View
224
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
1/51
TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPrinceZilah,byJulesClaretie,v1#14inourseriesTheFrenchImmortalsCrownedbytheFrenchAcademy#1inourseriesbyJulesClaretie
Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheckthelawsforyourcountrybeforeredistributingthesefiles!!!!!
Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.
Pleasedonotremovethis.
Thisshouldbethefirstthingseenwhenanyoneopensthebook.Donotchangeoredititwithoutwrittenpermission.Thewordsarecarefullychosentoprovideuserswiththeinformationtheyneedaboutwhattheycanlegallydowiththetexts.
**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**
**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**
*****TheseEtextsArePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers!*****
InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow,includingfordonations.
TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541
Title:PrinceZilah,v1
Author:JulesClaretie
ReleaseDate:April,2003[Etext#3927][Yes,weareaboutoneyearaheadofschedule][Theactualdatethisfilefirstposted=09/02/01]
Edition:10
Language:English
TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPrinceZilah,v1,byGustaveDroz******Thisfileshouldbenamedim14b10.txtorim14b10.zip******
CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,im14b11.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,im14b10a.txt
ThisetextwasproducedbyDavidWidger
ProjectGutenbergEtextsareusuallycreatedfrommultipleeditions,allofwhichareinthePublicDomainintheUnitedStates,unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Therefore,weusuallydoNOTkeepanyofthesebooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.
Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
2/51
Pleasebeencouragedtosenduserrormessagesevenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.
Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.
Mostpeoplestartatoursitesat:http://gutenberg.nethttp://promo.net/pg
ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyEtextbeforeannouncementcansurftothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate;thisisalsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.
http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03
Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90
Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.
InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)
Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.This
projectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasefiftynewEtextfilespermonth,or500moreEtextsin2000foratotalof3000+Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalshouldreachover300billionEtextsgivenawaybyyear'send.
TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbyDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=1Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.
Atourrevisedratesofproduction,wewillreachonlyone-third
ofthatgoalbytheendof2001,orabout4,000Etextsunlesswemanagetogetsomerealfunding.
TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.
Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!
AsofJuly12,2001contributionsareonlybeingsolicitedfrompeoplein:Arkansas,Colorado,Connecticut,Delaware,Florida,Georgia,Hawaii,Idaho,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
3/51
Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Louisiana,Maine,Massachusetts,Minnesota,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,NewMexico,Nevada,NewJersey,NewYork,NorthCarolina,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Utah,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,Wisconsin,andWyoming.
Wehavefiledinabout45statesnow,butthesearetheonlyonesthathaveresponded.
Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.Pleasefeelfreetoasktocheckthestatusofyourstate.
Inanswertovariousquestionswehavereceivedonthis:
Weareconstantlyworkingonfinishingthepaperworktolegallyrequestdonationsinall50states.Ifyourstateisnotlistedandyouwouldliketoknowifwehaveaddeditsincethelistyouhave,justask.
Whilewecannotsolicitdonationsfrompeopleinstateswherewearenotyetregistered,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingdonations
fromdonorsinthesestateswhoapproachuswithanoffertodonate.
Internationaldonationsareaccepted,butwedon'tknowANYTHINGabouthowtomakethemtax-deductible,oreveniftheyCANbemadedeductible,anddon'thavethestafftohandleitevenifthereareways.
Alldonationsshouldbemadeto:
ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationPMB1131739UniversityAve.Oxford,MS38655-4109
TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541,andhasbeenapprovedasa501(c)(3)organizationbytheUSInternalRevenueService(IRS).Donationsaretax-deductibletothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.
Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!
Youcangetuptodatedonationinformationat:
http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html
***
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
4/51
Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:
MichaelS.Hart
hart@pobox.comforwardstohart@prairienet.organdarchive.orgifyourmailbouncesfromarchive.org,Iwillstillseeit,ifitbouncesfromprairienet.org,betterresendlateron....
Prof.Hartwillanswerorforwardyourmessage.
Wewouldprefertosendyouinformationbyemail.
***
Examplecommand-lineFTPsession:
ftpftp.ibiblio.orglogin:anonymouspassword:your@logincdpub/docs/books/gutenbergcdetext90throughetext99oretext00throughetext02,etc.
dir[toseefiles]getormget[togetfiles...setbinforzipfiles]GETGUTINDEX.??[togetayear'slistingofbooks,e.g.,GUTINDEX.99]GETGUTINDEX.ALL[togetalistingofALLbooks]
**TheLegalSmallPrint**
(ThreePages)
***START**THESMALLPRINT!**FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS**START***Whyisthis"SmallPrint!"statementhere?Youknow:lawyers.
Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwithyourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoumaydistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.
*BEFORE!*YOUUSEORREADTHISETEXTByusingorreadinganypartofthisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,youindicatethatyouunderstand,agreetoandacceptthis"SmallPrint!"statement.Ifyoudonot,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthisetextbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittotheperson
yougotitfrom.Ifyoureceivedthisetextonaphysicalmedium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.
ABOUTPROJECTGUTENBERG-TMETEXTSThisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,likemostPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetexts,isa"publicdomain"workdistributedbyProfessorMichaelS.HartthroughtheProjectGutenbergAssociation(the"Project").Amongotherthings,thismeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightonorforthiswork,sotheProject(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionand
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
5/51
withoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforthbelow,applyifyouwishtocopyanddistributethisetextunderthe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademark.
Pleasedonotusethe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademarktomarketanycommercialproductswithoutpermission.
Tocreatetheseetexts,theProjectexpendsconsiderableeffortstoidentify,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworks.Despitetheseefforts,theProject'setextsandanymediumtheymaybeonmaycontain"Defects".Amongotherthings,Defectsmaytaketheformofincomplete,inaccurateorcorruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorotheretextmedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.
LIMITEDWARRANTY;DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESButforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedbelow,[1]MichaelHartandtheFoundation(andanyotherpartyyoumayreceivethisetextfromasaPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext)disclaimsallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,and[2]YOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCEORUNDERSTRICTLIABILITY,ORFORBREACHOFWARRANTYORCONTRACT,
INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEORINCIDENTALDAMAGES,EVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGES.
IfyoudiscoveraDefectinthisetextwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinganexplanatorynotewithinthattimetothepersonyoureceiveditfrom.Ifyoureceiveditonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnitwithyournote,andsuchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouareplacementcopy.Ifyoureceiveditelectronically,suchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceiveitelectronically.
THISETEXTISOTHERWISEPROVIDEDTOYOU"AS-IS".NOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,AREMADETOYOUASTOTHEETEXTORANYMEDIUMITMAYBEON,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.
Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofconsequentialdamages,sotheabovedisclaimersandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou,andyoumayhaveotherlegalrights.
INDEMNITY
YouwillindemnifyandholdMichaelHart,theFoundation,anditstrusteesandagents,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproductionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmtextsharmless,fromallliability,costandexpense,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingthatyoudoorcause:[1]distributionofthisetext,[2]alteration,modification,oradditiontotheetext,or[3]anyDefect.
DISTRIBUTIONUNDER"PROJECTGUTENBERG-tm"
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
6/51
Youmaydistributecopiesofthisetextelectronically,orbydisk,bookoranyothermediumifyoueitherdeletethis"SmallPrint!"andallotherreferencestoProjectGutenberg,or:
[1]Onlygiveexactcopiesofit.Amongotherthings,thisrequiresthatyoudonotremove,alterormodifytheetextorthis"smallprint!"statement.Youmayhowever,ifyouwish,distributethisetextinmachinereadablebinary,compressed,mark-up,orproprietaryform,includinganyformresultingfromconversionbywordprocessingorhypertextsoftware,butonlysolongas*EITHER*:
[*]Theetext,whendisplayed,isclearlyreadable,anddoes*not*containcharactersotherthanthoseintendedbytheauthorofthework,althoughtilde(~),asterisk(*)andunderline(_)charactersmaybeusedtoconveypunctuationintendedbytheauthor,andadditionalcharactersmaybeusedtoindicatehypertextlinks;OR
[*]TheetextmaybereadilyconvertedbythereaderatnoexpenseintoplainASCII,EBCDICorequivalent
formbytheprogramthatdisplaystheetext(asisthecase,forinstance,withmostwordprocessors);OR
[*]Youprovide,oragreetoalsoprovideonrequestatnoadditionalcost,feeorexpense,acopyoftheetextinitsoriginalplainASCIIform(orinEBCDICorotherequivalentproprietaryform).
[2]Honortheetextrefundandreplacementprovisionsofthis"SmallPrint!"statement.
[3]PayatrademarklicensefeetotheFoundationof20%ofthe
grossprofitsyouderivecalculatedusingthemethodyoualreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Ifyoudon'tderiveprofits,noroyaltyisdue.Royaltiesarepayableto"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation"the60daysfollowingeachdateyouprepare(orwerelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourannual(orequivalentperiodic)taxreturn.Pleasecontactusbeforehandtoletusknowyourplansandtoworkoutthedetails.
WHATIFYOU*WANT*TOSENDMONEYEVENIFYOUDON'THAVETO?ProjectGutenbergisdedicatedtoincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableform.
TheProjectgratefullyacceptscontributionsofmoney,time,publicdomainmaterials,orroyaltyfreecopyrightlicenses.Moneyshouldbepaidtothe:"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."
Ifyouareinterestedincontributingscanningequipmentorsoftwareorotheritems,pleasecontactMichaelHartat:hart@pobox.com
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
7/51
[Portionsofthisheaderarecopyright(C)2001byMichaelS.HartandmaybereprintedonlywhentheseEtextsarefreeofallfees.][ProjectGutenbergisaTradeMarkandmaynotbeusedinanysalesofProjectGutenbergEtextsorothermaterialsbetheyhardwareorsoftwareoranyotherrelatedproductwithoutexpresspermission.]
*ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.07/27/01*END*
ThisetextwasproducedbyDavidWidger
[NOTE:Thereisashortlistofbookmarks,orpointers,attheendofthefileforthosewhomaywishtosampletheauthor'sideasbeforemakinganentiremealofthem.D.W.]
PRINCEZILAH
ByJULESCLARETIE
WithaPrefacebyCompted'HaussonvilleoftheFrenchAcademy
JULESCLARETIE
ArseneArnaudClaretie(commonlycalledJules),wasbornonDecember3,1840,atLimoges,thepicturesqueandsmilingcapitalofLimousin.Hehasbeenrightlycalledthe"RoidelaChronique"andthe"ThemistocledelaLitteratureContemporaine."Infact,hehaswritten,sinceearlyyouth,romances,drama,history,novels,tales,chronicles,dramaticcriticism,literarycriticism,militarycorrespondence,virtuallyeverything!HewaselectedtotheFrenchAcademyin1888.
ClaretiewaseducatedattheLyceeBonaparte,andwasdestinedforacommercialcareer.Heenteredabusiness-houseasbookkeeper,butwasatthesametimecontributingalreadytonewspapersandreviews.In1862wefindhimwritingfortheDiogene;underthepseudonym,"Olivierde
Jalin,"hesendsarticlestoLaFrance;hisnom-deplumeinL'Illustrationis"Perdican";healsocontributestotheFigaro,'L'IndependenceBelge,OpinionNationale'(1867-1872);hesignsarticlesinthe'Rappel;as"Candide";inshort,hisfecundityinthisfieldofliteratureisverygreat.Heistodayamostpopularjournalistandwritesforthe'Presse,PetitJournal,Temps',andothers.Hehasnotsucceededasapolitician.UnderthesecondEmpirehewasoftenincollisionwiththeGovernment;in1857hewassentencedtopayafineof1,000francs,whichwasasplendidinvestment;morethanoncelecturestobegivenbyhimwereprohibited(1865-1868);in1871hewasanunsuccessfulcandidateforL'Assemblee
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
8/51
Nationale,bothforLaHauteVienneandLaSeine.Sincethattimehehasnottakenanyactivepartinpolitics.PerhapsweshouldalsomentionthatasafriendofVictorNoirhewascalledasawitnessintheprocessagainstPeterBonaparte;andthatasadministratoroftheComedieFrancaisehedirected,in1899,anopenlettertothe"PresidentandMembersoftheCourtMartialtryingCaptainDreyfus"atRennes,advocatingthelatter'sacquittal.SomuchaboutClaretieasapolitician!
