conjured up +the happy past of his early life and its as early blighting, true to +her nature, she raised before his mind's eye every hope connected +with it and his present doom, till, almost distracted, he quickened +his speed. He then slackened it; he quickened it again; but nothing +could rid him of those successive images which seem to glide around +him like mournful apparitions of the long-lamented dead. + +When the dawn broke and the sun rose, he found himself advanced +several miles on the south side of Ponton Hill. The spiry aisles of +Harrowby Abbey were discernible through the mist, and the towers of +Somerset Castle, from their height and situation, were as distinctly +seen as if he had been at their base. Neither of these objects were +calculated to raise the spirits of Thaddeus. The sorrows of the +countess, whose eyes he so recently had closed, and the treatment +which he afterwards received from the man to whom he owed his life, +were recollections which made him turn from the Abbey with a renewed +pang and fix his eyes on Somerset. He looked towards its ivied +battlements with all the regret and all the tenderness which can +overflow a human heart. Under that roof he believed the eyes of his +almost, indeed, worshipped Mary were sealed in sleep; and in an +instant his agitated soul addressed her as if she had been present. + +"Farewell, most lovely, most beloved! The conviction that it is to +ensure the peace of my now only friend on earth, my faithful +Pembroke, that I resign the hope of ever beholding thee again in this +life, will bring me one comfort, at least, in my barren exile!" + +Thus communing with his troubled spirit, he walked the whole day on +his way to London. Totally absorbed in meditation, he did not remark +the gaze of curiosity which followed his elegant yet distressed +figure as he passed through the different towns and villages. Musing +on the past, the present, and the future, he neither felt hunger nor +thirst, but, with a fixed eye and abstracted countenance, pursued his +route until night and weariness overtook him near a cross-road, far +away from any house. + +Thaddeus looked around and above. The sky was then clear and +glittering with stars; the moon, shining on a branch of the Ouse +which divides Leicestershire from Northamptonshire, lit the green +heath which skirted its banks. He wished not for a more magnificent +canopy; and placing his bag under his head, he laid himself down +beneath a hillock of furze, and slept till morning. + +When he awoke from a heavy sleep, which fatigue and fasting had +rendered more oppressive than refreshing, he found that the splendors +of the night were succeeded by a heavy rain, and that he was wet +through. He arose with stiffness in his limbs, pain in his head, and +a dimness over his eyes, with a sense of weakness which almost +disabled him from moving. He readily judged that he had caught cold; +and every moment feeling himself grow worse, he thought it necessary +to seek some house where he might procure rest and assistance. + +Leaning on his closed umbrella, which, in his precarious +circumstances of travelling, he used in preference to a walking- +stick, and no longer able to encumber himself with even the light +load of his bag, he cast it amongst the brambles near him. Thinking, +from the symptoms he felt, that he might not have many more hours to +endure the ills of life, he staggered a few yards further. No +habitation appeared; his eyes soon seemed totally obscured, and he +sunk down on a bank. For a minute he attempted to struggle with the +cold grasp of death, which he believed was fastening on his heart. + +"And are my days to be so short?--are they to end thus?" was the +voice of his thoughts,--for he was speechless. "Oh! thou merciful +Providence, pardon my repining, and those who have brought me to +this! My only Father, hear me!" + +These were the last movements of his soundless lips, while his blood +seemed freezing to insensibility. His eyelids were closed, and pale, +and without sign of animation, he lay at the foot of a tree nigh +which he had dropped. + +He remained a quarter of an hour in this dead-like state before he +was observed; at length, a gentleman who was passing along that road, +on his way to his country-seat in the neighborhood, thought he +perceived a man lying amongst the high grass a little onward on the +heath. He stopped his carriage instantly, though driven by four +spirited horses, and ordering one of the outriders to alight, bade +him examine whether the object in view were living or dead. + +The servant obeyed; and presently returning with an affrighted +countenance, he informed his master that "it was the body of a young +man, who, by his dress, appeared to be a gentleman; and being quite +senseless, he supposed he had been waylaid and murdered by footpads." +The features of the benevolent inquirer immediately reflected the +alarm of his informant. Ordering the chariot door to be opened, he +took in his hand a bottle of medicine, (which, from his own invalid +states was his carriage companion,) and, stepping out, hastened to +the side of the apparently lifeless Thaddeus. + +By this time all the servants were collected round the spot. The +master himself, whilst he gazed with pity on the marble features of +the stranger, observed with pleasure that he saw no marks of +violence. Supposing that the present accident might have been +occasioned by a fit, and thinking it possible to recall life, he +desired that the unfortunate person's neck-cloth might be unloosened, +and removing his hat, he contrived to pour some drops into his mouth. +Their warmth renewed pulsation to the heart, for one of the men, who +was stooping, declared that it beat under his hand. When the +benevolent gentleman was satisfied of the truth of this report, he +bade his servants place the poor traveller in his carriage; having +only another mile or two to go, he said he hoped his charge might be +restored at the end of so short a drive. + +Whilst the postilions drove rapidly towards the house, the cold face +of Thaddeus rested on the bosom of his benefactor, who continued to +chafe his temples with eau de Cologne until the chariot stopped +before the gates. The men carried the count into the house, and +leaving him with their master and a medical man, who resided near, +other restoratives were applied which in a short time restored him to +consciousness. When he was recalled to recollection, and able to +distinguish objects, he saw that he was supported by two gentlemen, +and in a spacious chamber. + +Gratitude was an active virtue in the soul of Thaddeus. At the moment +of his awakening from that sleep which, when it fell upon him, he +believed would last until time should be lost in eternity, he pressed +the hands of those who held his own, not doubting but that they were +the good Samaritans who had preserved him from perishing. + +The younger of the gentlemen, perceiving, by the animated lustre +which spread over his patient's eyes, that he was going to speak, put +his hand on his lips, and said, "Pardon me, sir! you must be mute! +Your life at present hangs on a thread; the slightest exertion might +snap it. As all you want is rest and resuscitation to supply some +great loss which the vital powers have sustained, I must require that +you neither speak nor be spoken to until I give permission. +Meanwhile, be satisfied, sir, that you are in the kindest hands. This +gentleman," added he, (pointing to his friend, who bore the noble +presence of high rank,) "saw you on the heath, and brought you to his +house, where you now are." + +Thaddeus bowed his head to them both in sign of obedience and +gratitude, and the elder, with a kind bend of his mild eyes, in +silence left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +DEERHURST. + + +Next morning, when the seal was taken off the lips of the object of +their care, he expressed in grateful terms his deep sense of the +humanity which had actuated both the gentleman to take so generous an +interest in his fate. + +"You owe no thanks to me," replied the one who had enjoined and +released him from silence, and who was now alone with him; "I am only +the agent of another. Yet I do not deny that, in obeying the +benevolent orders of Sir Robert Somerset, I have frequent +opportunities of gratifying my own heart." + +Thaddeus was so confounded at this discovery that he could not speak, +and the gentleman proceeded. + +"I am apothecary to Sir Robert's household, and as my excellent +employer has been long afflicted with an ill state of health, I live +in a small Lodge at the other end of the park. He is the boast of the +county: the best landlord and the kindest neighbor. All ranks of +people love him; and when he dies, (which his late apoplectic fits +make it too probable may be soon,) both poor and rich will lose their +friend. Ill as he was this morning, when I told him you were out of +danger, he expressed a pleasure which did him more good than all my +medicines." + +Not considering the wildness of the question, Thaddeus hastily +demanded, "Does he know who I am?" + +The honest apothecary stared at the look and tone with which these +words were delivered, and then replied, "No, sir; is there any reason +to make you wish that he should not?" + +"Certainly none," replied Thaddeus, recollecting himself; "but I +shall be impatient until I have an opportunity of telling him how +grateful I am for the goodness he has shown to me as a stranger." + +Surprised at these hints, (which the count, not considering their +tendency, allowed to escape him,) the apothecary gathered sufficient +from them, united with the speaker's superior mien, to make him +suppose that his patient was some emigrant of quality, whom Sir +Robert would rejoice in having served. These surmises and conclusions +having passed quickly through the worthy gentleman's brain, he bowed +his head with that respect which the generous mind is proud to pay to +nobility in ruins, and resumed: + +"Whoever you may be, sir, a peasant or a prince, you will meet with +British hospitality from the noble owner of this mansion. The +magnificence of his spirit is equalled by the goodness of his heart; +and I am certain that Sir Robert will consider as fortunate the +severe attack which, bringing him from Somerset for change of air, +has afforded him an opportunity of serving you." + +Thaddeus blushed at the strain of this speech. Readily understanding +what was passing in the mind of the apothecary, he hardly knew what +to reply. He paused for a moment, and then said, "All you have +declared, sir, in praise of Sir Robert Somerset I cannot doubt is +deserving. I have already felt the effects of his humanity, and shall +ever remember that my life was prolonged by his means; but I have no +pretensions to the honor of his acquaintance. I only wish to see him, +that I may thank him for what he has done; therefore, if you will +permit me to rise this evening, instead of to-morrow morning, you +will oblige me." + +To this request the apothecary gave a respectful yet firm denial, and +went down stairs to communicate his observations to his patron. When +he returned, he brought back a request for his patient from the +baronet, even as a personal consideration for his host's solicitude +concerning him, to remain quietly in the perfect repose of his closed +chamber until next day; then it might be hoped Sir Robert would find +him sufficiently recovered to receive his visit without risk. To this +Sobieski could not but assent, in common courtesy, as well as in +grateful feeling; yet he passed in anything but repose the rest of +the day, and the anxiety which continued to agitate him while +reflecting that he was receiving these obligations from his +implacable enemy so occupied and disturbed him, that he spent a +sleepless night. The dawn found his fever much augmented; but no +corporeal sufferings could persuade him to defer seeing the baronet +and immediately leaving his house. Believing, as he did, that all +this kindness would have been withheld had his host known on whom he +was pouring such benefits, he thought that every minute which passed +over him while under Sir Robert's roof inflicted a new outrage on his +own respect and honor. + +To this end, then, as soon as Mr. Middleton, the apothecary, retired +to breakfast, Thaddeus rose from his bed, and was completely dressed +before he returned. He had effected this without any assistance, for +he was in possession of his travelling-bag. One of the outriders +having discerned it amongst the herbage, while the others were busied +in carrying its helpless owner to the carriage, he had picked it up, +and on the arrival of the party at home, delivered it to the +baronet's valet to convey to the invalid gentleman's chamber, justly +considering that he would require its contents. + +When Mr. Middleton re-entered the apartment, and saw his patient not +only risen from his bed, but so completely dressed, he expostulated +on the rashness of what he had done, and augured no less than a +dangerous relapse from the present increased state of his pulse. +Thaddeus, for once in his life, was obstinate, though civilly so; and +desiring a servant to request that Sir Robert would indulge him with +an audience for a few minutes alone in his library, he soon convinced +Mr. Middleton that his purpose was not to be shaken. + +The baronet returning his compliments, and saying that he should be +happy to see his guest, the still anxious apothecary offered him his +assistance down stairs. Thaddeus needed no help, and gratefully +declined it. The exertion necessary to be summoned for this interview +imparted as much momentary strength to his frame as to his mind, and +though his color was heightened, he entered the library with a firm +step. + +Sir Robert met him at the door, and, shaking him by the hand with a +warm assurance of pleasure at so rapid a restoration, would have led +him to a seat; but Thaddeus only supported himself against the back +of it with his hand, whilst in a steady voice he expressed the most +earnest thanks for the benefits he had received; then pausing, and +casting the proud lustre of his eyes to the ground, lest their +language should tell all that he thought, he continued, "I have only +to regret, Sir Robert, that your benevolence has been lavished on a +man whom you regard with abhorrence. I am the Count Sobieski, that +Polander whom you commanded your son to see no more. Respecting even +the prejudices of my friend's parent, I was hastening to London, +meaning to set sail for America with the first ship, when I swooned +on the road. I believe I was expiring. Your humanity saved me; and I +now owe to gratitude, as well as to my own satisfaction, the +fulfilment of my determination. I shall leave Deerhurst immediately, +and England as soon as I am able to embark." + +Thaddeus with a second bow, and not quite so firm a step, without +venturing a glance at what he supposed must be the abashed or the +enraged looks of Pembroke's father, was preparing to quit the room, +when Sir Robert, with a pale and ghastly countenance, exclaimed, +"Stop!" + +Thaddeus looked round, and struck by the change in his preserver's +appearance, paused in his movement. The baronet, incapable of saying +more, pointed to a chair for him to sit down; then sinking into +another himself, took out his handkerchief, and wiping away the large +drops which stood on his forehead, panted for respiration. At last, +with a desperate kind of haste, he said. + +"Was your mother indeed Therese Sobieski?" + +Thaddeus, still more astonished, replied in the affirmative. Sir +Robert threw himself back on the chair with a deep groan. Hardly +knowing what he did, the count rose from his seat and advanced +towards him. On his approach, Sir Robert stretched out his hand, and, +with a look and tone of agony, said, "Who was your father?" He then, +without waiting for a reply, covered his convulsed features with his +handkerchief. The baronet's agitation, which now shook him like an +earthquake, became contagious. Thaddeus gazed at him with a palsying +uncertainty in his heart; laying his hand on his bewildered brain, he +answered, "I know not; yet I fear I must believe him to be the Earl +of Tinemouth. But here is his picture." With an almost disabling +tremor he unclasped it from his neck where his mother's last blessing +had placed it, and touching the spring which held it in its little +gold case in the manner of a watch, he gave it open to Sir Robert, +who had started from his seat at the name of the earl. The moment the +baronet's eyes rested on the miniature, he fell senseless upon the +chair. + +Thaddeus, hardly more alive, sprinkled some water on his face, and +with throbbing temples and a bleeding heart stood in wordless +expectation over him. Such excessive emotion told him that something +more than Sir Robert's hatred of the Polanders had stimulated his +late conduct. Too earnest for an explanation to ring for assistance, +he rejoiced to see, by the convulsion of the baronet's features and +the heaving of his chest, that animation was returning. In a few +minutes he opened his eyes, but when he met the anxious gaze of +Thaddeus, he closed them as suddenly. Rising from his seat, he +staggered against the chimney-piece, exclaiming, "Oh God, direct me!" +Thaddeus, whose conjectures were now wrought almost to wildness, +followed him, and whilst his exhausted frame was ready to sink to the +earth, he implored him to speak. + +"Sir Robert," cried he, "if you know anything of my family, if you +know anything of my father, I beseech you to answer me. Or only tell +me: am I so wretched as to be the son of Lord Tinemouth?" + +The violence of the count's emotions during this agonizing address +totally overcame him; before he finished speaking, his limbs withdrew +their support, and he dropped breathless against the side of the +chair. + +Sir Robert turned hastily round. He saw him sunk, like a beautiful +flower, bruised and trampled on by the foot of him who had given it +root. Unable to make any evasive reply to this last appeal of virtue +and of nature, he threw himself with a burst of tears upon his neck, +and exclaimed, "Wretch that I have been! Oh, Sobieski! I am thy +father. Dear, injured son of the too faithful Therese!" + +The first words which carried this avowal to the heart of Thaddeus +deprived it of motion, and when Sir Robert expected to receive the +returning embrace of his son, he found him senseless in his arms. + +The cries of the baronet brought Mr. Middleton and the servants into +the room. When the former saw the state of the count, and perceived +the agonized position of his patron, (who was supporting and leaning +over his son,) the honest man declared that he expected nothing less +from the gentleman's disobedience of his orders. The presence of the +servants having recalled Sir Robert's wandering faculties, he desired +them to remove the invalid with the greatest care back to his +chamber. Following them in silence, when they had laid their charge +on the bed, he watched in extreme but concealed suspense till Mr. +Middleton once more succeeded in restoring animation to his patient. + +The moment the count unclosed his eyes, they fixed themselves on his +father. He drew the hand which held his to his lips. The tears of +paternal love again bathed the cheeks of Sir Robert; he felt how warm +at his heart was the affection of his deserted son. Making a sign for +Mr. Middleton to leave the room, who obeyed, he bent his streaming +eyes upon the other hand of Thaddeus, and, in a faltering voice, "Can +you pardon me?" + +Thaddeus threw himself on his father's bosom, and wept profusely; +then raising Sir Robert's clasped hands to his, whilst his eloquent +eyes seemed to search the heavens, he said, "My dear, dear mother +loved you to her latest hour; and I have all my mother's heart. +Whatever may have been his errors, I love and honor my father." + +Sir Robert strained him to his breast. After a pause, whilst he shook +the tears from his venerated cheeks, he resumed--"Certain, my dear +son, that you require repose, and assured that you will not find it +until I have offered some apology for my unnatural conduct, I will +now explain the circumstances which impelled my actions, and drew +distress upon that noble being, your mother." + +Sir Robert hesitated a moment to recover breath, and then, with the +verity of a grateful penitence, commenced. + +"Keep your situation," added he, putting down Thaddeus, who at this +opening was raising himself, "I shall tell my melancholy story with +less pain if your eyes be not upon me. I will begin from the first." + +The baronet, with frequent agitated pauses, proceeded to relate what +may be more succinctly expressed as follows: Very early in life he +had attached himself to Miss Edith Beaufort, the only sister of the +late Admiral Beaufort, who at that time was pursuing his chosen brave +career as post-captain in the British navy. By the successive deaths +of their parents, they had been left young to the guardianship of Sir +Fulke Somerset and their maternal aunt, his then accomplished lady: +she and their deceased mother, the Lady Grace Beaufort, having been +sisters--the two celebrated beautiful daughters of Robert Earl +Studeley of Warwick. + +Sir Fulke's family by the amiable twin of the Lady Grace were Robert +(who afterwards succeeded him) and Dorothy his only daughter. But he +had a son by a former marriage with the brilliantly-endowed widow of +a long-resident governor in the East, who having died on his voyage +home to England, on her landing she found herself the sole inheritrix +of his immense wealth. She possessed charms of person as well as +riches, and as soon as "her weeds" could be laid aside, she became +the admired wife of the "gay and gallant" Sir Fulke Somerset. Within +the twelve subsequent months she presented him with a son and heir, +soon to be her own too; for though she lived three or four years +after his birth, her health became so delicate that she never bore +another child, but gradually declined, and ultimately expired while +apparently in a gentle sleep. + +Sir Fulke mourned his due time "in the customary suit of solemn +black;" but he was a man of a lofty and social spirit, by no means +inclined to be disconsolate, and held "a fair help-mate" to be an +indispensable appendage to his domestic state. In this temper, (just +before the election of a new parliament, when contending interests +were running very close,) he obtained the not less eagerly disputed +hand of Lady Arabella Studeley, whose elder sister (as has been +mentioned) had made a magnificent marriage, only a year or two +before, with John of Beaufort, the lord of the noble domain of +Beaufort in the Weald of Kent--a lineal endowment from his princely +ancestor, John of Gaunt. This illustrious pair dwelt on the land, +like its munificent owners in the olden times, revered and beloved; +and they were the parents of their two equally-honored representatives-- +Guy, afterwards Admiral Beaufort, and Edith, who subsequently became +the adored wife of her also tenderly-beloved cousin, Robert Somerset. + +But before that fondly-anticipated event took place, the young lover +had to pass through a path of thorns, some of which pierced him to +the end. From his childhood to manhood, he saw little of Algernon, +his elder brother, who always seemed to him more like an occasional +brilliant phantom, alighting amongst them, than a dear member of the +family coming delightedly to cheer and to share his paternal home. +Algernon was either at Eaton school, or at one of the universities, +or travelling somewhere on the continent; and at all these places, or +from them all, he became the enchanted theme of every tongue. +Meanwhile, Robert--though, perhaps, equally endowed by nature yet +certainly of a milder radiance--was the object of so apprehensive a +solicitude in his gentle mother's breast for the puritas well as the +intellectual accomplishments of her son, that she obtained Sir +Fulke's reluctant consent to his being brought up in what is called +"a home education;" that is, under the especial personal care of the +best private tutors, and which were found to the great credit of her +judgment. He showed an ardent devotedness to his studies; and though, +like his mother, he was one of the mildest of human beings in his +dealings with those around him, yet his aspirations towards high +attainments were as energetic as they were noiseless, and ever on +steady wind soaring upward. Robert Somerset was then unconsciously +forming himself for what he afterwards became--the boast of the +country of his birth, the glory of England, to whose prosperity he +dedicated all his noble talents, showing what it is to be a true +English country gentleman. Being alike "the oak or laurel" of "Old +England's fields and groves." + + "With sickle or with sword, + Or bardic minstrelsy!" + +he was permitted to pass a term or two at Oxford, where he acquitted +himself with honor, particularly in the classics, to the repeated +admiration of their then celebrated professor, the late Thomas +Warton. But the young student was also fond of rural pursuits and +domestic occupations. He lived mostly at home, enjoying the gentle +solace of elegant modern literature and the graces of music, with the +ever blameless delights of an accomplished female society, at the +head of which his revered mother had presided, accompanied by his +lively sister Dorothy and the sweet Edith Beaufort, whom he had +gradually learned to love like his own soul. His