You Mean My Brother Charles Of Sweden, Said The Chevalier Smiling, But I
Believe He Seldom Plays.
Never, but when kingdoms are at stake, resumed
Horatio; and if a day should come when you, sir, shall
Attempt the
prize, how fortunate would it be for me to have learned to serve you as
I am obliged by much more than my duty, by the most natural and
inviolable attachment of my heart, which would render it the greatest
blessing I could receive from heaven. I believe, indeed, returned the
chevalier St. George, you love me enough to fight in my cause whenever
occasion offers. I would not only fight, but die, cried Horatio warmly;
yet I would wish to have the skill to make a great number of your
enemies die before me. Well, said the chevalier, we will talk of this
to-morrow; in the mean time play as well as you can against me at St.
Germains: in another place perhaps you may play for me. Horatio made no
other reply to these words than a low bow, and then elating his hands
and eyes to heaven, as internally praying for the opportunity his master
seemed to hint at.
The impression this little conversation made on the mind of the
chevalier St. George, proved itself in its effects the very next day.
Horatio being ordered to come into his chamber early in the morning, - I
have been thinking on what passed last night between us, said he, and if
you have a serious Intention of doing what you seemed to hint at, will
contribute all I can to forward you.
Ah sir! cried Horatio, falling at his feet, impute not, I beseech you,
this desire in me to any thing but the extreme desire I have to render
myself worthy of the favours you have been pleased to confer upon me,
and to be able to serve you whenever any happy occasion shall
present itself.
No more, Horatio, replied the chevalier, with a sweetness and affability
peculiar to himself; I am perfectly assured of your duty and affection
to me, and am so far from taking it ill that you desire to quit my court
on this score, that I think, your ambition highly laudable: - I will
write letters of recommendation, with my own hand, to my brother
Charles, and to some others in his camp, which I doubt not but will
procure you a reception answerable to your wishes: - therefore, as it is
a long journey you are to take, the sooner you provide for your
departure the better: - I will order you out of my privy purse 2000
crowns towards your expences.
Horatio found it impossible to express how much this goodness touched
his soul; nor could do it any otherwise than by prostrating himself a
second time, embracing his knees, and uttering some incoherent
acclamations, which more shewed to his master the sincerity of his
gratitude, and the perfect love he bore him, than the most elegant
speeches could have done.
After all possible demonstrations of the most gracious benignity on the
one side, and reverence on the other, Horatio quitted the presence, and
went to sir Thomas Higgons, who at that time was privy purse, and one of
the finest gentlemen that ever England bred, and acquainted him with the
chevalier St. George's goodness to him, and the change that was going to
be made in his fortune: he thanked him in the politest manner for being
made the first that should congratulate him, and told him, he did not
doubt but he should see him return covered with laurels, and enriched
with honours, by the most glorious and grateful monarch the world had to
boast of. The whole court, whose esteem the good qualities, handsome
person, and agreeable behaviour of Horatio had entirely gained, seemed
to partake in his satisfaction, and he was so engrossed with the
preparations for his departure, and receiving the compliments made him,
that tho' he was far from forgetting Charlotta, yet the languishment
which her absence had occasioned was entirely banished, and he now
appeared all life and spirit. - So true it is that idleness is the food
of soft desires.
It must be confessed, indeed, that love had a very great share in
reviving in him those martial inclinations, which for a time had seemed
lulled to rest, since it was to render himself in a condition which
might give him hope of obtaining the object of his love that now pushed
him on to war. He resolved also to make Rheines in his way to Poland,
where the king of Sweden then was pursuing his conquests, and see, if
possible, his dear Charlotta, before he left France; and as he was of a
more than ordinary sanguine disposition, he was much sooner elated with
the prospect of success in any undertaking he went about, than dejected
at the disappointment of it.
The baron de la Valiere, whose friendship over-balanced his resentment,
now gave an instance of his generosity, which, as things had stood of
late between them, Horatio was far from expecting. That nobleman came to
his apartment one day with a letter in his hand, and accosting him with
the familiarity he had been accustomed to treat him with before their
estrangement, - Horatio, said he, I cannot suffer you to leave us without
giving you what testimonies of good-will are in my power: - you are now
going among strangers, and tho' after the recommendations I hear you are
to carry with you from the chevalier St. George, nothing can be added to
assure you of the king of Sweden's favour, yet as many brave actions are
lost for want of a proper representation of them, and the eyes of kings
cannot be every where, it may be of some service to you to have general
Renchild your friend: I once had the honour of a particular acquaintance
with that great man, and I believe this letter, which I beg the favour
of you to deliver to him, will in part convince him of your merit,
before you may have an opportunity of proving it to him by your actions.
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