The Complete Northanger Horrid Novel Collection (9 Books of Gothic Romance and Horror)

by Eliza Parsons

  The female heart is never entirely void of vanity; and none that is not preoccupied, will be able to resist a firm and indefatigable exertion to gain upon it. I now was frequently in private with Caroline, and none of my other rivals was very formidable. I really imagined to have made some impression upon her heart, and that she had completely forgot the obstinate Count. I enjoyed that little, dubious happiness with a rapturous pleasure, when an accident suddenly overturned the airy edifice of my vanity at once.

  We met at the country feat of a friend to celebrate a rural feast. The fine season was already on the verge; autumn had, however, sufficient charms left to make us forget the amusements of the town for a short time. The vintage was getting in, and that is the time when merriment and pleasure display themselves in the most natural and charming manner.

  The necessary preparations were made, at the country feat of my friend, solemnly to celebrate every day of that general rejoicing. The two most virtuous girls of the village were publicly presented in the church with a garland of white roses, and received a very liberal dowry. Their beauty was, indeed, not equal to their virtue; yet they received that reward with such a grace, and so much modest innocence, that every one was convinced, beyond contradiction, that they deserved-having been selected from the rest of their sisters. This enchanting harmony between gracefulness and virtue is generally no where to be met with in that high degree as among the French peasantry.

  No one could deny that all his softer feelings were completely gratified among that troop of amiable country girls who, during the short time of our stay with them, never lost light of us. These remarks had a powerful influence on my subsequent resolutions. All of us gentlemen were greater or lesser sinners, and it afforded us the highest pleasure to exchange the coquetry and art of our ladies with the sensible and open simplicity of those innocent children of nature. Joy and cheerful mirth animated, therefore, every one of us; and we found many little innocent means of gratifying our glowing humour, and the demands of a heated blood, without injuring the virtue of those innocent rustics. Dancing and songs, little feasts and processions, fire-works and comedies, followed each other in a plea-sing succession, were always different in their nature, and, nevertheless, only parts of a well arranged whole.

  Even the Count began to cheer up a little, yet without being able to take his usual share in these amusements. Caroline was still a little angry with him, or at lead pretended to be so; and being used to have always a declared lover, gave me the preference. I was obliged to sit always by her side, to carry her gloves and her fan, and to follow her every where as her esquire. Even when somebody talked to me at a small distance from her, she inquired, with the greatest simplicity, "where may the Marquis be?" This induced me to flatter myself to be secretly beloved by her, though she never suffered me to speak of my passion. She neither acted the prude, nor was reserved, but behaved like an offended wife that is going to lose her husband, and importuned already with proposals of a second marriage. The Count soon observed that she seemed to be very partial to me, and frequently squeezed my hand by stealth with averted looks. Yet my proud heart soon conceived a presumption upon her favour, which unexpectedly made me sensible of my mistake.

  One afternoon she roved with me thro' the garden, playing numberless little pranks. She was more immoderately merry than I ever had seen her before, and her amorous gambols fired me to a degree of which I never thought myself susceptible. She was, besides, dressed with uncommon elegance and taste. Her fine shape, the activity of her limbs, the pliancy of every part of her graceful form, the luxuriant growth of her curling hair, which wantonly overshaded her forehead and bosom, and her easy, cheerful gait, made her resemble the Goddess of Mirth. I was intoxicated by the sight of her unpresuming charms, and enchanted by the jovial roguery of her sparkling eyes.

  Being, at length, exhausted by her playsome gambols, we seated ourselves upon the swelling turf, where it was overshaded 'by a tuft of myrtles. She broke off some of the depending twigs, and began to throw them at me. I had just picked up two, and was going to fling them at her in return, when she suddenly averted her face from me towards a walk covered with lofty trees. I turned round, and beheld the Count coming slowly towards the place where we were sitting. He was alone, and so profoundly absorbed in thought, that he did not see us. His arms were crossed, his head depended upon his bosom, his eyes were half shut, and he seemed to be entirely unconscious of the objects around him. He made now and then motions, as if he conversed with some person, dropped one of his hands, covering with the other a part of his face.

