wt 
 
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TH] 
 
 HUNGARIAN BROTHERS 
 
 MISS ANNA MARIA PORTER 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 " What so sweet 
 So beautiful on earth, and Ah ! so rare. 
 As kindred love, and family repose J" 2'tung. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY BRADFORD fcf INSKEEP, Philadelphia: 
 And INSKEEP & BRADFORD, New-York. 
 
 PRINTED BY ROBERT CARR. 
 
 1809, 
 
k6£ 
 
 V.JL 
 
 THE 
 
 HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 AS that part of the Austrian force, to which 
 the younger Leopolstat belonged, was considered 
 as a body of reserve for the army of observation, 
 lining the bank of the Adige, it was still in its for- 
 mer cantonments, when hostilities commenced in 
 Italy : Demetrius therefore, was yet reposing among 
 the sweets of hospitable friendship. 
 
 It was now the month of March ; in that en- 
 chanting climate, Spring's magic touch had already 
 transformed the icy trees, and snowy hills, into 
 green bowers, and fragrant beds. The song of the 
 nightingale, the smell of violets and fruit-blossoms, 
 greeted the wanderer in his walks: the blue arch of 
 heaven, was cloudless ; and the star of evening, 
 rose upon nights of warm serenity. 
 
 VOL. II. B 
 
2 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The Duchess di Felieri eager to promote the 
 innocent cheerfulness of her grand-daughter, pro- 
 posed a moonlight water party., which the mild sea- 
 son rendered by no means imprudent. She had a 
 tincture of the romantic, in her character, and it 
 shewed itself in this selection of a pleasure. 
 
 Her plan was zealously embraced, not only by 
 Wurtzburgh and Demetrius, but also by some Ve- 
 netian ladies then visiting Constantia. The party 
 was arranged at dinner ; and the gentlemen leaving 
 the rest of the company to take their siesta, repair- 
 ed to their quarters to execute some trivial profes- 
 sional business, and collect a few more officers. 
 
 In searching among his papers for some flute- 
 music, with which he meant to refresh his memory, 
 Demetrius accidentally encountered a sonnet, which 
 he had written in the very meridian of his passion 
 for Madame de Fontainville : he seized it with 
 trembling hands, and a pang of exquisite regret 
 quivered through his heart, while he involuntarily 
 read these lines.-^ 
 
 To Zaire. 
 
 In thought of thee run all my days to waste ! — . 
 
 I seek no more, to win the wreath of fame, 
 But sunk in dreams of love, forget the taste 
 
 Of bookish study, or of glory's aim : 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 3 
 
 Each foregone purpose of my squI, defac'd, 
 
 I strive no longer Valour's meed to claim ; 
 I shun the social train by Science gr?.c'd, 
 
 Reckless of who may praise, or who may blame, 
 Past is the wish to be for aught renown'd: 
 
 Like a vain shadow has it fled away — 
 Gone is the vacant mind, which lately found 
 
 Delight, in converse with the wise or gay ! 
 Thou, thou alone, my mind's companion art ; 
 My books, thy letters ; my soul's prize, thy beat 
 
 Demetrius held the sonnet some time after he 
 had read it, gazing on the lines without seeing them ; 
 without seeing any-thing in short, but a long train 
 of former feelings which had been too fatally-trans- 
 porting, to be remembered without emotion. 
 
 From recollection of the past, his thoughts 
 turned to the present ; roving over distressing con- 
 jectures about the ill-fated Zaire. He knew she 
 lived and w r as in England, surrounded by friends: 
 but upon the state of her heart, Charles had hither- 
 to preserved an impenetrable silence. His own, 
 throbbed an agonizing assurance that she was more 
 faithful than he. 
 
 Man is a mass of contradictions ! for Deme- 
 trius now became profoundly sad, only because he 
 was no longer miserable. 
 
 With a countenance as changed as his sj. irr :,, he 
 rejoined Wurtzburgh : complaining of an excessive 
 
4 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 head-ach which plea he was again forced to urge at 
 the l,odge. 
 
 The Duchess would have put an end to the ex- 
 pected entertainment, had he not declared that air 
 and gaiety were always specifics with him, and at the 
 same time professed to have found benefit from a 
 cooling essence, which the Princess herself had 
 held on his forehead. 
 
 The boat was announced soon after. — The lit- 
 tle party took some refreshments on board, and 
 unanimously voting against attendants, commenced 
 their aquatic tour. It was on a narrow, deep 
 stream, which originating among some 'mountains, 
 flowed across the Bellunese, and mingled its waters 
 with the Livenza near Felieri. 
 
 The boat gliding rapidly along, bore thent 
 through dark romantic banks, rich with the foliage 
 of the willow, and the light forms of the poplar 
 and laburnum. The moonlight tracked their path 
 through the rippling water ; the balmy air was filled 
 with the breathings of flowers ; and a solitary night- 
 ingale warbled its melancholy lay among the peach- 
 blossoms of a neighbouring garden. 
 
 Constantia was seated beside Demetrius. She 
 caught some of his pensiveness ; and while the rest 
 of the groupe were laughing 'and talking, they only, 
 sat buried in contemplation. 
 
 The Princess sighed — 
 
 a Does this beautiful scene, make you melan- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. o 
 
 choly ?" asked Demetrius, withdrawing his eyes 
 from the moon upon which they were before fix- 
 ed. — " Yes it does:" she replied, sighing again; 
 " and I know not why. Perhaps the secret influ- 
 ence of the idea that all these things are passing 
 away ; that this glorious world, yon beautiful 
 planet, must all, one day, perish. — How mournful 
 is the thought of decay !" " Mournful indeed !" 
 returned Demetrius. " This idea embitters every 
 pleasure which does not flow from the admiration 
 of a virtue, or the indulgence of an affection : but 
 these, are things which decay not — these are things 
 over which, time and death will have no power !" 
 
 Constantia turned rapidly round at the ardent 
 tone of his voice ; and their eyes, equally flashing 
 with enthusiasm, met and retreated. 
 
 She then sank into silence ; which was only 
 interrupted by the low, frequent sighs of her com- 
 panion. His enthusiasm was over : for he remem- 
 bered that affection could decay, as well as mate- 
 rial objects. 
 
 The Duchess was sitting at a distance, wrapt 
 up in a mantle of fur and velvet, which defended 
 her e Ten from the refreshing breeze : she was in 
 such high spirits, and so pleased with the witty 
 sallies of her Venetian friends and their military 
 cicesheo's, that she suffered the romantic pair, to 
 poetize, as she conjectured, on the nightingale. 
 
 At the first agreeable spot adapted for their 
 B 2 
 
6 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 purpose, they landed. It was a little green recess 
 formed into an amphitheatre by tall trees : there 
 the young men spread their pelisses for carpets, 
 produced fruits, cakes and wine; and this simple 
 supper, seasoned with mirth and graced by beauty, 
 seemed more delightful to the fair Venetians, than 
 all the pageantries of their native carnival. 
 
 One of these ladies, separated Demetrius from 
 Constantia, and by the vivacity of her conversation, 
 enlivened his. Strong colouring and sprightly ex- 
 pression, were the charms of the Signora Marinelli. 
 — The blushes of innocence and the illumination 
 of sensibility, were the graces of Constantia. 
 Though trifling with the Signora, Demetrius con- 
 stantly found his eyes and thoughts wandering to 
 the Princess. 
 
 Soj%s followed supper. The Italian ladies sang 
 together, some enchanting harmonies, which their 
 finished taste and skill rendered perfect. Constan- 
 tia timidly yielded to the intreaty of her grandmo- 
 ther and sang alone. 
 
 The sweet stillness of the night, and the tender 
 expression of every surrounding object, was in uni- 
 son with her voice : its tones, ever low and melo- 
 dious, flexible as her graceful form, and various as 
 her character, were now doubly melodious from that 
 complacent melancholy with w r hich she was pene- 
 trated. She sang witness skill than the Venetians. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 7 
 
 but her singing had a genius in it, that knew how to 
 touch every chord of the human soul. 
 
 When she concluded, Demetrius alone spoke 
 not : he could not join in the loud applause of the 
 livelier party; but his eyes, half-veiled by their long 
 lashes, were more than ever rivetted on her. 
 
 He was roused by a request from a brother- 
 officer, that he would atone for the absence of his 
 flute. 
 
 His rich mellow voice then gave exquisite ex- 
 pression to the recitative with which he prefaced an 
 Italian melody. — It was like the far-off sound of a 
 hautboy winding through rocks, or over water. 
 
 The effect was magical ; and commendations, 
 such as had often been lavished on him by his bro- 
 ther, proceeded from every tongue : Wurtzburgh 
 hastily proposed returning; and the party unwil- 
 lingly re-entered the boat. 
 
 The trees now rustled thickly above them, as 
 they sailed along : the moon became thinly shaded 
 by clouds, and a brisker current hurried them to- 
 wards the Lodge. When its dome appeared in sight, 
 Demetrius bent to the ear of Constantia: u Dq you 
 not think me insensible, cold-hearted, and taste- 
 less i " said he. 
 
 " Insensible !" she repeated, " to what ?" 
 
 " To that voice, which I should injure if I were 
 to attempt its praise." 
 
 "O! you are vastly gallant it she exclaimed. 
 
8 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 with one of her sweetest smiles : before she could 
 proceed, a general scream from the other end of the 
 boat, called their attention to one of the party that 
 had fallen overboard. 
 
 The instant Demetrius saw it was Wurtzburgh, 
 who could not swim, he hastily threw off his pelisse, 
 and jumped into the river. The next moment they 
 were both safe on the opposite bank. 
 
 There had not been time for a single fainting 
 fit, or doubtless some one of the ladies, would have 
 paid that compliment to the young Hussar. When 
 the boat gained the place where they were, every 
 voice was eager in congratulation. — " You were 
 certainly born under a saving star, my friend ! " 
 whispered Constantia. 
 
 " If I am," returned Demetrius, gaily, " I hope 
 it will never prove its influence by making me take 
 to my heels, when the enemy take to their arms" 
 
 The Du.hess after putting a civil enquiry to the 
 dripping Colonel, turned to Demetrius — 
 
 " You have frightened me dreadfully, my dear 
 Leopolstat. For heaven's sake don't stand shiver- 
 ing diere ; walk home ; run home, both of you ! — 
 to the Lodge I mean — you will catch your deaths." 
 
 " Allons then, for a race ! " cried Demetrius, and 
 followed by the heavier Wurtzburgh, was the next 
 moment seen Entering the Ledge gates. 
 
 Wurtzburgh was so stunned by the terror of 
 drowning, and the sense of what he owed Deme- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 9 
 
 trius, that he could not endure his own feelings. He 
 was a man, whom benefits only exasperated. In 
 answer to the friendly ardour of his young compa- 
 nion, he wrung his hand, and muttered a few words, 
 which the other's fancy translated into gratitude. 
 
 A change in their dress, was speedily effected : 
 the Colonel was first equipped in a superb suit of 
 the Prince of Nuremberg's, and Demetrius less so- 
 licitous about his looks than his comfort, assumed 
 the robes of a Venetian senator, that had acciden- 
 tally been left in the Felieri wardrobe, by a relation. 
 There were plenty of other habits to chuse from ; 
 but Demetrius had a superstitious reverence for the 
 dead, and revolted both from needlessly wearing 
 the cloaths of a departed person, and from exciting, 
 by such indiscretion, painful recollections in the 
 mind of the Duchess. 
 
 Much mirth was the consequence of this whim- 
 sical selection. Wurtzburgh was rallied as unmer- 
 cifully upon his foppery, as he had been upon his 
 awkwardness ; and spite of uncouth garments, per- 
 haps the youth and beauty of Demetrius, were never 
 more praised and admired, than on this eventful 
 evening. 
 
 Though he thought nothing of an action to which 
 he never affixed the idea of danger, being an ad- 
 mirable swimmer, the consciousness oi having saved 
 a life, even without personal risk, gave a quicker 
 flow to his spirits ; and so charming did this exhi- 
 
10 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 laration make him appear in the eyes of the partial 
 Constantia and her grandmother, that they parted 
 from him (alter he had resumed his own attire :) 
 with evident unwillingness. 
 
 As they separated in the hall, Demetrius linger- 
 ed behind his party, to kiss the hand of the Princess. 
 He accompanied this action with a speech so spor- 
 tive, that Constantia lightly pushing away his head 
 from her hand, said archly. 
 
 " Water intoxicates you, I find my friend! while 
 the poor Colonel seen;s to have been bathed in li- 
 quified lead : his rueful face all the night has quite 
 amused me. Didn't he roll about his baleful eyes, 
 as if my uncle's fine dress were the preparatory robe 
 for an Auto de Fe ? " 
 
 " Why to be sure, he did look 
 
 Grim as Don Quixote in the shades, 
 And grisly as the Knave of Spades :" 
 
 replied Demetrius j " but misfortune ought to be 
 sacred. So with that wise saw, and my impromptu 
 couplet, I leave you, sweet Princess ; good night ! 
 may your dreams be as delightful as yourself." 
 
 " May your's too" — Constantia softly repeated, 
 as she followed his flying figure with her eye... She 
 saw him join the other officers; and while their glit- 
 tering uniforms sparkled in the moonlight, and the 
 sound of Leopolstat's lively voice, reached her ear, 
 she exclaimed, 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 11 
 
 " My dear Demetrius !" 
 
 No sooner had the words escaped, than blush- 
 ing, she looked hastily round, to see if any one wit- 
 nessed this proof of regard : no one was there ; and 
 she rejoined the ladies with a light heart. 
 
 Demetrius was in a sound sleep the next morn- 
 ing, when Coionel Wurtz burgh drew back the cur- 
 tains of his bed, and abruptly waking him, said, 
 " Rise Leopolstat ! the order of march is come, and 
 we shall be off in an hour." 
 
 These words, and the buz of troops without, the 
 trampling of their horses feet, the noise of men run- 
 ning to and fro, with all the oihcr accompaniments 
 of military removals, was such a sudden transition 
 from the peaceful dreams of Demetrius, that at first 
 he could scarcely comprehend what they meant. 
 
 A few moments dispersed the vapours of sleep : 
 he leaped out of bed, hastily threw on his cloaths, 
 (which his eager feelings, half-joy and half-pain, 
 made him fasten with difficulty,) called to his ser- 
 vant, gave hi sn a few indispensible orders, and then 
 ran off, to the Lodge. 
 
 By the time he reached Felieri, the tumultuous 
 images of batdes and sieges, the d. zzling ones of 
 martial renown, had given place to the probability 
 of never more beholding the kind friends he was 
 abdut to leave: before duty would again prrmit 
 him to visit the Trevisane, the Duchess might be 
 
12 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 dead, Constantia married, or he might not live te 
 see that time : he might "fall in his first field." 
 
 Saddened by such unavoidable anticipations ; he 
 entered the gallery leading to a breakfast-parlour, 
 where he found Constantia duly posted at her ac- 
 customed window. As if it were possible for him 
 to know why she was standing there, the artless 
 Princess blushed, and stammered out an excuse : 
 Demetrius was far from suspecting himself to be 
 the object she watched; and readily believed the 
 attraction to lie in a beautiful groupe of trees, 
 which the morning mist gradually clearing away, 
 now partially developed. 
 
 They entered the room together : the Duchess 
 and her visitors were still in their own chambers ; 
 and Constantia seemed so peculiarly animated, that 
 poor Leopolstat knew not how to announce his de- 
 parture. She had a multitude of ludicrous ques- 
 tions to ask about the plunging Colonel, as many 
 new recreations to propose, and rallied him upon 
 the conquest she declared his gallantry had made of 
 the Signora Marinelli, with such sportive grace, 
 that he threw himself silendy on a seat, unable to 
 share in, or to check her vivacity. 
 
 At length she perceived his depression : ap- 
 proaching him, she innocently lifted aside his hair, 
 and looking earnestly in his eyes, said, " What is 
 the matter, my dear Demetrius r" 
 
 The affectionate epithet which she now for the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 13 
 
 first time gave to him, joined to her former gaiety 
 (for gaiety has something emboldening in it ;) pro- 
 duced a sudden impulse in Demetrius : he threw 
 his arms hastily round her slender waist, and press- 
 ed her to him. " My dear Constantia," — he re- 
 peated, and his full heart gave unutterable expres- 
 sion to the words. 
 
 Constantia as quickly withdrew her fingers from 
 the rings of his fine hair, and gently chiding him, 
 disengaged herself. There was nothing in her 
 manner that reminded Leopolstat of the Princess, 
 but it was full of modest reproof. 
 
 " Forgive "me," he cried, u amiable Constan- 
 tia ! I know you will, when I shall have told you 
 that our regiment is to join the main army imme- 
 diately. We march, in half an hour." 
 
 The Princess turning frightfully pale, hastened 
 back to him. " Oh ! heaven," she exclaimed, 
 a and we are to lose you ! — you are going into bat- 
 tle !" 
 
 Her fair face sunk on his shoulder as she spoke, 
 and wetted it with tears. At this instant, the 
 Duchess carried by her servant, entered the apart- 
 ment. 
 
 A brief explanation was given by Demetrius: 
 
 the Duchess wept, and repeatedly embraced her 
 
 ui'v! '3 preserver, as he knelt before her. 
 
 tiny ? a hi '."> I suffer in ihis way," said she, " I am 
 
 to rejoice at having few beloved connec- 
 
 PL. ij. G 
 
14 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 tions left : many friends, are but a quiver full of 
 poisoned arrows, destined to give us more pain than 
 pleasure. Now, shall we pay dearly, for all the 
 happy hours we have passed together! — never-ceas- 
 ing anxiety, prayers, and tears, must occupy us, 
 till we see you again." 
 
 Demetrius pressed his lips on her hand, with a 
 devotion of gratitude that made silence eloquent. 
 Constantia tried to smile, to comfort her grandmo- 
 ther : but at every effort, tears gathered afresh in 
 her eyes, and the unfinished sentence of consola- 
 tion, faltered on her tongue. 
 
 The Duchess opened a casket near her. " Here 
 is a present for you, my dear boy 1 when these pic- 
 tures were painted, at the time I made you sit for 
 your's, I intended them for this moment. Look 
 at them often, and think of us." 
 
 This present, was a circle of diamonds, fram- 
 ing in the opposite miniatures of the Duchess and 
 her grandchild. Demetrius seized it with trans- 
 port, and eagerly kissed them. 
 
 u Oh i how often I shall look at your picture :'' 
 cried the Princess, directing a glance to where it 
 hung ; " look now and then on mine : and don't 
 forget me J" 
 
 Demetrius without speaking, turned his glow- 
 ing eyes upon her, as she pronounced the last words* 
 
 The sound of voices in the gafit 
 some one's approach : the Duchess folded /or the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 15 
 
 trius to her breast. — Immediately after, Constantia 
 threw herself into his trembling arms, with all the 
 unsuspiciousness of pure affection. The old lady 
 then hastily said. " Continue to love each other, 
 my equally-dear children, and at my death, you 
 shall find I have provided for your happiness." 
 
 Neither of them hnd time to conjecture the 
 meaning of this speech ; for the Venetian ladies 
 and Colonel Wurtzburgh entered. 
 
 While the sound of bugle-horns and the neigh- 
 ing of horses, proclaimed the march of the regi- 
 ment, expressions of more than common regret, 
 proceeded from the lips of the fair Venetians : De- 
 metrius had a bow and a languid smile for every 
 one of their cordial benedictions, but his heart was 
 too full of sorrow to let them rest a moment on his 
 mind. 
 
 Scarcely conscious of what he was about, he 
 hurried through the apartments, and mounted his 
 horse in the midst of a crowd of the domestics, 
 whose unbought partiality, shewed itself in fervent, 
 blessings. As he shook hands with them all, his 
 gracious but tearful smiles, destroyed the effect of 
 Wurtz burgh's showering gold. 
 
 Every officer now joined the line of march ; and 
 Demetrius was for the first hour, wildly gay : his 
 thoughts absolutely ran away from their own scru- 
 tiny ; and sought refuge from it, in this wretched 
 
16 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The new situation of Wurtzburgh's regiment, 
 which was brigaded with others, and encamped in 
 the" neighbourhood of Verona, opened a scene of 
 pleasing novelty to Demetrius. 
 
 The activity of a camp, and the interest of actual 
 service, contributed to restore his mind to its for- 
 mer tone : he was still so near his illustrious friends 
 as to hear from them frequently, he was certain of 
 their stability ; and he began to pant for an oppor- 
 tunity of increasing his claims on their esteem. 
 
 This opportunity was on the eve of occurring. 
 
 The French troops lining the banks of the Min- 
 cio, feeling themselves securely flanked by the im- 
 portant fortresses of Mantua and Peschiera, were 
 eager for battle : the Austrians upon the Adige, 
 necessarily forced to defend it by a longer line, im- 
 perfectly sustained by mere intrenchments, were 
 aware of their disadvantageous position ; yet not 
 despondent. 
 
 To obtain the pillage of Verona, was the object 
 of the Republicans : to defend that city, the hope of 
 the Imperialists. 
 
 A vigorous attempt was soon made on this 
 point, by the enemy ; and they succeeded in forc- 
 ing every post before Verona and Pastrengo. De- 
 metrius was in the column at Bevilaqua, that rapid- 
 ly advancing, turned the tide of success. 
 
 He fought with ardour ; and distinguished him- 
 self as much, by the rapidity with which he com- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 17 
 
 prehended and executed every new order, as by 
 his undaunted intrepidity. 
 
 Wurtzburgh, in giving him a post of danger, 
 had given him the post of honour : for at the ter- 
 mination of the action, General Kray publickly 
 complimented his young countryman, upon his con- 
 duct. 
 
 From this period, his talents and courage, 
 (though somewhat sullied by rashness) ; procured 
 him the attention of his General : and after the re- 
 nowned battle of the fifth of April, (in which, our 
 ycung Hussar had two horses killed under him), 
 Wurtzburgh saw another Charles in the person of 
 Demetrius. 
 
 While he was coldly thanked, in the usual 
 routine of business, or angrily passed by ; his lieu- 
 tenant was warmly applauded, and promoted with 
 peculiar marks of favour. 
 
 Elated as Demetrius really was, with the uni- 
 versal approbation of his companions, nothing touch- 
 ed his heart so much, as a letter from his brother at 
 SchafFhausen. 
 
 It contained a relation of his own military ca- 
 reer in Suabia and the confines of Switzerland, and 
 breathed the most affectionate solicitude for his safe- 
 ty : charging him to remember that he was now, the 
 only source of his brother's happiness. 
 
 Demetrius caught new fire from the brilliant 
 track of Charles ; and with difficulty reined in an 
 
 c 2 
 
IS THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 ardour which precipitated him but too often into 
 needless danger. 
 
 After his first engagement, he thought no more 
 of gloomy forebodings. He now wrote to the Du- 
 chess di Felieri, in high spirits ; eloquently describ- 
 ed the different scenes in which he had acted ; pre- 
 dicted fresh successes (springing from the influence 
 of her affectionate patronage) ; and dwelt with rap- 
 ture on the hour of peace or of truce, which would 
 enable him to bring his early laurels into the sun- 
 shine of Princess Constantia's smiles. 
 
 To that secretly-cherished object, were all his 
 views directed. Yet he would not allow himself to 
 think so : though he kissed her picture at every so- 
 litary instant; dwelt with tumultuous but sweet con- 
 fusion of thought, on the last words of his protect- 
 ress ; and often while thinking that the countenance 
 which this picture represented, was lovelier than the 
 Goddess of Spring, repeated to himself — u but it is 
 her heart that I love ; it is her heart." 
 
 An attachment like this, so pure and so delight- 
 ful ; an attachment that gave fresh energy to every 
 virtue, had nothing in it to terrify Demetrius. 
 
 When so eminently favoured by her nearest re- 
 lative, he was too young and inexperienced to cal- 
 culate upon possible causes of misery : and he be- 
 lieved that to be permitted to love her, and think 
 himself beloved, would make him fully blest. 
 
 The bright dawn of a spotless affection, ros? 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 19 
 
 upon his soul, after a stormy and burning day of 
 passion, a gloomy night of despair and remorse : 
 how then, was it to be expected that he should avoid 
 its cheering influence ? 
 
 After the battle of Magnon, the Austrian Ge- 
 nerals, pursued the French forces, successively be- 
 yond the Tartaro, and the Cheisa: the Russian army 
 now joined that of the Germanic empire, and the 
 whole command devolved upon the iron-hearted, 
 but ever-victorious Suwarrow. 
 
 Demetrius, still in the army of General Kray, 
 went with the detachment which under this able 
 commander, invested the fortresses of Peschiera and 
 Mantua. He was present at the reduction of both 
 places ; and with him, rejoined the main army time 
 enough to share in the decision of the bloody field 
 of Novi. 
 
 It is well known, that to the rapid march of the 
 Hungarian General upon that illustrious day, is to 
 be attributed its happy event. In the daring charge, 
 up the steep, wooded heights of Novi, Demetrius 
 nobly distinguished himself. The cavalry being 
 dismounted, he rushed forward on foot, at the head 
 of his squadron, under a plunging fire that shower- 
 ed balls upon them, like hail. Just as the fate of 
 the day was fixed, a shot struck him, and he fell. 
 
 Count Forsheim, whose regiment also was en- 
 gaged, had his fri nd immediately conveyed -nto 
 the rear, where he soon alter followed j and iound 
 
20 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 to his inexpressible satisfaction, that the wound was 
 not mortal. 
 
 Universal concern surrounded the sick chamber 
 of Demetrius : but he did not regret his wound, 
 when he blushingly listened to the commendations 
 of his General, though they were mixed with some 
 reproof of his rashness. 
 
 u 'Tis a noble lauit, however, young man," said 
 the veteran, shaking hands with him, and rising to 
 depart. " But as I won't have it repeated ; you must 
 henceforth come under my immediate eye. The 
 death of poor Mecronfeldt, gives me an opportunity 
 of appointing you to be one of my Aid-de-Camps : 
 Good morning ! I shall now visit your surgeon, and 
 see ii he can find out a medicine for cooling a valour 
 that has rather too much inflammation in it, lor its 
 owner's safety : not that I should be sorry if your 
 disease were somewhat catching." 
 
 General Kray left the room while speaking, and 
 Count Forshiem entered. 
 
 u I have brought you, one charming restorative 
 at least," said he, " here are letters for you : this 
 is from your brother." 
 
 The blood rushed into the before-pale face of 
 our voting hussar : he raised himself eagerly, and 
 snatched the letters ; for he saw the hands of Con- 
 stant^ ind the Duchess. 
 
 Unconsciously afraid of Forshiem's raillery, he 
 laid those letters down, and opened that from Char- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 21 
 
 les. As it contained an account of all that had oc- 
 curred to him, from the period in which this nar- 
 rative left him at Schaffhausen, it will be best. to 
 transcribe the letter. 
 
22 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Valley of the Reusse, Aug. 1799. 
 " My dear brother ! 
 
 " I have been now, above four months in Swit- 
 zerland, and have written to you only once : had 
 you not been engaged in active service, I would 
 not have been so bad a correspondent. Sometimes 
 we were expecting great events ; at other times, so 
 occupied in following up the advantages they pro- 
 duced, that to sit calmly down, and take a pen, was 
 impossible. 
 
 " I have however, kept a sort of frying journal 
 for you, which (when the campaign ends, and 
 leaves me leisure to translate from short-hand, into 
 more intelligible characters ;) may furnish you and 
 me, with subjects to discuss, for many a peaceful 
 evening. 
 
 " How often have I wished, that fortune had 
 destined us to make the campaign of Switzerland to- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 23 
 
 gether ! a campaign, so rich in stores of military- 
 knowledge ! a campaign, upon which Europe rivets 
 her eyes, and which posterity will retrace with 
 emotions of awe ! a campaign where each action 
 is but a bold experiment ; and commanders no 
 longer the passive instruments of acknowledged 
 rules, find in every victory, an honour peculiarly 
 their own ! 
 
 "To military men, Switzerland has hitherto 
 been an unknown world ; and now, every step they 
 take in it, is a discovery. 
 
 " The war of plains and of rivers, and of fortifi- 
 ed towns, (which till now, bounded my informa- 
 tion ;) is I find, but the initiatory principle of our 
 art : it is in the war of mountains, that we learn its 
 sublime mysteries. 
 
 " There, what before was the result of calcula- 
 tion, is the production of genius ; what experience 
 could once ascertain, grows unfixed and speculative ; 
 a wide range is left for every power, and the soul 
 seems to find new powers for new objects. Com- 
 binations of attack, defence, and retreat, are varied 
 as infinitely, as the forms of ground upon which 
 they are tried : every thing becomes novelty, and 
 enterprise. 
 
 " Certainly, man delights in strong emotion, 
 and loves to contend with difficulties. Action, lo- 
 sing its dubiousness, to him loses its vivacity ; and 
 when the success of an operation may be pronoun- 
 
24 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 ced on, by certain established data, his plans are fi- 
 nished ere they are begun. Obstacles therefore, 
 only act as stimulants : and the tameness of regular 
 marches, leisure approaches, long foreseen battles, 
 (which attends ordinary campaigns :) vanishes be- 
 fore the watchful apprehension and active prvoy- 
 ance exacted by this species of warfare. 
 
 "It is then, that war loses half its horror, by lo- 
 sing all its gloom : and in proportion as the game 
 grows interesting, we almost forget the tremendous 
 stake for which we throw — the lives of human be- 
 ings ! 
 
 " Let us not, however, quite forget it, my bro- 
 ther ! though Providence hath graciously given us 
 the faculty of exti acting pleasure even from hor- 
 rors ; and by a multitude of opposite feelings, hath 
 counterbalanced our instinctive abhorrence at the 
 sight of destruction, let us not suffer this abhorrence 
 to sink. 
 
 " The man that studies the military art, for any 
 other purpose than that of saving lives, is unworthy 
 the name of man. We must never get enamoured 
 of what we ought to detest : for war should be our. 
 av rsion though the study of it is our duty, and the 
 glory attached to it our reward. 
 
 " Ours, is a profession destined to protect in 
 peace and industry, our fellow-citizens : — a profes- 
 sion which, substituting skill and experience in the 
 place of mere courage, spares the needless effusion 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 35' 
 
 of blood. For, were there no established armies, 
 were the inhabitants of a country to arm upon the 
 irruption of an enemy, (setting aside the folly of 
 not remembering that a spirited offensive, is often 
 the only method of defence) ; every loss or gain, 
 would then be the event of sheer fighting ; and 
 those that made the most slaughter would be the 
 victors. 
 
 " Now, under the present system of organized 
 troops, a single manoeuvre, ably conceived and 
 promptly executed, frequently produces the blood- 
 less conquest of w hole battalions. 
 
 " When the subject is thus contemplated I am 
 astonisht-d at the odium which our profession in- 
 curs from many enlightened classes of society. If 
 they believe, preposterously believe, that there 
 would be no wars, if there were no disciplined sol- 
 diers, of course they are justified in denouncing 
 us : but I think they might as well go to prove that 
 there would be no diseases, if there were no physi- 
 cians. The roots of war are in the rank passions 
 of the human heart ; as we can never eradicate 
 them, this baleful tree must remain : while all that 
 is left us, is the attempt at confining its poisonous 
 droppings, within as small a circle as possible. 
 
 u If that man is deemed a benefactor of his spe- 
 ci s, who studies surgery, habituating his eves to 
 sights of horror, his hand to painful operations, for 
 the sake of preventing greater suffering ; I know 
 
 VOL. II. D 
 
26 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 not how the candid can inveigh against the mem- 
 bers of a profession, in which, a comparatively 
 small body of men, from similar motives, take the 
 whole portion of humanity's worst affliction upon 
 themselves. 
 
 " Are we to seek for the reason of this incon- 
 sistency, in the envy of our fellow-creatures I — Do 
 they begrudge us the praise of patriotism : — or is 
 it to be found in the prevalent opinion, that when- 
 ever an action can only spring from the best or the 
 worst motives, it is invariably to be attributed to 
 the latter. 
 
 " Leaving you Demetrius, to settle this point 
 or not, just as you please, I will return to my 
 subject. 
 
 " Without an eye for embracing at one glance, 
 a vast coup d'ceil, and retaining a distinct map of it, 
 in his memory, a soldier here, might as well have 
 no eves at all : I have found my habit of exercis- 
 ing this sense, so essentially serviceable, that I ear- 
 nestlv recommend you to pursue the same plan, 
 wherever you go, and however insipid the country 
 mav appear. — Believe me, if a soldier has not every 
 sense alert, as well as every mental faculty, he will 
 never shine in practice, whatever he may do in 
 theory. 
 
 " Nothing could have been more fortunate, than 
 mv having beetl in Switzerland eight years rgo. 
 How little did I then think, that this majestic tern- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 27 
 
 pie of liberty, which I entered with so much devo- 
 tion ; and which, for near three centuries, had stood 
 like a holy thing, unapproached by the fiend of war; 
 that this panctaary of peace and virtue, should be 
 profaned by the impious apostates of France ! Even 
 now, I feel guilty of sacrilege, as I tread its sacred 
 precincts ; and can hardly be reconciled to myself, 
 for unsheathing the defensive sword, among such 
 consecrated scenes. 
 
 u Switzerland was the modern Arcadia. It was 
 an exquisite fragment, preserved to shew us, what 
 this world had been, 
 
 " There, the philanthropist went from the fright- 
 ful images of crime and animosity, presented By 
 every other land, to console himself with the spec- 
 tacle of a moral phenomenon ; a people brave, vet 
 peaceful; poor, yet content ; ignorant, yet suscepti- 
 ble of every tender and social feeling. 
 
 " Good God ! and was such a people to be anni- 
 hilated : — Were they to be torn from their tranquil 
 enjoyments, and sacrificed to the demon Cruelty, 
 by his fierce ministers Fire, Famine, and the Sv. ord? 
 — Was their hitherto-adamantine zone, (that gigan- 
 tic chain of Alps which had so long bound in their 
 happiness) ; to be burst asunder by the storm of 
 war, and turned into one vast engine for their de- 
 struction ! — Where the Glaciers rose in sacred still- 
 ness, protecting vallies that resounded the cheerful 
 .songs of industry, was the steely glare of armed 
 
28 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 multitudes to blind their startled sight ; and the din 
 of sanguinary rage, to awaken those echoes, that 
 had slept in an unbroken trance from the creation 
 ef the world ? 
 
 " Forgive me this rhapsody, Demetrius. — 
 
 " Public report will have given you so brilliant 
 an account of our progress here, that it is not ne- 
 cessary for me to do more than intreat that you 
 will not fall into the vulgar error of censuring Prince 
 
 rles for having halted as it were, on the threshold 
 of Switzerland, after his early successes at Sto- 
 chach and Schaffnausen. 
 
 a You know not how he is fettered and circum- 
 scribed by councils and court intrigues ; how his 
 judicious projects are traversed by an ungrateful 
 faction, that would thus drive their good angel from 
 hem. To penetrate further into a country already 
 exhausted of the means for supporting troops, be- 
 fore' provisions were brought from other places, and 
 magazines formed, would have been madness : these 
 were delayed from day to day ; and the most scan- 
 dalous neglect was suffered to prevail amongst a 
 set of men, over whom the Prinee had no authority. 
 It was necessary also, that the plans chalked out 
 for Generals Bellfgarde and Hotze, should have 
 succeeded, before any progress could be safely at- 
 here. No sooner had they put us in pos- 
 session of the Orisons and the sources of the Rhine, 
 than the Arch-duke struck the meditated blow. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 29 
 
 " Our conquest of the entrenched camp that de- 
 fended Zurich ; and the defeat of Massena, will for 
 ever silence the clamours of ignorant impatience. 
 Prince Charles, in that attack, displayed all the 
 qualities of a consummate General. Never shall I 
 forget his energv, his intrepidity, his undisturbed 
 presence of mind !. 
 
 " Immediately after this important event, I was 
 generously rewarded for my poor services, with the 
 command of a regiment, and sent to join the troops 
 in Uri. There, my topographical knowledge v. as 
 thought more needful, than in the less intricate can- 
 ton of Zurich. 
 
 " The engagements that have taken place since, 
 though uniformly successful, might have been so, 
 at such an inferior rate, that I cannot help noticing 
 the evils, of our present system, and lamenting our 
 obstinate adherence to what maj bj called a splen- 
 did error. 
 
 u In a region of rocks and torrents, ice and 
 clouds, none but the Arch -duke could extract suc- 
 cess from an army organized like ours : certainly 
 Marshal Lascy did Austria an irreparable injury, 
 when he sacrificed her light troops, to his passion 
 for uniformity. We now experience the ill efLets 
 of such a change. 
 
 " The French seem to have foreseen how often 
 they would have to contend in mountainous coun- 
 tries, and have perfected this part of their lorce ; 
 
 D 2 
 
30 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 have multiplied their sharp-shooters and chasseurs, 
 without number ; whilst we remain just what we 
 were fifty years ago. 
 
 " In spite of our victories here, and in Italy, I 
 cannot forbear thinking, that the imposing grandeur 
 of our army, is an unsolid magnificence : at least it 
 is a magnificence which cumbers its usefulness. 
 The heavy strength of our long lines of troops, our 
 extended chains of posts, our enormous pieces of 
 ordnance, our saturnine coolness, and never-to-be- 
 displaced attention to rule, will at last be found an 
 insufficient opposition to the deep columns of the 
 French, (which pierce our line like so many batter- 
 ing-rams :) their sudden attack upon twenty differ- 
 ent points at the same instant, their flying artillery, 
 and that enviable facility with which their unre- 
 stricted Generals pass from one mode of warfare to 
 another. 
 
 " Our habits ought to be changed, to frustrate 
 this novel practice of our enemy. 
 
 " Let us give our commanders more power, and 
 more responsibility at the same time, and I think 
 affairs would be better conducted. 
 
 " Pondering upon this subject makes me won- 
 der that no able person has yet thought of writing, 
 (what would be a very useful work for us young 
 soldiers); a History of War as a Science: com- 
 mencing at the time of Epaminondas, when it first 
 ceased to be blind slaughter, and advanced towards 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 31 
 
 an art ; pursuing it through all its changes, in every 
 age, down to our own period ; in which a new sys- 
 tem has suddenly risen above the military sphere, 
 like a lawless comet, dimming every star, with its 
 amazing and portentous brightness. 
 
 " You will perhaps marvel at my filling a letter 
 with professional remarks, instead of describing the 
 scenerv by which I am surrounded. 
 
 u Believe me I am so far from insensible to it, 
 that it presses upon my heart as well as my eyes : 
 but every new discovered charm, only makes me 
 witness with greater horror, the seas of blood which 
 even now deluge its majestic beauties. 
 
 " The frightful discordance of armies and bat- 
 tles, with pastures so lovely, mountains so sublime, 
 forces me to divert my thoughts from what they 
 dwelt on eight years ago, with holy transport. It 
 is not however, always in my power to do this : I 
 was a fortnight ago charmed into complete forget- 
 fulness of destruction. 
 
 u It was as my regiment was going to occupy a 
 new position in Glarus. 
 
 " Our march, led over some of the dreariest 
 mountains in that canton, where forests of gloomy 
 pine impervious to day, and naked rocks uncloathed 
 even by mosses, were rendered doubly drear, by the 
 stillness of midnight. 
 
 " Not a sound, save that of our own measured 
 steps, was heard in this fearful solitude. 
 
32 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 I " The troops traversed it in silence, and with 
 haste : We then climbed over still wilder heights, 
 and winding down a precipitous dt file, (whose enor- 
 mous trees met over our heads) suddenly enured a 
 valley, where the most glorious spectacle I ever be- 
 held, presented itself. 
 
 " The moon was shining brightly upon a range 
 of stupendous but verdant mountains ; above which, 
 towered the Glaciers of Schwitz, and Glarus, like 
 ramparts of glittering steel. Three mighty water-falls 
 fell without a single interruption, from the tops of 
 the highest steeps, prone at once to their feet ; where 
 sweeping over huge trees and masses of rock, they 
 poured their united torrents through the valley, with 
 a din like thunder. 
 
 " The splendid light of the moon upon the cata- 
 racts and the Glaciers ; (for never did she seem so 
 bright to me before) ; the emerald greenness of the 
 woods, and the vivid colours of the Alpine plants 
 blooming among their roots ; the intense blue of the 
 sky; and the sublime, unmixed l sound of rushing 
 waters,' (the troops having halted); rendered this 
 scene one of the noblest that imagination can con- . 
 ceive. 
 
 M So magnificent a sight, seemed to have been 
 created for none but Gods to look on: I stood awe- 
 struck ; and almost feared to proceed. 
 
 " Even at th's moment, Demetrius, I am sur- 
 rounded by a region of enchantment. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 33 
 
 *' While all beneath lies dark and shadowy; (the 
 forests, the lakes, and the vallies): empurpled clouds, 
 floating above the wood-tops, serve for the base of 
 aerial structures, that rise in gorgeous beauty to- 
 wards heaven. 
 
 " Palaces and castles, islands and seas of trans- 
 parent ice, endless in their fantastic forms, and glow- 
 ing colours, seem creating themselves before me. 
 The sun setting opposite to the Glaciers, produces 
 this magic pageant : the tints of the rose and the 
 violet, succeed each other on their inaccessible sum- 
 mits. These hues, shift from pinnacle to pinnacle, 
 alternately transforming them into vast blocks of 
 sapphire, amethyst, and ruby. 
 
 " It is here, that imagination finds materials for 
 her world. Sometimes she fancies the triple row of 
 snow-covered Alps, (between which, spread broad 
 green lakes :) the encampment of the giants when 
 they threatened heaven : sometimes she sees in the 
 Glaciers, ranks of embattled angels, whose beamy 
 helmets shine among the stars : and sometimes at 
 the break of day, when grey mists slowly roll from 
 their dripping sides, partially unveiling an indistinct 
 outline, she takes them for spirits of the waters, va- 
 poury genii ; of cataracts and lakes, standing in si- 
 lent grief, over their desolated land. 
 
 " Beholding all this grandeur and misery, even 
 such a sober fellow as I, cannot help exclaiming — 
 O Switzerland, beautiful Switzerland ! and hast 
 
34> THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 thou at last been violated by the brutal demon Am- 
 bition ! 
 
 " Your exclamation, doubtless, would be in poe- 
 try: mine alas! must lor ever remain prose. 
 
 " Every express we receive from the army of 
 Italy, brings me fresh reason to exult in my bro- 
 ther : Sweeter to me is this early incense, than all 
 the gales of Arabia. I know you victorious o . er 
 deadlier enemies than any to be encountered in the 
 field of war ; and I listen, consequently, with the 
 fullest satisfaction, to the fame which you have more 
 than earned. 
 
