But as smooth as now their fortune seemed,
they knew not how soon a storm might rise, and give a sudden
interruption to that felicity they enjoyed. - The charms of Charlotta
were every day making new conquests; and among the number of those who
pretended to admire her, how probable was it that some one might be
thought worthy by her father, and she be compelled to receive the
addresses of a rival. These were reflections too natural not to occur to
them both, and whenever they did, could not fail of embittering those
sweets the certainty of a mutual affection had otherwise afforded.
They had now no trouble from monsieur de Coigney; his father, in order
to make him forget a hopeless passion, had found an employment for him
which obliged him to go many leagues from Paris; and once the
conversation already mentioned at the baron's, his sister and
mademoiselle Charlotta, by command of their respective parents, as well
as their own inclinations, broke off all correspondence, nor even spoke
to each other, unless when happening to meet in a visit, there was no
avoiding it; and then it was in such a distant manner, and with so much
indifference, that none would have imagined they ever had been intimate
friends and companions.
CHAP. IX.
A second separation between Horatio and Charlotta, with some other
occurrences.
The season of the year now having put an end to the campaign, and the
French, as well as confederate armies, being retired into their winter
quarters, the baron de la Valiere, who had always a special permission
from the general, returned to Paris: Horatio promised himself much
satisfaction in the renewed society of this friend, and no sooner heard
he was on the road than he went to meet him. The baron, charm'd with
this proof of his affection and respect, received him as a brother, and
there was little less freedom used between them.
After the mutual testimonies and good-will were over de la Valiere began
to ask him concerning mademoiselle Charlotta; on which Horatio
acquainted him with her being removed from St. Germains, and the
occasion of it, not omitting the arrogance with which old monsieur de
Coigney had behaved to her father, and the resentment now between
the families.
Well, said the baron, but I hope you have been more successful, at least
with the young lady: I will never more trust the intelligence of eyes,
if yours did not hold a very tender intercourse; and I protest to you,
my dear Horatio, that amidst all the toils and dangers of war, my
thoughts were often at St. Germains, not envying, but congratulating the
pleasures you enjoyed in the conversation of that amiable lady.
I doubt not, replied Horatio with a smile, but we had you with us at a
place which contained mademoiselle de Coigney; and I am of opinion too
she was no less frequently in the camp with you; for in spite of all the
reserve she affected while you were present, she never heard the bare
mention of your name without emotions, which were very visible in her
countenance.
I would not be vain, replied the baron, but I sometimes have flattered
myself with the hope I was not altogether indifferent to her; tho' for
two whole years that I have constantly made my addresses to her, I never
could obtain one soft confession to assure my happiness: - but let me
know how you have proceeded on the score of mademoiselle Charlotta?
believe me, I am not so engrossed by my own affairs, as not to give
attention to those of a friend.
Horatio, who had been engaged by Charlotta to preserve an inviolable
secrecy in every thing that had passed between them, without any
exception of persons, would fain have turned the conversation on some
other topic: he truly loved the baron, had the highest opinion of his
discretion, and would have trusted him with the dearest secrets of his
life, provided they related to himself alone; but he had given his word,
his oath, his honour to Charlotta, and durst not violate them on any
consideration; yet, loth to refuse or to deceive his friend, he found
himself in the most perplexing dilemma. As often as the other spoke of
Charlotta, he answered with something of de Coigney; but all his
artifice was ineffectual, and the baron at last saw thro' it, and
assuming a very grave countenance, I perceive, Horatio, said he, you do
not think me worthy your confidence, and I was to blame to press you to
reveal what you resolve to make a mystery of.
These words made a very deep impression on the grateful soul of him they
were addressed to; and equally distressed between the necessity of
either disobliging a person whose generosity he had experienced, or
falsifying the promise he had made to Charlotta, at last an expedient
offered to his mind how to avoid both, and yet not be guilty of injuring
the truth.
Alas! my lord, answered he, you little know the heart of Horatio, if you
imagine there be any thing there that would hide itself from you: - I
freely confess, the charms of mademoiselle Charlotta had such an effect
on me, that, had I been in circumstances which in the least could have
flattered me with success, I should long ago have avowed myself her
lover: but when I reflected on the disparity between us, the humour of
her father, and a thousand other impediments, I endeavoured to banish so
hopeless a passion from my breast, and was the more confirmed in my
resolution to do so by the ill treatment monsieur de Coigney
received:
