326 Life of Count Rumford. 



golden locks) always in ringlets, with belts of curious construc- 

 tion round his waist confining beautiful dresses, a jockey cap 

 with feathers on his head ; and., more than all the rest, she 

 bought him a fife, and had him instructed to play on it several 

 little tunes. It was this fife particularly which I was obliged to 

 hear, for Elenora would not. As may be supposed, the music 

 of such a child was not the most agreeable. Even while I 

 would be listening to the little Apollo, my eyes would wistfully 

 be turned towards Elenora, much preferring some other amuse- 

 ment. But William was not ungrateful. Taken away, at a 

 later period, to other schools, he never forgot us, or, in plain 

 words, myself; seeking all the means proper in his power to 

 give me testimonies of his friendship. His mother knowing 

 this, as I have observed, being a little romantic, made proposals 

 to my mother that at a future period we should be married. 

 My mother, thinking well of the lad, liking the family, and 

 having my happiness at heart, gave consent at once. The same 

 thing happened to me here. Count Taxis, through the Countess, 

 asking me of my father, I got my ears boxed, and Count Taxis 

 with his regiment was sent into the country ! One actuated by 

 the feelings of a mother, the other by those of an ambitious 

 father ! " 



The young lady, drawing a parallel between her con- 

 dition and that of Job, when the messengers of woe 

 came to him in succession with ill tidings, proceeds 

 thus : 



" The Countess called one morning (thinking, perhaps, I had 

 better know the truth of things) and said: 'The negotiation with 

 your father has not succeeded. To end further importunities, 

 the Captain and his regiment quit Munich this morning, to 

 have their residence in the country. And I only am left to tel/. 

 you.' 



" While she was yet speaking, there came a messenger from 

 Count Nogarola, and said: 'From letters just received, he finds 

 it necessary to set out for Italy to-night or to-morrow morning, 

 and you have only time to return to make preparations." 