 " Since my last letter — nay, only ten days ago, 
 I was surprized with a present from my incognita : 
 a charger, of uncommon beauty. It was delivered 
 to my servant at head quarters, with a letter, by a 
 Swiss peasant, who went off without waiting to be 
 interrogated. 
 
 " I could easily have had this fellow brought 
 back : nav, the horse itself, and my ring, might by 
 proper enquiries, ascertain the generous giver : were 
 it not, that delicacy makes it a point oi conscience 
 not to penetrate a mystery which can never have a 
 serious influence over my destiny. I wait the ami- 
 able lady's time : though I confess, the assurance 
 she gives me in this last epistle of soon removing 
 her obscuring veil, excites some little emotion. 
 
 " Whoever she be, her goodness and munifi- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 35 
 
 cence, entitle her to my warmest gratitude ! She 
 has it. More, I fear she will never have. 
 
 " This acceptable present having rendered my 
 former charger useless, I sold him two days since 
 to the General. His good looks and good conduct, 
 made him sell for twice what I paid for him ; and 
 as vou had the principal trouble of his education, I 
 send you half the sum. 
 
 " Let me have no unkind refusal, or sending 
 back of this enclosure. Hasty marches always pro- 
 duce unavoidable expenses, which you will painful- 
 ly feel, unless you borrow of your brother. — At 
 anv rate, I presume Italy is not barren of objects 
 for charity, and if you refuse to employ this trifle in 
 getting yourself a bottle of tolerable wine after hours 
 of exhaustion, you cannot with decency decline 
 using it for others. 
 
 " I have just heard from our friends in England: 
 ^Tiey are well. 
 
 u Adieu, my dear Demetrius ; my thoughts are 
 always witlryou. — Ah no! not always ; I have not 
 yet quite subdued the folly of unavailing thoughts 
 about another. 
 
 " When you write to vour illustrious Patroness, 
 present my offering of respect to Princess ( onstan- 
 tia. *Vhat a happy evening was that, on whic i I 
 first saw her ! — but it is not in character for a sol- 
 
36 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 dier, surrounded by death, to sigh over the remem- 
 brance of delicate assemblies. 
 
 Farewel. 
 
 Your affectionate 
 
 Charles." 
 
 Folding down the last paragraph, Demetrius 
 put jthis letter into Forshiem's hand, bidding him 
 read it : the Count's prompt obedience then gave 
 him an opportunity of perusing those from Felieri. 
 
 They were such, as the tenderest mother, and 
 fondest sister would have written : thev were full 
 of praises ; and intreaties that he would expose 
 himself less to danger. In one part Constantia 
 wrote — 
 
 " I could hate myself for being gratified with 
 the eulogiums bestowed on you, when I remember, 
 that to deserve these eulogiums,you are perpetually 
 risking a life, precious to every one. 
 
 u Ah ! you know not how dear you are, to m^ 
 beloved grandmamma ! she talks of you incessant- 
 lv ; and had not the courier from my brother, who 
 brought us the news of the victory, brought a letter 
 from you also, I belh ve she would not have sur- 
 vived the shock we sustained in hearing of your 
 wound. Certainly she likes you more than she 
 does mi : and yet, I am not in the least jealous ; for 
 I would rather have you loved by the whole wond, 
 
iHE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 37 
 
 than be loved myself. And this is very natural., 
 you know, because it is to you I owe both my own 
 life, and that of my grandmamma." 
 
 In these few last lines, the artless Princess un- 
 knowingly displayed the force and nature of her 
 affection. Her sentiment found an answering one 
 in the heart of Demetrius, where a secret suspicion 
 of the truth was now softly kindling. 
 
 Sighing from excess of delight, he fell into a 
 reverie ; and his eyes swimming in tenderness, re- 
 mained fixed on the letter. 
 
 Count Forshiem made it a point of conscience 
 never to extract the secrets of his nearest friends, 
 either by intreaty or raillery : nay, he now carried 
 this delicacy so far, as to avoid looking at the ex- 
 pression of young Leopolstat's features. Apparent- 
 ly absorbed in Charles's letter, he appeared uncon- 
 scious of his companion's emotion, and as soon as 
 he had read it through, hastily uttered a friendly 
 comment, and retired. 
 
 A few days after this, the young Aid-de-camp 
 was well enough to enter upon his new and honour- 
 able post ; his brother-officers greeted his recovery 
 with demonstrations of cordial good-will ; and the 
 Prince of Nuremberg, whose regiment had signa- 
 lized itself at Novi, did him the favour of paying 
 him a cold compliment. 
 
 After the reduction ofTortona; and subsequent 
 depart ire of the Russian army for Switzerland; 
 
 VOL. II. E 
 
38 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 nothing particular occurred to Demetrius until the 
 end of autumn. His squadron was ihen engaged 
 in the valley of the Bormida ; where he providen- 
 tially rescued a French officer from being butchered 
 in cold blood, by a Croat. 
 
 The officer gashed, and weltering, faintly trying 
 to avert a weapon already at his breast, presented 
 the most frightful spectacle. Demetrius command- 
 ed the soldier to desist, and had the fainting pri- 
 soner borne to his own quarters. 
 
 There this unhappy person was found so dread- 
 fully wounded, as to be incapable of speech. Part 
 of his jaw, had been carried off by a musquet ball, 
 and his body was mangled with sabres. 
 
 Painfully susceptible of compassion, Demetrius 
 forgot the lawltss Republican, in the dying man, 
 and attended him as assiduously as he would have 
 done a friend. During this attendance he received 
 another letter from Feiieri ; after which he was sur- 
 prised by a visit from the Prince of Nuremberg. 
 
 " I come Sir," said the Prince haughtily seat- 
 ing himself, while the other was standing, " I come 
 to satisfy myself on a point which it is of the utmost 
 consequence to my honour to ascertain. 
 
 " In the packets of letters which I find my 
 courier to and from Feiieri, has also brought for 
 you, pray do you ever receive any from the Princess 
 Constantia of Nuremberg." 
 
 Demetrius had some difficulty in moderating 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 39 
 
 his voice, as he replied to the tone of defiance with 
 which this question was put : " Never but once, 
 Sir, had I that honour." 
 
 "Shew me the letter!" 
 
 At this hasty command, Demetrius surveyed 
 the Prince from head to foot, and then turned 
 calmly away. Surprised into the keenest contempt, 
 he forgot his relationship to Constantia. 
 
 " Shew me the letter Sir," repeated the Prince. 
 
 Demetrius had then recovered himself. 
 
 " I would not willingly deny the Prince of Nu- 
 remberg any favour in my poor power to grant ; 
 but a letter is in my opinion too sacred a deposit to 
 be thus shewn at the mere voice of authority. To 
 the amiable writer of the one in question, I refer 
 your Highness; confident that she will not hesitate 
 to avow the merely- benevolent interest which she 
 takes in the life of a man, who once had the happy 
 fortune of preserving her's." 
 
 " You know how to over-rate yourself, I per- 
 ceive Sir ;" rejoined the Prince, " surely that vast 
 debt was paid long ago ? I offered you my patron- 
 age and protection, neither of which, you chose to 
 accept. No — it was more for your interest to flat- 
 ter a rich old woman already in a co»venient state 
 of dotage, and an indiscreet girl not yet out of her 
 childhood, into" — 
 
 " Hold Sir !" exclaimed Demetrius, darting on 
 him a look of indignation ; u not even your rank 
 
40 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 shall authorize you to treat with scorn, in my pre- 
 sence, names so sacred tome." 
 
 " And do you presume to place yourself on a 
 level with the Prince of Nuremberg." 
 
 " No !" retorted Demetrius, with imprudent 
 bitterness, " for the Prince of Nuremberg when he 
 forgets that a high station demands higher virtues, 
 and condescends to insult and brave an inferior, 
 sinks below him !" 
 
 At this cutting reproof, the Prince became chok- 
 ed with rage: he grasped the hilt of his sword, 
 passionately advancing with an enflamed counten- 
 ance towards the young Count : then suddenly ex- 
 claiming, " Scoundrel!" struck him a blow on the 
 face. 
 
 Demetrius retreated a few steps, as if to prevent 
 himself from annihilating the despicable Nurem- 
 berg ; all his body shook with a passion tenfold in 
 magnitude to that of his opponent's ; momentarily 
 giving the reins to it, he returned the blow with a 
 force, which brought his insulter to the ground. 
 
 At that juncture, the entrance of Forshiem, 
 gave a check to their mutual rage. Breathing no- 
 thing but vengeance, the Prince hastily rose, and 
 left the place. 
 
 On his departure Forshiem questioned Deme- 
 trius upon the cause of so extraordinary a scene : 
 he excused himself from motives of delicacy. 
 
 " The affair," he said, " is completely that of 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 41 
 
 the Prince of Nuremberg, and as such it should re- 
 main secret with me, unless he be candid enough, 
 to acknowledge it himself. He struck me ; I 
 struck him : my honour is now satisfied." 
 
 " I tremble for the consequence," exclaimed 
 the Count, u my dear Leopolstat if you have erred 
 through a too-inflammable spirit, one small conces- 
 sion." 
 
 " Would be infamous !" cried Demetrius. u No 
 Forshiem, by heaven ! — if to hear the woman most 
 venerated, and the woman most loved, named with 
 derision ; if to be accused of the basest meanness, 
 and imperiously commanded — but hold! — I have 
 almost lost myself again — suffice it, I received am^ 
 pie provocation ; and though it should cost me the 
 possession of ail I hold precious on earth, never 
 shall my coward tongue pronounce an apology to 
 which my conscience would give the lie." 
 
 Demetrius traversed the room as he spoke, with 
 hasty steps : his cheeks burned.— Forshiem serious- 
 ly regarded him. 
 
 " You may carry delicacy too far ;" he obser- 
 ved, " without I know the real state of this case, 
 it will be impossible for me to serve you as I , 
 wish. Would you tell me the circumstances, I 
 might avail myself of the consideration with which 
 the Prince always treats me, and urge him to apo- 
 logize." 
 
 " Urge a Greenland bear !" exclaimed Deme- 
 e 2 
 
42 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 trius, " the one stupid and ferocious beast, is just as 
 accessible as the other. But I promise you this, 
 Ferdinand, if he challenge me, and you consent to 
 be my second, I will then state the whole affair to 
 you." 
 
 Forsheim was proceeding to speak, when a no- 
 bleman in the suite of Nuremberg, was announced. 
 
 This gentleman brought a fiery challenge from 
 the latter. Forshiem used every argument to dis- 
 suade his friend from meeting this rash man, but 
 Demetrius was too jealous of his reputation and too 
 keenly stung by the unmanly accusation of the 
 Prince, to listen to any compromise. He dismiss- 
 ed the nobleman with his ready acquiescence to the 
 proposal of their meeting an hour after, at the skirt 
 of a wood, some distance from the lines. 
 
 When the parties met, and the usual prelimina- 
 ries were settled, the advantage of a first fire, fell 
 by lot to Demetrius : — He discharged his pistol in 
 the air. " What do you mean, Sir :" exclaimed 
 the impatient Prince. 
 
 " I mean to shew you, Sir," replied the other 
 firmly, that I abhor the idea of deliberate murder. 
 The disgrace of having received a blow, is, in my 
 opinion, cancelled by having returned it : I there- 
 fore am satisfied : and it' you are not, I stand here, 
 to let you take satisfaction." 
 
 " Then, thus, I take it, coward !" exclaimed the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 43 
 
 Prince, hastily firing off his pistol: the ball took ef- 
 fect, and Demetrius fell. 
 
 Every drop of blood, now deserted the horror- 
 struck features of Nuremberg ; by this rash act, he 
 had endangered, if not his life, his military rank 
 and reputation. Disdaining however to quit the 
 scene, he advanced to Demetrius who was now sup- 
 ported on the bosom of Forshiem, and sinking with 
 loss of blood. 
 
 " I am heartily sorry for this !" burst involun- 
 tarily from Nuremberg. Demetrius unclosed his 
 heavy eyes, and stretched out his hand to him with 
 a smile of amity : The Prince- took it. 
 
 u Fear nothing !" said Demetrius, in a low, 
 gasping voice ; " the circumstances of this affair are 
 known onl to ourselves ; if I die, Forshiem will 
 let them die with me." 
 
 Overpowered with this generous conduct, but 
 not softened, the Prince remained silent. Deme- 
 trius was then conveyed to the nearest he use, 
 whi re a surgeon was sent for to dress his wound. 
 
 The report of this gentleman was favourable ; 
 the ball had only penetrated the thigh, without in- 
 juring a vital part. 
 
 This business had been so rapidly concluded, 
 that few persons suspected the truth, when they 
 were told next morning that young Count Leopol- 
 stat was confined with a fever. His General (to 
 whom Forshiem upon being questioned had confes- 
 
44 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 sed every particular), was so well satisfied with the 
 conduct of Demetrius, and so shocked at the fierce 
 animosity of Nuremberg, that he would have passed 
 a public censure, had not Forshiem by his friend's 
 desire, requested he would lay aside such a design, 
 and affect ignorance of the transaction. The Gene- 
 ral reluctantly consented ; nominating the Prince 
 of Nuremberg, to the command of an advanced 
 post, in order to have him removed from the sight 
 of his young Aid-de-camp. 
 
 In the pain of his own wound, Demetrius did 
 not forget to inquire after his prisoner, who still 
 lived, but whose frequent convulsions predicted a 
 speedy dissolution. As he was delirious, no one 
 had as yet learnt his name ; though his dress be- 
 spoke him an officer of rank. 
 
 Just as Demetrius was sending to ask after him, 
 a week subsequent to the duel, he received the fol- 
 lowing letter from the Duchess di Felieri. — 
 
 u I have received so strange and obscure a let- 
 ter from my nephew, that I must apply to you for 
 an explanation of it. — What has happened between 
 you ? — It seems as if he had been questioning you 
 upon the degree of regard which- my Constantia 
 bears towards you : She will not shrink from avow- 
 ing that regard believe me, my dear boy. I think 
 I know both your hearts, and shall not act wrong 
 in requesting you to visit us immediately after the 
 army go into winter-quarters. If it is necessary, 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 45 
 
 I will write to obtain the General's promise for that 
 purpose ; I will then cheat my nephew into meet- 
 ing you : when, if I don't make you friends, at least 
 I shall hope to place your conduct in the most 
 honourable light, and to insure your future happi- 
 ness. 
 
 " The courier waits : leaving me only time to 
 assure you of the unalterable gratitude and friend- 
 ship of the Princess and 
 
 COLOMBA FELIERI." 
 
 The emotion of Demetrius upon reading this 
 letter, was so great, as to make him feel sick and 
 faint. He could not mistake the generous intention 
 of the Duchess, nor refuse to believe himself suffi- 
 ciently dear to the Princess, to authorize him in 
 hoping she might resist any wish of her uncle's, to 
 unite her with another. 
 
 At this ecstatic thought, his heart throbbed 
 wildly. He held the insensible paper to his lips, 
 and forgot in the bright views of the future, all his 
 past sorrows. 
 
 The abrupt entrance of Colonel Wurtzburgh, 
 put a period to these raptures. 
 
 Wurtzburgh and he, were still associates, though 
 their excessive intimacy had much abated : Deme- 
 trius no longer confided any thing to him, and the 
 dissembling Colonel appeared to fancy he had no- 
 thing to confide. 
 
46 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The face of Wurtzbnrgh was at this period 
 a full of strange matter;" the first communication 
 of which nearly overpowered his unfortunate audi- 
 tor. 
 
 Some prisoners lately brought into camp, had 
 recognized the hitherto-unknown Republican, as 
 General de Fontainville, the husband of Zaire. 
 The wretched man, was now breathing his last, in 
 an adjoining tent. 
 
 For a few moments, Demetrius could not 
 speak : The name of Madame de Fontainville, and 
 the certainty of her husband's death, gave a mortal 
 blow to every hope, and palsied even thought. 
 
 The Colonel meanwhile, maliciously ran on with 
 congratulations, and descriptions of his friend's fu- 
 ture felicity : with rejoicings for the exiled Zaire, 
 and a multitude of other expressions equally cruel, 
 yet equally specious. 
 
 At last Demetrius besought him to be left alone. 
 " My spirits are very weak to-day," he said, u or I 
 would not ask this. For either the shock of grief 
 or the shock of joy, I was quite unprepared. — 
 Leave me to ray own reflections. 1 ' 
 
 The Colonel seeing the sting he had planted, 
 withdrew exultingly. 
 
 Demetrius sat motionless after he was gone, in 
 the attitude of profound meditation : his eyes were 
 fixed ; and a frightful calm, stilled the very pulsa- 
 tion of his heart. Yet he was incapable of reason- 
 
-THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 47 
 
 ing : his thoughts stretched in vain to grasp even a 
 single object — they retained nothing — ail was illu- 
 sive — all was fleeting ! 
 
 A confused notion of being for ever severed 
 from Constantia, and for ever bound to Madame 
 de Fontainville, was the only stationary idea. He 
 muttered now and then to himself, as if in a deli- 
 rium ; and frequently he smiled : but it was the 
 smile of despair. 
 
 Many hours passed away, before he could be 
 said to reflect : till then, his mind was only a pas- 
 sive mirror, reflecting a succession of imperfect 
 images. 
 
 The punishment of his former fault now fell 
 upon him, in the completion of that very wish 
 which had once been the reigning subject of all his 
 desires. Madame de Fontainville most likely was 
 still faithful to the passion she had never promised 
 to destroy, and had a right, therefore, to the ful- 
 fillment of those vows which he had voluntarily 
 made, but a few months back : nay, was it not his 
 duty thus to sacrifice every thing to repair the in- 
 jury done her peace ? did not honour and gratitude, 
 in the person of her afflicted father, imperiously de- 
 mand this sacrifice ? 
 
 Demetrius put another question to himself, 
 whi«:h terminated his hesitation. Granting that he 
 had conquered his passion for Zaire, by the mere 
 force of principle, without the intervention of a 
 
48 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 purer attachment, would he have debated about 
 offering her his hand : — No ! then he dtight to de- 
 bate no longer. 
 
 Though assured of Princess Constantia's pre- 
 ference, and suspecting the intentions of her illus- 
 trious relative, he had never urged his pretensions 
 beyond their friendship, and had never wilfully di- 
 rected a glance towards Constantia that could im- 
 ply a wish for more. 
 
 Consoled by the integrity of his conduct there, 
 he now looked with a steadier eye upon his fate : 
 that it was fixed by the late event he believed ; but 
 ere he wrote to Madame de Fontainville, he re- 
 solved to unbosom himself to his brother. 
 
 Hitherto, Demetrius had never mentioned the 
 inhabitants of Felieri, in any way to alarm the fra- 
 ternal fears of Charles : for a long time he had him- 
 self been ignorant of the peculiar influence Constan- 
 tia acquired over him ; and after that ignorance was 
 displaced by unexpected hope, was with-held by 
 the bashful irresolution inseparable from virtuous 
 love. 
 
 He now made a candid avowal of all these cir- 
 cumstances ; beseeching his brother to weigh im- 
 partially the different arguments he urged for the 
 step he meditated ; requesting him to make the 
 communication of General de Fontainville's dc: th 
 immediately to the Marquis de Liancour, 
 learn from him, whether Zaire retained her former 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 49 
 
 sentiments of a man, who could still offer her the 
 share of awery circumscribed fortune. Suffering- 
 had taught Demetrius to bear disappointment with 
 dignity ; for he had studied the self-command and 
 graceful restraint of Charles, till he had learned 
 how to practise it. He no longer yielded himself 
 up to desperate agony, but struggled with nature's 
 infirmity, and resolved to endure. 
 
 His wound being healed, he was now able to 
 leave his tent : and, supported on the arm of For- 
 shiem, was permitted to breathe the fresh air. 
 
 Forshiem observed an alteration in his com- 
 panion's spirits, for which he could not account; 
 his friendly eye frequently traced the effects of a 
 sleepless night in the total absence of that peachi- 
 ness, which usually enriched his cheek j but he 
 ventured not to intrude with a question. The only 
 remark his delicacy allowed, was couched in an 
 avowal of the pain he felt on seeing him thus alter- 
 ed ; and an urgent request that he would confide 
 to his brother, any care by. which he might be ha- 
 rassed. 
 
 " My brother," replied Demetrius, " is indeed 
 the only man, to whom I should intrust my present 
 difficulties : they are of a very delicate kind, be- 
 lieve me, Ferdinand. If the disclosure did not in- 
 volve many more besides myself, you should be 
 fully trusted. What grave is this r"— -he asked, 
 
 TOL. II, F 
 
JO THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 abruptly breaking off, as his eye fell on a new-raised 
 mound. 
 
 " The French General's," answered Forshiem, 
 " your prisoner. As you were disabled at the time, 
 I filled your place, and was with him in his last 
 moments." 
 
 Demetrius turned very pale, and hastily drew 
 his friend away: but he pressed his arm grate- 
 fully, as he did so, repeating with much emotion 
 — " I thank you !" 
 
 The answer from Charles, was such as Deme- 
 trius expected. It was in favour of Madame de 
 Fontainville : but ah ! how unwillingly was that 
 sentence pronounced ! How many tender expres- 
 sions of love and pity, how many consolations and 
 praises were mingled with it! He conjured his 
 brother to be sincere with the Duchess di Felieri ; 
 and without disclosing the past indiscretion of Zaire, 
 without appearing to have imbibed any presumptu- 
 ous hopes from the graciousness of Princess C^n- 
 stantia, completely to explain his present engage- 
 ment, with Madame de Fontainville. 
 
 The last dependence of Demetrius, was destroy- 
 ed by this letter. He had secretly hoped, that 
 Charles might, from various motives, have conceal- 
 ed what could now produce no pain, — a change in 
 Zaire's heart ; and he was, therefore, completely 
 overcome when he read this assurance of her con- 
 stancy. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 51 
 
 " Wretch that I am !" he exclaimed, " was she 
 not dearer to me, alas! than my own soul? — did I 
 not swear to love her, even in the agonies of death? 
 — was I not ready to relinquish, for her sake, the 
 person who ought to have been dearest to me on 
 earth, my brother, my benefactor ! — and do I now 
 shudder at the prospect of possessing her for ever?" 
 
 He thought of Constantia ; in spite of every 
 resolve, he thought of her : and when he pictured 
 the shock this discovery would give to her reverend 
 relative, the deeper wound it would inflict upon 
 her innocent heart, he was not master of his feel- 
 ings. 
 
 The Campaign now drew to a close : and De- 
 metrius, released from active service, and deprived 
 of Forshiem, (whose regiment was ordered into 
 different cantonments,) had leisure to muse even to 
 madness. 
 
 He was waiting for the reply of De Liancour, 
 to his brother's letter, before he could bripg him- 
 self to write the one, so much dreaded, to Felieri, 
 when an express from thence reached the camp, in 
 the middle of an inclement night. 
 
 The Duchess had been struck with a paralytic 
 affection, from which it was likely she would never 
 recover ; and her distracted grandchild now sent 
 for Demetrius, at her particular request. 
 
 Upon such an occasion the usual military rules 
 
52 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 were dispensed with ; the General allowed his Aid- 
 de-camp, ten days' leave ; and the latter, still weak 
 and feeble, commenced his sad journey to the Tre- 
 visane. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 53 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 IN returning to take. a short review of the elder 
 Count Leopolstat, it will not be necessary to say- 
 more of his military operations, than that he rejoin- 
 ed the Archduke in the middle of August; pro- 
 ceeded with him into the Palatinate; bore a distin- 
 guished part in the brilliant affairs at Neckau and 
 Manheim ; and was with him on the skirts of the 
 Black Forest, when the disastrous reverses in Swit- 
 zerland, and the impossibility of making a winter 
 campaign among its masses of ice, checked the 
 triumph of success. 
 
 In the lively interest excited by these events, 
 and the important views which they opened of the 
 future, Charles often forgot his own private ills. 
 Warmly attached to the irreproachable Prince under 
 whom he served, as well as to their just cause, his 
 mind entered with earnestness into that Prince's 
 councils. Demetrius acquiring honour, and restored 
 to cheerfulness, was a soothing object for his mind 
 to rest on j it was "the soft green of his soul," to 
 
 f 2 
 
54 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 which it turned, after political speculations, that both 
 wearied and alarmed. 
 
 Adelaide Ingersdorf was still remembered : no 
 cares, no occupations could drive her from his heart, 
 though they often succeeded in banishing her awhile 
 from his memory. 
 
 In her, he had found every quality, desired by 
 a taste and a sensibility, which some persons might 
 h;ive termed fastidious. With an understanding 
 cultivated beyond her sex; a heart softly tempered, 
 yet yielding only to the hand of Reason ; a beauty 
 made more captivating by elegant accomplishments, 
 she was modest even to bashfulness : Charles prized 
 her for this fault ; and had often, (while seeing her 
 shrink from the assiduity of admissible admiration); 
 said to himself — u How few women there are, that, 
 capable of charming all men, are. content with en- 
 dearing themselves to one only!" 
 
 Among the romantic splendour of Switzerland, 
 he had sighed for her : And now, on the shores of 
 the Rhine, where more leisure allowed him to muse 
 over the past, he sunk into a sadness, of which he 
 was himself scarcely conscious. 
 
 He was one night sitting over a book, (of which, 
 certainly, he had not read a single syllable), when 
 his servant brought him a lcter. It was from his 
 incognita. The calmness with which he opened it, 
 quickh vanish: d. 
 
 A few lines, appointing a meeting, made his 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. S3 
 
 heart palpitate with expectation : Now was going 
 to be developed that mystery, which had for five 
 years given him both pain and pleasure. Yet what 
 could he hope from it, when his affections were un- 
 alienably fixed upon another, and this generous un- 
 known evidently relied on obtaining themr — at any 
 rate, he thought curiosity would be relieved ; and 
 perhaps a candid explanation of his situation, might 
 secure to him the friendship of one, who seemed 
 formed for a noble disinterested sentiment. 
 
 Till this moment arrived, Charles never ima- 
 gined it would agitate him. Whether saddened 
 spirits had affected his nerves j or whether he un- 
 consciously hoped to find in his incognita one that 
 would at last reconcile him to the loss of Adelaide, 
 is uncertain ; but agitated he was, beyond all de- 
 scription. 
 
 He could not sleep once through the whole 
 night : and the next day, went over the routine of 
 his usual employments, with a mind completely dis- 
 trait. 
 
 The night was bright and calm, (though No- 
 vember was far advanced) when Charles mounted 
 his horse at the specified hour, and took the road to 
 the chateau of a neighbouring Canon, where his 
 rendezvous was appointed. 
 
 Three miles, seemed thirty, as he galloped over 
 tht m ; and yet, when he reached the place, it ap- 
 peared to him as if he had flown ! His heart now 
 
36 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 palpitated with such violence, that he almost wish- 
 ed for a respite from what he once passionately de- 
 sired. 
 
 A servant received him at the gate ; and upon 
 hearing his name, bowed respectfully, and led him 
 across a hall : He then threw open the door of a 
 room, which Charles entered, and beheld Marshal 
 Ingersdorf. 
 
 The expression of the veteran's countenance, 
 would not suffer him to believe the meeting acci- 
 dental : a multitude of hopes and fears, wild and 
 delightful, electrified him at the sight. He was un- 
 able to speak or to move. The Marshal rushed 
 forwards, and with his usual impetuosity caught 
 him in his arms, vehemently exclaiming, " My dear 
 Leopolstat ! — my friend ! — my son ! if you will be- 
 come so." 
 
 " Am I so happy," cried Charles, .(scarcely trust- 
 ing his bewildered senses) ; " am I so happy as to 
 find my incognita in Marshal Ingerdorf !" 
 
 "Yes! — yes!" resumed the Marshal, repeat- 
 edly squeezing his hand, " you see that will-o'- 
 the-wisp, now before you. — Only tell me that you 
 forgive my eccentric impertinence ; and that you will 
 allow me to dispose of your heart and yourself f" 
 
 " O Sir! O Heaven what am I to think — 
 
 what hoper" — exclaimed Charles, sinking involun- 
 tarily upon one knee. 
 
 His fine face and eyes, brightly flushed with 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 57 
 
 doubtful joy, were now raised to the Marshal : the 
 latter gazed on him, with overflowing delight. 
 
 " I know you love," he cried, u I know you 
 would have chosen Adelaide, had she been born a 
 beggar : — -she is your's then. I meant her for you 
 all along. Forshiem is a worthy lad — he knew my 
 scheme." 
 
 The old gentleman could hardly articulate these 
 abrupt sentences, from excess of pleasure. Leo- 
 polstat was quite over-powered : he felt like a man 
 who after living half a century in a dungeon, is 
 snddenly brought into day-light. In silence, elo- 
 quent silence, he pressed the shaking hands of the 
 Marshal to his lips and breast : the first words he 
 uttered were an anxious inquiry of Adelaide's sen- 
 timents. 
 
 Marshal Ingersdorf was then going to hurry 
 forth an animated assurance of her attachment ; 
 when suddenly recollecting what was due to female 
 delicacy, he said archly — " She don't hate you, that's 
 all : — whether she likes you or not, I leave you to 
 discover, the first time you are alone together. But 
 come, rise from the ground, which the knee of a sol- 
 dier should never touch, but to his Maker. Let us 
 sit down and talk over the matter : you must long- 
 to hear my reasons." 
 
 " I do long, Sir," returned the fluttered Charles, 
 and his eager soul, sprung to Adelaide. To throw 
 himself at her feet, (spite of her father's remark) to 
 
58 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 pour out all the tenderness which he had hitherto so 
 painfully restrained, to receive from her lips the 
 confirmation of what her down-cast eyes had so 
 often toid him, was now his liveliest emotion ; he 
 scarcely wanted explanations, while certain that the 
 mystery had terminated in rapture. 
 
 His animated glances were constantly directed 
 towards the door, as if in search of her. 
 
 u J see what you are thinking about ;" resumed 
 the veteran, " and to quiet you, protest that my 
 daughter is not in this house. To-morrow morn- 
 ing she will be here, with my good host's sister." 
 
 u To-morrow morning ! " repeated Charles, 
 
 and away flew his thoughts again, from the Mar- 
 shal's explanations, with more than their former ra- 
 pidity. 
 
 u I am likely to have but a sorry auditor in 
 you," cried Ingersdorf, " why you puppy, what 
 sort of a gratitude is this I After all the pains and 
 vexations I have encountered to keep this girl se- 
 cluded, ever since she w r as fifteen, only to fall in love 
 with you, am I not to be gratified with a patient 
 hearing of the only romance I ever concocted in my 
 
 life r 
 
 u Pardon me — pardon me, dearest Sir !" replied 
 Charles, glowing with graceful confusion ; " I have 
 indeed shamefully forgotten to thank you, for such 
 unmerited, transporting goodness !— - How could I 
 have become thus interesting to you ? — how is it 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 59 
 
 possible, that such a treasure has been long destin- 
 ed for me r" 
 
 " Both these hows, I'll answer satisfactorily," 
 returned the Marshal, " if you will only gag your- 
 self, with a little composure. Zounds ! you are as 
 talkative now, as you were mute a few minutes ago ! 
 — Can you be silent? — Can your thoughts leave 
 off chattering to one another \ — Can you listen calm- 
 ly r" 
 
 " Willingly, Sir, most willingly," was the re- 
 ply of Leopolstat, though his kindling eyes and 
 throbbing pulse refused to sanction this promise. 
 The Marshal saw his agitation, with complacent 
 satisfaction : but without noticing it further, filled 
 out two bumpers of Burgundy, and pledging his in- 
 tended son in one of them, began his rambling ora- 
 tion. 
 
 u The first time I heard of you, was in the year 
 ninety-four, at a little Inn, in Alsace. I was re- 
 turning from head-cuiarters, where I had been to 
 visit my old friend VVurmser, when alighting for 
 some refreshment, I found all the inhabitants of the 
 village, discussing the merits of a young officer, 
 who had just passed through with a detachment. 
 
 It had happened, tfrat a merciless steward was 
 at that very moment, dragging to prison a poor 
 farmer, whom sickness and accidents had made in- 
 capable of paying his rent, and whose wife and. 
 children he had already turned out of doors. 
 
60 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 " You remember the circumstance," added the 
 Marshal, seeing Charles about to interrupt him ; 
 M but I'll not be broken in on. I heard that he had 
 learned the particulars, and unable to produce the 
 exact sum, himself, had borrowed part from his 
 Captain. Well may the drops of honest pleasure^ 
 now glisten in your eyes, my dear Charles ! mine, 
 nearly overflowed, while I listened to the animated 
 praises of the country people. 
 
 u I seemed to see the handsome youth they de- 
 scribed, leading two innocent babes in his hand 
 under the lowly roof of the farm, and assuring the 
 grateful couple, that in permitting him to restore 
 them to their home, they had given him the sin- 
 cerest delight he ever felt. 
 
 " On hearing your name, I became still more 
 interested in you. Once in an attack of robbers 
 among the Appenines, my life had been saved by 
 your father." 
 
 " My. father!" cried Leopolstat, and a strange 
 pang of anguish and pleasure seized his heart. 
 
 u Yes, your father ; he had some fine qualities : 
 bravery was one. Till now, we were strangers, 
 but after that, we became intimate : that, however, 
 ended ; no matter how — he was fond of gaiety, I of 
 retirement : but to return to yourself, 
 
 " From the day I spoke of, I hankered after 
 vou: my whimsical old brain was often thinking 
 bow it could serve or please you. At last upon 
 
TIIE*HUNGARIAN brothers. 61 
 
 hearing about your gallant rescue of General 
 I projected my romantic plan. 
 
 u Such a plan, would never have entered any 
 head, but that of an antiquated, romance-reader, 
 like myself. For to shew you what a fool of a 
 father-in-law, you are about to have, I must own, 
 that I am as greedy a devourer of novels and le- 
 gends, as ever I was at fourteen. At first, I meant 
 to go no further, than sending you a few presents 
 and letters : then to discover myself, and take you 
 finder my wing for life. 
 
 " But when I reflected on the wholesome disci- 
 pline which the world gives every young man with- 
 out money or patrons ; and how much, independ- 
 ence and energy are nourished by a certainty of de- 
 pending -solely on one's own powers; when I scru- 
 tinized your conduct, and found it so nobly up- 
 right ; 1 thought my happiness and my daughter's 
 .would be secured, and your's not injured, if I could 
 manage to make you my son." 
 
 " Dear, dear Sir!" exclaimed Charles, wring- 
 ing his hand, with unutterable gratitude. 
 
 Returning the friendly pressure, ingersdorf re- 
 sumed. 
 
 lost ably, had I manoeuvred, in my own opi- 
 nion, by writing my letters, so equivocally, as to 
 leuve it dubious, whether the writer were a man or 
 a woman : most contidentiy did I reckon upon this 
 
 VOL. II. G 
 
62 THE HUNGARIAN BROTUERS. 
 
 mystery occupying your heart so much, as to leave 
 no room for another object. 
 
 " What a blow then, did I receive, when I 
 heard of your engagements at Mantua ! It was 
 many days before I recovered myself sufficiently to 
 address you again : but I could not hesitate about 
 how that should be. You were still dear to me ; 
 and Adelaide, believing herself destined for For- 
 shiem, had never heard me breathe your name." 
 
 Here, the Marshal hesitated ; not knowing 
 how to advert to the death of Signora Berghi ; he 
 therefore left a chasm in his narrative, resuming it 
 thus : 
 
 " It had been my intention to send Adelaide to 
 her aunt's at Vienna, as soon as the Italian cam- 
 paign should finish ; and then to scheme again, that 
 you might be introduced to my brother. 
 
 u I had no doubt of your falling in love with 
 Adelaide, so charming as she is: and if she had 
 been odious, my sanguine temper, would have 
 made the thing equally probable ; I was therefore 
 transported, when Providence brought you ac- 
 quainted "n so interesting away: when it insured 
 to you, the regard of my brother, and gave you op- 
 portunity of mutually estimating the excellencies 
 of each other. 
 
 u Knowing the state of your heart, and shrewd- 
 ly guessing at what would soon be Adelaide's, (for 
 T had educated her to admire such a character as 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 60 
 
 your's; and had forced her from any other attach- 
 ment, by keeping her in a convent) : I resolved to 
 remain quiet, till her artless letters, and the more 
 circumstantial ones of the Baron, should have con- 
 vinced me that my scheme was ripe. 
 
 " Just as I was preparing to terminate your 
 suspense, that cursed law-suit commenced, and my 
 hopes, seemed on the point of being hurled into the 
 gulph of destruction. 
 
 u You know how long it has annoyed me ; but 
 it is now over ; and I can give you my Adelaide, 
 with the fortune I first intende :d." 
 
 Every person that either is in love, or has been 
 in love, will imagine the disinterested expressions 
 of Charles : they were as sincere as they were ar- 
 dent ; and made the father's eyes, sparkle with joy. 
 
 " Ah ! you may well thank your old, silly in- 
 cognita :" cried he, " you know not what trouble he 
 has had, to bring this hopeful vessel into a safe 
 harbour. Forshiem, was at first, the most obliging, 
 tractable creature under the sun: he admitted the 
 obligation I was under, thus to recompense the son 
 of a man to whom I owed my life ; he saw the har- 
 monious justice of giving a gallant, poor fellow, a 
 rich wife, that knew how to value him : and he was 
 so ready to be my Aid-de-camp, in the affair ! — so 
 obedient to orders ! — but, lack-a-day, my young 
 gentleman chose to fall in love, with an Italian rus- 
 tic j and then came intreaties, and expostulations, 
 
64 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 and threats of marrying, before I could turn my- 
 self round : then my hero, grew eloquent for your 
 sake ; then he professed to know by sad experience, 
 the misery of protracted hopes, conjuring me to 
 end your sorrows immediately. 
 
 u I was thunderstruck. For in the haste with 
 which I pursued my favourite object, I never took 
 into the account, these annoying stumbling-blocks. 
 However, Forshiem got me to promise, that if my 
 law -suit were still pending, when the army went into 
 winter-quarters, I would give him leave to reveal 
 Adelaide's freedom, by marrying his pretty Loren- 
 za." 
 
 " Amiable Forshiem !" cried Charles, " how 
 much do I owe him !" 
 
 u But you doi\'t know yet, half the amusing in- 
 cidents for which you are indebted to me ;" said 
 the Marshal, a do you remember the Signora Al- 
 hertinii" 
 
 A stronger tide of blood, rushed to the face of 
 Leopolstat, at this unexpected question. 
 
 " Egregious puppy ! you -have no reason to 
 blush ;" resumed his friend — " no, you have a right 
 to triumph. Few young men can resist like you, the 
 syren charms of beauty, accomplishment, and well- 
 acted tenderness. Yet, I dare say it was not merely 
 acted, after she saw you." 
 
 " Had she never seen me before !" exclaimed 
 the astonished Charles. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 65 
 
 " No, on my honour!—- projected the whole 
 affair. I knew her for the most avaricious wretch 
 alive, and I bribed her into this trial of your princi- 
 ples. Do you blame me, for thus proving in every 
 way, the man in whose care I sought to repose the 
 treasure of my heart r" 
 
 u So far from it;" cried Leopolstat, " that a 
 whole life spent in striving to grow worthy of such a 
 trust, will never be enough to shew my gratitude." 
 
 After this complete explanation, the conversa- 
 tion flowed over the past and future : each had mi- 
 nute descriptions to give of their mutual feelings 
 upon particular events ; and each loved to dwell 
 upon the graces of Adelaide. 
 
 As she was to be at the chateau the next morn- 
 ing, Charles before he departed, obtained permission 
 to visit there at an early hour. 
 
 Scarcely had Mam'selle de Ingersdorf alighted 
 from the carriage which conveyed her to the chateau 
 Balzac, ere the Marshal informed her, that she 
 would see an old friend very soon. 
 
 The blood brightly painted her cheeks, when he 
 mentioned their visitor's name. 
 
 Adelaide was ignorant of the real motive for a 
 journey, which she had undertaken solely to oblige 
 her father, and now, was far from conjecturing its 
 probable termination : yet she trembled with urale- 
 fmable joy ; eagerly anticipating the moment in 
 
 G2 
 
66 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 which her eyes would again behold their best, and 
 dearest object. 
 
 Marshal Ingersdorf had never once hinted, the 
 peculiar interest he took in Charles, nor the views he 
 entertained for him : but willing to give his daugh- 
 ter's attachment a little hope to feed on, he assured 
 her, (on her removal from Vienna,) that she should 
 never be the wife of Count Forshiem, unless she 
 preferred him to the whole world : that if she w r ould 
 wait the conclusion of the eventful law-suit and the 
 campaign, she should then have an opportunity of 
 stud} ing her destined husband's character, and be 
 left at liberty to accept or to reject him. 
 
 So indulgent an assurance, would have led Ade- 
 laide immediately to confess the state of her heart, 
 had not delicacy shrunk from the pain of avowing 
 even to a parent, the excess of an affection that had 
 never been claimed by its object. Relying on the 
 goodness of Providence, on the apparent preference 
 of Charles, and the prospect of renewing their for- 
 mer intimacy, after her engagement with forshiem 
 should be avowedly dissolved, she cheerfully acqui- 
 esced in her father's wishes ; and found uncertainty, 
 a mental Paradise, when contrasted with her late 
 despair. 
 
 In what rapid tides did the blood now flow thro' 
 her veins ! her ardent complexion became enriched 
 with a s ner crimson ; and her dazzling < 
 
 (vv'Iiose colour and lucidity, united the two, extremes 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 67 
 
 of light and darkness ; ) were more than effulgent. 
 They were brightly flashing over her companions at 
 the breakfast-table, when a servant announced Count 
 Leopolstat. 
 
 At the sound of a name, which was never pro- 
 nounced without bringing before her, the loveliest 
 countenance that ever proclaimed a lovely soul, she 
 almost closed these brilliant eyes ; as if seeing, and 
 hearing Charles, at the same moment, would be bliss 
 too much. He saw nothing but hrr : and he saw in 
 her trembling agitation, all that his fond heart de- 
 sired. 
 
 The Marshal, who had settled the plan of ope- 
 rations, with his future son-in-law, soon contrived 
 to break up the breakfast party : he pronounced the 
 day delightful, and the prospect from a window into 
 the garden, so alluring, that he begged permission 
 to breathe the air there, with his friend. Adelaide 
 of course was included in this association ; which 
 was not likely to be enlarged, as Monsieur Balzac 
 had the gout, and his sister never disturbed diges- 
 tion after a meal. 
 
