CARLO SEBASTIANI, THE AID-DE-CAMP. THE ball at Erlach was the most showy display that its old battlements and bastions had witnessed since their foundation by Charles V. The day itself was a gathering of good fortune. Besides its being the anniversary of the birth of the Empress of Austria, the adjutant had brought from Vienna one of the Imperial orders for the governor, with a highly complimentary letter from the war-minister, applauding the "extraordinary vigilance which had counteracted the daring enterprise of the enemy against his fortress," and the "consummate gallantry with which he met the attack, and captured and destroyed the whole division under the French general." If governors of threescore and ten had any faculty of blushing, MajorGeneral von Sharlheim must have blushed at his panegyric. But, as that was out of the question, he ordered the letter to be entered on the regimental books, and read at the head of every corps on the parade; had facsimiles made of it, which he dispatched to every corner of Europe without loss of time; and published it at full length, and with all explanatory comments, in the Hamburghsche Correspendenten, and the Algemeine Zeitung, and a crowd of others, which sent it flying round the globe. In short, the governor was in the highest spirits imaginable. Carolina Cobentzel, fairer than ever, dressed like a sultana, and looking like the Queen of the Graces, was the centre of attraction for the night. The French officers themselves acknowledged that she had the vraie tournure Française, by which they meant perfection, of course; and the assiduities of the gallant chef-de-brigade were so pointed as to throw all the men into palpable despair, and all the ladies into as palpable displeasure. But the assembly was large, gay, and brilliant; the neighbouring nobles, delighted at the prospect of a fête, and at the transformation of the rugged old fortress into the palace of an Armida, had flocked to the festival, and all was waltzing if not wit, and wine if not gaiety. Asinall fancy balls, some of the groups were dull, and some costumed in contempt of all history; but some were striking, and, among the rest, was one of a band of Italian pilgrims, who came singing the airs which so perfectly suit their country, and so touchingly recall its captivations to all who have trod the southern side of the Alps. The group were chiefly young; but one of them, who seemed bowed with extreme old age, and sang with a feeble though still sweet voice, suddenly fixed Carolina's eye. The features were those of evident antiquity, yet there was an expression in them which reminded her of something which she could not drive from her mind. The attentions of the gallant chef-de-brigade lost their interest, if they had ever possessed any; and a shade of melancholy began to spread over one of the loveliest countenances of living woman. The ball was kept up with additional gaiety by the arrival of fresh groups. Wine flowed more briskly, and the spirits of the company constantly grew more animated. But the groups seemed suddenly and unaccountably to thicken, and to be composed, in some instances, of individuals who could scarcely have been included in the governor's invitations. Sounds of riot, too, were heard outside the apartments, which scarcely comported with the discipline of a garrison. A. strange feeling of alarm now began to exhibit itself in the assembly; and though the dance went on, and the hock and champagne were more liberally indulged in than ever, it was evident that something threatened to sour the festivity. At length the appearance of one of the aids-de-camp, with marks of extreme anxiety in his countenance, produced an universal pause in the dance, and every eye was turned on the governor. He continued calmly receiving the whispered report of the officer; and, though pale as death, yet, by his gestures, evidently desirous that no disturbance of the festivities should take place. The dancing was resumed, and the major-general again took his seat at the head of the room. But he had scarcely sat down, when a voice from one of the pilgrims whispered in his ear, " Arrest the chef-debrigade on the spot, or all is lost." The gallant chef was at this moment waltzing with the Lady Carolina in the midst of a buzz of admiration. This was a difficult point for the governor; but the voice made so strong an impression on his mind, that, after a moment or two of deliberation, he called the Frenchman out of the set, and told him in a low but firm voice that he must retire to his quarters. The chef was all astonishment, demanded the reason of this insult, and haughtily refused to move. The groups suddenly crowded round him, a signal was made from the casement, and it was answered by a clash of arms from without, and a cry of Vive la République! The Frenchman now drew his sword, and, turning to the overwhelmed Von Sharlheim, said with that look which no other nation can put on" Voilà, mon général, la pièce est finie. Rendez vous; vous êtes mon prisonnier à present!" "How is this, Monsieur?" exclaimed the startled governor; "what infamous treachery has done this?" " Comrades," shouted the chef, "forward, and convince the majorgeneral that I am in the right and he in the wrong. Vive la République!" As he uttered the words, three-fourths of the groups threw off their masquerade cloaks, and showed the French uniform under them. "Villain, take