No. 21. -~ LIBRARY OF CHOICE NOVELS. CONTARINI FLElINU. J,4 E UTOBIOGRJ1PHY. BY THE RIGHT HON. BENJAMIN DISRAELI, A UT'lOR OF "LOTHAIR," "VENETIA," "HENRIETTA TF.)I'LE," "VIVIAN GREY," "ALROY," | "C(ONINGSBY," ErTC., ETC. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 90, 92 & 94 GRAND STREET. 1870. Price 50 Cents. LOTHAIR. A Novel. By the Right Hon. BENJAMIN DISRAELI, Late Prime Minister of Great Britain.. "N6sse hiec ormlias salus est adolesentulis."-TERENTIUS. After a silence of twenty-three years (his last work, " Tancred," was published in 1847), this eminent English novelist reappears with a work in his best style. " Lothair" has all the brilliant wit, the keen and sparkling satire, and the refined grace. of the most popular of its predecessors. It deals with current topics of the deepest interest-with Fenianism, Ritualism, the Catholic question, the intrigues of the Jesuits, etc., etc. NOTICES OF THE PRESS. From the London Daily News. " There is not a fast character, a fast trait, or a fast phrase, in the whole of'Lothair, yet the story is a story of yesterday-almost of to-day-and comes fresh and warm. from the author's study...'ILothair' wrill beread by the whole world, will provoke immense discussion, and will greatly deepen the interest with which the author's own character, genius, and career, have long lieen contemplated by the nation." From the London Times. "'Lothair' gives proof of rare originality, versatility, flexibility, force, and freshness. One can only glance over the merits of a novel so pregnant with thought and character, nor would we wish to do more were it possible. We should be very sorry to weaken the interest that must accompany the perusal of the book. We had thought Mr. Disraeli dared a great deal in riskingr his reputation on another novel. but now that we have read it we do not feel called upon to pay him many compliments on his courage. As he wrote he must have felt that the risk was illusory, and assured himself that his powers had brightened instead of rusting in half a lifetime of repose." From the London Observer. " As a series of brilliant sketches of character, with occasional digressions into abstract and speculative topics,' Lothair' need not fear comparison with the most sparkling of its author's lprevious works." From the London Standard. " Nothing of the original verve of Mr. Disraeli's style has been lost by the lapse of years. Fresh as' Coninlaby,' vigorous as' Vivian Grey,' tender as' Henrietta Temple,' enthralling as Tancred,' humorous as ally ofhis former works,' Lothair,' apart from the interest attaching to it on account of the position of its author, would be the literary success of the season." From the New York Tribune.' As a literary production the new story is all that the admirers of' Vivian Grey' could have wished. The deft hand has lost none of its cunning. The wealth of elowing description, whose richness becomes at times almost a painful enjoyment, the keen satire, the sparkling epigram, the wonderful sketches of society, the airy skimming over the surface of life, touching upon its fashionable graces. laughine a little at its fashionable foilies-all are here as we knew them of old. The brightness is undimmed anll the spirit is unsu)dutled." 1 vol., cloth, 12mo, price $2.00; also, in paper, octavo, price $1,00. C** Copies of either mailed, post-free, to any address within the United St tes, on receipt of price. UNIFORM EDITION OF DISRAELI'S JNO VELS. The undersigned will publish immediately a cheap uniform edition of Disraeli's Novels, octavo, paper covers, as follows: I. Henrietta Temple. 5oc. IV. Alroy. 50c. II. Venetia. 50c. V./ Contarini Flemnin(g 50c. IlT. The )hunq,h ke 5o. 50c V. Vivian Grey. 60c. D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 93, 92 & 94 Grand Street, New York. CONTARINI FLEMING. AN A UTOBIO GRAPHY. BY THE RIGHT HON. BENJAMIN DISRAELI, AUTHOR OF "LOTHAIR," " VENETIA," "HENRIETTA TEMPLE," "VIVIAN GREY," "ALROY," " CONINGSBY," ETC., ETC. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 90, 92 & 94 GRAND STREET. 18 70. CONTARINI FLEMING. 1. of our experience is but a dim dream of the conduct of past generations, generations that lived in a total WANDERING in those deserts of Africa that ignorance of their nature. Our instructers are the border the Erythraean sea, I came to the river Nile, unknowing and the dead. We study human nature to that ancient, and mighty, and famous stream, in a charnel-house, and, like the nations of the whose waters yielded us our earliest civilization, and East, we pay divine honours to the maniac and the which, after having witnessed the formation of so fool. A series of systems have mystified existence. many states, and the invention of so many creeds, We believe what our fathers credited, because they still flow on with the same serene beneficence, like were convinced without a cause. The faculty of all that we can conceive of Deity; in form sublime, thought has been destroyed. Yet our emasculated in action systematic, in nature bountiful, in source minds, without the power of fruition, still pant for unknown. the charms of wisdom. It is this that makes us fly My solitary step sounded in the halls of the Pha- with rapture to false knowledge-to tradition, to raohs. I moved through those imperial chambers, prejudice, to custom. Delusive tradition, destrucsupported by a thousand columns, and guarded by tive prejudice, degenerating custom! It is this that colossal forms seated on mysterious thrones; I makes us prostrate ourselves with reverence before passed under glittering gates meet to receive the tri- the wisdom of by-gone ages, in no one of which has umphal chariot of a Titan; I gazed on sublime obe- man been the master of his own reason. lisks pointing to the skies, whose secrets their mys- I am desirous of writing a book which shall be tic characters aflected to conceal. Wherever I threw all truth, a work of which the passion, the thought, my sight, I beheld vast avenues of solemn sphinxes the action, and even the style, should spring from reposing in supernatural beauty, and melancholy my own experience of feeling, from the meditations groups of lion-visaged kings; huge walls vividly of my own intellect, from my own observation of pictured with the sacred rites and the domestic incident, from my own study of the genius of exoffices of remote antiquity, or sculptured with the pression. breathing forms of heroic warfare. When I turn over the pages of the metaphysician, And all this might, all this magnificence, all this I perceive a science that deals in words instead of mystery, all this beauty, all this labour, all this high facts. Arbitrary axioms lead to results that violate invention-where were their originators? I fell into reason; imaginary principles establish systems that deep musing. And the kingdoms of the earth passed contradict the common sense of mankind. All is before me, from the thrones of the Pharaohs to dogma, no part demonstration. Wearied, perplexed, those enormous dominations that sprang out of the doubtful, I throw down the volume in disgust. feudal chaos, the unlawful children of Ignorance When I search into my own breast, and trace and Expediency. And I surveyed the generations the developement of my own intellect, and the forof man from Rameses the Great, and Memnon the mation of my own character, all is light and order. Beautiful, to the solitary pilgrim, whose presence The luminous succeeds to the obscure, the certain now violated the sanctity of their gorgeous sepul- to the doubtful, the intelligent to the illogical, the chres. And I found that the history of my race practical to the impossible, and I experience all that was but one tale of rapid destruction or gradual refined and ennobling satisfaction that we derive decay. from the discovery of truth and the contemplation And in the anguish of my heart, I lifted up my of nature. hands to the blue ether, and I said, "Is there no I have resolved, therefore, to write the history of hope? What is knowledge, and what is truth? my own life, because it is the subject of which