 The considerate Marshal was so anxious to dis- 
 sipate his daughter's confusion, by drawing her into 
 lively conversation, that he walked twice round the 
 great garden, before he observed that Charles was 
 heartily wishing him at the Antipodes. — He then 
 abruptly stopped at the door of a pavilion, where he 
 bid his daughter rest herself under the protection of 
 
68 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Count Leopolstat, while he took a brisker circuit 
 through the walks. 
 
 Adelaide had not leisure to wonder at this 
 strange conduct: for her attention was instantly ab- 
 sorbed by the ardent impatience of Charles, who 
 soon won from her, a declaration of mutual prefer- 
 ence. 
 
 Sweet to him, was the bashful apprehensiveness, 
 with which she gradually discovered the whole of 
 her past feelings. — The fearful, trembling Adelaide, 
 blushing at her own confessions, averting her glow- 
 ing eyes from his, and shrinking from the involun- 
 tary transport with which he now pressed her in his 
 arms, was to him an object at once of the tenderest 
 love, and the profoundest respect. Seeing in her, 
 the chosen companion of his future days, the be- 
 loved sharer of eternity, his heart throbbed with a 
 sacred joy, which beaming from his countenance, 
 spoke peace to the timid delicacy of Adelaide. 
 
 It w r as now, that each felt the reward of their 
 past sufferings: — it was now that, looking back with 
 exultation upon their sincere endeavours to follow 
 the path marked out by duty, they indulged in pre- 
 sent happiness, without apprehension or regret. 
 
 What Adelaide owed to the eccentric goodness 
 of her father, gave a new charm to the ties of parent 
 and child: and at this moment she acquired Irish 
 delight, by gaining additional motives for loving two 
 persons, already dearer to her than life. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 69 
 
 The Marshal met his young companions at the 
 e-ntrance of the house ; Adelaide fervently returned 
 the kiss he pressed on her burning cheek, and whis- 
 pered out a blessing for his kindness. She then 
 broke away, to thank a Mightier Parent, whose 
 smallest; mercies, were never suffered by her, to pass 
 unacknowledged. 
 
 It may be conjectured, that Leopolstat did not 
 leave Balzac, until he had obtained the Marshal's 
 promise of remaining under its hospitable roof, dur- 
 ing the suspension of hostilities : nay, he ventured 
 to glance at the hope of being confirmed in his hap- 
 piness, by the gift of Adelaide's hand, long before 
 military duty should again call him into actual ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Trie veteran did not blame this natural impa- 
 tience : confessing, that since he had served nearly 
 half the time for his daughter, which Jacob did for 
 Laban's, he might very fairly urge this, otherwise, 
 unreasonable request. Promising to plead his cause 
 himself, he then dismissed the young Count, w r ho 
 returned to head quarters, with an overflowing 
 heart. 
 
 So many delightful recollections and anticipa- 
 tions crowded through the mind of Charles, that it 
 was long ere he <:ould compose himself sufficiently 
 to dictate a letter of gratitude to Forshiem, and one 
 of a tenderer character to Demetrius. 
 
 Thought of the latter was so associated with all 
 
70 THE HUNGARIAN BROTH! 
 
 his cares or pleasures, that till joy was commu- 
 nicated to him, it was but an imperfect joy lor 
 Charles. 
 
 Believing- his brother nearly cured of Kis fatal 
 attachment to Madame de Fontainvilie, and re- 
 posing securely on the soothing friendship of the 
 Duchess di Felieri, he now wrote him an animated 
 account of his present good fortune : adding to it, a 
 proposal, that during the winter recess, they should 
 endeavour to be once more established in the same 
 regiment. 
 
 Demetrius had often expressed such a wish, in 
 which Charles earnestly participated: and now that 
 he was become certain of his illustrious Comman- 
 der's favour, he resolved to use that favoftr in ob- 
 taining so desirable an object. 
 
 Scarcely had our hero finished this letter, ere he 
 received that one from Demetrius in which the 
 events of his far-different fate, were detailed. 
 
 With grief, surprize, pity, and apprehension, 
 did Charles peruse it! Though he had himself uni- 
 formly avoided what are falsely termed affairs of 
 honour, he knew not how to blame his brother for 
 meeting the Prince of Nuremberg. It would have 
 been better, indeed, had he refused to sanction such 
 an odious practice as duelling, in any way ; but 
 how was it to be expected from a youth of nine- 
 teen, thus to stifle honest indignation at tyrannical 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 71 
 
 arrogance, merely by reflecting on the force of ex- 
 ample ? 
 
 The new attachment of Demetrius, afflicted 
 witout displeasing his brother. The progress of it, 
 described simply, yet powerfully, had been so gra- 
 dual, and so evidently encouraged by the Duchess, 
 that even a Cynic would have found it difficult to 
 have condemned Demetrius. 
 
 The character of this attachment was so amia- 
 ble ; its ground so laudable ; the happiness it seem- 
 ed fraught with, (if not cruelly thwarted) so perfect 
 and so pure: The prospect it opened, so brilliant ; 
 (for Charles had the weakness of humanity and was 
 ambitious for this beloved brother) : that at the de- 
 struction of all its views, his own happiness vanish- 
 ed from his eyes. 
 
 Such heavy sighs, as he had lately hoped never 
 to draw again, now came from his oppressed heart : 
 he re-perused the letter ; remembered Madame de 
 Fontainville, and was wretched. 
 
 The correspondence of the Marquis de Lian- 
 cour, had uniformly lamented the rooted passion of 
 his daughter, whose constancy had withstood all the 
 attacks of time, absence, and reflection. She still 
 persisted in believing her heart incurable ; rather 
 deepening the wound, by giving herself up to soli- 
 tude, than striving to heal it, in rational societv. 
 
 That Demetrius had wilfully created this infa- 
 tuated sentiment, and had therefore, been guiltv of 
 
72 Tin: Hungarian brothers. 
 
 poisoning the existence of Zaire and her father, nay 
 of seducing her soul from virtue, was but too cer- 
 tain : for so great an injury, a compensation was 
 due; and that compensation must be the sacrifice of 
 all Demetrius's present wishes. 
 
 Charles, saw no other path for his brother: co- 
 vered as it was, with thorns, he yet pronounced 
 it inevitable. For, to the upright conscience of 
 Charles, the voice of Integrity, was ever the voice 
 of Fate. 
 
 A sentence of banishment from Princess Con- 
 stantia, was unwillingly given in his answer to De- 
 metrius. He then destroyed his former letter ; 
 fearing to mingle with so painful a subject, that 
 communication which at another period would have 
 been warmly welcomed. 
 
 After this, Leopolstat sought consolation from 
 Adelaide: — le hastened to Balzac, and fortunately 
 found her alone. 
 
 How watchful is love ! — How easily does its 
 slightest glance perceive an alteration- in the object 
 beloved ! The mere sound of his voice as he spoke 
 to a servant without, convinced Adelaide that her 
 Charles was afflicted. 
 
 Her raised eves, full of tender anxiety, momen- 
 tarilv charmed away his care: but it returned again, 
 with unabated pain, till he had imparted it to her. 
 Then was he indeed consoled ! — consoled by the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 7'o 
 
 sight of new beauties in her equally fond and gene- 
 rous heart. 
 
 Adelaide pitied Madame de Fontainville, but 
 
 she could not conceive how the destiny of that un- 
 fortunate woman, was to be ameliorated by the 
 empty possession of a name, without the reality. 
 Nay, to judge her feelings by her own, she believed 
 that to know herself the sole obstacle between hap- 
 piness and the man she loved, would be the severest 
 misery she could endure. 
 
 Adelaide did not wantonly betray her friend's 
 confidence ; but Charles found that whenever she 
 spoke of Princess Constantia, her emotion visibly 
 increased. 
 
 Sadlv sighing, the Count held her soft hand to 
 his lips, and then said, " All our wishes, I see tend 
 the same way ; and all our notions of right oppose 
 them. — The lovely suggestions of delicacy, cannot 
 prevent you from acknowledging the rule that ought 
 to guide Demetrius: he must act in conformity with 
 principle; Madame de Fontainville may follow your 
 guide. 
 
 " Yet how delightful are such just sentiments, 
 to the man whom my Adelaide honours with her 
 preference ! how does he glory in the possession of 
 a heart so governed!" 
 
 Charles was then proceeding to repeat, (what 
 seems \o repetition to a lover), expressions of ad- 
 
 VOL. II. H 
 
74 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 miration, gratitude, and rapture, when the Baron 
 and the Canon abruptly entered. 
 
 Mr. Balzac was an agreeable old gentleman that 
 never asked impertinent questions, or looked imper- 
 tinent remarks ; he therefore, appeared to see no- 
 thing particular, in the visible assiduity of the young 
 Count, but considerately engaged the lively Mar- 
 shal, in a hot dispute. 
 
 Charles dined at Balzac, where some English- 
 men met also : in compliment to whom, the Canon 
 followed their country's fashion, of sitting long 
 after dinner. This circumstance afforded Charles 
 an opportunity of making a masterly retreat from 
 the dining room to the saloon ; where he founc^the 
 somniferous Madame Balzac taking her customary- 
 nap. 
 
 She slept as if she were in a trance ; so that he 
 had ample power to urge the suit he had before pre- 
 ferred through the Marshal. 
 
 How could Adelaide deny any thing to so dear 
 a petitioner? she tried to chicle and refuse him, but 
 the chilling words thawed on her lips; and her 
 blushing eves beamed with a yielding, which ani- 
 mated his importunity. She consented at last, be- 
 cause she wished to consent: promising to give him 
 her hand, immediately after he should have termi- 
 nated one of his anxieties, by procuring the cx- 
 ch mge of his brother, into the regiment he com- 
 manded. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 75 
 
 Leopolstat did not over-rate his influence with 
 the Archduke. That amiable Prince being well ac- 
 quainted with the Count's character, judged him to 
 have private motives, equally pressing and praise? 
 worthy, for the removal of his brother. An ap- 
 pointment about his own person, which he gave 
 unasked, and a letter which he addressed himself, 
 to the General of Cavalry, in Italy, decided the 
 business. 
 
 Eager to press this suffering brother, to his al- 
 most paternal bosom, Charles no sooner received 
 a gracious message from his royal commander, pur- 
 porting the desired success ; than he hastened to 
 Balzac, and with persuasive earnestness, sought and 
 obtained from Adelaide a ratification of her promise 
 to become his wife directly after the arrival of De- 
 metrius. He then wrote to the latter, urging him 
 to expedite a journey upon which depended the 
 completion of his happiness. 
 
 Charles knew Demetrius too well, to dread any 
 thing Irom writing thus. He was aware that his 
 own fraternal affection had been too long tried, to 
 require, now the delay of his dearest wish : and 
 that Demetrius being convinced of his tender com- 
 miseration, would see without envy, nay with con- 
 solatory pleasure, the felicitous end of his brother's 
 distress. 
 
 This letter, reached the Val di Taro, some days 
 
76 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 after the departure of Demetrius ; from whence it 
 followed him to the Trtvisane. 
 
 How much had happened to him in that short 
 period ! 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 77 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 OPPRESSED with grief, Demetrius obeyed 
 the summons of Princess Con stan tia. 
 
 He travelled with the utmost speed, yet did not 
 reach Felieri, till the close of the third day. 
 
 The stillness of the Palace, and the deep gloom 
 of the winter foliage, blackened by night, struck a 
 chill to his heart; faint lamps glimmered only here 
 and there, among the once brilliant collonades ; and 
 the verybretze that moaned through them, appear- 
 ed to lower its breath, for fear of disturbing their 
 sepulchral solemnity. 
 
 Demetrius could not see the little mountain 
 stream, that here mingled with the Livenza, be- 
 cause of the darkness, and its over-hanging bushes : 
 but the well-known sound of its impetuous current, 
 brought to his recollection the last evening he had 
 spent with the Duchess. It was the gay night of 
 her moon-light partv ; which he justly believed to 
 have been the happiest of his life : she was then, 
 
 H 2 
 
78 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 all spirit and energy ; and she was now, perhaps, 
 cold and insensible ! 
 
 His heart turned sick at the thought ; for he 
 loved her with the enthusiasm of gratitude. 
 
 Alighting from the carriage, he advanced on 
 foot, to the gate of entrance : a venerable servant 
 answered his gentle knock ; the aspect of this old 
 man, and the sorrowful exclamation he uttered, 
 Were frightful omens. 
 
 Demetrius feared to advance : " Does she live V 9 
 he asked eagerly. 
 
 " Yes, my Lord, our good Duchess lives ; but 
 there is no hope." 
 
 u Then I may once more see her !" exclaimed 
 Demetrius. "Where is the Princess? let her be 
 told of my arrival — but tell her gently, good Gio- 
 rolamo." 
 
 The old servant now softly called a young wo- 
 man who appeared at one of the doors, and com- 
 missioned her with the communication. In a few 
 moments she re-appeared, and bade the young Count 
 follow. 
 
 The arched passages through which they went, 
 scarcelv returned the sound of their swift but light 
 steps : they crossed several halls, and ascended a 
 high flight of stairs, till they reached that side of 
 the Palace occupied by the Duchess. 
 
 /'This is my Lady's room ;" said the girl, slop- 
 ping before a door, " your Lordship is to go in.' 1 — 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 79 
 
 Demetrius entered. 
 
 A single light, dimly shewed him the death-bed 
 of his patroness, over which stood his dear Con- 
 stantia, pale and distracted. No other persons, 
 but the physician and the confessor, were in the 
 apartment. Unused to such scenes, anguish and 
 awe nearly paralyzed him : he moved gently for- 
 ward, and as he reached the bed, the Princess turn- 
 ed round. 
 
 At sight of him, the flood-gates of her grief, 
 were burnt asunder. No longer able to command 
 her feelings, she threw herself into his arms, with a 
 distraction, to which tears and sobs, gave no relief. 
 The emotion of Demetrius shewed its excess by a 
 convulsive tremor : he trembled so violently, that 
 he could not articulate ; nor support himself with- 
 out the aid of the physician. 
 
 For some hours, the Duchess had lost the power 
 of speech : she now attempted to address her 
 cherished Demetrius, but her quivering lips moved 
 only for an instant : she raised her eyes to heaven, 
 with a celestial expression of christian submission, 
 and then stretched out her hand to him. 
 
 Demetrius and Constantia, at the same moment 
 sunk on their knees before her. The Duchess re- 
 garded them awhile with a gaze of tender v. is.tfufe- 
 ness : regret and joy, mingled in her countena ce. 
 Siie raised herself with difficulty from the pillow, 
 
80 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 and took, them alternately in her arms ; then join- 
 ing their hands together, sunk back. 
 
 The hand uniting those of the unhappy lovers, 
 soon slackened its grasp : Constantia wildly raised 
 her head ; and beholding the features of her grand- 
 mother, fixed in eternal peace, uttered a piercing 
 shriek. She was conveyed motionless from the 
 room. 
 
 The eyes of Demetrius mournfully followed 
 her, as the physician carried her into the air ; but 
 they turned again, to the death-bed of the Duchess. 
 There, religious awe, and fond regret, absorbed 
 his dearest cares. He rose not from the ground, 
 still kneeling, to join in the solemn rites of the con- 
 fessor. — Where is the pen, that can faithfully de- 
 scribe the feelings which are roused by the death of 
 a beloved person ? — those new, and mingled feel- 
 ings, which only belong to the chamber of death, 
 and which can never be recalled without reviving 
 the anguish that would baffle any attempt! — The 
 heart that has once felt them, will but too well know 
 how to estimate their force. With a fearful hand, 
 therefore, I leave the veil undrawn, which now 
 covers the affliction of Constantia. 
 
 When Demetrius was retiring, to indulge his 
 regret in solitude, the monk, took a packet of pa- 
 pers from his breast, and presenting one to him, 
 said, 
 
 " This letter, was intrusted to me, by my late 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 81 
 
 benefactress, with a strict charge to deliver it into 
 your hands at this awful period. These others, are 
 the will, and some documents of consequence to 
 shew the Prince of Nuremberg. You, my Lord, 
 are I believe, master here. May the Almighty 
 bless you, and make you a worthy successor to 
 the most pious and beneficent Princess that ever 
 lived!" 
 
 The confessor then retired, to hide his rising 
 emotion ; and Demetrius, merely answering by an 
 inclination of the head, retired to his chamber. 
 
 So many events had followed each other, with 
 such whirling rapidity, that the over-tasked spirit 
 of Demetrius, could no longer keep up with them : 
 he now threw himself upon a couch, with that sen- 
 sation of exhaustion and stupor, which often fol- 
 lows great mental exertion ; and his senses were 
 immediately steeped in total oblivion. 
 
 After the salutary sleep of a few hours, he 
 awoke ; and finding it still night, he rose, trimmed 
 his fading lamp, and sat down by the remains of a 
 wood-fire, to think and to grieve. 
 
 An involuntary idea that the departed spirit 
 was then hovering over him, created a sacred awe, 
 which checked his gathering tears : he frequently 
 raised his surcharged eyes with an ineffable emo- 
 tion, as if expecting to behold the visible beatifica- 
 tion of that soul, which had used the blessings of 
 her own lot, only to bless that of others^ 
 
82 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The letter given him by the monk, now de- 
 manded his attention : he soitly separated the wax, 
 and read the following. 
 
 " If I should not live to see and speak with 
 you, my dearest Demetrius, you must consider 
 these lines as my dying words. 
 
 " Accept my blessing : and with it, the half of 
 my fortune. 
 
 " If, as I hope, inclination should hereafter lead 
 you to offer my beloved grandchild, a husband's 
 protection, be assured, that such an inclination has 
 my fullest sanction. It had always been my inten- 
 tion to learn your wishes on that subject whenever 
 we should meet again ; but I scarcely doubt them : 
 your ingenuous heart speaks too plainly in your 
 countenance, to be misinterpreted. 
 
 " Should you really love my Constantia, do not 
 stifle the expression of so natural a sentiment, from 
 any erroneous notions of her character : she is not 
 the slave of such narrow opinions, as generally 
 bound the intellects of high-born women. You are 
 already very dear to her : it therefore, rests with 
 yourself, to make her love you with the energy ne- 
 cessary to your mutual happiness. 
 
 " Opposition from her imperious uncle, is, of 
 course, to be expected : but even that has its limits : 
 two years of constancy, and patient submission to 
 his authority, will release you both from restraint. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 83 
 
 " I may perhaps appear blameable, for thus 
 preparing a cause of family dissention : willingly 
 would I avoid it : but the substantial good of my 
 Constantia must not be sacrificed to the blind pre- 
 judice of her uncle. Where nothing can be urged 
 against the man of her choice, but inequality of 
 nominal rank, the objection grows contemptible. 
 
 " I make you rich; noble by descent, you are 
 already ; nobler still, by your virtues : why then, 
 should the Prince of Nuremberg's pernicious world- 
 liness, be submitted to ? 
 
 u However, should my fond belief, prove the 
 vain chimera of a heart anxious to unite its two 
 dearest objects : should you be otherwise attached, 
 or simply indifferent to the merits of my Constantia, 
 recollect that the bequest of half my property, is 
 not made to the lover of my grandchild, but to the 
 preserver of her life. Take it freely, therefore, 
 bestow it, and yourself, on whomever you chuse, 
 and may God grant you that solid happiness which 
 has been the daily subject of all my prayers! 
 
 " Farewel ! I embrace you with the affection 
 of a mother. 
 
 COLOMBA DI FELIERI." 
 
 It was now that tears fell from the eyes of De- 
 jnetrius. Gratitude, admiration, regret, and love, 
 all swelled the womanish tide. He contemplated 
 what he might have possessed, and what he was 
 
84 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 about to refuse, with a softness that unnerved his 
 mental strength : and as he held the blistered paper 
 to his lips, he breathed the name of Zaire, with 
 bitterness of soul. 
 
 Let the object of a guilty passion, tremble at 
 the frail tenure by which she holds the affections of 
 a man, not wholly depraved LThe first ray of light 
 that breaks in on his before-benighted soul, shews 
 him the deformity of a passion, which she grows 
 distasteful, for having inspired : while the recollec- 
 tions which virtuous love delights to cherish, are 
 by him banished with affrighted quickness. 
 
 Demetrius still retained a tender regard for 
 Madame de Fontainville, but he shrunk from the 
 thought of making her his wife. That full consent 
 of every faculty of his mind, every sentiment of his 
 heart, (which always accompanied the contempla- 
 tion of Constantia), was there, painfully wanting : 
 he could not steadily gaze, with growing admira- 
 tion, upon her character, as he did on that of his 
 Princess. — Ah ! no ! — he glanced rapturously lor a 
 moment upon a feature of bewitching beautv, and 
 then hastily avoided the sight of its neighbouring 
 imperfection. 
 
 While reading his departed friend's letter, De- 
 metrius had been thrilled to agony, at the single 
 expression, — u a husband's protection." How, 
 much interdicted felicity, did these three Hide 
 words, present to his warm fancy ! and how firmly 
 
THE HUNGARIAN* BROTHERS. 85 
 
 did he believe, for the moment, that it would be 
 impious in him to give that hand to Madame de 
 Fontainvilie, which had been joined with Constan- 
 tia's by her dying parent ! — 
 
 Lost in a fluctuation of resolutions, to which 
 not even virtue herself knew how to give the palm, 
 he saw the morning light spread its rosy glow over 
 the new wing of the palace ; now, nearly rebuilt : 
 Father Pietro visited him soon after ; and from 
 him he learned that the Princess was unable to see 
 any one that day. — 
 
 Whilst Constantia's hours were spent in her de- 
 votions, he sat alone by the corpse of his benefac- 
 tress ; laying to heart the salutary lesson of mor- 
 tality ; wondering at the tumultuous feelings which 
 still agitated him, even while witnessing the brevity 
 of human joy, or human suffering. 
 
 He then retired to another apartment, where 
 he devoted himself to the task of candidly detail- 
 ing his past faults, and present involvement, in a 
 letter to the young Princess. 
 
 What a task was this! — to disclose the very 
 part of his life, which he wished struck out for 
 ever from the records of memory ! to sketch, even 
 with a trembling hand, the portrait of a lawless pas- 
 sion, and present it before the eyes of her whem he 
 loved to devotion ! — to breathe out assurances of 
 this devoted love, yet voluntarily renounce its per - 
 
 VOL. II. I 
 
86 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 mitted hopes ! how was he capable of so mastering 
 himself? 
 
 The task, however, was accomplished ; and on 
 the third day, he saw Constantia. 
 
 The anguish of disappointed affection was visi- 
 ble in her youthful countenance ; but gentle cou- 
 rage, and innocent candour,were there also. She 
 stretched out her hand to him as he entered the 
 room, and pressing his softly, said — " Demetrius ! 
 — my dear brother !" — 
 
 At this last epithet, the resolution of Deme- 
 trius forsook him : he fell at her feet, and incoher- 
 ently bewailed his errors and his misfortunes. 
 
 She raised him with great emotion. "Repress 
 this grief, I beseech you," she cried — u Oh, you 
 know not how it tears my heart ! — perhaps I am 
 wrong in now confessing that you are dearer to me, 
 than the whole world, and that the thought of pass- 
 ing my life with you, was the only consolation of 
 these last sad days ; but I cannot hide it : I thought 
 it praise -worthy to love one so good, and one to 
 whom I owed so much : I never dreamt of a blow 
 like this ! — But it must be borne;" she added, try- 
 ing to smile away her tears, " it shall be borne : I 
 will think you are my brother, so shall we all be 
 happy at last." 
 
 u Never ! never!" exclaimed Demetrius wildly, 
 u there is no happiness for me ! — my peace is lost, 
 wrecked for ever. Never, in this world, can any 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 8t 
 
 thing repay me for such a sacrifice to virtue, such 
 an atonement for error !" 
 
 " Then in another world" — the Princess whis- 
 pered, and bent her gushing eyes over the hand she 
 still held. 
 
 The silenced, but not comforted spirit of her 
 impetuous lover, answered with a heavy groan. 
 He was again the impassioned, stormy Demetrius, 
 whose terrifying sensibility, so often swept away 
 all the boundaries of reason. 
 
 Alternately melted and alarmed, Constantia 
 wept as much with pity as with love. 
 
 " O Demetrius !" she exclaimed, gazing ten- 
 derly on his convulsed features ; " why this extra- 
 vagant indulgence of a sorrow, that cannot exceed 
 mine ? — What is it you expect from it I — Can I 
 change our lot ? — Alas, no ! — I have no cheering 
 prospect left, but the hope of one day seeing you 
 happy, and of adding to that happiness, by striving 
 to forget that I ever wished for more. — With this 
 hope remaining, I am still ready to call existence a 
 blessing— you will live to think so too, when your 
 former attachment shall have revived, and the sac- 
 red feelings of a parent — when children perhaps" — 
 Here she broke off abruptly, concealing her gushing 
 tears with her hands. 
 
 Demetrius suddenly clasped her in his arms ; 
 but instantly pushing her from him, exclaimed — 
 
88 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 " No — no — I must see you no more, hear you no 
 more, if I would retain my senses and be just." — 
 
 He was then quitting the room in distracted 
 haste, when she followed, and detained him. u Not 
 thus, Demetrius — not thus you ought to leave me. 
 Do you believe that I too, have no feelings to 
 spare, or to be pitied? — Oh, could you see my 
 heart i" 
 
 The melting tones, and tender reproof of Con- 
 stahtia checked his phrensy — he turned quickly 
 round, caught her hands in both his, covered them 
 wi-.h kisses, and suffered her to lead him to a seat. 
 
 The Princess then stifling the expression of her 
 own sorrow, exerted herself to moderate his : She 
 was calculated to persuade and to sooth ; and the 
 agitated passions of Demetrius, gradually subsided 
 under every fall of her touching voice. 
 
 She pleaded with tearful earnestness, for Ma- 
 dame de Fontainville, whose situation she truly 
 compassionated] striving to revive in Demetrius 
 some portion of that partiality which could alone 
 reconcile him to his fate. 
 
 The too-wakeful sensibility of her auditor, took 
 alarm at her zeal : he hastily said — " Say not that 
 I am dear to you — mock me not, with so false a 
 comfort — for if it were so, how could you urge the 
 claims of another?" 
 
 At this injurious charge, Constantia's colour for- 
 sook her j tears forced themselves through her qui- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 89 
 
 vering eye-lids. — " My life shall answer you," was 
 her reply. 
 
 Demetrius felt the whole of what these words 
 conveyed : he was pierced with remorse — Constan- 
 tia saw it. 
 
 " I can pardon many things, now j" she resum- 
 ed, " Demetrius is not himself: but fee is not the 
 less dear to me for that. Alas, alas ! how much 
 dearer !" 
 
 She then talked of her departed relative, and 
 that with a tender resolution which bore the most 
 honourable testimony to her heart. 
 
 Constantia was never deterred from what she 
 believed her duty, by any selfish consideration ; and 
 though every question she now asked, pierced her 
 bleeding bosom, like so many daggers; she persist- 
 ed in mentioning all that was necessary, for the so- 
 lemn interment of the Duchess. 
 
 Tears trickled silently down her cheeks, while 
 Demetrius assured her, that since the first evening, 
 he had himself watched nightly by the remains of 
 his patroness ; and had suffered no rite to be omit- 
 ted, that was used to express regret and respect. 
 
 Constantia w r ept awhile over a little ivory cruci- 
 fix, which was the last thing her grandmother touch- 
 ed, and which now hung at her own breast ; then 
 struggling against this weakness, rose to depart. 
 
 " Let us separate," she said, averting her stream- 
 ing eyes — " we will meet again, to-morrow. — If my 
 
 I 2 
 
90 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS, 
 
 uncle arrive in the interim, he shall be conducted to 
 me immediately : my simple assurance that you are 
 engaged to another, will prevent any misunderstand- 
 ing between you. I would not have you endure in- 
 sult as well as sorrow for my sake." — Breathless 
 with an emotion that was now increasing beyond 
 her utmost efforts to conceal, she hastily returned 
 the pressure of his hand, and left the apartment. 
 
 At that moment Demetrius believed his soul 
 must have burst the bonds that tied it to a hateful 
 life. He rushed away to his own chamber, where 
 for a while, he refused to think of any thing but 
 Constantia. 
 
 The next morning, better feelings resumed their 
 influence : he saw the necessity of yielding to the 
 consequences of his own culpable conduct ; and now 
 sorrowed more for the Princess, than for himself. 
 A glimpse of one of the Prince of Nuremberg's 
 avant-couriers, changed the current of his thoughts ; 
 and other cares, besides those of love, then occupied 
 him. 
 
 Two hours afterwards, he was told that his High- 
 ness requested the honour of seeing him in the li- 
 brary. 
 
 A glow of self-respect dignified the youthful 
 beauty of Demetrius, as he followed the servant. 
 At his entrance, the Prince turned pale, and lower- 
 ed his eyes : his features were strongly expressive 
 of anger and pride ; for Constantia, when declaring 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 91 
 
 the engagements of Demetrius, had nobly confessed 
 her preference, and disappointment. 
 
 " I understand Sir," said the Prince abruptly, 
 (yet with an air of mortified restraint) " that I am 
 henceforth to consider myself your guest. This pa- 
 lace, and these domains, I hear with astonishment, 
 are now the property of a stranger." 
 
 Constantia advanced trembling : Demetrius in- 
 stantly calmed her fear. 
 
 44 I know not whether your Highness be rightly 
 informed," he answered, u but if so, be assured I 
 am incapable of using the power such unexpected 
 munificence has given me, in any other way, than 
 that of immediately renouncing it." 
 " I do not comprehend you Sir :" 
 " Can I do otherwise," said Demetrius, " than 
 restore it to Princess Constantia ? I had no claim 
 on the generosity of my illustrious patroness: enough 
 for me to cherish the respected remembrance of her 
 friendship." 
 
 " Indeed !" — and the Prince eyed him with a 
 mixture of incredulity and envy. 
 
 Constantia turned aside to conceal her agitation. 
 " The Will is to be opened this evening," re- 
 sumed the unfeeling Prince, M of course, Sir, we 
 shall have the honour of dining together, after which, 
 you can have no objection to hear it read. I believe 
 you will then find my niece amply provided for — 
 all the domestics provided for — no one, in short, 
 
92 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 overlooked, but the only person entitled to expeet 
 the bulk of this unwieldy fortune." 
 
 An exclamation of horror, at her uncle's savage 
 coldness, escaped the Princess ; she wildly passed 
 him, repelling his out-stretched hand ; and then flew 
 into another room. 
 
 Demetrius looked at Nuremberg with aver- 
 sion, and at that instant saw in him, only the man 
 that once sought his life. 
 
 " As the Princess has left us ;" he said with 
 some austerity, " I may explicitly tell your High- 
 ness, that whatever testimony of over-wrought gra- 
 titude and unmerited regard, the will of the late 
 Duchess may contain, I shall resign it to her ac- 
 knowledged heiress ; in whose hands I am certain, 
 it will become an instrument of blessing to thou- 
 sands. After which, I can have no other wish, 
 than to be permitted the indulgence of that respect- 
 ful friendship, which the Duchess di Felieri suffer- 
 ed me to avow for the Princess." 
 
 " With her friendships," returned Nuremberg, 
 " I do not interfere ; but I profess myself no advo- 
 cate for such a sentiment between persons of differ- 
 ent sex, and far different rank. Pardon my frank- 
 ness, Sir ! — I have no intention to offend you : on 
 the contrary, I beg you to accept my thanks, for 
 the very handsome manner in which you withdraw 
 your claim on the Duchess di Felieri's fortune. 
 Should you ever vidU Nuremberg or Munich, I 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 93 
 
 shall have pleasure in shewing you any civility in 
 my power. But I must intreat you to remember, 
 Sir, that an indiscreet friendship may injure the es- 
 tablishment of my niece : I have great views for 
 her, with which this would never assimilate. As 
 I am sure, her husband will not see the thing in the 
 false light, I am inclined to do." 
 
 At this painful hint, the blood fled from the 
 cheeks of Demetrius, and his heart died within 
 him : afraid of betraying himself, he faltered out, 
 — u I shall meet your Highness at dinner ;" and 
 abruptly retired. 
 
 The Prince, wishing to believe he had awed the 
 usurper of his rights into restitution, yet feeling 
 that he was himself awed by his disinterestedness, 
 eyed the furniture of the library, a few moments, 
 in dissatisfied silence, and then sought his wife. 
 She had retired from the breakfast room, with 
 Constantia, leaving him time to reflect back, all his 
 suspicions of Demetrius. 
 
 During the short period in which their regi- 
 ments were encamped together, after the battle of 
 Novi, Colonel Wurtzburgh had artfully insinuated 
 so many proofs of his young officer's familiarity at 
 Felieri, that the Prince in great alarm, interrogated 
 him further. 
 
 Wurtzburgh then acknowledged his fear that a 
 silly attachment had taken place between the young 
 people, for which, the Duchess could alone be cen- 
 
94 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 sured. He besought the Prince not to mention his 
 name in the affair, as he sincerely regarded the im- 
 prudent boy, for whose sake he should rejoice to 
 hear that the intercourse was interrupted : and hav- 
 ing cunningly irritated, while he appeared striving 
 to appease, roused the Prince into a fury which 
 took the murderous direction he wished. 
 
 These past insinuations now came with double 
 force to the remembrance of Nuremberg. This 
 liberal renunciation of the Felieri estates, might be a 
 pantomime trick, played off between Constantia and 
 her lover, in order to cheat him into countenancing 
 their acquaintance, which they would at last con- 
 clude by a marriage. 
 
 No sooner had his contemptible spirit suggested 
 this idea, than he became as sure of its reality, as 
 of his own existence, and though not an hour be- 
 fore, he had reviled Demeivius for daring to decline 
 the hand of a Princess of Nuremberg, from any 
 other motive than a sense of her superiority, (so in- 
 consistent is malice), he now burst into Constantia's 
 retirement, fulminating reproaches, and denouncing 
 Demetrius as a presumptuous hypocrite. 
 
 The Princess made a spirited defence of her 
 lover's sincerity, ending it thus : 
 
 " It is not to himself, Sir, that you dare utter 
 these unmanly threats. — No ! the man that could 
 insult and terrifv a woman, would not have the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 95 
 
 courage to brave, even the frown of an honourable 
 man." — 
 
 With these words she shut herself into another 
 apartment. 
 
 The spirit of Constantia was not to be intimi- 
 dated : injustice and tyranny, roused her otherwise 
 lamb-like nature, into that of the lion ; and she would 
 have despised herself, for yielding to terror, what 
 she could not have denied to kindness. 
 
 Egregiously had the Prince mistaken the char- 
 acter of his niece, when he believed himself able to 
 sway her actions by a few horrid-sounding words. 
 He was thunder-struck at the flash of her undaunt- 
 ed eyes, as she pronounced the last sentence ; and 
 still more amazed at the declaration she made, of 
 devoting the remainder of her life, to a single state. 
 
 Could it be possible, that this figure which sud- 
 denly seemed to dart forth rays of majesty, was the 
 timid, girlish Constantia? Were these commanding 
 eyes the eyes he had always seen smiiing in delight? 
 this intrepid spirit, the one that had hitherto been all 
 balmy gentleness: — He paused on these questions: 
 for the Prince of Nuremberg, had never known 
 how to separate softness from imbecility ; and had 
 yet to learn, that the meekness of a heart which can 
 never be moved to virtuous indignation, is a meek- 
 ness without worth. — He stood an instant motion- 
 less; then disregarding the fearful upbraiding of his 
 wife, hurried from the place. 
 
96 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The sound of the door which he pulled furious- 
 ly after him, and a sobbing apology of his Princess, 
 brought Constantia forth again. Tenderness once 
 more beamed from her lovely face, and spoke in 
 her voice : she soothed the distress of her well- 
 meaning aunt ; assuring her, she was grieved for 
 her sake, at having been forced to forget the respect 
 due to her guardian. 
 
 It had not been Constantia's intention to appear 
 at dinner ; but perceiving a necessity for her pre- 
 sence, she submitted to the pain of again sitting at 
 the table, where her dear grandmother had so amia- 
 bly presided. 
 
 When the small party assembled, grief was on 
 every face, except that of Nuremberg's. Constantia 
 and Demetrius forgot every thing but their irrepa- 
 rable loss ; and frequently during the mournful meal, 
 the sight of some domestic, or some view from the 
 windows, brought a flood of tears, to the relief of 
 the Princess. 
 
 The settled and manly sorrow that was fixed on 
 the brow of Demetrius, awed the base suspicions of 
 Nuremberg into temporary silence. 
 
 Before the will was opened, Constantia left the 
 room. She hastened to throw herself on her knees 
 bv the corpse of her only friend, there to pour out 
 the repressed anguish of a heart overpowered with 
 its first and heaviest affliction. Meanwhile, the chief 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 97 
 
 persons of the Duchess's household, -were assem- 
 bled, and the important will was produced. 
 
 As Father Pietro presented it to the profes- 
 sional man, appointed to make known its contents, 
 Demetrius addressed the Prince. " Before I learn 
 the contents of a will, in which I am said to be par- 
 ticularly noticed, I here solemnly renounce any do- 
 nation which may be made to me in it. Whatever 
 has been there bequeathed to me, I promise (in the 
 presence of these witnesses) to restore to Princess 
 Constantia; and that, not from disrespectful ingra- 
 titude to the illustrious memory of the best of wo- 
 men, but in justice to my own character, which 
 such unheard-of bounty, might hereafter render sus- 
 pected: also, as a testimony of admiration and re- 
 verence for her most-beloved grand-daughter." 
 
 He spoke this with a steady voice, though an 
 agitated heart; and bowed in sign of having con- 
 cluded. 
 
 The will was then opened. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the rage and resentment 
 of the Prince, when he found, that after liberal an- 
 nuities to all her servants, legacies to her confessor, 
 physician, and secretary, and a valuable one to him- 
 self, as the son of her brother, the Duchess had ap- 
 pointed the vast remains of her fortune to be divided 
 between Demetrius and Constantia : leaving Felieri 
 to the former, and a much finer mansion in Venice, 
 f o the young Princess. 
 
 VOL. II. k 
 
.18 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The bequest to each, was prefaced by so affect- 
 ing an avowal of her anxiety for them ; so many 
 prayers for their happiness, which Demetrius well 
 knew how to interpret, that hastily covering his face 
 with his handkerchief, he was rising to withdraw, 
 when the Prince mistaking his agitation, said bit- 
 terly, " Do you repent your rash resolution ? " — 
 Without answering, Demetrius turned round, and 
 advancing to where a gentleman of the law was 
 seated, seized a pen, and signed the deed (which 
 he had before ordered to be prepared,) and which 
 now transferred to Constantia, an additional pro- 
 perty of countless thousands — he then retired. 
 
 What was this sacrifice to Demetrius, compar- 
 ed with that which he had lately made of his ten- 
 derest wishes ! — Certain that he owed much of the 
 Duchess di Felieri's fondness, to her belief of his 
 future union with her grandchild j and shuddering 
 at the thought of sharing the wealth given under 
 such a belief, with any other woman, conscience 
 would have prompted the act, even had inclination 
 been against it. 
 
 The funeral took place the next day. Sad and 
 solemn was the magnificence with which the lament- 
 ed clay of the Duchess, was carried to its last abode 
 — the tears of the poor that she had made r;ch, the 
 wretched that she had made happy, watered the 
 nath to her tomb : these were inaudible prayers for 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 99 
 
 her virtuous soul, which if prayers could then avail, 
 might well have found favour from the Most High. 
 
 Demetrius easily obtained permission to supply 
 the Prince's absence ; (whose duty it was, to see the 
 earth closed over her grave,) he retreated almost 
 overcome with the scene, and his heart melted, as 
 his eyes fell on the darkened window of the room, 
 where Constantia was weeping. 
 
 Unexpected comfort met him in the palace. It 
 was that letter from Charles, in which he mention- 
 ed the desired exchange ; detailing the events that 
 had changed his destiny, and summoning him back 
 to Germany to witness his union with Adelaide. 
 
 The joy of Demetrius was ardent, though chas- 
 tised by a sense of his own disappointments : he 
 pondered on this interesting letter, exclaiming with 
 a sigh — u Blessed, ever blessed, be this best and 
 dearest of brothers ! O may the bitterness of dis- 
 appointment, be known only to me ! may his heart 
 be as happy as it is blameless ! mine has erred wide 
 ly, and mine ought to suffer." 
 
 Several salutary reflections now flowed from a 
 contemplation of their different situations : he be- 
 came convinced that it is the character which shapes 
 the destiny j and that when he first lost sight of vir- 
 tue, his own hand opened a gate for all the future 
 miseries of his life. Humbled and reconciled, he 
 then bowed before the chastisement which he was 
 conscious of having merited. 
 
100 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 To leave Felieri, and take an eternal farewel, 
 perhaps, of Constantia, was the hardest trial remain- 
 ing : yet he roused himself to meet it. The next 
 day, he sent to ask permission to see her alone, and 
 was admitted to her study. 
 
 Her fair eyes were swelled with weeping, and 
 the langour of indisposition, was now added to the 
 mournfulness of grief. When he told her for what 
 purpose he was come, she was unable to repel her 
 tears. " I seek not to detain you, my dear Deme- 
 trius," she said, " it is better that we should part 
 awhile. Though I should never see you more, my 
 heart would not cease to beat more warmly for you, 
 than for any other: alas! what have I in the world 
 besides you and Adelaide ? But do not imagine I 
 give way to useless regret at the necessity which 
 severs us: no! in many things I shall find consola- 
 tion; in none more, than in the knowledge of your 
 retaining for me, no other sentiment than that of 
 
 friendship." 
 
 Demetrius only answered with a sigh : but such 
 a sigh ! long, long after, did the remembrance of it, 
 chill every vein of Constantia. 
 
 She pressed his hand : -" You are going to your 
 brother; with him I hope you will find comfort. I 
 shall hear of you from Adelaide : to write to you 
 myself, would be folly ; for until our mutual weak- 
 ness is conquered, what would it avail? — The ro- 
 mantic generosity with which you have destn 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 101 
 
 my dear grandmamma's affectionate intentions, sur- 
 prises every one but me : I expected it, and yet I 
 blame it. While under my uncle's guardianship, 
 I understand, no deed of mine can be valid ; but 
 assure yourself, that until the period of my liberty 
 arrives, I retain the estates only in trust — it will 
 then be my business to convince you, that annulling 
 the will of a departed friend, is a species of im- 
 piety." 
 
