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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/6781-0.txt b/6781-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..40bd848 --- /dev/null +++ b/6781-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5127 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), and +Sport of Destiny, by Frederich Schiller + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), and Sport of Destiny + +Author: Frederich Schiller + +Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6781] +Last Updated: September 1, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + THE GHOST-SEER; OR, APPARITIONIST. + + AND + + SPORT OF DESTINY + + + + +FROM THE PAPERS OF COUNT O------- + +I am about to relate an adventure which to many will appear incredible, +but of which I was in great part an eye-witness. The few who are +acquainted with a certain political event will, if indeed these pages +should happen to find them alive, receive a welcome solution thereof. +And, even to the rest of my readers, it will be, perhaps, important as +a contribution to the history of the deception and aberrations of the +human intellect. The boldness of the schemes which malice is able to +contemplate and to carry out must excite astonishment, as must also the +means of which it can avail itself to accomplish its aims. Clear, +unvarnished truth shall guide my pen; for, when these pages come before +the public, I shall be no more, and shall therefore never learn their +fate. + +On my return to Courland in the year 17--, about the time of the +Carnival, I visited the Prince of ------- at Venice. We had been +acquainted in the ------ service, and we here renewed an intimacy which, +by the restoration of peace, had been interrupted. As I wished to see +the curiosities of this city, and as the prince was waiting only for the +arrival of remittances to return to his native country, he easily +prevailed on me to tarry till his departure. We agreed not to separate +during the time of our residence at Venice, and the prince was kind +enough to accommodate me at his lodgings at the Moor Hotel. + +As the prince wished to enjoy himself, and his small revenues did not +permit him to maintain the dignity of his rank, he lived at Venice in +the strictest incognito. Two noblemen, in whom he had entire +confidence, and a few faithful servants, composed all his retinue. He +shunned expenditure, more however from inclination than economy. He +avoided all kinds of dissipation, and up to the age of thirty-five years +had resisted the numerous allurements of this voluptuous city. To the +charms of the fair sex he was wholly indifferent. A settled gravity and +an enthusiastic melancholy were the prominent features of his character. +His affections were tranquil, but obstinate to excess. He formed his +attachments with caution and timidity, but when once formed they were +cordial and permanent. In the midst of a tumultuous crowd he walked in +solitude. Wrapped in his own visionary ideas, he was often a stranger +to the world about him; and, sensible of his own deficiency in the +knowledge of mankind, he scarcely ever ventured an opinion of his own, +and was apt to pay an unwarrantable deference to the judgment of others. +Though far from being weak, no man was more liable to be governed; but, +when conviction had once entered his mind, he became firm and decisive; +equally courageous to combat an acknowledged prejudice or to die for a +new one. + +As he was the third prince of his house, he had no likely prospect of +succeeding to the sovereignty. His ambition had never been awakened; +his passions had taken another direction. Contented to find himself +independent of the will of others, he never enforced his own as a law; +his utmost wishes did not soar beyond the peaceful quietude of a private +life, free from care. He read much, but without discrimination. As his +education had been neglected, and, as he had early entered the career of +arms, his understanding had never been fully matured. Hence the +knowledge he afterwards acquired served but to increase the chaos +of his ideas, because it was built on an unstable foundation. + +He was a Protestant, as all his family had been, by birth, but not by +investigation, which he had never attempted, although at one period of +his life he had been an enthusiast in its cause. He had never, so far +as came to my knowledge, been a freemason. + +One evening we were, as usual, walking by ourselves, well masked in the +square of St. Mark. It was growing late, and the crowd was dispersing, +when the prince observed a mask which followed us everywhere. This mask +was an Armenian, and walked alone. We quickened our steps, and +endeavored to baffle him by repeatedly altering our course. It was in +vain, the mask was always close behind us. “You have had no intrigue +here, I hope,” said the prince at last, “the husbands of Venice are +dangerous.” “I do not know a single lady in the place,” was my answer. +“Let us sit down here, and speak German,” said he; “I fancy we are +mistaken for some other persons.” We sat down upon a stone bench, and +expected the mask would have passed by. He came directly up to us, and +took his seat by the side of the prince. The latter took out his watch, +and, rising at the same time, addressed me thus in a loud voice in +French, “It is past nine. Come, we forget that we are waited for at the +Louvre.” This speech he only invented in order to deceive the mask as +to our route. “Nine!” repeated the latter in the same language, in a +slow and expressive voice, “Congratulate yourself, my prince” (calling +him by his real name); “he died at nine.” In saying this, he rose and +went away. + +We looked at each other in amazement. “Who is dead?” said the prince +at length, after a long silence. “Let us follow him,” replied I, “and +demand an explanation.” We searched every corner of the place; the mask +was nowhere to be found. We returned to our hotel disappointed. The +prince spoke not a word to me the whole way; he walked apart by himself, +and appeared to be greatly agitated, which he afterwards confessed to me +was the case. Having reached home, he began at length to speak: “Is it +not laughable,” said he, “that a madman should have the power thus to +disturb a man’s tranquillity by two or three words?” We wished each +other a goodnight; and, as soon as I was in my own apartment, I noted +down in my pocket-book the day and the hour when this adventure +happened. It was on a Thursday. + +The next evening the prince said to me, “Suppose we go to the square of +St. Mark, and seek for our mysterious Armenian. I long to see this +comedy unravelled.” I consented. We walked in the square till eleven. +The Armenian was nowhere to be seen. We repeated our walk the four +following evenings, and each time with the same bad success. + +On the sixth evening, as we went out of the hotel, it occurred to me, +whether designedly or otherwise I cannot recollect, to tell the servants +where we might be found in case we should be inquired for. The prince +remarked my precaution, and approved of it with a smile. We found the +square of St. Mark very much crowded. Scarcely had we advanced thirty +steps when I perceived the Armenian, who was pressing rapidly through +the crowd, and seemed to be in search of some one. We were just +approaching him, when Baron F-----, one of the prince’s retinue, came up +to us quite breathless, and delivered to the prince a letter. “It is +sealed with black,” said he, “and we supposed from this that it might +contain matters of importance.” I was struck as with a thunderbolt. +The prince went near a torch, and began to read. “My cousin is dead!” + exclaimed he. “When?” inquired I anxiously, interrupting him. He +looked again into the letter. “Last Thursday night at nine.” + +We had not recovered from our surprise when the Armenian stood before +us. “You are known here, my prince!” said he. “Hasten to your hotel. +You will find there the deputies from the Senate. Do not hesitate to +accept the honor they intend to offer you. Baron I--forgot to tell you +that your remittances are arrived.” He disappeared among the crowd. + +We hastened to our hotel, and found everything as the Armenian had told +us. Three noblemen of the republic were waiting to pay their respects +to the prince, and to escort him in state to the Assembly, where the +first nobility of the city were ready to receive him. He had hardly +time enough to give me a hint to sit up for him till his return. + +About eleven o’clock at night he returned. On entering the room he +appeared grave and thoughtful. Having dismissed the servants, he took +me by the hand, and said, in the words of Hamlet, “Count ----- + + “‘There are more things in heav’n and earth, + Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’” + +“Gracious prince!” replied I, “you seem to forget that you are retiring +to your pillow greatly enriched in prospect.” The deceased was the +hereditary prince. + +“Do not remind me of it,” said the prince; “for should I even have +acquired a crown I am now too much engaged to occupy myself with such a +trifle. If that Armenian has not merely guessed by chance--” + +“How can that be, my prince?” interrupted I. + +“Then will I resign to you all my hopes of royalty in exchange for a +monk’s cowl.” + +I have mentioned this purposely to show how far every ambitious idea was +then distant from his thoughts. + +The following evening we went earlier than usual to the square of St. +Mark. A sudden shower of rain obliged us to take shelter in a +coffee-house, where we found a party engaged at cards. The prince took his +place behind the chair of a Spaniard to observe the game. I went into +an adjacent chamber to read the newspapers. A short time afterwards I +heard a noise in the card-room. Previously to the entrance of the +prince the Spaniard had been constantly losing, but since then he had +won upon every card. The fortune of the game was reversed in a striking +manner, and the bank was in danger of being challenged by the pointeur, +whom this lucky change of fortune had rendered more adventurous. A +Venetian, who kept the bank, told the prince in a very rude manner that +his presence interrupted the fortune of the game, and desired him to +quit the table. The latter looked coldly at him, remained in his place, +and preserved the same countenance, when the Venetian repeated his +insulting demand in French. He thought the prince understood neither +French nor Italian; and, addressing himself with a contemptuous laugh to +the company, said “Pray, gentlemen, tell me how I must make myself +understood to this fool.” At the same time he rose and prepared to +seize the prince by the arm. His patience forsook the latter; he +grasped the Venetian with a strong hand, and threw him violently on the +ground. The company rose up in confusion. Hearing the noise, I hastily +entered the room, and unguardedly called the prince by his name. “Take +care,” said I, imprudently; “we are in Venice.” The name of the prince +caused a general silence, which ended in a whispering which appeared to +me to have a dangerous tendency. All the Italians present divided into +parties, and kept aloof. One after the other left the room, so that we +soon found ourselves alone with the Spaniard and a few Frenchmen. “You +are lost, prince,” said they, “if you do not leave the city immediately. +The Venetian whom you have handled so roughly is rich enough to hire a +bravo. It costs him but fifty zechins to be revenged by your death.” + The Spaniard offered, for the security of the prince, to go for the +guards, and even to accompany us home himself. The Frenchmen proposed +to do the same. We were still deliberating what to do when the doors +suddenly opened, and some officers of the Inquisition entered the room. +They produced an order of government, which charged us both to follow +them immediately. They conducted us under a strong escort to the canal, +where a gondola was waiting for us, in which we were ordered to embark. +We were blindfolded before we landed. They led us up a large stone +staircase, and through a long, winding passage, over vaults, as I judged +from the echoes that resounded under our feet. At length we came to +another staircase, and, having descended a flight of steps, we entered a +hall, where the bandage was removed from our eyes. We found ourselves +in a circle of venerable old men, all dressed in black; the hall was +hung round with black and dimly lighted. A dead silence reigned in the +assembly, which inspired us with a feeling of awe. One of the old men, +who appeared to be the principal Inquisitor, approached the prince with +a solemn countenance, and said, pointing to the Venetian, who was led +forward: + +“Do you recognize this man as the same who offended you at the +coffee-house?” + +“I do,” answered the prince. + +Then addressing the prisoner: “Is this the same person whom you meant to +have assassinated to-night?” + +The prisoner replied, “Yes.” + +In the same instant the circle opened, and we saw with horror the head +of the Venetian severed from his body. + +“Are you content with this satisfaction?” said the Inquisitor. The +prince had fainted in the arms of his attendants. “Go,” added the +Inquisitor, turning to me, with a terrible voice, “Go; and in future +judge less hastily of the administration of justice in Venice.” + +Who the unknown friend was who had thus saved us from inevitable death, +by interposing in our behalf the active arm of justice, we could not +conjecture. Filled with terror we reached our hotel. It was past +midnight. The chamberlain, Z-------, was waiting anxiously for us at +the door. + +“How fortunate it was that you sent us a message,” said he to the +prince, as he lighted us up the staircase. “The news which Baron F----- +soon after brought us respecting you from the square of St. Mark would +otherwise have given us the greatest uneasiness.” + +“I sent you a message!” said the prince. “When? I know nothing of it.” + +“This evening, after eight, you sent us word that we must not be alarmed +if you should come home later to-night than usual.” + +The prince looked at me. “Perhaps you have taken this precaution +without mentioning it to me.” + +I knew nothing of it. + +“It must be so, however,” replied the chamberlain, “since here is your +repeating-watch, which you sent me as a mark of authenticity.” + +The prince put his hand to his watch-pocket. It was empty, and he +recognized the watch which the chamberlain held as his own. + +“Who brought it?” said he, in amazement. + +“An unknown mask, in an Armenian dress, who disappeared immediately.” + +We stood looking at each other. “What do you think of this?” said the +prince at last, after a long silence. “I have a secret guardian here in +Venice.” + +The frightful transaction of this night threw the prince into a fever, +which confined him to his room for a week. During this time our hotel +was crowded with Venetians and strangers, who visited the prince from a +deference to his newly-discovered rank. They vied with each other in +offers of service, and it was not a little entertaining to observe that +the last visitor seldom failed to hint some suspicion derogatory to the +character of the preceding one. Billets-doux and nostrums poured in +upon us from all quarters. Every one endeavored to recommend himself in +his own way. Our adventure with the Inquisition was no more mentioned. +The court of --------, wishing the prince to delay his departure from +Venice for some time, orders were sent to several bankers to pay him +considerable sums of money. He was thus, against his will, compelled to +protract his residence in Italy; and at his request I also resolved to +postpone my departure for some time longer. + +As soon as the prince had recovered strength enough to quit his chamber +he was advised by his physician to take an airing in a gondola upon the +Brenta, for the benefit of the air, to which, as the weather was serene, +he readily consented. Just as the prince was about to step into the +boat he missed the key of a little chest in which some very valuable +papers were enclosed.. We immediately turned back to search for it. He +very distinctly remembered that he had locked the chest the day before, +and he had never left the room in the interval. As our endeavors to +find it proved ineffectual, we were obliged to relinquish the search in +order to avoid being too late. The prince, whose soul was above +suspicion, gave up the key as lost, and desired that it might not be +mentioned any more. + +Our little voyage was exceedingly delightful. A picturesque country, +which at every winding of the river seemed to increase in richness and +beauty; the serenity of the sky, which formed a May day in the middle of +February; the charming gardens and elegant countryseats which adorned +the banks of the Brenta; the maestic city of Venice behind us, with its +lofty spires, and a forest of masts, rising as it were out of the waves; +all this afforded us one of the most splendid prospects in the world. +We wholly abandoned ourselves to the enchantment of Nature’s luxuriant +scenery; our minds shared the hilarity of the day; even the prince +himself lost his wonted gravity, and vied with us in merry jests +and diversions. On landing about two Italian miles from the city we +heard the sound of sprightly music; it came from a small village at a +little distance from the Brenta, where there was at that time a fair. +The place was crowded with company of every description. A troop of +young girls and boys, dressed in theatrical habits, welcomed us in a +pantomimical dance. The invention was novel; animation and grace +attended their every movement. Before the dance was quite concluded +the principal actress, who represented a queen, stopped suddenly, +as if arrested by an invisible arm. Herself and those around her were +motionless. The music ceased. The assembly was silent. Not a breath +was to be heard, and the queen stood with her eyes fixed on the ground +in deep abstraction. On a sudden she started from her reverie with the +fury of one inspired, and looked wildly around her. “A king is among +us,” she exclaimed, taking her crown from her head, and laying it at the +feet of the prince. Every one present cast their eyes upon him, and +doubted for some time whether there was any meaning in this farce; so +much were they deceived by the impressive seriousness of the actress. +This silence was at length broken by a general clapping of hands, as a +mark of approbation. I looked at the prince. I noticed that he +appeared not a little disconcerted, and endeavored to escape the +inquisitive glances of the spectators. He threw money to the players, +and hastened to extricate himself from the crowd. + +We had advanced but a few steps when a venerable barefooted friar, +pressing through the crowd, placed himself in the prince’s path. “My +lord,” said he, “give the holy Virgin part of your gold. You will want +her prayers.” He uttered these words in a tone of voice which startled +us extremely, and then disappeared in the throng. + +In the meantime our company had increased. An English lord, whom the +prince had seen before at Nice, some merchants of Leghorn, a German +prebendary, a French abbe with some ladies, and a Russian officer, +attached themselves to our party. The physiognomy of the latter had +something so uncommon as to attract our particular attention. Never in +my life did I see such various features and so little expression; so +much attractive benevolence and such forbidding coldness in the same +face. Each passion seemed by turns to have exercised its ravages on it, +and to have successively abandoned it. Nothing remained but the calm, +piercing look of a person deeply skilled in the knowledge of mankind; +but it was a look that abashed every one on whom it was directed. This +extraordinary man followed us at a distance, and seemed apparently to +take but little interest in what was passing. + +We came to a booth where there was a lottery. The ladies bought shares. +We followed their example, and the prince himself purchased a ticket. +He won a snuffbox. As he opened it I saw him turn pale and start back. +It contained his lost key. + +“How is this?” said he to me, as we were left for a moment alone. +“A superior power attends me, omniscience surrounds me. An invisible +being, whom I cannot escape, watches over my steps. I must seek for the +Armenian, and obtain an explanation from him.” + +The sun was setting when we arrived at the pleasurehouse, where a supper +had been prepared for us. The prince’s name had augmented our company +to sixteen. Besides the above-mentioned persons there was a virtuoso +from Rome, several Swiss gentlemen, and an adventurer from Palermo in +regimentals, who gave himself out for a captain. We resolved to spend +the evening where we were, and to return home by torchlight. The +conversation at table was lively. The prince could not forbear relating +his adventure of the key, which excited general astonishment. A warm +dispute on the subject presently took place. Most of the company +positively maintained that the pretended occult sciences were nothing +better than juggling tricks. The French abbe, who had drank rather too +much wine, challenged the whole tribe of ghosts, the English lord +uttered blasphemies, and the musician made a cross to exorcise the +devil. Some few of the company, amongst whom was the prince, contended +that opinions respecting such matters ought to be kept to oneself. In +the meantime the Russian officer discoursed with the ladies, and did not +seem to pay attention to any part of conversation. In the heat of the +dispute no one observed that the Sicilian had left the room. In less +than half an hour he returned wrapped in a cloak, and placed himself +behind the chair of the Frenchman. “A few moments ago,” said he, “you +had the temerity to challenge the whole tribe of ghosts. Would you wish +to make a trial with one of them?” + +“I will,” answered the abbe, “if you will take upon yourself to +introduce one.” + +“That I am ready to do,” replied the Sicilian, turning to us, “as soon +as these ladies and gentlemen have left us.” + +“Why only then?” exclaimed the Englishman. “A courageous ghost will +surely not be afraid of a cheerful company.” + +“I would not answer for the consequences,” said the Sicilian. + +“For heaven’s sake, no!” cried the ladies, starting affrighted from +their chairs. + +“Call your ghost,” said the abbe, in a tone of defiance, “but warn him +beforehand that there are sharp-pointed weapons here.” At the same time +he asked one of the company for a sword. + +“If you preserve the same intention in his presence,” answered the +Sicilian, coolly, “you may then act as you please.” He then turned +towards the prince: “Your highness,” said he, “asserts that your key has +been in the hands of a stranger; can you conjecture in whose?” + +“No” + +“Have you no suspicion?” + +“It certainly occurred to me that”-- + +“Should you know the person if you saw him?” + +“Undoubtedly.” + +The Sicilian, throwing back his cloak, took out a looking-glass and held +it before the prince. “Is this the man?” + +The prince drew back with affright. + +“Whom have you seen?” I inquired. + +“The Armenian.” + +The Sicilian concealed his looking-glass under his cloak. + +“Is it the person whom you thought of?” demanded the whole company. + +“The same.” + +A sudden change manifested itself on every face; no more laughter was to +be heard. All eyes were fixed with curiosity on the Sicilian. + +“Monsieur l’Abbe! The matter grows serious,” said the Englishman. +“I advise you to think of beating a retreat.” + +“The fellow is in league with the devil,” exclaimed the Frenchman, and +rushed out of the house. The ladies ran shrieking from the room. The +virtuoso followed them. The German prebendary was snoring in a chair. +The Russian officer continued sitting in his place as before, perfectly +indifferent to what was passing. + +“Perhaps your attention was only to raise a laugh at the expense of that +boaster,” said the prince, after they were gone, “or would you indeed +fulfil your promise to us?” + +“It is true,” replied the Sicilian; “I was but jesting with the abbe. +I took him at his word, because I knew very well that the coward would +not suffer me to proceed to extremities. The matter itself is, however, +too serious to serve merely as a jest.” + +“You grant, then, that it is in your power?” + +The sorcerer maintained a long silence, and kept his look fixed steadily +on the prince, as if to examine him. + +“It is!” answered he at last. + +The prince’s curiosity was now raised to the highest pitch. A fondness +for the marvellous had ever been his prevailing weakness. His improved +understanding and a proper course of reading had for some time +dissipated every idea of this kind; but the appearance of the Armenian +had revived them. He stepped aside with the Sicilian, and I heard them +in very earnest conversation. + +“You see in me,” said the prince, “a man who burns with impatience to be +convinced on this momentous subject. I would embrace as a benefactor, +I would cherish as my best friend him who could dissipate my doubts +and remove the veil from my eyes. Would you render me this important +service?” + +“What is your request!” inquired the Sicilian, hesitating. + +“For the present I only beg some proof of your art. Let me see an +apparition.” + +“To what will this lead?” + +“After a more intimate acquaintance with me you may be able to judge +whether I deserve further instruction.” + +“I have the greatest esteem for your highness, gracious prince. A +secret power in your countenance, of which you yourself are as yet +ignorant, drew me at first sight irresistibly towards you. You are more +powerful than you are yourself aware. You may command me to the utmost +extent of my power, but--” + +“Then let me see an apparition.” + +“But I must first be certain that you do not require it from mere +curiosity. Though the invisible powers are in some degree at my +command, it is on the sacred condition that I do not abuse my +authority.” + +“My intentions are most pure. I want truth.” + +They left their places, and removed to a distant window, where I could +no longer hear them. The English lord, who had likewise overheard this +conversation, took me aside. “Your prince has a noble mind. I am sorry +for him. I will pledge my salvation that he has to do with a rascal.” + +“Everything depends on the manner in which the sorcerer will extricate +himself from this business.” + +“Listen to me. The poor devil is now pretending to be scrupulous. He +will not show his tricks unless he hears the sound of gold. There are +nine of us. Let us make a collection. That will spoil his scheme, and +perhaps open the eyes of the prince.” + +“I am content.” The Englishman threw six guineas upon a plate, and went +round gathering subscriptions. Each of us contributed some louis-d’ors. +The Russian officer was particularly pleased with our proposal; he laid +a bank-note of one hundred zechins on the plate, a piece of extravagance +which startled the Englishman. We brought the collection to the prince. +“Be so kind,” said the English lord, “as to entreat this gentleman in +our names to let us see a specimen of his art, and to accept of this +small token of our gratitude.” The prince added a ring of value, and +offered the whole to the Sicilian. He hesitated a few moments. +“Gentlemen,” answered he, “I am humbled by this generosity, but I yield +to your request. Your wishes shall be gratified.” At the same time he +rang the bell. “As for this money,” continued he, “to which I have no +right myself, permit me to send it to the next monastery to be applied +to pious uses. I shall only keep this ring as a precious memorial of +the worthiest of princes.” + +Here the landlord entered; and the Sicilian handed him over the money. +“He is a rascal notwithstanding,” whispered the Englishman to me. +“He refuses the money because at present his designs are chiefly on the +prince.” + +“Whom do you wish to see?” asked the sorcerer. + +The prince considered for a moment. “We may as well have a great man at +once,” said the Englishman. “Ask for Pope Ganganelli. It can make no +difference to this gentleman.” + +The Sicilian bit his lips. “I dare not call one of the Lord’s +anointed.” + +“That is a pity!” replied the English lord; “perhaps we might have +heard from him what disorder he died of.” + +“The Marquis de Lanoy,” began the prince, “was a French brigadier in the +late war, and my most intimate friend. Having received a mortal wound +in the battle of Hastinbeck, he was carried to my tent, where he soon +after died in my arms. In his last agony he made a sign for me to +approach. ‘Prince,’ said he to me, ‘I shall never again behold my +native land. I must, therefore, acquaint you with a secret known to +none but myself. In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives +a --------’ He expired. Death cut short the thread of his discourse. +I wish to see my friend to hear the remainder.” + +“You ask much,” exclaimed the Englishman, with an oath. “I proclaim you +the greatest sorcerer on earth if you can solve this problem,” continued +he, turning to the Sicilian. We admired the wise choice of the prince, +and unanimously gave our approval to the proposition. In the meantime +the sorcerer paced up and down the room with hasty steps, apparently +struggling with himself. + +“This was all that the dying marquis communicated to you?” + +“It is all.” + +“Did you make no further inquiries about the matter in his native +country?” + +“I did, but they all proved fruitless.” + +“Had the Marquis de Lanoy led an irreproachable life? I dare not call +up every shade indiscriminately.” + +“He died, repenting the excesses of his youth.” + +“Do you carry with you any token of his!” + +“I do.” (The prince had really a snuff-box with the marquis’ portrait +enamelled in miniature on the lid, which he had placed upon the table +near his plate during the time of supper.) + +“I do not want to know what it is. If you will leave me you shall see +the deceased.” + +He requested us to wait in the other pavilion until he should call us. +At the same time he caused all the furniture to be removed from the +room, the windows to be taken out, and the shutters to be bolted. He +ordered the innkeeper, with whom he appeared to be intimately connected, +to bring a vessel with burning coals, and carefully to extinguish every +fire in the house. Previous to our leaving the room he obliged us +separately to pledge our honor that we would maintain an everlasting +silence respecting everything we should see and hear. All the doors of +the pavilion we were in were bolted behind us when we left it. + +It was past eleven, and a dead silence reigned throughout the whole +house. As we were retiring from the saloon the Russian officer asked me +whether we had loaded pistols. “For what purpose?” asked I. “They may +possibly be of some use,” replied he. “Wait a moment. I will provide +some.” He went away. The Baron F------ and I opened a window opposite +the pavilion we had left. We fancied we heard two persons whispering +to each other, and a noise like that of a ladder applied to one of the +windows. This was, however, a mere conjecture, and I did not dare +affirm it as a fact. The Russian officer came back with a brace of +pistols, after having been absent about half an hour. We saw him load +them with powder and ball. It was almost two o’clock in the morning +when the sorcerer came and announced that all was prepared. Before we +entered the room he desired us to take off our shoes, and to appear in +our shirts, stockings, and under-garments. He bolted the doors after us +as before. + +We found in the middle of the room a large, black circle, drawn with +charcoal, the space within which was capable of containing us all very +easily. The planks of the chamber floor next to the wall were taken up +all round the room, so that we stood as it were upon an island. An +altar covered with black cloth was placed in the centre upon a carpet of +red satin. A Chaldee Bible was laid open, together with a skull; and a +silver crucifix was fastened upon the altar. Instead of candles some +spirits of wine were burning in a silver vessel. A thick smoke of +frankincense darkened the room and almost extinguished the lights. The +sorcerer was undressed like ourselves, but barefooted; about his bare +neck he wore an amulet, suspended by a chain of human hair; round his +middle was a white apron marked with cabalistic characters and +symbolical figures. + + [Amulet is a charm or preservative against mischief, witchcraft, or + diseases. Amulets were made of stone metal, simples, animals, and + everything which fancy or caprice suggested; and sometimes they + consisted of words, characters, and sentences ranged in a + particular order and engraved upon wood, and worn about the neck or + some other part of the body. At other times they were neither + written nor engraved, but prepared with many superstitious + ceremonies, great regard being usually paid to the influence of the + stars. The Arabians have given to this species of amulets the name + of talismans. All nations have been fond of amulets. The Jews + were extremely superstitious in the use of them to drive away + diseases; and even amongst the Christians of the early times + amulets were made of the wood of the cross or ribbons, with a text + of Scripture written on them, as preservatives against diseases.] + +He desired us to join hands and to observe profound silence; above all +he ordered us not to ask the apparition any question. He desired the +Englishman and myself, whom he seemed to distrust the most, constantly +to hold two naked swords crossways an inch above his head as long as the +conjuration should last. We formed a half-moon round him; the Russian +officer placed himself close to the English lord, and was the nearest to +the altar. The sorcerer stood upon the satin carpet with his face +turned to the east. He sprinkled holy water in the direction of the +four cardinal points of the compass, and bowed three times before the +Bible. The formula of the conjuration, of which we did not understand a +word, lasted for the space of seven or eight minutes, at the end of +which he made a sign to those who stood close behind to seize him firmly +by the hair. Amid the most violent convulsions he called the deceased +three times by his name, and the third time he stretched forth his hand +towards the crucifix. + +On a sudden we all felt at the same instant a stroke as of a flash of +lightning, so powerful that it obliged us to quit each other’s hands; a +terrible thunder shook the house; the locks jarred; the doors creaked; +the cover of the silver box fell down and extinguished the light; and on +the opposite wall over the chimney-piece appeared a human figure in a +bloody shirt, with the paleness of death on its countenance. + +“Who calls me?” said a hollow, hardly intelligible voice. + +“Thy friend,” answered the sorcerer, “who respects thy memory, and prays +for thy soul.” He named the prince. + +The answers of the apparition were always given at very long intervals. + +“What does he want with me?” continued the voice. + +“He wants to hear the remainder of the confession which then had begun +to impart to him in thy dying hour, but did not finish.” + +“In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives a -------” + +The house again trembled; a dreadful thunder rolled; a flash of +lightning illuminated the room; the doors flew open, and another human +figure, bloody and pale as the first, but more terrible, appeared on the +threshold. The spirit in the box began to burn again by itself, and the +hall was light as before. + +“Who is amongst us?” exclaimed the sorcerer, terrified, casting a look +of horror on the assemblage; “I did not want thee.” The figure advanced +with noiseless and majestic steps directly up to the altar, stood on the +satin Carpet over against us, and touched the crucifix. The first +apparition was seen no more. + +“Who calls me?” demanded the second apparition. + +“The sorcerer began to tremble. Terror and amazement kept us motionless +for some time. I seized a pistol. The sorcerer snatched it out of my +hand, and fired it at the apparition. The ball rolled slowly upon the +altar, and the figure emerged unaltered from the smoke. The Sorcerer +fell senseless on the ground. + +“What is this?” exclaimed the Englishman, in astonishment, aiming a +blow at the ghost with a sword. The figure touched his arm, and the +weapon fell to the ground. The perspiration stood on my brow with +horror. Baron ------ afterwards confessed to me that he had prayed +silently. + +During all this time the prince stood fearless and tranquil, his eyes +riveted on the second apparition. “Yes, I know thee,” said he at +length, with emotion; “thou art Lanoy; thou art my friend. Whence +comest thou?” + +“Eternity is mute. Ask me concerning my past life.” + +“Who is it that lives in the convent which thou mentionedst to me in thy +last moments?” + +“My daughter.” + +“How? Hast thou been a father?” + +“Woe is me that I was not.” + +“Art thou not happy, Lanoy?” + +“God has judged.” + +“Can I render thee any further service in this world?” + +“None but to think of thyself.” + +“How must I do that?” + +“Thou wilt learn at Rome.” + +The thunder again rolled; a black cloud of smoke filled the room; when +it had dispersed the figure was no longer visible. I forced open one of +the window shutters. It was daylight. + +The sorcerer now recovered from his swoon. “Where are we?” asked he, +seeing the daylight. + +The Russian officer stood close beside him, and looked over his +shoulder. “Juggler,” said he to him, with a terrible countenance, +“Thou shalt summon no more ghosts.” + +The Sicilian turned round, looked steadfastly in his face, uttered a +loud shriek, and threw himself at his feet. + +We looked all at once at the pretended Russian. The prince instantly +recognized the features of the Armenian, and the words he was about to +utter expired on his tongue. We were all as it were petrified with fear +and amazement. Silent and motionless, our eyes were fixed on this +mysterious being, who beheld us with a calm but penetrating look of +grandeur and superiority. A minute elapsed in this awful silence; +another succeeded; not a breath was to be heard. + +A violent battering against the door roused us at last from this stupor. +The door fell in pieces into the room, and several officers of justice, +with a guard, rushed in. “Here they are, all together,” said the leader +to his followers. Then addressing himself to us, “In the name of the +government,” continued he, “I arrest you.” We had no time to recollect +ourselves; in a few moments we were surrounded. The Russian officer, +whom I shall again call the Armenian, took the chief officer aside, and, +as far as I in my confusion could notice, I observed him whisper a few +words to the latter, and show him a written paper. The officer, bowing +respectfully, immediately quitted him, turned to us, and taking off his +hat, said “Gentlemen, I humbly beg your pardon for having confounded +you with this impostor. I shall not inquire who you are, as this +gentleman assures me you are men of honor.” At the same time he gave +his companions a sign to leave us at liberty. He ordered the Sicilian +to be bound and strictly guarded. “The fellow is ripe for punishment,” + added he; “we have been searching for him these seven months.” + +The wretched sorcerer was really an object of pity. The terror caused +by the second apparition, and by this unexpected arrest, had together +overpowered his senses. Helpless as a child, he suffered himself to be +bound without resistance. His eyes were wide open and immovable; his +face was pale as death; his lips quivered convulsively, but he was +unable to utter a sound. Every moment we expected he would fall into a +fit. The prince was moved by the situation in which he saw him. He +undertook to procure his discharge from the leader of the police, to +whom he discovered his rank. “Do you know, gracious prince,” said the +officer, “for whom your highness is so generously interceding? The +juggling tricks by which he endeavored to deceive you are the least of +his crimes. We have secured his accomplices; they depose terrible facts +against him. He may think himself fortunate if he is only punished with +the galleys.” + +In the meantime we saw the innkeeper and his family led bound through +the yard. “This man, too?” said the prince; “and what is his crime?” + +“He was his comrade and accomplice,” answered the officer. “He assisted +him in his deceptions and robberies, and shared the booty with him. +Your highness shall be convinced of it presently. Search the house,” + continued he, turning to his followers, “and bring me immediate notice +of what you find.” + +The prince looked around for the Armenian, but he had disappeared. In +the confusion occasioned by the arrival of the watch he had found means +to steal away unperceived. The prince was inconsolable; he declared he +would send all his servants, and would himself go in search of this +mysterious man; and he wished me to go with him. I hastened to the +window; the house was surrounded by a great number of idlers, whom the +account of this event had attracted to the spot. It was impossible to +get through the crowd. I represented this to the prince. “If,” said I, +“it is the Armenian’s intention to conceal himself from us, he is +doubtless better acquainted with the intricacies of the place than we, +and all our inquiries would prove fruitless. Let us rather remain here +a little longer, gracious prince,” added I. “This officer, to whom, if +I observed right, he discovered himself, may perhaps give us some +information respecting him.” + +We now for the first time recollected that we were still undressed. +We hastened to the other pavilion and put on our clothes as quickly +as possible. When we returned they had finished searching the house. + +On removing the altar and some of the boards of the floor a spacious +vault was discovered. It was high enough, for a man might sit upright +in it with ease, and was separated from the cellar by a door and a +narrow staircase. In this vault they found an electrical machine, a +clock, and a little silver bell, which, as well as the electrical +machine, was in communication with the altar and the crucifix that was +fastened upon it. A hole had been made in the window-shutter opposite +the chimney, which opened and shut with a slide. In this hole, as we +learnt afterwards, was fixed a magic lantern, from which the figure of +the ghost had been reflected on the opposite wall, over the chimney. +From the garret and the cellar they brought several drums, to which +large leaden bullets were fastened by strings; these had probably been +used to imitate the roaring of thunder which we had heard. + +On searching the Sicilian’s clothes they found, in a case, different +powders, genuine mercury in vials and boxes, phosphorus in a glass +bottle, and a ring, which we immediately knew to be magnetic, because it +adhered to a steel button that by accident had been placed near it. In +his coat-pockets were found a rosary, a Jew’s beard, a dagger, and a +brace of pocket-pistols. “Let us see whether they are loaded,” said one +of the watch, and fired up the chimney. + +“Jesus Maria!” cried a hollow voice, which we knew to be that of the +first apparition, and at the same instant a bleeding person came +tumbling down the chimney. “What! not yet laid, poor ghost!” cried the +Englishman, while we started back in affright. “Home to thy grave. +Thou hast appeared what thou wert not; now thou wilt become what thou +didst but seem.” + +“Jesus Maria! I am wounded,” repeated the man in the chimney. The ball +had fractured his right leg. Care was immediately taken to have the +wound dressed. + +“But who art thou?” said the English lord; “and what evil spirit +brought thee here?” + +“I am a poor mendicant friar,” answered the wounded man; “a strange +gentleman gave me a zechin to--” + +“Repeat a speech. And why didst thou not withdraw as soon as thy task +was finished?” + +I was waiting for a signal which we had agreed on to continue my speech; +but as this signal was not given, I was endeavoring to get away, when I +found the ladder had been removed. + +“And what was the formula he taught thee?” + +The wounded man fainted away; nothing more could be got from him. In +the meantime the prince turned towards the principal officer of the +watch, giving him at the same time some pieces of gold. “You have +rescued us,” said he, “from the hands of an impostor, and done us +justice without even knowing who we were; would you increase our +gratitude by telling us the name of the stranger who, by speaking +only a few words, was able to procure us our liberty.” + +“Whom do you mean?” inquired the party addressed, with an air which +plainly showed that the question was useless. + +“The gentleman in a Russian uniform, who took you aside, showed you a +written paper, and whispered a few words, in consequence of which you +immediately set us free.” + +“Do not you know the gentleman? Was he not one of your company?” + +“No,” answered the prince; “and I have very important reasons for +wishing to be more intimately acquainted with him.” + +“I know very little of him myself. Even his name is unknown to me, and +I saw him to-day for the first time in my life.” + +“How? And was he in so short a time, and by using only a few words, +able to convince you both of our innonocence and his own?” + +“Undoubtedly, with a single word.” + +“And this was? I confess I wish to know it.” + +“This stranger, my prince,” said the officer, weighing the zechins in +his band,--“you have been too generous for me to make a secret of it any +longer,--this stranger is an officer of the Inquisition.” + +“Of the Inquisition? This man?” + +“He is, indeed, gracious prince. I was convinced of it by the paper +which he showed to me.” + +“This man, did you say? That cannot be.” + +“I will tell your highness more. It was upon his information that I +have been sent here to arrest the sorcerer.” + +We looked at each other in the utmost astonishment. + +“Now we know,” said the English lord at length, “why the poor devil of a +sorcerer started in such a terror when he looked more closely into his +face. He knew him to be a spy, and that is why he uttered that shriek, +and fell down before him.” + +“No!” interrupted the prince. “This man is whatever he wishes to be, +and whatever the moment requires him to be. No mortal ever knew what he +really was. Did you not see the knees of the Sicilian sink under him, +when he said, with that terrible voice: ‘Thou shalt summon no more +ghosts?’ There is something inexplicable in this matter. No person can +persuade me that one man should be thus alarmed at the sight of +another.” + +“The sorcerer himself will probably explain it the best,” said the +English lord, “if that gentleman,” pointing to the officer, “will afford +us an opportunity of speaking with his prisoner.” + +The officer consented to it, and, having agreed with the Englishman to +visit the Sicilian in the morning, we returned to Venice. + + [The Count O-------, whose narrative I have thus far literally + copied, describes minutely the various effects of this adventure + upon the mind of the prince and of his companions, and recounts a + variety of tales of apparitions which this event gave occasion to + introduce. I shall omit giving them to the reader, on the + supposition that he is as curious as myself to know the conclusion + of the adventure, and its effect on the conduct of the prince. I + shall only add that the prince got no sleep the remainder of the + night, and that he waited with impatience for the moment which was + to disclose this incomprehensible mystery, Note of the German + Editor.] + +Lord Seymour (this was the name of the Englishman) called upon us very +early in the forenoon, and was soon after followed by a confidential +person whom the officer had entrusted with the care of conducting us to +the prison. + +I forgot to mention that one of the prince’s domestics, a native of +Bremen, who had served him many years with the strictest fidelity, and +had entirely gained his confidence, had been missing for several days. +Whether he had met with any accident, whether he had been kidnapped, +or had voluntarily absented himself, was a secret to every one. The +last supposition was extremely improbable, as his conduct had always +been quiet and regular, and nobody had ever found fault with him. All +that his companions could recollect was that he had been for some time +very melancholy, and that, whenever he had a moment’s leisure, he used +to visit a certain monastery in the Giudecca, where he had formed an +acquaintance with some monks. This induced us to suppose that he might +have fallen into the hands of the priests and had been persuaded to turn +Catholic; and as the prince was very tolerant, or rather indifferent +about matters of this kind, and the few inquiries he caused to be made +proved unsuccessful, he gave up the search. He, however, regretted the +loss of this man, who had constantly attended him in his campaigns, +had always been faithfully attached to him, and whom it was therefore +difficult to replace in a foreign country. The very same day the +prince’s banker, whom he had commissioned to provide him with another +servant, was announced at the moment we were going out. He presented to +the prince a middle-aged man, well-dressed, and of good appearance, who +had been for a long time secretary to a procurator, spoke French and a +little German, and was besides furnished with the best recommendations. +The prince was pleased with the man’s physiognomy; and as he declared +that he would be satisfied with such wages as his service should be +found to merit, the prince engaged him immediately. + +We found the Sicilian in a private prison where, as the officer assured +us, he had been lodged for the present, to accommodate the prince, +before being removed to the lead roofs, to which there is no access. +These lead roofs are the most terrible prisons in Venice. They are +situated on the top of the palace of St. Mark, and the miserable +criminals suffer so dreadfully from the heat of the leads occasioned by +the heat of the burning rays of the sun descending directly upon them +that they frequently become delirious. The Sicilian had recovered from +his yesterday’s terror, and rose respectfully on seeing the prince +enter. He had fetters on one hand and on one leg, but was able to walk +about the room at liberty. The sentinel at the door withdrew as soon as +we had entered. + +“I come,” said the prince, “to request an explanation of you on two +subjects. You owe me the one, and it shall not be to your disadvantage +if you grant me the other.” + +“My part is now acted,” replied the Sicilian, “my destiny is in your +hands.” + +“Your sincerity alone can mitigate your punishment. + +“Speak, honored prince, I am ready to answer you. I have nothing now to +lose.” + +“You showed me the face of the Armenian in a looking-glass. How was +this effected?” + +“What you saw was no looking-glass. A portrait in crayons behind a +glass, representing a man in an Armenian dress, deceived you. My +quickness, the twilight, and your astonishment favored the deception. +The picture itself must have been found among the other things seized at +the inn.” + +“But how could you read my thoughts so accurately as to hit upon the +Armenian?” + +“This was not difficult, your highness. You must frequently have +mentioned your adventure with the Armenian at table in the presence of +your domestics. One of my accomplices accidentally got acquainted with +one of your domestics in the Giudecca, and learned from him gradually as +much as I wished to know.” + +“Where is the man?” asked the prince; “I have missed him, and doubtless +you know of his desertion.” + +“I swear to your honor, sir, that I know not a syllable about it. I +have never seen him myself, nor had any other concern with him than the +one before mentioned.” + +“Proceed with your story,” said the prince. + +“By this means, also, I received the first information of your residence +and of your adventures at Venice; and I resolved immediately to profit +by them. You see, prince, I am sincere. I was apprised of your +intended excursion on the Brenta. I prepared for it, and a key that +dropped by chance from your pocket afforded me the first opportunity of +trying my art upon you.” + +“How! Have I been mistaken? The adventure of the key was then a trick +of yours, and not of the Armenian? You say this key fell from my +pocket?” + +“You accidentally dropped it in taking out your purse, and I seized an +opportunity, when no one noticed me, to cover it with my foot. The +person of whom you bought the lottery-ticket acted in concert with me. +He caused you to draw it from a box where there was no blank, and the +key had been in the snuff-box long before it came into your possession.” + +“I understand you. And the monk who stopped me in my way and addressed +me in a manner so solemn.” + +“Was the same who, as I hear, has been wounded in the chimney. He is +one of my accomplices, and under that disguise has rendered me many +important services.” + +“But what purpose was this intended to answer?” + +“To render you thoughtful; to inspire you with such a train of ideas as +should be favorable to the wonders I intended afterwards to show you.” + +“The pantomimical dance, which ended in a manner so extraordinary, was +at least none of your contrivance?” + +“I had taught the girl who represented the queen. Her performance was +the result of my instructions. I supposed your highness would be not a +little astonished to find yourself known in this place, and (I entreat +your pardon, prince) your adventure with the Armenian gave me reason to +hope that you were already disposed to reject natural interpretations, +and to attribute so marvellous an occurrence to supernatural agency.” + +“Indeed,” exclaimed the prince, at once angry and amazed, and casting +upon me a significant look; “indeed, I did not expect this.” + + [Neither did probably the greater number of my readers. The + circumstance of the crown deposited at the feet of the prince, in a + manner so solemn and unexpected, and the former prediction of the + Armenian, seem so naturally and obviously to aim at the same object + that at the first reading of these memoirs I immediately remembered + the deceitful speech of the witches in Macbeth:-- + + “Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! + All hail, Macbeth! that shall be king hereafter!” + + and probably the same thing has occurred to many of my readers. + + When a certain conviction has taken hold upon a man’s mind in a + solemn and extraordinary manner, it is sure to follow that all + subsequent ideas which are in any way capable of being associated + with this conviction should attach themselves to, and in some + degree seem to be consequent upon it. The Sicilian, who seems to + have had no other motive for his whole scheme than to astonish the + prince by showing him that his rank was discovered, played, without + being himself aware of it, the very game which most furthered the + view of the Armenian; but however much of its interest this + adventure will lose if I take away the higher motive which at first + seemed to influence these actions, I must by no means infringe upon + historical truth, but must relate the facts exactly as they + occurred.--Note of the German Editor.] + +“But,” continued he, after a long silence, “how did you produce the +figure which appeared on the wall over the chimney?” + +“By means of a magic lantern that was fixed in the opposite +window-shutter, in which you have undoubtedly observed an opening.” + +“But how did it happen that not one of us perceived the lantern?” asked +Lord Seymour. + +“You remember, my lord, that on your re-entering the room it was +darkened by a thick smoke of frankincense. I likewise took the +precaution to place the boards which had been taken up from the floor +upright against the wall near the window. By these means I prevented +the shutter from immediately attracting observation. Moreover, the +lantern remained covered by a slide until you had taken your places, and +there was no further reason to apprehend that you would institute any +examination of the saloon.” + +“As I looked out of the window in the other pavilion,” said I, +“I fancied I heard a noise like that of a person placing a ladder +against the side of the house. Was I right?” + +“Exactly; it was the ladder upon which my assistants stood to direct the +magic-lantern.” + +“The apparition,” continued the prince, “had really a superficial +likeness to my deceased friend, and what was particularly striking, his +hair, which was of a very light color, was exactly imitated. Was this +mere chance, or how did you come by such a resemblance?” + +“Your highness must recollect that you had at table a snuff-box by your +plate, with an enamelled portrait of an officer in a uniform. I asked +whether you had anything about you as a memento of your friend, and as +your highness answered in the affirmative, I conjectured that it might +be the box. I had attentively examined the picture during supper, and +being very expert in drawing and not less happy in taking likenesses, I +had no difficulty in giving to my shade the superficial resemblance you +have perceived, the more so as the marquis’ features are very marked.” + +“But the figure seemed to move?” + +“It appeared so, yet it was not the figure that moved but the smoke +on which the light was reflected.” + +“And the man who fell down in the chimney spoke for the apparition?” + +“He did.” + +“But he could not hear your question distinctly.” + +“There was no occasion for it. Your highness will recollect that I +cautioned you all very strictly not to propose any question to the +apparition yourselves. My inquiries and his answers were preconcerted +between us; and that no mistake might happen, I caused him to speak at +long intervals, which he counted by the beating of a watch.” + +“You ordered the innkeeper carefully to extinguish every fire in the +house with water; this was undoubtedly--” + +“To save the man in the chimney from the danger of being suffocated; +because the chimneys in the house communicate with each other, and I did +not think myself very secure from your retinue.” + +“How did it happen,” asked Lord Seymour, “that your ghost appeared +neither sooner nor later than you wished him?” + +“The ghost was in the room for some time before I called him, but while +the room was lighted, the shade was too faint to be perceived. When the +formula of the conjuration was finished, I caused the cover of the box, +in which the spirit was burning, to drop down, the saloon was darkened, +and it was not till then that the figure on the wall could be distinctly +seen, although it had been reflected there a considerable time before.” + +“When the ghost appeared, we all felt an electric shock. How was that +managed?” + +“You have discovered the machine under the altar. You have also seen +that I was standing upon a silk carpet. I directed you to form a +half-moon around me, and to take each other’s hands. When the crisis +approached, I gave a sign to one of you to seize me by the hair. The +silver crucifix was the conductor, and you felt the electric shock when +I touched it with my hand.” + +“You ordered Count O----- and myself,” continued Lord Seymour, “to hold +two naked swords crossways over your head, during the whole time of the +conjuration; for what purpose?” + +“For no other than to engage your attention during the operation; +because I distrusted you two the most. You remember, that I expressly +commanded you to hold the sword one inch above my head; by confining you +exactly to this distance, I prevented you from looking where I did not +wish you. I had not then perceived my principal enemy.” + +“I own,” cried Lord Seymour, “you acted with due precaution--but why +were we obliged to appear undressed?” + +“Merely to give a greater solemnity to the scene, and to excite your +imaginations by the strangeness of the proceeding.” + +“The second apparition prevented your ghost from speaking,” said the +prince. “What should we have learnt from him?” + +“Nearly the same as what you heard afterwards. It was not without +design that I asked your highness whether you had told me everything +that the deceased communicated to you, and whether you had made any +further inquiries on this subject in his country. I thought this was +necessary, in order to prevent the deposition of the ghost from being +contradicted by facts with which you were previously acquainted. +Knowing likewise that every man in his youth is liable to error, +I inquired whether the life of your friend had been irreproachable, +and on your answer I founded that of the ghost.” + +“Your explanation of this matter is satisfactory,” resumed the prince, +after a short silence; “but there remains a principal circumstance which +I must ask you to clear up.” + +“If it be in my power, and--” + +“No conditions! Justice, in whose hands you now are, might perhaps not +interrogate you with so much delicacy. Who was this unknown at whose +feet we saw you fall? What do you know of him? How did you get +acquainted with him? And in what way was he connected with the +appearance of the second apparition? + +“Your highness”-- + +“On looking at him more attentively, you gave a loud scream, and fell at +his feet. What are we to understand by that?” + +“This man, your highness”--He stopped, grew visibly perplexed, and with +an embarrassed countenance looked around him. “Yes, prince, by all that +is sacred, this unknown is a terrible being.” + +“What do you know of him? What connection have you with him? Do not +hope to conceal the truth from us.” + +“I shall take care not to do so,--for who will warrant that he is not +among us at this very moment?” + +“Where? Who?” exclaimed we altogether, half-amused, half-startled, +looking about the room. “That is impossible.” + +“Oh! to this man, or whatever he may be, things still more +incomprehensible are possible.” + +“But who is he? Whence comes he? Is he an Armenian or a Russian? Of +the characters be assumes, which is his real one?” + +“He is nothing of what he appears to be. There are few conditions or +countries of which he has not worn the mask. No person knows who he is, +whence he comes, or whither he goes. That he has been for a long time +in Egypt, as many pretend, and that he has brought from thence, out of a +catacomb, his, occult sciences, I will neither affirm nor deny. Here we +only know him by the name of the Incomprehensible. How old, for +instance, do you suppose he is?” + +“To judge from his appearance he can scarcely have passed forty.” + +“And of what age do you suppose I am?” + +“Not far from fifty.” + +“Quite right; and I must tell you that I was but a boy of seventeen when +my grandfather spoke to me of this marvellous man whom he had seen at +Famagusta; at which time he appeared nearly of the same age as he does +at present.” + +“This is exaggerated, ridiculous, and incredible.” + +“By no means. Were I not prevented by these fetters I could produce +vouchers whose dignity and respectability should leave you no room for +doubt. There are several credible persons who remember having seen him, +each, at the same time, in different parts of the globe. No sword can +wound, no poison can hurt, no fire can burn him; no vessel in which he +embarks can be wrecked. Time itself seems to lose its power over him. +Years do not affect his constitution, nor age whiten his hair. Never +was he seen to take any food. Never did he approach a woman. No sleep +closes his eyes. Of the twenty-four hours in the day there is only one +which he cannot command; during which no person ever saw him, and during +which he never was employed in any terrestrial occupation.” + +“And this hour is?” + +“The twelfth in the night. When the clock strikes twelve at midnight +he ceases to belong to the living. In whatever place he is he must +immediately be gone; whatever business he is engaged in he must +instantly leave it. The terrible sound of the hour of midnight tears +him from the arms of friendship, wrests him from the altar, and would +drag him away even in the agonies of death. Whither he then goes, or +what he is then engaged in, is a secret to every one. No person +ventures to interrogate, still less to follow him. His features, at +this dread ful hour, assume a sternness of expression so gloomy and +terrifying that no person has courage sufficient to look him in the +face, or to speak a word to him. However lively the conversation may +have been, a dead silence immediately succeeds it, and all around wait +for his return in respectful silence without venturing to quit their +seats, or to open the door through which he has passed.” + +“Does nothing extraordinary appear in his person when he returns?” + inquired one of our party. + +“Nothing, except that he seems pale and exhausted, like a man who has +just suffered a painful operation, or received some disastrous +intelligence. Some pretend to have seen drops of blood on his linen, +but with what degree of veracity I cannot affirm.” + +“Did no person ever attempt to conceal the approach of this hour from +him, or endeavor to preoccupy his mind in such a manner as to make him +forget it?” + +“Once only, it is said, he missed the appointed time. The company was +numerous and remained together late in the night. All the clocks and +watches were purposely set wrong, and the warmth of conversation carried +him away. When the stated hour arrived he suddenly became silent and +motionless; his limbs continued in the position in which this instant +had arrested them; his eyes were fixed; his pulse ceased to beat. All +the means employed to awake him proved fruitless, and this situation +endured till the hour had elapsed. He then revived on a sudden without +any assistance, opened his eyes, and resumed his speech at the very +syllable which he was pronouncing at the moment of interruption. The +general consternation discovered to him what had happened, and he +declared, with an awful solemnity, that they ought to think themselves +happy in having escaped with the fright alone. The same night he +quitted forever the city where this circumstance had occurred. The +common opinion is that during this mysterious hour he converses with his +genius. Some even suppose him to be one of the departed who is allowed +to pass twenty-three hours of the day among the living, and that in the +twenty-fourth his soul is obliged to return to the infernal regions to +suffer its punishment. Some believe him to be the famous Apollonius of +Tyana; and others the disciple of John, of whom it is said, ‘He shall +remain until the last judgment.’” + +“A character so wonderful,” replied the prince, “cannot fail to give +rise to whimsical conjectures. But all this you profess to know only by +hearsay, and yet his behavior to you and yours to him, seemed to +indicate a more intimate acquaintance. Is it not founded upon some +particular event in which you have yourself been concerned? Conceal +nothing from us.” + +The Sicilian looked at us doubtingly and remained silent. + +“If it concerns something,” continued the prince, “that you do not wish +to be made known, I promise you, in the name of these two gentlemen, the +most inviolable secrecy. But speak candidly and without reserve.” + +“Could I hope,” answered the prisoner, after a long silence, “that you +would not make use of what I am going to relate as evidence against me, +I would tell you a remarkable adventure of this Armenian, of which I +myself was witness, and which will leave you no doubt of his +supernatural powers. But I beg leave to conceal some of the names.” + +“Cannot you do it without this condition?” + +“No, your highness. There is a family concerned in it whom I have +reason to respect.” + +“Let us hear your story.” + +“It is about five years ago,” began the Sicilian, “that at Naples, where +I was practising my art with tolerable success, I became acquainted with +a person of the name of Lorenzo del M-------, chevalier of the Order of +St. Stephen, a young and rich nobleman, of one of the first families in +the kingdom, who loaded me with kindnesses, and seemed to have a great +esteem for my occult knowledge. He told me that the Marquis del M--nte, +his father, was a zealous admirer of the cabala, and would think himself +happy in having a philosopher like myself (for such he was pleased to +call me) under his roof. The marquis lived in one of his country seats +on the sea-shore, about seven miles from Naples. There, almost entirely +secluded from the world, he bewailed, the loss of a beloved son, of whom +he had been deprived by a terrible calamity. The chevalier gave me to +understand that he and his family might perhaps have occasion to employ +me on a matter of the most grave importance, in the hope of gaining +through my secret science some information, to procure which all natural +means had been tried in vain. He added, with a very significant look, +that he himself might, perhaps at some future period, have reason to +look upon me as the restorer of his tranquillity, and of all his earthly +happiness. The affair was as follows:-- + +“This Lorenzo was the younger son of the marquis, and for that reason +had been destined for the church; the family estates were to descend to +the eldest. Jeronymo, which was the name of the latter, had spent many +years on his travels, and had returned to his country about seven years +prior to the event which I am about to relate, in order to celebrate his +marriage with the only daughter of the neighboring Count C----tti. This +marriage had been determined on by the parents during the infancy of the +children, in order to unite the large fortunes of the two houses. But +though this agreement was made by the two families, without consulting +the hearts of the parties concerned, the latter had mutually pledged +their faith to each other in secret. Jeronymo del M------ and Antonia +C----- had been brought up together, and the little restraint imposed on +two children, whom their parents were already accustomed to regard as +destined for each other, soon produced between them a connection of the +tenderest kind; the congeniality of their tempers cemented this +intimacy; and in later years it ripened insensibly into love. An +absence of four years, far from cooling this passion, had only served to +inflame it; and Jeronymo returned to the arms of his intended bride as +faithful and as ardent as if they had never been separated. + +“The raptures occasioned by his return had not yet subsided, and the +preparations for the happy day were advancing with the utmost zeal and +activity, when the bridegroom disappeared. He used frequently to pass +whole afternoons in a summer-house which commanded a prospect of the +sea, and was accustomed to take the diversion of sailing on the water. +One day, on an evening spent in this manner, it was observed that he +remained absent a much longer time than usual, and his friends began to +be very uneasy on his account. Messengers were despatched after him, +vessels were sent to sea in quest of him; no person had seen him. None +of his servants were missed; he must, therefore, have gone alone. Night +came on, and he did not appear. The next morning dawned; the day +passed, the evening succeeded--, Jeronymo came not. Already they had +begun to give themselves up to the most melancholy conjectures when the +news arrived that an Algerine pirate had landed the preceeding day on +that coast, and carried off several of the inhabitants. Two galleys +which were ready for sea were immediately manned; the old marquis +himself embarked in one of them, to attempt the deliverance of his son +at the peril of his own life. On the third morning they perceived the +corsair. They had the advantage of the wind; they were just about to +overtake the pirate, and had even approached so near that Lorenzo, who +was in one of the galleys, fancied that he saw upon the deck of the +adversary’s ship a signal made by his brother, when a sudden storm +separated the vessels. Hardly could the damaged galleys sustain the +fury of the tempest. The pirate in the meantime had disappeared, and +the distressed state of the other vessels obliged them to land at Malta. +The affliction of the family knew no bounds. The distracted old marquis +tore his gray hairs in the utmost violence of grief; and fears were +entertained for the life of the young countess. Five years were +consumed in fruitless inquiries. Diligent search was made along all the +coast of Barbary; immense sums were offered for the ransom of the poor +marquis, but no person came forward to claim them. The only probable +conjecture which remained for the family to form was, that the same +storm which had separated the galleys from the pirate had destroyed the +latter, and that the whole ship’s company had perished in the waves. + +“But, however this supposition might be, it did not by any means amount +to a certainty, and could not authorize the family altogether to +renounce the hope that the lost Jeronymo might again appear. In case, +however, that he was really dead, either the family must become extinct, +or the younger son must relinquish the church, and assume the rights of +the elder. As justice, on the one hand, seemed to oppose the latter +measure, so, on the other hand, the necessity of preserving the family +from annihilation required that the scruple should not be carried too +far. In the meantime through grief and the infirmities of age, the old +marquis was fast sinking to his grave; every unsuccessful attempt +diminished the hope of finding his lost son; he saw the danger of his +family’s becoming extinct, which might be obviated by a trifling +injustice on his part, in consenting to favor his younger son at the +expense of the elder. The consummation of his alliance with the house +of Count C---tti required only that a name should be changed, for the +object of the two families was equally accomplished, whether Antonia +became the wife of Lorenzo or of Jeronymo. The faint probability of the +latter’s appearing again weighed but little against the certain and +pressing danger of the total extinction of the family, and the old +marquis, who felt the approach of death every day more and more, +ardently wished at least to die free from this inquietude. + +“Lorenzo, however, who was to be principally benefited by this measure, +opposed it with the greatest obstinacy. Alike unmoved by the +allurements of an immense fortune, and the attractions of the beautiful +and accomplished being whom his family were about to deliver into his +arms, he refused, on principles the most generous and conscientious, to +invade the rights of a brother, who perhaps was still alive, and might +some day return to claim his own. ‘Is not the lot of my dear Jeronymo,’ +said he, ‘made sufficiently miserable by the horrors of a long +captivity, that I should yet add bitterness to his cup of grief by +stealing from him all that he holds most dear? With what conscience +could I supplicate heaven for his return when his wife is in my arms? +With what countenance could I hasten to meet him should he at last be +restored to us by some miracle? And even supposing that he is torn +from us forever, how can we better honor his memory than by keeping +constantly open the chasm which his death has caused in our circle? Can +we better show our respect to him than by sacrificing our dearest hopes +upon his tomb, and keeping untouched, as a sacred deposit, what was +peculiarly his own?’ + +“But all the arguments which fraternal delicacy could adduce were +insufficient to reconcile the old marquis to the idea of being obliged +to witness the extinction of a pedigree which nine centuries had beheld +flourishing. All that Lorenzo could obtain was a respite of two years +before leading the affianced bride of his brother to the altar. During +this period they continued their inquiries with the utmost diligence. +Lorenzo himself made several voyages, and exposed his person to many +dangers. No trouble, no expense was spared to recover the lost +Jeronymo. These two years, however, like those which preceded them, +were in vain?” + +“And the Countess Antonia?” said the prince, “You tell us nothing of +her. Could she so calmly submit to her fate? I cannot suppose it.” + +“Antonia,” answered the Sicilian, “experienced the most violent struggle +between duty and inclination, between hate and admiration. The +disinterested generosity of a brother’s love affected her; she felt +herself forced to esteem a person whom she could never love. Her heart +was torn by conflicting sentiments. But her repugnance to the chevalier +seemed to increase in the same degree as his claims upon her esteem +augmented. Lorenzo perceived with heartfelt sorrow the grief that +consumed her youth. A tender compassion insensibly assumed the place of +that indifference with which, till then, he had been accustomed to +regard her; but this treacherous sentiment quickly deceived him, and an +ungovernable passion began by degrees to shake the steadiness of his +virtue--a virtue which, till then, had been unequalled. + +“He, however, still obeyed the dictates of generosity, though at the +expense of his love. By his efforts alone was the unfortunate victim +protected against the arbitrary proceedings of the rest of the family. +But his endeavors were ineffectual. Every victory he gained over his +passion rendered him more worthy of Antonia; and the disinterestedness +with which he refused her left her no excuse for resistance. + +“This was the state of affairs when the chevalier engaged me to visit +him at his father’s villa. The earnest recommendation of my patron +procured me a reception which exceeded my most sanguine hopes. I must +not forget to mention that by some remarkable operations I had +previously rendered my name famous in different lodges of Freemasons, +which circumstance may, perhaps, have contributed to strengthen the old +marquis’ confidence in me, and to heighten his expectations. I beg you +will excuse me from describing particularly the lengths I went with him, +and the means which I employed; you may judge of them from what I have +already confessed to you. Profiting by the mystic books which I found +in his very extensive library, I was soon able to converse with him in +his own language, and to adorn my system of the invisible world with the +most extraordinary inventions. In a short time I could make him believe +whatever I pleased, and he would have sworn as readily as upon an +article in the canon. Moreover, as he was very devout, and was by nature +somewhat credulous, my fables received credence the more readily, and in +a short time I had so completely surrounded and hemmed him in with +mystery that he cared for nothing that was not supernatural. In short I +became the patron saint of the house. The usual subject of my lectures +was the exaltation of human nature, and the intercourse of men with +superior beings; the infallible Count Gabalis was my oracle. + + [A mystical work of that title, written in French in 1670 by the + Abbe do Villars, and translated into English in 1600. Pope is said + to have borrowed from it the machinery of his Rape of the Lock.-H. + G. B.] + +“The young countess, whose mind since the loss of her lover had been more +occupied in the world of spirits than in that of nature, and who had, +moreover, a strong shade of melancholy in her composition, caught my +hints with a fearful satisfaction. Even the servants contrived to have +some business in the room when I was speaking, and seizing now and then +one of my expressions, joined the fragments together in their own way. + +“Two months were passed in this manner at the marquis’ villa, when the +chevalier one morning entered my apartment. A deep sorrow was painted +on his countenance, his features were convulsed, he threw himself into a +chair, with gestures of despair. + +“‘Captain,’ said he, ‘it is all over with me, I must begone; I can +remain here no longer.’ + +“‘What is the matter, chevalier? What ails you?’ + +“‘Oh! this fatal passion!’ said he, starting frantically from his chair. +‘I have combated it like a man; I can resist it no longer.’ + +“‘And whose fault is it but yours, my dear chevalier? Are they not all +in your favor? Your father, your relations.’ + +“‘My father, my relations! What are they to me? I want not a forced +union, but one of inclination, Have not I a rival? Alas! and what a +rival! Perhaps among the dead! Oh! let me go! Let me go to the end +of the world,--I must find my brother.’ + +“‘What! after so many unsuccessful attempts can you still cherish hope?’ + +“‘Hope!’ replied the chevalier; ‘alas! no. It has long since vanished +from my heart, but it has not from hers. Of what consequence are my +sentiments? Can I be happy while there remains a gleam of hope in +Antonia’s heart? Two words, my friend, would end my torments. But it +is in vain. My destiny must continue to be miserable till eternity +shall break its long silence, and the grave shall speak in my behalf.’ + +“‘Is it then a state of certainty that would render you happy?’ + +“‘Happy! Alas! I doubt whether I can ever again be happy. But +uncertainty is of all others the most dreadful pain.’ + +“After a short interval of silence he suppressed his emotion, and +continued mournfully, ‘If he could but see my torments! Surely a +constancy which renders his brother miserable cannot add to his +happiness. Can it be just that the living should suffer so much for the +sake of the dead, who can no longer enjoy earthly felicity? If he knew +the pangs I suffer,’ continued he, hiding his face on my shoulder, while +the tears streamed from his eyes, ‘yes, perhaps he himself would +conduct her to my arms.’ + +“‘But is there no possibility of gratifying your wishes?’ + +“He started. ‘What do you say, my friend?’ + +“‘Less important occasions than the present,’ said I, ‘have disturbed +the repose of the dead for the sake of the living. Is not the whole +earthly happiness of a man, of a brother--’ + +“‘The whole earthly happiness! Ah, my friend, I feel what you say is +but too true; my entire felicity.’ + +“‘And the tranquillity of a distressed family, are not these sufficient +to justify such a measure? Undoubtedly. If any sublunary concern can +authorize us to interrupt the peace of the blessed, to make use of a +power--’ + +“‘For God’s sake, my friend,’ said he, interrupting me, no more of this. +Once, I avow it, I had such a thought; I think I mentioned it to you; +but I have long since rejected it as horrid and abominable.’ + +“You will have conjectured already,” continued the Sicilian, “to what +this conversation led us. I endeavored to overcome the scruples of the +chevalier, and at last succeeded. We resolved to summon the spirit of +the deceased Jeronymo. I only stipulated for the delay of a fortnight, +in order, as I pretended, to prepare myself in a suitable manner for so +solemn an act. The time being expired, and my machinery in readiness, +I took advantage of a very gloomy day, when we were all assembled as +usual, to obtain the consent of the family, or rather, gradually to lead +them to the subject, so that they themselves requested it of me. The +most difficult part of the task was to obtain the approbation of +Antonia, whose presence was most essential. My endeavors were, however, +greatly assisted by the melancholy turn of her mind, and perhaps still +more so by a faint hope that Jeronymo might still be living, and +therefore would not appear. A want of confidence in the thing itself, +or a doubt of my ability, was the only obstacle which I had not to +contend with. + +“Having obtained the consent of the family, the third day was fixed on +for the operation. I prepared them for the solemn transaction by +mystical instruction, by fasting, solitude, and prayers, which I ordered +to be continued till late in the night. Much use was also made of a +certain musical instrument, unknown till that time, and which, in such +cases, has often been found very powerful. The effect of these +artifices was so much beyond my expectation that the enthusiasm to which +on this occasion I was obliged to force myself was infinitely heightened +by that of my audience. The anxiously-expected hour at last arrived.” + +“I guess,” said the prince, “whom you are now going to introduce. But +go on, go on.” + +“No, your highness. The incantation succeeded according to my wishes.” + +“How? Where is the Armenian?” + +“Do not fear, your highness. He will appear but too soon. I omit the +description of the farce itself, as it would lead me to too great a +length. Be it sufficient to say that it answered my utmost +expectations. The old marquis, the young countess, her mother, Lorenzo, +and a few others of the family, were present. You may imagine that +during my long residence in this house I had not wanted opportunities of +gathering information respecting everything that concerned the deceased. +Several portraits of him enabled me to give the apparition the most +striking likeness, and as I suffered the ghost to speak only by signs, +the sound of his voice could excite no suspicion. + +“The departed Jeronymo appeared--in the dress of a Moorish slave, with a +deep wound in his neck. You observe that in this respect I was +counteracting the general supposition that he had perished in the waves, +for I had reason to hope that the unexpectedness of this circumstance +would heighten their belief in the apparition itself, while, on the +other hand, nothing appeared to me more dangerous than to keep too +strictly to what was natural.” + +“I think you judged rightly,” said the prince. “In whatever respects +apparitions the most probable is the least acceptable. If their +communications are easily comprehended we undervalue the channel by +which they are obtained. Nay, we even suspect the reality of the +miracle if the discoveries which it brings to light are such as might +easily have been imagined. Why should we disturb the repose of a spirit +if it is to inform us of nothing more than the ordinary powers of the +intellect are capable of teaching us? But, on the other hand, if the +intelligence which we receive is extraordinary and unexpected it +confirms in some degree the miracle by which it is obtained; for who can +doubt an operation to be supernatural when its effect could not be +produced by natural means? I interrupt you,” added the prince. +“Proceed in your narrative.” + +“I asked the ghost whether there was anything in this world which he +still considered as his own,” continued the Sicilian, “and whether he +had left anything behind that was particularly dear to him? The ghost +shook his head three times, and lifted up his hand towards heaven. +Previous to his retiring he dropped a ring from his finger, which was +found on the floor after he had disappeared. Antonia took it, and, +looking at it attentively, she knew it to be the ring she had given her +intended husband on their betrothal.” + +“The ring!” exclaimed the prince, surprised. “How did you get it?” + +“Who? I? It was not the true one, your highness; I got it. It was only +a counterfeit.” + +“A counterfeit!” repeated the prince. “But in order to counterfeit you +required the true one. How did you come by it? Surely the deceased +never went without it.” + +“That is true,” replied the Sicilian, with symptoms of confusion. “But +from a description which was given me of the genuine ring--” + +“A description which was given you! By whom?” + +“Long before that time. It was a plain gold ring, and had, I believe, +the name of the young countess engraved on it. But you made me lose the +connection.” + +“What happened further?” said the prince, with a very dissatisfied +countenance. + +“The family felt convinced that Jeronymo was no more. From that day +forward they publicly announced his death, and went into mourning. The +circumstance of the ring left no doubt, even in the mind of Antonia, and +added a considerable weight to the addresses of the chevalier. + +“In the meantime the violent shock which the young countess had received +from the sight of the apparition brought on her a disorder so dangerous +that the hopes of Lorenzo were very near being destroyed forever. On +her recovery she insisted upon taking the veil; and it was only at the +most serious remonstrances of her confessor, in whom she placed implicit +confidence, that she was induced to abandon her project. At length the +united solicitations of the family, and of the confessor, forced from +her a reluctant consent. The last day of mourning was fixed on for the +day of marriage, and the old marquis determined to add to the solemnity +of the occasion by making over all his estates to his lawful heir. + +“The day arrived, and Lorenzo received his trembling bride at the altar. +In the evening a splendid banquet was prepared for the cheerful guests +in a hall superbly illuminated, and the most lively and delightful music +contributed to increase the general gladness. The happy old marquis +wished all the world to participate in his joy. All the entrances of +the palace were thrown open, and every one who sympathized in his +happiness was joyfully welcomed. In the midst of the throng--” + +The Sicilian paused. A trembling expectation suspended our breath. + +“In-the midst of the throng,” continued the prisoner, “appeared a +Franciscan monk, to whom my attention was directed by the person who sat +next to me at table. He was standing motionless like a marble pillar. +His shape was tall and thin; his face pale and ghastly; his eyes were +fixed with a grave and mournful expression on the new-married couple. +The joy which beamed on the face of every one present appeared not on +his. His countenance never once varied. He seemed like a statue among +the living. Such an object, appearing amidst the general joy, struck me +more forcibly from its contrast with everything around. It left on my +mind so indelible an impression that from it alone I have been enabled +(which would otherwise have been impossible) to recollect the features +of the Franciscan monk in the Russian officer; for, without doubt, you +must have already conceived that the person I have described was no +other than your Armenian. + +“I frequently attempted to withdraw my eyes from this terrible figure, +but they wandered back involuntarily, and found his countenance +unaltered. I pointed him out to the person who sat nearest to me on the +other side, and he did the same to the person next to him. In a few +minutes a general curiosity and astonishment pervaded the whole company. +The conversation languished; a general silence succeeded; the monk did +not heed it. He continued motionless as before; his grave and mournful +looks constantly fixed upon the new-married couple; his appearance +struck every one with terror. The young countess alone, who found the +transcript of her own sorrow in the fact of the stranger, beheld with +a melancholy satisfaction the only object that seemed to understand and +sympathize in her sufferings. The crowd insensibly diminished. It was +past midnight; the music became fainter and more languid; the tapers +grew dim, and many of them went out. The conversation, declining by +degrees, lost itself at last in secret murmurs, and the faintly +illuminated hall was nearly deserted. The monk, in the meantime, +continued motionless, with the same grave and mournful look still fixed +on the new-married couple. The company at length rose from the table; +the guests dispersed; the family assembled in a separate group, and the +monk, though uninvited, continued near them. How it happened that no +person spoke to him I cannot conceive. + +“The female friends now surrounded the trembling bride, who cast a +supplicating and distressed look on the venerable stranger; he did not +answer it. The gentlemen assembled in the same manner around the +bridegroom. A solemn and anxious silence prevailed among them. ‘That +we should be so happy here together,’ began at length the old marquis, +who alone seemed not to behold the stranger, or at least seemed to +behold him without dismay. ‘That we should be so happy here together, +and my son Jeronymo cannot be with us!’ + +“‘Have you invited him, and has he failed to come?’ asked the monk. +It was the first time he had spoken. We looked at him in alarm. + +“‘Alas! he is gone to a place from whence there is no return,’ answered +the old man. ‘Reverend father I you misunderstood me. My son Jeronymo +is dead.’ + +“‘Perhaps he only fears to appear in this company,’ replied the monk. +‘Who knows how your son Jeronymo may be situated? Let him now hear the +voice which he heard the last. Desire your son Lorenzo to call him.’ + +“‘What means he?’ whispered the company to one another. Lorenzo changed +color. I will not deny that my own hair began to stand on end. + +“In the meantime the monk approached a sideboard; he took a glass of +wine and carried to his lips. ‘To the memory of our dear Jeronymo!’ +said he. ‘Let every one who loved the deceased follow my example.’ + +“‘Be you who you may, reverend father!’ exclaimed the old marquis, ‘you +have pronounced a name dear to us all, and you are heartily welcome +here;’ then turning to us, he offered us full glasses. ‘Come, my +friends!’ continued he, ‘let us not be surpassed by a stranger. The +memory of my son Jeronymo! + +“Never, I believe, was any toast less heartily received. + +“‘There is one glass still unemptied,” said the marquis. ‘Why does my +son Lorenzo refuse to drink this friendly toast?’ + +“Lorenzo, trembling, received the glass from the hands of the monk; +tremblingly he put it to his lips. ‘To my dearly-beloved brother +Jeronymo!’ he stammered out, and replaced the glass with a shudder. + +“‘That was my murderer’s voice!’ exclaimed a terrible figure, which +appeared suddenly in the midst of us, covered with blood, and disfigured +with horrible wounds. + +“Do not ask me the rest,” added the Sicilian, with every symptom of +horror in his countenance. “I lost my senses the moment I looked at +this apparition. The same happened to every one present. When we +recovered the monk and the ghost had disappeared; Lorenzo was writhing +in the agonies of death. He was carried to bed in the most dreadful +convulsions. No person attended him but his confessor and the sorrowful +old marquis, in whose presence he expired. The marquis died a few weeks +after him. Lorenzo’s secret is locked in the bosom of the priest who +received his last confession; no person ever learnt what it was. + +“Soon after this event a well was cleaned in the farmyard of the +marquis’ villa. It had been disused for many years, and was almost +closed up by shrubs and old trees. On digging among the rubbish a human +skeleton was found. The house where this happened is now no more; the +family del M-----nte is extinct, and Antonia’s tomb may be seen in a +convent not far from Salerno. + +“You see,” continued the Sicilian, seeing us all stand silent and +thoughtful, “you see how my acquaintance with this Russian officer, +Armenian, or Franciscan friar originated. Judge now whether I had not +good cause to tremble at the sight of a being who has twice placed +himself in my way in a manner so terrible.” + +“I beg you will answer me one question more,” said the prince, rising +from his seat. “Have you been always sincere in your account of +everything relating to the chevalier?” + +“To the best of my knowledge I have,” replied the Sicilian. + +“You really believed him to be an honest man?” + +“I did; by heaven! I did,” answered he again. + +“Even at the tine he gave you the ring?” + +“How! He gave me no ring. I did not say that he gave me the ring.” + +“Very well!” said the prince, pulling the bell, and preparing to +depart. “And you believe” (going back to the prisoner) “that the ghost +of the Marquis de Lanoy, which the Russian officer introduced after your +apparition, was a true and real ghost?” + +“I cannot think otherwise.” + +“Let us go!” said the prince, addressing himself to us. The gaoler came +in. “We have done,” said the prince to him. “You, sir,” turning to the +prisoner, “you shall hear further from me.” + +“I am tempted to ask your highness the last question you proposed to the +sorcerer,” said I to the prince, when we were alone. “Do you believe +the second ghost to have been a real and true one?” + +“I believe it! No, not now, most assuredly.” + +“Not now? Then you did once believe it?” + +“I confess I was tempted for a moment to believe it something more than +the contrivance of a juggler.” + +“And I could wish to see the man who under similar circumstances would +not have had the same impression. But what reasons have you for +retracting your opinion? What the prisoner has related of the Armenian +ought to increase rather than diminish your belief in his super natural +powers.” + +“What this wretch has related of him,” said the prince, interrupting me +very gravely. “I hope,” continued he, “you have now no doubt but that +we have had to do with a villain.” + +“No; but must his evidence on that account--” + +“The evidence of a villain, even supposing I had no other reason for +doubt, can have no weight against common sense and established truth. +Does a man who has already deceived me several times, and whose trade it +is to deceive, does he deserve to be heard in a cause in which the +unsupported testimony of even the most sincere adherent to truth could +not be received? Ought we to believe a man who perhaps never once spoke +truth for its own sake? Does such a man deserve credit, when he appears +as evidence against human reason and the eternal laws of nature? Would +it not be as absurd as to admit the accusation of a person notoriously +infamous against unblemished and irreproachable innocence?” + +“But what motives could he have for giving so great a character to a man +whom he has so many reasons to hate?” + +“I am not to conclude that he can have no motives for doing this because +I am unable to comprehend them. Do I know who has bribed him to deceive +me? I confess I cannot penetrate the whole contexture of his plan; but +he has certainly done a material injury to the cause he advocates by +proving himself to be at least an impostor, and perhaps something +worse.” + +“The circumstance of the ring, I allow, appears somewhat suspicions.” + +“It is more than suspicious,” answered the prince; “it is decisive. He +received this ring from the murderer, and at the moment he received it +he must have been certain that it was from the murderer. Who but the +assassin, could have taken from the finger of the deceased a ring which +he undoubtedly never took off himself? Throughout the whole of his +narration the Sicilian has labored to persuade us that while he was +endeavoring to deceive Lorenzo, Lorenzo was in reality deceiving him. +Would he have had recourse to this subterfuge if he had not been +sensible how much he should lose in our estimation by confessing himself +an accomplice with the assassin? The whole story is visibly nothing but +a series of impostures, invented merely to connect the few truths he has +thought proper to give us. Ought I then to hesitate in disbelieving the +eleventh assertion of a person who has already deceived me ten times, +rather than admit a violation of the fundamental laws of nature, which I +have ever found in the most perfect harmony?” + +“I have nothing to reply to all this, but the apparition we saw +yesterday is to me not the less incomprehensible.” + +“It is also incomprehensible to me, although I have been tempted to +believe that I have found a key to it.” + +“How so?” asked I. + +“Do not you recollect that the second apparition, as soon as he entered, +walked directly up to the altar, took the crucifix in his hand, and +placed himself upon the carpet?” + +“It appeared so to me.” + +“And this crucifix, according to the Sicilian’s confession, was a +conductor. You see that the apparition hastened to make himself +electrical. Thus the blow which Lord Seymour struck him with a sword +was of course ineffectual; the electric stroke disabled his arm.” + +“This is true with respect to the sword. But the pistol fired by the +Sicilian, the ball of which we heard roll slowly upon the altar?” + +“Are you convinced that this was the same ball which was fired from the +pistol?” replied the prince. “Not to mention that the puppet, or the +man who represented the ghost, may have been so well accoutred as to be +invulnerable by sword or bullet; but consider who it was that loaded the +pistols.” + +“True,” said I, and a sudden light broke upon my mind; “the Russian. +officer had loaded them, but it was in our presence. How could he have +deceived us?” + +“Why should he not have deceived us? Did you suspect him sufficiently +to observe him? Did you examine the ball before it was put into the +pistol? May it not have been one of quicksilver or clay? Did you take +notice whether the Russian officer really put it into the barrel, or +dropped it into his other hand? But supposing that he actually loaded +the pistols, what is to convince you that he really took the loaded ones +into the room where the ghost appeared, and did not change them for +another pair, which he might have done the more easily as nobody ever +thought of noticing him, and we were besides occupied in undressing? +And could not the figure, at the moment when we were prevented from +seeing it by the smoke of the pistol, have dropped another ball, with +which it had been beforehand provided, on the the altar? Which of these +conjectures is impossible?” + +“You are right. But that striking resemblance to your deceased friend! +I have often seen him with you, and I immediately recognized him in the +apparition.” + +“I did the same, and I must confess the illusion was complete. But if +the juggler from a few stolen glances at my snuff-box was able to give +to his apparition a resemblance, what was to prevent the Russian +officer, who had used the box during the whole time of supper, who had +had liberty to observe the picture unnoticed, and to whom I had +discovered in confidence whom it represented, what was to prevent him +from doing the same? Add to this what has been before observed by the +Sicilian, that the prominent features of the marquis were so striking as +to be easily imitated; what is there so inexplicable in this second +ghost?” + +“But the words he uttered? The information he gave you about your +friend?” + +“What?” said the prince, “Did not the Sicilian assure us, that from +the little which he had learnt from me he had composed a similar story? +Does not this prove that the invention was obvious and natural? +Besides, the answers of the ghost, like those of an oracle, were so +obscure that he was in no danger of being detected in a falsehood. If +the man who personated the ghost possessed sagacity and presence of +mind, and knew ever-so-little of the affair on which he was consulted, +to what length might not he have carried the deception?” + +“Pray consider, your highness, how much preparation such a complicated +artifice would have required from the Armenian; how much time it takes +to paint a face with sufficient exactness; how much time would have been +requisite to instruct the pretended ghost, so as to guard him against +gross errors; what a degree of minute attention to regulate every minor +attendant or adventitious circumstance, which must be answered in some +manner, lest they should prove detrimental! And remember that the +Russian officer was absent but half an hour. Was that short space +of time sufficient to make even such arrangements as were most +indispensable? Surely, my prince, not even a dramatic writer, who has +the least desire to preserve the three terrible unities of Aristotle, +durst venture to load the interval between one act and another with such +a variety of action, or to presume upon such a facility of belief in his +audience.” + +“What! You think it absolutely impossible that every necessary +preparation should have been made in the space of half an hour?” + +“Indeed, I look upon it as almost impossible.” + +“I do not understand this expression. Does it militate against the +physical laws of time and space, or of matter and motion, that a man so +ingenious and so expert as this Armenian must undoubtedly be, assisted +by agents whose dexterity and acuteness are probably not inferior to his +own; favored by the time of night, and watched by no one, provided with +such means and instruments as a man of this profession is never without +--is it impossible that such a man, favored by such circumstances, +should be able to effect so much in so short a time? Is it ridiculous +or absurd to suppose, that by a very small number of words or signs he +can convey to his assistants very extensive commissions, and direct very +complex operations? Nothing ought to be admitted that is contrary to +the established laws of nature, unless it is something with which these +laws are absolutely incompatible. Would you rather give credit to a +miracle than admit an improbability? Would you solve a difficulty +rather by overturning the powers of nature than by believing an artful +and uncommon combination of them?” + +“Though the fact will not justify a conclusion such as you have +condemned, you must, however, grant that it is far beyond our +conception.” + +“I am almost tempted to dispute even this,” said the prince, with a +quiet smile. “What would you say, my dear count, if it should be +proved, for instance, that the operations of the Armenian were prepared +and carried on, not only during the half-hour that he was absent from +us, not only in haste and incidentally, but during the whole evening and +the whole night? You recollect that the Sicilian employed nearly three +hours in preparation.” + +“The Sicilian? Yes, my prince.” + +“And how will you convince me that this juggler had not as much concern +in the second apparition as in the first?” + +“How so, your highness?” + +“That he was not the principal assistant of the Armenian? In a word, +how will you convince me that they did not co-operate?” + +“It would be a difficult task to prove that,” exclaimed I, with no +little surprise. + +“Not so difficult, my dear count, as you imagine. What! Could it have +happened by mere chance that these two men should form a design so +extraordinary and so complicated upon the same person, at the same time, +and in the same place? Could mere chance have produced such an exact +harmony between their operations, that one of them should play so +exactly the game of the other? Suppose for a moment that the Armenian +intended to heighten the effect of his deception, by introducing it +after a less refined one--that he created a Hector to make himself his +Achilles. Suppose that he has done all this to discover what degree of +credulity he could expect to find in me, to examine the readiest way to +gain my confidence, to familiarize himself with his subject by an +attempt that might have miscarried without any prejudice to his plan; in +a word, to tune the instrument on which he intended to play. Suppose he +did this with the view of exciting my suspicions on one subject in order +to divert my attention from another more important to his design. +Lastly, suppose he wishes to have some indirect methods of information, +which he had himself occasion to practise, imputed to the sorcerer, in +order to divert suspicion from the true channel.” + +“How do you mean?” said I. + +“Suppose, for instance, that he may have bribed some of my servants to +give him secret intelligence, or, perhaps, even some papers which may +serve his purpose. I have missed one of my domestics. What reason have +I to think that the Armenian is not concerned in his leaving me? Such a +connection, however, if it existed, may be accidently discovered; a +letter may be intercepted; a servant, who is in the secret, may betray +his trust. Now all the consequence of the Armenian is destroyed if I +detect the source of his omniscience. He therefore introduces this +sorcerer, who must be supposed to have some design upon me. He takes +care to give me early notice of him and his intentions, so that whatever +I may hereafter discover my suspicions must necessarily rest upon the +Sicilian. This is the puppet with which he amuses me, whilst he +himself, unobserved and unsuspected, is entangling me in invisible +snares.” + +“We will allow this. But is it consistent with the Armenian’s plan that +he himself should destroy the illusion which he has created, and +disclose the mysteries of his science to the eyes of the uninitiated?” + +“What mysteries does he disclose? None, surely, which he intends to +practise on me. He therefore loses nothing by the discovery. But, +on the other hand, what an advantage will he gain, if this pretended +victory over juggling and deception should render me secure and +unsuspecting; if he succeeds in diverting my attention from the right +quarter, and in fixing my wavering suspicions on an object the most +remote from the real one! He could naturally expect that, sooner or +later, either from my own doubts, or at the suggestion of another, I +should be tempted to seek a key to his mysterious wonders, in the mere +art of a juggler; how could he better provide against such an inquiry +than by contrasting his prodigies with juggling tricks. By confining +the latter within artificial limits, and by delivering, as it were, into +my hands a scale by which to appreciate them, he naturally exalts and +perplexes my ideas of the former. How many suspicions he precludes by +this single contrivance! How many methods of accounting for his +miracles, which afterwards have occurred to me, does he refute +beforehand!” + +“But in exposing such a finished deception he has acted very much +against his own interest, both by quickening the penetration of those +whom he meant to impose upon, and by staggering their belief in miracles +in general. Your highness’ self is the best proof of the insufficiency +of his plan, if indeed he ever had one.” + +“Perhaps he has been mistaken in respect to myself,” said the prince; +“but his conclusions have nevertheless been well founded. Could he +foresee that I should exactly notice the very circumstance which +threatens to become the key to the whole artifice? Was it in his plan +that the creature he employed should render himself thus vulnerable? +Are we certain that the Sicilian has not far exceeded his commission? +He has undoubtedly done so with respect to the ring, and yet it is +chiefly this single circumstance which determined my distrust in him. +How easily may a plan, whose contexture is most artful and refined, be +spoiled in the execution by an awkward instrument. It certainly was not +the Armenian’s intention that the sorcerer should trumpet his fame to us +in the style of a mountebank, that he should endeavor to impose upon us +such fables as are too gross to bear the least reflection. For +instance, with what countenance could this impostor affirm that the +miraculous being he spoke of must renounce all commerce with mankind at +twelve in the night? Did we not see him among us at that very hour?” + +“That is true,” cried I. “He must have forgotten it.” + +“It often happens, to people of this description, that they overact +their parts; and, by aiming at too much, mar the effects which a +well-managed deception is calculated to produce.” + +“I cannot, however, yet prevail on myself to look upon the whole as a +mere preconcerted scheme. What! the Sicilian’s terror, his convulsive +fits, his swoon, the deplorable situation in which we saw him, and which +was even such as to move our pity, were all these nothing more than a +studied part? I allow that a skilful performer may carry imitation to a +very high pitch, but he certainly has no power over the organs of life.” + +“As for that, my friend,” replied the prince, “I have seen Richard III. +performed by Garrick. But were we at that moment sufficiently cool to +be capable of observing dispassionately? Could we judge of the emotion +of the Sicilian when we were almost overcome by our own? Besides, the +decisive crisis even of a deception is so momentous to the deceiver +himself that excessive anxiety may produce in him symptoms as violent +as those which surprise excites in the deceived. Add to this the +unexpected entrance of the watch.” + +“I am glad you remind me of that, prince. Would the Armenian have +ventured to discover such a dangerous scheme to the eye of justice; to +expose the fidelity of his creature to so severe a test? And for what +purpose?” + +“Leave that matter to him; he is no doubt acquainted with the people he +employs. Do we know what secret crimes may have secured him the silence +of this man? You have been informed of the office he holds in Venice; +what difficulty will he find in saving a man of whom he himself is the +only accuser?” + +[This suggestion of the prince was but too well justified by the event. +For, some days after, on inquiring after the prisoner, we were told that +he had escaped, and had not since been heard of.] + +“You ask what could be his motives for delivering this man into the +hands of justice?” continued the prince. “By what other method, except +this violent one, could he have wrested from the Sicilian such an +infamous and improbable confession, which, however, was so material to +the success of his plan? Who but a man whose case is desperate, and who +has nothing to lose, would consent to give so humiliating an account of +himself? Under what other circumstances could we have believed such a +confession?” + +“I grant all this, my prince. That the two apparitions were mere +contrivances of art; that the Sicilian has imposed upon us a tale which +the Armenian his master, had previously taught him; that the efforts of +both have been directed to the same end, and, from this mutual +intelligence all the wonderful incidents which have astonished us in +this adventure may be easily explained. But the prophecy in the square +of St. Mark, that first miracle, which, as it were, opened the door to +all the rest, still remains unexplained; and of what use is the key to +all his other wonders if we despair of resolving this single one?” + +“Rather invert the proposition, my dear count,” answered the prince, +“and say what do all these wonders prove if I can demonstrate that a +single one among them is a juggling trick? The prediction, I own, is +totally beyond my conception. If it stood alone; if the Armenian had +closed the scene with it, instead of beginning it, I confess I do not +know how far I might have been carried. But in the base alloy with +which it is mixed it is certainly rather suspicious. Time may explain, +or not explain it; but believe me, my friend!” added the prince, taking +my hand, with a grave countenance,--“a man who can command supernatural +powers has no occasion to employ the arts of a juggler; he despises +them.” + +“Thus,” says Count O------, “ended a conversation which I have related +word for word, because it shows the difficulties which were to be +overcome before the prince could be effectually imposed upon; and I +hope it may free his memory from the imputation of having blindly and +inconsiderately thrown himself into a snare, which was spread for his +destruction by the most unexampled and diabolical wickedness. Not all,” + continues Count O------, “who, at the moment I am writing, smile +contemptuously at the prince’s credulity, and, in the fancied +superiority of their own yet untempted understanding, unconditionally +condemn him; not all of these, I apprehend, would have stood his first +trial so courageously. If afterwards, notwithstanding this providential +warning, we witness his downfall; if we see that the black design +against which, at the very outset, he was thus cautioned, is finally +successful, we shall be less inclined to ridicule his weakness than to +be astonished at the infamous ingenuity of a plot which could seduce an +understanding so fully prepared. Considerations of worldly interest can +have no influence upon my testimony; he, who alone would be thankful for +it, is now no more. His dreadful destiny is accomplished; his soul has +long since been purified before the throne of truth, where mine will +likewise have appeared before these passages meet the eyes of the world. +Pardon the involuntary tears which now flow at the remembrance of my +dearest friend. But for the sake of justice I must write this. His was +a noble character, and would have adorned a throne which, seduced by the +most atrocious artifice, he attempted to ascend by the commission of a +crime. + + + + + + +BOOK II. + +“Not long after these events,” continues Count O-----, in his narrative, +“I began to observe an extraordinary alteration in the disposition of +the prince, which was partly the immediate consequence of the last event +and partly produced by the concurrence of many adventitious +circumstances. Hitherto he had avoided every severe trial of his faith, +and contented himself with purifying the rude and abstract notions of +religion, in which he had been educated, by those more rational ideas +upon this subject which forced themselves upon his attention, or +comparing the many discordant opinions with each other, without +inquiring into the foundations of his faith. Religious subjects, he has +many times confessed to me, always appeared to him like an enchanted +castle, into which one does not set one’s foot without horror, and that +they act therefore much the wiser part who pass it in respectful +silence, without exposing themselves to the danger of being bewildered +in its labyrinths. A servile and bigoted education was the source of +this dread; this had impressed frightful images upon his tender brain, +which, during the remainder of his life, he was never able wholly to +obliterate. Religious melancholy was an hereditary disorder in his +family. The education which he and his brothers had received was +calculated to produce it; and the men to whose care they were entrusted, +selected with this object, were also either enthusiasts or hypocrites. + +“To stifle all the sprightliness of the boy, by a gloomy restraint of +his mental faculties, was the only method of securing to themselves the +highest approbation of his royal parents. The whole of our prince’s +childhood wore a dark and gloomy aspect; mirth was banished even from +his amusements. All his ideas of religion were accompanied by some +frightful image; and the representations of terror and severity were +those which first took hold of his lively imagination, and which the +longest retained their empire over it. His God was an object of terror, +a being whose occupation is to chastise; and the adoration he paid him +was either slavish fear, or a blind submission which stifled all his +energies. In all his youthful propensities, which a vigorous growth and +a fine constitution naturally excited to break out with the greater +violence, religion stood in his way; it opposed everything upon which +his young heart was bent; he learned to consider it not as a friend, +but as the scourge of his passions; so that a silent indignation was +gradually kindled against it in his heart, which, together with a +bigoted faith and a blind fear, produced an incongruous mixture of +feelings, and an abhorrence of a ruler before whom he trembled. + +“It is no wonder, therefore, that he took the first opportunity of +escaping from so galling a yoke--but he fled from it as a bond-slave +who, escaping from his rigorous master, drags along with him a sense of +his servitude, even in the midst of freedom; for, as he did not renounce +the faith of his earlier years from a deliberate conviction, and did not +wait till the maturity and improvement of his reasoning had weaned him +from it, but escaped from it like a fugitive, upon whose person the +rights of his master are still in force, so was he obliged, even after +his widest separation, to return to it at last. He had escaped with his +chain, and for that reason must necessarily become the prey of any one +who should discover it, and know how to make use of the discovery. That +such a one presented himself, the sequel of this history will prove; +most likely the reader has already surmised it. + +“The confessions of the Sicilian left a deeper impression upon his mind +than they ought, considering the circumstances; and the small victory +which his reason had thence gained over this weak imposture, remarkably +increased his reliance upon his own powers. The facility with which he +had been able to unravel this deception appeared to have surprised him. +Truth and error were not yet so accurately distinguished from each other +in his mind but that he often mistook the arguments which were in favor +of the one for those in favor of the other. Thence it arose that the +same blow which destroyed his faith in wonders made the whole edifice of +it totter. In this instance, he fell into the same error as an +inexperienced man who has been deceived in love or friendship, because +he happened to make a bad choice, and who denies the existence of these +sensations, because he takes the occasional exceptions for +distinguishing features. The unmasking of a deception made even truth +suspicious to him, because he had unfortunately discovered truth by +false reasoning. + +“This imaginary triumph pleased him in proportion to the magnitude of +the oppression from which it seemed to deliver him. From this instant +there arose in his mind a scepticism which did not spare even the most +sacred objects. + +“Many circumstances concurred to encourage, and still more to confirm, +him in this turn of mind. He now quitted the retirement in which he had +hitherto lived, and gave way to a more dissipated mode of life. His +rank was discovered; attentions which he was obliged to return, +etiquettes for which he was indebted to his rank, drew him imperceptibly +within the vortex of the great world. His rank, as well as his personal +attractions, opened to him the circles of all the beaux esprits in +Venice, and he soon found himself on terms of intimacy with the most +enlightened persons in the republic, men of learning as well as +politicians. This obliged him to en large the monotonous and limited +circle to which his understanding had hitherto been confined. He began +to perceive the poverty and feebleness of his ideas, and to feel the +want of more elevated impressions. The old-fashioned turn of his +understanding, in spite of the many advantages with which it was +accompanied, formed an unpleasing contrast with the current ideas of +society; his ignorance of the commonest things frequently exposed him to +ridicule, than which he dreaded nothing more. The unfortunate prejudice +which attached to his native country appeared to him a challenge to +overcome it in his own person. Besides this, there was a peculiarity in +his character; he was offended with every attention that he thought was +paid him on account of his rank rather than his personal qualities. He +felt this humiliation principally in the company of persons who shone by +their abilities, and triumphed, as it were, over their birth by their +merit. To perceive himself distinguished as a prince, in such a +society, was always a deep humiliation to him, because he unfortunately +fancied himself excluded by his rank from all competition. These +circumstances convinced him of the necessity of cultivating his mind, +in order to raise it to a level with the thinking part of the world, +from which he had hitherto been so separated; and for that purpose he +chose the most modern books, and applied himself to them with all the +ardor with which he was accustomed to pursue every object to which he +devoted himself. But the unskilful hand that directed his choice always +prompted him to select such as were little calculated to improve either +his heart or his reason; besides that, he was influenced by a propensity +which rendered everything irresistible which was incomprehensible. He +had neither attention nor memory for anything that was not of that +character, and both his reason and his heart remained untouched, while +he was filling the vacuities of his brain with confused ideas. The +dazzling style of some writers captivated his imagination, while the +subtlety of others ensnared his reason. Together, they easily took +possession of a mind which became the prey of whatever was obtruded upon +it with a certain degree of dogmatism. A course of reading, which had +been continued with ardor for more than a year, had scarcely enriched +him with one benevolent idea, but had filled his head with doubts, +which, as a natural consequence with such a character, had almost found +an unfortunate road to his heart. In a word, he had entered this +labyrinth as a credulous enthusiast, had left it as a sceptic, and at +length became a perfect free-thinker. + +“Among the circles into which he had been introduced there was a private +society called the Bucentauro, which, under the mask of a noble and +rational liberality of sentiment, encouraged the most unbridled +licentiousness of manners and opinion. As it enumerated many of the +clergy among its members, and could even boast of some cardinals at its +head, the prince was the more easily induced to join it. He thought +that certain dangerous truths, which reason discovers, could be nowhere +better preserved than in the hands of such persons, whose rank compelled +them to moderation, and who had the advantage of hearing and examining +the other side of the question. The prince did not recollect that +licentiousness of sentiment and manners takes so much the stronger hold +among persons of this rank, inasmuch as they for that reason feel one +curb less; and this was the case with the Bucentauro, most of whose +members, through an execrable philosophy, and manners worthy of such a +guide, were not only a disgrace to their own rank, but even to human +nature itself. The society had its secret degrees; and I will believe, +for the credit of the prince, that they never thought him worthy of +admission into the inmost sanctuary. Every one who entered this society +was obliged, at least so long as he continued to be a member of it, to +lay aside all distinctions arising from rank, nation, or religion, in +short, every general mark or distinction whatever, and to submit himself +to the condition of universal equality. To be elected a member was +indeed a difficult matter, as superiority of understanding alone paved +the way to it. The society boasted of the highest ton and the most +cultivated taste, and such indeed was its fame throughout all Venice. +This, as well as the appearance of equality which predominated in it, +attracted the prince irresistibly. Sensible conversations, set off by +the most admirable humor, instructive amusements, and the flower of the +learned and political world, which were all attracted to this point as +to their common centre, concealed from him for a long time the danger +of this connection. As he by degrees discovered through its mask the +spirit of the institution, as they grew tired of being any longer on +their guard before him, to recede was dangerous, and false shame and +anxiety for his safety obliged him to conceal the displeasure he felt. +But he already began, merely from familiarity with men of this class and +their sentiments, though they did not excite him to imitation, to lose +the pure and charming simplicity of his character, and the delicacy of +his moral feelings. His understanding, supported by real knowledge, +could not without foreign assistance solve the fallacious sophisms with +which he had been here ensnared; and this fatal poison had already +destroyed all, or nearly all, the basis on which his morality rested. +He surrendered the natural and indispensable safeguards of his happiness +for sophisms which deserted him at the critical moment, and he was +consequently left to the operation of any specious argument which came +in his way. + +“Perhaps the hand of a friend might yet have been in time to extricate +him from this abyss; but, besides that I did not become acquainted with +the real character of the Bucentauro till long after the evil had taken +place, an urgent circumstance called me away from Venice just at the +beginning of this period. Lord Seymour, too, a valuable acquaintance of +the prince, whose cool understanding was proof against every species of +deception, and who would have infallibly been a secure support to him, +left us at this time in order to return to his native country. Those in +whose hands I left the prince were indeed worthy men, but inexperienced, +excessively narrow in their religious opinions, deficient in their +perception of the evil, and wanting in credit with the prince. They had +nothing to oppose to his captious sophisms except the maxims of a blind +and uninquiring faith, which either irritated him or excited his +ridicule. He saw through them too easily, and his superior reason soon +silenced those weak defenders of the good cause, as will be clearly +evinced from an instance which I shall introduce in the sequel. Those +who, subsequent to this, possessed themselves of his confidence, were +much more interested in plunging him deeper into error. When I returned +to Venice in the following year how great a change had already taken +place in everything! + +“The influence of this new philosophy soon showed itself in the prince’s +conduct. The more openly he pursued pleasure, and acquired new friends, +the more did he lose in the estimation of his old ones. He pleased me +less and less every day; we saw each other more seldom, and indeed he +was seldom accessible. He had launched out into the torrent of the +great world. His threshold was eternally thronged when he was at home. +Amusements, banquets, and galas followed each other in rapid succession. +He was the idol whom every one courted, the great attraction of every +circle. In proportion as he, in his secluded life, had fancied living +in society to be difficult, did he to his astonishment find it easy. +Everything met his wishes. Whatever he uttered was admirable, and when +he remained silent it was like committing a robbery upon the company. +They understood the art of drawing his thoughts insensibly from his +soul, and then with a little delicate management to surprise him with +them. This happiness, which accompanied him everywhere, and this +universal success, raised him indeed too much in his own ideas, because +it gave him too much confidence and too much reliance upon himself. + +“The heightened opinion which he thus acquired of his own worth made him +credit the excessive and almost idolatrous adoration that was paid to +his understanding; which but for this increased self-complacency, must +have necessarily recalled him from his aberrations. For the present, +however, this universal voice was only a confirmation of what his +complacent vanity whispered in his ear; a tribute which he felt entitled +to by right. He would have infallibly disengaged himself from this +snare had they allowed him to take breath; had they granted him a moment +of uninterrupted leisure to compare his real merit with the picture that +was exhibited to him in this seducing mirror; but his existence was a +continued state of intoxication, a whirl of excitement. The higher he +had been elevated the more difficulty had he to support himself in his +elevation. This incessant exertion slowly undermined him; rest had +forsaken even his slumbers. His weakness had been discovered, and the +passion kindled in his breast turned to good account. + +“His worthy attendants soon found to their cost that their lord had +become a wit. That anxious sensibility, those glorious truths which his +heart once embraced with the greatest enthusiasm, now began to be the +objects of his ridicule. He revenged himself on the great truths of +religion for the oppression which he had so long suffered from +misconception. But, since from too true a voice his heart combated the +intoxication of his head, there was more of acrimony than of humor in +his jests. His disposition began to alter, and caprice to exhibit +itself. The most beautiful ornament of his character, his modesty, +vanished; parasites had poisoned his excellent heart. That tender +delicacy of address which frequently made his attendants forget that he +was their lord, now gave place to a decisive and despotic tone, which +made the more sensible impression, because it was not founded upon +distinction of rank, for the want of which they could have consoled +themselves, but upon an arrogant estimation of his own superior merit. +When at home he was attacked by reflections that seldom made their +appearance in the bustle of company; his own people scarcely ever saw +him otherwise than gloomy, peevish, and unhappy, whilst elsewhere a +forced vivacity made him the soul of every circle. With the sincerest +sorrow did we behold him treading this dangerous path, but in the vortex +in which he was involved the feeble voice of friendship was no longer +heard, and he was too much intoxicated to understand it. + +“Just at the beginning of this epoch an affair of the greatest +consequence required my presence in the court of my sovereign, which +I dared not postpone even for the dearest interests of friendship. +An invisible hand, the agency of which I did not discover till long +afterwards, had contrived to derange my affairs, and to spread reports +concerning me which I was obliged to contradict by my presence. The +parting from the prince was painful to me, but did not affect him. The +ties which united us had been severed for some time, but his fate had +awakened all my anxiety. I, on that account, prevailed on Baron von +F------ to inform me by letter of every event, which he has done in the +most conscientious manner. As I was for a considerable time no longer +an eye-witness of these events, it will be allowable for me to introduce +the Baron von F------ in my stead, and to fill up the gap in my +narrative by the contents of his letters. Notwithstanding that the +representation of my friend F------ is not always what I should have +given, I would not alter any of his expressions, so that the reader will +be enabled to discover the truth with very little trouble.” + + + + +LETTER I. + +BARON VON F----- TO COUNT VON O---------. + +May 17. + +I thank you, my most honored friend, for the permission you have given +me to continue in your absence that confidential intercourse with you, +which during your stay here formed my great pleasure. You must be aware +that there is no one here with whom I can venture to open my heart on +certain private matters. Whatever you may urge to the contrary, I +detest the people here. Since the prince has become one of them, and +since we have lost your society, I feel solitary in the midst of this +populous city. Z------ takes it less to heart, and the fair ones of +Venice manage to make him forget the mortifications he is compelled to +share with me at home. And why should he make himself unhappy? He +desires nothing more in the prince than a master, whom he could also +find elsewhere. But I!