^^ V^' V^ ^ OF- ^'^^ ;5 Va^ CO vO a J7'^<^ SPLENDID MISERY NOVELS BY THE SAME AUTHOR, THE WINTER IN LONDON. la 3 vols. THE EIGHTH EDITION. BARNWELL, In 3 vols. THE FOURTH EDITION. SPLENDID MISERY, ^-i^ - u A NOVEL, l^cn. V IN THREE VOLi^MES, By T. S. SURR. K-f -M ^ .*^. THE FOURTH EDITION. VOL. I. < ^ <9 LONDON: PRINTED FOR RICHARD PHILLIPS, BRIDGE-STREET, BLACK -FRIARS 5 . By W. Flint. Old Bailej. 1807. ^. 1 Bftitcattott» Every hook, which issues from the press, is a public monument ; conspicuous according to its circulation, and lasting according to its merits. However limittd may he the notice which this humble structure shall attract ; however early, from want of skill in the artist, this literary fabric may become a neglected ruin, he is still desirous of inscribing on it a name, which would appropriately grace the most exalted, and the most durable work of Polite Literature, which human Genius ever invented. Though Gratitude be actually the parent of this wish, what reader will not ascribe its gratification to vanity, token he sees the name of Richard Brinslej Sheridan? VOL. T. -a PREFACE. In a very flattering Critique, which M* Jean- Francois Andrfe did me the honour to publish in Paris, with his Translation of the Novel of** Barnwell," after noticing the characters of Mental, Barnwell and Milwood, he observes, -^" II y a d'autres caract^res dans le ** roman plus ou nioins estimables ; ** mais il y en a fort peu d'in utiles ; *' puis qu'ainsi quedans Taction dra- ** matique, presque tons concourrent " a former le noeud, ou le denouement; ^* et cette conduite conforme d cellc '* du theatre, est celle que 3Iarmontel f-propose, n PREFACE. *' propose, pour donner au roman une "plus grande perfection.** Proud as I am (and why should I cDnceal it?) of this eulogium, from the pen of a man of letters, a stranger, a foreigner, and even in a national sense, an enemy,* the gratification of vanity is by no means the origin of its present quotation. This opinion of Marmontel on the perfection of an art, in which he is universally acknowledged to have ex- celled, I learnt for the first time from the flattering application of it by M. Andr6. I have, however, long been persuaded, that the more a Novelist * It appeared at Faris in the year 1800. PREFACE. m can confine himself within the rules of the Drama, so much the more he will be likely to attain the chief end of a Novel, — the rational amusement of a polished class of readers. The suc- cess of this plan has been strikingly evinced in the " Simple Story" of Mrs. Inchbald, and more recently in the " Belinda" of Miss Edgeworth. The footsteps of these writers might doubt- less have been followed without hazard of the slightest deviation from the path of correct taste ; yet I cannot but re- joice in the opportunity of shielding my humble attempts under the auspices of so respectable an authority as Mar- montel, especially as in this Novel I have endeavoured to approach nearer to the Conduite du Thedttx than in my former production. The IV PKEFACB. The character of JVallenstein, m Schiller's Drama of that name, sug- gested to me an outline for the cha- racter of the Hero of my Novel ; and I have even borrowed from my school* fellow, Coleridge, his translation of the Scene of the Astrological Tower. I am unconscious of any other plagia- rism. SPLENDID MISERY. CHAP. I. f.' A ^^^^ A Narration* ^^/> iSHE's gone,Hanbury — she's gone'/^ ^ exclaimed Captain Melville to his <3 friend the Reverend Mr. Hanbury, who had just arrived at the door of a small pleasant retreat, called the Cot- ' tage, near Tenby, in South Wales. " She has left me these two days," continued the Captain, *' and yet I am alive, — yes 1 have outlived that se- paration which I have often sworn would be the breaking up ot this old .weather-beaten bark.'* VOL. I. A The 2 SPLENDID MISERY. The captain struggled in vain to conceal a few tears. '' Fie, fie^ man," said Mr. Hanbury, " clieer up, cheer up." *' No, never, never again — the trial has so shattered this old heart, that it is nothing now but a w reck past all repairing — I feci my old hull won't float long, — no, down it must go — and therefore I amha|)py in this visitfrom an old friend before I sink for ever." " Come, come, Melville, shake oiF this vapourish fit, look about you, man, there/are a thousand comforts still left for your enjoyment; — this pleasant little cottage — " ** Pleasant ! — zounds 'tis. as dismal as a Spanish prison now slie has left it ; and as to my favourite little cabin at the end of the rose walk, where we have so often smoked a pipe together, for ^^1)6 soul of me, I can'i go near it. Every SPLENDID MISERY. 3 Every thing about it brings to my re- inenibrance the kind attentions of my dear Oceana. In one corner hangs the sampler, which she worked when only five years old ; and the flourishings, round the ed^es, I remember were worked by my poor wife, who loved her with the affection of a mother. Then in another part, are those beauti- ful landscapes which you and I have so often admired ; — then, there you know hang the likenesses of our two ugly phizzes, painted by the dear interesting soul ; — besides these there's the head of the old man, worked in needje work,and — but psliaw — why should I mention her, why should I think on her endear- ing, fond attention, when I may per- liaps never see her again ! — Fool, mad- man, tltat I was to part with her, nay, to persuade her to go." " Recollect, my old friend, it was A 2 a desire 4 SPLENDID MISERY. adesire to serve her that prompted this ^ separation, and doubtless it will prove advantageous. The friendship of two such amiable ladies, as the sisters of Lord Latimore, was not to be rejected. Consider that in this secluded part of the world, she has not a fair chance of settling to advantage ; and reflect what her situation must be, if she remains without a protector, when Providence may see fit — *' There again now, Hanbury, it drives nie mad to think upon my own folly. Had I not been the most easy gull, the most stupid dupe, that ever a scoundrel lawyer caught hold of, I might myself have supported her in affluence whilst 1 lived and left her a splendid fortune at my death. What an old fool must I have been 1 At the age of sixty-eight, having acquired a few thousands a year ifi return for many years SPLENDID MISERY. 5 years hard service, besifles the loss of an eye and an arm, instead of lying at anchor in the calm bay of domestic tranquillity, I must launch into the rough sea of politics, and squander away wealth by wholesale, for the honour of standing candidate for a seat in parliament, and the mortification of being laughed at when I lost my elec- tion as well as my money. It was so egregious a folly, thai I must have been instigated by the devil, in hisoldshape of a lawyer, to have committed it.*' ** But why indulge in such retro- spects as these ? Why regret what can never be retrieved r Let us change the subject." 0^ " No> Hanbury, now we are upon it, I will not leave it, till I liave fulfil- led the purpose for which I principally desired this visit — but you want re- freshment after your journey." Having O SPLENDID MISERY. Having seated tliemselves* in the parlour, and being furnislied M'itb pipes and tobacco, ale for the i)arson, and grog for the captain, — the latter thus commenced his narrative : ^* Excepting you and myself, Han- bury, all who know her, believe that Oceana is my daughter. You have long known the contrary ; but even you have hitherto remained ignorant of the circumstances which gave lier to my care. 1 shall now entrust them to your sacred keeping. " You remember my first voyage in the Lion after I was made post; a noble ship she was. She was then on the Me- diterranean station, and we were lying off Leghorn. At that port I received orders to saii in ten davs for the East Indies, — My wife, who, you recollect, accompa- SPLENDID MISERY. 7 iiccompanied me that voyage was on shore while we remained off Leghorn. At the house where she lodged, resided an Italian lady, wlio was the subject of much tattle among the curious. She was pregnant; and passed for a widow ; she was called the Sorrowful Recluse, from lier dejected appearance, and the retired manner in which she lived ; for she studied every method of con- cealment. I know not by what chance she was introduced to my wife, but, however, after a little acquaintance with eat h other, she confided to Mrs. Melville her wish to leave Leghorn privately, and her desire to settle in some distant country, *' The opportunity that presented it- self in the order M'hich I received, to sail for theeast,appeared almost miraculous to the poor lady. My wife spoke the Italian as well as she could speak her native n SPLENDID MISERY. native language, and I, lier husband, commanded a ship of war, sailing in a few days forjust such a distant place of refuge as this stranger \vas desirous of reaching. My dear Mary, you know, had a heart ever ready to sympathise Avith the unhappy; it is easy therefore to imagine that she soon felt an interest in the sufferings of one who appeared to be suflTering unworthily. Her offers of assistance were gratefully accepted, and it was agreed, that the evening previous to ouf leaving the port, the stranger should privately come on board. On the morning of that day, ho^vever,there arrived a messenger in great haste, who brought her letters ofsuch a nature as to overwhelm the poor lady with anguish and terror. She fled on board instantlv, accompanied by my wife, having dis- charged her only attendant, a female servant. All her baggage was comprised in that little curiously-wrought box which SPtENDID MISERY. Q which you have seen in the cabin. To shorten the tale, I shall merely state to you, that owing to the terror of her niind or some other cause, this stran- ger was prematurely delivered on board the Lion, oftlie dear girl, whom I have called Oceana, not merely because she was born on the ocean, but because 1 had always determined to give that name to my own child^ had Providence ever blessed me with one, as a mark of my attachment to the sea. The poor lady survived the birth of her daughter only a few days, during which, though perfectly sensible, she remained speech- less and almost motionless. The con- veniences I had stored aboard on my wife's account, her attentions, and the >skill of my surgeon, preserved the ia- fant though we lost the mother. " I had always been desii ous of chil^ dren, and was not without hope that A 5 my 10 SPLENDID MISERY. my Mary would have presented me with one in the course of that voyage. That hope Heaven saw fit to frustrate, and the preparations for the expected event were,you see,destined to serve us in ano- ther, which we could not have foreseen, ** After the death of the poor lady, our first thoughts were naturally led to a discovery of her name and history — for not one hint had she dropped con- cerning either. My wife was the only person on l)oard who could converse with her, and tohcr she had communi- cated no otherintelligencethan that she was unfortunate. When she was taken in labour she pressed the hand of Mrs. Melville, and with tears entreated her to give her the consolation of knowing that if she should die in giving birth to another, her babe might find a parent in her. '* The contents of the little box,'* said she, " will relieve you from all SPLENDID MISERY. H all . pecuniary burthen, and Heaven will reward you for your care. As- sure me then of this, dear, benevolent, English-woman, and assure me fur- ther that neither you nor your husband will ever divulge to my child the story of its mother; educate it in the pro- testant faith, and give it no reason to imao-ine that its mother was .1 fo- reigner— if possible adopt it as your own; or at least take every precaution to prevent the possibility of its ever being claimed by those, who have persecuted to death its unhappy mo- ther." Humanity dictated our answer to this request, and the dying smiles of the unfortunate mothcF expressed her gratitude I "After her death I opened the little box in the presence of my wife, tl-e suro-eon, and a nurse, whom I had hired for the voyage, under the expectation already 12 SPLENDID MISERV. already mentioned. It contained pieces of gold coin to the amount of about six thousand pounds, a golden cross, Mil- ton's Paradise Lost, in English, (on the title page of which was \yritten " Mor- timer,") and a small bundle of letters, all of which were signed *' Mortimer," and directed to .^.Olivia." They were not in the style of love letters, but evi- dently the real sentiments and feelings of a noble and well informed mind, on a variety of subjects. They wereall writ- ten in Italian. The letter which had so much alarmed the poor sufferer at Leg- Lorn, completed the contents of thebox. It was written in bad Italian, and simply addressed — *' To Olivia." The literal translation runs thus — "Honoured la- dy, we are at Paris; your route has been discovered ;very soon after this reaches you we shall be at Leghorn. Secrete yourself or fly the moment you re- ceive it; London is the next point in our SPLENDID MISERY. 13 our expedition, if you escape us at Leg- horn; you will therefore avoid England. Wherever you go Heaven preserve you ; direct your commands as usual, and if within con^pass of possibility your faithful servant will fulfil them. HY. BENSON." **This v/as all the information we gathered from the contents of the box. From their«?orrectne3S of the Italian in this last letter my wife concluded that Benson was an English servant in the retinue of her purs4jers; but this and all else was vague conjecture, nor was there a single clue that could lead to any further discovery. ** The unfortunate o])ject of our cu- riosity was committed to the deep. *' The infant thrived, and we conti- nued ourvoyage without any thing par- ticular 14 SPLENDID MISERY. ticularoccurring till our arrival at Cal- cutta ; soon after which the surgeon of the Lion basely stole,from the helpless orphan, the gold he had seen deposited in the hoxi and escaped up the country. I ordered a party of marines in pursuit of the scoundrel, who surprised him on the banks of a river with the iiold in his handkerchief, for he had left the box and its other contents. Bfing an excel- lent swimmer, he plunged into the ri* ver, and attempted to cross it. One of the marines rashly levelled his piece at him, and shot him. He sunk with the gold; and neither he nor the property were ever seen again* **In the very same week died the nurse, whom we had brought from Europe. The combination of these events remo- ving the witnesses to Oceana's true story, we determined to adopt h^r asour own; aresolution to which her poverty was SPLENDID MISERY. iS now an additional motive. When we wrote to England therefore we inform- ed our friends of the birth of a daughter, and in about four years afterwards pre- sented to them the lovely Oceana. " What a singular destiny tlie poor girl's is; deprived of parental care, she was yet, at her birth, possessed of a lit- tle fortune, which I hoped with careful '.husbanding to have made much larger, — t/iac a villain stole : — well, still she was fortunate in the protection she re- ceived from the best of women. Few girls of large fortune can boast such an education. What with the elegant ac- complishments which Mrs. Melville taught her,and the solid learning which she derived from your kindness, my old friend, where is there such another ? — I must be proud to say, your own Em- ma does not match her ! Then in per- son, where is there a form so truly ele- gant. 16 SPLENDID MISERY. gant,a face SO perfectly beautiful, inter- esting, and intelligent? And was not there the fairest prospect of her inlieri- ti ng a few acres at Jeast Prom me? When my poor brother Dick died.and the ma- nor came into my hands, did not I al- ways say every penny should be her's ? —and tlien comes that scoundrel of a borough-broker, Men-dham, with his .election projects, and kicks me down thirty thousand pounds for the honour of being called an independant candi- date, and a friend of freedom : thus re- ducing a really independant man to the scanty pittance of two hundred a year, and a Captain's half pay. Poor Oceana! — yet to see how >she bore the change —to see her sweet endearing smiles,her exertions to soothe my rough anger at the effects of my own folly ! Then again, since we havelost herwhom slie considers as her mother, with what fi- lial tenderness and attention has she la- boured SPLENDID MISERY. 1/ boiired to supply her loss. Oh Hanbu- ry, Haubury, m hat an old fool have I been to render dependancy the lot of that dear girl, when I might, and ought to, have left her the revenue of a prin- cess : it makes me blubber like a milk- sop in a stornii** Here the unfeigned regret of the generous old Captain was affectingly evinced by some involuntary tears. It was not till after a considerable time that Captain Melville* could suffici- ently comniand himself to state to his friend that his adopted daughter was, with difficulty, prevailed upon to ac- cept the repeated invitations of her ear- ly friends, Ladies Julia and Amelia La- tfmore, to pass the winter at least with them/'At length,'* continued he, *'she reluctantly left me,upon your promise of lendino^ me vour Emiua till her re. turn, and now I am more than half in- clined 18 SPLENDID MISERY. clined to recal her. — Even if she re- turns in safety, will not the gaijties of London and the splendour of wealth and rank make this confined spot, and h unible roof more despicable to her by the contrast ?" ** Oh by no means," said Mr. Plan- bury," her good heart will ever prompt her to act ri^^htly in every situation, and her good sense will direct herhow."^ ** Were I assured that the new Earl would treat ])er as much like a bis- ter, as i)is sisters themselves do, I should be much better satisfied, but lie has been so little in England, tl.^ knowledge of botany, and her pencil ^^: most admirably copied these produc- tions of nature, which she had made the peculiar objects of her study. Lady Amelia, whose disposition was more lively, evinced little inclination for study, or sedentary amusements ; Music alone excepted, in which science she was a mistress. She sung sweetly, and danced with a grace and agility very rarely combined. In their persons, both were lovely, but Amelia possessed superior attractions of beauty. The coun- 24 SPLENDID MISERY. countenance of Julia was interesting and expressive; but tl^gfcof Amelia was interesting in the extreme. A blush of health v/as relieved by a complexion remarkably fair, whilst the sparkling vivacity of her blue eyes, thelaughing dimples of her cheek, and the arch ex- pression of her rosy lips., struck the be- holder with delight and admiration. Julia rivetted the attention of her hearers by the intelligence, s()lidity,and grace of her conversation : — Amelia charmed every one by her lively man- ners and sportive fancy* Universal be- nevolence warmed the bosoms of both, and the innocent and generous impul- ses of their nature, alone, had hitherto been called into action. Such were the young friends of Oceana, with whom she liad formed a strict intimacy during her residence at the SPLENDID MISERY. 