The soldier's family : or, guardian genii ; a romance ; in 4 vol

Chap. I

" The great Creator of the universe extends His care to all who solicit it with pious trust."

I

N a conscientious discharge of all religious and social duties, and in the regulation of her mind, Erina passed her days in that calm enjoyment which invariably accompanies a life well spent, and virtuous dispositions.

The prince, in the meanwhile, observed her conduct with increasing admiration, as he remarked, in an intimate association with her, those delicate traits of her character, which distinguished her as

VOL. IV. B pre-eminently amiable. In the hope that he had made a considerable progress in her esteem, he daily sought an opportunity of disclosing to her the state of his heart, and soliciting her hand. His parents, with whom he maintained a constant and most confidential correspondence, entirely approved his intentions ; and the princess, his mother, to whom he had minutely described the object of his ardent love, had, with maternal solicitude, expressed her ardent wishes for a union so accordant in all points with her ideas. Those letters from his adored parent, the prince anxiously desired an opportunity of presenting to Erina for her perusal, not only to sanction his addresses, but to introduce, to her own knowledge, a character she had already learned to esteem from his account of her virtues.

Baffled as he had long been in seeking an occasion in which he could introduce the tender theme in which his heart was most deeply interested, the prince looked forward with eager expectation to a masked ball, in hopes it might afford him an opportunity of disclosing a subject he had in vain sought a private interview with Erina to divulge.

This ball was given by the officers of Chandenagore, to compliment a new governor on his arrival at the settlement.

The Count de TArmencour had secretly been the suggestor, and was to be the conductor of an entertainment which he had planned for the express purpose of carrying conveniently into execution a plot to get Erina into his power. He had woven his toils with such minute filaments and intricacy, that it was like a spider's fine-spun web, which, unperceived, envelopes in destruction its struggling prey, to be devoured at leisure by the venemous reptile that has spread the snare. The devoted victim, unsuspicious of the hidden danger, placed with insidious art in some inviting situation where the garden's sweets abound, sports gaily in the glittering sun-beam, midst ripened fruits and freshest blooming flowers, when suddenly entrapped in the web, too late discovered, the captive's struggles to regain lost liberty involve it in inevitable difficulties ; for one fragile thread yields only to succeeding fetters, entangling the fluttering victim in a coiling chain. Thus de l'Armencour's plot was formed by various wheels, which were to be set in motion by the different springs of human passions. His fortune enabled him to bribe agents to effect his plan, and his rank b 2 in society and in the army, induced some, and compelled others., to assist his purposes.

The long preparations requisite for his undertaking had sufficient time to mature, and he entertained the most sanguine hopes of succeeding in his nefarious designs against Erina's peace, and even her honour and her life, if, when in his power, she disputed his desires. Eager for the moment of united revenge and triumph, the count longed equally with the prince for the arrival of the important night fixed for the entertainment ; whilst Erina anticipated with pleasure much enjoyment from the promised novel and splendid scene.

Whilst de l'Armencour was busily engaged in arranging his wicked contrivances to get the object of his desires into his possession for the most horrid purposes, she, with the rest of the company, invited to the festivity, was occupied in inventing dresses for Rosaline and herself to appear in the evening of the entertainment. The preparations for disguise were kept a profound secret in each family, to prevent the mutual recognition of intimate acquaintance, and give full effect to the motley assembly. As the invitation to it was by a card to each guest by name, and of course supposed to be select, it was particularly requested that every person would assume a character. The gay de Brianqon insisted on Erina personating a queen, because she was formed, he said, to command all men, offering to attend her as page, whilst Rosaline waited on her as a confidant or lady of her court. To humour their beau, Rosaline and Erina consented to his proposal, and the trio equipped themselves with splendid habits, suitable to the several characters. Is Eriua objected toassume the royal robes of England or France, lest in her pronunciation of English or French she should be immediately recognised by speaking; the first language as a native of Britain, and the French tongue as a foreigner, and thus discover herself to all her acquaintance at Chandenagore as soon a* she addressed any of them, and as she rightly judged it absurd to personate a character without speaking in its appropriate language, she said she could only wear the Persian diadem with any propriety, as her late studies enabled her to converse a little in Persian.

