Caroline took advantage of the opportunity of returning home with her brother Alfred, when he went to the country to prepare Clermont-Park for the reception of Lord Oldborough. And now she saw her home again with more than wonted delight. Every thing animate and inanimate seemed to smile upon her, every heart rejoiced at her return, and she enjoyed equally the pleasure of loving, and of being beloved by such friends.——She had been amused and admired during her residence in London, but a life of dissipation she had always thought, and now she was convinced from experience, could never suit her taste or character. She would immediately have resumed her former occupations, if Rosamond would have permitted, but Rosamond took entire possession of her at every moment when her father or mother had not claimed their prior right to hear and to be heard. "Caroline, my dear, don't flatter yourself that you shall be left in peace ... See!——she is sitting down to write a letter, as if she had not been away from us these six months ... You must write to Lady Jane Granville!——Well, finish your gratitude quickly——and no more writing, reading, or drawing, this day, you must think of nothing but talking, or listening to me."
Much as she loved talking in general, Rosamond now so far preferred the pleasure of hearing, that, with her eyes fixed on Caroline, her countenance varying with every variety of Caroline's expression, she sat perfectly silent all the time her sister spoke.——And scarcely was her voice heard, even in exclamation.——But, during the pauses of narrative, when the pause lasted more than a minute, she would say,
"Go on, my dear Caroline, go on.——Tell us something more."
The conversation was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Mr. Temple——and Rosamond did not immediately find her fluency of speech increase. Mr. Temple had seized the first moment that duty and gratitude to his master and friend permitted, to hasten to the Hills, nor had Lord Oldborough been unmindful of his feelings. Little as his Lordship was disposed to think of love affairs, it seems he recollected those of his secretary, for, the morning after their arrival at Clermont-Park, when he proffered his services, Lord Oldborough said, that he had only to trouble Mr. Temple to pay a visit for him, if it would not be disagreeable, to his old friend Mr. Percy. ——"Tell him that I know his first wish will be to come to show me, that it is the man, not the minister, for whom he had a regard. Tell him this proof of his esteem is unnecessary——he will wish to see me for another reason——he is a philosopher——and will have a philosophical curiosity to discover how I exist without ambition.——But of that he cannot yet form a judgment——nor can I. ——Therefore, if he pleases, let his visit be delayed till next week.——I have some papers to arrange, which I should wish to show him, and I cannot have them sooner in readiness.——If you, Mr Temple, can contrive to pass this week at Mr. Percy's, let me not detain you.——There is no fear," added he, smiling, "that in solitude I should be troubled by the spectre, which haunted the Duke of Lerma in his retirement."
Never was man happier than Mr. Temple, when he found himself in the midst of the family circle at the Hills, and seated beside his mistress, free from all cares, all business, all intrigues of courtiers, and restraints of office, no longer in the horrors of attendance and dependance, but with the promise of a competent provision for life, with the consciousness of it's having been honorably obtained; and, to brighten all, the hope, the delightful hope, of soon prevailing on the woman he loved, to become his for ever.
Alfred Percy had been obliged to return directly to London, and for once in his life Mr. Temple profited by the absence of his friend. In the small house at the Hills, Alfred's was the only room that could have been spared for him, and in this room, scarcely fourteen feet square, the ex-secretary found himself lodged more entirely to his satisfaction, than he had ever been in the sumptuous apartments of the great. The happy are not fastidious as to their accommodations, they never miss the painted ceiling, or the long arcade, and their slumbers require no bed of down.——The lover's only fear was, that this happy week would pass too swiftly; and, indeed, time flew unperceived by him, and by Rosamond. One fine day, after dinner, Mrs. Percy proposed, that instead of sitting longer in the house, they should have their desert of strawberries in some pleasant place in the lawn or wood. Rosamond eagerly seconded this proposal, and whispered,
Thither they went. This bower of Caroline's, this favorite spot, Rosamond, during her sister's absence, had taken delight in ornamenting, and it did credit as much to her taste, as to her kindness. She had opened a view on one side, to a waterfall among the rocks, on the other, to a winding path descending through the glen. Honeysuckle, rose, and eglantine, near the bower, were in rich and wild profusion; all these, the song of birds, and even the smell of the new mown grass, seemed peculiarly delightful to Mr. Temple. Of late years, he had been doomed to close confinement in a capital city; but all his tastes were rural, and, as he said, he feared he should expose himself to the ridicule Dr. Johnson throws on those, "who talk of sheep and goats, and who babble of green fields."
Mr. Percy thought Dr. Johnson was rather too intolerant of rural description, and of the praises of a country life, but acknowledged, that he quite agreed with him in disliking pastorals——excepting always that beautiful pastoral, "The Gentle Shepherd."——Mr. Percy said, that, in his opinion, a life purely pastoral must, if it could be realised, prove as insufferably tiresome in reality, as it usually is found to be in fiction. He hated Delias and shepherdesses, and declared that he should soon grow tired of any companion, with whom he had no other occupation in common but "tending a few sheep." There was a vast difference, he thought, between pastoral and domestic life. His idea of domestic life comprised all the varieties of literature, exercise, and amusement for the faculties, with the delights of cultivated society.
The conversation turned from pastoral life and pastorals, to Scotch and English ballads and songs. Their various merits of simplicity, pathos, or elegance, were compared and discussed. After "the Reliques of Ancient Poetry" had been sufficiently admired, Rosamond and Caroline mentioned two modern compositions, both by the same author, each exquisite in it's different style of poetry, one beautiful, the other sublime. Rosamond's favorite, was "the Exile of Erin."——Caroline's "the Mariners of England!" To justify their tastes, they repeated the poems. Caroline fixed the attention of the company on the flag, which has
"Brav'd a thousand years the battle and the breeze," when suddenly her own attention seemed to be distracted by some object in the glen below. She endeavored to go on, but her voice faltered, her color changed. Rosamond, whose quick eye followed her sister's, instantly caught a glimpse of a gentleman coming up the path from the glen. Rosamond started from her seat, and clasping her hands, exclaimed,
"It is! It is he!——It is Count Altenberg!"