25 the former seat of Captain Melville, in Derbyshye, which happened to be contiguous to Latimore Hall. Julia and Amelia, the former espe- cially, became affectionately attached to Oceana; and when the poverty of her supposed father drov€ her from Derbyshire to Wales, their distress at her departure, and its cause, was genu- ine and deep. Their friendship conti- nued unblasted by those winds of ad- versity, which withered the fortunes of their friend. They corresponded re- gularly — ever addressing her as their sister. Upon the decease of their father they removed to his town refidence in Berk- ley-square, and had continued there, .since that event, under the protection of their brother, the Bishop, as the present Earl of Latimore had not yet arrived from the Continent. VOL. I. jj With '26 SPLtNriD MISERY* With tlie consent of the Bishop they had re peatedly entreated ^le company of their fri'end, and the day now arriv- ed, when the welcome tidings were an- nouiK-ed to them that Miss Melville Wis at their door. With a friendly im- patience to embrace their long expected guest, they broke through the cold forms of high life, and ran to meet her in the hall. Sincere salutations were exchanged, and ratified with sweet kisses of sisterly affection. The rapture of meeting was succeeded by the eager- ness of enquiry concerning the events "which had occurred during their long separation. Two hours flew away ere they conceived one had elapsed, and they were unexpectedly joined by their three brothers, who had dined Avith them, and whom they had left at the dinner table. Ladies Julia and Amelia vied with each other in praises of their friend, as they introduced her to their brothers. Colonel SPLENDID MISERf. J7 Colonel Latimore, wbo was cele- brated for his gallantry to the fair sex, was lavish of his encomiums on the beauty of Oceana, and, rallied his sis- ters, with much pleasantry, for their folly in introducing such an object as must infallibly lessen the force of their own charms. The Bishop was dignified In his demeanour, yet not haughty ; — tliere was a settled calm upon his counte- nance that repelled the approach of levity, though, at the same time, it seemed to court the attention of the rational and the worthy. When Oce*- ana was introduced to i:im, '* I hope. Miss Melville," said he, '' that my sisters v/ill evince their gratitude, for the favour you have done us in relin- quishing the protection of a father, and the tranquillity of your own home, for the bustle of this great city. They B 2 already ^8 SPLENDID MISERT. iilready owe much to your friendship and talents, and, I ^m sure, it will be thtir own fault, if the honour of this, visit docs not add as much to their improvement, as it has done to their obligations.** Oceana was about to return a suit- able reply, when Captain Latimore, who had filled his glass with rather less discretion than his brothers, with a noble,open countenance, and a smile that was the emblem of his hght heart, exclaimed, — " So, ladies, in every thing I am to have a younger brother's share — after the gallantry of a Colonel, and the sentimentality of a Bishop, what chance have poor ] p — I will, however, venture to wel- come with sincerity, such a .valuable addition to our family, and I wish to Q — ^ the old one may give her as hearty a reception ais I do." This SPLENDID MISERV* ^9 This honest effusion of the young Captain rather confused the party. — • ** William is a sailoj\ Miss Melville," said the Bishop significantly, — *'By the old one^ would you suppose he meant the Earl of Latimore ? There is, to be sure, a difference of more than twenty years in their ages, butj I believe. Lord Latimore is much more indebted to his reserved turn of mind and his state employments, than to his years, for the Captain's epithet of o/^ — is i'nt so, William ?*» ** E'en as you will, my Lord,*' re- plied the Captain* Whilst tea was serving, a courier arrived from the Earl of Latimore, who was hourly expected ; he an- nounced that " His Lordship was pre- vented reaching town that evening, but that his Secretary would ar- rive about midnight, as he was charged so SPLENDID MISERY. charged with dispatches for Go- vernment." ** Midnight!" exclaimed the Cap- tain with a loud laugh — ** Well done, eld one : oh, if his Secretary had not ar- rived at midnight it would have been nothing — as it is, what a fine diploma^ tic dash /If we have much more of this state dignity," continued he, in a seri- ous tone, ** by George^ I must slip ca- ble : — pray,Miss Melville,*' turning to Oceana, '* are you of a romantic cast? if so, you are fortunate ; for you could not possibly have set your foot upon more romantic ground. Only picture to yourself a brother, who for many years has been absent from his native land ; who has devoted his days to the liood of his country, and has sacrificed all those narrow brother •d.xii\ sistery and /iz//ierand?7/o^//ersortoffeelings,which common people cherish, to the enlarged sentiments SPLENDID MISERY. 31 sentiments of the Patriot and tlieStates- nian. When Providtnce deprived us of the most excellent of fathers, and we found ourselves dependant upon the illustrious head of our house; in- stead of flying on the wings of love to us; instead of meeting us with a warmth of affection, that might at once remove all apprehensions of his power, espe- cially from his sisters, he comes to us concealed in douhr, and covered u ith a gloom of mystery. With none of us has he exchanged any of the intercour- ses of a brother. Educated at a differ- ent school ; separated in earliest youth from all of us, we are almost ignorant of his person, and totally so of his dis- position, except, indeed, by report, which paints him a mysterious, melan- choly man. Since the death of our fa- ther, he has once condoled with us, by letter, in general, common-place terms ; but all other, his gracious communica- tions, 32 SPLENDID 3IISERY* tions, have been made through the medium of his Secretary — this same Se- cretary, who is to arrive here about mid- nights — Now, Miss Melville, if you have one spark ofcuriosity in your com- position, you will not, fatigued as you are, think of retirement till you have seen this Secretary, from whom, thougli a stranger, we anxiously expectto glean some account of our own brother." It was in vain, that the Colonel ral- lied^-that the Bishop remonstrated ; Captain Latimore at no time was very cautious of his language, and, at pre- sent, the wine he had taken rather in- creased than diminished the desire he generally felt to tell all that he knew, andhoncstlytoutterallthathe thought. The ladies, Julia and Amelia, however, embraced the first opportunity of with- drawing, with Oceana, to their own apartment, where they more than con- firmed SPLENDID MISERY. 33 firmed all the intimations of their talkative brother. They confided, into the affectionate bosom of their fiiend, their apprehensions and their ]v>pes, and not without tears lamented the loss of their parents, which placed them in so unpleasant a state of de- pendence upon a stranger-brother. Tales of past times, and the an- ticipation of future scenes, so closely succeeded each other, that the hell tolled twelve ere a separation, for the night, was once suggested. Almost at the samd instant, the trampling of horses, in the court yard, announced the arrival of the expected Secretary] The hearts of Julia and Amelia pal- pitated. A carriage now rolled in,to the court yard — they heard the door open, and the step letting down. — /'Perhaps my brother!" exclaimed B 5 Julia. 54 SPLENDID MISERY. Julia. '* Courage, eourage 1" said Oceana. Amelia remained silent. — They all three trembled. In a few minutes, a tap was heard at the door of the apartment. It was the Bishop. — 'Julia — Amelia, — may I come in?"said lie. In a moment the door was opened. ** You a.re alarmed, my dear sisters. Why do you tremble thus ?" said he, taking a hand of each of them. ''You do the Earl much injustice by such ap- prehensions. Why anticipate any other than the tendcrest reception ?*' *' Is he arrived ?'^ enquired Amelia. ^^ No," replied the Bishop, " it is Mr. Elmer, his Secretary." *' Has he brought any letters ?*' " No," replied the Bishop, ** but he has some communications for you, my sisters, which, if it is not too late, he wishes to deliver to you to- night." They were too anxious tolearn his communications to postpone the audience. Candles were, therefore, or- dered SPLENDID MISERY. 55 dered into the library, where, attended by her brother and Oceana, the ladies repaired, and where Mr. Elmer was requested to attend them. Mr. Elmer entered, and was intro- duced to his sisters, by the Bishop. The confidential situation which he held, threw an interest round him, which made him the object of strict examination at the present moment. He appeared to be about the age of twenty-five years; his person was handsome; his countenance noble and intelligent ; his address was easy, yet modest : and the impression which his appearance altogether made on the be- holder, was in every respect to his ad- vantage. ** It was my Lord's particular or- der," said he, "when I parted with him S6 SPLENDID MISERY, liim at Dover, to use all possible means of reaching Berkeley-square to-nigh t,a5 it is his intention to sleep here to-nior row. He ordered me personally to make his most affectionate remem- brances to the family, and particularly to the ladies; to assure them that no- thing but the most unremitting atten- tions which. he has been obliged to be- stow on the objects of his embassy, could have prevented his writing to tliem, and to request that they would have the goodness to superintend the execution of his orders relative to some trifling arrangemetUs, which, however, he ordered me to add, are necessary to his comfort. The first is, that a bed may be made up,for his Swiss servant, in thesame chamber as my Lord's :— the second, that double doors of baize may be added to the entrance of the small room,which was made use of by the late Earl as a study :— and lastly, that SPLENDID MISERY. $7 that domestics, in general, be parti- cularly cautioned, on no pretence ta enter my Lord's presence without his own summons.'^ Ladies Julia and Amelia looked at each other,— the Bishop himself appear- ed surprised. Recoveringhimself, how- ever, '* Does the Earl enjoy a good state of health, Mr. Elmer r" said he : ** these precautions seem to indicate the contrary." *' I have noticed no changein my Lord's constitutionsince I have had the honour of serving him ; I never heard him complain of ill health." "You have resided with him sometime, 1 believe, sir." **Nearly five years, my Lord : when the Earl left England on his present embassy, I was recommended by some friends, at Oxford, as an amanuensis to the secre- tary to the embassy. This situation introduced me to my Lord — and he v/as 38 SPLENDID MISERY. was pleased to honour me with his notice. He wanted at that time an amanuensis for his own concerns, and offered me the situation of his private secretary, which I have had the ho- nour of retaining to the present hour." At this moment the Colonel and the Captain, who had heen lounging away the evening at the Opera, joined the party in the library. They were intro- duced to Mr. Elmer, and made ac- quainted with the Earl's requests. Captain Latimore could not refrain from laughter. Excellent — bravo ! I told you so, Miss Melville, I told you, you would be gratified : and pray, sir," continued he, addressing Mr. Ehner, ** has not his Lordship a few more eccentricities of this kind ? 1 hope he goes through the whole character of the High and Mighty Baron of Days of Yore! SPLENDID MISERY. S9 Yore ! ! And so, "continued be, " the domestics must not pop their noses into his presence ; I suppose, sir, he sees no company at his table, but feeds on roots in sohtude ?** ** Pardon me, sir," said Mr. Elmer, *' you mistake my Lord's character ex- tremely, if you think him a cynic. But, — Iwould not be thought too assuming, but if I might advise — " he hesitated. *' Proceed, sir,'* said the Bishop: **the family will esteem themselves obliged by any intimation, which your connec- tion with my brother may empower you to offer us : — be frank, sir." " Thus encouraged, sir, Iwill,*^ said Mr. Ehner. *'It is now, as I before ob- served, five years since I first saw the present Earl of Latimore : I was then very young, not more than nineteen. Yet the opportunities I had enjoyed, added 40 SPLENDID MISERY. added to an enquiring mind, had given me a more extensive knowledge of mankind, than generally falls to the lot of men so young. I soon discovered that my noble master was no common man. A mind with such capacious pow- ers, and stored with such extensive knowledge, I should, till that time,have believed was more than human. The discipline of his mind appeared equally as astonishing, as its powers and attain- ments. I became not only his servant, but his disciple : I watched his counte- nance when he was silent ; and when he spake, my memory recorded every sentence. From this vigilance, during a period of five years, it may be pre- sumed I know my noble master. *' If there are impressions which my mind has irresistibly imbibed ; if there are conceits, which observation and imagination have engendered in my brain, SPLENDID MISERY. 4X brain, I am the keeper of my own opi- nions. All I will hazard is, that with the immense fortune — with the high rank, and extensive power, which my noble Lord has received at the hands of fate, there is some speck of misery, which dims the splendour of his for- tunes. I draw this conclusion from a strict observation of his mind and man- ners; and I study incessantly to sooth that anguish, which, I conceive,festers at his noble heart. I have presumed to say thus much in this presence, chief- ly with a view to prevent the infliction of unintentional wounds upon his sor- rows ; for, I assureyou, that ridicule would prove to his peace a deadly wea- pon, even in a brother's hands." Every one applauded the candour and good sense of Mr. £lmer ; even the volatile Captain himself acknowledg- ed his obligation to him ; ** for," con- tinued 42 SPLENDID MISERY. tinued he, " much as I disapprove the ostentation and reserve of the old one, yet I would not,for the soul of me, add tlie weight of a feather to the pressure of real affliction." After a few more questions and answers, the family se- ])arated for the night. Each framed" his own conjecture on the account de- livered by Mr. Ehner, and all felt an anxious curiosity to behold this extra- ordinary nobleman. Oceana, with this feeling of curiosity, mingled, however, the recollections of adistanthome; and as she reclined her head on her pillow, breathed the most fervent prayer to Heaven, that the protecting wings of the Angel of Peace might be spread o'er the couch of her father. CHAP. SPLITNDID MISERY. 45 CHAP. III. Closet Audiences. X HE following clay, the Earl of La- timore arrived in Berkeley-Square. This nobleman was in the forty-se- cond year of his life^ His person was a model of manly beauty, and his countenance was full of dignified ex- pression. His large eyes sparkling with animation, and shaded by thick black eyebrows, and his closed and curled lips, indicated at once, penetration, wisdom, and loftiness of soul. His presence never failed to excite, even from the meanest beholder, the homage of a stupid veneration; but in the 44 SPLENDID MIStRY. tlie minds of the discerning, it crcatecf tliose warm, yet respectful, feelings, which the contemplation of greatntssi and wisdom inspires. The first interview of the Earl, with his brothers and sisters, was affecting. The, nature of theexisting circumstan- ces was such,as to throw a diffidence in the way of those natural emotions which the occasion would otherwise have drawn forth. The address of Lord Latimore, how- ever, soon banished the reserve, to which his past conduct had given birtln The ebullitions of his love dissolved at once the icy suspicions that clung to their hearts ; and the whole family hailed him as a brother and a friend. Yet still that dignity of manners, which was his strong characteristic, suffered SPLENDID MISEUY, 45 suffered no diminution. Whilst his expressions of kindness obta-inSi their grateful love, .the irresistible impres- sion of his superiority, temperedit^u^ith respect. The formality of all'his ac- tions, tended to increase this species of veneration in no small degree, Thus^ ',^ after his first introduction, in whtchV ** his declarations were general, and hi^ t ^ discourse was addressed equally to all v ^ the family, he retired to his study, ta- king his eldest brother, the Colonel, with him. A closet conference there took place, in which the particular interests and individual concerns of the Colonel were canvassed, and arranged to his entire satisfaction. When he retired, the Bishop was sum- moned ; and after him the Captain. Each of these extolled their brother as a paragon. The Bishop admired his learning 4^ SPLENDID MISERY. learning almost as much as his genero^ sity,and was greatly astonished byboth. Tlie Captain himself swore, — " that ** after all, the old one v/as a good fel- ** low, ffjr lie had pledged himself to ** besiege the Admiralty till his bro. *^ ther was Commander in Chief of the '' Navy." The Ladies Julia and Amelia were summoned together, when he thus af- fectionately addressed them, — '^ Julia —Amelia — my dear sisters," said he, taking each of them by the liand, ** may I, indeed, claim you as such ? — our destinies have, hitherto, thrown us so widely apart from each other, that I must ask for your affections upon credit, — I have been deprived of all op- portunity of evincing my love by ac- tions, and have, I fear, been considered by you, at best, as a very negligent brother. Some allowance, however, I may demand on account of my public duties, — SPLENDID MISERY. 47 ecome very good friends,now we have acquired a knowledge of each other, ** I mention these circumstances, to induce my sisters to a similar confi- dence. I do not mean that you should immediately repose all your thoughts or wishes in the bosom of a stranger, as 1 am: — that is not to be expected. But, if there is a wish you would have ex- pressed to me, had you experienced VOL. I. c for 50 SPLENi:)ID MISERY. for years my love and regard, I ear- nestly entreat me to do me the justice ef believing me as much your friend, as your own hearts can wish me.*' HeretheEarlkissedthemboth affec- tionately; and by the unexpected kind- ness of his words and manner, brought tears into the eyes of his lovely sisters. Having thus softened their minds, and opened the avenue to their hearts, Avhich was his object in this preface, he p peared to change the subject, by asking them, how long they had beoi in London ? '' Not a month," said Julia, ** You prefer town toLatimore Hall, I presume ?" Lculi/ Julia. '' Amelia does much more than I do. I so much prefer that season of the year, which we spend at the Hall, to the dreariness of winter, that all the amusements of the metro- p'^li-5 SPLENDID MISERY. 51 polls do not compensate, in my esti- mation, for the chano-e.*' Lord L. "And you, Amelia?*' Lady A. '' I own my preference for the charms of society to those of na- ture, London and its varieties are more pleasing to me than the unvary- ing beauties that surround the Ilall, sublime as I oM^n they are." Lord i. (smiling) ^' But there ara sometimes casual circumstances that attach one to situations. The compa- ny we meet is frequently moreattrad tive than local attachment, either to town or country. Now it is no unfair iiurmise, that some sighing swain may beckon the one of my sisters to rural shades; whilst some choice spirit of fa- shion allures the other within the cir- cle of London and its pleasures :— Is it so, ladies?" p ,0 -v- 1 ^ SPLENDID MISERY. ; Lady A. " I'll answer No, — for the town." Lady J^ "And I — for the country." Lord Ij. *'"\Vell, well, I am not your confessor, — yet I hope to prove myself worthy of your confidence, if ever you have occasion for the advice of a brother. One thing only, I think it necessary, as a matter of business, to assure you of. I have been consult- ing my brothers, and weare unanimous- ly of opinion, that the world should know that theEarl of Latimore's daugh- ters have an independency, suitable to their rank and birth. Deeds will be put in your possession, my sisters, in a few days, which will make you as independent as you ought to be, and, I believe, as wealthy as the daughters of anv nobleman in the kino'dom.'' The emotions of surprise and grati- tude in the breasts of ladies Julia and Amelia 5PLENDID MISERY. 5 I* Amelia were inexpressible. They both, however, attempted to speak when the Earl silenced them. " No thanks — no thanks, my dear girls; 3^011 little imagine how ill I merit — " This unfinished sentence \vasspokenquickIy> and with a strong emotion. He seemed> instantly that he had uttered it, to be vexed that it had escaped him.--'*We— are all of us — We are none of us,Imean, entitled to — we are, at best, imperfect creatures. If, however, in this instance, I merit your approbation, I ivill, a^ least, endeavour to preserve it." — V/aving the subject, he observed — *^* You have a friend with you, I un- derstand, a ]\Iiss Melville;! have some knowledge of her father: if I recollect right he squandered a large fortune upon a county election. He was, at that time, our neighbour, in Derby- shire. A well meaning man ; a xtry gallant officer, but, I believe, a bad financier. Is he living ?'