In her dress for the occason, all the elegance of fancy could devise most tasteful was employed to deck a figure exquisitely beautiful in a habit superlatively becoming. With delight and gaiety Ro- B 3 tf THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY;

saline assumed her character of lady in waiting on her majesty, even before she appeared at the masquerade, and assisting in attiring her friend, decorated her in all her jewels.

The preparations for the festive scene afforded the little party at the villa much entertainment. Rosaline, as usual, was charmingly sportive ; and de .Bnangon rattled away with all his vivacity, telling his two companions he must expend all his volubility for that evening, before he repaired to the assembly, where, out of respect to her majesty, and also by reason of his entire ignorance of the Persian language, he should be compelled to keep silence. Erina, much amused by the cheerful bustle, felt herself particularly exhilarated ; her spirits, ever light as innocence, health, and youth could render them, were on this evening elevated above their usual height. Hope and expectation of approaching delight fluttered in her heart, glowed in her cheeks, and sparkled in her eyes; and as she looked forward to the gay scene she was preparing to enter, she experienced a lively sensation of delight at the idea which had before frequently occurred to her, that the prince would certainly recognise her as his pupil in the character she assumed. She also felt a pleasure in believing he would attend her at the ball. She was assured she should immediately discover him under whatever disguise he appeared, as his superior elegance could not fail to distinguish him and point him out to her observation ; and rejoicing in the idea of enjoying his peculiarly charming and interesting conversation for the whole of the entertainment, she flattered herself she might for thatuight escape the impertinent obtrusion, the teazing attention, and the tormenting assiduities of the troublesome count : for Erina imagined his self-sufficiency must betray him as the most conceited coxcomb existing . and she resolved to guard with particular care against his knowing her.

Indulging such flattering hopes, such pleasing expectations, she assumed her mask, and repaired to the festive scene, more elated than she had ever been by the anticipation of public amusement.

The master of the ceremonies appointed to regulate the festivities of that night, according to the arrangement which had been made, received the company ; each individual being announced aloud on entering, under the title of their assumed character.

Erina, pompously introduced as the queen of Persia, with her attendants, received the homage B 4 paid to royalty with all the dignity of gracious sovereignty. Her air was naturally so majestic, and her usual manners so nobly elegant, that it was easy for her to keep up the grandeur her assumed state required.

Being conducted to a seat amongst the female guests, she amused herself with Rosaline in remarking all the company as each character entered and mingled in the motley groups around her. The astonishing variety of the drcsces, some splendid in the extreme, others grotesque — the strange mixture of the different characters, some of whom were superb, imposing, and even terrific, while others appeared in direct opposition, as of the lowest classes, ludicrous, and some most engaging ; the brilliant decorations of the apartments, where innumerable lights and rich furniture were reflected in magnificent mirrors, that seemed to enlarge the spacious apartments, increase the multitude, and add splendour to the illuminations; and, above all, the music which enlivened all, and spread a kind of magical effect over the scene, conspired to enchant the gay Erina.

The conductors of the entertainment had requested the company to assemble at an early hour, as soon as the evening was sufficiently dusk to

QR; GUARDIAN GENII. 9

prevent their being mutually recognised by their equipages in their way to the masquerade ; the display of character was to continue till midnight, at which hour the guests were to unmask for supper, and at the conclusion of it commence dancing.

As the entertainment was intended to be uncommonly splendid, every one had made a point of exerting all their taste and talents, to add their full share to the expected enjoyment ; and many had put themselves to astonishing trouble and expence to contribute to the brilliancy of the scene by curious inventions and magnificent preparations.

