Charles Auchester, Volume 2 (of 2)

night I sat up to wonder whether my sister and new-found brother thought the locale as stifling as I did. I was up before the sun, and dressed together with his arrangement of his beams. W

d with my own water-magazine. This was an artificial lake of red ware, which was properly a baking-dish, and which I had purchased under that name for my private need. If it had not been for the little river which flowe

ary, and so unfit for any society but each other's, that I did not hesitate to abscond. I left them together,-Davy lazier than I had ever seen him, and she more like brilliant evening

ar upstairs, but all the doors were locked, as usual, when they were out; and I went on to

enticing in its provisions,-that is to say, there were no strawberries, which had been so interesting to me on the first occasion. I retreated to the library. No one was there. I might not go among the girls, whose establishment was apart, bu

xclaimed, "for pity's s

comes?" pointing to the up-beat of bar 109, whe

l different if you practise

ubbing up. Besides, I h

a good boy! But I don

han the hand of a watch, with that Anastase for the spring,-works, too, th

come; I am dying

ent out to get some white roses for a purpose s

you are very m

the tears ran down

outh at you, which you wante

ournfully, "I can do nothi

ook up his gloves. I had a pai

etween the pillars, the clear brow and waving robes of my younger master as he bent so lowly before a maiden raimented in white, and only as he left her; for he entered not within the alcove. As he retreated, Maria advanced. She was dressed in white, as I have said; but so dazzling was her beauty that all eyes were bent upon her. All the chorus-singers were in white; but who looked the least like her? With the deep azure of our order folded around her breast, and on that breast a s

ont as from the other end at the day of my initiation into those sceneries, or very much the same,-the morning sun, which gleamed amidst the leafy arches, and in the foreground on many a rosy garland. For over the seats reserved for the Chevalier and his party, the loveliest flowers, relieved with myrtle only, hung in ri

together, however near, when they entered, and found just the seats I could have chosen for them. Millicent, at the

hrong, and just as the conductor came to the orchestra steps, at the bottom he arrested himself. The first stroke of ten had sounded from our little church, and simultaneously with that stroke the steward, bearing on his wand the blue rosette and bunch of oak-leaves, threw open the curtain of th

e on the occasion. The perfect stillness also reigned through Cherubini's overture, not one note of which I heard, though I played as well as any somnambule, f

ver turned slightly towards him, who, placed by her side, almost nestled into the sable satin of her raiment. He was also dressed in black, this day, and held in those exquisite hands a tiny pair of gloves, which he now swung backwards and forwards in time to the movement of our orchestra, and then let fall upon the floor; when that stately mother would stoop and gather them up, and he would receive them with a flashing smile, to drop them again with inadvertence, or perhaps to slide into them his slender fingers. Hardly had I seen and known him before I saw

d though he was still by fits, I knew he was not attending, from the wandering, wistful gaze, now in the roof, now out at the windows, now downcast, shadowy, and anon flinging its own brightness over my soul, like a sunbeam astray from the heavens of Paradise. When at length the point in the programme, so dearly longed for, was close a

e bowed with courteous calmness, Seraphael signed to us to begin. Then, midst the delicious, yet heart-wringing ice tones, shone out those beaming lineaments; the same peculiar and al

no countenance glistened except my own in that atmosphere of bliss. Perhaps I misjudge; but it appears to me that pure Genius is as unrecognizable in human form as was pure Divinity. I encroach upon such a subject no further. To feel, to feel exq

perceive art as they perceive beauty,-perceive the fair in Nature, the pure in science,-but receive not what th

mystical modesty of his nature, Seraphael had flown downstairs, forgetting the time-stick, which he held in his hand still, and which he carried with him through the archway. As soon as it was really felt he had departed, a great cry for him was set up,-all in vain; and a deputation from the orchestra was instructed to depart and persuade him to return: such things were done in Germany in those days! Anastase was at the head of this select few, but returned together with them discomfited; no Seraphael being, as they asserted, to be found. Anastase announced this fact, in his rare German, to the impatient audience, not a few of whom were standing upright on the benches, to the end that they might make more clatter with their feet than on the firmer floor. As soon as all heard, there was a great groan, and some stray hisses sounded like the erection of a rattlesnake

