The Passionate Lover At These Words Cried Out, That It Was Louisa's Self
Alone He Was Ambitious Of Possessing; Nor
Had either that lady or her
father any room to look on what he said as a mere compliment, because
His love had long since waved all the seeming disproportion
between them.
In fine, not only at this time, but every day, almost every hour, was
Louisa, as it now depended wholly on herself, importuned by her lover
and the countess d'Espargnes to render his happiness complete; but she
still delayed it, desiring to hear some news of Horatio, the baron de
Palfoy having settled every thing with Dorilaus concerning his marriage
with mademoiselle Charlotta, she was willing, she said, that as they
were born on the same day, their nuptials should be also celebrated at
the same time.
Monsieur du Plessis was obliged to content himself with this since he
could obtain no more; and for a time every thing passed smoothly and
agreeably on; but news after news continually arriving of the king of
Sweden's ill success in Ukrania, rendered all the noble friends of
Horatio extremely dissatisfied: - the public accounts were too deficient
for their information of any particular officer, and as there were very
few French in the Swedish army, they could hope for no intelligence of
him but from himself; which, as he omitted giving, they at last
concluded he was either killed or taken prisoner; which last misfortune
they looked upon as equal with the former: - the Russian barbarity, and
their manner of treating those whom the chance of war threw into their
hands, was no secret thro' all Europe; and whichever of these accidents
had happened, must be very grievous to a gentleman of Dorilaus's
disposition, who, when unknowing he was his son, loved him with more
tenderness than many fathers do their offspring, but now convinced not
only that he was so, but also that he was possessed of such amiable
qualities as might do honour to the most illustrious race, had fixed an
idea in his mind of such a lasting happiness in having him near him,
that the thoughts of being deprived of him for ever threw him into a
melancholy, which not all the friends he had acquired in Paris, not all
the gaieties of that place, nor the sweet society of the engaging and
dutiful Louisa, had the power to console. So deep was his affliction,
that monsieur du Plessis, amorous and impatient as he was, had not
courage to urge a grant of his own happiness, while those who were to
bestow it, were incapable of sharing any part of it.
Soon after there arrived a thunder-clap indeed: - certain intelligence
that the once victorious Charles was totally overthrown, his whole army
either cut to pieces or taken prisoners, and himself a fugitive in the
grand seignior's dominions. - Dorilaus, now not doubting but the worst he
feared had come to pass, shut himself from all company, and refused the
unavailing comfort of those who came to offer it.
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