heart became yet +more closely knit to her when his beloved parent died, which sad +event occurred about a year after the death of Edith's own mother, +who on her widowhood had continued to live more with her sister, Lady +Arabella Somerset, than at her bereaved home. Edith's filial sorrow +was renewed in the loss of her maternal aunt, and her tenderest +sympathy reciprocated the tears of her son. Their hearts blended +together in those tears, and both felt that "they were comforted." + +Time did not long pass on before the happy Robert communicated their +mutual attachment to his father, petitioning for his consent to woo +for the hand of her whose heart he had already gained. But the +baronet, in some surprise at what he heard, refused to give his +sanction to any such premature engagement, first, on account of the +applicant's "extreme youth;" and second, being a younger scion of his +house, it might not be deemed well of in the world should he, the +guardian of his niece and her splendid fortune, show so much haste to +bestow her on his comparatively portionless son. The baronet, with +some of his parliamentary acumen, drew another comparison, which +touched the disappointed lover with a feeling almost of despair. He +compared what he denominated his romantic fancies for "woods and +wilds," and book-worm pursuits in the old crypts of the castle or the +college, with the distinguished consideration held by his travelled +brother in courts and councils, whether abroad or at home, closing +the parallel by telling him "to follow Algernon's example, and become +more like a man of some account amongst men before he dared pretend +to a hand of so much importance as that of the heiress of Beaufort." + +Robert was standing silent and dismayed, as one struck by a thunder- +flash, when his brother (who had been only a month arrived from a +long revisit to the two Sicilies) suddenly entered his father's +library, as Sir Fulke had again resumed his discourse with even more +severity. At sight of the animated object of his contrasting eulogy, +he instantly described to his new auditor what had been mutually +said, and referred the subject to him. + +"Romance, indeed! whether in merry Sherwood, with hound and horn, or +with gentle dames in bower and hall, you have had enough of, my +brother," replied the gay-spirited traveller. "Neither men nor women +like philandering after deer or doe, or a lady's slipper, beyond the +greenwood season. So I say, for the glory of your manhood up and +away! Abroad, abroad! My father is right. That is the only ground for +such a race and guerdon as you aspire to. I admire your taste, and +not less your ambition, my brave boy. Do not thwart him, Sir Fulke," +added he, to the baronet, who began to frown: "let him enter the +lists with the boldest of us; faint heart never won fair lady! So, +forward, Robert! and give me another sweet sister to love and to +cherish as I do our blithe little Dora." + +At this far from unwelcome advice, Robert smiled and sighed; but the +smile swallowed up the sigh, for his soul kindled with hope. His +father smiled also; the cloud of a stern authority had passed from +his brow, and before that now perfectly reconciled party rose, it was +decided that Robert should make immediate preparations for commencing +a regulated course of continental travels, the route to be drawn out +by his brother and his expenses in the tour to be liberally supplied +by his father. The length of the probation was not then thought on, +at least not mentioned. Shortly afterwards, when Robert hastened from +the library to communicate what had passed to the beloved object of +the discussion, he left his father and his brother together to think +and to plan all the rest for him. + +But Edith Beaufort wept when she heard of the separation; her heart +failed within her. For since her first coming under the roof of her +guardian uncle, she had never been without seeing her brother-like +cousin beyond a few days or weeks at most. He was now going to be +banished (and, it was asserted, for her sake too) into far distant +countries, and for an indefinite period--months, perhaps years. And +these saddening thoughts made her weep afresh, though silently; for +her full-flowing tears were soft and noiseless, like the heart from +whence they sprung. Robert, with all his now sanguine expectations, +sought to cheer her, but in vain. She felt an impression, that should +he go, they would never meet again. But she did not betray that +feeling to him; yet the infection of her despondency, by its +continuance, so wrought on his own consequent depressed spirits, that +when his father announced to him that his absence must be for two or +three years at least, he ventured to remonstrate, beseeching that it +might be limited to the shorter term of two years. The baronet +derided the proposal, with many words of contempt towards the urgent +pleader. Robert withheld from disclosing to the too often hard mind +of his father that the proposition he so scorned had originated in +the tender bosom of Edith Beaufort, and Sir Fulke's sarcasm fell so +thick on the bending head of his son, that at last the insulted +feelings of the generous lover became so indignant at the little +confidence placed in the real manliness of his character, which had +hitherto been found ever present when actually called for, that his +heart began to swell to an almost uncontrollable exasperation, and +while struggling to master himself from uttering the disrespectful +retort risen to his lips, his brother again accidentally entered the +room, and by giving Robert the moment to pause, happily rescued his +tottering duty from that regretful offence. + +As soon as Algernon appeared, the baronet resumed his sarcastic tone, +in a rapid recapitulation of Robert's retrograde request. Algernon +again took up the cause of his brother, and, with his usual tact, +gained the victory, by the dexterous gayety with which he pleaded for +the young noviciate in all the matters for which he was to be sent so +far afield to learn. At last the conference ended by Sir Fulke +agreeing to a proposition from his eldest son,--that the time for +this foreign tutelage might possibly expire within the second year, +should the results evoked by the ambitious passion of his youngest +born be in any fair progress to fulfilment. + +In little more than a week after this final arrangement, every +preparation was finished for the wildly-contemplated tour. Robert had +taken a heart-plighting adieu from his beloved Edith. But by his +father's positive injunction, there was no engagement for a hereafter +actual plighting of hands made between them. Yet their eloquent eyes, +transparent through their mutual tears, vowed it to each other, and +with silent prayers for his indeed early return, they parted. + +When taking leave of his father, and receiving his directions +relative to a correspondence with his family, permission was +peremptorily denied him to hold any with his cousin Edith. He had +learned enough lately to avoid all supplications to the paternal +quarter, if he would not invite scorn as well as to receive +disappointment. But Algernon whispered to him "that nobody should +remain wholly _incognita_ to him in that house while he dipped +pen in any one of the three hundred and sixty-five inkhorns under its +awful towers!" Robert then bowed his farewell with a flushed cheek +and grave respect to his father, but gratefully separated from his +brother with a warm pressure of the hand. The old household servants +blessed him as he passed through the hall, and in a few minutes he +found himself seated in the family post-chaise and four that was to +convey him from the home of his youth and happy innocence, and, alas! +to return to it "an altered man." + +When he reached Dover to embark, he fell in with the present Earl of +Tinemouth, then Mr. Stanhope, sent abroad on a similar errand with +himself. But Stanhope's was to forget a mistress--Somerset's to merit +the one he sought. The two young men were kinsfolk by birth, and they +now felt themselves so in severing from their parents. Stanhope was +in high wrath against his, and he soon rekindled the already excited +mind of Somerset to a responsive demonstration of resentment. They +determined to show that "they were not such boys as to submit any +further in passive obedience to the stern authority dominating over +them." Sir Fulke's particular charge against his son was a "womanish +softness, unworthy his loftier sex!" "Show him," cried Stanhope, that +"you have the hardihood of a true man by an immediate act of +independence. Let us travel together, kinsmen as we are, change our +names, and let no one in England know anything about us during our +tour except the two dear women on whose accounts we are thus +transported!" + +With these views they landed in France, gave themselves out to be +brothers (which a certain resemblance in their persons corroborated), +and called themselves Sackville. Agreeably amused with the novelties +presented to them at almost every step of their tour from gay Paris +to sentimental Italy, they proceeded pretty amicably until they +reached Naples. There Mr. Stanhope involved himself in an intrigue +with the only daughter of an old British officer, who had retired to +that climate for his health. Somerset remonstrated on the villany of +seducing an innocent girl, when he knew his heart and hand were +pledged to another. Stanhope, enraged at finding a censor in a +companion whom he had considered to be as headstrong as himself, +ended the argument by drawing his sword, and if the servants of the +hotel had not interfered, the affray would probably have terminated +with one of their lives. Since that hour they never met. Mr. Stanhope +fled from his shame and his bleeding friend, and, fearful of +consequences, took temporary refuge in one of the Aonian Isles, not +daring to proceed any further against the innocence of the poor +officer's daughter, who had been thus rescued from becoming his +victim! + +When recovered from his wound, Robert Somerset (by some strange +infatuation still retaining the name of Sackville) proceeded to +Florence, in which interesting city, for works of art, ancient and +modern, and the graces of classic society, determining to stay some +time, he rather sought than repelled the civilities of the +inhabitants. Here he became acquainted with the palatine, and the +lovely Countess Therese, his daughter. Her beauty pleased his taste; +her gentle virtues and exquisite accomplishments affected both his +heart and mind; and he often gazed on her with tenderness, when his +fidelity to Edith Beaufort only meant him to convey a look of +grateful admiration. The palatine honored England, and was prepared +to esteem her sons wherever he might meet them; and very soon he +became so attached to this apparently lonely young traveller, that he +invited him to all the excursions he and his daughter made into the +adjoining states, whether visiting them by the romantic scenery of +the land-roads, or coasting the beautiful bays of the sublime shores +on either side of those parts of the Mediterranean. + +In the midst of this intimacy, as if she were aware of a friendship +so hostile to his cousin's love, he suddenly ceased to receive any +remembrance-messages from her to him, in the two last letters from +his brother,--for he had never allowed himself to so brave his +father's parting commands as to write to her himself. Desperate with +jealousy of some unknown object supplanting him, he was on the point +of setting off for home, to judge with his own eyes, when a large +packet from England was put into his hands. On opening it he found a +letter from Edith, on which his surprised and eager gaze had +immediately fixed. Without looking on any of the rest, he broke the +seal, and read, astounded by the contents, "that having for some time +been led to consider the probable consequences to him, both from his +father's better judgment and the ultimate opinion of the world, +should he and she continue their pertinacious adherence to their +childish attachment, she had tried to wean both him and herself from +so rebellious a folly towards her revered guardian, his honored +father; and trusting that the gradual shortening of her cousin-like +messages to him, through his brother's letters, must have had the +effect intended, she now had permission to write one herself to him, +to convince him at once of the unreasonableness and danger of all +such premature entanglements. For," she added, "soon after his +departure, a journey to town had taught her to know her own heart. +She learned to feel that it was still at her disposal; and time did +not long pass after she returned to the country before, having +compared the object of her awakened taste with that of her former +delusion, she persuaded her own better judgment to set a generous +example to her ever-dear cousin Robert, by marrying where that +judgment now pointed. And so, with the full consent of Sir Fulke (who +she well knew had been totally averse to her marriage with his +youngest son), she had yielded to the long love of his brother, which +had been struggling in his manly bosom many agonizing months against +his persistent fidelity to Robert, but whose sister she hoped to +shortly become, as his affectionate Edith--then Somerset." + +Having read this extraordinary epistle to the end, so monstrous in +the character of its sentiments and its language, when compared with +all he had hitherto known of the pure and simple mind from which it +came, a terrible revulsion seized on his own, and, almost maddened +with horror at every name in that letter, he foreswore his family +forever! Hastening, as for one drop of heaven's dew upon his burning +brain, to seek Therese Sobieski, he found her alone, and though +without such aim when he rushed so frenzied into her presence, he +besought her "to heal a miserable and broken heart, which could only +be saved to endure any continuance of life by an acknowledgment that +she loved him!" Alas! the avowal was too soon wrung from that tender +and noble spirit! and yielding to a paroxysm of a rash and blinding +revenge, he hurried her to a neighboring convent and secretly married +her. + +This most unrighteous act perpetrated, he in vain sought +tranquillity. He was now stung within by a constant sense of +increasing guilt. Before this act he was the injured party--injured +by those in whom he had confided his dearest earthly happiness; and +he could raise his head in conscious truth, though all his fondest +hopes had been wrecked by their falsehood. But now he was the +betrayer of a young and innocent heart, which had implicitly trusted +in him. And he had insulted with a base and treacherous ingratitude, +by that act of deceit, without excuse, the honor of her father, whose +generous confidence had also been implicitly placed in him. But the +effects of these scorpion reproaches in his bosom were not less +destructive of her peace than of his own. He saw that his wedded +Therese was unweariedly anxious to soothe the mysterious wanderings +of his mind with her softest tenderness. But his thoughts were, +indeed, far from her, ever hovering over the changed image of his so +lately adored Edith--ever agonizing over the lightness of a conduct +so unlike her former virgin delicacy, so unlike the clinging vows she +breathed to him in their hour of boding separation!--ever execrating +the perfidy of his brother, which had brought on him this distracting +load of guilt and woe! + +In this temper of alienation from all the world, a second packet from +England was put into his hand. Again he saw Edith's writing; but he +dropped it unopened, in horror of the signature he anticipated would +be appended to it. Roused by resentment towards him whose name he +believed she then bore, he tore asunder the wax of a letter from his +father, which was sealed with black. His eyes were speedily riveted +to it. Sir Fulke, in the language of deep contrition, confessed a +train of deception that petrified his son. He declared, with bitter +invectives against himself, that all which had been communicated to +that unhappy son relating to Edith and her intended marriage with +Algernon had been devised by that unkind brother, and his no less +unnatural father, for the treacherous purpose of that marriage. +Devoted to ambition for his own sake, as well as for that of his +favorite son, Sir Fulke owned that he had from the first of Edith +Beaufort's becoming his ward resolved on her union in due time with +Algernon, in order to endow him, in addition to his own rich +inheritance, with all the political influence attendant on the vast +estate to which she was heiress, and so build up the family, in the +consideration of government, to any pitch of coroneted rank their +high-reaching parent might choose to reclaim. + +With many prayers for pardon from Heaven and the cruelly-injured +Robert, the wretched father acknowledged that this confession was +wrung from him by the sudden death of his eldest son, who having been +thrown off his horse on a heap of stones in the high-road, after +three days of severe bodily and mental suffering, now lay a sadly- +disfigured corpse, under the vainly mourning blazonry of his house, +in the darkened hall of his ancestors. The disconsolate narrator then +added, "that in contrite repentance his son had conjured him, with +his dying breath, to confess the falsehood of all that had passed to +the grossly-abused Robert;" amongst which, was Algernon turning to +the account of his own designs every confidence imparted to him by +his brother, in his _incognito_ movements, and awakened intimacy +with the noble Sarmatian family at Florence. And from these +unsuspected sources, this false friend and kinsman had contrived to +throw out hints of his brother's reported sliding heart to the +shrinking object of his own base and perfidious passion. At last, +believing Robert to be unfaithful, she sunk into a depression of +spirits which Sir Fulke thought would be easy to work to an assent, +in mere reckless melancholy, to the union he sought. With that +object, and to break the knot at once by a trenchant blow on Robert's +side, Algernon forged that letter in Edith Beaufort's handwriting +which had announced so unblushingly her preparations for an immediate +marriage with the eldest son. + +"But," continued Sir Fulke, "death has put an end to this unnatural +rivalry. And my poor girl, undeceived in her opinion of you, longs to +see you, and to give you that hand which your ill-fated brother and +infatuated father so unjustly detained from you. You are now my only +son, the only prop of my house, the only comfort of my old age! My +son, do not abandon to his remorse and sorrow your only parent." + +On receipt of this packet, in a consternation of amazement, and a +soul divided between rekindled love in all its fires and pity and +honor towards her he had betrayed before the altar of heaven, Robert +Somerset sacrificed both to his imperious passion. He adored the +woman on whose account he had left the country, and though every tie, +sacred and just, bound him to the tender and faithful wife he must +forsake to regain that idol, he at once consigned her to the full +horrors of desertion and hastened to England. + +"Disgraceful to relate!" ejaculated Sir Robert, putting his hand over +his face, "I married Edith Beaufort, while in our deepest mourning, +but at Somerset, as the place farthest from general notice. My +father, eager to efface as fast as possible from my mind and hers all +recollection of his past conduct towards us, had prepared everything +splendid, though private, for our union; and in her blissful, +restored possession, I forgot for a while Therese and her agonies. +But when my dear Pembroke first saw the light, when I pressed him to +my heart, it seemed as if in the same instant a dagger pierced it. +When I would have breathed a blessing over him, the conviction struck +me that I durst not--that I had deluded the mother who gave him +birth, and that at some future period he might have cause to curse +the author of his existence. + +"Well," continued the baronet, wiping his forehead, "though the birth +of this boy conjured up the image of your mother, to haunt me day and +night, I never could summon moral courage to inquire of her destiny +after I had left her. When the troubles of Poland commenced, what a +dreadful terror seized me! The successes of their allied enemies, and +the consequent distress and persecution of the chief nobility, +overwhelmed me with apprehension. I knew not but that many, like the +_noblesse_ of France, might be forced to abandon their country; +and the bare idea of meeting your grandfather, or the injured +Therese, in England, precipitated me into a nervous state that +menaced my life. I became abstracted and seriously ill, was forbidden +all excitements; hence easily avoided the sight of newspapers; and, +on the plea you have heard, my family were withheld from speaking on +any public subjects that manifestly gave me pain. But I could not +prevent the tongues of our visitors from discoursing on a theme which +at that period interested every thinking mind. I heard of the valiant +Kosciusko, the good Stanislaus, and the palatine Sobieski, with his +brave grandson, spoken of in the same breath. I durst not surmise who +this grandson was; I dared not ask--I dreaded to know. + +"At length," added the agitated father, quickening his voice, "the +idol of my heart--she for whom I had sacrificed my all of human +probity, perhaps my soul's eternal peace--died in my arms. Where +could a wretch like me turn for consolation? I had forfeited all +right to it from Heaven or earth. But at last a benignant spirit +seemed to breathe on me, and I bent beneath the stroke with humility; +for I embraced it as the just chastisement of a crime which till +then, even in the midst of my married felicity, had often pressed on +my dearest feelings like the hand of death. I repeat, I bore this +chastening trial with the resignation I have described. But when, two +years afterwards, my eye fell by accident upon the name of Sobieski +in one of the public papers, I could not withdraw it; my sight was +fascinated as if by a rattle-snake. In one column I read how bravely +the palatine fell, and in the next the dreadful fate of his daughter. +She was revenged!" cried Sir Robert, eagerly grasping the hand of +Thaddeus, who could not restrain the groan that burst from his +breast. "For nearly three months I was deprived of that reason which +had abused her noble nature. + +"When I recovered my senes," continued he, in a calmer tone, "and +found I had so fatally suffered the time of any restitution to her to +go by, I began to torture my remorseful heart because that I had not, +immediately on the death of my too much loved Edith, hastened to +Poland, and besought Therese's pardon from her ever-generous heart. +But this vivid approach to a sincere repentance was soon obliterated +by the consideration that, the Countess Sobieski having had a prior +claim to my name, such restitution on my part must have +illegitimatized my darling Pembroke, his dying mother's fondest +bequeathment to a father's arms. + +"It was this fearful conviction," exclaimed Sir Robert, a sudden +horror, indeed, distracting his before affectionate eye, "that caused +all my barbarian cruelty. When my dear and long-believed only son +described the danger from which you had rescued him, when he told me +that Therese had fostered him with a parent's tenderness, I was +probed to the heart. But when he added that the young Count Sobieski +was now an alien from his country, and relying on my friendship for a +home, my terror was too truly manifested. Horror drove all natural +remorse from my soul. I thought an avenging power had sent my +deserted child to discover his father, to claim his rights, and to +publish me as a disgrace to the name I had stolen from him. And when +I saw my innocent Pembroke, even to his knees, petitioning for the +man who I believed had come to undo him, I became almost deranged. +May the Lord of mercy pardon the fury of that derangement! For under +that temper," added he, putting the trembling hand of Thaddeus to his +streaming eyes, "I drove my first-born to be a wanderer on the face +of the earth, not for his own crimes, but for those of his father; +and Heaven justly punished in the crime the sin of my injustice. When +I thought that evidence of my shame was divided from me by an +insuperable barrier, when I believed that the ocean would soon +separate me from my fears, a righteous Providence brought thee before +me, forlorn and expiring. It was the son of Therese Sobieski I had +exposed to such wretchedness. It was the cherished of her heart I had +delivered to the raging elements! Oh, Thaddeus, my son," cried he, +"can I be forgiven for all this, in this world or in the next?" + +"Oh, my father!" returned Thaddeus, with a modest, but a pathetic +energy, "I am thy son! thy happy son, in such acknowledgment! +Therefore no longer upbraid yourself. Did you not act, as by a sacred +impulse, a father's part to me when you knew me not? You raised my +dying head from the earth and laid it on your bosom. O, my father! He +who brought us so together in his own appointed time, chasteneth +every son whom he receiveth, and has thus proved his love and pardon +to your contrite heart, both on earth and in heaven, by the nature of +your chastisement and the healing balm at its close!" + +At the end of this interview, so interesting and vital to the +happiness of both these newly-united parties, father and son, Sir +Robert motioned his blessing to that son by laying his hand gently on +his head, while the parental tears flowed on that now dear forehead-- +for he could not then speak. He immediately withdrew, to leave +Thaddeus to repose, and himself to retire to pour out his grateful +spirit in private. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + +THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. + + +At dawn on the morning following the preceding eventful but happy +conference, Sir Robert, painfully remembering the frantic grief of +Pembroke on finding that Sobieski had not only withdrawn himself from +Harrowby, but had adjured England forever, and still feeling the +merited bitterness of the reproaches which his inexplicable commands, +dishonoring to his son, had provoked from that only too-long- +preferred offspring of his idolized Edith.--which reproaches, +unknowingly so inflicted by the desperation of their utterer, had +driven the guilty father to seek a temporary refuge from them, if not +from his own accusing conscience, under the then solitary roof of one +of his country seats in the adjacent county,--yet somewhat relieved, +as by the immediate mercy of Heaven, from the load of his misery, he +eagerly wrote by the auspicious beams of the rising sun a few short +lines to Pembroke, telling him that "a providential circumstance had +occurred since they parted, which he trusted would finally reconcile +into a perfect peace all that had recently passed so distressingly +between them; therefore he, his ever tenderly-affectioned father, +requested him to join him alone, and without delay, at Deerhurst." + +This duty done to one beloved child, he then turned to anticipate a +second converse to his comfort with the other. + +That sickness which is the consequence of mental suffering usually +vanishes with its cause. Long before the dinner-hour of this happy +day, Thaddeus, refreshed by the peaceful and lengthened sleep from +which he awoke late in the morning, rose as if with a renewed +principle of life. Quitting his room, he met his glad father in the +passage-gallery, who instantly conducted him into a private room, +where that now tranquillized parent soon brought him to relate, with +every sentence a deepening interest, the rapid incidents of his brief +but eventful career. The voice of fame had already blazoned him +abroad as "the plume of war, with early laurels crowned;" but it was +left to his own ingenuous tongue to prove, in all the modest +simplicity of a perfect filial confidence, that the most difficult +conflicts are not those which are sustained on the battle-field. + +Sir Robert listened to him with affection, admiration, and delight,-- +ah, with what pride in such a son! He was answering the heartfelt +detail with respondent gratefulness to that Almighty Power which had +shed on his transgressing head such signal "signs of heavenly +amnesty!" when the door opened, and a servant announced that Mr. +Somerset was in the library. + +Thaddeus started up with joy in his countenance; but Sir Robert +gently put him down again. "Remain here, my son," said he, "until I +apprize your brother how nearly you are related to him. Yonder door +leads into my study; I will call you when he is prepared." + +The moment Sir Robert joined Pembroke, he read in his pale and +haggard features how much he needed the intelligence he was summoned +to hear. Mr. Somerset bowed coldly but respectfully on his father's +entrance, and begged to be honored with his commands. + +"They are what I expect will restore to you your usual looks and +manner, my dear son," returned the baronet; "so attend to me." + +Pembroke listened to his father's narrative with mute and, as it +proceeded, amazed attention. But when the name of Therese Sobieski +was mentioned as that of the foreign lady whom he had married and +deserted, the ready apprehension of his breathless auditor conceiving +the remainder yet unuttered by the agitated narrator, Sir Robert had +only to confirm, though in a hardly audible voice, the eager demand +of his son, "Was Thaddeus Sobieski indeed his brother?" and while +hearing the reply, unable to ask another question, he looked wildly +from earth to heaven, as if seeking where he might yet be found. + +"O, my father!" cried he, "what have you done? Where is he? For what +have you sacrificed him?" + +"Hear me to an end," rejoined the baronet. He then, in as few words +as possible, repeated the subsequent events of the recent meeting. + +Pembroke's raptures were now as high as his despair had been +profound. He threw himself on his father's breast; he asked for his +friend, his brother, and begged to be conducted to him. Sir Robert +did no more than open the intervening door, and in one instant the +brothers were locked in each other's arms. + +The transports of the young men for a long while denied them words; +but their eyes, their tears, and their united hands imparted to each +breast a consciousness of mutual love unutterable, not even to be +expressed by those looks which are indeed the heralds of the soul. + +Sir Robert wept like an infant whilst contemplating these two +affectionate brothers; in a faltering voice he exclaimed, "How soon +may these plighted hands be separated by inexorable law! Alas, +Pembroke, you cannot be ignorant that I buy this son at a terrible +price from you!" + +At this speech the blood rushed over the cheek of the ingenuous +Pembroke; but Thaddeus, turning instantly to Sir Robert, said, with +an eloquent smile. + +"On this head I trust that neither my father nor my brother will +entertain one thought to trouble them. Had I even the inclination to +act otherwise than right, my revered grandfather has put it out of my +power to claim or to bear any other name than that of Sobieski. He +made me swear never to change it; and, as I hope to meet him +hereafter," added he, with solemnity, "I will obey him. Therefore, my +beloved father, in secret only can I enjoy the conviction that I am +your son, and Pembroke's brother. Yet the happiness I receive with +the knowledge of being so will ever live here, will ever animate my +heart with gratitude to Heaven and to you." + +"Noble son of the sainted Therese!" cried Sir Robert; "I do not +deserve thee!" + +"How shall I merit your care of my honor, of my dearest feelings?" +exclaimed Pembroke, grasping the hand of his brother. "I can do +nothing, dearest Thaddeus; I am a bankrupt in the means of evincing +what is passing in my soul. My mother's chaste spirit thanks you from +my lips. Yet I will not abuse your generosity. Though I retain the +name of Somerset, it shall only be the name; the inheritance entailed +on my father's eldest son belongs to you." + +Whilst Thaddeus embraced his brother again, he calmly and +affectionately replied that he would rather encounter all the +probable evils from which his father's benevolence had saved him, +than rob his brother of any part of that inheritance, "which," he +earnestly added, "I sincerely believe, according to the Providence of +Heaven, is your just due." + +Sir Robert, with abhorrence of himself and admiration of his sons, +attempted to stop this noble contention by proposing that it should +be determined by an equal division of the family property. + +"Not so, my father," returned Thaddeus, steadfastly, but with +reverence; "I can never admit that the title of Somerset should +sacrifice one jot of its inherited accustomed munificence by making +any such alienation of its means." + +And then the ingenuous son of Therese Sobieski proceeded, in the same +modest but firm tone, to remind his father that "though the laws of +the national church wherein he had married her would have given their +son every right over any inheritance from either parent which +belonged to Poland, yet as no opportunity had subsequently occurred +for repeating the sacred ceremony by the laws of his father's church, +her son could make no legal claim whatever on a rood of the Somerset +lands in England." + +Sir Robert, with unspeakable emotion, clasped the hand of his first- +born when he had made, and with such tender delicacy, this conclusive +remark, and which, indeed, had never presented itself to his often +distractedly apprehensive mind, either before or after the death of +Pembroke's mother; even had it done so, it would not have afforded +any quiet to his soul from the internal worm gnawing there. His act +had been guilt towards Therese Sobieski and her confiding innocence. +And it was not the discovery of any omitted legislative ordinance +that could have satisfied the accusing conscience in his own bosom, +hourly calling out against him. But the heaven-consecrated son of +that profaned marriage had found the reconciling point--had poured in +the healing balm; and the spirit of his father was now at peace. + +In cordial harmony, therefore, with this generous opinion, so +opportunely expressed by the sincere judgment of the last of the +house of Sobieski, when so united to that of Somerset, and with a +corresponding simplicity of purpose, interwoven by the sweet +reciprocity of mutual confidence, the remainder of the evening passed +pleasantly between the happy father and his no less happy sons. + +Sir Robert dispatched a letter next day to his sister, to invite her +and his beloved Mary to join the home party at Deerhurst without +delay. Pembroke rejoiced in this prospective relief to the minds of +his aunt and cousin, being well aware that he had left them in a +state of intense anxiety, not only on account of the baronet's +strange conduct,--which had not been explicable in any way to their +alarmed observations,--but on account of himself, whose mind had +appeared from the time of his father's incensed departure in a state +verging on derangement. On the instant of his return from the +deserted hotel, while passing Mary, whom he accidently met in his +bewildered way to Sir Robert's room, he had exclaimed to her, "I have +not seen Sobieski! he is gone! and your message is not delivered." +From the time of that harrowing intimation, he had constantly avoided +even the sight of his cousin or his aunt. Yet before he quitted the +Castle to obey his father's new commands, he had summoned courage to +enter Mary's boudoir, where she sat alone. Not trusting himself to +speak, he put the letter which Thaddeus had written to her into her +hand, and disappeared, not daring to await her opening what he knew +to be a last farewell. + +He had guessed aright; for from the moment in which her trembling +hand had broken the seal and she had read it to the end, bathed in +her tears, it lay on her mourning heart, whether she waked or slept, +till her silent grief was roused to share her thoughts with a +personal exertion, welcome to that despondent heart. It was Sir +Robert's invitation for her own and her aunt's immediate removal to +their always favorite Deerhurst! because far from the gay world, and +ever devoted to quite domestic enjoyments. + +But before this summons had arrived, and early in the morning of the +same day, Lady Albina Stanhope, more dead than alive in appearance, +had reached Somerset Castle in a post-chaise, accompanied by her maid +alone, to implore the protection of its revered owner against the +most terrible evils that could be inflicted by an unnatural parent on +a daughter's heart--that of being compelled to be a party in a double +outrage on the memory of her mother, by witnessing the marriage of +her father, by special license, to Lady Olivia Lovel, that very +evening, in the Harwold great hall, and herself to commit the +monstrous act of being married to a nephew of that profligate woman. +To avoid such horrors, she had flown for refuge to the only persons +she knew on earth likely to shield her from so great an infamy. + +Soon after this disclosure, to which the sister and niece of the +beneficent Sir Robert Somerset--whom she had hoped to find at the +Castle--had listened with the tenderest sympathy, his letter to Miss +Dorothy was delivered to the venerable lady. Mary and their fatigued +guest were seated together on the sofa; and the seal, without +apology, from the receiver's anxious haste to learn what it might +contain of her brother's health, was instantly broken. A glance +removed every care. Reading it aloud to both her young auditors, at +every welcome word the bosom of the amazed Miss Beaufort heaved with +increasing astonishment, hope, and gratitude, while beneath the veil +of her clustered ringlets her eyes shed the tribute of happy tears to +heaven--to that heaven alone her virgin spirit breathed the emotions +of her reviving heart. The good old lady was not backward in +demonstrating her wonderings. Surprised at her brother's rencontre +with Thaddeus, but more at his avowal of obligations to any of that +nation about which he had always proclaimed an aversion, she was so +wrapped in bewilderment yet delight at the discovery, that her ever +cheerful tongue felt nothing loathe to impart to the attentively- +listening Albina--who had recognized in the names of Constantine and +Thaddeus those of her lamented mother's most faithful friend--all +that she knew of his public as well as his private character since +she had known him by that of Sobieski also. + +Sir Robert's letter informed his sister "that a providential +circumstance had introduced Pembroke's friend, the Count Sobieski, to +his presence, when, to his astonishment and unutterable satisfaction, +he discovered that this celebrated young hero (though one of a nation +against which he had so often declared his dislike, but which +ungenerous prejudice he now abjured!) was the only remaining branch +of a family from whom, about twenty-live years ago, while in a +country far distant equally from England or Poland, he had received +many kindnesses, he had contracted an immense debt, under peculiarly +embarrassing circumstances to himself, when then an alien from his +father's confidence. And his benefactor in this otherwise +inextricable dilemma was the Palatine of Masovia, the world-revered +grandfather of the young Count Sobieski. And," he added, "in some +small compensation for the long-unredeemed pecuniary part of this +latter obligation, (the fulfilment of which certain adverse events on +the continent had continued to prevent), he had besought and obtained +permission from the young count, now in England, to at once set at +rest his past anxieties to settle an affair of so much importance, by +signing over to him, as the palatine's heir and representative, the +sole property of his (Sir Robert's) recently-purchased new domain-- +the house and estates of Manor Court, nearly adjoining to those of +Dcerhurst, on the Warwick side. The rent-roll might be about live +thousand pounds per annum. And there, in immediate right of +possession, the noble descendant of his munificent friend would +resume his illustrious name, and embrace, with a generous esteem of +this country's national, character, a lasting home and filiation in +England!" + +Sir Robert closed this auspicious letter (which he had striven, +however, to write in such a manner as not to betray the true nature +of the parental feelings which dictated it) with a playful expression +of his impatience to present to his sister and niece "their +interesting _emigré_ in a character which reflected so much +honor on their discernment." + +The impatience was indeed shared, though in different degrees and +forms, by the whole little party--the soul of one in it totally +absorbed. But owing to some insurmountable obstacles, occasioning +delays, by the exhausted state of the overwrought Lady Albina; and +notwithstanding the necessity of getting on as fast as possible, to +be out of the reach of the enraged earl, should he have missed and +traced his daughter to Somerset Castle, the fugitives could not start +till late in the afternoon of that day, and it was an hour or more +past midnight before they arrived at Deerhurst. + +The family, in no small disappointment, had given them up for the +night, and had retired to their rooms. Miss Dorothy, who would not +suffer her brother to be disturbed, sent the two young ladies to +their chambers, and was crossing, on tiptoe, the long picture-gallery +to her own apartment, when a door opening, Pembroke, in his dressing- +gown and slippers, looked out on hearing the stealthy step. She put +forth her hand to him with delight, and in a low voice congratulated +him on the change in Sir Robert's mind, kissed his cheek, and told +him to prepare for another pleasant surprise in the morning. Smiling +with these words, she bade him good-night, and softly proceeded to +her chamber. + +Pembroke had thought so little of his ever-merry aunt's lively +promise, that she saw him one of the latest in entering the +breakfast-parlor, he not having hastened from his usual breezy early +walk over the neighboring downs, where Thaddeus had been his +companion. Miss Dorothy gayly reproached her nephew for his undutiful +lack of curiosity, while Mary, with a glowing cheek, received the +glad embrace of her cousin, who gently whispered to her, "Now I shall +see together the two beings I most dearly love! Oh! the happiness +contained in that sight!" Mary's vivid blush had not subsided when +the entrance of Thaddeus, and his agitated bow, overspread her neck +and brow with crimson. A sudden dimness obscured her faculties, and +she scarcely heard the animated words of Sir Robert, whilst +presenting him to her as the Count Sobieski, the beloved grandson of +one who had deserved the warmest place in his heart! Whatever he was, +the lowly Constantine or the distinguished Sobieski, she was +conscious that he was lord of hers; and withdrawing her hand +confusedly from the timid and thrilling touch of him she would have +willingly lingered near forever, she glided towards an open casement, +where the fresh air helped to dispel the faintness which had seized +her. + +After Miss Dorothy, with all the urbanity of her nature, had declared +her welcome to the count, she put away the coffee that was handed to +her by Pembroke, and said, with a smile, "Before I taste my +breakfast, I must inform you, Sir Robert, that you have a guest in +this house you little expect. I forbade Miss Beaufort's saying a +word, because, as we are told, 'the first tellers of unwelcome news +have but a losing office;' _vice versâ_, I hoped for a gaining +one, therefore preserved such a profitable piece of intelligence for +my own promulgation. Indeed, I doubt whether it will not win me a +pair of gloves from some folks here," added she, glancing archly on +Pembroke, who looked round at this whimsical declaration. "Suffice it +to say, that yesterday morning Lady Albina Stanhope, looking like a +ghost, and her poor maid, scared almost out of her wits, arrived in a +hack-chaise at Somerset Castle, and besought our protection. Our dear +Mary embraced the weeping young creature, who, amidst many tears, +recapitulated the injuries she had suffered since she had been torn +from her mother's remains at the Abbey. The latest outrage of her +cruel father was his intended immediate marriage with the vile Lady +Olivia Lovel, and his commands that Lady Albina should the same +evening give her hand to that bad woman's nephew. Ill as she was when +she received these disgraceful orders, she determined to prevent the +horror of such double degradation by instantly quitting the house; +'and,' added she, 'whither could I go? Ah! I could think of none so +likely to pity the unhappy victim of the wickedness I fled from as +the father of the kind Mr. Somerset. He had told me we were +relations; I beseech you, kind ladies, to be my friends!' Certain of +your benevolence, my dear brother," continued Miss Dorothy, "I +stopped this sweet girl's petition with my caresses, and promised her +a gentler father in Sir Robert Somerset." + +"You did right, Dorothy," returned the baronet; "though the earl and +I must ever be strangers, I have no enmity to his children. Where is +this just-principled young lady?" + +Miss Dorothy informed him that, in consequence of her recent grief +and ill treatment, she had found herself too unwell to rise with the +family; but she hoped to join them at noon. + +Pembroke was indeed deeply interested in this intelligence. The +simple graces of the lovely Albina had on the first interview touched +his heart. Her sufferings at Harrowby, and the sensibility which her +ingenuous nature exhibited without affectation or disguise, had left +her image on his mind long after they parted. He now gave the reins +to his eager imagination, and was the first in the saloon to greet +her as his lovely kins-woman. + +Sir Robert Somerset welcomed her with the warmth of a parent, and the +amiable girl wept in happy gratitude. + +During this scene, Miss Beaufort, no longer able to bear the +restraint of company nor even the accidental encountering of his eyes +whose presence, dear as it was, oppressed and disconcerted her, +walked out into the park. Though it was the latter end of October, +the weather continued fine. A bright sun tempered the air, and gilded +the yellow leaves, which the fresh wind drove before her into a +thousand glittering eddies. This was Mary's favorite season. She ever +found its solemnity infuse a sacred tenderness into her soul. The +rugged form of Care seemed to dissolve under the magic touch of sweet +Nature. Forgetful of the world's anxieties, she felt the tranquillizing +spirit of soothing melancholy that shades the heart of sorrow with +a veil which might well be called the twilight of the mind; and the +entranced soul, happy in its dream, half closes its bright eye, +reluctant to perceive that such bland repose is pillowed on the +shifting clouds. + +Such were the reflections of Miss Beaufort, after her disturbed +thoughts had tossed themselves, in a sea of doubts, regarding any +possible interest she might possess in the breast of Sobieski. She +recalled the hours they had passed together; they agitated but did +not satisfy her heart. She remembered Pembroke's vehement declaration +that Thaddeus loved her; but then it was Pembroke's declaration, not +his! and the circumstances in which it had been made were too likely +to mislead the wishes of her cousin. And then Sobieski's farewell +letter! It was noble--grateful; but where appeared the glowing, soul- +pervading sentiment that consumed her life for him? Exhausted by the +anguish of this suspense, she resolved to resign her future fate to +Providence. Turning her gaze on the lovely objects around, she soon +found the genius of the season absorb her wholly. Her cheeks glowed, +her eyes became humid, and casting their mild radiance on the fading +flowers beneath, she pursued her way through a cloud of fragrance. It +was the last breath of the expiring year. Love is full of +imagination. Mary easily glided from the earth's departing charms to +her own she thought waning beauty; the chord once touched, every note +vibrated, and hope and fear, joy and regret, again dispossessed her +lately-acquired serenity. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +AN AVOWAL. + + +After some little time, Lady Albina, having missed Miss Beaufort, +expressed a wish to walk out in search of her, and the two brothers +offered their attendance. But before her ladyship had passed through +the first park, she complained of fatigue. Pembroke urged her to +enter a shepherd's hut close by, whilst the Count Sobieski would +proceed alone in quest of his cousin. + +With a beating heart Thaddeus undertook this commission. Hastening +along the nearest dell with the lightness of a young hunter, he +mounted the heights, descended to the glades, traversed one woody +nook and then another, but could see no trace of Miss Beaufort. +Supposing she had returned to the house, he was slackening his pace +to abandon the search, when he caught a glimpse of her figure as she +turned the corner of a thicket leading to a terrace above. In an +instant he was at her side, and with his hat in his hand, and a +glowing cheek, he repeated his errand. + +Mary blushed, faltered, and became strangely alarmed at finding +herself alone with him. Though he now stood before her in a quality +which she ever believed was his right, the remembrance of what had +passed between them in other circumstances confounded and overwhelmed +her. When Constantine was poor and unfriended, it seemed a sacred +privilege to pity and to love him. When the same Constantine appeared +as a man of rank, invested with a splendid fortune and extensive +fame, she felt lost--annihilated. The cloud which had obscured, not +extinguished, his glory was dispersed. He was that Sobieski whom she +had admired unseen; he was that Constantine whom she had loved +unknown; he was that Sobieski, that Constantine, whom, seen and +known, she now, alas! loved almost to adoration! + +Oppressed by the weight of these emotions, she only bowed to what he +said, and gathering her cloak from the winds which blew it around +her, was hurrying with downward eyes to the stairs of the terrace, +when her foot slipped, and she must have fallen, had not Thaddeus +caught her in his ready arm. She rose with a blushing face, and the +color did not recede when she found that he had not relinquished her +hand. Her heart beat violently, her head became giddy, her feet lost +their power. Finding that, after a slight attempt to withdraw her +hand, he still held it fast, though in a trembling grasp, and nearly +overcome by inexplicable distress, she turned away her face to +conceal its confusion. + +Thaddeus saw all this, and with a fluttering hope, instead of +surrendering the hand he had retained, he made it a yet closer +prisoner by clasping it in both his. Pressing it earnestly to his +breast, he said in a hurried voice, whilst his earnest eyes poured +all their beams upon her averted cheek, "Surely Miss Beaufort will +not deny me the dearest happiness I possess--the privilege of being +grateful to her?" + +He paused: his soul was too full for utterance; and raising Mary's +hand from his heart to his lips, he kissed it fervently. Almost +fainting, Miss Beaufort leaned her head against a tree of the thicket +where they were standing. The thought of the confession which +Pembroke had extorted from her, and dreading that its fullness might +have been imparted to him, and that all this was rather the tribute +of gratitude than of love, she waved her other hand in sign for him +to leave her. + +Such extraordinary confusion in her manner palsied the warm and +blissful emotions of the count. He, too, began to blame the sanguine +representation of his friend; and fearing that he had offended her, +that she might suppose he presumed on her kindness, he stood for a +moment in silent astonishment; then dropping on his knee, (hardly +conscious of the action,) declared in an agitated voice his sense of +having given this offence; at the same time he ventured to repeat, +with equally modest energy, the soul-devoted passion he had so long +endeavored to seal up in his lonely breast. + +"But forgive me!" added he, with increased earnestness; "forgive me, +in justice to your own virtues. In what has just passed, I feel I +ought to have only expressed thanks for your goodness to an +unfortunate exile; but if my words or manner have obeyed the more +fervid impulse of my soul, and declared aloud what is its glory in +secret, blame my nature, most respected Miss Beaufort, not my +presumption. I have not dared to look steadily on any aim higher than +your esteem." + +Mary knew not how to receive this address. The position in which he +uttered it, his countenance when she turned to answer him, were both +demonstrative of something less equivocal than his speech. He was +still grasping the drapery of her cloak, and his eyes, from which the +wind blew back his fine hair, were beaming upon her full of that +piercing tenderness which at once dissolves and assures the soul. + +She passed her hand over her eyes. Her soul was in a tumult. She too +fondly wished to believe that he loved her to trust the evidence of +what she saw. His words were ambiguous, and that was sufficient to +fill her with uncertainty. Jealous of that delicacy which is the +parent of love, and its best preserver, she checked the over-flowings +of her heart, and whilst her concealed face streamed with tears, +conjured him to rise. Instinctively she held out her hand to assist +him. He obeyed; and hardly conscious of what she said, she continued-- + +"You have done nothing, Count Sobieski, to offend me. I was fearful +of my own conduct--that you might have supposed--I mean, unfortunate +appearances might lead you to imagine that I was influenced--was so +forgetful of myself--" + +"Cease, madam! Cease, for pity's sake!" cried Thaddeus starting back, +and dropping her hand. Every motion which faltered on her tongue had +met an answering pang in his breast. + +Fearing that he had set his heart on the possession of a treasure +totally out of his reach, he knew not how high had been his hope +until he felt the depth of his despair. Taking up his hat, which lay +on the grass, with a countenance from which every gleam of joy was +banished, he bowed respectfully, and in a lower tone continued: "The +dependent situation in which I appeared at Lady Dundas's being ever +before my eyes, I was not so absurd as to suppose that any lady could +then notice me from any other sentiment than humanity. That I excited +this humanity, where alone I was proud to awaken it, was, in these +hours of dejection, my sole comfort. It consoled me for the friends I +had lost; it repaid me for the honors which were no more. But that is +past! Seeing no further cause for compassion, you deem the delusion +no longer necessary. Since you will not allow me an individual +distinction in having attracted your benevolence, though I am to +ascribe it all to a charity as diffused as effective, yet I must ever +acknowledge with the deepest gratitude that I owe my present home and +happiness to Miss Beaufort. Further than this, I shall not--I dare +not--presume." + +These words shifted all the count's anguish to Mary's breast. She +perceived the offended delicacy which actuated each syllable as it +fell; and fearful of having lost everything by her cold and what +might appear haughty reply, she opened her lips to say what might +better explain her meaning; but her heart failing her, she closed +them again, and continued to walk in silence by his side. Having +allowed the opportunity to escape, she believed that all hopes of +exculpation were at an end. Not daring to look up, she cast a +despairing glance at Sobieski's graceful figure, as he walked, +equally silent, near her. His arms were folded, his hat pulled over +his forehead, and his long dark eyelashes, shading his downward eyes, +imparted a dejection to his whole air which wrapped her weeping heart +round and round with regretful pangs. "Ah!" thought she, "though the +offspring of but one moment, they will prey on my peace forever." + +At the turning of a little wooded knoll, the mute and pensive pair +heard the sound of some one on the other side, approaching them +through the dry leaves. In a minute after Sir Robert Somerset +appeared. + +Whilst his father advanced smiling towards him, Thaddeus attempted to +dispel the gloom of his countenance, but not succeeding, he bowed +abruptly to the agitated Mary, and hastily said, "I will leave Miss +Beaufort in your protection, sir, and go myself to see whether Lady +Albina be recovered from her fatigue." + +"I thought to find you all together," returned Sir Robert; "where is +her ladyship?" + +"I left her with Pembroke, in a hut by the river," said Thaddeus, and +bowing again, he hurried away, whilst his father called after him to +return in a few minutes, and accompany him in a walk. + +The departure of Sobieski, when he had come expressly to attend her +to Lady Albina, nearly overwhelmed Miss Beaufort's before exhausted +spirits. Hardly knowing whether to remain or retreat, she was +attempting the latter, when her guardian caught her hand. + +"Stay, Mary!" cried he; "you surely would not leave me alone?" + +Miss Beaufort's tears had gushed over her eyes the moment her back +was turned, and as Sir Robert drew her towards him, to his extreme +amazement he saw that she was weeping. At a sight so unexpected, the +smile of hilarity left his lips. Putting his arm tenderly round her +waist, (for now that her distress had discovered itself, her emotion +became so great that she could hardly stand,) he inquired in a kindly +manner what had affected her. + +She answered by sobs only, until finding it impossible to break away +from her uncle's arms, she hid her face in his bosom and gave vent to +the full tide of her tears. + +Recollecting the strange haste in which Thaddeus had hurried from +them, and remembering Miss Beaufort's generosity to him in town, +followed by her succeeding melancholy, Sir Robert at once united +these circumstances with her present confusion, and conceiving an +instantaneous suspicion of the reality, pressed her with redoubled +affection to his bosom. + +"I fear, my dearest girl," said he, "that something disagreeable has +happened between you and the Count Sobieski. Perhaps he has offended +you? perhaps he has found my sweet Mary too amiable?" + +Alarmed at this supposition, after a short struggle she answered, "O +no, sir! It is I who have offended him. He thinks I pride myself on +the insignificant services I rendered to him in London." + +This reply convinced the baronet that he had not been pre-mature in +his judgment, and, with a new-born delight springing in his soul, he +inquired why she thought so? Had she given him any reason to believe +so? + +Mary trembled at saying more.--Dreading that every word she might +utter would betray how highly she prized the count's esteem, she +faltered, hesitated, stopped. Sir Robert put the question a second +time, in different terms. + +"My loved Mary," said he, seating her by him on the trunk of a fallen +tree, "I am sincerely anxious that you and this young nobleman should +regard each other as friends. He is very dear to me; and you cannot +doubt, my sweet girl, my affection for yourself. Tell me, therefore, +the cause of this little misunderstanding." + +Miss Beaufort took courage at this speech. Drying her glowing eyes, +though still concealing them with a handkerchief, she replied in a +firmer voice, "I believe, sir, the fault lies totally on my side. The +Count Sobieski met me on the terrace, and thanked me for what I had +done for him. I acted very weakly; I was confused. Indeed I knew not +what he said; but he fell upon his knees, and I became so +disconcerted, so frightened at the idea of his having attributed my +conduct to indelicacy, or forwardness, that I answered something +which offended him, and I am sure he now thinks me unfeeling and +proud." + +Sir Robert kissed her throbbing forehead, as she ended this rapid and +hardly-articulated explanation. + +"Tell me candidly, my dearest Mary!" rejoined the baronet, "can you +believe that a man of Sobieski's disposition would bend his knee to a +woman whom he did not both respect and love? Simple gratitude, my +dear girl, is not so earnest. You have said enough to convince me, +whatever may be your sentiments, that you are the mistress of his +fate; and if he should mention it to me, may I describe to him the +scene which has now passed between us? May I tell him that its just +inference would requite his tenderness with more than your thanks and +best wishes?" + +Miss Beaufort, who believed that the count must now despise her, +looked down to conceal the wretchedness which spoke through her eyes, +and with a half-suppressed sigh, answered, "I will not deny that I +deeply esteem the Count Sobieski. I admired his character before I +saw him, and when I did see him, although ignorant that it was he, +the impression seemed the same. Yet I never aspired to any place in +his heart, or even his remembrance; I could not have the presumption. +Therefore, my dear uncle," added she, laying her trembling hand on +his arm, "I beseech you, as you value my feelings, my peace of mind, +never to breathe a syllable of my weakness to him. I think," added +she, clasping her hands with energy, and forgetting the force of her +expression, "I would sooner suffer death than lose his respect." + +"And yet," inquired Sir Robert, "you will at some future period give +your hand to another man?" + +Mary, who did not consider the extent of this insidious question, +answered with fervor, "Never! I never can be happier than I am," +added she, with breathless haste. Seeing, by the smile on Sir +Robert's lips, that far more had been declared by her manner than her +words intended, and fearful of betraying herself further, she begged +permission to retire to the house. + +The baronet took her hand, and reseating her by him, continued, "No, +my Mary; you shall not leave me unless you honestly avow what your +sentiments are towards the Count Sobieski. You know, my sweet girl, +that I have tried to make you regard me as a father--to induce you to +receive from my love the treble affection of your deceased parents +and my lamented wife. If her dear niece do not deny this, she cannot +treat me with reserve." + +Miss Beaufort was unable to speak. Sir Robert proceeded: + +"I will not overwhelm your shrinking delicacy by repeating the +inquiry whether I have mistaken the source of your recent and present +emotion; only allow me to bestow some encouragement on the count's +attachment, should he claim my services in its behalf." + +Mary drew her uncle's hand to her lips, and whilst her dropping tears +fell upon it, she threw herself, like a confiding child, on her +knees, and replied in a timid voice: "I should be a monster of +ingratitude could I hide anything from you, my dearest sir, after +this goodness! I confess that I do regard the Count Sobieski more +than any being on earth. Who could see and know him and think it +possible to become another's?" + +"And you shall be his, my darling Mary!" cried the baronet, mingling +his own blissful tears with hers. "I once hoped to have contrived an +attachment between you and Pembroke, but Heaven has decreed it +better. When you and Thaddeus are united, I shall be happy; I may +then die in peace." + +Miss Beaufort sighed heavily. She could not yet quite participate in +her uncle's rapture. She thought that she had insulted and disgusted +the count by her late behavior, beyond his excuse, and was opening +her lips to urge it again, when the object of their conversation +appeared at a short distance, coming towards them. + +Full of renewed trepidation, she burst from the baronet's hand, and +taking to flight, left her uncle to meet Sobieski alone. + +Sir Robert's anxious question on the same subject received a more +rapid reply from Thaddeus than had proceeded from the reluctant Miss +Beaufort. The animated gratitude of Sobieski, the ardent yet +respectful manner with which he avowed her eminence in his heart +above all other women, convinced the baronet that Mary's retreating +delicacy had misinformed her. A complete explanation was the +consequence; and Thaddeus, who had not been more sanguine in his +hopes than was his lovely mistress in hers, now allowed the clouds +over his so lately darkened eyes to disappear. + +Impatient to see these two beings, so dear to his soul, repose +confidently in each other's affection, the moment Sir Robert returned +to the house, he asked his sister for Miss Beaufort. Miss Dorothy +replied that she had seen her about half an hour ago retire to her +own apartments; the baronet, therefore, sent a servant to beg that +she would meet him in the library. + +This message found her in a paroxysm of distress. She reproached +herself for her imprudence, her temerity, her unwomanly conduct, in +having given away her heart to a man who she again began to torment +herself by believing had never desired it. She remembered that her +weakness, not her sincerity, had betrayed this humiliating secret to +Sir Robert; and nearly distracted, she lay on the bed, almost hoping +that she was in a miserable dream, when her maid entered with the +baronet's commands. + +Disdaining herself, and determining to regain some portion of her own +respect by steadily opposing all her uncle's deluding hopes, with an +assumed serenity she arrived at the study-door. She laid her hand on +the lock, but the moment it yielded to her touch, all her firmness +vanished. Trembling, and pale as death, she appeared before him. + +Sir Robert, having supported her to a chair, with the most +affectionate and tender expressions of paternal exultation repeated +to her the sum of his conversation with the count. Mary was almost +wild at this discourse. So inconsistent and erratic is the passion of +love, when it reigns in woman's breast, she forgot in an instant the +looks and voice of Thaddeus; she forgot her terror of having +forfeited his affection by her affected coldness alone; and dreading +that the first proposal of their union had proceeded from her uncle, +she buried her agitated face in her hands, and exclaimed, "O sir! I +fear that you have made me forever hateful in my own eyes and +despicable in those of the Count Sobieski!" + +Sir Robert looked on her emotion with a smiling but a pitying gaze, +reading in all the unaffected apprehensive modesty of that noble +maiden's heart. + +"Well," cried he, in a gentle raillery of tone, "my own beloved one! +if thy guardian uncle cannot prevail over this wayward fancifulness, +so unlike his ingenuous Mary's usual fair dealing with the truth of +others. I must call in even a better-accredited pleader, and shall +then leave my object, the balance of justice and mercy, in equally +beloved hands." + +While he spoke, he rose and opened a door that led to an adjoining +room. Miss Beaufort would have flown through another had not Sir +Robert suddenly stood in her way. He threw his arm about her, and +turning round, she saw the count, who had entered, regarding her with +an anxiety which covered her before pale features with blushes. + +His father bade him come near. Sobieski obeyed, though with a step +that expressed how reluctant he was to oppress the woman he so truly +loved. Mary's face was now hidden in her uncle's bosom. Sir Robert +put her trembling hand into that of his son, who, dropping on his +knee, said, in an agitated voice, "Honored, dearest Miss Beaufort! +may I indulge myself in the idea that I am blessed with your regard?" + +She could not reply, but whispered to her uncle, "Pray, sir, desire +him to rise! I am overwhelmed." + +"My sweet Mary!" returned the baronet, pressing her to his breast, +"this is no time for deception on either side. I know both your +hearts. Rise, Thaddeus," said he to the count, whilst he locked both +their hands within his. "Take him, Mary! Receive from your guardian +his most precious gift--my matchless and injured son." + +The abruptness of the first part of this speech might have shocked +her exhausted spirits to insensibility, had not the extraordinary +assertion at its end, and Sir Robert's audible sobs, aroused and +surprised her. + +"Your son!" exclaimed she; "what do you mean, my uncle?" + +"Thaddeus will explain all to you," returned he. "May Heaven bless +you both!" + +Mary was too much astonished to think of following her agitated uncle +out of the room. She sunk on a seat, and turning her gaze full of +amazement towards the count, seemed to ask an explanation. Thaddeus, +who still retained her passive hand, pressed it warmly to his heart; +and whilst his effulgent eyes were beaming on her with joyous love, +he imparted to her a concise but impressive narrative of his +relationship with Sir Robert. He touched with short yet deep +enthusiasm, with more than one tearful pause, on the virtues of his +mother; he acknowledged the unbounded gratitude which was due to that +God who had so wonderfully conducted him to find a parent and a home +in England, and with renewed pathos of look and manner ratified the +proffer which Sir Robert had made of his heart and hand to her who +alone on this earth had reminded him of that angelic parent. "I nave +seen her beloved face, luminous in purity and tender pity, reflected +in yours, ever-honored Miss Beaufort, when your noble heart, more +than once, looked in compassion on her son. And I then felt, with a +wondering bewilderment, a sacred response in my soul, though I could +not explain it to myself. But since then that sister spirit of my +mother has often whispered it as if direct from heaven." + +Mary had listened with uncontrollable emotion to this interesting +detail. Her eyes overflowed: their ingenuous language, enforced by +the warm blood which glowed on her cheek, did not require the medium +of words to declare what was passing in her mind. Thaddeus gazed on +her with a certainty of bliss which penetrated his soul until its +raptures almost amounted to pain. The heart may ache with joy; +neither sighs nor language could express what passed in his mind. He +held her hand to his lips; his other arm fell unconsciously round her +waist, and in a moment he found that he had pressed her to his +breast. His heart beat violently. Miss Beaufort rose instantaneously +from her chair; but her pure nature needed no disguise. She looked up +to him, whilst her blushing eyes were shedding tears of delight, and +said in a trembling voice: "Tell my dear uncle that Mary Beaufort +glories in the means by which she becomes his daughter." + +She moved to the door. Thaddeus, whose full tide of transport denied +him utterance, only clasped her hands again to his lips and bosom; +then, relinquishing them, he suffered her to quit the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +A FAMILY PARTY. + + +The magnificent establishment which this projected union offered to +Sobieski seemed to heal the yet bleeding conscience of Sir Robert +Somerset. Although he had acquiesced in the count's generous +surrender of the family-inherited honors, his heart remained still +ill at ease. Every dutiful expression from his long-neglected son at +times had stung him with remorse. But Miss Beaufort's avowed and +returned affection at once removed the lingering accuser from his +bosom. Mistress of immense wealth, her hand would not only put the +injured Thaddeus in possession of the pure delights which only a +mutual sympathy can bestow, but would enable his munificent spirit to +again exert itself in the worthy disposal of an almost princely +fortune. + +Such meditations having followed the now tranquillized baronet to his +pillow, they brought him into the breakfast-parlor next day full of +that calm pleasure which promises a steady continuance. The happy +family were assembled. Miss Dorothy saluted her brother, whose +brightened eye declared that he had something pleasant to +communicate; and he did not keep her in suspense. With the first cup +of coffee the good lady poured out, his grateful heart unburdened +itself of the delightful tidings that ere many months, perhaps weeks, +he had reason to hope Miss Beaufort would give her hand to the Count +Sobieski. Pembroke was the only hearer who did not evince surprise at +this announcement. Every one else had been kept uninformed, on the +especial injunction of Sir Robert, who desired its knowledge to be +withheld till he had completed some necessary preliminaries in his +mind. But Thaddeus, by the permission of the happy parent, during a +long and interesting conversation in his library, which passed +between the father and his new-found son, immediately after the +latter's blissful parting with his then heart-affianced Mary, had +hastened to his brother, and retiring with him to his little study, +there communicated, in full and enraptured confidence, the whole +events of the recent mutual explanations. + +During Sir Robert's animated disclosure, Mary's blushing yet grateful +eyes sought a veil in a branch of geranium which she held in her +trembling hand. + +Miss Dorothy rose from her chair; her smiling tears spoke more than +her lips when she pressed first her niece and then the Count Sobieski +in her venerable arms. + +"Heaven bless you both!" cried she. "This marriage will be the glory +of my age." + +Miss Beaufort turned from the embrace of her aunt to meet the warm +congratulations of Pembroke. Whilst he kissed her burning cheek, he +whispered, loud enough for every one to hear, "And why may I not +brighten in my good aunt's triumph? Attempt it, dear Mary! If you can +persuade my father to allow me to make myself as happy with Lady +Albina Stanhope as you will render Sobieski, I shall forever bless +you!" + +Lady Albina colored and looked down. Sir Robert took her hand with +pleased surprise, "Do you, my lovely guest--do yon sanction what this +bold boy has just said?" + +Lady Albina made no answer; but, blushing deeper than before, cast a +sidelong glance at Pembroke, as if to petition his support. He was at +her side in an instant; then seriously and earnestly entreating his +father's consent to an union with their gentle kinswoman (whose +approbation he had obtained the preceding day in the shepherd's hut), +he awaited with anxiety the sounds which seemed faltering on Sir +Robert's lips. + +The baronet, quite overcome by his ever-beloved Pembroke having, like +his brother, disposed of his heart so much to his own honor, found +himself unable to say what he wished. Joining the hands of the two +young people in silence, he hurried out of the room. He ascended to +the library, where kneeling down, he returned devout thanks to that +"all-gracious Being who had crowned one so unworthy with blessings so +conspicuous." + +Thaddeus, no less than his father, remembered the hand which, having +guided him through a sharply-beset wilderness of sorrow, had in so +short a term conducted him to an Eden of bliss. Long afterwards, when +years had passed over his happy head, and his days became dedicated +to various important duties, public and private, attendant on his +station in life and the landed power he held in his adopted country, +never did he forget that he was "only a steward of the world's +Benefactor!" The sense of whose deputy he was gave to his heart a +grateful conviction that in whatever spot he might be so placed, he +was to consider it as his country!