this!" was the brave old soldier's exclamation, when he had recovered his breath. The sabre blow which followed the word brought the chef to the ground; and the room was immediately a scene of the clashing of swords and crossing of bayonets. The German officers made all the resistance that could be expected from men taken completely by surprise; but they were gradually pushed from the saloon into the open air. There the scene was one of general struggle. The garrison continued to fight; but the greater part of them had been just roused from their beds, and the remainder had been drinking too deep, of potations furnished more by the French commissaries than by the governor's liberality, to be able to offer any effectual obstacle. Even the guns which the artillerymen wheeled down from the bastions to fire on the square, were found to have been rammed with clay. The very cartridges in the soldiers' pouches had been stolen, and their places filled up with cartridges of sand. Treachery had been active, and been every where. The enemy continued pouring in battalion after battalion, until the garrison, seeing the hopelessness of all defence, called for quarter. Shouts of Vive la République rose at the entrance of every fresh battalion, and the fortress was inevitably lost. "Let the poltrons be taken prisoners, if they will," exclaimed the governor, as, with a few soldiers and his staff, he fixed himself in a bastion-" I shall die here." But the enemy, determining to finish the affair at once, poured a volley into the work, which formidably thinned its defenders. The next volley threatened to extinguish the little desperate troop, when the governor heard the same mysterious voice at his side which had warned him in the ball-room. "Resistance is ruin," were the words; "follow me." He turned and saw the same decrepit and pilgrim-dressed figure which had before caught his attention. But desperate as the circumstances were, he disdained to save himself by flight. "Make your escape, sir, while you have time," said he ; and raising his voice, exclaimed to his officers, "Gentlemen, save yourselves; there is no chance of saving the fortress. You may live to be revenged, but the governor must die here." Some took the advice and disappeared; a few remained. The French fired again, and the whole brave remnant lay on the ground. Day broke, and the tricolor waved on Erlach-Glaringen. The capture of the fortress was easily accounted for. The French prisoners had kept up a communication with their countrymen, who still covered the banks of the Rhine in great force. Jourdan, after his defeat by the Archduke, had retreated upon the Lahn, but leaving behind him nearly all his guns and baggage; the peasantry, infuriated at his excesses on the advance, had followed him with indefatigable hostility, and every straggler perished by their hands. The losses of the marauders amounted to thousands, and the fears of the Republican Government were so much alarmed, that powerful reinforcements were rapidly forwarded from the garrisons on both banks, and the march of a new army of 25,000 troops was ordered under the favourite officer of the service, Marceau. With this accession of strength the hopes of looking down upon the Rhine. Their attention was apparently fixed on a small column of troops which advanced with an open artillery waggon, covered with flags, in their centre; a few cavalry preceded and followed, and a solitary trumpet from time to time sent its melancholy echoes among the mountains. It was evidently the last march of some distinguished soldier. But, as the column ascended the heights, the uniform was observed to be Austrian, and the banner was the black eagle. They were friends; and the anxiety now was to know what gallant chief had been lost to the national cause. The peasant dress of the three precluded personal notice, and they reached the column just as it had arrived at its place of destination. The funeral procession was one of those instances in which war is softened by the spirit of civilisation, and the honour due to genius and valour, is paid, even in an enemy. An officer from the Archduke's headquarters commanded the escort, and as the coffin was lowered from the carriage, and laid in the grave, he pronounced a short and simple panegyric on the dead soldier. conquest revived in the bosom of the French commander-in-chief. He threw himself forward, formed a new plan of campaign with the eccentric rapidity which distinguished the war of the Republic, and daringly manœuvred to outflank the Archduke. The news had immediately spread to the prisoners; they prepared for a general attempt on the garrison; and a division of the enemy was ordered into the forest to assist the enterprise. The enemy's march had been so dexterously concealed, that Von Sharlheim, accustomed to more regular tactics, remained totally unsuspicious of this formidable neighbourhood. The preparations for the fête on the Imperial birthday fully occupied the attention of his staff, and the result was the march of a powerful force at midnight to the gates of the place, their introduction by the bribery of the sentinels, and the capture. The scene in the ball-room was merely an adjunct of that which had already occurred with out. A large party of French officers had joined the ball, in various characters, ready to take advantage of the hour, and seize the governor and the