I How shall I gain wisdom?" have the truest knowledge. The wind arose, the bosom of the desert heaved, At an age when some have scarcely entered pillars of sand sprang from the earth and whirled upon their career, I can look back upon past years across the plain, sounds more awful than thunder spent in versatile adventure and long meditation. came rushing from the south; the fane and the My thought has been the consequence of my orpalace, the portal and the obelisk, the altar and the ganization; my action the result of a necessity not throne, the picture and the frieze, disappeared from less imperious. My fortune and my intelligence my sight, and darkness brooded over the land. I have blended together, and formed my character. knelt down and hid my face in the movable and I am desirous of executing this purpose while my burning soil, and as the wind of the desert passed brain is still fed by the ardent though tempered over me, methought it whispered, "Child of na- flame of youth; while I can recall the past with acture, learn to unlearn!" curacy, and record it with vividness; while my meWe are the slaves of false knowledge. Our me- mory is still faithful, and while the dewy freshness mories are filled with ideas that have no origin in of youthful fancy still lingers on the flowers of my truth. We learn ncthing from ourselves. The sum mind. 4 CONTARINI FLEMING. I would bring to this work the illumination of an as the eldest, the preference, if necessary, was ever intellect emancipated from the fatal prejudices of an yielded. But for the rest, she was cold, and I was irrational education. This may be denied me. Yet repulsive, and she stole from the saloon, which I some exemption from the sectarian prejudices that rendered interesting by no infantile graces, to the imbitter life may surely be expected from one who, nursery, where she could lavish her love upon her!by a curious combination of circumstances, finds troublesome, but sympathizing offspring, and listen himself without country, without kindred, and with- to the wondrous chronicle which their attendants out friends; nor will he be suspected of indulging daily supplied of their marvellous deeds and almost in the'delusion of worldly vanity, who, having acted oracular prattle. in the world, has retired to meditate in an inviolate Because I was unhappy, I was sedentary and solitude, and seeks relief from the overwhelming silent, for the lively sounds and the wild gambols vitality of thought in the flowing spirit of creation. of children are but the unconscious outpourings of joy. They make their gay noises, and burst into their gay freaks, as young birds in spring chant in the free air, and flutter in the fresh boughs. But I WHEEx I can first recall existence, I remember could not revel in the rushing flow of my new l1ood, myself a melancholy child. My father, Baron Flem- nor. yield up my frame to its dashing and voluptuing, was a Saxon nobleman of ancient family, who, ous course. I could not yet analyze my feelings; I being opposed to the French interest, quitted, at could not indeed yet think; but I had an instinct the commencement of this century, his country,and that I was different from my fellow-creatures, and after leading for some years a wandering life, entered the feeling was not triumph, but horror. into the service of a northern court. At Venice, My quiet inaction gained me the reputation of yet a youth, he married a daughter of the noble stupidity. In vain they endeavoured to concealfrom house of Contarini, and of that marriage I was the me their impression. I read it in their looks; in only offspring. My entrance into this world was their glances of pity full of learned discernment, in marked with evil, for my mother yielded up her life their telegraphic exchanges of mutual conviction. while investing me with mine. I was christened At last, in a moment of irritation, the secret broke with the name of her illustrious race. Thus much, from one of my white brothers. I felt that the during the first years of my childhood, I casually urchin spoke truth, but I cut him to the ground. learned, but I know not how; I feel I was early He ran howling and yelping to his dam. I was sur-'conscious that my birth was a subject on which it rounded by the indignant mother and the domestic was proper that I should not speak, and one, the police. I listened to their agitated accusations, and mention of which, it was early instilled into me, palpitating threats of punishment, with sullen indifwould only occasion my remaining parent bitter ference. I offeredno defence. I courted their ven sorrow. Therefore upon this topic I was ever silent, geance. It came in the shape of imprisonment. and with me, from my earliest recollection, Venice I was conducted to my room, and my door was was a name to be shunned. locked on the outside. I answered the malignant My father again married. His new bride was a sound by bolting it in the interior. I remained daughter of the country which had adopted him. there two days deaf to all their entreaties, without She was of high blood, and very wealthy, and beau- sustenance, feeding only upon my vengeance. Each tiful in the fashion of her land. This union pro- fresh visit was an additional triumph. I never anduced two children, both males. As a child, I view- swered; I never moved. Demands of apology were ed them with passive antipathy. They were called exchanged for promises of pardon: promises of par. my brothers, but nature gave the lie to the reiterat- don were in turn succeeded by offers of reward. I ed assertion. There was no similitude between us. gave no sign. I heard them stealing on tiptoe to Their blue eyes, their flaxen hair, and their white the portal, full of horrible alarm, and even doubtful visages claimed no kindred with my Venetian coun- of my life. I scarcely would breathe. At length tenance. Wherever I moved, I looked around me, the door was burst open, and in rushed the halfand beheld a race different from myself. There fainting baroness, and a posse of servants, with the was no sympathy between my frame and the rigid children clinging to their nurses' gowns. Planted clime whither I had been brought to live. I knew in the most distant corner, I received them with a not why, but I was unhappy. Had I found in one grim smile. I was invited away. I refused to of my father's new children a sister, all might have move. A man-servant advanced and touched me. been changed. In that sweet and singular tie, I I stamped, I gnashed my teeth, I gave a savage might have discovered solace, and the variance of growl, that made him recoil with dread. The constitution would perhaps, between different sexes, baroness lost her remaining presence of mind, have fostered, rather than discouraged affection. withdrew her train, and was obliged to call in But this blessing, which I have ever considered the my father, to whom all was for the first time com. choicest boon of nature, was denied me. I was municated. alone. I heard his well-known step upon the stair, I beI loved my father dearly and deeply, but I seldom held the face that never looked upon me without a saw him. He was buried in the depth of affairs. smile, if in carelessness, still, still a smile. Now it A hurried kiss and a passing smile were the fleet- was grave, but sad, not harsh. ing gifts of his affection. Scrupulous care however "Contarini," he said, in a serious, but not angried was taken that I should never be, and should never voice, "what is all this?" feel, neglected. I was overloaded with attentions, I burst into a wild cry, I rushed to his arms. He even as an infant. My stepmother, swayed by my pressed me to his bosom. He tried to kiss away the father, and perhaps by a well-regulated mind, was flooding tears, that each embrace called forth more vigilant in not violating the etiquette of maternal plenteously. For the first time in my life I felt duty. No favour was shown to my white brethren happy, because for the first time in my lift, I felt which was not extended also to me. To me also, loved. CHRISTIANA. 