diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/2003-10-9840-8.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/2003-10-9840-8.txt | 21055 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 21055 deletions
diff --git a/old/2003-10-9840-8.txt b/old/2003-10-9840-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cd3b64d..0000000 --- a/old/2003-10-9840-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,21055 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Vivian Grey, by Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli - -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.net - - -Title: Vivian Grey - -Author: Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli - -Posting Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #9840] -Release Date: February, 2006 -First Posted: October 23, 2003 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIVIAN GREY *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Charlie -Kirschner and PG Distributed Proofreaders - - - - - - - - - - - - The English Comédie Humaine - Second Series - - - VIVIAN GREY - - - BY - THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD - - - - - - -PUBLISHER'S NOTE. - -As a novelist, Benjamin Disraeli belongs to the early part of the -nineteenth century. "Vivian Grey" (1826-27) and "Sybil" (1845) mark the -beginning and the end of his truly creative period; for the two -productions of his latest years, "Lothair" (1870) and "Endymion" (1880), -add nothing to the characteristics of his earlier volumes except the -changes of feeling and power which accompany old age. His period, thus, -is that of Bulwer, Dickens, and Thackeray, and of the later years of Sir -Walter Scott--a fact which his prominence as a statesman during the last -decade of his life, as well as the vogue of "Lothair" and "Endymion," -has tended to obscure. His style, his material, and his views of English -character and life all date from that earlier time. He was born in 1804 -and died in 1881. - -Disraeli was barely twenty-one when he published "Vivian Grey," his -first work of fiction; and the young author was at once hailed as a -master of his art by an almost unanimous press. - -In this, as in his subsequent books, it was not so much Disraeli's -notable skill as a novelist but rather his portrayal of the social and -political life of the day that made him one of the most popular writers -of his generation, and earned for him a lasting fame as a man of -letters. In "Vivian Grey" is narrated the career of an ambitious young -man of rank; and in this story the brilliant author has preserved to us -the exact tone of the English drawing-room, as he so well knew it, -sketching with sure and rapid strokes a whole portrait gallery of -notables, disguised in name may be, but living characters nevertheless, -who charm us with their graceful manners and general air of being people -of consequence. "Vivian Grey," then, though not a great novel is beyond -question a marvelously true picture of the life and character of an -interesting period of English history and made notable because of -Disraeli's fine imagination and vivid descriptive powers. - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - -Is there anything you want, sir? - -He distinctly beheld Mrs. Felix Lorraine open a small silver box. - -It was very slowly that the dark thought came over his mind. - - - - -VIVIAN GREY - - -BOOK I - - -CHAPTER I - - -We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by -any extraordinary incident. The solicitude of the most affectionate of -mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to -injure an excellent constitution. But Vivian was an only child, and -these exertions were therefore excusable. For the first five years of -his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of -his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process -of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not -only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but -actually insisted upon being--breeched! At this crisis it was discovered -that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent -to school. Mr. Grey observed, also, that the child was nearly ten years -old, and did not know his alphabet, and Mrs. Grey remarked that he was -getting ugly. The fate of Vivian was decided. - -"I am told, my dear," observed Mrs. Grey, one day after dinner to her -husband, "I am told, my dear, that Dr. Flummery's would do very well for -Vivian. Nothing can exceed the attention which is paid to the pupils. -There are sixteen young ladies, all the daughters of clergymen, merely -to attend to the morals and the linen; terms moderate: 100 guineas per -annum, for all under six years of age, and few extras, only for fencing, -pure milk, and the guitar. Mrs. Metcalfe has both her boys there, and -she says their progress is astonishing! Percy Metcalfe, she assures me, -was quite as backward as Vivian; indeed, backwarder; and so was Dudley, -who was taught at home on the new system, by a pictorial alphabet, and -who persisted to the last, notwithstanding all the exertions of Miss -Barrett, in spelling A-P-E, monkey, merely because over the word there -was a monster munching an apple." - -"And quite right in the child, my dear. Pictorial alphabet! pictorial -fool's head!" - -"But what do you say to Flummery's, Horace?" - -"My dear, do what you like. I never trouble myself, you know, about -these matters;" and Mr. Grey refreshed himself, after this domestic -attack, with a glass of claret. - -Mr. Grey was a gentleman who had succeeded, when the heat of youth was -over, to the enjoyment of a life estate of some two thousand a year. He -was a man of lettered tastes, and had hailed with no slight pleasure his -succession to a fortune which, though limited in its duration, was still -a great thing for a young lounger about town, not only with no -profession, but with a mind unfitted for every species of business. -Grey, to the astonishment of his former friends, the wits, made an -excellent domestic match; and, leaving the whole management of his -household to his lady, felt himself as independent in his magnificent -library as if he had never ceased to be that true freeman, A MAN -OF CHAMBERS. - -The young Vivian had not, by the cares which fathers are always heirs -to, yet reminded his parent that children were anything else but -playthings. The intercourse between father and son was, of course, -extremely limited; for Vivian was, as yet, the mother's child; Mr. -Grey's parental duties being confined to giving his son a daily glass of -claret, pulling his ears with all the awkwardness of literary affection, -and trusting to God "that the urchin would never scribble." - -"I won't go to school, mamma," bawled Vivian. - -"But you must, my love," answered Mrs. Grey; "all good boys go to -school;" and in the plenitude of a mother's love she tried to make her -offspring's hair curl. - -"I won't have my hair curl, mamma; the boys will laugh at me," rebawled -the beauty. - -"Now who could have told the child that?" monologised mamma, with all a -mamma's admiration. - -"Charles Appleyard told me so; his hair curled, and the boys called him -girl. Papa! give me some more claret; I won't go to school." - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -Three or four years passed over, and the mind of Vivian Grey -astonishingly developed itself. He had long ceased to wear frills, had -broached the subject of boots three or four times, made a sad inroad -during the holidays in Mr. Grey's bottle of claret, and was reported as -having once sworn at the butler. The young gentleman began also to hint, -during every vacation, that the fellows at Flummery's were somewhat too -small for his companionship, and (first bud of puppyism!) the former -advocate of straight hair now expended a portion of his infant income in -the purchase of Macassar, and began to cultivate his curls. Mrs. Grey -could not entertain for a moment the idea of her son's associating with -children, the eldest of whom (to adopt his own account) was not above -eight years old; so Flummery, it was determined, he should leave. But -where to go? Mr. Grey was for Eton, but his lady was one of those women -whom nothing in the world can persuade that a public school is anything -else but a place where boys are roasted alive; and so with tears, and -taunts, and supplications, the point of private education was conceded. - -At length it was resolved that the only hope should remain at home a -season, until some plan should be devised for the cultivation of his -promising understanding. During this year Vivian became a somewhat more -constant intruder into the library than heretofore; and living so much -among books, he was insensibly attracted to those silent companions, -that speak so eloquently. - -How far the character of the parent may influence the character of the -child the metaphysician must decide. Certainly the character of Vivian -Grey underwent, at this period of his life, a sensible change. -Doubtless, constant communion with a mind highly refined, severely -cultivated, and much experienced, cannot but produce a beneficial -impression, even upon a mind formed and upon principles developed: how -infinitely more powerful must the influence of such communion be upon a -youthful heart, ardent, innocent, and unpractised! As Vivian was not to -figure in the microcosm of a public school, a place for which, from his -temper, he was almost better fitted than any young genius whom the -playing fields of Eton or the hills of Winton can remember, there was -some difficulty in fixing upon his future Academus. Mr. Grey's two -axioms were, first, that no one so young as his son should settle in the -metropolis, and that Vivian must consequently not have a private tutor; -and, secondly, that all private schools were quite worthless; and, -therefore, there was every probability of Vivian not receiving any -education whatever. - -At length, an exception to axiom second started up in the establishment -of Mr. Dallas. This gentleman was a clergyman, a profound Grecian, and a -poor man. He had edited the Alcestis, and married his laundress; lost -money by his edition, and his fellowship by his match. In a few days the -hall of Mr. Grey's London mansion was filled with all sorts of -portmanteaus, trunks, and travelling cases, directed in a boy's -sprawling hand to "Vivian Grey, Esquire, at the Reverend Everard -Dallas, Burnsley Vicarage, Hants." - -"God bless you, my boy! write to your mother soon, and remember your -Journal." - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -The rumour of the arrival of "a new fellow" circulated with rapidity -through the inmates of Burnsley Vicarage, and about fifty young devils -were preparing to quiz the newcomer, when the school-room door opened, -and Mr. Dallas, accompanied by Vivian, entered. - -"A dandy, by Jove!" whispered St. Leger Smith. "What a knowing set -out!" squeaked Johnson secundus. "Mammy-sick!" growled Barlow primus. -This last exclamation was, however, a scandalous libel, for certainly no -being ever stood in a pedagogue's presence with more perfect sang froid, -and with a bolder front, than did, at this moment, Vivian Grey. - -One principle in Mr. Dallas's system was always to introduce a new-comer -in school-hours. He was thus carried immediately in medias res, and the -curiosity of his co-mates being in a great degree satisfied at the time -when that curiosity could not personally annoy him, the new-comer was, -of course, much better prepared to make his way when the absence of the -ruler became a signal for some oral communication with "the arrival." - -However, in the present instance the young savages at Burnsley Vicarage -had caught a Tartar; and in a very few days Vivian Grey was decidedly -the most popular fellow in the school. He was "so dashing! so devilish -good-tempered! so completely up to everything!" The magnates of the land -were certainly rather jealous of his success, but their very sneers bore -witness to his popularity. "Cursed puppy," whispered St. Leger Smith. -"Thinks himself knowing," squeaked Johnson secundus. "Thinks himself -witty," growled Barlow primus. - -Notwithstanding this cabal, days rolled on at Burnsley Vicarage only to -witness the increase of Vivian's popularity. Although more deficient -than most of his own age in accurate classical attainments, he found -himself, in talents and various acquirements, immeasurably their -superior. And singular is it that at school distinction in such points -is ten thousand times more admired by the multitude than the most -profound knowledge of Greek Metres, or the most accurate acquaintance -with the value of Roman coins. Vivian Grey's English verses and Vivian -Grey's English themes were the subject of universal commendation. Some -young lads made copies of these productions, to enrich, at the Christmas -holidays, their sisters' albums; while the whole school were scribbling -embryo prize-poems, epics of twenty lines on "the Ruins of Paestum" and -"the Temple of Minerva;" "Agrigentum," and "the Cascade of Terni." -Vivian's productions at this time would probably have been rejected by -the commonest twopenny publication about town, yet they turned the brain -of the whole school; while fellows who were writing Latin Dissertations -and Greek Odes, which might have made the fortune of the Classical -Journal, were looked on by the multitude as as great dunderheads as -themselves. Such is the advantage which, even in this artificial world, -everything that is genuine has over everything that is false and forced. -The dunderheads who wrote "good Latin" and "Attic Greek" did it by a -process by means of which the youngest fellow in the school was -conscious he could, if he chose, attain the same perfection. Vivian -Grey's verses were unlike anything which had yet appeared in the -literary Annals of Burnsley Vicarage, and that which was quite novel was -naturally thought quite excellent. - -There is no place in the world where greater homage is paid to talent -than an English school. At a public school, indeed, if a youth of great -talents be blessed with an amiable and generous disposition, he ought -not to envy the Minister of England. If any captain of Eton or praefect -of Winchester be reading these pages, let him dispassionately consider -in what situation of life he can rationally expect that it will be in -his power to exercise such influence, to have such opportunities of -obliging others, and be so confident of an affectionate and grateful -return. Aye, there's the rub! Bitter thought! that gratitude should -cease the moment we become men. - -And sure I am that Vivian Grey was loved as ardently and as faithfully -us you might expect from innocent young hearts. His slight -accomplishments were the standard of all perfection, his sayings were -the soul of all good fellowship, and his opinion the guide in any crisis -which occurred in the monotonous existence of the little commonwealth. -And time flew gaily on. - -One winter evening, as Vivian, with some of his particular cronies, were -standing round the school-room fire, they began, as all schoolboys do -when it grows rather dark and they grow rather sentimental, to talk -of HOME. - -"Twelve weeks more," said Augustus Etherege; "twelve weeks more, and we -are free! The glorious day should be celebrated." - -"A feast, a feast!" exclaimed Poynings. - -"A feast is but the work of a night," said Vivian Grey; "something more -stirring for me! What say you to private theatricals?" - -The proposition was, of course, received with enthusiasm, and it was not -until they had unanimously agreed to act that they universally -remembered that acting was not allowed. And then they consulted whether -they should ask Dallas, and then they remembered that Dallas had been -asked fifty times, and then they "supposed they must give it up;" and -then Vivian Grey made a proposition which the rest were secretly sighing -for, but which they were afraid to make themselves; he proposed that -they should act without asking Dallas. "Well, then, we'll do it without -asking him," said Vivian; "nothing is allowed in this life, and -everything is done: in town there is a thing called the French play, and -that is not allowed, yet my aunt has got a private box there. Trust me -for acting, but what shall we perform?" - -This question was, as usual, the fruitful source of jarring opinions. -One proposed Othello, chiefly because it would be so easy to black a -face with a burnt cork. Another was for Hamlet, solely because he wanted -to act the ghost, which he proposed doing in white shorts and a -night-cap. A third was for Julius Caesar, because the murder scene would -be such fun. - -"No! no!" said Vivian, tired at these various and varying proposals, -"this will never do. Out upon Tragedies; let's have a Comedy!" - -"A Comedy! a Comedy! oh! how delightful!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -After an immense number of propositions, and an equal number of -repetitions, Dr. Hoadley's bustling drama was fixed upon. Vivian was to -act Ranger, Augustus Etherege was to personate Clarinda, because he was -a fair boy and always blushing; and the rest of the characters found -able representatives. Every half-holiday was devoted to rehearsals, and -nothing could exceed the amusement and thorough fun which all the -preparations elicited. All went well; Vivian wrote a pathetic prologue -and a witty epilogue. Etherege got on capitally in the mask scene, and -Poynings was quite perfect in Jack Maggot. There was, of course, some -difficulty in keeping all things in order, but then Vivian Grey was such -an excellent manager! and then, with infinite tact, the said manager -conciliated the Classics, for he allowed St. Leger Smith to select a -Greek motto, from the Andromache, for the front of the theatre; and -Johnson secundus and Barlow primus were complimented by being allowed to -act the chairmen. - -But alas! in the midst of all this sunshine, the seeds of discord and -dissension were fast flourishing. Mr. Dallas himself was always so -absorbed in some freshly-imported German commentator that it was a fixed -principle with him never to trouble himself with anything that concerned -his pupils "out of school hours." The consequence was, that certain -powers were necessarily delegated to a certain set of beings -called USHERS. - -The usherian rule had, however, always been comparatively light at -Burnsley Vicarage, for the good Dallas, never for a moment entrusting -the duties of tuition to a third person, engaged these deputies merely -as a sort of police, to regulate the bodies, rather than the minds, of -his youthful subjects. One of the first principles of the new theory -introduced into the establishment of Burnsley Vicarage by Mr. Vivian -Grey was, that the ushers were to be considered by the boys as a -species of upper servants; were to be treated with civility, certainly, -as all servants are by gentlemen; but that no further attention was to -be paid them, and that any fellow voluntarily conversing with an usher -was to be cut dead by the whole school. This pleasant arrangement was no -secret to those whom it most immediately concerned, and, of course, -rendered Vivian rather a favourite with them. These men had not the tact -to conciliate the boy, and were, notwithstanding, too much afraid of his -influence in the school to attack him openly; so they waited with that -patience which insulted beings can alone endure. - -One of these creatures must not be forgotten; his name was Mallett; he -was a perfect specimen of the genuine usher. The monster wore a black -coat and waistcoat; the residue of his costume was of that mysterious -colour known by the name of pepper-and-salt. He was a pallid wretch with -a pug nose, white teeth, and marked with the small-pox: long, greasy, -black hair, and small black, beady eyes. This daemon watched the -progress of the theatrical company with eyes gloating with vengeance. No -attempt had been made to keep the fact of the rehearsal a secret from -the police; no objection, on their part, had as yet been made; the -twelve weeks diminished to six; Ranger had secretly ordered a dress from -town, and was to get a steel-handled sword from Fentum's for Jack -Maggot; and everything was proceeding with delightful success, when one -morning, as Mr. Dallas was apparently about to take his departure, with -a volume of Becker's Thucydides under his arm, the respected Dominie -stopped, and thus harangued: "I am informed that a great deal is going -on in this family with which it is intended that I shall be kept -unacquainted. It is not my intention to name anybody or anything at -present; but I must say that of late the temper of this family has sadly -changed. Whether there be any seditious stranger among you or not, I -shall not at present even endeavour to discover; but I will warn my old -friends of their new ones:" and so saying, the Dominie withdrew. - -All eyes were immediately fixed on Vivian, and the faces of the Classics -were triumphant with smiles; those of the manager's particular friends, -the Romantics, we may call them, were clouded; but who shall describe -the countenance of Mallett? In a moment the school broke up with an -agitated and tumultuous uproar. "No stranger!" shouted St. Leger Smith; -"no stranger!" vociferated a prepared gang. Vivian's friends were -silent, for they hesitated to accept for their leader the insulting -title. Those who were neither Vivian's friends nor in the secret, weak -creatures who side always with the strongest, immediately swelled the -insulting chorus of Mr. St. Leger Smith. That worthy, emboldened by his -success and the smiles of Mallett, contained himself no longer: "Down -with the manager!" he cried. His satellites chorussed. But now Vivian -rushed forward. "Mr. Smith, I thank you for being so definite; take -that!" and he struck Smith with such force that the Cleon staggered and -fell; but Smith instantly recovered, and a ring was instantly formed. To -a common observer, the combatants were unequally matched; for Smith was -a burly, big-limbed animal, alike superior to Grey in years and -strength. But Vivian, though delicate in frame and more youthful, was -full his match in spirit, and, thanks to being a Cockney! ten times his -match in science. He had not built a white great coat or drunk blue ruin -at Ben Burn's for nothing! - -Oh! how beautifully he fought! how admirably straight he hit! and his -stops quick as lightning! and his followings up confounding his -adversary with their painful celerity! Smith alike puzzled and punished, -yet proud in his strength, hit round, and wild, and false, and foamed -like a furious elephant. For ten successive rounds the result was -dubious; but in the eleventh the strength of Smith began to fail him, -and the men were more fairly matched. "Go it, Ranger! go it, Ranger!" -halloed the Greyites; "No stranger! no stranger!" eagerly bawled the -more numerous party. "Smith's floored, by Jove!" exclaimed Poynings, who -was Grey's second. "At it again! at it again!" exclaimed all. And now, -when Smith must certainly have given in, suddenly stepped forward Mr. -Mallett, accompanied by--Dallas! - -"How, Mr. Grey! No answer, sir; I understand that you have always an -answer ready. I do not quote Scripture lightly, Mr. Grey; but 'Take heed -that you offend not, even with your tongue.' Now, sir, to your room." - -When Vivian Grey again joined his companions, he found himself almost -universally shunned. Etherege and Poynings were the only individuals who -met him with their former frankness. - -"A horrible row, Grey," said the latter. "After you went, the Doctor -harangued the whole school, and swears you have seduced and ruined us -all; everything was happiness until you came, &c. Mallett is of course -at the bottom of the whole business: but what can we do? Dallas says you -have the tongue of a serpent, and that he will not trust himself to hear -your defence. Infamous shame! I swear! And now every fellow has got a -story against you: some say you are a dandy, others want to know whether -the next piece performed at your theatre will be 'The Stranger;' as for -myself and Etherege, we shall leave in a few weeks, and it does not -signify to us; but what the devil you're to do next half, by Jove, I -can't say. If I were you, I would not return." - -"Not return, eh! but that will I, though; and we shall see who, in -future, can complain of the sweetness of my voice! Ungrateful fools!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -The Vacation was over, and Vivian returned to Burnsley Vicarage. He -bowed cavalierly to Mr. Dallas on his arrival, and immediately sauntered -up into the school-room, where he found a tolerable quantity of wretches -looking as miserable as schoolboys who have left their pleasant homes -generally do for some four-and-twenty hours. "How d'ye do, Grey? How -d'ye do, Grey?" burst from a knot of unhappy fellows, who would have -felt quite delighted had their newly arrived co-mate condescended to -entertain them, as usual, with some capital good story fresh from town. -But they were disappointed. - -"We can make room for you at the fire, Grey," said Theophilus - -"I thank you, I am not cold." - -"I suppose you know that Poynings and Etherege don't come back, Grey?" - -"Everybody knew that last half:" and so he walked on. - -"Grey, Grey!" halloed King, "don't go into the dining-room; Mallett is -there alone, and told us not to disturb him. By Jove, the fellow is -going in: there will be a greater row this half between Grey and Mallett -than ever." - -Days, the heavy first days of the half, rolled on, and all the citizens -of the little commonwealth had returned. - -"What a dull half this will be!" said Eardley; "how one misses Grey's -set! After all, they kept the school alive: Poynings was a first-rate -fellow, and Etherege so deuced good-natured! I wonder whom Grey will -crony with this half; have you seen him and Dallas speak together yet? -He cut the Doctor quite dead at Greek to-day." - -"Why, Eardley! Eardley! there is Grey walking round playing fields with -Mallett!" halloed a sawney who was killing the half-holiday by looking -out of the window. - -"The devil! I say, Matthews, whose flute is that? It is a devilish -handsome one!" - -"It's Grey's! I clean it for him," squeaked a little boy. "He gives me -sixpence a week!" - -"Oh, you sneak!" said one. - -"Cut him over!" - -"Roast him!" cried a third. - -"To whom are you going to take the flute?" asked a fourth. - -"To Mallett," squeaked the little fellow. "Grey lends his flute to -Mallett every day." - -"Grey lends his flute to Mallett! The deuce he does! So Grey and Mallett -are going to crony!" - -A wild exclamation burst forth from the little party; and away each of -them ran, to spread in all directions the astounding intelligence. - -If the rule of the ushers had hitherto been light at Burnsley Vicarage, -its character was materially changed during this half-year. The -vexatious and tyrannical influence of Mallett was now experienced in all -directions, meeting and interfering with the comforts of the boys in -every possible manner. His malice was accompanied, too, by a tact which -could not have been expected from his vulgar mind, and which, at the -same time, could not have been produced by the experience of one in his -situation. It was quite evident to the whole community that his conduct -was dictated by another mind, and that that mind was one versed in all -the secrets of a school-boy's life, and acquainted with all the workings -of a school-boy's mind: a species of knowledge which no pedagogue in the -world ever yet attained. There was no difficulty in discovering whose -was the power behind the throne. Vivian Grey was the perpetual companion -of Mallett in his walks, and even in the school; he shunned also the -converse of every one of the boys, and did not affect to conceal that -his quarrel was universal. Superior power, exercised by a superior mind, -was for a long time more than a match even for the united exertions of -the whole school. If any one complained, Mallett's written answer (and -such Dallas always required) was immediately ready, explaining -everything in the most satisfactory manner, and refuting every complaint -with the most triumphant spirit. Dallas, of course, supported his -deputy, and was soon equally detested. This tyranny had continued -through a great part of the long half-year, and the spirit of the school -was almost broken, when a fresh outrage occurred, of such a nature that -the nearly enslaved multitude conspired. - -The plot was admirably formed. On the first bell ringing for school, the -door was to be immediately barred, to prevent the entrance of Dallas. -Instant vengeance was then to be taken on Mallett and his companion--the -sneak! the spy! the traitor! The bell rang: the door was barred: four -stout fellows seized on Mallett, four rushed to Vivian Grey: but stop: -he sprang upon his desk, and, placing his back against the wall, held a -pistol at the foremost: "Not an inch nearer, Smith, or I fire. Let me -not, however, baulk your vengeance on yonder hound: if I could suggest -any refinements in torture, they would be at your service." Vivian Grey -smiled, while the horrid cries of Mallett indicated that the boys were -"roasting" him. He then walked to the door and admitted the barred-out -Dominie. Silence was restored. There was an explanation and no defence; -and Vivian Grey was expelled. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -Vivian was now seventeen; and the system of private education having so -decidedly failed, it was resolved that he should spend the years -antecedent to his going to Oxford at home. Nothing could be a greater -failure than the first weeks of his "course of study." He was -perpetually violating the sanctity of the drawing-room by the presence -of Scapulas and Hederics, and outraging the propriety of morning -visitors by bursting into his mother's boudoir with lexicons -and slippers. - -"Vivian, my dear," said his father to him one day, "this will never do; -you must adopt some system for your studies, and some locality for your -reading. Have a room to yourself; set apart certain hours in the day -for your books, and allow no consideration on earth to influence you to -violate their sacredness; and above all, my dear boy, keep your papers -in order. I find a dissertation on 'The Commerce of Carthage' stuck in -my large paper copy of 'Dibdin's Decameron,' and an 'Essay on the -Metaphysics of Music' (pray, my dear fellow, beware of magazine -scribbling) cracking the back of Montfaucon's 'Monarchie.'" - -Vivian apologised, promised, protested, and finally sat down "TO READ." -He had laid the foundations of accurate classical knowledge under the -tuition of the learned Dallas; and twelve hours a day and -self-banishment from society overcame, in twelve months, the ill effects -of his imperfect education. The result of this extraordinary exertion -may be conceived. At the end of twelve months, Vivian, like many other -young enthusiasts, had discovered that all the wit and wisdom of the -world were concentrated in some fifty antique volumes, and he treated -the unlucky moderns with the most sublime spirit of hauteur imaginable. -A chorus in the Medea, that painted the radiant sky of Attica, disgusted -him with the foggy atmosphere of Great Britain; and while Mrs. Grey was -meditating a visit to Brighton, her son was dreaming of the gulf of -Salamis. The spectre in the Persae was his only model for a ghost, and -the furies in the Orestes were his perfection of tragical machinery. - -Most ingenious and educated youths have fallen into the same error, but -few have ever carried such feelings to the excess that Vivian Grey did; -for while his mind was daily becoming more enervated under the beautiful -but baneful influence of Classic Reverie, the youth lighted upon PLATO. - -Wonderful is it that while the whole soul of Vivian Grey seemed -concentrated and wrapped in the glorious pages of the Athenian; while, -with keen and almost inspired curiosity, he searched, and followed up, -and meditated upon, the definite mystery, the indefinite development; -while his spirit alternately bowed in trembling and in admiration, as he -seemed to be listening to the secrets of the Universe revealed in the -glorious melodies of an immortal voice; wonderful is it, I say, that the -writer, the study of whose works appeared to the young scholar, in the -revelling of his enthusiasm, to be the sole object for which man was -born and had his being, was the cause by which Vivian Grey was saved -from being all his life a dreaming scholar. - -Determined to spare no exertions, and to neglect no means, by which he -might enter into the very penetralia of his mighty master's meaning, -Vivian determined to attack the latter Platonists. These were a race of -men, of whose existence he knew merely by the references to their -productions which were sprinkled in the commentaries of his "best -editions." In the pride of boyish learning, Vivian had limited his -library to Classics, and the proud leaders of the later schools did not -consequently grace his diminutive bookcase. In this dilemma he flew to -his father, and confessed by his request that his favourites were not -all-sufficient. - -"Father! I wish to make myself master of the latter Platonists. I want -Plotinus, and Porphyry, and Iamblichus, and Syrirnus, and Maximus -Tyrius, and Proclus, and Hierocles, and Sallustius, and Damascius." - -Mr. Grey stared at his son, and laughed. - -"My dear Vivian! are you quite convinced that the authors you ask for -are all pure Platonists? or have not some of them placed the great end -rather in practical than theoretic virtue, and thereby violated the -first principles of your master? which would be shocking. Are you sure, -too, that these gentlemen have actually 'withdrawn the sacred veil, -which covers from profane eyes the luminous spectacles?' Are you quite -convinced that every one of these worthies lived at least five hundred -years after the great master? for I need not tell so profound a -Platonist as yourself that it was not till that period that even -glimpses of the great master's meaning were discovered. Strange! that -TIME should alike favour the philosophy of theory and the philosophy of -facts. Mr. Vivian Grey, benefiting, I presume, by the lapse of further -centuries, is about to complete the great work which Proclus and -Porphyry commenced." - -"My dear sir! you are pleased to be amusing this morning." - -"My dear boy! I smile, but not with joy. Sit down, and let us have a -little conversation together. Father and son, and father and son on such -terms as we are, should really communicate oftener together than we do. -It has been, perhaps, my fault; it shall not be so again." - -"My dear sir!" - -"Nay, nay, it shall be my fault now. Whose it shall be in future, -Vivian, time will show. My dear Vivian, you have now spent upwards of a -year under this roof, and your conduct has been as correct as the most -rigid parent might require. I have not wished to interfere with the -progress of your mind, and I regret it. I have been negligent, but not -wilfully so. I do regret it; because, whatever may be your powers, -Vivian, I at least have the advantage of experience. I see you smile at -a word which I so often use. Well, well, were I to talk to you for ever, -you would not understand what I mean by that single word. The time will -come when you will deem that single word everything. Ardent youths in -their closets, Vivian, too often fancy that they are peculiar beings; -and I have no reason to believe that you are an exception to the general -rule. In passing one whole year of your life, as you have done, you -doubtless imagine that you have been spending your hours in a manner -which no others have done before. Trust me, my boy, thousands have done -the same; and, what is of still more importance, thousands are doing, -and will do, the same. Take the advice of one who has committed as many, -ay more, follies than yourself; but who would bless the hour that he had -been a fool if his experience might be of benefit to his beloved son." - -"My father!" - -"Nay, don't agitate yourself; we are consulting together. Let us see -what is to be done. Try to ascertain, when you are alone, what may be -the chief objects of your existence in this world. I want you to take no -theological dogmas for granted, nor to satisfy your doubts by ceasing to -think; but, whether we are in this world in a state of probation for -another, or whether we cease altogether when we cease to breathe, human -feelings tell me that we have some duties to perform; to our fellow -creatures, to our friends, to ourselves. Pray tell me, my dear boy, what -possible good your perusal of the latter Platonists can produce to -either of these three interests? I trust that my child is not one of -those who look with a glazed eye on the welfare of their fellow-men, and -who would dream away an useless life by idle puzzles of the brain; -creatures who consider their existence as an unprofitable mystery, and -yet are afraid to die. You will find Plotinus in the fourth shelf of the -next room, Vivian." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of -the great. Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or -talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a -man must either have blood, a million, or a genius. - -The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among -the powerful and the great. It was for this reason that he had always -been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for -he feared for a youth the fascination of London society. Although busied -with his studies, and professing "not to visit," Vivian could not avoid -occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be -seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an -indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen -began to think this society delightful. Most persons of his age would -have passed through the ordeal with perfect safety; they would have -entered certain rooms, at certain hours, with stiff cravats, and Nugee -coats, and black velvet waistcoats; and after having annoyed all those -who condescended to know of their existence, with their red hands and -their white gloves, they would have retired to a corner of the room, and -conversationised with any stray four-year-older not yet sent to bed. - -But Vivian Grey was a graceful, lively lad, with just enough of dandyism -to preserve him from committing gaucheries, and with a devil of a -tongue. All men will agree with me that the only rival to be feared by a -man of spirit is a clever boy. What makes them so popular with women it -is difficult to explain; however, Lady Julia Knighton, and Mrs. Frank -Delmington, and half a score of dames of fashion, were always -patronising our hero, who found an evening spent in their society not -altogether dull, for there is no fascination so irresistible to a boy as -the smile of a married woman. Vivian had passed such a recluse life for -the last two years and a half, that he had quite forgotten that he was -once considered an agreeable fellow; and so, determined to discover what -right he ever had to such a reputation, he dashed into all these -amourettes in beautiful style. - -But Vivian Grey was a young and tender plant in a moral hothouse. His -character was developing itself too soon. Although his evenings were now -generally passed in the manner we have alluded to, this boy was, during -the rest of the day, a hard and indefatigable student; and having now -got through an immense series of historical reading, he had stumbled -upon a branch of study certainly the most delightful in the world; but, -for a boy, as certainly the most perilous, THE STUDY OF POLITICS. - -And now everything was solved! the inexplicable longings of his soul, -which had so often perplexed him, were at length explained. The want, -the indefinable want, which he had so constantly experienced, was at -last supplied; the grand object on which to bring the powers of his mind -to bear and work was at last provided. He paced his chamber in an -agitated spirit, and panted for the Senate. - -It may be asked, what was the evil of all this? and the reader will, -perhaps, murmur something about an honourable spirit and youthful -ambition. The evil was great. The time drew nigh for Vivian to leave his -home for Oxford, that is, for him to commence his long preparation for -entering on his career in life. And now this person, who was about to be -a pupil, this stripling, who was going to begin his education, had all -the desires of a matured mind, of an experienced man, but without -maturity and without experience. He was already a cunning reader of -human hearts; and felt conscious that his was a tongue which was born to -guide human beings. The idea of Oxford to such an individual was -an insult! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -We must endeavour to trace, if possible, more accurately the workings of -Vivian Grey's mind at this period of his existence. In the plenitude of -his ambition, he stopped one day to enquire in what manner he could -obtain his magnificent ends. - -"The Bar: pooh! law and bad jokes till we are forty; and then, with the -most brilliant success, the prospect of gout and a coronet. Besides, to -succeed as an advocate, I must be a great lawyer; and, to be a great -lawyer, I must give up my chance of being a great man. The Services in -war time are fit only for desperadoes (and that truly am I); but, in -peace, are fit only for fools. The Church is more rational. Let me see: -I should certainly like to act Wolsey; but the thousand and one chances -against me! And truly I feel my destiny should not be on a chance. Were -I the son of a millionaire, or a noble, I might have all. Curse on my -lot! that the want of a few rascal counters, and the possession of a -little rascal blood, should mar my fortunes!" - -Such was the general tenor of Vivian's thoughts, until, musing himself -almost into madness, he at last made, as he conceived, the Grand -Discovery. Riches are Power, says the Economist; and is not Intellect? -asks the Philosopher. And yet, while the influence of the millionaire is -instantly felt in all classes of society, how is it that "Noble Mind" so -often leaves us unknown and unhonoured? Why have there been statesmen -who have never ruled, and heroes who have never conquered? Why have -glorious philosophers died in a garret? and why have there been poets -whose only admirer has been Nature in her echoes? It must be that these -beings have thought only of themselves, and, constant and elaborate -students of their own glorious natures, have forgotten or disdained the -study of all others. Yes! we must mix with the herd; we must enter into -their feelings; we must humour their weaknesses; we must sympathise with -the sorrows that we do not feel; and share the merriment of fools. Oh, -yes! to rule men, we must be men; to prove that we are strong, we must -be weak; to prove that we are giants, we must be dwarfs; even as the -Eastern Genie was hid in the charmed bottle. Our wisdom must be -concealed under folly, and our constancy under caprice. - -"I have been often struck by the ancient tales of Jupiter's visits to -the earth. In these fanciful adventures, the god bore no indication of -the Thunderer's glory; but was a man of low estate, a herdsman, a hind, -often even an animal. A mighty spirit has in Tradition, Time's great -moralist, perused 'the wisdom of the ancients.' Even in the same spirit, -I would explain Jove's terrestrial visitings. For, to govern man, even -the god appeared to feel as a man; and sometimes as a beast, was -apparently influenced by their vilest passions. Mankind, then, is my -great game. - -"At this moment, how many a powerful noble wants only wit to be a -Minister; and what wants Vivian Grey to attain the same end? That -noble's influence. When two persons can so materially assist each -other, why are they not brought together? Shall I, because my birth -baulks my fancy, shall I pass my life a moping misanthrope in an old -château? Supposing I am in contact with this magnifico, am I prepared? -Now, let me probe my very soul. Does my cheek blanch? I have the mind -for the conception; and I can perform right skilfully upon the most -splendid of musical instruments, the human voice, to make those -conceptions beloved by others. There wants but one thing more: courage, -pure, perfect courage; and does Vivian Grey know fear?" He laughed an -answer of bitterest derision. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -Is it surprising that Vivian Grey, with a mind teeming with such -feelings, should view the approach of the season for his departure to -Oxford with sentiments of disgust? After hours of bitter meditation, he -sought his father; he made him acquainted with his feelings, but -concealed from him his actual views, and dwelt on the misery of being -thrown back in life, at a period when society seemed instinct with a -spirit peculiarly active, and when so many openings were daily offered -to the adventurous and the bold. - -"Vivian," said Mr. Grey, "beware of endeavouring to become a great man -in a hurry. One such attempt in ten thousand may succeed: these are -fearful odds. Admirer as you are of Lord Bacon, you may perhaps remember -a certain parable of his, called 'Memnon, or a youth too forward.' I -hope you are not going to be one of those sons of Aurora, 'who, puffed -up with the glittering show of vanity and ostentation, attempt actions -above their strength.' - -"You talk to me about the peculiarly active spirit of society; if the -spirit of society be so peculiarly active, Mr. Vivian Grey should beware -lest it outstrip him. Is neglecting to mature your mind, my boy, exactly -the way to win the race? This is an age of unsettled opinions and -contested principles; in the very measures of our administration, the -speculative spirit of the present day is, to say the least, not -impalpable. Nay, don't start, my dear fellow, and look the very -Prosopopeia of Political Economy! I know exactly what you are going to -say; but, if you please, we will leave Turgot and Galileo to Mr. -Canning and the House of Commons, or your Cousin Hargrave and his -Debating Society. However, jesting apart, get your hat, and walk with me -as far as Evans's, where I have promised to look in, to see the Mazarin -Bible, and we will talk this affair over as we go along. - -"I am no bigot, you know, Vivian. I am not one of those who wish to -oppose the application of refined philosophy to the common business of -life. We are, I hope, an improving race; there is room, I am sure, for -great improvement, and the perfectibility of man is certainly a pretty -dream. (How well that Union Club House comes out now, since they have -made the opening), but, although we may have steam kitchens, human -nature is, I imagine, much the same this moment that we are walking in -Pall Mall East, as it was some thousand years ago, when as wise men were -walking on the banks of the Ilyssus. When our moral powers increase in -proportion to our physical ones, then huzza, for the perfectibility of -man! and respectable, idle loungers like you and I, Vivian, may then -have a chance of walking in the streets of London without having their -heels trodden upon, a ceremony which I have this moment undergone. In -the present day we are all studying science, and none of us are studying -ourselves. This is not exactly the Socratic process; and as for the -[Greek: gnothi seauton] of the more ancient Athenian, that principle is -quite out of fashion in the nineteenth century (I believe that's the -phrase). Self is the only person whom we know nothing about. - -"But, my dear Vivian, as to the immediate point of our consideration. In -my library, uninfluenced and uncontrolled by passion or by party, I -cannot but see that it is utterly impossible that all that we are -wishing and striving for can take place, without some, without much -evil. In ten years' time, perhaps, or less, the fever will have -subsided, and in ten years' time, or less, your intellect will be -matured. Mow, my good sir, instead of talking about the active spirit of -the age, and the opportunities offered to the adventurous and the bold, -ought you not rather to congratulate yourself that a great change is -effecting at a period of your life when you need not, individually, be -subjected to the possibility of being injured by its operation; and when -you are preparing your mind to take advantage of the system, when that -system is matured and organised? - -"As to your request, it assuredly is one of the most modest, and the -most rational, that I have lately been favoured with. Although I would -much rather that any influence which I may exercise over your mind, -should be the effect of my advice as your friend than of my authority as -your father; still I really feel it my duty, parentally, to protest -against this crude proposition of yours. However, if you choose to lose -a term or two, do. Don't blame me, you know, if afterwards you -repent it." - -Here dashed by the gorgeous equipage of Mrs. Ormolu, the wife of a man -who was working all the gold and silver mines in Christendom. "Ah! my -dear Vivian," said Mr. Grey, "it is this which has turned all your -brains. In this age every one is striving to make an immense fortune, -and what is most terrific, at the same time a speedy one. This thirst -for sudden wealth it is which engenders the extravagant conceptions, and -fosters that wild spirit of speculation which is now stalking abroad; -and which, like the Daemon in Frankenstein, not only fearfully wanders -over the whole wide face of nature, but grins in the imagined solitude -of our secret chambers. Oh! my son, it is for the young men of the -present day that I tremble; seduced by the temporary success of a few -children of fortune, I observe that their minds recoil from the -prospects which are held forth by the ordinary, and, mark me, by the -only modes of acquiring property, fair trade, and honourable -professions. It is for you and your companions that I fear. God grant -that there may not be a moral as well as a political disorganisation! -God grant that our youth, the hope of our state, may not be lost to us! -For, oh! my son, the wisest has said, 'He that maketh haste to be rich -shall not be innocent.' Let us step into Clarke's and take an ice." - - - - -BOOK II - - -CHAPTER I - - -The Marquess of Carabas started in life as the cadet of a noble family. -The earl, his father, like the woodman in the fairy tale, was blessed -with three sons: the first was an idiot, and was destined for the -Coronet; the second was a man of business, and was educated for the -Commons; the third was a Roué, and was shipped to the Colonies. - -The present Marquess, then the Honourable Sidney Lorraine, prospered in -his political career. He was servile, and pompous, and indefatigable, -and loquacious, so whispered the world: his friends hailed him as, at -once, a courtier and a sage, a man of business and an orator. After -revelling in his fair proportion of commissionerships, and -under-secretaryships, and the rest of the milk and honey of the -political Canaan, the apex of the pyramid of his ambition was at length -visible, for Sidney Lorraine became President of a Board, and wriggled -into the adytum of the cabinet. - -At this moment his idiot brother died. To compensate for his loss of -office, and to secure his votes, the Earl of Carabas was promoted in the -peerage, and was presented with some magnificent office, meaning -nothing; swelling with dignity, and void of duties. As years rolled on, -various changes took place in the administration, of which his Lordship -was once a component part; and the ministry, to their surprise, getting -popular, found that the command of the Carabas interest was not of such -vital importance to them as heretofore, and so his Lordship was voted a -bore, and got shelved. Not that his Lordship was bereaved of his -splendid office, or that anything occurred, indeed, by which the -uninitiated might have been led to suppose that the beams of his -Lordship's consequence were shorn; but the Marquess's secret -applications at the Treasury were no longer listened to, and pert -under-secretaries settled their cravats, and whispered "that the Carabas -interest was gone by." - -The noble Marquess was not insensible to his situation, for he was what -the world calls ambitious; but the vigour of his faculties had vanished -beneath the united influence of years and indolence and ill-humour; for -his Lordship, to avoid ennui, had quarrelled with his son, and then, -having lost his only friend, had quarrelled with himself. - -Such was the distinguished individual who graced, one day at the latter -end of the season of 18--, the classic board of Horace Grey, Esquire. -The reader will, perhaps, be astonished, that such a man as his Lordship -should be the guest of such a man as our hero's father; but the truth -is, the Marquess of Carabas had just been disappointed in an attempt on -the chair of the President of the Royal Society, which, for want of -something better to do, he was ambitious of filling, and this was a -conciliatory visit to one of the most distinguished members of that -body, and one who had voted against him with particular enthusiasm. The -Marquess, still a politician, was now, as he imagined, securing his -host's vote for a future St. Andrew's day. - -The cuisine of Mr. Grey was superb; for although an enthusiastic -advocate for the cultivation of the mind, he was an equally ardent -supporter of the cultivation of the body. Indeed, the necessary -dependence of the sanity of the one on the good keeping of the other, -was one of his favourite theories, and one which, this day, he was -supporting with pleasant and facetious reasoning. His Lordship was -delighted with his new friend, and still more delighted with his new -friend's theory. The Marquess himself was, indeed, quite of the same -opinion as Mr. Grey; for he never made a speech without previously -taking a sandwich, and would have sunk under the estimates a thousand -times, had it not been for the juicy friendship of the fruit -of Portugal. - -The guests were not numerous. A regius professor of Greek; an officer -just escaped from Sockatoo; a man of science, and two M.P.'s with his -Lordship; the host, and Mr. Vivian Grey, constituted the party. Oh, no! -there were two others. There was a Mr. John Brown, a fashionable poet, -and who, ashamed of his own name, published his melodies under the more -euphonious and romantic title of "Clarence Devonshire," and there was a -Mr. Thomas Smith, a fashionable novelist; that is to say, a person who -occasionally publishes three volumes, one half of which contain the -adventures of a young gentleman in the country, and the other volume and -a half the adventures of the same young gentleman in the metropolis; a -sort of writer, whose constant tattle about beer and billiards, and -eating soup, and the horribility of "committing" puns, give truly an -admirable and accurate idea of the conversation of the refined society -of the refined metropolis of Great Britain. These two last gentlemen -were "pets" of Mrs. Grey. - -The conversation may be conceived. Each person was of course prepared -with a certain quota of information, without which no man in London is -morally entitled to dine out; and when the quota was expended, the -amiable host took the burthen upon his own shoulders, and endeavoured, -as the phrase goes, to draw out his guests. - -O London dinners! empty artificial nothings! and that beings can be -found, and those too the flower of the land, who, day after day, can -act the same parts in the same dull, dreary farce! The officer had -discoursed sufficiently about "his intimate friend, the Soudan," and -about the chain armour of the Sockatoo cuirassiers; and one of the -M.P.'s, who was in the Guards, had been defeated in a ridiculous attempt -to prove that the breast-plates of the household troops of Great Britain -were superior to those of the household troops of Timtomtoo. Mrs. Grey, -to whose opinion both parties deferred, gave it in favour of the Soudan. -And the man of science had lectured about a machine which might destroy -fifteen square feet of human beings in a second, and yet be carried in -the waistcoat pocket. And the classic, who, for a professor, was quite a -man of the world, had the latest news of the new Herculaneum process, -and was of opinion that, if they could but succeed in unrolling a -certain suspicious-looking scroll, we might be so fortunate as to -possess a minute treatise on &c., &c., &c. In short, all had said their -say. There was a dead pause, and Mrs. Grey looked at her husband, -and rose. - -How singular it is, that when this move takes place every one appears to -be relieved, and yet every one of any experience must be quite aware -that the dead bore work is only about to commence. Howbeit, all filled -their glasses, and the peer, at the top of the table, began to talk -politics. I am sure I cannot tell what the weighty subject was that was -broached by the ex-minister; for I did not dine with Grey that day, and -had I done so, I should have been equally ignorant, for I am a dull man, -and always sleep at dinner. However, the subject was political, the -claret flew round, and a stormy argument commenced. The Marquess was -decidedly wrong, and was sadly badgered by the civil M.P. and the -professor. The host, who was of no party, supported his guest as long as -possible, and then left him to his fate. The military M.P. fled to the -drawing-room to philander with Mrs. Grey; and the man of science and the -African had already retired to the intellectual idiocy of a May Fair "At -Home." The novelist was silent, for he was studying a scene; and the -poet was absent, for he was musing a sonnet. - -The Marquess refuted, had recourse to contradiction, and was too acute a -man to be insensible to the forlornness of his situation; when, at this -moment, a voice proceeded from the end of the table, from a young -gentleman, who had hitherto preserved a profound silence, but whose -silence, if the company were to have judged from the tones of his -voice, and the matter of his communication, did not altogether proceed -from a want of confidence in his own abilities. "In my opinion," said -Mr. Vivian Grey, as he sat lounging in his father's vacated seat, "in my -opinion his Lordship has been misunderstood; and it is, as is generally -the case, from a slight verbal misconception in the commencement of this -argument, that the whole of this difference arises." - -The eyes of the Marquess sparkled, and the mouth of the Marquess was -closed. His Lordship was delighted that his reputation might yet be -saved; but as he was not perfectly acquainted in what manner that -salvation was to be effected, he prudently left the battle to his -youthful champion. - -Mr. Vivian Grey proceeded with the utmost sang froid; he commented upon -expressions, split and subtilised words, insinuated opinions, and -finally quoted a whole passage of Bolingbroke to prove that the opinion -of the most noble the Marquess of Carabas was one of the soundest, -wisest, and most convincing of opinions that ever was promulgated by -mortal man. The tables were turned, the guests looked astounded, the -Marquess settled his ruffles, and perpetually exclaimed, "Exactly what I -meant!" and his opponents, full of wine and quite puzzled, gave in. - -It was a rule with Vivian Grey never to advance any opinion as his own. -He had been too deep a student of human nature, not to be aware that the -opinions of a boy of twenty, however sound, and however correct, stand -but a poor chance of being adopted by his elder, though feebler, -fellow-creatures. In attaining any end, it was therefore his system -always to advance his opinion as that of some eminent and considered -personage; and when, under the sanction of this name, the opinion or -advice was entertained and listened to, Vivian Grey had no fear that he -could prove its correctness and its expediency. He possessed also the -singular faculty of being able to improvise quotations, that is, he -could unpremeditatedly clothe his conceptions in language characteristic -of the style of any particular author; and Vivian Grey was reputed in -the world as having the most astonishing memory that ever existed; for -there was scarcely a subject of discussion in which he did not gain the -victory, by the great names he enlisted on his side of the argument. His -father was aware of the existence of this dangerous faculty, and had -often remonstrated with his son on the use of it. On the present -occasion, when the buzz had somewhat subsided, Mr. Grey looked smiling -to his son, and said, "Vivian, my dear, can you tell me in what work of -Bolingbroke I can find the eloquent passage you have just quoted?" - -"Ask Mr. Hargrave, sir," replied the son, with perfect coolness; then, -turning to the member, "You know, Mr. Hargrave, you are reputed the most -profound political student in the House, and more intimately acquainted -than any other person with the works of Bolingbroke." - -Mr. Hargrave knew no such thing; but he was a weak man, and, seduced by -the compliment, he was afraid to prove himself unworthy of it by -confessing his ignorance of the passage. - -Coffee was announced. - -Vivian did not let the peer escape him in the drawing-room. He soon -managed to enter into conversation with him; and certainly the Marquess -of Carabas never found a more entertaining companion. Vivian discoursed -on a new Venetian liqueur, and taught the Marquess how to mull Moselle, -an operation of which the Marquess had never heard (as who has?); and -then the flood of anecdotes, and little innocent personalities, and the -compliments so exquisitely introduced, that they scarcely appeared to be -compliments; and the voice so pleasant, and conciliating, and the -quotation from the Marquess's own speech; and the wonderful art of which -the Marquess was not aware, by which, during all this time, the lively, -chattering, amusing, elegant conversationist, so full of scandal, -politics, and cookery, did not so much appear to be Mr. Vivian Grey as -the Marquess of Carabas himself. - -"Well, I must be gone," said the fascinated noble; "I really have not -felt in such spirits for some time; I almost fear I have been vulgar -enough to be amusing, eh! eh! eh! but you young men are sad fellows, eh! -eh! eh! Don't forget to call on me; good evening! and Mr. Vivian Grey! -Mr. Vivian Grey!" said his lordship, returning, "you will not forget the -receipt you promised me for making tomahawk punch." - -"Certainly not, my Lord," said the young man; "only it must be invented -first," thought Vivian, as he took up his light to retire. "But never -mind, never mind; - - Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! - Glorie au Marquis de Carabas!!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -A few days after the dinner at Mr. Grey's, as the Marquess of Carabas -was sitting in his library, and sighing, in the fulness of his ennui, as -he looked on his large library table, once triply covered with official -communications, now thinly besprinkled with a stray parliamentary paper -or two, his steward's accounts, and a few letters from some grumbling -tenants, Mr. Vivian Grey was announced. - -"I fear I am intruding on your Lordship, but I really could not refrain -from bringing you the receipt I promised." - -"Most happy to see ye, most happy to see ye." - -"This is exactly the correct receipt, my Lord. TO EVERY TWO BOTTLES OF -STILL CHAMPAGNE, ONE PINT OF CURAÇOA." The Peer's eyes glistened, and -his companion proceeded; "ONE PINT OF CURAÇOA; CATCH THE AROMA OF A -POUND OF GREEN TEA, AND DASH THE WHOLE WITH GLENLIVET." - -"Splendid!" ejaculated the Marquess. - -"The nice point, however, which it is impossible to define in a receipt, -is catching the aroma. What sort of a genius is your Lordship's chêf?" - -"First-rate! Laporte _is_ a genius." - -"Well, my Lord! I shall be most happy to superintend the first -concoction for you; and remember particularly," said Vivian, rising, -"remember it must be iced." - -"Certainly, my dear fellow; but pray don't think of going yet." - -"I am very sorry, my Lord; but such a pressure of engagements; your -Lordship's kindness is so great, and, really, I fear, that at this -moment especially, your Lordship can scarcely be in a humour for my -trifling." - -"Why this moment especially, Mr. Vivian Grey?" - -"Oh, my Lord! I am perfectly aware of your Lordship's talents for -business; but still I had conceived, that the delicate situation in -which your Lordship is now placed, requiring such anxious -attention such--" - -"Delicate situation! anxious attention! why man! you speak riddles. I -certainly have a great deal of business to transact: people are so -obstinate, or so foolish, they will consult me, certainly; and certainly -I feel it my duty, Mr. Vivian Grey; I feel it the duty, sir of every -Peer in this happy country (here his Lordship got parliamentary): yes, -sir, I feel it due to my character, to my family, to, to, to assist with -my advice all those who think fit to consult me." Splendid peroration! - -"Oh, my Lord!" carelessly remarked Vivian, "I thought it was a mere on -dit." - -"Thought what, my dear sir? you really quite perplex me." - -"I mean to say, my Lord; I, I thought it was impossible the overtures -had been made." - -"Overtures, Mr. Vivian Grey?" - -"Yes, my Lord! Overtures; has not your Lordship seen the _Post_. But I -knew it was impossible; I said so, I--" - -"Said what, Mr. Vivian Grey?" - -"Said that the whole paragraph was unfounded." - -"Paragraph! what paragraph?" and his Lordship rose, and rang the library -bell with vehemence: "Sadler, bring me the _Morning Post_." - -The servant entered with the paper. Mr. Vivian Grey seized it from his -hands before it reached the Marquess, and glancing his eye over it with -the rapidity of lightning, doubled up the sheet in a convenient readable -form, and pushing it into his Lordship's hands, exclaimed, "There, my -Lord! there, that will explain all." - -His Lordship read: - -"We are informed that some alteration in the composition of the present -administration is in contemplation; Lord Past Century, it is said, will -retire; Mr. Liberal Principles will have the--; and Mr. Charlatan Gas -the--. A noble Peer, whose practised talents have already benefited the -nation, and who, on vacating his seat in the Cabinet, was elevated in -the Peerage, is reported as having had certain overtures made him, the -nature of which may be conceived, but which, under present -circumstances, it would be indelicate in us to hint at." - -It would have been impossible for a hawk to watch its quarry with eyes -of more fixed and anxious earnestness than did Vivian Grey the Marquess -of Carabas, as his Lordship's eyes wandered over the paragraph. Vivian -drew his chair close to the table opposite to the Marquess, and when the -paragraph was read, their eyes met. - -"Utterly untrue," whispered the Peer, with an agitated voice, and with -a countenance which, for a moment, seemed intellectual. - -"But why Mr. Vivian Grey should deem the fact of such overtures having -been made 'impossible,' I confess, astonishes me." - -"Impossible, my Lord!" - -"Ay, Mr. Grey, impossible, that was your word." - -"Oh, my Lord! what should I know about these matters?" - -"Nay, nay, Mr. Grey, something must have been floating in your mind: why -impossible, why impossible? Did your father think so?" - -"My father! Oh! no, he never thinks about these matters; ours is not a -political family; I am not sure that he ever looks at a newspaper." - -"But, my dear Mr. Grey, you would not have used the word without some -meaning. Why did you think it impossible? impossible is such a peculiar -word." And here the Marquess looked up with great earnestness to a -portrait of himself, which hung over the fire-place. It was one of Sir -Thomas's happiest efforts; but it was not the happiness of the likeness, -or the beauty of the painting, which now attracted his Lordship's -attention; he thought only of the costume in which he appeared in that -portrait: the court dress of a Cabinet Minister. "Impossible, Mr. Grey, -you must confess, is a very peculiar word," reiterated his Lordship. - -"I said impossible, my Lord, because I did conceive, that had your -Lordship been of a disposition to which such overtures might have been -made with any probability of success, the Marquess of Carabas would have -been in a situation which would have precluded the possibility of those -overtures being made at all." - -"Hah!" and the Marquess nearly started from his seat. - -"Yes, my Lord, I am a young, an inexperienced young man, ignorant of the -world's ways; doubtless I was wrong, but I have much to learn," and his -voice faltered; "but I did conceive, that having power at his command, -the Marquess of Carabas did not exercise it, merely because he despised -it: but what should I know of such matters, my Lord?" - -"Is power a thing so easily to be despised, young man?" asked the -Marquess. His eye rested on a vote of thanks from the "Merchants and -Bankers of London to the Right Honourable Sydney Lorraine, President, -&c., &c., &c.," which, splendidly emblazoned, and gilt, and framed, and -glazed, was suspended opposite the President's portrait. - -"Oh, no! my Lord, you mistake me," eagerly burst forth Vivian. "I am no -cold-blooded philosopher that would despise that, for which, in my -opinion, men, real men, should alone exist. Power! Oh! what sleepless -nights, what days of hot anxiety! what exertions of mind and body! what -travel! what hatred! what fierce encounters! what dangers of all -possible kinds, would I not endure with a joyous spirit to gain it! But -such, my Lord, I thought were feelings peculiar to inexperienced young -men: and seeing you, my Lord, so situated, that you might command all -and everything, and yet living as you do, I was naturally led to believe -that the object of my adoration was a vain glittering bauble, of which -those who could possess it, knew the utter worthlessness." - -The Peer sat in a musing mood, playing the Devil's tattoo on the library -table; at last he raised his eyes, and said in a low whisper, "Are you -so certain that I can command all and everything?" - -"All and everything! did I say all and everything? Really, my Lord, you -scan my expressions so critically! but I see your Lordship is smiling at -my boyish nonsense! and really I feel that I have already wasted too -much of your Lordship's valuable time, and displayed too much of my own -ignorance." - -"My dear sir! I am not aware that I was smiling." - -"Oh! your Lordship is so very kind." - -"But, my dear sir! you are really labouring under a great mistake. I am -desirous, I am particularly desirous, of having your opinion upon -this subject." - -"My opinion, my Lord! what should my opinion be, but an echo of the -circle in which I live, but a faithful representation of the feelings of -general society?" - -"And, Mr. Grey, I should be glad to know what can possibly be more -interesting to me than a faithful representation of the feelings of -general society on this subject?" - -"The many, my Lord, are not always right." - -"Mr. Grey, the many are not often wrong. Come, my dear sir, do me the -favour of being frank, and let me know why the public is of opinion that -all and everything are in my power, for such, after all, were -your words." - -"If I did use them, my Lord, it was because I was thinking, as I often -do, what, after all, in this country is public life? Is it not a race -in which the swiftest must surely win the prize; and is not that prize -power? Has not your Lordship treasure? There is your moral steam which -can work the world. Has not your Lordship's treasure most splendid -consequence, pure blood and aristocratic influence? The Millionaire has -in his possession the seeds of everything, but he must wait for half a -century till his descendant finds himself in your Lordship's state; till -he is yclept noble, and then he starts fair in the grand course. All -these advantages your Lordship has apparently at hand, with the -additional advantage (and one, oh! how great!) of having already proved -to your country that you know how to rule." - -There was a dead silence, which at length the Marquess broke. "There is -much in what you say; but I cannot conceal it from myself, I have no -wish to conceal it from you; I am not what I was." O, ambition! art thou -the parent of truth? - -"Ah! my Lord!" eagerly rejoined Vivian, "here is the terrible error into -which you great statesmen have always fallen. Think you not, that -intellect is as much a purchasable article as fine parks and fair -castles? With your Lordship's tried and splendid talents, everything -might be done; but, in my opinion, if, instead of a practised, an -experienced, and wary Statesman, I was now addressing an idiot Earl, I -should not see that the great end might not equally be consummated." - -"Say you so, my merry man, and how?" - -"Why, my Lord: but, but, I feel that I am trespassing on your Lordship's -time, otherwise I think I could show why society is of opinion that your -Lordship can do all and everything; how, indeed, your Lordship might, in -a very short time, be Prime Minister." - -"No, Mr. Grey; this conversation must be finished. I will just give -orders that we may not be disturbed, and then we shall proceed -immediately. Come, now! your manner takes me, and we shall converse in -the spirit of the most perfect confidence." - -Here, as the Marquess settled at the same time his chair and his -countenance, and looked as anxious as if Majesty itself were consulting -him on the formation of a ministry, in burst the Marchioness, -notwithstanding all the remonstrances, entreaties, threats, and -supplications of Mr. Sadler. - -Her Ladyship had been what they style a splendid woman; that was now -past, although, with the aid of cashmeres, diamonds, and turbans, her -general appearance was still striking. Her Ladyship was not remarkable -for anything save a correct taste for poodles, parrots, and bijouterie, -and a proper admiration of Theodore Hook and John Bull. - -"Oh! Marquess," exclaimed her Ladyship, and a favourite green parrot, -which came flying in after its accustomed perch, her Ladyship's left -shoulder, shrieked at the same time in concert, "Oh! Marquess, my poor -Julie! You know we have noticed how nervous she has been for some days -past, and I had just given her a saucer of arrow-root and milk, and she -seemed a little easier, and I said to Miss Graves. 'I really do think -she is a leetle better' and Miss Graves said, 'Yes, my Lady, I hope she -is; 'when just as we flattered ourselves that the dear little creature -was enjoying a quiet sleep, Miss Graves called out, 'Oh, my Lady! my -Lady! Julie's in a fit!' and when I turned round she was lying on her -back, kicking, with her eyes shut.' And here the Marchioness detected -Mr. Grey, and gave him as sublime a stare as might be expected from a -lady patroness of Almack's. - -"The Marchioness, Mr. Vivian Grey, my love, I assure you we are engaged -in a most important, a most--" - -"Oh! I would not disturb you for the world, only if you will just tell -me what you think ought to be done; leeches, or a warm bath; or shall I -send for Doctor Blue Pill?" - -The Marquess looked a little annoyed, as if he wished her Ladyship in -her own room again. He was almost meditating a gentle reprimand, vexed -that his grave young friend should have witnessed this frivolous -intrusion, when that accomplished stripling, to the astonishment of the -future minister, immediately recommended "the warm bath," and then -lectured, with equal rapidity and erudition, on dogs, and their diseases -In general. - -The Marchioness retired, "easier in her mind about Julie than she had -been for some days," as Vivian assured her "that it was not apoplexy, -but only the first symptom of an epidemic." And as she retired, she -murmured her gratitude gracefully to Julie's young physician. - -"Now, Mr. Grey," said his Lordship, endeavouring to recover his dignity, -"we were discussing the public sentiments you know on a certain point, -when this unfortunate interruption--" - -Vivian had not much difficulty in collecting his ideas, and he -proceeded, not as displeased as his Lordship with the domestic scene. - -"I need not remind your Lordship that the two great parties into which -this State is divided are apparently very unequally proportioned. Your -Lordship well knows how the party to which your Lordship is said to -belong: your Lordship knows, I imagine, how that is constituted. We have -nothing to do with the other. My Lord, I must speak out. No thinking -man, and such, I trust, Vivian Grey is, no thinking man can for a moment -suppose, that your Lordship's heart is very warm in the cause of a -party, which, for I will not mince my words, has betrayed you. How is -it, it is asked by thinking men, how is it that the Marquess of Carabas -is the tool of a faction?" - -The Marquess breathed aloud, "They say so, do they?" - -"Why, my Lord, listen even to your servants in your own hall, need I say -more? How, then! is this opinion true? Let us look to your conduct to -the party to which you are said to belong. Your votes are theirs, your -influence is theirs; and for all this, what return, my Lord Marquess, -what return? My Lord, I am not rash enough to suppose, that your -Lordship, alone and unsupported, can make yourself the arbiter of this -country's destinies. It would be ridiculous to entertain such an idea -for a second. The existence of such a man would not be endured by the -nation for a second. But, my Lord, union is strength. Nay, my Lord, -start not; I am not going to advise you to throw yourself into the arms -of opposition; leave such advice for greenhorns. I am not going to adopt -a line of conduct, which would, for a moment, compromise the consistency -of your high character; leave such advice for fools. My Lord, it is to -preserve your consistency, it is to vindicate your high character, it is -to make the Marquess of Carabas perform the duties which society -requires from him, that I, Vivian Grey, a member of that society, and an -humble friend of your Lordship, speak so boldly." - -"My friend," said the agitated Peer, "you cannot speak too boldly. My -mind opens to you. I have felt, I have long felt, that I was not what I -ought to be, that I was not what society requires me to be; but where is -your remedy? what is the line of conduct that I should pursue?" - -"The remedy, my Lord! I never conceived, for a moment, that there was -any doubt of the existence of means to attain all and everything. I -think that was your Lordship's phrase. I only hesitated as to the -existence of the inclination on the part of your Lordship." - -"You cannot doubt it now," said the Peer, in a low voice; and then his -Lordship looked anxiously round the room, as if he feared that there had -been some mysterious witness to his whisper. - -"My Lord," said Vivian, and he drew his chair close to the Marquess, -"the plan is shortly this. There are others in a similar situation with -yourself. All thinking men know, your Lordship knows still better, that -there are others equally influential, equally ill-treated. How is it -that I see no concert, among these individuals? How is it that, jealous -of each other, or each trusting that he may ultimately prove an -exception to the system of which he is a victim; how is it, I say, that -you look with cold hearts on each other's situation? My Lord Marquess, -it is at the head of these that I would place you, it is these that I -would have act with you; and this is the union which is strength." - -"You are right, you are right; there is Courtown, but we do not speak; -there is Beaconsfield, but we are not intimate: but much might be done." - -"My Lord, you must not be daunted at a few difficulties, or at a little -exertion. But as for Courtown, or Beaconsfield, or fifty other offended -men, if it can be shown to them that their interest is to be your -Lordship's friend, trust me, that ere six months are over, they will -have pledged their troth. Leave all this to me, give me your Lordship's -name," said Vivian, whispering most earnestly in the Marquess's ear, and -laying his hand upon his Lordship's arm; "give me your Lordship's name, -and your Lordship's influence, and I will take upon myself the whole -organisation of the Carabas party." - -"The Carabas party! Ah! we must think more of this." - -The Marquess's eyes smiled with triumph, as he shook Vivian cordially by -the hand, and begged him to call upon him on the morrow. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -The intercourse between the Marquess and Vivian after this interview was -constant. No dinner-party was thought perfect at Carabas House without -the presence of the young gentleman; and as the Marchioness was -delighted with the perpetual presence of an individual whom she could -always consult about Julie, there was apparently no domestic obstacle to -Vivian's remaining in high favour. - -The Earl of Eglamour, the only child in whom were concentrated all the -hopes of the illustrious House of Lorraine, was in Italy. The only -remaining member of the domestic circle who was wanting was the -Honourable Mrs. Felix Lorraine, the wife of the Marquess's younger -brother. This lady, exhausted by the gaiety of the season, had left town -somewhat earlier than she usually did, and was inhaling fresh air, and -studying botany, at the magnificent seat of the Carabas family, Château -Desir, at which splendid place Vivian was to pass the summer. - -In the meantime all was sunshine with Vivian Grey. His noble friend and -himself were in perpetual converse, and constantly engaged in deep -consultation. As yet, the world knew nothing, except that, according to -the Marquess of Carabas, "Vivian Grey was the most astonishingly clever -and prodigiously accomplished fellow that ever breathed;" and, as the -Marquess always added, "resembled himself very much when he was young." - -But it must not be supposed that Vivian was to all the world the -fascinating creature that he was to the Marquess of Carabas. Many -complained that he was reserved, silent, satirical, and haughty. But the -truth was, Vivian Grey often asked himself, "Who is to be my enemy -to-morrow?" He was too cunning a master of the human mind, not to be -aware of the quicksands upon which all greenhorns strike; he knew too -well the danger of unnecessary intimacy. A smile for a friend, and a -sneer for the world, is the way to govern mankind, and such was the -motto of Vivian Grey. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -How shall we describe Château Desir, that place fit for all princes? In -the midst of a park of great extent, and eminent for scenery, as varied -as might please nature's most capricious lover; in the midst of green -lawns and deep winding glens, and cooling streams, and wild forest, and -soft woodland, there was gradually formed an elevation, on which was -situate a mansion of great size, and of that bastard, but picturesque -style of architecture, called the Italian Gothic. The date of its -erection was about the middle of the sixteenth century. You entered by a -noble gateway, in which the pointed style still predominated; but in -various parts of which, the Ionic column, and the prominent keystone, -and other creations of Roman architecture, intermingled with the -expiring Gothic, into a large quadrangle, to which the square casement -windows, and the triangular pediments or gable ends supplying the place -of battlements, gave a varied and Italian feature. In the centre of the -court, from a vast marble basin, the rim of which was enriched by a -splendidly sculptured lotus border, rose a marble group representing -Amphitrite with her marine attendants, whose sounding shells and coral -sceptres sent forth their subject element in sparkling showers. This -work, the chef d'oeuvre celebrated artist of Vicenza, had been purchased -by Valerian, first Lord Carabas, who having spent the greater part of -his life as the representative of his monarch at the Ducal Court of -Venice, at length returned to his native country; and in the creation of -Château Desir endeavoured to find some consolation for the loss of his -beautiful villa on the banks of the Adige. - -Over the gateway there rose a turreted tower, the small square window of -which, notwithstanding its stout stanchions, illumined the muniment room -of the House of Carabas. In the spandrils of the gateway and in many -other parts of the building might be seen the arms of the family; while -the tall twisted stacks of chimneys, which appeared to spring from all -parts of the roof, were carved and built in such curious and quaint -devices that they were rather an ornament than an excrescence. When you -entered the quadrangle, you found one side solely occupied by the old -hall, the huge carved rafters of whose oak roof rested on corbels of the -family supporters against the walls. These walls were of stone, but -covered half-way from the ground with a panelling of curiously-carved -oak; whence were suspended, in massy frames, the family portraits, -painted by Dutch and Italian artists. Near the dais, or upper part of -the hall, there projected an oriel window, which, as you beheld, you -scarcely knew what most to admire, the radiancy of its painted panes or -the fantastic richness of Gothic ornament, which was profusely lavished -in every part of its masonry. Here too the Gothic pendent and the Gothic -fan-work were intermingled with the Italian arabesques, which, at the -time of the building of the Château, had been recently introduced into -England by Hans Holbein and John of Padua. - -How wild and fanciful are those ancient arabesques! Here at Château -Desir, in the panelling of the old hall, might you see fantastic -scrolls, separated by bodies ending in termini, and whose heads -supported the Ionic volute, while the arch, which appeared to spring -from these capitals, had, for a keystone, heads more monstrous than -those of the fabled animals of Ctesias; or so ludicrous, that you forgot -the classic griffin in the grotesque conception of the Italian artist. -Here was a gibbering monkey, there a grinning pulcinello; now you viewed -a chattering devil, which might have figured in the "Temptation of St. -Anthony;" and now a mournful, mystic, bearded countenance, which might -have flitted in the back scene of a "Witches' Sabbath." - -A long gallery wound through the upper story of two other sides of the -quadrangle, and beneath were the show suite of apartments with a sight -of which the admiring eyes of curious tourists were occasionally -delighted. - -The grey stone walls of this antique edifice were, in many places, -thickly covered with ivy and other parasitical plants, the deep green of -whose verdure beautifully contrasted with the scarlet glories of the -pyrus japonica, which gracefully clustered round the windows of the -lower chambers. The mansion itself was immediately surrounded by -numerous ancient forest trees. There was the elm with its rich branches -bending down like clustering grapes; there was the wide-spreading oak -with its roots fantastically gnarled; there was the ash, with its smooth -bark and elegant leaf; and the silver beech, and the gracile birch; and -the dark fir, affording with its rough foliage a contrast to the trunks -of its more beautiful companions, or shooting far above their branches, -with the spirit of freedom worthy of a rough child of the mountains. - -Around the Castle were extensive pleasure-grounds, which realised the -romance of the "Gardens of Verulam." And truly, as you wandered through -their enchanting paths there seemed no end to their various beauties, -and no exhaustion of their perpetual novelty. Green retreats succeeded -to winding walks; from the shady berçeau you vaulted on the noble -terrace; and if, for an instant, you felt wearied by treading the velvet -lawn, you might rest in a mossy cell, while your mind was soothed by the -soft music of falling waters. Now your curious eyes were greeted by -Oriental animals, basking in a sunny paddock; and when you turned from -the white-footed antelope and the dark-eyed gazelle, you viewed an -aviary of such extent, that within its trellised walls the imprisoned, -songsters could build, in the free branches of a tree, their -natural nests. - -"O fair scene!" thought Vivian Grey, as he approached, on a fine -summer's afternoon, the splendid Château, "O fair scene! doubly fair to -those who quit for thee the thronged and agitated city. And can it be, -that those who exist within this enchanted domain, can think of anything -but sweet air, and do aught but revel in the breath of perfumed -flowers?" And here he gained the garden-gate: so he stopped his -soliloquy, and gave his horse to his groom. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -The Marquess had preceded Vivian in his arrival about three or four -days, and of course, to use the common phrase, the establishment "was -quite settled." It was, indeed, to avoid the possibility of witnessing -the domestic arrangements of a nobleman in any other point of view save -that of perfection, that Vivian had declined accompanying his noble -friend to the Château. Mr. Grey, junior, was an epicurean, and all -epicureans will quite agree with me, that his conduct on this head was -extremely wise. I am not very nice myself about these matters; but there -are, we all know, a thousand little things that go wrong on the arrivals -of even the best regulated families; and to mention no others, for any -rational being voluntarily to encounter the awful gaping of an English -family, who have travelled one hundred miles in ten successive hours, -appears to me to be little short of madness. - -"Grey, my boy, quite happy to see ye! later than I expected; first bell -rings in five minutes. Sadler will show you your room. Your father, I -hope, quite well?" - -Such was the salutation of the Marquess; and Vivian accordingly retired -to arrange his toilet. - -The first bell rang, and the second bell rang, and Vivian was seated at -the dinner-table. He bowed to the Marchioness, and asked after her -poodle, and gazed with some little curiosity at the vacant chair -opposite him. - -"Mrs. Felix Lorraine, Mr. Vivian Grey," said the Marquess, as a lady -entered the room. - -Now, although we are of those historians who are of opinion that the -nature of the personages they celebrate should be developed rather by a -recital of their conduct than by a set character on their introduction, -it is, nevertheless, incumbent upon us to devote a few lines to the lady -who has just entered, which the reader will be so good as to get -through, while she is accepting an offer of some white soup; by this -means he will lose none of the conversation. - -The Honourable Felix Lorraine we have before described as a roué. After -having passed through a career with tolerable credit, which would have -blasted the character of any vulgar personage, Felix Lorraine ended by -pigeoning a young nobleman, whom, for that purpose, he had made his -intimate friend. The affair got wind; after due examination, was -proclaimed "too bad," and the guilty personage was visited with the -heaviest vengeance of modern society; he was expelled his club. By this -unfortunate exposure, Mr. Felix Lorraine was obliged to give in a match, -which was on the tapis, with the celebrated Miss Mexico, on whose -million he had determined to set up a character and a chariot, and at -the same time pension his mistress, and subscribe to the Society for the -Suppression of Vice. Felix left England for the Continent, and in due -time was made drum-major at Barbadoes, or fiscal at Ceylon, or something -of that kind. While he loitered in Europe, he made a conquest of the -heart of the daughter of some German baron, and after six weeks passed -in the most affectionate manner, the happy couple performing their -respective duties with perfect propriety, Felix left Germany for his -colonial appointment, and also left his lady behind him. - -Mr. Lorraine had duly and dutifully informed his family of his marriage; -and they, as amiably and affectionately, had never answered his letters, -which he never expected they would. Profiting by their example, he never -answered his wife's, who, in due time, to the horror of the Marquess, -landed in England, and claimed the protection of her "beloved husband's -family." The Marquess vowed he would never see her; the lady, however, -one morning gained admittance, and from that moment she had never -quitted her brother-in-law's roof, and not only had never quitted it, -but now made the greatest favour of her staying. - -The extraordinary influence which Mrs. Felix Lorraine possessed was -certainly not owing to her beauty, for the lady opposite Vivian Grey -had apparently no claims to admiration, on the score of her personal -qualifications. Her complexion was bad, and her features were -indifferent, and these characteristics were not rendered less -uninterestingly conspicuous by, what makes an otherwise ugly woman quite -the reverse, namely, a pair of expressive eyes; for certainly this -epithet could not be applied to those of Mrs. Felix Lorraine, which -gazed in all the vacancy of German listlessness. - -The lady did bow to Mr. Grey, and that was all; and then she negligently -spooned her soup, and then, after much parade, sent it away untouched. -Vivian was not under the necessity of paying any immediate courtesy to -his opposite neighbour, whose silence, he perceived, was for the nonce, -and consequently for him. But the day was hot, and Vivian had been -fatigued by his ride, and the Marquess' champagne was excellent; and so, -at last, the floodgates of his speech burst, and talk he did. He -complimented her Ladyship's poodle, quoted German to Mrs. Felix -Lorraine, and taught the Marquess to eat cabinet pudding with Curaçoâ -sauce (a custom which, by-the-bye, I recommend to all); and then his -stories, his scandal, and his sentiment; stories for the Marquess, -scandal for the Marchioness, and sentiment for the Marquess' sister! -That lady, who began to find out her man, had no mind to be longer -silent, and although a perfect mistress of the English language, began -to articulate a horrible patois, that she might not be mistaken for an -Englishwoman, an occurrence which she particularly dreaded. But now came -her punishment, for Vivian saw the effect which he had produced on Mrs. -Felix Lorraine, and that Mrs. Felix Lorraine now wished to produce a -corresponding effect upon him, and this he was determined she should not -do; so new stories followed, and new compliments ensued, and finally he -anticipated her sentences, and sometimes her thoughts. The lady sat -silent and admiring! At last the important meal was finished, and the -time came when good dull English dames retire; but of this habit Mrs. -Felix Lorraine did not approve, and although she had not yet prevailed -upon Lady Carabas to adopt her ideas on field-days, still, when alone, -the good-natured Marchioness had given in, and to save herself from -hearing the din of male voices at a time at which during her whole life -she had been unaccustomed to them, the Marchioness of Carabas dozed. Her -worthy spouse, who was prevented, by the presence of Mrs. Felix -Lorraine, from talking politics with Vivian, passed the bottle pretty -briskly, and then, conjecturing that "from the sunset we should have a -fine day to-morrow," fell back in his easy-chair, and snored. - -Mrs. Felix Lorraine looked at her noble relatives, and shrugged up her -shoulders with an air which baffleth all description. "Mr. Grey, I -congratulate you on this hospitable reception; you see we treat you -quite en famille. Come! 'tis a fine evening; you have seen as yet but -little of Château Desir: we may as well enjoy the fine air on -the terrace." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -"You must know, Mr. Grey, that this is my favourite walk, and I -therefore expect that it will be yours." - -"It cannot indeed fail to be such, the favourite as it alike is of -nature and Mrs. Felix Lorraine." - -"On my word, a very pretty sentence! And who taught you, young sir, to -bandy words so fairly?" - -"I never can open my mouth, except in the presence of a woman," observed -Vivian, with impudent mendacity; and he looked interesting and innocent. - -"Indeed! And what do you know about such wicked work as talking to -women?" and here Mrs. Felix Lorraine imitated Vivian's sentimental -voice. "Do you know," she continued, "I feel quite happy that you have -come down here; I begin to think that we shall be great friends." - -"Nothing appears to me more evident," said Vivian. - -"How delicious is friendship!" exclaimed Mrs. Felix Lorraine; -"delightful sentiment, that prevents life from being a curse! Have you a -friend, Mr. Vivian Grey?" - -"Before I answer that question, I should like to know what meaning Mrs. -Felix Lorraine attaches to that important monosyllable, friend." - -"Oh, you want a definition. I hate definitions; and of all the -definitions in the world, the one I have been most unfortunate in has -been a definition of friendship; I might say" (and here her voice sunk), -"I might say of all the sentiments in the world, friendship is the one -which has been must fatal to me; but I must not inoculate you with my -bad spirits, bad spirits are not for young blood like yours, leave them -to old persons like myself." - -"Old!" said Vivian, in a proper tone of surprise. - -"Old! ay old; how old do you think I am?" - -"You may have seen twenty summers," gallantly conjectured Vivian. - -The lady looked pleased, and almost insinuated that she had seen one or -two more. - -"A clever woman," thought Vivian, "but vain; I hardly know what to think -of her." - -"Mr. Grey, I fear you find me in bad spirits to-day; but alas! I--I have -cause. Although we see each other to-day for the first time, yet there -is something in your manner, something in the expression of your eyes, -that make me believe my happiness is not altogether a matter of -indifference to you." These words, uttered in one of the sweetest voices -by which ever human being was fascinated, were slowly and deliberately -spoken, as if it were intended that they should rest on the ear of the -object to whom they were addressed. - -"My dearest madam! it is impossible that I can have but one sentiment -with regard to you, that of--" - -"Of what, Mr. Grey?" - -"Of solicitude for your welfare." - -The lady gently took the arm of the young man, and then with an agitated -voice, and a troubled spirit, dwelt upon the unhappiness of her lot, and -the cruelty of her fortunes. Her husband's indifference was the -sorrowful theme of her lamentations; and she ended by asking Mr. Vivian -Grey's advice, as to the line of conduct which she should pursue with -regard to him; first duly informing Vivian that this was the only time -and he the only person to whom this subject had been ever mentioned. - -"And why should I mention it here, and to whom? The Marquess is the best -of men, but--" and here she looked up in Vivian's face, and spoke -volumes; "and the Marchioness is the most amiable of women: at least, I -suppose her lap-dog thinks so." - -The advice of Vivian was concise. He sent the husband to the devil in -two seconds, and insisted upon the wife's not thinking of him for -another moment; and then the lady dried her eyes, and promised to do -her best. - -"And now," said Mrs. Felix Lorraine, "I must talk about your own -affairs. I think your plan excellent." - -"Plan, madam!" - -"Yes, plan, sir! the Marquess has told me all. I have no head for -politics, Mr. Grey; but if I cannot assist you in managing the nation, I -perhaps may in managing the family, and my services are at your command. -Believe me, you will have enough to do: there, I pledge you my troth. Do -you think it a pretty hand?" - -Vivian did think it a very pretty hand, and he performed due courtesies -in a becoming style. - -"And now, good even to you," said the lady; "this little gate leads to -my apartments. You will have no difficulty in finding your way back." So -saying, she disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -The first week at Château Desir passed pleasantly enough. Vivian's -morning was amply occupied in maturing with the Marquess the grand -principles of the new political system: in weighing interests, in -balancing connections, and settling "what side was to be taken on the -great questions?" O politics, thou splendid juggle! The whole business, -although so magnificent in its result, appeared very easy to the two -counsellors, for it was one of the first principles of Mr. Vivian Grey, -that everything was possible. Men did fail in life to be sure, and after -all, very little was done by the generality; but still all these -failures, and all this inefficiency, might be traced to a want of -physical and mental courage. Some men were bold in their conceptions, -and splendid heads at a grand system, but then, when the day of battle -came, they turned out very cowards; while others, who had nerve enough -to stand the brunt of the hottest fire, were utterly ignorant of -military tactics, and fell before the destroyer, like the brave -untutored Indians before the civilised European. Now Vivian Grey was -conscious that there was at least one person in the world who was no -craven either in body or in mind, and so he had long come to the -comfortable conclusion, that it was impossible that his career could be -anything but the most brilliant. And truly, employed as he now was, with -a peer of the realm, in a solemn consultation on that realm's most -important interests, at a time when creatures of his age were moping in -Halls and Colleges, is it to be wondered at that he began to imagine -that his theory was borne out by experience and by fact? Not that it -must be supposed, even for a moment, that Vivian Grey was what the world -calls conceited. Oh no! he knew the measure of his own mind, and had -fathomed the depth of his powers with equal skill and impartiality; but -in the process he could not but feel that he could conceive much, and -dare do more. - -We said the first week at Château Desir passed pleasantly enough; and so -it did, for Vivian's soul revelled in the morning councils on his future -fortunes, with as much eager joy as a young courser tries the turf, -preliminary to running for the plate. And then, in the evening, were -moonlit walks with Mrs. Felix Lorraine! And then the lady abused England -so prettily, and initiated her companion, in all the secrets of German -Courts, and sang beautiful French songs, and told the legends of her -native land in such, an interesting, semi-serious tone, that Vivian -almost imagined, that she believed them; and then she would take him -beside the luminous lake in the park, and now it looked just like the -dark blue Rhine! and then she remembered Germany, and grew sad, and -abused her husband; and then she taught Vivian the guitar, and some -other fooleries besides. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -The second week of Vivian's visit had come round, and the flag waved -proudly on the proud tower of Château Desir, indicating to the admiring -county, that the most noble Sidney, Marquess of Carabas, held public -days twice a week at his grand castle. And now came the neighbouring -peer, full of grace and gravity, and the mellow baronet, with his hearty -laugh, and the jolly country squire, and the middling gentry, and the -jobbing country attorney, and the flourishing country surveyor; some -honouring by their presence, some who felt the obligation equal, and -others bending before the noble host, as if paying him adoration was -almost an equal pleasure with that of guzzling his venison pasties and -quaffing his bright wines. - -Independently of all these periodical visitors, the house was full of -permanent ones. There were the Viscount and Viscountess Courtown and -their three daughters, and Lord and Lady Beaconsfield and their three -sons, and Sir Berdmore and Lady Scrope, and Colonel Delmington of the -Guards, and Lady Louisa Manvers and her daughter Julia. Lady Louisa was -the only sister of the Marquess, a widow, proud and penniless. - -To all these distinguished personages Vivian was introduced by the -Marquess as "a monstrous clever young man, and his Lordship's most -particular friend," and then the noble Carabas left the game in his -young friend's hands. - -And right well Vivian did his duty. In a week's time it would have been -hard to decide with whom of the family of the Courtowns Vivian was the -greatest favourite. He rode with the Viscount, who was a good horseman, -and was driven by his Lady, who was a good whip; and when he had -sufficiently admired the tout ensemble of her Ladyship's pony phaeton, -he entrusted her, "in confidence," with some ideas of his own about -martingales, a subject which he assured her Ladyship "had been the -object of his mature consideration." The three honourable Misses were -the most difficult part of the business; but he talked sentiment with -the first, sketched with the second, and romped with the third. - -Ere the Beaconsfields could be jealous of the influence of the -Courtowns, Mr. Vivian Grey had promised his Lordship, who was a -collector of medals, an unique which had never yet been heard of; and -her Ladyship, who was a collector of autographs, the private letters of -every man of genius that ever had been heard of. In this division of the -Carabas guests he was not bored with a family; for sons he always made -it a rule to cut dead; they are the members of a family who, on an -average, are generally very uninfluential, for, on an average, they are -fools enough to think it very knowing to be very disagreeable. So the -wise man but little loves them, but woe to the fool who neglects the -daughters! - -Sir Berdmore Scrope Vivian found a more unmanageable personage; for the -baronet was confoundedly shrewd, and without a particle of sentiment in -his composition. It was a great thing, however, to gain him; for Sir -Berdmore was a leading country gentleman, and having quarrelled with -Ministers about the corn laws, had been counted disaffected ever since. -The baronet, however, although a bold man to the world, was luckily -henpecked; so Vivian made love to the wife and secured the husband. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -I think that Julia Manvers was really the most beautiful creature that -ever smiled in this fair world. Such a symmetrically formed shape, such -perfect features, such a radiant complexion, such luxuriant auburn hair, -and such blue eyes, lit up by a smile of such mind and meaning, have -seldom blessed the gaze of admiring man! Vivian Grey, fresh as he was, -was not exactly the creature to lose his heart very speedily. He looked -upon marriage as a comedy in which, sooner or later, he was, as a -well-paid actor, to play his part; and could it have advanced his views -one jot he would have married the Princess Caraboo to-morrow. But of all -wives in the world, a young and handsome one was that which he most -dreaded; and how a statesman who was wedded to a beautiful woman could -possibly perform his duties to the public, did most exceedingly puzzle -him. Notwithstanding these sentiments, however, Vivian began to think -that there really could be no harm in talking to so beautiful a creature -as Julia, and a little conversation with her would, he felt, be no -unpleasing relief to the difficult duties in which he was involved. - -To the astonishment of the Honourable Buckhurst Stanhope, eldest son of -Lord Beaconsfield, Mr. Vivian Grey, who had never yet condescended to -acknowledge his existence, asked him one morning, with the most -fascinating of smiles and with the most conciliating voice, "whether -they should ride together." The young heir-apparent looked stiff and -assented. He arrived again at Château Desir in a couple of hours, -desperately enamoured of the eldest Miss Courtown. The sacrifice of two -mornings to the Honourable Dormer Stanhope and the Honourable Gregory -Stanhope sent them home equally captivated by the remaining sisters. -Having thus, like a man of honour, provided for the amusement of his -former friends, the three Miss Courtowns, Vivian left Mrs. Felix -Lorraine to the Colonel, whose moustache, by-the-bye, that lady -considerably patronised; and then, having excited an universal feeling -of gallantry among the elders, Vivian found his whole day at the service -of Julia Manvers. - -"Miss Manvers, I think that you and I are the only faithful subjects in -this Castle of Indolence. Here am I lounging on an ottoman, my ambition -reaching only so far as the possession of a chibouque, whose aromatic -and circling wreaths, I candidly confess, I dare not here excite; and -you, of course, much too knowing to be doing anything on the first of -August save dreaming of races, archery feats, and county balls: the -three most delightful things which the country can boast, either for -man, woman, or child." - -"Of course, you except sporting for yourself, shooting especially, I -suppose." - -"Shooting, oh! ah! there is such a thing. No, I am no shot; not that I -have not hi my time cultivated a Manton; but the truth is, having, at an -early age, mistaken my intimate friend for a cock pheasant, I sent a -whole crowd of fours into his face, and thereby spoilt one of the -prettiest countenances in Christendom; so I gave up the field. Besides, -as Tom Moore says, I have so much to do in the country, that, for my -part, I really have no time for killing birds and jumping over ditches: -good work enough for country squires, who must, like all others, have -their hours of excitement. Mine are of a different nature, and boast a -different locality; and so when I come into the country, 'tis for -pleasant air, and beautiful trees, and winding streams; things which, of -course, those who live among them all the year round do not suspect to -be lovely and adorable creations. Don't you agree with Tom Moore, -Miss Manvers?" - -"Oh, of course! but I think it is very improper, that habit, which every -one has, of calling a man of such eminence as the author of 'Lalla -Rookh' _Tom_ Moore." - -"I wish he could but hear you! But, suppose I were to quote Mr. Moore, -or Mr. Thomas Moore, would you have the most distant conception whom I -meant? Certainly not. By-the-bye, did you ever hear the pretty name they -gave him at Paris?" - -"No, what was it?" - -"One day Moore and Rogers went to call on Denon. Rogers gave their names -to the Swiss, Monsieur Rogers et Monsieur Moore. The Swiss dashed open -the library door, and, to the great surprise of the illustrious -antiquary, announced, Monsieur l'Amour! While Denon was doubting whether -the God of Love was really paying him a visit or not, Rogers entered. I -should like to have seen Denon's face!" - -"And Monsieur Denon did take a portrait of Mr. Rogers as Cupid, I -believe?" - -"Come, madam, 'no scandal about Queen Elizabeth.' Mr. Rogers is one of -the most elegant-minded men in the country." - -"Nay! do not lecture me with such a laughing face, or else your moral -will be utterly thrown away." - -"Ah! you have Retsch's 'Faust' there. I did not expect on a drawing-room -table at Château Desir to see anything so old, and so excellent, I -thought the third edition of Tremaine would be a very fair specimen of -your ancient literature, and Major Denham's hair-breadth escapes of your -modern. There was an excellent story about, on the return of Denham and -Clapperton. The travellers took different routes, in order to arrive at -the same point of destination. In his wanderings the Major came unto an -unheard-of Lake, which, with the spirit which they of the Guards surely -approved, he christened 'Lake Waterloo.' Clapperton arrived a few days -after him; and the pool was immediately re-baptized 'Lake Trafalgar.' -There was a hot quarrel in consequence. Now, if I had been there, I -would have arranged matters, by proposing as a title, to meet the views -of all parties, 'The United Service Lake.'" - -"That would have been happy." - -"How beautiful Margaret is," said Vivian, rising from his ottoman, and -seating himself on the sofa by the lady. "I always think that this is -the only Personification where Art has not rendered Innocence insipid." - -"Do you think so?" - -"Why, take Una in the Wilderness, or Goody Two Shoes. These, I believe, -were the most innocent persons that ever existed, and I am sure you will -agree with me, they always look the most insipid. Nay, perhaps I was -wrong in what I said; perhaps it is Insipidity that always looks -innocent, not Innocence always insipid." - -"How can you refine so, when the thermometer is at 100°! Pray, tell me -some more stories." - -"I cannot, I am in a refining humour: I could almost lecture to-day at -the Royal Institution. You would not call these exactly Prosopopeias of -Innocence?" said Vivian, turning over a bundle of Stewart Newton's -beauties, languishing, and lithographed. "Newton, I suppose, like Lady -Wortley Montague, is of opinion, that the face is not the most beautiful -part of woman; at least, if I am to judge from these elaborate ankles. -Now, the countenance of this Donna, forsooth, has a drowsy placidity -worthy of the easy-chair she is lolling in, and yet her ankle would not -disgrace the contorted frame of the most pious faquir." - -"Well! I am an admirer of Newton's paintings." - -"Oh! so am I. He is certainly a cleverish fellow, but rather too much -among the blues; a set, of whom, I would venture to say, Miss Manvers -knoweth little about." - -"Oh, not the least! Mamma does not visit that way. What are they?" - -"Oh, very powerful people! though 'Mamma does not visit that way.' Their -words are Ukases as far as Curzon Street, and very Decretals in the -general vicinity of May Fair; but you shall have a further description -another time. How those rooks bore! I hate staying with ancient -families; you are always cawed to death. If ever you write a novel, Miss -Manvers, mind you have a rookery in it. Since Tremaine, and Washington -Irving, nothing will go down without." - -"By-the-bye, who is the author of Tremaine?" - -"It is either Mr. Ryder, or Mr. Spencer Percival, or Mr. Dyson, or Miss -Dyson, or Mr. Bowles, or the Duke of Buckingham, or Mr. Ward, or a young -officer in the Guards, or an old Clergyman in the North of England, or a -middle-aged Barrister on the Midland Circuit." - -"Mr. Grey, I wish you could get me an autograph of Mr. Washington -Irving; I want it for a particular friend." - -"Give me a pen and ink; I will write you one immediately." - -"Ridiculous!" - -"There! now you have made me blot Faustus." - -At this moment the room-door suddenly opened, and as suddenly shut. - -"Who was that?" - -"Mephistopheles, or Mrs. Felix Lorraine; one or the other, perhaps -both." - -"What!" - -"What do you think of Mrs. Felix Lorraine, Miss Manvers?" - -"Oh! I think her a very amusing woman, a very clever woman a -very--but--" - -"But what?" - -"But I cannot exactly make her out." - -"Nor I; she is a dark riddle; and, although I am a very Oedipus, I -confess I have not yet unravelled it. Come, there is Washington Irving's -autograph for you; read it; is it not quite in character? Shall I write -any more? One of Sir Walter's, or Mr. Southey's, or Mr. Milman's or Mr. -Disraeli's? or shall I sprawl a Byron?" - -"I really cannot sanction such unprincipled conduct. You may make me one -of Sir Walter's, however." - -"Poor Washington!" said Vivian, writing. "I knew him well. Be always -slept at dinner. One day, as he was dining at: Mr. Hallam's, they took -him, when asleep, to Lady Jersey's: and, to see the Sieur Geoffrey, they -say, when he opened his eyes in the illumined saloons, was really quite -admirable! quite an Arabian tale!" - -"How delightful! I should have so liked to have seen him! He seems quite -forgotten now in England. How came we to talk of him?" - -"Forgotten! Oh! he spoilt his elegant talents in writing German and -Italian twaddle with all the rawness of a Yankee. He ought never to have -left America, at least in literature; there was an uncontested and -glorious field for him. He should have been managing director of the -Hudson Bay Company, and lived all his life among the beavers." - -"I think there is nothing more pleasant than talking over the season, in -the country, in August." - -"Nothing more agreeable. It was dull though, last season, very dull; I -think the game cannot be kept going another year. If it were not for the -General Election, we really must have a war for variety's sake. Peace -gets quite a bore. Everybody you dine with has a good cook, and gives -you a dozen different wines, all perfect. We cannot bear this any -longer; all the lights and shadows of life are lost. The only good thing -I heard this year was an ancient gentlewoman going up to Gunter and -asking him for 'the receipt for that white stuff,' pointing to his Roman -punch. I, who am a great man for receipts, gave it her immediately: 'One -hod of mortar to one bottle of Noyau.'" - -"And did she thank you?" - -"Thank me! ay, truly; and pushed a card into my hand, so thick and sharp -that it cut through my glove. I wore my arm in a sling for a month -afterwards," - -"And what was the card?" - -"Oh, you need not look so arch. The old lady was not even a faithless -duenna. It was an invitation to an assembly, or something of the kind, -at a place, somewhere, as Theodore Hook or Mr. Croker would say, -'between Mesopotamia and Russell Square.'" - -"Pray, Mr. Grey, is it true that all the houses in Russell Square are -tenantless?" - -"Quite true; the Marquess of Tavistock has given up the county in -consequence. A perfect shame, is it not? Let us write it up." - -"An admirable plan! but we will take the houses first, at a pepper-corn -rent." - -"What a pity, Miss Manvers, the fashion has gone out of selling oneself -to the devil." - -"Good gracious, Mr. Grey!" - -"On my honour, I am quite serious. It does appear to me to be a very -great pity. What a capital plan for younger brothers! It is a kind of -thing I have been trying to do all my life, and never could succeed. I -began at school with toasted cheese and a pitchfork; and since then I -have invoked, with all the eloquence of Goethe, the evil one in the -solitude of the Hartz, but without success. I think I should make an -excellent bargain with him: of course I do not mean that ugly vulgar -savage with a fiery tail. Oh, no! Satan himself for me, a perfect -gentleman! Or Belial: Belial would be the most delightful. He is the -fine genius of the Inferno, I imagine, the Beranger of Pandemonium." - -"I really cannot listen to such nonsense one moment longer. What would -you have if Belial were here?" - -"Let us see. Now, you shall act the spirit, and I, Vivian Grey. I wish -we had a short-hand writer here to take down the Incantation Scene. We -would send it to Arnold. Commençons: Spirit! I will have a fair castle." - -The lady bowed. - -"I will have a palace in town." - -The lady bowed. - -"I will have a fair wife. Why, Miss Manvers, you forget to bow!" - -"I really beg your pardon!" - -"Come, this is a novel way of making an offer, and, I hope, a successful -one." - -"Julia, my dear," cried a voice in the veranda, "Julia, my dear, I want -you to walk with me." - -"Say you are engaged with the Marchioness," whispered Vivian, with a low -but distinct--voice; his eyes fixed on the table, and his lips not -appearing to move. - -"Mamma, I am--" - -"I want you immediately and particularly, Julia," cried Lady Louisa, in -an earnest voice. - -"I am coming, I am coming. You see I must go." - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -"Confusion on that old hag! Her eye looked evil on me, at the very -moment! Although a pretty wife is really the destruction of a young -man's prospects, still, in the present case, the niece of my friend, my -patron, high family, perfectly unexceptionable, &c. &c. &c. Such blue -eyes! upon my honour, this must be an exception to the general rule," -Here a light step attracted his attention, and, on turning round, he -found Mrs. Felix Lorraine at his elbow. - -"Oh! you are here, Mr. Grey, acting the solitaire in the park! I want -your opinion about a passage in 'Herman and Dorothea.'" - -"My opinion is always at your service; but if the passage is not -perfectly clear to Mrs. Felix Lorraine, it will be perfectly obscure, I -am convinced, to me." - -"Ah! yes, of course. Oh, dear! after all my trouble, I have forgotten my -book. How mortifying! Well, I will show it to you after dinner: adieu! -and, by-the-bye, Mr. Grey, as I am here, I may as well advise you not to -spoil all the Marquess's timber, by carving a certain person's name on -his park trees. I think your plans in that quarter are admirable. I have -been walking with Lady Louisa the whole morning, and you cannot think -how I puffed you! Courage, Cavalier, and we shall soon be connected, not -only in friendship, but in blood." - -The next morning, at breakfast, Vivian was surprised to find that the -Manvers party was suddenly about to leave the Castle. All were -disconsolate at their departure: for there was to be a grand -entertainment at Château Desir that very day, but particularly Mrs. -Felix Lorraine and Mr. Vivian Grey. The sudden departure was accounted -for by the arrival of "unexpected," &c. &c. &c. There was no hope; the -green post-chariot was at the door, a feeble promise of a speedy return; -Julia's eyes were filled with tears. Vivian was springing forward to -press her hand, and bear her to the carriage, when Mrs. Felix Lorraine -seized his arm, vowed she was going to faint, and, ere she could recover -herself, or loosen her grasp, the Manvers were gone. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - -The gloom which the parting had diffused over all countenances was quite -dispelled when the Marquess entered. - -"Lady Carabas," said he, "you must prepare for many visitors to-day. -There are the Amershams, and Lord Alhambra, and Ernest Clay, and twenty -other young heroes, who, duly informed that the Miss Courtowns were -honouring us with their presence, are pouring in from all quarters; is -it not so, Juliana?" gallantly asked the Marquess of Miss Courtown: "but -who do you think is coming besides?" - -"Who, who?" exclaimed all. - -"Nay, you shall guess," said the Peer. - -"The Duke of Waterloo?" guessed Cynthia Courtown, the romp. - -"Prince Hungary?" asked her sister Laura. - -"Is it a gentleman?" asked Mrs. Felix Lorraine. - -"No, no, you are all wrong, and all very stupid. It is Mrs. Million." - -"Oh, how delightful!" said Cynthia. - -"Oh, how annoying!" said the Marchioness. - -"You need not look so agitated, my love," said the Marquess; "I have -written to Mrs. Million to say that we shall be most happy to see her; -but as the castle is very full, she must not come with five -carriages-and-four, as she did last year." - -"And will Mrs. Million dine with us in the Hall, Marquess?" asked -Cynthia Courtown. - -"Mrs. Million will do what she likes; I only know that I shall dine in -the Hall, whatever happens, and whoever comes; and so, I suppose, will -Miss Cynthia Courtown?" - -Vivian rode out alone, immediately after breakfast, to cure his -melancholy by a gallop. - -Returning home, he intended to look in at a pretty farm-house, where -lived one John Conyers, a great friend of Vivian's. This man had, about -a fortnight ago, been of essential service to our hero, when a vicious -horse, which he was endeavouring to cure of some ugly tricks, had nearly -terminated his mortal career. - -"Why are you crying so, my boy?" asked Vivian of a little Conyers, who -was sobbing bitterly at the floor. He was answered only with -desperate sobs. - -"Oh, 'tis your honour," said a decent-looking woman, who came out of the -house; "I thought they had come back again." - -"Come back again! why, what is the matter, dame?" - -"Oh! your honour, we're in sad distress; there's been a seizure this -morning, and I'm mortal fear'd the good man's beside himself." - -"Good heavens! why did not you come to the Castle?" - -"Oh! your honour, we a'nt his Lordship's tenants no longer; there's been -a change for Purley Mill, and now we're Lord Mounteney's people. John -Conyers has been behind-hand since he had the fever, but Mr. Sedgwick -always gave time: Lord Mounteney's gem'man says the system's bad, and so -he'll put an end to it; and so all's gone, your honour; all's gone, and -I'm mortal fear'd the good man's beside himself." - -"And who is Lord Mounteney's man of business?" - -"Mr. Stapylton Toad," sobbed the good dame. - -"Here, boy, leave off crying, and hold my horse; keep your hold tight, -but give him rein, he'll be quiet enough then. I will see honest -John, dame." - -"I'm sure your honour's very kind, but I'm mortal fear'd the good man's -beside himself, and he's apt to do very violent things when the fits on -him. He hasn't been so bad since young Barton behaved so wickedly to -his sister." - -"Never mind! there is nothing like a friend's face in the hour of -sorrow." - -"I wouldn't advise your honour," said the good dame. "It's an awful hour -when the fit's on him; he knows not friend or foe, and scarcely knows -me, your honour." - -"Never mind, I'll see him." - -Vivian entered the house; but who shall describe the scene of -desolation! The room was entirely stripped; there was nothing left, save -the bare whitewashed walls, and the red tiled flooring. The room was -darkened; and seated on an old block of wood, which had been pulled out -of the orchard, since the bailiff had left, was John Conyers. The fire -was out, but his feet were still among the ashes. His head was buried in -his hands, and bowed down nearly to his knees. The eldest girl, a fine -sensible child of about thirteen, was sitting with two brothers on the -floor in a corner of the room, motionless, their faces grave, and still -as death, but tearless. Three young children, of an age too tender to -know grief, were acting unmeaning gambols near the door. - -"Oh! pray beware, your honour," earnestly whispered the poor dame, as -she entered the cottage with the visitor. - -Vivian walked up with a silent step to the end of "the room, where -Conyers was sitting. He remembered this little room, when he thought it -the very model of the abode of an English husbandman. The neat row of -plates, and the well-scoured utensils, and the fine old Dutch clock, and -the ancient and amusing ballad, purchased at some neighbouring fair, or -of some itinerant bibliopole, and pinned against the wall, all gone! - -"Conyers!" exclaimed Vivian. - -There was no answer, nor did the miserable man appear in the slightest -degree to be sensible of Vivian's presence. - -"My good John!" - -The man raised his head from his resting-place, and turned to the spot -whence the voice proceeded. There was such an unnatural fire in his -eyes, that Vivian's spirit almost quailed. His alarm was not decreased, -when he perceived that the master of the cottage did not recognize him. -The fearful stare was, however, short, and again the sufferer's face -was hid. - -The wife was advancing, but Vivian waved his hand to her to withdraw, -and she accordingly fell into the background; but her fixed eye did not -leave her husband for a second. - -"John Conyers, it is your friend, Mr. Vivian Grey, who is here," said -Vivian. - -"Grey!" moaned the husbandman; "Grey! who is he?" - -"Your friend, John Conyers. Do you quite forget me?" said Vivian -advancing, and with a tone "which Vivian Grey could alone assume. - -"I think I have seen you, and you were kind," and the face was again -hid. - -"And always will be kind, John. I have come to comfort you. I thought -that a friend's voice would do you good. Come, cheer up, my man!" and -Vivian dared to touch him. His hand was not repulsed. "Do you remember -what good service you did me when I rode white-footed Moll? Why, I was -much worse off then than you are now: and yet, you see, a friend came -and saved me. You must not give way so, my good fellow. After all, a -little management will set everything right," and he took the -husbandman's sturdy hand. - -"I do remember you," he faintly cried. "You were always very kind." - -"And always will be, John; always to friends like you. Come, come, cheer -up and look about you, and let the sunbeam enter your cottage:" and -Vivian beckoned to the wife to open the closed shutter. - -Conyers stared around him, but his eye rested only on bare walls, and -the big tear coursed down his hardy cheek. - -"Nay, never mind, man," said Vivian, "we will soon have chairs and -tables again. And as for the rent, think no more about that at present." - -The husbandman looked up, and then burst into weeping. Vivian could -scarcely hold down his convulsed frame on the rugged seat; but the wife -advanced from the back of the room, and her husband's head rested -against her bosom. Vivian held his honest hand, and the eldest girl rose -unbidden from her silent sorrow, and clung to her father's knee. - -"The fit is over," whispered the wife. "There, there, there's a man, all -is now well;" and Vivian left him resting on his wife's bosom. - -"Here, you curly-headed rascal, scamper down to the village immediately, -and bring up a basket of something to eat; and tell Morgan Price that -Mr. Grey says he is to send up a couple of beds, and some chairs here -immediately, and some plates and dishes, and everything else, and don't -forget some ale;" so saying, Vivian flung the urchin a sovereign. - -"And now, dame, for Heaven's sake, light the fire. As for the rent, -John, do not waste this trifle on that," whispered Vivian, slipping his -purse into his hand, "for I will see Stapylton Toad, and get time. Why, -woman, you'll never strike a light, if your tears drop so fast into the -tinder-box. Here, give it me. You are not fit to work to-day. And how is -the trout in Ravely Mead, John, this hot weather? You know you never -kept your promise with me. Oh! you are a sad fellow! There! there's a -spark! I wonder why old Toad did not take the tinder-box. It is a very -valuable piece of property, at least to us. Run and get me some wood, -that's a good boy. And so white-footed Moll is past all recovery? Well, -she was a pretty creature! There, that will do famously," said Vivian, -fanning the flame with his hat. "See, it mounts well! And now, God bless -you all! for I am an hour too late, and must scamper for my very life." - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - -Mrs. Million arrived, and kept her promise; only three -carriages-and-four! Out of the first descended the mighty lady herself, -with some noble friends, who formed the most distinguished part of her -suite: out of the second came her physician, Dr. Sly; her toad-eater, -Miss Gusset; her secretary, and her page. The third carriage bore her -groom of the chambers, and three female attendants. There were only two -men servants to each equipage; nothing could be more moderate, or, as -Miss Gusser said, "in better taste." - -Mrs. Million, after having granted the Marquess a private interview in -her private apartments, signified her imperial intention of dining in -public, which, as she had arrived late, she trusted she might do in her -travelling dress. The Marquess kotooed like a first-rate mandarin, and -vowed "that her will was his conduct." - -The whole suite of apartments were thrown open, and were crowded with -guests. Mrs. Million entered; she was leaning on the Marquess' arm, and -in a travelling dress, namely, a crimson silk pelisse, hat and feathers, -with diamond ear-rings, and a rope of gold round her neck. A train of -about twelve persons, consisting of her noble fellow-travellers, -toad-eaters, physicians, secretaries, &c. &c. &c. followed. The entree -of Her Majesty could not have created a greater sensation than did that -of Mrs. Million. All fell back. Gartered peers, and starred ambassadors, -and baronets with blood older than the creation, and squires, to the -antiquity of whose veins chaos was a novelty; all retreated, with eyes -that scarcely dared to leave the ground; even Sir Plantagenet Pure, -whose family had refused a peerage regularly every century, now, for the -first time in his life, seemed cowed, and in an awkward retreat to make -way for the approaching presence, got entangled with the Mameluke boots -of my Lord Alhambra. - -At last a sofa was gained, and the great lady was seated, and the -sensation having somewhat subsided, conversation was resumed; and the -mighty Mrs. Million was not slightly abused, particularly by those who -had bowed lowest at her entree; and now the Marquess of Carabas, as was -wittily observed by Mr. Septimus Sessions, a pert young barrister, "went -the circuit," that is to say, made the grand tour of the suite of -apartments, making remarks to every one of his guests, and keeping up -his influence in the county. - -"Ah, my Lord Alhambra! this is too kind; and how is your excellent -father, and my good friend? Sir Plantagenet, yours most sincerely! we -shall have no difficulty about that right of common. Mr. Leverton, I -hope you find the new plough work well; your son, sir, will do the -county honour. Sir Godfrey, I saw Barton upon that point, as I promised. -Lady Julia, I am rejoiced to see ye at Château Desir, more blooming than -ever! Good Mr. Stapylton Toad, so that little change was effected: My -Lord Devildrain, this is a pleasure indeed!" - -"Why, Ernest Clay," said Mr. Buckhurst Stanhope, "I thought Alhambra -wore a turban; I am quite disappointed." - -"Not in the country. Stanhope; here he only sits cross-legged on an -ottoman, and carves his venison with an ataghan." - -"Well, I am glad he does not wear a turban; that would be bad taste, I -think," said Fool Stanhope. "Have you read his poem?" - -"A little. He sent me a copy, and as I am in the habit of lighting my -pipe or so occasionally with a leaf, why I cannot help occasionally -seeing a line: it seems quite first-rate." - -"Indeed!" said Fool Stanhope; "I must get it." - -"My dear Puff! I am quite glad to find you here," said Mr. Cayenne, a -celebrated reviewer, to Mr. Partenopex Puff, a small author and smaller -wit. "Have you seen Middle Ages lately?" - -"Not very lately," drawled Mr. Partenopex, "I breakfasted with him -before I left town, and met a Professor Bopp there, a very interesting -man, and Principal of the celebrated University of Heligoland, the model -of the London." - -"Ah, indeed! talking of the London, is Foaming Fudge to come in for -Cloudland?" - -"Doubtless! Oh! he is a prodigious fellow! What do you think Booby -says? He says that Foaming Fudge can do more than any man in Great -Britain; that he had one day to plead in the King's Bench, spout at a -tavern, speak in the House, and fight a duel; and that he found time for -everything but the last." - -"Excellent!" laughed Mr. Cayenne. - -Mr. Partenopex Puff was reputed, in a certain set, a sayer of good -things, but he was a modest wit, and generally fathered his bon mots on -his valet Booby, his monkey, or his parrot. - -"I saw you in the last number," said Cayenne. "From the quotations from -your own works, I imagine the review of your own book was by yourself?" - -"What do you think Booby said?" - -"Mr. Puff, allow me to introduce you to Lord Alhambra," said Ernest -Clay, by which means Mr. Puff's servant's last good thing was lost. - -"Mr. Clay, are you an archer?" asked Cynthia Courtown. - -"No, fair Dian; but I can act Endymion." - -"I don't know what you mean. Go away." - -"Aubrey Vere, welcome to ----shire. Have you seen Prima Donna?" - -"No; is he here? How did you like his last song in the Age?" - -"His last song! Pooh! pooh! he only supplies the scandal." - -"Groves," said Sir Hanway Etherington, "have you seen the newspaper this -morning? Baron Crupper has tried fifteen men for horse-stealing at York, -and acquitted every one." - -"Well then, Sir Hanway, I think his Lordship's remarkable wrong; for -when a man gets a horse to suit him, if he loses it, 'tisn't so easy to -suit himself again. That's the ground I stand upon." - -All this time the Marquess of Carabas had wanted Vivian Grey twenty -times, but that gentleman had not appeared. The important moment -arrived, and his Lordship offered his arm to Mrs. Million, who, as the -Gotha Almanack says, "takes precedence of all Archduchesses, Grand -Duchesses, Duchesses, Princesses, Landgravines, Margravines, -Palsgravines, &c. &c. &c." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - - -In their passage to the Hall, the Marquess and Mrs. Million met Vivian -Grey, booted and spurred, and covered with mud. - -"Oh! Mrs. Million--Mr. Vivian Grey. How is this, my dear fellow? you -will be too late." - -"Immense honour!" said Vivian, bowing to the ground to the lady. "Oh! my -Lord I was late, and made a short cut over Fearnley Bog. It has proved a -very Moscow expedition. However, I am keeping you. I shall be in time -for the guava and liqueurs, and you know that is the only refreshment I -ever take." - -"Who is that, Marquess?" asked Mrs. Million. - -"That is Mr. Vivian Grey, the most monstrous clever young man, and -nicest fellow I know." - -"He does, indeed, seem, a very nice young man," said Mrs. Million. - -Some steam process should be invented for arranging guests when they are -above five hundred. In the present instance all went wrong when they -entered the Hall; but, at last, the arrangements, which, of course, were -of the simplest nature, were comprehended, and the guests were seated. -There were three tables, each stretching down the Hall; the dais was -occupied by a military band. The number of guests, the contrast between -the antique chamber and their modern costumes, the music, the various -liveried menials, all combined to produce a whole, which at the same -time was very striking, and "in remarkable good taste." - -In process of time, Mr. Vivian Grey made his entrance. There were a few -vacant seats at the bottom of the table, "luckily for him," as kindly -remarked Mr. Grumbleton. To the astonishment and indignation, however, -of this worthy squire, the late comer passed by the unoccupied position, -and proceeded onward with undaunted coolness, until he came to about the -middle of the middle table, and which was nearly the best situation -in the Hall. - -"Beautiful Cynthia," said Vivian Grey, softly and sweetly whispering in -Miss Courtown's ear, "I am sure you will give up your place to me; you -have nerve enough, you know, for anything, and would no more care for -standing out than I for sitting in." There is nothing like giving a -romp credit for a little boldness. To keep up her character she will -out-herod Herod. - -"Oh! Grey, is it you? certainly, you shall have my place immediately; -but I am not sure that we cannot make room for you. Dormer Stanhope, -room must be made for Grey, or I shall leave the table immediately. You -men!" said the hoyden, turning round to a set of surrounding servants, -"push this form down and put a chair between." - -The men obeyed. All who sat lower in the table on Miss Cynthia -Courtown's side than that lady, were suddenly propelled downwards about -the distance of two feet. Dr. Sly, who was flourishing a carving-knife -and fork, preparatory to dissecting a gorgeous haunch, had these fearful -instruments suddenly precipitated into a trifle, from whose sugared -trellis-work he found great difficulty in extricating them; while Miss -Gusset, who was on the point of cooling herself with some exquisite iced -jelly, found her frigid portion as suddenly transformed into a plate of -peculiarly ardent curry, the property, but a moment before, of old -Colonel Rangoon. Everything, however, receives a civil reception from a -toad-eater, so Miss Gusset burnt herself to death by devouring a -composition, which would have reduced anyone to ashes who had not fought -against Bundoolah. - -"Now that is what I call a sensible arrangement; what could go off -better?" said Vivian. - -"You may think so, sir," said Mr. Boreall, a sharp-nosed and -conceited-looking man, who, having got among a set whom he did not the -least understand, was determined to take up Dr. Sly's quarrel, merely -for the sake of conversation. "You, I say, sir, may think it so, but I -rather imagine that the ladies and gentlemen lower down can hardly think -it a sensible arrangement;" and here Boreall looked as if he had done -his duty, in giving a young man a proper reproof. - -Vivian glanced a look of annihilation. "I had reckoned upon two deaths, -sir, when I entered the Hall, and finding, as I do, that the whole -business has apparently gone off without any fatal accident, why, I -think the circumstances bear me out in my expression." - -Mr. Boreall was one of those unfortunate men who always take things to -the letter: he consequently looked amazed, and exclaimed, "Two -deaths, sir?" - -"Yes, sir, two deaths; I reckoned, of course, on some corpulent parent -being crushed to death in the scuffle, and then I should have had to -shoot his son through the head for his filial satisfaction. Dormer -Stanhope, I never thanked you for exerting yourself: send me that -fricandeau you have just helped yourself to." - -Dormer, who was, as Vivian well knew, something of an epicure, looked -rather annoyed, but by this time he was accustomed to Vivian Grey, and -sent him the portion he had intended for himself. Could epicure do more? - -"Whom are we among, bright Cynthia?" asked Vivian. - -"Oh! an odd set," said the lady, looking dignified; "but you know we can -be exclusive." - -"Exclusive! pooh! trash! Talk to everybody; it looks as if you were -going to stand for the county. Have we any of the millionaires near us?" - -"The Doctor and Toady are lower down." - -"Where is Mrs. Felix Lorraine?" - -"At the opposite table, with Ernest Clay." - -"Oh! there is Alhambra, next to Dormer Stanhope. Lord Alhambra, I am -quite rejoiced to see you." - -"Ah! Mr. Grey, I am quite rejoiced to see you. How is your father?" - -"Extremely well; he is at Paris; I heard from him yesterday. Do you ever -see the Weimar Literary Gazette, my Lord?" - -"No; why?" - -"There is an admirable review of your poem in the last number I have -received." - -The young nobleman looked agitated. "I think, by the style," continued -Vivian, "that it is by Goëthe. It is really delightful to see the oldest -poet in Europe dilating on the brilliancy of a new star on the -poetical horizon." - -This was uttered with a perfectly grave voice, and now the young -nobleman blushed. "Who is _Gewter_?" asked Mr. Boreall, who possessed -such a thirst for knowledge that he never allowed an opportunity to -escape him of displaying his ignorance. - -"A celebrated German writer," lisped the modest Miss Macdonald. - -"I never heard his name," persevered the indefatigable Boreall; "how do -you spell it?" - -"GOETHE," re-lisped modesty. - -"Oh! _Goty_!" exclaimed the querist. "I know him well: he wrote the -Sorrows of Werter." - -"Did he indeed, sir?" asked Vivian, with the most innocent and inquiring -face. - -"Oh! don't you know that?" said Boreall, "and poor stuff it is!" - -"Lord Alhambra! I will take a glass of Johannisberg with you, if the -Marquess' wines are in the state they should be: - - The Crescent warriors sipped their sherbet spiced, - For Christian men the various wines were _iced_. - -I always think that those are two of the best lines in your Lordship's -poem," said Vivian. - -His Lordship did not exactly remember them: it would have been a wonder -if he had: but he thought Vivian Grey the most delightful fellow he ever -met, and determined to ask him to Helicon Castle for the -Christmas holidays. - -"Flat! flat!" said Vivian, as he dwelt upon the flavour of the Rhine's -glory. "Not exactly from the favourite bin of Prince Metternich, I -think. By-the-bye, Dormer Stanhope, you have a taste that way; I will -tell you two secrets, which never forget: decant your Johannisberg, and -ice your Maraschino. Ay, do not stare, my dear Gastronome, but do it." - -"O, Vivian! why did not you come and speak to me?" exclaimed a lady who -was sitting at the side opposite Vivian, but higher in the table. - -"Ah! adorable Lady Julia! and so you were done on the grey filly." - -"Done!" said the sporting beauty with pouting lips; "but it is a long -story, and I will tell it you another time." - -"Ah! do. How is Sir Peter?" - -"Oh! he has had a fit or two, since you saw him last." - -"Poor old gentleman! let us drink his health. Do you know Lady Julia -Knighton?" asked Vivian of his neighbour. "This Hall is bearable to dine -in; but I once breakfasted here, and I never shall forget the ludicrous -effect produced by the sun through the oriel window. Such complexions! -Every one looked like a prize-fighter ten days after a battle. After -all, painted glass is a bore; I wish the Marquess would have it knocked -out, and have it plated." - -"Knock out the painted glass!" said Mr. Boreall; "well, I must confess, -I cannot agree with you." - -"I should have been extremely surprised if you could. If you do not -insult that man, Miss Courtown, in ten minutes I shall be no more. I -have already a nervous fever." - -"May I have the honour of taking a glass of champagne with you, Mr. -Grey?" said Boreall. - -"Mr. Grey, indeed!" muttered Vivian: "Sir, I never drink anything but -brandy." - -"Allow me to give _you_ some champagne, Miss," resumed Boreall, as he -attacked the modest Miss Macdonald: "champagne, you know," continued he, -with a smile of agonising courtesy, "is quite the lady's wine." - -"Cynthia Courtown," whispered Vivian with a sepulchral voice, "'tis all -over with me: I have been thinking what would come next. This is too -much: I am already dead. Have Boreall arrested; the chain of -circumstantial evidence is very strong." - -"Baker!" said Vivian, turning to a servant, "go and inquire if Mr. -Stapylton Toad dines at the Castle to-day." - -A flourish of trumpets announced the rise of the Marchioness of Carabas, -and in a few minutes the most ornamental portion of the guests had -disappeared. The gentlemen made a general "move up," and Vivian found -himself opposite his friend, Mr. Hargrave. - -"Ah! Mr. Hargrave, how d'ye do? What do you think of the Secretary's -state paper?" - -"A magnificent composition, and quite unanswerable. I was just speaking -of it to my friend here, Mr. Metternich Scribe. Allow me to introduce -you to Mr. Metternich Scribe." - -"Mr. Metternich Scribe, Mr. Vivian Grey!" and here Mr. Hargrave -introduced Vivian to an effeminate-looking, perfumed young man, with a -handsome, unmeaning face and very white hands; in short, as dapper a -little diplomatist as ever tattled about the Congress of Verona, smirked -at Lady Almack's supper after the Opera, or vowed "that Richmond Terrace -was a most convenient situation for official men." - -"We have had it with us some time before the public received it," said -the future under-secretary, with a look at once condescending and -conceited. - -"Have you?" said Vivian: "well, it does your office credit. It is a -singular thing that Canning and Croker are the only official men who can -write grammar." - -The dismayed young gentleman of the Foreign Office was about to mince a -repartee, when Vivian left his seat, for he had a great deal of business -to transact. "Mr. Leverton," said he, accosting a flourishing grazier, -"I have received a letter from my friend, M. De Noé. He is desirous of -purchasing some Leicestershires for his estate in Burgundy. Pray, may I -take the liberty of introducing his agent to you?" - -Mr. Leverton was delighted. - -"I also wanted to see you about some other little business. Let me see, -what was it? Never mind, I will take my wine here, if you can make room -for me; I shall remember it, I dare say, soon. Oh! by-the-bye: ah! that -was it. Stapylton Toad; Mr. Stapylton Toad; I want to know all about Mr. -Stapylton Toad. I dare say you can tell me. A friend of mine intends to -consult him on some parliamentary business, and he wishes to know -something about him before he calls." - -We will condense, for the benefit of the reader, the information of Mr. -Leverton. - -Stapylton Toad had not the honour of being acquainted with his father's -name; but as the son found himself, at an early age, apprenticed to a -solicitor of eminence, he was of opinion that his parent must have been -respectable. Respectable! mysterious word! Stapylton was a diligent and -faithful clerk, but was not so fortunate in his apprenticeship as the -celebrated Whittington, for his master had no daughter and many sons; in -consequence of which, Stapylton, not being able to become his master's -partner, became his master's rival. - -On the door of one of the shabbiest houses in Jermyn Street the name of -Mr. Stapylton Toad for a long time figured, magnificently engraved on a -broad brass plate. There was nothing however, otherwise, in the -appearance of the establishment, which indicated that Mr. Toad's -progress was very rapid, or his professional career extraordinarily -prosperous. In an outward office one solitary clerk was seen, oftener -stirring his office fire than wasting his master's ink; and Mr. Toad was -known by his brother attorneys as a gentleman who was not recorded in -the courts as ever having conducted a single cause. In a few years, -however, a story was added to the Jermyn Street abode, which, new -pointed and new painted, began to assume a mansion-like appearance. The -house-door was also thrown open, for the solitary clerk no longer found -time to answer the often agitated bell; and the eyes of the entering -client were now saluted by a gorgeous green baize office door; the -imposing appearance of which was only equalled by Mr. Toad's new private -portal, splendid with a brass knocker and patent varnish. And now his -brother attorneys began to wonder "how Toad got on! and who Toad's -clients were!" - -A few more years rolled over, and Mr. Toad was seen riding in the Park -at a classical hour, attended by a groom in a classical livery. And now -"the profession" wondered still more, and significant looks were -interchanged by "the respectable houses:" and flourishing practitioners -in the City shrugged up their shoulders, and talked mysteriously of -"money business," and "some odd work in annuities." In spite, however, -of the charitable surmises of his brother lawyers, it must be confessed -that nothing of even an equivocal nature ever transpired against the -character of the flourishing Mr. Toad, who, to complete the -mortification of his less successful rivals, married, and at the same -time moved from Jermyn Street to Cavendish Square. The new residence -of--Mr. Toad had previously been the mansion of a noble client, and one -whom, as the world said, Mr. Toad "had got out of difficulties." This -significant phrase will probably throw some light upon the nature of the -mysterious business of our prosperous practitioner. Noble Lords who have -been in difficulties will not much wonder at the prosperity of those who -get them out. - -About this time Mr. Toad became acquainted with Lord Mounteney, a -nobleman in great distress, with fifty thousand per annum. His Lordship -"really did not know how he had got involved: he never gamed, he was not -married, and his consequent expenses had never been unreasonable: he was -not extraordinarily negligent; quite the reverse: was something of a man -of business, remembered once looking over his accounts; and yet in spite -of his regular and correct career, found himself quite involved, and -must leave England." - -The arrangement of the Mounteney property was the crowning stroke of Mr. -Stapylton Toad's professional celebrity. His Lordship was not under the -necessity of quitting England, and found himself in the course of five -years in the receipt of a clear rental of five-and-twenty thousand per -annum. His Lordship was in raptures; and Stapylton Toad purchased an -elegant villa in Surrey, and became a Member of Parliament. Goodburn -Park, for such was the name of Mr. Toad's country residence, in spite of -its double lodges and patent park paling, was not, to Mr. Toad, a very -expensive purchase; for he "took it off the hands" of a distressed -client who wanted an immediate supply, "merely to convenience him," and, -consequently, became the purchaser at about half its real value. -"Attorneys," as Bustle the auctioneer says, "have _such_ opportunities!" - -Mr. Toad's career in the House was as correct as his conduct out of it. -After ten years' regular attendance, the boldest conjecturer would not -have dared to define his political principles. It was a rule with -Stapylton Toad never to commit himself. Once, indeed, he wrote an able -pamphlet on the Corn Laws, which excited the dire indignation of the -Political Economy Club. But Stapylton cared little for their subtle -confutations and their loudly expressed contempt. He had obliged the -country gentlemen of England, and ensured the return, at the next -election, of Lord Mounteney's brother for the county. At this general -election, also, Stapylton Toad's purpose in entering the House became -rather more manifest; for it was found, to the surprise of the whole -country, that there was scarcely a place in England; county, town, or -borough; in which Mr. Stapylton Toad did not possess some influence. In -short, it was discovered, that Mr. Stapylton Toad had "a first-rate -parliamentary business;" that nothing could be done without his -co-operation, and everything with it. In spite of his prosperity, -Stapylton had the good sense never to retire from business, and even to -refuse a baronetcy; on condition, however, that it should be offered -to his son. - -Stapylton, like the rest of mankind, had his weak points. The late -Marquess of Almack's was wont to manage him very happily, and Toad was -always introducing that minister's opinion of his importance. "'My time -is quite at your service, General,' although the poor dear Marquess used -to say, 'Mr. Stapylton Toad, your time is mine.' He knew the business I -had to get through!" The family portraits also, in ostentatious frames, -now adorned the dining-room of his London mansion; and it was amusing to -hear the worthy M.P. dilate upon his likeness to his respected father. - -"You see, my Lord," Stapylton would say, pointing to a dark, dingy -picture of a gentleman in a rich court dress, "you see, my Lord, it is -not in a very good light, and it certainly is a very dark picture, by -Hudson; all Hudson's pictures were dark. But if I were six inches -taller, and could hold the light just there, I think your Lordship would -be astonished at the resemblance; but it's a dark picture, certainly it -is dark; all Hudson's pictures were." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - - -The Cavaliers have left the ancient Hall, and the old pictures frown -only upon empty tables. The Marquess immediately gained a seat by Mrs. -Million, and was soon engrossed in deep converse with that illustrious -lady. In one room, the most eminent and exclusive, headed by Mrs. Felix -Lorraine, were now winding through the soothing mazes of a slow waltz, -and now whirling, with all the rapidity of Eastern dervishes, to true -double Wien time. In another saloon, the tedious tactics of quadrilles -commanded the exertions of less civilised beings: here Liberal Snake, -the celebrated political economist, was lecturing to a knot of alarmed -country gentlemen; and there an Italian improvisatore poured forth to an -admiring audience all the dulness of his inspiration. Vivian Grey was -holding an earnest conversation in one of the recesses with Mr. -Stapylton Toad. He had already charmed that worthy by the deep interest -which he took in everything relating to elections and the House of -Commons, and now they were hard at work on the Corn Laws. Although they -agreed upon the main points, and Vivian's ideas upon this important -subject had, of course, been adopted after studying Mr. Toad's "most -luminous and convincing pamphlet," still there were a few minor points -on which Vivian "was obliged to confess" that "he did not exactly see -his way." Mr. Toad was astonished, but argumentative, and, of course, in -due time, had made a convert of his companion; "a young man," as he -afterwards remarked to Lord Mounteney, "in whom he knew not which most -to admire, the soundness of his own views, or the candour with which he -treated those of others." If you wish to win a man's heart, allow him to -confute you. - -"I think, Mr. Grey, you must admit that my definition of labour is the -correct one?" said Mr. Toad, looking earnestly in Vivian's face, his -finger just presuming to feel a button. - -"That exertion of mind or body which is not the involuntary effect of -the influence of natural sensations," slowly repeated Vivian, as if his -whole soul was concentrated in each monosyllable. "Y-e-s, Mr. Toad, I do -admit it." - -"Then, my dear sir, the rest follows of course," triumphantly exclaimed -the member; "don't you see it?" - -"Although I admit the correctness of your definition, Mr. Toad, I am not -free to confess that I am ex-act-ly convinced of the soundness of your -conclusion," said Vivian, in a musing mood. - -"But, my dear sir, I am surprised that you don't see that--" - -"Stop, Mr. Toad," eagerly exclaimed Vivian; "I see my error. I -misconceived your meaning: you are right, sir; your definition -is correct." - -"I was confident that I should convince you, Mr. Grey." - -"This conversation, I assure you, Mr. Toad, has been to me a peculiarly -satisfactory one. Indeed, sir, I have long wished to have the honour of -making your acquaintance. When but a boy, I remember, at my father's -table, the late Marquess of Almack's--" - -"Yes, Mr. Grey." - -"One of the ablest men, Mr. Toad, after all, that this country ever -produced." - -"Oh, poor dear man!" - -"I remember his observing to a friend of mine, who was at that time -desirous of getting into the House: 'Hargrave,' said his Lordship, 'if -you want any information upon points of practical politics;' that was -his phrase; you remember, Mr. Toad, that his Lordship was peculiar in -his phrases?" - -"Oh! yes, poor dear man; but you were observing, Mr. Grey--" - -"Ay, ay! 'If you want any information,' said his Lordship, 'on such -points, there is only one man in the kingdom whom you should consult, -and he is one of the soundest heads I know, and that is Stapylton Toad, -the member for Mounteney;' you know you were in for Mounteney then, -Mr. Toad." - -"I was, and accepted the Chilterns to make room for Augustus Clay, -Ernest Clay's brother, who was so involved, that the only way to keep -him out of the House of Correction was to get him into the House of -Commons. But the Marquess said so, eh?" - -"Ay, and much more, which I scarcely can remember;" and then followed a -long dissertation on the character of the noble statesman, and his views -as to the agricultural interest, and the importance of the agricultural -interest; and then a delicate hint was thrown out as to "how delightful -it would be to write a pamphlet together" on this mighty agricultural -interest; and then came a panegyric on the character of country -gentlemen, and English yeomen, and the importance of keeping up the old -English spirit in the peasantry, &c. &c. &c. &c.; and then, when Vivian -had led Mr. Toad to deliver a splendid and patriotic oration on this -point, he "just remembered (quite apropos to the sentiments which Mr. -Toad had just delivered, and which, he did not hesitate to say, 'did -equal honour to his head and heart') that there was a little point, -which, if it was not trespassing too much on Mr. Toad's attention, he -would just submit to him;" and then he mentioned poor John Conyers' -case, although "he felt convinced, from Mr. Toad's well-known benevolent -character, that it was quite unnecessary for him to do so, as he felt -assured that it would be remedied immediately it fell under his -cognisance; but then Mr. Toad had really so much business to transact, -that perhaps these slight matters might occasionally not be submitted to -him," &c. &c. &c. - -What could Stapylton Toad do but, after a little amiable grumbling about -"bad system and bad precedent," promise everything that Vivian -Grey required? - -"Mr. Vivian Grey," said Mrs. Felix Lorraine, "I cannot understand why -you have been talking to Mr. Toad so long. Will you waltz?" - -Before Vivian could answer, a tittering, so audible that it might almost -be termed a shout, burst forth from the whole room. Cynthia Courtown had -stolen behind Lord Alhambra, as he was sitting on an ottoman a la -Turque, and had folded a cashmere shawl round his head with a most -Oriental tie. His Lordship, who, notwithstanding his eccentricities, was -really a very amiable man, bore his blushing honours with a gracious -dignity worthy of a descendant of the Abencerrages. The sensation which -this incident occasioned favoured Vivian's escape from Mrs. Felix, for -he had not left Mr. Stapylton Toad with any intention of waltzing. - -But he had hardly escaped from the waltzers ere he found himself in -danger of being involved in a much more laborious duty; for now he -stumbled on the Political Economist, and he was earnestly requested by -the contending theorists to assume the office of moderator. Emboldened -by his success. Liberal Snake had had the hardihood to attack a -personage of whose character he was not utterly ignorant, but on whom -he was extremely desirous of "making an--impression." This important -person was Sir Christopher Mowbray, who, upon the lecturer presuming to -inform him "what rent was," damned himself several times from sheer -astonishment at the impudence of the fellow. I don't wish to be coarse, -but Sir Christopher is a great man, and the sayings of great men, -particularly when they are representative of the sentiment of a species, -should not pass unrecorded. - -Sir Christopher Mowbray is member for the county of ----; and member for -the county he intends to be next election, although he is in his -seventy-ninth year, for he can still follow a fox with as pluck a heart -and with as stout a voice as any squire in Christendom. Sir Christopher, -it must be confessed, is rather peculiar in his ideas. His grandson, -Peregrine Mowbray, who is as pert a genius as the applause of a -common-room ever yet spoiled, and as sublime an orator as the cheerings -of the Union ever yet inspired, says "the Baronet is not up to the -nineteenth century;" and perhaps this phrase will give the reader a more -significant idea of Sir Christopher Mowbray than a character as long and -as laboured as the most perfect of my Lord Clarendon's. The truth is, -the good Baronet had no idea of "liberal principles," or anything else -of that school. His most peculiar characteristic is a singular habit -which he has got of styling political economists French Smugglers. -Nobody has ever yet succeeded in extracting a reason from him for this -singular appellation, and even if you angle with the most exquisite -skill for the desired definition, Sir Christopher immediately salutes -you with a volley of oaths, and damns French wines, Bible Societies, and -Mr. Huskisson. Sir Christopher for half a century has supported in the -senate, with equal sedulousness and silence, the constitution and the -corn laws; he is perfectly aware of "the present perilous state of the -country," and watches with great interest all "the plans and plots" of -this enlightened age. The only thing which he does not exactly -comprehend is the London University. This affair really puzzles the -worthy gentleman, who could as easily fancy a county member not being a -freeholder as an university not being at Oxford or Cambridge. Indeed to -this hour the old gentleman believes that the whole business is "a -hoax;" and if you tell him that, far from the plan partaking of the -visionary nature he conceives, there are actually four acres of very -valuable land purchased near White Conduit House for the erection, and -that there is little apprehension that, in the course of a century, the -wooden poles which are now stuck about the ground will not be as fair -and flourishing as the most leafy bowers of New College Gardens, the old -gentleman looks up to heaven, as if determined not to be taken in, and -leaning back in his chair, sends forth a sceptical and smiling "No! no! -no! that won't do." - -Vivian extricated himself with as much grace as possible from the toils -of the Economist, and indeed, like a skilful general, turned this little -rencontre to account in accomplishing the very end for the attainment of -which he had declined waltzing with Mrs. Felix Lorraine. - -"My dear Lord," said Vivian, addressing the Marquess, who was still by -the side of Mrs. Million, "I am going to commit a most ungallant act; -but you great men must pay a tax for your dignity. I am going to disturb -you. You are wanted by half the county! What could possibly induce you -ever to allow a Political Economist to enter Château Desir? There are. -at least, three baronets and four squires in despair, writhing under the -tortures of Liberal Snake. They have deputed me to request your -assistance, to save them from being defeated in the presence of half -their tenantry; and I think, my Lord," said Vivian, with a serious -voice, "if you could possibly contrive to interfere, it would be -desirable. That lecturing knave never knows when to stop, and he is -actually insulting men before whom, after all, he ought not to dare open -his lips. I see that your Lordship is naturally not very much inclined -to quit your present occupation, in order to act moderator to a set of -brawlers; but come, you shall not be quite sacrificed to the county. I -will give up the waltz in which I was engaged, and keep your seat until -your return." - -The Marquess, who was always "keeping up county influence," was very -shocked at the obstreperous conduct of Liberal Snake. Indeed he had -viewed the arrival of this worthy with no smiling countenance, but what -could he say, as he came in the suit of Lord Pert, who was writing, with -the lecturer's assistance, a little pamphlet on the Currency? -Apologising to Mrs. Million, and promising to return as soon as possible -and lead her to the music-room, the Marquess retired, with the -determination of annihilating one of the stoutest members of the -Political Economy Club. - -Vivian began by apologising to Mrs. Million for disturbing her progress -to the Hall by his sudden arrival before dinner; and then for a quarter -of an hour poured forth the usual quantity of piquant anecdotes and -insidious compliments. Mrs. Million found Vivian's conversation no -disagreeable relief to the pompous prosiness of his predecessor. - -And now, having succeeded in commanding Mrs. Million's attention by that -general art of pleasing which was for all the world, and which was, of -course, formed upon his general experience of human nature, Vivian began -to make his advances to Mrs. Million's feelings by a particular art of -pleasing; that is, an art which was for the particular person alone whom -he was at any time addressing, and which was founded on his particular -knowledge of that person's character. - -"How beautiful the old Hall looked to-day! It is a scene which can only -be met with in ancient families." - -"Ah! there is nothing like old families!" remarked Mrs. Million, with -all the awkward feelings of a parvenue. - -"Do you think so?" said Vivian; "I once thought so myself, but I confess -that my opinion is greatly changed. After all, what is noble blood? My -eye is now resting on a crowd of nobles; and yet, being among them, do -we treat them in a manner differing in any way from that which we should -employ to individuals of a lower caste who were equally uninteresting?" - -"Certainly not," said Mrs. Million. - -"The height of the ambition of the less exalted ranks is to be noble, -because they conceive to be noble implies to be superior; associating in -their minds, as they always do, a pre-eminence over then equals. But to -be noble among nobles, where is the preeminence?" - -"Where indeed?" said Mrs. Million; and she thought of herself, sitting -the most considered personage in this grand castle, and yet with -sufficiently base blood flowing in her veins. - -"And thus, in the highest circles," continued Vivian, "a man is of -course not valued because he is a Marquess or a Duke; but because he is -a great warrior, or a great statesman, or very fashionable, or very -witty. In all classes but the highest, a peer, however unbefriended by -nature or by fortune, becomes a man of a certain rate of consequence; -but to be a person of consequence in the highest class requires -something else besides high blood." - -"I quite agree with you in your sentiments, Mr. Grey. Now what -character or what situation in life would you choose, if you had the -power of making your choice?" - -"That is really a most metaphysical question. As is the custom of all -young men, I have sometimes, in my reveries, imagined what I conceived -to be a lot of pure happiness: and yet Mrs. Million will perhaps be -astonished that I was neither to be nobly born nor to acquire nobility, -that I was not to be a statesman, or a poet, or a warrior, or a -merchant, nor indeed any profession, not even a professional dandy." - -"Oh! love in a cottage, I suppose," interrupted Mrs. Million. - -"Neither love in a cottage, nor science in a cell." - -"Oh! pray tell me what it is." - -"What if is? Oh! Lord Mayor of London, I suppose; that is the only -situation which answers to my oracular description." - -"Then you have been joking all this time!" - -"Not at all. Come then, let us imagine this perfect lot. In the first -place, I would be born in the middle classes of society, or even lower, -because I would wish my character to be impartially developed. I would -be born to no hereditary prejudices, no hereditary passions. My course -in life should not be carved out by the example of a grandfather, nor my -ideas modelled to a preconceived system of family perfection. Do you -like my first principle, Mrs. Million?" - -"I must hear everything before I give an opinion." - -"When, therefore, my mind was formed, I would wish to become the -proprietor of a princely fortune." - -"Yes!" eagerly exclaimed Mrs. Million. - -"And now would come the moral singularity of my fate. If I had gained -this fortune by commerce, or in any other similar mode, my disposition, -before the creation of this fortune, would naturally have been formed, -and been permanently developed; and my mind would have been similarly -affected, had I succeeded to some ducal father; for I should then, in -all probability, have inherited some family line of conduct, both moral -and political. But under the circumstances I have imagined, the result -would be far different. I should then be in the singular situation of -possessing, at the same time, unbounded wealth, and the whole powers and -natural feelings of my mind unoppressed and unshackled. Oh! how splendid -would be my career! I would not allow the change in my condition to -exercise any influence on my natural disposition. I would experience -the same passions and be subject to the same feelings, only they should -be exercised and influential in a wider sphere. Then would be seen the -influence of great wealth, directed by a disposition similar to that of -the generality of men, inasmuch as it had been formed like that of the -generality of men; and consequently, one much better acquainted with -their feelings, their habits, and their wishes. Such a lot would indeed -be princely! Such a lot would infallibly ensure the affection and -respect of the great majority of mankind; and, supported by them, what -should I care if I were misunderstood by a few fools and abused by a -few knaves?" - -Here came the Marquess to lead the lady to the concert. As she quitted -her seat, a smile, beaming with graciousness, rewarded her youthful -companion. "Ah!" thought Mrs. Million, "I go to the concert, but leave -sweeter music than can possibly meet me there. What is the magic of -these words? It is not flattery; such is not the language of Miss -Gusset! It is not a rifacimento of compliments; such is not the style -with which I am saluted by the Duke of Doze and the Earl of Leatherdale! -Apparently I have heard a young philosopher delivering his sentiments -upon an abstract point in human life; and yet have I not listened to a -brilliant apology for my own character, and a triumphant defence of my -own conduct. Of course it was unintentional; and yet how agreeable to be -unintentionally defended!" So mused Mrs. Million, and she made a -thousand vows not to let a day pass over without obtaining a pledge from -Vivian Grey to visit her on their return to the metropolis. - -Vivian remained in his seat for some time after the departure of his -companion. "On my honour, I have half a mind to desert my embryo faction -and number myself in her gorgeous retinue. Let me see. What part should -I act? her secretary, or her toad-eater, or her physician, or her cook? -or shall I be her page? Me-thinks I should make a pretty page, and hand -a chased goblet as gracefully as any monkey that ever bent his knee in a -lady's chamber. Well! at any rate, there is this chance to be kept back, -as the gambler does his last trump, or the cunning fencer his -last ruse." - -He rose to offer his arm to some stray fair one; for crowds were now -hurrying to pineapples and lobster salads: that is to say, supper was -ready in the Long Gallery. - -In a moment Vivian's arm was locked in that of Mrs. Felix Lorraine. - -"Oh, Mr. Grey, I have got a much better ghost story than even that of -the Leyden Professor for you; but I am so wearied with waltzing that I -must tell it you to-morrow. How came you to be so late this morning? -Have you been paying many calls to-day? I quite missed you at dinner. Do -you think Ernest Clay handsome? I dare not repeat what Lady Scrope said -of you! You are an admirer of Lady Julia Knighton, I believe? I do not -much like this plan of supping in the Long Gallery; it is a favourite -locale of mine, and I have no idea of my private promenade being invaded -by the uninteresting presence of trifles and Italian creams. Have you -been telling Mrs. Million that she was very witty?" asked Vivian's -companion, with a significant look. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - - -Sweet reader! you know what a Toadey is? That agreeable animal which you -meet every day in civilised society. But perhaps you have not speculated -very curiously upon this interesting race. So much the worse! for you -cannot live many lustres without finding it of some service to be a -little acquainted with their habits. - -The world in general is under a mistake as to the nature of these -vermin. They are by no means characterised by that similarity of -disposition for which your common observer gives them credit. There are -Toadeys of all possible natures. - -There is your Common-place Toadey, who merely echoes its feeder's -common-place observations. There is your Playing-up Toadey, who, -unconscious to its feeder, is always playing up to its feeder's -weaknesses; and, as the taste of that feeder varies, accordingly -provides its cates and confitures. A little bit of scandal for a dashing -widow, or a pious little hymn for a sainted one; the secret history of a -newly discovered gas for a May Fair feeder, and an interesting anecdote -about a Newgate bobcap or a Penitentiary apron for a charitable one. -Then there is your Drawing-out Toadey, who omits no opportunity of -giving you a chance of being victorious in an argument where there is no -contest, and a dispute where there is no difference; and then there -is--but we detest essay writing, so we introduce you at once to a party -of these vermin. If you wish to enjoy a curious sight, you must watch -the Toadeys when they are unembarrassed by the almost perpetual presence -of their breeders; when they are animated by "the spirit of freedom;" -when, like Curran's Negro, the chain bursts by the impulse of their -swelling veins. The great singularity is the struggle between their -natural and their acquired feelings: the eager opportunity which they -seize of revenging their voluntary bondage, by their secret taunts, on -their adopted task-masters, and the servility which they habitually mix -up even with their scandal. Like veritable Grimalkins, they fawn upon -their victims previous to the festival; compliment them upon the length -of their whiskers and the delicacy of their limbs prior to excoriating -them, and dwelling on the flavour of their crashed bones. 'Tis a -beautiful scene, and ten thousand times more piquant than the humours of -a Servants' Hall, or the most grotesque and glorious moments of high -life below stairs. - -"Dear Miss Graves," said Miss Gusset, "you can't imagine how terrified I -was at that horrible green parrot flying upon my head! I declare it -pulled out three locks of hair." - -"Horrible green parrot, my dear madam! Why, it was sent to my Lady by -Prince Xtmnprqtosklw, and never shall I forget the agitation we were in -about that parrot. I thought it would never have got to the Château, for -the Prince could only send his carriage with it as far as Toadcaster. -Luckily my Lady's youngest brother, who was staying at Desir, happened -to get drowned at the time; and so Davenport, very clever of him! sent -her on in my Lord Dormer's hearse." - -"In the hearse! Good heavens, Miss Graves! How could you think of green -parrots at such an awful moment? I should have been in fits for three -days; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -"Certainly you would, madame; your nerves are very delicate." - -"Well! I, for my part, never could see much use in giving up to one's -feelings. It is all very well for commoners," rather rudely exclaimed -the Marchioness' Toadey; "but we did not choose to expose ourselves to -the servants when the old General died this year. Everything went on as -usual. Her Ladyship attended Almack's; my Lord took his seat in the -House; and I looked in at Lady Doubtful's where we do not visit, but -where the Marchioness wishes to be civil." - -"We do not visit Lady Doubtful either," replied Miss Gusset: "she had -not a card for our fête champêtre. I was so sorry you were not in town. -It was so delightful!" - -"Do tell me who was there? I quite long to know all about it. I saw some -account of it. Everything seemed to go off so well. Do tell me who -was there?" - -"Oh! there was plenty of Royalty at the head of the list. Really I -cannot go Into particulars, but everybody was there who is anybody; -eh! Dr. Sly?" - -"Certainly, madam. The pines were most admirable. There are few people -for whom I entertain a higher esteem, than Mr. Gunter." - -"The Marchioness seems very fond of her parrot, Miss Graves; but she is -a sweet woman!" - -"Oh, a dear, amiable creature! but I cannot think how she can bear the -eternal screaming of that noisy bird." - -"Nor I, indeed. Well, thank goodness, Mrs. Million has no pets; eh! Dr. -Sly?" - -"Certainly. I am clearly of opinion that it cannot be wholesome to have -so many animals about a house. Besides which, I have noticed that the -Marchioness always selects the nicest morsels for that little poodle; -and I am also clearly of opinion, Miss Graves, that the fit it had the -other day arose from repletion." - -"I have no doubt of it in the world. She consumes three pounds of -arrowroot weekly and two pounds of the finest loaf sugar, which I have -the trouble of grating every Monday morning. Mrs. Million appears to be -a most amiable woman, Miss Gusset?" - -"Quite perfection; so charitable, so intellectual, such a soul! It is a -pity, though, her manner is so abrupt; she really does not appear to -advantage sometimes; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -The Toadey's Toadey bowed assent as usual. "Well," rejoined Miss Graves, -"that is rather a fault of the dear Marchioness, a little want of -consideration for another's feelings; but she means nothing." - -"Oh, no! nor Mrs. Million, dear creature! She means nothing; though I -dare say, not knowing her so well as we do; eh! Dr. Sly? you were a -little surprised at the way in which she spoke to me at dinner." - -"All people have their oddities, Miss Gusset. I am sure the Marchioness -is not aware how she tries my patience about that little wretch Julie. I -had to rub her with warm flannels for an hour and a half before the fire -this morning; that is that Vivian Grey's doing." - -"Who is this Mr. Grey, Miss Graves?" - -"Who, indeed! Some young man the Marquess has picked up, and who comes -lecturing here about poodles and parrots, and thinking himself quite -Lord Paramount, I can assure you. I am surprised that the Marchioness, -who is a most sensible woman, can patronise such conduct a moment; but -whenever she begins to see through him the young gentleman has always -got a story about a bracelet, or a bandeau, and quite turns her head." - -"Very disagreeable, I am sure." - -"Some people are so easily managed! By-the-bye, Miss Gusset, who could -have advised Mrs. Million to wear crimson? So large as she is, it does -not at all suit her. I suppose it's a favourite colour." - -"Dear Miss Graves, you are always so insinuating. What can Miss Graves -mean; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -A Lord Burleigh shake of the head. - -"Cynthia Courtown seems as lively as ever," said Miss Gusset. - -"Yes, lively enough; but I wish her manner was less brusque." - -"Brusque, indeed! you may well say so. She nearly pushed me down in the -Hall; and when I looked as if I thought she might have given me a little -more room, she tossed her head and said, 'Beg pardon, never saw you!'" - -"I wonder what Lord Alhambra sees in that girl?" - -"Oh! those forward misses always take the men." - -"Well," said Miss Graves, "I have no notion that it will come to -anything; I am sure, I, for one, hope not," added she, with all a -Toadey's venom. - -"The Marquess seems to keep a remarkably good table," said the -physician. "There was a haunch to-day, which I really think was the -finest haunch I ever met with; but that little move at dinner; it was, -to say the least, very ill-timed." - -"Yes, that was Vivian Grey again," said Miss Graves, very indignantly. - -"So you have got the Beaconsfields here, Miss Graves! nice, unaffected, -quiet people." - -"Yes, very quiet." - -"As you say, Miss Graves, very quiet, but a little heavy." - -"Yes, heavy enough." - -"If you had but seen the quantity of pineapples that boy Dormer Stanhope -devoured at our fête champêtre! but I have the comfort of knowing that -they made him very ill; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -"Oh! he learnt that from his uncle," said Miss Graves; "it is quite -disgusting to see how that Vivian Grey encourages him." - -"What an elegant, accomplished woman Mrs. Felix Lorraine seems to be, -Miss Graves! I suppose the Marchioness is very fond of her?" - -"Oh, yes; the Marchioness is so good-natured that I dare say she thinks -very well of Mrs. Felix Lorraine. She thinks well of everyone; but I -believe Mrs. Felix is rather a greater favourite with the Marquess." - -"O--h!" drawled out Miss Gusset with a very significant tone. "I suppose -she is one of your playing-up ladies. I think you told me she was only -on a visit here." - -"A pretty long visit, though, for a sister-in-law, if sister-in-law she -be. As I was saying to the Marchioness the other day, when Mrs. Felix -offended her so violently by trampling on the dear little Julie, if it -came into a court of justice I should like to see the proof; that's all. -At any rate, it is pretty evident that Mr. Lorraine has had enough of -his bargain." - -"Quite evident, I think; eh! Dr. Sly? Those German women never make good -English wives," continued Miss Gusset, with all a Toadey's patriotism. - -"Talking of wives, did not you think Lady Julia spoke very strangely of -Sir Peter after dinner to-day? I hate that Lady Julia, if it be only for -petting Vivian Grey so." - -"Yes, indeed, it is quite enough to make one sick; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -The doctor shook his head mournfully, remembering the haunch. - -"They say Ernest Clay is in sad difficulties, Miss Gusset." - -"Well, I always expected his dash would end in that. Those wild -harum-scarum men are monstrous disagreeable. I like a person of some -reflection; eh! Dr. Sly?" - -Before the doctor could bow his usual assent there entered a pretty -little page, very daintily attired in a fancy dress of green and silver. -Twirling his richly chased dirk with one tiny white hand, and at the -same time playing with a pet curl which was picturesquely flowing over -his forehead, he advanced with ambling gait to Miss Gusset, and, in a -mincing voice and courtly phrase, summoned her to the imperial presence. - -The lady's features immediately assumed the expression which befitted -the approaching interview, and in a moment Miss Graves and the physician -were left alone. - -"Very amiable young woman Miss Gusset appears to be, Dr. Sly?" - -"Oh! the most amiable being in the world; I owe her the greatest -obligations." - -"So gentle in her manners." - -"O yes, so gentle." - -"So considerate for everybody." - -"Oh, yes! so considerate," echoed the Aberdeen M.D. - -"I am afraid, though, she must sometimes meet with people who do not -exactly understand her character; such extraordinary consideration for -others is sometimes liable to misconstruction." - -"Very sensibly remarked, Miss Graves. I am sure Miss Gusset means well; -and that kind of thing is all very admirable in its way; but, but--" - -"But what, Dr. Sly?" - -"Why, I was merely going to hazard an observation, that according to my -feelings, that is, to my own peculiar view of the case, I should prefer -some people thinking more about their own business, and, and, but I -mean nothing." - -"Oh, no, of course not, Dr. Sly! You know we always except our own -immediate friends, at least when we can be sure they are our friends; -but, as you were saying, or going to say, those persons who are so very -anxious about other people's affairs are not always the most agreeable -persons in the world to live with. It certainly did strike me that that -interference of Miss Gusset's about Julie to-day was, to say the least, -very odd." - -"Oh, my dear madam! when you know her as well as I do, you will see she -is always ready to put in a word." - -"Well! do you know, Dr. Sly, between ourselves, that was exactly my -impression; and she is then very, very, I do not exactly mean to say -meddling or inquisitive; but, but you understand me, Dr. Sly?" - -"Perfectly; and if I were to speak my mind, which I do not hesitate to -do in confidence to you, Miss Graves, I really should say that she is -the most jealous, irritable, malicious, meddling, and at the same time -fawning, disposition that I ever met with in the whole course of my -life, and I speak from experience." - -"Well, do you know, Dr. Sly, from all I have seen, that was exactly my -impression; therefore I have been particularly careful not to commit -myself to such a person." - -"'Ah! Miss Graves! if all ladies were like you' O--h!" - -"My dear Dr. Sly!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - - -Vivian had duly acquainted the Marquess with the successful progress of -his negotiations with their intended partisans, and Lord Carabas had -himself conversed with them singly on the important subject. It was -thought proper, however, in this stage of the proceedings, that the -persons interested should meet together; and so the two Lords, and Sir -Berdmore, and Vivian were invited to dine with the Marquess alone, and -in his library. - -There was abundance of dumb waiters and other inventions by which the -ease of the guests might be consulted, without risking even their secret -looks to the gaze of liveried menials. The Marquess' gentleman sat in an -ante-chamber, in case human aid might be necessary, and everything, as -his Lordship averred, was "on the same system as the Cabinet Dinners." - -In the ancient kingdom of England it hath ever been the custom to dine -previously to transacting business. This habit is one of those few which -are not contingent upon the mutable fancies of fashion, and at this day -we see Cabinet Dinners and Vestry Dinners alike proving the correctness -of our assertion. Whether the custom really expedites the completion or -the general progress of the business which gives rise to it, is a grave -question, which we do not feel qualified to decide. Certain it is that -very often, after the _dinner_, an appointment is made for the -transaction of the _business_ on the following morning: at the same time -it must be remembered that, had it not been for the opportunity which -the banquet afforded of developing the convivial qualities of the -guests, and drawing out, by the assistance of generous wine, their most -kindly sentiments and most engaging feelings, it is very probable that -the appointment for the transaction of the business would never have -been made at all. - -There certainly was every appearance that "the great business," as the -Marquess styled it, would not be very much advanced by the cabinet -dinner at Château Desir. For, in the first place, the table was laden -"with every delicacy of the season," and really, when a man is either -going to talk sense, fight a duel, or make his will, nothing should be -seen at dinner save cutlets and the lightest Bordeaux. And, in the -second place, it must be confessed, that when it came to the point of -all the parties interested meeting, the Marquess' courage somewhat -misgave him. Not that any particular reason occurred to him which would -have induced him to yield one jot of the theory of his sentiments, but -the putting them in practice rather made him nervous. In short, he was -as convinced as ever that he was an ill-used man, of great influence and -abilities; but then he remembered his agreeable sinecure and his -dignified office, and he might not succeed. The thought did not please. - -But here they were all assembled; receding was impossible; and so the -Marquess took a glass of claret, and felt more courageous. - -"My Lords and Gentlemen," he began, "although I have myself taken the -opportunity of communicating to you singly my thoughts upon a certain -subject, and although, if I am rightly informed, my excellent young -friend has communicated to you more fully upon that subject; yet, my -Lords and Gentlemen, I beg to remark that this is the first time that we -have collectively assembled to consult on the possibility of certain -views, upon the propriety of their nature, and the expediency of their -adoption." (Here the claret passed.) "The present state of parties," the -Marquess continued, "has doubtless for a long time engaged your -attention. It is very peculiar, and although the result has been -gradually arrived at, it is nevertheless, now that it is realised, -startling, and not, I apprehend, very satisfactory. There are few -distinctions now between the two sides of the House of Commons, very -different from the times in which most, I believe all, of us, my Lords -and Gentlemen, were members of that assembly. The question then -naturally arises, why a certain body of individuals, who now represent -no opinions, should arrogate to themselves the entire government and -control of the country? A second question would occur, how they contrive -to succeed in such an assumption? They succeed clearly because the -party who placed them in power, because they represented certain -opinions, still continue to them their support. Some of the most -influential members of that party, I am bold to say, may be found in -this room. I don't know, if the boroughs of Lord Courtown and Lord -Beaconsfield were withdrawn at a critical division, what might be the -result. I am quite sure that if the forty country gentlemen who follow, -I believe I am justified in saying, our friend Sir Berdmore, and wisely -follow him, were to declare their opposition to any particular tax, the -present men would be beaten, as they have been beaten before. I was -myself a member of the government when so beaten, and I know what Lord -Liverpool said the next morning. Lord Liverpool said the next morning. -'Forty country gentlemen, if they choose, might repeal every tax in the -Budget.' Under these circumstances, my Lords and Gentlemen, it becomes -us, in my opinion, to consider our situation. I am far from wishing to -witness any general change, or indeed, very wide reconstruction of the -present administration. I think the interests of the country require -that the general tenor of their system should be supported; but there -are members of that administration whose claims to that distinction -appear to me more than questionable, while at the same time there are -individuals excluded, personages of great influence and recognised -talents, who ought no longer, in my opinion, to occupy a position in the -background. Mr. Vivian Grey, a gentleman whom I have the honour to call -my particular friend, and who, I believe, has had already the pleasure -of incidentally conversing with you on the matters to which I have -referred, has given great attention to this important subject. He is a -younger man than any of us, and certainly has much better lungs than I -have. I will take the liberty, therefore, of requesting him to put the -case in its completeness before us." - -A great deal of "desultory conversation," as it is styled, relative to -the great topic of debate, now occurred. When the blood of the party was -tolerably warmed, Vivian addressed them. The tenor of his oration may be -imagined. He developed the new political principles, demonstrated the -mistake under the baneful influence of which they had so long suffered, -promised them place, and power, and patronage, and personal -consideration, if they would only act on the principles which he -recommended, in the most flowing language and the most melodious voice -in which the glories of ambition were ever yet chaunted. There was a -buzz of admiration when the flattering music ceased; the Marquess smiled -triumphantly, as if to say, "Didn't I tell you he was a monstrous clever -fellow?" and the whole business seemed settled. Lord Courtown gave in a -bumper, _"Mr. Vivian Grey, and success to his maiden speech!"_ and -Vivian replied by proposing _"The New Union!"_ At last, Sir Berdmore, -the coolest of them all, raised his voice: "He quite agreed with Mr. -Grey in the principles which he had developed; and, for his own part, he -was free to confess that he had perfect confidence in that gentleman's -very brilliant abilities, and augured from their exertion complete and -triumphant success. At the same time, he felt it his duty to remark to -their Lordships, and also to that gentleman, that the House of Commons -was a new scene to him; and he put it, whether they were quite convinced -that they were sufficiently strong as regarded talent in that assembly. -He could not take it upon himself to offer to become the leader of the -party. Mr. Grey might be capable of undertaking that charge, but still, -it must be remembered that in that assembly he was as yet untried. He -made no apology to Mr. Grey for speaking his mind so freely; he was sure -that his motives could not be misinterpreted. If their Lordships, on the -whole, were of opinion that this charge should be entrusted to him, he, -Sir Berdmore, having the greatest confidence in Mr. Grey's abilities, -would certainly support him to the utmost." - -"He can do anything," said the Marquess. - -"He is a surprising clever man!" said Lord Courtown. - -"He is a surprising clever man!" echoed Lord Beaconsfield. - -"Stop, my Lords," said Vivian; "your good opinion deserves my gratitude, -but these important matters do indeed require a moment's consideration. -I trust that Sir Berdmore Scrope does not imagine that I am the vain -idiot to be offended at his most excellent remarks, even for a moment. -Are we not met here for the common good, and to consult for the success -of the common cause? Whatever my talents are, they are at your service, -and in your service will I venture anything; but surely, my Lords, you -will not unnecessarily entrust this great business to a raw hand! I need -only aver that I am ready to follow any leader who can play his great -part in a becoming manner." - -"Noble!" said the Marquess. - -But who was the leader to be? Sir Berdmore frankly confessed that he -had none to propose; and the Viscount and the Baron were quite silent. - -"Gentlemen!" exclaimed the Marquess, "Gentlemen! there is a man who -could do our bidding," The eyes of every guest were fixed on the -haranguing host. - -"Gentlemen, fill your glasses, I give you our leader, Mr. Frederick -Cleveland!" - -"Cleveland"' every one exclaimed. A glass of claret fell from Lord -Courtown's hand; Lord Beaconsfield stopped as he was about to fill his -glass, and stood gaping at the Marquess with the decanter in his hand; -and Sir Berdmore stared on the table, as men do when something -unexpected and astounding has occurred at dinner which seems past all -their management. - -"Cleveland!" exclaimed the guests. - -"I should as soon have expected you to have given us Lucifer!" said Lord -Courtown. - -"Or the present Secretary!" said Lord Beaconsfield. - -"Or yourself," said Sir Berdmore. - -"And does any one maintain that Frederick Cleveland is not capable of -driving out a much stronger Government than he will have to cope with?" -demanded the Marquess with a rather fierce air. - -"We do not deny Mr. Cleveland's powers, my Lord; we only humbly beg to -suggest that it appears to us that, of all the persons in the world, the -man with whom Mr. Cleveland would be least inclined to coalesce would be -the Marquess of Carabas." - -The Marquess looked somewhat blank. - -"Gentlemen," said Vivian, "do not despair; it is enough for me to know -that there is a man who is capable of doing our work. Be he animate man -or incarnate fiend, provided he can be found within this realm, I pledge -myself that within ten days he is drinking my noble friend's health at -this very board." - -The Marquess said, "Bravo," the rest smiled, and rose from the table in -some confusion. Little more was said on the "great business." The guests -took refuge in coffee and a glass of liqueur. The pledge was, however, -apparently accepted, and Lord Carabas and Vivian were soon left alone. -The Marquess seemed agitated by Vivian's offer and engagement. "This is -a grave business," he said: "you hardly know, my dear Vivian, what you -have undertaken; but, if anybody can succeed, you will. We must talk of -this to-morrow. There are some obstacles, and I should once have -thought, invincible. I cannot conceive what made me mention his name; -but it has been often in my mind since you first spoke to me. You and he -together, we might carry everything before us. But there are some -obstacles; no doubt there are some obstacles. You heard what Courtown -said, a man who does not make difficulties, and Beaconsfield, a man who -does not say much. Courtown called him Lucifer. He is Lucifer. But, by -Jove, you are the man to overcome obstacles. We must talk of it -to-morrow. So now, my dear fellow, good night!" - -"What have I done?" thought Vivian; "I am sure that Lucifer may know, -for I do not. This Cleveland is, I suppose, after all, but a man. I saw -the feeble fools were wavering, and, to save all, made a leap in the -dark. Well! is my skull cracked? Nous verrons. How hot either this room -or my blood is! Come, for some fresh air (he opened the library window). -How fresh and soft it is! Just the night for the balcony. Hah! music! I -cannot mistake that voice. Singular woman! I will just walk on till I am -beneath her window." - -Vivian accordingly proceeded along the balcony, which extended down one -whole side of the Château. While he was looking at the moon he stumbled -against some one. It was Colonel Delmington. He apologised to the -militaire for treading on his toes, and wondered "how the devil he -got there!" - - - - -BOOK III - - -CHAPTER I - - -Fredrick Cleveland was educated at Eton and at Cambridge; and after -having proved, both at the school and the University, that he possessed -talents of a high order, he had the courage, in order to perfect them, -to immure himself for three years in a German University. It was -impossible, therefore, for two minds to have been cultivated on more -contrary systems than those of Frederick Cleveland and Vivian Grey. The -systems on which they had been educated were not, however, more -discordant than the respective tempers of the pupils. With that of -Vivian Grey the reader is now somewhat acquainted. It has been shown -that he was one precociously convinced of the necessity of managing -mankind, by studying their tempers and humouring their weaknesses. -Cleveland turned from the Book of Nature with contempt, and although his -was a mind of extraordinary acuteness, he was, at three-and-thirty, as -ignorant of the workings of the human heart as when, in the innocence of -boyhood, he first reached Eton. - -Although possessed of no fortune, from his connections and the -reputation of his abilities, he entered Parliament at an early age. His -success was eminent. It was at this period that he formed a, great -intimacy with the present Marquess of Carabas, then Under Secretary of -State. His exertions for the party to which Mr. Under Secretary Lorraine -belonged were unremitting; and it was mainly through their influence -that a great promotion took place in the official appointments of the -party. When the hour of reward came, Mr. Lorraine and his friends -unfortunately forgot their youthful champion. He remonstrated, and they -smiled: he reminded them of private friendship, and they answered him -with political expediency. Mr. Cleveland went down to the House, and -attacked his old comates in a spirit of unexampled bitterness. He -examined in review the various members of the party that had deserted -him. They trembled on their seats, while they writhed beneath the -keenness of his satire: but when the orator came to Mr. President -Lorraine, he flourished the tomahawk on high like a wild Indian -chieftain; and the attack was so awfully severe, so overpowering, so -annihilating, that even this hackneyed and hardened official trembled, -turned pale, and quitted the House, Cleveland's triumph was splendid, -but it was only for a night. Disgusted with mankind, he scouted the -thousand offers of political connections which crowded upon him; and -having succeeded in making an arrangement with his creditors, he -accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. - -By the interest of his friends he procured a judicial situation of -sufficient emolument, but of local duty; and to fulfil this duty he was -obliged to reside in North Wales. The locality, indeed, suited him well, -for he was sick of the world at nine-and-twenty; and, carrying his -beautiful and newly-married wife from the world, which without him she -could not love, Mr. Cleveland enjoyed all the luxuries of a cottage -ornée in the most romantic part of the Principality. Here were born unto -him a son and daughter, beautiful children, upon whom the father -lavished all the affection which Nature had intended for the world. - -Four years had Cleveland now passed in his solitude, an unhappy man. A -thousand times during the first year of his retirement he cursed the -moment of excitement which had banished him from the world; for he found -himself without resources, and restless as a curbed courser. Like many -men who are born to be orators, like Curran and like Fox, Cleveland was -not blessed, or cursed, with the faculty of composition; and indeed, had -his pen been that of a ready writer, pique would have prevented him from -delighting or instructing a world whose nature he endeavoured to -persuade himself was base, and whose applause ought, consequently, to be -valueless. In the second year he endeavoured to while away his time by -interesting himself in those pursuits which Nature has kindly provided -for country gentlemen. Farming kept him alive for a while; but, at -length, his was the prize ox; and, having gained a cup, he got wearied -of kine too prime for eating, wheat too fine for the composition of the -staff of life, and ploughs so ingeniously contrived that the very -ingenuity prevented them from being useful. Cleveland was now seen -wandering over the moors and mountains, with a gun over his shoulder and -a couple of dogs at his heels; but ennui returned in spite of his patent -percussion: and so, at length, tired of being a sportsman, he almost -became what he had fancied himself in an hour of passion, a misanthrope. - -After having been closeted with Lord Carabas for a considerable time the -morning after the cabinet dinner, Vivian left Château Desir. - -He travelled night and day, until he arrived in the vicinity of Mr. -Cleveland's abode. What was he to do now? After some deliberation, he -despatched a note to Mr. Cleveland, informing him "that he (Mr. Grey) -was the bearer to Mr. Cleveland of a 'communication of importance.' -Under the circumstances of the case, he observed that he had declined -bringing any letters of introduction. He was quite aware, therefore, -that he should have no right to complain if he had to travel back three -hundred miles without having the honour of an interview; but he trusted -that this necessary breach of etiquette would be overlooked." - -The note produced the desired effect, and an appointment was made for -Mr. Grey to call at Kenrich Lodge on the following morning. - -Vivian, as he entered the room, took a rapid glance at its master. Mr. -Cleveland was tall and distinguished, with a fare which might have been -a model for manly beauty. He came forward to receive Vivian with a -Newfoundland dog on one side and a large black greyhound on the other; -and the two animals, after having elaborately examined the stranger, -divided between them the luxuries of the rug. The reception which Mr. -Cleveland gave our hero was cold and constrained; but it did not appear -to be purposely uncivil, and Vivian flattered himself that his manner -was not unusually stiff. - -"I do not know whether I have the honour of addressing the son of Mr. -Horace Grey?" said Mr. Cleveland, with a frowning countenance, which was -intended to be courteous. - -"I have that honour." - -"Your father, sir, is a most amiable and able man. I had the pleasure of -his acquaintance when I was in London, many years ago, at a time when -Mr. Vivian Grey was not entrusted, I rather imagine, with missions 'of -importance.'" Although Mr. Cleveland smiled when he said this, his smile -was anything but a gracious one. The subdued satire of his keen eye -burst out for an instant, and he looked as if he would have said, "Who -is this yonker who is trespassing upon my retirement?" - -Vivian had, unbidden, seated himself by the side of Mr. Cleveland's -library table; and, not knowing exactly how to proceed, was employing -himself by making a calculation whether there were more black than white -spots on the body of the old Newfoundland, who was now apparently -happily slumbering. - -"Well, sir!" continued the Newfoundland's master, "the nature of your -communication? I am fond of coming to the point." - -Now this was precisely the thing which Vivian had determined not to do; -and so he diplomatised, in order to gain time. "In stating, Mr. -Cleveland, that the communication which I had to make was one of -importance, I beg to be understood, that it was with reference merely to -my opinion of its nature that that phrase was used, and not as relative -to the possible, or, allow me to say, the probable, opinion of Mr. -Cleveland." - -"Well, sir!" said that gentleman, with a somewhat disappointed air. - -"As to the purport or nature of the communication it is," said Vivian, -with one of his sweetest cadences and looking up to Mr. Cleveland's face -with an eye expressive of all kindness, "it is of a political nature." - -"Well, sir!" again exclaimed Cleveland, looking very anxious, and moving -restlessly on his library chair. - -"When we take into consideration, Mr. Cleveland, the present aspect of -the political world, when we call to mind the present situation of the -two great political parties, you will not be surprised, I feel -confident, when I mention that certain personages have thought that the -season was at hand when a move might be made in the political world with -very considerable effect--" - -"Mr. Grey, what am I to understand?" interrupted Mr. Cleveland, who -began to suspect that the envoy was no greenhorn. - -"I feel confident, Mr. Cleveland, that I am doing very imperfect justice -to the mission with which I am entrusted; but, sir, you must be aware -that the delicate nature of such disclosures, and--" - -"Mr. Grey, I feel confident that you do not doubt my honour; and, as for -the rest, the world has, I believe, some foolish tales about me; but, -believe me, you shall be listened to with patience. I am certain that, -whatever may be the communication, Mr. Vivian Grey is a gentleman who -will do its merits justice." - -And now Vivian, having succeeded in exciting Cleveland's curiosity and -securing himself the certainty of a hearing, and having also made a -favourable impression, dropped the diplomatist altogether, and was -explicit enough for a Spartan. - -"Certain Noblemen and Gentlemen of eminence and influence, hitherto -considered as props of the ---- party, are about to take a novel and -decided course next Session. It is to obtain the aid and personal -co-operation of Mr. Cleveland that I am now in Wales. - -"Mr. Grey, I have promised to listen to you with patience: you are too -young a man to know much, perhaps, of the history of so insignificant a -personage as myself, otherwise you would have been aware that there is -no subject in the world on which I am less inclined to converse than -that of politics. If I were entitled to take such a liberty, I would -recommend you to think of them as little as I do; but enough of this. -Who is the mover of the party?" - -"My Lord Courtown is a distinguished member of it." - -"Courtown, Courtown; powerful enough: but surely the good Viscount's -skull is not exactly the head for the chief of a cabal?" - -"There is my Lord Beaconsfield." - -"Powerful, too; but a dolt." - -"Well," thought Vivian, "it must out at last; and so to it boldly. And, -Mr. Cleveland, there is little fear that we may secure the great -influence and tried talents of the Marquess of Carabas." - -"The Marquess of Carabas!" almost shrieked Mr. Cleveland, as be started -from his seat and paced the room with hurried steps; and the greyhound -and the Newfoundland jumped up from the rug, shook themselves, growled, -and then imitated their master in promenading the apartment, but with -more dignified and stately paces. "The Marquess of Carabas! Now, Mr. -Grey, speak to me with the frankness which one gentleman should use to -another; is the Marquess of Carabas privy to this application?" - -"He himself proposed it." - -"Then he is baser than even I conceived. Mr. Grey, I am a man spare of -my speech to those with whom I am unacquainted, and the world tails me a -soured, malicious man. And yet, when I think for a moment that one so -young as you are, endowed as I must suppose with no ordinary talents, -and actuated as I will believe with a pure and honourable spirit, should -be the dupe, or tool, or even present friend of such a creature as this -perjured Peer, it gives me pang." - -"Mr. Cleveland," said Vivian, "I am grateful for your kindness; and -although we may probably part, in a few hours, never to meet again, I -will speak to you with the frankness which you have merited, and to -which I feel you are entitled. I am not the dupe of the Marquess of -Carabas; I am not, I trust, the dupe, or tool, of any one whatever. -Believe me, sir, there is that at work in England which, taken at the -tide, may lead on to fortune. I see this, sir; I, a young man, -uncommitted in political principles, unconnected in public life, feeling -some confidence, I confess, in my own abilities, but desirous of -availing myself, at the same time, of the powers of others. Thus -situated, I find myself working for the same end as my Lord Carabas and -twenty other men of similar calibre, mental and moral; and, sir, am I to -play the hermit in the drama of life because, perchance, my -fellow-actors may be sometimes fools, and occasionally knaves? If the -Marquess of Carabas has done you the ill-service which Fame says he -has, your sweetest revenge will be to make him your tool; your most -perfect triumph, to rise to power by his influence. - -"I confess that I am desirous of finding in you the companion of my -career. Your splendid talents have long commanded my admiration; and, as -you have given me credit for something like good feeling, I will say -that my wish to find in you a colleague is greatly increased when I see -that those splendid talents are even the least estimable points in Mr. -Cleveland's character. But, sir, perhaps all this time I am in error; -perhaps Mr. Cleveland is, as the world reports him, no longer the -ambitious being who once commanded the admiration of a listening Senate; -perhaps, convinced of the vanity of human wishes, Mr. Cleveland would -rather devote his attention to the furtherance of the interests of his -immediate circle; and, having schooled his intellect in the Universities -of two nations, is probably content to pass the hours of his life in -mediating in the quarrels of a country village." - -Vivian ceased. Cleveland heard him with his head resting on both his -arms. He started at the last expression, and something like a blush -suffused his cheek, but he did not reply. At last he jumped up and rang -the bell. "Come, Mr. Grey," said he, "I am in no humour for politics -this morning. You must not, at any rate, visit Wales for nothing. -Morris! send down to the village for this gentleman's luggage. Even we -cottagers have a bed for a friend, Mr. Grey: come, and I will introduce -you to my wife." - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -And Vivian was now an inmate of Kenrich Lodge. It would have been -difficult to have conceived a life of more pure happiness than that -which was apparently enjoyed by its gifted master. A beautiful wife and -lovely children, and a romantic situation, and an income sufficient not -only for their own but for the wants of their necessitous neighbours; -what more could man wish? Answer me, thou inexplicable myriad of -sensations which the world calls human nature! - -Three days passed over in delightful converse. It was so long since -Cleveland had seen any one fresh from the former scenes of his life, -that the company of any one would have been agreeable; but here was a -companion who knew every one, everything, full of wit and anecdote, and -literature and fashion; and then so engaging in his manners, and with -such a winning voice. - -The heart of Cleveland relented; his stern manner gave way; all his -former warm and generous feeling gained the ascendant; he was in turn -amusing, communicative, and engaging. Finding that he could please -another, he began to be pleased himself. The nature of the business upon -which Vivian was his guest rendered confidence necessary; confidence -begets kindness. In a few days Vivian necessarily became more acquainted -with Mr. Cleveland's disposition and situation than if they had been -acquainted for as many years; in short. - - They talked with open heart and tongue, - Affectionate and true, - A pair of friends. - -Vivian, for some time, dwelt upon everything but the immediate subject -of his mission; but when, after the experience of a few days, their -hearts were open to each other, and they had mutually begun to discover -that there was a most astonishing similarity in their principles, their -tastes, their feelings, then the magician poured forth his incantation, -and raised the once-laid ghost of Cleveland's ambition. The recluse -agreed to take the lead of the Carabas party. He was to leave Wales -immediately, and resign his place; in return for which the nephew of -Lord Courtown was immediately to give up, in his favour, an office of -considerable emolument; and, having thus provided some certainty for his -family, Frederick Cleveland prepared himself to combat for a more -important office. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -"Is Mr. Cleveland handsome?" asked Mrs. Felix Lorraine of Vivian, -immediately on his return, "and what colour are his eyes?" - -"Upon my honour, I have not the least recollection of ever looking at -them; but I believe he is not blind." - -"How foolish you are! now tell me, pray, point de moquerie, is he -amusing?" - -"What does Mrs. Felix Lorraine mean by amusing?" asked Vivian. - -"Oh! you always tease me with your definitions; go away. I will quarrel -with you." - -"By-the-bye, Mrs. Felix Lorraine, how is Colonel Delmington?" - -Vivian redeemed his pledge: Mr. Cleveland arrived. It was the wish of -the Marquess, if possible, not to meet his old friend till dinner-time. -He thought that, surrounded by his guests, certain awkward senatorial -reminiscences might be got over. But, unfortunately, Mr. Cleveland -arrived about an hour before dinner, and, as it was a cold autumnal day, -most of the visitors who were staying at Château Desir were assembled in -the drawing-room. The Marquess sallied forward to receive his guest with -a most dignified countenance and a most aristocratic step; but, before -he got half-way, his coronation pace degenerated into a strut, and then -into a shamble, and with an awkward and confused countenance, half -impudent and half flinching, he held forward his left hand to his -newly-arrived visitor. Mr. Cleveland looked terrifically courteous and -amiably arrogant. He greeted the Marquess with a smile at once gracious -and grim, and looked something like Goliath, as you see the Philistine -depicted in some old German painting, looking down upon the pigmy -fighting men of Israel. - -As is generally the custom when there is a great deal to be arranged and -many points to be settled, days flew over, and very little of the future -system of the party was matured. Vivian made one or two ineffectual -struggles to bring the Marquess to a business-like habit of mind, but -his Lordship never dared to trust himself alone with Cleveland, and, -indeed, almost lost the power of speech when in presence of the future -leader of his party; so, in the morning, the Marquess played off the two -Lords and Sir Berdmore against his former friend, and then, to -compensate for not meeting Mr. Cleveland in the morning, he was -particularly courteous to him at dinner-time, and asked him always "how -he liked his ride?" and invariably took wine with him. As for the rest -of the day, he had particularly requested his faithful counsellor, Mrs. -Felix Lorraine, "for God's sake to take this man off his shoulders;" and -so that lady, with her usual kindness, and merely to oblige his -Lordship, was good enough to patronise Mr. Cleveland, and on the fourth -day was taking a moonlit walk with him. - -Mr. Cleveland had now been ten days at Château Desir, and was to take -his departure the next morning for Wales, in order to arrange everything -for his immediate settlement in the metropolis. Every point of -importance was postponed until their meeting in London. Mr. Cleveland -only agreed to take the lead of the party in the Commons, and received -the personal pledge of Lord Courtown as to the promised office. - -It was a September day, and to escape from the excessive heat of the -sun, and at the same time to enjoy the freshness of the air, Vivian was -writing his letters in the conservatory, which opened into one of the -drawing-rooms. The numerous party which then honoured the Château with -their presence were out, as he conceived, on a picnic excursion to the -Elfin's Well, a beautiful spot about ten miles off; and among the -adventurers were, as he imagined, Mrs. Felix Lorraine and Mr. Cleveland. - -Vivian was rather surprised at hearing voices in the adjoining room, and -he was still more so when, on looking round, he found that the sounds -proceeded from the very two individuals whom he thought were far away. -Some tall American plants concealed him from their view, but he observed -all that passed distinctly, and a singular scene it was. Mrs. Felix -Lorraine was on her knees at the feet of Mr. Cleveland; her countenance -indicated the most contrary passions, contending, as it were, for -mastery; supplication, anger, and, shall I call it, love? Her -companion's countenance was hid, but it was evident that it was not -wreathed with smiles: there were a few hurried sentences uttered, and -then both quitted the room at different doors, the lady in despair, and -the gentleman in disgust. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -And now Château Desir was almost deserted. Mrs. Million continued her -progress northward. The Courtowns, and the Beaconsfields, and the -Scropes quitted immediately after Mr. Cleveland; and when the families -that form the material of the visiting corps retire, the nameless -nothings that are always lounging about the country mansions of the -great, such as artists, tourists, authors, and other live stock, soon -disappear. Mr. Vivian Grey agreed to stay another fortnight, at the -particular request of the Marquess. - -Very few days had passed ere Vivian was exceedingly struck at the -decided change which suddenly took place in his Lordship's general -demeanour towards him. - -The Marquess grew reserved and uncommunicative, scarcely mentioning "the -great business" which had previously been the sole subject of his -conversation but to find fault with some arrangement, and exhibiting, -whenever his name was mentioned, a marked acrimony against Mr. -Cleveland. This rapid change alarmed as much as it astonished Vivian, -and he mentioned his feelings and observations to Mrs. Felix Lorraine. -That lady agreed with him that something certainly was wrong; but could -not, unfortunately, afford him any clue to the mystery. She expressed -the liveliest solicitude that any misunderstanding should be put an end -to, and offered her services for that purpose. - -In spite, however, of her well-expressed anxiety, Vivian had his own -ideas on the subject; and, determined to unravel the affair, he had -recourse to the Marchioness. - -"I hope your Ladyship is well to-day. I had a letter from Count Caumont -this morning. He tells me that he has got the prettiest poodle from -Paris that you can possibly conceive! waltzes like an angel, and acts -proverbs on its hind feet." - -Her Ladyship's eyes glistened with admiration. - -"I have told Caumont to send it me down immediately, and I shall then -have the pleasure of presenting it to your Ladyship." - -Her Ladyship's eyes sparkled with delight. - -"I think," continued Vivian, "I shall take a ride to-day. By-the-bye, -how is the Marquess? he seems in low spirits lately." - -"Oh, Mr. Grey! I do not know what you have done to him," said her -Ladyship, settling at least a dozen bracelets; "but, but--" - -"But what?" - -"He thinks; he thinks." - -"Thinks what, dear lady?" - -"That you have entered into a combination, Mr. Grey." - -"Entered into a combination!" - -"Yes, Mr. Grey! a conspiracy, a conspiracy against the Marquess, with -Mr. Cleveland. He thinks that you have made him serve your purpose, and -now you are going to get rid of him." - -"Well, that is excellent, and what else does he think?" - -"He thinks you talk too loud," said the Marchioness, still working at -her bracelets. - -"Well! that is shockingly vulgar! Allow me to recommend your Ladyship to -alter the order of those bracelets, and place the blue and silver -against the maroon. You may depend upon it, that is the true Vienna -order. And what else dues the Marquess say?" - -"He thinks you are generally too authoritative. Not that I think so, Mr. -Grey: I am sure your conduct to me has been most courteous. The blue and -silver next to the maroon, did you say? Yes; certainly it does look -better. I have no doubt the Marquess is quite wrong, and I dare say you -will set things right immediately. You will remember the pretty poodle, -Mr. Grey? and you will not tell the Marquess I mentioned anything." - -"Oh! certainly not. I will give orders for them to book an inside place -for the poodle, and send him down by the coach immediately, I must be -off now. Remember the blue and silver next to the maroon. Good morning -to your Ladyship." - -"Mrs. Felix Lorraine, I am your most obedient slave," said Vivian Grey, -as he met that lady on the landing-place. "I can see no reason why I -should not drive you this bright day to the Elfin's Well; we have long -had an engagement to go there." - -The lady smiled a gracious assent: the pony phaeton was immediately -ordered. - -"How pleasant Lady Courtown and I used to discourse about martingales! I -think I invented one, did not I? Pray, Mrs. Felix Lorraine, can you tell -me what a martingale is? for upon my honour I have forgotten, or -never knew." - -"If you found a martingale for the mother, Vivian, it had been well if -you had found a curb for the daughter. Poor Cynthia! I had intended once -to advise the Marchioness to interfere; but one forgets these things." - -"One does. O, Mrs. Felix!" exclaimed Vivian, "I told your admirable -story of the Leyden Professor to Mrs. Cleveland. It is universally -agreed to be the best ghost-story extant. I think you said you knew the -Professor." - -"Well! I have seen him often, and heard the story from his own lips. -And, as I mentioned before, far from being superstitious, he was an -esprit fort. Do you know, Mr. Grey, I have such an interesting packet -from Germany to-day; from my cousin, Baron Rodenstein. But I must keep -all the stories for the evening; come to my boudoir, and I will read -them to you. There is one tale which I am sure will make a convert even -of you. It happened to Rodenstein himself, and within these three -months," added the lady in a serious tone. "The Rodensteins are a -singular family. My mother was a Rodenstein. Do you think this -beautiful?" said Mrs. Felix, showing Vivian a small miniature which was -attached to a chain round her neck. It was the portrait of a youth -habited in the costume of a German student. His rich brown hair was -flowing over his shoulders, and his dark blue eyes beamed with such a -look of mysterious inspiration, that they might have befitted a -young prophet. - -"Very, very beautiful!" - -"'Tis Max, Max Rodenstein," said the lady, with a faltering voice. "He -was killed at Leipsic, at the head of a band of his friends and -fellow-students. O, Mr. Grey! this is a fair work of art, but if you had -but seen the prototype you would have gazed on this as on a dim and -washed-out drawing. There was one portrait, indeed, which did him more -justice; but then that portrait was not the production of -mortal pencil." - -Vivian looked at his companion with a somewhat astonished air, but Mrs. -Felix Lorraine's countenance was as little indicative of jesting as that -of the young student whose miniature rested on her bosom. - -"Did you say _not_ the production of a mortal hand, Mrs. Felix -Lorraine?" - -"I am afraid I shall weary you with my stories, but the one I am about -to tell you is so well evidenced that I think even Mr. Vivian Grey will -hear it without a sneer." - -"A sneer! O lady-love, do I ever sneer?" - -"Max Rodenstein was the glory of his house. A being so beautiful in body -and in soul you cannot imagine, and I will not attempt to describe. This -miniature has given you some faint idea of his image, and yet this is -only the copy of a copy. The only wish of the Baroness Rodenstein, which -never could be accomplished, was the possession of a portrait of her -youngest son, for no consideration could induce Max to allow his -likeness to be taken. His old nurse had always told him that the moment -his portrait was taken he would die. The condition upon which such a -beautiful being was allowed to remain in the world was, she always said, -that his beauty should not be imitated. About three months before the -battle of Leipsic, when Max was absent at the University, which was -nearly four hundred miles from Rodenstein Castle, there arrived one -morning a large case directed to the Baroness. On opening it it was -found to contain a picture, the portrait of her son. The colouring was -so vivid, the general execution so miraculous, that for some moments -they forgot to wonder at the incident in their admiration of the work of -art. In one corner of the picture, in small characters yet fresh, was an -inscription, which on examining they found consisted of these words: -'Painted last night. Now, lady, thou hast thy wish.' My aunt sank into -the Baron's arms. - -"In silence and in trembling the wonderful portrait was suspended over -the fireplace of my aunt's favourite apartment. The next day they -received letters from Max. He was quite well, but mentioned nothing of -the mysterious painting. - -"Three months afterwards, as a lady was sitting alone in the Baroness's -room, and gazing on the portrait of him she loved right dearly, she -suddenly started from her seat, and would have shrieked, had not an -indefinable sensation prevented her. The eyes of the portrait moved. The -lady stood leaning on a chair, pale, and trembling like an aspen, but -gazing steadfastly on the animated portrait. It was no illusion of a -heated fancy; again the eyelids trembled, there was a melancholy smile, -and then they closed. The clock of Rodenstein Castle struck three. -Between astonishment and fear the lady was tearless. Three days -afterwards came the news of the battle of Leipsic, and at the very -moment that the eyes of the portrait closed Max Rodenstein had been -pierced by a Polish Lancer." - -"And who was this wonderful lady, the witness of this wonderful -incident?" asked Vivian. - -"That lady was myself." - -There was something so singular in the tone of Mrs. Felix Lorraine's -voice, and so peculiar in the expression of her countenance, as she -uttered these words, that the jest died on Vivian's tongue; and, for -want of something better to do, he lashed the little ponies, which were -already scampering at their full speed. - -The road to the Elfin's Well ran through the wildest parts of the park; -and after an hour and a half's drive they reached the fairy spot. It was -a beautiful and pellucid spring, that bubbled up in a small wild dell, -which, nurtured by the flowing stream, was singularly fresh and green. -Above the spring had been erected a Gothic arch of grey stone, round -which grew a few fine birch-trees. In short, nature had intended the -spot for picnics. There was fine water, and an interesting tradition; -and as the parties always bring, or always should bring, a trained -punster, champagne, and cold pasties, what more ought Nature to -have provided? - -"Come, Mrs. Lorraine, I will tie Gypsey to this ash, and then you and I -will rest ourselves beneath these birch-trees, just where the -fairies dance." - -"Oh, delightful!" - -"Now, truly, we should have some book of beautiful poetry to while away -an hour. You will blame me for not bringing one. Do not. I would sooner -listen to your voice; and, indeed, there is a subject on which I wish to -ask your particular advice." - -"Is there?" - -"I have been thinking that this is a somewhat rash step of the Marquess; -this throwing himself into the arms of his former bitterest enemy, -Cleveland." - -"You really think so?" - -"Why, Mrs. Lorraine, does it appear to you to be the most prudent course -of action which could have been conceived?" - -"Certainly not." - -"You agree with me, then, that there is, if not cause for regret at this -engagement, at least for reflection on its probable consequences?" - -"I quite agree with you." - -"I know you do. I have had some conversation with the Marquess upon this -subject this very morning." - -"Have you?" eagerly exclaimed the lady, and she looked pale and breathed -short. - -"Ay; and he tells me you have made some very sensible observations on -the subject. 'Tis pity they were not made before Mr. Cleveland left; the -mischief might then have been prevented." - -"I certainly have made some observations." - -"And very kind of you. What a blessing for the Marquess to have such a -friend!" - -"I spoke to him," said Mrs. Felix, with a more assured tone, "in much -the same spirit as you have been addressing me. It does, indeed, seem a -most imprudent act, and I thought it my duty to tell him so." - -"Ay, no doubt; but how came you, lady fair, to imagine that _I_ was also -a person to be dreaded by his Lordship; _I_, Vivian Grey!" - -"Did I say _you_?" asked the lady, pale as death. - -"Did you not, Mrs. Felix Lorraine? Have you not, regardless of my -interests, in the most unwarrantable and unjustifiable manner; have you -not, to gratify some private pique which you entertain against Mr. -Cleveland; have you not, I ask you, poisoned the Marquess' mind against -one who never did aught to you but what was kind and honourable?" - -"I have been imprudent; I confess it; I have spoken somewhat loosely." - -"Now. listen to me once more," and Vivian grasped her hand. "What has -passed between you and Mr. Cleveland it is not for me to inquire. I give -you my word of honour that he never even mentioned your name to me. I -can scarcely understand how any man could have incurred the deadly -hatred which you appear to entertain for him. I repeat, I can -contemplate no situation in which you could be placed together which -would justify such behaviour. It could not be justified, even if he had -spurned you while--kneeling at his feet." - -Mrs. Felix Lorraine shrieked and fainted. A sprinkling from the fairy -stream soon recovered her. "Spare me! spare me!" she faintly cried: "say -nothing of what you have seen." - -"Mrs. Lorraine, I have no wish. I have spoken thus explicitly that we -may not again misunderstand each other. I have spoken thus explicitly, I -say, that I may not be under the necessity of speaking again, for if I -speak again it must not be to Mrs. Felix Lorraine. There is my hand; and -now let the Elfin's Well be blotted out of our memories." - -Vivian drove rapidly home, and endeavoured to talk in his usual tone and -with his usual spirit; but his companion could not be excited. Once, ay -twice, she pressed his hand, and as he assisted her from the phaeton she -murmured something like a blessing. She ran upstairs immediately. Vivian -had to give some directions about the ponies; Gipsey was ill, or Fanny -had a cold, or something of the kind; and so he was detained for about -a quarter of an hour before the house, speaking most learnedly to -grooms, and consulting on cases with a skilled gravity worthy of -Professor Coleman. - -When he entered the house he found the luncheon prepared, and Mrs. Felix -pressed him earnestly to take some refreshment. He was indeed wearied, -and agreed to take a glass of hock and seltzer. - -"Let me mix it for you," said Mrs. Felix; "do you like sugar?" - -Tired with his drive, Vivian Grey was leaning on the mantelpiece, with -his eyes vacantly gazing on the looking-glass which rested on the marble -slab. It was by pure accident that, reflected in the mirror, he -distinctly beheld Mrs. Felix Lorraine open a small silver box, and throw -some powder into the tumbler which she was preparing for him. She was -leaning down, with her back almost turned to the glass, but still Vivian -saw it distinctly. A sickness came over him, and ere he could recover -himself his Hebe tapped him on the shoulder. - -"Here, drink, drink while it is effervescent." - -"I cannot drink," said Vivian, "I am not thirsty; I am too hot; I am -anything--" - -"How foolish you are! It will be quite, spoiled." - -"No, no; the dog shall have it. Here, Fidele, you look thirsty enough; -come here--" - -"Mr. Grey, I do not mix tumblers for dogs," said the lady, rather -agitated: "if you will not take it," and she held it once more before -him, "here it goes for ever." So saying she emptied the tumbler into a -large globe of glass, in which some gold and silver fish were swimming -their endless rounds. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -This last specimen of Mrs. Felix Lorraine was somewhat too much even for -the steeled nerves of Vivian Grey, and he sought his chamber for relief. - -"Is it possible? Can I believe my senses? Or has some demon, as we read -of in old tales, mocked me in a magic mirror? I can believe anything. -Oh! my heart is very sick! I once imagined that I was using this woman -for my purpose. Is it possible that aught of good can come to one who -is forced to make use of such evil instruments as these? A horrible -thought sometimes comes over my spirit. I fancy that in this mysterious -foreigner, that in this woman, I have met a kind of double of myself. -The same wonderful knowledge of the human mind, the same sweetness of -voice, the same miraculous management which has brought us both under -the same roof: yet do I find her the most abandoned of all beings; a -creature guilty of that which, even in this guilty age, I thought was -obsolete. And is it possible that I am like her? that I can resemble -her? that even the indefinite shadow of my most unhallowed thought can -for a moment be as vile as her righteousness? O God! the system of my -existence seems to stop. I cannot breathe." He flung himself upon his -bed, and felt for a moment as if he had quaffed the poisoned draught so -lately offered. - -"It is not so; it cannot be so; it shall not be so! In seeking the -Marquess I was unquestionably impelled by a mere feeling of -self-interest; but I have advised him to no course of action in which -his welfare is not equally consulted with my own. Indeed, if not -principle, interest would make me act faithfully towards him, for my -fortunes are bound up in his. But am I entitled, I, who can lose -nothing, am I entitled to play with other men's fortunes? Am I all this -time deceiving myself with some wretched sophistry? Am I, then, an -intellectual Don Juan, reckless of human minds, as he was of human -bodies; a spiritual libertine? But why this wild declamation? Whatever I -have done, it is too late to recede; even this very moment delay is -destruction, for now it is not a question as to the ultimate prosperity -of our worldly prospects, but the immediate safety of our very bodies. -Poison! O God! O God! Away with all fear, all repentance, all thought of -past, all reckoning of future. If I be the Juan that I fancied myself, -then Heaven be praised! I have a confidant in all my troubles; the most -faithful of counsellors, the craftiest of valets; a Leporello often -tried and never found wanting: my own good mind. And now, thou female -fiend! the battle is to the strongest; and I see right well that the -struggle between two such spirits will be a long and a fearful one. Woe, -I say, to the vanquished! You must be dealt with by arts which even -yourself cannot conceive. Your boasted knowledge of human nature shall -not again stand you in stead; for, mark me, from henceforward Vivian -Grey's conduct towards you shall have no precedent in human nature." - -As Vivian re-entered the drawing-room he met a servant carrying in the -globe of gold and silver fishes. - -"What, still in your pelisse, Mrs. Lorraine!" said Vivian. "Nay, I -hardly wonder at it, for surely, a prettier pelisse never yet fitted -prettier form. You have certainly a most admirable taste in dress; and -this the more surprises me, for it is generally your plain personage -that is the most recherché in frills and fans and flounces." - -The lady smiled. - -"Oh! by-the-bye," continued her companion, "I have a letter from -Cleveland this morning. I wonder how any misunderstanding could possibly -have existed between you, for he speaks of you in such terms." - -"What does he say?" was the quick question. - -"Oh! what does he say?" drawled out Vivian; and he yawned, and was most -provokingly uncommunicative. - -"Come, come, Mr. Grey, do tell me." - -"Oh! tell you, certainly. Come, let us walk together in the -conservatory:" so saying, he took the lady by the hand, and they -left the room. - -"And now for the letter, Mr. Grey." - -"Ay, now for the letter;" and Vivian slowly drew an epistle from his -pocket, and therefrom read some exceedingly sweet passages, which made -Mrs. Felix Lorraine's very heart-blood tingle. Considering that Vivian -Grey had never in his life received a single letter from Mr. Cleveland, -this was tolerably well: but he was always an admirable improvisatore! -"I am sure that when Cleveland comes to town everything will be -explained; I am sure, at least, that it will not be my fault if you are -not the best friends. I am heroic in saying all this, Mrs. Lorraine; -there was a time when (and here Vivian seemed so agitated that he could -scarcely proceed), there was a time when I could have called that man -liar who would have prophesied that Vivian Grey could have assisted -another in riveting the affections of Mrs. Felix Lorraine. But enough of -this. I am a weak, inexperienced boy, and misinterpret, perhaps, that -which is merely the compassionate kindness natural to all women into a -feeling of a higher nature. But I must learn to contain myself; I really -do feel quite ashamed of my behaviour about the tumbler to-day. To act -with such, unwarrantable unkindness, merely because I had remembered -that you once performed the same kind office for Colonel Delmington, was -indeed too bad." - -"Colonel Delmington is a vain, empty-headed fool. Do not think of him, -my dear Mr. Grey," said Mrs. Felix, with a countenance beaming -with smiles. - -"Well, I will not; and I will try to behave like a man; like a man of -the world, I should say. But indeed you must excuse the warm feelings of -a youth; and truly, when I call to mind the first days of our -acquaintance, and then remember that our moonlit walks are gone for -ever, and that our--" - -"Nay, do not believe so, my dear Vivian; believe me, as I ever shall be. -your friend, your--" - -"I will, I will, my dear, my own Amalia!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -It was an autumnal night; the wind was capricious and changeable as a -petted beauty, or an Italian greyhound, or a shot silk. Now the breeze -blew so fresh that the white clouds dashed along the sky as if they bore -a band of witches too late for their Sabbath meeting, or some other -mischief; and now, lulled and soft as the breath of a slumbering infant, -you might almost have fancied it Midsummer Eve; and the bright moon, -with her starry court, reigned undisturbed in the light blue sky. Vivian -Grey was leaning against an old beech-tree in the most secluded part of -the park, and was gazing on the moon. - -O thou bright moon! thou object of my first love! thou shalt not escape -an invocation, although perchance at this very moment some varlet -sonnetteer is prating of "the boy Endymion" and "thy silver bow." Here -to thee, Queen of the Night! in whatever name thou most delightest! Or -Bendis, as they hailed thee in rugged Thrace; or Bubastis, as they -howled to thee in mysterious Egypt; or Dian, as they sacrificed to thee -in gorgeous Rome; or Artemis, as they sighed to thee on the bright -plains of ever glorious Greece! Why is it that all men gaze on thee? Why -is it that all men love thee? Why is it that all men worship thee? - -Shine on, shine on, sultana of the soul! the Passions are thy eunuch -slaves, Ambition gazes on thee, and his burning brow is cooled, and his -fitful pulse is calm. Grief wanders in her moonlit walk and sheds no -tear; and when thy crescent smiles the lustre of Joy's revelling eye is -dusked. Quick Anger, in thy light, forgets revenge; and even dove-eyed -Hope feeds on no future joys when gazing on the miracle of thy beauty. - -Shine on, shine on! although a pure Virgin, thou art the mighty mother -of all abstraction! The eye of the weary peasant returning from his -daily toil, and the rapt gaze of the inspired poet, are alike fixed on -thee; thou stillest the roar of marching armies, and who can doubt thy -influence o'er the waves who has witnessed the wide Atlantic sleeping -under thy silver beam? - -Shine on, shine on! they say thou art Earth's satellite; yet when I gaze -on thee my thoughts are not of thy suzerain. They teach us that thy -power is a fable, and that thy divinity is a dream. Oh, thou bright -Queen! I will be no traitor to thy sweet authority; and verily, I will -not believe that thy influence o'er our hearts is, at this moment, less -potent than when we worshipped in thy glittering fane of Ephesus, or -trembled at the dark horrors of thine Arician rites. Then, hail to thee, -Queen of the Night! Hail to thee, Diana, Triformis; Cynthia, Orthia, -Taurica; ever mighty, ever lovely, ever holy! Hail! hail! hail! - -Were I a metaphysician, I would tell you why Vivian Grey had been gazing -two hours on the moon; for I could then present you with a most logical -programme of the march of his ideas, since he whispered his last honied -speech in the ear of Mrs. Felix Lorraine, at dinner-time, until this -very moment, when he did not even remember that such a being as Mrs. -Felix Lorraine breathed. Glory to the metaphysician's all-perfect -theory! When they can tell me why, at a bright banquet, the thought of -death has flashed across my mind, who fear not death; when they can tell -me why, at the burial of my beloved friend, when my very heart-strings -seemed bursting, my sorrow has been mocked by the involuntary -remembrance of ludicrous adventures and grotesque tales; when they can -tell me why, in a dark mountain pass, I have thought of an absent -woman's eyes; or why, when in the very act of squeezing the third lime -into a beaker of Burgundy cup, my memory hath been of lean apothecaries -and their vile drugs; why then, I say again, glory to the -metaphysician's all-perfect theory! and fare you well, sweet world, and -you, my merry masters, whom, perhaps, I have studied somewhat too -cunningly: nosce teipsum shall be my motto. I will doff my travelling -cap, and on with the monk's cowl. - -There are mysterious moments in some men's lives when the faces of human -beings are very agony to them, and when the sound of the human voice is -jarring as discordant music. These fits are not the consequence of -violent or contending passions: they grow not out of sorrow, or joy, or -hope, or fear, or hatred, or despair. For in the hour of affliction the -tones of our fellow-creatures are ravishing as the most delicate lute; -and in the flush moment of joy where is the smiler who loves not a -witness to his revelry or a listener to his good fortune? Fear makes us -feel our humanity, and then we fly to men, and Hope is the parent of -kindness. The misanthrope and the reckless are neither agitated nor -agonised. It is in these moments that men find in Nature that -congeniality of spirit which they seek for in vain in their own species. -It is in these moments that we sit by the side of a waterfall and listen -to its music the live-long day. It is in these moments that men gaze -upon the moon. It is in these moments that Nature becomes our Egeria; -and, refreshed and renovated by this beautiful communion, we return to -the world better enabled to fight our parts in the hot war of passions, -to perform the great duties for which man appeared to have been created, -to love, to hate, to slander, and to slay. - -It was past midnight, and Vivian was at a considerable distance from the -Château. He proposed entering by a side door, which led into the -billiard-room, and from thence, crossing the Long Gallery, he could -easily reach his apartment without disturbing any of the household. His -way led through the little gate at which he had parted with Mrs. Felix -Lorraine on the first day of their meeting. - -As he softly opened the door which led into the Long Gallery he found he -was not alone: leaning against one of the casements was a female. Her -profile was to Vivian as he entered, and the moon, which shone bright -through the window, lit up a countenance which he might be excused for -not immediately recognising as that of Mrs. Felix Lorraine. She was -gazing steadfastly, but her eye did not seem fixed upon any particular -object. Her features appeared convulsed, but their contortions were not -momentary, and, pale as death, a hideous grin seemed chiselled on her -idiot countenance. - -Vivian scarcely knew whether to stay or to retire. Desirous not to -disturb her, he determined not even to breathe; and, as is generally the -case, his very exertions to be silent made him nervous, and to save -himself from being stifled he coughed. - -Mrs. Lorraine immediately started and stared wildly around her, and when -her eye caught Vivian's there was a sound in her throat something like -the death-rattle. - -"Who are you?" she eagerly asked. - -"A friend, and Vivian Grey." - -"How came you here?" and she rushed forward and wildly seized his hand, -and then she muttered to herself, "'tis flesh." - -"I have been playing, I fear, the mooncalf to-night; and find that, -though I am a late watcher, I am not a solitary one." - -Mrs. Lorraine stared earnestly at him, and then she endeavoured to -assume her usual expression of countenance; but the effort was too much -for her. She dropped Vivian's arm, and buried her face in her own hands. -Vivian was retiring, when she again looked up. "Where are you going?" -she asked, with a quick voice. - -"To sleep, as I would advise all: 'tis much past midnight." - -"You say not the truth. The brightness of your eye belies the sentence -of your tongue. You are not for sleep." - -"Pardon me, dear Mrs. Lorraine; I really have been yawning for the last -hour," said Vivian, and he moved on. - -"You are speaking to one who takes her answer from the eye, which does -not deceive, and from the speaking lineaments of the face, which are -Truth's witnesses. Keep your voice for those who can credit man's words. -You will go, then? What! are you afraid of a woman, because 'tis past -midnight,' and you are in an old gallery?" - -"Fear, Mrs. Lorraine, is not a word in my vocabulary." - -"The words in your vocabulary are few, boy! as are the years of your -age. He who sent you here this night sent you here not to slumber. Come -hither!" and she led Vivian to the window: "what see you?" - -"I see Nature at rest, Mrs. Lorraine; and I would fain follow the -example of beasts, birds, and fishes." - -"Yet gaze upon this scene one second. See the distant hills, how -beautifully their rich covering is tinted with the moonbeam! These -nearer fir-trees, how radiantly their black skeleton forms are tipped -with silver; and the old and thickly foliaged oaks bathed in light! and -the purple lake reflecting in its lustrous bosom another heaven? la it -not a fair scene?" - -"Beautiful! most beautiful!" - -"Yet, Vivian, where is the being for whom all this beauty exists? Where -is your mighty creature, Man? The peasant on his rough couch enjoys, -perchance, slavery's only service-money, sweet sleep; or, waking in the -night, curses at the same time his lot and his lord. And that lord is -restless on some downy couch; his night thoughts, not of this sheeny -lake and this bright moon, but of some miserable creation of man's -artifice, some mighty nothing, which Nature knows not of, some offspring -of her bastard child, Society. Why, then, is Nature loveliest when man -looks not on her? For whom, then, Vivian Grey, is this scene so fair?" - -"For poets, lady; for philosophers; for all those superior spirits who -require some relaxation from the world's toils; spirits who only -commingle with humanity on the condition that they may sometimes commune -with Nature." - -"Superior spirits! say you?" and here they paced the gallery. "When -Valerian, first Lord Carabas, raised this fair castle; when, profuse for -his posterity, all the genius of Italian art and Italian artists was -lavished on this English palace; when the stuffs and statues, the -marbles and the mirrors, the tapestry, and the carvings, and the -paintings of Genoa, and Florence, and Venice, and Padua, and Vicenza, -were obtained by him at miraculous cost, and with still more miraculous -toil; what think you would have been his sensations If, while his soul -was revelling in the futurity of his descendants keeping their state in -this splendid pile, some wizard had foretold to him that, ere three -centuries could elapse, the fortunes of his mighty family would be the -sport of two individuals; one of them a foreigner, unconnected in blood, -or connected only in hatred; and the other a young adventurer alike -unconnected with his race, in blood or in love; a being ruling all -things by the power of his own genius, and reckless of all consequences -save his own prosperity? If the future had been revealed to my great -ancestor, the Lord Valerian, think you, Vivian Grey, that you and I -should be walking in this Long Gallery?" - -"Really, Mrs. Lorraine, I have been so interested in discovering what -people think in the nineteenth century, that I have had but little time -to speculate on the possible opinions of an old gentleman who flourished -in the sixteenth." - -"You may sneer, sir; but I ask you, if there are spirits so superior to -that of the slumbering Lord of this castle as those of Vivian Grey and -Amelia Lorraine, why may there not be spirits proportionately superior -to our own?" - -"If you are keeping me from my bed, Mrs. Lorraine, merely to lecture my -conceit by proving that there are in this world wiser heads than that of -Vivian Grey, on my honour you are giving yourself a great deal of -unnecessary trouble." - -"You will misunderstand me, then, you wilful boy!" - -"Nay, lady, I will not affect to misunderstand your meaning; but I -recognise, you know full well, no intermediate essence between my own -good soul and that ineffable and omnipotent spirit in whose existence -philosophers and priests alike agree." - -"Omnipotent and ineffable essence! Leave such words to scholars and to -school-boys! And think you that such indefinite nothings, such unmeaning -abstractions, can influence beings whose veins are full of blood, -bubbling like this?" And here she grasped Vivian with a feverish hand. -"Omnipotent and ineffable essence! Oh! I have lived in a land where -every mountain, and every stream, and every wood, and every ruin, has -its legend and its peculiar spirit; a land in whose dark forests the -midnight hunter, with his spirit-shout, scares the slumbers of the -trembling serf; a land from whose winding rivers the fair-haired Undine -welcomes the belated traveller to her fond and fatal embrace; and you -talk to me of omnipotent and ineffable essence! Miserable Mocker! It is -not true, Vivian Grey; you are but echoing the world's deceit, and even -at this hour of the night you dare not speak as you do think. You -worship no omnipotent and ineffable essence; you believe in no -omnipotent and ineffable essence. Shrined in this secret chamber of your -soul there is an image before which you bow down in adoration, and that -image is YOURSELF. And truly, when I do gaze upon your radiant eyes," -and here the lady's tone became more terrestrial; "and truly, when I do -look upon your luxuriant curls," and here the lady's small white hand -played like lightning through Vivian's dark hair; "and truly, when I do -remember the beauty of your all-perfect form, I cannot deem your -self-worship a false idolatry," and here the lady's arms were locked -round Vivian's neck, and her head rested on his bosom. - -"Oh, Amalia! it would lie far better for you to rest here than to think -of that of which the knowledge is vanity." - -"Vanity!" shrieked Mrs. Lorraine, and she violently loosened her -embrace, and extricated herself from the arm which, rather in courtesy -than in kindness, had been wound round her delicate waist: "Vanity! Oh! -if you knew but what I know, oh! if you had but seen what I have seen;" -and here her voice failed her, and she stood motionless in the -moonshine, with averted head and outstretched arms. - -"Amalia! this is madness; for Heaven's sake calm yourself!" - -"Calm myself! Yes, it is madness; very, very madness! 'tis the madness -of the fascinated bird; 'tis the madness of the murderer who is -voluntarily broken on the wheel; 'tis the madness of the fawn that gazes -with adoration on the lurid glare of the anaconda's eye; 'tis the -madness of woman who flies to the arms of her Fate;" and here she sprang -like a tigress round Vivian's neck, her long light hair bursting from -its bands, and clustering down her shoulders. - -And here was Vivian Grey, at past midnight, in this old gallery, with -this wild woman clinging round his neck. The figures in the ancient -tapestry looked living in the moon, and immediately opposite him was one -compartment of some old mythological tale, in which were represented, -grinning, in grim majesty, the Fates. - -The wind now rose again, and the clouds which had vanished began to -reassemble in the heavens. As the blue sky was gradually covering, the -gigantic figures of Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos became as gradually -dimmer and dimmer, and the grasp of Vivian's fearful burden looser and -looser. At last the moon was entirely hid, the figures of the Fates -vanished, and Mrs. Felix Lorraine sank lifeless into his arms. - -Vivian groped his way with difficulty to the nearest window, the very -one at which she was leaning when he first entered the gallery. He -played with her wild curls; he whispered to her in a voice sweeter than -the sweetest serenade; but she only raised her eyes from his breast and -stared wildly at him, and then clung round his neck with, if possible, a -tighter grasp. - -For nearly half an hour did Vivian stand leaning against the window, -with his mystic and motionless companion. At length the wind again fell; -there was a break in the sky, and a single star appeared in the midst of -the clouds, surrounded with a little heaven of azure. - -"See there, see there!" the lady cried, and then she unlocked her arms. -"What would you give, Vivian Grey, to read that star?" - -"Am I more interested in that star, Amalia, than in any other of the -bright host?" asked Vivian with a serious tone, for he thought it -necessary to humour his companion. - -"Are you not? is it not the star of your destiny?" - -"Are you learned in all the learning of the Chaldeans, too?" - -"Oh, no, no, no!" slowly murmured Mrs. Lorraine, and then she started: -but Vivian seized her arms, and prevented her from again clasping -his neck. - -"I must keep these pretty hands close prisoners," he said, smiling, -"unless you promise to behave with more moderation. Come, my Amalia! you -shall be my instructress! Why am I so interested in this brilliant -star?" and holding her hands in one of his, he wound his arm round her -waist, and whispered her such words as he thought might calm her -troubled spirit. The wildness of her eyes gradually gave way; at length -she raised them to Vivian with a look of meek tenderness, and her head -sank upon his breast. - -"It shines, it shines, it shines, Vivian!" she softly whispered; "glory -to thee and woe to me! Nay, you need not hold my hands; I will not harm -you. I cannot: 'tis no use. O Vivian! when we first met, how little did -I know to whom I pledged myself!" - -"Amalia, forget these wild fancies; estrange yourself from the wild -belief which has exercised so baneful an influence, not only over your -mind, but over the very soul of the land from which you come. Recognise -in me only your friend, and leave the other world to those who value it -more, or more deserve it. Does not this fair earth contain sufficient of -interest and enjoyment?" - -"O Vivian! you speak with a sweet voice, but with a sceptic's spirit. -You know not what I know." - -"Tell me, then, my Amalia; let me share your secrets, provided they be -your sorrows." - -"Almost within this hour, and in this park, there has happened that -which--" and here her voice died, and she looked fear-fully round her. - -"Nay, fear not; no one can harm you here, no one shall harm you. Rest -upon me, and tell me all thy grief." - -"I dare not, I cannot tell you." - -"Nay, thou shalt." - -"I cannot speak; your eye scares me. Are you mocking me? I cannot speak -if you look so at me." - -"I will not look on you; I will gaze on yonder star. Now speak on." - -"O Vivian, there is a custom in my native land: the world calls it an -unhallowed one; you, in your proud spirit, will call it a vain one. But -you would not deem it vain if you were the woman now resting on your -bosom. At certain hours of particular nights, and with peculiar -ceremonies, which I need not here mention, we do believe that in a lake -or other standing water fate reveals itself to the solitary votary. O -Vivian, I have been too long a searcher after this fearful science; and -this very night, agitated in spirit, I sought yon water. The wind was in -the right direction, and everything concurred in favouring a propitious -divination. I knelt down to gaze on the lake. I had always been -accustomed to view my own figure performing some future action, or -engaged in some future scene of my life. I gazed, but I saw nothing but -a brilliant star. I looked up into the heavens, but the star was not -there, and the clouds were driving quick across the sky. More than -usually agitated by this singular occurrence, I gazed once more; and -just at the moment when with breathless and fearful expectation I waited -the revelation of my immediate destiny there flitted a figure across the -water. It was there only for the breathing of u second, and as it passed -it mocked me." Here Mrs. Lorraine writhed in Vivian's arms; her features -were moulded in the same unnatural expression as when he first entered -the gallery, and the hideous grin was again sculptured on her -countenance. Her whole frame was in such a state of agitation that she -rose up and down in Vivian's arms, and it was only with the exertions of -his whole strength that he could retain her. - -"Why, Amalia, this, this was nothing; your own figure." - -"No, not my own; it was yours!" - -Uttering a piercing shriek, which echoed through the winding gallery, -she swooned. - -Vivian gazed on her in a state of momentary stupefaction, for the -extraordinary scene had begun to influence his own nerves. And now he -heard the tread of distant feet, and a light shone through the key-hole -of the nearest door. The fearful shriek had alarmed some of the -household. What was to be done? In desperation Vivian caught the lady up -in his arms, and dashing out of an opposite door bore her to -her chamber. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -What is this chapter to be about? Come, I am inclined to be courteous! -You shall choose the subject of it. What shall it be, sentiment or -scandal? a love-scene or a lay sermon? You will not choose? Then we must -open the note which Vivian, in the morning, found on his pillow:-- - -"Did you hear the horrid shriek last night? It must have disturbed every -one. I think it must have been one of the South American birds which -Captain Tropic gave the Marchioness. Do not they sometimes favour the -world with these nocturnal shriekings? Is not there a passage in Spix -apropos to this? A----." - -"Did you hear the shriek last night, Mr. Grey?" asked the Marchioness, -as Vivian entered the breakfast-room. - -"Oh, yes! Mr. Grey, did you hear the shriek?" asked Miss Graves. - -"Who did not?" - -"What could it be?" said the Marchioness. - -"What could it be?" said Miss Graves. - -"What should it be; a cat in a gutter, or a sick cow, or a toad dying to -be devoured, Miss Graves?" - -Always snub toadeys and led captains. It is only your greenhorns who -endeavour to make their way by fawning and cringing to every member of -the establishment. It is a miserable mistake. No one likes his -dependants to be treated with respect, for such treatment affords an -unpleasant contrast to his own conduct. Besides, it makes the toadey's -blood unruly. There are three persons, mind you, to be attended to: my -lord, or my lady, as the case may be (usually the latter), the pet -daughter, and the pet dog. I throw out these hints en passant, for my -principal objects in writing this work are to amuse myself and to -instruct society. In some future hook, probably the twentieth or -twenty-fifth, when the plot logins to wear threadbare, and we can afford -a digression. I may give a chapter on Domestic Tactics. - -"My dear Marchioness," continued Vivian, "see there: I have kept my -promise, there is your bracelet. How is Julie to-day?" - -"Poor dear, I hope she is better." - -"Oh! yes, poor Julie I think she is better." - -"I do not know that, Miss Graves," said her Ladyship, somewhat tartly, -not at all approving of a toadey thinking. "I am afraid that scream -last night must have disturbed her. O dear, Mr. Grey, I am afraid she -will be ill again." - -Miss Graves looked mournful, and lifted up her eyes and hands to Heaven, -but did not dare to speak this time. - -"I thought she looked a little heavy about the eyes this morning," said -the Marchioness, apparently very agitated; "and I have heard from -Eglamour this post; he is not well, too; I think everybody is ill now; -he has caught a fever going to see the ruins of Paestum. I wonder why -people go to see ruins!" - -"I wonder, indeed," said Miss Graves; "I never could see anything in a -ruin." - -"O, Mr. Grey!" continued the Marchioness, "I really am afraid Julie is -going to be very ill." - -"Let Miss Graves pull her tail and give her a little mustard seed: she -will be better tomorrow." - -"Remember that, Miss Graves." - -"Oh! y-e-s, my Lady!" - -"Mrs. Felix," said the Marchioness, as that lady entered the room, "you -are late to-day; I always reckon upon you as a supporter of an early -breakfast at Desir." - -"I have been half round the park." - -"Did you hear the scream, Mrs. Felix?" - -"Do you know what it was, Marchioness?" - -"No: do you?" - -"See the reward of early rising and a walk before breakfast. It was one -of your new American birds, and it has half torn down your aviary." - -"One of the new Americans? O the naughty thing; and has it broken the -new fancy wirework?" - -Here a little odd-looking, snuffy old man, with a brown scratch wig, who -had been very busily employed the whole breakfast-time with a cold game -pie, the bones of which Vivian observed him most scientifically pick and -polish, laid down his knife and fork, and addressed the Marchioness with -an air of great interest. - -"Pray, will your Ladyship have the goodness to inform me what bird this -is?" - -The Marchioness looked astounded at any one presuming to ask her a -question; and then she drawled, "Mr. Grey, you know everything; tell -this gentleman what some bird is." - -Now this gentleman was Mr. Mackaw, the most celebrated ornithologist -extant, and who had written a treatise on Brazilian parroquets, in three -volumes folio. He had arrived late at the Château the preceding night, -and, although he had the honour of presenting his letter of introduction -to the Marquess, this morning was the first time he had been seen by any -of the party present, who were of course profoundly ignorant of his -character. - -"Oh! we were talking of some South American bird given to the -Marchioness by the famous Captain Tropic; you know him, perhaps; -Bolivar's brother-in-law, or aide-de-camp, or something of that kind; -and which screams so dreadfully at night that the whole family is -disturbed. The Chowchowtow it is called; is not it, Mrs. Lorraine?" - -"The Chowchowtow!" said Mr. Mackaw; "I don't know it by that name." - -"Do not you? I dare say we shall find an account of it in Spix, -however," said Vivian, rising, and taking a volume from the book-case; -"ay! here it is; I will read it to you." - -"'The Chowchowtow is about five feet seven inches in height from the -point of the bill to the extremity of the claws. Its plumage is of a -dingy, yellowish white; its form is elegant, and in its movements and -action a certain pleasing and graceful dignity is observable; but its -head is by no means worthy of the rest of its frame; and the expression -of its eye is indicative of the cunning and treachery of its character. -The habits of this bird are peculiar: occasionally most easily -domesticated, it is apparently sensible of the slightest kindness; but -its regard cannot be depended upon, and for the slightest inducement, or -with the least irritation, it will fly at its feeder. At other times it -seeks perfect solitude, and can only be captured with the utmost skill -and perseverance. It generally feeds three times a day, but its appetite -is not rapacious; it sleeps little, is usually on the wing at sunrise, -and proves that it slumbers but little in the night by its nocturnal and -thrilling shrieks'" - -"What an extraordinary bird! Is that the bird you meant, Mrs. Felix -Lorraine?" - -Mr. Mackaw was restless the whole time that Vivian was reading this -interesting passage. At last he burst forth with an immense deal of -science and a great want of construction, a want which scientific men -often experience, always excepting those mealy-mouthed professors who -lecture "at the Royal," and get patronised by the blues, the Lavoisiers -of May Fair! - -"Chowchowtow, my Lady! five feet seven inches high! Brazilian bird! When -I just remind your Ladyship that the height of the tallest bird to be -found in Brazil, and in mentioning this fact, I mention nothing -hypothetical, the tallest bird does not stand higher than four feet -nine. Chowchowtow! Dr. Spix is a name, accurate traveller, don't -remember the passage, most singular bird! Chowchowtow! don't know it by -that name. Perhaps your Ladyship is not aware; I think you called that -gentleman Mr. Grey; perhaps Mr. Grey is not aware, that I am Mr. Mackaw, -I arrived late here last night, whose work in three volumes folio, on -Brazilian Parroquets, although I had the honour of seeing his Lordship. -is, I trust, a sufficient evidence that I am not speaking at random on -this subject; and consequently, from the lateness of the hour, could not -have the honour of being introduced to your Ladyship." - -"Mr. Mackaw!" thought Vivian. "The deuce you are! Oh! why did I not say -a Columbian cassowary, or a Peruvian penguin, or a Chilian condor, or a -Guatemalan goose, or a Mexican mastard; anything but Brazilian. Oh! -unfortunate Vivian Grey!" - -The Marchioness, who was quite overcome with this scientific appeal, -raised her large, beautiful, sleepy eyes from a delicious compound of -French roll and new milk, which she was working up in a Sèvre saucer for -Julie; and then, as usual, looked to Vivian for assistance. - -"Mr. Grey, you know everything; tell Mr. Mackaw about a bird." - -"Is there any point on which you differ from Spix in his account of the -Chowchowtow, Mr. Mackaw?" - -"My dear sir, I don't follow him at all. Dr. Spix is a most excellent -man, a most accurate traveller, quite a name; but, to be sure, I've only -read his work in our own tongue; and I fear from the passage you have -just quoted, five feet seven inches high! in Brazil! it must be an -imperfect version. I say, that four feet nine is the greatest height I -know. I don't speak without some foundation for my statement. The only -bird I know above that height is the Paraguay cassowary; which, to be -sure, is sometimes found in Brazil. But the description of your bird, -Mr. Grey, does not answer that at all. I ought to know. I do not speak -at random. The only living specimen of that extraordinary bird, the -Paraguay cassowary, in this country, is in my possession. It was sent me -by Bompland, and was given to him by the Dictator of Paraguay himself. I -call it, in compliment, Doctor Francia. I arrived here so late last -night, only saw his Lordship, or I would have had it on the lawn -this morning." - -"Oh, then, Mr. Mackaw," said Vivian, "that was the bird which screamed -last night!" - -"Oh, yes! oh, yes! Mr. Mackaw," said Mrs. Felix Lorraine. - -"Lady Carabas!" continued Vivian, "it is found out. It is Mr. Mackaw's -particular friend, his family physician, whom he always travels with, -that awoke us all last night." - -"Is he a foreigner?" asked the Marchioness, looking up. - -"My dear Mr. Grey, impossible! the Doctor never screams." - -"Oh! Mr. Mackaw, Mr. Mackaw!" said Vivian. - -"Oh! Mr. Mackaw, Mr. Mackaw!" said Mrs. Felix Lorraine. - -"I tell you he never screams," reiterated the man of science; "I tell -you he can't scream; he's muzzled." - -"Oh, then, it must Have been the Chowchowtow." - -"Yes, I think it must have been the Chowchowtow." - -"I should very much like to hear Spix's description again," said Mr. -Mackaw, "only I fear it is troubling you too much, Mr. Grey." - -"Read it yourself, my dear sir," said Vivian, putting the book into his -hand, which was the third volume of Tremaine. - -Mr. Mackaw looked at the volume, and turned it over, and sideways, and -upside downwards: the brain of a man who has written three folios on -parroquets is soon puzzled. At first, he thought the book was a novel; -but then, an essay on predestination, under the title of Memoirs of a -Man of Refinement, rather puzzled him; then he mistook it for an Oxford -reprint of Pearson on the Creed; and then he stumbled on rather a warm -scene in an old Château in the South of France. - -Before Mr. Mackaw could gain the power of speech the door opened, and -entered, who? Dr. Francia. - -Mr. Mackaw's travelling companion possessed the awkward accomplishment -of opening doors, and now strutted in, in quest of his beloved master. -Affection for Mr. Mackaw was not, however, the only cause which induced -this entrance. - -The household of Château Desir, unused to cassowaries, had neglected to -supply Dr. Francia with his usual breakfast, which consisted of half a -dozen pounds of rump steaks, a couple of bars of hard iron, some pig -lead, and brown stout. The consequence was, the Dictator was -sadly famished. - -All the ladies screamed; and then Mrs. Felix Lorraine admired the -Doctor's violet neck, and the Marchioness looked with an anxious eye on -Julie, and Miss Graves, as in duty bound, with an anxious eye on the -Marchioness. - -There stood the Doctor, quite still, with his large yellow eye fixed on -Mr. Mackaw. At length he perceived the cold pasty, and his little black -wings began to flutter on the surface of his immense body. - -"Che, che, che, che!" said the ornithologist, who did not like the -symptoms at all: "Che, che, che, che, don't be frightened, ladies! you -see he's muzzled; che, che, che, che, now, my dear doctor, now, now, -now, Franky, Franky, Franky, now go away, go away, that's a dear doctor, -che, che, che, che!" - -But the large yellow eye grew more flaming and fiery, and the little -black wings grew larger and larger; and now the left leg was dashed to -and fro with a fearful agitation. Mackaw looked agonised. What a whirr! -Francia is on the table! All shriek, the chairs tumble over the -ottomans, the Sèvre china is in a thousand pieces, the muzzle is torn -off and thrown at Miss Graves; Mackaw's wig is dashed in the clotted -cream, and devoured on the spot; and the contents of the boiling urn are -poured over the beauteous and beloved Julie! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -THE HONOURABLE CYNTHIA COURTOWN TO VIVIAN GREY, ESQ. - -"Alburies, Oct. 18--. - -"DEAR GREY, - -"We have now been at Alburies for a fortnight. Nothing can be more -delightful. Here is everybody in the world that I wish to see, except -yourself. The Knightons, with as many outriders as usual: Lady Julia and -myself are great allies; I like her amazingly. The Marquess of Grandgoût -arrived here last week, with a most delicious party; all the men who -write 'John Bull.' I was rather disappointed at the first sight of -Stanislaus Hoax. I had expected, I do not know why, something juvenile -and squibbish, when lo! I was introduced to a corpulent individual, with -his coat buttoned up to his chin, looking dull, gentlemanlike, and -apoplectic. However, on acquaintance, he came out quite rich, sings -delightfully, and improvises like a prophet, ten thousand times more -entertaining than Pistrucci. We are sworn friends; and I know all the -secret history of 'John Bull.' There is not much, to be sure, that you -did not tell me yourself; but still there are some things. I must not -trust them, however, to paper, and therefore pray dash down to Alburies -immediately; I shall be most happy to introduce you to Lord Devildrain. -There _was_ an interview. What think you of that? Stanislaus told me -all, circumstantially, and after dinner; I do not doubt that it is quite -true. What would you give for the secret history of the 'rather yellow, -rather yellow,' chanson? I dare not tell it you. It came from a quarter -that will quite astound you, and in a very elegant, small, female hand. -You remember Lambton did stir very awkwardly in the Lisbon business. -Stanislaus wrote all the songs that appeared in the first number, except -that; but he never wrote a single line of prose for the first three -months: it all came from Vivida Vis. - -"I like the Marquess of Grandgoût so much! I hope he will be elevated in -the peerage: he looks as if he wanted it so! Poor dear man!" - -"Oh! do you know I have discovered a liaison between Bull and -Blackwood. I am to be in the next Noctes; I forget the words of the -chorus exactly, but Courtown is to rhyme with port down, or something of -that kind, and then they are to dash their glasses over their heads, -give three cheers, and adjourn to whisky-toddy and the Chaldee chamber. -How delightful! - -"The Prima Donnas are at Cheltenham, looking most respectable. Do you -ever see the 'Age'? It is not proper for me to take it in. Pray send me -down your numbers, and tell me all about it. Is it true that his -Lordship paragraphises a little? - -"I have not heard from Ernest Clay, which I think very odd. If you write -to him, mention this, and tell him to send me word how Dormer Stanhope -behaves at mess. I understand there has been a melee, not much; merely a -rouette; do get it all out of him. - -"Colonel Delmington is at Cheltenham, with the most knowing beard you -can possibly conceive; Lady Julia rather patronises him. Lady Doubtful -has been turned out of the rooms; fifty challenges in consequence and -one duel; missed fire, of course. - -"I have heard from Alhambra; he has been wandering about in all -directions. He has been to the Lakes, and is now at Edinburgh. He likes -Southey. He gave the laureate a quantity of hints for his next volume of -the Peninsular War, but does not speak very warmly of Wordsworth: -gentlemanly man, but only reads his own poetry. - -"Here has been a cousin of yours about us; a young barrister going the -circuit; by name Hargrave Grey. The name attracted my notice, and due -inquiries having been made and satisfactorily answered, I patronised the -limb of law. Fortunate for him! I got him to all the fancy balls and -pic-nics that were going on. He was in heaven for a fortnight, and at -length, having overstayed his time, he left us, also leaving his bag and -only brief behind him. They say he is ruined for life. Write soon. - -"Yours ever, - -"CYNTHIA COURTOWN." - -ERNEST CLAY, ESQ., TO VlVIAN GREY, ESQ. - -"October, 18--. - -"DEAR GREY, - -"I am sick of key-bugles and country-balls! All the girls in the town -are in love with me, or my foraging cap. I am very much obliged to you -for your letter to Kennet, which procured everything I wanted. The -family turned out bores, as you had prepared me. I never met such a -clever family in my life; the father is summoning up courage to favour -the world with a volume of sermons; and Isabella Kennet most -satisfactorily proved to me, after an argument of two hours, which for -courtesy's sake I fought very manfully, that Sir Walter Scott was not -the author of Waverley; and then she vowed, as I have heard fifty young -literary ladies vow before, that she had 'seen the Antiquary in -manuscript.' - -"There has been a slight row to diversify the monotony of our military -life. Young Premium, the son of the celebrated loan-monger, has bought -in; and Dormer Stanhope, and one or two others equally fresh, -immediately anticipated another Battier business; but, with the greatest -desire to make a fool of myself, I have a natural repugnance to -mimicking the foolery of others; so with some little exertion, and very -fortunately for young Premium, I got the tenth voted vulgar, on the -score of curiosity, and we were civil to the man. As it turned out, it -was all very well, for Premium is a quiet, gentlemanlike fellow enough, -and exceedingly useful. He will keep extra grooms for the whole mess, if -they want it. He is very grateful to me for what does not deserve any -gratitude, and for what gave me no trouble; for I did not defend him -from any feeling of kindness: and both the Mounteneys, and young -Stapylton Toad, and Augustus, being in the regiment, why, I have very -little trouble in commanding a majority, if it come to a division. - -"I dined the other day at old Premium's, who lives near this town in a -magnificent old hall; which, however, is not nearly splendid enough for -a man who is the creditor of every nation from California to China; and, -consequently, the great Mr. Stucco is building a plaster castle for him -in another part of the park. Glad am I enough that I was prevailed upon -to patronise the Premium; for I think I seldom witnessed a more amusing -scene than I did the day I dined there. - -"I was ushered through an actual street of servitors, whose liveries -were really cloth of gold, and whose elaborately powdered heads would -not have disgraced the most ancient mansion in St. James's Square, into -a large and crowded saloon. I was, of course, received with miraculous -consideration; and the ear of Mrs. Premium seemed to dwell upon the -jingling of my spurs (for I am adjutant) as upon exquisite music. It -was bona fide evidence of 'the officers being there.' - -"Premium is a short, but by no means vulgar-looking man, about fifty, -with a high forehead covered with wrinkles, and with eyes deep sunk in -his head. I never met a man of apparently less bustle, and of a cooler -temperament. He was an object of observation from his very -unobtrusiveness. There were. I immediately perceived, a great number of -foreigners in the room. They looked much too knowing for Arguelles and -Co., and I soon found that they were members of the different embassies, -or missions of the various Governments to whose infant existence Premium -is foster father. There were two striking figures in Oriental costume, -who were shown to me as the Greek Deputies; not that you are to imagine -that they always appear in this picturesque dress. It was only as a -particular favour, and to please Miss Premium (there, Grey, my boy! -there is a quarry!), that the illustrious envoys appeared habited this -day in their national costume. - -"You would have enjoyed the scene. In one part of the room was a naval -officer, just hot from the mines of Mexico, and lecturing eloquently on -the passing of the Cordillera. In another was a man of science, dilating -on the miraculous powers of a newly-discovered amalgamation process to a -knot of merchants, who, with bent brows and eager eyes, were already -forming a Company for its adoption. Here floated the latest anecdote of -Bolivar; and there a murmur of some new movement of Cochrane's. And then -the perpetual babble about 'rising states,' and 'new loans,' and -'enlightened views,' and 'juncture of the two oceans,' and 'liberal -principles,' and 'steamboats to Mexico,' and the earnest look which -every one had in the room. How different to the vacant gaze that we have -been accustomed to! I was really particularly struck by the -circumstance. Every one at Premium's looked full of some great plan, as -if the fate of empires wag on his very breath. I hardly knew whether -they were most like conspirators, or gamblers, or the lions of a public -dinner, conscious of an universal gaze, and consequently looking -proportionately interesting. One circumstance particularly struck me: as -I was watching the acute countenance of an individual, who young Premium -informed me was the Chilian minister, and who was listening with great -attention to a dissertation from Captain Tropic, the celebrated -traveller, on the feasibility of a railroad over the Andes, I observed a -great sensation among those around me; every one shifting, and -shuffling, and staring, and assisting in that curious and confusing -ceremony called 'making way.' Even Premium appeared a little excited -when he came forward with a smile on his face to receive an individual, -apparently a foreigner, and who stepped on with great though gracious -dignity. Being curious to know who this great man was, I found that this -was an ambassador, the representative of a recognised state. - -"'Pon my honour, when I saw all this, I could not refrain from -moralising on the magic of wealth; and when I just remembered the embryo -plot of some young Hussar officers to cut the son of the magician, I -rather smiled; but while I, with even greater reverence than all others, -was making way for his Excellency, I observed Mrs. Premium looking at my -spurs. 'Farewell Philosophy!' thought I; 'Puppyism for ever!' - -"Dinner was at last announced, and the nice etiquette which was observed -between recognised states and non-recognised states was really -excessively amusing: not only the ambassador would take precedence of -the mere political agent, but his Excellency's private secretary was -equally tenacious as to the agent's private secretary. At length we were -all seated: the spacious dining-room was hung round with portraits of -most of the successful revolutionary leaders, and over Mr. Premium was -suspended a magnificent portrait of Bolivar. If you could but have seen -the plate! By Jove! I have eaten off the silver of most of the first -families in England, yet never in my life did it enter into my -imagination that it was possible for the most ingenious artist that ever -existed to repeat a crest half so often in a tablespoon as in that of -Premium. The crest is a bubble, and really the effect produced by it is -most ludicrous. - -"I was very much struck at table by the appearance of an individual who -came in very late, but who was evidently, by his bearing, no -insignificant personage. He was a tall man, with a long hooked nose and -high cheek bones, and with an eye (were you ever at the Old Bailey? -there you may see its fellow); his complexion looked as if it had been -accustomed to the breezes of many climes, and his hair, which had once -been red, was now silvered, or rather iron-greyed, not by age. Yet there -was in his whole bearing, in his slightest actions, even in the easy, -desperate air with which he took; a glass of wine, an indefinable -something (you know what I mean) which attracted your unremitting -attention to him. I was not wrung in my suspicions of his celebrity; -for, as Miss Premium, whom I sat next to, whispered, 'he was quite a -lion.' It was Lord Oceanville What he is after no one knows. Some say he -is going to Greece, others whisper an invasion of Paraguay, and others, -of course, say other things; perhaps equally correct. I think he is for -Greece. I know he is one of the most extraordinary men I ever met with. -I am getting prosy. Good-bye! Write soon. Any fun going on? How is -Cynthia? I ought to have written. How is Mrs. Felix Lorraine? She is a -deuced odd woman! - -"Yours faithfully, - -"ERNEST CLAY." - -HARGRAVE GREY, ESQ., TO VIVIAN GREY, ESQ. - -"October, 18--. - -"DEAR VIVIAN, - -"You ought not to expect a letter from me. I cannot conceive why you do -not occasionally answer your correspondents' letters, if correspondents -they may be called. It is really a most unreasonable habit of yours; any -one but myself would quarrel with you. - -"A letter from Baker met me at this place, and I find that the whole of -that most disagreeable and annoying business is arranged. From the -promptitude, skill, and energy which are apparent in the whole affair, I -suspect I have to thank the very gentleman whom I was just going to -quarrel with. You are a good fellow, Vivian, after all. For want of a -brief, I sit down to give you a sketch of my adventures on this my -first circuit. - -"This circuit is a cold and mercantile adventure, and I am disappointed -in it. Not so either, for I looked for but little to enjoy. Take one day -of my life as a specimen; the rest are mostly alike. The sheriff's -trumpets are playing; one, some tune of which I know nothing, and the -other no tune at all. I am obliged to turn out at eight. It is the first -day of the Assize, so there is some chance of a brief, being a new -place. I push my way into court through files of attorneys, as civil to -the rogues as possible, assuring them there is plenty of room, though I -am at the very moment gasping for breath wedged-in in a lane of -well-lined waistcoats. I get into court, take my place in the quietest -corner, and there I sit, and pass other men's fees and briefs like a -twopenny postman, only without pay. Well! 'tis six o'clock, dinner-time, -at the bottom of the table, carve for all, speak to none, nobody speaks -to me, must wait till last to sum up, and pay the bill. Reach home quite -devoured by spleen, after having heard every one abused who happened to -be absent. - -"I travelled to this place with Manners, whom I believe you know, and -amused myself by getting from him an account of my fellows, -anticipating, at the same time, what in fact happened; to wit, that I -should afterwards get his character from them. It is strange how freely -they deal with each other; that is, the person spoken of being away. I -would not have had you see our Stanhope for half a hundred pounds; your -jealousy would have been so excited. To say the truth, we are a little -rough; our mane wants pulling and our hoofs trimming, but we jog along -without performing either operation; and, by dint of rattling the whip -against the splash-board, using all one's persuasion of hand and voice, -and jerking the bit in his mouth, we do contrive to get into the circuit -town, usually, just about the time that the sheriff and his _posse -comitatus_ are starting to meet my Lord the King's Justice: and that is -the worst of it; for their horses are prancing and pawing coursers just -out of the stable, sleek skins and smart drivers. We begin to be knocked -up just then, and our appearance is the least brilliant of any part of -the day. Here I had to pass through a host of these powdered, scented -fops; and the multitude who had assembled to gaze on the nobler -exhibition rather scoffed at our humble vehicle. As Manners had just -then been set down to find the inn and lodging, I could not jump out and -leave our equipage to its fate, so I settled my cravat, and seemed not -to mind it, only I did. - -"But I must leave off this nonsense, and attend to his Lordship's -charge, which is now about to commence. I have not been able to get you -a single good murder, although I have kept a sharp look-out, as you -desired me; but there is a chance of a first-rate one at ----n. - -"I am quite delighted with Mr. Justice St. Prose. He is at this moment -in a most entertaining passion, preparatory to a 'conscientious' summing -up; and in order that his ideas may not be disturbed, he has very -liberally ordered the door-keeper to have the door oiled immediately, at -his own expense. Now for my Lord the King's Justice. - -"'Gentlemen of the Jury, - -"'The noise is insufferable, the heat is intolerable, the door-keepers -let the people keep shuffling in, the ducks in the corner are going -quack, quack, quack, here's a little girl being tried for her life, and -the judge can't hear a word that's said. Bring me my black cap, and I'll -condemn her to death instantly.' - -"'You can't, my Lord.' shrieks the infant sinner; 'it's only for petty -larceny!' - -"I have just got an invite from the Kearneys. Congratulate me. - -"Dear Vivian, yours faithfully, - -"HARGRAVE GREY." - - -LADY SCROPE TO VIVIAN GREY, ESQ. - -"Ormsby Park, Oct. 18--. - -"MY DEAR VIVIAN, - -"By desire of Sir Berdmore, I have to request the fulfilment of a -promise, upon the hope of which being performed I have existed through -this dull month. Pray, my dear Vivian, come to us immediately. Ormsby -has at present little to offer for your entertainment. We have had that -unendurable bore Vivacity Dull with us for a whole fortnight. A report -of the death of the Lord Chancellor, or a rumour of the production of a -new tragedy, has carried him up to town; but whether it be to ask for -the seals, or to indite an ingenious prologue to a play which will be -condemned the first night, I cannot inform you. I am quite sure he is -capable of doing either. However, we shall have other deer in a -few days. - -"I believe you have never met the Mounteneys. They have never been at -Hallesbrooke since you have been at Desir. They are coming to us -immediately. I am sure you will like them very much. Lord Mounteney is -one of those kind, easy-minded, accomplished men, who, after all, are -nearly the pleasantest society one ever meets. Rather wild in his youth, -but with his estate now unencumbered, and himself perfectly domestic. -His lady is an unaffected, agreeable woman. But it is Caroline Mounteney -whom I wish you particularly to meet. She is one of those delicious -creatures who, in spite of not being married, are actually conversable. -Spirited, without any affectation or brusquerie; beautiful, and knowing -enough to be quite conscious of it; perfectly accomplished, and yet -never annoying you with tattle about Bochsa, and Ronzi de Begnis, and -D'Egville. - -"We also expect the Delmonts, the most endurable of the Anglo-Italians -that I know. Mrs. Delmont is not always dropping her handkerchief like -Lady Gusto, as if she expected a miserable cavalier servente to be -constantly upon his knees; or giving those odious expressive looks, -which quite destroy my nerves whenever I am under the same roof as that -horrible Lady Soprano. There is a little too much talk, to be sure, -about Roman churches, and newly-discovered mosaics, and Abbate Maii, but -still we cannot expect perfection. There are reports going about that -Ernest Clay is either ruined or going to be married. Perhaps both are -true. Young Premium has nearly lost his character by driving a -square-built, striped green thing, drawn by one horse. Ernest Clay got -him through this terrible affair. What can be the reasons of the Sieur -Ernest's excessive amiability? - -"Both the young Mounteneys are with their regiment, but Aubrey Vere is -coming to us, and I have half a promise from--; but I know you never -speak to unmarried men, so why do I mention them? Let me, I beseech you, -my dear Vivian, have a few days of you to myself before Ormsby is full, -and before you are introduced to Caroline Mounteney. I did not think it -was possible that I could exist so long without seeing you; but you -really must not try me too much, or I shall quarrel with you. I have -received all your letters, which are very, very agreeable; but I think -rather, rather impudent. Adieu! - -"HARRIETTE SCROPE." - -HORACE GREY, ESQ., TO VIVIAN GREY, ESQ. - -"Paris, Oct. 18--. - -"MY DEAR VIVIAN, - -"I have received yours of the 9th, and have read it with mixed feelings -of astonishment and sorrow. - -"You are now, my dear son, a member of what is called the great world; -society formed on anti-social principles. Apparently you have possessed -yourself of the object of your wishes; but the scenes you live in are -very moveable; the characters you associate with are all masked; and it -will always be doubtful whether you c an retain that long, which has -been obtained by some slippery artifice. Vivian, you are a juggler; and -the deceptions of your sleight-of-hand tricks depend upon -instantaneous motions. - -"When the selfish combine with the selfish, bethink you how many -projects are doomed to disappointment! how many cross interests baffle -the parties at the same time joined together without ever uniting. What -a mockery is their love! but how deadly are their hatreds! All this -great society, with whom so young an adventurer has trafficked, abate -nothing of their price in the slavery of their service and the sacrifice -of violated feelings. What sleepless nights has it cost you to win over -the disobliged, to conciliate the discontented, to cajole the -contumatious! You may smile at the hollow flatteries, answering to -flatteries as hollow, which like bubbles when they touch, dissolve into -nothing; but tell me, Vivian, what has the self-tormentor felt at the -laughing treacheries which force a man down into self-contempt? - -"Is it not obvious, my dear Vivian, that true Fame and true Happiness -must rest upon the imperishable social affections? I do not mean that -coterie celebrity which paltry minds accept as fame; but that which -exists independent of the opinions or the intrigues of individuals: nor -do I mean that glittering show of perpetual converse with the world -which some miserable wanderers call Happiness; but that which can only -be drawn from the sacred and solitary fountain of your own feelings. - -"Active as you have now become in the great scenes of human affairs, I -would not have you be guided by any fanciful theories of morals or of -human nature. Philosophers have amused themselves by deciding on human -actions by systems; but, as these system? are of the most opposite -natures, it is evident that each philosopher, in reflecting his own -feelings in the system he has so elaborately formed, has only painted -his own character. - -"Do not, therefore, conclude, with Hobbes and Mandeville, that man lives -in a state of civil warfare with man; nor with Shaftesbury, adorn with a -poetical philosophy our natural feelings. Man is neither the vile nor -the excellent being which he sometimes imagines himself to be. He does -not so much act by system as by sympathy. If this creature cannot always -feel for others, he is doomed to feel for himself; and the vicious are, -at least, blessed with the curse of remorse. - -"You are now inspecting one of the worst portions of society in what is -called the great world (St. Giles' is bad, but of another kind), and it -may be useful, on the principle that the actual sight of brutal ebriety -was supposed to have inspired youth with the virtue of temperance; on -the same principle that the Platonist, in the study of deformity, -conceived the beautiful. Let me warn you not to fall into the usual -error of youth in fancying that the circle you move in is precisely the -world itself. Do not imagine that there are not other beings, whose -benevolent principle is governed by finer sympathies, by more generous -passions, and by those nobler emotions which really constitute all our -public and private virtues. I give you this hint, lest, in your present -society, you might suppose these virtues were merely historical. - -"Once more, I must beseech you not to give loose to any elation of mind. -The machinery by which you have attained this unnatural result must be -so complicated that in the very tenth hour you will find yourself -stopped in some part where you never counted on an impediment; and the -want of a slight screw or a little oil will prevent you from -accomplishing your magnificent end. - -"We are, and have been, very dull here. There is every probability of -Madame de Genlis writing more volumes than ever. I called on the old -lady, and was quite amused with the enthusiasm of her imbecility. -Chateaubriand is getting what you call a bore; and the whole city is mad -about a new opera by Boieldieu. Your mother sends her love, and desires -me to say, that the salmi of woodcocks, à la Lucullus, which you write -about, does not differ from the practice here in vogue. How does your -cousin Hargrave prosper on his circuit? The Delmingtons are here, which -makes it very pleasant for your mother, as well as for myself; for it -allows me to hunt over the old bookshops at my leisure. There are no new -books worth sending you, or they would accompany this; but I would -recommend you to get Meyer's new volume from Treüttel and Wurtz, and -continue to make notes as you read it. Give my compliments to the -Marquess, and believe me, - -"Your affectionate father, - -"HORACE GREY." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -It was impossible for any human being to behave with more kindness than -the Marquess of Carabas did to Vivian Grey after that young gentleman's -short conversation with Mrs. Felix Lorraine in the conservatory. The -only feeling which seemed to actuate the Peer was an eager desire to -compensate, by his present conduct, for any past misunderstanding, and -he loaded his young friend with all possible favour. Still Vivian was -about to quit Château Desir; and in spite of all that had passed, he was -extremely loth to leave his noble friend under the guardianship of his -female one. - -About this time, the Duke and Duchess of Juggernaut, the very pink of -aristocracy, the wealthiest, the proudest, the most ancient, and most -pompous couple in Christendom, honoured Château Desir with their -presence for two days; only two days, making the Marquess's mansion a -convenient resting-place in one of their princely progresses to one of -their princely castles. - -Vivian contrived to gain the heart of her Grace by his minute -acquaintance with the Juggernaut pedigree; and having taken the -opportunity, in one of their conversations, to describe Mrs. Felix -Lorraine as the most perfect specimen of divine creation with which he -was acquainted, at the same time the most amusing and the most amiable -of women, that lady was honoured with an invitation to accompany her -Grace to Himalaya Castle. As this was the greatest of all possible -honours, and as Desir was now very dull, Mrs. Felix Lorraine accepted -the invitation, or rather obeyed the command, for the Marquess would not -hear of a refusal, Vivian having dilated in the most energetic terms on -the opening which now presented itself of gaining the Juggernaut. The -coast being thus cleared, Vivian set off the next day for Sir -Berdmore Scrope's. - - - - -BOOK IV - - -CHAPTER I - - -The important hour drew nigh. Christmas was to be passed by the Carabas -family, the Beaconsfields, the Scropes, and the Clevelands at Lord -Courtown's villa at Richmond; at which place, on account of its vicinity -to the metropolis, the Viscount had determined to make out the holidays, -notwithstanding the Thames entered his kitchen windows, and the Donna -del Lago was acted in the theatre with real water, Cynthia Courtown -performing Elena, paddling in a punt. - -"Let us order our horses, Cleveland, round to the Piccadilly gate, and -walk through the Guards. I must stretch my legs. That bore, Horace -Buttonhole, captured me in Pall Mall East, and has kept me in the same -position for upwards of half an hour. I shall make a note to blackball -him at the Athenaeum. How is Mrs. Cleveland?" - -"Extremely well. She goes down to Buckhurst Lodge with Lady Carabas. Is -not that Lord Lowersdale?" - -"His very self. He is going to call on Vivida Vis, I have no doubt. -Lowersdale is a man of very considerable talent; much more than the -world gives him credit for." - -"And he doubtless finds a very able counsellor in Monsieur le -Sécrétaire?" - -"Can you name a better one?" - -"You rather patronise Vivida, I think, Grey?" - -"Patronise him! he is my political pet!" - -"And yet Kerrison tells me you reviewed the Suffolk papers in the -Edinburgh." - -"So I did; what of that? I defended them in Blackwood." - -"This, then, is the usual method of you literary gentlemen. Thank God! I -never could write a line." - -"York House rises proudly; if York House be its name." - -"This confounded Catholic Question is likely to give us a great deal of -trouble, Grey. It is perfect madness for us to advocate the cause of the -'six millions of hereditary bondsmen;' and yet, with not only the -Marchese, but even Courtown and Beaconsfield committed, it is, to say -the least, a very delicate business." - -"Very delicate, certainly; but there are some precedents, I suspect, -Cleveland, for the influence of a party being opposed to measures which -the heads of that party had pledged themselves to adopt." - -"Does old Gifford still live at Pimlico, Grey?" - -"Still." - -"He is a splendid fellow, after all." - -"Certainly, a mind of great powers, but bigoted." - -"Oh, yes! I know exactly what you are going to say. It is the fashion, I -am aware, to abuse the old gentleman. He is the Earl of Eldon of -literature; not the less loved because a little vilified. But, when I -just remember what Gifford has done; when I call to mind the perfect and -triumphant success of everything he has undertaken; the Anti-Jacobin, -the Baviad and Maeviad, the Quarterly; all palpable hits, on the very -jugular; I hesitate before I speak of William Gifford in any other -terms, or in any other spirit, than those of admiration and of -gratitude. - -"And to think. Grey, that the Tory Administration and the Tory party of -Great Britain should never, by one single act, or in a single instance, -have indicated that they were in the least aware that the exertions of -such a man differed in the slightest degree from those of Hunt and Hone! -Of all the delusions which flourish in this mad world, the delusion of -that man is the most frantic who voluntarily, and of his own accord, -supports the interest of a party. I mention this to you because it is -the rock on which all young politicians strike. Fortunately, you enter -life under different circumstances from those which usually attend most -political debutants. You have your connections formed and your views -ascertained. But if, by any chance, you find yourself independent and -unconnected, never, for a moment, suppose that you can accomplish your -objects by coming forward, unsolicited, to fight the battle of a party. -They will cheer your successful exertions, and then smile at your -youthful zeal; or, crossing themselves for the unexpected succour, be -too cowardly to reward their unexpected champion. No, Grey; make them -fear you, and they will kiss your feet. There is no act of treachery or -meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics -there is no honour. - -"As to Gifford, I am surprised at their conduct towards him, although I -know better than most men of what wood a minister is made, and how much -reliance may be placed upon the gratitude of a party: but Canning; from -Canning I certainly did expect different conduct." - -"Oh, Canning! I love the man: but as you say, Cleveland, ministers have -short memories, and Canning's; that was Antilles that just passed us; -apropos to whom, I quite rejoice that the Marquess has determined to -take such a decided course on the West India Question." - -"Oh, yes! curse your East India sugar." - -"To be sure; slavery and sweetmeats forever!" - -"But, aside with joking, Grey, I really think, that if any man of -average ability dare rise in the House, and rescue many of the great -questions of the day from what Dugald Stuart or Disraeli would call the -spirit of Political Religionism, with which they are studiously mixed -up, he would not fail to make a great impression upon the House, and a -still greater one upon the country." - -"I quite agree with you; and certainly I should recommend commencing -with the West India Question. Singular state of affairs when even -Canning can only insinuate his opinion when the very existence of some -of our most valuable colonies is at stake, and when even his -insinuations are only indulged with an audience on the condition that he -favours the House with an introductory discourse of twenty minutes on -'the divine Author of our faith,' and an éloge of equal length on the -Génie du Christianisme, in a style worthy of Chateaubriand." - -"Miserable work, indeed! I have got a pamphlet on the West India -Question sent me this morning. Do you know any raving lawyer, any mad -Master in Chancery, or something of the kind, who meddles in -these affairs?" - -"Oh! Stephen! a puddle in a storm! He is for a crusade for the -regeneration of the Antilles; the most forcible of feebles, the most -energetic of drivellers; Velluti acting Pietro l'Eremita." - -"Do you know, by any chance, whether Southey's Vindiciae is out yet? I -wanted to look it over during the holidays." - -"Not out, though it has been advertised some time; but what do you -expect?" - -"Nay, it is an interesting controversy, as controversies go. Not exactly -Milton and Salmasius; but fair enough." - -"I do not know. It has long degenerated into a mere personal bickering -between the Laureate and Butler. Southey is, of course, revelling in the -idea of writing an English work with a Latin title! and that, perhaps, -is the only circumstance for which the controversy is prolonged." - -"But Southey, after all, is a man of splendid talents." - -"Doubtless; the most philosophical of bigots, and the most poetical of -prose writers." - -"Apropos to the Catholic Question, there goes Colonial Bother'em trying -to look like Prince Metternich; a decided failure." - -"What can keep him in town?" - -"Writing letters, I suppose, Heaven preserve me from receiving any of -them!" - -"Is it true, then, that his letters are of the awful length that is -whispered?" - -"True! Oh! they are something beyond all conception! Perfect epistolary -Boa Constrictors. I speak with feeling, for I have myself suffered under -their voluminous windings." - -"Have you seen his quarto volume: 'The Cure for the Catholic Question?'" - -"Yes." - -"If you have it, lend it to me. What kind of thing is it?" - -"Oh! what should it be! ingenious and imbecile. He advises the -Catholics, in the old nursery language, to behave like good boys; to -open their mouths and shut their eyes, and see what God will send them." - -"Well, that is the usual advice. Is there nothing more characteristic of -the writer?" - -"What think you of a proposition of making Jockey of Norfolk Patriarch -of England, and of an ascertained _credo_ for our Catholic -fellow-subjects? Ingenious, is not it?" - -"Have you seen Puff's new volume of Ariosto?" - -"I have. What could possibly have induced Mr. Partenopex Puff to have -undertaken such a duty? Mr. Puff is a man destitute of poetical powers, -possessing no vigour of language, and gifted with no happiness of -expression. His translation is hard, dry, and husky, as the outside of a -cocoanut. I am amused to see the excellent tact with which the public -has determined not to read his volumes, in spite of the incessant -exertions of a certain set to ensure their popularity; but the time has -gone by when the smug coterie could create a reputation." - -"Do you think the time ever existed, Cleveland?" - -"What could have seduced Puff into being so ambitious? I suppose his -admirable knowledge of Italian; as if a man were entitled to strike a -die for the new sovereign merely because he was aware how much alloy -might legally debase its carats of pure gold." - -"I never can pardon Puff for that little book on Cats. The idea was -admirable; but, instead of one of the most delightful volumes that ever -appeared, to take up a dull, tame compilation from Bingley's Animal -Biography!" - -"Yes! and the impertinence of dedicating such a work to the Officers of -His Majesty's Household troops! Considering the quarter from whence it -proceeded, I certainly did not expect much, but still I thought that -there was to be some little esprit. The poor Guards! how nervous they -must have been at the announcement! What could have been the point of -that dedication?" - -"I remember a most interminable proser, who was blessed with a very -sensible-sounding voice, and who, on the strength of that, and his -correct and constant emphases, was considered by the world, for a great -time, as a sage. At length it was discovered that he was quite the -reverse. Mr. Puff's wit is very like this man's wisdom. You take up one -of his little books, and you fancy, from its titlepage, that it is going -to be very witty; as you proceed, you begin to suspect that the man is -only a wag, and then, surprised at not 'seeing the point,' you have a -shrewd suspicion that he is a great hand at dry humour. It is not till -you have closed the volume that you wonder who it is that has had the -hardihood to intrude such imbecility upon an indulgent world." - -"Come, come! Mr. Puff is a worthy gentleman. Let him cease to dusk the -radiancy of Ariosto's sunny stanzas, and I shall be the first man who -will do justice to his merits. He certainly tattles prettily about -tenses and terminations, and is not an inelegant grammarian." - -"Our literature, I think, is at a low ebb." - -"There is nothing like a fall of stocks to affect what it is the fashion -to style the Literature of the present day, a fungus production which -has flourished from the artificial state of our society, the mere -creature of our imaginary wealth. Everybody being very rich, has -afforded to be very literary, books being considered a luxury almost as -elegant and necessary as ottomans, bonbons, and pier-glasses. Consols -at 100 were the origin of all book societies. The Stockbrokers' ladies -took off the quarto travels and the hot-pressed poetry. They were the -patronesses of your patent ink and your wire-wove paper. That is all -past. Twenty per cent difference in the value of our public securities -from this time last year, that little incident has done more for the -restoration of the old English feeling, than all the exertions of Church -and State united. There is nothing like a fall in Consols to bring the -blood of our good people of England into cool order. It is your grand -state medicine, your veritable Doctor Sangrado! - -"A fall in stocks! and halt to 'the spread of knowledge!' and 'the -progress of liberal principles' is like that of a man too late for -post-horses. A fall in stocks! and where are your London Universities, -and your Mechanics' Institutes, and your new Docks? Where your -philosophy, your philanthropy, and your competition? National prejudices -revive as national prosperity decreases. If the Consols were at 60 we -should be again bellowing, God save the King! eating roast beef, and -damning the French." - -"And you imagine literature is equally affected, Grey?" - -"Clearly. We were literary because we were rich. Amid the myriad of -volumes which issued monthly from the press, what one was not written -for the mere hour? It is all very well to buy mechanical poetry and -historical novels when our purses have a plethora; but now, my dear -fellow, depend upon it, the game is up. We have no scholars now, no -literary recluses, no men who ever appear to think. 'Scribble, scribble, -scribble' as the Duke of Cumberland said to Gibbon, should be the motto -of the mighty 'nineteenth century.'" - -"Southey, I think, Grey, is an exception." - -"By no means. Southey is a political writer, a writer for a particular -purpose. All his works, from those in three volumes quarto to those in -one duodecimo, are alike political pamphlets." - -"We certainly want a master-spirit to set us right, Grey. We want -Byron." - -"There was the man! And that such a man should be lost to us at the very -moment that he had begun to discover why it had pleased the Omnipotent -to have endowed him with such powers!" - -"If one thing were more characteristic of Byron's mind than another, it -was his strong, shrewd, common sense; his pure, unalloyed sagacity." - -"You knew him, I think, Cleveland?" - -"Well, I was slightly acquainted with him when in England; slightly, -however, for I was then very young. But many years afterwards I met him -in Italy. It was at Pisa, just before he left that place for Genoa. I -was then very much struck at the alteration in his appearance." - -"Indeed." - -"Yes; his face was swollen, and he was getting fat. His hair was grey, -and his countenance had lost that spiritual expression which it once -eminently possessed. His teeth were decaying; and he said that if ever -he came to England it would be to consult Wayte about them. I certainly -was very much struck at his alteration for the worse. Besides, he was -dressed in the most extraordinary manner." - -"Slovenly?" - -"Oh, no, no, no! in the most dandified style that you can conceive; but -not that of an English dandy either. He had on a magnificent foreign -foraging cap, which he wore in the room, but his grey curls were quite -perceptible; and a frogged surtout; and he had a large gold chain round -his neck, and pushed into his waistcoat pocket. I imagined, of course, -that a glass was attached to it; but I afterwards found that it bore -nothing but a quantity of trinkets. He had also another gold chain tight -round his neck, like a collar." - -"How odd! And did you converse much with him?" - -"I was not long at Pisa, but we never parted, and there was only one -subject of conversation, England, England, England. I never met a man in -whom the maladie du pays was so strong. Byron was certainly at this time -restless and discontented. He was tired of his dragoon captains and -pensioned poetasters, and he dared not come back to England with what he -considered a tarnished reputation. His only thought was of some -desperate exertion to clear himself: it was for this he went to Greece. -When I was with him he was in correspondence with some friends in -England about the purchase of a large tract of land in Colombia. He -affected a great admiration of Bolivar." - -"Who, by-the-bye, is a great man." - -"Assuredly." - -"Your acquaintance with Byron must have been one of the gratifying -incidents of your life, Cleveland?" - -"Certainly; I may say with Friar Martin, in Goetz of Berlichingen, 'The -sight of him touched my heart. It is a pleasure to have seen a -great man.'" - -"Hobhouse was a faithful friend to him?" - -"His conduct has been beautiful; and Byron had a thorough affection for -him, in spite of a few squibs and a few drunken speeches, which damned -good-natured friends have always been careful to repeat." - -"The loss of Byron can never be retrieved. He was indeed a real man; and -when I say this, I award him the most splendid character which human -nature need aspire to. At least, I, for my part, have no ambition to be -considered either a divinity or an angel; and truly, when I look round -upon the creatures alike effeminate in mind and body of which the world -is, in general, composed, I fear that even my ambition is too exalted. -Byron's mind was like his own ocean, sublime in its yesty madness, -beautiful in its glittering summer brightness, mighty in the lone -magnificence of its waste of waters, gazed upon from the magic of its -own nature, yet capable of representing, but as in a glass darkly, the -natures of all others." - -"Hyde Park is greatly changed since I was a dandy, Vivian. Pray, do the -Misses Otranto still live in that house?" - -"Yes; blooming as ever." - -"It is the fashion to abuse Horace Walpole, but I really think him the -most delightful writer that ever existed. I wonder who is to be the -Horace Walpole of the present century? some one, perhaps, we -least suspect." - -"Vivida Vis, think you?" - -"More than probable. I will tell you who ought to be writing Memoirs; -Lord Dropmore. Does my Lord Manfred keep his mansion there, next to the -Misses Otranto?" - -"I believe so, and lives there." - -"I knew him in Germany; a singular man, and not understood. Perhaps he -does not understand himself. I see our horses." - -"I will join you in an instant, Cleveland. I just want to speak one word -to Osborne, whom I see coming down here. Well, Osborne, I must come and -knock you up one of these mornings. I have got a commission for you from -Lady Julia Knighton, to which you must pay particular attention." - -"Well, Mr. Grey, how does Lady Julia like the bay mare?" - -"Very much, indeed; but she wants to know what you have done about the -chestnut." - -"Oh! put it off, sir, in the prettiest style, on young Mr. Feoffment, -who has just married, and taken a house in Gower Street. He wanted a bit -of blood; hopes he likes it!" - -"Hopes he does, Jack. There is a particular favour which you can do for -me, Osborne, and which I am sure you will. Ernest Clay; you know Ernest -Clay; a most excellent fellow is Ernest Clay, you know, and a great -friend of yours, Osborne; I wish you would just step down to Connaught -Place, and look at those bays he bought of Harry Mounteney. He is in a -little trouble, and we must do what we can for him; you know he is an -excellent fellow, and a great friend of yours. Thank you, I knew you -would. Good morning; remember Lady Julia. So you really fitted young -Feoffment with the chestnut; well, that was admirable! Good morning." - -"I do not know whether you care for these things at all, Cleveland, but -Premium, a famous millionaire, has gone this morning, for I know not how -much! Half the new world will be ruined; and in this old one a most -excellent fellow, my friend Ernest Clay. He was engaged to Premium's -daughter, his last resource, and now, of course, it is all up with him." - -"I was at College with his brother, Augustus Clay. He is a nephew of -Lord Mounteney's, is he not?" - -"The very same. Poor fellow! I do not know what we must do for him. I -think I shall advise him to change his name to Clay_ville_; and if the -world ask him the reason of the euphonious augmentation, why, he can -swear it was to distinguish himself from his brothers. Too many roués of -the same name will never do. And now spurs to our steeds! for we are -going at least three miles out of our way, and I must collect my senses -and arrange my curls before dinner, for I have to flirt with at least -three fair ones." - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -These conversations play the very deuce with one's story. We had -intended to have commenced this book with something quite terrific, a -murder or a marriage; and all our great ideas have ended in a lounge. -After all, it is, perhaps, the most natural termination. In life, -surely man is not always as monstrously busy as he appears to be in -novels and romances. We are not always in action, not always making -speeches or making money, or making war, or making love. Occasionally we -talk, about the weather generally; sometimes about, ourselves; oftener -about our friends; as often about our enemies, at least, those who have -any; which, in my opinion, is the vulgarest of all possessions. - -But we must get on. - -Mr. Cleveland and Mrs. Felix Lorraine again met, and the gentleman -scarcely appeared to be aware that this meeting was not their first. The -lady sighed and remonstrated. She reproached Mr. Cleveland with passages -of letters. He stared, and deigned not a reply to an artifice which he -considered equally audacious and shallow. There was a scene. Vivian was -forced to interfere; but as he deprecated all explanation, his -interference was of little avail; and, as it was ineffectual for one -party and uncalled for by the other, it was, of course, not encouraged. -The presence of Mrs. Cleveland did not tend to assist Mrs. Felix in that -self-control which, with all her wildness, she could appositely -practise. In the presence of the Clevelands she was fitful, capricious, -perplexing; sometimes impertinent, sometimes humble; but always ill at -ease, and never charming. - -Peculiar, however, as was her conduct in this particular relation, it -was in all others, at this moment, most exemplary. Her whole soul seemed -concentrated in the success of the approaching struggle. No office was -too mechanical for her attention, or too elaborate for her enthusiastic -assiduity. Her attentions were not confined merely to Vivian and the -Marquess, but were lavished with equal generosity on their colleagues. -She copied letters for Sir Berdmore, and composed letters for Lord -Courtown, and construed letters to Lord Beaconsfield; they, in return, -echoed her praises to her delighted relative, who was daily -congratulated on the possession of "such a fascinating sister in law." - -"Well, Vivian," said Mrs. Lorraine, to that young gentleman, the day -previous to his departure from Buckhurst Lodge, "you are going to leave -me behind you." - -"Indeed!" - -"Yes! I hope you will not want me. I am very annoyed at not being able -to go to town with you, but Lady Courtown is so pressing! and I have -really promised so often to stay a week with her, that I thought it was -better to make out my promise at once than in six months hence." - -"Well! I am exceedingly sorry, for you really are so useful! and the -interest you take in everything is so encouraging, that I very much fear -we shall not be able to get on without you. The important hour -draws nigh." - -"It does, indeed, Vivian; and I assure you that there is no person -awaiting it with intenser interest than myself. I little thought," she -added, in a low but distinct voice, "I little thought, when I first -reached England, that I should ever again be interested in anything in -this world." - -Vivian was silent, for he had nothing to say. - -"Vivian!" very briskly resumed Mrs. Lorraine, "I shall get you to frank -all my letters for me. I shall never trouble the Marquess again. Do you -know, it strikes me you will make a very good speaker!" - -"You flatter me exceedingly; suppose you give me a few lessons." - -"But you must leave off some of your wicked tricks, Vivian! You must not -improvise parliamentary papers!" - -"Improvise papers, Mrs. Lorraine! What can you mean?" - -"Oh! nothing. I never mean anything." - -"But you must have had some meaning." - -"Some meaning! Yes, I dare say I had; I meant; I meant; do you think it -will rain to-day?" - -"Every prospect of a hard frost. I never knew before that I was an -improvisatore." - -"Nor I. Have you heard from papa lately? I suppose he is quite in -spirits at your success?" - -"My father is a man who seldom gives way to any elation of mind." - -"Ah, indeed! a philosopher, I have no doubt, like his son." - -"I have no claims to the title of philosopher, although I have had the -advantage of studying in the school of Mrs. Felix Lorraine." - -"What do you mean? If I thought you meant to be impertinent, I really -would; but I excuse you; I think the boy means well." - -"The boy 'means nothing; he never means anything.'" - -"Come, Vivian! we are going to part. Do not let us quarrel the last day. -There, there is a sprig of myrtle for you! - - What! not accept my foolish flower? - Nay, then, I am indeed unblest! - -and now you want it all! Unreasonable young man! If I were not the -kindest lady in the land I should tear this sprig into a thousand pieces -sooner; but come, my child! you shall have it. There! it looks quite -imposing in your button-hole. How handsome you look to-day!" - -"How agreeable you are! I love compliments!" - -"Ah, Vivian! will you never give me credit for anything but a light and -callous heart? Will you never be convinced that, that; but why make this -humiliating confession? Oh! no, let me be misunderstood for ever! The -time may come when Vivian Grey will find that Amalia Lorraine was--" - -"Was what, madam?" - -"You shall choose the word, Vivian." - -"Say, then, my friend." - -"'Tis a monosyllable full of meaning, and I will not quarrel with it. -And now, adieu! Heaven prosper you! Believe me, that my first thoughts -and my last are for you and of you!" - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -"This is very kind of you, Grey! I was afraid my note might not have -caught you. You have not breakfasted? Really I wish you would take up -your quarters in Carabas House, for I want you now every moment." - -"What is the urgent business of this morning?" - -"Oh! I have seen Bromley." - -"Hah!" - -"And everything most satisfactory, I did not go into detail; I left that -for you: but I ascertained sufficient to convince me that management is -now alone required." - -"Well, my Lord, I trust that will not be wanting." - -"No, Vivian; you have opened my eyes to the situation in which fortune -has placed me. The experience of every day only proves the truth and -soundness of your views. Fortunate, indeed, was the hour in which -we met." - -"My Lord, I do trust that it was a meeting which neither of us will live -to repent." - -"Impossible! my dear friend, I do not hesitate to say that I would not -change my present lot for that of any Peer of this realm; no, not for -that of His Majesty's most favoured counsellor. What! with my character -and my influence, and my connections, I to be a tool! I, the Marquess of -Carabas! I say nothing of my own powers; but, as you often most justly -and truly observe, the world has had the opportunity of judging of them; -and I think I may recur, without vanity, to the days in which my voice -had some weight in the Royal Councils. And, as I have often remarked, I -have friends, I have you, Vivian. My career is before you. I know what I -should have done at your age; not to say what I did do. I to be a tool! -The very last person that ought to be a tool. But I see my error: you -have opened my eyes, and blessed be the hour in which we met. But we -must take care how we act, Vivian; we must be wary; eh! Vivian, wary, -wary. People must know what their situations are; eh! Vivian?" - -"Exceedingly useful knowledge; but I do not exactly understand the -particular purport of your Lordship's last observation." - -"You do not, eh?" asked the Peer; and he fixed his eyes as earnestly and -expressively as he possibly could upon his young companion. "Well, I -thought not. I was positive it was not true," continued the Marquess -in a murmur. - -"What, my Lord?" - -"Oh! nothing, nothing; people talk at random, at random, at random. I -feel confident you quite agree with me; eh! Vivian?" - -"Really, my Lord, I fear I am unusually dull this morning." - -"Dull! no, no; you quite agree with me. I feel confident you do. People -must be taught what their situations are; that is what I was saying, -Vivian. My Lord Courtown," added the Marquess, in a whisper, "is not to -have everything his own way; eh! Vivian?" - -"Oh, oh!" thought Vivian; "this, then, is the result of that admirable -creature, Miss Felix Lorraine, staying a week with her dear friend, Lady -Courtown." "My Lord, it would be singular if, in the Carabas party, the -Carabas interest was not the predominant one." - -"I knew you thought so. I could not believe for a minute that you could -think otherwise: but some people take such strange ideas into their -heads, I cannot account for them. I felt confident what would be your -opinion. My Lord Courtown is not to carry everything before him in the -spirit that I have lately observed; or rather, in the spirit which I -understand, from very good authority, is exhibited. Eh! Vivian; that is -your opinion, is not it?" - -"Oh! my dear Marquess, we must think alike on this, as on all points." - -"I knew it. I felt confident as to your sentiments upon this subject. I -cannot conceive why some people take such strange ideas into their -heads! I knew that you could not disagree with me upon this point. No, -no, no; my Lord Courtown must feel which is the predominant interest, as -you so well express it. How choice your expressions always are! I do not -know how it is, but you always hit upon the right expression, Vivian. -The predominant interest, the pre-do-mi-nant in-te-rest. To be sure. -What! with my high character and connections, with my stake in society, -was it to be expected that I, the Marquess of Carabas, was going to make -any move which compromised the predominancy of my interests? No, no, no, -my Lord Courtown; the predominant interest must be kept predominant; -eh! Vivian?" - -"To be sure, my Lord; explicitness and decision will soon arrange any -désagrémens." - -"I have been talking to Lady Carabas, Vivian, upon the expediency of her -opening the season early. I think a course of parliamentary dinners -would produce a good effect. It gives a tone to a political party." - -"Certainly; the science of political gastronomy has never been -sufficiently studied." - -"Egad! Vivian, I am in such spirits this morning. This business of -Bromley so delights me; and finding you agree with me about Lord -Courtown, I was confident as to your sentiments on that point. But some -people take such strange ideas into their heads! To be sure, to be sure, -the predominant interest, mine, that is to say ours, Vivian, is the -predominant interest. I have no idea of the predominant interest not -being predominant; that would be singular! I knew you would agree with -me; we always agree. 'Twas a lucky hour when we met. Two minds so -exactly alike! I was just your very self when I was young; and as for -you, my career is before you." - -Here entered Mr. Sadler with the letters. - -"One from Courtown. I wonder if he has seen Mounteney. Mounteney is a -very good-natured fellow, and I think might be managed. Ah! I wish you -could get hold of him, Vivian; you would soon bring him round. What it -is to have brains, Vivian!" and here the Marquess shook his head very -pompously, and at the same time tapped very significantly on his left -temple. "Hah! what, what is all this? Here, read it, read it, man; I -have no head to-day." - -Vivian took the letter, and his quick eye dashed through its contents in -a second. It was from Lord Courtown, and dated far in the country. It -talked of private communications, and premature conduct, and the -suspicious, not to say dishonourable, behaviour of Mr. Vivian Grey: it -trusted that such conduct was not sanctioned by his Lordship, but -"nevertheless obliged to act with decision, regretted the necessity," -&c. &c. &c. &c. In short, Lord Courtown had deserted, and recalled his -pledge as to the official appointment promised to Mr. Cleveland, -"because that promise was made while he was the victim of delusions -created by the representations of Mr. Grey." - -"What can all this mean, my Lord?" - -The Marquess swore a fearful oath, and threw another letter. - -"This is from Lord Beaconsfield, my Lord," said Vivian, with a face -pallid as death, "and apparently the composition of the same writer; at -least, it is the same tale, the same refacimento of lies, and treachery, -and cowardice, doled out with diplomatic politesse. But I will off -to ----shire instantly. It is not yet too late to save everything. This -is Wednesday; on Thursday afternoon I shall be at Norwood Park. Thank -God! I came this morning." - -The face of the Marquess, who was treacherous as the wind, seemed -already to indicate "Adieu! Mr. Vivian Grey!" but that countenance -exhibited some very different passions when it glanced over the contents -of the next epistle. There was a tremendous oath and a dead silence. His -Lordship's florid countenance turned as pale as that of his companion. -The perspiration stole down in heavy drops. He gasped for breath! - -"Good God! my Lord, what is the matter?" - -"The matter!" howled the Marquess, "the matter! That I have been a vain, -weak, miserable fool!" and then there was another oath, and he flung the -letter to the other side of the table. - -It was the official congé of the Most Noble Sydney Marquess of Carabas. -His Majesty had no longer any occasion for his services. His successor -was Lord Courtown! - -We will not affect to give any description of the conduct of the -Marquess of Carabas at this moment. He raved, he stamped, he -blasphemed! but the whole of his abuse was levelled against his former -"monstrous clever" young friend; of whose character he had so often -boasted that his own was she prototype, but who was now an adventurer, a -swindler, a scoundrel, a liar, a base, deluding, flattering, fawning -villain, &c. &c. &c. &c, - -"My Lord," said Vivian. - -"I will not hear you; out on your fair words! They have duped me enough -already. That I, with my high character and connections! that I, the -Marquess of Carabas, should have been the victim of the arts of a young -scoundrel!" - -Vivian's fist was once clenched, but it was only for a moment. The -Marquess leant back in his chair with his eyes shut. In the agony of the -moment a projecting tooth of his upper jaw had forced itself through his -under lip, and from the wound the blood was flowing freely over his dead -white countenance. Vivian left the room. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -He stopped one moment on the landing-place, ere he was about to leave -the house for ever. - -"'Tis all over! and so, Vivian Grey, your game is up! and to die, too, -like a dog! a woman's dupe! Were I a despot, I should perhaps satiate my -vengeance upon this female fiend with the assistance of the rack, but -that cannot be; and, after all, it would be but a poor revenge in one -who has worshipped the Empire of the Intellect to vindicate the agony I -am now enduring upon the base body of a woman. No! 'tis not all over. -There is yet an intellectual rack of which few dream: far, far more -terrific than the most exquisite contrivances of Parysatis. Jacinte," -said he to a female attendant that passed, "is your mistress at home?" - -"She is, sir." - -"'Tis well," said Vivian, and he sprang upstairs. - -"Health to the lady of our love!" said Vivian Grey, as he entered the -elegant boudoir of Mrs. Felix Lorraine. "In spite of the easterly wind, -which has spoiled my beauty for the season, I could not refrain from -inquiring after your prosperity before I went to the Marquess. Have you -heard the news?" - -"News! no; what news?" - -"'Tis a sad tale," said Vivian, with a melancholy voice. - -"Oh! then, pray do not tell it me. I am in no humour for sorrow to-day. -Come! a bon-mot, or a calembourg, or exit Mr. Vivian Grey." - -"Well, then, good morning! I am off for a black crape, or a Barcelona -kerchief. Mrs. Cleveland is dead." - -"Dead!" exclaimed Mrs. Lorraine. - -"Dead! She died last night, suddenly. Is it not horrible?" - -"Shocking!" exclaimed Mrs. Lorraine, with a mournful voice and an eye -dancing with joy. "Why, Mr. Grey, I do declare you are weeping." - -"It is not for the departed!" - -"Nay, Vivian! for Heaven's sake, what is the matter?" - -"My dear Mrs. Lorraine!" but here the speaker's voice was choked with -grief, and he could not proceed. - -"Pray compose yourself." - -"Mrs. Felix Lorraine, can I speak with you half an hour, undisturbed?" - -"By all means. I will ring for Jacinte. Jacinte! mind I am not at home -to anyone. Well, what is the matter?" - -"O! madam, I must pray your patience; I wish you to shrive a penitent." - -"Good God! Mr. Grey! for Heaven's sake be explicit." - -"For Heaven's sake, for your sake, for my soul's sake, I would be -explicit; but explicitness is not the language of such as I am. Can you -listen to a tale of horror? can you promise me to contain yourself?" - -"I will promise anything. Pray, pray proceed." - -But in spite of her earnest solicitations her companion was mute. At -length he rose from his chair, and leaning on the chimney-piece, buried -his face in his hands and wept. - -"Vivian," said Mrs. Lorraine, "have you seen the Marquess yet?" - -"Not yet," he sobbed; "I am going to him, but I am in no humour for -business this morning." - -"Compose yourself, I beseech you. I will hear everything. You shall not -complain of an inattentive or an irritable auditor. Now, my dear Vivian, -sit down and tell me all." She led him to a chair, and then, after -stifling his sobs, with a broken voice he proceeded. - -"You will recollect, madam, that accident made me acquainted with -certain circumstances connected with yourself and Mr. Cleveland. Alas! -actuated by the vilest of sentiments, I conceived a violent hatred -against that gentleman, a hatred only to be equalled by my passion for -you; but I find difficulty in dwelling upon the details of this sad -story of jealousy and despair." - -"Oh! speak, speak! compensate for all you have done by your present -frankness; be brief, be brief." - -"I will be brief," said Vivian, with earnestness: "I will be brief. Know -then, madam, that in order to prevent the intercourse between you and -Mr. Cleveland from proceeding I obtained his friendship, and became the -confidante of his heart's sweetest secret. Thus situated, I suppressed -the letters with which I was entrusted from him to you, and, poisoning -his mind, I accounted for your silence by your being employed in other -correspondence; nay, I did more; with the malice of a fiend, I boasted -of--; nay, do not stop me; I have more to tell." - -Mrs. Felix Lorraine, with compressed lips and looks of horrible -earnestness, gazed in silence. - -"The result of all this you know; but the most terrible part is to come; -and, by a strange fascination, I fly to confess my crimes at your feet, -even while the last minutes have witnessed my most heinous one. Oh! -madam. I have stood over the bier of the departed; I have mingled my -tears with those of the sorrowing widower, his young and tender child -was on my knee, and as I kissed his innocent lips, me thought it was but -my duty to the departed to save the father from his mother's rival--" -He stopped. - -"Yes, yes, yes," said Mrs. Felix Lorraine, in a low whisper. - -"It was then, even then, in the hour of his desolation, that I mentioned -your name, that it might the more disgust him; and while he wept over -his virtuous and sainted wife, I dwelt on the vices of his rejected -mistress." - -Mrs. Lorraine clasped her hands, and moved restlessly on her seat. - -"Nay! do not stop me; let me tell all. 'Cleveland,' said I, 'if ever you -become the husband of Mrs. Felix Lorraine, remember my last words: it -will be well for you if your frame be like that of Mithridates of -Pontus, and proof against ---- poison.'" - -"And did you say this?" shrieked the woman. - -"Even these were my words." - -"Then may all evil blast you!" She threw herself on the sofa; her voice -was choked with the convulsions of her passion, and she writhed in -fearful agony. - -Vivian Grey, lounging in an arm-chair in the easiest of postures, and -with a face brilliant with smiles, watched his victim with the eye of a -Mephistopheles. - -She slowly recovered, and, with a broken voice, poured forth her sacred -absolution to the relieved penitent. - -"You wonder I do not stab you; hah! hah! hah! there is no need for that! -the good powers be praised that you refused the draught I once -proffered. Know, wretch, that your race is run. Within five minutes you -will breathe a beggar and an outcast. Your golden dreams are over, your -cunning plans are circumvented, your ambitious hopes are crushed for -ever, you are blighted in the very spring of your life. Oh, may you -never die! May you wander for ever, the butt of the world's malice; and -may the slow moving finger of scorn point where'er you go at the ruined -Charlatan!" - -"Hah, hah! is it so? Think you that Vivian Grey would fall by a woman's -wile? Think you that Vivian Grey could be crushed by such a worthless -thing as you? Know, then, that your political intrigues have been as -little concealed from me as your personal ones; I have been acquainted -with all. The Marquess has himself seen the Minister, and is more firmly -established in his pride of place than ever. I have myself seen our -colleagues, whom you tampered with, and their hearts are still true, and -their purpose still fixed. All, all prospers; and ere five days are -passed 'the Charlatan' will be a Senator." - -The shifting expression of Mrs. Lorraine's countenance, while Vivian was -speaking, would have baffled the most cunning painter. Her complexion -was capricious as the chameleon's, and her countenance was so convulsed -that her features seemed of all shapes and sizes. One large vein -protruded nearly a quarter of an inch from her forehead, and the dank -light which gleamed in her tearful eye was like an unwholesome meteor -quivering in a marsh. When he ended she sprang from the sofa, and, -looking up and extending her arms with unmeaning wildness, she gave one -loud shriek and dropped like a bird shot on the wing; she had burst a -blood-vessel. - -Vivian raised her on the sofa and paid her every possible attention. -There is always a medical attendant lurking about the mansions of the -noble, and to this worthy and the attendant Jacinte Vivian delivered -his patient. - -Had Vivian Grey left the boudoir a pledged bridegroom his countenance -could not have been more triumphant; but he was labouring under -unnatural excitement; for it is singular that when, as he left the -house, the porter told him that Mr. Cleveland was with his Lord, Vivian -had no idea at the moment what individual bore that name. The fresh air -of the street revived him, and somewhat cooled the bubbling of his -blood. It was then that the man's information struck upon his senses. - -"So, poor Cleveland!" thought Vivian; "then he knows all!" His own -misery he had not yet thought of; but when Cleveland occurred to him, -with his ambition once more baulked, his high hopes once more blasted, -and his honourable soul once more deceived; when he thought of his fair -wife, and his infant children, and his ruined prospects, a sickness came -over his heart, he grew dizzy, and fell. - -"And the gentleman's ill, I think," said an honest Irishman; and, in the -fulness of his charity, he placed Vivian on a door-step. - -"So it seems," said a genteel passenger in black; and he snatched, with -great sang-froid, Vivian's watch. "Stop thief!" hallooed the Hibernian. -Paddy was tripped up. There was a row, in the midst of which Vivian Grey -crawled to an hotel. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -In half an hour Vivian was at Mr. Cleveland's door. - -"My master is at the Marquess of Carabas', sir; he will not return, but -is going immediately to Richmond, where Mrs. Cleveland is staying." - -Vivian immediately wrote to Mr. Cleveland. "If your master have left the -Marquess', let this be forwarded to him at Richmond immediately." - -"CLEVELAND! - -"You know all. It would be mockery were I to say that at this moment I -am not thinking of myself. I am a ruined man in body and in mind. But -my own misery is nothing; I can die, I can go mad, and who will be -harmed? But you! I had wished that we should never meet again; but my -hand refuses to trace the thoughts with which my heart is full, and I am -under the sad necessity of requesting you to see me once more. We have -been betrayed, and by a woman; but there has been revenge. Oh, -what revenge! - -"VIVIAN GREY." - -When Vivian left Mr. Cleveland's he actually did not know what to do -with himself. Home, at present, he could not face, and so he continued -to wander about, quite unconscious of locality. He passed in his -progress many of his acquaintance, who, from his distracted air and -rapid pace, imagined that he was intent on some important business. At -length he found himself in one of the most sequestered parts of -Kensington Gardens. It was a cold, frosty day, and as Vivian flung -himself upon one of the summer seats the snow drifted from off the -frozen board; but Vivian's brow was as burning hot as if he had been an -inhabitant of Sirius. Throwing his arms on a small garden table, he -buried his face in his hands and wept as men can but once weep in -this world. - -O, thou sublime and most subtle philosopher, who, in thy lamp-lit cell, -art speculating upon the passions which thou hast never felt! O, thou -splendid and most admirable poet, who, with cunning words, art painting -with a smile a tale of woe! tell me what is Grief, and solve me the -mystery of Sorrow. - -Not for himself, for after the first pang he would have whistled off his -high hopes with the spirit of a Ripperda; not even for Cleveland, for at -this moment, it must be confessed, his thoughts were not for his friend, -did Vivian Grey's soul struggle as if it were about to leave its fleshy -chamber. We said he wept as men can weep but once in this world, and yet -it would have been impossible for him to have defined what, at that -fearful moment, was the cause of his heart's sorrow. Incidents of -childhood of the most trivial nature, and until this moment forgotten, -flashed across his memory; he gazed on the smile of his mother, he -listened to the sweet tones of his father's voice, and his hand -clenched, with still more agonised grasp, his rude resting-place, and -the scalding tears dashed down his cheek in still more ardent torrents. -He had no distinct remembrance of what had so lately happened; but -characters flitted before him as in a theatre, in a dream, dim and -shadowy, yet full of mysterious and undefinable interest; and then there -came a horrible idea across his mind that his glittering youth was gone -and wasted; and then there was a dark whisper of treachery, and -dissimulation, and dishonour; and then he sobbed as if his very heart -were cracking. All his boasted philosophy vanished; his artificial -feelings fled him. Insulted Nature reasserted her long-spurned -authority, and the once proud Vivian Grey felt too humble even to curse -himself. Gradually his sobs became less convulsed and his brow more -cool; and, calm from very exhaustion, he sat for upwards of an hour -motionless. - -At this moment there issued, with their attendant, from an adjoining -shrubbery, two beautiful children. They were so exceedingly lovely that -the passenger would have stopped to gaze upon them. The eldest, who yet -was very young, was leading his sister hand in hand with slow and -graceful steps, mimicking the courtesy of men. But when his eye caught -Vivian's the boy uttered a loud cry of exultation, and rushed, with the -eagerness of infantile affection, to his gentle and favourite playmate. -They were the young Clevelands. With what miraculous quickness will man -shake off the outward semblance of grief when his sorrow is a secret! -The mighty merchant, who knows that in four-and-twenty hours the world -must be astounded by his insolvency, will walk in the front of his -confident creditor as if he were the lord of a thousand argosies; the -meditating suicide will smile on the arm of a companion as if to breathe -in this sunny world were the most ravishing and rapturous bliss. We -cling to our stations in our fellow-creatures' minds and memories; we -know too well the frail tenure on which we are in this world great and -considered personages. Experience makes us shrink from the specious -sneer of sympathy; and when we are ourselves falling, bitter Memory -whispers that we have ourselves been neglectful. - -And so it was that even unto these infants Vivian Grey dared not appear -other than a gay and easy-hearted man; and in a moment he was dancing -them on his knee, and playing with their curls, and joining in their -pretty prattle, and pressing their small and fragrant lips. - -It was night when he paced down--. He passed his club; that club to -become a member of which had once been the object of his high ambition, -and to gain which privilege had cost such hours of canvassing, such -interference of noble friends, and the incurring of favours from so many -people, "which never could be forgotten!" - -A desperate feeling actuated him, and he entered the Club-house. He -walked into the great saloon and met some fifty "most particular -friends," all of whom asked him "how the Marquess did," or "have you -seen Cleveland?" and a thousand other as comfortable queries. At length, -to avoid these disagreeable rencontres, and indeed to rest himself, he -went to a smaller and more private room. As he opened the door his eyes -lighted upon Cleveland. - -He was standing with his back to the fire. There were only two other -persons in the room; one was a friend of Cleveland's, and the other an -acquaintance of Vivian's. The latter was writing at the table. - -When Vivian saw Cleveland he would have retired, but he was bid to "come -in" in a voice of thunder. - -As he entered he instantly perceived that Cleveland was under the -influence of wine. When in this situation, unlike other men, Mr. -Cleveland's conduct was not distinguished by any of the little -improprieties of behaviour by which a man is always known by his friends -"to be very drunk." He neither reeled, nor hiccuped, nor grew maudlin. -The effect of drinking upon him was only to increase the intensity of -the sensation by which his mind was at the moment influenced. He did not -even lose the consciousness of identity of persons. At this moment it -was clear to Vivian that Cleveland was under the influence of the -extremest passion; his eyes rolled wildly, and seemed fixed only upon -vacancy. As Vivian was no friend to scenes before strangers he bowed to -the two gentlemen and saluted Cleveland with his wonted cordiality; but -his proffered hand was rudely repelled. - -"Away!" exclaimed Cleveland, in a furious tone; "I have no friendship -for traitors." - -The two gentlemen stared, and the pen of the writer stopped. - -"Cleveland!" said Vivian, in an earnest whisper, as he came up close to -him; "for God's sake contain yourself. I have written you a letter which -explains all; but--" - -"Out! out upon you. Out upon your honied words and your soft phrases! I -have been their dupe too long;" and he struck Vivian. - -"Sir John Poynings!" said Vivian, with a quivering lip, turning to the -gentleman who was writing at the table, "we were school-fellows; -circumstances have prevented us from meeting often in after-life; but I -now ask you, with the frankness of an old acquaintance, to do me the sad -service of accompanying me in this quarrel, a quarrel which I call -Heaven to witness is not of my seeking." - -The Baronet, who was in the Guards, and although a great dandy, quite a -man of business in these matters, immediately rose from his seat and led -Vivian to a corner of the room. After some whispering he turned round to -Mr. Cleveland, and bowed to him with a very significant look. It was -evident that Cleveland comprehended his meaning, for, though he was -silent, he immediately pointed to the other gentleman, his friend, Mr. -Castleton. - -"Mr. Castleton," said Sir John, giving his card, "Mr. Grey will -accompany me to my rooms in Pall Mall; it is now ten o'clock; we shall -wait two hours, in which time I hope to hear from you. I leave time, and -place, and terms to yourself. I only wish it to be understood that it is -the particular desire of my principal that the meeting should be as -speedy as possible." - -About eleven o'clock the communication from Mr. Castleton arrived. It -was quite evident that Cleveland was sobered, for in one instance Vivian -observed that the style was corrected by his own hand. The hour was -eight the next morning, at ---- Common, about six miles from town. - -Poynings wrote to a professional friend to be on the ground at half-past -seven, and then he and Vivian retired. - -Did you ever fight a duel? No? nor send a challenge either? Well! you -are fresh, indeed! 'Tis an awkward business, after all, even for the -boldest. After an immense deal of negotiation, and giving your opponent -every opportunity of coming to an honourable understanding, the fatal -letter is at length signed, sealed, and sent. You pass your mornings at -your second's apartments, pacing his drawing-room with a quivering lip -and uncertain step. At length he enters with an answer; and while be -reads you endeavour to look easy, with a countenance merry with the most -melancholy smile. You have no appetite for dinner, but you are too brave -not to appear at table; and you are called out after the second glass by -the arrival of your solicitor, who comes to alter your will. You pass a -restless night, and rise in the morning as bilious as a Bengal general. -Urged by impending fate, you make a desperate effort to accommodate -matters; but in the contest between your pride and your terror you at -the same time prove that you are a coward and fail in the negotiation. -You both fire and miss, and then the seconds interfere, and then you -shake hands: everything being arranged in the most honourable manner and -to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. The next day you are seen -pacing Bond Street with an erect front and a flashing eye, with an air -at once dandyish and heroical, a mixture at the same time of Brummell -and the Duke of Wellington. - -It was a fine February morning. Sir John drove Vivian to the ground in -his cabriolet. - -"Nothing like a cab, Grey, for the business you are going on: you glide -along the six miles in such style that it actually makes you quite -courageous. I remember once going down, on a similar purpose, in a post -and pair, and 'pon my soul, when I came to the ground, my hand shook so -that I could scarcely draw. But I was green then. Now, when I go in my -cab, with Philidor with his sixteen-mile-an-hour paces, egad! I wing my -man in a trice; and take all the parties home to Pall Mall, to celebrate -the event with a grilled bone, Havannahs, and Regent's punch. Ah! there! -that is Cleveland that we have just passed, going to the ground in a -chariot: he is a dead man, or my name is not Poynings." - -"Come, Sir John; no fear of Cleveland's dying," said Vivian, with a -smile. - -"What? You mean to fire in the air, and all that sort of thing? -Sentimental, but slip-slop!" - -The ground is measured, all is arranged. Cleveland, a splendid shot, -fired first. He grazed Vivian's elbow. Vivian fired in the air. The -seconds interfered. Cleveland was implacable, and, "in the most -irregular manner," as Sir John declared, insisted upon another shot. To -the astonishment of all, he fired quite wild. Vivian shot at random, and -his bullet pierced Cleveland's heart. Cleveland sprang nearly two yards -from the ground and then fell upon his back. In a moment Vivian was at -the side of his fallen antagonist, but the dying man "made no sign;" he -stared wildly, and then closed his eyes for ever! - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -When Vivian Grey remembered his existence he found himself in bed. The -curtains of his couch were closed; but as he stared around him they were -softly withdrawn, and a face that recalled everything to his -recollection gazed upon him with a look of affectionate anxiety. - -"My father!" exclaimed Vivian; but the finger pressed on the parental -lip warned him to silence. His father knelt by his side, and then the -curtains were again closed. - -Six weeks, unconsciously to Vivian, had elapsed since the fatal day, and -he was now recovering from the effects of a fever from which his medical -attendants had supposed he never could have rallied. And what had been -the past? It did indeed seem like a hot and feverish dream. Here was he -once more in his own quiet room, watched over by his beloved parents; -and had there then ever existed such beings as the Marquess, and Mrs. -Lorraine, and Cleveland, or were they only the actors in a vision? "It -must be so," thought Vivian; and he jumped up in his bed and stared -wildly around him. "And yet it was a horrid dream! Murder, horrible -murder! and so real, so palpable! I muse upon their voices as upon -familiar sounds, and I recall all the events, not as the shadowy -incidents of sleep, that mysterious existence in which the experience of -a century seems caught in the breathing of a second, but as the natural -and material consequences of time and stirring life. O, no! it is too -true!" shrieked the wretched sufferer, as his eye glanced upon a -despatch-box which was on the table, and which had been given to him by -Lord Carabas; "It is true! it is true! Murder! murder!" He foamed at the -mouth, and sank exhausted on his pillow. - -But the human mind can master many sorrows, and, after a desperate -relapse and another miraculous rally, Vivian Grey rose from his bed. - -"My father, I fear that I shall live!" - -"Hope, rather, my beloved." - -"Oh! why should I hope?" and the sufferer's head sank upon his breast. - -"Do not give way, my son; all will yet be well, and we shall all yet be -happy," said the father, with streaming eyes. - -"Happy! oh, not in this world, my father!" - -"Vivian, my dearest, your mother visited you this morning, but you were -asleep. She was quite happy to find you slumbering so calmly." - -"And yet my dreams were not the dreams of joy. O, my mother! you were -wont to smile upon me; alas! you smiled upon your sorrow." - -"Vivian, my beloved! you must indeed restrain your feelings. At your age -life cannot be the lost game you think it. A little repose, and I shall -yet see my boy the honour to society which he deserves to be." - -"Alas! my father, you know not what I feel. The springiness of my mind -has gone. O, man, what a vain fool thou art! Nature has been too -bountiful to thee. She has given thee the best of friends, and thou -valuest not the gift of exceeding price until the griefs are past even -friendship's cure. O, my father! why did I leave thee?" and he seized -Mr. Grey's hand with convulsive grasp. - -Time flew on, even in this house of sorrow. "My boy," said Mr. Grey to -his son one day, "your mother and I have been consulting together about -you; and we think, now that you have somewhat recovered your strength, -it may be well for you to leave England for a short time. The novelty of -travel will relieve your mind without too much exciting it; and if you -can manage by the autumn to settle down anywhere within a thousand miles -of England, why we will come and join you, and you know that will be -very pleasant. What say you to this little plan?" - -In a few weeks after this proposition had been made Vivian Grey was in -Germany. He wandered for some months in that beautiful land of rivers, -among which flows the Rhine, matchless in its loveliness; and at length -the pilgrim shook the dust off his feet at Heidelberg, in which city -Vivian proposed taking up his residence. It is, in truth, a place of -surpassing loveliness, where all the romantic wildness of German scenery -is blended with the soft beauty of the Italian. An immense plain, which, -in its extent and luxuriance, reminds you of the fertile tracts of -Lombardy, is bordered on one side by the Bergstrasse Mountains, and on -the other by the range of the Vosges. Situate on the river Neckar, in a -ravine of the Bergstrasse, amid mountains covered with vines, is -Heidelberg; its ruined castle backing the city, and still frowning from -one of the most commanding heights. In the middle of the broad plain may -be distinguished the shining spires of Mannheim, Worms, and Frankenthal; -and pouring its rich stream through this luxuriant land, the beautiful -and abounding Rhine receives the tribute of the Neckar. The range of the -Vosges forms the extreme distance. - -To the little world of the little city of which he was now an habitant -Vivian Grey did not appear a broken-hearted man. He lived neither as a -recluse nor a misanthrope. He became extremely addicted to field sports, -especially to hunting the wild boar; for he feared nothing so much as -thought, and dreaded nothing so much as the solitude of his own chamber. -He was an early riser to escape from hideous dreams; and at break of -dawn he wandered among the wild passes of the Bergstrasse; or, climbing -a lofty ridge, was a watcher for the rising sun; and in the evening he -sailed upon the star-lit Neckar. - - - - -BOOK V - - -CHAPTER I - - -Thou rapid Aar! thy waves are swollen by the snows of a thousand hills; -but for whom are thy leaping waters fed? Is it for the Rhine? - -Calmly, O placid Neckar! does thy blue stream glide through thy -vine-clad vales; but calmer seems thy course when it touches the -rushing Rhine! - -How fragrant are the banks which are cooled by thy dark-green waters, -thou tranquil Maine! but is not the perfume sweeter of the gardens of -the Rhine? - -Thou impetuous Nah! I lingered by thine islands of nightingales, and I -asked thy rushing waters why they disturbed the music of thy groves? -They told me they were hastening to the Rhine! - -Red Moselle! fierce is the swell of thy spreading course; but why do thy -broad waters blush when they meet the Rhine? - -Thou delicate Meuse! how clear is the current of thy limpid wave; as the -wife yields to the husband do thy pure waters yield to the Rhine! - -And thou, triumphant and imperial River, flushed with the tribute of -these vassal streams! thou art thyself a tributary, and hastenest even -in the pride of conquest to confess thine own vassalage! But no superior -stream exults in the homage of thy servile waters; the Ocean, the -eternal Ocean, alone comes forward to receive thy kiss! not as a -conqueror, but as a parent, he welcomes with proud joy his gifted child, -the offspring of his honour; thy duty, his delight; thy tribute, thine -own glory! - -Once more upon thy banks, most beauteous Rhine! In the spring-time of my -youth I gazed on thee, and deemed thee matchless. Thy vine-enamoured -mountains, thy spreading waters, thy traditionary crags, thy shining -cities, the sparkling villages of thy winding shores, thy antique -convents, thy grey and silent castles, the purple glories of thy radiant -grape, the vivid tints of thy teeming flowers, the fragrance of thy sky, -the melody of thy birds, whose carols tell the pleasures of their sunny -woods; are they less lovely now, less beautiful, less sweet? - -The keen emotions of our youth are often the occasion of our estimating -too ardently; but the first impression of beauty, though often -overcharged, is seldom supplanted: and as the first great author which -he reads is reverenced by the boy as the most immortal, and the first -beautiful woman that he meets is sanctified by him as the most adorable; -so the impressions created upon us by those scenes of nature which first -realise the romance of our reveries never escape from our minds, and are -ever consecrated in our memories; and thus some great spirits, after -having played their part on the theatre of the world, have retired from -the blaze of courts and cities to the sweet seclusion of some spot with -which they have accidentally met in the earliest years of their career. - -But we are to speak of one who had retired from the world before his -time. - -Upwards of a year had elapsed since Vivian Grey left England. The mode -of life which he pursued at Heidelberg for many months has already been -mentioned. He felt himself a broken-hearted man, and looked for death, -whose delay was no blessing; but the feelings of youth which had misled -him in his burning hours of joy equally deceived him in his days of -sorrow. He lived; and in the course of time found each day that life was -less burdensome. The truth is, that if it be the lot of man to suffer, -it is also his fortune to forget. Oblivion and sorrow share our being, -as Darkness and Light divide the course of time. It is not in human -nature to endure extremities, and sorrows soon destroy either us or -themselves. Perhaps the fate of Niobe is no fable, but a type of the -callousness of our nature. There is a time in human suffering when -succeeding sorrows are but like snow falling on an iceberg. It is indeed -horrible to think that our peace of mind should arise, not from a -retrospection of the past, but from a forgetfulness of it; but, though -this peace be produced at the best by a mental opiate, it is not -valueless; and Oblivion, after all, is a just judge. As we retain but a -faint remembrance of our felicity, it is but fair that the smartest -stroke of sorrow should, if bitter, at least be brief. But in feeling -that he might yet again mingle in the world, Vivian Grey also felt that -he must meet mankind with different feelings, and view their pursuits -with a different interest. He woke from his secret sorrow in as changed -a state of being as the water nymph from her first embrace; and he woke -with a new possession, not only as miraculous as Undine's soul, but -gained at as great a price, and leading to as bitter results. The nymph -woke to new pleasures and to new sorrows; and, innocent as an infant, -she deemed mankind a god, and the world a paradise. Vivian Grey -discovered that this deity was but an idol of brass, and this garden of -Eden but a savage waste; for, if the river nymph had gained a soul, he -had gained Experience. - -Experience, mysterious spirit! whose result is felt by all, whose nature -is described by none. The father warns the son of thy approach, and -sometimes looks to thee as his offspring's cure and his own consolation. -We hear of thee in the nursery, we hear of thee in the world, we hear of -thee in books; but who has recognised thee until he was thy subject, and -who has discovered the object of so much fame until he has kissed thy -chain? To gain thee is the work of all and the curse of all; thou art at -the same time necessary to our happiness and destructive of our -felicity; thou art the saviour of all things and the destroyer of all -things; our best friend and our bitterest enemy; for thou teachest us -truth, and that truth is, despair. Ye youth of England, would that ye -could read this riddle! - -To wake from your bright hopes, and feel that all is vanity, to be -roused from your crafty plans and know that all is worthless, is a -bitter, but your sure, destiny. Escape is impossible; for despair is the -price of conviction. How many centuries have fled since Solomon, in his -cedar palaces, sung the vanity of man! Though his harp was golden and -his throne of ivory, his feelings were not less keen, and his conviction -not less complete. How many sages of all nations have, since the monarch -of Jerusalem, echoed his sad philosophy! yet the vain bubble still -glitters and still allures, and must for ever. - -The genealogy of Experience is brief; for Experience is the child of -Thought, and Thought is the child of Action. We cannot learn men from -books, nor can we form, from written descriptions, a more accurate idea -of the movements of the human heart than we can of the movements of -nature. A man may read all his life, and form no conception of the rush -of a mountain torrent, or the waving of a forest of pines in a storm; -and a man may study in his closet the heart of his fellow-creatures for -ever, and have no idea of the power of ambition, or the strength -of revenge. - -It is when we have acted ourselves, and have seen others acting; it is -when we have laboured ourselves under the influence of our passions, and -have seen others labouring; it is when our great hopes have been -attained or have been baulked; it is when, after having had the human -heart revealed to us, we have the first opportunity to think; it is then -that the whole truth lights upon us; it is then that we ask of ourselves -whether it be wise to endure such anxiety of mind, such agitation of -spirit, such harrowing of the soul, to gain what may cease to interest -to-morrow, or for which, at the best, a few years of enjoyment can alone -be afforded; it is then that we waken to the hollowness of all human -things; it is then that the sayings of sages and the warnings of -prophets are explained and understood; it is then that we gain -Experience. - -Vivian Grey was now about to join, for the second time, the great and -agitated crowd of beings who are all intent in the search after that -undiscoverable talisman, Happiness. That he entertained any hope of -being the successful inquirer is not to be imagined. He considered that -the happiest moment in human life is exactly the sensation of a sailor -who has escaped a shipwreck, and that the mere belief that his wishes -are to be indulged is the greatest bliss enjoyed by man. - -How far his belief was correct, how he prospered in this his second -venture on the great ocean of life, it is our business to relate. There -were moments when he wished himself neither experienced nor a -philosopher; moments when he looked back to the lost paradise of his -innocent boyhood, those glorious hours when the unruffled river of his -Life mirrored the cloudless heaven of his Hope! - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -Vivian pulled up his horse as he ascended through the fine beechwood -which leads immediately to the city of Frankfort from the Darmstadt -road. The crowd seemed to increase every moment, but as they were all -hastening the same way, his progress was not much impeded. It was -Frankfort fair; and all countenances were expressive of that excitement -which we always experience at great meetings of our fellow-creatures; -whether the assemblies be for slaughter, pleasure, or profit, and -whether or not we ourselves join in the banquet, the battle, or the -fair. At the top of the hill is an old Roman tower, and from this point -the flourishing city of Frankfort, with its picturesque Cathedral, its -numerous villas, and beautiful gardens in the middle of the fertile -valley of the Maine, burst upon Vivian's sight. On crossing the bridge -over the river, the crowd became almost impassable, and it was with the -greatest difficulty that Vivian steered his way through the old narrow -winding streets, full of tall ancient houses, with heavy casements and -notched gable ends. These structures did not, however, at the present -moment, greet the traveller with their usual sombre and antique -appearance: their outside walls were, in most instances, covered with -pieces of broad cloth of the most showy colours, red, blue, and yellow -predominating. These standards of trade were not merely used for the -purpose of exhibiting the quality of the article sold in the interior, -but also of informing the curious traveller the name and nation of their -adventurous owners. Inscriptions in German, French, Russian, English, -Italian, and even Hebrew, appeared in striking characters on each -woollen specimen; and, as if these were not sufficient to attract the -attention of the passenger, an active apprentice, or assistant, -commented in eloquent terms on the peculiar fairness and honesty of his -master. The public squares and other open spaces, and indeed every spot -which was secure from the hurrying wheels of the heavy old-fashioned -coaches of the Frankfort aristocracy and the spirited pawings of their -sleek and long-tailed coach-horses, were covered with large and showy -booths, which groaned under the accumulated treasures of all countries. -French silks and French clocks rivalled Manchester cottons and Sheffield -cutlery, and assisted to attract or entrap the gazer, in company with -Venetian chains, Neapolitan coral, and Vienna pipe-heads: here was the -booth of a great book-seller, who looked to the approaching Leipsic fair -for some consolation for his slow sale and the bad taste of the people -of Frankfort; and there was a dealer in Bologna sausages, who felt quite -convinced that in some things the taste of the Frankfort public was by -no means to be lightly spoken of. All was bustle, bargaining, and -business: there were quarrels and conversation in all languages; and -Vivian Grey, although he had no chance either of winning or losing -money, was amused. - -At last Vivian gained the High Street; and here, though the crowd was -not less, the space was greater; and so in time he arrived at the grand -hotel of "the Roman Emperor," where he stopped. It was a long time -before he could be informed whether Baron Julius von Konigstein at -present honoured that respectable establishment with his presence; for, -although Vivian did sometimes succeed in obtaining an audience of a -hurrying waiter, that personage, when in a hurry, has a peculiar habit -of never attending to a question which a traveller addresses to him. In -this dilemma Vivian was saluted by a stately-looking personage above the -common height. He was dressed in a very splendid uniform of green and -gold, covered with embroidery, and glittering with frogs. He wore a -cocked hat adorned with a flowing parti-coloured plume, and from his -broad golden belt was suspended a weapon of singular shape and costly -workmanship. This personage was as stiff and stately as he was -magnificent. His eyes were studiously preserved from the profanation of -meeting the ground, and his well-supported neck seldom condescended to -move from its perpendicular position. His coat was buttoned to the chin -and over the breast, with the exception of one small aperture, which was -elegantly filled up by a delicate white cambric handkerchief, very -redolent of rich perfumes. This gorgeous gentleman, who might have been -mistaken for an elector of the German Empire, had the German Empire been -in existence, or the governor of the city at the least, turned out to be -the chasseur of the Baron von Konigstein; and with his courtly -assistance Vivian soon found himself ascending the staircase of the -Roman Emperor. - -Vivian was ushered into an apartment, in which he found three or four -individuals at breakfast. A middle-aged man of distinguished appearance, -in a splendid chamber robe, sprung up from a many-cushioned easy-chair, -and seized his hand as he was announced. - -"My dear Mr. Grey! I have left notes for you at the principal hotels. -And how is Eugene? wild blood for a student, but an excellent heart, and -you have been so kind to him! He feels under such particular obligations -to you. Will you breakfast? Ah! I see you smile at my supposing a -horseman unbreakfasted. And have you ridden here from Heidelberg this -morning? Impossible! Only from Darmstadt! I thought so! You were at the -Opera then last night. And how is the little Signora? We are to gain -her though! trust the good people of Frankfort for that! Pray be -seated, but really I am forgetting the commonest rules of breeding. Next -to the pleasure of having friends is that of introducing them to each -other. Prince, you will have great pleasure in being introduced to my -friend, Mr. Grey: Mr. Grey! Prince Salvinski! my particular friend, -Prince Salvinski. The Count von Altenburgh! Mr. Grey! my very particular -friend, the Count von Altenburgh. And the Chevalier de Boeffleurs! Mr. -Grey! my most particular friend, the Chevalier de Boeffleurs." - -Baron Julius von Konigstein was minister to the Diet of Frankfort from a -first-rate German power. In person he was short, but delicately formed; -his head a little bald, but as he was only five-and-thirty, this could -scarcely be from age; and his remaining hair, black, glossy, and -curling, proved that their companion ringlets had not been long lost. -His features were small, but not otherwise remarkable, except a pair of -liquid black eyes, of great size, which would have hardly become a -Stoic, and which gleamed with great meaning and perpetual animation. - -"I understand, Mr. Grey, that you are a regular philosopher. Pray who is -the favourite master? Kant or Fichte? or is there any other new star who -has discovered the origin of our essence, and proved the non-necessity -of eating? Count, let me help you to a little more of these saucisses -aux choux. I am afraid, from Eugene's account, that you are almost past -redemption; and I am sorry to say that, although I am very desirous of -being your physician and effecting your cure, Frankfort will supply me -with very few means to work your recovery. If you could but get me an -appointment once again to your delightful London, I might indeed produce -some effect; or were I even at Berlin, or at your delicious Vienna, -Count Altenburgh! (the Count bowed); or at that Paradise of women, -Warsaw, Prince Salvinski!! (the Prince bowed); or at Paris, Chevalier!!! -(the Chevalier bowed); why, then, indeed, you should have some -difficulty in finding an excuse for being in low spirits with Julius von -Konigstein! But Frankfort, eh! de Boeffleurs?" - -"Oh! Frankfort!" sighed the French Chevalier, who was also attached to a -mission in this very city, and who was thinking of his own gay -Boulevards and his brilliant Tuileries. - -"We are mere citizens here!" continued the Baron, taking a long pinch of -snuff, "mere citizens! Do you snuff?" and here he extended to Vivian a -gold box, covered with the portrait of a crowned head, surrounded with -diamonds. "A present from the King of Sardinia, when I negotiated the -marriage of the Duke of ---- and his niece, and settled the -long-agitated controversy about the right of anchovy fishing on the left -shore of the Mediterranean. - -"But the women," continued the Baron, "the women; that is a different -thing. There is some amusement among the little bourgeoises, who are -glad enough to get rid of their commercial beaus; whose small talk, -after a waltz, is about bills of exchange, mixed up with a little -patriotism about their free city, and some chatter about what they call -'the fine arts;' their awful collections of 'the Dutch school:' school -forsooth! a cabbage, by Gerard Dowl and a candlestick, by Mieris! And -now will you take a basin of soup, and warm yourself, while his Highness -continues his account of being frozen to death this spring at the top of -Mont-Blanc: how was it, Prince?" - -"Your Highness has been a great traveller?" said Vivian. - -"I have seen a little of most countries. These things are interesting -enough when we are young; but when we get a little more advanced in -life, the novelty wears off, and the excitement ceases. I have been in -all quarters of the globe. In Europe I have seen everything except the -miracles of Prince Hohenlohe. In Asia, everything except the ruins of -Babylon. In Africa, I have seen every thing but Timbuctoo; and, in -America, everything except Croker's Mountains." - -Next to eating, music is the business in which an Austrian is most -interested, and Count von Altenburgh, having had the misfortune of -destroying, for the present, one great source of his enjoyment, became -now very anxious to know what chance there existed of his receiving some -consolation from the other. Pushing his plate briskly from him, he -demanded with an anxious air, "Can any gentleman inform me what chance -there is of the Signora coming?" - -"No news to-day," said the Baron, with a mournful look; "I am almost in -despair. What do you think of the last notes that have been -interchanged?" - -"Very little chance," said the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, shaking his -head. "Really these burghers, with all their affected enthusiasm, have -managed the business exceedingly bad. No opera can possibly succeed that -is not conducted by a committee of noblemen." - -"Certainly!" said the Baron; "we are sure then to have the best singers, -and be in the Gazette the same season." - -"Which is much better, I think, Von Konigstein, than paying our bills -and receiving no pleasure." - -"But," continued the Baron, "these clumsy burghers, with their affected -enthusiasm, as you well observe; who could have contemplated such -novices in diplomacy! Whatever may be the issue, I can at least lay my -head upon my pillow and feel that I have done my duty. Did not I, de -Boeffleurs, first place the negotiation on a basis of acknowledged -feasibility and mutual benefit? Who drew the protocol, I should like to -know? Who baffled the intrigues of the English Minister, the Lord -Amelius Fitzfudge Boroughby? Who sat up one whole night with the -Signora's friend, the Russian Envoy, Baron Squallonoff, and who was it -that first arranged about the extra chariot?" and here the -representative of a first-rate German Power looked very much like a -resigned patriot, who feels that he deserves a ribbon. - -"No doubt of it, my dear Von Konigstein," echoed the French Chargé -d'Affaires, "and I think, whatever may be the result, that I, too, may -look back to this negotiation with no ungratified feelings. Had the -arrangement been left as I had wished, merely to the Ministers of the -Great Powers, I am confident that the Signora would have been singing -this night in our Opera House." - -"What is the grand point of difference at present?" asked the Austrian. - -"A terrific one," said the Baron; "the lady demanded twenty covers, two -tables, two carriages, one of which I arranged should be a chariot; that -at least the town owes to me; and, what else? merely a town mansion and -establishment. Exerting myself day and night, these terms were at length -agreed to by the municipality, and the lady was to ride over from -Darmstadt to sign and seal. In the course of her ride she took a cursed -fancy to the country villa of a great Jew banker, and since that moment -the arrangement has gone off. We have offered her everything; the -commandant's country castle; his lady's country farm; the villa of the -director of the Opera; the retreat of our present prima donna; all in -vain. We have even hinted at a temporary repose in a neighbouring royal -residence; but all useless. The banker and the Signora are equally -intractable, and Frankfort is in despair." - -"She ought to have signed and sealed at Darmstadt," said the Count, very -indignantly. - -"To be sure! they should have closed upon her caprice, and taken her -when she was in the fancy." - -"Talking of Opera girls," commenced the Polish Prince, "I remember the -Countess Katszinski--" - -"Your Highness has nothing upon your plate," quickly retorted the Baron, -who was in no humour for a story. - -"Nothing more, I thank you," continued the Prince: "as I was saying, I -remember the Countess Katszinski--" but just at this moment the door -opened, and Ernstorff entered and handed a despatch to the Baron, -recommending it to his Excellency's particular attention. - -"Business, I suppose," said the Plenipotentiary; "it may wait till -to-morrow." - -"From M. Clarionet, your Excellency." - -"From M. Clarionet!" eagerly exclaimed the Baron, and tore open the -epistle. "Gentlemen! congratulate me, congratulate yourselves, -congratulate Frankfort;" and the diplomatist, overcome, leant back in -his chair. "She is ours, Salvinski! she is ours, Von Altenburgh! she is -ours, my dear de Boeffleurs! Mr. Grey, you are most fortunate; the -Signora has signed and sealed; all is arranged; she sings to-night! What -a fine-spirited body is this Frankfort municipality! what elevation of -soul! what genuine enthusiasm! eh! de Boeffleurs?" - -"Most genuine!" exclaimed the Chevalier, who hated German music with all -his heart, and was now humming an air from La Dame Blanche. - -"But mind, my dear friend, this is a secret, a cabinet secret; the -municipality are to have the gratification of announcing the event to -the city in a public decree; it is but fair. I feel that I have only to -hint to secure your silence." - -At this moment, with a thousand protestations of secresy, the party -broke up, each hastening to have the credit of first spreading the -joyful intelligence through the circles, and of depriving the Frankfort -senate of their hard-earned gratification. The Baron, who was in high -spirits, ordered the carriage to drive Vivian round the ramparts, where -he was to be introduced to some of the most fashionable beauties, -previous to the evening triumph. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -Vivian passed a week very agreeably at Frankfort. In the Baron and his -friends he found the companions that he had need of; their conversation -and pursuits diverted his mind without engaging his feelings, and -allowed him no pause to brood. There were moments, indeed, when he found -in the Baron a companion neither frivolous nor uninstructive. His -Excellency had travelled in most countries, and had profited by his -travels. His taste for the fine arts was equalled by his knowledge of -them; and his acquaintance with many of the most eminent men of Europe -enriched his conversation with a variety of anecdotes, to which his -lively talents did ample justice. He seemed fond at times of showing -Vivian that he was not a mere artificial man of the world, destitute of -all feelings, and thinking only of himself: he recurred with -satisfaction to moments of his life when his passions had been in full -play; and, while he acknowledged the errors of his youth with candour, -he excused them with grace. In short, Vivian and he became what the -world calls friends; that is to say, they were men who had no objection -to dine in each other's company, provided the dinner were good; assist -each other in any scrape, provided no particular personal responsibility -were incurred by the assistant; and live under the same roof, provided -each were master of his own time. Vivian and the Baron, indeed, did more -than this; they might have been described as particular friends, for his -Excellency had persuaded our hero to accompany him for the summer to the -Baths of Ems, a celebrated German watering-place, situate in the duchy -of Nassau, in the vicinity of the Rhine. - -On the morrow they were to commence their journey. The fair of -Frankfort, which had now lasted nearly a month, was at its close. A -bright sunshiny afternoon was stealing into twilight, when Vivian, -escaping from the principal street and the attractions of the Braunfels, -or chief shops under the Exchange, directed his steps to some of the -more remote and ancient streets. In crossing a little square his -attention was excited by a crowd which had assembled round a conjuror, -who, from the top of a small cart, which he had converted into a stage, -was haranguing, in front of a green curtain, an audience with great -fervency, and apparently with great effect; at least Vivian judged so -from the loud applauses which constantly burst forth. The men pressed -nearer, shouted, and clapped their hands; and the anxious mothers -struggled to lift their brats higher in the air that they might early -form a due conception of the powers of magic, and learn that the -maternal threats which were sometimes extended to them at home were not -mere idle boasting. Altogether, the men with their cocked hats, stiff -holiday coats, and long pipes; the women with their glazed gowns of -bright fancy patterns, close lace caps, or richly-chased silver -headgear; and the children with their gaping mouths and long heads of -hair, offered quaint studies for a German or Flemish painter. Vivian -became also one of the audience, and not an uninterested one. - -The appearance of the conjuror was peculiar. He was not much more than -five feet high, but so slightly formed that he reminded you rather of -the boy than the dwarf. The upper part of his face was even delicately -moulded; his sparkling black eyes became his round forehead, which was -not too much covered by his short glossy black hair; his complexion was -clear, but quite olive; his nose was very small and straight, and -contrasted singularly with his enormous mouth, the thin bluish lips of -which were seldom closed, and consequently did not conceal his large -square teeth, which, though very white, were set apart, and were so -solid that they looked almost like double teeth. This enormous mouth, -which was supported by large jawbones, attracted the attention of the -spectator so keenly that it was some time before you observed the -prodigious size of the ears, which also adorned this extraordinary -countenance. The costume of this being was not less remarkable than his -natural appearance. He wore a complete under dress of pliant leather, -which fitted close up to his throat and down to his wrists and ankles, -where it was clasped with large fastenings, either of gold or some gilt -material. This, with the addition of a species of hussar jacket of green -cloth, which was quite unadorned with the exception of its vivid red -lining, was the sole covering of the conjuror; who, with a light cap and -feather in his hand, was now haranguing the spectators. The object of -his discourse was a panegyric of himself and a satire on all other -conjurors. He was the only conjuror, the real one, a worthy descendant -of the magicians of old. - -"Were I to tell that broad-faced Herr," continued the conjuror, "who is -now gaping opposite to me, that this rod is the rod of Aaron, mayhap he -would call me a liar; yet were I to tell him that he was the son of his -father, he would not think it wonderful! And yet, can he prove it? My -friends, if I am a liar, the whole world is a liar, and yet any one of -you who'll go and proclaim that on the Braunfels will get his skull -cracked. Every truth is not to be spoken, and every lie is not to be -punished. I have told you that it is better for you to spend your money -in seeing my tricks than in swigging schnaps in the chimney corner; and -yet, my friends, this may be a lie. I have told you that the profits of -this whole night shall be given to some poor and worthy person in this -town; and perhaps I shall give them to myself. What then! I shall speak -the truth; and you will perhaps crack my skull. Is this a reward for -truth? O generation of vipers! My friends, what is truth? who can find -it in Frankfort? Suppose I call upon you, Mr. Baker, and sup with you -this evening; you will receive me as a neighbourly man should, tell me -to make myself at home, and do as I like. Is it not so? I see you smile, -as if my visit would make you bring out one of the bottles of your best -Asmanshausen!" - -Here the crowd laughed out; for we are always glad when there is any -talk of another's hospitality being put to the test, although we stand -no chance of sharing in the entertainment ourselves. The baker looked -foolish, as all men singled out in a crowd do. - -"Well, well," continued the conjuror, "I have no doubt his wine would -be as ready as your tobacco, Mr. Smith; or a wafila from your basket, my -honest cake-seller;" and so saying, with a long thin wand the conjuror -jerked up the basket of an itinerant and shouting pastry-cook, and -immediately began to thrust the contents into his mouth with a rapidity -ludicrously miraculous. The laugh now burst out again, but the honest -baker joined in it this time with an easy spirit. - -"Be not disconcerted, my little custard-monger; if thou art honest, thou -shalt prosper. Did I not say that the profits of this night were for the -most poor and the most honest? If thy stock in trade were in thy basket, -my raspberry-puff, verily thou art not now the richest here; and so, -therefore, if thy character be a fair one, that is to say, if thou only -cheat five times a day, and give a tenth of thy cheatery to the poor, -thou shalt have the benefit. I ask thee again, what is truth? If I sup -with the baker, and he tells me to do what I like with all that is his, -and I kiss his wife, he will kick me out; yet to kiss his wife might be -my pleasure, if her breath were sweet. I ask thee again, what is truth? -Truth, they say, lies in a well; but perhaps this is a lie. How do we -know that truth is not in one of these two boxes?" asked the conjuror, -placing his cap on his head, and holding one small snuff-box to a tall, -savage-looking, one-eyed Bohemian, who, with a comrade, had walked over -from the Austrian garrison at Mentz. - -"I see but one box," growled the soldier. - -"It is because thou hast only one eye, friend; open the other, and thou -shalt see two," said the conjuror, in a slow, malicious tone, with his -neck extended, and his hand with the hateful box outstretched in it. - -"Now, by our black Lady of Altoting, I'll soon stop thy prate, -chitterling!" bellowed the enraged Bohemian. - -"Murder! the protection of the free city against the Emperor of Austria, -the King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Lombardy!" and the knave retreated to -the very extremity of the stage, and affecting agitating fear, hid -himself behind the green curtain, from a side of which his head was -alone visible, or rather an immense red tongue, which wagged in all -shapes at the unlucky soldier, except when it retired to the interior of -his mouth, to enable him to reiterate "Murder!" and invoke the -privileges of the free city of Frankfort. - -When the soldier was a little cooled, the conjuror again came forward, -and, having moved his small magical table to a corner, and lit two -tapers, one of which he placed at each side of the stage, he stripped -off his hussar jacket, and began to imitate a monkey; an animal which, -by the faint light, in his singular costume, he very much resembled. How -amusing were his pranks! He first plundered a rice plantation, and then -he cracked cocoa-nuts; then he washed his face and arranged his toilet -with, his right paw; and finally he ran a race with his own tail, which -humorous appendage to his body was very wittily performed for the -occasion by a fragment, of an old tarred rope. His gambols were so -diverting that they even extracted applause from his enemy the one-eyed -serjeant; and, emboldened by the acclamations, from monkeys the conjuror -began to imitate men. He first drank like a Dutchman, and having reeled -round with a thousand oaths, to the manifold amusement of the crowd, he -suddenly began to smoke like a Prussian. Nothing could be more admirable -than the look of complacent and pompous stolidity with which he -accompanied each puff of his pipe. The applause was continued; and the -one-eyed Bohemian serjeant, delighted at the ridicule which was heaped -on his military rival, actually threw the mimic some groschen. - -"Keep thy pence, friend," said the conjuror; "thou wilt soon owe me -more; we have not yet closed accounts. My friends, I have drank like a -Dutchman; I have smoked like a Prussian; and now I will eat like an -Austrian!" and here the immense mouth of the actor seemed distended even -a hundred degrees bigger, while with gloating eyes and extended arms he -again set to at the half-emptied wafila basket of the unhappy -pastry-cook. - -"Now, by our black Lady of Altoting, thou art an impudent varlet!" -growled the Austrian soldier. - -"You are losing your temper again," retorted the glutton, with his mouth -full; "how difficult you are to please! Well, then, if the Austrians may -not be touched, what say you to a Bohemian! a tall one-eyed Bohemian -serjeant, with an appetite like a hog and a liver like a lizard?" - -"Now, by our black Lady of Altoting, this is too much!" and the soldier -sprang at the conjuror. - -"Hold him!" cried Vivian Grey; for the mob, frightened at the soldier, -gave way. - -"There is a gentle's voice under a dark cloak!" cried the conjuror; "but -I want no assistance;" and so saying, with a dexterous spring the -conjuror leaped over the heads of two or three staring children, and -lighted on the nape of the serjeant's gigantic neck; placing his -forefingers behind each of the soldier's ears, he threatened to slit -them immediately if he were not quiet. The serjeant's companion, of -course, came to his rescue, but Vivian engaged him, and attempted to -arrange matters. "My friends, surely a gay word at a fair is not to meet -with military punishment! What is the use of living in the free city of -Frankfort, or, indeed, in any other city, if jokes are to be answered -with oaths, and a light laugh met with a heavy blow? Avoid bloodshed, if -possible, but stand by the conjuror. His business is jibes and jests, -and this is the first time that I ever saw Merry Andrew arrested. Come, -my good fellows!" said he to the soldiers, "we had better be off; men so -important as you and I should not be spectators of these mummeries." The -Austrians, who understood Vivian's compliment literally, were not sorry -to make a dignified retreat; particularly as the mob, encouraged by -Vivian's interference, began to show fight. Vivian also took his -departure as soon as he could possibly steal off unnoticed; but not -before he had been thanked by the conjuror. - -"I knew there was gentle blood under that cloak. If you like to see the -Mystery of the Crucifixion, with the Resurrection, and real fireworks, -it begins at eight o'clock, and you shall be admitted gratis. I knew -there was gentle blood under that cloak, and some day or other, when -your Highness is in distress, you shall not want the aid of -ESSPER GEORGE!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -It was late in the evening when a britzska stopped at the post-house at -Coblentz. The passage-boat from Bingen had just arrived; and a portly -judge from the Danube, a tall, gaunt Prussian officer, a sketching -English artist, two University students, and some cloth-merchants, -returning from Frankfort fair, were busily occupied at a long table in -the centre of the room, at an ample banquet, in which sour-crout, -cherry-soup, and savoury sausages were not wanting. So keen were the -appetites of these worthies, that the entrance of the new comers, who -seated themselves at a small table in the corner of the room, was -scarcely noticed; and for half-an-hour nothing was heard but the sound -of crashing jaws and of rattling knives and forks. How singular is the -sight of a dozen hungry individuals intent upon their prey! What a noisy -silence! A human voice was at length heard. It proceeded from the fat -judge; a man at once convivial, dignified, and economical: he had not -spoken for two minutes before his character was evident to every person -in the room, although he flattered himself that his secret purpose was -concealed from all. Tired with the thin Moselle gratuitously allowed to -the table, the judge wished to comfort himself with a glass of more -generous liquor; aware of the price of a bottle of good Rudesheimer, he -was desirous of forming a copartnership with one or two gentlemen in the -venture; still more aware of his exalted situation, he felt it did not -become him to appear in the eyes of any one as an unsuccessful -suppliant. - -"This Moselle is very thin," observed the judge, shaking his head. - -"Very fair table-wine, I think" said the artist, refilling his tumbler, -and then proceeding with his sketch, which was a rough likeness, in -black chalk, of the worthy magistrate himself. - -"Very good wine, I think," swore the Prussian, taking the bottle. With -the officer there was certainly no chance. - -The cloth-merchants mixed even this thin Moselle with water, and -therefore they could hardly be looked to as boon companions; and the -students were alone left. A German student is no flincher at the bottle, -although he generally drinks beer. These gentry, however, were no great -favourites with the magistrate, who was a loyal man, of regular habits, -and no encourager of brawls, duels, and other still more disgraceful -outrages; to all which abominations, besides drinking beer and chewing -tobacco, the German student is remarkably addicted; but in the present -case what was to be done? He offered the nearest a pinch of snuff, as a -mode of commencing his acquaintance and cultivating his complacency. The -student dug his thumb into the box, and, with the additional aid of the -forefinger sweeping out half its contents, growled out something like -thanks, and then drew up in his seat, as if he had too warmly encouraged -the impertinent intrusion of a Philistine to whom he had never been -introduced. - -The cloth-merchant, ceasing from sipping his meek liquor, and taking out -of his pocket a letter, from which he tore off the back, carefully -commenced collecting with his forefinger the particles of dispersed -snuff in a small pyramid, which, when formed, was dexterously slided -into the paper, then folded up and put into his pocket; the prudent -merchant contenting himself for the moment with the refreshment which -was afforded to his senses by the truant particles which had remained -in his nail. - -"Waiter, a bottle of Rudesheimer!" bellowed the judge; "and if any -gentleman or gentlemen would like to join me, they may," he added, in a -more subdued tone. No one answered, and the bottle was put down. The -judge slowly poured out the bright yellow fluid into a tall bell glass, -adorned with a beautiful and encircling wreath of vine leaves; he held -the glass a moment before the lamp, for his eye to dwell with still -greater advantage on the transparent radiancy of the contents; and then -deliberately pouring them down his throat, and allowing them to dwell a -moment on his palate, he uttered an emphatic "bah!" and sucking in his -breath, leaned back in his chair. The student immediately poured out a -glass from the same bottle, and drank it off. The judge gave him a look, -and then blessed himself that, though his boon companion was a brute, -still he would lessen the expense of the bottle, which nearly amounted -to a day's pay; and so he again filled his glass, but this was merely to -secure his fair portion. He saw the student was a rapid drinker; and, -although he did not like to hurry his own enjoyment, he thought it most -prudent to keep his glass well stored by his side. - -"I hope your Lordships have had a pleasant voyage," exclaimed a man, -entering the room rapidly as he spoke; and, deliberately walking up to -the table, he pushed between two of the cloth-merchants, who quietly -made way; and then placing a small square box before him, immediately -opened it, and sweeping aside the dishes and glasses which surrounded -him, began to fill their places with cups, balls, rings, and other -mysterious-looking matters, which generally accompany a conjuror. - -"I hope your Lordships have had a pleasant voyage. I have been thinking -of you all the day. (Here the cups were arranged.) Next to myself, I am -interested for my friends. (Here the rice was sprinkled.) I came from -Fairy-land this morning. (Here the trick was executed.) Will any -gentleman lend me a handkerchief? Now, sir, tie any knot you choose: -tighter, tighter, tight as you can, tight as you can: now pull! Why, -sir, where's your knot?" Here most of the company good-naturedly -laughed at a trick which had amused them before a hundred times. But -the dignified judge had no taste for such trivial amusements; and, -besides, he thought that all this noise spoilt the pleasure of his wine, -and prevented him from catching the flavour of his Rudesheimer. -Moreover, the Judge was not in a very good humour. The student appeared -to have little idea of the rules and regulations of a fair partnership: -for not only did he not regulate his draughts by the moderate example of -his bottle companion, but actually filled the glass of his University -friend, and even offered the precious green flask to his neighbour, the -cloth-merchant. That humble individual modestly refused the proffer. The -unexpected circumstance of having his health drank by a stranger seemed -alone to have produced a great impression upon him; and adding a little -more water to his already diluted potation, he bowed reverently to the -student, who, in return, did not notice him. All these little -circumstances prevented the judge from laughing at the performances of -our friend Essper George; for we need hardly mention that the conjuror -was no other. His ill-humour did not escape the lord of the cups and -balls, who, as was his custom, immediately began to torment him. - -"Will you choose a card?" asked the magician of the judge, with a most -humble look. - -"No, sir!" - -Essper George looked very penitent, as if he felt he had taken a great -liberty by his application; and so, to compensate for his incorrect -behaviour, he asked the magistrate whether he would have the goodness to -lend him his watch. The judge was irate, and determined to give the -intruder a set down. - -"I am not one of those who can be amused by tricks that his grandfather -knew." - -"Grandfather!" shrieked Essper; "what a wonderful grandfather yours must -have been! All my tricks are fresh from Fairyland this morning. -Grandfather, indeed! Pray, is this your grandfather?" and here the -conjuror, leaning over the table, with a rapid catch drew out from the -fat paunch of the judge a long grinning wooden figure, with great -staring eyes, and the parrot nose of a pulcinello. The laugh which -followed this sleight-of-hand was loud, long, and universal. The judge -lost his temper; and Essper George took the opportunity of the confusion -to drink off the glass of Rudesheimer which stood, as we have -mentioned, ready charged, at the magistrate's elbow. - -The waiter now went round to collect the money of the various guests who -had partaken of the boat-supper; and, of course, charged the judge extra -for his ordered bottle, bowing at the same time very low, as was proper -to so good a customer. These little attentions at inns encourage -expenditure. The judge tried at the same time the bottle, which he found -empty, and applied to his two boon companions for their quota; but the -students affected a sort of brutal surprise at any one having the -impudence to imagine that they were going to pay their proportion; and -flinging down the money for their own supper on the table, they retired. -The magistrate, calling loudly for the landlord, followed them out -of the room. - -Essper George stood moralising at the table, and emptying every glass -whose contents were not utterly drained, with the exception of the -tumblers of the cloth-merchants, of whose liquor he did not approve. - -"Poor man! to get only one glass out of his own bottle! Ay! call for M. -Maas; threaten as you will. Your grandfather will not help you here. -Blood out of a wall and money out of a student come the same day. Ah! is -your Excellency here?" said Essper, turning round to our two travellers -with affected surprise, although he had observed them the whole time. -"Is your Excellency here? I have been looking for you through Frankfort -this whole morning. There! it will do for your glass. It is of chamois -leather, and I made it myself, from a beast I caught last summer in the -valley of the Rhone." So saying, he threw over Vivian's neck a neat -chain, or cord, of curiously-worked leather. - -"Who the devil is this, Grey?" asked the Baron. - -"A funny knave, whom I once saved from a thrashing, or something of the -kind, which I do him the justice to say he well deserved." - -"Who the devil is this?" said Essper George. "Why, that is exactly the -same question I myself asked when I saw a tall, pompous, proud fellow, -dressed like a peacock on a May morning, standing at the door just now. -He looked as if he would pass himself off for an ambassador at least; -but I told him that if he got his wages paid he was luckier than most -servants. Was I right, your Excellency?" - -"Poor Ernstorff!" said the Baron, laughing. "Yes; _he_ certainly gets -paid. Here, you are a clever varlet; fill your glass." - -"No; no wine. Don't you hear the brawling, and nearly the bloodshed, -which are going on upstairs about a sour bottle of Rudesheimer? and here -I see two gentles who have ordered the best wine merely to show that -they are masters and not servants of the green peacock, and lo! cannot -get through a glass. Lord! lord! what is man? If my fat friend and his -grandfather would but come down stairs again, here is liquor enough to -make wine and water of the Danube; for he comes from thence by his -accent. No, I'll have none of your wine; keep it to throw on the sandy -floor, that the dust may not hurt your delicate shoes, nor dirt the hand -of the gentleman in green and gold when he cleans them for you in -the morning." - -Here the Baron laughed again, and, as he bore his impertinence, Essper -George immediately became polite. - -"Does your Highness go to Ems?" - -"We hardly know, my friend." - -"Oh! go there, gentlemen. I have tried them all; Aix-la-Chapelle, Spa, -Wiesbaden, Carlsbad, Pyrmont, every one of them; but what are these to -Ems? There we all live in the same house and eat from the same table. -When there I feel that you are all under my protection; I consider you -all as my children. Besides, the country, how delightful! the mountains, -the valleys, the river, the woods, and then the company so select! No -sharpers, no adventurers, no blacklegs: at Ems you can be taken in by no -one except your intimate friend. To Ems, by all means. I would advise -you, however, to send the gentleman in the cocked hat on before you to -engage rooms; for I can assure you that you will have a hard chance. The -baths are very full." - -"And how do you get there, Essper?" asked Vivian. - -"Those are subjects on which I never speak," answered the conjuror, with -a solemn air. - -"But have you all your stock-in-trade with you, my good fellow? Where is -the Mystery?" - -"Sold, sir; sold! I never keep to anything long. Variety is the mother -of Enjoyment. At Ems I shall not be a conjuror: but I never part with my -box. It takes no more room than one of those medicine chests, which I -dare say you have got with you in your carriage, to prop up your couple -of shattered constitutions." - -"By Jove! you are a merry, impudent fellow," said the Baron; "and if -you like to get up behind my britzska, you may." - -"No; I carry my own box and my own body, and I shall be at Ems to-morrow -in time enough to receive your Lordships." - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -In a delightful valley of Nassau, formed by the picturesque windings of -the Taunus Mountains, and on the banks of the noisy river Lahn, stands a -vast brick pile, of irregular architecture, which nearly covers an acre -of ground. This building was formerly a favourite palace of the ducal -house of Nassau; but the present Prince has thought proper to let out -the former residence of his family as an hotel for the accommodation of -the company, who in the season frequent this, the most lovely spot in -his lovely little duchy. This extensive building contains two hundred -and thirty rooms and eighty baths; and these apartments, which are under -the management of an official agent, who lives in the "Princely Bathing -House," for such is its present dignified title, are to be engaged at -fixed prices, which are marked over the doors. All the rooms in the -upper story of the Princely Bathing House open on, or are almost -immediately connected with, a long corridor, which extends the whole -length of the building. The ground-floor, besides the space occupied by -the baths, also affords a spacious promenade, arched with stone, and -surrounded with stalls, behind which are marshalled vendors of all the -possible articles which can be required by the necessities of the -frequenters of a watering-place. There you are greeted by the jeweller -of the Palais Royal and the marchande de mode of the Rue de la Paix; the -print-seller from Mannheim and the china-dealer from Dresden; and other -small speculators in the various fancy articles which abound in Vienna, -Berlin, Geneva, Basle, Strasburg, and Lausanne; such as pipes, costumes -of Swiss peasantry, crosses of Mont Blanc crystal, and all varieties of -national bijouterie. All things may here be sold, save those which -administer to the nourishment of the body or the pleasure of the palate. -Let not those of my readers who have already planned a trip to the sweet -vales of the Taunus be frightened by this last sentence. At Ems -"eatables and drinkables" are excellent and abounding; but they are -solely supplied by the restaurateur, who farms the monopoly from the -Duke. This gentleman, who is a pupil of Beauvillier's, and who has -conceived an exquisite cuisine, by adding to the lighter graces of -French cookery something of the more solid virtues of the German, -presides in a saloon of vast size and magnificent decoration, in which, -during the season, upwards of three hundred persons frequent the table -d'hôte. It is the etiquette at Ems that, however distinguished or -however humble the rank of the visitors, their fare and their treatment -must be alike. In one of the most aristocratic countries in the word the -sovereign prince and his tradesman subject may be found seated in the -morning at the same board, and eating from the same dish, as in the -evening they may be seen staking on the same colour at the gaming-table, -and sharing in the same interest at the Redoute. - -The situation of Ems is delightful. The mountains which form the valley -are not, as in Switzerland, so elevated that they confine the air or -seem to impede the facility of breathing. In their fantastic forms the -picturesque is not lost in the monotonous, and in the rich covering of -their various woods the admiring eye finds at the same time beauty and -repose. Opposite the ancient palace, on the banks of the Lahn, are the -gardens. In these, in a pavilion, a band of musicians seldom cease from -enchanting the visitors by their execution of the most favourite -specimens of German and Italian music. Numberless acacia arbours and -retired sylvan seats are here to be found, where the student or the -contemplative may seek refuge from the noise of his more gay companions, -and the tedium of eternal conversation. In these gardens, also, are the -billiard-room, and another saloon, in which each night meet, not merely -those who are interested in the mysteries of rouge et noir, and the -chances of roulette, but, in general, the whole of the company, male and -female, who are frequenting the baths. In quitting the gardens for a -moment, we must not omit mentioning the interesting booth of our friend, -the restaurateur, where coffee, clear and hot, and exquisite -confectionery, are never wanting. Nor should we forget the glittering -pennons of the gay boats which glide along the Lahn; nor the handsome -donkeys, who, with their white saddles and red bridles, seem not -unworthy of the princesses whom they sometimes bear. The gardens, with -an alley of limetrees, which are farther on, near the banks of the -river, afford easy promenades to the sick and debilitated; but the more -robust and active need not fear monotony in the valley of the Lahn. If -they sigh for the champaign country, they can climb the wild passes of -the encircling mountains, and from their tops enjoy the most magnificent -views of the Rhineland. There they may gaze on that mighty river, -flowing through the prolific plain which at the same time it nourishes -and adorns, bounded on each side by mountains of every form, clothed -with wood or crowned with castles. Or, if they fear the fatigues of the -ascent, they may wander farther up the valley, and in the wild dells, -romantic forests, and grey ruins of Stein and Nassau, conjure up the old -times of feudal tyranny when the forest was the only free land, and he -who outraged the laws the only one who did not suffer from their -authority. - -Besides the Princely Bathing House, I must mention that there was -another old and extensive building near it, which, in very full seasons, -also accommodated visitors on the same system as the palace. At present, -this adjoining building was solely occupied by a Russian Grand Duke, who -had engaged it for the season. - -Such is a slight description of Ems, a place almost of unique character; -for it is a watering-place with every convenience, luxury, and -accommodation; and yet without shops, streets, or houses. - -The Baron and Vivian were fortunate in finding rooms, for the Baths were -very full; the extraordinary beauty of the weather having occasioned a -very early season. They found themselves at the baths early on the -morning after their arrival at Coblentz, and at three o'clock in the -same day had taken their places at the dinner table in the great saloon. -At the long table upwards of two hundred and fifty guests were -assembled, of different nations, and of very different characters. There -was the cunning, intriguing Greek, who served well his imperial master -the Russian. The order of the patron saint of Moscow, and the glittering -stars of other nations which sparkled on his green uniform, told how -well he had laboured for the interest of all other countries except his -own; but his clear, pale complexion, his delicately trimmed mustachio, -his lofty forehead, his arched eyebrow, and his Eastern eye, recalled to -the traveller, in spite of his barbarian trappings, the fine -countenances of the Aegean, and became a form which apparently might -have struggled in Thermopylae. Next to him was the Austrian diplomatist, -the Sosia of all cabinets, in whose gay address and rattling -conversation you could hardly recognise the sophistical defender of -unauthorised invasion, and the subtle inventor of Holy Alliances and -Imperial Leagues. Then came the rich usurer from Frankfort or the -prosperous merchant from Hamburgh, who, with his wife and daughters, -were seeking some recreation from his flourishing counting-house in the -sylvan gaieties of a German bathing-place. Flirting with these was an -adventurous dancing-master from Paris, whose profession at present was -kept in the background, and whose well-curled black hair, diamond pin, -and frogged coat hinted at the magnifico incog, and also enabled him, if -he did not choose in time to follow his own profession, to pursue -another one, which he had also studied, in the profitable mystery of the -Redoute. There were many other individuals, whose commonplace appearance -did not reveal a character which perhaps they did not possess. There -were officers in all uniforms, and there were some uniforms without -officers. But all looked perfectly comme il faut, and on the whole very -select; and if the great persons endeavoured for a moment to forget -their dignity, still these slight improprieties were amply made up by -the affected dignity of those little persons who had none to forget. - -"And how like you the baths of Ems?" the Baron asked of Vivian, "We -shall get better seats to-morrow, and perhaps be among those whom you -shall know. I see many friends and some agreeable ones. In the meantime, -you must make a good dinner to-day, and I will amuse you, and assist -your digestion, by putting you up to some of the characters with whom -you are dining." - -At this moment a party entered the room, who were rather late in their -appearance, but who attracted the attention of Vivian. The group -consisted of three persons; a very good-looking young man, who supported -on each arm a female. The lady on his right arm was apparently of about -five-and-twenty years of age. She was of majestic stature; her -complexion of untinged purity. Her features were like those conceptions -of Grecian sculptors which, in moments of despondency, we sometimes -believe to be ideal. Her full eyes were of the same deep blue as the -mountain lake, and gleamed from under their long lashes as that purest -of waters beneath its fringing sedge. Her brown light hair was braided -from her high forehead, and hung in long full curls over her neck; the -mass gathered up into a Grecian knot, and confined by a bandeau of -cameos. She wore a dress of black velvet, whose folding drapery was -confined round a waist which was in exact symmetry with the proportions -of her full bust and the polished roundness of her bending neck. The -countenance of the lady was dignified, without any expression of pride, -and reserved, without any of the harshness of austerity. In gazing on -her the enraptured spectator for a moment believed that Minerva had -forgotten her severity, and had entered into a delightful rivalry -with Venus. - -Her companion was much younger, not so tall, and of slender form. The -long tresses of her chestnut hair shaded her oval face. Her small, -aquiline nose, bright hazel eyes, delicate mouth, and the deep colour of -her lips, were as remarkable as the transparency of her complexion. The -flush of her cheek was singular; it was of a brilliant pink: you may -find it in the lip of an Indian shell. The blue veins played beneath her -arched forehead, like lightning beneath a rainbow. She was dressed in -white, and a damask rose, half hid in her clustering hair, was her only -ornament. This lovely creature glided by Vivian Grey almost unnoticed, -so fixed was his gaze on her companion. Yet, magnificent as was the -style of Lady Madeleine Trevor, there were few who preferred even her -commanding graces to the softer beauties of Violet Fane. - -This party, having passed Vivian, proceeded to the top of the room, -where places had been kept for them. Vivian's eye watched them till they -were lost among surrounding visitors: their peculiar loveliness could -not deceive him. - -"English, no doubt," observed he to the Baron; "who can they be?" - -"I have not the least idea; that is, I do not exactly know. I think they -are English," answered the Baron, in so confused a manner that Vivian -rather stared. After musing a moment, the Baron recovered himself. - -"The unexpected sight of a face we feel that we know, and yet cannot -immediately recognise, is extremely annoying; it is almost agitating. -They are English. The lady in black is Lady Madeleine Trevor; I knew her -in London." - -"And the gentleman?" asked Vivian: "is the gentleman Mr. Trevor?" - -"No; Trevor, poor Trevor, is dead, I think; is, I am sure, dead. That, I -am confident, is not he. He was of the ---- family, and was in office -when I was in England. It was in my diplomatic capacity that I first -became acquainted with him. Lady Madeleine was, and, as you see, is, a -charming woman; a very charming woman is Lady Madeleine Trevor." - -"And the young lady with her?" - -"And the young lady with her, I cannot exactly say; I do not exactly -know. Her face is familiar to me, and yet I cannot remember her name. -She must have been very young, as you may see, when I was in England; -she cannot now be above eighteen. Miss Fane must therefore have been -very young when I was in England, Miss Fane; how singular I should have -recalled her name! that is her name, Violet Fane, a cousin, or some -relation, of Lady Madeleine: good family. Will you have some soup?" - -Whether it were from not being among his friends, or some other cause, -the Baron was certainly not in his usual spirits this day at dinner. -Conversation, which with him was generally as easy as it was brilliant, -like a fountain at the same time sparkling and fluent, was evidently -constrained. For a few minutes he talked very fast, and was then -uncommunicative, absent, and dull. He, moreover, drank a great deal of -wine, which was not his custom; but the grape did not inspire him. -Vivian found amusement in his next neighbour, a forward, bustling man, -clever in his talk, very fine, but rather vulgar. He was the manager of -a company of Austrian actors, and had come to Ems on the chance of -forming an engagement for his troop, who generally performed at Vienna, -He had been successful in his adventure, the Archduke having engaged the -whole band at the New House, and in a few days the troop were to arrive; -at which time the manager was to drop the character of a travelling -gentleman, and cease to dine at the table d'hôte of Ems. From this man -Vivian learnt that Lady Madeleine Trevor had been at the Baths for some -time before the season commenced: that at present hers was the party -which, from its long stay and eminent rank, gave the tone to the -amusements of the place; the influential circle which those who have -frequented watering-places have often observed, and which may be seen at -Ems, Spa, or Pyrmont, equally as at Harrowgate, Tunbridge Wells, or -Cheltenham. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -When dinner was finished the party broke up, and most of them assembled -in the gardens. The Baron, whose countenance had assumed its wonted -cheerfulness, and who excused his previous dulness by the usual story of -a sudden headache, proposed to Vivian to join the promenade. The gardens -were very full, and the Baron recognised many of his acquaintance. - -"My dear Colonel, who possibly expected to meet you here? Why! did you -dine in the saloon? I only arrived this morning. This is my friend, Mr. -Grey; Colonel von Trumpetson." - -"An Englishman, I believe?" said the Colonel, bowing. He was a starch -militaire, with a blue frock coat buttoned up to his chin, a bald head -with a few grey hairs, and long, thin mustachios like a mandarin's. "An -Englishman, I believe; pray, sir, will you inform me whether the -household troops in England wear the Marboeuf cuirass?" - -"Sir!" said Vivian. - -"I esteem myself particularly fortunate in thus meeting with an English -gentleman. It was only at dinner to-day that a controversy arose between -Major von Musquetoon and the Prince of Buttonstein on this point. As I -said to the Prince, you may argue for ever, for at present we cannot -decide the fact. How little did I think when I parted from the Major -that in a few minutes I should be able to settle the question beyond a -doubt. I esteem myself particularly fortunate in meeting with an -Englishman." - -"I regret to say, Colonel, that the question is one that I cannot -decide." - -"Sir, I wish you good morning," said the Colonel, very drily; and, -staring keenly at Vivian, he walked away. - -"He is good enough to fight, I suppose," said the Baron, with a smile -and shrug of the shoulders, which seemed to return thanks to Providence -for having been educated in the civil service. - -At this moment Lady Madeleine Trevor, leaning on the arm of the same -gentleman, passed, and the Baron bowed. The bow was coldly returned. - -"You know her Ladyship, then! well!" - -"I did know her," said the Baron; "but I see from her bow that I am at -present in no very high favour. The truth is, she is a charming woman, -but I never expected to see her in Germany, and there was some little -commission of hers which I neglected, some little order for Eau de -Cologne, or a message about a worked pocket-handkerchief, which I -utterly forgot: and then, I never wrote! and you know. Grey, that these -little sins of omission are never forgiven by women." - -"My dear friend, De Konigstein, one pinch! one pinch!" chirped out a -little old odd-looking man, with a poudré head, and dressed in a costume -in which the glories of the vieille cour seemed to retire with -reluctance. A diamond ring twinkled on the snuffy hand, which was -encircled by a rich ruffle of dirty lace. The brown coat was not -modern, and yet not quite such an one as was worn by its master when he -went to see the King dine in public at Versailles before the Revolution: -large silver buckles still adorned the well-polished shoes; and silk -stockings, whose hue was originally black, were picked out with -clock-work of gold. - -"My dear Marquis, I am most happy to see you; will you try the -boulangero?" - -"With pleasure! A-a-h! what a box! a Louis-Quatorze, I think?" - -"Oh, no! by no means so old." - -"Pardon me, my dear De Konigstein; I think a Louis-Quatorze." - -"I bought it in Sicily." - -"A-a-h!" slowly exclaimed the little man, shaking his head. - -"Well, good afternoon," said the Baron, passing on. - -"My dear De Konigstein, one pinch; you have often said you have a -particular regard for me." - -"My dear Marquis!" - -"A-a-h! I thought so; you have often said you would serve me, if -possible." - -"My dear Marquis, be brief." - -"A-a-h! I will. There's a cursed crusty old Prussian officer here; one -Colonel de Trumpetson." - -"Well, what can I do? you are surely not going to fight him!" - -"A-a-h! no, no; I wish you to speak to him." - -"Well, what?" - -"He takes snuff." - -"What is that to me?" - -"He has got a box." - -"Well!" - -"It is a Louis-Quatorze; could not you get it for me?" - -"Good morning to you," said the Baron, pulling on Vivian. - -"You have had the pleasure, Grey, of meeting this afternoon two men who -have each only one idea. Colonel von Trumpetson and the Marquis de la -Tabatière are equally tiresome. But are they more tiresome than any -other man who always speaks on the same subject? We are more irritable, -but not more wearied, with a man who is always thinking of the pattern -of a button-hole, or the shape of a snuff-box, than with one who is -always talking about pictures, or chemistry, or politics. The true bore -is that man who thinks the world is only interested in one subject, -because he himself can only comprehend one." - -Here Lady Madeleine passed again, and this time the Baron's eyes were -fixed on the ground. - -A buzz and a bustle at the other end of the gardens, to which the Baron -and Vivian were advancing, announced the entry of the Grand Duke. His -Imperial Highness was a tall man, with a quick, piercing eye, which was -prevented from giving to his countenance the expression of intellect, -which it otherwise would have done, by the dull and almost brutal effect -of his flat, Calmuck nose. He was dressed in a plain green uniform, -adorned by a single star; but his tightened waist, his stiff stock, and -the elaborate attention which had evidently been bestowed upon his -mustachio, denoted the military fop. The Grand Duke was accompanied by -three or four stiff and stately-looking personages, in whom the severity -of the martinet seemed sunk in the servility of the aide-de-camp. - -The Baron bowed very low to the Prince as he drew near, and his -Highness, taking off his cocked-hat with an appearance of cordial -condescension, made a full stop. The silent gentlemen in the rear, who -had not anticipated this suspense in their promenade, almost foundered -on the heels of their royal master; and, frightened at the imminency of -the profanation, forgot their stiff pomp in a precipitate retreat of -half a yard. - -"Baron," said his Highness, "why have I not seen you at the New House?" - -"I have but this moment arrived, may it please your Imperial Highness." - -"Your companion," continued the Grand Duke, pointing very graciously to -Vivian. - -"My intimate friend, my fellow-traveller, and an Englishman. May I have -the honour of presenting Mr. Grey to your Imperial Highness?" - -"Any friends of the Baron von Konigstein I shall always feel great -pleasure in having presented to me. Sir, I feel great pleasure in having -you presented to me. Sir, you ought to be proud of the name of -Englishman; sir, the English are a noble nation; sir, I have the highest -respect for the English nation!" - -Vivian of course bowed very low; and of course made a very proper speech -on the occasion, which, as all speeches of that kind should be, was very -dutiful and quite inaudible. - -"And what news from Berlin, Baron? let us move on," and the Baron turned -with the Grand Duke. The silent gentlemen, settling their mustachios, -followed in the rear. For about half an hour, anecdote after anecdote, -scene after scene, caricature after caricature, were poured out with -prodigal expenditure for the amusement of the Prince, who did nothing -during the exhibition but smile, stroke his whiskers, and at the end of -the best stories fence with his forefinger at the Baron's side, with a -gentle laugh, and a mock shake of the head, and a "Eh! Von Konigstein, -you're too bad!" Here Lady Madeleine Trevor passed again, and the Grand -Duke's hat nearly touched the ground. He received a most gracious bow. - -"Finish the story about Salvinski, Baron, and then I will present you -for a reward to the most lovely creature in existence, a countrywoman of -your friend, Lady Madeleine Trevor." - -"I have the honour of a slight acquaintance with her," said the Baron; -"I had the pleasure of knowing her in England." - -"Indeed! Fortunate mortal! I see she has stopped, talking to some -stranger. Let us turn and join her." - -The Grand Duke and the two friends accordingly turned, and of course the -silent gentlemen in the rear followed with due precision. - -"Lady Madeleine!" said the Grand Duke, "I flattered myself for a moment -that I might have had the honour of presenting to you a gentleman for -whom I have a great esteem; but he has proved to me that he is more -fortunate than myself, since he had the honour before me of an -acquaintance with Lady Madeleine Trevor." - -"I have not forgotten Baron von Konigstein," said her ladyship, with a -serious air. "May I ask his Highness how he prospered in his negotiation -with the Austrian troop?" - -"Perfectly successful! Inspired by your Ladyship's approbation, my -steward has really done wonders. He almost deserves a diplomatic -appointment for the talent which he has shown; but what should I do -without Cracowsky? Lady Madeleine, can you conceive what I should do -without Cracowsky?" - -"Not in the least." - -"Cracowsky is everything to me. It is impossible to say what Cracowsky -is to me. I owe everything to Cracowsky. To Cracowsky I owe being here." -The Grand Duke bowed very low, for this eulogium on his steward also -conveyed a compliment to her Ladyship. The Grand Duke was certainly -right in believing that he owed his summer excursion to Ems to his -steward. That wily Pole regularly every year put his Imperial master's -summer excursion up to auction, and according to the biddings of the -proprietors of the chief baths did he take care that his master -regulated his visit. The restaurateur of Ems, in collusion with the -official agent of the Duke of Nassau, were fortunate this season in -having the Grand Duke knocked down to them. - -"May I flatter myself that Miss Fane feels herself better?" asked the -Grand Duke. - -"She certainly does feel herself better, but my anxiety about her does -not decrease. In her illness apparent convalescence is sometimes as -alarming as suffering." - -The Grand Duke continued by the side of Lady Madeleine for about twenty -minutes, seizing every opportunity of uttering, in the most courtly -tone, inane compliments; and then trusting that he might soon have her -Ladyship's opinion respecting the Austrian troop at the New House, and -that Von Konigstein and his English friend would not delay letting him -see them there, his Imperial Highness, followed by his silent suite, -left the gardens. - -"I am afraid Lady Madeleine must have almost mistaken me for a taciturn -lord chamberlain," said the Baron, occupying immediately the Grand -Duke's vacated side. - -"Baron von Konigstein must be very changed if silence be imputed to him -as a fault," said Lady Madeleine. - -"Baron von Konigstein is very much changed since last he had the -pleasure of conversing with Lady Madeleine Trevor; more changed than she -will perhaps believe; more changed than he can sometimes himself -believe. I hope that he will not be less acceptable to Lady Madeleine -Trevor because he is no longer rash, passionate, and unthinking; because -he has learnt to live more for others and less for himself." - -"Baron von Konigstein does indeed appear changed, since, by his own -account, he has become, in a very few years, a being in whose existence -philosophers scarcely believe, a perfect man." - -"My self-conceit has been so often reproved by you, that I will not -apologise for a quality which I almost flattered myself I no longer -possessed; but you will excuse, I am sure, one who, in zealous haste to -prove himself amended, has, I fear, almost shown that he has -deceived himself." - -Some strange thoughts occurred to Vivian while this conversation was -taking place. "Is this a woman to resent the neglect of an order for Eau -de Cologne? My dear Von Konigstein, you are a very pleasant fellow, but -this is not the way men apologise for the non-purchase of a -pocket-handkerchief!" - -"Have you been long at Ems?" inquired the Baron, with an air of great -deference. - -"Nearly a month: we are travelling in consequence of the ill-health of a -relation. It was our intention to have gone on to Pisa, but our -physician, in consequence of the extreme heat of the summer, is afraid -of the fatigue of travelling, and has recommended Ems. The air between -these mountains is very soft and pure, and I have no reason to regret at -present that we have not advanced farther on our journey." - -"The lady who was with your party at dinner is, I fear, your invalid. -She certainly does not look like one. I think," said the Baron, with an -effort, "I think that her face is not unknown to me. It is difficult, -even after so many years, to mistake Miss--" - -"Fane," said Lady Madeleine, firmly; for it seemed that the Baron -required a little assistance at the end of his sentence. - -"Ems," returned his Excellency, with great rapidity of utterance, "Ems -is a charming place, at least to me. I have, within these few years, -quite recurred to the feelings of my boyhood; nothing to me is more -disgustingly wearisome than the gay bustle of a city. My present -diplomatic appointment at Frankfort ensures a constant life among the -most charming scenes of nature. Naples, which was offered to me, I -refused. Eight years ago, I should have thought an appointment at Naples -a Paradise on earth." - -"You must indeed be changed." - -"How beautiful is the vicinity of the Rhine! I have passed within these -three days, for almost the twentieth time in my life, through the -Rheingau; and yet how fresh, and lovely, and novel, seemed all its -various beauties! My young travelling companion is enthusiastic about -this gem of Germany. He is one of your Ladyship's countrymen. Might I -take the liberty of presenting to you Mr. Grey?" - -Lady Madeleine, as if it could now no longer be postponed, introduced to -the two gentlemen her brother, Mr. St. George. This gentleman, who, -during the whole previous conversation, had kept his head in a -horizontal position, looking neither to the right nor to the left, and -apparently unconscious that any one was conversing with his sister, -because, according to the English custom, he was not introduced, now -suddenly turned around, and welcomed his acquaintance with cordiality. - -"Mr. Grey," asked her Ladyship, "are you of Dorsetshire?" - -"My mother is a Dorsetshire woman; her family name is Vivian, which name -I also bear." - -"Then I think we are longer acquainted than we have been introduced. I -met your father at Sir Hargrave Vivian's last Christmas. He spoke of you -in those terms that make me glad that I have met his son. You have been -long from England, I think?" - -"Nearly a year and a half." - -"The Baron had resigned his place by Lady Madeleine, and was already in -close conversation with Mr. St. George, from whose arm Lady Madeleine's -was disengaged. No one acted the part of Asmodeus with greater spirit -than his Excellency; and the secret history of every person whose secret -history could be amusing delighted Mr. St. George. - -"There," said the Baron, "goes the son of an unknown father; his mother -followed the camp, and her offspring was early initiated in the -mysteries of military petty larceny. As he grew up he became the most -skilful plunderer that ever rifled the dying of both sides. Before he -was twenty he followed the army as a petty chapman, and amassed an -excellent fortune by re-acquiring after a battle the very goods and -trinkets which he had sold at an immense price before it. Such a wretch -could do nothing but prosper, and in due tune the sutler's brat became a -commissary-general. He made millions in a period of general starvation, -and cleared at least a hundred thousand dollars by embezzling the shoe -leather during a retreat. He is now a baron, covered with orders, and -his daughters are married to some of our first nobles. There goes a -Polish Count who is one of the greatest gamblers in Christendom. In the -same season he lost to a Russian general, at one game of chess, his -chief castle and sixteen thousand acres of woodland; and recovered -himself on another game, on which he won of a Turkish Pasha one hundred -and eighty thousand leopard skins. The Turk, who was a man of strict -honour, paid the Count by embezzling the tribute in kind of the province -he governed; and as on quarter-day he could not, of course, make up his -accounts with the Divan, he joined the Greeks." - -While the Baron was entertaining Mr. St. George, the conversation -between Lady Madeleine and Vivian proceeded. - -"Your father expressed great disappointment to me at his being prevented -paying you a visit. Do you not long to see him?" - -"More than I can express. Did you think him in good spirits?" - -"Generally so: as cheerful as all fathers can be without their only -son." - -"Did he complain, then, of my absence?" - -"He regretted it." - -"I linger in Germany with the hope of seeing him; otherwise I should -have now been much further south. Do you find Sir Hargrave as amusing -as ever?" - -"When is he otherwise than the most delightful of old men? Sir Hargrave -is one of my great favourites. I should like to persuade you to return -and see them all. Cannot you fancy Chester Grange very beautiful now? -Albert!" said her Ladyship, turning to her brother, "what is the number -of our apartments? Mr. Grey, the sun has now disappeared, and I fear the -night air among these mountains. We have hardly yet summer nights, -though we certainly have summer days. We shall be happy to see you at -our rooms." So saying, bowing very cordially to Vivian and coldly to the -Baron, Lady Madeleine left the gardens. - -"There goes the most delightful woman in the world," said the Baron; -"how fortunate that you know her! for really, as you might have -observed, I have no great claims on her indulgent notice. I was -certainly very wild in England; but then young men, you know, Grey! and -I did not leave a card, or call, before I went; and the English are -very stiff and precise about those things; and the Trevors had been very -kind to me. I think we had better take a little coffee now; and then, if -you like, we will just stroll into the REDOUTE." - -In a brilliantly-illuminated saloon, adorned with Corinthian columns and -casts from some of the most famous antique statues, assembled, between -nine and ten o'clock in the evening, many of the visitors at Ems. On -each side of the room was placed a long narrow table, one of which was -covered with green baize, and unattended; while the variously-coloured -leathern surface of the other was closely surrounded by an interested -crowd. Behind this table stood two individuals of different appearance. -The first was a short, thick man, whose only business was dealing -certain portions of playing cards with quick succession one after the -other: and as the fate of the table was decided by this process, did his -companion, a very tall, thin man, throw various pieces of money upon -certain stakes, which were deposited by the bystanders on different -parts of the table; or, which was much oftener the case, with a silver -rake with a long ebony handle, sweep into a large inclosure near him the -scattered sums. This inclosure was called the Bank, and the mysterious -ceremony in which these persons were assisting was the celebrated game -of rouge-et-noir. A deep silence was strictly preserved by those who -immediately surrounded the table; no voice was heard save that of the -little, short, stout dealer, when, without an expression of the least -interest, he seemed mechanically to announce the fate of the different -colours. No other sound was heard, except the jingle of the dollars and -Napoleons, and the ominous rake of the tall, thin banker. The -countenances of those who were hazarding their money were grave and -gloomy: their eyes were fixed, their brows contracted, and their lips -projected; and yet there was an evident effort visible to show that they -were both easy and unconcerned. Each player held in his hand a small -piece of pasteboard, on which, with a steel pricker, he marked, the run -of the cards, in order, from his observations, to regulate his own play. -The rouge-et-noir player imagines that chance is not capricious. Those -who were not interested in the game promenaded in two lines within the -tables, or, seated in recesses between the pillars, formed small parties -for conversation. - -"I suppose we must throw away a dollar or two," said the Baron, as he -walked up to the table. - -"My dear De Konigstein, one pinch!" - -"Ah! Marquess, what fortune to-night?" - -"Bad! I have lost my Napoleon: I never risk further. There is that -cursed crusty old De Trumpet son, persisting, as usual, in his run of -bad luck; because he never will give in. Trust me, my dear De -Konigstein, it will end in his ruin; and then, if there be a sale of his -effects, I shall, perhaps, get his snuff-box; a-a-h!" - -"Come, shall I throw down a couple of Napoleons on joint account. I do -not care much for play myself; but I suppose, at Ems, we must make up -our minds to lose a few Louis. Here! now, for the red; joint -account, mind!" - -"Done." - -"There's the Grand Duke! Let us go and make our bow; we need, not stick -at the table as if our whole soul were staked with our crown-pieces," So -saying, the gentlemen walked up to the top of the room. - -"Why, Grey! Surely no, it cannot be, and yet it is. De Boeffleurs, how -d'ye do?" said the Baron, with a face beaming with joy and a hearty -shake of the hand. "My dear fellow, how did you manage to get off so -soon? I thought you were not to be here for a fortnight: we only arrived -ourselves to-day." - -"Yes; but I have made an arrangement which I did not anticipate; and so -I posted after you at once. Whom do you think I have brought with me?" - -"Who?" - -"Salvinski." - -"Ah! And the Count?" - -"Follows immediately. I expect him to-morrow or next day. Salvinski is -talking to the Grand Duke; and see, he beckons to me. I suppose I am -going to be presented." - -The Chevalier moved forward, followed by the Baron and Vivian. - -"Any friend of Prince Salvinski I shall always have great pleasure in -having presented to me. Chevalier, I feel great pleasure in having you -presented to me. Chevalier, you ought to be proud of the name of -Frenchman. Chevalier, the French are a great nation. Chevalier, I have -the highest respect for the French nation." - -"The most subtile diplomatist," thought Vivian, as he recalled to mind -his own introduction, "would be puzzled to decide to which interest his -Imperial Highness leans." - -The Grand Duke now entered into conversation with the Prince, and most -of the circle who surrounded him. As his Imperial Highness was -addressing Vivian, the Baron let slip our hero's arm, and, taking that -of the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, began walking up and down the room with -him, and was soon engaged in animated conversation. In a few minutes the -Grand Duke, bowing to his circle, made a move, and regained the side of -a Saxon lady, from whose interesting company he had been disturbed by -the arrival of Prince Salvinski; an individual of whose long stories and -dull romances the Grand Duke had, from experience, a particular dread: -but his Highness was always very courteous to the Poles. - -"Grey, I have despatched De Boeffleurs to the house, to instruct his -servant and Ernstorff to do the impossible, in order that our rooms may -be all together. You will be delighted with De Boeffleurs when you know -him, and I expect you to be great friends. By-the-bye, his unexpected -arrival has quite made us forget our venture at rouge-et-noir. Of course -we are too late now for anything; even if we had been fortunate, our -stake, remaining on the table, is, of course, lost: we may as well, -however, walk up." So saying, the Baron reached the table. - -"That is your Excellency's stake! that is your Excellency's stake!" -exclaimed many voices as he came up. - -"What is the matter, my friends?" asked the Baron, calmly. - -"There has been a run on the red! there has been a run on the red! and -your Excellency's stake has doubled each time. It has been 4, 8, 16, 32, -64, 128, 256, and now it is 512!" quickly rattled a little thin man in -spectacles, pointing at the same time to his unparalleled line of -punctures. This was one of those officious, noisy little men who are -always ready to give you unasked information, and who are never so happy -as when they are watching over the interest of some stranger, who never -thanks them for their unnecessary solicitude. - -Vivian, in spite of his philosophy, felt the excitement of the moment. -He looked at the Baron, whose countenance, however, was unmoved. - -"It seems," said he, coolly, "we are in luck." - -"The stake, then, is not all your own?" eagerly asked the little man in -spectacles. - -"No; part of it is yours, sir," answered the Baron, drily. - -"I am going; to deal," said the short, thick man behind. "Is the board -cleared?" - -"Your Excellency, then, allows the stake to remain?" inquired the tall, -thin banker, with affected nonchalance. - -"Oh! certainly," said the Baron, with real nonchalance. - -"Three, eight, fourteen, twenty-four, thirty-four. Rouge 34--" - -All crowded nearer; the table was surrounded five or six deep, for the -wonderful run of luck had got wind, and nearly the whole room were round -the table. Indeed, the Grand Duke and Saxon lady, and of course the -silent suite, were left alone at the upper part of the room. The tall -banker did not conceal his agitation. Even the short, stout dealer -ceased to be a machine. All looked anxious except the Baron. Vivian -looked at the table; his Excellency watched, with a keen eye, the little -dealer. No one even breathed as the cards descended. "Ten, twenty (here -the countenance of the banker brightened), twenty-two, twenty-five, -twenty-eight, thirty-one; noir 31. The bank's broke: no more play -tonight. The roulette table opens immediately." - -In spite of the great interest which had been excited, nearly the whole -crowd, without waiting to congratulate the Baron, rushed to the opposite -side of the room, in order to secure places at the roulette fable. - -"Put these five hundred and twelve Napoleons into a bag," said the -Baron, "Grey, this is your share. With regard to the other half, Mr. -Hermann, what bills have you got?" - -"Two on Gogel of Frankfort for two hundred and fifty each, and these -twelve Napoleons will make it right," said the tall banker, as he opened -a large black pocket-book, from which he took out two small bits of -paper. The Baron examined them, and after having seen them endorsed, put -them into his pocket, not forgetting the twelve Napoleons; and then -taking Vivian's arm, and regretting extremely that he should have the -trouble of carrying such a weight, he wished Mr. Hermann a very good -night and success at his roulette, and walked with his companion quietly -home. Thus passed a day at Ems! - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -On the following morning, Vivian met with his friend Essper George, -behind a small stall in the Bazaar. - -"Well, my Lord, what do you wish? Here are Eau de Cologne, violet soap, -and watch-ribbons; a smelling bottle of Ems crystal; a snuff-box of -fig-tree wood. Name your price: the least trifle that can be given by a -man who breaks a bank must be more than my whole stock-in-trade -is worth. - -"I have not paid you yet, Essper, for my glass chain. There is your -share of my winnings, the fame of which, it seems, has reached even -you!" added Vivian, with no pleased air. - -"I thank you, sir, for the Nap; but I hope I have not offended by -alluding to a certain event, which shall be passed over in silence," -continued Essper George, with a look of mock solemnity. "I really think -you have but a faint appetite for good fortune. They deserve her most -who value her least." - -"Have you any patrons at Ems, Essper, that have induced you to fix on -this place in particular for your speculations? Here, I should think, -you have many active rivals," said Vivian, looking round the -various stalls. - -"I have a patron here who has never deceived, and who will never desert -me; I want no other; and that's myself. Now here comes a party: could -you just tell me the name of that tall lady now?" - -"If I tell you it is Lady Madeleine Trevor, what will it profit you?" - -Before Vivian could well finish his sentence Essper had drawn out a long -horn from beneath his small counter, and sounded a blast which echoed -through the arched passages. The attention of every one was excited, and -no part of the following speech was lost:-- - -"The celebrated Essper George, fresh from Fairyland, dealer in pomatum -and all sorts of perfumery, watches, crosses, Ems crystal, coloured -prints, Dutch toys, Dresden china, Venetian chains, Neapolitan coral, -French crackers, chamois bracelets, tame poodles, and Cherokee -corkscrews, mender of mandolins and all other musical instruments, to -Lady Madeleine Trevor, has just arrived at Ems, where he only intends to -stay two or three days, and a few more weeks besides. Now, gracious -lady, what do you wish?" - -"And who," said Lady Madeleine, smiling, "is this?" - -"The celebrated Essper George, just--" again commenced the conjuror; but -Vivian prevented the repetition. - -"He is an odd knave. Lady Madeleine, that I have met with before, at -other places, I believe I may add an honest one. What say you, Essper?" - -"More honest than moonlight, gracious lady, for that deceives every one; -and less honest than self-praise, for that deceives no one." - -"My friend, you have a ready wit." - -"My wit is like a bustling servant, gracious lady; always ready when not -wanted, and never present at a pinch." - -"Come, I must have a pair of your chamois bracelets. How sell you them?" - -"I sell nothing; all here is gratis to beauty, virtue, and nobility: and -these are my only customers." - -"Thanks will not supply a stock-in-trade though, Essper," said Vivian. - -"Very true! but my customers are apt to leave some slight testimonies -behind them of the obligations which they are under to me; and these, at -the same time, are the prop of my estate and the proof of their -discretion. But who comes here?" said Essper, drawing out his horn. The -sight of this instrument reminded Lady Madeleine how greatly the effect -of music is heightened by distance, and she made a speedy retreat, -yielding her place to a family procession of a striking character. - -Three daughters abreast, flanked by two elder sons, formed the first -file. The father, a portly, prosperous-looking man, followed, with his -lady on his arm. Then came two nursery maids, with three children, -between the tender ages of five and six. The second division of the -grand army, consisting of three younger sons, immediately followed. This -was commanded by a tutor. A governess and two young daughters then -advanced; and then came the extreme rear, the sutlers of the camp, in -the persons of two footmen in rich liveries, who each bore a basket on -his arm, filled with various fancy articles, which had been all -purchased during the promenade of this nation through only part of -the bazaar. - -The trumpet of Essper George produced a due effect upon the great party. -The commander-in-chief stopped at his little stall, and, as if this were -the signal for general attack and plunder, the files were immediately -broken up. Each individual dashed at his prey, and the only ones who -struggled to maintain a semblance of discipline were the nursery maids, -the tutor, and the governess, who experienced the greatest difficulty in -suppressing the early taste which the detachment of light infantry -indicated for booty. But Essper George was in his element: he joked, he -assisted, he exhibited, he explained; tapped the cheeks of the children -and complimented the elder ones; and finally, having parted at a -prodigious profit, with nearly his whole, stock, paid himself out of a -large and heavy purse, which the portly father, in his utter inability -to comprehend the complicated accounts and the debased currency, with -great frankness deposited in the hands of the master of the stall, -desiring him to settle his own claims. - -"I hope I may be allowed to ask after Miss Fane," said Vivian. - -"She continues better; we are now about to join her in the Limewalk. If -you will join our morning stroll, it will give us much pleasure." - -Nothing in the world could give Vivian greater pleasure; he felt himself -impelled to the side of Lady Madeleine; and only regretted his -acquaintance with the Baron because he felt conscious that there was -some secret cause which prevented that intimacy from existing between -his Excellency and the Trevor party which his talents and his position -would otherwise have easily produced. - -"By-the-bye," said Lady Madeleine, "I do not know whether I may be -allowed to congratulate you upon your brilliant success at the Redoute -last night. It is fortunate that all have not to regret your arrival at -Ems so much as poor Mr. Hermann." - -"The run was extraordinary. I am only sorry that the goddess should have -showered her favours on one who neither deserves nor desires them; for I -have no wish to be rich; and as I never lost by her caprices, it is -hardly fair that I should gain by them." - -"You do not play, then, much?" - -"I never played in my life till last night. Gambling has never been one -of my follies, although my catalogue of errors is fuller, perhaps, than -most men's." - -"I think Baron von Konigstein was your partner in the exploit?" - -"He was; and apparently as little pleased at the issue as myself." - -"Indeed! Have you known the Baron long?" - -"We are only friends of a week. I have been living, ever since I was in -Germany, a very retired life. A circumstance of a most painful nature -drove me from England; a circumstance of which I can hardly flatter -myself, and can hardly wish, that you should be ignorant." - -"I learnt the sad history from one who, while he spoke the truth, spoke -of the living sufferer in terms of the fondest affection." - -"A father!" said Vivian, agitated, "a father can hardly be expected to -be impartial." - -"Such a father as yours may, I only wish that he was with us now, to -assist me in bringing about what he must greatly desire, your return -to England." - -"It cannot be. I look back to the last year which I spent in that -country with feelings of such disgust, I look forward to a return to -that country with feelings of such repugnance that--but I feel I am -trespassing beyond all bounds in touching on these subjects." - -"I promised your father that in case we met, I would seek your society. -I have suffered too much myself not to understand how dangerous and how -deceitful is the excess of grief. You have allowed yourself to be -overcome by that which Providence intended as a lesson of instruction, -not as a sentence of despair. In your solitude you have increased the -shadow of those fantasies of a heated brain, which converse with the -pure sunshine of the world would have enabled you to dispel." - -"The pure sunshine of the world, Lady Madeleine! would that it had ever -lighted me! My youth flourished in the unwholesome sultriness of a -blighted atmosphere, which I mistook for the resplendent brilliancy of a -summer day. How deceived I was, you may judge, not certainly from -finding me here; but I am here because I have ceased to suffer, only in -having ceased to hope." - -"You have ceased to hope, because hope and consolation are not the -companions of solitude, which are of a darker nature. Hope and -consolation spring from the social affections. Converse with the world -will do more for you than all the arguments of philosophers. I hope yet -to find you a believer in the existence of that good which we all -worship and all pursue. Happiness comes when we least expect it, and to -those who strive least to obtain it; as you were fortunate yesterday at -the Redoute, when you played without an idea of winning." - -They were in the Limewalk: gay sounds greeted them, and Miss Fane came -forward from a light-hearted band to welcome her cousin. She had to -propose a walk to the New Spring, which she was prepared for Lady -Madeleine to resist on the ground of her cousin's health. But Miss Fane -combated all the objections with airy merriment, and with a bright -resource that never flagged. As she bent her head slightly to Vivian, -ere she hastened back to her companions to announce the success of her -mission, it seemed to him that he had never beheld so animated and -beaming a countenance, or glanced upon a form of such ineffable and -sparkling grace. - -"You would scarcely imagine, Mr. Grey, that we are travelling for my -cousin's health, nor do her physicians, indeed, give us any cause for -serious uneasiness; yet I cannot help feeling at times great anxiety. -Her flushed cheek and the alarming languor which succeeds any excitement -make me fear her complaint may be more deeply seated than they are -willing to acknowledge." - -"They were saying the other day that the extraordinary heat of this -season must end in an earthquake, or some great convulsion of nature. -That would bring languor." - -"We are willing to adopt any reasoning that gives us hope, but her -mother died of consumption." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -When the walking party returned home they found a crowd of idle servants -assembled opposite the house, round a group of equipages, consisting of -two enormous crimson carriages, a britzska, and a large caravan, on all -which vehicles the same coat of arms was ostentatiously blazoned. - -"Some new guests!" said Miss Fane. - -"It must be the singular party that we watched this morning in the -bazaar," said Lady Madeleine. "Violet! I have such a curious character -to introduce you to, a particular friend of Mr. Grey, who wishes very -much to have the honour of your acquaintance, MR. ESSPER GEORGE." - -"These carriages, then, belong to him?" - -"Not exactly," said Vivian. - -In an hour's time, the party again met at dinner in the saloon. By the -joint exertions of Ernstorff and Mr. St. George's servants, the Baron, -Vivian, and the Chevalier de Boeffleurs were now seated next to the -party of Lady Madeleine Trevor. - -"My horses fortunately arrived from Frankfort this morning," said the -Baron. "Mr. St. George and myself have been taking a ride very far up -the valley. Has your Ladyship yet been to the Castle of Nassau?" - -"We have not. The expedition has been one of those plans often arranged -and never executed." - -"You should go. The ruin is one of the finest in Germany. An expedition -to Nassau Castle would be a capital foundation for a pic-nic. Conceive a -beautiful valley, discovered by a knight, in the middle ages, following -the track of a stag. How romantic! The very incident vouches for its -sweet seclusion. Cannot you imagine the wooded mountains, the old grey -ruin, the sound of the unseen river? What more should we want, except -agreeable company, fine music, and the best provisions, to fancy -ourselves in Paradise?" - -"I wish the plan were practicable," said Mr. St. George. - -"I take the whole arrangement upon myself; there is not a difficulty. -The ladies shall go on donkeys, or we might make a water excursion of it -part of the way, and the donkeys can meet us at the pass near Stein, and -then the gentlemen may walk; and if you fear the water at night, why -then the carriages may come round: and if your own be too heavy for -mountain roads, my britzska is always at your command. You see there is -not a difficulty." - -"Not a difficulty," said Mr. St. George. "Madeleine, we only wait your -consent." - -"I think we had better put off the execution of our plan till June is a -little more advanced. We must have a fine summer night for Violet." - -"Well, then, I hold the whole party present engaged to follow my -standard, whenever I have permission from authority to unfold it," said -the Baron, bowing to Lady Madeleine: "and lest, on cool reflection, I -shall not possess influence enough to procure the appointment, I shall, -like a skilful orator, take advantage of your feelings, which gratitude -for this excellent plan must have already enlisted in my favour, and -propose myself as Master of the Ceremonies." The Baron's eye caught Lady -Madeleine's as he uttered this, and something like a smile, rather of -pity than derision, lighted up her face. - -Here Vivian turned round to give some directions to an attendant, and to -his annoyance found Essper George standing behind his chair. - -"Is there anything you want, sir?" - -"Who ordered you here?" - -"My duty." - -"In what capacity do you attend?" - -"As your servant, sir." - -"I insist upon your leaving the room directly." - -"Ah! my friend, Essper George," said Lady Madeleine, "are you there? -What is the matter?" - -"This, then, is Essper George!" said Violet Fane. "What kind of being -can he possibly be? What indeed is the matter?" - -"I am merely discharging a servant at a moment's warning, Miss Fane; and -if you wish to engage his constant attendance upon yourself, I have no -objection to give him a character for the occasion." - -"What do you want, Essper?" said Miss Fane. - -"Merely to see whether your walk this morning had done your appetites -any good," answered Essper, looking disconsolate; "and so I thought -I might make myself useful at the same time. And though I do not bring -on the soup in a cocked hat, and carve the venison with a -couteau-de-chasse," continued he, bowing very low to Ernstorff, who, -standing stiff behind his master's chair, seemed utterly unaware that -any other person in the room could experience a necessity; "still I can -change a plate or hand the wine without cracking the first, or drinking -the second." - -"And very good qualities, too!" said Miss Fane. "Come, Essper, you shall -put your accomplishments into practice immediately; change my plate." - -This Essper did with dexterity and quiet, displaying at the same time a -small white hand, on the back of which was marked a comet and three -daggers. As he had the discretion not to open his mouth, and performed -all his duties with skill, his intrusion in a few minutes was not only -pardoned but forgotten. - -"There has been a great addition to the visitors to-day, I see," said -Mr. St. George. "Who are the new comers?" - -"I will tell you all about them," said the Baron. "This family is one of -those whose existence astounds the Continent much more than any of your -mighty dukes and earls, whose fortunes, though colossal, can be -conceived, and whose rank is understood. Mr. Fitzloom is a very -different personage, for thirty years ago he was a journeyman cotton -spinner. Some miraculous invention in machinery entitled him to a -patent, which has made him one of the great proprietors of England. He -has lately been returned a member for a manufacturing town, and he -intends to get over the first two years of his parliamentary career by -successively monopolising the accommodation of all the principal cities -of France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, and by raising the price of -provisions and post-horses through a track of five thousand miles. My -information is authentic, for I had a casual acquaintance with him in -England. There was some talk of a contract for supplying our army from -England, and I saw Fitzloom often on the subject. I have spoken to him -to-day. This is by no means the first of the species that we have had in -Germany. I can assure you that the plain traveller feels seriously the -inconvenience of following such a caravan; their money flows with such -unwise prodigality that real liberality ceases to be valued; and many of -your nobility have complained to me that in their travels they are now -often expostulated with on account of their parsimony, and taunted with -the mistaken extravagance of a stocking-maker or a porter-brewer." - -"What pleasure can such people find in travelling?" wondered Mr. St. -George. - -"As much pleasure and more profit than half the young men of the present -day," replied a middle-aged English gentleman, who was a kinsman of the -St. Georges, and called them cousins. "In my time travelling was -undertaken on a very different system to what it is now. The English -youth then travelled to frequent, what Lord Bacon says are 'especially -to be seen and observed, the Courts of Princes.' You all travel now, it -appears, to look at mountains and catch cold in spouting trash on lakes -by moonlight." - -"But, my dear sir!" said the Baron, "although I grant you that the -principal advantages of travel must be the opportunity which it affords -us of becoming acquainted with human nature, knowledge, of course, -chiefly gained where human beings most congregate, great cities, and, as -you say, the Courts of Princes; still, one of its great benefits is, -that it enlarges a man's experiences, not only of his fellow-creatures -in particular, but of nature in general. Many men pass through life -without seeing a sunrise: a traveller cannot. If human experience be -gained by seeing men in their undress, not only when they are conscious -of the presence of others, natural experience is only to be acquired by -studying nature at all periods, not merely when man is busy and the -beasts asleep." - -"But what is the use of this deep experience of nature? Men are born to -converse with men, not with stocks and stones. He who has studied Le -Sage will be more happy and more successful in this world than the man -who muses over Rousseau." - -"I agree with you. I have no wish to make man an anchorite. But as to -the benefit of a thorough experience of nature, it appears to me to be -evident. It increases our stock of ideas." - -"So does everything." - -"But it does more than this. It calls into being new emotions, it gives -rise to new and beautiful associations; it creates that salutary state -of mental excitement which renders our ideas more lucid and our -conclusions more sound. Can we too much esteem a study which at the same -time stimulates imagination and corrects the judgment?" - -"Do not you think that a communion with nature is calculated to elevate -the soul," said Lady Madeleine, "to--?" - -"So is reading your Bible. A man's soul should always be elevated. If -not, he might look at mountains for ever, but I should not trust him a -jot more." - -"But, sir," continued the Baron, with unusual warmth, "I am clear that -there are cases in which the influence of nature has worked what you -profess to treat as an impossibility or a miracle. I am myself -acquainted with an instance of a peculiar character. A few years ago, a -gentleman of high rank found himself exposed to the unhappy suspicion of -being connected with some dishonourable transactions which took place in -the highest circles of England. Unable to find any specific charge which -he could meet, he added one to the numerous catalogue of those -unfortunate beings who have sunk in society, the victims of a surmise. -He quitted England, and, disgusted with the world, became the -profligate which he had been falsely believed to be. At the house of -Cardinal ----, at Naples, celebrated for its revels, this gentleman -became a constant guest. He entered with a mad eagerness into every -species of dissipation, although none gave him pleasure, and his -fortune, his health, and the powers of his mind were all fast vanishing. -One night of frantic dissipation a mock election of Master of the Sports -was proposed, and the hero of my tale had the splendid gratification of -being chosen by unanimous consent to this new office. About two o'clock -of the same night he left the palace of the Cardinal, with an intention -of returning; his way on his return led by the Chiaja. It was one of -those nights which we witness only in the south. The blue and brilliant -sea was sleeping beneath a cloudless sky; and the moon not only shed her -light over the orange and lemon trees, which, springing from their green -banks of myrtle, hung over the water, but added fresh lustre to the -white domes and glittering towers of the city, and flooded Vesuvius and -the distant coast with light as far even as Capua. The individual of -whom I am speaking had passed this spot on many nights when the moon was -not less bright, the waves not less silent, and the orange trees not -less sweet; but to-night something irresistible impelled him to stop. -What a contrast to the artificial light and heat and splendour of the -palace to which he was returning! He mused in silence. Would it not be -wiser to forget the world's injustice in gazing on a moonlit ocean than -in discovering in the illumined halls of Naples the baseness of the -crowd which forms the world's power? To enjoy the refreshing luxury of a -fanning breeze which now arose he turned and gazed on the other side of -the bay; upon his right stretched out the promontory of Pausilippo; -there were the shores of Baiae. But it was not only the loveliness of -the land which now overcame his spirit; he thought of those whose fame -had made us forget even the beauty of these shores in associations of a -higher character and a more exalted nature. He remembered the time when -it was his only wish to be numbered among them. How had his early hopes -been fulfilled! What just account had he rendered to himself and to his -country; that country that had expected so much, that self that had -aspired even to more! - -"Day broke over the city and found him still pacing the Chiaja; he did -not return to the Cardinal's palace, and in two days he had left Naples. -I can myself, from personal experience, aver that this individual is -now a useful and honourable member of society. The world speaks of him -in more flattering terms." - -The Baron spoke with energy and animation. Miss Fane, who had been -silent, and who certainly had not encouraged by any apparent interest -the previous conversation of the Baron, listened to this anecdote with -eager attention; but the effect it produced upon Lady Madeleine Trevor -was remarkable. - -Soon after this the party broke up. The promenade followed; the Grand -Duke, his compliments, and courtiers; then came the Redoute. Mr. Hermann -bowed low as the gentlemen walked up to the table. The Baron whispered -Vivian that it was "expected" that they should play, and give the tables -a chance of winning back their money. Vivian staked with the -carelessness of one who wishes to lose; as is often the case under such -circumstances, he again left the Redoute a considerable winner. He -parted with the Baron at his Excellency's door and proceeded to the -next, which was his own. Here he stumbled over something at the doorway -which appeared like a large bundle; he bent down with his light to -examine it, and found Essper George lying on his back with his eyes -half-open. It was some moments before Vivian perceived he was asleep; -stepping gently over him, he entered his apartment. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -When Vivian rose in the morning a gentle tap at his door announced the -presence of an early visitor, who, being desired to enter, appeared in -the person of Essper George. - -"Do you want anything, sir?" asked Essper, with a submissive air. - -Vivian stared at him for a moment, and then ordered him to come in. - -"I had forgotten, Essper, until this moment, that on returning to my -room last night I found you sleeping at my door. This also reminds me of -your conduct in the saloon yesterday; and as I wish to prevent the -repetition of such improprieties, I shall take this opportunity of -informing you, once for all, that if you do not in future conduct -yourself with more discretion, I must apply to the Maitre d'Hôtel. Now, -sir, what do you want?" - -Essper was silent, and stood with his hands crossed on his breast, and -his eyes fixed on the ground. - -"If you do not want anything, quit the room immediately." - -Here the singular being began to weep. - -"Poor fellow!" thought Vivian, "I fear, with all thy wit and pleasantry, -thou art, after all, but one of those capriccios which Nature sometimes -indulges in, merely to show how superior is her accustomed order to -eccentricities, even accompanied with rare powers." - -"What is your wish, Essper?" continued Vivian, in a kinder tone. "If -there be any service that I can do you, you will not find me backward. -Are you in trouble? you surely are not in want?" - -"No!" sobbed Essper; "I wish to be your servant:" here he hid his face -in his hands. - -"My servant! why surely it is not very wise to seek dependence upon any -man. I am afraid that you have been keeping company too much with the -lackeys that are always loitering about these bathing-places, -Ernstorff's green livery and sword, have they not turned your -brain, Essper?" - -"No, no, no! I am tired of living alone." - -"But remember, to be a servant, you must be a person of regular habits -and certain reputation. I have myself a good opinion of you, but I have -myself seen very little of you, though more than any one here, and I am -a person of a peculiar turn of mind. Perhaps there is not another -individual in this house who would even allude to the possibility of -engaging a servant without a character." - -"Does the ship ask the wind for a character when he bears her over the -sea without hire and without reward? and shall you require a character -from me when I request to serve you without wages and without pay?" - -"Such an engagement, Essper, it would be impossible for me to enter -into, even if I had need of your services, which at present I have not. -But I tell you frankly that I see no chance of your suiting me. I should -require an attendant of steady habits and experience; not one whose very -appearance would attract attention when I wish to be unobserved, and -acquire a notoriety for the master which he detests. I warmly advise you -to give up all idea of entering into a state of life for which you are -not in the least suited. Believe me, your stall will be a better friend -than a master. Now leave me." - -Essper remained one moment with his eyes still fixed on the ground; then -walking very rapidly up to Vivian, he dropped on his knee, kissed his -hand, and disappeared. - -Mr. St. George breakfasted with the Baron, and the gentlemen called on -Lady Madeleine early in the morning to propose a drive to Stein Castle; -but she excused herself, and Vivian following her example, the Baron and -Mr. St. George "patronised" the Fitzlooms, because there was nothing -else to do. Vivian again joined the ladies in their morning walk, but -Miss Fane was not in her usual high spirits. She complained more than -once of her cousin's absence; and this, connected with some other -circumstances, gave Vivian the first impression that her feelings -towards Mr. St. George were not merely those of a relation. As to the -Chevalier de Boeffleurs, Vivian soon found that it was utterly -impossible to be on intimate terms with a being without an idea. The -Chevalier was certainly not a very fit representative of the gay, -gallant, mercurial Frenchman: he rose very late, and employed the whole -of the morning in reading the French journals and playing billiards -alternately with Prince Salvinski and Count von Altenburgh. - -These gentlemen, as well as the Baron, Vivian, and Mr. St. George, were -to dine this day at the New House. - -They found assembled at the appointed hour a party of about thirty -individuals. The dinner was sumptuous, the wines superb. At the end of -the banquet the company adjourned to another room, where play was -proposed and immediately commenced. His Imperial Highness did not join -in the game, but, seated in a corner of the apartment, was surrounded by -his aides-de-camp, whose business was to bring their master constant -accounts of the fortunes of the table and the fate of his bets. His -Highness did not stake. - -Vivian soon found that the game was played on a very different scale at -the New House to what it was at the Redoute. He spoke most decidedly to -the Baron of his detestation of gambling, and expressed his -unwillingness to play; but the Baron, although he agreed with him in his -sentiments, advised him to conform for the evening to the universal -custom. As he could afford to lose, he consented, and staked boldly. -This night very considerable sums were lost and won; but none returned -home greater winners than Mr. St. George and Vivian Grey. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -The first few days of an acquaintance with a new scene of life and with -new characters generally appear to pass very slowly; not certainly from -the weariness which they induce, but rather from the keen attention -which every little circumstance commands. When the novelty has worn off, -when we have discovered that the new characters differ little from all -others we have met before, and that the scene they inhabit is only -another variety of the great order we have so often observed, we relapse -into our ancient habits of inattention; we think more of ourselves, and -less of those we meet; and musing our moments away in reverie, or in a -vain attempt to cheat the coming day of the monotony of the present one, -we begin to find that the various-vested hours have bounded and are -bounding away in a course at once imperceptible, uninteresting, and -unprofitable. Then it is that, terrified at our nearer approach to the -great river whose dark windings it seems the business of all to forget, -we start from our stupor to mourn over the rapidity of that collective -sum of past-time, every individual hour of which we have in turn -execrated for its sluggishness. - -Vivian had now been three weeks at Ems, and the presence of Lady -Madeleine Trevor and her cousin alone induced him to remain. Whatever -the mystery existing between Lady Madeleine and the Baron, his efforts -to attach himself to her party had been successful. The great intimacy -subsisting between the Baron and her brother materially assisted in -bringing about this result. For the first fortnight the Baron was Lady -Madeleine's constant attendant in the evening promenade, and sometimes -in the morning walk; and though there were few persons whose -companionship could be preferred to that of Baron von Konigstein, still -Vivian sometimes regretted that his friend and Mr. St. George had not -continued their rides. The presence of the Baron seemed always to have -an unfavourable influence upon the spirits of Miss Fane, and the absurd -and evident jealousy of Mr. St. George prevented Vivian from finding in -her agreeable conversation some consolation for the loss of the sole -enjoyment of Lady Madeleine's exhilarating presence. Mr. St. George had -never met Vivian's advances with cordiality, and he now treated him with -studied coldness. - -The visits of the gentlemen to the New House had been frequent. The -saloon of the Grand Duke was open every evening, and in spite of his -great distaste for the fatal amusement which was there invariably -pursued, Vivian found it impossible to decline frequently attending -without subjecting his motives to painful misconception. His -extraordinary fortune did not desert him, and rendered his attendance -still more a duty. The Baron was not so successful as on his first -evening's venture at the Redoute; but Mr. St. George's star remained -favourable. Of Essper Vivian had seen little. In passing through the -bazaar one morning, which he seldom did, he found, to his surprise, that -the former conjuror had doffed his quaint costume, and was now attired -in the usual garb of men of his condition of life. As Essper was busily -employed at the moment, Vivian did not stop to speak to him; but he -received a respectful bow. Once or twice, also, he had met Essper in the -Baron's apartments; and he seemed to have become a very great favourite -with the servants of his Excellency and the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, -particularly with his former butt, Ernstorff, to whom he now behaved -with great deference. - -For the first fortnight the Baron's attendance on Lady Madeleine was -constant. After this time he began to slacken in his attentions. He -first disappeared from the morning walks, and yet he did not ride; he -then ceased from joining the party at Lady Madeleine's apartments in the -evening, and never omitted increasing the circle at the New House for a -single night. The whole of the fourth week the Baron dined with his -Imperial Highness. Although the invitation had been extended to all the -gentlemen from the first, it had been agreed that it was not to be -accepted, in order that the ladies should not find their party in the -saloon less numerous or less agreeable. The Baron was the first to break -through a rule which he had himself proposed, and Mr. St. George and the -Chevalier de Boeffleurs soon followed his example. - -"Mr. Grey," said Lady Madeleine one evening, as she was about to leave -the gardens, "we shall be happy to see you to-night, if you are -not engaged." - -"I fear that I am engaged," said Vivian; for the receipt of some letters -from England made him little inclined to enter into society. - -"Oh, no! you cannot be," said Miss Fane: "pray come! I know you only -want to go to that terrible New House. I wonder what Albert can find to -amuse him there; I fear no good. Men never congregate together for any -beneficial purpose. I am sure, with all his gastronomical affectations, -he would not, if all were right, prefer the most exquisite dinner in the -world to our society. As it is, we scarcely see him a moment. I think -that, you are the only one who has not deserted the saloon. For once, -give up the New House." - -Vivian smiled at Miss Fane's warmth, and could not persist in his -refusal, although she did dilate most provokingly on the absence of her -cousin. He therefore soon joined them. - -"Lady Madeleine is assisting me in a most important work, Mr. Grey. I am -making drawings of the Valley of the Rhine. I know that you are -acquainted with the scenery; you can, perhaps, assist me with your -advice about this view of old Hatto's Castle." - -Vivian was so completely master of every spot in the Rhineland that he -had no difficulty in suggesting the necessary alterations. The drawings -were vivid representations of the scenery which they professed to -depict, and Vivian forgot his melancholy as he attracted the attention -of the fair artist to points of interest unknown or unnoticed by the -guide-books and the diaries. - -"You must look forward to Italy with great interest, Miss Fane?" - -"The greatest! I shall not, however, forget the Rhine, even among the -Apennines." - -"Our intended fellow-travellers, Lord Mounteney and his family, are -already at Milan," said Lady Madeleine to Vivian; "we were to have -joined their party. Lady Mounteney is a Trevor." - -"I have had the pleasure of meeting Lord Mounteney in England, at Sir -Berdmore Scrope's: do you know him?" - -"Slightly. The Mounteneys pass the winter at Rome, where I hope we shall -join them. Do you know the family intimately?" - -"Mr. Ernest Clay, a nephew of his Lordship's, I have seen a great deal -of; I suppose, according to the adopted phraseology, I ought to describe -him as my friend, although I am ignorant where he is at present; and -although, unless he is himself extremely altered, there scarcely can be -two persons who now more differ in their pursuits and tempers than -ourselves." - -"Ernest Clay! is he a friend of yours? He is at Munich, attached to the -Legation. I see you smile at the idea of Ernest Clay drawing up a -protocol!" - -"Madeleine, you have never read me Caroline Mounteney's letter, as you -promised," said Miss Fane; "I suppose full of raptures; 'the Alps and -Apennines, the Pyrenaean and the River Po?'" - -"By no means; the whole letter is filled with an account of the ballet -at La Scala, which, according to Caroline, is a thousand times more -interesting than Mont Blanc or the Simplon." - -"One of the immortal works of Vigano, I suppose," said Vivian; "he has -raised the ballet of action to an equality with tragedy. I have heard my -father mention the splendid effect of his Vestale and his Otello." - -"And yet," said Violet, "I do not like Othello to be profaned. It is not -for operas and ballets. We require the thrilling words." - -"It is very true; yet Pasta's acting in the opera was a grand -performance; and I have myself seldom witnessed a more masterly effect -produced by any actor in the world than I did a fortnight ago, at the -Opera at Darmstadt, by Wild in Othello." - -"I think the history of Desdemona is the most affecting of all tales," -said Miss Fane. - -"The violent death of a woman, young, lovely, and innocent, is assuredly -the most terrible of tragedies," observed Vivian. - -"I have often asked myself," said Miss Fane, "which is the most terrible -destiny for the young to endure: to meet death after a life of anxiety -and suffering, or suddenly to be cut off in the enjoyment of all things -that make life delightful." - -"For my part," said Vivian, "in the last instance, I think that death -can scarcely be considered an evil. How infinitely is such a destiny to -be preferred to that long apprenticeship of sorrow, at the end of which -we are generally as unwilling to die as at the commencement!" - -"And yet," said Miss Fane, "there is something fearful in the idea of -sudden death." - -"Very fearful," muttered Vivian, "in some cases;" for he thought of one -whom he had sent to his great account before his time. - -"Violet, my dear!" said Lady Madeleine, "have you finished your drawing -of the Bingenloch?" But Miss Fane would not leave the subject. - -"Very fearful in all cases, Mr. Grey. How few of us are prepared to -leave this world without warning! And if from youth, or sex, or natural -disposition, a few may chance to be better fitted for the great change -than their companions, still I always think that in those cases in which -we view our fellow-creatures suddenly departing from this world, -apparently without a bodily or mental pang, there must be a moment of -suffering which none of us can understand; a terrible consciousness of -meeting death in the very flush of life; a moment of suffering which, -from its intense and novel character, may appear an eternity of anguish. -I have always looked upon such an end as the most fearful of -dispensations." - -"Violet, my dear." said her Ladyship, "let us talk no more of death. You -have been silent a fortnight. I think to-night you may sing." Miss Fane -rose and sat down to the instrument. - -It was a lively air, calculated to drive away all melancholy feelings, -and cherishing sunny views of human life. But Rossini's Muse did not -smile to-night upon her who invoked its gay spirit; and ere Lady -Madeleine could interfere Violet Fane had found more congenial emotions -in one of Weber's prophetic symphonies. - -O Music! miraculous art, that makes a poet's skill a jest, revealing to -the soul inexpressible feelings by the aid of inexplicable sounds! A -blast of thy trumpet, and millions rush forward to die; a peal of thy -organ, and uncounted nations sink down to pray. Mighty is thy -threefold power! - -First, thou canst call up all elemental sounds, and scenes, and -subjects, with the definiteness of reality. Strike the lyre! Lo! the -voice of the winds, the flash of the lightning, the swell of the wave, -the solitude of the valley! - -Then thou canst speak to the secrets of a man's heart as if by -inspiration. Strike the lyre! Lo! our early love, our treasured hate, -our withered joy, our flattering hope! - -And, lastly, by thy mysterious melodies thou canst recall man from all -thought of this world and of himself, bringing back to his soul's memory -dark but delightful recollections of the glorious heritage which he has -lost, but which he may win again. Strike the lyre! Lo! Paradise, with -its palaces of inconceivable splendour and its gates of -unimaginable glory! - -When Vivian left the apartment of Lady Madeleine he felt no inclination -to sleep, and, instead of retiring to rest, he bent his steps towards -the gardens. It was a rich summer night; the air, recovered from the -sun's scorching rays, was cool, not chilling. The moon was still behind -the mountains; but the dark blue heavens were studded with innumerable -stars, whose tremulous light quivered on the face of the river. All -human sounds had ceased to agitate; and the note of the nightingale and -the rush of the waters banished monotony without disturbing reflection. -But not for reflection had Vivian Grey deserted his chamber: his heart -was full, but of indefinable sensations, and, forgetting the world in -the intenseness of his emotions, he felt too much to think. - -How long he had been pacing by the side of the river he knew not, when -he was awakened from his reverie by the sound of voices. He looked up, -and saw lights moving at a distance. The party at the New House had just -broke up. He stopped beneath a branching elm-tree for a moment, that the -sound of his steps might not attract their attention, and at this very -instant the garden gate opened and closed with great violence. The -figure of a man approached. As he passed Vivian the moon rose up from -above the brow of the mountain, and lit up the countenance of the Baron. -Despair was stamped on his distracted features. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - -On the evening of the next day there was to be a grand fête given at the -New House by his Imperial Highness. The ladies would treasure their -energies for the impending ball, and the morning was to pass without an -excursion. Only Lady Madeleine, whom Vivian met taking her usual early -promenade in the gardens, seemed inclined to prolong it, and even -invited him to be her companion. She talked of the fête, and she -expressed a hope that Vivian would accompany their party; but her air -was not festive, she seemed abstracted and disturbed, and her voice more -than once broke off abruptly at the commencement of a sentence which it -seemed she had not courage to finish. - -At length she said suddenly, "Mr. Grey, I cannot conceal any longer that -I am thinking of a very different subject from the ball. As you form -part of my thoughts, I shall not hesitate to disburthen my mind to you. -I wish not to keep you in suspense. It is of the mode of life which I -see my brother, which I see you, pursuing here that I wish to speak," -she added with a tremulous voice. "May I speak with freedom?" - -"With the most perfect unreserve and confidence." - -"You are aware that Ems is not the first place at which I have met -Baron von Konigstein." - -"I am not ignorant that he has been in England." - -"It cannot have escaped you that I acknowledged his acquaintance with -reluctance." - -"I should judge, with the greatest." - -"And yet it was with still more reluctance that I prevailed upon myself -to believe you were his friend. I experienced great relief when you told -me how short and accidental had been your acquaintance. I have -experienced great pain in witnessing to what that acquaintance has led; -and it is with extreme sorrow for my own weakness, in not having had -courage to speak to you before, and with a hope of yet benefiting you, -that I have been induced to speak to you now." - -"I trust there is no cause either for your sorrow or your fear; but -much, much cause for my gratitude." - -"I have observed the constant attendance of yourself and my brother at -the New House with the utmost anxiety. I have seen too much not to be -aware of the danger which young men, and young men of honour, must -always experience at such places. Alas! I have seen too much of Baron -von Konigstein not to know that at such places especially his -acquaintance is fatal. The evident depression of your spirits yesterday -determined me on a step which I have for the last few days been -considering. I can learn nothing from my brother. I fear that I am even -now too late; but I trust that, whatever may be your situation, you will -remember, Mr. Grey, that you have friends; that you will decide on -nothing rash." - -"Lady Madeleine," said Vivian, "I will not presume to express the -gratitude which your generous conduct allows me to feel. This moment -repays me for a year of agony. I affect not to misunderstand your -meaning. My opinion, my detestation of the gaming table, has always -been, and must always be, the same. I do assure you this, and all -things, upon my honour. Far from being involved, my cheek burns while I -confess that I am master of a considerable sum acquired by this -unhallowed practice. You are aware of the singular fortune which awaited -my first evening at Ems; that fortune was continued at the New House the -very first day I dined there, and when, unexpectedly, I was forced to -play. That fatal fortune has rendered my attendance at the New House -necessary. I found it impossible to keep away without subjecting myself -to painful observations. My depression of yesterday was occasioned by -the receipt of letters from England. I am ashamed of having spoken so -much about myself, and so little about those for whom you are more -interested. So far as I can judge, you have no cause, at present, for -any uneasiness with regard to Mr. St. George. You may, perhaps, have -observed that we are not very intimate, and therefore I cannot speak -with any precision as to the state of his fortunes; but I have reason to -believe that they are by no means unfavourable. And as for the -Baron--" - -"Yes, yes!" - -"I hardly know what I am to infer from your observations respecting him. -I certainly should infer something extremely bad, were not I conscious -that, after the experience of five weeks, I, for one, have nothing to -complain of him. The Baron, certainly, is fond of play; plays high, -indeed. He has not had equal fortune at the New House as at the Redoute; -at least I imagine so, for he has given me no cause to believe, in any -way, that he is a loser." - -"If you could only understand the relief I feel at this moment, I am -sure you would not wonder that I prevailed upon myself to speak to you. -It may still be in my power, however, to prevent evil." - -"Yes, certainly! I think the best course now would be to speak to me -frankly respecting Von Konigstein; and, if you are aware of anything -which has passed in England of a nature--" - -"Stop!" said Lady Madeleine, agitated. Vivian was silent, and some -moments elapsed before his companion again spoke. When she did her eyes -were fixed on the ground, and her tones were low; but her voice was calm -and steady. - -"I am going to accept, Mr. Grey, the confidence which you have proffered -me; but I do not affect to conceal that I speak, even now, with -reluctance; an effort, and it will soon be over. It is for the best." -Lady Madeleine paused one moment, and then resumed with a firm voice: - -"Upwards of six years have now passed since Baron von Konigstein was -appointed Minister to London from the Court of ----. Although apparently -young for such an important mission, he had already distinguished -himself as a diplomatist; and with all the advantages of brilliant -talents, various accomplishments, rank, reputation, person, and a -fascinating address, I need not tell you that he immediately became of -consideration, even in the highest circles. Mr. Trevor, I was then just -married, was at this period in office, and was constantly in personal -communication with the Baron. They became intimate, and he was our -constant guest. He had the reputation of being a man of pleasure. He was -one for whose indiscretions there might be some excuse; nor had anything -ever transpired which could induce us to believe that Baron von -Konigstein could be guilty of anything but an indiscretion. At this -period a relation and former ward of Mr. Trevor's, a young man of -considerable fortune, and one whom we all fondly loved, resided in our -family. We considered him as our brother. With this individual Baron von -Konigstein formed a strong friendship; they were seldom apart. Our -relation was not exempted from the failings of young men. He led a -dissipated life; but he was very young; and as, unlike most relations, -we never allowed any conduct on his part to banish him from our society, -we trusted that the contrast which his own family afforded to his usual -companions would in time render his habits less irregular. We had now -known Baron von Konigstein for upwards of a year and a half, intimately. -Nothing had transpired during this period to induce Mr. Trevor to alter -the opinion which he had entertained of him from the first; he believed -him to be a man of honour, and, in spite of a few imprudences, of -principle. Whatever might have been my own opinion of him at this -period, I had no reason to doubt the natural goodness of his -disposition; and though I could not hope that he was one who would -assist us in our plans for the reformation of Augustus, I still was not -sorry to believe, that in the Baron he would at least find a companion -very different from the unprincipled and selfish beings by whom he was -too often surrounded. Something occurred at this time which placed Baron -von Konigstein, according to his own declaration, under lasting -obligations to myself. In the warmth of his heart he asked if there was -any real and important service which he could do me. I took advantage of -the moment to speak to him about our young friend; I detailed to him all -our anxieties; he anticipated all my wishes, and promised to watch over -him, to be his guardian, his friend, his real friend. Mr. Grey," -continued her Ladyship, "I struggle to restrain my feelings; but the -recollections of this period of my life are so painful that for a -moment I must stop to recover myself." - -For a few minutes they walked on in silence. Vivian did not speak; and -when his companion resumed her tale, he, unconsciously, pressed her arm. - -"I try to be brief. About three months after the Baron had given me the -pledge which I mentioned, Mr. Trevor was called up at an early hour one -morning with the intelligence that his late ward was supposed to be at -the point of death at a neighbouring hotel. He instantly repaired to -him, and on the way the fatal truth was broken to him: our friend had -committed suicide! He had been playing all night with one whom I cannot -now name." Here Lady Madeleine's voice died away, but with a struggle -she again spoke firmly. - -"I mean with the Baron, some foreigners also, and an Englishman, all -intimate friends of Von Konigstein, and scarcely known to the deceased. -Our friend had been the only sufferer; he had lost his whole fortune, -and more than his fortune: and, with a heart full of despair and -remorse, had, with his own hand, terminated his life. The whole -circumstances were so suspicious that they attracted public attention, -and Mr. Trevor spared no exertion to bring the offenders to justice. The -Baron had the hardihood to call upon us the next day; of course, in -vain. He wrote violent letters, protesting his innocence; that he was -asleep during most of the night, and accusing the others who were -present of a conspiracy. The unhappy business now attracted very general -interest. Its consequence on me was an alarming illness of a most -unfortunate kind; I was therefore prevented from interfering, or, -indeed, knowing anything that took place; but my husband informed me -that the Baron was involved in a public correspondence; that the accused -parties recriminated, and that finally he was convinced that Von -Konigstein, if there were any difference, was, if possible, the most -guilty. However this might be, he soon obtained his recall from his own -Government. He wrote to us both before he left England; but I was too -ill to hear of his letters, until Mr. Trevor informed me that he had -returned them unopened. And now, I must give utterance to that which as -yet has always died upon my lips, the unhappy victim was the brother of -Miss Fane!" - -"And Mr. St. George," said Vivian, "knowing all this, which surely he -must have done; how came he to tolerate, for an instant, the advances of -such a man?" - -"My brother," said Lady Madeleine, "is a very good young man, with a -kind heart and warm feelings; but my brother has not much knowledge of -the world, and he is too honourable himself ever to believe that what he -calls a gentleman can be dishonest. My brother was not in England when -the unhappy event took place, and of course the various circumstances -have not made the same impression upon him as upon us. He has heard of -the affair only from me; and young men too often imagine that women are -apt to exaggerate in matters of this nature, which, of course, few of us -can understand. The Baron had not the good feeling, or perhaps had not -the power, connected as he was with the Grand Duke, to affect ignorance -of our former acquaintance, or to avoid a second one. I was obliged -formally to present him to my brother. I was quite perplexed how to act. -I thought of writing to him the next morning, impressing upon him the -utter impossibility of our acquaintance being renewed: but this -proceeding involved a thousand difficulties. How was a man of his -distinction, a man, who not only from his rank, but from his -disposition, is always a remarkable and a remarked character, wherever -he may be; how could he account to the Grand Duke, and to his numerous -friends, for his not associating with a party with whom he was -perpetually in contact. Explanations, and worse, must have been the -consequence. I could hardly expect him to leave Ems; it was, perhaps, -out of his power: and for Miss Fane to leave Ems at this moment was most -strenuously prohibited by her physician. While I was doubtful and -deliberating, the conduct of Baron von Konigstein himself prevented me -from taking any step whatever. Feeling all the awkwardness of his -situation, he seized, with eagerness, the opportunity of becoming -intimate with a member of the family whom he had not before known. His -amusing conversation, and insinuating address, immediately enlisted the -feelings of my brother in his favour. You know yourself that the very -morning after their introduction they were riding together. As they -became more intimate, the Baron boldly spoke to Albert, in confidence, -of his acquaintance with us in England, and of the unhappy circumstances -which led to its termination. Albert was deceived by this seeming -courage and candour. He has become the Baron's friend, and has adopted -his version of the unhappy story; and as the Baron has had too much -delicacy to allude to the affair in a defence of himself to me, he -calculated that the representations of Albert, who, he was conscious, -would not preserve the confidence which he has always intended him to -betray, would assist in producing in my mind an impression in his -favour. The Neapolitan story which he told the other day at dinner was -of himself. I confess to you, that though I have not for a moment -doubted his guilt, still I was weak enough to consider that his desire -to become reconciled to me was at least an evidence of a repentant -heart; and the Neapolitan story deceived me. Actuated by these feelings, -and acting as I thought wisest under existing circumstances, I ceased to -discourage his advances. Your acquaintance, which we all desired to -cultivate, was perhaps another reason for enduring his presence. His -subsequent conduct has undeceived me: I am convinced now, not only of -his former guilt, but also that he is not changed; and that, with his -accustomed talent, he has been acting a part which for some reason or -other he has no longer any object in maintaining." - -"And Miss Fane," said Vivian, "she must know all?" - -"She knows nothing in detail; she was so young at the time that we had -no difficulty in keeping the particular circumstances of her brother's -death, and the sensation which it excited, a secret from her. As she -grew up, I have thought it proper that the mode of his death should no -longer be concealed from her; and she has learnt from some incautious -observations of Albert, enough to make her look upon the Baron with -terror. It is for Violet," continued Lady Madeleine, "that I have the -severest apprehensions. For the last fortnight her anxiety for her -cousin has produced an excitement, which I look upon with more dread -than anything that can happen to her. She has entreated me to speak to -Albert, and also to you. The last few days she has become more easy and -serene. She accompanies us to-night; the weather is so beautiful that -the night air is scarcely to be feared; and a gay scene will have a -favourable influence upon her spirits. Your depression last night did -not, however, escape her notice. Once more let me say how I rejoice at -hearing what you have told me. I unhesitatingly believe all that you -have said. Watch Albert. I have no fear for yourself." - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - -The company at the Grand Duke's fête was most select; that is to say, it -consisted of everybody who was then at the Baths: those who had been -presented to his Highness having the privilege of introducing any number -of their friends; and those who had no friend to introduce them -purchasing tickets at an enormous price from Cracowsky, the wily Polish -Intendant. The entertainment was imperial; no expense and no exertion -were spared to make the hired lodging-house look like an hereditary -palace; and for a week previous to the great evening the whole of the -neighbouring town of Wiesbaden, the little capital of the duchy, had -been put under contribution. What a harvest for Cracowsky! What a -commission from the restaurateur for supplying the refreshments! What a -percentage on hired mirrors and dingy hangings! - -The Grand Duke, covered with orders, received every one with the -greatest condescension, and made to each of his guests a most flattering -speech. His suite, in new uniforms, simultaneously bowed directly the -flattering speech was finished. - -"Madame von Furstenburg, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My -greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Madame von -Furstenburg, I trust that your amiable and delightful family are quite -well. [The party passed on.] Cravatischeff!" continued his Highness, -inclining his head round to one of his aides-de-camp, "Cravatischeff! a -very fine woman is Madame von Furstenburg. There are few women whom I -more admire than Madame von Furstenburg. - -"Prince Salvinski, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My -greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Poland honours no -one more than Prince Salvinski. Cravatischeff! a remarkable bore is -Prince Salvinski. There are few men of whom I have a greater terror than -Prince Salvinski. - -"Baron von Konigstein, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My -greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Baron von -Konigstein, I have not yet forgotten the story of the fair Venetian. -Cravatischeff! an uncommonly pleasant fellow is Baron von Konigstein. -There are few men whose company I more enjoy than Baron von -Konigstein's. - -"Count von Altenburgh, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My -greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. You will not forget -to give me your opinion of my Austrian troop. Cravatischeff! a very good -billiard player is Count von Altenburgh. There are few men whose play I -would sooner bet upon than Count von Altenburgh's. - -"Lady Madeleine Trevor, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My -greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Miss Fane, your -servant; Mr. St. George, Mr. Grey. Cravatischeff! a most splendid woman -is Lady Madeleine Trevor. There is no woman whom I more admire than Lady -Madeleine Trevor! and Cravatischeff! Miss Fane, too! a remarkably fine -girl is Miss Fane." - -The great saloon of the New House afforded excellent accommodation for -the dancers. It opened on the gardens, which, though not very large, -were tastefully laid out, and were this evening brilliantly illuminated. -In the smaller saloon the Austrian troop amused those who were not -fascinated by waltz or quadrille with acting proverbs: the regular -dramatic performance was thought too heavy a business for the evening. -There was sufficient amusement for all; and those who did not dance, and -to whom proverbs were no novelty, walked and talked, stared at others, -and were themselves stared at; and this, perhaps, was the greatest -amusement of all. Baron von Konigstein did certainly to-night look -neither like an unsuccessful gamester nor a designing villain. Among -many who were really amusing he was the most so, and, apparently without -the least consciousness of it, attracted the admiration of all. To the -Trevor party he had attached himself immediately, and was constantly at -Lady Madeleine's side, introducing to her, in the course of the evening, -his own and Mr. St. George's particular friends, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzloom. -Among many smiling faces Vivian Grey's was clouded; the presence of the -Baron annoyed him. When they first met he was conscious that he was -stiff and cool. One moment's reflection convinced him of the folly of -his conduct, and he made a struggle to be very civil. In five minutes' -time he had involuntarily insulted the Baron, who stared at his friend, -and evidently did not comprehend him. - -"Grey," said his Excellency, very quietly, "you are not in a good -humour tonight. What is the matter? This is not at all a temper to come -to a fête in. What! won't Miss Fane dance with you?'" asked the Baron, -with an arched smile. - -"I wonder wind can induce your Excellency to talk such nonsense!" - -"Your Excellency! by Jove, that's good! What the deuce is the matter -with the man? It is Miss Fane, then, eh?" - -"Baron von Konigstein, I wish you to understand--" - -"My dear fellow, I never could understand anything. I think you have -insulted me in a most disgraceful manner, and I positively must call you -out, unless you promise to dine at my rooms with me to-morrow, to meet -De Boeffleurs." - -"I cannot." - -"Why not? You have no engagement with Lady Madeleine I know, for St. -George has agreed to come." - -"Yes?" - -"De Boeffleurs leaves Ems next week. It is sooner than he expected, and -I wish to have a quiet evening together before he goes. I should be very -vexed if you were not there. We have scarcely been enough together -lately. What with the New House in the evening, and riding parties in -the morning, and those Fitzloom girls, with whom St. George is playing a -most foolish game, he will be taken in now, if he is not on his guard; -we really never meet, at: least not in a quiet friendly way; and so now, -will you come?" - -"St. George is positively coming?" - -"Oh yes' positively; do not be afraid of his gaining ground on the -little Violet in your absence." - -"Well, then, my dear Von Konigstein, I will come." - -"Well, that is yourself again. It made me quite unhappy to see you look -so sour and melancholy; one would have thought that I was some bore, -Salvinski at, least, by the way you spoke to me. Well, mind you come; it -is a promise, good. I must go and say just one word to the lovely little -Saxon girl; by-the-bye, Grey, one word before I am off. List to a -friend; you are on the wrong scent about Miss Fane; St. George, I think, -has no chance there, and now no wish to succeed. The game is your own, -if you like; trust my word, she is an angel. The good powers prosper -you!" So saying, the Baron glided off. - -Mr. St. George had danced With Miss Fane the only quadrille in which -Lady Madeleine allowed her to join. He was now waltzing with Aurelia -Fitzloom, and was at the head of a band of adventurous votaries of -Terpsichore; who, wearied with the commonplace convenience of a saloon, -had ventured to invoke the Muse on the lawn. - -"A most interesting sight, Lady Madeleine!" said Mr. Fitzloom, as he -offered her his arm, and advised their instant presence as patrons of -the "Fête du Village," for such Baron von Konigstein had most happily -termed it. "A delightful man, that Baron von Konigstein, and says such -delightful things! Fête du Village! how very good!" - -"That is Miss Fitzloom, then, whom my brother is waltzing with?" asked -Lady Madeleine. - -"Not exactly, my Lady," said Mr. Fitzloom, "not exactly _Miss_ Fitzloom, -rather Miss Aurelia Fitzloom, my third daughter; our third eldest, as -Mrs. Fitzloom sometimes says; for really it is necessary to distinguish, -with such a family as ours, you know." - -"Let us walk," said Miss Fane to Vivian, for she was now leaning upon -his arm; "the evening is deliriously soft, but even with the protection -of a cashmere I scarcely dare venture to stand still. Lady Madeleine -seems very much engaged at present. What amusing people these -Fitzlooms are!" - -"Mrs. Fitzloom; I have not heard her voice yet." - -"No; Mrs. Fitzloom does not talk. Albert says she makes it a rule never -to speak in the presence of a stranger. She deals plenteously, however, -at home in domestic apophthegms. If you could but hear him imitating -them all! Whenever she does speak, she finishes all her sentences by -confessing that she is conscious of her own deficiencies, but that she -has taken care to give her daughters the very best education. They are -what Albert calls fine girls, and I am glad he has made friends with -them; for, after all, he must find it rather dull here. By-the-bye, Mr. -Grey, I am afraid that you cannot find this evening very amusing, the -absence of a favourite pursuit always makes a sensible void, and these -walls must remind you of more piquant pleasures than waltzing with fine -London ladies, or promenading up a dull terrace with an invalid." - -"I assure you that you are quite misinformed as to the mode in which I -generally pass my evenings." - -"I hope I am!" said Miss Fane, in rather a serious tone. "I wish I could -also he mistaken in my suspicions of the mode in which Albert spends his -time. He is sadly changed. For the first month that we were here he -seemed to prefer nothing in the world to our society, and now--I was -nearly saying that we had not seen him for one single evening these -three weeks. I cannot understand what you find at this house of such -absorbing interest. Although I know you think I am much mistaken in my -suspicions, still I feel very anxious. I spoke to Albert to-day; but he -scarcely answered me; or said that which it was a pleasure for me -to forget." - -"Mr. St. George should feel highly gratified in having excited such an -interest in the mind of Miss Fane." - -"He should not feel more gratified than all who are my friends; for all -who are such I must ever experience the liveliest interest." - -"How happy must those be who feel that they have a right to count Miss -Fane among their friends!" - -"I have the pleasure then, I assure you, of making many happy, and among -them, Mr. Grey." - -Vivian was surprised that he did not utter some complimentary answer; -but he knew not why, the words would not come; and instead of speaking, -he was thinking of what had been spoken. - -"How brilliant are these gardens!" said Vivian, looking at the sky. - -"Very brilliant!" said Miss Fane, looking on the ground. Conversation -seemed nearly extinct, and yet neither offered to turn back. - -"Good heavens! you are ill," exclaimed Vivian, when, on accidentally -turning to his companion, he found she was in tears. "Shall we go back, -or will you wait here? Can I fetch anything? I fear you are very ill!" - -"No, not very ill, but very foolish; let us walk on," and, sighing, she -seemed suddenly to recover. - -"I am ashamed of this foolishness; what can you think? But I am so -agitated, so nervous. I hope you will forget--I hope--" - -"Perhaps the air has suddenly affected you; shall we go in? Nothing has -been said, nothing happened; no one has dared to say or do anything to -annoy you? Speak, dear Miss Fane, the, the--" the words died on Vivian's -lips, yet a power he could not withstand urged him to speak, "the, the, -the Baron?" - -"Ah!" almost shrieked Miss Fane. "Stop one second; an effort, and I must -be well; nothing has happened, and no one has done or said anything; but -it is of something that should be said, of something that should be -done, that I was thinking, and it overcame me." - -"Miss Fane," said Vivian, "if there be anything which I can do or -devise, any possible way that I can exert myself in your service, speak -with the most perfect confidence; do not fear that your motives will be -misconceived, that your purpose will be misinterpreted, that your -confidence will be misunderstood. You are addressing one who would lay -down his life for you, who is willing to perform all your commands, and -forget them when performed. I beseech you to trust me; believe me, that -you shall not repent." - -She answered not, but holding down her head, covered her face with her -small white hand; her lovely face which was crimsoned with her flashing -blood. They were now at the end of the terrace; to return was -impossible. If they remained stationary, they must be perceived and -joined. What was to be done? He led her down a retired walk still -farther from the house. As they proceeded in silence, the bursts of the -music and the loud laughter of the joyous guests became fainter and -fainter, till at last the sounds died away into echo, and echo -into silence. - -A thousand thoughts dashed through Vivian's mind in rapid succession; -but a painful one, a most painful one to him, to any man, always -remained the last. His companion would not speak; yet to allow her to -return home without freeing her mind of the fearful burden which -evidently overwhelmed it, was impossible. At length he broke a silence -which seemed to have lasted an age. - -"Do not believe that I am taking advantage of an agitating moment to -extract from you a confidence which you may repent. I feel assured that -I am right in supposing that you have contemplated in a calmer moment -the possibility of my being of service to you; that, in short, there is -something in which you require my assistance, my co-operation; an -assistance, a co-operation, which, if it produce any benefit to you, -will make me at length feel that I have not lived in vain. No feeling of -false delicacy shall prevent me from assisting you in giving utterance -to thoughts which you have owned it is absolutely necessary should be -expressed. Remember that you have allowed me to believe that we are -friends; do not prove by your silence that we are friends only in name." - -"I am overwhelmed; I cannot speak. My face burns with shame; I have -miscalculated my strength of mind, perhaps my physical strength; what, -what must you think of me?" She spoke in a low and smothered voice. - -"Think of you! everything which the most devoted respect dare think of -an object which it reverences. Do not believe that I am one who would -presume an instant on my position, because I have accidentally witnessed -a young and lovely woman betrayed into a display of feeling which the -artificial forms of cold society cannot contemplate, and dare to -ridicule. You are speaking to one who also has felt; who, though a man, -has wept; who can comprehend sorrow; who can understand the most secret -sensations of an agitated spirit. Dare to trust me. Be convinced that -hereafter, neither by word nor look, hint nor sign, on my part, shall -you feel, save by your own wish, that you have appeared to Vivian Grey -in any other light than in the saloons we have just quitted." - -"Generous man, I dare trust anything to you that I dare trust to human -being; but--" here her voice died away. - -"It is a painful thing for me to attempt to guess your thoughts; but if -it be of Mr. St. George that you are thinking, have no fear respecting -him; have no fear about his present situation. Trust to me that there -shall be no anxiety for his future one. I will be his unknown guardian, -his unseen friend; the promoter of your wishes, the protector of your--" - -"No, no," said Miss Fane, with firmness, and looking quickly up, as if -her mind were relieved by discovering that all this time Vivian had -never imagined she was thinking of him. "No, no, you are mistaken; it is -not of Mr. St. George, of Mr. St. George only, that I am thinking. I am -much better now; I shall be able in an instant to speak; be able, I -trust, to forget how foolish, how very foolish I have been. - -"Let us walk on," continued Miss Fane, "let us walk on; we can easily -account for our absence if it be remarked; and it is better that it -should be all over. I feel quite well, and shall be able to speak quite -firmly now." - -"Do not hurry; there is no fear of our absence being remarked, Lady -Madeleine is so surrounded." - -"After what has passed, it seems ridiculous in me to apologise, as I -had intended, for speaking to you on a graver subject than what has -generally formed the point of conversation between us. I feared that you -might misunderstand the motives which have dictated my conduct. I have -attempted not to appear agitated, and I have been overcome. I trust that -you will not be offended if I recur to the subject of the New House. Do -not believe that I ever would have allowed my fears, my girlish fears, -so to have overcome my discretion; so to have overcome, indeed, all -propriety of conduct on my part; as to have induced me to have sought an -interview with you, to moralise to you about your mode of life. No, no; -it is not of this that I wish to speak, or rather that I will speak. I -will hope, I will pray, that Albert and yourself have never found in -that which you have followed as an amusement, the source, the origin, -the cause of a single unhappy or even anxious moment; Mr. Grey, I will -believe all this." - -"Dearest Miss Fane, believe it with confidence. Of St. George, I can -with sincerity aver, that it is my firm opinion, that, far from being -involved, his fortune is not in the slightest degree injured. Believe -me, I will not attempt to quiet you now, as I would have done at any -other time, by telling you that you magnify your fears, and allow your -feelings to exaggerate the danger which exists. There has been danger. -There is danger; play, high play, has been and is pursued at this New -House, but Mr. St. George has never been a loser; and if the exertions -of man can avail, never shall, at least unfairly. As to the other -individual, whom you have honoured by the interest which you have -professed in his welfare, no one can more thoroughly detest any practice -which exists in this world than he does the gaming-table." - -"Oh! you have made me so happy! I feel so persuaded that you have not -deceived me! the tones of your voice, your manner, your expression, -convince me that you have been sincere, and that I am happy, at least -for the present." - -"For ever, I trust, Miss Fane." - -"Let me now prevent future misery. Let me speak about that which has -long dwelt on my mind like a nightmare, about that which I did fear it -was almost too late to speak. Not of your pursuit, not even of that -fatal pursuit, do I now think, but of your companion in this amusement, -in all amusements! it is he, he whom I dread, whom I look upon with -horror, even to him, I cannot say, with hatred!" - -"The Baron?" said Vivian, calmly. - -"I cannot name him. Dread him, fear him, avoid him! it is he that I -mean, he of whom I thought that you were the victim. You must have been -surprised, you must have wondered at our conduct towards him. Oh! when -Lady Madeleine turned from him with coolness, when she answered him in -tones which to you might have appeared harsh, she behaved to him, in -comparison to what is his due, and what we sometimes feel to be our -duty, with affection, actually with affection and regard. No human being -can know what horror is, until he looks upon a fellow-creature with the -eyes that I look upon that man." She leant upon Vivian's arm with her -whole weight, and even then he thought she must have sunk; neither -spoke. How solemn is the silence of sorrow! - -"I am overcome," continued Miss Fane; "the remembrance of what he has -done overwhelms me. I cannot speak it; the recollection is death; yet -you must know it. That you might know it, I have before attempted. I -wished to have spared myself the torture which I now endure. You must -know it. I will write; ay! that will do. I will write: I cannot speak -now; it is impossible; but beware of him; you are so young'" - -"I have no words now to thank you, dear Miss Fane, for this. Had I been -the victim of Von Konigstein, I should have been repaid for all my -misery by feeling that you regretted its infliction; but I trust that I -am in no danger: though young, I fear that I am one who must not count -his time by calendars. 'An aged interpreter, though young in days.' -Would that I could be deceived! Fear not for your cousin. Trust to one -whom you have made think better of this world, and of his -fellow-creatures." - -The sound of approaching footsteps, and the light laugh of pleasure, -told of some who were wandering like themselves. - -"We had better return," said Miss Fane; "I fear that Lady Madeleine will -observe that I look unwell. Some one approaches! No, they pass only the -top of the walk." It was Mr. St. George and Aurelia Fitzloom. - -Quick flew the brilliant hours; and soon the dance was over, and the -music mute. - -It was late when Vivian retired. As he opened his door he was surprised -to find lights in his chamber. The figure of a man appeared seated at -the table. It moved; it was Essper George. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - - -The reader will remember that Vivian had agreed to dine, on the day -after the fête, with the Baron, in his private apartments. This was an -arrangement which, in fact, the custom of the house did not permit; but -the irregularities of great men who are attended by chasseurs are -occasionally winked at by a supple maître d'hôtel. Vivian had reasons -for not regretting his acceptance of the invitation; and he never shook -hands with the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, apparently, with greater -cordiality, than on the day on which he met him at dinner at the Baron -von Konigstein's. Mr. St. George had not arrived. - -"Past five!" said the Baron; "riding out, I suppose, with the Fitzlooms. -Aurelia is certainly a fine girl; but I should think that Lady Madeleine -would hardly approve the connection. The St. Georges have blood in their -veins; and would, I suppose, as soon think of marrying a Fitzloom as we -Germans should of marrying a woman without a _von_ before her name. We -are quite alone, Grey, only the Chevalier and St. George. I had an idea -of asking Salvinski, but he is such a regular steam-engine, and began -such a long story last night about his interview with the King of -Ashantee, that the bare possibility of his taking it into his head to -finish it to-day frightened me. You were away early from the Grand -Duke's last night. The business went off well." - -"Very well, indeed!" said the Chevalier de Boeffleurs; completing by -this speech the first dozen of words which he had uttered since his -stay at Ems. - -"I think that last night Lady Madeleine Trevor looked perfectly -magnificent; and a certain lady, too, Grey, eh? Here is St. George. My -dear fellow, how are you? Has the fair Aurelia recovered from the last -night's fatigues? Now, Ernstorff, dinner as soon as possible." - -The Baron made up to-day, certainly, for the silence of his friend the -Chevalier. He outdid himself. Story after story, adventure after -adventure, followed each other with exciting haste. In fact, the Baron -never ceased talking the whole dinner, except when he refreshed himself -with wine, which he drank copiously. A nice observer would, perhaps, -have considered the Baron's high spirits artificial, and his -conversation an effort. Yet his temper, though lively, was generally -equable; and his ideas, which always appeared to occur easily, were -usually thrown out in fluent phraseology. The dinner was long, and a -great deal of wine was drunk: more than most of the parties present for -a long time had been accustomed to. About eight o'clock the Chevalier -proposed going to the Redoute, but the Baron objected. - -"Let us have an evening altogether: surely we have had enough of the -Redoute. In my opinion one of the advantages of the fête is, that there -is no New House to-night. Conversation is a novelty. On a moderate -calculation I must have told you to-day at least fifty original -anecdotes. I have done my duty. It is the Chevalier's turn now. Come, de -Boeffleurs, a choice one!" - -"I remember a story Prince Salvinski once told me." - -"No, no, that is too bad; none of that Polish bear's romances; if we -have his stories, we may as well have his company." - -"But it is a very curious story," continued the Chevalier, with a little -animation. - -"Oh! so is every story, according to the storier." - -"I think, Von Konigstein, you imagine no one can tell a story but -yourself," said De Boeffleurs, actually indignant. Vivian had never -heard him speak so much before, and really began to believe that he was -not quite an automaton. - -"Let us have it!" said St. George. - -"It is a story told of a Polish nobleman, a Count somebody: I never can -remember their crack-jaw names. Well! the point is this," said the -silent little Chevalier, who, apparently, already repented of the -boldness of his offer, and, misdoubting his powers, wished to begin with -the end of his tale: "the point is this, he was playing one day at -ecarté with the Governor of Wilna; the stake was trifling, but he had a -bet, you see, with the Governor of a thousand roubles; a bet with the -Governor's secretary, never mind the amount, say two hundred and fifty, -you see; then, he went on the turn-up with the Commandant's wife; and -took the pips on the trumps with the Archbishop of Warsaw. To understand -the point of the story, you see, you must have a distinct conception how -the game stood. You see, St. George, there was the bet with the -Governor, one thousand roubles; the Governor's secretary, never mind the -amount, say two hundred and fifty; turn-up with the Commandant's lady, -and the pips with the Archbishop of Warsaw. Proposed three times, one -for the king, the Governor drew ace; the Governor was already three and -the ten. When the Governor scored king, the Archbishop gave the odds, -drew knave queen one hand. The count offered to propose fourth time. -Governor refused. King to six, ace fell to knave, queen cleared on. -Governor lost, besides bets with the whole état-major; the Secretary -gave his bill; the Commandant's lady pawned her jewels; and the -Archbishop was done on the pips!" - -"By Jove, what a Salvinski!" - -"How many trumps had the Governor?" asked St. George. - -"Three," said the Chevalier. - -"Then it is impossible: I do not believe the story; it could not be." - -"I beg your pardon," said the Chevalier; "you see the Governor had--" - -"By Jove, don't let us have it all over again!" said the Baron. "Well! -if this be your model for an after-dinner anecdote, which ought to be as -piquant as an anchovy toast, I will never complain of your silence -in future." - -"The story is a true story," said the Chevalier; "have you got a pack of -cards, Von Konigstein? I will show it you." - -"There is not such a thing in the room," said the Baron. - -"Well, I never heard of a room without a pack of cards before," said the -Chevalier; "I will send for one to my own apartments." - -"Perhaps Ernstorff has got a pack. Here, Ernstorff, have you got a pack -of cards? That's well; bring it immediately." - -The cards were brought, and the Chevalier began to fight his battle over -again; but could not satisfy Mr. St. George. "You see, there was the bet -with the Governor, and the pips, as I said before, with the Archbishop -of Warsaw." - -"My dear De Boeffleurs, let's no more of this. If you like to have a -game of ecarté with St. George, well and good; but as for quarrelling -the whole evening about some blundering lie of Salvinski's, it really is -too much. You two can play, and I can talk to Don Vivian, who, -by-the-bye, is rather of the rueful countenance to-night. Why, my dear -fellow, I have not heard your voice this evening: frightened by the fate -of the Archbishop of Warsaw, I suppose?" - -"Ecarté is so devilish dull," said St. George; "and it is such a trouble -to deal." - -"I will deal for both, if you like," said De Boeffleurs; "I am used to -dealing." - -"Oh! no, I won't play ecarté; let us have something in which we can all -join." - -"Rouge-et-noir," suggested the Chevalier, in a careless tone, as if he -had no taste for the amusement. - -"There is not enough, is there?" asked St. George. - -"Oh! two are enough, you know; one deals, much more four." - -"Well, I don't care; rouge-et-noir then, let us have rouge-et-noir. Von -Konigstein, what say you to rouge-et-noir? De Boeffleurs says we can -play it here very well. Come, Grey." - -"Oh! rouge-et-noir, rouge-et-noir," said the Baron; "have not you both -had rouge-et-noir enough? Am I not to be allowed one holiday? Well, -anything to please you; so rouge-et-noir, if it must be so." - -"If all wish it, I have no objection," said Vivian. - -"Well, then, let us sit down; Ernstorff has, I dare say, another pack of -cards, and St. George will be dealer; I know he likes that ceremony." - -"No, no; I appoint the Chevalier." - -"Very well," said De Boeffleurs, "the plan will be for two to bank -against the table; the table to play on the same colour by joint -agreement. You can join me, Von Konigstein, and pay or receive with me, -from Mr. St. George and Grey." - -"I will bank with you, if you like, Chevalier," said Vivian. - -"Oh! certainly; that is if you like. But perhaps the Baron is more used -to banking; you perhaps don't understand it." - -"Perfectly; it appears to me to be very simple." - -"No, don't you bank, Grey," said St. George. "I want you to play with me -against the Chevalier and the Baron; I like your luck." - -"Luck is very capricious, remember." - -"Oh, no, I like your luck; don't bank." - -"Be it so." - -Playing commenced. An hour elapsed, and the situation of none of the -parties was materially different from what it had been when they began -the game. Vivian proposed leaving off; but Mr. St. George avowed that he -felt very fortunate, and that he had a presentiment that he should win. -Another hour elapsed, and he had lost considerably. Eleven o'clock: -Vivian's luck had also deserted him. Mr. St. George was losing -desperately. Midnight: Vivian had lost back half his gains on the -season. St. George still more desperate, all his coolness had deserted -him. He had persisted obstinately against a run on the red; then -floundered and got entangled in a seesaw, which alone cost him -a thousand. - -Ernstorff now brought in refreshments; and for a moment they ceased -playing. The Baron opened a bottle of champagne; and St. George and the -Chevalier were stretching their legs and composing their minds in very -different ways, the first in walking rapidly up and down the room, and -the other by lying very quietly at his full length on the sofa; Vivian -was employed in building houses with the cards. - -"Grey," said the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, "I cannot imagine why you do -not for a moment try to forget the cards: that is the only way to win. -Never sit musing over the table." - -But Grey was not to be persuaded to give up building his pagoda: which, -now many stories high, like a more celebrated but scarcely more -substantial structure, fell with a crash. Vivian collected the scattered -cards into two divisions. - -"Now!" said the Baron, seating himself, "for St. George's revenge." - -The Chevalier and the greatest sufferer took their places. - -"Is Ernstorff coming in again, Baron?" asked Vivian. - -"No! I think not." - -"Let us be sure; it is disagreeable to be disturbed at this time of -night." - -"Lock the door, then," said St. George. - -"A very good plan," said Vivian; and he locked it accordingly. - -"Now, gentlemen," said Vivian, rising from the table, and putting both -packs of cards into his pocket; "now, gentlemen, I have another game to -play." The Chevalier started on his chair, the Baron turned pale, but -both were silent. "Mr. St. George," continued Vivian, "I think that you -owe the Chevalier de Boeffleurs about four thousand Napoleons, and to -Baron von Konigstein something more than half that sum. I have to inform -you that it is unnecessary for you to satisfy the claims of either of -these gentlemen, which are founded neither in law nor in honour." - -"Mr. Grey, what am I to understand?" asked the quiet Chevalier de -Boeffleurs, with the air of a wolf and the voice of a lion. - -"Understand, sir!" answered Vivian, sternly, "that I am not one who will -be bullied by a blackleg." - -"Grey! good God! what do you mean?" asked the Baron. - -"That which it is my duty, not my pleasure, to explain, Baron von -Konigstein." - -"If you mean to insinuate," burst forth the Chevalier. - -"I mean to insinuate nothing. I leave insinuations and innuendoes to -chevaliers d'industrie. I mean to prove everything." - -Mr. St. George did not speak, but seemed as utterly astounded and -overwhelmed as Baron von Konigstein himself, who, with his arm leaning -on the table, his hands clasped, and the forefinger of his right hand -playing convulsively on his left, was pale as death, and did not -even breathe. - -"Gentlemen," said Vivian, "I shall not detain you long, though I have -much to say that is to the purpose. I am perfectly cool, and, believe -me, perfectly resolute. Let me recommend to you all the same -temperament; it may be better for you. Rest assured, that if you flatter -yourselves that I am one to be pigeoned and then bullied, you are -mistaken. In one word, I am aware of everything that has been arranged -for the reception of Mr. St. George and myself this evening. Your marked -cards are in my pocket, and can only be obtained by you with my life. -Here are two of us against two; we are equally matched in number, and I, -gentlemen, am armed. If I were not, you would not dare to go to -extremities. Is it not, then, the wisest course to be temperate, -my friends?" - -"This is some vile conspiracy of your own, fellow," said De Boeffleurs: -"marked cards, indeed! a pretty tale, forsooth! The Ministers of a -first-rate Power playing with marked cards! The story will gain credit, -and on the faith of whom? An adventurer that no one knows, who, having -failed this night in his usual tricks, and lost money which he cannot -pay, takes advantage of the marked cards, which he has not succeeded in -introducing, and pretends, forsooth, that they are those which he has -stolen from our table; our own cards being, previously to his -accusation, concealed in a secret pocket." - -The impudence of the fellow staggered even Vivian. As for Mr. St. -George, he stared like a wild man. Before Vivian could answer him the -Baron had broken silence. It was with the greatest effort that he seemed -to dig his words out of his breast. - -"No, no; this is too much! It is all over! I am lost; but I will not add -crime to crime. Your courage and your fortune have saved you, Mr. Grey, -and your friend from the designs of villains. And you! wretch," said he, -turning to De Boeffleurs, "sleep now in peace; at length you have undone -me." He leant on the table, and buried his face in his hands. - -"Chicken-hearted fool!" said the Chevalier; "is this the end of all your -promises and all your pledges? But remember, sir! remember. I have no -taste for scenes. Good night, gentlemen. Baron, I expect to hear -from you." - -"Stop, sir!" said Vivian; "no one leaves this room without my -permission." - -"I am at your service, sir, when you please," said the Chevalier. - -"It is not my intention to detain you long, sir; far from it. I have -every inclination to assist you in your last exit from this room; had I -time, it should not be by the door. As it is, go! in the devil's name." -So saying he hurled the adventurous Frenchman half down the corridor. - -"Baron von Konigstein," said Vivian, turning to the Baron, "you have -proved yourself, by your conduct this evening, to be a better man than I -imagined you. I confess that I thought you had been too much accustomed -to such scenes to be sensible of the horror of detection." - -"Never!" said the Baron, with emphasis, with energy. The firm voice and -manner in which he pronounced this single word wonderfully contrasted -with his delivery when he had last spoke; but his voice immediately -died away. - -"'Tis all over! I have no wish to excite your pity, gentlemen, or to -gain your silence, by practising upon your feelings. Be silent. I am not -the less ruined, not the less disgraced, not the less utterly undone. Be -silent; my honour, all the same, in four-and-twenty hours, has gone for -ever. I have no motive, then, to deceive you. You must believe what I -speak; even what _I_ speak, the most degraded of men. I say again, -_never_, never, never, never, never was my honour before sullied, though -guilty of a thousand follies. You see before you, gentlemen, the unhappy -victim of circumstances; of circumstances which he has in vain struggled -to control, to which he has at length fallen a victim. I am not -pretending, for a moment, that my crimes are to be accounted for by an -inexorable fate, and not to be expiated by my everlasting misery. No, -no! I have been too weak to be virtuous: but I have been tried, tried -most bitterly. I am the most unfortunate of men; I was not born to be a -villain. Four years have passed since I was banished from the country in -which I was honoured, my prospects in life blasted, my peace of mind -destroyed; and all because a crime was committed of any participation in -which I am as innocent as yourselves. Driven in despair to wander, I -tried, in the wild dissipation of Naples, to forget my existence and my -misery. I found my fate in the person of this vile Frenchman, who never -since has quitted me. Even after two years of madness in that fatal -place, my natural disposition rallied; I struggled to save myself; I -quitted it. I was already involved to De Boeffleurs; I became still more -so, in gaining from him the means of satisfying all claims against me. -Alas! I found I had sold myself to a devil, a very devil, with a heart -like an adder's. Incapable of a stray generous sensation, he has looked -upon mankind during his whole life with the eyes of a bully of a -gaming-house. I still struggled to free myself from this man; and I -indemnified him for his advances by procuring him a place in the mission -to which, with the greatest difficulty and perseverance, I had at length -obtained my appointment. In public life I yet hoped to forget my private -misery. At Frankfort I felt that, though not happy, I might be calm. I -determined never again even to run the risk of enduring the slavery of -debt. I foreswore, with the most solemn oaths, the gaming table; and had -it not been for the perpetual sight of De Boeffleurs, I might, perhaps, -have felt at ease; though the remembrance of my blighted prospects, the -eternal feeling that I experienced of being born for nobler ends, was -quite sufficient perpetually to embitter my existence. The second year -of my Frankfort appointment I was tempted to this unhappy place. The -unexpected sight of faces which I had known in England, though they -called up the most painful associations, strengthened me, nevertheless, -in my resolution to be virtuous. My unexpected fortune at the Redoute, -the first night, made me forget all my resolves, and has led to all this -misery. I make my sad tale brief. I got involved at the New House: De -Boeffleurs once more assisted me, though his terms were most severe. -Yet, yet again, I was mad enough, vile enough, to risk what I did not -possess. I lost to Prince Salvinski and a Russian gentleman a -considerable sum on the night before the fête. It is often the custom at -the New House, as you know, among men who are acquainted, to pay and -receive all losses which are considerable on the next night of meeting. -The fête gave me breathing time: it was not necessary to redeem my -pledge till the fourth night. I rushed to De Boeffleurs; he refused to -assist me, alleging his own losses and his previous advance. What was to -be done? No possibility of making any arrangement with Salvinski. Had he -won of me as others have done, an arrangement, though painful, would -perhaps have been possible; but, by a singular fate, whenever I have -chanced to be successful, it is of this man that I have won. De -Boeffleurs, then, was the only chance. He was inexorable. I prayed to -him; I promised him everything; I offered him any terms; in vain! At -length, when he had worked me up to the last point of despair, he -whispered hope. I listened; let me be quick! why finish? You know I -fell!" The Baron again covered his face, and appeared perfectly -overwhelmed. - -"By God! it is too horrible," said St. George. "Grey, let us do -something for him." - -"My dear St. George," said Vivian, "be calm. You are taken by surprise. -I was prepared for all this. Believe me, it is better for you to leave -us. I recommend you to retire, and meet me in the morning. Breakfast -with me at eight; we can then arrange everything." - -Vivian's conduct had been so decisive, and evidently so well matured, -that St. George felt that, in the present case, it was for him only to -obey, and he retired with wonder still expressed on his countenance; for -he had not yet, in the slightest degree, recovered from the -first surprise. - -"Baron von Konigstein," said Vivian to the unhappy man, "we are alone. -Mr. St. George has left the room: you are freed from the painful -presence of the cousin of Captain Fane." - -"You know all, then!" exclaimed the Baron quickly, looking up, "or you -have read my secret thoughts. How wonderful! at that very moment I was -thinking of my friend. Would I had died with him! You know all, then; -and now you must believe me guilty. Yet, at this moment of annihilating -sorrow, when I can gain nothing by deceit, I swear; and if I swear -falsely, may I fall down a livid corpse at your feet; I swear that I was -guiltless of the crime for which I suffered, guiltless as yourself. -What may be my fate I know not. Probably a few hours, and all will be -over. Yet, before we part, sir, it would be a relief; you would be doing -a generous service to a dying man, to bear a message from me to one with -whom you are acquainted; to one whom I cannot now name." - -"Lady Madeleine Trevor?" - -"Again you have read my thoughts! Lady Madeleine! Is it she who told you -of my early history?" - -"All that I know is known to many." - -"I must speak! If you have time, if you can listen for half an hour to a -miserable being, it would be a consolation to me. I should die with ease -if I thought that Lady Madeleine could believe me innocent of that first -great offence." - -"Your Excellency may address anything to me, if it be your wish, even at -this hour of the night. It may be better; after what has passed, we -neither of us can sleep, and this business must be arranged at once." - -"My object is, that Lady Madeleine should receive from me at this -moment, at a time when I can have no interest to deceive, an account of -the particulars of her cousin's and my friend's death. I sent it written -after the horrid event; but she was ill, and Trevor, who was very bitter -against me, returned the letters unopened. For four years I have never -travelled without these rejected letters; this year I have them not. But -you could convey to Lady Madeleine my story as now given to you; to you -at this terrible moment." - -"Speak on!" - -"I must say one word of my connection with the family to enable you -fully to understand the horrid event, of which, if, as I believe, you -only know what all know, you can form but a most imperfect conception. -When I was Minister at the Court of London I became acquainted; became, -indeed, intimate, with Mr. Trevor, then in office, the husband of Lady -Madeleine. She was just married. Of myself at that time, I may say that, -though depraved, I was not heartless, and that there were moments when I -panted to be excellent. Lady Madeleine and myself became friends; she -found in me a companion who not only respected her talents and delighted -in her conversation, but one who in return was capable of instructing, -and was overjoyed to amuse her. I loved her; but when I loved her I -ceased to be a libertine. At first I thought that nothing in the world -could have tempted me to have allowed her for an instant to imagine that -I dared to look upon her in any other light than as a friend; but the -negligence, the coldness of Trevor, the overpowering mastery of my own -passions, drove me one day past the line, and I wrote that which I dared -not utter. It never entered into my mind for an instant to insult such a -woman with the commonplace sophistry of a ribald. No! I loved her with -all my spirit's strength. I would have sacrificed all my views in life, -my ambition, my family, my fortune, my country, to have gained her; and -I told her this in terms of respectful adoration. I worshipped the -divinity, even while I attempted to profane the altar. When I had sent -this letter I was in despair. Conviction of the insanity of my conduct -flashed across my mind. I expected never to see her again. There came an -answer; I opened it with the greatest agitation; to my surprise, an -appointment. Why trouble you with a detail of my feelings, my mad hope, -my dark despair! The moment for the interview arrived. I was received -neither with affection nor anger. In sorrow she spoke. I listened in -despair. I was more madly in love with her than ever. That very love -made me give her such evidences of a contrite spirit that I was -pardoned. I rose with a resolution to be virtuous, with a determination -to be her friend: then I made the fatal promise which you know of, to be -doubly the friend of a man whose friend I already was. It was then that -I pledged myself to Lady Madeleine to be the guardian spirit of her -cousin." Here the Baron, overpowered by his emotions, leant back in his -chair, and ceased to speak. In a few minutes he resumed. - -"I did my duty; by all that's sacred, I did my duty! Night and day I was -with young Fane. A hundred times he was on the brink of ruin; a hundred -times I saved him. One day, one never-to-be-forgotten day, one most dark -and damnable day, I called on him, and found him on the point of joining -a coterie of desperate character. I remonstrated with him, I entreated, -I supplicated him not to go, in vain. At last he agreed to forego his -engagement on condition that I dined with him. There were important -reasons that day for my not staying with him; yet every consideration -vanished when I thought of her for whom I was exerting myself. He was -frantic this day; and, imagining that there was no chance of his -leaving his home, I did not refuse to drink freely, to drink deeply. My -doing so was the only way to keep him at home. As we were passing down -Pall Mall we met two foreigners of distinction and a noble of your -country; they were men of whom we both knew little. I had myself -introduced Fane to the foreigners a few days before, being aware that -they were men of high rank. After some conversation they asked us to -join them at supper at the house of their English friend. I declined; -but nothing could induce Fane to refuse them, and I finally accompanied -them. Play was introduced after supper: I made an ineffectual struggle -to get Fane home, but I was too full of wine to be energetic. After -losing a small sum I got up from the table, and, staggering to a sofa, -fell fast asleep. Even as I passed Fane's chair in this condition, my -master thought was evident, and I pulled him by the shoulder: all was -useless; I woke to madness!" It was terrible to witness the anguish of -Von Konigstein. - -"Could you not clear yourself?" asked Vivian, for he felt it necessary -to speak. - -"Clear myself! Everything told against me. The villains were my friends, -not the sufferer's; I was not injured. My dining with him was part of -the conspiracy; he was intoxicated previous to his ruin. Conscious of my -innocence, quite desperate, but confiding in my character, I accused the -guilty trio; they recriminated and answered, and without clearing -themselves convinced the public that I was their dissatisfied and -disappointed tool. I can speak no more." - -It is awful to witness sudden death; but, oh! how much more awful it is -to witness in a moment the moral fall of a fellow-creature! How -tremendous is the quick succession of mastering passions! The firm, the -terrifically firm, the madly resolute denial of guilt; that eagerness of -protestation which is a sure sign of crime, then the agonising suspense -before the threatened proof is produced, the hell of detection, the -audible anguish of sorrow, the curses of remorse, the silence of -despair! Few of us, unfortunately, have passed through life without -having beheld some instance of this instantaneous degradation of human -nature. But, oh! how terrible is it when the confessed criminal has been -but a moment before our friend! What a contrast to the laugh of joyous -companionship is the quivering tear of an agonised frame! how terrible -to be prayed to by those whose wishes a moment before we lived only to -anticipate! - -"Von Konigstein," said Vivian, after a long silence, "I feel for you. -Had I known this I would have spared both you and myself this night of -misery; I would have prevented you from looking back to this day with -remorse. You have suffered for that of which you were not guilty; you -shall not suffer now for what has passed. Much would I give to see you -freed from that wretched knave, whose vile career I was very nearly -tempted this evening to have terminated for ever. I shall make the -communication you desire, and I will endeavour that it shall be -credited; as to the transactions of this evening, the knowledge of them -can never transpire to the world. It is the interest of De Boeffleurs to -be silent; if he speak no one will credit the tale of such a creature, -who, if he speak truth, must proclaim his own infamy. And now for the -immediate calls upon your honour; in what sum are you indebted to Prince -Salvinski and his friend?" - -"Thousands! two, three thousand." - -"I shall then have an opportunity of ridding myself of that the -acquisition of which, to me, has been matter of great sorrow. Your -honour Is saved. I will discharge the claims of Salvinski and -his friend." - -"Impossible! I cannot allow--" - -"Stop; in this business I must command. Surely there can be no feelings -of delicacy between us two now. If I gave you the treasures of the -Indies you would not be under so great an obligation to me as you are -already: I say this with pain. I recommend you to leave Ems to-morrow; -public business will easily account for your sudden departure. And now, -your character is yet safe, you are yet in the prime of life, you have -vindicated yourself from that which has preyed upon your mind for years; -cease to accuse your fate!" Vivian was about to leave the room when the -Baron started from his seat and seized his hand. He would have spoken, -but the words died upon his lips, and before he could recover himself -Vivian had retired. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - - -The sudden departure of Baron von Konigstein from the Baths excited -great surprise and sorrow; all wondered at the cause, and all regretted -the effect. The Grand Duke missed his good stories, the rouge-et-noir -table his constant presence, and Monsieur le Restaurateur gave up, in -consequence, an embryo idea of a fête and fireworks for his own benefit, -which agreeable plan he had trusted that, with his Excellency's generous -co-operation as patron, he should have had no difficulty in carrying -into execution. But no one was more surprised, and more regretted the -absence of his Excellency, than his friend Mr. Fitzloom. What could be -the reason? Public business, of course; indeed he had learnt as much, -confidentially, from Cracowsky. He tried Mr. Grey, but could elicit -nothing satisfactory; he pumped Mr. St. George, but produced only the -waters of oblivion: Mr. St. George was gifted, when it suited his -purpose, with a most convenient want of memory. There must be something -in the wind, perhaps a war. Was the independence of Greece about to be -acknowledged, or the dependence of Spain about to be terminated? What -first-rate Power had marched a million of soldiers into the land of a -weak neighbour, on the mere pretence of exercising the military? What -patriots had had the proud satisfaction of establishing a constitutional -government without bloodshed, to be set aside in the course of the next -month in the same manner? Had a conspiracy for establishing a republic -in Russia been frustrated by the timely information of the intended -first Consuls? Were the Janissaries learning mathematics, or had Lord -Cochrane taken Constantinople in the James Watt steampacket? One of -these many events must have happened; but which? At length Fitzloom -decided on a general war. England must interfere either to defeat the -ambition of France, or to curb the rapacity of Russia, or to check the -arrogance of Austria, or to regenerate Spain, or to redeem Greece, or to -protect Portugal, or to shield the Brazils, or to uphold the Bible -Societies, or to consolidate the Greek Church, or to monopolise the -commerce of Mexico, or to disseminate the principles of free trade, or -to keep up her high character, or to keep up the price of corn. England -must interfere. In spite of his conviction, however, Fitzloom did not -alter the arrangements of his tour; he still intended to travel for two -years. All he did was to send immediate orders to his broker in England -to sell two millions of consols. The sale was of course effected, the -example followed, stocks fell ten per cent., the exchange turned, money -became scarce. The public funds of all Europe experienced a great -decline, smash went the country banks, consequent runs on the London, a -dozen Baronets failed in one morning, Portland Place deserted, the cause -of infant Liberty at a terrific discount, the Greek loan disappeared -like a vapour in a storm, all the new American States refused to pay -their dividends, manufactories deserted, the revenue in a decline, the -country in despair, Orders in Council, meetings of Parliament, change of -Ministry, and new loan! Such were the terrific consequences of a -diplomatist turning blackleg! The secret history of the late distress is -a lesson to all modern statesmen. Rest assured that in politics, however -tremendous the effects, the causes are often as trifling. - -Vivian found his reception by the Trevor party, the morning after the -memorable night, a sufficient reward for all his anxiety and exertion. -St. George, a generous, open-hearted young man, full of gratitude to -Vivian, and regretting his previous want of cordiality towards him, now -delighted in doing full justice to his coolness, courage, and ability. -Lady Madeleine said a great deal in the most graceful and impressive -manner; but Miss Fane scarcely spoke. Vivian, however, read in her eyes -her approbation and her gratitude. - -"And now, how came you to discover the whole plot, Mr. Grey?" asked Lady -Madeleine, "for we have not yet heard. Was it at the table?" - -"They would hardly have had recourse to such clumsy instruments as would -have given us the chance of detecting the conspiracy by casual -observation. No, no; we owe our preservation and our gratitude to one -whom we must hereafter count among our friends. I was prepared, as I -told you, for everything; and though I had seen similar cards to those -with which they played only a few hours before, it was with difficulty -that I satisfied myself at the table that the cards we lost by were -prepared, so wonderful is the contrivance!" - -"But who is the unknown friend?" said Miss Fane, with great eagerness. - -"I must have the pleasure of keeping you all in suspense," said Vivian: -"cannot any of you guess?" - -"None, none, none!" - -"What say you, then, to--Essper George?" - -"Is it possible?" - -"It is the fact that he, and he alone, is our preserver. Soon after my -arrival at this place this singular being was seized with the -unaccountable fancy of becoming my servant. You all remember his -unexpected appearance one day in the saloon. In the evening of the same -day, I found him sleeping at the door of my room; and, thinking it high -time that he should be taught more discretion, I spoke to him very -seriously the next morning respecting his troublesome and eccentric -conduct. It was then that I learnt his wish. I objected, of course, to -engaging a servant of whose previous character I was ignorant, and of -which I could not be informed, and one whose peculiar habits would -render both himself and his master notorious. While I declined his -services, I also advised him most warmly to give up all idea of -deserting his present mode of life, for which I thought him extremely -well suited. The consequence of my lecture was, what you all perceived -with surprise, a great change in Essper's character. He became serious, -reserved, and retiring, and commenced his career as a respectable -character by throwing off his quaint costume. In a short time, by dint -of making a few bad bargains, he ingratiated himself with Ernstorff, Von -Konigstein's pompous chasseur. His object in forming this connection was -to gain an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the duties of a -gentleman's servant, and in this he has succeeded. About a week since, -he purchased from Ernstorff a large quantity of cast-off apparel of the -Baron's, and other perquisites of a great man's valet; among these were -some playing cards which had been borrowed one evening in great haste -from the servant of that rascal De Boeffleurs, and never returned. On -accidentally examining these cards, Essper detected they were marked. -The system on which the marks are formed and understood is so simple and -novel, that it was long before I could bring myself to believe that his -suspicions were founded even on a probability. At length, however, he -convinced me. It is at Vienna, he tells me, that he has met with these -cards before. The marks are all on the rim of the cards; and an -experienced dealer, that is to say, a blackleg, can with these marks -produce any results and combinations which may suit his purpose. Essper -tells me that De Boeffleurs is even more skilled in sleight-of-hand than -himself. From Ernstorff, Essper learnt on the day of the fête that Mr. -St. George was to dine with the Chevalier at the Baron's apartments on -the morrow, and that there was a chance that I should join them. He -suspected that villany was in the wind, and when I retired to my room at -a late hour on the night of the fête, I there met him, and it was then -that he revealed to me everything which I have told you. Am I not right, -then, in calling him our preserver?" - -"What can be done for him?" said Lady Madeleine. - -"His only wish is already granted; he is my servant. That he will serve -me diligently and faithfully I have no doubt. I only wish that he would -accept or could appreciate a more worthy reward." - -"Can man be more amply rewarded," said Miss Fane, "than by choosing his -own remuneration? I think he has shown in his request his accustomed -talent. I must go and see him this moment." - -"Say nothing of what has passed; he is prepared for silence from all -parties." - -A week, a happy week, passed over, and few minutes of the day found -Vivian absent from the side of Violet Fane; and now he thought again of -England, of his return to that country under very different -circumstances to what he had ever contemplated. Soon, very soon, he -trusted to write to his father, to announce to him the revolution in his -wishes, the consummation of his hopes. Soon, very soon, he trusted that -he should hail his native cliffs, a reclaimed wanderer, with a matured -mind and a contented spirit, his sorrows forgotten, his misanthropy -laid aside. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - - -It was about a week after the departure of the Baron that two young -Englishmen, who had been college friends of Mr. St. George, arrived at -the Baths. These were Mr. Anthony St. Leger and Mr. Adolphus St. John. -In the academic shades of Christchurch these three gentlemen had been -known as "All Saints." Among their youthful companions they bore the -more martial style of "The Three Champions," St. George, St. John, and -St. Anthony. - -St. John and St. Anthony had just completed the grand tour, and, after -passing the Easter at Rome, had returned through the Tyrol from Italy. -Since then they had travelled over most parts of Germany; and now, in -the beginning of July, found themselves at the Baths of Ems. Two years' -travel had not produced any very beneficial effect on either of these -sainted personages. They had gained, by visiting the capitals of all -Europe, only a due acquaintance with the follies of each; and the only -difference that could be observed in their conduct on their return was, -that their affectation was rather more fantastical, and therefore -more amusing. - -"Corpo di Bacco, my champion! who ever thought of meeting thee thou holy -saint! By the eyebrow of Venus, my spirit rejoiceth!" exclaimed St. -Anthony, whose peculiar affectation was an adoption in English of the -Italian oaths. - -"This is the sweetest spot, St. Anthony, that we have found since we -left Paradiso; that is, St. George, in the vulgar, since we quitted -Italia. 'Italia! O Italia!' I forget the rest; probably you remember it. -Certainly, a most sweet spot this, quite a Gaspar!" - -Art was the peculiar affectation of St. John; he was, indeed, quite a -patron of the Belle Arti, had scattered his orders through the studios -of most of the celebrated sculptors of Italy, and spoke on all subjects -and all things only with a view to their capability of forming material -for the painter. According to the school of which Mr. St. John was a -disciple, the only use of the human passions is, that they produce -situations for the historical painter; and nature, according to these -votaries of the [Greek: to kalon], is only to be valued as affording -hints for the more perfect conceptions of a Claude or a Salvator. - -"By the girdle of Venus, a devilish fine woman!" exclaimed St. Anthony. - -"A splendid bit!" ejaculated St. John; "touched in with freedom, a grand -tournure, great gout in the swell of the neck. What a study for Retsch!" - -"In the name of the Graces, who is it, mio Santo?" - -"Ay! name la bellissima Signora." - -"The 'fine bit,' St. John, is my sister." - -"The devil!" - -"Diavolo!" - -"Will you introduce us, most holy man?" - -This request from both, simultaneously arranging their mustachios. - -The two saints were accordingly, in due time, introduced; but finding -the attention of Miss Fane always engrossed, and receiving some not very -encouraging responses from Lady Madeleine, they voted her ladyship -cursedly satirical; and passing a general censure on the annoying -coldness of Englishwomen, they were in four-and-twenty hours attached to -the suite of the Miss Fitzlooms, to whom they were introduced by St. -George as his particular friends, and were received with the most -flattering consideration. - -"By the aspect of Diana! fine girls," swore St. Anthony. - -"Truly most gorgeous colouring! quite Venetian! Aurelia is a perfect -Giorgione!" said St. John. - -"Madeleine," said St. George, one morning, to his sister, "have you any -objection to make up a party with the Fitzlooms to pass a day at Nassau? -You know we have often talked of it; and as Violet is so well now, and -the weather so delightful, there surely can be no objection. The -Fitzlooms are very agreeable people; and though you do not admire the -Santi, still, upon my word, when you know them a little more, you will -find them very pleasant fellows, and they are extremely good-natured; -and just the fellows for such a party. Do not refuse me. I have set my -mind upon your joining the party. Pray nod assent; thank you. Now I must -go and arrange everything. Let us see: there are seven Fitzlooms; for we -cannot count on less than two boys; yourself, Grey, Violet, and myself, -four; the Santi; quite enough, a most delightful party. Half a dozen -servants and as many donkeys will manage the provisions. Then three -light carriages will take us all. 'By the wand of Mercury!' as St. -Anthony would vow, admirably planned!" - -"By the breath of Zephyr! a most lovely day, Miss Fane," said St. -Anthony, on the morning of the intended excursion. - -"Quite a Claude!" said St. John. - -"Almost as beautiful as an Italian winter day, Mr. St. Leger?" asked -Miss Fane. - -"Hardly!" said St. Anthony, with a serious air; for he imagined the -question to be quite genuine. - -The carriages are at the door; into the first ascended Mrs. Fitzloom, -two daughters, and the travelling saints. The second bore Lady -Madeleine, Mr. Fitzloom, and his two sons; the third division was formed -of Mr. St. George and Aurelia Fitzloom, Miss Fane and Vivian. - -Away, away, rolled the carriages; the day was beautiful, the sky was -without a cloud, and a mild breeze prevented the heat of the sun from -being overpowering. All were in high spirits; for St. George had made a -capital master of the ceremonies, and had arranged the company in the -carriages to their mutual satisfaction. St. Anthony swore, by the soul -of Psyche! that Augusta Fitzloom was an angel; and St. John was in equal -raptures with Araminta, who had an expression about the eyes which -reminded him, of Titian's Flora. Mrs. Fitzloom's natural silence did not -disturb the uninterrupted jargon of the Santi, whose foppery elicited -loud and continued approbation from the fair sisters. The mother sat -admiring these sprigs of noble trees. The young Fitzlooms, in crimson -cravats, conversed with Lady Madeleine with a delightful military air; -and their happy parent, as he gazed upon them with satisfied affection, -internally promised them both a commission in a crack regiment. - -The road from Ems to Nassau winds along the banks of the Lahn, through -two leagues of delightful scenery; at the end of which, springing up -from the peak of a bold and richly-wooded mountain, the lofty tower of -the ancient castle of Nassau meets your view. Winding walks round the -sides of the mountain lead through all the varieties of sylvan scenery, -and command in all points magnificent views of the surrounding country. -These finally bring you to the old castle, whose spacious chambers, -though now choked up with masses of grey ruin or covered with underwood, -still bear witness to the might of their former lord! the powerful Baron -whose sword gained for his posterity a throne. - -All seemed happy; none happier than Violet Fane. Never did she look so -beautiful as to-day, never was she so animated, never had she boasted -that her pulse beat more melodious music, or her lively blood danced a -more healthful measure. After examining all the antique chambers of the -castle, and discovering, as they flattered themselves, secret passages, -and dark dungeons, and hidden doors, they left this interesting relic of -the middle ages; and soon, by a gradual descent through delightful -shrubberies, they again found themselves at the bottom of the valley. -Here they visited the modern château of Baron von Stein, one of the most -enlightened and able politicians that Germany has ever produced. As -Minister of Prussia, he commenced those reforms which the illustrious -Hardenberg perfected. For upwards of five centuries the family of Stein -have retained their territorial possessions in the valley of the Lahn. -Their family castle, at present a ruin, and formerly a fief of the House -of Nassau, is now only a picturesque object in the pleasure-grounds of -the present lord. - -The noon had passed some hours before the delighted wanderers complained -of fatigue, and by that time they found themselves in a pleasant green -glade on the skirts of the forest of Nassau. It was nearly environed by -mountains, covered with hanging woods, which shaded the beautiful -valley, and gave it the appearance of a sylvan amphitheatre. From a -rocky cleft in these green mountains a torrent, dashing down with -impetuous force, and whose fall was almost concealed by the cloud of -spray which it excited, gave birth to a small and gentle river, whose -banks were fringed with beautiful trees, which prevented the sun's darts -from piercing its coldness, by bowing their fair heads over its waters. -From their extending branches Nature's choristers sent forth many a -lovely lay - - Of God's high praise, and of their loves' sweet teen. - -Near the banks of this river, the servants, under the active direction -of Essper George, had prepared a banquet for the party. The cloth had -been laid on a raised work of wood and turf, and rustic seats of the -same material surrounded the picturesque table. It glowed with -materials, and with colours to which Veronese alone could have done -justice: pasties, and birds, and venison, and groups of fish, gleamy -with prismatic hues, while amid pyramids of fruit rose goblets of -fantastic glass, worthy of the famous wines they were to receive. - -"Well!" said Miss Fane, "I never will be a member of an adventurous -party like the present, of which Albert is not manager." - -"I must not take the whole credit upon myself, Violet; St. John is -butler, and St. Leger my vice-chamberlain." - -"Well, I cannot praise Mr. St. John till I have tasted the malvoisie -which he has promised; but as for the other part of the entertainment, -Mr. St. Leger, I am sure this is a temptation which it would be a sin, -even in St. Anthony, to withstand.' - -"By the body of Bacchus, very good!" swore Mr. St. Leger. - -"These mountains," said Mr. St. John, "remind me of one of Gaspar's cool -valleys. The party, indeed, give it a different character, quite -a Watteau!" - -"Now, Mrs. Fitzloom," said St. George, who was in his element, "let me -recommend a little of this pike! Lady Madeleine, I have sent you some -lamb. Miss Fitzloom, I hope St. Anthony is taking care of you. -Wrightson, plates to Mr. St. Leger. Holy man, and much beloved! send -Araminta some chicken. Grey has helped you, Violet? Aurelia, this is for -you. William Pitt Fitzloom, I leave you to yourself. George Canning -Fitzloom, take care of the ladies near you. Essper George! Where is -Essper? St. John, who is your deputy in the wine department? Wrightson! -bring those long green bottles out of the river, and put the champagne -underneath the willow. Will your Ladyship take some light claret? Mrs. -Fitzloom, you must use your tumbler; nothing but tumblers allowed, by -Miss Fane's particular request!" - -"St. George, thou holy man!" said Miss Fane, "methinks you are very -impertinent. You shall not be my patron saint if you say such words." - -For the next hour there was nothing heard save the calling of servants, -the rattling of knives and forks, the drawing of corks, and continued -bursts of laughter, which were not occasioned by any brilliant -observations, either of the Saints, or any other persons, but merely the -result of an exuberance of spirits on the part of every one present. - -"Well, Aurelia," said Lady Madeleine, "do you prefer our present mode of -life to feasting in an old hall, covered with banners and battered -shields, and surrounded by mysterious corridors and dark dungeons?" -Aurelia was so flattered by the notice of Lady Madeleine, that she made -her no answer; probably because she was intent on a plover's egg. - -"I think we might all retire to this valley," said Miss Fane, "and -revive the feudal times with great success. Albert might take us to -Nassau Castle, and you, Mr. Fitzloom, might re-fortify the old tower of -Stein. With two sons, however, who are about to enter the Guards, I am -afraid we must be your vassals. Then what should we do? We could not -have wood parties every day; I suppose we should get tired of each -other. No! that does seem impossible; do not you all think so?" - -Omnes, "Impossible!" - -"We must, however, have some regular pursuit, some cause of constant -excitement, some perpetual source of new emotions. New ideas, of course, -we must give up; there would be no going to London for the season, for -new opinions to astound country cousins on our return. Some pursuit must -be invented; we all must have something to do. I have it! Albert shall -be a tyrant." - -"I am very much obliged to you, Violet." - -"Yes! a cruel, unprincipled, vindictive, remorseless tyrant, with a long -black beard, I cannot tell how long, about twenty thousand times longer -than Mr. St. Leger's mustachios." - -"By the beard of Jove!" swore St. Anthony, as he almost started from his -seat, and arranged with his thumb and forefinger the delicate Albanian -tuft of his upper lip, "by the beard of Jove, Miss Fane, I am obliged -to you." - -"Well, then," continued Violet, "Albert being a tyrant, Lady Madeleine -must be an unhappy, ill-used, persecuted woman, living on black bread -and green water, in an unknown dungeon. My part shall be to discover her -imprisonment. Sounds of strange music attract my attention to a part of -the castle which I have not before frequented. There I shall distinctly -hear a female voice chaunting the 'Bridesmaids' Chorus,' with Erard's -double pedal accompaniment. By the aid of the confessors of the two -families, two drinking, rattling, impertinent, most corrupt, and most -amusing friars, to wit, our sainted friends--" - -Here both Mr. St. Leger and Mr. St. John bowed low to Miss Fane. - -"A most lively personage is Miss Fane," whispered St. Anthony to his -neighbour, Miss Fitzloom, "great style!" - -"Most amusing, delightful girl, great style! rather a display today, I -think." - -"Oh, decidedly! and devilish personal too; some people wouldn't like it. -I have no doubt she will say something about you next." - -"Oh, I shall be very surprised, indeed, if she does! It may be very well -to you, but Miss Fane must be aware--" - -Before this pompous sentence could be finished an incident occurred -which prevented Miss Fane from proceeding with her allotment of -characters, and rendered unnecessary the threatened indignation of -Miss Fitzloom. - -Miss Fane, as we mentioned, suddenly ceased speaking; the eyes of all -were turned in the direction in which she was gazing as if she had -seen a ghost. - -"What are you looking up at, Violet?" asked St. George. - -"Did not you see anything? did not any of you see anything?" - -"None, none!" - -"Mr. Grey, surely you must have seen it!" - -"I saw nothing." - -"It could not be fancy; impossible. I saw it distinctly. I cannot be in -a dream. See there! again, on that topmost branch. It moves!" - -Some odd shrill sounds, uttered in the voice of a Pulcinello, attracted -the notice of them all; and lo! high in the air, behind a lofty chestnut -tree, the figure of a Pulcinello did appear, hopping and vaulting in the -unsubstantial air. Now it sent forth another shrill, piercing sound, and -now, with both its hands, it patted and complacently stroked its ample -paunch; dancing all the time with unremitting activity, and wagging its -queer head at the astounded guests. - -"Who, what can it be?" cried all. The Misses Fitzloom shrieked, and the -Santi seemed quite puzzled. - -"Who, what can it be?" - -Ere time could be given for any one to hazard a conjecture, the figure -had advanced from behind the trees, and had spanned in an instant the -festal board, with two enormous stilts, on which they now perceived it -was mounted. The Misses Fitzloom shrieked again. The figure imitated -their cries in his queer voice, and gradually raising one enormous stilt -up into the air, stood only on one support, which was planted behind the -lovely Araminta. - -"O! inimitable Essper George!" exclaimed Violet Fane. - -Here Signor Punch commenced a song, which he executed in the tone -peculiar to his character, and in a style which drew applauses from all; -and then, with a hop, step, and a jump, he was again behind the -chestnut-tree. In a moment he advanced without his stilts towards the -table. Here, on the turf, he again commenced his antics; kicking his -nose with his right foot, and his hump with his left one; executing -splendid somersets, and cutting every species of caper, and never -ceasing for a moment from performing all his movements to the inspiring -music of his own melodious voice. At last, jumping up very high in the -air, he fell as if all his joints were loosened, and the Misses -Fitzloom, imagining that his bones were really broken, shrieked again. -But now Essper began the wonderful performance of a dead body possessed -by a devil, and in a minute his shattered corpse, apparently without the -assistance of any of its members, began to jump and move about the -ground with miraculous rapidity. At length it disappeared behind the -chestnut-tree. - -"I really think," said Mr. St. George, "it is the most agreeable day I -ever passed in all my life." - -"Decidedly!" said St. Anthony. "St. John, you remember our party to -Paestum with Lady Calabria M'Crater and the Marquis of Agrigentum. It -was nothing to this! Nothing! Do you know I thought that rather dull." - -"Yes, too elaborate; too highly finished; nothing of the pittore -improvisatore. A party of this kind should be more sketchy in its style; -the outline more free, and less detail." - -"Essper is coming out to-day," said Vivian to Miss Fane, "after a long, -and, I venture to say, painful forbearance. However, I hope you will -excuse him. It seems to amuse us." - -"I think it is delightful. See! here he comes again." - -He now appeared in his original costume; the one in which Vivian first -met him at the fair. Bowing, he threw his hand carelessly over his -mandolin, and having tried the melody of its strings, sang with great -taste, and a sweet voice; sweeter from its contrast with its previous -shrill tones; a very pretty romance. All applauded him very warmly, and -no one more so than Miss Fane. - -"Ah! inimitable Essper George, how can we sufficiently thank you! How -well he plays! and his voice is quite beautiful. Oh! could not we dance? -would not it be delightful? and he could play on his guitar. Think of -the delicious turf!" - -Omnes, "Delightful! delightful!" They rose from the table. - -"Violet, my dear," asked Lady Madeleine, "what are you going to do?" - -"By the toe of Terpsichore!" as Mr. St. Leger would say, "I am going to -dance." - -"But remember, to-day you have done so much! let us be moderate; though -you feel so much better, still think what a change to-day has been from -your usual habits!" - -"But, dearest Lady Madeleine, think of dancing on the turf, and I feel -so well!" - -"By the Graces! I am for the waltz," said St. Anthony. - -"It has certainly a very free touch to recommend it," said St. John. - -"No, no," said Violet; "let us all join in a country dance." But the -Misses Fitzloom preferred a quadrille. - -The quadrille was soon formed: Violet made up for not dancing with -Vivian at the Grand Duke's. She was most animated, and kept up a -successful rivalry with Mr. St. Leger, who evidently prided himself, as -Mr. Fitzloom observed, "on his light fantastic toe." Now he pirouetted -like Paul, and now he attitudinised like Albert; and now Miss Fane -eclipsed all his exertions by her inimitable imitations of Ronzi -Vestris' rushing and arrowy manner. St. Anthony, in despair, but quite -delighted, revealed a secret which had been taught him by a Spanish -dancer at Milan; but then Miss Fane vanquished him for ever with the pas -de Zephyr of the exquisite Fanny Bias. - -The day was fast declining when the carriages arrived; the young people -were in no humour to return; and as, when they had once entered the -carriage, the day seemed finished for ever, they proposed walking part -of the way home. Lady Madeleine made little objection to Violet joining -the party, as after the exertion that Miss Fane had been making, a drive -in an open carriage might be dangerous: and yet the walk was too long, -but all agreed that it would be impossible to shorten it; and, as Violet -declared that she was not in the least fatigued, the lesser evil was -therefore chosen. The carriages rolled off; at about halfway from Ems, -the two empty ones were to wait for the walking party. Lady Madeleine -smiled with fond affection, as she waved her hand to Violet the moment -before she was out of sight. - -"And now," said St. George, "good people all, instead of returning by -the same road, it strikes me, that there must be a way through this -little wood; you see there is an excellent path. Before the sun is set -we shall have got through it, and it will bring us out, I have no doubt, -by the old cottage which you observed, Grey, when we came along. I saw a -gate and path there; just where we first got sight of Nassau Castle; -there can be no doubt about it. You see it is a regular right-angle, and -besides varying the walk, we shall at least gain a quarter of an hour, -which, after all, as we have to walk nearly three miles, is an object. -It is quite clear, if I have a head for anything, it is for finding -my way." - -"I think you have a head for everything," said Aurelia Fitzloom, in a -soft sentimental whisper; "I am sure we owe all our happiness to-day -to you!" - -"If I have a head for everything, I have a heart only for one person!" - -As every one wished to be convinced, no one offered any argument in -opposition to Mr. St. George's view of the case; and some were already -in the wood. - -"Albert," said Miss Fane, "I do not like walking in the wood so late; -pray come back." - -"Oh, nonsense, Violet! come. If you do not like to come, you can walk by -the road; you will meet us round by the gate, it is only five minutes' -walk." Ere he had finished speaking, the rest were in the wood, and some -had advanced. Vivian strongly recommended Violet not to join them; he -was sure that Lady Madeleine would not approve of it; he was sure that -it was very dangerous, extremely; and, by-the-bye, while he was talking, -which way had they gone? he did not see them. He halloed; all answered, -and a thousand echoes besides. "We certainly had better go by the road, -we shall lose our way if we try to follow them; nothing is so puzzling -as walking in woods; we had much better keep to the road." So by the -road they went. - -The sun had already sunk behind the mountains, whose undulating forms -were thrown into dark shadow against the crimson sky. The thin crescent -of the new moon floated over the eastern hills, whose deep woods glowed -with the rosy glories of twilight. Over the peak of a purple mountain -glittered the solitary star of evening. As the sun dropped, universal -silence seemed to pervade the whole face of nature. The voice of the -birds was still; the breeze, which had refreshed them during the day, -died away, as if its office were now completed; and none of the dark -sounds and sights of hideous Night yet dared to triumph over the death -of Day. Unseen were the circling wings of the fell bat; unheard the -screech of the waking owl; silent the drowsy hum of the shade-born -beetle! What heart has not acknowledged the influence of this hour, the -sweet and soothing hour of twilight! the hour of love, the hour of -adoration, the hour of rest! when we think of those we love, only to -regret that we have not loved more dearly; when we remember our enemies -only to forgive them! - -And Vivian and his beautiful companion owned the magic of this hour, as -all must do, by silence. No word was spoken, yet is silence sometimes a -language. They gazed, and gazed again, and their full spirits held due -communion with the starlit sky, and the mountains and the woods, and the -soft shadows of the increasing moon. Oh! who can describe what the -o'ercharged spirit feels at this sacred hour, when we almost lose the -consciousness of existence, and our souls seem to struggle to pierce -futurity! In the forest of the mysterious Odenwald, in the solitudes of -the Bergstrasse, had Vivian at this hour often found consolation for a -bruised spirit, often in adoring nature had forgotten man. But now, when -he had never felt nature's influence more powerful; when he had never -forgotten man and man's world more thoroughly; when he was experiencing -emotions, which, though undefinable, he felt to be new; he started when -he remembered that all this was in the presence of a human being! Was it -Hesperus he gazed upon, or something else that glanced brighter than an -Evening star? Even as he thought that his gaze was fixed on the -countenance of nature, he found that his eyes rested on the face of -nature's loveliest daughter! - -"Violet! dearest Violet!" - -As in some delicious dream the sleeper is awakened from his bliss by the -sound of his own rapturous voice, so was Vivian roused by these words -from his reverie, and called back to the world which he had forgotten. -But ere a moment had passed, he was pouring forth in a rapid voice, and -incoherent manner, such words as men speak only once. He spoke of his -early follies, his misfortunes, his misery; of his matured views, his -settled principles, his plans, his prospects, his hopes, his happiness, -his bliss; and when he had ceased, he listened, in his turn, to some -small still words, which made him the happiest of human beings. He bent -down, he kissed the soft silken cheek which now he could call his own. -Her hand was in his; her head sank upon his breast. Suddenly she clung -to him with a strong grasp. "Violet! my own, my dearest; you are -overcome. I have been rash, I have been imprudent. Speak, speak, my -beloved! say, you are not ill!" - -She spoke not, but clung to him with a fearful strength, her head still -upon his breast, her full eyes closed. Alarmed, he raised her off the -ground, and bore her to the river-side. Water might revive her. But when -he tried to lay her a moment on the bank, she clung to him gasping, as a -sinking person clings to a stout swimmer. He leant over her; he did not -attempt to disengage her arms; and, by degrees, by very slow degrees, -her grasp loosened. At last her arms gave way and fell by his side, and -her eyes partly opened. - -"Thank God! Violet, my own, my beloved, say you are better!" - -She answered not, evidently she did not know him, evidently she did not -see him. A film was on her sight, and her eye was glassy. He rushed to -the water-side, and in a moment he had sprinkled her temples, now -covered with a cold dew. Her pulse beat not, her circulation seemed -suspended. He rubbed the palms of her hands, he covered her delicate -feet with his coat; and then rushing up the bank into the road, he -shouted with frantic cries on all sides. No one came, no one was near. -Again, with a cry of fearful anguish, he shouted as if an hyaena were -feeding on his vitals. No sound; no answer. The nearest cottage was -above a mile off. He dared not leave her. Again he rushed down to the -water-side. Her eyes were still open, still fixed. Her mouth also was no -longer closed. Her hand was stiff, her heart had ceased to beat. He -tried with the warmth of his own body to revive her. He shouted, he -wept, he prayed. All, all in vain. Again he was in the road, again -shouting like an insane being. There was a sound. Hark! It was but the -screech of an owl! - -Once more at the river-side, once more bending over her with starting -eyes, once more the attentive ear listening for the soundless breath. No -sound! not even a sigh! Oh! what would he have given for her shriek of -anguish! No change had occurred in her position, but the lower part of -her face had fallen; and there was a general appearance which struck him -with awe. Her body was quite cold, her limbs stiffened. He gazed, and -gazed, and gazed. He bent over her with stupor rather than grief stamped -on his features. It was very slowly that the dark thought came over his -mind, very slowly that the horrible truth seized upon his soul. He gave -a loud shriek, and fell on the lifeless body of VIOLET FANE! - - - - -BOOK VI - - -CHAPTER I - - -The green and bowery summer had passed away. It was midnight when two -horsemen pulled up their steeds beneath a wide oak; which, with other -lofty trees, skirted the side of a winding road in an extensive forest -in the south of Germany. - -"By heavens!" said one, who apparently was the master, "we must even lay -our cloaks, I think, under this oak; for the road winds again, and -assuredly cannot lead now to our village." - -"A starlit sky in autumn can scarcely be the fittest curtain for one so -weak as you, sir; I should recommend travelling on, if we keep on our -horses' backs till dawn." - -"But if we are travelling in a directly contrary way to our voiturier, -honest as we may suppose him to be, if he find in the morning no -paymaster for his job, he may with justice make free with our baggage. -And I shall be unusually mistaken if the road we are now pursuing does -not lead back to the city." - -"City, town, or village, you must sleep under no forest tree, sir. Let -us ride on. It will be hard if we do not find some huntsman's or -ranger's cottage; and for aught we know a neat snug village, or some -comfortable old manor-house, which has been in the family for two -centuries; and where, with God's blessing, they may chance to have wine -as old as the bricks. I know not how you may feel, sir, but a ten hours' -ride when I was only prepared for half the time, and that, too, in an -autumn night, makes me somewhat desirous of renewing my acquaintance -with the kitchen-fire." - -"I could join you in a glass of hock and a slice of venison, I confess, -my good fellow; but in a nocturnal ride I am no longer your match. -However, if you think it best, we will prick on our steeds for another -hour. If it be only for them, I am sure we must soon stop." - -"Ay! do, sir; and put your cloak well round you; all is for the best. -You are not, I guess, a Sabbath-born child?" - -"That am I not, but how would that make our plight worse than it is? -Should we be farther off supper?" - -"Nearer, perhaps, than you imagine; for we should then have a chance of -sharing the spoils of the Spirit Hunter." - -"Ah! Essper, is it so?" - -"Truly yes, sir; and were either of us a Sabbath-born child, by holy -cross! I would not give much for our chance of a down bed this night." - -Here a great horned owl flew across the road. - -"Were I in the north," said Essper, "I would sing an Ave Mary against -the STUT OZEL." - -"What call you that?" asked Vivian. - -"Tis the great bird, sir; the great horned owl, that always flies before -the Wild Hunter. And truly, sir, I have passed through many forests in -my time, but never yet saw I one where I should sooner expect to hear a -midnight bugle. If you will allow me, sir, I will ride by your side. -Thank God, at least, it is not the Walpurgis night!" - -"I wish to Heaven it were!" said Vivian, "and that we were on the -Brocken. It must be highly amusing!" - -"Hush! hush! it is lucky we are not in the Hartz; but we know not where -we are, nor who at this moment may be behind us." - -And here Essper began pouring forth a liturgy of his own, half Catholic -and half Calvinistic, quite in character with the creed of the country -through which they were travelling. - -"My horse has stumbled," continued Essper, "and yours, sir, is he not -shying? There is a confounded cloud over the moon, but I have no sight -in the dark if that mass before you be not a devil's-stone. The Lord -have mercy upon our sinful souls!" - -"Peace! Essper," said Vivian, who was surprised to find him really -alarmed; "I see nothing but a block of granite, no uncommon sight in a -German forest." - -"It is a devil-stone, I tell you, sir; there has been some church here, -which he has knocked down in the night. Look! is it the moss-people that -I see! As sure as I am a hungry sinner, the Wild One is out a-hunting -to-night." - -"More luck for us, if we meet him. His dogs, as you say, may gain us a -supper. I think our wisest course will be to join the cry." - -"Hush! hush! you would not talk so if you knew what your share of the -spoils might be. Ay! if you did, sir, your cheek would be paler, and -your very teeth would chatter. I knew one man who was travelling in the -forest, just as we are now; it was about this time; and he believed in -the Wild Huntsman about as much as you, that is, he liked to talk of the -Spirit, merely to have the opportunity of denying that he believed in -him; which showed, as I used to say, that his mind was often thinking of -it. He was a merry knave, and as firm a hand for a boar-spear as ever I -met with, and I have met many. We used to call him, before the accident, -Left-handed Hans, but they call him now, sir, the Child-Hunter. Oh! it -is a very awful tale, and I would sooner tell it in blazing hall than in -free forest. You did not hear any sound to the left, did you?" - -"Nothing but the wind, Essper; on with your tale, my man." - -"It is a very awful tale, sir, but I will make short work of it. You -see, sir, it was a night just like this; the moon was generally hid, but -the stars prevented it from ever being pitch dark. And so, sir, he was -travelling alone; he had been up to the castle of the baron, his master; -you see, sir, he was head-ranger to his lordship, and he always returned -home through the forest. What he was thinking of, I cannot say, but most -likely of no good; when all on a sudden he heard the baying of hounds in -the distance. Now directly he heard it; I have heard him tell the story -a thousand times; directly he heard it, it struck him that it must be -the Spirit Huntsman; and though there were many ways to account for the -hounds, still he never for a moment doubted that they were the -hell-dogs. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Now I tell you this, -because if ever, which the Holy Virgin forbid! if ever you meet the Wild -Huntsman, you will know how to act: conduct yourself always with -propriety, make no noise, but behave like a gentleman, and don't put the -dogs off the scent; stand aside, and let him pass. Don't talk; he has no -time to lose; for if he hunt after daybreak, a night's sport is -forfeited for every star left in the morning sky. So, sir, you see -nothing puts him in a greater passion than to lose his time in answering -impertinent questions. Well, sir, Left-handed Hans stood by the -road-side. The baying of the dogs was so distinct, that he felt that in -a moment the Wild One would be up: his horse shivered like a sallow in a -storm. He heard the tramp of the Spirit-steed: they came in sight. As -the tall figure of the Huntsman passed; I cannot tell you what it was; -it might have been; Lord, forgive me for thinking what it might have -been! but a voice from behind Hans, a voice so like his own, that for a -moment he fancied that he had himself spoken, although he was conscious -that his lips had been firmly closed the whole time; a voice from the -road-side, just behind poor Hans, mind, said, 'Good sport, Sir Huntsman, -'tis an odd light to track a stag!' The poor man, sir, was all of an -ague; but how much greater was his horror when the tall huntsman -stopped! He thought that he was going to be eaten up on the spot, at -least: not at all. 'My friend!' said the Wild One, in the kindest voice -imaginable; 'my friend, would you like to give your horse a breathing -with us?' Poor Hans was so alarmed that it never entered into his head -for a single moment to refuse the invitation, and instantly he was -galloping by the side of the Wild Huntsman. Away they flew! away! away! -away! over bog, and over mere; over ditch, and over hedge; away! away! -away! and the Ranger's horse never failed, but kept by the side of the -Wild Spirit without the least distress; and yet it is very singular that -Hans was about to sell this very beast only a day before, for a matter -of five crowns: you see, he only kept it just to pick his way at night -from the castle to his own cottage. Well, it is very odd, but Hans soon -lost all fear, for the sport was so fine and he had such a keen relish -for the work, that, far from being alarmed, he thought himself one of -the luckiest knaves alive. But the oddest thing all this time was, that -Hans never caught sight for one moment of either buck or boar, although -he saw by the dogs' noses that there was something keen in the wind, and -although he felt that if the hunted beast were like any that he had -himself ever followed before, it must have been run down with such dogs, -quicker than a priest could say a paternoster. At last, for he had grown -quite bold, says Hans to the Wild Huntsman, 'The beasts run quick o' -nights, sir, I think; it has been a long time, I ween, ere I scampered -so far, and saw so little!' Do you know that the old gentleman was not -the least affronted, but said, in the pleasantest voice imaginable, 'A -true huntsman should be patient, Hans; you will see the game quick -enough; look forward, man! what see you?' And sure enough, your -Highness, he did look forward. It was near the skirts of the forest, -there was a green glade before them, and very few trees, and therefore -he could see far a-head. The moon was shining very bright, and sure -enough, what did he see? Running as fleet over the turf as a rabbit, was -a child. The little figure was quite black in the moonlight, and Hans -could not catch its face: in a moment the hell-dogs were on it. Hans -quivered like a windy reed, and the Wild One laughed till the very woods -echoed. 'How like you hunting moss-men?' asked the Spirit. Now when Hans -found it was only a moss-man, he took heart again, and said in a shaking -voice, that 'It is rare good sport in good company;' and then the Spirit -jumped off his horse, and said, 'Now, Hans, you must watch me well, for -I am little used to bag game.' He said this with a proudish air, as much -as to hint, that had not he expected Hans he would not have rode out -this evening without his groom. So the Wild One jumped on his horse -again, and put the bag before him. It was nearly morning when Hans found -himself at the door of his own cottage; and, bowing very respectfully to -the Spirit Hunter, he thanked him for the sport, and begged his share of -the night's spoil. This was all in joke, but Hans had heard that 'talk -to the devil, and fear the last word;' and so he was determined, now -that they were about to part, not to appear to tremble, but to carry it -off with a jest. 'Truly, Hans,' said the Huntsman, 'thou art a bold lad, -and to encourage thee to speak to wild huntsmen again, I have a mind to -give thee for thy pains the whole spoil. Take the bag, knave, a moss-man -is good eating; had I time I would give thee a receipt for sauce;' and, -so saying, the Spirit rode off, laughing very heartily. Well, sir, Hans -was so anxious to examine the contents of the bag, and see what kind of -thing a moss-man really was, for he had only caught a glimpse of him in -the chase, that instead of going to bed immediately, and saying his -prayers, as he should have done, he lighted a lamp and undid the string; -and what think you he took out of the bag? As sure as I am a born -sinner, his own child!" - -"'Tis a wonderful tale," said Vivian; "and did the unfortunate man tell -you this himself?" - -"Often and often. I knew Left-handed Hans well. He was ranger, as I -said, to a great lord; and was quite a favourite, you see. For some -reason or other he got out of favour. Some said that the Baron had found -him out a-poaching; and that he used to ride his master's horses -a-night. Whether this be true or not, who can say? But, howsoever, Hans -went to ruin; and instead of being a flourishing active lad, he was -turned out, and went a-begging all through Saxony; and he always told -this story as the real history of his misfortunes. Some say he is not as -strong in his head as he used to be. However, why should we say it is -not a true tale? What is that?" almost shrieked Essper. - -Vivian listened, and heard distinctly the distant baying of hounds. - -"'Tis he!" said Essper; "now don't speak, sir, don't speak! and if the -devil make me join him, as may be the case, for I am but a cock-brained -thing, particularly at midnight, don't be running after me from any -foolish feeling, but take care of yourself, and don't be chattering. To -think you should come to this, my precious young master!" - -"Cease your blubbering! Do you think that I am to be frightened by the -idiot tales of a parcel of old women, and the lies of a gang of detected -poachers? Come, sir, ride on. We are, most probably, near some -huntsman's cottage. That distant baying is the sweetest music I have -heard a long while." - -"Don't be rash, sir; don't be rash. If you were to give me fifty crowns -now, I could not remember a single line of a single prayer. Ave Maria! -it always is so when I most want it. Paternoster! and whenever I have -need to remember a song, sure enough I am always thinking of a prayer. -'Unser vater, der du bist im himmel, sanctificado se el tu nombra; il -tuo regno venga.'" Here Essper George was proceeding with a scrap of -modern Greek, when the horsemen suddenly came upon one of those broad -green vistas which we often see in forests, and which are generally cut, -either for the convenience of hunting, or carting wood. It opened on the -left side of the road; and at the bottom of it, though apparently at a -great distance, a light was visible. - -"So much for your Wild Huntsman, friend Essper! I shall be much -disappointed if here are not quarters for the night. And see! the moon -comes out, a good omen!" - -After ten minutes' canter over the noiseless turf, the travellers found -themselves before a large and many-windowed mansion. The building formed -the farthest side of a quadrangle, which you entered through an ancient -and massy gate; on each side of which was a small building, of course -the lodges. Essper soon found that the gate was closely fastened; and -though he knocked often and loudly, it was with no effect. That the -inhabitants of the mansion had not yet retired was certain, for lights -were moving in the great house; and one of the lodges was not only very -brilliantly illuminated, but full, as Vivian was soon convinced, of -clamorous if not jovial guests. - -"Now, by the soul of my unknown father!" said the enraged Essper, "I -will make these saucy porters learn their duty--What ho! there; what ho! -within; within!" But the only answer he received was the loud -reiteration of a rude and roaring chorus, which, as it was now more -distinctly and audibly enunciated, evidently for the purpose of enraging -the travellers, they detected to be something to the following effect:-- - - Then a prayer to St. Peter, a prayer to St. Paul! - A prayer to St. Jerome, a prayer to them all! - A prayer to each one of the saintly stock, - But devotion alone, devotion to Hock! - -"A right good burden'" said Essper. The very words had made him recover -his temper, and ten thousand times more desirous of gaining admittance. -He was off his horse in a moment, and scrambling up the wall with the -aid of the iron stanchions, he clambered up to the window. The sudden -appearance of his figure startled the inmates of the lodge, and one of -them soon staggered to the gate. - -"What want you, ye noisy and disturbing varlets? what want you, ye most -unhallowed rogues, at such a place, and at such an hour? If you be -thieves, look at our bars (here a hiccup). If you be poachers, our -master is engaged, and ye may slay all the game in the forest (another -hiccup); but if ye be good men and true--" - -"We are!" halloed Essper, eagerly. - -"You are!" said the porter, in a tone of great surprise; "then you ought -to be ashamed of yourselves for disturbing holy men at their devotions!" - -"Is this the way," said Essper, "to behave, ye shameless rascals, to a -noble and mighty Prince, who happens to have lost his way in your -abominable forest, but who, though he has parted with his suite, has -still in his pocket a purse full of ducats? Would ye have him robbed by -any others but yourselves? Is this the way you behave to a Prince of the -Holy Roman Empire, a Knight of the Golden Fleece, and a most particular -friend of your own master? Is this the way to behave to his secretary, -who is one of the merriest fellows living, can sing a jolly song with -any of you, and so bedevil a bottle of Geisenheim with lemons and -brandy that for the soul of ye you wouldn't know it from the greenest -Tokay? Out, out on ye! you know not what you have lost!" - -Ere Essper had finished more than one stout bolt had been drawn, and the -great key had already entered the stouter lock. - -"Most honourable sirs!" hiccuped the porter, "in our Lady's name enter. -I had forgot myself, for in these autumn nights it is necessary to -anticipate the cold with a glass of cheering liquor; and, God forgive -me! if I did not mistake your most mighty Highnesses for a couple of -forest rovers, or small poachers at least. Thin entertainment here, kind -sir (here the last bolt was withdrawn); a glass of indifferent liquor -and a prayer-book. I pass the time chiefly these cold nights with a few -holy-minded friends at our devotions. You heard us at our prayers, -honourable lords! - - "A prayer to St. Peter, a prayer to St. Paul! - A prayer to St. Jerome, a prayer to them all!" - -Here the devout porter most reverently crossed himself. - - "A prayer to each one of the saintly stock, - But devotion alone, devotion to Hock!" - -added Essper George; "you forget the best part of the burden, my honest -friend." - -"Oh!" said the porter, with an arch smile, as he opened the lodge door; -"I am glad to find that your honourable Excellencies have a taste -for hymns!" - -The porter led them into a room, at a round table in which about -half-a-dozen individuals were busily engaged in discussing the merits of -various agreeable liquors. There was an attempt to get up a show of -polite hospitality to Vivian as he entered, but the man who offered him -his chair fell to the ground in an unsuccessful struggle to be -courteous; and another one, who had filled a large glass for the guest -on his entrance, offered him, after a preliminary speech of incoherent -compliments, the empty bottle by mistake. The porter and his friends, -although they were all drunk, had sense enough to feel that the presence -of a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, a Chevalier of the Golden Fleece, -and the particular friend of their master, was not exactly a fit -companion for themselves, and was rather a check on the gay freedom of -equal companionship; and so, although the exertion was not a little -troublesome, the guardian of the gate reeled out of the room to inform -his honoured lord of the sudden arrival of a stranger of distinction, -Essper George immediately took his place, and ere the master of the -lodge had returned the noble secretary had not only given a choice -toast, sung a choice song, and been hailed by the grateful plaudits of -all present, but had proceeded in his attempt to fulfil the pledge which -he had given at the gate to the very letter by calling out lustily for a -bottle of Geisenheim, lemons, brandy, and a bowl. - -"Fairly and softly, my little son of Bacchus," said the porter as he -re-entered, "fairly and softly, and then thou shalt want nothing; but -remember I have to perform my duties unto the noble Lord my master, and -also to the noble Prince your master. If thou wilt follow me," continued -the porter, reeling as he bowed with the greatest consideration to -Vivian; "if thou wilt follow me, most high and mighty sir, my master -will be right glad to have the honour of drinking your health. And as -for you, my friends, fairly and softly say I again. We will talk of the -Geisenheim anon. Am I to be absent from the first brewing? No, no! -fairly and softly; you can drink my health when I am absent in cold -liquor, and say those things which you could not well say before my -face. But mind, my most righteous and well-beloved, I will have no -flattery. Flattery is the destruction of all good fellowship; it is like -a qualmish liqueur in the midst of a bottle of wine. Speak your minds, -say any little thing that comes first, as thus, 'Well, for Hunsdrich, -the porter, I must declare that I never heard evil word against him;' or -thus, 'A very good leg has Hunsdrich the porter, and a tight-made lad -altogether; no enemy with the girls, I warrant me;' or thus, 'Well, for -a good-hearted, good-looking, stout-drinking, virtuous, honourable, -handsome, generous, sharp-witted knave, commend me to Hunsdrich the -porter;' but not a word more, my friends, not a word more, no -flattery--Now, sir, I beg your pardon." - -The porter led the way through a cloistered walk, until they arrived at -the door of the great mansion, to which they ascended by a lofty flight -of steps; it opened into a large octagonal hail, the sides of which were -covered with fowling-pieces, stags' heads, couteaux de chasse, -boar-spears, and huge fishing-nets. Passing through this hall, they -ascended a noble stair-case, on the first landing-place of which was a -door, which Vivian's conductor opened, and ushering him into a large and -well-lighted chamber, withdrew. From the centre of this room descended a -magnificently cut chandelier, which threw a graceful light upon a -sumptuous banquet table, at which were seated eight very -singular-looking personages. All of them wore hunting-dresses of various -shades of straw-coloured cloth, with the exception of one, who sat on -the left hand of the master of the feast, and the colour of whose -costume was a rich crimson purple. From the top to the bottom of the -table extended a double file of wine-glasses and goblets, of all sizes -and all colours. There you might see brilliant relics of that ancient -ruby-glass the vivid tints of which seem lost to us for ever. Next to -these were marshalled goblets of Venetian manufacture, of a cloudy, -creamy white; then came the huge hock glass of some ancient Primate of -Mentz, nearly a yard high, towering above its companions, as the church, -its former master, predominated over the simple laymen of the middle -ages. Why should we forget a set of most curious and antique -drinking-cups of painted glass, on whose rare surfaces were emblazoned -the Kaiser and ten electors of the old Empire? - -Vivian bowed to the party and stood in silence, while they stared a -scrutinising examination. At length the master of the feast spoke. He -was a very stout man, with a prodigious paunch, which his tightened -dress set off to great advantage. His face, and particularly his -forehead, were of great breadth. His eyes were set far apart. His long -ears hung down almost to his shoulders; yet singular as he was, not only -in these, but in many other respects, everything was forgotten when your -eyes lighted on his nose. It was the most prodigious nose that Vivian -ever remembered not only seeing, but hearing or even reading of. It -fact, it was too monstrous for a dream. This mighty nose seemed to hang -almost to its owner's chest. - -"Be seated," said this personage, in no unpleasing voice, and he pointed -to the chair opposite to him. Vivian took the vacated seat of the -Vice-President, who moved himself to the right. "Be seated, and whoever -you may be, welcome! If our words be few, think not that our welcome is -scant. We are not much given to speech, holding it for a principle that -if a man's mouth be open, it should be for the purpose of receiving that -which cheers a man's spirit; not of giving vent to idle words, which, so -far as we have observed, produce no other effect save filling the world -with crude and unprofitable fantasies, and distracting our attention -when we are on the point of catching those flavours which alone make the -world endurable. Therefore, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome, Sir -Stranger, from us, and from all: and first from us, the Grand Duke of -Johannisberger." Here his Highness rose, and pulled out a large ruby -tumbler from the file. Each of those present did the same, without, -however, rising, and the late Vice-President, who sat next to Vivian, -invited him to follow their example. - -The Grand Duke of Johannisberger brought forward, from beneath the -table, an ancient and exquisite bottle of that choice liquor from which -he took his exhilarating title. The cork was drawn, and the bottle -circulated with rapidity; and in three minutes the ruby glasses were -filled and emptied, and the Grand Duke's health quaffed by all present. - -"Again, Sir Stranger," continued the Grand Duke, "briefly, but heartily, -welcome! welcome from us and welcome from all; and first from us, and -now from the Archduke of Hockheimer!" - -The Archduke of Hockheimer was a thin, sinewy man, with long, carroty -hair, eyelashes of the same colour, but of a remarkable length; and -mustachios, which, though very thin, were so long that they met under -his chin. Vivian could not refrain from noticing the extreme length, -whiteness, and apparent sharpness of his teeth. The Archduke did not -speak, but, leaning under the table, soon produced a bottle of -Hockheimer. He then took from the file one of the Venetian glasses of -clouded white. All followed his example; the bottle was sent round, his -health was pledged, and the Grand Duke of Johannisberger again spoke: - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Elector of -Steinberg!" - -The Elector of Steinberg was a short, but very broad-backed, -strong-built man. Though his head was large, his features were small, -and appeared smaller from the immense quantity of coarse, shaggy, brown -hair which grew over almost every part of his face and fell down upon -his shoulders. The Elector was as silent as his predecessor, and quickly -produced a bottle of Steinberg. The curious drinking cups of painted -glass were immediately withdrawn from the file, the bottle was sent -round, the Elector's health was pledged, and the Grand Duke of -Johannisberger again spoke: - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Margrave of -Rudesheimer!" - -The Margrave of Rudesheimer was a slender man of elegant appearance. As -Vivian watched the glance of his speaking eye, and the half-satirical -and half-jovial smile which played upon his features, he hardly expected -that he would be as silent as his predecessors. But the Margrave spoke -no word. He gave a kind of shout of savage exultation as he smacked his -lips after dashing off his glass of Rudesheimer; and scarcely noticing -the salutations of those who drank his health, he threw himself back in -his chair, and listened seemingly with a smile of derision, while the -Grand Duke of Johannisberger again spoke: - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Landgrave of -Grafenberg." - -The Landgrave of Grafenberg was a rude, awkward-looking person, who, -when he rose from his seat, stared like an idiot, and seemed utterly -ignorant of what he ought to do. But his quick companion, the Margrave -of Rudesheimer, soon thrust a bottle of Grafenberg into the Landgrave's -hand, and with some trouble and bustle the Landgrave extracted the cork; -and then helping himself sat down, forgetting either to salute, or to -return the salutations of those present. - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Palsgrave of -Geisenheim!" - -The Palsgrave of Geisenheim was a dwarf in spectacles. He drew the cork -from his bottle like lightning, and mouthed at his companions even while -he bowed to them. - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Count of -Markbrunnen!" - -The Count of Markbrunnen was a sullen-looking personage, with lips -protruding nearly three inches beyond his nose. From each side of his -upper jaw projected a large tooth. - -"Thanks to Heaven!" said Vivian, as the Grand Duke again spoke; "thanks -to Heaven, here is our last man!" - -"Again, Sir Stranger, briefly, but heartily, welcome! Welcome from us, -and welcome from all; and first from us, and now from the Baron of -Asmanshausen!" - -The Baron of Asmanshausen sat on the left hand of the Grand Duke of -Johannisberger, and was dressed, as we have before said, in an unique -costume of crimson purple. The Baron stood, without his boots, about six -feet eight. He was a sleek man, with a head not bigger than a child's, -and a pair of small, black, beady eyes, of singular brilliancy. The -Baron introduced a bottle of the only red wine that the Rhine boasts; -but which, for its fragrant and fruity flavour and its brilliant tint, -is perhaps not inferior to the sunset glow of Burgundy. - -"And now," continued the Grand Duke, "having introduced you to all -present, sir, we will begin drinking." - -Vivian had submitted to the introductory ceremonies with the good grace -which becomes a man of the world; but the coolness of this last -observation recalled our hero's wandering senses; and, at the same time, -alarmed at discovering that eight bottles of wine had been discussed by -the party merely as preliminary, and emboldened by the contents of one -bottle which had fallen to his own share, he had the courage to confront -the Grand Duke of Johannisberger in his own castle. - -"Your wine, most noble Lord, stands in no need of my commendation; but -as I must mention it, let it not be said that I ever mentioned it -without praise. After a ten hours' ride, its flavour is as grateful to -the palate as its strength is refreshing to the heart; but though old -Hock, in homely phrase, is styled meat and drink, I confess to you that, -at this moment, I stand in need of even more solid sustenance than the -juice of the sunny hill." - -"A traitor!" shrieked all present, each with his right arm stretched -out, glass in hand; "a traitor!" - -"No traitor," answered Vivian, "noble and right thirsty lords, but one -of the most hungry mortals that ever yet famished." - -The only answer that he received for some time was a loud and ill-boding -murmur. The long whisker of the Archduke of Hockheimer curled with -renewed rage; audible, though suppressed, was the growl of the hairy -Elector of Steinberg; fearful the corporeal involutions of the tall -Baron of Asmanshausen; and savagely sounded the wild laugh of the -bright-eyed Margrave of Rudesheimer. - -"Silence, my Lords!" said the Grand Duke. "Forget we that ignorance is -the stranger's portion, and that no treason can exist among those who -are not our sworn subjects? Pity we rather the degeneracy of this -bold-spoken youth, and in the plenitude of our mercy let us pardon his -demand! Know ye, unknown knight, that you are in the presence of an -august society who are here met at one of their accustomed convocations, -whereof the purport is the frequent quaffing of those most glorious -liquors of which the sacred Rhine is the great father. We profess to -find a perfect commentary on the Pindaric laud of the strongest element -in the circumstance of the banks of a river being the locality where the -juice of the grape is most delicious, and holding, therefore, that water -is strongest because, in a manner, it giveth birth to wine, we also hold -it as a sacred element, and consequently most religiously refrain from -refreshing our bodies with that sanctified and most undrinkable fluid. -Know ye that we are the children of the Rhine, the conservators of his -flavours, profound in the learning of his exquisite aroma, and deep -students in the mysteries of his inexplicable näre. Professing not to be -immortal, we find in the exercise of the chase a noble means to preserve -that health which is necessary for the performance of the ceremonies to -which we are pledged. At to-morrow's dawn our bugle sounds, and thou, -stranger, may engage the wild boar at our side; at to-morrow's noon the -castle bell will toll, and thou, stranger, may eat of the beast which -thou hast conquered; but to feed after midnight, to destroy the power of -catching the delicate flavour, to annihilate the faculty of detecting -the undefinable näre, is heresy, most rank and damnable heresy! -Therefore at this hour soundeth no plate or platter, jingleth no knife -or culinary instrument, in the PALACE or THE WINES. Yet, in -consideration of thy youth, and that on the whole thou hast tasted thy -liquor like a proper man, from which we augur the best expectations of -the manner in which thou wilt drink it, we feel confident that our -brothers of the goblet will permit us to grant thee the substantial -solace of a single shoeing horn." - -"Let it be a Dutch herring, then," said Vivian, "and as you have souls -to be saved grant me one slice of bread." - -"It cannot be," said the Grand Duke; "but as we are willing to be -indulgent to bold hearts, verily, we will wink at the profanation of a -single toast; but you must order an anchovy one, and give secret -instructions to the waiting-man to forget the fish. It must be counted -as a second shoeing horn, and you will forfeit for the last a bottle of -Markbrunnen." - -"And now, illustrious brothers," continued the Grand Duke, "let us drink -1726." - -All present gave a single cheer, in which Vivian was obliged to join, -and they honoured with a glass of the very year the memory of a -celebrated vintage. - -"1748!" said the Grand Duke. - -Two cheers and the same ceremony. - -1766 and 1779 were honoured in the same manner, but when the next toast -was drank, Vivian almost observed in the countenances of the Grand Duke -and his friends the signs of incipient insanity. - -"1783!" hallooed the Grand Duke in a tone of the most triumphant -exultation, and his mighty proboscis, as it snuffed the air, almost -caused a whirlwind round the room. Hockheimer gave a roar, Steinberg a -growl, Rudesheimer a wild laugh, Markbrunnen, a loud grunt, Grafenberg a -bray, Asmanshausen's long body moved to and fro with wonderful -agitation, and little Geisenheim's bright eyes glistened through their -glasses as if they were on fire. How ludicrous is the incipient -inebriety of a man who wears spectacles! - -Thanks to an excellent constitution, which recent misery, however, had -somewhat shattered, Vivian bore up against all these attacks; and when -they had got down to 1802, from the excellency of his digestion and the -inimitable skill with which he emptied many of the latter glasses under -the table, he was, perhaps, in better condition than any one in -the room. - -And now rose the idiot Grafenberg; Rudesheimer all the time, with a -malicious smile, faintly pulling him down by the skirt of his coat, as -if he were desirous of preventing an exposure which his own advice had -brought about. He had been persuading Grafenberg the whole evening to -make a speech. - -"My Lord Duke," brayed the jackass; and then he stopped dead, and looked -round the room with an unmeaning stare. - -"Hear, hear, hear!" was the general cry; but Grafenberg seemed astounded -at any one being desirous of hearing his voice, or for a moment -seriously entertaining the idea that he could have anything to say; and -so he stared again, and again, and again, till at last Rudesheimer, by -dint of kicking his shins under the table, the Margrave the whole time -seeming perfectly motionless, at length extracted a sentence from the -asinine Landgrave. - -"My Lord Duke!" again commenced Grafenberg, and again he stopped. - -"Go on!" shouted all. - -"My Lord Duke! Rudesheimer is treading on my toes!" - -Here little Geisenheim gave a loud laugh of derision, in which all -joined except surly Markbrunnen, whose lips protruded an extra inch -beyond their usual length when he found that all were laughing at his -friend. The Grand Duke at last procured silence. - -"Shame! shame! mighty Princes! Shame! shame! noble Lords! Is it with -this irreverent glee, these scurvy flouts, and indecorous mockery, that -you would have this stranger believe that we celebrate the ceremonies of -our Father Rhine? Shame, I say; and silence! It is time that we should -prove to him that we are not merely a boisterous and unruly party of -swilling varlets, who leave their brains in their cups. It is time that -we should do something to prove that we are capable of better and -worthier things. What ho! my Lord of Geisenheim! shall I speak twice to -the guardian of the horn of the Fairy King?" - -The little dwarf instantly jumped from his seat and proceeded to the end -of the room, where, after having bowed three times with great reverence -before a small black cabinet made of vine wood, he opened it with a -golden key, and then with great pomp and ceremony bore its contents to -the Grand Duke. That chieftain took from the little dwarf the horn of a -gigantic and antediluvian elk. The cunning hand of an ancient German -artificer had formed this curious relic into a drinking-cup. It was -exquisitely polished, and cased in the interior with silver. On the -outside the only ornaments were three richly-chased silver rings, which -were placed nearly at equal distances. When the Grand Duke had carefully -examined this most precious horn, he held it up with great reverence to -all present, and a party of devout Catholics could not have paid greater -homage to the elevated Host than did the various guests to the horn of -the Fairy King. Even the satanic smile on Rudesheimer's countenance was -for a moment subdued, and all bowed. The Grand Duke then delivered the -mighty cup to his neighbour, the Archduke of Hockheimer, who held it -with both hands until his Royal Highness had emptied into it, with great -care, three bottles of Johannisberger. All rose: the Grand Duke took -the goblet in one hand, and with the other he dexterously put aside his -most inconvenient and enormous nose. Dead silence prevailed, save the -roar of the liquor as it rushed down the Grand Duke's throat, and -resounded through the chamber like the distant dash of a waterfall. In -three minutes the Chairman had completed his task, the horn had quitted -his mouth, his nose had again resumed its usual situation, and as he -handed the cup to the Archduke, Vivian thought that a material change -had taken place in his countenance since he had quaffed his last -draught. His eyes seemed more apart; his ears seemed broader and longer; -and his nose visibly lengthened. The Archduke, before he commenced his -draught, ascertained with great scrupulosity that his predecessor had -taken his fair share by draining the horn as far as the first ring; and -then he poured off with great rapidity his own portion. But though, in -performing the same task, he was quicker than the master of the party, -the draught not only apparently, but audibly, produced upon him a much -more decided effect than it had on the Grand Duke; for when the second -ring was drained the Archduke gave a loud roar of exultation, and stood -up for some time from his seat, with his hands resting on the table, -over which he leant, as if he were about to spring upon his opposite -neighbour. The cup was now handed across the table to the Baron of -Asmanshausen. His Lordship performed his task with ease; but as he -withdrew the horn from his mouth, all present, except Vivian, gave a -loud cry of "Supernaculum!" The Baron smiled with great contempt, as he -tossed, with a careless hand, the great horn upside downwards, and was -unable to shed upon his nail even the one excusable pearl. He handed the -refilled horn to the Elector of Steinberg, who drank his portion with a -growl; but afterwards seemed so pleased with the facility of his -execution that, instead of delivering it to the next bibber, the -Palsgrave of Markbrunnen, he commenced some clumsy attempts at a dance -of triumph, in which he certainly would have proceeded, had not the loud -grunts of the surly and thick-lipped Markbrunnen occasioned the -interference of the President. Supernaculum now fell to the Margrave of -Rudesheimer, who gave a loud and long-continued laugh as the dwarf of -Geisenheim filled the horn for the third time. - -While this ceremony was going on, a thousand plans had occurred to -Vivian for his escape; but all, on second thoughts, proved -impracticable. With agony he had observed that supernaculum was his -miserable lot. Could he but have foisted it on the idiot Grafenberg, he -might, by his own impudence and the other's stupidity, have escaped. But -he could not flatter himself that he should be successful in bringing -about this end, for he observed with dismay that the malicious -Rudesheimer had not for a moment ceased watching him with a keen and -exulting glance. Geisenheim performed his task; and ere Vivian could ask -for the goblet, Rudesheimer, with a fell laugh, had handed it to -Grafenberg. The greedy ass drank his portion with ease, and indeed drank -far beyond his limit. The cup was in Vivian's hand, Rudesheimer was -roaring supernaculum louder than all; Vivian saw that the covetous -Grafenberg had providentially rendered his task comparatively light; but -even as it was, he trembled at the idea of drinking at a single draught -more than a pint of most vigorous and powerful wine. - -"My Lord Duke," said Vivian, "you and your companions forget that I am -little used to these ceremonies; that I am yet uninitiated in the -mysteries of the näre. I have endeavoured to prove myself no -chicken-hearted water-drinking craven, and I have more wine within me at -this moment than any man yet bore without dinner. I think, therefore, -that I have some grounds for requesting indulgence, and I have no doubt -that the good sense of yourself and your friends--" - -Ere Vivian could finish, he almost fancied that a well-stocked menagerie -had been suddenly emptied in the room. Such roaring, and such growling, -and such hissing, could only have been exceeded on some grand feast day -in the recesses of a Brazilian forest. Asmanshausen looked as fierce as -a boa constrictor before dinner. The proboscis of the Grand Duke heaved -to and fro like the trunk of an enraged elephant. Hockheimer glared like -a Bengal tiger about to spring upon its prey. Steinberg growled like a -Baltic bear. In Markbrunnen Vivian recognised the wild boar he had -himself often hunted. Grafenberg brayed like a jackass, and Geisenheim -chattered like an ape. But all was forgotten and unnoticed when Vivian -heard the fell and frantic shouts of the laughing hyaena, the Margrave -of Rudesheimer! Vivian, in despair, dashed the horn of Oberon to his -mouth. One pull, a gasp, another desperate draught; it was done! and -followed by a supernaculum almost superior to the exulting -Asmanshausen's. - -A loud shout hailed the exploit, and when the shout had subsided into -silence the voice of the Grand Duke of Johannisberger was again heard: - -"Noble Lords and Princes! I congratulate you on the acquisition of a -congenial co-mate, and the accession to our society of one who, I now -venture to say, will never disgrace the glorious foundation; but who, on -the contrary, with heaven's blessing and the aid of his own good palate, -will, it is hoped, add to our present knowledge of flavours by the -detection of new ones, and by illustrations drawn from frequent study -and constant observation of the mysterious näre. In consideration of his -long journey and his noble achievement, I do propose that we drink but -very lightly to-night, and meet by two hours after to-morrow's dawn, -under the moss-man's oak. Nevertheless, before we part, for the -refreshment of our own good bodies, and by way of reward and act of -courtesy unto this noble and accomplished stranger, let us pledge him in -some foreign grape of fame, to which he may perhaps be more accustomed -than unto the ever-preferable juices of our Father Rhine." Here the -Grand Duke nodded to little Geisenheim, who in a moment was at -his elbow. - -It was in vain that Vivian remonstrated, excused himself from joining, -or assured them that their conduct had already been so peculiarly -courteous, that any further attention was at present unnecessary. A -curiously cut glass, which on a moderate calculation Vivian reckoned -would hold at least three pints, was placed before each guest; and a -basket, containing nine bottles of sparkling champagne, première -qualité, was set before his Highness. - -"We are no bigots, noble stranger," said the Grand Duke, as he took one -of the bottles, and scrutinised the cork with a very keen eye; "we are -no bigots, and there are moments when we drink Champagne, nor is -Burgundy forgotten, nor the soft Bourdeaux, nor the glowing grape of the -sunny Rhone!" His Highness held the bottle at an oblique angle with the -chandelier. The wire is loosened, whirr! The exploded cork whizzed -through the air, extinguished one of the burners of the chandelier, and -brought the cut drop which was suspended under it rattling down among -the glasses on the table. The President poured the foaming fluid into -his great goblet, and bowing to all around, fastened on its contents -with as much eagerness as Arabs hasten to a fountain. - -The same operation was performed as regularly and as skilfully by all -except Vivian. Eight burners were extinguished; eight diamond drops had -fallen clattering on the table; eight human beings had finished a -miraculous carouse, by each drinking off a bottle of sparkling -champagne. It was Vivian's turn. All eyes were fixed on him with the -most perfect attention. He was now, indeed, quite desperate; for had he -been able to execute a trick which long practice alone could have -enabled any man to perform, he felt conscious that it was quite out of -his power to taste a single drop of the contents of his bottle. However, -he loosened his wire and held the bottle at an angle with the -chandelier; but the cork flew quite wild, and struck with great force -the mighty nose of Johannisberger. - -"A forfeit!" cried all. - -"Treason, and a forfeit!" cried the Margrave of Rudesheimer. - -"A forfeit is sufficient punishment," said the President; who, however, -still felt the smarting effect of the assault on his proboscis. "You -must drink Oberon's horn full of champagne," he continued. - -"Never!" said Vivian. "Enough of this. I have already conformed in a -degree which may injuriously affect my health with your barbarous -humours; but there is moderation even in excess. And so, if you please, -my Lord, your servant may show me to my apartment, or I shall again -mount my horse." - -"You shall not leave this room," said the President, with great -firmness. - -"Who shall prevent me?" asked Vivian. - -"I will, all will!" - -"Now, by heavens! a more insolent and inhospitable old ruffian did I -never meet. By the wine you worship, if one of you dare touch me, you -shall rue it all your born days; and as for you, sir, if you advance one -step towards me, I will take that sausage of a nose of yours and hurl -you half round your own castle!" - -"Treason!" shouted all, and looked to the chair. - -"Treason!" said enraged majesty. The allusion to the nose had done away -with all the constitutional doubts which had been sported so moderately -at the commencement of the evening. - -"Treason!" howled the President: "instant punishment!" - -"What punishment?" asked Asmanshausen. - -"Drown him in the new butt of Moselle," recommended Rudesheimer. The -suggestion was immediately adopted. Every one rose: the little -Geisenheim already had hold of Vivian's shoulder; and Grafenberg, -instigated by the cowardly but malicious Rudesheimer, was about to -seize him by the neck. Vivian took the dwarf and hurled him at the -chandelier, in whose brazen chains the little being got entangled, and -there remained. An unexpected cross-buttocker floored the incautious and -unscientific Grafenberg; and following up these advantages, Vivian laid -open the skull of his prime enemy, the retreating Margrave of -Rudesheimer, with the assistance of the horn of Oberon; which flew from -his hand to the other end of the room, from the force with which it -rebounded from the cranium of the enemy. All the rest were now on the -advance; but giving a vigorous and unexpected push to the table, the -Johannisberger and Asmanshausen were thrown over, and the nose of the -former got entangled with the awkward windings of the Fairy King's horn. -Taking advantage of this move, Vivian rushed to the door. He escaped, -but had not time to secure the lock against the enemy, for the stout -Elector of Steinberg was too quick for him. He dashed down the stairs -with extraordinary agility; but just as he had gained the large -octagonal hall, the whole of his late boon companions, with the -exception of the dwarf of Geisenheim, who was left in the chandelier, -were visible in full chase. Escape was impossible, and so Vivian, -followed by the seven nobles, headed by their President, described with -all possible rapidity a circle round the hall. He gave himself up for -lost; but, luckily, for him, it never occurred to one of his pursuers to -do anything but follow their leader; and as, therefore, they never -dodged Vivian, and as, also, he was a much fleeter runner than the fat -President, whose pace, of course, regulated the progress of his -followers, the party might have gone on at this rate until all of them -had dropped from fatigue, had not the occurrence of a ludicrous incident -prevented this consummation. - -The hall door was suddenly dashed open, and Essper George rushed in, -followed in full chase by Hunsdrich and the guests of the lodge, who -were the servants of Vivian's pursuers. Essper darted in between -Rudesheimer and Markbrunnen, and Hunsdrich and his friends following the -same tactics as their lords and masters, without making any attempt to -surround and hem in the object of their pursuit, merely followed him in -order, describing, but in a contrary direction, a lesser circle within -the eternal round of the first party. It was only proper for the -servants to give their masters the wall. In spite of their very -disagreeable and dangerous situation, it was with difficulty that Vivian -refrained from laughter, as he met Essper regularly every half minute -at the foot of the great staircase. Suddenly, as Essper passed, he took -Vivian by the waist, and with a single jerk placed him on the stairs; -and then, with a dexterous dodge, he brought Hunsdrich the porter and -the Grand Duke in full contact. - -"I have got you at last," said Hunsdrich, seizing hold of his Grace of -Johannisberger by the ears, and mistaking him for Essper. - -"I have got you at last," said his master, grappling, as he supposed, -with Vivian. Both struggled; their followers pushed on with impetuous -force, the battle was general, the overthrow universal. In a moment all -were on the ground; and if any less inebriated or more active individual -attempted to rise, Essper immediately brought him down with a -boar-spear. - -"Give me that large fishing-net," said Essper to Vivian; "quick, quick." - -Vivian pulled down a large coarse net, which covered nearly five sides -of the room. It was immediately unfolded, and spread over the fallen -crew. To fasten it down with half a dozen boar-spears, which they drove -into the floor, was the work of a moment. Essper had one pull at the -proboscis of the Grand Duke of Johannisberger before he hurried Vivian -away; and in ten minutes they were again on their horses' backs and -galloping through the star-lit wood. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -It is the hour before the labouring bee has left his golden hive; not -yet the blooming day buds in the blushing East; not yet has the -victorious Lucifer chased from the early sky the fainting splendour of -the stars of night. All is silent, save the light breath of morn waking -the slumbering leaves. Even now a golden streak breaks over the grey -mountains. Hark to shrill chanticleer! As the cock crows the owl ceases. -Hark to shrill chanticleer's feathered rival! The mountain lark springs -from the sullen earth, and welcomes with his hymn the coming day. The -golden streak has expanded into a crimson crescent, and rays of living -fire flame over the rose-enamelled East. Man rises sooner than the sun, -and already sound the whistle of the ploughman, the song of the mower, -and the forge of the smith; and hark to the bugle of the hunter, and the -baying of his deep-mouthed hound. The sun is up, the generating sun! and -temple, and tower, and tree, the massy wood, and the broad field, and -the distant hill, burst into sudden light; quickly upcurled is the dusky -mist from the shining river; quickly is the cold dew drunk from the -raised heads of the drooping flowers! - -A canter by a somewhat clearer light than the one which had so -unfortunately guided himself and his companion to the Palace of the -Wines soon carried them again to the skirts of the forest, and at this -minute they are emerging on the plain from yonder dark wood. - -"By heavens! Essper, I cannot reach the town this morning. Was ever -anything more unfortunate. A curse on those drunken fools. What with no -rest and no solid refreshment, and the rivers of hock that are flowing -within me, and the infernal exertion of running round that vile hall, I -feel fairly exhausted, and could at this moment fall from my saddle. See -you no habitation, my good fellow, where there might be a chance of a -breakfast and a few hours' rest? We are now well out of the forest. Oh! -surely there is smoke from behind those pines; some good wife, I trust, -is by her chimney corner." - -"If my sense be not destroyed by the fumes of that mulled Geisenheim, -which still haunts me, I could swear that the smoke is the soul of a -burning weed." - -"A truce to your jokes, good Essper; I really am very ill. A year ago I -could have laughed at our misfortunes, but now it is very different; -and, by heavens, I must have breakfast! so stir, exert yourself, and, -although I die for it, let us canter up to the smoke." - -"No, dear master, I will ride on before. Do you follow gently, and if -there be a pigeon in the pot in all Germany. I swear by the patron saint -of every village for fifty miles round, provided they be not heretics, -that you shall taste of its breast-bone this morning." - -The smoke did issue from a chimney, but the door of the cottage was -shut. - -"Hilloa, within!" shouted Essper; "who shuts the sun out on a September -morning?" - -The door was at length slowly opened, and a most ill-favoured and -inhospitable-looking dame demanded, in a sullen voice, "What's -your will?" - -"You pretty creature!" said Essper, who was still a little tipsy. - -The door would have been shut in his face had not he darted into the -house before the woman was aware. - -"Truly, a neat and pleasant dwelling! and you would have no objection, I -guess, to give a handsome young gentleman some little sop of something -just to remind him, you know, that it isn't dinner-time." - -"We give no sops here: what do you take us for? and so, my handsome -young gentleman, be off, or I shall call the good man." - -"Why, I am not the handsome young gentleman; that is my master! who, if -he were not half-starved to death, would fall in love with you at -first sight." - -"Your master; is he in the carriage?" - -"Carriage! no; on horseback." - -"Travellers?" - -"To be sure, dear dame; travellers true." - -"Travellers true, without luggage, and at this time of morn! Methinks, -by your looks, queer fellows, that you are travellers whom it may be -wise for an honest woman not to meet." - -"What! some people have an objection, then, to a forty kreüzer piece on -a sunny morning?" - -So saying, Essper, in a careless manner, tossed a broad piece in the -air, and made it ring on a fellow coin, as he caught it in the palm of -his hand when it descended. - -"Is that your master?" asked the woman. - -"Ay, is it! and the prettiest piece of flesh I have seen this month, -except yourself." - -"Well! if the gentleman likes bread he can sit down here," said the -woman, pointing to a bench, and throwing a sour black loaf upon -the table. - -"Now, sir!" said Essper, wiping the bench with great care, "lie you here -and rest yourself. I have known a marshal sleep upon a harder sofa. -Breakfast will be ready immediately." - -"If you cannot eat what you have, you may ride where you can find better -cheer." - -"What is bread for a traveller's breakfast? But I daresay my lord will -be contented; young men are so easily pleased when there is a pretty -girl in the case; you know that, you wench I you do, you little hussy; -you are taking advantage of it." - -Something like a smile lit up the face of the sullen woman when she -said. "There may be an egg in the house, but I don't know." - -"But you will soon, you dear creature! What a pretty foot!" bawled -Essper after her, as she left the room. "Now confound this hag; if there -be not meat about this house may I keep my mouth shut at our next -dinner. What's that in the corner? a boar's tusk! Ay, ay! a huntsman's -cottage; and when lived a huntsman on black bread before! Oh! bless your -bright eyes for these eggs, and this basin of new milk." - -So saying, Essper took them out of her hand and placed them before -Vivian. - -"I was saying to myself, my pretty girl, when you were out of the room, -'Essper George, good cheer, say thy prayers, and never despair; come -what may, you will fall among friends at last, and how do you know that -your dream mayn't come true after all? Didn't you dream that you -breakfasted in the month of September with a genteel young woman with -gold ear-rings? and is not she standing before you now? and did not she -do everything in the world to make you comfortable? Did not she give you -milk and eggs, and when you complained that you and meat had been but -slack friends of late, did not she open her own closet, and give you as -fine a piece of hunting beef as was ever set before a Jagd Junker?'" - -"I think you will turn me into an innkeeper's wife at last," said the -dame, her stern features relaxing into a smile; and while she spoke she -advanced to the great closet, Essper George following her, walking on -his toes, lolling out his enormous tongue, and stroking his mock paunch. -As she opened it he jumped upon a chair and had examined every shelf in -less time than a pistol could flush. "White bread! fit for a countess; -salt! worthy of Poland; boar's head!! no better at Troyes; and hunting -beef!!! my dream is true!" and he bore in triumph to Vivian, who was -nearly asleep, the ample round of salt and pickled beef well stuffed -with all kinds of savoury herbs. - -It was nearly an hour before noon ere the travellers had remounted. -Their road again entered the forest which they had been skirting for the -last two days. The huntsmen were abroad; and the fine weather, his good -meal and seasonable rest, and the inspiriting sounds of the bugle made -Vivian feel recovered from his late fatigues. - -"That must be a true-hearted huntsman, Essper, by the sound of his -bugle. I never heard one played with more spirit. Hark! how fine it dies -away hi the wood; fainter and fainter, yet how clear! It must be now -half a mile distant." - -"I hear nothing so wonderful," said Essper, putting the two middle -fingers of his right hand before his mouth and sounding a note so clear -and beautiful, so exactly imitative of the fall which Vivian had noticed -and admired, that for a moment he imagined that the huntsman was at -his elbow. - -"Thou art a cunning knave! do it again." This time Essper made the very -wood echo. In a few minutes a horseman galloped up; he was as spruce a -cavalier as ever pricked gay steed on the pliant grass. He was dressed -in a green military uniform, and a gilt bugle hung by his side; his -spear told them that he was hunting the wild boar. When he saw Vivian -and Essper he suddenly pulled up his horse and seemed astonished. - -"I thought that his Highness had been here," said the huntsman. - -"No one has passed us, sir," said Vivian. - -"I could have sworn that his bugle sounded from this very spot," said -the huntsman. "My ear seldom deceives me." - -"We heard a bugle to the right, sir," said Essper. - -"Thanks, my friend," and the huntsman was about to gallop off. - -"May I ask the name of his Highness?" said Vivian. "We are strangers in -this country." - -"That may certainly account for your ignorance," said the huntsman; "but -no one who lives in this land can be unacquainted with his Serene -Highness the Prince of Little Lilliput, my illustrious master. I have -the honour," continued the huntsman, "of being Jagd Junker, or -Gentilhomme de la Chasse to his Serene Highness." - -"'Tis an office of great dignity," said Vivian, "and one that I have no -doubt you admirably perform; I will not stop you, sir, to admire -your horse." - -The huntsman bowed courteously and galloped off. - -"You see, sir," said Essper George, "that my bugle has deceived even the -Jagd Junker, or Gentilhomme de la Chasse of his Serene Highness the -Prince of Little Lilliput himself;" so saying, Essper again sounded his -instrument. - -"A joke may be carried too far, my good fellow," said Vivian. "A true -huntsman like myself must not spoil a brother's sport, so silence -your bugle." - -Now again galloped up the Jagd Junker, or Gentilhomme de la Chasse of -his Serene Highness the Prince of Little Lilliput. He pulled up his -horse again apparently as much astounded as ever. - -"I thought that his Highness had been here." said the huntsman. - -"No one has passed us," said Vivian. - -"We heard a bugle to the right," said Essper George. - -"I am afraid his Serene Highness must be in distress. The whole suite -are off the scent. It must have been his bugle, for the regulations of -this forest are so strict that no one dare sound a blast but his Serene -Highness." Away galloped the huntsman. - -"Next time I must give you up, Essper," said Vivian. - -"One more blast, good master!" begged Essper, in a supplicating voice. -"This time to the left; the confusion will be then complete." - -"I command you not," and so they rode on in silence. But it was one of -those days when Essper could neither be silent nor subdued. Greatly -annoyed at not being permitted to play his bugle, he amused himself -imitating the peculiar sound of every animal that he met; a young fawn -and various birds already followed him, and even a squirrel had perched -on his horse's neck. And now they came to a small farmhouse, which was -situated in the forest: the yard here offered great amusement to Essper. -He neighed, and half a dozen horses' heads immediately appeared over the -hedge; another neigh, and they were following him in the road. A dog -rushed out to seize the dangerous stranger and recover his charge, but -Essper gave an amicable bark, and in a second the dog was jumping by his -side and engaged in earnest and friendly conversation. A loud and -continued grunt soon brought out the pigs, and meeting three or four -cows returning home, a few lowing sounds soon seduced them from keeping -their appointment with the dairymaid. A stupid jackass, who stared with -astonishment at the procession, was saluted with a lusty bray, which -immediately induced him to swell the ranks; and, as Essper passed the -poultry-yard, he so deceitfully informed its inhabitants that they were -about to be fed, that broods of ducks and chickens were immediately -after him. The careful hens were terribly alarmed at the danger which -their offspring incurred from the heels and hoofs of the quadrupeds; but -while they were in doubt and despair a whole flock of stately geese -issued in solemn pomp from another gate of the farmyard, and commenced a -cackling conversation with the delighted Essper. So contagious is the -force of example, and so great was the confidence which the hens placed -in these pompous geese, who were not the first fools whose solemn air -has deceived a few old females, that as soon as they perceived them in -the train of the horseman they also trotted up to pay their respects at -his levée. - -But it was not a moment for mirth; for rushing down the road with awful -strides appeared two sturdy and enraged husbandmen, one armed with a -pike and the other with a pitchfork, and accompanied by a frantic -female, who never for a moment ceased hallooing "Murder, rape, and -fire!" everything but "theft." - -"Now, Essper, here's a pretty scrape!" - -"Stop, you rascals!" hallooed Adolph, the herdsman. - -"Stop, you gang of thieves!" hallooed Wilhelm, the ploughman. - -"Stop, you bloody murderers!" shrieked Phillippa, the indignant mistress -of the dairy and the poultry-yard. - -"Stop, you villains!" hallooed all three. The villains certainly made no -attempt to escape, and in half a second the enraged household of the -forest farmer would have seized on Essper George; but just at this -crisis he uttered loud sounds in the respective language of every bird -and beast about him, and suddenly they all turned round and -counter-marched. Away rushed the terrified Adolph, the herdsman, while -one of his own cows was on his back. Still quicker scampered off the -scared Wilhelm, the ploughman, while one of his own steeds kicked him in -his rear. Quicker than all these, shouting, screaming, shrieking, dashed -back the unhappy mistress of the hen-roost, with all her subjects -crowding about her; some on her elbow, some on her head, her lace cap -destroyed, her whole dress disordered. The movements of the crowd were -so quick that they were soon out of sight. - -"A trophy!" called out Essper, as he jumped off his horse and picked up -the pike of Adolph, the herdsman. - -"A boar-spear, or I am no huntsman," said Vivian: "give it me a moment!" -He threw it up into the air, caught it with ease, poised it with the -practiced skill of one well used to handle the weapon, and with the same -delight imprinted on his countenance as greets the sight of an -old friend. - -"This forest, Essper, and this spear, make me remember days when I was -vain enough to think that I had been sufficiently visited with sorrow. -Ah! little did I then know of human misery, although I imagined I had -suffered so much!" - -As he spoke, the sounds of a man in distress were heard from the right -side of the road. - -"Who calls?" cried Essper. A shout was the only answer. There was no -path, but the underwood was low, and Vivian took his horse, an old -forester, across it with ease. Essper's jibbed; Vivian found himself in -a small green glade of about thirty feet square. It was thickly -surrounded with lofty trees, save at the point where he had entered; and -at the farthest corner of it, near some grey rocks, a huntsman was -engaged in a desperate contest with a wild boar. - -The huntsman was on his right knee, and held his spear with both hands -at the furious beast. It was an animal of extraordinary size and power. -Its eyes glittered like fire. On the turf to its right a small grey -mastiff, of powerful make, lay on its back, bleeding profusely, with its -body ripped open. Another dog, a fawn-coloured bitch, had seized on the -left ear of the beast; but the under tusk of the boar, which was nearly -a foot long, had penetrated the courageous dog, and the poor creature -writhed in agony, even while it attempted to wreak its revenge upon its -enemy. The huntsman was nearly exhausted. Had it not been for the -courage of the fawn-coloured dog, which, clinging to the boar, prevented -it making a full dash at the man, he must have been gored. Vivian was -off his horse in a minute, which, frightened at the sight of the wild -boar, dashed again over the hedge. - -"Keep firm, sir!" said he; "do not move. I will amuse him behind, and -make him turn." - -A graze of Vivian's spear on its back, though it did not materially -injure the beast, for there the boar is nearly in vulnerable, annoyed -it; and dashing off the fawn-coloured dog with great force, it turned on -its new assailant. Now there are only two places in which the wild boar -can be assailed with any effect; and these are just between the eyes and -between the shoulders. Great caution, however, is necessary in aiming -these blows, for the boar is very adroit in transfixing the weapon on -his snout or his tusks; and if once you miss, particularly if you are -not assisted by dogs, which Vivian was not, 'tis all over with you; for -the enraged animal rushes in like lightning, and gored you must be. - -But Vivian was fresh and cool. The animal suddenly stood still and eyed -its new enemy. Vivian was quiet, for he had no objection to give the -beast an opportunity of retreating to its den. But retreat was not its -object; it suddenly darted at the huntsman, who, however, was not off -his guard, though unable, from a slight wound in his knee, to rise. -Vivian again annoyed the boar at the rear, and the animal soon returned -to him. He made a feint, as if he were about to strike his pike between -its eyes. The boar, not feeling a wound which had not been inflicted, -and very irritated, rushed at him, and he buried his spear a foot deep -between its shoulders. The beast made one fearful struggle, and then -fell down quite dead. The fawn-coloured bitch, though terribly wounded, -gave a loud bark; and even the other dog, which Vivian thought had been -long dead, testified its triumphant joy by an almost inarticulate groan. -As soon as he was convinced that the boar was really dead, Vivian -hastened to the huntsman, and expressed his hope that he was not -seriously hurt. - -"A trifle, which our surgeon, who is used to these affairs, will quickly -cure. Sir! we owe you our life!" said the huntsman, with great dignity, -as Vivian assisted him in rising from the ground. He was a tall man, of -distinguished appearance; but his dress, which was the usual hunting -costume of a German nobleman, did not indicate his quality. - -"Sir, we owe you our life!" repeated the stranger; "five minutes more, -and our son must have reigned in Little Lilliput." - -"I have the honour, then, of addressing your Serene Highness. Far from -being indebted to me, I feel that I ought to apologise for having so -unceremoniously joined your sport." - -"Nonsense, man! We have killed in our time too many of these gentry to -be ashamed of owning that, had it not been for you, one of them would at -last have revenged the species. But many as are the boars that we have -killed or eaten, we never saw a more furious or powerful animal than the -present. Why, sir, you must be one of the best hands at the spear in all -Christendom!" - -"Indifferently good, your Highness: your Highness forgets that the -animal was already exhausted by your assault." - -"Why, there is something in that; but it was neatly done, man; it was -neatly done. You are fond of the sport, we think?" - -"I have had some practice, but illness has so weakened me that I have -given up the forest." - -"Pity! and on a second examination we observe that you are no hunter. -This coat is not for the free forest; but how came you by the pike?" - -"I am travelling to the next post town, to which I have sent on my -luggage. I am getting fast to the south; and as for this pike, my -servant got it this morning from some peasant in a brawl, and was -showing it to me when I heard your Highness call. I really think now -that Providence must have sent it. I certainly could not have done you -much service with my riding whip. Hilloa! Essper, where are you?" - -"Here, noble sir! here, here. Why, what have you got there? The horses -have jibbed, and will not stir. I can stay no longer: they may go to the -devil!" So saying, Vivian's valet dashed over the underwood, and leaped -al the foot of the Prince. - -"In God's name, is this thy servant?" asked his Highness. - -"In good faith am I," said Essper; "his valet, his cook, and his -secretary, all in one; and also his Jagd Junker, or Gentilhomme de la -Chasse, as a puppy with a bugle horn told me this morning." - -"A merry knave!" said the Prince; "and talking of a puppy with a bugle -horn reminds us how unaccountably we have been deserted to-day by a -suite that never yet were wanting. We are indeed astonished. Our bugle, -we fear, has turned traitor." So saying, the Prince executed a blast -with great skill, which Vivian immediately recognised as the one which -Essper George had imitated. - -"And now, my good friend," said the Prince, "we cannot hear of your -passing through our land without visiting our good castle. We would that -we could better testify the obligation that we feel under to you in any -other way than by the offer of an hospitality which all gentlemen, by -right, can command. But your presence would, indeed, give us sincere -pleasure. You must not refuse us. Your looks, as well as your prowess, -prove your blood; and we are quite sure no cloth-merchant's order will -suffer by your not hurrying to your proposed point of destination. We -are not wrong, we think, though your accent is good, in supposing that -we are conversing with an English gentleman. But here they come." - -As he spoke, three or four horsemen, at the head of whom was the young -huntsman whom the travellers had met in the morning, sprang into -the glade. - -"Why, Arnelm!" said the Prince, "when before was the Jagd Junker's ear -so bad that he could not discover his master's bugle, even though the -wind were against him?" - -"In truth, your Highness, we have heard bugles enough this morning. Who -is violating the forests laws we know not; but that another bugle is -sounding, and played; St. Hubert forgive me for saying so; with as great -skill as your Highness', is certain. Myself, Von Neuwied, and Lintz have -been galloping over the whole forest. The rest, I doubt not, will be up -directly." The Jagd Junker blew his own bugle. - -In the course of five minutes, about twenty other horsemen, all dressed -in the same uniform, had arrived; all complaining of their wild chases -after the Prince in every other part of the forest. - -"It must be the Wild Huntsman himself!" swore an old hand. This solution -of the mystery satisfied all. - -"Well, well!" said the Prince; "whoever it may be, had it not been for -the timely presence of this gentleman, you must have changed your green -jackets for mourning coats, and our bugle would have sounded no more in -the forest of our fathers. Here, Arnelm! cut up the beast, and remember -that the left shoulder is the quarter of honour, and belongs to this -stranger, not less honoured because unknown." - -All present took off their caps and bowed to Vivian, who took this -opportunity of informing the Prince who he was. - -"And now," continued his Highness, "Mr. Grey will accompany us to our -castle; nay, sir, we can take no refusal. We will send on to the town -for your luggage. Arnelm, do you look to this! And, honest friend," said -the Prince, turning to Essper George, "we commend you to the special -care of our friend Von Neuwied; and so, gentlemen, with stout hearts and -spurs to your steeds, to the castle." - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -The cavalcade proceeded for some time at a brisk but irregular pace, -until they arrived at a less wild and wooded part of the forest. The -Prince of Little Lilliput reined in his steed as he entered a broad -avenue of purple beeches, at the end of which, though at a considerable -distance, Vivian perceived the towers and turrets of a Gothic edifice -glittering in the sunshine. - -"Welcome to Turriparva!" said his Highness. - -"I assure your Highness," said Vivian, "that I view with no unpleasant -feeling the prospect of a reception in any civilised mansion; for to say -the truth, for the last eight-and-forty hours Fortune has not favoured -me either in my researches after a bed, or that which some think still -more important than repose." - -"Is it so?" said the Prince. "Why, we should have thought by your home -thrust this morning that you were as fresh as the early lark. In good -faith, it was a pretty stroke! And whence come you, then, good sir?" - -"Know you a most insane and drunken idiot who styles himself the Grand -Duke of Johannisberger?" - -"No, no!" said the Prince, staring in Vivian's face earnestly, and then -laughing. "And you have actually fallen among that mad crew. A most -excellent adventure! Arnelm! why, man, where art thou? Ride up! Behold -in the person of this gentleman a new victim to the overwhelming -hospitality of our Uncle of the Wines. And did they confer a title on -you on the spot? Say, art thou Elector, or Palsgrave, or Baron; or, -failing in thy devoirs, as once did our good cousin Arnelm, confess that -thou wert ordained with becoming reverence the Archprimate of -Puddledrink. Eh! Arnelm, is not that the style thou bearest at the -Palace of the Wines?" - -"So it would seem, your Highness. I think the title was conferred on me -the same night that your Highness mistook the Grand Duke's proboscis for -Oberon's horn, and committed treason not yet pardoned." - -"Good! good! thou hast us there. Truly a good memory is often as ready a -friend as a sharp wit. Wit is not thy strong point, friend Arnelm; and -yet it is strange that in the sharp encounter of ready tongues and idle -logomachies thou hast sometimes the advantage. But, nevertheless, rest -assured, good cousin Arnelm, that wit is not thy strong point." - -"It is well for me that all are not of the same opinion as your Serene -Highness," said the young Jagd Junker, somewhat nettled; for he prided -himself on his repartees. - -The Prince was much diverted with Vivian's account of his last night's -adventure; and our hero learnt from his Highness that his late host was -no less a personage than the cousin of the Prince of Little Lilliput, -an old German Baron, who passed his time, with some neighbours of -congenial temperament, in hunting the wild boar in the morning, and -speculating on the flavours of the fine Rhenish wines during the rest of -the day. "He and his companions," continued the Prince, "will enable you -to form some idea of the German nobility half a century ago. The debauch -of last night was the usual carouse which crowned the exploits of each -day when we were a boy. The revolution has rendered all these customs -obsolete. Would that it had not sent some other things equally out -of fashion!" - -At this moment the Prince sounded his bugle, and the gates of the -castle, which were not more than twenty yards distant, were immediately -thrown open. The whole cavalcade set spurs to their steeds, and dashed -at full gallop over the hollow-sounding drawbridge into the courtyard of -the castle. A crowd of serving-men, in green liveries, instantly -appeared, and Arnelm and Von Neuwied, jumping from their saddles, -respectively held the stirrup and the bridle of the Prince as he -dismounted. - -"Where is Master Rodolph?" asked his Highness, with a loud voice. - -"So please your Serene Highness, I am here!" answered a very thin -treble; and, bustling through the surrounding crowd, came forward the -owner of the voice. Master Rodolph was not much above five feet high, -but he was nearly as broad as he was long. Though more than middle-aged, -an almost infantile smile played upon his broad fair face, to which his -small turn-up nose, large green goggle-eyes, and unmeaning mouth gave no -expression. His long hair hung over his shoulders, the flaxen locks in -some places maturing into grey. In compliance with the taste of his -master, this most unsportsman-like-looking steward was clad in a green -jerkin, on the right arm of which was embroidered a giant's head, the -crest of the Little Lilliputs. - -"Truly, Rodolph, we have received some scratch in the chase to-day, and -need your assistance. The best of surgeons, we assure you, Mr. Grey, if -you require one: and look you that the blue chamber be prepared for this -gentleman; and we shall have need of our cabinet this evening. See that -all this be done, and inform Prince Maximilian that we would speak with -him. And look you, Master Rodolph, there is one in this company; what -call you your servant's name, sir? Essper George! 'tis well: look you, -Rodolph, see that our friend Essper George be well provided for. We know -that we can trust him to your good care. And now, gentlemen, at sunset -we meet in the Giants' Hall." So saying, his Highness bowed to the -party; and taking Vivian by the arm, and followed by Arnelm and Von -Neuwied, he ascended a stair case which opened into the court, and then -mounted into a covered gallery which ran round the whole building. The -interior wall of the gallery was alternately ornamented with stags' -heads or other trophies of the chase, and coats of arms blazoned in -stucco. The Prince did the honours of the castle to Vivian with great -courtesy. The armoury and the hall, the knights chamber, and even the -donjon-keep, were all examined; and when Vivian had sufficiently admired -the antiquity of the structure and the beauty of the situation, the -Prince, having proceeded down a long corridor, opened the door into a -small chamber, which he introduced to Vivian as his cabinet. The -furniture of this room was rather quaint, and not unpleasing. The -wainscot and ceiling were painted alike, of a light green colour, and -were richly carved and gilt. The walls were hung with green velvet, of -which material were also the chairs, and a sofa, which was placed under -a large and curiously-cut looking glass. The lower panes of the windows -of this room were of stained glass, of vivid tints; but the upper panes -were untinged, in order that the light should not be disturbed which -fell through them upon two magnificent pictures; one a hunting-piece, by -Schneiders, and the other a portrait of an armed chieftain on horseback, -by Lucas Cranach. - -And now the door opened, and Master Rodolph entered, carrying in his -hand a white wand, and bowing very reverently as he ushered in servants -bearing a cold collation. As he entered, it was with difficulty that he -could settle his countenance into the due and requisite degree of -gravity; and so often was the fat steward on the point of bursting into -laughter, as he arranged the setting out of the refreshments on the -table, that the Prince, with whom he was at the same time both u -favourite and a butt, at last noticed his unusual and unmanageable -risibility. - -"Why, Rodolph, what ails thee? Hast thou just discovered the point of -some good saying of yesterday?" - -The steward could now contain his laughter no longer, and he gave vent -to his emotion in a most treble "He! he! he!" - -"Speak, man, in the name of St. Hubert, and on the word of as stout a -huntsman as ever yet crossed horse. Speak, we say; what ails thee?" - -"He! he! he! in truth, a most comical knave! I beg your Serene Highness -ten thousand most humble pardons, but, in truth, a more comical knave -did I never see. How call you him? Essper George, I think; he! he! he! -In truth, your Highness was right when you styled him a merry knave; in -truth, a most comical knave; he! he! a very funny knave! He says, your -Highness, that I am like a snake in a consumption! he! he! he! In truth, -a most comical knave!" - -"Well, Rodolph, so long as you do not quarrel with his jokes, they shall -pass as true wit. But why comes not our son? Have you bidden the Prince -Maximilian to our presence?" - -"In truth have I, your Highness; but he was engaged at the moment with -Mr. Sievers, and therefore he could not immediately attend my bidding. -Nevertheless, he bade me deliver to your Serene Highness his dutiful -affection, saying that he would soon have the honour of bending his knee -unto your Serene Highness." - -"He never said any such nonsense. At least, if he did, he must be -changed since last we hunted." - -"In truth, your Highness, I cannot aver, upon my conscience as a -faithful steward, that such were the precise words and exact phraseology -of his Highness the Prince Maximilian. But in the time of the good -Prince, your father, whose memory be ever blessed, such were the words -and style of message which I was schooled and instructed by Mr. von -Lexicon, your Serene Highness' most honoured tutor, to bear unto the -good Prince your father, whose memory be ever blessed, when I had the -great fortune of being your Serene Highness' most particular page, and -it fell to my lot to have the pleasant duty of informing the good Prince -your father, whose memory be ever blessed--" - -"Enough! but Sievers is not Von Lexicon, and Maximilian, we trust, -is--" - -"Papa! papa! dearest papa!" shouted a young lad, as he dashed open the -door, and, rushing into the room, threw his arms round the -Prince's neck. - -"My darling!" said the father, forgetting at this moment of genuine -feeling the pompous plural in which he had hitherto spoken of himself. -The Prince fondly kissed his child. The boy was about ten years of age, -exquisitely handsome. Courage, not audacity, was imprinted on his -noble features. - -"Papa! may I hunt with you to-morrow?" - -"What says Mr. Sievers?" - -"Oh! Mr. Sievers says I am excellent; I assure you, upon my honour, he -does, I heard you come home; but though I was dying to see you, I would -not run out till I had finished my Roman History. I say, papa! what a -grand fellow Brutus was; what a grand thing it is to be a patriot! I -intend to be a patriot myself, and to kill the Grand Duke of Reisenburg. -Who is that?" - -"My friend, Max, Mr. Grey. Speak to him." - -"I am happy to see you at Turriparva, sir," said the boy, bowing to -Vivian with dignity. "Have you been hunting with his Highness -this morning?" - -"I can hardly say I have." - -"Max, I have received a slight wound to-day. Do not look alarmed; it is -slight. I only mention it because, had it not been for this gentleman, -it is very probable you would never have seen your father again. He has -saved my life!" - -"Saved your life! saved my papa's life!" said the young Prince, seizing -Vivian's hand. "Oh! sir, what can I do for you? Mr. Sievers!" said the -boy, with eagerness, to a gentleman who entered the room; "Mr. Sievers! -here is a young lord who has saved papa's life!" - -Mr. Sievers was a tall, thin man, about forty, with a clear sallow -complexion, a high forehead, on which a few wrinkles were visible, -bright keen eyes, and a quantity of grey curling hair, which was combed -back off his forehead, and fell down over his shoulders. He was -introduced to Vivian as the Prince's particular friend; and then he -listened, apparently with interest, to his Highness' narrative of the -morning's adventure, his danger, and his rescue. Young Maximilian never -took his large, dark-blue eyes off his father while he was speaking, and -when he had finished the boy rushed to Vivian and threw his arms round -his neck. Vivian was delighted with the affection of the child, who -whispered to him in a low voice, "I know what you are!" - -"What, my young friend?" - -"Ah! I know." - -"But tell me!" - -"You thought I should not find out: you are a patriot!" - -"I hope I am," said Vivian; "but travelling in a foreign country is -hardly a proof of it. Perhaps you do not know that I am an Englishman." - -"An Englishman!" said the child, with an air of great disappointment. "I -thought you were a patriot! I am one. Do you know I will tell you a -secret. You must promise not to tell, though. Promise, upon your word! -Well, then," said the urchin, whispering with great energy in Vivian's -ear through his hollow fist, "I hate the Grand Duke of Reisenburg, and I -mean to stab him to the heart." So saying, the little Prince grated his -teeth with an expression of bitter detestation. - -"What the deuce is the matter with the child!" thought Vivian; but at -this moment his conversation with him was interrupted. - -"Am I to believe this young gentleman, my dear Sievers," asked the -Prince, "when he tells me that his conduct has met your approbation?" - -"Your son, Prince," answered Mr. Sievers, "can only speak truth. His -excellence is proved by my praising him to his face." - -The young Maximilian, when Mr. Sievers had ceased speaking, stood -blushing, with his eyes fixed on the ground; and the delighted parent, -catching his child up in his arms, embraced him with unaffected -fondness. - -"And now, all this time Master Rodolph is waiting for his patient. By -St. Hubert, you can none of you think me very ill! Your pardon, Mr. -Grey, for leaving you. My friend Sievers will, I am sure, be delighted -to make you feel at ease at Turriparva. Max, come with me!" - -Vivian found in Mr. Sievers an interesting companion; nothing of the -pedant and much of the philosopher. Their conversation was of course -chiefly on topics of local interest, anecdotes of the castle and the -country, of Vivian's friends, the drunken Johannisberger and his crew, -and such matters; but there was a keenness of satire in some of Mr. -Sievers' observations which was highly amusing, and enough passed to -make Vivian desire opportunities of conversing with him at greater -length, and on subjects of greater interest. They were at present -disturbed by Essper George entering the room to inform Vivian that his -luggage had arrived from the village, and that the blue chamber was now -prepared for his presence. - -"We shall meet, I suppose, in the hall, Mr. Sievers?" - -"No; I shall not dint; there. If you remain at Turriparva, which I -trust you will. I shall be happy to see you in my room. If it have no -other inducement to gain it the honour of your visit, it has here, at -least, the recommendation of singularity; there is, at any rate, no -other chamber like it in this good castle." - -The business of the toilet is sooner performed for a hunting party in a -German forest than for a state dinner at Château Desir, and Vivian was -ready before he was summoned. - -"His Serene Highness has commenced his progress towards the hall." -announced Essper George to Vivian in a treble voice, and bowing with -ceremony as he offered to lead the way with a white wand waving in his -right hand. - -"I shall attend his Highness," said his master; "but before I do, if -that white wand be not immediately laid aside it will be broken about -your back." - -"Broken about my back! what, the wand of office, sir, of your steward! -Master Rodolph says that, in truth, a steward is but half himself who -hath not his wand: methinks when his rod of office is wanting, his -Highness of Lilliput's steward is but unequally divided. In truth, he is -stout enough to be Aaron's wand that swallowed up all the rest. But has -your nobleness any serious objection to my carrying a wand? It gives -such an air!" - -The Giants' Hall was a Gothic chamber of imposing appearance; the oaken -rafters of the curiously-carved roof rested on the grim heads of -gigantic figures of the same material. These statues extended the length -of the hall on each side; they were elaborately sculptured and highly -polished, and each one held in its outstretched arm a blazing and -aromatic torch. Above them, small windows of painted glass admitted a -light which was no longer necessary at the banquet to which we are now -about to introduce the reader. Over the great entrance doors was a -gallery, from which a band of trumpeters, arrayed in ample robes of -flowing scarlet, sent forth many a festive and martial strain. More than -fifty individuals, all wearing hunting dresses of green cloth on which -the giant's head was carefully emblazoned, were already seated in the -hall when Vivian entered: he was conducted to the upper part of the -chamber, and a seat was allotted him on the left hand of the Prince. His -Highness had not arrived, but a chair of state, placed under a crimson -canopy, denoted the style of its absent owner; and a stool, covered with -velvet of the same regal colour, and glistening with gold lace, -announced that the presence of Prince Maximilian was expected. While -Vivian was musing in astonishment at the evident affectation of royal -pomp which pervaded the whole establishment of the Prince of Little -Lilliput, the trumpeters in the gallery suddenly commenced a triumphant -flourish. All rose as the princely procession entered the hall: first -came Master Rodolph twirling his white wand with the practised pride of -a drum-major, and looking as pompous as a turkey-cock in a storm; six -footmen in splendid liveries, two by two, immediately followed him. A -page heralded the Prince Maximilian, and then came the Serene father; -the Jagd Junker, and four or five other gentlemen of the court, formed -the suite. - -His Highness ascended the throne, Prince Maximilian was on his right, -and Vivian had the high honour of the left hand; the Jagd Junker seated -himself next to our hero. The table was profusely covered, chiefly with -the sports of the forest, and the celebrated wild boar was not -forgotten. Few minutes had elapsed ere Vivian perceived that his -Highness was always served on bended knee; surprised at this custom, -which even the mightiest and most despotic monarchs seldom exact, and -still more surprised at the contrast which all this state afforded to -the natural ease and affable amiability of the Prince, Vivian ventured -to ask his neighbour Arnelm whether the banquet of to-day was in -celebration of any particular event of general or individual interest. - -"By no means," said the Jagd Junker, "this is the usual style of the -Prince's daily meal, except that to-day there is, perhaps, rather less -state and fewer guests than usual, in consequence of many of our -fellow-subjects having left us with the purpose of attending a great -hunting party, which is now holding in the dominions of his Highness' -cousin, the Duke of Micromegas." - -When the more necessary but, as most hold, the less delightful part of -banqueting was over, and the numerous serving-men had removed the more -numerous dishes of wild boar, red deer, roebuck, and winged game, a -stiff Calvinistic-looking personage rose and delivered a long and most -grateful grace, to which the sturdy huntsmen listened with a due mixture -of piety and impatience. When his starch reverence, who in his black -coat looked among the huntsmen very like (as Essper George observed) a -blackbird among a set of moulting canaries, had finished, an old man, -with long snow-white hah--and a beard of the same colour, rose from his -seat, and, with a glass in his hand, bowing first to his Highness with -great respect and then to his companions, with an air of condescension, -gave in a stout voice, "The Prince!" A loud shout was immediately -raised, and all quaffed with rapture the health of a ruler whom -evidently they adored. Master Rodolph now brought forward an immense -silver goblet full of some crafty compound, from its odour doubtless -delicious. The Prince held the goblet by its two massy handles, and then -said in a loud voice: - -"My friends, the Giant's head! and he who sneers at its frown may he rue -its bristles!" - -The toast was welcomed with a cry of triumph. When the noise had -subsided the Jagd Junker rose, and prefacing the intended pledge by a -few observations as remarkable for the delicacy of their sentiments as -the elegance of their expression, he gave, pointing to Vivian, "The -Guest! and may the Prince never want a stout arm at a strong push!" The -sentiment was again echoed by the lusty voices of all present, and -particularly by his Highness. As Vivian shortly returned thanks and -modestly apologised for the German of a foreigner, he could not refrain -from remembering the last time when he was placed in the same situation; -it was when the treacherous Lord Courtown had drank success to Mr. -Vivian Grey's maiden speech in a bumper of claret at the political -orgies of Château Desir. Could he really be the same individual as the -daring youth who then organised the crazy councils of those ambitious, -imbecile grey-beards? What was he then? What had happened since? What -was he now? He turned from the comparison with feelings of sickening -disgust, and it was with difficulty that his countenance could assume -the due degree of hilarity which befitted the present occasion. - -"Truly, Mr. Grey," said the Prince, "your German would pass current at -Weimar. Arnelm, good cousin Arnelm, we must trouble thy affectionate -duty to marshal and regulate the drinking devoirs of our kind subjects -to-night; for by the advice of our trusty surgeon, Master Rodolph, of -much fame, we shall refrain this night from our accustomed potations, -and betake ourselves to the solitude of our cabinet; a solitude in good -sooth, unless we can persuade you to accompany us, kind sir," said the -Prince, turning to Mr. Grey. "Methinks eight-and-forty hours without -rest, and a good part spent in the mad walls of our cousin of -Johannisberger, are hardly the best preparatives for a drinking bout; -unless, after Oberon's horn, ye may fairly be considered to be in -practice. Nevertheless, I advise the cabinet and a cup of Rodolph's -coffee. What sayest thou?" Vivian acceded to the Prince's proposition -with eagerness; and accompanied by Prince Maximilian, and preceded by -the little steward, who, surrounded by his serving-men, very much -resembled a planet eclipsed by his satellites, they left the hall. - -"'Tis almost a pity to shut out the moon on such a night," said the -Prince, as he drew a large green velvet curtain from the windows of -the cabinet. - -"'Tis a magnificent night!" said Vivian; "how fine the effect of the -light is upon the picture of the warrior. The horse seems quite living, -and its fierce rider actually frowns upon us." - -"He may well frown," said the Prince of Little Lilliput, in a voice of -deep melancholy; and he hastily redrew the curtain. In a moment he -started from the chair on which he had just seated himself, and again -admitted the moonlight. "Am I really afraid of an old picture? No, no; -it has not yet come to that." - -This was uttered in a distinct voice, and of course excited the -astonishment of Vivian, who, however, had too much discretion to evince -his surprise, or to take any measure by which his curiosity might be -satisfied. - -His companion seemed instantly conscious of the seeming singularity of -his expression. - -"You are surprised at my words, good sir," said his Highness, as he -paced very rapidly up and down the small chamber; "you are surprised at -my words; but, sir, my ancestor's brow was guarded by a diadem!" - -"Which was then well won, Prince, and is now worthily worn." - -"By whom? where? how?" asked the Prince, in a rapid voice. "Maximilian," -continued his Highness, in a more subdued tone; "Maximilian, my own -love, leave us; go to Mr. Sievers. God bless you, my only boy. -Good night!" - -"Good night, dearest papa, and down with the Grand Duke of Reisenburg!" - -"He echoes the foolish zeal of my fond followers," said the Prince, as -his son left the room. "The idle parade to which their illegal loyalty -still clings; my own manners, the relics of former days; habits will not -change like stations; all these have deceived you, sir. You have -mistaken me for a monarch; I should be one. A curse light on me the -hour I can mention it without a burning blush. Oh, shame! shame on the -blood of my father's son! Can my mouth own that I once was one? Yes, -sir! you see before you the most injured, the least enviable of human -beings. I am a mediatised Prince!" - -Vivian had resided too long in Germany to be ignorant of the meaning of -this title, with which, perhaps, few of our readers may be acquainted. A -mediatised Prince is an unhappy victim of those Congresses which, among -other good and evil, purged with great effect the ancient German -political system. By the regulations then determined on, that country -was freed at one fell swoop from the vexatious and harassing dominion of -the various petty Princes who exercised absolute sovereignties over -little nations of fifty thousand souls. These independent sovereigns -became subjects; and either swelled, by their mediatisation, the -territories of some already powerful potentate, or transmuted into a -state of importance some more fortunate petty ruler than themselves, -whose independence, through the exertions of political intrigue or -family influence, had been preserved inviolate. In most instances, the -concurrence of these little rulers in their worldly degradation was -obtained by a lavish grant of official emoluments or increase of -territorial possessions; and the mediatised Prince, instead of being an -impoverished and uninfluential sovereign, became a wealthy and powerful -subject. But so dominant in the heart of man is the love of independent -dominion, that even with these temptations few of the petty princes -could have been induced to have parted with their cherished sceptres, -had they not been conscious that, in case of contumacy, the resolutions -of a Diet would have been enforced by the armies of an emperor. As it -is, few of them have yet given up the outward and visible signs of regal -sway. The throne is still preserved and the tiara still revered. They -seldom frequent the courts of their sovereigns, and scarcely condescend -to notice the attentions of their fellow nobility. Most of them expend -their increased revenues in maintaining the splendour of their little -courts at their ancient capitals, or in swelling the ranks of their -retainers at their solitary forest castles. - -The Prince of Little Lilliput was the first mediatised sovereign that -Vivian had ever met. At another time, and under other circumstances, he -might have smiled at the idle parade and useless pomp which he had this -day witnessed, or moralised on that weakness of human nature which -seemed to consider the inconvenient appendages of a throne as the great -end for which power was to be coveted; but at the present moment he only -saw a kind and, as he believed, estimable individual disquieted and -distressed. It was painful to witness the agitation of the Prince, and -Vivian felt it necessary to make some observations, which, from his -manner, expressed more than they meant. - -"Sir," said his Highness, "your sympathy consoles me. Do not imagine -that I can misunderstand it; it does you honour. You add by this to the -many favours you have already conferred on me by saving my life and -accepting my hospitality. I sincerely hope that your departure hence -will be postponed to the last possible moment. Your conversation and -your company have made me pass a more cheerful day than I am accustomed -to. All here love me; but, with the exception of Sievers, I have no -companion; and although I esteem his principles and his talents, there -is no congeniality in our tastes, or in our tempers. As for the rest, a -more devoted band cannot be conceived; but they think only of one thing, -the lost dignity of their ruler; and although this concentration of -their thoughts on one subject may gratify my pride, it does not elevate -my spirit. But this is a subject on which in future we will not -converse. One of the curses of my unhappy lot is, that a thousand -circumstances daily occur which prevent me forgetting it." - -The Prince rose from the table, and pressing with his right hand on part -of the wall, the door of a small closet sprung open; the interior was -lined with crimson velvet. He took out of it a cushion of the same regal -material, on which reposed, in solitary magnificence, a golden coronet -of antique workmanship. - -"The crown of my fathers," said his Highness, as he placed the treasure -with great reverence on the table, "won by fifty battles and lost -without a blow! Yet in my youth I was deemed no dastard; and I have shed -more blood for my country in one day than he who claims to be my -suzerain in the whole of his long career of undeserved prosperity. Ay, -this is the curse; the ancestor of my present sovereign was that -warrior's serf!" The Prince pointed to the grim chieftain, whose stout -helmet Vivian now perceived was encircled by a crown similar to the one -which was now lying before him. "Had I been the subject, had I been -obliged to acknowledge the sway of a Caesar, I might have endured it -with resignation. Had I been forced to yield to the legions of an -Emperor, a noble resistance might have consoled me for the clanking of -my chains. But to sink without a struggle, the victim of political -intrigue; to become the bondsman of one who was my father's slave; for -such was Reisenburg, even in my own remembrance, our unsuccessful rival; -this was too had. It rankles in my heart, and unless I ran be revenged I -shall sink under it. To have lost my dominions would have been nothing. -But revenge I will have! It is yet in my power to gain for an enslaved -people the liberty I have myself lost. Yes! the enlightened spirit of -the age shall yet shake the quavering councils of the Reisenburg cabal. -I will, in truth I have already seconded the just, the unanswerable -demands of an oppressed and insulted people, and, ere six months are -over, I trust to see the convocation of a free and representative -council in the capital of the petty monarch to whom I have been -betrayed. The chief of Reisenburg has, in his eagerness to gain his -grand ducal crown, somewhat overstepped the mark. - -"Besides myself, there are no less than three other powerful princes -whose dominions have been devoted to the formation of his servile duchy. -We are all animated by the same spirit, all intent upon the same end. We -have all used, and are using, our influence as powerful nobles to gain -for our fellow-subjects their withheld rights; rights which belong to -them as men, not merely as Germans. Within this week I have forwarded to -the Residence a memorial subscribed by myself, my relatives, the other -princes, and a powerful body of discontented nobles, requesting the -immediate grant of a constitution similar to those of Wirtemburg and -Bavaria. My companions in misfortune are inspirited by my joining them. -Had I been wise I should have joined them sooner; but until this moment -I have been the dupe of the artful conduct of an unprincipled Minister. -My eyes, however, are now open. The Grand Duke and his crafty -counsellor, whose name shall not profane my lips, already tremble. Part -of the people, emboldened by our representations, have already refused -to answer an unconstitutional taxation. I have no doubt that he must -yield. Whatever may be the inclination of the Courts of Vienna or St. -Petersburg, rest assured that the liberty of Germany will meet with no -opponent except political intrigue; and that Metternich is too well -acquainted with the spirit which is now only slumbering in the bosom of -the German nation to run the slightest risk of exciting it by the -presence of foreign legions. No, no! that mode of treatment may do very -well for Naples, or Poland, or Spain; but the moment that a Croat or a -Cossack shall encamp upon the Rhine or the Elbe, for the purpose of -supporting the unadulterated tyranny of their new-fangled Grand Dukes, -that moment Germany becomes a great and united nation. The greatest -enemy of the prosperity of Germany is the natural disposition of her -sons; but that disposition, while it does now, and may for ever, hinder -us from being a great people, will at the same time infallibly prevent -us from ever becoming a degraded one." - -At this moment, this moment of pleasing anticipation of public virtue -and private revenge, Master Rodolph entered, and prevented Vivian from -gaining any details of the history of his host. The little round steward -informed his master that a horseman had just arrived, bearing for his -Highness a despatch of importance, which he insisted upon delivering -into the Prince's own hands. - -"Whence comes he?" asked his Highness. - -"In truth, your Serene Highness, that were hard to say, inasmuch as the -messenger refuses to inform us." - -"Admit him." - -A man whose jaded looks proved that he had travelled far that day was -soon ushered into the room, and, bowing to the Prince, delivered to him -in silence a letter. - -"From whom comes this?" asked the Prince. - -"It will itself inform your Highness," was the only answer. - -"My friend, you are a trusty messenger, and have been well trained. -Rodolph, look that this gentleman be well lodged and attended." - -"I thank your Highness," said the messenger, "but I do not tarry here. I -wait no answer, and my only purpose in seeing you was to perform my -commission to the letter, by delivering this paper into your own hands." - -"As you please, sir; you must be the best judge of your own time; but we -like not strangers to leave our gates while our drawbridge is yet -echoing with their entrance steps." - -The Prince and Vivian were again alone. Astonishment and agitation were -visible on his Highness' countenance as he threw his eye over the -letter. At length he folded it up, put it into his breast-pocket and -tried to resume conversation; but the effort was both evident and -unsuccessful. In another moment the letter was again taken out, and -again read with not less emotion than accompanied its first perusal. - -"I fear I have wearied you, Mr. Grey," said his Highness; "it was -inconsiderate in me not to remember that you require repose." - -Vivian was not sorry to have an opportunity of retiring, so be quickly -took the hint, and wished his Highness agreeable dreams. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -No one but an adventurous traveller can know the luxury of sleep. There -is not a greater fallacy in the world than the common creed that sweet -sleep is labour's guerdon. Mere regular, corporeal labour may certainly -procure us a good, sound, refreshing slumber, disturbed often by the -consciousness of the monotonous duties of the morrow; but how sleep the -other great labourers of this laborious world? Where is the sweet sleep -of the politician? After hours of fatigue in his office and hours of -exhaustion in the House, he gains his pillow; and a brief, feverish -night, disturbed by the triumph of a cheer and the horrors of a reply. -Where is the sweet sleep of the poet? We all know how harassing are the -common dreams which are made up of incoherent images of our daily life, -in which the actors are individuals that we know, and whose conduct -generally appears to be regulated by principles which we can comprehend. -How much more enervating and destroying must be the slumber of that man -who dreams of an imaginary world! waking, with a heated and excited -spirit, to mourn over some impressive incident of the night, which is -nevertheless forgotten, or to collect some inexplicable plot which has -been revealed in sleep, and has fled from the memory as the eyelids have -opened. Where is the sweet sleep of the artist? of the lawyer? Where, -indeed, of any human being to whom to-morrow brings its necessary -duties? Sleep is the enemy of Care, and Care is the constant companion -of regular labour, mental or bodily. - -But your traveller, your adventurous traveller, careless of the future, -reckless of the past, with a mind interested by the world, from the -immense and various character which that world presents to him, and not -by his own stake in any petty or particular contingency; wearied by -delightful fatigue, daily occasioned by varying means and from varying -causes; with the consciousness that no prudence can regulate the -fortunes of the morrow, and with no curiosity to discover what those -fortunes may be, from a conviction that it is utterly impossible to -ascertain them; perfectly easy whether he lie in a mountain-hut, or a -royal palace; and reckless alike of the terrors and chances of storm and -bandits, seeing that he has a fair chance of meeting both with security -and enjoyment; this is the fellow who, throwing himself upon a down -couch or his mule's pack-saddle, with equal eagerness and equal -sangfroid, sinks into a repose, in which he is never reminded by the -remembrance of an appointment or an engagement for the next day, a duel, -a marriage, or a dinner, the three perils of man, that he has the -misfortune of being mortal; and wakes not to combat care, but only to -feel that he is fresher and more vigorous than he was the night before; -and that, come what come may, he is, at any rate, sure this day of -seeing different faces, and of improvising his unpremeditated part upon -a different scene. - -We have now both philosophically accounted and politely apologised for -the loud and unfashionable snore which sounded in the blue chamber about -five minutes after Vivian Grey had entered that most comfortable -apartment. In about twelve hours' time he was scolding Essper George for -having presumed to wake him so early, quite unconscious that he had -enjoyed anything more than a twenty minutes' doze. - -"I should not have come in, sir, only they are all out. They were off by -six o'clock this morning, sir; most part at least. The Prince has gone; -I do not know whether he went with them, but Master Rodolph has given -me--I breakfasted with Master Rodolph. Holy Virgin! what quarters we -have got into!" - -"To the point; what of the Prince?" - -"His Highness has left the castle, and desired Master Rodolph; if your -Grace had only seen Master Rodolph tipsy last night; he rolled about -like a turbot in a tornado." - -"What of the Prince?" - -"The Prince desired this letter to be given to you, sir." - -Vivian read the note, which supposed that, of course, he would not wish -to join the chase this morning, and regretted that the writer was -obliged to ride out for a few hours to visit a neighbouring nobleman, -but requested the pleasure of his guest's company at a private dinner in -the cabinet on his return. - -After breakfast Vivian called on Mr. Sievers. He found that gentleman -busied in his library. - -"You never hunt, I suppose, Mr. Sievers?" - -"Never. His Highness, I apprehend, is out this morning; the beautiful -weather continues; surely we never had such a season. As for myself, I -almost have given up my indoor pursuits. The sun is not the light of -study. Let us take our caps and have a stroll." - -The gentlemen accordingly left the library, and proceeding through a -different gate to that by which Vivian had entered the castle, they came -upon a part of the forest in which the timber and brushwood had been in -a great measure cleared away; large clumps of trees being left standing -on an artificial lawn, and newly-made roads winding about in pleasing -irregularity until they were all finally lost in the encircling woods. - -"I think you told me," said Mr. Sievers, "that you had been long in -Germany. What course do you think of taking from here?" - -"Straight to Vienna." - -"Ah! a delightful place. If, as I suppose to be the case, you are fond -of dissipation and luxury, Vienna is to be preferred to any city with -which I am acquainted. And intellectual companions are not wanting -there, as some have said. There are one or two houses in which the -literary soirées will yield to few in Europe; and I prefer them to most, -because there is less pretension and more ease. The Archduke John is a -man of considerable talents, and of more considerable acquirements. An -excellent geologist! Are you fond of geology?" - -"I am not in the least acquainted with the science." - -"Naturally so; at your age, if, in fact, we study at all, we are fond of -fancying ourselves moral philosophers, and our study is mankind. Trust -me, my dear sir, it is a branch of research soon exhausted; and in a few -years you will be very glad, for want of something else to do, to -meditate upon stones. See now," said Mr. Sievers, picking up a stone, -"to what associations does this little piece of quartz give rise! I am -already an antediluvian, and instead of a stag bounding by that wood I -witness the moving mass of a mammoth. I live in other worlds, which, at -the same time, I have the advantage of comparing with the present. -Geology is indeed a magnificent study! What excites more the -imagination? What exercises more the reason? Can you conceive anything -sublimer than the gigantic shadows and the grim wreck of an antediluvian -world? Can you devise any plan which will more brace our powers, and -develop our mental energies, than the formation of a perfect chain of -inductive reasoning to account for these phenomena? What is the boasted -communion which the vain poet holds with nature compared with -conversation which the geologist perpetually carries on with the -elemental world? Gazing on the strata of the earth, he reads the fate of -his species. In the undulations of the mountains is revealed to him the -history of the past; and in the strength of rivers and the powers of the -air he discovers the fortunes of the future. To him, indeed, that -future, as well as the past and the present, are alike matter for -meditation: for the geologist is the most satisfactory of antiquarians, -the most interesting of philosophers, and the most inspired of prophets; -demonstrating that which has past by discovery, that which is occurring -by observation, and that which is to come by induction. When you go to -Vienna I will give you a letter to Frederic Schlegel; we were -fellow-students, and are friends, though for various reasons we do not -at present meet; nevertheless a letter from me will command respect. I -will recommend you, however, before you go on to Vienna, to visit -Reisenburg." - -"Indeed! from the Prince's account, I should have thought that there was -little to interest me there." - -"His Highness is not an impartial judge. You are probably acquainted -with the disagreeable manner in which he is connected with that Court. -Far from his opinion being correct, I should say there are few places in -Germany more worthy of a visit than the little Court near us; and above -all things my advice is that you should not pass it over." - -"I am inclined to follow it. You are right in supposing that I am not -ignorant that His Highness has the misfortune of being a mediatised -Prince; but what is the exact story about him? I have heard some odd -rumours, some--" - -It is a curious story, but I am afraid you will find it rather long. -Nevertheless, if you really visit Reisenburg, it may be of use to you to -know something of the singular characters you will meet there. In the -first place, you say you know that Little Lilliput is a mediatised -Prince, and, of course, are precisely aware what that title means. -About fifty years ago, the rival of the illustrious family in whose -chief castle we are both of us now residing was the Margrave of -Reisenburg, another petty Prince with territories not so extensive as -those of our friend, and with a population more limited: perhaps fifty -thousand souls, half of whom were drunken cousins. The old Margrave of -Reisenburg, who then reigned, was a perfect specimen of the -old-fashioned German Prince: he did nothing but hunt and drink and think -of the quarterings of his immaculate shield, all duly acquired from some -Vandal ancestor as barbarous as himself. His little Margraviate was -misgoverned enough for a great empire. Half of his nation, who were his -real people, were always starving, and were unable to find crown pieces -to maintain the extravagant expenditure of the other moiety, the -cousins; who, out of gratitude to their fellow-subjects for their -generous support, harassed them with every species of excess. Complaints -were of course made to the Margrave, and loud cries for justice -resounded at the palace gates. This Prince was an impartial chief -magistrate; he prided himself upon his "invariable" principles of -justice, and he allowed nothing to influence his decisions. His plan for -arranging all differences had the merit of being brief; and if brevity -be the soul of wit, it certainly was most unreasonable in his subjects -to consider his judgments no joke. He always counted the quarterings in -the shields of the respective parties, and decided accordingly. Imagine -the speedy redress gained by a muddy-veined peasant against one of the -cousins; who, of course, had as many quarterings as the Margrave -himself. The defendant was regularly acquitted. At length, a man's house -having been burnt down out of mere joke in the night, the owner had the -temerity in the morning to accuse one of the privileged, and to produce, -at the same tune, a shield, with exactly one more quartering than the -reigning shield itself contained. The Margrave was astounded, the people -in raptures, and the cousins in despair. The complainant's shield was -examined and counted, and not a flaw discovered. What a dilemma! The -chief magistrate consulted with the numerous branches of his family, and -the next morning the complainant's head was struck off for high treason, -for daring to have one more quartering than his monarch! - -"In this way they passed their time about fifty years since in -Reisenburg; occasionally, for the sake of variety, declaring war against -the inhabitants of Little Lilliput, who, to say the truth, in their -habits and pursuits did not materially differ from their neighbours. The -Margrave had one son, the present Grand Duke. A due reverence of the -great family shield, and a full acquaintance with the invariable -principles of justice, were early instilled into him; and the royal -stripling made such rapid progress, under the tuition of his amiable -parent, that he soon became highly popular with all his relations. At -length his popularity became troublesome to his father; and so the old -Margrave sent for his son one morning and informed him that he had -dreamed the preceding night that the air of Reisenburg was peculiarly -unwholesome for young persons, and therefore he begged him to get out of -his dominions as soon as possible. The young Prince had no objection to -see something of the world. He flew to a relative whom he had never -before visited. This nobleman was one of those individuals who -anticipate their age, which, by-the-bye, Mr. Grey, none but noblemen -should do; for he who anticipates his century is generally persecuted -when living, and is always pilfered when dead. Howbeit, this relation -was a philosopher; all about him thought him mad; he, in return, thought -all about him fools. He sent the Prince to an University, and gave him -for a tutor a young man about ten years older than his pupil. This -person's name was Beckendorff. You will hear more of him. - -"About three years after the sudden departure of the young Prince, the -old Margrave his father and the then reigning Prince of Little Lilliput -shot each other through the head in a drunken brawl, after a dinner -given in honour of a proclamation of peace between the two countries. -The cousins were not much grieved, as they anticipated a fit successor -in their former favourite. Splendid preparations were made for the -reception of the inheritor of the family shield, and all Reisenburg was -poured out to witness the triumphant entrance of their future monarch. -At last two horsemen in plain dresses, and on indifferent steeds, rode -up to the palace gates, dismounted, and without making any enquiry -ordered the attendance of some of the chief nobility in the presence -chamber. One of them, a young man, without any preparatory explanation, -introduced the Reisenburg chieftains to his companion as his Prime -Minister, and commanded them immediately to deliver up their -portefeuilles and golden keys to Mr. Beckendorff. The nobles were in -dismay, and so astounded that they made no resistance, though the next -morning they started in their beds when they remembered that they had -delivered their insignia of office to a man without a von before his -name. They were soon, however, roused from their sorrow and their -stupor, by receiving a peremptory order to quit the palace: and as they -retired from the walls which they had long considered as their own, -they had the mortification of meeting crowds of the common people, their -slaves and their victims, hurrying with joyful countenances and -triumphant looks to the palace of their Prince, in consequence of an -energetic proclamation for the redress of grievances, and an earnest -promise to decide cases in future without examining the quarterings of -the parties, in a week's time the cousins were all adrift. At length -they conspired, but the conspiracy was tardy, they found their former -servants armed, and they joined in an unequal struggle; for their -opponents were alike animated with hopes of the future and with revenge -for the past. The cousins got well beat, and this was not the worst; for -Beckendorff took advantage of this unsuccessful treason, which he had -himself fomented, and forfeited all their estates; destroying in one -hour the system which had palsied, for so many years, the energies of -his master's subjects. In time many of the chief nobility were restored -to their honours and estates; but the power with which they were again -invested was greatly modified, and the privileges of the Commons greatly -increased. At this moment the French Revolution broke out. The French -crossed the Rhine and carried all before them; and the Prince of Little -Lilliput, among other true Germans, made a bold but fruitless -resistance. The Margrave of Reisenburg, on the contrary, received the -enemy with open arms; he raised a larger body of troops than his due -contingent, and exerted himself in every manner to second the views of -the Great Nation. In return for his services he was presented with the -conquered principality of Little Lilliput and some other adjoining -lands; and the Margraviate of Reisenburg, with an increased territory -and population, and governed with consummate wisdom, began to be -considered the most flourishing of the petty states in the quarter of -the empire to which it belonged. On the contrary, our princely and -patriotic friend, mortified by the degenerate condition of his country -and the prosperity of his rival house, quitted Little Lilliput, and -became one of those emigrant princes who abounded during the first years -of the Revolution in the northern courts of Europe Napoleon soon -appeared upon the stage; and vanquished Austria, with the French -dictating at the gates of her capital, was no longer in a condition to -support the dignity of the Empire. The policy of the Margrave of -Reisenburg was as little patriotic and quite as consistent as before. -Beckendorff became the constant and favoured counsellor of the French -Emperor. It was chiefly by his exertions that the celebrated -Confederation of the Rhine was carried into effect. The institution of -this body excited among many Germans, at the time, loud expressions of -indignation; but I believe few impartial and judicious men now look upon -that league as any other than one in the formation of which consummate -statesmanship was exhibited. In fact, it prevented the subjugation of -Germany to France, and by flattering the pride of Napoleon saved the -decomposition of our Empire. But how this might be it is not at present -necessary for us to enquire. Certain it was, that the pupil of -Beckendorff was amply repaid for the advice and exertions of his master -and his Minister; and when Napoleon fell the brows of the former -Margrave were encircled with a grand ducal crown, and his duchy, while -it contained upwards of a million and a half of inhabitants, numbered in -its limits some of the most celebrated cities in Germany and many of -Germany's most flourishing provinces. But Napoleon fell. The Prince of -Little Lilliput and his companions in patriotism and misfortune returned -from their exile panting with hope and vengeance. A Congress was held to -settle the affairs of agitated Germany. Where was the Grand Duke of -Reisenburg? His hard-earned crown tottered on his head. Where was his -crafty Minister, the supporter of revolutionary France, the friend of -its Imperial enslaver, the constant enemy of the House of Austria? At -the very Congress which, according to the expectations of the exiled -Princes, was to restore them to their own dominions, and to reward their -patriotic loyalty with the territories of their revolutionary brethren; -yes! at this very Congress was Beckendorff; not as a suppliant, not as a -victim, but seated at the right hand of Metternich, and watching, with -parental affection, the first interesting and infantile movements of -that most prosperous of political bantlings, the Holy Alliance. You may -well imagine that the Military Grand Duke had a much better chance in -political negotiation than the emigrant Prince. In addition to this, the -Grand Duke of Reisenburg had married, during the war, a Princess of a -powerful House; and the allied Sovereigns were eager to gain the future -aid and constant co-operation of a mind like Beckendorff's. The Prince -of Little Lilliput, the patriot, was rewarded for his conduct by being -restored to his forfeited possessions: and the next day he became the -subject of his former enemy, the Grand Duke of Reisenburg, the traitor. -What think you of Monsieur Beckendorff?" - -"One of the most interesting characters I have long heard of. But his -pupil appears to be a man of mind." - -"You shall hear. I should, however, first mention that while Beckendorff -has not scrupled to resort to any measures or adopt any opinions in -order to further the interests of his monarch and his country, he has in -every manner shown that personal aggrandisement has never been his -object. He lives in retirement, scarcely with an attendant, and his -moderate official stipend amply supports his more moderate expenditure. -The subjects of the Grand Duke may well be grateful that they have a -Minister without relations and without favourites. The Grand Duke is, -unquestionably, a man of talents; but at the same time, perhaps, one of -the most weak-minded men that ever breathed. He was fortunate in meeting -with Beckendorff early in life; and as the influence of the Minister has -not for a moment ceased over the mind of the monarch, to the world the -Grand Duke of Reisenburg has always appeared to be an individual of a -strong mind and consistent conduct. But when you have lived as much and -as intimately in his Court as I have done, you will find how easily the -world may he deceived. Since the close connection which now exists -between Reisenburg and Austria took place, Beckendorff has, in a great -degree, revived the ancient privileges of blood and birth. A Minister -who has sprung from the people will always conciliate the aristocracy. -Having no family influence of his own, he endeavours to gain the -influence of others: and it often happens that merit is never less -considered than when merit has made the Minister. A curious instance of -this occurs in a neighbouring state. There the Premier, decidedly a man -of great talents, is of as humble an origin as Beckendorff. With no -family to uphold him, he supports himself by a lavish division of all -the places and patronage of the State among the nobles. If the younger -son or brother of H peer dare to sully his oratorical virginity by a -chance observation in the Lower Chamber, the Minister, himself a real -orator, immediately rises to congratulate, in pompous phrase, the House -and the country on the splendid display which has made this night -memorable, and on the decided advantages which must accrue both to their -own resolutions and the national interests from the future participation -of his noble friend in their deliberations. All about him are young -nobles, quite unfit for the discharge of their respective duties. His -private secretary is unable to coin a sentence, almost to direct a -letter; but he is noble! The secondary officials cannot be trusted even -in the least critical conjunctures; but they are noble! And the Prime -Minister of a powerful empire is forced to rise early and be up late; -not to meditate on the present fortunes or future destinies of his -country, but by his personal exertions to compensate for the -inefficiency and expiate the blunders of his underlings, whom his -unfortunate want of blood has forced him to overwhelm with praises which -they do not deserve, and duties which they cannot discharge. I do not -wish you to infer that the policy of Beckendorff has been actuated by -the feelings which influence the Minister whom I have noticed, from -whose conduct in this very respect his own materially differs. On the -contrary, his connection with Austria is, in all probability, the -primary great cause. However this may be, certain it is that all offices -about the Court and connected with the army (and I need not remind you -that at a small German Court these situations are often the most -important in the State) can only be filled by the nobility; nor can any -person who has the misfortune of not inheriting the magical monosyllable -_von_ before his name, the shibboleth of nobility and the symbol of -territorial pride, violate by their unhallowed presence the sanctity of -Court dinners, or the as sacred ceremonies of a noble fête. But while a -monopoly of those offices which for their due performance require only a -showy exterior or a schooled address is granted to the nobles, all those -State charges which require the exercise of intellect are now chiefly -filled by the bourgeoisie. At the same time, however, that both our -Secretaries of State, many of our Privy Councillors, war Councillors, -forest Councillors, and finance Councillors, are to be reckoned among -the second class, still not one of these exalted individuals, who from -their situations are necessarily in constant personal communication with -the Sovereign, ever see that Sovereign except in his Cabinet and his -Council-Chamber. Beckendorff himself, the Premier, is the son of a -peasant; and of course not noble. Nobility, which has been proffered -him, not only by his own monarch, but by most of the sovereigns of -Europe, he has invariably refused; and consequently never appears at -Court. The truth is, that, from disposition, he is little inclined to -mix with men; and he has taken advantage of his want of an escutcheon -completely to exempt himself from all those duties of etiquette which -his exalted situation would otherwise have imposed upon him. None can -complain of the haughtiness of the nobles when, ostensibly, the Minister -himself is not exempted from their exclusive regulations. If you go to -Reisenburg, you will not therefore see Beckendorff, who lives, as I have -mentioned, in solitude, about thirty miles from the capital; -communicating only with his Royal master, the foreign Ministers, and one -or two official characters of his own country. I was myself an inmate of -the Court for upwards of two years. During that time I never saw the -Minister; and, with the exception of some members of the royal family -and the characters I have mentioned, I never knew one person who had -even caught a glimpse of the individual who may indeed be said to be -regulating their destinies. - -"It is at the Court, then," continued Mr. Sievers, "when he is no longer -under the control of Beckendorff, and in those minor points which are -not subjected to the management or influenced by the mind of the -Minister, that the true character of the Grand Duke is to be detected. -Indeed it may really be said, that the weakness of his mind has been the -origin of his fortune. In his early youth his pliant temper adapted -itself without a struggle to the barbarous customs and the brutal -conduct of his father's Court; that same pliancy of temper prevented him -opposing with bigoted obstinacy the exertions of his relation to educate -and civilise him; that same pliancy of temper allowed him to become the -ready and the enthusiastic disciple of Beckendorff. Had the pupil, when -he ascended the throne, left his master behind him, it is very probable -that his natural feelings would have led him to oppose the French; and -at this moment, instead of being the first of the second rate powers of -Germany, the Grand Duke of Reisenburg might himself have been an -mediatised Prince. As it was, the same pliancy of temper which I have -noticed enabled him to receive Napoleon, when an Emperor, with -outstretched arms; and at this moment does not prevent him from -receiving, with equal rapture, the Imperial Archduchess, who will soon -be on her road from Vienna to espouse his son; for, to crown his -career, Beckendorff has successfully negotiated a marriage between a -daughter of the House of Austria and the Crown Prince of Reisenburg. It -is generally believed that the next step of the Diet will be to -transmute the father's Grand Ducal coronet into a Regal crown; and -perhaps, my good sir, before you reach Vienna, you may have the supreme -honour of being presented to his Majesty the King of Reisenburg." - -"But when you talk only of the pupil's pliancy of temper, am I to -suppose that in mentioning his talents you were speaking ironically?" - -"By no means! The Grand Duke is a scholar; a man of refined taste, a -patron of the fine arts, a lover of literature, a promoter of science, -and what the world would call a philosopher. His judgment is sound, and -generally correct, his powers of discrimination acute, and his knowledge -of mankind greater than that of most sovereigns; but with all these -advantages he is cursed with such a wavering and indecisive temper, that -when, which is usually the case, he has come to a right conclusion, he -can never prevail upon himself to carry his theory into practice; and -with all his acuteness, his discernment, and his knowledge of the world, -his mind is always ready to receive any impression from the person who -last addresses him, though he himself be fully aware of the inferiority -of his adviser's intellect to his own, or the imperfection of that -adviser's knowledge. Never for a moment out of the sight of Beckendorff, -the royal pupil has made an admirable political puppet, since his -talents have always enabled him to understand the part which the -Minister had forced him to perform. Thus the world has given the Grand -Duke credit, not only for the possession of great talents, but almost -for as much firmness of mind and decision of character as his Minister. -But since his long-agitated career has become calm and tranquil, and -Beckendorff, like a guardian spirit, has ceased to be ever at his elbow, -the character of the Grand Duke of Reisenburg begins to be understood. -His Court has been, and still is, frequented by all the men of genius -in Germany, who are admitted without scruple, even if they be not noble. -But the astonishing thing is, that the Grand Duke is always surrounded -by every species of political and philosophical quack that you can -imagine. Discussions on a free press, on the reformation of the criminal -code, on the abolition of commercial duties, and such like interminable -topics, are perpetually resounding within the palace of this arbitrary -Prince; and the people, fired by the representations of the literary and -political journals with which Reisenburg abounds, and whose bold -speculations on all subjects elude the vigilance of the censor, by being -skilfully amalgamated with a lavish praise of the royal character, are -perpetually flattered with the speedy hope of becoming freemen. -Suddenly, when all are expecting the grant of a charter or the -institution of Chambers, Mr. Beckendorff rides up from his retreat to -the Residence, and the next day the whole crowd of philosophers are -swept from the royal presence, and the censorship of the press becomes -so severe, that for a moment you would fancy that Reisenburg, instead of -being, as it boasts itself, the modern Athens, had more right to the -title of the modern Boeotia. The people, who enjoy an impartial -administration of equal laws, who have flourished, and are flourishing, -under the wise and moderate rule of their new monarch, have in fact no -inclination to exert themselves for the attainment of constitutional -liberty in any other way than by their voices. Their barbarous apathy -astounds the philosophers; who, in despair, when the people tell them -that they are happy and contented, artfully remind them that their -happiness depends on the will of a single man; and that, though the -present character of the monarch may guarantee present felicity, still -they should think of their children, and not less exert themselves for -the insurance of the future. These representations, as constantly -reiterated as the present system will allow, have at length produced an -effect; and political causes of a peculiar nature, combining their -influence with these philosophical exertions, have of late frequently -frightened the Grand Duke, who, in despair, would perhaps grant a -constitution if Beckendorff would allow him. But the Minister is -conscious that the people would not be happier, and do not in fact -require one: he looks with a jealous and an evil eye on the charlatanism -of all kinds which is now so prevalent at Court: he knows, from the -characters of many of these philosophers and patriots, that their -private interest is generally the secret spring of their public virtue; -that if the Grand Duke, moved by their entreaties, or seduced by their -flattery, were to yield a little, he would soon be obliged to grant all -to their demands and their threats; and finally, Beckendorff has, of -late years, so completely interwoven the policy of Reisenburg with that -of Austria, that he feels that the rock on which he has determined to -found the greatness of his country must be quitted for ever if he yield -one jot to the caprice or the weakness of his monarch." - -"But Beckendorff," said Vivian; "why can he not crush in the bud the -noxious plant which he so much dreads? Why does the press speak in the -least to the people? Why is the Grand Duke surrounded by any others -except pompous Grand Marshals and empty-headed Lord Chamberlains? I am -surprised at this indifference, this want of energy!" - -"My dear sir, there are reasons for all things. Rest assured that -Beckendorff is not a man to act incautiously or weakly. The Grand -Duchess, the mother of the Crown Prince, has been long dead. -Beckendorff, who, as a man, has the greatest contempt for women; as a -statesman, looks to them as the most precious of political instruments; -it was his wish to have married the Grand Duke to the young Princess who -is now destined for his son, but for once in his life he failed in -influencing his pupil. The truth was, and it is to this cause that we -must trace the present disorganised state of the Court, and indeed of -the Duchy, that the Grand Duke had secretly married a lady to whom he -had long been attached. This lady was a Countess, and his subject; and, -as it was impossible by the laws of the kingdom that any one but a -member of the reigning family could be allowed to share the throne, his -Royal Highness had recourse to a plan which is not uncommon in this -country, and espoused the lady with his left hand. The ceremony, which -we call here a morganatic marriage, you have, probably, heard of before. -The favoured female is, to all intents and purposes, the wife of the -monarch, and shares everything except his throne. She presides at Court, -but neither she nor her children assume the style of majesty, although -in some instances the latter have been created princes, and acknowledged -as heirs apparent when there has been a default in the lineal royal -issue. The lady of whom we are speaking, according to the usual custom, -has assumed a name derivative from that of her royal husband; and as the -Grand Duke's name is Charles, she is styled Madame Carolina." - -"And what kind of lady is Madame Carolina?" asked Vivian. - -Philosophical! piquant! Parisian! a genius, according to her friends; -who, as in fact she is a Queen, are of course the whole world. Though a -German by family, she is a Frenchwoman by birth. Educated in the -spiritual saloons of the French metropolis, she has early imbibed superb -ideas of the perfectibility of man, and of the "science" of -conversation, on both which subjects you will not be long at Court ere -you hear her descant; demonstrating by the brilliancy of her ideas the -possibility of the one, and by the fluency of her language her -acquaintance with the other. She is much younger than her husband, and, -though not exactly a model for Phidias, a fascinating woman. Variety is -the talisman by which she commands all hearts and gained her monarch's. -She is only consistent in being delightful; but, though changeable, she -is not capricious. Each day displays a new accomplishment as regularly -as it does a new costume; but as the acquirement seems only valued by -its possessor as it may delight others, so the dress seems worn, not so -much to gratify her own vanity as to please her friends' tastes. Genius -is her idol; and with her genius is found in everything. She speaks in -equal ruptures of an opera dancer and an epic poet. Her ambition is to -converse on all subjects; and by a judicious management of a great mass -of miscellaneous reading, and by indefatigable exertions to render -herself mistress of the prominent points of the topics of the day, she -appears to converse on all subjects with ability. She takes the -liveliest interest in the progress of mind, in all quarters of the -globe; and imagines that she should, at the same time, immortalise -herself and benefit her species, could she only establish a Quarterly -Review in Ashantee and a scientific Gazette at Timbuctoo. -Notwithstanding her sudden elevation, no one has ever accused her of -arrogance, or pride, or ostentation. Her liberal principles and her -enlightened views are acknowledged by all. She advocates equality in her -circle of privileged nobles, and is enthusiastic on the rights of man in -a country where justice is a favour. Her boast is to be surrounded by -men of genius, and her delight to correspond with the most celebrated -persons of all countries. She is herself a literary character of no mean -celebrity. Few months have elapsed since enraptured Reisenburg hailed -from her glowing pen two neat octavos, bearing the title of 'Memoirs of -the Court of Charlemagne,' which give an interesting and accurate -picture of the age, and delight the modern public with vivid descriptions -of the cookery, costume, and conversation of the eighth century. You -smile, my friend, at Madame Carolina's production. Do not you agree with -me that it requires no mean talent to convey a picture of the bustle of -a levée during the middle ages? Conceive Sir Oliver looking in at his -club! and fancy the small talk of Roland during a morning visit! Yet -even the fame of this work is to be eclipsed by Madame's forthcoming -quarto of 'Haroun al Raschid and his Times.' This, it is whispered, is -to be a chef-d'oeuvre, enriched by a chronological arrangement, by a -celebrated oriental scholar, of all the anecdotes in the Arabian Nights -relating to the Caliph. It is, of course, the sun of Madame's patronage -that has hatched into noxious life the swarm of sciolists who now infest -the Court, and who are sapping the husband's political power while they -are establishing the wife's literary reputation. So much for Madame -Carolina! I need hardly add that during your short stay at Court you -will be delighted with her. If ever you know her as well as I do, you -will find her vain, superficial, heartless; her sentiment a system, her -enthusiasm exaggeration, and her genius merely a clever adoption of the -profundity of others." - -"And Beckendorff and the lady are not friendly?" asked Vivian, who was -delighted with his communicative companion. - -"Beckendorff's is a mind that such a woman cannot comprehend. He treats -her with contempt, and, if possible, views her with hatred, for he -considers that she has degraded the character of his pupil; while she, -on the contrary, wonders by what magic spell he exercises such influence -over the conduct of her husband. At first Beckendorff treated her and -her circle of illuminati with contemptuous silence; but in politics -nothing is contemptible. The Minister, knowing that the people were -prosperous and happy, cared little for projected constitutions, and less -for metaphysical abstractions; but some circumstances have lately -occurred which, I imagine, have convinced him that for once he has -miscalculated. After the arrangement of the German States, when the -Princes were first mediatised, an attempt was made, by means of a -threatening league, to obtain for these political victims a very ample -share of the power and patronage of the new State of Reisenburg. This -plan failed from the lukewarmness and indecision of our good friend of -Little Lilliput, who, between ourselves, was prevented from joining the -alliance by the intrigues of Beckendorff. Beckendorff secretly took -measures that the Prince should be promised that, in case of his keeping -backward, he should obtain more than would fall to his lot by leading -the van. The Prince of Little Lilliput and his peculiar friends -accordingly were quiet, and the attempt of the other chieftains failed. -It was then that his Highness found that he had been duped. Beckendorff -would not acknowledge the authority, and, of course, did not redeem the -pledge, of his agent. The effect that this affair produced upon the -Prince's mind you can conceive. Since then he has never frequented -Reisenburg, but constantly resided either at his former capital, now a -provincial town of the Grand Duchy, or at this castle; viewed, you may -suppose, with no very cordial feeling by his companions in misfortune. -But the thirst of revenge will inscribe the bitterest enemies in the -same muster-roll; and the Princes, incited by the bold carriage of -Madame Carolina's philosophical protégés, and induced to believe that -Beckendorff's power is on the wane, have again made overtures to our -friend, without whose powerful assistance they feel that they have but -little chance of success. Observe how much more men's conduct is -influenced by circumstances than principles! When these persons leagued -together before it was with the avowed intention of obtaining a share of -the power and patronage of the State: the great body of the people, of -course, did not sympathise in that which, after all, to them was a party -quarrel, and by the joint exertions of open force and secret intrigue -the Court triumphed. But now these same individuals come forward, not as -indignant Princes demanding a share of the envied tyranny, but as ardent -patriots advocating a people's rights. The public, though I believe that -in fact they will make no bodily exertion to acquire a constitutional -freedom the absence of which they can only abstractedly feel, have no -objection to attain that which they are assured will not injure their -situation, provided it be by the risk and exertions of others. So far, -therefore, as clamour can support the Princes, they have the people on -their side; and as upwards of three hundred thousand of the Grand Ducal -subjects are still living on their estates, and still consider -themselves as their serfs, they trust that some excesses from this great -body may incite the rest of the people to similar outrages. The natural -disposition of mankind to imitation, particularly when the act to be -imitated is popular, deserves attention. The Court is divided; for the -exertions of Madame and the bewitching influence of Fashion have turned -the heads even of greybeards: and to give you only one instance, his -Excellency the Grand Marshal, protégé of the House of Austria, and a -favourite of Metternich, the very person to whose interests, and as a -reward for whose services, our princely friend was sacrificed by the -Minister, has now himself become a pupil in the school of modern -philosophy, and drivels out, with equal ignorance and fervour, -enlightened notions on the most obscure subjects. In the midst of all -this confusion, the Grand Duke is timorous, dubious, and uncertain. -Beckendorff has a difficult game to play; he may fall at last. Such, my -dear sir, are the tremendous consequences of a weak Prince marrying a -blue-stocking!" - -"And the Crown Prince, Mr. Sievers, how does he conduct himself at this -interesting moment? or is his mind so completely engrossed by the -anticipation of his Imperial alliance that he has no thought for -anything but his approaching bride." - -"The Crown Prince, my dear sir, is neither thinking of his bride nor of -anything else: he is a hunch-backed idiot. Of his deformity I have -myself been a witness; and though it is difficult to give an opinion of -the intellect of a being with whom you have never interchanged a -syllable, nevertheless his countenance does not contradict the common -creed. I say the common creed, Mr. Grey, for there are moments when the -Crown Prince of Reisenburg is spoken of by his future subjects in a very -different manner. Whenever any unpopular act is committed, or any -unpopular plan suggested by the Court or the Grand Duke, then whispers -are immediately afloat that a future Brutus must be looked for in their -Prince; then it is generally understood that his idiocy is only assumed; -and what woman does not detect, in the glimmerings of his lack-lustre -eye, the vivid sparks of suppressed genius! In a short time the cloud -blows over the Court, dissatisfaction disappears, and the moment that -the monarch is again popular the unfortunate Crown Prince again becomes -the uninfluential object of pity or derision. All immediately forget -that his idiocy is only assumed; and what woman ever ceases from -deploring the unhappy lot of the future wife of their impuissant Prince! -Such, my dear sir, is the way of mankind! At the first glance it would -appear, that in this world, monarchs, on the whole, have it pretty well -their own way; but reflection will soon enable us not to envy their -situations; and speaking as a father, which unfortunately I am not, -should I not view with disgust that lot in life which necessarily makes -my son my enemy? The Crown Prince of all countries is only a puppet in -the hands of the people, to be played against his own father." - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -The Prince returned home at a late hour, and immediately enquired for -Vivian. During dinner, which he hastily despatched, it did not escape -our hero's attention that his Highness was unusually silent, and, -indeed, agitated. - -"When we have finished our meal, my good friend," at length said the -Prince, "I very much wish to consult with you on a most important -business." Since the explanation of last night, the Prince, in private -conversation, had dropped his regal plural. - -"I am ready at once," said Vivian. - -"You will think it strange, Mr. Grey, when you become acquainted with -the nature of my communication; you will justly consider it most -strange, most singular, that I should choose for a confidant and a -counsellor in an important business a gentleman with whom I have been -acquainted so short a time as yourself. But, sir, I have well weighed, -at least I have endeavoured well to weigh, all the circumstances and -contingencies which such a confidence would involve; and the result of -my reflection is, that I will look to you as a friend and adviser, -feeling assured that, both from your situation and your disposition, no -temptation exists which can induce you to betray or to deceive me." -Though the Prince said this with an appearance of perfect sincerity, he -stopped and looked earnest in his guest's face, as if he would read his -secret thoughts, or were desirous of now giving him an opportunity of -answering. - -"So far as the certainty of your confidence being respected," answered -Vivian, "I trust your Highness may communicate to me with the most -assured spirit. But while my ignorance of men and affairs in this -country will ensure you from any treachery on my part, I very much fear -that it will also preclude me from affording you any advantageous advice -or assistance." - -"On that head," replied the Prince, "I am, of course, the best judge. -The friend whom I need is a man not ignorant of the world, with a cool -head and an impartial mind. Though young, you have said and told me -enough to prove that you are not unacquainted with mankind. Of your -courage I have already had a convincing proof. In the business in which -I require your assistance freedom from national prejudices will -materially increase the value of your advice; and, therefore, I am far -from being unwilling to consult a person ignorant, according to your own -phrase, of men and affairs in this country. Moreover, your education as -an Englishman has early led you to exercise your mind on political -subjects; and it is in a political business that I require your aid." - -"Am I fated always to be the dry nurse of an embryo faction!" thought -Vivian; and he watched earnestly the countenance of the Prince. In a -moment he expected to be invited to become a counsellor of the leagued -Princes. Either the lamp was burning dim, or the blazing wood fire had -suddenly died away, or a mist was over Vivian's eyes; but for a moment -he almost imagined that he was sitting opposite his old friend the -Marquis of Carabas. The Prince's phrase had given rise to a thousand -agonising associations: in an instant Vivian had worked up his mind to a -pitch of nervous excitement. - -"Political business?" said Vivian, in an agitated voice. "You could not -address a more unfortunate person. I have seen, Prince, too much of -politics ever to wish to meddle with them again." - -"You are too quick, my good friend," continued his Highness. "I may wish -to consult you on political business, and yet have no intention of -engaging you in politics, which, indeed, is quite a ridiculous idea. But -I see that I was right in supposing that these subjects have engaged -your attention." - -"I have seen, in a short time, something of the political world," -answered Vivian, who was almost ashamed of his previous emotion; "and I -thank Heaven daily that I have no chance of again having any -connection with it." - -"Well, well! that as it may be. Nevertheless, your experience is only -another inducement to me to request your assistance. Do not fear that I -wish to embroil you in politics; but I hope you will not refuse, -although almost a stranger, to add to the great obligations which I am -already under to you, and give me the benefit of your opinion." - -"Your Highness may speak with perfect unreserve, and reckon upon my -delivering my genuine sentiments." - -"You have not forgotten, I venture to believe," said the Prince, "our -short conversation of last night!" - -"It was of too interesting a nature easily to escape my memory." - -"Before I can consult you on the subject which at present interests me, -it is necessary that I should make you a little acquainted with the -present state of public affairs here, and the characters of the -principal individuals who control them." - -"So far as an account of the present state of political parties, the -history of the Grand Duke's career, and that of his Minister, Mr. -Beckendorff, and their reputed characters, will form part of your -Highness's narrative, by so much may its length be curtailed and your -trouble lessened; for I have at different times picked up, in casual -conversation, a great deal of information on these topics. Indeed, you -may address me, in this respect, as you would any German gentleman who, -not being himself personally interested in public life, is, of course, -not acquainted with its most secret details." - -"I did not reckon on this," said the Prince, in a cheerful voice. "This -is a great advantage, and another reason that I should no longer -hesitate to develop to you a certain affair which now occupies my mind. -To be short," continued the Prince, "it is of the letter which I so -mysteriously received last night, and which, as you must have remarked, -very much agitated me; it is on this letter that I wish to consult you. -Bearing in mind the exact position, the avowed and public position, in -which I stand, as connected with the Court, and having a due -acquaintance, which you state you have, with the character of Mr. -Beckendorff, what think you of this letter?" - -So saying, the Prince leant over the table, and handed to Vivian the -following epistle: - -"TO HIS HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF LITTLE LILLIPUT. - -"I am commanded by his Royal Highness to inform your Highness that his -Royal Highness has considered the request which was signed by your -Highness and other noblemen, and presented by you to his Royal Highness -in a private interview. His Royal Highness commands me to state that -that request will receive his most attentive consideration. At the same -time, his Royal Highness also commands me to observe that, in bringing -about the completion of a result desired by all parties, it is difficult -to carry on the necessary communications merely by written documents; -and his Royal Highness has therefore commanded me to submit to your -Highness the advisability of taking some steps in order to further the -possibility of the occurrence of an oral interchange of the sentiments -of the respective parties. Being aware, from the position which your -Highness has thought proper at present to maintain, and from other -causes which are of too delicate a nature to be noticed in any other way -except by allusion, that your Highness may feel difficulty in personally -communicating with his Royal Highness without consulting the wishes and -opinions of the other Princes; a process to which, it must be evident to -your Highness, his Royal Highness feels it impossible to submit; and, at -the same time, desirous of forwarding the progress of those views which -his Royal Highness and your Highness may conjunctively consider -calculated to advance the well-being of the State, I have to submit to -your Highness the propriety of considering the propositions contained in -the enclosed paper; which, if your Highness keep unconnected with this -communication, the purport of this letter will be confined to -your Highness. - -PROPOSITIONS. - -'1st. That an interview shall take place between your Highness and -myself, the object of which shall be the consideration of measures by -which, when adopted, the various interests now in agitation shall -respectively be regarded. - -'2nd. That this interview shall be secret; your Highness be incognito.' - -"If your Highness be disposed to accede to the first proposition, I beg -to submit to you that, from the nature of my residence, its situation, -and other causes, there will be no fear that any suspicion of the fact -of Mr. von Philipson acceding to the two propositions will gain -notoriety. This letter will be delivered into your own hands. If Mr. von -Philipson determine on acceding to these propositions, he is most -probably aware of the general locality in which my residence is -situated; and proper measures will be taken that, if Mr. von Philipson -honour me with a visit, he shall not be under the necessity of -attracting attention by inquiring the way to my house. It is wished that -the fact of the second proposition being acceded to should only be known -to Mr. von Philipson and myself, but if to be perfectly unattended be -considered as an insuperable objection, I consent to his being -accompanied by a single friend. I shall be alone. - -"BECKENDORFF." - -"Well!" said the Prince, as Vivian finished the letter. - -"The best person," said Vivian, "to decide upon your Highness consenting -to this interview is yourself." - -"That is not the point on which I wish to have the benefit of your -opinion; for I have already consented. I rode over this morning to my -cousin, the Duke of Micromegas, and despatched from his residence a -trusty messenger to Beckendorff. I have agreed to meet him, and -to-morrow; but on the express terms that I should not be unattended. Now -then," continued the Prince, with great energy; "now then, will you be -my companion?" - -"I!" said Vivian. - -"Yes; you, my good friend! you. I should consider myself as safe if I -were sleeping in a burning house as I should be were I with Beckendorff -alone. Although this is not the first time that we have communicated, I -have never yet seen him; and I am fully aware that, if the approaching -interview were known to my friends, they would consider it high time -that my son reigned in my stead. But I am resolved to be firm, to be -inflexible. My course is plain. I am not to be again duped by him, -which," continued the Prince, much confused, "I will not conceal that I -have been once." - -"But I!" said Vivian; "I; what good can I possibly do? It appears to me -that, if Beckendorff is to be dreaded as you describe, the presence or -the attendance of no friend can possibly save you from his crafty plans. -But surely, if any one attend you, why not be accompanied by a person -whom you have known long, and who knows you well; on whom you can -confidently rely, and who may be aware, from a thousand signs and -circumstances which will never attract my attention, at what particular -and pressing moments you may require prompt and energetic assistance. -Such is the companion you want; and surely such an one you may find in -Arnelm, Von Neuwied--" - -"Arnelm! Von Neuwied!" said the Prince; "the best, hands at sounding a -bugle or spearing a boar in all Reisenburg! Excellent men, forsooth! to -guard their master from the diplomatic deceits of the wily Beckendorff! -Moreover, were they to have even the slightest suspicion of my intended -movement, they would commit rank treason out of pure loyalty, and lock -me up in my own cabinet! No, no! they will never do: I want a companion -of experience and knowledge of the world, with whom I may converse with -some prospect of finding my wavering firmness strengthened, or my misled -judgment rightly guided, or my puzzled brain cleared; modes of -assistance to which the worthy Jagd Junker is but little accustomed, -however quickly he might hasten to my side in a combat or the chase." - -"If these, then, will not do, surely there is one man in this castle -who, although he may not be a match for Beckendorff, can be foiled by -few others. Mr. Sievers?" said Vivian, with an inquiring eye. - -"Sievers!" exclaimed the Prince, with great eagerness; "the very man! -firm, experienced, and sharp-witted; well schooled in political -learning, in case I required his assistance in arranging the terms of -the intended Charter or the plan of the intended Chambers; for these, of -course, are the points on which Beckendorff wishes to consult. But one -thing I am determined on: I positively pledge myself to nothing while -under Beckendorff's roof. He doubtless anticipates, by my visit, to -grant the liberties of the people on his own terms: perhaps Mr. -Beckendorff, for once in his life, may be mistaken. I am not to be -deceived twice; and I am determined not to yield the point of the -Treasury being under the control of the Senate. That is the part of the -harness which galls; and to preserve themselves from this rather -inconvenient regulation, without question, my good friend Beckendorff -has hit upon this plan." - -"Then Mr. Sievers will accompany you?" asked Vivian, calling the -Prince's attention to the point of consultation. - -"The very man for it, my dear friend! but although Beckendorff, most -probably respecting my presence, and taking into consideration the -circumstances under which we meet, would refrain from consigning Sievers -to a dungeon; still, although the Minister invites this interview, and -although I have no single inducement to conciliate him, yet it would -scarcely be correct, scarcely dignified on my part, to prove, by the -presence of my companion, that I had for a length of time harboured an -individual who, by Beckendorff's own exertions, was banished from the -Grand Duchy. It would look too much like a bravado." - -"Oh!" said Vivian; "is it so? And pray of what was Mr. Sievers guilty?" - -"Of high treason against one who was not his sovereign." - -"How is that?" - -"Sievers, who is a man of considerable talents, was for a long time a -professor in one of our great Universities. The publication of many able -works procured him a reputation which induced Madame Carolina to use -every exertion to gain his attendance at Court; and a courtier in time -the professor became. At Reisenburg Mr. Sievers was the great authority -on all subjects: philosophical, literary, and political. In fact, he was -the fashion; and, at the head of the great literary journal which is -there published, he terrified admiring Germany with his profound and -piquant critiques. Unfortunately, like some men as good, he was unaware -that Reisenburg was not an independent state; and so, on the occasion of -Austria attacking Naples, Mr. Sievers took the opportunity of attacking -Austria. His article, eloquent, luminous, profound, revealed the dark -colours of the Austrian policy, as an artist's lamp brings out the murky -tints of a Spagnoletto. Every one admired Sievers' bitter sarcasms, -enlightened views, and indignant eloquence. Madame Carolina crowned him -with laurel in the midst of her coterie, and it is said that the Grand -Duke sent him a snuff-box. In a short time the article reached Vienna, -and in a still shorter time Mr. Beckendorff reached the Residence, and -insisted on the author being immediately given up to the Austrian -Government. Madame Carolina was in despair, the Grand Duke in doubt, and -Beckendorff threatened to resign if the order were not signed. A kind -friend, perhaps his Royal Highness himself, gave Sievers timely notice, -and by rapid flight he reached my castle, and demanded my hospitality. -He has lived here ever since, and has done me a thousand services, not -the least of which is the education which he has given my son, my -glorious Maximilian." - -"And Beckendorff," asked Vivian; "has he always been aware that Sievers -was concealed here?" - -"That I cannot answer: had he been, it is not improbable that he would -have winked at it; since it never has been his policy unnecessarily to -annoy a mediatised Prince, or without great occasion to let us feel that -our independence is gone; I will not, with such a son as I have, say, -for ever." - -"Mr. Sievers of course, then, cannot visit Beckendorff," said Vivian. - -"That is clear," said the Prince; "and I therefore trust that now you -will no longer refuse my first request." - -It was impossible for Vivian to deny the Prince any longer; and indeed -he had no objection (as his Highness could not be better attended) to -seize the singular and unexpected opportunity which now offered itself -of becoming acquainted with an individual respecting whom his curiosity -was much excited. It was a late hour ere the Prince and his friend -retired, having arranged everything for the morrow's journey, and -conversed on the probable subjects of the approaching interview at -great length. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -On the following morning, before sunrise, the Prince's valet roused -Vivian from his slumbers. According to the appointment of the preceding -evening, Vivian repaired in due time to a certain spot in the park. The -Prince reached it at the same moment. A mounted groom, leading two -English horses of showy appearance, and each having a travelling case -strapped on the back of its saddle, awaited them. His Highness mounted -one of the steeds with skilful celerity, although Arnelm and Von Neuwied -were not there to do honour to his bridle and his stirrup. - -"You must give me an impartial opinion of your courser, my dear friend," -said the Prince to Vivian; "for if you deem it worthy of being -bestridden by you, my son requests that you will do him the honour of -accepting it. If so, call it Max; and provided it be as thoroughbred as -the donor, you need not change it for Bucephalus." - -"Not unworthy of the son of Ammon!" said Vivian, as he touched the -spirited animal with the spur, and proved its fiery action on the -springing turf. - -A man never feels so proud or so sanguine as when he is bounding on the -back of a fine horse. Cares fly with the first curvet, and the very -sight of a spur is enough to prevent one committing suicide. - -When Vivian and his companion had proceeded about five miles, the Prince -pulled up, and giving a sealed letter to the groom, he desired him to -leave them. The Prince and Vivian amused themselves by endeavouring to -form some conception of the person, manners, and habits of the -remarkable man to whom they were on the point of paying so interesting -a visit. - -"I expect," said Vivian, "to be received with folded arms, and a brow -lowering with the overwhelming weight of a brain meditating for the -control of millions. His letter has prepared us for the mysterious, but -not very amusing, style of his conversation. He will be perpetually on -his guard not to commit himself; and although public business, and the -receipt of papers, by calling him away, will occasionally give us an -opportunity of being alone, still I regret that I did not put up in my -case some interesting volume, which would have allowed me to feel less -tedious those hours during which you will necessarily be employed with -him in private consultation." - -After a ride of five hours, the horsemen arrived at a small village. - -"Thus far I think I have well piloted you," said the Prince: "but I -confess my knowledge here ceases; and though I shall disobey the -diplomatic instructions of the great man, I must even ask some old woman -the way to Mr. Beckendorff's." - -While they were hesitating as to whom they should address, an -equestrian, who had already passed them on the road, though at some -distance, came up, and inquired, in a voice which Vivian recognised as -that of the messenger who had brought Beckendorff's letter to -Turriparva, whether he had the honour of addressing Mr. von Philipson. -Neither of the gentlemen answered, for Vivian of course expected the -Prince to reply; and his Highness was, as yet, so unused to his -incognito, that he had actually forgotten his own name. But it was -evident that the demandant had questioned rather from system than by way -of security, and he waited patiently until the Prince had collected his -senses and assumed sufficient gravity of countenance to inform the -horseman that he was the person in question. "What, sir, is your -pleasure?" - -"I am instructed to ride on before you, sir, that you may not mistake -your way;" and without waiting for an answer the laconic messenger -turned his steed's head and trotted off. - -The travellers soon left the high road and turned up a wild turf path, -not only inaccessible to carriages, but even requiring great attention -from horsemen. After much winding and some floundering, they arrived at -a light gate, which apparently opened into a shrubbery. - -"I will take your horses here, gentlemen," said the guide; and getting -off his horse, he opened the gate. "Follow this path, and you can meet -with no difficulty." The Prince and Vivian accordingly dismounted, and -the guide immediately gave a loud shrill whistle. - -The path ran, for a short way, through the shrubbery, which evidently -was a belt encircling the grounds. From this the Prince and Vivian -emerged upon a lawn, which formed on the farthest side a terrace, by -gradually sloping down to the margin of the river. It was enclosed on -the other side, and white pheasants were feeding in its centre. -Following the path which skirted the lawn, they arrived at a second -gate, which opened into a garden, in which no signs of the taste at -present existing in Germany for the English system of picturesque -pleasure-grounds were at all visible. The walk was bounded on both sides -by tall borders, or rather hedges, of box, cut into the shape of -battlements; the sameness of these turrets being occasionally varied by -the immovable form of some trusty warder, carved out of yew or laurel. -Raised terraces and arched walks, aloes and orange trees mounted on -sculptured pedestals, columns of cypress and pyramids of bay, whose dark -foliage strikingly contrasted with the marble statues, and the white -vases shining in the sun, rose in all directions in methodical -confusion. The sound of a fountain was not wanting, and large beds of -beautiful flowers abounded. Proceeding through a lofty berçeau, -occasional openings in whose curving walks allowed effective glimpses of -a bust or a statue, the companions at length came in sight of the house. -It was a long, uneven, low building, evidently of ancient architecture. -Numerous stacks of tall and fantastically-shaped chimneys rose over -three thick and heavy gables, which reached down farther than the middle -of the elevation, forming three compartments, one of them including a -large and modern bow window, over which clustered hi profusion the sweet -and glowing blossoms of the clematis and the pomegranate. Indeed, the -whole front of the house was so completely covered with a rich -scarlet-creeper, that it was difficult to ascertain of what materials it -was built. As Vivian was admiring a white peacock, which, attracted by -their approach, had taken the opportunity of unfurling its wheeling -train, a man came forward from the bow window. - -In height he was about five feet eight, and of a spare but -well-proportioned figure. He had little hair, which was powdered, and -dressed in a manner to render more remarkable the elevation of his -conical and polished forehead. His long piercing black eyes were almost -closed, from the fullness of their upper lids. His cheek was sallow, his -nose aquiline, his mouth compressed. His ears, which were uncovered, -were so small that it would be wrong to pass them over unnoticed; as, -indeed, were his hands and feet, in form quite feminine. He was dressed -in a coat and waistcoat of black velvet, the latter part of his costume -reaching to his thighs; and in a button-hole of his coat was a large -bunch of tube-rose. The broad collar of his exquisitely plaited shirt, -though tied round with a wide black ribbon, did not conceal a neck which -agreed well with his beardless chin, and would not have misbecome a -woman. In England we should have called his breeches buckskin. They were -of a pale yellow leather, and suited his large and spur-armed cavalry -boots, which fitted closely to the legs they covered, reaching over the -knees of the wearer. A ribbon round his neck, tucked into his waistcoat -pocket, was attached to a small French watch. He swung in his right hand -the bow of a violin; and in the other, the little finger of which was -nearly hid by a large antique ring, he held a white handkerchief -strongly perfumed with violets. Notwithstanding the many feminine -characteristics which I have noticed, either from the expression of the -eyes or the formation of the mouth, the countenance of this individual -generally conveyed an impression of firmness and energy. This -description will not be considered ridiculously minute by those who have -never had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the person of so -celebrated a gentleman as MR. BECKENDORFF. - -He advanced to the Prince with an air which seemed to proclaim that, as -his person could not be mistaken, the ceremony of introduction was -unnecessary. Bowing in a ceremonious and courtly manner to his Highness, -Mr. Beckendorff, in a weak but not unpleasing voice, said that he was -"honoured by the presence of Mr. von Philipson." The Prince answered his -salutation in a manner equally ceremonious and equally courtly; for -having no mean opinion of his own diplomatic abilities, his Highness -determined that neither by an excess of coldness nor cordiality on his -part should the Minister gather the slightest indication of the temper -in which he had attended the interview. You see that even the bow of a -diplomatist is a serious business! - -"Mr. Beckendorff," said his Highness, "my letter doubtless informed you -that I should avail myself of your permission to be accompanied. Let me -have the honour of presenting to you my friend Mr. Grey, an English -gentleman." - -As the Prince spoke, Beckendorff stood with his arms crossed behind -him, and his chin resting upon his chest, but his eyes at the same time -so raised as to look his Highness full in the face. Vivian was so struck -by his posture and the expression of his countenance, that he nearly -omitted to bow when he was presented. As his name was mentioned, the -Minister gave him a sharp, sidelong glance, and moving his head -slightly, invited his guests to enter the house. The gentlemen -accordingly complied with his request. Passing through the bow window, -they found themselves in a well-sized room, the sides of which were -covered with shelves filled with richly-bound books. There was nothing -in the room which gave the slightest indication that the master of the -library was any other than a private gentleman. Not a book, not a chair -was out of its place. A purple inkstand of Sèvre, and a highly-tooled -morocco portfolio of the same colour, reposed on a marqueterie table, -and that was all. No papers, no despatches, no red tape, and no red -boxes. Over an ancient chimney, lined with china tiles, on which were -represented grotesque figures, cows playing the harp, monkeys acting -monarchs, and tall figures all legs, flying with rapidity from pursuers -who were all head; over this chimney were suspended some curious pieces -of antique armour, among which an Italian dagger, with a chased and -jewelled hilt, was the most remarkable and the most precious. - -"This," said Mr. Beckendorff, "is my library." - -"What a splendid poignard!" said the Prince, who had no taste for books; -and he immediately walked up to the chimney-piece. Beckendorff followed -him, and taking down the admired weapon from its resting-place, -proceeded to lecture on its virtues, its antiquity, and its beauty. -Vivian seized this opportunity of taking a rapid glance at the contents -of the library. He anticipated interleaved copies of Machiavel, Vattel, -and Montesquieu; and the lightest works that he expected to meet with -were the lying memoirs of some intriguing cardinal or the deluding -apology of an exiled minister. To his surprise, he found that, without -an exception, the collection consisted of poetry and romance. Somewhat -surprised, Vivian looked with a curious eye on the unlettered backs of a -row of mighty folios on a corner shelf. "These," he thought, "at least -must be royal ordinances, and collected state papers." The sense of -propriety struggled for a moment with the passion of curiosity; but -nothing is more difficult for the man who loves books than to refrain -from examining a volume which he fancies may be unknown to him. From -the jewelled dagger Beckendorff had now got to an enamelled -breast-plate. Two to one he should not be observed; and so, with a -desperate pull, Vivian extracted a volume; it was a herbal! He tried -another; it was a collection of dried insects! - -"And now," said Mr. Beckendorff, "I will show you my drawing-room." - -He opened a door at the farther end of the library, and introduced them -to a room of a different character. The sun, which was shining brightly, -lent additional brilliancy to the rainbow-tinted birds of paradise, the -crimson maccaws, and the green parroquets that glistened on the Indian -paper, which covered not only the walls, but also the ceiling of the -room. Over the fireplace a black frame, projecting from the wall, and -mournfully contrasting with the general brilliant appearance of the -apartment, inclosed a picture of a beautiful female; and bending over -its frame, and indeed partly shadowing the countenance, was the withered -branch of a tree. A harpsichord and several cases of musical instruments -were placed in different parts of the room; and suspended by broad black -ribbons from the wall, on each side of the picture, were a guitar and a -tambourine. On a sofa of unusual size lay a Cremona; and as Mr. -Beckendorff passed the instrument he threw by its side the bow, which he -had hitherto carried in his hand. - -"We may as well now take something," said Mr. Beckendorff, when his -guests had sufficiently admired the room; "my pictures are in my -dining-room; let us go there." - -So saying, and armed this time not only with his bow but also with his -violin, he retraced his steps through the library, and crossing a small -passage which divided the house into two compartments, he opened the -door into his dining-room. The moment they entered the room their ears -were saluted, and indeed their senses ravished, by what appeared to be a -concert of a thousand birds; yet none of the winged choristers were to -be seen, and not even a single cage was visible. The room, which was -simply furnished, appeared at first rather gloomy; for, though lighted -by three windows, the silk blinds were all drawn. - -"And now," said Mr. Beckendorff, raising the first blind, "you shall see -my pictures. At what do you estimate this Breughel?" - -The window, which was of stained green glass, gave to the landscape an -effect similar to that generally produced by the artist mentioned. The -Prince, who was already puzzled by finding one who at the same time was -both his host and his enemy so different a character from what he had -conceived, and who, being by temper superstitious, considered that this -preliminary false opinion of his was rather a bad omen, did not express -any great admiration of the gallery of Mr. Beckendorff; but Vivian, who -had no ambitious hopes or fears to affect his temper, and who was amused -by the character with whom he had become so unexpectedly acquainted, -good-naturedly humoured the fantasies of the Minister, and said that he -preferred his picture to any Breughel he had ever seen. - -"I see you have a fine taste," said Mr. Beckendorff, with a serious air, -but in a courteous tone; "you shall see my Claude!" - -The rich yellow tint of the second window gave to the fanciful garden -all that was requisite to make it look Italian. - -"Have you ever been in Italy, sir?" asked Beckendorff. - -"I have not." - -"You have, Mr. von Philipson?" - -"Never south of Germany," answered the Prince, who was hungry, and eyed -with a rapacious glance the capital luncheon which he saw prepared -for him. - -"Well, then, when either of you go, you will, of course, not miss the -Lago Maggiore. Gaze on Isola Bella at sunset, and you will not view so -fair a scene as this! And now, Mr. von Philipson," said Beckendorff, "do -me the favour of giving me your opinion of this Honthorst?" - -His Highness would rather have given his opinion of the dish of game -which still smoked upon the table, but which he was mournfully convinced -would not smoke long. "But," thought he, "this is the last!" and so he -admired the effect produced by the flaming panes, to which Beckendorff -swore that no piece ever painted by Gerard Honthorst, for brilliancy of -colouring and boldness of outline, could be compared. "Besides," -continued Beckendorff, "mine are all animated pictures. See that -cypress, waving from the breeze which is now stirring, and look! look at -this crimson peacock! look! Mr. von Philipson." - -"I am looking, Mr. von--I beg pardon, Mr. Beckendorff," said the Prince, -with great dignity, making this slight mistake in the name, either from -being unused to converse with such low people as had not the nominal -mark of nobility, or to vent his spleen at being so unnecessarily kept -from the refreshment which he so much required. - -"Mr. von Philipson," said Beckendorff, suddenly turning round, "all my -fruits and all my vegetables are from my own garden. Let us sit down and -help ourselves." - -The only substantial food at table was a great dish of game. The -vegetables and the fruits were numerous and superb; and there really -appeared to be a fair prospect of the Prince of Little Lilliput making -as good a luncheon as if the whole had been conducted under the auspices -of Master Rodolph himself, had it not been for the melody of the unseen -vocalists, which, probably excited by the sounds of the knives and -plates, too evidently increased every moment. But this inconvenience was -soon removed by Mr. Beckendorff rising and giving three loud knocks on -the door opposite to the one by which they had entered. Immediate -silence ensued. - -"Clara will change your plate, Mr. von Philipson," said Beckendorff. - -Vivian eagerly looked up, not with the slightest idea that the entrance -of Clara would prove that the mysterious picture in the drawing-room was -a portrait, but, it must be confessed, with a little curiosity to view -the first specimen of the sex who lived under the roof of Mr. -Beckendorff. Clara was a hale old woman, with rather an acid expression -of countenance, prim in her appearance, and evidently precise in her -manners. She placed a bottle and two wine-glasses with long, thin stems -on the table; and having removed the game and changed the plates, she -disappeared. - -"Pray what wine is this, Mr. Beckendorff?" eagerly asked the Prince. - -"I really don't know. I never drink wine." - -"Not know! I never tasted such Tokay in my life!" - -"Probably," said Mr. Beckendorff; "I think it was a present from the -Emperor. I have never tasted it." - -"My dear sir, take a glass!" said the Prince, his naturally jovial -temper having made him completely forget whom he was addressing, and the -business he had come upon. - -"I never drink wine; I am glad you like it; I have no doubt Clara has -more." - -"No, no, no! we must be moderate," said the Prince, who, though a great -admirer of a good luncheon, had also a due respect for a good dinner, -and consequently had no idea, at this awkward hour in the day, of -preventing himself from properly appreciating the future banquet. -Moreover, his Highness, taking into consideration the manner in which -the game had been dressed, and the marks of refinement and good taste -which seemed to pervade every part of the establishment of Mr. -Beckendorff, did not imagine that he was much presuming when he -conjectured that there was a fair chance of his dinner being -something superior. - -The sudden arrival and appearance of some new and unexpected guests -through the mysterious portal on which Mr. Beckendorff by his three -knocks had previously produced such a tranquillising effect, and which -he had now himself opened, explained the character of the apartment, -which, from its unceasing melody, had so much excited the curiosity of -his guests. These new visitors were a crowd of piping bullfinches, -Virginia nightingales, trained canaries, Java sparrows, and Indian -lorys; which, freed from their cages of golden wire by their fond -master, had fled, as was their custom, from his superb aviary to pay -their respects and compliments at his daily levée. - -"I am glad to see that you like birds, sir," said Beckendorff to Vivian; -for our hero, good-naturedly humouring the tastes of his host, was -impartially dividing the luxuries of a peach among a crowd of gaudy and -greedy little sparrows. "You shall see my favourites," continued -Beckendorff; and tapping rather loudly on the table, he held out the -forefinger of each hand. Two bullfinches recognised the signal, and -immediately hastened to their perch. - -"My dear!" trilled out one little songster, and it raised its speaking -eyes to its delighted master. - -"My love!" warbled the other, marking its affection by looks equally -personal. - -As these monosyllables were repeated, Beckendorff, with sparkling eyes, -triumphantly looked round at Vivian, as if the frequent reiteration were -a proof of the sincerity of the affection of these singular friends. - -At length, to the Prince's relief, Mr. Beckendorff's feathered friends, -having finished their dessert, were sent back to their cages, with a -strict injunction not to trouble their master at present with their -voices, an injunction which was obeyed to the letter; and when the door -was closed few persons could have been persuaded that the next room was -an aviary. - -"I am proud of my peaches, Mr. von Philipson," said Beckendorff, -recommending the fruit to his guest's attention, then rising from the -table, he threw himself on the sofa, and began humming a tune in a low -voice. Presently he took up his Cremona, and, using the violin as a -guitar, accompanied himself in a beautiful air, but not in a more -audible tone. While Mr. Beckendorff was singing he seemed unconscious -that any person was in the room; and the Prince, who was not very fond -of music, certainly gave him no hint, either by his approbation or his -attention, that he was listened to. Vivian, however, like most unhappy -men, loved music; and actuated by this feeling, and the interest which -he began to take in the character of Mr. Beckendorff, he could not, when -that gentleman had finished his air, refrain from very sincerely -saying "encore!" - -Beckendorff started and looked round, as if he were for the first moment -aware that any being had heard him. - -"Encore!" said he, with a kind sneer: "who ever could sing or play the -same thing twice! Are you fond of music, sir?" - -"Very much so, indeed. I fancied I recognised that air. You are an -admirer I imagine, of Mozart?" - -"I never heard of him; I know nothing of those gentry. But if you really -like music, I will play you something worth listening to." - -Mr. Beckendorff began a beautiful air very adagio, gradually increasing -the time in a kind of variation, till at last his execution became so -rapid that Vivian, surprised at the mere mechanical action, rose from -his chair in order better to examine the player's management and motion -of his bow. Exquisite as were the tones, enchanting as were the -originality of his variations and the perfect harmony of his -composition, it was nevertheless extremely difficult to resist smiling -at the contortions of his face and figure. Now, his body bending to the -strain, he was at one moment with his violin raised in the air, and the -next instant with the lower nut almost resting upon his foot. At length, -by well-proportioned degrees, the air died away into the original soft -cadence; and the player, becoming completely entranced in his own -performance, finished by sinking back on the sofa, with his bow and -violin raised over his head. Vivian would not disturb him by his -applause. An instant after, Mr. Beckendorff, throwing down the -instrument, rushed through an open window into the garden. - -As soon as Beckendorff was out of sight, Vivian looked at the Prince; -and his Highness, elevating his eyebrows, screwing up his mouth, and -shrugging his shoulders, altogether presented a comical picture of a -puzzled man. - -"Well, my dear friend," said he, "this is rather different from what we -expected." - -"Very different; but much more amusing." - -"Humph!" said the Prince, slowly; "I do not think it exactly requires a -ghost to tell us that Mr. Beckendorff is not in the habit of going to -court. I do not know how he is accustomed to conduct himself when he is -honoured by a visit from the Grand Duke; but I am quite sure that, as -regards his treatment of myself, to say the least, the incognito is well -observed." - -"Mr. von Philipson," said the gentleman of whom they were speaking, -putting his head in at the window, "you shall see my blue -passion-flower. We will take a walk round the garden." - -The Prince gave Vivian a look which seemed to suppose they must go, and -accordingly they stepped into the garden. - -"You do not see my garden in its glory," said Mr. Beckendorff, stopping -before the bow window of the library. "This spot is my strong point; had -you been here earlier in the year, you might have admired with me my -invaluable crescents of tulips; such colours! such brilliancy! so -defined! And last year I had three king-tulips; their elegantly-formed, -creamy cups I have never seen equalled. And then my double variegated -ranunculuses; my hyacinths of fifty bells, in every tint, single and -double; and my favourite stands of auriculas, so large and powdered that -the colour of the velvet leaves was scarcely discoverable! The blue -passion-flower is, however, now beautiful. You see that summer-house, -sir," continued he, turning to Vivian; "the top is my observatory. You -will sleep in that pavilion to-night, so you had better take notice how -the walk winds." - -The passion-flower was trained against the summer-house in question. - -"There," said Mr. Beckendorff; and he stood admiring with outstretched -arms; "the latter days of its beauty, for the autumn frosts will soon -stop its flower. Pray, Mr. von Philipson, are you a botanist?" - -"Why," said the Prince, "I am a great admirer of flowers, but I cannot -exactly say that--" - -"Ah! no botanist. The flower of this beautiful plant continues only one -day, but there is a constant succession from July to the end of the -autumn; and if this fine weather continue--Pray, sir, how is the wind?" - -"I really cannot say," said the Prince; "but I think the wind is -either--" - -"Do you know, sir?" continued Beckendorff to Vivian. - -"I think, sir, that it is--" - -"Westerly. Well! If this weather continue, the succession may still last -another month. You will be interested to know, Mr. von Philipson, that -the flower comes out at the same joint with the leaf, on a peduncle -nearly three inches long; round the centre of it are two radiating -crowns; look, look, sir! the inner inclining towards the centre column; -now examine this well, and I will be with you in a moment." So saying, -Mr. Beckendorff, running down the walk, jumped over the railing, and in -a moment was coursing across the lawn, towards the river, in a chase -after a dragon-fly. - -Mr. Beckendorff was soon out of sight, and after lingering half-an-hour -in the vicinity of the blue passion-flower, the Prince proposed to -Vivian that they should quit the spot. "So far as I can observe," -continued his Highness, "we might as well quit the house. No wonder that -Beckendorff's power is on the wane, for he appears to me to be growing -childish. Surely he could not always have been this frivolous creature!" - -"I am really so astonished," said Vivian, "that it is quite out of my -power to assist your Highness in any supposition. But I should recommend -you not to be too hasty in your movements. Take care that staying here -does not affect the position which you have taken up, or retard the -progress of any measures on which you have determined, and you are safe. -What will it injure you if, with the chance of achieving the great and -patriotic purpose to which you have devoted your powers and energies, -you are subjected for a few hours to the caprices, or even rudeness, of -any man whatever? If Beckendorff be the character which the world gives -him credit to be, I do not think he can imagine that you are to be -deceived twice; and if he do imagine so, we are convinced that he will -be disappointed. If, as you have supposed, not only his power is on the -wane, but his intellect also, four-and-twenty hours will convince us of -the fact; for in less than that time your Highness will necessarily have -conversation of a more important nature with him. I recommend, -therefore, that we continue here to-day, although," added Vivian, -smiling, "I have to sleep in his observatory." - -After walking in the gardens about an hour, the Prince and Vivian again -went into the house, imagining that Beckendorff might have returned by -another entrance; but he was not there. The Prince was much annoyed; and -Vivian, to amuse himself, had recourse to the library. After -re-examining the armour, looking at the garden through the painted -windows, conjecturing who might be the original of the mysterious -picture and what could be the meaning of the withered branch, the Prince -was fairly worn out. The precise dinner hour he did not know; and -notwithstanding repeated exertions, he had hitherto been unable to find -the blooming Clara. He could not flatter himself, however, that there -were less than two hours to kill before the great event took place; and -so, heartily wishing himself back again at Turriparva, he prevailed upon -Vivian to throw aside his book and take another walk. - -This time they extended their distance, stretched out as far as the -river, and explored the adjoining woods; but of Mr. Beckendorff they saw -and heard nothing. At length they again returned: it was getting dusk. -They found the bow window of the library closed. They again entered the -dining-room, and, to their surprise, found no preparations for dinner. -This time the Prince was more fortunate in his exertions to procure an -interview with Madam Clara, for that lady almost immediately entered -the room. - -"Pray, my good madam," inquired the Prince, "has your master returned?" - -"Mr. Beckendorff is in the library, sir," said the old lady, pompously. - -"Indeed! we do not dine in this room, then?" - -"Dine, sir!" said the good dame, forgetting her pomposity in her -astonishment. - -"Yes, dine," said the Prince. - -"Mr. Beckendorff never takes anything after his noon meal." - -"Am I to understand, then, that we are to have no dinner?" asked his -Highness, angry and agitated. - -"Mr. Beckendorff never takes anything after his noon meal, sir; but I am -sure that if you and your friend are hungry, sir, I hope there is never -a want in this house." - -"My good lady, I am hungry, very hungry, indeed; and if your master, I -mean Mr. von, that is Mr. Beckendorff, has such a bad appetite that he -can satisfy himself with picking, once a day, the breast of a pheasant; -why, if he expect his friends to be willing or even able to live on such -fare, the least that I can say is, that he is much mistaken; and so, -therefore, my good friend Grey, I think we had better order our horses -and be off." - -"No occasion for that, I hope," said Mrs. Clara, rather alarmed at the -Prince's passion; "no want, I trust, ever here, sir; and I make no doubt -you will have dinner as soon as possible; and so, sir, I hope you will -not be hasty." - -"Hasty! I have no wish to be hasty; but as for disarranging the whole -economy of the house, and getting up an extemporaneous meal for me, I -cannot think of it. Mr. Beckendorff may live as he likes, and if I stay -here I am contented to live as he does. I do not wish him to change his -habits for me, and I shall take care that, after today, there will be no -necessity for his doing so. However, absolute hunger can make no -compliments; and therefore I will thank you, my good madam, to let me -and my friend have the remains of that cold game, if they be still in -existence, on which we lunched, or, as you term it, took our noon meal, -this morning; and which, if it were your own cooking, Mrs. Clara, I -assure you, as I observed to my friend at the time, did you -infinite credit." - -The Prince, although his gentlemanlike feelings had, in spite of his -hunger, dictated a deprecation of Mrs. Clara's making a dinner merely -for himself, still thought that a seasonable and deserved compliment to -the lady might assist in bringing about a result which, notwithstanding -his politeness, he much desired; and that was the production of another -specimen of her culinary accomplishments. Having behaved, as he -considered, with moderation and dignified civility, he was, it must be -confessed, rather astounded when Mrs. Clara, duly acknowledging his -compliment by her curtsey, was sorry to inform him that she dared give -no refreshment in this house without Mr. Beckendorff's special order. - -"Special order! Why! surely your master will not grudge me the cold leg -of a pheasant?" - -"Mr. Beckendorff is not in the habit of grudging anything," answered the -housekeeper, with offended majesty. - -"Then why should he object?" asked the Prince. - -"Mr. Beckendorff is the best judge, sir, of the propriety of his own -regulations." - -"Well, well!" said Vivian, more interested for his friend than himself, -"there is no difficulty in asking Mr. Beckendorff?" - -"None in the least, sir," answered the housekeeper, "when he is awake." - -"Awake!" said the Prince, "why! is he asleep now?" - -"Yes, sir, in the library." - -"And how long will he be asleep?" asked the Prince, with eagerness. - -"It is uncertain; he may be asleep for hours, he may wake in five -minutes; all I can do is to watch." - -"But, surely in a case like the present, you can wake your master?" - -"I could not wake Mr. Beckendorff, sir, if the house were on fire. No -one can enter the room when he is asleep." - -"Then how can you possibly know when he is awake?" - -"I shall hear his violin immediately, sir." - -"Well, well! I suppose it must be so. I wish we were in Turriparva; that -is all I know. Men of my station have no business to be paying visits to -the sons of the Lord knows who! peasants, shopkeepers, and pedagogues!" - -As a fire was blazing in the dining-room, which Mrs. Clara informed them -Mr. Beckendorff never omitted having every night in the year, the Prince -and his friend imagined that they were to remain there, and they -consequently did not attempt to disturb the slumbers of their host. -Resting his feet on the hobs, his Highness, for the fiftieth time, -declared that he wished he had never left Turriparva; and just when -Vivian was on the point of giving up in despair the hope of consoling -him, Mrs. Clara entered and proceeded to lay the cloth. - -"Your master is awake, then?" asked the Prince, very quickly. - -"Mr. Beckendorff has been long awake, sir! and dinner will be ready -immediately." - -His Highness' countenance brightened; and in a short time the supper -appearing, the Prince, again fascinated by Mrs. Clara's cookery and Mr. -Beckendorff's wine, forgot his chagrin, and regained his temper. - -In about a couple of hours Mr. Beckendorff entered. - -"I hope that Clara has given you wine you like, Mr. von Philipson?" - -"The same bin, I will answer for that." - -Mr. Beckendorff had his violin in his hand, but his dress was much -changed. His great boots being pulled off, exhibited the white silk -stockings which he invariably wore. His coat had given place to the -easier covering of a brocade dressing-gown. He drew a chair round the -fire, between the Prince and Vivian. It was a late hour, and the room -was only lighted by the glimmering coals, for the flames had long died -away. Mr. Beckendorff sat for some time without speaking, gazing -earnestly on the decaying embers. Indeed, before many minutes had -elapsed, complete silence prevailed; for both the endeavours of the -Prince and of Vivian to promote conversation had been unsuccessful. At -length the master of the house turned round to the Prince, and pointing -to a particular mass of coal, said, "I think, Mr. von Philipson, that is -the completest elephant I ever saw. We will ring the bell for some -coals, and then have a game of whist." - -The Prince was so surprised by Mr. Beckendorff's remark that he was not -sufficiently struck by the strangeness of his proposition, and it was -only when he heard Vivian professing his ignorance of the game that it -occurred to him that to play at whist was hardly the object for which he -had travelled from Turriparva. - -"An Englishman not know whist!" said Mr. Beckendorff: - -"Ridiculous! You do know it. Let us play! Mr. von Philipson, I know, has -no objection." - -"But, my good sir," said the Prince, "although previous to conversation -I may have no objection to join in a little amusement, still it appears -to me that it has escaped your memory that whist is a game which -requires the co-operation of four persons." - -"Not at all! I take dummy! I am not sure it is not the finest way of -playing the game." - -The table was arranged, the lights brought, the cards produced, and the -Prince of Little Lilliput, greatly to his surprise, found himself -playing whist with Mr. Beckendorff. Nothing could be more dull. The -Minister would neither bet nor stake, and the immense interest which he -took in every card that was played ludicrously contrasted with the -rather sullen looks of the Prince and the very sleepy ones of Vivian. -Whenever Mr. Beckendorff played for dummy he always looked with the most -searching eye into the next adversary's face, as if he would read his -cards in his features. The first rubber lasted an hour and a half, three -long games, which Mr. Beckendorff, to his triumph, hardly won. In the -first game of the second rubber Vivian blundered; in the second he -revoked; and in the third, having neglected to play, and being loudly -called upon, and rated both by his partner and Mr. Beckendorff, he was -found to be asleep. Beckendorff threw down his hand with a loud dash, -which roused Vivian from his slumber. He apologised for his drowsiness; -but said that he was so sleepy that he must retire. The Prince, who -longed to be with Beckendorff alone, winked approbation of his -intention. - -"Well!" said Beckendorff, "you spoiled the rubber. I shall ring for -Clara. Why you all are so fond of going to bed I cannot understand. I -have not been to bed these thirty years." - -Vivian made his escape; and Beckendorff, pitying his degeneracy, -proposed to the Prince, in a tone which seemed to anticipate that the -offer would meet with instantaneous acceptation, double dummy. This, -however, was too much. - -"No more cards, sir, I thank you," said the Prince; "if, however, you -have a mind for an hour's conversation, I am quite at your service." - -"I am obliged to you; I never talk. Good night, Mr. von Philipson." - -Mr. Beckendorff left the room. His Highness could contain himself no -longer. He rang the bell. - -"Pray, Mrs. Clara," said he, "where are my horses?" - -"Mr. Beckendorff will have no quadrupeds within a mile of the house, -except Owlface." - -"How do you mean? Let me see the man-servant." - -"The household consists only of myself, sir." - -"Why! where is my luggage, then?" - -"That has been brought up, sir; it is in your room." - -"I tell you I must have my horses." - -"It is quite impossible to-night, sir. I think, sir, you had better -retire. Mr. Beckendorff may not be home again these six hours." - -"What! is your master gone out?" - -"Yes, sir, he is just gone out to take his ride." - -"Why! where is his horse kept, then?" - -"It is Owlface, sir." - -"Owlface, indeed! What! is your master in the habit of riding out at -night?" - -"Mr. Beckendorff rides out, sir, just when it happens to suit him." - -"It is very odd I cannot ride out when it happens to suit me! However, -I will be off to-morrow; and so, if you please, show me my bed-room -at once." - -"Your room is the library, sir." - -"The library! Why, there is no bed in the library." - -"We have no beds, sir; but the sofa is made up." - -"No beds! Well! it is only for one night. You are all mad, and I am as -mad as you for coming here." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -The morning sun peeping through the window of the little summer-house -roused its inmate at an early hour; and finding no signs of Mr. -Beckendorff and his guest having yet risen from their slumbers, Vivian -took the opportunity of strolling about the gardens and the grounds. -Directing his way along the margin of the river, he soon left the lawn -and entered some beautiful meadows, whose dewy verdure glistened in the -brightening beams of the early sun. Crossing these, and passing through -a gate, he found himself in a rural road, whose lofty hedge-rows, rich -with all the varieties of wild fruit and flower, and animated with the -cheering presence of the busy birds chirping from every bough and spray, -altogether presented a scene which reminded him of the soft beauties of -his own country. With some men, to remember is to be sad; and -unfortunately for Vivian Grey, there were few objects which with him did -not give rise to associations of a painful nature. The strange -occurrences of the last few days had recalled, if not revived, the -feelings of his boyhood. His early career flitted across his mind. He -would have stifled the remembrance with a sigh, but man Is the slave of -Memory. For a moment he mused over Power; but then he, shuddering, -shrank from the wearing anxiety, the consuming care, the eternal -vigilance, the constant contrivance, the agonising suspense, the -distracting vicissitudes of his past career. Alas! it is our nature to -sicken, from our birth, after some object of unattainable felicity, to -struggle through the freshest years of our life in an insane pursuit -after some indefinite good, which does not even exist! But sure and -quick is the dark hour which cools our doting frenzy in the frigid waves -of the ocean of oblivion! We dream of immortality until we die. -Ambition! at thy proud and fatal altar we whisper the secrets of our -mighty thoughts, and breathe the aspirations of our inexpressible -desires. A clouded flame licks up the offering of our ruined souls, and -the sacrifice vanishes in the sable smoke of Death. - -But where are his thoughts wandering? Had he forgotten that day of -darkest despair? There had that happened to him which had happened to no -other man. He was roused from his reverie by the sound of a trotting -horse. He looked up, but the winding road prevented him at first from -seeing the steed which evidently was approaching. The sound came nearer -and nearer; and at length, turning a corner, Mr. Beckendorff came in -sight. He was mounted on a strong-built, rough, and ugly pony, with an -obstinate mane, which, defying the exertion's of the groom, fell in -equal divisions on both sides of its bottle neck, and a large white -face, which, combined with its blinking vision, had earned for it the -euphonious title of Owlface. Both master and steed must have travelled -hard and far, for both were covered with dust and mud from top to toe, -from mane to hoof. Mr. Beckendorff seemed surprised at meeting Vivian, -and pulled up his pony as he reached him. - -"An early riser, I see, sir. Where is Mr. von Philipson?" - -"I have not yet seen him, and imagined that both he and yourself had not -yet risen." - -"Hum! how many hours is it to noon?" asked Mr. Beckendorff, who always -spoke astronomically. - -"More than four, I imagine." - -"Pray do you prefer the country about here to Turriparva?" - -"Both, I think, are beautiful." - -"You live at Turriparva?" asked Mr. Beckendorff. - -"As a guest," answered Vivian. - -"Has it been a fine summer at Turriparva?" - -"I believe everywhere." - -"I am afraid Mr. von Philipson finds it rather dull here?" - -"I am not aware of it." - -"He seems a ve-ry--?" said Beckendorff, looking keenly in his -companion's face. But Vivian did not supply the desired phrase; and so -the Minister was forced to finish the sentence himself, "a very -gentlemanlike sort of man?" A low bow was the only response. - -"I trust, sir, I may indulge the hope," continued Mr. Beckendorff, "that -you will honour me with your company another day." - -"You are exceedingly obliging!" - -"Mr. von Philipson is fond, I think, of a country life?" said -Beckendorff. - -"Most men are." - -"I suppose he has no innate objection to live occasionally in a city?" - -"Few have." - -"You probably have known him long?" - -"Not long enough to wish our acquaintance at an end." - -"Hum!" - -They proceeded in silence for some moments, and then Beckendorff again -turned round, and this time with a direct question. - -"I wonder if Mr. Von Philipson can make it convenient to honour me with -his company another day. Can you tell me?" - -"I think the best person to inform you of that would be his Highness -himself," said Vivian, using his friend's title purposely to show Mr. -Beckendorff how ridiculous he considered his present use of the -incognito. - -"You think so, sir, do you?" answered Beckendorff, sarcastically. - -They had now arrived at the gate by which Vivian had reached the road. - -"Your course, sir," said Mr. Beckendorff, "lies that way. I see, like -myself, you are no great talker. We shall meet at breakfast." So saying, -the Minister set spurs to his pony, and was soon out of sight. - -When Vivian reached the house, he found the bow window of the library -thrown open, and as he approached he saw Mr. Beckendorff enter the room -and bow to the prince. His Highness had passed a good night in spite of -not sleeping in a bed, and he was at this moment commencing a delicious -breakfast. His ill-humour had consequently vanished. He had made up his -mind that Beckendorff was mad; and although he had given up all the -secret and flattering hopes which he had dared to entertain when the -interview was first arranged, he nevertheless did not regret his visit, -which on the whole had been amusing, and had made him acquainted with -the person and habits, and, as he believed, the intellectual powers of a -man with whom, most probably, he should soon be engaged in open -hostility. Vivian took his seat at the breakfast, table, and Beckendorff -stood conversing with them with his back to the fireplace, and -occasionally, during the pauses of conversation, pulling the strings of -his violin with his fingers. It did not escape Vivian's observation that -the Minister was particularly courteous and even attentive to the -Prince; and that he endeavoured by his quick and more communicative -answers, and occasionally by a stray observation, to encourage the good -humour visible on the cheerful countenance of his guest. - -"Have you been long up, Mr. Beckendorff?" asked the Prince; for his host -had resumed his dressing-gown and slippers. - -"I generally see the sun rise." - -"And yet you retire late! out riding last night, I understand?" - -"I never go to bed." - -"Indeed!" said the Prince. "Well, for my part, without my regular rest I -am nothing. Have you breakfasted, Mr. Beckendorff?" - -"Clara will bring my breakfast immediately." - -The dame accordingly soon appeared, bearing a tray with a basin of -boiling water and one large thick biscuit. This Mr. Beckendorff, having -well soaked in the hot fluid, eagerly devoured; and then taking up his -violin, amused himself until his guests had finished their breakfast. - -When Vivian had ended his meal he left the Prince and Beckendorff alone, -determined that his presence should not be the occasion of the Minister -any longer retarding the commencement of business. The Prince, who by a -private glance had been prepared for his departure, immediately took the -opportunity of asking Mr. Beckendorff, in a decisive tone, whether he -might flatter himself that he could command his present attention to a -subject of importance. Mr. Beckendorff said that he was always at Mr. -von Philipson's service; and drawing a chair opposite him, the Prince -and Mr. Beckendorff now sat on each side of the fireplace. - -"Hem!" said the Prince, clearing his throat; and he looked at Mr. -Beckendorff, who sat with his heels close together, his toes out square, -his hands resting on his knees, which, as well as his elbows, were -turned out, his shoulders bent, his head reclined, and his -eyes glancing. - -"Hem!" said the Prince of Little Lilliput. "In compliance, Mr. -Beckendorff, with your wish, developed in the communication received by -me on the--inst., I assented in my answer to the arrangement then -proposed; the object of which was, to use your own words, to facilitate -the occurrence of an oral interchange of the sentiments of various -parties interested in certain proceedings, by which interchange it was -anticipated that the mutual interests might be respectively considered -and finally arranged. Prior, Mr. Beckendorff, to either of us going into -any detail upon those points of probable discussion, which will, in all -likelihood, form the fundamental features of this interview, I wish to -recall your attention to the paper which I had the honour of presenting -to his Royal Highness, and which is alluded to in your communication of -the--lost. The principal heads of that document I have brought with me, -abridged in this paper." - -Here the Prince handed to Mr. Beckendorff a MS. pamphlet, consisting of -several sheets closely written. The Minister bowed very graciously as he -took it from his Highness' hand, and then, without even looking at it, -laid it on the table. - -"You, sir, I perceive," continued the Prince, "are acquainted with its -contents; and it will therefore be unnecessary for me at present to -expatiate upon their individual expediency, or to argue for their -particular adoption. And, sir, when we observe the progress of the human -mind, when we take into consideration the quick march of intellect, and -the wide expansion of enlightened views and liberal principles; when we -take a bird's-eye view of the history of man from the earliest ages to -the present moment, I feel that it would be folly in me to conceive for -an instant that the measures developed and recommended in that paper -will not finally receive the approbation of his Royal Highness. As to -the exact origin of slavery, Mr. Beckendorff, I confess that I am not, -at this moment, prepared distinctly to speak. That the Divine Author of -our religion was its decided enemy, I am informed, is clear. That the -slavery of ancient times was the origin of the feudal service of a more -modern period, is a point on which men of learning have not precisely -made up their minds. With regard to the exact state of the ancient -German people, Tacitus affords us a great deal of most interesting -information. Whether or not, certain passages which I have brought with -me marked in the Germania are incontestable evidences that our ancestors -enjoyed or understood the practice of a wise and well-regulated -representative system, is a point on which I shall be happy to receive -the opinion of so distinguished a statesman as Mr. Beckendorff. In -stepping forward, as I have felt it my duty to do, as the advocate of -popular rights and national privileges, I am desirous to prove that I -have not become the votary of innovation and the professor of -revolutionary doctrines. The passages of the Roman author in question, -and an ancient charter of the Emperor Charlemagne, are, I consider, -decisive and sufficient precedents for the measures which I have thought -proper to sanction by my approval, and to support by my influence. A -minister, Mr. Beckendorff, must take care that in the great race of -politics the minds of his countrymen do not leave his own behind them. -We must never forget the powers and capabilities of man. On this very -spot, perhaps, some centuries ago, savages clothed in skins were -committing cannibalism in a forest. We must not forget, I repeat, that -it is the business to those to whom Providence has allotted the -responsible possession of power and influence (that it is their duty, -our duty, Mr. Beckendorff), to become guardians of our weaker -fellow-creatures; that all power is a trust; that we are accountable for -its exercise; that from the people, and for the people, all springs, and -all must exist; and that, unless we conduct ourselves with the requisite -wisdom, prudence, and propriety, the whole system of society will be -disorganised; and this country, in particular, will fall a victim to -that system of corruption and misgovernment which has already occasioned -the destruction of the great kingdoms mentioned in the Bible, and many -other states besides, Greece, Rome, Carthage, &c." - -Thus ended the peroration of an harangue consisting of an incoherent -arrangement of imperfectly-remembered facts and misunderstood -principles; all gleaned by his Highness from the enlightening articles -of the Reisenburg journals. Like Brutus, the Prince of Little Lilliput -paused for a reply. - -"Mr. von Philipson," said his companion, when his Highness had finished, -"you speak like a man of sense." Having given this answer, Mr. -Beckendorff rose from his seat and walked straight out of the room. - -The Prince at first took the answer for a compliment; but Mr. -Beckendorff not returning, he began to have a faint idea that he was -neglected. In this uncertainty he rang the bell for his friend Clara. - -"Mrs. Clara! where is your master?" - -"Just gone out, sir." - -"How do you mean?" - -"He has gone out with his gun, sir." - -"You are quite sure he has--gone out?" - -"Quite sure, sir. I took him his coat and boots myself." - -"I am to understand, then, that your master has gone out?" - -"Yes, sir; Mr. Beckendorff has gone out. He will be home for his noon -meal." - -"That is enough! Grey!' called out the indignant Prince, darting into -the garden. - -"Well, my dear Prince," said Vivian, "what can possibly be the matter?" - -"The matter! Insanity can be the only excuse; insanity can alone account -for his preposterous conduct. We have seen enough of him. The repetition -of absurdity is only wearisome. Pray assist me in getting our horses -immediately." - -"Certainly, if you wish it; but remember you brought me here as your -friend and counsellor. As I have accepted the trust, I cannot help being -sensible of the responsibility. Before, therefore, you finally resolve -upon departure, pray let me be fully acquainted with the circumstances -which have impelled you to this sudden resolution." - -"Willingly, my good friend, could I only command my temper; and yet to -fall into a passion with a madman is almost a mark of madness. But his -manner and his conduct are so provoking and so puzzling, that I cannot -altogether repress my irritability. And that ridiculous incognito! Why I -sometimes begin to think that I really am Mr. von Philipson! An -incognito forsooth! for what? to deceive whom? His household apparently -only consists of two persons, one of whom has visited me in my own -castle; and the other is a cross old hag, who would not be able to -comprehend my rank if she were aware of it. But to the point! When you -left the room I was determined to be trifled with no longer, and I asked -him, in a firm voice and very marked manner, whether I might command his -immediate attention to important business. He professed to be at my -service. I opened the affair by taking a cursory, yet definite, review -of the principles in which my political conduct had originated, and on -which it was founded. I flattered myself that I had produced an -impression. Sometimes we are in a better cue for these expositions than -at others, and to-day I was really unusually felicitous. My memory never -deserted. I was at the same time luminous and profound; and while I was -guided by the philosophical spirit of the present day, I showed, by my -various reading, that I respected the experience of antiquity. In -short, I was satisfied with myself; and with the exception of one single -point about the origin of slavery, which unfortunately got entangled -with the feudal system, I could not have got on better had Sievers -himself been at my side. Nor did I spare Mr. Beckendorff; but, on the -contrary, I said a few things which, had he been in his senses, must, I -imagine, have gone home. Do you know I finished by drawing his own -character, and showing the inevitable effects of his ruinous policy: and -what do you think he did?" - -"Left you in a passion?" - -"Not at all. He seemed much struck by what I had said, and apparently -understood it. I have heard that in some species of insanity the patient -is perfectly able to comprehend everything addressed to him, though at -that point his sanity ceases, and he is unable to answer or to act. This -must be Beckendorff's case; for no sooner had I finished than he rose up -immediately, and, saying that I spoke like a man of sense, abruptly -quitted the room. The housekeeper says he will not be at home again till -that infernal ceremony takes place called the noon meal. Now, do you not -advise me to be off as soon as possible?" - -"It will require some deliberation. Pray did you not speak to him last -night?" - -"Ah! I forgot that I had not been able to speak to you since then. Well! -last night, what do you think he did? When you were gone, he had the -insolence to congratulate me on the opportunity then afforded of playing -double dummy; and when I declined his proposition, but said that if he -wished to have an hour's conversation I was at his service, he coolly -told me that he never talked, and bade me good night! Did you ever know -such a madman? He never goes to bed. I only had a sofa. How the deuce -did you sleep?" - -"Well and safely, considering that I was in a summer-house without lock -or bolt." - -"Well! I need not ask you now as to your opinion of our immediately -getting off. We shall have, however, some trouble about our horses, for -he will not allow a quadruped near the house, except some monster of an -animal that he rides himself; and, by St. Hubert! I cannot find out -where our steeds are. What shall we do?" But Vivian did not answer. -"What are you thinking of?" continued his Highness. "Why don't -you answer?" - -"Your Highness must not go," said Vivian, shaking his head. - -"Not go! Why so?" - -"Depend upon it you are wrong about Beckendorff. That he is a humorist -there is no doubt; but it appears to me to be equally clear that his -queer habits and singular mode of life are not of late adoption. What, -he is now he must have been these ten, perhaps these twenty years, -perhaps more; of this there are a thousand proofs about us. As to the -overpowering cause which has made him the character he appears at -present, it is needless for us to inquire; probably some incident in his -private life in all likelihood connected with the mysterious picture. -Let us be satisfied with the effect. If the case be as I state it in his -private life and habits, Beckendorff must have been equally -incomprehensible and equally singular at the very time that, in his -public capacity, he was producing such brilliant results as at the -present moment. Now then, can we believe him to be insane? I anticipate -your objections. I know you will enlarge upon the evident absurdity of -his inviting his political opponent to his house for a grave -consultation on the most important affairs, and then treating him as he -has done you, when it must be clear to him that you cannot be again -duped, and when he must feel that, were he to amuse you for as many -weeks as he has days, your plans and your position would not be -injuriously affected. Be it so; probably a humorist like Beckendorff -cannot, even in the most critical moment, altogether restrain the bent -of his capricious inclinations. However, my dear Prince, I will lay no -stress upon this point. My opinion, indeed my conviction, is that -Beckendorff acts from design. I have considered his conduct well, and I -have observed all that you have seen, and more than you have seen, and -keenly; depend upon it that since you assented to the interview -Beckendorff has been obliged to shift his intended position for -negotiation; some of the machinery has gone wrong. Fearful, if he had -postponed your visit, you should imagine that he was only again amusing -you, and consequently would listen to no future overtures, he has -allowed you to attend a conference for which he is not prepared. That he -is making desperate exertions to bring the business to a point is my -firm opinion; and you would perhaps agree with me were you as convinced -as I am that, since we parted last night, our host has been to -Reisenburg and back again." - -"To Reisenburg and back again!" - -"Ay! I rose this morning at an early hour, and imagining that both you -and Beckendorff had not yet made your appearance, I escaped from the -grounds, intending to explore part of the surrounding country. In my -stroll I came to a narrow winding road, which I am convinced lies in the -direction towards Reisenburg; there, for some reason or other, I -loitered more than an hour, and very probably should have been too late -for breakfast had not I been recalled to myself by the approach of a -horseman. It was Beckendorff, covered with dust and mud; his horse had -been evidently hard ridden. I did not think much of it at the time, -because I supposed he might have been out for three or four hours and -hard worked, but I nevertheless was struck by his appearance; and when -you mentioned that he went out riding at a late hour last night, it -immediately occurred to me that had he come home at one or two o'clock -it was not very probable that he would have gone out again at four or -five. I have no doubt that my conjecture is correct; Beckendorff has -been to Reisenburg." - -"You have placed this business in a new and important light," said the -Prince, his expiring hopes reviving; "what then do you advise me to do?" - -"To be quiet. If your own view of the case be right, you can act as well -to-morrow or the next day as this moment; on the contrary, if mine be -the correct one, a moment may enable Beckendorff himself to bring -affairs to a crisis. In either case I should recommend you to be silent, -and in no manner to allude any more to the object of your visit. If you -speak you only give opportunities to Beckendorff of ascertaining your -opinions and your inclinations; and your silence, after such frequent -attempts on your side to promote discussion upon business, will soon be -discovered by him to be systematic. This will not decrease his opinion -of your sagacity and firmness. The first principle of negotiation is to -make your adversary respect you." - -After long consultation the Prince determined to follow Vivian's advice; -and so firmly did he adhere to his purpose that when he met Mr. -Beckendorff at the noon meal, he asked him, with a very unembarrassed -voice and manner, "what sport he had had in the morning." - -The noon meal again consisted of a single dish, as exquisitely dressed, -however, as the preceding one. It was a haunch of venison. - -"This is my dinner, gentlemen," said Beckendorff; "let it be your -luncheon. I have ordered your dinner at sunset." - -After having eaten a slice of the haunch, Mr. Beckendorff rose from the -table and said, "We will have our wine in the drawing-room, Mr. von -Philipson, and then you will not be disturbed by my birds." - -He left the room. - -To the drawing-room, therefore, his two guests soon adjourned; they -found him busily employed with his pencil. The Prince thought it must be -a chart, or a fortification at least, and was rather surprised when Mr. -Beckendorff asked him the magnitude of Mirac in Boötes; and the Prince -confessing his utter ignorance of the subject, the Minister threw aside -his unfinished planisphere and drew his chair to them at the table. It -was with satisfaction that his Highness perceived a bottle of his -favourite Tokay; and with no little astonishment he observed that to-day -there were three wine glasses placed before them. They were of peculiar -beauty, and almost worthy, for their elegant shapes and great antiquity, -of being included in the collection of the Grand Duke of Johannisberger. - -After exhausting their bottle, in which they were assisted to the extent -of one glass by their host, who drank Mr. von Philipson's health with -cordiality, they assented to Mr. Beckendorff's proposition of visiting -his fruitery. - -To the Prince's great relief, dinner-time soon arrived; and having -employed a couple of hours on that meal very satisfactorily, he and -Vivian adjourned to the drawing-room, having previously pledged their -honour to each other that nothing should again induce them to play dummy -whist. Their resolutions and their promises were needless. Mr. -Beckendorff, who was sitting opposite the fire when they came into the -room, neither by word nor motion acknowledged that he was aware of their -entrance. Vivian found refuge in a book; and the Prince, after having -examined and re-examined the brilliant birds that figured on the -drawing-room paper, fell asleep upon the sofa. Mr. Beckendorff took down -the guitar, and accompanied himself in a low voice for some time; then -he suddenly ceased, and stretching out his legs, and supporting his -thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat, he leant back in his chair and -remained motionless, with his eyes fixed upon the picture. Vivian, in -turn, gazed upon this singular being and the fair pictured form which -he seemed to idolise. Was he, too, unhappy? Had he, too, been bereft in -the hour of his proud and perfect joy? Had he, too, lost a virgin bride? -His agony overcame him, the book fell from his hand, and he sighed -aloud! Mr. Beckendorff started, and the Prince awoke. Vivian, -confounded, and unable to overpower his emotions, uttered some hasty -words, explanatory, apologetical, and contradictory, and retired. In his -walk to the summer-house a man passed him. In spite of a great cloak, -Vivian recognised him as their messenger and guide; and his ample mantle -did not conceal his riding boots and the spurs which glistened in the -moonlight. - -It was an hour past midnight when the door of the summer-house softly -opened and Mr. Beckendorff entered. He started when he found Vivian -still undressed, and pacing up and down the little chamber. The young -man made an effort, when he witnessed an intruder, to compose a -countenance whose agitation could not be concealed. - -"What, are you up again?" said Mr. Beckendorff. "Are you ill?" - -"Would I were as well in mind as in body! I have not yet been to rest. -We cannot command our feelings at all moments, sir; and at this, -especially, I felt that I had a right to count upon being alone." - -"I exceedingly regret that I have disturbed you," said Mr. Beckendorff, -in a kind voice, and in a manner which responded to the sympathy of his -tone. "I thought that you had been long asleep. There is a star which I -cannot exactly make out. I fancy it must be a comet, and so I ran to the -observatory; but let me not disturb you;" and Mr. Beckendorff -was retiring. - -"You do not disturb me, sir. I cannot sleep: pray ascend." - -"Never mind the star. But if you really have no inclination to sleep, -let us sit down and have a little conversation; or perhaps we had better -take a stroll. It is a warm night." As he spoke, Mr. Beckendorff gently -put his arm within Vivian's, and led him down the steps. - -"Are you an astronomer, sir?" asked Beckendorff. - -"I can tell the Great Bear from the Little Dog; but I confess that I -look upon the stars rather in a poetical than a scientific spirit." - -"Hum! I confess I do not." - -"There are moments," continued Vivian, "when I cannot refrain from -believing that these mysterious luminaries have more influence over our -fortunes than modern times are disposed to believe. I feel that I am -getting less sceptical, perhaps I should say more credulous, every day; -but sorrow makes us superstitious." - -"I discard all such fantasies," said Mr. Beckendorff; "they only tend to -enervate our mental energies and paralyse all human exertion. It is the -belief in these, and a thousand other deceits I could mention, which -leach man that he is not the master of his own mind, but the ordained -victim or the chance sport of circumstances, that makes millions pass -through life unimpressive as shadows, and has gained for this existence -the stigma of a vanity which it does not deserve." - -"I wish that I could think as you do," said Vivian; "but the experience -of my life forbids me. Within only these last two years my career has, -in so many instances, indicated that I am not the master of my own -conduct; that no longer able to resist the conviction which is hourly -impressed on me, I recognise in every contingency the preordination -of my fate." - -"A delusion of the brain!" said Beckendorff, quickly. "Fate, Destiny, -Chance, particular and special Providence; idle words! Dismiss them all, -sir! A man's fate is his own temper; and according to that will be his -opinion as to the particular manner in which the course of events is -regulated. A consistent man believes in Destiny, a capricious man -in Chance." - -"But, sir, what is a man's temper? It may be changed every hour. I -started in life with very different feelings from those which I profess -at this moment. With great deference to you, I imagine that you mistake -the effect for the cause; for surely temper is not the origin, but the -result of those circumstances of which we are all the creatures." - -"Sir, I deny it. Man is not the creature of circumstances. Circumstances -are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful -than matter. I recognise no intervening influence between that of the -established course of nature and my own mind. Truth may be distorted, -may be stifled, be suppressed. The invention of cunning deceits may, and -in most instances does, prevent man from exercising his own powers. They -have made him responsible to a realm of shadows, and a suitor in a court -of shades. Re is ever dreading authority which does not exist, and -fearing the occurrence of penalties which there are none to enforce. -But the mind that dares to extricate itself from these vulgar -prejudices, that proves its loyalty to its Creator by devoting all its -adoration to His glory; such a spirit as this becomes a master-mind, and -that master-mind will invariably find that circumstances are -its slaves." - -"Mr. Beckendorff, yours is a bold philosophy, of which I myself was once -a votary. How successful in my service you may judge by finding me a -wanderer." - -"Sir! your present age is the age of error: your whole system is founded -on a fallacy: you believe that a man's temper can change. I deny it. If -you have ever seriously entertained the views which I profess; if, as -you lead me to suppose, you have dared to act upon them, and failed; -sooner or later, whatever may be your present conviction and your -present feelings, you will recur to your original wishes and your -original pursuits. With a mind experienced and matured, you may in all -probability be successful; and then I suppose, stretching your legs in -your easy-chair, you will at the same moment be convinced of your own -genius, and recognise your own Destiny!" - -"With regard to myself, Mr. Beckendorff, I am convinced of the -erroneousness of your views. It is my opinion that no one who has dared -to think can look upon this world in any other than a mournful spirit. -Young as I am, nearly two years have elapsed since, disgusted with the -world of politics, I retired to a foreign solitude. At length, with -passions subdued, and, as I flatter myself, with a mind matured, -convinced of the vanity of all human affairs, I felt emboldened once -more partially to mingle with my species. Bitter as my lot had been, I -had discovered the origin of my misery in my own unbridled passions; -and, tranquil and subdued, I now trusted to pass through life as certain -of no fresh sorrows as I was of no fresh joys. And yet, sir, I am at -this moment sinking under the infliction of unparalleled misery; misery -which I feel I have a right to believe was undeserved. But why expatiate -to a stranger on sorrow which must be secret? I deliver myself up to my -remorseless Fate." - -"What is grief?" said Mr. Beckendorff; "if it be excited by the fear of -some contingency, instead of grieving, a man should exert his energies -and prevent its occurrence. If, on the contrary, it be caused by an -event, that which has been occasioned by anything human, by the -co-operation of human circumstances, can be, and invariably is, removed -by the same means. Grief is the agony of an instant; the indulgence of -Grief the blunder of a life. Mix in the world, and in a month's time you -will speak to me very differently. A young man, you meet with -disappointment; in spite of all your exalted notions of your own powers, -you immediately sink under it. If your belief of your powers were -sincere, you should have proved it by the manner in which you have -struggled against adversity, not merely by the mode in which you -laboured for advancement. The latter is but a very inferior merit. If, -in fact, you wish to succeed, success, I repeat, is at your command. You -talk to me of your experience; and do you think that my sentiments are -the crude opinions of an unpractised man? Sir! I am not fond of -conversing with any person, and therefore far from being inclined to -maintain an argument in a spirit of insincerity merely for the sake of a -victory of words. Mark what I say: it is truth. No Minister ever yet -fell but from his own inefficiency. If his downfall be occasioned, as it -generally is, by the intrigues of one of his own creatures, his downfall -is merited for having been the dupe of a tool which in all probability -he should never have employed. If he fall through the open attacks of -his political opponents, his downfall is equally deserved for having -occasioned by his impolicy the formation of a party, for having allowed -it to be formed, or for not having crushed it when formed. No conjecture -can possibly occur, however fearful, however tremendous it may appear, -from which a man, by his own energy, may not extricate himself, as a -mariner by the rattling of his cannon can dissipate the impending -water-spout!