Be beyond all bounds, were I not conscious how far I
have been unworthy of it; and that I fear the same goodness, always
partial to me, may have in this paper (meaning the letter) endeavoured
to give the general an idea of me which I may not be able to preserve.
I look upon myself to be the best judge of that, replied the baron with
a smile; and you may remember, that on a very different occasion I saw
into your sentiments before you were well acquainted with the nature of
them yourself.
As Horatio knew these words referred to the discourse that had passed
between them concerning his then infant passion for mademoiselle
Charlotta, he could not help blushing; but de la Valiere perceiving he
had given him some confusion, would have turned the discourse, had not
the other thought fit to continue it, by letting him know the real
motive which had constrained him to act with the reserve he had done on
that score.
The baron de la Valiere assured him that he should think no more of it;
and tho' at first he had taken it a little amiss, yet when he came to
reflect on the circumstance, he could not but confess he should have
behaved in the same manner himself.
The renewal of the former friendship between them, greatly added to the
contentment Horatio at present enjoyed; but soon after he received such
an augmentation of it, as he could never have imagined, much less have
flattered himself with the hope of.
Some few days before his departure, a servant of the baron de Palfoy
came to him to let him know his lord sent his compliments, and desired
to speak with him at his own house. The message seemed so improbable,
that Horatio could scarce give credit to it, and imagined the man had
been mistaken in the person to whom he delivered it, till he repeated
over and over again that it was to no other he was sent.
Had it been any other than the father of mademoiselle Charlotta, who had
invited him to a house he had been once forbid, he scarce would have
obeyed the summons; but as it was he, the awful person who gave being to
that charmer of his soul, he sent the most respectful answer, and the
same day took horse for Paris, and attended the explanation of an order
which at present seemed so misterious to him.
The baron was no sooner informed he was there, than he came into the
parlour with a countenance, which had in it all the marks of good humour
and satisfaction; Horatio, said he, after having made him seat himself,
I doubt not but you think me your enemy, after the treatment I gave you
the last time you were here; but I assure you, I suffered no less myself
in forbidding you my house, than you could do in having what you might
think an affront put upon you: - but, continued he after a pause, you
ought to consider I am a father, that Charlotta is my only child, that
my whole estate, and what is of infinite more consideration with me, the
honour of my family, must all devolve on her, and that I am under
obligations not to be dispensed with, to dispose of her in such a manner
as shall not any way degrade the ancestry she is sprung from. - I own
your merits: - I also am indebted to you for my life: - but you are a
foreigner, your family unknown, - your fortune precarious: - I could wish
it were otherwise; - believe, I find in myself an irresistable impulse to
love you, and I know nothing would give me greater pleasure than to
convince you of it. - In fine, there is nothing but Charlotta I would
refuse you.
The old lord uttered all this with so feeling an accent that Horatio was
very much moved at it; but unable to guess what would be the consequence
of this strange preparation, and not having any thing to ask of him but
the only thing he had declared he would not grant, he only thanked him
for the concern he was pleased to express, and said, that perhaps there
might come a time in which the obscurity he was in at present would be
enlightened; at least, cried he, I shall have the satisfaction of
endeavouring to acquire by merit what I am denied by fortune.
I admire this noble ambition in you, replied the baron de Palfoy; pursue
these laudable views, and doubt not of success: - it would be an infinite
pleasure to me to see you raised so high, that I should acknowledge an
alliance with you the greatest honour I could hope: and to shew you with
how much sincerity I speak, - here is a letter I have wrote to count
Piper, the first minister and favourite of the king of Sweden; when you
deliver this to him, I am certain you will be convinced by his reception
of you, that you are one whose interest I take no inconsiderable
part in.
With these words he gave him a letter directed, as he had said, but not
sealed, which Horatio, after he had manifested the sense he had of so
unhoped an obligation, reminded him of. As it concerns only yourself,
said the baron, it is proper you should read it first, and I will then
put on my signet.
Horatio on this unfolded it, and found it contained such high
commendations of him, and such pressing entreaties to that minister to
contribute all he could to his promotion, that it seemed rather dictated
by the fondness of a parent, than by one who had taken so much pains to
avoid being so.