5 III.'They came in their beauty, obedient to my callAnd I wandered in strange countries, and achieved IT was a beautiful garden, full of terraces and many noble acts, and said many noble words, and arched walks of bowery trees. A tall fountain the beings with whom I acted were palpable as mysprang up from a marble basin, and its glittering co- self, with beautiful faces and graceful forms. And lumn broke in its fall into a thousand coloured drops, there was a brave young knight, who was my friend, and woke the gleamy fish that would have slept in and his life I ever saved, and a lovely princess, who the dim water. And I wandered about, and the spoke not, but smiled ever, and ever upon me. And enchanted region seemed illimitable, and at each turn we were lost in vast forests, and shared hard food, more magical and more bright. Now a white vase and as the evening drew on, we came to the gates shining in the light, now a dim statue shadowy in of a castle. a cool grot. I would have lingered a moment at'Contarini! Conta'rihi!" a voice sounded from the mossy hermitage, but the distant bridge seemed the house, and all the sweet.visions rushed away to invite me to new adventures. like singing birds scared out of a tree. I was no It was only three miles from the city, and be- longer a brave knight: I was a child. I rose miselonged to the aunt of the baroness. I was brought rable and exhausted, and in spite of a repeated cry, here to play. - When the women met there was I returned with a slow step and a sullen face. much kissing, and I also was kissed, but it gave me I saw there was an unusual bustle in the house. no pleasure, for I felt even then that it was a form, Servants were running to and fro doing nothing, and I early imbibed a hatred of all this mechanical doors were slammed, and there was much calling. domestic love. And they sat together, and took out I stole into the room unperceived. It was a new their work, and talked without ceasing, chiefly about comer. They were all standing around a beautiful the children. The baroness retold all the wonder- girl, expanding into prime womanhood, and all ful stories of the nurses, many of which I knew talking at the same time. There was also much to be false. I did not say this, but the conviction kissing. gave me, thus early, a contempt for the chatter of It appeared to me that there could not be a more women. As soon as I was unobserved, I stole lovely being than the visiter. She was dressed in away to the garden. a blue riding-coat, with a black hat, which had falEven then it was ravishing to be alone. And len off her forehead. Her full chestnut curls had although I could not think, and knew not the cause broken loose. Her rich cheek glowed with the exof the charrge, I felt serene, and the darkness of my citement of the meeting, and her laughing eyes humour seemed to leave me.'All was so new and sparkled with social love. so beautiful. The bright sweet flowers, and the I gazed upon her unperceived. She must have rich shrubs, and the tall trees, and the flitting birds, been at least eight years my senior. This idea and the golden bees, and the gay butterflies, and crossed me not then, I gazed upon her unperceived, that constant and soothing hum, broken only ever and it was fortunate, for I was entranced. I could and anon by a strange shrill call, and that wonder- not nmove or speak. My whole system changed. ful blending of brilliancy and freshness, and perfume My breath left me. I panted with great difficulty. and warmth, that strong sense of the loveliness and The colour fled from my cheek, and I was sick from vitality of nature which we feel amid the growing the blood rushing to my heart. life of a fair garden, entered into my soul, and dif- I was seen, I was seized, I wvas pulled forward& fused themselves over my frame, softened my heart, I bent down my head. They lifted it up, drawing and charmed my senses. back my curls; they lifted it up covered with But all this was not alone the cause of my hap- blushes. She leant down, she kissed me-O! piness. For to me the garden was not a piece of how unlike the dull kisses of the morning. But I earth belonging to my aunt, but a fine world. I could not return her embrace; I nearly swooned wandered about in quest of some strange adven- upon her bosom. She praised, in her good-nature, ture, which I would fain believe, in so fair a region the pretty,boy, and the tone in which she spoke must quickly occur. The terrace was a vast desert made me doubly feel my wretched insignificance. over which I travelled for many days, and the mazy The bustle subsided; eating succeeded to talkwalks, so mysterious and unworldly, were an unex- ing. Our good aunt was a great priestess in the plored forest fit for a true knight. And in the her- mysteries of plum-cake and sweet wine. I had no mitage, I sought the simple hospitality of a mild appetite. This was the fruitful theme of much disand aged host, who pointed to the far bridge as cussion. I could not eat: I thought only of the fair surely leading to a great fulfilment, and my corn- stranger. They wearied me with their wonderpanion was a faithful esquire, whose fidelity was ment and their inquiries. I was irritated and I never wanting, and we conversed much, but most was irritable. The baroness schooled me in that respecting a mighty ogre, who was to fall be- dull tedious way which always induces obstinacy neath my puissant arm. Thus glided many a day At another time, I should have been sullen, but my in unconscious and creative revery, but sometimes, heart was full and softened, and I wept. My stepwhen I had explored over again each nook and mother was alarmed lest, in an unguarded moment, corner, and the illimitable feeling had worn off, she should have passed the cold, strict line of ma. the power of imagination grew weak. I found ternal impartiality which she had laid down for he: myself alone amid the sweets and sunshine, and constant regulation. She would have soothed me felt sad. with commonplace consolation. I was miserable But I would not quit this delicious world without and disgusted. I fled again to the garden. an effort, and invented a new mode of mingling in I regained with hurrying feet my favourite haunt, its life. I reclined beneath a shady tree, and I again I sat under my favourite tree. But not now covered my eyes with my little hand, and I tried to to build castles of joy and hope. not now to cornshut out the garish light, that seemed to destroy mune with my beautiful creation, and revel in the the visions which were ever flitting before me. I warm flow of my excited fancy. All, all had fled' 6 CONTARINI FLEMING. all, all had changed. I shivered under the cold I became more amiable to my brothers. I courted horror of reality. more the members of my little society. I even I thought I heard beautiful music, but it was only *joined in their sports. It was whispered that Conthe voice of a woman. tarini was much improved, and the baroness glanced "Contarini," said the voice," why do you weepS" at me with a kind of patronising air, that seemed to I looked up; it was the stranger, it was Chris- hint to the initiated not to press me too heavily tiana. " Because," I answered, sobbing, " I am with their regulations, or exercise towards one so miserable." unpractised, perhaps so incapable, all the severity "Sweet boy," she said, as she knelt down beside of their childish legislation. me, "dry, dry your tears, for we all love you. The visit of Christiana drew to a close. There Mamma meant not to be cross." was a children's ball at our house, and she con"Mamma! She is not my mamma." descended to be its.mistress. Among my new com"But she loves you like a mother." panions, there was a boy who was two years -my "No one loves me." senior. He had more knowledge of the world than "All love you, dearest-I love you," and she most of us, for he had been some time at school. kissed me with a thousand kisses. He was gay, vivacious, talkative. He was the leader "0! Christiana," I exclaimed, in a low, tremu- in all our diversions. We all envied him his supeIous voice, " love me, love me always. If you do