She took no notice of the advertisement, not only as she could not be
positive it related to herself, as also because she thought, if he were
certain she had read it, he might resent her not answering it, as
discovering a too great diffidence of his honour. She added, however, a
postscript, entreating him to let her brother know, that whatever
happened, he should have no reason to find fault with her conduct.
After they left Aix-la-chappelle, they took bye roads to avoid the
armies; yet notwithstanding all their care, they now and then met
parties who were out on foraging, but as it happened, they were always
under the conduct of officers who prevented any ill accident, so that
our travellers met with no manner of interruption, but arrived safely at
the magnificent city of Vienna, where was at that time an extreme gay
court, affording every thing capable of diverting a much more settled
melancholy than either Melanthe or her fair companion were possessed of.
The arch-dutchesses, Mary Elizabeth, and Mary Anna Josepha, afterward
queen of Portugal, had frequent balls and entertainments in their
different drawing-rooms; to all which Melanthe, being a stranger and a
woman of quality, was invited: she kept her promise with Louisa; and
treating her as a young lady, whose friendship for her, and a desire of
seeing the world had engaged to accompany her, she was received and
respected as such; and by this means had an opportunity of shewing the
skill she had in dancing, singing, music, and indeed all the
accomplishments that a woman born and educated to the best expectations,
is usually instructed in. As neither her lady nor herself understood the
German language, and she spoke infinitely the best French, her
conversation was the most agreeable, which, joined with a most engaging
manner, and a peculiar sweetness in her voice, attracted all those
civilities which the rank of the other demanded.
Possessed of so many charms, it would have been strange if, in a city
throng'd like Vienna with young noblemen, who were continually coming
from all parts of the empire, she had lived without some who pretended
to somewhat more than mere admiration; but her heart had not refused the
worthy Dorilaus to become the conquest of a German; nor was it here she
was ordained to experience those anxieties in herself, she could but
imperfectly conceive by the description she had from others.
Melanthe, however, whose sole aim was to drive all perplexing thoughts
from her mind, encouraged a great number of visitors, so that her
lodgings seemed a perfect theatre of gallantry; and Louisa having her
share in all the amusements this lady prepared for the reception of
those that came to see her, or were contrived for her entertainment by
others, past her time in the most gay and agreeable manner imaginable,
and by this means acquired the knowledge of almost the only thing she
before was ignorant in, how to receive a multiplicity of company, yet to
behave so is each should imagine themselves most welcome;--to seem
perfectly open, without discovering any thing improper to be
revealed;--to use all decent freedoms with the men, yet not encourage
the least from them, and to seem to make a friend of every woman she
conversed with, without putting truth in any;--and in fine, all the
little policies which make up the art of what is called a polite
address, and which is not to be attained without an acquaintance with
the court and great world.
This, I say, our amiable foundling was now well vers'd in, and practised
among those who she found made a practice of it; but yet retained the
same sincerity of mind, love of virtue, and detestation of vice, she
brought with her from the house of Dorilaus:--neither was her youth too
much dazled with the exterior splendor she beheld; and tho' she was well
enough pleased with it, yet it did not in the least take her off from
the duties of religion, or inspire her with any ambitious or aspiring
wishes to become what the remembrance of what she was forbid any
probable expectation of. She knew the present fashion of her life was
not an assured settlement, and therefore set not her heart upon it. Few
at her years would have had the like prudence, or in time armed
themselves, as she did, against any change that might befal her.
In this happy situation let us leave her for a while: the young Horatio
claims his share of attention; and it is time to see what encouragement
and success his martial ardor met with on the banks of the Danube.