In addition to all the crowned heads of the globe, many of the heathen deities were personated with extraordinary ability, and an amazing grand and striking effect. Here were seen the Grand Signior, surrrounded by the ladies of his seraglio ; the Great Mogul, with a train of tributary nabobs and rajahs ; a Jupiter brandishing his thunder- bolts, pleased, instead of alarming the assembly ; Fortune, mounted on her wheel, attracted a crowd of supplicants round her, who, scrambling eagerly for the counterfeit favours her blind goddes&hip distributed, acted the pantomime of real life in rudely jostling each other, and often injuring themselves in striving for that which, when obtained with difficulty, and JJ 5 grasped with anxiety, was neither worth the trouble of preserving, nor the pain and risk of acquiring. Erina, who ever loved to draw a moral lesson from each circumstance, remarked to Rosaline this observation on Fortune and her votaries. The two friends and de Briangon were highly entertained by recognising the ugliest woman in Chandenagore under the disguise of a Venus, surrounded by Loves and attended by Cupid. " This is a striking proof of female unfounded pretension and vanity," cried the lively viscount in a half whisper to his two companions. " Or rather perhaps of that gross and often ill-natured flattery," added Eriua laughing, u which your sex, Monsieur de Briangon, believe themselves at liberty to employ, in order to render our's weak enough to believe their lovers' vows. It is, however, surely cruel to laugh at follies of which they are the cause. Let not men condemn the vanity of women till beaux cease to flatter."

Whilst Erina was busily engaged examining ail the motley throng around her, in hopes of discovering her interesting friend, the Prince of Azimabad, her attention was directed towards the entrance into the ball-room, on hearing the guardian genius of virtue announced. In the expectation of recognising under that appellation the illustrious youth, who on a former occasion had gallantly claimed the title of her attendant spirit, Erina fixed an enquiring gize of admiration on an advancing pageant. On a triumphal car, glittering with burnished gold, and enriched with precious stones, stood a fine commanding figure, clad in the most sumptuous apparel. The car, formed as the pencil of taste would depict the chariot of the sun, was raised on wheels of ivory, braced with gold; perched on the axletree in front of the bronze effigy of an enormous eagle, with expanding flapping wings, appeared to move the car, which the youth placed in it, guided by secret mechanism. Radiant in silver, gold, and jewels, reflected light, in brilliant coruscations, flashed from his sparkling vestments as he passed through the crowd, in sumptuous pomp, outshining by his lustre all that seemed splendid, until his effulgence dazzled.

In his commanding stature, and pre-eminently graceful air of princely dignity, Erina's admiration recoguized her illustrious friend Jaffier Mahomedo The throng pressed round his beaming car, soliciting his guardian care; whilst he, immediately distinguishing Erina by her peculiarly elegant dress and graceful air, sprung from his elevated station, and, with an airy I ound, advancing to her, presented

a golden casket, telling her it contained a talisman, s 0

12 THE SOLDIER^ FAMILY;

which, if she would accept and wear, would attach him most faithfully for ever to her service. This offered gift, which could not be refused without affectation and incivility, Erina received with a characteristic acknowledgment to her good genius.

Without a mutual declaration of reciprocal recognition, each felt perfectly convinced of being known by the other. Their conversation, quite adapted to the characters both had assumed, was particularly elegant, spirited, sentimental, and interesting. Congeniality of taste, and a striking similarity of disposition and talents, afforded each the means of shining in intercourse with the other, and drawing forth that reciprocation of thought and feeling which constitute sympathy, that to minds of sensibility is the most delightful of all sensations.

In an enchanting intercommunication of ideas and sentiments, the prince and Erina were engaged when they were accosted by a mask, who had been announced under the title of Abucazan, the magician. Bearing all the insignia of necromancy,' he boasted the power of his art ; and offering his services to Erina, he assured her he knew all the events of her past life, and foresaw every thing that would happen in the course of her future days ;

and related to her so exactly ail the striking occurrences which had befallen her, as to astonish her. She in vain endeavoured to recollect this extraordinary personage, whose conversation so accorded with the abstract idea of a magician, conceived in the perusal of a fairy tale, that a superstitious mind might almost have believed him a sorcerer.

With equal ability the prince sustained his character as the attendant spirit of Erina, and she was highly entertained with the conversation between her guardian genius and the necromancer ; when she was addressed by a mask who had just been introduced to the assembly under the title of the invincible knight of the goldeu armour.

