Irritated by contradiction, I became so enamour-pense, I would furnish him the means and he ed of her, I found her so lovely, good, ingenu- could then repay me. I seem a fool to you, perous, that I should have been fool enough to haps, for De Lanery might not marry, and I marry her. An infernal spirit I am sure led me should lose my money. But, in order to succeed to become acquainted with Gontran de Lanery in my designs, it was necessary for me to inspire at that time; I became intimate with him; I him with a blind confidence in my generosity and confided my secret, my projects to him. I pre- my friendship. You will see that I make good sented him to this young girl as my most inti- use of my money. Each time that I had leat mate friend. A month after this presentation, I him a considerable sum, I had given him merely was dispossessed, supplanted by him. He had a simple draught signed by me upon my banker, revealed-vilified my intentions, seduced her, till take notice of this. One day I quitted Lonthen so pure. The unfortunate committed sui- don suddenly without informing De Lancry. I eide on finding herself soon after abandoned by knew he was without money. I sent him a cerDe Lancry. This was the work of your hus- tain sharp Jew who offered him thirty thousand band-he withered, destroyed, the only true af- franes upon his recognizances. De Lancry, reckfection I have perhaps felt in my life-at one oning upon my payment, signed. blow, and for ever, wounded my heart and my "I was at Brighton, from whence I watched pride, in snatching from me so disdainfully a him. My project was ripe-gold is a magic conquest that I would have purchased with my wand. Some time after the loan I eaused a hand. This is what I will never pardon him. young person, the heiress of 150,000 francs aYou do not know what that man has made me year, to be proposed to Gontran. I was unacsuffer! M. Lugarto seemed to quit his tone of quainted with the parents; they had the greatcold irony as he uttered the last words. You est confidence in me. I had engaged myself that have at least known one generous sentiment,' I De Lancry should have more than two millions; exclaimed. In the name of it, I entreat you, only I persuaded the parents not to treat upon have pity upon me: I feel my strength, my the money question before my arrival. From senses, abandon me! M. Lugarto replied, with habit, De Lancry always gave out that he was a loud laugh, Why, what a child you are! It a millionaire: he sued the young lady; and a is quite plain: I give you a narcotic: it is to day was agreed upon for the arrangements. take effect: your sleepiness will increase until When this was arranged I wrote from Brighton you are quite overcome. To return to De Lan- to De Lancry: his answer was, a demand for cry. If I have forgotten that young girl,-the two thousand louis to pay the Jew, for the time rage at having been sacrificed to Gontran, the of payment was nearly expired: the Jew was thirst for vengeance, still remains in my heart. unpitying, and he might arrest him. It would Had I had the courage to fight with De Lancry, have been rather disagreeable to be imprisoned it seems to me that I must have killed him, I just as he was going to obtain such a fortune. hated him so much; but, as I have before told The evening before the day of payment arrived, you, I am nervous. I have waited. And then I had well calculated, De Lancry was in a dreadvengeance, as it is vulgarly said, se mange ful agitation; when I wrote to him by post, très-bien froide. Besides, some warning voice without giving my address-mark this-sending whispered me that sooner or later Gontran would him a draft for two thousand louis, payable at not escape me. Last year I was in London; he sight, on my banker, with merely the usual came there with the wreck of his fortune; he words: "Bon pour deux mille livres sterling. wished to appear with a certain splendour in Brighton. Comte de Lugarto." I only wrote order to catch some rich heiress in marriage. I a few lines, to tell De Lanery that I was quitmet him with an open countenance; I began by ting Brighton, and would inform him soon where laughing at the capital trick he had played me I was. I arranged that the letter should arrive in taking off that young girl; he laughed at it in the evening. De Lancry had a valet of my also, and was delighted to find that I took it so recommendation. When the draft arrived he well; we again became intimate. His marriage made no progress. I spread the report of his ruin and his interested designs, adding that he was already laughing at the heiress he expected to catch in his conjugal nets. Finally, notwithstanding his title, his wit, his good looks, the charming De Lanery was not able to catch an obscure citizen's heiress. But this chase after one had exhausted his last resource. His uncle, the Duc de Versac, would not give him a sou your dear Gontran was reduced to the last extremity, when the demon inspired him. He borrowed money from me for the first time; from that day he was in my power. I lent him a thousand louis so easily-he knew my fortune to be immense that he accepted it without scruple and returned to the charge. I advised him for his own interest to appear with renewed splendour. It had been said he was ruined, he would prove it to be false. He would not fail this time to make a good match. As to the ex

