A Conspiracy of the Carbonari

a, and twined fresh laurels of victory around his brow. On the 6th of July a conflict occurred which complet

o receiving and entertaining their victorious foes as guests in their homes. The Emperor Napoleon selected Sch?nbrunn for his residence, and seemed inclined to rest comfortably there after the fresh victory won at Wagram. It had indeed been a victory, but it had cost great and bloody sacrifices. Thrice a hundred thousand men had confronted each other on this memorable 6th of July, 1809; eight hundred cannon had shaken the earth all d

rceived in time the danger of his troops and brought speedy and effective reinforcements to the already yielding left wing of the army. But more than twenty thousand men on both sides had fallen victims on this terrible field. Though Napoleon, in his bulletins of victory, exultingly announced to the world another magnificent triumph, F

his triumph; he gathered his brilliant staff around him, gave superb entertainments, and b

ously endeavored to collect around him the remains of the Austrian aristocracy, attract the society of the capital by elegant dinners, balls, and receptions, and since the armistice of Znaim, which occurre

e Parisian society seemed for the time to have transferred its gay circle from Paris to Vienna; to make in the Ge

in Vienna, opened their drawing-rooms, and seemed to make it their object to reconcile the h

ing-room with the most subtle tact, and was better suited than any one to act as mediator between the Viennese and the French, since she herself belonged to both nations. A German by birth, she had married a Frenchman, lived several years in

he reception of guests; every evening all the generals, French courtiers, and people who belonged to good society in France were present; every evening more and more Germans and Viennese went

igners who had come to the Austrian capital, attracted by the renown of the French emperor, or led by selfishness, strove with special earnestness to obtain the entrée to Madame de Simon

the Graben were brightly lighted; the curious, characterless poor people had gathered in the street to watch the carriages roll up and away, and gaze at the windows whence t

tess she had also been its queen. Every one, French as well as Austrians, Russians and Italians, Hungarians and Poles, had offer

ht had sparkled in her large black eyes, the most radiant roses of youth had bloomed on her delicate cheeks, and the long black tresses

n of the ball was a pale, exhausted young woman, who lay on the divan with a sorrowful

nie sighed-yet her lips sometimes murmured words of lamentation, satiety, even bitter suffering. But suddenly a ray of delight flitted over her face; a happy smile brightened her pale features;

hour!" she whispered, again glancing over the note with

tly; "my property; no one sh

s, then yielded to a deep pallor-she had heard steps approaching in

he! My executioner is approaching to

artment really did open, and a little gentlem

ness de Simonie?" he asked, pausing at th

ful figure outstretched at full length, her face calm and indiffere

the gentleman, shrugging his shoulders. "I ventured to

him, but said in a loud, distinct voice: "You see.

ed no mask. Good-day, then, Leonore, or rather good-morning, for, as I see, yo

guests departed and I could go to rest," she

it is true that you were an admirable hostess and understood how to do the honors of your house most perfectly. The gentlemen were all completely bew

it amused you," she said

ht what horror and amazement would fill these haughty aristocrats who yesterda

did know," sh

ing up. "What put such a mad, pr

ed. "I am weary of perp

trying to make our fortune, or as the French more correctly express

o be what we are not,

her in life; for you see aristocratic people are rar

either," she

t no one suspects us. My dear Leonore seems to have an attack of melancholy to-d

ly, fixing her eyes with a questioning glance upon the old man who sat b

ge to see you suddenly so depressed by your position, which hitherto so greatly amused you. And, because this

have found it?" sh

experienced woman may be deluded by love, and suffer

that I hav

will soon conquer your heart. So I do not grudge you the rare satisfaction of enjoying the bliss of

ould happen, wh

answered sternly. "I would

ly for a moment an angry flash darted from her eyes at the old gentleman, but sh

slow, regular ticking of the great Rococo

arily, "for you are perfectly right, I shall never grant love the mastery over my future. I kn

my dear Leonore, let us say nothing about o

answered quietly. "I am w

sy want, when he begged for an inte

tening?" she

nough to grant him the interview in the little corner drawing-room, which has but a sing

mplore the favor of accepting from him the coupé with the two dapp

you granted

uipage will be

. "They are worth at least a thousand florins, and the coupé is a model of elegance and beauty. Th

