Charles Auchester, Volume 2 (of 2)

n her mantilla, which she had never abandoned, little Josephine, Anastase, and myself. Lumberingly enough under any other circumstances; on this occasion as if in an a?rial car. Dark glitt

studded with bright-hued lamps unlighted, hung among the swinging garlands; and as we entered we were smitten through and through with the festal fragrance. In the entrance-hall I grew bewildered, and only desired to keep as near to Anastase and Maria as possible. Here we were left a few minutes, as it were, alone; and while I was expecting a special retainer to lead us again thence, as in England, the curtain of a somewhat obscure gateway, at the end of the space, was thrust aside, and a little hand beckoned us instantaneously forward. Forward we all flew, and I was the first to sunder the folded damask and stand clear of the mystery. As I passed beneath it, an

ared for its sudden alteration; for he called to some one behind the curtain, and the curtain rose,-rose upon the empty theatre, with the scenery complete for the first act. And then the soul of all that scenery, the light of the fairy life, flashed back into his eyes; elfin-like in his jubilance, he clapped those little hands. Our satisfaction charmed him. But I mu

n and silver, densely tangled leafage, and a burst of moon-colorless flowers, veiling every player from view, and hiding every instrument of the silent throng, who, with arm and bow uplifted, awaited the magic summons. But by all the names of magic, how arose that flower-tower in the midst? For raised above the screen of sylvan symbol was a turret of roots, entwisted as one sees in old oaks that interlace their gnarled arms, facing the audience, a

but yet she did not sigh, her confidence was too unshaken, albeit in such a trying position, so minutely critical to maintain, did author perhaps never appear. In an instant, as the first soft blaze had broken on the world in front, did our Ariel raise his wand, no longer like the stem of a lily, but a lily-stem itself, all set with silver leaves, and whose crowning blossom spark

a long bright

Island with

ent, me Freedo

picy airs that

t wing their spi

de that droppet

ge smote throug

lness in the

hless beauty,

shes with no

ul was native

makes an eve

that ancient

e air or float

led in the be

kisses to th

wn sprayed with

all their dim

ge the lonely

deeps of un

h virgin cold

ilies; bade t

rmonies in b

hat dread elixi

iolets; made t

es hush the so

cedars with all

e and far diff

pelled, unknown

ummon it, t

ious treasure

ade, in blosso

dure, the soft

wild wood, this

are clustered

ilence stir wit

anning of a

e repressed, th

ction of t

ed beauty, her

ts! wake, my sl

eamland of the

g notes, prepared the brain for the rush of fairy melody that was as the subtlest essences of thought and fragrance enfranchised. The elfin progression, prestissimo, of the subject, was scarcely realized as the full suggestion dawned of the leafy shivering it portrayed. The violins, their splendors concentrated like the rainbows of the dewdrops, seemed but the veiling voices for that ideal strain to filter through; and yet, when the horns spoke

those hills I spoke of it seemed to blush and burn, still leaving the foreground distinct in a sort of pearly shadow. That foreground was masked in verdure, itself precipitous with descending sides clothed thick with shrubs that lifted their red bells clear to the crimson beams behind, and shelving into a bed of enormous leaves of black-green growth such as one sometimes comes upon in the very core of the forest. Beneath those leaves we nestled, Maria and I. I can only speak of what I felt and others saw; not of that which any of us heard. For

we hea

, dreaming

g from

death

bud the

will th

by th

one can

we, A

we fe

to reve

as dawn

thy de

mmort

upreme

st, in

st raise

we, A

ting scarf, transparent, spangled, fell upon my own rose-hued mantle, which blushed through its lucid mist. Her hair, trembling with water-like gems, clothed her to the very knees; her cheek was white as her streaming robe, but her eye was as a midnight moon, bright yet lambent; and while she sang she looked at Anastase, as he stood a little above the others in the band, and appeared to have eyes for hi

, beho

trains e

g but

rant m

freak o

ur fair

s cann

cross t

e, Ar

rasting with the voice of any song, might be heard weird snatches from the veiled orchestra, as if music fainted from deli

darlings of mi

welcome, in the

and honor!

anguished for

ave our Music

eeks to find a

might of Musi

is my boon;

pells, in soul-

ut my spirit

mes of old, we

e undulatin

its glitterin

alls, that year

e rival sou

e whose very

r that fixed

yonder his be

hen the moontim

there, and meet

arting-they ha

s, since youth;

hey unparted

tania and

e their one-li

rapture of the

ortals jubil

dding,-rare a

ed myrtle of th

are and pure

s mix gladl

ove is our ow

hose who love

here unsullie

nsecrate its f

e long, straight alleys of moon-bathed lindens to which the waltz-whirlwind floated, parted on either hand and left a smooth expanse of lawn, now white, heaving like a moon-kissed sea; and as soon as the measure had passed into its glad refrain, two little Loves struck from the lime avenues to the lawn, directly before the ball-room. I call them Loves; but they were anything but Cupids, for they were mystical little creatures enough, and in the prevailing moonlight showed like bright birds of blushing plumage as they each carried a roseate torch of tinted flame that made their small bodies look much like flame themselves. They were no others than Josephine and my own Starwood; but it woul

