UNDER A CHARM.*
NOVEL-READERS owe a debt of gratitude to the translator of this fascinating story. The translation is so well done, that one -would never suspect the book to be other than of English origin, and the narrative is so absorbing that few who take up the book will lay it down without finishing it. Perhaps on sober reflection, and after the charm of the story has passed away, one may come to recognise that the hero of the book is hardly of a type familiar to Englishmen ; and that the plotting, the officialism obtruding into the affairs of private life, and the social conflicts concealed under that varnish of superficial politeness which races of antagonistic qualities contrive to assume in public, are all foreign enough ; but the power of the book on the imagina- tion will be rather heightened than otherwise by these con- trasts. Strictly speaking, the story has no plot. It is chiefly a narrative of the development of a strange, powerful nature, wherein the characteristics of two different races have been blended. Nearly all the fascination of the book centres round the commanding figure of the hero, and the skill with which the reader is gradually drawn into feeling an intense per- sonal interest in his sorrows, his bitter struggles, and his dangers and triumphs is of no mean order.
Certainly at our first introduction to him, Waldemar Nordeck is not a prepossessing youth. Ho is the offspring of a German father and a Polish mother, whose union had been brought about for family reasons. His father had been a land specu- lator, and took advantage of the troubles into which the fiery, proud, and impracticable Poles were always rush- ing headlong, to acquire enormous domains on the confines between German and Russian Poland. One of these domains, Wilicza, had belonged to the Polieh family of Morynski, and the family thought to get it back into their power by marrying a daughter of the house to the German boor. Bitterly were they deceived. Old Nordeek would allow no Polish plotting on his estates, and set his proud, imperious, and self- willed young wife at defiance. They lived a short miserable time together, and Waldemar was the one fruit of their union. Soon after his birth his mother fled to her people, and old Norcleck presently died, leaving his sine in the guardianship of an old friend, and the estates tied up with the utmost rigour against any interference on the part of his hated, recreant wife. Re- senting this treatment utterly, the Countess married again,—a Polish prince this time, by whom also she had a eon, on whom all the wealth of her affection was lavished. When the story opens, this lady is again a widow, and is staying with her * Under a Charm. A Novel. From the German of E. Werner. By Christina Tyrrell. London: R. Bentley and Son. son and a niece, the Countess Wanda Morynska, only daughter of her only brother, the Count Morynski, at a small watering place near where her elder son lived with his guardian. It is the Princess's object to get an influence over this son, in order that by that means she may return to Willem and make it the centre of a new Polish plot against Russia. She has not seen the young man for many years, but learning that he is self-willed, artfully frames her invitation so as to stir him up to show his independence of his German guardian, who hates. the Princess, and he yields and comes to see her. A tall, fair- haired, lank, ungainly youth, educated only in the rough sports of a German squire, apparently sullen and indifferent to every human feeling, and full of the German contempt of his mother which his guardian, Squire Witold, had taken care to instil, it was only to be expected that his refined mother should shrink from him, and return all his dislike. What a contrast to her own Leo, son of the man she had loved and ruled, a true Pole,. and her image I She made so little way at their first meeting, that it seemed probable her pet scheme would have to be given up, when the Countess Wanda, a fine girl of sixteen, came unexpectedly to her aid. Entering the room just as young Waldemar had coldly turned to go, her manner betrayed that the two had met before, and Waldemar's that be had been captivated by her. The Princess seized the advantage, and unscrupulously suffered her elder son to be played with in order to gain her end. Waldemar falls deeply in love, only to find that he has been played with, but his pro- mise has been given to his mother, and his offer of Wilicza made, and he does not draw back. In all this part of the story there is much striking character-drawing, and few things in fiction have recently moved us more powerfully than the story of Waldemar's mad ride home to Allenhof. His soul, young as he was, had risen to the madness of suicide, in the recoil of his passionate nature from those who had deceived him, and but for the heroic inter- ference of his timid tutor, hitherto apparently an object of aver- sion to him, he might have been dashed to pieces, horse and all. How he awoke to his better nature on finding his tutor wounded, perhaps to the death, by his horse's hoofs, and how all the course of his life was changed by the blight of his love and his new regard for this tutor, the reader must discover for himself.
The Princess Baratowska and her son, Prince Leo, went to Wilicza, and for four years lorded it there as if they had been owners. Busy with her plots, she cared nothing for the prosperity -of the vast estates of her son, but only for their handiness as a head-centre for the plots drawing to maturity on the German border. During all that time, her son, Waldemar, never came home to claim his own. He either stayed at the university or travelled with his tutor, now become his inseparable companion, and since his uncle's death, his only friend. But at last the time came for him to return. His faithful German steward had just been goaded by the Princess into resigning, and had written to his master, who suddenly resolved to come home. The plotters were full of consternation at the news, all but his mother, who was confident that Waldemar would prove too stupid to take heed of anything. For a time he seemed to justify this suspicion, occupying himself chiefly in what appeared to be hunt- ing expeditions, and insisting on remaining at his own castle merely as a guest. But there was one whom he could not deceive. The Countess Wanda was drawn towards this strange, taciturn, imperturbable, and seemingly heartless cousin of hers, in spite of herself, read his true nature, and warned his mother that he knew more than she thought. It proved too true. Coldly and imperiously, but with the fixed determination of fate, he took an early opportunity of acquaint- ing her that he knew all her purposes, and ordered her to. cease to make his castle the rendezvous of conspirators. Proud and overbearing as she was, she had no alternative but to obey. This son whom she had despised had grown a man, and a man, too, with a will before which even hers must bend. Between the brothers there seemed to be little love. Ever since the first love- passage between leValdemar and 'Wanda which Leo had interrupted so rudely, the latter had been jealous of the influence which Waldemar obviously had over his betrothed, and it was with difficulty that an explosion on his part was prevented before he set out with his uncle to head the new revolution. Quick-spirited, but wilful rather than strong-willed, Prince Leo Baratowski was ill-fitted to win the heart of a girl like Wanda, and the massive, grand, cold face of his half-brother drew her captive in spite of herself. It was a time of real trial for all, and not the least for Waldemar, who wisely sided with the Government of his country in favour of order and peace, and ruled his refractory Polish.tenants, who would obey only the behests of his mother,
with a rod of steel. Hated by these, his blood even thirsted for, his very dangers helped to make Wanda's heart all his own. Once and over again she interfered to try and nye him from threatened dangers, and once she was wounded for him. We must give that scene. It is one of the best in a book full of strong, heart- stirring passages. There had been fighting beyond the frontier, and the forester of the Wilicza frontier station and his men, being Poles, had, although stationed there by the Princess to act as transmitters of intelligence, been unable to restrain themselves. They had had a brush with the German frontier guards, and Waldemar resolved to remove them to the Castle, to be under his own eye. An order to that effect which he had sent had been disregarded, and he determined to go to the station himself, alone, as usual. Hearing of this resolve, and knowing the desperate character of the men, the Countess had overcome all race-feeling, all fear of being charged with treason, and flown to the post before him, to give orders in her aunt's name that he should not be harmed. She had almost succeeded, when he arrived, and for fear of discovery hid hereelf in an inner room, where she heard all that passed. The battle was long between Nordeck and his rebellious men, but at last they flatly refused to obey his order, and threatened to slay him if he did not withdraw it. He stood alone there, with seven men armed with rifles, and mad for revenge, but he ffinched not. Turning when he found his exit barred,—
. " What does this moan?' ho asked. Am I to take this for menace?'
Take it for what you will,' cried the forester fiercely ; but you will not stir from this spot without first revoking your orders. It is for us 110V7 to say, "Take your choice." Beware what you do. You are not bullet-proof.'—' Perhaps you have already put that to the test ?' Waldemar turned a searching look on the speaker. 'Who despatched that ball after one the last time I rode home from this place ?' A glance of deadly hatred darling from Osiecki's eyes was his only answer. I have another bull hero in the barrel, and each of my men is provided in like manner,'—he grasped the weapon more firmly. 'If you care to make the experiment, you will find us ready. Now, short and sweet. Give us your word that we shall remain at the station unmolested, that no soldier shall sot foot in it,—your word of honour, which is generally thought by suoh as you to be more binding than any written promise, or '—‘ Or ?'—' You do not leave this place alive,' concluded the forester, trembling with fury and excitement. Promptly, almost tumultuously, the others ratified the threat. They crowded nearer. Six barrels, ominously raised, lent weight to Osiocki's words,—but in vain. Not a muscle of Waldemar's face moved, as he turned slowly, and looked relied the circle. He stood in the midst of the rebellious band, cool and collected, as though he wore holding the most peaceful con- ference with his subordinates. He only knitted his brow more closely, and folded his arms with imperturbable and superior calm. 'You aro fools !' he returned, in a half-contemptuous voice. You altogether for- get what coneequences you would draw down on yourselves. You are lost if you lay hands on me. Discovery would be inevitable.'