ThenumberofvolumesandessayswrittenbyJulesClaretiesurpassesimagination,anditis,therefore,almostimpossibletogiveacompletelist.Asahistorianhehasselectedmostlyrevolutionarysubjects.Thetitlesofsomeofhisprominentworksinthisfieldare'LesDerniersMontagnards(1867);HistoiredelaRevolutionde1870-71(secondedition,1875,5vols.);LaFranceEnvahie(1871);LeChampdeBatailledeSedan(1871);ParisassiegeandLesPrussienschezeux(1872);CinqAnsapres,L'AlsaceetlaLorrainedepuisl'Annexion(1876);LaGuerreNationale1870-1871',etc.,mostoftheminthehostile,anti-Germanvein,naturaltoa"Chauvinist";'RuinesetFantomes(1873).LesFemmesdelaRevolution(1898)'containsagreatnumberofportraits,studies,andcriticisms,partlybelongingtopolitical,partlytoliterary,history.Tothesamecategorybelong:Moliere,saVieetsesOEuvres(1873);PeintresetSculpteursContemporains,andT.B.Carpeaux(1875);L'ArtetlesArtistesContemporains(1876)',andothers.Quitedifferentfromthe
above,andinanotherphaseofthought,are:'Voyagesd'unParisien(1865);JourneesdeVoyageenEspagneetFrance(1870);JourneesdeVacances(1887)';andothers.
Itis,however,asanovelistthatthefameofClaretiewillendure.HehasfollowedthefootstepsofGeorgeSandandofBalzac.Hebelongstotheschoolof"Impressionists,"and,althoughhehasalikingforexceptionalsituations,wherefromhumanitydoesnotalwaysissuewithoutseriousblotches,heyetisfreefrompessimism.Hehasnonervousdisorder,no"brainfag,"heisnopagan,notevenanonbeliever,andhashappilypreservedhiswholesomenessofthought;heisaversetoexoticideas,extravagantdepiction,andinflammatorylanguage.Hisnovelsandtalescontaintheessentialqualitieswhichattractandretainthe
reader.Someofhisworksinchronologicalorder,omittingtwoorthreenovels,writtenwhenonlytwentyortwenty-oneyearsold,are:'Pierrille,HistoiredeVillage(1863);MademoiselleCachemire(1867);UnAssassin,alsoknownunderthetitleRobertBurat(1867);MadeleineBertin,repletewithmoderatedsentiment,tenderpassion,andexquisitescenesofsociallife(1868);LesMuscadins(1874,2vols.);LeTrainNo.17(1877);LaMaisonVide(1878);LeTroisiemedessous(1879);LaMaitresse(1880);MonsieurleMinistre(1882);MoeursduJour(1883);LePrinceZilah(1884),crownedbytheAcademyfouryearsbeforehewaselected;Candidat!(1887);Puyjoli(1890);L'Americaine(1892);LaFrontiere(1894);MariageManque(1894);Divette(1896);L'Accusateur(1897),andothers.
Itis,perhaps,interestingtoknowthataftertheflightoftheImperialfamilyfromtheTuileries,JulesClaretiewasappointedtoputintoorderthevariouspapers,documents,andlettersleftbehindingreatchaos,andtopublishthem,ifadvisable.
VerynumerousandbrillianthavealsobeentheincursionsofJulesClaretieintothetheatricaldomain,thoughheisabetternovelistthanplaywright.HewasappointeddirectoroftheComedieFrancaisein1885.Hisbestknowndramasandcomediesare:'LaFamilledeGueux,incollaborationwithDellaGattina(Ambigu,1869);RaymondLindey(Menus
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
9/51
Plaisirs,1869,forbiddenforsometimebyFrenchcensorship);LesMuscadins(TheatreHistorique,1874);UnPyre(withAdrienDecourcelle,Gymnase,1874);LeRegimentdeChampagne(TheatreHistorique,1877);MonsieurleMinistre,togetherwithDumasfilsandBusnach(Gymnase,1883);andPrinceZilah(Gymnase,1885).
Someofthem,aswillbenoticed,areadaptedtothestagefromhisnovels.InLeRegimentdeChampagne,atleast,hehaswrittenalittlemelodramatically.Butthankstothebattles,fumesofpowder,muskets,andcannonsuponthestagethedescendantsofJeanChauvinacceptitwithfreneticapplause.Inmostoftheplays,however,heexhibitsarathernervoustalent,richimagination,andusesveryscintillatingandpicturesquelanguage,ifheisinclinedtodoso--andheisveryofteninclined.Hereceivedthe"PrixVitet"in1879fromtheAcademyforLeDrapeau.DespiteourunlimitedadmirationforClaretiethejournalist,Claretiethehistorian,Claretiethedramatist,andClaretietheart-critic,wethinkhisnovelsconserveapreciousandinexhaustibleminefortheFaguetsandLansonsofthetwentiethcentury,who,whilefrequentlyutilizinghimfortheexemplificationoftheartoffiction,willsalutehimas"LeRoidelaRomance."
COMPTED'HAUSSONVILLEdeL'AcademieFrancaise.
PRINCEZILAH
BOOK1.
CHAPTERI
THEBETROTHALFETE
"Excuseme,Monsieur,butpraytellmewhatvesselthatisoverthere."
Thequestionwasaddressedtoasmall,darkman,who,leaningupontheparapetoftheQuaidesTuileries,wasrapidlywritinginanote-bookwithalargecombinationpencil,containingaknife,apen,spareleads,andapaper-cutter--alltheparaphernaliaofareporteraccustomedtotheexpeditionsofitinerantjournalism.
Whenhehadfilled,inhisrunninghand,aleafofthebook,thelittlemantoreithastilyoff,andextendedittoaboyindarkblueliverywithsilverbuttons,bearingtheinitialofthenewspaper,L'Actualite;andthen,stillcontinuingtowrite,hereplied:
"PrinceAndrasZilahisgivingafeteonboardoneoftheboatsbelongingtotheCompagniedelaSeine."
"Afete?Why?"
"Tocelebratehisapproachingmarriage,Monsieur."
"PrinceAndras!Ah!"saidthefirstspeaker,asifheknewthenamewell;"PrinceAndrasistobemarried,ishe?AndwhodoesPrinceAndrasZil--"
"Zilah!HeisaHungarian,Monsieur."
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
10/51
Thereporterappearedtobeinahurry,and,handinganotherleaftotheboy,hesaid:
"Waithereamoment.Iamgoingonboard,andIwillsendyoutherestofthelistofguestsbyasailor.Theycanpreparethearticlefromwhatyouhave,andsetitupinadvance,andIwillcomemyselftotheofficethiseveningandmakethenecessaryadditions."
"Verywell,MonsieurJacquemin."
"Anddon'tloseanyoftheleaves."
"Oh,MonsieurJacquemin!Ineverloseanything!"
"Theywillhavesomedifficulty,perhaps,inreadingthenames--theyareallqueer;butIshallcorrecttheproofmyself."
"Then,Monsieur,"askedtheloungeragain,eagertoobtainalltheinformationhecould,"thosepeoplewhoaregoingonboardarealmostallforeigners?"
"Yes,Monsieur;yes,Monsieur;yes,Monsieur!"respondedjacquemin,visiblyannoyed."Therearemanyforeignersinthecity,verymany;and
Ipreferthem,myself,totheprovincialsofParis."
Theotherdidnotseemtounderstand;buthesmiled,thankedthereporter,andstrolledawayfromtheparapet,tellingallthepeoplehemet:"Itisafete!PrinceAndras,aHungarian,isabouttobemarried.PrinceAndrasZilah!Afeteonboardasteamer!Whatadrollidea!"
Others,equallycurious,leanedovertheQuaidesTuileriesandwatchedthesteamer,whosetricolorflagatthestern,andredstreamersatthemastheads,floatedwithgayflutteringsinthefreshmorningbreeze.Theboatwasreadytostart,itsdeckswerewaxed,itsbenchescoveredwithbrilliantstuffs,andgreatmassesofazaleasandrosesgaveittheappearanceofagardenorconservatory.Therewassomethinghighly
attractivetotheloungersonthequayinthegaylydecoratedsteamer,sendingforthlongpuffsofwhitesmokealongthebank.Abandofdark-complexionedmusicians,cladinredtrousers,blackwaistcoatsheavilyembroideredinsombrecolors,androundfurcaps,playedoddairsuponthedeck;whilebeviesoflaughingwomen,almostallprettyintheirlightsummergowns,alightedfromcoupesandbarouches,descendedtheflightofstepsleadingtotheriver,andcrossedtheplanktotheboat,withlittlecoquettishgracesandstudiedraisingoftheskirts,allowingravishingglimpsesofprettyfeetandankles.Thedefileofmerry,wittyParisiennes,withtheirattendantcavaliers,whiletheorchestraplayedthepassionatenotesoftheHungarianczardas,resembledsomevisionofapainter,someembarkationforthedreamed-ofCythera,realizedbythefancyofanartist,apoet,oragreatlord,hereinnineteenthcentury
Paris,closetothebridge,acrosswhichstreamed,likealivingantithesis,therealismofcrowdedcabs,fullomnibuses,andhurryingfoot-passengers.
PrinceAndrasZilahhadinvitedhisfriends,thisJulymorning,toabreakfastintheopenair,beforethemovingpanoramaofthebanksoftheSeine.
VerywellknowninParisiansociety,whichhehadsoughteagerlywithanevidentdesiretobediverted,likeamanwhowishestoforget,the
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
11/51
formerdefenderofHungarianindependence,thesonofoldPrinceZilahSandor,whowasthelast,in1849,toholderectthetatteredstandardofhiscountry,hadbeenprodigalofhisinvitations,summoningtohissidehisfewintimatefriends,thesharersofhissolitudeandhisprivacy,andalsothegreaterpartofthosechancefugitiveacquaintanceswhichthelifeofParisinevitablygives,andwhichareblownawayaslightlyastheyappeared,inabreathofairorawhirlwind.
CountYanskiVarhely,theoldest,strongest,andmostdevotedfriendofallthosewhosurroundedthePrince,knewverywellwhythisfancifulideahadcometoAndras.Atforty-four,thePrincewasbiddingfarewelltohisbachelorlife:itwasnofolly,andYanskisawwithdelightthattheancientraceoftheZilahs,fromtimeimmemorialservantsofpatriotismandtheright,wasnottobeextinctwithPrinceAndras.Hungary,whosefutureseemedbrightening;neededtheZilahsinthefutureasshehadneededtheminthepast.
"Ihaveonlyoneobjectiontomaketothismarriage,"saidVarhely;"itshouldhavetakenplacesooner."Butamancannotcommandhishearttoloveatagivenhour.Whenveryyoung,AndrasZilahhadcaredforscarcelyanythingbuthiscountry;and,farfromher,inthebitternessofexile,hehadreturnedtothepassionofhisyouth,livinginParisonlyuponmemoriesofhisHungary.Hehadallowedyearafteryeartorollby,withoutthinkingofestablishingahomeofhisownbymarriage.
Alittlelate,butwithheartstillwarm,hisspirityoungandardent,andhisbodystrengthenedratherthanwornoutbylife,PrinceAndrasgavetoawoman'skeepinghiswholebeing,hissoulwithhisname,theoneasgreatastheother.Hewasabouttomarryagirlofhisownchoice,whomhelovedromantically;andhewishedtogiveasurroundingofpoeticgayetytothisfarewelltothepast,thisgreetingtothefuture.Themenofhisrace,indaysgoneby,hadalwaysdisplayedagorgeous,almostOrientaloriginality:thegenerouseccentricitiesofoneofPrinceAndras'sancestors,theoldMagyarZilah,wereoftencited;heitwaswhomadethisanswertohisstewards,when,figuresinhand,theyprovedtohim,that,ifhewouldfarmouttosomeEnglishorGermancompanythecultivationofhiswheat,corn,andoats,hewouldincreasehisrevenuebyaboutsixhundredthousandfrancsayear:
"ButshallImakethesesixhundredthousandfrancsfromthenourishmentofourlaborers,farmers,sowers,andgleaners?No,certainlynot;IwouldnomoretakethatmoneyfromthepoorfellowsthanIwouldtakethescatteredgrainsfromthebirdsoftheair."
ItwasalsothisgrandfatherofAndras,PrinceZilahFerency,who,whenhehadlostatcardsthewagesoftwohundredmasonsforanentireyear,employedthesemeninconstructingchateaux,whichheburneddownattheendoftheyeartogivehimselftheenjoymentoffireworksuponpicturesqueruins.
ThefortuneoftheZilahswasthenonaparwiththealmostfabulous,
incalculablewealthoftheEsterhazysandBatthyanyis.PrincePaulEsterhazyalonepossessedthreehundredandfiftysquareleaguesofterritoryinHungary.TheZichys,theKarolyisandtheSzchenyis,poorer,hadbuttwohundredatthistime,whenonlysixhundredfamilieswereproprietorsofsixthousandacresofHungariansoil,thenoblesofGreatBritainpossessingnotmorethanfivethousandinEngland.ThePrinceofLichtensteinentertainedforaweektheEmperorofAustria,hisstaffandhisarmy.OldFerencyZilahwouldhavedoneasmuchifhehadnotalwayscherishedaprofound,glowing,militanthatredofAustria:neverhadthefamilyofthemagnatesubmittedtoGermany,becomethe
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
12/51
master,anymorethanithadbentthekneeinformertimestotheconqueringTurk.
