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"Good," said M. de Valesnes, "very good, my child. I have had a good deal of intercourse with the sex; and I would have you know that I have loved in my time. Et ego in Arcadiá. But I cannot understand what drove you to give lessons in the mathematics."

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My dear uncle, I am your nephew. Is not this enough to tell you that I had encroached a little upon the capital which my father left me. When I had finished that letter, an entire revolution took place in me. It is not possible to describe the state of mind I was in. When I drove my cabriolet, a voice whispered to me: is that horse yours?' When I dined, it repeated: 'is not that dinner a stolen meal?' I was ashamed of my self; and the younger my probity was, the more was it ardent and earnest. 1 flew to Madame Firmiani; and oh! dear uncle, what a day of heartfelt pleasure, of that transport of soul which millions could not purchase! We calculated together the amount I owed to the unknown, but suffering family. Contrary to the opinion of Madame Firmiani, I condemned myself to pay three per cent. interest since my father's death. But my entire fortune did not suffice to defray the sum. Then, we were both of us loving enough, she to offer, and I to accept, her savings. What an hour of rapture!"

"What!" exclaimed the uncle, "besides her other virtues, is this adorable creature an economist also!"

servants.

"Do not laugh at us, uncle," said the young man. “Her position compels her to exercise much caution and management. Her husband left her, some years ago, for Greece, where he died three years back. Until this day, it has been impracticable to obtain legal proof of his decease, and to get possession of the will which he must have made in favour of his wife, which was either destroyed, or lost by his Albanian Not knowing whether she may not be called upon to account with ill-natured heirs-at-law, she is obliged to observe a most rigid economy. Should the necessity happen, she wishes to leave her wealth in the same manner as Chateaubriand relinquished the ministry. Therefore, I want to gain a fortune which should be mine, the work of mine own hands, to endow my wife with, should things turn out unfavourably.” 66 And you never informed me of this; and never applied to me? Nephew, you

should have known that I love you well enough to pay all your honourable debts, which a gentleman may contract. I will be revenged of you."

"I know the vengeance you have in store for me, but let me enrich myself by my own industry. At this moment I am so happy, that my only care is how to subsist. You understand that if I give lessons, it is to avoid being a burden to any one. If you could but realise the pleasure with which I made the restitution! After much trouble, I succeeded in discovering the ruined and impoverished family, destitute of everything. They lived at St. Germain's, in a dilapidated cottage, where the old father had a little lottery-office; his two daughters took care of the household, and kept the accounts; the mother was bedridden. The daughters were exquisitely beautiful; but they had learned the bitter lesson, what little value the world attaches to beauty when without fortune or portion. What a picture I witnessed! but if I entered as an accomplice in guilt, I retired an honest man. My adventure is a true drama! To have come upon them like Providence; to have realized one of those vague and halfformed wishes-Oh! that ten thousand francs a-year would fall down from heaven!'-that wish which we form with a bitter smile; language fails to describe the scene that ensued. My rigorous justice appeared unjust even to the parties that profited by it. If there is a paradise, my father ought to be supremely happy in it. As for me, I am loved as never mortal was. Madame Firmiani has given me more than happiness; she has endowed me with an exquisite delicacy of thought and feeling, in which, perhaps, I was deficient. Therefore, I call her my dear conscience; one of those names of love, which respond to certain secret harmonies of the soul. Honesty is the best policy; and I expect to get rich speedily by my own exertions. I am now employed upon a problem in mechanics; if I succeed, I shall gain millions by the application of it."

At this moment, notwithstanding the distance from the pavement to the garret of M. Octave de Champs, both uncle and nephew distinctly heard the rumbling of a carriage, which stopped at the gate.

"It is her," said the young man ; “ 1 know it by the sound of her horses' feet, which I have studied.”

event of my death, you will deliver these with your own hands. I have cogent reasons for being thus urgent, for I more than suspect a villain of calumniating me in the tenderest quarter-my love to Helène de Chaluz, to whom you will find the packet addressed." I pledged myself to comply with his request, but at the same time endeavoured to chase those sombre forebodings from his mind: my efforts were ineffectual, however, and he continued plunged in settled gloom.

