Anna Maria Porter

Miss Anna Maria Porter. The Hungarian Brothers

London:  Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1807; 2nd ed., 1808.
Subsequent edition: London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street: Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; Cumming, Dublin; And Galignani, Paris. 1832.

Synopsis of The Hungarian Brothers

The story begins with Udislaus, the last count of Leopolstat, a young man of talent who chooses to live a life of wastefulness. At a young age, he marries a beautiful orphan and they have a son together named Charles. Soon after the birth of Charles, Udislaus goes off to Vienna where he spends much of his time gambling his money away while the countess raises their son in Hungary. After five years of being apart, Udislaus returns to his estranged wife who still loves him. They briefly rekindle their marriage and have another son, Demetrius, but once again Udislaus leaves for Germany and deserts his wife and sons "…to neglect and ruin" (2).

Charles and Demetrius grow up with very little and the neighboring convent supports their education. Charles becomes known for his "vigorous intellect" and Demetrius for his "genius and docility" (3). Charles joins the military when he is sixteen years old and leaves behind his mother and brother. Four years later the boys become orphans when their mother suddenly becomes ill and dies. Charles entrusts Demetrius into the care of a mutual benefactor until he is old enough to be on his own and returns to his infantry who are fighting in the war.

Years later the brothers reunite and quickly become inseparable. They travel to Germany where Demetrius is anxious to follow in his brothers military footsteps. When they arrive Charles introduces Demetrius to many important men, including the Archduke, the Baron, the stunning Mademoiselle Ingersdorf, many noble individuals of society, and some of the bravest officers in the military.

One morning while Charles and Demetrius are eating breakfast a letter is delivered to Charles. The two brothers joke whether or not it is a love letter and Charles finally reads the letter aloud. Demetrius is convinced that a woman wrote the letter and says the author "…must be the dearest creature in the whole wide world… (19). Charles tells Demetrius that this isn't the first letter he has received from his unknown pen pal. He reads Demetrius the previous letters and also tells him stories of his time in the military where he boasts all of his accomplishments. Charles tells Demetrius of his unpleasant relationship with a Saxton officer, Joseph Wurtzburgh, who hates him from the moment they met at a military station in Italy. He also tells Demetrius about Signora Berghi, a beautiful and accomplished young widow he met while shut up in Mantua for eight months with whom he had fallen in love with until she dies suddenly.

Charles is shaken up by his story of Signora Berghi and tells Demetrius that he will resume his story another time. At their next breakfast together Charles continues his story and tells how he was suspended from his rank for six months and his title of the Order of Merit because his enemies (he suspected it to be Wurtzberg) turned him in after deserted his post one morning after Signora Berghi died. Deprived of all military rank, Charles joined the army of Archduke Charles temporarily until he was restored to his former station. While telling these stories, Charles also continues to read his letters from the unknown.

The brothers attend the birthday of Adelaide where they gawk over all the beautiful women and met a number of the guests. During the party, Demetrius becomes infatuated with Madame de Fontainville and admires her personality and how she carries herself. Adelaide eagerly introduces Charles to her childhood friend, Princess Constantia, a pretty and intelligent young woman with whom Charles was instantly intrigued with.

The next morning while Charles and Demetrius are talking about the party from the night before, Charles receives another letter from the unknown asking him to meet at the church of St. Josephine at midnight. The brothers go to the church together where a woman appears in the dark and Charles follows her. Demetrius is left alone for hours and at 4 o'clock in the morning Charles returns and tells his brother about his encounter with the unknown woman who resembles Madame Fontainville. The woman said her protector was Colonial Wurtzburgh and she "pleaded for Wurtzburgh's frailty" knowing W. had once been his enemy she wanted to give Charles "ample means for revenge" (61). Although it is not known until later in the novel, W. is not the incognita of Charles as he receives many more letters.

Colonial Wurtzburgh visits Charles the next day to clear up the woman's misinterpretations. He apologizes for their past relationship and invites the brothers to his house for dinner the next evening which is the beginning of their renewed friendship. Wurtzburgh offers Demetrius a space in his regiment and at first Charles is not very excited about the proposal because he wants Demetrius to first make his own campaign. Eventually, Charles changes his mind and persuades Demetrius to join the regiment.