t like clouds. And as they streamed forth, there broke a delicate peal of laughter in response to the wondering shout, accompanied by the top-notes of the violins, vividly piano; then Ariel arose, and himself addressed the multitude. Sharp, sweet notes in unison, intermitted this time with his words, but cea

issued from the canvas; and while Titania and Oberon supported the lustrous framework on either hand,-themselves all shivering with the silver radiance,-on either hand, to form a vista from which the gazers caught the picture, rose trees of giant harebells, all silver,-white as if veined with moonshine;

melancholy as it is born into the soul; and again to quote, though from a source far higher and less investigated, "There are woes ill bartered for the garishness of joy." Such troubles we may not

happened shall be in vain, where mystery is eternal light. How strangely I recall the smothered sound, the long-repressed shout of rapture, that soared and pierced through the fallen and folded curtain,-the eminent oblivion of everythi

me; for though I could not hear her speak, I knew she was leading me away. I had closed my eyes, and when I opened them w

, "I hope no one is comin

"but let me help you to undress. I can do that, though

ot bear her to be denuded of them, they had become so natural now. I had stripped off my own roseate mantle and all the rest in a moment, and had my own coat on before she had moved from the chair into which she had flung herself, or I had cons

she very tired?" And without even looking

voices, no longer cold, but as if fanned by the same fire that had sco

ight. "Oh, your music! your music! it is of all that is the most divine, and nothing ever has been or shall be to excel it. It breaks the

ly as if no deep, insufferable sentiment had imbued his words, his caressing calm returned. "I did not come for a compliment, I came to help you; also to bring you some pretty ice, ma

with grateful intention, "and I should like some ice be

t I felt he prolonged the opportunity vaguely, and almost wondered why. Before it was over, another knock came,-very impatient for so cool a hand, as it

d, very respectfully, to Seraphael; "your nam

ou, Maria, and then we need detain no one, for Carl, I see, is ready." A change came upon the Chevalier; as if ice had passed upon his cheek, he paled, he turned proud to the very topmost steep of his shadeless brow, he laughed coldly but

ness, "that you should be in the way,-that is our case, in

smile like love itself, "he will always have it that I am content he should do everything for me." I was astonished, for nothing, except the seasonable excitement, could have drawn forth such demonstrat

ed to the stage. He led me behind the stage-deserted, dim-to another door behind that, opened by waving drapery, to the garden-land. He led me in the air, round the outside of the temporary theatre, to the main front of the house, to the entrance through the hall, swiftly, silently, up the stairs into the corridor, and so to a chamber

still holding my hand; but his own was now rel

ys loved you, as you know; but I l

u look so strange and speak so strangel

ened. Ah! that is only excitement, my darl

n my darling. But I am too weak and young to be

could I confide in thee? Yet God forgive me

nd, which I bathed in tears that fell shiveringly from my dull heart like rain from a sultry sky. It w

have taught me all I know already, and I d

ught thee. It is something

t myself?" I chose to say

it on, so that sometimes I am almost jealous of thine eyes! But

nd so do I. I know why sometimes she seems looking through us instead of at us. It is because she is seeing

eyond what was needed. Alas! I had not even curiosity left. But I was mis

s, then, C

se, is that person

art an infant, and couldst even make me smile. That is a

led beneath thos

was fool enough to say, "Oh that I were Maria!" He turned to me in an instant; made a sort of motion with both his arms, like wings, having released the hand I held. I looked up now, and saw that a more awful paleness-a virgin shadow appalling as that of death-had fixed his features. I threw myself in

it was a voice all tremble, like a harp-string jarred and breaking. "Carlomein, you will ever be dearer to me than I can say from this night; for you have seen sorrow no man should have seen, and no woman could have suffered. You know what I wished; yet perhaps not yet,-how should you? Carlomein, when you become a man I hope you will love me as you do now when you know what I do fe

deare

not love me. How

ouched me most. I felt, indeed, how could she help

e could not help

the sorrow is, Carlomein, that neither on e

or not; for if she were perfect here, she could but love you,

rue. Sweet philosophy

and besides, she will find it out, and you would not like tha

a pure disdain chiselled every feature in that attitude. "There is now no more to be said. I need scarcely

e curls that had fallen forward; and then he took me by

and under shade lamp-fruited; but I knew nothing that happened to me, was cold all over, and for a time, at least, laid aside my very consciousness. Millicent w

table to watch that all should fare well at them, though he never sat himself. Maria was seated by Anastase. I noticed them, but did not gaze upon them. The

that which was my affection. It was convenient that Davy knew a great deal about such suffering on his own account, or I might have been severely tampered with. He would not send for a doctor, as he under

valier. It was some satisfaction when Millicent said he was looking very well and had talked to her for half an hour. This news tended most

f a breath of leisure; and towards the afternoon I went after Maria, to accompany her home. This she permitted; but I knew that Anastase would be with her in the evening, and refused her invitation to enter, for I felt I could not bear to see them toge

break the silken thread of conversation, and I was mad to talk to her. I could hardly tell how to begin, though