FromhisancestorsPrinceAndrasinherited,therefore,superbliberality,withafortunegreatlydiminishedbyallsortsoflossesandmisfortunes--halfofitconfiscatedbyAustriain1849,andenormoussumsexpendedforthenationalcause,Hungarianemigrantsandproscribedcompatriots.Zilahneverthelessremainedveryrich,andwasanimposingfigureinParis,where,someyearsbefore,afterlongjourneyings,hehadtakenuphisabode.
ThelittlefetegivenforhisfriendsonboardtheParisiansteamerwasatriflingmattertothedescendantofthemagnificentMagyars;butstilltherewasacertaincharmabouttheaffair,anditwasapleasureforthePrincetoseeuponthegarden-likedecktheamusing,frivolous,elegantsociety,whichwastheonehemingledwith,butwhichhetoweredabovefromtheheightofhisgreatintelligence,hisconscience,andhisconvictions.Itwasamixedandbizarresociety,ofdifferentnationalities;anassemblageofexoticpersonages,suchasaremetwithonlyinParisincertainpeculiarplaceswherearistocracytouchesBohemianism,andnoblesminglewithquasi-adventurers;akaleidoscopicsociety,graftingitsvicesuponParisianfollies,comingtoinhalethearomaandabsorbthepoisonofParis,addingtheretostrangeintoxications,andforming,intheimmenseagglomerationoftheold
Frenchcity,asortofpeculiarsyndicate,anoddcolony,whichbelongstoParis,butwhich,however,hasnothingofParisaboutitexceptitseccentricities,whichdrivepost-hastethroughlife,fillthelittlejournalswithitsgreatfollies,isfoundandfoundagainwhereverParisoverflows--atDieppe,Trouville,Vichy,Cauteret,uponthesandsofEtretat,undertheorange-treesofNice,oraboutthegamingtablesofMonaco,accordingtothehour,season,andfashion.
Thiswasthesortofassemblagewhich,powdered,perfumed,exquisitelydressed,invaded,withgaylaughterandnervousdesiretobeamused,theboatcharteredbythePrince.Above,pencilinhand,thelittledarkmanwiththekeeneyes,black,pointedbeardandwaxedmoustache,continuedtotakedown,asthecortegedefiledbeforehim,thelistoftheinvited
guests:andupontheleavesfell,brisklytraced,namesprintedahundredtimesadayinParisianchroniclesamongthereportsoftheracesoffirstrepresentationsatthetheatres;nameswithSlav,Latin,orSaxonterminations;Italiannames,Spanish,Hungarian,Americannames;eachofwhichrepresentedfortune,glory,power,sometimesscandal--oneofthoseimportedscandalswhichbreakoutinParisasthetrichinaeofforeigngoodsarehatchedthere.
Thereporterwroteon,wroteever,tearingoffandhandingtothepageattachedto'L'Actualite'thelastleavesofhislist,whereonfiguredYankeegeneralsoftheWaroftheRebellion,Italianprincesses,Americangirlsflirtingwitheverythingthatworetrousers;ladieswho,rivalsofPrinceZilahinwealth,ownedwholecountiessomewhereinEngland;great
Cubanlords,compromisedinthelatestinsurrectionsandcondemnedtodeathinSpain;Peruvianstatesmen,publicists,andmilitarychiefsatonce,mastersofthetongue,thepen,andtherevolver;acrowdoforiginals,evenaJapanese,anelegantyoungman,dressedinthelatestfashion,withaheavysombrerowhichresteduponhisstraight,inky-blackhair,andwhicheveryminuteortwohetookoffandplacedunderhisleftarm,tosalutethepeopleofhisacquaintancewithlowbowsinthemostapprovedFrenchmanner.
Alltheseoddpeople,astonishingalittleandinterestinggreatlythe
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
13/51
groupsofParisiansgatheredaboveonthesidewalks,crossedthegangwayleadingtotheboat,and,spreadingaboutonthedeck,gazedatthebanksandthehouses,orlistenedtotheczardaswhichtheHungarianmusicianswereplayingwithasortofsavagefrenzybeneaththeFrenchtricolorunitedtothethreecolorsoftheirowncountry.
TheTziganithussalutedtheembarkationoftheguests;andtheclear,brightsunshineenvelopedthewholeboatwithagoldenaureole,joyouslyilluminatingthesceneoffeverishgayetyandchildishlaughter.
CHAPTERII
THEBARONESS'SMATCHMAKING
ThePrinceZilahmethisguestswitheasygrace,onthedeckinfrontofthefoot-bridge.Hehadapleasantwordforeachoneastheycameonboard,happyandsmilingattheideaofabreakfastonthedeckofasteamer,anovelamusementwhichmadetheseinsatiablepleasure-seekersforgetthefashionablerestaurantsandtheconventionalreceptionsofeveryday.
"Whatacharmingthoughtthiswasofyours,Prince,sounexpected,soParisian,ah,entirelyParisian!"
InalmostthesamewordsdideachnewcomeraddressthePrince,whosmiled,andrepeatedaphrasefromJacquemin'schronicles:"ForeignersaremoreParisianthantheParisiansthemselves."
Asmilelentanunexpectedcharmtothealmostseverefeaturesofthehost.Hisusualexpressionwasrathersad,andatriflehaughty.Hisforeheadwasbroadandhigh,theforeheadofathinkerandastudentratherthanthatofasoldier;hiseyeswereofadeep,clearblue,lookingdirectlyateverything;hisnosewasstraightandregular,andhisbeardandmoustachewereblond,slightlygrayatthecornersofthe
mouthandthechin.Hiswholeappearance,suggesting,asitdid,reservedstrengthandcontrolledpassion,pleasedallthemorebecause,whilecommandingrespect,itattractedsympathybeneaththepowerfulexterior,youfelttherewasatenderkindlinessofheart.
TherewasnoneedforthenameofPrinceAndrasZilah--or,astheysayinHungary,ZilahAndras--tohavebeenwrittenincharactersofbloodinthehistoryofhiscountry,foronetodivinetheheroinhim:hiserectfigure,thecarriageofhishead,bravinglifeasithaddefiedthebulletsoftheenemy,thestrangebrillianceofhisgaze,thesweetinflectionsofhisvoiceaccustomedtocommand,andthealmostcaressinggesturesofhishandusedtothesword--allshowedthegoodmanunderthebrave,and,beneaththeindomitablesoldier,thetruegentleman.
Whentheyhadshakenthehandoftheirhost,theguestsadvancedtothebowoftheboattosaluteayounggirl,anexquisite,palebrunette,withgreat,sadeyes,andasmileofinfinitecharm,whowashalf-extendedinalowarmchairbeneathmassesofbrilliantparti-coloredflowers.Astoutman,oftheRussiantype,withheavyreddishmoustachesstreakedwithgray,andanapoplecticneck,stoodbyherside,buttonedupinhisfrock-coatasinamilitaryuniform.
Everynowandthen,leaningoverandbrushingwithhismoustachesher
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
14/51
delicatewhiteear,hewouldask:
"Areyouhappy,Marsa?"
AndMarsawouldanswerwithasmileendinginasigh,asshevaguelycontemplatedthescenebeforeher:
"Yes,uncle,veryhappy."
Notfarfromthesetwowasalittlewoman,stillverypretty,althoughofacertainage--theageofembonpoint--abrunette,withverydelicatefeatures,alittlesensualmouth,andprettyrosyearspeepingforthfromskilfullyarrangedmassesofblackhair.Withaplump,dimpledhand,sheheldbeforehermyopiceyesapairofgold-mountedglasses;andshewasspeakingtoamanofrathersternaspect,withaSlavphysiognomy,alargehead,crownedwithamassofcrinklyhairaswhiteaslamb'swool,along,whitemoustache,andshouldersasbroadasanox;amanalreadyold,butwiththerobuststrengthofanoak.Hewasdressedneitherwellnorill,lackingdistinction,butwithoutvulgarity.
"Indeed,mydearVarhely,IamenchantedwiththisideaofPrinceAndras.Iamenjoyingmyselfexcessivelyalready,andIintendtoenjoymyselfstillmore.Doyouknow,thisschemeofabreakfastonthewaterissimplydelightful!Don'tyoufinditso?Oh!dobealittlejolly,
Varhely!"
"DoIseemsad,then,Baroness?"
YanskiVarhely,thefriendofPrinceAndras,wasveryhappy,however,despitehisrathersombreair.Heglancedalternatelyatthelittlewomanwhoaddressedhim,andatMarsa,twoverydifferenttypesofbeauty:Andras'sfiancee,slenderandpaleasabeautifullily,andthelittleBaronessDinati,roundandrosyasaripepeach.AndhewasdecidedlypleasedwiththisMarsaLaszlo,againstwhomhehadinstinctivelyfeltsomeprejudicewhenZilahspoketohimforthefirsttimeofmarryingher.TomakeofaTzigana--forMarsawashalfTzigana--aPrincessZilah,seemedtoCountVarhelyaslightlyboldresolution.
Thebraveoldsoldierhadneverunderstoodmuchofthefantasticcapricesofpassion,andAndrasseemedtohiminthis,asinallotherthings,justalittleromantic.But,afterall,thePrincewashisownmaster,andwhateveraZilahdidwaswelldone.So,afterreflection,Zilah'smarriagebecameajoytoVarhely,ashehadjustbeendeclaringtothefiancee'suncle,GeneralVogotzine.
BaronessDinatiwasthereforewrongtosuspectoldYanskiVarhelyofany'arriere-pensee'.Howwasitpossibleforhimnottobeenchanted,whenhesawAndrasabsolutelybeamingwithhappiness?
Theywerenowabouttodepart,toraisetheanchorandglidedowntheriveralongthequays.AlreadyPaulJacquemin,castinghislastleaves
tothepageofL'Actualite,wasquicklydescendingthegangplank.Zilahscarcelynoticedhim,forheutteredaveritablecryofdelightasheperceivedbehindthereporterayoungmanwhomhehadnotexpected.
"Menko!MydearMichel!"heexclaimed,stretchingoutbothhandstothenewcomer,whoadvanced,excessivelypale."BywhathappychancedoIseeyou,mydearboy?"
"IheardinLondonthatyouweretogivethisfete.TheEnglishnewspapershadannouncedyourmarriage,andIdidnotwishtowait
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
15/51
longer--I----."
Hehesitatedalittleashespoke,asifdissatisfied,troubled,andamomentbefore(Zilahhadnotnoticedit)hehadmadeamovementasiftogobacktothequayandleavetheboat.
MichelMenko,however,hadnottheairofatimidman.Hewastall,thin,ofgracefulfigure,amanoftheworld,amilitarydiplomat.Forsomereasonorother,atthismoment,heexhibitedacertainuneasinessinhisface,whichordinarilyborearatherbrilliantcolor,butwhichwasnowalmostsallow.HewasinstinctivelyseekingsomeoneamongthePrince'sguests,andhisglancewanderedaboutthedeckwithasortofdullanger.
PrinceAndrassawonlyonethinginMenko'ssuddenappearance;theyoungman,towhomhewasdeeplyattached,andwhowastheonlyrelativehehadintheworld(hismaternalgrandmotherhavingbeenaCountessMenko),hisdearMichel,wouldbepresentathismarriage.HehadthoughtMenkoillinLondon;butthelatterappearedbeforehim,andthedaywasdecidedlyahappyone.
"Howhappyyoumakeme,mydearfellow!"hesaidtohiminatoneofaffectionwhichwasalmostpaternal.
EachdemonstrationoffriendshipbythePrinceseemedtoincreasetheyoungCount'sembarrassment.Beneathapolishedmanner,theevidenceofanimperioustemperamentappearedintheslightestglance,theleastgesture,ofthishandsomefellowoftwenty-sevenortwenty-eightyears.Seeinghimpassby,onecouldeasilyimaginehimwithhisfashionableclothescastaside,and,cladintheuniformoftheHungarianhussars,withcloselyshavenchin,andmoustachesbrushedfiercelyupward,manoeuvringhishorseonthePraterwithsupplegraceandnerveslikesteel.
Menko'sgrayeyes,withbluereflectionsinthem,whichmadeonethinkofthereflectionofastorminaplacidlake,becamesadwhencalm,butwerefullofathreateninglightwhenanimated.Thegazeoftheyoung
manhadpreciselythisaggressivelookwhenhediscovered,halfhiddenamongtheflowers,Marsaseatedinthebowoftheboat;then,almostinstantaneouslyasingularexpressionofsorroworanguishsucceeded,onlyinitsturntofadeawaywiththerapidityofthelightofafallingstar;andtherewasperfectcalminMenko'sattitudeandexpressionwhenPrinceZilahsaidtohim:
"Come,Michel,letmepresentyoutomyfiancee.Varhelyistherealso."