Demetrius comes into contact again with Madame Fontainville (also called Zaire) whom he still greatly admires and thinks is truly beautiful. She also enjoys the company of Demetrius and likes his beauty, spirit, and sensibility, but unfortunately she is married and cannot pursue her feelings.

Charles has other women on his mind and has begun to fall in love with Adelaide, the niece of Baron Ingersdorf. Unfortunately, the Baron does not know that Charles has feelings for his niece and arranges for her to marry Forshiem. Charles is devastated when he learns this news and avoids Adelaide because he is pained by her presence.

The brothers who were once inseparable have an argument because Charles thinks his life is falling apart and is frustrated with the persistence Demetrius continues to exert feelings towards Madame Fontainville which causes distance between the brothers. Charles confides in the Baron who encourages him to reconcile with Demetrius. Demetrius admits to Charles that he is indeed infatuated with Madame F., but values his relationship with his brother and will cut off all ties with her. Together they travel to Bolzano in the Tyrol where they retreat from their problems and enjoy the beauty of nature.

While in Bolzano Madame F. writes Demetrius and expresses her feelings. Demetrius remains firm about his promise to Charles and vows to not return to Vienna. Charles leaves and Colonel Wurtzburgh arrives at Bolzano to be with Demetrius. Shortly after Madame F. also secretly arrives and contacts Demetrius who begins to visit his mistress.

Charles receives a letter from his incognita (who is not Wurtzburgh) informing him that Madame F. is with Demetrius at Bolzano that was followed by a letter from Madame F. herself who admits her relationship with Demetrius and has a tremendous sense of guilt. Charles returns to Bolzano to retrieve his brother. Demetrius promises Madame F's father to never see her again without permission. Meanwhile, the reader learns that Demetrius accumulates a large debt after he loans money from Colonel Wurtzburgh to support his gambling problems.

The narrator informs the reader of Colonel Wurtzburgh's secret motives and the measures he takes to expose the relationship of Demetrius and Madame F. Charles never suspects Wurtzburgh's actions and continues to enjoy his company. Secretly, behind everyone's back Wurtzburgh wrote an elaborate letter to the Marquis de Laincour and tells him about his daughter's secret relationship with Demetrius. Finally, Wurtzburgh confesses to Charles of the games of trickery he has devised and Charles terminates his friendship with Wurtzburgh.

Forshiem befriends Charles and tells him that he will cultivate a friendship with Demetrius. Charles approaches the Baron about his feelings for Adelaide and tells him how he wants to marry the young lady. The Baron writes a letter to his brother (Adelaide's father) and "reprobated him for restraining the freedom of a daughter's choice" (129).

Forshiem and Demetrius become quick friends and meet many new people together distracting Demetrius from thinking about Madame F. Demetrius is particularly drawn towards a little girl, Simmonetta, and quickly he becomes very attached to her and her family. Many months pass and another war begins due to the clashing interests of the congress at Rastadt and changes in military temperaments and Demetrius' brigade was ordered to process farther into the Venetian States causing him to separate from Forshiem. Wurtzburgh is happy by the separation of Forshiem and Demetrius and has "…waited for an opportunity to whelm him in irrevocable ruin" (143). One evening, Demetrius is extremely depressed and ponders the brevity of his existence when he hears shrieking coming from one end of the building where he was staying. He discovers two women trapped in a fire, rescues both of them, and later learns that they are the Princess of Nuremberg (also called Princess Constantia) and her invalid grandmother, the Duchess di Felieri.

The Duchess invites Demetrius to dinner to thank him for saving the life of herself and the young Princess. Despite a great amount of conversation and entertainment, Demetrius keeps thinking about Madame F. and admits he is still in love with her. Constantia continues to persist in rousing Demetrius out of his state of sadness and tries to engage him in conversation and dancing. Soon, Demetrius forgets about Madame F. and the hours begin to fly like minutes as he engages with the Princess. Demetrius is torn between the two women and although he enjoys spending time with Constantia his conscious keeps thinking about Madame F. and the intense feelings they shared for one another. Charles and Demetrius exchange letters throughout this process as they are apart and Demetrius is very open about his feelings and the consequences he endures as a result of his passionate relationship with Madame F. The relationship between Demetrius and Constantia blossoms and soon they find themselves in love wanting to marry, but they are both too young (C. is not yet 20 years old). The Nuremberg family is also apprehensive that Demetrius lacks patrimony; nevertheless he was one of the noblest Hungarian families. Meanwhile, Wurtzburgh is not happy of Demetrius' new status, is a very jealous and vain man, and talks of poisoning Demetrius to prevent him from marrying the Princess.