Chevalier took you into his room,-hi

e. I should think he would write anywhere. But

rge o

hing in the room specifically; but I drew upon

ut it,-cherubs above, with their wings spread, I believe

rt of fu

g. Embroidered cloths, too, upon the tables and sofas,-but reall

rnation is his favorite col

everything, I

t as one talks to a little c

s, he always talks about himself to you, and

rl, he chiefly talks

I can, telling you his favorite color, talking about

e when he had scratched his f

Was that since

was going to play somewhere. But, Car

do you

next year. He is

away-where-who wi

of Italy? I am going unexpectedly, or we would have had a concert first; but now we must wait until May for our concert.' Spoda behaved very well and exhibited no surprise, only showered forth his confetti speeches about parting. Then the Chevalier b

r, I shoul

nd,-who, Carl, I suspect, makes a sort

t, Maria, what is he going away

wn peculiar expressio

am sure. I cannot fancy the Chevalie

t; he is too lovabl

marry, I mean-until he has tried everythin

ow? And do you think

,-only not as he expects. I am certain the Chevalier thinks he should find as much in love

she was mistaken. But I seriously resolved to humor her,

e would expect to find more in love

Carl, only

wants as much love as mu

we love God in His works; and I cannot conceive of any love b

that he

im without music, I don't think

ingular pride, but also that it was not a f

sical,-supposing such a thing to be possible,-h

he wou

to be as we are if we were changed as to

me speak to you openly. I have never done so before, and I should not, but that you force me to it

heart? Mine felt as if it had collapsed, and would never

eelings, I should know really that you cared to be my friend;

oo quick, too bright! Oh! I have often thought so, and shall think so again; but I will not now, because I intend to be very happy. You know, Carl, you ca

m very certain that

, of a musician, and I am proud to say so. Still, I would rather be that violin than hear it, and

ar

d not say it,-on the contrary, he feels the same; and wh

long ago

; and therefore I could not look upon him, for I know I was not thinking about myself. Still, I felt sure he was coming to speak to me, and so he did; but not for a long time, for he stepped round the tree and sat down upon the turf just near me, and played with the sabots and the wild thyme I had played with, and presently put out his hand to stroke Josephine's hair as it lay in my lap. I never thought of being angry, or of wondering at him even, for the longer I had him near me, the better, though I was rather frightened lest my father should return; but at last he did speak, and when once he began, there was not soon an end. We talked of all things. I can remember nothing, but I do know this,-that we never spoke of music, except that I told how I passed my time, and how my father taught me. He went away before Josephine awoke, and nobody knew he had come; but I returned the next day to the place where I had seen him, and again I found him there. In that country one could do such things, and it was the hour my father was absent,-for he had other pupils at the houses of the inhabitants several miles about, and we lived frugally, in order that he might give us all advantages when we should be old enough. I saw Florimond every day for a week, and then for a week he never came. That week I was taken ill,-I cou

ladies their bonnets,-for I had not even my mantilla, it was too shabby; and I wore alone a wreath of ivy that I had gathered from under that very tree at home, and I was thinking too seriously of one only person to wish to see or to be seen. We went into the very best places, but I thought as I sat down how I must have changed in a short time; for a little while before I would have almost sold myself to go to

k you were mistaken, or that you misunderstood yourself; for though I can't express it, I am sure that our being musical makes a g

dict you; but I know I should have loved Florimond if he had n

if the music had remained within him, it might have

why must it be the music that makes me love him? What will you say to m

ar

ould crush all my life within me. I should be transported into a place where the water was all light and I

shuddered inwardly, but strove to keep serene. "Maria, that may be because you had

or, Carl, though it might have been inconstant, it would not have been unfaithful to myself if I had seen and loved him better than Florimond; it might have been that I had not before found out what I ought to submit my soul to, nor could I have helped it; such things have happened to many, I daresay,-to many natures, but not to m

he could talk to you about it. I should think there might be truth in it, but that it always proves false. My siste

I am not diseased; but my idea is that people who form so fast cannot live lo

t it was wrong to permit her much r

itself out, one may count its beats and sing songs to them, as Florimo

zled. "I don't un

often those which play through the slumbers of the heart. If your heart even awoke, your brain would still have

rself; and secondly, because if it is all true, how much you must know,-you must know almost more than you

when my heart is bathing in the love that is my own on earth, all earth seems to sink beneath my feet, and I tremble as if raised to heaven. I feel as if God were behind

you are so aw

voice grew clear and strong, and I found what it was meant for,-therefore I cannot be so musical as you are. And I r

e used to talk abo

high, either in their deeds or their desires, that the spirit which bade them so rise sinks back again beneath the weakness of their earthly constit

r to Anastase, Maria,-I mean, do you te

may imagine how I love him, Carl, when I tell you he loves music b

is t

e will still have something to

se-flower with stainless petals. It was a day also of the most perfect weather, and the suggestion to my mind was that neither the day nor she-neither the brilliant vault above, nor those transparent eyes-could ever "change or pass." I was occupied besides in reflecting upon t