Poor Horatio, released, as I have already said, from his worse than
Turkish bondage, had now, with the companions of his misfortunes, left a
country where they had suffered so much and had so little to hope, that
their enlargement seemed even to themselves a miracle. - As they parted,
miserable and forlorn, thro' those provinces where, about a year before,
they had marched with so much pomp and force, as, together with the king
of Sweden's name, inspired admiration and terror over all those parts of
the world, it filled them with the most poignant anguish, and drew tears
from those among them least sensible of any tender emotions.
All this disconsolate company, except Horatio, being Swedes', they made
the best of their way, some to Stockholm, and others to Straelsund. - Now
left alone, a long journey before him, and altogether uncertain what
reception he should find at Paris, either from Dorilaus or mademoiselle
Charlotta, his condition was extremely pityable, and he stood in need of
more fortitude than could be expected from his years, to enable him to
go thro' it.
The nearer he approached Paris, the greater was his shock at the
necessity of appearing there in the despicable figure he now made; but
his courage still got the better, and surmounted all difficulties. If
Dorilaus thinks my disobedience to his commands a crime too great to
merit his forgiveness, would he say to himself, or Charlotta disdains,
in his misfortunes, the faithful Horatio, I have no more to do than to
return to Poland and seek an honourable death in the service of
Stanislaus.
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