They had not recovered from their astonishment, when Count Altenberg stood before them.——To Mr. Percy, to Mrs. Percy, to Rosamond, to each he spoke, before he said one word to Caroline.——But one look had said all, had spoken, and had been understood.
That he was not married she was certain——for that look said he loved her——and her confidence in his honor was secure. Whatever had delayed his return, or had been mysterious in his conduct, she felt convinced, that he had never been to blame.——
And on his part did he read as distinctly the truth in her countenance?——Was the high color, the radiant pleasure in that countenance unmarked?——The joy was so veiled by feminine modesty, that he doubted, trembled, and if at last the rapid feelings ended in hope, it was respectful hope. With deference the most marked, mingled with dignity, tenderness, and passion, he approached Caroline. He was too delicate, too well-bred, to distress her by distinguishing her more particularly, but as he took the seat, which she left for him beside her mother, the open and serene expression of her eye, with the soft sound of her voice, in the few words she answered to what he said, were enough to set his heart at ease. The sight of Mr. Temple had at first alarmed the Count, but the alarm was only momentary. One glance at Rosamond reassured him.
Ideas, which it requires many words to tell, passed instantaneously with the rapidity of light.——After they were seated, some minutes were spent in common-place questions and answers, such as those, which Benjamin Franklin would wisely put all together into one formula, to satisfy curiosity. Count Altenberg landed the preceding day, had not stopped to see any one in England, had not even heard of Lord Oldborough's resignation; had proceeded directly to the Hills, had left his equipage at a town a few miles distant——thought he had been fully master of the well-known road, but, the approach having been lately changed, he had missed his way.
This settled, to make room for a more interesting explanation, Mr. Temple had the politeness to withdraw. Rosamond had the humanity, and Caroline the discretion, to accompany him in his walk.
Count Altenberg then said, addressing himself to Mr. Percy, on whose regard he seemed to have reliance, and to Mrs. Percy, whom he appeared most anxious to interest in his favor.
"You certainly, Sir, as a man of penetration, and a father; you, madam, as a mother, and as a lady, who must have been accustomed to the admiration of our sex, could not avoid seeing, when I was in this country before, that I felt the highest admiration, that I had formed the strongest attachment for your daughter?——Miss Caroline Percy."
Mr. and Mrs. Percy both acknowledged, that they thought Count Altenberg had shown some preference for Caroline; but as he had never declared his attachment, they had not felt themselves justified in inferring more from his attentions, than his general good opinion. ——A change in his manner, which they observed shortly before they quitted Hungerford-Castle, had impressed them with the idea, that he had no such views as they had once been led to imagine, and their never having heard any thing from him since, had confirmed them in this belief.
"Painful. ... exquisitely painful, as it was to me," said Count Altenberg, "I felt myself bound in honor to leave you in that error, and at all hazards to myself, to suffer you to continue under that persuasion, as I was then, and have been till within these few days, in dread of being obliged to fulfil an engagement, made without my concurrence or knowledge, and which must for ever have precluded me from indulging the first wish of my heart.——The moment, literally the moment I was at liberty, I hastened hither, to declare my real sentiments, and to solicit your permission to address your daughter.——But before I can expect that permission, before I can hope for your approbation of my suit, an approbation, which I am well aware, must depend entirely upon your opinion of my character——I must, to explain whatever may have appeared unintelligible in my conduct, be permitted to make you fully acquainted with the circumstances, in which I have been placed.
Beginning with the history of his father's letters and his own, respecting the projected marriage with the Countess Christina, he related, nearly as follows, all that passed, after his having, in obdience to his father's summons, returned home.——He found contracts drawn up and ready for his signature——the friends of both families apprised of the proposed alliance, and every thing actually prepared for his marriage. Remonstrances with his father were vain.——The old Count said that it was impossible to break off the match, that his honor and the honor of his house was pledged.——But independently of all promises, he considered the accomplishment of this marriage as most desirable and advantageous; with all the vehemence of affection, and all the force of parental authority, he charged his son to fulfil his engagements. The old Count was a fond, but an imperious father; a good, but an ambitious man. It was his belief, that love is such a transient passion, that it is folly to sacrifice to it's indulgence any of the solid and permanent interests of life. His experience at courts, and his observation on the gallantries of young princes and nobles, had taught him to believe, that love is not only a transient, but a variable and capricious feeling, easily changing it's object, and subsisting only by novelty. All that his son said of his attachment to Caroline, of the certainty of it's permanence, and of it's being essential to the happiness of his life, the father heard, but as the common language of every youth in love. ——He let his son speak without interruption, but smiled incredulous, and listened only as to the voice of one in the paroxysm of a passion, which, however violent, would necessarily subside.——Between the fits, he endeavored to control the fever of his mind, and as a spell repeated these words,
"Albert! see and hear the young Countess Christina——but once——I ask no more."