  Caroline suddenly grew serious; I wanted to continue our frolicsome sport, but she paid no attention to me, replying to all my questions nothing but, "The poor Count! how: melancholy he is!" "The poor Count!" I repeated with great emotion; and one of her sweet looks thanked me for my concern.

  When he came nearer, without seeing. us, I called to him. He awoke from his gloomy reverie a little frightened; yet he had too much power over his countenance as not to exhilarate it immediately; and he always grew extravagantly merry, whenever he changed from a melancholy mood to cheerfulness; which now also was the case. Yet Caroline could not be deceived by his unnatural jocundity; her countenance assumed an uncommon serious aspect, which impelled him to use still greater efforts to cheer her up. I seconded him faithfully; and when nothing would succeed, we grew, at last, so excessively merry, that she offered to rise, and to leave us.

  "I perceive, beautiful Caroline," he now began, that one of us is disagreeable to you, and I fear I am that one."

  Although he said this in a laughing accent, yet Caroline returned neither a word, nor even a look; remaining quietly on her feat, and playing with her fan.

  "No, no!" said I, "You are mistaken, dear Count; I am that person." I directed a scrutinizing look at her while I uttered These words; but she still continued to be taciturn.

  "You probably, think so," the Count resumed, "because she is so serious ever since an unfortunate accident has made me interrupt your conversation?"

  "I don't like to enter into a contest with you) but let us make an experiment. That proud goddess may decide herself. Kneel down, and take this myrtle sprig." He kneeled, laughing, down, and took the myrtle in his hand.

  "Now, fair Caroline," I began in a solemn accent, turning to her, "it is your turn to choose. Here you see two lovers kneeling before you, who adore you with equal tenderness, who would sacrifice their life with pleasure to save yours, but rather will devote it to your happiness. Either offers you a myrtle sprig, accept that of him whom you prefer to the other."

  I could not help thinking that it was cruel to treat the poor Count thus: however,' the present opportunity seemed to offer me that little triumph in such a natural manner, that I could not refill the temptation of enjoying it. My poor neighbour trembled, and was in a violent agitation, while I anticipated my victory with a smiling countenance. Caroline, however, instead of treating the matter as a frolic, as I had expected, rose with dignity, and in a very solemn manner, which excited our astonishment; but no sooner had she surveyed us with a dubious look, than she loft all presence of mind. Her face was alternately overspread with a deep crimson hue and a deadly paleness; her bosom heaved with greater violence, and she breathed louder, covering her countenance repeatedly with her hand, and displaying an uncommon emotion. After a few seconds, she recovered the dominion over herself, darting an unspeakable tender look at the Count, who stared at her like a statue, and another less significant one at myself, snatched with vehemence the myrtle sprig from my friend's hand, averting her face, and said, in a trembling accent, "I thank you, dear Count."

  It is a kind of miracle that I did not lose the use of my senses on the spot. It rather seemed as if I had received a thou-fend eyes more, to see more plainly what now ensued. The Count was almost frantic with rapture, forgetting every thing, the world and myself, and draining the trembling girl to his bosom. At first, she only suffered his caresses and kisses; but soon retu
rned them with equal fervour. Tender looks, and voluptuous sighs, were mutually exchanged, and the glowing fire of love burned on their crimsoned lips. They were enfolded in tender embraces, while I continued to kneel before them in a kind of senseless stupor.

  The Count observed, at length, my forlorn situation, and raised me with a grateful look. "My Caroline," said he to the sweet girl, "let my dearest friend have a share in your affection." So saying, he pressed me to Caroline's bosom. Heaven was in his looks; he believed to have regained every thing while he could strain the dear object of his love and the friend of his heart to his heaving bosom.

  "Yes, Marquis," Caroline began, "I should have preferred you to all the world, if I had not known the Count. Be my friend, as you have been that of my Lewis, and you always will find my heart open, kind, and affectionately disposed to you."

