Volume V Part 42 (2/2)

I think now that this ht of theit ith du the opportunity of rendering one another happy

We flattered ourselves that Heaven would work some miracle in our favour, and that the day would never co the count ca into tears, told iven hiuese ambassador at London, and another letter open for the captain of a shi+p which was shortly to sail for London In this letter the minister ordered the captain to embark Count Al----, to take him to London, and to treat him with distinction

”My poor lover was overwhelmed, he was nearly choked with sobs, and his brain was all confusion For his sake, and taking pity on his grief andhi my sex, as his wife When I told him, he was at once stupefied and dazzled He was beyond reasoning, and left everything in th on the following day, and parted

”Foreseeing that it would be difficult for uise myself as a ed to occupy the position of th This thoughtthat I should not care to see raded to the rank of a servant, I deter that the captain of the shi+p did not know hiht, 'ill get e will efface whatever shaht; they will say, perhaps, that the count carried ainst her will, and Oeiras surely will not persecutemade the fortune of his favourite As to our et my rents, I can sell my diamonds, and they will realize an ample sue plan, he ht of was the circuht, and this would have been fatal; but as he did not think it likely we deteret me the clothes for the new part I was to play

”I saw htfall when he came He told me that the Ad at the us, and that the captain would put out to sea as soon as he had delivered his dispatches and had received fresh instructions Count Al was consequently requested to be at a certain spot atto take hih for , I shutto be unwell I put a few necessaries into a bag, not forgetting the precious jewel-casket, and I dressed myself up as a man and left the house by a stair only used by the servants Even the porter did not see o astray the count aiting for me at a short distance, and I was pleasantly surprised when he took , ”Tis I' Froh it was, I saw that he had intelligence; he was afraid to catch hold ofhimself known We went to a house where he had his trunk, and in half an hour his disguise was e, and alked to the river where the count aiting for us It was eleven o'clock e left land, and thinking ave them to him, and we anxiously awaited the arrival of the captain He caht, and accostedhe had received orders to treat me with distinction I thanked hireeted respectfully, saying he was delighted to have such a charive us a fortunate voyage He was too polite to be astonished that the minister had ot to the frigate in less than an hour; she was three leagues froot on board the captain ordered the men to set sail He took us to a roo it was only a cabin, and after doing the honours left us to ourselves

”When ere alone we thanked Heaven that everything had gone off so well, and far fro the bold step we had taken, or rather, only just begun to take; however, we hoped it would have as fortunate an ending as beginning When the day dawned our hearts were gladdened because Lisbon was no longer in sight, and as ere in need of rest I laid down on a seat, while the count got into a ha to undress

”We were just falling asleep, e began to feel the approach of sea-sickness, and for three days we knew no peace

”On the fourth day, scarcely being able to stand upright for weakness, we began to be hungry, and had to exercise a careful moderation, so as not to becoood food, and our meals were delicate and well-served

”My lover, whose sickness has beenhis room The captain only came to see us once; this al one may be jealous and yet not ridiculous As for e nearly all day; the fresh air didthe horizon with e my heart trembled as with a presentiment of misfortune, when the sailors said that a vessel which could be seen in the distance was a corvette which was due to sail a day after us, but being a swift sailor would probably reach England two or three days before us

”Though the voyage fro one we had a fair wind all the way, and in fourteen days we dropped anchor at day-break in the port of Plymouth

”The officer sent ashore by the captain to ask leave to dise with several letters One the captain read with peculiar attention, and then called me to one side and said,

”'This letter comes from Count Oeiras, and enjoinslady land, unless she be known toexecuted my various coate, except the countess your wife If you can prove that she is really your wife she may land with you; otherwise, you see, I cannot disobey the minister's orders'

”'She is my wife,' I said, coolly; 'but as I could not foresee this accident I have no papers to prove the fact'

”'I ao back to Lisbon You may be sure I will treat her with all possible respect'

”'But a wife may not be parted from her husband'

”'Quite so, but I cannot disobey orders If you like you can return to Lisbon in the corvette; you will be there before us'

”'Why cannot I return in this frigate?

”'Because I have distinct orders to put you on land And now I come to think of it, hoas it that there was not a word about your wife in the letter you gave me e started? If the lady is not the person meant by the minister, you may be sure she will be sent back to join you in London'

”'You will allow o and speak to her?