THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKET.
Alberto of Castelcicala, to conceal his princely rank, when he arrived
in England an exile from his native shores, had adopted the style of
Count Alteroni--this title being the name of an estate which he had
possessed in Italy, but which, together with the remainder of his vast
property, had been confiscated by order of the Grand Duke, his uncle.
The government of Castelcicala was an absolute despotism; and it was
because the Prince, with a view to ameliorate the condition of the
people whom he might one day be called upon to govern, had placed
himself at the head, and openly avowed himself as the patron, of a
political party in the state, whose object was to obtain a constitution,
he had been proscribed by the Grand Duke and the old aristocracy of the
country.
His party advised him to have recourse to arms; and meetings in favour
of the enlightened principles which he advocated were held at the time
throughout the country. But the Prince was resolved never to plunge his
native land into the horrors of a civil war: he preferred exile and
obscurity to such an alternative. His was, indeed, a lofty and patriotic
soul, that knew how to sacrifice his dearest interests to the popular
tranquillity.
Accordingly, on his arrival in London he had adopted a rank
comparatively humble in respect to the exalted station which he in
reality occupied; and to this mode of conduct he was instigated by the
same disinterested motives that had led him to fly from his country
rather than raise the standard of civil strife. He knew that if he
settled in London under his proper title, he could not avoid receiving
those patriotic exiles who had fled from Castelcicala to avoid the
consequences of their liberal opinions. He was averse to the idea of
allowing his dwelling to be made the point of _réunion_ for those who
advocated the enforcement of the popular cause by means of arms; he
would not for a moment consent to permit a nucleus of open rebellion
against the reigning sovereign of Castelcicala, to be formed under his
auspices. He had, therefore, intimated to his friends and adherents that
he intended to retire into private life, until circumstances might place
him in a position to confer upon his native land the charter of
liberties which he believed to be its natural right.
The few English persons who were acquainted with his secret, religiously
kept it. The Tremordyns, Armstrong, and the Earl of Warrington, whom he
numbered amongst his best friends, respected the _incognito_ which his
Highness thought fit to preserve. Thus, Armstrong had not even
communicated the fact to Richard Markham when he introduced him to the
Prince's dwelling; and the reader may now understand the reasons which
led the haughtiest of England's peers, the Earl of Warrington, on the
occasion of his visit to the mansion near Richmond to solicit letters of
introduction for Eliza Sydney, to bend his head with such profound
respect in the presence of the heir presumptive to a throne.
Nor need it now be made a matter of marvel if those letters of
introduction proved such immediate passports for Eliza Sydney into the
first society of Castelcicala;--but little did he who gave them or he
who solicited them,--little did they think that their ulterior effect
would be to open the way for that lady to such an eminence as the one
which she had attained.
We have before explained,--a point, indeed, which the intelligent reader
could not fail to comprehend,--that the chance of Alberto to the
Castelcicalan throne now depended upon the contingency of the marriage
of Angelo III. producing offspring, or not. Scarcely, however, had that
marriage been consummated, when the Minister of Foreign. Affairs wrote
to the Castelcicalan envoy at the court of Queen Victoria, to
communicate to Prince Alberto the intention of the government,
sanctioned by the Grand Duke, to allow him a handsome income, and supply
him with an immediate grant, by way of indemnification for the loss of
his estates. No political condition of any kind being attached to this
concession, the Prince did not hesitate to accept it; and it was even
mentioned in a Montoni newspaper, that the influence of the Grand
Duchess, aided by the friendly feeling of some of the new Ministers
towards the Prince, had procured this act of justice at the hands of
Angelo III.
These few observations may not be deemed superfluous, inasmuch as they
tend to explain the real position of the Prince of Castelcicala--the
father of our charming heroine.
We said it was with a light heart that Richard Markham retraced his
steps to Richmond, after having parted with the Princess Isabella.
He was, moreover, desirous to examine the contents of the packet which
she had placed in his hands,--not because he cared for the money which
was thus returned to him; but because he was anxious to ascertain
whether any note from her father accompanied it.
He, however, restrained his curiosity until he reached Richmond, where
he entered an hotel, ordered a private room, bespoke some refreshment,
and then proceeded to break the seal of the envelope.
Yes--there _was_ a letter, containing a cheque.
The cheque fell unheeded on the carpet: the letter was immediately
perused with avidity;--
"I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of your noble and
generous conduct in having liquidated the debts for which I was
detained in the Queen's Bench prison. I now repay, with unfeigned
and heart-felt gratitude, that sum which you advanced, for my
necessities, in a manner so honourable to your own nature and so
eminently useful to me at that period. I need not say how deeply I
regret the injurious suspicions which I entertained concerning you
on a certain occasion: but circumstances were too powerfully
combined against you to admit of any other impression. You will
forgive me--for I ask your pardon: I sincerely apologise for all I
may have said or done on that occasion.