I will run and put it by; I will

, "and we will wait until you

open. I was cross, for I was in a hurry, and very curious too; so I set down my violin, to bang and push against the door. I had given it a good kick, almost enough to fracture the panel, when a voice came creeping throu

ike some darling child caught at its pretty mischief than the commanding s

me here because I knew the way, and because I wanted to be ou

ll always like to think you came. But if I had only k

, should not have bolted thy door. Bu

ir,-of Anastase?" I co

nastase even a

him?" I exclaimed; for I

s artist can be,-a ministering spirit; but yet I tell the

perfect be

e reason shone clear of that strange, unwonted expression in Seraphael's words. Thus, instead, I went on, "Sir, I understand why you ca

thing at all; but it is not. And now let me a

well, I thank yo

nk God! And yet, Carlomei

Here I suddenly arrested myself, for my unaddress stared me in the face. He just la

id I looked

about her,-is she

but not pretty at all,-only very interes

en?" He smiled stil

rried to Mr. Davy, m

" He left off speaking, and sat upon the side o

s,

shall ask th

is tha

to tell her what a brother she has. Not only so, to in

f his presence, I threw myself into the

feast, is another question.

sir!" I cried, rendered

coming,-shalt thou be afraid? Not

if I have something to do;

see thee. She must not medd

and he would rather stay with Millice

but with wayward

. Cannot we now go? I am a

who is

be imagin

, I only k

any other lady. Come, say thou the name; it is a

hink that

hast found

aid you wis

f which he had played with as

ittle piqued, "it's exceedingly hot. Canst thou contrive

ert-hall; they cannot come here, you know, sir. If I knew y

round the room, "I know they are not here. I do not feel them. Carlomein, I a

to them to

sing that green, we entered the lime-walk. The first person I saw was Anastase. He was walking lonely, and looking down, as he rarely appeared. So abstrac

ge thing, Carlomein, that I should be afraid of him. I wonder wh

e I had time to say, as I intende

Holding it in his hand, and raising his serious gaze, he seemed waiting for the voice of the Chevalier. But, to my su

had to say, in contemplating you? It

shut up his lips; but a sort of f

you can remind the

on that I kicked the gravel and dust

f you a favor,-a favor I should not dare to ask you unle

tones were singularly at variance with the words here

grant any favor in my power. I rejoice to learn that such a thing is so. I shall be much indebted if

ia's master f

ll walk with you wherever you may be going, and tell you on th

of me to have left them all that time. My impression that Seraphael had to treat at some length with my ma

nly shouldst, and tell them what detained the

could not be do

r. But if thou canst not wait so long, go home wit

ut I secretly resolved to wait all day rather than not s

and beneath the flickering limes showed bright and dark as sunlight crossed the shadow. I watched them to the end of the avenue, and then raced on

t of both their faces, "I am so sorry, but I was obliged to go with

thought about him. Davy, with his bright smile at noonday, said in reply to my impass

sure you are laughing, or you

he same way. It is very well for me that Millice

ow just exactly how she feels when she looks at your eyes. What very

t the echoes called back to h

hat I think

old me so much,

say 'my love' to M

e to say i

bout 'handsome.' You should not call him so

almost painful; and I do not see it any longer, but, on the contrary, an exquisite sprightliness instead. He was also thinner then,

must be very happy. But besides that, Mr. Davy, you cannot tell how often his face changes. I have seen it cha

o crown. Otherwise, I should say his air is quite

pose you know he chose my master, Anastase, though h

sy to find out what is don

s no Christian name. He has done an immense deal for Cecilia. No one knows exactly how much, for he won't let it be told; but i

relate the whole story of my first introduction to Cecilia, and of the Volkslied, to which I ha

king a great noise, when Davy, who was in front, where he could see the door, motio

s, he would cling to my neck so fast that I had to present the Chevalier while his arms were entwined about me. But no circumstance could interfere with even the slightest effect he was destined to produce. Standing before Davy, with his little hands fo

thday?" I asked, I fear rather impertin

Carl

hed, Millicent most of

is rather discomposing to step into a new state. Having been a child so long,

t, as well as laughed, Davy, to relieve

ere, will it be our ha

er than many a new one, for it is very old; but I have dressed it in new clothes. I shall hope to ma