Albert, with the respect due to a father, but with the firmness due to himself, and with all the courage, which love only could have given to oppose the authority and affection of a parent, refused to ratify the contract that had been prepared, and declined the proposed interview.——He doubted not, he said, that the lady was all his father described, beautiful, amiable, and of transcendent talents, he doubted not her power to win any, but a heart already won. He would enter into no invidious comparisons, nor bid defiance to her charms——his own choice was made, he was sure of his constancy, and he thought it not only the most honorable course, but the most respectful to the Lady Christina, ingenuously at once, and without having any interview with her, or her friends, to state the truth——that the treaty had been commenced by his father without his knowledge, and carried on under total ignorance of an attachment he had formed in England. The father, after some expressions of anger and disappointment was silent, and appeared to acquiesce. He no longer openly urged the proposed interview, but he secretly contrived that it should take place. At a masked ball at court, Count Albert entered into conversation with a Minerva, whose majestic air and figure distinguished her above her companions, whose language, thoughts, and sentiments, perfectly sustained the character which she assumed. ——He was struck with admiration by her talents, and by a certain elevation of thought and sentiment, which, in all she said, seemed the habitual expression of a real character, not the strained language of a feigned personage.——She took off her mask——he was dazzled by her beauty——They were at this moment surrounded by numbers of her friends and of his, who were watching the effect produced by this interview.——His father, satisfied by the admiration he saw in Count Albert's countenance, when they both took off their masks, approached and whispered——"The Countess, Christina."——Count Altenberg grew pale, and for a moment stood in silent consternation. The lady smiled with an air of haughty superiority, which in some degree relieved him, by calling his own pride to his aid, and by convincing him, that tenderness, or feminine timidity, which he would have most dreaded to wound, were not the characteristics of her mind.——He instantly asked permission to pay his respects to her at her father's palace the ensuing day.——-She changed color——darted a penetrating glance at the Count, and after an incomprehensible and quick alternation of pleasure and pain in her countenance, she replied, that "she consented to grant Count Albert Altenberg that interview, which he and their mutual friends desired."——-She then retired with her friends from the assembly. In spite of the haughtiness of her demeanor, it had been obvious, that she had desired to make an impression upon Count Albert, and all who knew her agreed, that she had never on any occasion been seen to exert herself so much to shine and please. ——-She shone, but had not pleased.——The father, however, was content; an interview was promised——he trusted to the charms and talents of the Countess, he trusted to her flattering desire to captivate, and with impatience and confidence he waited for the event of the succeeding day.——Some intervening hours, a night of feverish and agonizing suspense, would have been spared to Count Albert, had he at this time known any thing of an intrigue, an intrigue which an artful enemy had been carrying on, with design to mortify, disgrace, and ruin his house. The plan was worthy of him by whom it was formed.——M. de Tourville——a person, between whom and Count Albert there seemed an incompatibility of character, and even of manner; an aversion openly, indiscreetly shown by the Count, even from his boyish years, but cautiously concealed on the part of M. de Tourville, masked in courtly smiles and a diplomatic air of perfect consideration. Fear mixed with M. de Tourville's dislike. ——He was aware, that, if Count Albert continued in confidence with the hereditary prince, he would, when the prince should assume the reins of government. become, in all probability, his prime minister, and then adieu to all M. de Tourville's hopes of rising to favor and fortune. ... Fertile in the resources of intrigue, political and gallant, he combined them, upon this occasion, with exquisite address. When the Countess Christina was first presented at Court, he had observed, that the prince was struck by her beauty. M. de Tourville took every means, that a courtier well knows how to employ, to flatter the taste, by which he hoped to profit. In secret he insinuated into the lady's ear, that she was admired by the prince. M. de Tourville knew her to be of an aspiring character, and rightly judged, that ambition was her strongest passion.——When once the hope of captivating the prince had been suggested to her, she began to disdain the proposed alliance with the house of Altenberg; but she concealed this disdain, till she could show it with security; she played her part with all the ability, foresight, and consummate prudence, of which ambition, undisturbed by love, is capable.——Many obstacles opposed her views.——The projected marriage with Count Albert Altenberg,——the certainty, that the reigning prince would never consent to his son's forming an alliance with the daughter of a subject.——But the old prince was dying, and the Lady Christina calculated, that till his decease she could protract the time appointed for her marriage with Count Albert.——The young prince might then break off the projected match,——prevail upon the emperor to create her a princess of the empire, and then, without derogating from his rank, or giving offence to German ideas of propriety, he might gratify his passion, and accomplish the fullness of her ambition. Determined to take no counsel but her own, she never opened her scheme to any of her friends, but pursued her plan secretly in concert with M. de Tourville, whom she considered but as an humble instrument devoted to her service. He all the while considering her merely as a puppet, played by his art to secure at once the purposes of his interest and hatred. He thought he foresaw, that Count Albert would never yield his intended bride peaceably to his prince; he knew nothing of the Count's attachment in England,——the Lady Christina was charming,——the alliance highly advantageous to the house of Altenberg, the breaking off such a marriage, and the disappointment of a passion, which he thought the young Countess could not fail to inspire, would, as M. de Tourville hoped, produce an irreparable breach between the Prince and his favorite. On Count Albert's return from England, symptoms of alarm and jealousy had appeared in the Prince, unmarked by all, but by the Countess Christina, and by the confidant, who was in the secret of his passion.