--you know how deep an interest I feel in our +prince’s weal and woe, and how much cause I have for doing so; I have +now lived with him sixteen years, and seem to exist only for his sake. +As a boy of nine years old I first entered his service, and since that +time we have never been separated. I have grown up under his eye--a +long intercourse has insensibly attached me more and more to him--I have +borne a part in all his adventures, great and small. Until this last +unhappy year I had been accustomed to look upon him in the light of a +friend, or of an elder brother--I have basked in his smile as in the +sunshine of a summer’s day--no cloud hung over my happiness!--and all +this must now go to ruin in this unlucky Venice! + +Since your departure several changes have taken place in our +establishment. The Prince of --d----- arrived here last week, with a +numerous and brilliant retinue, and has caused a new and tumultuous life +in our circle. As he is so nearly related to our prince, and as they +are moreover at present upon pretty good terms, they will be very little +apart during his sojourn, which I hear is to last until after the feast +of the Ascension. A good beginning has already been made; for the last +ten days our prince has hardly had time to breathe. The Prince of +--d---- has all along been living in a very expensive way, which was +excusable in him, as he will soon take his departure; but the worst of +the business is that he has inoculated our prince with his extravagance, +because he could not well withdraw himself from his company, and, in the +peculiar relation which exists between the two houses, thought it +incumbent upon himself to assert the dignity of his own. We shall, +moreover, depart from Venice in a few weeks, which will relieve the +prince from the necessity of continuing for any length of time this +extraordinary expenditure. + +The Prince of --d-----, it is reported, is here on business of the +Order, in which he imagines that he plays an important part. That he +has taken advantage of all the acquaintances of our prince you may +readily imagine. He has been introduced with distinguished honor into +the society of the Bucentauro, as he is pleased to consider himself a +wit, and a man of great genius, and allows himself to be styled in his +correspondences, which he keeps up throughout all parts of the world, +the “prince philosophique.” I do not know whether you have ever had the +pleasure of meeting him. He displays a promising exterior, piercing +eyes, a countenance full of expression, much show of reading, much +acquired naturalness (if I may be allowed the expression), joined to a +princely condescension towards the human race, a large amount of +confidence in himself, and an eloquence which talks down all opposition. +Who could refuse to pay homage to such splendid qualities in a “Royal +Highness?” But to what advantage the quiet and sterling worth of our +prince will appear, when contrasted with these dazzling accomplishments, +the event must show. + +In the arrangement of our establishment, various and important changes +have taken place. We have rented a new and magnificent house opposite +the new Procuracy, because the lodging at the Moor Hotel became too +confined for the prince. Our suite has been augmented by twelve +persons, pages, Moors, guards, etc. During your stay here you +complained of unnecessary expense--you should see us now! + +Our internal arrangements remain the same as of old, except that the +prince, no longer held in check by your presence, is, if possible, more +reserved and distant towards us than ever; we see very little of him, +except while dressing or undressing him. Under the pretext that we +speak the French language very badly, and the Italian not at all, he has +found means to exclude us from most of his entertainments, which to me +personally is not a very great grievance; but I believe I know the true +reason of it--he is ashamed of us; and this hurts me, for we have not +deserved it of him. + +As you wish to know all our minor affairs, I must tell you, that of all +his attendants, the prince almost exclusively employs Biondello, whom he +took into his service, as you will recollect, on the disappearance of +his huntsman, and who, in his new mode of life, has become quite +indispensable to him. This man knows Venice thoroughly, and turns +everything to some account. It is as though he had a thousand eyes, +and could set a thousand hands in motion at once. This he accomplishes, +as he says, by the help of the gondoliers. To the prince he renders +himself very useful by making him acquainted with all the strange faces +that present themselves at his assemblies, and the private information +he gives his highness has always proved to be correct. Besides this, +he speaks and writes both Italian and French excellently, and has in +consequence already risen to be the prince’s secretary. I must, +however, relate to you an instance of fidelity in him which is rarely +found among people of his station. The other day a merchant of good +standing from Rimini requested an audience of the prince. The object +of his visit was an extraordinary complaint concerning Biondello. The +procurator, his former master, who must have been rather an odd fellow, +had lived in irreconcilable enmity with his relations; this enmity he +wished if possible to continue even after his death. Biondello +possessed his entire confidence, and was the repository of all his +secrets; while on his deathbed he obliged him to swear that he would +keep them inviolably, and would never disclose them for the benefit of +his relations; a handsome legacy was to be the reward of his silence. +When the deceased procurator’s will was opened and his papers inspected, +many blanks and irregularities were found to which Biondello alone could +furnish a key. He persisted in denying that he knew anything about it, +gave up his very handsome legacy to the heirs, and kept his secrets to +himself. Large offers were made to him by the relations, but all in +vain; at length, in order to escape from their importunities and their +threats of legally prosecuting him he entered the service of the prince. +The merchant, who was the chief heir, now applied to the prince, and +made larger offers than, before if Biondello would alter his +determination. But even the persuasions of the prince were fruitless. +He admitted that secrets of consequence had really been confided to him; +he did not deny that the deceased had perhaps carried his enmity towards +his relations too far; but, added he, he was my dear master and +benefactor, and died with a firm belief in my integrity. I was the only +friend he had left in the world, and will therefore never prove myself +unworthy of his confidence. At the same time he hinted that the avowals +they wished him to make would not tend to the honor of the deceased. +Was not that acting nobly and delicately? You may easily imagine that +the prince did not renew his endeavors to shake so praiseworthy a +determination. The extraordinary fidelity which he has shown towards +his deceased master has procured him the unlimited confidence of his +present one! + +Farewell, my dear friend. How I sigh for the quiet life we led when +first you came amongst us, for the stillness of which your society so +agreeably indemnified us. I fear my happy days in Venice are over, and +shall be glad if the same remark does not also apply to the prince. The +element in which he now lives is not calculated to render him +permanently happy, or my sixteen years’ experience has deceived me. + + + + +LETTER II. + +BARON VON F---- TO COUNT VON O------ +June 4. + +I should never have thought that our stay at Venice would have been +productive of any good consequences. It has been the means of saving a +man’s life, and I am reconciled to it. + +Some few evenings ago the prince was being carried home late at night +from the Bucentauro; two domestics, of whom Biondello was one, +accompanied him. By some accident it happened that the sedan, which had +been hired in haste, broke down, and the prince was obliged to proceed +the remainder of the way-on foot. Biondello walked in front; their +course lay through several dark, retired streets, and, as daybreak was +at hand, the lamps were either burning dimly or had gone out altogether. +They had proceeded about a quarter of an hour when Biondello discovered +that he had lost his way. The similarity of the bridges had deceived +him, and, instead of crossing that of St. Mark, they found themselves in +Sestiere di Castello. It was in a by-street, and not a soul was +stirring; they were obliged to turn back in order to gain a main street +by which to set themselves right. They had proceeded but a few paces +when they heard cries of “murder” in a neighboring street. With his +usual determined courage, the prince, unarmed as he was, snatched a +stick from one of his attendants, and rushed forward in the direction +whence the sound came. Three ruffianly-looking fellows were just about +to assassinate a man, who with his companion was feebly defending +himself; the prince appeared just in time to arrest the fatal blow. The +voices of the prince and his followers alarmed the murderers, who did +not expect any interruption in so lonely a place; after inflicting a few +slight wounds with their daggers, they abandoned their victim and took +to their heels. Exhausted with the unequal combat, the wounded man sunk +half fainting into the arms of the prince; his companion informed my +master that the man whose life he had saved was the Marquis Civitella, +a nephew of the Cardinal A------. As the marquis’ wounds bled freely, +Biondello acted as surgeon to the best of his ability, and the prince +took care to have him conveyed to the palace of his uncle, which was +near at hand, and whither he himself accompanied him. This done, he +left the house without revealing his name. + +This, however, was discovered by a servant who had recognized Biondello. +Already on the following morning the cardinal, an old acquaintance from +the Bucentauro, waited upon the prince. The interview lasted an hour; +the cardinal was much moved; tears stood in his eyes when they parted; +the prince, too, was affected. The same evening a visit was paid to the +sick man, of whose case the surgeon gives a very favorable report; the +mantle in which he was wrapped had rendered the thrusts unsteady, and +weakened their force. Since this event not a day has passed without the +prince’s paying a visit at the cardinal’s, or receiving one from him, +and a close intimacy has begun to exist between him and the cardinal’s +family. + +The cardinal is a venerable man of sixty, with a majestic aspect, but +full of gayety and good health. He is said to be the richest prelate +throughout all the dominions of the republic. He is reported to manage +his immense fortune in a very liberal manner, and, although prudently +economical, to despise none of the joys of this life. This nephew, who +is his sole heir, is not always on the best of terms with his uncle. +For, although the cardinal is anything but an enemy to youthful +pleasures, the conduct of the nephew must exhaust the utmost tolerance. +His loose principles and dissipated manner of living, aided unhappily by +all the attractions which can make vice tempting and excite sensuality, +have rendered him the terror of all fathers and the bane of all +husbands; this last attack also was said to have been caused by an +intrigue he had begun with the wife of the ambassador, without speaking +of other serious broils from which the power and the money of the +cardinal could scarcely extricate him. But for this the cardinal would +be the happiest man in Italy, for he possesses everything that can make +life agreeable; but by this one domestic misfortune all the gifts of +fortune are annulled, and the enjoyment of his wealth is embittered to +the cardinal by the continual fear of finding nobody to inherit it. + +The whole of this information I have obtained from Biondello. The +prince has found in this man a real treasure. Every day he becomes more +indispensable, and we are continually discovering in him some new +talent. Some days ago the prince felt feverish and could not sleep; the +night-lamp was extinguished, and all his ringing failed to arouse the +valet-de-chambre, who had gone to sleep out of the house with an +opera-dancer. At length the prince determined to rise himself, and to +rouse one of his people. He had not proceeded far when a strain of +delicious melody met his ear. Like one enchanted, he followed the sound, +and found Biondello in his room playing upon the flute, with his +fellow-servants assembled around him. The prince could hardly believe his +senses, and commanded him to proceed. With a surprising degree of +facility he began to vary a touching adagio air with some fine extempore +variations, which he executed with all the taste of a virtuoso. The +prince, who, as you know, is a judge of music, says that he might play +with confidence in the finest choir in Italy. + +“I must dismiss this man,” said he to me next morning, “for I am unable +to reward him according to his merits.” Biondello, who had overheard +these words, came forward, “If you dismiss me, gracious prince,” said +he, “you deprive me of my best reward.” + +“You are born to something better than to serve,” answered my master. +“I must not stand in the way of your fortune.” + +“Do not press upon me any better fortune, gracious sir, than that which +I have chosen for myself.” + +“To neglect talent like yours--No! I can never permit it.” + +“Then permit me, gracious sir, sometimes to exercise it in your +presence.” + +Preparations were immediately made for carrying this proposition into +effect. Biondello had a room assigned to him next the apartment of the +prince, so that he can lull him to sleep with his strains, and wake him +in the same manner. The prince wished to double his salary, but +Biondello declined, requesting that this intended boon should be +retained in his master’s hands as a capital of which he might some day +wish to avail himself. The prince expects that he will soon come to ask +a favor at his hands; and whatever it may be it is granted beforehand. +Farewell, dearest friend. I am waiting with impatience for tidings from +K-----n. + + + + +LETTER III. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +June 4. + +The Marquis of Civitella, who is now entirely recovered from his wounds, +was last week introduced to the prince by his uncle, the cardinal, and +since then he has followed him like his shadow. Biondello cannot have +told me the truth respecting this marquis, or at any rate his account +must be greatly exaggerated. His mien is highly engaging, and his +manners irresistibly winning. + +It is impossible to be out of humor with him; the first sight of him +has disarmed me. Imagine a man of the most enchanting figure, with +corresponding grace and dignity, a countenance full of thought and +genius, an expression frank and inviting; a persuasive tone of voice, +the most flowing eloquence, and a glow of youthful beauty, joined to all +the advantages of a most liberal education. He has none of that +contemptuous pride, none of that solemn starchness, which we disliked so +much in all the other nobles. His whole being is redolent of youthful +joyousness, benevolence, and warmth of feeling. His excesses must have +been much exaggerated; I never saw a more perfect picture of health. If +he is really so wholly abandoned as Biondello represents him he is a +syren whom none can resist. + +Towards me he behaved with much frankness. He confessed with the most +pleasing sincerity that he was by no means on the best of terms with his +uncle, the cardinal, and that it was his own fault. But he was +seriously resolved to amend his life, and the merit would be entirely +the prince’s. At the same time he hoped through his instrumentality to +be reconciled to his uncle, as the prince’s influence with the cardinal +was unbounded. The only thing he had wanted till now was a friend and a +guide, and he trusted he should find both in the person of the prince. + +The prince has now assumed the authority of a preceptor towards him, and +treats him with all the watchfulness fulness and strictness of a Mentor. +But this intimacy also gives the marquis a certain degree of influence, +of which he well knows how to avail himself. He hardly stirs from his +side; he is present at all parties where the prince is one of the +guests; for the Bucentauro alone he is fortunately as yet too young. +Wherever be appears in public with the prince he manages to draw him +away from the rest of the company by the pleasing manner in which he +engages him in conversation and arrests his attention. Nobody, they +say, has yet been able to reclaim him, and the prince will deserve to +be immortalized in an epic should he accomplish such an Herculean task. +I am much afraid, however, that the tables may be turned, and the guide +be led away by the pupil, of which, in fact, there seems to be every +prospect. + +The Prince of ---d------ has taken his departure, much to the +satisfaction of us all, my master not excepted. What I predicted, my +dear O-----, has come to pass. Two characters so widely opposed must +inevitably clash together, and cannot maintain a good understanding for +any length of time. The Prince of ---d------ had not been long in +Venice before a terrible schism took place in the intellectual world, +which threatened to deprive our prince of one-half of his admirers. +Wherever he went he was crossed by this rival, who possessed exactly +the requisite amount of small cunning to avail himself of every little +advantage he gained. As he besides never scrupled to make use of any +petty manoeuvres to increase his consequence, he in a short time drew +all the weak-minded of the community on his side, and shone at the head +of a company of parasites worthy of such a leader. + + [The harsh judgment which Baron F----- (both here and in some + passages of his first letter) pronounces upon this talented prince + will be found exaggerated by every one who has the good fortune to + be acquainted with him, and must be attributed to the prejudiced + views of the young observer.--Note of the Count von O------.] + +The wiser course would certainly have been not to enter into competition +at all with an adversary of this description, and a few months back this +is the part which the prince would have taken. But now he has launched +too far into the stream easily to regain the shore. These trifles have, +perhaps by the circumstances in which he is placed, acquired a certain +degree of importance in his eyes, and had he even despised them his +pride would not have allowed him to retire at a moment when his yielding +would have been looked upon less as a voluntary act than as a confession +of inferiority. Added to this, an unlucky revival of forgotten +satirical speeches had taken place, and the spirit of rivalry which took +possession of his followers had affected the prince himself. In order, +therefore, to maintain that position in society which public opinion had +now assigned him, he deemed it advisable to seize every possible +opportunity of display, and of increasing the number of his admirers; +but this could only be effected by the most princely expenditure; +he was therefore eternally giving feasts, entertainments, and expensive +concerts, making costly presents, and playing high. As this strange +madness, moreover, had also infected the prince’s retinue, who are +generally much more punctilious in respect to what they deem “the honor +of the family” than their masters, the prince was obliged to assist the +zeal of his followers by his liberality. Here, then, is a whole +catalogue of ills, all irremediable consequences of a sufficiently +excusable weakness to which the prince in an unguarded moment gave way. + +We have, it is true, got rid of our rival, but the harm he has done will +not so soon be remedied. The finances of the prince are exhausted; all +that he had saved by the wise economy of years is spent; and he must +hasten from Venice if he would escape plunging into debt, which till now +he has most scrupulously avoided. It is decisively settled that we +leave as soon as fresh remittances arrive. + +I should not have minded all this splendor if the prince had but reaped +the least real satisfaction from it. But he was never less happy than +at present. He feels that he is not what he formerly was; he seeks to +regain his self-respect; he is dissatisfied with himself, and launches +into fresh dissipation in order to drown the recollection of the last. +One new acquaintance follows another, and each involves him more deeply. +I know not where this will end. We must away--there is no other chance +of safety--we must away from Venice. + +But, my dear friend, I have not yet received a single line from you. +How am I to interpret this long and obstinate silence? + + + + +LETTER IV. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. +June 12. + +I thank you, my dear friend, for the token of your remembrance which +young B---hl brought me. But what is it you say about letters I ought +to have received? I have received no letter from you; not a single one. +What a circuitous route must they have taken. In future, dear O------, +when you honor me with an epistle despatch it via Trent, under cover to +the prince, my master. + +We have at length been compelled, my dear friend, to resort to a measure +which till now we had so happily avoided. Our remittances have failed +to arrive--failed, for the first time, in this pressing emergency, and +we have been obliged to have recourse to a usurer, as the prince is +willing to pay handsomely to keep the affair secret. The worst of this +disagreeable occurrence is, that it retards our departure. On this +affair the prince and I have had an explanation. The whole transaction +had been arranged by Biondello, and the son of Israel was there before I +had any suspicion of the fact. It grieved me to the heart to see the +prince reduced to such an extremity, and revived all my recollections of +the past, and fears for the future; and I suppose I may have looked +rather sorrowful and gloomy when the usurer left the room. The prince, +whom the foregoing scene had left in not the happiest frame of mind, was +pacing angrily up and down the room; the rouleaus of gold were still +lying on the table; I stood at the window, counting the panes of glass +in the procurator’s house opposite. There was a long pause. At length +the prince broke silence. “F------!” he began, “I cannot bear to see +dismal faces about me.” + +I remained silent. + +“Why do you not answer me? Do I not perceive that your heart is almost +bursting to vent some of its vexation? I insist on your speaking, +otherwise you will begin to fancy that you are keeping some terribly +momentous secret.” + +“If I am gloomy, gracious sir,” replied I, “it is only because I do not +see you cheerful.” + +“I know,” continued he, “that you have been dissatisfied with me for +some time past--that you disapprove of every step I take--that--what +does Count O------ say in his letters?” + +“Count O------ has not written to me.” + +“Not written? Why do you deny it? You keep up a confidential +correspondence together, you and the count; I am quite aware of that. +Come, you may confess it, for I have no wish to pry into your secrets.” + +“Count O------,” replied I, “has not yet answered any of the three +letters which I have written to him.” + +“I have done wrong,” continued he; “don’t you think so?” (taking up one +of the rouleaus) “I should not have done this?” + +“I see that it was necessary.” + +“I ought not to have reduced myself to such a necessity?” + +I did not answer. + +“Oh, of course! I ought never to have indulged my wishes, but have +grown gray in the same dull manner in which I was brought up! Because I +once venture a step beyond the drear monotony of my past life, and look +around me to see whether there be not some new source of enjoyment in +store for me--because I--” + +“If it was but a trial, gracious sir, I have no more to say; for the +experience you have gained would not be dearly bought at three times the +price it has cost. It grieves me, I confess, to think that the opinion +of the world should be concerned in determining the question--how are +you to choose your own happiness.” + +“It is well for you that you can afford to despise the world’s opinion,” + replied he, “I am its creature, I must be its slave. What are we +princes but opinion? With us it is everything. Public opinion is our +nurse and preceptor in infancy, our oracle and idol in riper years, our +staff in old age. Take from us what we derive from the opinion of the +world, and the poorest of the humblest class is in a better position +than we, for his fate has taught him a lesson of philosophy which +enables him to bear it. But a prince who laughs at the world’s opinion +destroys himself, like the priest who denies the existence of a God.” + +“And yet, gracious prince--” + +“I see what you would say; I can break through the circle which my birth +has drawn around me. But can I also eradicate from my memory all the +false impressions which education and early habit have implanted, and +which a hundred thousand fools have been continually laboring to impress +more and more firmly? Everybody naturally wishes to be what he is in +perfection; in short, the whole aim of a prince’s existence is to appear +happy. If we cannot be happy after your fashion, is that any reason why +we should discard all other means of happiness, and not be happy at all? +If we cannot drink of joy pure from the fountain-head, can there be any +reason why we should not beguile ourselves with artificial pleasure-- +nay, even be content to accept a sorry substitute from the very hand +that robs us of the higher boon?” + +“You were wont to look for this compensation in your own heart.” + +“But if I no longer find it there? Oh, how came we to fall on this +subject? Why did you revive these recollections in me? I had recourse +to this tumult of the senses in order to stifle an inward voice which +embitters my whole life; in order to lull to rest this inquisitive +reason, which, like a sharp sickle, moves to and fro in my brain, at +each new research lopping off another branch of my happiness.” + +“My dearest prince”--He had risen, and was pacing up and down the room +in unusual agitation. + + [I have endeavored, dearest O------, to relate to you this + remarkable conversation exactly as it occurred; but this I found + impossible, although I sat down to write it the evening of the day + it took place. In order to assist my memory I was obliged to + transpose the observation of the prince, and thus this compound of + a conversation and a philosophical lecture, which is in some + respects better and in others worse than the source from which I + took it, arose; but I assure you that I have rather omitted some of + the prince’s words than ascribed to him any of my own; all that is + mine is the arrangement, and a few observations, whose ownership + you will easily recognize by their stupidity.--Note of the Baron + von F------] + +“When everything gives way before me and behind me; when the past lies +in the distance in dreary monotony, like a city of the dead; when the +future offers me naught; when I see my whole being enclosed within the +narrow circle of the present, who can blame me if I clasp this niggardly +present of time in my arms with fiery eagerness, as though it were a +friend whom I was embracing for the last time? Oh, I have learnt to +value the present moment. The present moment is our mother; let us love +it as such.” + +“Gracious sir, you were wont to believe in a more lasting good.” + +“Do but make the enchantment last and fervently will I embrace it. But +what pleasure can it give to me to render beings happy who to-morrow +will have passed away like myself? Is not everything passing away +around me? Each one bustles and pushes his neighbor aside hastily to +catch a few drops from the fountain of life, and then departs thirsting. +At this very moment, while I am rejoicing in lily strength, some being +is waiting to start into life at my dissolution. Show me one being who +will endure, and I will become a virtuous man.” + +“But what, then, has become of those benevolent sentiments which used to +be the joy and the rule of your life? To sow seeds for the future, to +assist in carrying out the designs of a high and eternal Providence”-- + +“Future! Eternal Providence! If you take away from man all that he +derives from his own heart, all that he associates with the idea of a +godhead, and all that belongs to the law of nature, what, then, do you +leave him? + +“What has already happened to me, and what may still follow, I look upon +as two black, impenetrable curtains hanging over the two extremities of +human life, and which no mortal has ever yet drawn aside. Many hundred +generations have stood before the second of these curtains, casting the +light of their torches upon its folds, speculating and guessing as to +what it may conceal. Many have beheld themselves, in the magnified +image of their passions, reflected upon the curtain which hides futurity +from their gaze, and have turned away shuddering from their own shadows. +Poets, philosophers, and statesmen have painted their fancies on the +curtain in brighter or more sombre colors, according as their own +prospects were bright or gloomy. Many a juggler has also taken +advantage of the universal curiosity, and by well-managed deceptions +led astray the excited imagination. A deep silence reigns behind this +curtain; no one who passes beyond it answers any questions; all the +reply is an empty echo, like the sound yielded by a vault. + +“Sooner or later all must go behind this curtain, and they approach it +with fear and trembling, in doubt who may be waiting there behind to +receive them; _quid sit id, quod tanturn morituri vident_. There have +been infidels who asserted that this curtain only deluded mankind, and +that we saw nothing behind it, because there was nothing there to see; +but, to convince them, they were quickly sent behind it themselves.” + +“It was indeed a rash conclusion,” said I, “if they had no better ground +for it than that they saw nothing themselves.” + +“You see, my dear friend, I am modest enough not to wish to look behind +this curtain, and the wisest course will doubtless be to abstain from +all curiosity. But while I draw this impassable circle around me, and +confine myself within the bounds of present existence, this small point +of time, which I was in danger of neglecting in useless researches, +becomes the more important to me. What you call the chief end and aim +of my existence concerns me no longer. I cannot escape my destiny; I +cannot promote its consummation; but I know, and firmly believe, that I +am here to accomplish some end, and that I do accomplish it. But the +means which nature has chosen to fulfil my destiny are so much the more +sacred to me; to me it is everything; my morality, my happiness. All +the rest I shall never learn. I am like a messenger who carries a +sealed letter to its place of destination. What the letter contains is +indifferent to him; his business is only to earn his fee for carrying +it.” + +“Alas!” said I, “how poor a thing you would leave me!” + +“But in what a labyrinth have we lost ourselves!” exclaimed the prince, +looking with a smile at the table on which the rouleaus lay. “After all +perhaps not far from the mark,” continued he; “you will now no doubt +understand my reasons for this new mode of life. I could not so +suddenly tear myself away from my fancied wealth, could not so readily +separate the props of my morality and happiness from the pleasing dream +with which everything within me was so closely bound up. I longed for +the frivolity which seems to render the existence of most of those about +me endurable to themselves. Everything which precluded reflection was +welcome to me. Shall I confess it to you? I wished to lower myself, in +order to destroy this source of my griefs, by deadening the power of +reflection.” + +Here we were interrupted by a visit. In my next I shall have to +communicate to you a piece of news, which, from the tenor of a +conversation like the one of to-day, you would scarcely have +anticipated. + + + + +LETTER V. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. + +As the time of our departure from Venice is now approaching with rapid +steps, this week was to be devoted to seeing everything worthy of notice +in pictures and public edifices; a task which, when one intends making a +long stay in a place, is always delayed till the last moment. + +The “Marriage at Cana,” by Paul Veronese, which is to be seen in a +Benedictine convent in the Island of St. George, was in particular +mentioned to us in high terms. Do not expect me to give you a +description of this extraordinary work of art, which, on the whole, +made a very surprising, but not equally pleasing, impression on me. +We should have required as many hours as we had minutes to study a +composition of one hundred and twenty figures, upon a ground thirty feet +broad. What human eye is capable of grasping so complicated a whole, or +at once to enjoy all the beauty which the artist has everywhere +lavished, upon it! It is, however, to be lamented, that a work of so +much merit, which if exhibited in some public place, would command the +admiration of every one, should be destined merely to ornament the +refectory of a few monks. The church of the monastery is no less worthy +of admiration, being one of the finest in the whole city. Towards +evening we went in a gondola to the Guidecca, in order to spend the +pleasant hours of evening in its charming garden. Our party, which was +not very numerous, soon dispersed in various directions; and Civitella, +who had been waiting all day for an opportunity of speaking to me +privately, took me aside into an arbor. + +“You are a friend to the prince,” he began, “from whom he is accustomed +to keep no secrets, as I know from very good authority. As I entered +his hotel to-day I met a man coming out whose occupation is well known +to me, and when I entered the room the prince’s brow was clouded.” + I wished to interrupt him,--“You cannot deny it,” continued he; “I knew +the man, I looked at him well. And is it possible that the prince +should have a friend in Venice--a friend who owes his life to him, and +yet be reduced on an emergency to make use of such creatures?” + +“Tell me frankly, Baron! Is the prince in difficulties? It is in vain +you strive to conceal it from me. What! you refuse to tell me! I can +easily learn from one who would sell any secret for gold.” + +“My good Marquis!” + +“Pardon me! I must appear intrusive in order not to be ungrateful. +To the prince I am indebted for life, and what is still more, for a +reasonable use of it. Shall I stand idly by and see him take steps +which, besides being inconvenient to him, are beneath his dignity? +Shall I feel it in my power to assist him, and hesitate for a moment to +step forward?” + +“The prince,” replied I, “is not in difficulties. Some remittances +which we expected via Trent have not yet arrived, most likely either by +accident, or because not feeling certain whether he had not already left +Venice, they waited for a communication from him. This has now been +done, and until their arrival--” + +Civitella shook his head. “Do not mistake my motive,” said he; “in this +there can be no question as to diminishing the extent of my obligations +towards the prince, which all my uncle’s wealth would be insufficient to +cancel. My object is simply to spare him a few unpleasant moments. My +uncle possesses a large fortune which I can command as freely as though +it were my own. A fortunate circumstance occurs, which enables me to +avail myself of the only means by which I can possibly be of the +slightest use to your master. I know,” continued he, “how much delicacy +the prince possesses, but the feeling is mutual, and it would be noble +on his part to afford me this slight gratification, were it only to make +me appear to feel less heavily the load of obligation under which I +labor.” + +He continued to urge his request, until I had pledged my word to assist +him to the utmost of my ability. I knew the prince’s character, and had +but small hopes of success. The marquis promised to agree to any +conditions the prince might impose, but added, that it would deeply +wound him to be regarded in the light of a stranger. + +In the heat of our conversation we had strayed far away from the rest of +the company, and were returning, when Z-------- came to meet us. + +“I am in search of the prince,” he cried; “is he not with you?” + +“We were just going to him,” was our reply. “We thought to find him +with the rest of the party.” + +“The company is all together, but he is nowhere to be found. I cannot +imagine how we lost sight of him.” + +It now occurred to Civitella that he might have gone to look at the +adjoining church, which had a short time before attracted his attention. +We immediately went to look for him there. As we approached, we found +Biondello waiting in the porch. On coming nearer, we saw the prince +emerge hastily from a side door; his countenance was flushed, and he +looked anxiously round for Biondello, whom he called. He seemed to be +giving him very particular instructions for the execution of some +commission, while his eyes continued constantly fixed on the church +door, which had remained open. Biondello hastened into the church. The +prince, without perceiving us, passed through the crowd, and went back +to his party, which he reached before us. + +We resolved to sup in an open pavilion of the garden, where the marquis +had, without our knowledge, arranged a little concert, which was quite +first-rate. There was a young singer in particular, whose delicious +voice and charming figure excited general admiration. Nothing, however, +seemed to make an impression on the prince; he spoke little, and gave +confused answers to our questions; his eyes were anxiously fixed in the +direction whence he expected Biondello; and he seemed much agitated. +Civitella asked him what he thought of the church; he was unable to give +any description of it. Some beautiful pictures, which rendered the +church remarkable, were spoken of; the prince had not noticed them. We +perceived that our questions annoyed him, and therefore discontinued +them. Hour after hour rolled on and still Biondello returned not. The +prince could no longer conceal his impatience; he rose from the table, +and paced alone, with rapid strides, up and down a retired walk. Nobody +could imagine what had happened to him. I did not venture to ask him +the reason of so remarkable a change in his demeanor; I have for some +time past resigned my former place in his confidence. It was, +therefore, with the utmost impatience that I awaited the return of +Biondello to explain this riddle to me. + +It was past ten o’clock when he made his appearance. The tidings he +brought did not make the prince more communicative. He returned in an +ill-humor to the company, the gondola was ordered, and we returned. +home. + +During the remainder of that evening I could find no opportunity of +speaking to Biondello, and was, therefore, obliged to retire to my +pillow with my curiosity unsatisfied. The prince had dismissed us +early, but a thousand reflections flitted across my brain, and kept me +awake. For a long time I could hear him pacing up and down his room; at +length sleep overcame me. Late at midnight I was awakened by a voice, +and I felt a hand passed across my face; I opened my eyes, and saw the +prince standing at my bedside, with a lamp in his hand. He told me he +was unable to sleep, and begged me to keep him company through the +night. I was going to dress myself, but he told me to stay where I was, +and seated himself at my bedside. + +“Something has happened to me to-day,” he began, “the impression of +which will never be effaced from my soul. I left you, as you know, to +see the church, respecting which Civitella had raised my curiosity, and +which had already attracted my attention. As neither you nor he were at +hand, I walked the short distance alone, and ordered Biondello to wait +for me at the door. The church was quite empty; a dim and solemn light +surrounded me as I entered from the blazing sultry day without. I stood +alone in the spacious building, throughout which there reigned the +stillness of the grave. I placed myself in the centre of the church, +and gave myself up to the feelings which the sight was calculated to +produce; by degrees the grand proportions of this majestic building +expanded to my gaze, and I stood wrapt in deep and pleasing +contemplation. Above me the evening bell was tolling; its tones died +softly away in the aisles, and found an echo in my heart. Some +altar-pieces at a distance attracted my attention. I approached to look +at them; unconsciously I had wandered through one side of the church, and +was now standing at the opposite end. Here a few steps, raised round a +pillar, led into a little chapel, containing several small altars, with +statues of saints in the niches above them. On entering the chapel on the +right I heard a whispering, as though some one near was speaking in a low +voice. I turned towards the spot whence the sound proceeded, and saw +before me a female form. No! I cannot describe to you the beauty of this +form. My first feeling was one of awe, which, however, soon gave place to +ravishing surprise.” + +“But this figure, your highness? Are you certain that it was something +living, something real, and not perhaps a picture, or an illusion of +your fancy?” + +“Hear me further. It was a lady. Surely, till that moment, I have +never seen her sex in its full perfection! All around was sombre; the +setting sun shone through a single window into the chapel, and its rays +rested upon her figure. With inexpressible grace, half kneeling, half +lying, she was stretched before an altar; one of the most striking, most +lovely, and picturesque objects in all nature. Her dress was of black +moreen, fitting tightly to her slender waist and beautifully-formed +arms, the skirts spreading around her like a Spanish robe; her long +light-colored hair was divided into two broad plaits, which, apparently +from their own weight, had escaped from under her veil, and flowed in +charming disorder down her back. One of her hands grasped the crucifix, +and her head rested gracefully upon the other. But, where shall I find +words to describe to you the angelic beauty of her countenance, in which +the charms of a seraph seemed displayed. The setting sun shone full +upon her face, and its golden beams seemed to surround it as with a +glory. Can you recall to your mind the Madonna of our Florentine +painter? She was here personified, even to those few deviations from +the studied costume which so powerfully, so irresistibly attracted me in +the picture.” + +With regard to the Madonna, of whom the prince spoke, the case is this: +Shortly after your departure he made the acquaintance of a Florentine +painter, who had been summoned to Venice to paint an altar-piece for +some church, the name of which I do not recollect. He had brought with +him three paintings, which had been intended for the gallery in the +Cornari palace. They consisted of a Madonna, a Heloise, and a Venus, +very lightly apparelled. All three were of great beauty; and, although +the subjects were quite different, they were so intrinsically equal that +it seemed almost impossible to determine which to prefer. The prince +alone did not hesitate for a moment. As soon as the pictures were +placed before him the Madonna absorbed his whole attention; in the two +others he admired the painter’s genius; but in this he forgot the artist +and his art, his whole soul being absorbed in the contemplation of the +work. He was quite moved, and could scarcely tear himself away from it. +We could easily see by the artist’s countenance that in his heart he +coincided with the prince’s judgment; he obstinately refused to separate +the pictures, and demanded fifteen hundred zechins for the three. The +prince offered him half that sum for the Madonna alone, but in vain. +The artist insisted on his first demand, and who knows what might have +been the result if a ready purchaser had not stepped forward. + +Two hours afterwards all three pictures were sold, and we never saw them +again. It was this Madonna which now recurred to the prince’s mind. + +“I stood,” continued he, “gazing at her in silent admiration. She did +not observe me; my arrival did not disturb her, so completely was she +absorbed in her devotion. She prayed to her Deity, and I prayed to her +--yes, I adored her! All the pictures of saints, all the altars and the +burning tapers around me had failed to remind me of what now for the +first time burst upon me, that I was in a sacred place. Shall I confess +it to you? In that moment I believed firmly in Him whose image was +clasped in her beautiful hand. I read in her eyes that he answered her +prayers. Thanks be to her charming devotion, it had revealed him to me. +I wandered with her through all the paradise of prayer. + +“She rose, and I recollected myself. I stepped aside confused; but the +noise I made in moving discovered me. I thought that the unexpected +presence of a man might alarm, that my boldness would offend her; but +neither of these feelings were expressed in the look with which she +regarded me. Peace, benign peace, was portrayed in her countenance, and +a cheerful smile played upon her lips. She was descending from her +heaven; and I was the first happy mortal who met her benevolent look. +Her mind was still wrapt in her concluding prayer; she had not yet come +in contact with earth. + +“I now heard something stir in the opposite corner of the chapel. It +was an elderly lady, who rose from a cushion close behind me. Till now +I had not observed her. She had been distant only a few steps from me. +and must have seen my every motion. This confused me. I cast my eyes +to the earth, and both the ladies passed by me.” + +On this last point I thought myself able to console the prince. + +“Strange,” continued he, after a long silence, “that there should be +something which one has never known--never missed; and that yet on a +sudden one should seem to live and breathe for that alone. Can one +single moment so completely metamorphose a human being? It would now be +as impossible for me to indulge in the wishes or enjoy the pleasures of +yesterday as it would be to return to the toys of my childhood, and all +this since I have seen this object which lives and rules in the inmost +recesses of my soul. It seems to say that I can love nothing else, and +that nothing else in this world can produce an impression on me.” + +“But consider, gracious prince,” said I, “the excitable mood you were in +when this apparition surprised you, and how all the circumstances +conspired to inflame your imagination. Quitting the dazzling light of +day and the busy throng of men, you were suddenly surrounded by twilight +and repose. You confess that you had quite given yourself up to those +solemn emotions which the majesty of the place was calculated to awaken; +the contemplation of fine works of art had rendered you more susceptible +to the impressions of beauty in any form. You supposed yourself alone-- +when you saw a maiden who, I will readily allow, may have been very +beautiful, and whose charms were heightened by a favorable illumination +of the setting sun, a graceful attitude, and an expression of fervent +devotion--what is more natural than that your vivid fancy should look +upon such a form as something supernaturally perfect?” + +“Can the imagination give what it never received?” replied he. “In the +whole range of my fancy there is nothing which I can compare with that +image. It is impressed on my mind distinctly and vividly as in the +moment when I beheld it. I can think of nothing but that picture; but +you might offer me whole worlds for it in vain.” + +“My gracious prince, this is love.” + +“Must the sensation which makes me happy necessarily have a name? +Love! Do not degrade my feeling by giving it a name which is so often +misapplied by the weak-minded. Who ever felt before what I do now? +Such a being never before existed; how then can the name be admitted +before the emotion which it is meant to express? Mine is a novel and +peculiar feeling, connected only with this being, and capable of being +applied to her alone. Love! From love I am secure!” + +“You sent away Biondello, no doubt, to follow in the steps of these +strangers, and to make inquiries concerning them. What news did he +bring you?” + +“Biondello discovered nothing; or, at least, as good as nothing. An +aged, respectably dressed man, who looked more like a citizen than a +servant, came to conduct them to their gondola. A number of poor people +placed themselves in a row, and quitted her, apparently well satisfied. +Biondello said he saw one of her hands, which was ornamented with +several precious stones. She spoke a few words, which Biondello could +not comprehend, to her companion; he says it was Greek. As she had some +distance to walk to the canal, the people began to throng together, +attracted by the strangeness of her appearance. Nobody knew her--but +beauty seems born to rule. All made way for her in a respectful manner. +She let fall a black veil, that covered half of her person, over her +face, and hastened into the gondola. Along the whole Giudecca Biondello +managed to keep the boat in view, but the crowd prevented his following +it further.” + +“But surely he took notice of the gondolier so as to be able to +recognize him again.” + +“He has undertaken to find out the gondolier, but he is not one of those +with whom he associates. The mendicants, whom he questioned, could give +him no further information than that the signora had come to the church +for the last few Saturdays, and had each time divided a gold-piece among +them. It was a Dutch ducat, which Biondello changed for them, and +brought to me.” + +“It appears, then, that she is a Greek--most likely of rank; at any +rate, rich and charitable. That is as much as we dare venture to +conclude at present, gracious sir; perhaps too much. But a Greek lady +in a Catholic church?” + +“Why not? She may have changed her religion. But there is certainly +some mystery in the affair. Why should she go only once a week? Why +always on Saturday, on which day, as Biondello tells me, the church is +generally deserted. Next Saturday, at the latest, must decide this +question. Till then, dearest friend, you must help me to while away the +hours. But it is in vain. They will go their lingering pace, though my +soul is burning with expectation!” + +“And when this day at length arrives--what, then, gracious prince? What +do you purpose doing?” + +“What do I purpose doing? I shall see her. I will discover where she +lives and who she is. But to what does all this tend? I hear you ask. +What I saw made me happy; I therefore now know wherein my happiness +consists! + +“And our departure from Venice, which is fixed for next Monday?” + +“How could I know that Venice still contained such a treasure for me? +You ask me questions of my past life. I tell you that from this day +forward I will begin a new existence.” + +I thought that now was the opportunity to keep my word to the marquis. +I explained to the prince that a protracted stay in Venice was +altogether incompatible with the exhausted state of his finances, and +that, if he extended his sojourn here beyond the appointed time, he +could not reckon on receiving funds from his court. On this occasion, +I learned what had hitherto been a secret to me, namely, that the prince +had, without the knowledge of his other brothers, received from his +sister, the reigning ----- of --------, considerable loans, which she +would gladly double if his court left him in the lurch. This sister, +who, as you know, is a pious enthusiast, thinks that the large savings +which she makes at a very economical court cannot be deposited in better +hands than in those of a brother whose wise benevolence she well knows, +and whose character she warmly honors. I have, indeed, known for some +time that a very close intercourse has been kept up between the two, +and that many letters have been exchanged; but, as the prince’s own +resources have hitherto always been sufficient to cover his expenditure, +I had never guessed at this hidden channel. It is clear, therefore, +that the prince must have had some expenses which have been and still +are unknown to me; but if I can judge of them by his general character, +they will certainly not be of such a description as to tend to his +disgrace. And yet I thought I understood him thoroughly. After this +disclosure, I of course did not hesitate to make known to him the +marquis’ offer, which, to my no small surprise, he immediately accepted. +He gave me the authority to transact the business with the marquis in +whatever way I thought most advisable, and then immediately to settle +the account with the usurer. To his sister he proposed to write without +delay. + +It was morning when we separated. However disagreeable this affair is +to me for more than one reason, the worst of it is that it seems to +threaten a longer residence in Venice. From the prince’s passion I +rather augur good than evil. It is, perhaps, the most powerful method +of withdrawing him from his metaphysical dreams to the concerns and +feelings of real life. It will have its crisis, and, like an illness +produced by artificial means, will eradicate the natural disorder. + +Farewell, my dear friend. I have written down these incidents +immediately upon their occurrence. The post starts immediately; you +will receive this letter on the same day as my last. + + + + +LETTER VI. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +June 20. + +This Civitella is certainly one of the most obliging personages in the +world. The prince had scarcely left me the other day before I received +a note from the marquis enforcing his former offers with renewed +earnestness. I instantly forwarded, in the prince’s name, a bond for +six thousand zechins; in less than half an hour it was returned, with +double the sum required, in notes and gold. The prince at length +assented to this increase, but insisted that the bond, which was drawn +only for six weeks, should be accepted. + +The whole of the present week has been consumed in inquiries after the +mysterious Greek. Biondello set all his engines to work, but until now +in vain. He certainly discovered the gondolier; but from him he could +learn nothing, save that the ladies had disembarked on the island of +Murano, where they entered two sedan chairs which were waiting for them. +He supposed them to be English because they spoke a foreign language, +and had paid him in gold. He did not even know their guide, but +believed him to be a glass manufacturer from Murano. We were now, at +least, certain that we must not look for her in the Giudecca, and that +in all probability she lived in the island of Murano; but, unluckily, +the description the prince gave of her was not such as to make her +recognizable by a third party. The passionate interest with which he +had regarded her had hindered him from observing her minutely; for all +the minor details, which other people would not have failed to notice, +had escaped his observation; from his description one would have sooner +expected to find her prototype in the works of Ariosto or Tasso than on +a Venetian island. Besides, our inquiries had to be conducted with the +utmost caution, in order not to become prejudicial to the lady, or to +excite undue attention. As Biondello was the only man besides the +prince who had seen her, even through her veil, and could therefore +recognize her, he strove to be as much as possible in all the places +where she was likely to appear; the life of the poor man, during the +whole week, was a continual race through all the streets of Venice. In +the Greek church, particularly, every inquiry was made, but always with +the same ill-success; and the prince, whose impatience increased with +every successive failure, was at last obliged to wait till Saturday, +with what patience he might. His restlessness was excessive. Nothing +interested him, nothing could fix his attention. He was in constant +feverish excitement; he fled from society, but the evil increased in +solitude. He had never been so much besieged by visitors as in this +week. His approaching departure had been announced, and everybody +crowded to see him. It was necessary to occupy the attention of the +people in order to lull their suspicions, and to amuse the prince with +the view of diverting his mind from its all-engrossing object. In this +emergency Civitella hit upon play; and, for the purpose of driving away +most of the visitors, proposed that the stakes should be high. He hoped +by awakening in the prince a transient liking for play, from which it +would afterwards be easy to wean him, to destroy the romantic bent of +his passion. “The cards,” said Civitella, “have saved me from many a +folly which I had intended to commit, and repaired many which I had +already perpetrated. At the faro table I have often recovered my +tranquillity of mind, of which a pair of bright eyes had robbed me, and +women never had more power over me than when I had not money enough to +play.” + +I will not enter into a discussion as to how far Civitella was right; +but the remedy we had hit upon soon began to be worse than the disease +it was intended to cure. The prince, who could only make the game at +all interesting to himself by staking extremely high, soon overstepped +all bounds. He was quite out of his element. Everything he did seemed +to be done in a passion; all his actions betrayed the uneasiness of his +mind. You know his general indifference to money; he seemed now to have +become totally insensible to its value. Gold flowed through his hands +like water. As he played without the slightest caution he lost almost +invariably. He lost immense sums, for he staked like a desperate +gamester. Dearest O------- , with an aching heart I write it, in four +days he had lost above twelve thousand zechins. + +Do not reproach me. I blame myself sufficiently. But how could I +prevent it? Could I do more than warn him? I did all that was in my +power, and cannot find myself guilty. Civitella, too, lost not a +little; I won about six hundred zechins. The unprecedented ill-luck of +the prince excited general attention, and therefore he would not leave +off playing. Civitella, who is always ready to oblige him, immediately +advanced him the required sum. The deficit is made up; but the prince +owes the marquis twenty-four thousand zechins. Oh, how I long for the +savings of his pious sister. Are all sovereigns so, my dear friend? +The prince behaves as though he had done the marquis a great honor, and +he, at any rate, plays his part well. + +Civitella sought to quiet me by saying that this recklessness, this +extraordinary ill-luck, would be most effectual in bringing the prince +to his senses. The money, he said, was of no consequence. He himself +would not feel the loss in the least, and would be happy to serve the +prince, at any moment, with three times the amount. The cardinal also +assured me that his nephew’s intentions were honest, and that he should +be ready to assist him in carrying them out. + +The most unfortunate thing was that these tremendous sacrifices did not +even effect their object. One would have thought that the prince would +at least feel some interest in his play. But such was not the case. +His thoughts were wandering far away, and the passion which we wished to +stifle by his ill-luck in play seemed, on the contrary, only to gather +strength. When, for instance, a decisive stroke was about to be played, +and every one’s eyes were fixed, full of expectation, on the board, his +were searching for Biondello, in order to catch the news he might have +brought him, from the expression of his countenance. Biondello brought +no tidings, and his master’s losses continued. + +The gains, however, fell into very needy hands. A few “your +excellencies,” whom scandal reports to be in the habit of carrying home +their frugal dinner from the market in their senatorial caps, entered +our house as beggars, and left it with well-lined purses. Civitella +pointed them out to me. “Look,” said he, “how many poor devils make +their fortunes by one great man taking a whim into his head. This is +what I like to see. It is princely and royal. A great man must, even +by his failings, make some one happy, like a river which by its +overflowing fertilizes the neighboring fields.” + +Civitella has a noble and generous way of thinking, but the prince owes +him twenty-four thousand zechins. + +At length the long-wished-for Saturday arrived, and my master insisted +upon going, directly after dinner, to the church. He stationed himself +in the chapel where he had first seen the unknown, but in such a way as +not to be immediately observed. Biondello had orders to keep watch at +the church door, and to enter into conversation with the attendant of +the ladies. I had taken upon myself to enter, like a chance passenger, +into the same gondola with them on their return, in order to follow +their track if the other schemes should fail. At the spot where the +gondolier said he had landed them the last time two sedans were +stationed; the chamberlain, Z------, was ordered to follow in a separate +gondola, in order to trace the retreat of the unknown, if all else +should fail. The prince wished to give himself wholly up to the +pleasure of seeing her, and, if possible, try to make her acquaintance +in the church. Civitella was to keep out of the way altogether, as his +reputation among the women of Venice was so bad that his presence could +not have failed to excite the suspicions of the lady. You see, dear +count, it was not through any want of precaution on our part that the +fair unknown escaped us. + +Never, perhaps, was there offered up in any church such ardent prayers +for success, and never were hopes so cruelly disappointed. The prince +waited till after sunset, starting in expectation at every sound which +approached the chapel, and at every creaking of the church door. Seven +full hours passed, and no Greek lady. I need not describe his state of +mind. You know what hope deferred is, hope which one has nourished +unceasingly for seven days and nights. + + + + +LETTER VII. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +July. + +The mysterious unknown of the prince reminded Marquis Civitella of a +romantic incident which happened to himself a short time since, and, to +divert the prince, he offered to relate it. I will give it you in his +own words; but the lively spirit which he infuses into all he tells will +be lost in my narration. + +(Here follows the subjoined fragment, which appeared in the eighth part +of the Thalia, and was originally intended for the second volume of the +Ghost-Seer. It found a place here after Schiller had given up the idea +of completing the Ghost-Seer.) + +“In the spring of last year,” began Civitella, “I had the misfortune to +embroil myself with the Spanish ambassador, a gentleman who, in his +seventieth year, had been guilty of the folly of wishing to marry a +Roman girl of eighteen. His vengeance pursued me, and my friends +advised me to secure my safety by a timely flight, and to keep out of +the way until the hand of nature, or an adjustment of differences, had +secured me from the wrath of this formidable enemy. As I felt it too +severe a punishment to quit Venice altogether, I took up my abode in a +distant quarter of the town, where I lived in a lonely house, under a +feigned name, keeping myself concealed by day, and devoting the night to +the society of my friends and of pleasure. + +“My windows looked upon a garden, the west side of which was bounded by +the walls of a convent, while towards the east it jutted out into the +Laguna in the form of a little peninsula. The garden was charmingly +situated, but little frequented. It was my custom every morning, after +my friends had left me, to spend a few moments at the window before +retiring to rest, to see the sun rise over the Adriatic, and then to bid +him goodnight. If you, my dear prince, have not yet enjoyed this +pleasure, I recommend exactly this station, the only eligible one +perhaps in all Venice to enjoy so splendid a prospect in perfection. +A purple twilight hangs over the deep, and a golden mist on the Laguna +announces the sun’s approach. The heavens and the sea are wrapped in +expectant silence. In two seconds the orb of day appears, casting a +flood of fiery light on the waves. It is an enchanting sight. + +“One morning, when I was, according to custom, enjoying the beauty of +this prospect, I suddenly discovered that I was not the only spectator +of the scene. I fancied I heard voices in the garden, and turning to +the quarter whence the sound proceeded, I perceived a gondola steering +for the land. In a few moments I saw figures walking at a slow pace up +the avenue. They were a man and a woman, accompanied by a little negro. +The female was clothed in white, and had a brilliant on her finger. It +was not light enough to perceive more. + +“My curiosity was raised. Doubtless a rendezvous of a pair of lovers-- +but in such a place, and at so unusual an hour! It was scarcely three +o’clock, and everything was still veiled in dusky twilight. The +incident seemed to me novel and proper for a romance, and I waited to +see the end. + +“I soon lost sight of them among the foliage of the garden, and some +time elapsed before they again emerged to view. Meanwhile a delightful +song was heard. It proceeded from the gondolier, who was in this manner +shortening the time, and was answered by a comrade a short way off. +They sang stanzas from Tasso; time and place were in unison, and the +melody sounded sweetly, in the profound silence around. + +“Day in the meantime had dawned, and objects were discerned more +plainly. I sought my people, whom I found walking hand-in-hand up a +broad walk, often standing still, but always with their backs turned +towards me, and proceeding further from my residence. Their noble, easy +carriage convinced me at once that they were people of rank, and the +splendid figure of the lady made me augur as much of her beauty. They +appeared to converse but little; the lady, however, more than her +companion. In the spectacle of the rising sun, which now burst out in +all its splendor, they seemed to take not the slightest interest. + +“While I was employed in adjusting my glass, in order to bring them into +view as closely as possible, they suddenly disappeared down a side path, +and some time elapsed before I regained sight of them. The sun had now +fully risen; they were approaching straight towards me, with their eyes +fixed upon where I stood. What a heavenly form did I behold! Was it +illusion, or the magic effect of the beautiful light? I thought I +beheld a supernatural being, for my eyes quailed before the angelic +brightness of her look. So much loveliness combined with so much +dignity!--so much mind, and so much blooming youth! It is in vain I +attempt to describe it. I had never seen true beauty till that moment. + +“In the heat of conversation they lingered near me, and I had full +opportunity to contemplate her. Scarcely, however, had I cast my eyes +upon her companion, but even her beauty was not powerful enough to fix +my attention. He appeared to be a man still in the prime of life, +rather slight, and of a tall, noble figure. Never have I beheld so much +mind, so much noble expression, in a human countenance. Though +perfectly secured from observation, I was unable to meet the lightning +glance that shot from beneath his dark eyebrows. There was a moving +expression of sorrow about his eyes, but an expression of benevolence +about the mouth which relieved the settled gravity spread over his whole +countenance. A certain cast of features, not quite European, together +with his dress, which appeared to have been chosen with inimitable good +taste from the most varied costumes, gave him a peculiar air, which not +a little heightened the impression produced by his appearance. A degree +of wildness in his looks warranted the supposition that he was an +enthusiast, but his deportment and carriage showed that his character +had been formed by mixing in society.” + +Z--------, who you know must always give utterance to what he thinks, +could contain himself no longer. “Our Armenian!” cried he. “Our very +Armenian, and nobody else.” + +“What Armenian, if one may ask?” inquired Civitella. + +“Has no one told you of the farce?” replied the prince. “But no +interruption! I begin to feel interested in your hero. Pray continue +your narrative.” + +“There was something inexplicable in his whole demeanor,” continued +Civitella. “His eyes were fixed upon his companion with an expression +of anxiety and passion, but the moment they met hers he looked down +abashed. ‘Is the man beside himself!’ thought I. I could stand for +ages and gaze at nothing else but her. + +“The foliage again concealed them from my sight. Long, long did I look +for their reappearance, but in vain. At length I caught sight of them +from another window. + +“They were standing before the basin of a fountain at some distance +apart, and both wrapped in deep silence. They had, probably, remained +some time in the same position. Her clear and intelligent eyes were +resting inquiringly on his, and seemed as if they would imbibe every +thought from him as it revealed itself in his countenance. He, as if he +wanted courage to look directly into her face, furtively sought its +reflection in the watery mirror before him, or gazed steadfastly at the +dolphin which bore the water to the basin. Who knows how long this +silent scene might have continued could the lady have endured it? With +the most bewitching grace the lovely girl advanced towards him, and +passing her arm round his neck, raised his hand to her lips. Calmly and +unmoved the strange being suffered her caresses, but did not return +them. + +“This scene moved me strangely. It was the man that chiefly excited my +sympathy and interest. Some violent emotion seemed to struggle in his +breast; it was as if some irresistible force drew him towards her, while +an unseen arm held him back. Silent, but agonizing, was the struggle, +and beautiful the temptation. ‘No,’ I thought, ‘he attempts too much; +he will, he must yield.’ + +“At his silent intimation the young negro disappeared. I now expected +some touching scene--a prayer on bended knees, and a reconciliation +sealed with glowing kisses. But no! nothing of the kind occurred. The +incomprehensible being took from his pocketbook a sealed packet, and +placed it in the hands of the lady. Sadness overcast her face as she +she looked at it, and a tear bedewed her eye. + +“After a short silence they separated. At this moment an elderly lady +advanced from one of the sidewalks, who had remained at a distance, and +whom I now first discovered. She and the fair girl slowly advanced +along the path, and, while they were earnestly engaged in conversation, +the stranger took the opportunity of remaining behind. With his eyes +turned towards her, he stood irresolute, at one instant making a rapid +step forward, and in the next retreating. In another moment he had +disappeared in the copse. + +“The women at length look round, seem uneasy at not finding him, and +pause as if to await his coming. He comes not. Anxious glances are +cast around, and steps are redoubled. My eyes aid in searching through +the garden; he comes not, he is nowhere to be seen. + +“Suddenly I see a plash in the canal, and see a gondola moving from the +shore. It is he, and I scarcely can refrain from calling to him. Now +the whole thing is clear--it was a parting. + +“She appears to have a presentiment of what has happened. With a speed +that her companion cannot use she hastens to the shore. Too late! +Quick as the arrow in its flight the gondola bounds forward, and soon +nothing is visible but a white handkerchief fluttering in the air from +afar. Soon after this I saw the fair incognita and her companion cross +the water. + +“When I awoke from a short sleep I could not help smiling at my +delusion. My fancy had incorporated these events in my dreams until +truth itself seemed a dream. A maiden, fair as an houri, wandering +beneath my windows at break of day with her lover--and a lover who did +not know how to make a better use of such an hour. Surely these +supplied materials for the composition of a picture which might well +occupy the fancy of a dreamer! But the dream had been too lovely for me +not to desire its renewal again and again; nay, even the garden had +become more charming in my sight since my imagination had peopled it +with such attractive forms. Several cheerless days that succeeded this +eventful morning drove me from the window, but the first fine evening +involuntarily drew me back to my post of observation. Judge of my +surprise when after a short search I caught sight of the white dress of +my incognita! Yes, it was she herself. I had not dreamed! + +“Her former companion was with her, and led by the hand a little boy; +but the fair girl herself walked apart, and seemed absorbed in thought. +All spots were visited that had been rendered memorable by the presence +of her friend. She paused for a long time before the basin, and her +fixed gaze seemed to seek on its crystal mirror the reflection of one +beloved form. + +“Although her noble beauty had attracted me when I first saw her the +impression produced was even stronger on this occasion, although perhaps +at the same time more conducive to gentler emotions. I had now ample +opportunity of considering this divine form; the surprise of the first +impression gradually gave place to softer feelings. The glory that +seemed to invest her had departed, and I saw before me the loveliest of +women, and felt my senses inflamed. In a moment the resolution was +formed that she must be mine. + +“While I was deliberating whether I should descend and approach her, or +whether before I ventured on such a step it would not be better to +obtain information regarding her, a door opened in the convent wall, +through which there advanced a Carmelite monk. The sound of his +approach roused the lady, and I saw her advance with hurried steps +towards him. He drew from his bosom a paper, which she eagerly grasped, +while a vivid color instantaneously suffused her countenance. + +“At this moment I was called from the window by the arrival of my usual +evening visitor. I carefully avoided approaching the spot again as I +had no desire to share my conquest with another. For a whole hour I was +obliged to endure this painful constraint before I could succeed in +freeing myself from my importunate guest, and when I hastened to the +window all had disappeared. + +“The garden was empty when I entered it; no vessel of any kind was +visible in the canal; no trace of people on any side; I neither knew +whence she had come nor whither she had gone. While I was looking round +me in all directions I observed something white upon the ground. On +drawing near I found it was a piece of paper folded in the shape of a +note. What could it be but the letter which the Carmelite had brought? +‘Happy discovery!’ I exclaimed; ‘this will reveal the whole secret, and +make me master of her fate.’ + +“The letter was sealed with a sphinx, had no superscription, and was +written in cyphers; this, however, did not discourage me, for I have +some knowledge of this mode of writing. I copied it hastily, as there +was every reason to expect that she would soon miss it and return in +search of it. If she should not find it she would regard its loss as an +evidence that the garden was resorted to by different persons, and such +a discovery might easily deter her from visiting it again. And what +worse fortune could attend my hopes. + +“That which I had conjectured actually took place, and I had scarcely +ended my copy when she reappeared with her former companion, anxiously +intent on the search. I attached the note to a tile which I had +detached from the roof, and dropped it at a spot which she would pass. +Her gracefully expressed joy at finding it rewarded me for my +generosity. She examined it in every part with keen, searching glances, +as if she were seeking to detect the unhallowed hands that might have +touched it; but the contented look with which she hid it in her bosom +showed that she was free from all suspicion. She went, and the parting +glance she threw on the garden seemed expressive of gratitude to the +guardian deities of the spot, who had so faithfully watched over the +secret of her heart. + +“I now hastened to decipher the letter. After trying several languages, +I at length succeeded by the use of English. Its contents were so +remarkable that my memory still retains a perfect recollection of them.” + +I am interrupted, and must give you the conclusion on a future occasion. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +August. + +In truth, my dearest friend, you do the good Biondello injustice. The +suspicion you entertain against him is unfounded, and while I allow you +full liberty to condemn all Italians generally, I must maintain that +this one at least is an honest man. + +You think it singular that a person of such brilliant endowments and +such exemplary conduct should debase himself to enter the service of +another if he were not actuated by secret motives; and these, you +further conclude, must necessarily be of a suspicious character. But +where is the novelty of a man of talent and of merit endeavoring to win +favor with a prince who has the power of establishing his fortune? Is +there anything derogatory in serving the prince? and has not Biondello +clearly shown that his devotion is purely personal by confessing that he +earnestly desired to make a certain request of the prince? The whole +mystery will, therefore, no doubt be revealed when he acquaints him of +his wishes. He may certainly be actuated by secret motives, but why may +these not be innocent in their nature? + +You think it strange that this Biondello should have kept all his great +talents concealed, and in no way have attracted attention during the +early months of our acquaintance with him, when you were still with us. +This I grant; but what opportunity had he then of distinguishing +himself? The prince had not yet called his powers into requisition, and +chance, therefore, could alone aid us in discovering his talents. + +He very recently gave a proof of his devotion and honesty of purpose +which must at once annihilate all your doubts. The prince was watched; +measures were being taken to gain information regarding his mode of +life, associates, and general habits. I know not with whom this +inquisitiveness originated. Let me beg your attention, however, to what +I am about to relate:-- + +There is a house in St. George’s which Biondello is in the habit of +frequenting. He probably finds some peculiar attractions there, but of +this I know nothing. It happened a few days ago that he there met +assembled together a party of civil and military officers in the service +of the government, old acquaintances and jovial comrades of his own. +Surprise and pleasure were expressed on all sides at this meeting. +Their former good-fellowship was re-established; and after each in turn +had related his own history up to the present time, Biondello was called +upon to give an account of his life; this he did in a few words. He was +congratulated on his new position; his companions had heard accounts of +the splendid footing on which the Prince of -------‘s establishment was +maintained; of his liberality, especially to persons who showed +discretion in keeping secrets; the prince’s connection with the Cardinal +A------i was well known, he was said to be addicted to play, etc. +Biondello’s surprise at this is observed, and jokes are passed upon the +mystery which he tries to keep up, although it is well known that he is +the emissary of the Prince of ------. The two lawyers of the party make +him sit down between them; their glasses are repeatedly emptied, he is +urged to drink, but excuses himself on the grounds of inability to bear +wine; at last, however, he yields to their wishes, in order that he may +the better pretend intoxication. + +“Yes!” cried one of the lawyers, “Biondello understands his business, +but he has not yet learned all the tricks of the trade; he is but a +novice.” + +“What have I still to learn?” ask Biondello. + +“You understand the art of keeping a secret,” remarked the other; “but +you have still to learn that of parting with it to advantage.” + +“Am I likely to find a purchaser for any that I may have to dispose of?” + asked Biondello. + +On this the other guests withdrew from the apartment, and left him alone +with his two neighbors, who continued the conversation in the same +strain. The substance of the whole was, however, briefly as follows: +Biondello was to procure them certain information regarding the +intercourse of the prince with the cardinal and his nephew, acquaint +them with the source from whence the prince derived his money, and to +intercept all letters written to Count O------. Biondello put them off +to a future occasion, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts to draw +from them the name of the person by whom they were employed. From the +splendid nature of the proposals made to him it was evident, however, +that they emanated from some influential and extremely wealthy party. + +Last night he related the whole occurrence to the prince, whose first +impulse was without further ceremony to secure the maneuverers at once, +but to this Biondello strongly objected. He urged that he would be +obliged to set them at liberty again, and that, in this case, he should +endanger not only his credit among this class of men, but even his life. +All these men were connected together, and bound by one common interest, +each one making the cause of the others his own; in fact, he would +rather make enemies of the senate of Venice than be regarded by these +men as a traitor--and, besides, he could no longer be useful to the +prince if he lost the confidence of this class of people. + +We have pondered and conjectured much as to the source of all this. Who +is there in Venice that can care to know what money my master receives +or pays out, what passess between Cardinal A-----i and himself, and what +I write to you? Can it be some scheme of the Prince of ---d-----, or is +the Armenian again on the alert? + + + + +LETTER IX. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +August. + +The prince is revelling in love and bliss. He has recovered his fair +Greek. I must relate to you how this happened. + +A traveller, who had crossed from Chiozza, gave the prince so animated +an account of the beauty of this place, which is charmingly situated on +the shores of the gulf, that he became very anxious to see it. +Yesterday was fixed upon for the excursion; and, in order to avoid all +restraint and display, no one was to accompany him but Z------- and +myself, together with Biondello, as my master wished to remain unknown. +We found a vessel ready to start, and engaged our passage at once. The +company was very mixed but not numerous, and the passage was made +without the occurrence of any circumstance worthy of notice. + +Chiozza is built, like Venice, on a foundation of wooden piles, and is +said to contain about forty thousand inhabitants. There are but few of +the higher classes resident there, but one meets sailors and fishermen +at every step. Whoever appears in a peruke, or a cloak, is regarded as +an aristocrat--a rich man; the cap and overcoat are here the insignia of +the poor. The situation is certainly very lovely, but it will not bear +a comparison with Venice. + +We did not remain long, for the captain, who had more passengers for the +return voyage, was obliged to be in Venice at an early hour, and there +was nothing at Chiozza to make the prince desirous of remaining. All +the passengers were on board when we reached the vessel. As we had +found it so difficult to place ourselves on a social footing with the +company on the outward passage, we determined on this occasion to secure +a cabin to ourselves. The prince inquired who the new-comers were, and +was informed that they were a Dominican and some ladies, who were +returning to Venice. My master evincing no curiosity to see them, we +immediately betook ourselves to our cabin. + +The Greek was the subject of our conversation throughout the whole +passage, as she had been during our former transit. The prince dwelt +with ardor on her appearance in the church; and whilst numerous plans +were in turn devised and rejected, hours passed like a moment of time, +and we were already in sight of Venice. Some of the passengers now +disembarked, the Dominican amongst the number. The captain went to the +ladies, who, as we now first learned, had been separated from us by only +a thin wooden partition, and asked them where they wished to land. The +island of Murano was named in reply to his inquiry, and the house +indicated. “The island of Murano!” exclaimed the prince, who seemed +suddenly struck by a startling presentiment. Before I could reply to +his exclamation, Biondello rushed into the cabin. “Do you know,” asked +he eagerly, “who is on board with us?” The prince started to his feet, +as Biondello continued, “She is here! she herself! I have just spoken +to her companion!” + +The prince hurried out. He felt as if he could not breathe in our +narrow cabin, and I believe at that moment as if the whole world would +have been too narrow for him. A thousand conflicting feelings struggled +for the mastery in his heart; his knees trembled, and his countenance +was alternately flushed and pallid. I sympathized and participated in +his emotion, but I cannot by words convey to your mind any idea of the +state in which he was. + +When we stopped at Murano, the prince sprang on shore. She advanced +from her cabin. I read in the face of the prince that it was indeed +the Greek. One glance was sufficient to dispel all doubt on that point. +A more lovely creature I have never seen. Even the prince’s glowing +descriptions fell far short of the reality. A radiant blush suffused +her face when she saw my master. She must have heard all we said, and +could not fail to know that she herself had been the subject of our +conversation. She exchanged a significant glance with her companion, +which seemed to say, “That is he;” and then cast her eyes to the ground +with diffident confusion. On placing her foot on the narrow plank, +which had been thrown from the vessel to the shore, she seemed anxiously +to hesitate, less, as it seemed to me, from the fear of falling than +from her inability to cross the board without assistance, which was +proffered her by the outstretched arm of the prince. Necessity overcame +her reluctance, and, accepting the aid of his hand, she stepped on +shore. Excessive mental agitation had rendered the prince uncourteous, +and he wholly forgot to offer his services to the other lady--but what +was there that he would not have forgotten at this moment? My attention +in atoning for the remissness of the prince prevented my hearing the +commencement of a conversation which had begun between him and the young +Greek, while I had been helping the other lady on shore. + +He was still holding her hand in his, probably from absence of mind, and +without being conscious of the fact. + +“This is not the first time, Signora, that--that”--he stopped short, +unable to finish the sentence. + +“I think I remember” she faltered. + +“We met in the church of ---------,” said he, quickly. + +“Yes, it was in the church of ---------,” she rejoined. + +“And could I have supposed that this day would have brought me--” + +Here she gently withdrew her hand from his--he was evidently +embarrassed; but Biondello, who had in the meantime been speaking to the +servant, now came to his aid. + +“Si-nor,” said he, “the ladies had ordered sedans to be in readiness for +them; they have not yet come, for we are here before the expected time. +But there is a garden close by in which you may remain until the crowd +has dispersed.” + +The proposal was accepted; you may conceive with what alacrity on the +part of the prince! We remained in the garden till late in the evening; +and, fortunately, Z-------- and myself so effectually succeeded in +occupying the attention of the elder lady that the prince was enabled, +undisturbed, to carry on his conversation with the fair Greek. You will +easily believe that he made good use of his time, when I tell you that +he obtained permission to visit her. At the very moment that I am now +writing he is with her; on his return I shall be able to give you +further particulars regarding her. + +When we got home yesterday we found that the long-expected remittances +had arrived from our court; but at the same time the prince received a +letter which excited his indignation to the highest pitch. He has been +recalled, and that in a tone and manner to which he is wholly +unaccustomed. He immediately wrote a reply in a similar spirit, and +intends remaining. The remittances are only just sufficient to pay the +interest on the capital which he owes. We are looking with impatience +for a reply from his sister. + + + + +LETTER X. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +September. + +The prince has fallen out with his court, and all resources have +consequently been cut off from home. + +The term of six weeks, at the end of which my master was to pay the +marquis, has already elapsed several days; but still no remittances +have been forwarded, either from his cousin, of whom he had earnestly +requested an additional allowance in advance, or from his sister. You +may readily suppose that Civitella has not reminded him of his debt; the +prince’s memory is, however, all the more faithful. Yesterday morning +at length brought an answer from the seat of government. + +We had shortly before concluded a new arrangement with the master of our +hotel, and the prince had publicly announced his intention to remain +here sometime longer. Without uttering a word my master put the letter +into my hand. His eyes sparkled, and I could read the contents in his +face. + +Can you believe it, dear O; all my master’s proceedings here are known +at and have been most calumniously misrepresented by an abominable +tissue of lies? “Information has been received,” says the letter, +amongst other things, “to the effect that the prince has for some time +past belied his former character, and adopted a node of conduct totally +at variance with his former exemplary manner of acting and thinking.” + “It is known,” the writer says, “that he has addicted himself with the +greatest excess to women and play; that he is overwhelmed with debts; +puts his confidence in visionaries and charlatans, who pretend to have +power over spirits; maintains suspicious relations with Roman Catholic +prelates, and keeps up a degree of state which exceeds both his rank and +his means. Nay, it is even said, that he is about to bring this highly +offensive conduct to a climax by apostacy to the Church of Rome! and in +order to clear himself from this last charge he is required to return +immediately. A banker at Venice, to whom he must make known the true +amount of his debts, has received instructions to satisfy his creditors +immediately after his departure; for, under existing circumstances, it +does not appear expedient to remit the money directly into his hands.” + +What accusations, and what a mode of preferring them. I read the letter +again and again, in the hope of discovering some expression that +admitted of a milder construction, but in vain; it was wholly +incomprehensible. + +Z------- now reminded me of the secret inquiries which had been made +some time before of Biondello. The true nature of the inquiries and +circumstances all coincided. He had falsely ascribed them to the +Armenian; but now the source from whence the came was very evident. +Apostacy! But who can have any interest in calumniating my master so +scandalously? I should fear it was some machination of the Prince of +---d-----, who is determined on driving him from Venice. + +In the meantime the prince remained absorbed in thought, with his eyes +fixed on the ground. His continued silence alarmed me. I threw myself +at his feet. “For God’s sake, your highness,” I cried, “moderate your +feelings--you will--nay, you shall have satisfaction. Leave the whole +affair to me. Let me be your emissary. It is beneath your dignity to +reply to such accusations; but you will not, I know, refuse me the +privilege of doing so for you. The name of your calumniator must be +given up, and -------‘s eyes must be opened.” + +At this moment we were interrupted by the entrance of Civitella, who +inquired with surprise into the cause of our agitation. Z------- and +I did not answer; but the prince, who had long ceased to make any +distinction between him and us, and who, besides, was too much excited +to listen to the dictates of prudence, desired me to communicate the +contents of the letter to him. On my hesitating to obey him, he +snatched the letter from my hand and gave it to the marquis. + +“I am in your debt, marquis,” said he, as Civitella gave him back the +letter, after perusing it, with evident astonishment, “but do not let +that circumstance occasion you any uneasiness; grant me but a respite of +twenty days, and you shall be fully satisfied.” + +“Do I deserve this at your hands, gracious prince?” exclaimed +Civitella, with extreme emotion. + +“You have refrained from pressing me, and I gratefully appreciate your +delicacy. In twenty days, as I before said, you shall be fully +satisfied.” + +“But how is this?” asked Civitella, with agitation and surprise. “What +means all this? I cannot comprehend it.” + +We explained to him all that we knew, and his indignation was unbounded. +The prince, he asserted, must insist upon full satisfaction; the insult +was unparalleled. + +In the meanwhile he implored him to make unlimited use of his fortune +and his credit. + +When the marquis left us the prince still continued silent. He paced +the apartment with quick and determined steps, as if some strange and +unusual emotion were agitating his frame. At length he paused, +muttering between his teeth, “Congratulate yourself; he died at ten +o’clock.” + +We looked at him in terror. + +“Congratulate yourself,” he repeated. “Did he not say that I should +congratulate myself? What could he have meant?” + +“What has reminded you of those words?” I asked; “and what have they to +do with the present business?” + +“I did not then understand what the man meant, but now I do. Oh, it is +intolerable to be subject to a master.” + +“Gracious prince!” + +“Who can make us feel our dependence. Ha! it must be sweet, indeed.” + +He again paused. His looks alarmed me, for I had never before seen him +thus agitated. + +“Whether a man be poorest of the poor,” he continued, “or the next heir +to the throne, it is all one and the same thing. There is but one +difference between men--to obey or to command.” + +He again glanced over the letter. + +“You know the man,” he continued, “who has dared to write these words to +me. Would you salute him in the street if fate had not made him your +master? By Heaven, there is something great in a crown.” + +He went on in this strain, giving expression to many things which I dare +not trust to paper. On this occasion the prince confided a circumstance +to me which alike surprised and terrified me, and which may be followed +by the most alarming consequences. We have hitherto been entirely +deceived regarding the family relations of the court of --------. + +He answered the letter on the spot, notwithstanding my earnest entreaty +that he should postpone doing so; and the strain in which he wrote +leaves no ground to hope for a favorable settlement of those +differences. + +You are no doubt impatient, dear O------, to hear something definite +with respect to the Greek; but in truth I have very little to tell you. +From the prince I can learn nothing, as he has been admitted into her +confidence, and is, I believe, bound to secrecy. The fact has, however, +transpired that she is not a Greek, as we supposed, but a German of the +highest descent. From a certain report that has reached me, it would +appear that her mother is of the most exalted rank, and that she is the +fruit of an unfortunate amour which was once talked of all over Europe. +A course of secret persecution to which she had been exposed, in +consequence of her origin, compelled her to seek protection in Venice, +and to adopt that concealment which had rendered it impossible for the +prince to discover her retreat. The respect with which the prince +speaks of her, and a certain deferential deportment which he maintains +towards her, appear to corroborate the truth of this report. + +He is devoted to her with a fearful intensity of passion which increases +day by day. In the earliest stage of their acquaintance but few +interviews were granted; but after the first week the separations were +of shorter duration, and now there is scarce a day on which the prince +is not with her. Whole evenings pass without our even seeing him, and +when he is not with her she appears to form the sole object of his +thoughts. His whole being seems metamorphosed. He goes about as if +wrapped in a dream, and nothing that formerly interested him has now +power to arrest his attention even for a moment. + +How will this end, my dear friend? I tremble for the future. The +rupture with his court has placed my master in a state of humiliating +dependence on one sole person--the Marquis Civitella. This man is now +master of our secrets--of our whole fate. Will he always conduct +himself as nobly as he does now? Are his good intentions to be relied +upon; and is it expedient to confide so much weight and power to one +person--even were he the best of men? The prince’s sister has again +been written to--the result of this fresh appeal you shall learn in my +next letter. + + + + +COUNT O------- IN CONTINUATION. + +This letter never reached me. Three months passed without my receiving +any tidings from Venice,--an interruption to our correspondence which +the sequel but too clearly explained. All my friend’s letters to me had +been kept back and suppressed. My emotion may be conceived when, in the +December of the same year, the following letter reached me by mere +accident (as it afterwards appeared), owing to the sudden illness of +Biondello, into whose hands it had been committed. + +“You do not write; you do not answer me. Come, I entreat you, come on +the wings of friendship! Our hopes are fled! Read the enclosed,--all +our hopes are at an end! + +“The wounds of the marquis are reported mortal. The cardinal vows +vengeance, and his bravos are in pursuit of the prince. My master--oh! +my unhappy master! Has it come to this! Wretched, horrible fate! We +are compelled to hide ourselves, like malefactors, from assassins and +creditors. + +“I am writing to you from the convent of --------, where the prince has +found an asylum. At this moment he is resting on his hard couch by my +side, and is sleeping--but, alas! it is only the sleep of deadly +exhaustion, that will but give him new strength for new trials. During +the ten days that she was ill no sleep closed his eyes. I was present +when the body was opened. Traces of poison were detected. To-day she +is to be buried. + +“Alas! dearest O------, my heart is rent. I have lived through scenes +that can never be effaced from my memory. I stood beside her deathbed. +She departed like a saint, and her last strength was spent in trying +with persuasive eloquence to lead her lover into the path that she was +treading in her way to heaven. Our firmness was completely gone--the +prince alone maintained his fortitude, and although he suffered a triple +agony of death with her, he yet retained strength of mind sufficient to +refuse the last prayer of the pious enthusiast.” + +This letter contained the following enclosure: + +TO THE PRINCE OF --------, FROM HIS SISTER. + +“The one sole redeeming church which has made so glorious a conquest of +the Prince of -------- will surely not refuse to supply him with means +to pursue the mode of life to which she owes this conquest. I have +tears and prayers for one that has gone astray, but nothing further to +bestow on one so worthless! HENRIETTE.” + + +I instantly threw myself into a carriage--travelled night and day, and +in the third week I was in Venice. My speed availed nothing. I had +come to bring comfort and help to an unhappy one, but I found a happy +one who needed not my weak aid. F------- was ill when I arrived, and +unable to see me, but the following note was brought to me from him. + +“Return, dearest O-----, to whence you came. The prince no longer needs +you or me. His debts have been paid; the cardinal is reconciled to him, +and the marquis has recovered. Do you remember the Armenian who +perplexed us so much last year? In his arms you will find the prince, +who five days since attended mass for the first time.” + +Notwithstanding all this I earnestly sought an interview with the +prince, but was refused. By the bedside of my friend I learnt the +particulars of this strange story. + + + + + + + THE SPORT OF DESTINY + +ALOYSIUS VON G------ was the son of a citizen of distinction, in the +service of -------, and the germs of his fertile genius had been early +developed by a liberal education. While yet very young, but already +well grounded in the principles of knowledge, he entered the military +service of his sovereign, to whom he soon made himself known as a young +man of great merit and still greater promise. G------ was now in the +full glow of youth, so also was the prince. G------ was ardent and +enterprising; the prince, of a similar disposition, loved such +characters. Endued with brilliant wit and a rich fund of information, +G------ possessed the art of ingratiating himself with all around him; +he enlivened every circle in which he moved by his felicitous humor, and +infused life and spirit into every subject that came before him. The +prince had discernment enough to appreciate in another those virtues +which he himself possessed in an eminent degree. Everything which +G------ undertook, even to his very sports, had an air of grandeur; no +difficulties could daunt him, no failures vanquish his perseverance. +The value of these qualities was increased by an attractive person, the +perfect image of blooming health and herculean strength, and heightened +by the eloquent expression natural to an active mind; to these was added +a certain native and unaffected dignity, chastened and subdued by a +noble modesty. If the prince was charmed with the intellectual +attractions of his young companion, his fascinating exterior +irresistibly captivated his senses. Similarity of age, of tastes, and +of character soon produced an intimacy between them, which possessed all +the strength of friendship and all the warmth and fervor of the most +passionate love. G------ rose with rapidity from one promotion to +another; but whatever the extent of favors conferred they still seemed +in the estimation of the prince to fall short of his deserts. His +fortune advanced with gigantic strides, for the author of his greatness +was his devoted admirer and his warmest friend. Not yet twenty-two +years of age, he already saw himself placed on an eminence hitherto +attained only by the most fortunate at the close of their career. But +his active spirit was incapable of reposing long in the lap of indolent +vanity, or of contenting itself with the glittering pomp of an elevated +office, to perform the behests of which he was conscious of possessing +both the requisite courage and the abilities. Whilst the prince was +engaged in rounds of pleasure, his young favorite buried himself among +archives and books, and devoted himself with laborious assiduity to +affairs of state, in which he at length became so expert that every +matter of importance passed through his hands. From the companion of +his pleasures he soon became first councillor and minister, and finally +the ruler of his sovereign. In a short time there was no road to the +prince’s favor but through him. He disposed of all offices and +dignities; all rewards were received from his hands. + +G------ had attained this vast influence at too early an age, and had +risen by too rapid strides to enjoy his power with moderation. The +eminence on which he beheld himself made his ambition dizzy, and no +sooner was the final object of his wishes attained than his modesty +forsook him. The respectful deference shown him by the first nobles of +the land, by all who, in birth, fortune, and reputation, so far +surpassed him, and which was even paid to him, youth as he was, by the +oldest senators, intoxicated his pride, while his unlimited power served +to develop a certain harshness which had been latent in his character, +and which, throughout all the vicissitudes of his fortune, remained. +There was no service, however considerable or toilsome, which his +friends might not safely ask at his hands; but his enemies might well +tremble! for, in proportion as he was extravagant in rewards, so was he +implacable in revenge. He made less use of his influence to enrich +himself than to render happy a number of beings who should pay homage +to him as the author of their prosperity; but caprice alone, and not +justice, dictated the choice of his subjects. By a haughty, imperious +demeanor he alienated the hearts even of those whom he had most +benefited; while at the same time he converted his rivals and secret +enviers into deadly enemies. + +Amongst those who watched all his movements with jealousy and envy, and +who were silently preparing instruments for his destruction, was Joseph +Martinengo, a Piedmontese count belonging to the prince’s suite, whom +G------ himself had formerly promoted, as an inoffensive creature, +devoted to his interests, for the purpose of supplying his own place in +attending upon the pleasures of the prince--an office which he began to +find irksome, and which he willingly exchanged for more useful +employment. Viewing this man merely as the work of his own hands, whom +he might at any period consign to his former insignificance, he felt +assured of the fidelity of his creature from motives of fear no less +than of gratitude. He fell thus into the error committed by Richelieu, +when he made over to Louis XII., as a sort of plaything, the young Le +Grand. Without Richelieu’s sagacity, however, to repair his error, he +had to deal with a far more wily enemy than fell to the lot of the +French minister. Instead of boasting of his good fortune, or allowing +his benefactor to feel that he could now dispense with his patronage, +Martinengo was, on the contrary, the more cautious to maintain a show of +dependence, and with studied humility affected to attach himself more +and more closely to the author of his prosperity. Meanwhile, he did not +omit to avail himself, to its fullest extent, of the opportunities +afforded him by his office, of being continually about the prince’s +person, to make himself daily more useful, and eventually indispensable +to him. In a short time he had fathomed the prince’s sentiments +thoroughly, had discovered all the avenues to his confidence, and +imperceptibly stolen himself into his favor. All those arts which a +noble pride, and a natural elevation of character, had taught the +minister to disdain, were brought into play by the Italian, who scrupled +not to avail himself of the most despicable means for attaining his +object. Well aware that man never stands so much in need of a guide and +assistant as in the paths of vice, and that nothing gives a stronger +title to bold familiarity than a participation in secret indiscretions, +he took measures for exciting passions in the prince which had hitherto +lain dormant, and then obtruded himself upon him as a confidant and an +accomplice. He plunged him especially into those excesses which least +of all endure witnesses, and imperceptibly accustomed the prince to make +him the depository of secrets to which no third person was admitted. +Upon the degradation of the prince’s character he now began to found his +infamous schemes of aggrandizement, and, as he had made secrecy a means +of success, he had obtained entire possession of his master’s heart +before G------ even allowed himself to suspect that he shared it with +another. + +It may appear singular that so important a change should escape the +minister’s notice; but G------ was too well assured of his own worth +ever to think of a man like Martinengo in the light of a competitor; +while the latter was far too wily, and too much on his guard, to commit +the least error which might tend to rouse his enemy from his fatal +security. That which has caused thousands of his predecessors to +stumble on the slippery path of royal favor was also the cause of +G------‘s fall, immoderate self-confidence. The secret intimacy between +his creature, Martinengo, and his royal master gave him no uneasiness; +he readily resigned a privilege which he despised and which had never +been the object of his ambition. It was only because it smoothed his +way to power that he had ever valued the prince’s friendship, and he +inconsiderately threw down the ladder by which he had risen as soon as +he had attained the wished-for eminence. + +Martinengo was not the man to rest satisfied with so subordinate a part. +At each step which he advanced in the prince’s favor his hopes rose +higher, and his ambition began to grasp at a more substantial +gratification. The deceitful humility which he had hitherto found it +necessary to maintain towards his benefactor became daily more irksome +to him, in proportion as the growth of his reputation awakened his +pride. On the other hand, the minister’s deportment toward him by no +means improved with his marked progress in the prince’s favor, but was +often too visibly directed to rebuke his growing pride by reminding him +of his humble origin. This forced and unnatural position having become +quite insupportable, he at length formed the determination of putting an +end to it by the destruction of his rival. Under an impenetrable veil +of dissimulation he brought his plan to maturity. He dared not venture +as yet to come into open conflict with his rival; for, although the +first glow of the minister’s favor was at an end, it had commenced too +early, and struck root too deeply in the bosom of the prince, to be torn +from it abruptly. The slightest circumstance might restore it to all +its former vigor; and therefore Martinengo well understood that the blow +which he was about to strike must be a mortal one. Whatever ground +G------ might have lost in the prince’s affections he had gained in his +respect. The more the prince withdrew himself from the affairs of +state, the less could he dispense with the services of a man, who with +the most conscientious devotion and fidelity had consulted his master’s +interests, even at the expense of the country,--and G------ was now as +indispensable to him as a minister as he had formerly been dear to him +as a friend. + +By what means the Italian accomplished his purpose has remained a secret +between those on whom the blow fell and those who directed it. It was +reported that he laid before the prince the original draughts of a +secret and very suspicious correspondence which G------ is said to have +carried on with a neighboring court; but opinions differ as to whether +the letters were authentic or spurious. Whatever degree of truth there +may have been in the accusation it is but too certain that it fearfully +accomplished the end in view. In the eyes of the prince G----- +appeared the most ungrateful and vilest of traitors, whose treasonable +practices were so thoroughly proved as to warrant the severest measures +without further investigation. The whole affair was arranged with the +most profound secrecy between Martinengo and his master, so that G------ +had not the most distant presentiment of the impending storm. He +continued wrapped in this fatal security until the dreadful moment in +which he was destined, from being the object of universal homage and +envy, to become that of the deepest commiseration. + +When the decisive day arrived, G------ appeared, according to custom, +upon the parade. He had risen in a few years from the rank of ensign to +that of colonel; and even this was only a modest name for that of prime +minister, which he virtually filled, and which placed him above the +foremost of the land. The parade was the place where his pride was +greeted with universal homage, and where he enjoyed for one short hour +the dignity for which he endured a whole day of toil and privation. +Those of the highest rank approached him with reverential deference, +and those who were not assured of his favor with fear and trembling. +Even the prince, whenever he visited the parade, saw himself neglected +by the side of his vizier, inasmuch as it was far more dangerous to +incur the displeasure of the latter than profitable to gain the +friendship of the former. This very place, where he was wont to be +adored as a god, had been selected for the dreadful theatre of his +humiliation. + +With a careless step he entered the well-known circle of courtiers, +who, as unsuspicious as himself of what was to follow, paid their usual +homage, awaiting his commands. After a short interval appeared +Martinengo, accompanied by two adjutants, no longer the supple, +cringing, smiling courtier, but overbearing and insolent, like a lackey +suddenly raised to the rank of a gentleman. With insolence and +effrontery he strutted up to the prime minister, and, confronting him +with his head covered, demanded his sword in the prince’s name. This +was handed to him with a look of silent consternation; Martinengo, +resting the naked point on the ground, snapped it in two with his foot, +and threw the fragments at G-----‘s feet. At this signal the two +adjutants seized him; one tore the Order of the Cross from his breast; +the other pulled off his epaulettes, the facings of his uniform, and +even the badge and plume of feathers from his hat. During the whole of +the appalling operation, which was conducted with incredible speed, not +a sound nor a respiration was heard from more than five hundred persons +who were present; but all, with blanched faces and palpitating hearts, +stood in deathlike silence around the victim, who in his strange +disarray--a rare spectacle of the melancholy and the ridiculous-- +underwent a moment of agony which could only be equalled by feelings +engendered on the scaffold. Thousands there are who in his situation +would have been stretched senseless on the ground by the first shock; +but his firm nerves and unflinching spirit sustained him through this +bitter trial, and enabled him to drain the cup of bitterness to its +dregs. + +When this procedure was ended he was conducted through rows of thronging +spectators to the extremity of the parade, where a covered carriage was +in waiting. He was motioned to ascend, an escort of hussars being +ready-mounted to attend to him. Meanwhile the report of this event had +spread through the whole city; every window was flung open, every street +lined with throngs of curious spectators, who pursued the carriage, +shouting his name, amid cries of scorn and malicious exultation, or of +commiseration more bitter to bear than either. At length he cleared the +town, but here a no less fearful trial awaited him. The carriage turned +out of the high road into a narrow, unfrequented path--a path which led +to the gibbet, and alongside which, by command of the prince, he was +borne at a slow pace. After he had suffered all the torture of +anticipated execution the carriage turned off into the public road. +Exposed to the sultry summer-heat, without refreshment or human +consolation, he passed seven dreadful hours in journeying to the place +of destination--a prison fortress. It was nightfall before he arrived; +when, bereft of all consciousness, more dead than alive, his giant +strength having at length yielded to twelve hours’ fast and consuming +thirst, he was dragged from the carriage; and, on regaining his senses, +found himself in a horrible subterraneous vault. The first object that +presented itself to his gaze was a horrible dungeon-wall, feebly +illuminated by a few rays of the moon, which forced their way through +narrow crevices to a depth of nineteen fathoms. At his side he found a +coarse loaf, a jug of water, and a bundle of straw for his couch. He +endured this situation until noon the ensuing day, when an iron wicket +in the centre of the tower was opened, and two hands were seen lowering +a basket, containing food like that he had found the preceding night. +For the first time since the terrible change in his fortunes did pain +and suspense extort from him a question or two. Why was he brought +hither? What offence had he committed? But he received no answer; the +hands disappeared; and the sash was closed. Here, without beholding the +face, or hearing the voice of a fellow-creature; without the least clue +to his terrible destiny; fearful doubts and misgivings overhanging alike +the past and the future; cheered by no rays of the sun, and soothed by +no refreshing breeze; remote alike from human aid and human compassion; +--here, in this frightful abode of misery, he numbered four hundred and +ninety long and mournful days, which he counted by the wretched loaves +that, day after day, with dreary monotony, were let down into his +dungeon. But a discovery which he one day made early in his confinement +filled up the measure of his affliction. He recognized the place. It +was the same which he himself, in a fit of unworthy vengeance against a +deserving officer, who had the misfortune to displease him, had ordered +to be constructed only a few months before. With inventive cruelty he +had even suggested the means by which the horrors of captivity might be +aggravated; and it was but recently that he had made a journey hither in +order personally to inspect the place and hasten its completion. What +added the last bitter sting to his punishment was that the same officer +for whom he had prepared the dungeon, an aged and meritorious colonel, +had just succeeded the late commandant of the fortress, recently +deceased, and, from having been the victim of his vengeance, had become +the master of his fate. He was thus deprived of the last melancholy +solace, the right of compassionating himself, and of accusing destiny, +hardly as it might use him, of injustice. To the acuteness of his other +suffering was now added a bitter self-contempt, contempt, and the pain +which to a sensitive mind is the severest--dependence upon the +generosity of a foe to whom he had shown none. + +But that upright man was too noble-minded to take a mean revenge. +It pained him deeply to enforce the severities which his instructions +enjoined; but as an old soldier, accustomed to fulfil his orders to +the letter with blind fidelity, he could do no more than pity, +compassionate. The unhappy man found a more active assistant in the +chaplain of the garrison, who, touched by the sufferings of the +prisoner, which had just reached his ears, and then only through vague +and confused reports, instantly took a firm resolution to do something +to alleviate them. This excellent man, whose name I unwillingly +suppress, believed he could in no way better fulfil his holy vocation +than by bestowing his spiritual support and consolation upon a wretched +being deprived of all other hopes of mercy. + +As he could not obtain permission from the commandant himself to visit +him he repaired in person to the capital, in order to urge his suit +personally with the prince. He fell at his feet, and implored mercy for +the unhappy man, who, shut out from the consolations of Christianity, a +privilege from which even the greatest crime ought not to debar him, was +pining in solitude, and perhaps on the brink of despair. With all the +intrepidity and dignity which the conscious discharge of duty inspires, +he entreated, nay demanded, free access to the prisoner, whom he claimed +as a penitent for whose soul he was responsible to heaven. The good +cause in which he spoke made him eloquent, and time had already somewhat +softened the prince’s anger. He granted him permission to visit the +prisoner, and administer to his spiritual wants. + +After a lapse of sixteen months, the first human face which the unhappy +G------ beheld was that of his new benefactor. The only friend he had +in the world he owed to his misfortunes, all his prosperity had gained +him none. The good pastor’s visit was like the appearance of an angel-- +it would be impossible to describe his feelings, but from that day forth +his tears flowed more kindly, for he had found one human being who +sympathized with and compassionated him. + +The pastor was filled with horror on entering the frightful vault. His +eyes sought a human form, but beheld, creeping towards him from a corner +opposite, which resembled rather the lair of a wild beast than the abode +of anything human, a monster, the sight of which made his blood run +cold. A ghastly deathlike skeleton, all the hue of life perished from a +face on which grief and despair had traced deep furrows--his beard and +nails, from long neglect, grown to a frightful length-his clothes rotten +and hanging about him in tatters; and the air he breathed, for want of +ventilation and cleansing, foul, fetid, and infectious. In this state +be found the favorite of fortune;--his iron frame had stood proof +against it all! Seized with horror at the sight, the pastor hurried +back to the governor, in order to solicit a second indulgence for the +poor wretch, without which the first would prove of no avail. + +As the governor again excused himself by pleading the imperative nature +of his instructions, the pastor nobly resolved on a second journey to +the capital, again to supplicate the prince’s mercy. There he protested +solemnly that, without violating the sacred character of the sacrament, +he could not administer it to the prisoner until some resemblance of the +human form was restored to him. This prayer was also granted; and from +that day forward the unfortunate man might be said to begin a new +existence. + +Several long years were spent by him in the fortress, but in a much more +supportable condition, after the short summer of the new favorite’s +reign had passed, and others succeeded in his place, who either +possessed more humanity or no motive for revenge. At length, after ten +years of captivity, the hour of his delivery arrived, but without any +judicial investigation or formal acquittal. He was presented with his +freedom as a boon of mercy, and was, at the same time, ordered to quit +his native country forever. + +Here the oral traditions which I have been able to collect respecting +his history begin to fail; and I find myself compelled to pass in +silence over a period of about twenty years. During the interval +G------ entered anew upon his military career, in a foreign service, +which eventually brought him to a pitch of greatness quite equal to that +from which he had, in his native country, been so awfully precipitated. +At length time, that friend of the unfortunate, who works a slow but +inevitable retribution, took into his hands the winding up of this +affair. The prince’s days of passion were over; humanity gradually +resumed its sway over him as his hair whitened with age. At the brink +of the grave he felt a yearning towards the friend of his early youth. +In order to repay, as far as possible, the gray-headed old man, for the +injuries which had been heaped upon the youth, the prince, with friendly +expressions, invited the exile to revisit his native land, towards which +for some time past G------‘s heart had secretly yearned. The meeting +was extremely trying, though apparently warm and cordial, as if they had +only separated a few days before. The prince looked earnestly at his +favorite, as if trying to recall features so well known to him, and yet +so strange; he appeared as if numbering the deep furrows which he had +himself so cruelly traced there. He looked searchingly in the old man’s +face for the beloved features of the youth, but found not what he +sought. The welcome and the look of mutual confidence were evidently +forced on both sides; shame on one side and dread on the other had +forever separated their hearts. A sight which brought back to the +prince’s soul the full sense of his guilty precipitancy could not be +gratifying to him, while G------ felt that he could no longer love the +author of his misfortunes. Comforted, nevertheless, and in +tranquillity, he looked back upon the past as the remembrance of a +fearful dream. + +In a short time G------ was reinstated in all his former dignities, and +the prince smothered his feelings of secret repugnance by showering upon +him the most splendid favors as some indemnification for the past. But +could he also restore to him the heart which he had forever untuned for +the enjoyment of life? Could he restore his years of hope? or make +even a shadow of reparation to the stricken old man for what he had +stolen from him in the days of his youth? + +For nineteen years G------- continued to enjoy this clear, unruffled +evening of his days. Neither misfortune nor age had been able to quench +in him the fire of passion, nor wholly to obscure the genial humor of +his character. In his seventieth year he was still in pursuit of the +shadow of a happiness which he had actually possessed in his twentieth. +He at length died governor of the fortress where state prisoners are +confined. One would naturally have expected that towards these he would +have exercised a humanity, the value of which he had been so thoroughly +taught to appreciate in his own person; but he treated them with +harshness and caprice; and a paroxysm of rage, in which he broke out +against one of his prisoners, laid him in his coffin, in his eightieth +year. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), +and Sport of Destiny, by Frederich Schiller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + +***** This file should be named 6781-0.txt or 6781-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/8/6781/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), and Sport of Destiny + +Author: Friedrich Schiller + +Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6781] +Last Updated: September 1, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + THE GHOST-SEER; OR, APPARITIONIST. <br /><br /> AND <br /><br /> SPORT OF + DESTINY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK I</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>BOOK II</b>. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> LETTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LETTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> LETTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> LETTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> LETTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> LETTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> LETTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> LETTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> LETTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> LETTER X. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK I. <br /> <br /> FROM THE PAPERS OF COUNT O——— + </h2> + <p> + I am about to relate an adventure which to many will appear incredible, + but of which I was in great part an eye-witness. The few who are + acquainted with a certain political event will, if indeed these pages + should happen to find them alive, receive a welcome solution thereof. And, + even to the rest of my readers, it will be, perhaps, important as a + contribution to the history of the deception and aberrations of the human + intellect. The boldness of the schemes which malice is able to contemplate + and to carry out must excite astonishment, as must also the means of which + it can avail itself to accomplish its aims. Clear, unvarnished truth shall + guide my pen; for, when these pages come before the public, I shall be no + more, and shall therefore never learn their fate. + </p> + <p> + On my return to Courland in the year 17—, about the time of the + Carnival, I visited the Prince of ——— at Venice. We had + been acquainted in the ——— service, and we here renewed + an intimacy which, by the restoration of peace, had been interrupted. As I + wished to see + </p> + <p> + the curiosities of this city, and as the prince was waiting only for the + arrival of remittances to return to his native country, he easily + prevailed on me to tarry till his departure. We agreed not to separate + during the time of our residence at Venice, and the prince was kind enough + to accommodate me at his lodgings at the Moor Hotel. + </p> + <p> + As the prince wished to enjoy himself, and his small revenues did not + permit him to maintain the dignity of his rank, he lived at Venice in the + strictest incognito. Two noblemen, in whom he had entire confidence, and a + few faithful servants, composed all his retinue. He shunned expenditure, + more however from inclination than economy. He avoided all kinds of + dissipation, and up to the age of thirty-five years had resisted the + numerous allurements of this voluptuous city. To the charms of the fair + sex he was wholly indifferent. A settled gravity and an enthusiastic + melancholy were the prominent features of his character. His affections + were tranquil, but obstinate to excess. He formed his attachments with + caution and timidity, but when once formed they were cordial and + permanent. In the midst of a tumultuous crowd he walked in solitude. + Wrapped in his own visionary ideas, he was often a stranger to the world + about him; and, sensible of his own deficiency in the knowledge of + mankind, he scarcely ever ventured an opinion of his own, and was apt to + pay an unwarrantable deference to the judgment of others. Though far from + being weak, no man was more liable to be governed; but, when conviction + had once entered his mind, he became firm and decisive; equally courageous + to combat an acknowledged prejudice or to die for a new one. + </p> + <p> + As he was the third prince of his house, he had no likely prospect of + succeeding to the sovereignty. His ambition had never been awakened; his + passions had taken another direction. Contented to find himself + independent of the will of others, he never enforced his own as a law; his + utmost wishes did not soar beyond the peaceful quietude of a private life, + free from care. He read much, but without discrimination. As his education + had been neglected, and, as he had early entered the career of arms, his + understanding had never been fully matured. Hence the knowledge he + afterwards acquired served but to increase the chaos of his ideas, because + it was built on an unstable foundation. + </p> + <p> + He was a Protestant, as all his family had been, by birth, but not by + investigation, which he had never attempted, although at one period of his + life he had been an enthusiast in its cause. He had never, so far as came + to my knowledge, been a freemason. + </p> + <p> + One evening we were, as usual, walking by ourselves, well masked in the + square of St. Mark. It was growing late, and the crowd was dispersing, + when the prince observed a mask which followed us everywhere. This mask + was an Armenian, and walked alone. We quickened our steps, and endeavored + to baffle him by repeatedly altering our course. It was in vain, the mask + was always close behind us. “You have had no intrigue here, I hope,” said + the prince at last, “the husbands of Venice are dangerous.” “I do not know + a single lady in the place,” was my answer. “Let us sit down here, and + speak German,” said he; “I fancy we are mistaken for some other persons.” + We sat down upon a stone bench, and expected the mask would have passed + by. He came directly up to us, and took his seat by the side of the + prince. The latter took out his watch, and, rising at the same time, + addressed me thus in a loud voice in French, “It is past nine. Come, we + forget that we are waited for at the Louvre.” This speech he only invented + in order to deceive the mask as to our route. “Nine!” repeated the latter + in the same language, in a slow and expressive voice, “Congratulate + yourself, my prince” (calling him by his real name); “he died at nine.” In + saying this, he rose and went away. + </p> + <p> + We looked at each other in amazement. “Who is dead?” said the prince at + length, after a long silence. “Let us follow him,” replied I, “and demand + an explanation.” We searched every corner of the place; the mask was + nowhere to be found. We returned to our hotel disappointed. The prince + spoke not a word to me the whole way; he walked apart by himself, and + appeared to be greatly agitated, which he afterwards confessed to me was + the case. Having reached home, he began at length to speak: “Is it not + laughable,” said he, “that a madman should have the power thus to disturb + a man’s tranquillity by two or three words?” We wished each other a + goodnight; and, as soon as I was in my own apartment, I noted down in my + pocket-book the day and the hour when this adventure happened. It was on a + Thursday. + </p> + <p> + The next evening the prince said to me, “Suppose we go to the square of + St. Mark, and seek for our mysterious Armenian. I long to see this comedy + unravelled.” I consented. We walked in the square till eleven. The + Armenian was nowhere to be seen. We repeated our walk the four following + evenings, and each time with the same bad success. + </p> + <p> + On the sixth evening, as we went out of the hotel, it occurred to me, + whether designedly or otherwise I cannot recollect, to tell the servants + where we might be found in case we should be inquired for. The prince + remarked my precaution, and approved of it with a smile. We found the + square of St. Mark very much crowded. Scarcely had we advanced thirty + steps when I perceived the Armenian, who was pressing rapidly through the + crowd, and seemed to be in search of some one. We were just approaching + him, when Baron F——, one of the prince’s retinue, came up to + us quite breathless, and delivered to the prince a letter. “It is sealed + with black,” said he, “and we supposed from this that it might contain + matters of importance.” I was struck as with a thunderbolt. The prince + went near a torch, and began to read. “My cousin is dead!” exclaimed he. + “When?” inquired I anxiously, interrupting him. He looked again into the + letter. “Last Thursday night at nine.” + </p> + <p> + We had not recovered from our surprise when the Armenian stood before us. + “You are known here, my prince!” said he. “Hasten to your hotel. You will + find there the deputies from the Senate. Do not hesitate to accept the + honor they intend to offer you. Baron I—forgot to tell you that your + remittances are arrived.” He disappeared among the crowd. + </p> + <p> + We hastened to our hotel, and found everything as the Armenian had told + us. Three noblemen of the republic were waiting to pay their respects to + the prince, and to escort him in state to the Assembly, where the first + nobility of the city were ready to receive him. He had hardly time enough + to give me a hint to sit up for him till his return. + </p> + <p> + About eleven o’clock at night he returned. On entering the room he + appeared grave and thoughtful. Having dismissed the servants, he took me + by the hand, and said, in the words of Hamlet, “Count —— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘There are more things in heav’n and earth, + Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’” + </pre> + <p> + “Gracious prince!” replied I, “you seem to forget that you are retiring to + your pillow greatly enriched in prospect.” The deceased was the hereditary + prince. + </p> + <p> + “Do not remind me of it,” said the prince; “for should I even have + acquired a crown I am now too much engaged to occupy myself with such a + trifle. If that Armenian has not merely guessed by chance” + </p> + <p> + “How can that be, my prince?” interrupted I. + </p> + <p> + “Then will I resign to you all my hopes of royalty in exchange for a + monk’s cowl.” + </p> + <p> + I have mentioned this purposely to show how far every ambitious idea was + then distant from his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + The following evening we went earlier than usual to the square of St. + Mark. A sudden shower of rain obliged us to take shelter in a + coffee-house, where we found a party engaged at cards. The prince took his + place behind the chair of a Spaniard to observe the game. I went into an + adjacent chamber to read the newspapers. A short time afterwards I heard a + noise in the card-room. Previously to the entrance of the prince the + Spaniard had been constantly losing, but since then he had won upon every + card. The fortune of the game was reversed in a striking manner, and the + bank was in danger of being challenged by the pointeur, whom this lucky + change of fortune had rendered more adventurous. A Venetian, who kept the + bank, told the prince in a very rude manner that his presence interrupted + the fortune of the game, and desired him to quit the table. The latter + looked coldly at him, remained in his place, and preserved the same + countenance, when the Venetian repeated his insulting demand in French. He + thought the prince understood neither French nor Italian; and, addressing + himself with a contemptuous laugh to the company, said “Pray, gentlemen, + tell me how I must make myself understood to this fool.” At the same time + he rose and prepared to seize the prince by the arm. His patience forsook + the latter; he grasped the Venetian with a strong hand, and threw him + violently on the ground. The company rose up in confusion. Hearing the + noise, I hastily entered the room, and unguardedly called the prince by + his name. “Take care,” said I, imprudently; “we are in Venice.” The name + of the prince caused a general silence, which ended in a whispering which + appeared to me to have a dangerous tendency. All the Italians present + divided into parties, and kept aloof. One after the other left the room, + so that we soon found ourselves alone with the Spaniard and a few + Frenchmen. “You are lost, prince,” said they, “if you do not leave the + city immediately. The Venetian whom you have handled so roughly is rich + enough to hire a bravo. It costs him but fifty zechins to be revenged by + your death.” The Spaniard offered, for the security of the prince, to go + for the guards, and even to accompany us home himself. The Frenchmen + proposed to do the same. We were still deliberating what to do when the + doors suddenly opened, and some officers of the Inquisition entered the + room. They produced an order of government, which charged us both to + follow them immediately. They conducted us under a strong escort to the + canal, where a gondola was waiting for us, in which we were ordered to + embark. We were blindfolded before we landed. They led us up a large stone + staircase, and through a long, winding passage, over vaults, as I judged + from the echoes that resounded under our feet. At length we came to + another staircase, and, having descended a flight of steps, we entered a + hall, where the bandage was removed from our eyes. We found ourselves in a + circle of venerable old men, all dressed in black; the hall was hung round + with black and dimly lighted. A dead silence reigned in the assembly, + which inspired us with a feeling of awe. One of the old men, who appeared + to be the principal Inquisitor, approached the prince with a solemn + countenance, and said, pointing to the Venetian, who was led forward: + </p> + <p> + “Do you recognize this man as the same who offended you at the + coffee-house?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” answered the prince. + </p> + <p> + Then addressing the prisoner: “Is this the same person whom you meant to + have assassinated to-night?” + </p> + <p> + The prisoner replied, “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + In the same instant the circle opened, and we saw with horror the head of + the Venetian severed from his body. + </p> + <p> + “Are you content with this satisfaction?” said the Inquisitor. The prince + had fainted in the arms of his attendants. “Go,” added the Inquisitor, + turning to me, with a terrible voice, “Go; and in future judge less + hastily of the administration of justice in Venice.” + </p> + <p> + Who the unknown friend was who had thus saved us from inevitable death, by + interposing in our behalf the active arm of justice, we could not + conjecture. Filled with terror we reached our hotel. It was past midnight. + The chamberlain, Z———, was waiting anxiously for us at + the door. + </p> + <p> + “How fortunate it was that you sent us a message,” said he to the prince, + as he lighted us up the staircase. “The news which Baron F—— + soon after brought us respecting you from the square of St. Mark would + otherwise have given us the greatest uneasiness.” + </p> + <p> + “I sent you a message!” said the prince. “When? I know nothing of it.” + </p> + <p> + “This evening, after eight, you sent us word that we must not be alarmed + if you should come home later to-night than usual.” + </p> + <p> + The prince looked at me. “Perhaps you have taken this precaution without + mentioning it to me.” + </p> + <p> + I knew nothing of it. + </p> + <p> + “It must be so, however,” replied the chamberlain, “since here is your + repeating-watch, which you sent me as a mark of authenticity.” + </p> + <p> + The prince put his hand to his watch-pocket. It was empty, and he + recognized the watch which the chamberlain held as his own. + </p> + <p> + “Who brought it?” said he, in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “An unknown mask, in an Armenian dress, who disappeared immediately.” + </p> + <p> + We stood looking at each other. “What do you think of this?” said the + prince at last, after a long silence. “I have a secret guardian here in + Venice.” + </p> + <p> + The frightful transaction of this night threw the prince into a fever, + which confined him to his room for a week. During this time our hotel was + crowded with Venetians and strangers, who visited the prince from a + deference to his newly-discovered rank. They vied with each other in + offers of service, and it was not a little entertaining to observe that + the last visitor seldom failed to hint some suspicion derogatory to the + character of the preceding one. Billets-doux and nostrums poured in upon + us from all quarters. Every one endeavored to recommend himself in his own + way. Our adventure with the Inquisition was no more mentioned. The court + of ————, wishing the prince to delay his departure + from Venice for some time, orders were sent to several bankers to pay him + considerable sums of money. He was thus, against his will, compelled to + protract his residence in Italy; and at his request I also resolved to + postpone my departure for some time longer. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the prince had recovered strength enough to quit his chamber he + was advised by his physician to take an airing in a gondola upon the + Brenta, for the benefit of the air, to which, as the weather was serene, + he readily consented. Just as the prince was about to step into the boat + he missed the key of a little chest in which some very valuable papers + were enclosed.. We immediately turned back to search for it. He very + distinctly remembered that he had locked the chest the day before, and he + had never left the room in the interval. As our endeavors to find it + proved ineffectual, we were obliged to relinquish the search in order to + avoid being too late. The prince, whose soul was above suspicion, gave up + the key as lost, and desired that it might not be mentioned any more. + </p> + <p> + Our little voyage was exceedingly delightful. A picturesque country, which + at every winding of the river seemed to increase in richness and beauty; + the serenity of the sky, which formed a May day in the middle of February; + the charming gardens and elegant countryseats which adorned the banks of + the Brenta; the maestic city of Venice behind us, with its lofty spires, + and a forest of masts, rising as it were out of the waves; all this + afforded us one of the most splendid prospects in the world. We wholly + abandoned ourselves to the enchantment of Nature’s luxuriant scenery; our + minds shared the hilarity of the day; even the prince himself lost his + wonted gravity, and vied with us in merry jests and diversions. On landing + about two Italian miles from the city we heard the sound of sprightly + music; it came from a small village at a little distance from the Brenta, + where there was at that time a fair. The place was crowded with company of + every description. A troop of young girls and boys, dressed in theatrical + habits, welcomed us in a pantomimical dance. The invention was novel; + animation and grace attended their every movement. Before the dance was + quite concluded the principal actress, who represented a queen, stopped + suddenly, as if arrested by an invisible arm. Herself and those around her + were motionless. The music ceased. The assembly was silent. Not a breath + was to be heard, and the queen stood with her eyes fixed on the ground in + deep abstraction. On a sudden she started from her reverie with the fury + of one inspired, and looked wildly around her. “A king is among us,” she + exclaimed, taking her crown from her head, and laying it at the feet of + the prince. Every one present cast their eyes upon him, and doubted for + some time whether there was any meaning in this farce; so much were they + deceived by the impressive seriousness of the actress. This silence was at + length broken by a general clapping of hands, as a mark of approbation. I + looked at the prince. I noticed that he appeared not a little + disconcerted, and endeavored to escape the inquisitive glances of the + spectators. He threw money to the players, and hastened to extricate + himself from the crowd. + </p> + <p> + We had advanced but a few steps when a venerable barefooted friar, + pressing through the crowd, placed himself in the prince’s path. “My + lord,” said he, “give the holy Virgin part of your gold. You will want her + prayers.” He uttered these words in a tone of voice which startled us + extremely, and then disappeared in the throng. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime our company had increased. An English lord, whom the + prince had seen before at Nice, some merchants of Leghorn, a German + prebendary, a French abbe with some ladies, and a Russian officer, + attached themselves to our party. The physiognomy of the latter had + something so uncommon as to attract our particular attention. Never in my + life did I see such various features and so little expression; so much + attractive benevolence and such forbidding coldness in the same face. Each + passion seemed by turns to have exercised its ravages on it, and to have + successively abandoned it. Nothing remained but the calm, piercing look of + a person deeply skilled in the knowledge of mankind; but it was a look + that abashed every one on whom it was directed. This extraordinary man + followed us at a distance, and seemed apparently to take but little + interest in what was passing. + </p> + <p> + We came to a booth where there was a lottery. The ladies bought shares. We + followed their example, and the prince himself purchased a ticket. He won + a snuffbox. As he opened it I saw him turn pale and start back. It + contained his lost key. + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” said he to me, as we were left for a moment alone. “A + superior power attends me, omniscience surrounds me. An invisible being, + whom I cannot escape, watches over my steps. I must seek for the Armenian, + and obtain an explanation from him.” + </p> + <p> + The sun was setting when we arrived at the pleasurehouse, where a supper + had been prepared for us. The prince’s name had augmented our company to + sixteen. Besides the above-mentioned persons there was a virtuoso from + Rome, several Swiss gentlemen, and an adventurer from Palermo in + regimentals, who gave himself out for a captain. We resolved to spend the + evening where we were, and to return home by torchlight. The conversation + at table was lively. The prince could not forbear relating his adventure + of the key, which excited general astonishment. A warm dispute on the + subject presently took place. Most of the company positively maintained + that the pretended occult sciences were nothing better than juggling + tricks. The French abbe, who had drank rather too much wine, challenged + the whole tribe of ghosts, the English lord uttered blasphemies, and the + musician made a cross to exorcise the devil. Some few of the company, + amongst whom was the prince, contended that opinions respecting such + matters ought to be kept to oneself. In the meantime the Russian officer + discoursed with the ladies, and did not seem to pay attention to any part + of conversation. In the heat of the dispute no one observed that the + Sicilian had left the room. In less than half an hour he returned wrapped + in a cloak, and placed himself behind the chair of the Frenchman. “A few + moments ago,” said he, “you had the temerity to challenge the whole tribe + of ghosts. Would you wish to make a trial with one of them?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” answered the abbe, “if you will take upon yourself to introduce + one.” + </p> + <p> + “That I am ready to do,” replied the Sicilian, turning to us, “as soon as + these ladies and gentlemen have left us.” + </p> + <p> + “Why only then?” exclaimed the Englishman. “A courageous ghost will surely + not be afraid of a cheerful company.” + </p> + <p> + “I would not answer for the consequences,” said the Sicilian. + </p> + <p> + “For heaven’s sake, no!” cried the ladies, starting affrighted from their + chairs. + </p> + <p> + “Call your ghost,” said the abbe, in a tone of defiance, “but warn him + beforehand that there are sharp-pointed weapons here.” At the same time he + asked one of the company for a sword. + </p> + <p> + “If you preserve the same intention in his presence,” answered the + Sicilian, coolly, “you may then act as you please.” He then turned towards + the prince: “Your highness,” said he, “asserts that your key has been in + the hands of a stranger; can you conjecture in whose?” + </p> + <p> + “No” + </p> + <p> + “Have you no suspicion?” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly occurred to me that”— + </p> + <p> + “Should you know the person if you saw him?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly.” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian, throwing back his cloak, took out a looking-glass and held + it before the prince. “Is this the man?” + </p> + <p> + The prince drew back with affright. + </p> + <p> + “Whom have you seen?” I inquired. + </p> + <p> + “The Armenian.” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian concealed his looking-glass under his cloak. + </p> + <p> + “Is it the person whom you thought of?” demanded the whole company. + </p> + <p> + “The same.” + </p> + <p> + A sudden change manifested itself on every face; no more laughter was to + be heard. All eyes were fixed with curiosity on the Sicilian. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur l’Abbe! The matter grows serious,” said the Englishman. “I + advise you to think of beating a retreat.” + </p> + <p> + “The fellow is in league with the devil,” exclaimed the Frenchman, and + rushed out of the house. The ladies ran shrieking from the room. The + virtuoso followed them. The German prebendary was snoring in a chair. The + Russian officer continued sitting in his place as before, perfectly + indifferent to what was passing. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps your attention was only to raise a laugh at the expense of that + boaster,” said the prince, after they were gone, “or would you indeed + fulfil your promise to us?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” replied the Sicilian; “I was but jesting with the abbe. I + took him at his word, because I knew very well that the coward would not + suffer me to proceed to extremities. The matter itself is, however, too + serious to serve merely as a jest.” + </p> + <p> + “You grant, then, that it is in your power?” + </p> + <p> + The sorcerer maintained a long silence, and kept his look fixed steadily + on the prince, as if to examine him. + </p> + <p> + “It is!” answered he at last. + </p> + <p> + The prince’s curiosity was now raised to the highest pitch. A fondness for + the marvellous had ever been his prevailing weakness. His improved + understanding and a proper course of reading had for some time dissipated + every idea of this kind; but the appearance of the Armenian had revived + them. He stepped aside with the Sicilian, and I heard them in very earnest + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “You see in me,” said the prince, “a man who burns with impatience to be + convinced on this momentous subject. I would embrace as a benefactor, I + would cherish as my best friend him who could dissipate my doubts and + remove the veil from my eyes. Would you render me this important service?” + </p> + <p> + “What is your request!” inquired the Sicilian, hesitating. + </p> + <p> + “For the present I only beg some proof of your art. Let me see an + apparition.” + </p> + <p> + “To what will this lead?” + </p> + <p> + “After a more intimate acquaintance with me you may be able to judge + whether I deserve further instruction.” + </p> + <p> + “I have the greatest esteem for your highness, gracious prince. A secret + power in your countenance, of which you yourself are as yet ignorant, drew + me at first sight irresistibly towards you. You are more powerful than you + are yourself aware. You may command me to the utmost extent of my power, + but—” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me see an apparition.” + </p> + <p> + “But I must first be certain that you do not require it from mere + curiosity. Though the invisible powers are in some degree at my command, + it is on the sacred condition that I do not abuse my authority.” + </p> + <p> + “My intentions are most pure. I want truth.” + </p> + <p> + They left their places, and removed to a distant window, where I could no + longer hear them. The English lord, who had likewise overheard this + conversation, took me aside. “Your prince has a noble mind. I am sorry for + him. I will pledge my salvation that he has to do with a rascal.” + </p> + <p> + “Everything depends on the manner in which the sorcerer will extricate + himself from this business.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me. The poor devil is now pretending to be scrupulous. He will + not show his tricks unless he hears the sound of gold. There are nine of + us. Let us make a collection. That will spoil his scheme, and perhaps open + the eyes of the prince.” + </p> + <p> + “I am content.” The Englishman threw six guineas upon a plate, and went + round gathering subscriptions. Each of us contributed some louis-d’ors. + The Russian officer was particularly pleased with our proposal; he laid a + bank-note of one hundred zechins on the plate, a piece of extravagance + which startled the Englishman. We brought the collection to the prince. + “Be so kind,” said the English lord, “as to entreat this gentleman in our + names to let us see a specimen of his art, and to accept of this small + token of our gratitude.” The prince added a ring of value, and offered the + whole to the Sicilian. He hesitated a few moments. “Gentlemen,” answered + he, “I am humbled by this generosity, but I yield to your request. Your + wishes shall be gratified.” At the same time he rang the bell. “As for + this money,” continued he, “to which I have no right myself, permit me to + send it to the next monastery to be applied to pious uses. I shall only + keep this ring as a precious memorial of the worthiest of princes.” + </p> + <p> + Here the landlord entered; and the Sicilian handed him over the money. “He + is a rascal notwithstanding,” whispered the Englishman to me. “He refuses + the money because at present his designs are chiefly on the prince.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you wish to see?” asked the sorcerer. + </p> + <p> + The prince considered for a moment. “We may as well have a great man at + once,” said the Englishman. “Ask for Pope Ganganelli. It can make no + difference to this gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian bit his lips. “I dare not call one of the Lord’s anointed.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a pity!” replied the English lord; “perhaps we might have heard + from him what disorder he died of.” + </p> + <p> + “The Marquis de Lanoy,” began the prince, “was a French brigadier in the + late war, and my most intimate friend. Having received a mortal wound in + the battle of Hastinbeck, he was carried to my tent, where he soon after + died in my arms. In his last agony he made a sign for me to approach. + ‘Prince,’ said he to me, ‘I shall never again behold my native land. I + must, therefore, acquaint you with a secret known to none but myself. In a + convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives a ————’ + He expired. Death cut short the thread of his discourse. I wish to see my + friend to hear the remainder.” + </p> + <p> + “You ask much,” exclaimed the Englishman, with an oath. “I proclaim you + the greatest sorcerer on earth if you can solve this problem,” continued + he, turning to the Sicilian. We admired the wise choice of the prince, and + unanimously gave our approval to the proposition. In the meantime the + sorcerer paced up and down the room with hasty steps, apparently + struggling with himself. + </p> + <p> + “This was all that the dying marquis communicated to you?” + </p> + <p> + “It is all.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you make no further inquiries about the matter in his native + country?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, but they all proved fruitless.” + </p> + <p> + “Had the Marquis de Lanoy led an irreproachable life? I dare not call up + every shade indiscriminately.” + </p> + <p> + “He died, repenting the excesses of his youth.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you carry with you any token of his!” + </p> + <p> + “I do.” (The prince had really a snuff-box with the marquis’ portrait + enamelled in miniature on the lid, which he had placed upon the table near + his plate during the time of supper.) + </p> + <p> + “I do not want to know what it is. If you will leave me you shall see the + deceased.” + </p> + <p> + He requested us to wait in the other pavilion until he should call us. At + the same time he caused all the furniture to be removed from the room, the + windows to be taken out, and the shutters to be bolted. He ordered the + innkeeper, with whom he appeared to be intimately connected, to bring a + vessel with burning coals, and carefully to extinguish every fire in the + house. Previous to our leaving the room he obliged us separately to pledge + our honor that we would maintain an everlasting silence respecting + everything we should see and hear. All the doors of the pavilion we were + in were bolted behind us when we left it. + </p> + <p> + It was past eleven, and a dead silence reigned throughout the whole house. + As we were retiring from the saloon the Russian officer asked me whether + we had loaded pistols. “For what purpose?” asked I. “They may possibly be + of some use,” replied he. “Wait a moment. I will provide some.” He went + away. The Baron F——— and I opened a window opposite the + pavilion we had left. We fancied we heard two persons whispering to each + other, and a noise like that of a ladder applied to one of the windows. + This was, however, a mere conjecture, and I did not dare affirm it as a + fact. The Russian officer came back with a brace of pistols, after having + been absent about half an hour. We saw him load them with powder and ball. + It was almost two o’clock in the morning when the sorcerer came and + announced that all was prepared. Before we entered the room he desired us + to take off our shoes, and to appear in our shirts, stockings, and + under-garments. He bolted the doors after us as before. + </p> + <p> + We found in the middle of the room a large, black circle, drawn with + charcoal, the space within which was capable of containing us all very + easily. The planks of the chamber floor next to the wall were taken up all + round the room, so that we stood as it were upon an island. An altar + covered with black cloth was placed in the centre upon a carpet of red + satin. A Chaldee Bible was laid open, together with a skull; and a silver + crucifix was fastened upon the altar. Instead of candles some spirits of + wine were burning in a silver vessel. A thick smoke of frankincense + darkened the room and almost extinguished the lights. The sorcerer was + undressed like ourselves, but barefooted; about his bare neck he wore an + amulet, suspended by a chain of human hair; round his middle was a white + apron marked with cabalistic characters and symbolical figures. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Amulet is a charm or preservative against mischief, witchcraft, or + diseases. Amulets were made of stone metal, simples, animals, and + everything which fancy or caprice suggested; and sometimes they + consisted of words, characters, and sentences ranged in a + particular order and engraved upon wood, and worn about the neck or + some other part of the body. At other times they were neither + written nor engraved, but prepared with many superstitious + ceremonies, great regard being usually paid to the influence of the + stars. The Arabians have given to this species of amulets the name + of talismans. All nations have been fond of amulets. The Jews + were extremely superstitious in the use of them to drive away + diseases; and even amongst the Christians of the early times + amulets were made of the wood of the cross or ribbons, with a text + of Scripture written on them, as preservatives against diseases.] +</pre> + <p> + He desired us to join hands and to observe profound silence; above all he + ordered us not to ask the apparition any question. He desired the + Englishman and myself, whom he seemed to distrust the most, constantly to + hold two naked swords crossways an inch above his head as long as the + conjuration should last. We formed a half-moon round him; the Russian + officer placed himself close to the English lord, and was the nearest to + the altar. The sorcerer stood upon the satin carpet with his face turned + to the east. He sprinkled holy water in the direction of the four cardinal + points of the compass, and bowed three times before the Bible. The formula + of the conjuration, of which we did not understand a word, lasted for the + space of seven or eight minutes, at the end of which he made a sign to + those who stood close behind to seize him firmly by the hair. Amid the + most violent convulsions he called the deceased three times by his name, + and the third time he stretched forth his hand towards the crucifix. + </p> + <p> + On a sudden we all felt at the same instant a stroke as of a flash of + lightning, so powerful that it obliged us to quit each other’s hands; a + terrible thunder shook the house; the locks jarred; the doors creaked; the + cover of the silver box fell down and extinguished the light; and on the + opposite wall over the chimney-piece appeared a human figure in a bloody + shirt, with the paleness of death on its countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Who calls me?” said a hollow, hardly intelligible voice. + </p> + <p> + “Thy friend,” answered the sorcerer, “who respects thy memory, and prays + for thy soul.” He named the prince. + </p> + <p> + The answers of the apparition were always given at very long intervals. + </p> + <p> + “What does he want with me?” continued the voice. + </p> + <p> + “He wants to hear the remainder of the confession which then had begun to + impart to him in thy dying hour, but did not finish.” + </p> + <p> + “In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives a ———” + </p> + <p> + The house again trembled; a dreadful thunder rolled; a flash of lightning + illuminated the room; the doors flew open, and another human figure, + bloody and pale as the first, but more terrible, appeared on the + threshold. The spirit in the box began to burn again by itself, and the + hall was light as before. + </p> + <p> + “Who is amongst us?” exclaimed the sorcerer, terrified, casting a look of + horror on the assemblage; “I did not want thee.” The figure advanced with + noiseless and majestic steps directly up to the altar, stood on the satin + Carpet over against us, and touched the crucifix. The first apparition was + seen no more. + </p> + <p> + “Who calls me?” demanded the second apparition. + </p> + <p> + “The sorcerer began to tremble. Terror and amazement kept us motionless + for some time. I seized a pistol. The sorcerer snatched it out of my hand, + and fired it at the apparition. The ball rolled slowly upon the altar, and + the figure emerged unaltered from the smoke. The Sorcerer fell senseless + on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” exclaimed the Englishman, in astonishment, aiming a blow + at the ghost with a sword. The figure touched his arm, and the weapon fell + to the ground. The perspiration stood on my brow with horror. Baron + ——— afterwards confessed to me that he had prayed + silently. + </p> + <p> + During all this time the prince stood fearless and tranquil, his eyes + riveted on the second apparition. “Yes, I know thee,” said he at length, + with emotion; “thou art Lanoy; thou art my friend. Whence comest thou?” + </p> + <p> + “Eternity is mute. Ask me concerning my past life.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is it that lives in the convent which thou mentionedst to me in thy + last moments?” + </p> + <p> + “My daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “How? Hast thou been a father?” + </p> + <p> + “Woe is me that I was not.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou not happy, Lanoy?” + </p> + <p> + “God has judged.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I render thee any further service in this world?” + </p> + <p> + “None but to think of thyself.” + </p> + <p> + “How must I do that?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt learn at Rome.” + </p> + <p> + The thunder again rolled; a black cloud of smoke filled the room; when it + had dispersed the figure was no longer visible. I forced open one of the + window shutters. It was daylight. + </p> + <p> + The sorcerer now recovered from his swoon. “Where are we?” asked he, + seeing the daylight. + </p> + <p> + The Russian officer stood close beside him, and looked over his shoulder. + “Juggler,” said he to him, with a terrible countenance, “Thou shalt summon + no more ghosts.” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian turned round, looked steadfastly in his face, uttered a loud + shriek, and threw himself at his feet. + </p> + <p> + We looked all at once at the pretended Russian. The prince instantly + recognized the features of the Armenian, and the words he was about to + utter expired on his tongue. We were all as it were petrified with fear + and amazement. Silent and motionless, our eyes were fixed on this + mysterious being, who beheld us with a calm but penetrating look of + grandeur and superiority. A minute elapsed in this awful silence; another + succeeded; not a breath was to be heard. + </p> + <p> + A violent battering against the door roused us at last from this stupor. + The door fell in pieces into the room, and several officers of justice, + with a guard, rushed in. “Here they are, all together,” said the leader to + his followers. Then addressing himself to us, “In the name of the + government,” continued he, “I arrest you.” We had no time to recollect + ourselves; in a few moments we were surrounded. The Russian officer, whom + I shall again call the Armenian, took the chief officer aside, and, as far + as I in my confusion could notice, I observed him whisper a few words to + the latter, and show him a written paper. The officer, bowing + respectfully, immediately quitted him, turned to us, and taking off his + hat, said “Gentlemen, I humbly beg your pardon for having confounded you + with this impostor. I shall not inquire who you are, as this gentleman + assures me you are men of honor.” At the same time he gave his companions + a sign to leave us at liberty. He ordered the Sicilian to be bound and + strictly guarded. “The fellow is ripe for punishment,” added he; “we have + been searching for him these seven months.” + </p> + <p> + The wretched sorcerer was really an object of pity. The terror caused by + the second apparition, and by this unexpected arrest, had together + overpowered his senses. Helpless as a child, he suffered himself to be + bound without resistance. His eyes were wide open and immovable; his face + was pale as death; his lips quivered convulsively, but he was unable to + utter a sound. Every moment we expected he would fall into a fit. The + prince was moved by the situation in which he saw him. He undertook to + procure his discharge from the leader of the police, to whom he discovered + his rank. “Do you know, gracious prince,” said the officer, “for whom your + highness is so generously interceding? The juggling tricks by which he + endeavored to deceive you are the least of his crimes. We have secured his + accomplices; they depose terrible facts against him. He may think himself + fortunate if he is only punished with the galleys.” + </p> + <p> + In the meantime we saw the innkeeper and his family led bound through the + yard. “This man, too?” said the prince; “and what is his crime?” + </p> + <p> + “He was his comrade and accomplice,” answered the officer. “He assisted + him in his deceptions and robberies, and shared the booty with him. Your + highness shall be convinced of it presently. Search the house,” continued + he, turning to his followers, “and bring me immediate notice of what you + find.” + </p> + <p> + The prince looked around for the Armenian, but he had disappeared. In the + confusion occasioned by the arrival of the watch he had found means to + steal away unperceived. The prince was inconsolable; he declared he would + send all his servants, and would himself go in search of this mysterious + man; and he wished me to go with him. I hastened to the window; the house + was surrounded by a great number of idlers, whom the account of this event + had attracted to the spot. It was impossible to get through the crowd. I + represented this to the prince. “If,” said I, “it is the Armenian’s + intention to conceal himself from us, he is doubtless better acquainted + with the intricacies of the place than we, and all our inquiries would + prove fruitless. Let us rather remain here a little longer, gracious + prince,” added I. “This officer, to whom, if I observed right, he + discovered himself, may perhaps give us some information respecting him.” + </p> + <p> + We now for the first time recollected that we were still undressed. We + hastened to the other pavilion and put on our clothes as quickly as + possible. When we returned they had finished searching the house. + </p> + <p> + On removing the altar and some of the boards of the floor a spacious vault + was discovered. It was high enough, for a man might sit upright in it with + ease, and was separated from the cellar by a door and a narrow staircase. + In this vault they found an electrical machine, a clock, and a little + silver bell, which, as well as the electrical machine, was in + communication with the altar and the crucifix that was fastened upon it. A + hole had been made in the window-shutter opposite the chimney, which + opened and shut with a slide. In this hole, as we learnt afterwards, was + fixed a magic lantern, from which the figure of the ghost had been + reflected on the opposite wall, over the chimney. From the garret and the + cellar they brought several drums, to which large leaden bullets were + fastened by strings; these had probably been used to imitate the roaring + of thunder which we had heard. + </p> + <p> + On searching the Sicilian’s clothes they found, in a case, different + powders, genuine mercury in vials and boxes, phosphorus in a glass bottle, + and a ring, which we immediately knew to be magnetic, because it adhered + to a steel button that by accident had been placed near it. In his + coat-pockets were found a rosary, a Jew’s beard, a dagger, and a brace of + pocket-pistols. “Let us see whether they are loaded,” said one of the + watch, and fired up the chimney. + </p> + <p> + “Jesus Maria!” cried a hollow voice, which we knew to be that of the first + apparition, and at the same instant a bleeding person came tumbling down + the chimney. “What! not yet laid, poor ghost!” cried the Englishman, while + we started back in affright. “Home to thy grave. Thou hast appeared what + thou wert not; now thou wilt become what thou didst but seem.” + </p> + <p> + “Jesus Maria! I am wounded,” repeated the man in the chimney. The ball had + fractured his right leg. Care was immediately taken to have the wound + dressed. + </p> + <p> + “But who art thou?” said the English lord; “and what evil spirit brought + thee here?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a poor mendicant friar,” answered the wounded man; “a strange + gentleman gave me a zechin to—” + </p> + <p> + “Repeat a speech. And why didst thou not withdraw as soon as thy task was + finished?” + </p> + <p> + I was waiting for a signal which we had agreed on to continue my speech; + but as this signal was not given, I was endeavoring to get away, when I + found the ladder had been removed” + </p> + <p> + “And what was the formula he taught thee?” + </p> + <p> + The wounded man fainted away; nothing more could be got from him. In the + meantime the prince turned towards the principal officer of the watch, + giving him at the same time some pieces of gold. “You have rescued us,” + said he, “from the hands of an impostor, and done us justice without even + knowing who we were; would you increase our gratitude by telling us the + name of the stranger who, by speaking only a few words, was able to + procure us our liberty.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you mean?” inquired the party addressed, with an air which + plainly showed that the question was useless. + </p> + <p> + “The gentleman in a Russian uniform, who took you aside, showed you a + written paper, and whispered a few words, in consequence of which you + immediately set us free.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not you know the gentleman? Was he not one of your company?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered the prince; “and I have very important reasons for wishing + to be more intimately acquainted with him.” + </p> + <p> + “I know very little of him myself. Even his name is unknown to me, and I + saw him to-day for the first time in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “How? And was he in so short a time, and by using only a few words, able + to convince you both of our innonocence and his own?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly, with a single word.” + </p> + <p> + “And this was? I confess I wish to know it.” + </p> + <p> + “This stranger, my prince,” said the officer, weighing the zechins in his + band,—“you have been too generous for me to make a secret of it any + longer,—this stranger is an officer of the Inquisition.” + </p> + <p> + “Of the Inquisition? This man?” + </p> + <p> + “He is, indeed, gracious prince. I was convinced of it by the paper which + he showed to me.” + </p> + <p> + “This man, did you say? That cannot be.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell your highness more. It was upon his information that I have + been sent here to arrest the sorcerer.” + </p> + <p> + We looked at each other in the utmost astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Now we know,” said the English lord at length, “why the poor devil of a + sorcerer started in such a terror when he looked more closely into his + face. He knew him to be a spy, and that is why he uttered that shriek, and + fell down before him.” + </p> + <p> + “No!” interrupted the prince. “This man is whatever he wishes to be, and + whatever the moment requires him to be. No mortal ever knew what he really + was. Did you not see the knees of the Sicilian sink under him, when he + said, with that terrible voice: ‘Thou shalt summon no more ghosts?’ There + is something inexplicable in this matter. No person can persuade me that + one man should be thus alarmed at the sight of another.” + </p> + <p> + “The sorcerer himself will probably explain it the best,” said the English + lord, “if that gentleman,” pointing to the officer, “will afford us an + opportunity of speaking with his prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + The officer consented to it, and, having agreed with the Englishman to + visit the Sicilian in the morning, we returned to Venice. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The Count O———, whose narrative I have thus far literally + copied, describes minutely the various effects of this adventure + upon the mind of the prince and of his companions, and recounts a + variety of tales of apparitions which this event gave occasion to + introduce. I shall omit giving them to the reader, on the + supposition that he is as curious as myself to know the conclusion + of the adventure, and its effect on the conduct of the prince. I + shall only add that the prince got no sleep the remainder of the + night, and that he waited with impatience for the moment which was + to disclose this incomprehensible mystery, Note of the German + Editor.] +</pre> + <p> + Lord Seymour (this was the name of the Englishman) called upon us very + early in the forenoon, and was soon after followed by a confidential + person whom the officer had entrusted with the care of conducting us to + the prison. + </p> + <p> + I forgot to mention that one of the prince’s domestics, a native of + Bremen, who had served him many years with the strictest fidelity, and had + entirely gained his confidence, had been missing for several days. Whether + he had met with any accident, whether he had been kidnapped, or had + voluntarily absented himself, was a secret to every one. The last + supposition was extremely improbable, as his conduct had always been quiet + and regular, and nobody had ever found fault with him. All that his + companions could recollect was that he had been for some time very + melancholy, and that, whenever he had a moment’s leisure, he used to visit + a certain monastery in the Giudecca, where he had formed an acquaintance + with some monks. This induced us to suppose that he might have fallen into + the hands of the priests and had been persuaded to turn Catholic; and as + the prince was very tolerant, or rather indifferent about matters of this + kind, and the few inquiries he caused to be made proved unsuccessful, he + gave up the search. He, however, regretted the loss of this man, who had + constantly attended him in his campaigns, had always been faithfully + attached to him, and whom it was therefore difficult to replace in a + foreign country. The very same day the prince’s banker, whom he had + commissioned to provide him with another servant, was announced at the + moment we were going out. He presented to the prince a middle-aged man, + well-dressed, and of good appearance, who had been for a long time + secretary to a procurator, spoke French and a little German, and was + besides furnished with the best recommendations. The prince was pleased + with the man’s physiognomy; and as he declared that he would be satisfied + with such wages as his service should be found to merit, the prince + engaged him immediately. + </p> + <p> + We found the Sicilian in a private prison where, as the officer assured + us, he had been lodged for the present, to accommodate the prince, before + being removed to the lead roofs, to which there is no access. These lead + roofs are the most terrible prisons in Venice. They are situated on the + top of the palace of St. Mark, and the miserable criminals suffer so + dreadfully from the heat of the leads occasioned by the heat of the + burning rays of the sun descending directly upon them that they frequently + become delirious. The Sicilian had recovered from his yesterday’s terror, + and rose respectfully on seeing the prince enter. He had fetters on one + hand and on one leg, but was able to walk about the room at liberty. The + sentinel at the door withdrew as soon as we had entered. + </p> + <p> + “I come,” said the prince, “to request an explanation of you on two + subjects. You owe me the one, and it shall not be to your disadvantage if + you grant me the other.” + </p> + <p> + “My part is now acted,” replied the Sicilian, “my destiny is in your + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Your sincerity alone can mitigate your punishment. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, honored prince, I am ready to answer you. I have nothing now to + lose.” + </p> + <p> + “You showed me the face of the Armenian in a looking-glass. How was this + effected?” + </p> + <p> + “What you saw was no looking-glass. A portrait in crayons behind a glass, + representing a man in an Armenian dress, deceived you. My quickness, the + twilight, and your astonishment favored the deception. The picture itself + must have been found among the other things seized at the inn.” + </p> + <p> + “But how could you read my thoughts so accurately as to hit upon the + Armenian?” + </p> + <p> + “This was not difficult, your highness. You must frequently have mentioned + your adventure with the Armenian at table in the presence of your + domestics. One of my accomplices accidentally got acquainted with one of + your domestics in the Giudecca, and learned from him gradually as much as + I wished to know.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the man?” asked the prince; “I have missed him, and doubtless + you know of his desertion.” + </p> + <p> + “I swear to your honor, sir, that I know not a syllable about it. I have + never seen him myself, nor had any other concern with him than the one + before mentioned.” + </p> + <p> + “Proceed with your story,” said the prince. + </p> + <p> + “By this means, also, I received the first information of your residence + and of your adventures at Venice; and I resolved immediately to profit by + them. You see, prince, I am sincere. I was apprised of your intended + excursion on the Brenta. I prepared for it, and a key that dropped by + chance from your pocket afforded me the first opportunity of trying my art + upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “How! Have I been mistaken? The adventure of the key was then a trick of + yours, and not of the Armenian? You say this key fell from my pocket?” + </p> + <p> + “You accidentally dropped it in taking out your purse, and I seized an + opportunity, when no one noticed me, to cover it with my foot. The person + of whom you bought the lottery-ticket acted in concert with me. He caused + you to draw it from a box where there was no blank, and the key had been + in the snuff-box long before it came into your possession.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you. And the monk who stopped me in my way and addressed me + in a manner so solemn.” + </p> + <p> + “Was the same who, as I hear, has been wounded in the chimney. He is one + of my accomplices, and under that disguise has rendered me many important + services.” + </p> + <p> + “But what purpose was this intended to answer?” + </p> + <p> + “To render you thoughtful; to inspire you with such a train of ideas as + should be favorable to the wonders I intended afterwards to show you.” + </p> + <p> + “The pantomimical dance, which ended in a manner so extraordinary, was at + least none of your contrivance?” + </p> + <p> + “I had taught the girl who represented the queen. Her performance was the + result of my instructions. I supposed your highness would be not a little + astonished to find yourself known in this place, and (I entreat your + pardon, prince) your adventure with the Armenian gave me reason to hope + that you were already disposed to reject natural interpretations, and to + attribute so marvellous an occurrence to supernatural agency.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” exclaimed the prince, at once angry and amazed, and casting upon + me a significant look; “indeed, I did not expect this.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Neither did probably the greater number of my readers. The + circumstance of the crown deposited at the feet of the prince, in a + manner so solemn and unexpected, and the former prediction of the + Armenian, seem so naturally and obviously to aim at the same object + that at the first reading of these memoirs I immediately remembered + the deceitful speech of the witches in Macbeth:— + + “Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! + All hail, Macbeth! that shall be king hereafter!” + + and probably the same thing has occurred to many of my readers. + + When a certain conviction has taken hold upon a man’s mind in a + solemn and extraordinary manner, it is sure to follow that all + subsequent ideas which are in any way capable of being associated + with this conviction should attach themselves to, and in some + degree seem to be consequent upon it. The Sicilian, who seems to + have had no other motive for his whole scheme than to astonish the + prince by showing him that his rank was discovered, played, without + being himself aware of it, the very game which most furthered the + view of the Armenian; but however much of its interest this + adventure will lose if I take away the higher motive which at first + seemed to influence these actions, I must by no means infringe upon + historical truth, but must relate the facts exactly as they + occurred.—Note of the German Editor.] +</pre> + <p> + “But,” continued he, after a long silence, “how did you produce the figure + which appeared on the wall over the chimney?” + </p> + <p> + “By means of a magic lantern that was fixed in the opposite + window-shutter, in which you have undoubtedly observed an opening.” + </p> + <p> + “But how did it happen that not one of us perceived the lantern?” asked + Lord Seymour. + </p> + <p> + “You remember, my lord, that on your re-entering the room it was darkened + by a thick smoke of frankincense. I likewise took the precaution to place + the boards which had been taken up from the floor upright against the wall + near the window. By these means I prevented the shutter from immediately + attracting observation. Moreover, the lantern remained covered by a slide + until you had taken your places, and there was no further reason to + apprehend that you would institute any examination of the saloon.” + </p> + <p> + “As I looked out of the window in the other pavilion,” said I, “I fancied + I heard a noise like that of a person placing a ladder against the side of + the house. Was I right?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly; it was the ladder upon which my assistants stood to direct the + magic-lantern.” + </p> + <p> + “The apparition,” continued the prince, “had really a superficial likeness + to my deceased friend, and what was particularly striking, his hair, which + was of a very light color, was exactly imitated. Was this mere chance, or + how did you come by such a resemblance?” + </p> + <p> + “Your highness must recollect that you had at table a snuff-box by your + plate, with an enamelled portrait of an officer in a uniform. I asked + whether you had anything about you as a memento of your friend, and as + your highness answered in the affirmative, I conjectured that it might be + the box. I had attentively examined the picture during supper, and being + very expert in drawing and not less happy in taking likenesses, I had no + difficulty in giving to my shade the superficial resemblance you have + perceived, the more so as the marquis’ features are very marked.” + </p> + <p> + “But the figure seemed to move?” + </p> + <p> + “It appeared so, yet it was not the figure that moved but the smoke on + which the light was reflected.” + </p> + <p> + “And the man who fell down in the chimney spoke for the apparition?” + </p> + <p> + “He did.” + </p> + <p> + “But he could not hear your question distinctly.” + </p> + <p> + “There was no occasion for it. Your highness will recollect that I + cautioned you all very strictly not to propose any question to the + apparition yourselves. My inquiries and his answers were preconcerted + between us; and that no mistake might happen, I caused him to speak at + long intervals, which he counted by the beating of a watch.” + </p> + <p> + “You ordered the innkeeper carefully to extinguish every fire in the house + with water; this was undoubtedly—” + </p> + <p> + “To save the man in the chimney from the danger of being suffocated; + because the chimneys in the house communicate with each other, and I did + not think myself very secure from your retinue.” + </p> + <p> + “How did it happen,” asked Lord Seymour, “that your ghost appeared neither + sooner nor later than you wished him?” + </p> + <p> + “The ghost was in the room for some time before I called him, but while + the room was lighted, the shade was too faint to be perceived. When the + formula of the conjuration was finished, I caused the cover of the box, in + which the spirit was burning, to drop down, the saloon was darkened, and + it was not till then that the figure on the wall could be distinctly seen, + although it had been reflected there a considerable time before.” + </p> + <p> + “When the ghost appeared, we all felt an electric shock. How was that + managed?” + </p> + <p> + “You have discovered the machine under the altar. You have also seen that + I was standing upon a silk carpet. I directed you to form a half-moon + around me, and to take each other’s hands. When the crisis approached, I + gave a sign to one of you to seize me by the hair. The silver crucifix was + the conductor, and you felt the electric shock when I touched it with my + hand.” + </p> + <p> + “You ordered Count O—— and myself,” continued Lord Seymour, + “to hold two naked swords crossways over your head, during the whole time + of the conjuration; for what purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “For no other than to engage your attention during the operation; because + I distrusted you two the most. You remember, that I expressly commanded + you to hold the sword one inch above my head; by confining you exactly to + this distance, I prevented you from looking where I did not wish you. I + had not then perceived my principal enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “I own,” cried Lord Seymour, “you acted with due precaution—but why + were we obliged to appear undressed?” + </p> + <p> + “Merely to give a greater solemnity to the scene, and to excite your + imaginations by the strangeness of the proceeding.” + </p> + <p> + “The second apparition prevented your ghost from speaking,” said the + prince. “What should we have learnt from him?” + </p> + <p> + “Nearly the same as what you heard afterwards. It was not without design + that I asked your highness whether you had told me everything that the + deceased communicated to you, and whether you had made any further + inquiries on this subject in his country. I thought this was necessary, in + order to prevent the deposition of the ghost from being contradicted by + facts with which you were previously acquainted. Knowing likewise that + every man in his youth is liable to error, I inquired whether the life of + your friend had been irreproachable, and on your answer I founded that of + the ghost.” + </p> + <p> + “Your explanation of this matter is satisfactory,” resumed the prince, + after a short silence; “but there remains a principal circumstance which I + must ask you to clear up.” + </p> + <p> + “If it be in my power, and—” + </p> + <p> + “No conditions! Justice, in whose hands you now are, might perhaps not + interrogate you with so much delicacy. Who was this unknown at whose feet + we saw you fall? What do you know of him? How did you get acquainted with + him? And in what way was he connected with the appearance of the second + apparition? + </p> + <p> + “Your highness”— + </p> + <p> + “On looking at him more attentively, you gave a loud scream, and fell at + his feet. What are we to understand by that?” + </p> + <p> + “This man, your highness”—He stopped, grew visibly perplexed, and + with an embarrassed countenance looked around him. “Yes, prince, by all + that is sacred, this unknown is a terrible being.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you know of him? What connection have you with him? Do not hope + to conceal the truth from us.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall take care not to do so,—for who will warrant that he is not + among us at this very moment?” + </p> + <p> + “Where? Who?” exclaimed we altogether, half-amused, half-startled, looking + about the room. “That is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! to this man, or whatever he may be, things still more + incomprehensible are possible.” + </p> + <p> + “But who is he? Whence comes he? Is he an Armenian or a Russian? Of the + characters be assumes, which is his real one?” + </p> + <p> + “He is nothing of what he appears to be. There are few conditions or + countries of which he has not worn the mask. No person knows who he is, + whence he comes, or whither he goes. That he has been for a long time in + Egypt, as many pretend, and that he has brought from thence, out of a + catacomb, his, occult sciences, I will neither affirm nor deny. Here we + only know him by the name of the Incomprehensible. How old, for instance, + do you suppose he is?” + </p> + <p> + “To judge from his appearance he can scarcely have passed forty.” + </p> + <p> + “And of what age do you suppose I am?” + </p> + <p> + “Not far from fifty.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right; and I must tell you that I was but a boy of seventeen when + my grandfather spoke to me of this marvellous man whom he had seen at + Famagusta; at which time he appeared nearly of the same age as he does at + present.” + </p> + <p> + “This is exaggerated, ridiculous, and incredible.” + </p> + <p> + “By no means. Were I not prevented by these fetters I could produce + vouchers whose dignity and respectability should leave you no room for + doubt. There are several credible persons who remember having seen him, + each, at the same time, in different parts of the globe. No sword can + wound, no poison can hurt, no fire can burn him; no vessel in which he + embarks can be wrecked. Time itself seems to lose its power over him. + Years do not affect his constitution, nor age whiten his hair. Never was + he seen to take any food. Never did he approach a woman. No sleep closes + his eyes. Of the twenty-four hours in the day there is only one which he + cannot command; during which no person ever saw him, and during which he + never was employed in any terrestrial occupation.” + </p> + <p> + “And this hour is?” + </p> + <p> + “The twelfth in the night. When the clock strikes twelve at midnight he + ceases to belong to the living. In whatever place he is he must + immediately be gone; whatever business he is engaged in he must instantly + leave it. The terrible sound of the hour of midnight tears him from the + arms of friendship, wrests him from the altar, and would drag him away + even in the agonies of death. Whither he then goes, or what he is then + engaged in, is a secret to every one. No person ventures to interrogate, + still less to follow him. His features, at this dread ful hour, assume a + sternness of expression so gloomy and terrifying that no person has + courage sufficient to look him in the face, or to speak a word to him. + However lively the conversation may have been, a dead silence immediately + succeeds it, and all around wait for his return in respectful silence + without venturing to quit their seats, or to open the door through which + he has passed.” + </p> + <p> + “Does nothing extraordinary appear in his person when he returns?” + inquired one of our party. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, except that he seems pale and exhausted, like a man who has just + suffered a painful operation, or received some disastrous intelligence. + Some pretend to have seen drops of blood on his linen, but with what + degree of veracity I cannot affirm.” + </p> + <p> + “Did no person ever attempt to conceal the approach of this hour from him, + or endeavor to preoccupy his mind in such a manner as to make him forget + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Once only, it is said, he missed the appointed time. The company was + numerous and remained together late in the night. All the clocks and + watches were purposely set wrong, and the warmth of conversation carried + him away. When the stated hour arrived he suddenly became silent and + motionless; his limbs continued in the position in which this instant had + arrested them; his eyes were fixed; his pulse ceased to beat. All the + means employed to awake him proved fruitless, and this situation endured + till the hour had elapsed. He then revived on a sudden without any + assistance, opened his eyes, and resumed his speech at the very syllable + which he was pronouncing at the moment of interruption. The general + consternation discovered to him what had happened, and he declared, with + an awful solemnity, that they ought to think themselves happy in having + escaped with the fright alone. The same night he quitted forever the city + where this circumstance had occurred. The common opinion is that during + this mysterious hour he converses with his genius. Some even suppose him + to be one of the departed who is allowed to pass twenty-three hours of the + day among the living, and that in the twenty-fourth his soul is obliged to + return to the infernal regions to suffer its punishment. Some believe him + to be the famous Apollonius of Tyana; and others the disciple of John, of + whom it is said, ‘He shall remain until the last judgment.’” + </p> + <p> + “A character so wonderful,” replied the prince, “cannot fail to give rise + to whimsical conjectures. But all this you profess to know only by + hearsay, and yet his behavior to you and yours to him, seemed to indicate + a more intimate acquaintance. Is it not founded upon some particular event + in which you have yourself been concerned? Conceal nothing from us.” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian looked at us doubtingly and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “If it concerns something,” continued the prince, “that you do not wish to + be made known, I promise you, in the name of these two gentlemen, the most + inviolable secrecy. But speak candidly and without reserve.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I hope,” answered the prisoner, after a long silence, “that you + would not make use of what I am going to relate as evidence against me, I + would tell you a remarkable adventure of this Armenian, of which I myself + was witness, and which will leave you no doubt of his supernatural powers. + But I beg leave to conceal some of the names.” + </p> + <p> + “Cannot you do it without this condition?” + </p> + <p> + “No, your highness. There is a family concerned in it whom I have reason + to respect.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us hear your story.” + </p> + <p> + “It is about five years ago,” began the Sicilian, “that at Naples, where I + was practising my art with tolerable success, I became acquainted with a + person of the name of Lorenzo del M———, chevalier of the + Order of St. Stephen, a young and rich nobleman, of one of the first + families in the kingdom, who loaded me with kindnesses, and seemed to have + a great esteem for my occult knowledge. He told me that the Marquis del M—nte, + his father, was a zealous admirer of the cabala, and would think himself + happy in having a philosopher like myself (for such he was pleased to call + me) under his roof. The marquis lived in one of his country seats on the + sea-shore, about seven miles from Naples. There, almost entirely secluded + from the world, he bewailed, the loss of a beloved son, of whom he had + been deprived by a terrible calamity. The chevalier gave me to understand + that he and his family might perhaps have occasion to employ me on a + matter of the most grave importance, in the hope of gaining through my + secret science some information, to procure which all natural means had + been tried in vain. He added, with a very significant look, that he + himself might, perhaps at some future period, have reason to look upon me + as the restorer of his tranquillity, and of all his earthly happiness. The + affair was as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “This Lorenzo was the younger son of the marquis, and for that reason had + been destined for the church; the family estates were to descend to the + eldest. Jeronymo, which was the name of the latter, had spent many years + on his travels, and had returned to his country about seven years prior to + the event which I am about to relate, in order to celebrate his marriage + with the only daughter of the neighboring Count C——tti. This + marriage had been determined on by the parents during the infancy of the + children, in order to unite the large fortunes of the two houses. But + though this agreement was made by the two families, without consulting the + hearts of the parties concerned, the latter had mutually pledged their + faith to each other in secret. Jeronymo del M——— and + Antonia C—— had been brought up together, and the little + restraint imposed on two children, whom their parents were already + accustomed to regard as destined for each other, soon produced between + them a connection of the tenderest kind; the congeniality of their tempers + cemented this intimacy; and in later years it ripened insensibly into + love. An absence of four years, far from cooling this passion, had only + served to inflame it; and Jeronymo returned to the arms of his intended + bride as faithful and as ardent as if they had never been separated. + </p> + <p> + “The raptures occasioned by his return had not yet subsided, and the + preparations for the happy day were advancing with the utmost zeal and + activity, when the bridegroom disappeared. He used frequently to pass + whole afternoons in a summer-house which commanded a prospect of the sea, + and was accustomed to take the diversion of sailing on the water. One day, + on an evening spent in this manner, it was observed that he remained + absent a much longer time than usual, and his friends began to be very + uneasy on his account. Messengers were despatched after him, vessels were + sent to sea in quest of him; no person had seen him. None of his servants + were missed; he must, therefore, have gone alone. Night came on, and he + did not appear. The next morning dawned; the day passed, the evening + succeeded—, Jeronymo came not. Already they had begun to give + themselves up to the most melancholy conjectures when the news arrived + that an Algerine pirate had landed the preceeding day on that coast, and + carried off several of the inhabitants. Two galleys which were ready for + sea were immediately manned; the old marquis himself embarked in one of + them, to attempt the deliverance of his son at the peril of his own life. + On the third morning they perceived the corsair. They had the advantage of + the wind; they were just about to overtake the pirate, and had even + approached so near that Lorenzo, who was in one of the galleys, fancied + that he saw upon the deck of the adversary’s ship a signal made by his + brother, when a sudden storm separated the vessels. Hardly could the + damaged galleys sustain the fury of the tempest. The pirate in the + meantime had disappeared, and the distressed state of the other vessels + obliged them to land at Malta. The affliction of the family knew no + bounds. The distracted old marquis tore his gray hairs in the utmost + violence of grief; and fears were entertained for the life of the young + countess. Five years were consumed in fruitless inquiries. Diligent search + was made along all the coast of Barbary; immense sums were offered for the + ransom of the poor marquis, but no person came forward to claim them. The + only probable conjecture which remained for the family to form was, that + the same storm which had separated the galleys from the pirate had + destroyed the latter, and that the whole ship’s company had perished in + the waves. + </p> + <p> + “But, however this supposition might be, it did not by any means amount to + a certainty, and could not authorize the family altogether to renounce the + hope that the lost Jeronymo might again appear. In case, however, that he + was really dead, either the family must become extinct, or the younger son + must relinquish the church, and assume the rights of the elder. As + justice, on the one hand, seemed to oppose the latter measure, so, on the + other hand, the necessity of preserving the family from annihilation + required that the scruple should not be carried too far. In the meantime + through grief and the infirmities of age, the old marquis was fast sinking + to his grave; every unsuccessful attempt diminished the hope of finding + his lost son; he saw the danger of his family’s becoming extinct, which + might be obviated by a trifling injustice on his part, in consenting to + favor his younger son at the expense of the elder. The consummation of his + alliance with the house of Count C—tti required only that a name + should be changed, for the object of the two families was equally + accomplished, whether Antonia became the wife of Lorenzo or of Jeronymo. + The faint probability of the latter’s appearing again weighed but little + against the certain and pressing danger of the total extinction of the + family, and the old marquis, who felt the approach of death every day more + and more, ardently wished at least to die free from this inquietude. + </p> + <p> + “Lorenzo, however, who was to be principally benefited by this measure, + opposed it with the greatest obstinacy. Alike unmoved by the allurements + of an immense fortune, and the attractions of the beautiful and + accomplished being whom his family were about to deliver into his arms, he + refused, on principles the most generous and conscientious, to invade the + rights of a brother, who perhaps was still alive, and might some day + return to claim his own. ‘Is not the lot of my dear Jeronymo,’ said he, + ‘made sufficiently miserable by the horrors of a long captivity, that I + should yet add bitterness to his cup of grief by stealing from him all + that he holds most dear? With what conscience could I supplicate heaven + for his return when his wife is in my arms? With what countenance could I + hasten to meet him should he at last be restored to us by some miracle? + And even supposing that he is torn from us forever, how can we better + honor his memory than by keeping constantly open the chasm which his death + has caused in our circle? Can we better show our respect to him than by + sacrificing our dearest hopes upon his tomb, and keeping untouched, as a + sacred deposit, what was peculiarly his own?’ + </p> + <p> + “But all the arguments which fraternal delicacy could adduce were + insufficient to reconcile the old marquis to the idea of being obliged to + witness the extinction of a pedigree which nine centuries had beheld + flourishing. All that Lorenzo could obtain was a respite of two years + before leading the affianced bride of his brother to the altar. During + this period they continued their inquiries with the utmost diligence. + Lorenzo himself made several voyages, and exposed his person to many + dangers. No trouble, no expense was spared to recover the lost Jeronymo. + These two years, however, like those which preceded them, were in vain?” + </p> + <p> + “And the Countess Antonia?” said the prince, “You tell us nothing of her. + Could she so calmly submit to her fate? I cannot suppose it.” + </p> + <p> + “Antonia,” answered the Sicilian, “experienced the most violent struggle + between duty and inclination, between hate and admiration. The + disinterested generosity of a brother’s love affected her; she felt + herself forced to esteem a person whom she could never love. Her heart was + torn by conflicting sentiments. But her repugnance to the chevalier seemed + to increase in the same degree as his claims upon her esteem augmented. + Lorenzo perceived with heartfelt sorrow the grief that consumed her youth. + A tender compassion insensibly assumed the place of that indifference with + which, till then, he had been accustomed to regard her; but this + treacherous sentiment quickly deceived him, and an ungovernable passion + began by degrees to shake the steadiness of his virtue—a virtue + which, till then, had been unequalled. + </p> + <p> + “He, however, still obeyed the dictates of generosity, though at the + expense ‘of his love. By his efforts alone was the unfortunate victim + protected against the arbitrary proceedings of the rest of the family. But + his endeavors were ineffectual. Every victory he gained over his passion + rendered him more worthy of Antonia; and the disinterestedness with which + he refused her left her no excuse for resistance. + </p> + <p> + “This was the state of affairs when the chevalier engaged me to visit him + at his father’s villa. The earnest recommendation of my patron procured me + a reception which exceeded my most sanguine hopes. I must not forget to + mention that by some remarkable operations I had previously rendered my + name famous in different lodges of Freemasons, which circumstance may, + perhaps, have contributed to strengthen the old marquis’ confidence in me, + and to heighten his expectations. I beg you will excuse me from describing + particularly the lengths I went with him, and the means which I employed; + you may judge of them from what I have already confessed to you. Profiting + by the mystic books which I found in his very extensive library, I was + soon able to converse with him in his own language, and to adorn my system + of the invisible world with the most extraordinary inventions. In a short + time I could make him believe whatever I pleased, and he would have sworn + as readily as upon an article in the canon. Moreover, as he was very + devout, and was by nature somewhat credulous, my fables received credence + the more readily, and in a short time I had so completely surrounded and + hemmed him in with mystery that he cared for nothing that was not + supernatural. In short I became the patron saint of the house. The usual + subject of my lectures was the exaltation of human nature, and the + intercourse of men with superior beings; the infallible Count Gabalis was + my oracle. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [A mystical work of that title, written in French in 1670 by the + Abbe do Villars, and translated into English in 1600. Pope is said + to have borrowed from it the machinery of his Rape of the Lock.-H. + G. B.] +</pre> + <p> + “The young countess, whose mind since the loss of her lover had been more + occupied in the world of spirits than in that of nature, and who had, + moreover, a strong shade of melancholy in her composition, caught my hints + with a fearful satisfaction. Even the servants contrived to have some + business in the room when I was speaking, and seizing now and then one of + my expressions, joined the fragments together in their own way. + </p> + <p> + “Two months were passed in this manner at the marquis’ villa, when the + chevalier one morning entered my apartment. A deep sorrow was painted on + his countenance, his features were convulsed, he threw himself into a + chair, with gestures of despair. + </p> + <p> + “‘Captain,’ said he, ‘it is all over with me, I must begone; I can remain + here no longer.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What is the matter, chevalier? What ails you?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh! this fatal passion!’ said he, starting frantically from his chair. + ‘I have combated it like a man; I can resist it no longer.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And whose fault is it but yours, my dear chevalier? Are they not all in + your favor? Your father, your relations.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘My father, my relations! What are they to me? I want not a forced union, + but one of inclination, Have not I a rival? Alas! and what a rival! + Perhaps among the dead! Oh! let me go! Let me go to the end of the world,—I + must find my brother.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What! after so many unsuccessful attempts can you still cherish hope?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Hope!’ replied the chevalier; ‘alas! no. It has long since vanished from + my heart, but it has not from hers. Of what consequence are my sentiments? + Can I be happy while there remains a gleam of hope in Antonia’s heart? Two + words, my friend, would end my torments. But it is in vain. My destiny + must continue to be miserable till eternity shall break its long silence, + and the grave shall speak in my behalf.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Is it then a state of certainty that would render you happy?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Happy! Alas! I doubt whether I can ever again be happy. But uncertainty + is of all others the most dreadful pain.’ + </p> + <p> + “After a short interval of silence he suppressed his emotion, and + continued mournfully, ‘If he could but see my torments! Surely a constancy + which renders his brother miserable cannot add to his happiness. Can it be + just that the living should suffer so much for the sake of the dead, who + can no longer enjoy earthly felicity? If he knew the pangs I suffer,’ + continued he, hiding his face on my shoulder, while the tears streamed + from his eyes, ‘yes, perhaps he himself would conducts her to my arms.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But is there no possibility of gratifying your wishes?’ + </p> + <p> + “He started. ‘What do you say, my friend?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Less important occasions than the present,’ said I, ‘have disturbed the + repose of the dead for the sake of the living. Is not the whole earthly + happiness of a man, of a brother’ + </p> + <p> + “‘The whole earthly happiness! Ah, my friend, I feel what you say is but + too true; my entire felicity.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And the tranquillity of a distressed family, are not these sufficient to + justify such a measure? Undoubtedly. If any sublunary concern can + authorize us to interrupt the peace of the blessed, to make use of a + power’ + </p> + <p> + “‘For God’s sake, my friend,’ said he, interrupting me, no more of this. + Once, I avow it, I had such a thought; I think I mentioned it to you; but + I have long since rejected it as horrid and abominable.’ + </p> + <p> + “You will have conjectured already,” continued the Sicilian, “to what this + conversation led us. I endeavored to overcome the scruples of the + chevalier, and at last succeeded. We resolved to summon the spirit of the + deceased Jeronymo. I only stipulated for the delay of a fortnight, in + order, as I pretended, to prepare myself in a suitable manner for so + solemn an act. The time being expired, and my machinery in readiness, I + took advantage of a very gloomy day, when we were all assembled as usual, + to obtain the consent of the family, or rather, gradually to lead them to + the subject, so that they themselves requested it of me. The most + difficult part of the task was to obtain the approbation of Antonia, whose + presence was most essential. My endeavors were, however, greatly assisted + by the melancholy turn of her mind, and perhaps still more so by a faint + hope that Jeronymo might still be living, and therefore would not appear. + A want of confidence in the thing itself, or a doubt of my ability, was + the only obstacle which I had not to contend with. + </p> + <p> + “Having obtained the consent of the family, the third day was fixed on for + the operation. I prepared them for the solemn transaction by mystical + instruction, by fasting, solitude, and prayers, which I ordered to be + continued till late in the night. Much use was also made of a certain + musical instrument, unknown till that time, and which, in such cases, has + often been found very powerful. The effect of these artifices was so much + beyond my expectation that the enthusiasm to which on this occasion I was + obliged to force myself was infinitely heightened by that of my audience. + The anxiously-expected hour at last arrived.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess,” said the prince, “whom you are now going to introduce. But go + on, go on.” + </p> + <p> + “No, your highness. The incantation succeeded according to my wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “How? Where is the Armenian?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not fear, your highness. He will appear but too soon. I omit the + description of the farce itself, as it would lead me to too great a + length. Be it sufficient to say that it answered my utmost expectations. + The old marquis, the young countess, her mother, Lorenzo, and a few others + of the family, were present. You may imagine that during my long residence + in this house I had not wanted opportunities of gathering information + respecting everything that concerned the deceased. Several portraits of + him enabled me to give the apparition the most striking likeness, and as I + suffered the ghost to speak only by signs, the sound of his voice could + excite no suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “The departed Jeronymo appeared—in the dress of a Moorish slave, + with a deep wound in his neck. You observe that in this respect I was + counteracting the general supposition that he had perished in the waves, + for I had reason to hope that the unexpectedness of this circumstance + would heighten their belief in the apparition itself, while, on the other + hand, nothing appeared to me more dangerous than to keep too strictly to + what was natural.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you judged rightly,” said the prince. “In whatever respects + apparitions the most probable is the least acceptable. If their + communications are easily comprehended we undervalue the channel by which + they are obtained. Nay, we even suspect the reality of the miracle if the + discoveries which it brings to light are such as might easily have been + imagined. Why should we disturb the repose of a spirit if it is to inform + us of nothing more than the ordinary powers of the intellect are capable + of teaching us? But, on the other hand, if the intelligence which we + receive is extraordinary and unexpected it confirms in some degree the + miracle by which it is obtained; for who can doubt an operation to be + supernatural when its effect could not be produced by natural means? I + interrupt you,” added the prince. “Proceed in your narrative.” + </p> + <p> + “I asked the ghost whether there was anything in this world which he still + considered as his own,” continued the Sicilian, “and whether he had left + anything behind that was particularly dear to him? The ghost shook his + head three times, and lifted up his hand towards heaven. Previous to his + retiring he dropped a ring from his finger, which was found on the floor + after he had disappeared. Antonia took it, and, looking at it attentively, + she knew it to be the ring she had given her intended husband on their + betrothal.” + </p> + <p> + “The ring!” exclaimed the prince, surprised. “How did you get it?” + </p> + <p> + “Who? I? It was not the true one, your highness; I got it. It was only a + counterfeit.” + </p> + <p> + “A counterfeit!” repeated the prince. “But in order to counterfeit you + required the true one. How did you come by it? Surely the deceased never + went without it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” replied the Sicilian, with symptoms of confusion. “But + from a description which was given me of the genuine ring” + </p> + <p> + “A description which was given you! By whom?” + </p> + <p> + “Long before that time. It was a plain gold ring, and had, I believe, the + name of the young countess engraved on it. But you made me lose the + connection.” + </p> + <p> + “What happened further?” said the prince, with a very dissatisfied + countenance. + </p> + <p> + “The family felt convinced that Jeronymo was no more. From that day + forward they publicly announced his death, and went into mourning. The + circumstance of the ring left no doubt, even in the mind of Antonia, and + added a considerable weight to the addresses of the chevalier. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime the violent shock which the young countess had received + from the sight of the apparition brought on her a disorder so dangerous + that the hopes of Lorenzo were very near being destroyed forever. On her + recovery she insisted upon taking the veil; and it was only at the most + serious remonstrances of her confessor, in whom she placed implicit + confidence, that she was induced to abandon her project. At length the + united solicitations of the family, and of the confessor, forced from her + a reluctant consent. The last day of mourning was fixed on for the day of + marriage, and the old marquis determined to add to the solemnity of the + occasion by making over all his estates to his lawful heir. + </p> + <p> + “The day arrived, and Lorenzo received his trembling bride at the altar. + In the evening a splendid banquet was prepared for the cheerful guests in + a hall superbly illuminated, and the most lively and delightful music + contributed to increase the general gladness. The happy old marquis wished + all the world to participate in his joy. All the entrances of the palace + were thrown open, and every one who sympathized in his happiness was + joyfully welcomed. In the midst of the throng—” + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian paused. A trembling expectation suspended our breath. + </p> + <p> + “In-the midst of the throng,” continued the prisoner, “appeared a + Franciscan monk, to whom my attention was directed by the person who sat + next to me at table. He was standing motionless like a marble pillar. His + shape was tall and thin; his face pale and ghastly; his eyes were fixed + with a grave and mournful expression on the new-married couple. The joy + which beamed on the face of every one present appeared not on his. His + countenance never once varied. He seemed like a statue among the living. + Such an object, appearing amidst the general joy, struck me more forcibly + from its contrast with everything around. It left on my mind so indelible + an impression that from it alone I have been enabled (which would + otherwise have been impossible) to recollect the features of the + Franciscan monk in the Russian officer; for, without doubt, you must have + already conceived that the person I have described was no other than your + Armenian. + </p> + <p> + “I frequently attempted to withdraw my eyes from this terrible figure, but + they wandered back involuntarily, and found his countenance unaltered. I + pointed him out to the person who sat nearest to me on the other side, and + he did the same to the person next to him. In a few minutes a general + curiosity and astonishment pervaded the whole company. The conversation + languished; a general silence succeeded; the monk did not heed it. He + continued motionless as before; his grave and mournful looks constantly + fixed upon the new-married couple; his appearance struck every one with + terror. The young countess alone, who found the transcript of her own + sorrow in the fact of the stranger, beheld with a melancholy satisfaction + the only object that seemed to understand and sympathize in her + sufferings. The crowd insensibly diminished. It was past midnight; the + music became fainter and more languid; the tapers grew dim, and many of + them went out. The conversation, declining by degrees, lost itself at last + in secret murmurs, and the faintly illuminated hall was nearly deserted. + The monk, in the meantime, continued motionless, with the same grave and + mournful look still fixed on the new-married couple. The company at length + rose from the table; the guests dispersed; the family assembled in a + separate group, and the monk, though uninvited, continued near them. How + it happened that no person spoke to him I cannot conceive. + </p> + <p> + “The female friends now surrounded the trembling bride, who cast a + supplicating and distressed look on the venerable stranger; he did not + answer it. The gentlemen assembled in the same manner around the + bridegroom. A solemn and anxious silence prevailed among them. ‘That we + should be so happy here together,’ began at length the old marquis, who + alone seemed not to behold the stranger, or at least seemed to behold him + without dismay. ‘That we should be so happy here together, and my son + Jeronymo cannot be with us!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Have you invited him, and has he failed to come?’ asked the monk. It was + the first time he had spoken. We looked at him in alarm. + </p> + <p> + “‘Alas! he is gone to a place from whence there is no return,’ answered + the old man. ‘Reverend father I you misunderstood me. My son Jeronymo is + dead.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Perhaps he only fears to appear in this company,’ replied the monk. ‘Who + knows how your son Jeronymo may be situated? Let him now hear the voice + which he heard the last. Desire your son Lorenzo to call him.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What means he?’ whispered the company to one another. Lorenzo changed + color. I will not deny that my own hair began to stand on end. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime the monk approached a sideboard; he took a glass of wine + and carried to his lips. ‘To the memory of our dear Jeronymo!’ said he. + ‘Let every one who loved the deceased follow my example.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Be you who you may, reverend father!’ exclaimed the old marquis, ‘you + have pronounced a name dear to us all, and you are heartily welcome here;’ + then turning to us, he offered us full glasses. ‘Come, my friends!’ + continued he, ‘let us not be surpassed by a stranger. The memory of my son + Jeronymo! + </p> + <p> + “Never, I believe, was any toast less heartily received. + </p> + <p> + “‘There is one glass still unemptied,” said the marquis. ‘Why does my son + Lorenzo refuse to drink this friendly toast?’ + </p> + <p> + “Lorenzo, trembling, received the glass from the hands of the monk; + tremblingly he put it to his lips. ‘To my dearly-beloved brother + Jeronymo!’ he stammered out, and replaced the glass with a shudder. + </p> + <p> + “‘That was my murderer’s voice!’ exclaimed a terrible figure, which + appeared suddenly in the midst of us, covered with blood, and disfigured + with horrible wounds. + </p> + <p> + “Do not ask me the rest,” added the Sicilian, with every symptom of horror + in his countenance. “I lost my senses the moment I looked at this + apparition. The same happened to every one present. When we recovered the + monk and the ghost had disappeared; Lorenzo was writhing in the agonies of + death. He was carried to bed in the most dreadful convulsions. No person + attended him but his confessor and the sorrowful old marquis, in whose + presence he expired. The marquis died a few weeks after him. Lorenzo’s + secret is locked in the bosom of the priest who received his last + confession; no person ever learnt what it was. + </p> + <p> + “Soon after this event a well was cleaned in the farmyard of the marquis’ + villa. It had been disused for many years, and was almost closed up by + shrubs and old trees. On digging among the rubbish a human skeleton was + found. The house where this happened is now no more; the family del M——nte + is extinct, and Antonia’s tomb may be seen in a convent not far from + Salerno. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” continued the Sicilian, seeing us all stand silent and + thoughtful, “you see how my acquaintance with this Russian officer, + Armenian, or Franciscan friar originated. Judge now whether I had not good + cause to tremble at the sight of a being who has twice placed himself in + my way in a manner so terrible.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg you will answer me one question more,” said the prince, rising from + his seat. “Have you been always sincere in your account of everything + relating to the chevalier?” + </p> + <p> + “To the best of my knowledge I have,” replied the Sicilian. + </p> + <p> + “You really believed him to be an honest man?” + </p> + <p> + “I did; by heaven! I did,” answered he again. + </p> + <p> + “Even at the tine he gave you the ring?” + </p> + <p> + “How! He gave me no ring. I did not say that he gave me the ring.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well!” said the prince, pulling the bell, and preparing to depart. + “And you believe” (going back to the prisoner) “that the ghost of the + Marquis de Lanoy, which the Russian officer introduced after your + apparition, was a true and real ghost?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot think otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go!” said the prince, addressing himself to us. The gaoler came + in. “We have done,” said the prince to him. “You, sir,” turning to the + prisoner, “you shall hear further from me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am tempted to ask your highness the last question you proposed to the + sorcerer,” said I to the prince, when we were alone. “Do you believe the + second ghost to have been a real and true one?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe it! No, not now, most assuredly.” + </p> + <p> + “Not now? Then you did once believe it?” + </p> + <p> + “I confess I was tempted for a moment to believe it something more than + the contrivance of a juggler.” + </p> + <p> + “And I could wish to see the man who under similar circumstances would not + have had the same impression. But what reasons have you for retracting + your opinion? What the prisoner has related of the Armenian ought to + increase rather than diminish your belief in his super natural powers.” + </p> + <p> + “What this wretch has related of him,” said the prince, interrupting me + very gravely. “I hope,” continued he, “you have now no doubt but that we + have had to do with a villain.” + </p> + <p> + “No; but must his evidence on that account—” + </p> + <p> + “The evidence of a villain, even supposing I had no other reason for + doubt, can have no weight against common sense and established truth. Does + a man who has already deceived me several times, and whose trade it is to + deceive, does he deserve to be heard in a cause in which the unsupported + testimony of even the most sincere adherent to truth could not be + received? Ought we to believe a man who perhaps never once spoke truth for + its own sake? Does such a man deserve credit, when he appears as evidence + against human reason and the eternal laws of nature? Would it not be as + absurd as to admit the accusation of a person notoriously infamous against + unblemished and irreproachable innocence?” + </p> + <p> + “But what motives could he have for giving so great a character to a man + whom he has so many reasons to hate?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not to conclude that he can have no motives for doing this because I + am unable to comprehend them. Do I know who has bribed him to deceive me? + I confess I cannot penetrate the whole contexture of his plan; but he has + certainly done a material injury to the cause he advocates by proving + himself to be at least an impostor, and perhaps something worse.” + </p> + <p> + “The circumstance of the ring, I allow, appears somewhat suspicions.” + </p> + <p> + “It is more than suspicious,” answered the prince; “it is decisive. He + received this ring from the murderer, and at the moment he received it he + must have been certain that it was from the murderer. Who but the + assassin, could have taken from the finger of the deceased a ring which he + undoubtedly never took off himself? Throughout the whole of his narration + the Sicilian has labored to persuade us that while he was endeavoring to + deceive Lorenzo, Lorenzo was in reality deceiving him. Would he have had + recourse to this subterfuge if he had not been sensible how much he should + lose in our estimation by confessing himself an accomplice with the + assassin? The whole story is visibly nothing but a series of impostures, + invented merely to connect the few truths he has thought proper to give + us. Ought I then to hesitate in disbelieving the eleventh assertion of a + person who has already deceived me ten times, rather than admit a + violation of the fundamental laws of nature, which I have ever found in + the most perfect harmony?” + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing to reply to all this, but the apparition we saw yesterday + is to me not the less incomprehensible.” + </p> + <p> + “It is also incomprehensible to me, although I have been tempted to + believe that I have found a key to it.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” asked I. + </p> + <p> + “Do not you recollect that the second apparition, as soon as he entered, + walked directly up to the altar, took the crucifix in his hand, and placed + himself upon the carpet?” + </p> + <p> + “It appeared so to me.” + </p> + <p> + “And this crucifix, according to the Sicilian’s confession, was a + conductor. You see that the apparition hastened to make himself + electrical. Thus the blow which Lord Seymour struck him with a sword was + of course ineffectual; the electric stroke disabled his arm.” + </p> + <p> + “This is true with respect to the sword. But the pistol fired by the + Sicilian, the ball of which we heard roll slowly upon the altar?” + </p> + <p> + “Are you convinced that this was the same ball which was fired from the + pistol?” replied the prince. “Not to mention that the puppet, or the man + who represented the ghost, may have been so well accoutred as to be + invulnerable by sword or bullet; but consider who it was that loaded the + pistols.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said I, and a sudden light broke upon my mind; “the Russian. + officer had loaded them, but it was in our presence. How could he have + deceived us?” + </p> + <p> + “Why should he not have deceived us? Did you suspect him sufficiently to + observe him? Did you examine the ball before it was put into the pistol? + May it not have been one of quicksilver or clay? Did you take notice + whether the Russian officer really put it into the barrel, or dropped it + into his other hand? But supposing that he actually loaded the pistols, + what is to convince you that he really took the loaded ones into the room + where the ghost appeared, and did not change them for another pair, which + he might have done the more easily as nobody ever thought of noticing him, + and we were besides occupied in undressing? And could not the figure, at + the moment when we were prevented from seeing it by the smoke of the + pistol, have dropped another ball, with which it had been beforehand + provided, on the the altar? Which of these conjectures is impossible?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right. But that striking resemblance to your deceased friend! I + have often seen him with you, and I immediately recognized him in the + apparition.” + </p> + <p> + “I did the same, and I must confess the illusion was complete. But if the + juggler from a few stolen glances at my snuff-box was able to give to his + apparition a resemblance, what was to prevent the Russian officer, who had + used the box during the whole time of supper, who had had liberty to + observe the picture unnoticed, and to whom I had discovered in confidence + whom it represented, what was to prevent him from doing the same? Add to + this what has been before observed by the Sicilian, that the prominent + features of the marquis were so striking as to be easily imitated; what is + there so inexplicable in this second ghost?” + </p> + <p> + “But the words he uttered? The information he gave you about your friend?” + </p> + <p> + “What?” said the prince, “Did not the Sicilian assure us, that from the + little which he had learnt from me he had composed a similar story? Does + not this prove that the invention was obvious and natural? Besides, the + answers of the ghost, like those of an oracle, were so obscure that he was + in no danger of being detected in a falsehood. If the man who personated + the ghost possessed sagacity and presence of mind, and knew ever-so-little + of the affair on which he was consulted, to what length might not he have + carried the deception?” + </p> + <p> + “Pray consider, your highness, how much preparation such a complicated + artifice would have required from the Armenian; how much time it takes to + paint a face with sufficient exactness; how much time would have been + requisite to instruct the pretended ghost, so as to guard him against + gross errors; what a degree of minute attention to regulate every minor + attendant or adventitious circumstance, which must be answered in some + manner, lest they should prove detrimental! And remember that the Russian + officer was absent but half an hour. Was that short space of time + sufficient to make even such arrangements as were most indispensable? + Surely, my prince, not even a dramatic writer, who has the least desire to + preserve the three terrible unities of Aristotle, durst venture to load + the interval between one act and another with such a variety of action, or + to presume upon such a facility of belief in his audience.” + </p> + <p> + “What! You think it absolutely impossible that every necessary preparation + should have been made in the space of half an hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I look upon it as almost impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not understand this expression. Does it militate against the + physical laws of time and space, or of matter and motion, that a man so + ingenious and so expert as this Armenian must undoubtedly be, assisted by + agents whose dexterity and acuteness are probably not inferior to his own; + favored by the time of night, and watched by no one, provided with such + means and instruments as a man of this profession is never without —is + it impossible that such a man, favored by such circumstances, should be + able to effect so much in so short a time? Is it ridiculous or absurd to + suppose, that by a very small number of words or signs he can convey to + his assistants very extensive commissions, and direct very complex + operations? Nothing ought to be admitted that is contrary to the + established laws of nature, unless it is something with which these laws + are absolutely incompatible. Would you rather give credit to a miracle + than admit an improbability? Would you solve a difficulty rather by + overturning the powers of nature than by believing an artful and uncommon + combination of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Though the fact will not justify a conclusion such as you have condemned, + you must, however, grant that it is far beyond our conception.” + </p> + <p> + “I am almost tempted to dispute even this,” said the prince, with a quiet + smile. “What would you say, my dear count, if it should be proved, for + instance, that the operations of the Armenian were prepared and carried + on, not only during the half-hour that he was absent from us, not only in + haste and incidentally, but during the whole evening and the whole night? + You recollect that the Sicilian employed nearly three hours in + preparation.” + </p> + <p> + “The Sicilian? Yes, my prince.” + </p> + <p> + “And how will you convince me that this juggler had not as much concern in + the second apparition as in the first?” + </p> + <p> + “How so, your highness?” + </p> + <p> + “That he was not the principal assistant of the Armenian? In a word, how + will you convince me that they did not co-operate?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a difficult task to prove that,” exclaimed I, with no little + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Not so difficult, my dear count, as you imagine. What! Could it have + happened by mere chance that these two men should form a design so + extraordinary and so complicated upon the same person, at the same time, + and in the same place? Could mere chance have produced such an exact + harmony between their operations, that one of them should play so exactly + the game of the other? Suppose for a moment that the Armenian intended to + heighten the effect of his deception, by introducing it after a less + refined one—that he created a Hector to make himself his Achilles. + Suppose that he has done all this to discover what degree of credulity he + could expect to find in me, to examine the readiest way to gain my + confidence, to familiarize himself with his subject by an attempt that + might have miscarried without any prejudice to his plan; in a word, to + tune the instrument on which he intended to play. Suppose he did this with + the view of exciting my suspicions on one subject in order to divert my + attention from another more important to his design. Lastly, suppose he + wishes to have some indirect methods of information, which he had himself + occasion to practise, imputed to the sorcerer, in order to divert + suspicion from the true channel.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you mean?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose, for instance, that he may have bribed some of my servants to + give him secret intelligence, or, perhaps, even some papers which may + serve his purpose. I have missed one of my domestics. What reason have I + to think that the Armenian is not concerned in his leaving me? Such a + connection, however, if it existed, may be accidently discovered; a letter + may be intercepted; a servant, who is in the secret, may betray his trust. + Now all the consequence of the Armenian is destroyed if I detect the + source of his omniscience. He therefore introduces this sorcerer, who must + be supposed to have some design upon me. He takes care to give me early + notice of him and his intentions, so that whatever I may hereafter + discover my suspicions must necessarily rest upon the Sicilian. This is + the puppet with which he amuses me, whilst he himself, unobserved and + unsuspected, is entangling me in invisible snares.” + </p> + <p> + “We will allow this. But is it consistent with the Armenian’s plan that he + himself should destroy the illusion which he has created, and disclose the + mysteries of his science to the eyes of the uninitiated?” + </p> + <p> + “What mysteries does he disclose? None, surely, which he intends to + practise on me. He therefore loses nothing by the discovery. But, on the + other hand, what an advantage will he gain, if this pretended victory over + juggling and deception should render me secure and unsuspecting; if he + succeeds in diverting my attention from the right quarter, and in fixing + my wavering suspicions on an object the most remote from the real one! He + could naturally expect that, sooner or later, either from my own doubts, + or at the suggestion of another, I should be tempted to seek a key to his + mysterious wonders, in the mere art of a juggler; how could he better + provide against such an inquiry than by contrasting his prodigies with + juggling tricks. By confining the latter within artificial limits, and by + delivering, as it were, into my hands a scale by which to appreciate them, + he naturally exalts and perplexes my ideas of the former. How many + suspicions he precludes by this single contrivance! How many methods of + accounting for his miracles, which afterwards have occurred to me, does he + refute beforehand!” + </p> + <p> + “But in exposing such a finished deception he has acted very much against + his own interest, both by quickening the penetration of those whom he + meant to impose upon, and by staggering their belief in miracles in + general. Your highness’ self is the best proof of the insufficiency of his + plan, if indeed he ever had one.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he has been mistaken in respect to myself,” said the prince; “but + his conclusions have nevertheless been well founded. Could he foresee that + I should exactly notice the very circumstance which threatens to become + the key to the whole artifice? Was it in his plan that the creature he + employed should render himself thus vulnerable? Are we certain that the + Sicilian has not far exceeded his commission? He has undoubtedly done so + with respect to the ring, and yet it is chiefly this single circumstance + which determined my distrust in him. How easily may a plan, whose + contexture is most artful and refined, be spoiled in the execution by an + awkward instrument. It certainly was not the Armenian’s intention that the + sorcerer should trumpet his fame to us in the style of a mountebank, that + he should endeavor to impose upon us such fables as are too gross to bear + the least reflection. For instance, with what countenance could this + impostor affirm that the miraculous being he spoke of must renounce all + commerce with mankind at twelve in the night? Did we not see him among us + at that very hour?” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” cried I. “He must have forgotten it.” + </p> + <p> + “It often happens, to people of this description, that they overact their + parts; and, by aiming at too much, mar the effects which a well-managed + deception is calculated to produce.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot, however, yet prevail on myself to look upon the whole as a mere + preconcerted scheme. What! the Sicilian’s terror, his convulsive fits, his + swoon, the deplorable situation in which we saw him, and which was even + such as to move our pity, were all these nothing more than a studied part? + I allow that a skilful performer may carry imitation to a very high pitch, + but he certainly has no power over the organs of life.” + </p> + <p> + “As for that, my friend,” replied the prince, “I have seen Richard III. + performed by Garrick. But were we at that moment sufficiently cool to be + capable of observing dispassionately? Could we judge of the emotion of the + Sicilian when we were almost overcome by our own? Besides, the decisive + crisis even of a deception is so momentous to the deceiver himself that + excessive anxiety may produce in him symptoms as violent as those which + surprise excites in the deceived. Add to this the unexpected entrance of + the watch.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you remind me of that, prince. Would the Armenian have ventured + to discover such a dangerous scheme to the eye of justice; to expose the + fidelity of his creature to so severe a test? And for what purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “Leave that matter to him; he is no doubt acquainted with the people he + employs. Do we know what secret crimes may have secured him the silence of + this man? You have been informed of the office he holds in Venice; what + difficulty will he find in saving a man of whom he himself is the only + accuser?” + </p> + <p> + [This suggestion of the prince was but too well justified by the event. + For, some days after, on inquiring after the prisoner, we were told that + he had escaped, and had not since been heard of.] + </p> + <p> + “You ask what could be his motives for delivering this man into the hands + of justice?” continued the prince. “By what other method, except this + violent one, could he have wrested from the Sicilian such an infamous and + improbable confession, which, however, was so material to the success of + his plan? Who but a man whose case is desperate, and who has nothing to + lose, would consent to give so humiliating an account of himself? Under + what other circumstances could we have believed such a confession?” + </p> + <p> + “I grant all this, my prince. That the two apparitions were mere + contrivances of art; that the Sicilian has imposed upon us a tale which + the Armenian his master, had previously taught him; that the efforts of + both have been directed to the same end, and, from this mutual + intelligence all the wonderful incidents which have astonished us in this + adventure may be easily explained. But the prophecy in the square of St. + Mark, that first miracle, which, as it were, opened the door to all the + rest, still remains unexplained; and of what use is the key to all his + other wonders if we despair of resolving this single one?” + </p> + <p> + “Rather invert the proposition, my dear count,” answered the prince, “and + say what do all these wonders prove if I can demonstrate that a single one + among them is a juggling trick? The prediction, I own, is totally beyond + my conception. If it stood alone; if the Armenian had closed the scene + with it, instead of beginning it, I confess I do not know how far I might + have been carried. But in the base alloy with which it is mixed it is + certainly rather suspicious. Time may explain, or not explain it; but + believe me, my friend!” added the prince, taking my hand, with a grave + countenance,—“a man who can command supernatural powers has no + occasion to employ the arts of a juggler; he despises them.” + </p> + <p> + “Thus,” says Count O———, “ended a conversation which I + have related word for word, because it shows the difficulties which were + to be overcome before the prince could be effectually imposed upon; and I + hope it may free his memory from the imputation of having blindly and + inconsiderately thrown himself into a snare, which was spread for his + destruction by the most unexampled and diabolical wickedness. Not all,” + continues Count O———, “who, at the moment I am writing, + smile contemptuously at the prince’s credulity, and, in the fancied + superiority of their own yet untempted understanding, unconditionally + condemn him; not all of these, I apprehend, would have stood his first + trial so courageously. If afterwards, notwithstanding this providential + warning, we witness his downfall; if we see that the black design against + which, at the very outset, he was thus cautioned, is finally successful, + we shall be less inclined to ridicule his weakness than to be astonished + at the infamous ingenuity of a plot which could seduce an understanding so + fully prepared. Considerations of worldly interest can have no influence + upon my testimony; he, who alone would be thankful for it, is now no more. + His dreadful destiny is accomplished; his soul has long since been + purified before the throne of truth, where mine will likewise have + appeared before these passages meet the eyes of the world. Pardon the + involuntary tears which now flow at the remembrance of my dearest friend. + But for the sake of justice I must write this. His was a noble character, + and would have adorned a throne which, seduced by the most atrocious + artifice, he attempted to ascend by the commission of a crime. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK II. + </h2> + <p> + “Not long after these events,” continues Count O——, in his + narrative, “I began to observe an extraordinary alteration in the + disposition of the prince, which was partly the immediate consequence of + the last event and partly produced by the concurrence of many adventitious + circumstances. Hitherto he had avoided every severe trial of his faith, + and contented himself with purifying the rude and abstract notions of + religion, in which he had been educated, by those more rational ideas upon + this subject which forced themselves upon his attention, or comparing the + many discordant opinions with each other, without inquiring into the + foundations of his faith. Religious subjects, he has many times confessed + to me, always appeared to him like an enchanted castle, into which one + does not set one’s foot without horror, and that they act therefore much + the wiser part who pass it in respectful silence, without exposing + themselves to the danger of being bewildered in its labyrinths. A servile + and bigoted education was the source of this dread; this had impressed + frightful images upon his tender brain, which, during the remainder of his + life, he was never able wholly to obliterate. Religious melancholy was an + hereditary disorder in his family. The education which he and his brothers + had received was calculated to produce it; and the men to whose care they + were entrusted, selected with this object, were also either enthusiasts or + hypocrites. + </p> + <p> + “To stifle all the sprightliness of the boy, by a gloomy restraint of his + mental faculties, was the only method of securing to themselves the + highest approbation of his royal parents. The whole of our prince’s + childhood wore a dark and gloomy aspect; mirth was banished even from his + amusements. All his ideas of religion were accompanied by some frightful + image; and the representations of terror and severity were those which + first took hold of his lively imagination, and which the longest retained + their empire over it. His God was an object of terror, a being whose + occupation is to chastise; and the adoration he paid him was either + slavish fear, or a blind submission which stifled all his energies. In all + his youthful propensities, which a vigorous growth and a fine constitution + naturally excited to break out with the greater violence, religion stood + in his way; it opposed everything upon which his young heart was bent; he + learned to consider it not as a friend, but as the scourge of his + passions; so that a silent indignation was gradually kindled against it in + his heart, which, together with a bigoted faith and a blind fear, produced + an incongruous mixture of feelings, and an abhorrence of a ruler before + whom he trembled. + </p> + <p> + “It is no wonder, therefore, that he took the first opportunity of + escaping from so galling a yoke—but he fled from it as a bond-slave + who, escaping from his rigorous master, drags along with him a sense of + his servitude, even in the midst of freedom; for, as he did not renounce + the faith of his earlier years from a deliberate conviction, and did not + wait till the maturity and improvement of his reasoning had weaned him + from it, but escaped from it like a fugitive, upon whose person the rights + of his master are still in force, so was he obliged, even after his widest + separation, to return to it at last. He had escaped with his chain, and + for that reason must necessarily become the prey of any one who should + discover it, and know how to make use of the discovery. That such a one + presented himself, the sequel of this history will prove; most likely the + reader has already surmised it. + </p> + <p> + “The confessions of the Sicilian left a deeper impression upon his mind + than they ought, considering the circumstances; and the small victory + which his reason had thence gained over this weak imposture, remarkably + increased his reliance upon his own powers. The facility with which he had + been able to unravel this deception appeared to have surprised him. Truth + and error were not yet so accurately distinguished from each other in his + mind but that he often mistook the arguments which were in favor of the + one for those in favor of the other. Thence it arose that the same blow + which destroyed his faith in wonders made the whole edifice of it totter. + In this instance, he fell into the same error as an inexperienced man who + has been deceived in love or friendship, because he happened to make a bad + choice, and who denies the existence of these sensations, because he takes + the occasional exceptions for distinguishing features. The unmasking of a + deception made even truth suspicious to him, because he had unfortunately + discovered truth by false reasoning. + </p> + <p> + “This imaginary triumph pleased him in proportion to the magnitude of the + oppression from which it seemed to deliver him. From this instant there + arose in his mind a scepticism which did not spare even the most sacred + objects. + </p> + <p> + “Many circumstances concurred to encourage, and still more to confirm, him + in this turn of mind. He now quitted the retirement in which he had + hitherto lived, and gave way to a more dissipated mode of life. His rank + was discovered; attentions which he was obliged to return, etiquettes for + which he was indebted to his rank, drew him imperceptibly within the + vortex of the great world. His rank, as well as his personal attractions, + opened to him the circles of all the beaux esprits in Venice, and he soon + found himself on terms of intimacy with the most enlightened persons in + the republic, men of learning as well as politicians. This obliged him to + en large the monotonous and limited circle to which his understanding had + hitherto been confined. He began to perceive the poverty and feebleness of + his ideas, and to feel the want of more elevated impressions. The + old-fashioned turn of his understanding, in spite of the many advantages + with which it was accompanied, formed an unpleasing contrast with the + current ideas of society; his ignorance of the commonest things frequently + exposed him to ridicule, than which he dreaded nothing more. The + unfortunate prejudice which attached to his native country appeared to him + a challenge to overcome it in his own person. Besides this, there was a + peculiarity in his character; he was offended with every attention that he + thought was paid him on account of his rank rather than his personal + qualities. He felt this humiliation principally in the company of persons + who shone by their abilities, and triumphed, as it were, over their birth + by their merit. To perceive himself distinguished as a prince, in such a + society, was always a deep humiliation to him, because he unfortunately + fancied himself excluded by his rank from all competition. These + circumstances convinced him of the necessity of cultivating his mind, in + order to raise it to a level with the thinking part of the world, from + which he had hitherto been so separated; and for that purpose he chose the + most modern books, and applied himself to them with all the ardor with + which he was accustomed to pursue every object to which he devoted + himself. But the unskilful hand that directed his choice always prompted + him to select such as were little calculated to improve either his heart + or his reason; besides that, he was influenced by a propensity which + rendered everything irresistible which was incomprehensible. He had + neither attention nor memory for anything that was not of that character, + and both his reason and his heart remained untouched, while he was filling + the vacuities of his brain with confused ideas. The dazzling style of some + writers captivated his imagination, while the subtlety of others ensnared + his reason. Together, they easily took possession of a mind which became + the prey of whatever was obtruded upon it with a certain degree of + dogmatism. A course of reading, which had been continued with ardor for + more than a year, had scarcely enriched him with one benevolent idea, but + had filled his head with doubts, which, as a natural consequence with such + a character, had almost found an unfortunate road to his heart. In a word, + he had entered this labyrinth as a credulous enthusiast, had left it as a + sceptic, and at length became a perfect free-thinker. + </p> + <p> + “Among the circles into which he had been introduced there was a private + society called the Bucentauro, which, under the mask of a noble and + rational liberality of sentiment, encouraged the most unbridled + licentiousness of manners and opinion. As it enumerated many of the clergy + among its members, and could even boast of some cardinals at its head, the + prince was the more easily induced to join it. He thought that certain + dangerous truths, which reason discovers, could be nowhere better + preserved than in the hands of such persons, whose rank compelled them to + moderation, and who had the advantage of hearing and examining the other + side of the question. The prince did not recollect that licentiousness of + sentiment and manners takes so much the stronger hold among persons of + this rank, inasmuch as they for that reason feel one curb less; and this + was the case with the Bucentauro, most of whose members, through an + execrable philosophy, and manners worthy of such a guide, were not only a + disgrace to their own rank, but even to human nature itself. The society + had its secret degrees; and I will believe, for the credit of the prince, + that they never thought him worthy of admission into the inmost sanctuary. + Every one who entered this society was obliged, at least so long as he + continued to be a member of it, to lay aside all distinctions arising from + rank, nation, or religion, in short, every general mark or distinction + whatever, and to submit himself to the condition of universal equality. To + be elected a member was indeed a difficult matter, as superiority of + understanding alone paved the way to it. The society boasted of the + highest ton and the most cultivated taste, and such indeed was its fame + throughout all Venice. This, as well as the appearance of equality which + predominated in it, attracted the prince irresistibly. Sensible + conversations, set off by the most admirable humor, instructive + amusements, and the flower of the learned and political world, which were + all attracted to this point as to their common centre, concealed from him + for a long time the danger of this connection. As he by degrees discovered + through its mask the spirit of the institution, as they grew tired of + being any longer on their guard before him, to recede was dangerous, and + false shame and anxiety for his safety obliged him to conceal the + displeasure he felt. But he already began, merely from familiarity with + men of this class and their sentiments, though they did not excite him to + imitation, to lose the pure and charming simplicity of his character, and + the delicacy of his moral feelings. His understanding, supported by real + knowledge, could not without foreign assistance solve the fallacious + sophisms with which he had been here ensnared; and this fatal poison had + already destroyed all, or nearly all, the basis on which his morality + rested. He surrendered the natural and indispensable safeguards of his + happiness for sophisms which deserted him at the critical moment, and he + was consequently left to the operation of any specious argument which came + in his way. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps the hand of a friend might yet have been in time to extricate him + from this abyss; but, besides that I did not become acquainted with the + real character of the Bucentauro till long after the evil had taken place, + an urgent circumstance called me away from Venice just at the beginning of + this period. Lord Seymour, too, a valuable acquaintance of the prince, + whose cool understanding was proof against every species of deception, and + who would have infallibly been a secure support to him, left us at this + time in order to return to his native country. Those in whose hands I left + the prince were indeed worthy men, but inexperienced, excessively narrow + in their religious opinions, deficient in their perception of the evil, + and wanting in credit with the prince. They had nothing to oppose to his + captious sophisms except the maxims of a blind and uninquiring faith, + which either irritated him or excited his ridicule. He saw through them + too easily, and his superior reason soon silenced those weak defenders of + the good cause, as will be clearly evinced from an instance which I shall + introduce in the sequel. Those who, subsequent to this, possessed + themselves of his confidence, were much more interested in plunging him + deeper into error. When I returned to Venice in the following year how + great a change had already taken place in everything! + </p> + <p> + “The influence of this new philosophy soon showed itself in the prince’s + conduct. The more openly he pursued pleasure, and acquired new friends, + the more did he lose in the estimation of his old ones. He pleased me less + and less every day; we saw each other more seldom, and indeed he was + seldom accessible. He had launched out into the torrent of the great + world. His threshold was eternally thronged when he was at home. + Amusements, banquets, and galas followed each other in rapid succession. + He was the idol whom every one courted, the great attraction of every + circle. In proportion as he, in his secluded life, had fancied living in + society to be difficult, did he to his astonishment find it easy. + Everything met his wishes. Whatever he uttered was admirable, and when he + remained silent it was like committing a robbery upon the company. They + understood the art of drawing his thoughts insensibly from his soul, and + then with a little delicate management to surprise him with them. This + happiness, which accompanied him everywhere, and this universal success, + raised him indeed too much in his own ideas, because it gave him too much + confidence and too much reliance upon himself. + </p> + <p> + “The heightened opinion which he thus acquired of his own worth made him + credit the excessive and almost idolatrous adoration that was paid to his + understanding; which but for this increased self-complacency, must have + necessarily recalled him from his aberrations. For the present, however, + this universal voice was only a confirmation of what his complacent vanity + whispered in his ear; a tribute which he felt entitled to by right. He + would have infallibly disengaged himself from this snare had they allowed + him to take breath; had they granted him a moment of uninterrupted leisure + to compare his real merit with the picture that was exhibited to him in + this seducing mirror; but his existence was a continued state of + intoxication, a whirl of excitement. The higher he had been elevated the + more difficulty had he to support himself in his elevation. This incessant + exertion slowly undermined him; rest had forsaken even his slumbers. His + weakness had been discovered, and the passion kindled in his breast turned + to good account. + </p> + <p> + “His worthy attendants soon found to their cost that their lord had become + a wit. That anxious sensibility, those glorious truths which his heart + once embraced with the greatest enthusiasm, now began to be the objects of + his ridicule. He revenged himself on the great truths of religion for the + oppression which he had so long suffered from misconception. But, since + from too true a voice his heart combated the intoxication of his head, + there was more of acrimony than of humor in his jests. His disposition + began to alter, and caprice to exhibit itself. The most beautiful ornament + of his character, his modesty, vanished; parasites had poisoned his + excellent heart. That tender delicacy of address which frequently made his + attendants forget that he was their lord, now gave place to a decisive and + despotic tone, which made the more sensible impression, because it was not + founded upon distinction of rank, for the want of which they could have + consoled themselves, but upon an arrogant estimation of his own superior + merit. When at home he was attacked by reflections that seldom made their + appearance in the bustle of company; his own people scarcely ever saw him + otherwise than gloomy, peevish, and unhappy, whilst elsewhere a forced + vivacity made him the soul of every circle. With the sincerest sorrow did + we behold him treading this dangerous path, but in the vortex in which he + was involved the feeble voice of friendship was no longer heard, and he + was too much intoxicated to understand it. + </p> + <p> + “Just at the beginning of this epoch an affair of the greatest consequence + required my presence in the court of my sovereign, which I dared not + postpone even for the dearest interests of friendship. An invisible hand, + the agency of which I did not discover till long afterwards, had contrived + to derange my affairs, and to spread reports concerning me which I was + obliged to contradict by my presence. The parting from the prince was + painful to me, but did not affect him. The ties which united us had been + severed for some time, but his fate had awakened all my anxiety. I, on + that account, prevailed on Baron von F——— to inform me + by letter of every event, which he has done in the most conscientious + manner. As I was for a considerable time no longer an eye-witness of these + events, it will be allowable for me to introduce the Baron von F——— + in my stead, and to fill up the gap in my narrative by the contents of his + letters. Notwithstanding that the representation of my friend F——— + is not always what I should have given, I would not alter any of his + expressions, so that the reader will be enabled to discover the truth with + very little trouble.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + BARON VON F—— TO COUNT VON O————. + </h3> + <p> + May 17. + </p> + <p> + I thank you, my most honored friend, for the permission you have given me + to continue in your absence that confidential intercourse with you, which + during your stay here formed my great pleasure. You must be aware that + there is no one here with whom I can venture to open my heart on certain + private matters. Whatever you may urge to the contrary, I detest the + people here. Since the prince has become one of them, and since we have + lost your society, I feel solitary in the midst of this populous city. Z——— + takes it less to heart, and the fair ones of Venice manage to make him + forget the mortifications he is compelled to share with me at home. And + why should he make himself unhappy? He desires nothing more in the prince + than a master, whom he could also find elsewhere. But I!—you know + how deep an interest I feel in our prince’s weal and woe, and how much + cause I have for doing so; I have now lived with him sixteen years, and + seem to exist only for his sake. As a boy of nine years old I first + entered his service, and since that time we have never been separated. I + have grown up under his eye—a long intercourse has insensibly + attached me more and more to him—I have borne a part in all his + adventures, great and small. Until this last unhappy year I had been + accustomed to look upon him in the light of a friend, or of an elder + brother—I have basked in his smile as in the sunshine of a summer’s + day—no cloud hung over my happiness!—and all this must now go + to ruin in this unlucky Venice! + </p> + <p> + Since your departure several changes have taken place in our + establishment. The Prince of —d—— arrived here last + week, with a numerous and brilliant retinue, and has caused a new and + tumultuous life in our circle. As he is so nearly related to our prince, + and as they are moreover at present upon pretty good terms, they will be + very little apart during his sojourn, which I hear is to last until after + the feast of the Ascension. A good beginning has already been made; for + the last ten days our prince has hardly had time to breathe. The Prince of + —d—— has all along been living in a very expensive way, + which was excusable in him, as he will soon take his departure; but the + worst of the business is that he has inoculated our prince with his + extravagance, because he could not well withdraw himself from his company, + and, in the peculiar relation which exists between the two houses, thought + it incumbent upon himself to assert the dignity of his own. We shall, + moreover, depart from Venice in a few weeks, which will relieve the prince + from the necessity of continuing for any length of time this extraordinary + expenditure. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of —d——, it is reported, is here on business + of the Order, in which he imagines that he plays an important part. That + he has taken advantage of all the acquaintances of our prince you may + readily imagine. He has been introduced with distinguished honor into the + society of the Bucentauro, as he is pleased to consider himself a wit, and + a man of great genius, and allows himself to be styled in his + correspondences, which he keeps up throughout all parts of the world, the + “prince philosophique.” I do not know whether you have ever had the + pleasure of meeting him. He displays a promising exterior, piercing eyes, + a countenance full of expression, much show of reading, much acquired + naturalness (if I may be allowed the expression), joined to a princely + condescension towards the human race, a large amount of confidence in + himself, and an eloquence which talks down all opposition. Who could + refuse to pay homage to such splendid qualities in a “Royal Highness?” But + to what advantage the quiet and sterling worth of our prince will appear, + when contrasted with these dazzling accomplishments, the event must show. + </p> + <p> + In the arrangement of our establishment, various and important changes + have taken place. We have rented a new and magnificent house opposite the + new Procuracy, because the lodging at the Moor Hotel became too confined + for the prince. Our suite has been augmented by twelve persons, pages, + Moors, guards, etc. During your stay here you complained of unnecessary + expense—you should see us now! + </p> + <p> + Our internal arrangements remain the same as of old, except that the + prince, no longer held in check by your presence, is, if possible, more + reserved and distant towards us than ever; we see very little of him, + except while dressing or undressing him. Under the pretext that we speak + the French language very badly, and the Italian not at all, he has found + means to exclude us from most of his entertainments, which to me + personally is not a very great grievance; but I believe I know the true + reason of it—he is ashamed of us; and this hurts me, for we have not + deserved it of him. + </p> + <p> + As you wish to know all our minor affairs, I must tell you, that of all + his attendants, the prince almost exclusively employs Biondello, whom he + took into his service, as you will recollect, on the disappearance of his + huntsman, and who, in his new mode of life, has become quite indispensable + to him. This man knows Venice thoroughly, and turns everything to some + account. It is as though he had a thousand eyes, and could set a thousand + hands in motion at once. This he accomplishes, as he says, by the help of + the gondoliers. To the prince he renders himself very useful by making him + acquainted with all the strange faces that present themselves at his + assemblies, and the private information he gives his highness has always + proved to be correct. Besides this, he speaks and writes both Italian and + French excellently, and has in consequence already risen to be the + prince’s secretary. I must, however, relate to you an instance of fidelity + in him which is rarely found among people of his station. The other day a + merchant of good standing from Rimini requested an audience of the prince. + The object of his visit was an extraordinary complaint concerning + Biondello. The procurator, his former master, who must have been rather an + odd fellow, had lived in irreconcilable enmity with his relations; this + enmity he wished if possible to continue even after his death. Biondello + possessed his entire confidence, and was the repository of all his + secrets; while on his deathbed he obliged him to swear that he would keep + them inviolably, and would never disclose them for the benefit of his + relations; a handsome legacy was to be the reward of his silence. When the + deceased procurator’s will was opened and his papers inspected, many + blanks and irregularities were found to which Biondello alone could + furnish a key. He persisted in denying that he knew anything about it, + gave up his very handsome legacy to the heirs, and kept his secrets to + himself. Large offers were made to him by the relations, but all in vain; + at length, in order to escape from their importunities and their threats + of legally prosecuting him he entered the service of the prince. The + merchant, who was the chief heir, now applied to the prince, and made + larger offers than, before if Biondello would alter his determination. But + even the persuasions of the prince were fruitless. He admitted that + secrets of consequence had really been confided to him; he did not deny + that the deceased had perhaps carried his enmity towards his relations too + far; but, added he, he was my dear master and benefactor, and died with a + firm belief in my integrity. I was the only friend he had left in the + world, and will therefore never prove myself unworthy of his confidence. + At the same time he hinted that the avowals they wished him to make would + not tend to the honor of the deceased. Was not that acting nobly and + delicately? You may easily imagine that the prince did not renew his + endeavors to shake so praiseworthy a determination. The extraordinary + fidelity which he has shown towards his deceased master has procured him + the unlimited confidence of his present one! + </p> + <p> + Farewell, my dear friend. How I sigh for the quiet life we led when first + you came amongst us, for the stillness of which your society so agreeably + indemnified us. I fear my happy days in Venice are over, and shall be glad + if the same remark does not also apply to the prince. The element in which + he now lives is not calculated to render him permanently happy, or my + sixteen years’ experience has deceived me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER II. + </h2> + <p> + BARON VON F—— TO COUNT VON O——— June 4. + </p> + <p> + I should never have thought that our stay at Venice would have been + productive of any good consequences. It has been the means of saving a + man’s life, and I am reconciled to it. + </p> + <p> + Some few evenings ago the prince was being carried home late at night from + the Bucentauro; two domestics, of whom Biondello was one, accompanied him. + By some accident it happened that the sedan, which had been hired in + haste, broke down, and the prince was obliged to proceed the remainder of + the way-on foot. Biondello walked in front; their course lay through + several dark, retired streets, and, as daybreak was at hand, the lamps + were either burning dimly or had gone out altogether. They had proceeded + about a quarter of an hour when Biondello discovered that he had lost his + way. The similarity of the bridges had deceived him, and, instead of + crossing that of St. Mark, they found themselves in Sestiere di Castello. + It was in a by-street, and not a soul was stirring; they were obliged to + turn back in order to gain a main street by which to set themselves right. + They had proceeded but a few paces when they heard cries of “murder” in a + neighboring street. With his usual determined courage, the prince, unarmed + as he was, snatched a stick from one of his attendants, and rushed forward + in the direction whence the sound came. Three ruffianly-looking fellows + were just about to assassinate a man, who with his companion was feebly + defending himself; the prince appeared just in time to arrest the fatal + blow. The voices of the prince and his followers alarmed the murderers, + who did not expect any interruption in so lonely a place; after inflicting + a few slight wounds with their daggers, they abandoned their victim and + took to their heels. Exhausted with the unequal combat, the wounded man + sunk half fainting into the arms of the prince; his companion informed my + master that the man whose life he had saved was the Marquis Civitella, a + nephew of the Cardinal A———. As the marquis’ wounds bled + freely, Biondello acted as surgeon to the best of his ability, and the + prince took care to have him conveyed to the palace of his uncle, which + was near at hand, and whither he himself accompanied him. This done, he + left the house without revealing his name. + </p> + <p> + This, however, was discovered by a servant who had recognized Biondello. + Already on the following morning the cardinal, an old acquaintance from + the Bucentauro, waited upon the prince. The interview lasted an hour; the + cardinal was much moved; tears stood in his eyes when they parted; the + prince, too, was affected. The same evening a visit was paid to the sick + man, of whose case the surgeon gives a very favorable report; the mantle + in which he was wrapped had rendered the thrusts unsteady, and weakened + their force. Since this event not a day has passed without the prince’s + paying a visit at the cardinal’s, or receiving one from him, and a close + intimacy has begun to exist between him and the cardinal’s family. + </p> + <p> + The cardinal is a venerable man of sixty, with a majestic aspect, but full + of gayety and good health. He is said to be the richest prelate throughout + all the dominions of the republic. He is reported to manage his immense + fortune in a very liberal manner, and, although prudently economical, to + despise none of the joys of this life. This nephew, who is his sole heir, + is not always on the best of terms with his uncle. For, although the + cardinal is anything but an enemy to youthful pleasures, the conduct of + the nephew must exhaust the utmost tolerance. His loose principles and + dissipated manner of living, aided unhappily by all the attractions which + can make vice tempting and excite sensuality, have rendered him the terror + of all fathers and the bane of all husbands; this last attack also was + said to have been caused by an intrigue he had begun with the wife of the + ambassador, without speaking of other serious broils from which the power + and the money of the cardinal could scarcely extricate him. But for this + the cardinal would be the happiest man in Italy, for he possesses + everything that can make life agreeable; but by this one domestic + misfortune all the gifts of fortune are annulled, and the enjoyment of his + wealth is embittered to the cardinal by the continual fear of finding + nobody to inherit it. + </p> + <p> + The whole of this information I have obtained from Biondello. The prince + has found in this man a real treasure. Every day he becomes more + indispensable, and we are continually discovering in him some new talent. + Some days ago the prince felt feverish and could not sleep; the night-lamp + was extinguished, and all his ringing failed to arouse the + valet-de-chambre, who had gone to sleep out of the house with an + opera-dancer. At length the prince determined to rise himself, and to + rouse one of his people. He had not proceeded far when a strain of + delicious melody met his ear. Like one enchanted, he followed the sound, + and found Biondello in his room playing upon the flute, with his + fellow-servants assembled around him. The prince could hardly believe his + senses, and commanded him to proceed. With a surprising degree of facility + he began to vary a touching adagio air with some fine extempore + variations, which he executed with all the taste of a virtuoso. The + prince, who, as you know, is a judge of music, says that he might play + with confidence in the finest choir in Italy. + </p> + <p> + “I must dismiss this man,” said he to me next morning, “for I am unable to + reward him according to his merits.” Biondello, who had overheard these + words, came forward, “If you dismiss me, gracious prince,” said he, “you + deprive me of my best reward.” + </p> + <p> + “You are born to something better than to serve,” answered my master. “I + must not stand in the way of your fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not press upon me any better fortune, gracious sir, than that which I + have chosen for myself.” + </p> + <p> + “To neglect talent like yours—No! I can never permit it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then permit me, gracious sir, sometimes to exercise it in your presence.” + </p> + <p> + Preparations were immediately made for carrying this proposition into + effect. Biondello had a room assigned to him next the apartment of the + prince, so that he can lull him to sleep with his strains, and wake him in + the same manner. The prince wished to double his salary, but Biondello + declined, requesting that this intended boon should be retained in his + master’s hands as a capital of which he might some day wish to avail + himself. The prince expects that he will soon come to ask a favor at his + hands; and whatever it may be it is granted beforehand. Farewell, dearest + friend. I am waiting with impatience for tidings from K——n. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER III. + </h2> + <p> + BARON VON F——— TO COUNT VON O——— June + 4. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis of Civitella, who is now entirely recovered from his wounds, + was last week introduced to the prince by his uncle, the cardinal, and + since then he has followed him like his shadow. Biondello cannot have told + me the truth respecting this marquis, or at any rate his account must be + greatly exaggerated. His mien is highly engaging, and his manners + irresistibly winning. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to be out of humor with him; the first sight of him has + disarmed me. Imagine a man of the most enchanting figure, with + corresponding grace and dignity, a countenance full of thought and genius, + an expression frank and inviting; a persuasive tone of voice, the most + flowing eloquence, and a glow of youthful beauty, joined to all the + advantages of a most liberal education. He has none of that contemptuous + pride, none of that solemn starchness, which we disliked so much in all + the other nobles. His whole being is redolent of youthful joyousness, + benevolence, and warmth of feeling. His excesses must have been much + exaggerated; I never saw a more perfect picture of health. If he is really + so wholly abandoned as Biondello represents him he is a syren whom none + can resist. + </p> + <p> + Towards me he behaved with much frankness. He confessed with the most + pleasing sincerity that he was by no means on the best of terms with his + uncle, the cardinal, and that it was his own fault. But he was seriously + resolved to amend his life, and the merit would be entirely the prince’s. + At the same time he hoped through his instrumentality to be reconciled to + his uncle, as the prince’s influence with the cardinal was unbounded. The + only thing he had wanted till now was a friend and a guide, and he trusted + he should find both in the person of the prince. + </p> + <p> + The prince has now assumed the authority of a preceptor towards him, and + treats him with all the watchfulness fulness and strictness of a Mentor. + But this intimacy also gives the marquis a certain degree of influence, of + which he well knows how to avail himself. He hardly stirs from his side; + he is present at all parties where the prince is one of the guests; for + the Bucentauro alone he is fortunately as yet too young. Wherever be + appears in public with the prince he manages to draw him away from the + rest of the company by the pleasing manner in which he engages him in + conversation and arrests his attention. Nobody, they say, has yet been + able to reclaim him, and the prince will deserve to be immortalized in an + epic should he accomplish such an Herculean task. I am much afraid, + however, that the tables may be turned, and the guide be led away by the + pupil, of which, in fact, there seems to be every prospect. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of —d——— has taken his departure, much + to the satisfaction of us all, my master not excepted. What I predicted, + my dear O——, has come to pass. Two characters so widely + opposed must inevitably clash together, and cannot maintain a good + understanding for any length of time. The Prince of —d——— + had not been long in Venice before a terrible schism took place in the + intellectual world, which threatened to deprive our prince of one-half of + his admirers. Wherever he went he was crossed by this rival, who possessed + exactly the requisite amount of small cunning to avail himself of every + little advantage he gained. As he besides never scrupled to make use of + any petty manoeuvres to increase his consequence, he in a short time drew + all the weak-minded of the community on his side, and shone at the head of + a company of parasites worthy of such a leader. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The harsh judgment which Baron F—— (both here and in some + passages of his first letter) pronounces upon this talented prince + will be found exaggerated by every one who has the good fortune to + be acquainted with him, and must be attributed to the prejudiced + views of the young observer.—Note of the Count von O———.] +</pre> + <p> + The wiser course would certainly have been not to enter into competition + at all with an adversary of this description, and a few months back this + is the part which the prince would have taken. But now he has launched too + far into the stream easily to regain the shore. These trifles have, + perhaps by the circumstances in which he is placed, acquired a certain + degree of importance in his eyes, and had he even despised them his pride + would not have allowed him to retire at a moment when his yielding would + have been looked upon less as a voluntary act than as a confession of + inferiority. Added to this, an unlucky revival of forgotten satirical + speeches had taken place, and the spirit of rivalry which took possession + of his followers had affected the prince himself. In order, therefore, to + maintain that position in society which public opinion had now assigned + him, he deemed it advisable to seize every possible opportunity of + display, and of increasing the number of his admirers; but this could only + be effected by the most princely expenditure; he was therefore eternally + giving feasts, entertainments, and expensive concerts, making costly + presents, and playing high. As this strange madness, moreover, had also + infected the prince’s retinue, who are generally much more punctilious in + respect to what they deem “the honor of the family” than their masters, + the prince was obliged to assist the zeal of his followers by his + liberality. Here, then, is a whole catalogue of ills, all irremediable + consequences of a sufficiently excusable weakness to which the prince in + an unguarded moment gave way. + </p> + <p> + We have, it is true, got rid of our rival, but the harm he has done will + not so soon be remedied. The finances of the prince are exhausted; all + that he had saved by the wise economy of years is spent; and he must + hasten from Venice if he would escape plunging into debt, which till now + he has most scrupulously avoided. It is decisively settled that we leave + as soon as fresh remittances arrive. + </p> + <p> + I should not have minded all this splendor if the prince had but reaped + the least real satisfaction from it. But he was never less happy than at + present. He feels that he is not what he formerly was; he seeks to regain + his self-respect; he is dissatisfied with himself, and launches into fresh + dissipation in order to drown the recollection of the last. One new + acquaintance follows another, and each involves him more deeply. I know + not where this will end. We must away—there is no other chance of + safety—we must away from Venice. + </p> + <p> + But, my dear friend, I have not yet received a single line from you. How + am I to interpret this long and obstinate silence? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + BARON VON F——— TO COUNT VON O———. June + 12. + </p> + <p> + I thank you, my dear friend, for the token of your remembrance which young + B—hl brought me. But what is it you say about letters I ought to + have received? I have received no letter from you; not a single one. What + a circuitous route must they have taken. In future, dear O———, + when you honor me with an epistle despatch it via Trent, under cover to + the prince, my master. + </p> + <p> + We have at length been compelled, my dear friend, to resort to a measure + which till now we had so happily avoided. Our remittances have failed to + arrive—failed, for the first time, in this pressing emergency, and + we have been obliged to have recourse to a usurer, as the prince is + willing to pay handsomely to keep the affair secret. The worst of this + disagreeable occurrence is, that it retards our departure. On this affair + the prince and I have had an explanation. The whole transaction had been + arranged by Biondello, and the son of Israel was there before I had any + suspicion of the fact. It grieved me to the heart to see the prince + reduced to such an extremity, and revived all my recollections of the + past, and fears for the future; and I suppose I may have looked rather + sorrowful and gloomy when the usurer left the room. The prince, whom the + foregoing scene had left in not the happiest frame of mind, was pacing + angrily up and down the room; the rouleaus of gold were still lying on the + table; I stood at the window, counting the panes of glass in the + procurator’s house opposite. There was a long pause. At length the prince + broke silence. “F———!” he began, “I cannot bear to see + dismal faces about me.” + </p> + <p> + I remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not answer me? Do I not perceive that your heart is almost + bursting to vent some of its vexation? I insist on your speaking, + otherwise you will begin to fancy that you are keeping some terribly + momentous secret.” + </p> + <p> + “If I am gloomy, gracious sir,” replied I, “it is only because I do not + see you cheerful.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” continued he, “that you have been dissatisfied with me for some + time past—that you disapprove of every step I take—that—what + does Count O——— say in his letters?” + </p> + <p> + “Count O——— has not written to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not written? Why do you deny it? You keep up a confidential + correspondence together, you and the count; I am quite aware of that. + Come, you may confess it, for I have no wish to pry into your secrets.” + </p> + <p> + “Count O———,” replied I, “has not yet answered any of + the three letters which I have written to him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have done wrong,” continued he; “don’t you think so?” (taking up one of + the rouleaus) “I should not have done this?” + </p> + <p> + “I see that it was necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “I ought not to have reduced myself to such a necessity?” + </p> + <p> + I did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course! I ought never to have indulged my wishes, but have grown + gray in the same dull manner in which I was brought up! Because I once + venture a step beyond the drear monotony of my past life, and look around + me to see whether there be not some new source of enjoyment in store for + me—because I—” + </p> + <p> + “If it was but a trial, gracious sir, I have no more to say; for the + experience you have gained would not be dearly bought at three times the + price it has cost. It grieves me, I confess, to think that the opinion of + the world should be concerned in determining the question—how are + you to choose your own happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well for you that you can afford to despise the world’s opinion,” + replied he, “I am its creature, I must be its slave. What are we princes + but opinion? With us it is everything. Public opinion is our nurse and + preceptor in infancy, our oracle and idol in riper years, our staff in old + age. Take from us what we derive from the opinion of the world, and the + poorest of the humblest class is in a better position than we, for his + fate has taught him a lesson of philosophy which enables him to bear it. + But a prince who laughs at the world’s opinion destroys himself, like the + priest who denies the existence of a God.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet, gracious prince—” + </p> + <p> + “I see what you would say; I can break through the circle which my birth + has drawn around me. But can I also eradicate from my memory all the false + impressions which education and early habit have implanted, and which a + hundred thousand fools have been continually laboring to impress more and + more firmly? Everybody naturally wishes to be what he is in perfection; in + short, the whole aim of a prince’s existence is to appear happy. If we + cannot be happy after your fashion, is that any reason why we should + discard all other means of happiness, and not be happy at all? If we + cannot drink of joy pure from the fountain-head, can there be any reason + why we should not beguile ourselves with artificial pleasure— nay, + even be content to accept a sorry substitute from the very hand that robs + us of the higher boon?” + </p> + <p> + “You were wont to look for this compensation in your own heart.” + </p> + <p> + “But if I no longer find it there? Oh, how came we to fall on this + subject? Why did you revive these recollections in me? I had recourse to + this tumult of the senses in order to stifle an inward voice which + embitters my whole life; in order to lull to rest this inquisitive reason, + which, like a sharp sickle, moves to and fro in my brain, at each new + research lopping off another branch of my happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “My dearest prince”—He had risen, and was pacing up and down the + room in unusual agitation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [I have endeavored, dearest O———, to relate to you this + remarkable conversation exactly as it occurred; but this I found + impossible, although I sat down to write it the evening of the day + it took place. In order to assist my memory I was obliged to + transpose the observation of the prince, and thus this compound of + a conversation and a philosophical lecture, which is in some + respects better and in others worse than the source from which I + took it, arose; but I assure you that I have rather omitted some of + the prince’s words than ascribed to him any of my own; all that is + mine is the arrangement, and a few observations, whose ownership + you will easily recognize by their stupidity.—Note of the Baron + von F———] +</pre> + <p> + “When everything gives way before me and behind me; when the past lies in + the distance in dreary monotony, like a city of the dead; when the future + offers me naught; when I see my whole being enclosed within the narrow + circle of the present, who can blame me if I clasp this niggardly present + of time in my arms with fiery eagerness, as though it were a friend whom I + was embracing for the last time? Oh, I have learnt to value the present + moment. The present moment is our mother; let us love it as such.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious sir, you were wont to believe in a more lasting good.” + </p> + <p> + “Do but make the enchantment last and fervently will I embrace it. But + what pleasure can it give to me to render beings happy who to-morrow will + have passed away like myself? Is not everything passing away around me? + Each one bustles and pushes his neighbor aside hastily to catch a few + drops from the fountain of life, and then departs thirsting. At this very + moment, while I am rejoicing in lily strength, some being is waiting to + start into life at my dissolution. Show me one being who will endure, and + I will become a virtuous man.” + </p> + <p> + “But what, then, has become of those benevolent sentiments which used to + be the joy and the rule of your life? To sow seeds for the future, to + assist in carrying out the designs of a high and eternal Providence”— + </p> + <p> + “Future! Eternal Providence! If you take away from man all that he derives + from his own heart, all that he associates with the idea of a godhead, and + all that belongs to the law of nature, what, then, do you leave him? + </p> + <p> + “What has already happened to me, and what may still follow, I look upon + as two black, impenetrable curtains hanging over the two extremities of + human life, and which no mortal has ever yet drawn aside. Many hundred + generations have stood before the second of these curtains, casting the + light of their torches upon its folds, speculating and guessing as to what + it may conceal. Many have beheld themselves, in the magnified image of + their passions, reflected upon the curtain which hides futurity from their + gaze, and have turned away shuddering from their own shadows. Poets, + philosophers, and statesmen have painted their fancies on the curtain in + brighter or more sombre colors, according as their own prospects were + bright or gloomy. Many a juggler has also taken advantage of the universal + curiosity, and by well-managed deceptions led astray the excited + imagination. A deep silence reigns behind this curtain; no one who passes + beyond it answers any questions; all the reply is an empty echo, like the + sound yielded by a vault. + </p> + <p> + “Sooner or later all must go behind this curtain, and they approach it + with fear and trembling, in doubt who may be waiting there behind to + receive them; <i>quid sit id, quod tanturn morituri vident</i>. There have + been infidels who asserted that this curtain only deluded mankind, and + that we saw nothing behind it, because there was nothing there to see; + but, to convince them, they were quickly sent behind it themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “It was indeed a rash conclusion,” said I, “if they had no better ground + for it than that they saw nothing themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “You see, my dear friend, I am modest enough not to wish to look behind + this curtain, and the wisest course will doubtless be to abstain from all + curiosity. But while I draw this impassable circle around me, and confine + myself within the bounds of present existence, this small point of time, + which I was in danger of neglecting in useless researches, becomes the + more important to me. What you call the chief end and aim of my existence + concerns me no longer. I cannot escape my destiny; I cannot promote its + consummation; but I know, and firmly believe, that I am here to accomplish + some end, and that I do accomplish it. But the means which nature has + chosen to fulfil my destiny are so much the more sacred to me; to me it is + everything; my morality, my happiness. All the rest I shall never learn. I + am like a messenger who carries a sealed letter to its place of + destination. What the letter contains is indifferent to him; his business + is only to earn his fee for carrying it.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said I, “how poor a thing you would leave me!” + </p> + <p> + “But in what a labyrinth have we lost ourselves!” exclaimed the prince, + looking with a smile at the table on which the rouleaus lay. “After all + perhaps not far from the mark,” continued he; “you will now no doubt + understand my reasons for this new mode of life. I could not so suddenly + tear myself away from my fancied wealth, could not so readily separate the + props of my morality and happiness from the pleasing dream with which + everything within me was so closely bound up. I longed for the frivolity + which seems to render the existence of most of those about me endurable to + themselves. Everything which precluded reflection was welcome to me. Shall + I confess it to you? I wished to lower myself, in order to destroy this + source of my griefs, by deadening the power of reflection.” + </p> + <p> + Here we were interrupted by a visit. In my next I shall have to + communicate to you a piece of news, which, from the tenor of a + conversation like the one of to-day, you would scarcely have anticipated. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + BARON VON F——— TO COUNT VON O———. + </h3> + <p> + As the time of our departure from Venice is now approaching with rapid + steps, this week was to be devoted to seeing everything worthy of notice + in pictures and public edifices; a task which, when one intends making a + long stay in a place, is always delayed till the last moment. + </p> + <p> + The “Marriage at Cana,” by Paul Veronese, which is to be seen in a + Benedictine convent in the Island of St. George, was in particular + mentioned to us in high terms. Do not expect me to give you a description + of this extraordinary work of art, which, on the whole, made a very + surprising, but not equally pleasing, impression on me. We should have + required as many hours as we had minutes to study a composition of one + hundred and twenty figures, upon a ground thirty feet broad. What human + eye is capable of grasping so complicated a whole, or at once to enjoy all + the beauty which the artist has everywhere lavished, upon it! It is, + however, to be lamented, that a work of so much merit, which if exhibited + in some public place, would command the admiration of every one, should be + destined merely to ornament the refectory of a few monks. The church of + the monastery is no less worthy of admiration, being one of the finest in + the whole city. Towards evening we went in a gondola to the Guidecca, in + order to spend the pleasant hours of evening in its charming garden. Our + party, which was not very numerous, soon dispersed in various directions; + and Civitella, who had been waiting all day for an opportunity of speaking + to me privately, took me aside into an arbor. + </p> + <p> + “You are a friend to the prince,” he began, “from whom he is accustomed to + keep no secrets, as I know from very good authority. As I entered his + hotel to-day I met a man coming out whose occupation is well known to me, + and when I entered the room the prince’s brow was clouded.” I wished to + interrupt him,—“You cannot deny it,” continued he; “I knew the man, + I looked at him well. And is it possible that the prince should have a + friend in Venice—a friend who owes his life to him, and yet be + reduced on an emergency to make use of such creatures?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me frankly, Baron! Is the prince in difficulties? It is in vain you + strive to conceal it from me. What! you refuse to tell me! I can easily + learn from one who would sell any secret for gold.” + </p> + <p> + “My good Marquis!” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me! I must appear intrusive in order not to be ungrateful. To the + prince I am indebted for life, and what is still more, for a reasonable + use of it. Shall I stand idly by and see him take steps which, besides + being inconvenient to him, are beneath his dignity? Shall I feel it in my + power to assist him, and hesitate for a moment to step forward?” + </p> + <p> + “The prince,” replied I, “is not in difficulties. Some remittances which + we expected via Trent have not yet arrived, most likely either by + accident, or because not feeling certain whether he had not already left + Venice, they waited for a communication from him. This has now been done, + and until their arrival” + </p> + <p> + Civitella shook his head. “Do not mistake my motive,” said he; “in this + there can be no question as to diminishing the extent of my obligations + towards the prince, which all my uncle’s wealth would be insufficient to + cancel. My object is simply to spare him a few unpleasant moments. My + uncle possesses a large fortune which I can command as freely as though it + were my own. A fortunate circumstance occurs, which enables me to avail + myself of the only means by which I can possibly be of the slightest use + to your master. I know,” continued he, “how much delicacy the prince + possesses, but the feeling is mutual, and it would be noble on his part to + afford me this slight gratification, were it only to make me appear to + feel less heavily the load of obligation under which I labor.” + </p> + <p> + He continued to urge his request, until I had pledged my word to assist + him to the utmost of my ability. I knew the prince’s character, and had + but small hopes of success. The marquis promised to agree to any + conditions the prince might impose, but added, that it would deeply wound + him to be regarded in the light of a stranger. + </p> + <p> + In the heat of our conversation we had strayed far away from the rest of + the company, and were returning, when Z———— came + to meet us. + </p> + <p> + “I am in search of the prince,” he cried; “is he not with you?” + </p> + <p> + “We were just going to him,” was our reply. “We thought to find him with + the rest of the party.” + </p> + <p> + “The company is all together, but he is nowhere to be found. I cannot + imagine how we lost sight of him.” + </p> + <p> + It now occurred to Civitella that he might have gone to look at the + adjoining church, which had a short time before attracted his attention. + We immediately went to look for him there. As we approached, we found + Biondello waiting in the porch. On coming nearer, we saw the prince emerge + hastily from a side door; his countenance was flushed, and he looked + anxiously round for Biondello, whom he called. He seemed to be giving him + very particular instructions for the execution of some commission, while + his eyes continued constantly fixed on the church door, which had remained + open. Biondello hastened into the church. The prince, without perceiving + us, passed through the crowd, and went back to his party, which he reached + before us. + </p> + <p> + We resolved to sup in an open pavilion of the garden, where the marquis + had, without our knowledge, arranged a little concert, which was quite + first-rate. There was a young singer in particular, whose delicious voice + and charming figure excited general admiration. Nothing, however, seemed + to make an impression on the prince; he spoke little, and gave confused + answers to our questions; his eyes were anxiously fixed in the direction + whence he expected Biondello; and he seemed much agitated. Civitella asked + him what he thought of the church; he was unable to give any description + of it. Some beautiful pictures, which rendered the church remarkable, were + spoken of; the prince had not noticed them. We perceived that our + questions annoyed him, and therefore discontinued them. Hour after hour + rolled on and still Biondello returned not. The prince could no longer + conceal his impatience; he rose from the table, and paced alone, with + rapid strides, up and down a retired walk. Nobody could imagine what had + happened to him. I did not venture to ask him the reason of so remarkable + a change in his demeanor; I have for some time past resigned my former + place in his confidence. It was, therefore, with the utmost impatience + that I awaited the return of Biondello to explain this riddle to me. + </p> + <p> + It was past ten o’clock when he made his appearance. The tidings he + brought did not make the prince more communicative. He returned in an + ill-humor to the company, the gondola was ordered, and we returned. home. + </p> + <p> + During the remainder of that evening I could find no opportunity of + speaking to Biondello, and was, therefore, obliged to retire to my pillow + with my curiosity unsatisfied. The prince had dismissed us early, but a + thousand reflections flitted across my brain, and kept me awake. For a + long time I could hear him pacing up and down his room; at length sleep + overcame me. Late at midnight I was awakened by a voice, and I felt a hand + passed across my face; I opened my eyes, and saw the prince standing at my + bedside, with a lamp in his hand. He told me he was unable to sleep, and + begged me to keep him company through the night. I was going to dress + myself, but he told me to stay where I was, and seated himself at my + bedside. + </p> + <p> + “Something has happened to me to-day,” he began, “the impression of which + will never be effaced from my soul. I left you, as you know, to see the + church, respecting which Civitella had raised my curiosity, and which had + already attracted my attention. As neither you nor he were at hand, I + walked the short distance alone, and ordered Biondello to wait for me at + the door. The church was quite empty; a dim and solemn light surrounded me + as I entered from the blazing sultry day without. I stood alone in the + spacious building, throughout which there reigned the stillness of the + grave. I placed myself in the centre of the church, and gave myself up to + the feelings which the sight was calculated to produce; by degrees the + grand proportions of this majestic building expanded to my gaze, and I + stood wrapt in deep and pleasing contemplation. Above me the evening bell + was tolling; its tones died softly away in the aisles, and found an echo + in my heart. Some altar-pieces at a distance attracted my attention. I + approached to look at them; unconsciously I had wandered through one side + of the church, and was now standing at the opposite end. Here a few steps, + raised round a pillar, led into a little chapel, containing several small + altars, with statues of saints in the niches above them. On entering the + chapel on the right I heard a whispering, as though some one near was + speaking in a low voice. I turned towards the spot whence the sound + proceeded, and saw before me a female form. No! I cannot describe to you + the beauty of this form. My first feeling was one of awe, which, however, + soon gave place to ravishing surprise.” + </p> + <p> + “But this figure, your highness? Are you certain that it was something + living, something real, and not perhaps a picture, or an illusion of your + fancy?” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me further. It was a lady. Surely, till that moment, I have never + seen her sex in its full perfection! All around was sombre; the setting + sun shone through a single window into the chapel, and its rays rested + upon her figure. With inexpressible grace, half kneeling, half lying, she + was stretched before an altar; one of the most striking, most lovely, and + picturesque objects in all nature. Her dress was of black moreen, fitting + tightly to her slender waist and beautifully-formed arms, the skirts + spreading around her like a Spanish robe; her long light-colored hair was + divided into two broad plaits, which, apparently from their own weight, + had escaped from under her veil, and flowed in charming disorder down her + back. One of her hands grasped the crucifix, and her head rested + gracefully upon the other. But, where shall I find words to describe to + you the angelic beauty of her countenance, in which the charms of a seraph + seemed displayed. The setting sun shone full upon her face, and its golden + beams seemed to surround it as with a glory. Can you recall to your mind + the Madonna of our Florentine painter? She was here personified, even to + those few deviations from the studied costume which so powerfully, so + irresistibly attracted me in the picture.” + </p> + <p> + With regard to the Madonna, of whom the prince spoke, the case is this: + Shortly after your departure he made the acquaintance of a Florentine + painter, who had been summoned to Venice to paint an altar-piece for some + church, the name of which I do not recollect. He had brought with him + three paintings, which had been intended for the gallery in the Cornari + palace. They consisted of a Madonna, a Heloise, and a Venus, very lightly + apparelled. All three were of great beauty; and, although the subjects + were quite different, they were so intrinsically equal that it seemed + almost impossible to determine which to prefer. The prince alone did not + hesitate for a moment. As soon as the pictures were placed before him the + Madonna absorbed his whole attention; in the two others he admired the + painter’s genius; but in this he forgot the artist and his art, his whole + soul being absorbed in the contemplation of the work. He was quite moved, + and could scarcely tear himself away from it. We could easily see by the + artist’s countenance that in his heart he coincided with the prince’s + judgment; he obstinately refused to separate the pictures, and demanded + fifteen hundred zechins for the three. The prince offered him half that + sum for the Madonna alone, but in vain. The artist insisted on his first + demand, and who knows what might have been the result if a ready purchaser + had not stepped forward. + </p> + <p> + Two hours afterwards all three pictures were sold, and we never saw them + again. It was this Madonna which now recurred to the prince’s mind. + </p> + <p> + “I stood,” continued he, “gazing at her in silent admiration. She did not + observe me; my arrival did not disturb her, so completely was she absorbed + in her devotion. She prayed to her Deity, and I prayed to her —yes, + I adored her! All the pictures of saints, all the altars and the burning + tapers around me had failed to remind me of what now for the first time + burst upon me, that I was in a sacred place. Shall I confess it to you? In + that moment I believed firmly in Him whose image was clasped in her + beautiful hand. I read in her eyes that he answered her prayers. Thanks be + to her charming devotion, it had revealed him to me. I wandered with her + through all the paradise of prayer. + </p> + <p> + “She rose, and I recollected myself. I stepped aside confused; but the + noise I made in moving discovered me. I thought that the unexpected + presence of a man might alarm, that my boldness would offend her; but + neither of these feelings were expressed in the look with which she + regarded me. Peace, benign peace, was portrayed in her countenance, and a + cheerful smile played upon her lips. She was descending from her heaven; + and I was the first happy mortal who met her benevolent look. Her mind was + still wrapt in her concluding prayer; she had not yet come in contact with + earth. + </p> + <p> + “I now heard something stir in the opposite corner of the chapel. It was + an elderly lady, who rose from a cushion close behind me. Till now I had + not observed her. She had been distant only a few steps from me. and must + have seen my every motion. This confused me. I cast my eyes to the earth, + and both the ladies passed by me.” + </p> + <p> + On this last point I thought myself able to console the prince. + </p> + <p> + “Strange,” continued he, after a long silence, “that there should be + something which one has never known—never missed; and that yet on a + sudden one should seem to live and breathe for that alone. Can one single + moment so completely metamorphose a human being? It would now be as + impossible for me to indulge in the wishes or enjoy the pleasures of + yesterday as it would be to return to the toys of my childhood, and all + this since I have seen this object which lives and rules in the inmost + recesses of my soul. It seems to say that I can love nothing else, and + that nothing else in this world can produce an impression on me.” + </p> + <p> + “But consider, gracious prince,” said I, “the excitable mood you were in + when this apparition surprised you, and how all the circumstances + conspired to inflame your imagination. Quitting the dazzling light of day + and the busy throng of men, you were suddenly surrounded by twilight and + repose. You confess that you had quite given yourself up to those solemn + emotions which the majesty of the place was calculated to awaken; the + contemplation of fine works of art had rendered you more susceptible to + the impressions of beauty in any form. You supposed yourself alone— + when you saw a maiden who, I will readily allow, may have been very + beautiful, and whose charms were heightened by a favorable illumination of + the setting sun, a graceful attitude, and an expression of fervent + devotion—what is more natural than that your vivid fancy should look + upon such a form as something supernaturally perfect?” + </p> + <p> + “Can the imagination give what it never received?” replied he. “In the + whole range of my fancy there is nothing which I can compare with that + image. It is impressed on my mind distinctly and vividly as in the moment + when I beheld it. I can think of nothing but that picture; but you might + offer me whole worlds for it in vain.” + </p> + <p> + “My gracious prince, this is love.” + </p> + <p> + “Must the sensation which makes me happy necessarily have a name? Love! Do + not degrade my feeling by giving it a name which is so often misapplied by + the weak-minded. Who ever felt before what I do now? Such a being never + before existed; how then can the name be admitted before the emotion which + it is meant to express? Mine is a novel and peculiar feeling, connected + only with this being, and capable of being applied to her alone. Love! + From love I am secure!” + </p> + <p> + “You sent away Biondello, no doubt, to follow in the steps of these + strangers, and to make inquiries concerning them. What news did he bring + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Biondello discovered nothing; or, at least, as good as nothing. An aged, + respectably dressed man, who looked more like a citizen than a servant, + came to conduct them to their gondola. A number of poor people placed + themselves in a row, and quitted her, apparently well satisfied. Biondello + said he saw one of her hands, which was ornamented with several precious + stones. She spoke a few words, which Biondello could not comprehend, to + her companion; he says it was Greek. As she had some distance to walk to + the canal, the people began to throng together, attracted by the + strangeness of her appearance. Nobody knew her—but beauty seems born + to rule. All made way for her in a respectful manner. She let fall a black + veil, that covered half of her person, over her face, and hastened into + the gondola. Along the whole Giudecca Biondello managed to keep the boat + in view, but the crowd prevented his following it further.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely he took notice of the gondolier so as to be able to recognize + him again.” + </p> + <p> + “He has undertaken to find out the gondolier, but he is not one of those + with whom he associates. The mendicants, whom he questioned, could give + him no further information than that the signora had come to the church + for the last few Saturdays, and had each time divided a gold-piece among + them. It was a Dutch ducat, which Biondello changed for them, and brought + to me.” + </p> + <p> + “It appears, then, that she is a Greek—most likely of rank; at any + rate, rich and charitable. That is as much as we dare venture to conclude + at present, gracious sir; perhaps too much. But a Greek lady in a Catholic + church?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? She may have changed her religion. But there is certainly some + mystery in the affair. Why should she go only once a week? Why always on + Saturday, on which day, as Biondello tells me, the church is generally + deserted. Next Saturday, at the latest, must decide this question. Till + then, dearest friend, you must help me to while away the hours. But it is + in vain. They will go their lingering pace, though my soul is burning with + expectation!” + </p> + <p> + “And when this day at length arrives—what, then, gracious prince? + What do you purpose doing?” + </p> + <p> + “What do I purpose doing? I shall see her. I will discover where she lives + and who she is. But to what does all this tend? I hear you ask. What I saw + made me happy; I therefore now know wherein my happiness consists! + </p> + <p> + “And our departure from Venice, which is fixed for next Monday?” + </p> + <p> + “How could I know that Venice still contained such a treasure for me? You + ask me questions of my past life. I tell you that from this day forward I + will begin a new existence.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought that now was the opportunity to keep my word to the marquis. I + explained to the prince that a protracted stay in Venice was altogether + incompatible with the exhausted state of his finances, and that, if he + extended his sojourn here beyond the appointed time, he could not reckon + on receiving funds from his court. On this occasion, I learned what had + hitherto been a secret to me, namely, that the prince had, without the + knowledge of his other brothers, received from his sister, the reigning + —— of ————, considerable loans, which + she would gladly double if his court left him in the lurch. This sister, + who, as you know, is a pious enthusiast, thinks that the large savings + which she makes at a very economical court cannot be deposited in better + hands than in those of a brother whose wise benevolence she well knows, + and whose character she warmly honors. I have, indeed, known for some time + that a very close intercourse has been kept up between the two, and that + many letters have been exchanged; but, as the prince’s own resources have + hitherto always been sufficient to cover his expenditure, I had never + guessed at this hidden channel. It is clear, therefore, that the prince + must have had some expenses which have been and still are unknown to me; + but if I can judge of them by his general character, they will certainly + not be of such a description as to tend to his disgrace. And yet I thought + I understood him thoroughly. After this disclosure, I of course did not + hesitate to make known to him the marquis’ offer, which, to my no small + surprise, he immediately accepted. He gave me the authority to transact + the business with the marquis in whatever way I thought most advisable, + and then immediately to settle the account with the usurer. To his sister + he proposed to write without delay. + </p> + <p> + It was morning when we separated. However disagreeable this affair is to + me for more than one reason, the worst of it is that it seems to threaten + a longer residence in Venice. From the prince’s passion I rather augur + good than evil. It is, perhaps, the most powerful method of withdrawing + him from his metaphysical dreams to the concerns and feelings of real + life. It will have its crisis, and, like an illness produced by artificial + means, will eradicate the natural disorder. + </p> + <p> + Farewell, my dear friend. I have written down these incidents immediately + upon their occurrence. The post starts immediately; you will receive this + letter on the same day as my last. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + BARON F——— TO COUNT O———. June 20. + </p> + <p> + This Civitella is certainly one of the most obliging personages in the + world. The prince had scarcely left me the other day before I received a + note from the marquis enforcing his former offers with renewed + earnestness. I instantly forwarded, in the prince’s name, a bond for six + thousand zechins; in less than half an hour it was returned, with double + the sum required, in notes and gold. The prince at length assented to this + increase, but insisted that the bond, which was drawn only for six weeks, + should be accepted. + </p> + <p> + The whole of the present week has been consumed in inquiries after the + mysterious Greek. Biondello set all his engines to work, but until now in + vain. He certainly discovered the gondolier; but from him he could learn + nothing, save that the ladies had disembarked on the island of Murano, + where they entered two sedan chairs which were waiting for them. He + supposed them to be English because they spoke a foreign language, and had + paid him in gold. He did not even know their guide, but believed him to be + a glass manufacturer from Murano. We were now, at least, certain that we + must not look for her in the Giudecca, and that in all probability she + lived in the island of Murano; but, unluckily, the description the prince + gave of her was not such as to make her recognizable by a third party. The + passionate interest with which he had regarded her had hindered him from + observing her minutely; for all the minor details, which other people + would not have failed to notice, had escaped his observation; from his + description one would have sooner expected to find her prototype in the + works of Ariosto or Tasso than on a Venetian island. Besides, our + inquiries had to be conducted with the utmost caution, in order not to + become prejudicial to the lady, or to excite undue attention. As Biondello + was the only man besides the prince who had seen her, even through her + veil, and could therefore recognize her, he strove to be as much as + possible in all the places where she was likely to appear; the life of the + poor man, during the whole week, was a continual race through all the + streets of Venice. In the Greek church, particularly, every inquiry was + made, but always with the same ill-success; and the prince, whose + impatience increased with every successive failure, was at last obliged to + wait till Saturday, with what patience he might. His restlessness was + excessive. Nothing interested him, nothing could fix his attention. He was + in constant feverish excitement; he fled from society, but the evil + increased in solitude. He had never been so much besieged by visitors as + in this week. His approaching departure had been announced, and everybody + crowded to see him. It was necessary to occupy the attention of the people + in order to lull their suspicions, and to amuse the prince with the view + of diverting his mind from its all-engrossing object. In this emergency + Civitella hit upon play; and, for the purpose of driving away most of the + visitors, proposed that the stakes should be high. He hoped by awakening + in the prince a transient liking for play, from which it would afterwards + be easy to wean him, to destroy the romantic bent of his passion. “The + cards,” said Civitella, “have saved me from many a folly which I had + intended to commit, and repaired many which I had already perpetrated. At + the faro table I have often recovered my tranquillity of mind, of which a + pair of bright eyes had robbed me, and women never had more power over me + than when I had not money enough to play.” + </p> + <p> + I will not enter into a discussion as to how far Civitella was right; but + the remedy we had hit upon soon began to be worse than the disease it was + intended to cure. The prince, who could only make the game at all + interesting to himself by staking extremely high, soon overstepped all + bounds. He was quite out of his element. Everything he did seemed to be + done in a passion; all his actions betrayed the uneasiness of his mind. + You know his general indifference to money; he seemed now to have become + totally insensible to its value. Gold flowed through his hands like water. + As he played without the slightest caution he lost almost invariably. He + lost immense sums, for he staked like a desperate gamester. Dearest O——— + , with an aching heart I write it, in four days he had lost above twelve + thousand zechins. + </p> + <p> + Do not reproach me. I blame myself sufficiently. But how could I prevent + it? Could I do more than warn him? I did all that was in my power, and + cannot find myself guilty. Civitella, too, lost not a little; I won about + six hundred zechins. The unprecedented ill-luck of the prince excited + general attention, and therefore he would not leave off playing. + Civitella, who is always ready to oblige him, immediately advanced him the + required sum. The deficit is made up; but the prince owes the marquis + twenty-four thousand zechins. Oh, how I long for the savings of his pious + sister. Are all sovereigns so, my dear friend? The prince behaves as + though he had done the marquis a great honor, and he, at any rate, plays + his part well. + </p> + <p> + Civitella sought to quiet me by saying that this recklessness, this + extraordinary ill-luck, would be most effectual in bringing the prince to + his senses. The money, he said, was of no consequence. He himself would + not feel the loss in the least, and would be happy to serve the prince, at + any moment, with three times the amount. The cardinal also assured me that + his nephew’s intentions were honest, and that he should be ready to assist + him in carrying them out. + </p> + <p> + The most unfortunate thing was that these tremendous sacrifices did not + even effect their object. One would have thought that the prince would at + least feel some interest in his play. But such was not the case. His + thoughts were wandering far away, and the passion which we wished to + stifle by his ill-luck in play seemed, on the contrary, only to gather + strength. When, for instance, a decisive stroke was about to be played, + and every one’s eyes were fixed, full of expectation, on the board, his + were searching for Biondello, in order to catch the news he might have + brought him, from the expression of his countenance. Biondello brought no + tidings, and his master’s losses continued. + </p> + <p> + The gains, however, fell into very needy hands. A few “your excellencies,” + whom scandal reports to be in the habit of carrying home their frugal + dinner from the market in their senatorial caps, entered our house as + beggars, and left it with well-lined purses. Civitella pointed them out to + me. “Look,” said he, “how many poor devils make their fortunes by one + great man taking a whim into his head. This is what I like to see. It is + princely and royal. A great man must, even by his failings, make some one + happy, like a river which by its overflowing fertilizes the neighboring + fields.” + </p> + <p> + Civitella has a noble and generous way of thinking, but the prince owes + him twenty-four thousand zechins. + </p> + <p> + At length the long-wished-for Saturday arrived, and my master insisted + upon going, directly after dinner, to the church. He stationed himself in + the chapel where he had first seen the unknown, but in such a way as not + to be immediately observed. Biondello had orders to keep watch at the + church door, and to enter into conversation with the attendant of the + ladies. I had taken upon myself to enter, like a chance passenger, into + the same gondola with them on their return, in order to follow their track + if the other schemes should fail. At the spot where the gondolier said he + had landed them the last time two sedans were stationed; the chamberlain, + Z———, was ordered to follow in a separate gondola, in + order to trace the retreat of the unknown, if all else should fail. The + prince wished to give himself wholly up to the pleasure of seeing her, + and, if possible, try to make her acquaintance in the church. Civitella + was to keep out of the way altogether, as his reputation among the women + of Venice was so bad that his presence could not have failed to excite the + suspicions of the lady. You see, dear count, it was not through any want + of precaution on our part that the fair unknown escaped us. + </p> + <p> + Never, perhaps, was there offered up in any church such ardent prayers for + success, and never were hopes so cruelly disappointed. The prince waited + till after sunset, starting in expectation at every sound which approached + the chapel, and at every creaking of the church door. Seven full hours + passed, and no Greek lady. I need not describe his state of mind. You know + what hope deferred is, hope which one has nourished unceasingly for seven + days and nights. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + BARON VON F——— TO COUNT VON O——— July. + </p> + <p> + The mysterious unknown of the prince reminded Marquis Civitella of a + romantic incident which happened to himself a short time since, and, to + divert the prince, he offered to relate it. I will give it you in his own + words; but the lively spirit which he infuses into all he tells will be + lost in my narration. + </p> + <p> + (Here follows the subjoined fragment, which appeared in the eighth part of + the Thalia, and was originally intended for the second volume of the + Ghost-Seer. It found a place here after Schiller had given up the idea of + completing the Ghost-Seer.) + </p> + <p> + “In the spring of last year,” began Civitella, “I had the misfortune to + embroil myself with the Spanish ambassador, a gentleman who, in his + seventieth year, had been guilty of the folly of wishing to marry a Roman + girl of eighteen. His vengeance pursued me, and my friends advised me to + secure my safety by a timely flight, and to keep out of the way until the + hand of nature, or an adjustment of differences, had secured me from the + wrath of this formidable enemy. As I felt it too severe a punishment to + quit Venice altogether, I took up my abode in a distant quarter of the + town, where I lived in a lonely house, under a feigned name, keeping + myself concealed by day, and devoting the night to the society of my + friends and of pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “My windows looked upon a garden, the west side of which was bounded by + the walls of a convent, while towards the east it jutted out into the + Laguna in the form of a little peninsula. The garden was charmingly + situated, but little frequented. It was my custom every morning, after my + friends had left me, to spend a few moments at the window before retiring + to rest, to see the sun rise over the Adriatic, and then to bid him + goodnight. If you, my dear prince, have not yet enjoyed this pleasure, I + recommend exactly this station, the only eligible one perhaps in all + Venice to enjoy so splendid a prospect in perfection. A purple twilight + hangs over the deep, and a golden mist on the Laguna announces the sun’s + approach. The heavens and the sea are wrapped in expectant silence. In two + seconds the orb of day appears, casting a flood of fiery light on the + waves. It is an enchanting sight. + </p> + <p> + “One morning, when I was, according to custom, enjoying the beauty of this + prospect, I suddenly discovered that I was not the only spectator of the + scene. I fancied I heard voices in the garden, and turning to the quarter + whence the sound proceeded, I perceived a gondola steering for the land. + In a few moments I saw figures walking at a slow pace up the avenue. They + were a man and a woman, accompanied by a little negro. The female was + clothed in white, and had a brilliant on her finger. It was not light + enough to perceive more. + </p> + <p> + “My curiosity was raised. Doubtless a rendezvous of a pair of lovers— + but in such a place, and at so unusual an hour! It was scarcely three + o’clock, and everything was still veiled in dusky twilight. The incident + seemed to me novel and proper for a romance, and I waited to see the end. + </p> + <p> + “I soon lost sight of them among the foliage of the garden, and some time + elapsed before they again emerged to view. Meanwhile a delightful song was + heard. It proceeded from the gondolier, who was in this manner shortening + the time, and was answered by a comrade a short way off. They sang stanzas + from Tasso; time and place were in unison, and the melody sounded sweetly, + in the profound silence around. + </p> + <p> + “Day in the meantime had dawned, and objects were discerned more plainly. + I sought my people, whom I found walking hand-in-hand up a broad walk, + often standing still, but always with their backs turned towards me, and + proceeding further from my residence. Their noble, easy carriage convinced + me at once that they were people of rank, and the splendid figure of the + lady made me augur as much of her beauty. They appeared to converse but + little; the lady, however, more than her companion. In the spectacle of + the rising sun, which now burst out in all its splendor, they seemed to + take not the slightest interest. + </p> + <p> + “While I was employed in adjusting my glass, in order to bring them into + view as closely as possible, they suddenly disappeared down a side path, + and some time elapsed before I regained sight of them. The sun had now + fully risen; they were approaching straight towards me, with their eyes + fixed upon where I stood. What a heavenly form did I behold! Was it + illusion, or the magic effect of the beautiful light? I thought I beheld a + supernatural being, for my eyes quailed before the angelic brightness of + her look. So much loveliness combined with so much dignity!—so much + mind, and so much blooming youth! It is in vain I attempt to describe it. + I had never seen true beauty till that moment. + </p> + <p> + “In the heat of conversation they lingered near me, and I had full + opportunity to contemplate her. Scarcely, however, had I cast my eyes upon + her companion, but even her beauty was not powerful enough to fix my + attention. He appeared to be a man still in the prime of life, rather + slight, and of a tall, noble figure. Never have I beheld so much mind, so + much noble expression, in a human countenance. Though perfectly secured + from observation, I was unable to meet the lightning glance that shot from + beneath his dark eyebrows. There was a moving expression of sorrow about + his eyes, but an expression of benevolence about the mouth which relieved + the settled gravity spread over his whole countenance. A certain cast of + features, not quite European, together with his dress, which appeared to + have been chosen with inimitable good taste from the most varied costumes, + gave him a peculiar air, which not a little heightened the impression + produced by his appearance. A degree of wildness in his looks warranted + the supposition that he was an enthusiast, but his deportment and carriage + showed that his character had been formed by mixing in society.” + </p> + <p> + Z————, who you know must always give utterance to + what he thinks, could contain himself no longer. “Our Armenian!” cried he. + “Our very Armenian, and nobody else.” + </p> + <p> + “What Armenian, if one may ask?” inquired Civitella. + </p> + <p> + “Has no one told you of the farce?” replied the prince. “But no + interruption! I begin to feel interested in your hero. Pray continue your + narrative.” + </p> + <p> + “There was something inexplicable in his whole demeanor,” continued + Civitella. “His eyes were fixed upon his companion with an expression of + anxiety and passion, but the moment they met hers he looked down abashed. + ‘Is the man beside himself!’ thought I. I could stand for ages and gaze at + nothing else but her. + </p> + <p> + “The foliage again concealed them from my sight. Long, long did I look for + their reappearance, but in vain. At length I caught sight of them from + another window. + </p> + <p> + “They were standing before the basin of a fountain at some distance apart, + and both wrapped in deep silence. They had, probably, remained some time + in the same position. Her clear and intelligent eyes were resting + inquiringly on his, and seemed as if they would imbibe every thought from + him as it revealed itself in his countenance. He, as if he wanted courage + to look directly into her face, furtively sought its reflection in the + watery mirror before him, or gazed steadfastly at the dolphin which bore + the water to the basin. Who knows how long this silent scene might have + continued could the lady have endured it? With the most bewitching grace + the lovely girl advanced towards him, and passing her arm round his neck, + raised his hand to her lips. Calmly and unmoved the strange being suffered + her caresses, but did not return them. + </p> + <p> + “This scene moved me strangely. It was the man that chiefly excited my + sympathy and interest. Some violent emotion seemed to struggle in his + breast; it was as if some irresistible force drew him towards her, while + an unseen arm held him back. Silent, but agonizing, was the struggle, and + beautiful the temptation. ‘No,’ I thought, ‘he attempts too much; he will, + he must yield.’ + </p> + <p> + “At his silent intimation the young negro disappeared. I now expected some + touching scene—a prayer on bended knees, and a reconciliation sealed + with glowing kisses. But no! nothing of the kind occurred. The + incomprehensible being took from his pocketbook a sealed packet, and + placed it in the hands of the lady. Sadness overcast her face as she she + looked at it, and a tear bedewed her eye. + </p> + <p> + “After a short silence they separated. At this moment an elderly lady + advanced from one of the sidewalks, who had remained at a distance, and + whom I now first discovered. She and the fair girl slowly advanced along + the path, and, while they were earnestly engaged in conversation, the + stranger took the opportunity of remaining behind. With his eyes turned + towards her, he stood irresolute, at one instant making a rapid step + forward, and in the next retreating. In another moment he had disappeared + in the copse. + </p> + <p> + “The women at length look round, seem uneasy at not finding him, and pause + as if to await his coming. He comes not. Anxious glances are cast around, + and steps are redoubled. My eyes aid in searching through the garden; he + comes not, he is nowhere to be seen. + </p> + <p> + “Suddenly I see a plash in the canal, and see a gondola moving from the + shore. It is he, and I scarcely can refrain from calling to him. Now the + whole thing is clear—it was a parting. + </p> + <p> + “She appears to have a presentiment of what has happened. With a speed + that her companion cannot use she hastens to the shore. Too late! Quick as + the arrow in its flight the gondola bounds forward, and soon nothing is + visible but a white handkerchief fluttering in the air from afar. Soon + after this I saw the fair incognita and her companion cross the water. + </p> + <p> + “When I awoke from a short sleep I could not help smiling at my delusion. + My fancy had incorporated these events in my dreams until truth itself + seemed a dream. A maiden, fair as an houri, wandering beneath my windows + at break of day with her lover—and a lover who did not know how to + make a better use of such an hour. Surely these supplied materials for the + composition of a picture which might well occupy the fancy of a dreamer! + But the dream had been too lovely for me not to desire its renewal again + and again; nay, even the garden had become more charming in my sight since + my imagination had peopled it with such attractive forms. Several + cheerless days that succeeded this eventful morning drove me from the + window, but the first fine evening involuntarily drew me back to my post + of observation. Judge of my surprise when after a short search I caught + sight of the white dress of my incognita! Yes, it was she herself. I had + not dreamed! + </p> + <p> + “Her former companion was with her, and led by the hand a little boy; but + the fair girl herself walked apart, and seemed absorbed in thought. All + spots were visited that had been rendered memorable by the presence of her + friend. She paused for a long time before the basin, and her fixed gaze + seemed to seek on its crystal mirror the reflection of one beloved form. + </p> + <p> + “Although her noble beauty had attracted me when I first saw her the + impression produced was even stronger on this occasion, although perhaps + at the same time more conducive to gentler emotions. I had now ample + opportunity of considering this divine form; the surprise of the first + impression gradually gave place to softer feelings. The glory that seemed + to invest her had departed, and I saw before me the loveliest of women, + and felt my senses inflamed. In a moment the resolution was formed that + she must be mine. + </p> + <p> + “While I was deliberating whether I should descend and approach her, or + whether before I ventured on such a step it would not be better to obtain + information regarding her, a door opened in the convent wall, through + which there advanced a Carmelite monk. The sound of his approach roused + the lady, and I saw her advance with hurried steps towards him. He drew + from his bosom a paper, which she eagerly grasped, while a vivid color + instantaneously suffused her countenance. + </p> + <p> + “At this moment I was called from the window by the arrival of my usual + evening visitor. I carefully avoided approaching the spot again as I had + no desire to share my conquest with another. For a whole hour I was + obliged to endure this painful constraint before I could succeed in + freeing myself from my importunate guest, and when I hastened to the + window all had disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “The garden was empty when I entered it; no vessel of any kind was visible + in the canal; no trace of people on any side; I neither knew whence she + had come nor whither she bad gone. While I was looking round me in all + directions I observed something white upon the ground. On drawing near I + found it was a piece of paper folded in the shape of a note. What could it + be but the letter which the Carmelite had brought? ‘Happy discovery!’ I + exclaimed; ‘this will reveal the whole secret, and make me master of her + fate.’ + </p> + <p> + “The letter was sealed with a sphinx, had no superscription, and was + written in cyphers; this, however, did not discourage me, for I have some + knowledge of this mode of writing. I copied it hastily, as there was every + reason to expect that she would soon miss it and return in search of it. + If she should not find it she would regard its loss as an evidence that + the garden was resorted to by different persons, and such a discovery + might easily deter her from visiting it again. And what worse fortune + could attend my hopes. + </p> + <p> + “That which I had conjectured actually took place, and I had scarcely + ended my copy when she reappeared with her former companion, anxiously + intent on the search. I attached the note to a tile which I had detached + from the roof, and dropped it at a spot which she would pass. Her + gracefully expressed joy at finding it rewarded me for my generosity. She + examined it in every part with keen, searching glances, as if she were + seeking to detect the unhallowed hands that might have touched it; but the + contented look with which she hid it in her bosom showed that she was free + from all suspicion. She went, and the parting glance she threw on the + garden seemed expressive of gratitude to the guardian deities of the spot, + who had so faithfully watched over the secret of her heart. + </p> + <p> + “I now hastened to decipher the letter. After trying several languages, I + at length succeeded by the use of English. Its contents were so remarkable + that my memory still retains a perfect recollection of them.” + </p> + <p> + I am interrupted, and must give you the conclusion on a future occasion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + BARON F——— TO COUNT O——— August. + </p> + <p> + In truth, my dearest friend, you do the good Biondello injustice. The + suspicion you entertain against him is unfounded, and while I allow you + full liberty to condemn all Italians generally, I must maintain that this + one at least is an honest man. + </p> + <p> + You think it singular that a person of such brilliant endowments and such + exemplary conduct should debase himself to enter the service of another if + he were not actuated by secret motives; and these, you further conclude, + must necessarily be of a suspicious character. But where is the novelty of + a man of talent and of merit endeavoring to win favor with a prince who + has the power of establishing his fortune? Is there anything derogatory in + serving the prince? and has not Biondello clearly shown that his devotion + is purely personal by confessing that he earnestly desired to make a + certain request of the prince? The whole mystery will, therefore, no doubt + be revealed when he acquaints him of his wishes. He may certainly be + actuated by secret motives, but why may these not be innocent in their + nature? + </p> + <p> + You think it strange that this Biondello should have kept all his great + talents concealed, and in no way have attracted attention during the early + months of our acquaintance with him, when you were still with us. This I + grant; but what opportunity had he then of distinguishing himself? The + prince had not yet called his powers into requisition, and chance, + therefore, could alone aid us in discovering his talents. + </p> + <p> + He very recently gave a proof of his devotion and honesty of purpose which + must at once annihilate all your doubts. The prince was watched; measures + were being taken to gain information regarding his mode of life, + associates, and general habits. I know not with whom this inquisitiveness + originated. Let me beg your attention, however, to what I am about to + relate:— + </p> + <p> + There is a house in St. George’s which Biondello is in the habit of + frequenting. He probably finds some peculiar attractions there, but of + this I know nothing. It happened a few days ago that he there met + assembled together a party of civil and military officers in the service + of the government, old acquaintances and jovial comrades of his own. + Surprise and pleasure were expressed on all sides at this meeting. Their + former good-fellowship was re-established; and after each in turn had + related his own history up to the present time, Biondello was called upon + to give an account of his life; this he did in a few words. He was + congratulated on his new position; his companions had heard accounts of + the splendid footing on which the Prince of ———‘s + establishment was maintained; of his liberality, especially to persons who + showed discretion in keeping secrets; the prince’s connection with the + Cardinal A———i was well known, he was said to be + addicted to play, etc. Biondello’s surprise at this is observed, and jokes + are passed upon the mystery which he tries to keep up, although it is well + known that he is the emissary of the Prince of ———. The + two lawyers of the party make him sit down between them; their glasses are + repeatedly emptied, he is urged to drink, but excuses himself on the + grounds of inability to bear wine; at last, however, he yields to their + wishes, in order that he may the better pretend intoxication. + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” cried one of the lawyers, “Biondello understands his business, but + he has not yet learned all the tricks of the trade; he is but a novice.” + </p> + <p> + “What have I still to learn?” ask Biondello. + </p> + <p> + “You understand the art of keeping a secret,” remarked the other; “but you + have still to learn that of parting with it to advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I likely to find a purchaser for any that I may have to dispose of?” + asked Biondello. + </p> + <p> + On this the other guests withdrew from the apartment, and left him alone + with his two neighbors, who continued the conversation in the same strain. + The substance of the whole was, however, briefly as follows: Biondello was + to procure them certain information regarding the intercourse of the + prince with the cardinal and his nephew, acquaint them with the source + from whence the prince derived his money, and to intercept all letters + written to Count O———. Biondello put them off to a + future occasion, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts to draw from them + the name of the person by whom they were employed. From the splendid + nature of the proposals made to him it was evident, however, that they + emanated from some influential and extremely wealthy party. + </p> + <p> + Last night he related the whole occurrence to the prince, whose first + impulse was without further ceremony to secure the maneuverers at once, + but to this Biondello strongly objected. He urged that he would be obliged + to set them at liberty again, and that, in this case, he should endanger + not only his credit among this class of men, but even his life. All these + men were connected together, and bound by one common interest, each one + making the cause of the others his own; in fact, he would rather make + enemies of the senate of Venice than be regarded by these men as a traitor—and, + besides, he could no longer be useful to the prince if he lost the + confidence of this class of people. + </p> + <p> + We have pondered and conjectured much as to the source of all this. Who is + there in Venice that can care to know what money my master receives or + pays out, what passess between Cardinal A——i and himself, and + what I write to you? Can it be some scheme of the Prince of —d——, + or is the Armenian again on the alert? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER IX. + </h2> + <p> + BARON F——— TO COUNT O———. August. + </p> + <p> + The prince is revelling in love and bliss. He has recovered his fair + Greek. I must relate to you how this happened. + </p> + <p> + A traveller, who had crossed from Chiozza, gave the prince so animated an + account of the beauty of this place, which is charmingly situated on the + shores of the gulf, that he became very anxious to see it. Yesterday was + fixed upon for the excursion; and, in order to avoid all restraint and + display, no one was to accompany him but Z——— and + myself, together with Biondello, as my master wished to remain unknown. We + found a vessel ready to start, and engaged our passage at once. The + company was very mixed but not numerous, and the passage was made without + the occurrence of any circumstance worthy of notice. + </p> + <p> + Chiozza is built, like Venice, on a foundation of wooden piles, and is + said to contain about forty thousand inhabitants. There are but few of the + higher classes resident there, but one meets sailors and fishermen at + every step. Whoever appears in a peruke, or a cloak, is regarded as an + aristocrat—a rich man; the cap and overcoat are here the insignia of + the poor. The situation is certainly very lovely, but it will not bear a + comparison with Venice. + </p> + <p> + We did not remain long, for the captain, who had more passengers for the + return voyage, was obliged to be in Venice at an early hour, and there was + nothing at Chiozza to make the prince desirous of remaining. All the + passengers were on board when we reached the vessel. As we had found it so + difficult to place ourselves on a social footing with the company on the + outward passage, we determined on this occasion to secure a cabin to + ourselves. The prince inquired who the new-comers were, and was informed + that they were a Dominican and some ladies, who were returning to Venice. + My master evincing no curiosity to see them, we immediately betook + ourselves to our cabin. + </p> + <p> + The Greek was the subject of our conversation throughout the whole + passage, as she had been during our former transit. The prince dwelt with + ardor on her appearance in the church; and whilst numerous plans were in + turn devised and rejected, hours passed like a moment of time, and we were + already in sight of Venice. Some of the passengers now disembarked, the + Dominican amongst the number. The captain went to the ladies, who, as we + now first learned, had been separated from us by only a thin wooden + partition, and asked them where they wished to land. The island of Murano + was named in reply to his inquiry, and the house indicated . “The island + of Murano!” exclaimed the prince, who seemed suddenly struck by a + startling presentiment. Before I could reply to his exclamation, Biondello + rushed into the cabin. “Do you know,” asked he eagerly, “who is on board + with us?” The prince started to his feet, as Biondello continued, “She is + here! she herself! I have just spoken to her companion!” + </p> + <p> + The prince hurried out. He felt as if he could not breathe in our narrow + cabin, and I believe at that moment as if the whole world would have been + too narrow for him. A thousand conflicting feelings struggled for the + mastery in his heart; his knees trembled, and his countenance was + alternately flushed and pallid. I sympathized and participated in his + emotion, but I cannot by words convey to your mind any idea of the state + in which he was. + </p> + <p> + When we stopped at Murano, the prince sprang on shore. She advanced from + her cabin. I read in the face of the prince that it was indeed the Greek. + One glance was sufficient to dispel all doubt on that point. A more lovely + creature I have never seen. Even the prince’s glowing descriptions fell + far short of the reality. A radiant blush suffused her face when she saw + my master. She must have heard all we said, and could not fail to know + that she herself had been the subject of our conversation. She exchanged a + significant glance with her companion, which seemed to say, “That is he;” + and then cast her eyes to the ground with diffident confusion. On placing + her foot on the narrow plank, which had been thrown from the vessel to the + shore, she seemed anxiously to hesitate, less, as it seemed to me, from + the fear of falling than from her inability to cross the board without + assistance, which was proffered her by the outstretched arm of the prince. + Necessity overcame her reluctance, and, accepting the aid of his hand, she + stepped on shore. Excessive mental agitation had rendered the prince + uncourteous, and he wholly forgot to offer his services to the other lady—but + what was there that he would not have forgotten at this moment? My + attention in atoning for the remissness of the prince prevented my hearing + the commencement of a conversation which had begun between him and the + young Greek, while I had been helping the other lady on shore. + </p> + <p> + He was still holding her hand in his, probably from absence of mind, and + without being conscious of the fact. + </p> + <p> + “This is not the first time, Signora, that—that”—he stopped + short, unable to finish the sentence. + </p> + <p> + “I think I remember” she faltered. + </p> + <p> + “We met in the church of ————,” said he, quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was in the church of ————,” she rejoined. + </p> + <p> + “And could I have supposed that this day would have brought me—” + </p> + <p> + Here she gently withdrew her hand from his—he was evidently + embarrassed; but Biondello, who had in the meantime been speaking to the + servant, now came to his aid. + </p> + <p> + “Si-nor,” said he, “the ladies had ordered sedans to be in readiness for + them; they have not yet come, for we are here before the expected time. + But there is a garden close by in which you may remain until the crowd has + dispersed.” + </p> + <p> + The proposal was accepted; you may conceive with what alacrity on the part + of the prince! We remained in the garden till late in the evening; and, + fortunately, Z———— and myself so effectually + succeeded in occupying the attention of the elder lady that the prince was + enabled, undisturbed, to carry on his conversation with the fair Greek. + You will easily believe that he made good use of his time, when I tell you + that he obtained permission to visit her. At the very moment that I am now + writing he is with her; on his return I shall be able to give you further + particulars regarding her. + </p> + <p> + When we got home yesterday we found that the long-expected remittances had + arrived from our court; but at the same time the prince received a letter + which excited his indignation to the highest pitch. He has been recalled, + and that in a tone and manner to which he is wholly unaccustomed. He + immediately wrote a reply in a similar spirit, and intends remaining. The + remittances are only just sufficient to pay the interest on the capital + which he owes. We are looking with impatience for a reply from his sister. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER X. + </h2> + <p> + BARON F——— TO COUNT O——— September. + </p> + <p> + The prince has fallen out with his court, and all resources have + consequently been cut off from home. + </p> + <p> + The term of six weeks, at the end of which my master was to pay the + marquis, has already elapsed several days; but still no remittances have + been forwarded, either from his cousin, of whom he had earnestly requested + an additional allowance in advance, or from his sister. You may readily + suppose that Civitella has not reminded him of his debt; the prince’s + memory is, however, all the more faithful. Yesterday morning at length + brought an answer from the seat of government. + </p> + <p> + We had shortly before concluded a new arrangement with the master of our + hotel, and the prince had publicly announced his intention to remain here + sometime longer. Without uttering a word my master put the letter into my + hand. His eyes sparkled, and I could read the contents in his face. + </p> + <p> + Can you believe it, dear O; all my master’s proceedings here are known at + and have been most calumniously misrepresented by an abominable tissue of + lies? “Information has been received,” says the letter, amongst other + things, “to the effect that the prince has for some time past belied his + former character, and adopted a node of conduct totally at variance with + his former exemplary manner of acting and thinking.” “It is known,” the + writer says, “that he has addicted himself with the greatest excess to + women and play; that he is overwhelmed with debts; puts his confidence in + visionaries and charlatans, who pretend to have power over spirits; + maintains suspicious relations with Roman Catholic prelates, and keeps up + a degree of state which exceeds both his rank and his means. Nay, it is + even said, that he is about to bring this highly offensive conduct to a + climax by apostacy to the Church of Rome! and in order to clear himself + from this last charge he is required to return immediately. A banker at + Venice, to whom he must make known the true amount of his debts, has + received instructions to satisfy his creditors immediately after his + departure; for, under existing circumstances, it does not appear expedient + to remit the money directly into his hands.” + </p> + <p> + What accusations, and what a mode of preferring them. I read the letter + again and again, in the hope of discovering some expression that admitted + of a milder construction, but in vain; it was wholly incomprehensible. + </p> + <p> + Z——— now reminded me of the secret inquiries which had + been made some time before of Biondello. The true nature of the inquiries + and circumstances all coincided. He had falsely ascribed them to the + Armenian; but now the source from whence the came was very evident. + Apostacy! But who can have any interest in calumniating my master so + scandalously? I should fear it was some machination of the Prince of + —d——, who is determined on driving him from Venice. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the prince remained absorbed in thought, with his eyes + fixed on the ground. His continued silence alarmed me. I threw myself at + his feet. “For God’s sake, your highness,” I cried, “moderate your + feelings—you will—nay, you shall have satisfaction. Leave the + whole affair to me. Let me be your emissary. It is beneath your dignity to + reply to such accusations; but you will not, I know, refuse me the + privilege of doing so for you. The name of your calumniator must be given + up, and ———‘s eyes must be opened.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment we were interrupted by the entrance of Civitella, who + inquired with surprise into the cause of our agitation. Z——— + and I did not answer; but the prince, who had long ceased to make any + distinction between him and us, and who, besides, was too much excited to + listen to the dictates of prudence, desired me to communicate the contents + of the letter to him. On my hesitating to obey him, he snatched the letter + from my hand and gave it to the marquis. + </p> + <p> + “I am in your debt, marquis,” said he, as Civitella gave him back the + letter, after perusing it, with evident astonishment, “but do not let that + circumstance occasion you any uneasiness; grant me but a respite of twenty + days, and you shall be fully satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I deserve this at your hands, gracious prince?” exclaimed Civitella, + with extreme emotion. + </p> + <p> + “You have refrained from pressing me, and I gratefully appreciate your + delicacy. In twenty days, as I before said, you shall be fully satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + “But how is this?” asked Civitella, with agitation and surprise. “What + means all this? I cannot comprehend it.” + </p> + <p> + We explained to him all that we knew, and his indignation was unbounded. + The prince, he asserted, must insist upon full satisfaction; the insult + was unparalleled. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile he implored him to make unlimited use of his fortune and + his credit. + </p> + <p> + When the marquis left us the prince still continued silent. He paced the + apartment with quick and determined steps, as if some strange and unusual + emotion were agitating his frame. At length he paused, muttering between + his teeth, “Congratulate yourself; he died at ten o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + We looked at him in terror. + </p> + <p> + “Congratulate yourself,” he repeated. “Did he not say that I should + congratulate myself? What could he have meant?” + </p> + <p> + “What has reminded you of those words?” I asked; “and what have they to do + with the present business?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not then understand what the man meant, but now I do. Oh, it is + intolerable to be subject to a master.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious prince!” + </p> + <p> + “Who can make us feel our dependence. Ha! it must be sweet, indeed.” + </p> + <p> + He again paused. His looks alarmed me, for I had never before seen him + thus agitated. + </p> + <p> + “Whether a man be poorest of the poor,” he continued, “or the next heir to + the throne, it is all one and the same thing. There is but one difference + between men—to obey or to command.” + </p> + <p> + He again glanced over the letter. + </p> + <p> + “You know the man,” he continued, “who has dared to write these words to + me. Would you salute him in the street if fate had not made him your + master? By Heaven, there is something great in a crown.” + </p> + <p> + He went on in this strain, giving expression to many things which I dare + not trust to paper. On this occasion the prince confided a circumstance to + me which alike surprised and terrified me, and which may be followed by + the most alarming consequences. We have hitherto been entirely deceived + regarding the family relations of the court of ————. + </p> + <p> + He answered the letter on the spot, notwithstanding my earnest entreaty + that he should postpone doing so; and the strain in which he wrote leaves + no ground to hope for a favorable settlement of those differences. + </p> + <p> + You are no doubt impatient, dear O———, to hear something + definite with respect to the Greek; but in truth I have very little to + tell you. From the prince I can learn nothing, as he has been admitted + into her confidence, and is, I believe, bound to secrecy. The fact has, + however, transpired that she is not a Greek, as we supposed, but a German + of the highest descent. From a certain report that has reached me, it + would appear that her mother is of the most exalted rank, and that she is + the fruit of an unfortunate amour which was once talked of all over + Europe. A course of secret persecution to which she had been exposed, in + consequence of her origin, compelled her to seek protection in Venice, and + to adopt that concealment which had rendered it impossible for the prince + to discover her retreat. The respect with which the prince speaks of her, + and a certain deferential deportment which he maintains towards her, + appear to corroborate the truth of this report. + </p> + <p> + He is devoted to her with a fearful intensity of passion which increases + day by day. In the earliest stage of their acquaintance but few interviews + were granted; but after the first week the separations were of shorter + duration, and now there is scarce a day on which the prince is not with + her. Whole evenings pass without our even seeing him, and when he is not + with her she appears to form the sole object of his thoughts. His whole + being seems metamorphosed. He goes about as if wrapped in a dream, and + nothing that formerly interested him has now power to arrest his attention + even for a moment. + </p> + <p> + How will this end, my dear friend? I tremble for the future. The rupture + with his court has placed my master in a state of humiliating dependence + on one sole person—the Marquis Civitella. This man is now master of + our secrets—of our whole fate. Will he always conduct himself as + nobly as he does now? Are his good intentions to be relied upon; and is it + expedient to confide so much weight and power to one person—even + were he the best of men? The prince’s sister has again been written to—the + result of this fresh appeal you shall learn in my next letter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COUNT O——— IN CONTINUATION. + </h2> + <p> + This letter never reached me. Three months passed without my receiving any + tidings from Venice,—an interruption to our correspondence which the + sequel but too clearly explained. All my friend’s letters to me had been + kept back and suppressed. My emotion may be conceived when, in the + December of the same year, the following letter reached me by mere + accident (as it afterwards appeared), owing to the sudden illness of + Biondello, into whose hands it had been committed. + </p> + <p> + “You do not write; you do not answer me. Come, I entreat you, come on the + wings of friendship! Our hopes are fled! Read the enclosed,—all our + hopes are at an end! + </p> + <p> + “The wounds of the marquis are reported mortal. The cardinal vows + vengeance, and his bravos are in pursuit of the prince. My master—oh! + my unhappy master! Has it come to this! Wretched, horrible fate! We are + compelled to hide ourselves, like malefactors, from assassins and + creditors. + </p> + <p> + “I am writing to you from the convent of ————, + where the prince has found an asylum. At this moment he is resting on his + hard couch by my side, and is sleeping—but, alas! it is only the + sleep of deadly exhaustion, that will but give him new strength for new + trials. During the ten days that she was ill no sleep closed his eyes. I + was present when the body was opened. Traces of poison were detected. + To-day she is to be buried. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! dearest O———, my heart is rent. I have lived + through scenes that can never be effaced from my memory. I stood beside + her deathbed. She departed like a saint, and her last strength was spent + in trying with persuasive eloquence to lead her lover into the path that + she was treading in her way to heaven. Our firmness was completely gone—the + prince alone maintained his fortitude, and although he suffered a triple + agony of death with her, he yet retained strength of mind sufficient to + refuse the last prayer of the pious enthusiast.” + </p> + <p> + This letter contained the following enclosure: + </p> + <p> + TO THE PRINCE OF ————, FROM HIS SISTER. + </p> + <p> + “The one sole redeeming church which has made so glorious a conquest of + the Prince of ———— will surely not refuse to + supply him with means to pursue the mode of life to which she owes this + conquest. I have tears and prayers for one that has gone astray, but + nothing further to bestow on one so worthless! HENRIETTE.” + </p> + <p> + I instantly threw myself into a carriage—travelled night and day, + and in the third week I was in Venice. My speed availed nothing. I had + come to bring comfort and help to an unhappy one, but I found a happy one + who needed not my weak aid. F——— was ill when I arrived, + and unable to see me, but the following note was brought to me from him. + </p> + <p> + “Return, dearest O——, to whence you came. The prince no longer + needs you or me. His debts have been paid; the cardinal is reconciled to + him, and the marquis has recovered. Do you remember the Armenian who + perplexed us so much last year? In his arms you will find the prince, who + five days since attended mass for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this I earnestly sought an interview with the prince, + but was refused. By the bedside of my friend I learnt the particulars of + this strange story. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE SPORT OF DESTINY +</pre> + <p> + ALOYSIUS VON G——— was the son of a citizen of + distinction, in the service of ———, and the germs of his + fertile genius had been early developed by a liberal education. While yet + very young, but already well grounded in the principles of knowledge, he + entered the military service of his sovereign, to whom he soon made + himself known as a young man of great merit and still greater promise. G——— + was now in the full glow of youth, so also was the prince. G——— + was ardent and enterprising; the prince, of a similar disposition, loved + such characters. Endued with brilliant wit and a rich fund of information, + G——— possessed the art of ingratiating himself with all + around him; he enlivened every circle in which he moved by his felicitous + humor, and infused life and spirit into every subject that came before + him. The prince had discernment enough to appreciate in another those + virtues which he himself possessed in an eminent degree. Everything which + G——— undertook, even to his very sports, had an air of + grandeur; no difficulties could daunt him, no failures vanquish his + perseverance. The value of these qualities was increased by an attractive + person, the perfect image of blooming health and herculean strength, and + heightened by the eloquent expression natural to an active mind; to these + was added a certain native and unaffected dignity, chastened and subdued + by a noble modesty. If the prince was charmed with the intellectual + attractions of his young companion, his fascinating exterior irresistibly + captivated his senses. Similarity of age, of tastes, and of character soon + produced an intimacy between them, which possessed all the strength of + friendship and all the warmth and fervor of the most passionate love. G——— + rose with rapidity from one promotion to another; but whatever the extent + of favors conferred they still seemed in the estimation of the prince to + fall short of his deserts. His fortune advanced with gigantic strides, for + the author of his greatness was his devoted admirer and his warmest + friend. Not yet twenty-two years of age, he already saw himself placed on + an eminence hitherto attained only by the most fortunate at the close of + their career. But his active spirit was incapable of reposing long in the + lap of indolent vanity, or of contenting itself with the glittering pomp + of an elevated office, to perform the behests of which he was conscious of + possessing both the requisite courage and the abilities. Whilst the prince + was engaged in rounds of pleasure, his young favorite buried himself among + archives and books, and devoted himself with laborious assiduity to + affairs of state, in which he at length became so expert that every matter + of importance passed through his hands. From the companion of his + pleasures he soon became first councillor and minister, and finally the + ruler of his sovereign. In a short time there was no road to the prince’s + favor but through him. He disposed of all offices and dignities; all + rewards were received from his hands. + </p> + <p> + G——— had attained this vast influence at too early an + age, and had risen by too rapid strides to enjoy his power with + moderation. The eminence on which he beheld himself made his ambition + dizzy, and no sooner was the final object of his wishes attained than his + modesty forsook him. The respectful deference shown him by the first + nobles of the land, by all who, in birth, fortune, and reputation, so far + surpassed him, and which was even paid to him, youth as he was, by the + oldest senators, intoxicated his pride, while his unlimited power served + to develop a certain harshness which had been latent in his character, and + which, throughout all the vicissitudes of his fortune, remained. There was + no service, however considerable or toilsome, which his friends might not + safely ask at his hands; but his enemies might well tremble! for, in + proportion as he was extravagant in rewards, so was he implacable in + revenge. He made less use of his influence to enrich himself than to + render happy a number of beings who should pay homage to him as the author + of their prosperity; but caprice alone, and not justice, dictated the + choice of his subjects. By a haughty, imperious demeanor he alienated the + hearts even of those whom he had most benefited; while at the same time he + converted his rivals and secret enviers into deadly enemies. + </p> + <p> + Amongst those who watched all his movements with jealousy and envy, and + who were silently preparing instruments for his destruction, was Joseph + Martinengo, a Piedmontese count belonging to the prince’s suite, whom G——— + himself had formerly promoted, as an inoffensive creature, devoted to his + interests, for the purpose of supplying his own place in attending upon + the pleasures of the prince—an office which he began to find + irksome, and which he willingly exchanged for more useful employment. + Viewing this man merely as the work of his own hands, whom he might at any + period consign to his former insignificance, he felt assured of the + fidelity of his creature from motives of fear no less than of gratitude. + He fell thus into the error committed by Richelieu, when he made over to + Louis XII., as a sort of plaything, the young Le Grand. Without + Richelieu’s sagacity, however, to repair his error, he had to deal with a + far more wily enemy than fell to the lot of the French minister. Instead + of boasting of his good fortune, or allowing his benefactor to feel that + he could now dispense with his patronage, Martinengo was, on the contrary, + the more cautious to maintain a show of dependence, and with studied + humility affected to attach himself more and more closely to the author of + his prosperity. Meanwhile, he did not omit to avail himself, to its + fullest extent, of the opportunities afforded him by his office, of being + continually about the prince’s person, to make himself daily more useful, + and eventually indispensable to him. In a short time he had fathomed the + prince’s sentiments thoroughly, had discovered all the avenues to his + confidence, and imperceptibly stolen himself into his favor. All those + arts which a noble pride, and a natural elevation of character, had taught + the minister to disdain, were brought into play by the Italian, who + scrupled not to avail himself of the most despicable means for attaining + his object. Well aware that man never stands so much in need of a guide + and assistant as in the paths of vice, and that nothing gives a stronger + title to bold familiarity than a participation in secret indiscretions, he + took measures for exciting passions in the prince which had hitherto lain + dormant, and then obtruded himself upon him as a confidant and an + accomplice. He plunged him especially into those excesses which least of + all endure witnesses, and imperceptibly accustomed the prince to make him + the depository of secrets to which no third person was admitted. Upon the + degradation of the prince’s character he now began to found his infamous + schemes of aggrandizement, and, as he had made secrecy a means of success, + he had obtained entire possession of his master’s heart before G——— + even allowed himself to suspect that he shared it with another. + </p> + <p> + It may appear singular that so important a change should escape the + minister’s notice; but G——— was too well assured of his + own worth ever to think of a man like Martinengo in the light of a + competitor; while the latter was far too wily, and too much on his guard, + to commit the least error which might tend to rouse his enemy from his + fatal security. That which has caused thousands of his predecessors to + stumble on the slippery path of royal favor was also the cause of G———‘s + fall, immoderate self-confidence. The secret intimacy between his + creature, Martinengo, and his royal master gave him no uneasiness; he + readily resigned a privilege which he despised and which had never been + the object of his ambition. It was only because it smoothed his way to + power that he had ever valued the prince’s friendship, and he + inconsiderately threw down the ladder by which he had risen as soon as he + had attained the wished-for eminence. + </p> + <p> + Martinengo was not the man to rest satisfied with so subordinate a part. + At each step which he advanced in the prince’s favor his hopes rose + higher, and his ambition began to grasp at a more substantial + gratification. The deceitful humility which he had hitherto found it + necessary to maintain towards his benefactor became daily more irksome to + him, in proportion as the growth of his reputation awakened his pride. On + the other hand, the minister’s deportment toward him by no means improved + with his marked progress in the prince’s favor, but was often too visibly + directed to rebuke his growing pride by reminding him of his humble + origin. This forced and unnatural position having become quite + insupportable, he at length formed the determination of putting an end to + it by the destruction of his rival. Under an impenetrable veil of + dissimulation he brought his plan to maturity. He dared not venture as yet + to come into open conflict with his rival; for, although the first glow of + the minister’s favor was at an end, it had commenced too early, and struck + root too deeply in the bosom of the prince, to be torn from it abruptly. + The slightest circumstance might restore it to all its former vigor; and + therefore Martinengo well understood that the blow which he was about to + strike must be a mortal one. Whatever ground G——— might + have lost in the prince’s affections he had gained in his respect. The + more the prince withdrew himself from the affairs of state, the less could + he dispense with the services of a man, who with the most conscientious + devotion and fidelity had consulted his master’s interests, even at the + expense of the country,—and G——— was now as + indispensable to him as a minister as he had formerly been dear to him as + a friend. + </p> + <p> + By what means the Italian accomplished his purpose has remained a secret + between those on whom the blow fell and those who directed it. It was + reported that he laid before the prince the original draughts of a secret + and very suspicious correspondence which G——— is said to + have carried on with a neighboring court; but opinions differ as to + whether the letters were authentic or spurious. Whatever degree of truth + there may have been in the accusation it is but too certain that it + fearfully accomplished the end in view. In the eyes of the prince G—— + appeared the most ungrateful and vilest of traitors, whose treasonable + practices were so thoroughly proved as to warrant the severest measures + without further investigation. The whole affair was arranged with the most + profound secrecy between Martinengo and his master, so that G——— + had not the most distant presentiment of the impending storm. He continued + wrapped in this fatal security until the dreadful moment in which he was + destined, from being the object of universal homage and envy, to become + that of the deepest commiseration. + </p> + <p> + When the decisive day arrived, G——— appeared, according + to custom, upon the parade. He had risen in a few years from the rank of + ensign to that of colonel; and even this was only a modest name for that + of prime minister, which he virtually filled, and which placed him above + the foremost of the land. The parade was the place where his pride was + greeted with universal homage, and where he enjoyed for one short hour the + dignity for which he endured a whole day of toil and privation. Those of + the highest rank approached him with reverential deference, and those who + were not assured of his favor with fear and trembling. Even the prince, + whenever he visited the parade, saw himself neglected by the side of his + vizier, inasmuch as it was far more dangerous to incur the displeasure of + the latter than profitable to gain the friendship of the former. This very + place, where he was wont to be adored as a god, had been selected for the + dreadful theatre of his humiliation. + </p> + <p> + With a careless step he entered the well-known circle of courtiers, who, + as unsuspicious as himself of what was to follow, paid their usual homage, + awaiting his commands. After a short interval appeared Martinengo, + accompanied by two adjutants, no longer the supple, cringing, smiling + courtier, but overbearing and insolent, like a lackey suddenly raised to + the rank of a gentleman. With insolence and effrontery he strutted up to + the prime minister, and, confronting him with his head covered, demanded + his sword in the prince’s name. This was handed to him with a look of + silent consternation; Martinengo, resting the naked point on the ground, + snapped it in two with his foot, and threw the fragments at G——‘s + feet. At this signal the two adjutants seized him; one tore the Order of + the Cross from his breast; the other pulled off his epaulettes, the + facings of his uniform, and even the badge and plume of feathers from his + hat. During the whole of the appalling operation, which was conducted with + incredible speed, not a sound nor a respiration was heard from more than + five hundred persons who were present; but all, with blanched faces and + palpitating hearts, stood in deathlike silence around the victim, who in + his strange disarray—a rare spectacle of the melancholy and the + ridiculous— underwent a moment of agony which could only be equalled + by feelings engendered on the scaffold. Thousands there are who in his + situation would have been stretched senseless on the ground by the first + shock; but his firm nerves and unflinching spirit sustained him through + this bitter trial, and enabled him to drain the cup of bitterness to its + dregs. + </p> + <p> + When this procedure was ended he was conducted through rows of thronging + spectators to the extremity of the parade, where a covered carriage was in + waiting. He was motioned to ascend, an escort of hussars being + ready-mounted to attend to him. Meanwhile the report of this event had + spread through the whole city; every window was flung open, every street + lined with throngs of curious spectators, who pursued the carriage, + shouting his name, amid cries of scorn and malicious exultation, or of + commiseration more bitter to bear than either. At length he cleared the + town, but here a no less fearful trial awaited him. The carriage turned + out of the high road into a narrow, unfrequented path—a path which + led to the gibbet, and alongside which, by command of the prince, he was + borne at a slow pace. After he had suffered all the torture of anticipated + execution the carriage turned off into the public road. Exposed to the + sultry summer-heat, without refreshment or human consolation, he passed + seven dreadful hours in journeying to the place of destination—a + prison fortress. It was nightfall before he arrived; when, bereft of all + consciousness, more dead than alive, his giant strength having at length + yielded to twelve hours’ fast and consuming thirst, he was dragged from + the carriage; and, on regaining his senses, found himself in a horrible + subterraneous vault. The first object that presented itself to his gaze + was a horrible dungeon-wall, feebly illuminated by a few rays of the moon, + which forced their way through narrow crevices to a depth of nineteen + fathoms. At his side he found a coarse loaf, a jug of water, and a bundle + of straw for his couch. He endured this situation until noon the ensuing + day, when an iron wicket in the centre of the tower was opened, and two + hands were seen lowering a basket, containing food like that he had found + the preceding night. For the first time since the terrible change in his + fortunes did pain and suspense extort from him a question or two. Why was + he brought hither? What offence had he committed? But he received no + answer; the hands disappeared; and the sash was closed. Here, without + beholding the face, or hearing the voice of a fellow-creature; without the + least clue to his terrible destiny; fearful doubts and misgivings + overhanging alike the past and the future; cheered by no rays of the sun, + and soothed by no refreshing breeze; remote alike from human aid and human + compassion; —here, in this frightful abode of misery, he numbered + four hundred and ninety long and mournful days, which he counted by the + wretched loaves that, day after day, with dreary monotony, were let down + into his dungeon. But a discovery which he one day made early in his + confinement filled up the measure of his affliction. He recognized the + place. It was the same which he himself, in a fit of unworthy vengeance + against a deserving officer, who had the misfortune to displease him, had + ordered to be constructed only a few months before. With inventive cruelty + he had even suggested the means by which the horrors of captivity might be + aggravated; and it was but recently that he had made a journey hither in + order personally to inspect the place and hasten its completion. What + added the last bitter sting to his punishment was that the same officer + for whom he had prepared the dungeon, an aged and meritorious colonel, had + just succeeded the late commandant of the fortress, recently deceased, + and, from having been the victim of his vengeance, had become the master + of his fate. He was thus deprived of the last melancholy solace, the right + of compassionating himself, and of accusing destiny, hardly as it might + use him, of injustice. To the acuteness of his other suffering was now + added a bitter self-contempt, contempt, and the pain which to a sensitive + mind is the severest—dependence upon the generosity of a foe to whom + he had shown none. + </p> + <p> + But that upright man was too noble-minded to take a mean revenge. It + pained him deeply to enforce the severities which his instructions + enjoined; but as an old soldier, accustomed to fulfil his orders to the + letter with blind fidelity, he could do no more than pity, compassionate. + The unhappy man found a more active assistant in the chaplain of the + garrison, who, touched by the sufferings of the prisoner, which had just + reached his ears, and then only through vague and confused reports, + instantly took a firm resolution to do something to alleviate them. This + excellent man, whose name I unwillingly suppress, believed he could in no + way better fulfil his holy vocation than by bestowing his spiritual + support and consolation upon a wretched being deprived of all other hopes + of mercy. + </p> + <p> + As he could not obtain permission from the commandant himself to visit him + he repaired in person to the capital, in order to urge his suit personally + with the prince. He fell at his feet, and implored mercy for the unhappy + man, who, shut out from the consolations of Christianity, a privilege from + which even the greatest crime ought not to debar him, was pining in + solitude, and perhaps on the brink of despair. With all the intrepidity + and dignity which the conscious discharge of duty inspires, he entreated, + nay demanded, free access to the prisoner, whom he claimed as a penitent + for whose soul he was responsible to heaven. The good cause in which he + spoke made him eloquent, and time had already somewhat softened the + prince’s anger. He granted him permission to visit the prisoner, and + administer to his spiritual wants. + </p> + <p> + After a lapse of sixteen months, the first human face which the unhappy G——— + beheld was that of his new benefactor. The only friend he had in the world + he owed to his misfortunes, all his prosperity had gained him none. The + good pastor’s visit was like the appearance of an angel— it would be + impossible to describe his feelings, but from that day forth his tears + flowed more kindly, for he had found one human being who sympathized with + and compassionated him. + </p> + <p> + The pastor was filled with horror on entering the frightful vault. His + eyes sought a human form, but beheld, creeping towards him from a corner + opposite, which resembled rather the lair of a wild beast than the abode + of anything human, a monster, the sight of which made his blood run cold. + A ghastly deathlike skeleton, all the hue of life perished from a face on + which grief and despair had traced deep furrows—his beard and nails, + from long neglect, grown to a frightful length-his clothes rotten and + hanging about him in tatters; and the air he breathed, for want of + ventilation and cleansing, foul, fetid, and infectious. In this state be + found the favorite of fortune;—his iron frame had stood proof + against it all! Seized with horror at the sight, the pastor hurried back + to the governor, in order to solicit a second indulgence for the poor + wretch, without which the first would prove of no avail. + </p> + <p> + As the governor again excused himself by pleading the imperative nature of + his instructions, the pastor nobly resolved on a second journey to the + capital, again to supplicate the prince’s mercy. There he protested + solemnly that, without violating the sacred character of the sacrament, he + could not administer it to the prisoner until some resemblance of the + human form was restored to him. This prayer was also granted; and from + that day forward the unfortunate man might be said to begin a new + existence. + </p> + <p> + Several long years were spent by him in the fortress, but in a much more + supportable condition, after the short summer of the new favorite’s reign + had passed, and others succeeded in his place, who either possessed more + humanity or no motive for revenge. At length, after ten years of + captivity, the hour of his delivery arrived, but without any judicial + investigation or formal acquittal. He was presented with his freedom as a + boon of mercy, and was, at the same time, ordered to quit his native + country forever. + </p> + <p> + Here the oral traditions which I have been able to collect respecting his + history begin to fail; and I find myself compelled to pass in silence over + a period of about twenty years. During the interval G——— + entered anew upon his military career, in a foreign service, which + eventually brought him to a pitch of greatness quite equal to that from + which he had, in his native country, been so awfully precipitated. At + length time, that friend of the unfortunate, who works a slow but + inevitable retribution, took into his hands the winding up of this affair. + The prince’s days of passion were over; humanity gradually resumed its + sway over him as his hair whitened with age. At the brink of the grave he + felt a yearning towards the friend of his early youth. In order to repay, + as far as possible, the gray-headed old man, for the injuries which had + been heaped upon the youth, the prince, with friendly expressions, invited + the exile to revisit his native land, towards which for some time past G———‘s + heart had secretly yearned. The meeting was extremely trying, though + apparently warm and cordial, as if they had only separated a few days + before. The prince looked earnestly at his favorite, as if trying to + recall features so well known to him, and yet so strange; he appeared as + if numbering the deep furrows which he had himself so cruelly traced + there. He looked searchingly in the old man’s face for the beloved + features of the youth, but found not what he sought. The welcome and the + look of mutual confidence were evidently forced on both sides; shame on + one side and dread on the other had forever separated their hearts. A + sight which brought back to the prince’s soul the full sense of his guilty + precipitancy could not be gratifying to him, while G——— + felt that he could no longer love the author of his misfortunes. + Comforted, nevertheless, and in tranquillity, he looked back upon the past + as the remembrance of a fearful dream. + </p> + <p> + In a short time G——— was reinstated in all his former + dignities, and the prince smothered his feelings of secret repugnance by + showering upon him the most splendid favors as some indemnification for + the past. But could he also restore to him the heart which he had forever + untuned for the enjoyment of life? Could he restore his years of hope? or + make even a shadow of reparation to the stricken old man for what he had + stolen from him in the days of his youth? + </p> + <p> + For nineteen years G——— continued to enjoy this clear, + unruffled evening of his days. Neither misfortune nor age had been able to + quench in him the fire of passion, nor wholly to obscure the genial humor + of his character. In his seventieth year he was still in pursuit of the + shadow of a happiness which he had actually possessed in his twentieth. He + at length died governor of the fortress where state prisoners are + confined. One would naturally have expected that towards these he would + have exercised a humanity, the value of which he had been so thoroughly + taught to appreciate in his own person; but he treated them with harshness + and caprice; and a paroxysm of rage, in which he broke out against one of + his prisoners, laid him in his coffin, in his eightieth year. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), +and Sport of Destiny, by Friedrich Schiller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + +***** This file should be named 6781-h.htm or 6781-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/8/6781/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), and Sport of Destiny + +Author: Frederich Schiller + +Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6781] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + THE GHOST-SEER; OR, APPARITIONIST. + + AND + + SPORT OF DESTINY + + + + +FROM THE PAPERS OF COUNT O------- + +I am about to relate an adventure which to many will appear incredible, +but of which I was in great part an eye-witness. The few who are +acquainted with a certain political event will, if indeed these pages +should happen to find them alive, receive a welcome solution thereof. +And, even to the rest of my readers, it will be, perhaps, important as +a contribution to the history of the deception and aberrations of the +human intellect. The boldness of the schemes which malice is able to +contemplate and to carry out must excite astonishment, as must also the +means of which it can avail itself to accomplish its aims. Clear, +unvarnished truth shall guide my pen; for, when these pages come before +the public, I shall be no more, and shall therefore never learn their +fate. + +On my return to Courland in the year 17--, about the time of the +Carnival, I visited the Prince of ------- at Venice. We had been +acquainted in the ------ service, and we here renewed an intimacy which, +by the restoration of peace, had been interrupted. As I wished to see +the curiosities of this city, and as the prince was waiting only for the +arrival of remittances to return to his native country, he easily +prevailed on me to tarry till his departure. We agreed not to separate +during the time of our residence at Venice, and the prince was kind +enough to accommodate me at his lodgings at the Moor Hotel. + +As the prince wished to enjoy himself, and his small revenues did not +permit him to maintain the dignity of his rank, he lived at Venice in +the strictest incognito. Two noblemen, in whom he had entire +confidence, and a few faithful servants, composed all his retinue. He +shunned expenditure, more however from inclination than economy. He +avoided all kinds of dissipation, and up to the age of thirty-five years +had resisted the numerous allurements of this voluptuous city. To the +charms of the fair sex he was wholly indifferent. A settled gravity and +an enthusiastic melancholy were the prominent features of his character. +His affections were tranquil, but obstinate to excess. He formed his +attachments with caution and timidity, but when once formed they were +cordial and permanent. In the midst of a tumultuous crowd he walked in +solitude. Wrapped in his own visionary ideas, he was often a stranger +to the world about him; and, sensible of his own deficiency in the +knowledge of mankind, he scarcely ever ventured an opinion of his own, +and was apt to pay an unwarrantable deference to the judgment of others. +Though far from being weak, no man was more liable to be governed; but, +when conviction had once entered his mind, he became firm and decisive; +equally courageous to combat an acknowledged prejudice or to die for a +new one. + +As he was the third prince of his house, he had no likely prospect of +succeeding to the sovereignty. His ambition had never been awakened; +his passions had taken another direction. Contented to find himself +independent of the will of others, he never enforced his own as a law; +his utmost wishes did not soar beyond the peaceful quietude of a private +life, free from care. He read much, but without discrimination. As his +education had been neglected, and, as he had early entered the career of +arms, his understanding had never been fully matured. Hence the +knowledge he afterwards acquired served but to increase the chaos +of his ideas, because it was built on an unstable foundation. + +He was a Protestant, as all his family had been, by birth, but not by +investigation, which he had never attempted, although at one period of +his life he had been an enthusiast in its cause. He had never, so far +as came to my knowledge, been a freemason. + +One evening we were, as usual, walking by ourselves, well masked in the +square of St. Mark. It was growing late, and the crowd was dispersing, +when the prince observed a mask which followed us everywhere. This mask +was an Armenian, and walked alone. We quickened our steps, and +endeavored to baffle him by repeatedly altering our course. It was in +vain, the mask was always close behind us. "You have had no intrigue +here, I hope," said the prince at last, "the husbands of Venice are +dangerous." "I do not know a single lady in the place," was my answer. +"Let us sit down here, and speak German," said he; "I fancy we are +mistaken for some other persons." We sat down upon a stone bench, and +expected the mask would have passed by. He came directly up to us, and +took his seat by the side of the prince. The latter took out his watch, +and, rising at the same time, addressed me thus in a loud voice in +French, "It is past nine. Come, we forget that we are waited for at the +Louvre." This speech he only invented in order to deceive the mask as +to our route. "Nine!" repeated the latter in the same language, in a +slow and expressive voice, "Congratulate yourself, my prince" (calling +him by his real name); "he died at nine." In saying this, he rose and +went away. + +We looked at each other in amazement. "Who is dead?" said the prince +at length, after a long silence. "Let us follow him," replied I, "and +demand an explanation." We searched every corner of the place; the mask +was nowhere to be found. We returned to our hotel disappointed. The +prince spoke not a word to me the whole way; he walked apart by himself, +and appeared to be greatly agitated, which he afterwards confessed to me +was the case. Having reached home, he began at length to speak: "Is it +not laughable," said he, "that a madman should have the power thus to +disturb a man's tranquillity by two or three words?" We wished each +other a goodnight; and, as soon as I was in my own apartment, I noted +down in my pocket-book the day and the hour when this adventure +happened. It was on a Thursday. + +The next evening the prince said to me, "Suppose we go to the square of +St. Mark, and seek for our mysterious Armenian. I long to see this +comedy unravelled." I consented. We walked in the square till eleven. +The Armenian was nowhere to be seen. We repeated our walk the four +following evenings, and each time with the same bad success. + +On the sixth evening, as we went out of the hotel, it occurred to me, +whether designedly or otherwise I cannot recollect, to tell the servants +where we might be found in case we should be inquired for. The prince +remarked my precaution, and approved of it with a smile. We found the +square of St. Mark very much crowded. Scarcely had we advanced thirty +steps when I perceived the Armenian, who was pressing rapidly through +the crowd, and seemed to be in search of some one. We were just +approaching him, when Baron F-----, one of the prince's retinue, came up +to us quite breathless, and delivered to the prince a letter. "It is +sealed with black," said he, "and we supposed from this that it might +contain matters of importance." I was struck as with a thunderbolt. +The prince went near a torch, and began to read. "My cousin is dead!" +exclaimed he. "When?" inquired I anxiously, interrupting him. He +looked again into the letter. "Last Thursday night at nine." + +We had not recovered from our surprise when the Armenian stood before +us. "You are known here, my prince!" said he. "Hasten to your hotel. +You will find there the deputies from the Senate. Do not hesitate to +accept the honor they intend to offer you. Baron I--forgot to tell you +that your remittances are arrived." He disappeared among the crowd. + +We hastened to our hotel, and found everything as the Armenian had told +us. Three noblemen of the republic were waiting to pay their respects +to the prince, and to escort him in state to the Assembly, where the +first nobility of the city were ready to receive him. He had hardly +time enough to give me a hint to sit up for him till his return. + +About eleven o'clock at night he returned. On entering the room he +appeared grave and thoughtful. Having dismissed the servants, he took +me by the hand, and said, in the words of Hamlet, "Count ----- + + "'There are more things in heav'n and earth, + Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'" + +"Gracious prince!" replied I, "you seem to forget that you are retiring +to your pillow greatly enriched in prospect." The deceased was the +hereditary prince. + +"Do not remind me of it," said the prince; "for should I even have +acquired a crown I am now too much engaged to occupy myself with such a +trifle. If that Armenian has not merely guessed by chance--" + +"How can that be, my prince?" interrupted I. + +"Then will I resign to you all my hopes of royalty in exchange for a +monk's cowl." + +I have mentioned this purposely to show how far every ambitious idea was +then distant from his thoughts. + +The following evening we went earlier than usual to the square of St. +Mark. A sudden shower of rain obliged us to take shelter in a +coffee-house, where we found a party engaged at cards. The prince took his +place behind the chair of a Spaniard to observe the game. I went into +an adjacent chamber to read the newspapers. A short time afterwards I +heard a noise in the card-room. Previously to the entrance of the +prince the Spaniard had been constantly losing, but since then he had +won upon every card. The fortune of the game was reversed in a striking +manner, and the bank was in danger of being challenged by the pointeur, +whom this lucky change of fortune had rendered more adventurous. A +Venetian, who kept the bank, told the prince in a very rude manner that +his presence interrupted the fortune of the game, and desired him to +quit the table. The latter looked coldly at him, remained in his place, +and preserved the same countenance, when the Venetian repeated his +insulting demand in French. He thought the prince understood neither +French nor Italian; and, addressing himself with a contemptuous laugh to +the company, said "Pray, gentlemen, tell me how I must make myself +understood to this fool." At the same time he rose and prepared to +seize the prince by the arm. His patience forsook the latter; he +grasped the Venetian with a strong hand, and threw him violently on the +ground. The company rose up in confusion. Hearing the noise, I hastily +entered the room, and unguardedly called the prince by his name. "Take +care," said I, imprudently; "we are in Venice." The name of the prince +caused a general silence, which ended in a whispering which appeared to +me to have a dangerous tendency. All the Italians present divided into +parties, and kept aloof. One after the other left the room, so that we +soon found ourselves alone with the Spaniard and a few Frenchmen. "You +are lost, prince," said they, "if you do not leave the city immediately. +The Venetian whom you have handled so roughly is rich enough to hire a +bravo. It costs him but fifty zechins to be revenged by your death." +The Spaniard offered, for the security of the prince, to go for the +guards, and even to accompany us home himself. The Frenchmen proposed +to do the same. We were still deliberating what to do when the doors +suddenly opened, and some officers of the Inquisition entered the room. +They produced an order of government, which charged us both to follow +them immediately. They conducted us under a strong escort to the canal, +where a gondola was waiting for us, in which we were ordered to embark. +We were blindfolded before we landed. They led us up a large stone +staircase, and through a long, winding passage, over vaults, as I judged +from the echoes that resounded under our feet. At length we came to +another staircase, and, having descended a flight of steps, we entered a +hall, where the bandage was removed from our eyes. We found ourselves +in a circle of venerable old men, all dressed in black; the hall was +hung round with black and dimly lighted. A dead silence reigned in the +assembly, which inspired us with a feeling of awe. One of the old men, +who appeared to be the principal Inquisitor, approached the prince with +a solemn countenance, and said, pointing to the Venetian, who was led +forward: + +"Do you recognize this man as the same who offended you at the +coffee-house?" + +"I do," answered the prince. + +Then addressing the prisoner: "Is this the same person whom you meant to +have assassinated to-night?" + +The prisoner replied, "Yes." + +In the same instant the circle opened, and we saw with horror the head +of the Venetian severed from his body. + +"Are you content with this satisfaction?" said the Inquisitor. The +prince had fainted in the arms of his attendants. "Go," added the +Inquisitor, turning to me, with a terrible voice, "Go; and in future +judge less hastily of the administration of justice in Venice." + +Who the unknown friend was who had thus saved us from inevitable death, +by interposing in our behalf the active arm of justice, we could not +conjecture. Filled with terror we reached our hotel. It was past +midnight. The chamberlain, Z-------, was waiting anxiously for us at +the door. + +"How fortunate it was that you sent us a message," said he to the +prince, as he lighted us up the staircase. "The news which Baron F----- +soon after brought us respecting you from the square of St. Mark would +otherwise have given us the greatest uneasiness." + +"I sent you a message!" said the prince. "When? I know nothing of it." + +"This evening, after eight, you sent us word that we must not be alarmed +if you should come home later to-night than usual." + +The prince looked at me. "Perhaps you have taken this precaution +without mentioning it to me." + +I knew nothing of it. + +"It must be so, however," replied the chamberlain, "since here is your +repeating-watch, which you sent me as a mark of authenticity." + +The prince put his hand to his watch-pocket. It was empty, and he +recognized the watch which the chamberlain held as his own. + +"Who brought it?" said he, in amazement. + +"An unknown mask, in an Armenian dress, who disappeared immediately." + +We stood looking at each other. "What do you think of this?" said the +prince at last, after a long silence. "I have a secret guardian here in +Venice." + +The frightful transaction of this night threw the prince into a fever, +which confined him to his room for a week. During this time our hotel +was crowded with Venetians and strangers, who visited the prince from a +deference to his newly-discovered rank. They vied with each other in +offers of service, and it was not a little entertaining to observe that +the last visitor seldom failed to hint some suspicion derogatory to the +character of the preceding one. Billets-doux and nostrums poured in +upon us from all quarters. Every one endeavored to recommend himself in +his own way. Our adventure with the Inquisition was no more mentioned. +The court of --------, wishing the prince to delay his departure from +Venice for some time, orders were sent to several bankers to pay him +considerable sums of money. He was thus, against his will, compelled to +protract his residence in Italy; and at his request I also resolved to +postpone my departure for some time longer. + +As soon as the prince had recovered strength enough to quit his chamber +he was advised by his physician to take an airing in a gondola upon the +Brenta, for the benefit of the air, to which, as the weather was serene, +he readily consented. Just as the prince was about to step into the +boat he missed the key of a little chest in which some very valuable +papers were enclosed.. We immediately turned back to search for it. He +very distinctly remembered that he had locked the chest the day before, +and he had never left the room in the interval. As our endeavors to +find it proved ineffectual, we were obliged to relinquish the search in +order to avoid being too late. The prince, whose soul was above +suspicion, gave up the key as lost, and desired that it might not be +mentioned any more. + +Our little voyage was exceedingly delightful. A picturesque country, +which at every winding of the river seemed to increase in richness and +beauty; the serenity of the sky, which formed a May day in the middle of +February; the charming gardens and elegant countryseats which adorned +the banks of the Brenta; the maestic city of Venice behind us, with its +lofty spires, and a forest of masts, rising as it were out of the waves; +all this afforded us one of the most splendid prospects in the world. +We wholly abandoned ourselves to the enchantment of Nature's luxuriant +scenery; our minds shared the hilarity of the day; even the prince +himself lost his wonted gravity, and vied with us in merry jests +and diversions. On landing about two Italian miles from the city we +heard the sound of sprightly music; it came from a small village at a +little distance from the Brenta, where there was at that time a fair. +The place was crowded with company of every description. A troop of +young girls and boys, dressed in theatrical habits, welcomed us in a +pantomimical dance. The invention was novel; animation and grace +attended their every movement. Before the dance was quite concluded +the principal actress, who represented a queen, stopped suddenly, +as if arrested by an invisible arm. Herself and those around her were +motionless. The music ceased. The assembly was silent. Not a breath +was to be heard, and the queen stood with her eyes fixed on the ground +in deep abstraction. On a sudden she started from her reverie with the +fury of one inspired, and looked wildly around her. "A king is among +us," she exclaimed, taking her crown from her head, and laying it at the +feet of the prince. Every one present cast their eyes upon him, and +doubted for some time whether there was any meaning in this farce; so +much were they deceived by the impressive seriousness of the actress. +This silence was at length broken by a general clapping of hands, as a +mark of approbation. I looked at the prince. I noticed that he +appeared not a little disconcerted, and endeavored to escape the +inquisitive glances of the spectators. He threw money to the players, +and hastened to extricate himself from the crowd. + +We had advanced but a few steps when a venerable barefooted friar, +pressing through the crowd, placed himself in the prince's path. "My +lord," said he, "give the holy Virgin part of your gold. You will want +her prayers." He uttered these words in a tone of voice which startled +us extremely, and then disappeared in the throng. + +In the meantime our company had increased. An English lord, whom the +prince had seen before at Nice, some merchants of Leghorn, a German +prebendary, a French abbe with some ladies, and a Russian officer, +attached themselves to our party. The physiognomy of the latter had +something so uncommon as to attract our particular attention. Never in +my life did I see such various features and so little expression; so +much attractive benevolence and such forbidding coldness in the same +face. Each passion seemed by turns to have exercised its ravages on it, +and to have successively abandoned it. Nothing remained but the calm, +piercing look of a person deeply skilled in the knowledge of mankind; +but it was a look that abashed every one on whom it was directed. This +extraordinary man followed us at a distance, and seemed apparently to +take but little interest in what was passing. + +We came to a booth where there was a lottery. The ladies bought shares. +We followed their example, and the prince himself purchased a ticket. +He won a snuffbox. As he opened it I saw him turn pale and start back. +It contained his lost key. + +"How is this?" said he to me, as we were left for a moment alone. +"A superior power attends me, omniscience surrounds me. An invisible +being, whom I cannot escape, watches over my steps. I must seek for the +Armenian, and obtain an explanation from him." + +The sun was setting when we arrived at the pleasurehouse, where a supper +had been prepared for us. The prince's name had augmented our company +to sixteen. Besides the above-mentioned persons there was a virtuoso +from Rome, several Swiss gentlemen, and an adventurer from Palermo in +regimentals, who gave himself out for a captain. We resolved to spend +the evening where we were, and to return home by torchlight. The +conversation at table was lively. The prince could not forbear relating +his adventure of the key, which excited general astonishment. A warm +dispute on the subject presently took place. Most of the company +positively maintained that the pretended occult sciences were nothing +better than juggling tricks. The French abbe, who had drank rather too +much wine, challenged the whole tribe of ghosts, the English lord +uttered blasphemies, and the musician made a cross to exorcise the +devil. Some few of the company, amongst whom was the prince, contended +that opinions respecting such matters ought to be kept to oneself. In +the meantime the Russian officer discoursed with the ladies, and did not +seem to pay attention to any part of conversation. In the heat of the +dispute no one observed that the Sicilian had left the room. In less +than half an hour he returned wrapped in a cloak, and placed himself +behind the chair of the Frenchman. "A few moments ago," said he, "you +had the temerity to challenge the whole tribe of ghosts. Would you wish +to make a trial with one of them?" + +"I will," answered the abbe, "if you will take upon yourself to +introduce one." + +"That I am ready to do," replied the Sicilian, turning to us, "as soon +as these ladies and gentlemen have left us." + +"Why only then?" exclaimed the Englishman. "A courageous ghost will +surely not be afraid of a cheerful company." + +"I would not answer for the consequences," said the Sicilian. + +"For heaven's sake, no!" cried the ladies, starting affrighted from +their chairs. + +"Call your ghost," said the abbe, in a tone of defiance, "but warn him +beforehand that there are sharp-pointed weapons here." At the same time +he asked one of the company for a sword. + +"If you preserve the same intention in his presence," answered the +Sicilian, coolly, "you may then act as you please." He then turned +towards the prince: "Your highness," said he, "asserts that your key has +been in the hands of a stranger; can you conjecture in whose?" + +"No" + +"Have you no suspicion?" + +"It certainly occurred to me that"-- + +"Should you know the person if you saw him?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +The Sicilian, throwing back his cloak, took out a looking-glass and held +it before the prince. "Is this the man?" + +The prince drew back with affright. + +"Whom have you seen?" I inquired. + +"The Armenian." + +The Sicilian concealed his looking-glass under his cloak. + +"Is it the person whom you thought of?" demanded the whole company. + +"The same." + +A sudden change manifested itself on every face; no more laughter was to +be heard. All eyes were fixed with curiosity on the Sicilian. + +"Monsieur l'Abbe! The matter grows serious," said the Englishman. +"I advise you to think of beating a retreat." + +"The fellow is in league with the devil," exclaimed the Frenchman, and +rushed out of the house. The ladies ran shrieking from the room. The +virtuoso followed them. The German prebendary was snoring in a chair. +The Russian officer continued sitting in his place as before, perfectly +indifferent to what was passing. + +"Perhaps your attention was only to raise a laugh at the expense of that +boaster," said the prince, after they were gone, "or would you indeed +fulfil your promise to us?" + +"It is true," replied the Sicilian; "I was but jesting with the abbe. +I took him at his word, because I knew very well that the coward would +not suffer me to proceed to extremities. The matter itself is, however, +too serious to serve merely as a jest." + +"You grant, then, that it is in your power?" + +The sorcerer maintained a long silence, and kept his look fixed steadily +on the prince, as if to examine him. + +"It is!" answered he at last. + +The prince's curiosity was now raised to the highest pitch. A fondness +for the marvellous had ever been his prevailing weakness. His improved +understanding and a proper course of reading had for some time +dissipated every idea of this kind; but the appearance of the Armenian +had revived them. He stepped aside with the Sicilian, and I heard them +in very earnest conversation. + +"You see in me," said the prince, "a man who burns with impatience to be +convinced on this momentous subject. I would embrace as a benefactor, +I would cherish as my best friend him who could dissipate my doubts +and remove the veil from my eyes. Would you render me this important +service?" + +"What is your request!" inquired the Sicilian, hesitating. + +"For the present I only beg some proof of your art. Let me see an +apparition." + +"To what will this lead?" + +"After a more intimate acquaintance with me you may be able to judge +whether I deserve further instruction." + +"I have the greatest esteem for your highness, gracious prince. A +secret power in your countenance, of which you yourself are as yet +ignorant, drew me at first sight irresistibly towards you. You are more +powerful than you are yourself aware. You may command me to the utmost +extent of my power, but--" + +"Then let me see an apparition." + +"But I must first be certain that you do not require it from mere +curiosity. Though the invisible powers are in some degree at my +command, it is on the sacred condition that I do not abuse my +authority." + +"My intentions are most pure. I want truth." + +They left their places, and removed to a distant window, where I could +no longer hear them. The English lord, who had likewise overheard this +conversation, took me aside. "Your prince has a noble mind. I am sorry +for him. I will pledge my salvation that he has to do with a rascal." + +"Everything depends on the manner in which the sorcerer will extricate +himself from this business." + +"Listen to me. The poor devil is now pretending to be scrupulous. He +will not show his tricks unless he hears the sound of gold. There are +nine of us. Let us make a collection. That will spoil his scheme, and +perhaps open the eyes of the prince." + +"I am content." The Englishman threw six guineas upon a plate, and went +round gathering subscriptions. Each of us contributed some louis-d'ors. +The Russian officer was particularly pleased with our proposal; he laid +a bank-note of one hundred zechins on the plate, a piece of extravagance +which startled the Englishman. We brought the collection to the prince. +"Be so kind," said the English lord, "as to entreat this gentleman in +our names to let us see a specimen of his art, and to accept of this +small token of our gratitude." The prince added a ring of value, and +offered the whole to the Sicilian. He hesitated a few moments. +"Gentlemen," answered he, "I am humbled by this generosity, but I yield +to your request. Your wishes shall be gratified." At the same time he +rang the bell. "As for this money," continued he, "to which I have no +right myself, permit me to send it to the next monastery to be applied +to pious uses. I shall only keep this ring as a precious memorial of +the worthiest of princes." + +Here the landlord entered; and the Sicilian handed him over the money. +"He is a rascal notwithstanding," whispered the Englishman to me. +"He refuses the money because at present his designs are chiefly on the +prince." + +"Whom do you wish to see?" asked the sorcerer. + +The prince considered for a moment. "We may as well have a great man at +once," said the Englishman. "Ask for Pope Ganganelli. It can make no +difference to this gentleman." + +The Sicilian bit his lips. "I dare not call one of the Lord's +anointed." + +"That is a pity!" replied the English lord; "perhaps we might have +heard from him what disorder he died of." + +"The Marquis de Lanoy," began the prince, "was a French brigadier in the +late war, and my most intimate friend. Having received a mortal wound +in the battle of Hastinbeck, he was carried to my tent, where he soon +after died in my arms. In his last agony he made a sign for me to +approach. 'Prince,' said he to me, 'I shall never again behold my +native land. I must, therefore, acquaint you with a secret known to +none but myself. In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives +a --------' He expired. Death cut short the thread of his discourse. +I wish to see my friend to hear the remainder." + +"You ask much," exclaimed the Englishman, with an oath. "I proclaim you +the greatest sorcerer on earth if you can solve this problem," continued +he, turning to the Sicilian. We admired the wise choice of the prince, +and unanimously gave our approval to the proposition. In the meantime +the sorcerer paced up and down the room with hasty steps, apparently +struggling with himself. + +"This was all that the dying marquis communicated to you?" + +"It is all." + +"Did you make no further inquiries about the matter in his native +country?" + +"I did, but they all proved fruitless." + +"Had the Marquis de Lanoy led an irreproachable life? I dare not call +up every shade indiscriminately." + +"He died, repenting the excesses of his youth." + +"Do you carry with you any token of his!" + +"I do." (The prince had really a snuff-box with the marquis' portrait +enamelled in miniature on the lid, which he had placed upon the table +near his plate during the time of supper.) + +"I do not want to know what it is. If you will leave me you shall see +the deceased." + +He requested us to wait in the other pavilion until he should call us. +At the same time he caused all the furniture to be removed from the +room, the windows to be taken out, and the shutters to be bolted. He +ordered the innkeeper, with whom he appeared to be intimately connected, +to bring a vessel with burning coals, and carefully to extinguish every +fire in the house. Previous to our leaving the room he obliged us +separately to pledge our honor that we would maintain an everlasting +silence respecting everything we should see and hear. All the doors of +the pavilion we were in were bolted behind us when we left it. + +It was past eleven, and a dead silence reigned throughout the whole +house. As we were retiring from the saloon the Russian officer asked me +whether we had loaded pistols. "For what purpose?" asked I. "They may +possibly be of some use," replied he. "Wait a moment. I will provide +some." He went away. The Baron F------ and I opened a window opposite +the pavilion we had left. We fancied we heard two persons whispering +to each other, and a noise like that of a ladder applied to one of the +windows. This was, however, a mere conjecture, and I did not dare +affirm it as a fact. The Russian officer came back with a brace of +pistols, after having been absent about half an hour. We saw him load +them with powder and ball. It was almost two o'clock in the morning +when the sorcerer came and announced that all was prepared. Before we +entered the room he desired us to take off our shoes, and to appear in +our shirts, stockings, and under-garments. He bolted the doors after us +as before. + +We found in the middle of the room a large, black circle, drawn with +charcoal, the space within which was capable of containing us all very +easily. The planks of the chamber floor next to the wall were taken up +all round the room, so that we stood as it were upon an island. An +altar covered with black cloth was placed in the centre upon a carpet of +red satin. A Chaldee Bible was laid open, together with a skull; and a +silver crucifix was fastened upon the altar. Instead of candles some +spirits of wine were burning in a silver vessel. A thick smoke of +frankincense darkened the room and almost extinguished the lights. The +sorcerer was undressed like ourselves, but barefooted; about his bare +neck he wore an amulet, suspended by a chain of human hair; round his +middle was a white apron marked with cabalistic characters and +symbolical figures. + + [Amulet is a charm or preservative against mischief, witchcraft, or + diseases. Amulets were made of stone metal, simples, animals, and + everything which fancy or caprice suggested; and sometimes they + consisted of words, characters, and sentences ranged in a + particular order and engraved upon wood, and worn about the neck or + some other part of the body. At other times they were neither + written nor engraved, but prepared with many superstitious + ceremonies, great regard being usually paid to the influence of the + stars. The Arabians have given to this species of amulets the name + of talismans. All nations have been fond of amulets. The Jews + were extremely superstitious in the use of them to drive away + diseases; and even amongst the Christians of the early times + amulets were made of the wood of the cross or ribbons, with a text + of Scripture written on them, as preservatives against diseases.] + +He desired us to join hands and to observe profound silence; above all +he ordered us not to ask the apparition any question. He desired the +Englishman and myself, whom he seemed to distrust the most, constantly +to hold two naked swords crossways an inch above his head as long as the +conjuration should last. We formed a half-moon round him; the Russian +officer placed himself close to the English lord, and was the nearest to +the altar. The sorcerer stood upon the satin carpet with his face +turned to the east. He sprinkled holy water in the direction of the +four cardinal points of the compass, and bowed three times before the +Bible. The formula of the conjuration, of which we did not understand a +word, lasted for the space of seven or eight minutes, at the end of +which he made a sign to those who stood close behind to seize him firmly +by the hair. Amid the most violent convulsions he called the deceased +three times by his name, and the third time he stretched forth his hand +towards the crucifix. + +On a sudden we all felt at the same instant a stroke as of a flash of +lightning, so powerful that it obliged us to quit each other's hands; a +terrible thunder shook the house; the locks jarred; the doors creaked; +the cover of the silver box fell down and extinguished the light; and on +the opposite wall over the chimney-piece appeared a human figure in a +bloody shirt, with the paleness of death on its countenance. + +"Who calls me?" said a hollow, hardly intelligible voice. + +"Thy friend," answered the sorcerer, "who respects thy memory, and prays +for thy soul." He named the prince. + +The answers of the apparition were always given at very long intervals. + +"What does he want with me?" continued the voice. + +"He wants to hear the remainder of the confession which then had begun +to impart to him in thy dying hour, but did not finish." + +"In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives a -------" + +The house again trembled; a dreadful thunder rolled; a flash of +lightning illuminated the room; the doors flew open, and another human +figure, bloody and pale as the first, but more terrible, appeared on the +threshold. The spirit in the box began to burn again by itself, and the +hall was light as before. + +"Who is amongst us?" exclaimed the sorcerer, terrified, casting a look +of horror on the assemblage; "I did not want thee." The figure advanced +with noiseless and majestic steps directly up to the altar, stood on the +satin Carpet over against us, and touched the crucifix. The first +apparition was seen no more. + +"Who calls me?" demanded the second apparition. + +"The sorcerer began to tremble. Terror and amazement kept us motionless +for some time. I seized a pistol. The sorcerer snatched it out of my +hand, and fired it at the apparition. The ball rolled slowly upon the +altar, and the figure emerged unaltered from the smoke. The Sorcerer +fell senseless on the ground. + +"What is this?" exclaimed the Englishman, in astonishment, aiming a +blow at the ghost with a sword. The figure touched his arm, and the +weapon fell to the ground. The perspiration stood on my brow with +horror. Baron ------ afterwards confessed to me that he had prayed +silently. + +During all this time the prince stood fearless and tranquil, his eyes +riveted on the second apparition. "Yes, I know thee," said he at +length, with emotion; "thou art Lanoy; thou art my friend. Whence +comest thou?" + +"Eternity is mute. Ask me concerning my past life." + +"Who is it that lives in the convent which thou mentionedst to me in thy +last moments?" + +"My daughter." + +"How? Hast thou been a father?" + +"Woe is me that I was not." + +"Art thou not happy, Lanoy?" + +"God has judged." + +"Can I render thee any further service in this world?" + +"None but to think of thyself." + +"How must I do that?" + +"Thou wilt learn at Rome." + +The thunder again rolled; a black cloud of smoke filled the room; when +it had dispersed the figure was no longer visible. I forced open one of +the window shutters. It was daylight. + +The sorcerer now recovered from his swoon. "Where are we?" asked he, +seeing the daylight. + +The Russian officer stood close beside him, and looked over his +shoulder. "Juggler," said he to him, with a terrible countenance, +"Thou shalt summon no more ghosts." + +The Sicilian turned round, looked steadfastly in his face, uttered a +loud shriek, and threw himself at his feet. + +We looked all at once at the pretended Russian. The prince instantly +recognized the features of the Armenian, and the words he was about to +utter expired on his tongue. We were all as it were petrified with fear +and amazement. Silent and motionless, our eyes were fixed on this +mysterious being, who beheld us with a calm but penetrating look of +grandeur and superiority. A minute elapsed in this awful silence; +another succeeded; not a breath was to be heard. + +A violent battering against the door roused us at last from this stupor. +The door fell in pieces into the room, and several officers of justice, +with a guard, rushed in. "Here they are, all together," said the leader +to his followers. Then addressing himself to us, "In the name of the +government," continued he, "I arrest you." We had no time to recollect +ourselves; in a few moments we were surrounded. The Russian officer, +whom I shall again call the Armenian, took the chief officer aside, and, +as far as I in my confusion could notice, I observed him whisper a few +words to the latter, and show him a written paper. The officer, bowing +respectfully, immediately quitted him, turned to us, and taking off his +hat, said "Gentlemen, I humbly beg your pardon for having confounded +you with this impostor. I shall not inquire who you are, as this +gentleman assures me you are men of honor." At the same time he gave +his companions a sign to leave us at liberty. He ordered the Sicilian +to be bound and strictly guarded. "The fellow is ripe for punishment," +added he; "we have been searching for him these seven months." + +The wretched sorcerer was really an object of pity. The terror caused +by the second apparition, and by this unexpected arrest, had together +overpowered his senses. Helpless as a child, he suffered himself to be +bound without resistance. His eyes were wide open and immovable; his +face was pale as death; his lips quivered convulsively, but he was +unable to utter a sound. Every moment we expected he would fall into a +fit. The prince was moved by the situation in which he saw him. He +undertook to procure his discharge from the leader of the police, to +whom he discovered his rank. "Do you know, gracious prince," said the +officer, "for whom your highness is so generously interceding? The +juggling tricks by which he endeavored to deceive you are the least of +his crimes. We have secured his accomplices; they depose terrible facts +against him. He may think himself fortunate if he is only punished with +the galleys." + +In the meantime we saw the innkeeper and his family led bound through +the yard. "This man, too?" said the prince; "and what is his crime?" + +"He was his comrade and accomplice," answered the officer. "He assisted +him in his deceptions and robberies, and shared the booty with him. +Your highness shall be convinced of it presently. Search the house," +continued he, turning to his followers, "and bring me immediate notice +of what you find." + +The prince looked around for the Armenian, but he had disappeared. In +the confusion occasioned by the arrival of the watch he had found means +to steal away unperceived. The prince was inconsolable; he declared he +would send all his servants, and would himself go in search of this +mysterious man; and he wished me to go with him. I hastened to the +window; the house was surrounded by a great number of idlers, whom the +account of this event had attracted to the spot. It was impossible to +get through the crowd. I represented this to the prince. "If," said I, +"it is the Armenian's intention to conceal himself from us, he is +doubtless better acquainted with the intricacies of the place than we, +and all our inquiries would prove fruitless. Let us rather remain here +a little longer, gracious prince," added I. "This officer, to whom, if +I observed right, he discovered himself, may perhaps give us some +information respecting him." + +We now for the first time recollected that we were still undressed. +We hastened to the other pavilion and put on our clothes as quickly +as possible. When we returned they had finished searching the house. + +On removing the altar and some of the boards of the floor a spacious +vault was discovered. It was high enough, for a man might sit upright +in it with ease, and was separated from the cellar by a door and a +narrow staircase. In this vault they found an electrical machine, a +clock, and a little silver bell, which, as well as the electrical +machine, was in communication with the altar and the crucifix that was +fastened upon it. A hole had been made in the window-shutter opposite +the chimney, which opened and shut with a slide. In this hole, as we +learnt afterwards, was fixed a magic lantern, from which the figure of +the ghost had been reflected on the opposite wall, over the chimney. +From the garret and the cellar they brought several drums, to which +large leaden bullets were fastened by strings; these had probably been +used to imitate the roaring of thunder which we had heard. + +On searching the Sicilian's clothes they found, in a case, different +powders, genuine mercury in vials and boxes, phosphorus in a glass +bottle, and a ring, which we immediately knew to be magnetic, because it +adhered to a steel button that by accident had been placed near it. In +his coat-pockets were found a rosary, a Jew's beard, a dagger, and a +brace of pocket-pistols. "Let us see whether they are loaded," said one +of the watch, and fired up the chimney. + +"Jesus Maria!" cried a hollow voice, which we knew to be that of the +first apparition, and at the same instant a bleeding person came +tumbling down the chimney. "What! not yet laid, poor ghost!" cried the +Englishman, while we started back in affright. "Home to thy grave. +Thou hast appeared what thou wert not; now thou wilt become what thou +didst but seem." + +"Jesus Maria! I am wounded," repeated the man in the chimney. The ball +had fractured his right leg. Care was immediately taken to have the +wound dressed. + +"But who art thou?" said the English lord; "and what evil spirit +brought thee here?" + +"I am a poor mendicant friar," answered the wounded man; "a strange +gentleman gave me a zechin to--" + +"Repeat a speech. And why didst thou not withdraw as soon as thy task +was finished?" + +I was waiting for a signal which we had agreed on to continue my speech; +but as this signal was not given, I was endeavoring to get away, when I +found the ladder had been removed. + +"And what was the formula he taught thee?" + +The wounded man fainted away; nothing more could be got from him. In +the meantime the prince turned towards the principal officer of the +watch, giving him at the same time some pieces of gold. "You have +rescued us," said he, "from the hands of an impostor, and done us +justice without even knowing who we were; would you increase our +gratitude by telling us the name of the stranger who, by speaking +only a few words, was able to procure us our liberty." + +"Whom do you mean?" inquired the party addressed, with an air which +plainly showed that the question was useless. + +"The gentleman in a Russian uniform, who took you aside, showed you a +written paper, and whispered a few words, in consequence of which you +immediately set us free." + +"Do not you know the gentleman? Was he not one of your company?" + +"No," answered the prince; "and I have very important reasons for +wishing to be more intimately acquainted with him." + +"I know very little of him myself. Even his name is unknown to me, and +I saw him to-day for the first time in my life." + +"How? And was he in so short a time, and by using only a few words, +able to convince you both of our innonocence and his own?" + +"Undoubtedly, with a single word." + +"And this was? I confess I wish to know it." + +"This stranger, my prince," said the officer, weighing the zechins in +his band,--"you have been too generous for me to make a secret of it any +longer,--this stranger is an officer of the Inquisition." + +"Of the Inquisition? This man?" + +"He is, indeed, gracious prince. I was convinced of it by the paper +which he showed to me." + +"This man, did you say? That cannot be." + +"I will tell your highness more. It was upon his information that I +have been sent here to arrest the sorcerer." + +We looked at each other in the utmost astonishment. + +"Now we know," said the English lord at length, "why the poor devil of a +sorcerer started in such a terror when he looked more closely into his +face. He knew him to be a spy, and that is why he uttered that shriek, +and fell down before him." + +"No!" interrupted the prince. "This man is whatever he wishes to be, +and whatever the moment requires him to be. No mortal ever knew what he +really was. Did you not see the knees of the Sicilian sink under him, +when he said, with that terrible voice: 'Thou shalt summon no more +ghosts?' There is something inexplicable in this matter. No person can +persuade me that one man should be thus alarmed at the sight of +another." + +"The sorcerer himself will probably explain it the best," said the +English lord, "if that gentleman," pointing to the officer, "will afford +us an opportunity of speaking with his prisoner." + +The officer consented to it, and, having agreed with the Englishman to +visit the Sicilian in the morning, we returned to Venice. + + [The Count O-------, whose narrative I have thus far literally + copied, describes minutely the various effects of this adventure + upon the mind of the prince and of his companions, and recounts a + variety of tales of apparitions which this event gave occasion to + introduce. I shall omit giving them to the reader, on the + supposition that he is as curious as myself to know the conclusion + of the adventure, and its effect on the conduct of the prince. I + shall only add that the prince got no sleep the remainder of the + night, and that he waited with impatience for the moment which was + to disclose this incomprehensible mystery, Note of the German + Editor.] + +Lord Seymour (this was the name of the Englishman) called upon us very +early in the forenoon, and was soon after followed by a confidential +person whom the officer had entrusted with the care of conducting us to +the prison. + +I forgot to mention that one of the prince's domestics, a native of +Bremen, who had served him many years with the strictest fidelity, and +had entirely gained his confidence, had been missing for several days. +Whether he had met with any accident, whether he had been kidnapped, +or had voluntarily absented himself, was a secret to every one. The +last supposition was extremely improbable, as his conduct had always +been quiet and regular, and nobody had ever found fault with him. All +that his companions could recollect was that he had been for some time +very melancholy, and that, whenever he had a moment's leisure, he used +to visit a certain monastery in the Giudecca, where he had formed an +acquaintance with some monks. This induced us to suppose that he might +have fallen into the hands of the priests and had been persuaded to turn +Catholic; and as the prince was very tolerant, or rather indifferent +about matters of this kind, and the few inquiries he caused to be made +proved unsuccessful, he gave up the search. He, however, regretted the +loss of this man, who had constantly attended him in his campaigns, +had always been faithfully attached to him, and whom it was therefore +difficult to replace in a foreign country. The very same day the +prince's banker, whom he had commissioned to provide him with another +servant, was announced at the moment we were going out. He presented to +the prince a middle-aged man, well-dressed, and of good appearance, who +had been for a long time secretary to a procurator, spoke French and a +little German, and was besides furnished with the best recommendations. +The prince was pleased with the man's physiognomy; and as he declared +that he would be satisfied with such wages as his service should be +found to merit, the prince engaged him immediately. + +We found the Sicilian in a private prison where, as the officer assured +us, he had been lodged for the present, to accommodate the prince, +before being removed to the lead roofs, to which there is no access. +These lead roofs are the most terrible prisons in Venice. They are +situated on the top of the palace of St. Mark, and the miserable +criminals suffer so dreadfully from the heat of the leads occasioned by +the heat of the burning rays of the sun descending directly upon them +that they frequently become delirious. The Sicilian had recovered from +his yesterday's terror, and rose respectfully on seeing the prince +enter. He had fetters on one hand and on one leg, but was able to walk +about the room at liberty. The sentinel at the door withdrew as soon as +we had entered. + +"I come," said the prince, "to request an explanation of you on two +subjects. You owe me the one, and it shall not be to your disadvantage +if you grant me the other." + +"My part is now acted," replied the Sicilian, "my destiny is in your +hands." + +"Your sincerity alone can mitigate your punishment. + +"Speak, honored prince, I am ready to answer you. I have nothing now to +lose." + +"You showed me the face of the Armenian in a looking-glass. How was +this effected?" + +"What you saw was no looking-glass. A portrait in crayons behind a +glass, representing a man in an Armenian dress, deceived you. My +quickness, the twilight, and your astonishment favored the deception. +The picture itself must have been found among the other things seized at +the inn." + +"But how could you read my thoughts so accurately as to hit upon the +Armenian?" + +"This was not difficult, your highness. You must frequently have +mentioned your adventure with the Armenian at table in the presence of +your domestics. One of my accomplices accidentally got acquainted with +one of your domestics in the Giudecca, and learned from him gradually as +much as I wished to know." + +"Where is the man?" asked the prince; "I have missed him, and doubtless +you know of his desertion." + +"I swear to your honor, sir, that I know not a syllable about it. I +have never seen him myself, nor had any other concern with him than the +one before mentioned." + +"Proceed with your story," said the prince. + +"By this means, also, I received the first information of your residence +and of your adventures at Venice; and I resolved immediately to profit +by them. You see, prince, I am sincere. I was apprised of your +intended excursion on the Brenta. I prepared for it, and a key that +dropped by chance from your pocket afforded me the first opportunity of +trying my art upon you." + +"How! Have I been mistaken? The adventure of the key was then a trick +of yours, and not of the Armenian? You say this key fell from my +pocket?" + +"You accidentally dropped it in taking out your purse, and I seized an +opportunity, when no one noticed me, to cover it with my foot. The +person of whom you bought the lottery-ticket acted in concert with me. +He caused you to draw it from a box where there was no blank, and the +key had been in the snuff-box long before it came into your possession." + +"I understand you. And the monk who stopped me in my way and addressed +me in a manner so solemn." + +"Was the same who, as I hear, has been wounded in the chimney. He is +one of my accomplices, and under that disguise has rendered me many +important services." + +"But what purpose was this intended to answer?" + +"To render you thoughtful; to inspire you with such a train of ideas as +should be favorable to the wonders I intended afterwards to show you." + +"The pantomimical dance, which ended in a manner so extraordinary, was +at least none of your contrivance?" + +"I had taught the girl who represented the queen. Her performance was +the result of my instructions. I supposed your highness would be not a +little astonished to find yourself known in this place, and (I entreat +your pardon, prince) your adventure with the Armenian gave me reason to +hope that you were already disposed to reject natural interpretations, +and to attribute so marvellous an occurrence to supernatural agency." + +"Indeed," exclaimed the prince, at once angry and amazed, and casting +upon me a significant look; "indeed, I did not expect this." + + [Neither did probably the greater number of my readers. The + circumstance of the crown deposited at the feet of the prince, in a + manner so solemn and unexpected, and the former prediction of the + Armenian, seem so naturally and obviously to aim at the same object + that at the first reading of these memoirs I immediately remembered + the deceitful speech of the witches in Macbeth:-- + + "Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! + All hail, Macbeth! that shall be king hereafter!" + + and probably the same thing has occurred to many of my readers. + + When a certain conviction has taken hold upon a man's mind in a + solemn and extraordinary manner, it is sure to follow that all + subsequent ideas which are in any way capable of being associated + with this conviction should attach themselves to, and in some + degree seem to be consequent upon it. The Sicilian, who seems to + have had no other motive for his whole scheme than to astonish the + prince by showing him that his rank was discovered, played, without + being himself aware of it, the very game which most furthered the + view of the Armenian; but however much of its interest this + adventure will lose if I take away the higher motive which at first + seemed to influence these actions, I must by no means infringe upon + historical truth, but must relate the facts exactly as they + occurred.--Note of the German Editor.] + +"But," continued he, after a long silence, "how did you produce the +figure which appeared on the wall over the chimney?" + +"By means of a magic lantern that was fixed in the opposite +window-shutter, in which you have undoubtedly observed an opening." + +"But how did it happen that not one of us perceived the lantern?" asked +Lord Seymour. + +"You remember, my lord, that on your re-entering the room it was +darkened by a thick smoke of frankincense. I likewise took the +precaution to place the boards which had been taken up from the floor +upright against the wall near the window. By these means I prevented +the shutter from immediately attracting observation. Moreover, the +lantern remained covered by a slide until you had taken your places, and +there was no further reason to apprehend that you would institute any +examination of the saloon." + +"As I looked out of the window in the other pavilion," said I, +"I fancied I heard a noise like that of a person placing a ladder +against the side of the house. Was I right?" + +"Exactly; it was the ladder upon which my assistants stood to direct the +magic-lantern." + +"The apparition," continued the prince, "had really a superficial +likeness to my deceased friend, and what was particularly striking, his +hair, which was of a very light color, was exactly imitated. Was this +mere chance, or how did you come by such a resemblance?" + +"Your highness must recollect that you had at table a snuff-box by your +plate, with an enamelled portrait of an officer in a uniform. I asked +whether you had anything about you as a memento of your friend, and as +your highness answered in the affirmative, I conjectured that it might +be the box. I had attentively examined the picture during supper, and +being very expert in drawing and not less happy in taking likenesses, I +had no difficulty in giving to my shade the superficial resemblance you +have perceived, the more so as the marquis' features are very marked." + +"But the figure seemed to move?" + +"It appeared so, yet it was not the figure that moved but the smoke +on which the light was reflected." + +"And the man who fell down in the chimney spoke for the apparition?" + +"He did." + +"But he could not hear your question distinctly." + +"There was no occasion for it. Your highness will recollect that I +cautioned you all very strictly not to propose any question to the +apparition yourselves. My inquiries and his answers were preconcerted +between us; and that no mistake might happen, I caused him to speak at +long intervals, which he counted by the beating of a watch." + +"You ordered the innkeeper carefully to extinguish every fire in the +house with water; this was undoubtedly--" + +"To save the man in the chimney from the danger of being suffocated; +because the chimneys in the house communicate with each other, and I did +not think myself very secure from your retinue." + +"How did it happen," asked Lord Seymour, "that your ghost appeared +neither sooner nor later than you wished him?" + +"The ghost was in the room for some time before I called him, but while +the room was lighted, the shade was too faint to be perceived. When the +formula of the conjuration was finished, I caused the cover of the box, +in which the spirit was burning, to drop down, the saloon was darkened, +and it was not till then that the figure on the wall could be distinctly +seen, although it had been reflected there a considerable time before." + +"When the ghost appeared, we all felt an electric shock. How was that +managed?" + +"You have discovered the machine under the altar. You have also seen +that I was standing upon a silk carpet. I directed you to form a +half-moon around me, and to take each other's hands. When the crisis +approached, I gave a sign to one of you to seize me by the hair. The +silver crucifix was the conductor, and you felt the electric shock when +I touched it with my hand." + +"You ordered Count O----- and myself," continued Lord Seymour, "to hold +two naked swords crossways over your head, during the whole time of the +conjuration; for what purpose?" + +"For no other than to engage your attention during the operation; +because I distrusted you two the most. You remember, that I expressly +commanded you to hold the sword one inch above my head; by confining you +exactly to this distance, I prevented you from looking where I did not +wish you. I had not then perceived my principal enemy." + +"I own," cried Lord Seymour, "you acted with due precaution--but why +were we obliged to appear undressed?" + +"Merely to give a greater solemnity to the scene, and to excite your +imaginations by the strangeness of the proceeding." + +"The second apparition prevented your ghost from speaking," said the +prince. "What should we have learnt from him?" + +"Nearly the same as what you heard afterwards. It was not without +design that I asked your highness whether you had told me everything +that the deceased communicated to you, and whether you had made any +further inquiries on this subject in his country. I thought this was +necessary, in order to prevent the deposition of the ghost from being +contradicted by facts with which you were previously acquainted. +Knowing likewise that every man in his youth is liable to error, +I inquired whether the life of your friend had been irreproachable, +and on your answer I founded that of the ghost." + +"Your explanation of this matter is satisfactory," resumed the prince, +after a short silence; "but there remains a principal circumstance which +I must ask you to clear up." + +"If it be in my power, and--" + +"No conditions! Justice, in whose hands you now are, might perhaps not +interrogate you with so much delicacy. Who was this unknown at whose +feet we saw you fall? What do you know of him? How did you get +acquainted with him? And in what way was he connected with the +appearance of the second apparition? + +"Your highness"-- + +"On looking at him more attentively, you gave a loud scream, and fell at +his feet. What are we to understand by that?" + +"This man, your highness"--He stopped, grew visibly perplexed, and with +an embarrassed countenance looked around him. "Yes, prince, by all that +is sacred, this unknown is a terrible being." + +"What do you know of him? What connection have you with him? Do not +hope to conceal the truth from us." + +"I shall take care not to do so,--for who will warrant that he is not +among us at this very moment?" + +"Where? Who?" exclaimed we altogether, half-amused, half-startled, +looking about the room. "That is impossible." + +"Oh! to this man, or whatever he may be, things still more +incomprehensible are possible." + +"But who is he? Whence comes he? Is he an Armenian or a Russian? Of +the characters be assumes, which is his real one?" + +"He is nothing of what he appears to be. There are few conditions or +countries of which he has not worn the mask. No person knows who he is, +whence he comes, or whither he goes. That he has been for a long time +in Egypt, as many pretend, and that he has brought from thence, out of a +catacomb, his, occult sciences, I will neither affirm nor deny. Here we +only know him by the name of the Incomprehensible. How old, for +instance, do you suppose he is?" + +"To judge from his appearance he can scarcely have passed forty." + +"And of what age do you suppose I am?" + +"Not far from fifty." + +"Quite right; and I must tell you that I was but a boy of seventeen when +my grandfather spoke to me of this marvellous man whom he had seen at +Famagusta; at which time he appeared nearly of the same age as he does +at present." + +"This is exaggerated, ridiculous, and incredible." + +"By no means. Were I not prevented by these fetters I could produce +vouchers whose dignity and respectability should leave you no room for +doubt. There are several credible persons who remember having seen him, +each, at the same time, in different parts of the globe. No sword can +wound, no poison can hurt, no fire can burn him; no vessel in which he +embarks can be wrecked. Time itself seems to lose its power over him. +Years do not affect his constitution, nor age whiten his hair. Never +was he seen to take any food. Never did he approach a woman. No sleep +closes his eyes. Of the twenty-four hours in the day there is only one +which he cannot command; during which no person ever saw him, and during +which he never was employed in any terrestrial occupation." + +"And this hour is?" + +"The twelfth in the night. When the clock strikes twelve at midnight +he ceases to belong to the living. In whatever place he is he must +immediately be gone; whatever business he is engaged in he must +instantly leave it. The terrible sound of the hour of midnight tears +him from the arms of friendship, wrests him from the altar, and would +drag him away even in the agonies of death. Whither he then goes, or +what he is then engaged in, is a secret to every one. No person +ventures to interrogate, still less to follow him. His features, at +this dread ful hour, assume a sternness of expression so gloomy and +terrifying that no person has courage sufficient to look him in the +face, or to speak a word to him. However lively the conversation may +have been, a dead silence immediately succeeds it, and all around wait +for his return in respectful silence without venturing to quit their +seats, or to open the door through which he has passed." + +"Does nothing extraordinary appear in his person when he returns?" +inquired one of our party. + +"Nothing, except that he seems pale and exhausted, like a man who has +just suffered a painful operation, or received some disastrous +intelligence. Some pretend to have seen drops of blood on his linen, +but with what degree of veracity I cannot affirm." + +"Did no person ever attempt to conceal the approach of this hour from +him, or endeavor to preoccupy his mind in such a manner as to make him +forget it?" + +"Once only, it is said, he missed the appointed time. The company was +numerous and remained together late in the night. All the clocks and +watches were purposely set wrong, and the warmth of conversation carried +him away. When the stated hour arrived he suddenly became silent and +motionless; his limbs continued in the position in which this instant +had arrested them; his eyes were fixed; his pulse ceased to beat. All +the means employed to awake him proved fruitless, and this situation +endured till the hour had elapsed. He then revived on a sudden without +any assistance, opened his eyes, and resumed his speech at the very +syllable which he was pronouncing at the moment of interruption. The +general consternation discovered to him what had happened, and he +declared, with an awful solemnity, that they ought to think themselves +happy in having escaped with the fright alone. The same night he +quitted forever the city where this circumstance had occurred. The +common opinion is that during this mysterious hour he converses with his +genius. Some even suppose him to be one of the departed who is allowed +to pass twenty-three hours of the day among the living, and that in the +twenty-fourth his soul is obliged to return to the infernal regions to +suffer its punishment. Some believe him to be the famous Apollonius of +Tyana; and others the disciple of John, of whom it is said, 'He shall +remain until the last judgment.'" + +"A character so wonderful," replied the prince, "cannot fail to give +rise to whimsical conjectures. But all this you profess to know only by +hearsay, and yet his behavior to you and yours to him, seemed to +indicate a more intimate acquaintance. Is it not founded upon some +particular event in which you have yourself been concerned? Conceal +nothing from us." + +The Sicilian looked at us doubtingly and remained silent. + +"If it concerns something," continued the prince, "that you do not wish +to be made known, I promise you, in the name of these two gentlemen, the +most inviolable secrecy. But speak candidly and without reserve." + +"Could I hope," answered the prisoner, after a long silence, "that you +would not make use of what I am going to relate as evidence against me, +I would tell you a remarkable adventure of this Armenian, of which I +myself was witness, and which will leave you no doubt of his +supernatural powers. But I beg leave to conceal some of the names." + +"Cannot you do it without this condition?" + +"No, your highness. There is a family concerned in it whom I have +reason to respect." + +"Let us hear your story." + +"It is about five years ago," began the Sicilian, "that at Naples, where +I was practising my art with tolerable success, I became acquainted with +a person of the name of Lorenzo del M-------, chevalier of the Order of +St. Stephen, a young and rich nobleman, of one of the first families in +the kingdom, who loaded me with kindnesses, and seemed to have a great +esteem for my occult knowledge. He told me that the Marquis del M--nte, +his father, was a zealous admirer of the cabala, and would think himself +happy in having a philosopher like myself (for such he was pleased to +call me) under his roof. The marquis lived in one of his country seats +on the sea-shore, about seven miles from Naples. There, almost entirely +secluded from the world, he bewailed, the loss of a beloved son, of whom +he had been deprived by a terrible calamity. The chevalier gave me to +understand that he and his family might perhaps have occasion to employ +me on a matter of the most grave importance, in the hope of gaining +through my secret science some information, to procure which all natural +means had been tried in vain. He added, with a very significant look, +that he himself might, perhaps at some future period, have reason to +look upon me as the restorer of his tranquillity, and of all his earthly +happiness. The affair was as follows:-- + +"This Lorenzo was the younger son of the marquis, and for that reason +had been destined for the church; the family estates were to descend to +the eldest. Jeronymo, which was the name of the latter, had spent many +years on his travels, and had returned to his country about seven years +prior to the event which I am about to relate, in order to celebrate his +marriage with the only daughter of the neighboring Count C----tti. This +marriage had been determined on by the parents during the infancy of the +children, in order to unite the large fortunes of the two houses. But +though this agreement was made by the two families, without consulting +the hearts of the parties concerned, the latter had mutually pledged +their faith to each other in secret. Jeronymo del M------ and Antonia +C----- had been brought up together, and the little restraint imposed on +two children, whom their parents were already accustomed to regard as +destined for each other, soon produced between them a connection of the +tenderest kind; the congeniality of their tempers cemented this +intimacy; and in later years it ripened insensibly into love. An +absence of four years, far from cooling this passion, had only served to +inflame it; and Jeronymo returned to the arms of his intended bride as +faithful and as ardent as if they had never been separated. + +"The raptures occasioned by his return had not yet subsided, and the +preparations for the happy day were advancing with the utmost zeal and +activity, when the bridegroom disappeared. He used frequently to pass +whole afternoons in a summer-house which commanded a prospect of the +sea, and was accustomed to take the diversion of sailing on the water. +One day, on an evening spent in this manner, it was observed that he +remained absent a much longer time than usual, and his friends began to +be very uneasy on his account. Messengers were despatched after him, +vessels were sent to sea in quest of him; no person had seen him. None +of his servants were missed; he must, therefore, have gone alone. Night +came on, and he did not appear. The next morning dawned; the day +passed, the evening succeeded--, Jeronymo came not. Already they had +begun to give themselves up to the most melancholy conjectures when the +news arrived that an Algerine pirate had landed the preceeding day on +that coast, and carried off several of the inhabitants. Two galleys +which were ready for sea were immediately manned; the old marquis +himself embarked in one of them, to attempt the deliverance of his son +at the peril of his own life. On the third morning they perceived the +corsair. They had the advantage of the wind; they were just about to +overtake the pirate, and had even approached so near that Lorenzo, who +was in one of the galleys, fancied that he saw upon the deck of the +adversary's ship a signal made by his brother, when a sudden storm +separated the vessels. Hardly could the damaged galleys sustain the +fury of the tempest. The pirate in the meantime had disappeared, and +the distressed state of the other vessels obliged them to land at Malta. +The affliction of the family knew no bounds. The distracted old marquis +tore his gray hairs in the utmost violence of grief; and fears were +entertained for the life of the young countess. Five years were +consumed in fruitless inquiries. Diligent search was made along all the +coast of Barbary; immense sums were offered for the ransom of the poor +marquis, but no person came forward to claim them. The only probable +conjecture which remained for the family to form was, that the same +storm which had separated the galleys from the pirate had destroyed the +latter, and that the whole ship's company had perished in the waves. + +"But, however this supposition might be, it did not by any means amount +to a certainty, and could not authorize the family altogether to +renounce the hope that the lost Jeronymo might again appear. In case, +however, that he was really dead, either the family must become extinct, +or the younger son must relinquish the church, and assume the rights of +the elder. As justice, on the one hand, seemed to oppose the latter +measure, so, on the other hand, the necessity of preserving the family +from annihilation required that the scruple should not be carried too +far. In the meantime through grief and the infirmities of age, the old +marquis was fast sinking to his grave; every unsuccessful attempt +diminished the hope of finding his lost son; he saw the danger of his +family's becoming extinct, which might be obviated by a trifling +injustice on his part, in consenting to favor his younger son at the +expense of the elder. The consummation of his alliance with the house +of Count C---tti required only that a name should be changed, for the +object of the two families was equally accomplished, whether Antonia +became the wife of Lorenzo or of Jeronymo. The faint probability of the +latter's appearing again weighed but little against the certain and +pressing danger of the total extinction of the family, and the old +marquis, who felt the approach of death every day more and more, +ardently wished at least to die free from this inquietude. + +"Lorenzo, however, who was to be principally benefited by this measure, +opposed it with the greatest obstinacy. Alike unmoved by the +allurements of an immense fortune, and the attractions of the beautiful +and accomplished being whom his family were about to deliver into his +arms, he refused, on principles the most generous and conscientious, to +invade the rights of a brother, who perhaps was still alive, and might +some day return to claim his own. 'Is not the lot of my dear Jeronymo,' +said he, 'made sufficiently miserable by the horrors of a long +captivity, that I should yet add bitterness to his cup of grief by +stealing from him all that he holds most dear? With what conscience +could I supplicate heaven for his return when his wife is in my arms? +With what countenance could I hasten to meet him should he at last be +restored to us by some miracle? And even supposing that he is torn +from us forever, how can we better honor his memory than by keeping +constantly open the chasm which his death has caused in our circle? Can +we better show our respect to him than by sacrificing our dearest hopes +upon his tomb, and keeping untouched, as a sacred deposit, what was +peculiarly his own?' + +"But all the arguments which fraternal delicacy could adduce were +insufficient to reconcile the old marquis to the idea of being obliged +to witness the extinction of a pedigree which nine centuries had beheld +flourishing. All that Lorenzo could obtain was a respite of two years +before leading the affianced bride of his brother to the altar. During +this period they continued their inquiries with the utmost diligence. +Lorenzo himself made several voyages, and exposed his person to many +dangers. No trouble, no expense was spared to recover the lost +Jeronymo. These two years, however, like those which preceded them, +were in vain?" + +"And the Countess Antonia?" said the prince, "You tell us nothing of +her. Could she so calmly submit to her fate? I cannot suppose it." + +"Antonia," answered the Sicilian, "experienced the most violent struggle +between duty and inclination, between hate and admiration. The +disinterested generosity of a brother's love affected her; she felt +herself forced to esteem a person whom she could never love. Her heart +was torn by conflicting sentiments. But her repugnance to the chevalier +seemed to increase in the same degree as his claims upon her esteem +augmented. Lorenzo perceived with heartfelt sorrow the grief that +consumed her youth. A tender compassion insensibly assumed the place of +that indifference with which, till then, he had been accustomed to +regard her; but this treacherous sentiment quickly deceived him, and an +ungovernable passion began by degrees to shake the steadiness of his +virtue--a virtue which, till then, had been unequalled. + +"He, however, still obeyed the dictates of generosity, though at the +expense of his love. By his efforts alone was the unfortunate victim +protected against the arbitrary proceedings of the rest of the family. +But his endeavors were ineffectual. Every victory he gained over his +passion rendered him more worthy of Antonia; and the disinterestedness +with which he refused her left her no excuse for resistance. + +"This was the state of affairs when the chevalier engaged me to visit +him at his father's villa. The earnest recommendation of my patron +procured me a reception which exceeded my most sanguine hopes. I must +not forget to mention that by some remarkable operations I had +previously rendered my name famous in different lodges of Freemasons, +which circumstance may, perhaps, have contributed to strengthen the old +marquis' confidence in me, and to heighten his expectations. I beg you +will excuse me from describing particularly the lengths I went with him, +and the means which I employed; you may judge of them from what I have +already confessed to you. Profiting by the mystic books which I found +in his very extensive library, I was soon able to converse with him in +his own language, and to adorn my system of the invisible world with the +most extraordinary inventions. In a short time I could make him believe +whatever I pleased, and he would have sworn as readily as upon an +article in the canon. Moreover, as he was very devout, and was by nature +somewhat credulous, my fables received credence the more readily, and in +a short time I had so completely surrounded and hemmed him in with +mystery that he cared for nothing that was not supernatural. In short I +became the patron saint of the house. The usual subject of my lectures +was the exaltation of human nature, and the intercourse of men with +superior beings; the infallible Count Gabalis was my oracle. + + [A mystical work of that title, written in French in 1670 by the + Abbe do Villars, and translated into English in 1600. Pope is said + to have borrowed from it the machinery of his Rape of the Lock.-H. + G. B.] + +"The young countess, whose mind since the loss of her lover had been more +occupied in the world of spirits than in that of nature, and who had, +moreover, a strong shade of melancholy in her composition, caught my +hints with a fearful satisfaction. Even the servants contrived to have +some business in the room when I was speaking, and seizing now and then +one of my expressions, joined the fragments together in their own way. + +"Two months were passed in this manner at the marquis' villa, when the +chevalier one morning entered my apartment. A deep sorrow was painted +on his countenance, his features were convulsed, he threw himself into a +chair, with gestures of despair. + +"'Captain,' said he, 'it is all over with me, I must begone; I can +remain here no longer.' + +"'What is the matter, chevalier? What ails you?' + +"'Oh! this fatal passion!' said he, starting frantically from his chair. +'I have combated it like a man; I can resist it no longer.' + +"'And whose fault is it but yours, my dear chevalier? Are they not all +in your favor? Your father, your relations.' + +"'My father, my relations! What are they to me? I want not a forced +union, but one of inclination, Have not I a rival? Alas! and what a +rival! Perhaps among the dead! Oh! let me go! Let me go to the end +of the world,--I must find my brother.' + +"'What! after so many unsuccessful attempts can you still cherish hope?' + +"'Hope!' replied the chevalier; 'alas! no. It has long since vanished +from my heart, but it has not from hers. Of what consequence are my +sentiments? Can I be happy while there remains a gleam of hope in +Antonia's heart? Two words, my friend, would end my torments. But it +is in vain. My destiny must continue to be miserable till eternity +shall break its long silence, and the grave shall speak in my behalf.' + +"'Is it then a state of certainty that would render you happy?' + +"'Happy! Alas! I doubt whether I can ever again be happy. But +uncertainty is of all others the most dreadful pain.' + +"After a short interval of silence he suppressed his emotion, and +continued mournfully, 'If he could but see my torments! Surely a +constancy which renders his brother miserable cannot add to his +happiness. Can it be just that the living should suffer so much for the +sake of the dead, who can no longer enjoy earthly felicity? If he knew +the pangs I suffer,' continued he, hiding his face on my shoulder, while +the tears streamed from his eyes, 'yes, perhaps he himself would +conduct her to my arms.' + +"'But is there no possibility of gratifying your wishes?' + +"He started. 'What do you say, my friend?' + +"'Less important occasions than the present,' said I, 'have disturbed +the repose of the dead for the sake of the living. Is not the whole +earthly happiness of a man, of a brother--' + +"'The whole earthly happiness! Ah, my friend, I feel what you say is +but too true; my entire felicity.' + +"'And the tranquillity of a distressed family, are not these sufficient +to justify such a measure? Undoubtedly. If any sublunary concern can +authorize us to interrupt the peace of the blessed, to make use of a +power--' + +"'For God's sake, my friend,' said he, interrupting me, no more of this. +Once, I avow it, I had such a thought; I think I mentioned it to you; +but I have long since rejected it as horrid and abominable.' + +"You will have conjectured already," continued the Sicilian, "to what +this conversation led us. I endeavored to overcome the scruples of the +chevalier, and at last succeeded. We resolved to summon the spirit of +the deceased Jeronymo. I only stipulated for the delay of a fortnight, +in order, as I pretended, to prepare myself in a suitable manner for so +solemn an act. The time being expired, and my machinery in readiness, +I took advantage of a very gloomy day, when we were all assembled as +usual, to obtain the consent of the family, or rather, gradually to lead +them to the subject, so that they themselves requested it of me. The +most difficult part of the task was to obtain the approbation of +Antonia, whose presence was most essential. My endeavors were, however, +greatly assisted by the melancholy turn of her mind, and perhaps still +more so by a faint hope that Jeronymo might still be living, and +therefore would not appear. A want of confidence in the thing itself, +or a doubt of my ability, was the only obstacle which I had not to +contend with. + +"Having obtained the consent of the family, the third day was fixed on +for the operation. I prepared them for the solemn transaction by +mystical instruction, by fasting, solitude, and prayers, which I ordered +to be continued till late in the night. Much use was also made of a +certain musical instrument, unknown till that time, and which, in such +cases, has often been found very powerful. The effect of these +artifices was so much beyond my expectation that the enthusiasm to which +on this occasion I was obliged to force myself was infinitely heightened +by that of my audience. The anxiously-expected hour at last arrived." + +"I guess," said the prince, "whom you are now going to introduce. But +go on, go on." + +"No, your highness. The incantation succeeded according to my wishes." + +"How? Where is the Armenian?" + +"Do not fear, your highness. He will appear but too soon. I omit the +description of the farce itself, as it would lead me to too great a +length. Be it sufficient to say that it answered my utmost +expectations. The old marquis, the young countess, her mother, Lorenzo, +and a few others of the family, were present. You may imagine that +during my long residence in this house I had not wanted opportunities of +gathering information respecting everything that concerned the deceased. +Several portraits of him enabled me to give the apparition the most +striking likeness, and as I suffered the ghost to speak only by signs, +the sound of his voice could excite no suspicion. + +"The departed Jeronymo appeared--in the dress of a Moorish slave, with a +deep wound in his neck. You observe that in this respect I was +counteracting the general supposition that he had perished in the waves, +for I had reason to hope that the unexpectedness of this circumstance +would heighten their belief in the apparition itself, while, on the +other hand, nothing appeared to me more dangerous than to keep too +strictly to what was natural." + +"I think you judged rightly," said the prince. "In whatever respects +apparitions the most probable is the least acceptable. If their +communications are easily comprehended we undervalue the channel by +which they are obtained. Nay, we even suspect the reality of the +miracle if the discoveries which it brings to light are such as might +easily have been imagined. Why should we disturb the repose of a spirit +if it is to inform us of nothing more than the ordinary powers of the +intellect are capable of teaching us? But, on the other hand, if the +intelligence which we receive is extraordinary and unexpected it +confirms in some degree the miracle by which it is obtained; for who can +doubt an operation to be supernatural when its effect could not be +produced by natural means? I interrupt you," added the prince. +"Proceed in your narrative." + +"I asked the ghost whether there was anything in this world which he +still considered as his own," continued the Sicilian, "and whether he +had left anything behind that was particularly dear to him? The ghost +shook his head three times, and lifted up his hand towards heaven. +Previous to his retiring he dropped a ring from his finger, which was +found on the floor after he had disappeared. Antonia took it, and, +looking at it attentively, she knew it to be the ring she had given her +intended husband on their betrothal." + +"The ring!" exclaimed the prince, surprised. "How did you get it?" + +"Who? I? It was not the true one, your highness; I got it. It was only +a counterfeit." + +"A counterfeit!" repeated the prince. "But in order to counterfeit you +required the true one. How did you come by it? Surely the deceased +never went without it." + +"That is true," replied the Sicilian, with symptoms of confusion. "But +from a description which was given me of the genuine ring--" + +"A description which was given you! By whom?" + +"Long before that time. It was a plain gold ring, and had, I believe, +the name of the young countess engraved on it. But you made me lose the +connection." + +"What happened further?" said the prince, with a very dissatisfied +countenance. + +"The family felt convinced that Jeronymo was no more. From that day +forward they publicly announced his death, and went into mourning. The +circumstance of the ring left no doubt, even in the mind of Antonia, and +added a considerable weight to the addresses of the chevalier. + +"In the meantime the violent shock which the young countess had received +from the sight of the apparition brought on her a disorder so dangerous +that the hopes of Lorenzo were very near being destroyed forever. On +her recovery she insisted upon taking the veil; and it was only at the +most serious remonstrances of her confessor, in whom she placed implicit +confidence, that she was induced to abandon her project. At length the +united solicitations of the family, and of the confessor, forced from +her a reluctant consent. The last day of mourning was fixed on for the +day of marriage, and the old marquis determined to add to the solemnity +of the occasion by making over all his estates to his lawful heir. + +"The day arrived, and Lorenzo received his trembling bride at the altar. +In the evening a splendid banquet was prepared for the cheerful guests +in a hall superbly illuminated, and the most lively and delightful music +contributed to increase the general gladness. The happy old marquis +wished all the world to participate in his joy. All the entrances of +the palace were thrown open, and every one who sympathized in his +happiness was joyfully welcomed. In the midst of the throng--" + +The Sicilian paused. A trembling expectation suspended our breath. + +"In-the midst of the throng," continued the prisoner, "appeared a +Franciscan monk, to whom my attention was directed by the person who sat +next to me at table. He was standing motionless like a marble pillar. +His shape was tall and thin; his face pale and ghastly; his eyes were +fixed with a grave and mournful expression on the new-married couple. +The joy which beamed on the face of every one present appeared not on +his. His countenance never once varied. He seemed like a statue among +the living. Such an object, appearing amidst the general joy, struck me +more forcibly from its contrast with everything around. It left on my +mind so indelible an impression that from it alone I have been enabled +(which would otherwise have been impossible) to recollect the features +of the Franciscan monk in the Russian officer; for, without doubt, you +must have already conceived that the person I have described was no +other than your Armenian. + +"I frequently attempted to withdraw my eyes from this terrible figure, +but they wandered back involuntarily, and found his countenance +unaltered. I pointed him out to the person who sat nearest to me on the +other side, and he did the same to the person next to him. In a few +minutes a general curiosity and astonishment pervaded the whole company. +The conversation languished; a general silence succeeded; the monk did +not heed it. He continued motionless as before; his grave and mournful +looks constantly fixed upon the new-married couple; his appearance +struck every one with terror. The young countess alone, who found the +transcript of her own sorrow in the fact of the stranger, beheld with +a melancholy satisfaction the only object that seemed to understand and +sympathize in her sufferings. The crowd insensibly diminished. It was +past midnight; the music became fainter and more languid; the tapers +grew dim, and many of them went out. The conversation, declining by +degrees, lost itself at last in secret murmurs, and the faintly +illuminated hall was nearly deserted. The monk, in the meantime, +continued motionless, with the same grave and mournful look still fixed +on the new-married couple. The company at length rose from the table; +the guests dispersed; the family assembled in a separate group, and the +monk, though uninvited, continued near them. How it happened that no +person spoke to him I cannot conceive. + +"The female friends now surrounded the trembling bride, who cast a +supplicating and distressed look on the venerable stranger; he did not +answer it. The gentlemen assembled in the same manner around the +bridegroom. A solemn and anxious silence prevailed among them. 'That +we should be so happy here together,' began at length the old marquis, +who alone seemed not to behold the stranger, or at least seemed to +behold him without dismay. 'That we should be so happy here together, +and my son Jeronymo cannot be with us!' + +"'Have you invited him, and has he failed to come?' asked the monk. +It was the first time he had spoken. We looked at him in alarm. + +"'Alas! he is gone to a place from whence there is no return,' answered +the old man. 'Reverend father I you misunderstood me. My son Jeronymo +is dead.' + +"'Perhaps he only fears to appear in this company,' replied the monk. +'Who knows how your son Jeronymo may be situated? Let him now hear the +voice which he heard the last. Desire your son Lorenzo to call him.' + +"'What means he?' whispered the company to one another. Lorenzo changed +color. I will not deny that my own hair began to stand on end. + +"In the meantime the monk approached a sideboard; he took a glass of +wine and carried to his lips. 'To the memory of our dear Jeronymo!' +said he. 'Let every one who loved the deceased follow my example.' + +"'Be you who you may, reverend father!' exclaimed the old marquis, 'you +have pronounced a name dear to us all, and you are heartily welcome +here;' then turning to us, he offered us full glasses. 'Come, my +friends!' continued he, 'let us not be surpassed by a stranger. The +memory of my son Jeronymo! + +"Never, I believe, was any toast less heartily received. + +"'There is one glass still unemptied," said the marquis. 'Why does my +son Lorenzo refuse to drink this friendly toast?' + +"Lorenzo, trembling, received the glass from the hands of the monk; +tremblingly he put it to his lips. 'To my dearly-beloved brother +Jeronymo!' he stammered out, and replaced the glass with a shudder. + +"'That was my murderer's voice!' exclaimed a terrible figure, which +appeared suddenly in the midst of us, covered with blood, and disfigured +with horrible wounds. + +"Do not ask me the rest," added the Sicilian, with every symptom of +horror in his countenance. "I lost my senses the moment I looked at +this apparition. The same happened to every one present. When we +recovered the monk and the ghost had disappeared; Lorenzo was writhing +in the agonies of death. He was carried to bed in the most dreadful +convulsions. No person attended him but his confessor and the sorrowful +old marquis, in whose presence he expired. The marquis died a few weeks +after him. Lorenzo's secret is locked in the bosom of the priest who +received his last confession; no person ever learnt what it was. + +"Soon after this event a well was cleaned in the farmyard of the +marquis' villa. It had been disused for many years, and was almost +closed up by shrubs and old trees. On digging among the rubbish a human +skeleton was found. The house where this happened is now no more; the +family del M-----nte is extinct, and Antonia's tomb may be seen in a +convent not far from Salerno. + +"You see," continued the Sicilian, seeing us all stand silent and +thoughtful, "you see how my acquaintance with this Russian officer, +Armenian, or Franciscan friar originated. Judge now whether I had not +good cause to tremble at the sight of a being who has twice placed +himself in my way in a manner so terrible." + +"I beg you will answer me one question more," said the prince, rising +from his seat. "Have you been always sincere in your account of +everything relating to the chevalier?" + +"To the best of my knowledge I have," replied the Sicilian. + +"You really believed him to be an honest man?" + +"I did; by heaven! I did," answered he again. + +"Even at the tine he gave you the ring?" + +"How! He gave me no ring. I did not say that he gave me the ring." + +"Very well!" said the prince, pulling the bell, and preparing to +depart. "And you believe" (going back to the prisoner) "that the ghost +of the Marquis de Lanoy, which the Russian officer introduced after your +apparition, was a true and real ghost?" + +"I cannot think otherwise." + +"Let us go!" said the prince, addressing himself to us. The gaoler came +in. "We have done," said the prince to him. "You, sir," turning to the +prisoner, "you shall hear further from me." + +"I am tempted to ask your highness the last question you proposed to the +sorcerer," said I to the prince, when we were alone. "Do you believe +the second ghost to have been a real and true one?" + +"I believe it! No, not now, most assuredly." + +"Not now? Then you did once believe it?" + +"I confess I was tempted for a moment to believe it something more than +the contrivance of a juggler." + +"And I could wish to see the man who under similar circumstances would +not have had the same impression. But what reasons have you for +retracting your opinion? What the prisoner has related of the Armenian +ought to increase rather than diminish your belief in his super natural +powers." + +"What this wretch has related of him," said the prince, interrupting me +very gravely. "I hope," continued he, "you have now no doubt but that +we have had to do with a villain." + +"No; but must his evidence on that account--" + +"The evidence of a villain, even supposing I had no other reason for +doubt, can have no weight against common sense and established truth. +Does a man who has already deceived me several times, and whose trade it +is to deceive, does he deserve to be heard in a cause in which the +unsupported testimony of even the most sincere adherent to truth could +not be received? Ought we to believe a man who perhaps never once spoke +truth for its own sake? Does such a man deserve credit, when he appears +as evidence against human reason and the eternal laws of nature? Would +it not be as absurd as to admit the accusation of a person notoriously +infamous against unblemished and irreproachable innocence?" + +"But what motives could he have for giving so great a character to a man +whom he has so many reasons to hate?" + +"I am not to conclude that he can have no motives for doing this because +I am unable to comprehend them. Do I know who has bribed him to deceive +me? I confess I cannot penetrate the whole contexture of his plan; but +he has certainly done a material injury to the cause he advocates by +proving himself to be at least an impostor, and perhaps something +worse." + +"The circumstance of the ring, I allow, appears somewhat suspicions." + +"It is more than suspicious," answered the prince; "it is decisive. He +received this ring from the murderer, and at the moment he received it +he must have been certain that it was from the murderer. Who but the +assassin, could have taken from the finger of the deceased a ring which +he undoubtedly never took off himself? Throughout the whole of his +narration the Sicilian has labored to persuade us that while he was +endeavoring to deceive Lorenzo, Lorenzo was in reality deceiving him. +Would he have had recourse to this subterfuge if he had not been +sensible how much he should lose in our estimation by confessing himself +an accomplice with the assassin? The whole story is visibly nothing but +a series of impostures, invented merely to connect the few truths he has +thought proper to give us. Ought I then to hesitate in disbelieving the +eleventh assertion of a person who has already deceived me ten times, +rather than admit a violation of the fundamental laws of nature, which I +have ever found in the most perfect harmony?" + +"I have nothing to reply to all this, but the apparition we saw +yesterday is to me not the less incomprehensible." + +"It is also incomprehensible to me, although I have been tempted to +believe that I have found a key to it." + +"How so?" asked I. + +"Do not you recollect that the second apparition, as soon as he entered, +walked directly up to the altar, took the crucifix in his hand, and +placed himself upon the carpet?" + +"It appeared so to me." + +"And this crucifix, according to the Sicilian's confession, was a +conductor. You see that the apparition hastened to make himself +electrical. Thus the blow which Lord Seymour struck him with a sword +was of course ineffectual; the electric stroke disabled his arm." + +"This is true with respect to the sword. But the pistol fired by the +Sicilian, the ball of which we heard roll slowly upon the altar?" + +"Are you convinced that this was the same ball which was fired from the +pistol?" replied the prince. "Not to mention that the puppet, or the +man who represented the ghost, may have been so well accoutred as to be +invulnerable by sword or bullet; but consider who it was that loaded the +pistols." + +"True," said I, and a sudden light broke upon my mind; "the Russian. +officer had loaded them, but it was in our presence. How could he have +deceived us?" + +"Why should he not have deceived us? Did you suspect him sufficiently +to observe him? Did you examine the ball before it was put into the +pistol? May it not have been one of quicksilver or clay? Did you take +notice whether the Russian officer really put it into the barrel, or +dropped it into his other hand? But supposing that he actually loaded +the pistols, what is to convince you that he really took the loaded ones +into the room where the ghost appeared, and did not change them for +another pair, which he might have done the more easily as nobody ever +thought of noticing him, and we were besides occupied in undressing? +And could not the figure, at the moment when we were prevented from +seeing it by the smoke of the pistol, have dropped another ball, with +which it had been beforehand provided, on the the altar? Which of these +conjectures is impossible?" + +"You are right. But that striking resemblance to your deceased friend! +I have often seen him with you, and I immediately recognized him in the +apparition." + +"I did the same, and I must confess the illusion was complete. But if +the juggler from a few stolen glances at my snuff-box was able to give +to his apparition a resemblance, what was to prevent the Russian +officer, who had used the box during the whole time of supper, who had +had liberty to observe the picture unnoticed, and to whom I had +discovered in confidence whom it represented, what was to prevent him +from doing the same? Add to this what has been before observed by the +Sicilian, that the prominent features of the marquis were so striking as +to be easily imitated; what is there so inexplicable in this second +ghost?" + +"But the words he uttered? The information he gave you about your +friend?" + +"What?" said the prince, "Did not the Sicilian assure us, that from +the little which he had learnt from me he had composed a similar story? +Does not this prove that the invention was obvious and natural? +Besides, the answers of the ghost, like those of an oracle, were so +obscure that he was in no danger of being detected in a falsehood. If +the man who personated the ghost possessed sagacity and presence of +mind, and knew ever-so-little of the affair on which he was consulted, +to what length might not he have carried the deception?" + +"Pray consider, your highness, how much preparation such a complicated +artifice would have required from the Armenian; how much time it takes +to paint a face with sufficient exactness; how much time would have been +requisite to instruct the pretended ghost, so as to guard him against +gross errors; what a degree of minute attention to regulate every minor +attendant or adventitious circumstance, which must be answered in some +manner, lest they should prove detrimental! And remember that the +Russian officer was absent but half an hour. Was that short space +of time sufficient to make even such arrangements as were most +indispensable? Surely, my prince, not even a dramatic writer, who has +the least desire to preserve the three terrible unities of Aristotle, +durst venture to load the interval between one act and another with such +a variety of action, or to presume upon such a facility of belief in his +audience." + +"What! You think it absolutely impossible that every necessary +preparation should have been made in the space of half an hour?" + +"Indeed, I look upon it as almost impossible." + +"I do not understand this expression. Does it militate against the +physical laws of time and space, or of matter and motion, that a man so +ingenious and so expert as this Armenian must undoubtedly be, assisted +by agents whose dexterity and acuteness are probably not inferior to his +own; favored by the time of night, and watched by no one, provided with +such means and instruments as a man of this profession is never without +--is it impossible that such a man, favored by such circumstances, +should be able to effect so much in so short a time? Is it ridiculous +or absurd to suppose, that by a very small number of words or signs he +can convey to his assistants very extensive commissions, and direct very +complex operations? Nothing ought to be admitted that is contrary to +the established laws of nature, unless it is something with which these +laws are absolutely incompatible. Would you rather give credit to a +miracle than admit an improbability? Would you solve a difficulty +rather by overturning the powers of nature than by believing an artful +and uncommon combination of them?" + +"Though the fact will not justify a conclusion such as you have +condemned, you must, however, grant that it is far beyond our +conception." + +"I am almost tempted to dispute even this," said the prince, with a +quiet smile. "What would you say, my dear count, if it should be +proved, for instance, that the operations of the Armenian were prepared +and carried on, not only during the half-hour that he was absent from +us, not only in haste and incidentally, but during the whole evening and +the whole night? You recollect that the Sicilian employed nearly three +hours in preparation." + +"The Sicilian? Yes, my prince." + +"And how will you convince me that this juggler had not as much concern +in the second apparition as in the first?" + +"How so, your highness?" + +"That he was not the principal assistant of the Armenian? In a word, +how will you convince me that they did not co-operate?" + +"It would be a difficult task to prove that," exclaimed I, with no +little surprise. + +"Not so difficult, my dear count, as you imagine. What! Could it have +happened by mere chance that these two men should form a design so +extraordinary and so complicated upon the same person, at the same time, +and in the same place? Could mere chance have produced such an exact +harmony between their operations, that one of them should play so +exactly the game of the other? Suppose for a moment that the Armenian +intended to heighten the effect of his deception, by introducing it +after a less refined one--that he created a Hector to make himself his +Achilles. Suppose that he has done all this to discover what degree of +credulity he could expect to find in me, to examine the readiest way to +gain my confidence, to familiarize himself with his subject by an +attempt that might have miscarried without any prejudice to his plan; in +a word, to tune the instrument on which he intended to play. Suppose he +did this with the view of exciting my suspicions on one subject in order +to divert my attention from another more important to his design. +Lastly, suppose he wishes to have some indirect methods of information, +which he had himself occasion to practise, imputed to the sorcerer, in +order to divert suspicion from the true channel." + +"How do you mean?" said I. + +"Suppose, for instance, that he may have bribed some of my servants to +give him secret intelligence, or, perhaps, even some papers which may +serve his purpose. I have missed one of my domestics. What reason have +I to think that the Armenian is not concerned in his leaving me? Such a +connection, however, if it existed, may be accidently discovered; a +letter may be intercepted; a servant, who is in the secret, may betray +his trust. Now all the consequence of the Armenian is destroyed if I +detect the source of his omniscience. He therefore introduces this +sorcerer, who must be supposed to have some design upon me. He takes +care to give me early notice of him and his intentions, so that whatever +I may hereafter discover my suspicions must necessarily rest upon the +Sicilian. This is the puppet with which he amuses me, whilst he +himself, unobserved and unsuspected, is entangling me in invisible +snares." + +"We will allow this. But is it consistent with the Armenian's plan that +he himself should destroy the illusion which he has created, and +disclose the mysteries of his science to the eyes of the uninitiated?" + +"What mysteries does he disclose? None, surely, which he intends to +practise on me. He therefore loses nothing by the discovery. But, +on the other hand, what an advantage will he gain, if this pretended +victory over juggling and deception should render me secure and +unsuspecting; if he succeeds in diverting my attention from the right +quarter, and in fixing my wavering suspicions on an object the most +remote from the real one! He could naturally expect that, sooner or +later, either from my own doubts, or at the suggestion of another, I +should be tempted to seek a key to his mysterious wonders, in the mere +art of a juggler; how could he better provide against such an inquiry +than by contrasting his prodigies with juggling tricks. By confining +the latter within artificial limits, and by delivering, as it were, into +my hands a scale by which to appreciate them, he naturally exalts and +perplexes my ideas of the former. How many suspicions he precludes by +this single contrivance! How many methods of accounting for his +miracles, which afterwards have occurred to me, does he refute +beforehand!" + +"But in exposing such a finished deception he has acted very much +against his own interest, both by quickening the penetration of those +whom he meant to impose upon, and by staggering their belief in miracles +in general. Your highness' self is the best proof of the insufficiency +of his plan, if indeed he ever had one." + +"Perhaps he has been mistaken in respect to myself," said the prince; +"but his conclusions have nevertheless been well founded. Could he +foresee that I should exactly notice the very circumstance which +threatens to become the key to the whole artifice? Was it in his plan +that the creature he employed should render himself thus vulnerable? +Are we certain that the Sicilian has not far exceeded his commission? +He has undoubtedly done so with respect to the ring, and yet it is +chiefly this single circumstance which determined my distrust in him. +How easily may a plan, whose contexture is most artful and refined, be +spoiled in the execution by an awkward instrument. It certainly was not +the Armenian's intention that the sorcerer should trumpet his fame to us +in the style of a mountebank, that he should endeavor to impose upon us +such fables as are too gross to bear the least reflection. For +instance, with what countenance could this impostor affirm that the +miraculous being he spoke of must renounce all commerce with mankind at +twelve in the night? Did we not see him among us at that very hour?" + +"That is true," cried I. "He must have forgotten it." + +"It often happens, to people of this description, that they overact +their parts; and, by aiming at too much, mar the effects which a +well-managed deception is calculated to produce." + +"I cannot, however, yet prevail on myself to look upon the whole as a +mere preconcerted scheme. What! the Sicilian's terror, his convulsive +fits, his swoon, the deplorable situation in which we saw him, and which +was even such as to move our pity, were all these nothing more than a +studied part? I allow that a skilful performer may carry imitation to a +very high pitch, but he certainly has no power over the organs of life." + +"As for that, my friend," replied the prince, "I have seen Richard III. +performed by Garrick. But were we at that moment sufficiently cool to +be capable of observing dispassionately? Could we judge of the emotion +of the Sicilian when we were almost overcome by our own? Besides, the +decisive crisis even of a deception is so momentous to the deceiver +himself that excessive anxiety may produce in him symptoms as violent +as those which surprise excites in the deceived. Add to this the +unexpected entrance of the watch." + +"I am glad you remind me of that, prince. Would the Armenian have +ventured to discover such a dangerous scheme to the eye of justice; to +expose the fidelity of his creature to so severe a test? And for what +purpose?" + +"Leave that matter to him; he is no doubt acquainted with the people he +employs. Do we know what secret crimes may have secured him the silence +of this man? You have been informed of the office he holds in Venice; +what difficulty will he find in saving a man of whom he himself is the +only accuser?" + +[This suggestion of the prince was but too well justified by the event. +For, some days after, on inquiring after the prisoner, we were told that +he had escaped, and had not since been heard of.] + +"You ask what could be his motives for delivering this man into the +hands of justice?" continued the prince. "By what other method, except +this violent one, could he have wrested from the Sicilian such an +infamous and improbable confession, which, however, was so material to +the success of his plan? Who but a man whose case is desperate, and who +has nothing to lose, would consent to give so humiliating an account of +himself? Under what other circumstances could we have believed such a +confession?" + +"I grant all this, my prince. That the two apparitions were mere +contrivances of art; that the Sicilian has imposed upon us a tale which +the Armenian his master, had previously taught him; that the efforts of +both have been directed to the same end, and, from this mutual +intelligence all the wonderful incidents which have astonished us in +this adventure may be easily explained. But the prophecy in the square +of St. Mark, that first miracle, which, as it were, opened the door to +all the rest, still remains unexplained; and of what use is the key to +all his other wonders if we despair of resolving this single one?" + +"Rather invert the proposition, my dear count," answered the prince, +"and say what do all these wonders prove if I can demonstrate that a +single one among them is a juggling trick? The prediction, I own, is +totally beyond my conception. If it stood alone; if the Armenian had +closed the scene with it, instead of beginning it, I confess I do not +know how far I might have been carried. But in the base alloy with +which it is mixed it is certainly rather suspicious. Time may explain, +or not explain it; but believe me, my friend!" added the prince, taking +my hand, with a grave countenance,--"a man who can command supernatural +powers has no occasion to employ the arts of a juggler; he despises +them." + +"Thus," says Count O------, "ended a conversation which I have related +word for word, because it shows the difficulties which were to be +overcome before the prince could be effectually imposed upon; and I +hope it may free his memory from the imputation of having blindly and +inconsiderately thrown himself into a snare, which was spread for his +destruction by the most unexampled and diabolical wickedness. Not all," +continues Count O------, "who, at the moment I am writing, smile +contemptuously at the prince's credulity, and, in the fancied +superiority of their own yet untempted understanding, unconditionally +condemn him; not all of these, I apprehend, would have stood his first +trial so courageously. If afterwards, notwithstanding this providential +warning, we witness his downfall; if we see that the black design +against which, at the very outset, he was thus cautioned, is finally +successful, we shall be less inclined to ridicule his weakness than to +be astonished at the infamous ingenuity of a plot which could seduce an +understanding so fully prepared. Considerations of worldly interest can +have no influence upon my testimony; he, who alone would be thankful for +it, is now no more. His dreadful destiny is accomplished; his soul has +long since been purified before the throne of truth, where mine will +likewise have appeared before these passages meet the eyes of the world. +Pardon the involuntary tears which now flow at the remembrance of my +dearest friend. But for the sake of justice I must write this. His was +a noble character, and would have adorned a throne which, seduced by the +most atrocious artifice, he attempted to ascend by the commission of a +crime. + + + + + + +BOOK II. + +"Not long after these events," continues Count O-----, in his narrative, +"I began to observe an extraordinary alteration in the disposition of +the prince, which was partly the immediate consequence of the last event +and partly produced by the concurrence of many adventitious +circumstances. Hitherto he had avoided every severe trial of his faith, +and contented himself with purifying the rude and abstract notions of +religion, in which he had been educated, by those more rational ideas +upon this subject which forced themselves upon his attention, or +comparing the many discordant opinions with each other, without +inquiring into the foundations of his faith. Religious subjects, he has +many times confessed to me, always appeared to him like an enchanted +castle, into which one does not set one's foot without horror, and that +they act therefore much the wiser part who pass it in respectful +silence, without exposing themselves to the danger of being bewildered +in its labyrinths. A servile and bigoted education was the source of +this dread; this had impressed frightful images upon his tender brain, +which, during the remainder of his life, he was never able wholly to +obliterate. Religious melancholy was an hereditary disorder in his +family. The education which he and his brothers had received was +calculated to produce it; and the men to whose care they were entrusted, +selected with this object, were also either enthusiasts or hypocrites. + +"To stifle all the sprightliness of the boy, by a gloomy restraint of +his mental faculties, was the only method of securing to themselves the +highest approbation of his royal parents. The whole of our prince's +childhood wore a dark and gloomy aspect; mirth was banished even from +his amusements. All his ideas of religion were accompanied by some +frightful image; and the representations of terror and severity were +those which first took hold of his lively imagination, and which the +longest retained their empire over it. His God was an object of terror, +a being whose occupation is to chastise; and the adoration he paid him +was either slavish fear, or a blind submission which stifled all his +energies. In all his youthful propensities, which a vigorous growth and +a fine constitution naturally excited to break out with the greater +violence, religion stood in his way; it opposed everything upon which +his young heart was bent; he learned to consider it not as a friend, +but as the scourge of his passions; so that a silent indignation was +gradually kindled against it in his heart, which, together with a +bigoted faith and a blind fear, produced an incongruous mixture of +feelings, and an abhorrence of a ruler before whom he trembled. + +"It is no wonder, therefore, that he took the first opportunity of +escaping from so galling a yoke--but he fled from it as a bond-slave +who, escaping from his rigorous master, drags along with him a sense of +his servitude, even in the midst of freedom; for, as he did not renounce +the faith of his earlier years from a deliberate conviction, and did not +wait till the maturity and improvement of his reasoning had weaned him +from it, but escaped from it like a fugitive, upon whose person the +rights of his master are still in force, so was he obliged, even after +his widest separation, to return to it at last. He had escaped with his +chain, and for that reason must necessarily become the prey of any one +who should discover it, and know how to make use of the discovery. That +such a one presented himself, the sequel of this history will prove; +most likely the reader has already surmised it. + +"The confessions of the Sicilian left a deeper impression upon his mind +than they ought, considering the circumstances; and the small victory +which his reason had thence gained over this weak imposture, remarkably +increased his reliance upon his own powers. The facility with which he +had been able to unravel this deception appeared to have surprised him. +Truth and error were not yet so accurately distinguished from each other +in his mind but that he often mistook the arguments which were in favor +of the one for those in favor of the other. Thence it arose that the +same blow which destroyed his faith in wonders made the whole edifice of +it totter. In this instance, he fell into the same error as an +inexperienced man who has been deceived in love or friendship, because +he happened to make a bad choice, and who denies the existence of these +sensations, because he takes the occasional exceptions for +distinguishing features. The unmasking of a deception made even truth +suspicious to him, because he had unfortunately discovered truth by +false reasoning. + +"This imaginary triumph pleased him in proportion to the magnitude of +the oppression from which it seemed to deliver him. From this instant +there arose in his mind a scepticism which did not spare even the most +sacred objects. + +"Many circumstances concurred to encourage, and still more to confirm, +him in this turn of mind. He now quitted the retirement in which he had +hitherto lived, and gave way to a more dissipated mode of life. His +rank was discovered; attentions which he was obliged to return, +etiquettes for which he was indebted to his rank, drew him imperceptibly +within the vortex of the great world. His rank, as well as his personal +attractions, opened to him the circles of all the beaux esprits in +Venice, and he soon found himself on terms of intimacy with the most +enlightened persons in the republic, men of learning as well as +politicians. This obliged him to en large the monotonous and limited +circle to which his understanding had hitherto been confined. He began +to perceive the poverty and feebleness of his ideas, and to feel the +want of more elevated impressions. The old-fashioned turn of his +understanding, in spite of the many advantages with which it was +accompanied, formed an unpleasing contrast with the current ideas of +society; his ignorance of the commonest things frequently exposed him to +ridicule, than which he dreaded nothing more. The unfortunate prejudice +which attached to his native country appeared to him a challenge to +overcome it in his own person. Besides this, there was a peculiarity in +his character; he was offended with every attention that he thought was +paid him on account of his rank rather than his personal qualities. He +felt this humiliation principally in the company of persons who shone by +their abilities, and triumphed, as it were, over their birth by their +merit. To perceive himself distinguished as a prince, in such a +society, was always a deep humiliation to him, because he unfortunately +fancied himself excluded by his rank from all competition. These +circumstances convinced him of the necessity of cultivating his mind, +in order to raise it to a level with the thinking part of the world, +from which he had hitherto been so separated; and for that purpose he +chose the most modern books, and applied himself to them with all the +ardor with which he was accustomed to pursue every object to which he +devoted himself. But the unskilful hand that directed his choice always +prompted him to select such as were little calculated to improve either +his heart or his reason; besides that, he was influenced by a propensity +which rendered everything irresistible which was incomprehensible. He +had neither attention nor memory for anything that was not of that +character, and both his reason and his heart remained untouched, while +he was filling the vacuities of his brain with confused ideas. The +dazzling style of some writers captivated his imagination, while the +subtlety of others ensnared his reason. Together, they easily took +possession of a mind which became the prey of whatever was obtruded upon +it with a certain degree of dogmatism. A course of reading, which had +been continued with ardor for more than a year, had scarcely enriched +him with one benevolent idea, but had filled his head with doubts, +which, as a natural consequence with such a character, had almost found +an unfortunate road to his heart. In a word, he had entered this +labyrinth as a credulous enthusiast, had left it as a sceptic, and at +length became a perfect free-thinker. + +"Among the circles into which he had been introduced there was a private +society called the Bucentauro, which, under the mask of a noble and +rational liberality of sentiment, encouraged the most unbridled +licentiousness of manners and opinion. As it enumerated many of the +clergy among its members, and could even boast of some cardinals at its +head, the prince was the more easily induced to join it. He thought +that certain dangerous truths, which reason discovers, could be nowhere +better preserved than in the hands of such persons, whose rank compelled +them to moderation, and who had the advantage of hearing and examining +the other side of the question. The prince did not recollect that +licentiousness of sentiment and manners takes so much the stronger hold +among persons of this rank, inasmuch as they for that reason feel one +curb less; and this was the case with the Bucentauro, most of whose +members, through an execrable philosophy, and manners worthy of such a +guide, were not only a disgrace to their own rank, but even to human +nature itself. The society had its secret degrees; and I will believe, +for the credit of the prince, that they never thought him worthy of +admission into the inmost sanctuary. Every one who entered this society +was obliged, at least so long as he continued to be a member of it, to +lay aside all distinctions arising from rank, nation, or religion, in +short, every general mark or distinction whatever, and to submit himself +to the condition of universal equality. To be elected a member was +indeed a difficult matter, as superiority of understanding alone paved +the way to it. The society boasted of the highest ton and the most +cultivated taste, and such indeed was its fame throughout all Venice. +This, as well as the appearance of equality which predominated in it, +attracted the prince irresistibly. Sensible conversations, set off by +the most admirable humor, instructive amusements, and the flower of the +learned and political world, which were all attracted to this point as +to their common centre, concealed from him for a long time the danger +of this connection. As he by degrees discovered through its mask the +spirit of the institution, as they grew tired of being any longer on +their guard before him, to recede was dangerous, and false shame and +anxiety for his safety obliged him to conceal the displeasure he felt. +But he already began, merely from familiarity with men of this class and +their sentiments, though they did not excite him to imitation, to lose +the pure and charming simplicity of his character, and the delicacy of +his moral feelings. His understanding, supported by real knowledge, +could not without foreign assistance solve the fallacious sophisms with +which he had been here ensnared; and this fatal poison had already +destroyed all, or nearly all, the basis on which his morality rested. +He surrendered the natural and indispensable safeguards of his happiness +for sophisms which deserted him at the critical moment, and he was +consequently left to the operation of any specious argument which came +in his way. + +"Perhaps the hand of a friend might yet have been in time to extricate +him from this abyss; but, besides that I did not become acquainted with +the real character of the Bucentauro till long after the evil had taken +place, an urgent circumstance called me away from Venice just at the +beginning of this period. Lord Seymour, too, a valuable acquaintance of +the prince, whose cool understanding was proof against every species of +deception, and who would have infallibly been a secure support to him, +left us at this time in order to return to his native country. Those in +whose hands I left the prince were indeed worthy men, but inexperienced, +excessively narrow in their religious opinions, deficient in their +perception of the evil, and wanting in credit with the prince. They had +nothing to oppose to his captious sophisms except the maxims of a blind +and uninquiring faith, which either irritated him or excited his +ridicule. He saw through them too easily, and his superior reason soon +silenced those weak defenders of the good cause, as will be clearly +evinced from an instance which I shall introduce in the sequel. Those +who, subsequent to this, possessed themselves of his confidence, were +much more interested in plunging him deeper into error. When I returned +to Venice in the following year how great a change had already taken +place in everything! + +"The influence of this new philosophy soon showed itself in the prince's +conduct. The more openly he pursued pleasure, and acquired new friends, +the more did he lose in the estimation of his old ones. He pleased me +less and less every day; we saw each other more seldom, and indeed he +was seldom accessible. He had launched out into the torrent of the +great world. His threshold was eternally thronged when he was at home. +Amusements, banquets, and galas followed each other in rapid succession. +He was the idol whom every one courted, the great attraction of every +circle. In proportion as he, in his secluded life, had fancied living +in society to be difficult, did he to his astonishment find it easy. +Everything met his wishes. Whatever he uttered was admirable, and when +he remained silent it was like committing a robbery upon the company. +They understood the art of drawing his thoughts insensibly from his +soul, and then with a little delicate management to surprise him with +them. This happiness, which accompanied him everywhere, and this +universal success, raised him indeed too much in his own ideas, because +it gave him too much confidence and too much reliance upon himself. + +"The heightened opinion which he thus acquired of his own worth made him +credit the excessive and almost idolatrous adoration that was paid to +his understanding; which but for this increased self-complacency, must +have necessarily recalled him from his aberrations. For the present, +however, this universal voice was only a confirmation of what his +complacent vanity whispered in his ear; a tribute which he felt entitled +to by right. He would have infallibly disengaged himself from this +snare had they allowed him to take breath; had they granted him a moment +of uninterrupted leisure to compare his real merit with the picture that +was exhibited to him in this seducing mirror; but his existence was a +continued state of intoxication, a whirl of excitement. The higher he +had been elevated the more difficulty had he to support himself in his +elevation. This incessant exertion slowly undermined him; rest had +forsaken even his slumbers. His weakness had been discovered, and the +passion kindled in his breast turned to good account. + +"His worthy attendants soon found to their cost that their lord had +become a wit. That anxious sensibility, those glorious truths which his +heart once embraced with the greatest enthusiasm, now began to be the +objects of his ridicule. He revenged himself on the great truths of +religion for the oppression which he had so long suffered from +misconception. But, since from too true a voice his heart combated the +intoxication of his head, there was more of acrimony than of humor in +his jests. His disposition began to alter, and caprice to exhibit +itself. The most beautiful ornament of his character, his modesty, +vanished; parasites had poisoned his excellent heart. That tender +delicacy of address which frequently made his attendants forget that he +was their lord, now gave place to a decisive and despotic tone, which +made the more sensible impression, because it was not founded upon +distinction of rank, for the want of which they could have consoled +themselves, but upon an arrogant estimation of his own superior merit. +When at home he was attacked by reflections that seldom made their +appearance in the bustle of company; his own people scarcely ever saw +him otherwise than gloomy, peevish, and unhappy, whilst elsewhere a +forced vivacity made him the soul of every circle. With the sincerest +sorrow did we behold him treading this dangerous path, but in the vortex +in which he was involved the feeble voice of friendship was no longer +heard, and he was too much intoxicated to understand it. + +"Just at the beginning of this epoch an affair of the greatest +consequence required my presence in the court of my sovereign, which +I dared not postpone even for the dearest interests of friendship. +An invisible hand, the agency of which I did not discover till long +afterwards, had contrived to derange my affairs, and to spread reports +concerning me which I was obliged to contradict by my presence. The +parting from the prince was painful to me, but did not affect him. The +ties which united us had been severed for some time, but his fate had +awakened all my anxiety. I, on that account, prevailed on Baron von +F------ to inform me by letter of every event, which he has done in the +most conscientious manner. As I was for a considerable time no longer +an eye-witness of these events, it will be allowable for me to introduce +the Baron von F------ in my stead, and to fill up the gap in my +narrative by the contents of his letters. Notwithstanding that the +representation of my friend F------ is not always what I should have +given, I would not alter any of his expressions, so that the reader will +be enabled to discover the truth with very little trouble." + + + + +LETTER I. + +BARON VON F----- TO COUNT VON O---------. + +May 17. + +I thank you, my most honored friend, for the permission you have given +me to continue in your absence that confidential intercourse with you, +which during your stay here formed my great pleasure. You must be aware +that there is no one here with whom I can venture to open my heart on +certain private matters. Whatever you may urge to the contrary, I +detest the people here. Since the prince has become one of them, and +since we have lost your society, I feel solitary in the midst of this +populous city. Z------ takes it less to heart, and the fair ones of +Venice manage to make him forget the mortifications he is compelled to +share with me at home. And why should he make himself unhappy? He +desires nothing more in the prince than a master, whom he could also +find elsewhere. But I!