—' Supposing we waited for it,' sneered the forester. 'What do you think we are so near the frontier for ? In half an hour we should be over it and out yonder in the thick of the fight, where no one would ask what game we might have brought down here with our rifles. Any way, we are .sick of lying hero on the quiet, without over striking a blow for the cause ; so, for the last time, will you give us your word of honour ?'—' No,' said the young man, neither moving nor averting his eyes from the speaker,—' Reflect, Herr Nordock.' Osiecki's voice was almost choked with rage. Reflect, while there is yet time.' With two rapid strides Waldemar gained the wall, where, at least, he would be covered in the rear. No, I say ; tind since we have gone so far '—he drew a revolver from his breast-pocket, and pointed it at his assailants—' reflect your- selves before you show fight. A couple of you will pay for the mur- derous attack with their lives. My aim is as Sure as yours.' At this the long pent-up storm broke loose. A wild tumult arose ; execrations, curses, threats burst from the infuriated men. More than one among them laid his finger on the trigger, and Osiocki had rained his hand to give the signal for a general assault, when the side-door was hastily pushed open, and next instant Wanda stood by the side of him they already looked on as their prey. Her unexpected appearance warded off the worst,—for a abort space, at least. The foresters paused on seeing Countess Morynska by their master'a side, so near to him that any attack on their enemy must endanger her also. Waldemar, for his part, stood for one moment utterly perplexed and amazed. her sudden advent was inexplicablo to him ; then, in an instant, the truth flashed through his mind. "Wanda's death-like pallor, the expression of de- operate energy with which mho took her place at his side, told him that she had been aware of his danger, and that she was there for his sake. "The peril was too imminent to leave them time for any explanatign, for the exchange of a single word. Wanda had at ones turned to the aggressors, and was addressing them imperiously, passionately. Wal- demar, who know but little Polish, who was beet just beginning to familiarise himself with the language, understood only that she was issuing orders resorting to dire throats against his adversaries, all to no Avail. She ad reached the limits of her power. Their answers came back fierce and menacing, and the ranger stamped with his foot on the ground—he evidently refused obedience. The short and hasty parley lasted but a minute or two. Not an inch of ground had boon given up, not a man had lowered his weapon. The rebels, exasperated to blindest fury, were past paying deference, or recognising authority. 'Back, Wanda,' said Waldemar, in a low voice, as he tried to put bar gently from him. There will be a fight, you cannot prevent it. Give me room to defend myself. Wanda did not comply. On the contrary, she stood her ground more steadfastly than over. She know that he must succumb to the force of numbers, that his one chance of safety lay in her close neighbourhood. As yet they had not ventured to touch her, as yet no one had dared to drag her from his side ; but the moment was drawing nigh when any such lingering scruples would give way. Move aside, Countess Morynska,' the forester's voice, harsh, and full of evil presage' resounded through the tumult. Aside, or I shall shoot you too.' He raised his rifle. Wanda saw him lay his finger on the trigger, saw the man's features distorted with rage And hatred ; and, seeing this, all hesitation, all re- flection vanished from her mind. One single clear thought remained, definite, all-absorbing, that of Waldemar 's deadly peril ; and, grasping at the last resource left her, she throw herself upon his breast, shield- ing him with her own body. It was too late. The report crashed through the room, and next instant Waldensar's piece) responded. With a low cry the forester foil to the ground, where he lay motionless. Walde- mar had aimed with terrible precision. Ho himself stood upright and unhurt, and Wanda with him. The rapid movement by which she had sought to shield him, had caused him to swerve aside from the sure direction of tho deadly weapon, and had saved both him and herself."
But although thus willing to die for him, Wanda would not give up her people or disobey her father, and she was still to be Leo's bride. How the struggle between love and race ended we must not disclose. We have revealed enough to make known the characters of this story, and can assure its readers that its interest is maintained to the last page. The only thing that mars its naturalness, perhaps, is the half-hinted allusions to the supernatural which come in here and there at turning-points of the story. A vision of the buried city of Vineta, with its fairy-bells and the legend under the charm of which Waldemar and Wanda are supposed to be, once and again floats before their eyes. At its first presentation, the outline of this ancient city, rising above the waters at sun- set, with its music, and attracting the gaze of the young lovers, is rather quaintly attractive ; but it comes too often, and gives a touch of artificiality to it story which, as a whole, is of great vividness and power. We have said nothing of the minor characters of the book, but the overseer's daughter, Gretchen, who has such a job to get Dr. Fabian to propose to her, and the "Herr Assessor" IIubert, with his conceit, his habit of con- spiracy on the brain, and his constant bungles are, in their way, delightful acquaintances. Nor should gentle, shy Dr. Fabian, Waldemar's tutor and friend, be lightly passed over.
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