The story skips back to Charles who is working under the Archduke in a distinguished post and continues to secretly gawk over Adelaide. His friendship with Forshiem has also developed although Charles secretly pines for Adelaide and he questions what entitles Forshiem to marry Adelaide. Charles, believing the situation to be fixed, continues to act with uniform integrity leading to feelings of passionate regret. Much is going on in terms of the war and Charles continues to be recognized for his bravery in combat. This section, Chapter XIV (p.163), includes the most detailed battle scenes in the novel thus far.

Demetrius continues to experience friendship from the Duchess and his relationship with Constantia continues to develop. One morning Wurtzburgh abruptly awakens Demetrius and informs him that their regiment will be leaving in an hour and he thinks of everything that could change after he leaves - most importantly the Duchess may die and Constantia may marry someone else. In dramatic fashion, Demetrius tells Constantia and the Duchess that his regiment is leaving and the Duchess bursts into tears as Constantia remains composed. The Duchess tells them, "Continue to love each other…and at my death, you shall find I have provided for your happiness" (176).

More battle scenes are given and show how strong Demetrius is in times of battle when he was in the column at Bevilaqua which turns the tide of success for his regiment. Many people recognize the abilities of Demetrius and acknowledge that he has many of the same qualities as his older brother. Demetrius writes letters to the Duchess and Constantia throughout his time at battle and kisses the picture of the princess telling himself "It is her heard that I love; it is her heart" (178). While in the heights of Novi, Demetrius distinguishes himself from his regiment and suffers a battle wound but it is not fatal.

Demetrius discovers that one of the prisoners where he is stationed is General de Fontainville the husband of Madame F. Demetrius learns that he is dying and suddenly faces a dilemma because he can now have a relationship with Madame F., yet he has moved on and has feelings for Constantia. Demetrius has never told his brother about Constantia, but trusting the judgment of his wise brother he writes to Charles asking for his guidance in the decision and questions whether Madame has moved on from Demetrius. Demetrius is surprised when Charles replies telling him he should choose to be with Madame F. because he disapproved of their prior relationship and thought Demetrius was crazy for being so in love. The General dies and Demetrius also learns that the Duchess is very ill. He places his decision on hold and takes a military leave to go visit the ailing Duchess and Constantia.

Charles continues serving in the military with the Archduke and continues to remember Adelaide in his travels. One evening, he receives a letter from his incognita requesting his presence at a meeting where he will discover who has been writing him letters for the past five years. He arrives late in the night and discovers that his incognita is Marshal Ingersdorf, the father of Adelaide. They talk for a long time and in their conversation Charles learns that the Marshal had been good friends with Charles' father who saved the Marshal's life when being robbed among the Apennines long before Charles had been born. He goes on to tell Charles how he has been planning the marriage of Charles and Adelaide since their births. Everything from Charles relationship with Signora Berghi to Adelaide's engagement to Forshiem had been arranged by the Marshal to create suspense and test the principles in Charles which would allow him to naturally fall in love with Adelaide. Charles and Adelaide learn that they will soon be married.

Demetrius returns to de Felieri and finds the Duchess very close to death but is able to say one last goodbye before she passes. After her death, Demetrius receives a letter written to him by the Duchess that explains the large inheritance he will receive and also discusses his relationship with the Princess explaining that she must give two years of loyalty to Prince N. and after they may be together. Demetrius begins to believe that although he still had some feelings for Madame F. he could never marry her because he realizes the happiness and admiration he has gained for Constantia. Prince N. is furious that the Duchess left so much of her inheritance to Demetrius because he received little from her will. He does become the guardian of Constantia and will not allow her to marry Demetrius because he thinks Demetrius is a beggar and a boy of little importance or rank. Demetrius gives the inheritance left to him by the Duchess to Constantia and leaves de Felieri because the Prince will not allow his relationship with Constantia to continue.