 Demetrius combated this assertion, by argu- 
 ments drawn from his peculiar situation : — Con- 
 stantia shook her head ; without proceeding to re- 
 prove him, she said, " Tell Adelaide, that I cannot 
 answer the letter she has just sent me ; but my heart 
 truly participates in her prospects : we shall soon 
 meet perhaps, for I leave Felieri with my aunt in a 
 few days. Farewel Demetrius! Farewel!" — 
 
 She arose trembling, as she spoke, and the pale- 
 ness of death spread over her face : a thick mist 
 gathered before the eyes of Demetrius : he wrapped 
 his arms round her as she stood beside him, and 
 their cold cheeks rested against each other. Grief 
 locked up the power of speech, and he embraced 
 her for the last time, in mute despair. 
 
 Constantia plucked from her neck the ivory 
 erucifix of the Duchess, and at the same moment, 
 -wildly kissing his picture which she wore there 
 also, put the little cross into his hand, and tore V 
 self away, 
 
 k2 
 
102 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Demetrius fell to the ground, deprived of sense. 
 As no one entered the chamber where he lay, 
 it was long ere he revived : when he did so, the 
 full sense of his misery burst on him like the light. 
 But phrensy was over : he committed the ivory 
 relic to his bosom ; after which, he went to take a 
 ceremonial fare w el of the Prince and Princess of 
 Nuremberg. 
 
 Professions of good-will, and a cold compliment 
 to his just notion of the Duchess's injustice, were 
 made him by the Prince. Demetrius hastily in- 
 terrupted them. 
 
 " Your highness must pardon me, if I avow 
 myself actuated by very different sentiments, and 
 call the Will surprising, but not unjust. The boun- 
 ty of the Duchess was proportioned to her affec- 
 tion for me, not indeed to my deserts ; yet her for- 
 tune was as much her own to bestow, as her friend- 
 ship. I therefore protest against such an ungrate- 
 ful inference, and beg leave to state my real mo- 
 tives." — 
 
 u Well Sir, state them, if you please." And 
 the Prince bit his lips as he spoke. 
 
 " I believed, that when the Duchess executed 
 that noble deed, she did it under the impression 
 that I would hereafter aspire to a felicity, from 
 which my presumptuous eyes, are now averted for 
 ever." 
 
 A sigh burst forth with these words, and De 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 103 
 
 metrius paused for a moment : Nuremberg's blood 
 crimsoned his face. 
 
 The -former resumed. " It would have been 
 dishonesty, therefore, to preserve what was given 
 me, by a deed so executed. I was certain, also, 
 that without the knowledge of circumstances which 
 never can be promulgated, the world might suspect 
 my integrity, and accuse my disinterestedness : this, 
 for my own part, I could front serenely ; conscious 
 honour, being an unpierceable shield — but, distin- 
 guished by the favour of Princess Constantia, it be- 
 comes the duty of my life* and it shall be the busi- 
 ness of it, to preserve her from censure, by prov- 
 ing, that the man so honoured, has the spirit of his 
 birth, rather than of his fortune." 
 
 He 'stopped ; and his countenance glowed with 
 the loftiness of his feelings. 
 
 " Then Sir," replied the Prince coldly, " obli- 
 gation on my part, ceases. Till now, I really had 
 no idea that so rational and equitable an action, had 
 its source in romance and self-consideration." 
 
 u I would not have you Sir," returned Deme- 
 trius, looking full at him, " believe yourself under 
 the slightest obligation to me — nay, I wish you to 
 know, that had a fortunate destiny given me the 
 illustrious treasure of your niece's hand, I should 
 not have presumed to alter one article of the 
 Duchess's will: and had I never known Princess 
 
104 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Constantia, I should have preserved this vast gift,, 
 even at the price of your highness's approbation." 
 
 Demetrius waited a moment to give the Prince 
 time to answer this galling avowal, but the latter 
 only gnawed his under lip : the other bowed and 
 withdrew. 
 
 Demetrius was still rash, still imprudent, and 
 would have spurned the counsel, that urged only 
 the caution of silence : what he felt, he burned to 
 shew ; believing that to hide his feelings, was equi- 
 valent to the more impudent falsehood of denying 
 them. 
 
 A flush was still on his cheek, when he crossed 
 the hall to depart. The sight of the domestics 
 gathered there to bless and bewail him, and the de- 
 jected countenance of father Pietro, who had long 
 been the confident of the Duchess, banished this 
 glow. He shook hands with the servants, embrac- 
 ed father Pietro, and then looking round the hall, 
 as if bidding eternal farewel tp its senseh ss walls, 
 hastened through the portico, to the vehicle that 
 was to convev him for ever from Felieri. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 105 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 
 A TEDIOUS journey was performed by Deme- 
 trius, without noticing either its length or its discom- 
 forts ; he moved mechanically from carriage to car- 
 riage, for his spirit was still with Constantia : but as 
 he entered Suabia, thought of as dear an object, call- 
 ed back the wandering soul. 
 
 Charles was hurrying over military dispatches 
 in his own quarters at Donaueschingen when his 
 brother arrived there : not having heard the wheels 
 of the carriage, he was unconscious of its approach, 
 till he saw him by his side. 
 
 At sight of him, joy flushed over his face : he 
 rose hastily from his seat, and wrapped him in his 
 arms. " My brother ! my dear brother ! my be- 
 loved Demetrius !" — 
 
 Pressed to this best of human hearts, Demetrius 
 felt as if he had reached a shelter from every coming 
 storm : the bosom of his brother, seemed his home : 
 and accustomed from infancy, to find comfort and 
 
106 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 tenderness there, he retained the memory of past 
 security, and the hope of future peace. 
 
 Apprized of the Duchess's death, Charles was 
 prepared to see his brother dejected ; but there was 
 an expression in his features, that announced a heart 
 completely desolate. He pushed aside his still- 
 beautiful hair, and gazed with bursting grief on that 
 altered complexion, over which it once played like 
 sun-beams among flowers. 
 
 He looked awhile, till the tears gathering fast in 
 his own eyes, obscured their sight ; he then turned 
 away, shook the hand grasping his, exclaiming in a 
 tone of piercing tenderness, " My poor Deme- 
 trius !" — 
 
 Demetrius moved to a window, and stood there 
 in silence till their mutual agitation subsided. 
 
 No one is completely wretched, unless they are 
 abandoned of virtue. While that angel remains 
 with the human soul, springs of comfort arise, even 
 in the stony desart. 
 
 Demetrius was speedily sensible of much con- 
 solation : he was conscious of having sacrificed his 
 fondest wishes a second time at the altar of duty ; 
 and, while praised and pitied by his brother, while 
 blessing Heaven for preserving to him that faithful 
 friend, was able to curb rebellious regret, and look 
 with gladness on the brilliant destiny of Charles. 
 
 Yet, the perusal of a letter from de Liancour, 
 caused him much emotion. It affectingly describee 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 107 
 
 the sensibility with which his daughter heard of the 
 death of Mr. de Fontainvilie, and the constancy of 
 Demetrius: professed his own satisfaction at an 
 event, which however solemn, was not to be lament- 
 ed ; and concluded by saying, that the moment 
 Zaire left her chamber, (where she had been con- 
 fined with a fever, in consequence of her late sur- 
 prize ;) they would return to Germany. 
 
 It was not in the nature of our young hussar, 
 to read this testimony of an attachment so faithful 
 and so ardent, without finding some portion of his 
 former fondness revive for its seducing object. He 
 suffered his thoughts ft) wander back over many 
 an hour of trancing delight; while his eyes, float- 
 ing in tears, were fixed upon her miniature, which 
 he had once given to Charles, and which the latter 
 now restored. 
 
 The recollection of the moment in which he 
 gave it; the sight of its faultless love-kindling beau- 
 ty ; the memory of her looks and words, long since 
 banished from his mind, grew tenderer every in- 
 stant. He threw himself on a seat, and smiting 
 his breast with one hand, while with the other he 
 pressed the picture to his lips — exclaimed, " O 
 Charles, how is this heart rent and divided ! " — 
 
 By the gentle reasoning and still more persua- 
 sive endearments of his brother, he was at length 
 brought to composure : a secret pleasure at this 
 revival of a long buried attachment, spread healing 
 
108 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 through his breast, and after a day spent in calmer 
 discourse, he was capable of visiting Balzac, and 
 being introduced to Marshal Ingersdorf. 
 
 Adelaide received Demetrius with the affection 
 of a sister : her susceptible heart had entered too 
 much into the feelings of her friend, and of her 
 lover, not to throb with pain at thus meeting the 
 unfortunate cause of distress to both. 
 
 She now lavished on him, those soft attentions 
 which her bashfulness still deterred her from freely 
 bestowing on Charles ; and without appearing to 
 forget that the absent Constantia was mourning un- 
 comforted, exerted all her "powers to animate and 
 to sooth. 
 
 Marshal Ingersdorf cordially welcomed the bro- 
 ther of his favourite , and, as he was enthusiastic 
 in " the human face divine," contemplated Deme- 
 trius with undisguised pleasure. He had heard of 
 his personal advantages ; but associating the idea of 
 boyishness with a splendid complexion, was agree- 
 ably surprized to find the expression of a matured 
 mind, and youthful sensibility united in him. He 
 had yet to discover the eloquence of that luminous 
 complexion, when health and animation should 
 again speak through it. 
 
 The good canon and his sister supposing De- 
 metrius an invalid, (from some occasional glows of 
 colour, which proved his paleness to be accidental,) 
 were lavish in their recipes and condolements 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 10$ 
 
 their guest lent a grateful ear to them ; as if desi- 
 rous to quiet the solicitude of his brother, by ap- 
 pearing to extract amusement from every things 
 
 Charles loved him the more for this amiable 
 consideration j and his own heart grew even heavier 
 than his. 
 
 It is not to be imagined, however, that Count 
 Leopolstat was so super-excellent as to be indiffer- 
 ent about the completion of his own peculiar wish- 
 es : far from it. Till Adelaide should be his wife, 
 he dreaded some fantastic improbability might start 
 up, and snatch her from him. He had therefore 
 used part of this evening, (when the rest of the 
 company were otherwise engaged,) in winning her 
 to no me the day of his happiness. Blushingly she 
 named it : and blushing still more, she broke away 
 from the indiscreet rapture, with which, forgetting 
 the presence of every other person, he attempted to 
 catch her in his arms. 
 
 None but the Marshal saw the hasty action : he 
 guessed its cause from the retreat of his daughter, 
 and immediately glided round to Charles. The 
 latter was severely chiding himself for what he had 
 done, when the old officer joined him : The Mar- 
 shal was easily mollified by his pathetic apologies, 
 tho gh he called him an indiscreet vagabond. He 
 he i with pleasure, that in a week's time, his Ade- 
 laide would resign herself to a huband's protection : 
 Upon which, he warned Charles to prepare himself 
 
 VOL. II. L 
 
110 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 with some trifling present for her ; as it had been 
 the custom of all the IngersdorPs from the flood, 
 to exchange gifts on the morning of their union. 
 
 In the interval between this evening, and the 
 morning of the nuptials, Demetrius addressed 
 Zaire. He resolved to think of nothing but her, 
 while he wrote the letter, and consequently, it 
 breathed only tenderness. 
 
 From a few lines of de Liancour, he learned 
 that they were to sail for Hamburgh by the next 
 Packet. A breeze could not breathe now, without 
 agitating him : so strongly mingled were his feel- 
 ings of love and pity, so blended were the images 
 of the past, with visions of the future, that he 
 scarcely knew what were the unbiassed wishes of 
 his heart. 
 
 The wind blew adverse t© vessels from Eng- 
 land ; and the day of his brother's marriage found 
 Demetrius still in a state of suspense. 
 
 The Baron and Baroness of Ingersdorf, were 
 the only additions made to the party at Balzac. 
 Count Forshiem had been invited, but he was en- 
 joying a short leave of absence in the society of Lo- 
 renza Soldini, and contented himself with sending a 
 letter of congratulation. 
 
 Resolving not to cloud a day of joy by one me- 
 lancholy look, Demetrius accompanied his brother 
 to Balzac. Blameless transport sparkled in the 
 eyes of Charles : he looked the happy man he was. 
 
*HE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. Ill 
 
 Adelaide met his grateful glances, with one of mo- 
 dest delight. A short ceremony united them ; giv- 
 ing to the agitated Marshal, a son in whom he had 
 a right to glory. 
 
 Obedient to his father-in-law, Charles now pre 
 sented Adelaide with an ornament for her arm ; 
 and she in return, put into his hand a roll of paper. 
 Upon opening it, what was his surprise to find it 
 an instrument that restored to him, the chief part of 
 his Hungarian estates. 
 
 He had been scrupulously firm, in requiring 
 every particle of Mam'selle Ingersdorf's fortune to 
 be settled on herself, and entirely at her disposal ; 
 how then, was he overwhelmed, when he perceived 
 that the dowry he already thought so large, was 
 but a small division of what must have been her 
 portion ! 
 
 Distressed, yet thrilling with tender admiration, 
 he turned to seek Adelaide, but she was gone : the 
 Marshal too, was hastily retreating. — 
 
 u Stay, stay, dear Sir !" cried Charles, eagerly 
 detaining him, u let me not be quite lost in this ex- 
 cess of benefits ! for heaven's sake, take back a gift 
 which can only proceed from yon." 
 
 " Hold your tongue, puppy, hold your tongue !" 
 cried the Marshal, striving to break away, " it was 
 the girl's proposal : she exchanged her own proper- 
 ty, to reclaim your's, and I have nothing to do with 
 it. Take back ! what the deuce, you would not 
 
112 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 have me turn robber in my old age, and snatch what 
 don't belong to me ? and you would not have had me 
 leave the foolish child as dependent as she had made 
 herself, would you ? — I have given you nothing ; I 
 have parted with nothing for you, but her." — 
 
 " And she ! — O Sir," cried the glowing Charles 
 M how could you believe me capable of delighting 
 in any other possession !" 
 
 " Well, well ! it's no business of mine," repeat- 
 ed the Marshal, " settle it between you : I only 
 know; the estates" were her's an hour ago, and now 
 they are her husband's ; and when that prating fel- 
 low comes to be a father like me, he will rejoice 
 to think, that his virtues restored to his son, what 
 a misguided grandfather would have deprived him 
 of." 
 
 The Marshal now got away, without effort; 
 for a crowd of tumultuous feelings, painted the 
 manly features of Charles, and loosened his ardent 
 grasp. Delighted, disordered, entranced, he sought 
 his bride, at whose feet he poured forth his gratitude 
 and love. 
 
 It was in scenes like this, that Demetrius sober- 
 ized his own regrets. Resigned to his lot, and re- 
 solutely endeavouring to meet it with cheerfulness, 
 he waited the arrival of Zaire, with a mixture of 
 pleasure and pain. 
 
 But never was the image of Constantia absent 
 from his mind : She was with him, thought itself. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 113 
 
 Only in his prayers did he permit himself to dwell 
 on so dangerous a theme ; and then, his soul sprung 
 eagerly to recount, and bless her virtues. 
 
 Constantia was now in his neighbourhood ; she 
 was at Munich. 
 
 After the departure of Demetrius from FelieriygS^ 
 the Prince of Nuremberg informed his niece, that 
 she must prepare to return into Bavaria: Constan- 
 tia made no opposition ; for though she wished to 
 remain in the scene of past happiness, she \v r as de- 
 sirous of convincing her unCW^nat she would 
 cheerfully make every reasonable sacrifice to % his 
 convenience or gratification. 
 
 Life, as it now lay before her, presented a dreary 
 blank : but she reflected, that it was still in her 
 power to fill up that blank, with beneficial actions j 
 and therefore resolved to seek occasions for using. 
 her wealth worthily, and exercising the social af- 
 fections. 
 
 The love she bore Demetrius had been too long 
 indulged, too closely coupled with the belief of be- 
 coming his wife, too much sanctified by the appro- 
 val of her parent, to admit the probability of its ever 
 being transferred. 
 
 She had resigned herself with such passionate 
 tenderness, to the contemplation of spending life 
 with him, that delicacy would have revolted from 
 realizing the fond dream with any other. 
 
 To suffer a long period of silent regret ; anil 
 L 2 
 
114 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS, 
 
 then, to find a new interest spring up in her hearty 
 for his offspring, was now the sole object of her 
 hopes : she dwelt with thrilling pensiveness on the 
 last idea ; anticipating the moment in which she 
 might be able to behold a child of his, without envy- 
 ing its happy mother. 
 
 Many, were then, the romantic anticipations of 
 her warm and pure heart ! — In the bloom of youth 
 and beauty, she contemplated with satisfaction the 
 years that were to steal that youth and beauty away ; 
 and while her whole being, was but love for De- 
 metrius, ardently prayed that Madame de Fontain- 
 ville might render him a happy husband, and a still* 
 happier father. 
 
 To the religion of Constantia, (which was not 
 a religion of mere forms) she was indebted for 
 these consoling thoughts. She had early learned to 
 seek occasions for pious thankfulness ; and now, so 
 far from determining to be wretched the remainder 
 of her time, endeavoured to discover the best me- 
 thod for comforting her desolate heart. 
 
 Desolate that heart was, beyond all expression : 
 from that of the happy Adelaide, it generously 
 shrunk ; fearful of blighting her enjoyments, by its 
 -.adness : it was eternally exiled from the hope of 
 uniting with the one so fondly chosen ; and ha£ 
 now no tender relatives to lean on for support under 
 oppressive unkindness. 
 
 Tears trickled over the clasped hands of Cor- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 115 
 
 stantia, as she sat pondering on these things. " No, 
 dearest Saint !" she said softly to herself, (address- 
 ing the shade of the Duchess,) " never shall this 
 hand, which yours joined with that of Demetrius, 
 be given to another 1 My days shall henceforth be 
 devoted to blessing my fellow-creatures, without 
 thought of myself. The poor and the forlorn, shall 
 become my children : O may I find some solace in 
 such sacred duties !" 
 
 She then gazed on the picture of Demetrius 
 which lay on her bosom, till its lineaments floated 
 before her swimming eyes. Sighs thronged after 
 each other ; and a fear of impropriety checked the 
 kiss she was just going to give it : but her pure con- 
 science dispelled the momentary doubt. " There 
 can be no harm in a love like mine," she cried, 
 " which wants nothing but his happiness." Angels 
 might have sanctioned this disinterested assertion. 
 
 Upon leaving Felieri, she ordered every domes- 
 tic to be retained ; every pension to be continued; 
 and the almoner of the late Duchess to distribute, 
 as formerly unlimited assistance to the sick and 
 poor. She promised to make Felieri her residence 
 whenever her guardian would permit, until the day 
 that, terminating his power, should enable her to re- 
 store it to the young Count Leopolstat. 
 
 This avowal, made in the Prince's presence, 
 threw him into a fit of silent gloom which lasted 
 many hours during their journey. At length he 
 
116 ,THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 broke it himself, by making a bitter observation on 
 the distribution of his illustrious aunt's fortune, 
 
 u Uncle !" said Constantia, " let us not grow 
 into enemies. I promise to avoid occasions of dis- 
 pleasing you, and I intreat you will do the same by 
 me. To reflect upon the memory of our dear rela- 
 tion, is to rouse all the indignant feelings of my 
 nature. You have no reason to accuse her of in- 
 justice : She has shared the greatest part of her pro- 
 perty, it is true, between me, and Count Leopol- 
 stat ; but, I had been her companion for two years : 
 I had devoted myself to the task of enlivening her 
 solitary old age; and I was portionless: Count 
 Demetrius, at the hazard of his own life, preserved 
 both her's and mine ; and he too, was poor. Where, 
 then, was the injustice of giving to the objects of 
 her lOve and gratitude, what they wanted so much ? 
 
 " Remember, Sir, that such censures will pro- 
 voke two questions — Did you wish for a larger le- 
 gacy, from interested motives ? or was it merely be- 
 cause it would have proved much love in the giver?" 
 
 Constantia's penetrating eyes, seconded these 
 questions as she uttered them : the Prince reddened, 
 while he stammered out an affirmative to the latter. 
 
 " Urge that no more, Sir ; — urge that no more,'' 
 she cried with great agitation — " Your Highness's 
 own heart will tell you how often and how unkindly 
 you chilled the affectionate breast that was ever open 
 to receive you. No one can expect to be loved, with- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 117 
 
 out they love in return : and the remonstrances you 
 made so often against my grandmamma's mode of 
 spending her income, the haughtiness with which 
 you treated the noble youth that preserved her from 
 a dreadful death, were, I know, considered by her, 
 as proofs of your indifference." 
 
 " You are admirably dexterous, Madam, at dis- 
 covering excuses for a conduct by which you are so 
 much the gainer ;" said Nuremberg, u no wonder 
 you plead the cause thus ably. But I query whether 
 the shade of our relative, would accept this spirit of 
 temporal interest, as any great proof of your disin- 
 terested affection." 
 
 " As the greatest," exclaimed Constantia vehe- 
 mently, yet bursting into tears : "If I could sit tame- 
 ly by, even to weep, while she was cruelly traduced, 
 I should be unworthy of her goodness. — u You "know 
 not my soul, uncle, if you really think what you say : 
 wealth can have few charms for a young creature like 
 me whose whole existence, must henceforth be en- 
 dured, not enjoyed ; and who would far rather bury 
 herself and her wretchedness in the cells of a con- 
 vent, than be thus forced to mingle in a world where 
 she has no longer any source of happiness." 
 
 The Princess of Nuremberg, now kindly pressed 
 the weeping Constantia in her arms : " Nay, you 
 must not speak thus ;" she said, "the good Duchess 
 was indeed more than a parent to you : but all hap- 
 piness is not buried with her !" 
 
118 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 "Your Highness's consolation on that topic, is a 
 work of supererogation," observed the sarcastic 
 Prince. " This young Lady had no such extrava- 
 gant notion in her head. She has already given me 
 to understand, that disappointment in love, not re- 
 gret at the death of a doting grandmother, is the 
 mighty affliction, which makes the world so hateful 
 to her." 
 
 Constantia trembled through every fibre, with a 
 mixture of shame and indignation. Resentment gave 
 her courage, and raising her face from the bosom of 
 her aunt, she said with modest steadiness, " I ought 
 not to blush at avowing an attachment which grew 
 from gratitude and esteem, into a preference that 
 must for ever exclude another : and I will nottleny, 
 that the disappointment of its hopes, is the dark cloud 
 which rests eternally on all my prospects. — Sorrows 
 for which we are not prepared, Prince, fall heavier 
 than those for which we are: reflections on the course 
 of nature, and observation of my beloved parent's 
 gradual decay, had warned me that I must soon lose 
 her : but for the disappointment" — Constantia could 
 not proceed further ; her tender spirit yielded at the 
 thought of Demetrius; and she leanedsobbing against 
 the side of the carriage. 
 
 " Had your affections been placed upon a proper 
 object," returned the Prince after a long silence ; u I 
 should have been extremely sorry for you : but you 
 must not wonder at my being irritated, exasperated 
 
1PHE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 11© 
 
 bevond all measure, at this union of meanness with 
 folly. — To become attached to a boy, a beggar, a 
 fellow that prefers some obscure woman to a Prin- 
 cess of Nuremberg ! — Gracious heaven ! that one 
 should ever have been offered to him ! — The Du- 
 chess must have been deprived of her senses, thus 
 to disgrace our house and name !" 
 
 Constantia's eyes sparkled with resentment, " I 
 repeat to you, Sir," she said, " that unless you mean 
 to alienate my heart from you for ever, you must no 
 longer speak of its two dearest objects in such un- 
 worthy terms. You are my uncle,; as such I am 
 desirous to love and honour you : but I can do nei- 
 ther, if you thus continue wantonly to afflict, cruelly 
 to insult me. 
 
 " You know not how much may be done with 
 me, by kindness : treat me tenderly, and you shall 
 have no cause to complain of my inattention even t9 
 your Highness's prejudices." 
 
 The Prince sternly surveyed her. " I find my 
 guardianship will be no easy task, since I have so 
 absurd, and rebellious a spirit, to manage. Do you 
 forget that you are a child ? That you have lived 
 little more than eighteen years in the world ? — or 
 what is it that makes you presume to dictate terms 
 to your uncle ? I am not to be talked with in sen- 
 tences out of romance : I will hear no more of this 
 loving- for ever, this devotedness to a boy (as silly 
 and romantic as yourself,) only because he has a 
 
120 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 handsome face, and performed to admiration, the 
 office of a fire-man." 
 
 Constantia darted on him another lightening 
 glance, without speaking : he went on : " And as 
 to the preposterous resolution of returning him the 
 Felieri property, (unless, indeed, it be a thing col- 
 leagued between you, for the sake of giving him an 
 opportunity of acting generosity,) I have no terms 
 strong enough to call it by. However, I sincerely 
 believe, that in six weeks you will learn the value 
 of property ; and in six weeks more, most likely, 
 transfer yourself and your power of doing ridicu- 
 lous acts, to some other man entitled to demand 
 your hand." 
 
 " When I do, Sir," answered the young Princess, 
 " I give you leave to lavish on me all those conci- 
 liatory epithets with which you have now honour- 
 ed me." 
 
 As she spoke, she wrapped herself round in her 
 mantle, and leaned back^in her carriage, with a look 
 that seemed to say, " I shall speak no more on this 
 subject." The Prince understood it; and his wife 
 remained silent also. 
 
 Constantia's soul was resolute, but her delicate 
 frame ill-seconded its strength: she now shook 
 through every limb ; and her heart palpitated to 
 sickness. To this momentary exertion of spirit, 
 langorir succeeded, which for the remainder of the 
 journey preserved her in dejected silence. 
 

 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 121 
 
 At Munich, she was plunged into a vortex of 
 company. The Prince scrupulously attended to 
 etiquette in suspending his public days ; but under 
 the name of friendly parties, crowded his house a? 
 usual. 
 
 Nothing could be more disagreeable to his niece, 
 than the sight of strangers at such a period; yet she 
 strove to conciliate where she wished to esteem, 
 and constraining her heart, appeared at all his as- 
 semblies. 
 
 The youth and beauty of the Princess, were now 
 almost unnoticed: though she was formed to charm 
 a fine taste, under every humour, her present me- 
 lancholy was far from attracting the multitude ; and 
 she herself had no motive for pleasing. Those eyes, 
 which by exciting sweet emotions, embellished the 
 very beauty they gazed on, were far away : Con- 
 stantia had no one to be charming for; and her soul, 
 careless of display, dwelt inward. 
 
 From the gaze of curiosity, or momentary ad- 
 miration, she turned mournfully away, seeking her 
 only pleasure in the sports of her little cousin, (a 
 boy of five years old,) to whose endearing gaiety, 
 she often owed a respite from painful musings. 
 
 The countenance of this child reminded her of 
 Demetr'us. — Amadeus, indeed, resembled his fair 
 cousin, and she was something like her lover ; yet 
 none but a lover's eye, would have discovered any 
 similitude between Demetrius and the little Nv> 
 
 VOL, II, M 
 
122 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 
 
 remberg. — We are apt to think those objects strict- 
 ly alike, which produce in us the same emotions ; 
 and turning from the sight of angry frowns or pert 
 simpers, to the. contemplation of blOom, candour, 
 and intelligence, Constantia delighted to fancy that 
 she found in features so animated, a sketch of her 
 Leopolstat'sr 
 
 She was one evening hearing the little fellow 
 - ay his prayers, before he should be taken to bed, 
 when the door of the room opened, and she beheld 
 Adelaide. 
 
 " Dear, unkind Constantia ! " cried the latter, 
 advancing, and folding her arms round her, f why 
 have you left us to learn by chance of your arrival 
 here."— 
 
 u I wished to be in better health and spirits : " 
 replied the Princess. " I knew your affectionate 
 heart too well, not to believe that my unavoidable 
 sadness would afflict it." 
 
 She then rose from the embrace of Adelaide, and 
 beheld Charles standing near them. 
 
 At sight of him, the brother of Demetrius, her 
 cheeks completely faded : but quickly the blush of 
 innocent shame made them glow again. Charles 
 was penetrated with regret. To see so sweet a 
 creature thus blighted in the very bud of existence ; 
 to observe her charming countenance, announcing 
 every qualification requisite to render that existence 
 honourable and happy, now dimmed with disap- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. l2o 
 
 pointment ; to recal what she had been so lately, 
 while beholding what she was now, gave an ex- 
 pression of tenderness to his looks, equal to that 
 with which he was accustomed to regard Deme- 
 trius. 
 
 Constantia compreher ded his thoughts, and tears 
 started into her eyes. She tried to smile — " Have I 
 the satisfaction," she said, " of seeing my friend's 
 husband, in Count Leopolstat ?" 
 
 The blush of Adelaide, and smile of Charles, 
 answered this question. 
 
 Constantia was magnificently dressed for a sup- 
 per party of her aunt's ; but regardless of every 
 ornament, had lifted her nephew from the ground, 
 and now held him on her bosom sheltered by the 
 train of her velvet robe. The disturbance of her 
 fine hair, (part of which braided with jet, fell over 
 her fair shoulders ;) and the destruction of a beau- 
 tiful bouquet, never excited a moment's conside- 
 ration : she kept sheltering the almost-undressed 
 Amadeus in her arms ; and unconsciously looked 
 far more graceful than ever she did in all the preci- 
 sion of the toilette. 
 
 The errand of Adelaide was to invite her friend 
 to Marshal Ingersdorf 's house ; or if that were de- 
 nied, to offer herself as her visitor. 
 
 " And did you believe me capable of tearing 
 ou x from such a companion as that ? " asked the 
 rincess, directing her eyes to Charles, who had 
 
124 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 purposely taken the pretty Amadeus from its fair 
 nurse, and was now caressing him at a remote end 
 of the apartment. " Happy Adelaide," she added, 
 " how do I delight in the fate that has given you 
 such a husband !" 
 
 The brilliant eyes of Adelaide were at the same 
 time fixed on the same graceful object : in sweet 
 tumult, her heart was repeating to itself, " he is 
 mine! he is mine!" while memory rapidly recalled 
 his various excellencies. But the very fulness of 
 her own felicity, made her friend's cup appear more 
 bitter ; and she embraced her with redoubled ten- 
 derness, protesting, that to comfort one so dear, 
 would turn a painful sacrifice, into a gratification. 
 
 " I am sure it would;" replied Constantia, " and 
 I reject so kind an offer, for powerful reasons. For 
 awhile, it will be better that I should not see even 
 your Charles — he is too like — his voice — his smile 
 — that expression of noble sincerity." Her falter- 
 ing accents lost themselves in sighs, and a flood of 
 tears came to her relief. 
 
 Adelaide pressed her hand, while she whisper- 
 ed, " But you shall not see him again till you wish 
 it, if you will but go with me to my father's, or suf- 
 fer me to come to you." — 
 
 " Alas I cannot : " replied the Princess, " I 
 should be lost, if I were to have any one near me 
 so tender as yourself: my grief must not be in- 
 dulged : and besides, the Prince of Nuremberg is 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 125 
 
 not likely to bear the name of Leopolstat, without 
 emotions that would render him an ungracious host 
 to my best friend. Visit me then in this way — 
 comfort me with your occasional society, and you 
 will soon see me as gay as ever." 
 
 " As gay as ever ! — ah, my dear Constantia ! M 
 — while Adelaide repeated these words, her eyes 
 filled with tears. 
 
 Constantia then ventured to ask after Deme- 
 trius : and learned that he was still in expectation 
 of his friends from England. <\ hen the flutter with 
 which she listened to this, was over, she rang the 
 bell, and desired a servant to inform her uncle and 
 aunt, that the Count and Countess of Leopolstat 
 were then with her. This message was answered 
 by another, purporting that the Prince would be 
 happy to see them in the drawing-room. 
 
 The uniform of Charles, was acknowledged 
 dress ; and his lovely bride, merely laving aside her 
 .pelisse and hat, was habited for an evening: Con- 
 stantia gave the child to its attendants, and led the 
 way to the drawing room. 
 
 A brilliant assembly filled the spacious saloon, 
 at the top of which, Count Leopolstat recognised 
 the Princess of Nuremberg. She met his graceful 
 salute with a cordiality restrained by fear: her hus- 
 band coldly bowed. 
 
 The majestic manhood of Charles, his unem- 
 barrassed nay almost commanding mein, his high 
 
 m 2 
 
126 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 military station, and his established fame, somewhat 
 awed the Prince. It was not now, a rash, indiscreet 
 youth, undervaluing his own qualities, and forget- 
 ting his own services, that stood before him : it was 
 a man conscious of desert, as well as birth ; one, 
 that was not to be insulted, without bringing upon 
 his insulter, universal opprobrium. 
 
 Meanly influenced by public opinion, Nurem- 
 berg assumed the Prince, mingled a little courtesy 
 With his loftiness, and condescended to receive 
 Count Leopolstat with the respect due to his repu- 
 tation. 
 
 Constantia's soft heart melted at this unexpected 
 graciousness. Without suffering herself to see its 
 motive, she strove to evince her gratification by a 
 vivacity which helped to enliven her uncle's visitors, 
 while it saddened her own. They were too much 
 in her bosom's secret, to be deceived by externals. 
 
 When supper was over, the chamberlain in- 
 formed the Count and Countess of Leopolstat, that 
 apartments were prepared for them in the palace. 
 They did not therefore leave Munich till the next 
 morning. 
 
 It required all the tenderness of Charles to sooth 
 the grief of his wife, after parting for the night from 
 Princess Constantia. — The pain of seeing her youth- 
 ful person so altered, overcame Adelaide, and sink- 
 ing upon a seat, the tears she had restrained before 
 her, fell uncontroled on the bosom of her husband- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHEBS. 127 
 
 % 
 
 But even tears thus shed, had their sweetness ; 
 Adelaide remembered the time, when she wept 
 alone and uncomforted for his sake ; and as his 
 arms now fondly encircled her, almost wondered at 
 herself for ever weeping at any thing. 
 
 " We should be too happy," she said with nai- 
 vete, " far too happy, if it were not for our dear 
 Demetrius, and Constantia." 
 
 Never to Charles, did the voice of Adelaide 
 sound so delightful, as when she spoke affectionately 
 of his brother. His eyes now filled with more than 
 their usual tenderness ; he covered her hand with 
 kisses, and uttered over it, an exclamation of grate- 
 ful pleasure. 
 
 When we love excellent persons, their conduct 
 under misfortune, never fails to solace the pain with 
 which we participate in their calamity : Leopolstat 
 drew from the fortitude of Constantia, solid conso- 
 lation for his wife. She was too susceptible of 
 whatever is admirable in human character, not to 
 confess that Constantia' s evident endeavour to stifle 
 regret, and to fulfil the duties of her important sta 
 tion, was a cordial to her own distress. 
 
 Before the family assembled at breakfast the 
 next morning, the friends passed two hours toge- 
 ther. In this interview Adelaide found fresh rea- 
 sons for lamenting the trials of a young creature, 
 whose tender heart embracing all the sufferers of 
 
128 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS,, 
 
 earth, already began to occupy itself with number- 
 less plans for their succour. 
 
 Constantia had none of that selfish weakness, 
 which delights in extracting the commiseration of 
 friendship by an unnecessary display of irremedia- 
 ble misery: she therefore did not dwell on the sub* 
 ject heaviest in her breast, nor express her deter- 
 mination of never marrying. But Adelaide guessed 
 this resolution. The Princess chalked out a scheme 
 of her future life, which spread so wide in munifi- 
 cent expense, and was so remote from all idea of 
 control, that she unawares betrayed her secret. The 
 Countess sighed as she perceived it, inwardly re- 
 pining at the destiny which prevented them from 
 being sisters. 
 
 As they were about to join the family, Constan- 
 tia said, hesitatingly — u Remember me to Deme- 
 trius ; but how, I know not : — as his friend, his 
 unchangeable friend !" — she cast down her eyes, 
 sighed deeply, and then resumed — " Whatever may 
 befall him, Adelaide, let me always know it : I 
 could not live, without permitting myself to share 
 in every one of his joys or sorrows. You misun- 
 derstand me sadly, if you suppose me capable of 
 forgetting him — ah no — the hope of living to hear 
 he is quite happy — perhaps of witnessing that hap- 
 piness — alone animates my soul." 
 
 The appearance of the Princess of Nuremberg 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 129 
 
 at an opposite door opening into the same gallery, 
 checked the reply of Adelaide. 
 
 Glad of an opportunity to shew attention where 
 it was due, and removed from the petrific glance 
 of her husband, the Princess approached Madame 
 Leopolstat, and made her usual enquiries about her 
 accommodations and rest, which though nothing in 
 themselves, are transmuted into precious things by 
 a gracious manner. 
 
 Adelaide answered this courteousness with a 
 smile that invited further kindness ; and by several 
 remarks on the young Amadeus, made her way in- 
 stantly to the heart of his mother. 
 
 The ladies then entered the breakfast room, and 
 found Count Leopolstat and the Prince already 
 there. 
 
 In the long conversation which these gentlemen 
 had held, upon books, politics, and persons, the 
 former sounded without difficulty, the intellect of 
 the latter : he found it miserably shallow ; and con- 
 sequently pitied those otherwise-detestable preju- 
 dices, which were the joint product of a defective 
 education and a feeble mind. 
 
 Had a man of sense acted as the Prince of Nu- 
 remberg did, Leopolstat would have treated him 
 with austere indignation : but convinced that his 
 conduct resulted from an ill-humoured temperament 
 which knew not the restraint of reason, he looked 
 
130 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 at him with compassion, and behaved to him with 
 civility. 
 
 As they had both avoided a discussion of the 
 transactions at Felieri, they sat down to breakfast 
 with more appearance of cordiality, than they had 
 met the evening before. 
 
 Charles caressed the little Amadeus with so 
 much sweetness, (allowing him to twist his hair into 
 a thousand fantastic forms) that he thawed some 
 of the ice on the heart of the Prince ; who must 
 have been a monster, had he not felt like a father, 
 while his child was yet of that happy age, from 
 which nothing can spring to jar parental affection. 
 
 He condescended to say, that when Count Leo- 
 polstat should be released from service and resident 
 in Vienna, he should have the honour of returning 
 this visit, and that till then, he hoped to have the 
 pleasure of receiving him and his Countess occa- 
 sionally at Munich. 
 
 Charles bowed ; but took care to shew that he 
 accepted so haughty an invitation, principally from 
 a wish of facilitating the interviews of his wife and 
 the young Princess. 
 
 Soon after breakfast, the carriage was announced, 
 and Adelaide bade adieu to her friend. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 121 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 ON the road to Dutlingen, they encounterd De- 
 metrius, who was gallopping home after having ex- 
 ecuted some orders given him by the General. As 
 he leaned from his horse against the opened window 
 of the carriage, his excessive paleness alarmed the 
 Count and Countess. 
 
 Charles observed such a tremor in his voice, 
 that he hastily asked if any thing extraordinary had 
 happened ? His brother alternately changing colour 
 said, u I have received a letter from Madame de 
 Fontainville : — She is at Hamburgh very ill — and 
 I cannot obtain leave to go to her. 1 ' — The extreme 
 agitation of his manner, rendered these few sen- 
 tences almost unintelligible. 
 
 Adelaide laid her hand affectionately on his, be- 
 seeching him not to alarm himself, as she doubted 
 not but Madame de Fontainville's sickness was 
 the consequence of a long-protracted voyage. 
 
 u I hope so," replied Demetrius, still trembling 
 in his speech — " but to know she is in the same 
 
132 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 country with me — and so ill ! — I would give the 
 world to go to her — she will think me ungrateful — 
 cold-hearted — vou know not how this intelligence 
 has affected me." 
 
 " I see how much it has," observed Charles j 
 ** but my dear brother you agitate yourself without 
 cause. Madame de Fontainville is acquainted with 
 the restraints laid on a soldier during war ; she will 
 not, she cannot expect you. — A letter is the only 
 proof of anxiety which duty leaves in your power. 
 — What is is her complaint :" 
 
 " Here are the few lines she has written," said 
 Demetrius, holding them out, with an unsteady 
 hand ; u they were meant to save me from appre- 
 hension : but instead of that, they make me fear." 
 — :Iis lips refused to utter what he feared ; for in 
 the probability of losing Zaire by death, he lost all 
 consciousness of preferring another. 
 
 Upon reading the letter, Charles found that 
 Madame de Fontainville's disorder was a violent 
 fever in consequence of a boisterous voyage : Seeing 
 no grounds for encouraging premature alarm, he 
 suggested so many cheering circumstances, that De- 
 metrius became composed. 
 
 " Ah that apprehensive heart of his !" cried 
 Charles, (as he drew up the carriage window, and 
 his brother kissed his hand to them with a tearful 
 smile) u when will he be able to allay its restless 
 sensibility i '" He spoke this with the air of a man 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 133 
 
 engrossed by one object ; and Adelaide forbore to 
 disturb the current of his reflections. He fell into 
 a deep reverie about Demetrius ; while her thoughts 
 roved from supposition to supposition, from Ham- 
 burgh to Munich, from Zaire living, to Zaire dead, 
 with an agitation that made fancy painful. 
 
 On reaching home, (for Charles had hired a 
 house pro tempore,) they found the Field Marshal 
 impatient for their return. 
 
 u So you vagrants !" he cried, " you have found 
 the way back at last. I have had a precious dis- 
 mal time of it since you left me — what with the 
 want of my breakfast-maker, and what with your 
 brother, Charles ! (who by the way, is at once one 
 of the most agreeable and disagreeable puppies in 
 existence,) I am both hungry and miserable. I 
 foresee he'll cost me as many sighs as might fill the 
 sails of a navy. What the plague did you bring 
 him from Italy for ? Had 1 not had enough of tor- 
 ment with you ? I have been trying to get him ten 
 days' leave ; but it can't be done : and so, doubtless 
 I mast set off myself for Hamburgh, and learn 
 what's the matter with the foolish woman." 
 
 The sincerest concern struggled through the jo- 
 cularity of the Marshal. Ignorant of young Leo- 
 polstat's later attachment to Princess Constantia, 
 and well acquainted with the violence of his former 
 passion, he was earnest in the wkh of obtaining for 
 
 VOL. II. N 
 
134 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 him, certain accounts of Madame de Fontainville's 
 situation. 
 
 Adelaide warmly seconded this benevolent in- 
 tention, and Charles accepted the service with gra- 
 titude. 
 
 When Demetrius joined them, and learnt that 
 the Marshal only waited for a letter of introduction 
 to the Marquis de Liancour, his thankfulness ex- 
 pressed itself in his eyes ; he wrote a few agitated 
 lines to Zaire, and then Ingersdorf departed. 
 