riority, and all called him conceited. He was ever not love me I shall die!" with Christiana. I disliked him. I threw my arms around her neck, and a gleam I hated dancing, but to-night I had determined of rapture seemed to burst through the dark storm to dance, for the honour of our fair president. of my grief. She pressed me to her heart a thou- When the ball opened, I walked up to claim her sand times, and each time I clung with a more ardent hand as a matter of course. She was engagedgrasp-and by degrees, the fierceness of my pas- she was engaged to this youthful hero. Engaged! sion died away, and heavy sobs succeeded to my tor- VWas it true? Engaged! Horrible jargon! Were rents of tears, and light sighs at last came flying af- the hollow forms of mature society to interfere with ter, like clouds in a clearing heaven. Our grief our play of love? She expressed her regret, and dies away like a thunder-storm. promised to dance with me afterward. She promised what I did not require. Pale and agitated, I IV. stole to a corner, and fed upon my mortified heart. I watched her in the dance. Never had she Tair visit of Christiana was the first great inci- looked more beautiful; what was worse, never more dent of my life. No day passed without my seeing happy. Every smile pierced me through. Each her, either at the garden-house, or at our town, and pressure of my rival's hand touched my brain. I each day I grew happier. Her presence, the sound grew sick and dizzy. It was a terrible effort not to of her voice, one bright smile, and I was a different give way to my passion. But I succeeded, and being; but her caresses, her single society, the pos- escaped from the chamber, with all its glaring lights session of her soft hand-all this was maddening. and jarring sounds. When I was with her in the company of others, I I stopped one moment on the staircase for breath. was happy, but I indicated my happiness by no ex- A servant came up and asked if I wanted any thing. terior sign. I sat by her side, with my hand locked I could not answer. He asked if I were unwell. I in hers, and I fed in silence upon my tranquil joy. struggled with my choking voice, and said I was But when we were alone, then it was that her in- very well. I stole up to my bed-room. I had no fluence over me broke forth. All the feelings of my light, but a dim moon just revealed my bed. I threw heart were hers. I concealed nothing. I told her myself upon it and wished to die. each moment that I loved her, and that until I knew My forehead was burning hot, my feet were icy her I was unhappy. Then I would communicate'cold. My heart seemed in my throat. I felt quite to her in confidence all my secret sources of enjoy- sick. I could not speak; I could not weep; I could ment, and explain how I had turned common places notthink. Every thing seemedblended in one terrible into enchanted regions, where I could always fly sensation of desolate and desolating wretchedness. for refuge. She listened with fondness and de- Much time perhaps had not elapsed, although it light, and was the heroine of all my sports. Now seemed to me an age, but there was a sound in the I had indeed a princess. Strolling with her, the ber- room, light and gentle. I looked around, I thought ceau was still more like a forest, and the solace of that a shadowy form passed between me and the the hermit's cell still more refreshing. window. A feeling of terror crossed me. I nearly Her influence over me was all-powerful, for she cried-out; but as my lips moved, a warm mouth seemed to change my habits and my temper. In sealed them with sweetness. kindness she entered into my solitary joys; in kind- "Contarini," said a voiee I could not mistake, ness she joined in my fantastic amusements; for "are you unwell!" her own temper was social, and her own delight in I would not answer. pastimes that were common to all. She tried to " Contarini, my love, speak to Christiana!" rouse me from my inaction, she counselled me to But the demon prevailed, and I would not speak. mingle with my companions. How graceful was " Contarini, you are not asleep?" this girl! Grace was indeed her characteristic, her Still I was silent. charm. Sometimes she would run away swifter " Contarini, you do not love me." than an arrow, and then, as she was skimming I would have been silent, but I sighed. along, suddenly stop, and turn her head with an "Contarini, what has happened. Tell me, tell expression so fascinating, that she appeared to me me, dearest. Tell your Christiana. You know you always like a young sunny fawn. always tell her every thing." "Contarini!" she would cry, in a clear flute-like I seized her hand-I bathed it with my fast-flowvolce. How I rushed to her! ing tears. YOUTHFUL REVERIES. 7 She knelt down as she did on our first meeting my friends might be consoled for the absence ol in the garden, and clasped me in her arms; and these high powers by my being equally destitute of each moment the madness of my mind grew greater. those violent passions and that ungovernable voliI was convulsed with passion. tion which were usually attendant upon genius, And when I grew more calm, she again spoke, and too often rendered the most gifted miserable. and asked me what made me so unhappy; and I I was always a bad learner, and although I loved said, between my wild sobs, "O! Christiana, you knowledge from my cradle, I liked to acquire it in too have turned against me!" my own way. I think that I was born with a detes"Dear, sensitive child," she said, as she pressed tation of grammars. Nature seemed to whisper to me to her bosom, "if you feel so keenly, you will me the folly of learning words instead of ideas, and never be happy. Turn against you! 0! Conta- my mind would have grown sterile for want of marini, who is your friend if not C]ristiana! Do I not nure, if I had not taken its culture into my own love you better than all the world? Do I not do hands, and compensated by my own tillage for my all I can to make you happy and good? And why tutor's bad husbandry. I therefore, in a quiet way,' should I turn against Contarini when he is the read every book that I could get hold of, and studied best and dearest of boys, and loves his Christiana as little as possible in my instructer's museum of with all his heart and souls " verbiage, whether his specimens appeared in the She raised me from the bed, and placed me in anatomy of a substantive, or the still more disgusther lap. My head reposed upon her fond and faith- ing form of a dissected verb. ful heart. She was silent, for I was exhausted, and This period of my life was too memorable for a I felt her sweet breath descending upon my cheek. more interesting incident than the introduction of "Go," I said, after some little time, and in a fee- my tutor. For the first time I visited the theatre. ble voice, "go, Christiana. They want you." Never shall I forget the impression. At length I "Not without you, dearest. I came to fetch perceived human beings conducting themselves as I you." wished. I was mad for the playhouse, and I had the "I cannot go. It is impossible; I am so tired." means of gratifying my mania. I so seldom fixed "0! come dearest! I shall be so unhappy if my heart upon any thing, I showed, in general, such you do not come. You would not have me unhappy little relish for what is called amusement, that my the whole evening, this evening that we were to be father accorded me his permission with pleasure so gay. See! I will run and fetch a light, and be and facility, and as an attendant to this magical with you in a moment." And she kissed me and haunt, I now began to find my tutor of great use. ran away, and in a moment returned. I had now a pursuit, for when I was not a spec. "Dearest Christiana! I cannot go. What will tator at the theatre, at home I was an actor. I rethey think of me?" quired no audience —I was happier alone. My "Nobody knows even that you are away; all are chivalric reveries had been long gradually leaving busy." me; now they entirely vanished. As I learned "What will they think of me? Really I cannot more of life and nature, I