"And now, my dear Mr. Markham, I am compelled to touch upon a
subject which, though painful, demands a few observations. That you
have been unfortunate, I know: that you were never guilty, I am now
well convinced. I have read a document which proves this. But you
have inspired my daughter with an affection, which I understand is
reciprocal, and which never can end otherwise than in
disappointment to you both. Crush, then, this sentiment in your
breast; and for the peace of mind of _her_ who is my only child,
and who never--never can become your wife, I implore you not to see
her more! Avoid her--as I shall instruct her to avoid you,--my only
motive being based upon certain circumstances, unknown to you,
which render your union an impossibility. I address you as a
friend--as a father I write to you; your generous heart will teach
you how to respect my wishes.
"One more subject must not be forgotten. I am well aware that you
are not as wealthy as you once were. Thank God, my pecuniary means
have ceased to be a subject of anxiety to me. You aided me when I
was in need and in distress: allow me to offer you a trifling
assistance towards enabling you to build up your fortunes. This is
an object, which, with your great talents, you cannot fail to
accomplish. Remember, I do not offer this small aid as an acquittal
of my deep obligation towards you: no--my gratitude is intense--and
the circumstances under which you befriended me leave me ever your
debtor. But as a friend, I offer you the use of my purse;--as a
friend I place in your hands a sum of money which you can use
during your pleasure, and return to me at your convenience. Should
that sum be insufficient to forward your views, hesitate not to
apply to me for more.
"And now, farewell--at least for the present; and believe that no
one will be more delighted to hear of your success in life, than
"Your very sincere friend,
"ALTERONI."
Markham picked up the cheque: it was for five thousand pounds.
We must endeavour to explain the nature of the feelings which the
contents of the Prince's letter created within him.
He saw with delight that the illustrious exile once more addressed him
as a friend, and that all suspicions of his guilt had been extirpated
from the mind of that nobleman. But, on the other hand, the barrier
between himself and Isabella seemed to be rendered insuperable by the
positive terms in which the Prince bade him eradicate his passion from
his bosom. That barrier was no doubt twofold: the father of Isabella
never could consent to the union of his daughter with one whom the world
had stamped with ignominy, although innocent:--and, chiefly, the Italian
Prince--the probable heir to a throne--might aspire to a far, far higher
connexion for his child. Then Richard's thoughts were directed to the
handsome sum of money which the Prince had placed at his disposal; and
he could not do otherwise than admire the delicate manner in which it
was proffered,--a manner that scarcely admitted of a refusal. And yet
Richard was resolved to return the surplus above the amount which he had
disbursed to procure the Prince's liberation from prison.
Thus was it with mingled feelings of joy and melancholy that Markham
reviewed the contents of that letter.
Still he clung to Hope,--for Isabella had bade him hope; and he thought
that the same good Providence which had thus far reconciled him to the
father of his beloved, might in time accomplish more striking miracles
in his favour.
But, alas! it must indeed be a miracle that could link his fate with the
high destinies of the ducal house of Castelcicala!
Isabella, instead of being the daughter of an obscure count, was the
only child of one who, if he were not to become himself the sovereign of
the most powerful petty state in Europe, would at all events occupy a
station next only to the sovereign whenever circumstances should allow
him to return to his native land.
But, on the other hand, Isabella was faithful and true; and what might
not be expected from woman's love?
In a word, Markham was rather inclined to hope than to despair; and the
incidents of that morning imparted to his soul a solace which was a
recompense for much, very much of past suffering.
Having partaken of some refreshment, Richard returned to London, and
repaired to the bank where the cheque was made payable.
He only drew for the amount actually due to him, and desired that the
surplus might be retained in behalf of Count Alteroni (under which name
the Prince was known at the bankers' establishment).
On his return home, Richard addressed the following letter to the
Italian nobleman:--
"A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for your most kind and courteous
letter. To find that you have at length become convinced that I was
unfortunate, and _never_ guilty, is a source of happiness the
extent of which I cannot describe.
"Your wishes in respect to the attachment which I certainly
entertain for the Signora Isabella, shall be so far complied
with--that I will not venture to present myself at your abode. As
for extinguishing that affection which burns in my heart--mortal
power cannot accomplish the task.
"It was with unfeigned delight that I understood from your
lordship's letter that your position not only enabled you to return
the trifle which I once ventured to use in your behalf, but also
most generously to offer me the means of building up my fallen
fortunes. My lord, I am unable to profit by your kindness; the
stigma under which I lie--and with tears I write these words--is a
bar to any legitimate speculation with a hope of success. Moreover,
I have sufficient for my wants; and am therefore, in one sense,
rich. Excuse me if I have not availed myself of your noble
offer--an offer that scarcely admits of refusal in consequence of
the delicacy and kindness with which it was made. Nevertheless, I
am bound to decline it--with the most sincere gratitude; at the
same time observing, that should need ever press me, I shall not
hesitate to have recourse to the friendship with which you honour
me.
"In the earnest hope that happiness and health may attend upon
yourself and amiable family,
"I remain, my dear lord,
"Your most grateful and faithful servant,
"RICHARD MARKHAM."
It will be seen that the tone of this letter was somewhat constrained;
but, although Richard endeavoured to write with apparent ease, as if
ignorant of his correspondent's real rank, he could not forget that he
was addressing himself to the Prince of Castelcicala.