otherwise in your society," said Da

ether, and that this is only th

red uncouth in Germany; Millicent looking as excited as if she were doing her part of the nuptial ceremony over ag

er was very angry, at first, tha

en? I thought as much. A

o master, 'I'll send you a rainbow when the storm is over.' And oh! Charles, I practise four hours at a

little frie

his birthday. Oh, Charles! I wish I could tel

it is all clear to me. Only one thing, Star. T

e silver wedding,

e going to

all about it, but he won't tell. Wilt thou, my shadow? By the by, there is a better word in English,-'chum;' but we must not talk slang, at least not till we

evalier," observed Davy, ever anxi

nd my mother,-she will certainly think I have taken a walk to the moon.

too." And I dearly longed to "come too,"

l carry you off and g

inner, Mr. Davy; I

icent. "But, Charles, duty calls first; an

whether I may

eave of absence at meals for

ent, you said you had

ay never have such

illingly starve a month or tw

avy. But then

" We all laughed, and as we walked out of the c

ose, what is to be done, m

not that I refused my dinner. After dinner, though, I sha

Charles,-is she a

eamt of, Millicent; she does treat me very kindly,

a celebrated

eems older than you are, she is so l

tion of the Chevalie

, treats her in a very high manner,-I

t the sch

with her brother, who teaches her himself and her littl

special errand. On mounting the stairs to Maria's room, I took the precaution to listen; there were no voices to be heard just then, and I knocked, was admitted, and entered. In the bright chamber I found my dread young master certainly in the very best company; for Josephine was half lost in leaning out of the window, and si

re is room here, C

e, and her hair was still unruffled; but she was leaning back, and I perceived, for the first time, that his arm was round her. The slender fingers of his listless hand rested upon the shoulder near me, and they seemed far too much at ease to trifle even with the glorious hair, silk-drooping its braids within his reach. He leaned forwards, and looked from one to the other of u

of their marriage, and upon their marriage-day. We have not too much time to work (but a week), as I made bold to tell him; but it appears this little work suggested itself to him suddenly,-in his sleep, as he says. It is a fairy libretto, and I should imagine of first-rate attraction. This is the score; and

ertake to perfect me in

," said Anastase, not satirically, but serious

n what on earth a

so,-

e not sung for ever so long.

powers, and may not do you justice; but the Chevalier is p

ever san

osition for you, as you are to exhibit yourself and your voice in counterpart to

her, I know; but I think perhaps I could manage better than most other people, for most persons would be thinking of their own voices, and how to set them

moved. "Will you not love him, Florimond?" she whi

left to bestow; but you know how it is.

lled me Charles, and I liked it

may have a look at

I don't mean we should use this co

s," answered Anastase; "

ten out the parts for the instruments. He thinks nothing of thro

ve this copy?" demanded Anast

ready to-mor

ied, aghast, "you are not

-a green-bound oblong volume of no slight thickness. "I take this home with me, Maria; and you will not see it until

surely you won't

e has not been given, and it cannot be thought of without leave,-did you not know that, Maria? No, I shal

she had fixed her eyes; and truly, as he stood in the full light which so few contours pass into

y of bliss; and at the same moment, yet looking on him, she said, "I wonder whether the Chevalier had so many fine reason

d between his two arms. "Most likely, in all simplicity. But a lead

the violins, then? How g

d say so. What t

meant when he said, 'I must go find

ave not thought about it, for when Florimond br

ht you ho

he had to tell me all over

t the reh

t a room in the village where the Chevalier will meet us; for he has his

of voice since I had my violin,-I have never sung at all, indeed, e

im that your voice was like your violin, but that it would not do to tell you so

need not have been afraid, though, for all I am so fon

. No musicians are vain; no true artists, ever so young: th

, fallen-angel like, indulges in that propensity; so that it is best to guard against the pos

r a voice like thine, than by tongues, however fre

o miracles in the name of music too, sir, can't they?-like M

we should use our hands instead of our tongues. Play a false artist down by the inter

o be your creed! You have ma

scarcely fair to blame those who own the power of expression for us

fastened on me. I felt more than ever satisfied