Imagens da página
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

me? Is it Coigny? is it Richelieu?

Saxe in propria personá? »

----

or can it be Marshal

After striding backwards and forwards in silence for some moments, he suddenly threw himself anew into the seat by my side.

Iago assured me, during the intoxication of my military triumphs, he resumed, « that I should soon become disgusted with the fickle breath of popular applause. Sooner or later,' pleaded the negro, 'you will begin to understand that nothing is really important that has not a real value. The positive, -the tangible, is the one thing needful.' And he was so far justified in his prognostications, that I actually made him a tender of five additional years, on condition of obtaining the command over enormous riches. »

n

And he fulfilled his part of the compact?» cried I, with a scarcely repressed smile of incredulity.

With gold,-jewels,-houses,-lands,-all,-all that passes with mankind under the name of wealth, did he endow me, » cried my companion, clasping his hands with frantic emotion. Nay, when I rose this very morning, all these were still my own. I was rich,-I was great,—I was powerful! I said now to my soul, take thine ease! I was happy,-I had no fears-no anxieties. If you doubt my word, enquire of lago. Iago will be here presently, and confirm all I have related. »

I shuddered at these wild assertions, for there was something terribly real in the air of horror with which he rushed to a time-piece on the chimney-piece, and anxiously ascertained the hour.

་་

« This morning, when I opened my eyes,» he resumed, addressing me in a portentous whisper, « I found myself so weak and dispirited, that I hastily summoned my valet de chambre to my assistance. Merciful Powers! It was lago who appeared in his place! My soul sank within me as he accosted

me.".

«Yet his appearance, you say, was ever the precursor of triumph and good fortune,» said I, desirous to tranquillize the agitation of the invalid.

I asked him the cause of my sudden illness,» continued

he,- I told him that only last night I retired to rest in perfect health!

"It is not sickness,-it is death! replied the negro, with his usual frightful grin, Surely you are prepared?'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

For death?-at мy age?» cried I, gasping for breath.

It is not my fault if you have been too much absorbed in your personal vanities to take heed of the lapse of time,' replied the negro, with a bitter sneer. Providence accorded you, as the term of your natural life, exactly threescore years. You were thirty when we first entered into our engagements. « lago, cried I, anticipating the horrible announcement that was to follow.

[ocr errors]

«And during the five ensuing years,' he continued, with his usual facetious insolence, 'you expended in speculations an extra allowance of five and twenty. You have consequently lived out your sixty years. You will find me tolerably correct in my arithmetic ; for know, that every moment subtracted from your life, is added to my own; and I, at least, recognise the value of human existence!'

« Such, then, was the motive of your pretended zeal ! » cried I with indignation.

«Greater men than yourself have shown themselves more grateful,' coolly rejoined the negro: Fabert, for instance, who was one of my protégés, paid me a somewhat higher price for his reputation.'

Iniquitous monster!» cried I, «You have deceived me,defrauded me. »

Nay, nay,-you have only cheated yourself!' replied lago. Count upon your fingers, and you will find me exact in my balance. Thirty-five years of real existence, and twenty-five expended in procuring the means of distinction;-total of the whole, sixty! Admit that you have lived your day. Prepare for immediate dissolution.'

He was about to leave the room, when I rushed towards him, and clung to his garments.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Only one more day!» cried I; only, only one! »

6

«Not half a one,' he coolly replied. Reflect, that I am

the loser of every minute's grace you obtain! Your time is over.'

« An hour—a single hour!» I persisted-feeling the powers of life weakening and weakening as I spoke.

«< 'Hark ye!' cried the negro, pretending to be softened by my earnestness—You have hitherto negociated with me like a gentleman; and liberal treatment is due to you in return. What will you give for two hours of the life you now appear to value so highly?'

"

Anything-everything!» I exclaimed; for already I felt my blood stagnating in my veins, and the dews of death rising on my forehead. "Willingly will I sacrifice all the fame I have achieved. Take my gold only ask for the breath of life! »

my lands. Life life!-I

But see

"You only ask for that of which you have been so prodigal!' cried the negro, with a horrible chuckle. how tender-hearted I am growing. I accept your offer. till evening! But remember you have nothing further here or hereafter to offer as a bribe. At sunset, therefore, be prepared for the worst!'

«So saying, he left me!» continued the stranger, wildly. He left me-and when we meet again, I must resign myself to death-must cease to enjoy the breath of spring-the harmonies of nature the joys of life and love! Behold! he

[ocr errors]

continued, dragging me to the window, and pointing to a group of ragged peasants traversing the parks—« to-morrow, yónder people will be inhaling the pure breezes-will be sunned under the glowing orb of Heaven-while, for me, all will be at an end! And to have sacrificed five and twenty years of such blessings-such pure and delicious enjoyments—for the vain acquirement of an uncertain renown; to be praised by those I know not, those whom I care not to know! Oh! what a price have I paid for that which is in itself valueless! What prodigality!-what waste! But why lose the few moments allotted me in idle murmurs! Let me rather enjoy, for the last

time, the glorious spectacle of triumphant nature! »

So saying, he threw open the windows opening towards the park, and rushing forth, took his way towards the plantations.

While watching his precipitate departure, I found myself touched upon the shoulder; and, on turning round, found a grave middle-aged man, wearing the insignia of the St. Esprit, standing beside me. I had no difficulty in recognising the Duc de C.

[ocr errors]

« I have a thousand apologies to offer you, Monsieur le Chevalier, said he, «for the inadvertence of my servants in leaving you exposed to an interview with my unfortunate brother; whose mental infirmities are the cause of his seclusion in this retired chateau, and of my annual visit to the place. It was to consult a physician, celebrated for his skilful treatment of lunatics, who is on a visit in this neighbourhood, that I last night absented myself from home. I have now, however, the satisfaction of bidding you welcome; and tomorrow we will take our departure for Versailles. All that my friendship or recommendations can ensure, towards forwarding your advancement in life, depend upon! The enthusiastic ambition of military distinction expressed in the letters I have had the pleasure of receiving from you, excites my earnest interest in your behalf. To such views the times are highly favourable. Rapid advancement awaits you. In the course of ten years, or so

« Ten years, Monsieur le Duc? was my involuntary ejaculation; «<ten years subtracted from the sum total of life! Pardon me! Within these walls I have received a lesson more valuable than even the patronage you thus generously promise. To-morrow, instead of proceeding to Versailles, I retrace my steps homewards! Accept my grateful thanks-my humble apologies. Fame has lost its charm in my estimation; since I have learned to recognise the value of human life, and the costs of ambition! »

[ocr errors]

་་

This is my brother's doing!» cried the Duke, but more in sorrow than in anger. The singular delusions of his monomania, have already more than once sufficed to deter young aspirants of my acquaintance from embracing a public career. But is it possible that you will allow the hallucinations of a lunatic to influence you in a step so momentous? »

VOL. I.

28

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Wisdom is a thing of too precious a quality, Monsieur le Duc, replied I, to admit of our being over-fastidious in examining its origin. All we have to do is, to accept such lessons, and be thankful. »

The Duc de C. was perhaps not sorry to be thus easily rid of one of the numerous candidates for his interest at court: for, after a night's hospitality, he suffered me to return home without further remonstrance.

Happy journey-auspicious return! I felt that I could not travel too rapidly; for I was returning to the bosom of my family-the arms of Henrietta.

The following May, I had nothing to dread from the apparition of the black man. Already I was a contented countrygentleman a happy husband and father! The price of fame had inspired me with a due appreciation of the value of human life.

(TAIT'S EDINBURgh Magazine.)

« AnteriorContinuar »