 This agitation of Demetrius's was far from as- 
 sumed, or wilfully fomented. Constantia, indeed 
 was the object of his tenderest preference ; but hav- 
 ing once loved the interesting Zaire, having uni- 
 formly received from her the liveliest testimonies 
 of exclusive and faithful passion, he would have 
 been lost to the common sensibilities of youth, had 
 he not contemplated with anguish, the prospect of 
 her death. Before his brother and sister, he con- 
 cealed part of his anxiety ; and as they never talked 
 more of Constantia than circumstances rendered 
 unavoidable, he was not distracted with solicitude 
 about her. 
 
 The third day of the Marshal's absence, Ade- 
 laide was sitting alone, expecting the return of her 
 husband and brother, when she was startled by the 
 sound of her father's voice : She rose, and hasten- 
 ing to the room door, saw him, and the Marquis 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 135 
 
 de Liancour, slowly leading Madame de Fontain- 
 ville along the gallery. 
 
 Transfixed into painful surprise, she stood for a 
 moment motionless : but dismissing the sudden 
 emotion, hurried forward, and took the place of the 
 Marshal. This was no time for questions ; Ma- 
 dame de Fontainville with difficulty reached the 
 supper-room, where she sunk on a sopha without 
 speaking. Softly instructing her companions how 
 best to support her, Adelaide would not crowd the 
 place with attendants, but brought and administered 
 restoratives herself. She had then leisure to look 
 at the poor invalid. 
 
 Where was that beauty which seemed capable 
 of defying time and decay ? under the grasp of 
 death, it hath withered. No crimson blood now 
 flowed through the finely-rounded cheek, and smil- 
 ing mouth ; no sparkling fluid floated over the ray- 
 less eyes ; that skin which once dazzled with 
 animated whiteness was turned to lifeless marble ; 
 and the shape, which a statuary might have select- 
 ed for a Phryne, was wasted nearly away. 
 
 Still, to the gaze of pitying remembrance, there 
 remained some touches of exquisite loveliness. 
 Adelaide's tender heart melted within her; and 
 gently putting her arms round the panting Zaire, 
 she supported her fainting head on her bosom ! She 
 then besought both gentlemen to withdraw; in order 
 to prevent the abrupt entrance of Leopolstat, whom 
 
136 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 she whispered them to prepare for the extreme in- 
 disposition of Madame de Fontainville. 
 
 When strength and speech returned to Zaire. 
 she expressed her gratitude with all the energy of 
 unsubdued sensibility. 
 
 " I shall not live to be your sister, sweet Ade- 
 laide !" she faintly said, " but this goodness makes 
 me feel as if I were so. — I am much better now ; 
 where is Demetrius? — Surely the sight of him, 
 will give me back my life !" 
 
 Tears gushed to her eyes, as she pronounced 
 ihis hopeless wish : they started in those of her 
 pitying attendant. — Adelaide hastened to change 
 the subject, by inquiring how they had met thus 
 soon? With a gasping breath, Madame de Fon- 
 tainville related, that having overcome the crisis of 
 her fever, and being impatient to see Demetrius, 
 she had prevailed upon her father to proceed; and 
 had reached a stage fifty miles distant, when com- 
 pletely overcome, they stopped for the night. 
 Marshal Ingersdorf happened to hear their names 
 mentioned as he was changing horses at the same 
 inn, and immediately presented himself. He would • 
 have persuaded her to remain where she was, (her 
 fever having returned), but she foreboded too sad a 
 termination, to follow his judicious counsel : she 
 persisted in proceeding ; and the dejected de Lian- 
 cour had nothing left but to accept the services of 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 137 
 
 the Marshal, and permit him to become their com- 
 panion onwards. 
 
 Unintentionally deceived by the worthy Ingers- 
 dorf, who painted the anxiety of Demetrius in the 
 most vivid colours, Madame de Fontainville never 
 for an instant suspected that the heart of her lover, 
 had yielded up its passion at the command of virtue. 
 Adelaide perceived this ; and thought it no crime 
 to indulge so soothing an error. 
 
 When her patient was sufficiently recovered, 
 she ceded to her impatience, and went in search of 
 Demetrius : he was now with de Liancour and the 
 Marshal, listening to the unexpected confession of 
 Zaire's danger. 
 
 Never before, had Adelaide beheld such anguish 
 in the countenance of any human creature. He was 
 shocked past all expression : for the very conscious- 
 ness of preferring another, to a woman so devoted, 
 and once so beloved, added stings to the barh of 
 grief. 
 
 He now eagerly obeyed his sister's summons. 
 At the door of Zaire's apartment, he turned to 
 Adelaide, and said hastily " Leave me here." He 
 entered ; and Adelaide lingered a moment, fearful 
 of the effect which his presence might have on Ma- 
 dame de Fontainville. His passionate exclamation 
 of tenderness and sorrow, was lost in sighs : but 
 she distinctly heard Zaire say, u Yes — your's ; — 
 vour's still, even in death." 
 
 N 2 
 
138 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Adelaide then moved lightly away, and meeting 
 Charles, was led by him into a neighbouring apart- 
 ment : there they mourned together, in silence. 
 
 On the arrival of a physician, for whom Count 
 Leopolstat had sent, Adelaide went to procure Ma- 
 dame de Fontainville's permission, for his admit- 
 tance : the appearance of her gentle figure at the 
 room-door, roused Demetrius : he folded the still- 
 dear Zaire, ardently in his arms, and whispering a 
 benediction for the night, broke from her.— 
 
 Adelaide approached the invalid. — " Whatever 
 becomes of me," cried the latter, with wild enthusi- 
 asm, " I am happy, completely happy ! — I have 
 seen him ! — I have again felt the throbbing of that 
 faithful heart ! — I shall see him to-morrow too ! — 
 O gracious, too indulgent Heaven!" At these 
 words, she fell back in a fit, occasioned by excess of 
 grief, and excess of joy. 
 
 The aid of the physician was now found indis- 
 pensable : his utmost efforts to calm her convulsive 
 agitation were a long time fruitless : at length shfc 
 sunk into a dull trance, during which, she was con- 
 veyed to bed ; andtfrom which she awoke, deprived 
 of reason. 
 
 The spirits of Charles and Adelaide, were now 
 severely tasked : as this delirium was the conse- 
 quence of hurried feelings, and might be dated from 
 the hour in which she heard of her husband's death, 
 and as it was accompanied by a raging fever, flO 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 139 
 
 hopes were entertained of her recovery. To com- 
 fort the father, to quiet tfie irritable sensibility of 
 the Marshal, to prepare the mind of Demetrius, and 
 to write a short detail of their situation to Princess 
 Constantia, sadly occupied the before-happy hours 
 of the young Countess. 
 
 Benevolence is nearly omnipotent : for the deli- 
 cate Adelaide found not only mental but bodily* 
 strength for all these exertions. 
 
 During a whole week, never once did a ray of 
 reason penetrate the darkened intellect of Zaire : 
 yet its visions were delightfully bright ; and she 
 seemed to preserve in madness, the transporting 
 emotion by which it had been produced. 
 
 While gazing on the rapturous smile dimpling 
 her hectic cheek, while listening to the ecstatic fond- 
 ness with which she addressed the object of her 
 fatal attachment, Demetrius no longer regretted that 
 she had been innocently deceived. He sat night 
 and day by her side, though she knew him not ; 
 and perpetually spoke to others of him, as if he were 
 absent. 
 
 In answer to her friend's letter, Constantia 
 wrote a reply fraught with sympathy. She accom- 
 panied it with a variety of such presents as are 
 sometimes acceptable to the sick, and which cannot 
 always be procured ; intrusting them to the care of 
 
 the celebrated Dr. , the first physician in Sua- 
 
 fcia) for whom she had sent express to Ulm. 
 
140 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 A greater proof of love and humanity, Con- 
 stantia could not have given : Adelaide burned to 
 tell Demetrius to whom he was indebted for such 
 tender consideration : but a moment's reflection 
 shewed her the indiscretion of reviving ideas that 
 must clash with his present feelings. 
 
 The prescriptions of Dr. , were as unavail- 
 ing as those of the Bavarian physician : yet it was 
 consolatory to have the best possible advice. Zaire's 
 senses w r ere gone past recal ; and her life, was there- 
 fore no longer the subject of her father's prayers ! 
 
 Foreseeing the hour of her dissolution, the 
 medical men recommended Charles to detain his 
 brother from her apartment. For this purpose an 
 excuse was devised, which betrayed Demetrius 
 into the belief that her slumbers ought to be watch- 
 ed only by Adelaide. He left her unwillingly ; and 
 went w T ith his brother to breathe the air,, in an ave» 
 nue leading from the house. 
 
 Here Count Leopolstat tenderly sought to pre- 
 pare and fortify his mind for the shock that awaited 
 him. Demetrius heard in silence : but his spirits 
 so lately saddened by the death of the Duchess di 
 Felieri, were incapable of receiving any other than 
 mournful impressions. To their distempered view, 
 one universal pall seemed to cover the whole living 
 world : he brooded over death and the grave with 
 a terrible composure, which resulted from the com 
 plete despair of future comfort. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 141 
 
 On reaching the house again, this calmness end- 
 ed. They met Marshal Ingersdorf at the hall-door: 
 he was pale and agitated. Shocked by the expres- 
 sion of his features, Demetrius would have rushed 
 past him, had he not forcibly pulled him back, ex- 
 claiming in a tone that would not suffer him to be 
 mistaken — u You must not go in there." 
 
 The worthy veteran hastily drew out his hand- 
 kerchief and covered his face. 
 
 Rooted to the spot, Demetrius gazed at him with 
 wild fixedness, for a moment, that seemed an age 
 to his afflicted brother — " My God ! for what am I 
 reserved ? " — he said, and turned away. — 
 
 Charles walked silently by his side till they reach- 
 ed their quarters : there, tenderly embracing, they 
 parted, without having exchanged a single word. 
 
 Leaving his brother to the salutary indulgence 
 of a sorrow in which he participated, Count Leo- 
 polstat, retrod the path towards Dutlingen: he was 
 anxious to be with Adelaide, whose spirit was likely 
 to fail under the present shock. 
 
 As he swiftly traversed the skirts of the forest, 
 his thoughts unavoidably dwelt on the awful lesson 
 which this untimely death of Madame de Fontain- 
 ville, presented to the young and susceptible. 
 
 To a sensibility perniciously indulged, and blind 
 to every thing beyond present enjoyment, she evi- 
 dently owed the loss of her life. Had she submit- 
 ted to a short delay of promised blessings, and con- 
 
142 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 suited not her own gratification, but the peace of 
 her father, by sacrificing impetuous eagerness, to 
 his parental fears, she might have lived and been 
 happy. Instead of that she had given reins to the 
 wildest agitation ; destroyed her frame by impatient 
 agonies at their protracted voyage ; and when seiz- 
 ed with sickness, thought only of beholding Deme- 
 trius, without reflecting on the grief she was caus- 
 ing a tender parent, or that which must overwhelm 
 her lover, should she die in his presence. 
 
 Charles deeply ruminated on these things. He 
 tenderly pitied where he was forced to cepsure ; and 
 though convinced that this mournful event would 
 eventually produce a greater share of comfort to his 
 brother than could otherwise have been his lot, he 
 sorrowed most sincerely that any circumstance 
 should have rendered it desirable. 
 
 As he expected, Adelaide was hardly able to go 
 through with the pious offices remaining to be ful- 
 filled. Zaire had expired in her arms: happily with- 
 out struggle or consciousness ; but an event so af- 
 fecting at any other time, was doubly dreadful at 
 this period, when the heart of Adelaide, warm with 
 love and felicity, and just united eternally to the 
 object of its fondest choice, shrunk from the recol- 
 lection of decay and mortality. 
 
 She had not beefi above three weeks a wife, and 
 almost every hour of that short space, had been 
 filled with sharing in other's sufferings. But Charier 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS, 143 
 
 praised her; Charles repeated the endearing ex- 
 pressions of tenderness exulting in its object, and 
 she forget regret. 
 
 A brief yet severe illness, confined Demetrius 
 to his chamber, during the interval that elapsed be- 
 tween the death of Madame de Fontainville, and 
 the interment of her remains : Charles fulfilled 
 every requisite duty for him ; and saw the beau- 
 teous corse laid in its last bed, with the same so- 
 lemnities and honours, that he would have paid to 
 that of a sister. 
 
 The Marquis de Liancour, left Suabia for Eng- 
 land, unable to take leave of Demetrius ; and re- 
 solving to spend the remnant of existence, far from 
 the scene of his misfortunes. 
 
 No attempts at premature consolation were at- 
 tempted by Leopolstat and his Countess, when their 
 sorrowing brother came again into their circle. Ac- 
 quainted with the former inclinations of his heart, 
 as well as with its too-tumultuous sensibility, they 
 deemed it best to trust every thing to time : they 
 foresaw the hour, when the deep gloom now rest- 
 ing over his wishes, would gradually clear away be- 
 fore reviving hope, and shew him the appointed land 
 of domestic bliss. 
 
 In Constantia of Nuremberg, they contemplat- 
 ed a future sister; and to the faithful attachment of 
 that amiable Princess committed the task of conso- 
 lation. 
 
144 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Marshal Ingersdorf being completely ignorant 
 of this cheering expectation, (which consideration 
 for female delicacy induced his daughter still to 
 conceal :) was, next to Demetrius, the most melan- 
 choly person at Dutlingen. Strangely compounded 
 of whimsical roughness and romantic softness, he 
 was peculiarly susceptible of that pity which Zaire's 
 excessive passion, was calculated to excite : and 
 judging from his own destiny, (which had given him 
 the object of his first affection ;) rather than from his 
 own nature, he believed it impossible for the young 
 man ever to love again. 
 
 Influenced into livelier compassion by this be- 
 lief, he benevolently devoted himself to the endea- 
 vour of alleviating his distress. Demetrius grate- 
 fully registered every act of the Marshal's kindness, 
 and repaid them, by striving to overcome the weak- 
 ness they were meant to sooth. 
 
 He was afflicted, but not inconsolable : for a 
 bright angel invited him forward on the track of 
 life. The cup of happiness, it is true, no longer 
 offered him a draught unmingled with bitterness : 
 but, though remembrance of Zaire might taint its 
 sweetness, that would not destroy it wholly. He 
 yielded, therefore, to the pensive hope : and often 
 did a fond sigh for Constantia and a sad tear for 
 Madame de Fontainville spring from his heart at 
 the same instant. 
 
 In no bosom did the late event produce such a 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 145 
 
 sudden revolution as in that of Constantia. Awe- 
 struck as she was, and moved by sympathy with the 
 grief of the man she loved, she could not repress 
 that delightful hope which palpitated within her. — 
 Demetrius unhappy, was still dearer than Deme- 
 trius devoid of care : she longed to pour balm on 
 his wounded spirit ; and to assure him, that exist- 
 ence spent with him, (though saddened, perhaps, 
 by his regretting another,) would be transport to 
 her. 
 
 Certain of being yet more to him than all the 
 world, her thoughts hurried irresistibly forward to 
 the future: there, instead of an undeviating life of so- 
 litary retirement, and barren duties, prospects of so- 
 cial pleasure, active employments, and all the sweet 
 relations of wife, parent, and friend, presented them- 
 selves in cheerful tumult. It was for a life like this, 
 that Constantia was formed ; and her youthful heart 
 now sprang with eager anticipation to meet its fa- 
 vourite destiny. 
 
 To break unseasonably upon the sadness of De- 
 metrius even with the only good he now co vetted, 
 entered not the mind of the Princess : she was sa- 
 tisfied with being at liberty to indulge a sentiment 
 which she had found it so hard to control ; and trust- 
 ed to the arrival of Adelaide, (who was about to 
 leave Dutlingen,) for the confirmation of her lover's 
 .5tancy. 
 
 Preparations for the ensuing campaign, were 
 
 VOI .II. O 
 
146 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 now commencing on the Frontiers ; which of course 
 was no longer a place for women. 
 
 The month of January was over ; and Charles 
 beginning to feel the bitterness of a soldier's fate, in 
 the prospect of a long separation from Adelaide. 
 She however, refused to ratify the promise made to 
 her aunt and uncle, of joining them at Vienna, per- 
 sisting in a resolution of remaining at least in the 
 neighbourhood of the army. 
 
 The house of Marshal Ingersdorf, being only 
 three miles from Munich, was fixed for her resi- 
 dence, as she could there receive accounts from the 
 Black Forest several times a week, and enjoy the 
 society of her friend Constantia. 
 
 Painful, at the best, is the fate of the woman who 
 loves a soldier. Never did Adelaide endure such 
 anguish as when she parted from Charles; never 
 before, did she yield herself up to so many ungo- 
 verned fears ! — nay, it seemed impossible to her that 
 she should live, and know him exposed to dangers 
 of which she did not partake. At this moment, the 
 fond despair of a wife thought it would be bliss to 
 perish by the same ball that carried death to her 
 husband. 
 
 By what standard then, shall we measure happi- 
 ness, since it shapes itself so variously ? 
 
 Leopolstat had made no small sacrifice in pro- 
 curing leave for Demetrius, instead of himself, to 
 escort Adelaide and the Marshal on their joura 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 147 
 
 He saw them depart, with a heart that, for the first 
 time, trembled at the uncertainty of war : his eyes 
 ached with gazing after them ; and when he moved 
 from the place where he had bidden them farewel, 
 he found that in the energy of domestic affection, 
 even patriotism itself, loses half its force. 
 
 During their almost silent journey, Adelaide 
 frequently fixed her eyes upon the face of Deme- 
 trius, hoping to read something there, which might 
 direct her future conduct ; but her extreme anxiety 
 to gratify his wishes, prevented her from discover- 
 ing what those wishes were ; and sometimes she 
 thought he would internally accuse her of unkind- 
 ness if she suffered him to depart without seeing 
 Constantia, and sometimes she suspected that he 
 would rather avoid the interview. 
 
 The name of the Princess was not mentioned till 
 the carriage stopped at the gates of Ingersdorf ; the 
 Marshal then expressed a hope that Constantia might 
 be there to receive them. At that name, Demetrius 
 turned pale ; and throwing himself out of the chaise, 
 laid his hand on a horse, which he had previously 
 ordered his servant to lead forwards from the last 
 stage. 
 
 "I shall return immediately to Charles," he faint- 
 ly articulated. Adelaide repeated his words, with 
 a mixture of satisfaction and regret. The Marshal 
 loudly expostulated. " Why, you disagreeable pup- 
 py !" he exclaimed, " don't you know 'tis past mid- 
 
148 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 night ? and don't you see, that you can't see ? the 
 night's as dark as Erebus; and yet nothing will serve 
 you but going to have your throat cut in the Black 
 Forest." 
 
 " I shall ride only one stage to-night," replied 
 Demetrius, mounting as he spoke; "indeed, Sir, I 
 can have no rest till I am so far on my way back to 
 Charles. I am very unfit for society at present. Sure- 
 ly my dear sister will confess I ought not to stop at 
 Ingersdorf." Adelaide understood him : and while 
 her heart glowed with approbation, she wondered at 
 herself lor having doubted how he would act. She 
 approached him. " I do not press your stay," she 
 whispered, " you feel exactly as I would have you 
 — return to my Charles ; and O ! whenever he is 
 nobly prodigal of his safety, be near, to remind him 
 
 Of W£\" 
 
 Demetrius promised her this ; while agitated 
 with a sudden burst of tears, she hurried into "the 
 house. 
 
 Princess Constantia, apprized of her friend's 
 coming, was indeed ready to receive her : they met 
 in each other's arms. 
 
 After the first hurry of joy, Adelaide looked at 
 Constantia : the sight of her, acted like a charm on 
 her perturbed spirits. Again she beheld spring in 
 that Aurora-like countenance which had lost its 
 animating freshness, when she last saw it. 
 
 " I hope you do not think me unfeeling," said 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 149 
 
 the Princess in answer to one of her friend's con- 
 gratulatory remarks, " indeed, indeed, I am not. 
 Heaven knows how sincere were the tears that fell 
 from my eyes, upon first hearing of Madame de 
 Fontainville's death. But she was personally un- 
 known to me ; and the last interview I had had 
 with Demetrius — in that — O Adelaide, how much 
 love for me did it not reveal ! — Will you blame me 
 then ; am I pitiless, in thus forgetting all things 
 but happiness and him ?'' 
 
 The young Countess affectionately gazed on 
 the tearful apprehensiveness which now clouded 
 the Princess: "Far from it, my sweet Constantia," 
 she said, u a hard struggle between pity for another, 
 and hopes for ourselves, has been allotted to us all : 
 Charles and I have shared your emotions too often, 
 for us to be harsh judges." 
 
 She then proceeded to recapitulate every thing 
 interesting to the woman who loved Demetrius ; 
 and though while she related past events, silenr 
 drops trickled down -the cheeks of Constantia, it was 
 a sweet sorrow which made them flow. 
 
 Affection delights to behold its object in ever'. 
 admirable point of view ; and Demetrius thus dis 
 played to her in the midst of jarring wishes and op- 
 posite duties ; suffering agonies intolerable, yet 
 suffering them without complaint, became exalted 
 above humanity. 
 
 As the Marshal had retired to rest, the 
 
 o 2 
 
150 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 ment after saluting the Princess, the friends wer% 
 left free to spend the night in conversation : but 
 Constantia would not gratify herself at the expense 
 of another's comfort ; she therefore reminded Ade- 
 laide of her fatigue, and they separated. 
 
 Completely wretched, meanwhile, was the heart 
 of Demetrius. Cruel circumstances had so associ- 
 ated the idea of Zaire, with that of Constantia, that 
 as he now involuntarily thought strongly of the one, 
 the other pressed upon him with additional force. — 
 Memory presented to him at the same moment, 
 those epochs in his different attachments, which 
 constituted the misery of their remembrance : Zaire 
 alive, fond, beautiful, adored ; Zaire, half lost in 
 his impassionate embrace ; Zaire in the grave j 
 were images too wild for softer recollections to 
 overcome. — The innocent endearments of Constan- 
 tia, at the hour of his first departure from Felieri ; 
 her anguish in the death-scene of the Duchess ; nay, 
 even her tender vows when they were about to part 
 for ever, gave way before those remembrances 
 which death had sanctified. 
 
 u Thy ashes are yet warm, my Zaire !" he 
 groaned inwardly j and the blood froze in his 
 veins, as a momentary vision, warm with bliss and 
 Constantia, fled from his shuddering mind. The 
 reins fell from his hand on the neck of his horse : 
 and smiting his. breast, he gazed wildly round, aT- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 151 
 
 most expecting to see the afflicted spirit of Zaire, 
 embodied to reproach him. 
 
 His horse stopped ; and the heart of its rider, 
 throbbed quickly. A hollow wind muttering among 
 innumerable branches overhanging the road, was 
 the only sound that came to his ear : every thing 
 else was still ; and all things were steeped in un- 
 fathomable darkness. — He remained awhile listen- 
 ing to the heavy murmur of the trees, though their 
 dreary sound increased the oppression of his soul. 
 
 " O time !" he exclaimed at length, u O heart ! 
 (of which every day discovers to me-new feelings, 
 either to lament or to dread ;) what am I to become 
 at last ? Is this the same being which once believ- 
 ed Zaire a part of itself, yet which now survives, 
 her I Can it indeed be, that I should love another, 
 while she lies buried in the earth? I, that but for 
 Constantia, must have clung to her grave, till life 
 had ended. — Will the hour ever arrive, when I shall 
 think of Zaire without regret, or behold her grave 
 without agony ? O never, never ! — Rather let me 
 die, Constantia, rather let me die ! than outlive the 
 bitter grief I owe to thy too tender rival." 
 
 Tenacious of its affections, the young and vir- 
 tuous heart, shudders at change: and death., which 
 dissolves the union of common souls, seems but to 
 cement more closely, that which once rivetted the 
 good. 
 
 In the full strength of renewed grief, DemC" 
 
152 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 trius suddenly saw the apparently-frightful end, to 
 which time would i levitably conduct him : the ob- 
 ject now, was slv eking to his infirm sensibility ; 
 but every succeeding day, and hour, would gradu- 
 ally diminish the vividness of those recollections, 
 which rendered it so abhorrent j and new impres- 
 sions made by another passion, other hopes, other 
 anxieties, would prevent him from recurring to the 
 past, by fixing all his regards upon the future. 
 
 There are periods in the lives of all men, when, 
 external circumstances and inward weakness, for- 
 tuitously meet, and take from them the power of 
 mental resistance. With the same motives to aban- 
 don themselves to wretchedness to-day as they had 
 yesterday, they will yet feel and appear far more 
 wretched. Demetrius at this moment, could not 
 reason himself into composure, or find in the pos- 
 sibility of future happiness, any thing but an occa- 
 sion for self-abhorrence. 
 
 For the first time since Zaire's death, his tears 
 poured in torrents ; and a frantic wish to die (so to 
 escape from anguish, which, while it lasted, seemed 
 as if it would be eternal:) alone possessed his 
 breast. 
 
 He would have pursued his journey unconsci- 
 ouslv through the blackness of midnight, had not 
 his servant made a more accurate calculation of the 
 discomforts and dangers of such a progress : hi? 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 153 
 
 voice gave timely notice of the post-house ; at 
 which Demetrius alighted : where instantly retiring 
 to a chamber, he cast himself on the bed, hopeless 
 <*f sleep. 
 
 / 
 
154 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 WHEN the Brothers met once more at head- 
 quarters, their eyes exchanged a mutual agreement, 
 to banish from their private hours all discourse of 
 the past or future. 
 
 It was not in the tumult of warlike preparation, 
 that either of them could indulge the softness of 
 fond regret : they were now to pour forth the full 
 tide of their mingled spirits towards one object 
 alone, the salvation of their country : and by fixing 
 their sight steadily on that mighty end, they hoped 
 to render themselves unconscious of minute yet 
 tenderer interests. 
 
 The close of the last brilliant campaign had left 
 Austria in possession of all Italy ; except only the 
 small city of Genoa, which besieged and famishing, 
 was likely to fall soon before her arms. This was 
 an event considered almost certain : and then a new 
 campaign in Switzerland, as obstinate but more for* 
 tunate than the termination of the last, was predict- 
 ed and desired. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 155 
 
 To drive the unprincipled Republicans from that 
 enslaved country, and force them back from the 
 shore of the Rhine, was the scheme of the approach- 
 ing war. France on her part, sought to deceive 
 the Allies, by feints and declarations ; and concen- 
 trating all her strength at Dijon, under the plausi- 
 ble title of an army of reserve, she threatened from 
 that central point, as from an eminence, at once 
 Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. 
 
 It was the misery of the Austrian cabinet, to 
 regard with distrust, and to treat with ingrati- 
 tude its ablest leader : Prince Charles was now re- 
 moved from his command, and General Kray took 
 his place. 
 
 Hasty in all his conclusions, this intrepid officer 
 was ill calculated to cope with an antagonist like 
 Moreau ; who equalled him in bravery and experi- 
 mental knowledge, and excelled him in judgment : 
 he was perpetually deceived by his adversary's de- 
 monstrations, or perplexed by his own conjectures; 
 while Moreau estimated the Hungarian General's 
 talents, and acted upon the result. 
 
 A consummate General frequently gains as 
 much by an accurate calculation of his enemy's folly, 
 as he does from the full exercise of his own re- 
 sources : by foreseeing his opponent's blunders, and 
 preparing to turn them to the best account, he uses 
 a species of thrift, allowable in military affairs, which 
 
156 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 provides for its own advantage, out of another's 
 profusion. 
 
 A general may indeed risk something by an en- 
 terprize which depends for its success, solely on 
 the oversight of his enemy ; but if he have studied 
 the character of his opponent, the odds are all in 
 his favour. 
 
 Moreau had not reckoned too confidently, upon 
 the rash decision of General Kray : completely de- 
 ceived by a masterly feint, the latter hastened to 
 rally all his troops round him at Donaueschingen ; 
 and expecting a grand attack on that point, suffered 
 Moreau to cross the Rhine, unmolested at Basle. 
 
 The whole force of the French army, now meet- 
 ing from different quarters on the Lake of Con- 
 stance, menaced the Imperialists : Donaueschingen 
 was abandoned; they retired hastily towards En- 
 gen, near which the Prince of Lorrain maintained 
 a good position. 
 
 But the Imperialists fought under every dis- 
 advantage. They were fewer in number than the 
 French ; and were perplexed with a pre-conceived 
 idea of the enemy's having different plans : they 
 were in fact, like men who have all their lesson to 
 learn, and could therefore, only oppose sudden re- 
 soluteness, to well digested movements. 
 
 In the continued battle, (as it may be termed V) 
 which lasted from the third of May, till the sixth, 
 the Hungarian Brothers nobly distinguished tin 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. \57 
 
 selves. To the ardour inspired by their just cause 
 was added, the laudable motive of honouring each 
 other, by obtaining the applause of their gallant as- 
 sociates. 
 
 The regiment which Charles commanded, had 
 the honour of receiving the first shock of the ene- 
 my's cavalry : General Moreau, in person, led them 
 forward to the charge ; which, though renewed 
 again and again, was repulsed with dreadful slaugh- 
 ter. 
 
 In defiance of superior numbers, and the loss of 
 that support which General Kray might have de- 
 rived from the army of Prince John (now vanquish- 
 ed at Stockach) he maintained his ground during 
 an obstinate attack, in which the French loss great- 
 ly exceeded that of the Imperialists. On the 
 morning of the fifth, he fell back upon the Danube ; 
 but ere he could cross it, another bloody engage- 
 ment took place. 
 
 While making a few rapid dispositions for de- 
 fence, Charles thought with anguish of that object 
 dearer to him than his life, for whose safety he began 
 to tremble at the probable march of the victors. It 
 seemed to hrm as if they were already at the gates 
 r of Munich. He breathed a hasty prayer for his 
 country, while he thought only of his wife ; and 
 st« ung to tenfold courage, by apprehension for her, 
 charged hotly through the ranks of the foe. 
 
 At that fortunate moment, when the French 
 
 VOL. ii. p 
 
158 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 troops stood aghast at such bold conduct ; a body 
 of Bavarians, (to whom Leopolstat had previously 
 given orders :) by a well-concerted manoeuvre, suc- 
 ceeded in turning the enemy's flank ; the cavalry 
 then wheeling round, charged back through its scat- 
 tered battalions ; and the fate of the day had quick- 
 ly decided for the Imperialists, had not Count Leo- 
 polstat in the very ardour of returning a third time 
 to the charge, received a musquet ball in his side. 
 He fell from his horse, and the enemy instantly 
 closing round him, stabbed his senseless body with 
 innumerable bayonets. 
 
 Where then was Demetrius ? — The next mo- 
 ment, his sabre was flashing amongst them, like the 
 lightning of Heaven. 
 
 Throwing himself from his horse, and calling 
 on his companions to join him, he defended the per- 
 son of his brother with a fierce violence which ren- 
 dered him insensible of affliction. 
 
 Nothing now was to be seen but confusion and 
 carnage : To recover the body of their leader, 
 seemed the sole aim of this tremendous conflict. 
 
 Part of the squadrons hastily dismounted, and 
 part beating under their horses' hoofs, the soldiers 
 cut down by their sabres, lost all remembrance of 
 general orders. The sound of pistols fired on the 
 very hearts of men, was mixed with execrations 
 and dying groans : the sight of bayonets mingling 
 on, the same points the blood of many breasts was 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 159 
 
 increased in horror by the last struggles of multi- 
 tudes, perishing beneath the weight and convulsions 
 of their wounded horses. 
 
 In that earthly Hell, Demetrius almost mad- 
 dened : he fought with a ferocity inspired by the 
 pitiless scene ; and when, successful at last, his 
 brave squadron remained masters of their bleed- 
 ing prize, he started at his own heart, which rather 
 spurred him on to vengeance, than yielded to grief. 
 
 As he raised Leopolstat's body from the ground, 
 the trepidation with which he did it, awoke the 
 slumbering life. Charles opened his eyes, fixed 
 them on the face of his brother with an expression 
 which acted on the soul of Demetrius like a holy 
 spirit passing visibly before him; again his eyes 
 closed, and Demetrius bursting into a passion of 
 lamentation, clasped him in his arms without power 
 to rise. 
 
 " I live, I live, my brother !" Charles faintly 
 breathed, " forward !" — He fainted as he spoke ; 
 and Demetrius eagerly glancing round the field, 
 beheld the enemy retreating in disorder before the 
 German troops. 
 
 He was now free to remain with Charles ; and 
 animated into the hope of saving that brother for 
 whom he would gladly have shed every drop of his 
 own blood, he hastily formed a sort of litter out of 
 the arms and pelisses of the soldiers, and bore him 
 upon it to the hospital tent. 
 
160 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Long ere they reached the place, every hope 
 had vanished. The rapidly-changing Demetrius, 
 felt nothing but despair while he gazed intently on 
 the motionless features of his'brother. That belov- 
 ed face so still, so pale, so visibly imprinted with 
 death, lying in the midst of blood, gushing out of 
 countless wounds ; the dreadful silence which sur- 
 rounded the bier on which he was borne ; the dis- 
 mayed countenances of the soldiers ; all tended to 
 impress Demetrius with a conviction, that the gal- 
 -pirit was dislodged for ever. 
 
 At that agonizing moment, how light and un- 
 real, appeared the grief he had indulged for Zaire! 
 Her death he contemplated with mtv and anguish ; 
 her death he had lamented with frantic tenderness : 
 but that of Charles ! — his heart withered within him 
 at the fearful image. To live on, bereft of such a 
 brother, was impossible : to die, when his life^ 
 should be pronounced beyond recal, seemed then 
 the law of his being. At this idea, he stood sud- 
 denly composed in look and manner : but the spirit 
 of grief, which thus retreated from the surface, only 
 retired to gather strength for the moment in which 
 it was to swell and overwhelm him. 
 
 While the surgeons were examining the wounds 
 of Leopolstat, (whom excess of pain frequently re- 
 vived, and as often rendered insensible again,) De- 
 metrius stood with his arms folded, and his eyes 
 ri vetted upon his brother. One of the surgeons 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 161 
 
 lifted up the clustering hair; it was steeped in 
 blood, and completely dyed the hand that touched 
 it. Demetrius started -at the sight; a sudden 
 shivering seized him : when he had last noted these 
 clotted ringlets, they had been fondly sported with, 
 by the fingers of Adelaide, when Charles, fatigued 
 with military duty, was momentarily slumbering on 
 her shoulder. He averted his eyes ; and the tears 
 he was unable to shed over his own suffering, gush- 
 ed forth in pity to another. 
 
 After three days, the report of the surgeons 
 was not such as to balance the hopes and fears of 
 those around Count Leopolstat : apprehension pre- 
 ponderated. His wounds were many and danger- 
 ous : and his recovery was said to depend on a 
 variety of circumstances in temperament and situa- 
 tion, which it seemed demanding a miracle to ex- 
 pect. 
 
 The loss of such an officer, at a period so criti- 
 cal, when even the Capital of Austria was menaced, 
 was extremely distressing to the Commander in 
 Chief; Leopolstat's counsel in camp, had so often 
 decided him in difficult conjunctures; and his con- 
 duct in the field so often completed that counsel, 
 that he came to the resolution of removing him to 
 a distance, with the utmost concern. 
 
 The army were now crossing the Danube ; and 
 
 though it was the brave Kray's intention to dispute 
 
 ) inch of ground he might be forced to abandon* 
 
 P 2 
 
162 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 he foresaw that Ulm would inevitably be his rest- 
 ing place. 
 
 To Ulm, therefore, while it was possible to 
 move slowly, he directed Count Leopolstat should 
 be carried ; and in consideration of Demetrius, ap- 
 pointed his troop to form the escort. 
 
 At the first intimation of this, Demetrius felt 
 like a young and enthusiastic soldier ; he was alarm- 
 ed at the possibility of odium, by thus avoiding a 
 share in the danger and disasters of his companions : 
 but this phantom of fastidious honour vanished be- 
 fore fraternal love. 
 
 u Shall I desert thee, brother of my soul," he 
 softly exclaimed, as he sat watching his unquiet 
 sleep ; " shall I leave thee to perish, for the sake of' 
 a mere breath ? — My country can be as well served 
 by any other arm as mine : I have nothing entrust- 
 ed to me, therefore have no duty to betray. If I 
 save thee, I preserve her best champion to Ger- 
 many ; and what censure then, can, or ought to 
 wound me !" 
 
 Charles awoke in the midst of these reflections : 
 and as if he read in his brother's looks all that was^ 
 passing in his bosom, tenderly squeezed his hand : 
 Demetrius vehemently kissed both the hands of 
 Charles in return. 
 
 To his various and eager questions, the latter 
 
 could only reply by signs : for loss of blood, and 
 
 equent bodily pangs, had exhausted sll htt 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 163 
 
 strength. A sudden brightness shone on his fea- 
 tures, when Demetrius, presenting a letter, told him 
 a courier had just brought it from Adelaide: — 
 Charles averted his face as he received it, and mo- 
 tioned to be left alone : his brother obeyed. 
 
 On the return of Demetrius, it was resolved to 
 apprize the young Countess, in part, of her hus- 
 band's situation : for Leopolstat rather chose to 
 bear the knowledge of her suffering now, than by 
 keeping her in ignorance, doom her to more fright- 
 ful agonies hereafter. His heart bled as he antici- 
 pated the sight of her, who lived but in him, and 
 who could not behold him thus, without presaging 
 the worst : yet, to prepare her by a gradual view 
 of his decline, and to leave her the consolation of 
 having soothed his last moments, were motives 
 which far out-weighed his own cowardice at the 
 prospect of witnessing her grief. 
 
 Having heard and approved the letter, which 
 his agitated brother's tears blotted as he wrote, he 
 ordered it to be immediately dispatched ; and then 
 prepared for his removal. 
 
 Every accommodation that respect and affection 
 could devise, in the midst of a retreating army, was 
 procured for Count Leopolstat : the soldiers saluted 
 the litter as it passed, with tears on their rough 
 cheeks : and the General, looking after it a long 
 rime, turned away with a heavy sigh, repeating in 
 
164 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 a mixed tone of regret and admiration, " My gal- 
 lant countryman !" 
 
 Though proceeding with slowness, and watched 
 by a skilful surgeon, Leopolstat seemed to have 
 reached Ulm, only to die ; his impatient wife join- 
 ed him on the road, and now, for the first time in 
 her life, found herself assailed by a calamity, against 
 which she had no longer any reasoning powers to 
 oppose. 
 
 While she supported him in her arms, to ease 
 the pain of long continuance in one attitude ; or 
 watched his slumbers ;• or administered the opiates 
 that were to bestow them, anxiety for him, drove 
 away every thought of herself: but the instant she 
 left him, (which was only when his wounds were 
 dressing) despair seized her ; and as she fancied 
 his bodily pangs, her suffering threatened to end in 
 phrensy. 
 
 • Of her father or Demetrius, she could think no 
 more ; even though they were both before her, 
 heart-struck for her and for themselves. She nei- 
 ther heard their lamentations nor their intreaties j 
 but absorbed in the future, abandoned her whole 
 soul to one darling object. 
 
 At this period, the attentive sympathy of Colonel 
 Wurtzburgh, (who was among the troops in the 
 garrison) excited the gratitude of Demetrius. He 
 frequently watched whole nights in the house when 
 Leopolstat was thought in immediate danger ; 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 165 
 
 avowing himself too warmly interested, for rest or 
 peace of mind. 
 
 By those silent attentions, which, exerted for the 
 benefit of others, without noise or ostentation, affect 
 the heart so much, he contrived to impress every 
 individual with a sense of obligation. What their 
 excess of grief would have overlooked, his less 
 afflicted spirit might be permitted to remember : 
 and all that he did for Charles, or Adelaide, or her 
 father, was found so necessary to their comfort, that 
 Demetrius chid himself for not anticipating the very 
 services for which he was thankful. 
 
 The consolations of a female friend were denied 
 to the unhappy Countess ; Princess Constantia be- 
 ing removed to Vienna ; whither her uncle had 
 hastened on the first news of the French successes. 
 
 Of Constantia, Demetrius did not allow himself 
 to think : although her image like an angelic vision, 
 often floated through his fancy, calming for awhile 
 the tempest of wildly-raised apprehension. He 
 knew her to be in safety ; and therefore to indulge 
 in soft dreams about her, while death and danger 
 menaced objects equally dear, would have been al- 
 most sacrilege. 
 
 The Imperialists retreating before a vast army 
 flushed with success, and eager for plunder, were 
 rapidly falling back upon Ulm. Defeat had follow- 
 ed defeat: though the loss of the enemy was uni- 
 formly greater than that of the Austrians. 
 
166 THE HUNGARIAN -BROTHERS. 
 
 But the German lines once thinned, were slow- 
 ly repaired : while all, whom rapine or fanatic 
 liberty inspired, crowded to fill up those of the 
 French. 
 
 Italy was nearly reconquered ; Switzerland their 
 own ; the Grisons within their grasp : from the Me- 
 diterranean sea, to the river of the Rhine, one enor- 
 mous army covered the several countries which lie 
 between them. 
 
 Destruction seemed to wait only the nod of a 
 lawless Republican, to overwhelm the very seat of 
 Empire. 
 
 These fatal circumstances retarded the possible 
 recovery of Charles, who felt as if at each fresh 
 disaster, 
 
 " String after string, was severed from his heart." 
 
 By a courier who brought advices of a battle at 
 Memmingen, Leopolstat received a note from the 
 Commander in Chief, desiring him to remove in- 
 stantly to the capital, as both armies were now on 
 their march towards Ulm, where it was likely an 
 obstinate engagement would soon take place. ^ 
 
 The brave Charles disdained thus to fly before 
 an advancing foe, even though weakened by pain 
 and sickness : and, indeed, he was not in a condi- 
 tion to bear either a sudden or a quick removal. 
 He besought his wife to seek Vienna immediately, 
 While he awaited the arrival of the troops, or pro- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 167 
 
 ceeded with less precipitation : but Adelaide refus- 
 ed to leave him. 
 
 The Imperial army entered Ulm soon after ; and 
 from their intrenched camp before the city, kept 
 the French awhile in check. 
 
 Neither of the adverse Generals thought the 
 period advantageous for attack ; and during this ac- 
 cidental suspension of arms, Leopolstat's wounds 
 assumed a less alarming aspect. He was now able 
 to undertake the fatigues of another journey. Ac- 
 companied by his wife and her father he set out 
 for Vienna, leaving Demetrius behind n* '•'.in gar- 
 rison. 
 
 Bereft at once of so many dear objects, and still 
 trembling for the ultimate safety of his brother, the 
 heart of Demetrius habitually turned towards Co- 
 lonel Wurtzburgh. 
 