So far M. de Tourville's scheme had prospered, and from the character of the hereditary Prince, it was likely to succeed in it's ultimate view. He was a prince of good dispositions, but wanting in resolution and civil courage. Capable of resisting the allurements of pleasure for a certain time, but soon weary of painful endurance in any cause; with a taste for virtue, but destitute of that power to bear and forbear, without which there is no virtue.——A hero when supported by a stronger mind, such as that of his friend, Count Albert; but relaxing and sinking at once, when exposed to the influence of a flatterer, such as M. de Tourville.——Subject to exquisite shame and self-reproach, when he had acted contrary to his own idea of right; yet, from the very same weakness that made him err, disposed to be obstinate in error. M. de Tourville argued well from his knowledge of his character, that the Prince, enamored as he was with the charms of the fair Christina, would not long be able to resist his passion; and that, if once he broke through his sense of honor, and declared that passion to the destined bride of his friend, he would ever afterwards shun and detest the man whom he had injured.——All this M. de Tourville had admirably well combined, ——no man understood and managed better the weaknesses of human nature, but it's strength he could not so well estimate; and as for generosity, as he could not believe in it's sincerity, he was never prepared for it's effects. The struggles, which the prince made against his passion, were greater, and of longer duration, than M. de Tourville had expected. If Count Albert had continued absent, the Prince might have been brought more easily to betray him; but his return recalled, in the midst of love and jealousy, the sense of respect he had for the superior character of this friend of his early days:——he knew the value of a friend——even at the moment he yielded his faith to a flatterer.——He could not at once forfeit the esteem of the being who esteemed him most;——he could not sacrifice the interest, and as he thought, the happiness, of the man, who loved him best.——The attachment his favorite had shown him, his truth, his confiding openness of temper, the pleasure in his countenance, when he saw him first upon his return from England, all these operated on the heart of the Prince, and no declaration of his passion had been made at the time when the appointed interview took place between Count Albert and the Countess Christina at her father's palace. Her friends, not doubting that her marriage was on the eve of it's accomplishment, had no scruple, even in that court of etiquette, in permitting the affianced lovers to have as private a conference as each seemed to desire.——The lady's manner was this morning most alarmingly gracious. Count Albert was, however, struck by a difference in her air, the moment she was alone with him, from what it had been, whilst in the presence of her friends. All that he might without vanity have interpreted as marking a desire to please, to show him favor, and to evince her approbation, at least, of the choice her friends had made for her, vanished the moment those friends withdrew. What her motives might be, Count Altenberg could not guess, but the hope he now felt, that she was not really inclined to consider him with partiality, rendered it more easy to enter into that explanation, upon which he was, at all events, resolved. With all the delicacy due to her sex, with all the deference due to her character, and all the softenings by which politeness can sooth and conciliate pride, he revealed to the Countess Christina the real state of his affections; he told her the whole truth, concluding by repeating the assurance of his belief, that her charms and merit would be irresistible to any heart that was disengaged.
The lady heard him in astonishment, ——for this turn of fate she had been wholly unprepared, the idea of his being attached to another had never once presented itself to her imagination, she had never calculated on the possibility that her alliance should be declined by any individual of a family less than royal. She possessed, however, pride of character, superior to her pride of rank, and strength of mind, suited to the loftiness of her ambition.——With dignity in her air and countenance, after a pause of reflection, she replied,
"Count Albert Altenberg is, I find, equal to the high character I have heard of him.——Deserving of my esteem, and confidence, by that which can alone command esteem, and merit confidence, ——Sincerity.——His example has recalled me to my nobler self, and he has, in this moment, rescued me from the labyrinth of a diplomatist.——Count Albert's sincerity——I——little accustomed to imitation——but, proud to follow even, in what is good and great,——shall imitate.——Know then, Sir, that my heart, like your own, is engaged.——And that you may be convinced I do not mock your ear with the semblance of confidence, I shall, at whatever hazard to myself, trust to you my secret.——My affections have a high object,——are fixed upon him, whose friend and favorite Count Albert Altenberg deservedly is ——I should scorn myself ... no throne upon Earth could raise me in my own opinion, if I could deceive or betray the man, who has treated me with such sincerity."
Relieved at once by this explanation, and admiring the manner in which it was made, mingled joy and admiration were manifest in his countenance; and the lady forgave him the joy, in consideration of the tribute he paid to her superiority. ——Admiration was a tribute he was most willing to pay at this moment, when released from that engagement to love, which it had been impossible for him to fulfil.
The Countess recalled his attention to her affairs and to his own——Without his making any inquiry, she told him all that had been done, and all that yet remained to be done, for the accomplishment of her hopes——She had been assured, she said, by one now in the favor and private confidence of the hereditary Prince, that his inclination for her was, painfully and with struggles, which, in her eyes, made his royal heart worthy her conquest——suppressed by a sense of honor to his friend.
"This conflict would now cease," Count Albert said, "It should be his immediate care to relieve his Prince from all difficulty on his account."
"By what means?" the Countess asked.
"Simply by informing him of the truth——as far as I am concerned——Your secret, Madam, is safe——your confidence sacred——Of all that concerns myself——my own attachment, and the resignation of any pretensions that might interfere with his, he shall immediately be acquainted with the whole truth."
The Countess colored, and repeating the words "The whole truth,"——looked disconcerted, and in great perplexity replied, Count Albert's speaking to the Prince directly, his immediate resignation of his pretensions, would, perhaps, defeat her plans. This was not the course she had intended to pursue——far from that which M. de Tourville had pointed out——After some moments' reflection, she said,
"I abide by the truth——-Speak to the prince——Be it so——I trust to your honor and discretion, to speak to him in such terms as not to implicate me, to commit my delicacy, or to derogate from my dignity——We shall see then whether he loves me, as I desire to be loved——If he does, he will free me, at once, from all difficulty with my friends, for he will speak en prince——and not speak in vain——If he loves me not——I need not tell you, Sir, that you are equally free——My friends shall be convinced, that I will never be the bride of any other man."——
After the explanation with the Lady Christina, Count Albert lost no time; he went instantly to the palace. In his way thither, he was met by one of the pages, who told him the Prince desired to see him immediately. He found the Prince alone——Advancing to meet him, with great effort in his manner to command his emotion, the Prince said,
"I have sent for you, Count Albert, to give you a proof, that the friendship of princes is not, in every instance, so vain a thing as it is commonly believed to be. Mine for you has withstood strong temptation——You come from the Countess Christina, I believe, and can measure, better than any one, the force of that temptation——Know, that in your absence it has been my misfortune, to become passionately enamored of your destined bride. But I have never, either by word or look, directly or indirectly, infringed on what I felt to be due to your friendship, and to my own honor. Never did I give her the slightest intimation of my passion, never attempted to take any of the advantages, which my situation might be supposed to give."