* The 54 SPLENDID MISERY. The kind girls eagerly embraced this opportunity of relating the situation of Oceana; extolling her to the very pin- nacle of praise. "So, so!" exclaimed his lordship, **Is she sucli a paragon, indeed ! I have 110 recollection of her. And so poor Melville has become shipwrecked on the rocks of poverty, in his old age ! — Poor old man ! Well, I must take some opportunity of knowing this Oceana Melville. Do you introduce her to your parties ?'* Ladi/ J, ** She arrived in town only yesterday." Lord L* " Melville is a gentleman, by profession, and his daughter may, doubtless, be introduced to any com- pany : only endeavour to conceal her poverty. Her accomplishments will not serve her, with the great or therich. They SPLENDID MISERY. 55 They will rather excite theirenvy than their admiration. Be cautious, there- fore, that you do not expose her to contempt. If she is a young woman of that strong sense you represent her to be, she may, without danger, walk awhile among the fashionable world ; but, to weak minds,there could not be a more hazardous situation than her's. You must procure for her the patron- age of the Duchess of Derrington, and then, whatever her sterling merit may be, she will pass current at every house of fashion in the metropolis — I mean, if her Grace is still, as I understand, the Leader of Fashion** ** No one has yet even attempted a rivalship with her Grace," said Amelia. ** And you are on good terms," said the Earl. " The most friendly," re- plied Amelia. "Well," sighed the Earl, and paused a few 66 SPLENDID MISERY. a few seconds, — *'\yell5niy dearsisters^ I have entered, as far as I am able, on so slight acquaintance, into yourcon- cerns ; let me draw your attention, a ^ moment or two, to mine" — ^again he paused. — " I shall, I trus t,be found, even under all circumstances, not un- worthy of your affection. You cannot better evince that affection, than by a compliance — a most strict compliance with those trifling requests, which I made to you yesterday, through my secretary. My motives for such re- quests, I am sure, it is not necessary to be acquainted with, to obtain your compliance. 'Tis my whim — my hu- mour ; call it by what name you will, but only let me be gratified in that whim — let me be indulged in that hu- mour ; and if any other part of my conduct assumes a shape not perfectly understood, impute it to my liking, and let it pass. Give me my humour. If, to-day I choose to be alone — to- morrow SPLENDID MISERY. 57 morrow give a rout—the next day go abroad — the next confine myself all day to my own study : — let all this pass without enquiries ; which,but for this caution, your kindness would, no doubt, induce. If I mix among the men of the world, I may do it for your sakes, and as your guardian. If I choose to shut myself from all the world, forego society, and forget to take my food, remember, that there may be objects of a man's ambition, which to attain, no sacrifices are too great. In short, give me my humour, my dear girls, and though you may marvel at my conduct to myself, you shall not have just cause to murmur at my behaviour to you." He em- braced them again affectionately, then requested them to leave him, and. rung for his secretary. c 5 CHAP.. 58 SPLENDID MISERY, CHAP. IV. P 07' trait of a Duchess, I T was noNv the month of January. London became thronged with the vo- taries of fashion and of pleasure. Bond- street seemed a lobby, crouded with male and female loungers. The squares were nightly illuminated by the blaze of flambeaux ; the shrill pipes of the watchmen were overpowered by the more powerful clamour of rolling cha- riot- wheels ; and the public places of amusement now drew together vast as- semblages, displaying, atone view, the magnificence, taste,opulence,and lux- ury of the age. In the plain language of fashion — "The birth-da}^ was over,'^ and it was now the height oj the season^ Time SPLENDID MISERY. 59 Time immemorial, as the annals of Fashion record, there has been ac- knowledged, by the fashionable world, a sovereign Dictator. In ancient days, when pastime was the business of life> this supreme power was, in general, exercised by man; but, in later times, it has devolved on wo- man. The service of the British Mo- narch is not now the preparation of a tournament or masque, nor do his amusements now require the superin- tend ance of a Master of the Revels. — Whilst, therefore, the welfare of the state claims the collective wisdom of the Nobles and Gentlemen;. and whilst the defence of the Empire unsheaths each loyal sword, it has becomethe pro- vince of the softer sex, to regulate the elegancies of society, vary the blan* dishments of fashion, and prepare the- repose and repast, which a lire, devot- ed to arms, to artj, or to commerce, requires. Thu5 60 SPLENDID MISERY. Thus we expect no more a Killigrew or a Rochester, but are eagerly pursuing the pleasure, which this Lady lures to a ball or a rout, or which that Duchess draws to a gala or a public dejeune. The Queen of Fashion, at the present period, was the Duchess of Derrington. Every one,as if by common consent una- nimously acknowledged the supremacy of her Grace^inthe Empire of Fashion* *'Wiiat was the colour of theDuchess of Derrington's gloves,at Lady Susan's rout?*" 'MVhat was the shape of the Duchess of Derrington's robe, at the drawing-room?" ''Did the Duchess of Derrington wear powder ?" ** Who is this Mrs. Tenterdon,that gave such a gala yesterday? I don't know much about her, but, I suppose, she is some- body, as theDuchess of Derrington n-as there." Such was the constant echo of conversation among that class of peo- ple, SPLENDID MISERY. 6l pie, wliose voice confers fashionable notoriety. Possessing a most lively, and affable disposition, tlie Duchess v/as the very spirit of vivacity in every circle which she honoured with her presence. Yet she was not entirely free from the pride of birth. She even added to that pride a positiveness of opinion, bordering on self-conceit, as Nveii in matters of the most frivolous, as the m.ost important, nature. These defects lessened the cir- cle of her real admirers, as she would scarcely ever accede to an alteration of her sentiments ; and was too prone to treat with asperity those, who v/ere suf- ficiently independent to question her judgment. These foibles were, howe ver, more than balanced by the genu- ine benevolence of her heart. The tenan- try, aroundher country seats>blessed her as the source of mariiy domestic com- forts, and the poor of the metropolis rejoiced 62, SPLENDID MISERY. rejoiced when AVinter drew to their aid the presence and example of the Duchess of Derrington. Nor was it to the distribution of com- mon ahns alone that her liberal mind attended. In the walks of fashionable lire,many were theobjects, who obtained from her, unfeigned commiseration and the most delicate relief. Was a concert, a ball^ a play, proposed for the benefit of any worthy individual in need, her name was ever conspicuous among the patrons of genius in distress,or the noble friends, of unmerited misfortune. If it be said that a love of notoriety,in some degree,, inclined her to exhibit her name on such occasions, still the active principle that prompted her to canvas from this, noble personage, to that wealthy citi- zen, exerting the influence she possess- ed, for the benefit of others, must be al- lowed to be a motive more honourable to SPLENDID MISERY. 6S to her heart, than ostentation ; it was the benign impulse of humanity. The Duke, her husband, a man of plain manners, and rather indolent ha- bits, with a good will towards all the world, without caring much about any- one in particular, left to her Grace the uncontrouled management of his im- mense revenues, and the free disposal of her own time and company : ad- dicted himself to the pleasures of the table and the chace> he passed a large portion of his time at a favourite hunt- ing seat in the north, in the society of a chosen few, whose minds and manners were similar to his own. Ease was the object of the Duke : variety and acti- vity were the idols of the Duchess. Thus every thing respecting the fa- mily establishments was under the su- perintendance of her Grace. The Du- chess of Derrington's equipages — the Duchess 64 SPLENDID MISERY, Duchess of Derrington's liveries — -tlie Duchess of Derrington's routs — and the Duchess of Derrinsfton's daughters, were loudly praised in every drawing- room, and in every newspaper tvery day ; whilst the Duke enjoyed as tran- quil an obscurity, as if the tomb of his ancestors had already received him. — One object, and one only, both the Duke and Duchess pursued with equal zeal — the splendid settlement of their children. Their son, the Aiarquis of Leverton, had long been destined by. both, as the husband of Lady Julia-, Oceana, and her two noble friends^,, were seated together, and were taking a. leisurely, lounging sort of breakfast, dissecting the mysterious character of the Earl of Latimore, when the Du- chess of Derrington was announced, . and, in an instant, her Grace was in the room. *'How d'ye do — how d*ye do?" cried SPLENDID MISERY. 65 cried her Grace, with the most un- affected ease imaginable, as she enter- ed the room. Observing Oceana, ** I beg pardon ; your people told me you were alone.'' ** Miss Melville," said Lady Juha, " a mo5t dear and valuable friend of ours.** Duchess pf D. ^' A most intimate friend, Lady Julia! A privy counsellor, I hope ; for 1 came purposely to hold a council of scandal. Miss Melville — Melville — I do not recollect the name. Have I ever before had the honour — '^ Ladij Amelia* '^ O never, never—* certainly never ; and so, if your Grace will allow me the pleasure, I'll begin, and tell you the whole, true, full, and particular account of her life, charac- ter, and behaviour, birth, parentage, and education.*' Duchess 66 SPLENDID MISERY, Duchess of D, *' O, no, no, no — for mercy no. I have too many hundred things upon my hands to-day." Ladi/ Julia > " Amelia's as mad as ever you perceive. Your Grace may have heard of Captain Melville, a bro- ther of Sir Richard Melville, of So- mersetshire. My friend, Oceana, here, is his only child. He has been so generous, as to spare her to us for the winter months." Zady Amelia.^^Awd she,disinterested soul, has been so generous as to prefer wintering amidst the delights of the metropolis, to sleeping away the season, like a dormouse, in a corner of South Wales." Duchess of D. " Very well — very -well, indeed ; Miss ]\lelville and I must soon be better acquainted. Now then to business. Prepare for a surprise, my dear SPLENDID MISERr. 6? dear Ladies. Who do you think, in the name of every thing ridiculous, l»as an- nounced a gala? — No less a personage than Mrs.Morley. Did you ever know an}'- thing so shocking ? The creature is, absolutely, vulgar. Her husband must have married her at some of thos.e shocking places, where the yellow fever makes women excessively scarce ; for she's egregiously ugly; is low-born, and had not a penny of fortune: however, he's as rich as a Jew, and she has the unlimited controulof his purse. Had the good woman satisfied herself with taking a house in Portland-Place ; though it had been next door to one, I could have borne it. But you remem- ber her airs last season ; every dress I wore — every carriage I ordered — the wretch ridiculed by her aukward imi- tations. Not content with this, she at- tempted to give routs precisely in the same style as myself. Even this I could have borne, but she has carried her in- tolerable 68 SPLENDID MISERY. tolerable pride so far already, this sea- son, as to announce a gala on the very same night with mi?ie I On the same night ; could you have believed it?"^ Zadj/ Amelia. " But surely your Grace fears nothing from the compe* tition,'* Duchess o/D. '' Oh if I had but been apprized of her malice, it would have been a most glorious triumph ! But, as it is, I could cry for vexation." Lady Amelia. *' Surely the Duchess- of Derrington is not apprehensive of a thin night because Mrs. Morley gives a gala.** Duchess of D, " Worse than that, my dear; I must really put it off. — The woman has absolutely forestal- led the three indispensahles of a gala I The Prince — TheMoRNiNo Post— and SPLENDID MISERY, 6^ and theBow-s treetOffice rs. With- out these, what soul would come near me ? Green Peas and Peaches would fail in attraction, even if they were twice as dear as they are. It is all over the town, that the Prince has promised to go; that circumstance alone will carry a croud. Then, the hiring the Eow-street people begets the notion of an excessive croud; and you know all. the world willbeauxiousforthehonour of a squeeze. But bespeaking the IMorning Post,for the next day, carried the point. She has employed people to circulate the circumstance, and it has had its full effect. Only conceive how I was mortified the other evening, at the opera. Lady Louisa Lomley beckoned me over to her box. "Did you ever hear any thing so provoking?" cried she ; " you know I promised your Grace for Thursday, and now the ugly Mrs.Morley has gone, and bespoke all the columns in the papers, and they say 70 JiPLENDID MISERY. say there'll be above five hundred names — what shall I do ? You know she sent me a ticket. Shall I look in, and just get my name put down ?'* — " Now have not I the patience of Job, to endure all this ; but let Mrs. IMorley beware. The consequence, my dear creatures,is,that I have been obliged to make a prisoner of my poor ]\Iary,and circulate reports, that she has been sud- denly seized with a sore throat and fe- ver. I suppose you saw the paragraph.*' Ladij Julia, ** No, upon my word • we have been gossiping the whole noon away." The newspaper lay on the piano, and her Grace immediately pointed out the following paragraph:— *' In consequence of the indisposi- tion of Lady Mary Derrington, the Fashionable World are disappointed in the SPLENDID MISERY. 71 the Duchess's Gala, which was in- tended for Thursday next. Some of the splendid dresses, which have been pre- pared for that occasion, it is, however, supposed, will be sported at Mrs.Mor- Jey's, of Portland-Place, who has cards out for that evening. The amiable Duchess is a close prisoner to the sick couch of her lovely daughter.'* The pure heart of Oceana absolute- ly revolted at this artifice of the Du- chess. So unskilled was she in the School of Fashion, that she deemed that woman devoid of feeling, as well as destitute of truth, who could so sportively affect affliction. In the sequel, the Duchess declar- ed the purpose of her morning's visit, which was, to entreat ladies Julia and Amelia, to exert all their influ- ence over their brothers, and every one ^Ise in their power, to stay away from 7'2 SPLENDID MISERY. from Mrs. Morley's ; and to engage the whole family to meet her *' darl- ing," as she termed the Marquis, her son, the following day, at dinner. CHAP* V. SPLENDID MISERY. 75 CHAP. V. A Sleep-JValk€i\ x\FTER the conferences wliich took place between the Earl of Latimore and his brothers and sisters, on the day of his arrival, his whole time, for several succeeding days, was occupied in an un- remitted attention to state-affairs. §ome changes among the members of administration, which were in agita- tion at this period, seemed to engross all the powers of his mind. Night after night was devoted to writing, and the entire day was spent in waiting on the leading persons in power, or in giving VOL. I. D private 74 SPLENDID MISERY. "- - • })rivate audience at home, to men of the first consideration in the stale. Whilst tlie Earl was thus laboriously tailing on the road, marked out by his ambition, the other branches of the fa- mily, relieved from a painful anxiety, bv the affection which he had evinced for them, entered more freely and Math unmixed satisfaction, into the various pursuits and amusements, which they had hitherto cautiously adopted, or ])artially enjoyed. TheColonel, on wings - of love, flew into Dorsetshire, with the agreeable intelligence of his bro- ther's generosity, which enabled him Instantly to offer to the object of.his admiration, proposals of marriage,suit- able in every respect to the dignity of his own family, and that of the lady, who had long permitted him to hope, she was far from indifferent to his ad- dresses. The SPLENDID MISERY. 75 TheBishop and the Captain remained in Berkeley-square. They werethe*con- stant companions of their sisters, whom they loved with the sincerest affec- tion. — The solid learnino: and manlv intellect of the one, was admirably adapted to temper the good-humoured levity of the other; -whose never- varied gaiety relieved, on the other hand, the j)]acid equanimity of temper, which characterized his brother- Oceatra, whom every one loved, was of course an object of attention and esteem to the whole famil}^. Lovely in person, amiable in mind, lier heart, her understanding, ^nd her manners such, as should ever coincide with a beautiful exterior — how could it be otherwise ? Wherever she moved, she won admiration by her charms and grace ; nor did familiarity at all lessen p 2 that 76 SPLENDID MISERY. tliat admiration. As- the various traits of her character unfolded themselves hy pr(igTcssive acquaintance, esteem rr)se graduall}^ on Uie hase of admira- tion, and Oceana Melville irresistibly became an object of friendship to the disc eiiiing and the good. She had now resided about eight days with tlie Latin^ore familv ; had en- Irred, with innocent pleasure, into the higher amusements of tlie metropolis; and, excepting now and then, a lecol- lection of her dependent state, and the misfortunes of him, whom she called father, she was happy. An event, however, was near, which, in its con- sequences, threatened to involve the ruin of her peace. It hapjiened one night, after the fa- mily had risen from supper, and the usual ** Good night'* had passed round the SPLENDID MISERY. 77 tlie table, that Oceana went into the library to excbange a book, which sLe had been reading, for the following vo- lume, intending to take it to her cliain- ber, where she frequently employed an hour of the morning, in reading or writing, before the rest of the family appeared. She replaced the volume she had read, but the next was not in its place. She tlien searched for it some time among those arranged on tlie shelves, but could no where discover it. Casting her eye round the room, she perceived eight or ten books lying con- fusedly too;ether on the wrltin- French novel, entitled "Ze Dot deSuzette.'' — She opened it. The first two or three pages 78 SPLENDID MISEllY. pages were attractive by a beautiful simplicity of style. She proceeded— tlie story was promising — it pleased — it interested — and, at leni^tb, it fasci- nated. She bad perused several pages standing at the writing-table, entirely forgetful of her situation, when the clock' struck one. This aroused her; yet she hesitated to close the book ; her mind was perfectly awake to its inter- esting pages, and she, at length, deter- uiined to finish the romance beforeshe retired to rest. As she never required her maid's as« sislance in undressing, and as she was convinced the whole family had retired, she resolved to rekindle the dying em- hers of the fire, and to seat herself for an hour or two b}^ its side. In the execution of this resolve, she had nearly consumed her candle, when the clock struck three: still perse- vering, SPLExNDID MISERY. 