1

put it in a drawer, and went out, leaving the key in the lock, for he is not famous for order. The servant took the draft, and returned it to me by my orders. The next day De Lanery sought his draft, of course in vain, the valet knew nothing about it. He played his part well. The Jew arrived, insisted upon having his money, and threatened to speak to the family of the young lady, and thus prevent his marriage. De Lan cry, almost distracted, related to his valet, in whom he had the greatest confidence, his terrible embarrassment. My man then, following rigidly my instructions, pretended to hesitate, and at last said, 'The Count de Lugarto has sent your lordship a draft for two thousand louis; he intends lending your lordship, then, that sum; you have lost the draft. What harm would there be if your lordship wrote another?'

What, villain! a forgery? But if M. de Lugarto has sent your lordship a draft, and this draft is lost-it comes to the same thing. Whom

64 6

would it harm if you made another!' Your agreed that we should be reported to have fought dear Gontran allowed himself to be persuaded with only two soldiers as witnesses: that I had by this rhetoric, after a few scruples of con- received a sword wound; which was done, and science: an hour after, he presented a forged I pass for a crane. Second-Lancry was to leave draft to my banker. But this arouses you,' add- Paris immediately for London, where he is now. ed M. Lugarto, seeing that I made a desperate Before his departure I made him write to you, effort to rise. You lie! you lie !' I exclaimed, without telling my reason, the first letter which in a weakened_voice, Gontran is incapable of you received in Paris, and which induced you to such infamy.' Exhausted by this movement, I come here. The others are from me, for your again fell back in my chair. From this moment husband is not the only person who can countereverything appeared strange to me. I seemed feit writing and commit forgery. I have forgotto see all the persons he mentioned appear be- ten nothing, I think-No. fore me as in a dream. As a proof that I do Now, as a little sense still remains, look not lie in accusing De Lancry of forgery,' replied well at your position. For two months, thanks Lugarto, showing me a paper, here is the forged to me, the world is persuaded that we are on the draft. Some days before, I had confidentially best possible terms with each other, and, if it informed my banker, under the seal of the great- could be doubted, they can now judge from facts. est secrecy, that De Lancry, making an abuse of You came here willingly: you have concealed my friendship, might perhaps present a draft this journey from your aunt, M. de Versac, and from me; but, from respect for the name he Madame de Ksernika, since you told them by bore, I begged him to pay it without taking no- letter that you were going to join your cousin, tice, but to keep the draft and draw up a state- Madame Sécherin; it is thought that your husment of the crime; that if my unworthy friend band wounded me in a duel ; it will be thought did not amend I might punish him. This was that you have come to attend upon me, to condone: sure and honourable witnesses were pro- sole my sufferings;-how will you deny it? cured, who saw De Lancry bring the draft and where are your proofs? My forged letters, you receive the money. These witnesses signed a will say; but presently, when you are asleep, I verbal process, which I have here. You see I will take them from you and burn them. Your have but a word to say, in order to send your servants are all devoted to me, and besides they husband to the galleys.' I hid my face in my will say they acted by your orders. This is not hands with horror. This explains the secret all. To crown the whole, one of your relations, of my power over De Lancry. Although the hearing, without doubt, of your infamous conduct, Jew was paid his thirty thousand francs, Gon- has followed you to prevent your dishonouring tran's marriage did not take place. I withdrew yourself. Your passion has blinded you so far my guarantee without explaining why. De Lan- that you assist a servant to make this virtuous cry being asked to prove his possession of the relation fall into an abominable snare, where he fortune he pretended to have, of course could has, perhaps, lost his life. What can you say not; every one turned their backs on him, and now? I defy the most skilful attorney to conhe again became as poor as Job; his only wealth tradict this-to prevent you falling under these the 200,000 francs which he owed me. It was appearances. And I have managed so well that dear, but his soul belonged to me, as Satan it is known that you have not been to Madame would say. When De Lanery found himself Sécherin, and that you have come to give me a thus in my power he became furious; but what sad and tender adieu. To-morrow morning could he do? resign himself, under pain of be- (your sleep will last eight or ten hours) I set off ing It was then he received a letter from for Italy. I will leave you to awake at your his uncle, proposing a marriage with you. That leisure, and to write to Gontran, poste-restante, delighted me; my vengeance would be doubled; London. to return and console you if that amuses I should have two lives to dispose of instead of him. I will take with me the forgery--that inone. In order to make the fine project of Made- fernal thread at the end of which I hold the soul moiselle de Marand, and M. de Versac succeed, of Gontran and your own. As for the 300,000 I lent Gontran 100,000 francs in advance upon francs that your husband owes me, I have the your marriage portion. The marriage took place. acknowledgments here. After my departure I was ill in London, or I would have assisted at you will find them torn up, for I am a gallant the wedding. As soon as my health was re- and generous man.' This last piece of infamy stored I wrote to interrupt De Lancry's honey- roused the little strength that I had left. M. moon. I ordered him to return to Paris. As Lugarto arose, looked at the timepiece, and said, soon as I saw you I loved you, and determined" In ten minutes you will be in my power." In that you should be mine. Now, what I will-making a desperate movement to rise from the I will. I declared to your husband that I would chair where I seemed nailed, my eyes fell on a make love to you, he resigned himself in a rage. knife. 1 now scarcely remember if I wished to However, he trusted to your principles of virtue, and he was right—you have forced me to have recourse to force. You know the rest, even to the scene at Tortoni's. His headstrong passion overcame him. At two in the morning, however, he was in my house on his knees, weeping, and imploring pardon for himself and for you. I again allowed myself to be softened, on these conditions. First-a duel was necessary, and I was too nervous to accept one. It was

destroy myself to escape from dishonour, or if I fancied that the loss of blood would rouse me from the horrible state in which I was; but I seized the knife, and with all my remaining strength endeavoured to plunge it into my breast: the blade slided and wounded me slightly in the shoulder. This movement was so rapid that Lugarto did not perceive it. A well known voice exclaimed with horror: Mathilde, hold!'

rose up with a movement almost convulsive

-I stepped forward-and fell into the arms of M. de Mortagne, who rushed towards me from the next room.

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6

Will

and you will see if you can resist us.' 'But'Oh! let us end this. Rochegune, take his hands.' The face of M. Lugarto became hideous with terror. I put my hand on my eyes. A kind of struggle took place, then a piercing cry, and I heard M. Lugarto say in a trembling voice, Mercy-mercy!-I will write; but you are two to one, and you take advantage of it.' you write ? thundered M. de Mortagne. Lugarto resigned himself and wrote what M. de Mortagne dictated. I have kept up the joke too long with you, my dear Lanery, about you know what. I send you back the papers in question. Let this secret rest henceforth between you and me, for I am quite ashamed of it. I am off to Italy. Adieu, yours-LUGARTO. “I hope this is all,' said he, 'I yield to force alone.' 'But patience, patience. How much does M. de Lancry owe you?' said M. de Mortagne. The bonds of De Lancry are in that pocket-book,' said M. de Rochegune, 320,000 francs.' M. de Mortagne wrote a few lines and gave them to Lugarto. 'Here,' said he, is a draft for that sum payable on my banker. You must get your correspondent to receive it.' He then tore up the acknowledgments of Gontran. 'Why this is infamous, it is a robbery! Gontran's forged draught?' said M. de Mortagne, without answering him. 'It is here,' said M. de Rochegune. M. de Mortagne added it to the letter that Lugarto had just written to De Lancry, and put the whole in his pocket-book. Seeing the means by which he might continue to torture his victim thus snatched from his hands, M. de Lugarto uttered a cry of fury almost savage. It is infamous-force, trapping, violence!' You wish me to gag you, then?' exclaimed M. de Mortagne. I forbid you speaking unless I question you-write again.' But'-Rochegune, give me the cord.' M. Lugarto raised his eyes to heaven and obeyed. M. de Mortagne dictated."