 The kindness with which that officer met his 
 renewed friendship, and the zealous alacrity with 
 which he used to seek out minor comforts for Count 
 Leopolstat, conveyed a severe reproach to Deme- 
 trius. He blushed to recollect his former coldness, 
 though Wurtzburgh seemed to have forgotten it : 
 and he strove to repair his fault by testimonies of 
 gratitude. 
 
 The Colonel's delicate conduct, increased this 
 glow of gratitude into the fullest esteem. He evi- 
 dently avoided opportunities of extorting the secret 
 thoughts of his friend ; always turned the conversa^ 
 
168 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 tion when it pointed to peculiar subjects; and never 
 staid with Demetrius at those times, in which the 
 swelling breast of the latter, overflowed either with 
 tenderness or passion. 
 
 As material objects appear less at a distance, 
 than such as are near, so the past conduct of men, 
 loses its enormity, when opposed to a present ap- 
 pearance of excellence. — Beguiled by his own gene- 
 rous nature, our young Hussar sometimes searched 
 his memory in vain, for rational grounds for his 
 former ill-will to Wurtzburgh : but nothing amount- 
 ing to c eviction, was registered there. He there- 
 fee gave a loose to cordiality; and imperceptibly 
 wearing away the self-imposed distance of the Co- 
 lonel, soon shewed, (without intending absolutely 
 to confide in him ;) all that the Colonel wanted to 
 know of his situation. 
 
 It was long ere Wurtzburgh could disengage 
 himself from the perplexity in which young Leo- 
 polstat's character was formed to bewilder him. He 
 could not comprehend how it was possible for De- 
 metrius to burst into a sudden passion of grief when 
 any circumstance recalled Madame de Fontainville; 
 yet every day, every hour, be cherishing the idea of 
 Princess Constantia, or be unconsciously recurring 
 to her, in all his discourses. 
 
 When an exclusive preference was over, the 
 Colonel, (sensible to none but the. coarsest attach- 
 ments ;) believed that every sentiment of tender- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 169 
 
 ness, must perish with it: he knew nothing of those 
 nice shades of affection, pity, and admiration which 
 complete the fine colouring of a truly tender heart. 
 — Observation however forced him to admit the 
 existence of such a phenomenon, though it did not 
 help him in the least towards comprehending it. 
 
 Carefully noting each of these apparent incon- 
 sistencies, he kept a regular journal of what he thus 
 discovered ; while Demetrius often wrote in his 
 praise to Forshiem, who was now with the army of 
 Bohemia. 
 
 A small division of troops being required by an 
 Austrian General some leagues from the camp, 
 Wurtzburgh's regiment was ordered on the service. 
 He left Demetrius with many demonstrations of re- 
 gret; at the same time transferring to him a French 
 servant, whom Demetrius had occasionally emplov- 
 ed about his brother's sick-bed, in consequence of 
 the fellow's cleverness, and the Colonel's earnest 
 recommendation. 
 
 A succession of disastrous actions between the 
 two armies followed this period. The Imperialists, 
 routed in every engagement, vainly lavished their 
 blood on the plains of Blenheim, and at the bridge 
 of Grenshiem. Fate frowned from the broad ban- 
 ner of France : and the Genius of Austria seemed 
 to have withdrawn in wrath from an army, which, 
 under the command of its virtuous Prince, she had 
 once led on to victory. 
 
 vol. it. o^. 
 
170 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 
 
 The broken troops having hastily abandoned 
 their camp at Ulm, had proceeded to Ingolstadt : 
 from whence they beheld with dismay, the Repub- 
 licans spreading like consuming fire, over all Suabia, 
 Bavaria, Wurtemberg and Treves. 
 
 The country of the Grisons was lost, the troops 
 in Tyrol were hemmed in by detachments from the 
 French army of Italy, as well as by part of that 
 which laid waste the Frontiers ; a powerful force 
 was already on its march to Franconia ; and Mo- 
 reau, animated with these signal advantages, no 
 longer feigned an intention of advancing to Vienna. 
 
 Whether any unknown causes, sufficient to jus- 
 tify his advice as a military man, prevailed with 
 Buonaparte, (then First Consul, and General in 
 Italy) ; to press Moreaifs relinquishment of this 
 brilliant prize ; or whether a base envy prompted 
 him to wither those laurels which the hand of ano- 
 ther grasped, to decorate their country — is uncer- 
 tain. The motives will ever remain concealed; but 
 the fact is positive. 
 
 At the head of victorious troops, supported on 
 all sides by successful confederates, with only a few 
 dispirited forces to hang on his rear, invited by dis- 
 loyalty and riot to Vienna itself, General Moreau 
 was enjoined by Buonaparte to grant an armistice, 
 now sued for by Austria. 
 
 How is this to be accounted for? 
 
 The First Consul was never, suspected of sacri- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 171 
 
 facing ambition to humanity; no voice of human 
 suffering, had ever yet, stopped him in the career of 
 military reward : (witness the dreadful bridge of 
 Lodi! witness the plains of Jaffa ! witness the scene 
 in which his own sick soldiers perished by poison !) 
 he was not of that cautious spirit '-which avoids the 
 very possibility of disappointment: No! he breast- 
 ed difficulties with ardour ; and rather sought to 
 wrest distinction, by conquering against probabili- 
 ties, than to receive tempered commendation, by an- 
 swering the expectations of his countrymen. 
 
 The whole campaign of Italy, had been to him, 
 a brilliant series of astonishing success : but u his 
 star must have turned pale," had that of Moreau 
 continued to shine. It was no part of the Corsi- 
 can's policy, to sacrifice his own aggrandizement, 
 to that of the country he served : Moreau must be 
 obscured : and Moreau, was. — The armistice was 
 agreed upon, in the month of July; when all ope- 
 rations in Germany ceased till the beginning of Sep- 
 tember. 
 
172 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Chap viil 
 
 IMPATIENT to see that beloved brother, 
 whose perfect safety, affection could not credit, un- 
 less absolutely witnessed, Demetrius obtained a 
 month's leave of absence, and hastened to Vienna. 
 
 Count Leopolstat was at the house of his faith- 
 ful friend, Baron Ingersdorf, who was now a wi- 
 dower. 
 
 Disgusted with the court intrigues which had 
 already displaced Prince Charles, and was striving 
 to exclude from the military councils, all sincere 
 lovers of their country, the Baron had resigned his 
 office, and retired from public life, to a villa in the 
 beautiful suburbs of the capital. 
 
 There, in the society of his brother, and that of 
 his accomplished nephew, he enjoyed every plea- 
 sure dear to a rational and elegant mind. 
 
 Leopolstat was not yet able to support himself, 
 except on a couch; where, raised on cushions, he 
 lay calm and uncomplaining. 
 
 Though he could no longer amuse or employ 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 173 
 
 himself, but was dependent on those he loved for 
 every comfort and relief, he repaid their assidui- 
 ties, by the everlasting sunshine of patient sweet- 
 ness. 
 
 The music of his Adelaide's voice, still thrilled 
 him with delight ; and while her balmy breath 
 rested upon the cheek she fondly printed with a 
 kiss, he ceased to languish for the unconfined air of 
 heaven, which so often appears to an invalid, as if 
 it must "bring healing on its wings." 
 
 More than ever endeared by his sufferings, and 
 yet further exalted by the manner in which they 
 were borne, Charles distinctly saw, that his wife's 
 affection increased with time. That doting love, 
 which glories in its object, spoke for ever from her 
 eyes ; and a sense of danger past, gave birth to a 
 gratitude too genuine for any fears to alloy. 
 
 Adelaide had been so miserable, that she was 
 now nearly happy ; her Charles was recovering, her 
 Charles was eternally in her sight, and she had every 
 day fresh reason to bless the event, which kept him 
 far from the armies. 
 
 In the joyfulness of her looks, and those of her 
 uncle and father, Demetrius, on reaching Vienna, 
 read all he wished. Though he found his brother 
 stretched powerless on a sopha, what seemed the 
 body's weakness to him, when he beheld again, as 
 it were, the soul of his brother ? Thought and emo- 
 tion once more glowed through the features of 
 
 Qj2 
 
174 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Charles, and at their late parting, the very principle 
 of life itself, appeared extinct. 
 
 These brave brothers who had undauntedly- 
 fronted the shock of armies together, were now not 
 ashamed of yielding some tears to the feelings of 
 this moment. They rested silently in each other's 
 arms, till their disburthened hearts grew calm. 
 
 A narrative of the military incidents which had 
 occurred since they met, was soon demanded by 
 Leopolstat. Demetrius gave it eloquently : too 
 eloquently ; for at his vivid descriptions, and bitter 
 censures, the hectic on his brother's cheek, quivered 
 like an unsteady flame. 
 
 Their discourse was interrupted by the entrance 
 of the Baron and Adelaide, of whom, after some 
 hesitation, Demetrius enquired about Constantia. 
 His eyes being cast down, prevented him from ob- 
 serving the change this question made in his sister : 
 she replied in a low voice, " Constantia is in Vien- 
 na j but as I have much to tell you, and dare not 
 agitate Charles with it, you must inquire no further, 
 till we are alone." 
 
 For the first time of her life, the tender Ade- 
 laide, through an excess of love, spared him who 
 would have suffered the least. These hasty words 
 plunged Demetrius into the most frightful conjec- 
 turings : from the moment they were uttered, he 
 became silent j and, watching an opportunity to 
 have his fears terminated, abruptly followed Ade- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 175 
 
 laide out of the room, when she left it to procure 
 some fruit for her husband. 
 
 On seeing Demetrius, she made her father take 
 charge of the fruit ; and led the way into the gar- 
 den. There, traversing a walk where the most 
 beautiful shrubs bloomed and breathed unnoticed, 
 they discoursed of Constantia. — How was Deme- 
 trius appalled to find, that his Princess lived in a 
 species of imprisonment! Adelaide knew little of 
 her situation : yet that little, was enough to rend 
 the heart of a lover. 
 
 The substance of what he collected was, that 
 soon after the arrival of Marshal Ingersdorf and 
 his daughter, the Prince of Nuremberg had nearly 
 prohibited all intercourse between the friends : but 
 finding his prohibition scarcely attended to, he hur- 
 ried his family to Vienna; accompanied b^ the 
 eldest son of the Elector of . 
 
 This Prince had for some time sought the hand 
 of Constantia ; and it was now evident that ambi- 
 tious view for his niece, had combined with ill-will 
 towards Demetrius, in the mind of this haughty 
 uncle. 
 
 During the period which elapsed since her own 
 arrival in the capital, Adelaide had heard but once 
 of her friend ; and that was from the lips of Nu- 
 remberg's wife. 
 
 They met accidentally at the Countess of Reus- 
 marck's. While some other ladies were going 
 
176 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 through the clamorous ceremonies of precedence 
 and leave-taking, the Princess hastily approached 
 Adelaide : " I shall gladden poor Constantia," she 
 said timidly, u by relating all I have hc^ard you re- 
 peat of Count Leopolstat's amended health. Do 
 me the justice of believing, dear Countess, that I 
 am completely innocent of this oppression. The 
 Prince is warm in his wishes for what he thinks 
 her future good ; and suffers himself to use some 
 harshness now, in the hope of meriting her thanks 
 hereafter : but indeed I fear he will carry this se- 
 verity too far : her health sinks under it." 
 
 The voice of the Princess faltered as she spoke, 
 and she stopped ; evidently afflicted at having thus 
 rescued her own character at the expense of her 
 husband's. Adelaide just had time to implore her 
 interference with the Prince, and to commission 
 her with an ardent message to Constantia, when 
 some persons who were of the Princess's party 
 joined them : they then separated. 
 
 Though she refrained from paining her Lord, 
 with this information, Adelaide could not sleep, 
 till she had made an effort to see her friend. For 
 this purpose (as she would not subject the wife of 
 Count Leopolstat to insult, by attempting a clandes- 
 tine interview ;) she wrote to the Prince of Nurem- 
 berg, simply stating her uneasiness, at a report of 
 Constantia's being ill ; and requesting to be admit- 
 ted to her, either alone, or in his presence. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 177 
 
 The answer she received was couched in these 
 terms : 
 
 Note. 
 
 u The Prince of Nuremberg regrets that circum- 
 stances should constrain him to refuse any request 
 of the Countess Leopolstat's : he is happy to contra- 
 dict every report of his niece the Princess Constan- 
 tia's ill-health ; but must decline for her the honour 
 of a visit, which, by reviving the remembrance of a 
 person whom it is her duty to forget, would inevit- 
 ably strengthen her in the resolution of avoiding a 
 Prince whom it is her duty to accept. 
 
 " The Prince of Nuremberg does himself the 
 honour of offering congratulations upon the recent 
 safety of Count Leopolstat ; and at the same time, 
 of assuring the Countess that he would never deny 
 any request of her's, without the extremest reluct- 
 ance." 
 
 Vienna. — July* 
 
 With this cold and cautious billet ended all the 
 information of Adelaide. Since then, she had heard 
 no more of Constantia, except that she was still com- 
 pletely secluded. 
 
 Demetrius made few remarks on this : he silently 
 pressed his sister's hand ; leaving his thanks to his 
 looks. They then rejoined Charles, with whom De- 
 metrius staid till the hour of rest ; when hastily ex- 
 
178 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 cusing himself from the family supper, he left the 
 house. 
 
 Various modes of seeking an interview with Con- 
 stantia, conceived and rejected in the same moment, 
 agitated the thoughts of Demetrius, as instead of go- 
 ing to his lodgings, he hurried along the suburbs. 
 Had he been pressing on to the immediate execu- 
 tion of some plan for seeing her, he could not have 
 felt more impatient : while indeed, nothing but a 
 chaos of schemes, wishes, and apprehensions was 
 before him. 
 
 Ere he dared attempt anything for her enlarge- 
 ment, it was incumbent on him to learn how far he 
 was concerned in her refusal of her titled lover : till 
 he had sought a renewal of those vows she once 
 breathed, and gained a knowledge of her future in- 
 tentions, all his zeal and passion, must be buried in 
 his own bosom. He now execrated himself for ha- 
 ving shunned an interview at Munich , and trem- 
 bled at the probability of having lost her heart by 
 such apparent inconsistency. 
 
 In the midst of these reflections, he came in sight 
 of the place which contained her. 
 
 The spacious palace glittering in a bright moon- 
 light, with its magnificent gardens, and stately ter- 
 races, towered above the Danube, whose swift wa- 
 ters flashing under the eye, poured through a scene 
 of brilliant enchantment. Numberless villas embow- 
 ered among trees, were seen scattered in gay confu- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 179 
 
 sion along its banks ; and through every grove and 
 every glade, the warm breath of aromatic summer, 
 softly steamed from earth to heaven. 
 
 Demetrius now approached one of the side-en- 
 trances ; at that moment a man vaulted over a low part 
 of the garden-wall, and alighted close beside him. 
 
 He was somewhat surprised to find in this man, 
 his servant Pierre. 
 
 After a few equivocations, the fellow confessed 
 he had been visiting the gardener's daughter, to 
 whom, on account of an old quarrel with her bro- 
 ther, he could not venture to go publicly : that be- 
 sides love for her, he was prompted by regard for 
 his master, of whose attachment to Princess Con- 
 stantia, he had heard in the kitchen at Baron Ingers- 
 dorf's, from one, who had it from an Italian servant 
 of the Princess's : — that officious, perhaps, in his zeal, 
 he had ventured to ask many questions of his sweet- 
 heart, through whom, he hinted the probability of 
 conveying a letter or a message. 
 
 At this moment Demetrius was incapable of paus- 
 ing upon any proposal which held out such a pros- 
 pect. The fellow could have no motive for ensnar- 
 ing him ; he had served him faithfully some time ; 
 and had testified so affectionate an anxiety during 
 the sickness of Charles, that he readily pardoned a 
 little freedom in his endeavours to serve. He now 
 put a few questions to Pierre, whose answers deter- 
 mined him to hazard something. 
 
180 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The Prince of Nuremberg was gone two leagues 
 off on business, which might detain him some days: 
 no one but his Princess was left to guard Constan- 
 tia, who, though still restricted to the Palace gar- 
 dens, was indulged by her, in all the liberty she 
 dared grant. Constantia was then alone, in these 
 very gardens ; Pierre had seen her himself. 
 
 He now offered to return and conduct his mas- 
 ter to her : since Demetrius was unwilling to put 
 the woman he loved into the power of her domestic, 
 he refused to admit Pierre's sweetheart into their 
 council. 
 
 A few lines written with pencil on the leaf of a 
 pocket-book, were given to Pierre : each leapt the 
 garden wall at the same moment ; and hastily struck 
 into a walk shaded by elms, so thick that they ex- 
 cluded every twinkling star. They followed this 
 track till it brought them to a grotto ; which sud- 
 denly emerging amid the light, displayed a broad 
 glade, where the trees receding in magnificent 
 groupes, left a vast expanse, which terminated at a 
 side portico of the Palace. 
 
 Demetrius rushed into the grotto; and Pierre 
 turned into another path. 
 
 The tender moon, shedding a mellow lustre 
 through an opening in the roof of this calm retreat, 
 quivered among the spars and crystals of which it 
 was formed ; but no sound, no breath even of the 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 181 
 
 faintest night-breeze, stirred the long tresses of a 
 willow which streamed above. 
 
 There was something in the stillness and beauty, 
 oppressive to the agitated heart of Demetrius : he 
 advanced to the entrance ; all there, was as still and 
 lovely. The moveless trees, the soundless water, 
 the dark vistas and steady lustre of the moon, all 
 seemed to his wild fancy, fraught with expectation: 
 he scarcely breathed : but fear had no share in this 
 emotion. 
 
 Too much absorbed in solicitude for Constan- 
 tia's reception of him, he had not room for any sus- 
 picion of Pierre's fidelity. 
 
 Lovers hope all things, and dread all things : 
 wilder than the starts of a lunatic, were the appre- 
 hensions which now tormented Demetrius : the re- 
 membrance of _Zaire mixed itself with them : but 
 for the first time since her death, he strove to ban- 
 ish it. 
 
 Hasty steps as of a man advancing along the 
 walk into which Pierre had struck, were now dis- 
 tinctly heard* Root-bound with expectation, De- 
 metrius listened to catch the echo of a softer tread : 
 but whether it were lost in the other sound he knew 
 not, for he heard nothing more. His heart be- 
 gan to sink, when Constantia herself flew into the 
 grotto. 
 
 O.ie glance of her endearing eyes, banished both 
 j'ear and regret: every event that had occurred 
 
 trot. II, b. 
 
182 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 since he used to see her at Felieri, fled from their 
 eloquent brightness. Time, suffering, were anni- 
 hilated ; and the full conviction of being beloved, 
 of still tenderly loving, spoke to his renovated soul. 
 
 Constantia did not check the transport with 
 which he pressed her in his arms : she participated 
 too much in that joy, which was produced by an 
 affection as pure as her own innocence. For a long 
 time neither of them spoke ; but at length Deme- 
 trius recovering recollection of the past, said fear- 
 fully, " Dare I still call you my Constantia?" 
 
 The Princess did not hesitate to confess the 
 steadiness of her attachment, though a crimson blush 
 glowed on her averted face. At such a period as 
 this, she would have deemed useless reserve, both 
 foolish and cruel. 
 
 " I know not, 1 ' she replied, " whether in my 
 desire to save you even the smallest uneasiness, I 
 may not be sacrificing the propriety of my sex ; but 
 my heart impels me to assure you — almost unasked 
 -—that you see Constantia at this moment, what'she 
 was at Felieri ; that, however fate or inclination 
 might have disposed of you, she would never have 
 altered ; and that it remains with yourself, to sanc- 
 tion — to appropriate. " 
 
 She could not proceed ; burning blushes spread 
 over her whole countenance, and the quick pulsa- 
 tion of her heart, impeded her further utterance. 
 Snatched repeatedly to the breast of her impassion- 
 
3?HE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 183 
 
 ed lover, whose ardent gratitude scarcely found 
 words to 'express itself, Constantia heard with as- 
 tonishment and trepidation, his proposal for imme- 
 diate flight. 
 
 At this moment of delirious ecstacy, Demetrius 
 thought only of securing the beloved creature, who 
 had endured for him, every species of outrage ; of 
 bearing her far from such oppression, and dedicat- 
 ing the whole of his coming life, to the sweet task 
 of eternal gratitude. When she shewed him the 
 madness of his scheme, (by reverting to the power 
 which her uncle would have of reclaiming her, and 
 rousing the law against him) Demetrius urged ano»- 
 ther plan. He offered to conduct her to some remote 
 convent, from which she might claim the protection 
 of her other relations, and obtain legal redress, until 
 the period in which her uncle's guardianship must 
 end. 
 
 Constantia' s eyes glistened with tears at his ge- 
 nerous ardour : She gazed on him, in a trance of 
 tender admiration, while she rapidly revolved the 
 dangers to which he would thus expose himself. 
 Her rank, her fortune, her father's will, and her 
 uncle's influence, would all unite to make the life 
 of her lover, answer for his temerity. For his sake 
 therefore, she steadily declined it, though he fell 
 at her feet, and implored her, even with tears, to 
 consent. 
 
 Constantia trembled and wept too: but there 
 
184 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 was a sad foreboding at her heart, which strength- 
 ened her resolution* 
 
 Continued harshness and restraint, bursts of vio- 
 lence, threats, invectives against her lover's charac- 
 ter, or menaces against his safety, had long worn 
 on her spirits, and gradually sapped the foundations 
 of life. Cut off from every consolation ; and wil- 
 fully kept in anxiety for Demetrius, by seeing only 
 those papers which detailed the horrors and not the 
 particulars of every battle, her health had imper- 
 ceptibly given way : she was now the shadow of 
 herself; and except at this period when tumultuous 
 agitation kindled a flame on her checks, and new- 
 strung her nerves, no tint of colour animated her 
 features ; no elasticity gave spring to her unsteady 
 steps. 
 
 Demetrius, whose admiring eyes saw rapture 
 sparkling in tier's, who beheld no change in her 
 beautiful person but what appeared the natural ef- 
 fect of an unquiet mind, was far from divining the 
 gloomy presentiment which suddenly altered her 
 manner. 
 
 When she had silenced all his arguments for 
 her flight, she felt as if in doing so, she had signed 
 their eternal separation. After that night, they 
 might never behold each other ; she might not live 
 long enough to see another meeting. At these 
 thoughts, she burst into a passion- of tears; again 
 and again she pressed his hand wildly to her bean 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 185 
 
 and the convulsive sobs which shook her whole 
 frame, choked the fond lamentation that struggled 
 to her lips. 
 
 Alarmed, distressed, astonished beyond mea^- 
 sure, Demetrius vainly besought her to impart the 
 cause of this strange emotion. Constantia only re- 
 plied by fresh tears : At that instant the palace 
 clock struck twelve ; it electrified the Princess : 
 She started up, hastily exclaiming, " We must part 
 now." 
 
 " O not yet, not yet, my Constantia ;" exclaim- 
 ed Demetrius, retaining the hand with which she 
 had clasped his, " leave me not, till you have told 
 me that I may come here again. To-morrow night 
 at the same hour — your uncle will still be absent. — - 
 All that I wished said to you, I have left unsaid. — 
 To-morrow, dearest, sweetest Constantia, tell me 
 you will be here . " 
 
 The Princess promised ; and exchanging a hasty 
 embrace, vanished from his sight. 
 
 Demetrius stood like a disenchanted man. The 
 bright vision was gone ; and for awhile he scarcely 
 knew whether to believe it had indeed been. Pierre's 
 entrance brought back his senses. 
 
 He gratefully grasped his hand. u I am indebt- 
 ed to you for more than life," he said, " and I will 
 never forget it. But for heaven's sake remem- 
 ber, Pierre, that the least indiscretion would ruin 
 Princess Constantia for ever. Henceforth, do not 
 
 R 2 
 
186 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 whisper this night's adventure, even to your own 
 thoughts. I fear nothing but accidental imprudence 
 in you, for I am confident you would never wilfully 
 betray me." 
 
 The cheeks of Pierre glowed : he replied with 
 all the vehemence of his nation, heaping vow upon 
 vow, and protestation upon protestation. His mas- 
 ter shook him again by the hand ; and then turning 
 away soon reached the place from which they jump- 
 ed into the road. • 
 
 The whole of the next day, was spent by De- 
 metrius in an impatient longing for night ; yet he 
 forced his mind into exertion, for the sake of his 
 brother. 
 
 Select parties were admitted of an evening to 
 the room where Count Leopolstat was confined : 
 his benevolent spirit delighted in the sight of dif- 
 fused pleasure : he could even join in the playful- 
 ness of gay discourse ; and though unable to in- 
 crease the concert himself, was gratified by hearing 
 music from others. 
 
 The Countess of Reusmarck was the only per- 
 son this evening, who added to the domestic circle. 
 Demetrius quitted it early, and bidding Pierre at- 
 tend him, hurried towards the palace. 
 
 How different was the scene, from what it ap- 
 peared when last he saw it ! A chill, tempestuous 
 night, blackened and agitated every object. The 
 enormous trees, bending to their very roots beforr 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 187 
 
 the wind, cast gigantic shadows, as they waved 
 across the front of the edifice. The moon herself, 
 seemed pale with fear, as the clouds. driving over 
 her face, were sometimes rent asunder, and scatter- 
 ed by the storm. One continued roar of trees and 
 water, pealed around Demetrius : He trembled for 
 the safety of Constantia, when he beheld large 
 branches torn off by the furious blast, and falling on 
 every side of him. 
 
 Pierre was sheltered in a root-house, at some 
 little distance ; but he, stood forth under the incle- 
 ment sky, praying that his Princess might have 
 abandoned the attempt. 
 
 Just as he had completely satisfied himself that 
 she would not come, he turned at the murmur of a 
 breathless voice, and beheld her near him, sinking 
 with fatigue and apprehension. 
 
 " I have been so frightened !" she gasped out, 
 while he led her into the grotto, u it is a long way 
 round, from the house j and the noise of the trees 
 on every side — the dreadful darkness — I thought I 
 should never have lived to reach you." A deep 
 sigh broke forth with the last words, and her head 
 sunk on the shoulder of her lover. 
 
 The moon now momentarily gleaming into the 
 grotto, shewed Demetrius her pallid face : he spoke 
 to her, but she was insensible. Exhausted by toil 
 and terror, oppressed with a conviction of her own 
 decay, she had fainted. 
 
188 THE ^VVGARIAU BROTHERS. 
 
 His alarm at this circumstance, was heightened 
 by the consciousness of their distance from any suc- 
 cour. He could only chafe her cold hands, and 
 press his warm cheek to her's, as if hoping that 
 might communicate something of its own life. 
 
 She revived shortly after : yet the clay-like co- 
 lour of her once vivid complexion, still remained : 
 her hands trembled, her lips quivered, her respira- 
 tion was quick and interrupted, and when she at- 
 tempted speech, she was obliged to stop frequently, 
 for want of breath. 
 
 Demetrius gazed on her, with an air of distrac- 
 tion. 
 
 " Is this but fatigue, or fear, my Constantia ?" 
 he exclaimed, " or some new suffering occasioned 
 by your uncle? or is it, what my fond heart will 
 break to have confirmed, — is it illness ?" 
 
 Tears swam in the Princess's eyes, as she an- 
 swered him. 
 
 " I am not so well as I used to be," she .sighed 
 out, M but you know I never was very strong ; and 
 such a separation from you, together with anxieties 
 and discomforts, have rather injured my health ; 
 however, I promise to live for your sake." She 
 stopped, then added in a suffocated tone, " if Hea- 
 ven permit me !" 
 
 " If Heaven permit you !" repeated Demetrius, 
 clasping her hands with agony in his ; " O Con- 
 stantia! am I a second time to suffer — " He 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 189 
 
 broke off abruptly ; and suddenly releasing her, 
 walked to the end of the grotto. 
 
 At sight of her lover's anguish, Constantia re- 
 proached herself for yielding to a despondency 
 which accidental circumstances had thus deepened. 
 She approached Demetrius, and sought to compose 
 him. He turned wildly round, and passionately 
 upbraided her for concealing her altered health from 
 her friends. 
 
 " What could I do ?" asked Constantia, u how 
 was I to have informed them ? you forget that I 
 have long been denied the privilege of seeing or 
 writing to any one." 
 
 " Was there no creature in that hateful house, 
 who was accessible to bribery or intreaty ? — surely 
 some servant might have been found — " 
 
 Constantia gently interrupted him : u I have 
 always held such conduct in abhorrence. Not even 
 for you, my Demetrius, would I try to corrupt the 
 fidelity of another. Not that I consider myself 
 bound to keep terms with my uncle ; (for every 
 stratagem, I can invent to see or correspond with 
 you, I shall seize without scruple ;) but a principle 
 of right, teaches me not to procure my own grati- 
 fication at the expense of an inferior's integrity." 
 
 Demetrius gave her a look, expressive of that 
 admiration, which for awhile had displaced his 
 grief. Constantia seized the calm moment, and 
 
190 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 taking up a casket which fell from her hand when 
 she fainted, held it out to him. 
 
 " This little casket, she said, with a languid 
 smile, contains the means of future happiness, I 
 trust for both of us. Listen to me Demetrius. 
 After we parted last night, I spent many hours in 
 revolving our conversation, and considering the 
 best method for ending the cruel oppression that 
 undermines my health. The result of these reflec- 
 tions, has been a determination to appeal publicly 
 against the tyranny of my uncle. 
 
 " I have written a candid, and, I hope, mode- 
 rate narrative of the undue methods by which he 
 endeavours to influence my will : I have stated my 
 own willingness to remain obedient to him in all 
 reasonable things, even to that of foregoing any in- 
 tercourse with you, till his guardianship should ex- 
 pire ; and I have addressed this to a near relation 
 
 of our's, the Canoness of , whom I intreat 
 
 to take such legal steps as may transfer this power 
 to herself ; being ready to seclude myself in a con- 
 vent under her protection, till I am of age. 
 
 " This narrative, with copies of my dear father's 
 and grandmamma's wills, are inclosed in the casket 
 I now give you. — It rests with you, my Demetrius, 
 to have it delivered safely. If you can confide in 
 your servant, let him set off with it, immediately, to 
 
 in Bohemia, where the Canoness now is. I 
 
 trust the course of justice, is not interrupted in 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 191 
 
 Franconia; once released from the misery of per- 
 petual persecution, I think, health would soon re- 
 turn to me : and then, to wait only eighteen months, 
 for bliss and my Demetrius, would not be insup- 
 portable." 
 
 Unable to rephf , Demetrius kissed her hands 
 fervently. A long silence ensued : after which 
 they conversed on the probable event of this new 
 enterprize. It seemed to Demetrius, like a pros- 
 pect of paradise: His sanguine soul rushed for- 
 wards to meet its completion, with a joy so certain, 
 that it painted his countenance with fresh bloom. 
 
 His health, his youth, his beauty, still flourish- 
 ed in the sight of Constantia, while her's were fast 
 wasting into nought : She could have wept with 
 bitter regret, had not regard for his feelings, re- 
 pelled her tears. 
 
 It was settled, that Pierre should be dispatched 
 to the Canoness, early the next morning ; and that 
 Demetrius might as he saw fit, impart the business 
 to his brother and Adelaide. Constantia being 
 only anxious to preserve them from her uncle's in- 
 sult. 
 
 She instructed her lover to deposit the Ca- 
 noness's answer in the hollow of an old tree, which, 
 though near that part of the wall by which he en- 
 tered the grounds, was so overgrown by other trees 
 and a quantity of ivy, that it was not likely to be 
 observed by others. Here the letter, covered with 
 
192 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 moss and leaves and stones, might lie till she had 
 next an opportunity of visiting the gardens, and re- 
 placing it by one from herself. 
 
 With this night, their meetings were to end : 
 for the Prince of Nuremberg was expected the en- 
 suing day. When they might meet again, Deme- 
 trius knew not : and he would therefore have pro- 
 longed her stay, beyond discretion, had it not been 
 for the threatening appearance of the night, which 
 now foreboded heavy rain. 
 
 The moon and stars were completely obscured ; 
 the wind only rushed through the trees, in unfre- 
 quent blasts ; and the sides of the grotto, became 
 moist and cold. 
 
 After combating much opposition from the 
 timid Princess, he at length obtained permission to 
 accompany her as far as the entrance of a high, 
 green terrace behind the palace, where opened an 
 apartment, of which her indulgent aunt had given 
 her the key. 
 
 Demetrius threw the military cloak he wore, 
 around the slender form of his beloved ; and half 
 wafting her forward with his arm, speeded her 
 trembling steps, and quieted her fears. 
 
 They were both, too anxious, and too hurried 
 for conversation. Sometimes Demetrius pressed 
 her momentarily against his breast, as they flew 
 along ; sometimes a sigh bursting from both their 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 193 
 
 hearts at the same instant, seemed to mingle their 
 very beings. 
 
 They proceeded in utter darkness, under fast- 
 falling drops of rain ; till quitting the shade, the 
 solitary terrace, with only one dim light burning in 
 the lower chamber, stretched darkly before them. 
 They stopped ; and Constantia throwing herself 
 back into the arms of her lover, renewed her pray- 
 ers for his safety, and the completion of their mutual 
 wishes. She then tore herself from his embrace ; 
 and Demetrius turned sorrowfully back. 
 
 In all probability, Pierre had been solacing him- 
 self with the society of the gardener's daughter ; 
 for he displayed not the least discontent at his mas- 
 ter's long absence ; though the place he sheltered 
 in, was not high enough to admit any thing taller 
 than a spade. 
 
 Demetrius found him contentedly sitting among 
 bags of flower-seeds, and bundles of dried herbs : 
 He started up at the sound of his voice, and ex- 
 pressed the utmost pleasure at seeing him safe 
 again. 
 
 " You must be in my chamber to-morrow morn- 
 ing, by day-break:" said Demetrius, when they 
 reached his lodgings. " I have business that you 
 must do for me, in Bohemia. I confide in ycu im- 
 plicitly, you see Pierre. — Remember discretion. — 
 Good night." 
 
 Pierre promised, and they entered the house. 
 
 VOL. II. s 
 
194 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The morning was just dawning, when the active 
 Pierre, presented himself, ready habited for his 
 journey: Demetrius then gave him a sealed packet, 
 directing him to deliver it into no hands but those 
 of the Canoness ; to wait her answer, and when he 
 had got that, to return with the utmost speed. 
 
 He waited the reappearance of Pierre, before he 
 ventured to r.gitate Charles and Adelaide, with the 
 detail of his own rashness, and Princess Constantia's 
 sufferings. When this expected messenger arrived, 
 he brought a billet from the Canoness, which, (as 
 Demetrius was to open), at once dissipated every 
 fear. It contained these lines. — 
 
 " To Princess Constantia of Nuremberg. 
 
 " MY DEAR CHILD ! 
 
 " I have received your distressing appeal against 
 the treatment of your guardian ; and I hope you 
 will find, by my future conduct in the affair, that 
 you have not applied to an unfeeling relation. I 
 do not sanction family feuds : but still less do I ap- 
 prove of an abuse of power : So, if on further peru- 
 sal, and consideration of what you have written, and 
 after thorough investigation, I find no reason to alter, 
 my present resolution, you may speedily expect le- 
 gal redress. 
 
 " Of the young Count in question, and the pro- 
 priety of your persisting to marry him, when you 
 come of age, we will talk when I see you : / shall 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 195 
 
 ©nly try to persuade ; your uncle it seems, has 
 threatened. Farewel my dear child, I commend 
 you to the keeping of all the saints, and am your 
 affectionate kinswoman 
 
 Ulrica." 
 
 With this precious pledge of success in his hand, 
 Demetrius hastened to Baron Ingersdorf's, where 
 he confided to his brother and to Adelaide, the im- 
 portant secret. 
 
 They heard him, with very different feelings 
 from those which crimsoned his cheek, and made 
 his pulses beat : Joy, sat on his smooth brow ; so- 
 licitude and distrust contracted theirs. It was not 
 till Demetrius had repeated every circumstance, 
 and coloured the attachment of Pierre, in the warm- 
 est manner, that Leopolstat admitted a belief of his 
 honesty*, however, the second meeting with Con- 
 stantia, having passed off safely, and a letter from 
 her relation being then before them, were the strongs 
 est arguments in his favour. 
 
 Charl'es^esought Demetrius to confide nothing 
 to his servant, which necessity did not demand ; 
 lamenting that the attachment between his brother 
 and the Princess, prevented his standing forth as 
 her champion, in a cause which had claims upon 
 every man of honour. Where there were such 
 splendid inducements for selfishness to seek its 
 own aggrandisement, by vindicating her freedom of 
 
1961 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 choice, he knew that few spirits would believe them 
 actuated by nobler motives. He therefore exhort- 
 ed Demetrius, to avoid any precipitate measure 
 dictated by the mere passion of love. 
 
 When her brother went out, to deposit the let- 
 ter in the appointed place, Adelaide renewed the dis- 
 course : She trembled at the possibility of treachery 
 in an affair which involved, not merely the happi- 
 ness, but perhaps the life of her dearest Constantia; 
 to end this doubt, she suggested a plan which Leo- 
 polstat sanctioned by the fullest approval. 
 
 It was a letter to Count Forshiem ; whose vi- 
 cinity to the Canoness's abode, would enable him to 
 learn from her own lips, whether a packet from her 
 voung relation had really been delivered into her 
 hands. If his inquiry should be answered in the 
 affirmative, Adelaide allowed they might then dis- 
 miss every fear of Pierre's fidelity, and look with 
 • onndence to the release of their friend. 
 
 " I shall say nothing of this, to Demetrius ;" 
 *aid the Countess, as she wrote the letter for her 
 husband, " he would be indignant at my suspicions 
 of this poor servant. But I don't suspect him, be- 
 cause he is poor and ignorant, 'tis because he is a 
 Frenchman." 
 
 " Equally liberal, and unprejudiced, my Ade- 
 laide ! " observed the Count, smiling, " trust me, 
 many a gallant and virtuous man, marches even 
 under the banner of Buonaparte." 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 197" 
 
 " Now, are not you, illiberal, in this unqualified 
 expression . ? " his wife archly asked. 
 
 u Surely not:" was his reply, "for we can form 
 a judgment of an individual, from the tenor of his 
 conduct; that which we pass on multitudes, of 
 whom we only know that they were born in such a 
 particular country, must be contemptibly errone- 
 ous." 
 
 Pleased to be convinced by her husband, Ade- 
 laide, like all other good wives, acknowledged the 
 superiority of his reason by which she was silenced : 
 and Charles, more than ever enamoured of her gen- 
 tleness, almost thought imperfections lovely, when 
 they thus afforded opportunities for the display of 
 affection. 
 
 Demetrius, meanwhile, was watching an oppor- 
 tunity to place a letter from himself, and that of 
 the Canoness, in the hollow tree. It was some 
 time ere he found the road quite solitary: He then 
 vaulted over the wall, deposited his packet; wafted 
 a thousand sighs, kisses, and blessings, to the pri- 
 son of his Constantia, and hastened back to Baron 
 Ingersdorf's. 
 
 s 2 
 
198 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 FROM the hour in which she last saw Deme- 
 trius, Princess Constantia was suffering both from 
 illness and affliction. 
 
 The inclement night under which she went to 
 meet her lover, had pierced her delicate frame : 
 After reaching home, she sunk on her bed, scarcely 
 .sensible to any thing but a chill like death, which 
 had not- entirely left her limbs, when her aunt came 
 to see her in the morning. 
 
 This kind, but weak woman, had always testifi- 
 ed such compassion for Constantia, that it evident- 
 ly depended solely on the latter, to insure her ac- 
 tive friendship : yet Constantia would not use a sin- 
 gle artifice, nor urge one complaint, to betray her 
 aunt into actions which she knew her character well 
 enough to be convinced, would afterwards awaken 
 repentance. 
 
 The Princess of Nuremberg lamented her hus- 
 band's injustice and violence j and continued to love 
 him. Constantia, in her place, would have made 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 199 
 
 the cause of innocence, her own, and would have 
 given the man she once adored, only the alternative 
 of losing her heart, or of abandoning his oppression. 
 
 But she did not expect this, from the Princess. 
 Her pliant softness might be won to sanction the 
 meetings of the lovers, or to forward letters to 
 Adelaide ; but in exciting her to this, Constantia 
 saw she would be tasking a feeble spirit, beyond its 
 strength : as every assistance thus rendered, would 
 lie on the conscience of the Princess like so many 
 sins. 
 
 This conviction of her aunt's weakness, did not 
 lessen the gratitude of Constantia. How warmly 
 had her affectionate heart registered the silent tears 
 she had shed for her sake, when some alarming pa- 
 ragraph about the army, had been cruelly read aloud 
 by the Prince ! — how often had this pitying woman 
 stolen at midnight from the side of her husband, to 
 bring those restoratives to Constantia, which her de- 
 caying state demanded, but, which the worthless 
 Nuremberg prohibited ! — All these things, were re- 
 membered by one, in whom gratitude was only se- 
 condary to love ! 
 
 The Princess now sat by Constantia's bed, 
 while she took her slight breakfast, and then after- 
 wards, descended with her into the music-room, 
 where she strove to beguile away her indisposition, 
 by the charms of harmony. 
 
 When the day was far advanced, Nuremberg- 
 
200 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS* 
 
 returned alone ; and then his stormy brow, an- 
 nounced a coming whirlwind. 
 
 He fixed his eyes upon his niece, with a look 
 that withered her very heart. She turned pale j 
 almost fancying she saw in that look, his knowledge 
 of her appeal to the Canoness. 
 
 Contrary to his usual custom he never address- 
 ed her ; spoke little to his wife, and that in a bitter 
 spirit ; angrily repulsed his child when it attempt- 
 ed to caress him ; and on seeing it creep towards 
 Constantia, fiercely plucked it back, exclaiming in a 
 voice like a clap of thunder, " Have I not com- 
 manded you to avoid her, as you would poison ?" 
 
 The pretty babe ran sobbing, and cast itself into 
 its mother's arms ; who, with a tone of sorrowful 
 reproach, merely ventured to pronounce her hus- 
 band's name.- — Constantia trembled, and grew paler 
 still. 
 
 The Prince then rang for refreshments : found 
 fault with every thing that was brought ; cursed 
 the weather, the house, and the situation ; quarrel- 
 led in short with every object that met his sight, or 
 came into his thoughts ; and acted all the extrava- 
 gancies of a madman, without deigning to give his 
 terrified wife, the least intimation of what had hap- 
 pened to discompose him. 
 