Count Albert had just received the most convincing testimony, corroborating these assertions——he was going to express his sense of the conduct of his Prince, and to explain his own situation, but the Prince went on speaking, with the eagerness of one who fears his own resolution, who has to say something, which he dreads that he should not be able to resume or finish, if his feelings should meet with any interruption.
"And now let me, as your friend and Prince, congratulate you, Count Albert, on your happiness; and, with the same sincerity, I request, that your marriage may not be delayed, and that you will take your bride immediately away from my father's court. Time will, I hope, render her presence less dangerous; time will, I hope, enable me to enjoy your society in safety; and when it shall become my duty to govern this state, I shall hope for the assistance of your talents and integrity, and shall have deserved, in some degree, your attachment."
The Count, in the strongest manner, expressed his gratitude to his Prince for these proofs of his regard, given under circumstances the most trying to the human heart. He felt, at this instant, exquisite pleasure in revealing to his Highness the truth, in showing him, that the sacrifice he had so honorably, so generously determined to make, was not requisite; that their affections were fixed on different objects; that before Count Albert had any idea of the Prince's attachment to the Lady Christina, it had been his ardent wish, his determination at all hazards, to break off engagements, which he could not fulfil.
The Prince was in rapturous joy——all his ease of manner towards his friend returned instantly, his affection and confidence flowed in full tide. Proud of himself, and happy in the sense of the imminent danger from which he had escaped; he now described the late conflicts his heart had endured, with the eloquence of self-complacency, and with that sense of relief, which is felt in speaking on the most interesting of all subjects to a faithful friend, from whom a secret has been painfully concealed——The Prince now threw open every thought, every feeling of his mind. Count Altenberg rose higher than ever in his favor, not the temporary favorite of the moment——the companion of pleasures——the flatterer of present passion or caprice, but the friend in whom there is certainty of sympathy, and security of counsel——The Prince, confiding in Count Albert's equal zeal and superior powers, now took advice from him, and made a confidant no longer of M. de Tourville. The very means, which that intriguing courtier had taken to undermine Count Altenberg, thus eventually proved the cause of establishing more firmly his credit——The plain sincerity of the Count, and the generous magnanimity of the lady, at once disconcerted and destroyed the artful plan of the diplomatist. M. de Tourville's disappointment, when he heared from the Countess Christina the result of her interview with Count Albert, and the reproaches, which in that moment of vexation he could not refrain from uttering against the lady for having departed from their plan, and having trusted to the Count, unveiled to her the meanness of his character, and the baseness of his designs——She plainly saw, that his object had been not to assist her love, but to gratify his own hate——Not merely to advance his own fortune, that, she knew, must be the first object of every courtier, but 'to rise upon the ruins of another's fame'——and this, she determined, should never be accomplished by her assistance, or with her connivance. She put Count Albert on his guard against this insidious enemy.
The Count, grateful to the lady, yet biassed neither by hope of her future favor, nor by present desire to please, firm in honor and loyalty to the Prince who asked his counsel, carefully studied the character of the Countess Christina, to determine whether she possessed the qualities fit for the high station, to which love was impatient that she should be elevated.——When he was convinced, that her character was such as was requisite to ensure the private happiness of the Prince, to excite him to the attainment of true glory——then, and not till then, he decidedly advised the marriage, and zealously offered any assistance in his power to promote the union. The hereditary Prince about this time, became, by the death of his father, sole master of his actions; but it was not prudent to begin his government with an act in open defiance of the prejudices or customs of his country. By these customs, he could not marry any woman under the rank of a Princess, and the Emperor had been known to refuse conferring this rank, even on favorites of powerful potentates, by whom he had been in the most urgent manner solicited. Count Albert Altenberg stood high in the esteem of the Emperor, at whose cour the had spent some time; and his Prince now commissioned him to go to Vienna, and endeavor to move the Emperor, to concede this point in his favor. This embassy was a new and terrible delay to the Count's anxious desire of returning to England. But he had offered his services, and he gave them generously. He repaired to Vienna, and persevering through many difficulties, at length succeeded in obtaining for the Countess the rank of Princess.——The attachment of the Prince was then publickly declared——The marriage was solemnized——All approved of the Prince's choice——All——except the envious, who never approve of the happy.——Count Albert received, both from the Prince and Princess, the highest marks of esteem and favor. M. de Tourville, detected and despised, retired from court in disgrace and in despair.
Immediately after his marriage, the Prince declared his intention of appointing Count Albert Altenberg his prime minister; but before he entered on the duties of his office, and the very moment that he could be spared by his Prince, he asked and obtained permission to return to England, to the lady on whom his affections were fixed. The old Count, his father, satisfied with the turn which affairs had taken, and gratified in his utmost ambition by seeing his son minister of state, now willingly permitted him to follow his own inclination in the choice of a wife. "And," concluded Count Albert, "my father rejoices, that my heart is devoted to an Englishwoman——Having himself married an English lady, he knows, from experience, how to appreciate the domestic merits of the ladies of England; he is prepossessed in their favor. He agrees, indeed, with foreigners of every nation, who have had opportunities of judging, and who all allow that——next to their own countrywomen——the English are the most charming and the most amiable women in the world."——
When the Count had finished and had pronounced this panegyric of a nation, while he thought only of an individual, he paused, anxious to know what effect his narrative had produced on Mr. and Mrs. Percy.