And

M. de Rochegune who accompained him, seized M. Lugarto by the collar with one hand and double-locked the door by which he had entered. The surprise of seeing M. de Mortagne and M. de Rochegune, recalled my fleeting senses entirely. Perhaps the slight wound I had given myself had a salutary effect also, for I felt almost in my natural state of health. While M. de Mortagne stopped the bleeding, M. de Rochegune seized M. Lugarto's papers; the latter had become livid with terror. The face of M. de Mortagne was scratched and bruised; his clothes, as well as those of M. de Rochegune, were covered with mud. I then began to think of the providential succour which had reached me. I thanked God for having saved me from worse than death. I was a silent spectator to the following scene, but it is graven on my heart in indelible characters. After having attended to my wants and placed me in an arm chair, M. de Mortagne said to me, My poor child, you are now going to witness the judgment and execution of this monster.' And he turned towards M. Lugarto. 'What do you intend to do to me? You will not surely take advantage of your superior force?' cried the latter, extending his arms supplicatingly. 'On your knees first -on your knees!' said M. de Mortagne, in a terrible voice; and with his powerful hand he seized Lugarto by the collar and forced him on his knees. Why it is an ambush-an abuse of Hold your tongue,' cried M. de Mortagne. 'But —' 'One word more and I gag you.' M. Lugarto, overcome, suffered his head to fall on his chest. Listen to me well,' said M. de Mortagne: 'you must write to De Lancry that you send him back the forged bond which may ruin' him; I wish him to think that you act on your own free will, and that no person is in your horrible confidence. You understand me.' The features of M. Lugarto, which had been for a moment changed, regained their accustomed audacity. Still on his knees, he looked askance at M. de Mortagne and said: 'You take me for a child, The scene then changes to bourgeois then; it is true you may seize my papers by life. The friend and companion of Maforce, but I defy you to make me write your thilde's childhood, Ursule, has married a wishes.' You will not write?—Non-Non worthy manufacturer of Touraine, of whose -Once more, then, non.' M. de Mortagne was silent for an instant and looked round the room, then said suddenly: 'Rochegune, give me the cord that fastens back the curtain; is it strong? Very strong,' said M. de Rochegune, giving him a long silken cord. What are you group. going to do?' cried Lugarto, half rising. M. de Mortague again forced him on his knees. will put this cord round your forehead and tighten it till you yield. This is a means of torture I have often seen practised in India, Thanks to it, the most obstinate yield.' You will not, dare not, do that!' cried Lugarto, trembling-Law, justice-I take upon myself to answer them. The important part of the business is that you write,' said M. de Mortagne,

with the most terrible coolness, as he made a slip-knot in the cord. But I will not suffer myself to be'-'Look at me well, look at M. de Rochegune, then took at your own puny person,

Lugarto here writes a letter in the words demanded of him, being an ample confession of his crime and intrigue.

rusticity the said Ursule is marvellously ashamed. Madame Sécherin, the severe old mother, is well depicted, as well as Mademoiselle de Maran, in the midst of such a

But as these portraitures are taken from the family of Madame Laffarge, of infamous celebrity, we need not dwell upon them.

A French novel can only be eked out by culpable attachments. Ursule, despising the manufacturing Sécherin, carries the affection of De Lancry, who after much wavering between love and neglect abandons his wife in a state of pregnancy. His abrupt departure with Ursule destroys her hopes of being a mother. And thus ends the first part of the novel.

1842.

HENRY WILde. 2 vols. New York. 1842.

When it opens again, Ursule is residing with Madamoiselle de Maran in the richest and gayest house of the metropolis, the expense of which is defrayed by Mathilde's UPON the minuteness and obscurity of our fortune, which De Lancry is recklessly attainable evidences with regard to a sinspending. Mathilde herself has retired to gle important portion of a great poet's the quiet society of some old noble fami- history-the Love and Madness of Tasso lies, discontented with the arrangements of great light is thrown by these clever 1830. The group is well depicted. Here volumes. And further additions to a very she becomes re-tormented by the intrigues meagre stock are not, it seems, to be abof Lugarto, and perplexed as well as con- solutely despaired of. The Medicean Resoled by the attentions of her old admirer, cords may be laid under more liberal conM. de Rochegune. A divorce from her tributions, and the Archives of Este cease ingrate husband has become attainable, to remain impenetrable. What even if a and the story seems approaching its ray of light should straggle over the undénouement, when a young beauty, the sunned hoards of sumless wealth in the "If windows were in heaven, daughter of her intimate friend, falls in Vatican? love with M. de Rochegune. Mathilde might this thing be." But in our days the poorest loophole instantly waives her uncertain hopes to ensure the happiness of the young Emma, will have to be broken, we suspect, with whom Rochegune reluctantly espouses. far different instruments from those it is The act of self-sacrifice is well and dra- the fashion to employ just now in Italy. matically depicted, and is the more painful, It is enough at present if the oily instances since, to induce Rochegune to forget her of this or the other Minister-Residentiary and to marry another, Mathilde is obliged operate so happily upon the ruffled appreto return to her worthless husband. The hensiveness of this or the other Chamberbusy Lugarto, however, contrives to inform lain-Omnipotentiary, as to allow a minute's Rochegune's young and loving wife, that glimpse of the Fortunate Isles through the he espoused her from pity. This in the incessant breakers that girdle them. The end causes her death, and leaves Roche- rude sea now and then grows civil, ingune a widower. Ursule dies repentant. deed; but a positive current setting landA scene in which Mademoiselle de Maran wards is the thing wanted, and likely to Ever and anon we seem on is represented crippled by illness, unable remain so.

...! I

to move, and tyrannized over by her ser- the point of a discovery. A scrap of letter vants, is very forcible. Though deprived turns up, or a bundle of notices drop out, of the merest necessities which her state and the Head Librarian for the time being requires, she has not a friend to vindicate considers the curiosity of some Dilettante her authority over her household, or Ambassador for the place being, and, prochange it. M. Sécherin, the husband of vided the interest of the whole civilized Ursule, kills De Lanery in a duel, and M. world is kept out of sight with sufficient de Rochegune is finally united to Mathilde. adroitness, becomes communicative. "The anger of the Grand Duke arises Such is a rapid sketch of the most successful French novel of the day. It is from his being informed that I had revealdiffusely written, and much of its passion ed to the Duke of Ferrara given in long letters, which are sure to fall cannot write all freely, but this is the gosinto the hands of the person from whom pel." So writes Tasso to "the one friend they were intended to be kept secret. It he now believes in, Scipio Gonzaga." And is difficult to give specimens of such a "this blank" sorrowfully subjoins Mr. work, or to indulge in extracts, without be- Wilde, "is found in the first copy of the coming interminable. We have merely letter furnished for publication by the said enough to entice those who are learned and candid Muratori, then libracurious to look further, and to satisfy the rian to the Duke of Modena." It conincurious with a brief idea of the stuff of tained an expression, says he, which it Thus, at which popular French novels are com- would be indecorous to repeat! every step, where there is the slightest posed. prospect of a clue to the truth, are we mortified by its destruction, through reserve or timidity. And if things were so in the green-tree time of the Muratoris, what shall be done in the dry stump of modern Lombardy or Tuscany?

ART. VIII.-Conjectures and Researches concerning the Love, Madness, and Imprisonment of Torquato Tasso. By RICHARD

Of certain important manuscripts re- How much that establishes old conviccently discovered at Ronie, and now in tions, and how little that is even supplethe course of publication, we regret to mentary to them, have we here! learn that the authenticity is considered Such as it is, however, in what Mr. too questionable to allow of their being Wilde has done, he has gone the right brought forward to any useful purpose: way to work, and done it well. He has so that, for the present, this result of Mr. steadily restricted himself to the single Wilde's labour, now before us, must be point in question. It is that point in the regarded as conclusive: and fortunately poet's history, indeed, from which those our last, proves also our best, news. It is to whom sonnets and madrigals, the Ripleasant to find that the popular notion naldo and the Aminta, are all but unknown, (we might say instinct) concerning this will take warrant for some belief in their particular point of Tasso's career, grown reported truth and beauty. It is undoubt up, uncertain how, from biographical glean- edly that to which every student of Italian ings here and gatherings there-somewhat verse must refer the touching glimmer, as shaken, as it was sure to be, by subsequent an outbreak through prison-bars, that corepresentations seems again confirmed lours every page of the Giurusalemme. by these latest discoveries. Still it is but a point; and Mr. Wilde has

A couplet in a canzone, a paragraph in not, perhaps, done less gracefully and an epistle, had thus been sufficient to be- wisely in leaving the rest untouched, than gin with. "Tasso was punished in a liv- in accomplishing so thoroughly the task ing hell by angels, because he unburthen. he took in hand. He relies upon his subed his bosom to his lyre." "He would ject; is sure of the service he can render fain be released from this prison of Saint by an efficacious treatment of thus much Anna, without being troubled for those of it; nor entertains any fear lest the things which from frenzy be has done and bringing in a Before and After, with which written in matters of love." After these, he has no immediate concern, should be and a few other like notices, Professors thought necessary to give interest to the might search, and Abbates research; the At Present on which he feels he can la single Leonora become "three lady-loves bour to advantage. We suspect that if at once;" and the dim torture at Ferrara we would make any material progress in a merciful effect of Duke Alfonso's consi- knowledge of this description, such works deration for "Signor Tasso, the noted poet's, deplorable madness;"- but the world, satisfied with its own suspicion, remained deaf to it all.

must be so undertaken. If, for example, the materials for a complete biography of Tasso are far from exhausted, let some other traveller from the west be now busied in the land of Columbus and Vespucci "If we suppose," sums up Mr. Wilde," that with the investigation-say, of the circumhis imprisonment was occasioned by the acci- stances of the wondrous youth of Tasso; dental or treacherous disclosure of amatory po- the orations at Naples and the Theses at etry, suspected to be addressed to the princess, Padua--and in the end we should more everything becomes intelligible-his mistress's

early injunctions of silence-his directions to than probably have two spots of sunshine Rondinelli-the dearer mysteries of his heart to find our way by, instead of one such half-hinted to Gonzaga-the reference to her breadth of dubious twilight, as, in a hazy who corresponded so little to his love-his heavy book, written on the old principle of doing sin of temerity-Madalò's more important trea- a little for every part of a subject, and sons--the attempt to extort confession-the bitter rigour and unwonted arts-the words and more than a little for none, rarely fails to acts that might increase Alfonso's ire-the order perplex the more. to feign insanity-the sacrifice of Abraham-the Thinking thus, and grieving over what command that he must aspire to no fame of let- must be admitted to be the scantiness of ters-the prohibition to write-the anger of the the piece of sunshine here, and the narrow princesses-the allusions to his fond faults-to and not very Lovel track it would alone his Proserpine-to Ixion, and to the angels that serve to lead us into,-a book* was sent punished him. By this supposition, also, Leonora's voluntary celibacy, notwithstanding the to us on a subject not very different from most advantageous offers of marriage, and Tas- Mr. Wilde's, but on which the service he so's constant devotion to the duke, in spite of the rigour of his chastisement, are sufficiently accounted for." *

Vol. II., p. 166.

"The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton, with Notices of his Life, a History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of his Letters, and Notes Critical and Explanatory." Cambridge. 1842.