And,takingMenko'sarm,heledhimtowardMarsa."See,"hesaidtotheyounggirl,"myhappinessiscomplete."
She,asMichelMenkobowedlowbeforeher,coldlyandalmost
imperceptiblyinclinedherdarkhead,whileherlargeeyes,undertheshadowoftheirheavylashes,seemedvainlytryingtomeetthegrayeyesoftheyoungman.
AndrasbeckonedVarhelytocometoMarsa,whowaswhiteasmarble,andsaidsoftly,withahandontheshoulderofeachofthetwofriends,whorepresentedtohimhiswholelife--Varhely,thepast;MichelMenko,hisrecoveredyouthandthefuture.
"Ifitwerenotforthatstupidsuperstitionwhichforbidsoneto
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
16/51
proclaimhishappiness,IshouldtellyouhowhappyIam,veryhappy.Yes,thehappiestofmen,"headded.
Meanwhile,thelittleBaronessDinati,theprettybrunette,whohadjustfoundVarhelyatriflemelancholy,hadturnedtoPaulJacquemin,theaccreditedreporterofhersalon.
"Thathappiness,Jacquemin,"shesaid,withaproudwaveofthehand,"ismywork.Withoutme,thosetwocharmingsavages,sowellsuitedtoeachother,MarsaandAndrasZilah,wouldneverhavemet.Onwhatdoeshappinessdepend!"
"OnaninvitationcardengravedbyStern,"laughedJacquemin."Butyouhavesaidtoomuch,Baroness.Youmusttellmethewholestory.Thinkwhatanarticleitwouldmake:TheBaroness'sMatchmaking!Theromance!Quick,theromance!Theromance,ordeath!"
"Youhavenoideahownearyouaretothetruth,mydearJacquemin:itisindeedaromance;and,whatismore,aromanticromance.Aromancewhichhasnoresemblanceto--youhaveinventedtheword--thosebrutalisticstorieswhichyouaresofondof."
"WhichIamveryfondof,Baroness,Iconfess,especiallywhentheyarejustalittle--youknow!"
"ButthisromanceofPrinceAndrasisbynomeansjustalittle--youknow!Itis--howshallIexpressit?Itisepic,heroic,romantic--whatyouwill.Iwillrelateittoyou."
"Itwillsellfiftythousandcopiesofourpaper,"gaylyexclaimedJacquemin,openinghisears,andtakingnotesmentally.
CHAPTERIII
THESTORYOFTHEZILAHS
AndrasZilah,TransylvanianCountandPrinceoftheHolyEmpire,wasoneofthoseheroeswhodevotetheirwholelivestooneaim,and,whentheylove,lovealways.
Bornforaction,forchivalrousandincessantstruggle,hehadsacrificedhisfirstyouthtobattlingforhiscountry."TheHungarianwascreatedonhorseback,"saysaproverb,andAndrasdidnotbeliethesaying.In'48,attheageoffifteen,hewasinthesaddle,chargingtheCroatianhussars,theredcloaks,theterribledarkskinnedOttochanhorsemen,utteringfrightfulyells,andbrandishingtheirbigdamascenedguns.ItseemedthentoyoungAndrasthathewasassistingatoneofthe
combatsoftheMiddleAges,duringoneofthoserevoltsagainsttheOsmanlis,ofwhichhehadheardsomuchwhenachild.
Intheoldcastle,withtowerspaintedredintheancientfashion,wherehewasbornandhadgrownup,Andras,likeallthemalesofhisfamilyandhiscountry,hadbeenimbuedwithmemoriesoftheoldwars.Afewmilesfromhisfather'sdomainrosetheCastleoftheIsle,which,inthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury,ZringihaddefendedagainsttheTurks,displayingloftycourageandunconquerableaudacity,andforcingSolimantheMagnificenttoleavethirtythousandsoldiersbeneaththewalls,the
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
17/51
SultanhimselfdyingbeforehecouldsubjugatetheHungarian.OftenhadAndras'sfather,castinghissonuponahorse,setout,followedbyatrainofcavaliers,forMohacz,wheretheMussulmanshadonceoverwhelmedthesoldiersofyoungKingLouis,whodiedwithhisownfamilyandeveryHungarianwhowasabletocarryarms.PrinceZilahrelatedtothelittlefellow,wholistenedtohimwithburningtearsofrage,thestoryofthedaysofmourningandtheterriblemassacreswhichnoHungarianhaseverforgotten.Thenhetoldhimofthegreatrevolts,thepatrioticuprisings,theexploitsofBotzkai,BethlenGabor,orRakoczy,whoseproudbattlehymnmadethebloodsurgethroughtheveinsofthelittleprince.
OnceatBuda,thefatherhadtakenthesontothespot,where,in1795,felltheheadsofnobleHungarians,accusedofrepublicanism;andhesaidtohim,astheboystoodwithuncoveredhead:
"ThisplaceiscalledtheFieldofBlood.Martinowitzwasbeheadedhereforhisfaith.Remember,thataman'slifebelongstohisduty,andnottohishappiness."
Andwhenhereturnedtothegreatsombrehallsofthecastle,whenceinbygonedaystheTurkshaddrivenouthisancestors,andwhence,intheirturn,throwingofftheyokeoftheconquerors,hisancestorshaddrivenouttheTurks,littlePrinceAndrasfoundagainexamplesbeforehimin
thegiantsinsemi-orientalcostumes,glitteringinsteelordrapedinpurple,wholookeddownuponhimfromtheirframes;smoke-blackenedpaintingswhereintheeagleeyesandlongmoustachesofblackhussars,contemporariesofSobieski,ormagnatesinfurredrobes,withaigrettesintheircaps,andcurvedsabresgarnishedwithpreciousstonesandenamel,attractedandheldspellboundthesilentchild,whilethroughthewindowfloatedin,sungbysomeshepherd,orplayedbywanderingTzigani,therefrainoftheoldpatrioticballad'CzatyDemeter',theoriginofwhichislostinthemistofages
Remember,oh,yes!rememberourancestors!Brave,proudMagyars,whenyouleftthelandoftheScythians,braveancestors,greatforefathers,youdidnotsuspectthatyoursonswouldbeslaves!
Remember,oh,yes!rememberourancestors!
Andrasdidrememberthem,andheknewbyhearttheirhistory.HeknewtheheroismofPrinceZilahSandorfallinginMohaczin1566besidehiswifeHanskawhohadfollowedhim,leavinginthecradlehersonJanski,whosegrandson,ZilahJanos,in1867,attheveryplacewherehisancestorhadbeenstruck,sabredtheTurks,crying:"SandorandHanska,lookdownuponme;yourbloodavengesyou!"
Therewasnotoneofthosemen,whoseportraitsfollowedthechildwiththeirblackeyes,whowasnotrecordedinthehistoryofhiscountryforsomestartlingdeedornoblesacrifice.AllhadfoughtforHungary:thegreaterparthaddiedforher.Therewasasayingthatthedeathbedof
theZilahswasabloodybattleground.WhenheofferedhisnameandhislifetoMariaTheresa,oneoftheZilahprinceshadsaidproudlytotheEmpress:"YoudemandoftheHungariansgold,theybringyousteel.Thegoldwastonourishyourcourtiers,thesteelwillbetosaveyourcrown.Forward!"Theseterribleancestorswere,besides,likeallthemagnatesofHungary,excessivelyproudoftheirnobilityandtheirpatriarchalsystemoffeudalism.Theyknewhowtoprotecttheirpeasants,whoweretrainedsoldiers,howtofightforthem,andhowtodieattheirhead;butforceseemedtothemsupremejustice,andtheyaskednothingbuttheirswordwithwhichtodefendtheirright.Andras'sfather,Prince
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
18/51
Sandor,educatedbyaFrenchtutorwhohadbeendrivenfromParisbytheRevolution,wasthefirstofallhisfamilytoformanyperceptionofacivilizationbaseduponjusticeandlaw,andnotuponthealmightypowerofthesabre.Theliberaleducationwhichhehadreceived,PrinceSandortransmittedtohisson.Thepeasants,whodetestedtheprideoftheMagyars,andthemiddleclassesofthecities,mostlytradesmenwhoenviedthecastlesofthesemagnates,soonbecameattracted,fascinated,andenrapturedwiththistransformationintheancientfamilyoftheZilahs.Noman,notevenGeorgei,theSpartanlikesoldier,northeillustriousKossuth,wasmorepopularin1849,atthetimeofthestruggleagainstAustria,thanPrinceSandorZilahandhisson,thenahandsomeboyofsixteen,butstrongandwellbuiltasayouthoftwenty.
Atthisyouthfulage,AndrasZilahhadbeenoneofthosemagnates,who,the'kalpach'onthehead,thenational'attila'overtheshoulderandthehanduponthehiltofthesword,hadgonetoViennatopleadbeforetheEmperorthecauseofHungary.Theywerenotlistenedto,andoneevening,thenegotiationsprovingfutile,CountBatthyanyisaidtoJellachich:
"WeshallsoonmeetagainupontheDrave!"
"No,"respondedtheBanofCroatia,"IwillgomyselftoseekyouupontheDanube!"
Thiswaswar;andPrinceSandorwent,withhisson,tofightbravelyfortheoldkingdomofSt.StephenagainstthecannonandsoldiersofJellachich.
AlltheseyearsofbloodandbattlewerenowhalfforgottenbyPrinceAndras;butoftenYanskiVarhely,hiscompanionofthosedaysofhardship,theboldsoldierwhoinformertimeshadsooftenbravedthebroadswordoftheBohemiancuirassiersofAuersperg'sregiment,wouldrecalltohimthepastwithamournfulshakeofthehead,andrepeat,ironically,thebitterrefrainofthesongofdefeat:
Dance,dance,daughtersofHungary!
Treadnowthemeasuresolongdelayed.Murderedoursonsbytheshotorthehangman!Inthislandofpleasure,oh!benotdismayed;--Nowisthetime,browndaughtersofHungary,Todancetothemeasureoftrueheartsbetrayed!
Andthen,thesemelancholywordscallingupthememoryofdisaster,allwouldrevivebeforeAndrasZilah'seyes--thedaysofmourningandthedaysofglory;theexploitsofBem;thevictoriesofDembiski;theAustrianflagstakenatGoedolloe;theassaultsofBuda;thedefenceofComorn;Austria,dejectedanddefeated,imploringtheaidofRussia;Hungary,beatenbytheforceofnumbers,yetresistingPaskiewichasshehadresistedHaynau,andappealingtoEuropeandtheworldinthenameof
theeternallawofnations,whichthevanquishedinvoke,butwhichisneverlistenedtobythecountrieswherethelionistearinghisprey.Andagain,ZilahwouldremembertheheroicfatherlandstruckdownatTemesvar;theremnantsofanarmedpeopleinrefugeatArad;andKlapkastillholdingoutintheislandofComornatthemomentwhenGeorgeihadsurrendered.Then,again,theobscuredeathsofhiscomrades;theagoniesintheditchesandinthedepthsofthewoods;thelastdespairingcriesofaconqueredpeopleoverwhelmedbynumbers:
Dance,dance,daughtersofHungary!
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
19/51
Allthisbloodypast,envelopedasinacrimsoncloud,butgloriouswithitsgleamsofhopeanditsflashesofvictory,thePrincewouldrevivewitholdVarhely,inthecornerofwhoseeyeatintervalsatearwouldglisten.
TheybothsawagainthelastdaysofComorn,withtheDanubeatthefootofthewalls,andtheleavesofthetreeswhirlingintheSeptemberwind,anddispersedliketheHungariansthemselves;andtheshellsfallingupontheramparts;andthelasthoursofthesiege;andtheyearsofmournfulsadnessandexile;theircompanionsdecimated,imprisoned,ledtothegallowsorthestake;thefrightfulsilenceandruinfallinglikeawinding-sheetoverHungary;thehousesdeserted,thefieldslaidwaste,andthecountry,fertileyesterday,coverednowwiththoseMuscovitethistles,whichwereunknowninHungarybeforetheyearofmassacre,andtheseedsofwhichtheCossackhorseshadimportedintheirthickmanesandtails.
BelovedHungary,whosesons,disdainingtheuniverse,usedproudlytoboast:"Havewenotallthatmanneeds?Banat,whichgivesuswheat;Tisza,wine;themountain,goldandsalt.Ourcountryissufficientforherchildren!"Andthiscountry,thisfruitfulcountry,wasnowcoveredwithgibbetsandcorpses.
CHAPTERIV
"WHENHUNGARYISFREE!"
AllthesebittermemoriesPrinceAndras,inspiteoftheyearsthathadpassed,kepteverinhismindonesadandtragicevent--theburialofhisfather,SandorZilah,whowasshotintheheadbyabulletduringanencounterwiththeCroatsearlyinthemonthofJanuary,1849.