staff. The chef-de-brigade had meditated a seizure of another kind, which he must have effected but for the un-fore you the last resting-place of a lucky exultation which betrayed him, and which was rewarded by the sabre blow of the governor-a blow which swept off one of the most polished and picturesque mustaches in existence, and carried with it a portion of the lip sufficient to prohibit its growth for life. Whatever he might be as a hero in time to come, there was an end of his claims as an Adonis. The lady was lost; but the fortress was carried. A prodigious history of the " irresistible prowess of all concerned was sent to Paris; the achievement was blazoned in the Moniteur; thence it was turned into a melodrama at the Porte St Martin; furnished a horse-pantomime at Franconi's; flourished as a "romantic opera" at the Odeon; and finally soared as a "tragedie classique" at the Theatre Français. What could chivalry ask more ? About a fortnight after this period a group of three persons, a wounded old man, a young one with an emaciated frame and countenance, and a young female, were seen sitting at the door of a hut on one of the heights "Austrians," said he, "you see be gallant enemy. That grave contains a Frenchman, and one of the memorable of his country: General Marceau fought in the unjust cause, and therefore Germany may rejoice that the aggressor has been cut off; but he fought by the command of others, and theirs be the crime. It is but a month since that brave general brought his force into the field; itisbutaweck since he saved the French army, which was on the point of perishing before Austrian bravery; it is but twelve hours' since, at the head of his troops, attempting to stop the irresistible arms of our country, he fell at the battle of Altenkirchen, in command of the rearguard. It is the glory of the Austrian, that while he fights the enemy in arms, he knows how to feel for the prisoner. We found him wounded on the field. The Archduke, the hero of Germany, ordered his wounds to be taken care of, but they were mortal; and the brave enemy breathed his last, thanking the humanity of his conqueror. Honour to Germany-honour to the Archduke-honour to the brave Marceau !" The troops repeated the last words with three melancholy acclamations. A howitzer then fired; and three volleys over the grave, and the planting of a bower of pine branches over the spot, concluded the touching ceremony. The troops returned down the hill; but the three peasants remained. There was silence among them, and their eyes continued fixed on the spot where the sun threw his farewell lustre on the bed of one who was to awake to earthly glory no more. At length the old man spoke. "He sleeps happy. The Frenchman served his country to the last. No stain darkens the reputation of years. Why could I not have found such a grave ?" The female by his side clasped his feeble hand. "My dearest uncle, my more than father," said she, in accents of singular sweetness, "You must not think of those things. You did your duty; you suffered only by treachery. No one on earth can charge you with dishonour. And who can be answerable for fortune?" Her young com. panion's looks were fixed on the fair consoler with an expression of intense delight, which made her cheek glow "Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue." "Carolina," replied the old man, "your affection is my single reason for enduring existence. I acknowledge the noble spirit in which our generous friend here persevered, notwithstanding all the malice of his fortunes, to save us both. I thank him with all the feelings that now remain to me, for having saved you, my child, from the hands of the villains who have destroyed your uncle; but, if my last wish were to be granted, it would have been that I had died on the bastion where I fell, and where his unhappy courage dragged me from among my dead friends and soldiers. I can never appear among soldiers again." The old man's voice sank away, and he stood with his eyes turned in honourable envy to the grave of the gallant Marceau. All was silence for a while. At last their companion, with an evident effort to master some strong feeling, said, in a tone of sudden cheerfulness, "We must talk no more in this manner, general; at least not to-night. The sun forbids our lingering here, or at least mine; for the woodman, who allows me the honour of an apartment under his thatch, keeps early hours, and shuts up his doors at twilight. I have a couple of leagues to go through the forest before that time, or I must bivouac like one of its wild bears. Farewell, till to morrow." He took a few paces forward, then returned, and said in a low voice to the lady, -" If I should not return tomorrow, rely upon me for returning at the first moment in my power." There was a change in his tone and look which alarmed the quick suspicions of the heart. Carolina took him aside. now. "Carlo," was the fair creature's answer, "what can you mean by this? You are thinking of some dark attempt that may be your ruin. Remember, that we wholly depend upon you Be candid with me; we have claims, if misfortune can give them. My high-spirited and unhappy relative must die if you leave us. What may become of me is of less consideration. But you have saved my life, and it is only gratitude to say that it is at your service for ever! Now, tell me of what it is that you are thinking?" "Thinking! Of