  I was seized with stunning stupor, and incapable of returning an answer; I even could not evince my gratitude by a mute sign. I bent my weeping eyes upon the hand which she extended to me, , and felt it burn more violently than my face. This was the only sensation of which I was conscious. My heart ceased almost to beat, and a chilling tremour thrilled my frame, but was soon succeeded by a convulsive heat. My bread heaved violently, and yet I had it not in my power to unburthen it by a single sigh.

  The Count embraced me, squeezing my hand. "You know, my dear Carlos," he added, "that my rapture is not unalloyed with pungent grief."

  Caroline now raised me up, putting my hand between her arm, while the Count took hold of me on the other side. They spoke little; however, their tender look$ conveyed comfort to my poor heart. I was scarcely conscious of being led by them.

  This then is the consequence of thy adventurous undertaking," said I to myself in the evening, when I was alone in my apartment: "fate has punished thee as thou didst deserve. Yet it is fortunate enough that that decision, that the certainty of thy fate, has cooled thy foolish presumption, and that thou haft a greater share of pride than of any other passion."

  I cannot but confess that my pride only saved me> my passion being not strong enough to resist it. I never had, till then, loved without hope; and even Caroline had opened a favourable prospect to me by her innocent sportiveness. The first blow my humbled vanity received was dreadful enough, yet it soon recovered from that unexpected shock, and rendered me easy. I should have been blind, if I could have overlooked the Count's superior merits, his enchanting form, his gay and even temper, and his sensible heart, which was ever ready to make the greatest sacrifices to the objects of its love. Yet no one will expect that I should have been able to witness the felicity of the two lovers with tranquillity. I resolved, there fore, patiently to keep them company, while, they should remain in the country, and then to repair to some other part of the world I a resolution, the first part of which I performed more faithfully than I had reason to expect. I took such a tranquil, but less cheerful, share in all their amusements, deceived myself so much by my equanimity, and forced myself to such an imposing unconcern, that the serenity of the Count, who firmly believed that I soon would be cured entirely, visibly increased, and grew every day more natural.

  But how great was his astonishment when I entered his apartment, a few days after our return to Paris, and informed him that I was going to leave him for a short time. He scarcely could believe that I was serious: I told him, however, that he was mistaken if he imagined my heart was as cheerful as my countenance, I alledged such strong and reasonable motives for a tour through France, and a visit to a little estate I possessed in Provence, that he approved my plan at last, though it was very visible that it gave him pain to part with me even for a short time. We found, however, some comfort in the hope of a speedy cure of my mental disease, and of my subsequent return. I had besides found out the mod amiable travelling companion I could wish for: this was Count S******i, who was in ft situation similar to mine, and sincerely rejoiced at my proposal. The Count and myself being now completely reconciled we embraced each other with an affectionate heart and weeping eyes. He offered to spend the night with me, and to accompany me the subsequent morning a few leagues. Wishing, however, that my journey should be looked upon merely as a pleasure excursion, I desired that the farewell-scene should be as short as possible. Having, therefore, settled the manner in which our correspondence was to be carried on, I disengaged myself from his embraces, and spent the night in private in my apartment, giving audience to my thoughts and preparing for my departure.

  S******i and myself had agreed not to render o"r journey tiresome, by taking too much care of our convenience on that road. We provided ourselves with good horses, and very little baggage; and were attended only by two servants. Being thus accoutred, we began our excursion, independent on the rudeness of the postmasters, who are of one cast all over the world. As for my companion, I had not the least apprehension of falling out with him, for he was good-nature itself. I called at his apartments with the first dawn of the morning; we mounted our horses, and the Count wished us a pleasant journey from the balcony.

  CHAPTER VI

  S******i and I left Paris with light hearts, and cheerfully anticipated the pleasures which awaited us. Our hilarity increased with every mile that carried us farther from the residence of every terrestrial happiness. We did not regret it in the least I and were entirely occupied with the serenity of the sky, with our plans, and the good-natured cheerfulness of the country people. Berry lay before us, and promised to afford us ample scope for observations and amusement. Autumn was on the verge, and the wind whittled more chilly and bleak through the fading leaves: this is, however, the very season that agrees best with a certain weariness of foul. My companion was, besides, a man that would have been capable of soothing the acutest sorrows; for a most insinuating gentleness animated every word of his, and he took the warmest interest in the least trifle that concerned the heart. The objects that presented themselves to his eyes, made him completely forget all his cares; his exuberant imagination was sufficiently purified by the trial of early disappointments and sufferings I and his hilarity of mind reflected a cheerful light on every object that presented itself to his eyes. His heart was the amicable abode of tender sensibility; and he was too good-natured to confine his friendship to an individual fellow-creature, cherishing the whole human race with undivided affection.

