She had been pretty free, in the
journal, with her criticisms on the Austrian army, though only with
regard to the appearance and manners of the officers. How they were to
take her remarks on their moustaches, their everlasting smoking, and
their almost as constant perseverance in _dining_, was not to be
conceived. Then her papers--scraps of paper on which she had tried
rhymes, such as love, dove; heart, part; fame, name; with a view to
embodiment in her poems--letters from young friends, telling all about
the parties of their respective mammas, and how interesting the last
baby was: to think of these being subjected to the rigid scrutiny of a
council of either Ten or Three, was too whimsical. To the count, on
the other hand, everything was grave and official. He said he could
well believe, that she was innocent of all that had been imputed to
her; still, his instructions must be obeyed. He could not promise the
restoration of her papers in less than ten days. At the end of the
examination, he courteously dismissed her, but not without letting her
know, that she and her companion would be under the surveillance of
the police till the papers were fully examined.
My light-hearted niece returned to me with an air of importance quite
new to her, and which did not abate till she observed how exceedingly
I had suffered during our separation.
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