79 vering, however, in her deterni'mation, she lit a taper, tliat stood on the t^ hie for the convenience of sea-ling letters, ami was proceeding in the story, when tlie ^oi^w^offootsteps ill the hall alarmed her. Slie listened — and was convinced that some one was actually approaching the library. She feit at the moment rather more shame than fear ; for apt as was the hour for spectres, Oceana's mind never admitted an apprehension of them. She, therefore, instantly con- cluded that the Earl^ or his Secretary, was coming to fetch some book or pa- per from the library, and she blushed at the exposure of her novel-sick pas* sion. This persuasion soon vanished. — A deep and anguish- breathing sigh struck her ear, and chilled her blood with horror. Something 80 SPLENDID MISERY. Something like terror now really seized her. The door of the library opened, and the Earl of Latimore ap- peared. A loose night gown was folded round him ; his hair was untied and fell loose- ly on his shoulders. In his right hand he carried a candle, by the light of Avhichhis countenance was clearly dis- tinguishable. It expressed a mixture of horror and regret. The fore finger of his left hand was placed upon his eye-brow, and he stood in an attitude of deep thought. Oceana's terror was now converted into an undescribable sensation of hor- ror ; she perceived that it was the mind alone of Lord Latimore which was a wake, directing the unconscious move- ments of his limbs — he was walking in his sleep. His eyes were unclosed, yet SPLENDID MISERY* 81 yet he saw nothino;. They travelled with heavy, languid motion round the library, and then sunk again on the floor. " No, no, not on the earth's wide surface can 1 find her,'* at length exclaimed the breathing spectre, and sio:hed aojain most heavilv. He then walked past Oceana, v/ho, almost overcome with horror and sui> prise, was about to quit the library, when the EarFs Swiss servant, Durand, appeared. He was watching his master at a cautious distance, and intimated to Oceana, by signs, the necessity of her remaining still and motionless. Hj beckoned her to extinguish her light, and to conceal herself behind a folding screen. Relying on Durand's judg- ment, she instantly complied. Scarcely had she obeyed, when the troubled spirit of this miserable Noble- D 6 man 82 SPLENDID MISERY. man broke forth into these quick, in- coherent and broken sentences. — ^* Oh faitliless, faithless, cruel Olivia! But I punished him — Yes, yes, this arm, Olivia, this arm has laid him low — I slew your Mortimer. Now his spirit haunts me night and day. — Mortimer, I say, away. Why burst your coffin, thus to come, dressed in a bloody winding sheet, to court? — What has theKing to do,Mortimer,with your wounds? Why seat yourself, in my chair, at the council-board ? — Fiend, I say, away : thou shalt not cross my purpose, I will be all but — King. I tell you, Mortimer — you have no business at the council: you are a skele- ton. — My Lords, it is his ambition to be Chancellor.Preposlerous folly! — What could you do with the seals in your coffin? Hush — if you tell theseLords, tliat I — that Latimore, did such a deed — hush — SPLENDID MISERY. 85 —hush — hush — I say. Go, go, you smell of the church-yard. — Why don't some one turn him out ? What — can you suffer a skeleton to approach tlie King ? See the earth-worms are dro])- ping from those holes where his eyes were. See — see — he guides the King's hand to sign the death-warrant of a murderer. Mercy, Gracious Sire. — • Hold, hold — I beseech your MajesK\ give me the fatal pen. Ah ! Horror, horror — a crawling worm has twine:l itself around the pen. I cannot shake it off: it is cold as an icicle. Its touch chills my blood — I freeze — I freeze — help, help 1 V' Ashespokehisteeth chattered. The candle, which he held in his hand, fell on the floor, and his whole frame be- came convulsed. In the same instant his eyes flashed with awakened sense, and Duraad* who Avatched the crisis, caught 84 SPLENDID MISERY. caught him in his arms, and conveyed him to his chamber. Oceana, who had been a trembling auditor of the unhappy nobleman, now stole from her place of concealment, and relumed the taper. What she had heheld, and what she had heard, had removed from her mind all desire of finishing the nove':, and she instantly returned to her chamber. Late as was the hour, the agitated state of her mind prevented sleep from resting on her eye-lids. Her thoughts busied themselves with the formation of endless conjectures on the meaning of the Earl's incoherent solilo MISERY. 105 The artifice of Oceana succeeded. The Earl replied — "You arsrue admirablv :— and if "til is disease of mine had not so deeply wormed itself,as it were, into my hearty I think you excellently well qualified to remedy its effects.'* " How happy should I deem my- self, if the pleasure of such a cure were to fall to my lot,'* said Oceana ; '' and suffer me to hope, that the singular accident, by which I have been made acquainted with your malady,- is a. prognostic that it shall be so.'* " In spite of my conviction to the contrary, you almost induce me to^ believe it possible*" *' Oh cherish such persuasion, my Lord, and the cure is half accomplished.. e5 Suffer 106 SPLENDID MISERY. Suffer me to say, that no endeavour shall \y€ wanting. I have often, my Lord, spent hours in the task of sooth- ing the anguish that has preyed u|)on a loved father's mind.. I have experir tnced the rapture of seeing him smiJe* and ob, how amply was I rewarded !' , And I am sure I should feel the same jjoy, if I could court to your presence^ a smile V' Ther€ appealed an enchantment in^ the melody cf Oceana*s voice, or iov her words, which made the Earl her slave.. Plis passions,^ powerful in the extreme, were apparently suhdued ; iiis .reason, strong as, perhaps, was ever liuman. being's, seemed subjugated: by her power; and his will, domi- neering as the most powerful de- spot's, in, this instance bowed before her.'s^ *' You almost make me forget my- self,. SPLENDID MISERY. 107 self, already," cried he, '* but it must not be. Whatever else of this adven- ture may be idle phantasy, there is a reg- ality in the name you uttered; and there are real events connected with it, the memory of which will for ever mar rt>y peace. You saw the agony I en- dured J again and again I shall dream , of this wretch; and again shall be tor^ tured with his horrible form. Why do I exist ? is it not better that a n\aii escape at once from such pliantoms as tliese ? — What glory can compen- sate for sach hours of misery and hor- ror? What, if I gain the very sumuiit of my high ambitious hopes :• what, if my councils guide that sceptre I aspire to guide, and I become, in. essence, the ruler of my country, will the full grasp of power give me the sm ditst influence in the mind's dominion ? Alas, no. And then the risk of being 'known tobe the thing I am — :he scared victim. r08" SPLENDID MISERY. viclim of a shadow-forming nialafly* Doomed, perhaps, to hear fools whis- pering one another as they pass me— - *^ There, that's he that caniiDt sleep o'nights. See, tliat's the poor Earl La- timore, whose conscience will not let him rest. They say that he sees spec- . tres in his dreanis \i* Then will they shake their sapient headS) and cry — *'Godb]fcss them,*^* and '' than4c God: that they sleep quiet in their berls!'*' I'he tender heart of Oceana wrpt in*- "wardly for the distracted object that s-tood beforis her. Surprised, terrified,. horror-stricken,.as she was, still pity glowed within her bosom, and she stu- died liow to sooth the very anguish, that alarmed her. *' Let me beseech your Lordship/' siiid she, with tenderness, '* to think no more of what occurred last nightw Be as if it never had been.. In my own breast the- SPLENDID l^nSEHY. l09 the secret of your grief shall rest ^- lent; as thotrgh it never had been known tome : be assured, my Lord, it shall.*' ** Nay, think not, Madam, that I shall trust so lightly ^to your faith.. If I shall dec jde slill to endure exist- ence, it will be with pains and jealoa- sies, which you must henceforth share with me; and if I die, you must ac- company ine to those shades^ thaishalfc "Forever hide the secret of last nig-ttt^ At that portentous moment, when your Fate led you to the scene of yeter- night, at that moment did iny !Fate liriite to yours. " Whatever good or HI, and aH the good and evil that was ordained, from the first birth of time, to ming^le iu the destiny of Latimore ; from that event to his expiring moment, was ordained for you. One Fate alone is ours! — And. no SPLENDID MISERY. And that no common destiny ! Here- after we will discourse upon particu- lars. For the present, all that I am re- solved upon is, that you solemnly swear in the name of that Eternal Es- sence, which fills all space, swear that you have not revealed, to eye or ear of mortal, ought that you heard or saw last night.'* Oceana trembled ! — *' My Lord^ I have not seen since then a human face, except yours and your ser- vant's* '' Confirm it by the oath P* *» Wil^ lingly — I swear it.** " Thus far, I am secure then; and, for the future, Lady,, swear by the same mysterious and holy Essence, that no circumstance, however critical ;no tortures, however racking to the mind or body, shall ever draw thesecret of that hourfrom your bosom. Swear that no indication, even that you have SPLENDID MISERY. Ill have a secret which concerns Earl Lati~ more, shall ever, by hazard or desigt?. escape you. Yes, by hazard, I repeat for you must so shackle every futur look and gesture with strict caution, that the chance shall be impossible* Swear this and live.'* Under the influence of existing cFr- eumstances, Oceana deemed it cruelty to augment his sufferings by opposi^ tion. She consi<:lered it as an oath to which no moral obligatioji could at- tach,, as it wanted the sanction which can alone render an oath sacied — her will. ** I swear it,** said she. *^ Enough. — So may your soul know healthful peace er torturing disease, as you are true or perjured ! Go now, mix with my fa- mily. 1 know, child, that you will Dot meet them with the same light heart that you were wont to do. I see the chain; ilS sKlen'did "jJrisrERr. chain, tlie galling chain around you, that, to all others, is invisible. But, remember, I did not forge these fetters for your thoughts and actions : tliey are the gifts of Fate ; and the manner in which I shall perceive you wear them Avill influence all the future ofour com*- mon lot. Stay not to reply at present ; leave me." Oceana retired to her chamber. No sooner was she alone than the most melancholy train of thought suc- ceeded the agitation of her mind. The solemn injunction of secrecy, un^er which she must henceforth labour in the society of her friends, nov/ appeared to herimagination as an evil ofnocom- mon magnitude. The Earl of Lati- more's future conduct was another source of melancholy contemplation. She perceived the true state of his mind. It was noble, in every sense of that compre* SPLENDID MISERY. 113 comprehensive expression, but it was, nevertheless, diseased. Whatever might be the cause, it v/as evident that he was miserable; and however artificial ap- pearances of happiness might impose \ipon others, Oceana, henceforth, knew him to bewre.tched. That his misery sprung from some event connected with the name of Mor- timer, was also plain, but the nature of that event was, at present, shrouded from her knowledge. Yet she thought, "The time may not be distant, when the present painful uncertainty may be exchanged for yet more painful know- ledge. The tale, wheft told, may even surpass the horrid image of (Common murder, which my rtiind alr^-ady che- rishes, and my future peace way, per- haps, be for ever ruined by the forced concealment of unexampled guilt.*' At this moment the recollection of lavmg Hi SPLENDID 5IISERY, having mentioned the adventure of last night in her letter to Captain Melville, induced her to agitate the question, how far she ought to abide by such an oath as she had taken, in opposition to the impulse of filial duty and affection, which had hitherto ever prompted her to place the most unlimited confidence in her loved father's bosom. Thus she argued :— ** There has yet occurred no ques- tion, in which his advice can influence my choice. What 1 have written can serve only to awaken curiosity, without tending to any useful purpose. For the presentthen,atleast,I will com ply unre- servedly with the wishes of this unhappy Nobleman. I will destroy my letter,and wait the further progress of this adven- ture, ere I determine upon the propri- ety of abidingimplicitly by the condi- tion of an oath, extorted under such circumstances SPLENDID BIISERT* 115 circumstances of terror and commise- ration." Her determination was too late. The letter, which she had sealed and placed upon her toilette the preceding night, had been removed whilst she was with the Earl, packed up in a parceU and forwarded to a friend, agreeably to her own furLi}€?r order. The question was thus determuiecl by Fate, She had not violated her oath, and yet the secret was, in part, disclosed. CHAP. IIG SPLENDID WrstRY, CHAP. VII. A Masked Gala. HREE or four days now passed away, the principal portion of which was devoted, by Oceana and her friends, to preparations for their attendance at the Masked Ball, or, as it wa^ termed, the Gala, which had been so long an- nounced by the Duchess of Derrington. In this interval no private communica- tion had taken place between Earl Lati- more and Oceana, buthe had evidently fcacriliced some hours to the domestic circle, and had taken several opportu- nities of drawing Oceana into particular conversations, on varioussubjccts,with the view of ascertaining the bias of her mind, and the compass of her under- standing. SPLENDID MISERY. 117 standing. Convinced, from his own observation, that she was many degrees above the ordinary level of her sex, he felt a considerable diminution of the mortification and anxiety, which her discovery of his secret misery had at first occasioned. Still^however, he felt, that his mind was exposed to her in its. naked deformity, and the remembrance of such a degradation ^yas painful t;o his pride. The attention^ which he paid to- her did not escape the observations of the family, Julia and Amelia rejoiced at the circumstance. Ignorant of the true cause ofsuch a seeming preference5they attributed it entirely to the discernment of their brother^ and the iperits of th^ir friend ; and overlooking the disparity pf their years, their fortunes, and their ranks, they flattered themselves, that it was a preference which might, at no very distant peri>od, gdd t.he name of Sister IJ8 SPLENDID MISERY. Sister to that of Friend, in the person of their Oceana. These surmises were rather strength- ened than discouraged, when the morn- ing of the Duchess of Derrington's night arrived, and Lord Latimore sig- nified his intention of attending them, at her Grace's, at the same time observ^- ing, in a strain of gallantry, wholly fo- reign to his general deportment, "that the movements of Miss Melville so « powerfully influenced his own, he was constrained to own himself her mere satellite, whom the laws of Fate had doomed to follow the evolutions of its master planet." Oceana, however, construed the meaning of this apparent compliment much nearer to the truth. She felt its force, and sighed. Evening arrived. Important SPLENDID MISERY. 119 Important engagements at Council preventing the Earl from accompany- ing the party to the Duchess's, he took memorandums of their dresses, and promised to join them there as early as possible. The party, consisting of Ladies Julia and Amelia, the former habited as a Nun, and the latter, as Diana; Oceana, as a Virgin of the Sun ; the Captain,as a Dutch Sailor; and the Bishop, in a Domino, proceeded, about eleven, to Derrington-house, which was, at that moment, the splendid Temple of Wit, Taste, Pleasure, and Magnifi- cence. The Entrance-hall was metamor- phosed into a garden of rare and costly exotics, which imnressetl the mind with admiration, and delighted the senses by theirbeautyund theirodour. Sparkling lamps 120 SPLENDID MISERY. lamps of every colour, seemed dancing among the shrubs and trees, through ^vhich an avenue was formed, that led to the foot of the grand stair-case. On the several resting places of the stairs, were groups of lovely girls and boys, habited in strictC6>^2^w?we,as Savoyards, who wel- comed the approaching guests with the liveliest airs and chorusses. The princi- pal Gallery was converted into a most superh temple, after the design of the magnificent scene of the Temple of the Sun, painted for the play of Pizarro, at Drury Lane Theatre. This was the chief promenade for the Characters and Dominos. The Drawing-room and Anti rooms were thrown into one, and formed a temporary Supper-room. This room was a blaze of splendour, softened to the eye of taste by the most judicious arrangements of its magnificent decora- tions. SPLENDID MISERT. Y^X tions. The tables were covered with services of gold and silver plate, con- taining every luxury which voluptu- ous fancy could suggest and princely opulence procure. But the apartment on whicli her Grace of Derrington, and her daugh- ters, aided by Ladies Julia and Amelia Latimore, had expended the piincipal portion of their time, and the united efforts of their taste and fancy, was the grand saloon^ which was appropriated to the votaries of Terpsichore. The scene here seemed actually the creation of enchantment. The pencils of some of the first artists had been employed upon the temporary walls and ceilings. Mirrors of immense size reflected back the splendour of an hun- dred brilliantly illuminated chande- liers. Transparencies of exquisite de- voL. I. F sign 122 SPLENDID MISERY. sign and workmanship, were sus- pended by wreaths of artificial flowers, lvet\\ccn slender columns of silver, on ^^ liicli were pendant appropriate insig. ida of the mirthfid temple. At each exjd of the Saloon floated a most beauteous cloud ; on one of which' reclined the goddess Terpsi- chore — on the other, the god Apollo: behind these clouds, bands of music were concealed, and the enrapturing sounds which issued from invisible in- struments, completed the enchanting delusion of the scene. Early as was the hour, according to the dial of fashion, the rooms were beginning to be most deliciously ci^owd- ed, as a mask, in the character of a Flower-Girl, observed, when the Lati- niore party arrived. They hadjustpriid their respects to the Duchess, when a general SPLEXDID MISERY-. ]23 general buzz of satisfaction announced the arrival of the Princce At that moment, he entered the temple uu^ masked. He was. supported by two gentlemen in black dominos. With that inex- pressible union of dignity and affabili- ty^ which at once indicates the noble mind of a prince and the polished manners of a gentleman, he entered into conversation with the Duchess, who was, also, unmasked. Her Grace, who had expressed a particular kindness for Oceana,- with peculiar condescension, studied to render the scene entertaining to her pupil, as she termed her. She describ- ed the. various characters as they pass- ed her, nodding and whispering them- selves into her notice. The Latimore party kept as near to I*' ^ each . 124 SPLENDID MISERY. each other as the crowd permitted them. As tliey, were promenading the temple, the same Flower-Girl, who had passed them on their entrance, ran up to the Duchess, who was walk- ing with Oceana, and exclaimed— *' Oh Lord, how charming! I was never half so delightfully astonislved ! You attractive creature, you ! What a crowd I There is not a corner to stand in. I never was so delightfully ele- vated in my life ! My dear Duchess, why don't you have a night every week? I declare I don't think there could he more people, if they paid for their tickets — do you ? But pray, who is that lovely creature your Grace lias taken into favour? Every hody says she must he a monstrous favourite, because her dress is so 7no7istrous a- propos to the Temple of the Sun, — that she inust have been in the teciet. You SPLENDID MISERY* 125 '■ You are a 7nonstrous bore,'' cried a mask, in a black doiuino, who follow- ed the party. *'Oh you brute — I know^ you,*' replied the voluble Flowei-Girl. ** Lord, its the extreme of tlie ridi- culous in you to attempt masking, Charles, for you know you carry tlie odour of a stable, and the Ian":udo'e of a groom, wherever yon go : — tl;ere, take that." — The young lady then threw a rose at her Charles, and t^i^J- ped lightly away. Charles pursued her, *' Admirable pair," exclaimed the Duchess, in a whisper to Oceanji. — ► *^ The Flower-Girl is the widow of au Irish peer: she is remarkably hand- some, remarkably silly, and remarka- bly rich. Her Charles, is the young- est son of a deceased citizen ; and is, like Lady Lustre, remarkably rich and remarkably silly. Her ladyship is the best rope^skipper we have, and Charles 126 SPLENDID MISERY. Charles Scavenge is allowed to be unri- vail d in driving a tandem. Precious pair!