ted him, and that he nee

ed his gift?" h

and greatest favor, and because, after the deep sorrow I

reigning queen, accepting gifts from her vassal. T

his ambition. He would like to obta

ves that you

ich is of great importance to the emperor, and for whose

nd of an

cy," she sa

racy? Aga

emperor, and therefore he imparted to me his fears and conjectures. The point in question is a wides

u believe in th

nly it requires time and great caution and secrecy. Let me say no more now,

is t

eror undeniable proofs of the existence of this plot, perhaps even saving his life by the disclosure

go w

ish, only alo

ave attained all this, now you are still unsatisfied, now you long to resign all this again. But you will reflect, Leonore; you will listen to reason. You will consider what we have suffered from the pettiness, the pitifulness, the arrogance, and the selfishness of men. You will remember how often you vowed, with angry tears, to avenge yourself some day for all that we have suffe

ised her hands and pressed them on her bosom as if to force down the anguish within. "A

unnecessary and useless of mortals, and the music-teacher felt this, and was ready to become wood-cutter, laborer, street-sweeper, anything to procure food for his sick wife, his only child, to brighten their impoverished, sorrowful lives with a ray of comfort. But it was all in vain; the poor music-teacher found employment nowhere; he might have starved in the midst of the great city, surrounded by wealthy people who, with arrogant bearing, daily drove in brilliant equipages past him and his misery. For his part, he would gladly have died, for what value could his wretc

th. "You are speaking of the assassi

, so I learned the fine business, and could warn the envoys, could warn Lehrba

or it with their lives,

say that I saved him; for I discovered him in the tree up which he had climbed in his mortal terror, took him to a safe hiding-place, and informed the French authorities in Rastadt. Yes, I saved his life, and therefore I can say that I began my new life with a good deed, and did not entirely sell myself to the devil. Since that time I have led a changeful, stirring existence, often in danger of getting a bullet in my head, or a rope around my neck. But what has given me courage to deride, defy all these perils? The thought of my

e years have played it with success. Baroness von Vernon was as useful to you in Berlin the last two years, as Baroness de Simonie is now in Vienna. She aid

o trust a beautiful woman, when experience teaches that all women lie, deceive, and are incapable of keep

s me. I long for rest, for peace, for solitude around

nd transfigure all humanity with a roseate glow. But wait! that will pass away and you will soon be disenchanted. Hush! do not answer; do not try to contradict me; lovers' reasons have no convincing power. We will le

n discovering others. But I repeat, I will do nothing in

ys paid for my life, which is risked in every one of my enterprises. You, too, are well paid; for a magnificently furnished home with a monthly income of six thousand francs is a liberal compensation. But my proud, aristocratic Leonore knows little about economy, and she has arranged her housekeeping on so regal a scale that I shall scarcely succeed in putting a trifle aside for her every month. Besides, c

ion, permitting the passionate agitation of her soul to be mirrored in her face. "If I will not? I

eigh my words. We have gone too far for return ever to be possible, therefore we must press forward, steadily forward! Whoever has once sold himself to the devil can never hope to transform himself once more into an angel. Therefore he must be on his guard against nothing so rigidly as repentance, moods of virtuous atonement! Y

You will have pity on me, for I will confess it to you: I love him. He is my first, my only love, and for his s

in your present mode of life? To fulfill the duties which you h

ou then promise

making us rich; will put all means in motion, in order, when we are wealthy, to gi

at you will not be

who and what you are, as soon as you swear to

I will remain what I am; I will make no attem

ur mutual vows and understand each other. All differenc

er knees and drawing her figure proudly to its full height. "I will take up my part again an

spairing, penitent Magdalen, and once more a Judith ready for battle or a Delilah who is joyfully ready to cu

conspiracy, and I already know three of the members. The obj

of it to the

r as you have said, we must be rich to be free and hap

ame. Wealth reconciles, equalizes everything. So we will be rich, rich. And now, uncle, listen. Baroness de Simonie will give another entertainment to-morrow. She will invite all her friends and acquaintances, but especially Count Andreossy's aids, Colonel Mariage, Captain de Guesniard, Lieut

Sch?nbrunn, to report to the emperor. Farewell, and be brave, happy, and joyous. Believe me, men do not deserve to be pitied, far less to be loved. The day will soon co