She over and over repeated,
conjuring him, in the most tender terms, not to hazard himself beyond
what the duties of his post obliged him to: - this, said she, shall be
the test of my affection to you; for whenever I hear you run yourself
into unnecessary dangers, I will conclude from that moment you have
ceased to remember, or pay any regard to my injunctions or repose.
Horatio kissed her hand thro' the grate, and told her, he would always
set too great a value on a life she was so good to with the continuance
of, not to take all the care of it that honour would admit; but she
would not give him leave to add any asseverations to this promise,
which, said she, you will every day be tempted to break; - the
enterprizing disposition of the prince you are going to serve, added to
your own sense of glory, will make it very difficult for you not to be
the foremost in following wherever his royal example leads the way: - nor
would I wish you to purchase security by the price of infamy; but as you
go in a manner such as will in all probability place you near his
person, methinks it would be easy for you, by now and then mentioning
the princess Louisa, to rouse in him these soft emotions which might
prevent him from too rashly exposing a life she had so great an
interest in.
How great a pity was it this tender conversation between two persons who
had so pure a passion for each other, who had been absent for some time,
and who knew not when, or whether ever they should meet again, could not
be indulged with no longer continuance! but now mademoiselle du Pont,
who had been so good as to stand at some little distance, while they
entertained each other, as a watch to give them notice of any
interruption, now warned them that they must part: - divine service was
over, and the abbess and nuns were returning from chapel.
Short was the farewel the lovers took; mademoiselle Charlotta had told
him it would be highly improper he should run the hazard of a discovery
by coming there a second time, which would probably incense her father
so much, as to convert all the favourable intentions he now might have
towards them into the reverse, and he was therefore oblig'd to content
himself with printing with his lips the seal of his affection on her
hand, which he had scarce done before, on a second motion by
mademoiselle du Pont, she shot suddenly from the place and went to her
chamber, that no suspicions might arise on her being found so well as to
have been able to quit it.
As he had passed for the brother of mademoiselle du Pont, she stayed
some little time with him: this lady, whom Charlotta in this exigence
had made her confidant, had a great deal of good nature, and seeing the
agony Horatio was in, endeavoured to console him by all the arguments
she thought might have force; - she told him, that in the short time she
had been made partaker of mademoiselle Charlotta's secrets, she had
expressed herself with a tenderness for him, with which he ought to be
satisfied, and that she was convinced nothing would ever be capable of
making the least alteration in her sentiments.
While she was speaking in this manner, Horatio remembered that he had
not given Charlotta her tablet, which he now took out of his pocket, and
with the same pencil she had made use of, and which was fastened to it,
wrote in the next leaf to that she had employed these words;
"I go, most dear, and most adorable Charlotta;
whether to live or die I know not, but which
ever is my portion, the passion I have for you is
rooted in my soul, and will be equally immortal:
life can give no joy but in the hope of being
yours, nor death any terrors but being separated
from you: - O! let nothing ever prevail on
you to forget so perfect an attachment; but in
the midst of all the temptations you may be
surrounded with, think that you have vouch-safed
to encourage my hopes, presuming as they
are, and if once lost to them, what must be the
destiny of
HORATIO."
Having thus poured out some part of the over-flowings of his heart, he
entreated mademoiselle du Pont to give it her, which she assured him she
would not only do, but also be a faithful monitor for him during the
whole time she should be happy enough to enjoy the company of that lady.
Horatio having now fulfilled all his passion required of him, quitted
Rheines the next day, no less impatient to pursue his other
mistress, glory!
But let us now see in what manner his beautiful sister Louisa, whom we
left at Vienna, was all this while engaged.
CHAP. XII.
Continuation of the adventures of Louisa: her quitting Vienna with
Melanthe, and going to Venice, with some accidents that there
befel them.
Not all the gaieties of the court of Vienna had power to attach the
heart of Melanthe, after she heard that a great number of young
officers, just returned from the campaign in Italy, and other persons of
condition, were going to Venice, in order to partake the diversions of
the near approaching carnival: she was for following pleasure every
where, and having seen all that was worth observing in Germany, was
impatient to be gone where new company and new delights excited her
curiosity.
Having therefore obtained proper passports, they set out in company with
several others who were taking the same rout, and by easy journeys thro'
Tyrol, at length arrived at that republic, so famous over all Europe for
its situation, antiquity, and the excellence of its constitution.