 After exhausting his rage upon contemptible 
 subjects, he suddenly struck into political prophecy ; 
 painting the state of the empire, in colours which 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 201 
 
 made his hearers shudder. He detailed the scheme 
 of the remaining part of the campaign ; and hav- 
 ing exaggerated the French troops, and the hor- 
 ror of combating them amongst the Alps, informed 
 his wife, that Count Leopolstat's hussars, were or- 
 dered on that service. " Every one," he exclaim- 
 ed, with malicious triumph, " every one looks up- 
 on these fellows as already in their graves. Of 
 course, they must all be cut in pieces : even that 
 young lady's redoubtable hero ; unless he be a se- 
 cond Achilles, invulnerable every way but in the 
 heel. However, I fear even so, he might share the 
 fate of his companions ; as I am much mistaken if 
 he would not turn on his heel, from the enemy." 
 
 At this brutal sarcasm, Constantia started from 
 her seat ; indignation lent her just enough strength 
 to totter out of the room : when she reached ano- 
 ther apartment, she sunk breathless upon the ground. 
 
 Never before, did she so sensibly feel the altera- 
 tion which decayed health had made in her very 
 soul: a benumbing power, seemed to have con- 
 gealed those quick tides of generous resentment and 
 glowing zeal, that once flowed at the smallest im- 
 pulse. She felt blighted in every part of her ; and 
 scarcely thought it possible for health and liberty, 
 to revive the capability of happiness. 
 
 Of Demetrius, she now thought with grief. 
 Abandoned to despair, she believed herself lost for 
 ever \ and as her eyes accidentally fell on her own 
 
202 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 image in a mirror, she averted them with a thrill of 
 acute regret. That beauty which she never prized 
 till it had been praised by Demetrius, that beauty 
 which she wished preserved only to delight him, 
 was gone, most likely never to return : And the 
 spirit which formerly gave it its brightest charm, 
 was completely annihilated. 
 
 Weeping and disconsolate, she seated herself in 
 a window, from which she gazed upon that part of 
 the garden, where she had so lately been with her 
 lover : She gazed with piercing pain ; for her 
 thoughts were full of the belief that they should 
 meet no more in this world. Sad ideas floated suc- 
 cessively through her mind, in the language of love 
 and melancholy, till they formed themselves into 
 the following stanzas. — 
 
 To Demetrius. 
 
 While from my cheek, health's redd'ning glow re- 
 treats, 
 And youth's bright light, deserts my dark'ning eyes ; 
 While scarce a pulse beneath that pressure beats, 
 Which pitying tenderness so oft applies ; 
 
 While cheerful thought expires, and hope decays, 
 And all things wither in my heart, save thee ; 
 How can I wish to blight thy summer days, 
 By linking thine, to my sad destiny ? 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 20S 
 
 Is it for me, (faint, spiritless, and cold,) 
 To cling destroying, on thy opening years ; 
 With dead'ning force their shooting powers enfold, 
 And drench each ardent bloom, in killing tears ? 
 
 Is it for me, to pay thy gen'rous love 
 
 With a chang'd person, and a changing mind j 
 
 Seeking alone, a selfish joy to prove, 
 
 While vows eternal, should thy honour bind ? 
 
 Perish the thought ! — and let this cherish'd fire 
 That even now burns quenchless in my breast ; 
 This passion true, this fond, this pure desire, 
 Sink with my wasting frame to endless rest. — 
 
 Gone, are the rosy smiles that won thy heart ; 
 The sparkling glance, the gay delighted air ; 
 Sorrow and sickness both, have said, depart ! 
 To all that made me in thy fancy, fair : 
 
 Then 5 since no blessing I have left to give, 
 Since youth, and health, and hope, before me fly ; 
 For thee, no longer will I ask to live ; — 
 But, ah ! for thee, thee only, do I die. 
 
 Her whole soul was absorbed in the awful idea, 
 suggested by the last line, when the Princess of 
 Nuremberg entered the apartment. u Had you 
 not better retire to rest?" she said softly : " Ama- 
 deus has been playing, I find, and bad luck has em- 
 
204 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 bittered his temper more than usual. Forgive him, 
 my dearest girl ; he means well ; but he does not 
 know the nature of women: he believes we are only 
 to be conquered by authority. Lean on my arm — 
 I will lead you up stairs, and though I dare not 
 stay with you, the good Josepha shall watch by you, 
 till you sleep." — 
 
 Constantia' s swimming eyes, gratefully lifted 
 for a moment from the ground, thanked her aunt : 
 she took her arm with a sigh: and slowly advanc- 
 ing from one landing of the stair-case to another, at 
 length reached her own chamber. 
 
 No refreshing slumber settled on the heavy eye- 
 lids of Constantia : her rest was broken with fever- 
 ish starts, acute pangs, and all those mixed tor- 
 ments of burning heat and chilling rigors, which 
 precede a violent disorder. Multitudes of hideous 
 spectres seemed gliding through the gloom of her 
 apartment ; and sometimes she started from a pro- 
 found sleep, at the fancied sound of supernatural 
 whisperings. 
 
 In the morning, Josepha (an old domestic who 
 had not left her all night) roused the family physi- 
 cian : He found the young Princess delirious, and 
 her fever increasing every hour. 
 
 From the moment this intelligence was com- 
 municated to the wife of Nuremberg, she refused 
 to abandon Constantia, in what she deemed her 
 last agonies ; though her barbarous husband, mut- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 205 
 
 tcred horrible triumphings, and loaded her with 
 every term of contempt. She watched in the sick 
 chamber, day and night, for seven days, when the 
 fever turned favourably ; and the Prince received 
 a letter, which forcing him to quit home again, left 
 his wife and niece to themselves. 
 
 Unconscious of her danger, whose safety was 
 as precious to him as his own honour, Demetrius 
 spent four of these seven days, in waiting for the 
 Canoness's letter ; on the fifth, he concealed it in 
 the appointed place, and for three successive morn- 
 ings vainly visited the spot, to receive the promised 
 answer. Disappointed and apprehensive, he com- 
 missioned Pierre to discover the probable reason of 
 this circumstance ; and Pierre soon returned with 
 the afflicting account of Constantia's illness. 
 
 The first shock of this intelligence, awhile bereft 
 Demetrius of every faculty : but no sooner did 
 thought and passion return, than he resolved to 
 brave every thing, and attempt seeing her. 
 
 Pierre respectfully and warmly remonstrated 
 against such rashness : but finding his master reso- 
 lute, he suggested a plausible method of accomplish- 
 ing his wish. It was to repair in the dark of the 
 evening, disguised as a courier, who brought some- 
 thing of import from the Prince of Nuremberg: 
 so to obtain admittance to the Princess ; wjiose 
 permission for seeing Constantia, he might then 
 
 VOL. II. T 
 
206 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 implore; or at least obtain from her a true state- 
 ment of his beloved's situation. 
 
 This plan (Pierre urged,) could be attended 
 with no other risk than that of the Princess refus- 
 ing to hear his petition : while a bold attempt at en- 
 trance, might subject him to insult, perhaps out- 
 rage, from the domestics of the Palace. Nay, it 
 would not bring him a step nearer the object desir- 
 ed, as he could not even then, see Constantia, un- 
 less permitted by her aunt. 
 
 This prompt and feasible scheme was no sooner 
 heard than embraced by Demetrius : he resolved 
 to make an essay that very evening, when his ab- 
 sence would not be noticed, as Charles was going 
 to leave the confinement of a sopha for the first 
 time, and receive a few friends, who had not hither- 
 to been admitted to his presence. So wild a pro- 
 ject, Demetrius well knew, would not receive his 
 sanction: therefore he resolved to conceal it, till 
 success should have absolved him of rashness. 
 
 Dinner was over, and the happy family at Baron 
 Ingersdorf's gathering round their desert, when 
 they were delightfully surprised by the entrance of 
 Count Forshiem and his young wife, Demetrius 
 started up with a glow of pleasant recollections, to 
 salute the still-gay Lorenza; while Adelaide rose 
 smilingly, to welcome this new acquaintance j and 
 Leopolstat embraced Forshiem with a brother's 
 kindness. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 207 
 
 " We have lately changed our quarters," said 
 Forshiem in answer to a question of Marshal In- 
 gersdorfs, u and being on the very confines of Aus- 
 tria, I could not resist a desire to see Leopolstat's 
 recovery with my own eyes : besides, this dear 
 little fool, (whom I have the honour to present to 
 you all, as my agreeable torment for life ;) was so 
 impatient to behold the whole circle, that I had no 
 rest, till I obtained leave to depart." 
 
 u Have you not got my letter?" asked Charles. 
 
 44 I have not had any letter these ten days," re- 
 plied his friend, " if you wrote to our last canton- 
 ments, it is probably journeying after me." 
 
 Adelaide and her husband exchanged a glance 
 of extreme disappointment ; but spoke not. 
 
 The conversation then took that turn which al- 
 ways happens, when long-absent friends appear sud- 
 denly, and meet in happiness. The circle was too 
 large, and every person in it, too much animated, 
 for a calm or tender tone : the more joyous spirits, 
 gave the strongest impulse ; and those that singly 
 would have been serious, became soon, as tumultu- 
 ously exhilarated as Forshiem himself. 
 
 In the midst of their gaiety, Demetrius apolo- 
 gized for the necessity he was under of keeping an 
 appointment which he could not evade j but express- 
 ed a warm hope of finding the party still together, 
 when he should certainly return to supper. 
 
 No one noticed that he spoke with agitation, ex- 
 
208 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 cept Charles, who was struck with his manner, and 
 beckoned him to approach. His thoughts were start- 
 led at the suspicion of another duel between his bro- 
 ther and Nuremberg. 
 
 " Why are you so agitated, Demetrius," he whis- 
 pered > and anxiously pressed his hand, " for Hea- 
 ven's sake tell me, whether the Prince of Nurem- 
 berg has discovered — " 
 
 " He knows nothing about me," hastily answered 
 Demetrius, " I am not going to meet him : he is far 
 off — surely Charles there is nothing wonderful in 
 having an appointment ? and mine, believe me, is 
 not one to alarm any-body." 
 
 " You are sure of it r" 
 
 " Certain," and the sunny smile which for a mo- 
 ment brightened the face of Demetrius, composed 
 his brother : he shook his hand affectionately, and 
 released him. 
 
 Demetrius hastened into the garden, at the end 
 of which, Pierre was in readiness, with the courier's 
 dress. 
 
 " 'Tis like to be a dreadful night," said the man, 
 as he thrust his master's fine hair under a huge lea- 
 ther cap. 
 
 " No matter," replied Demetrius, " I care very 
 little <what sort of a night it proves, if I may but see 
 my Constantia — and find her indeed safe" — his full 
 heart stopped the speech. 
 
 The quick flashes of lightning that now vibrat- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 203 
 
 ed every instant through the trees ; and the distant 
 thunder which began to mutter low and deep among 
 the clouds, rather appalled Pierre : he expressed 
 some apprehension for the horse his master was to 
 ride, which he had tied to a tree at some distance 
 from the garden gates : and indeed the poor fellow 
 was so eager to get out of danger himself, that he 
 scarcely gave Demetrius time to adjust half his no- 
 vel accoutrements. 
 
 The night was sultry, and so still, that except 
 the repeated peals of thunder, no sound was heard 
 to drown the voices of Pierre and his master : they 
 were therefore, forced to speak in whispers ; and to 
 open the iron gates, with extreme precaution. 
 
 A broad sheet of lightning quivered on their sur- 
 face, when Demetrius impatiently threw them open, 
 and rushed into the road. He looked back towards 
 the house ; thought of the affectionate circle he had 
 left there ; and breathing a prayer for success and 
 his Constantia, took the road to her uncle's palace. 
 
 •*2 
 
210 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 " IS not my brother come yet ?" asked Leopol- 
 stat the next morning, when, leaning on the arm of 
 his wife, he entered the breakfast parlour. 
 
 Count Forshiem answered in the negative, gaily 
 adding, " since he seems resolved to spoil our break- 
 fast as he did our supper, by making it wait for him, 
 we must enter into a resolution not to forgive the 
 truant trick he played us last night. Unless the gal- 
 lant gentleman can make a very good excuse for him- 
 self, I think the dignity and charms of these fair la- 
 dies, have been grossly insulted." 
 
 "The charms of some lady, as fair as our's," 
 observed the Baron, " may have tempted him to 
 forego our supper." 
 
 " It's more likely," interrupted the Marshal, 
 a that the provoking puppy has caught an atrocious 
 cold, and is at this time writhing in bed. He must 
 have been out, in all that storm of thunder and light- 
 ning, and rain, and so I'll post off to his lodgings, 
 and see after him." 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 211 
 
 As the Marshal took up his hat, Charles thank- 
 ed him with a bow and a smile ; and the two Count- 
 esses laughingly bade him bear their eternal enmity 
 to Demetrius, for having thrown such a stigma on 
 their joint attractions. 
 
 u I fear there is something deucedly inhuman in 
 this Austrian air," exclaimed Forshiem, " for I 
 protest to you all, that not even the woeful supposi- 
 tion uttered by the Marshal as he vanished just now, 
 has been able to damp the ardour with which I con- 
 template my breakfast. Are you hungry good folks, 
 or are ye not ? I profess myself famishing : and 
 therefore, mean to fall upon the bread and ham, this 
 very moment, and for these very reasons : — 
 
 " If my friend Demetrius is only idle and inso- 
 lent I should be a great fool to stay my appetite for 
 such a coxcomb : if he is sickish^ we shall all be so 
 miserable upon it, that I know none of us will dare 
 to ask for anything to eat. I really cannot grieve 
 on an empty stomach : if I don't replenish myself 
 with food, I have no strength to groan j and if I 
 don't drink, I can shed no tears." 
 
 u But you can harangue pretty stoutly," inter- 
 rupted his wife, " and so fast and so fluently too, that 
 it is the mutual interest of the Countess and me, to 
 silence you with your breakfast immediately. If we 
 don't do so, your noisy tongue will have wearied 
 every body's attention, before we can claim our fe- 
 male privilege, and use our's." 
 
212 THB HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The table was now quickly surrounded and the 
 liveliness which every one assumed to drive away 
 the uneasiness visible in the face of Leopolstat, soon 
 awakened his sportive wit, and made the time of the 
 Marshal's absence, pass less anxiously. 
 
 The Baron and Count Forshiem were i 1 the 
 midst of a whimsical dispute, when the latter was 
 told that a person wanted to speak with him in the 
 anti-room : he obeyed the summons. V* hat was his 
 surprise to behold, Marshal Ingersdorf with a face 
 as pale as death, and scarcely able to speak from 
 agitation ! 
 
 Forshiem stood aghast. " What has happened:" 
 he exclaimed, in a low voice. 
 
 " He has never been at home !" exclaimed the 
 Marshal, " they know nothing of him." 
 
 " Who do you mean? the people at his lodgings?" 
 
 " Yes ! — they have not seen him since yesterday; 
 when he was there to dress for dinner. Heaven only 
 knows whither he can have gone, or what has be- 
 come of him ! — " 
 
 Solicitous to quiet the alarm in which he now 
 partook largely himself, Forshiem rather inconsi- 
 derately suggested, that he might have supped with 
 a party of wild young men, drank too much wine, 
 and been betrayed into a momentary forgetfulness 
 ©f every body else, by the allurements of some 
 pretty opera girl j that if this party were held at 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 213 
 
 ©ne of the company's villas it might be a mile or 
 two off; and so his late appearance was natural. 
 
 At mention of an opera girl, the Marshal rough- 
 ly snatched his hand out of Forshiem's, angrily 
 saying, " No Sir ! thi% headstrong boy was once 
 the victim of passion; but I'd stake my life, he 
 would never submit to be the slave of sense." — 
 
 Forshiem's frank avowal that he really spoke 
 what he was far from believing himself, reconciled 
 the Marshal: in the midst of their discourse, Charles 
 appeared. 
 
 His anxious, eager countenance, instantly caught 
 the infectious paleness of theirs: at that moment, 
 Forshiem almost wished the earth would open and 
 swallow him, for his late unseasonable buffoonery ; 
 but he hastened to atone for it, by calming his 
 friend's worst fears. 
 
 u I must see these people myself:" said Charles 
 after Forshiem ceased, " you know I cannot go to 
 them j they must be sent for — will you, my dear 
 fellow, hasten to the Prince of Nuremberg's, and 
 learn whether the Prince be there ; whether in short, 
 it be possible, that a duel with him" — he stopped, 
 overcome for an instant, then resumed hastily, u did 
 you see his servant, Sir? — surely he could tell where 
 his master went last night." 
 
 " His servant is missing too." — replied the 
 Marshal. At this intelligence Leopolstat, struck 
 with the most horrible suspicion, was transfixed ^o 
 
214 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 the spot : the Marshal eyeing him, shook off a tear, 
 and said in a tremulous voice, " I could almost 
 wish, I had never burned my fingers with touching 
 any of you ! — I thought that I had worked out my 
 own happiness, and that ofcfta dozen other folks be- 
 sides, and I'm like to find the very reverse. I tell 
 you Forshiem, this Demetrius has caused us all 
 more heart-aches, than ever he'll be worth ducats. 
 I wish I had him here, only for five minutes ! — if 
 the puppy does shew his face again, mind, I'll not 
 look at it. He may come when he likes, and go 
 when he likes, for I'll never notice one of his ac- 
 tions. His brother in such a state too ! — I'll never 
 forgive him — if he's above ground, I'll never for- 
 give him." — 
 
 Marshal Ingersdorf left the room as he conclu- 
 ded, in order to send for the persons Leopolstat 
 wished to question. Both Charles and Forshiem 
 remained silent. 
 
 Their continued absence could not but excite 
 some uneasiness in the ladies and Baron Ingers- 
 dorf: Adelaide ventured to seek them ; and soon 
 afterwards, the cause of all this mystery, spread dis- 
 may throughout the house. 
 
 The persons inhabiting the place where Deme- 
 trius had apartments, now appeared. They merely 
 repeated Marshal Ingersdorf 's first account ; except 
 that they remembered seeing Pierre come in at 
 night, with two other men, and go up to his mas- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS, 215 
 
 ter's room, where they staid only a few minutes, 
 and went out again all together. 
 
 The Marshal had himself been again to the 
 lodgings ; had opened all the drawers and bureaus, 
 but finding every thing safe, and not a single paper 
 that could lead to information, concluded Pierre 
 was innocent of what they suspected — a robbery. 
 
 " Charles ! my dear Charles !" cried Adelaide 
 approaching him, as he sat speechless with grief and 
 perplexity, u we alarm ourselves too much, perhaps ; 
 is it not possible that Constantia and he, may last 
 night, have been so imprudent as to fly together:" — 
 
 Her husband started : joy flashed over his face : 
 u O my dear Adelaide," he cried, u I would pur- 
 chase that conviction, I believe at the price of half 
 my dearest hopes." — 
 
 She blushed, as he pressed her to his bosom, 
 while she softly whispered, " Is it me, or your 
 child, you would resign:" — 
 
 " Not you, dearest angel of my life ! " Charles 
 replied, u nor yet — O neither! neither." — 
 
 Count Forshiem who had been some time ab- 
 sent, now re-entered ; alas ! he was destined to 
 destroy their momentary hope. The Prince of Nu- 
 remberg was at on state business : the Princess 
 
 hearing Count Forshiem's errand, ventured to ad- 
 mit him ; and had herself not only told him this, 
 but assured him Constantia was just pronounced out 
 of danger from a brain fever. 
 
21$ THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Here ended this feeble ground for consolatiom. 
 Forshiem, the Baron, and the Marshal, were again 
 dispersed in search of information : one was charged 
 with scrutinizing all parts of Vienna for the sus- 
 pected Pierre ; the other was to procure advertise- 
 ments, to be circulated in every direciion ; the last, 
 was to make a tour through the places of public en- 
 tertainment, which had been open the night before ; 
 through all the coffee-houses where he might have 
 been seen, or where some person might be iound^ 
 who could give account of him. 
 
 Charles, meanwhile, employed himself and his 
 wife, in writing notes to different young men, whom 
 they had heard Demetrius mention : hoping to ob- 
 tain, through some one of these various channels, a 
 key to the mystery. 
 
 The day closed without a single discovery. No 
 one had seen Demetrius, since the moment in which 
 he left the room at Baron Ingersdorf 's ; and P! s 
 very few associates, proved their complete igno- 
 rance of his concealment. Officers of justice were 
 now in search of this man ; and to his capture and 
 confession, Leopolstat secretly looked for all that he 
 should ever hear again of his beloved brother. 
 
 There was no sorrow on earth, strong enough 
 to conquer Charles's consideration for those around 
 him. He stifled every expression of grief, or im- 
 patience ; and it was only by his continual though 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 217 
 
 suffocated sighs, that Adelaide found daring the 
 night, that he never slept. 
 
 Unable himself to walk, or even to bear the 
 quick motion of a carriage, Leopolstat was obliged 
 to delegate his duty to others. Again his active 
 friends commenced new inquiries ; again returned 
 unsuccessful : letters, messages, visitors, came every 
 hour to the gate of the house, but each came to pro- 
 fess the same ill-fortune. 
 
 Count Forshiem was at length forced to aban- 
 don his share in a task which he performed with a 
 brother's zeal: the truce was just terminating; 
 every officer was recalled to his regiment, and he 
 could no longer remain from his. He departed, 
 leaving Lorenza as a companion for Adelaide, whose 
 spirits failed under the sight of her husband's dis- 
 tress, and the pressure of her own. 
 
 During a week's hopeless search, the thoughts of 
 C l Leopolstat often reverted to Colonel Wurtz- 
 bujgh : it is true, that he had received from this 
 gentleman, a very strong and amazed denial of his 
 having the slightest knowledge of Demetrius, or his 
 concerns ; but still, an instinctive suspicion haunted 
 him like a spectre, and like a spectre vanished when 
 he would have scrutinized it. 
 
 How, or why Wurtzburgh should have a share 
 in his brother's disappearance, he could not form an 
 idea : — Wurtzburgh was with his regiment near In- 
 golstadt ; — Wurtzburgh had of late, (at least when 
 
 VOL. II. tj 
 
218 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 they met in Ulm,) been friendly, but not forward : 
 why, then, did he suspect the poor man? — He could 
 not answer the question ; yet for all that, suspicion 
 itself, was not silenced. 
 
 Pierre, unluckily, had been once the Colonel's 
 servant ; and the association of ideas which this 
 circumstance naturally produced, together with 
 Wurtzburgh's dubious conduct at Bolzano, pre- 
 vented Charles from being thoroughly just. 
 
 While uncertain of his brother's fate, his own 
 inaction appeared to him like a crime: yet what 
 could he do; where turn, with any shadow of hope ? 
 —Without he could be present at the same time, in 
 every part of the globe at once, he could not be sure 
 that he was not journeying from the very country 
 that contained the object he sought; and without 
 he had some assurance that Wurtzburgh or the 
 Prince of Nuremberg, were concerned in the affair, 
 he had not a single claim upon them, for a decisive 
 answer to the questions his soul burned to urge. 
 
 Nothing but the discovery of Pierre was likely 
 to unravel the mystery : and for his detection, he 
 now exerted every power of money and of in- 
 fluence. 
 
 A fortnight had elapsed, when Baron Ingers- 
 dorf, (having previously assured himself that Ade- 
 laide was in her dressing-room,) entered the apart- 
 ment of Charles. The deepest conctrn was settled 
 on his amiable countenance ; his hands shook as he 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 219 
 
 took one of Leopolstat's within his, and strenuously 
 pressed it. " My dear Nephew," he said, u I trust 
 you are prepared for something very like a confirm- 
 ation of our worst fears ! I have just now come 
 from a spot nearly a league off, where a country- 
 man has discovered " He faltered ; the fixed 
 
 eyes of Charles alone urged him to proceed — u Has 
 discovered," he resumed, " the clothes of your bro- 
 ther. They were concealed among the bushes of a 
 thicket; but after diligent search, we conclude, that 
 as the river runs near — his body " 
 
 Charles suddenly broke from the Barc n ' s S ra 
 with all the force of his former strength : he Jj 
 not ; but his eyes shot forth a wild and lurid fire, 
 as he flew with frightful haste towards the door of 
 another apartment. 
 
 " Follow me not!"— he wildly exclaimed, push- 
 ing away the Baron who would have entered with 
 him j " Leave me !— leave me to my own heartl- 
 and Heaven ! " 
 
 So saying, he closed the door with pre^ : -^_ 
 tion, and appeared no more for the rer 
 the day. 
 
 The good Baron, alarmed at tb 
 this despair might have upon Ac' 
 devised a method of getting her 
 dispatched a letter to Mada' 
 instructions for her conduct 
 self to his niece, with th£ 
 
220 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 see her immediately. Having said that the Count 
 was engaged with people on business, he got her to 
 leave the house without seeing him ; and certain 
 that Madame de Reusmarck would detain her by 
 civil force, until the evening, he returned to wait 
 the moment of his nephew's reappearance. 
 
 By the time Count Leopolstat had sufficiently 
 mastered that mighty grief, which almost crushed 
 the very centre of life, he quitted his solitude, and 
 joined a melancholy conference, now held betweea 
 aron Ingersdorf, and the Field Marshal. 
 Adelaide's situation, rendered it nearly criminal 
 ,V*ock her with so dreadful a discovery: and as 
 it had always been the Count's wish to have his child 
 born under his own paternal roof, it was agreed that 
 preparations for their immediate journey to Hun- 
 gary, should be commenced. — His wounds not yet 
 healed, and his debilitated health prevented the pos- 
 sibility of his sharing in the future campaign ; and 
 as he had unlimited leave of absence from the Com- 
 — -- J-*r in Chief, it had long been his intention to 
 fc ive air for some months. 
 ' Ingersdorf voluntarily resigned the gra- 
 companying his son and daughter : 
 ~>te every thought and every hour, 
 * discovering that wretch Pierre, 
 s ed by them all, as the mur- 
 
 rre's crime astonished. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 221 
 
 and sometimes staggered their conviction, when 
 they reflected upon the small inducements he had 
 to commit it. Except the miniature of Constantia, 
 encircled with diamonds, which Demetrius wore 
 constantly next his heart ; and a very small sum of 
 money in his purse ; he carried nothing about with 
 him, to tempt any but a hardened villain, to the act 
 of murder. Yet, what other motive could engage 
 Pierre to destroy the gentlest and most generous of 
 masters ? If he were only the instrument of ano- 
 ther's vengeance, (as Charles firmly believed) the 
 clue to a discovery was lost. 
 
 Forshiem.no sooner entered Bohemia^ than he 
 repaired to , where to his utter disappoint- 
 ment, he found the Canoness had just breathed her 
 last. — After her death, (which was sudden,) no 
 person appeared to have met with the appeal of 
 Constantia, amongst her papers ; and no person 
 came forward, as if entrusted with the secret. Whe- 
 ther the letter in reply, therefore, had or had not 
 been her production, was now left in doubt for 
 ever. 
 
 At this period, the safety of his wife was the 
 first consideration with Leopolstat: he secretly 
 covenanted with himself to wait till there was no 
 longer any cause for solicitude ; mean while, to 
 use every means afforded by nature and by art, for 
 his own restoration, and then to revisit Austria, 
 with the full determination of keeping a never- 
 
 y 2 
 
222 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 closing eye upon all the actions of Wurtzburgh and 
 the Prince of Nuremberg. 
 
 " ..y spirit shall not sleep, till I have discover- 
 ed thy fate!" he repeated to himself while he 
 thought of Demetrius, — " never, my brother, shall 
 it cease to hover over the objects of its suspicion, 
 till Heaven permits me to blast them with ample 
 retribution !" 
 
 When Adelaide returned from her visit to Ma- 
 dame Reusmarck, she heard with surprize, but not 
 dissatisfaction, her husband's intention of setting 
 *Out for Leopolstat the second day after the present. 
 There w r as nothing precious to her in Vienna, ex- 
 cept Constantia, whom she had several times vain- 
 ly attempted to see. To all her solicitations the 
 Prince of Nuremberg had civilly replied, " his 
 niece was too ill for company." 
 
 She now wrote to him again ; and the next 
 morning received a freezing permission. 
 
 The spirits of Adelaide, were at present ill-suit- 
 ed to the trial she anticipated : frequently after her 
 carriage was announced, did she rise to go to it, and 
 as often did she sink again upon her chair, weeping 
 and trembling. Constantia had always been inex- 
 pressibly dear, for her own sake, and how much 
 more so now, for that of Demetrius ! — Charles 
 dreaded the consequence of such a meeting, but 
 forbore to express his fears, lest his wife should 
 yield up the sacred duties of humanity and friend- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. U23 
 
 ship, to her fondness for him. When her agitation 
 subsided, he led her to the carriage, in which they 
 were then slowly conveyed to the Palace of Nu- 
 remberg. 
 
 The Prince received Count Leopolstat ; the 
 Princess, led his Countess toConstantia. For some 
 time after the ladies left them, both gentlemen were 
 silent ; at last the Prince said coldly, 
 
 " I find, Sir, you are still unsuccessful in youf* 
 search after your brother. — I wish the young Count 
 had not made it my interest to rejoice in a circum- 
 stance, which otherwise my esteem for you, would 
 have taught me to lament." 
 
 " I know of nothing, Prince !" replied Charles, 
 severely eyeing him, " that can excuse any man 
 for rejoicing in the probable murder of another. — 
 Surely, no act of my brother's, privileges even the 
 Prince of Nuremberg, to boast of so monstrous a 
 joy."'- 
 
 The Prince turned pale with the violence of 
 that gathering passion, which he had not courage 
 to shew. 
 
 " You must allow the Prince of Nuremberg," 
 he said, " to have some regard to propriet . . As 
 the brother of Count Leopolstat, I should always 
 have treated Count Demetrius with just consid* ra- 
 tion; but when he preposterously elevated himself 
 to my level — when he persisted in retaining the af- 
 fections of Princess Constantia — " 
 
224 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 " And did he persist ?" Charles eagerly de- 
 manded: "When your Highness last saw him, 
 was it not to resign those proud hopes ! — Has he 
 since that moment attempted to see or to corres- 
 pond with the Princess ?" — 
 
 The penetrating eyes of Leopolstat, levelled 
 full at the Prince, perhaps put the latter, too soon 
 upon his guard, for evidently checking a fierce re- 
 ply, he answered peevishly, 
 
 " No, I suppose he has not : but the Princess 
 obstinately persists in her attachment, though she 
 knows I have other views for her future establish- 
 ment." 
 
 " After this confession," observed Charles, "you 
 will pardon me, Prince, when I frankly tell you, 
 that I consider your conduct unjust ; and must in- 
 sist on your recalling the expression, which produc- 
 ed this unpleasant discussion. Recollect, you wish- 
 ed my brother had not given you reason to rej< ice 
 in his calamitous fate: you have now acknowledg- 
 ed his innocence ; you are therefore bound, as a 
 man of honour, to unsay whatever would make that 
 innocence doubtful." 
 
 Nuremberg instead of replying, walked up and 
 down the room in great agitation. Charles calmly, 
 but in a tone of determination, enforced his de- 
 mand : his suspicions of the Prince, gathered 
 strength every instant; and he hoped to push this 
 advantage, till the Prince's ungoverned temper* 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 225 
 
 might discover that knowledge of the young Count's 
 elandes.ine visits, which would furnish him with 
 grounds for further examination. — 
 
 " I should be loth to demand publickly," resum- 
 ed Leopolstat, " what your Highness seems wil- 
 ling to withhold in private i but this recantation 
 must be made: yes, Sir! it must: or I stand dis- 
 graced to my brother's memory, and my own con- 
 science, for ever." 
 
 u Count, you take an unfair advantage of me :" 
 returned Nuremberg, quivering as he spoke, M You 
 are coo: ; my feelings are too keenly engaged, for 
 me to weigh the precise extent of every word's 
 meaning. However, I must repeat, that although 
 I might speak too forcibly of your brother, I am 
 justified in asserting that it is unnatural to think he 
 never found means to see or write to Constantia, 
 without my knowledge. Her obstinate constancy, 
 is a proof of it." — 
 
 u As damning a proof," Charles sternly ex- 
 claimed, " as the mortal animosity of the Prince of 
 Nuremberg is, of his being the murderer of Deme- 
 trius." — 
 
 For the first time, the Prince without changing 
 colour, furiously dared the full blaze of Leopol- 
 stat's eyes : he stood steadily opposite to him for 
 an instant, then said, " Explain yourself, Sir." 
 
 Amazed but not confounded by this unexpect- 
 ed sign of innocence, Charles answered, " I do not 
 
226 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 accuse you, Prince ; I accuse no one, till furnished 
 with proofs : — but I simply place the^ one accusa- 
 tion, against the other ; to make you sensible, that 
 if I were inclined to judge of your probable conduct, 
 from your avowed motives, (as you have done by 
 my brother,) my soul would not merely accuse, but 
 condemn you." 
 
 Nuremberg was completely silenced; though 
 his spirit inwardly breathed curses on the man into 
 whose power he was thus betrayed by his own 
 madness. He could no longer refuse the apology 
 which Leopolstat required: he made it with an 
 ill-grace, adding, "After this humiliating necessity, 
 you cannot be surprised, Count, to learn, that from 
 this morning, I desire we may remain strangers ; 
 and that while Princess Constantia continues under 
 my guardianship, I hope the Countess of Leopol- 
 stat will never force me to the ungracious task of 
 refusing a Lady's request." — He did not wait for 
 any other reply than a dignified bend of the head, 
 which Charles made him, as he darted out of the 
 apartment. 
 
 Possessed with all the furies', he hurried to a 
 room near that of Constantia's, where the loud sound 
 of his voice, soon induced his Princess, to part the 
 two friends. — Adelaide then rejoined her Lord, 
 and they left the Palace. 
 
 Far from having to comfort, Adelaide herself 
 had been comforted. Constantia. seemed inspired 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 227 
 
 with a conviction of Demetrius's being still alive ; 
 and placed so strong a dependance on this fond ima- 
 gination, that Adelaide insensibly became a convert 
 to it. Several detached speeches of her uncle's, 
 authorized her in suspecting his know ledge of her 
 meetings with Demetrius ; nay, he had once drop- 
 ped an expression which strongly indicated a suspi- 
 cion at least, of her application to the Canoness : he 
 had been the first to tell hrr, that her lover was mis- 
 sing ; and had uniformly tried to persuade her, that 
 his own rash hand had shortened his life. 
 
 The very admission of that friend whose visits 
 he had hitherto refused, w r as another ground for be- 
 lieving he knew that Demetrius was removed from 
 the chance of injuring him : for concealed, not kill- 
 ed, Constantia thought him. Her uncle's disposi- 
 tion might lead him to great enormities ; to the vio- 
 lation of law, of personal freedom, of all those ties 
 which bind men of common honesty together ; but 
 she was incapable of supposing him so abandoned 
 of humantiy and the dread of future punishment, as 
 to become a deliberate murderer. 
 
 She conceived that Pierre had betrayed his 
 master's confidence ; was accessary to his disappear- 
 ance: and that most likely on the offer of a great 
 reward, would one day discover the place in which 
 D emetrius was then immured. 
 
 Actuated by these ideas, she charged Adelaide 
 to have new advertisements sent to every popular 
 
228 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 paper throughout Europe, addressed to this Pierre, 
 offering him an enormous recompense to discover 
 the persons concerned. 
 
 Her heart smote her, as she spoke, for she could 
 not forget that Nuremberg (who would be eternally 
 disgraced, were he found accessary to the plot,) 
 was her uncle ; but the liberty, nay, the life of her 
 blameless Demetrius was at stake ,as well as her own 
 earthly peace, and that of Adelaide and Charles : and 
 she gained courage therefore, to offer some of her own 
 wealth for the prosecution of this renewed attempt. 
 
 The sudden death of her Bohemian relation, 
 banished the hope of obtaining an immediate re- 
 lease from the tyranny of her uncle ; but now, she 
 felt as if that oppression could no longer injure 
 either her health or her spirits. This new and 
 mighty anxiety, by giving a strong impulse to her 
 mind, had renovated her frame ; — she thought no 
 more of herself; she remembered only Demetrius ; 
 she felt as if she ought not to die, while his fate was 
 unknown, or his wrongs unrevenged. fc 
 
 Pale, wasted, feeble as she seemed, from the 
 effects of her late illness, yet Adelaide saw with 
 delight, life roused up in all her looks : it was not 
 the consuming blaze of feverish energy, but the 
 steady, increasing glow of vital strength. 
 
 Animated with a new motive for living, Con- 
 stantia resolutely refused to indulge herself in la- 
 mentation when Adelaide left her : but she was sad ; 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 229 
 
 and sat lost in reflection, when the door of her apart- 
 ment was thrown open by the Prince. 
 
 Standing on the threshold, and beholding her 
 for the first time since her illness, he eyed her alter- 
 ed figure, with a mixture of vexation and malice. 
 u Your exchequer of beauty," he said, insultingly, 
 " will soon be exhausted, child, if you draw on it 
 thus prodigally. — Since neither affection nor authori- 
 ty can reason you out of destroying yourself, go to 
 your glass, and take counsel there : if you have but 
 the vanity of your d — d sex, that will have more 
 effect upon you, than a hundred ghostly lectures." 
 
 Consantia turned away without speaking. Irri- 
 tated at her silence, the Prince continued, " I tell 
 you, girl, you can't afford this waste of good looks : 
 in the season of your greatest abundance, there w,as 
 none to spare ; and now that you have sighed, and 
 groaned, and scolded, and fainted away, the rosy- 
 coloured blood that used to make those features of 
 your's tolerable, believe me they are reduced to very 
 common-place features indeed. 
 
 " As to the figure, on which I know you prided 
 yourself, — your neck, your arms, your finely-round- 
 ed shape, — it's all vanished : gone for ever, my 
 poor damsel ! and if it were not for the beauties 
 that still exist in your Venetian estates, I verily 
 believe, no man on earth would take you off my 
 hands." 
 
 A momentary flush of resentment on the cheek 
 
 VOL, II. x 
 
230 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 of Constantia, convinced the Prince that her rosy- 
 coloured blood was not quite gone ; she gave him a 
 look of disdain, saying, " Yes, Sir ! there is one 
 man ; and he, thank heaven, is the only one to whom 
 I would give this person, changed as it is." 
 
 " You'd make him a devilish handsome present, 
 upon my soul !" exclaimed her uncle ; tears gush- 
 ed from Constantia's eyes, but she concealed them, 
 by averting her head. He continued : " and who 
 may this moderate Gentleman be ? — I pray." 
 " Count Demetrius of Leopolstat." 
 The Prince now burst into a brutal fit of laugh- 
 ter, during which, Constantia hastily endeavoured 
 to pass him. " Stay, stay, child !" he cried, forci- 
 bly pushing her from the door, " I cannot let you 
 go yet — you are positively very diverting. — So, you 
 would make a present of yourself to a dead man ! — 
 why truly, in your present shadowy state, the idea's 
 not amiss ; and I think you would be an admirable 
 match for him." 
 
 " Dost thou hear him, just heaven !" Constantia 
 widly exclaimed, shuddering, and closing her eyes, 
 as if unable to look upon such a monster. 
 
 Nuremberg now changed his tone : his counte- 
 nance blackened ; and roughly seizing her arm, he 
 said, (in a voice like distant thunder) "Wretch! 
 if thou could'st guess all that I know of thy infernal 
 machi nations ! — I owe thee no pity — no mercy— 
 and thou shalt find none." 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 23i 
 
 He flung her from him, with a violence, which 
 threw her against the wall ; but heedless of the act, 
 he remained in her apartment, traversing it with 
 hasty strides. Stung to the quick, by the concession 
 forced from him by Count Leopolstat, he now found 
 one defenceless creature, on whom to pour the vials 
 of wrath. Stopping near her again, he abruptly 
 exclaimed, u You have seen your friend, Madamr 
 Leopolstat, I can tell you, for the last time. None 
 bearing that name, shall ever again pollute my house, 
 with their presence." 
 
 u Your commands are law in your own house, 
 certainly, Sir," answered Constantia, " of course I 
 shall never again expect to see her here ; but when 
 I am my own mistress — in my own house" 
 
 The Prince interrupted her — " So, you look for- 
 ward to that event, after all ! — I thought what your 
 burning passion would come to ! — You, that were 
 dying for this Hungarian Paris, when he was alive, 
 can now live on — aye, and live merrily too — when 
 he is dead ! — for my part, I expected to hear of 
 your turning nun at least." 
 
 " Your Highness was mistaken then," replied 
 Constantia — " No, Sir ; do not, suppose I will ever 
 voluntarily quit the world, while there remains a 
 single hope of finding him in it. — Do with me what 
 'you please ; but I warn you, that a day of retri- 
 bution will arrive : as you deal with me now, 
 shall you be requited at my hands hereafter. — You 
 
232 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS, 
 
 dare not, — I believe you would not — violently kill 
 me, yet you have not scrupled to use a coward's 
 method for ridding me of life : You have daily in- 
 sulted, affiicted, and imprisoned me ; you have de- 
 stroyed my youth and my health ; you may still do 
 more ; but I tell you, there is an invincible some- 
 thing in this heart of mine, which will survive all 
 your injuries. Beware of placing yourself too 
 much in my power, lest when I have the means to 
 ruin your unsuspected character, the memory of 
 these outrages should supply me with the inclina- 
 tion." 
 
 The Prince now stood as if blinded by light- 
 ning ; his senses were locked up in amazement at 
 so unexpected a threat : — Constantia seized the mo- 
 ment, and flying past him, got into her waiting maid's 
 room, fastened the door, and cast herself on a 
 couch, completely exhausted. 
 
 The very next morning Nuremberg ordered his 
 family to prepare for an immediate journey : soon 
 after, they were all on their way to Venice, where 
 Constantia had a superb mansion, over which the 
 Prince, as her guardian, could rule with as absolute 
 authority as in his own. 
 
iME HUNGARIAN BROTHERS.* 23T> 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 IN total ignorance of that painful circumstance, 
 ^vhich rendered the murder of Demetrius almost 
 certain, Adelaide quitted Vienna, warm with the 
 hopes which Constantia v had awakened. 
 
 Yielding to a sweet superstition, she believed 
 that her friend's expectations had something of pro- 
 phecy in them ; and frequently, when the thought 
 of his brother's irreparable loss, blanched the cheek 
 of Leopolstat, she urged her own fond fancy with 
 all the earnestness of conviction. 
 
 He heard her in silence : but the iron grasp of 
 despair, was at his heart. 
 
 In consequence of that feebleness which still in- 
 capacitated the Count from enduring much exertion, 
 their journey was the work of many days. It was 
 evening when they reached Leopolstat. 
 
