The Genius (Carl Grosse)/Chapter 30
CHAP. XIV.
On our return home we could not help taking these singular occurrences into the most serious consideration. We found all our plans frustrated one after another, and remarked that they were rendered abortive by others far more ingenious and better executed. Heaven knew, what interest our opponents could feel! The dutchess most solemnly protested, she had never given the duke a right of being jealous of her, nor had she ever had an opportunity for it.
But who could be those opponents? Was it some new genius, a second Amanuel? Was it a set of emissaries of the monstrous Cabal? I did not know how to reconcile these thoughts with the invisible influence of my mystic brethren, which had ceased to distress me ever since Bernardos's tragical and deserved exit.
The appearance of the two foreigners, dressed in regimentals, one of whom had spoken to me in good Spanish, made me after all inclined to think, that the relentless covenant was again exerting its secret and invisible powers to prepare for me new catastrophes.
The duke now became daily more reserved towards me and my friend. The dutchess was aware of it, and seemed to despair. Her husband even shewed coldness in his conduct to herself, and unable either to advise or relieve the count, she consoled him with the future, and promised: to let no opportunity pass, without thinking of their mutual interest, and promoting it by her best endeavours.
An incident however soon happened, which entirely destroyed the harmony between them. The count loved the ladies rather from a propensity to their sprightly and agreeable conversation, than from any natural inducement of his temper. He visited them in every station, and now condescended: to frequent the haunts of the very outcast of their sex. He principally attached himself to an intercourse with a beautiful Grecian courtesan, of the name of Chlorinda, whose wit and ingenuity were very attractive. This lady did not bestow her favors indiscriminately, but partially reserved them for a select few.
Among these the count was one. We sometimes went to spend the evening at Chlorinda's house. She then dismissed the rest of her suitors by pretending absence from home, and entirely devoted herself to our own entertainment.
One evening, which we had agreed to spend at Chlorinda's, the count went out on business, and requested me to go first to her house, where he promised to join me. I was deeply engaged in conversation with the lady, when her servant announced the Dutchess de F**. I was overwhelmed with surprise at this unexpected meeting, and begged of Chlorinda to permit me to hide myself in her alcove which opened with glass doors. I went in and took place behind the curtains of the door, of which I lifted one end to peep through the glass, that I might have a clear view of what passed in the room. I felt the greatest apprehensions for the count at this unlucky moment, as he had every thing to dread from the vindictive rage of a jealous and deluded Italian.
The dutchess entered with all the pride and pompousness of her rank, curiously casting her eyes about the room. Chlorinda received her with graceful ease, and asked, what could have procured her the the honor of so distinguished a visit? "Your extensive fame, Signora," replied the former. "I came to convince myself, if your charms were really so irresistible, and your manners so prepossessing as they are reported. Excuse my injustice; for you know that we women are very unbelieving in such like matters."
Chlorinda was never at a loss for an answer, and found it easy to insinuate herself with every one. The dutchess who had only fought a pretence, declared herself so much flattered with the lady's spirit and accomplishments, as to be under the necessity of asking her permission to sup with her that night. So saying, he made no farther ado, than to sit down with great familiarity and composure on the sopha.
Chlorinda begged leave to decline so much honor, as she expected some strangers, who wished to see her without company. The dutchess blushed at this answer, but added, that she must patiently bear her intrusion, as she was determined, at all events, to stay with her. Had Chlorinda had the most distant idea of the count's connexion with the dutchess, her subtile mind would doubtless have furnished her with some means or other to get rid of, her, troublesome visitor. But she now thought that my friend, so far from being displeased, would rejoice at the opportunity of finding another handsome woman of the party and at her table.
I did not know,what to do to get out of my hiding-place. The windows of the alcove being shut, locked and barred, it was impossible to make my escape without alarming the ladies in the outer apartment, nor was there any, other outlet or door from it through which I might have got out, to meet the count, and intercept him on his passage. Nothing could be more certain than that her grace had obtained information of the footing on which he lived with Chlorinda, and she was purposely come to convince herself of it. I was not less certain, that should he be discovered she would set all the engines of female vengeance at work to punish his infidelity. I resolved, therefore, to try every thing before such a discovery could take place, and, seizing a large tumbler of water which stood on Chlorinda's night-stand, I dashed it with loud force on the floor.
Chlorinda understood the meaning of this signal. Bur despairing of getting rid of her guest, she rung the servant and bid him go into the alcove and see if her lap-dog had done no mischief. She would have gone herself, but was afraid lest the dutchess should follow her step by step.
The servant came to me with a lighted candle, when pressing some gold into his hand, I requested him in a low tone of voice, to hasten to the door of the house, and should Count Selami come, to desire him on my part, for his life, to go home immediately. "The servant now took with him the little lap-dog which actually laid on Chlorinda's bed and was fast asleep, and turning him into the other apartment, said, "Signora, little Franciulla has broken a porcelain bason and stand!"
At these words, our ill fate decreed, that the count should bounce into the room, footing a cotillion step, whistling a favorite tune, and in as high spirits as I ever saw him in my life. He cheerfully advanced to Chlorinda, and then turned round with an intention to salute the other lady, whom his eagerness had not yet permitted him to notice.
A thunder-clap that drops from a clear and serene sky, could not have more suddenly overwhelmed him than this unexpected view. He reeled back into a chair, and fainted with surprize. Chlorinda rose to give him her assistance, but the dutchess kept her back, crying, "Let the wretch perish!"
—"Barbarous woman!" answered Chlorinda, who got from the dutchess, and rung her people for help. At this time I also left the alcove, and hastened to my friend. "You too, marquis!" exclaimed the dutchess, with Cæsar's words.