required for my private go, and my eyes are so red." world something which, while it was beautiful and "Nonsense! They are the blackest and most uncommon, was nevertheless natural and could live. beautiful eyes I ever saw." Books more real than fairy tales and feudal ro"0! they are horridly red," I answered, looking mances had already made me muse over a more real in the glass. "I cannot go, Christiana." creation. The theatre at once fully introduced to "They are not the least red. I will wash them me this new existence, and there arose accordingly with some eau de Cologne and water." in my mind new characters. Heroes succeeded to "0! Christiana, do you really love me? Have knights, tyrants to ogres, and boundless empire to you really made it up?" enchanted castles. My character also changed "I love you more than ever, dear! There, let with my companions. Before all was beautiful and me brush your curls. Is this your brush? What bright, but still and mystical. The forms that sura funny little brush! Dear Contarini, how pretty rounded me were splendid, the scenes through you look!" which I passed glittering, but the changes took place without my agency, or if Iacted, I fulfilled only V. the system of another-for the foundation was the supernatural. Now, if every thing were less beauWHE. I was eight years of age, a tutor was in- tiful, every thing was more earnest. I mingled with troduced into the house, and I was finally and for- the warlike and the wise, the crafty, the suffering, mally emancipated from the police of the nursery, the pious-all depended upon our own exertions, and the government of women. My tutor was well and each result could only be brought about by qualified for his office, according to the existing their own simple and human energies-for the ideas respecting education, which substitute for the foundation was the natural. noblest of sciences the vile art of teaching words. Yet at times even this fertile source of enjoyHe was learned in his acquirements, and literary in ment failed, and the dark spirit which haunted in his taste, with a calm mind,'a bland manner, and a my first years would still occasionally descend upon nrild voice. The baroness, who fancied herself a my mind. I knew not how it was, but the fit came great judge of character, favoured him, before the upon me in an instant, and often when least counted commencement of his labours, with an epitome of on.'A star, a sunset, a tree, a note of music, the mine. After a year's experience of his pupil, he sound of the wind, a fair face flitting by me in unventured to express his opinion, that I was by no known beauty, and I was lost. All seemed vapid, means so slow as Was supposed, that although I had dull, spiritless, and flat. Life had no object and no no great power of application, I was not averse to beauty; and I slunk to some solitary corner, where acquiring knowledge, and that if I were not en- I was content to lie down and die. These were dowed with any very remarkable or sl ining qualities, moments of bitter agony, these were moments in '8 CONTARINI FLEMING. which if I were spoken to I had no respect for per- of a beautiful woman, and ner countenance was sons. Once I remember my father found me be- the countenance of the vision. And we were in fore the demon had yet flown, and, for the first deep shade, but far out I could perceive a shining time, he spoke without being honoured. and'azure land. And the sky was of a radiant At last I had such a lengthened fit that it at- purple, and the earth was streaming with a golden tracted universal attention. I would scarcely move, light. And there were blue mountains, and bright or speak, or eat for days. There was a general fields, and glittering vineyards. alarm. The baroness fell into a flutter, lest my And I said nothing, but I looked upon her face, father should think I had been starved to death, or and dwelt upon her beauty. And hours flew, and ill-used, or poisoned, and overwhelmed me with the sun set, and the dew descended. And as the inquiries, each of which severally procrastinated sky became, less warm, the vision gradually died my convalescence. For doubtless, now that I can away, and I arose in the long twilight, and I reanalyze' my past feelings, these.dark humours arose turned home pensive and grave, but full of a soft only from the want of being loved. - Physicians and palpitating joy. were called in. There were immense consulta- And when I returned, I could not eat. My tions. They were all puzzled, and all had recourse tutor made many observations, many inquiries, but to arrogant dogmas. I would not, nay, I could he was a simple man, and I could always quiet not assist them. Lying upon the sofa with my him. I sat at the table full of happiness, and eyes shut, as if asleep, I listened to their confer- almost without motion. And in the evening I ences. It was settled that I was suffering from a stole into a corner, and thought of the coming day want of nervous energy. Strange jargon, of which with all its rich strange joys. their fellow-creatures are the victims! Although My life was now one long stream of full felicity. young, I looked upon these men with suspicion, if It was indeed but one idea, but that idea was as not contempt, and my after life has both increased beautiful as it was engrossing. Each day I hasmy experience of their character, and confirmed tened to the enchanted dell, each day I returned my juvenile impression. with renewed rapture. I had no thought for any Change of air and scene were naturally pre- thing but my mystic mistress. My studies, always scribed for an effect by. men who were ignorant of an effort, would now have been insupportable, had the cause. - It was settled that I should leave town, I not invented a system by which I rendered even accompanied by my tutor, and that we should re- their restraint a new source of enjoyment. I had side for a season at my father's castle. now so complete a command of my system of abstraction, that while my eye apparently was emVI. ployed and interested with my allotted page, I in fact perceived nothing but my visionary nymph " AND I, too, will fly to Egeria!" My tutor, who observed me always engrossed, could We were discoursing of Pompilius when the not perceive that I was otherwise than a student, thought flashed across me. I no longer listened to and when I could remember, I would turn over a his remarks, and ceased also to answer. My eyes leaf, or affect with much anxiety to look out a were indeed fixed upon the page, but I perceived word in the lexicon, so that his deception was pernothing; as it was not yet my hour of liberty, I fect. Then at the end of the day I would snatch remained in a soft state of dreamy abstraction, some hasty five minutes to gain an imperfect acWhen I was again free I wandered forth into quaintance with my task, imperfect enough to the park, and I hastened, with a rushing, agitated make him at length convinced that the baroness's step, to the spot on which I had fixed. opinion of my intellect was not so erroneous as he It was a small dell, and round it grew tall trees had once imagined. with thin and light-coloured leaves; and the earth A short spring and a long summer had passed was everywhere covered with thick fern and many away thus delightfully, and I was now to leave the wild flowers. And the dell was surrounded at a castle and return to the capital. The idea of being very slight distance by a deep wood, out of which torn away from Egeria was harrowing. I became white glancing hares each instant darted to play again melancholy, but my grief was tender, not upon the green sunny turf. It was not indeed a savage. I did not recur to my ancient gloom, for sparry grot, cool in the sparkling splendour of a I was prevented by the consoling conviction that I southern scene; it was not indeed a spot formed was loved. Yet to her the sad secret must be conin the indefinite, but lovely, mould of the regions fided. I could not quit her without preparation. of my dreams, but it,was green, and sweet, and How often in solitary possession of the dreadful