The Daltons Volume II Part 23

"He must be true as well as brave. Fidelity is needed now as much as valor."

"And who will dare to question mine?" cried Frank; and then, as if impatient that he should have been led away from a dearer theme, he placed his arm within Kate's, and drew her towards the window. "I had so much to say to you, my dearest sister. I have been thinking of nothing but you--and--and--what you told me. I would break off this match----it is not too late--you are only betrothed."

"Oh, no, no, Frank; do not give me such counsels. I am pledged in word and bound in honor. I have taken a solemn vow."

"But you have been deceived,--I know you have; enough that I see such a woman as that your companion. I tell you again, you must break it off."

"I cannot,--I cannot!"

"Then, by Heaven! I will do it myself. It surely is not for all the glitter of this state and pomp that you would sell your affections?

These gauds have not corrupted you already? No, no, I read you better than that Listen to my plan, then,--do not leave this till you hear from me. If this lady--I do not know her name--insists on your departure, be as peremptory, and say that you wish to see your family first. You are not a slave, and cannot be coerced."

"I will hear no more of this, Frank; the very thought is maddening. No, no, Frank; if you would be my friend, teach me how to fulfil my duty, my sworn, pledged allegiance; do not seek to shake my faith, nor make me less resolute in honor."

"It is, then, as I feared," cried he, pa.s.sionately; "these cursed bribes _have_ bought you. Oh, it is not thus Nelly would have been won!"

"I know it,--I know it well!" cried she, bursting into tears; "but I never was like _her_."

"But you were, and you are, dearest," said he, kissing her forehead, "our own sweet Kate, that we were all so proud of. Oh, forgive me if I said what could hurt you, for I would pour out my heart's blood to serve or to save you."

There was a mournful emphasis on the last two words, which bespoke their deep meaning; and now, locked in each other's arms, they wept bitterly.

"As the Field-Marshal von Auersberg has just ridden into the palace, his aide-de-camp ought probably to dry his tears and receive him," said Madame de Heidendorf, as she sailed proudly out of the room.

"You heard that, Kate?----you heard what she said _to me?_ Think, then, what kindness and sympathy she will feel for _you!_" said the boy, as he dashed his hand indignantly against his forehead. "Was I not right about these Russians?"

"Come, Frank, let us go to Uncle Stephen," said Kate, trying to smile and seem at ease; and hand-in-hand they descended the stairs together.

The drawing-room into which they now entered was filled with officers of different arms of the service, among whom Count Dalton stood conspicuous, both from his size and the soldierlike character of a figure that not even old age seemed able to impair.

"How provoking, my sweet niece," said he, taking Kate's hand between both his, "now to part, just as I was learning the happiness of knowing you. Here are all these gentlemen grumbling and complaining about leaving their homes and families, and yet I 'll wager there is not one amongst them carries away a heavier heart than I do. Come into this room, my dear; let us have five minutes together." And Kate took his arm, while he led her forward. Madame de Heidendorf, meanwhile, seated herself on a sofa, and summoned the most distinguished officers of the party to inform her as to all that was going forward.

It was one of her favorite affectations to be deeply versed in military tactics; not that she acknowledged herself deficient in any art or science, but soldiering was her strong point. She therefore questioned and cross-questioned these unhappy gentlemen at great length.

"You have no mortars? Do I hear you aright. Colonel Rabowsky? No mortars?"

"None, Madame."

"And how, may I ask, do you mean to reduce Milan to ashes?"

This was a very puzzling question; and she repeated it in a still more commanding tone.

"Perhaps that may not be deemed desirable, Madame," modestly insinuated another officer.

"Not desirable, sir? you said not desirable. Why, really I shall begin to fancy I ought to go to school again in military matters. Are you aware, sir, it's the very centre of these wretches; that it is fed from Switzerland and Piedmont with all that is infamous in political doctrine? Milan must be bombarded, sir!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: 166]

The Colonel bowed courteously to an opinion expressed with so much authority.

"You 'll find, at least, that the Field-Marshal will be of my opinion,"

continued she. "As a military position, it is worth nothing."

"But as a capital city, Madame?" mildly interposed the Colonel.

"The old story," said she, contemptuously. "Women and children!"

"Most legitimate objects of protection, I trust, Madame."

But she turned contemptuously away, as if controversy with such an adversary was beneath her.

"We have three rocket-batteries, Madame," interposed a staff officer, desirous of offering himself to her notice.

"I hope you will use them with effect, sir. I envy you the pleasure of seeing them plunging amidst that vile mob it is the fas.h.i.+on to call the people nowadays."

"I hope we shall do our duty, Madame," said an old, stern-looking major, who felt little flattered at this interference.

"I should like to see more chivalry,----more ardent devotion in the defenders of a monarchy," said the Countess. "I can understand coldness in the lower cla.s.ses, but that the well-born and the n.o.ble should be apathetic and slow to move is beyond my comprehension."

"Bey'm Blitzen," retorted the Major, "that is not bad I Here we are going to shed our blood for the Kaiser, and we are told that it is not enough, without we are born counts and barons."

"What is it, Heckenstein?" said Count Dalton, as he entered the room and laid his hand familiarly on the other's shoulder. "I have seldom seen you look so angry."

But the old soldier turned away without a reply.

"Madame de Heidendorf," said the old General, "I know not what you have said to offend an old and tried servant of the Emperor,--a soldier of Wagram and Auster-litz,--a faithful follower, when the fortunes of this great Empire were at the lowest But, believe me, these are not times to flout loyalty and despise fidelity."

"The times are worse than I thought them," said the Countess, "when these principles have infected such men as Count Dalton. I had certainly hoped that his young relative would have received a very different lesson at his outset in life, nor can I wonder if such teachings end in evil. Here is the Archduke. How I wish his Highness had come a little earlier!"

As she spoke, the Prince entered, with all the careless ease of his ordinary manner. It was impossible to detect from his countenance whether he regarded the event as a serious one, or simply one of those popular commotions which are ever occurring in a large empire.

"I know you are discussing politics, or something akin to them," said he, laughingly. "Madame de Heidendorf has her 'cabinet countenance' on, and Auersberg is looking as fierce as a field-marshal ought to do when contradicted. Come, General, present me to the Princess. It is an honor I have been long desiring. How tired you must be of all this, Madame!"

said he to Kate. "Such wise people as will not talk gossip,--such high-minded souls as never will condescend to say a good thing, or hear one, are insupportable." And, seating himself beside her, he rattled on about Vienna, its society, and its pleasures, with all the ease and flippancy of a young fas.h.i.+onable of the day, while, in an att.i.tude of deep respect, not unmixed with a dash of impatience, stood the old Count before him.

"What does Auersberg want to tell us?" said the Prince, at last, looking up at the old General's face.

"To say adieu, your Royal Highness."

"You don't go with the troops, surely?" said the Duke, laughing.

"At the head of my own regiment, your Royal Highness."

"Ah, by the bye, the Auersbergs are in your brigade. Very proper that.

And is this my _protege?_" said he, taking Frank's arm, and drawing him forward. "There's your best example, sir. Be only as good a soldier, and the name of Dalton will be a t.i.tle of n.o.bility amongst us. Good-bye, Lieutenant General, farewell. Give that _canaille_ a lesson quickly, and come back to us as soon as you can."

Kate rose and followed Frank out of the room. For a few seconds they were closely locked in each other's arms, without speaking. "Oh, Frank dearest! when are we to meet again,--and how?" cried she, pa.s.sionately.

"In pride and happiness, too, Kate," said the boy, joyfully. "I have no fears for the future. But what is this, sister dearest,--gold?"