The Mysteries Of Paris Volume Iii Part 27

"Let me entreat your pardon for the unintentional mistake I have made.

Oh, refuse not to forgive me for having ventured to believe that happiness could exist for me!"

And again a long pause ensued, broken at last by D'Harville's vehemently exclaiming, "What a wretch am I!"

"Albert," said Clemence, gently, "for worlds would I not reproach you; yet is my promise of being unto you the most loving and affectionate of sisters unworthy any estimation? You will receive from the tender cares of devoted friends.h.i.+p more solid happiness than love could afford. Look forward to brighter days. Hitherto you have found me almost indifferent to your sorrows; you shall henceforward find me all zeal and solicitude to alleviate them, and eager to share with you every grief or cause of suffering, whether of body or of mind."

At this moment a servant, throwing open the folding doors, announced:

"His Highness the Grand Duke of Gerolstein."

M. d'Harville started; then, by a powerful effort, recovering his self-command, he advanced to meet his visitor.

"I am singularly fortunate, madame," said Rodolph, approaching Clemence, "to find you at home to-night; and I am still more delighted with my good fortune, since it procures me the pleasure of meeting you, also, my dear Albert," continued he, turning to the marquis, and shaking him cordially by the hand.

"It is, indeed, some time since I have had the honour of paying my respects to your royal highness."

"If the truth must be spoken, my dear Albert," said the prince, smilingly, "you are somewhat platonic in your friends.h.i.+ps, and, relying on the certain attachment of your friends, care very little about either giving or receiving any outward proof of affection."

By a breach of etiquette, which somewhat annoyed Madame d'Harville, a servant here entered the room with a letter for the marquis. It was the anonymous epistle of Sarah, accusing Rodolph of being the lover of Madame d'Harville.

The marquis, out of deference for the prince, put away with his hand the small silver salver presented to him by the servant, saying, in an undertone:

"Another time,--another time."

"My dear Albert," said Rodolph, in a voice of the most genuine affection, "why all this ceremony with me?"

"My lord!"

"With Madame d'Harville's permission, let me beg of you to read your letter without delay."

"I a.s.sure you, my lord, it is not of the slightest consequence."

"Again I say, Albert, read your letter all the same for my being here."

"But, my lord, indeed--"

"Nay, I ask you to do so; or, if you will have it, I desire you to read it immediately."

"If your highness commands it, my duty is obedience," said the marquis, taking the letter from the salver.

"Yes, I positively command you to treat me as one old friend ought to treat another." Then turning towards Madame d'Harville, while the marquis was breaking the seal of the fatal letter, the contents of which were, of course, unknown to Rodolph, he said, smilingly, to Madame d'Harville:

"What a triumph for you, madame, to bend this untractable spirit, and make it bow to your very caprice!"

M. d'Harville having opened Sarah's infamous letter, approached the wax-lights burning on the mantelpiece, the better to read it. His features bore no visible mark of agitation as he perused the vile scrawl. A slight trembling of the hand alone was visible, as, after a short hesitation, he refolded the paper and placed it in the pocket of his waistcoat.

"At the risk of pa.s.sing for a perfect Goth," said he, with a smile, to Rodolph, "I will ask you to excuse me, my lord, while I retire to reply to this letter, which is more important than it at first appeared."

"Shall I not see you again this evening?"

"I am fearful I shall not have that honour, my lord; and I trust your royal highness will condescend to excuse me."

"What a slippery person you are!" cried Rodolph, gaily. "Will you not, madame, endeavour to prevent his quitting us?"

"Nay, I dare not attempt that your highness has failed to accomplish."

"But seriously, my dear Albert, endeavour to come back as soon as you have concluded your letter; or, if that is not possible, promise to give me a few minutes in the morning. I have a thousand things to say to you."

"Your highness overwhelms me with kindness," answered the marquis, as, bowing profoundly, he withdrew, leaving Clemence and the prince alone.