wondrous still. fact, have I gazed upon her incomparable face, how And I threw myself upon the soft yielding fern, often have I fancied that she was conscious of the and covered my eyes. And a shadowy' purple tint terrible truth, and glanced reproachfully even amid was all that I perceived, and as my abstraction grew her looks of love. more intense, the-purple' lightened into a dusky It was told: in broken acts of passionate wo, white, and this.new curtain again into a glittering with streaming eyes, and amid embraces of madveil, and the veil mystically disappeared, and I be- dening rapture, it was told. I clung to her, I held a beautiful and female face. would have clung to her forever, but a dark anrt It was not unlikeChristiana, but more dazzling, irresistible destiny doomed us to part, and I was and very pensive. And the eyes met mine, and left to my uninspired loneliness. they were, full of serious lustre, and my heart beat, Returning home from my last visit to the dell, I and I seemed to whisper with a very low, but met my tutor. He came upon me suddenly, otheralmost ecstatic,voice, "Egeria!"' Yet indeed my wise I would have avoided him, as at this moment lips did not move. And the vision beamed with a I would have avoided any thing else human. My melancholy smile. And suddenly I found myself swollen cheeks, my eyes dim with weeping, my in a spacious aove, and I, looked up into the face wild and broken walk, attracted even his attention. COLLEGE LIFE. 9 He inquired what ailed me. His appearance, so a new principle rose up in my breast, and [ perdiffcrent from the radiant being from whom I had ceived only beings whom I was determined to conlately parted, his voice so strange after the music trol. They came up to me with a curious glance which yet lingered in my ear, his salutation so of half-suppressed glee, breathless and mocking. varying in style to the one that ever welcomed me, They asked me questions of gay nonsense with a and ever and alone was welcome, the horrible con- serious voice and a solemn look. I answered in their trast that my situation formed with the condition I kind. On a sudden I seemed endowed with new had the instant quitted-all this overcame me. I powers, and blessed with the gift of tongues. I expressed my horror by my extended arms and my spoke to them with a levity which was quite new to averted head. I screamed, I foamed at the mouth, me, a most unnatural ease. I even, in my turn, I fell into violent convulsions. presented to them questions to which they found it difficult to respond. Some ran away to communiVII. cate their impressions to their comrades, some stayed behind, but these became more serious and more ALTHOUGH I have delineated with some detail natural. When they found that I was endowed the feelings of my first boyhood, I have been in- with a pregnant and decided character, their eyes debted for this record to the power of a faithful silently pronounced me a good fellow, they vied and analytic memory, and not to any early indul- with each other in kindness, and the most imporgence in the habits of introspection. For indeed, tant led me away to initiate me in their mysteries. in these young years I never thought about myself, Weeks flew away, and I was intoxicated with or if some extraordinary circumstances impelled my new life and my new reputation. I was in a me to idiosyncratic contemplation, the result was state of ceaseless excitement. It seemed that my not cheering. For I well remember that when, on tongue never paused: yet each word brought forth the completion of my eleventh year, being about a new laugh, each sentence of gay nonsense fresh to repair to a college where I was to pass some plaudits. All was rattle, frolic, and wild mirth. years preparatory to the university, I meditated on My companions caught my unusual manner, they this great and coming change, —I was ip_.ress adopted my. new phrases, they repeated my extrawith a keen conviction of inferiorit -it had some- ordinary apophthegms.- Every thing was viewed iesinhdee rossed my mind that Iwas o a d done according to the new tone which -I had Mrent order to those.rnund e;w hilt nve r that theintroduced. It was decided that I was the wittiest, di eren-cewas in my favour, and brooding over the the most original, the most diverting of their somorniiyg contrast whh Mu..pl.,i* hihi ed in[ ciety. A coterie of the most congenial insensibly my private and my public world, and the general formed around me, and my-example gradually ruled opinion which they entertained of neo at home, the choice spirits of our world. I even mingled in \was at times stron hly tempted to con.ilrr muvelf their games, although I disliked the exertion, and in yven half a-fool. those in which the emulation was very strong, I Though change was ever agreeable, I thought even excelled. My ambition conquered my nature. of the vicissitude that was about to occur with the It seemed that I was the soul of the school. Vhersame apprehension that men look forward to the ever I went, my name sounded, whatever was done, indefinite horror of a terrible operation. And the my opinion was quoted. I was caressed, adored, strong pride that supported me under the fear, and idolized. In a word, I was popular. forbade me to demonstrate it, was indeed the cause Yet sometimes I caught a flying moment to turn of my sad forebodings. For I could not tolerate aside, and contrast my present situation with my the thought that I should become a general jest, past one. What was all this? Was I the same beand a common agent. And when I perceived the ing. But my head was in a whirl, and I had not state preparing for me, and thought of Egeria, I time, or calmness, to solve the perplexing inquiry. blushed. And that beautiful vision that had brought There was a boy, and his name was Musseus. me such delicious solace was now only a source of He was somewhat my elder. Of a kind, calm, dodepressing mortification. And for the first time in cile, mellow nature, moderate in every thing, unimy life, in my infinite tribulation, and in the agony versally liked, but without the least influence, —he of my fancy, I mused why there should be such was the serene favourite of the school. It seemed a devilish and tormenting variance between my to me that I never beheld so lovely and so pensive thought and my action. a countenance. His face was quite oval, his eyes The hour came, and I was placed in the heart deep blue: his rich brown curls clustered in hyaof a little and a busy world. For the first time in cinthine grace upon the delicate rose of his downy my life I was surrounded by struggling and excited cheeks, and shaded the light blue veins of his clear beings. Joy, hope, sorrow, ambition, craft, courage, white forehead. wit, dulness, cowardice, beneficence, awkwardness, I beheld him: I loved him. My friendship was grace, avarice, generosity, wealth, poverty, beauty, a passion. Of all our society, he alone crowded hideousness, tyranny, suffering, hypocrisy, truth, not around me. He was of a cold temperament, love, hatred, energy, inertness-they were all there, shy and timid. He looked upon me as a being and all sounded, and moved, and acted about me. whom he could not comprehend, and rather feared. Light laughs, and bitter cries, and deep impreca- I was unacquainted with his motives, and piqued tiohs, and the deeds of the friendly, the prodigal, with his conduct. I gave up my mind to the acand the tyrant, and the exploits of the brave, the quisition of his acquaintance, and of course I sucgraceful, and the gay, and the flying words of na- ceeded. In vain he endeavoured to escape. Whertive wit, and the pompous sentences of acquired ever he moved, I seemed unintentionally to hover knowledge-how new, how exciting, how won- around him: whatever he wanted, I seenied providerful! dentially to supply. In the few words that this I)id I tremble 7 Did I sink into my innermost slight intercourse called forth, I addressed him in a self? Did I fly? Never As I gazed upon them, tone strange to our rough life; I treated him with 10 CONTARINI FLEMING. a courtesy which