*' Attliis instant, the Prince and his two companions were approaching the Duchess. **Heonthe right of the Prince,'* ob- served the Bishop to Oceana, *^ is the j •lior Meriton, a young niandeserved- iy high in the estimation of the first companies, from his suavity of man- ners and his brilliant accomplishments. Ileisa favourite of the Prince^ and tlie patronage is equally creditable to the talents of the one and the discernino; liberality of the other. *' Do you know the domino on the left of the Prince?" continued the Bi- shop,addressing himselftothe Duchess. *' I beheve a mother may say, she knows her own child," said her Grace with SPLENDID MISERY. 1'27 with a smile, *' It is the Marcjuis of Leverton, and I insist, my Lord, tlia^ as a protestant bishop, you will ur,\v exert your powers of eloquence over the cold scruples of this fair ntin, your sister : and should the ars^umcnts of Christianity fail, I must entreat my little heathen divinity here, the chaste Diana herself, to intercede for my poor * Darling.' — Nay, the Virgin of the Sun must for once plead the ca'us^ of love and constancy I" Amelia, with innocent archness, ad- ded to the embarrassment of her sister . by entering fully into the wishes of the Duchess ; whilst her Grace, who was already characterized as a '^Alatch- ^«A:t?;',"with the broadest hints, intro- duced the Marquis of Leverton to La- dy Julia, and placed her underhis pro- tection.— The Prince walked with Ame- liqi; and young Meriton entered into conversation with Oceana. As ^28 SPLENDID MISERY, As xhey were ihusprome?2adi?7g they were stopped by a character, very ex- ceilently dressed, as an Astrologer. — Bowing reverently to the Prince, he addresjied liim thus: — *' Hail to the illustrious Prince, the portentous star ot* whose nativity glowed on these aged eyes, and gave the inner man to know the fate of empires in that hour's destiny !" " Marvellous man !** said youn^ Weriton. **And is it to the stars that you are indebted for the asto- nishing talent of discovering what is not attempted to be concealed ?'* Alluding to the Prince's being un-^ masked. ** Babbler of M'itticisms, hold I'* ex- claimed the Astrologer. " Learn that ihoit^ though concealed, and thy father, though al>scnt, are known unto me. — He is eloquent in the senate, and his wrr SPLENDID MISERr. 129 wit is unrivalled ; but his eloquence cannot influence the decisions of Fate, nor the charms of his wit for one mo- ment arrest the busy motion of the Hea- vens. He himself would acknowledge, tliough almost omnipotent with wea- pons of ridicule, yet even he would confess, that there are sublimities in nature, which all but fools and da3- mons hallow !" '* Bravo 1 Bravo !'' cried young ]\Ie- riton, not a little chagrined. ** Upon my honour, Kemble could not have declaimed with better emphasis. I wonder who it is — " ** The wonder will last,*' replied the Astrologer, *' for none know me, tho' I know all. My business is not with you ; but thus much of your future destiny you n:iay take gratis. Culti- vate the Virtues with half the succes*^-^,, that you have studied the Graces, and > F 5 ^ you 130 SPLENDID MISERY. you will hereafter be as much honour- ed by the Good, as you are now flat- tered by the Great/' '* Who can it possibly be?" said Mc- riton. " Pray, sir, are you the Wise Man of the East, or the Wandering Jew, or a Travelling Conjuror — or — ?*' ¥/ith an air of disdain, the Astro- loger turned from him. and addressed the ladies. *'Fair daughters of the House of Latimore, hear wisdom I — The know- ledge of the destiny of your illustrious. House has beeri, through many an an- xious day dnd sleepless night, the ob- ject of my enquiring contemplation. You have a brother who " '^Psha," interrupted young Meri- ton; '* this is too much." SPLENDID MISEUT. lot ''*Tis not a bad character," observ- ed the Prince, " but carried a Utile too far perhaps." The Astrolo2:er bowed reverently to the Prince, and, apparently, from re- spect to him, desisted, and suffered the party to proceed. The rapid change of characters th t now passed and repassed them, sooir effaced the image of the old Astrolo- ger from the remembrance of every one but Oceana. On her mind tlie last words of that singular character hdd made an indelible impression. Tlie bro- ken sentence — " You have a brother who'* still sounded, solemnly as it was^ uttered, in her ears :-r-and the combi- nation of horrid ideas that took place in' her mind, precluded from lier ob-» servation all the puppetry of the cha- racters around her, and cast a gloom over that blaze of splendour, whichi dazzledi iS^ ^FL^NBTD MISERY. clazzled and delighted all other ejes. Inattentive to the compliments, the observations^ and even the railleries of joung Meriton, she preserved an un- broken silence till she found herself in the room, appropriated to the dancers, aroused from thought by the brisk notes of the pipe and tabor. •' You intend to dance, of course, Sliss Melville," sakl Meriton. " May I hope for the honour of your hand ?'' Oceana was embarrassed. She had indeed projieised herself much pleasure from danci ng> but her mind was now so much depressed by the remembrance of her intervievv with Lord Latimore, which she had connected in her mind ^vilii the singular expressions of the Astrologer, that it was by no means a pretence, ^Hien she pleaded sudden in- disposition, SPLENDID MISERY. 133 disposition, and requested her excuse. Julia and Amelia, ignorant of the cause of her indisposition, were extremely alarmed at it, and kindly proposed re- tirina: on her account. This sacrifice Oceana resolutely resisted, and sum- moning her spirits, assured them, that in the second or third dance she should be able to join them, if they would al- low her the pleasure of being a specta- tor of the first. The Duchess was too much engaged by that division of her attentions, so necessary to give general satisfaction in so large a party, to be able to particu- larize the situation even of her ** Pw- inl'' The Bishop had joined the Whist- players ; the Captain had disappeared the whole evening ; and Oceana posi- tively persisting that her friends and young Meriton should dance, retired alone to one of the sofas ranged behind the silver columns. She 154 , SPLENDID MISERr. She had scarcely seated herself when a '' Pilgrim," who, unobserved by Oceana, had, during the former part of the evening, closely followed her footsteps, with an air of concern ap- proached her. Bowing respectfully, he addressed her ; observing, '* that however much etiquette ought to restrain him from addressing her by any other name, or as any other character, than a Virgin of the Sun, yet, perceiving her indis- posed, he trusted Miss Melville would pardon the liberty, which lie felt it his duty to take, in offering his services, if in any way he could have the ho- nour of bting serviceable ;" at the same time removing his mask, he dis- covered himself to be Mr. Elmer, the Earl of Latimore*s Secretary, with whose conversation Oceana had been more than once highly interested. ^c I am. SPLENDID MISERY. 135 '* I am greatly obliged, sir, by your polite attention," said Oceana. *'I am much better than I was. 1 believe the heat was too powerful. The crowd here is much too great tobe pleasant to me, thougli I understand it is the very essence of exhilaration to the true disciples of fashion/' *^ Rather say, madam, the true dis- ciples offolly, who prefer the gra- tification of vanity to the comforts of health, or the pleasures of rea- son." *' The votaries of rationality cer- tainly cannot very frequently worship in such temples as these; yet, I pre- sume, custom impels many to such resorts, whom want of courage, rather than want of inclination, deters from more rational pursuits." ^* I am persuaded of the truth of your 136 SPLENDID MISERY* your observation by experience. We frequently meet with a description of people, one may call "sensible fashi- onables," who lament every day the slaughter of their time, and yet every day continue their time-killing system. Ask, for instance, that young lady in the dress of an Indian, and who is^ real- ly an amiable and sensible girl, ask her w^hen she spent an evening at home. She will tell you, that it was on some gala occasion, some rout or other spe- cies of amusement, which we may with propriety term public. Evenings at Home^ in the sense that our ancestors used those words, were among the most heartfelt pleasures of social life. — They signified conversations by which the mind was improved or amused, or domestic recreations, into which the heart entered with unmixed satisfac- tion. How changed is the scene ! The social fire-side is vanished completely out of sight of the fashionable world, and S^PLENDID MISERY. 137 and the select, cheerful, or intelligent circle of friends, is voted a bore. To see company, according to the fashion of our times, is, in other words, to open a theatre, or to keep a gaming house, and to sacrifice the delightful intercourses of friendship, to the cold splendour ofanumerous acquaintance/* Their conversation was now inter- rupted by the voluble " Flower Girl," Lady Lustre, who seated herself near Oceana, and with the most abrupt fa- miliarity addressed her with — '* My dear Miss Melville, I am quite glad I have found you ; you don't know, my dear creature, how I have been tor- mented by that insufferable wretch !** Oceana, with an unaffected dignity of manner, replied — " My name is Melville, but I am to learn, who it is that I have the ho- ax uur 138 SPLENDID MISERY. iiour of addressing; as well as the na- ture of her sufferings, and the author of her torments." ** Oh fie, fie, — don't be so spiteful as to make me name the creature — you know I mean Charles Scavenge. You must' know all about it lam sure. The Duchess has told me she loves you, and of course she has acquainted you with all the world, and with every body's story/' *' Is such universal knowledge' at the disposal of her Grace ?'* ** Now don't be so shockingly pro- voking ! you know it is. Isn't every body at this moment here, and isn't every body dying to speak to her — and wouldn't any one of us tell her the greatest secret in the world, for the honour of being seen familiarly chat- ting with the Duchese of Derrington?" *< H er SPLENDID MISERY. 159 " Her Grace's memory ought to be as capacious as her mansion then, to contain — " ** Capacious — aye, my dear crea- ture, there it is. Why you know the Duchess of Swanshire, in Pall-Mall, can squeeze in, within about an hun- dred, as many as our hostess ; but *Jjen she's obliged to turn the nursery into card rooms, and build temporary supper rooms over the stables.'* '^ That lessens her Grace of Swan- shire by so many feet square in the public opinion^ I presume," said Mr. Elmer. ** To be sure it does, Mr. Pilgrim, for I don't know your voice,'* said Lady Lustre. ** What db you suppose sustains the Duchess of Derrington's eclat among us all ?'* « Oh, 140 SPLENDID MISERY. *•* Oh, 110 doubt, the width and breadth of Derrington House!*' said Elmer, sarcastically ; " but what if Mr. Galaxy should succeed in obtain- ing the two largest houses in Caven- dish-square, and by throwing them in- to one, be enabled to receive a hun- dred or two more than her Grace !'* " Lord bless you, how ignorant," replied her Ladyship. *' Why, ni^ dear Miss Melville, 1*11 tell you all about it. It seems this Mr. Galaxy is a sort of a kind of an emigrant, from some place or other, enormously rich, they say, but by no means at all a per- son of high consideration in any other respect. — Well, my dear, it seems the man has a sort of appetite for galas, routs, concerts, and that sort of thing, and wished to be popular among us ; but, my dear, he's as ignorant as a HottentotJ;,^,^ ^o accomplish it. He spent a prodigious sum last winter in getting SPLENDID MISERY. Hi getting up a nighty but, Lord, it did not draw at all." ** And pray, Madam, what may have occasioned the failure?" said Mr. Elmer. **The silliest neglect in the world, sir ; he never engaged a Trumpeter.*' ** A Trumpeter I" exclaimed Oceana and Mr. Elmer together — *^ A Trum- peter !'' ** Certainly !'* said her Ladyship. — " Lord, don't you know that every body that wishes to be a public charac- ter, must hire, what we call, a Trum- peter — or Puffer ; that is, a persoa who has the talent of scribbling, whom you pay so much a year, and expences ^ Then he puts you every day into the Papers; acquaints the public when you come to town, and when you go in 142 SPLENDID MISERY. in the country; wherej/oz^ dine to-day, and who dined with yoic yesterday. — Suppose you have a quarrel with any one, he pops in, what we call, a para- graph piquant ; he kills your enemies at a stroke, and marries any couple you please, though they may have ne- ver seen each other in their lives." ** Your Trumpeter must, at least, le indu Oceana. be industrious in his calling/* said " Oh, you've no notion how they toil. I have not mentioned half their services. They must worm themselves into connections with the booksellers and the engravers ; and then you get your life inserted in magazines, and your portrait exhibited in every window. I have lately had a downright quarrel with my Trumpeter. How d*ye think he served me? You must know I wanted to be published, that is, to be engrarvcd. SPLENDID MISERY. 143 engraved. Well, my dear, every body had told me that my whole length, which hung next Admiral Nelson's half, at the Royal Academy last year, v/as a divine likeness. So I fixed upon that, and confided the business to my Trumpeter, as one don't like to appear in these affairs. The en2:ravino^ was beautifully finished, and cost me an immense sum, I assure you. I would not let it come out, till the town filled, and what do you think was the conse- ^ quence ? I actually saw myselfexhibit- ed in all the print shops, with an in- scription underneath, signifying that poor I, as I stood with my favourite dog, Trim, in my beautiful fancy dress, was — -^ladame Biionaparte^engrdYed from an, original in t,he possession of the First Consul 1 Did you ever hear any thing so impudent or so provok- ing r Ere this rattling Lady of Quality could 144 SPLENDID MISERY. could receive any answer to her ques- tion, she had relapsed into a new strain of volubility, M'hich, happily for the expiring patience of her hearers, was, at length, checked by her Charles, who had-discovered her, and insisted on her dancing. '* Can there be a syllable of truth among all we have^bcen listening to ?" said Oceana. " The colouring may be too high ; perhaps, too coarse," said Mr. Elmer, ** but I apprehend there is too much of truth in the outline. The character which has been described has always existed, but it has of late multiplied in proportion with our luxuries and foU lies. Formerly, the employment of a venal scribbler was almost exclusively confined to politics and political cha- racters ; but in these times, when osten* tation and frivolity seem to have ba- nished SPLENDID MISERT. 14-5 nished domestic enjoyment, and solid happiness, from the higher ranks of society, the spirit of parly rages as violently among our ladies of rank . and fashion as among our statesmen, and is propagated and supported by as corrupt and as contemptible agents." The first dance svas by this time finished, and Julia and Amelia ran with eagerness to enquire after the health of their friend. Her spirits were recruited by the change of thought, occasioned by the conversation of Mr. Ehiier and Lady Lustre ; and she declared herself sufficiently collected to dance. The signal for standing up being given,and the partners of ladies Julia and Amelia presenting themselves, she arose at the same time, without recollecting that she had no partner. I\Ir. Ehner, with quickness, started up, and requested the honour of dancing with her. vaL,r, G ''Sir!** 146 SPLENDID MISERY. *' Sir !'* said Oceana with an emo- tion, which it is iiiipossihle to describe She was surprised, yet she was not dis- pleased. She did not unhesitatingly accept his offer, nor did she decline it. Scarcely a moment had elapsed — yet Elmer felt that moment's pause with the keenest anguish. ** I am too pre- sumptuous," said he — then bowed re- spectfully, and retired. ♦'Who is it?" said Amelia. '-' I recollect the voice." *" And I too," — said Julia. *^ It is Mr* Elmer," said Oceana. " Elmer !l" exclaimed Ame- lia. " What can have brought him here — and in a character too ! Poor Pilgrim — Alas, 1 pity thee. It must be so — yes, niy dear Oceana, you have slain him, depend upon it; Secretary and Lord are both at your feetl" This little dilemma frustrated the intentions SPLENDID MISERYf 147 intentions of Oceana for the se- cond dance, and her friends deter- mined to sit with her till its con- clusion ; after which the doori of the supper room were thrown o^en, and a scene of jocund confusion en* sued. At three a signal summoned tlic dancers to resume their pleasurable toil. The company now masked once more, and the exhilarating draughts quaffed at the sideboards and supper tables, began to produce their ef- fects. Characters, that hitherto had been merely dumb resemblances, now felt the inspiration of the grape, and added speech to action. The order which had prevailed before sup- per, ..was now sacrificed to hilarity. Dancing became romping, and a lati- tude of freedom ensued, nearly ap proaching the Christmas gambols of the kitchen or tlie cottage^ From this G 2 confusion 148 SPLENDID MISERT. confusion many retired to promenacle in tlie temple, and many wholly quitted the house. Among the former vvas the Latimore party. During the whole evening they had not seen the Earl, and they were now debating whether or not they should return, when they observed him, by his domino, in close conversation wnth the Pilgrim, whom Oceana had described to be Mr. Elmer. He now perceived them, and quit- ting his Secretary, joined them, with apolc»gies for his late attendance. After a turn or two in the temple, they sauntered into the supper rooms. The Earl appeared thoughtful and de- jected, and his gloomy silence commu^ nicated itself to the whole party. At length, *' I have been listening," said the Earl, '* to the description of a sin- gular SPLENDID MISERY. 149 gular character, an Astrologer, that, i^^ seems, addressed himself to you in tiie beginning of the evening. That gen- tleman, in the character of the Pilgrim, with whom you saw me conversing, informed me — '* " Did Mr. Elmer, then, hear the old astrologer?'* interrupted Amelia. ** Who told you, pfay, that Elme^ 'wasthe Pilgrim?" said the Earl,. sternly' *' Miss Melville found that out, my Lord," rephed she, archly. ** Miss Melville ?" exclaimed li^ — '* Indeed ! — truly. Miss Melville's discoveries are not a little wonderful,*' continued he, with a meaaina: which Oceana well understood. " It was mere accident, my Lord, that caused Mr. Elmer to unmask,* said 150 SPLENDID MISERY* said she, scarcely knowing whether she did right or wrong to notice his ob- servation. ''Why, strange accidents dohappen, certainly, zve all knoiv that^^* said he. Oceana now determined to remain silent. His lordship continued — ** Well then, Mr. Elmer has informed me of this Astrologer, and, I think, I havT anyself seen the same figure he de- scribes, at more than one place. Pray, wore he a mask?'* '' I rather think,'* said Lady Julia, *' his face was painted to imitate ex- treme old age." ** Extreme old age, say you ?** cried the Earl. '* Was his robe of alightgrey colour?" - uLjjv' *^ The same, my Lord/* 3aid Julia. ''And SPLENDID MISERV- 151 ** And round liis waist was there a girdle ?'• No one immediately answererf.^^ *' I ask, did no one observe a i'd\^<^ girdle round his waist r" V- ^>/ *^ I did, my Lord," said Oceana. >^ ^ < < *^ Well, madam, and — *' .v ** It was of^ black velvet/' said Oce- ana, ** and on it were worked, in gold, the twelve signs of the zodiac.'