As soon as the count was a little better, her grace rose from the sopha, and with an enraged countenance, and a scornful look, quitted the house without saying a word more, The count was, for some time, quite distract ed, and began to long for his country, where he hoped to find his Caroline reclaimed from error, and restored to her health. It had indeed been rashness in the extreme to have staid much longer at Venice, where the ceaseless resentment of the dutchess put us almost hourly in the most imminent danger of losing our lives.
It seemed inconceivable to us, by what means the dutchess came to know the count's intercourse with Chlorinda. And the bold and resolute manner in which she persisted to wait his arrival, shewed something more than the mere effect of public rumor. It even indicated the certainty in which she was, of meeting her changling there. We both had reason to suppose, that the two young men in regimental were again at the bottom of the secret.
Our persecutors were little disposed to leave us at rest, The dutchess did nothing but breathe schemes of vengeance. The duke, who thought to have new and convincing proofs of her connexion with the count, and had reason to spare her on account of certain family matters, only meditated blood and murder, to punish the temerity of his former friend, Not a day passed without our receiving anonymous letters, representing our danger, and some of the servants reported, that every night certain persons deeply muffled up, were lingering about the house to watch our motions. We went out well armed every day, and, returned home at twilight, avoiding all narrow passes and lanes.
One night, the weather being uncommonly beautiful and serene, we resolved to stay some hours longer than we were wont to do at a coffee-house on St. Mark's Square, and ordered some sherbet to be brought us before the door. Owing to the great number of guests, we were obliged to wait a good while before we could get served. At last the waiter forced his way with some difficulty through the crowd, and brought us the desired liquor, with some ices on a dish, Just as he was going to present it, a person in a green cloak, with his hat, deeply slouched over his face hustled the waiter, apparently without design, and made him drop the ices and spill the liquor, which fell on the ground.
The count fancied, that this trick-had been played us on purpose. He attempted to rise and attack the stranger, when I forcibly detained him, whispering into his ear, "Remember we are in Venice, and surrounded with dangers!"
He had lately purchased a beautiful Italia pointer, whom he took out with him where-ever he went. This animal, which was lying at his feet, got up to lick some of the liquor from the pavement. The Count, who was in a passion, kicked the poor beast, and rose, alledging, that it was very late and high time to be gone.
I followed him, but he was thirsty, and stopt at another coffee-house by the way to drink lemonade, The house being but thin of company, we tarried a little, when his dog began to make several strange leaps, foamed from the mouth, and shortly after dropt down dead. The Count who was very fond of the animal, was sadly vexed, and threw him into a canal, "It was strong poison, Marquis," said he. "Very strong.!" replied I, wrapping myself up shuddering, in my cloak.
When we arrived on the bridge of St. Siovanni, which was very near our house, we heard a loud whistling before and behind us. There was no moonshine, but it was till light enough to enable us to perceive three muffled men advance against us, from the farther end of the bridge. Not a soul else was to be seen either in the streets or on the canals. We perceived the danger in good time, and drew our swords to defend ourselves. The three men crept on slowly, and at the distance of three or four yards from us, began to utter their death-howl, "Morte! morte!" and darted upon us with their long battle swords. We put ourselves in position against the rails of the bridge; I threw my cloak at the first ruffian that assailed us, and had the good fortune to run him through, while he was endeavoring to disentangle himself, The second bravo, as soon as he saw the danger of his comrade attacked me with incredible fury, his sword wounded me in the shoulder, but I caught it that same instant with my hands, when he wrested it from me with such force as to cut my palm and fingers in several places. The combat became now more equal, and while my friend was engaged with the third cut-throat, I continued the conflict with the second with unspeakable fury. At last two others came from behind us, and we thought ourselves irreparably lost, when to our astonishment, the latter bid us be of good cheer, and engaged our enemies, who after some desperate passes, by which one of our deliverers fell wounded to the ground, took to their heels, and fled with the utmost precipitation. We let them fly unpursued, and pulling off the crape which covered the face of my slain antagonist, I discovered Jago! We flew to embrace our generous deliverers, who were drest in regimentals, and seemed to be the same described by the dutchess and her husband. We returned them a thousand thanks, but they made no answer. I laid hold of the corpse of Jago, and by their and my friend's assistance carried it to our house, which was not quite twenty or thirty yards from the place of combat. I eagerly identified him at the light of candles, and searching his pockets found nothing but a purse in them. The wound in my shoulder gave me great pain, and a surgeon being sent for, it was dressed, after that which one of our deliverers had received. The latter's wound was thought dangerous, and his companion stood pensive and in mute sorrow by his side. The count would not leave him an instant, and methought I knew their faces, though they were quite covered with a white cosmetic paint. Art last the patient cried with a soft voice, "The moment of discovery is come! I die happy! I have saved you!" At these words he put his handkerchief to his face to wipe off the paint, I flew to his assistance and that instant recognized and embraced Adela—my poor Adela! This was the signal at which the other claspt the count to his arms, and—O wonder!—it was Caroline!
This almost miraculous meeting nearly deprived us of our senses, and long we continued in silent extacy. What a torrent of painful and delicious sensations did not now overwhelm our hearts! Could one think it within-the reach of possibilities, that human nature were able to stand so keen, so awful a shock?—Ah! that the powers of language should not be competent to paint this interesting scene! I turn despondent from the baffling task, and leave it to the man of sensibility! Ah sensibility! sensibility! Thy yearning throbs alone can express the grand and sublime shades of this more than magic picture!