DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.66024#0069
CHAPTER III
angelica’s first marriage
The story of Angelica’s first marriage is a familiar one, possessing, as most
of such stories do, an element of romance and a strange problem that
probably will always remain unsolved. Why a very attractive young woman
should have fallen victim to a scoundrel, when there were plenty of suitors
about who were worthy of consideration, no one can ever explain, nor is it
easy to understand why Angelica, who confided in her father in all the most
intimate matters, and who appears never to have taken any other step in her
life without his advice, should, under the influence of this arch-adventurer,
have kept the whole story of her attachment and engagement from him until
it was too late. It is almost as difficult to understand why the man, who was
evidently “ flying at high game,” should have proposed to Angelica at all,
because she could hardly have brought him wealth, position, or influence.
The man’s name was Brandt. He had married a young girl in Germany,
and had basely deserted her, leaving her in the deepest poverty. He arrived
in London in 1767, and presented himself to society as Count Frederick de
Horn, the head of an important Swedish family. He was actually, it is said,
valet to the Count, and he appears to have stolen money, papers, jewels and
clothes from his master, and then to have come over to England and posed
in grand manner, in his master’s name.
Doubtless he knew Count de Horn was on his way to England, but was not
likely to arrive for another year, and during that time he played his part exceed-
ingly cleverly, took up his abode at Claridge’s Hotel, hired a coach, engaged
several servants, dressed his two footmen in magnificent livery, and giving
every appearance of wealth and rank, was able to pass himself off as the person
whom he represented himself to be. Moreover, he professed to be a Catholic,
and was a fairly regular attendant at Mass. He must have possessed unlimited
impudence, and was, without doubt, a very clever scoundrel.
Angelica is said to have first met him at Dr. Burney’s house in St. Martin’s
Lane, and then he often came to her house in Golden Square, driving
up in grand state, and making a vast impression upon her and upon her
neighbours.
He told a strange story, that, owing to political difficulties, he was not in
good repute in Sweden. He had been away from the country for some con-
siderable time, and had not put in the necessary appearances at the Swedish
Court. His enemies had spoken against him, and had represented him to
29
angelica’s first marriage
The story of Angelica’s first marriage is a familiar one, possessing, as most
of such stories do, an element of romance and a strange problem that
probably will always remain unsolved. Why a very attractive young woman
should have fallen victim to a scoundrel, when there were plenty of suitors
about who were worthy of consideration, no one can ever explain, nor is it
easy to understand why Angelica, who confided in her father in all the most
intimate matters, and who appears never to have taken any other step in her
life without his advice, should, under the influence of this arch-adventurer,
have kept the whole story of her attachment and engagement from him until
it was too late. It is almost as difficult to understand why the man, who was
evidently “ flying at high game,” should have proposed to Angelica at all,
because she could hardly have brought him wealth, position, or influence.
The man’s name was Brandt. He had married a young girl in Germany,
and had basely deserted her, leaving her in the deepest poverty. He arrived
in London in 1767, and presented himself to society as Count Frederick de
Horn, the head of an important Swedish family. He was actually, it is said,
valet to the Count, and he appears to have stolen money, papers, jewels and
clothes from his master, and then to have come over to England and posed
in grand manner, in his master’s name.
Doubtless he knew Count de Horn was on his way to England, but was not
likely to arrive for another year, and during that time he played his part exceed-
ingly cleverly, took up his abode at Claridge’s Hotel, hired a coach, engaged
several servants, dressed his two footmen in magnificent livery, and giving
every appearance of wealth and rank, was able to pass himself off as the person
whom he represented himself to be. Moreover, he professed to be a Catholic,
and was a fairly regular attendant at Mass. He must have possessed unlimited
impudence, and was, without doubt, a very clever scoundrel.
Angelica is said to have first met him at Dr. Burney’s house in St. Martin’s
Lane, and then he often came to her house in Golden Square, driving
up in grand state, and making a vast impression upon her and upon her
neighbours.
He told a strange story, that, owing to political difficulties, he was not in
good repute in Sweden. He had been away from the country for some con-
siderable time, and had not put in the necessary appearances at the Swedish
Court. His enemies had spoken against him, and had represented him to
29