On approaching Erina, he bowed obsequiously, and telling her he was the champion of her peerless beauty, she instantly recognised in the tones of his voice, in his air, and in his features, imperfectly concealed by the visor of his helmet, the Count de rArmencour.

Started as she was by the pointed manner of his addressing her, which seemed to indicate he knew her, she yet flattered herself it was impossible he could thus instantly have discovered her, and even before she had spoken a syllable in his hearing: resolved, if possible, to avoid being recognized by him, and thus escape his persecuting assiduities for that night, she acknowledged the knight's courteous homage only by a silent inclination of her head ; aiid. to her unspeakable satisfaction, saw him immediately take his leave, and mingle in the crowd.

Amongst those who most entertained the cornmany, the magician was pre-eminent. Invited to behold the power of his art, a throng gathered round him at one end or the apartment, where a canopy had been spread. Here he began his solicited and promised incantations. Having marked the floor in a circle round him with his wand, which was made of ebony, and tipped with fire, he desired no one might approach within the ring he had draw n, under the pain of transformation to the shape of some horrid monster. Upon this speech, a mask, in the form of a devil, leaped within the line which the magician had traced, and defied his power, though it were derived from Satan himself.

" The arch fiend dreads the effect of my magic," cried the necromancer, with a tremendous voice — * he dares not oppose it — who then will venture to dispute the power of Abucazan, when he can command the infernal spirits to obey him and appear at his summons ?

" As for thee," continued the sorcerer, in a contemptuous strain, seizing the mask that had addressed him, " thou art almost too despicable a subject for the display of my art; by it I see through the disguise of a devil, which suits thee well, and shews thy judgment in assuming a character thou art fitted to support, because thou hast often played it, that thou art an officer in the French service." A general burst of laughter applauded the sarcasm of the magician, who thus Continued : " To strip off thy disguise, Monsieur de Captaine, and shew thee in thy real form, would be too trivial an effort for my sorcery ; but by a touch of my wand I will transform thy demonship into a figure equally characteristic of thy true self. In thy professional capacity, the sword affords thee triumph and glory ; in a perpetual change of place thou passest thy time in amusement, and by the flattery of the fair sex, leadest them to forsake their friends and follow thee wherever fortune throws thee. Ever employed in deceiving, whether in the martial character, or in that of a devil, retain thy nature uuder a different shape. Be henceforth still thyself, but change thy name from soldier and demon to harlequin !"'

Thus saying, the magician waved his hand over she devil's head, and touching his sooty apparel with the blazing point of the ebon rod, a blue lambent flame consumed in a moment the sable gauze in which the demon had been enveloped, and discovered the party-coloured vesture of a harlequin.

At this unexpected transformation a general buz of applause complimented the sorcerer ; who, continuing to brandish his wand, muttered, in a hollow voice, a few unintelligible syllables, when suddenly, from the spreading canopy under w hich he stood, as in a tent, a radiant female figure descended in transparent clouds of while and purple, illumined with effulgent light. In her hand she held a torch, which she presented to the magician with a smile, and ascended to the sound of a soft symphany, which seemed like the music of enchantment. To it& dulcet notes, the hitherto inanimate harlequin moved, as if just awaking from a trance, while the torch waved over him. As the sweet strains changed from a slow movement to a sprightly air, the newly animated harlequin 4 began his frolicsome motions; when the magician, drawing a sword from his robes, gave it to the transformed mask, desired him to seek a columbine amongst the guests, and entertain the assembly with his gambols ; upon which the new harlequin, darting amidst the throng, left the sorcerer to proceed in his magical operations,

u Who dares now defy my power r" demanded he, in a solemn voice, gazing round the semicircle of company which had gathered in a crowd at a little distance from the station he had taken.

" I dare P cried the priuce. " The guardian genius of virtue will boldly brave the power of the magician Abucazan."

