scene. In the mean time Mr. Gibbon had interpreted her 'sweetness' and elegance, and all the compliments, as so many proofs of the impression he was making upon her heart. And it seemed this occasion would do excellently to bring on a dénouement. After breakfast was over, he brought her out to look at the famous acacia walk, and the view of lake and mountain which it commanded. She was enthusiastic in her delight, and expressed herself in all the raptures becoming admiration for scenery, when the historian suddenly affected to be jealous of the praise bestowed on such objects, and electrified her by an eloquent and passionate declaration, at the same time falling on his knees. The astonished lady could hardly understand at first; then burst into a fit of laughter. The situation must have been ludicrous indeed; the unwieldy lover still pouring out his vows, and she remaining some paces off and trying to soothe him. At last he understood his mistake, and then she bade him get up. But this was impossible; gout, enormous fat, and rheumatism utterly incapacitated him. The brilliant lady, cruelly ignoring the romance of the situation, came to his aid and tried to raise him; but it was in vain. Then both parties agreed to look at the matter in a prosaic light; and it was determined that she should go for assistance, and give out that Gibbon had fallen. She went, and two stout peasants of the place came up, raised him between them, and landed him in his familiar easy-chair. Mdlle. Curchod was certainly avenged when these honest creatures soundly rated him for his folly, and told him he should not stir without the help of servants. To her honour, the duchess never mentioned this ludicrous adventure during his lifetime; but she afterwards told it to the Chevalier A. de Montor, who relates it in the Biographie Universelle.* * The Rev. Dr. Russell, the learned and amiable President of Maynooth College, has called attention to this scene in his Life of Mezzofanti, as well as to the curious blunder of Lord Brougham, who makes Mdlle. Curchod the heroine. |