Our conference was scarcely finished, before the faint streaks of day appeared in the horizon: we hastily joined our division, when all was bustle and confusion, which however was soon hushed, and every man mounted and ready for action. We were not kept long in suspense, for our veteran colonel received orders to take up a position in the rear of a large wood which protected our left flank here we were quickly joined by squadron after squadron, until we mustered some thousands strong. It was now evident that one of those sudden and irresistible shocks of cavalry, with which Napoleon was so wont to surprise his enemy, was in contemplation. The enemy, however, soon showed himself to be aware of our movements, by sending several rounds of artillery crashing through the wood; no time was therefore to be lost, we were quickly wheeled into line, and at the command of a voice which every horseman knew well, every blade flashed in the faint morning light; again that voice was heard "Forward! Charge!"-and on we rushed, the solid earth trembling beneath the thunder of our horses' hoofs-our brave chief, who had led so many charges, several yards in advance, his sabre flashing above his head, and his long dark locks waving like war-pennons on the breeze.

Terrific as our onset was, it was unsuccessful; for the enemy, having received notice of our intention, had so strengthened his position by bringing up his bravest troops, that we were unable to force his ranks.

Our charge seemed to have been the signal for the commencement of the general engagement, which now raged along the whole line with a fury which I have never seen equalled: one incessant roar of canon and musketry rolled from the opposing lines. The proximity of the two armies was so great that every volley did most deadly execution; whole ranks were struck to the earth, and regi

ments were reduced to skeletons without once changing the position they had occupied in the morning.

Night was drawing on apace; but not a foot of ground had been won or lost on either side. Owing to the sanguinary contests in which we had been constantly engaged since the break of day, our regiment had suffered severely -but our services were not yet to be dispensed with: in conjunction with some regiments of chasseurs, we were ordered to attack and drive back a division of Polo-Russian infantry, and charge several regiments of Austrian cuirassiers. While forming for this service, I bantered my friend upon his melancholy forebodings, for like myself he had hitherto escaped without a single wound: before he could reply, we received orders to charge, and I saw him no more alive. Upon our charging the Austrian cuirassiers, they retreated, leaving the infantry to their fate; they formed in squares, and firmly awaited our attack. How my heart bled for these gallant men, thus compelled to maintain a contest so unequal. In vain did we endeavour to break in upon them; firm as the earth that supported them, they withstood our repeated shocks; again we returned to the charge, and again were we received by the steady huzza, the deadly shower of balls, and the bristling ranks of bayonets.

In the third charge which we made at this devoted band, a ball not twenty yards from the muzzle struck my bridle-arm, almost at the same moment my horse was shot under me-in falling, he pitched me forward on my head, and I fell insensible on the plain. Upon recovering my senses, I found myself in total darkness, stretched on the field of battle with my arms broken, and my body sore from the bruises I had received in my fall. After some efforts I raised myself upon my feet and endeavoured to walk, but the spot upon which I had fallen was so thickly covered with the dead and wounded that I could not stir, without disturbing some dying wretch. Oh heavens ! the memory of that dreadful night clings to my recollection with a tenacity that bids defiance to the efforts of time to efface it. Shrieks of despair and agony, accompanied by fearful curses andimprecations, resounded from-but enough! enough! let me no longer dwell upon the harrowing theme. In a short time I was discovered by a party sent out to collect the wounded, and conveyed (01).30

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I BELONGED to a regiment of cuirassiers, which formed a part of the rear of the "grand army," on its retreat upon Leipsic, and the shades of night had descended long ere we arrived at the spot in which we were to bivouac; watchfires were blazing along our whole line, surrounded by the fatigued soldiery. After obtaining some little refreshment, I walked forward a few paces to observe our position. From the proximity of the countless watchfires in the direction of the enemy, I judged that immediately morning dawned, the battle would commence.

What an imposing scene! Two of the greatest armies that had ever followed

European leaders, lay hushed in repose. How soon would this repose be disturbed by the deafening thunder of cannon-the rude shock of cavalry-the close and deadly bayonet charge! Before the setting of to-morrow's sun, how many brave men, who were now full of lusty vigour, would be stretched upon the bare earth stiffening in their gore.