"Your husband has some heavy care on his mind," observed Rodolph to the marquise; "his smile appeared to me a forced one."

"At the moment of your highness's arrival, M. d'Harville was much excited, and he has had great difficulty in concealing his agitation from you."

"My visit was, probably, _mal a propos_?"

"Oh, no, my lord! You came just in time to spare me the conclusion of a most painful conversation."

"Indeed! May I inquire the subject of it?"

"I had explained to M. d'Harville the line of conduct I had determined to pursue towards him for the future, a.s.suring him of my future sympathy and affectionate attention to his happiness."

"How happy you must have rendered him by such gratifying words!"

"He did, indeed, at first, seem most truly happy; and so was I, likewise; for his tears and his joys caused in me a feeling of delight I never before experienced. Once I fancied I did but indulge a just revenge each time I addressed to him a reproach or a sarcasm; but it was a weak and impotent mode of torture, which always recoiled upon myself, as my better judgment pointed out the unworthiness of such conduct; while just now how great was the difference! I had inquired of my husband if he were going out, to which he mournfully replied that he had no intention of so doing, but should pa.s.s the evening alone, as he most frequently did. Ah, my lord, could you but have seen his surprise when I offered to be his companion, and how suddenly did the gloomy expression of his features give place to a bright glow of happiness! Ah, you were quite right, there is nothing more really delightful than preparing happy surprises for those around us."

"But how could so much kindness on your part have brought about the painful conversation you were alluding to just now?"

"Alas, my lord!" said Clemence, blus.h.i.+ng deeply, "M. d'Harville, not satisfied with the hopes I felt myself justified in holding out, allowed himself to form others of a nature too tender to admit of their being realised, and in proportion to my consciousness of my utter inability to respond to such sentiments had been my anxiety not to arouse them; and, greatly as I had felt touched by the warmth of my husband's grat.i.tude for my proffered affection, I was even still more terrified and alarmed by the pa.s.sionate ardour of his manner and expressions; and when, carried away by the impetuosity of his feelings, he pressed his lips upon my hand, a cold shudder pervaded my whole frame, and I found it impossible to conceal the disgust and alarm I experienced. Doubtless this manifestation of my invincible repugnance pained him deeply, and I much lament having been unable to prevent his perceiving my feelings.

But now that the blow has fallen, it will, at least, serve to convince M. d'Harville of the utter impossibility of my ever being more to him than the most tender and devoted friend."

"I pity him most sincerely, without being able to blame you in the slightest degree for the part you have acted. There are certain feelings which must ever be held sacred. But poor Albert! With his n.o.ble, generous spirit, his frank, confiding nature, his warm, enthusiastic heart,--if you only knew how long I have been vainly trying to discover the cause of the hidden melancholy which was evidently preying upon his health. Well, we must trust to the soothing effects of time and reason.

By degrees he will become more sensible of the value of the affection you offer him, and he will resign himself as he did before, when he had not the consolatory hopes you now present to his view."

"Hopes which I solemnly a.s.sure you, my lord, it is my fixed determination to realise in their fullest extent."

"And now let us turn our attention to others who are also called upon to suffer and taste of heavy sorrows. You know I promised to occupy you in a charitable work, which should have all the charm of a romance of real life; and I am here to perform my promise."

"What, already, my lord? Indeed, you rejoice me greatly."

"It was a most fortunate idea of mine to hire the small chamber I told you of in the Rue du Temple; you can scarcely imagine all the curious and interesting objects it has made me acquainted with. In the first place your poor protegees in the garrets are now enjoying that happiness your presence secured to them. They have still some severe trials to undergo; but I will not enter upon the painful details at the present moment. One of these days you shall learn how many direful evils may be heaped upon one unfortunate family."

"How grateful they must feel towards you!"

"Nay, 'tis your name is ever on their lips, loaded with praises and blessings."

"Ah, my lord, is it then in my name you have succoured them?"