--the Canaan of his commission. + +Before the lapse of a week, it became expedient that Sir Robert +should hasten the marriage of Pembroke with Lady Albina, or be forced +by law to yield her to the demands of her father. After much search, +Lord Tinemouth had discovered that his daughter was under the +protection of Sir Robert Somerset. Inflamed with rage and revenge, he +sent to order her immediate return, under pain of an instantaneous +appeal to the courts of judicature. + +Too well aware that her nonage laid her open to the realization of +this threat, Lady Albina fell into the most alarming swoonings on the +first communication of the message. Sir Robert urged that in her +circumstances no authority could be opposed to the earl's excepting +that of a husband's; and on this consideration she complied with his +arguments and the prayers of her lover, to directly give that power +into the hands of Pembroke. + +Accordingly, with as little delay as possible, accompanied by Miss +Dorothy and the enraptured Mr. Somerset, the terrified Lady Albina +commenced her journey to Scotland, that being the only place where, +in her situation, the marriage could be legally solemnized. A +clerical friend of the baronet's, who dwelt just over the borders, +could perform the rite with every proper respect. + +Whilst these young runaways, chaperoned by an old maiden aunt, were +pursuing their rapid flight across the Tweed, Sir Robert sent his +steward to London to prepare a house near his own in Grosvenor Square +for the reception of the bridal pair. During these necessary +arrangements, a happy fortnight elapsed at Deerhurst--thrice happy to +Mary, because its tranquil hours imparted to her long-doubting heart +"a sober certainty of that awaking bliss" which had so often animated +with hope the visions of her imagination, when contemplating the +mystery of such a mind as that of Thaddeus having been destined to +the humble lot in which she had found him. Morning, noon, and evening +the loving companion of the Count Sobieski, she saw with deepened +devotedness that the brave and princely virtues did not reign alone +in his bosom. Their full lustre was rendered less intense by the +softening shades of those gentler amenities which are the soothers +and sweeteners of life. His breast seemed the residence of love--of a +love that not only infused a warmer existence through her soul, but +diffused such a light of benevolence over every being within its +influence, that all appeared happy who caught a beam of his eye--all +enchanted who shared the magic of his smile. Under what different +aspects had she seen this man! Yet how consistent! At the first +period of their acquaintance, she beheld him, like that glorious orb +which her ardent fancy told her he resembled, struggling with the +storm, or looking dimmed, yet unmoved, through the clouds which +obscured his path; but now, like the radiant sun of summer amidst a +splendid sky, he seemed to stand the source of light, and love, and +joy. + +Thus did the warm fancy and warmer heart of Mary Beaufort paint the +image of her lover; and when Sir Robert received intelligence that +the Scottish party had arrived in town and were impatient for the +company of the beloved inhabitants of Deerhurst, while preparing to +revisit the proud and gay world, she confessed that some embers of +human pride did sparkle in her own bosom at the anticipation of +witnessing the homage which they who had despised the unfriended +Constantine tine would pay to the declared and illustrious Sobieski. + +The news of Lady Albina's marriage infuriated the Earl of Tinemouth +almost to frenzy. Well assured that his withholding her fortune would +occasion no vexation to a family of Sir Robert Somerset's vast +possessions, he gave way to still more vehement bursts of passion, +and in a fit of impotent threatening embarked with all his household +to spend the remainder of the season on his much-disregarded estates +in Ireland. + +This abrupt departure of the earl caused Lady Albina little +uneasiness. His unremitted cruelty, her brother's indifference and +the barbed insults of Lady Olivia Lovel, now the earl's wife, rankled +too deeply in the daughter's bosom to leave any filial regret behind. +Considering their absence a suspension of pain rather than a +punishment, she did not stain the kiss which she imprinted on the +revered cheek of her new parent with one tear to the memory of her +unnatural father. + +Whilst all was splendor and happiness in Grosvenor Square, Thaddeus +did not forget the excellent Mrs. Robson. He hastened to St. Martin's +Lane, where the good woman received him with open arms. Nanny hung, +crying for joy, upon his hand, and sprung rapturously about his neck +when he told her he was now a rich man, and that she and her +grandmother should live with him forever. "I am going to be married, +my dear Mrs. Robson," said he; "that ministering angel who visited +you when I was in prison was sent to wipe away the tears from my +eyes." Drying the cheek of his weeping landlady, while he spoke, with +his own handkerchief, he continued:--"She commanded me not to leave +you until you had assured me that you will brighten our happiness by +taking possession of a pretty cottage close to her house in Kent. It +is within Beaufort Park, and there my Mary and myself will visit you +continually." + +"Blessed Mr. Constantine!" cried the worthy woman, pressing his hand; +"myself, my Nanny, we are yours;--take us where you please, for +wherever you go, there will the Almighty's hand lead us, and there +will his right hand hold us." + +The count rose and turned to the window; his heart was full, and he +was obliged to take time to recover himself before he could resume +the conversation. He saw her twice after this; and on the day of her +departure for Kent, to await in her own new home his and his Mary's +arrival there, he put into her hand the first quarterly payment of an +annuity which would henceforward afford her every comfort, and raise +her to that easy rank in society which her gentle manners and rare +virtues were so admirably fitted to adorn. Neither did he neglect Mr. +Burket. It was not in his nature to allow any one who served him to +pass unrewarded. He called on him on the last day he visited St. +Martin's Lane, (when Mrs. Watts, too, shared his bounty,) and having +repaid him with a generosity which astonished the good money-lender, +he took back his sword, and the venerated old seals he had left with +Mrs. Robson to get repaired by the same honest hand; also the other +precious relics he had had refitted to their original settings, and +pressing them mournfully yet gratefully to his breast, re-entered Sir +Robert's carriage to drive home. What bliss to his heart was in that +sword? + +Next day Thaddeus directed his steps to Dr. Cavendish's. He found his +worthy friend at home, who received him with kindness. But how was +that kindness increased to transport when Thaddeus told him, with a +smiling countenance, that he was the very Sobieski about whose +wayward fate he had asked so many ill-answered questions. The +delighted doctor embraced him with an ardor which spoke better than +language his admiration and esteem. His amazement, having subsided, +he was discoursing with animated interest on events at once so fatal +and so glorious to Sobieski, when a gentleman was announced by the +name of Mr. Hopetown. He entered; and Dr. Cavendish at the same time +introducing Thaddeus as the Count Sobieski, Mr. Hopetown fixed his +eyes upon him with an expression which neither of the friends could +comprehend. A little disconcerted at the merchant's seeming rudeness, +the good doctor attempted to draw off the steadiness of his gaze by +asking how long he had been in England. + +"I left Dantzic," replied he, "about three weeks ago; and I should +have been in London five days since, but a favorite horse of mine, +which I brought with me, fell sick at Harwick, and I waited until he +was well enough to travel." + +Whilst he spoke he never withdrew his eyes from the face of Thaddeus, +who at the words Dantzic and horse recollected his faithful Saladin; +almost hoping that this Mr. Hopetown might prove to be the Briton to +whom he had consigned the noble animal, he took a part in the +conversation by inquiring of the merchant whether he were a resident +of Dantzic. + +"No, your excellency," replied he; "I live within a mile of it. +Several years ago I quitted the smoke and bustle of the town to enjoy +fresh air and quiet." + +"Last year," rejoined Sobieski, "I passed through Dantzic on my way +to England. I believe I saw your house, and remarked its situation. +The park is beautiful." + +"And I am indebted, count," resumed the merchant, "to nobleman of +your country for its finest ornament: I mean the very horse I spoke +of just now. He was sent to me one morning, with a letter from his +brave owner, requesting me to give him shelter in my park. He is the +most beautiful animal ever beheld. Unwilling to leave behind so +valuable a deposit when I came to England I brought him with me." + +"Poor Saladin!" cried Thaddeus, his heart overflowing with +remembrance; "how glad I shall be to see thee!" + +"What! was the horse yours?" asked Dr. Cavendish, surprised at this +apostrophe. + +"Yes," returned Thaddeus, "he was mine! and I owe to Mr. Hopetown a +thousand thanks for his generous acquiescence with the prayers of an +unfortunate stranger." + +"No thanks to me, Count Sobieski. The moment I entered this room, I +recollected you to be the same Polish officer I had observed on the +beach at Dantzic. When I described your figure to the man who brought +the horse, he said it was the same who gave him the letter. I could +not learn your excellency's name; but I hoped one day or other to +have the pleasure of meeting you again, and of returning Saladin into +your hands in as good condition as when he came to mine." + +Tears started into the eyes of Thaddeus. + +"That horse, Mr. Hopetown, has carried me through many a bloody +field; he alone witnessed my last adieu to the bleeding corpse of my +country! I shall receive him again as an old and dear friend; but to +his kind protector, how can I ever demonstrate the whole of my +gratitude?" [Footnote: The love of Thaddeus to his horse has had some +resemblances in the author's knowledge in yet more recent times. It +seems to belong to the brave heart of every country in our civilized +Europe, as well as in that of the wild Arab of the desert, to +companion itself with his war-steed as with a friend or brother. I +knew more than one gallant man who wept over the doom of his old +charger when shot in the lines near Corunna; and another, of the same +and other fields, who can never mention without turning pale the name +of his faithful and beloved horse Columbus, who had carried him +through various dangers on the South American continent, and at last +perished by his side during a tremendous storm at sea, when no +exertions of his master could save him. These are pangs of which only +those who have the generous sensibility to feel them can have any +idea. But they are true to the noble nature of which the inspired +page speaks when it says, "The just man is merciful to his beast."-- +1822. + +The benignant master of the regretted Columbian steed was the late +Sir R. K. Porter, the lamented brother of the yet surviving writer of +the preceding note.--1845.] + +"To have had it in my power to serve the Count Sobieski is a +privilege of itself," returned Mr. Hopetown. "I am proud of that +distinction, to be called the friend of a man who all the world +honors will be a title which John Hopetown may be proud of." + +Before the worthy merchant took his leave, he promised Thaddeus to +send Saladin to Grosvenor Square that evening, and accepted his +invitation to meet him and Dr. Cavendish the following day at dinner +at Mr. Somerset's. + + * * * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX. + + "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her +cunning." + + +Lady Albina Somerset's arrival in London was greeted by the immediate +visits of all the persons in town who had been esteemed by the late +Countess of Tinemouth, or on intimate terms with the baronet's +family. It was not the gay season for the metropolis. Amongst the +earliest names that appeared at her door were those of Lord +Berrington, the Hon. Captain and Mrs. Montresor, and the Rev. Dr. +Blackmore. Under any circumstances, either in the country or in town, +Mr. Somerset and his young bride did not propose opening their gates +to more general acquaintances until Miss Beaufort and the count were +married, and both bridal parties had been presented at court in the +spring. To this little select group of friends who were to assemble +round Mr. Somerset's table on the appointed day, Thaddeus informed +him, with frank pleasure, that he had taken the liberty of adding Dr. +Cavendish and Mr. Hopetown of Dantzic. + +Lady Albina received the two strangers with graceful hospitality. The +affianced Mary, with an equally blushing grace, presented her hand to +the generous protector of Saladin, accompanying the action with a +modest acknowledgment of her interest in an animal so deservedly dear +to the Count Sobieski. He had turned to meet Lord Berrington and the +ever lively Sophia Egerton (now Mrs. Montresor), who both advanced to +him at the same instant, to express their gratulations not only at +seeing him again, but in a situation of happy promise, so consonant +to his avowed rank and personal early fame. + +Thaddeus replied to their felicitations with a smiling dignity in +that ingenuous manner peculiarly his own. He was not a little +surprised when Dr. Blackmore soon after recognized him to be the +noble foreigner whose appearance had so much excited his attention, +about a twelvemonth ago, at the Hummuins, in Covent Garden. The count +did not recollect the circumstance of having seen the good doctor +there; but the venerable man recapitulated the scene in the coffee- +room through which the count had passed, describing, with no little +animation, "a pedantic mannered person, dressed in black, and wearing +spectacles (whose name he afterwards learned was Loftus), an M.A. of +one of the colleges, who took the liberty to make some not very +liberal remarks on the number of noble strangers then confiding +themselves to the honorable sanctuary and sympathy of our country." + +Pembroke could hardly hear the benevolent speaker to the end; +stifling any audible expression of his re-awakened indignation, he +whispered to the baronet, "My dear father! recent happy events have +made us almost forget that villain's baseness; but I pray, let him +not remain another week a blot upon our house's escutcheon." + +"All shall be done as you wish," returned his father, in the same +subdued tone; "but let us remember how much of that recent happiness +the goodness of Providence hath brought out of this wretched man's +offence. Were I extreme to mark what is done amiss, how could I abide +the sentence that might be justly pronounced against myself? To- +morrow we will talk over this matter, and settle it, I trust, with +satisfaction to all parties." + +Pembroke gratefully pressed his father's hand, and then, walking up +the room, addressed Mrs. Montresor. In a few minutes her brave +husband joined them. While talking of his late victorious and +happily-completed homeward-bound voyage, he spoke with great regret +of the threatened absence from England of his late colleague on the +battle-field of the ocean, his old friend Captain Ross. + +"How--whither is he going?" asked his wife, in a tone of interest. + +Montresor replied, "The ill state of Lady Sara's health requires a +milder air, and poor Ross means to take her without loss of time to +Italy. I met him this morning, in despair about the suddenness of +some alarming symptoms." + +Thaddeus too well divined that this increased indisposition owed its +rise to his recent return to town, and inwardly petitioning Heaven +that absence and her husband's devoted tenderness might complete her +cure, he could not repress a sigh, wrung from his respectful pity +towards her, in this deep bosom-struggle with herself. + +No one present except the future partner of his own heart marked the +transient melancholy which passed over his countenance. She, who had +suspected the unhappy Lady Sara's attachment, loved Thaddeus, if +possible, still dearer for the compassion he bestowed on the meek +penitence of the unhappy victim of a passion often as inscrutable as +destructive. + +When the party descended to dinner, Miss Dorothy, who sat next to the +Count Sobieski, rallied him upon the utter desertion of one of his +most pertinacious allies or adversaries--she did not know which to +call the fair delinquent. "For admiring or detesting seemed quite the +same to some ladies, so they did but show their power of mischief +over any poor mortal man they found in their way!" + +This strange attack, though uttered in perfect good humor by the +lively old lady, following so closely the information relative to +Lady Sara Ross, summoned a fervid color into the count's face; he +looked surprised, and rather confused, at the revered speaker, who +soon gayly related what she had been told that morning by her +milliner, of "Miss Euphemia Dundas being on the point of marriage +with a young Scotch nobleman in Berwickshire; and in proof, her +elegant informant, Madame de Maradon, was making the bridal +_trousseau._" + +"So much the better for all straight-going people, _ma chere +tante_" cried Pembroke; "little Phemy was no contemptible +assailant either way. Besides," added he, turning airily to his own +gentle bride, "you, my young lady, may congratulate yourself on the +same good hope. I hear that an old turf-comrade of mine is going to +take her loving sister off my hands. Come, Lord Berrington, you must +verify my report, for I learned it from you." + +His lordship smiled, and answered in the affirmative, adding that a +friend of his in Lincolnshire, had written to him as most amusing +news, "That the most worthy Orson, heir of all the lands, tenements, +stables, and kennels of the doughty Sir Helerand Shafto, of that ilk, +and twenty ilks besides north of the Humber, had been discovered by +the wonderful occult penetration possessed by the exceedingly blue +sorceress-lady Miss Diana Dundas (of as many ilks north of the +Tweed), to be no Orson at all; but her very veritable Valentine, to +whom she was now preparing to give her fair and golden-garnished hand +in the course of the forthcoming month; that is, when the season of +hunting and shooting is past and gone, and the chase-wearied pair may +turn themselves, with their blown horses and hounds, to a little +wholesome rustication in their homestead fields." + +"I would not be their companion for Nebuchadnezzar's crown!" +reiterated Pembroke, laughing. + +Sobieski, not suppressing the smile that played on his lips at the +whimsical description given by Lord Berrington's correspondent, +wished the nuptials happy, as far as the parties could comprehend the +feeling. The viscount in return protested that their Polish friend +"was more generous than just in such a benediction." + +"I vow to heaven," cried his lordship, "that I never knew people the +aim of whose lives seemed so bent on sly mischief as those two +sisters. Euphemia, pretty as she is, is better known by her skill in +tormenting than by her beauty. And as for the poor squire Diana has +conjured into matrimony, I have little doubt of his future baited +fate when she springs her dogs of war upon that petted deer!" + +"Ah, poor fool!" exclaimed Mrs. Montresor, "I warrant he will not +escape the punishment he merits, for stepping between the goddess and +her delectable Endymion, Lascelles." + +"Quarter for an old acquaintance!" whispered Miss Beaufort, in a +beseeching voice. + +"She does not deserve it of you!" returned the lady, pursuing her +ridiculous game, until both Miss Dorothy and Sir Robert petitioned +for mercy from so fair a judge. + +Thaddeus, who possessed not the disposition to exult in the +misconduct or mischances of any one who had injured him, felt this +part of the conversation the least pleasant on that happy day, and to +change its strain, he, in his turn, whispered to his father "to +prevail on Lady Albina to indulge his friend Mr. Hopetown by singing +a few passages from that beautiful ballad of the Scottish borders, +'Chevy Chase,' which had so delighted their own family party the +preceding evening." + +He did not ask this "charmed resource" from his own betrothed, +because it was only at the close of that very preceding evening he +had for the first time heard her voice, "in sweetest melody," +chanting forth the parting anthem for the night, "From the ends of +the earth, I will call upon thee, O Lord," and with tones of a +kindred pathos, too thrilling to a son's startled ear and memory, to +be invoked again in a mixed company. + +Strange, indeed, it might be, but it was a sacred balm to his soul +when these recurring remembrances discovered to his heart in the +young and lovely future partner of his life a bond of union with that +angelic mother who had given him being; and perhaps this devoted +filial heart alone could appreciate the joy, the comfort, the bliss +of such a similitude! But in after days he shared those feelings with +his father, bringing to his regretful bosom a soothing perception of +the likeness. + +Lady Albina instantly complied, casting a sweet glance at Sir Robert, +who immediately led her to the piano-forte, followed by the Scottish +merchant of the Baltic, whither the noble symphony of "The Douglas," +"hound and horn," soon gathered the rest of the company. The +remainder of the evening passed away delightfully in the awakened +harmony. Mrs. Montresor joined Lady Albina in some touching Italian +duets; Pembroke supported both ladies in a fine trio of Mozart's; Mr. +Hopetown requested another favorite son of his country, "Auld Robin +Gray," and himself repaid Lady Albina's kind assent by a magnificent +voluntary on his part, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled." Mary +accompanied that well known pibroch of "The Bruce" with a true +responsive echo from her harp; but she declined singing herself, and +when Thaddeus took the relinquished instrument from her hand, he +pressed it with a silent tenderness, sweeter to her than could have +been the plaudits of all the accomplished listeners around. That soft +hand had stroked the branching neck of his recovered Saladin the same +morning, and the happy master now marked his feeling of the gentle +deed. + +In the course of a few days, Pembroke's wishes with regard to Mr. +Loftus were put into a train of fulfilment, Dr. Blackmore having +undertaken to find a fitting tutor for the young Lord Avon, and in +the interim would receive him into his own classical instruction, +whenever it should be deemed proper to terminate his present holiday +visit in Bedfordshire. But whilst Sir Robert had thus adjudged the +guilty, he was careful not to expose him to fresh temptations, nor to +suffer his crimes to implicate the innocent in its punishment. Hence, +in pity to age and helplessness, he determined to settle two hundred +pounds per annum on the wretched man's mother and sisters, who dwelt +together in Wales. Shortly after, in consequence of his contrite +confessions, "that all Mr. Somerset's allegations against him were +too true," the humane father and son appointed one hundred pounds +more to be paid yearly to the culprit himself, so that at least he +might not be induced to lighten his honest labors for a suitable +subsistence by renewed villanies. With reference to the benefice of +Somerset, which had been the ill-sought price of this base pretender +to sanctity and truth, Sir Robert decided on presenting it to the +exemplary Dr. Blackmore whenever it should become vacant. + +Meanwhile, the baronet's sojourn in town became indispensably +prolonged, not only by the simple nature of the affairs that brought +him thither, but by certain unlooked-for intricacies occurring in +making a final adjustment of the various settlements and consequent +conveyances to be effected on account of the two felicitous marriages +in his family. During these lingering proceedings amongst the legal +protectors of "soil and surety," Miss Beaufort remained the cherished +and cheering guest of the already espoused pair, one of whom, indeed, +still wore the garb of "a mourning bride," but all within was clad in +the true white robe of nuptial purity and peace. Sobieski was the now +no less privileged abiding inmate in the home and heart of Sir Robert +Somerset. Increasing daily in favor with "good aunt Dorothy," the +presiding mistress of his father's house, he soon became nearly as +precious in her sight as had long been the pleasant society of her +nephew Pembroke. And all this her ingenuous and affectionate nature +avowed to Mary, in their frequent visits between the two houses, with +a sort of delighted wonder at her heart's so prescient recognition of +the new nephew her sweet niece was to bestow upon her. For it had not +yet been revealed to her that Thaddeus did stand in that same tender +relationship to her by a former marriage of her beloved brother with +the lamented mother of the noble object of her cherished esteem. And +what was the double joy of the blessed moment when that happy secret +was confided to her bosom. + +The last busy month of autumn in London had not only laid down its +wearied head under the dark canopy of a murky atmosphere, lit with +dimmed street-lamps to its slumbers, but its expected refreshment in +the country did not offer much more agreeable materials for repose +and vernal renovation. There were blustering winds strewing the +recently green earth with beds of withered leaves of every foliage, +stripped and fallen from the shivering woods above. And there were +drenching rains, laying the lately pleasant fields in trackless +swamps, and swelling the clear and gentle brooks into brawling +floods, rending asunder the long-remembered rustic bridges which had +hitherto linked the villages together, in convenient passages for +wholesome relaxation or useful toil. + +Such were the newspaper accounts from the country during the latter +part of November; but there was seen a fairer prospect from the +carriage windows