He was gratified both by their words and looks, which gave him full assurance of their entire satisfaction.
"And since he had done them the honor of appealing to their opinion, they might be permitted to add their complete approbation of every part of his conduct, in the difficult circumstances in which he had been placed.——They were fully sensible of the high honor, that such a man as Count Altenberg conferred on their daughter by his preference.——As to the rest they must refer him to Caroline herself." Mr. Percy said, with a grave voice, but with a smile, from which the Count augured well, "that even for the most advantageous, and in his opinion the most desirable connexion, he would not influence his daughter's inclinations, Caroline must decide."——
Mr. Percy advised, that the appeal to Caroline should be postponed till the next morning.——The Count was impatient——but Mrs. Percy, who knew that her daughter, though she had commanded her feelings, had been much agitated by his unexpected appearance, prevailed upon him to defer speaking to her till the succeeding day, that she might have an opportunity of relating to her all that they had just heard from the Count; and thus, she said, no time would be lost in preparing Caroline to do him justice.——Count Altenberg could not leave his cause in better hands. The sun was now setting, and not presuming to intrude longer, he retired.
It was remarked by Rosamond, that he took his way through the winding path down the glen with slow and reluctant steps, very different from the speed, with which an hour before he had struck across the wood, and ascended the hill.
"My dear mother! tell us all in one word!" exclaimed Rosamond——"Joy or sorrow?"
"Joy, my love!——Happiness, beyond our hopes!" cried the delighted mother, opening her arms to receive and embrace both her daughters.——"Happy mother that I am!——Happy beyond expression!"
"Deservedly happy, all, and each!" cried Mr. Percy, and with the fervent gratitude of a father's heart, he thanked God for having blessed him in his family; ——"And," added he, with a look of chastened pleasure, and that sentiment of true resignation, which always recurred to his mind in moments of great felicity.
"If there be any future sorrow or calamity in store for me, I am now prepared, and resigned to it, grateful for a long life of happiness, with few, very few touches of adversity——loss of fortune, with such children, we have scarcely felt——I have had no trials——if they are to come, let them come.——After this moment I hope I shall be able to endure as I ought.——
——"And there must be a great trial for us both——prepared at this moment" ——said Mrs. Percy——"No joy unmixed with sorrow——At this moment, whilst you hold her to your heart ... We must remember, that Caroline will soon be no longer amongst us——Rosamond we shall not lose——But, Caroline!"——
Caroline turned away, and burst into tears.
"The first tears her mother ever made her shed"——said Rosamond——"the very first from childhood to this hour!"
"Listen to me, my Caroline," said Mrs. Percy, sitting down beside her on the bank on which she had sunk——"Listen to me, my child ..."
"Listen, Caroline!" cried Mr. Percy, "to your father's stronger voice."
"And stronger mind"——said Mrs. Percy, looking up to her husband, then rising and leaning upon him as he spoke.
"Caroline!——It must be so——It is the order of nature——We are fond, but not selfish, parents——If your happiness be secured by the sacrifice, we can part with you——And when the time comes——here is your mother, will bear it better, perhaps, than I shall——with all my boast of fortitude——better, certainly," continued Mr. Percy, smiling——"better, infinitely, than Rosamond, who, at this instant, thinks us all fools, and stands there, in her secret thoughts convinced, Caroline, that you will do whatever you please with Count Altenberg, make him give up power, prince, country, and live where and how you choose."
"That was just what I was thinking," said Rosamond——"And you will see, that
'What in my secret soul was understood, His lips shall utter, and his deeds make good' "Yes, father," continued Rosamond, "you will see, that Caroline will make the Count say and do whatever she pleases——she will make him sacrifice power, fortune, country, all for love."
"No," said Caroline——"I never would ask, never would accept of such sacrifices——he is bound by honor and duty to his prince and his country, and if I become his wife, his honor becomes mine, his duty mine——However great the sacrifices required, I must be prepared to make them——or——resolve ..."
To prevent Caroline from dwelling on the alternative, Rosamond turned quickly to her father and mother, and requested to know, if they might hear the result of their long conference with Count Altenberg——
During the repetition of this narrative, Rosamond's eagerness of attention and solicitude were such, that any one ... any one but Mr. Temple, might have imagined, it was to the history of her own lover she was listening——She was charmed to find her prophecies, as she said, accomplished; and that the Count justified all that she had ever believed of his constancy. Rosamond forgot, and Caroline never reminded her, that her belief and her prophecies had varied considerably, at different times, during his absence, and had, some days, been diametrically opposite to what she now fancied they had ever steadily continued. Even of late——very lately——in her pity for poor Lord William——Rosamond, though she would not now allow it, was rather inclined to think Lady Jane Granville in the right, and was disposed to suspect the absent lover in the wrong——Caroline, conscious that she had always done him justice, and rejoiced that she had not mistaken his sentiments, was confirmed now by facts in her favorable opinion of the Count, and her partiality was heightened by the grateful conviction of the steadiness and strength of his attachment.
The next day the Count, with all the persuasive tenderness and energy of truth and love, pleaded his own cause, and was heard by Caroline with a modest, dignified, ingenuous sensibility, which increased his passion——Whilst she acknowledged how high he stood in her esteem, she did not attempt to conceal the impression he had made on her heart; yet he saw the unaffected anguish she felt at the idea of quitting her parents, her sister, all her family, friends, home, country——Saw that she dreaded to yield her heart to the promises, the hopes, of the passion, which must, at last, require from her such sacrifices——Sacrifices which, had she contemplated in the commencement of her acquaintauce, she said, would have prevented her ever daring to love, but she became attached before she ever thought of these, before she had ever considered Count Altenberg as a man, whom it was probable she should marry——The very circumstance of his being a foreigner, a traveller, with whom it was likely she would have but a transient acquaintance, had thrown her heart off it's guard; and when she was first wakened to the perception of her own partiality, it was in circumstances, when there seemed little chance of his even wishing to separate her from her friends——As long as the hope of being united to him was faint and distant, so was the fear of the sacrifices that union might demand——but now, the hope, the fear, the certainty, at once pressed on her heart with the most agitating urgency.