The brother's reunite and Charles recognizes how distressed Demetrius appears. Charles and Adelaide are married which restores him to a large part of the Baron's Hungarian estates. Demetrius learns that Madame F. is very ill and on her deathbed. He goes to visit her and soon after she dies. After her death, Demetrius continues to think of Constantia and frequently asks Adelaide about her friend.

Charles and Demetrius return to the war where the Hungarian brothers nobly distinguish themselves (260). While Charles is away, Adelaide worries constantly about her husband. Charles gets wounded in combat and is sent to Baron Ingersdorrf's home where it takes him a long time to recover. Demetrius takes a leave of absence to tend to his ailing brother who slowly recovers.

While at the Baron's, Demetrius learns that Prince Nuremberg has imprisoned Constantia and cut off all her ties with the outside world causing her to be very ill. Demetrius writes the Prince asking to see Constantia but he quickly denies the request because she needs to forget about her past relations with Demetrius.

Demetrius learns that his servant, Pierre, has been visiting the gardener's daughter at the place of Constantia's residence and arranges a secret visit for the two lovers. Demetrius and Constantia meet during the night and renew their feelings for one another. Constantia asks Demetrius to deliver a letter to the Abbess explaining the situation she has been placed in by Prince N. and the poor treatment by the man who is supposed to be her guardian. She also tells the Abbess of her desire to marry Demetrius who is the young count of Leopolstat. The Abbess responds saying she will look into the matter further commenting that she doesn't "…approve of an abuse of power" (284). Adelaide tells Charles she will look into the matter further with the help of Count Forshiem because she questions the loyalty of Pierre.

Princess Constantia continues to suffer from illness and affliction. The Princess of N. (the wife of Prince N.) is kind to the Constantia, but will not renounce her husband for his poor treatment of his niece. Constantia suspects that her uncle is aware of the letter she writes to the Abbess because his treatment towards her worsens and he continues to denounce the entire Leopolstat family.

Demetrius continues to write the Abbess and disappears one evening on his way to visit Constantia. Nobody knows where he has gone and many suspect foul play to be involved especially on behalf of the Prince N. Months go by with no word from Demetrius. Constantia and Adelaide suspect that Pierre betrayed his master and turned him in which led to his disappearance. In the meantime, Adelaide has a child, but Charles has trouble celebrating the birth of his son because he worries constantly about his brother. Charles and Forshiem visit France where they look for Demetrius and also try to find Pierre who is also no where to be found. They find Demetrius in a cave where he is in poor health and very close to dying.

The true story emerges of what happened to Demetrius on the night he disappeared. On his way to visit Constantia, he was arrested in the Emperor's name and taken away to the state prison where he was charged with corresponding with an enemy. As a result of these charges, Demetrius was condemned a traitor and sentenced to life in the mines of Idria.

The objective of Wurtzburgh's throughout the entire novel had been to destroy Demetrius and he never lost sight of this plan. He joined forces with Prince Nuremberg and together they destroyed Constantia and Demetrius. The two men secretly corresponded and bribed Pierre a large sum of money to betray his master. Nuremberg and Wurtzburgh went about their lives acting as if nothing had occurred; N. departed for Vienna and W. returned to his regiment. When making a visit to W. to collect his riches, Pierre was shot by W. who was caught by two Austrian officers and taken to their headquarters where he was publicly arraigned, tried, condemned, and executed as a traitor.

Around the same time, an official mandate recalled the Prince to the capitol where his crimes with Wurtzburgh and the harsh treatment of his niece were exposed. Adelaide gained guardianship of Constantia and allows Demetrius and Constantia to finally marry one another.

The novel ends in saying that Charles and Demetrius, the Hungarian brothers, were "United inseparably to the women they loved; bound to their various friends by the sweetest ties of obligation; and gifted with wealth…" (328).


-- Prepared by Emily Kolb, University of Nebraska, April 2006.
© Emily Kolb, 2006.