" Wilt thou pretend to contend with him before whom all spirits tremble ? Consider thy temerity, whilst I anew display my art in all its terrors." lit tering these words, he traced with his wand, in large characters, the word " Satan," upon the floor, in letters black as jet. Then taking a phial out of his bosom, he sprinkled the ground with large drops of a sanguine colour. As he performed this muttering, a noise was heard like the grumbling of distant thunder, which increased till it came to an incessant roar of dreadful peals, that broke in tremendous claps above him, while streams of livid light burst from the drapery over his head. Standing unmoved for some moments, as if uttering incantations over a large vase, he placed it on the letters he had traced on the floor, and setting it into combustion with the flaming torch, he withdrew from the burning vase, while thick fumes ascending from it spread in a vapour round ; and from the yawning ground issued, in the midst of blue flashes of fiery light, and curling smoke, a gigantic figure, such as Milton's pen, of immortal fame, drew the rebel demon Lucifer. So dark, so tremendously great he stood, staring with a satanic frown on all around, while from the red glare of infuriated eyes, and the flames in which the enormous figure was enveloped, ensanguined rays beamed from the dreadful apparition.

The assembly, hushed to perfect silence, gazed on the scene displayed with art so deceptive, as almost to stagger resolution into an idea of real danger; and to lessening peals, like retiring thunder, the terrific figure vanished in smoke, which soon dispersing, nought but empty space left.

" Who will venture to dispute my power ?" cried the magician, advancing to the verge of his circle. " Within this magic round," he added, smiling on Erina, " female beauty and innocence are ever safe. The lovely possessor of Persia's throne alone can command the magician Abucazan : say {■hen, royal lady, what you yet desire besides the richest gifts of person, mind, and fortune, all already your's. Would you, before the feast to which these numerous guests are bid, legale yourself with viands, such as an enchanted banquet can afford? If such your wish, fair queen, inform me of it by a royal nod of smiling condescension."

Erina laughed at this address, and bowed, to carry on the illusive jest of the entertaining scene.

Immediately at the stroke of the magician's wand, a table rose within the circle under the canopy; upon the board, fruits, and goblets wreathed with flowers, displayed the appearance of a fairy feast. A chair of reyal state next rose, at the command of the sorcerer ; who, advancing towards Erina, offered his hand to conduct her to her seat at the table ; when just as she was about to approach the table, harlequin, accompanied by columbine, tripped to it ; and the latter, seating herself on the chair, began to feast on the tempting fruit with her nimble attendant.

After those unexpected intruders hobbled pantaloon j followed by his clown, in search of the fugitive couple, who were surprisingly enchanted away by the chair, with columbine in it, and harlequin standing behind it, being wheeled out of the apartment in the manner of turning boxes, which are frequent in convents,

The runaway lovers having thus disappeared, old pantaloon and the clown, as might be expected, were going to partake of the banquet, when it suddenly sunk, to the extreme entertainment of the assembly.

The magician, however, instantly conjured up> the table again ; and once more solicited Erina to taste of the viands prepared for her.

The Prince of Azimabad, highly amused by the clever display of so much tasteful machinery, was intent on following Erina, to examine it nearer than the circle allowed any one to approach ; but the magician, keeping up all the solemnity consistent with his character, interdicted every one, on the peril of their life, to pass the line he had drawn with his wand, adding, that the favoured queen of Persia was alone permitted to tread with impunity on the magic ground, which the sorcery of her obedient and devoted necromancer had enchanted.

Pleased with the well-imagined scene, and inspired by gaiety to bear a part in the little fanciful drama that had been so successfully displayed, JErina permitted herself to be handed to the banquet, and taking her seat at the table under the canopy, listened with pleasure to the soft melody of a distant symphony, which again swelled on her ear in full chords of delightful harmony. To these strains of enchanting music, the radiant figure that before appeared, descended midst illumined clouds, and sweetly smiling, crowned Erina with a wreath of roses, whilst the magician closed the curtains which hung in drapery round the canopy.

The concert continued to play in varied move * ments, and the light under the canopy illuminating the pink drapery pendant from it, threw a rosetinctured' soft radiance round, whilst the admiring spectators waited in pleasing expectation of seeing the scene unclose with increased splendour and some surprising novelty.

With more impatience than the rest of the company, the three attendants of Erina waited her re-appearance, until weary of delay, the prince, stepping within the circle, approached the canopy, and drawing aside the curtain, beheld nothing but the radiant clouds which illumined the scene.