The Count soothed, and as far as possible, relieved her mind, by the assurance, that though his duty to his Prince and to his father, though all his public and private connexions and interests obliged him to reside for some time in Germany, yet that he could occasionally visit England, that he should seize every opportunity of returning to a country, that he preferred to all others; and, for his own sake, he should cultivate the friendship of her family, as each individual was, in different ways, suited to his taste, and stood high in his esteem. He might hope, that he had obtained a portion of their regard, and that, with the strong inducements Caroline could hold out to them, they would be prevailed upon, in their turn, to visit the Continent, so that, though separated by distance, she would not be lost to her family; and, perhaps, she might, upon the whole, enjoy more of the society of her friends, though at longer intervals of time, than married daughters often do, who live in the same country with their parents.
Caroline listened with fond anxiety to these hopes; she was willing to believe in promises, which she was convinced were made with entire sincerity; but she dreaded, that Count Altenberg's situation and duties, as a statesman and a minister, would render it impossible that they should be fulfilled.——And a life at court, a life of representation, to say no worse of it ... would be to her most irksome."
Nothing but the extraordinary merit, joined to the extraordinary powers of pleasing, which Count Altenberg possessed, nothing in short but love, ... which appeared more reasonable, and became stronger the more it was combated, could have vanquished these objections, and have prevailed with Caroline to make these sacrifices——However, when her affections had been wrought to this point, when her resolution was once determined, she never afterwards tormented the man, to whom she was attached, with wavering doubts and scruples; but, disdaining affectation and caprice, what she gave was doubly given, from being graciously bestowed; and the value of what she sacrificed was doubly felt——from the dignity and unostentatious generosity, with which that sacrifice was made.——Count Altenberg's promise to his Prince obliged him to return by an appointed time; Caroline wished that time had been more distant; she would have delighted in spending the spring time of love in the midst of those who had formed till now all the happiness of her life, with her parents, to whom she owed every thing, to whom her gratitude was as warm, as strong, as her affection——with her beloved sister, who had sympathized so tenderly in all her sorrow, and who ardently wished to have some time allowed to enjoy her happiness.——Caroline felt all this, but she felt too deeply to display feeling,——sensible of what the duty and honor of Count Altenberg demanded, she made no hesitation,——asked for no delay.——
The first letters, that were written to announce her intended marriage, were to Mrs. Hungerford, and to Lady Jane Granville——And it may be recorded as a fact rather unusual, that Caroline was so fortunate as to satisfy all her friends; not to offend one of her relations, by telling any too soon, or too late, of her intentions. In fact she made no secret, no mystery, where none was required by good sense or propriety. Nor did she communicate under a strict injunction of secresy to twenty friends, who were afterwards each to be angry with the other for having, or not having told that of which they were forbidden to speak.——The order of precedency in Caroline's confidential communications was approved by all the parties concerned.
Mrs. Hungerford was at Pembroke, with her nieces, when she received Caroline's letter; her answer was as follows,
I am ten years younger since I read your letter, therefore do not be surprised at the quickness of my motions——I shall be with you at the Hills, in Town, or wherever you are, as soon as it is possible, after you let me know when and where I can embrace you and our dear Count.——At the marriage of my niece, Lady Mary Barclay, your mother will remember, that I prayed to Heaven I might live to see my beloved Caroline united to the man of her choice——I am grateful that this blessing, this completion of all my earthly hopes and happiness, has been granted to me,
The answer of Lady Jane Granville came next,——
"This is the last confidential letter I shall ever be able to write to you——for a married woman's letters you know, or you will soon know, become, like all the rest of her property, subject to her husband. Excepting always the secrets of which she was possessed before marriage, which do not go into the common stock, if she be a woman of honor——So I am safe with you, Caroline; and any erroneous opinion I might have formed, or any hasty expressions I may have let drop, about a certain Count, you will bury in oblivion, and never let me see you look even, as if you recollected to have heard them.
"You were right, my dear, in that whole business; I was wrong, and all I can say for myself is, that I was wrong, with the best possible intentions; I now congratulate you with as sincere joy, as if this charming match had been made by my advice, under my chaperonage, and by favor of that patronage of fashion, of which I know your father thinks that both my head and heart are full——There he is only half right after all——So do not let him be too proud——I will not allow that my heart is ever wrong, certainly not where you are concerned.
"I am impatient, my dear Caroline, to see your Count Altenberg. I heard him most highly spoken of yesterday by a Polish nobleman, whom I met at dinner at the Duke of Greenwich's. Is it true, that the Count is to be prime minister of the Prince of——? The
Duke of Greenwich asked me this question, and I promised I would let his Grace know from the best possible authority——But I did not commit you.
"And now, my dear, for my own interest——If you have really and cordially forgiven me, for having so rashly said, upon a late occasion, that I would never forgive you, prove to me your placability and your sincerity——use your all powerful influence, to obtain for me a favor, on which I have set my heart. Will you prevail on all your house to come up to Town directly, and take possession of mine?——Count Altenberg, you say, has business to transact with ministers; whilst this is going on, and whilst the lawyers are settling preliminaries, where can you all be better than with me? I hope I shall be able to make Mr. and Mrs. Percy feel as much at home, in one hour's time, as I found myself the first evening after my arrival at the Hills some years ago.