seemed to elevate our somewhat A love that I thought must last forever, and for. coarse condition. He answered nothing, was con- ever flow like a clear, bright stream, yet at times fused, thankful, agitated. He yielded to the unac- my irritable passions would disturb even these customed tenderness of my manner, to the unexpe- sweet waters. The temperament of Musneus was rienced elegance of my address. He could not but cold and slow. I was at first proud of having infeel the strange conviction, that my conduct to him terested his affection, but, as our friendship grew was different to my behaviour to others, for in truth apace, I was not contented with this calm sympathy his presence ever subdued my spirit, and repressed and quiet regard. I required that he should remy artificial and excited manner. spond to my affection with feelings not less ardent, Museus was lowly born, and I was noble; he and energetic than mine own. I was sensitive, I poor, and I wealthy; I had a dazzling reputation, was jealous. I found a savage joy in harrowing he but good report. To find himself an object of his heart-I triumphed when I could draw a teal interest, of quiet and tender regard, to one to whose from his beautiful eye; when I could urge him to notice all aspired, and who seemed to exist only in unaccustomed emotion; when I forced him to asa blaze of cold-hearted raillery and reckless repartee, sure me, in a voice of agitation, that he loved me developed even his dormant vanity. He looked alone, and prayed me to be pacified. upon me with interest, and this feeling soon ma- From sublime torture to ridiculous teasing, too tured into fondness. often Museus was my victim. One day I detected 0! days of rare and pure felicity, when Mu- an incipient dislike to myself, or a growing affection smeus and myself, with our arms around each other's for another: then, I passed him in gloomy silence, neck, wandered together amid the meads and shady because his indispensable engagements had obliged woods that formed our limits. I lavished upon him him to refuse my invitation to our walk. But the all the fanciful love that I had long stored up, and the letters with which I overwhelmed him under some mighty passions that yet lay dormant in my ob- of these contingencies-these were the most vioscure soul, now first began to stir in that glimmer- lent infliction. What pages of mad eloquence ing abyss. And indeed conversing with this dear — solemn appeals, bitter sarcasms, infinite ebullicompanion was it, that I first began to catch some tions of frantic sensibility. For the first time in glimpses of my yet hidden nature. For the days my life, I composed. I grew intoxicated with my of futurity were our usual topic, and in parcelling own eloquence. A new desire arose in my mind, out their fortunes, I unconsciously discovered my novel aspirations which threw light upon old and own desires. I was to be something great, and often-experienced feelings. I began to ponder over glorious, and dazzling, but what we could not de- the music of language; I studied the collocation of termine. The camp and the senate, the sword and sweet words, and constructed elaborate sentences the scroll, that had raised, and had destroyed, so in lonely walks. Poor Musteus quite sunk under many states-these were infinitely discussed. And the receipt of my effusions. He could not write a then a life of adventure was examined, full of line, and had he indeed been able, it would have daring delight. One might be a corsair or a bandit. been often difficult for him to have discovered the Foreign travel was what we could surely command, cause of our separations. The brevity, the simpliand must lead to much. I spoke to him, in the ful- city of his answers were irresistible and heart-rendness of our sweet confidence, of the strangeness of ing. Yet these distractions brought with them one my birth, and we marvelled together over myste- charm, a charm to me so captivating, that I fear it rious Venice. And this led us to conspiracies, for was sometimes a cause-reconciliation was indeed which I fancied that I had a predisposition. But a love-feast. in all these scenes, Musteus was to be never absent. The sessions of our college closed. The time He was to be my heart's friend from the beginning came that Musmeus and myself must for a moment to fhe death. And I mourned that nature had given part, but for a moment, for, I intended that he should me no sister, wherewith I could bind him to me by visit me in our vacation, and we were also to write a still stronger and sweeter tie. And then, with a to each other every week. Yet even under these shy, hesitating voice, for he delighted not in talking palliating circumstances parting was anguish. of his home, he revealed to me that he was more The eve of the fatal day, we took our last stroll in blessed: and Caroline Museus rose up at once to our favourite meads. The whole way I wept, and me like a star, and without having seen her, I was leaned upon his shoulder. With what jealous care indeed her betrothed. 1 watched to see if he too shed a tear. One clear Thus, during these bright days, did I pour forth drop at length came quivering down his cheek, like all the feelings I had long treasured up, and in en- dew upon a rose. I pardoned him for its beauty. deavouring to communicate my desires to another, The bell sounded. I embraced him, as if it sounded I learned to think. I ascended from indefinite for my execution, and we parted. revery to palpable cogitation. I was now seldom alone. To bethe companion of iusaeus, I participated in many pastimes which otherwise I should have avoided, and in return he, I WAs once more at home, once more silent, once although addicted to sports, was content, for my more alone. I found myself changed. My obsake, to forego much former occupation. With scure aspirations after some indefinite happiness, what eagerness I rushed, when the hour of study my vague dreams of beauty, or palpable personificeased-with what wild eagerness I rushed to re- cations of some violent fantastic idea, no longer insume our delicious converse! Nor indeed was his spired, no longer soothed, no longer haunted me. image ever absent from me, and when, in the hour I thought only of one subject, which was full of of school, we passed each other, or our counte- earnest novelty, and abounded in interest, curious, nances chanced to meet, there was ever a sweet, serious, and engrossing. I speculated upon my faint smile, that, unmarked by others, interchanged own nature. My new life had developed many our love qualities, and had filled me with self-confidence MUSEUS. 11 The clouds seemed to clear off from the dark land- scribed in mad heroics our exact situation. She scape of my mind, and vast ambition might be had no idea that any people, under any circumdistinguished on the far horizon; rearing its head stances, could be influenced by sucl. violent. such like a mighty column. My energies stirred within wicked, such insane sentiments.. She stared, in me, and seemed to pant for the struggle and the stupid astonishment, at my terrible and unexpected strife. A deed was to be done, blt what? I enter- fluency. She entirely lost her presence of mind, tained at this time a deep conviction that life must and burst into tears-tears not of affection, but of be intolerable, unless I were the eatestoff,lwn. absolute fright, the hysteric offspring of a cold, It seemed that I fedI lwt in me ttie power that alarmed, puzzled mind. could influence my kind. I longed to wave my in- She vowed she would tell my father. I inquirspiring sword at the head of armies, or dash into ed, with a malignant sneer, of what She prothe very heat and blaze of eloquent faction. tested she certainly would tell. I dilated on the When I contrasted my feelings and my situation probability of a stepdame's tale. Most certainly I grew mad. The constant jar between my con- she would tell. I burst into a dark, foaming rage. duct and my conceptions was intolerable. In ima- I declared that I would leave the house, that I gination a hero, I was in reality a boy. I returned