 The sun was just setting behind the castle, in 
 the same splendour with which Charles had seen it. 
 when he last visited his home ; the convent bell was 
 toiling for vespers ; the marble quarry shone with 
 
 x 2 
 
234 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 reflected light. As he beheld it, the beautiful vision 
 of the past, the picturesque objects he had remarked 
 there, the blooming youth of Demetrius, made, for 
 an instant, a frightful impression of reality : he lean- 
 ed forwards from the window, suddenly recollected 
 himself, and throwing his head back in the carriage, 
 gave way to tears. 
 
 How do the gay bubbles of hope and expectation, 
 burst under the noiseless foot of time ! — Charles had 
 always promised his soul, a kind of holyday of de- 
 light, whenever peace should enable him to take pos- 
 session of this inheritance, endeared to him as the 
 place of his birth, and the gift of Adelaide ; he now 
 came to it, without one emotion of pleasure. 
 
 That sentiment of desolation, which the heart, 
 bereaved of a dear object, spreads over all creation, 
 seemed in his imagination to have fixed its eternal 
 throne at Leopolstat. It " breathed a browner hor- 
 ror o'er the woods ;" it chilled him in the thunder- 
 ing torrent, and the sweeping storm ; it pervaded 
 every sound, and every view j and rendered the ex- 
 pected birth of his child, only an important event, 
 rhat would forever calendar the date of his direst 
 calamity. 
 
 But he refused indulgence to a sentiment, which, 
 if suffered to increase, palsies the firmest souls, and 
 takes from them, both the power and the will, to ful- 
 fil their appointed duties. He sought society : he 
 iir^ted all the tenderness of his nature, towards hi? 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 235 
 
 wife ; he strove to surround her with that tempered 
 cheerfulness, so agreeable to elegant minds ; and 
 often in the fond attempt at making her happy, nearly- 
 rendered himself so. 
 
 In the company of Madame Forshiem, and the 
 occasional visits of the prior from St. Xavier's, two 
 months passed away : at the expiration of that time, 
 he became a father. What a multitude of strange, 
 delightful emotions, pervaded him, when he took his 
 child, for the first time, into his arms! — They effaced 
 every former impression ; they spread bliss through- 
 out his soul ; as if he were suddenly endued with 
 a new and more exquisite sense, than any hitherto 
 known : or as if he waked in heaven, and found him- 
 self etherialized amidst beatitude. 
 
 He stood long wrapt in this trance, without mov- 
 ing his eyes from the infant's face, and scarcely 
 breathing : at last, some other person's action, dis- 
 turbed the babe ; it waked, and it cried. The dream 
 now ended : the father's mind was instantly crowded 
 with images of care and sorrow ; and the idea of De- 
 metrius, like a piercing pain momentarily lulled, re- 
 turned with apparently tenfold strength. 
 
 It was different with Adelaide. The birth of 
 their child, was to her a circumstance that still fur- 
 ther abstracted her from other considerations : it had 
 long been dearly familiar to all her thoughts ; it was 
 ever blended with some solicitude about herself, and 
 far more about her husband. His disappointment if 
 
236 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 the babe should.be born dead, and his grief if she 
 should perish, occupied her incessantly. She could 
 never forget that an hour of trial and anxiety await- 
 ed her ; and therefore dwelling so much on one ob- 
 ject, weakened her perception of another. 
 
 When first she prest the infant to her bosom, the 
 emotion she felt, was not like Charles's, new and be- 
 wildering ; it was but the same bliss, perfected and 
 secured, which had often Jbefore, thrilled transient- 
 ly, through her frame. — She saw in it, an innocent 
 creature, to love and to protect ; one that was hence- 
 forth to be entirely dependent upon her tenderness ; 
 and full of a conviction, at once so sacred and so 
 sweet, she surrendered herself to happiness : half- 
 believing, that since so much was already given, 
 Providence would not deny the rest* 
 
 The birth of this babe, therefore, was to her, a 
 good omen ; but to Charles a sad memorial. 
 
 It was now, December, and the dying year had 
 been as fatal to the hopes of Germany, as to the do- 
 mestic peace of Count Leopolstat. 
 
 Fluctuating and weak, the councils of the Aus- 
 trian cabinet, while they changed their measures, 
 only varied their methods of being contemptible : 
 given up to petty jealousies, party cabals, and fe- 
 male influence, they had planned without judgment, 
 and acted without concert. In giving the command 
 of the armies to the Archduke Charles, they had 
 •rver contrived to neutralize the wisdom of such a 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 237 
 
 choice, by referring his operations to the Aulic coun- 
 cil ; which deciding at a distance, upon plans that 
 he formed where they were to be executed, and of 
 which promptness was the very life* seldom judged 
 rightly, or decided with sufficient dispatch. 
 
 The grand army, during this campaign, had been 
 committed to another General, as brave, but not so 
 penetrating ; one, who was equally fettered by use- 
 less restrictions, and who consequently could not be 
 expected to emulate his predecessor's glory. 
 
 After the conclusion of a second armistice, Prince 
 Charles was solicited to accept again the important 
 post of Commander in Chief. He stipulated for full 
 powers ; and they could no longer be withheld. 
 
 Austria had sought her protector too late. On 
 repairing to head-quarters, the Archduke found an 
 ill-provided army, dispirited, and broken to pieces : 
 he had not time to seek those resources which his 
 inventive genius instantly suggested, for the enemy 
 swept forwards like a resistless sea, and to wait their 
 approach was to court inevitable destruction. 
 
 Their tide of success still rolled terribly on: he 
 was driven back towards Vienna ; from which the 
 affrighted inhabitants fled with the precipitation of 
 despair. 
 
 The Prince now saw, that peace only could save 
 his country : stifling, therefore, all those selfish sen- 
 sibilities to popular or particular opinion (which often 
 stimulate men to the prosecution of an object that 
 
238 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 they know will fail them at last) ; he abandoned a 
 vain attempt ; signing a truce at Steyer, which was 
 but the prelude to a final termination of the war in 
 the ensuing year. 
 
 As the news of every defeat reached the retire- 
 ment of Count Leopolstat, he reflected with more 
 embittered regret, on his inability to share in those 
 exertions and disasters, which, made and suffered 
 with an unsubdued heart, in a good cause, are so 
 many crowns of glory to a patriot soldier. He con- 
 templated the growing power of France with dread- 
 ful forebodings : and when a pacification was finally 
 concluded, while others gave themselves up to care- 
 less joy, he saw in this delusive peace only that hor- 
 rid calm which precedes an earthquake : he saw that 
 France would gather accumulated force from this 
 temporary restraint, and would at length burst over 
 the whole Continent, in one wide war of extermi- 
 nation. 
 
 ' It was perhaps fortunate for Count Leopolstat, 
 that public affairs so often wrested his thoughts from 
 their usual subject : for the days, the weeks, the 
 months passed, and nothing transpired about De- 
 metrius. 
 
 Pierre seemed to have vanished ; — Colonel 
 Wurtzburgh was quietly going through the routine 
 of his duty in garrison ; and the Prince of Nurem- 
 berg remained shut up with his family in Venice. 
 All those glimmering lights, which in newspapers 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 239 
 
 and mistaken intelligence, had successively started 
 up and disappeared, served only to deepen the gloom 
 which enveloped the mystery. 
 
 Charles began to relinquish even the dreary hope 
 of discovering the destroyer of his brother: but with 
 the hope, he would not abandon the attempt. No 
 sooner was the safety of Vienna ascertained, by the 
 peace of Luneville, than he quitted Hungary, tak- 
 ing with him his wife and child, and the amiable 
 Madame Forshiem. It was his intention to leave 
 them under the care of his uncle and father-in-law, 
 while he seized the opportunity of passing into 
 France, and trying to find out the abode of Pierre. 
 For that he had returned to his native country, he 
 now no longer doubted ; and that he was the crimi- 
 nal, he had never scrupled to believe. 
 
 The advice of Count Forshiem awhile delayed 
 this plan. Forshiem had lately heard from the agent 
 on his estate in Goritia, of a stranger, (a French- 
 man too,) who had engaged one of his houses ; and 
 who, though vulgar in his mien and manners, lived 
 in great wealth : the unwillingness with which this 
 man spoke of himself, or his affairs, together with 
 some mistake which had arisen from persons in- 
 quiring after him by different names, made For- 
 shiem suspect that their search was now ready to 
 end. He communicated the matter to Leopolstat ; 
 and as he was then going to this estate with his wife. 
 
240 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 he offered either to prosecute the inquiry alone, or 
 to make him his companion. 
 
 Charles determined upon the latter; and they 
 set out immediately. 
 
 After a few days journey, the travellers did not 
 reach Count Forshiem's house, till midnight: at 
 such an hour no excuse could be formed for invad- 
 ing the privacy of a stranger, and therefore the 
 friends were obliged to make a merit of necessity, 
 and defer their visit till the morning. 
 
 Anxiety amounting to torture ; feelings which 
 had just enough of hope in them, to rack and to 
 agonize, (and compared with which, the death of 
 desperate certainty would have been blessedness,) 
 kept the eyes of Charles from closing during the 
 night. He left his restless bed at the dawn of day, 
 and impatiently waited for the appearance of For- 
 shiem, who seemed to sleep as if he had taken an 
 opiate. 
 
 In consequence of the war in Italy, Soldini had 
 accepted for himself and niece, the asylum offered 
 by Count Forshiem : they had long been establish- 
 ed in Goritia, and were now introduced to the bro- 
 ther of their lost favourite, Demetrius. Lorenza 
 made breakfast with trembling hands ; for she par- 
 took warmly in the general anxiety, and inwardly 
 breathed a prayer for their success, as they took the 
 path towards the stranger's. 
 
 When they reached the house door, Charles (aK 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 241 
 
 though wrapt in a large cloak) drew back that he 
 might not be known : Forshiem advanced. What 
 was their mortification, to find the man they sought, 
 was already out ! On questioning the servant, they 
 learnt that he was gone with some guests, to see 
 the mines at Idria. They resolved to folio w him : 
 the place to which the servant directed them was 
 not half a league off; and the answers he gave to 
 some questions of Leopolstat's, stimulating them 
 with fresh hope, they proceeded forwards. 
 
 At the mouth of the principal shaft, they were 
 told that Monsieur Bernadotte (such was the stran- 
 ger's name ;) had descended into the mine with two 
 other foreigners. Eager in the pursuit, and fear- 
 ful of losing his prey, Charles proposed going down 
 after him : Forshiem consented. 
 
 At any other period than this, in which the 
 thoughts of both, were too much occupied to re- 
 gard outward circumstances, neither Forshiem nor 
 Charles, would have seated themselves without 
 shuddering, in the dismal machine, which precipi- 
 tated them, above a hundred fathoms below the sur- 
 face of a steep mountain. 
 
 They descended in complete silence, and total 
 darkness: no sound broke the hideous stillness, but 
 the whirring noise of the ropes and puliies by which 
 they were let down ; and when they alighted, only 
 a pale lamp, glimmering here and there among ca- 
 verns as black as Erel.as, served to mark with 
 
 VOL. II. Y 
 
242 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 greater precision, the horror and vastness of the 
 place. 
 
 At first, nothing was discernible by Charles, ex- 
 cept a wide expanse of blackness, on which, these 
 lamps were mere specks of light : by degrees the 
 darkness seemed to diminish ; and he discovered 
 on all sides, ghastly figures flitting through it, like 
 condemned souls. A continued sound as of the 
 pealing of distant thunder, was heard to roll among 
 the caverns : it was the echo of their footsteps. 
 
 " Ought we not to find that fiend, in such a hell 
 as this?" whispered Forshiem; his companion shud- 
 dered, and sighed profoundly. 
 
 A man now approached, and hearing their er- 
 rand, offered to conduct them to that part of the 
 mine, where Monsieur Bernadotte was resting : 
 they followed him. On advancing to a groupe of 
 persons who were curiously watching the labours 
 of the wretched miners, Charles felt his heart beat 
 with uncontrolable agitation ; his limbs failed under 
 him for a moment, and he grasped Forshiem's arm 
 for support: but quickly recovering, he sprang for- 
 wards. 
 
 At the sound of his own name, Bernadotte turn- 
 ed hastily round : he lifted up his head, and shew- 
 ed Charles the face of a stranger. 
 
 Had the restoration of his brother's life depend- 
 ed upon identifying Pierre, in this Frenchman, the 
 disappointment could hardly have been more acute. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 243 
 
 u It is not the man ! " he exclaimed, while leaving 
 Forshiem to apologize, he hurried into another di- 
 vision of the mine. 
 
 The dismal emotions excited by the sight ol 
 multitudes, doomed to drink in the poisonous va- 
 pour, which they know contain* their death ; now 
 heightened the wild disappointment of Leopolstat : 
 as these unhappy wretches lingered along the vault- 
 ed cells, he felt something like madness seize upon 
 his brain ; and he caught the arm of Forshiem with 
 alarmness wildness. 
 
 u Let us quit this horrid place ! " he cried, " I 
 am no longer myself! " 
 
 Without a conductor, they entered the first open- 
 ing that offered; it led them along a narrow passage, 
 just wide enough to admit one at a time. Forshiem 
 went first : 
 
 " I think we are right," he observed, " come 
 on." 
 
 Charles followed the passage, till it suddenly 
 spread out into a lofty cavern, where, by the lurid 
 glare of one lamp, he descried a solitary figure, lean- 
 ing faintly against his mattock and the rock. The 
 man did not alter his position when they entered ; 
 but his breathing, quick and labouring, announced 
 the struggles of approaching death. 
 
 " Why have you brought me here, Forshiem?" 
 exclaimed Charles, turning hastily away. 
 
 While he spoke, the wretched creature he was 
 
244- THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 viewing, started up ; and as if suddenly endued with 
 supernatural strength, rushed forwards, uttering a 
 loud and fearful cry. 
 
 At that sound, the blood froze in the veins of 
 Charles: darkness spread before him; all his senses 
 were locked up in horror: he saw not the wild gleam 
 of distracted joy, lighting the features of despair ; 
 he heard not the well-known voice, which now con- 
 vulsively repeated — " O bliss, past hope ! I die in 
 these arms, at last !" — 
 
 When Forshiem beheld the emaciated figure, 
 sink towards the ground, he believed that the un- 
 happy youth had indeed found his death-bed on 
 the bosom so beloved. He tried to catch him as 
 he fell ; but Charles, roused by the action, suddenly 
 clasped the body of his brother, exclaiming, " Hold 
 off! never shall he leave these arms again !" 
 
 Leopolstat knew not what he said : yet his 
 nerves turned to steel, grasped the object he held, 
 with a force that seemed to make the grasp eternal: 
 his amazed and haggard eyes, were rivetted upon 
 the breathless Demetrius : his own breath came 
 quick and short : at length large drops of moisture 
 burst out from every pore of his body, and then ra- 
 pidly melting into softness, he exclaimed, u Thou 
 that wast the pride of my heart, the delight of my 
 eyes, is it thus that I find thee ! " Tears gushed 
 forth with the words -, and then he wept long and^ 
 violently-* 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 245 
 
 For many years after this moment, did the me- 
 mory of his brother's dreadful cry, distemper the 
 soul of Charles : in the midst of camps, or'brilliant 
 assemblies ; even by the hearth of domestic peace, 
 it would suddenly wither his heart, and blanch his 
 cheek. Often since, has he started from sweet 
 sleep, fancying the thrilling sound repeated, and 
 dispersing the slumbers of Adelaide, by his own 
 terrifying exclamation. 
 
 As Demetrius slowly recovered, his brother 
 eagerly besought Forshiem to bring the governor of 
 the mine to the spot. " We must bear him from 
 this killing place ;" he cried, " these noxious va- 
 pours O Heaven, by what miracle is he pre- 
 served to me !" — Demetrius opened his eyes, and a 
 languid smile, but full of happiness, illumined his 
 features. Again Charles clasped him to his heart ; 
 fend again melted into tenderness. 
 
 The governor of the mine now entered with 
 Count Forshiem : he expressed the utmost regret 
 at his inability to give Demetrius even one day's 
 liberty; but offered every comfort and assistance 
 within his power. 
 
 Leopolstat promised to be answerable for hk 
 brother's re-appearance, with his own life ; assured 
 him, that whatever might be his imputed crime, he 
 was certain of his innocence ; and that from his 
 influence at Court, he reckoned confidently upon an 
 #rcltr for his immediate release. 
 
246 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 The governor remained firm ; and his second 
 denial, informed his astonished hearers, that the 
 young Count was condemned on the plea of hold- 
 ing a traitorous correspondence with the enemy. 
 
 This charge, so preposterous, and apparently ao 
 false, re-animated the efforts of Leopolstat : he de- 
 nounced it in terms of vehement indignation ; 
 which, with his known character of loyalty and pa- 
 triotism, soitened the severity of the governor's 
 judgment : but he still adhered strictly to his duty ; 
 tempering it, however, by granting Demetrius a 
 cessation from toil, and allowing his brother to re- 
 main with him alone. 
 
 While this arrangement was making, Forshiem 
 hastened to quit the mine, in order to obtain all 
 that was necessary for the renovation and tempo- 
 rary comfort of Demetrius. Zealous in every 
 thing good, he rapidly drew together a multitude 
 of comforts, which he dispatched by Soldini, with 
 a note to Charles, purporting, that he was then set- 
 ting off for Vienna, to throw himself in his name, 
 at the feet of the Archduke, from whose interfer- 
 ence he expected to obtain an order for the removal, 
 if not the complete enlargement of his friend. 
 
 " I know you will not leave him;" he wrote, 
 " and I must: no time should be lost, in applying 
 for his release. The very secrecy with which this 
 affair has been conducted, proves its iniquity. — Be 
 assured, I will not cease my importunities to the^ 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 247 
 
 Prince, to the ministers, to the Emperor himself, 
 till I have wrung from them, a promise of thorough 
 investigation." 
 
 This billet, found Charles seated in an excava- 
 tion of the mine ; holding one hand of his- brother's 
 in his, as he lay stretched along the bed which he 
 had formed for him out of his pelisse. 
 
 Brought to the verge of the grave, by those 
 pestilental vapours, which continually exhale from 
 quicksilver, and wearied "with hope deferred," De- 
 metrius was nearly deprived of life, by the sudden- 
 ness and excess of his present felicity. He had not 
 been able to answer one of the questions, which the 
 impatient affection of Charles frequently prompted j 
 but he had gathered strength enough to ask whe- 
 ther Constantia survived his loss. The assurance 
 of her renovated spirit, and the delight with which 
 Charles spoke of Adelaide and his child, were so 
 many cordials to the other's sick heart. 
 
 In his youth, Soldini had studied the art of me- 
 dicine, with a benevolent intention of uniting it, 
 with his duties as a spiritual physician : He was 
 therefore competent to judge of young Leopolstat's 
 case ; and he now prescribed for him, with equal 
 tenderness and skill. 
 
 It was in vain that he besought Charles to trans- 
 fer his charge : nothing could prevail on that fond 
 brother, to lose sight of Demetrius for a moment. 
 He consented to take every precaution for himself, 
 
248 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 against the mercurial fumes of the mine, but reso 1 
 lutely refused to quit it. 
 
 As Demetrius had suffered far more from the 
 complete extinction of hope, than even from the un- 
 wholesome air of this subterraneous prison, he was 
 renovated in proportion to the glow of his happi- 
 ness. His little play-fellow, Simmonetta, braved 
 the terrors of a descent, and often visited'him : her 
 pretty endearments beguiled his thoughts from sub- 
 jects of keener agitation, yet communicated, to 
 them all a secret assurance, that love and affection 
 still existed for his recompense. 
 
 He lay almost in a trance of weakness, for seve- 
 ral days ; but it was a trance of delicious feelings, 
 which spread its healing balm throughout his frame. 
 When Charles ventured to disturb him with ques- 
 tions, he learnt by degrees all that Demetrius knew 
 of his own situation. 
 
 It amounted to no more than that, on the night 
 he had quitted home, with an intention of seeing 
 Princess Constantia, he had been suddenly arrest- 
 ed in the Emperor's name and borne off to the 
 state-prison :— That he was there examined on the 
 charge of corresponding with the enemy ; — shewn 
 a casket which he Had received from Constantia, 
 and which was found to contain several letters 
 from a French officer, of whose name he was pro- 
 foundly ignorant. That a forged letter was then 
 produced, and sworn to, by Pierre, as one which 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 2^9 
 
 his master had entrusted to him, for the purpose of 
 forwarding, and which containing several state se- 
 crets, was admitted to be a full proof of his guilt : 
 That, as he refused saying who gave him the casket 
 in which these treasonable papers were found ; and 
 as he was taken in a disguise which must have been 
 assumed for some unlawful purpose, he was sum- 
 marily condemned as a traitor, and sentenced for 
 life, to the mines. 
 
 " It is now, nearly six months ;" he added, 
 u since I entered this living grave. O Charles, if 
 you could guess what I have suffered ! — every mo- 
 ment of that tedious time, has been marked to me 
 by some hope, some expectation, or some bitter 
 disappointment. How could I imagine that my 
 fate should have been thus concealed from you ?— — 
 I rested at first securely on a speedy release ; — I 
 believed, that every instant was then seized by my 
 friends to disprove my accusers, and restore my 
 liberty : but this security changed to anxiety, to 
 doubt, to fear, to despondence, at last to despair ! 
 There were moments, I confess — infirm, unworthy 
 moments — when I fancied myself forgotten f— yet 
 I loved you all, still : and my last sigh should have 
 mingled your name and Constantia's together." 
 
 A blush crossed the face of Charles, but it was 
 not for himself he blushed. Demetrius who had 
 saved his life at Moskirk, who had been the object 
 of his solicitous tenderness, for so many years, ought 
 
250 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 to have founded his reliance On him, as upon a 
 rock. A momentary pang wrung his heart ; but 
 he looked at his brother's enfeebled form, and found 
 in it an immediate excuse for this distrust. 
 
 44 You were not yourself, Demetrius," he re- 
 plied, kindly, " when you doubted any of us. Sick- 
 ness, and these surrounding glooms, had distem- 
 pered your healthful convictions." 
 
 Demetrius answered with ardent sensibility, 
 and a mutual embrace sealed the oblivion of his 
 fault. 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 251 
 
 CHAP XII. 
 
 TO elucidate that mystery, with which Deme- 
 trius himself, was but imperfectly acquainted, it will 
 be necessary to go back to the period in which he 
 and Colonel Wurtzburgh parted at Ulm. 
 
 Never had this cold-blooded villain lost sight of 
 his grand aim, the destruction of Count Leopolstat's 
 peace. But more and more convinced that Charles 
 was guarded round, by too potent a circle of discre- 
 tion, self-command, and approved integrity, to be 
 vulnerable in his own person, he watched the erra- 
 tic course of Demetrius, with the hope of seizing 
 upon him, in some fortunate maze of imprudent 
 passion. 
 
 As he advanced on his tract of deceit, new 
 views opened before him, and new plans suggested 
 themselves. 
 
 At first, he directed his efforts to inflame the 
 Prince of Nuremberg's animosity ; to stimulate the 
 love of Demetrius ; and to render the life of Princess 
 Constantia so miserable, as might force her into 
 
252 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 precipitate flight : in that case whether Demetrite 
 escaped with her to another country, or was seized 
 in Austria, his end would be accomplished. Charles 
 would be bereaved of a brother, who must either 
 preserve his safety by perpetual exile, or suffer the 
 punishment of his audacity, in endless imprison- 
 ment. 
 
 Wurtzburgh's secret correspondence with the 
 Prince, enabled him to push his scheme with admi- 
 rable effect. He beguiled many circumstances from 
 Demetrius, which he communicated to Nuremberg; 
 and at the same time so adroitly mixed the basest 
 falsehoods with this small portion of truth, that the 
 Prince learnt to consider the young Leopclstat, as 
 a deadly enemy, who waited but for the moment 
 of power, to rise and crush him. 
 
 This apprehension of future vengeance, joined 
 to Nuremberg's preposterous notion of their vast 
 inequality, to his rancour at the remembrance of 
 their duel, and the rich inheritance which he had 
 taken from him, altogether worked on the Prince's 
 heart, like come corrosive poison : he became every 
 day less just, and more ferocious ; and no longer 
 examining the details of Wurtzburgh, drank them 
 in, with greedy wilfulness. The hatred which he 
 could not vent in torture upon Demetrius, he poured 
 without mercy over Constantia ; little imagining 
 that he was the dupe of a deeper villain than him- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 253 
 
 self, who was thus prompting him to the conduct, 
 that probably led to the very event he deprecated. 
 
 The liking which young Leopolstat took to 
 Pierre, the Colonel's servant, opened a new train 
 for his Satanic master. This fellow had long been 
 his confidant on other matters, and he had therefore 
 ho hesitation in confiding in him. 
 
 Whenever Pierre should be taken into the vici- 
 nity of Princess Constantia, he was to make himself 
 needful to his future master ; was to force out his 
 secret, and become, if possible, the adviser and agent 
 of the lovers' flight. By this means Wurtzburgh 
 knew he should always have a key to their retreat ; 
 and might apprize Nuremberg, when the crime of 
 Demetrius was sealed by his union with the Princess. 
 
 Constantia's determination against elopement 
 was the first obstacle to these expectations; but her 
 subsequent appeal to the Canoness, became a fatal 
 engine, in the hands of Wurtzburgh, 
 
 Pierre went not to Bohemia, but turned his 
 horse towards an obscure country-house, where the 
 Prince of Nuremberg and his former master were 
 to meet* The Colonel was not long in determin- 
 ing upon a new scheme : he tempted Pierre with an 
 enormous bribe ; and Pierre could not resist. 
 
 With Constantia's catalogue of Nuremberg's 
 cruelties, in his hand, he returned to the Prince. 
 He shewed him what he had to expect; and thej> 
 
 VOL. II. z 
 
254 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 professed to have received a hint from Pierre, which 
 might be improved to the ruin of Demetrius. 
 
 The Prince alternately blazing with resentment, 
 and trembling with fear, was in no mood to scruti- 
 nize very severely : Wurtzburgh told him a fabri- 
 cated tale of young Leopolstat's disloyalty ; he be- 
 lieved it, because he wished it true : Pierre was 
 then introduced : he affirmed that his master had 
 frequently, during the campaign, sent intelligence 
 to the enemy, and received great rewards for it;- 
 and that he meant to fly into France with the 
 Princess, should she consent to be his companion. 
 
 The proofs of this correspondence, he asserted, 
 were lodged in a small casket of which his master 
 took the utmost care : and he then offered to acquaint 
 the Prince with the period in which Demetrius 
 might be seized with least noise. 
 
 The Prince accepted this offer ; gave him his 
 purse as an earnest of further recompense ; and after 
 fabricating an answer to Constantia's letter, dis- 
 missed him, and began again to canvass the subject 
 with Wurtzburgh. 
 
 The Colonel was aware, that his success de- 
 pended on secrecy. He foresaw that if the accusa- 
 tion of Demetrius were made public, his brave un- 
 sullied brother, would investigate every atom of it: 
 he therefore urged the Prince to use his influence 
 for a private examination ; to exert himself in bias- 
 sing the minds of the council j and above ail things 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 255 
 
 to demand complete silence ; or else the influence 
 of Count Leopolstat would defeat his own. Deme- 
 trius though condemned, might be pardoned. 
 
 This subtle advice was taken : Nuremberg after 
 re-visiting his home, purposely absented himself 
 again : Pierre succeeded in getting his master to 
 assume a disguise, for which he knew he would 
 not assign any reason to the council : and Deme- 
 trius thus surrounded by many toils, was taken in 
 them all. 
 
 The casket he had received from Constantia, 
 and out of which he had removed the letters for the 
 Canoness : the casket he prized and cherished, was 
 brought from his lodgings by Pierre, and two per- 
 sons in office, and found to contain a private drawer, 
 filled with mysterious notes, evidently answers to 
 such as had conveyed treasonable intelligence. 
 
 Unawed by his master's steady eye, and fearless 
 questions, Pierre persisted in a strain of falsehoods, 
 the enormity of which, could only be equalled by 
 the ingenuity with which they were separately fitted. 
 His confession was accepted as an atonement, for 
 the share he acknowledged having taken in this act 
 of treachery ; and he was therefore permitted to re~ 
 turn into France without delay. 
 
 As the members of this council were most of 
 them creatures of Nuremberg's, or foes to Baron 
 Ingersdorf, with whom any connection was suffi- 
 cient to render them severe judges of a criminal, 
 
25& THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 Demetrius was found guilty. The Emperors seal 
 was then put to the order for his close confinement 
 in the mines at Idria. 
 
 Very plausible arguments, were afterwards urg- 
 ed by Nuremberg, to persuade every person pre- 
 sent, of the necessity of secrecy. He spoke in high 
 commendation of the elder Count Leopolstat, re- 
 presenting the injurious suspicion which might fall 
 upon him, were the treason of so beloved a brother, 
 to become the public talk : distrusted by the soldiery, 
 his talents would then be rendered useless ; and the 
 great expectations now resting on his future services, 
 would be for ever destroyed. He then urged the 
 delicacy of his niece's situation, whose attachment 
 to Demetrius, having been known generally, would 
 subject her also, to the most mortifying animad- 
 versions. 
 
 These arguments prevailed : secrecy wes pro- 
 mised; secrecy was enjoined to all the inferior 
 agents ; and in a few weeks, the whole business was 
 almost forgotten. 
 
 Nuremberg departed for Venice, avoiding any 
 scrutiny of the past ; for there was a monitor, with- 
 in, that daily charged him with scarce crediting 
 the evidence on which Demetrius had been con- 
 demned. 
 
 Wurtzburgh returned to his regiment with the . 
 greatest privacy; from whence he occasionally trans- 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 257 
 
 mitted to Pierre, presents and money, both from 
 himself and the Prince. 
 
 Wurtzburgh had achieved his work; was he 
 happy? no! — Remorse, indeed, never knocked at 
 his rocky heart, but the fury, Terror, reigned there, 
 without control. As he daily read the advertise- 
 ments of reward and pardon, (which the advice of 
 Constantia caused to be increased and continued:) 
 he trembled for the security of his crime : avarice 
 had made Pierre an accomplice in it, avarice, there- 
 fore, might tempt him to reveal it. 
 
 His fiend-like joy, was now withered : in the 
 acuteness of his own sufferings, he soon lost all re- 
 membrance of Count Leopolstat's ; till at length 
 nothing remained, but the consciousness of an atro- 
 cious crime, and the hideous prospect of ample re- 
 tribution. 
 
 Pierre, meanwhile, read the different advertise- 
 ments with sullen discontent; he wished to reap the 
 golden harvest they held out ; yet preserved that 
 last spark of virtue, which makes guilt blush to avow 
 itself before integrity. In his letters to Wurtz- 
 burgh, he frequently reverted to these temptations, 
 and was never to be silenced except by a liberal re- 
 mittance. 
 
 Wurtzburgh knew himself to be completely in 
 his power. Not only was he obnoxious to disco- 
 very respecting Demetrius ; but he was liable to a 
 heavier charge ; the guilt he had imputed to that 
 
 z 2 
 
258 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 innocent young man, was his own. Not to gratify 
 cupidity, but to satiate hatred, he had, during the 
 campaign, entered into correspondence with a French 
 officer, to whom he revealed every military opera- 
 tion, of which he gained intelligence, when it was 
 either planned by Count Leopolstat, or intrusted to 
 his care. His annoyance, had long been his plea- 
 sure ; his ruin, his felicity. 
 
 Conscious of the sword which thus hung sus- 
 pended over him by a single hair, Wurtzburgh ob- 
 tained rest neither night nor day. Pierre denouncing 
 him, Leopolstat thirsting for his blood, the horrid 
 death of a traitor, were images that haunted him 
 eternally. Under the influence of such impressions, 
 existence was no longer bearable ; and he took the 
 desperate resolution of ending all his fears, with the 
 life of their prime object. 
 
 Immediately after the peace, he passed into 
 Franconia, and sent to Pierre, (who was then with 
 the Galio-Batavian army near Bamberg ;) to meet 
 him in a sequestered spot, where they might confer 
 unmolested, and where he might deliver to him a 
 valuable jewel from the Prince of Nuremberg. 
 
 Stupidly secure, Pierre met him alone ; they con- 
 ferred some minutes together -j when Wurtzburgh 
 having insensibly drawn him towards a dusky thic- 
 ket, hastily drew out a pistol, and fired it off at his 
 breast. Pierre fell : but at the pistol's report, two 
 Austrian officers broke through the thickets 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 259 
 
 they were accidentally loitering, and seized Wurtz- 
 burgh. 
 
 The voices of these officers, soon brought fur- 
 ther aid ; possessed with the phrensy of despair, 
 Wurtzburgh raved and struggled, but struggled in 
 vain ; both he and Pierre were removed to the 
 Austrian head-quarters, where Pierre's deposition 
 was taken down in writing before several witnesses ; 
 and a parcel of papers received from his pocket* 
 book, sufficiently testifying the veracity of his con- 
 fessions. 
 
 This wonderful incident excited the strongest 
 interest throughout the Imperial army: to their gal- 
 lant companions in war, both the Hungarian bro- 
 thers, had always been objects of love and admira- 
 tion : these sentiments now roused up the spirit of 
 vengeance for their sakes ; and Wurtzburgh owed 
 the general abhorrence, perhaps, less to public feel- 
 ing, than to private regard. 
 
 Precisely at the period in which Count For- 
 Ghiem alighted at the gate of Baron Ingersdorf, one 
 of the officers who had seized the traitor Wurtz- 
 burgh, was within, detailing the whole transaction. 
 — The rapturous scene which followed ; the bound- 
 less gratitude expressed towards that Almighty 
 Ruler, who had thus willed the fortunate concur- 
 rence of two such miraculous discoveries; the pious 
 , ejaculations of the Field Marshal ; the glistening 
 eyes of the Baron ; and the weeping, sobbing trails- 
 
260 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 port of Adelaide, are not to be learned from de- 
 scription : every tender heart, can draw a picture 
 sufficiently animated, to render an attempt here y 
 unnecessary. 
 
 Tears embellished the rough features of the offi- 
 cer, who witnessed this affecting scene : he had 
 warm feelings, though his exterior promised only 
 that apathy which is too often contracted by fami- 
 liarity with the miseries of war ; and as he request- 
 ed permission to bear the order for Demetrius's re- 
 lease, (which was not withheld a single moment 
 after the discovery of Wurtzburgh's villainy,) For- 
 shiem would not deny him. 
 
 Though in the service of Austria, this officer 
 was one of that nation, so famous for tongues al- 
 ways blundering, and hearts always right : " I burn 
 to see these brave young gentlemen," said he, " or 
 I would not make so bold a request : their very 
 names are as holy and familiar to me, as my Pater- 
 noster. By the good of my soul, I'd rather shake 
 hands with one of them, than see any dead Haro 
 that lives !" 
 
 " 'Tis impossible to doubt such an assertion," 
 replied Forshiem, " well, I'll have the pleasure of 
 presenting you ; so allons !" 
 
 Again Forshiem was on the road to Goritia, 
 and again the post horses seemed to mock the ar- 
 dour of his impatience. 
 
 He staid scarcely a moment at his own home, 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 261 
 
 where he exchanged a hasty embrace with Lorenza > 
 while he stammered out the joyful news, and then 
 rode off alone to the mines. He would have taken 
 his companion with him, but the honest Irishman 
 changing colour, said with great emotion, 
 
 " Count, I must decline that civility ; if these 
 eyes were but xvonst to look on two such noble 
 creatures, in a dirty hold of a mine, this arm would 
 wither, the first time it struck a stroke for Austria. 
 I'll never see such a sight, Count, and so I'll for- 
 get it, dare out of hand." 
 
 On reaching the mine, Forshiem found Soldini 
 with the brothers : he told his tale like a soldier, 
 without preface ; and as there was much of the pain- 
 ful in it, (at least, to benevolent tempers,) neither 
 of his auditors had their joy unmixed. 
 
 The immediate removal of Demetrius, follow- 
 ed ; Soldini's care provided against any danger from 
 too sudden a shock of pure air, and he reached For- 
 shiem's house, much exhausted in body, but exhila- 
 rated in spirit. 
 
 The gratitude with which Leopolstat opened 
 his arms to his brother-officer, was increased by the 
 pleasure of beholding in him, the identical Irishman 
 whom he remembered in the Arch-ducal library : 
 Murphy recognised his person instantly, and the 
 adventure was then reverted to, with a gaiety, in 
 jvhich, both Forshiem and his wife largely partook. 
 
 The health of Demetrius being inadequate to 
 
262 The hungariak brothers. 
 
 so long a journey, as that from Idria to Vienna, 
 obliged the whole party to remain banished from 
 the scene of their warmest wishes. Charles felt 
 his happiness incomplete till he shared it with Ade- 
 laide ; and Demetrius scarcely trusted the continu- 
 ance of his, while absent from Constantia. 
 
 An official mandate, had recalled the Prince of 
 Nuremberg and his family to the Capital. There, 
 confounded with the crimes of his former associate, 
 and disgraced by universal suspicion, the Prince 
 found himself all at once precipitated from the 
 height of dignity and influence into an abyss of 
 shame. Unable to endure this outward contempt, 
 and inward hatred, he made a merit of necessity j 
 pleaded the deception which had been practised on 
 himself; and as a proof that he was actuated by 
 patriotism rather than private pique, gave his con- 
 sent unasked, to the marriage of his niece. He 
 then committed her to the protection of Adelaide, 
 and hastened to bury his disgrace in the retirement 
 of the country. 
 
 Pierre had died of his wound. Wurtzburgh 
 was publicly arraigned, tried, condemned, and exe- 
 cuted as a traitor. The fearful sentence always 
 passed upon such criminals, was tremendously ful- 
 filled on him, before multitudes of soldiers and citi- 
 zens : His death was shocking, but it excited no 
 pity. 
 
 Impatient to behold the objects of his tenderest 
 
•THE HUNGARIAN' BROTHERS. 26o 
 
 affection, Demetrius absolutely wrested Soldini's 
 permission to travel : no sooner was it obtained .> 
 than he hastened to commence this passionately- 
 desired journey. His soul was on the wing ; and 
 ere the tardy carriage had borne him three leagues 
 from Idria, he had a thousand times embraced in 
 idea, every member of the dear circle at Baron In- 
 gersdorPs. 
 
 While he was lost in transporting anticipation 
 Charles, desirous to indulge him in them, took r~ 
 weight of conversation upon himself; and delicaid 
 ly drew from the worthy Murphy, a history Qme- 
 disappointments and cares. Murphy was a ^ ex~ 
 tern, without interest or fortune, with a wife rst 
 children, and had long been hopeless of the promt 
 tion his services merited : Charles had the power 
 to make him happy ; and Murphy was soon after- 
 wards raised to the rank he wished. 
 
 When Demetrius first entered the room which 
 contained the friends he loved, a mist covered his 
 eyes; he turned from Adelaide to the Marshal, 
 from the Baron to Madame Reusmarck, embracing 
 each, in such wild tumult, as to be hardly sensible 
 who it was that pressed him in their arms. ' Yet 
 his heart, was full of nothing but Constantia : his 
 sight began to clear, and then he looked round for 
 
 her. 
 
 Unable to endure her joy, before so many wit- 
 nesses, she had rushed into an adjoining room, the 
 
♦264 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 moment his voice reached her from the hall : Adt> 
 laide whispered this to him, and the next instant he 
 was alone with Constantia ; clasping her again and 
 again to his bosom, even as he had found her, kneel- 
 ing upon the ground, in the act of hasty thanks- 
 giving. 
 
 The dark velvet dress of Constantia, and the 
 , black fur about the uniform and cap of Demetrius, 
 endered their mutual paleness peculiarly visible : 
 ,it what was personal alteration to them, who doated 
 r each other's hearts ; who seemed to drink each 
 , • i r's souls, in the pure kiss of virtuous and happy 
 v e ! — What was it to them, who saw in each 
 j Aer, the fountain of life, of health, and of joy? — 
 , At that blissful hour, every thing sad, was obli- 
 - terated from the memory of Demetrius; he felt as 
 if entering on a new being; and while his eyes fond- 
 ly wandered over every lineament of his once bloom- 
 ing Constantia, while gratitude sweetly suggested the 
 qause of her changed person, he murmured out-*- 
 " D-arer — O heaven ! how much dearer ! " — Con- 
 stantia's heart echoed the sentiment, and her glow- 
 ing eyes revealed it. 
 
 Charles first ventured to invade their retire- 
 ment : while he was speaking to the blushing 
 Princess, and claiming the name of brother, the rest 
 of the exiled party stole in, and Adelaide appeared 
 with her infant. At that sight, Demetrius drew 
 away the arm with which he encircled the waist of 
 
THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 265 
 
 his beloved, and starting -up, snatched the babe from 
 its mother : He covered its face with kisses, he held 
 it to his breast with an emotion that surprised him- 
 self; " The child of my brother !" he said in thought, 
 over and over again ; and as he repeated the magic 
 phrase, a thrill of tenderness ran through his veins. 
 
 It was long ere he would part with it : when he 
 did so, Adelaide delivered the smiling boy to its 
 father. 
 
 Charles held it awhile in his arms, with unutter- 
 able emotion : the spell which had hitherto been laid 
 on its innocent endearments, was broken, for Deme- 
 trius was restored. " Now then, my child ! " he ex- 
 claimed, and pressed it to his lips, " for the first 
 time, I kiss thee, with all the joy, and all the fond- 
 ness of a father." 
 
 His eyes turned from his son to Demetrius, 
 rested on him for an instant, then floating in tears ? 
 raised themselves towards heaven. — 
 
 IT was in the Castle of Leopoistat, when every 
 object sparkled with the gay light of summer, that 
 Demetrius received the hand of Constantia. 
 
 Blooming as May herself, the Princess had re- 
 gained all those charms which genuine Love prizes 
 while they are in being, but laments not, when they 
 
 VOJL. II, a a 
 
266 THE HUNGARIAN BROTHERS. 
 
 disappear; and the polished cheek of her Deme- 
 trius, glowed again, with the lustre of health. 
 
 United inseparably to the women they loved j 
 bound to their various friends by the sweetest ties 
 of obligation ; and gifted with immense wealth ; — 
 the Hungarian Brothers were deeply impressed with 
 this conviction, that superior blessings, demand su- 
 perior virtues: They now study how to combine 
 magnificence with utility ; and happiness with reli- 
 gious awe : their duties are their enjoyments ; and 
 their r^hes, " making to themselves wings," hourly 
 a fly away, as an eagle towards heaven ; in their 
 flight beautiful ; and celestial in their end*" 
 
 THE END. 
 

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