PrinceSandorwasabletograspthehandofhisson,andmurmurinthe
earofthisheroofsixteen:
"Remember!Loveanddefendthefatherland!"
Then,astheAustrianswerecloseathand,itwasnecessarytoburythePrinceinatrenchduginthesnow,atthefootofaclumpoffir-trees.
SomeHungarian'honveds,bourgeois'militia,andVarhely'shussarsheldattheedgeoftheblackopeningresinoustorches,whichthewintrywindshooklikescarletplumes,andwhichstainedthesnowwithgreatredspotsoflight.Erect,attheheadoftheditch,hisfingersgraspingthehandofYanskiVarhely,youngPrinceAndrasgazedupontheearthybed,where,inhishussar'suniform,layPrinceSandor,hislongblond
moustachefallingoverhisclosedmouth,hisblood-stainedhandscrosseduponhisblackembroideredvest,hisrighthandstillclutchingthehandleofhissabre,andonhisforehead,likeastar,theroundmarkofthebitofleadthathadkilledhim.
Above,thewhitenedbranchesofthefirslookedlikespectres,andupontheupturnedfaceofthedeadsoldierfellflakesofsnowlikecongealedtears.Undertheflickeringofthetorch-flames,blownaboutbythenorthwind,theheroseemedattimestomoveagain,andawilddesirecametoAndrastoleapdownintothegraveandsnatchawaythebody.He
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
20/51
wasanorphannow,hismotherhavingdiedwhenhewasaninfant,andhewasaloneintheworld,withonlythestanchfriendshipofVarhelyandhisdutytohiscountrytosustainhim.
"Iwillavengeyou,father,"hewhisperedtothepatriot,whocouldnolongerhearhiswords.
Thehussarsandhonvedshadadvanced,readytofireafinalsalvooverthegraveofthePrince,when,suddenly,glidingbetweentheranksofthesoldiers,appearedabandofTzigani,whobegantoplaytheMarchofRakoczy,theHungarianMarseillaise,thestirringmelodypealingforthinthenight-air,andlendingacertainmysteriouslytouchingelementtothesadscene.Aquickshudderranthroughtheranksofthesoldiers,readytobecomeavengers.
Thenationalhymnrangoutlikeasongofgloryovertheresting-placeofthevanquished.Thesoulofthedeadseemedtospeakinthevoiceoftheheroicmusic,recallingtotheharassedcontestantsforlibertythegreatdaysoftherevoltsofthefatherland,theoldmemoriesofthestrugglesagainsttheTurks,thefuriouschargesofthecavaliersacrossthefreepuszta,thevastHungarianplain.
Andwhile,withlongsweepsofhisarm,thechiefoftheTziganimarkedthemeasure,andthe'czimbalom'pouredforthitsheartrendingnotes,
itseemedtothepoorfellowsgatheredaboutthatthemusicoftheMarchofRakoczysummonedawholefantasticsquadronofavengers,horsemenwithfloatingpelissesandherons'plumesintheirhats,who,erectintheirsaddlesandwithsabresdrawn,struck,struckthefrightenedenemy,andrecovered,footbyfoot,theconqueredterritory.Therewasinthisexaltedmarchasoundofhorses'hoofs,theclashofarms,ashakingoftheearthunderthegallopofhorsemen,aflashofagraffes,arustleofpelissesinthewind,anheroicgayetyandachivalrousbravery,likethecryofawholepeopleofcavalierssoundingthechargeofdeliverance.
AndtheyoungPrince,gazingdownuponhisdeadfather,rememberedhowmanytimesthosemutelipshadrelatedtohimthelegendoftheczardas,thatlegend,symbolicofthehistoryofHungary,summingupallthe
bitterpainoftheconquest,whenthebeautifuldarkgirlsofTransylvaniadanced,theirtearsburningtheircheeks,underthelashoftheOsmanlis.Atfirst,coldandmotionless,likestatueswhosecalmlookssilentlyinsultedtheirpossessors,theystooderectbeneaththeeyeoftheTurk;thenlittlebylittle,thestingofthemaster'swhipfallingupontheirshouldersandtearingtheirsidesandcheeks,theirbodiestwistedinpainful,revoltedspasms;thefleshtrembledunderthecordlikethemusclesofahorsebeneaththespur;and,inthemorbidexaltationofsuffering,asortofwilddeliriumtookpossessionofthem,theirarmswerewavedintheair,theirheadswithhairdishevelledwerethrownbackward,andthecaptives,utteringasoundatonceplaintiveandmenacing,danced,theirdance,atfirstslowandmelancholy,becominggraduallyactive,nervous,andinterruptedbycrieswhichresembledsobs.
AndtheHungarianczardas,symbolizingthusthedanceofthesemartyrs,keptstill,willalwayskeep,thecharacteristicofcontortionsunderthelashofbygonedays;and,slowandlanguishingatfirst,thensoonquickandagitated,tragicallyhysterical,italsoisinterruptedbymelancholychords,dreary,mournfulnotesandplaintiveaccentslikedropsofbloodfromawound-fromthemortalwoundofPrinceSandor,lyingthereinhismartialuniform.
ThebronzedTzigani,fantasticallyilluminedbytheredglareofthetorches,stoodoutagainstthewhitebackgroundlikedemonsofrevenge;
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
21/51
andthehymn,feverish,bold,ardent,echoedthroughthesnow-coveredbrancheslikeahurricaneofvictory.Theywerewanderingmusicians,who,theeveningbefore,hadbeendiscoveredinaneighboringvillagebysomeofJellachich'sCroats,andwhomPrinceSandorhadunceremoniouslyrescuedattheheadofhishussars;andtheyhadcome,withtheirancientnationalairs,thevoiceoftheircountry,topaytheirdebttothefallenhero.
Whentheyhadfinished,thewintrynight-windbearingawaythelastnotesoftheirwar-song,thepistolsofthehussarsandthegunsofthehonvedsdischargedasaluteoverthegrave.TheearthandsnowwereshovelledinuponthebodyofSandorZilah,andPrinceAndrasdrewaway,aftermarkingwithacrosstheplacewherehisfatherreposed.
Afewpacesaway,heperceived,amongtheTziganimusicians,ayounggirl,theonlywomanofthetribe,whoweptwithmournfulsobbingsliketheechoesofthedesertsoftheOrient.
Hewonderedwhythegirlweptsobitterly,whenhe,theson,couldnotshedatear.
"BecausePrinceZilahSandorwasvaliantamongthevaliant,"shereplied,inanswertohisquestion,"andhediedbecausehewouldnotwearthetalismanwhichIofferedhim."
Andraslookedatthegirl.
"Whattalisman?"
"SomepebblesfromthelakesofTatra,sewnupinalittleleatherbag."
AndrasknewwhatapowerfulsuperstitionisattachedbythepeopleofHungarytothesedeeplakesofTatra,the"eyesofthesea,"where,saytheoldlegends,themostbeautifulcarbuncleintheworldlieshidden,acarbunclewhichwouldsparklelikethesun,ifitcouldbediscovered,andwhichisguardedbyfrogswithdiamondeyesandwithlumpsofpuregoldforfeet.Hefeltmoretouchedthanastonishedatthesuperstition
oftheTzigana,andattheofferwhich,theeveningbefore,PrinceSandorhadrefusedwithasmile.
"Givemewhatyouwishedtogivemyfather,"hesaid."Iwillkeepitinmemoryofhim."
Abright,joyouslightflashedforamomentacrossthefaceoftheTzigana.SheextendedtotheyoungPrincethelittlebagofleathercontainingseveralsmall,roundpebbleslikegrainsofmaize.
"Atallevents,"exclaimedtheyoung.girl,"therewillbeoneZilahwhomtheballsoftheCroatswillspareforthesafetyofHungary."
Andrasslowlydetachedfromhisshoulderthesilveragraffe,setwithopals,whichclaspedhisfurpelisse,andhandedittothegypsy,whoregardeditwithadmiringeyesasitflashedintheredlight.
"Thedaywhenmyfatherisavenged,"hesaid,"andourHungaryisfree,bringmethisjewel,andyouandyourscometothecastleoftheZilahs.Iwillgiveyoualifeofpeaceinmemoryofthisnightofmourning."
Already,atadistance,couldbeheardarapidfusilladeabouttheoutposts.TheAustrianshadperhapsperceivedthelightfromthe
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
22/51
torches,andwereattemptinganightattack.
"Extinguishthetorches!"criedYanskiVarhely.
Theresinousknotshissedastheywerethrustintothesnow,andtheblack,sinisternightofwinter,withthecriesofthewindinthebranches,felluponthetroopofmen,readytodieastheirchiefhaddied;andalldisappearedvision,phantoms--theTziganisilentlytakingrefugeinthesombreforest,whilehereandtherecouldbeheardtherattleoftheramrodsasthehonvedsloadedtheirguns.
ThisJanuarynightappearednowtoAndrasasanalmostfantasticdream.SincethenhehaderectedamausoleumofmarbleontheveryspotwherePrinceSandorfell;andofallthemomentsofthatromantic,picturesquewar,theagonizingmoment,thewildsceneoftheburialofhisfather,wasmostvividinhismemory--thepictureofthewarriorstretchedinthesnow,hishandonthehandleofhissword,remainedbeforehiseyes,imperishableinitsmelancholymajesty.
CHAPTERV
"MYFATHERWASARUSSIAN!"
Whenthewarwasover,thePrinceroamedsadlyforyearsaboutEurope--Europe,which,unmindfulofthemartyrs,hadpermittedthemassacreofthevanquished.Itwasmanyyearsbeforehecouldaccustomhimselftotheideathathehadnolongeracountry.Hecountedalwaysuponthefuture;itwasimpossiblethatfatewouldforeverbeimplacabletoanation.HeoftenrepeatedthistoYanskiVarhely,whohadneverforsakenhim--YanskiVarhely,theimpoverishedoldhussar,theruinedgentleman,nowprofessorofLatinandmathematicsatParis,andlivingnearthePrinceofftheproductofhislessonsandasmallremnanthehadmanagedtosavefromthewreckofhisproperty.
"Hungarywillspringupagain,Yanski;Hungaryisimmortal!"Andraswouldexclaim.
"Yes,ononecondition,"wasVarhely'sresponse."Shemustarriveatacomprehensionthatifshehassuccumbed,itisbecauseshehascommittedfaults.Alldefeatshavetheirgeneses.Beforetheenemywewerenotaunit.Thereweretoomanydiscussions,andnotenoughaction;suchastateofaffairsisalwaysfatal."
TheyearsbroughthappychangestoHungary.Shepracticallyregainedherfreedom;byherfirmnessshemadetheconquestofherownautonomybythesideofAustria.Deak'sspirit,inthepersonofAndrassy,recoveredthepossessionofpower.ButneitherAndrasnorVarhelyreturnedtotheir
country.ThePrincehadbecome,ashehimselfsaidwithasmile,"aMagyarofParis."Hegrewaccustomedtotheintellectual,refinedlifeoftheFrenchcity;andthiswasaconsolation,attimes,fortheexilefromhisnativeland.
"ItisnotadifficultthingtobecomebewitchedwithParis,"hewouldsay,asiftoexcusehimself.
Hehadnolonger,itistrue,themagnificentlandscapesofhisyouth;thefieldsofmaize,thesteppes,dottedhereandtherewithclumpsof
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
23/51
wildroses;theCarpathianpines,withtheirsombremurmur;andalltheeveningsoundswhichhadbeenhisinfancy'slullaby;thecowbells,melancholyandindistinct;thesnappingofthegreatwhipsoftheczikos;themountedshepherds,withtheirhussarjackets,crossingtheplainswheregrewtheplantspeculiartothecountry;andthebroadhorizonswiththeenormousarmsofthewindmillsoutlinedagainstthegoldensunset.ButParis,withitsever-varyingseductions,itsactivityinartandscience,itsperpetualmovement,hadendedbybecomingarealneedtohim,likeanewexistenceaspreciousandaslovedasthefirst.Thesoldierhadbecomeamanofletters,jottingdownforhimself,notforthepublic,allthatstruckhiminhisobservationandhisreading;minglinginallsocieties,knowingthemall,butesteemingonlyone,thatofhonestpeople;andthuslettingtheyearspassby,withoutsuspectingthattheywereflying,regardinghimselfsomewhatasamanawayonavisit,andsuddenlyawakingonefinemorningalmostold,wonderinghowhehadlivedallthistimeofexilewhich,despitemanymentaltroubles,seemedtohimtohavelastedonlyafewmonths.
"Weresemble,"hesaidtoVarhely,"thoseemigrantswhoneverunpacktheirboxes,certainthattheyaresoontoreturnhome.Theywait,andsomeday,catchingaglimpseofthemselvesinaglass,theyareamazedtofindwrinklesandgrayhairs."