--you know how deep an interest I feel in our +prince's weal and woe, and how much cause I have for doing so; I have +now lived with him sixteen years, and seem to exist only for his sake. +As a boy of nine years old I first entered his service, and since that +time we have never been separated. I have grown up under his eye--a +long intercourse has insensibly attached me more and more to him--I have +borne a part in all his adventures, great and small. Until this last +unhappy year I had been accustomed to look upon him in the light of a +friend, or of an elder brother--I have basked in his smile as in the +sunshine of a summer's day--no cloud hung over my happiness!--and all +this must now go to ruin in this unlucky Venice! + +Since your departure several changes have taken place in our +establishment. The Prince of --d----- arrived here last week, with a +numerous and brilliant retinue, and has caused a new and tumultuous life +in our circle. As he is so nearly related to our prince, and as they +are moreover at present upon pretty good terms, they will be very little +apart during his sojourn, which I hear is to last until after the feast +of the Ascension. A good beginning has already been made; for the last +ten days our prince has hardly had time to breathe. The Prince of +--d---- has all along been living in a very expensive way, which was +excusable in him, as he will soon take his departure; but the worst of +the business is that he has inoculated our prince with his extravagance, +because he could not well withdraw himself from his company, and, in the +peculiar relation which exists between the two houses, thought it +incumbent upon himself to assert the dignity of his own. We shall, +moreover, depart from Venice in a few weeks, which will relieve the +prince from the necessity of continuing for any length of time this +extraordinary expenditure. + +The Prince of --d-----, it is reported, is here on business of the +Order, in which he imagines that he plays an important part. That he +has taken advantage of all the acquaintances of our prince you may +readily imagine. He has been introduced with distinguished honor into +the society of the Bucentauro, as he is pleased to consider himself a +wit, and a man of great genius, and allows himself to be styled in his +correspondences, which he keeps up throughout all parts of the world, +the "prince philosophique." I do not know whether you have ever had the +pleasure of meeting him. He displays a promising exterior, piercing +eyes, a countenance full of expression, much show of reading, much +acquired naturalness (if I may be allowed the expression), joined to a +princely condescension towards the human race, a large amount of +confidence in himself, and an eloquence which talks down all opposition. +Who could refuse to pay homage to such splendid qualities in a "Royal +Highness?" But to what advantage the quiet and sterling worth of our +prince will appear, when contrasted with these dazzling accomplishments, +the event must show. + +In the arrangement of our establishment, various and important changes +have taken place. We have rented a new and magnificent house opposite +the new Procuracy, because the lodging at the Moor Hotel became too +confined for the prince. Our suite has been augmented by twelve +persons, pages, Moors, guards, etc. During your stay here you +complained of unnecessary expense--you should see us now! + +Our internal arrangements remain the same as of old, except that the +prince, no longer held in check by your presence, is, if possible, more +reserved and distant towards us than ever; we see very little of him, +except while dressing or undressing him. Under the pretext that we +speak the French language very badly, and the Italian not at all, he has +found means to exclude us from most of his entertainments, which to me +personally is not a very great grievance; but I believe I know the true +reason of it--he is ashamed of us; and this hurts me, for we have not +deserved it of him. + +As you wish to know all our minor affairs, I must tell you, that of all +his attendants, the prince almost exclusively employs Biondello, whom he +took into his service, as you will recollect, on the disappearance of +his huntsman, and who, in his new mode of life, has become quite +indispensable to him. This man knows Venice thoroughly, and turns +everything to some account. It is as though he had a thousand eyes, +and could set a thousand hands in motion at once. This he accomplishes, +as he says, by the help of the gondoliers. To the prince he renders +himself very useful by making him acquainted with all the strange faces +that present themselves at his assemblies, and the private information +he gives his highness has always proved to be correct. Besides this, +he speaks and writes both Italian and French excellently, and has in +consequence already risen to be the prince's secretary. I must, +however, relate to you an instance of fidelity in him which is rarely +found among people of his station. The other day a merchant of good +standing from Rimini requested an audience of the prince. The object +of his visit was an extraordinary complaint concerning Biondello. The +procurator, his former master, who must have been rather an odd fellow, +had lived in irreconcilable enmity with his relations; this enmity he +wished if possible to continue even after his death. Biondello +possessed his entire confidence, and was the repository of all his +secrets; while on his deathbed he obliged him to swear that he would +keep them inviolably, and would never disclose them for the benefit of +his relations; a handsome legacy was to be the reward of his silence. +When the deceased procurator's will was opened and his papers inspected, +many blanks and irregularities were found to which Biondello alone could +furnish a key. He persisted in denying that he knew anything about it, +gave up his very handsome legacy to the heirs, and kept his secrets to +himself. Large offers were made to him by the relations, but all in +vain; at length, in order to escape from their importunities and their +threats of legally prosecuting him he entered the service of the prince. +The merchant, who was the chief heir, now applied to the prince, and +made larger offers than, before if Biondello would alter his +determination. But even the persuasions of the prince were fruitless. +He admitted that secrets of consequence had really been confided to him; +he did not deny that the deceased had perhaps carried his enmity towards +his relations too far; but, added he, he was my dear master and +benefactor, and died with a firm belief in my integrity. I was the only +friend he had left in the world, and will therefore never prove myself +unworthy of his confidence. At the same time he hinted that the avowals +they wished him to make would not tend to the honor of the deceased. +Was not that acting nobly and delicately? You may easily imagine that +the prince did not renew his endeavors to shake so praiseworthy a +determination. The extraordinary fidelity which he has shown towards +his deceased master has procured him the unlimited confidence of his +present one! + +Farewell, my dear friend. How I sigh for the quiet life we led when +first you came amongst us, for the stillness of which your society so +agreeably indemnified us. I fear my happy days in Venice are over, and +shall be glad if the same remark does not also apply to the prince. The +element in which he now lives is not calculated to render him +permanently happy, or my sixteen years' experience has deceived me. + + + + +LETTER II. + +BARON VON F---- TO COUNT VON O------ +June 4. + +I should never have thought that our stay at Venice would have been +productive of any good consequences. It has been the means of saving a +man's life, and I am reconciled to it. + +Some few evenings ago the prince was being carried home late at night +from the Bucentauro; two domestics, of whom Biondello was one, +accompanied him. By some accident it happened that the sedan, which had +been hired in haste, broke down, and the prince was obliged to proceed +the remainder of the way-on foot. Biondello walked in front; their +course lay through several dark, retired streets, and, as daybreak was +at hand, the lamps were either burning dimly or had gone out altogether. +They had proceeded about a quarter of an hour when Biondello discovered +that he had lost his way. The similarity of the bridges had deceived +him, and, instead of crossing that of St. Mark, they found themselves in +Sestiere di Castello. It was in a by-street, and not a soul was +stirring; they were obliged to turn back in order to gain a main street +by which to set themselves right. They had proceeded but a few paces +when they heard cries of "murder" in a neighboring street. With his +usual determined courage, the prince, unarmed as he was, snatched a +stick from one of his attendants, and rushed forward in the direction +whence the sound came. Three ruffianly-looking fellows were just about +to assassinate a man, who with his companion was feebly defending +himself; the prince appeared just in time to arrest the fatal blow. The +voices of the prince and his followers alarmed the murderers, who did +not expect any interruption in so lonely a place; after inflicting a few +slight wounds with their daggers, they abandoned their victim and took +to their heels. Exhausted with the unequal combat, the wounded man sunk +half fainting into the arms of the prince; his companion informed my +master that the man whose life he had saved was the Marquis Civitella, +a nephew of the Cardinal A------. As the marquis' wounds bled freely, +Biondello acted as surgeon to the best of his ability, and the prince +took care to have him conveyed to the palace of his uncle, which was +near at hand, and whither he himself accompanied him. This done, he +left the house without revealing his name. + +This, however, was discovered by a servant who had recognized Biondello. +Already on the following morning the cardinal, an old acquaintance from +the Bucentauro, waited upon the prince. The interview lasted an hour; +the cardinal was much moved; tears stood in his eyes when they parted; +the prince, too, was affected. The same evening a visit was paid to the +sick man, of whose case the surgeon gives a very favorable report; the +mantle in which he was wrapped had rendered the thrusts unsteady, and +weakened their force. Since this event not a day has passed without the +prince's paying a visit at the cardinal's, or receiving one from him, +and a close intimacy has begun to exist between him and the cardinal's +family. + +The cardinal is a venerable man of sixty, with a majestic aspect, but +full of gayety and good health. He is said to be the richest prelate +throughout all the dominions of the republic. He is reported to manage +his immense fortune in a very liberal manner, and, although prudently +economical, to despise none of the joys of this life. This nephew, who +is his sole heir, is not always on the best of terms with his uncle. +For, although the cardinal is anything but an enemy to youthful +pleasures, the conduct of the nephew must exhaust the utmost tolerance. +His loose principles and dissipated manner of living, aided unhappily by +all the attractions which can make vice tempting and excite sensuality, +have rendered him the terror of all fathers and the bane of all +husbands; this last attack also was said to have been caused by an +intrigue he had begun with the wife of the ambassador, without speaking +of other serious broils from which the power and the money of the +cardinal could scarcely extricate him. But for this the cardinal would +be the happiest man in Italy, for he possesses everything that can make +life agreeable; but by this one domestic misfortune all the gifts of +fortune are annulled, and the enjoyment of his wealth is embittered to +the cardinal by the continual fear of finding nobody to inherit it. + +The whole of this information I have obtained from Biondello. The +prince has found in this man a real treasure. Every day he becomes more +indispensable, and we are continually discovering in him some new +talent. Some days ago the prince felt feverish and could not sleep; the +night-lamp was extinguished, and all his ringing failed to arouse the +valet-de-chambre, who had gone to sleep out of the house with an +opera-dancer. At length the prince determined to rise himself, and to +rouse one of his people. He had not proceeded far when a strain of +delicious melody met his ear. Like one enchanted, he followed the sound, +and found Biondello in his room playing upon the flute, with his +fellow-servants assembled around him. The prince could hardly believe his +senses, and commanded him to proceed. With a surprising degree of +facility he began to vary a touching adagio air with some fine extempore +variations, which he executed with all the taste of a virtuoso. The +prince, who, as you know, is a judge of music, says that he might play +with confidence in the finest choir in Italy. + +"I must dismiss this man," said he to me next morning, "for I am unable +to reward him according to his merits." Biondello, who had overheard +these words, came forward, "If you dismiss me, gracious prince," said +he, "you deprive me of my best reward." + +"You are born to something better than to serve," answered my master. +"I must not stand in the way of your fortune." + +"Do not press upon me any better fortune, gracious sir, than that which +I have chosen for myself." + +"To neglect talent like yours--No! I can never permit it." + +"Then permit me, gracious sir, sometimes to exercise it in your +presence." + +Preparations were immediately made for carrying this proposition into +effect. Biondello had a room assigned to him next the apartment of the +prince, so that he can lull him to sleep with his strains, and wake him +in the same manner. The prince wished to double his salary, but +Biondello declined, requesting that this intended boon should be +retained in his master's hands as a capital of which he might some day +wish to avail himself. The prince expects that he will soon come to ask +a favor at his hands; and whatever it may be it is granted beforehand. +Farewell, dearest friend. I am waiting with impatience for tidings from +K-----n. + + + + +LETTER III. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +June 4. + +The Marquis of Civitella, who is now entirely recovered from his wounds, +was last week introduced to the prince by his uncle, the cardinal, and +since then he has followed him like his shadow. Biondello cannot have +told me the truth respecting this marquis, or at any rate his account +must be greatly exaggerated. His mien is highly engaging, and his +manners irresistibly winning. + +It is impossible to be out of humor with him; the first sight of him +has disarmed me. Imagine a man of the most enchanting figure, with +corresponding grace and dignity, a countenance full of thought and +genius, an expression frank and inviting; a persuasive tone of voice, +the most flowing eloquence, and a glow of youthful beauty, joined to all +the advantages of a most liberal education. He has none of that +contemptuous pride, none of that solemn starchness, which we disliked so +much in all the other nobles. His whole being is redolent of youthful +joyousness, benevolence, and warmth of feeling. His excesses must have +been much exaggerated; I never saw a more perfect picture of health. If +he is really so wholly abandoned as Biondello represents him he is a +syren whom none can resist. + +Towards me he behaved with much frankness. He confessed with the most +pleasing sincerity that he was by no means on the best of terms with his +uncle, the cardinal, and that it was his own fault. But he was +seriously resolved to amend his life, and the merit would be entirely +the prince's. At the same time he hoped through his instrumentality to +be reconciled to his uncle, as the prince's influence with the cardinal +was unbounded. The only thing he had wanted till now was a friend and a +guide, and he trusted he should find both in the person of the prince. + +The prince has now assumed the authority of a preceptor towards him, and +treats him with all the watchfulness fulness and strictness of a Mentor. +But this intimacy also gives the marquis a certain degree of influence, +of which he well knows how to avail himself. He hardly stirs from his +side; he is present at all parties where the prince is one of the +guests; for the Bucentauro alone he is fortunately as yet too young. +Wherever be appears in public with the prince he manages to draw him +away from the rest of the company by the pleasing manner in which he +engages him in conversation and arrests his attention. Nobody, they +say, has yet been able to reclaim him, and the prince will deserve to +be immortalized in an epic should he accomplish such an Herculean task. +I am much afraid, however, that the tables may be turned, and the guide +be led away by the pupil, of which, in fact, there seems to be every +prospect. + +The Prince of ---d------ has taken his departure, much to the +satisfaction of us all, my master not excepted. What I predicted, my +dear O-----, has come to pass. Two characters so widely opposed must +inevitably clash together, and cannot maintain a good understanding for +any length of time. The Prince of ---d------ had not been long in +Venice before a terrible schism took place in the intellectual world, +which threatened to deprive our prince of one-half of his admirers. +Wherever he went he was crossed by this rival, who possessed exactly +the requisite amount of small cunning to avail himself of every little +advantage he gained. As he besides never scrupled to make use of any +petty manoeuvres to increase his consequence, he in a short time drew +all the weak-minded of the community on his side, and shone at the head +of a company of parasites worthy of such a leader. + + [The harsh judgment which Baron F----- (both here and in some + passages of his first letter) pronounces upon this talented prince + will be found exaggerated by every one who has the good fortune to + be acquainted with him, and must be attributed to the prejudiced + views of the young observer.--Note of the Count von O------.] + +The wiser course would certainly have been not to enter into competition +at all with an adversary of this description, and a few months back this +is the part which the prince would have taken. But now he has launched +too far into the stream easily to regain the shore. These trifles have, +perhaps by the circumstances in which he is placed, acquired a certain +degree of importance in his eyes, and had he even despised them his +pride would not have allowed him to retire at a moment when his yielding +would have been looked upon less as a voluntary act than as a confession +of inferiority. Added to this, an unlucky revival of forgotten +satirical speeches had taken place, and the spirit of rivalry which took +possession of his followers had affected the prince himself. In order, +therefore, to maintain that position in society which public opinion had +now assigned him, he deemed it advisable to seize every possible +opportunity of display, and of increasing the number of his admirers; +but this could only be effected by the most princely expenditure; +he was therefore eternally giving feasts, entertainments, and expensive +concerts, making costly presents, and playing high. As this strange +madness, moreover, had also infected the prince's retinue, who are +generally much more punctilious in respect to what they deem "the honor +of the family" than their masters, the prince was obliged to assist the +zeal of his followers by his liberality. Here, then, is a whole +catalogue of ills, all irremediable consequences of a sufficiently +excusable weakness to which the prince in an unguarded moment gave way. + +We have, it is true, got rid of our rival, but the harm he has done will +not so soon be remedied. The finances of the prince are exhausted; all +that he had saved by the wise economy of years is spent; and he must +hasten from Venice if he would escape plunging into debt, which till now +he has most scrupulously avoided. It is decisively settled that we +leave as soon as fresh remittances arrive. + +I should not have minded all this splendor if the prince had but reaped +the least real satisfaction from it. But he was never less happy than +at present. He feels that he is not what he formerly was; he seeks to +regain his self-respect; he is dissatisfied with himself, and launches +into fresh dissipation in order to drown the recollection of the last. +One new acquaintance follows another, and each involves him more deeply. +I know not where this will end. We must away--there is no other chance +of safety--we must away from Venice. + +But, my dear friend, I have not yet received a single line from you. +How am I to interpret this long and obstinate silence? + + + + +LETTER IV. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. +June 12. + +I thank you, my dear friend, for the token of your remembrance which +young B---hl brought me. But what is it you say about letters I ought +to have received? I have received no letter from you; not a single one. +What a circuitous route must they have taken. In future, dear O------, +when you honor me with an epistle despatch it via Trent, under cover to +the prince, my master. + +We have at length been compelled, my dear friend, to resort to a measure +which till now we had so happily avoided. Our remittances have failed +to arrive--failed, for the first time, in this pressing emergency, and +we have been obliged to have recourse to a usurer, as the prince is +willing to pay handsomely to keep the affair secret. The worst of this +disagreeable occurrence is, that it retards our departure. On this +affair the prince and I have had an explanation. The whole transaction +had been arranged by Biondello, and the son of Israel was there before I +had any suspicion of the fact. It grieved me to the heart to see the +prince reduced to such an extremity, and revived all my recollections of +the past, and fears for the future; and I suppose I may have looked +rather sorrowful and gloomy when the usurer left the room. The prince, +whom the foregoing scene had left in not the happiest frame of mind, was +pacing angrily up and down the room; the rouleaus of gold were still +lying on the table; I stood at the window, counting the panes of glass +in the procurator's house opposite. There was a long pause. At length +the prince broke silence. "F------!" he began, "I cannot bear to see +dismal faces about me." + +I remained silent. + +"Why do you not answer me? Do I not perceive that your heart is almost +bursting to vent some of its vexation? I insist on your speaking, +otherwise you will begin to fancy that you are keeping some terribly +momentous secret." + +"If I am gloomy, gracious sir," replied I, "it is only because I do not +see you cheerful." + +"I know," continued he, "that you have been dissatisfied with me for +some time past--that you disapprove of every step I take--that--what +does Count O------ say in his letters?" + +"Count O------ has not written to me." + +"Not written? Why do you deny it? You keep up a confidential +correspondence together, you and the count; I am quite aware of that. +Come, you may confess it, for I have no wish to pry into your secrets." + +"Count O------," replied I, "has not yet answered any of the three +letters which I have written to him." + +"I have done wrong," continued he; "don't you think so?" (taking up one +of the rouleaus) "I should not have done this?" + +"I see that it was necessary." + +"I ought not to have reduced myself to such a necessity?" + +I did not answer. + +"Oh, of course! I ought never to have indulged my wishes, but have +grown gray in the same dull manner in which I was brought up! Because I +once venture a step beyond the drear monotony of my past life, and look +around me to see whether there be not some new source of enjoyment in +store for me--because I--" + +"If it was but a trial, gracious sir, I have no more to say; for the +experience you have gained would not be dearly bought at three times the +price it has cost. It grieves me, I confess, to think that the opinion +of the world should be concerned in determining the question--how are +you to choose your own happiness." + +"It is well for you that you can afford to despise the world's opinion," +replied he, "I am its creature, I must be its slave. What are we +princes but opinion? With us it is everything. Public opinion is our +nurse and preceptor in infancy, our oracle and idol in riper years, our +staff in old age. Take from us what we derive from the opinion of the +world, and the poorest of the humblest class is in a better position +than we, for his fate has taught him a lesson of philosophy which +enables him to bear it. But a prince who laughs at the world's opinion +destroys himself, like the priest who denies the existence of a God." + +"And yet, gracious prince--" + +"I see what you would say; I can break through the circle which my birth +has drawn around me. But can I also eradicate from my memory all the +false impressions which education and early habit have implanted, and +which a hundred thousand fools have been continually laboring to impress +more and more firmly? Everybody naturally wishes to be what he is in +perfection; in short, the whole aim of a prince's existence is to appear +happy. If we cannot be happy after your fashion, is that any reason why +we should discard all other means of happiness, and not be happy at all? +If we cannot drink of joy pure from the fountain-head, can there be any +reason why we should not beguile ourselves with artificial pleasure-- +nay, even be content to accept a sorry substitute from the very hand +that robs us of the higher boon?" + +"You were wont to look for this compensation in your own heart." + +"But if I no longer find it there? Oh, how came we to fall on this +subject? Why did you revive these recollections in me? I had recourse +to this tumult of the senses in order to stifle an inward voice which +embitters my whole life; in order to lull to rest this inquisitive +reason, which, like a sharp sickle, moves to and fro in my brain, at +each new research lopping off another branch of my happiness." + +"My dearest prince"--He had risen, and was pacing up and down the room +in unusual agitation. + + [I have endeavored, dearest O------, to relate to you this + remarkable conversation exactly as it occurred; but this I found + impossible, although I sat down to write it the evening of the day + it took place. In order to assist my memory I was obliged to + transpose the observation of the prince, and thus this compound of + a conversation and a philosophical lecture, which is in some + respects better and in others worse than the source from which I + took it, arose; but I assure you that I have rather omitted some of + the prince's words than ascribed to him any of my own; all that is + mine is the arrangement, and a few observations, whose ownership + you will easily recognize by their stupidity.--Note of the Baron + von F------] + +"When everything gives way before me and behind me; when the past lies +in the distance in dreary monotony, like a city of the dead; when the +future offers me naught; when I see my whole being enclosed within the +narrow circle of the present, who can blame me if I clasp this niggardly +present of time in my arms with fiery eagerness, as though it were a +friend whom I was embracing for the last time? Oh, I have learnt to +value the present moment. The present moment is our mother; let us love +it as such." + +"Gracious sir, you were wont to believe in a more lasting good." + +"Do but make the enchantment last and fervently will I embrace it. But +what pleasure can it give to me to render beings happy who to-morrow +will have passed away like myself? Is not everything passing away +around me? Each one bustles and pushes his neighbor aside hastily to +catch a few drops from the fountain of life, and then departs thirsting. +At this very moment, while I am rejoicing in lily strength, some being +is waiting to start into life at my dissolution. Show me one being who +will endure, and I will become a virtuous man." + +"But what, then, has become of those benevolent sentiments which used to +be the joy and the rule of your life? To sow seeds for the future, to +assist in carrying out the designs of a high and eternal Providence"-- + +"Future! Eternal Providence! If you take away from man all that he +derives from his own heart, all that he associates with the idea of a +godhead, and all that belongs to the law of nature, what, then, do you +leave him? + +"What has already happened to me, and what may still follow, I look upon +as two black, impenetrable curtains hanging over the two extremities of +human life, and which no mortal has ever yet drawn aside. Many hundred +generations have stood before the second of these curtains, casting the +light of their torches upon its folds, speculating and guessing as to +what it may conceal. Many have beheld themselves, in the magnified +image of their passions, reflected upon the curtain which hides futurity +from their gaze, and have turned away shuddering from their own shadows. +Poets, philosophers, and statesmen have painted their fancies on the +curtain in brighter or more sombre colors, according as their own +prospects were bright or gloomy. Many a juggler has also taken +advantage of the universal curiosity, and by well-managed deceptions +led astray the excited imagination. A deep silence reigns behind this +curtain; no one who passes beyond it answers any questions; all the +reply is an empty echo, like the sound yielded by a vault. + +"Sooner or later all must go behind this curtain, and they approach it +with fear and trembling, in doubt who may be waiting there behind to +receive them; _quid sit id, quod tanturn morituri vident_. There have +been infidels who asserted that this curtain only deluded mankind, and +that we saw nothing behind it, because there was nothing there to see; +but, to convince them, they were quickly sent behind it themselves." + +"It was indeed a rash conclusion," said I, "if they had no better ground +for it than that they saw nothing themselves." + +"You see, my dear friend, I am modest enough not to wish to look behind +this curtain, and the wisest course will doubtless be to abstain from +all curiosity. But while I draw this impassable circle around me, and +confine myself within the bounds of present existence, this small point +of time, which I was in danger of neglecting in useless researches, +becomes the more important to me. What you call the chief end and aim +of my existence concerns me no longer. I cannot escape my destiny; I +cannot promote its consummation; but I know, and firmly believe, that I +am here to accomplish some end, and that I do accomplish it. But the +means which nature has chosen to fulfil my destiny are so much the more +sacred to me; to me it is everything; my morality, my happiness. All +the rest I shall never learn. I am like a messenger who carries a +sealed letter to its place of destination. What the letter contains is +indifferent to him; his business is only to earn his fee for carrying +it." + +"Alas!" said I, "how poor a thing you would leave me!" + +"But in what a labyrinth have we lost ourselves!" exclaimed the prince, +looking with a smile at the table on which the rouleaus lay. "After all +perhaps not far from the mark," continued he; "you will now no doubt +understand my reasons for this new mode of life. I could not so +suddenly tear myself away from my fancied wealth, could not so readily +separate the props of my morality and happiness from the pleasing dream +with which everything within me was so closely bound up. I longed for +the frivolity which seems to render the existence of most of those about +me endurable to themselves. Everything which precluded reflection was +welcome to me. Shall I confess it to you? I wished to lower myself, in +order to destroy this source of my griefs, by deadening the power of +reflection." + +Here we were interrupted by a visit. In my next I shall have to +communicate to you a piece of news, which, from the tenor of a +conversation like the one of to-day, you would scarcely have +anticipated. + + + + +LETTER V. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. + +As the time of our departure from Venice is now approaching with rapid +steps, this week was to be devoted to seeing everything worthy of notice +in pictures and public edifices; a task which, when one intends making a +long stay in a place, is always delayed till the last moment. + +The "Marriage at Cana," by Paul Veronese, which is to be seen in a +Benedictine convent in the Island of St. George, was in particular +mentioned to us in high terms. Do not expect me to give you a +description of this extraordinary work of art, which, on the whole, +made a very surprising, but not equally pleasing, impression on me. +We should have required as many hours as we had minutes to study a +composition of one hundred and twenty figures, upon a ground thirty feet +broad. What human eye is capable of grasping so complicated a whole, or +at once to enjoy all the beauty which the artist has everywhere +lavished, upon it! It is, however, to be lamented, that a work of so +much merit, which if exhibited in some public place, would command the +admiration of every one, should be destined merely to ornament the +refectory of a few monks. The church of the monastery is no less worthy +of admiration, being one of the finest in the whole city. Towards +evening we went in a gondola to the Guidecca, in order to spend the +pleasant hours of evening in its charming garden. Our party, which was +not very numerous, soon dispersed in various directions; and Civitella, +who had been waiting all day for an opportunity of speaking to me +privately, took me aside into an arbor. + +"You are a friend to the prince," he began, "from whom he is accustomed +to keep no secrets, as I know from very good authority. As I entered +his hotel to-day I met a man coming out whose occupation is well known +to me, and when I entered the room the prince's brow was clouded." +I wished to interrupt him,--"You cannot deny it," continued he; "I knew +the man, I looked at him well. And is it possible that the prince +should have a friend in Venice--a friend who owes his life to him, and +yet be reduced on an emergency to make use of such creatures?" + +"Tell me frankly, Baron! Is the prince in difficulties? It is in vain +you strive to conceal it from me. What! you refuse to tell me! I can +easily learn from one who would sell any secret for gold." + +"My good Marquis!" + +"Pardon me! I must appear intrusive in order not to be ungrateful. +To the prince I am indebted for life, and what is still more, for a +reasonable use of it. Shall I stand idly by and see him take steps +which, besides being inconvenient to him, are beneath his dignity? +Shall I feel it in my power to assist him, and hesitate for a moment to +step forward?" + +"The prince," replied I, "is not in difficulties. Some remittances +which we expected via Trent have not yet arrived, most likely either by +accident, or because not feeling certain whether he had not already left +Venice, they waited for a communication from him. This has now been +done, and until their arrival--" + +Civitella shook his head. "Do not mistake my motive," said he; "in this +there can be no question as to diminishing the extent of my obligations +towards the prince, which all my uncle's wealth would be insufficient to +cancel. My object is simply to spare him a few unpleasant moments. My +uncle possesses a large fortune which I can command as freely as though +it were my own. A fortunate circumstance occurs, which enables me to +avail myself of the only means by which I can possibly be of the +slightest use to your master. I know," continued he, "how much delicacy +the prince possesses, but the feeling is mutual, and it would be noble +on his part to afford me this slight gratification, were it only to make +me appear to feel less heavily the load of obligation under which I +labor." + +He continued to urge his request, until I had pledged my word to assist +him to the utmost of my ability. I knew the prince's character, and had +but small hopes of success. The marquis promised to agree to any +conditions the prince might impose, but added, that it would deeply +wound him to be regarded in the light of a stranger. + +In the heat of our conversation we had strayed far away from the rest of +the company, and were returning, when Z-------- came to meet us. + +"I am in search of the prince," he cried; "is he not with you?" + +"We were just going to him," was our reply. "We thought to find him +with the rest of the party." + +"The company is all together, but he is nowhere to be found. I cannot +imagine how we lost sight of him." + +It now occurred to Civitella that he might have gone to look at the +adjoining church, which had a short time before attracted his attention. +We immediately went to look for him there. As we approached, we found +Biondello waiting in the porch. On coming nearer, we saw the prince +emerge hastily from a side door; his countenance was flushed, and he +looked anxiously round for Biondello, whom he called. He seemed to be +giving him very particular instructions for the execution of some +commission, while his eyes continued constantly fixed on the church +door, which had remained open. Biondello hastened into the church. The +prince, without perceiving us, passed through the crowd, and went back +to his party, which he reached before us. + +We resolved to sup in an open pavilion of the garden, where the marquis +had, without our knowledge, arranged a little concert, which was quite +first-rate. There was a young singer in particular, whose delicious +voice and charming figure excited general admiration. Nothing, however, +seemed to make an impression on the prince; he spoke little, and gave +confused answers to our questions; his eyes were anxiously fixed in the +direction whence he expected Biondello; and he seemed much agitated. +Civitella asked him what he thought of the church; he was unable to give +any description of it. Some beautiful pictures, which rendered the +church remarkable, were spoken of; the prince had not noticed them. We +perceived that our questions annoyed him, and therefore discontinued +them. Hour after hour rolled on and still Biondello returned not. The +prince could no longer conceal his impatience; he rose from the table, +and paced alone, with rapid strides, up and down a retired walk. Nobody +could imagine what had happened to him. I did not venture to ask him +the reason of so remarkable a change in his demeanor; I have for some +time past resigned my former place in his confidence. It was, +therefore, with the utmost impatience that I awaited the return of +Biondello to explain this riddle to me. + +It was past ten o'clock when he made his appearance. The tidings he +brought did not make the prince more communicative. He returned in an +ill-humor to the company, the gondola was ordered, and we returned. +home. + +During the remainder of that evening I could find no opportunity of +speaking to Biondello, and was, therefore, obliged to retire to my +pillow with my curiosity unsatisfied. The prince had dismissed us +early, but a thousand reflections flitted across my brain, and kept me +awake. For a long time I could hear him pacing up and down his room; at +length sleep overcame me. Late at midnight I was awakened by a voice, +and I felt a hand passed across my face; I opened my eyes, and saw the +prince standing at my bedside, with a lamp in his hand. He told me he +was unable to sleep, and begged me to keep him company through the +night. I was going to dress myself, but he told me to stay where I was, +and seated himself at my bedside. + +"Something has happened to me to-day," he began, "the impression of +which will never be effaced from my soul. I left you, as you know, to +see the church, respecting which Civitella had raised my curiosity, and +which had already attracted my attention. As neither you nor he were at +hand, I walked the short distance alone, and ordered Biondello to wait +for me at the door. The church was quite empty; a dim and solemn light +surrounded me as I entered from the blazing sultry day without. I stood +alone in the spacious building, throughout which there reigned the +stillness of the grave. I placed myself in the centre of the church, +and gave myself up to the feelings which the sight was calculated to +produce; by degrees the grand proportions of this majestic building +expanded to my gaze, and I stood wrapt in deep and pleasing +contemplation. Above me the evening bell was tolling; its tones died +softly away in the aisles, and found an echo in my heart. Some +altar-pieces at a distance attracted my attention. I approached to look +at them; unconsciously I had wandered through one side of the church, and +was now standing at the opposite end. Here a few steps, raised round a +pillar, led into a little chapel, containing several small altars, with +statues of saints in the niches above them. On entering the chapel on the +right I heard a whispering, as though some one near was speaking in a low +voice. I turned towards the spot whence the sound proceeded, and saw +before me a female form. No! I cannot describe to you the beauty of this +form. My first feeling was one of awe, which, however, soon gave place to +ravishing surprise." + +"But this figure, your highness? Are you certain that it was something +living, something real, and not perhaps a picture, or an illusion of +your fancy?" + +"Hear me further. It was a lady. Surely, till that moment, I have +never seen her sex in its full perfection! All around was sombre; the +setting sun shone through a single window into the chapel, and its rays +rested upon her figure. With inexpressible grace, half kneeling, half +lying, she was stretched before an altar; one of the most striking, most +lovely, and picturesque objects in all nature. Her dress was of black +moreen, fitting tightly to her slender waist and beautifully-formed +arms, the skirts spreading around her like a Spanish robe; her long +light-colored hair was divided into two broad plaits, which, apparently +from their own weight, had escaped from under her veil, and flowed in +charming disorder down her back. One of her hands grasped the crucifix, +and her head rested gracefully upon the other. But, where shall I find +words to describe to you the angelic beauty of her countenance, in which +the charms of a seraph seemed displayed. The setting sun shone full +upon her face, and its golden beams seemed to surround it as with a +glory. Can you recall to your mind the Madonna of our Florentine +painter? She was here personified, even to those few deviations from +the studied costume which so powerfully, so irresistibly attracted me in +the picture." + +With regard to the Madonna, of whom the prince spoke, the case is this: +Shortly after your departure he made the acquaintance of a Florentine +painter, who had been summoned to Venice to paint an altar-piece for +some church, the name of which I do not recollect. He had brought with +him three paintings, which had been intended for the gallery in the +Cornari palace. They consisted of a Madonna, a Heloise, and a Venus, +very lightly apparelled. All three were of great beauty; and, although +the subjects were quite different, they were so intrinsically equal that +it seemed almost impossible to determine which to prefer. The prince +alone did not hesitate for a moment. As soon as the pictures were +placed before him the Madonna absorbed his whole attention; in the two +others he admired the painter's genius; but in this he forgot the artist +and his art, his whole soul being absorbed in the contemplation of the +work. He was quite moved, and could scarcely tear himself away from it. +We could easily see by the artist's countenance that in his heart he +coincided with the prince's judgment; he obstinately refused to separate +the pictures, and demanded fifteen hundred zechins for the three. The +prince offered him half that sum for the Madonna alone, but in vain. +The artist insisted on his first demand, and who knows what might have +been the result if a ready purchaser had not stepped forward. + +Two hours afterwards all three pictures were sold, and we never saw them +again. It was this Madonna which now recurred to the prince's mind. + +"I stood," continued he, "gazing at her in silent admiration. She did +not observe me; my arrival did not disturb her, so completely was she +absorbed in her devotion. She prayed to her Deity, and I prayed to her +--yes, I adored her! All the pictures of saints, all the altars and the +burning tapers around me had failed to remind me of what now for the +first time burst upon me, that I was in a sacred place. Shall I confess +it to you? In that moment I believed firmly in Him whose image was +clasped in her beautiful hand. I read in her eyes that he answered her +prayers. Thanks be to her charming devotion, it had revealed him to me. +I wandered with her through all the paradise of prayer. + +"She rose, and I recollected myself. I stepped aside confused; but the +noise I made in moving discovered me. I thought that the unexpected +presence of a man might alarm, that my boldness would offend her; but +neither of these feelings were expressed in the look with which she +regarded me. Peace, benign peace, was portrayed in her countenance, and +a cheerful smile played upon her lips. She was descending from her +heaven; and I was the first happy mortal who met her benevolent look. +Her mind was still wrapt in her concluding prayer; she had not yet come +in contact with earth. + +"I now heard something stir in the opposite corner of the chapel. It +was an elderly lady, who rose from a cushion close behind me. Till now +I had not observed her. She had been distant only a few steps from me. +and must have seen my every motion. This confused me. I cast my eyes +to the earth, and both the ladies passed by me." + +On this last point I thought myself able to console the prince. + +"Strange," continued he, after a long silence, "that there should be +something which one has never known--never missed; and that yet on a +sudden one should seem to live and breathe for that alone. Can one +single moment so completely metamorphose a human being? It would now be +as impossible for me to indulge in the wishes or enjoy the pleasures of +yesterday as it would be to return to the toys of my childhood, and all +this since I have seen this object which lives and rules in the inmost +recesses of my soul. It seems to say that I can love nothing else, and +that nothing else in this world can produce an impression on me." + +"But consider, gracious prince," said I, "the excitable mood you were in +when this apparition surprised you, and how all the circumstances +conspired to inflame your imagination. Quitting the dazzling light of +day and the busy throng of men, you were suddenly surrounded by twilight +and repose. You confess that you had quite given yourself up to those +solemn emotions which the majesty of the place was calculated to awaken; +the contemplation of fine works of art had rendered you more susceptible +to the impressions of beauty in any form. You supposed yourself alone-- +when you saw a maiden who, I will readily allow, may have been very +beautiful, and whose charms were heightened by a favorable illumination +of the setting sun, a graceful attitude, and an expression of fervent +devotion--what is more natural than that your vivid fancy should look +upon such a form as something supernaturally perfect?" + +"Can the imagination give what it never received?" replied he. "In the +whole range of my fancy there is nothing which I can compare with that +image. It is impressed on my mind distinctly and vividly as in the +moment when I beheld it. I can think of nothing but that picture; but +you might offer me whole worlds for it in vain." + +"My gracious prince, this is love." + +"Must the sensation which makes me happy necessarily have a name? +Love! Do not degrade my feeling by giving it a name which is so often +misapplied by the weak-minded. Who ever felt before what I do now? +Such a being never before existed; how then can the name be admitted +before the emotion which it is meant to express? Mine is a novel and +peculiar feeling, connected only with this being, and capable of being +applied to her alone. Love! From love I am secure!" + +"You sent away Biondello, no doubt, to follow in the steps of these +strangers, and to make inquiries concerning them. What news did he +bring you?" + +"Biondello discovered nothing; or, at least, as good as nothing. An +aged, respectably dressed man, who looked more like a citizen than a +servant, came to conduct them to their gondola. A number of poor people +placed themselves in a row, and quitted her, apparently well satisfied. +Biondello said he saw one of her hands, which was ornamented with +several precious stones. She spoke a few words, which Biondello could +not comprehend, to her companion; he says it was Greek. As she had some +distance to walk to the canal, the people began to throng together, +attracted by the strangeness of her appearance. Nobody knew her--but +beauty seems born to rule. All made way for her in a respectful manner. +She let fall a black veil, that covered half of her person, over her +face, and hastened into the gondola. Along the whole Giudecca Biondello +managed to keep the boat in view, but the crowd prevented his following +it further." + +"But surely he took notice of the gondolier so as to be able to +recognize him again." + +"He has undertaken to find out the gondolier, but he is not one of those +with whom he associates. The mendicants, whom he questioned, could give +him no further information than that the signora had come to the church +for the last few Saturdays, and had each time divided a gold-piece among +them. It was a Dutch ducat, which Biondello changed for them, and +brought to me." + +"It appears, then, that she is a Greek--most likely of rank; at any +rate, rich and charitable. That is as much as we dare venture to +conclude at present, gracious sir; perhaps too much. But a Greek lady +in a Catholic church?" + +"Why not? She may have changed her religion. But there is certainly +some mystery in the affair. Why should she go only once a week? Why +always on Saturday, on which day, as Biondello tells me, the church is +generally deserted. Next Saturday, at the latest, must decide this +question. Till then, dearest friend, you must help me to while away the +hours. But it is in vain. They will go their lingering pace, though my +soul is burning with expectation!" + +"And when this day at length arrives--what, then, gracious prince? What +do you purpose doing?" + +"What do I purpose doing? I shall see her. I will discover where she +lives and who she is. But to what does all this tend? I hear you ask. +What I saw made me happy; I therefore now know wherein my happiness +consists! + +"And our departure from Venice, which is fixed for next Monday?" + +"How could I know that Venice still contained such a treasure for me? +You ask me questions of my past life. I tell you that from this day +forward I will begin a new existence." + +I thought that now was the opportunity to keep my word to the marquis. +I explained to the prince that a protracted stay in Venice was +altogether incompatible with the exhausted state of his finances, and +that, if he extended his sojourn here beyond the appointed time, he +could not reckon on receiving funds from his court. On this occasion, +I learned what had hitherto been a secret to me, namely, that the prince +had, without the knowledge of his other brothers, received from his +sister, the reigning ----- of --------, considerable loans, which she +would gladly double if his court left him in the lurch. This sister, +who, as you know, is a pious enthusiast, thinks that the large savings +which she makes at a very economical court cannot be deposited in better +hands than in those of a brother whose wise benevolence she well knows, +and whose character she warmly honors. I have, indeed, known for some +time that a very close intercourse has been kept up between the two, +and that many letters have been exchanged; but, as the prince's own +resources have hitherto always been sufficient to cover his expenditure, +I had never guessed at this hidden channel. It is clear, therefore, +that the prince must have had some expenses which have been and still +are unknown to me; but if I can judge of them by his general character, +they will certainly not be of such a description as to tend to his +disgrace. And yet I thought I understood him thoroughly. After this +disclosure, I of course did not hesitate to make known to him the +marquis' offer, which, to my no small surprise, he immediately accepted. +He gave me the authority to transact the business with the marquis in +whatever way I thought most advisable, and then immediately to settle +the account with the usurer. To his sister he proposed to write without +delay. + +It was morning when we separated. However disagreeable this affair is +to me for more than one reason, the worst of it is that it seems to +threaten a longer residence in Venice. From the prince's passion I +rather augur good than evil. It is, perhaps, the most powerful method +of withdrawing him from his metaphysical dreams to the concerns and +feelings of real life. It will have its crisis, and, like an illness +produced by artificial means, will eradicate the natural disorder. + +Farewell, my dear friend. I have written down these incidents +immediately upon their occurrence. The post starts immediately; you +will receive this letter on the same day as my last. + + + + +LETTER VI. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +June 20. + +This Civitella is certainly one of the most obliging personages in the +world. The prince had scarcely left me the other day before I received +a note from the marquis enforcing his former offers with renewed +earnestness. I instantly forwarded, in the prince's name, a bond for +six thousand zechins; in less than half an hour it was returned, with +double the sum required, in notes and gold. The prince at length +assented to this increase, but insisted that the bond, which was drawn +only for six weeks, should be accepted. + +The whole of the present week has been consumed in inquiries after the +mysterious Greek. Biondello set all his engines to work, but until now +in vain. He certainly discovered the gondolier; but from him he could +learn nothing, save that the ladies had disembarked on the island of +Murano, where they entered two sedan chairs which were waiting for them. +He supposed them to be English because they spoke a foreign language, +and had paid him in gold. He did not even know their guide, but +believed him to be a glass manufacturer from Murano. We were now, at +least, certain that we must not look for her in the Giudecca, and that +in all probability she lived in the island of Murano; but, unluckily, +the description the prince gave of her was not such as to make her +recognizable by a third party. The passionate interest with which he +had regarded her had hindered him from observing her minutely; for all +the minor details, which other people would not have failed to notice, +had escaped his observation; from his description one would have sooner +expected to find her prototype in the works of Ariosto or Tasso than on +a Venetian island. Besides, our inquiries had to be conducted with the +utmost caution, in order not to become prejudicial to the lady, or to +excite undue attention. As Biondello was the only man besides the +prince who had seen her, even through her veil, and could therefore +recognize her, he strove to be as much as possible in all the places +where she was likely to appear; the life of the poor man, during the +whole week, was a continual race through all the streets of Venice. In +the Greek church, particularly, every inquiry was made, but always with +the same ill-success; and the prince, whose impatience increased with +every successive failure, was at last obliged to wait till Saturday, +with what patience he might. His restlessness was excessive. Nothing +interested him, nothing could fix his attention. He was in constant +feverish excitement; he fled from society, but the evil increased in +solitude. He had never been so much besieged by visitors as in this +week. His approaching departure had been announced, and everybody +crowded to see him. It was necessary to occupy the attention of the +people in order to lull their suspicions, and to amuse the prince with +the view of diverting his mind from its all-engrossing object. In this +emergency Civitella hit upon play; and, for the purpose of driving away +most of the visitors, proposed that the stakes should be high. He hoped +by awakening in the prince a transient liking for play, from which it +would afterwards be easy to wean him, to destroy the romantic bent of +his passion. "The cards," said Civitella, "have saved me from many a +folly which I had intended to commit, and repaired many which I had +already perpetrated. At the faro table I have often recovered my +tranquillity of mind, of which a pair of bright eyes had robbed me, and +women never had more power over me than when I had not money enough to +play." + +I will not enter into a discussion as to how far Civitella was right; +but the remedy we had hit upon soon began to be worse than the disease +it was intended to cure. The prince, who could only make the game at +all interesting to himself by staking extremely high, soon overstepped +all bounds. He was quite out of his element. Everything he did seemed +to be done in a passion; all his actions betrayed the uneasiness of his +mind. You know his general indifference to money; he seemed now to have +become totally insensible to its value. Gold flowed through his hands +like water. As he played without the slightest caution he lost almost +invariably. He lost immense sums, for he staked like a desperate +gamester. Dearest O------- , with an aching heart I write it, in four +days he had lost above twelve thousand zechins. + +Do not reproach me. I blame myself sufficiently. But how could I +prevent it? Could I do more than warn him? I did all that was in my +power, and cannot find myself guilty. Civitella, too, lost not a +little; I won about six hundred zechins. The unprecedented ill-luck of +the prince excited general attention, and therefore he would not leave +off playing. Civitella, who is always ready to oblige him, immediately +advanced him the required sum. The deficit is made up; but the prince +owes the marquis twenty-four thousand zechins. Oh, how I long for the +savings of his pious sister. Are all sovereigns so, my dear friend? +The prince behaves as though he had done the marquis a great honor, and +he, at any rate, plays his part well. + +Civitella sought to quiet me by saying that this recklessness, this +extraordinary ill-luck, would be most effectual in bringing the prince +to his senses. The money, he said, was of no consequence. He himself +would not feel the loss in the least, and would be happy to serve the +prince, at any moment, with three times the amount. The cardinal also +assured me that his nephew's intentions were honest, and that he should +be ready to assist him in carrying them out. + +The most unfortunate thing was that these tremendous sacrifices did not +even effect their object. One would have thought that the prince would +at least feel some interest in his play. But such was not the case. +His thoughts were wandering far away, and the passion which we wished to +stifle by his ill-luck in play seemed, on the contrary, only to gather +strength. When, for instance, a decisive stroke was about to be played, +and every one's eyes were fixed, full of expectation, on the board, his +were searching for Biondello, in order to catch the news he might have +brought him, from the expression of his countenance. Biondello brought +no tidings, and his master's losses continued. + +The gains, however, fell into very needy hands. A few "your +excellencies," whom scandal reports to be in the habit of carrying home +their frugal dinner from the market in their senatorial caps, entered +our house as beggars, and left it with well-lined purses. Civitella +pointed them out to me. "Look," said he, "how many poor devils make +their fortunes by one great man taking a whim into his head. This is +what I like to see. It is princely and royal. A great man must, even +by his failings, make some one happy, like a river which by its +overflowing fertilizes the neighboring fields." + +Civitella has a noble and generous way of thinking, but the prince owes +him twenty-four thousand zechins. + +At length the long-wished-for Saturday arrived, and my master insisted +upon going, directly after dinner, to the church. He stationed himself +in the chapel where he had first seen the unknown, but in such a way as +not to be immediately observed. Biondello had orders to keep watch at +the church door, and to enter into conversation with the attendant of +the ladies. I had taken upon myself to enter, like a chance passenger, +into the same gondola with them on their return, in order to follow +their track if the other schemes should fail. At the spot where the +gondolier said he had landed them the last time two sedans were +stationed; the chamberlain, Z------, was ordered to follow in a separate +gondola, in order to trace the retreat of the unknown, if all else +should fail. The prince wished to give himself wholly up to the +pleasure of seeing her, and, if possible, try to make her acquaintance +in the church. Civitella was to keep out of the way altogether, as his +reputation among the women of Venice was so bad that his presence could +not have failed to excite the suspicions of the lady. You see, dear +count, it was not through any want of precaution on our part that the +fair unknown escaped us. + +Never, perhaps, was there offered up in any church such ardent prayers +for success, and never were hopes so cruelly disappointed. The prince +waited till after sunset, starting in expectation at every sound which +approached the chapel, and at every creaking of the church door. Seven +full hours passed, and no Greek lady. I need not describe his state of +mind. You know what hope deferred is, hope which one has nourished +unceasingly for seven days and nights. + + + + +LETTER VII. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +July. + +The mysterious unknown of the prince reminded Marquis Civitella of a +romantic incident which happened to himself a short time since, and, to +divert the prince, he offered to relate it. I will give it you in his +own words; but the lively spirit which he infuses into all he tells will +be lost in my narration. + +(Here follows the subjoined fragment, which appeared in the eighth part +of the Thalia, and was originally intended for the second volume of the +Ghost-Seer. It found a place here after Schiller had given up the idea +of completing the Ghost-Seer.) + +"In the spring of last year," began Civitella, "I had the misfortune to +embroil myself with the Spanish ambassador, a gentleman who, in his +seventieth year, had been guilty of the folly of wishing to marry a +Roman girl of eighteen. His vengeance pursued me, and my friends +advised me to secure my safety by a timely flight, and to keep out of +the way until the hand of nature, or an adjustment of differences, had +secured me from the wrath of this formidable enemy. As I felt it too +severe a punishment to quit Venice altogether, I took up my abode in a +distant quarter of the town, where I lived in a lonely house, under a +feigned name, keeping myself concealed by day, and devoting the night to +the society of my friends and of pleasure. + +"My windows looked upon a garden, the west side of which was bounded by +the walls of a convent, while towards the east it jutted out into the +Laguna in the form of a little peninsula. The garden was charmingly +situated, but little frequented. It was my custom every morning, after +my friends had left me, to spend a few moments at the window before +retiring to rest, to see the sun rise over the Adriatic, and then to bid +him goodnight. If you, my dear prince, have not yet enjoyed this +pleasure, I recommend exactly this station, the only eligible one +perhaps in all Venice to enjoy so splendid a prospect in perfection. +A purple twilight hangs over the deep, and a golden mist on the Laguna +announces the sun's approach. The heavens and the sea are wrapped in +expectant silence. In two seconds the orb of day appears, casting a +flood of fiery light on the waves. It is an enchanting sight. + +"One morning, when I was, according to custom, enjoying the beauty of +this prospect, I suddenly discovered that I was not the only spectator +of the scene. I fancied I heard voices in the garden, and turning to +the quarter whence the sound proceeded, I perceived a gondola steering +for the land. In a few moments I saw figures walking at a slow pace up +the avenue. They were a man and a woman, accompanied by a little negro. +The female was clothed in white, and had a brilliant on her finger. It +was not light enough to perceive more. + +"My curiosity was raised. Doubtless a rendezvous of a pair of lovers-- +but in such a place, and at so unusual an hour! It was scarcely three +o'clock, and everything was still veiled in dusky twilight. The +incident seemed to me novel and proper for a romance, and I waited to +see the end. + +"I soon lost sight of them among the foliage of the garden, and some +time elapsed before they again emerged to view. Meanwhile a delightful +song was heard. It proceeded from the gondolier, who was in this manner +shortening the time, and was answered by a comrade a short way off. +They sang stanzas from Tasso; time and place were in unison, and the +melody sounded sweetly, in the profound silence around. + +"Day in the meantime had dawned, and objects were discerned more +plainly. I sought my people, whom I found walking hand-in-hand up a +broad walk, often standing still, but always with their backs turned +towards me, and proceeding further from my residence. Their noble, easy +carriage convinced me at once that they were people of rank, and the +splendid figure of the lady made me augur as much of her beauty. They +appeared to converse but little; the lady, however, more than her +companion. In the spectacle of the rising sun, which now burst out in +all its splendor, they seemed to take not the slightest interest. + +"While I was employed in adjusting my glass, in order to bring them into +view as closely as possible, they suddenly disappeared down a side path, +and some time elapsed before I regained sight of them. The sun had now +fully risen; they were approaching straight towards me, with their eyes +fixed upon where I stood. What a heavenly form did I behold! Was it +illusion, or the magic effect of the beautiful light? I thought I +beheld a supernatural being, for my eyes quailed before the angelic +brightness of her look. So much loveliness combined with so much +dignity!--so much mind, and so much blooming youth! It is in vain I +attempt to describe it. I had never seen true beauty till that moment. + +"In the heat of conversation they lingered near me, and I had full +opportunity to contemplate her. Scarcely, however, had I cast my eyes +upon her companion, but even her beauty was not powerful enough to fix +my attention. He appeared to be a man still in the prime of life, +rather slight, and of a tall, noble figure. Never have I beheld so much +mind, so much noble expression, in a human countenance. Though +perfectly secured from observation, I was unable to meet the lightning +glance that shot from beneath his dark eyebrows. There was a moving +expression of sorrow about his eyes, but an expression of benevolence +about the mouth which relieved the settled gravity spread over his whole +countenance. A certain cast of features, not quite European, together +with his dress, which appeared to have been chosen with inimitable good +taste from the most varied costumes, gave him a peculiar air, which not +a little heightened the impression produced by his appearance. A degree +of wildness in his looks warranted the supposition that he was an +enthusiast, but his deportment and carriage showed that his character +had been formed by mixing in society." + +Z--------, who you know must always give utterance to what he thinks, +could contain himself no longer. "Our Armenian!" cried he. "Our very +Armenian, and nobody else." + +"What Armenian, if one may ask?" inquired Civitella. + +"Has no one told you of the farce?" replied the prince. "But no +interruption! I begin to feel interested in your hero. Pray continue +your narrative." + +"There was something inexplicable in his whole demeanor," continued +Civitella. "His eyes were fixed upon his companion with an expression +of anxiety and passion, but the moment they met hers he looked down +abashed. 'Is the man beside himself!' thought I. I could stand for +ages and gaze at nothing else but her. + +"The foliage again concealed them from my sight. Long, long did I look +for their reappearance, but in vain. At length I caught sight of them +from another window. + +"They were standing before the basin of a fountain at some distance +apart, and both wrapped in deep silence. They had, probably, remained +some time in the same position. Her clear and intelligent eyes were +resting inquiringly on his, and seemed as if they would imbibe every +thought from him as it revealed itself in his countenance. He, as if he +wanted courage to look directly into her face, furtively sought its +reflection in the watery mirror before him, or gazed steadfastly at the +dolphin which bore the water to the basin. Who knows how long this +silent scene might have continued could the lady have endured it? With +the most bewitching grace the lovely girl advanced towards him, and +passing her arm round his neck, raised his hand to her lips. Calmly and +unmoved the strange being suffered her caresses, but did not return +them. + +"This scene moved me strangely. It was the man that chiefly excited my +sympathy and interest. Some violent emotion seemed to struggle in his +breast; it was as if some irresistible force drew him towards her, while +an unseen arm held him back. Silent, but agonizing, was the struggle, +and beautiful the temptation. 'No,' I thought, 'he attempts too much; +he will, he must yield.' + +"At his silent intimation the young negro disappeared. I now expected +some touching scene--a prayer on bended knees, and a reconciliation +sealed with glowing kisses. But no! nothing of the kind occurred. The +incomprehensible being took from his pocketbook a sealed packet, and +placed it in the hands of the lady. Sadness overcast her face as she +she looked at it, and a tear bedewed her eye. + +"After a short silence they separated. At this moment an elderly lady +advanced from one of the sidewalks, who had remained at a distance, and +whom I now first discovered. She and the fair girl slowly advanced +along the path, and, while they were earnestly engaged in conversation, +the stranger took the opportunity of remaining behind. With his eyes +turned towards her, he stood irresolute, at one instant making a rapid +step forward, and in the next retreating. In another moment he had +disappeared in the copse. + +"The women at length look round, seem uneasy at not finding him, and +pause as if to await his coming. He comes not. Anxious glances are +cast around, and steps are redoubled. My eyes aid in searching through +the garden; he comes not, he is nowhere to be seen. + +"Suddenly I see a plash in the canal, and see a gondola moving from the +shore. It is he, and I scarcely can refrain from calling to him. Now +the whole thing is clear--it was a parting. + +"She appears to have a presentiment of what has happened. With a speed +that her companion cannot use she hastens to the shore. Too late! +Quick as the arrow in its flight the gondola bounds forward, and soon +nothing is visible but a white handkerchief fluttering in the air from +afar. Soon after this I saw the fair incognita and her companion cross +the water. + +"When I awoke from a short sleep I could not help smiling at my +delusion. My fancy had incorporated these events in my dreams until +truth itself seemed a dream. A maiden, fair as an houri, wandering +beneath my windows at break of day with her lover--and a lover who did +not know how to make a better use of such an hour. Surely these +supplied materials for the composition of a picture which might well +occupy the fancy of a dreamer! But the dream had been too lovely for me +not to desire its renewal again and again; nay, even the garden had +become more charming in my sight since my imagination had peopled it +with such attractive forms. Several cheerless days that succeeded this +eventful morning drove me from the window, but the first fine evening +involuntarily drew me back to my post of observation. Judge of my +surprise when after a short search I caught sight of the white dress of +my incognita! Yes, it was she herself. I had not dreamed! + +"Her former companion was with her, and led by the hand a little boy; +but the fair girl herself walked apart, and seemed absorbed in thought. +All spots were visited that had been rendered memorable by the presence +of her friend. She paused for a long time before the basin, and her +fixed gaze seemed to seek on its crystal mirror the reflection of one +beloved form. + +"Although her noble beauty had attracted me when I first saw her the +impression produced was even stronger on this occasion, although perhaps +at the same time more conducive to gentler emotions. I had now ample +opportunity of considering this divine form; the surprise of the first +impression gradually gave place to softer feelings. The glory that +seemed to invest her had departed, and I saw before me the loveliest of +women, and felt my senses inflamed. In a moment the resolution was +formed that she must be mine. + +"While I was deliberating whether I should descend and approach her, or +whether before I ventured on such a step it would not be better to +obtain information regarding her, a door opened in the convent wall, +through which there advanced a Carmelite monk. The sound of his +approach roused the lady, and I saw her advance with hurried steps +towards him. He drew from his bosom a paper, which she eagerly grasped, +while a vivid color instantaneously suffused her countenance. + +"At this moment I was called from the window by the arrival of my usual +evening visitor. I carefully avoided approaching the spot again as I +had no desire to share my conquest with another. For a whole hour I was +obliged to endure this painful constraint before I could succeed in +freeing myself from my importunate guest, and when I hastened to the +window all had disappeared. + +"The garden was empty when I entered it; no vessel of any kind was +visible in the canal; no trace of people on any side; I neither knew +whence she had come nor whither she had gone. While I was looking round +me in all directions I observed something white upon the ground. On +drawing near I found it was a piece of paper folded in the shape of a +note. What could it be but the letter which the Carmelite had brought? +'Happy discovery!' I exclaimed; 'this will reveal the whole secret, and +make me master of her fate.' + +"The letter was sealed with a sphinx, had no superscription, and was +written in cyphers; this, however, did not discourage me, for I have +some knowledge of this mode of writing. I copied it hastily, as there +was every reason to expect that she would soon miss it and return in +search of it. If she should not find it she would regard its loss as an +evidence that the garden was resorted to by different persons, and such +a discovery might easily deter her from visiting it again. And what +worse fortune could attend my hopes. + +"That which I had conjectured actually took place, and I had scarcely +ended my copy when she reappeared with her former companion, anxiously +intent on the search. I attached the note to a tile which I had +detached from the roof, and dropped it at a spot which she would pass. +Her gracefully expressed joy at finding it rewarded me for my +generosity. She examined it in every part with keen, searching glances, +as if she were seeking to detect the unhallowed hands that might have +touched it; but the contented look with which she hid it in her bosom +showed that she was free from all suspicion. She went, and the parting +glance she threw on the garden seemed expressive of gratitude to the +guardian deities of the spot, who had so faithfully watched over the +secret of her heart. + +"I now hastened to decipher the letter. After trying several languages, +I at length succeeded by the use of English. Its contents were so +remarkable that my memory still retains a perfect recollection of them." + +I am interrupted, and must give you the conclusion on a future occasion. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +August. + +In truth, my dearest friend, you do the good Biondello injustice. The +suspicion you entertain against him is unfounded, and while I allow you +full liberty to condemn all Italians generally, I must maintain that +this one at least is an honest man. + +You think it singular that a person of such brilliant endowments and +such exemplary conduct should debase himself to enter the service of +another if he were not actuated by secret motives; and these, you +further conclude, must necessarily be of a suspicious character. But +where is the novelty of a man of talent and of merit endeavoring to win +favor with a prince who has the power of establishing his fortune? Is +there anything derogatory in serving the prince? and has not Biondello +clearly shown that his devotion is purely personal by confessing that he +earnestly desired to make a certain request of the prince? The whole +mystery will, therefore, no doubt be revealed when he acquaints him of +his wishes. He may certainly be actuated by secret motives, but why may +these not be innocent in their nature? + +You think it strange that this Biondello should have kept all his great +talents concealed, and in no way have attracted attention during the +early months of our acquaintance with him, when you were still with us. +This I grant; but what opportunity had he then of distinguishing +himself? The prince had not yet called his powers into requisition, and +chance, therefore, could alone aid us in discovering his talents. + +He very recently gave a proof of his devotion and honesty of purpose +which must at once annihilate all your doubts. The prince was watched; +measures were being taken to gain information regarding his mode of +life, associates, and general habits. I know not with whom this +inquisitiveness originated. Let me beg your attention, however, to what +I am about to relate:-- + +There is a house in St. George's which Biondello is in the habit of +frequenting. He probably finds some peculiar attractions there, but of +this I know nothing. It happened a few days ago that he there met +assembled together a party of civil and military officers in the service +of the government, old acquaintances and jovial comrades of his own. +Surprise and pleasure were expressed on all sides at this meeting. +Their former good-fellowship was re-established; and after each in turn +had related his own history up to the present time, Biondello was called +upon to give an account of his life; this he did in a few words. He was +congratulated on his new position; his companions had heard accounts of +the splendid footing on which the Prince of -------'s establishment was +maintained; of his liberality, especially to persons who showed +discretion in keeping secrets; the prince's connection with the Cardinal +A------i was well known, he was said to be addicted to play, etc. +Biondello's surprise at this is observed, and jokes are passed upon the +mystery which he tries to keep up, although it is well known that he is +the emissary of the Prince of ------. The two lawyers of the party make +him sit down between them; their glasses are repeatedly emptied, he is +urged to drink, but excuses himself on the grounds of inability to bear +wine; at last, however, he yields to their wishes, in order that he may +the better pretend intoxication. + +"Yes!" cried one of the lawyers, "Biondello understands his business, +but he has not yet learned all the tricks of the trade; he is but a +novice." + +"What have I still to learn?" ask Biondello. + +"You understand the art of keeping a secret," remarked the other; "but +you have still to learn that of parting with it to advantage." + +"Am I likely to find a purchaser for any that I may have to dispose of?" +asked Biondello. + +On this the other guests withdrew from the apartment, and left him alone +with his two neighbors, who continued the conversation in the same +strain. The substance of the whole was, however, briefly as follows: +Biondello was to procure them certain information regarding the +intercourse of the prince with the cardinal and his nephew, acquaint +them with the source from whence the prince derived his money, and to +intercept all letters written to Count O------. Biondello put them off +to a future occasion, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts to draw +from them the name of the person by whom they were employed. From the +splendid nature of the proposals made to him it was evident, however, +that they emanated from some influential and extremely wealthy party. + +Last night he related the whole occurrence to the prince, whose first +impulse was without further ceremony to secure the maneuverers at once, +but to this Biondello strongly objected. He urged that he would be +obliged to set them at liberty again, and that, in this case, he should +endanger not only his credit among this class of men, but even his life. +All these men were connected together, and bound by one common interest, +each one making the cause of the others his own; in fact, he would +rather make enemies of the senate of Venice than be regarded by these +men as a traitor--and, besides, he could no longer be useful to the +prince if he lost the confidence of this class of people. + +We have pondered and conjectured much as to the source of all this. Who +is there in Venice that can care to know what money my master receives +or pays out, what passess between Cardinal A-----i and himself, and what +I write to you? Can it be some scheme of the Prince of ---d-----, or is +the Armenian again on the alert? + + + + +LETTER IX. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +August. + +The prince is revelling in love and bliss. He has recovered his fair +Greek. I must relate to you how this happened. + +A traveller, who had crossed from Chiozza, gave the prince so animated +an account of the beauty of this place, which is charmingly situated on +the shores of the gulf, that he became very anxious to see it. +Yesterday was fixed upon for the excursion; and, in order to avoid all +restraint and display, no one was to accompany him but Z------- and +myself, together with Biondello, as my master wished to remain unknown. +We found a vessel ready to start, and engaged our passage at once. The +company was very mixed but not numerous, and the passage was made +without the occurrence of any circumstance worthy of notice. + +Chiozza is built, like Venice, on a foundation of wooden piles, and is +said to contain about forty thousand inhabitants. There are but few of +the higher classes resident there, but one meets sailors and fishermen +at every step. Whoever appears in a peruke, or a cloak, is regarded as +an aristocrat--a rich man; the cap and overcoat are here the insignia of +the poor. The situation is certainly very lovely, but it will not bear +a comparison with Venice. + +We did not remain long, for the captain, who had more passengers for the +return voyage, was obliged to be in Venice at an early hour, and there +was nothing at Chiozza to make the prince desirous of remaining. All +the passengers were on board when we reached the vessel. As we had +found it so difficult to place ourselves on a social footing with the +company on the outward passage, we determined on this occasion to secure +a cabin to ourselves. The prince inquired who the new-comers were, and +was informed that they were a Dominican and some ladies, who were +returning to Venice. My master evincing no curiosity to see them, we +immediately betook ourselves to our cabin. + +The Greek was the subject of our conversation throughout the whole +passage, as she had been during our former transit. The prince dwelt +with ardor on her appearance in the church; and whilst numerous plans +were in turn devised and rejected, hours passed like a moment of time, +and we were already in sight of Venice. Some of the passengers now +disembarked, the Dominican amongst the number. The captain went to the +ladies, who, as we now first learned, had been separated from us by only +a thin wooden partition, and asked them where they wished to land. The +island of Murano was named in reply to his inquiry, and the house +indicated. "The island of Murano!" exclaimed the prince, who seemed +suddenly struck by a startling presentiment. Before I could reply to +his exclamation, Biondello rushed into the cabin. "Do you know," asked +he eagerly, "who is on board with us?" The prince started to his feet, +as Biondello continued, "She is here! she herself! I have just spoken +to her companion!" + +The prince hurried out. He felt as if he could not breathe in our +narrow cabin, and I believe at that moment as if the whole world would +have been too narrow for him. A thousand conflicting feelings struggled +for the mastery in his heart; his knees trembled, and his countenance +was alternately flushed and pallid. I sympathized and participated in +his emotion, but I cannot by words convey to your mind any idea of the +state in which he was. + +When we stopped at Murano, the prince sprang on shore. She advanced +from her cabin. I read in the face of the prince that it was indeed +the Greek. One glance was sufficient to dispel all doubt on that point. +A more lovely creature I have never seen. Even the prince's glowing +descriptions fell far short of the reality. A radiant blush suffused +her face when she saw my master. She must have heard all we said, and +could not fail to know that she herself had been the subject of our +conversation. She exchanged a significant glance with her companion, +which seemed to say, "That is he;" and then cast her eyes to the ground +with diffident confusion. On placing her foot on the narrow plank, +which had been thrown from the vessel to the shore, she seemed anxiously +to hesitate, less, as it seemed to me, from the fear of falling than +from her inability to cross the board without assistance, which was +proffered her by the outstretched arm of the prince. Necessity overcame +her reluctance, and, accepting the aid of his hand, she stepped on +shore. Excessive mental agitation had rendered the prince uncourteous, +and he wholly forgot to offer his services to the other lady--but what +was there that he would not have forgotten at this moment? My attention +in atoning for the remissness of the prince prevented my hearing the +commencement of a conversation which had begun between him and the young +Greek, while I had been helping the other lady on shore. + +He was still holding her hand in his, probably from absence of mind, and +without being conscious of the fact. + +"This is not the first time, Signora, that--that"--he stopped short, +unable to finish the sentence. + +"I think I remember" she faltered. + +"We met in the church of ---------," said he, quickly. + +"Yes, it was in the church of ---------," she rejoined. + +"And could I have supposed that this day would have brought me--" + +Here she gently withdrew her hand from his--he was evidently +embarrassed; but Biondello, who had in the meantime been speaking to the +servant, now came to his aid. + +"Si-nor," said he, "the ladies had ordered sedans to be in readiness for +them; they have not yet come, for we are here before the expected time. +But there is a garden close by in which you may remain until the crowd +has dispersed." + +The proposal was accepted; you may conceive with what alacrity on the +part of the prince! We remained in the garden till late in the evening; +and, fortunately, Z-------- and myself so effectually succeeded in +occupying the attention of the elder lady that the prince was enabled, +undisturbed, to carry on his conversation with the fair Greek. You will +easily believe that he made good use of his time, when I tell you that +he obtained permission to visit her. At the very moment that I am now +writing he is with her; on his return I shall be able to give you +further particulars regarding her. + +When we got home yesterday we found that the long-expected remittances +had arrived from our court; but at the same time the prince received a +letter which excited his indignation to the highest pitch. He has been +recalled, and that in a tone and manner to which he is wholly +unaccustomed. He immediately wrote a reply in a similar spirit, and +intends remaining. The remittances are only just sufficient to pay the +interest on the capital which he owes. We are looking with impatience +for a reply from his sister. + + + + +LETTER X. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +September. + +The prince has fallen out with his court, and all resources have +consequently been cut off from home. + +The term of six weeks, at the end of which my master was to pay the +marquis, has already elapsed several days; but still no remittances +have been forwarded, either from his cousin, of whom he had earnestly +requested an additional allowance in advance, or from his sister. You +may readily suppose that Civitella has not reminded him of his debt; the +prince's memory is, however, all the more faithful. Yesterday morning +at length brought an answer from the seat of government. + +We had shortly before concluded a new arrangement with the master of our +hotel, and the prince had publicly announced his intention to remain +here sometime longer. Without uttering a word my master put the letter +into my hand. His eyes sparkled, and I could read the contents in his +face. + +Can you believe it, dear O; all my master's proceedings here are known +at and have been most calumniously misrepresented by an abominable +tissue of lies? "Information has been received," says the letter, +amongst other things, "to the effect that the prince has for some time +past belied his former character, and adopted a node of conduct totally +at variance with his former exemplary manner of acting and thinking." +"It is known," the writer says, "that he has addicted himself with the +greatest excess to women and play; that he is overwhelmed with debts; +puts his confidence in visionaries and charlatans, who pretend to have +power over spirits; maintains suspicious relations with Roman Catholic +prelates, and keeps up a degree of state which exceeds both his rank and +his means. Nay, it is even said, that he is about to bring this highly +offensive conduct to a climax by apostacy to the Church of Rome! and in +order to clear himself from this last charge he is required to return +immediately. A banker at Venice, to whom he must make known the true +amount of his debts, has received instructions to satisfy his creditors +immediately after his departure; for, under existing circumstances, it +does not appear expedient to remit the money directly into his hands." + +What accusations, and what a mode of preferring them. I read the letter +again and again, in the hope of discovering some expression that +admitted of a milder construction, but in vain; it was wholly +incomprehensible. + +Z------- now reminded me of the secret inquiries which had been made +some time before of Biondello. The true nature of the inquiries and +circumstances all coincided. He had falsely ascribed them to the +Armenian; but now the source from whence the came was very evident. +Apostacy! But who can have any interest in calumniating my master so +scandalously? I should fear it was some machination of the Prince of +---d-----, who is determined on driving him from Venice. + +In the meantime the prince remained absorbed in thought, with his eyes +fixed on the ground. His continued silence alarmed me. I threw myself +at his feet. "For God's sake, your highness," I cried, "moderate your +feelings--you will--nay, you shall have satisfaction. Leave the whole +affair to me. Let me be your emissary. It is beneath your dignity to +reply to such accusations; but you will not, I know, refuse me the +privilege of doing so for you. The name of your calumniator must be +given up, and -------'s eyes must be opened." + +At this moment we were interrupted by the entrance of Civitella, who +inquired with surprise into the cause of our agitation. Z------- and +I did not answer; but the prince, who had long ceased to make any +distinction between him and us, and who, besides, was too much excited +to listen to the dictates of prudence, desired me to communicate the +contents of the letter to him. On my hesitating to obey him, he +snatched the letter from my hand and gave it to the marquis. + +"I am in your debt, marquis," said he, as Civitella gave him back the +letter, after perusing it, with evident astonishment, "but do not let +that circumstance occasion you any uneasiness; grant me but a respite of +twenty days, and you shall be fully satisfied." + +"Do I deserve this at your hands, gracious prince?" exclaimed +Civitella, with extreme emotion. + +"You have refrained from pressing me, and I gratefully appreciate your +delicacy. In twenty days, as I before said, you shall be fully +satisfied." + +"But how is this?" asked Civitella, with agitation and surprise. "What +means all this? I cannot comprehend it." + +We explained to him all that we knew, and his indignation was unbounded. +The prince, he asserted, must insist upon full satisfaction; the insult +was unparalleled. + +In the meanwhile he implored him to make unlimited use of his fortune +and his credit. + +When the marquis left us the prince still continued silent. He paced +the apartment with quick and determined steps, as if some strange and +unusual emotion were agitating his frame. At length he paused, +muttering between his teeth, "Congratulate yourself; he died at ten +o'clock." + +We looked at him in terror. + +"Congratulate yourself," he repeated. "Did he not say that I should +congratulate myself? What could he have meant?" + +"What has reminded you of those words?" I asked; "and what have they to +do with the present business?" + +"I did not then understand what the man meant, but now I do. Oh, it is +intolerable to be subject to a master." + +"Gracious prince!" + +"Who can make us feel our dependence. Ha! it must be sweet, indeed." + +He again paused. His looks alarmed me, for I had never before seen him +thus agitated. + +"Whether a man be poorest of the poor," he continued, "or the next heir +to the throne, it is all one and the same thing. There is but one +difference between men--to obey or to command." + +He again glanced over the letter. + +"You know the man," he continued, "who has dared to write these words to +me. Would you salute him in the street if fate had not made him your +master? By Heaven, there is something great in a crown." + +He went on in this strain, giving expression to many things which I dare +not trust to paper. On this occasion the prince confided a circumstance +to me which alike surprised and terrified me, and which may be followed +by the most alarming consequences. We have hitherto been entirely +deceived regarding the family relations of the court of --------. + +He answered the letter on the spot, notwithstanding my earnest entreaty +that he should postpone doing so; and the strain in which he wrote +leaves no ground to hope for a favorable settlement of those +differences. + +You are no doubt impatient, dear O------, to hear something definite +with respect to the Greek; but in truth I have very little to tell you. +From the prince I can learn nothing, as he has been admitted into her +confidence, and is, I believe, bound to secrecy. The fact has, however, +transpired that she is not a Greek, as we supposed, but a German of the +highest descent. From a certain report that has reached me, it would +appear that her mother is of the most exalted rank, and that she is the +fruit of an unfortunate amour which was once talked of all over Europe. +A course of secret persecution to which she had been exposed, in +consequence of her origin, compelled her to seek protection in Venice, +and to adopt that concealment which had rendered it impossible for the +prince to discover her retreat. The respect with which the prince +speaks of her, and a certain deferential deportment which he maintains +towards her, appear to corroborate the truth of this report. + +He is devoted to her with a fearful intensity of passion which increases +day by day. In the earliest stage of their acquaintance but few +interviews were granted; but after the first week the separations were +of shorter duration, and now there is scarce a day on which the prince +is not with her. Whole evenings pass without our even seeing him, and +when he is not with her she appears to form the sole object of his +thoughts. His whole being seems metamorphosed. He goes about as if +wrapped in a dream, and nothing that formerly interested him has now +power to arrest his attention even for a moment. + +How will this end, my dear friend? I tremble for the future. The +rupture with his court has placed my master in a state of humiliating +dependence on one sole person--the Marquis Civitella. This man is now +master of our secrets--of our whole fate. Will he always conduct +himself as nobly as he does now? Are his good intentions to be relied +upon; and is it expedient to confide so much weight and power to one +person--even were he the best of men? The prince's sister has again +been written to--the result of this fresh appeal you shall learn in my +next letter. + + + + +COUNT O------- IN CONTINUATION. + +This letter never reached me. Three months passed without my receiving +any tidings from Venice,--an interruption to our correspondence which +the sequel but too clearly explained. All my friend's letters to me had +been kept back and suppressed. My emotion may be conceived when, in the +December of the same year, the following letter reached me by mere +accident (as it afterwards appeared), owing to the sudden illness of +Biondello, into whose hands it had been committed. + +"You do not write; you do not answer me. Come, I entreat you, come on +the wings of friendship! Our hopes are fled! Read the enclosed,--all +our hopes are at an end! + +"The wounds of the marquis are reported mortal. The cardinal vows +vengeance, and his bravos are in pursuit of the prince. My master--oh! +my unhappy master! Has it come to this! Wretched, horrible fate! We +are compelled to hide ourselves, like malefactors, from assassins and +creditors. + +"I am writing to you from the convent of --------, where the prince has +found an asylum. At this moment he is resting on his hard couch by my +side, and is sleeping--but, alas! it is only the sleep of deadly +exhaustion, that will but give him new strength for new trials. During +the ten days that she was ill no sleep closed his eyes. I was present +when the body was opened. Traces of poison were detected. To-day she +is to be buried. + +"Alas! dearest O------, my heart is rent. I have lived through scenes +that can never be effaced from my memory. I stood beside her deathbed. +She departed like a saint, and her last strength was spent in trying +with persuasive eloquence to lead her lover into the path that she was +treading in her way to heaven. Our firmness was completely gone--the +prince alone maintained his fortitude, and although he suffered a triple +agony of death with her, he yet retained strength of mind sufficient to +refuse the last prayer of the pious enthusiast." + +This letter contained the following enclosure: + +TO THE PRINCE OF --------, FROM HIS SISTER. + +"The one sole redeeming church which has made so glorious a conquest of +the Prince of -------- will surely not refuse to supply him with means +to pursue the mode of life to which she owes this conquest. I have +tears and prayers for one that has gone astray, but nothing further to +bestow on one so worthless! HENRIETTE." + + +I instantly threw myself into a carriage--travelled night and day, and +in the third week I was in Venice. My speed availed nothing. I had +come to bring comfort and help to an unhappy one, but I found a happy +one who needed not my weak aid. F------- was ill when I arrived, and +unable to see me, but the following note was brought to me from him. + +"Return, dearest O-----, to whence you came. The prince no longer needs +you or me. His debts have been paid; the cardinal is reconciled to him, +and the marquis has recovered. Do you remember the Armenian who +perplexed us so much last year? In his arms you will find the prince, +who five days since attended mass for the first time." + +Notwithstanding all this I earnestly sought an interview with the +prince, but was refused. By the bedside of my friend I learnt the +particulars of this strange story. + + + + + + + THE SPORT OF DESTINY + +ALOYSIUS VON G------ was the son of a citizen of distinction, in the +service of -------, and the germs of his fertile genius had been early +developed by a liberal education. While yet very young, but already +well grounded in the principles of knowledge, he entered the military +service of his sovereign, to whom he soon made himself known as a young +man of great merit and still greater promise. G------ was now in the +full glow of youth, so also was the prince. G------ was ardent and +enterprising; the prince, of a similar disposition, loved such +characters. Endued with brilliant wit and a rich fund of information, +G------ possessed the art of ingratiating himself with all around him; +he enlivened every circle in which he moved by his felicitous humor, and +infused life and spirit into every subject that came before him. The +prince had discernment enough to appreciate in another those virtues +which he himself possessed in an eminent degree. Everything which +G------ undertook, even to his very sports, had an air of grandeur; no +difficulties could daunt him, no failures vanquish his perseverance. +The value of these qualities was increased by an attractive person, the +perfect image of blooming health and herculean strength, and heightened +by the eloquent expression natural to an active mind; to these was added +a certain native and unaffected dignity, chastened and subdued by a +noble modesty. If the prince was charmed with the intellectual +attractions of his young companion, his fascinating exterior +irresistibly captivated his senses. Similarity of age, of tastes, and +of character soon produced an intimacy between them, which possessed all +the strength of friendship and all the warmth and fervor of the most +passionate love. G------ rose with rapidity from one promotion to +another; but whatever the extent of favors conferred they still seemed +in the estimation of the prince to fall short of his deserts. His +fortune advanced with gigantic strides, for the author of his greatness +was his devoted admirer and his warmest friend. Not yet twenty-two +years of age, he already saw himself placed on an eminence hitherto +attained only by the most fortunate at the close of their career. But +his active spirit was incapable of reposing long in the lap of indolent +vanity, or of contenting itself with the glittering pomp of an elevated +office, to perform the behests of which he was conscious of possessing +both the requisite courage and the abilities. Whilst the prince was +engaged in rounds of pleasure, his young favorite buried himself among +archives and books, and devoted himself with laborious assiduity to +affairs of state, in which he at length became so expert that every +matter of importance passed through his hands. From the companion of +his pleasures he soon became first councillor and minister, and finally +the ruler of his sovereign. In a short time there was no road to the +prince's favor but through him. He disposed of all offices and +dignities; all rewards were received from his hands. + +G------ had attained this vast influence at too early an age, and had +risen by too rapid strides to enjoy his power with moderation. The +eminence on which he beheld himself made his ambition dizzy, and no +sooner was the final object of his wishes attained than his modesty +forsook him. The respectful deference shown him by the first nobles of +the land, by all who, in birth, fortune, and reputation, so far +surpassed him, and which was even paid to him, youth as he was, by the +oldest senators, intoxicated his pride, while his unlimited power served +to develop a certain harshness which had been latent in his character, +and which, throughout all the vicissitudes of his fortune, remained. +There was no service, however considerable or toilsome, which his +friends might not safely ask at his hands; but his enemies might well +tremble! for, in proportion as he was extravagant in rewards, so was he +implacable in revenge. He made less use of his influence to enrich +himself than to render happy a number of beings who should pay homage +to him as the author of their prosperity; but caprice alone, and not +justice, dictated the choice of his subjects. By a haughty, imperious +demeanor he alienated the hearts even of those whom he had most +benefited; while at the same time he converted his rivals and secret +enviers into deadly enemies. + +Amongst those who watched all his movements with jealousy and envy, and +who were silently preparing instruments for his destruction, was Joseph +Martinengo, a Piedmontese count belonging to the prince's suite, whom +G------ himself had formerly promoted, as an inoffensive creature, +devoted to his interests, for the purpose of supplying his own place in +attending upon the pleasures of the prince--an office which he began to +find irksome, and which he willingly exchanged for more useful +employment. Viewing this man merely as the work of his own hands, whom +he might at any period consign to his former insignificance, he felt +assured of the fidelity of his creature from motives of fear no less +than of gratitude. He fell thus into the error committed by Richelieu, +when he made over to Louis XII., as a sort of plaything, the young Le +Grand. Without Richelieu's sagacity, however, to repair his error, he +had to deal with a far more wily enemy than fell to the lot of the +French minister. Instead of boasting of his good fortune, or allowing +his benefactor to feel that he could now dispense with his patronage, +Martinengo was, on the contrary, the more cautious to maintain a show of +dependence, and with studied humility affected to attach himself more +and more closely to the author of his prosperity. Meanwhile, he did not +omit to avail himself, to its fullest extent, of the opportunities +afforded him by his office, of being continually about the prince's +person, to make himself daily more useful, and eventually indispensable +to him. In a short time he had fathomed the prince's sentiments +thoroughly, had discovered all the avenues to his confidence, and +imperceptibly stolen himself into his favor. All those arts which a +noble pride, and a natural elevation of character, had taught the +minister to disdain, were brought into play by the Italian, who scrupled +not to avail himself of the most despicable means for attaining his +object. Well aware that man never stands so much in need of a guide and +assistant as in the paths of vice, and that nothing gives a stronger +title to bold familiarity than a participation in secret indiscretions, +he took measures for exciting passions in the prince which had hitherto +lain dormant, and then obtruded himself upon him as a confidant and an +accomplice. He plunged him especially into those excesses which least +of all endure witnesses, and imperceptibly accustomed the prince to make +him the depository of secrets to which no third person was admitted. +Upon the degradation of the prince's character he now began to found his +infamous schemes of aggrandizement, and, as he had made secrecy a means +of success, he had obtained entire possession of his master's heart +before G------ even allowed himself to suspect that he shared it with +another. + +It may appear singular that so important a change should escape the +minister's notice; but G------ was too well assured of his own worth +ever to think of a man like Martinengo in the light of a competitor; +while the latter was far too wily, and too much on his guard, to commit +the least error which might tend to rouse his enemy from his fatal +security. That which has caused thousands of his predecessors to +stumble on the slippery path of royal favor was also the cause of +G------'s fall, immoderate self-confidence. The secret intimacy between +his creature, Martinengo, and his royal master gave him no uneasiness; +he readily resigned a privilege which he despised and which had never +been the object of his ambition. It was only because it smoothed his +way to power that he had ever valued the prince's friendship, and he +inconsiderately threw down the ladder by which he had risen as soon as +he had attained the wished-for eminence. + +Martinengo was not the man to rest satisfied with so subordinate a part. +At each step which he advanced in the prince's favor his hopes rose +higher, and his ambition began to grasp at a more substantial +gratification. The deceitful humility which he had hitherto found it +necessary to maintain towards his benefactor became daily more irksome +to him, in proportion as the growth of his reputation awakened his +pride. On the other hand, the minister's deportment toward him by no +means improved with his marked progress in the prince's favor, but was +often too visibly directed to rebuke his growing pride by reminding him +of his humble origin. This forced and unnatural position having become +quite insupportable, he at length formed the determination of putting an +end to it by the destruction of his rival. Under an impenetrable veil +of dissimulation he brought his plan to maturity. He dared not venture +as yet to come into open conflict with his rival; for, although the +first glow of the minister's favor was at an end, it had commenced too +early, and struck root too deeply in the bosom of the prince, to be torn +from it abruptly. The slightest circumstance might restore it to all +its former vigor; and therefore Martinengo well understood that the blow +which he was about to strike must be a mortal one. Whatever ground +G------ might have lost in the prince's affections he had gained in his +respect. The more the prince withdrew himself from the affairs of +state, the less could he dispense with the services of a man, who with +the most conscientious devotion and fidelity had consulted his master's +interests, even at the expense of the country,--and G------ was now as +indispensable to him as a minister as he had formerly been dear to him +as a friend. + +By what means the Italian accomplished his purpose has remained a secret +between those on whom the blow fell and those who directed it. It was +reported that he laid before the prince the original draughts of a +secret and very suspicious correspondence which G------ is said to have +carried on with a neighboring court; but opinions differ as to whether +the letters were authentic or spurious. Whatever degree of truth there +may have been in the accusation it is but too certain that it fearfully +accomplished the end in view. In the eyes of the prince G----- +appeared the most ungrateful and vilest of traitors, whose treasonable +practices were so thoroughly proved as to warrant the severest measures +without further investigation. The whole affair was arranged with the +most profound secrecy between Martinengo and his master, so that G------ +had not the most distant presentiment of the impending storm. He +continued wrapped in this fatal security until the dreadful moment in +which he was destined, from being the object of universal homage and +envy, to become that of the deepest commiseration. + +When the decisive day arrived, G------ appeared, according to custom, +upon the parade. He had risen in a few years from the rank of ensign to +that of colonel; and even this was only a modest name for that of prime +minister, which he virtually filled, and which placed him above the +foremost of the land. The parade was the place where his pride was +greeted with universal homage, and where he enjoyed for one short hour +the dignity for which he endured a whole day of toil and privation. +Those of the highest rank approached him with reverential deference, +and those who were not assured of his favor with fear and trembling. +Even the prince, whenever he visited the parade, saw himself neglected +by the side of his vizier, inasmuch as it was far more dangerous to +incur the displeasure of the latter than profitable to gain the +friendship of the former. This very place, where he was wont to be +adored as a god, had been selected for the dreadful theatre of his +humiliation. + +With a careless step he entered the well-known circle of courtiers, +who, as unsuspicious as himself of what was to follow, paid their usual +homage, awaiting his commands. After a short interval appeared +Martinengo, accompanied by two adjutants, no longer the supple, +cringing, smiling courtier, but overbearing and insolent, like a lackey +suddenly raised to the rank of a gentleman. With insolence and +effrontery he strutted up to the prime minister, and, confronting him +with his head covered, demanded his sword in the prince's name. This +was handed to him with a look of silent consternation; Martinengo, +resting the naked point on the ground, snapped it in two with his foot, +and threw the fragments at G-----'s feet. At this signal the two +adjutants seized him; one tore the Order of the Cross from his breast; +the other pulled off his epaulettes, the facings of his uniform, and +even the badge and plume of feathers from his hat. During the whole of +the appalling operation, which was conducted with incredible speed, not +a sound nor a respiration was heard from more than five hundred persons +who were present; but all, with blanched faces and palpitating hearts, +stood in deathlike silence around the victim, who in his strange +disarray--a rare spectacle of the melancholy and the ridiculous-- +underwent a moment of agony which could only be equalled by feelings +engendered on the scaffold. Thousands there are who in his situation +would have been stretched senseless on the ground by the first shock; +but his firm nerves and unflinching spirit sustained him through this +bitter trial, and enabled him to drain the cup of bitterness to its +dregs. + +When this procedure was ended he was conducted through rows of thronging +spectators to the extremity of the parade, where a covered carriage was +in waiting. He was motioned to ascend, an escort of hussars being +ready-mounted to attend to him. Meanwhile the report of this event had +spread through the whole city; every window was flung open, every street +lined with throngs of curious spectators, who pursued the carriage, +shouting his name, amid cries of scorn and malicious exultation, or of +commiseration more bitter to bear than either. At length he cleared the +town, but here a no less fearful trial awaited him. The carriage turned +out of the high road into a narrow, unfrequented path--a path which led +to the gibbet, and alongside which, by command of the prince, he was +borne at a slow pace. After he had suffered all the torture of +anticipated execution the carriage turned off into the public road. +Exposed to the sultry summer-heat, without refreshment or human +consolation, he passed seven dreadful hours in journeying to the place +of destination--a prison fortress. It was nightfall before he arrived; +when, bereft of all consciousness, more dead than alive, his giant +strength having at length yielded to twelve hours' fast and consuming +thirst, he was dragged from the carriage; and, on regaining his senses, +found himself in a horrible subterraneous vault. The first object that +presented itself to his gaze was a horrible dungeon-wall, feebly +illuminated by a few rays of the moon, which forced their way through +narrow crevices to a depth of nineteen fathoms. At his side he found a +coarse loaf, a jug of water, and a bundle of straw for his couch. He +endured this situation until noon the ensuing day, when an iron wicket +in the centre of the tower was opened, and two hands were seen lowering +a basket, containing food like that he had found the preceding night. +For the first time since the terrible change in his fortunes did pain +and suspense extort from him a question or two. Why was he brought +hither? What offence had he committed? But he received no answer; the +hands disappeared; and the sash was closed. Here, without beholding the +face, or hearing the voice of a fellow-creature; without the least clue +to his terrible destiny; fearful doubts and misgivings overhanging alike +the past and the future; cheered by no rays of the sun, and soothed by +no refreshing breeze; remote alike from human aid and human compassion; +--here, in this frightful abode of misery, he numbered four hundred and +ninety long and mournful days, which he counted by the wretched loaves +that, day after day, with dreary monotony, were let down into his +dungeon. But a discovery which he one day made early in his confinement +filled up the measure of his affliction. He recognized the place. It +was the same which he himself, in a fit of unworthy vengeance against a +deserving officer, who had the misfortune to displease him, had ordered +to be constructed only a few months before. With inventive cruelty he +had even suggested the means by which the horrors of captivity might be +aggravated; and it was but recently that he had made a journey hither in +order personally to inspect the place and hasten its completion. What +added the last bitter sting to his punishment was that the same officer +for whom he had prepared the dungeon, an aged and meritorious colonel, +had just succeeded the late commandant of the fortress, recently +deceased, and, from having been the victim of his vengeance, had become +the master of his fate. He was thus deprived of the last melancholy +solace, the right of compassionating himself, and of accusing destiny, +hardly as it might use him, of injustice. To the acuteness of his other +suffering was now added a bitter self-contempt, contempt, and the pain +which to a sensitive mind is the severest--dependence upon the +generosity of a foe to whom he had shown none. + +But that upright man was too noble-minded to take a mean revenge. +It pained him deeply to enforce the severities which his instructions +enjoined; but as an old soldier, accustomed to fulfil his orders to +the letter with blind fidelity, he could do no more than pity, +compassionate. The unhappy man found a more active assistant in the +chaplain of the garrison, who, touched by the sufferings of the +prisoner, which had just reached his ears, and then only through vague +and confused reports, instantly took a firm resolution to do something +to alleviate them. This excellent man, whose name I unwillingly +suppress, believed he could in no way better fulfil his holy vocation +than by bestowing his spiritual support and consolation upon a wretched +being deprived of all other hopes of mercy. + +As he could not obtain permission from the commandant himself to visit +him he repaired in person to the capital, in order to urge his suit +personally with the prince. He fell at his feet, and implored mercy for +the unhappy man, who, shut out from the consolations of Christianity, a +privilege from which even the greatest crime ought not to debar him, was +pining in solitude, and perhaps on the brink of despair. With all the +intrepidity and dignity which the conscious discharge of duty inspires, +he entreated, nay demanded, free access to the prisoner, whom he claimed +as a penitent for whose soul he was responsible to heaven. The good +cause in which he spoke made him eloquent, and time had already somewhat +softened the prince's anger. He granted him permission to visit the +prisoner, and administer to his spiritual wants. + +After a lapse of sixteen months, the first human face which the unhappy +G------ beheld was that of his new benefactor. The only friend he had +in the world he owed to his misfortunes, all his prosperity had gained +him none. The good pastor's visit was like the appearance of an angel-- +it would be impossible to describe his feelings, but from that day forth +his tears flowed more kindly, for he had found one human being who +sympathized with and compassionated him. + +The pastor was filled with horror on entering the frightful vault. His +eyes sought a human form, but beheld, creeping towards him from a corner +opposite, which resembled rather the lair of a wild beast than the abode +of anything human, a monster, the sight of which made his blood run +cold. A ghastly deathlike skeleton, all the hue of life perished from a +face on which grief and despair had traced deep furrows--his beard and +nails, from long neglect, grown to a frightful length-his clothes rotten +and hanging about him in tatters; and the air he breathed, for want of +ventilation and cleansing, foul, fetid, and infectious. In this state +be found the favorite of fortune;--his iron frame had stood proof +against it all! Seized with horror at the sight, the pastor hurried +back to the governor, in order to solicit a second indulgence for the +poor wretch, without which the first would prove of no avail. + +As the governor again excused himself by pleading the imperative nature +of his instructions, the pastor nobly resolved on a second journey to +the capital, again to supplicate the prince's mercy. There he protested +solemnly that, without violating the sacred character of the sacrament, +he could not administer it to the prisoner until some resemblance of the +human form was restored to him. This prayer was also granted; and from +that day forward the unfortunate man might be said to begin a new +existence. + +Several long years were spent by him in the fortress, but in a much more +supportable condition, after the short summer of the new favorite's +reign had passed, and others succeeded in his place, who either +possessed more humanity or no motive for revenge. At length, after ten +years of captivity, the hour of his delivery arrived, but without any +judicial investigation or formal acquittal. He was presented with his +freedom as a boon of mercy, and was, at the same time, ordered to quit +his native country forever. + +Here the oral traditions which I have been able to collect respecting +his history begin to fail; and I find myself compelled to pass in +silence over a period of about twenty years. During the interval +G------ entered anew upon his military career, in a foreign service, +which eventually brought him to a pitch of greatness quite equal to that +from which he had, in his native country, been so awfully precipitated. +At length time, that friend of the unfortunate, who works a slow but +inevitable retribution, took into his hands the winding up of this +affair. The prince's days of passion were over; humanity gradually +resumed its sway over him as his hair whitened with age. At the brink +of the grave he felt a yearning towards the friend of his early youth. +In order to repay, as far as possible, the gray-headed old man, for the +injuries which had been heaped upon the youth, the prince, with friendly +expressions, invited the exile to revisit his native land, towards which +for some time past G------'s heart had secretly yearned. The meeting +was extremely trying, though apparently warm and cordial, as if they had +only separated a few days before. The prince looked earnestly at his +favorite, as if trying to recall features so well known to him, and yet +so strange; he appeared as if numbering the deep furrows which he had +himself so cruelly traced there. He looked searchingly in the old man's +face for the beloved features of the youth, but found not what he +sought. The welcome and the look of mutual confidence were evidently +forced on both sides; shame on one side and dread on the other had +forever separated their hearts. A sight which brought back to the +prince's soul the full sense of his guilty precipitancy could not be +gratifying to him, while G------ felt that he could no longer love the +author of his misfortunes. Comforted, nevertheless, and in +tranquillity, he looked back upon the past as the remembrance of a +fearful dream. + +In a short time G------ was reinstated in all his former dignities, and +the prince smothered his feelings of secret repugnance by showering upon +him the most splendid favors as some indemnification for the past. But +could he also restore to him the heart which he had forever untuned for +the enjoyment of life? Could he restore his years of hope? or make +even a shadow of reparation to the stricken old man for what he had +stolen from him in the days of his youth? + +For nineteen years G------- continued to enjoy this clear, unruffled +evening of his days. Neither misfortune nor age had been able to quench +in him the fire of passion, nor wholly to obscure the genial humor of +his character. In his seventieth year he was still in pursuit of the +shadow of a happiness which he had actually possessed in his twentieth. +He at length died governor of the fortress where state prisoners are +confined. One would naturally have expected that towards these he would +have exercised a humanity, the value of which he had been so thoroughly +taught to appreciate in his own person; but he treated them with +harshness and caprice; and a paroxysm of rage, in which he broke out +against one of his prisoners, laid him in his coffin, in his eightieth +year. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ghost-Seer (or The Apparitionist), +and Sport of Destiny, by Frederich Schiller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER (OR THE *** + +***** This file should be named 6781.txt or 6781.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/8/6781/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..469a58e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #6781 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6781) diff --git a/old/fs21w10.txt b/old/fs21w10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a66f68f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/fs21w10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5107 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook The Ghost-Seer and Sport of Destiny, by Schiller + +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: The Ghost-Seer [or The Apparitionist], and Sport of Destiny + +Author: Frederich Schiller + +Release Date: Oct, 2004 [EBook #6781] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on January 15, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER BY SCHILLER *** + + + +This eBook was produced by David Widger, widger@cecomet.net + + + + + + THE GHOST-SEER; OR, APPARITIONIST. + + AND + + SPORT OF DESTINY + + + + +FROM THE PAPERS OF COUNT O------- + +I am about to relate an adventure which to many will appear incredible, +but of which I was in great part an eye-witness. The few who are +acquainted with a certain political event will, if indeed these pages +should happen to find them alive, receive a welcome solution thereof. +And, even to the rest of my readers, it will be, perhaps, important as +a contribution to the history of the deception and aberrations of the +human intellect. The boldness of the schemes which malice is able to +contemplate and to carry out must excite astonishment, as must also the +means of which it can avail itself to accomplish its aims. Clear, +unvarnished truth shall guide my pen; for, when these pages come before +the public, I shall be no more, and shall therefore never learn their +fate. + +On my return to Courland in the year 17--, about the time of the +Carnival, I visited the Prince of ------- at Venice. We had been +acquainted in the ------ service, and we here renewed an intimacy which, +by the restoration of peace, had been interrupted. As I wished to see +the curiosities of this city, and as the prince was waiting only for the +arrival of remittances to return to his native country, he easily +prevailed on me to tarry till his departure. We agreed not to separate +during the time of our residence at Venice, and the prince was kind +enough to accommodate me at his lodgings at the Moor Hotel. + +As the prince wished to enjoy himself, and his small revenues did not +permit him to maintain the dignity of his rank, he lived at Venice in +the strictest incognito. Two noblemen, in whom he had entire +confidence, and a few faithful servants, composed all his retinue. He +shunned expenditure, more however from inclination than economy. He +avoided all kinds of dissipation, and up to the age of thirty-five years +had resisted the numerous allurements of this voluptuous city. To the +charms of the fair sex he was wholly indifferent. A settled gravity and +an enthusiastic melancholy were the prominent features of his character. +His affections were tranquil, but obstinate to excess. He formed his +attachments with caution and timidity, but when once formed they were +cordial and permanent. In the midst of a tumultuous crowd he walked in +solitude. Wrapped in his own visionary ideas, he was often a stranger +to the world about him; and, sensible of his own deficiency in the +knowledge of mankind, he scarcely ever ventured an opinion of his own, +and was apt to pay an unwarrantable deference to the judgment of others. +Though far from being weak, no man was more liable to be governed; but, +when conviction had once entered his mind, he became firm and decisive; +equally courageous to combat an acknowledged prejudice or to die for a +new one. + +As he was the third prince of his house, he had no likely prospect of +succeeding to the sovereignty. His ambition had never been awakened; +his passions had taken another direction. Contented to find himself +independent of the will of others, he never enforced his own as a law; +his utmost wishes did not soar beyond the peaceful quietude of a private +life, free from care. He read much, but without discrimination. As his +education had been neglected, and, as he had early entered the career of +arms, his understanding had never been fully matured. Hence the +knowledge he afterwards acquired served but to increase the chaos +of his ideas, because it was built on an unstable foundation. + +He was a Protestant, as all his family had been, by birth, but not by +investigation, which he had never attempted, although at one period of +his life he had been an enthusiast in its cause. He had never, so far +as came to my knowledge, been a freemason. + +One evening we were, as usual, walking by ourselves, well masked in the +square of St. Mark. It was growing late, and the crowd was dispersing, +when the prince observed a mask which followed us everywhere. This mask +was an Armenian, and walked alone. We quickened our steps, and +endeavored to baffle him by repeatedly altering our course. It was in +vain, the mask was always close behind us. "You have had no intrigue +here, I hope," said the prince at last, "the husbands of Venice are +dangerous." "I do not know a single lady in the place," was my answer. +"Let us sit down here, and speak German," said he; "I fancy we are +mistaken for some other persons." We sat down upon a stone bench, and +expected the mask would have passed by. He came directly up to us, and +took his seat by the side of the prince. The latter took out his watch, +and, rising at the same time, addressed me thus in a loud voice in +French, "It is past nine. Come, we forget that we are waited for at the +Louvre." This speech he only invented in order to deceive the mask as +to our route. "Nine!" repeated the latter in the same language, in a +slow and expressive voice, "Congratulate yourself, my prince" (calling +him by his real name); "he died at nine." In saying this, he rose and +went away. + +We looked at each other in amazement. "Who is dead?" said the prince +at length, after a long silence. "Let us follow him," replied I, "and +demand an explanation." We searched every corner of the place; the mask +was nowhere to be found. We returned to our hotel disappointed. The +prince spoke not a word to me the whole way; he walked apart by himself, +and appeared to be greatly agitated, which he afterwards confessed to me +was the case. Having reached home, he began at length to speak: "Is it +not laughable," said he, "that a madman should have the power thus to +disturb a man's tranquillity by two or three words?" We wished each +other a goodnight; and, as soon as I was in my own apartment, I noted +down in my pocket-book the day and the hour when this adventure +happened. It was on a Thursday. + +The next evening the prince said to me, "Suppose we go to the square of +St. Mark, and seek for our mysterious Armenian. I long to see this +comedy unravelled." I consented. We walked in the square till eleven. +The Armenian was nowhere to be seen. We repeated our walk the four +following evenings, and each time with the same bad success. + +On the sixth evening, as we went out of the hotel, it occurred to me, +whether designedly or otherwise I cannot recollect, to tell the servants +where we might be found in case we should be inquired for. The prince +remarked my precaution, and approved of it with a smile. We found the +square of St. Mark very much crowded. Scarcely had we advanced thirty +steps when I perceived the Armenian, who was pressing rapidly through +the crowd, and seemed to be in search of some one. We were just +approaching him, when Baron F-----, one of the prince's retinue, came up +to us quite breathless, and delivered to the prince a letter. "It is +sealed with black," said he, "and we supposed from this that it might +contain matters of importance." I was struck as with a thunderbolt. +The prince went near a torch, and began to read. "My cousin is dead!" +exclaimed he. "When?" inquired I anxiously, interrupting him. He +looked again into the letter. "Last Thursday night at nine." + +We had not recovered from our surprise when the Armenian stood before +us. "You are known here, my prince!" said he. "Hasten to your hotel. +You will find there the deputies from the Senate. Do not hesitate to +accept the honor they intend to offer you. Baron I--forgot to tell you +that your remittances are arrived." He disappeared among the crowd. + +We hastened to our hotel, and found everything as the Armenian had told +us. Three noblemen of the republic were waiting to pay their respects +to the prince, and to escort him in state to the Assembly, where the +first nobility of the city were ready to receive him. He had hardly +time enough to give me a hint to sit up for him till his return. + +About eleven o'clock at night he returned. On entering the room he +appeared grave and thoughtful. Having dismissed the servants, he took +me by the hand, and said, in the words of Hamlet, "Count ----- + + "'There are more things in heav'n and earth, + Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'" + +"Gracious prince!" replied I, "you seem to forget that you are retiring +to your pillow greatly enriched in prospect." The deceased was the +hereditary prince. + +"Do not remind me of it," said the prince; "for should I even have +acquired a crown I am now too much engaged to occupy myself with such a +trifle. If that Armenian has not merely guessed by chance" + +"How can that be, my prince?" interrupted I. + +"Then will I resign to you all my hopes of royalty in exchange for a +monk's cowl." + +I have mentioned this purposely to show how far every ambitious idea was +then distant from his thoughts. + +The following evening we went earlier than usual to the square of St. +Mark. A sudden shower of rain obliged us to take shelter in a coffee- +house, where we found a party engaged at cards. The prince took his +place behind the chair of a Spaniard to observe the game. I went into +an adjacent chamber to read the newspapers. A short time afterwards I +heard a noise in the card-room. Previously to the entrance of the +prince the Spaniard had been constantly losing, but since then he had +won upon every card. The fortune of the game was reversed in a striking +manner, and the bank was in danger of being challenged by the pointeur, +whom this lucky change of fortune had rendered more adventurous. A +Venetian, who kept the bank, told the prince in a very rude manner that +his presence interrupted the fortune of the game, and desired him to +quit the table. The latter looked coldly at him, remained in his place, +and preserved the same countenance, when the Venetian repeated his +insulting demand in French. He thought the prince understood neither +French nor Italian; and, addressing himself with a contemptuous laugh to +the company, said "Pray, gentlemen, tell me how I must make myself +understood to this fool." At the same time he rose and prepared to +seize the prince by the arm. His patience forsook the latter; he +grasped the Venetian with a strong hand, and threw him violently on the +ground. The company rose up in confusion. Hearing the noise, I hastily +entered the room, and unguardedly called the prince by his name. "Take +care," said I, imprudently; "we are in Venice." The name of the prince +caused a general silence, which ended in a whispering which appeared to +me to have a dangerous tendency. All the Italians present divided into +parties, and kept aloof. One after the other left the room, so that we +soon found ourselves alone with the Spaniard and a few Frenchmen. "You +are lost, prince," said they, "if you do not leave the city immediately. +The Venetian whom you have handled so roughly is rich enough to hire a +bravo. It costs him but fifty zechins to be revenged by your death." +The Spaniard offered, for the security of the prince, to go for the +guards, and even to accompany us home himself. The Frenchmen proposed +to do the same. We were still deliberating what to do when the doors +suddenly opened, and some officers of the Inquisition entered the room. +They produced an order of government, which charged us both to follow +them immediately. They conducted us under a strong escort to the canal, +where a gondola was waiting for us, in which we were ordered to embark. +We were blindfolded before we landed. They led us up a large stone +staircase, and through a long, winding passage, over vaults, as I judged +from the echoes that resounded under our feet. At length we came to +another staircase, and, having descended a flight of steps, we entered a +hall, where the bandage was removed from our eyes. We found ourselves +in a circle of venerable old men, all dressed in black; the hall was +hung round with black and dimly lighted. A dead silence reigned in the +assembly, which inspired us with a feeling of awe. One of the old men, +who appeared to be the principal Inquisitor, approached the prince with +a solemn countenance, and said, pointing to the Venetian, who was led +forward: + +"Do you recognize this man as the same who offended you at the coffee- +house?" + +"I do," answered the prince. + +Then addressing the prisoner: "Is this the same person whom you meant to +have assassinated to-night?" + +The prisoner replied, "Yes." + +In the same instant the circle opened, and we saw with horror the head +of the Venetian severed from his body. + +"Are you content with this satisfaction?" said the Inquisitor. The +prince had fainted in the arms of his attendants. "Go," added the +Inquisitor, turning to me, with a terrible voice, "Go; and in future +judge less hastily of the administration of justice in Venice." + +Who the unknown friend was who had thus saved us from inevitable death, +by interposing in our behalf the active arm of justice, we could not +conjecture. Filled with terror we reached our hotel. It was past +midnight. The chamberlain, Z-------, was waiting anxiously for us at +the door. + +"How fortunate it was that you sent us a message," said he to the +prince, as he lighted us up the staircase. "The news which Baron F----- +soon after brought us respecting you from the square of St. Mark would +otherwise have given us the greatest uneasiness." + +"I sent you a message!" said the prince. "When? I know nothing of it." + +"This evening, after eight, you sent us word that we must not be alarmed +if you should come home later to-night than usual." + +The prince looked at me. "Perhaps you have taken this precaution +without mentioning it to me." + +I knew nothing of it. + +"It must be so, however," replied the chamberlain, "since here is your +repeating-watch, which you sent me as a mark of authenticity." + +The prince put his hand to his watch-pocket. It was empty, and he +recognized the watch which the chamberlain held as his own. + +"Who brought it?" said he, in amazement. + +"An unknown mask, in an Armenian dress, who disappeared immediately." + +We stood looking at each other. "What do you think of this?" said the +prince at last, after a long silence. "I have a secret guardian here in +Venice." + +The frightful transaction of this night threw the prince into a fever, +which confined him to his room for a week. During this time our hotel +was crowded with Venetians and strangers, who visited the prince from a +deference to his newly-discovered rank. They vied with each other in +offers of service, and it was not a little entertaining to observe that +the last visitor seldom failed to hint some suspicion derogatory to the +character of the preceding one. Billets-doux and nostrums poured in +upon us from all quarters. Every one endeavored to recommend himself in +his own way. Our adventure with the Inquisition was no more mentioned. +The court of --------, wishing the prince to delay his departure from +Venice for some time, orders were sent to several bankers to pay him +considerable sums of money. He was thus, against his will, compelled to +protract his residence in Italy; and at his request I also resolved to +postpone my departure for some time longer. + +As soon as the prince had recovered strength enough to quit his chamber +he was advised by his physician to take an airing in a gondola upon the +Brenta, for the benefit of the air, to which, as the weather was serene, +he readily consented. Just as the prince was about to step into the +boat he missed the key of a little chest in which some very valuable +papers were enclosed.. We immediately turned back to search for it. He +very distinctly remembered that he had locked the chest the day before, +and he had never left the room in the interval. As our endeavors to +find it proved ineffectual, we were obliged to relinquish the search in +order to avoid being too late. The prince, whose soul was above +suspicion, gave up the key as lost, and desired that it might not be +mentioned any more. + +Our little voyage was exceedingly delightful. A picturesque country, +which at every winding of the river seemed to increase in richness and +beauty; the serenity of the sky, which formed a May day in the middle of +February; the charming gardens and elegant countryseats which adorned +the banks of the Brenta; the maestic city of Venice behind us, with its +lofty spires, and a forest of masts, rising as it were out of the waves; +all this afforded us one of the most splendid prospects in the world. +We wholly abandoned ourselves to the enchantment of Nature's luxuriant +scenery; our minds shared the hilarity of the day; even the prince +himself lost his wonted gravity, and vied with us in merry jests +and diversions. On landing about two Italian miles from the city we +heard the sound of sprightly music; it came from a small village at a +little distance from the Brenta, where there was at that time a fair. +The place was crowded with company of every description. A troop of +young girls and boys, dressed in theatrical habits, welcomed us in a +pantomimical dance. The invention was novel; animation and grace +attended their every movement. Before the dance was quite concluded +the principal actress, who represented a queen, stopped suddenly, +as if arrested by an invisible arm. Herself and those around her were +motionless. The music ceased. The assembly was silent. Not a breath +was to be heard, and the queen stood with her eyes fixed on the ground +in deep abstraction. On a sudden she started from her reverie with the +fury of one inspired, and looked wildly around her. "A king is among +us," she exclaimed, taking her crown from her head, and laying it at the +feet of the prince. Every one present cast their eyes upon him, and +doubted for some time whether there was any meaning in this farce; so +much were they deceived by the impressive seriousness of the actress. +This silence was at length broken by a general clapping of hands, as a +mark of approbation. I looked at the prince. I noticed that he +appeared not a little disconcerted, and endeavored to escape the +inquisitive glances of the spectators. He threw money to the players, +and hastened to extricate himself from the crowd. + +We had advanced but a few steps when a venerable barefooted friar, +pressing through the crowd, placed himself in the prince's path. "My +lord," said he, "give the holy Virgin part of your gold. You will want +her prayers." He uttered these words in a tone of voice which startled +us extremely, and then disappeared in the throng. + +In the meantime our company had increased. An English lord, whom the +prince had seen before at Nice, some merchants of Leghorn, a German +prebendary, a French abbe with some ladies, and a Russian officer, +attached themselves to our party. The physiognomy of the latter had +something so uncommon as to attract our particular attention. Never in +my life did I see such various features and so little expression; so +much attractive benevolence and such forbidding coldness in the same +face. Each passion seemed by turns to have exercised its ravages on it, +and to have successively abandoned it. Nothing remained but the calm, +piercing look of a person deeply skilled in the knowledge of mankind; +but it was a look that abashed every one on whom it was directed. This +extraordinary man followed us at a distance, and seemed apparently to +take but little interest in what was passing. + +We came to a booth where there was a lottery. The ladies bought shares. +We followed their example, and the prince himself purchased a ticket. +He won a snuffbox. As he opened it I saw him turn pale and start back. +It contained his lost key. + +"How is this?" said he to me, as we were left for a moment alone. +"A superior power attends me, omniscience surrounds me. An invisible +being, whom I cannot escape, watches over my steps. I must seek for the +Armenian, and obtain an explanation from him." + +The sun was setting when we arrived at the pleasurehouse, where a supper +had been prepared for us. The prince's name had augmented our company +to sixteen. Besides the above-mentioned persons there was a virtuoso +from Rome, several Swiss gentlemen, and an adventurer from Palermo in +regimentals, who gave himself out for a captain. We resolved to spend +the evening where we were, and to return home by torchlight. The +conversation at table was lively. The prince could not forbear relating +his adventure of the key, which excited general astonishment. A warm +dispute on the subject presently took place. Most of the company +positively maintained that the pretended occult sciences were nothing +better than juggling tricks. The French abbe, who had drank rather too +much wine, challenged the whole tribe of ghosts, the English lord +uttered blasphemies, and the musician made a cross to exorcise the +devil. Some few of the company, amongst whom was the prince, contended +that opinions respecting such matters ought to be kept to oneself. In +the meantime the Russian officer discoursed with the ladies, and did not +seem to pay attention to any part of conversation. In the heat of the +dispute no one observed that the Sicilian had left the room. In less +than half an hour he returned wrapped in a cloak, and placed himself +behind the chair of the Frenchman. "A few moments ago," said he, "you +had the temerity to challenge the whole tribe of ghosts. Would you wish +to make a trial with one of them?" + +"I will," answered the abbe, "if you will take upon yourself to +introduce one." + +"That I am ready to do," replied the Sicilian, turning to us, "as soon +as these ladies and gentlemen have left us." + +"Why only then?" exclaimed the Englishman. "A courageous ghost will +surely not be afraid of a cheerful company." + +"I would not answer for the consequences," said the Sicilian. + +"For heaven's sake, no!" cried the ladies, starting affrighted from +their chairs. + +"Call your ghost," said the abbe, in a tone of defiance, "but warn him +beforehand that there are sharp-pointed weapons here." At the same time +he asked one of the company for a sword. + +"If you preserve the same intention in his presence," answered the +Sicilian, coolly, "you may then act as you please." He then turned +towards the prince: "Your highness," said he, "asserts that your key has +been in the hands of a stranger; can you conjecture in whose?" + +"No" + +"Have you no suspicion?" + +"It certainly occurred to me that"-- + +"Should you know the person if you saw him?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +The Sicilian, throwing back his cloak, took out a looking-glass and held +it before the prince. "Is this the man?" + +The prince drew back with affright. + +"Whom have you seen?" I inquired. + +"The Armenian." + +The Sicilian concealed his looking-glass under his cloak. + +"Is it the person whom you thought of?" demanded the whole company. + +"The same." + +A sudden change manifested itself on every face; no more laughter was to +be heard. All eyes were fixed with curiosity on the Sicilian. + +"Monsieur l'Abbe! The matter grows serious," said the Englishman. +"I advise you to think of beating a retreat." + +"The fellow is in league with the devil," exclaimed the Frenchman, and +rushed out of the house. The ladies ran shrieking from the room. The +virtuoso followed them. The German prebendary was snoring in a chair. +The Russian officer continued sitting in his place as before, perfectly +indifferent to what was passing. + +"Perhaps your attention was only to raise a laugh at the expense of that +boaster," said the prince, after they were gone, "or would you indeed +fulfil your promise to us?" + +"It is true," replied the Sicilian; "I was but jesting with the abbe. +I took him at his word, because I knew very well that the coward would +not suffer me to proceed to extremities. The matter itself is, however, +too serious to serve merely as a jest." + +"You grant, then, that it is in your power?" + +The sorcerer maintained a long silence, and kept his look fixed steadily +on the prince, as if to examine him. + +"It is!" answered he at last. + +The prince's curiosity was now raised to the highest pitch. A fondness +for the marvellous had ever been his prevailing weakness. His improved +understanding and a proper course of reading had for some time +dissipated every idea of this kind; but the appearance of the Armenian +had revived them. He stepped aside with the Sicilian, and I heard them +in very earnest conversation. + +"You see in me," said the prince, "a man who burns with impatience to be +convinced on this momentous subject. I would embrace as a benefactor, +I would cherish as my best friend him who could dissipate my doubts +and remove the veil from my eyes. Would you render me this important +service?" + +"What is your request!" inquired the Sicilian, hesitating. + +"For the present I only beg some proof of your art. Let me see an +apparition." + +"To what will this lead?" + +"After a more intimate acquaintance with me you may be able to judge +whether I deserve further instruction." + +"I have the greatest esteem for your highness, gracious prince. A +secret power in your countenance, of which you yourself are as yet +ignorant, drew me at first sight irresistibly towards you. You are more +powerful than you are yourself aware. You may command me to the utmost +extent of my power, but--" + +"Then let me see an apparition." + +"But I must first be certain that you do not require it from mere +curiosity. Though the invisible powers are in some degree at my +command, it is on the sacred condition that I do not abuse my +authority." + +"My intentions are most pure. I want truth." + +They left their places, and removed to a distant window, where I could +no longer hear them. The English lord, who had likewise overheard this +conversation, took me aside. "Your prince has a noble mind. I am sorry +for him. I will pledge my salvation that he has to do with a rascal." + +"Everything depends on the manner in which the sorcerer will extricate +himself from this business." + +"Listen to me. The poor devil is now pretending to be scrupulous. He +will not show his tricks unless he hears the sound of gold. There are +nine of us. Let us make a collection. That will spoil his scheme, and +perhaps open the eyes of the prince." + +"I am content." The Englishman threw six guineas upon a plate, and went +round gathering subscriptions. Each of us contributed some louis-d'ors. +The Russian officer was particularly pleased with our proposal; he laid +a bank-note of one hundred zechins on the plate, a piece of extravagance +which startled the Englishman. We brought the collection to the prince. +"Be so kind," said the English lord, "as to entreat this gentleman in +our names to let us see a specimen of his art, and to accept of this +small token of our gratitude." The prince added a ring of value, and +offered the whole to the Sicilian. He hesitated a few moments. +"Gentlemen," answered he, "I am humbled by this generosity, but I yield +to your request. Your wishes shall be gratified." At the same time he +rang the bell. "As for this money," continued he, "to which I have no +right myself, permit me to send it to the next monastery to be applied +to pious uses. I shall only keep this ring as a precious memorial of +the worthiest of princes." + +Here the landlord entered; and the Sicilian handed him over the money. +"He is a rascal notwithstanding," whispered the Englishman to me. +"He refuses the money because at present his designs are chiefly on the +prince." + +"Whom do you wish to see?" asked the sorcerer. + +The prince considered for a moment. "We may as well have a great man at +once," said the Englishman. "Ask for Pope Ganganelli. It can make no +difference to this gentleman." + +The Sicilian bit his lips. "I dare not call one of the Lord's +anointed." + +"That is a pity!" replied the English lord; "perhaps we might have +heard from him what disorder he died of." + +"The Marquis de Lanoy," began the prince, "was a French brigadier in the +late war, and my most intimate friend. Having received a mortal wound +in the battle of Hastinbeck, he was carried to my tent, where he soon +after died in my arms. In his last agony he made a sign for me to +approach. 'Prince,' said he to me, 'I shall never again behold my +native land. I must, therefore, acquaint you with a secret known to +none but myself. In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives +a --------' He expired. Death cut short the thread of his discourse. +I wish to see my friend to hear the remainder." + +"You ask much," exclaimed the Englishman, with an oath. "I proclaim you +the greatest sorcerer on earth if you can solve this problem," continued +he, turning to the Sicilian. We admired the wise choice of the prince, +and unanimously gave our approval to the proposition. In the meantime +the sorcerer paced up and down the room with hasty steps, apparently +struggling with himself. + +"This was all that the dying marquis communicated to you?" + +"It is all." + +"Did you make no further inquiries about the matter in his native +country?" + +"I did, but they all proved fruitless." + +"Had the Marquis de Lanoy led an irreproachable life? I dare not call +up every shade indiscriminately." + +"He died, repenting the excesses of his youth." + +"Do you carry with you any token of his!" + +"I do." (The prince had really a snuff-box with the marquis' portrait +enamelled in miniature on the lid, which he had placed upon the table +near his plate during the time of supper.) + +"I do not want to know what it is. If you will leave me you shall see +the deceased." + +He requested us to wait in the other pavilion until he should call us. +At the same time he caused all the furniture to be removed from the +room, the windows to be taken out, and the shutters to be bolted. He +ordered the innkeeper, with whom he appeared to be intimately connected, +to bring a vessel with burning coals, and carefully to extinguish every +fire in the house. Previous to our leaving the room he obliged us +separately to pledge our honor that we would maintain an everlasting +silence respecting everything we should see and hear. All the doors of +the pavilion we were in were bolted behind us when we left it. + +It was past eleven, and a dead silence reigned throughout the whole +house. As we were retiring from the saloon the Russian officer asked me +whether we had loaded pistols. "For what purpose?" asked I. "They may +possibly be of some use," replied he. "Wait a moment. I will provide +some." He went away. The Baron F------ and I opened a window opposite +the pavilion we had left. We fancied we heard two persons whispering +to each other, and a noise like that of a ladder applied to one of the +windows. This was, however, a mere conjecture, and I did not dare +affirm it as a fact. The Russian officer came back with a brace of +pistols, after having been absent about half an hour. We saw him load +them with powder and ball. It was almost two o'clock in the morning +when the sorcerer came and announced that all was prepared. Before we +entered the room he desired us to take off our shoes, and to appear in +our shirts, stockings, and under-garments. He bolted the doors after us +as before. + +We found in the middle of the room a large, black circle, drawn with +charcoal, the space within which was capable of containing us all very +easily. The planks of the chamber floor next to the wall were taken up +all round the room, so that we stood as it were upon an island. An +altar covered with black cloth was placed in the centre upon a carpet of +red satin. A Chaldee Bible was laid open, together with a skull; and a +silver crucifix was fastened upon the altar. Instead of candles some +spirits of wine were burning in a silver vessel. A thick smoke of +frankincense darkened the room and almost extinguished the lights. The +sorcerer was undressed like ourselves, but barefooted; about his bare +neck he wore an amulet, suspended by a chain of human hair; round his +middle was a white apron marked with cabalistic characters and +symbolical figures. + + [Amulet is a charm or preservative against mischief, witchcraft, or + diseases. Amulets were made of stone metal, simples, animals, and + everything which fancy or caprice suggested; and sometimes they + consisted of words, characters, and sentences ranged in a + particular order and engraved upon wood, and worn about the neck or + some other part of the body. At other times they were neither + written nor engraved, but prepared with many superstitious + ceremonies, great regard being usually paid to the influence of the + stars. The Arabians have given to this species of amulets the name + of talismans. All nations have been fond of amulets. The Jews + were extremely superstitious in the use of them to drive away + diseases; and even amongst the Christians of the early times + amulets were made of the wood of the cross or ribbons, with a text + of Scripture written on them, as preservatives against diseases.] + +He desired us to join hands and to observe profound silence; above all +he ordered us not to ask the apparition any question. He desired the +Englishman and myself, whom he seemed to distrust the most, constantly +to hold two naked swords crossways an inch above his head as long as the +conjuration should last. We formed a half-moon round him; the Russian +officer placed himself close to the English lord, and was the nearest to +the altar. The sorcerer stood upon the satin carpet with his face +turned to the east. He sprinkled holy water in the direction of the +four cardinal points of the compass, and bowed three times before the +Bible. The formula of the conjuration, of which we did not understand a +word, lasted for the space of seven or eight minutes, at the end of +which he made a sign to those who stood close behind to seize him firmly +by the hair. Amid the most violent convulsions he called the deceased +three times by his name, and the third time he stretched forth his hand +towards the crucifix. + +On a sudden we all felt at the same instant a stroke as of a flash of +lightning, so powerful that it obliged us to quit each other's hands; a +terrible thunder shook the house; the locks jarred; the doors creaked; +the cover of the silver box fell down and extinguished the light; and on +the opposite wall over the chimney-piece appeared a human figure in a +bloody shirt, with the paleness of death on its countenance. + +"Who calls me?" said a hollow, hardly intelligible voice. + +"Thy friend," answered the sorcerer, "who respects thy memory, and prays +for thy soul." He named the prince. + +The answers of the apparition were always given at very long intervals. + +"What does he want with me?" continued the voice. + +"He wants to hear the remainder of the confession which then had begun +to impart to him in thy dying hour, but did not finish." + +"In a convent on the frontiers of Flanders lives a -------" + +The house again trembled; a dreadful thunder rolled; a flash of +lightning illuminated the room; the doors flew open, and another human +figure, bloody and pale as the first, but more terrible, appeared on the +threshold. The spirit in the box began to burn again by itself, and the +hall was light as before. + +"Who is amongst us?" exclaimed the sorcerer, terrified, casting a look +of horror on the assemblage; "I did not want thee." The figure advanced +with noiseless and majestic steps directly up to the altar, stood on the +satin Carpet over against us, and touched the crucifix. The first +apparition was seen no more. + +"Who calls me?" demanded the second apparition. + +"The sorcerer began to tremble. Terror and amazement kept us motionless +for some time. I seized a pistol. The sorcerer snatched it out of my +hand, and fired it at the apparition. The ball rolled slowly upon the +altar, and the figure emerged unaltered from the smoke. The Sorcerer +fell senseless on the ground. + +"What is this?" exclaimed the Englishman, in astonishment, aiming a +blow at the ghost with a sword. The figure touched his arm, and the +weapon fell to the ground. The perspiration stood on my brow with +horror. Baron ------ afterwards confessed to me that he had prayed +silently. + +During all this time the prince stood fearless and tranquil, his eyes +riveted on the second apparition. "Yes, I know thee," said he at +length, with emotion; "thou art Lanoy; thou art my friend. Whence +comest thou?" + +"Eternity is mute. Ask me concerning my past life." + +"Who is it that lives in the convent which thou mentionedst to me in thy +last moments?" + +"My daughter." + +"How? Hast thou been a father?" + +"Woe is me that I was not." + +"Art thou not happy, Lanoy?" + +"God has judged." + +"Can I render thee any further service in this world?" + +"None but to think of thyself." + +"How must I do that?" + +"Thou wilt learn at Rome." + +The thunder again rolled; a black cloud of smoke filled the room; when +it had dispersed the figure was no longer visible. I forced open one of +the window shutters. It was daylight. + +The sorcerer now recovered from his swoon. "Where are we?" asked he, +seeing the daylight. + +The Russian officer stood close beside him, and looked over his +shoulder. "Juggler," said he to him, with a terrible countenance, +"Thou shalt summon no more ghosts." + +The Sicilian turned round, looked steadfastly in his face, uttered a +loud shriek, and threw himself at his feet. + +We looked all at once at the pretended Russian. The prince instantly +recognized the features of the Armenian, and the words he was about to +utter expired on his tongue. We were all as it were petrified with fear +and amazement. Silent and motionless, our eyes were fixed on this +mysterious being, who beheld us with a calm but penetrating look of +grandeur and superiority. A minute elapsed in this awful silence; +another succeeded; not a breath was to be heard. + +A violent battering against the door roused us at last from this stupor. +The door fell in pieces into the room, and several officers of justice, +with a guard, rushed in. "Here they are, all together," said the leader +to his followers. Then addressing himself to us, "In the name of the +government," continued he, "I arrest you." We had no time to recollect +ourselves; in a few moments we were surrounded. The Russian officer, +whom I shall again call the Armenian, took the chief officer aside, and, +as far as I in my confusion could notice, I observed him whisper a few +words to the latter, and show him a written paper. The officer, bowing +respectfully, immediately quitted him, turned to us, and taking off his +hat, said "Gentlemen, I humbly beg your pardon for having confounded +you with this impostor. I shall not inquire who you are, as this +gentleman assures me you are men of honor." At the same time he gave +his companions a sign to leave us at liberty. He ordered the Sicilian +to be bound and strictly guarded. "The fellow is ripe for punishment," +added he; "we have been searching for him these seven months." + +The wretched sorcerer was really an object of pity. The terror caused +by the second apparition, and by this unexpected arrest, had together +overpowered his senses. Helpless as a child, he suffered himself to be +bound without resistance. His eyes were wide open and immovable; his +face was pale as death; his lips quivered convulsively, but he was +unable to utter a sound. Every moment we expected he would fall into a +fit. The prince was moved by the situation in which he saw him. He +undertook to procure his discharge from the leader of the police, to +whom he discovered his rank. "Do you know, gracious prince," said the +officer, "for whom your highness is so generously interceding? The +juggling tricks by which he endeavored to deceive you are the least of +his crimes. We have secured his accomplices; they depose terrible facts +against him. He may think himself fortunate if he is only punished with +the galleys." + +In the meantime we saw the innkeeper and his family led bound through +the yard. "This man, too?" said the prince; "and what is his crime?" + +"He was his comrade and accomplice," answered the officer. "He assisted +him in his deceptions and robberies, and shared the booty with him. +Your highness shall be convinced of it presently. Search the house," +continued he, turning to his followers, "and bring me immediate notice +of what you find." + +The prince looked around for the Armenian, but he had disappeared. In +the confusion occasioned by the arrival of the watch he had found means +to steal away unperceived. The prince was inconsolable; he declared he +would send all his servants, and would himself go in search of this +mysterious man; and he wished me to go with him. I hastened to the +window; the house was surrounded by a great number of idlers, whom the +account of this event had attracted to the spot. It was impossible to +get through the crowd. I represented this to the prince. "If," said I, +"it is the Armenian's intention to conceal himself from us, he is +doubtless better acquainted with the intricacies of the place than we, +and all our inquiries would prove fruitless. Let us rather remain here +a little longer, gracious prince," added I. "This officer, to whom, if +I observed right, he discovered himself, may perhaps give us some +information respecting him." + +We now for the first time recollected that we were still undressed. +We hastened to the other pavilion and put on our clothes as quickly +as possible. When we returned they had finished searching the house. + +On removing the altar and some of the boards of the floor a spacious +vault was discovered. It was high enough, for a man might sit upright +in it with ease, and was separated from the cellar by a door and a +narrow staircase. In this vault they found an electrical machine, a +clock, and a little silver bell, which, as well as the electrical +machine, was in communication with the altar and the crucifix that was +fastened upon it. A hole had been made in the window-shutter opposite +the chimney, which opened and shut with a slide. In this hole, as we +learnt afterwards, was fixed a magic lantern, from which the figure of +the ghost had been reflected on the opposite wall, over the chimney. +From the garret and the cellar they brought several drums, to which +large leaden bullets were fastened by strings; these had probably been +used to imitate the roaring of thunder which we had heard. + +On searching the Sicilian's clothes they found, in a case, different +powders, genuine mercury in vials and boxes, phosphorus in a glass +bottle, and a ring, which we immediately knew to be magnetic, because it +adhered to a steel button that by accident had been placed near it. In +his coat-pockets were found a rosary, a Jew's beard, a dagger, and a +brace of pocket-pistols. "Let us see whether they are loaded," said one +of the watch, and fired up the chimney. + +"Jesus Maria!" cried a hollow voice, which we knew to be that of the +first apparition, and at the same instant a bleeding person came +tumbling down the chimney. "What! not yet laid, poor ghost!" cried the +Englishman, while we started back in affright. "Home to thy grave. +Thou hast appeared what thou wert not; now thou wilt become what thou +didst but seem." + +"Jesus Maria! I am wounded," repeated the man in the chimney. The ball +had fractured his right leg. Care was immediately taken to have the +wound dressed. + +"But who art thou?" said the English lord; "and what evil spirit +brought thee here?" + +"I am a poor mendicant friar," answered the wounded man; "a strange +gentleman gave me a zechin to--" + +"Repeat a speech. And why didst thou not withdraw as soon as thy task +was finished?" + +I was waiting for a signal which we had agreed on to continue my speech; +but as this signal was not given, I was endeavoring to get away, when I +found the ladder had been removed" + +"And what was the formula he taught thee?" + +The wounded man fainted away; nothing more could be got from him. In +the meantime the prince turned towards the principal officer of the +watch, giving him at the same time some pieces of gold. "You have +rescued us," said he, "from the hands of an impostor, and done us +justice without even knowing who we were; would you increase our +gratitude by telling us the name of the stranger who, by speaking +only a few words, was able to procure us our liberty." + +"Whom do you mean?" inquired the party addressed, with an air which +plainly showed that the question was useless. + +"The gentleman in a Russian uniform, who took you aside, showed you a +written paper, and whispered a few words, in consequence of which you +immediately set us free." + +"Do not you know the gentleman? Was he not one of your company?" + +"No," answered the prince; "and I have very important reasons for +wishing to be more intimately acquainted with him." + +"I know very little of him myself. Even his name is unknown to me, and +I saw him to-day for the first time in my life." + +"How? And was he in so short a time, and by using only a few words, +able to convince you both of our innonocence and his own?" + +"Undoubtedly, with a single word." + +"And this was? I confess I wish to know it." + +"This stranger, my prince," said the officer, weighing the zechins in +his band,--"you have been too generous for me to make a secret of it any +longer,--this stranger is an officer of the Inquisition." + +"Of the Inquisition? This man?" + +"He is, indeed, gracious prince. I was convinced of it by the paper +which he showed to me." + +"This man, did you say? That cannot be." + +"I will tell your highness more. It was upon his information that I +have been sent here to arrest the sorcerer." + +We looked at each other in the utmost astonishment. + +"Now we know," said the English lord at length, "why the poor devil of a +sorcerer started in such a terror when he looked more closely into his +face. He knew him to be a spy, and that is why he uttered that shriek, +and fell down before him." + +"No!" interrupted the prince. "This man is whatever he wishes to be, +and whatever the moment requires him to be. No mortal ever knew what he +really was. Did you not see the knees of the Sicilian sink under him, +when he said, with that terrible voice: 'Thou shalt summon no more +ghosts?' There is something inexplicable in this matter. No person can +persuade me that one man should be thus alarmed at the sight of +another." + +"The sorcerer himself will probably explain it the best," said the +English lord, "if that gentleman," pointing to the officer, "will afford +us an opportunity of speaking with his prisoner." + +The officer consented to it, and, having agreed with the Englishman to +visit the Sicilian in the morning, we returned to Venice. + + [The Count O-------, whose narrative I have thus far literally + copied, describes minutely the various effects of this adventure + upon the mind of the prince and of his companions, and recounts a + variety of tales of apparitions which this event gave occasion to + introduce. I shall omit giving them to the reader, on the + supposition that he is as curious as myself to know the conclusion + of the adventure, and its effect on the conduct of the prince. I + shall only add that the prince got no sleep the remainder of the + night, and that he waited with impatience for the moment which was + to disclose this incomprehensible mystery, Note of the German + Editor.] + +Lord Seymour (this was the name of the Englishman) called upon us very +early in the forenoon, and was soon after followed by a confidential +person whom the officer had entrusted with the care of conducting us to +the prison. + +I forgot to mention that one of the prince's domestics, a native of +Bremen, who had served him many years with the strictest fidelity, and +had entirely gained his confidence, had been missing for several days. +Whether he had met with any accident, whether he had been kidnapped, +or had voluntarily absented himself, was a secret to every one. The +last supposition was extremely improbable, as his conduct had always +been quiet and regular, and nobody had ever found fault with him. All +that his companions could recollect was that he had been for some time +very melancholy, and that, whenever he had a moment's leisure, he used +to visit a certain monastery in the Giudecca, where he had formed an +acquaintance with some monks. This induced us to suppose that he might +have fallen into the hands of the priests and had been persuaded to turn +Catholic; and as the prince was very tolerant, or rather indifferent +about matters of this kind, and the few inquiries he caused to be made +proved unsuccessful, he gave up the search. He, however, regretted the +loss of this man, who had constantly attended him in his campaigns, +had always been faithfully attached to him, and whom it was therefore +difficult to replace in a foreign country. The very same day the +prince's banker, whom he had commissioned to provide him with another +servant, was announced at the moment we were going out. He presented to +the prince a middle-aged man, well-dressed, and of good appearance, who +had been for a long time secretary to a procurator, spoke French and a +little German, and was besides furnished with the best recommendations. +The prince was pleased with the man's physiognomy; and as he declared +that he would be satisfied with such wages as his service should be +found to merit, the prince engaged him immediately. + +We found the Sicilian in a private prison where, as the officer assured +us, he had been lodged for the present, to accommodate the prince, +before being removed to the lead roofs, to which there is no access. +These lead roofs are the most terrible prisons in Venice. They are +situated on the top of the palace of St. Mark, and the miserable +criminals suffer so dreadfully from the heat of the leads occasioned by +the heat of the burning rays of the sun descending directly upon them +that they frequently become delirious. The Sicilian had recovered from +his yesterday's terror, and rose respectfully on seeing the prince +enter. He had fetters on one hand and on one leg, but was able to walk +about the room at liberty. The sentinel at the door withdrew as soon as +we had entered. + +"I come," said the prince, "to request an explanation of you on two +subjects. You owe me the one, and it shall not be to your disadvantage +if you grant me the other." + +"My part is now acted," replied the Sicilian, "my destiny is in your +hands." + +"Your sincerity alone can mitigate your punishment. + +"Speak, honored prince, I am ready to answer you. I have nothing now to +lose." + +"You showed me the face of the Armenian in a looking-glass. How was +this effected?" + +"What you saw was no looking-glass. A portrait in crayons behind a +glass, representing a man in an Armenian dress, deceived you. My +quickness, the twilight, and your astonishment favored the deception. +The picture itself must have been found among the other things seized at +the inn." + +"But how could you read my thoughts so accurately as to hit upon the +Armenian?" + +"This was not difficult, your highness. You must frequently have +mentioned your adventure with the Armenian at table in the presence of +your domestics. One of my accomplices accidentally got acquainted with +one of your domestics in the Giudecca, and learned from him gradually as +much as I wished to know." + +"Where is the man?" asked the prince; "I have missed him, and doubtless +you know of his desertion." + +"I swear to your honor, sir, that I know not a syllable about it. I +have never seen him myself, nor had any other concern with him than the +one before mentioned." + +"Proceed with your story," said the prince. + +"By this means, also, I received the first information of your residence +and of your adventures at Venice; and I resolved immediately to profit +by them. You see, prince, I am sincere. I was apprised of your +intended excursion on the Brenta. I prepared for it, and a key that +dropped by chance from your pocket afforded me the first opportunity of +trying my art upon you." + +"How! Have I been mistaken? The adventure of the key was then a trick +of yours, and not of the Armenian? You say this key fell from my +pocket?" + +"You accidentally dropped it in taking out your purse, and I seized an +opportunity, when no one noticed me, to cover it with my foot. The +person of whom you bought the lottery-ticket acted in concert with me. +He caused you to draw it from a box where there was no blank, and the +key had been in the snuff-box long before it came into your possession." + +"I understand you. And the monk who stopped me in my way and addressed +me in a manner so solemn." + +"Was the same who, as I hear, has been wounded in the chimney. He is +one of my accomplices, and under that disguise has rendered me many +important services." + +"But what purpose was this intended to answer?" + +"To render you thoughtful; to inspire you with such a train of ideas as +should be favorable to the wonders I intended afterwards to show you." + +"The pantomimical dance, which ended in a manner so extraordinary, was +at least none of your contrivance?" + +"I had taught the girl who represented the queen. Her performance was +the result of my instructions. I supposed your highness would be not a +little astonished to find yourself known in this place, and (I entreat +your pardon, prince) your adventure with the Armenian gave me reason to +hope that you were already disposed to reject natural interpretations, +and to attribute so marvellous an occurrence to supernatural agency." + +"Indeed," exclaimed the prince, at once angry and amazed, and casting +upon me a significant look; "indeed, I did not expect this." + + [Neither did probably the greater number of my readers. The + circumstance of the crown deposited at the feet of the prince, in a + manner so solemn and unexpected, and the former prediction of the + Armenian, seem so naturally and obviously to aim at the same object + that at the first reading of these memoirs I immediately remembered + the deceitful speech of the witches in Macbeth:-- + + "Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! + All hail, Macbeth! that shall he king hereafter!" + + and probably the same thing has occurred to many of my readers. + + When a certain conviction has taken hold upon a man's mind in a + solemn and extraordinary manner, it is sure to follow that all + subsequent ideas which are in any way capable of being associated + with this conviction should attach themselves to, and in some + degree seem to be consequent upon it. The Sicilian, who seems to + have had no other motive for his whole scheme than to astonish the + prince by showing him that his rank was discovered, played, without + being himself aware of it, the very game which most furthered the + view of the Armenian; but however much of its interest this + adventure will lose if I take away the higher motive which at first + seemed to influence these actions, I must by no means infringe upon + historical truth, but must relate the facts exactly as they + occurred.--Note of the German Editor.] + +"But," continued he, after a long silence, "how did you produce the +figure which appeared on the wall over the chimney?" + +"By means of a magic lantern that was fixed in the opposite window- +shutter, in which you have undoubtedly observed an opening." + +"But how did it happen that not one of us perceived the lantern?" asked +Lord Seymour. + +"You remember, my lord, that on your re-entering the room it was +darkened by a thick smoke of frankincense. I likewise took the +precaution to place the boards which had been taken up from the floor +upright against the wall near the window. By these means I prevented +the shutter from immediately attracting observation. Moreover, the +lantern remained covered by a slide until you had taken your places, and +there was no further reason to apprehend that you would institute any +examination of the saloon." + +"As I looked out of the window in the other pavilion," said I, +"I fancied I heard a noise like that of a person placing a ladder +against the side of the house. Was I right?" + +"Exactly; it was the ladder upon which my assistants stood to direct the +magic-lantern." + +"The apparition," continued the prince, "had really a superficial +likeness to my deceased friend, and what was particularly striking, his +hair, which was of a very light color, was exactly imitated. Was this +mere chance, or how did you come by such a resemblance?" + +"Your highness must recollect that you had at table a snuff-box by your +plate, with an enamelled portrait of an officer in a uniform. I asked +whether you had anything about you as a memento of your friend, and as +your highness answered in the affirmative, I conjectured that it might +be the box. I had attentively examined the picture during supper, and +being very expert in drawing and not less happy in taking likenesses, I +had no difficulty in giving to my shade the superficial resemblance you +have perceived, the more so as the marquis' features are very marked." + +"But the figure seemed to move?" + +"It appeared so, yet it was not the figure that moved but the smoke +on which the light was reflected." + +"And the man who fell down in the chimney spoke for the apparition?" + +"He did." + +"But he could not hear your question distinctly." + +"There was no occasion for it. Your highness will recollect that I +cautioned you all very strictly not to propose any question to the +apparition yourselves. My inquiries and his answers were preconcerted +between us; and that no mistake might happen, I caused him to speak at +long intervals, which he counted by the beating of a watch." + +"You ordered the innkeeper carefully to extinguish every fire in the +house with water; this was undoubtedly--" + +"To save the man in the chimney from the danger of being suffocated; +because the chimneys in the house communicate with each other, and I did +not think myself very secure from your retinue." + +"How did it happen," asked Lord Seymour, "that your ghost appeared +neither sooner nor later than you wished him?" + +"The ghost was in the room for some time before I called him, but while +the room was lighted, the shade was too faint to be perceived. When the +formula of the conjuration was finished, I caused the cover of the box, +in which the spirit was buring, to drop down, the saloon was darkened, +and it was not till then that the figure on the wall could be distinctly +seen, although it had been reflected there a considerable time before." + +"When the ghost appeared, we all felt an electric shock. How was that +managed?" + +"You have discovered the machine under the altar. You have also seen +that I was standing upon a silk carpet. I directed you to form a half- +moon around me, and to take each other's hands. When the crisis +approached, I gave a sign to one of you to seize me by the hair. The +silver crucifix was the conductor, and you felt the electric shock when +I touched it with my hand." + +"You ordered Count O----- and myself," continued Lord Seymour, "to hold +two naked swords crossways over your head, during the whole time of the +conjuration; for what purpose?" + +"For no other than to engage your attention during the operation; +because I distrusted you two the most. You remember, that I expressly +commanded you to hold the sword one inch above my head; by confining you +exactly to this distance, I prevented you from looking where I did not +wish you. I had not then perceived my principal enemy." + +"I own," cried Lord Seymour, "you acted with due precaution--but why +were we obliged to appear undressed?" + +"Merely to give a greater solemnity to the scene, and to excite your +imaginations by the strangeness of the proceeding." + +"The second apparition prevented your ghost from speaking," said the +prince. "What should we have learnt from him?" + +"Nearly the same as what you heard afterwards. It was not without +design that I asked your highness whether you had told me everything +that the deceased communicated to you, and whether you had made any +further inquiries on this subject in his country. I thought this was +necessary, in order to prevent the deposition of the ghost from being +contradicted by facts with which you were previously acquainted. +Knowing likewise that every man in his youth is liable to error, +I inquired whether the life of your friend had been irreproachable, +and on your answer I founded that of the ghost." + +"Your explanation of this matter is satisfactory," resumed the prince, +after a short silence; "but there remains a principal circumstance which +I must ask you to clear up." + +"If it be in my power, and--" + +"No conditions! Justice, in whose hands you now are, might perhaps not +interrogate you with so much delicacy. Who was this unknown at whose +feet we saw you fall? What do you know of him? How did you get +acquainted with him? And in what way was he connected with the +appearance of the second apparition? + +"Your highness"-- + +"On looking at him more attentively, you gave a loud scream, and fell at +his feet. What are we to understand by that?" + +"This man, your highness"--He stopped, grew visibly perplexed, and with +an embarrassed countenance looked around him. "Yes, prince, by all that +is sacred, this unknown is a terrible being." + +"What do you know of him? What connection have you with him? Do not +hope to conceal the truth from us." + +"I shall take care not to do so,--for who will warrant that he is not +among us at this very moment?" + +"Where? Who?" exclaimed we altogether, "half-amused, half-startled, +looking about the room. "That is impossible." + +"Oh! to this man, or whatever he may be, things still more +incomprehensible are possible." + +"But who is he? Whence comes he? Is he an Armenian or a Russian? Of +the characters be assumes, which is his real one?" + +"He is nothing of what he appears to be. There are few conditions or +countries of which he has not worn the mask. No person knows who he is, +whence he comes, or whither he goes. That he has been for a long time +in Egypt, as many pretend, and that he has brought from thence, out of a +catacomb, his, occult sciences, I will neither affirm nor deny. Here we +only know him by the name of the Incomprehensible. How old, for +instance, do you suppose he is?" + +"To judge from his appearance he can scarcely have passed forty." + +"And of what age do you suppose I am?" + +"Not far from fifty." + +"Quite right; and I must tell you that I was but a boy of seventeen when +my grandfather spoke to me of this marvellous man whom he had seen at +Famagusta; at which time he appeared nearly of the same age as he does +at present." + +"This is exaggerated, ridiculous, and incredible." + +"By no means. Were I not prevented by these fetters I could produce +vouchers whose dignity and respectability should leave you no room for +doubt. There are several credible persons who remember having seen him, +each, at the same time, in different parts of the globe. No sword can +wound, no poison can hurt, no fire can burn him; no vessel in which he +embarks can be wrecked. Time itself seems to lose its power over him. +Years do not affect his constitution, nor age whiten his hair. Never +was he seen to take any food. Never did he approach a woman. No sleep +closes his eyes. Of the twenty-four hours in the day there is only one +which he cannot command; during which no person ever saw him, and during +which he never was employed in any terrestrial occupation." + +"And this hour is?" + +"The twelfth in the night. When the clock strikes twelve at midnight +he ceases to belong to the living. In whatever place he is he must +immediately be gone; whatever business he is engaged in he must +instantly leave it. The terrible sound of the hour of midnight tears +him from the arms of friendship, wrests him from the altar, and would +drag him away even in the agonies of death. Whither he then goes, or +what he is then engaged in, is a secret to every one. No person +ventures to interrogate, still less to follow him. His features, at +this dread ful hour, assume a sternness of expression so gloomy and +terrifying that no person has courage sufficient to look him in the +face, or to speak a word to him. However lively the conversation may +have been, a dead silence immediately succeeds it, and all around wait +for his return in respectful silence without venturing to quit their +seats, or to open the door through which he has passed." + +"Does nothing extraordinary appear in his person when he returns?" +inquired one of our party. + +"Nothing, except that he seems pale and exhausted, like a man who has +just suffered a painful operation, or received some disastrous +intelligence. Some pretend to have seen drops of blood on his linen, +but with what degree of veracity I cannot affirm." + +"Did no person ever attempt to conceal the approach of this hour from +him, or endeavor to preoccupy his mind in such a manner as to make him +forget it?" + +"Once only, it is said, he missed the appointed time. The company was +numerous and remained together late in the night. All the clocks and +watches were purposely set wrong, and the warmth of conversation carried +him away. When the stated hour arrived he suddenly became silent and +motionless; his limbs continued in the position in which this instant +had arrested them; his eyes were fixed; his pulse ceased to beat. All +the means employed to awake him proved fruitless, and this situation +endured till the hour had elapsed. He then revived on a sudden without +any assistance, opened his eyes, and resumed his speech at the very +syllable which he was pronouncing at the moment of interruption. The +general consternation discovered to him what had happened, and he +declared, with an awful solemnity, that they ought to think themselves +happy in having escaped with the fright alone. The same night he +quitted forever the city where this circumstance had occurred. The +common opinion is that during this mysterious hour he converses with his +genius. Some even suppose him to be one of the departed who is allowed +to pass twenty-three hours of the day among the living, and that in the +twenty-fourth his soul is obliged to return to the infernal regions to +suffer its punishment. Some believe him to be the famous Apollonius of +Tyana; and others the disciple of John, of whom it is said, 'He shall +remain until the last judgment.'" + +"A character so wonderful," replied the prince, "cannot fail to give +rise to whimsical conjectures. But all this you profess to know only by +hearsay, and yet his behavior to you and yours to him, seemed to +indicate a more intimate acquaintance. Is it not founded upon some +particular event in which you have yourself been concerned? Conceal +nothing from us." + +The Sicilian looked at us doubtingly and remained silent. + +"If it concerns something," continued the prince, "that you do not wish +to be made known, I promise you, in the name of these two gentlemen, the +most inviolable secrecy. But speak candidly and without reserve." + +"Could I hope," answered the prisoner, after a long silence, "that you +would not make use of what I am going to relate as evidence against me, +I would tell you a remarkable adventure of this Armenian, of which I +myself was witness, and which will leave you no doubt of his +supernatural powers. But I beg leave to conceal some of the names." + +"Cannot you do it without this condition?" + +"No, your highness. There is a family concerned in it whom I have +reason to respect." + +"Let us hear your story." + +"It is about five years ago," began the Sicilian, "that at Naples, where +I was practising my art with tolerable success, I became acquainted with +a person of the name of Lorenzo del M-------, chevalier of the Order of +St. Stephen, a young and rich nobleman, of one of the first families in +the kingdom, who loaded me with kindnesses, and seemed to have a great +esteem for my occult knowledge. He told me that the Marquis del M--nte, +his father, was a zealous admirer of the cabala, and would think himself +happy in having a philosopher like myself (for such he was pleased to +call me) under his roof. The marquis lived in one of his country seats +on the sea-shore, about seven miles from Naples. There, almost entirely +secluded from the world, he bewailed, the loss of a beloved son, of whom +he had been deprived by a terrible calamity. The chevalier gave me to +understand that he and his family might perhaps have occasion to employ +me on a matter of the most grave importance, in the hope of gaining +through my secret science some information, to procure which all natural +means had been tried in vain. He added, with a very significant look, +that he himself might, perhaps at some future period, have reason to +look upon me as the restorer of his tranquillity, and of all his earthly +happiness. The affair was as follows:-- + +"This Lorenzo was the younger son of the marquis, and for that reason +had been destined for the church; the family estates were to descend to +the eldest. Jeronymo, which was the name of the latter, had spent many +years on his travels, and had returned to his country about seven years +prior to the event which I am about to relate, in order to celebrate his +marriage with the only daughter of the neighboring Count C----tti. This +marriage had been determined on by the parents during the infancy of the +children, in order to unite the large fortunes of the two houses. But +though this agreement was made by the two families, without consulting +the hearts of the parties concerned, the latter had mutually pledged +their faith to each other in secret. Jeronymo del M------ and Antonia +C----- had been brought up together, and the little restraint imposed on +two children, whom their parents were already accustomed to regard as +destined for each other, soon produced between them a connection of the +tenderest kind; the congeniality of their tempers cemented this +intimacy; and in later years it ripened insensibly into love. An +absence of four years, far from cooling this passion, had only served to +inflame it; and Jeronymo returned to the arms of his intended bride as +faithful and as ardent as if they had never been separated. + +"The raptures occasioned by his return had not yet subsided, and the +preparations for the happy day were advancing with the utmost zeal and +activity, when the bridegroom disappeared. He used frequently to pass +whole afternoons in a summer-house which commanded a prospect of the +sea, and was accustomed to take the diversion of sailing on the water. +One day, on an evening spent in this manner, it was observed that he +remained absent a much longer time than usual, and his friends began to +be very uneasy on his account. Messengers were despatched after him, +vessels were sent to sea in quest of him; no person had seen him. None +of his servants were missed; he must, therefore, have gone alone. Night +came on, and he did not appear. The next morning dawned; the day +passed, the evening succeeded--, Jeronymo came not. Already they had +begun to give themselves up to the most melancholy conjectures when the +news arrived that an Algerine pirate had landed the preceeding day on +that coast, and carried off several of the inhabitants. Two galleys +which were ready for sea were immediately manned; the old marquis +himself embarked in one of them, to attempt the deliverance of his son +at the peril of his own life. On the third morning they perceived the +corsair. They had the advantage of the wind; they were just about to +overtake the pirate, and had even approached so near that Lorenzo, who +was in one of the galleys, fancied that he saw upon the deck of the +adversary's ship a signal made by his brother, when a sudden storm +separated the vessels. Hardly could the damaged galleys sustain the +fury of the tempest. The pirate in the meantime had disappeared, and +the distressed state of the other vessels obliged them to land at Malta. +The affliction of the family knew no bounds. The distracted old marquis +tore his gray hairs in the utmost violence of grief; and fears were +entertained for the life of the young countess. Five years were +consumed in fruitless inquiries. Diligent search was made along all the +coast of Barbary; immense sums were offered for the ransom of the poor +marquis, but no person came forward to claim them. The only probable +conjecture which remained for the family to form was, that the same +storm which had separated the galleys from the pirate had destroyed the +latter, and that the whole ship's company had perished in the waves. + +"But, however this supposition might be, it did not by any means amount +to a certainty, and could not authorize the family altogether to +renounce the hope that the lost Jeronymo might again appear. In case, +however, that he was really dead, either the family must become extinct, +or the younger son must relinquish the church, and assume the rights of +the elder. As justice, on the one hand, seemed to oppose the latter +measure, so, on the other hand, the necessity of preserving the family +from annihilation required that the scruple should not be carried too +far. In the meantime through grief and the infirmities of age, the old +marquis was fast sinking to his grave; every unsuccessful attempt +diminished the hope of finding his lost son; he saw the danger of his +family's becoming extinct, which might be obviated by a trifling +injustice on his part, in consenting to favor his younger son at the +expense of the elder. The consummation of his alliance with the house +of Count C---tti required only that a name should be changed, for the +object of the two families was equally accomplished, whether Antonia +became the wife of Lorenzo or of Jeronymo. The faint probability of the +latter's appearing again weighed but little against the certain and +pressing danger of the total extinction of the family, and the old +marquis, who felt the approach of death every day more and more, +ardently wished at least to die free from this inquietude. + +"Lorenzo, however, who was to be principally benefited by this measure, +opposed it with the greatest obstinacy. Alike unmoved by the +allurements of an immense fortune, and the attractions of the beautiful +and accomplished being whom his family were about to deliver into his +arms, he refused, on principles the most generous and conscientious, to +invade the rights of a brother, who perhaps was still alive, and might +some day return to claim his own. 'Is not the lot of my dear Jeronymo,' +said he, 'made sufficiently miserable by the horrors of a long +captivity, that I should yet add bitterness to his cup of grief by +stealing from him all that he holds most dear? With what conscience +could I supplicate heaven for his return when his wife is in my arms? +With what countenance could I hasten to meet him should he at last be +restored to us by some miracle? And even supposing that he is torn +from us forever, how can we better honor his memory than by keeping +constantly open the chasm which his death has caused in our circle? Can +we better show our respect to him than by sacrificing our dearest hopes +upon his tomb, and keeping untouched, as a sacred deposit, what was +peculiarly his own?' + +"But all the arguments which fraternal delicacy could adduce were +insufficient to reconcile the old marquis to the idea of being obliged +to witness the extinction of a pedigree which nine centuries had beheld +flourishing. All that Lorenzo could obtain was a respite of two years +before leading the affianced bride of his brother to the altar. During +this period they continued their inquiries with the utmost diligence. +Lorenzo himself made several voyages, and exposed his person to many +dangers. No trouble, no expense was spared to recover the lost +Jeronymo. These two years, however, like those which preceded them, +were in vain?" + +"And the Countess Antonia?" said the prince, "You tell us nothing of +her. Could she so calmly submit to her fate? I cannot suppose it." + +"Antonia," answered the Sicilian, "experienced the most violent struggle +between duty and inclination, between hate and admiration. The +disinterested generosity of a brother's love affected her; she felt +herself forced to esteem a person whom she could never love. Her heart +was torn by conflicting sentiments. But her repugnance to the chevalier +seemed to increase in the same degree as his claims upon her esteem +augmented. Lorenzo perceived with heartfelt sorrow the grief that +consumed her youth. A tender compassion insensibly assumed the place of +that indifference with which, till then, he had been accustomed to +regard her; but this treacherous sentiment quickly deceived him, and an +ungovernable passion began by degrees to shake the steadiness of his +virtue--a virtue which, till then, had been unequalled. + +"He, however, still obeyed the dictates of generosity, though at the +expense 'of his love. By his efforts alone was the unfortunate victim +protected against the arbitrary proceedings of the rest of the family. +But his endeavors were ineffectual. Every victory he gained over his +passion rendered him more worthy of Antonia; and the disinterestedness +with which he refused her left her no excuse for resistance. + +"This was the state of affairs when the chevalier engaged me to visit +him at his father's villa. The earnest recommendation of my patron +procured me a reception which exceeded my most sanguine hopes. I must +not forget to mention that by some remarkable operations I had +previously rendered my name famous in different lodges of Freemasons, +which circumstance may, perhaps, have contributed to strengthen the old +marquis' confidence in me, and to heighten his expectations. I beg you +will excuse me from describing particularly the lengths I went with him, +and the means which I employed; you may judge of them from what I have +already confessed to you. Profiting by the mystic books which I found +in his very extensive library, I was soon able to converse with him in +his own language, and to adorn my system of the invisible world with the +most extraordinary inventions. In a short time I could make him believe +whatever I pleased, and he would have sworn as readily as upon an +article in the canon. Morover, as he was very devout, and was by nature +somewhat credulous, my fables received credence the more readily, and in +a short time I had so completely surrounded and hemmed him in with +mystery that he cared for nothing that was not supernatural. In short I +became the patron saint of the house. The usual subject of my lectures +was the exaltation of human nature, and the intercourse of men with +superior beings; the infallible Count Gabalis was my oracle. + + [A mystical work of that title, written in French in 1670 by the + Abbe do Villars, and translated into English in 1600. Pope is said + to have borrowed from it the machinery of his Rape of the Lock.-H. + G. B.] + +"The young countess, whose mind since the loss of her lover had been more +occupied in the world of spirits than in that of nature, and who had, +moreover, a strong shade of melancholy in her composition, caught my +hints with a fearful satisfaction. Even the servants contrived to have +some business in the room when I was speaking, and seizing now and then +one of my expressions, joined the fragments together in their own way. + +"Two months were passed in this manner at the marquis' villa, when the +chevalier one morning entered my apartment. A deep sorrow was painted +on his countenance, his features were convulsed, he threw himself into a +chair, with gestures of despair. + +"'Captain,' said he, 'it is all over with me, I must begone; I can +remain here no longer.' + +"'What is the matter, chevalier? What ails you?' + +"'Oh! this fatal passion!' said he, starting frantically from his chair. +'I have combated it like a man; I can resist it no longer.' + +"'And whose fault is it but yours, my dear chevalier? Are they not all +in your favor? Your father, your relations.' + +"'My father, my relations! What are they to me? I want not a forced +union, but one of inclination, Have not I a rival? Alas! and what a +rival! Perhaps among the dead! Oh! let me go! Let me go to the end +of the world,--I must find my brother.' + +"'What! after so many unsuccessful attempts can you still cherish hope?' + +"'Hope!' replied the chevalier; 'alas! no. It has long since vanished +from my heart, but it has not from hers. Of what consequence are my +sentiments? Can I be happy while there remains a gleam of hope in +Antonia's heart? Two words, my friend, would end my torments. But it +is in vain. My destiny must continue to be miserable till eternity +shall break its long silence, and the grave shall speak in my behalf.' + +"'Is it then a state of certainty that would render you happy?' + +"'Happy! Alas! I doubt whether I can ever again be happy. But +uncertainty is of all others the most dreadful pain.' + +"After a short interval of silence he suppressed his emotion, and +continued mournfully, 'If he could but see my torments! Surely a +constancy which renders his brother miserable cannot add to his +happiness. Can it be just that the living should suffer so much for the +sake of the dead, who can no longer enjoy earthly felicity? If he knew +the pangs I suffer,' continued he, hiding his face on my shoulder, while +the tears streamed from his eyes, 'yes, perhaps he himself would +conducts her to my arms.' + +"'But is there no possibility of gratifying your wishes?' + +"He started. 'What do you say, my friend?' + +"'Less important occasions than the present,' said I, 'have disturbed +the repose of the dead for the sake of the living. Is not the whole +earthly happiness of a man, of a brother' + +"'The whole earthly happiness! Ah, my friend, I feel what you say is +but too true; my entire felicity.' + +"'And the tranquillity of a distressed family, are not these sufficient +to justify such a measure? Undoubtedly. If any sublunary concern can +authorize us to interrupt the peace of the blessed, to make use of a +power' + +"'For God's sake, my friend,' said he, interrupting me, no more of this. +Once, I avow it, I had such a thought; I think I mentioned it to you; +but I have long since rejected it as horrid and abominable.' + +"You will have conjectured already," continued the Sicilian, "to what +this conversation led us. I endeavored to overcome the scruples of the +chevalier, and at last succeeded. We resolved to summon the spirit of +the deceased Jeronymo. I only stipulated for the delay of a fortnight, +in order, as I pretended, to prepare myself in a suitable manner for so +solemn an act. The time being expired, and my machinery in readiness, +I took advantage of a very gloomy day, when we were all assembled as +usual, to obtain the consent of the family, or rather, gradually to lead +them to the subject, so that they themselves requested it of me. The +most difficult part of the task was to obtain the approbation of +Antonia, whose presence was most essential. My endeavors were, however, +greatly assisted by the melancholy turn of her mind, and perhaps still +more so by a faint hope that Jeronymo might still be living, and +therefore would not appear. A want of confidence in the thing itself, +or a doubt of my ability, was the only obstacle which I had not to +contend with. + +"Having obtained the consent of the family, the third day was fixed on +for the operation. I prepared them for the solemn transaction by +mystical instruction, by fasting, solitude, and prayers, which I ordered +to be continued till late in the night. Much use was also made of a +certain musical instrument, unknown till that time, and which, in such +cases, has often been found very powerful. The effect of these +artifices was so much beyond my expectation that the enthusiasm to which +on this occasion I was obliged to force myself was infinitely heightened +by that of my audience. The anxiously-expected hour at last arrived." + +"I guess," said the prince, "whom you are now going to introduce. But +go on, go on." + +"No, your highness. The incantation succeeded according to my wishes." + +"How? Where is the Armenian?" + +"Do not fear, your highness. He will appear but too soon. I omit the +description of the farce itself, as it would lead me to too great a +length. Be it sufficient to say that it answered my utmost +expectations. The old marquis, the young countess, her mother, Lorenzo, +and a few others of the family, were present. You may imagine that +during my long residence in this house I had not wanted opportunities of +gathering information respecting everything that concerned the deceased. +Several portraits of him enabled me to give the apparition the most +striking likeness, and as I suffered the ghost to speak only by signs, +the sound of his voice could excite no suspicion. + +"The departed Jeronymo appeared--in the dress of a Moorish slave, with a +deep wound in his neck. You observe that in this respect I was +counteracting the general supposition that he had perished in the waves, +for I had reason to hope that the unexpectedness of this circumstance +would heighten their belief in the apparition itself, while, on the +other hand, nothing appeared to me more dangerous than to keep too +strictly to what was natural." + +"I think you judged rightly," said the prince. "In whatever respects +apparitions the most probable is the least acceptable. If their +communications are easily comprehended we undervalue the channel by +which they are obtained. Nay, we even suspect the reality of the +miracle if the discoveries which it brings to light are such as might +easily have been imagined. Why should we disturb the repose of a spirit +if it is to inform us of nothing more than the ordinary powers of the +intellect are capable of teaching us? But, on the other hand, if the +intelligence which we receive is extraordinary and unexpected it +confirms in some degree the miracle by which it is obtained; for who can +doubt an operation to be supernatural when its effect could not be +produced by natural means? I interrupt you," added the prince. +"Proceed in your narrative." + +"I asked the ghost whether there was anything in this world which he +still considered as his own," continued the Sicilian, "and whether he +had left anything behind that was particularly dear to him? The ghost +shook his head three times, and lifted up his hand towards heaven. +Previous to his retiring he dropped a ring from his finger, which was +found on the floor after he had disappeared. Antonia took it, and, +looking at it attentively, she knew it to be the ring she had given her +intended husband on their betrothal." + +"The ring!" exclaimed the prince, surprised. "How did you get it?" + +"Who? I? It was not the true one, your highness; I got it. It was only +a counterfeit." + +"A counterfeit!" repeated the prince. "But in order to counterfeit you +required the true one. How did you come by it? Surely the deceased +never went without it." + +"That is true," replied the Sicilian, with symptoms of confusion. "But +from a description which was given me of the genuine ring" + +"A description which was given you! By whom?" + +"Long before that time. It was a plain gold ring, and had, I believe, +the name of the young countess engraved on it. But you made me lose the +connection." + +"What happened further?" said the prince, with a very dissatisfied +countenance. + +"The family felt convinced that Jeronymo was no more. From that day +forward they publicly announced his death, and went into mourning. The +circumstance of the ring left no doubt, even in the mind of Antonia, and +added a considerable weight to the addresses of the chevalier. + +"In the meantime the violent shock which the young countess had received +from the sight of the apparition brought on her a disorder so dangerous +that the hopes of Lorenzo were very near being destroyed forever. On +her recovery she insisted upon taking the veil; and it was only at the +most serious remonstrances of her confessor, in whom she placed implicit +confidence, that she was induced to abandon her project. At length the +united solicitations of the family, and of the confessor, forced from +her a reluctant consent. The last day of mourning was fixed on for the +day of marriage, and the old marquis determined to add to the solemnity +of the occasion by making over all his estates to his lawful heir. + +"The day arrived, and Lorenzo received his trembling bride at the altar. +In the evening a splendid banquet was prepared for the cheerful guests +in a hall superbly illuminated, and the most lively and delightful music +contributed to increase the general gladness. The happy old marquis +wished all the world to participate in his joy. All the entrances of +the palace were thrown open, and every one who sympathized in his +happiness was joyfully welcomed. In the midst of the throng--" + +The Sicilian paused. A trembling expectation suspended our breath. + +"In-the midst of the throng," continued the prisoner, "appeared a +Franciscan monk, to whom my attention was directed by the person who sat +next to me at table. He was standing motionless like a marble pillar. +His shape was tall and thin; his face pale and ghastly; his eyes were +fixed with a grave and mournful expression on the new-married couple. +The joy which beamed on the face of every one present appeared not on +his. His countenance never once varied. He seemed like a statue among +the living. Such an object, appearing amidst the general joy, struck me +more forcibly from its contrast with everything around. It left on my +mind so indelible an impression that from it alone I have been enabled +(which would otherwise have been impossible) to recollect the features +of the Franciscan monk in the Russian officer; for, without doubt, you +must have already conceived that the person I have described was no +other than your Armenian. + +"I frequently attempted to withdraw my eyes from this terrible figure, +but they wandered back involuntarily, and found his countenance +unaltered. I pointed him out to the person who sat nearest to me on the +other side, and he did the same to the person next to him. In a few +minutes a general curiosity and astonishment pervaded the whole company. +The conversation languished; a general silence succeeded; the monk did +not heed it. He continued motionless as before; his grave and mournful +looks constantly fixed upon the new-married couple; his appearance +struck every one with terror. The young countess alone, who found the +transcript of her own sorrow in the fact of the stranger, beheld with +a melancholy satisfaction the only object that seemed to understand and +sympathize in her sufferings. The crowd insensibly diminished. It was +past midnight; the music became fainter and more languid; the tapers +grew dim, and many of them went out. The conversation, declining by +degrees, lost itself at last in secret murmurs, and the faintly +illuminated hall was nearly deserted. The monk, in the meantime, +continued motionless, with the same grave and mournful look still fixed +on the new-married couple. The company at length rose from the table; +the guests dispersed; the family assembled in a separate group, and the +monk, though uninvited, continued near them. How it happened that no +person spoke to him I cannot conceive. + +"The female friends now surrounded the trembling bride, who cast a +supplicating and distressed look on the venerable stranger; he did not +answer it. The gentlemen assembled in the same manner around the +bridegroom. A solemn and anxious silence prevailed among them. 'That +we should be so happy here together,' began at length the old marquis, +who alone seemed not to behold the stranger, or at least seemed to +behold him without dismay. 'That we should be so happy here together, +and my son Jeronymo cannot be with us!' + +"'Have you invited him, and has he failed to come?' asked the monk. +It was the first time he had spoken. We looked at him in alarm. + +"'Alas! he is gone to a place from whence there is no return,' answered +the old man. 'Reverend father I you misunderstood me. My son Jeronymo +is dead.' + +"'Perhaps he only fears to appear in this company,' replied the monk. +'Who knows how your son Jeronymo may be situated? Let him now hear the +voice which he heard the last. Desire your son Lorenzo to call him.' + +"'What means he?' whispered the company to one another. Lorenzo changed +color. I will not deny that my own hair began to stand on end. + +"In the meantime the monk approached a sideboard; he took a glass of +wine and carried to his lips. 'To the memory of our dear Jeronymo!' +said he. 'Let every one who loved the deceased follow my example.' + +"'Be you who you may, reverend father!' exclaimed the old marquis, 'you +have pronounced a name dear to us all, and you are heartily welcome +here;' then turning to us, he offered us full glasses. 'Come, my +friends!' continued he, 'let us not be surpassed by a stranger. The +memory of my son Jeronymo! + +"Never, I believe, was any toast less heartily received. + +"'There is one glass still unemptied," said the marquis. 'Why does my +son Lorenzo refuse to drink this friendly toast?' + +"Lorenzo, trembling, received the glass from the hands of the monk; +tremblingly he put it to his lips. 'To my dearly-beloved brother +Jeronymo!' he stammered out, and replaced the glass with a shudder. + +"'That was my murderer's voice!' exclaimed a terrible figure, which +appeared suddenly in the midst of us, covered with blood, and disfigured +with horrible wounds. + +"Do not ask me the rest," added the Sicilian, with every symptom of +horror in his countenance. "I lost my senses the moment I looked at +this apparition. The same happened to every one present. When we +recovered the monk and the ghost had disappeared; Lorenzo was writhing +in the agonies of death. He was carried to bed in the most dreadful +convulsions. No person attended him but his confessor and the sorrowful +old marquis, in whose presence he expired. The marquis died a few weeks +after him. Lorenzo's secret is locked in the bosom of the priest who +received his last confession; no person ever learnt what it was. + +"Soon after this event a well was cleaned in the farmyard of the +marquis' villa. It had been disused for many years, and was almost +closed up by shrubs and old trees. On digging among the rubbish a human +skeleton was found. The house where this happened is now no more; the +family del M-----nte is extinct, and Antonia's tomb may be seen in a +convent not far from Salerno. + +"You see," continued the Sicilian, seeing us all stand silent and +thoughtful, "you see how my acquaintance with this Russian officer, +Armenian, or Franciscan friar originated. Judge now whether I had not +good cause to tremble at the sight of a being who has twice placed +himself in my way in a manner so terrible." + +"I beg you will answer me one question more," said the prince, rising +from his seat. "Have you been always sincere in your account of +everything relating to the chevalier?" + +"To the best of my knowledge I have," replied the Sicilian. + +"You really believed him to be an honest man?" + +"I did; by heaven! I did," answered he again. + +"Even at the tine he gave you the ring?" + +"How! He gave me no ring. I did not say that he gave me the ring." + +"Very well!" said the prince, pulling the bell, and preparing to +depart. "And you believe" (going back to the prisoner) "that the ghost +of the Marquis de Lanoy, which the Russian officer introduced after your +apparition, was a true and real ghost?" + +"I cannot think otherwise." + +"Let us go!" said the prince, addressing himself to us. The gaoler came +in. "We have done," said the prince to him. "You, sir," turning to the +prisoner, "you shall hear further from me." + +"I am tempted to ask your highness the last question you proposed to the +sorcerer," said I to the prince, when we were alone. "Do you believe +the second ghost to have been a real and true one?" + +"I believe it! No, not now, most assuredly." + +"Not now? Then you did once believe it?" + +"I confess I was tempted for a moment to believe it something more than +the contrivance of a juggler." + +"And I could wish to see the man who under similar circumstances would +not have had the same impression. But what reasons have you for +retracting your opinion? What the prisoner has related of the Armenian +ought to increase rather than diminish your belief in his super natural +powers." + +"What this wretch has related of him," said the prince, interrupting me +very gravely. "I hope," continued he, "you have now no doubt but that +we have had to do with a villain." + +"No; but must his evidence on that account--" + +"The evidence of a villain, even supposing I had no other reason for +doubt, can have no weight against common sense and established truth. +Does a man who has already deceived me several times, and whose trade it +is to deceive, does he deserve to be heard in a cause in which the +unsupported testimony of even the most sincere adherent to truth could +not be received? Ought we to believe a man who perhaps never once spoke +truth for its own sake? Does such a man deserve credit, when he appears +as evidence against human reason and the eternal laws of nature? Would +it not be as absurd as to admit the accusation of a person notoriously +infamous against unblemished and irreproachable innocence?" + +"But what motives could he have for giving so great a character to a man +whom he has so many reasons to hate?" + +"I am not to conclude that he can have no motives for doing this because +I am unable to comprehend them. Do I know who has bribed him to deceive +me? I confess I cannot penetrate the whole contexture of his plan; but +he has certainly done a material injury to the cause he advocates by +proving himself to be at least an impostor, and perhaps something +worse." + +"The circumstance of the ring, I allow, appears somewhat suspicions." + +"It is more than suspicious," answered the prince; "it is decisive. He +received this ring from the murderer, and at the moment he received it +he must have been certain that it was from the murderer. Who but the +assassin, could have taken from the finger of the deceased a ring which +he undoubtedly never took off himself? Throughout the whole of his +narration the Sicilian has labored to persuade us that while he was +endeavoring to deceive Lorenzo, Lorenzo was in reality deceiving him. +Would he have had recourse to this subterfuge if he had not been +sensible how much he should lose in our estimation by confessing himself +an accomplice with the assassin? The whole story is visibly nothing but +a series of impostures, invented merely to connect the few truths he has +thought proper to give us. Ought I then to hesitate in disbelieving the +eleventh assertion of a person who has already deceived me ten times, +rather than admit a violation of the fundamental laws of nature, which I +have ever found in the most perfect harmony?" + +"I have nothing to reply to all this, but the apparition we saw +yesterday is to me not the less incomprehensible." + +"It is also incomprehensible to me, although I have been tempted to +believe that I have found a key to it." + +"How so?" asked I. + +"Do not you recollect that the second apparition, as soon as he entered, +walked directly up to the altar, took the crucifix in his hand, and +placed himself upon the carpet?" + +"It appeared so to me." + +"And this crucifix, according to the Sicilian's confession, was a +conductor. You see that the apparition hastened to make himself +electrical. Thus the blow which Lord Seymour struck him with a sword +was of course ineffectual; the electric stroke disabled his arm." + +"This is true with respect to the sword. But the pistol fired by the +Sicilian, the ball of which we heard roll slowly upon the altar?" + +"Are you convinced that this was the same ball which was fired from the +pistol?" replied the prince. "Not to mention that the puppet, or the +man who represented the ghost, may have been so well accoutred as to be +invulnerable by sword or bullet; but consider who it was that loaded the +pistols." + +"True," said I, and a sudden light broke upon my mind; "the Russian. +officer had loaded them, but it was in our presence. How could he have +deceived us?" + +"Why should he not have deceived us? Did you suspect him sufficiently +to observe him? Did you examine the ball before it was put into the +pistol? May it not have been one of quicksilver or clay? Did you take +notice whether the Russian officer really put it into the barrel, or +dropped it into his other hand? But supposing that he actually loaded +the pistols, what is to convince you that he really took the loaded ones +into the room where the ghost appeared, and did not change them for +another pair, which he might have done the more easily as nobody ever +thought of noticing him, and we were besides occupied in undressing? +And could not the figure, at the moment when we were prevented from +seeing it by the smoke of the pistol, have dropped another ball, with +which it had been beforehand provided, on the the altar? Which of these +conjectures is impossible?" + +"You are right. But that striking resemblance to your deceased friend! +I have often seen him with you, and I immediately recognized him in the +apparition." + +"I did the same, and I must confess the illusion was complete. But if +the juggler from a few stolen glances at my snuff-box was able to give +to his apparition a resemblance, what was to prevent the Russian +officer, who had used the box during the whole time of supper, who had +had liberty to observe the picture unnoticed, and to whom I had +discovered in confidence whom it represented, what was to prevent him +from doing the same? Add to this what has been before observed by the +Sicilian, that the prominent features of the marquis were so striking as +to be easily imitated; what is there so inexplicable in this second +ghost?" + +"But the words he uttered? The information he gave you about your +friend?" + +"What?" said the prince, "Did not the Sicilian assure us, that from +the little which he had learnt from me he had composed a similar story? +Does not this prove that the invention was obvious and natural? +Besides, the answers of the ghost, like those of an oracle, were so +obscure that he was in no danger of being detected in a falsehood. If +the man who personated the ghost possessed sagacity and presence of +mind, and knew ever sonlittle of the affair on which he was consulted, +to what length might not he have carried the deception?" + +"Pray consider, your highness, how much preparation such a complicated +artifice would have required from the Armenian; how much time it takes +to paint a face with sufficient exactness; how much time would have been +requisite to instruct the pretended ghost, so as to guard him against +gross errors; what a degree of minute attention to regulate every minor +attendant or adventitious circumstance, which must be answered in some +manner, lest they should prove detrimental! And remember that the +Russian officer was absent but half an hour. Was that short space +of time sufficient to make even such arrangements as were most +indispensable? Surely, my prince, not even a dramatic writer, who has +the least desire to preserve the three terrible unities of Aristotle, +durst venture to load the interval between one act and another with such +a variety of action, or to presume upon such a facility of belief in his +audience." + +"What! You think it absolutely impossible that every necessary +preparation should have been made in the space of half an hour?" + +"Indeed, I look upon it as almost impossible." + +"I do not understand this expression. Does it militate against the +physical laws of time and space, or of matter and motion, that a man so +ingenious and so expert as this Armenian must undoubtedly be, assisted +by agents whose dexterity and acuteness are probably not inferior to his +own; favored by the time of night, and watched by no one, provided with +such means and instruments as a man of this profession is never without +--is it impossible that such a man, favored by such circumstances, +should be able to effect so much in so short a time? Is it ridiculous +or absurd to suppose, that by a very small number of words or signs he +can convey to his assistants very extensive commissions, and direct very +complex operations? Nothing ought to be admitted that is contrary to +the established laws of nature, unless it is something with which these +laws are absolutely incompatible. Would you rather give credit to a +miracle than admit an improbability? Would you solve a difficulty +rather by overturning the powers of nature than by believing an artful +and uncommon combination of them?" + +"Though the fact will not justify a conclusion such as you have +condemned, you must, however, grant that it is far beyond our +conception." + +"I am almost tempted to dispute even this," said the prince, with a +quiet smile. "What would you say, my dear count, if it should be +proved, for instance, that the operations of the Armenian were prepared +and carried on, not only during the half-hour that he was absent from +us, not only in haste and incidentally, but during the whole evening and +the whole night? You recollect that the Sicilian employed nearly three +hours in preparation." + +"The Sicilian? Yes, my prince." + +"And how will you convince me that this juggler had not as much concern +in the second apparition as in the first?" + +"How so, your highness?" + +"That he was not the principal assistant of the Armenian? In a word, +how will you convince me that they did not co-operate?" + +"It would be a difficult task to prove that," exclaimed I, with no +little surprise. + +"Not so difficult, my dear count, as you imagine. What! Could it have +happened by mere chance that these two men should form a design so +extraordinary and so complicated upon the same person, at the same time, +and in the same place? Could mere chance have produced such an exact +harmony between their operations, that one of them should play so +exactly the game of the other? Suppose for a moment that the Armenian +intended to heighten the effect of his deception, by introducing it +after a less refined one--that he created a Hector to make himself his +Achilles. Suppose that he has done all this to discover what degree of +credulity he could expect to find in me, to examine the readiest way to +gain my confidence, to familiarize himself with his subject by an +attempt that might have miscarried without any prejudice to his plan; in +a word, to tune the instrument on which he intended to play. Suppose he +did this with the view of exciting my suspicions on one subject in order +to divert my attention from another more important to his design. +Lastly, suppose he wishes to have some indirect methods of information, +which he had himself occasion to practise, imputed to the sorcerer, in +order to divert suspicion from the true channel." + +"How do you mean?" said I. + +"Suppose, for instance, that he may have bribed some of my servants to +give him secret intelligence, or, perhaps, even some papers which may +serve his purpose. I have missed one of my domestics. What reason have +I to think that the Armenian is not concerned in his leaving me? Such a +connection, however, if it existed, may be accidently discovered; a +letter may be intercepted; a servant, who is in the secret, may betray +his trust. Now all the consequence of the Armenian is destroyed if I +detect the source of his omniscience. He therefore introduces this +sorcerer, who must be supposed to have some design upon me. He takes +care to give me early notice of him and his intentions, so that whatever +I may hereafter discover my suspicions must necessarily rest upon the +Sicilian. This is the puppet with which he amuses me, whilst he +himself, unobserved and unsuspected, is entangling me in invisible +snares." + +"We will allow this. But is it consistent with the Armenian's plan that +he himself should destroy the illusion which he has created, and +disclose the mysteries of his science to the eyes of the uninitiated?" + +"What mysteries does he disclose? None, surely, which he intends to +practise on me. He therefore loses nothing by the discovery. But, +on the other hand, what an advantage will he gain, if this pretended +victory over juggling and deception should render me secure and +unsuspecting; if he succeeds in diverting my attention from the right +quarter, and in fixing my wavering suspicions on an object the most +remote from the real one! He could naturally expect that, sooner or +later, either from my own doubts, or at the suggestion of another, I +should be tempted to seek a key to his mysterious wonders, in the mere +art of a juggler; how could he better provide against such an inquiry +than by contrasting his prodigies with juggling tricks. By confining +the latter within artificial limits, and by delivering, as it were, into +my hands a scale by which to appreciate them, he naturally exalts and +perplexes my ideas of the former. How many suspicions he precludes by +this single contrivance! How many methods of accounting for his +miracles, which afterwards have occurred to me, does he refute +beforehand!" + +"But in exposing such a finished deception he has acted very much +against his own interest, both by quickening the penetration of those +whom he meant to impose upon, and by staggering their belief in miracles +in general. Your highness' self is the best proof of the insufficiency +of his plan, if indeed he ever had one." + +"Perhaps he has been mistaken in respect to myself," said the prince; +"but his conclusions have nevertheless been well founded. Could he +foresee that I should exactly notice the very circumstance which +threatens to become the key to the whole artifice? Was it in his plan +that the creature he employed should render himself thus vulnerable? +Are we certain that the Sicilian has not far exceeded his commission? +He has undoubtedly done so with respect to the ring, and yet it is +chiefly this single circumstance which determined my distrust in him. +How easily may a plan, whose contexture is most artful and refined, be +spoiled in the execution by an awkward instrument. It certainly was not +the Armenian's intention that the sorcerer should trumpet his fame to us +in the style of a mountebank, that he should endeavor to impose upon us +such fables as are too gross to bear the least reflection. For +instance, with what countenance could this impostor affirm that the +miraculous being he spoke of must renounce all commerce with mankind at +twelve in the night? Did we not see him among us at that very hour?" + +"That is true," cried I. "He must have forgotten it." + +"It often happens, to people of this description, that they overact +their parts; and, by aiming at too much, mar the effects which a well- +managed deception is calculated to produce." + +"I cannot, however, yet prevail on myself to look upon the whole as a +mere preconcerted scheme. What! the Sicilian's terror, his convulsive +fits, his swoon, the deplorable situation in which we saw him, and which +was even such as to move our pity, were all these nothing more than a +studied part? I allow that a skilful performer may carry imitation to a +very high pitch, but he certainly has no power over the organs of life." + +"As for that, my friend," replied the prince, "I have seen Richard III. +performed by Garrick. But were we at that moment sufficiently cool to +be capable of observing dispassionately? Could we judge of the emotion +of the Sicilian when we were almost overcome by our own? Besides, the +decisive crisis even of a deception is so momentous to the deceiver +himself that excessive anxiety may produce in him symptoms as violent +as those which surprise excites in the deceived. Add to this the +unexpected entrance of the watch." + +"I am glad you remind me of that, prince. Would the Armenian have +ventured to discover such a dangerous scheme to the eye of justice; to +expose the fidelity of his creature to so severe a test? And for what +purpose?" + +"Leave that matter to him; he is no doubt acquainted with the people he +employs. Do we know what secret crimes may have secured him the silence +of this man? You have been informed of the office he holds in Venice; +what difficulty will he find in saving a man of whom he himself is the +only accuser?" + +[This suggestion of the prince was but too well justified by the event. +For, some days after, on inquiring after the prisoner, we were told that +he had escaped, and had not since been heard of.] + +"You ask what could be his motives for delivering this man into the +hands of justice?" continued the prince. "By what other method, except +this violent one, could be have wrested from the Sicilian such an +infamous and improbable confession, which, however, was so material to +the success of his plan? Who but a man whose case is desperate, and who +has nothing to lose, would consent to give so humiliating an account of +himself? Under what other circumstances could we have believed such a +confession?" + +"I grant all this, my prince. That the two apparitions were mere +contrivances of art; that the Sicilian has imposed upon us a tale which +the Armenian his master, had previously taught him; that the efforts of +both have been directed to the same end, and, from this mutual +intelligence all the wonderful incidents which have astonished us in +this adventure may be easily explained. But the prophecy in the square +of St. Mark, that first miracle, which, as it were, opened the door to +all the rest, still remains unexplained; and of what use is the key to +all his other wonders if we despair of resolving this single one?" + +"Rather invert the proposition, my dear count," answered the prince, +"and say what do all these wonders prove if I can demonstrate that a +single one among them is a juggling trick? The prediction, I own, is +totally beyond my conception. If it stood alone; if the Armenian had +closed the scene with it, instead of beginning it, I confess I do not +know how far I might have been carried. But in the base alloy with +which it is mixed it is certainly rather suspicious. Time may explain, +or not explain it; but believe me, my friend!" added the prince, taking +my hand, with a grave countenance,--"a man who can command supernatural +powers has no occasion to employ the arts of a juggler; he despises +them." + +"Thus," says Count O------, "ended a conversation which I have related +word for word, because it shows the difficulties which were to be +overcome before the prince could be effectually imposed upon; and I +hope it may free his memory from the imputation of having blindly and +inconsiderately thrown himself into a snare, which was spread for his +destruction by the most unexampled and diabolical wickedness. Not all," +continues Count O------, "who, at the moment I am writing, smile +contemptuously at the prince's credulity, and, in the fancied +superiority of their own yet untempted understanding, unconditionally +condemn him; not all of these, I apprehend, would have stood his first +trial so courageously. If afterwards, notwithstanding this providential +warning, we witness his downfall; if we see that the black design +against which, at the very outset, he was thus cautioned, is finally +successful, we shall be less inclined to ridicule his weakness than to +be astonished at the infamous ingenuity of a plot which could seduce an +understanding so fully prepared. Considerations of worldly interest can +have no influence upon my testimony; he, who alone would be thankful for +it, is now no more. His dreadful destiny is accomplished; his soul has +long since been purified before the throne of truth, where mine will +likewise have appeared before these passages meet the eyes of the world. +Pardon the involuntary tears which now flow at the remembrance of my +dearest friend. But for the sake of justice I must write this. His was +a noble character, and would have adorned a throne which, seduced by the +most atrocious artifice, he attempted to ascend by the commission of a +crime. + + + + + + +BOOK II. + +"Not long after these events," continues Count O-----, in his narrative, +"I began to observe an extraordinary alteration in the disposition of +the prince, which was partly the immediate consequence of the last event +and partly produced by the concurrence of many adventitious +circumstances. Hitherto he had avoided every severe trial of his faith, +and contented himself with purifying the rude and abstract notions of +religion, in which he had been educated, by those more rational ideas +upon this subject which forced themselves upon his attention, or +comparing the many discordant opinions with each other, without +inquiring into the foundations of his faith. Religious subjects, he has +many times confessed to me, always appeared to him like an enchanted +castle, into which one does not set one's foot without horror, and that +they act therefore much the wiser part who pass it in respectful +silence, without exposing themselves to the danger of being bewildered +in its labyrinths. A servile and bigoted education was the source of +this dread; this had impressed frightful images upon his tender brain, +which, during the remainder of his life, he was never able wholly to +obliterate. Religious melancholy was an hereditary disorder in his +family. The education which he and his brothers had received was +calculated to produce it; and the men to whose care they were entrusted, +selected with this object, were also either enthusiasts or hypocrites. + +"To stifle all the sprightliness of the boy, by a gloomy restraint of +his mental faculties, was the only method of securing to themselves the +highest approbation of his royal parents. The whole of our prince's +childhood wore a dark and gloomy aspect; mirth was banished even from +his amusements. All his ideas of religion were accompanied by some +frightful image; and the representations of terror and severity were +those which first took hold of his lively imagination, and which the +longest retained their empire over it. His God was an object of terror, +a being whose occupation is to chastise; and the adoration he paid him +was either slavish fear, or a blind submission which stifled all his +energies. In all his youthful propensities, which a vigorous growth and +a fine constitution naturally excited to break out with the greater +violence, religion stood in his way; it opposed everything upon which +his young heart was bent; he learned to consider it not as a friend, +but as the scourge of his passions; so that a silent indignation was +gradually kindled against it in his heart, which, together with a +bigoted faith and a blind fear, produced an incongruous mixture of +feelings, and an abhorrence of a ruler before whom he trembled. + +"It is no wonder, therefore, that he took the first opportunity of +escaping from so galling a yoke--but he fled from it as a bond-slave +who, escaping from his rigorous master, drags along with him a sense of +his servitude, even in the midst of freedom; for, as he did not renounce +the faith of his earlier years from a deliberate conviction, and did not +wait till the maturity and improvement of his reasoning had weaned him +from it, but escaped from it like a fugitive, upon whose person the +rights of his master are still in force, so was he obliged, even after +his widest separation, to return to it at last. He had escaped with his +chain, and for that reason must necessarily become the prey of any one +who should discover it, and know how to make use of the discovery. That +such a one presented himself, the sequel of this history will prove; +most likely the reader has already surmised it. + +"The confessions of the Sicilian left a deeper impression upon his mind +than they ought, considering the circumstances; and the small victory +which his reason had thence gained over this weak imposture, remarkably +increased his reliance upon his own powers. The facility with which he +had been able to unravel this deception appeared to have surprised him. +Truth and error were not yet so accurately distinguished from each other +in his mind but that he often mistook the arguments which were in favor +of the one for those in favor of the other. Thence it arose that the +same blow which destroyed his faith in wonders made the whole edifice of +it totter. In this instance, he fell into the same error as an +inexperienced man who has been deceived in love or friendship, because +he happened to make a bad choice, and who denies the existence of these +sensations, because he takes the occasional exceptions for +distinguishing features. The unmasking of a deception made even truth +suspicious to him, because he had unfortunately discovered truth by +false reasoning. + +"This imaginary triumph pleased him in proportion to the magnitude of +the oppression from which it seemed to deliver him. From this instant +there arose in his mind a scepticism which did not spare even the most +sacred objects. + +"Many circumstances concurred to encourage, and still more to confirm, +him in this turn of mind. He now quitted the retirement in which he had +hitherto lived, and gave way to a more dissipated mode of life. His +rank was discovered; attentions which he was obliged to return, +etiquettes for which he was indebted to his rank, drew him imperceptibly +within the vortex of the great world. His rank, as well as his personal +attractions, opened to him the circles of all the beaux esprits in +Venice, and he soon found himself on terms of intimacy with the most +enlightened persons in the republic, men of learning as well as +politicians. This obliged him to en large the monotonous and limited +circle to which his understanding had hitherto been confined. He began +to perceive the poverty and feebleness of his ideas, and to feel the +want of more elevated impressions. The old-fashioned turn of his +understanding, in spite of the many advantages with which it was +accompanied, formed an unpleasing contrast with the current ideas of +society; his ignorance of the commonest things frequently exposed him to +ridicule, than which he dreaded nothing more. The unfortunate prejudice +which attached to his native country appeared to him a challenge to +overcome it in his own person. Besides this, there was a peculiarity in +his character; he was offended with every attention that he thought was +paid him on account of his rank rather than his personal qualities. He +felt this humiliation principally in the company of persons who shone by +their abilities, and triumphed, as it were, over their birth by their +merit. To perceive himself distinguished as a prince, in such a +society, was always a deep humiliation to him, because he unfortunately +fancied himself excluded by his rank from all competition. These +circumstances convinced him of the necessity of cultivating his mind, +in order to raise it to a level with the thinking part of the world, +from which he had hitherto been so separated; and for that purpose he +chose the most modern books, and applied himself to them with all the +ardor with which he was accustomed to pursue every object to which he +devoted himself. But the unskilful hand that directed his choice always +prompted him to select such as were little calculated to improve either +his heart or his reason; besides that, he was influenced by a propensity +which rendered everything irresistible which was incomprehensible. He +had neither attention nor memory for anything that was not of that +character, and both his reason and his heart remained untouched, while +he was filling the vacuities of his brain with confused ideas. The +dazzling style of some writers captivated his imagination, while the +subtlety of others ensnared his reason. Together, they easily took +possession of a mind which became the prey of whatever was obtruded upon +it with a certain degree of dogmatism. A course of reading, which had +been continued with ardor for more than a year, had scarcely enriched +him with one benevolent idea, but had filled his head with doubts, +which, as a natural consequence with such a character, had almost found +an unfortunate road to his heart. In a word, he had entered this +labyrinth as a credulous enthusiast, had left it as a sceptic, and at +length became a perfect free-thinker. + +"Among the circles into which he had been introduced there was a private +society called the Bucentauro, which, under the mask of a noble and +rational liberality of sentiment, encouraged the most unbridled +licentiousness of manners and opinion. As it enumerated many of the +clergy among its members, and could even boast of some cardinals at its +head, the prince was the more easily induced to join it. He thought +that certain dangerous truths, which reason discovers, could be nowhere +better preserved than in the hands of such persons, whose rank compelled +them to moderation, and who had the advantage of hearing and examining +the other side of the question. The prince did not recollect that +licentiousness of sentiment and manners takes so much the stronger hold +among persons of this rank, inasmuch as they for that reason feel one +curb less; and this was the case with the Bucentauro, most of whose +members, through an execrable philosophy, and manners worthy of such a +guide, were not only a disgrace to their own rank, but even to human +nature itself. The society had its secret degrees; and I will believe, +for the credit of the prince, that they never thought him worthy of +admission into the inmost sanctuary. Every one who entered this society +was obliged, at least so long as he continued to be a member of it, to +lay aside all distinctions arising from rank, nation, or religion, in +short, every general mark or distinction whatever, and to submit himself +to the condition of universal equality. To be elected a member was +indeed a difficult matter, as superiority of understanding alone paved +the way to it. The society boasted of the highest ton and the most +cultivated taste, and such indeed was its fame throughout all Venice. +This, as well as the appearance of equality which predominated in it, +attracted the prince irresistibly. Sensible conversations, set off by +the most admirable humor, instructive amusements, and the flower of the +learned and political world, which were all attracted to this point as +to their common centre, concealed from him for a long time the danger +of this connection. As he by degrees discovered through its mask the +spirit of the institution, as they grew tired of being any longer on +their guard before him, to recede was dangerous, and false shame and +anxiety for his safety obliged him to conceal the displeasure he felt. +But he already began, merely from familiarity with men of this class and +their sentiments, though they did not excite him to imitation, to lose +the pure and charming simplicity of his character, and the delicacy of +his moral feelings. His understanding, supported by real knowledge, +could not without foreign assistance solve the fallacious sophisms with +which he had been here ensnared; and this fatal poison had already +destroyed all, or nearly all, the basis on which his morality rested. +He surrendered the natural and indispensable safeguards of his happiness +for sophisms which deserted him at the critical moment, and he was +consequently left to the operation of any specious argument which came +in his way. + +"Perhaps the hand of a friend might yet have been in time to extricate +him from this abyss; but, besides that I did not become acquainted with +the real character of the Bucentauro till long after the evil had taken +place, an urgent circumstance called me away from Venice just at the +beginning of this period. Lord Seymour, too, a valuable acquaintance of +the prince, whose cool understanding was proof against every species of +deception, and who would have infallibly been a secure support to him, +left us at this time in order to return to his native country. Those in +whose hands I left the prince were indeed worthy men, but inexperienced, +excessively narrow in their religious opinions, deficient in their +perception of the evil, and wanting in credit with the prince. They had +nothing to oppose to his captious sophisms except the maxims of a blind +and uninquiring faith, which either irritated him or excited his +ridicule. He saw through them too easily, and his superior reason soon +silenced those weak defenders of the good cause, as will be clearly +evinced from an instance which I shall introduce in the sequel. Those +who, subsequent to this, possessed themselves of his confidence, were +much more interested in plunging him deeper into error. When I returned +to Venice in the following year how great a change had already taken +place in everything! + +"The influence of this new philosophy soon showed itself in the prince's +conduct. The more openly he pursued pleasure, and acquired new friends, +the more did he lose in the estimation of his old ones. He pleased me +less and less every day; we saw each other more seldom, and indeed he +was seldom accessible. He had launched out into the torrent of the +great world. His threshold was eternally thronged when he was at home. +Amusements, banquets, and galas followed each other in rapid succession. +He was the idol whom every one courted, the great attraction of every +circle. In proportion as he, in his secluded life, had fancied living +in society to be difficult, did he to his astonishment find it easy. +Everything met his wishes. Whatever he uttered was admirable, and when +he remained silent it was like committing a robbery upon the company. +They understood the art of drawing his thoughts insensibly from his +soul, and then with a little delicate management to surprise him with +them. This happiness, which accompanied him everywhere, and this +universal success, raised him indeed too much in his own ideas, because +it gave him too much confidence and too much reliance upon himself. + +"The heightened opinion which he thus acquired of his own worth made him +credit the excessive and almost idolatrous adoration that was paid to +his understanding; which but for this increased self-complacency, must +have necessarily recalled him from his aberrations. For the present, +however, this universal voice was only a confirmation of what his +complacent vanity whispered in his ear; a tribute which he felt entitled +to by right. He would have infallibly disengaged himself from this +snare had they allowed him to take breath; had they granted him a moment +of uninterrupted leisure to compare his real merit with the picture that +was exhibited to him in this seducing mirror; but his existence was a +continued state of intoxication, a whirl of excitement. The higher he +had been elevated the more difficulty had he to support himself in his +elevation. This incessant exertion slowly undermined him; rest had +forsaken even his slumbers. His weakness had been discovered, and the +passion kindled in his breast turned to good account. + +"His worthy attendants soon found to their cost that their lord had +become a wit. That anxious sensibility, those glorious truths which his +heart once embraced with the greatest enthusiasm, now began to be the +objects of his ridicule. He revenged himself on the great truths of +religion for the oppression which he had so long suffered from +misconception. But, since from too true a voice his heart combated the +intoxication of his head, there was more of acrimony than of humor in +his jests. His disposition began to alter, and caprice to exhibit +itself. The most beautiful ornament of his character, his modesty, +vanished; parasites had poisoned his excellent heart. That tender +delicacy of address which frequently made his attendants forget that he +was their lord, now gave place to a decisive and despotic tone, which +made the more sensible impression, because it was not founded upon +distinction of rank, for the want of which they could have consoled +themselves, but upon an arrogant estimation of his own superior merit. +When at home he was attacked by reflections that seldom made their +appearance in the bustle of company; his own people scarcely ever saw +him otherwise than gloomy, peevish, and unhappy, whilst elsewhere a +forced vivacity made him the soul of every circle. With the sincerest +sorrow did we behold him treading this dangerous path, but in the vortex +in which he was involved the feeble voice of friendship was no longer +heard, and he was too much intoxicated to understand it. + +"Just at the beginning of this epoch an affair of the greatest +consequence required my presence in the court of my sovereign, which +I dared not postpone even for the dearest interests of friendship. +An invisible hand, the agency of which I did not discover till long +afterwards, had contrived to derange my affairs, and to spread reports +concerning me which I was obliged to contradict by my presence. The +parting from the prince was painful to me, but did not affect him. The +ties which united us had been severed for some time, but his fate had +awakened all my anxiety. I, on that account, prevailed on Baron von +F------ to inform me by letter of every event, which he has done in the +most conscientious manner. As I was for a considerable time no longer +an eye-witness of these events, it will be allowable for me to introduce +the Baron von F------ in my stead, and to fill up the gap in my +narrative by the contents of his letters. Notwithstanding that the +representation of my friend F------ is not always what I should have +given, I would not alter any of his expressions, so that the reader will +be enabled to discover the truth with very little trouble." + + + + +LETTER I. + +BARON VON F----- TO COUNT VON O---------. + +May 17. + +I thank you, my most honored friend, for the permission you have given +me to continue in your absence that confidential intercourse with you, +which during your stay here formed my great pleasure. You must be aware +that there is no one here with whom I can venture to open my heart on +certain private matters. Whatever you may urge to the contrary, I +detest the people here. Since the prince has become one of them, and +since we have lost your society, I feel solitary in the midst of this +populous city. Z------ takes it less to heart, and the fair ones of +Venice manage to make him forget the mortifications he is compelled to +share with me at home. And why should he make himself unhappy? He +desires nothing more in the prince than a master, whom he could also +find elsewhere. But I!