Prince Zilah — Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913

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.


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,


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

***


4/51

Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:

MichaelS.Hart

[email protected]@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


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"


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:[email protected]


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


8/51

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


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."


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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!


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


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;


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


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


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,


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,


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,


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,


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,


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Documents

Prince Zilah — Volume 1 by Claretie, Jules, 1840-1913