The banquet and chair of state, the conductor of the deceptive drama, and the figure that had crowned Erina had disappeared with her, as if all had vanished by real enchantment.

A mixed sensation of surprise, disappointment, and alarm, disturbed the minds of Rosaline, de Brianeon, and the prince, whilst several of the company assured them the second act of the pantomimic drama would open with more astonishing effects than had yet been seen ; but some time passed in suspense, increasing from uneasiness to tormenting anxiety, and from tormenting anxiety to the most agonizing perplexity and dismay at Erina's extraordinary absence.

Dreadful as this state of terror was, it equalled not that Erina experienced, when from the illusive brillant banquet, and the sound of soft harmony, she suddenly dropped into a deep and dark abyss, and total stillness, only interrupted by a voice that desired her not to fear.

Suspended, according to her apprehension, in a situation of extreme danger, she felt her senses bewildered in a maze of frightful conjectures relative to the event which had placed her in her horrid position. Breathless and trembling, she remained silent and motionless, waiting with a painfully palpitating heart the elucidation of her mysterious situation, when the darkness was dimly lighted by an approaching torch. As its red glare spread round the place, Erina perceived it was an immense deep dungeon, into which she had been let down by a large trap-door. The table was still before her, and on turning her head to take a view of the gloomy scene around her, she found herself in the grasp of the figure, whose necromantic appearance inspired her now with a species of awe, even more terrific than that which ignorance feels from superstitious horrors.

u Fear nothing," cried the strange unknown, as Erina supplicated to be restored to her friends in the assembly, — " fear nothing, and trust to my conducting you thither ; in perfect safety I will soon lead you to your friends, if you follow away which I shall hasten to shew you from these vaults to the ball-room."

Saying this, he offered his hand to the trembling girl, who, anxious to be released from the dismal place to the bright scene she had left, permitted her conductor to lead her out cf the dungeon. Through a long dreary passage, he handed her for-* ward in silence, following the torch-bearer, who was masked.

Erina felt an indescribable fear, such as timidity experiences in a place that inspires apprehensions of concealed difficulties and danger. She was proceeding she knew not whither with guides unknown. The sudden surprise occasioned by the most unexpected transition from a gaily splendid and festive scene to the dreary subterranean dungeon, had checked the flow of her uncommonly exhilarated spirits, and the chill which struck from the dripping vapour-encrusted walls, within whose dark enclosure she wandered pensive and uncertain of her way, made a cold nervous tremor creep through her frame in sickening sensations of faintness, that increased at every step, and nearly over-powered her.

After proceeding a considerable way through an arched narrow passage, that appeared interminable to Erina's impatience, she saw the toich-bearer open a huge door, which he held open for her passage. Unsuspicious as she was of any real danger awaiting her, she shuddered as she approached what appeared to her lively fancy an entrance into the prison of an enchanted castle. Amongst

OR, GUARDIAN fcENTI. 25

the numerous books Erina had read, she had occasionally perused a romance or novel, if recommended to her as a production of genius and morality ; for notwithstanding her taste for serious reading, she wag not above admiring and feeling interested in • well-told fictitious tale, where sentiment was awakened, and where the heart was so affected as to receive a strong impression from supposed characters well delineated, and imaginary scenes judiciously displayed by fancy's pen a3 moral lessons. She had perused many works of that kind, in which sound sense was conveyed in the most useful maxims, where true religion was pourtrayed in the most sublime descriptions, where piety was inculcated by the most engaging examples, and where amusement was blended with so much instruction and real knowledge of the world, as to render romance the vehicle of exalted ideas, refined sentiment, and superior wisdom and virtue.

Equally extraordinary as the incidents of any ancient fairy tale appeared those of this evening, and equally terrible as the most highly coloured scene in any modern novel appeared, the situation of the alarmed Erina, when, having passed the tremendous looking-door, she heard it locked and barred with massy bolts, and saw herself enclosed in a vault, to which that barricadoed door was the

vol. iv. c l26 the soldier's family;

-only entrance, and where, to her amazement and unutterable horror, she felt herself in the insolent grasp of the detestable de rArmencour.