  We travelled for some time without meeting with any remarkable incident, accelerating our course whenever we thought proper, and flopping at every place which promised to afford us pleasure. Count S******i being disposed by nature, and I by my fate, by philosophy and stern necessity, to find every where scope for amusement, we met at all places where we Hopped a kind reception, and people with whom Me could converse. Nothing is more ridiculous than to travel for the fake of amusement and improvement, and at the same time to pay a nice attention to one's rank. I have known very few ramblers who travelled with that intention, that did not display more or less of that foolish pomp. A traveller never ought to expect: real pleasure and benefit from his rambles, if he is not initiated in the great art of being a peasant amongst country people, an artist amongst artists, and a merchant amongst merchants.

  I have never known a man who possessed the different qualities and perfections which compose that art in a more extensive compass than S******i; his temper, which breathed nothing but cheerfulness and affability, appropinquating him to every open physiognomy. He spoke the language of all ranks, knew all their prejudices, their favourite ideas., and peculiar expressions. He could assume almost any shape; and no one could resist his manner, which spoke a language that is generally understood, the language of the heart. My rambling life, and the frequent changes of my situation, had taught me also a little knowledge of man; but whenever I was near him, I was but too sensible that I was obliged to exert all my attention, if I would spoil nothing. He stole almost irresistibly upon every heart; and scarcely a quarter of an hour elapsed before he was the idol of people who saw him the first time. There was no rest in the house be
fore our horses were watered and baited, and our dinner or supper got ready. All was in a bustle: six feet were in motion as soon as one signified a wish; they assembled cheerfully around us; spoke freely, and without disguise, of every thing. The prettiest girls were selected to dance with us, or offered themselves voluntarily with the most amiable simplicity and innocence. Wherever we shewed ourselves, we beheld joy and good will depicted on every countenance; and were happy even amid the smoke of several dozens of tobacco pipes. If we stayed more than one day at a village, some little feast was generally given on our account; the best bottle of wine was fetched out of the cellar; the young girls of the place were assembled; and These poor people, who only wanted a pretext for being merry, were rendered happy for several hours by the share we took in their amusement. S******i, in return, slighted neither their dishes, nor their offers, nor their society; he ate and drank with every one what was offered to him I danced as well with the ugly as with the handsome villagers without discrimination; spoke and laughed with every one at whatever they chose; and frequently played a ballad on the guittar, or related his travels. Such a silence did then prevail around us, that one could have heard the falling of a feather, the company sat gaping on the benches, and hardly dared to fetch breath before the tale was concluded; the consequence of which was, that These poor people parted with us with weeping eyes, or ran a quarter of a mile after us, on our departure.

  At Blois we happened to meet the Duke of B******, and gave occasion to that proud Briton, who thought to carry every thing by the weight of his purse, to make a very mortifying experience. Having arrived early in the morning, we determined to take a ride after dinner, and to survey the environs of the town. The Duke arrived, not long before our return, with two coaches, two valets, seven or eight giant-like servants, and two led-horses. The landlady, who was preparing our supper, hesitated a while whether she should admit the proud Peer with his numerous retinue, notwithstanding the display of his guineas, as she could foresee that he would give her so much trouble that she should not be able to enjoy our society. At length she gave the keys of the apartments to the waiter, and ordered him to shew the Duke up. The purse-proud Nobleman being used to be received with the greatest respect at the inns, was astonished to see himself ushered in by the waiter, the landlady being just occupied to prepare a rice cream, which Count S******i had ordered; and the landlord gone in quest of a bottle of Vin de la Cote, which my friend had wished to have.