nothing on earth," exclaimed the enraptured hearer, "but of that lovely being whose heart is as noble as her beauty, and whose hand would be worth the world. Carolina, listen to me, and now listen in faith, for I speak in sincerity. The thought was sudden; it came from the grave of Marceau. Looking on that spot, I felt, with a stronger conviction than ever, that to a soldier honour is essential. The tribute paid to that brave man even by enemies made me determine more solemnly than ever, that my Carolina's relative shall be saved from the stings of calumny. As brave as any man living or dead, and suffering only under the ill fortune which has often happened to the brave, he can require nothing but an opportunity to face accusation, and be cleared. My intention was, to go to the headquarters of the army, and explain the capture of the fortress." Carolina almost uttered a scream. Tears burst from her eyes. "You go to the army-you throw yourself on the mercy of the Archduke! Expect justice from the very circle of calumniators who have poisoned his mind against you! Carlo, you will have the fate of those on whom the malice of the world turns; you will be overwhelmed by the crowd; you will disdain to defend yourself; you will perish, and I what then will become of me?" Carlo took her passive hand; and, as if to escape her fascination, turned away his eyes. "Rely upon my caution," said he; "I will be prudent. But then, is it possible for me to see that brave and generous old man breaking down, day by day, under bitterness of heart? I have not the slightest doubt that my story will be heard, and will be ef fectual. The general has still powerful friends at Vienna. The Archduke is fully acquainted with his services in the Prussian and Turkish campaigns. He is looked upon as dead, and no sentence has been passed upon him; the knowledge of his gallantry in the defence of Erlach, unfortunate as its result was, will vindicate him at once; and I shall have the happiness-the unspeakable triumph-of restoring his honour to the uncle of her, without whom life would now be a burden to me. Farewell, then, and remember me!" The lovely girl looked at him with increasing tenderness, and with thanks which were not to be told in words. But a sudden recollection started to her mind, and clouded her sunny brow. " And who will defend you?" she exclaimed, with the energy of ardent passion. "You have been constantly pursued by a fortune which amounts to a fate. I shall hear of your arrival at the Archduke's camp, only to hear of your suffering the untimely death of those whom the united cruelty and injustice of the world determine to destroy. Be obstinate no longerthere are more lives than your own in the balance. The hour of your death will be mine-I feel it. This old man too will perish with us; for, excepting ourselves, who will think of his old age? Promise me, then, that you will abandon this desperate attempt; and thank Heaven that we are left to live -and to love each other." She stood gazing on him, as if she could read his soul. "But, Carolina, how can I endure degradation, and, worse than all, to live degraded in your eyes?" was the struggling answer. "You make honour too dear, by your generous affection, to suffer me to bring to your alliance a being unworthy of your hand. I must think of the world, even for you. Shall I see the woman whom I love above all things on earth-the one who has confided her noble heart to my charge, and without whom it would even be impossible for me to liveshall I see the daughter of an illustrious line thrown into obscurity into worse than obscurity, into shame-by joining her fate with one stigmatized by the common voice of his country? Let me, then, make this single effort. I must first vindicate your relationthat task I shall find an easy oneI must then vindicate myself; and, whether that task be easy or difficult, I shall succeed at least in one objectI shall satisfy myself that I have done all that it was in my power to do I shall convince my enemies, if I have them, that I have been ready to face all enquiry; and with the conviction that I have acted as became a soldier and a man, the son of a brave man, and, by a still dearer name, the friend of Carolina Cobentzel, I shall be content to live or die." The calm energy with which he spoke, and the expression of his fine countenance, which had recovered all its ardour, made the listener feel that his determination was fixed; and even that it was the wisest which, under the circumstances, could be adopted. After a pause, in which she wiped away many a tear, she turned her magnificent eyes upon him, and pointing to the sun, lying in golden rest on the ridge of the Frendenberg mountains "Carlo," said she, " I must no longer dispute the will of him whom I have so long learned to honour and obey. I am not wholly convinced, but I comply. You shall go to Vienna; but that sun is the last that shall set upon me here. General von Sharlheim and I will go with you. I still have friends in Austria. We shall be able to give you some assistance: and I shall be saved from the infinite miseries which every hour would bring while you were away." The darkening hue of Sebastiani's brow showed his alarm at her attempting this new peril. The country was covered with troops, and travelling had became a matter of extreme difficulty. She caught the meaning instantly, and combated it. |