VOL. I. (10.)

His

I

In the midst of my reflections I was joined by an officer of my own troop: he had entered the regiment at the same time as myself, and we had formed a sincere friendship for each other. usually cheerful countenance now wore an expression of deep thought, if not of melancholy. Upon my rallying him upon his rueful visage, in a subdued tone he thus addressed me: "My dear friend, I feel a strange presentiment that to-morrow my mortal career will terminate. know you will laugh at me for indulging in what you deem chimerical forebodings: but the conviction that I shall fall in tomorrow's contest is indelibly fixed in my imagination. You have always expressed a sincere regard for me, let me now bring you to the proof; promise me that you will deliver these two packets. The first addressed to one for whom my heart beats with an affection that shall cease not till I am a lifeless corse : it contains a miniature and a lock of my hair. The other is addressed to my father, M. d'Olliever, and contains a locket which is composed of his and my sister's hair. Promise me that in the

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event of my death, you will deliver these with your own hands. I have cogent reasons for being thus urgent, for I more than suspect a villain of calumniating me in the tenderest quarter-my love to Helène de Chaluz, to whom you will find the packet addressed." I pledged myself to comply with his request, but at the same time endeavoured to chase those sombre forebodings from his mind my efforts were ineffectual, however, and he continued plunged in settled gloom.

Our conference was scarcely finished, before the faint streaks of day appeared in the horizon: we hastily joined our division, when all was bustle and confusion, which however was soon hushed, and every man mounted and ready for action. We were not kept long in suspense, for our veteran colonel received orders to take up a position in the rear of a large wood which protected our left flank here we were quickly joined by squadron after squadron, until we mustered some thousands strong. It was now evident that one of those sudden and irresistible shocks of cavalry, with which Napoleon was so wont to surprise his enemy, was in contemplation. The enemy, however, soon showed himself to be aware of our movements, by sending several rounds of artillery crashing through the wood; no time was therefore to be lost, we were quickly wheeled into line, and at the command of a voice which every horseman knew well, every blade flashed in the faint morning light; again that voice was heard "Forward! Charge !"-and on we rushed, the solid earth trembling beneath the thunder of our horses' hoofs-our brave chief, who had led so many charges, several yards in advance, his sabre flashing above his head, and his long dark locks waving like war-pennons on the breeze. Terrific as our onset was, it was unsuccessful; for the enemy, having received notice of our intention, had so strengthened his position by bringing up his bravest troops, that we were unable to force his ranks.

Our charge seemed to have been the signal for the commencement of the general engagement, which now raged along the whole line with a fury which I have never seen equalled: one incessant roar of canon and musketry rolled from the opposing lines. The proximity of the two armies was so great that every volley did most deadly execution; whole ranks were struck to the earth, and regi

ments were reduced to skeletons without once changing the position they had occupied in the morning.

Night was drawing on apace; but not a foot of ground had been won or lost on either side. Owing to the sanguinary contests in which we had been constantly engaged since the break of day, our regiment had suffered severely but our services were not yet to be dispensed with: in conjunction with some regiments of chasseurs, we were ordered to attack and drive back a division of Polo-Russian infantry, and charge several regiments of Austrian cuirassiers. While forming for this service, I bantered my friend upon his melancholy forebodings, for like myself he had hitherto escaped without a single wound: before he could reply, we received orders to charge, and I saw him no more alive. Upon our charging the Austrian cuirassiers, they retreated, leaving the infantry to their fate; they formed in squares, and firmly awaited our attack. How my heart bled for these gallant men, thus compelled to maintain a contest so unequal. In vain did we endeavour to break in upon them; firm as the earth that supported them, they withstood our repeated shocks; again we returned to the charge, and again were we received by the steady huzza, the deadly shower of balls, and the bristling ranks of bayonets.

In the third charge which we made at this devoted band, a ball not twenty yards from the muzzle struck my bridle-arm, almost at the same moment my horse was shot under me-in falling, he pitched me forward on my head, and I fell insensible on the plain. Upon recovering my senses, I found myself in total darkness, stretched on the field of battle with my arms broken, and my body sore from the bruises I had received in my fall. After some efforts I raised myself upon my feet and endeavoured to walk, but the spot upon which I had fallen was so thickly covered with the dead and wounded that I could not stir, without disturbing some dying wretch. Oh heavens! the memory of that dreadful night clings to my recollection with a tenacity that bids defiance to the efforts of time to efface it. and agony, accompanied by fearful curses and imprecations, resounded from-but enough! enough! let me no longer dwell upon the harrowing theme. In a short time I was discovered by a party sent out to collect the wounded, and conveyed

Shrieks of despair

to a hospital at Leipsic. From the inquiries I made concerning the fate of my friend, I learned that he had been so desperately wounded that he was not expected to survive many hours; he also had been conveyed to Leipsic.

In that city the utmost confusion reign. ed; the streets were crowded with waggons bearing the wounded soldiery to the hospitals. The inhabitants were in the ⚫ utmost consternation: from the issue of the first day's conflict, they fully expected to have the victorious allies thundering at their gates; it was even reported that the king of Saxony had sent proposals of capitulation to the allied sovereigns.

After my wound had been dressed, I went the round of the hospitals, hoping to gain some intelligence of my friend. After a toilsome search, I was so far successful as to find his remains, for his spirit had fled some hours before my arrival: he had been shot through the lungs, and all human aid was futile. As I gazed upon his lifeless form, my imagination conjured up visions of the fond relatives and friends to whom I should shortly have to communicate the sad narrative of his tragical end, and my eyes were unconsciously dimmed with tears. I resolved to execute the commission with as little delay as possible; but the hazards incident to a soldier's life, rendered the accomplishment of it doubtful.

I will not detain the reader by a recapitulation of the memorable events which occurred subsequently to those I have endeavoured to relate; it will suffice to say, that the nineteenth of October beheld Napoleon and the wreck of his splendid army retreating through Leipsic, totally disorganised: of four hundred thousand men with whom he had commenced the campaign, barely ninety thousand escaped beyond the Rhine.

This disastrous chain of events at length terminated in the abdication of the emperor, and I then found myself at liberty to fulfil my promise. After spending a few weeks with my friends in order to recruit my shattered health, I set out on my melancholy mission. My journey lay through some of the most beautiful provinces of southern France; and to one who had so long been accustomed to the blasting scenes of war, nature seemed clothed in double charms. At the conclusion of my second day's

journey I arrived at my place of destination, which was a retired village. It being late in the evening, I determined to postpone my errand until the following morning, when I might make my début in some decent trim. The cabaret I found did not furnish accommodations in the most superior style of elegance, but I had seen too much of the bivouac to stand upon niceties.

Scarcely had morning dawned before I was roused from my slumbers by the merry peals of the village bells, and other joyful demonstrations, with which the populace are wont to celebrate some happy event. When the landlord entered with my morning meal, I enquired the reason of those joyful ebullitions.

"Why, monsieur," exclaimed he, "I thought all the world knew this was to be the wedding-day of Count de Lenois and Helène de Chaluz-it is the talk of the whole province. The count is the richest man in this part of France, and who will assert that Helène de Chaluz is not as handsome as he is rich? No one who has once seen her, I think. Yes, yes; a splendid fête shall we see this day, I promise you."

So saying, he hastily left me, to attend to the numerous guests who were now rapidly filling his little hostelry.

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His unexpected information filled me with perplexity and astonishment. Helène de Chaluz about to be married! Could she then so soon forget the devoted affection of him, who, in the dark hour of death, had dwelt upon her remembrance with such intense emotion? Louis had expressed his suspicions of the machinations of a villain-was that villain Count de Lenois? Possibly so. At all events I resolved to redeem the pledge I had so solemnly given my friend, and that with as little delay as possible. quiring, therefore, of the landlord, he directed me to the mansion which was about to become the scene of so much festivity. I found it surrounded by equipages of every description, and crowded with company invited for the occasion. Upon requesting to see Madame de Chaluz, I was ushered into an ante-room, and after a short delay an elderly lady entered, and announced herself by that title. I instantly concluded that she was the mother of the lady I wished to see.

"I am extremely sorry, madam," said I, "to intrude at so unseasonable a juncture, but I am compelled by un

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