Nolongerhavingahomeinhisowncountry,PrinceAndrashadnever
dreamedofmakinganotherabroad.HehiredthesumptuoushotelheinhabitedatthetopoftheChampsElysees,whenhouseswereratherscatteredthere.Fashion,andtheascensionalmovementofParistowardtheArcdeTriomphe,hadcometoseekhim.Hishousewasrichinbeautifulpicturesandrarebooks,andhesometimesreceivedtherehisfewrealfriends,hiscompanionsintroubloustimes,likeVarhely.Hewasgenerallyconsideredalittleofarecluse,althoughhelovedsocietyandshowedhimself,duringthewinter,atallentertainmentswhere,byvirtueofhisfameandrank,hewouldnaturallybeexpectedtobepresent.Buthecarriedwithhimacertainmelancholyandgravity,whichcontrastedstronglywiththefrivoloustrivialitiesandmeaninglesssmilesofourmodernsociety.Inthesummer,heusuallypassedtwomonthsattheseashore,whereVarhelyfrequentlyjoinedhim;anduponthe
leafyterraceofthePrince'svillathetwofriendshadlongandconfidentialchats,astheywatchedthesunsinkintothesea.
Andrashadneverthoughtofmarrying.Atfirst,hehadasortoffeelingthathewasdoomedtoanearlydeath,everexpectingarenewalofthestrugglewithAustria;andhethoughtatthattimethatthefuturewouldbringtohimhisfather'sfate--aballintheforeheadandaditch.Then,withoutknowingit,hehadreachedandpassedhisfortiethyear.
"Nowitistoolate,"hesaid,gayly."Thepsychologicalmomentislonggoneby.Weshallbothendoldbachelors,mygoodVarhely,andspendoureveningsplayingcheckers,thatmimicwarfareofoldmen."
"Yes,thatisallverywellforme,whohavenoveryfamousnametoperpetuate;buttheZilahsshouldnotendwithyou.IwantsomesturdylittlehussarwhomIcanteachtositahorse,andwhoalsowillcallmehisgoodoldYanski."
ThePrincesmiled,andthenreplied,gravely,almostsadly:"Igreatlyfearthatonecannotlovetwothingsatonce;theheartisnotelastic.IchoseHungaryformybride,andmylifemustbethatofawidower."
Inthemidstoftheaustereandthoughtfullifeheled,Andraspreserved,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
24/51
nevertheless,asortofyouthfulbuoyancy.Manymenofthirtywerelessfreshinmindandbodythanhe.Hewasoneofthosebeingswhodie,astheyhavelived,children:eventheprivationsofthehardestkindofanexistencecannottakeawayfromthemthatpurityandchildliketrustwhichseemtobeanintegralpartofthemselves,andwhich,althoughtheymaybebetrayed,deceivedandtreatedharshlybylife,theyneverwhollylose;verymanlyandheroicintimeofneedanddanger,theyarebynaturepeculiarlyexposedtotreasonsanddeceptionswhichastonishbutdonotalterthem.Sinceman,intheprogressoftime,musteitherhardenorbreaktopieces,theherointhemisofiron;but,ontheotherhand,theirheartsareeasilywoundedbythecruelhandofsomewomanorthecarelessoneofachild.
AndrasZilahhadnotyetloveddeeply,asitwasinhisnaturetolove.Moreorlesspassingcapriceshadnotdriedupthespringofrealpassionwhichwasatthebottomofhisheart.Buthehadnotsoughtthislove;forheadoredhisHungaryashewouldhavelovedawoman,andthebitterrecollectionofherdefeatgavehimtheimpressionofalovethathaddiedorbeencruellybetrayed.
Yanski,onthewhole,hadnotgreatlytroubledhimselftodemonstratemathematicallyorphilosophicallythata"hussarpupil"wasanabsolutenecessitytohim.Peoplecannotbeforced,againsttheirwill,tomarry;andthePrince,afterall,wasfree,ifhechose,toletthename
ofZilahdiewithhim.
"Takinglifeasitis,"oldVarhelywouldgrowl,"perhapsitisn'tnecessarytobringintotheworldlittlebeingswhoneveraskedtocomehere."Andyetbreakingoffinhispessimism,andwithavisionbeforehiseyesofanotherAndras,young,handsome,leadinghishussarstothecharge"andyet,itisapity,Andras,itisapity."
Thedecisionsofmenaremoreoftendependentuponchancethanupontheirownwill.PrinceAndrasreceivedaninvitationtodinneronedayfromthelittleBaronessDinati,whomhelikedverymuch,andwhosehusband,OrsoDinati,oneofthedefendersofVeniceinthetimeofManin,hadbeenhisintimatefriend.ThehouseoftheBaronesswasaverycurious
place;thereporterJacquemin,whowasthereatalltimes,testingthewinesandcorrectingthemenus,wouldhavecalledit"bizarre."TheBaronessreceivedpeopleinallcirclesofsociety;odditieslikedher,andshedidnotdislikeoddities.Veryhonest,veryspirituelle,anexcellentwomanatheart,shegaveeveningparties,readingsfromunheard-ofbooks,andperformancesoftheworksofunappreciatedmusicians;andthereporters,whocametoabsorbhersaladsanddrinkherpunch,laughedatherintheirjournalsbeforetheirsupperwasdigested.
ThePrince,aswehavesaid,wasveryfondoftheBaroness,withanaffectionwhichwasalmostfraternal.Hepardonedherchildishnessandherlittleabsurditiesforthesakeofhergreatgoodqualities."MydearPrince,"shesaidtohimoneday,"doyouknowthatIwouldthrow
myselfintothefireforyou?"
"Iamsureofit;buttherewouldnotbeanygreatmeritinyourdoingso."
"Andwhynot,please?"
"Becauseyouwouldnotrunanyriskofbeingburned.Thismustbeso,becauseyoureceiveinyourhouseacrowdofhighlysuspiciouspeople,andnoonehaseversuspectedyouyourself.Youarealittlesalamander,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
25/51
theprettiestsalamanderIevermet.Youliveinfire,andyouhaveneitheruponyourfacenoryourreputationtheslightestlittlescorch."
"Thenyouthinkthatmyguestsare"----
"Charming.Only,theyareoftwokinds:thosewhomIesteem,andwhodonotamuseme--often;andthosewhoamuseme,andwhomIesteem--never."
"IsupposeyouwillnotcomeanymoretotheRueMurillo,then?"
"CertainlyIshall--toseeyou."
AnditreallywastoseeherthatthePrincewenttotheBaronessDinati's,wherehismelancholycharacteristicsclashedwithsomanyworldlyfolliesandextravagances.TheBaronessseemedtohaveapeculiarfacultyinchoosingextraordinaryguests:Peruvians,formerlydictators,nowbecomeinsuranceagents,orgeneralstransformedintosalesmenforsomewinehouse;CubanchiefshalfshottopiecesbytheSpaniards;CretesexiledbytheTurks;greatpersonagesfromConstantinople,escapedfromtheSultan'ssilkenbowstring,anddisplayingproudlytheirredfezinParis,wheretheoperapermittedthemtocontinuetheirhabitsofpolygamy;Americans,whosegold-minesorpetroleum-wellsmadethembillionairesforawinter,onlytogotopiecesandmakethempaupersthefollowingsummer;politiciansoutofaplace;
unknownauthors;misunderstoodpoets;paintersofthefuture-inshort,thegreaterpartofthepeoplewhowereinvitedbyPrinceAndrastohiswater-party,BaronessDinatihavingpleadedforherfriendsandobtainedforthemcardsofinvitation.Itwasasortofragoutofrealandshadycelebrities,anamusing,bustlingcrowd,halfBohemian,halfaristocratic,entirelycosmopolitan.PrinceAndrasrememberedoncehavingdinedwithastaffofficerofGaribaldi'sarmyononesideofhim,andthePope'snuncioontheother.
OnacertaineveningtheBaronesswasveryanxiousthatthePrinceshouldnotrefuseherlatestinvitation.
"Iamarrangingasurpriseforyou,"shesaid."Iamgoingtohaveto
dinner"--
"Whom?TheMikado?TheShahofPersia?"
"BetterthantheMikado.Acharmingyounggirlwhoadmiresyouprofoundly,forsheknowsbyheartthewholehistoryofyourbattlesof1849.ShehasreadGeorgei,Klapka,andalltherestofthem;andsheissothoroughlyBohemianinheart,soulandrace,thatsheisuniversallycalledtheTzigana."
"TheTzigana?"
Thissimpleword,resemblingtheclankofcymbals,broughtuptoPrince
Andrasawholeworldofrecollections.'Hussadczigany'!Therallyingcryofthewanderingmusiciansofthepusztahadsomeelementinitlikethecherishedtonesofthedistantbellsofhisfatherland.
"Ah!yes,indeed,mydearBaroness,"hesaid;"thatisacharmingsurprise.IneednotaskifyourTziganaispretty;alltheTziganiofmycountryareadorable,andIamsureIshallfallinlovewithher."
ThePrincehadnonotionhowprophetichiswordswere.TheTzigana,whomtheBaronessrequestedhimtotakeintodinner,wasMarsa,MarsaLaszlo,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
26/51
dressedinoneoftheblacktoiletteswhichsheaffected,andwhoseclear,darkcomplexion,greatArabianeyes,andheavy,wavyhairseemedtoAndras'seyestobetheincarnation,inaprouderandmorerefinedtype,ofthewarm,supple,nervousbeautyofthegirlsofhiscountry.
Hewassurprisedandstrangelyfascinated,attractedbytheincongruousmixtureofextremerefinementandasortofhaughtyunconventionalityhefoundinMarsa.Amomentbefore,hehadnoticedhowsilent,almostrigidshewas,assheleanedbackinherarmchair;butnowthissamefacewasstrangelyanimated,illuminedbysomehappyemotion,andhereyesburnedlikecoalsoffireasshefixedthemuponAndras.
Duringthewholedinner,therestofthedining-roomdisappearedtothePrince;hesawonlythegirlathisside;andthecandlesandpolishedmirrorswereonlytheretoformasparklingbackgroundforherpale,midnightbeauty.
"Doyouknow,Prince,"saidMarsa,inherrich,warmcontraltovoice,whoseveryaccentswerelikeacaress,"doyouknowthat,amongallthosewhofoughtforourcountry,youaretheoneadmirationofmylife?"
Hesmiled,andmentionedmoreillustriousnames.
"No,no,"sheanswered;"thosearenotthenamesIcarefor,butyours.
Iwilltellyouwhy."
Andsherecalled,inavoicevibratingwithemotion,allthatPrinceZilahSandorandhissonhadattempted,twentyyearsbefore,forthelibertyofHungary.Shetoldthewholestoryinthemostvividmanner;hadheragepermittedhertohavebeenpresentatthosebattles,shecouldnothaverelatedthemwithmorespiritedenthusiasm.
"Iknow,perfectly,how,attheheadofyourhussars,youwrestedfromthesoldiersofJellachichthefirststandardcapturedbytheHungariansfromtheranksofAustria.ShallItellyoutheexactdate?andthedayoftheweek?ItwasThursday."
Thewholehistory,ignored,forgotten,lostinthesmokeofmorerecentwars,thestrange,dark-eyedgirl,knewdaybyday,hourbyhour;andthere,inthatParisiandining-room,surroundedbyallthatcrowd,whereyesterday's'bonmot',thelatestscandal,thenewoperetta,weresubjectsofparamountimportance,Andras,voluntarilyisolated,sawagain,presentandliving,hiswholeheroicpastriseupbeforehim,asbeneaththewaveofafairy'swand.
"Buthowdoyouknowmesowell?"heasked,fixinghiscleareyesuponMarsaLaszlo'sface."Wasyourfatheroneofmysoldiers?"
"MyfatherwasaRussian,"respondedMarsa,abruptly,hervoicesuddenlybecomingharshandcutting.
"ARussian?"
"Yes,aRussian,"sherepeated,emphasizingthewordwithasortofdullanger."MymotheralonewasaTzigana,andmymother'sbeautywaspartofthespoilsofthosewhobutcheredyoursoldiers?"
Intheuproarofconversation,whichbecamemoreanimatedwiththedessert,shecouldnottellhimofthesorrowsofherlife;andyet,heguessedtherewassomesadstoryinthelifeoftheyounggirl,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
27/51
andalmostimploredhertospeak,stoppingjustatthelimitwheresympathymightchangeintoindiscretion.
"Ibegyourpardon,"hesaid,asshewassilent,withadarkshadowoverspreadingherface."Ihavenorighttoknowyourlifesimplybecauseyouaresowellacquaintedwithmine."
"Oh!you!"shesaid,withasadsmile;"yourlifeishistory;mineisdrama,melodramaeven.Thereisagreatdifference."
"Pardonmypresumption!"