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -It was on the third day of the visit to Mr. Beckendorff, just as that -gentleman was composing his mind after his noon meal with his favourite -Cremona, and in a moment of rapture raising his instrument high in the -air, that the door was suddenly dashed open, and Essper George rushed -into the room. The intruder, the moment that his eye caught Vivian, flew -to his master, and, seizing him by the arm, commenced and continued a -loud shout of exultation, accompanying his scream the whole time by a -kind of quick dance, which, though not quite as clamorous as the -Pyrrhic, nevertheless completely drowned the scientific harmony of Mr. -Beckendorff. - -So astounded were the three gentlemen by this unexpected entrance, that -some moments elapsed ere either of them found words at his command. At -length the master of the house spoke. - -"Mr. von Philipson, I beg the favour of being informed who this person -is?" - -The Prince did not answer, but looked at Vivian in great distress; and -just as our hero was about to give Mr. Beckendorff the requisite -information, Essper George, taking up the parable himself, seized the -opportunity of explaining the mystery. - -"Who am I? who are you? I am an honest man, and no traitor; and if all -were the same, why, then, there would be no rogues in Reisenburg. Who am -I? A man. There's an arm! there's a leg! Can you see through a wood by -twilight? If so, yours is a better eye than mine. Can you eat an -unskinned hare, or dine on the haunch of a bounding stag? If so, your -teeth are sharper than mine. Can you hear a robber's footstep when he's -kneeling before murder? or can you listen to the snow falling on -Midsummer's day? If so, your ears are finer than mine. Can you run with -a chamois? can you wrestle with a bear? can you swim with an otter? If -so, I'm your match. How many cities have you seen? how many knaves have -you gulled? Which is dearest, bread or justice? Why do men pay more for -the protection of life than life itself? Is cheatery a staple at -Constantinople, as it is at Vienna? and what's the difference between a -Baltic merchant and a Greek pirate? Tell me all this, and I will tell -you who went in mourning in the moon at the death of the last comet. Who -am I, indeed!" - -The embarrassment of the Prince and Vivian while Essper George addressed -to Mr. Beckendorff these choice queries was indescribable. Once Vivian -tried to check him, but in vain. He did not repeat his attempt, for he -was sufficiently employed in restraining his own agitation and keeping -his own countenance; for in spite of the mortification and anger that -Essper's appearance had excited in him, still an unfortunate but innate -taste for the ludicrous did not allow him to be perfectly insensible to -the humour of the scene. Mr. Beckendorff listened quietly till Essper -had finished; he then rose. - -"Mr. von Philipson," said he, "as a personal favour to yourself, and to -my own great inconvenience, I consented that in this interview you -should be attended by a friend. I did not reckon upon your servant, and -it is impossible that I can tolerate his presence for a moment. You know -how I live, and that my sole attendant is a female. I allow no male -servants within this house. Even when his Royal Highness honours me with -his presence he is unattended. I desire that I am immediately released -from the presence of this buffoon." - -So saying, Mr. Beckendorff left the room. - -"Who are you?" said Essper, following him, with his back bent, his head -on his chest, and his eyes glancing. The imitation was perfect. - -"Essper," said Vivian, "your conduct is inexcusable, the mischief that -you have done irreparable, and your punishment shall be severe." - -"Severe! Why, what day did my master sell his gratitude for a silver -groschen! Is this the return for finding you out, and saving you from a -thousand times more desperate gang than that Baron at Ems! Severe indeed -will be your lot when you are in a dungeon in Reisenburg Castle, with -black bread for roast venison and sour water for Rhenish!" - -"Why, what are you talking about?" - -"Talking about! About treason, and arch traitors, and an old scoundrel -who lives in a lone lane, and dares not look you straight in the face. -Why, his very blink is enough to hang him without trial!" - -"Essper, cease immediately this rhodomontade, and then in distinct terms -inform his Highness and myself of the causes of this unparalleled -intrusion." - -The impressiveness of Vivian's manner produced a proper effect; and -except that he spoke somewhat affectedly slow and ridiculously precise, -Essper George delivered himself with great clearness. - -"You see, sir, you never let me know that you were going to leave, and -so when I found that you did not come back, I made bold to speak to Mr. -Arnelm when he came home from hunting; but I could not get enough breath -out of him to stop a ladybird on a rose-leaf. I did not much like it, -your honour, for I was among strangers, and so were you, you know. Well, -then, I went to Master Rodolph: he was very kind to me, and seeing me in -low spirits, and thinking me, I suppose, in love, or in debt, or that I -had done some piece of mischief, or had something or other preying on -my mind, he comes to me, and says, 'Essper,' said he; you remember -Master Rodolph's voice, sir?" - -"To the point. Never let me hear Master Rodolph's name again." - -"Yes, sir! Well, well! he said to me, 'Come and dine with me in my -room;' says I, 'I will.' A good offer should never be refused, unless we -have a better one at the same time. Whereupon, after dinner, Master -Rodolph said to me, 'We will have a bottle of Burgundy for a treat.' You -see, sir, we were rather sick of the Rhenish. Well, sir, we were free -with the wine; and Master Rodolph, who is never easy except when he -knows everything, must be trying, you see, to get out of me what it was -that made me so down in the mouth. I, seeing this, thought I would put -off the secret to another bottle; which being produced, I did not -conceal from him any longer what was making me so low. 'Rodolph,' said -I, 'I do not like my young master going out in this odd way: he is of a -temper to get into scrapes, and I should like very much to know what he -and the Prince (saving your Highness' presence) are after. They have -been shut up in that cabinet these two nights, and though I walked by -the door pretty often, devil a bit of a word ever came through the -key-hole; and so you see, Rodolph,' said I, 'it requires a bottle or two -of Burgundy to keep my spirits up.' Well, your Highness, strange to say, -no sooner had I spoken than Master Rodolph put his head across the -little table; we dined at the little table on the right hand of the room -as you enter--" - -"Go on." - -"I am going on. Well! he put his head across the little table, and said -to me in a low whisper, cocking his odd-looking eye at the same time, 'I -tell you what, Essper, you are a deuced sharp fellow!' and so, giving a -shake of his head and another wink of his eye, he was quiet. I smelt a -rat, but I did not begin to pump directly; but after the third bottle, -'Rodolph,' said I, 'with regard to your last observation (for we had not -spoken lately, Burgundy being too fat a wine for talking), we are both -of us sharp fellows. I dare say, now, you and I are thinking of the same -thing.' 'No doubt of it,' said Rodolph. And so, sir, he agreed to tell -me what he was thinking of, on condition that I should be equally frank -afterwards. Well, then, he told me that there were sad goings on at -Turriparva." - -"The deuce!" said the Prince. - -"Let him tell his story," said Vivian. - -"Sad goings on at Turriparva! He wished that his Highness would hunt -more and attend less to politics; and then he told me, quite -confidentially, that his Highness the Prince, and Heaven knows how many -other Princes besides, had leagued together, and were going to dethrone -the Grand Duke, and that his master was to be made King, and he, Master -Rodolph, Prime Minister. Hearing all this, and duly allowing for a tale -over a bottle, I made no doubt, as I find to be the case, that you, good -master, were about to be led into some mischief; and as I know that -conspiracies are always unsuccessful, I have done my best to save my -master; and I beseech you, upon my knees, to get out of the scrape as -soon as you possibly can." Here Essper George threw himself at Vivian's -feet, and entreated him to quit the house immediately. - -"Was ever anything so absurd and so mischievous!" ejaculated the Prince; -and then he conversed with Vivian for some time in a whisper. "Essper," -at length Vivian said, "you have committed one of the most perfect and -most injurious blunders that you could possibly perpetrate. The mischief -which may result from your imprudent conduct is incalculable. How long -is it since you have thought proper to regulate your conduct on the -absurd falsehoods of a drunken steward? His Highness and myself wish to -consult in private; but on no account leave the house. Now mind me; if -you leave this house without my permission, you forfeit the little -chance which remains of being retained in my service." - -"Where am I to go, sir?" - -"Stay in the passage." - -"Suppose" (here he imitated Beckendorff) "comes to me." - -"Then open the door and come into this room." - -"Well," said the Prince, when the door was at length shut, "one thing is -quite clear. He does not know who Beckendorff is." - -"So far satisfactory; but I feel the force of your Highness' -observations. It is a most puzzling case. To send him back to Turriparva -would be madness: the whole affair would be immediately revealed over -another bottle of Burgundy with Master Rodolph; in fact, your Highness' -visit would be a secret to no one in the country, your host would be -soon discovered, and the evil consequences are incalculable. I know no -one to send him to at Reisenburg; and if I did, it appears to me that -the same objections equally apply to his proceeding to that city as to -his returning to Turriparva. What is to be done? Surely some demon must -have inspired him. We cannot now request Beckendorff to allow him to -stay here; and if we did, I am convinced, from his tone and manner, that -nothing could induce him to comply with our wish. The only course to be -pursued is certainly an annoying one; but, so far as I can judge, it is -the only mode by which very serious mischief can be prevented. Let me -proceed forthwith to Reisenburg with Essper. Placed immediately under my -eye, and solemnly adjured by me to silence, I think I can answer, -particularly when I give him a gentle hint of the station of -Beckendorff, for his preserving the confidence with which it will now be -our policy partially to entrust him. It is, to say the least, awkward -and distressing to leave you alone; but what is to be done? It does not -appear that I can now be of any material service to you. I have assisted -you as much as, and more than, we could reasonably have supposed it -would have been in my power to have done, by throwing some light upon -the character and situation of Beckendorff. With the clue to his conduct -which my chance meeting with him yesterday morning has afforded us, the -only point for your Highness to determine is as to the length of time -you will resolve to wait for his communication. As to your final -agreement together, with your Highness' settled views and decided -purpose, all the difficulty of negotiation will be on his side. -Whatever, my dear Prince," continued Vivian, with a significant voice -and marked emphasis, "whatever, my dear Prince, may be your secret -wishes, be assured that to attain them in your present negotiation you -have only to be firm. Let nothing divert you from your purpose, and the -termination of this interview must be gratifying to you." - -The Prince of Little Lilliput was very disinclined to part with his -shrewd counsellor, who had already done him considerable service, and he -strongly opposed Vivian's proposition. His opposition, however, like -that of most other persons, was unaccompanied by any suggestion of his -own. And as both agreed that something must be done, it of course ended -in the Prince being of opinion that Vivian's advice must be followed. -The Prince was really much affected by this sudden and unexpected -parting with one for whom, though he had known him so short a time, he -began to entertain a sincere regard. "I owe you my life," said the -Prince, "and perhaps more than my life; and here we are about suddenly -to part, never to meet again. I wish I could get you to make Turriparva -your home. You should have your own suite of rooms, your own horses, -your own servants, and never feel for an instant that you were not -master of all around you. In truth," continued the Prince, with great -earnestness, "I wish, my dear friend, you would really think seriously -of this. You know you could visit Vienna, and even Italy, and yet return -to me. Max would be delighted to see you: he loves you already; and -Sievers and his library would be at your command. Agree to my -proposition, dear friend." - -"I cannot express to your Highness how sensible I am of your kindness. -Your friendship I sincerely value and shall never forget; but I am too -unhappy and unlucky a being to burden any one with my constant presence. -Adieu! or will you go with me to Beckendorff?" - -"Oh, go with you by all means! But," said the Prince, taking a ruby ring -of great antiquity off his finger, "I should feel happy if you would -wear this for my sake." - -The Prince was so much affected at the thoughts of parting with Vivian -that he could scarcely speak. Vivian accepted the ring with a cordiality -which the kind-hearted donor deserved; and yet our hero unfortunately -had had rather too much experience of the world not to be aware that, -most probably, in less than another week, his affectionate friend would -not be able to recall his name under an hour's recollection. Such are -friends! The moment that we are not at their side we are neglected, and -the moment that we die we are forgotten! - -They found Mr. Beckendorff in his library. In apprising Mr. Beckendorff -of his intention of immediately quitting his roof, Vivian did not omit -to state the cause of his sudden departure. These not only accounted for -the abruptness of his movement, but also gave Beckendorff an opportunity -of preventing its necessity, by allowing Essper to remain. But the -opportunity was not seized by Mr. Beckendorff. The truth was, that -gentleman had a particular wish to see Vivian out of his house. In -allowing the Prince of Little Lilliput to be attended during the -interview by a friend, Beckendorff had prepared himself for the -reception of some brawny Jagd Junker, or some thick-headed chamberlain, -who he reckoned would act rather as an incumbrance than an aid to his -opponent. It was with great mortification therefore, that he found him -accompanied by a shrewd, experienced, wary, and educated Englishman. A -man like Beckendorff soon discovered that Vivian Grey's was no common -mind. His conversation with him of the last night had given him some -notion of his powers, and the moment that Beckendorff saw Essper George -enter the house he determined that he should be the cause of Vivian -leaving it. There was also another and weighty reason for Mr. -Beckendorff desiring that the Prince of Little Lilliput should at this -moment be left to himself. - -"Mr. Grey will ride on to Reisenburg immediately," said the Prince, -"and, my dear friend, you may depend upon having your luggage by the day -after to-morrow. I shall be at Turriparva early to-morrow, and it will -be my first care." - -This was said in a loud voice, and both gentlemen watched Mr. -Beckendorff's countenance as the information was given; but no emotion -was visible. - -"Well, sir, good morning to you," said Mr. Beckendorff; "I am sorry you -are going. Had I known it sooner I would have given you a letter. Mr. -von Philipson," said Beckendorff, "do me the favour of looking over that -paper." So saying, Mr. Beckendorff put some official report into the -Prince's hand; and while his Highness' attention was attracted by this -sudden request, Mr. Beckendorff laid his finger on Vivian's arm, and -said in a lower tone, "I shall take care that you find a powerful friend -at Reisenburg!" - - - - -BOOK VII - - -CHAPTER I - - -As Vivian left the room Mr. Beckendorff was seized with an unusual -desire to converse with the Prince of Little Lilliput, and his Highness -was consequently debarred the consolation of walking with his friend as -far as the horses. At the little gate Vivian and Essper encountered the -only male attendant who was allowed to approach the house of Mr. -Beckendorff. As Vivian quietly walked his horse up the rough turf road, -he could not refrain from recurring to his conversation of the previous -night; and when he called to mind the adventures of the last six days, -he had new cause to wonder at, and perhaps to lament over, his singular -fate. In that short time he had saved the life of a powerful Prince, and -being immediately signalled out, without any exertion on his part, as -the object of that Prince's friendship, the moment he arrives at his -castle, by a wonderful contingency, he becomes the depositary of state -secrets, and assists in a consultation of importance with one of the -most powerful Ministers in Europe. And now the object of so much -friendship, confidence, and honour, he is suddenly on the road to the -capital of the State of which his late host is the Prime Minister and -his friend the chief subject, without even the convenience of a common -letter of introduction; and with little prospect of viewing, with even -the usual advantages of a common traveller, one of the most interesting -of European Courts. - -When he had proceeded about halfway up the turf lane he found a private -road to his right, which, with that spirit of adventure for which -Englishmen are celebrated, he immediately resolved must not only lead to -Reisenburg, but also carry him to that city much sooner than the regular -high road. He had not advanced far up this road before he came to the -gate at which he had parted with Beckendorff on the morning that -gentleman had roused him so unexpectedly from, his reverie in a green -lane. He was surprised to find a horseman dismounting at the gate. -Struck by this singular circumstance, the appearance of the stranger was -not unnoticed. He was a tall and well proportioned man, and as the -traveller passed he stared Vivian so fully in the face that our hero did -not fail to remark his handsome countenance, the expression of which, -however, was rather vacant and unpleasing. He was dressed in a -riding-coat exactly similar to the one always worn by Beckendorff's -messenger, and had Vivian not seen him so distinctly he would have -mistaken him for that person. The stranger was rather indifferently -mounted, and carried his cloak and a small portmanteau at the back of -his saddle. - -"I suppose it is the butler," said Essper George, who now spoke for the -first time since his dismissal from the room. Vivian did not answer him; -not because he entertained any angry feeling on account of his -exceedingly unpleasant visit. By no means: it was impossible for a man -like Vivian Grey to cherish an irritated feeling for a second. But he -did not exchange a syllable with Essper George, merely because he was -not in the humour to speak. He could not refrain from musing on the -singular events of the last few days; and, above all, the character of -Beckendorff particularly engrossed his meditation. Their conversation of -the preceding night excited in his mind new feelings of wonder, and -revived emotions which he thought were dead or everlastingly dormant. -Apparently, the philosophy on which Beckendorff had regulated his -career, and by which he had arrived at his pitch of greatness, was -exactly the same with which he himself, Vivian Grey, had started in -life; which he had found so fatal in its consequences; which he believed -to be so vain in its principles. How was this? What radical error had he -committed? It required little consideration. Thirty, and more than -thirty, years had passed over the head of Beckendorff ere the world felt -his power, or indeed was conscious of his existence. A deep student, not -only of man in detail, but of man in groups; not only of individuals, -but of nations; Beckendorff had hived up his ample knowledge of all -subjects which could interest his fellow-creatures, and when that -opportunity which in this world occurs to all men occurred to -Beckendorff he was prepared. With acquirements equal to his genius, -Beckendorff depended only upon himself, and succeeded. Vivian Grey, with -a mind inferior to no man's, dashed on the stage, in years a boy, though -in feelings a man. Brilliant as might have been his genius, his -acquirements necessarily were insufficient. He could not depend only -upon himself; a consequent necessity arose to have recourse to the -assistance of others; to inspire them with feelings which they could not -share; and humour and manage the petty weaknesses which he himself could -not experience. His colleagues were, at the same time, to work for the -gratification of their own private interests, the most palpable of all -abstract things; and to carry into execution a great purpose, which -their feeble minds, interested only by the first point, cared not to -comprehend. The unnatural combination failed, and its originator fell. -To believe that he could recur again to the hopes, the feelings, the -pursuits of his boyhood, he felt to be the vainest of delusions. It was -the expectation of a man like Beckendorff, whose career, though -difficult, though hazardous, had been uniformly successful; of a man who -mistook cares for grief, and anxiety for sorrow. - -The travellers entered the city at sunset. Proceeding through an ancient -and unseemly town, full of long, narrow, and ill-paved streets, and -black unevenly built houses, they ascended the hill, on the top of which -was situated the new and Residence town of Reisenburg. The proud -palace, the white squares, the architectural streets, the new churches, -the elegant opera house, the splendid hotels, and the gay public -gardens, full of busts, vases, and statues, and surrounded by an iron -railing cast out of the cannon taken from both sides during the war by -the Reisenburg troops, and now formed into pikes and fasces, glittering -with gilded heads: all these, shining in the setting sun, produced an -effect which, at any time and in any place, would have been beautiful -and striking; but on the present occasion were still more so, from the -remarkable contrast they afforded to the ancient, gloomy, and filthy -town through which Vivian had just passed, and where, from the lowness -of its situation, the sun had already set. There was as much difference -between the old and new town of Reisenburg as between the old barbarous -Margrave and the new and noble Grand Duke. - -On the second day after his arrival at Reisenburg, Vivian received the -following letter from the Prince of Little Lilliput. His luggage did not -accompany the epistle. - -"My Dear Friend, - -"By the time you have received this I shall have returned to Turriparva. -My visit to a certain gentleman was prolonged for one day. I never can -convey to you by words the sense I entertain of the value of your -friendship and of your services; I trust that time will afford me -opportunities of testifying it by my actions. I return home by the same -road by which we came; you remember how excellent the road was, as -indeed are all the roads in Reisenburg; that must be confessed by all. I -fear that the most partial admirers of the old régime cannot say as much -for the convenience of travelling in the time of our fathers. Good roads -are most excellent things, and one of the first marks of civilisation -and prosperity. The Emperor Napoleon, who, it must be confessed, had, -after all, no common mind, was celebrated for his roads. You have -doubtless admired the Route Napoleon on the Rhine, and if you travel -into Italy I am informed that you will be equally, and even more, struck -by the passage over the Simplon and the other Italian roads. Reisenburg -has certainly kept pace with the spirit of the time; nobody can deny -that; and I confess to you that the more I consider the subject it -appears to me that the happiness, prosperity, and content of a state are -the best evidences of the wisdom and beneficent rule of a government. -Many things are very excellent in theory, which are quite the reverse -in practice, and even ludicrous. And while we should do our most to -promote the cause and uphold the interests of rational liberty, still, -at the same time, we should ever be on our guard against the crude ideas -and revolutionary systems of those who are quite inexperienced in that -sort of particular knowledge which is necessary for all statesmen. -Nothing is so easy as to make things look fine on paper; we should never -forget that: there is a great difference between high-sounding -generalities and laborious details. Is it reasonable to expect that men -who have passed their lives dreaming in colleges and old musty studies -should be at all calculated to take the head of affairs, or know what -measures those at the head of affairs ought to adopt? I think not. A -certain personage, who by-the-bye is one of the most clear-headed and -most perfect men of business that I ever had the pleasure of being -acquainted with; a real practical man, in short; he tells me that -Professor Skyrocket, whom you will most likely see at Reisenburg, wrote -an article in the Military Quarterly Review, which is published there, -on the probable expenses of a war between Austria and Prussia, and -forgot the commissariat altogether. Did you ever know anything so -ridiculous? What business have such fellows to meddle with affairs of -state? They should certainly be put down: that, I think, none can deny. -A liberal spirit in government is certainly a most excellent thing; but -we must always remember that liberty may degenerate into licentiousness. -Liberty is certainly an excellent thing, that all admit; but, as a -certain person very well observed, so is physic, and yet it is not to be -given at all times, but only when the frame is in a state to require it. -People may be as unprepared for a wise and discreet use of liberty, as a -vulgar person may be for the management of a great estate unexpectedly -inherited: there is a great deal in this, and, in my opinion, there are -cases in which to force liberty down a people's throat is presenting -them, not with a blessing, but a curse. I shall send your luggage on -immediately; it is very probable that I may be in town at the end of the -week, for a short time. I wish much to see and to consult you, and -therefore hope that you will not leave Reisenburg before you see - -"Your faithful and obliged friend, - -"LITTLE LILLIPUT." - -Two days after the receipt of this letter Essper George ran into the -room with a much less solemn physiognomy than he had thought proper to -assume since his master's arrival at Reisenburg. - -"Lord, sir; whom do you think I have just met?" - -"Whom?" asked Vivian, with eagerness, for, as is always the case when -such questions are asked us, he was thinking of every person in the -world except the right one. "It might be--" - -"To think that I should see him!" continued Essper. - -"It is a man, then," thought Vivian; "who is it at once, Essper?" - -"I thought you would not guess, sir! It will quite cure you to hear it; -Master Rodolph!" - -"Master Rodolph!" - -"Ay! and there's great news in the wind." - -"Which of course you have confidentially extracted from him. Pray let us -have it." - -"The Prince of Little Lilliput is coming to Reisenburg," said Essper. - -"Well! I had some idea of that before," said Vivian. - -"Oh! then, you know it all, sir, I suppose," said Essper, with a look of -great disappointment. - -"I know nothing more than I have mentioned," said his master. - -"What! do you not know, sir, that the Prince has come over; that he is -going to live at Court; and be, Heaven knows what! That he is to carry a -staff every day before the Grand Duke at dinner; does not my master -know that?" - -"I know nothing of all this; and so tell me in plain German what the -case is." - -"Well, then," continued Essper, "I suppose you do not know that his -Highness the Prince is to be his Excellency the Grand Marshal, that -unfortunate but principal officer of state having received his dismissal -yesterday. They are coming up immediately. Not a moment is to be lost, -which seems to me very odd. Master Rodolph is arranging everything; and -he has this morning purchased from his master's predecessor his palace, -furniture, wines, and pictures; in short, his whole establishment: the -late Grand Marshal consoling himself for his loss of office, and -revenging himself on his successor, by selling him his property at a -hundred per cent. profit. However, Master Rodolph seems quite contented -with his bargain; and your luggage is come, sir. His Highness, the -Prince, will be in town at the end of the week; and all the men are to -be put in new livery. Mr. Arnelm is to be his Highness' chamberlain, and -Von Neuwied master of the horse. So you see, sir, you were right; and -that old puss in boots was no traitor, after all. Upon my soul, I did -not much believe you, sir, until I heard all this good news." - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -About a week after his arrival at Reisenburg, as Vivian was at -breakfast, the door opened, and Mr. Sievers entered. - -"I did not think that our next meeting would be in this city," said Mr. -Sievers, smiling. - -"His Highness, of course, informed me of your arrival," said Vivian, as -he greeted him cordially. - -"You, I understand, are the diplomatist whom I am to thank for finding -myself again at Reisenburg. Let me, at the same time, express my -gratitude for your kind offices to me, and congratulate you on the -brilliancy of your talents for negotiation. Little did I think, when I -was giving you, the other day, an account of Mr. Beckendorff, that the -information would have been of such service to you. - -"I am afraid you have nothing to thank me for; though, certainly, had -the office of arranging the terms between the parties devolved on me, my -first thoughts would have been for a gentleman for whom I have so much -regard and respect as Mr. Sievers." - -"Sir! I feel honoured: you already speak like a finished courtier. Pray, -what is to be your office?" - -"I fear Mr. Beckendorff will not resign in my favour; and my ambition is -so exalted that I cannot condescend to take anything under the -Premiership." - -"You are not to be tempted by a Grand Marshalship!" said Mr. Sievers. -"You hardly expected, when you were at Turriparva, to witness such a -rapid termination of the patriotism of our good friend. I think you said -you have seen him since your arrival: the interview must have -been piquant!" - -"Not at all. I immediately congratulated him on the judicious -arrangements which had been concluded; and, to relieve his awkwardness, -took some credit to myself for having partially assisted in bringing -about the result. The subject was not again mentioned, and I dare say -never will be." - -"It is a curious business," said Sievers. "The Prince is a man who, -rather than have given me up to the Grand Duke; me, with whom he was not -connected, and who, of my own accord, sought his hospitality; sooner, I -repeat, than have delivered me up, he would have had his castle razed to -the ground and fifty swords through his heart; and yet, without the -slightest compunction, has this same man deserted, with the greatest -coolness, the party of which, ten days ago, he was the zealous leader. -How can you account for this, except it be, as I have long suspected, -that in politics there positively is no feeling of honour? Every one is -conscious that not only himself, but his colleagues and his rivals, are -working for their own private purpose; and that however a party may -apparently be assisting in bringing about a result of common benefit, -that nevertheless, and in fact, each is conscious that he is the tool of -another. With such an understanding, treason is an expected affair; and -the only point to consider is, who shall be so unfortunate as to be the -deserted, instead of the deserter. It is only fair to his Highness to -state that Beckendorff gave him incontestable evidence that he had had a -private interview with every one of the mediatised Princes. They were -the dupes of the wily Minister. In these negotiations he became -acquainted with their plans and characters, and could estimate the -probability of their success. The golden bribe, which was in turn -dandled before the eyes of all, had been always reserved for the most -powerful, our friend. His secession and the consequent desertion of his -relatives destroy the party for ever; while, at the same time, that -party have not even the consolation of a good conscience to uphold them -in their adversity; but feel that in case of their clamour, or of any -attempt to stir up the people by their hollow patriotism, it is in the -power of the Minister to expose and crush them for ever." - -"All this," said Vivian, "makes me the more rejoice that our friend has -got out of their clutches; he will make an excellent Grand Marshal; and -you must not forget, my dear sir, that he did not forget you. To tell -you the truth, although I did not flatter myself that I should benefit -during my stay at Reisenburg by his influence, I am not the least -surprised at the termination of our visit to Mr. Beckendorff. I have -seen too many of these affairs not to have been quite aware, the whole -time, that it would require very little trouble, and very few sacrifices -on the part of Mr. Beckendorff, to quash the whole cabal. By-the-bye, -our visit to him was highly amusing; he is a singular man." - -"He has had, nevertheless," said Sievers, "a difficult part to play. Had -it not been for you, the Prince would have perhaps imagined that he was -only trifling with him again, and terminated the interview abruptly and -in disgust. Having brought the Grand Duke to terms, and having arranged -the interview, Beckendorff of course imagined that all was finished. The -very day that you arrived at his house he had received despatches from -his Royal Highness, recalling his promise, and revoking Beckendorff's -authority to use his unlimited discretion in this business. The -difficulty then was to avoid discussion with the Prince, with whom he -was not prepared to negotiate; and, at the same time, without letting -his Highness out of his sight, to induce the Grand Duke to resume his -old view of the case. The first night that you were there Beckendorff -rode up to Reisenburg, saw the Grand Duke, was refused, through the -intrigues of Madame Carolina, the requested authority, and resigned his -power. When he was a mile on his return, he was summoned back to the -palace; and his Royal Highness asked, as a favour from his tutor, -four-and-twenty hours' consideration. This Beckendorff granted, on the -condition that, in case the Grand Duke assented to the terms proposed, -his Royal Highness should himself be the bearer of the proposition; and -that there should be no more written promises to recall, and no more -written authorities to revoke. The terms were hard, but Beckendorff was -inflexible. On the second night of your visit a messenger arrived with a -despatch, advising Beckendorff of the intended arrival of his Royal -Highness on the next morning. The ludicrous intrusion of your amusing -servant prevented you from being present at the great interview, in -which I understand Beckendorff for the moment laid aside all his -caprices. Our friend acted with great firmness and energy. He would not -be satisfied even with the personal pledge and written promise of the -Grand Duke, but demanded that he should receive the seals of office -within a week; so that, had the Court not been sincere, his situation -with his former party would not have been injured. It is astonishing how -very acute even a dull man is when his own interests are at stake. Had -his Highness been the agent of another person, he would probably have -committed many blunders, have made disadvantageous terms, or perhaps -have been thoroughly duped. Self-interest is the finest eye-water." - -"And what says Madame Carolina to all this?" - -"Oh! according to custom, she has changed already, and thinks the whole -business admirably arranged. His Highness is her grand favourite, and my -little pupil Max her pet. I think, however, on the whole, the boy is -fondest of the Grand Duke, whom, if you remember, he was always -informing you in confidence that he intended to assassinate. And as for -your obedient servant," said Sievers, bowing, "here am I once more the -Aristarchus of her coterie. Her friends, by-the-bye, view the accession -of the Prince with no pleased eyes; and, anticipating that his juncture -with the Minister is only a prelude to their final dispersion, they are -compensating for the approaching termination of their career by unusual -violence and fresh fervour, stinging like mosquitoes before a storm, -conscious of their impending destruction from the clearance of the -atmosphere. As for myself, I have nothing more to do with them. Liberty -and philosophy are fine words; but until I find men are prepared to -cultivate them both in a wiser spirit I shall remain quiet. I have no -idea of being banished and imprisoned because a parcel of knaves are -making a vile use of the truths which I disseminate. In my opinion, -philosophers have said enough; now let men act. But all this time I have -forgotten to ask you how you like Reisenburg." - -"I can hardly say; with the exception of yesterday, when I rode Max -round the ramparts, I have not been once out of the hotel. But to-day I -feel so well that, if you are disposed for a lounge, I should like it -above all things." - -"I am quite at your service; but I must not forget that I am the bearer -of a missive to you from his Excellency the Grand Marshal. You are -invited to join the court dinner to-day, and be presented--" - -"Really, my dear sir, an invalid--" - -"Well! if you do not like it, you must make your excuses to him; but it -really is the pleasantest way of commencing your acquaintance at Court, -and only allowed to distingués; among which, as you are the friend of -the new Grand Marshal, you are of course considered. No one is petted so -much as a political, apostate, except, perhaps, a religious one; so at -present we are all in high feather. You had better dine at the palace -to-day. Everything quite easy; and, by an agreeable relaxation of state, -neither swords, bags, nor trains are necessary. Have you seen the -palace? I suppose not. We will look at it, and then call on the Prince." - -The gentlemen accordingly left the hotel; and proceeding down the -principal street of the New Town, they came into a large square, or -Place d'Armes. A couple of regiments of infantry were exercising in it. - -"A specimen of our standing army," said Sievers. "In the war time, this -little State brought thirty thousand highly-disciplined and -well-appointed troops into the field. This efficient contingent was, at -the same time, the origin of our national prosperity and our national -debt. For we have a national debt, sir! I assure you we are proud of it, -and consider it the most decided sign of being a great people. Our force -in times of peace is, of course, much reduced. We have, however, still -eight thousand men, who are perfectly unnecessary. The most curious -thing is, that, to keep up the patronage of the Court and please the -nobility, though we have cut down our army two-thirds, we have never -reduced the number of our generals; and so, at this moment, among our -eight thousand men, we count about forty general officers, being one to -every two hundred privates. We have, however, which perhaps you would -not suspect, one military genius among our multitude of heroes. The -Count von Sohnspeer is worthy of being one of Napoleon's marshals. Who -he is no one exactly knows; some say an illegitimate son of Beckendorff. -Certain it is that he owes his nobility to his sword; and as certain it -is that he is to be counted among the very few who share the Minister's -confidence. Von Sohnspeer has certainly performed a thousand brilliant -exploits; yet, in my opinion, the not least splendid day of his life was -that of the battle of Leipsic. He was on the side of the French, and -fought against the Allies with desperate fury. When he saw that all was -over, and the Allies triumphant, calling out 'Germany for ever!' he -dashed against his former friends, and captured from the flying Gauls a -hundred pieces of cannon. He hastened to the tent of the Emperors with -his blood-red sword in his hand, and at the same time congratulated them -on the triumph of their cause, and presented them with his hard-earned -trophies. The manoeuvre was perfectly successful; and the troops of -Reisenburg, complimented as true Germans, were pitied for their former -unhappy fate in being forced to fight against their fatherland, and were -immediately enrolled in the allied army; as such, they received a due -share of all the plunder. He is a grand genius, young Master von -Sohnspeer?" - -"Decidedly! Worthy of being a companion of the fighting bastards of the -middle ages. This is a fine square." - -"Very grand indeed! Precedents for some of the architectural -combinations could hardly be found at Athens or Rome; nevertheless the -general effect is magnificent. Do you admire this plan of making every -elevation of an order consonant with the purpose of the building? See, -for instance, on the opposite side of the square is the palace. The -Corinthian order, which is evident in all its details, suits well the -character of the structure. It accords with royal pomp and elegance, -with fêtes and banquets, and interior magnificence. On the other hand, -what a happy contrast is afforded to this gorgeous structure by the -severe simplicity of this Tuscan Palace of Justice. The School of Arts, -in the farthest corner of the square, is properly entered through an -Ionic portico. Let us go into the palace. Here not only does our monarch -reside, but (an arrangement which I much admire) here are deposited, in -a gallery worthy of the treasures it contains, our superb collection of -pictures. They are the private property of his Royal Highness; but, as -is usually the case under despotic Princes, the people, equally his -property, are flattered by the collection being styled the 'Public -Gallery.'" - -The hour of the court dinner at Reisenburg was two o'clock, about which -time, in England, a man first remembers the fatal necessity of shaving; -though, by-the-bye, this allusion is not a very happy one, for in this -country shaving is a ceremony at present somewhat obsolete. At two -o'clock, however, our hero, accompanying the Grand Marshal and Mr. -Sievers, reached the palace. In the saloon were assembled various -guests, chiefly attached to the Court. Immediately after the arrival of -our party, the Grand Duke and Madame Carolina, followed by their -chamberlains and ladies in waiting, entered. The little Prince -Maximilian strutted in between his Royal Highness and his fair Consort, -having hold of a hand of each. The urchin was much changed in appearance -since Vivian first saw him; he was dressed in the complete uniform of a -captain of the Royal Guards, having been presented with a commission on -the day of his arrival at Court. A brilliant star glittered on his -scarlet coat, and paled the splendour of his golden epaulettes. The -duties, however, of the princely captain were at present confined to the -pleasing exertion of carrying the bon-bon box of Madame Carolina, the -contents of which were chiefly reserved for his own gratification. In -the Grand Duke Vivian was not surprised to recognise the horseman whom -he had met in the private road on the morning of his departure from Mr. -Beckendorff's; his conversation with Sievers had prepared him for this. -Madame Carolina was in appearance Parisian of the highest order: that is -to say, an exquisite figure and an indescribable tournure, an invisible -foot, a countenance full of esprit and intelligence, without a single -regular feature, and large and very bright black eyes. Madame's hair was -of the same colour, and arranged in the most effective manner. Her -cashmere would have graced the Feast of Roses, and so engrossed your -attention that it was long before you observed the rest of her costume, -in which, however, traces of a creative genius were immediately visible; -in short, Madame Carolina was not fashionable, but fashion herself. In a -subsequent chapter, at a ball which we have in preparation, we will make -up for this brief notice of her costume by publishing her court dress. -For the sake of our fair readers, however, we will not pass over the -ornament in her hair. The comb which supported her elaborate curls was -invisible, except at each end, whence it threw out a large Psyche's wing -of golden web, the eyes of which were formed of rubies encircled with -turquoises. - -The Royal party made a progress round the circle. Madame Carolina first -presented her delicate and faintly-rouged cheek to the hump-backed Crown -Prince, who scarcely raised his eyes from the ground as he performed the -accustomed courtesy. One or two Royal relatives, who were on a visit at -the palace, were honoured by the same compliment. The Grand Duke bowed -graciously and gracefully to every individual; and his lady accompanied -the bow by a speech, which was at the same time personal and piquant. -The first great duty of a monarch is to know how to bow skilfully! -nothing is more difficult, and nothing more important. A Royal bow may -often quell a rebellion, and sometimes crush a conspiracy. It should at -the same time be both general and individual; equally addressed to the -company assembled, and to every single person in the assembly. Our own -sovereign bows to perfection. His bow is eloquent, and will always -render an oration on his part unnecessary; which is a great point, for -harangues are not regal. Nothing is more undignified than to make a -speech. It is from the first an acknowledgment that you are under the -necessity of explaining, or conciliating, or convincing, or confuting; -in short, that you are not omnipotent, but opposed. - -The bow of the Grand Duke of Reisenburg was a first-rate bow, and always -produced a great sensation with the people, particularly if it were -followed up by a proclamation for a public fête or fireworks; then his -Royal Highness' popularity was at its height. But Madame Carolina, after -having by a few magic sentences persuaded the whole room that she took a -peculiar interest in the happiness of every individual present, has -reached Vivian, who stood next to his friend the Grand Marshal. He was -presented by that great officer, and received most graciously. For a -moment the room thought that his Royal Highness was about to speak; but -he only smiled. Madame Carolina, however, said a great deal; and stood -not less than sixty seconds complimenting the English nation, and -particularly the specimen of that celebrated people who now had the -honour of being presented to her. No one spoke more in a given time than -Madame Carolina; and as, while the eloquent words fell from her deep red -lips, her bright eyes were invariably fixed on those of the person she -addressed, what she did say, as invariably, was very effective. Vivian -had only time to give a nod of recognition to his friend Max, for the -company, arm-in-arm, now formed into a procession to the dining saloon. -Vivian was parted from the Grand Marshal, who, as the highest officer of -state present, followed immediately after the Grand Duke. Our hero's -companion was Mr. Sievers. Although it was not a state dinner, the -party, from being swelled by the suites of the royal visitors, was -numerous; and as the Court occupied the centre of the table, Vivian was -too distant to listen to the conversation of Madame, who, however, he -well perceived, from the animation of her countenance, was delighted and -delighting. The Grand Duke spoke little, but listened, like a lover of -three days, to the accents of his accomplished consort. The arrangement -of a German dinner promotes conversation. The numerous dishes are at -once placed upon the table; and when the curious eye has well examined -their contents, the whole dinner, untouched, disappears. Although this -circumstance is rather alarming to a novice, his terror soon gives -place to self-congratulation when he finds the banquet re-appear, each -dish completely carved and cut up. - -"Not being Sunday," said Mr. Sievers, "there is no opera to-night. We -are to meet again, I believe, at the palace, in a few hours, at Madame -Carolina's soirée. In the meantime, you had better accompany his -Excellency to the public gardens; that is the fashionable drive. I shall -go home and smoke a pipe." - -The circle of the public gardens of Reisenburg exhibited exactly, -although upon a smaller scale, the same fashions and the same -frivolities, the same characters and the same affectations, as the Hyde -Park of London, or the Champs Elysées of Paris, the Prater of Vienna, -the Corso of Rome or Milan, or the Cascine of Florence. There was the -female leader of ton, hated by her own sex and adored by the other, and -ruling both; ruling both by the same principle of action, and by the -influence of the same quality which creates the arbitress of fashion in -all countries, by courage to break through the conventional customs of -an artificial class, and by talents to ridicule all those who dare -follow her innovating example; attracting universal notice by her own -singularity, and at the same time conciliating the support of those from -whom she dares to differ, by employing her influence in preventing -others from violating their laws. The arbitress of fashion is one who is -allowed to be singular, in order that she may suppress singularity; she -is exempted from all laws; but, by receiving the dictatorship, she -ensures the despotism. Then there was that mysterious being whose -influence is perhaps even more surprising than the dominion of the -female despot of manners, for she wields a power which can be analysed -and comprehended; I mean the male authority in coats, cravats, and -chargers; who, without fortune and without rank, and sometimes merely -through the bold obtrusion of a fantastic taste, becomes the glass of -fashion in which even royal dukes and the most aristocratic nobles -hasten to adjust themselves, and the mould by which the ingenious youth -of a whole nation is enthusiastically formed. There is a Brummell in -every country. - -Vivian, who, after a round or two with the Grand Marshal, had mounted -Max, was presented by the young Count von Bernstorff, the son of the -Grand Chamberlain, to whose care he had been specially commended by the -Prince, to the lovely Countess von S----. The examination of this high -authority was rigid and her report satisfactory. When Vivian quitted -the side of her britzska half a dozen dandies immediately rode up to -learn the result, and, on being informed, they simultaneously cantered -up to young von Bernstorff, and requested to have the honour of being -introduced to his highly-interesting friend. All these exquisites wore -white hats lined with crimson, in consequence of the head of the -all-influential Emilius von Aslingen having, on the preceding day, been -kept sacred from the profaning air by that most tasteful covering. The -young lords were loud in their commendations of this latest evidence of -von Aslingen's happy genius, and rallied with unmerciful spirit the -unfortunate von Bernstorff for not having yet mounted the all-perfect -chapeau. Like all von Aslingen's introductions, it was as remarkable for -good taste as for striking singularity; they had no doubt it would have -a great run, exactly the style of thing for a hot autumn, and it suited -so admirably with the claret-coloured riding coat which Madame -considered von Aslingen's chef-d'oeuvre. Inimitable von Aslingen! As -they were in these raptures, to Vivian's delight and to their dismay, -the object of their admiration appeared. Our hero was, of course, -anxious to see so interesting a character; but he could scarcely believe -that he, in fact, beheld the ingenious introducer of white and crimson -hats, and the still happier inventor of those chef-d'oeuvres, -claret-coloured riding coats, when his attention was directed to a -horseman who wore a peculiarly high heavy black hat and a frogged and -furred frock, buttoned up, although it was a most sultry day, to his -very nose. How singular is the slavery of fashion! Notwithstanding their -mortification, the unexpected costume of von Aslingen appeared only to -increase the young lords' admiration of his character and -accomplishments; and instead of feeling that he was an insolent -pretender, whose fame originated in his insulting their tastes, and -existed only by their sufferance, all cantered away with the -determination of wearing on the next day, even if it were to cost them -each a calenture, furs enough to keep a man warm during a winter party -at St. Petersburg, not that winter parties ever take place there; on the -contrary, before the winter sets in, the Court moves on to Moscow, -which, from its situation and its climate, will always, in fact, -continue the real capital of Russia. - -The royal carriage, drawn by six horses and backed by three men -servants, who would not have disgraced the fairy equipage of Cinderella, -has now left the gardens. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand -Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor. The company was -numerous and brilliant. His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select -circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other -end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, -in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of -poetry, philosophy, and politics. Boston, and Zwicken, and whist -interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others. A few -were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, -who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von -Aslingen was most prominent. He leant against a door in full uniform, -with his vacant eyes fixed on no object. The others were only awkward -copies of an easy original; and among these, stiff or stretching, -lounging on a chaise-lounge, or posted against the wall, Vivian's quick -eye recognised more than one of the unhappy votaries of white hats lined -with crimson. - -When Vivian made his bow to the Grand Duke he was surprised by his Royal -Highness coming forward a few steps from the surrounding circle and -extending to him his hand. His Royal Highness continued conversing with -him for upwards of a quarter of an hour; expressed the great pleasure he -felt at seeing at his Court a gentleman of whose abilities he had the -highest opinion; and, after a variety of agreeable compliments -(compliments are doubly agreeable from crowned heads), the Grand Duke -retired to a game of Boston with his royal visitors. Vivian's reception -made a sensation through the room. Various rumours were -immediately afloat. - -"Who can he be?" - -"Don't you know? Oh! most curious story. Killed a boar as big as a -bonasus, which was ravaging half Reisenburg, and saved the lives of his -Excellency the Grand Marshal and his whole suite." - -"What is that about the Grand Marshal and a boar as big as a bonasus? -Quite wrong; natural son of Beckendorff; know it for a fact. Don't you -see he is being introduced to von Sohnspeer! brothers, you know, managed -the whole business about the leagued Princes; not a son of Beckendorff, -only a particular friend; the son of the late General--, I forget his -name exactly. Killed at Leipsic, you know; that famous general; what was -his name? that very famous general; don't you remember? Never mind; -well! he is his son; father particular friend of Beckendorff; college -friend; brought up the orphan; very handsome of him! They say he does -handsome things sometimes." - -"Ah! well, I've heard so too; and so this young man is to be the new -under-secretary! very much approved by the Countess von S----." - -"No, it can't be! your story is quite wrong. He is an Englishman." - -"An Englishman! no!" - -"Yes he is. I had it from Madame; high rank incog.; going to Vienna; -secret mission." - -"Something to do with Greece, of course; independence recognised?" - -"Oh! certainly; pay a tribute to the Porte, and governed by a hospodar. -Admirable arrangement! have to support their own government and a -foreign one besides!" - -It was with pleasure that Vivian at length observed Mr. Sievers enter -the room, and extricating himself from the enlightened and enthusiastic -crowd who were disserting round the tribunal of Madame, he hastened to -his amusing friend. - -"Ah! my dear sir, how glad I am to see you! I have, since we met last, -been introduced to your fashionable ruler, and some of her most -fashionable slaves. I have been honoured by a long conversation with his -Royal Highness, and have listened to some of the most eloquent of the -Carolina coterie. What a Babel! there all are, at the same time, talkers -and listeners. To what a pitch of perfection may the 'science' of -conversation be carried! My mind teems with original ideas, to which I -can annex no definite meaning. What a variety of contradictory theories, -which are all apparently sound! I begin to suspect that there is a great -difference between reasoning and reason!" - -"Your suspicion is well founded, my dear sir," said Mr. Sievers; "and I -know no circumstance which would sooner prove it than listening for a -few minutes to this little man in a snuff-coloured coat near me. But I -will save you from so terrible a demonstration. He has been endeavouring -to catch my eye these last ten minutes, and I have as studiously avoided -seeing him. Let us move." - -"Willingly; who may this fear-inspiring monster be?" - -"A philosopher," said Mr. Sievers, "as most of us call ourselves here; -that is to say, his profession is to observe the course of Nature; and -if by chance he can discover any slight deviation of the good dame from -the path which our ignorance has marked out as her only track, he claps -his hands, cries [Greek: euraeka]! and is dubbed 'illustrious' on the -spot. Such is the world's reward for a great discovery, which generally, -in a twelvemonth's time, is found out to be a blunder of the -philosopher, and not an eccentricity of Nature. I am not underrating -those great men who, by deep study, or rather by some mysterious -inspiration, have produced combinations and effected results which have -materially assisted the progress of civilisation and the security of our -happiness. No, no! to them be due adoration. Would that the reverence of -posterity could be some consolation to these great spirits for neglect -and persecution when they lived! I have invariably observed of great -natural philosophers, that if they lived in former ages they were -persecuted as magicians, and in periods which profess to be more -enlightened they have always been ridiculed as quacks. The succeeding -century the real quack arises. He adopts and develops the suppressed, -and despised, and forgotten discovery of his unfortunate predecessor! -and Fame trumpets this resurrection-man of science with as loud a blast -of rapture as if, instead of being merely the accidental animator of the -corpse, he were the cunning artist himself who had devised and executed -the miraculous machinery which the other had only wound up." - -"But in this country," said Vivian, "surely you have no reason to -complain of the want of moral philosophers, or of the respect paid to -them. The country of Kant--, of ----" - -"Yes, yes! we have plenty of metaphysicians, if you mean them. Watch -that lively-looking gentleman, who is stuffing kalte schale so -voraciously in the corner. The leader of the Idealists, a pupil of the -celebrated Fichte! To gain an idea of his character, know that he -out-Herods his master; and Fichte is to Kant what Kant is to the -unenlightened vulgar. You can now form a slight conception of the -spiritual nature of our friend who is stuffing kalte schale. The first -principle of his school is to reject all expressions which incline in -the slightest degree to substantiality. Existence is, in his opinion, a -word too absolute. Being, principle, essence, are terms scarcely -sufficiently ethereal even to indicate the subtile shadowings of his -opinions. Some say that he dreads the contact of all real things, and -that he makes it the study of his life to avoid them. Matter is his -great enemy. When you converse with him you lose all consciousness of -this world. My dear sir," continued Mr. Sievers, "observe how -exquisitely Nature revenges herself upon these capricious and fantastic -children. Believe me, Nature is the most brilliant of wits; and that no -repartees that were ever inspired by hate, or wine, or beauty, ever -equalled the calm effects of her indomitable power upon those who are -rejecting her authority. You understand me? Methinks that the best -answer to the idealism of M. Fichte is to see his pupil devouring -kalte schale!" - -"And this is really one of your great lights?" - -"Verily! His works are the most famous and the most unreadable in all -Germany. Surely you have heard of his 'Treatise on Man?' A treatise on a -subject in which everyone is interested, written in a style which no one -can understand." - -"You think, then," said Vivian, "that posterity may rank the German -metaphysicians with the later Platonists?" - -"I hardly know; they are a body of men not less acute, but I doubt -whether they will be as celebrated. In this age of print, notoriety is -more attainable than in the age of manuscript; but lasting fame -certainly is not. That tall thin man in black that just bowed to me is -the editor of one of our great Reisenburg reviews. The journal he edits -is one of the most successful periodical publications ever set afloat. -Among its contributors, may assuredly be classed many men of eminent -talents; yet to their abilities the surprising success and influence of -this work is scarcely to be ascribed. It is the result rather of the -consistent spirit which has always inspired its masterly critiques. One -principle has ever regulated its management; it is a simple rule, but an -effective one: every author is reviewed by his personal enemy. You may -imagine the point of the critique; but you would hardly credit, if I -were to inform you, the circulation of the review. You will tell me that -you are not surprised, and talk of the natural appetite of our species -for malice and slander. Be not too quick. The rival of this review, both -in influence and in sale, is conducted on as simple a principle, but not -a similar one. In this journal every author is reviewed by his personal -friend; of course, perfect panegyric. Each number is flattering as a -lover's tale; every article an eloge. What say you to this? These are -the influential literary and political journals of Reisenburg. There -was yet another; it was edited by an eloquent scholar; all its -contributors were, at the same time, brilliant and profound. It numbered -among its writers some of the most celebrated names in Germany; its -critiques and articles were as impartial as they were able, as sincere -as they were sound; it never paid the expense of the first number. As -philanthropists and admirers of our species, my dear sir, these are -gratifying results; they satisfactorily demonstrate that mankind have no -innate desire for scandal, calumny, and backbiting; it only proves that -they have an innate desire to be gulled and deceived." - -"And who is that?" said Vivian. - -"That is von Chronicle, our great historical novelist. When I first came -to Reisenburg, now eight years ago, the popular writer of fiction was a -man, the most probable of whose numerous romances was one in which the -hero sold his shadow to a demon over the dice-box; then married an -unknown woman in a churchyard; afterwards wedded a river nymph; and, -having committed bigamy, finally stabbed himself, to enable his first -wife to marry his own father. He and his works are quite obsolete; and -the star of his genius, with those of many others, has paled before the -superior brilliancy of that literary comet, Mr. von Chronicle. According -to von Chronicle, we have all, for a long time, been under a mistake. We -have ever considered that the first point to be studied in novel writing -is character: miserable error! It is costume. Variety of incident, -novelty, and nice discrimination of character; interest of story, and -all those points which we have hitherto looked upon as necessary -qualities of a fine novel, vanish before the superior attractions of -variety of dresses, exquisite descriptions of the cloak of a signer, or -the trunk-hose of a serving man. - -"Amuse yourself while you are at Reisenburg by turning over some volumes -which every one is reading; von Chronicle's last great historical novel. -The subject is a magnificent one, Rienzi; yet it is strange that the -hero only appears in the first and the last scenes. You look astonished. -Ah! I see you are not a great historical novelist. You forget the effect -which is produced by the contrast of the costume of Master Nicholas, the -notary in the quarter of the Jews, and that of Rienzi, the tribune, in -his robe of purple, at his coronation in the Capitol. Conceive the -effect, the contrast. With that coronation von Chronicle's novel -terminates; for, as he well observes, after that, what is there in the -career of Rienzi which would afford matter for the novelist? Nothing! -All that afterwards occurs is a mere contest of passions and a -development of character; but where is a procession, a triumph, or -a marriage? - -"One of von Chronicle's great characters in this novel is a Cardinal. It -was only last night that I was fortunate enough to have the beauties of -the work pointed out to me by the author himself. He entreated, and -gained my permission to read to me what he himself considered 'the great -scene.' I settled myself in my chair, took out my handkerchief, and -prepared my mind for the worst. While I was anticipating the terrors of -a heroine he introduced me to his Cardinal. Thirty pages were devoted to -the description of the prelate's costume. Although clothed in purple, -still, by a skilful adjustment of the drapery, von Chronicle managed to -bring in six other petticoats. I thought this beginning would never -finish, but to my surprise, when he had got to the seventh petticoat, he -shut his book, and leaning over the table, asked me what I thought of -his 'great scene.' 'My friend,' said I, 'you are not only the greatest -historical novelist that ever lived, but that ever will live.'" - -"I shall certainly get Rienzi," said Vivian; "it seems to me to be an -original work." - -"Von Chronicle tells me that he looks upon it as his masterpiece, and -that it may be considered as the highest point of perfection to which -his system of novel-writing can be carried. Not a single name is given -in the work, down even to the rabble, for which he has not contemporary -authority; but what he is particularly proud of are his oaths. Nothing, -he tells me, has cost him more trouble than the management of the -swearing: and the Romans, you know, are a most profane nation. The great -difficulty to be avoided was using the ejaculations of two different -ages. The 'sblood' of the sixteenth century must not be confounded with -the 'zounds' of the seventeenth. Enough of von Chronicle! The most -amusing thing," continued Mr. Sievers, "is to contrast this mode of -writing works of fiction with the prevalent and fashionable method of -writing works of history. Contrast the 'Rienzi' of von Chronicle with -the 'Haroun Al Raschid' of Madame Carolina. Here we write novels like -history, and history like novels: all our facts are fancy, and all our -imagination reality." So saying, Mr. Sievers rose, and, wishing Vivian -good night, quitted the room. He was one of those prudent geniuses who -always leave off with a point. - -Mr. Sievers had not left Vivian more than a minute when the little -Prince Maximilian came up and bowed to him in a condescending manner. -Our hero, who had not yet had an opportunity of speaking with him, -thanked him cordially for his handsome present, and asked him how he -liked the Court. - -"Oh, delightful! I pass all my time with the Grand Duke and Madame:" and -here the young apostate settled his military stock and arranged the -girdle of his sword. "Madame Carolina," continued he, "has commanded me -to inform you that she desires the pleasure of your attendance." - -The summons was immediately obeyed, and Vivian had the honour of a long -conversation with the interesting Consort of the Grand Duke. He was, for -a considerable time, complimented by her enthusiastic panegyric of -England, her original ideas of the character and genius of Lord Byron, -her veneration for Sir Humphry Davy, and her admiration of Sir Walter -Scott. Not remiss was Vivian in paying, in his happiest manner, due -compliments to the fair and royal authoress of the Court of Charlemagne. -While she spoke his native tongue, he admired her accurate English; and -while she professed to have derived her imperfect knowledge of his -perfect language from a study of its best authors, she avowed her belief -of the impossibility of ever speaking it correctly without the -assistance of a native. Conversation became more interesting. - -When Vivian left the palace he was not unmindful of an engagement to -return there the next day, to give a first lesson in English -pronunciation to Madame Carolina. - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -Vivian duly kept his appointment with Madame Carolina. The chamberlain -ushered him into a library, where Madame Carolina was seated at a large -table covered with books and manuscripts. Her costume and her -countenance were equally engaging. Fascination was alike in her smile, -and her sash, her bow, and her buckle. What a delightful pupil to -perfect in English pronunciation! Madame pointed, with a pride pleasing -to Vivian's feelings as an Englishman, to her shelves, graced with the -most eminent of English writers. Madame Carolina was not like one of -those admirers of English literature whom you often meet on the -Continent: people who think that Beattie's Minstrel is our most modern -and fashionable poem; that the Night Thoughts is the masterpiece of our -literature; and that Richardson is our only novelist. Oh, no! Madame -Carolina would not have disgraced May Fair. She knew Childe Harold by -rote, and had even peeped into Don Juan. Her admiration of the Edinburgh -and Quarterly Reviews was great and similar. To a Continental liberal, -indeed, even the Toryism of the Quarterly is philosophy; and not an -Under-Secretary ever yet massacred a radical innovator without giving -loose to some sentiments and sentences which are considered rank treason -in the meridian of Vienna. - -After some conversation, in which Madame evinced eagerness to gain -details about the persons and manners of our most eminent literary -characters, she naturally began to speak of the literary productions of -other countries; and in short, ere an hour was passed, Vivian Grey, -instead of giving a lesson in English pronunciation to the Consort of -the Grand Duke of Reisenburg, found himself listening, in an easy-chair, -and with folded arms, to a long treatise by that lady de l'Esprit de -Conversation. It was a most brilliant dissertation. Her kindness in -reading it to him was most particular; nevertheless, for unexpected -blessings we are not always sufficiently grateful. - -Another hour was consumed by the treatise. How she refined! what -unexpected distinctions! what exquisite discrimination of national -character! what skilful eulogium of her own! Nothing could be more -splendid than her elaborate character of a repartee; it would have -sufficed for an epic poem. At length Madame Carolina ceased de l'Esprit -de Conversation, and Vivian was successful in concealing his weariness -and in testifying his admiration. "The evil is over," thought he; "I may -as well gain credit for my good taste." The lesson in English -pronunciation, however, was not yet terminated. Madame was charmed with -our hero's uncommon discrimination and extraordinary talents. He was the -most skilful and the most agreeable critic with whom she had ever been -acquainted. How invaluable must the opinion of such a person be to her -on her great work! No one had yet seen a line of it; but there are -moments when we are irresistibly impelled to seek a confidant; that -confidant was before her. The morocco case was unlocked, and the -manuscript of Haroun Al Raschid revealed to the enraptured eye of -Vivian Grey. - -"I flatter myself," said Madame Carolina, "that this work will create a -great sensation; not only in Germany. It abounds, I think, with -interesting story, engaging incidents, and animated and effective -descriptions. I have not, of course, been able to obtain any new matter -respecting his Sublimity the Caliph. Between ourselves, I do not think -this very important. So far as I have observed, we have matter enough in -this world on every possible subject already. It is manner in which the -literature of all nations is deficient. It appears to me that the great -point for persons of genius now to direct their attention to is the -expansion of matter. This I conceive to be the great secret; and this -must be effected by the art of picturesque writing. For instance, my -dear Mr. Grey, I will open the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, merely -for an exemplification, at the one hundred and eighty-fifth night; good! -Let us attend to the following passage:-- - -"'In the reign of the Caliph Haroun Al Raschid, there was at Bagdad a -druggist, called Alboussan Ebn Thaher, a very rich, handsome man. He had -more wit and politeness than people of his profession ordinarily have. -His integrity, sincerity, and jovial humour made him beloved and sought -after by all sorts of people. The Caliph, who knew his merit, had entire -confidence in him. He had so great an esteem for him that he entrusted -him with the care to provide his favourite ladies with all the things -they stood in need of. He chose for them their clothes, furniture, and -jewels, with admirable taste. His good qualities and the favour of the -Caliph made the sons of Emirs and other officers of the first rank be -always about him. His house was the rendezvous of all the nobility of -the Court.' - -"What capabilities lurk in this dry passage!" exclaimed Madame Carolina; -"I touch it with my pen, and transform it into a chapter. It shall be -one of those that I will read to you. The description of Alboussan alone -demands ten pages. There is no doubt that his countenance was oriental. -The tale says that he was handsome: I paint him with his eastern eye, -his thin arched brow, his fragrant beard, his graceful mustachio. The -tale says he was rich: I have authorities for the costume of men of his -dignity in contemporary writers. In my history he appears in an upper -garment of green velvet, and loose trousers of pink satin; a jewelled -dagger lies in his golden girdle; his slippers are of the richest -embroidery; and he never omits the bath of roses daily. On this system, -which in my opinion elicits truth, for by it you are enabled to form a -conception of the manners, of the age; on this system I proceed -throughout the paragraph. Conceive my account of his house being the -'rendezvous of all the nobility of the Court.' What a brilliant scene! -what variety of dress and character! what splendour! what luxury! what -magnificence! Imagine the detail of the banquet; which, by the bye, -gives me an opportunity of inserting, after the manner of your own -Gibbon, 'a dissertation on sherbet.' What think you of the art of -picturesque writing?" - -"Admirable!" said Vivian; "von Chronicle himself--" - -"How can you mention the name of that odious man!" almost shrieked -Madame Carolina, forgetting the dignity of her semi-regal character in -the jealous feelings of the author. "How can you mention him! A -scribbler without a spark, not only of genius, but even of common -invention. A miserable fellow, who seems to do nothing but clothe and -amplify, in his own fantastic style, the details of a parcel of old -chronicles!" - -Madame's indignation reminded Vivian of a true but rather vulgar proverb -of his own country; and he extricated himself from his very awkward -situation with a dexterity worthy of his former years. - -"Von Chronicle himself," said Vivian; "von Chronicle himself, as I was -going to observe, will be the most mortified of all on the appearance of -your work. He cannot be so blinded by self-conceit as to fail to observe -that your history is a thousand times more interesting than his fiction. -Ah! Madame, if you can thus spread enchantment over the hitherto weary -page of history, what must be your work of imagination!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -Vivian met Emilius von Aslingen in his ride through the gardens. As that -distinguished personage at present patronised the English nation, and -astounded the Reisenburg natives by driving an English mail, riding -English horses, and ruling English grooms, he deigned to be exceedingly -courteous to our hero, whom he had publicly declared at the soirée of -the preceding night to be "very good style." Such a character from such -a man raised Vivian even more in the estimation of the Reisenburg world -than his flattering reception by the Grand Duke and his cordial greeting -by Madame Carolina. - -"Shall you be at the Grand Marshal's to-night?" asked Vivian. - -"Ah! that is the new man, the man who was mediatised, is not it?" - -"The Prince of Little Lilliput." - -"Yes!" drawled out Mr. von Aslingen. "I shall go if I have courage -enough; but they say his servants wear skins, and he has got a tail." - -The ball-room was splendidly illuminated. The whole of the Royal Family -was present, and did honour to their new officer of state; his Royal -Highness all smiles, and his Consort all diamonds. Stars and uniforms, -ribbons and orders, abounded. The diplomatic body wore the dresses of -their respective Courts. Emilius von Aslingen, having given out in the -morning that he should appear as a captain in the Royal Guards, the -young lords and fops of fashion were consequently ultra military. They -were not a little annoyed when, late in the evening, their model lounged -in, wearing the rich scarlet uniform of a Knight of Malta, of which -newly-revived order von Aslingen, who had served half a campaign against -the Turks, was a member. - -The Royal Family had arrived only a few minutes: dancing had not yet -commenced. Vivian was at the top of the room, honoured by the notice of -Madame Carolina, who complained of his yesterday's absence from the -palace. Suddenly the universal hum and buzz which are always sounding in -a crowded room were stilled; and all present, arrested in their -conversation and pursuits, stood with their heads turned towards the -great door. Thither also Vivian looked, and, wonderstruck, beheld--Mr. -Beckendorff. His singular appearance, for, with the exception of his -cavalry boots, he presented the same figure as when he first came -forward to receive the Prince of Little Lilliput and Vivian on the lawn, -immediately attracted universal attention; but in this crowded room -there were few who, either from actual experience or accurate -information, were not ignorant that this personage was the Prime -Minister. The report spread like wildfire. Even the etiquette of a -German ball-room, honoured as it was by the presence of the Court, was -no restraint to the curiosity and wonder of all present. Yes! even -Emilius von Aslingen raised his glass to his eye. But great as was -Vivian's astonishment, it was not only occasioned by this unexpected -appearance of his former host. Mr. Beckendorff was not alone: a woman -was leaning on his left arm. A quick glance in a moment convinced Vivian -that she was not the original of the mysterious picture. The companion -of Beckendorff was very young. Her full voluptuous growth gave you, for -a moment, the impression that she was somewhat low in stature; but it -was only for a moment, for the lady was by no means short. Her beauty it -is impossible to describe. It was of a kind that baffles all phrases, -nor have I a single simile at command to make it more clearer more -confused. Her luxurious form, her blonde complexion, her silken hair, -would have all become the languishing Sultana; but then her eyes, they -banished all idea of the Seraglio, and were the most decidedly European, -though the most brilliant that ever glanced; eagles might have proved -their young at them. To a countenance which otherwise would have been -calm, and perhaps pensive, they gave an expression of extreme vivacity -and unusual animation, and perhaps of restlessness and arrogance: it -might have been courage. The lady was dressed in the costume of a -Chanoinesse??? of a Couvent des dames nobles; an institution to which -Protestant and Catholic ladles are alike admitted. The orange-coloured -cordon of her canonry was slung gracefully over her plain black silk -dress, and a diamond cross hung below her waist. - -Mr. Beckendorff and his fair companion were instantly welcomed by the -Grand Marshal; and Arnelm and half-a-dozen Chamberlains, all in new -uniforms, and extremely agitated, did their utmost, by their exertions -in clearing the way, to prevent the Prime Minister of Reisenburg from -paying his respects to his Sovereign. At length, however, Mr. -Beckendorff reached the top of the room, and presented the young lady to -his Royal Highness, and also to Madame Carolina. Vivian had retired on -their approach, and now found himself among a set of young officers, -idolators of von Aslingen, and of white hats lined with crimson. "Who -can she be?" was the universal question. Though all by the query -acknowledged their ignorance, yet it is singular that, at the same time, -every one was prepared with a response to it. Such are the sources of -accurate information! - -"And that is Beckendorff, is it?" exclaimed the young Count of -Eberstein; "and his daughter, of course! Well; there is nothing like -being a plebeian and a Prime Minister! I suppose Beckendorff will bring -an anonymous friend to Court next." - -"She cannot be his daughter," said Bernstorff. "To be a Chanoinesse of -that order, remember, she must be noble." - -"Then she must be his niece," answered the young Count of Eberstein. "I -think I do remember some confused story about a sister of Beckendorff -who ran away with some Wirtemberg Baron. What was that story, -Gernsbach?" - -"No, it was not his sister," said the Baron of Gernsbach; "it was his -aunt, I think." - -"Beckendorff's aunt; what an idea! As if he ever had an aunt! Men of his -calibre make themselves out of mud. They have no relations. Well, never -mind; there was some story, I am sure, about some woman or other. Depend -upon it that this girl is the child of that woman, whether she be aunt, -niece, or daughter. I shall go and tell every one that I know the whole -business; this girl is the daughter of some woman or other." So saying, -away walked the young Count of Eberstein, to disseminate in all -directions the important conclusion to which his logical head had -allowed him to arrive. - -"Von Weinbren," said the Baron of Gernsbach, "how can you account for -this mysterious appearance of the Premier?" - -"Oh! when men are on the decline they do desperate things. I suppose it -is to please the renegado." - -"Hush! there's the Englishman behind you." - -"On dit, another child of Beckendorff." - -"Oh no! secret mission." - -"Ah! indeed." - -"Here comes von Aslingen! Well, great Emilius! how solve you this -mystery?" - -"What mystery? Is there one?" - -"I allude to this wonderful appearance of Beckendorff." - -"Beckendorff! what a name! Who is he?" - -"Nonsense! the Premier." - -"Well!" - -"You have seen him, of course; he is here. Have you just come in?" - -"Beckendorff here!" said von Aslingen, in a tone of affected horror; "I -did not know that the fellow was to be visited. It is all over with -Reisenburg. I shall go to Vienna to-morrow." - -But hark! the sprightly music calls to the dance; and first the stately -Polonaise, in easy gradation between walking and dancing. To the -surprise of the whole room and the indignation of main of the high -nobles, the Crown Prince of Reisenburg led off the Polonaise with the -unknown fair one. Such an attention to Beckendorff was a distressing -proof of present power and favour. The Polonaise is a dignified -promenade, with which German balls invariably commence. The cavaliers, -with an air of studied grace, offer their right hands to their fair -partners; and the whole party, in a long file, accurately follow the -leading couple through all their scientific evolutions, as they wind -through every part of the room. Waltzes in sets speedily followed the -Polonaise; and the unknown, who was now an object of universal -attention, danced with Count von Sohnspeer, another of Beckendorff's -numerous progeny, if the reader remember. How scurvily are poor single -gentlemen who live alone treated by the candid tongues of their -fellow-creatures! The commander-in-chief of the Reisenburg troops was -certainly a partner of a different complexion from the young lady's -previous one. The crown Prince had undertaken his duty with reluctance, -and had performed it without grace; not a single word had he exchanged -with his partner during the promenade, and his genuine listlessness was -even more offensive than affected apathy. Von Sohnspeer, on the -contrary, danced in the true Vienna style, and whirled like a Dervish. -All our good English prejudices against the soft, the swimming, the -sentimental, melting, undulating, dangerous waltz would quickly -disappear, if we only executed the dreaded manoeuvres in the true -Austrian style. One might as soon expect our daughters to get -sentimental in a swing. - -Vivian did not choose to presume upon his late acquaintance with Mr. -Beckendorff, as it had not been sought by that gentleman, and he -consequently did not pay his respects to the Minister. Mr. Beckendorff -continued at the top of the room, standing between the State chairs of -his Royal Highness and Madame Carolina, and occasionally addressing an -observation to his Sovereign and answering one of the lady's. Had Mr. -Beckendorff been in the habit of attending balls nightly he could not -have exhibited more perfect nonchalance. There he stood, with his arms -crossed behind him, his chin resting on his breast, and his raised -eyes glancing! - -"My dear Prince," said Vivian to the Grand Marshal, "you are just the -person I wanted to speak to. How came you to invite Beckendorff, and how -came he to accept the invitation?" - -"My dear friend," said his Highness, shrugging his shoulders, "wonders -will never cease. I never invited him; I should just as soon have -thought of inviting old Johannisberger." - -"Were you not aware, then, of his intention?" - -"Not in the least! you should rather say attention; for, I assure you, I -consider it a most particular one. It is quite astonishing, my dear -friend, how I mistook that man's character. He really is one of the most -gentlemanlike, polite, and excellent persons I know; no more mad than -you are! And as for his power being on the decline, we know the -nonsense of that!" - -"Better than most persons, I suspect. Sievers, of course, is not here?" - -"No! you have heard about him, I suppose?" - -"Heard! heard what?" - -"Not heard! well, he told me yesterday, and said he was going to call -upon you directly to let you know." - -"Know what?" - -"He is a very sensible man, Sievers; and I am very glad at last that he -is likely to succeed in the world. All men have their little -imprudences, and he was a little too hot once. What of that? He has come -to his senses, so have I; and I hope you will never lose yours." - -"But, pray, my dear Prince, tell me what has happened to Sievers." - -"He is going to Vienna immediately, and will be very useful there, I -have no doubt. He has got a good place, and I am sure he will do his -duty. They cannot have an abler man." - -"Vienna! that is the last city in the world in which I should expect to -find Mr. Sievers. What place can he have? and what services can he -perform there?" - -"Many! he is to be Editor of the Austrian Observer, and Censor of the -Austrian Press. I thought he would do well at last. All men have their -imprudent day. I had. I cannot stop now. I must go and speak to the -Countess von S----." - -As Vivian was doubting whether he should most grieve or laugh at this -singular termination of Mr. Sievers' career, his arm was suddenly -touched, and on turning round he found it was by Mr. Beckendorff. - -"There is another strong argument, sir," said the Minister, without any -of the usual phrases of recognition; "there is another strong argument -against your doctrine of Destiny." And then Mr. Beckendorff, taking -Vivian by the arm, began walking up and down part of the saloon with -him; and in a few minutes, quite forgetting the scene of the discussion, -he was involved in metaphysics. This incident created another great -sensation, and whispers of "secret mission, Secretary of State, -decidedly a son," &c. &c. &c. were in an instant afloat in all parts -of the room. - -The approach of his Royal Highness extricated Vivian from an argument -which was as profound as it was interminable; and as Mr. Beckendorff -retired with the Grand Duke into a recess in the ball-room, Vivian was -requested by von Neuwied to attend his Excellency the Grand Marshal. - -"My dear friend," said the Prince, "I saw you talking with a certain -person, I did not say anything to you when I passed you before; but, to -tell you the truth now, I was a little annoyed that he had not spoken to -you. I knew you were as proud as Lucifer, and would not salute him -yourself; and between ourselves I had no great wish you should, for, not -to conceal it, he did not even mention your name. But the reason of this -is now quite evident, and you must confess he is remarkably courteous. -You know, if you remember, we thought that incognito was a little -affected; rather annoying, if you recollect. I remember in the green -lane you gave him a gentle cut about it. It was spirited, and I dare say -did good. Well! what I was going to say about that is this; I dare say -now, after all," continued his Excellency, with a knowing look, "a -certain person had very good reasons for that; not that he ever told -them to me, nor that I have the slightest idea of them; but when a -person is really so exceedingly polite and attentive I always think he -would never do anything disagreeable without a cause; and it was -exceedingly disagreeable, if you remember, my dear friend. I never knew -to whom he was speaking. Von Philipson indeed! Well! we did not think, -the day we were floundering down that turf road, that it would end in -this. Rather a more brilliant scene than the Giants' Hall at Turriparva, -I think, eh? But all men have their imprudent days; the best way is to -forget them. There was poor Sievers; who ever did more imprudent things -than he? and now it is likely he will do very well in the world, eh? -What I want of you, my dear friend, is this. There is that girl who -came with Beckendorff; who the deuce she is, I don't know: let us hope -the best! We must pay her every attention. I dare say she is his -daughter. You have not forgotten the portrait. Well! we all were gay -once. All men have their imprudent day; why should not Beckendorff? -Speaks rather in his favour, I think. Well, this girl; his Royal -Highness very kindly made the Crown Prince walk the Polonaise with her; -very kind of him, and very proper. What attention can be too great for -the daughter or friend of such a man! a man who, in two words, may be -said to have made Reisenburg. For what was Reisenburg before -Beckendorff? Ah! what? Perhaps we were happier then, after all; and then -there was no Royal Highness to bow to; no person to be condescending, -except ourselves. But never mind! we will forget. After all, this life -has its charms. What a brilliant scene! but this girl, every attention -should be paid her. The Crown Prince was so kind as to walk the -Polonaise with her. And von Sohnspeer; he is a brute, to be sure; but -then he is a Field Marshal. Now, I think, considering what has taken -place between Beckendorff and yourself, and the very distinguished -manner in which he recognised you; I think, that after all this, and -considering everything, the etiquette is for you, particularly as you -are a foreigner, and my personal friend; indeed, my most particular -friend, for in fact I owe everything to you, my life, and more than my -life; I think, I repeat, considering all this, that the least you can do -is to ask her to dance with you; and I, as the host, will introduce you. -I am sorry, my dear friend," continued his Excellency, with a look of -great regret, "to introduce you to--; but we will not speak about it. We -have no right to complain of Mr. Beckendorff. No person could possibly -behave to us in a manner more gentlemanlike." - -After an introductory speech in his Excellency's happiest manner, and in -which an eulogium of Vivian and a compliment to the fair unknown got -almost as completely entangled as the origin of slavery and the history -of the feudal system in his more celebrated harangue, Vivian found -himself waltzing with the anonymous beauty. The Grand Marshal, during -the process of introduction, had given the young lady every opportunity -of declaring her name; but every opportunity was thrown away. "She must -be incog.," whispered his Excellency; "Miss von Philipson, I suppose?" - -Vivian was not a little desirous of discovering the nature of the -relationship or connection between Beckendorff and his partner. The -rapid waltz allowed no pause for conversation; but after the dance -Vivian seated himself at her side, with the determination of not quickly -deserting it The lady did not even allow him the satisfaction of -commencing the conversation; for no sooner was she seated than she -begged to know who the person was with whom she had previously waltzed. -The history of Count von Sohnspeer amused her; and no sooner had Vivian -finished his anecdote than the lady said, "Ah! I so: you are an amusing -person. Now tell me the history of everybody in the room." - -"Really," said Vivian, "I fear I shall forfeit my reputation of being -amusing very speedily, for I am almost as great a stranger at this Court -as you appear to be yourself. Count von Sohnspeer is too celebrated a -personage at Reisenburg to have allowed even me to be long ignorant of -his history; and as for the rest, as far as I can judge, they are most -of them as obscure as myself, and not nearly as interesting as you are!" - -"Are you an Englishman?" asked the lady. - -"I am." - -"I supposed so, both from your travelling and your appearance: I think -the English countenance very peculiar." - -"Indeed! we do not flatter ourselves so at home." - -"Yes! it is peculiar." said the lady, in a tone which seemed to imply -that contradiction was unusual; "and I think that you are all handsome! -I admire the English, which in this part of the world is singular: the -South, you know, is generally francisé." - -"I am aware of that," said Vivian. "There, for instance," pointing to a -pompous-looking personage who at that moment strutted by; "there, for -instance, is the most francisé person in all Reisenburg! that is our -Grand Chamberlain. He considers himself a felicitous copy of Louis the -Fourteenth! He allows nothing in his opinions and phrases but what is -orthodox. As it generally happens in such cases, his orthodoxy is rather -obsolete." - -"Who is that Knight of Malta?" asked the lady. - -"The most powerful individual in the room," answered Vivian. - -"Who can he be?" asked the lady, with eagerness. - -"Behold him, and tremble!" rejoined Vivian: "for with him it rests to -decide whether you are civilised or a savage; whether you are to be -abhorred or admired: idolised or despised. Nay, do not be alarmed! there -are a few heretics, even in Reisenburg, who, like myself, value from -conviction, and not from fashion, and who will be ever ready, in spite -of a von Aslingen anathema, to evince our admiration where it is due." - -The lady pleaded fatigue as an excuse for not again dancing; and Vivian -did not quit her side. Her lively remarks, piquant observations, and -singular questions highly amused him; and he was flattered by the -evident gratification which his conversation afforded her. It was -chiefly of the principal members of the Court that she spoke: she was -delighted with Vivian's glowing character of Madame Carolina, whom she -said she had this evening seen for the first time. Who this unknown -could be was a question which often occurred to him; and the singularity -of a man like Beckendorff suddenly breaking through his habits and -outraging the whole system of his existence, to please a daughter, or -niece, or female cousin, did not fail to strike him. - -"I have the honour of being acquainted with Mr. Beckendorff," said -Vivian. This was the first time that the Minister's name had been -mentioned. - -"I perceived you talking with him," was the answer. - -"You are staying, I suppose, at Mr. Beckendorff's?" - -"Not at present." - -"You have, of course, been at his retreat; delightful place!" - -"Yes!" - -"Are you an ornithologist?" asked Vivian, smiling. - -"Not at all scientific; but I, of course, can now tell a lory from a -Java sparrow, and a bullfinch from a canary. The first day I was there, -I never shall forget the surprise I experienced, when, after the noon -meal being finished, the aviary door was opened. After that I always let -the creatures out myself; and one day I opened all the cages at once. If -you could but have witnessed the scene! I am sure you would have been -quite delighted with it. As for poor Mr. Beckendorff, I thought even he -would have gone out of his mind; and when I brought in the white peacock -he actually left the room in despair. Pray how do you like Madame Clara -and Owlface too? Which do you think the most beautiful? I am no great -favourite with the old lady. Indeed, it was very kind of Mr. Beckendorff -to bear with everything as he did: I am sure he is not much used to lady -visitors." - -"I trust that your visit to him will not be very short?" - -"My stay at Reisenburg will not be very long," said the young lady, -with rather a grave countenance, "Have you been here any time?" - -"About a fortnight; it was a, mere chance my coming at all. I was going -on straight to Vienna." - -"To Vienna, indeed! Well, I am glad you did not miss Reisenburg; you -must not quit it now. You know that this is not the Vienna season?" - -"I am aware of it; but I am such a restless person that I never regulate -my movements by those of other people" - -"But surely you find Reisenburg agreeable?" - -"Very much so; but I am a confirmed wanderer.' - -"Why are you?" asked the lady, with great naïveté. - -Vivian looked grave; and the lady, as if she were sensible of having -unintentionally occasioned him a painful recollection, again expressed -her wish that he should not immediately quit the Court, and trusted that -circumstances would not prevent him from acceding to her desire. - -"It does not even depend upon circumstances," said Vivian; "the whim of -the moment is my only principle of action, and therefore I may be off -to-night, or be here a month hence." - -"Oh! pray stay then," said his companion eagerly; "I expect you to stay -now. If you could only have an idea what a relief conversing with you -is, after having been dragged by the Crown Prince and whirled by that -von Sohnspeer! Heigho! I could almost sigh at the very remembrance of -that doleful Polonaise." - -The lady ended with a faint laugh a sentence which apparently had been -commenced in no light vein. She did not cease speaking, but continued to -request Vivian to remain at Reisenburg at least as long as herself. Her -frequent requests were perfectly unnecessary, for the promise had been -pledged at the first: hint of her wish; but this was not the only time -during the evening that Vivian had remarked that his interesting -companion occasionally talked without apparently being sensible that she -was conversing. - -The young Count of Eberstein, who, to use his own phrase, was "sadly -involved," and consequently desirous of being appointed a forest -Councillor, thought that he should secure his appointment by -condescending to notice the person whom he delicately styled "the -Minister's female relative." To his great mortification and surprise, -the honour was declined; and "the female relative," being unwilling to -dance again, but perhaps feeling it necessary to break off her -conversation with her late partner, it having already lasted an unusual -time, highly gratified his Excellency the Grand Marshal by declaring -that she would dance with Prince Maximilian. "This, to say the least, -was very attentive of Miss von Philipson." - -Little Max, who had just tact enough to discover that to be the partner -of the fair incognita was the place of honour of the evening, now -considered himself by much the most important personage in the room. In -fact, he was only second to Emilius von Aslingen. The evident contest -which was ever taking place between his natural feelings as a boy and -his acquired habits as a courtier made him an amusing companion. He -talked of the Gardens and the Opera in a style not unworthy of the young -Count of Eberstein. He thought that Madame Carolina was as charming as -usual to-night; but, on the contrary, that the Countess von S---- was -looking rather ill, and this put him in mind of her ladyship's new -equipage; and then, apropos to equipages, what did his companion think -of the new fashion of the Hungarian harness? His lively and kind -companion encouraged the boy's tattle; and, emboldened by her good -nature, he soon forgot his artificial speeches, and was quickly rattling -on about Turriparva, and his horses, and his dogs, and his park, and his -guns, and his grooms. Soon after the waltz, the lady, taking the arm of -the young Prince, walked up to Mr. Beckendorff. He received her with -great attention, and led her to Madame Carolina, who rose, seated Mr. -Beckendorff's "female relative" by her side, and evidently said -something extremely agreeable. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -Vivian had promised Madame Carolina a second English lesson on the day -after the Grand Marshal's fete. The progress which the lady had made, -and the talent which the gentleman had evinced during the first, had -rendered Madame the most enthusiastic of pupils, and Vivian, in her -estimation, the ablest of instructors. Madame Carolina's passion was -patronage: to discover concealed merit, to encourage neglected genius, -to reveal the mysteries of the world to a novice in mankind, or, in -short, to make herself very agreeable to any one whom she fancied to be -very interesting, was the great business and the great delight of her -existence. No sooner had her eyes lighted on Vivian Grey than she -determined to patronise. His country, his appearance, the romantic -manner in which he had become connected with the Court, all pleased her -lively imagination. She was intuitively acquainted with his whole -history, and in an instant he was the hero of a romance, of which the -presence of the principal character compensated, we may suppose, for the -somewhat indefinite details. His taste and literary acquirements -completed the spell by which Madame Carolina was willingly enchanted. A -low Dutch professor, whose luminous genius rendered unnecessary the -ceremony of shaving; and a dumb dwarf, in whose interesting appearance -was forgotten its perfect idiocy, prosy improvisatore, and a South -American savage, were all superseded by the appearance of Vivian Grey. - -As Madame Carolina was, in fact, a charming woman, our hero had no -objection to humour her harmless foibles; and not contented with making -notes in an interleaved copy of her Charlemagne, he even promised to -read Haroun Al Raschid in manuscript. The consequence of his courtesy -and the reward of his taste was unbounded favour. Apartments in the -palace were offered him, and declined; and when Madame Carolina had -Income acquainted with sufficient of his real history to know that, on -his part, neither wish nor necessity existed to return immediately to -his own country, she tempted him to remain at Reisenburg by an offer of -a place at Court; and doubtless, had he been willing, Vivian might in -time have become a Lord Chamberlain, or perhaps even a Field Marshal. - -On entering the room the morning in question he found Madame Carolina -writing. At the end of the apartment a lady ceased, on his appearance, -humming an air to which she was dancing, and at the same time imitating -castanets. Madame received Vivian with expressions of delight, saying -also, in a peculiar and confidential manner, that she was just sealing -up a packet for him, the preface of Haroun; and then she presented him -to "the Baroness!" The lady who was lately dancing came forward. It was -his unknown partner of the preceding night. "The Baroness" extended her -hand to Vivian, and unaffectedly expressed her great pleasure at seeing -him again. Vivian trusted that she was not fatigued by the fête, and -asked after Mr. Beckendorff. Madame Carolina was busily engaged at the -moment in duly securing the precious preface. The Baroness said that Mr. -Beckendorff had returned home, but that Madame Carolina had kindly -insisted upon her staying at the palace. She was not the least wearied. -Last night had been one of the most agreeable she had ever spent; at -least she supposed she ought to say so: for if she had experienced a -tedious or mournful feeling for a moment, it was hardly for what was -then passing so much as for--" - -"Pray, Mr. Grey," said Madame Carolina, interrupting them, "have you -heard about our new ballet?" - -"No." - -"I do not think you have ever been to our Opera. To-morrow is Opera -night, and you must not be again away. We pride ourselves here very much -upon our Opera." - -"We estimate it even in England," said Vivian, "as possessing perhaps -the most perfect orchestra now organised." - -"The orchestra is perfect. His Royal Highness is such an excellent -musician, and he has spared no trouble or expense in forming it: he has -always superintended it himself. But I confess I admire our ballet -department still more. I expect you to be delighted with it. You will -perhaps be gratified to know that the subject of our new splendid -ballet, which is to be produced to-morrow, is from a great work of your -illustrious poet, my Lord Byron." - -"From which?" - -"The Corsair. Ah! what a sublime work! what passion! what energy! what -knowledge of feminine feeling! what contrast of character! what -sentiments! what situations! I wish this were Opera night; Gulnare! my -favourite character; beautiful! How do you think they will dress her?" - -"Are you an admirer of our Byron?" asked Vivian, of the Baroness. - -"I think he is a very handsome man. I once saw him at the carnival at -Venice." - -"But his works; his grand works! ma chère petite," said Madame Carolina, -in her sweetest tone: "you have read his works?" - -"Not a line," answered the Baroness, with great naïveté; "I never saw -them." - -"Pauvre enfant!" said Madame Carolina; "I will employ you, then, while -you are here." - -"I never read," said the Baroness; "I cannot bear it. I like poetry and -romances, but I like somebody to read to me." - -"Very just," said Madame Carolina; "we can judge with greater accuracy -of the merit of a composition when it reaches our mind merely through -the medium of the human voice. The soul is an essence, invisible and -indivisible. In this respect the voice of man resembles the principle of -his existence; since few will deny, though there are some materialists -who will deny everything, that the human voice is both impalpable and -audible only in one place at the same time. Hence, I ask, is it -illogical to infer its indivisibility? The soul and the voice, then, are -similar in two great attributes: there is a secret harmony in their -spiritual construction. In the early ages of mankind a beautiful -tradition was afloat that the soul and the voice were one and the same. -We may perhaps recognise in this fanciful belief the effect of the -fascinating and imaginative philosophy of the East; that mysterious -portion of the globe," continued Madame Carolina, "from which we should -frankly confess that we derive everything; for the South is but the -pupil of the East, through the mediation of Egypt. Of this opinion," -said Madame with fervour, "I have no doubt: of this opinion," continued -the lady with enthusiasm, "I have boldly avowed myself a votary in a -dissertation appended to the second volume of Haroun: for this opinion I -would die at the stake! Oh, lovely East! why was I not oriental! Land -where the voice of the nightingale is never mute! Land of the cedar and -the citron, the turtle and the myrtle, of ever-blooming flowers and -ever-shining skies! Illustrious East! Cradle of Philosophy! My dearest -Baroness, why do not you feel as I do? From the East we obtain -everything!" - -"Indeed!" said the Baroness, with simplicity; "I thought we only got -shawls." - -This puzzling answer was only noticed by Vivian; for the truth is, -Madame Carolina was one of those individuals who never attend to any -person's answers. Always thinking of herself, she only asked questions -that she herself might supply the responses. And now having made, as she -flattered herself, a splendid display to her favourite critic, she began -to consider what had given rise to her oration. Lord Byron and the -ballet again occurred to her; and as the Baroness, at least, was not -unwilling to listen, and as she herself had no manuscript of her own -which she particularly wished to be perused, she proposed that Vivian -should read to them part of the Corsair, and in the original tongue. -Madame Carolina opened the volume at the first prison scene between -Gulnare and Conrad. It was her favourite. Vivian read with care and -feeling. Madame was in raptures, and the Baroness, although she did not -understand a single syllable, seemed almost equally delighted. At length -Vivian came to this passage: - - My love stern Seyd's! Oh, no, no, not my love! - Yet much this heart, that strives no more, once strove - To meet his passion; but it would not be. - I felt, I feel, love dwells with, with the free. - I am a slave, a favour'd slave at best, - To share his splendour, and seem very blest! - Oft must my soul the question undergo, - Of, "Dost thou love?" and burn to answer, "No!" - Oh! hard it is that fondness to sustain, - And struggle not to feel averse in vain; - But harder still the heart's recoil to bear, - And hide from one, perhaps another there; - He takes the hand I give not nor withhold, - Its pulse nor checked nor quickened, calmly cold: - And when resign'd, it drops a lifeless weight - From one I never loved enough to hate. - No warmth these lips return by his imprest, - And chill'd remembrance shudders o'er the rest. - Yes, had I ever prov'd that passion's zeal, - The change to hatred were at least to feel: - But still, he goes unmourn'd, returns unsought, - And oft when present, absent from my thought. - Or when reflection comes, and come it must, - I fear that henceforth 'twill but bring disgust: - I am his slave; but, in despite of pride, - 'Twere worse than bondage to become his bride. - -"Superb!" said Madame, in a voice of enthusiasm; "how true! what -passion! what energy! what sentiments! what knowledge of feminine -feeling! Read it again, I pray: it is my favourite passage." - -"What is this passage about?" asked the Baroness, with some anxiety; -"tell me." - -"I have a French translation, ma mignonne," said Madame; "you shall have -it afterwards." - -"No! I detest reading," said the young lady, with an imperious air; -"translate it to me at once." - -"You are rather a self-willed beauty!" thought Vivian; "but your eyes -are so brilliant that nothing must be refused you!" and so he -translated it. - -On its conclusion Madame was again in raptures. The Baroness was not -less affected, but she said nothing. She appeared agitated; she changed -colour, raised her beautiful eyes with an expression of sorrow, looked -at Vivian earnestly, and then walked to the other end of the room. In a -few moments she returned to her seat. - -"I wish you would tell me the story," she said, with earnestness. - -"I have a French translation, ma belle!" said Madame Carolina; "at -present I wish to trouble Mr. Grey with a few questions." Madame -Carolina led Vivian into a recess. - -"I am sorry we are troubled with this sweet little savage; but I think -she has talent, though evidently quite uneducated. We must do what we -can for her. Her ignorance of all breeding is amusing, but then I think -she has a natural elegance. We shall soon polish her. His Royal Highness -is so anxious that every attention should be paid to her. Beckendorff, -you know, is a man of the greatest genius." (Madame Carolina had lowered -her tone about the Minister since the Prince of Little Lilliput's -apostasy.) "The country is greatly indebted to him. This, between -ourselves, is his daughter. At least I have no doubt of it. Beckendorff -was once married, to a lady of great rank, died early, beautiful woman, -very interesting! His Royal Highness had a great regard for her. The -Premier, in his bereavement, turned humorist, and has brought up this -lovely girl in the oddest possible manner; nobody knows where. Now that -he finds it necessary to bring her forward, he, of course, is quite at a -loss. His Royal Highness has applied to me. There was a little coldness -before between the Minister and myself. It is now quite removed. I must -do what I can for her I think she must marry von Sohnspeer, who is no -more Beckendorff's son than you are: or young Eberstein, or young -Bernstorff, or young Gernsbach. We must do something for her. I offered -her last night to Emilius von Aslingen; but he said that, unfortunately, -he was just importing a savage or two of his own from the Brazils, and -consequently was not in want of her." - -A chamberlain now entered, to announce the speedy arrival of his Royal -Highness. The Baroness, without ceremony, expressed her great regret -that he was coming, as now she should not hear the wished-for story. -Madame Carolina reproved her, and the reproof was endured rather than -submitted to. - -His Royal Highness entered, and was accompanied by the Crown Prince. He -greeted the young lady with great kindness; and even the Crown Prince, -inspired by his father's unusual warmth, made a shuffling kind of bow -and a stuttering kind of speech. Vivian was about to retire on the -entrance of the Grand Duke, but Madame Carolina prevented him from -going, and his Royal Highness, turning round, very graciously seconded -her desire, and added that Mr. Grey was the very gentleman with whom he -was desirous of meeting. - -"I am anxious," said he to Vivian, in rather a low tone, "to make -Reisenburg agreeable to Mr. Beckendorff's fair friend. As you are one of -the few who are honoured by his intimacy, and are familiar with some of -our state secrets," added the Grand Duke with a smile, "I am sure it -will give you pleasure to assist me in the execution of my wishes." - -His Royal Highness proposed that the ladies should ride; and he himself, -with the Crown Prince and Mr. Grey, would attend them. Madame Carolina -expressed her willingness; but the Baroness, like all forward girls -unused to the world, suddenly grew at the same time both timid and -disobliging. She looked sullen and discontented, and coolly said that -she did not feel in the humour to ride for at least these two hours. To -Vivian's surprise, even the Grand Duke humoured her fancy, and declared -that he should then be happy to attend them after the Court dinner. -Until that time Vivian was amused by Madame, and the Grand Duke -exclusively devoted himself to the Baroness. His Royal Highness was in -his happiest mood, and his winning manners and elegant conversation soon -chased away the cloud which, for a moment, had settled on the young -lady's fair brow. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -The Grand Duke of Reisenburg was an enthusiastic lover of music, and his -people were consequently music mad. The whole city were fiddling day and -night, or blowing trumpets, oboes, and bassoons. Sunday, however, was -the most harmonious day in the week. The Opera amused the Court and the -wealthiest citizens, and few private houses could not boast their family -concert or small party of performers. In the tea-gardens, of which there -were many in the suburbs of the city, bearing the euphonious, romantic, -and fashionable titles of Tivoli, Arcadia, and Vauxhall, a strong and -amateur orchestra was never wanting. Strolling through the city on a -Sunday afternoon, many a pleasing picture of innocent domestic enjoyment -might, he observed. In the arbour of a garden a very stout man, with a -fair, broad, good-natured, solid German face, may be seen perspiring -under the scientific exertion of the French horn; himself wisely -disembarrassed of the needless incumbrance of his pea-green coat and -showy waistcoat, which lay neatly folded by his side; while his large -and sleepy blue eyes actually gleam with enthusiasm. His daughter, a -soft and delicate girl, touches the light guitar: catching the notes of -the music from the opened opera, which is placed before the father on a -massy music-stand. Her voice joins in melody with her mother, who, like -all German mothers, seems only her daughter's self, subdued by an -additional twenty years. The bow of one violin is handled with the air -of a master by an elder brother; while a younger one, an university -student, grows sentimental over the flute. The same instrument is also -played by a tall and tender-looking young man in black, who stands -behind the parents, next to the daughter, and occasionally looks off his -music-book to gaze on his young mistress's eyes. He is a clerk in a -public office; and on next Michaelmas day, if he succeed, as he hopes, -in gaining a small addition to his salary, he will be still more -entitled to join in the Sunday family concert. Such is one of the -numerous groups, the sight of which must, assuredly, give pleasure to -every man who delights in seeing his fellow-creatures refreshed after -their weekly labours by such calm and rational enjoyment. We would -gladly linger among such scenes; and, moreover, the humours of a -guinguette are not unworthy of our attention: but we must introduce the -reader to a more important party. - -The Court chapel and the Court dinner are over. We are in the -Opera-house of Reisenburg; and, of course, rise as the Royal party -enters. The house, which is of moderate size, was fitted up with -splendour: we hardly know whether we should say with great taste; for, -although not merely the scenery, but indeed every part of the house, was -painted by eminent artists, the style of the ornaments was rather -patriotic than tasteful. The house had been built immediately after the -war, at a period when Reisenburg, flushed with the success of its thirty -thousand men, imagined itself to be a great military nation. Trophies, -standards, cannon, eagles, consequently appeared in every corner of the -Opera-house; and quite superseded lyres, and timbrels, and tragic -daggers, and comic masks. The royal box was constructed in the form of a -tent, and held nearly fifty persons. It was exactly in the centre of the -house, its floor over the back of the pit, and its roof reaching to the -top of the second circle; its crimson hangings were restrained by ropes -of gold, and the whole was surmounted by a large and radiant crown. The -house was merely lighted by a chandelier from the centre. - -The Opera for the evening was Rossini's Otello. As soon as the Grand -Duke entered the overture commenced, his Royal Highness coming forward -to the front of the box and himself directing the musicians, keeping -time earnestly with his right hand, in which was a long black -opera-glass. This he occasionally used, but merely to look at the -orchestra, not, assuredly, to detect a negligent or inefficient -performer; for in the schooled orchestra of Reisenburg it would have -been impossible even for the eagle eye of his Royal Highness, assisted -as it was by his long black opera-glass, or for his fine ear, matured as -it was by the most complete study, to discover there either inattention -or feebleness. The house was perfectly silent; for when the Monarch -directs the orchestra the world goes to the Opera to listen. Perfect -silence at Reisenburg, then, was etiquette and the fashion. Between the -acts of the Opera, however, the Ballet was performed; and then everybody -might talk, and laugh, and remark as much as they chose. - -The Grand Duke prided himself as much upon the accuracy of his scenery -and dresses and decorations as upon the exquisite skill of his -performers. In truth, an Opera at Reisenburg was a spectacle which could -not fail to be interesting to a man of taste. When the curtain drew up -the first scene presented a view of old Brabantio's house. It was -accurately copied from one of the sumptuous structures of Scamozzi, or -Sansovino, or Palladio, which adorn the Grand Canal of Venice. In the -distance rose the domes of St. Mark and the lofty Campanile. Vivian -could not fail to be delighted with this beautiful work of art, for such -indeed it should be styled. He was more surprised, however, but not less -pleased, on the entrance of Othello himself. In England we are -accustomed to deck this adventurous Moor in the costume of his native -country; but is this correct? The Grand Duke of Reisenburg thought not. -Othello was an adventurer; at an early age he entered, as many -foreigners did, into the service of Venice. In that service be rose to -the highest dignities, became General of her armies and of her fleets, -and finally the Viceroy of her favourite kingdom. Is it natural to -suppose that such a man should have retained, during his successful -career, the manners and dress of his original country? Ought we not -rather to admit that, had he done so his career would, in fact, not have -been successful? In all probability, he imitated to affectation the -manners of the country which he had adopted. It is not probable that in -such or in any age the turbaned Moor would have been treated with great -deference by the common Christian soldier of Venice; or, indeed, that -the scandal of a heathen leading the armies of one of the most powerful -of European States would have been tolerated for an instant by indignant -Christendom. If Shylock even, the Jew merchant, confined to his quarter, -and herding with his own sect, were bearded on the Rialto, in what -spirit would the Venetians have witnessed their doge and nobles, whom -they ranked above kings, holding equal converse, and loading with the -most splendid honours of the Republic a follower of Mahound? Such were -the sentiments of the Grand Duke of Reisenburg on this subject, a -subject interesting to Englishmen; and I confess I think that they are -worthy of attention. In accordance with his opinions, the actor who -performed Othello appeared in the full dress of a Venetian magnifico of -the middle ages; a fit companion for Cornaro, or Grimani, or Barberigo, -or Foscari. - -The first act of the Opera was finished. The Baroness expressed to -Vivian her great delight at its being over, as she was extremely -desirous of learning the story of the ballet, which she had not yet been -able to acquire. His translation of yesterday had greatly interested -her. Vivian shortly gave her the outline of the story of Conrad. She -listened with much attention, but made no remark. - -The ballet at Reisenburg was not merely a vehicle for the display of -dancing. It professed by gesture and action, aided by music, to -influence the minds of the spectators not less than the regular drama. -Of this exhibition dancing was a casual ornament, as it is of life. It -took place therefore only on fitting occasions, and grew out, in a -natural manner, from some event in the history represented. For -instance, suppose the story of Othello the subject of the ballet. The -dancing, in all probability, would be introduced at a grand -entertainment given in celebration of the Moor's arrival at Cyprus. All -this would be in character. Our feelings would not be outraged by a -husband chassezing forward to murder his wife, or by seeing the pillow -pressed over the innocent Desdemona by the impulse of a pirouette. In -most cases, therefore, the chief performers in this species of spectacle -are not even dancers. This, however, may not always be the case. If -Diana be the heroine, poetical probability will not be offended by the -goddess joining in the chaste dance with her huntress nymphs; and were -the Baiadere of Goethe made the subject of a ballet, the Indian dancing -girl would naturally be the heroine both of the drama and the poem. -There are few performances more affecting than the serious pantomime of -a master. In some of the most interesting situations it is in fact even -more natural than the oral drama, logically it is more perfect; for the -soliloquy is actually thought before us, and the magic of the -representation not destroyed by the sound of the human voice at a moment -when we all know man never speaks. - -The curtain again rises. Sounds of revelry and triumph are heard from -the Pirate Isle. They celebrate recent success. Various groups, -accurately attired in the costume of the Greek islands, are seated on -the rocky foreground. On the left rises Medora's tower, on a craggy -steep; and on the right gleams the blue Aegean. A procession of women -enters. It heralds the presence of Conrad and Medora; they honour the -festivity of their rude subjects. The pirates and the women join in the -national dance; and afterwards eight warriors, completely armed, move in -a warlike measure, keeping time to the music with their bucklers and -clattering sabres. Suddenly the dance ceases; a sail is in sight. The -nearest pirates rush to the strand, and assist the disembarkation of -their welcome comrades. The commander of the vessel comes forward with -an agitated step and gloomy countenance. He kneels to Conrad and -delivers him a scroll, which the chieftain reads with suppressed -agitation. In a moment the faithful Juan is at his side, the contents of -the scroll revealed, the dance broken up, and preparations made to sail -in an hour's time to the city of the Pacha. The stage is cleared, and -Conrad and Medora are alone. The mysterious leader is wrapt in the -deepest abstraction. He stands with folded arms, and eyes fixed on the -yellow sand. A gentle pressure on his arm calls him back to -recollection; he starts, and turns to the intruder with a gloomy brow. -He sees Medora, and his frown sinks into a sad smile. "And must we part -again! this hour, this very hour; it cannot be!" She clings to him with -agony, and kneels to him with adoration. No hope, no hope! a quick -return promised with an air of foreboding fate. His stern arm encircles -her waist. He chases the heavy tear from her fair cheek, and while he -bids her be glad in his absence with her handmaids peals the sad thunder -of the signal gun. She throws herself upon him. The frantic quickness of -her motion strikingly contrasts with the former stupor of her -appearance. She will not part. Her face is buried in his breast; her -long fair hair floats over his shoulders. He is almost unnerved; but at -this moment the ship sails on; the crew and their afflicted wives enter; -the page brings to Lord Conrad his cloak, his carbine, and his bugle. He -tears himself from her embrace, and without daring to look behind him -bounds over the rocks, and is in the ship. The vessel moves, the wives -of the pirates continue on the beach, waving their scarfs to their -desolate husbands. In the foreground Medora, motionless, stands rooted -to the strand, and might have inspired Phidias with a personification -of Despair. - -In a hall of unparalleled splendour stern Seyd reclines on innumerable -pillows, placed on a carpet of golden cloth. His bearded chiefs are -ranged around. The chambers are brilliantly illuminated, and an opening -at the farther end of the apartments exhibits a portion of the shining -city and the glittering galleys. Gulnare, covered with a silver veil, -which reaches even to her feet, is ushered into the presence of the -Pacha. Even the haughty Seyd rises to honour his beautiful favourite. He -draws the precious veil from her blushing features and places her on his -right hand. The dancing girls now appear, and then are introduced the -principal artists. Now takes place the scientific part of the ballet; -and here might Bias, or Noblet, or Ronzi Vestris, or her graceful -husband, or the classical Albert, or the bounding Paul, vault without -stint, and attitudinise without restraint, and not in the least impair -the effect of the tragic tale. The Dervise, of course, appears; the -galleys, of course, are fired; and Seyd, of course, retreats. A change -in the scenery gives us the blazing Harem, the rescue of its inmates, -the deliverance of Gulnare, the capture of Conrad. - -It is the prison scene. On a mat, covered with irons, lies the forlorn -Conrad. The flitting flame of a solitary lamp hardly reveals the heavy -bars of the huge grate that forms the entrance to its cell. For some -minutes nothing stirs. The mind of the spectator is allowed to become -fully aware of the hopeless misery of the hero. His career is ended, -secure is his dungeon, trusty his guards, overpowering his chains. -To-morrow he wakes to be impaled. A gentle noise, so gentle that the -spectator almost deems it unintentional, is now heard. A white figure -appears behind the dusky gate; is it a guard or a torturer? The gate -softly opens, and a female conies forward. Gulnare was represented by a -girl with the body of a Peri and the soul of a poetess. The Harem Queen -advances with an agitated step; she holds in her left hand a lamp, and -in the girdle of her light dress is a dagger. She reaches with a -soundless step the captive. He is asleep! Ay! he sleeps, while thousands -are weeping over his ravage or his ruin; and she, in restlessness, is -wandering here! A thousand thoughts are seen coursing over her flushed -brow; she looks to the audience, and her dark eye asks why this Corsair -is so dear to her. She turns again, and raises the lamp with her long -white arm, that the light may fall on the captive's countenance. She -gazes, without moving, on the sleeper, touches the dagger with a slow -and tremulous hand, and starts from the contact with terror. She again -touches it; it is drawn from her vest; it falls to the ground. He wakes; -he stares with wonder; he sees a female not less fair than Medora. -Confused, she tells him her station; she tells him that her pity is as -certain as his doom. He avows his readiness to die; he appears -undaunted, he thinks of Medora, he buries his face in his hands. She -grows pale as he avows he loves--another. She cannot conceal her own -passion. He, wondering, confesses that he supposed her love was his -enemy's, was Seyd's. Gulnare shudders at the name; she draws herself up -to her full stature, she smiles in bitterness: - - My love stern Seyd's! Oh, no, no, not my love! - -The acting was perfect. The house burst into unusual shouts of -admiration. Madame Carolina applauded with her little finger on her fan. -The Grand Duke himself gave the signal for applause. Vivian never felt -before that words were useless. His hand was suddenly pressed. He turned -round; it was the Baroness. She was leaning back in her chair; and -though she did her utmost to conceal her agitated countenance, a tear -coursed down her cheek big as the miserable Medora's! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -On the evening of the Opera arrived at Court part of the suite of the -young Archduchess, the betrothed of the Crown Prince of Reisenburg. -These consisted of an old grey-headed General, who had taught her -Imperial Highness the manual exercise; and her tutor and confessor, an -ancient and toothless Bishop. Their youthful mistress was to follow them -in a few days; and this arrival of such a distinguished portion of her -suite was the signal for the commencement of a long series of sumptuous -festivities. After interchanging a number of compliments and a few -snuff-boxes, the new guests were invited by his Royal Highness to attend -a Review, which was to take place the next morning, of five thousand -troops and fifty Generals. - -The Reisenburg army was the best appointed in Europe. Never were men -seen with breasts more plumply padded, mustachios better trained, or -such spotless gaiters. The Grand Duke himself was a military genius, and -had invented a new cut for the collars of the Cavalry. His Royal -Highness was particularly desirous of astonishing the old grey-headed -governor of his future daughter by the skilful evolutions and imposing -appearance of his legions. The affair was to be of the most refined -nature, and the whole was to be concluded by a mock battle, in which the -spectators were to be treated by a display of the most exquisite -evolutions and complicated movements which human beings ever yet -invented to destroy others or to escape destruction. Field Marshal Count -von Sohnspeer, the Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces of his Royal -Highness the Grand Duke of Reisenburg, condescended, at the particular -request of his Sovereign, to conduct the whole affair himself. - -At first it was rather difficult to distinguish between the army and the -staff; for Darius, in the Straits of Issus, was not more sumptuously and -numerously attended than Count von Sohnspeer. Wherever he moved he was -followed by a train of waving plumes and radiant epaulettes, and foaming -chargers and shining steel. In fact, he looked like a large military -comet. Had the fate of Reisenburg depended on the result of the day, the -Field Marshal, and his Generals, and Aides-de-camp, and Orderlies, -could not have looked more agitated and more in earnest. Von Sohnspeer -had not less than four horses in the field, on every one of which he -seemed to appear in the space of five minutes. Now he was dashing along -the line of the Lancers on a black charger, and now round the column of -the Cuirassiers on a white one. He exhorted the Tirailleurs on a -chestnut, and added fresh courage to the ardour of the Artillery on -a bay. - -It was a splendid day. The bands of the respective regiments played -triumphant tunes as each marched on the field. The gradual arrival of -the troops was picturesque. Distant music was heard, and a corps of -Infantry soon made its appearance. A light bugle sounded, and a body of -Tirailleurs issued from the shade of a neighbouring wood. The -kettle-drums and clarions heralded the presence of a troop of Cavalry; -and an advanced guard of Light Horse told that the Artillery were about -to follow. The arms and standards of the troops shone in the sun; -military music sounded in all parts of the field; unceasing was the -bellow of the martial drum and the blast of the blood-stirring trumpet. -Clouds of dust ever and anon excited in the distance denoted the arrival -of a regiment of Cavalry. Even now one approaches; it is the Red -Lancers. How gracefully their Colonel, the young Count of Eberstein, -bounds on his barb! Has Theseus turned Centaur? His spur and bridle seem -rather the emblems of sovereignty than the instruments of government: he -neither chastises nor directs. The rider moves without motion, and the -horse judges without guidance. It would seem that the man had borrowed -the beast's body, and the beast the man's mind. His regiment has formed -upon the field, their stout lances erected like a young and leafless -grove; but although now in line, it is with difficulty that they can -subject the spirit of their warlike steeds. The trumpet has caught the -ear of the horses; they stand with open nostrils, already breathing war -ere they can see an enemy; and now dashing up one leg, and now the -other, they seem to complain of Nature that she has made them of -anything earthly. - -The troops have all arrived; there is an unusual bustle in the field. -Von Sohnspeer is again changing his horse, giving directions while he is -mounting to at least a dozen Aides-de-camp. Orderlies are scampering -over every part of the field. Another flag, quite new, and of large -size, is unfurled by the Field-Marshal's pavilion. A signal gun! the -music in the whole field is hushed: a short silence of agitating -suspense, another gun, and another! All the bands of all the regiments -burst forth at the same moment into the national air: the Court dash -into the field! - -Madame Carolina, the Baroness, the Countess von S----, and some other -ladies, wore habits of the uniform of the Royal Guards. Both Madame and -the Baroness were perfect horsewomen; and the excited spirits of Mr. -Beckendorff's female relative, both during her ride and her dashing run -over the field, amidst the firing of cannon and the crash of drums and -trumpets, strikingly contrasted with her agitation and depression of the -preceding night. - -"Your Excellency loves the tented field, I think!" said Vivian, who was -at her side. - -"I love war! it is a diversion for kings!" was the answer. "How fine the -breast-plates and helmets of those Cuirassiers glisten in the sun!" -continued the lady. "Do you see von Sohnspeer? I wonder if the Crown -Prince be with him!" - -"I think he is." - -"Indeed! Ah! can he interest himself in anything? He seemed Apathy -itself at the Opera last night. I never saw him smile, or move, and have -scarcely heard his voice! but if he love war, if he be a soldier, if he -be thinking of other things than a pantomime and a ball, 'tis well! very -well for his country! Perhaps he is a hero?" - -At this moment the Crown Prince, who was of von Sohnspeer's staff, -slowly rode up to the Royal party. - -"Rudolph!" said the Grand Duke, "do you head your regiment to-day?" - -"No," was the muttered answer. - -The Grand Duke moved his horse to his son, and spoke to him in a low -tone, evidently with earnestness. Apparently he was expostulating with -him; but the effect of the royal exhortation was only to render the -Prince's brow more gloomy, and the expression of his withered features -more sullen and more sad. The Baroness watched the father and son as -they were conversing with keen attention. When the Crown Prince, in -violation of his father's wishes, fell into the party, and allowed his -regiment to be headed by the Lieutenant-colonel, the young lady raised -her lustrous eyes to heaven with that same expression of sorrow or -resignation which had so much interested Vivian on the morning that he -had translated to her the moving passage in the Corsair. - -But the field is nearly cleared, and the mimic war has commenced. On -the right appears a large body of Cavalry, consisting of Cuirassiers and -Dragoons. A vanguard of Light Cavalry and Lancers, under the command of -the Count of Eberstein, is ordered out, from this body, to harass the -enemy, a strong body of Infantry supposed to be advancing. Several -squadrons of Light Horse immediately spring forward; they form -themselves into line, they wheel into column, and endeavour, by -well-directed manoeuvres, to outflank the strong wing of the advancing -enemy. After succeeding in executing all that was committed to them, and -after having skirmished in the van of their own army, so as to give time -for all necessary dispositions of the line of battle, the vanguard -suddenly retreats between the brigades of the Cavalry of the line; the -prepared battery of cannon is unmasked; and a tremendous concentric fire -opened on the line of the advancing foe. Taking advantage of the -confusion created by this unexpected salute of his artillery, von -Sohnspeer, who commands the Cavalry, gives the word to "Charge!" - -The whole body of Cavalry immediately charge in masses; the extended -line of the enemy is as immediately broken. But the Infantry, who are -commanded by one of the royal relatives and visitors, the Prince of Pike -and Powdren, dexterously form into squares, and commence a masterly -retreat in square battalions. At length they take up a more favourable -position than the former one. They are again galled by the Artillery, -who have proportionately advanced, and again charged by the Cavalry in -their huge masses. And now the squares of Infantry partially give way. -They admit the Cavalry, but the exulting Horse find, to their dismay, -that the enemy are not routed, but that there are yet inner squares -formed at salient angles. The Cavalry for a moment retire, but it is -only to give opportunity to their Artillery to rake the obstinate foes. -The execution of the battery is fearful. Headed by their Commander, the -whole body of Cuirassiers and Dragoons again charge with renewed energy -and concentrated force. The Infantry are thrown into the greatest -confusion, and commence a rout, increased and rendered irremediable by -the Lancers and Hussars, the former vanguard, who now, seizing on the -favourable moment, again rush forward, increasing the effect of the -charge of the whole army, overtaking the fugitives with their lances, -and securing the prisoners. - -The victorious von Sohnspeer, followed by his staff, now galloped up to -receive the congratulations of his Sovereign. - -"Where are your prisoners, Field Marshal?" asked his Royal Highness, -with a flattering smile. - -"What is the ransom of our unfortunate guest?" asked Madame Carolina. - -"I hope we shall have another affair," said the Baroness, with a flushed -face and glowing eyes. - -But the Commander-in-Chief must not tarry to bandy compliments. He is -again wanted in the field. The whole troops have formed in line. Some -most scientific evolutions are now executed. With them we will not weary -the reader, nor dilate on the comparative advantages of forming en -cremaillière and en echiquier; nor upon the duties of tirailleurs, nor -upon concentric fires and eccentric movements, nor upon deploying, nor -upon enfilading, nor upon oblique fronts, nor upon échellons. The day -finished by the whole of the troops again forming in line and passing in -order before the Commander-in-Chief, to give him an opportunity of -observing their discipline and inspecting their equipments. - -The review being finished, Count von Sohnspeer and his staff joined the -royal party; and after walking their horses round the field, they -proceeded to his pavilion, where refreshments were prepared for them. -The Field Marshal, flattered by the interest which, the young Baroness -had taken in the business of the day, and the acquaintance which she -evidently possessed of the more obvious details of military tactics, was -inclined to be particularly courteous to her; but the object of his -admiration did not encourage attentions by which half the ladies of the -Court would have thought themselves as highly honoured as by those of -the Grand Duke himself; so powerful a person was the Field Marshal, and -so little inclined by temper to cultivate the graces of the fair sex! - -"In the tent keep by my side," said the Baroness to Vivian. "Although I -am fond of heroes, von Sohnspeer is not to my taste. I know not why I -flatter you so by my notice, for I suppose, like all Englishmen, you are -not a soldier? I thought so. Never mind! you ride well enough for a -field marshal. I really think I could give you a commission without much -stickling of my conscience. No, no! I should like you nearer me. I have -a good mind to make you my master of the horse; that is to say, when I -am entitled to have one." - -As Vivian acknowledged the young Baroness' compliment by becoming -emotion, and vowed that an office near her person would be the -consummation of all his wishes, his eye caught the lady's: she blushed -deeply, looked down upon her horse's neck, and then turned away -her head. - -Von Sohnspeer's pavilion excellently became the successful leader of the -army of Reisenburg. Trophies taken from all sides decked its interior. -The black eagle of Austria formed part of its roof, and the brazen -eagle of Gaul supported part of the side. The grey-headed General looked -rather grim when he saw a flag belonging to a troop which perhaps he had -himself once commanded. He vented his indignation to the toothless -Bishop, who crossed his breast with his fingers, covered with diamonds, -and preached temperance and moderation in inarticulate sounds. - -During the collation the conversation was principally military. Madame -Carolina, who was entirely ignorant of the subject of discourse, -enchanted all the officers present by appearing to be the most -interested person in the tent. Nothing could exceed the elegance of her -eulogium of "petit guerre." The old grey General talked much about the -"good old times," by which he meant the thirty years of plunder, -bloodshed, and destruction, which were occasioned by the French -Revolution. He gloated on the recollections of horror, which he feared -would never occur again. The Archduke Charles and Prince Schwartzenburg -were the gods of his idolatry, and Nadasti's hussars and Wurmser's -dragoons the inferior divinities of his bloody heaven. One evolution of -the morning, a discovery made by von Sohnspeer himself, in the deploying -of cavalry, created a great sensation; and it was settled that it would -have been of great use to Desaix and Clairfait in the Netherlands affair -of some eight-and-twenty years ago, and was not equalled even by -Seidlitz' cavalry in the affair with the Russians at Zorndorff. In -short, every "affair" of any character during the late war was fought -over again in the tent of Field Marshal von Sohnspeer. At length from -the Archduke Charles and Prince Schwartzenburg, the old grey-headed -General got to Polybius and Monsieur Folard; and the Grand Duke now -thinking that the "affair" was taking too serious a turn, broke up the -party. Madame Carolina and most of the ladies used their carriages on -their return. They were nearly fifteen miles from the city; but the -Baroness, in spite of the most earnest solicitations, would remount -her charger. - -They cantered home, the Baroness in unusual spirits, Vivian thinking -very much of his fair companion. Her character puzzled him. That she was -not the lovely simpleton that Madame Carolina believed her to be, he had -little doubt. Some people have great knowledge of society and little of -mankind. Madame Carolina was one of these. She viewed her species -through only one medium. That the Baroness was a woman of acute feeling, -Vivian could not doubt. Her conduct at the Opera, which had escaped -every one's attention, made this evident. That she had seen more of the -world than her previous conversation had given him to believe, was -equally clear by her conduct and conversation this morning. He -determined to become more acquainted with her character. Her evident -partiality to his company would not render the execution of his purpose -very difficult. At any rate, if he discovered nothing, it was something -to do: it would at least amuse him. - -In the evening he joined a large party at the palace. He looked -immediately for the Baroness. She was surrounded by the dandies. Their -attentions she treated with contempt, and ridiculed their compliments -without mercy. Without obtruding himself on her notice, Vivian joined -her circle, and witnessed her demolition of the young Count of Eberstein -with great amusement. Emilius von Aslingen was not there; for having -made the interesting savage the fashion, she was no longer worthy of his -attention, and consequently deserted. The young lady soon observed -Vivian; and saying, without the least embarrassment, that she was -delighted to sec him, she begged him to share her chaise-longue. Her -envious levée witnessed the preference with dismay; and as the object of -their attention did not now notice their remarks, even by her expressed -contempt, one by one fell away. Vivian and the Baroness were left alone, -and conversed much together. The lady displayed, on every subject, -engaging ignorance, and requested information on obvious topics with -artless naïveté Vivian was convinced that her ignorance was not -affected, and equally sure that it could not arise from imbecility of -intellect; for while she surprised him by her crude questions, and her -want of acquaintance with all those topics which generally form the -staple of conversation, she equally amused him with her poignant wit, -and the imperious and energetic manner in which she instantly expected -satisfactory information on every possible subject. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -On the day after the review a fancy-dress ball was to be given at Court. -It was to be an entertainment of a peculiar nature. The lively genius of -Madame Carolina, wearied of the commonplace effect generally produced by -this species of amusement, in which usually a stray Turk and a wandering -Pole looked sedate and singular among crowds of Spanish girls, Swiss -peasants, and gentlemen in uniforms, had invented something novel. Her -idea was ingenious. To use her own sublime phrase, she determined that -the party should represent "an age!" Great difficulty was experienced in -fixing upon the century which was to be honoured. At first a poetical -idea was started of having something primeval, perhaps antediluvian; but -Noah, or even Father Abraham, were thought characters hardly -sufficiently romantic for a fancy-dress ball, and consequently the -earliest postdiluvian ages were soon under consideration. Nimrod, or -Sardanapalus, were distinguished personages, and might be well -represented by the Master of the Staghounds, or the Master of the -Revels; but then the want of an interesting lady-character was a great -objection. Semiramis, though not without style in her own way, was not -sufficiently Parisian for Madame Carolina. New ages were proposed and -new objections started; and so the "Committee of Selection," which -consisted of Madame herself, the Countess von S----, and a few other -dames of fashion, gradually slided through the four great empires. -Athens was not aristocratic enough, and then the women were nothing. In -spite of her admiration of the character of Aspasia, Madame Carolina -somewhat doubted the possibility of persuading the ladies of the Court -of Reisenburg to appear in the characters of [Greek: hetairai]. Rome -presented great capabilities, and greater difficulties. Finding -themselves, after many days' sitting and study, still very far from -coming to a decision, Madame called in the aid of the Grand Duke, who -proposed "something national." The proposition was plausible; but, -according to Madame Carolina, Germany, until her own time, had been -only a land of barbarism and barbarians; and therefore in such a -country, in a national point of view, what could there be interesting? -The middle ages, as they are usually styled, in spite of the Emperor -Charlemagne, "that oasis in the desert of barbarism," to use her own -eloquent and original image, were her particular aversion. "The age of -chivalry is past!" was as constant an exclamation of Madame Carolina as -it was of Mr. Burke. "The age of chivalry is past; and very fortunate -that it is. What resources could they have had in the age of chivalry? -an age without either moral or experimental philosophy; an age in which -they were equally ignorant of the doctrine of association of ideas, and -of the doctrine of electricity; and when they were as devoid of a -knowledge of the Incalculable powers of the human mind as of the -incalculable powers of steam!" Had Madame Carolina been the consort of -an Italian grand duke, selection would not be difficult; and, to inquire -no farther, the court of the Medici alone would afford them everything -they wanted. But Germany never had any character, and never produced nor -had been the resort of illustrious men and interesting persons. What was -to be done? The age of Frederick the Great was the only thing; and then -that was so recent, and would offend the Austrians: it could not be -thought of. - -At last, when the "Committee of Selection" was almost in despair, some -one proposed a period which not only would be German, not only would -compliment the House of Austria, but, what was of still greater -importance, would allow of every contemporary character of interest of -every nation, the age of Charles the Fifth! The suggestion was received -with enthusiasm, and adopted on the spot. "The Committee of Selection" -was immediately dissolved, and its members as immediately formed -themselves into a "Committee of Arrangement." Lists of all the persons -of any fame, distinction, or notoriety, who had lived either in the -empire of Germany, the kingdoms of Spain, Portugal, France, or England, -the Italian States, the Netherlands, the American, and, in short, in -every country in the known world, were immediately formed. Von -Chronicle, rewarded for his last historical novel by a ribbon and the -title of Baron, was appointed secretary to the "Committee of Costume." -All guests who received a card invitation were desired, on or before a -certain day, to send in the title of their adopted character and a -sketch of their intended dress, that their plans might receive the -sanction of the ladies of the "Committee of Arrangement," and their -dresses the approbation of the secretary of costume. By this method the -chance and inconvenience of two persons selecting and appearing in the -same character were destroyed and prevented. After exciting the usual -jealousies, intrigues, dissatisfaction, and ill-blood, by the influence -and imperturbable temper of Madame Carolina, everything was arranged; -Emilius von Aslingen being the only person who set both the Committees -of Arrangement and Costume at defiance, and treated the repeated -applications of their respected secretary with contemptuous silence. The -indignant Baron von Chronicle entreated the strong interference of the -"Committee of Arrangement," but Emilius von Aslingen was too powerful an -individual to be treated by others as he treated them. Had the -fancy-dress ball of the Sovereign been attended by all his subjects, -with the exception of this Captain in his Guards, the whole affair might -have been a failure; would have been dark in spite of the glare of ten -thousand lamps and the glories of all the jewels of his state; would -have been dull, although each guest were wittier than Pasquin himself; -and very vulgar, although attended by lords of as many quarterings as -the ancient shield of his own antediluvian house! All, therefore, that -the ladies of the "Committee of Arrangement" could do, was to enclose to -the rebellious von Aslingen a list of the expected characters, and a -resolution passed in consequence of his contumacy, that no person or -persons was, or were, to appear as either or any of these characters, -unless he, or they, could produce a ticket, or tickets, granted by a -member of the "Committee of Arrangement," and countersigned by the -secretary of the "Committee of Costume." At the same time that these -vigorous measures were resolved on, no persons spoke of Emilius von -Aslingen's rebellious conduct in terms of greater admiration than the -ladies of the Committee themselves. If possible, he in consequence -became even a more influential and popular personage than before, and -his conduct procured him almost the adoration of persons who, had they -dared to imitate him, would have been instantly crushed, and would have -been banished society principally by the exertions of the very -individual whom they had the presumption to mimic. - -In the gardens of the palace was a spacious amphitheatre, cut out in -green seats, for the spectators of the plays which, during the summer -months, were sometimes performed there by the Court. There was a stage -in the same taste, with rows of trees for side-scenes, and a great -number of arbours and summer-rooms, surrounded by lofty hedges of -laurel, for the actors to retire and dress in. Connected with this -"rural Theatre," for such was its title, were many labyrinths, and -groves, and arched walks, in the same style. More than twelve large -fountains were in the immediate vicinity of this theatre. At the end of -one walk a sea-horse spouted its element through its nostrils; and in -another, Neptune turned an Ocean out of a vase. Seated on a rock, -Arcadia's half-goat god, the deity of silly sheep and silly poets, sent -forth trickling streams through his rustic pipes; and in the centre of a -green grove, an enamoured Salmacis, bathing in a pellucid basin, seemed -watching for her Hermaphrodite. - -It was in this rural theatre and its fanciful confines that Madame -Carolina and her councillors resolved that their magic should, for a -night, not only stop the course of time, but recall past centuries. It -was certainly rather late in the year for choosing such a spot for the -scene of their enchantment; but the season, as we have often had -occasion to remark in the course of these volumes, was singularly fine; -and indeed at this moment the nights were as warm, and as clear from -mist and dew, as they are during an Italian midsummer. - -But it is eight o'clock; we are already rather late. Is that a figure by -Holbein, just started out of the canvas, that I am about to meet? Stand -aside! It is a page of the Emperor Charles the Fifth! The Court is on -its way to the theatre. The theatre and the gardens are brilliantly -illuminated. The effect of the thousands of coloured lamps, in all parts -of the foliage, is very beautiful. The moon is up, and a million stars! -If it be not quite as light as day, it is just light enough for -pleasure. You could not perhaps endorse a bill of exchange, or engross a -parchment, by this light; but then it is just the light to read a -love-letter by, and do a thousand other things besides. - -All hail to the Emperor! we would give his costume, were it not rather -too much in the style of the von Chronicles. Reader! you have seen a -portrait of Charles by Holbein: very well; what need is there of a -description? No lack was there in this gay scene of massy chains and -curious collars, nor of cloth of gold, nor of cloth of silver! No lack -was there of trembling plumes and costly hose! No lack was there of -crimson velvet, and russet velvet, and tawny velvet, and purple velvet, -and plunket velvet, and of scarlet cloth, and green taffeta, and cloth -of silk embroidered! No lack was there of garments of estate, and of -quaint chemews, nor of short crimson cloaks, covered with pearls and -precious stones! No lack was there of party-coloured splendour, of -purple velvet embroidered with white, and white satin dresses -embroidered with black! No lack was there of splendid koyfes of damask, -or kerchiefs of fine Cyprus; nor of points of Venice silver of ducat -fineness, nor of garlands of friars' knots, nor of coloured satins, nor -of bleeding hearts embroidered on the bravery of dolorous lovers, nor of -quaint sentences of wailing gallantry! But for the details, are they not -to be found in those much-neglected and much-plundered persons, the old -chroniclers? and will they not sufficiently appear in the most inventive -portion of the next great historical novel? - -The Grand Duke looked the Emperor. Our friend the Grand Marshal was -Francis the First; and Arnelm and von Neuwied figured as the Marshal of -Montmorency and the Marshal Lautrec. The old toothless Bishop did -justice to Clement the Seventh; and his companion, the ancient General, -looked grim as Pompeo Colonna. A prince of the House of Nassau, one of -the royal visitors, represented his adventurous ancestor the Prince of -Orange. Von Sohnspeer was that haughty and accomplished rebel, the -Constable of Bourbon. The young Baron Gernsbach was worthy of the -seraglio, as he stalked along as Solyman the Magnificent, with all the -family jewels belonging to his dowager mother shining in his superb -turban. Our friend the Count of Eberstein personified chivalry, in the -person of Bayard. The younger Bernstorff, the intimate friend of -Gernsbach, attended his sumptuous sovereign as that Turkish Paul Jones, -Barbarossa. An Italian Prince was Andrew Doria. The Grand Chamberlain, -our francisé acquaintance, and who affected a love of literature, was -the Protestant Elector of Saxony. His train consisted of the principal -litterateurs of Reisenburg. The Editor of the "Attack-all Review," who -originally had been a Catholic, but who had been skilfully converted -some years ago, when he thought Catholicism was on the decline, was -Martin Luther, an individual whom, both in his apostasy and fierceness, -he much and only resembled: on the contrary, the editor of the -"Praise-all Review" appeared as the mild and meek Melanchthon. Mr. -Sievers, not yet at Vienna, was Erasmus. Ariosto, Guicciardini, Ronsard, -Rabelais, Machiavel, Pietro Aretino, Garcilasso de la Vega. Sannazaro, -and Paracelsus, afforded names to many nameless critics. Two Generals, -brothers, appeared as Cortes and Pizarro. The noble Director of the -Gallery was Albert Durer, and his deputy Hans Holbein. The Court -painter, a wretched mimic of the modern French School, did justice to -the character of Correggio; and an indifferent sculptor looked sublime -as Michel Angelo. - -Von Chronicle had persuaded the Prince of Pike and Powdren, one of his -warmest admirers, to appear as Henry the Eighth of England. His Highness -was one of those true North German patriots who think their own country -a very garden of Eden, and verily believe that original sin is to be -finally put an end to in a large sandy plain between Berlin and Hanover. -The Prince of Pike and Powdren passed his whole life in patriotically -sighing for the concentration of all Germany into one great nation, and -in secretly trusting that, if ever the consummation took place, the -North would be rewarded for their condescending union by a monopoly of -all the privileges of the Empire. Such a character was of course -extremely desirous of figuring to-night in a style peculiarly national. -The persuasions of von Chronicle, however, prevailed, and induced his -Highness of Pike and Powdren to dismiss his idea of appearing as the -ancient Arminius, although it was with great regret that the Prince gave -up his plan of personating his favourite hero, with hair down to his -middle and skins up to his chin. Nothing would content von Chronicle but -that his kind patron should represent a crowned head: anything else was -beneath him. The patriotism of the Prince disappeared before the -flattery of the novelist, like the bloom of a plum before the breath of -a boy, when he polishes the powdered fruit ere he devours it. No sooner -had his Highness agreed to be changed into bluff Harry than the secret -purpose of his adviser was immediately detected. No Court confessor, -seduced by the vision of a red hat, ever betrayed the secrets of his -sovereign with greater fervour than did von Chronicle labour for the -Cardinal's costume, which was the consequence of the Prince of Pike and -Powdren undertaking the English monarch. To-night, proud as was the part -of the Prince as regal Harry, his strut was a shamble compared with the -imperious stalk of von Chronicle as the arrogant and ambitious Wolsey. -The Cardinal in Rienzi was nothing to him; for to-night Wolsey had as -many pages as the other had petticoats! - -But, most ungallant of scribblers! Place aux dames! Surely Madame -Carolina, as the beautiful and accomplished Margaret of Navarre, might -well command, even without a mandate, your homage and your admiration! -The lovely Queen seemed the very goddess of smiles and repartee; young -Max, as her page, carried at her side a painted volume of her own -poetry. The arm of the favourite sister of Francis, who it will be -remembered once fascinated even the Emperor, was linked in that of -Caesar's natural daughter, her beautiful namesake, the bright-eyed -Margaret of Austria. Conversing with these royal dames, and indeed -apparently in attendance upon them, was a young gallant of courtly -bearing, and attired in a fantastic dress. It is Clement Marot, "the -Poet of Princes and the Prince of Poets," as he was styled by his own -admiring age; he offers to the critical inspection of the nimble-witted -Navarre a few lines in celebration of her beauty and the night's -festivity; one of those short Marotique poems once so celebrated; -perhaps a page culled from those gay and airy psalms which, with -characteristic gallantry, he dedicated "to the Dames of France!" Observe -well the fashionable bard! Marot was a true poet, and in his day not -merely read by queens and honoured by courtiers: observe him well; for -the character is supported by our Vivian Grey. It was with great -difficulty that Madame Carolina had found a character for her favourite, -for the lists were all filled before his arrival at Reisenburg. She at -first wished him to appear as some celebrated Englishman of the time, -but no character of sufficient importance could be discovered. All our -countrymen in contact or connection with the Emperor Charles were -churchmen and civilians; and Sir Nicholas Carew and the other fops of -the reign of Henry the Eighth, who, after the visit to Paris, were even -more ridiculously francisé than the Grand Chamberlain of Reisenburg -himself, were not, after mature deliberation, considered entitled to the -honour of being ranked in Madame Carolina's age of Charles the Fifth. - -But who is this, surrounded by her ladies and her chamberlains and her -secretaries? Four pages in dresses of cloth of gold, and each the son of -a prince of the French blood, support her train; a crown encircles locks -grey as much from thought as from time, but which require no show of -loyalty to prove that they belong to a mother of princes; that ample -forehead, aquiline nose, and the keen glance of her piercing eye denote -the Queen as much as the regality of her gait and her numerous and -splendid train. The young Queen of Navarre hastens to proffer her duty -to the mother of Francis, the celebrated Louise of Savoy; and -exquisitely did the young and lovely Countess of S---- personate the -most celebrated of female diplomatists. - -We have forgotten one character; the repeated commands of his father and -the constant entreaties of Madame Carolina had at length prevailed upon -the Crown Prince to shuffle himself into a fancy dress. No sooner had he -gratified them by his hard-wrung consent than Baron von Chronicle called -upon him with drawings of the costume of the Prince of Asturias, -afterwards Philip the Second of Spain. If we for a moment forgot so -important a personage as the future Grand Duke, it must have been -because he supported his character so ably that no one for an instant -believed that it was an assumed one; standing near the side scenes of -the amphitheatre, with his gloomy brow, sad eye, protruding under-lip, -and arms hanging straight by his sides, he looked a bigot without hope, -and a tyrant without purpose. - -The first hour is over, and the guests are all assembled. As yet they -content themselves with promenading round the amphitheatre; for before -they can think of dance or stroll, each of them must be duly acquainted -with the other's dress. It was a most splendid scene. The Queen of -Navarre has now been presented to the Emperor, and, leaning on his arm, -they head the promenade. The Emperor had given the hand of Margaret of -Austria to his legitimate son; but the Crown Prince, though he continued -in silence by the side of the young Baroness, soon resigned a hand which -did not struggle to retain his. Clement Marot was about to fall back -into a less conspicuous part of the procession; but the Grand Duke, -witnessing the regret of his loved Consort, condescendingly said, "We -cannot afford to lose our poet;" and so Vivian found himself walking -behind Madame Carolina, and on the left side of the young Baroness. -Louise of Savoy followed with her son, the King of France; most of the -ladies of the Court, and a crowd of officers, among them Montmorency and -De Lautrec, after their Majesties. The King of England moves by; his -state unnoticed in the superior magnificence of Wolsey. Pompeo Colonna -apologises to Pope Clement for having besieged his holiness in the -Castle of St. Angelo. The Elector of Saxony and the Prince of Orange -follow. Solyman the Magnificent is attended by his Admiral; and -Bayard's pure spirit almost quivers at the whispered treason of the -Constable of Bourbon. Luther and Melanchthon, Erasmus and Rabelais, -Cortez and Pizarro, Correggio and Michael Angelo, and a long train of -dames and dons of all nations, succeed; so long that the amphitheatre -cannot hold them, and the procession, that they may walk over the stage, -makes a short progress through an adjoining summer-room. - -Just as the Emperor and the fair Queen are in the middle of the stage, a -wounded warrior with a face pale as an eclipsed moon, a helmet on which -is painted the sign of his sacred order, a black mantle thrown over his -left shoulder, but not concealing his armour, a sword in his right hand -and an outstretched crucifix in his left, rushes on the scene. The -procession suddenly halts; all recognise Emilius von Aslingen! and -Madame Carolina blushes through her rouge when she perceives that so -celebrated, "so interesting a character" as Ignatius Loyola, the Founder -of the Jesuits, has not been included in the all-comprehensive lists of -her committee. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -Henry of England led the Polonaise with Louise of Savoy; Margaret of -Austria would not join in it: waltzing quickly followed. The Emperor -seldom left the side of the Queen of Navarre, and often conversed with -her Majesty's poet. The Prince of Asturias hovered for a moment round -his father's daughter, as if he were summoning resolution to ask her to -waltz. Once, indeed, he opened his mouth; could it have been to speak? -But the young Margaret gave no encouragement to this unusual exertion; -and Philip of Asturias, looking, if possible, more sad and sombre than -before, skulked away. The Crown Prince left the gardens, and now a smile -lit up every face, except that of the young Baroness. The gracious Grand -Duke, unwilling to see a gloomy countenance anywhere to-night, turned to -Vivian, who was speaking to Madame Carolina, and said, "Gentle poet, -would that thou hadst some chanson or courtly compliment to chase the -cloud which hovers on the brow of our much-loved daughter of Austria! -Your popularity, sir," continued the Grand Duke, dropping his mock -heroic vein and speaking in a much lower tone, "your popularity, sir, -among the ladies of the Court, cannot be increased by any panegyric of -mine; nor am I insensible, believe me, to the assiduity and skill with -which you have complied with my wishes in making our Court agreeable to -the relative of a man to whom we owe so much as Mr. Beckendorff. I am -informed, Mr. Grey," continued his Royal Highness, "that you have no -intention of very speedily returning to your country; I wish that I -could count you among my peculiar attendants. If you have an objection -to live in the palace without performing your quota of duty to the -State, we shall have no difficulty in finding you an office, and -clothing you in our official costume. Think of this!" So saying, with a -gracious smile, his Royal Highness, leading Madame Carolina, commenced a -walk round the gardens. - -The young Baroness did not follow them. Solyman the Magnificent, and -Bayard the irreproachable, and Barbarossa the pirate, and Bourbon the -rebel, immediately surrounded her. Few persons were higher ton than the -Turkish Emperor and his Admiral; few persons talked more agreeable -nonsense than the Knight sans peur et sans reproche; no person was more -important than the warlike Constable; but their attention, their -amusement, and their homage were to-night thrown away on the object of -their observance. The Baroness listened to them without interest, and -answered them with brevity. She did not even condescend, as she had done -before, to enter into a war of words, to mortify their vanity or -exercise their wit. She treated them neither with contempt nor courtesy. -If no smile welcomed their remarks, at least her silence was not -scornful, and the most shallow-headed prater that fluttered around her -felt that he was received with dignity and not with disdain. Awed by her -conduct, not one of them dared to be flippant, and every one of them -soon became dull. The ornaments of the Court of Reisenburg, the arbiters -of ton and the lords of taste, stared with astonishment at each other -when they found, to their mutual surprise, that at one moment, in such a -select party, universal silence pervaded. In this state of affairs, -every one felt that his dignity required his speedy disappearance from -the lady's presence. The Orientals, taking advantage of Bourbon's -returning once more to the charge with an often unanswered remark, -coolly walked away: the Chevalier made an adroit and honourable retreat -by joining a passing party; and the Constable was the only one who, -being left in solitude and silence, was finally obliged to make a formal -bow and retire discomforted from the side of the only woman with whom -he had ever condescended to fall in love. Leaning against the trunk of a -tree at some little distance, Vivian Grey watched the formation and -dissolution of the young Baroness' levée with lively interest. His eyes -met the lady's as she raised them from the ground on von Sohnspeer -quitting her. She immediately beckoned to Vivian, but without her usual -smile. He was directly at her side, but she did not speak. At last he -said, "This is a most brilliant scene!" - -"You think so, do you?" answered the lady, in a tone and manner which -almost made Vivian believe, for a moment, that his friend Mr. -Beckendorff was at his side. - -"Decidedly his daughter!" thought he. - -"You are not gay to-night?" said Vivian. - -"Why should I be?" said the lady, in a manner which would have made -Vivian imagine that his presence was as disagreeable to her as that of -Count von Sohnspeer, had not the lady herself invited his company. - -"I suppose the scene is very brilliant," continued the Baroness, after a -few moments' silence. "At least all here seem to think so, except -two persons." - -"And who are they?" asked Vivian. - -"Myself and--the Crown Prince. I am almost sorry that I did not dance -with him. There seems a wonderful similarity in our dispositions." - -"You are pleased to be severe to-night." - -"And who shall complain when the first person that I satirize is -myself?" - -"It is most considerate in you," said Vivian, "to undertake such an -office; for it is one which you yourself are alone capable of -fulfilling. The only person that can ever satirize your Excellency is -yourself; and I think even then that, in spite of your candour, your -self-examination must please us with a self-panegyric." - -"Nay, a truce to compliments: at least let me hear better things from -you. I cannot any longer endure the glare of these lamps and dresses! -your arm! Let us walk for a few minutes in the more retired and cooler -parts of the gardens." - -The Baroness and Vivian left the amphitheatre by a different path to -that by which the Grand Duke and Madame Carolina had quitted it. They -found the walks quite solitary; for the royal party, which was small, -contained the only persons who had yet left the stage. - -Vivian and his companions strolled about for some time, conversing on -subjects of casual interest. The Baroness, though no longer absent, -either in her manner or her conversation, seemed depressed; and Vivian, -while he flattered himself that he was more entertaining than usual, -felt, to his mortification, that the lady was not entertained. - -"I am afraid you find it dull here," said he; "shall we return?" - -"Oh, no; do not let us return! We have so short a time to be together -that we must not allow even one hour to be dull." - -As Vivian was about to reply, he heard the joyous voice of young -Maximilian; it sounded very near. The royal party was approaching. The -Baronet expressed her earnest desire to avoid it; and as to advance or -to retreat, in these labyrinthine walks, was almost equally hazardous, -they retired into one of those green recesses which we have before -mentioned; indeed it was the very evergreen grove in the centre of which -the Nymph of the Fountain watched for her loved Carian youth. A shower -of moonlight fell on the marble statue, and showed the Nymph in an -attitude of consummate skill: her modesty struggling with her desire, -and herself crouching in her hitherto pure waters, while her anxious ear -listens for the bounding step of the regardless huntsman. - -"The air is cooler here," said the Baroness, "or the sound of the -falling water is peculiarly refreshing to my senses. They have passed. I -rejoice that we did not return; I do not think that I could have -remained among those lamps another moment. How singular, actually to -view with aversion a scene which appears to enchant all!" - -"A scene which I should have thought would have been particularly -charming to you," said Vivian; "you are dispirited tonight!" - -"Am I?" said the Baroness. "I ought not to be; not to be more dispirited -than I ever am. To-night I expected pleasure; nothing has happened which -I did not expect, and everything which I did. And yet I am sad! Do you -think that happiness can ever be sad? I think it must be so. But whether -I am sorrowful or happy I can hardly tell; for it is only within these -few days that I have known either grief or joy." - -"It must be counted an eventful period in your existence which reckons -in its brief hours a first acquaintance with such passions!" said -Vivian, with a searching eye and an inquiring voice. - -"Yes; an eventful period, certainly an eventful period," answered the -Baroness, with a thoughtful air and in measured words. - -"I cannot bear to see a cloud upon that brow!" said Vivian. "Have you -forgotten how much was to be done to-night? How eagerly you looked -forward to its arrival? How bitterly we were to regret the termination -of the mimic empire?" - -"I have forgotten nothing; would that I had! I will not look grave. I -will be gay; and yet, when I remember how soon other mockery besides -this splendid pageant must be terminated, why should I look gay? Why may -I not weep?" - -"Nay, if we are to moralise on worldly felicity, I fear that instead of -inspiriting you, which is my wish, I shall prove but a too congenial -companion. But such a theme is not for you." - -"And why should it be for one who, though he lecture me with such -gravity and gracefulness, can scarcely be entitled to play the part of -Mentor by the weight of years?" said the Baroness, with a smile: "for -one who, I trust, who I should think, as little deserved, and was as -little inured to, sorrow as myself!" - -"To find that you have cause to grieve," said Vivian, "and to learn from -you, at the same time, your opinion of my own lot, prove what I have too -often had the sad opportunity of observing, that the face of man is -scarcely more genuine and less deceitful than these masquerade dresses -which we now wear." - -"But you are not unhappy?" asked the Baroness with a quick voice. - -"Not now," said Vivian. - -His companion seated herself on the marble balustrade which surrounded -the fountain: she did not immediately speak again, and Vivian was -silent, for he was watching her motionless countenance as her large -brilliant eyes gazed with earnestness on the falling water sparkling in -the moonlight. Surely it was not the mysterious portrait at -Beckendorff's that he beheld! - -She turned. She exclaimed in an agitated voice, "O friend! too lately -found, why have we met to part?" - -"To part, dearest!" said he, in a low and rapid voice, and he gently -took her hand; "to part! and why should we part? why--" - -"Ask not; your question is agony!" She tried to withdraw her hand, he -pressed it with renewed energy, it remained in his, she turned away her -head, and both were silent. - -"O! lady," said Vivian, as he knelt at her side, "why are we not happy?" - -His arm is round her waist, gently he bends his head, their speaking -eyes meet, and their trembling lips cling into a kiss! - -A seal of love and purity and faith I and the chaste moon need not have -blushed as she lit up the countenances of the lovers. - -"O! lady, why are we not happy?" - -"We are, we are: is not this happiness, is not this joy, is not this -bliss? Bliss," she continued, in a low broken voice, "to which I have no -right, no title. Oh! quit, quit my hand! Happiness is not for me!" She -extricated herself from his arm, and sprang upon her feet. Alarm, rather -than affection, was visible on her agitated features. It seemed to cost -her a great effort to collect her scattered senses; the effort was made -with pain, but with success. - -"Forgive me," she said, in a hurried and indistinct tone; "forgive me! I -would speak, but cannot, not now at least; we have been long away, too -long; our absence will be remarked to-night; to-night we must give up to -the gratification of others, but I will speak. For yours, for my own -sake, let us, let us go. You know that we are to be very gay to-night, -and gay we will be. Who shall prevent us? At least the present hour is -our own; and when the future ones must be so sad, why, why, trifle -with this?" - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - -The reader is not to suppose that Vivian Grey thought of the young -Baroness merely in the rapid scenes which we have sketched. There were -few moments in the day in which her image did not occupy his thoughts, -and which, indeed, he did not spend in her presence. From the first her -character had interested him. His accidental but extraordinary -acquaintance with Beckendorff made him view any individual connected -with that singular man with a far more curious feeling than could -influence the young nobles of the Court, who were ignorant of the -Minister's personal character. There was an evident mystery about the -character and situation of the Baroness, which well accorded with the -eccentric and romantic career of the Prime Minister of Reisenburg. Of -the precise nature of her connection with Beckendorff Vivian was wholly -ignorant. The world spoke of her as his daughter, and the affirmation of -Madame Carolina confirmed the world's report. Her name was still unknown -to him; and although during the few moments that they had enjoyed an -opportunity of conversing together alone, Vivian had made every exertion -of which good breeding, impelled by curiosity, is capable, and had -devised many little artifices with which a schooled address is well -acquainted to obtain it, his exertions had hitherto been unsuccessful. -If there was a mystery, the young lady was competent to preserve it; and -with all her naïveté, her interesting ignorance of the world, and her -evidently uncontrollable spirit, no hasty word ever fell from her -cautious lips which threw any light on the objects of his inquiry. -Though impetuous, she was never indiscreet, and often displayed a -caution which was little in accordance with her youth and temper. The -last night had witnessed the only moment in which her passions seemed -for a time to have struggled with, and to have overcome, her judgment; -but it was only for a moment. That display of overpowering feeling had -cost Vivian a sleepless night; and he is at this instant pacing up and -down the chamber of his hotel, thinking of that which he had imagined -could exercise his thoughts no more. - -She was beautiful; she loved him; she was unhappy! To be loved by any -woman is flattering to the feelings of every man, no matter how deeply -he may have quaffed the bitter goblet of worldly knowledge. The praise -of a fool is incense to the wisest of us; and though we believe -ourselves broken-hearted, it still delights us to find that we are -loved. The memory of Violet Fane was still as fresh, as sweet, to the -mind of Vivian Grey as when he pressed her blushing cheek for the first -and only time. To love again, really to love as he had done, he once -thought was impossible; he thought so still. The character of the -Baroness had interested him from the first. Her ignorance of mankind, -and her perfect acquaintance with the polished forms of society; her -extreme beauty, her mysterious rank, her proud spirit and impetuous -feelings; her occasional pensiveness, her extreme waywardness, had -astonished, perplexed, and enchanted him. But he had never felt in love. -It never for a moment had entered into his mind that his lonely bosom -could again be a fit resting-place for one so lovely and so young. -Scared at the misery which had always followed in his track, he would -have shuddered ere he again asked a human being to share his sad and -blighted fortunes. The partiality of the Baroness for his society, -without flattering his vanity, or giving rise to thoughts more serious -than how he could most completely enchant for her the passing hour, had -certainly made the time passed in her presence the least gloomy which he -had lately experienced. At the same moment that he left the saloon of -the palace he had supposed that his image quitted her remembrance; and -if she had again welcomed him with cheerfulness and cordiality, he had -felt that his reception was owing to not being, perhaps, quite as -frivolous as the Count of Eberstein, and rather more amusing than the -Baron of Gernsbach. - -It was therefore with the greatest astonishment that, last night, he had -found that he was loved, loved, too, by this beautiful and haughty girl, -who had treated the advances of the most distinguished nobles with -ill-concealed scorn, and who had so presumed upon her dubious -relationship to the bourgeois Minister that nothing but her own -surpassing loveliness and her parent's all-engrossing influence could -have excused or authorised her conduct. - -Vivian had yielded to the magic of the moment, and had returned the -feelings apparently no sooner expressed than withdrawn. Had he left the -gardens of the palace the Baroness's plighted lover he might perhaps -have deplored his rash engagement, and the sacred image of his first and -hallowed love might have risen up in judgment against his violated -affection; but how had he and the interesting stranger parted? He was -rejected, even while his affection was returned; and while her -flattering voice told him that he alone could make her happy, she had -mournfully declared that happiness could not be hers. How was this? -Could she be another's? Her agitation at the Opera, often the object of -his thought, quickly occurred to him! It must be so. Ah! another's! and -who this rival? this proud possessor of a heart which could not beat for -him? Madame Carolina's declaration that the Baroness must be married off -was at this moment remembered: her marked observation, that von -Sohnspeer was no son of Beckendorff's, not forgotten. The Field Marshal, -too, was the valued friend of the Minister; and it did not fail to occur -to Vivian that it was not von Sohnspeer's fault that his attendance on -the Baroness was not as constant as his own. Indeed, the unusual -gallantry of the Commander-in-Chief had been the subject of many a joke -among the young lords of the Court, and the reception of his addresses -by their unmerciful object not unobserved or unspared. But as for poor -von Sohnspeer, what could be expected, as Emilius von Aslingen observed, -"from a man whose softest compliment was as long, loud, and obscure as a -birthday salute!" - -No sooner was the affair clear to Vivian, no sooner was he convinced -that a powerful obstacle existed to the love or union of himself and the -Baroness, than he began to ask what right the interests of third persons -had to interfere between the mutual affection of any individuals. He -thought of her in the moonlight garden, struggling with her pure and -natural passion. He thought of her exceeding beauty, her exceeding love. -He beheld this rare and lovely creature in the embrace of von Sohnspeer. -He turned from the picture in disgust and indignation. She was his. -Nature had decreed it. She should be the bride of no other man. Sooner -than yield her up he would beard Beckendorff himself in his own retreat, -and run every hazard and meet every danger which the ardent imagination -of a lover could conceive. Was he madly to reject the happiness which -Providence, or Destiny, or Chance had at length offered him? If the -romance of boyhood could never be realised, at least with this engaging -being for his companion, he might pass through his remaining years in -calmness and in peace. His trials were perhaps over. Alas! this is the -last delusion of unhappy men! - -Vivian called at the Palace, but the fatigues of the preceding night -prevented either of the ladies from being visible. In the evening he -joined a small and select circle. The party, indeed, only consisted of -the Grand Duke, Madame, their visitors, and the usual attendants, -himself, and von Sohnspeer. The quiet of the little circle did not more -strikingly contrast with the noise, and glare, and splendour of the last -night than did Vivian's subdued reception by the Baroness with her -agitated demeanour in the garden. She was cordial, but calm. He found it -quite impossible to gain even one moment's private conversation with -her. Madame Carolina monopolised his attention, as much to favour the -views of the Field Marshal as to discuss the comparative merits of Pope -as a moralist and a poet; and Vivian had the mortification of observing -his odious rival, whom he now thoroughly detested, discharge without -ceasing his royal salutes in the impatient ear of Beckendorff's -lovely daughter. - -Towards the conclusion of the evening a chamberlain entered the room and -whispered his mission to the Baroness. She immediately rose and quitted -the apartment. As the party was breaking up she again entered. Her -countenance was agitated. Madame Carolina was in the art of being -overwhelmed with the compliments of the Grand Marshal, and Vivian seized -the opportunity of reaching the Baroness. After a few hurried sentences -she dropped her glove. Vivian gave it her. So many persons were round -them that it was impossible to converse except on the most common -topics. The glove was again dropped. - -"I see," said the Baroness, with a meaning look, "that you are but a -recreant knight, or else you would not part with a lady's glove -so easily." - -Vivian gave a rapid glance round the room. No one was observing him, and -the glove was immediately concealed. He hurried home, rushed up the -staircase of the hotel, ordered lights, locked the door, and with a -sensation of indescribable anxiety tore the precious glove from his -bosom, seized, opened, and read the enclosed and following note. It was -written in pencil, in a hurried hand, and some of the words were -repeated:-- - -"I leave the Court to-night. He is here himself. No art can postpone my -departure. Much, much, I wish to see you; to say, to say, to you. He is -to have an interview with the Grand Duke to-morrow morning. Dare you -come to his place in his absence? You know the private road. He goes by -the high road, and calls in his way on a Forest Councillor: it is the -white house by the barrier; you know it! Watch him to-morrow morning; -about nine or ten I should think; here, here; and then for heaven's sake -let me see you. Dare everything! Fail not! Mind, by the private road: -beware the other! You know the ground. God bless you: - -"SYBILLA" - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - -Vivian read the note over a thousand times. He could not retire to rest. -He called Essper George, and gave him all necessary directions for the -morning. About three o'clock Vivian lay down on a sofa, and slept for a -few hours. He started often in his short and feverish slumber. His -dreams were unceasing and inexplicable. At first von Sohnspeer was their -natural hero; but soon the scene shifted. Vivian was at Ems, walking -under the well-remembered lime-trees, and with the Baroness. Suddenly, -although it was mid-day, the Sun became large, blood-red, and fell out -of the heavens; his companion screamed, a man rushed forward with a -drawn sword. It was the idiot Crown Prince of Reisenburg. Vivian tried -to oppose him, but without success. The infuriated ruffian sheathed his -weapon in the heart of the Baroness. Vivian shrieked, and fell upon her -body, and, to his horror, found himself embracing the cold corpse of -Violet Fane! - -Vivian and Essper mounted their horses about seven o'clock. At eight -they had reached a small inn near the Forest Councillor's house, where -Vivian was to remain until Essper had watched the entrance of the -Minister. It was a few minutes past nine when Essper returned with the -joyful intelligence that Owlface and his master had been seen to enter -the Courtyard. Vivian immediately mounted Max, and telling Essper to -keep a sharp watch, he set spurs to his horse. - -"Now, Max, my good steed, each minute is golden; serve thy master well!" -He patted the horse's neck, the animal's erected ears proved how well it -understood its master's wishes; and taking advantage of the loose -bridle, which was confidently allowed it, the horse sprang rather than -galloped to the Minister's residence. Nearly an hour, however, was lost -in gaining the private road, for Vivian, after the caution in the -Baroness's letter, did not dare the high road. - -He is galloping up the winding rural lane, where he met Beckendorff on -the second morning of his visit. He has reached the little gate, and -following the example of the Grand Duke, ties Max at the entrance. He -dashes over the meadows; not following the path, but crossing straight -through the long dewy grass, he leaps over the light iron railing; he is -rushing up the walk; he takes a rapid glance, in passing, at the little -summer-house; the blue passion-flower is still blooming, the house is in -sight; a white handkerchief is waving from the drawing-room window! He -sees it; fresh wings are added to its course; he dashes through a bed of -flowers, frightens the white peacock, darts through the library window, -and is in the drawing room. - -The Baroness was there: pale and agitated she stood beneath the -mysterious picture, with one arm leaning on the old carved mantelpiece. -Overcome by her emotions, she did not move forward to meet him as he -entered; but Vivian observed neither her constraint nor her agitation. - -"Sybilla! dearest Sybilla! say you are mine!" - -He seized her hand. She struggled not to disengage herself; her head -sank upon her arm, which rested upon his shoulder. Overpowered, she -sobbed convulsively. He endeavoured to calm her, but her agitation -increased; and minutes elapsed ere she seemed to be even sensible of his -presence. At length she became more calm, and apparently making a -struggle to compose herself, she raised her head and said, "This is very -weak let us walk for a moment about the room!" - -At this moment Vivian was seized by the throat with a strong grasp. He -turned round; it was Mr. Beckendorff, with a face deadly white, his full -eyes darting from their sockets like a hungry snake's, and the famous -Italian dagger in his right hand. - -"Villain!" said he, in the low voice of fatal passion; "Villain, is this -your Destiny?" - -Vivian's first thoughts were for the Baroness; and turning his head from -Beckendorff, he looked with the eye of anxious love to his companion. -But, instead of fainting, instead of being overwhelmed by this terrible -interruption, she seemed, on the contrary, to have suddenly regained her -natural spirit and self-possession. The blood had returned to her -hitherto pale cheek, and the fire to an eye before dull with weeping. -She extricated herself immediately from Vivian's encircling arm, and by -so doing enabled him to have struggled, had it been necessary, more -equally with the powerful grasp of his assailant. - -"Stand off, sir!" said the Baroness, with an air of inexpressible -dignity, and a voice which even at this crisis seemed to anticipate -that it would be obeyed. "Stand off, sir! stand off, I command you!" - -Beckendorff for one moment was motionless: he then gave her a look of -piercing earnestness, threw Vivian, rather than released him, from his -hold, and flung the dagger with a bitter smile, into the corner of the -room. "Well, madam!" said he, in a choking voice, "you are obeyed!" - -"Mr. Grey," continued the Baroness, "I regret that this outrage should -have been experienced by you because you have dared to serve me. My -presence should have preserved you from this contumely; but what are we -to expect from those who pride themselves upon being the sons of slaves! -You shall hear further from me." So saying, the lady, bowing to Vivian, -and sweeping by the Minister with a glance of indescribable disdain, -quitted the apartment. As she was on the point of leaving the room, -Vivian was standing against the wall, with a pale face and folded arms; -Beckendorff, with his back to the window, his eyes fixed on the ground; -and Vivian, to his astonishment, perceived, what escaped the Minister's -notice, that while the lady bade him adieu with one hand she made rapid -signs with the other to some unknown person in the garden. - -Mr. Beckendorff and Vivian were left alone, and the latter was the first -to break silence. - -"Mr. Beckendorff," said he, in a calm voice, "considering the -circumstances under which you have found me in your house this morning, -I should have known how to excuse and to forget any irritable -expressions which a moment of ungovernable passion might have inspired. -I should have passed them over unnoticed. But your unjustifiable -behaviour has exceeded that line of demarcation which sympathy with -human feelings allows even men of honour to recognise. You have -disgraced both me and yourself by giving me a blow. It is, as that lady -well styled it, an outrage; an outrage which the blood of any other man -but yourself could only obliterate from my memory; but while I am -inclined to be indulgent to your exalted station and your peculiar -character, I at the same time expect, and now wait for, an apology!" - -"An apology!" said Beckendorff, now beginning to stamp up and down the -room; "an apology! Shall it be made to you, sir, or the Archduchess?" - -"The Archduchess;" said Vivian. "Good God! what can you mean! Did I -hear you right?" - -"I said the Archduchess," answered Beckendorff, with firmness; "a -Princess of the House of Austria, and the pledged wife of his Royal -Highness the Crown Prince of Reisenburg. Perhaps you may now think that -other persons have to apologise?" - -"Mr. Beckendorff," said Vivian, "I am overwhelmed; I declare, upon my -honour--" - -"Stop, sir! you have said too much already--" - -"But, Mr. Beckendorff, surely you will allow me to explain--" - -"Sir! there is no need of explanation. I know everything; more than you -do yourself. You can have nothing to explain to me! and I presume you -are now fully aware of the impossibility of again speaking to her. It is -at present within an hour of noon. Before sunset you must be twenty -miles from the Court; so far you will be attended. Do not answer me; you -know my power. A remonstrance only, and I write to Vienna: your progress -shall be stopped throughout the South of Europe. For her sake this -business will be hushed up. An important and secret mission will be the -accredited reason of your leaving Reisenburg. This will be confirmed by -your official attendant, who will be an Envoy's Courier. Farewell!" - -As Mr. Beckendorff quitted the room, his confidential servant, the -messenger of Turriparva, entered, and with the most respectful bow -informed Vivian that the horses were ready. In about three hours' time -Vivian Grey, followed by the Government messenger, stopped at his hotel. -The landlord and waiters bowed with increased obsequiousness on seeing -him so attended, and in a few minutes Reisenburg was ringing with the -news that his appointment to the Under-Secretaryship of State was now "a -settled thing." - - - - -BOOK VIII - - -CHAPTER I - - -The landlord of the Grand Hotel of the Four Nations at Reisenburg was -somewhat consoled for the sudden departure of his distinguished guest by -selling the plenipotentiary a travelling carriage lately taken for a -doubtful bill from a gambling Russian General at a large profit. In this -convenient vehicle, in the course of a couple of hours after his arrival -in the city, was Mr. Vivian Grey borne through the gate of the Allies. -Essper George, who had reached the hotel about half an hour after his -master, followed behind the carriage on his hack, leading Max. The -Courier cleared the road before, and expedited the arrival of the -special Envoy of the Grand Duke of Reisenburg at the point of his -destination by ordering the horses, clearing the barriers, and paying -the postilions in advance. Vivian had never travelled before with such -style and speed. - -Our hero covered himself up with his cloak and drew his travelling cap -over his eyes, though it was one of the hottest days of this singularly -hot autumn. Entranced in a reverie, the only figure that occurred to his -mind was the young Archduchess, and the only sounds that dwelt on his -ear were the words of Beckendorff: but neither to the person of the -first nor to the voice of the second did he annex any definite idea. - -After some hours' travelling, which to Vivian seemed both an age and a -minute, he was roused from his stupor by the door of his calèche being -opened. He shook himself as a man does who has awakened from a benumbing -and heavy sleep, although his eyes were the whole time wide open. The -disturbing intruder was his courier, who, bowing, with his hat in hand, -informed his Excellency that he was now on the frontier of Reisenburg; -regretting that he was under the necessity of quitting his Excellency, -he begged to present him with his passport. "It is made out for Vienna," -continued the messenger. "A private pass, sir, of the Prime Minister, -and will entitle you to the greatest consideration." - -The carriage was soon again advancing rapidly to the next post-house, -when, after they had proceeded about half a mile, Essper George calling -loudly from behind, the drivers suddenly stopped. Just as Vivian, to -whose tortured mind the rapid movement of the carriage was some relief, -for it produced an excitement which prevented thought, was about to -inquire the cause of this stoppage. Essper George rode up to -the calèche. - -"Kind sir!" said he, with a peculiar look, "I have a packet for you." - -"A packet! from whom? speak! give it me!" - -"Hush! softly, good master. Here am I about to commit rank treason for -your sake, and a hasty word is the only reward of my rashness." - -"Nay, nay, good Essper, try me not now!" - -"I will not, kind sir! but the truth is, I could not give you the packet -while that double-faced knave was with us, or even while he was in -sight. 'In good truth,' as Master Rodolph was wont to say--!" - -"But of this packet?" - -"'Fairly and softly,' good sir! as Hunsdrich the porter said when I -would have drunk the mulled wine, while he was on the cold staircase--" - -"Essper! do you mean to enrage me?" - -"'By St. Hubert!' as that worthy gentleman the Grand Marshal was in the -habit of swearing, I--" - -"This is too much; what are the idle sayings of these people to me?" - -"Nay, nay, kind sir! they do but show that each of us has his own way of -telling a story, and that he who would hear a tale must let the teller's -breath come out of his own nostrils." - -"Well, Essper, speak on! Stranger things have happened to me than to be -reproved by my own servant." - -"Nay, kind master! say not a bitter word to me because you have slipped -out of a scrape with your head on your shoulders. The packet is from Mr. -Beckendorff's daughter." - -"Ah! why did you not give it me before?" - -"Why do I give it you now? Because I am a fool; that is why. What! you -wanted it when that double-faced scoundrel was watching every eyelash of -yours as it moved from the breath of a fly? a fellow who can see as well -at the back of his head as from his face. I should like to poke out his -front eyes, to put him on an equality with the rest of mankind. He it -was who let the old gentleman know of your visit this morning, and I -suspect that he has been nearer your limbs of late than you have -imagined. Every dog has his day, and the oldest pig must look for the -knife! The Devil was once cheated on Sunday, and I have been too sharp -for Puss in boots and his mouse-trap! Prowling about the Forest -Councillor's house, I saw your new servant, sir, gallop in, and his old -master soon gallop out. I was off as quick as they, but was obliged to -leave my horse within two miles of the house, and then trust to my legs. -I crept through the shrubs like a land tortoise; but, of course, too -late to warn you. However, I was in for the death, and making signs to -the young lady, who directly saw that I was a friend; bless her! she is -as quick as a partridge; I left you to settle it with papa, and, after -all, did that which I suppose you intended, sir, to do yourself; made my -way into the young lady's bedchamber." - -"Hold your tongue, sir! and give me the packet." - -"There it is, and now we will go on; but we must stay an hour at the -next post, if your honour pleases not to sleep there; for both Max and -my own hack have had a sharp day's work." - -Vivian tore open the packet. It contained a long letter, written on the -night of her return to Beckendorff's; she had stayed up the whole night -writing. It was to have been forwarded to Vivian, in case of their not -being able to meet. In the enclosure were a few hurried lines, written -since the catastrophe. They were these: "May this safely reach you! Can -you ever forgive me? The enclosed, you will see, was intended for you, -in case of our not meeting. It anticipated sorrow; yet what were its -anticipations to our reality!" - -The Archduchess' letter was evidently written under the influence of -agitated feelings. We omit it; because, as the mystery of her character -is now explained, a great portion of her communication would be -irrelevant to our tale. She spoke of her exalted station as a woman, -that station which so many women envy, in a spirit of agonising -bitterness. A royal princess is only the most flattered of state -victims. She is a political sacrifice, by which enraged Governments are -appeased, wavering allies conciliated and ancient amities confirmed. -Debarred by her rank and her education from looking forward to that -exchange of equal affection which is the great end and charm of female -existence, no individual finds more fatally and feels more keenly that -pomp is not felicity, and splendour not content. - -Deprived of all those sources of happiness which seem inherent in woman, -the wife of the Sovereign sometimes seeks in politics and in pleasure a -means of excitement which may purchase oblivion. But the political queen -is a rare character; she must possess an intellect of unusual power, and -her lot must be considered as an exception in the fortunes of female -royalty. Even the political queen generally closes an agitated career -with a broken heart. And for the unhappy votary of pleasure, who owns -her cold duty to a royal husband, we must not forget that even in the -most dissipated courts the conduct of the queen is expected to be -decorous, and that the instances are not rare where the wife of the -monarch has died on the scaffold, or in a dungeon, or in exile, because -she dared to be indiscreet where all were debauched. But for the great -majority of royal wives, they exist without a passion; they have nothing -to hope, nothing to fear, nothing to envy, nothing to want, nothing to -confide, nothing to hate, and nothing to love. Even their duties, though -multitudinous, are mechanical, and, while they require much attention, -occasion no anxiety. Amusement is their moment of great emotion, and for -them amusement is rare; for amusement is the result of equal -companionship. Thus situated, they are doomed to become frivolous in -their pursuits and formal in their manners, and the Court chaplain or -the Court confessor is the only person who can prove they have a soul, -by convincing them that it will be saved. - -The young Archduchess had assented to the proposition of marriage with -the Crown Prince of Reisenburg without opposition, as she was convinced -that requesting her assent was only a courteous form of requiring her -compliance. There was nothing outrageous to her feelings in marrying a -man whom she had never seen, because her education, from her tenderest -years, had daily prepared her for such an event. Moreover, she was aware -that, if she succeeded in escaping from the offers of the Crown Prince -of Reisenburg, she would soon be under the necessity of assenting to -those of some other suitor; and if proximity to her own country, -accordance with its sentiments and manners, and previous connection with -her own house, were taken into consideration, an union with the family -of Reisenburg was even desirable. It was to be preferred, at least, to -one which brought with it a foreign husband and a foreign clime, a -strange language and strange customs. The Archduchess, a girl of ardent -feelings and lively mind, had not, however, agreed to become that -all-commanding slave, a Queen, without a stipulation. She required that -she might be allowed, previous to her marriage, to visit her future -Court incognita. This singular and unparalleled proposition was not -easily acceded to: but the opposition with which it was received only -tended to make the young Princess more determined to be gratified in her -caprice. Her Imperial Highness did not pretend that any end was to be -obtained by this unusual procedure, and indeed she had no definite -purpose in requesting it to be permitted. It was originally the mere -whim of the moment, and had it not been strongly opposed it would not -have been strenuously insisted upon. As it was, the young Archduchess -persisted, threatened, and grew obstinate; and the grey-headed -negotiators of the marriage, desirous of its speedy completion, and not -having a more tractable tool ready to supply her place, at length -yielded to her bold importunity. Great difficulty, however, was -experienced in carrying her wishes into execution. By what means and in -what character she was to appear at Court, so as not to excite suspicion -or occasion discovery, were often discussed, without being resolved -upon. At length it became necessary to consult Mr. Beckendorff. The -upper lip of the Prime Minister of Reisenburg curled as the Imperial -Minister detailed the caprice and contumacy of the Princess, and -treating with the greatest contempt this girlish whim, Mr. Beckendorff -ridiculed those by whom it had been humoured with no suppressed -derision. The consequence of his conduct was an interview with the -future Grand Duchess, and the consequence of his interview an unexpected -undertaking on his part to arrange the visit according to her -Highness's desires. - -The Archduchess had not yet seen the Crown Prince; but six miniatures -and a whole length portrait had prepared her for not meeting an Adonis -or a Baron Trenck, and that was all; for never had the Correggio of the -age of Charles the Fifth better substantiated his claims to the office -of Court painter than by these accurate semblances of his Royal -Highness, in which his hump was subdued into a Grecian bend, and his -lack-lustre eyes seemed beaming with tenderness and admiration. His -betrothed bride stipulated with Mr. Beckendorff that the fact of her -visit should be known only to himself and the Grand Duke; and before -she appeared at Court she had received the personal pledge both of -himself and his Royal Highness that the affair should be kept a complete -secret from the Crown Prince. - -Most probably, on her first introduction to her future husband, all the -romantic plans of the young Archduchess to excite an involuntary -interest in his heart vanished; but how this may be, it is needless for -us to inquire, for that same night introduced another character into her -romance for whom she was perfectly unprepared, and whose appearance -totally disorganised its plot. - -Her inconsiderate, her unjustifiable conduct, in tampering with that -individual's happiness and affection, was what the young and haughty -Archduchess deplored in the most energetic, the most feeling, and the -most humble spirit; and anticipating that after this painful disclosure -they would never meet again, she declared that for his sake alone she -regretted what had passed, and praying that he might be happier than -herself, she supplicated to be forgiven and forgotten. - -Vivian read the Archduchess's letter over and over again, and then put -it in his breast. At first he thought that he had lived to shed another -tear; but he was mistaken. In a few minutes he found himself quite -roused from his late overwhelming stupor. Remorse or regret for the -past, care or caution for the future, seemed at the same moment to have -fled from his mind. He looked up to Heaven with a wild smile, half of -despair and half of defiance, it seemed to imply that Fate had now done -her worst, and that he had at last the satisfaction of knowing himself -to he the most unfortunate and unhappy being that ever existed. When a -man at the same time believes in and sneers at his Destiny we may be -sure that he considers his condition past redemption. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -They stopped for an hour at the next post, according to Essper's -suggestion. Indeed, he proposed resting there for the night, for both -men and beasts much required repose; but Vivian panted to reach Vienna, -to which city two days' travelling would now carry him. His passions -were so roused, and his powers of reflection so annihilated, that while -he had determined to act desperately, he was unable to resolve upon -anything desperate. Whether, on his arrival at the Austrian capital, he -should plunge into dissipation or into the Danube was equally uncertain. -He had some thought of joining the Greeks or Turks, no matter which, -probably the latter, or perhaps of serving in the Americas. The idea of -returning to England never once entered his mind: he expected to find -letters from his father at Vienna, and he almost regretted it; for, in -his excessive misery, it was painful to be conscious that a being still -breathed who was his friend. - -It was a fine moonlight night, but the road was mountainous; and in -spite of all the encouragement of Vivian, and all the consequent -exertions of the postilion, they were upwards of two hours and a half -going these eight miles. To get on any farther to-night was quite -impossible. Essper's horse was fairly knocked up, and even Max visibly -distressed. The post-house was fortunately an inn. It was not at a -village, and, as far as the travellers could learn, not near one, and -its appearance did not promise very pleasing accommodation. Essper, who -had scarcely tasted food for nearly eighteen hours, was not highly -delighted with the prospect before them. His anxiety, however, was not -merely selfish: he was as desirous that his young master should be -refreshed by a good night's rest as himself, and anticipating that he -should have to exercise his skill in making a couch for Vivian in the -carriage, he proceeded to cross-examine the postmaster on the -possibility of his accommodating them. The host was a pious-looking -personage, in a black velvet cap, with a singularly meek and charitable -expression of countenance. His long black hair was exquisitely braided, -and he wore round his neck a collar of pewter medals, all of which had -been recently sprinkled with holy water and blessed under the petticoat -of the saintly Virgin; for the postmaster had only just returned from a -pilgrimage to the celebrated shrine of the Black Lady of Altoting. - -"Good friend!" said Essper, looking him cunningly in the face, "I fear -that we must order horses on: you can hardly accommodate two?" - -"Good friend!" answered the innkeeper, and he crossed himself very -reverently at the same time, "it is not for man to fear, but to hope." - -"If your beds were as good as your adages," said Essper George, -laughing, "in good truth, as a friend of mine would say, I would sleep -here to-night." - -"Prithee, friend," continued the innkeeper, kissing a medal of his -collar very devoutly, "what accommodation dost thou lack?" - -"Why" said Essper, "in the way of accommodation, little, for two -excellent beds will content us; but in the way of refreshment, by St. -Hubert! as another friend of mine would swear, he would be a bold man -who would engage to be as hungry before his dinner as I shall be after -my supper." - -"Friend!" said the innkeeper, "Our Lady forbid that thou shouldst leave -our walls to-night: for the accommodation, we have more than sufficient; -and as for the refreshment, by Holy Mass! we had a priest tarry here -last night, and he left his rosary behind. I will comfort my soul, by -telling my beads over the kitchen-fire, and for every Paternoster my -wife shall give thee a rasher of kid, and for every Ave a tumbler of -Augsburg, which Our Lady forget me if I did not myself purchase but -yesterday se'nnight from the pious fathers of the Convent of -St. Florian!" - -"I take thee at thy word, honest sir," said Essper. "By the Creed! I -liked thy appearance from the first; nor wilt thou find me unwilling, -when my voice has taken its supper, to join thee in some pious hymn or -holy canticle. And now for the beds!" - -"There is the green room, the best bedroom in my house," said the -Innkeeper. "Holy Mary forget me if in that same bed have not stretched -their legs more valorous generals, more holy prelates, and more -distinguished councillors of our Lord the Emperor, than in any bed in -all Austria." - -"That, then, for my master, and for myself--" - -"H-u-m!" said the host, looking very earnestly in Essper's face; "I -should have thought that thou wert one more anxious after dish and -flagon than curtain and eider-down!" - -"By my Mother! I love good cheer," said Essper, earnestly, "and want it -more at this moment than any knave that ever yet starved: but if thou -hast not a bed to let me stretch my legs on after four-and-twenty hours' -hard riding, by holy Virgin! I will have horses on to Vienna." - -"Our Black Lady forbid!" said the innkeeper, with a quick voice, and -with rather a dismayed look; "said I that thou shouldst not have a bed? -St. Florian desert me if I and my wife would not sooner sleep in the -chimney-corner than thou shouldst miss one wink of thy slumbers!" - -"In one word, have you a bed?" - -"Have I a bed? Where slept, I should like to know, the Vice-Principal -of the Convent of Molk on the day before the last holy Ascension? The -waters were out in the morning; and when will my wife forget what his -reverence was pleased to say when he took his leave; 'Good woman!' said -he, 'my duty calls me; but the weather is cold; and between ourselves, I -am used to great feasts, and I should have no objection, if I were -privileged, to stay and to eat again of thy red cabbage and cream!' What -say you to that? Do you think we have got beds now? You shall sleep -to-night, sir, like an Aulic Councillor!" - -This adroit introduction of the red cabbage and cream settled -everything; when men are wearied and famished they have no inclination -to be incredulous, and in a few moments Vivian was informed by his -servant that the promised accommodation was satisfactory; and having -locked up the carriage, and wheeled it into a small outhouse, he and -Essper were ushered by their host into a room which, as is usual in -small German inns in the South, served at the same time both for kitchen -and saloon. The fire was lit in a platform of brick, raised in the -centre of the floor: the sky was visible through the chimney, which, -although of a great breadth below, gradually narrowed to the top. A -family of wandering Bohemians, consisting of the father and mother and -three children, were seated on the platform when Vivian entered; the man -was playing on a coarse wooden harp, without which the Bohemians seldom -travel. The music ceased as the new guests came into the room, and the -Bohemian courteously offered his place at the fire to our hero, who, -however, declined disturbing the family group. A small table and a -couple of chairs were placed in a corner of the room by the innkeeper's -wife, a bustling active dame, who apparently found no difficulty in -laying the cloth, dusting the furniture, and cooking the supper at the -same time. At this table Vivian and his servant seated themselves; nor, -indeed, did the cookery discredit the panegyric of the Reverend -Vice-Principal of the Convent of Molk. - -Alike wearied in mind and body, Vivian soon asked for his bed, which, -though not exactly fitted for an Aulic Councillor, as the good host -perpetually avowed it to be, nevertheless afforded decent accommodation. - -The Bohemian family retired to the hayloft, and Essper George would have -followed his master's example, had not the kind mistress of the house -tempted him to stay behind by the production of a new platter of -rashers: indeed, he never remembered meeting with such hospitable people -as the postmaster and his wife. They had evidently taken a fancy to him, -and, though extremely wearied, the lively little Essper endeavoured, -between his quick mouthfuls and long draughts, to reward and encourage -their kindness by many a good story and sharp joke. With all these both -mine host and his wife were exceedingly amused, seldom containing their -laughter, and frequently protesting, by the sanctity of various saints, -that this was the pleasantest night and Essper the pleasantest fellow -that they had ever met with. - -"Eat, eat, my friend!" said his host; "by the Mass! thou hast travelled -far; and fill thy glass, and pledge with me Our Black Lady of Altoting. -By Holy Cross! I have hung up this week in her chapel a garland of silk -roses, and have ordered to be burnt before her shrine three pounds of -perfumed was tapers! Fill again, fill again! and thou too, good -mistress; a bard day's work hast thou had; a glass of wine will do thee -no harm! join me with our new friend! Pledge we together the Holy -Fathers of St. Florian, my worldly patrons and my spiritual pastors: let -us pray that his reverence the Sub-Prior may not have his Christmas -attack of gout in the stomach, and a better health to poor Father Felix! -Fill again, fill again! this Augsburg is somewhat acid; we will have a -bottle of Hungary. Mistress, fetch us the bell-glasses, and here to the -Reverend Vice-Principal of Molk! our good friend: when will my wife -forget what he said to her on the morning of last holy Ascension! Fill -again, fill again!" - -Inspired by the convivial spirit of the pious and jolly postmaster, -Essper George soon forgot his threatened visit to his bedroom, and ate -and drank, laughed and joked, as if he were again with his friend, -Master Rodolph but wearied Nature at length avenged herself for this -unnatural exertion, and leaning back in his chair, he was, in the course -of an hour, overcome by one of those dead and heavy slumbers the effect -of the united influence of fatigue and intemperance; in short, it was -like the midnight sleep of a fox-hunter. - -No sooner had our pious votary of the Black Lady of Altoting observed -the effect of his Hungary wine than, making a well-understood sign to -his wife, be took up the chair of Essper in his brawny arms, and, -preceded by Mrs. Postmistress with a lantern, he left the room with his -guest. Essper's hostess led and lighted the way to an outhouse, which -occasionally served as a coach-house, a stable, and a lumber-room. It -had no window, and the lantern afforded the only light which exhibited -its present contents. In one corner was a donkey tied up, belonging to -the Bohemian. Under a hayrack was a large child's cradle: it was of a -remarkable size, having been made for twins. Near it was a low wooden -sheep-tank, half filled with water, and which had been placed there for -the refreshment of the dog and his feathered friends, who were roosting -in the rack. - -The pious innkeeper very gently lowered to the ground the chair on which -Essper was soundly sleeping; and then, having crossed himself, he took -up our friend with great tenderness and solicitude, and dexterously -fitted him in the huge cradle. - -About an hour past midnight Essper George awoke. He was lying on his -back, and very unwell; and on trying to move, found that he was rocking. -His late adventure was obliterated from his memory; and the strange -movement, united with his peculiar indisposition, left him no doubt that -he was on board ship! As is often the case when we are tipsy or nervous, -Essper had been woke by the fright of falling from some immense height; -and finding that his legs had no sensation, for they were quite -benumbed, he concluded that he had fallen down the hatchway, that his -legs were broken, and himself jammed in between some logs of wood in the -hold, and so he began to cry lustily to those above to come down to -his rescue. - -"O, Essper George!" thought he, "how came you to set foot on salt timber -again! Had not you had enough of it in the Mediterranean and the Turkish -seas, that you must be getting aboard this lubberly Dutch galliot! for I -am sure she's Dutch by being so low in the water. Well, they may talk of -a sea-life, but for my part, I never saw the use of the Sea. Many a sad -heart it has caused, and many a sick stomach has it occasioned! The -boldest sailor climbs on board with a heavy soul, and leaps on land with -a light spirit. O! thou indifferent ape of Earth! thy houses are of wood -and thy horses of canvas; thy roads have no landmarks and thy highways -no inns; thy hills are green without grass and wet without showers! and -as for food, what art thou, O, bully Ocean! but the stable of -horse-fishes, the stall of cow-fishes, the sty of hog-fishes, and the -kennel of dog-fishes! Commend me to a fresh-water dish for meagre days! -Sea-weeds stewed with chalk may be savoury stuff for a merman; but, for -my part, give me red cabbage and cream: and as for drink, a man may live -in the midst of thee his whole life and die for thirst at the end of it! -Besides, thou blasphemous salt lake, where is thy religion? Where are -thy churches, thou heretic?" So saying Essper made a desperate effort to -crawl up the hold. His exertion set the cradle rocking with renewed -violence; and at lust dashing against the sheep-tank, that pastoral -piece of furniture was overset, and part of its contents poured upon the -inmate of the cradle. - -"Sprung a leak in the hold, by St. Nicholas!" bawled out Essper George. -"Caulkers ahoy!" - -At this moment three or four fowls, roused by the fall of the tank and -the consequent shouts of Essper, began fluttering about the rack, and at -last perched upon the cradle. "The live stock got loose'" shouted -Essper. "and the breeze getting stiffer every instant! Where is the -captain? I will see him. I am not one of the crew: I belong to the -Court! I must have cracked my skull when I fell like a lubber down that -confounded hatchway! Egad! I feel as if I had been asleep, and been -dreaming I was at Court." - -The sound of heavy footsteps was now over his head. These noises were at -once an additional proof that he was in the hold, and an additional -stimulus to his calls to those on deck. In fact, these sounds were -occasioned by the Bohemians, who always rose before break of day; and -consequently, in a few minutes, the door of the stable opened, and the -Bohemian, with a lantern in his hand, entered. - -"What do you want?" cried Essper. - -"I want my donkey" - -"You do?" said Essper. "You're the Purser, I suppose, detected keeping a -jackass among the poultry! eating all the food of our live stock, and we -having kid every day. Though both my legs are off, I'll have a fling at -you!" and so saying, Essper, aided by the light of the lantern, -scrambled out of the cradle, and taking up the sheep-tank, sent it -straight at the astonished Bohemian's head. The aim was good, and the -man fell; more, however, from fright than injury. Seizing his lantern, -which had fallen out of his hand, Essper escaped through the stable door -and rushed into the house. He found himself in the kitchen. The noise of -his entrance roused the landlord and his wife, who had been sleeping by -the fire; since, not having a single bed beside their own, they had -given that up to Vivian. The countenance of the innkeeper effectually -dispelled the clouds which had been fast clearing off from Essper's -intellect. Giving one wide stare, and then rubbing his eyes, the truth -lighted upon him, and so he sent the Bohemian's lantern at his -landlord's head. The postmaster seized the poker and the postmistress a -faggot, and as the Bohemian, who had now recovered himself, had entered -in the rear, Essper George stood a fair chance of receiving a thorough -drubbing, had not his master, roused by the suspicious noises and angry -sounds which had reached his room, entered the kitchen with his pistols. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -As it was now morning, Vivian did not again retire to rest, but took -advantage of the disturbance in the inn to continue his route at an -earlier hour than he had previously intended. - -Essper, when he found himself safely mounted, lagged behind a few -minutes to vent his spleen against the innkeeper's wife. - -"May St. Florian confound me, madam!" said Essper, addressing himself to -the lady in the window, "if ever I beheld so ugly a witch as yourself! -Pious friend! thy chaplet of roses was ill bestowed, and thou needest -not have travelled so far to light thy wax tapers at the shrine of the -Black Lady at Altoting; for by the beauty of holiness! an image of ebony -is mother of pearl to that soot-face whom thou callest thy wife. Fare -thee well! thou couple of saintly sinners! and may the next traveller -who tarries in the den of thieves qualify thee for canonisation by thy -wife's admiring pastor, the cabbage-eating Vice-Principal of Molk." - -Before the end of an hour they had to ford a rivulet running between two -high banks. The scenery just here was particularly lovely, and Vivian's -attention was so engrossed by it that he did not observe the danger -which he was about to incur. - -On the left of the road a high range of rocky mountains abruptly -descended into an open but broken country, and the other side of the -road was occasionally bounded by low undulating hills, partially covered -with dwarf woods, not high enough to obstruct the view of the distant -horizon. Rocky knolls jutted out near the base of the mountains; and on -the top of one of them, overlooked by a gigantic grey peak, stood an -ancient and still inhabited feudal castle. Round the base of this -insulated rock a rustic village peeped above the encircling nutwoods, -its rising smoke softening the hard features of the naked crag. On the -side of the village nearest to Vivian a bold sheet of water discharged -itself in three separate falls between the ravine of a wooded mountain, -and flowing round the village as a fine broad river, expanded before it -reached the foundation of the castled rock into a long and deep lake, -which was also fed by numerous streams, the gulleys only of which were -now visible down the steep sides of the mountains, their springs having -been long dried up. - -Vivian's view was interrupted by his sudden descent into the bed of the -rivulet, one of the numerous branches of the mountain torrent, and by a -crash which as immediately ensued. The spring of his carriage was -broken. The carriage fell over, but Vivian sustained no injury; and -while Essper George rode forward to the village for assistance, his -master helped the postilion to extricate the horses and secure them on -the opposite bank. They had done all that was in their power some time -before Essper returned; and Vivian, who had seated himself on some -tangled beech-roots, was prevented growing impatient by contemplating -the enchanting scenery. The postilion, on the contrary, who had -travelled this road even day of his life, and who found no gratification -in gazing upon rocks, woods, and waterfalls, lit his pipe, and -occasionally talked to his horses. So essential an attribute of the -beautiful is novelty! Essper at length made his appearance, attended by -five or six peasants, dressed in holiday costume, with some fanciful -decorations; their broad hats wreathed with wild flowers, their short -brown jackets covered with buttons and fringe, and various coloured -ribbons streaming from their knees. - -"Well, sir! the grandson is born the day the grandfather dies! a cloudy -morning has often a bright sunset' and though we are now sticking in a -ditch, by the aid of St. Florian we may be soon feasting in a castle! -Come, my merry men, I did not bring you here to show your ribbons; the -sooner you help us out of this scrape the sooner you will be again -dancing with the pretty maidens on the green! Lend a hand!" - -The calèche appeared to be so much shattered that they only ventured to -put in one horse; and Vivian, leaving his carriage in charge of Essper -and the postilion, mounted Max, and rode to the village, attended by the -peasants. He learnt from them on the way that they were celebrating the -marriage of the daughter of their lord, who, having been informed of the -accident, had commanded them to go immediately to the gentleman's -assistance, and then conduct him to the castle. - -They crossed the river over a light stone bridge of three arches, the -key-stone of the centre one being decorated with a splendidly -sculptured shield. - -"This bridge appears to be very recently built?" said Vivian to one of -his conductors. - -"It was opened, sir, for the first time yesterday, to admit the -bridegroom of my young lady, and the foundation stone was laid on the -day she was born." - -"I see that your good lord was determined that it should be a solid -structure." - -"Why, sir, it was necessary that the foundation should be strong, -because three succeeding winters it was washed away by the rush of that -mountain torrent. Turn this way, if you please, sir, through -the village." - -Vivian was much struck by the appearance of the little settlement as he -rode through it. It did not consist of more than fifty houses, but they -were all detached, and each beautifully embowered in trees. The end of -the village came upon a large rising green, leading up to the only -accessible side of the castle. It presented a most animated scene, being -covered with various groups, all intent upon different rustic -amusements. An immense pole, the stem of a gigantic fir-tree, was fixed -nearly in the centre of the green, and crowned with a chaplet, the -reward of the most active young man of the village, whose agility might -enable him to display his gallantry by presenting it to his mistress, -she being allowed to wear it during the remainder of the sports. The -middle-aged men were proving their strength by raising weights; while -the elders of the village joined in the calmer and more scientific -diversion of skittles, which in Austria are played with bowls and pins -of very great size. Others were dancing; others sitting under tents, -chattering or taking refreshments. Some were walking in pairs, -anticipating the speedy celebration of a wedding day happier to them, if -less gay to others. Even the tenderest infants on this festive day -seemed conscious of some unusual cause of excitement, and many an -urchin, throwing himself forward in a vain attempt to catch in elder -brother or a laughing sister, tried the strength of his leading-strings, -and rolled over, crowing in the soft grass. - -At the end of the green a splendid tent was erected, with a large white -bridal flag waving from its top, embroidered in gold, with a true -lover's knot. From this pavilion came forth, to welcome the strangers, -the lord of the village. He was a tall but thin bending figure, with a -florid benevolent countenance, and a quantity of long white hair. This -venerable person cordially offered his hand to Vivian, regretted his -accident, but expressed much pleasure that he had come to partake of -their happiness. "Yesterday," continued he, "was my daughter's wedding -day, and both myself and our humble friends are endeavouring to forget, -in this festive scene, our approaching loss and separation. If you had -come yesterday you would have assisted at the opening of my new bridge. -Pray what do you think of it? But I will show it to you myself, which I -assure you will give me great pleasure; at present let me introduce you -to my family, who will be quite happy to see you. It is a pity that you -have missed the Regatta; my daughter is just going to reward the -successful candidate. You see the boats upon the lake; the one with the -white and purple streamer was the conqueror. You will have the pleasure, -too, of seeing my son-in-law; I am sure you will like him; he quite -enjoys our sports. We shall have a fête champêtre to-morrow, and a dance -on the green to-night." - -The old gentleman paused for want of breath, and having stood a moment -to recover himself, he introduced his new guests to the inmates of the -tent: first, his maiden sister, a softened facsimile of himself; behind -her stood his beautiful and blushing daughter, the youthful bride, -wearing on her head a coronal of white roses, and supported by three -bridesmaids, the only relief to whose snowy dresses were large bouquets -on their left side. The bridegroom was at first shaded by the curtain; -but as he came forward Vivian started when he recognised his Heidelburg -friend, Eugene von Konigstein! - -Their mutual delight and astonishment were so great that for an instant -neither of them could speak; but when the old man learnt from his -son-in-law that the stranger was his most valued and intimate friend, -and one to whom he was under great personal obligations, he absolutely -declared that he would have the wedding, to witness which appeared to -him the height of human felicity, solemnised over again. The bride -blushed, the bridesmaids tittered, the joy was universal. - -Vivian inquired after the Baron. He learnt from Eugene that he had -quitted Europe about a month, having sailed as Minister to one of the -New American States. "My uncle," continued the young man, "was neither -well nor in spirits before his departure. I cannot understand why he -plagues himself so about politics; however, I trust he will like his new -appointment. You found him, I am sure, a delightful companion." - -"Come! you two young gentlemen," said the father-in-law, "put off your -chat till the evening. The business of the day stops, for I see the -procession coming forward to receive the Regatta prize. Now, my dear! -where is the scarf? You know what to say? Remember, I particularly wish -to do honour to the victor! The sight of all these happy faces makes me -feel quite young again. I declare I think I shall live a hundred years!" - -The procession advanced. First came a band of young children strewing -flowers, then followed four stout boys carrying a large purple and white -banner. The victor, proudly preceding the other candidates, strutted -forward, with his hat on one side, a light scull decorated with purple -and white ribbons in his right hand, and his left arm round his wife's -waist. The wife, a beautiful young woman, to whom were clinging two fat -flaxen-headed children, was the most interesting figure in the -procession. Her tight dark bodice set off her round full figure, and her -short red petticoat displayed her springy foot and ancle. Her neatly -braided and plaited hair was partly concealed by a silk cap, covered -with gold spangled gauze, flattened rather at the top, and finished at -the back of the head with a large bow. This costly head-gear, the -highest fashion of her class, was presented to the wearer by the bride, -and was destined to be kept for festivals. After the victor and his wife -came six girls and six boys, at the side of whom walked a very bustling -personage in black, who seemed extremely interested about the decorum of -the procession. A long train of villagers succeeded. - -"Well!" said the old Lord to Vivian, "this must be a very gratifying -sight to you! How fortunate that your carriage broke down just at my -castle! I think my dear girl is acquitting herself admirably. Ah! Eugene -is a happy fellow, and I have no doubt that she will be happy too. The -young sailor receives his honours very properly: they are as nice a -family as I know. Observe, they are moving off now to make way for the -pretty girls and boys. That person in black is our Abbé, as benevolent, -worthy a creature as ever lived! and very clever too: you will see in a -minute. Now they are going to give us a little bridal chorus, after the -old fashion, and it is all the Abbé's doing. I understand that there is -an elegant allusion to my new bridge in it, which I think will please -you. Who ever thought that bridge would be opened for my girl's wedding? -Well! I am glad that it was not finished before. But we must be silent' -You will notice that part about the bridge; it is in the fifth verse, I -am told, beginning with something about Hymen, and ending with something -about roses." - -By this time the procession had formed a semicircle before the tent, the -Abbé standing In the middle, with a paper in his hand, and dividing the -two hands of choristers. He gave a signal with his cane, and the girls -commenced:-- - - _Chorus of Maidens_ - -Hours fly! it is Morn; he has left the bed of love! She follows him with -a strained eye when his figure is no longer seen; she leans her head -upon her arm. She is faithful to him as the lake to the mountain! - - _Chorus of Youths_ - -Hours fly! it is Noon; fierce is the restless sun! While he labours he -thinks of her! while he controls others he will obey her! A strong man -subdued by love is like a vineyard silvered by the moon! - - _Chorus of Youths and Maidens_ - -Hours fly! it is Eve; the soft star lights him to his home; she meets -him as his shadow falls on the threshold! she smiles, and their child, -stretching forth its tender hands from its mother's bosom, struggles to -lisp "Father!" - - _Chorus of Maidens_ - -Years glide! it is Youth; they sit within a secret bower. Purity is in -her raptured eyes, Faith in his warm embrace. He must fly! He kisses his -farewell: the fresh tears are on her cheek! He has gathered a lily with -the dew upon its leaves! - - _Chorus of Youths_ - -Years glide! it is Manhood. He is in the fierce Camp: he is in the -deceitful Court. He must mingle sometimes with others, that he may be -always with her! In the false world, she is to him like a green olive -among rocks! - - _Chorus of Youths and Maidens_ - -Years glide! it is Old Age. They sit beneath a branching elm. As the -moon rises on the sunset green, their children dance before them! Her -hand is in his; they look upon their children, and then upon each other! - -"The fellow has some fancy," said the old Lord, "but given, I think, to -conceits. I did not exactly catch the passage about the bridge, but I -have no doubt it was all right." - -Vivian was now invited to the pavilion, where refreshments were -prepared. Here our hero was introduced to many other guests, relations -of the family, who were on a visit at the castle, and who had been on -the lake at the moment of his arrival. - -"This gentleman," said the old Lord, pointing to Vivian, "is my son's -friend, and I am quite sure that you are all delighted to see him. He -arrived here accidentally, his carriage having fortunately broken down -in passing one of the streams. All those rivulets should have bridges -built over them! I could look at my new bridge for ever. I often ask -myself, 'Now, how can such a piece of masonry ever be destroyed?' It -seems quite impossible, does not it? We all know that everything has an -end; and yet, whenever I look at that bridge, I often think that it can -only end when all things end." - -In the evening they all waltzed upon the green. The large yellow moon -had risen, and a more agreeable sight than to witness two or three -hundred persons so gaily occupied, and in such a scene, is not easy to -imagine. How beautiful was the stern old castle, softened by the -moonlight, the illumined lake, the richly-silvered foliage of the woods, -and the white brilliant cataract! - -As the castle was quite full of visitors, its hospitable master had -lodged Vivian for the night at the cottage of one of his favourite -tenants. Nothing would give greater pleasure to Vivian than this -circumstance, nor more annoyance to the worthy old gentleman. - -The cottage belonged to the victor in the Regatta, who himself conducted -the visitor to his dwelling. Vivian did not press Essper's leaving the -revellers, so great an acquisition did he seem to their sports! teaching -them a thousand new games, and playing all manner of antics; but perhaps -none of his powers surprised them more than the extraordinary facility -and freedom with which he had acquired and used all their names. The -cottager's pretty wife had gone home an hour before her husband, to put -her two fair-haired children to bed and prepare her guest's -accommodation for the night. Nothing could be more romantic and lovely -than the situation of the cottage. It stood just on the gentle slope of -the mountain's base, not a hundred yards from the lower waterfall. It -was in the middle of a patch of highly-cultivated ground, which bore -creditable evidence to the industry of its proprietor. Fruit trees, -Turkey corn, vines, and flax flourished in luxuriance. The dwelling -itself was covered with myrtle and arbutus, and the tall lemon-plant -perfumed the window of the sitting-room. The casement of Vivian's -chamber opened full on the foaming cataract. The distant murmur of the -mighty waterfall, the gentle sighing of the trees, the soothing -influence of the moonlight, and the faint sounds occasionally caught of -dying revelry, the joyous exclamation of some successful candidate in -the day's games, the song of some returning lover, the plash of an oar -in the lake: all combined to produce that pensive mood in which we find -ourselves involuntarily reviewing the history of our life. - -As Vivian was musing over the last harassing months of his burthensome -existence he could not help feeling that there was only one person in -the world on whom his memory could dwell with solace and satisfaction, -and this person was Lady Madeleine Trevor! - -It was true that with her he had passed some agonising hours; but he -could not forget the angelic resignation with which her own affliction -had been borne, and the soothing converse by which his had been -alleviated. This train of thought was pursued till his aching mind sunk -into indefiniteness. He sat for some little time almost unconscious of -existence, till the crying of a child, waked by its father's return, -brought him back to the present scene. His thoughts naturally ran to his -friend Eugene. Surely this youthful bridegroom might reckon upon -happiness! Again Lady Madeleine recurred to him. Suddenly he observed a -wonderful appearance in the sky. The moon was paled in the high heavens, -and surrounded by luminous rings, almost as vividly tinted as the -rainbow, spreading and growing fainter, till they covered nearly half -the firmament. It was a glorious and almost unprecedented halo! - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -The sun rose red, the air was thick and hot. Anticipating that the day -would be very oppressive, Vivian and Essper were on their horses' backs -at an early hour. Already, however, many of the rustic revellers were -about, and preparations were commencing for the fête champêtre, which -this day was to close the wedding festivities. Many and sad were the -looks which Essper George cast behind him at the old castle on the lake. -"No good luck can come of it!" said he to his horse; for Vivian did not -encourage conversation. "O! master of mine, when wilt thou know the -meaning of good quarters! To leave such a place, and at such a time! -Why, Turriparva was nothing to it! The day before marriage and the hour -before death is when a man thinks least of his purse and most of his -neighbour. O! man, man, what art thou, that the eye of a girl can make -thee so pass all discretion that thou wilt sacrifice for the whim of a -moment good cheer enough to make thee last an age!" - -Vivian had intended to stop and breakfast after riding about ten miles; -but he had not proceeded half that way when, from the extreme sultriness -of the morning, he found it impossible to advance without refreshment. -Max, also, to his rider's surprise, was much distressed; and, on turning -round to his servant, Vivian found Essper's hack panting and puffing, -and breaking out, as if, instead of commencing their day's work, they -were near reaching their point of destination. - -"Why, how now, Essper? One would think that we had been riding all -night. What ails the beast?" - -"In truth, sir, that which ails its rider; the poor dumb brute has more -sense than some who have the gift of speech. Who ever heard of a horse -leaving good quarters without much regretting the indiscretion?" - -"The closeness of the air is so oppressive that I do not wonder at even -Max being distressed. Perhaps when the sun is higher, and has cleared -away the vapours, it may be more endurable: as it is, I think we had -better stop at once and breakfast here. This wood is as inviting as, I -trust, are the contents of your basket!" - -"St. Florian devour them!" said Essper, in a very pious voice, "if I -agree not with you, sir; and as for the basket, although we have left -the land of milk and honey, by the blessing of our Black Lady! I have -that within it which would put courage in the heart of a caught mouse. -Although we may not breakfast on bridecake and beccaficos, yet is a -neat's tongue better than a fox's tail; and I have ever held a bottle of -Rhenish to be superior to rain-water, even though the element be -filtered through a gutter. Nor, by All Saints! have I forgotten a bottle -of Kerchen Wasser from the Black Forest, nor a keg of Dantzic brandy, a -glass of which, when travelling at night, I am ever accustomed to take -after my prayers; for I have always observed that, though devotion doth -sufficiently warm up the soul, the body all the time is rather the -colder for stopping under a tree to tell its beads." - -The travellers accordingly led their horses a few yards into the wood, -and soon met, as they had expected, with a small green glade. It was -surrounded, except at the slight opening by which they had entered it, -with fine Spanish chestnut trees, which now, loaded with their large -brown fruit, rich and ripe, clustered in the starry foliage, afforded a -retreat as beautiful to the eye as its shade was grateful to their -senses. Vivian dismounted, and, stretching out his legs, leant back -against the trunk of a tree: and Essper, having fastened Max and his own -horse to some branches, proceeded to display his stores. Vivian was -silent, thoughtful, and scarcely tasted anything: Essper George, on the -contrary, was in unusual and even troublesome spirits, and had not his -appetite necessarily produced a few pauses in his almost perpetual -rattle, the patience of his master would have been fairly worn out. At -length Essper had devoured the whole supply; and as Vivian not only did -not encourage his remarks, but even in a peremptory manner had desired -his silence, he was fain to amuse himself by trying to catch in his -mouth a large brilliant fly which every instant was dancing before him. -Two individuals more singularly contrasting in their appearance than the -master and the servant could scarcely be conceived; and Vivian, lying -with his back against a tree, with his legs stretched out, his arms -folded, and his eyes fixed on the ground; and Essper, though seated, in -perpetual motion, and shifting his posture with feverish restlessness, -now looking over his shoulder for the fly, then making an unsuccessful -bite at it, and then, wearied with his frequent failures, amusing -himself with acting Punch with his thumbs; altogether presenting two -figures, which might have been considered as not inapt personifications -of the rival systems of Ideality and Materialism. - -At length Essper became silent for the sake of variety, and imagining, -from his master's example, that there must be some sweets in meditation -hitherto undiscovered by him, he imitated Vivian's posture! So perverse -is human nature, that the moment Vivian was aware that Essper was -perfectly silent, he began to feel an inclination to converse with him. - -"Why, Essper!" said he, looking up and smiling, "this is the first time -during our acquaintance that I have ever seen thought upon your brow. -What can now be puzzling your wild brain?" - -"I was thinking, sir," said Essper, with a very solemn look, "that if -there were a deceased field-mouse here I would moralise on death." - -"What! turned philosopher!" - -"Ay! sir, it appears to me," said he, taking up a husk which lay on the -turf, "that there is not a nutshell in Christendom which may not become -matter for very grave meditation!" - -"Can you expound that?" - -"Verily, sir, the whole philosophy of life seems to me to consist in -discovering the kernel. When you see a courtier out of favour or a -merchant out of credit, when you see a soldier without pillage, a sailor -without prize money, and a lawyer without paper, a bachelor with -nephews, and an old maid with nieces, be assured the nut is not worth -the cracking, and send it to the winds, as I do this husk at present." - -"Why, Essper!" said Vivian, laughing, "Considering that you have taken -your degree so lately, you wear the Doctor's cap with authority! Instead -of being in your noviciate, one would think that you had been a -philosopher long enough to have outlived your system." - -"Bless you, sir, for philosophy, I sucked it in with my mother's milk. -Nature then gave me the hint, which I have ever since acted on, and I -hold that the sum of all learning consists in milking another man's cow. -So much for the recent acquisition of my philosophy! I gained it, you -see, sir, with the first wink of my eye; and though I lost a great -portion of it by sea-sickness in the Mediterranean, nevertheless, since -I served your Lordship, I have resumed my old habits, and do opine that -this vain globe is but a large football to be kicked and cuffed about by -moody philosophers!" - -"You must have seen a great deal in your life, Essper," said Vivian. - -"Like all great travellers." said Essper, "I have seen more than I -remember, and remember more than I have seen." - -"Have you any objection to go to the East again?" asked Vivian. "It -would require but little persuasion to lead me there." - -"I would rather go to a place where the religion is easier; I wish, sir, -you would take me to England!" - -"Nay, not there with me, if with others." - -"With you, or with none." - -"I cannot conceive, Essper, what can induce you to tie up your fortunes -with those of such a sad-looking personage as myself." - -"In truth, sir, there is no accounting for tastes. My grandmother loved -a brindled cat!" - -"Your grandmother, Essper! Nothing would amuse me more than to be -introduced to your family." - -"My family, sir, are nothing more nor less than what all of us must be -counted, worms of five feet long, mortal angels, the world's epitome, -heaps of atoms which Nature has kneaded with blood into solid flesh, -little worlds of living clay, sparks of heaven, inches of earth, -Nature's quintessence, moving dust, the little all, smooth-faced -cherubim, in whose souls the Ring of stars has drawn the image -of Himself!" - -"And how many years has breathed the worm of five feet long that I am -now speaking to?" - -"Good, my Lord, I was no head at calculating from a boy; but I do -remember that I am two days older than one of the planets." - -"How is that?" - -"There was one born in the sky, sir, the day I was christened with a -Turkish crescent." - -"Come, Essper," said Vivian, who was rather interested by the -conversation; Essper, having, until this morning, skilfully avoided any -discourse upon the subject of his birth or family, adroitly turning the -conversation whenever it chanced to approach these subjects, and -silencing inquiries, if commenced, by some ludicrous and evidently -fictitious answer. "Come, Essper," said Vivian, "I feel by no means in -the humour to quit this shady retreat. You and I have now known each -other long, and gone through much together. It is but fair that I should -become better acquainted with one who, to me, is not only a faithful -servant, but what is more valuable, a faithful friend, I might now -almost add, my only one. What say you to whiling away a passing hour by -giving me some sketch of your curious and adventurous life? If there be -anything that you wish to conceal, pass it over; but no invention, -nothing but the truth, if you please; the whole truth, if you like." - -"Why, sweet sir, as for this odd knot of soul and body, which none but -the hand of Heaven could have twined, it was first seen, I believe, near -the very spot where we are now sitting; for my mother, when I saw her -first and last, lived in Bohemia. She was an Egyptian, and came herself -from the Levant. I lived a week, sir, in the Seraglio when I was at -Constantinople, and I saw there the brightest women of all countries, -Georgians, and Circassians, and Poles; in truth, sir, nature's -masterpieces. And yet, by the Gods of all nations! there was not one of -them half so lovely as the lady who gave me this tongue!" Here Essper -exhibited at full length the enormous feature which had so much enraged -the one-eyed sergeant at Frankfort. - -"When I first remember myself," he continued, "I was playing with some -other gipsy-boys in the midst of a forest. Here was our settlement! It -was large and powerful. My mother, probably from her beauty, possessed -great influence, particularly among the men; and yet I found not among -them all a father. On the contrary, every one of my companions had a man -whom he reverenced as his parent, and who taught him to steal; but I -was called by the whole tribe the mother-son, and was honest from my -first year out of mere wilfulness; at least, if I stole anything, it was -always from our own people. Many were the quarrels I occasioned, since, -presuming on my mother's love and power, I never called mischief a -scrape; but acting just as my fancy took me, I left those who suffered -by my conduct to apologise for my ill-behaviour. Being thus an idle, -unprofitable, impudent, and injurious member of this pure community, -they determined one day to cast me out from their bosom; and in spite of -my mother's exertions and entreaties, the ungrateful vipers succeeded in -their purpose. As a compliment to my parent, they allowed me to tender -my resignation, instead of receiving my expulsion. My dear mother gave -me a donkey, a wallet, and a ducat, a great deal of advice about my -future conduct, and, what was more interesting to me, much information -about my birth. - -"'Sweet child of my womb!' said my mother, pressing me to her bosom; 'be -proud of thy white hands and straight nose! Thou gottest them not from -me, and thou shalt take them from whence they came. Thy father is a -Hungarian Prince; and though I would not have parted with thee, had I -thought that thou wouldst ever have prospered in our life, even if he -had made thee his child of the law and lord of his castle, still, as -thou canst not tarry with us, haste thou to him! Give him this ring and -this lock of hair; tell him none have seen them but the father, the -mother, and the child! He will look on them, and remember the days that -are passed; and thou shalt be unto him as a hope for his lusty years and -a prop for his old age.' - -"My mother gave me all necessary directions, which I well remembered, -and much more advice, which I directly forgot. - -"Although tempted, now that I was a free man, to follow my own fancy, I -still was too curious to sec what kind of a person was my unknown father -to deviate either from my route or my maternal instructions, and in a -fortnight's time I had reached my future Principality. - -"The Sun sank behind the proud castle of my princely father, as, -trotting slowly along upon my humble beast, with my wallet slung at my -side, I approached it through his park. A guard, consisting of twenty or -thirty men in magnificent uniforms, were lounging at the portal. I--but -sir, sir, what is the meaning of this darkness? I always made a vow to -myself that I never would tell my history. Ah! what ails me?" - -A large eagle fell dead at their feet. - -"Protect me, master!" screamed Essper, seizing Vivian by the shoulder; -"what is coming? I cannot stand; the earth seems to tremble! Is it the -wind that roars and rages? or is it ten thousand cannon blowing this -globe to atoms?" - -"It is, it must be the wind!" said Vivian, agitated. "We are not safe -under these trees: look to the horses!" - -"I will," said Essper, "if I can stand. Out of the forest! Ah, look at -Max!" - -Vivian turned, and beheld his spirited horse raised on his hind legs, -and dashing his fore feet against the trunk of a tree to which they had -tied him. The terrified and furious creature was struggling to disengage -himself, and would probably have sustained or inflicted some terrible -injury, had not the wind suddenly hushed. Covered with foam, he stood -panting, while Vivian patted and encouraged him. Essper's less spirited -beast had, from the first, crouched upon the earth, covered with sweat, -his limbs quivering and his tongue hanging out. - -"Master!" said Essper, "what shall we do? Is there any chance of getting -back to the castle? I am sure our very lives are in danger. See that -tremendous cloud! It looks like eternal night! Whither shall we go; what -shall we do?" - -"Make for the castle!" said Vivian, mounting. - -They had just got into the road when another terrific gust of wind -nearly took them off their horses, and blinded them with the clouds of -sand which it drove out of the crevices of the mountains. - -They looked round on every side, and Hope gave way before the scene of -desolation. Immense branches were shivered from the largest trees; small -ones were entirely stripped of their leaves; the long grass was bowed to -the earth; the waters were whirled in eddies out of the little rivulets; -birds deserting their nests to shelter in the crevices of the rocks, -unable to stem the driving air, flapped their wings and fell upon the -earth: the frightened animals in the plain, almost suffocated by the -impetuosity of the wind, sought safety, and found destruction: some of -the largest trees were torn up by the roots; the sluices of the -mountains were filled, and innumerable torrents rushed down before empty -gulleys. The heavens now open, and lightning and thunder contend with -the horrors of the wind! - -In a moment all was again hushed. Dead silence succeeded the bellow of -the thunder, the roar of the wind, the rush of the waters, the moaning -of the beasts, the screaming of the birds! Nothing was heard save the -splashing of the agitated lake as it beat up against the black rocks -which girt it in. - -"Master!" again said Essper, "is this the day of doom?" - -"Keep by my side. Essper; keep close, make the best of this pause: let -us but reach the village!" - -Scarcely had Vivian spoken when greater darkness enveloped the trembling -earth. Again the heavens were rent with lightning, which nothing could -have quenched but the descending deluge. Cataracts poured down from the -lowering firmament. In an instant the horses dashed round; beast and -rider, blinded and stifled by the gushing rain, and gasping for breath. -Shelter was nowhere. The quivering beasts reared, and snorted, and sank -upon their knees. The horsemen were dismounted. Vivian succeeded in -hoodwinking Max, who was still furious: the other horse appeared nearly -exhausted. Essper, beside himself with terror, could only hang over -his neck. - -Another awful calm. - -"Courage, Essper!" said Vivian. "We are still safe: look up, man! the -storm cannot last long thus; and see! I am sure the clouds are -breaking." - -The heavy mass of vapour which had seemed to threaten the earth with -instant destruction suddenly parted. The red and lurid Sun was visible, -but his light and heat were quenched in the still impending waters. - -"Mount, Essper!" said Vivian, "this is our only chance: five minutes' -good speed will take us to the village." - -Encouraged by his master's example, Essper once more got upon his horse, -and the panting animals, relieved by the cessation of the hurricane, -carried them at a fair pace towards the village, considering that their -road was now impeded by the overflowing of the lake. - -"Master!" said Essper, "cannot we get out of these waters?" - -He had scarcely spoken before a terrific burst, a noise, they knew not -what, a rush they could not understand, a vibration which shook them on -their horses, made them start back and again dismount. Every terror -sank before the appalling roar of the cataract. It seemed that the -mighty mountain, unable to support its weight of waters, shook to the -foundation. A lake had burst on its summit, and the cataract became a -falling Ocean. The source of the great deep appeared to be discharging -itself over the range of mountains; the great grey peak tottered on its -foundations! It shook! it fell! and buried in its ruins the castle, the -village, and the bridge! - -Vivian with starting eyes beheld the whole washed away; instinct gave -him energy to throw himself on the back of his horse: a breath, and he -had leaped up the nearest hill! Essper George, in a state of -distraction, was madly laughing as he climbed to the top of a high tree: -his horse was carried off in the drowning waters, which had now -reached the road. - -"The desolation is complete!" thought Vivian. At this moment the wind -again rose, the rain again descended, the heavens again opened, the -lightning again flashed! An amethystine flame hung upon rocks and -waters, and through the raging elements a yellow fork darted its fatal -point at Essper's resting-place. The tree fell! Vivian's horse, with a -maddened snort, dashed down the hill; his master, senseless, clung to -his neck; the frantic animal was past all government; he stood upright -in the air, flung his rider, and fell dead! - -Here leave we Vivian! It was my wish to have detailed, in the present -portion of this work, the singular adventures which befell him in one of -the most delightful of modern cities, light-hearted Vienna! But his -history has expanded under my pen, and I fear that I have, even now, too -much presumed upon an attention which I am not entitled to command. I -am, as yet, but standing without the gate of the Garden of Romance. True -it is, that as I gaze through the ivory bars of its Golden Portal, I -would fain believe that, following my roving fancy, I might arrive at -some green retreats hitherto unexplored, and loiter among some leafy -bowers where none have lingered before me. But these expectations may be -as vain as those dreams of Youth over which all have mourned. The -Disappointment of Manhood succeeds to the delusion of Youth: let us hope -that the heritage of Old Age is not Despair. - - -THE END - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Vivian Grey, by -Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIVIAN GREY *** - -***** This file should be named 9840-8.txt or 9840-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/9/8/4/9840/ - -Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Charlie -Kirschner and PG Distributed Proofreaders - - -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. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.net/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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.net - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.net - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |