CHAPTER FIVE.
A grand ball was taking place at the Auberge de Provence, in the StradaReale, at Valetta. All the rank and fashion of the city were assembled.They consisted of the naval, military, and civil officers of the crownstationed there, their wives and daughters; a few English visitorsattracted to the island to recruit their health, or to indulge theircuriosity; and some foreigners, illustrious and otherwise, who had comethere chiefly on the latter account; though a small portion might havebeen travelling diplomatists or scientific _savants_. Few ball-roomscould display a larger number of glittering uniforms, both naval,military, and consular; and there was a very fair proportion of beautyamong the younger ladies, and diamonds among the dowagers. The soldierscertainly took the lead. They consider that possession is nine parts ofthe law; and thus as they live in the island, while their naval brethrenare merely visitors, they could not help feeling their superiority.Captains of line-of-battle ships and frigates are, of course, however,held in high consideration by the fair sex; but midshipmen were sadly ata discount; and even lieutenants, unless they happened to have handlesto their names, or uncles in the ministry, were very little thought of.Such was the case at the time of which I write. I suspect very littlealteration has, since then, taken place.
So our two young friends, Jack Raby and Jemmy Duff, seemed to feel asthey sauntered into the ball-room, and cast their eyes round in asomewhat unusually bashful manner, in search of any young lady who woulddeign to bestow a bow on them, and accept them as partners. At last,Jemmy Duff exchanged a nod and a smile with the little Maltese girl whohad before attracted him, and he was soon, according to his own fashion,engaged in making desperate love to her, evidently as much to heramusement as to his satisfaction. Poor Raby stood looking on, and couldscarcely help feeling jealous at his friend's good fortune; for not asingle lady did he know in the room, when a hand was placed on hisshoulder. He looked up, and a bright smile irradiated his countenanceas he saw who it was.
"What, Raby, don't you intend to show some of these fair ladies how wellthe _Ione_ lads can kick their heels?"
The speaker was a young, intelligent-looking man, with a complexionwhich would have been fair, had it not been sunburnt, with thick, light,curling hair. He was strongly but gracefully made, of the ordinaryheight, and would have been by every one considered good looking; hisforehead and mouth were decidedly handsome, the latter expressing greatfirmness, at the same time a great amiability of disposition. His dresswas that of a commander in the navy.
"I can't get a partner, sir," answered the midshipman; "I don't know alady in the room."
"Oh! we will soon find you one. I must not have my boys thought to bemisanthropic."
"Captain Fleetwood," said a lady near, "can you introduce a partner tomy niece?"
"Oh, certainly," answered the officer, seizing Jack Raby by the arm,"allow me to introduce Mr Raby, of her Majesty's brig _Ione_, who willbe happy to dance the next quadrille with you."
The young lady to whom he spoke, smiled, and said she should be veryhappy; but the aunt made a wry face, and observed that she intended tohave asked him to introduce his friend, Major White of the --.
"I hope my young friend, Raby, will do as well. He is a nephew of Lord--," observed Captain Fleetwood, in a slightly satirical tone. "I willbring up White, in tow, to your ladyship, as soon as I can sight him."
Captain Fleetwood was always more thoroughly nautical in his mode ofexpression at Malta than in any other place.
"Oh, certainly, I am most happy to know any of your officers, especiallya nephew of Lord --, whose brother is a great friend of my husband'scousin."
Captain Fleetwood might have made a rejoinder; but at that moment hiseye glanced towards the door, at which was entering a stout, oldishgentleman, in plain clothes, and hanging on his arm, a fair, young, andvery pretty and interesting girl. He instantly hurried forward, andclaimed her hand for the next dance, which, with one of the sweetestpossible smiles, she promised to give him, while the old gentleman,though he nodded to him, evidently regarded him with far from amiablefeelings.
The young officer, however, who appeared accustomed to the old man'ssurly looks, and indifferent to them, remained by her side, and engagedher in an animated conversation. At last her companion lost allpatience, and tugging at her arm, he exclaimed--
"Come along, Ada, we must look for a seat somewhere till the dancingbegins, for I cannot undertake to stand on my legs all night. CaptainFleetwood, you will find Miss Garden at the farther end of the room,probably, when you wish to claim her hand for the next quadrille; but asshe is soon to commence a long sea voyage, I cannot allow her to fatigueherself by dancing much this evening."
Colonel Gauntlett, for the speaker was the uncle of Ada Garden, saidthis in a grave, cold tone, sufficient to freeze the heart of anyordinary lover; and, pressing his niece's arm as if to prevent her fromescaping, he dragged her through the crowd towards a seat which he foundvacant.
"Ada," said the colonel, as he walked on, "I will not have you intimatewith any of those sea officers. I cannot bear them, from the highest tothe lowest. One of them had the impertinence to interfere between meand a lady to whom I was paying my addresses. By Jove, miss, he carriedher off before my eyes. I have hated them ever since, with theireasy-going, devil-me-care ways."
"But surely, uncle, you would not make all suffer for the fault of one;and I suppose your rival loved the lady," urged Ada.
"Love her, I suppose he did love her; but he had no business to do so, Itell you. I already looked upon her as my wife!" exclaimed the colonel,stamping down his stick vehemently on the floor, and speaking so loudthat several people must have heard him.
"But did the lady confess her affection for you, uncle?" asked hisniece.
"Confess her love!--why, ay, no--that is, I never asked her; or, rather,she took it into her head to refuse me altogether."
Fleetwood was about to follow, but he suddenly stopped.
"It will only enrage the old man, and excite suspicions in his mind.Perhaps he will insult me to get rid of me altogether,--I had betternot."
Ada found herself seated next to Lady Marmion, with whose niece JackRaby was dancing. Her attention was easily riveted by the praises whichher ladyship lavished on Captain Fleetwood, and the secret of heraffection, if secret it could be called, was easily penetrated by theastute dame.
"Now, my dear, you know I like him, though I do not like the navy ingeneral. Their coats smell of tar and cockroaches, and theirconversation is all about their ships and their adventures at sea and onshore; and then you know they are generally so poor, that it isdangerous to let a girl talk to them. Captain Fleetwood is not veryrich, I believe; but then he has prospects, and they should be takeninto consideration."
"I really do not know," said Ada. "It never occurred to me to calculatethe fortunes of the gentlemen with whom I am acquainted."
"Oh, you will grow more prudent, my dear, some day," observed herladyship. "But who can that particularly handsome man be walking thisway, with Captain Dunnup? By the way, my dear, I should recommend youto keep that Captain Dunnup at a distance. I gave Jane the same advice,for you know he has entirely run through his property; and they say,besides, that he is completely in the hands of the Jews. Dear me, herehe comes with the stranger."
As she spoke, two gentlemen were advancing towards the spot where sheand Ada Garden were sitting. The one she alluded to was adissipated-looking young man, though with a well-bred air, and ratherhandsome. The other was decidedly so--indeed, he might well have beenconsidered the handsomest man in the room. There was a noble andindependent air, and a free-born grace about him--so all the ladiesdeclared--which would have made him anywhere distinguished. Hisfeatures were dark, and of the purest classical model; his eyes werelarge and sparkling, and a long silky black moustache shaded his lip.His costume was simple and correct, from his well-fitting black coat tohis trousers, which showed off the shape of his handsome leg, and hissilk stoc
kings, and low, well-polished shoes. The most severe criticcould not have found the slightest fault with him, except perhaps thathis coat shone too much, as if it was just out of the tailor's hands.
"Permit me to introduce to your ladyship, my friend, Prince ArgiriCaramitzo," said Captain Dunnup, advancing and presenting the stranger,who bowed gracefully.
"And may I, Miss Garden, be allowed to introduce him to you?" hecontinued. "Although a Greek, he speaks Italian like a native, in whichlanguage I know that you, also, are a proficient."
Both ladies bowed their heads, and signified their pleasure in knowingthe Prince Caramitzo. He, in his turn, in very pure Italian, expressedhis still greater gratification at the honour he enjoyed.
While he was speaking, Dunnup caught Colonel Gauntlett's eye fixed onhim, and it occurred to him that he should introduce his friend. Heaccordingly took him up, and introduced him in form.
"The prince is going eastward, colonel, and as you will probably meetagain in the classic land of Greece, if you do not rather journeytogether, I feel that you should become acquainted."
As Colonel Gauntlett rather liked the look of the stranger, hecondescended to be civil to him; but as he did not speak a word ofRomaic, and as his Italian was very indifferent, and his French worse,Argiri Caramitzo could scarcely understand what he said. He, however,made a polite speech full of complimentary phrases in return, and then,bowing, went back to talk to the ladies.
The handsome stranger judged that he should more speedily gain all theinformation he required from the niece, and might afterwards, throughher, if he found it requisite, persuade the colonel to do what hedesired. He found on his return that Miss Garden had been led out todance by Captain Fleetwood, so he sat himself down to play the agreeableto Lady Marmion, and to glean from her much which he wished to knowabout the politics of Valetta, and which she was too happy to impart.
We, however, must follow Captain Fleetwood and Miss Garden. There wasno doubt of their being lovers, by the confiding way in which she restedon his arm, and glanced up into his face as he spoke; and the look ofproud happiness with which he regarded her, and seemed to defy the worldto venture on the experiment of tearing her from him. Everybodyobserved it but Colonel Gauntlett, and he remained obstinately blind towhat had taken place.
"My beloved Ada, this is the last time that I may have an opportunity ofspeaking to you," said Fleetwood, as, the dance being over, he led herto an open balcony which looked out on the moonlit harbour. "You knowhow ardently I love you, and that willingly would I sacrifice all theprospect of your uncle's property, if he would give his consent to ourunion; but I would not urge you to act in opposition to his wishes--yetthere is a time when obedience ceases to be a duty, and that time mustcome when he obstinately refuses to give you to me."
"He will not, he cannot do so, when he knows how dearly, how deeply youlove me." She spoke according to the dictates of her own heart; nor wasshe, however, wrong.
"Then this very night, or to-morrow morning, before you sail, I will askyou from him, and as soon as I pay off the _Ione_, which I shallprobably do in the course of two months, I will come back and claim you.Shall I do so, dearest?"
"Oh, yes! do, Charles. It is the only way, and, believe me, whatever isthe result, I will be faithful to you. While you claim me, I will nevermarry another."
"I cannot ask more, and yet I could not demand less withoutcontemplating an event which would wring my heart with anguish,"exclaimed Fleetwood, pressing her hand to his lips. "I think, however,we may before that time again meet--I expect to be sent to Greece, andshall contrive to visit Cephalonia."
For some time longer the lovers talked on without taking note of itsflight, when they were disagreeably interrupted by the voice of thecolonel inquiring for Ada.
"Come here, miss," he exclaimed. "Here has been Prince Caramitzowaiting for the last quarter of an hour to lead you out to dance, andyou were nowhere to be found--I will not have it." And he looked ablack thundercloud at Fleetwood. "Come, _Signior Principe_, there isyour partner ready for you."
The prince, comprehending his meaning more by his action than his words,stepped forward, and, with a profound bow, offered his arm, which Ada,giving a glance of regret at Fleetwood, was obliged to accept. Theprince was not a man, it appeared, to allow a lady to feel annoyed inhis society. He first paid her a slight and delicate compliment on herbeauty, which he introduced in a description of his own countrywomen andthe Italians. He told her how much he admired all he had heard ofEngland, and seen of Malta; he drew out her opinion on several subjects,and a little account of her life, and then excited her curiosity abouthimself.
"But how is it that, being a Greek, you speak Italian so well?" sheasked.
This was just what he expected; he wished to tell her his history, butcould not volunteer to do so.
"Ah, signora, it is a long story, and would fatigue you; but thus much Imay tell you:--You know the misery, the abject slavery to which mybeautiful, my noble country was so long subjected beneath the irondespotism of the infidel Turks. Our fathers contrived to live under it,or the present race would not have been born to avenge them. We wererapidly becoming extinct as a nation; our religion languished--oureducation was totally neglected. My father, however, the late Prince ofGraditza, also Argiri Caramitzo, was a man superior to those around him,and determining that I, his eldest son, should have the advantage of agood education, he sent me to the famous university of Pisa, in Tuscany.I there acquired the language of Italy in its purest form; but,unhappily, I almost learned to forget my own country--I formedfriendships with those among whom I lived. I not only learned to talk,but to think as an Italian, and I was even ignorant of the gallantstruggle which had commenced in Greece. This was owing to the affectionof my parents, who, knowing that my disposition would have prompted meinstantly to throw myself wherever danger was the greatest, did notinform me of what was taking place, and when they suspected that I musthave heard something on the subject, assured me that my presence wouldbe useless, and urged me to remain where I was. Alas! I listened totheir well-meant deceit, till news was brought me that my noble fatherhad been slain in combat with the enemies of our country, and that mymother had died of grief at his loss. Then, indeed, the truth was madeknown to me, and, rousing myself for action, I hastened to fly to thecountry, where I felt that the presence of even the meanest of her bravesons was required. Alas! I found that the means of quitting Italy werewanting--I was in debt, and no funds had been transmitted to me. Icontrived to exist; for my friends were kind, but innumerable delaysoccurred before the money I sent for arrived, and I am only now on myway to Greece--my native land, the mother of the arts and sciences, thecountry of Socrates and Plato, of Alexander and Aristides, thebattle-fields of Thermopylae and Marathon. Ah, signora, Greece oncecontained all that is noble and great, and brave--what she once was,such she will be again--when we, her brave sons, have regenerated her,when we have driven forth the accursed Turk, never more to set his footupon our sacred shore, except as a slave, and a bondman. Ah, this isthe patriot's wish--his dream by night, his hope by day. This is thebond of union which now unites the hearts of our countrymen in one greatfeeling--a deadly hatred of the Turk--time is coming, and will shortlyarrive when Greece, brightly and freshly burnished, will come forth amodel of a perfect republic to all the nations of the earth. You arehappy, signora, in going to the neighbourhood, that you may watch theprogress of the glorious work."
Ada listened, and her cheek glowed with animation, for she was anenthusiast in the cause of the Greeks. She looked at the prince, andthought him a noble patriot.
The Greek intended that she should do so. He was struck by her beauty,and every instant he felt his admiration for her increasing.
A second time she accepted the prince's hand, in preference, however,only to that of Captain Dunnup, and she became the envy of the room, fornumberless fair ladies were dying to dance with the handsome prince.
The Greek stranger was a
ccompanied to the ball-room by a young man ofvery striking appearance, though of a slighter figure, and not as tallas himself. He spoke of him as his particular friend, the CountMontifalcone, who was on his way with him to join those struggling forGrecian independence. His manners were elegant: but he appeared to bevery bashful, or diffident; and, at all events, appeared very muchdisinclined to enter into conversation. The Greek, however, introducedhis Italian friend to Miss Garden; and though, at first, he was verymuch reserved, as he gazed at her animated and lovely countenance, heappeared to gain courage, and warmly entered into conversation on thebeauty of his native Italy, and her superiority in works of arts overall other countries. It seemed curious to her that although he wasgoing out to join the Greeks, he should show so little interest, as heappeared to do, on the subject of Greece, her wrongs and prospects. Hedanced, however, but once with Miss Garden nor did he, during the courseof the evening, attempt to gain an introduction to any one else; butcontinued to watch her, at a distance, wherever she moved, and wasevidently much struck with her beauty.
Many remarked the grave and silent young Italian as he stood, with hisarms folded on his breast, endeavouring to conceal himself among thecrowd, or leaned, apparently lost in reflection, against the door-postat the entrance to the room, in which she happened to be. His Greekfriend seemed so much engaged, that he scarcely noticed him, and thoughCaptain Dunnup exchanged a few words with him occasionally, he spoke tono one else, nor did he seem anxious to do so.
With a glowing cheek and sparkling eye she listened as he advocated, inardent language, the cause of his native land, and her heart beat withenthusiasm.
"Oh! if I were a man, nothing should prevent me from hurrying to jointhe sacred ranks of your liberators!" she exclaimed.
"With such an advocate we must succeed," returned the Greek, bowing."Some of your noble countrymen, it is said, have already joined thepatriot force; and, lady, when in the thick of the combat, fighting forGrecian liberty, I shall remember your words, and feel that your prayersare aiding us."
Ada listened to the softly-flowing expressions of the voluble prince,and believed him to be a perfect patriot. Had she known a little moreof the world, she might have thought otherwise, and yet, who can say,that while the prince was speaking to her, he did not feel all heexpressed. New hopes, feelings, and aspirations rushed into his mind,elevating and purifying it--a glorious future might yet be in store forhis country and himself--and while he remained by her side, the force ofthose sensations continued. It was with unwillingness, and even pain,that he was obliged to yield her up again to Captain Fleetwood, who wasnaturally on the watch to monopolise her whenever he could. How theprince hated the English Captain--for he soon saw that, though MissGarden listened to his own honeyed words with pleasure, her heart was inthe safe keeping of one whom he, all of a sudden, chose to consider ashis rival.
"No matter," he muttered. "I must teach her to forget him."
He sauntered about the room for a short time by himself, paying littleattention to the fair ladies who surrounded him, and it must be owned,was sadly indifferent to the charms of most of them. He then soughtColonel Gauntlett, whom he endeavoured to engage in conversation. Itwas certainly of a peculiar nature, and the meaning was not always clearto either party; but he gleaned much useful information, and suggestedmany things to the colonel in return. Among other pieces of advice, herecommended him to carry as much gold as he could with him, telling himthat he would find it more convenient than bills. He strongly advisedhim also to keep it in his trunks, as they, in case of shipwreck, wouldmore probably be saved than other things. It is extraordinary how veryattentive and full of forethought he was.
The ball was at length over. Jack Raby and Jemmy Duff vowed that theyhad never enjoyed themselves more in their lives, thanks to theircaptain's management; and they had made an agreement to introduce oneanother to each other's partners, and, at the same time, to puff offeach other's wealth and connections, which plan they found answer verysatisfactorily.
The Prince Caramitzo, as he threw a sea-cloak over his shoulder in frontof the hotel, took the arm of Captain Dunnup, and warmly pressed hishand.
"I have much reason to thank you for your politeness, sir, and shall beglad to welcome you to Greece."
The captain expressed his satisfaction at having been useful to him, andsignified the very great probability there was of his shortly having topay a visit to that country, at all events, of having to leave Malta.They then parted with mutual expressions of esteem.
The Greek then took the arm of his Italian friend, and together theysauntered down the street, every now and then stopping to ascertainwhether any person from the ball was watching where they went.
Captain Fleetwood walked to his lodgings in an unusually melancholyhumour. He had forebodings of disaster, which even his strong mindcould not at once overcome, though he knew they arose from beingfatigued and worried.
To-morrow he must take his farewell of his beloved Ada for an indefiniteperiod; for, though he intended to hurry back from England as soon aspossible, he knew that numberless events might occur to delay him. Hehad also ventured to speak to Colonel Gauntlett, for the first time, ofhis love for his niece; and the reception he had met with from the oldgentleman was, as might be expected, most unsatisfactory.
The colonel and Ada were driving home together: she had not spoken, forshe could not trust her voice.
"Niece," said the colonel, stamping with his stick at the bottom of thecarriage, as if to arouse her, "you were talking and dancing a greatdeal too much with that young naval man--that Captain Fleetwood--andafter what I said to you at the commencement of the evening, I considersuch conduct highly reprehensible."
"I confess I spoke to him a great deal this evening," answered the poorgirl, in a tremulous voice. "I hoped that you would not blame me, as hesaid that he would speak to you and explain everything."
"Well, young lady, he did speak to me, and a damned impertinent thing hesaid, too. He had the folly--the outrageous, unconscionable folly--toask me to allow you to marry him!" exclaimed the colonel in a huskyvoice, again almost driving his stick through the bottom of thecarriage. "He had the folly; but I was not fool enough to accede toit--I refused him, young woman. And now, never let me hear his namementioned again."
With a sad heart Ada placed her head on her pillow, and, with a sadderstill, she rose on the following morning to prepare for her voyage.