of Sir Robert Somerset, when he and his gladdened +party, one bright morning, on quitting the splashy environs of +Hammersmith and Brentford, entered the broad expanse of Hounslow +Heath, on their way into Warwickshire, and beheld its wide common +covered with a fair carpet of spotless snow. Winter had then +seriously, or, rather, smilingly, set in. It was the 10th of +December; and the baronet, having signed and sealed all things +necessary to transfer with perfect satisfaction himself and family +(as was always his custom at this homeward season), now set forth to +one or other of his ancient domains, to pass his Christmas in the +bosom of an enlarged and a grateful domestic happiness. Thus, year +after year, he diffused from each of those parental mansions that +bounteous hospitality to high and low which he considered to be an +especial duty in an English gentleman, whether in the character of +"landlord" to noble guests and respected neighbors, or to wayfaring +strangers passing by; or, while graciously mingling with his widely- +established tenantry, or his equally regarded daily guests at this +"holy festival," the virtuous, lowly peasantry, laborers on the land. +Then smiled the cottager, with honest consciousness of yeoman worth, +when seated in the great hall, under the eye of his munificent lord, +who partook of the general feast. Then, too, did he smile when, at +the head of his own little board, he sat with his children and +humbler dependents, all furnished with ample Christmas fare by the +baronet's still open hand. + +When Thaddeus shared these primeval scenes of old England by the side +of his British parent, (which festivities are still honorably +preserved by some of its most ancient and noblest families,) they +brought back to his heart those similar assemblages at Villanow and +in Cracovia, where his revered grandfather, the palatine, had reigned +prince and father over every happy breast. [Footnote: The writer +remembers a similar scene to the above when she had the honor of +dining, along with her revered family, on a festival of harvest-home +at Bushy Palace, when its royal owner, his late majesty, was Duke of +Clarence. Himself moved through his rustic guests in the gracious +manner described.] + +And happy were now the recollections of all who met at Deerhurst on +this their first joyful Christmas season! Week after week glided +along in the bland exercise of social duties aided by the more +homefelt enjoyments of sweet domestic affections, which gave a living +grace to all that was said or done and more intimately knit hearts +together, never more to be divided. + +But winter's howling blasts and sheltering halls, "where fireside +comforts, taste, and gentle love, with soft amenities mingled into +bliss," swiftly and fairer, changed their pleasant song, proclaiming +in every brightening hue the hymn of nature-- + + "These, as they change, Almighty Father! + Are but the varied God! The rolling year + Is full of Thee! Forth in the pleasing spring + Thy beauty walks, thy tenderness and love;" + +and in the first month of that genial season, when the young grass +covers the downy hills with verdure, and the glowing branches of the +trees bud with an infant foliage, the sun smiles in the heavens, and +the pellucid streams reflect his glorious rays, the day was fixed by +Sir Robert Somerset, and approved by the beloved objects of his then +peculiar solicitude, in which his paternal hand should plight theirs +together before the altar of eternal truth. + +The solemnity was to be performed in the village church, which stood +in the park of Deerhurst, and the Rev. Dr. Blackmore, who came over +from his own private dwelling in Worcestershire, accompanied by his +pupil, Lord Avon, vas to perform the holy rite. No adjunct of the +Roman Catholic ceremony (then the national church of Poland) was +needful fully to legalize it. Thaddeus from his infancy had been +reared in the Protestant faith, the faith of his mother, whose own +mother was a daughter of the staunch Hussite race of the princely +Zamoiski, who still professed that ancient, simple creed of their +country. It was also the national faith of him who had given +Therese's son being; therefore, to the same pure doctrine of +Christianity had she dedicated his deserted child; and should they +ever meet again, she believed it must be before the throne of Divine +Mercy; and there she trusted to present their solitary offspring with +the sacred words--"Here I am, Lord, and the child thou didst give +me." + +But to return to the marriage-day itself. The hour having arrived in +which the soul-devoted Mary Beaufort was to resign herself and her +earthly happiness into the power of the only man to whom, having once +beheld and known him, she could ever have committed them, she +pronounced her vows at the sacred altar with unsteadiness of tongue +but with a fixed heart. And when, after embracing all the fond +kindred so long dear to her, and now to him, and having received +their parting blessings within the walls of her ever-cherished home, +--sweet, while familiar Deerhurst,--she was driven rapidly through its +gates, while a mixed and awed emotion agitated her breast. But +immediately she felt the supporting arm of her husband gently +pressing her trembling form; and so, with all that husband's tender +sympathy, the hours glided away unperceived, till the august towers +of her own native domain appeared on the evening horizon, and soon +afterwards she alighted at the mansion itself, having passed along a +central avenue of ancient oaks amid the congratulatory cheers of a +large assemblage of her tenantry on horseback and on foot, planted on +each side, to bid a glad welcome to their "liege lady and her lord." + +Within the great entrance of the baronial hall, winch opened to her +by the immediate raising of a massive brazen portcullis, the ancient +insignia of the Beaufort name, she received the joyful obeisance of +the old domestics of her honored parents, hailing her, their beloved +daughter, with a humble ardor of affection that bathed her enraptured +face with filial tears. Thaddeus felt the scene in his own +recollective heart. + +Next morning Mrs. Robson and the delighted Nanny (dressed in a white +frock for the blissful occasion), on being brought into the +countess's private saloon, threw themselves at the feet of their +benefactors and sobbed forth their happiness. The still more happy +Sobieski raised them in his arms, and, embracing both, accosted the +old lady as he would have done a revered relative, and the +affectionate little girl like an adopted child. + +The same day the vicar of Beaufort, whose large rural parish extended +from the Castle to several miles around, rode to the gate, and was +announced by name (the Rev. Mr. Tillotson), to pay his pastoral duty +to his future noble neighbors and sacred charge, the owners of the +land. + +"His is a good name," observed Mary, with a gracious smile; "it was +borne by one of the brightest luminaries of our Protestant church, +Archbishop Tillotson, whose works you will find in the family +library, now your own. And his descendant, the revered late vicar, +christened me in the dear old church of the adjacent village, to +which we go to-morrow, Sunday. Oh, how much have I to bless Heaven +for in that holy place!" she tenderly ejaculated. "You, kneeling by +my side there--one faith, one heart, one death, one salvation. O, my +husband, I am blessed indeed!" + +"My Mary, in earth and heaven!" was his soul's response, and with the +words he pressed her fervently-clasped hands with a hallowed emotion +to his lips. + +In a few minutes after this she led the way to the ancient library, +tapestried with family portraits, and furnished with book-cases of +every past generation. Thither the young vicar, a truly worthy +successor to his pious father, had been conducted; and there, being +introduced by the countess (who had seen him only once before) to her +lord, they found him not merely a clergyman to be respected, but an +accomplished general scholar and a polished man.[Footnote: Over the +gate-like arch of the library door had been erected, by a recent +order from the gentlest hand now within its walls, a simple but +exquisitely-carved escutcheon, showing the armorial bearing of the +ancient and royal house of Sobieski--a crowned buckler, with the +family motto, "God is the shield that covers me."] + +Thus was Thaddeus, the long-cherished orphan of a broken paternal +vow, by a wondrous providence established in his new British +character--a husband, and an owner of large estates in the soil. And +he soon became fully sensible to the double commission devolved upon +himself. Whether as a son of Poland, in right of the life he had +drawn from his mother's bosom, or as one equally claimed by England, +in right of his paternal parent, he was well prepared to faithfully +fulfil their relative duties, with a zeal to each respondent to the +important privileges and blessings of so signal a lot. In two short +preceding years he had indeed passed through a host of severe trials; +but in all he had been supported by an Almighty hand, and under the +same gracious trust he now looked forward to a long Sabbath of +hallowed peace, and of grateful service to Him who bestowed it. + +He had met it at Deerhurst, when under his father's roof; he +maintained it at Beaufort, the seat of his most continuous residence; +nor did he neglect its duties at Manor Court, Sir Robert's parental +gift, and his own near neighborhood. And when the time came round for +the family to revisit London, his pleasures there were of a character +to correspond with his pursuits in the country, the happiness of +others being the source of his own enjoyments. + + + + +CHAPTER L. + +"We are brethren!" + + +After the termination of the Count Sobieski's first Easter passed +with the beloved of his soul in the home of her ancestors, they +proceeded together to join Sir Robert Somerset, and their kind aunt +Miss Dorothy, in Grosvenor Square, to become again his welcome +guests, and always thereafter when in town, while Heaven prolonged +their lives to renew the cherished reunion at each succeeding season. + +Thus it was that, immediately subsequent to the holy festival, the +now revered Lord of Beaufort cheerfully obeyed his father's summons +to London, where he found Pembroke and Lady Albina already resettled +in their former residence. Having ere long met the gratulatory calls +of his metropolitan friends, he daily beheld his lovely bride--lovely +in mind as in person--becoming more and more "the worshipped cynosure +of neighboring eyes;" not only adorning the highest circles of +society, but filling his home with all the ineffable charms of a +wedded life, inspired by the gentle graces of domestic tenderness. + +One balmy evening in May, when he and his young countess were driving +out alone together, which they sometimes did, that she might have the +delight of showing to him the varied rural environs of the great and +gay royal city of England, the carriage, by her direction, took its +course towards Primrose Hill, then crowned by a grove of "fair elm- +trees," and clothed with a vesture of green sward, enamelled with +wild flowers. Thence the light vehicle threaded a maze of shady lanes +and pleasant field-paths, into a rustic, newly-made road, leading a +little to the north of Covent Garden. [Footnote: All this has since +become Regent's Park and its dependencies, whether streets or +squares.] + +Mary proposed stopping a few minutes in that magnificent general +garden of the town, to purchase a bouquet of early roses, to present +to Sir Robert on their return from their drive. + +When the carriage drew up at the entrance of the great parterre, she +stepped out to select them. Having quickly combined their fragrant +beauties, she put the nosegay into the hand of one of the servants to +place on the seat. Being nigh the church porch, she suddenly +expressed a wish to her husband, on whose arm she leaned, to walk +through the church-yard, and that the carriage should meet them at +the opposite gate. + +Thaddeus, not being aware that this porch belonged to the church +where his veteran friend had been buried, gave instant assent; and +before he had time to make more than a few remarks on the pure +religious architecture of the building, which he thought had +attracted his tasteful bride to take a nearer view, she had led him +unconsciously to the general's grave. But it was no longer the same +as when Sobieski last stood by its side. A simple white marble tomb +now occupied the place of its former long grass and yarrow. +Surprised, he bent forward, and read with brimming eyes the following +inscription:-- + + 1795-6. + Stop, Traveller! Thou treadest on a Hero. + Here rest the mortal remains + of + LIEUTENANT-GENERAL BUTZOU, + Late of the Kingdom of Poland. + A faithful soldier to his Lord and to his country! + He sleeps in Faith and Hope! + +Thaddeus for a moment felt as he did when he beheld those "mortal +remains" laid there. But his own faith in that hope which consecrated +this mortality to an immortal resurrection had then silently spread +the balm of its full assurance overall those remembered pangs; and +now, without speaking, he led his also pensive and tremulous +companion to her carriage, where it awaited them, and seating her +within it, clasped her to his breast. His tears, no longer +restrained, poured those sweet pledges of a soul-felt approbation +into her bosom that made it even ache with excess of happiness. But +while the grateful voice of her husband was beginning to breathe its +uttered thanks, he found the carriage stop again, in a street not far +distant from the one they had just quitted. It drew up at the door of +a handsome house, of an apparently contemporary structure with the +church. It was the rectory of St. Paul's, Covent Garden and at its +portal stood the reverend incumbent, evidently awaiting to receive +his guests. + +Thaddeus perceived him, and also the welcome of his position; so did +his gentle wife, who with a blushing smile explained all the +alterations he had observed on the respected grave, avowing that they +had been done at her devoted wish, and were effected by the kind +agency of that venerable man, the rector of the church, the Honorable +Bruce Fitz-James. She then timidly added, (and how beautiful in that +timidity!) she had something more to confess; she had ventured, after +obtaining permission of the rector for the erection of the monument, +to see it once during its progress, and then to promise him that on +its completion her honored husband, the Count Sobieski, whose +parental friend that noble dead had been, would, when she revealed +her secret to him, pay a personal visit along with herself to her +beneficent coadjutor, and duly express their united gratitude. She +had scarcely spoken her rapid information, when its courteous object +descended the portal to approach the carriage. His hat was taken off, +and the snow-white hair, blown suddenly by a gust of wind across his +benign brow, a little obscured his face, while he conducted the lady +from the carriage up the steps of his door. But Sobieski found no +difficulty in recognizing the time-blanched locks, which had been +wetted by the weeping heavens in that hour of his lonely sorrow, +whilst committing to the dust the remains of him whose sacred +memorial he had just contemplated, raised by a wife's clear hand. + +With these recollections had arisen the image of the pale, +delicately-formed boy who had gazed so compassionately into his eyes +while taking as he thought his last look at that humble grave; and +with this bland recurrence came also the almost closing words of the +solemn service, seeming again to proclaim to his heart, "I heard a +voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are +the dead who die in the Lord!" + +With calmed feelings and perfectly recovered self-possession, +Thaddeus now followed his beloved wife (his solace and his joy), led +by her delighted host, into the bright-panelled parlor of the +rectory, where the mutual introduction instantly took place. + +The beneficent old man, with a polished sincerity, declared his high +gratification at this visit from the Count Sobieski, brought to him +by the gracious lady who so deservedly shared his illustrious name. +Thaddeus, with his usual modest dignity, received the implied +compliment, and expressed his just sense of the deep obligation +conferred on him and his countess by the last consecrated rite to the +memory of his most revered friend. + +Mary was then seated on an old-fashioned silk-embroidered settee, +opposite to the flower-latticed bay-window of the apartment. The +rector, with a courteous bow, which in his youth would have been +called graceful, as if confident of a permitted privilege, placed +himself beside her, while observing to her lord, in reply to these +unfeigned thanks, that, "the reported name alone of the veteran +patriot who lay there had not ceased from the day of his interment to +attract, shrine-like, the pilgrim feet of many persons to the spot +who respected and bewailed the fate of Poland." + +Sobieski's cheek flushed and his eye kindled at this testimony. To +change a subject which he found wrought too powerfully on the +recently-regained serenity of his mind, he affectionately inquired +for the amiable boy he had seen take so touching an interest in the +mournful errand to the church-yard on that ever-remembered day, and +who, like a ministering seraph, had so guardingly watched the exposed +head of his revered master, under the pitiless element then pouring +down. + +"He is my nephew," returned the rector, in a tone of tenderness: +"Lord Edward Fitz-James. He is in delicate health; the youngest son +of my eldest brother, the Marquis Fitz-James, who married late in +life. Edward is, indeed, what he appears, a spirit of innocent, happy +love, or of condoling commiseration, wherever his gentle footsteps +move. And when I rejoin him this autumn, at his father's house in +Scotland, and shall tell him that the never-forgotten chief mourner +at that simple bier, with whom his own young tears fell in +spontaneous sympathy, was the Count Sobieski--a kinsman of his own, +whose character was already known to him in its youthful fame and by +its honored name--what will be that meek child's exulting ecstasy!" + +"A kinsman of that noble boy!" echoed Thaddeus, in surprise. "How may +I flatter myself it can be so?" + +Mary simultaneously uttered an amazed ejaculation of pleasure at the +idea of any real relationship between that venerable man and herself; +and he, with an answering look of kindred respect on both the +astonished husband and his bride, replied to the former with the +unstudied brevity of truth. + +"A few sentences will explain it, for I consider it unnecessary to +remind my present auditors of two great events in their respective +countries. First, with regard to England; the change of royal +succession in the Stuart line, from the branch of which James the +Second was the head, to that of Brunswick-a backward step, +originating in Elizabeth of Bohemia, the daughter of James the First, +and therefore, the aunt of James the Second. At the height of these +eventful circumstances, the offended sovereign retired with his +exemplary queen and their infant son to the continent. There the +royal boy continued to be styled, by his father's adherents, James +Prince of Wales, but in the general world was usually known by the +cognizance of the Chevalier St. George. + +"This is the first link in our bracelet, noble lady!" observed the +narrator, with a smile, and then proceeded. "I now advance to my +second part, the crisis of which took place in Poland, about the same +period. At the death of the great John Sobieski, King of Poland, the +father of his people, there arose a deep-rooted conspiracy in certain +neighboring states, jealous of his late power and glorious name, +determining to undermine the accession of his family to the throne; +and they found an apt soil to work on in a corresponding feeling +ready to break out amongst some of the most influential nobles of the +realm. Foreign and domestic revolutionists soon understand each +other; and the dynasty of Sobieski being speedily overturned by the +double treason of pretended friends and false allies, his three +princely sons withdrew from occasioning the dire conflict of a civil +war, two into distant lands, the other to the ancestral patrimony, in +provinces far from the intrigues of ambition or the temptation of its +treacherous lures. + +"The two elder brothers, in a natural indignation against the popular +ingratitude, took the expatriating destination. But Constantine, the +youngest born, with the calm dignity of a son without other desired +inheritance than the honor of such a parent, retired to the tranquil +seclusion of the castled domain of Olesko, the ancient fortified +palace of his progenitors, on the Polish border of Red Russia; and +there, in philosophic quiet, he passed his blameless days with +science and the arts, and in deeds of true Christian benevolence-the +purport of his life. This respected seclusion was ultimately sweetly +cheered when "woman smiled" upon it, in the form of a fair daughter +of a neighboring magnate in the adjacent province, whose noble +retirement, sharing the same patriotic principles with those of +Constantine, yielded to the young philosopher a lovely helpmate for +him. + +"Prince James, his eldest brother, had meanwhile married a sister of +their early associate in arms, the brave Charles of Newburg, when +under the royal banner of Sobieski, in the memorable field of Vienna. +Alexander, the second son, also met with a distinguished bride in +Germany. Both princes were accomplished and handsome men; but one of +our countrymen, contemporary and family physician to the late king, +familiarly describes them in his curious reminiscences, thus:--'His +majesty possessed a fine figure; he was tall and graceful. The +nobleness and elevation of his soul were deeply depicted in his +countenance and air. Prince James is dark-complexioned, slender in +person, and more like a Spaniard than a Pole; he is very social, +courteous and liberal. Alexander is of more manly proportions, and of +a true Sarmatian physiognomy. But Constantine is an exact likeness of +the king, his father.'" [Footnote: The writer of this note has seen a +magnificent picture of that glorious king, a full length, the stature +of life. It was nobly painted by an artist of the period.] + +"And such was my ever-revered grandsire, his only son!" responded the +heart of Thaddeus, but he did not utter the words. Meanwhile, the +enthusiastic historiographer of a period he was so seldom called to +touch on proceeded without a pause. + +"In process of time, one fair scion from this illustrious stock +became engrafted on our former royal stem. I mean her highness the +Lady Clementina, the daughter of Prince James of Poland, who, after +his rejection of all foreign aid to re-establish him in his father's +kingdom, had, like the abdicated monarch of England, gone about a +resigned pilgrim, 'seeking a better country,' till the two families +auspiciously met, to brighten each other's remainder of earthly +sojourn at St. Germains, in France. Then came the 'sweet bindwith,' +the royal maid, the Prince Sobieski's beauteous daughter, to give her +nuptial hand to the only son of the exiled king; and so, most +remarkably, was united the equally extraordinary destinies of the +regal race of the heroic John Sobieski with that of our anointed +warrior, Robert Bruce, in the person of his princely descendant, +James Fitz-James, in diplomatic parlance styled the Chevalier de St. +George; and from that blended blood, and by family connection, sprung +from the same branching tree, I feel sanguinely confident that the +claim I have set up for myself and gentle nephew, whose kindred +spirit the warm heart of the Count Sobieski has already acknowledged, +will not be deemed an old man's dream." + +A short silence ensued. + +Thaddeus had been riveted with an almost breathless attention to this +part of the narrative, some of its public circumstances having found +a dim recollection in his mind; but his apprehensive mother had +always turned him aside from any line in his historical reading which +might particularly engage his ever-wakeful interest to the chivalrous +nation of his own never-avowed parentage, and from which a father's +desertion had expatriated him even before his birth. But now, how +ample had been the atonement, the restitution, to this forsaken son? + +Not being able to express any of the kindled feelings this narration +had suggested, added to the daily increasing claims the blessing of +such an atonement were hourly making on his best affections, he could +only grasp the hand of the venerated speaker with a fervent pressure +when he ceased. But Mary, irradiating smiles, the emanating light of +her soul then at her Maker's feet, gently breathed her ardent +felicitations at what she had just heard, which had indeed +established her kindred with the venerated friend whose kindness had +met her so unreservedly as a stranger. + +When the little party so signally brought together, to become +mutually entwined, as if already known to each other for years +instead of minutes,--when they became composed, after the excited +emotions of the disclosure had subsided, the reverend host, now +considering the count and countess rather as young cousins to be +honored than as guests to be entertained, conversed