太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > volume01 >

第24节

volume01-第24节

小说: volume01 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



te of his malady; and dressed himself with all speed。  I fastened one of the Sheets round his arms; and lowered him from the Window。  He flew to the Stable; took Claude's Horse; and hastened to Strasbourg。  Had He been accosted by the Banditti; He was to have declared himself sent upon a message by Baptiste; but fortunately He reached the Town without meeting any obstacle。  Immediately upon his arrival at Strasbourg; He entreated assistance from the Magistrature:  His Story passed from mouth to mouth; and at length came to the knowledge of my Lord the Baron。  Anxious for the safety of his Lady; whom He knew would be upon the road that Evening; it struck him that She might have fallen into the power of the Robbers。  He accompanied Theodore who guided the Soldiers towards the Cottage; and arrived just in time to save us from falling once more into the hands of our Enemies。'

Here I interrupted Marguerite to enquire why the sleepy potion had been presented to me。  She said that Baptiste supposed me to have arms about me; and wished to incapacitate me from making resistance:  It was a precaution which He always took; since as the Travellers had no hopes of escaping; Despair would have incited them to sell their lives dearly。

The Baron then desired Marguerite to inform him; what were her present plans。  I joined him in declaring my readiness to show my gratitude to her for the preservation of my life。

'Disgusted with a world;' She replied; 'in which I have met with nothing but misfortunes; my only wish is to retire into a Convent。  But first I must provide for my Children。  I find that my Mother is no more; probably driven to an untimely grave by my desertion!  My Father is still living; He is not an hard Man; Perhaps; Gentlemen; in spite of my ingratitude and imprudence; your intercessions may induce him to forgive me; and to take charge of his unfortunate Grand…sons。  If you obtain this boon for me; you will repay my services a thousand…fold!'

Both the Baron and myself assured Marguerite; that we would spare no pains to obtain her pardon: and that even should her Father be inflexible; She need be under no apprehensions respecting the fate of her Children。  I engaged myself to provide for Theodore; and the Baron promised to take the youngest under his protection。

The grateful Mother thanked us with tears for what She called generosity; but which in fact was no more than a proper sense of our obligations to her。  She then left the room to put her little Boy to bed; whom fatigue and sleep had compleatly overpowered。

The Baroness; on recovering and being informed from what dangers I had rescued her; set no bounds to the expressions of her gratitude。  She was joined so warmly by her Husband in pressing me to accompany them to their Castle in Bavaria; that I found it impossible to resist their entreaties。  During a week which we passed at Strasbourg; the interests of Marguerite were not forgotten: In our application to her Father we succeeded as amply as we could wish。  The good old Man had lost his Wife:  He had no Children but this unfortunate Daughter; of whom He had received no news for almost fourteen years。  He was surrounded by distant Relations; who waited with impatience for his decease in order to get possession of his money。  When therefore Marguerite appeared again so unexpectedly; He considered her as a gift from heaven:  He received her and her Children with open arms; and insisted upon their establishing themselves in his House without delay。  The disappointed Cousins were obliged to give place。  The old Man would not hear of his Daughter's retiring into a Convent: He said that She was too necessary to his happiness; and She was easily persuaded to relinquish her design。  But no persuasions could induce Theodore to give up the plan which I had at first marked out for him。  He had attached himself to me most sincerely during my stay at Strasbourg; and when I was on the point of leaving it; He besought me with tears to take him into my service: He set forth all his little talents in the most favourable colours; and tried to convince me that I should find him of infinite use to me upon the road。  I was unwilling to charge myself with a Lad but scarcely turned of thirteen; whom I knew could only be a burthen to me:  However; I could not resist the entreaties of this affectionate Youth; who in fact possessed a thousand estimable qualities。  With some difficulty He persuaded his relations to let him follow me; and that permission once obtained; He was dubbed with the title of my Page。  Having passed a week at Strasbourg; Theodore and myself set out for Bavaria in company with the Baron and his Lady。  These Latter as well as myself had forced Marguerite to accept several presents of value; both for herself; and her youngest Son:  On leaving her; I promised his Mother faithfully that I would restore Theodore to her within the year。

I have related this adventure at length; Lorenzo; that you might understand the means by which 'The Adventurer; Alphonso d'Alvarada got introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg。'  Judge from this specimen how much faith should be given to your Aunt's assertions! 

返回目录 上一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的