* ** Enough, enough, madam,*' cried the Earl, wildly — " Conviction of my doubts on this point too, it seems, I O'^t to you." Then in a smothered tone, yet still audible, " Still will it follow me 1 In every public place I meet it. I saw the same thing at Vi- enna — Florence — Naples — Paris — '* " And 152 SPLENDID JIISERT. *^ And may at London," exclaimed a voice, which made the Earl tremble. Aftera moment's pause — "Is he not be- hind us? "asked he, in a tremulous voice. Not a single character was walking near them, but a black domino was close at the elbow of Lord Latimorc. Just as they reached the door this do- mino tapped the Earl on the shoulder ; he turned round,and at that instant the black domino was thrown open, and discovered the^*Astrologer" it had con- cealed. As he disappeared at the door, he pointed to tlie Earl, and exclaimed—- ** Living Monujnent of Splendid Mi- sery,'' The object ofhis address sunk back, almost tainting, into the arms of the Bishop. lie had just suihcient strength io say, ** Home, home, home," and leaning SPLENDID MISERY. 153 leaning on the arm of his brother, reached his chariot, where Elmer was waiting for him. The whole party instantly retired, and, under considerable alarm for the Earl, reached Latimore House, eS CHAP. 154 SPLENDID MISERT, CHAP. VIIL Astrology* By the time that the carriages stop- ped in Berkeley-square, the Earl had resumed his wonted appearance of tran- quillity, and was enabled to encounter the affectionate solicitudes of the fami- ly with perfect composure. He perceiv- ed, however, from their enquiring countenances, that they expected some explanation of the strange effects, which the appearance of the Astrologer Lad produced ; and he felt, that to deny it, would increase that curiosity, which partial gratification mighty in thi* SPLENDID MISLRTT. 155 this early stage of it, perhaps, lull to sleep. — With this intention he look the hand of the Bishop,and pressing it witii great earnestness — " Brother," said he, " a word with you.'* He tlien drew him aside, and observed to him,tiiat he wassensiblehowmuchheand his sisters must have been affected and surprised by his behaviour, and the conduct of the mask, whose appearance had crc* ated such emotions in him ; but, conti- nued he/* let me entreat you todisnnss for ever any apprehensions for me, which so strange an incident may have created in your kind hearts ; for, I assure you, it was merely thesurprisel felt at seeing a man, who, I had every reason to believe, was, at that moment, confined, as a lunatic, at Paris. IVIany years ago, I vas engaged, officially, ir^ some business relating to a family, at Vienna, in which this person took a warm interest. It is not now a suitable time to enter into the particulars, nor, indeed, 136 SPLENDID MISERT. indeed,are they atall worth the relating. The conclusion, however, of the busi- Siess to which I allude, occasioned the death of a person, so much beloved by this man, that the loss of her absolutely turned the poor creature's brain. He has taken it into his head, that I was the cause of her death, and actually occasioned me some inconvenience at Vienna, at Naples, and at Paris; sa much so at the latter place, that I was \mder the necessity of applying to the police, and he was confrned there as a madman. That event happened several years ago, and hearing nothing of the poor creature since, I imagined that he M'as dead. ,When to-night I heard hi» dress described, the same he wore many years ago, I could scarcely credit what 1 heard ; nor till the sight of the poor wretch himself at once convinced and overpowered me, did I believe it pos. sible that he could be in England. I trust I shall neither hear nor see any more SPLENDID MISERY. I5f more of him. If I do, means must be taken to place the lunatic under a due restraint. Let me request.you to make this explanation, for me, to my sisters and Miss Melville, in what way you think proper, and consider the affair as >vorth no further thought.'' He then took his leave and retired. This varnish of indifference served his temporary purpose. It lulled the apprehensions, though it did not entirely stifle the curiosity of the fa- mily. No sooner, however, had he left the room, than he let drop the vizor, and all the goading and acute sensations of his mind spoke loudly in his counte- nance. Durand, accustomed as he was to contemplate in his master's person the image of disquietude, observed an in- creased ^58 SPLENDID MISERT. creased degree of agitation in his factf as he entered the chamber. The servant, who had b'ghted him up stairs, had placed the candles upon the table, and M^as retiring. •^" Stay," cried the Earl, and then relapsed into profound and silent thought After a considerable pause — ''There is no other way,'* said he to himself. — ► *' No choice is left me now, " Then turning to the servant — " Tdl Mr* Elmer, that I desire to^eehim here.**— Durand, in obedience to a signal, re- tired to the anti-room, and the Earl was alone. **Cautionmay seal the lips too long,'* said he, in soliloquy, as with agitated steps he paced the chamber. *' I have not been precipitate — I am not preci- pitatq. Five years I have studied his character, SPLENDID MISERY, I53t character, and tried his attachment.-— 'Tis plain helovesme warmly ; that he would risk his life for me, 1 doubt not ; I see — I see it in his eyes. But his prin- ciples, his theories of virtue seem so fixed, so rooted, that v;ere he to kno\\^ the whole, all that I have done, and M. that I aspire to do — / am not sure — no, no — indeed I am not sure of him* And if not of him — of whom, in the whole world then, can I make choice* as the confidant of my hopes and fears, the repositary of my past errors, and my future enterprises. The mighty pur** pose of my soul, in embryo, has long laboured here^" (striking his breast)* " Now is the hour of its birth at hand. Appointed hour in the Will of FatCf led on by circumstances and coincH dences, that come like couriers of pre* paration before a solemn crisis. The dream of Mortimer, his ghost at the levee, his skeleton at the council 1--^ And then, that such a dr^am, creating such 160 SPLENDID MISERV. Such emotions and ejaculations, should be exposed to a girl, unknown — a stranger — an interloper, is a most legi- ble ordinance of fate. Again, that she should be the most observant witness of that mysterious tormentor, whose visage blasts me ; nay, that at the first time of his appearing to me in my na. tive country, she should be present ! This girl is, in some way or other, a link in the chain of destiny that encir- cles Latimore ! Mysterious chain ! How shall I study it ? Its extent is hidden from me. To what bourne it draws my Steps, I tremble, and yet I glory to an- ticipate 1" As he uttered the last words, his mind, suddenly rising as b}' some mys- terious impulse, seemed to have over- come at once the temporary gloom which the adventures of the evening had occasioned. Swiftly approaching the window, he drew up the curtains, unbarred SPLENDID MISERY, l6l unbarred the shutter, and admitted the moon's rays full into the chamber. It was a clear frosty morning,and the Hea- vens presented a most interesting pic- ture. On the right of the Moon, shone with its fullest lustre the superb planet, Jupiter I Saturn was to the left, and considerably below the Moon. Others of the planets were visible, and the countless spots of glowing light, which constitute the fixed stars, filled the whole atmospheric arch with glory. A clown on whose mind no ray of education had ever fallen, could not have gazed with indi^erence at the scene. Simple nature would instinc- tively have yielded to emotions of de- light and of pleasure, for the scene was beautiful. Intelligent minds would have contemplated, with sentiments of reverent astonishment and rapture, the air-balanced worlds, that moved visible and l62 SPLENDID MISERY. and perceptible to their senses, however incomprehensible to their understand- ings. But there is a class of men, on whose minds the aspect of the Heavens creates emotions peculiar to themselves, and whose hearts sink or aspire wi4,h the position of the planets. Few men of strong understandings, especially in recent times, have ever yielded up their souls so fully to this enthusiasm, as did the Earl of Latimore. Jupiter was the star of his nativity. As that brilliant orb now struck his sight, his heart beat with an instant increase of strength ; a glow of joy invigorated his whole system : he fixed his de- lighted eye on the planet ; he folded his arms across his breast, with an air of triumph, and seemed to stand more firmly* Such was his attitude^ when Elmer entered. SPLENDID MISERY. l63 entered; ** Elmer, is it you?" said he, turning round to him. — ** Come hither, man. Did you. ever view a more delightful scene ? See with what superior lustre shines yon planet, Jupiter. Does it not infuse into your breast the glow of animation ? Elmer, *tis the star that ruled the moment of my birth. I cannot ga^e on it, and suppress emotions that swell this heart almost to bursting. Oh, lingering hours, speed on, speed on, lest my aspiring spirit, too eager for the glory in its view, o'er-shoot its aim and ob- ject!" ' ' After a silence of some minutes,' during which his eyes were rivetted on the star, he turned to Elmer,and with an indescribable air of assured and satisfi- ed complacency, he seized his hand be* tween both his own, exclaiming--*'Yes» Elmer, yes — the hnnr^ ^^ _^; — uie moment IS arrived. No longer stand you and I in the 1^4 SPLENDID MISERY. the same relationship towards each other that we have stood. No more of servant— ^no more of master. I have chosen with caution, and mv hiiih fate, I feel, prompted the decision. You, Elmer, of all the beings that surround nie, you have I chosen for my friend. Come then to my arms, and let my heart, at this auspicious moment, melt from its icy state for ever, and joined to yours, become a spring of friendship, spontaneously pouring out its essence in unreserved com- munications, of every thought there fostered." Elmer, astonished, shrunk back, invo- luntarily, from the Earl'sembrace. He almost doubted the evidence of his senses; he could with difficulty con- vince himself that there was reality in what he heard and saw. He stammered out a few unconnected words, in which he attempted to express his great sur- prise* SPLENDID MISERY. l6S prise. '• Nay, Elmer, shrink not from my honest grasp," replied the Earl.— ** You have known nie Ions: enough to learn my character. I am no hypo- crite to you. I tell you plainly, I want a friend ; 1 want a human heart to share my feelings; alHimanmind to help my counsels, and to aid my enter- prises.- You have I chosen ; if you reject my friendship — " *' Pardon me, my Lord. — Reject your friendship 1 Heaven knows with what anxiety I have studied to deserve your patronage. Your great mind, your superior talents and experience, my Lord, rendered your approbation a reward for every^ service ; but to that you have added such valuablefavours, that gratitude, I hope, as much, at least, as pride and admiration, has bound me to your lordship, by ties indissoluble. Pardon me, then, if my surprise at — " ^* Come, loo SPLENDID MISERY. " Come, come, Elmer — no more of this strain, if you please. I have taken my resolution, and my heart feels lighter already. Close those shutters, and let down the curtain. There — bring yourself a chair to the fireside ; *tis a cold night. Come, sit you down ' — draw nearer. You passed Durand in the anti-room ?" " I did, my Lord." " It were as well, I think, to bolt that door." Elmer bolted the door, and took his seat again. A short silence ensued. The Earl meditated in what manner to open the communication he had resolved upon. At length, he observed — *' How various, how oppo- site are the dispositions, the pursuits and allotments, of that one species of animals — Man. Reflect, Elmer, for one moment, and bring to your imagina- tion, the gew-gaxv show^ the puppets, the SPLENDID MISERY, l6/ the dolls, we have seen to-night, at the Duchess's mask. What a profusion of luxuries and dainties to stimulate the spirits and the appetite ! Listen to the gibes and merriment of the various groupes ; hear the brisk notes of music; see the light-hearted dancers moving in fantastic forms. Why, what a happy, joyful race of beings see we here ! " Now take another scene, which, beyond a doubt, was at that same mo- ment exhibiting the same creature, Man, in another point of view. How many pallid victims of disease are, every instant, languishing on beds of straw, in roofless hovels, exposed to the dread horrors of poverty and pain combined ; without one ray of comfort to illume their future prospect, or one whisperof sweet sympathy to beguile the torturing hour I Suffering all the ill that nature can inflict upon huma- nitv. l68 SPLENDID MISERY. nity, and wanting every artificial aid, which man may yield to man. Elmer* such scenes are ever passing on the same great theatre in which we play our parts 1 Contrast but these ex- tremes in the allotments of Beings, sprung from one common origin* formed in one common mould, pos- sessing in common the same pas- sions, faculties, and feelings, and in- evitably doomed to one common end ^ then tell me, whether I am to deem the cause of this distinction a blessing or a curse upon mankind. — Ought I to hail civilization as an angel's scheme, or as a dajmon's plot ? The good that art produces is simply just such phantoms of felicity as these M-e have been gazing at to-night; while the evil, of which she is the parent, is nothing short of all the numerouspains and wants which mar the face of God's creation, and torment his crea- tures." The SPLENDID MISERY. 16.9 The zeal with which the Earl uttered the latter part of his observations was conspicuous in the glow which colour- ed his cheeks, and sparkled in his ex- pressive eyes. He fixed those eyes firm- ly on Ehner, scrutinizing, as it were, the impression of the opinions which he had so strongly expressed. Elmer remained silent. 'Terhaps/' resumed Lord Latimore, "you, Elmer, are not prepared to assent to my conclusion/' ''In truth, my Lord, I am not. I own myself the disciple of a different hypothesis ; and am a zealous advocate for the progress of civilization, and the spread of knowledge." '' I should marvel if you were not so, Elmer ; and, believe me, I have no in- tention to attempt your conversion VOL. I. „ tQ 170 SPLENDID MISERY. to iny doctrine, which, however, I still adhere to. I have lived too long — have seen and thought, and felt too much, to waver in my principles at this hour. " Bat you are young, and happy/' continued he, with a sigh. '* Your heart still fosters dreams of virtuous joy, and moral pleasures. Phantoms of happiness play before your imagi- nation ; and you revel in intelle^ual delights. I know perfectly the state of your mind; it was once, perhaps, my own; and though I have been led to smile at the fancies I cherished; though I am induced to relinquish, as imprac- ticable, the schemes of my youth ; yet, Elmer, my heart is not without its ob- ject, nordoes my reason sleep inactive. I sink not from disappointment to apathy. Oh, no ; at this moment my pulse quickens, my head whirls round at the thought of that object. 1 1 pro- duces SPLENDID MiSERV. IT^ duces an ardour of soul inexplicable by words ; an ardour that invigorates in- stead of consuming by its glow. Why do 1 longer delay to impart that object to my friend ? Listen, then, Elmer, for the moment is come, when I am compelled to trust you with my soul V ** My Lord !'' exclaimed Elmer, with amazement. " Yes, witli my fouI T* repeated the Earl. " The soul which animates this trunk — the essence of the thino: you call Lord Latimore, is a spirit ; the off- spring of an union you may deem ter- rible — of ambition and revenge. The stimulating principle within me, call it by what name you will, was generated by ambition, as boundless as ever swell- ed the human breast; and by revenge, as keen and ruthless as ever gnav/ed the human heart. This spirit is my ani- H 2 mation : 1/2 SPLENDID MISERV^, matlon : if it sbal! obtain the object which it is incessantly pursuing, it will expire delighted in possession of its prey, and ever-blazing- glory shall illume my honoured sepulchre ! But if it rests short of the victorious grasp, only by the space of a hair's breadth, it will be annihilated by the foe it fol- lows to annihilate ; and then, insuffer- able tonreiit is in tlie thonght, foul imps of ignominy will s.quat their loathsome forms /)n my unbruised bones, and heap eternal infamy on th,e remains of Latimore 1" As he spoke, the very spirit which he liad personified, was discoverable inhis countenance. The force of his lan- guage wasaided by corresponding ges- tures and actions,and his whole appear- ance filled Elmer with a degree of hor- ror which he had never felt before. The Earl, scarcely remembering that he SPLENDID MISERY. 173 ne \ras present, continued pouring forth the eftusions of liis soul. *' But hence such horrors !*' exclaimed he. ** Is not the glittering wreath of conquest almost, already liere ?" lifting, his hand to his forehead. *^ Do I not hold this weapon ? — This other r Do I not pos- sess this powerful engine ?" Laying his hands on iht portfolio, which con- tained his state papers. '* Havel not all the means, which human powers can gjasp ?'* continued he, then modulat- ing his voice to a solemnity of utter- ance^ — '* And have I not tlie lofty evi- dences of the bright Heavens them- selves, that Latimore's is an illustrious destiny ? — Thou, Jupiter, ascended at my birth, and every other token in the firmament conjoined to promise glory ! The talisman of animating hope, the assuring voice of destiny is tins," drawing a paper from his bosom.- *' Here, in unerring lines, is chroni- cled the aspect of the destinies which ruled 374 SPLENDID MISERY. ruled my natal hour; from this I gather food for my ambition, and strength for undertakings of vast magnitude. Nor shall one little speck of the malignant, in such a bright display of prosperous prophecy, awe me from my purpose. Yet is it a dingy spot, and much too nigh to Jupiter, the star of my na*- tivity !" Seating himself oncemore by thefire- side, near Elmer, he unfolded the paper which he had taken from his bosom. It was his horoscope. He explained to him the signs, ami made h'ux) acquaint- ed with tlic po-ition of llie planets, and tlie wliolc ^appearance of the Heavens at thehour of his birth. Iliseyes spark- led, as he pointed to the astrological re- presentation of Jupiter, and he cou tinned thus: — *^0n the 13th day of September^ in the vcar 17 — , at the moment when this mobt glorious star ascended, I was boru SPLENDID MISERY. 175 born the heir of an illustrious name, and of a princeh" fortune. My birth was liailed with^y, and my years of infancy and childhood were watched with the most anxious tenderness and care. My brothers and my sisters, born at subsequent periods, were scarce- ly considered as my equals in nature, and were kept at a ridiculous distance from, their idol brother. " The, earliest impression which my mind received, was the sense of mv own superiority above all I saw around me. Infinite pains were taken to store my youthful imagination with images of greatness and sublimity. The natural bias of my soul was in perfect unisoa. with this discipline; and my father ear- ly perceived tokens of the success of his endeavours, and the fulfilment of his ardent wishes. Often would he place me on his kuee, when I was yet a child, and 176 SPLENDID MISERY. and laying his hand upon my head, ex- claim, " My noble son, I see already in thy face the full accomplishment of my proud hopes. Thy brothers may be noble men and great men, but thou wilt be the hero. They may be Gene- rals, but thou shall find them armies to command, point out the quarter of the globe in which their swords shall be unsheathed, and dictate when the mur- derous steel shall hide its blood-stained point within the peaceful scabbard. — They may rbe to the highest pests of honour or emolument in the State or Church, bat thou shalt be the dispen- ser of such gifts, which they and other subjects shall hold as courtesiesof thee, my son, wham power shall almost deify.*' *' With some such rhapsodies as these would he inflame my youthful fancy, and heap unnecessary fuel on a heart, by nature, blazing with ambition. *' As SPLENDID MISERY. 