--you know how deep an interest I feel in our +prince's weal and woe, and how much cause I have for doing so; I have +now lived with him sixteen years, and seem to exist only for his sake. +As a boy of nine years old I first entered his service, and since that +time we have never been separated. I have grown up under his eye--a +long intercourse has insensibly attached me more and more to him--I have +borne a part in all his adventures, great and small. Until this last +unhappy year I had been accustomed to look upon him in the light of a +friend, or of an elder brother--I have basked in his smile as in the +sunshine of a summer's day--no cloud hung over my happiness!--and all +this must now go to ruin in this unlucky Venice! + +Since your departure several changes have taken place in our +establishment. The Prince of --d----- arrived here last week, with a +numerous and brilliant retinue, and has caused a new and tumultuous life +in our circle. As he is so nearly related to our prince, and as they +are moreover at present upon pretty good terms, they will be very little +apart during his sojourn, which I hear is to last until after the feast +of the Ascension. A good beginning has already been made; for the last +ten days our prince has hardly had time to breathe. The Prince of +--d---- has all along been living in a very expensive way, which was +excusable in him, as he will soon take his departure; but the worst of +the business is that he has inoculated our prince with his extravagance, +because he could not well withdraw himself from his company, and, in the +peculiar relation which exists between the two houses, thought it +incumbent upon himself to assert the dignity of his own. We shall, +moreover, depart from Venice in a few weeks, which will relieve the +prince from the necessity of continuing for any length of time this +extraordinary expenditure. + +The Prince of --d-----, it is reported, is here on business of the +Order, in which he imagines that he plays an important part. That he +has taken advantage of all the acquaintances of our prince you may +readily imagine. He has been introduced with distinguished honor into +the society of the Bucentauro, as he is pleased to consider himself a +wit, and a man of great genius, and allows himself to be styled in his +correspondences, which he keeps up throughout all parts of the world, +the "prince philosophique." I do not know whether you have ever had the +pleasure of meeting him. He displays a promising exterior, piercing +eyes, a countenance full of expression, much show of reading, much +acquired naturalness (if I may be allowed the expression), joined to a +princely condescension towards the human race, a large amount of +confidence in himself, and an eloquence which talks down all opposition. +Who could refuse to pay homage to such splendid qualities in a "Royal +Highness?" But to what advantage the quiet and sterling worth of our +prince will appear, when contrasted with these dazzling accomplishments, +the event must show. + +In the arrangement of our establishment, various and important changes +have taken place. We have rented a new and magnificent house opposite +the new Procuracy, because the lodging at the Moor Hotel became too +confined for the prince. Our suite has been augmented by twelve +persons, pages, Moors, guards, etc. During your stay here you +complained of unnecessary expense--you should see us now! + +Our internal arrangements remain the same as of old, except that the +prince, no longer held in check by your presence, is, if possible, more +reserved and distant towards us than ever; we see very little of him, +except while dressing or undressing him. Under the pretext that we +speak the French language very badly, and the Italian not at all, he has +found means to exclude us from most of his entertainments, which to me +personally is not a very great grievance; but I believe I know the true +reason of it--he is ashamed of us; and this hurts me, for we have not +deserved it of him. + +As you wish to know all our minor affairs, I must tell you, that of all +his attendants, the prince almost exclusively employs Biondello, whom he +took into his service, as you will recollect, on the disappearance of +his huntsman, and who, in his new mode of life, has become quite +indispensable to him. This man knows Venice thoroughly, and turns +everything to some account. It is as though he had a thousand eyes, +and could set a thousand hands in motion at once. This he accomplishes, +as he says, by the help of the gondoliers. To the prince he renders +himself very useful by making him acquainted with all the strange faces +that present themselves at his assemblies, and the private information +he gives his highness has always proved to be correct. Besides this, +he speaks and writes both Italian and French excellently, and has in +consequence already risen to be the prince's secretary. I must, +however, relate to you an instance of fidelity in him which is rarely +found among people of his station. The other day a merchant of good +standing from Rimini requested an audience of the prince. The object +of his visit was an extraordinary complaint concerning Biondello. The +procurator, his former master, who must have been rather an odd fellow, +had lived in irreconcilable enmity with his relations; this enmity he +wished if possible to continue even after his death. Biondello +possessed his entire confidence, and was the repository of all his +secrets; while on his deathbed he obliged him to swear that he would +keep them inviolably, and would never disclose them for the benefit of +his relations; a handsome legacy was to be the reward of his silence. +When the deceased procurator's will was opened and his papers inspected, +many blanks and irregularities were found to which Biondello alone could +furnish a key. He persisted in denying that he knew anything about it, +gave up his very handsome legacy to the heirs, and kept his secrets to +himself. Large offers were made to him by the relations, but all in +vain; at length, in order to escape from their importunities and their +threats of legally prosecuting him he entered the service of the prince. +The merchant, who was the chief heir, now applied to the prince, and +made larger offers than, before if Biondello would alter his +determination. But even the persuasions of the prince were fruitless. +He admitted that secrets of consequence had really been confided to him; +he did not deny that the deceased had perhaps carried his enmity towards +his relations too far; but, added he, he was my dear master and +benefactor, and died with a firm belief in my integrity. I was the only +friend he had left in the world, and will therefore never prove myself +unworthy of his confidence. At the same time he hinted that the avowals +they wished him to make would not tend to the honor of the deceased. +Was not that acting nobly and delicately? You may easily imagine that +the prince did not renew his endeavors to shake so praiseworthy a +determination. The extraordinary fidelity which he has shown towards +his deceased master has procured him the unlimited confidence of his +present one! + +Farewell, my dear friend. How I sigh for the quiet life we led when +first you came amongst us, for the stillness of which your society so +agreeably indemnified us. I fear my happy days in Venice are over, and +shall be glad if the same remark does not also apply to the prince. The +element in which he now lives is not calculated to render him +permanently happy, or my sixteen years' experience has deceived me. + + + + +LETTER II. + +BARON VON F---- TO COUNT VON O------ +June 4. + +I should never have thought that our stay at Venice would have been +productive of any good consequences. It has been the means of saving a +man's life, and I am reconciled to it. + +Some few evenings ago the prince was being carried home late at night +from the Bucentauro; two domestics, of whom Biondello was one, +accompanied him. By some accident it happened that the sedan, which had +been hired in haste, broke down, and the prince was obliged to proceed +the remainder of the way-on foot. Biondello walked in front; their +course lay through several dark, retired streets, and, as daybreak was +at hand, the lamps were either burning dimly or had gone out altogether. +They had proceeded about a quarter of an hour when Biondello discovered +that he had lost his way. The similarity of the bridges had deceived +him, and, instead of crossing that of St. Mark, they found themselves in +Sestiere di Castello. It was in a by-street, and not a soul was +stirring; they were obliged to turn back in order to gain a main street +by which to set themselves right. They had proceeded but a few paces +when they heard cries of "murder" in a neighboring street. With his +usual determined courage, the prince, unarmed as he was, snatched a +stick from one of his attendants, and rushed forward in the direction +whence the sound came. Three ruffianly-looking fellows were just about +to assassinate a man, who with his companion was feebly defending +himself; the prince appeared just in time to arrest the fatal blow. The +voices of the prince and his followers alarmed the murderers, who did +not expect any interruption in so lonely a place; after inflicting a few +slight wounds with their daggers, they abandoned their victim and took +to their heels. Exhausted with the unequal combat, the wounded man sunk +half fainting into the arms of the prince; his companion informed my +master that the man whose life be had saved was the Marquis Civitella, +a nephew of the Cardinal A------. As the marquis' wounds bled freely, +Biondello acted as surgeon to the best of his ability, and the prince +took care to have him conveyed to the palace of his uncle, which was +near at hand, and whither he himself accompanied him. This done, he +left the house without revealing his name. + +This, however, was discovered by a servant who had recognized Biondello. +Already on the following morning the cardinal, an old acquaintance from +the Bucentauro, waited upon the prince. The interview lasted an hour; +the cardinal was much moved; tears stood in his eyes when they parted; +the prince, too, was affected. The same evening a visit was paid to the +sick man, of whose case the surgeon gives a very favorable report; the +mantle in which he was wrapped had rendered the thrusts unsteady, and +weakened their force. Since this event not a day has passed without the +prince's paying a visit at the cardinal's, or receiving one from him, +and a close intimacy has begun to exist between him and the cardinal's +family. + +The cardinal is a venerable man of sixty, with a majestic aspect, but +full of gayety and good health. He is said to be the richest prelate +throughout all the dominions of the republic. He is reported to manage +his immense fortune in a very liberal manner, and, although prudently +economical, to despise none of the joys of this life. This nephew, who +is his sole heir, is not always on the best of terms with his uncle. +For, although the cardinal is anything but an enemy to youthful +pleasures, the conduct of the nephew must exhaust the utmost tolerance. +His loose principles and dissipated manner of living, aided unhappily by +all the attractions which can make vice tempting and excite sensuality, +have rendered him the terror of all fathers and the bane of all +husbands; this last attack also was said to have been caused by an +intrigue he had begun with the wife of the ambassador, without speaking +of other serious broils from which the power and the money of the +cardinal could scarcely extricate him. But for this the cardinal would +be the happiest man in Italy, for he possesses everything that can make +life agreeable; but by this one domestic misfortune all the gifts of +fortune are annulled, and the enjoyment of his wealth is embittered to +the cardinal by the continual fear of finding nobody to inherit it. + +The whole of this information I have obtained from Biondello. The +prince has found in this man a real treasure. Every day he becomes more +indispensable, and we are continually discovering in him some new +talent. Some days ago the prince felt feverish and could not sleep; the +night-lamp was extinguished, and all his ringing failed to arouse the +valet-de-chambre, who had gone to sleep out of the house with an opera- +dancer. At length the prince determined to rise himself, and to rouse +one of his people. He had not proceeded far when a strain of delicious +melody met his ear. Like one enchanted, he followed the sound, and +found Biondello in his room playing upon the flute, with his fellow- +servants assembled around him. The prince could hardly believe his +senses, and commanded him to proceed. With a surprising degree of +facility he began to vary a touching adagio air with some fine extempore +variations, which he executed with all the taste of a virtuoso. The +prince, who, as you know, is a judge of music, says that he might play +with confidence in the finest choir in Italy. + +"I must dismiss this man," said he to me next morning, "for I am unable +to reward him according to his merits." Biondello, who had overheard +these words, came forward, "If you dismiss me, gracious prince," said +he, "you deprive me of my best reward." + +"You are born to something better than to serve," answered my master. +"I must not stand in the way of your fortune." + +"Do not press upon me any better fortune, gracious sir, than that which +I have chosen for myself." + +"To neglect talent like yours--No! I can never permit it." + +"Then permit me, gracious sir, sometimes to exercise it in your +presence." + +Preparations were immediately made for carrying this proposition into +effect. Biondello had a room assigned to him next the apartment of the +prince, so that he can lull him to sleep with his strains, and wake him +in the same manner. The prince wished to double his salary, but +Biondello declined, requesting that this intended boon should be +retained in his master's hands as a capital of which he might some day +wish to avail himself. The prince expects that he will soon come to ask +a favor at his hands; and whatever it may be it is granted beforehand. +Farewell, dearest friend. I am waiting with impatience for tidings from +K-----n. + + + + +LETTER III. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +June 4. + +The Marquis of Civitella, who is now entirely recovered from his wounds, +was last week introduced to the prince by his uncle, the cardinal, and +since then he has followed him like his shadow. Biondello cannot have +told me the truth respecting this marquis, or at any rate his account +must be greatly exaggerated. His mien is highly engaging, and his +manners irresistibly winning. + +It is impossible to be out of humor with him; the first sight of him +has disarmed me. Imagine a man of the most enchanting figure, with +corresponding grace and dignity, a countenance full of thought and +genius, an expression frank and inviting; a persuasive tone of voice, +the most flowing eloquence, and a glow of youthful beauty, joined to all +the advantages of a most liberal education. He has none of that +contemptuous pride, none of that solemn starchness, which we disliked so +much in all the other nobles. His whole being is redolent of youthful +joyousness, benevolence, and warmth of feeling. His excesses must have +been much exaggerated; I never saw a more perfect picture of health. If +he is really so wholly abandoned as Biondello represents him he is a +syren whom none can resist. + +Towards me he behaved with much frankness. He confessed with the most +pleasing sincerity that he was by no means on the best of terms with his +uncle, the cardinal, and that it was his own fault. But he was +seriously resolved to amend his life, and the merit would be entirely +the prince's. At the same time he hoped through his instrumentality to +be reconciled to his uncle, as the prince's influence with the cardinal +was unbounded. The only thing he had wanted till now was a friend and a +guide, and he trusted he should find both in the person of the prince. + +The prince has now assumed the authority of a preceptor towards him, and +treats him with all the watchfulness fulness and strictness of a Mentor. +But this intimacy also gives the marquis a certain degree of influence, +of which he well knows how to avail himself. He hardly stirs from his +side; he is present at all parties where the prince is one of the +guests; for the Bucentauro alone he is fortunately as yet too young. +Wherever be appears in public with the prince he manages to draw him +away from the rest of the company by the pleasing manner in which he +engages him in conversation and arrests his attention. Nobody, they +say, has yet been able to reclaim him, and the prince will deserve to +be immortalized in an epic should he accomplish such an Herculean task. +I am much afraid, however, that the tables may be turned, and the guide +be led away by the pupil, of which, in fact, there seems to be every +prospect. + +The Prince of ---d------ has taken his departure, much to the +satisfaction of us all, my master not excepted. What I predicted, my +dear O-----, has come to pass. Two characters so widely opposed must +inevitably clash together, and cannot maintain a good understanding for +any length of time. The Prince of ---d------ had not been long in +Venice before a terrible schism took place in the intellectual world, +which threatened to deprive our prince of one-half of his admirers. +Wherever he went he was crossed by this rival, who possessed exactly +the requisite amount of small cunning to avail himself of every little +advantage he gained. As he besides never scrupled to make use of any +petty manoeuvres to increase his consequence, he in a short time drew +all the weak-minded of the community on his side, and shone at the head +of a company of parasites worthy of such a leader. + + [The harsh judgment which Baron F----- (both here and in some + passages of his first letter) pronounces upon this talented prince + will be found exaggerated by every one who has the good fortune to + be acquainted with him, and must be attributed to the prejudiced + views of the young observer.--Note of the Count von O------.] + +The wiser course would certainly have been not to enter into competition +at all with an adversary of this description, and a few months back this +is the part which the prince would have taken. But now he has launched +too far into the stream easily to regain the shore. These trifles have, +perhaps by the circumstances in which he is placed, acquired a certain +degree of importance in his eyes, and had he even despised them his +pride would not have allowed him to retire at a moment when his yielding +would have been looked upon less as a voluntary act than as a confession +of inferiority. Added to this, an unlucky revival of forgotten +satirical speeches had taken place, and the spirit of rivalry which took +possession of his followers had affected the prince himself. In order, +therefore, to maintain that position in society which public opinion had +now assigned him, he deemed it advisable to seize every possible +opportunity of display, and of increasing the number of his admirers; +but this could only be effected by the most princely expenditure; +he was therefore eternally giving feasts, entertainments, and expensive +concerts, making costly presents, and playing high. As this strange +madness, moreover, had also infected the prince's retinue, who are +generally much more punctilious in respect to what they deem "the honor +of the family" than their masters, the prince was obliged to assist the +zeal of his followers by his liberality. Here, then, is a whole +catalogue of ills, all irremediable consequences of a sufficiently +excusable weakness to which the prince in an unguarded moment gave way. + +We have, it is true, got rid of our rival, but the harm he has done will +not so soon be remedied. The finances of the prince are exhausted; all +that he had saved by the wise economy of years is spent; and he must +hasten from Venice if he would escape plunging into debt, which till now +he has most scrupulously avoided. It is decisively settled that we +leave as soon as fresh remittances arrive. + +I should not have minded all this splendor if the prince had but reaped +the least real satisfaction from it. But he was never less happy than +at present. He feels that he is not what he formerly was; he seeks to +regain his self-respect; he is dissatisfied with himself, and launches +into fresh dissipation in order to drown the recollection of the last. +One new acquaintance follows another, and each involves him more deeply. +I know not where this will end. We must away--there is no other chance +of safety--we must away from Venice. + +But, my dear friend, I have not yet received a single line from you. +How am I to interpret this long and obstinate silence? + + + + +LETTER IV. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. +June 12. + +I thank you, my dear friend, for the token of your remembrance which +young B---hl brought me. But what is it you say about letters I ought +to have received? I have received no letter from you; not a single one. +What a circuitous route must they have taken. In future, dear O------, +when you honor me with an epistle despatch it via Trent, under cover to +the prince, my master. + +We have at length been compelled, my dear friend, to resort to a measure +which till now we had so happily avoided. Our remittances have failed +to arrive--failed, for the first time, in this pressing emergency, and +we have been obliged to have recourse to a usurer, as the prince is +willing to pay handsomely to keep the affair secret. The worst of this +disagreeable occurrence is, that it retards our departure. On this +affair the prince and I have had an explanation. The whole transaction +had been arranged by Biondello, and the son of Israel was there before I +had any suspicion of the fact. It grieved me to the heart to see the +prince reduced to such an extremity, and revived all my recollections of +the past, and fears for the future; and I suppose I may have looked +rather sorrowful and gloomy when the usurer left the room. The prince, +whom the foregoing scene had left in not the happiest frame of mind, was +pacing angrily up and down the room; the rouleaus of gold were still +lying on the table; I stood at the window, counting the panes of glass +in the procurator's house opposite. There was a long pause. At length +the prince broke silence. "F------!" he began, "I cannot bear to see +dismal faces about me." + +I remained silent. + +"Why do you not answer me? Do I not perceive that your heart is almost +bursting to vent some of its vexation? I insist on your speaking, +otherwise you will begin to fancy that you are keeping some terribly +momentous secret." + +"If I am gloomy, gracious sir," replied I, "it is only because I do not +see you cheerful." + +"I know," continued he, "that you have been dissatisfied with me for +some time past--that you disapprove of every step I take--that--what +does Count O------ say in his letters?" + +"Count O------ has not written to me." + +"Not written? Why do you deny it? You keep up a confidential +correspondence together, you and the count; I am quite aware of that. +Come, you may confess it, for I have no wish to pry into your secrets." + +"Count O------," replied I, "has not yet answered any of the three +letters which I have written to him." + +"I have done wrong," continued he; "don't you think so?" (taking up one +of the rouleaus) "I should not have done this?" + +"I see that it was necessary." + +"I ought not to have reduced myself to such a necessity?" + +I did not answer. + +"Oh, of course! I ought never to have indulged my wishes, but have +grown gray in the same dull manner in which I was brought up! Because I +once venture a step beyond the drear monotony of my past life, and look +around me to see whether there be not some new source of enjoyment in +store for me--because I--" + +"If it was but a trial, gracious sir, I have no more to say; for the +experience you have gained would not be dearly bought at three times the +price it has cost. It grieves me, I confess, to think that the opinion +of the world should be concerned in determining the question--how are +you to choose your own happiness." + +"It is well for you that you can afford to despise the world's opinion," +replied he, "I am its creature, I must be its slave. What are we +princes but opinion? With us it is everything. Public opinion is our +nurse and preceptor in infancy, our oracle and idol in riper years, our +staff in old age. Take from us what we derive from the opinion of the +world, and the poorest of the humblest class is in a better position +than we, for his fate has taught him a lesson of philosophy which +enables him to bear it. But a prince who laughs at the world's opinion +destroys himself, like the priest who denies the existence of a God." + +"And yet, gracious prince--" + +"I see what you would say; I can break through the circle which my birth +has drawn around me. But can I also eradicate from my memory all the +false impressions which education and early habit have implanted, and +which a hundred thousand fools have been continually laboring to impress +more and more firmly? Everybody naturally wishes to be what he is in +perfection; in short, the whole aim of a prince's existence is to appear +happy. If we cannot be happy after your fashion, is that any reason why +we should discard all other means of happiness, and not be happy at all? +If we cannot drink of joy pure from the fountain-head, can there be any +reason why we should not beguile ourselves with artificial pleasure-- +nay, even be content to accept a sorry substitute from the very hand +that robs us of the higher boon?" + +"You were wont to look for this compensation in your own heart." + +"But if I no longer find it there? Oh, how came we to fall on this +subject? Why did you revive these recollections in me? I had recourse +to this tumult of the senses in order to stifle an inward voice which +embitters my whole life; in order to lull to rest this inquisitive +reason, which, like a sharp sickle, moves to and fro in my brain, at +each new research lopping off another branch of my happiness." + +"My dearest prince"--He had risen, and was pacing up and down the room +in unusual agitation. + + [I have endeavored, dearest O------, to relate to you this + remarkable conversation exactly as it occurred; but this I found + impossible, although I sat down to write it the evening of the day + it took place. In order to assist my memory I was obliged to + transpose the observation of the prince, and thus this compound of + a conversation and a philosophical lecture, which is in some + respects better and in others worse than the source from which I + took it, arose; but I assure you that I have rather omitted some of + the prince's words than ascribed to him any of my own; all that is + mine is the arrangement, and a few observations, whose ownership + you will easily recognize by their stupidity.--Note of the Baron + von F------] + +"When everything gives way before me and behind me; when the past lies +in the distance in dreary monotony, like a city of the dead; when the +future offers me naught; when I see my whole being enclosed within the +narrow circle of the present, who can blame me if I clasp this niggardly +present of time in my arms with fiery eagerness, as though it were a +friend whom I was embracing for the last time? Oh, I have learnt to +value the present moment. The present moment is our mother; let us love +it as such." + +"Gracious sir, you were wont to believe in a more lasting good." + +"Do but make the enchantment last and fervently will I embrace it. But +what pleasure can it give to me to render beings happy who to-morrow +will have passed away like myself? Is not everything passing away +around me? Each one bustles and pushes his neighbor aside hastily to +catch a few drops from the fountain of life, and then departs thirsting. +At this very moment, while I am rejoicing in lily strength, some being +is waiting to start into life at my dissolution. Show me one being who +will endure, and I will become a virtuous man." + +"But what, then, has become of those benevolent sentiments which used to +be the joy and the rule of your life? To sow seeds for the future, to +assist in carrying out the designs of a high and eternal Providence"-- + +"Future! Eternal Providence! If you take away from man all that he +derives from his own heart, all that he associates with the idea of a +godhead, and all that belongs to the law of nature, what, then, do you +leave him? + +"What has already happened to me, and what may still follow, I look upon +as two black, impenetrable curtains hanging over the two extremities of +human life, and which no mortal has ever yet drawn aside. Many hundred +generations have stood before the second of these curtains, casting the +light of their torches upon its folds, speculating and guessing as to +what it may conceal. Many have beheld themselves, in the magnified +image of their passions, reflected upon the curtain which hides futurity +from their gaze, and have turned away shuddering from their own shadows. +Poets, philosophers, and statesmen have painted their fancies on the +curtain in brighter or more sombre colors, according as their own +prospects were bright or gloomy. Many a juggler has also taken +advantage of the universal curiosity, and by well-managed deceptions +led astray the excited imagination. A deep silence reigns behind this +curtain; no one who passes beyond it answers any questions; all the +reply is an empty echo, like the sound yielded by a vault. + +"Sooner or later all must go behind this curtain, and they approach it +with fear and trembling, in doubt who may be waiting there behind to +receive them; /quid sit id, quod tanturn morituri vident/. There have +been infidels who asserted that this curtain only deluded mankind, and +that we saw nothing behind it, because there was nothing there to see; +but, to convince them, they were quickly sent behind it themselves." + +"It was indeed a rash conclusion," said I, "if they had no better ground +for it than that they saw nothing themselves." + +"You see, my dear friend, I am modest enough not to wish to look behind +this curtain, and the wisest course will doubtless be to abstain from +all curiosity. But while I draw this impassable circle around me, and +confine myself within the bounds of present existence, this small point +of time, which I was in danger of neglecting in useless researches, +becomes the more important to me. What you call the chief end and aim +of my existence concerns me no longer. I cannot escape my destiny; I +cannot promote its consummation; but I know, and firmly believe, that I +am here to accomplish some end, and that I do accomplish it. But the +means which nature has chosen to fulfil my destiny are so much the more +sacred to me; to me it is everything; my morality, my happiness. All +the rest I shall never learn. I am like a messenger who carries a +sealed letter to its place of destination. What the letter contains is +indifferent to him; his business is only to earn his fee for carrying +it." + +"Alas!" said I, "how poor a thing you would leave me!" + +"But in what a labyrinth have we lost ourselves!" exclaimed the prince, +looking with a smile at the table on which the rouleaus lay. "After all +perhaps not far from the mark," continued he; "you will now no doubt +understand my reasons for this new mode of life. I could not so +suddenly tear myself away from my fancied wealth, could not so readily +separate the props of my morality and happiness from the pleasing dream +with which everything within me was so closely bound up. I longed for +the frivolity which seems to render the existence of most of those about +me endurable to themselves. Everything which precluded reflection was +welcome to me. Shall I confess it to you? I wished to lower myself, in +order to destroy this source of my griefs, by deadening the power of +reflection." + +Here we were interrupted by a visit. In my next I shall have to +communicate to you a piece of news, which, from the tenor of a +conversation like the one of to-day, you would scarcely have +anticipated. + + + + +LETTER V. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------. + +As the time of our departure from Venice is now approaching with rapid +steps, this week was to be devoted to seeing everything worthy of notice +in pictures and public edifices; a task which, when one intends making a +long stay in a place, is always delayed till the last moment. + +The "Marriage at Cana," by Paul Veronese, which is to be seen in a +Benedictine convent in the Island of St. George, was in particular +mentioned to us in high terms. Do not expect me to give you a +description of this extraordinary work of art, which, on the whole, +made a very surprising, but not equally pleasing, impression on me. +We should have required as many hours as we had minutes to study a +composition of one hundred and twenty figures, upon a ground thirty feet +broad. What human eye is capable of grasping so complicated a whole, or +at once to enjoy all the beauty which the artist has everywhere +lavished, upon it! It is, however, to be lamented, that a work of so +much merit, which if exhibited in some public place, would command the +admiration of every one, should be destined merely to ornament the +refectory of a few monks. The church of the monastery is no less worthy +of admiration, being one of the finest in the whole city. Towards +evening we went in a gondola to the Guidecca, in order to spend the +pleasant hours of evening in its charming garden. Our party, which was +not very numerous, soon dispersed in various directions; and Civitella, +who had been waiting all day for an opportunity of speaking to me +privately, took me aside into an arbor. + +"You are a friend to the prince," he began, "from whom he is accustomed +to keep no secrets, as I know from very good authority. As I entered +his hotel to-day I met a man coming out whose occupation is well known +to me, and when I entered the room the prince's brow was clouded." +I wished to interrupt him,--"You cannot deny it," continued he; "I knew +the man, I looked at him well. And is it possible that the prince +should have a friend in Venice--a friend who owes his life to him, and +yet be reduced on an emergency to make use of such creatures?" + +"Tell me frankly, Baron! Is the prince in difficulties? It is in vain +you strive to conceal it from me. What! you refuse to tell me! I can +easily learn from one who would sell any secret for gold." + +"My good Marquis!" + +"Pardon me! I must appear intrusive in order not to be ungrateful. +To the prince I am indebted for life, and what is still more, for a +reasonable use of it. Shall I stand idly by and see him take steps +which, besides being inconvenient to him, are beneath his dignity? +Shall I feel it in my power to assist him, and hesitate for a moment to +step forward?" + +"The prince," replied I, "is not in difficulties. Some remittances +which we expected via Trent have not yet arrived, most likely either by +accident, or because not feeling certain whether he had not already left +Venice, they waited for a communication from him. This has now been +done, and until their arrival" + +Civitella shook his head. "Do not mistake my motive," said he; "in this +there can be no question as to diminishing the extent of my obligations +towards the prince, which all my uncle's wealth would be insufficient to +cancel. My object is simply to spare him a few unpleasant moments. My +uncle possesses a large fortune which I can command as freely as though +it were my own. A fortunate circumstance occurs, which enables me to +avail myself of the only means by which I can possibly be of the +slightest use to your master. I know," continued he, "how much delicacy +the prince possesses, but the feeling is mutual, and it would be noble +on his part to afford me this slight gratification, were it only to make +me appear to feel less heavily the load of obligation under which I +labor." + +He continued to urge his request, until I had pledged my word to assist +him to the utmost of my ability. I knew the prince's character, and had +but small hopes of success. The marquis promised to agree to any +conditions the prince might impose, but added, that it would deeply +wound him to be regarded in the light of a stranger. + +In the heat of our conversation we had strayed far away from the rest of +the company, and were returning, when Z-------- came to meet us. + +"I am in search of the prince," he cried; "is he not with you?" + +"We were just going to him," was our reply. "We thought to find him +with the rest of the party." + +"The company is all together, but he is nowhere to be found. I cannot +imagine how we lost sight of him." + +It now occurred to Civitella that he might have gone to look at the +adjoining church, which had a short time before attracted his attention. +We immediately went to look for him there. As we approached, we found +Biondello waiting in the porch. On coining nearer, we saw the prince +emerge hastily from a side door; his countenance was flushed, and he +looked anxiously round for Biondello, whom he called. He seemed to be +giving him very particular instructions for the execution of some +commission, while his eyes continued constantly fixed on the church +door, which had remained open. Biondello hastened into the church. The +prince, without perceiving us, passed through the crowd, and went back +to his party, which he reached before us. + +We resolved to sup in an open pavilion of the garden, where the marquis +had, without our knowledge, arranged a little concert, which was quite +first-rate. There was a young singer in particular, whose delicious +voice and charming figure excited general admiration. Nothing, however, +seemed to make an impression on the prince; he spoke little, and gave +confused answers to our questions; his eyes were anxiously fixed in the +direction whence he expected Biondello; and he seemed much agitated. +Civitella asked him what he thought of the church; he was unable to give +any description of it. Some beautiful pictures, which rendered the +church remarkable, were spoken of; the prince had not noticed them. We +perceived that our questions annoyed him, and therefore discontinued +them. Hour after hour rolled on and still Biondello returned not. The +prince could no longer conceal his impatience; he rose from the table, +and paced alone, with rapid strides, up and down a retired walk. Nobody +could imagine what had happened to him. I did not venture to ask him +the reason of so remarkable a change in his demeanor; I have for some +time past resigned my former place in his confidence. It was, +therefore, with the utmost impatience that I awaited the return of +Biondello to explain this riddle to me. + +It was past ten o'clock when he made his appearance. The tidings he +brought did not make the prince more communicative. He returned in an +ill-humor to the company, the gondola was ordered, and we returned. +home. + +During the remainder of that evening I could find no opportunity of +speaking to Biondello, and was, therefore, obliged to retire to my +pillow with my curiosity unsatisfied. The prince had dismissed us +early, but a thousand reflections flitted across my brain, and kept me +awake. For a long time I could hear him pacing up and down his room; at +length sleep overcame me. Late at midnight I was awakened by a voice, +and I felt a hand passed across my face; I opened my eyes, and saw the +prince standing at my bedside, with a lamp in his hand. He told me he +was unable to sleep, and begged me to keep him company through the +night. I was going to dress myself, but he told me to stay where I was, +and seated himself at my bedside. + +"Something has happened to me to-day," he began, "the impression of +which will never be effaced from my soul. I left you, as you know, to +see the church, respecting which Civitella had raised my curiosity, and +which had already attracted my attention. As neither you nor he were at +hand, I walked the short distance alone, and ordered Biondello to wait +for me at the door. The church was quite empty; a dim and solemn light +surrounded me as I entered from the blazing sultry day without. I stood +alone in the spacious building, throughout which there reigned the +stillness of the grave. I placed myself in the centre of the church, +and gave myself up to the feelings which the sight was calculated to +produce; by degrees the grand proportions of this majestic building +expanded to my gaze, and I stood wrapt in deep and pleasing +contemplation. Above me the evening bell was tolling; its tones died +softly away in the aisles, and found an echo in my heart. Some altar- +pieces at a distance attracted my attention. I approached to look at +them; unconsciously I had wandered through one side of the church, and +was now standing at the opposite end. Here a few steps, raised round a +pillar, led into a little chapel, containing several small altars, with +statues of saints in the niches above them. On entering the chapel on +the right I heard a whispering, as though some one near was speaking in +a low voice. I turned towards the spot whence the sound proceeded, and +saw before me a female form. No! I cannot describe to you the beauty +of this form. My first feeling was one of awe, which, however, soon +gave place to ravishing surprise." + +"But this figure, your highness? Are you certain that it was something +living, something real, and not perhaps a picture, or an illusion of +your fancy?" + +"Hear me further. It was a lady. Surely, till that moment, I have +never seen her sex in its full perfection! All around was sombre; the +setting sun shone through a single window into the chapel, and its rays +rested upon her figure. With inexpressible grace, half kneeling, half +lying, she was stretched before an altar; one of the most striking, most +lovely, and picturesque objects in all nature. Her dress was of black +moreen, fitting tightly to her slender waist and beautifully-formed +arms, the skirts spreading around her like a Spanish robe; her long +light-colored hair was divided into two broad plaits, which, apparently +from their own weight, had escaped from under her veil, and flowed in +charming disorder down her back. One of her hands grasped the crucifix, +and her head rested gracefully upon the other. But, where shall I find +words to describe to you the angelic beauty of her countenance, in which +the charms of a seraph seemed displayed. The setting sun shone full +upon her face, and its golden beams seemed to surround it as with a +glory. Can you recall to your mind the Madonna of our Florentine +painter? She was here personified, even to those few deviations from +the studied costume which so powerfully, so irresistibly attracted me in +the picture." + +With regard to the Madonna, of whom the prince spoke, the case is this: +Shortly after your departure he made the acquaintance of a Florentine +painter, who had been summoned to Venice to paint an altar-piece for +some church, the name of which I do not recollect. He had brought with +him three paintings, which had been intended for the gallery in the +Cornari palace. They consisted of a Madonna, a Heloise, and a Venus, +very lightly apparelled. All three were of great beauty; and, although +the subjects were quite different, they were so intrinsically equal that +it seemed almost impossible to determine which to prefer. The prince +alone did not hesitate for a moment. As soon as the pictures were +placed before him the Madonna absorbed his whole attention; in the two +others he admired the painter's genius; but in this he forgot the artist +and his art, his whole soul being absorbed in the contemplation of the +work. He was quite moved, and could scarcely tear himself away from it. +We could easily see by the artist's countenance that in his heart he +coincided with the prince's judgment; he obstinately refused to separate +the pictures, and demanded fifteen hundred zechins for the three. The +prince offered him half that sum for the Madonna alone, but in vain. +The artist insisted on his first demand, and who knows what might have +been the result if a ready purchaser had not stepped forward. + +Two hours afterwards all three pictures were sold, and we never saw them +again. It was this Madonna which now recurred to the prince's mind. + +"I stood," continued he, "gazing at her in silent admiration. She did +not observe me; my arrival did not disturb her, so completely was she +absorbed in her devotion. She prayed to her Deity, and I prayed to her +--yes, I adored her! All the pictures of saints, all the altars and the +burning tapers around me had failed to remind me of what now for the +first time burst upon me, that I was in a sacred place. Shall I confess +it to you? In that moment I believed firmly in Him whose image was +clasped in her beautiful hand. I read in her eyes that he answered her +prayers. Thanks be to her charming devotion, it had revealed him to me. +I wandered with her through all the paradise of prayer. + +"She rose, and I recollected myself. I stepped aside confused; but the +noise I made in moving discovered me. I thought that the unexpected +presence of a man might alarm, that my boldness would offend her; but +neither of these feelings were expressed in the look with which she +regarded me. Peace, benign peace, was portrayed in her countenance, and +a cheerful smile played upon her lips. She was descending from her +heaven; and I was the first happy mortal who met her benevolent look. +Her mind was still wrapt in her concluding prayer; she had not yet come +in contact with earth. + +"I now heard something stir in the opposite corner of the chapel. It +was an elderly lady, who rose from a cushion close behind me. Till now +I had not observed her. She had been distant only a few steps from me. +and must have seen my every motion. This confused me. I cast my eyes +to the earth, and both the ladies passed by me." + +On this last point I thought myself able to console the prince. + +"Strange," continued he, after a long silence, "that there should be +something which one has never known--never missed; and that yet on a +sudden one should seem to live and breathe for that alone. Can one +single moment so completely metamorphose a human being? It would now be +as impossible for me to indulge in the wishes or enjoy the pleasures of +yesterday as it would be to return to the toys of my childhood, and all +this since I have seen this object which lives and rules in the inmost +recesses of my soul. It seems to say that I can love nothing else, and +that nothing else in this world can produce an impression on me." + +"But consider, gracious prince," said I, "the excitable mood you were in +when this apparition surprised you, and how all the circumstances +conspired to inflame your imagination. Quitting the dazzling light of +day and the busy throng of men, you were suddenly surrounded by twilight +and repose. You confess that you had quite given yourself up to those +solemn emotions which the majesty of the place was calculated to awaken; +the contemplation of fine works of art had rendered you more susceptible +to the impressions of beauty in any form. You supposed yourself alone-- +when you saw a maiden who, I will readily allow, may have been very +beautiful, and whose charms were heightened by a favorable illumination +of the setting sun, a graceful attitude, and an expression of fervent +devotion--what is more natural than that your vivid fancy should look +upon such a form as something supernaturally perfect?" + +"Can the imagination give what it never received?" replied he. "In the +whole range of my fancy there is nothing which I can compare with that +image. It is impressed on my mind distinctly and vividly as in the +moment when I beheld it. I can think of nothing but that picture; but +you might offer me whole worlds for it in vain." + +"My gracious prince, this is love." + +"Must the sensation which makes me happy necessarily have a name? +Love! Do not degrade my feeling by giving it a name which is so often +misapplied by the weak-minded. Who ever felt before what I do now? +Such a being never before existed; how then can the name be admitted +before the emotion which it is meant to express? Mine is a novel and +peculiar feeling, connected only with this being, and capable of being +applied to her alone. Love! From love I am secure!" + +"You sent away Biondello, no doubt, to follow in the steps of these +strangers, and to make inquiries concerning them. What news did he +bring you?" + +"Biondello discovered nothing; or, at least, as good as nothing. An +aged, respectably dressed man, who looked more like a citizen than a +servant, came to conduct them to their gondola. A number of poor people +placed themselves in a row, and quitted her, apparently well satisfied. +Biondello said he saw one of her hands, which was ornamented with +several precious stones. She spoke a few words, which Biondello could +not comprehend, to her companion; he says it was Greek. As she had some +distance to walk to the canal, the people began to throng together, +attracted by the strangeness of her appearance. Nobody knew her--but +beauty seems born to rule. All made way for her in a respectful manner. +She let fall a black veil, that covered half of her person, over her +face, and hastened into the gondola. Along the whole Giudecca Biondello +managed to keep the boat in view, but the crowd prevented his following +it further." + +"But surely he took notice of the gondolier so as to be able to +recognize him again." + +"He has undertaken to find out the gondolier, but he is not one of those +with whom he associates. The mendicants, whom he questioned, could give +him no further information than that the signora had come to the church +for the last few Saturdays, and had each time divided a gold-piece among +them. It was a Dutch ducat, which Biondello changed for them, and +brought to me." + +"It appears, then, that she is a Greek--most likely of rank; at any +rate, rich and charitable. That is as much as we dare venture to +conclude at present, gracious sir; perhaps too much. But a Greek lady +in a Catholic church?" + +"Why not? She may have changed her religion. But there is certainly +some mystery in the affair. Why should she go only once a week? Why +always on Saturday, on which day, as Biondello tells me, the church is +generally deserted. Next Saturday, at the latest, must decide this +question. Till then, dearest friend, you must help me to while away the +hours. But it is in vain. They will go their lingering pace, though my +soul is burning with expectation!" + +"And when this day at length arrives--what, then, gracious prince? What +do you purpose doing?" + +"What do I purpose doing? I shall see her. I will discover where she +lives and who she is. But to what does all this tend? I hear you ask. +What I saw made me happy; I therefore now know wherein my happiness +consists! + +"And our departure from Venice, which is fixed for next Monday?" + +"How could I know that Venice still contained such a treasure for me? +You ask me questions of my past life. I tell you that from this day +forward I will begin a new existence." + +"I thought that now was the opportunity to keep my word to the marquis. +I explained to the prince that a protracted stay in Venice was +altogether incompatible with the exhausted state of his finances, and +that, if he extended his sojourn here beyond the appointed time, he +could not reckon on receiving funds from his court. On this occasion, +I learned what had hitherto been a secret to me, namely, that the prince +had, without the knowledge of his other brothers, received from his +sister, the reigning ----- of --------, considerable loans, which she +would gladly double if his court left him in the lurch. This sister, +who, as you know, is a pious enthusiast, thinks that the large savings +which she makes at a very economical court cannot be deposited in better +hands than in those of a brother whose wise benevolence she well knows, +and whose character she warmly honors. I have, indeed, known for some +time that a very close intercourse has been kept up between the two, +and that many letters have been exchanged; but, as the prince's own +resources have hitherto always been sufficient to cover his expenditure, +I had never guessed at this hidden channel. It is clear, therefore, +that the prince must have had some expenses which have been and still +are unknown to me; but if I can judge of them by his general character, +they will certainly not be of such a description as to tend to his +disgrace. And yet I thought I understood him thoroughly. After this +disclosure, I of course did not hesitate to make known to him the +marquis' offer, which, to my no small surprise, he immediately accepted. +He gave me the authority to transact the business with the marquis in +whatever way I thought most advisable, and then immediately to settle +the account with the usurer. To his sister he proposed to write without +delay. + +It was morning when we separated. However disagreeable this affair is +to me for more than one reason, the worst of it is that it seems to +threaten a longer residence in Venice. From the prince's passion I +rather augur good than evil. It is, perhaps, the most powerful method +of withdrawing him from his metaphysical dreams to the concerns and +feelings of real life. It will have its crisis, and, like an illness +produced by artificial means, will eradicate the natural disorder. + +Farewell, my dear friend. I have written down these incidents +immediately upon their occurrence. The post starts immediately; you +will receive this letter on the same day as my last. + + + + +LETTER VI. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +June 20. + +This Civitella is certainly one of the most obliging personages in the +world. The prince had scarcely left me the other day before I received +a note from the marquis enforcing his former offers with renewed +earnestness. I instantly forwarded, in the prince's name, a bond for +six thousand zechins; in less than half an hour it was returned, with +double the sum required, in notes and gold. The prince at length +assented to this increase, but insisted that the bond, which was drawn +only for six weeks, should be accepted. + +The whole of the present week has been consumed in inquiries after the +mysterious Greek. Biondello set all his engines to work, but until now +in vain. He certainly discovered the gondolier; but from him he could +learn nothing, save that the ladies had disembarked on the island of +Murano, where they entered two sedan chairs which were waiting for them. +He supposed them to be English because they spoke a foreign language, +and had paid him in gold. He did not even know their guide, but +believed him to be a glass manufacturer from Murano. We were now, at +least, certain that we must not look for her in the Giudecca, and that +in all probability she lived in the island of Murano; but, unluckily, +the description the prince gave of her was not such as to make her +recognizable by a third party. The passionate interest with which he +had regarded her had hindered him from observing her minutely; for all +the minor details, which other people would not have failed to notice, +had escaped his observation; from his description one would have sooner +expected to find her prototype in tha works of Ariosto or Tasso than on +a Venetian island. Besides, our inquiries had to be conducted with the +utmost caution, in order not to become prejudicial to the lady, or to +excite undue attention. As Biondello was the only man besides the +prince who had seen her, even through her veil, and could therefore +recognize her, he strove to be as much as possible in all the places +where she was likely to appear; the life of the poor man, during the +whole week, was a continual race through all the streets of Venice. In +the Greek church, particularly, every inquiry was made, but always with +the same ill-success; and the prince, whose impatience increased with +every successive failure, was at last obliged to wait till Saturday, +with what patience he might. His restlessness was excessive. Nothing +interested him, nothing could fix his attention. He was in constant +feverish excitement; he fled from society, but the evil increased in +solitude. He had never been so much besieged by visitors as in this +week. His approaching departure had been announced, and everybody +crowded to see him. It was necessary to occupy the attention of the +people in order to lull their suspicions, and to amuse the prince with +the view of diverting his mind from its all-engrossing object. In this +emergency Civitella hit upon play; and, for the purpose of driving away +most of the visitors, proposed that the stakes should be high. He hoped +by awakening in the prince a transient liking for play, from which it +would afterwards be easy to wean him, to destroy the romantic bent of +his passion. "The cards," said Civitella, "have saved me from many a +folly which I had intended to commit, and repaired many which I had +already perpetrated. At the faro table I have often recovered my +tranquillity of mind, of which a pair of bright eyes had robbed me, and +women never had more power over me than when I had not money enough to +play." + +I will not enter into a discussion as to how far Civitella was right; +but the remedy we had hit upon soon began to be worse than the disease +it was intended to cure. The prince, who could only make the game at +all interesting to himself by staking extremely high, soon overstepped +all bounds. He was quite out of his element. Everything he did seemed +to be done in a passion; all his actions betrayed the uneasiness of his +mind. You know his general indifference to money; he seemed now to have +become totally insensible to its value. Gold flowed through his hands +like water. As he played without the slightest caution he lost almost +invariably. He lost immense sums, for he staked like a desperate +gamester. Dearest O------- , with an aching heart I write it, in four +days he had lost above twelve thousand zechins. + +Do not reproach me. I blame myself sufficiently. But how could I +prevent it? Could I do more than warn him? I did all that was in my +power, and cannot find myself guilty. Civitella, too, lost not a +little; I won about six hundred zechins. The unprecedented ill-luck of +the prince excited general attention, and therefore he would not leave +off playing. Civitella, who is always ready to oblige him, immediately +advanced him the required sum. The deficit is made up; but the prince +owes the marquis twenty-four thousand zechins. Oh, how I long for the +savings of his pious sister. Are all sovereigns so, my dear friend? +The prince behaves as though he had done the marquis a great honor, and +he, at any rate, plays his part well. + +Civitella sought to quiet me by saying that this recklessness, this +extraordinary ill-luck, would be most effectual in bringing the prince +to his senses. The money, he said, was of no consequence. He himself +would not feel the loss in the least, and would be happy to serve the +prince, at any moment, with three times the amount. The cardinal also +assured me that his nephew's intentions were honest, and that he should +be ready to assist him in carrying them out. + +The most unfortunate thing was that these tremendous sacrifices did not +even effect their object. One would have thought that the prince would +at least feel some interest in his play. But such was not the case. +His thoughts were wandering far away, and the passion which we wished to +stifle by his ill-luck in play seemed, on the contrary, only to gather +strength. When, for instance, a decisive stroke was about to be played, +and every one's eyes were fixed, full of expectation, on the board, his +were searching for Biondello, in order to catch the news he might have +brought him, from the expression of his countenance. Biondello brought +no tidings, and his master's losses continued. + +The gains, however, fell into very needy hands. A few "your +excellencies," whom scandal reports to be in the habit of carrying home +their frugal dinner from the market in their senatorial caps, entered +our house as beggars, and left it with well-lined purses. Civitella +pointed them out to me. "Look," said he, "how many poor devils make +their fortunes by one great man taking a whim into his head. This is +what I like to see. It is princely and royal. A great man must, even +by his failings, make some one happy, like a river which by its +overflowing fertilizes the neighboring fields." + +Civitella has a noble and generous way of thinking, but the prince owes +him twenty-four thousand zechins. + +At length the long-wished-for Saturday arrived, and my master insisted +upon going, directly after dinner, to the church. He stationed himself +in the chapel where he had first seen the unknown, but in such a way as +not to be immediately observed. Biondello had orders to keep watch at +the church door, and to enter into conversation with the attendant of +the ladies. I had taken upon myself to enter, like a chance passenger, +into the same gondola with them on their return, in order to follow +their track if the other schemes should fail. At the spot where the +gondolier said he had landed them the last time two sedans were +stationed; the chamberlain, Z------, was ordered to follow in a separate +gondola, in order to trace the retreat of the unknown, if all else +should fail. The prince wished to give himself wholly up to the +pleasure of seeing her, and, if possible, try to make her acquaintance +in the church. Civitella was to keep out of the way altogether, as his +reputation among the women of Venice was so bad that his presence could +not have failed to excite the suspicions of the lady. You see, dear +count, it was not through any want of precaution on our part that the +fair unknown escaped us. + +Never, perhaps, was there offered up in any church such ardent prayers +for success, and never were hopes so cruelly disappointed. The prince +waited till after sunset, starting in expectation at every sound which +approached the chapel, and at every creaking of the church door. Seven +full hours passed, and no Greek lady. I need not describe his state of +mind. You know what hope deferred is, hope which one has nourished +unceasingly for seven days and nights. + + + + +LETTER VII. + +BARON VON F------ TO COUNT VON O------- +July. + +The mysterious unknown of the prince reminded Marquis Civitella of a +romantic incident which happened to himself a short time since, and, to +divert the prince, he offered to relate it. I will give it you in his +own words; but the lively spirit which he infuses into all he tells will +be lost in my narration. + +(Here follows the subjoined fragment, which appeared in the eighth part +of the Thalia, and was originally intended for the second volume of the +Ghost-Seer. It found a place here after Schiller had given up the idea +of completing the Ghost-Seer.) + +"In the spring of last year," began Civitella, "I had the misfortune to +embroil myself with the Spanish ambassador, a gentleman who, in his +seventieth year, had been guilty of the folly of wishing to marry a +Roman girl of eighteen. His vengeance pursued me, and my friends +advised me to secure my safety by a timely flight, and to keep out of +the way until the hand of nature, or an adjustment of differences, had +secured me from the wrath of this formidable enemy. As I felt it too +severe a punishment to quit Venice altogether, I took up my abode in a +distant quarter of the town, where I lived in a lonely house, under a +feigned name, keeping myself concealed by day, and devoting the night to +the society of my friends and of pleasure. + +"My windows looked upon a garden, the west side of which was bounded by +the walls of a convent, while towards the east it jutted out into the +Laguna in the form of a little peninsula. The garden was charmingly +situated, but little frequented. It was my custom every morning, after +my friends had left me, to spend a few moments at the window before +retiring to rest, to see the sun rise over the Adriatic, and then to bid +him goodnight. If you, my dear prince, have not yet enjoyed this +pleasure, I recommend exactly this station, the only eligible one +perhaps in all Venice to enjoy so splendid a prospect in perfection. +A purple twilight hangs over the deep, and a golden mist on the Laguna +announces the sun's approach. The heavens and the sea are wrapped in +expectant silence. In two seconds the orb of day appears, casting a +flood of fiery light on the waves. It is an enchanting sight. + +"One morning, when I was, according to custom, enjoying the beauty of +this prospect, I suddenly discovered that I was not the only spectator +of the scene. I fancied I heard voices in the garden, and turning to +the quarter whence the sound proceeded, I perceived a gondola steering +for the land. In a few moments I saw figures walking at a slow pace up +the avenue. They were a man and a woman, accompanied by a little negro. +The female was clothed in white, and had a brilliant on her finger. It +was not light enough to perceive more. + +"My curiosity was raised. Doubtless a rendezvous of a pair of lovers-- +but in such a place, and at so unusual an hour! It was scarcely three +o'clock, and everything was still veiled in dusky twilight. The +incident seemed to me novel and proper for a romance, and I waited to +see the end. + +"I soon lost sight of them among the foliage of the garden, and some +time elapsed before they again emerged to view. Meanwhile a delightful +song was heard. It proceeded from the gondolier, who was in this manner +shortening the time, and was answered by a comrade a short way off. +They sang stanzas from Tasso; time and place were in unison, and the +melody sounded sweetly, in the profound silence around. + +"Day in the meantime had dawned, and objects were discerned more +plainly. I sought my people, whom I found walking hand-in-hand up a +broad walk, often standing still, but always with their backs turned +towards me, and proceeding further from my residence. Their noble, easy +carriage convinced me at once that they were people of rank, and the +splendid figure of the lady made me augur as much of her beauty. They +appeared to converse but little; the lady, however, more than her +companion. In the spectacle of the rising sun, which now burst out in +all its splendor, they seemed to take not the slightest interest. + +"While I was employed in adjusting my glass, in order to bring them into +view as closely as possible, they suddenly disappeared down a side path, +and some time elapsed before I regained sight of them. The sun had now +fully risen; they were approaching straight towards me, with their eyes +fixed upon where I stood. What a heavenly form did I behold! Was it +illusion, or the magic effect of the beautiful light? I thought I +beheld a supernatural being, for my eyes quailed before the angelic +brightness of her look. So much loveliness combined with so much +dignity!--so much mind, and so much blooming youth! It is in vain I +attempt to describe it. I had never seen true beauty till that moment. + +"In the heat of conversation they lingered near me, and I had full +opportunity to contemplate her. Scarcely, however, had I cast my eyes +upon her companion, but even her beauty was not powerful enough to fix +my attention. He appeared to be a man still in the prime of life, +rather slight, and of a tall, noble figure. Never have I beheld so much +mind, so much noble expression, in a human countenance. Though +perfectly secured from observation, I was unable to meet the lightning +glance that shot from beneath his dark eyebrows. There was a moving +expression of sorrow about his eyes, but an expression of benevolence +about the mouth which relieved the settled gravity spread over his whole +countenance. A certain cast of features, not quite European, together +with his dress, which appeared to have been chosen with inimitable good +taste from the most varied costumes, gave him a peculiar air, which not +a little heightened the impression produced by his appearance. A degree +of wildness in his looks warranted the supposition that lie was an +enthusiast, but his deportment and carriage showed that his character +had been formed by mixing in society." + +Z--------, who you know must always give utterance to what he thinks, +could contain himself no longer. "Our Armenian!" cried he. "Our very +Armenian, and nobody else." + +"What Armenian, if one may ask?" inquired Civitella. + +"Has no one told you of the farce?" replied the prince. "But no +interruption! I begin to feel interested in your hero. Pray continue +your narrative." + +"There was something inexplicable in his whole demeanor," continued +Civitella. "His eyes were fixed upon his companion with an expression +of anxiety and passion, but the moment they met hers he looked down +abashed. 'Is the man beside himself!' thought I. I could stand for +ages and gaze at nothing else but her. + +"The foliage again concealed them from my sight. Long, long did I look +for their reappearance, but in vain. At length I caught sight of them +from another window. + +"They were standing before the basin of a fountain at some distance +apart, and both wrapped in deep silence. They had, probably, remained +some time in the same position. Her clear and intelligent eyes were +resting inquiringly on his, and seemed as if they would imbibe every +thought from him as it revealed itself in his countenance. He, as if he +wanted courage to look directly into her face, furtively sought its +reflection in the watery mirror before him, or gazed steadfastly at the +dolphin which bore the water to the basin. Who knows how long this +silent scene might have continued could the lady have endured it? With +the most bewitching grace the lovely girl advanced towards him, and +passing her arm round his neck, raised his hand to her lips. Calmly and +unmoved the strange being suffered her caresses, but did not return +them. + +"This scene moved me strangely. It was the man that chiefly excited my +sympathy and interest. Some violent emotion seemed to struggle in his +breast; it was as if some irresistible force drew him towards her, while +an unseen arm held him back. Silent, but agonizing, was the struggle, +and beautiful the temptation. 'No,' I thought, 'he attempts too much; +he will, he must yield.' + +"At his silent intimation the young negro disappeared. I now expected +some touching scene--a prayer on bended knees, and a reconciliation +sealed with glowing kisses. But no! nothing of the kind occurred. The +incomprehensible being took from his pocketbook a sealed packet, and +placed it in the hands of the lady. Sadness overcast her face as she +she looked at it, and a tear bedewed her eye. + +"After a short silence they separated. At this moment an elderly lady +advanced from one of the sidewalks, who had remained at a distance, and +whom I now first discovered. She and the fair girl slowly advanced +along the path, and, while they were earnestly engaged in conversation, +the stranger took the opportunity of remaining behind. With his eyes +turned towards her, he stood irresolute, at one instant making a rapid +step forward, and in the next retreating. In another moment he had +disappeared in the copse. + +"The women at length look round, seem uneasy at not finding him, and +pause as if to await his coming. He comes not. Anxious glances are +cast around, and steps are redoubled. My eyes aid in searching through +the garden; be comes not, he is nowhere to be seen. + +"Suddenly I see a plash in the canal, and see a gondola moving from the +shore. It is he, and I scarcely can refrain from calling to him. Now +the whole thing is clear--it was a parting. + +"She appears to have a presentiment of what has happened. With a speed +that her companion cannot use she hastens to the shore. Too late! +Quick as the arrow in its flight the gondola bounds forward, and soon +nothing is visible but a white handkerchief fluttering in the air from +afar. Soon after this I saw the fair incognita and her companion cross +the water. + +"When I awoke from a short sleep I could not help smiling at my +delusion. My fancy had incorporated these events in my dreams until +truth itself seemed a dream. A maiden, fair as an houri, wandering +beneath my windows at break of day with her lover--and a lover who did +not know how to make a better use of such an hour. Surely these +supplied materials for the composition of a picture which might well +occupy the fancy of a dreamer! But the dream had been too lovely for me +not to desire its renewal again and again; nay, even the garden had +become more charming in my sight since my imagination had peopled it +with such attractive forms. Several cheerless days that succeeded this +eventful morning drove me from the window, but the first fine evening +involuntarily drew me back to my post of observation. Judge of my +surprise when after a short search I caught sight of the white dress of +my incognita! Yes, it was she herself. I had not dreamed! + +"Her former companion was with her, and led by the hand a little boy; +but the fair girl herself walked apart, and seemed absorbed in thought. +All spots were visited that had been rendered memorable by the presence +of her friend. She paused for a long time before the basin, and her +fixed gaze seemed to seek on its crystal mirror the reflection of one +beloved form. + +"Although her noble beauty had attracted me when I first saw her the +impression produced was even stronger on this occasion, although perhaps +at the same time more conducive to gentler emotions. I had now ample +opportunity of considering this divine form; the surprise of the first +impression gradually gave place to softer feelings. The glory that +seemed to invest her had departed, and I saw before me the loveliest of +women, and felt my senses inflamed. In a moment the resolution was +formed that she must be mine. + +"While I was deliberating whether I should descend and approach her, or +whether before I ventured on such a step it would not be better to +obtain information regarding her, a door opened in the convent wall, +through which there advanced a Carmelite monk. The sound of his +approach roused the lady, and I saw her advance with hurried steps +towards him. He drew from his bosom a paper, which she eagerly grasped, +while a vivid color instantaneously suffused her countenance. + +"At this moment I was called from the window by the arrival of my usual +evening visitor. I carefully avoided approaching the spot again as I +had no desire to share my conquest with another. For a whole hour I was +obliged to endure this painful constraint before I could succeed in +freeing myself from my importunate guest, and when I hastened to the +window all had disappeared. + +"The garden was empty when I entered it; no vessel of any kind was +visible in the canal; no trace of people on any side; I neither knew +whence she had come nor whither she bad gone. While I was looking round +me in all directions I observed something white upon the ground. On +drawing near I found it was a piece of paper folded in the shape of a +note. What could it be but the letter which the Carmelite had brought? +'Happy discovery!' I exclaimed; 'this will reveal the whole secret, and +make me master of her fate.' + +"The letter was sealed with a sphinx, had no superscription, and was +written in cyphers; this, however, did not discourage me, for I have +some knowledge of this mode of writing. I copied it hastily, as there +was every reason to expect that she would soon miss it and return in +search of it. If she should not find it she would regard its loss as an +evidence that the garden was resorted to by different persons, and such +a discovery might easily deter her from visiting it again. And what +worse fortune could attend my hopes. + +"That which I had conjectured actually took place, and I had scarcely +ended my copy when she reappeared with her former companion, anxiously +intent on the search. I attached the note to a tile which I had +detached from the roof, and dropped it at a spot which she would pass. +Her gracefully expressed joy at finding it rewarded me for my +generosity. She examined it in every part with keen, searching glances, +as if she were seeking to detect the unhallowed hands that might have +touched it; but the contented look with which she hid it in her bosom +showed that she was free from all suspicion. She went, and the parting +glance she threw on the garden seemed expressive of gratitude to the +guardian deities of the spot, who had so faithfully watched over the +secret of her heart. + +"I now hastened to decipher the letter. After trying several languages, +I at length succeeded by the use of English. Its contents were so +remarkable that my memory still retains a perfect recollection of them." + +I am interrupted, and must give you the conclusion on a future occasion. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +August. + +In truth, my dearest friend, you do the good Biondello injustice. The +suspicion you entertain against him is unfounded, and while I allow you +full liberty to condemn all Italians generally, I must maintain that +this one at least is an honest man. + +You think it singular that a person of such brilliant endowments and +such exemplary conduct should debase himself to enter the service of +another if he were not actuated by secret motives; and these, you +further conclude, must necessarily be of a suspicious character. But +where is the novelty of a man of talent and of merit endeavoring to win +favor with a prince who has the power of establishing his fortune? Is +there anything derogatory in serving the prince? and has not Biondello +clearly shown that his devotion is purely personal by confessing that he +earnestly desired to make a certain request of the prince? The whole +mystery will, therefore, no doubt be revealed when he acquaints him of +his wishes. He may certainly be actuated by secret motives, but why may +these not be innocent in their nature? + +You think it strange that this Biondello should have kept all his great +talents concealed, and in no way have attracted attention during the +early months of our acquaintance with him, when you were still with us. +This I grant; but what opportunity had he then of distinguishing +himself? The prince had not yet called his powers into requisition, and +chance, therefore, could alone aid us in discovering his talents. + +He very recently gave a proof of his devotion and honesty of purpose +which must at once annihilate all your doubts. The prince was watched; +measures were being taken to gain information regarding his mode of +life, associates, and general habits. I know not with whom this +inquisitiveness originated. Let me beg your attention, however, to what +I am about to relate:-- + +There is a house in St. George's which Biondello is in the habit of +frequenting. He probably finds some peculiar attractions there, but of +this I know nothing. It happened a few days ago that he there met +assembled together a party of civil and military officers in the service +of the government, old acquaintances and jovial comrades of his own. +Surprise and pleasure were expressed on all sides at this meeting. +Their former good-fellowship was re-established; and after each in turn +had related his own history up to the present time, Biondello was called +upon to give an account of his life; this be did in a few words. He was +congratulated on his new position; his companions had heard accounts of +the splendid footing on which the Prince of -------'s establishment was +maintained; of his liberality, especially to persons who showed +discretion in keeping secrets; the prince's connection with the Cardinal +A------i was well known, he was said to be addicted to play, etc. +Biondello's surprise at this is observed, and jokes are passed upon the +mystery which he tries to keep up, although it is well known that he is +the emissary of the Prince of ------. The two lawyers of the party make +him sit down between them; their glasses are repeatedly emptied, he is +urged to drink, but excuses himself on the grounds of inability to bear +wine; at last, however, he yields to their wishes, in order that he may +the better pretend intoxication. + +"Yes!" cried one of the lawyers, "Biondello understands his business, +but he has not yet learned all the tricks of the trade; he is but a +novice." + +"What have I still to learn?" ask Biondello. + +"You understand the art of keeping a secret," remarked the other; "but +you have still to learn that of parting with it to advantage." + +"Am I likely to find a purchaser for any that I may have to dispose of?" +asked Biondello. + +On this the other guests withdrew from the apartment, and left him alone +with his two neighbors, who continued the conversation in the same +strain. The substance of the whole was, however, briefly as follows: +Biondello was to procure them certain information regarding the +intercourse of the prince with the cardinal and his nephew, acquaint +them with the source from whence the prince derived his money, and to +intercept all letters written to Count O------. Biondello put them off +to a future occasion, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts to draw +from them the name of the person by whom they were employed. From the +splendid nature of the proposals made to him it was evident, however, +that they emanated from some influential and extremely wealthy party. + +Last night he related the whole occurrence to the prince, whose first +impulse was without further ceremony to secure the maneuverers at once, +but to this Biondello strongly objected. He urged that he would be +obliged to set them at liberty again, and that, in this case, he should +endanger not only his credit among this class of men, but even his life. +All these men were connected together, and bound by one common interest, +each one making the cause of the others his own; in fact, he would +rather make enemies of the senate of Venice than be regarded by these +men as a traitor--and, besides, he could no longer be useful to the +prince if he lost the confidence of this class of people. + +We have pondered and conjectured much as to the source of all this. Who +is there in Venice that can care to know what money my master receives +or pays out, what passess between Cardinal A-----i and himself, and what +I write to you? Can it be some scheme of the Prince of ---d-----, or is +the Armenian again on the alert? + + + + +LETTER IX. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O-------. +August. + +The prince is revelling in love and bliss. He has recovered his fair +Greek. I must relate to you how this happened. + +A traveller, who had crossed from Chiozza, gave the prince so animated +an account of the beauty of this place, which is charmingly situated on +the shores of the gulf, that he became very anxious to see it. +Yesterday was fixed upon for the excusion; and, in order to avoid all +restraint and display, no one was to accompany him but Z------- and +myself, together with Biondello, as my master wished to remain unknown. +We found a vessel ready to start, and engaged our passage at once. The +company was very mixed but not numerous, and the passage was made +without the occurrence of any circumstance worthy of notice. + +Chiozza is built, like Venice, on a foundation of wooden piles, and is +said to contain about forty thousand inhabitants. There are but few of +the higher classes resident there, but one meets sailors and fishermen +at every step. Whoever appears in a peruke, or a cloak, is regarded as +an aristocrat--a rich man; the cap and overcoat are here the insignia of +the poor. The situation is certainly very lovely, but it will not bear +a comparison with Venice. + +We did not remain long, for the captain, who had more passengers for the +return voyage, was obliged to be in Venice at an early hour, and there +was nothing at Chiozza to make the prince desirous of remaining. All +the passengers were on board when we reached the vessel. As we had +found it so difficult to place ourselves on a social footing with the +company on the outward passage, we determined on this occasion to secure +a cabin to ourselves. The prince inquired who the new-comers were, and +was informed that they were a Dominican and some ladies, who were +returning to Venice. My master evincing no curiosity to see them, we +immediately betook ourselves to our cabin. + +The Greek was the subject of our conversation throughout the whole +passage, as she had been during our former transit. The prince dwelt +with ardor on her appearance in the church; and whilst numerous plans +were in turn devised and rejected, hours passed like a moment of time, +and we were already in sight of Venice. Some of the passengers now +disembarked, the Dominican amongst the number. The captain went to the +ladies, who, as we now first learned, had been separated from us by only +a thin wooden partition, and asked them where they wished to land. The +island of Murano was named in reply to his inquiry, and the house +indicated . "The island of Murano!" exclaimed the prince, who seemed +suddenly struck by a startling presentiment. Before I could reply to +his exclamation, Biondello rushed into the cabin. "Do you know," asked +he eagerly, "who is on board with us?" The prince started to his feet, +as Biondello continued, "She is here! she herself! I have just spoken +to her companion!" + +The prince hurried out. He felt as if he could not breathe in our +narrow cabin, and I believe at that moment as if the whole world would +have been too narrow for him. A thousand conflicting feelings struggled +for the mastery in his heart; his knees trembled, and his countenance +was alternately flushed and pallid. I sympathized and participated in +his emotion, but I cannot by words convey to your mind any idea of the +state in which he was. + +When we stopped at Murano, the prince sprang on shore. She advanced +from her cabin. I read in the face of the prince that it was indeed +the Greek. One glance was sufficient to dispel all doubt on that point. +A more lovely creature I have never seen. Even the prince's glowing +descriptions fell far short of the reality. A radiant blush suffused +her face when she saw my master. She must have heard all we said, and +could not fail to know that she herself had been the subject of our +conversation. She exchanged a significant glance with her companion, +which seemed to say, "That is he;" and then cast her eyes to the ground +with diffident confusion. On placing her foot on the narrow plank, +which had been thrown from the vessel to the shore, she seemed anxiously +to hesitate, less, as it seemed to me, from the fear of falling than +from her inability to cross the board without assistance, which was +proffered her by the outstretched arm of the prince. Necessity overcame +her reluctance, and, accepting the aid of his hand, she stepped on +shore. Excessive mental agitation had rendered the prince uncourteous, +and he wholly forgot to offer his services to the other lady--but what +was there that he would not have forgotten at this moment? My attention +in atoning for the remissness of the prince prevented my hearing the +commencement of a conversation which had begun between him and the young +Greek, while I had been helping the other lady on shore. + +He was still holding her hand in his, probably from absence of mind, and +without being conscious of the fact. + +"This is not the first time, Signora, that--that"--he stopped short, +unable to finish the sentence. + +"I think I remember" she faltered. + +"We met in the church of ---------," said he, quickly. + +"Yes, it was in the church of ---------," she rejoined. + +"And could I have supposed that this day would have brought me--" + +Here she gently withdrew her hand from his--he was evidently +embarrassed; but Biondello, who had in the meantime been speaking to the +servant, now came to his aid. + +"Si-nor," said he, "the ladies had ordered sedans to be in readiness for +them; they have not yet come, for we are here before the expected time. +But there is a garden close by in which you may remain until the crowd +has dispersed." + +The proposal was accepted; you may conceive with what alacrity on the +part of the prince! We remained in the garden till late in the evening; +and, fortunately, Z-------- and myself so effectually succeeded in +occupying the attention of the elder lady that the prince was enabled, +undisturbed, to carry on his conversation with the fair Greek. You will +easily believe that he made good use of his time, when I tell you that +he obtained permission to visit her. At the very moment that I am now +writing he is with her; on his return I shall be able to give you +further particulars regarding her. + +When we got home yesterday we found that the long-expected remittances +had arrived from our court; but at the same time the prince received a +letter which excited his indignation to the highest pitch. He has been +recalled, and that in a tone and manner to which he is wholly +unaccustomed. He immediately wrote a reply in a similar spirit, and +intends remaining. The remittances are only just sufficient to pay the +interest on the capital which he owes. We are looking with impatience +for a reply from his sister. + + + + +LETTER X. + +BARON F------ TO COUNT O------- +September. + +The prince has fallen out with his court, and all resources have +consequently been cut off from home. + +The term of six weeks, at the end of which my master was to pay the +marquis, has already elapsed several days; but still no remittances +have been forwarded, either from his cousin, of whom he had earnestly +requested an additional allowance in advance, or from his sister. You +may readily suppose that Civitella has not reminded him of his debt; the +prince's memory is, however, all the more faithful. Yesterday morning +at length brought an answer from the seat of government. + +We had shortly before concluded a new arrangement with the master of our +hotel, and the prince had publicly announced his intention to remain +here sometime longer. Without uttering a word my master put the letter +into my hand. His eyes sparkled, and I could read the contents in his +face. + +Can you believe it, dear O; all my master's proceedings here are known +at and have been most calumniously misrepresented by an abominable +tissue of lies? "Information has been received," says the letter, +amongst other things, "to the effect that the prince has for some time +past belied his former character, and adopted a node of conduct totally +at variance with his former exemplary manner of acting and thinking." +"It is known," the writer says, "that he has addicted himself with the +greatest excess to women and play; that he is overwhelmed with debts; +puts his confidence in visionaries and charlatans, who pretend to have +power over spirits; maintains suspicious relations with Roman Catholic +prelates, and keeps up a degree of state which exceeds both his rank and +his means. Nay, it is even said, that he is about to bring this highly +offensive conduct to a climax by apostacy to the Church of Rome! and in +order to clear himself from this last charge he is required to return +immediately. A banker at Venice, to whom he must make known the true +amount of his debts, has received instructions to satisfy his creditors +immediately after his departure; for, under existing circumstances, it +does not appear expedient to remit the money directly into his hands." + +What accusations, and what a mode of preferring them. I read the letter +again and again, in the hope of discovering some expression that +admitted of a milder construction, but in vain; it was wholly +incomprehensible. + +Z------- now reminded me of the secret inquiries which had been made +some time before of Biondello. The true nature of the inquiries and +circumstances all coincided. He had falsely ascribed them to the +Armenian; but now the source from whence the came was very evident. +Apostacy! But who can have any interest in calumniating my master so +scandalously? I should fear it was some machination of the Prince of +---d-----, who is determined on driving him from Venice. + +In the meantime the prince remained absorbed in thought, with his eyes +fixed on the ground. His continued silence alarmed me. I threw myself +at his feet. "For God's sake, your highness," I cried, "moderate your +feelings--you will--nay, you shall have satisfaction. Leave the whole +affair to me. Let me be your emissary. It is beneath your dignity to +reply to such accusations; but you will not, I know, refuse me the +privilege of doing so for you. The name of your calumniator must be +given up, and -------'s eyes must be opened." + +At this moment we were interrupted by the entrance of Civitella, who +inquired with surprise into the cause of our agitation. Z------- and +I did not answer; but the prince, who had long ceased to make any +distinction between him and us, and who, besides, was too much excited +to listen to the dictates of prudence, desired me to communicate the +contents of the letter to him. On my hesitating to obey him, he +snatched the letter from my hand and gave it to the marquis. + +"I am in your debt, marquis," said he, as Civitella gave him back the +letter, after perusing it, with evident astonishment, "but do not let +that circumstance occasion you any uneasiness; grant me but a respite of +twenty days, and you shall be fully satisfied." + +"Do I deserve this at your hands, gracious prince?" exclaimed +Civitella, with extreme emotion. + +"You have refrained from pressing me, and I gratefully appreciate your +delicacy. In twenty days, as I before said, you shall be fully +satisfied." + +"But how is this?" asked Civitella, with agitation and surprise. "What +means all this? I cannot comprehend it." + +We explained to him all that we knew, and his indignation was unbounded. +The prince, he asserted, must insist upon full satisfaction; the insult +was unparalleled. + +In the meanwhile he implored him to make unlimited use of his fortune +and his credit. + +When the marquis left us the prince still continued silent. He paced +the apartment with quick and determined steps, as if some strange and +unusual emotion were agitating his frame. At length he paused, +muttering between his teeth, "Congratulate yourself; he died at ten +o'clock." + +We looked at him in terror. + +"Congratulate yourself," he repeated. "Did he not say that I should +congratulate myself? What could he have meant?" + +"What has reminded you of those words?" I asked; "and what have they to +do with the present business?" + +"I did not then understand what the man meant, but now I do. Oh, it is +intolerable to be subject to a master." + +"Gracious prince!" + +"Who can make us feel our dependence. Ha! it must be sweet, indeed." + +He again paused. His looks alarmed me, for I had never before seen him +thus agitated. + +"Whether a man be poorest of the poor," he continued, "or the next heir +to the throne, it is all one and the same thing. There is but one +difference between men--to obey or to command." + +He again glanced over the letter. + +"You know the man," he continued, "who has dared to write these words to +me. Would you salute him in the street if fate had not made him your +master? By Heaven, there is something great in a crown." + +He went on in this strain, giving expression to many things which I dare +not trust to paper. On this occasion the prince confided a circumstance +to me which alike surprised and terrified me, and which may be followed +by the most alarming consequences. We have hitherto been entirely +deceived regarding the family relations of the court of --------. + +He answered the letter on the spot, notwithstanding my earnest entreaty +that he should postpone doing so; and the strain in which he wrote +leaves no ground to hope for a favorable settlement of those +differences. + +You are no doubt impatient, dear O------, to hear something definite +with respect to the Greek; but in truth I have very little to tell you. +From the prince I can learn nothing, as he has been admitted into her +confidence, and is, I believe, bound to secrecy. The fact has, however, +transpired that she is not a Greek, as we supposed, but a German of the +highest descent. From a certain report that has reached me, it would +appear that her mother is of the most exalted rank, and that she is the +fruit of an unfortunate amour which was once talked of all over Europe. +A course of secret persecution to which she had been exposed, in +consequence of her origin, compelled her to seek protection in Venice, +and to adopt that concealment which had rendered it impossible for the +prince to discover her retreat. The respect with which the prince +speaks of her, and a certain deferential deportment which he maintains +towards her, appear to corroborate the truth of this report. + +He is devoted to her with a fearful intensity of passion which increases +day by day. In the earliest stage of their acquaintance but few +interviews were granted; but after the first week the separations were +of shorter duration, and now there is scarce a day on which the prince +is not with her. Whole evenings pass without our even seeing him, and +when he is not with her she appears to form the sole object of his +thoughts. His whole being seems metamorphosed. He goes about as if +wrapped in a dream, and nothing that formerly interested him has now +power to arrest his attention even for a moment. + +How will this end, my dear friend? I tremble for the future. The +rupture with his court has placed my master in a state of humiliating +dependence on one sole person--the Marquis Civitella. This man is now +master of our secrets--of our whole fate. Will he always conduct +himself as nobly as he does now? Are his good intentions to be relied +upon; and is it expedient to confide so much weight and power to one +person--even were he the best of men? The prince's sister has again +been written to--the result of this fresh appeal you shall learn in my +next letter. + + + + +COUNT O------- IN CONTINUATION. + +This letter never reached me. Three months passed without my receiving +any tidings from Venice,--an interruption to our correspondence which +the sequel but too clearly explained. All my friend's letters to me had +been kept back and suppressed. My emotion may be conceived when, in the +December of the same year, the following letter reached me by mere +accident (as it afterwards appeared), owing to the sudden illness of +Biondello, into whose hands it had been committed. + +"You do not write; you do not answer me. Come, I entreat you, come on +the wings of friendship! Our hopes are fled! Read the enclosed,--all +our hopes are at an end! + +"The wounds of the marquis are reported mortal. The cardinal vows +vengeance, and his bravos are in pursuit of the prince. My master--oh! +my unhappy master! Has it come to this! Wretched, horrible fate! We +are compelled to hide ourselves, like malefactors, from assassins and +creditors. + +"I am writing to you from the convent of --------, where the prince has +found an asylum. At this moment he is resting on his hard couch by my +side, and is sleeping--but, alas! it is only the sleep of deadly +exhaustion, that will but give him new strength for new trials. During +the ten days that she was ill no sleep closed his eyes. I was present +when the body was opened. Traces of poison were detected. To-day she +is to be buried. + +"Alas! dearest O------, my heart is rent. I have lived through scenes +that can never be effaced from my memory. I stood beside her deathbed. +She departed like a saint, and her last strength was spent in trying +with persuasive eloquence to lead her lover into the path that she was +treading in her way to heaven. Our firmness was completely gone--the +prince alone maintained his fortitude, and although he suffered a triple +agony of death with her, he yet retained strength of mind sufficient to +refuse the last prayer of the pious enthusiast." + +This letter contained the following enclosure: + +TO THE PRINCE OF --------, FROM HIS SISTER. + +"The one sole redeeming church which has made so glorious a conquest of +the Prince of -------- will surely not refuse to supply him with means +to pursue the mode of life to which she owes this conquest. I have +tears and prayers for one that has gone astray, but nothing further to +bestow on one so worthless! HENRIETTE." + + +I instantly threw myself into a carriage--travelled night and day, and +in the third week I was in Venice. My speed availed nothing. I had +come to bring comfort and help to an unhappy one, but I found a happy +one who needed not my weak aid. F------- was ill when I arrived, and +unable to see me, but the following note was brought to me from him. + +"Return, dearest O-----, to whence you came. The prince no longer needs +you or me. His debts have been paid; the cardinal is reconciled to him, +and the marquis has recovered. Do you remember the Armenian who +perplexed us so much last year? In his arms you will find the prince, +who five days since attended mass for the first time." + +Notwithstanding all this I earnestly sought an interview with the +prince, but was refused. By the bedside of my friend I learnt the +particulars of this strange story. + + + + + + + THE SPORT OF DESTINY + +ALOYSIUS VON G------ was the son of a citizen of distinction, in the +service of -------, and the germs of his fertile genius had been early +developed by a liberal education. While yet very young, but already +well grounded in the principles of knowledge, he entered the military +service of his sovereign, to whom he soon made himself known as a young +man of great merit and still greater promise. G------ was now in the +full glow of youth, so also was the prince. G------ was ardent and +enterprising; the prince, of a similar disposition, loved such +characters. Endued with brilliant wit and a rich fund of information, +G------ possessed the art of ingratiating himself with all around him; +he enlivened every circle in which he moved by his felicitous humor, and +infused life and spirit into every subject that came before him. The +prince had discernment enough to appreciate in another those virtues +which he himself possessed in an eminent degree. Everything which +G------ undertook, even to his very sports, had an air of grandeur; no +difficulties could daunt him, no failures vanquish his perseverance. +The value of these qualities was increased by an attractive person, the +perfect image of blooming health and herculean strength, and heightened +by the eloquent expression natural to an active mind; to these was added +a certain native and unaffected dignity, chastened and subdued by a +noble modesty. If the prince was charmed with the intellectual +attractions of his young companion, his fascinating exterior +irresistibly captivated his senses. Similarity of age, of tastes, and +of character soon produced an intimacy between them, which possessed all +the strength of friendship and all the warmth and fervor of the most +passionate love. G------ rose with rapidity from one promotion to +another; but whatever the extent of favors conferred they still seemed +in the estimation of the prince to fall short of his deserts. His +fortune advanced with gigantic strides, for the author of his greatness +was his devoted admirer and his warmest friend. Not yet twenty-two +years of age, he already saw himself placed on an eminence hitherto +attained only by the most fortunate at the close of their career. But +his active spirit was incapable of reposing long in the lap of indolent +vanity, or of contenting itself with the glittering pomp of an elevated +office, to perform the behests of which he was conscious of possessing +both the requisite courage and the abilities. Whilst the prince was +engaged in rounds of pleasure, his young favorite buried himself among +archives and books, and devoted himself with laborious assiduity to +affairs of state, in which he at length became so expert that every +matter of importance passed through his hands. From the companion of +his pleasures he soon became first councillor and minister, and finally +the ruler of his sovereign. In a short time there was no road to the +prince's favor but through him. He disposed of all offices and +dignities; all rewards were received from his hands. + +G------ had attained this vast influence at too early an age, and had +risen by too rapid strides to enjoy his power with moderation. The +eminence on which he beheld himself made his ambition dizzy, and no +sooner was the final object of his wishes attained than his modesty +forsook him. The respectful deference shown him by the first nobles of +the land, by all who, in birth, fortune, and reputation, so far +surpassed him, and which was even paid to him, youth as he was, by the +oldest senators, intoxicated his pride, while his unlimited power served +to develop a certain harshness which had been latent in his character, +and which, throughout all the vicissitudes of his fortune, remained. +There was no service, however considerable or toilsome, which his +friends might not safely ask at his hands; but his enemies might well +tremble! for, in proportion as he was extravagant in rewards, so was he +implacable in revenge. He made less use of his influence to enrich +himself than to render happy a number of beings who should pay homage +to him as the author of their prosperity; but caprice alone, and not +justice, dictated the choice of his subjects. By a haughty, imperious +demeanor he alienated the hearts even of those whom he had most +benefited; while at the same time he converted his rivals and secret +enviers into deadly enemies. + +Amongst those who watched all his movements with jealousy and envy, and +who were silently preparing instruments for his destruction, was Joseph +Martinengo, a Piedmontese count belonging to the prince's suite, whom +G------ himself had formerly promoted, as an inoffensive creature, +devoted to his interests, for the purpose of supplying his own place in +attending upon the pleasures of the prince--an office which he began to +find irksome, and which he willingly exchanged for more useful +employment. Viewing this man merely as the work of his own hands, whom +he might at any period consign to his former insignificance, he felt +assured of the fidelity of his creature from motives of fear no less +than of gratitude. He fell thus into the error committed by Richelieu, +when he made over to Louis XII., as a sort of plaything, the young Le +Grand. Without Richelieu's sagacity, however, to repair his error, he +had to deal with a far more wily enemy than fell to the lot of the +French minister. Instead of boasting of his good fortune, or allowing +his benefactor to feel that be could now dispense with his patronage, +Martinengo was, on the contrary, the more cautious to maintain a show of +dependence, and with studied humility affected to attach himself more +and more closely to the author of his prosperity. Meanwhile, he did not +omit to avail himself, to its fullest extent, of the opportunities +afforded him by his office, of being continually about the prince's +person, to make himself daily more useful, and eventually indispensable +to him. In a short time he had fathomed the prince's sentiments +thoroughly, had discovered all the avenues to his confidence, and +imperceptibly stolen himself into his favor. All those arts which a +noble pride, and a natural elevation of character, had taught the +minister to disdain, were brought into play by the Italian, who scrupled +not to avail himself of the most despicable means for attaining his +object. Well aware that man never stands so much in need of a guide and +assistant as in the paths of vice, and that nothing gives a stronger +title to bold familiarity than a participation in secret indiscretions, +he took measures for exciting passions in the prince which had hitherto +lain dormant, and then obtruded himself upon him as a confidant and an +accomplice. He plunged him especially into those excesses which least +of all endure witnesses, and imperceptibly accustomed the prince to make +him the depository of secrets to which no third person was admitted. +Upon the degradation of the prince's character he now began to found his +infamous schemes of aggrandizement, and, as he had made secrecy a means +of success, he had obtained entire possession of his master's heart +before G------ even allowed himself to suspect that he shared it with +another. + +It may appear singular that so important a change should escape the +minister's notice; but G------ was too well assured of his own worth +ever to think of a man like Martinengo in the light of a competitor; +while the latter was far too wily, and too much on his guard, to commit +the least error which might tend to rouse his enemy from his fatal +security. That which has caused thousands of his predecessors to +stumble on the slippery path of royal favor was also the cause of +G------'s fall, immoderate self-confidence. The secret intimacy between +his creature, Martinengo, and his royal master gave him no uneasiness; +he readily resigned a privilege which he despised and which had never +been the object of his ambition. It was only because it smoothed his +way to power that he had ever valued the prince's friendship, and he +inconsiderately threw down the ladder by which he had risen as soon as +he had attained the wished-for eminence. + +Martinengo was not the man to rest satisfied with so subordinate a part. +At each step which he advanced in the prince's favor his hopes rose +higher, and his ambition began to grasp at a more substantial +gratification. The deceitful humility which he had hitherto found it +necessary to maintain towards his benefactor became daily more irksome +to him, in proportion as the growth of his reputation awakened his +pride. On the other hand, the minister's deportment toward him by no +means improved with his marked progress in the prince's favor, but was +often too visibly directed to rebuke his growing pride by reminding him +of his humble origin. This forced and unnatural position having become +quite insupportable, he at length formed the determination of putting an +end to it by the destruction of his rival. Under an impenetrable veil +of dissimulation he brought his plan to maturity. He dared not venture +as yet to come into open conflict with his rival; for, although the +first glow of the minister's favor was at an end, it had commenced too +early, and struck root too deeply in the bosom of the prince, to be torn +from it abruptly. The slightest circumstance might restore it to all +its former vigor; and therefore Martinengo well understood that the blow +which he was about to strike must be a mortal one. Whatever ground +G------ might have lost in the prince's affections he had gained in his +respect. The more the prince withdrew himself from the affairs of +state, the less could he dispense with the services of a man, who with +the most conscientious devotion and fidelity had consulted his master's +interests, even at the expense of the country,--and G------ was now as +indispensable to him as a minister as he had formerly been dear to him +as a friend. + +By what means the Italian accomplished his purpose has remained a secret +between those on whom the blow fell and those who directed it. It was +reported that he laid before the prince the original draughts of a +secret and very suspicious correspondence which G------ is said to have +carried on with a neighboring court; but opinions differ as to whether +the letters were authentic or spurious. Whatever degree of truth there +may have been in the accusation it is but too certain that it fearfully +accomplished the end in view. In the eyes of the prince G----- +appeared the most ungrateful and vilest of traitors, whose treasonable +practices were so thoroughly proved as to warrant the severest measures +without further in vestigation. The whole affair was arranged with the +most profound secrecy between Martinengo and his master, so that G------ +had not the most distant presentiment of the impending storm. He +continued wrapped in this fatal security until the dreadful moment in +which he was destined, from being the object of universal homage and +envy, to become that of the deepest commiseration. + +When the decisive day arrived, G------ appeared, according to custom, +upon the parade. He had risen in a few years from the rank of ensign to +that of colonel; and even this was only a modest name for that of prime +minister, which he virtually filled, and which placed him above the +foremost of the land. The parade was the place where his pride was +greeted with universal homage, and where he enjoyed for one short hour +the dignity for which he endured a whole day of toil and privation. +Those of the highest rank approached him with reverential deference, +and those who were not assured of his favor with fear and trembling. +Even the prince, whenever he visited the parade, saw himself neglected +by the side of his vizier, inasmuch as it was far more dangerous to +incur the displeasure of the latter than profitable to gain the +friendship of the former. This very place, where he was wont to be +adored as a god, had been selected for the dreadful theatre of his +humiliation. + +With a careless step he entered the well-known circle of courtiers, +who, as unsuspicious as himself of what was to follow, paid their usual +homage, awaiting his commands. After a short interval appeared +Martinengo, accompanied by two adjutants, no longer the supple, +cringing, smiling courtier, but overbearing and insolent, like a lackey +suddenly raised to the rank of a gentleman. With insolence and +effrontery he strutted up to the prime minister, and, confronting him +with his head covered, demanded his sword in the prince's name. This +was handed to him with a look of silent consternation; Martinengo, +resting the naked point on the ground, snapped it in two with his foot, +and threw the fragments at G-----'s feet. At this signal the two +adjutants seized him; one tore the Order of the Cross from his breast; +the other pulled off his epaulettes, the facings of his uniform, and +even the badge and plume of feathers from his hat. During the whole of +the appalling operation, which was conducted with incredible speed, not +a sound nor a respiration was heard from more than five hundred persons +who were present; but all, with blanched faces and palpitating hearts, +stood in deathlike silence around the victim, who in his strange +disarray--a rare spectacle of the melancholy and the ridiculous-- +underwent a moment of agony which could only be equalled by feelings +engendered on the scaffold. Thousands there are who in his situation +would have been stretched senseless on the ground by the first shock; +but his firm nerves and unflinching spirit sustained him through this +bitter trial, and enabled him to drain the cup of bitterness to its +dregs. + +When this procedure was ended he was conducted through rows of thronging +spectators to the extremity of the parade, where a covered carriage was +in waiting. He was motioned to ascend, an escort of hussars being +ready-mounted to attend to him. Meanwhile the report of this event had +spread through the whole city; every window was flung open, every street +lined with throngs of curious spectators, who pursued the carriage, +shouting his name, amid cries of scorn and malicious exultation, or of +commiseration more bitter to bear than either. At length he cleared the +town, but here a no less fearful trial awaited him. The carriage turned +out of the high road into a narrow, unfrequented path--a path which led +to the gibbet, and alongside which, by command of the prince, he was +borne at a slow pace. After he had suffered all the torture of +anticipated execution the carriage turned off into the public road. +Exposed to the sultry summer-heat, without refreshment or human +consolation, he passed seven dreadful hours in journeying to the place +of destination--a prison fortress. It was nightfall before he arrived; +when, bereft of all consciousness, more dead than alive, his giant +strength having at length yielded to twelve hours' fast and consuming +thirst, he was dragged from the carriage; and, on regaining his senses, +found himself in a horrible subterraneous vault. The first object that +presented itself to his gaze was a horrible dungeon-wall, feebly +illuminated by a few rays of the moon, which forced their way through +narrow crevices to a depth of nineteen fathoms. At his side he found a +coarse loaf, a jug of water, and a bundle of straw for his couch. He +endured this situation until noon the ensuing day, when an iron wicket +in the centre of the tower was opened, and two hands were seen lowering +a basket, containing food like that he had found the preceding night. +For the first time since the terrible change in his fortunes did pain +and suspense extort from him a question or two. Why was he brought +hither? What offence had he committed? But he received no answer; the +hands disappeared; and the sash was closed. Here, without beholding the +face, or hearing the voice of a fellow-creature; without the least clue +to his terrible destiny; fearful doubts and misgivings overhanging alike +the past and the future; cheered by no rays of the sun, and soothed by +no refreshing breeze; remote alike from human aid and human compassion; +--here, in this frightful abode of misery, he numbered four hundred and +ninety long and mournful days, which he counted by the wretched loaves +that, day after day, with dreary monotony, were let down into his +dungeon. But a discovery which he one day made early in his confinement +filled up the measure of his affliction. He recognized the place. It +was the same which he himself, in a fit of unworthy vengeance against a +deserving officer, who had the misfortune to displease him, had ordered +to be constructed only a few months before. With inventive cruelty he +had even suggested the means by which the horrors of captivity might be +aggravated; and it was but recently that he had made a journey hither in +order personally to inspect the place and hasten its completion. What +added the last bitter sting to his punishment was that the same officer +for whom he had prepared the dungeon, an aged and meritorious colonel, +had just succeeded the late commandant of the fortress, recently +deceased, and, from having been the victim of his vengeance, had become +the master of his fate. He was thus deprived of the last melancholy +solace, the right of compassionating himself, and of accusing destiny, +hardly as it might use him, of injustice. To the acuteness of his other +suffering was now added a bitter self-contempt, contempt, and the pain +which to a sensitive mind is the severest--dependence upon the +generosity of a foe to whom he had shown none. + +But that upright man was too noble-minded to take a mean revenge. +It pained him deeply to enforce the severities which his instructions +enjoined; but as an old soldier, accustomed to fulfil his orders to +the letter with blind fidelity, he could do no more than pity, +compassionate. The unhappy man found a more active assistant in the +chaplain of the garrison, who, touched by the sufferings of the +prisoner, which had just reached his ears, and then only through vague +and confused reports, instantly took a firm resolution to do something +to alleviate them. This excellent man, whose name I unwillingly +suppress, believed he could in no way better fulfil his holy vocation +than by bestowing his spiritual support and consolation upon a wretched +being deprived of all other hopes of mercy. + +As he could not obtain permission from the commandant himself to visit +him he repaired in person to the capital, in order to urge his suit +personally with the prince. He fell at his feet, and implored mercy for +the unhappy man, who, shut out from the consolations of Christianity, a +privilege from which even the greatest crime ought not to debar him, was +pining in solitude, and perhaps on the brink of despair. With all the +intrepidity and dignity which the conscious discharge of duty inspires, +he entreated, nay demanded, free access to the prisoner, whom he claimed +as a penitent for whose soul he was responsible to heaven. The good +cause in which he spoke made him eloquent, and time had already somewhat +softened the prince's anger. He granted him permission to visit the +prisoner, and administer to his spiritual wants. + +After a lapse of sixteen months, the first human face which the unhappy +G------ beheld was that of his new benefactor. The only friend he had +in the world he owed to his misfortunes, all his prosperity had gained +him none. The good pastor's visit was like the appearance of an angel-- +it would be impossible to describe his feelings, but from that day forth +his tears flowed more kindly, for he had found one human being who +sympathized with and compassionated him. + +The pastor was filled with horror on entering the frightful vault. His +eyes sought a human form, but beheld, creeping towards him from a corner +opposite, which resembled rather the lair of a wild beast than the abode +of anything human, a monster, the sight of which made his blood run +cold. A ghastly deathlike skeleton, all the hue of life perished from a +face on which grief and despair had traced deep furrows--his beard and +nails, from long neglect, grown to a frightful length-his clothes rotten +and hanging about him in tatters; and the air he breathed, for want of +ventilation and cleansing, foul, fetid, and infectious. In this state +be found the favorite of fortune;--his iron frame had stood proof +against it all! Seized with horror at the sight, the pastor hurried +back to the governor, in order to solicit a second indulgence for the +poor wretch, without which the first would prove of no avail. + +As the governor again excused himself by pleading the imperative nature +of his instructions, the pastor nobly resolved on a second journey to +the capital, again to supplicate the prince's mercy. There he protested +solemnly that, without violating the sacred character of the sacrament, +be could not administer it to the prisoner until some resemblance of the +human form was restored to him. This prayer was also granted; and from +that day forward the unfortunate man might be said to begin a new +existence. + +Several long years were spent by him in the fortress, but in a much more +supportable condition, after the short summer of the new favorite's +reign had passed, and others succeeded in his place, who either +possessed more humanity or no motive for revenge. At length, after ten +years of captivity, the hour of his delivery arrived, but without any +judicial investigation or formal acquittal. He was presented with his +freedom as a boon of mercy, and was, at the same time, ordered to quit +his native country forever. + +Here the oral traditions which I have been able to collect respecting +his history begin to fail; and I find myself compelled to pass in +silence over a period of about twenty years. During the interval +G------ entered anew upon his military career, in a foreign service, +which eventually brought him to a pitch of greatness quite equal to that +from which he had, in his native country, been so awfully precipitated. +At length time, that friend of the unfortunate, who works a slow but +inevitable retribution, took into his hands the winding up of this +affair. The prince's days of passion were over; humanity gradually +resumed its sway over him as his hair whitened with age. At the brink +of the grave he felt a yearning towards the friend of his early youth. +In order to repay, as far as possible, the gray-headed old man, for the +injuries which had been heaped upon the youth, the prince, with friendly +expressions, invited the exile to revisit his native land, towards which +for some time past G------'s heart had secretly yearned. The meeting +was extremely trying, though apparently warm and cordial, as if they had +only separated a few days before. The prince looked earnestly at his +favorite, as if trying to recall features so well known to him, and yet +so strange; he appeared as if numbering the deep furrows which he had +himself so cruelly traced there. He looked searchingly in the old man's +face for the beloved features of the youth, but found not what he +sought. The welcome and the look of mutual confidence were evidently +forced on both sides; shame on one side and dread on the other had +forever separated their hearts. A sight which brought back to the +prince's soul the full sense of his guilty precipitancy could not be +gratifying to him, while G------ felt that he could no longer love the +author of his misfortunes. Comforted, nevertheless, and in +tranquillity, he looked back upon the past as the remembrance of a +fearful dream. + +In a short time G------ was reinstated in all his former dignities, and +the prince smothered his feelings of secret repugnance by showering upon +him the most splendid favors as some indemnification for the past. But +could he also restore to him the heart which he had forever untuned for +the enjoyment of life? Could he restore his years of hope? or make +even a shadow of reparation to the stricken old man for what he had +stolen from him in the days of his youth? + +For nineteen years G------- continued to enjoy this clear, unruffled +evening of his days. Neither misfortune nor age had been able to quench +in him the fire of passion, nor wholly to obscure the genial humor of +his character. In his seventieth year he was still in pursuit of the +shadow of a happiness which he had actually possessed in his twentieth. +He at length died governor of the fortress where state prisoners are +confined. One would naturally have expected that towards these he would +have exercised a humanity, the value of which he had been so thoroughly +taught to appreciate in his own person; but he treated them with +harshness and caprice; and a paroxysm of rage, in which he broke out +against one of his prisoners, laid him in his coffin, in his eightieth +year. + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST-SEER, BY SCHILLER *** + +******** This file should be named fs21w10.txt or fs21w10.zip ******** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, fs21w11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, fs21w10a.txt + +This eBook was produced by David Widger, widger@cecomet.net + +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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