"I know the Hungerfords will press you to go to them, and Alfred and Mrs. A. Percy, will plead nearest of kin——I can only throw myself upon your generosity. The more inducements you have to go to other friends, the more I shall feel gratified and obliged, if you favor me with this proof, of your preference and affection. Indulge me perhaps, my dear Caroline, for the last time, with your company, of which, believe me, I have, though a woman of the world, sense and feeling sufficient, fully to appreciate the value——Yours (at all events), ever and affectionately,
"P.S.——I hope your father is of my opinion, that weddings, especially among persons of a certain rank of life, ought always to be public,——attended by the friends and connexions of the families, and conducted with something of the good old aristocratic formality, pomp, and state of former times.——
"Lady Frances Arlington has just called to say, she has a vast mind to be bridemaid——I told her Ladyship that I could settle nothing till you came to Town,——Pray come——and immediately.——
Lady Jane Granville's polite and urgent request was granted. Caroline and all her family had pleasure in showing Lady Jane, that they felt grateful for her kindness.——
Mr. Temple obtained permission from Lord Oldborough, to accompany the Percys to Town; and it was settled, that Rosamond and Caroline should be married on the same day.
But the morning after their arrival in London Mr. Temple appeared with a countenance very unlike that, which had been seen the night before——Hope and joy had fled!——All pale and in consternation!——Rosamond was ready to die with terror——She was relieved when he declared, that the evil related only to his fortune. The place that had been promised to him was given, indeed——the word of promise was kept to the ear, but by some management, either of Lord Skreene's or Lord Skrimpshire's, the place had been saddled with a pension to the widow of the gentleman, by whom it had been previously held; and the amount of this pension was such, as to reduce the profits of the place to an annual income, by no means sufficient to secure independence, or even competence, to a married man——Mr. Temple knew, that, when the facts were stated to Lord Oldborough, his Lordship would, by his representations to the highest authority, obtain redress; but the secretary was unwilling to implicate him in this disagreeable affair, unwilling to trouble his tranquillity again with court intrigues, especially, as Mr. Temple said, where his own personal interest alone was concerned——at any rate this business must delay his marriage.——Count Altenberg could not possibly defer the day named for his wedding——Despatches from the Continent pressed the absolute necessity of his return. Revolutionary symptoms had again appeared in the city, his Prince could not dispense with his services. His honor was at stake.——
Mr. Temple did not attempt or pretend to bear his disappointment like a philosopher——he bore it like a lover, that is to say, very ill——Rosamond!——poor Rosamond, rallied him with as much gayety, as she could command with a very heavy heart.
After a little time for reflection Rosamond's good sense, which, when called upon to act, never failed to guide her conduct, induced her to exert decisive influence, to prevent Mr. Temple from breaking out into violent complaints against those in power, by whom he had been ill treated.
The idea of being married on the same day with her sister, she said, after all was a mere childish fancy, for which no solid advantage should be hazarded; therefore she conjured Mr. Temple, not in heat of passion to precipitate things, but patiently to wait;——to return and apply to Lord Oldborough, if he should find, that the representations he had already made to Lord Skreene failed of effect——With much reluctance Mr. Temple submitted to postpone the day promised for his marriage, but both Mr. and Mrs. Percy so strongly supported Rosamond's arguments, that he was compelled to be prudent——Rosamond now thought only of her sister's approaching nuptials. Mrs. Hungerford and Mrs. Mortimer arrived in Town, and all Mr. and Mrs. Percy's troops of friends gathered round them for this joyful occasion.
Lady Jane Granville was peculiarly happy, in finding that Mr. Percy agreed with her in opinion, that marriages ought to be publickly solemnized; and rejoiced, that, when Caroline should be led to the altar by the man of her choice, she would feel that choice sanctioned by the approbation of her assembled family and friends——Lady Jane justly observed, that it was advantageous to mark as strongly as possible the difference between marriages with consent of friends, and clandestine unions, which from their very nature must always be as private as possible.——
If some little love of show, and some aristocratic pride of family, mixed with Lady Jane's good sense upon this as upon most other occasions, the truly philosophic will be inclined to pardon her;——for they best know how much of all the principles, which form the strength and happiness of society, depends upon mixed motives.
Mr. and Mrs. Percy, grateful to Lady Jane, and willing to indulge her affection in it's own way, gratified her with permission to arrange the whole ceremonial of the wedding.——
Now that Rosamond's marriage was postponed, she claimed first right to be her sister's bridemaid, Lady Florence Pembroke, Mrs. Hungeford's niece, had made her request, and obtained Caroline's promise to be the second——and these were all that Caroline desired to have——but Lady Jane Granville evidently wished for the honor and glory of Lady Frances Arlington for a third, because she was niece to the Duke of Greenwich; and besides, as Lady Jane pleaded,
"Though a little selfish, she really would have been generous, if she had not been spoiled——to be sure, she cared in general for no one but herself, ... yet she absolutely showed particular interest about Caroline——Besides, her Ladyship had set her heart upon the matter, and never would forgive a disappointment of a fancy."——-Her Ladyship's request was granted.——Further than this affair of the three bridemaids we know not——there is no record concerning who were the bridemen——But before we come to the wedding day, we think it necessary to mention, for the satisfaction of the prudent part of the world, that the settlements were duly signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of proper witnesses.
At the moment of recording this fact, we are well aware, that as much as we shall gain in the esteem of the old, we shall lose in the opinion of the young. We must therefore be satisfied with the nod of approbation from parents, and must endure the smile of scorn from lovers. We know that,
"Jointure, portion, gold, estate,
Houses, householdstuff, or land,
The low conveniences of fate,
Are greek no lovers understand".