awhile more +particularly with regard to the marquis and his family, and finally +accepted, with declared pleasure, the earnest invitation of his +gladly responsive new relatives to accompany them the following day, +when they would call for him in their carriage, to dine with their +dearest guardian and parental friend, Sir Robert Somerset. + +"He is my Mary's maternal uncle," remarked Thaddeus, with a calm +emphasis, "and has been to me as a father in this her adopted land. I +found a brother, also, in his admirable son, Mr. Somerset, whom, with +his young bride, you will meet to-morrow at Sir Robert's family +table. Hence, my revered kinsman, you see what England still does in +her kind bosom for a remnant of the race of Sobieski." + +The appointed hour next day arrived. The count called for his friend, +who was ready at the door of the rectory mansion, and, after much +interesting conversation during the drive, conducted him into the +presence of the baronet. Sir Robert greeted his guest in perfect +harmony with the filial eloquence of Sobieski, in describing his +adopted father's ever-gracious heart, and consequent benignant +manners. Thaddeus had repeated to Sir Robert the revealments of +yesterday's visit to the honorable and reverend rector of St. Paul's, +which had so stirringly mingled with his own most cherished memories. + +The cordial reception thus given to the revered narrator gratified +him, as a full repayment for his imparted confidence of the day +before, though he could not be aware of the real paternal fountain +from which these warm welcomes flowed. But Thaddeus recognized it in +every word, look, and act of his beloved father, and with his mother +in his heart, he appreciated all. + +Dr. Cavendish and Dr. Blackmore had been added to the party. Sincere +esteem, with an ever-grateful recollection of the past, always spread +the board of Sobieski for the former, whenever he might have leisure +to enrich it with his highly intellectual store. Dr. Blackmore had +arrived the preceding evening with Lord Avon, grown a fine youth, to +pass a few days with his patron and friend, Sir Robert Somerset, on +his way to transfer his noble charge to the tutorage of the fully +competent, though young, vicar of Beaufort, Mr. Tillotson. Lord Avon +was to reside in the vicarage, but would also possess the constant +personal care of his friends at the Castle, and a home invitation to +visit there, with his accomplished tutor, whenever it should be +agreeable to Mr. Tillotson to bring him. + +The rector of St. Paul's and the recently inducted rector of Somerset +(whither he was proceeding after he should have deposited his young +lordship at Beaufort) were respectively introduced to each other-- +worthy brethren in the pure church they were equally qualified to +support and to adorn. + +When dinner was announced, the Rev. Bruce Fitz-James received the +hand of the cheerful Miss Dorothy to lead her down. She had given him +a frank greeting of relationship on his being presented to her, as +mistress of her brother's house, on his first entrance into the +drawing room. During the social repast, much elegant and intellectual +conversation took place, and promises were solicited, both then and +after the banquet, by the members of the family group from their +several guests for visits at the seasons most pleasant to themselves, +to Deerhurst, to Somerset, and to Beaufort. The venerable Fitz-James +and his young nephew were particularly besought by Thaddeus and his +Mary, who anticipated a peculiar delight in becoming intimately +acquainted with that interesting boy. Lord Avon they hoped might +prove a companionable attraction to the latter. + +The invitations were cordially accepted, the paternal uncle of the +young Lord Edward not doubting the ready approbation of his brother, +the marquis. And it was arranged that both at Beaufort and at +Deerhurst the whole of the baronet's family group should be +assembled, including Mr. Somerset and his gentle lady, whose placid +graces moved round his ever sparkling vivacity with a softly- +tempering shade. + +Thus, day after day, week after week, while continuing in town, time +passed on in the alternate interchanges of domestic tranquillity and +the active exercises of those duties to society in general, and to +the important demands of public claims on the present stations of the +several individuals on whom such calls were made. + +Nor in the country, when returned to their separate dwelling-places, +did the same happy and honorable routine cease its genial round. +Pembroke's most stationary residence was Somerset Castle, his +father's beneficent representative, whose favorite home was +Deerhurst. And thus mutually endeared, and worthy of their Heaven- +bestowed stewardship, we leave the family of Sir Robert Somerset. + +We leave Thaddeus Sobieski, now one of its most beloved members, +blessed in the fruition of every earthly good. The virtues, the +muses, and the charities were the chosen guests at his abundant +table. Poverty could not veil genius from his penetration, nor +misfortune obscure the inborn light of its integrity. Though exiled +from his native land, where his birth gave him dominion over rich +territories, now in the hands of strangers, and a numerous happy +people, now no more, he had not yet relinquished the love of empire. +But it was not over principalities and embattled hosts that he +desired to prolong the sceptre of command. He wished to reign in the +soul. His throne was sought in the hearts of the good, the kind, the +men of honest industry, and the unfortunate, on whom prosperity had +frowned. In fact, the unhappy of every degree and nation found +consolation, refuge, and repose within the sheltering domains of +Beaufort. No eye looked wistfully on him to turn away disappointed; +his smiles cheered the disconsolate, and his protecting arms warded +off, when possible, the approach of new sorrows. "Peace was within +his walls, and plenteousness within his palaces." + +And when a few eventful months of the succeeding year had +distinguished its course with the death of the imperious destroyer of +Poland, and General Kosciusko (having been set at liberty by her +generous successor, and honorably empowered to go whither he willed) +had arrived in England on his way to the United States, he sought and +found Thaddeus, his young comrade in the fields of Poland, and was +hailed with the warmest welcome by that now indeed truly "comforted" +brave and last representative of the noble race and name of the glory +of his country, the more than once Gideon-shield of Christendom--John +Sobieski. + +"Ah, my chief!" cried he, while he clasped the veteran to his breast, +"I am indeed favored above mortals. I see thee again, on whom I +believed the gates of a ruthless prison had closed forever! I have +all that remains of my country now within my arms. Kosciusko, my +friend, my father, bless your son!" + +Kosciusko did bless him, and embalmed the benediction with a shower +of tears more precious than the richest unction that ever flowed on a +royal head. They were drawn from a Christian soldier's heart--a true +patriot and a hero. + +Sobieski presented his lovely wife to this illustrious friend, and +while he gratefully acknowledged the rare felicity of his ultimate +fate, he owned that the retrospection of the past calamity, like a +shade in a picture, gives to our present bliss greater force and +brightness. But that such felicity was his, he could only ascribe to +the gracious providence of God, who "trieth the spirit of man," and +can bring him to a joy on earth even like unto a resurrection from +the dead. And the conclusion is not even then; "there remaineth yet a +better life, and a better country for those who trust in the Lord of +earth and heaven!" + + + + +APPENDIX. + +NOTES + +CHIEFLY RELATING TO GENERAL KOSCIUSKO. + +NOTES + +The writer prefaces these notes with the following dedicatory tribute +she inscribed to the memory of this illustrious chief in a former but +subsequent edition, some years after the first publication of the +work. It runs thus:-- + +THADDEUS OF WARSAW. + +THIS TENTH EDITION IS HUMBLY AND AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO THE +MEMORY OF THE LATE JUSTLY REVERED AND RENOWNED + +General Thaddeus Kosciusko. + +"The spirit of war between nation and nation, and between man and man +in those nations, for public supremacy on the one side and private +aggrandizement on the other, being still as much the character of the +times as in the days when the preceding biographical tale of Poland +was written, the author continues to feel the probable consequences +of such a crisis in forming the future principles of manly British +youth--a feeling which was the origin of the work itself. + +"Its direct aim being to draw a distinguishing line between the +spirit of true patriotism and that of ambitious public discontent,-- +between real glory, which arises from benefits bestowed, and the +false fame of acquired conquests, which a leader of banditti has as +much right to arrogate as would the successful invader of kingdoms,-- +the character of General Kosciusko, under these views, presented +itself to the writer as the completest exemplar for such a picture. + +"Enthusiasm attempted to supply the pencil of genius, and though the +portraiture be imperfectly sketched, yet its author has been +gratified by the sympathy of readers, not only of her own people, but +of those of distant nations; and that the principles of heroic virtue +which she sought to inculcate in her narrative were pronounced by its +great patriot subject, in a letter he addressed to herself, 'as +worthy of his approbation and esteem,' seems, now that he is removed +from all earthly influence, to sanction her paying that honest homage +to his memory which delicacy forbade her doing while he lived. + +"The first publication of this work was inscribed to a British hero, +'a land commander and a tar,' whose noble nature well deserved the +title bestowed upon it by his venerable sovereign, George III., +('Coeur-de-Lion.') He, a brother in spirit, fully appreciated the +character of Thaddeus Kosciusko, and the writer of this devoted +tribute feels that she deepens the tints of honor on each name by +thus associating them together. But may the tomb of the British hero +be long in finding its place! That of the Polish patriot has already +received its sacred deposit, and with the sincere oblation of a not +quite stranger's heart, this poor offering is laid on the grave of +him who fought for 'his country's freedom, laws, and native king;' +who, when riches and a crown were proffered to himself by the then +dictator of almost all Europe, declined both, because no price could +buy the independence of an honest man. + +"Such was General Kosciusko; such was the model of disinterestedness, +of tempered valor, and of public virtue which his annalist sought to +set forth in the foregoing pages; such was the man who honored their +narrator with his approval and esteem! and in that last word she +feels a privilege, but with due humility, to thus link some little +memorial of herself to after times, by so uniting to the name of +Thaddeus Kosciusko that of his humble but sincere aspirer to such +themes, + + "JANE PORTER. + + "LONG-DITTON ON-THAMES, September, 1819." + +Since the above inscription was first written and inscribed in the +former edition, the brave and benign "Christian knight," the Coeur- +de-Lion of our own times, has also been gathered to the tears of his +country, and his monumental statue, as if standing on the victorious +mount of St. Jean d'Acre, is now preparing to be set up, with its +appropriate sacred trophies, in the great Naval Hall at Greenwich. It +is understood that his mortal remains will be removed from the Pere +la Chaise in Paris, where they now lie, to finally rest in St. Paul's +Cathedral, where Nelson sleeps. Kosciusko's tomb is at Cracow, the +ancient capital of Poland; and in the manner of its most ancient +style of sepulchre, it appears an immense earthen tumulus, piled over +the simple-mounded grave, which accumulating portions were severally +borne to their hallowed place in the arms alone of each silent +mourner, in a certain number of successive days, till the whole was +raised into a grand pyramidal mass. + +In looking back through the avenue of life to those periods the tale +tells of, what events have occurred, public and private, to the +countries and the individuals referred to in these memoranda! to +persons of lofty names and excellence, both in our own and in other +lands, mutually affected with admiration and regret for the virtues +and the calamities described. It is an awful contemplation, and in +sitting down in my now solitary chamber to its retrospection, I find +that nearly half a century has passed since its transactions swept +over Europe like a desolating blast. Then I wrote my little chronicle +when the birthright independence of Poland was no more; when she lay +in her ashes, and her mighty men were trodden into the dust; when the +pall of death overspread the country, and her widows and her orphans +wandered afar into the trackless wilderness of a barren world. + +During this wide expatriation, some distinguished captives, who had +fallen in the field, and were counted among the slain, having been +found by the victors alive in their stiffened blood, were conveyed to +various prisons; and along with these was discovered the justly +feared, and not less justly deplored, General Kosciusko, who, though +long unheard of by the lone wanderers of his scattered host, had been +thus preserved by the supreme Lord of all, to behold again a remnant +of his own brightened in hope, and comforted by the honoring sympathy +of the good and brave in many nations. + +Kosciusko was of noble birth, and early distinguished himself by his +spirit and talents for the martial field. Indeed, owing to the +belligerent position of Poland, situated in the midst of jealous and +encroaching nations, arms was the natural profession of every +gentleman in the kingdom, commerce and agriculture being the usual +pursuits of the middle classes. But it happened, in the early manhood +of Thaddeus Kosciusko, that the dangerous political Stromboli which +surrounded his country, and often aroused an answering blaze in that +since devoted land, slept in their fires; and Poland being at peace, +her young military students, becoming desirous of practising their +science in some actual campaign, resolved to try their strength +across the Atlantic. Hearing of the war then just commenced between +the British Colonies in America and the mother country, Kosciusko, as +a deciding spirit amongst his ardent associates, brought them to this +resolution. Losing no time, they embarked, passed over the wide ocean +of the Western world, and landing safe and full of their object, +offered their services to the army of independence. Having been +readily accepted, and immediately applied to use, the extraordinary +warrior talents of Kosciusko soon shone conspicuous, and were +speedily honored by his being appointed special aide-de-camp to +General Washington. His subsequent conduct in the camp and field was +consonant to its beginning, and he became a distinguished general in +rank and command long before his volunteered military services had +terminated. When the war ended, in the peace of mutual concessions +between the national parent and its children on a distant land, (a +point that is the duty of all Christian states to consider, and to +measure their ultimate conduct by,) the Poles returned to their own +country, where they soon met circumstances which caused them to call +forth their recently passed experience for her. But they had not +departed from the newly-established American State without +demonstrations of its warm gratitude; and Koscuisko, in particular, +with his not less popular compatriot and friend, Niemcivitz, the +soldier and the poet, bore away with them the pure esteem of the +brave population, the sighs of private friendship, and the tears of +an abiding regret from many fair eyes. + +To recapitulate the memorable events of the threatened royal freedom +of Poland, by the three formidable foreign powers confederated for +its annihilation, and in repelling which General Kosciusko took so +gallant a lead, is not here necessary to connect our memoranda +concerning his unreceding struggles to maintain her political +existence. They have already been sketched in the preceding little +record of the actual scenes in which he and his equally devoted +compeers held their indomitable resistance till the fatal issue. +"Sarmatia lay in blood!" and the portion of that once great bulwark +of civilized Europe was adjudged by the paricidal victors to +themselves: a sentence like unto that passed on the worst of +criminals was thus denounced against Christendom's often best +benefactor, while the rest of Europe stood silently by, paralyzed or +appalled, during the immediate execution of the noble victim. + +But though dismembered and thrown out from the "map of nations" by +the combination of usurping ambition and broken faith, and no longer +to be regarded as one in its "proud cordon," Poland retained within +herself (as has been well observed by a contemporary writer) "a mode +of existence unknown till then in the history of the world--a +domestic national vitality." Unknown, we may venture to say, except +in one extraordinary yet easily and reverentially understood +instance. We mean the sense of an integral national being, ever- +living in the bosoms of the people of Israel, throughout all their +different dispersions and captivities. And, perhaps, with respect to +this principle of a moral, political, and filial life, still drawing +its aliment from the inhumed heart of their mother-country, who, to +them, "is not dead but sleepeth!" may be explained, in some degree, +in reference to the above remark on the existing and individual +feeling amongst the wanderers of Poland, by considering some of the +best effects, latent in their "working together for good," in the +deep experience of her ancient variously-constituted modes of civil +government. + +Under that of her early monarchs, the Piasts and their senate, she +sat beneath an almost patriarchal sceptre, they being native and +truly parental princes. John Sobieski was one of this description by +descent and just rule. Under the Jagellon dynasty, also sprung from +the soil, she held a yet more generalizing constitutional code, after +which she gradually adopted certain republican forms, with an +elective king--a strange contradiction in the asserted object, a +sound system for political freedom, but which, in fact, contained the +whole alchemy of a nation's "anarchical life," and ultimately +produced the entire destruction of the state. From the established +date of the elective monarchy, the kingdom became an arena for every +species of ambitious rivalry, and its sure consequences, the +interference of foreign influences; and hence rapidly advanced the +decline of the true independent spirit of the land, to stand in her +laws, and in her own political strength; her own impartial laws, the +palladium of the people and a native king the parental guardian of +their just administration. But, in sad process of time, "strangers of +Rome, of Gaul, and of other nations," in whose veins not a drop of +Sclavonian blood flowed, found means to successively seat themselves +on the throne of the Piasts, the Jagellons, and the Sobieskis, of +ancient Sarmatia; and the revered fabric fell, as by an earthquake, +to be registered no more amongst the kingdoms of the world. + +THE EARLY EDUCATION OF KOSCIUSKO AND HIS COMPATRIOTS, WITH ITS +SUBSEQUENT EFFECTS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THEIR LIVES. + +Though their country appeared thus lost to them, they felt its +kingdom still in their minds--in the bosom of memory, in the +consciousness of an ancestry of bravery and of virtue; and though the +soil had passed away from the feet of those whose ancestors of "sword +or share" had trod it as sons and owners, and it now holds no place +for them but their fathers' graves, yet the root is deep in such +planting, and the tree, though invisible to the world, is seen and +nourished in the depths of their hearts by the dews of heaven. + +The pages of universal history, sacred and profane, ancient and +modern, when opened with the conviction that He who made the world +governs it also, will best explain the _why_ of these changes in +the destiny of nations; and within half of the latter part of the +last century, and the nearly half of the present, awful have been the +pages to be read. Hence we may understand the vital influence of the +objects of education with regard to the principles inculcated, +whether with relation to individual interest or to the generalized +consideration of a people as a commonwealth or a kingdom. A kingdom +and a commonwealth may be considered the same thing, when the power +of both people and king are limited by just laws, established by the +long exercised wisdom of the nation, holding the whole powers of the +state in equilibrium; and in this sense, meaning "a royal +commonwealth," comprising, as in England, "kings, lords, and +commons," it is generally believed is intended to be understood the +term, "The republic of Poland, with its king." + +The Polish nation, however, under all their dominions of government, +usually partook something of the policies and manners of the then +existing times. Yet they were always distinguished by a particular +chivalry of character, a brave freedom from all foreign and domestic +vassalage, and a generous disposition to respect and to assist the +neighboring nations to maintain the same independence they themselves +enjoyed. Though actual schools, or colleges, or written lore, might +not originally have had much to do with it, the continued practice of +old, well-formed customs held them in "the ways their fathers walked +in" and they found them those of "pleasantness" and true honor. But +the time came when literary dictation was to take the place of oral +tradition, and of habitual imitative reverence of the past. Schools +and colleges were instituted, teaching for doctrines the prevailing +sentiments of the endowers, or of the instructors employed. During +the reigns of the later sovereigns of the Jagellon dynasty, Sigismund +I. and II., and that of their predecessor, John Sobieski, the +principles of these seminaries might be considered sound. But soon +after the death of the last-named monarch, when the latent mischief +contained in the Utopian idea of the perfection of an always elective +monarchy began to shake the stability of even the monarchy itself, +certain of the public teachers evinced correspondent signs of this +destructive species of freemasonry; and about the same period the +Voltaire venom of infidelity against all the laws of God and man +being poured throughout the whole civilized world, the general effect +had so banefully reached the seats of national instruction in Poland, +that several of the most venerated personages, whose names have +already been, commemorated in the preceding biographical story, +congregated together to stem, by a counteracting current, the torrent +where they saw it likely to overflow; to sap up its introduced +sources, by obtaining the abolition of some of the most subtle and +dangerous of the scholastic institutions, and the establishment of +others in their room, on the sound foundation of moral and religious +polity between men and nations. + +The sole remaining princely descendants of the three just referred +to, true patriot-monarchs, were the earliest awakened to resist the +spirit of evil spreading amongst all classes in the nation. The +Czartoryski and the Zamoyski race, both of the Jagellon line, and +near kinsmen to the then newly raised monarch to the Polish throne, +Stanislaus Poniatowski, appeared like twin stars over the darkened +field, and the whole aspect of the country seemed speedily changed. A +contemporary writer bears record that one hundred and twenty-seven +provincial colleges were founded, perfected, and supported by them +and their patriotic colleagues; while the University of Vilna was +judiciously and munificently organized by its prince palatine, Adam +Czartoryski himself, and a statute drawn up which declared it "an +open high-school from the supreme board of public education for all +the Polish provinces." Herein was every science exalting to the +faculties of man, and conducive to his sacred aspirations, seriously +and diligently inculcated; and every principle of morality and +religion, purifying to his mixed nature, and therefore calculated to +establish him in the answering conduct, truth, justice, and loyal +obedience to the hereditary revered laws of the nation, equally +instilled, qualifying him to uphold them, and to defend their freedom +from all offensive operations at home or abroad, intended to subvert +the purity of their code or the integrity of their administration. +Such was the import of the implied vow on entering the university. + +Amongst the gallant youths brought up in such a school of public +virtue was Thaddeus Kosciusko and the young Timotheus Niemcivitz, his +friend from youth to age. Kosciusko, as has already been said, was of +noble parentage; and to be the son of a Polish nobleman was to be +born a soldier, and its practical education, with sabre and lance, +his daily pastime. But military studies were included in these +various colleges, and the friends soon became as mutually expert in +arms as they ever after continued severally distinguished in the +fields of their country with sword or lyre. Besides, neither of the +young cavaliers passed quite away from their _alma mater_ +without having each received the completing accolade of "true +knighthood" by the stroke of "fealty to honor!" from the inaugurating +sunbeam of some lovely woman's eye. Such befell the youthful +Kosciusko, one bright evening, in a large and splendid circle of "the +beautiful and brave" at Vilna; and it never lessened its full rays in +his chivalric heart, from that hour devoted to the angel-like unknown +who had shed them on him, and who had seemed to doubly consecrate the +ardors of his soul to his country--her country--the country of all he +loved and honored upon earth. How he wrought out this silent vow is a +story of deep interest--equally faithful to his patriotic loyalty and +to his ever-cherished love; and in some subsequent reminiscences of +the hero, should the writer live to touch a Polish theme again, they +may be related with additional honor to his memory. + +Brief was the time after the preceding sealing scene of the young +Kosciusko for his military vocation took place, before himself and +his friend Niemcivitz--who had also received his "anointing spell," +which he gayly declared came by more bright eyes than he would dare +whisper to their possessors--made a joint arrangement to quit the +study of arms, though thus cheered on by the Muses and the Graces, +and at once enter the exercise in some actual field of rugged war. +The newly-opened dispute between Great Britain and her colonies in +North America seemed calculated for their honorable practice. +Consulting some of their most respected friends, they speedily found +means to cross the seas, and shared the first great campaign under +Washington. The issue of that campaign, and those which followed it, +need not be repeated here; suffice it to say, the hard-fought contest +ended in a treaty of peace between the parent country and its +contumacious offspring, in the year 1783, with England's +acknowledgment of their independence, under the name of the United +States of America. + +The two gallant Poles returned to Europe, and onward to their own +country, by a route tracked by former brave deeds; through France, +Germany, and other lands, marked by the Gustavuses, the Montecuculi, +the Turennes, the Condes, the Marlboroughs, the Eugenes, champions +alike of national peace and national glory on those widely-extended +plains and bulwarked frontiers, till the belligerent clouds of a +still more threatening hostility than any of those repelled invasions +were seen hovering luridly over their own beloved country. Warned +thus, during their pleasant travel, of the coming events whose +shadows seemed to rise on every side of Poland, in forms appalling to +the luxurious, the avaricious, the indolently selfish, of every +description in the land, but which only roused and nerved the hearts +and arms of her two sons, courageous in the simplicity of their +purpose--Poland's preservation! they hastened in that moment to her +bosom. + +The events of this her mortal struggle, in fast union with these +faithful sons, and other filial hearts, commemorated in the foregoing +narrative of Thaddeus Sobieski, need not be recapitulated here. It +amply tells the fate of the great kingdom which had stood as with +gates of brass, until the intestine rivalries of an elective +monarchy--the worshipped idol alike of presumptuous private ambition +and pretended patriotic liberality--the true masked priest of public +anarchy--rent them asunder, and the watchful nations, ready for +plunder and extended dominion, poured into them a flood like the +rivers of Babylon, over all her walls and towers. + +We have read that part of her bravest sons were swept away into +distant lands; some to die in homeless exile, others to meet the +honorable compassion and the cheering hopes of sympathy from a people +like themselves, who had formerly fought the good fight for England's +laws, liberties, and royal name in Europe. And some were shut up from +the light of day in the fettered captivity of foreign prisons, until +"the iron entered their souls." Amongst these noble captives were +General Kosciusko and his faithful Achates, Niemcivitz, to whom might +be justly applied the words of our bard of "The Seasons," affixed to +the young brow of Sir Philip Sidney-- + + "The plume of war, with early chaplets crown'd + The hero's laurel with the poet's bays." + +But the Emperor Paul, on his accession to the throne of the Czars, as +has before been noted, was too generous a captor to hold in cage so +sweet a singing bird and so noble a lion; and he gave them liberty, +appending to the act, dearest to a free-born heart, an imperial +donation to Kosciusko that might have furnished him with a golden +argosy all over the world. But the wounded son of Poland declined it +in a manner worthy her name, and with an ingenuous gratitude towards +the munificent sovereign who had offered it, not as a bribe for +"golden opinions," but as a sincere tribute to high heroic virtue. + +The writer of this note was informed of this fact many years ago, by +a celebrated English banker, at that time at St. Petersburg, and +corresponding between that city and London, with whom the imperial +present had been lodged, and through whom General Kosciusko +respectfully but decidedly declined its acceptance. + +Then it was that, after halting a short time in England, he with his +school and camp companion in so many changes, prepared a second +crossing over the Atlantic, to revisit its victor President in his +olive-grounds at Mount Vernon. But Niemcivitz had another errand. His +roving Cupid had long settled its wing, and he eagerly sought to +plight, before Heaven's altar in the church, the already sacred vow +he had pledged to a fair daughter of that country while sharing the +dangers of its battlefields. + +It was with great difficulty the portcullis of a friendship strong as +death had been raised in old chivalric Kent, to allow departure to so +dear and honored a guest as he, who their master had seen fall in his +memorable wounds on the plain of Brzesc. But he promised to return +again, should the same sweet cherub that sat up aloft on his first +voyage to America steer back his little bark in safety; and then he +trusted to be once more clasped to the bosom of Poland, in that of +his most beloved friend, a dweller in England. [Footnote: The +portcullis, the gate, and the armorial crest of Beaufort has +descended from the royal founder of the family, John of Gaunt, Duke +of Lancaster.] + +Besides this cherished heir of his earliest remembrances, there were +other friends of olden days who had welcomed him with gladdening +recollections. Amongst these was the family of Vanderhorst, +originally of the Spanish Netherlands, who, from religious rather +than political motives, had transferred themselves from certain +persecutions in that land during times of papal tyranny to the +shelter of the British colonies on the Transatlantic shore, and who, +on the separation of those colonies into independent states from the +mother country, had removed, in relative grateful duties, to the +governing land of their early refuge, and were now dwelling here in +prosperity and happy repose, when General Kosciusko set his honored +foot on its sea-girt and virtue-bulwarked coast He was their former +guest while at New York, and he readily accepted their eager +invitation that he would revisit them in their new paternal country. +At this period the head of the respected family resided at Bristol, +in Queen's Square, (the Grosvenor Square of that opulent city,) and +Mr. Vanderhorst inhabited one of the most superb mansions in it. +General Kosciusko arrived at his worthy host's door on the 7th of +June, 1797, and was greeted by the hearty embrace of his old friend +and the blushingly-presented cheeks of his two daughters, young and +lovely, in their teens. Their brother, a fine youth, pressed the hand +of his father's gallant and revered guest to his lips. Niemcivitz, +meanwhile, with dew-like tear-drops glittering over his joyous +smiles, greeted every one with the affectionate recognition of a +heart that seemed to know only to love. The writer, for one, shall +never forget those tears and smiles on that venerable but ever kindly +face; yet it was only in his old age that I first knew him. But sweet +sisters, whom I began to know in your bright bloom, I can never +forget those charming looks of reciprocating welcome that sprang +alone from the fulness of a good and truthful virgin heart. They are +now before me, though the eyes which then beamed so ingenuously on +the honored countenance of the Polish hero are closed in death; or +rather, shall I say, re-opened on him in a fairer and never-closing +light. + +He spent a happy week in that bright circle, in which the present +commemorator has often since moved, and heard members of it over and +over again describe its happy scenes; sometimes, the younger sister, +my own especial friend; at other times the animated brother. The +revered father has long been in his respected grave; and the elder +sister, after an early marriage with an officer of distinction in the +British army, breathed her last sigh in the island of Antigua, +leaving an only child, a daughter, Cordelia Duncombe Taylor, a +beautiful memorial of the surpassingly lovely mother and aunt from +whom she is descended. + +During the Bristol sojourn, brief as it was, numerous were the +sincere votaries to simple-hearted public virtue who sought it to pay +their homage to the modest hero within its hospitable walls. Rufus +King, then diplomatic minister from the United States to Great +Britain, and the accomplished Turnbull, by pen, pencil, and sword the +celebrated compeer of General Washington in his fields of glory, was +here also. + +On the Polish chief's approach to the city becoming known, the above +gentlemen, with its sheriffs, Penry and Edgar, and Colonel Sir George +Thomas, commanding a regiment of dragoons in the vicinity, went out +in procession to meet him, to give him honoring welcome to the +British shores. Crowds of the neighboring gentry, in carriages or on +horseback, thronged the cavalcade; and on each succeeding day, while +he remained at Bristol, similar throngs of enthusiastic visitants +congregated in the square to catch a moment's sight of him. The +military band of the cavalry regiment attended every evening in the +hall of Mr. Vanderhorst, to regale the honor-oppressed invalid with +martial airs, from every land wherever a soldier's banner had waved. + +But letters arrived from Mount Vernon. General Washington had become +impatient for his expected guest, and the morning of his separation +from his Bristol friends was fixed. The vessel in which he was to +embark was inspected with scrupulous care; and from the state of some +of his yet unhealed wounds, he was obliged to be conveyed from +Queen's Square to the quay in a sedan-chair. Mr. Vanderhorst and his +son preceded it on foot, and two military officers, Captains Whorwood +and Ferguson, walked on each side, each with his helmet off and in +his hand, resting them on the poles of the sedan as they moved along. +The colonel and other personal friends of Mr. Vanderhorst, and +admirers of his hero-guest, followed in the rear of the chair, and a +respectful and self-organized rank and file of humbler station closed +the procession to the waterside. + +There he embarked in a lightly-manned boat, with a sail and rudder, a +more precious freight than Caesar and his fortunes; for the Roman +general crossed a barrier-river to subvert his country--Thaddeus +Kosciusko a stream of refuge, after having sacrificed his all, though +in vain, to preserve the independence of his native land. And thus +the welcomed coming speeded parting guest took a grateful leave of +the party who escorted him. They had seen him comfortably placed in +the boat, and when it had put off, he and Niemcivitz, uncapped, +extended their handkerchiefs, fluttering in the breeze, to them and +the other bystanders, as the little sail gave bosom to the wind, and +the farewell of this salution was answered with the warm and brave- +hearted cheers of old British custom, and the waving of hats, which +propitious sounds echoed back from cliff to cliff of the superb St. +Vincent rocks that rampart the keys of the Bristol Avon. + +All along the river, as the bark proceeded down, it was met, when +within sight of any of the numerous merchant villas that adorned its +banks, by pretty pleasure-skiffs, bringing votive presents of fruits +and flowers to the brave voyagers on board. And then, while the +wounded and fatigued veteran, as he lay on his pallet on the deck, +was only able to bow his head with a gracious accepting smile to the +respectful messengers, Niemcivitz stood at the prow, his then bright +locks dallying with the sweet zephyrs from the gardened shores, and +spoke the general's and his own heartfelt thanks, in a language of +poetry that best accorded with his own glowing and his chiefs' +gallant feelings, and the generous _benedicite_ of the fair +donators. + +Onward the little vessel sped, until it reached the American ship +afloat in King's Road, to convey its two noble passengers to the new +republic, just established in the western hemisphere. That the well- +remembered aid-de-camp of its boasted hero, Washington, was received +with warrior honors, need not be here described. He rested that night +under the variegated flag streaming from the topmast head, which his +own volunteer arm had assisted to place there; and he thought of +Poland and of England till he glided into a gentle sleep, and dreamed +of both. By the following letter it may be seen that his eyes were +visited next day by a sweet vision, in real personal existence, of +the same kind beings whose recollections alone had so blandly soothed +his pillow on the surge. + +"Letter from General Kosciusko, to----Vanderhorst, Esq., _&c., &c., +&c._ From the United States of America, No. 36 Queen's Square, +Bristol. + +"At sea," (but without further date; circumstances, however, +establishing it to have been written on or about the 21st or 22d +June, 1797.) + +"DEAR SIR: + +"IT is the subject for a drama only, where the actors can express +with the action and words what may approach nearest to what was +passed yesterday within us, that I try to write. We were highly +pleased, it is true, and with uncommon satisfaction, to see the +approach of your family in a boat to our ship. But how short was the +duration of the pleasure! When separation took place, our hearts were +melted in tears. And we were frightened at their return, with fears +of what might happen to them upon a high sea in so small a boat. +Every rising wave gave the greatest pain to our anxiety, and the +extreme painfulness of our alarm even increased when we were so far +off that we could not see them more. + +"I must beg of you to give them a good reprimand. Their kind and +sensible hearts passed the limits of safety for themselves, and gave +us the most distressful emotions of soul. The sea was so rough, I am +sure they must all be very sick. However, we send them the warmest +thanks, with everlasting friendship and remembrance. Be pleased, +also, to take for yourself our tender respects. + +"Never shall I forget so kind reception of me in your house, nor the +attentions of your friends. I am sensible that I gave to you and your +amiable family a great trouble; but your goodness will not +acknowledge it, and by so doing, it more impresses my mind with the +obligation, and with a true answering affection for your whole +family. + +"I am, dear sir, with friendship and esteem, your most thankful and +most obedient servant, + +"T. KOSCIUSKO." + +"I can nothing add to the feelings of my worthy friend but that I +wish to the respectable and beautiful family of Vanderhorst all the +happiness that virtue and the most excellent qualities of the heart +can deserve. + +"J. NIEMCIVITZ. + +"The fair deity--I mean Mister Cupid--desires his best compliments to +you all." + +This tender yet playful postscript from the young soldier votary of +Cupid and the muse is evidently appended in the gayety of an +affectionate heart, speeding to the land of his own lady-love, +shortly to become his bride after his arrival, and which was so +consummated. Kosciusko never swerved from his soul's loyalty to the +bright Polish Laura of his cherished devotedness; and his subsequent +correspondence, one of pure, unselfish friendship, with the youngest +daughter of his venerable Anglo-American friend, lovely as she was +pure, confided to her how faithful had been his heart's allegiance to +the woman of his first and last vows. They had met during his track +of early military fame, and had exchanged these vows. But blighting +circumstances interfered, and they lived, and loved, but never met +again. + +The narrator of these little reminiscences might well, perhaps most +agreeably, drop the curtain here; for strange and stirring incidents +awaited the two friends on their return to Europe, after a rather +prolonged sojourn amongst the animated hospitalities of a grateful +people. + +The homeward side of that curtain was wrought in mingled fabric, +gold, silver, and various threaded yarns; and many were the different +hands that threw the shuttles--emperors, kings, princes, friends, +traitors; but above all, in the depth of mischief, the spirit of +suspicion had steeped the web. + +Such was the lurid appearance of the great drama of Europe when +Kosciusko and Niemcivitz set foot again upon its shores. Death had +thrown his pall over some in high places and others in low. But more +cheering suns soon arose, to scare away the darkening shadows, and +the patriot heroes' hopes ascended with them. How some were honored, +some deceived in the observance, need not lengthen out our present +pages; suffice it to say that there were stars then rising on the +horizon which promised fairer elements. + +It may be recollected that at the signing of the partition of Poland +by the benumbed Senate, on the fatal day of its political decease the +young prince Adam Czartoryski, the eldest son of the justly-renowned +and virtuous palatine of Vilna, who had been so signal a benefactor +to his country by the endowment and reformation of its chief schools, +was sent out a hostage to Russia, in seal of the then final +resignation. His education had been noble, like the principles of +those schools in the foundation of which the brave, illustrious and +also erudite Lithuanian family of Krasinski had been eminent sharers. +[Footnote: Count Valerian Krasinski, a distinguished son of this +house, has long been an honored guest in England, and held in high +literary respect for his veritable and admirable works, written in +fine English: "The Times of Philip Augustus," and "The History of the +Protestant Reformation in Poland." The writer of this note knows that +he has in his possession some beautiful manuscript tales, descriptive +of the manners of Poland; one called "Amoina," a most remarkable +story; another, entitled, "My Grandmamma," full of interesting +matter, written as a solace in occasional rests from severer literary +occupations. And she laments that he has not yet allowed himself to +be prevailed on to give any of these touching and elegant +reminiscences to his English readers.] The young prince's manners +were equally noble with his principles, and not long in attracting +the most powerful eyes in the empire. During the remainder of the +reign of the Empress Catharine, she caused him to be treated with +protective kindness, and on her demise he was instantly removed by +the Emperor Paul from whatever surveillance had been left over him, +into the imperial palace of St. Petersburg, where this justly-admired +princely student of Vilna was to be the constant inmate and companion +of the youthful Alexander, the eldest son and heir of the empire. + +Their studies, their amusements, were shared together; and they soon +became friends like brothers. About the same time, as has before been +related, Paul had given freedom to General Kosciusko and his +compatriot Niemcivitz. And still, after the death of that +mysteriously-destined sovereign, a halcyon sky seemed to hold its +bland aspects over Russia's Sclavonian sister people, ancient +Sarmatia. But ere long the scene changed, and the "seething-pot" of a +universal ambition, the crucible of nations, grasped by the hand of +Napoleon, began again to darken the world's atmosphere. + +Kosciusko now looked on, sometimes with yet struggling hopes, then +with well-founded convictions that "the doom was not yet spent;" and +no more to be deluded one way or another, while such shifting grounds +and sudden earthquakes were erupting the earth under his feet, like +the prophet of old, boding worse things to come, he withdrew himself +far into the solitudes of nature, into the wide yet noiseless temple +of God, where the prayer of an honest man's heart might be heard and +answered by that all-merciful and all-wise Being, who sometimes +leaves proud men to themselves, to the lawless, headlong driving of +their arrogant passions, to show them, in the due turn of events, +what a vicious self-aggrandizing, abhorrent and despicable monster in +human shape such a noble creature, when turned from the divine +purpose of his creation, may become. To such contemplations, and to +the repose of a mind and conscience at peace with itself, did the +once, nay, ever-renowned hero of Poland, retire into the most +sequestered mountains of Switzerland. A few friends, of the same +closed accounts with the world, congregated around him; and there he +dwelt several years, beloved and revered, as, indeed, he was wherever +he planted his pilgrim staff. + +He died at Soleure, in the house of a friend, Mr. Zeltner, in +consequence of a fall from his horse while taking a solitary ride. He +was buried there with every demonstration of respect in the power of +the simple inhabitants to bestow. But the Emperor Alexander, on +hearing of the event, would not allow remains so honorable to be +divided from the land of their birth; and such high and sincere +homage to the undaunted heroism and universally acknowledged +integrity of the lamented dead found no difficulty in obtaining the +distinguishing object sought, that of transferring his virtue- +consecrated relics to the shrine of ancient Christian Poland, the +city of Cracow, and there reinterring them in the great royal +cemetery of the most revered patriots of the kingdom. + +Years rolled on over the head and heart of the patriot and the bard, +Niemcivitz, the ever "faithful Achates" of his friend and his +country, even after, to his bereaved heart, he had survived both. He +had also become a widower. His gentle and delicate wife went to +revisit her native climate in the United States, but died there. On +his return thence to Europe, the consolations of a fraternal +friendship, in the bosoms of his noble countrymen, who had become +adopted denizens of free and happy England, vainly sought to retain +him with them. Sorrow in a breast of his temperament cannot find rest +in any place. His shining locks, once likened to those of Hyperion, +became frosted by an age of wandering as well as of sadness; and the +till then joyous and ever-tender heart of the sweetest poet of +Sclavonian birth breathed its last sigh in Paris, in the summer of +1841. It was on the first of June; and on the eighth of the month he +was buried with military honors and all the distinguishing rites of +the national church. The funeral service was performed by the +Archbishop of Chalcidonia, with a large body of the clergy attending. +A choir of fifty professors sung the mass, and more than a thousand +persons thronged the procession--persons of all nations, of all +creeds, religious or political, of every rank amongst men, of every +mind, from the prince to the peasant, that understood the true value +of genius when helmed by virtue, either on the land or on the wave; +whether in the field or in the cabinet; in the student's closet, or +in the duties of domestic home. + +Such a man was Niemcivitz. So was he wept; so will he be remembered, +proving, indeed, most convincingly, that there is a standard set up +in men's hearts, if they would but look to it, which, whatever be +their minor clashing opinions, shows that the truly great and good in +this earth are all of one family in the estimation of pure intellect, +the spiritual organ of all just estimation, which is, in fact, that +of the kingdom of heaven--that kingdom which, if its laws to man were +properly preserved and obeyed, would spread the shepherds' promised +"peace and good-will to all mankind." But men may listen, approve, +and admire, and yet withhold obedience. But why will the heirs of +such a covenant, with sight and hearing, die from its inheritance? + +Kosciusko and Niemcivitz were real appreciators of so rich a +birthright in "the better country!" and now are gone to Him who +purchased it by His most precious blood, to enter with Him forever +into its peaceful and glorious rest. + +J. P. + +BRISTOL, SEPTEMBER 1845. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thaddeus of Warsaw, by Jane Porter + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THADDEUS OF WARSAW *** + +This file should be named 6566.txt or 6566.zip + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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