As Both The Chevalier St. George And The Princess His Sister Were
Instructed In The English Language, And Besides Many
Of their court were
natives of Great Britain, whose loyalty had made them follow the exil'd
monarch, the French belonging
To them had also an ambition to speak in
the same dialect: mademoiselle Charlotta being but lately come among
them had not yet attained the proper accent, any more than Horatio had
that of the French; so they agreed that to improve each other in the
different languages, he should always speak to her in French, and she
should answer him in English. This succeeded not only for the purpose it
was intended, but likewise drew on a greater intimacy between them than
might otherwise have happened, at least in so short a time.
The baron having a real friendship for Horatio, rejoiced to find he had
so powerful an attachment to continue among them, and without taking any
notice how far he saw into his sentiments, encouraged his visits at St.
Germains all he could. Thus indulged in every thing he wished, he began
insensibly to lose all desires of returning to England, and receiving no
letters either from Dorilaus or his sister, was as it were weaned from
that affection he had formerly bore to them, and in the room of that the
new friendships he was every day contracting took up his mind.
He was indeed used with so much love and respect by people in the most
eminent stations, to whom the baron had introduced him, that it would
have been ungrateful in him not to have returned it with the greatest
good-will. Expressing one day some surprize at being so far forgotten by
his friends in England, de la Valiere told him that he would not have
him look on himself as any other than a guest in France, and that if he
chose to quit that country, he should not only be at his liberty to
return to England whenever he pleased, but also should be furnished with
a sum sufficient for the expences of his journey; but added, that the
offer he now made of depriving himself of so agreeable a companion was a
piece of self-denial, than which there could not be a greater proof of a
disinterested regard.
Horatio replied in the manner this generosity demanded, and said, that
if there was any thing irksome to him in France, it was only his
inability of returning the favours he had received: believe me, sir,
pursued he, were I master of a fortune sufficient to put me above the
necessity of receiving the obligations I now do, it would not be in the
power of all I left in England to prevail on me to return; - it is here,
and in the society of that company I at present, thro' your means,
enjoy, that I would wish to pass my whole life.
The baron then told him he would find a way to make all things easy to
him, and accordingly went the same day to monsieur the prince of Conti,
to whom he gave such an advantageous description of the courage and
accomplishments of the English cornet, and the inclination he had to
stay among them, that his highness told the baron, that he might
acquaint him from him, that if he were willing to serve under him he
should have a commission; or, if he rather chose a civil employment, he
would use his interest to procure him such a one as might afford both
honour and profit.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 35 of 194
Words from 18138 to 18737
of 102800