177 '* As I increased in years iny ruling passion gathered strength: but in tlie same degree with my ambition also grew its necessary concomitants, re- serve and cunning. Have you not seen the puny bubbles which, issuing at the sport of boys, from pieces of tobaecopipes,expandtocertainheights- there to expire in vapour ? So have I seen some tvv^enty of my compeers with full enough of the aspiring quality within them to raise them over the heads of common men, attaining just such and such degrees of great- ness, and then have sunk again, through an unfitness of their spirits to endure the change of region. *' Not so was it with me. From my father's precepts, and his experience, from close and ardent study, I derived such knowledgeof myself and of man- kind, as tempered without diminishing my ambition. H 5 *' At 173 SPLENDID MISERY, *' At nineteen rears of aoe I travel- led, and visited tlie principal courts of Europe. At twenty-one, I \ra.s appointed secretary to tlie old Lord P , u'ho was tl^en Anil)assad{«r at Vienna* Tlds sit nation I lieid as a sort of iniiiation into the niysteries of politics, and as a necessary introfl ac- tion to the pathi which 1 hiad resolved to tread. ** Now listen, Elmer, to an anec- dote, singular froui its coincidence vvitli that teirper of mind which I have been describing to } ou. *' During our residence at Vienna Lord P was in habits of in- timacy with the family of tlie venera- ble Count Rosen bergh, one of the most repectable Nobles of tlie Ger- man Court. As the friend of the for- mer, I was introduced to this family, and, under that title, I soon gained for myself such an establishment in the SPLENDID MISERY. 179 the affectionate regards of the old Count, his Countess, and their lovely daughter, Julia, that I became, as it were, one of themselves. Whenever relaxation from a severe application to my employments permitted, I was at the Count Rosenbergh's mansion. It was the resort of the first people in Germany. Men of letters and science, natives and foreigners, mingled con- stantly at his hospitable table, and every evening was dev^oted either to the most interesting and scientific converzazioneSy or to delightful con» certs of vocal and instrumental music* The Countess was an Italian by birth; descended by the paternal side from the illustrious house of the De Medici^ and allied by the maternal, to the first Venetian families. Her sister was married to the Marquis Delia Zoretta, a nobleman of Bologna, at whose pa- lace the heir of the Rosenbergh fami- ly was at this period on a visit. '' Some 180 SPLENDID MISERY. ** Some weeks had elapsed in an agreeable tranquillity, when, on a sudden, I observed a sorrowful change in the countenances and in the beha- viour of this noble family. The Ger- mans are notoriously the reverse of communicative, and I could on- ly conjecture the cause of their me- lancholy. I remarked that their evi- dent depression of spirits happened on the same days that letters arrived from Bologna ; I, therefore, suppo- sed that intelligence, of an unexpect- ed and unpleasant nature, had been leceived from the Count's son. I , soon learned that my conjecture was well founded. Repairing one afternoon to the Count's, I w^as in- formed, that the family had that morning left Vienna for their country residence at the distance of forty miles, and were not expected to re- turn. • SPLENDID MiSERV. 181 '* Ere I had recovered my surprise atsosudden and early a departure from the metropolisjforitwas only the month of April, the Porter delivered me a let- ter from the Count-It expressed senti- ments of themost flattering description, respecting myself, and stated that a domestic disappointment, severe, as unexpected, had so much disordered his mind, that lie felt it necessary to retire to his castle for some time. *• Yet, Latimore," concluded the good old Count, " yet Latimore, though from the gaze of common minds, and from the crowd of common beings, I am desirous of retiring within the cir- cle of my family, I do not exclude you from that circle. If your engagements permit, and your inclination prompts you to listen to the (iiappointment of my heart's long-cherished hopes (for I can talk on no other subject), come to Rosenbergh Castle, and be welcome to such entertainment as we may 182 SPLENDID MISERY. may be able to give you. IF the pros- pect is too melancholy to invite you, I shall sigh at the loss of ^^our society; but I honour you too much to believe that your friendship would dissolve a>t the first shadow of a cloud o'er the hi- therto too splendid destiny of ROSENBERGH." ** After an arrangement with Lord P 1 repaired immediately to Rosen- bcrgh Castle, with the design of pas- sino; a week there; instead of which it became my residence for several months. Soon after my arrival there the Count confided to me the cause of his me- lancholy. His son, Octavian, had long cherished a passion for the only child of tliC Marquis Delia Zoretta. — His parents not merely approved, they ap- plauded his choice. It was a union congenial, in all respects, to the wishes of the Count, and it was so far SPLENDID MISERY. 18 c> far sanctionerl by tlie parents of Olivia, that tliey had declared, notliing would aflbrd them so hi":h a oral ifi cat ion as to see their daughter wedded to the lit'ir of ihe Count llosenbergh. All Mien that appeared wanting to a con- summation, so devoutly wished, was the assent of tlie young lady herself. She had frequently made long visits at Vienna, and at Rosenbergh Castle* The most cordial friendship had Subsisted between the tv/o cousins from their childhood, and young Oc" tavian had ne_vcr once permitted him- self to doubt upon the question of his overtures being readily accepted by Olivia, whenever the proper period arrived that he might make them. That period arrived, and upon that pleasing embassy had Octavian gone to the Zoretta Palace, at Bologna, when I became acquainted with his family. Poor Octavian ! — He declar- ed 18 J SPLENDID MISEIl'Y. ed his long concealed, and liope-fetl passion, and was rejected. The in- genuousOlivia,abhorringdissimulaiion and evasion, in unequivocal expres- sions had assured the youth, she did not feel for him that love, which, she was sure, was necessary to the happi* ness of the married state, and without which she was resolved never to he- come a wife. The letters from Octa- vian announcing this event to the Rosenbergh family,, were so full of grief and disappointment,such pictures of wounded pride and disappointed passion, that the fond parents almost sunk beneath their apprehensions for liis health and intellects. He had de- clared to them hisintentions of return- ing, but earnestly entreated that he might be permitted to meet them at the castle, as the '^ haimts of society would long he his aversion." It was in compliance with this desire they had removed so suddenly to the Cas- tle, SPLENDID MISERY. 185 tie, where they daily expected his arriv- al accompanied by the Lady Olivia, and her father and mother; the Mar- quis having insisted on the visit, that his brother-in-law, the Count, might be assured of the continued cordiality of the two families, notwithstanding the disconcertment of their lono:-formed project for its closer union. £> "The evening previous to their ar- jlval was an important one in the his- tory of my life. Mark, Ehiier, in the progress of my tale, from what fi ivo" lous and insignificant incidents the most important consequences result ! I have said it was the month of April. Ihad taken a solitarv ride, after an early dinner, through the park, and round the skirts of an adjacent wood, and had just suflicient day-light to finel my road home. It grew dark as I ap- proached the castle, and my attention was IS6 SPLENDID MISERY. was directed, by some lights in the w in- dows, to a small tower, detached from the principal huildings, which I had not till then observed. On entering the castle I mentioned my discovery to tl^e Couut. lie smiled, and observed, that he supposed old Julian was at his la- bours. I begged an explanation. — ''You are not ignorant," said the Count, " that a century or two back, one of the most flourishing sciences, in this part of Europe, was astrology. Every nobleman had his soothsayer, and many were them,selvcs students, if notmastcrsjn tlie mysteries of the pla- nets. You, ilurefore, can scarcely visit a caslle of any antiquity among us> that has not its astrological tovv'er. The buildino- \ou mention is of that description. Oz/r castle," continued he wiih an emphasis, *' Our castle is more than two hundred years old, it has of course undergone many al- terations, SPLENDID MISERY. 187 terations, but that tower remains, I believe, in its original state at this hour. ^ " !My father was but a lukewarm disciple of the Divining School, but his father, one of the most celebrat- ed of our ancestors, and as renown- ed a warrior as ere blazoned the annals of history, was an enthusiast in his devotions to the stars. He never commenced an operation in the field, nor gave an opinion in the council, till he and his High Priest, Julian, had consulted the position of the planets." "Was Julian living then, my Lord, in the days of your grandfather ?" said I. ** If he had he would be now above an hundred years old/' replied he with a smile. 188 SPLENDID MISERY. a smile. '* No, the present Julian is the son of him I have named, and he is neai\^ seventy years okll My father, M'ho was not cntirely^frce fimm llie old superstition, settled an annuity upon him, and I suffer liim to remain in the undisturbed enjoyment of hi& ancient privileges, though he deems me an he- retic. Poor old Julian 1 — He told me but this morning, with a most solemn shaking of the head, that I never con- descended to visit the tower -^ *' And }et,"said lie, ^'strange and awful con- junctions, at this moment, are about to take place. Some cloud l ** the very hour— the very hour !'* and sunk on his knees at my feet. *' Noble, high-born youth/' continued he, '* for such I am sure thou art; favoured of fate; a splendid, splendid destiny, in- deed, is thine, if thou canst overcome one small malignant speck, diniinutive almost as nothing. Oh try ; be pati- ent as thou art magnanimous, and shine illustrious among mankind. Reverse that conduct, and become a Lhincr Monument of Splendid Misery,^* At the repetition of these words, Lord Latimore's courage for a mo- ment failed him. He caught hold of Elmer's arm, and a chill dew came o'er his frame^ '* You are ill, my Lord," cried Elmer. ** No — no — Elmer; no, my friend, VOL* I. I no : igi SPLENDID MISERY, no ; but I must confess to you, that the sound of that sentence, even from my own lips, ahnost palsies my soul. — What then nwi^i I have felt to-night, vhich I heard them from the mouth of that tormentor, the Jsfrologo^who is the exact resemblance, and wears the vciy garb of old Julian, who has been dead these many years? Elmer, isn't it enoui>'h to make a man tremble ? It does alarm me — I own it. It haunted nie at Paris, Naples, Florence, and it has pursued me here. I have shunned it like a coward, but the moment is ar- rived when I must encounter it. Help me, then, Elmer, in this emergency, and be my friend for ever. To-morrow, as early as you will, come to me, and I will resume my story. Leave me now, for I find myself too agitated to pro- ceed. 1 do not even say be slloit^ — to you it is unnecessary. To your rest, my friend, for you can sleep. Go, go to rest. CHAP. SPLENDID MISERY, igS CHAP. IX. A Rivah At the next interview with his secretary, the Earl thus resumed his story : ^* To a mind naturally ambitious, Elnier,such an adventure as that which I related to you last night, could not be indifferent. The old Astrologer continued a long harangue, to which I was unable to attend. My soul was so totally absorbed by the contempla- tion of the glorious destiny thus confi- dently promised me, that I felt, as it were, the victim of some magic spell, whose potent influence had benumbed my faculties, rendering me insensate to I 2 every 196 SPLENDID MISERY. every other Iinpression, and blind to every other object. " At length the Count and I took our leave of old Julian, and returned to the castle. My thoughts, however, still lingered with my heart in the as- trological tower. ** I retired early to my chamber. Memory, awakened by the singular ac- cident of the evening, there exhibited ill fresh and glowing colours, the daz- zling heights of power and of splen- dour, which in my boyish days my fa- ther 'had indelibly engraven on my mind ; and to the sublime ascent of which my spirit unceasingly and uu- weariedly aspired. " I had long felt conscious of supe- rior powers; and that conviction alone had hitherto given wings to my ambi- tion* SPLENDID MISERY. 197 lion. But now, a new, a stronger inr spiration aided me in my daring flight, with full assurance of success, enduing me with energies of mind, that seemed to soar beyond the limited expansion of mere mortal powers^. '^ At times, indeed, a momentary doubt obtruded. What folIy,exclaimt(l I, to permit a dotard star-gazer thus to play upon me? Fool that I am to be cheated with the coinages of an old man's fancy, and sink myself to a level with credulous village girls, \vh) run to gipsy oracles and pay their pence to have their fortunes told 1 *' Again these thoughts receded, like jaundiced prejudice before the healtli- ful beams of truth, when I cansidered that the old man had drawn my horo- scope within an hour of my birth, when between him and me the billows of a vast 198 SPLENDID MTSERY. vast ocean rolled ; and when he could not possibly have conjectured that any one among the millions of beings, to "svhom that moment's destiny belonged, would ever stand before him to claim the copy, which he drew as theirs. ** Still less could behave anticipated, that there should come one whose ge- nius wotikl be in unison with such a destiny, and whose wealth would eUii- ble him to reward the oracle who re- vealed it. " These reflections dispelled all doubts relative to the genuineness of this title-deed to Splendid Fortune* Ju- lian could have had no purpose what- ever to serve by an imposture; nay. the very train of accidents and events that had brought us to a knowledge of each other, and after that had led to the particular disclosure of my natal hour, SPLENDID MISERY. l^nj hour, were confirmations of as strono- a nature as mortal senses were capable of receiving. ** And after all, sard I to myself, — What am I called upon to believe? That destiny will crown my pursuit of glory with success ! Even admit then, that this assurance is mere fancy- grant that the evidence of the stars means nothing; still Latimore is not deluded, is not led astray. I am not beckoned from the path I travel. The voice to which I listen creates no new expect- ancy, The influence of the faith that I embrace, is but the confirmation of the hopes which I already folio w- '* Such was the reasoning that /con- verted me to the faith to which I have «ver since adhered. Yes — start not, El- mer, you view before you a confirmed disciple of the Doctrine of the Fates. From that night to the present moment I have i'OO SPLENDID MISERY. I have never wavered from that per- suasion* It is the inirse of every plan I form in thought, and the source of all the warm and potent energies with which 1 act. *' Thus much of what lias passed, even in my mind, was necessary to he discloscfl — further I sliall not take up your attention* I, therefore, omit the frequent interviews and long contro- versies which I had with Julian, and pass on to a series of singular and im- portant events, v/hich beginning at this period at the Castle of Rosenbergli, has yet continued to the very date of yesternight, when that abhorred phantom, or ghost, or devil; for human being I think it cannot 1)C, assuming the resemblance of old Julian, sound- ed those words of horror in my ears, which but to recollect petrifies my blood, and freezes almost the very source of life itself*' A death- SPLENDID-MISERY. £01 A rlea^.h-like paleness spread oVr Wis- countenance as he spoke, and he trem- bled. After a few moments* jjause,Nvith an effort that once more brought the colour of life to his cheek, he appeared, to have subdued an internal enemy ^ He arose, and with a n)ajestic air — *' Elnier, my friend Elmer, my bro* ther." said he, '* help me to destroy this one noxious weed that intercepts my progress, and the rest of our path will be pleasure and glory. But oh, till it is done, till its poisonous roots are twisted from the earth to which they cfirig — Elmer,till then, I am miserable, I am exposed — to — to. — Yet, what reed of this preface ? • You will do it., Elmer, you will do it. I say, my dear friend, you will e.v terminate the cause of my misery r* The appearanceand behaviour ofthe Earl during this speech, created the I 5 mos" £0^ SPtENDTD MISERT. most horrible ideas in the mind of El- mer. His brain became feverish with the rapid succession of thoughts^ that> swiftaiKl painful as electric fire, shocked liis imagination. A conviction of the dreadful intentions of this wretched nobleman at once struck his souU ** My — -my Lord, my hono-ured Master, my Patron- and Benefactor-r— what dreadful malady has seized your noble m'lvA ? You speak of misery, as if—'* **A^ If—^s iff" interrupted thcEarlJ, then smiting his breast — *'0-oh Godl*^ ejaculated lie, in tones of deepest an- guislu Then rai.sing hi« voice,, as i» anger, "But near me, Sir, listen to the sequel of my tale, for destiny has said, that you shall know it, and then apply your emollient asifs, then put on your smilesj and cry, ** as if Lord Latimore could SPEENDID MISERY. 203' ^ould be miserable." Answer me, Sir, Can a man be happy who has shed blood — human blood r Can he ever escape from tormenting misery, be his. state as dignified as the highest among- mortals; be his wealth ample as that of Emperors, or his soul ambitious as — my awn?*' ** What possible cause can my Lord have for such reflections?*' saidEUi er^ stifling his sensations* " In a few words, Elmer, learn the history of many years, for I perceive I cannot dwell on that detail. '** I think I told you that Octavian: Rosenbergh, and she, who had refused his proffered vows, were expected at the" Castle. Well, they came, and with them the Marquis and Marchioness Delia Zor^tta. They were proud per- sons. 204 SPLENDIO MISERY. SOUS, especiallj^ tl)e Marquis J 'They doated on theirdaughter, who, indeed, was worthy of their adoration, for she "was a rare specimen of surpassing beau- ty. Not a pretty decorated toy — not a living doll — no, no, but a woman ois virtues, spoke warmly in praise of Lord Derrington's discern- ing friendship for so excellent a man, but treated the suggestion of any ten- der partiality with the most sovereign contempt. SPLENDID MISERY. 229 *^This flimsy veil did not, how- ever> screen the truth from me» I saw by her countenance the joy she felt whenever Lord William propos- ed a visit to his mother's, or a party to ride, walk, sail, or for any other species of amusement ; since on such occasions his minion, his Mor- timer, was never absent. Nay, sir, the sycophant had so far insinuated himself into the favour of the Mar- quis and Marchioness Delia Zoretta, that, notwithstanding their cha* racteristic pride, the Chevalier Syd- ney had a general invitation to their palace. "I next communicated my suspi- cions of this attachment to Lord William, and pointed out the infamy that would attach to his own charac- ter> if through the means of his intro- duction, 2'^0 SPLENDID MISERV. duction, the conseq-Mcnce of ridiculous ambition on the part of Sydnev, or of l>lind affection on that of Olivia, should be either the marria^^e or seduction of the sole heiie^s of the Zoretta name. ** Lord William turned pale at my address ; and seemed to be overcome with surprise. He exclaimed it was impossible — yet pledged himself in- stantly to probe the heart of Mor- timer to the bottom, and swore that, if he found my appreliensions just, nothing short of the life of such a villain should satisfy his re- venge. *' After an absence of two whole days from the Zoretta Palace, he brought Mortimer in his hand, and requested my company in the very library, where I bad SPLENDID MISERY. 231 Iliad seen such strong proofs of Oli- via's attachment. " I observed a degree of embarrass- meift in the manner of Lord William ; but the cool and collected air of this master in hypocrisy, this Mortimer, was admirable. " Lord William," said he, addressing himself to me, " has imparted to me a conversation, in which your Lordship has thought fit to throw out insinua- tions relative to my conduct, of such a nature, as it is impossible I can submit to, without demanding of your Lordship a full and unequivocal ex- planation." " Demand ! Mr. " said I with scorn. ** That was my word, my Lord : — but, 232 SPLENBID MISERr# but, surely, the importance of the subject on which we meet should elevate our attention above mere words. The honour of the illustrious lady—" «a could restrain my indignation no longer. " Did Lord William Der- rington," said I, "plan this insult-or is he merely the abettor of such in- solence? " The honour of an illustrious lady.'' God of my father ! do I liear riohtly? Is then the honour of Olivia Delia Zoretta in the custody of a hireling— a tutor?" « I am superior to your taunts, my Lord," replied Mortimer, cool- ]y._" They fall mere powerless ze- phyrs on the tranquillity of this bo- som ; for it is guarded by the ta- lisman of innocence, and humble as Your Lordship may deem my lot *' - in SPLENDID MISERY. 233 in life, I had much rather be the thing you so much despise, than I would move a living Monument of Splendid Misery*''' '' What was there, Elmer, in these words, that, like a wizard's charm, they should so overpower me ? Nevertheless, trembling and speechless, I stood before the witness of my weakness. *' Mortimer, consummate in his art, seized the moment of my liumility, and continued. " I perceive, my Lord, your si- tuation, and I can forgive the in- justice of your opinions concerning me, since 1 know they have orij.nnat- cd in error.- — You have supposed me the presumptuous lover of the Lady Olivia, and you have further imagined that I am attempting to gain 234- SPLENDID MISERY. gain her affections. The distance be- tween the lady's rank and mine may, perhaps, in a strictly moral point of view, cause such an attempt to be deemed selfish, mean, and unwarrantable ; but yet 1 hold it virtue, ih comparison with that effort of passion or ambition, which seeks its own gratification in opposition to the will of the object it pursues, in defiance of the sacred laws of love and honour !*' ^' I answered him not, but in sullen silence left the library abruptly. I was convinced that there must have bueu aa iutt'i view bj:lHvi?n Jvlinli" iner Sydney and the astrologer, Ju- lian. I am never long in my delibera- tion. I saw, at once, the only path of action, and proceeded instantly, I sought the Marquis Delia Zoretta. His pride of birth was the weak side on SPLENDID MISERY. 235 i}n which I made the first attack. In a few words I said, ** I had at length discovered the obstacle which pre- vented the heir to the most powerful subject in Europe from becoming the son-in-law of the Marquis Delia Zoretta. No longer, my dear Mar- quis, let us fruitlessly search for the rational objections of your daughter to Octavian of Rosenbergh^or myself. I have discovered the cause : it is a preference deeply rooted in Olivia's bosom." ^ The ^larquis started. *• Yes,'* continued 1, ^* she loves an- other. Had he, on whom she has placed her afTeclions, been her tjiyaul I nay, had he bct^u 4 u-UU uf a rank and fortune simply respecta- ble, I should less have felt the force of her preference ; but this choice is at once so degrading to us, whom she has rejected, to her family, and to herself, that the world will raise its millioa ^36 SPLENDID MISERY. million voices in loud derision of us all.'^ " The name of this man, my Lord^- his denomination — his country — his abode," cried the ]\Iarquis, in a tone of impetuosity. '* You know," said I, *' the Duchess of Derrington^" ^^ She visits here— well, M'hat of her r* ** Her son, Lord William, too Does he not visit here ?'* ** And is it he ?— the young dissem- bler ! The Marchioness and mystlf liave noticed his attention to Olivia, and her delight in his society, but considei-ing his youth, and having heard the Duchess an hundred times talk SPLENDID MISERY. Q37 talk of his intended union with the sole heiress of an Irish family, we thought no more of it." ** Ah, my dear Marquis," said I, '* you mistake me greatly ; 'tis not to Lord William that I allude. He is a youth of excellent intentions, and of considerable talents ; but there is one a few years older than himself, whose artifice has obtained such sove- reign sway over this young nobleman, that he has become the mere tool and instrument of that man's interests. What would your Excellency think of its being proclaimed to the Prince of Beaumont, and all the other il- lustrious branches of your noble house, that Olivia Delia Zoretta had married the travelling Tutor of this Lord William Derrington ?" " The m 233 SPLENDID MISERY. ** The Marquis placed his hand upon his sword, and, with pale and quivering lips, swore — " that if but the shadow of a proof appeared in confirmation of my words, the death of Mortimer Sydney should ex- piate his crime.** *' 1 took his trembling hand, and led him to the library, where Lord William and his tutor still remain- ed. '' I repeated my charge to the face of this Mortimer. With astonish- ing effrontery he challenged 'me to proofs. I desired Olivia herself might be summoned. Here Lord William interfered. He interceded with the Mar- quis to spare his daughter's feelings, and he would himself unfold, what he termed, the mystery. He then, with SPLENDID MISERY. 239 with an hypocritical assumption, of which I coulcl not have helleved him capal)le, assured the Marquis that his friend, as he called the fellow Mortimer, had home, on A/^ account, and to relieve liis feelings, the oblo- quies of an ambitious intermeddler, and a disappointed and rejected suitor. *' I declare," continued he, *' that my friend, Mortimer Sydney, is above dissimulation, and I know, that had he, unfortunately for his peace, cherished pretensions to the heart and hand of Lady Olivia, or of one of a still more exalted rank, he could not have been deterred from an open declaration of his pretensions by frowns even more terrific than those of the aspiring Latimore. Nor would the threats which jealousy, envy, and ambition print upon the brow of this same Latimore, ever have 240 SPLENDID MISERY. have extorted a confession from such hearts as Mortimer's or his friend's. To a father's anger, however, we cannot be indifferent; to ap- pease a father's anguish, the father too of the adored Ohvia, every other feehng shall be sacrificed : to his private ear we will unfold our hearts.." '*This is all very strange," said the Marquis, turning to me, " but conde- scend, my Lord, to — " **T retire, my Lord," said I ; '^ and after you have listened to the mar- vellous declaration with which, I perceive. Lord William Derrington designs to lionour you, I will produce one simple proof, that shall confound the framers of such an impudent im- posture." '' I with- SPLENDID MISERY. 241 '' I withdrew into the gcirden. ** In about an hour the Mar- quis joined me. There was an anx- iety in his countenance, but the an^er which had iiicd it was extin- guished. " My dear friend," said he, *' your zealous interest can never be suffi- ciently acknowledged by the Zoretta familv, but it has misled vou. 1 arn convinced that Mr. vSydncy has never harboured a pretension to iv.y daugh- ter. Lord William has declared he loves her, and has even acknowledg- ed that he believes Olivia would not reject him, if he were at liberty to offer her his hand. Mark, my dear friend, he has had the insolence to tell the father of Olivia to his face, that his daughter loves a foreigner, who is not at liberty to offer his VOL. I. L ha.nd. oin 4C SPLENDID MISERY. liaud. I have been cheated out of my revenge for such an insult to the Zoretta name, by the pity which the apparent sufferings of the boy created. He shed tears as he told his tale. He even fell upon his knees, imploring me to grant him the privilege of living in hope, that the Duke, his father, might relax from his stern resolution of marrying him to ano- ther, or that, continuing to persist in such a resolution, he might, by a patient delay, absolve himself from the crime of a willing and hasty diso- bedience/' " And, doubtless, said I, the Mar- quis dela Zoretta promised the young stripling to defer taking into his con- sideration the overtures of such men as Octavian of Rosenbergh, and wait till tbe hesitating boy has (juite deter- mined whether he will condescend to— " *' Hold,'' SPLENDID JMISERT. 243 "Hold/' cried the Marquis, "you drive rae mad.*' " Ob, for shame, for shame, conti- nued I. I tell your Excellency, once for all, you have suffered yourself to become the dupe of a most artful wretch. Say, is it likely that a youth, M'ith whose warm blood the power of love has mingled^ could, in his eighteenth year, so pru- dently and coolly argue on the subject of his love ? My noble friend, this is the system of this Mortimer, who seeks to build his fortune upon the infamy of your illustrious house. Tell me, has Olivia her- self subscribed to the truth of this fine story ?" *' Here comes her mother," said the Marquis, ** she has been conversing with her — we shall learn.'*, L ^ ''The 244 SPLENDID MISERY. ** The Marchioness met us. Sit was in tears; and, in the laiiguage of distress, acknowledged her be- lief, that the happiness of Olivia de- pended upon her union with Lord William. *' What do you say to this?'^ said the Marquis. '* That it has relieved my heart from a most painful attachment. I have loved because I have esteemed your daughter. I esteemed her, because I tlouofht her still more noble in mind tha 1 she is by birth. She h;.s stooped to join in a confederacy to deceive her parents, and I esteem her- no more." ** Exj>lain — explain,'* cried the Marquis. "'* I then described the scene vliich I had SPLENDID MISERY. 245 I had witnessed in the library. It fired his very soul. Passionate be- yond bounds, the tears of the Marchi- oness availed nothing. He ran to , Olivia's apartment — demanded her keys, and instantly examined every drawer. The English edition of '^ Pa- radise Lost," I have described to you, was found. The name of Mortimer, on the title page, was a proof demonstrative; but still further to corroborate the truth of mv alleo-a- lions, there were also in her drawers a number of letters, written by this Mortimer, but not a line from Lord William. From that mo- ment the resolution of the Marquis was taken. He gave her the option of marryino- Octaviaa of Ptosenbcroh or n^yself, or of retiring to the clois- ters of a convent for ever. The .Der- ringtons were forbidden the palace, and so seriously did the Marquis threaten 246 SPLENDID MISERY. threaten the Chevalier Sydney, that the Duchess made hasty prepa- rations for removing to the south of France* ^' I was, of course, deemed the ori- gin of this decision of the Marquis, and, as was to be expected, received a challenge from Lord William. We fought, and the stripling's sword conquered Latimore. Oh, if ever J cease to hate him for such a stroke of infamy, forsake me,fortune. No, unto death I \vill pursue him, with every torture that niahce and hatred can invent ; aye on the very brink of the gulph of everlasting infamy would I struggle with him, nor quit my hold till one or both of us have fallen to its lowest depth. " Now, mark again. The time allowed Olivia for deliberation ex- pired. SPLENDID MISERY. 247 pired. She had been closely confined in the short interval, and every brancli of the family had strove in vain ta turn the purpose of lier father. She made her election for the cloister. She was admitted, and took the veil. The Derringtons and their Mortimer returned to England, and I was appointed to accompany Lcrd P to Berlin. " About twelvemonths afterwards w© returned again to Vienna. The old Count Rosenhergh was then dead, and Octavian had succeeded to the title and estates. He gave me pressing and repeated invitations to spend some time at Rosenhergh castle, and at length I vent there.. My mind, by this time, had yielded to some remorse for the part I had taken against Olivia, but 1 still che- rished for Lord William and his.niinion increasini^ 248 SPLEN0ID MISERY. increasing hale. At Rosenbergh castle I once more encountered old Julian. His behaviour was, now, into- lerable. He reviled me in the broadest terms, as t];e r.nth.or of the misery of Ohvia and Lord Wil- liam. " Latimore," said he, ** I warn- ed you of that malignant spot in your bright destiny, which your own conduct has swelled into a cloud of misery that now hovers over you, big with destruction. Olivia is miserable — Lord William is miser- able, but their misery is bliss com- pared to that which will be thine, thou living Momiment of Splendid Misery I** *' Enraged, 1 thrust the old man from me with contempt, and com- manded him never to appear before me SPLENDID MISERY. 249 me again. Three clays afterwards, having convinced myself, by reflec- tion, how unjustly I had behaved to him, I determined to make him a visit of repentance, and to ask him for a copy of my horoscope, which, before our rupture at Bologna, he had promised to draw for me. With this determination I repair- ed about noon to the Astrologi- cal Tower. The old woman,, who> occupied the lower apartment, told methat Julian had been studying all night upon some panicular account, and had strictly ordered her not to interrupt him before twelve o'clock, when she was tO: carry him his breakfast. She was th^fu- preparing the meal, and said: she would acquaint him that I was there. In a few minutes the poor creature, wiilUcrror in her coun- tenance, returnecT wth tidings tnat £50 SPLENDID MISER V. her master, as she termed tlie Astrolo- ger, was vanished. " He has not been there all niglit, for certain," cried she, " for his night-gown, in which he al- ways studies, is u Uouched where I left it, and tlie robe and girdle he had on in the day time has vanished witli him.*' '* As well as terror permitted her, the old woman related her fears, that Satan had run away with her master, for she was persuaded he had not passed her chamber, which was the only passage by which he could leave the tower. I, myself, ascended the M^inding staircase, and explored the study of the statues. No Julian w'as there — but on the table I found two letters, directed, one for the Count of Roscnbergh, and the other for myself. Instantly break- ing the seal, I read this very letter^ which contained this horoscope.'* The SPLENDID MISERY, 251 The Earl here drew them from his bosom. The latter he had sheun to Elmer in his last interview. Theletter contained these words : — " Receive, Latimore, the tokens of splendour, power, wealth and ta- lents, which are decreed to you;— Virtue alone is wanting to render your life a source of happiness to your- self, and a brilliant page in the annals of the wcrld. Sne, on whom you have heaped a weiit^ht of injuries, which sinks her to an early grave^ pardons you and dies. H€, for whose sake she suffers, and will die, lives an object of admiration and esteem to the rest of mankind ; — to you an object of jealousy and hate. With this last testimony/ of my remembrance, your horoscope, receive my last advice. Repair the injuries of Olivia by jus- tice to Lord William. He is your rival 252 SPLENDID MISERY. rival in talents, and I know he will be your rival in power. Torn by your arm from the temple of Hymen and peace, he has^ devoted himself to the service of his country, and I know he will be eminent in war and in council, for he seconds the promises of his destiny by a devotedness to virtue. At his birth, as at your own, presided Jupiter, that iilustriou}* star of glory. Olivia's destiny has been to him, as it has been to you, a speck of misery in a field of lustre; but here mark the difference — liis honour has not been sullied — liis virtue has. not been shaken by the love he che- rished, nor even by tht pangs of dis- appointment which he still endures. Gan Latimore'a resentful breast echo- such pt ace till strains? Ahj no — I know hini well. 1 know that even. now, wlien the sweet glow of beauty is hourly disappeaiing from those cheeks,, SPLENDID MISERY. 9.5S cheeks, on wliicli the hand of melan- choly, ill her midiiight vigils, has marked the mortal sickness of the lieart in death-pale characters; I know he siglis for the possession of those charms himself has sacrificed, and still pursues, with darts of ma- lice, the man preferred to Latimore. Yet hear ; oh, listen, ere too late, to wisdom and to virtue. Here let the conflict of base passions end ; for if they still go on in warfare with the better knowledge of your head, and the better feelings of your heart, I swear to you that never have man- kind yet witnessed such a union of Misery with Splendour, as awaits Lord Latimore." '' VVell, Elmer," said the Earl, ^* what think you of old Julian as a moralizer? His language is threat? etinig with a vengeance, you perceive ; yet 254 SPLExNDlD MISERY. yet will I, in despite of this old fool's anathemas, pursue my glory^ No obstacles shall arrest my reso- lute pursuit, short of death or con- quest. ''To return. The letter to the Count was merely a formal farewell, and stated that old Julian had choseu to end his days in a retreat, that never would be known. The Count, little anxious either concerning hisastrolo?* ger or his studies, gave himself no trouble to discover his retreat.^ About a month after his departure a courier arrived from Bologna, stating that Oli- via had escaped from her convent, and had eluded all pursuit. The date of her elopement tallied so exactly with that of old Julian's retreat,. thatno doubt could beleftrespectinghis I eing concerned in her flight. The intciesthehad ever shewn too for Lord William, SPLENDID MISERY. $^S5 William, his appearance at Bologna, where it was proved never dwelt any of his relations, all tended to con- firm our opinion. The Count and I set off instantly for Bologna — The Marquis and Marchioness were . in despair, and their ignorance of the future destination of their child added ten-fold to their an- guish. *' By enquiries, naturally directed to England and the Derrington family, it appeared that Lord William, at the time of Olivia's elope nent, was with the DukC; his father, at their estate in Scotland ; hut that Mr* Sydney had not been heard of for many months, having entirely taken leave of the family. ** This information plainly pointed him out as the author and companion of Q56 SPLENDID MISERY. of her flight ; and exposed the duplici- ty and mock virtue of Lord ^YiHiam, Julian, and Olivia herself. '* Time rolled on, without af- fording the slightest clue by which a discovery might be traced. Revvards had been offered, punishments de- nounced in vain, and the fan;ily, for- mally renouncing Olivia, put them- selves in mourning as for her death. <( Accident, however, about two years afterwards, led me to the place of her retreat. I was travelling through the south of France, and had stopped to change horses at an obscure small village, whivh pleased me so much by its appearance, that I determined to dine theie. Saunter- ing through some delightful vine- yards, my ears were struck by the tones of a lute. 1 listened, and followed the SPLENDID MISERY. 257 llie sound. It ltd me to a cottage, simple and elegant, at the window of u'liic }i sal a female, whose form, even at a distance, commanded ad- niirdtion; hut imagine my sensa- tions, when, upon a near approach, I recognised Olivia, as beautiful as .ever! The first impulse led me to the gate; a little dog barked; the fair refugee disappeared from the win- dow, and an old man came to the door. It was Julian, of Rosenbera:h. At the sight of me he fled into the house, and in a ftw minutes appear- ed the villain, Mortimer. Oh, Elmer, why, why did the fates ordain that meeting?" Here the Earl placed liishand upon his forehead. " I am sick, I am faint," cried lie, '' the struggles of my heart are too powerful for this mortal tene- ment. Leave me a while, Elmer. When I have SfS SPLENDID MISERY. I have recoveredmy strength I will send Durand to desire your attendance, and 3 ou shall hearthe conclusion of my story."^ BNP OF VOL. I. frinled by W. Flint, Old Bavlej. University of Connecticut Libraries 39153028256362