would leave the country, that I would submit no from a victorious field to be criticised by a woman: longer to my intolerable life, that suicide (and here in the very heart of a deep conspiracy, which was I kicked down a chair) should bring me immediate to change the fate of nations, to destroy Rome or relief. The baroness was terrified out of her life. to free Venice, I was myself the victim of each The fall of the chair was the perfection of fear. petty domestic regulation. I cannot describe the She was one of those women who have the highest insane irritability which all this produced. Infinite respect for furniture. She could not conceive a were the complaints of my rudeness, my violence, human being, much less a boy, voluntarily kicking my insufferable impertinence: incessant the threats down a chair, if his feelings were not very keen of pains and penalties. It was universally agreed indeed. It was becoming too serious. She tried that college had ruined me. A dull, slow boy I to soothe me. She would not speak to my father. had always been, but, at least, I was tolerably kind All should be right, all should be forgotten, if I and docile. Now, as my tutor',s report correctly only would not commit suicide, and not kick down certified, I was not improved in intellect, and all the chairs. witnessed the horrible deterioration of my manners After some weeks, Musaeus paid his long mediand my morals. tated visit. I had never, until I invited him, anThe baroness was in despair. After several sirered his solitary letter. I received him with a smart skirmishes, we at length had a regular pitched coldness which astonished me, and must have been battle. apparent to any one but himself. I was distressed She began her delightful colloquy in the true by the want of unction in my manner, and tried style of domestic reprimand; dull, drony nonsense, to compensate by a laboured hospitality which, like adapted, as I should hope, to no state in which hu- ice, was dazzling, but frigid. Many causes, perman intellect can ever be found, even if it have haps, conduced to occasion this change, then inreceived the full benefit of the infernal tuition of scrutable to me. Since we had parted, I had nurses, which would be only ridiculous, if its indulged in lofty ideas of self, and sometimes reeffects were not so fatally and permanently inju- membered, with a feeling approaching to disgustful rious. She told me that whenever I spoke I should mortification, the influence which had been exerspeak in a low voice, and that I should never think cised over me by a fellow-child. The reminiscence for myself. That if any thing were refused, I savoured too nmuch of boyish weakness, and painshould be contented, and never ask the reason fully belied my proud theory of universal supewhy, because it was not proper ever to ask ques- riority. At home, too, when the permission for the tions, particularly when we were sure that every invitation was accorded, there was much discussion thing was done for our good. That I should do as to the quality of the invited. They wished to every thing that was bidden, and always be ready know who he was, and when informed looked to conform to everybody's desires, because at my rather grave. Some caution was muttered about age no one should have a will of his own. That the choice of my companions. Even my father, I should never, on any account, presume to give who seldom spoke to me, seemed alarmed at the my opinion, because it was quite impossible that prospect of a bad connexion. His intense worldlione so young could have one. That on no ac- ness was shocked. He talked to me for an unusual count, also, should I ever be irritable, which never time upon the subject of school friendships, and could be permitted; but she never considered that his conversation, which was rare, made an impresevery effect has a cause, and never attempted to sion. All this influenced me, for at that age I was, discover what might occasion this irritability. In of course, the victim of every prejudice. Must I this silly, superficial way she went on for some add to all this, what is perhaps the sad and dreary time, repeating dull axioms by rote, and offering truth, that in loving all this time Musreus with such to me the same useless advice that had been equal- devotion, I was in truth rather enamoured of the ly thrown away upon the tender minds of her creature of my imagination than the companion of generation. my presence. Upon the foundation which he had She said all this, all this to me, all this to one supplied, I had built a beautiful and enchanted who, a moment before, was a Cesar, an Alcibiades. palace. Unceasing intercourse was a necessary in. Now I had long brooded over the connexion that gredient of the spell. We parted, and the fairy suosisted between myself and this lady. I had fabric dissolved into the clouds. long formed in my mind and caught up from books, Certain it is, that!is visit was a failure. Mu. a conception of the relations which must exist be- sanus was too little sensitive to feel the change of tween a stepmother and her unwelcome son. I my manner, and my duty, as his host, impelled me was therefore prepared. She grew pale as I de- to conceal it. But the change was great. He 12 CONTARINI FLEMING. appeared to me to have fallen off very much in his They at length succeeded in beating it into poor beauty. The baroness thought him a little coarse, Museus's head, that he had been very ill-treated, and praised the complexion of her own children, and must be very unhappy, and they urged him to which was like chalk. Then he wanted constant insist upon an explanation. But Musaeus was no attention, for it was evident that he had no resources hand at demnanding explanations, and he deputed of his own, and certainly he was not very refined. the task to a friend. But he was pleased, for he was in a new world. I was alone, sitting on a gate in a part of the For the first time in his life he moved in theatres grounds which was generally least frequented, when and saloons, and mingled in the splendour of high I heard a shout which, although I could not guess civilization. I took him everywhere; in fact, I its cause, sounded in my ear with something of a could bear every thing but to be alone with him. menacing and malignant expression. The whole So he passed a very pleasant fortnight, and then school, headed by the deputy, were finding me out, quitted us. How different from our last parting! in order that the important question might be Cheerful indeed it was, and, in a degree, cordial. urged, that the honour of Musneus might be supI extended him my hand with a patronising air, ported, and their own curiosity gratified. and mimicking the hollow courtesy of maturer Now at that age, whatever I may be now, I could beings, I expressed, in a flimsy voice of affected not be driven. A soft word, and I was an Abel; regard, a wish that he might visit us again. And an appearance of force, and I scowled a Cain. six weeks before I had loved this boy better than Had Musaeus, instead of being a most commonmyself, would have perilled for him my life, and place character, which assuredly he was, had it shared with him my fortune! been in his nature to have struck out a single spark of ardent feeling, to have indulged in a single sigh IX. of sentiment, he might perhaps yet have been my friend. His appeal might have freed me from the I RETURNED to college gloomy and depressed. domination of the black spirit, and in weeping over Not that I cared for quitting home: I hated home. our reconciliation upon his sensitive bosom, I might I returned in the fullness of one of my dark hu- have been emancipated from its horrid thrall. But mours, and which promised to be one of the most the moment that Musaus sought to influence my terrible visitations that had ever fallen upon me. private feelings by the agency of public opinion, he Indeed, existence was intolerable, and I should have became to me, instead of an object of indifference, killed myself had I not been supported by my am- an object of disgust, and only not of hatred, be