"Oh!Iwillwillinglytellyouofmylife,iftheexistenceofauselessbeinglikemyselfcaninterestyou;butnothereinthenoiseofthisdinner.Itwouldbeabsurd,"withachangeoftone,"tomingletearswithchampagne.By-and-bye!By-and-bye!"
Shemadeanevidentefforttoappeargay,liketheprettywomenwhowerethere,andwho,despitetheirprettiness,seemedtoAndrasperfectlyinsignificant;butshedidnotsucceedindrivingawaythecloudofsadnesswhichovershadowedherexquisite,darkface.AndintheearsofthePrincerangagainthebitteraccentsofthatvoicesayinginaharsh,almostrevoltedtone:
"Yes,aRussian!MyfatherwasaRussian!"
CHAPTERVI
AGYPSYPRINCESS
ThemysterywhichseemedtoenvelopMarsa,theflashofangerwithwhichshehadspokenoftheRussianwhowasherfather,allattractedthePrincetowardher;andheexperiencedadeliciouslydisquietingsentiment,asifthesecretofthisgirl'sexistencewerenowgrafted
uponhisownlife.
Sheseemedtohavenowishtokeephersecretfromhim.Attheirfirstmeeting,duringtheconversationwhichfollowedthedinnerandthemusicalexhibitiongivenbyextraordinarymusicianswithlong,unkemptlocks,Marsa,trustingwithasortofjoytotheonewhomsheregardedasahero,toldPrinceAndrasthestoryofherlife.
SherelatedtohimtheassaultmadebysoldiersofPaskiewichuponthelittleHungarianvillage,andhowhergrandfather,leavinghisczimbalom,hadfiredupontheRussiansfromtheranksofthehonveds.Therewasacombat,orratherabutchery,inthesolestreetofthetown,oneofthelastmassacresofthecampaign.TheRussiansdestroyedeverything,
shootingdowntheprisoners,andburningthepoorlittlehouses.ThereweresomewomenamongtheHungariansandTzigani;theyhadloadedthegunsofthewounded,comfortedthedyingandavengedthedead.Manyofthemwerekilled.Oneofthem,theyoungestandprettiest,agypsy,wasseizedbytheRussianofficer,and,whenpeacewasdeclaredsoonafter,carriedoffbyhimtoRussia.ThiswasTiszaLaszlo,Marsa'smother.Theofficer,agreatRussiannobleman,ahandsomefellowandextremelyrich,reallylovedherwithamadsortoflove.Heforcedhertobecomehismistress;buthetriedineverywaytomakeherpardonthebrutalityofhispassion;keepingherhalfacaptiveinhiscastlenearMoscow,
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
28/51
andyetofferingher,bywayofexpiation,notonlyhisfortunebuthisname,theprincelytitleofwhichtheTchereteffs,hisancestors,hadbeensoproud,andwhichthedaughterofwanderingTziganirefusedwithmingledhatredanddisgust.Princess?She,thegypsy,aRussianprincess?Thetitlewouldhaveappearedtoherlikeanewandstillmoreabhorrentstigma.Heimploredher,butshewasobdurate.Itwasastrange,tragicexistencethesetwobeingsled,shutupintheimmensecastle,fromthewindowsofwhichTiszacouldperceivethegildeddomesofMoscow,thesuperbcityinwhichshewouldneversetherfoot,preferringthepalace,sadandgloomyasacell.Aloneintheworld,thesolesurvivorofhermassacredtribe,theRussianstoherwerethemurderersofherpeople,theassassinsofthefreemusicianswitheagleprofilessheusedtofollowastheyplayedtheczardasfromvillagetovillage.
SheneversawPrinceTchereteff,handsome,generous,charming,lovingherandtremblingbeforeherglancealthoughhehadruthlesslykidnappedherfromhercountry,thatshedidnotthinkofhim,swordinhand,enteringtheburningHungarianvillage,hisfacereddenedbytheflames,asthebayonetsofhissoldierswerereddenedwithblood.Shehatedthistallyoungman,hisdroopingmoustache,hismilitaryuniform,hisbroadfigure,hiswhite-glovedhands:herepresentedtotheimprisonedTziganatheconquerorandmurdererofherpeople.Andyetadaughterwasborntothem.Shehaddefendedherselfwiththecriesofatigress;andthenshe
hadlongedtodie,todieofhunger,since,acloseprisoner,shecouldnotobtainpossessionofaweapon,norcastherselfintothewater.Shehadlived,nevertheless,andthenherdaughterreconciledhertolife.ThechildwhichwasborntoherwasallinalltoTizsa.Marsawasanexactreproduction,featurebyfeature,ofhermother,and,strangetosay,daughtersgenerallyresemblingthefather,hadnothingofTchereteff,nothingRussianabouther:onthecontrary,shewasallTzigana--Tziganainthecleardarknessofherskin,inhervelvetyeyes,andherlong,wavingblackhair,withitsbronzereflections,whichthemotherlovedtowindaboutherthinfingers.
Herbeauty,fadedbylong,slowsorrow,Tiszafoundagaininherchild,atruedaughterofHungarylikeherself;and,asMarsagrewup,shetold
herthelegends,thesongs,theheroism,themartyrdom,ofHungary,picturingtothelittlegirlthegreat,grassyplain,thefreepuszta,peopledwitharaceinwhoseproudlanguagethewordhonorrecursagainandagain.
MarsagrewupintheMuscovitecastle,lovingnothingintheworldexcepthermother,andregardingwithfrightenedeyestheblondstrangerwhosometimestookheruponhiskneesandgazedsadlyintoherface.Beforethisman,whowasherfather,shefeltasifshewereinthepresenceofanenemy.AsTiszaneverwentout,Marsararelyquittedthecastle;and,whenshewenttoMoscow,shehastenedtoreturntohermother.Theverygayetiesofthatnoisycityweigheduponherheart;forsheneverforgotthewar-talesoftheTzigana,and,perhaps,amongthepassers-bywasthe
wretchwhohadshotdownhergrandfather,oldMihal.
TheTziganacultivated,withasortofpassion,aloveoffar-offHungaryandahatredforthemasterintheimpressionablemindofherdaughter.ThereisaServianproverbwhichsays,thatwhenaWallachianhascrossedthethresholdthewholehousebecomesWallachian.TiszadidnotwishthehousetobecomeHungarian;butshedidwishthatthechildofherloinsshouldbeandshouldremainHungarian.
TheservantsofPrinceTchereteffneverspokeoftheirmistressexceptas
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
29/51
TheTzigana,andthiswasthenamewhichMarsawishedtobearalso.Itseemedtoherlikeatitleofnobility.
AndtheyearspassedwithouttheTziganapardoningtheRussian,andwithoutMarsaeverhavingcalledhimfather.
Inthenameoftheirchild,thePrinceonedaysolemnlyaskedTiszaLaszlotoconsenttobecomehiswife,andthemotherrefused.
"Butourdaughter?"saidthePrince.
"Mydaughter?Shewillbearthenameofhermother,whichatleastisnotaRussianname."
ThePrincewassilenced.
AsMarsagrewup,MoscowbecamedispleasingtothePrince.HehadhisdaughtereducatedasifsheweredestinedtobetheCzarina.Hesummonedtothecastleasmallarmyofinstructors,professorsofmusicandsinging;French,English,andGermanmasters,drawingmasters,etc.,etc.Theyounggirl,withtheprodigiouspowerofassimilationpeculiartoherrace,learnedeverything,lovingknowledgeforitsownsake,but,nevertheless,alwaysdeeplymovedbythehistoryofthatunknowncountry,whichwasthatofhermother,andevenherown,thelandofherheartand
hersoul-Hungary.Sheknew,fromhermother,aboutallitsheroes:Klapka,Georgei,Dembiski;Bem,theconquerorofBuda;Kossuth,thedreamerofasortoffeudalliberty;andthosechivalrousZilahprinces,fatherandson,thefallenmartyrandthelivinghero.
PrinceTchereteff,Frenchineducationandsentiment,wishedtotaketoFrancethechild,whodidnotbearhisname,butwhomheadored.FrancealsoexercisedapowerfulfascinationoverMarsa'simagination;andshedepartedjoyouslyforParis,accompaniedbytheTzigana,hermother,whofeltlikeaprisonersetatliberty.ToquitRussiansoilwasinitselfsomeconsolation,andwhoknew?perhapsshemightagainseeherdearfatherland.
Tisza,infact,breathedmorefreelyinParis,repeatinghowever,likeamournfulrefrain,theproverbofhercountry:AwayfromHungary,lifeisnotlife.ThePrincepurchased,atMaisons-Lafitte,notfarfromtheforestofSaint-Germain,ahousesurroundedbyanimmensegarden.Here,asformerlyatMoscow,TiszaandthePrincelivedtogether,andyetapart--theTzigana,implacableinherresentment,bitterlyrefusingallpardontotheRussian,andalwayskeepingaliveinMarsaahatredofallthatwasMuscovite;thePrince,disconsolate,gloomy,discouragedbetweenthewomanwhomheadoredandwhosehearthecouldnotwin,andthegirl,sowonderfullybeautiful,thelivingportraitofhermother,andwhotreatedhimwiththecoldrespectoneshowstoastranger.
NotlongaftertheirarrivalinParis,aserioushearttroubleattacked
Marsa'sfather.HesummonedtohisdeathbedtheTziganaandherdaughter;and,inasortofsupremeconfession,heopenlyaskedhischild,beforethemother,toforgivehimforherbirth.
"Marsa,"hesaid,slowly,"yourbirth,whichshouldmakethejoyofmyexistence,istheremorseofmywholelife.ButIamdyingofthelovewhichIcannotconquer.Willyoukissmeasatokenthatyouhavepardonedme?"
Forthefirsttime,perhaps,Marsa'slips,tremblingwithemotion,then
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
30/51
touchedthePrince'sforehead.But,beforekissinghim,hereyeshadsoughtthoseofhermother,whobowedherheadinassent.
"Andyou,"murmuredthedyingPrince,"willyouforgiveme,Tisza?"
TheTziganasawagainhernativevillageinflames,herbrothersdead,herfathermurdered,andthisman,nowlyingthinandpaleamidthepillows,erect,withsabredrawn,crying:"Courage!Charge!Forward!"
Thenshesawherselfdraggedalmostbeneathahorse'shoofs,castintoawagonwithwristsboundtogether,carriedintherearofanarmywiththerestofthevictor'sspoils,andimmuredwithinRussianwalls.Shefeltagainonherlipsthedegradationofthefirstkissofthismanwhosesuppliant,pitifullovewashideoustoher.
Shemadeasteptowardthedyingmanasiftoforceherselftowhisper,"Iforgiveyou;"butalltheresentmentandsufferingofherlifemountedtoherheart,almoststiflingher,andshepaused,goingnofarther,andregardingwithahaggardglancethemanwhoseeyesimploredherpardon,andwho,afterraisinghispalefacefromthepillow,lethisheadfallbackagainwithonelong,wearysigh.
CHAPTERVII
THESTORYOFMARSA
PrinceTcheretefflefthiswholefortunetoMarsaLaszlo,leavingherinthehandsofhisuncleVogotzine,anold,ruinedGeneral,whosepropertyhadbeenconfiscatedbytheCzar,andwholivedinParishalfimbecilewithfear,havingbecometimidasachildsincehisreleasefromSiberia,wherehehadbeensentonsomepretextorother,nooneknewexactlythereasonwhy.
IthadbeennecessarytoobtainthesovereigninterventionoftheCzar--
thatCzarwhosewillisthesolelaw,alawabovelaws--topermitPrinceTcheretefftogivehispropertytoaforeigner,agirlwithoutaname.Thestatewouldgladlyhaveseizeduponthefortune,asthePrincehadnootherrelativesaveanoutlaw;buttheCzargraciouslygavehispermission,andMarsainherited.
OldGeneralVogotzinewas,infact,theonlylivingrelativeofPrinceTchereteff.Inconsiderationofayearlyincome,thePrincechargedhimtowatchoverMarsa,andseetoherestablishmentinlife.Richasshewas,Marsawouldhavenolackofsuitors;butTisza,thehalf-civilizedTzigana,was.nottheonetoguideandprotectayounggirlinParis.ThePrincebelievedVogotzinetobelessoldandmoreacquaintedwithParisianlifethanhereallywas,anditwasaconsolationtothefather
tofeelthathisdaughterwouldhaveaguardian.
TiszadidnotlongsurvivethePrince.ShediedinthatRussianhouse,everystoneofwhichshehated,eventotheMuscovitecrucifixoverthedoor,whichherfaith,however,forbadehertohaveremoved;shediedmakingherdaughterswearthatthelastslumberwhichwascomingtoher,gentlylullinghertorestaftersomuchsuffering,shouldbesleptinHungariansoil;and,aftertheTzigana'sdeath,thisyounggirloftwenty,alonewithVogotzine,whoaccompaniedheronthegloomyjourneywithevidentdispleasure,crossedFrance,wenttoVienna,soughtinthe
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
31/51
HungarianplaintheplacewhereoneortwomiserablehutsandsomecrumblingwallsalonemarkedthesiteofthevillageburnedlongagobyTchereteff'ssoldiers;andthere,inHungariansoil,closetothespotwherethemenofhertribehadbeenshotdown,sheburiedtheTzigana,whosedaughtershesothoroughlyfeltherselftobe,that,inbreathingtheairofthepuszta,sheseemedtofindagaininthatbelovedlandsomethingalreadyseen,likeavividmemoryofapreviousexistence.
Andyet,uponthegraveofthemartyr,Marsaprayedalsofortheexecutioner.SherememberedthattheonewhoreposedinthecemeteryofPere-Lachaise,beneathatombintheshapeofaRussiandome,washerfather,astheTzigana,interredinHungary,washermother;andsheaskedinherprayer,thatthesetwobeings,separatedinlife,shouldpardoneachotherintheunknown,obscureplaceofdepartedsouls.
SoMarsaLaszlowasleftaloneintheworld.ShereturnedtoFrance,whichshehadbecomeattachedto,andshutherselfupinthevillaofMaisons-Lafitte,lettingoldVogotzineinstallhimselfthereasasortofMentor,moreobedientthanaservant,andassilentasastatue;andthisstrangeguardian,whohadformerlyfoughtsidebysidewithSchamyl,andcutdowntheCircassianswiththesang-froidofabutcher'sboywringingtheneckofafowl,andwhonowscarcelydaredtoopenhislips,asiftheentirepoliceforceoftheCzarhaditseyeuponhim;thisoldsoldier,whooncecarednothingforprivations,now,providedhehadhis
chocolateinthemorning,hiskummelwithhiscoffeeatbreakfast,andabottleofbrandyonthetableallday--leftMarsafreetothink,act,comeandgoasshepleased.
ShehadacceptedthePrince'slegacy,butwiththismentalreservationandcondition,thattheHungariancolonyofParisshouldreceivehalfofit.Itseemedtoherthatthemoneythusgiventosuccorthecompatriotsofhermotherwouldbeherfather'satonement.Shewaited,therefore,untilshehadattainedhermajority;andthenshesentthisenormoussumtotheHungarianaidsociety,sayingthatthedonorrequestedthatpartoftheamountshouldbeusedinrebuildingthelittlevillageinTransylvaniawhichhadbeenburnedtwentyyearsbeforebyRussiantroops.Whentheyaskedwhatnameshouldbeattachedtosoprincelyagift,Marsa
replied:"Thatwhichwasmymother'sandwhichismine,TheTzigana."Morethanevernowdidsheclingtothatcognomenofwhichshewassoproud.
"And,"shesaidtoZilah,aftershehadfinishedtherecitalofherstory,"itisbecauseIamthusnamedthatIhavetherighttospeaktoyouofyourself."
PrinceAndraslistenedwithpassionateattentiontothebeautifulgirl,thusevokingforhimthepast,confidentandevenhappytospeakandmakeherselfknowntothemanwhoselifeofheroicdevotionsheknewsowell.
Hewasnotastonishedathersuddenfrankness,attheconfidence
displayedatafirstmeeting;anditseemedtohimthathehadlongbeenacquaintedwiththisTzigana,whoseverynamehehadbeenignorantofafewhoursbefore.ItappearedtohimquitesimplethatMarsashouldconfideinhim,asheonhissidewouldhaverelatedtoherhiswholelife,ifshehadaskeditwithaglancefromherdarkeyes.Hefeltthathehadreachedoneofthedecisivemomentsofhislife.Marsacalledupvisionsofhisyouth-hisfirsttenderdreamsoflove,rudelybrokenbytheharshvoiceofwar;andhefeltasheusedtofeel,inthedayslonggoneby,whenhesatbeneaththestarryskiesofasummernightandlistenedtotheold,heart-stirringsongsofhiscountryandthelaughter
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
32/51
ofthebrownmaidensofBudapest.
"Prince,"saidMarsaLaszlo,suddenly,"doyouknowthatIhavebeenseekingyouforalongtime,andthatwhentheBaronessDinatipresentedyoutome,shefulfilledoneofmymostardentdesires?"
"Me,Mademoiselle?Youhavebeenseekingme?"
"Yes,you.Tisza,ofwhomIspoketoyou,myTziganamother,whoborethenameoftheblessedriverofourcountry,taughtmetorepeatyourname.Shemetyouyearsago,inthesaddestmomentofyourlife."
"Yourmother?"saidAndras,waitinganxiouslyfortheyounggirltocontinue.
"Yes,mymother."
Shepointedtothebucklewhichclaspedthebeltofherdress.
"See,"shesaid.
Andrasfeltasuddenpang,whichyetwasnotaltogetherpain,dartthroughhisheart,andhiseyeswanderedquestioninglyfromthebuckletoMarsa'sface.Smiling,butherbeautifullipsmute,Marsaseemedtosay
tohim:"Yes,itistheagraffewhichyoudetachedfromyoursoldier'spelisseandgavetoanunknownTzigananearyourfather'sgrave."
Thesilverornament,incrustedwithopals,recalledsharplytoPrinceZilahthatsadJanuarynightwhenthedeadwarriorhadbeenlaidinhislastresting-place.Hesawagainthesombrespot,thesnowyfir-trees,theblacktrench,andthebroad,redreflectionsofthetorches,which,throwingaflickeringlightuponthedead,seemedtoreanimatethepale,coldface.
Andthatdaughterofthewanderingmusicianswhohad,attheopengrave,playedasadirge,or,rather,asaringinghymnofresurrectionanddeliverance,thechantofthefatherland-thatdarkgirltowhomhehad
said:"Bringmethisjewel,andcomeandliveinpeacewiththeZilahs"--wasthemotherofthisbeautiful,fascinatingcreature,whoseeveryword,sincehehadfirstmetherafewhoursbefore,hadexercisedsuchapowerfuleffectuponhim.
"So,"hesaid,slowly,withasadsmile,"yourmother'stalismanwasworthmorethanmine.Ihavekeptthelakepebblesshegaveme,anddeathhaspassedmeby;buttheopalsoftheagraffedidnotbringhappinesstoyourmother.Itissaidthatthosestonesareunlucky.Areyousuperstitious?"
"IshouldnotbeTisza'sdaughterifIdidnotbelievealittleinallthatisromantic,fantastic,improbable,impossibleeven.Besides,the
opalsareforgivennow:fortheyhavepermittedmetoshowyouthatyouwerenotunknowntome,Prince;and,asyousee,Iwearthisdearagraffealways.Ithasadoublevaluetome,sinceitrecallsthememoryofmypoormotherandthenameofahero."
Shespokethesewordsingrave,sweetaccents,whichseemedmoremelodioustoPrinceAndrasthanallthemusicofBaronessDinati'sconcert.HedivinedthatMarsaLaszlofoundasmuchpleasureinspeakingtohimashefeltinlistening.Ashegazedather,adelicateflushspreadoverMarsa'spale,rathermelancholyface,tingeingevenher
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
33/51
little,shell-likeears,andmakinghercheeksglowwiththesoft,warmcolorofapeach.
JustatthismomentthelittleBaronesscamehastilyuptothem,and,withanassumedairofseverity,begantoreproachMarsaforneglectingtheunfortunatemusicians,suddenlybreakingofftoexclaim:
"Really,youareahundredtimesprettierthaneverthisevening,mydearMarsa.Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?"
"Oh!itisbecauseIamveryhappy,Isuppose,"repliedMarsa.
"Ah!mydearPrince,"andtheBaronessbrokeintoamerrypealoflaughter,"itisyou,Oever-conqueringhero,whohaveworkedthismiracle."
But,asifshehadbeentoohastyinproclaimingaloudherhappiness,theTziganasuddenlyfrowned,aharsh,troubledlookcreptintoherdarkeyes,andhercheeksbecamepaleasmarble,whilehergazewasfixeduponatallyoungmanwhowascrossingthesalonandcomingtowardher.
InstinctivelyAndrasZilahfollowedherlook.MichelMenkowasadvancingtosaluteMarsaLaszlo,andtakewithaffectionaterespectthehandwhichAndrasextendedtohim.
Marsacoldlyreturnedthelowbowoftheyoungman,andtooknopartintheconversationwhichfollowed.Menkoremainedbutafewmoments,evidentlyembarrassedathisreception;andafterhisdeparture,Zilah,whohadnoticedtheTzigana'scoldness,askedherifsheknewhisfriend.
"Verywell,"shesaid,inapeculiartone.
"Itwouldbedifficulttoimaginesofromthewayinwhichyoureceivedhim,"saidAndras,laughing."PoorMichel!Haveyouanyreasontobeangrywithhim?"
"None."
"Ilikehimverymuch.Heisacharmingboy,andhisfatherwasoneofmycompanionsinarms.Ihavebeenalmostaguardiantohisson.Wearekinsmen,andwhentheyoungcountentereddiplomacyheaskedmyadvice,ashehesitatedtoserveAustria.Itoldhimthat,afterhavingfoughtAustriawiththesword,itwasourdutytoabsorbitbyourtalentsanddevotion.WasInotright?Austriaisto-daysubservienttoHungary,and,whenViennaacts,ViennaglancestowardPesthtoseeiftheMagyarsaresatisfied.MichelMenkohasthereforeservedhiscountrywell;andIdon'tunderstandwhyhegaveupdiplomacy.Hemakesmeuneasy:heseemstome,likeallyoungmenofhisgeneration,alittletooundecidedwhatobjecttopursue,whatdutytofulfil.Heisnervous,irresolute.Weweremoreunfortunatebutmoredetermined;wemarchedstraightonwithout
thatburdenofpessimismwithwhichoursuccessorsareloadeddown.IamsorrythatMichelhasresignedhisposition:hehadafinefuturebeforehim,andhewouldhavemadeagooddiplomatist."
"Toogood,perhaps,"interruptedMarsa,dryly.
"Ah,decidedly,"retortedthePrince,withasmile,"youdon'tlikemypoorMenko."
"Heisindifferenttome;"andthewayinwhichshepronouncedthewords
8/14/2019 Prince Zilah Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913
34/51
wasaterriblecondemnationofMichelMenko."But,"addedtheTzigana,"hehimselfhastoldmeallthatyouhavesaidofhim.He,onhisside,hasagreataffectionandadeepvenerationforyou;anditisnotastonishingthatitshouldbeso,formenlikeyouareexamplesformenlikehim,and--"
Shepausedabruptly,asifunwillingtosaymore.
"Andwhat?"askedthePrince.
"Nothing.'Examples'isenough;Idon'tknowwhatIwasgoingtosay."
Shemadealittlegesturewithherprettyhandasiftodismissthesubject;and,afterwonderingamomentatthegirl'ssingularreticenceafterherpreviousfrankness,Andrasthoughtonlyofenjoyinghergraceandcharm,untiltheTziganagavehimherhandandbadehimgood-night,begginghimtorememberthatshewouldbeveryhappyandproudtoreceivehiminherownhouse.
"But,indeed,"sheadded,withalaughwhichdisplayedtworowsofpearlyteeth,"itisnotformetoinviteyou.Thatisaterriblebreachoftheproprieties.General!"
Athercall,fromagroupnearby,advancedoldGeneralVogotzine,whom
Zilahhadnotnoticedsincethebeginningoftheevening.Marsalaidherhandonhisarm,andsaid,distinctly,Vogotzinebeingalittledeaf:
"PrinceAndrasZilah,uncle,willdousthehonorofcomingtoseeusatMaisons-Lafitte."
"Ah!Ah!Veryhappy!Delighted!Veryflatteringofyou,Prince,"stammeredtheGeneral,pullinghiswhitemoustache,andblinkinghislittleroundeyes."AndrasZilah!Ah!1848!Harddays,those!Allovernow,though!Allovernow!Ah!Ah!Wenolongercutoneanother'sthroats!No!No!Nolongercutoneanother'sthroats!"
HeheldouttoAndrashisbig,fathand,andrepeated,asheshookthat
ofthePrince:
"Delighted!Enchanted!PrinceZilah!Yes!Yes!"
Inanothermomenttheyweregone,andtheeveningseemedtoAndraslikeavision,abeautiful,feverishdream.
Hesentawayhiscoupe,andreturnedhomeonfoot,feelingtheneedofthenightair;and,ashewalkeduptheChamps-Elyseesbeneaththestarrysky,hewassurprisedtofindanew,youthfulfeelingathisheart,stirringhispulseslikethefirst,softtouchofspring.
CHAPTERVIII
"HAVEINORIGHTTOBEHAPPY"
Therewasacertainwomanlycoquetry,mingledwithaprofoundloveofthesoilwherehermartyredmotherreposed,inthedesirewhichMarsaLaszlohadtobec
Recommended