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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by 
+Hans Christian Andersen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales.
+
+Author: Hans Christian Andersen
+
+Translator: Fanny Fuller
+
+Release Date: June 16, 2006 [EBook #18604]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ICE-MAIDEN: AND OTHER TALES. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Jeannie Howse and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Transcriber's Note:                                          |
+    |                                                              |
+    | Inconsistent hyphenation matches the original document.      |
+    |                                                              |
+    | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected |
+    | in this text. For a complete list, please see the bottom of  |
+    | this document.                                               |
+    |                                                              |
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE
+ICE-MAIDEN:
+AND OTHER TALES.
+
+
+By
+HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
+
+
+TRANSLATED
+By
+FANNY FULLER
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA: F. LEYPOLDT.
+1863.
+
+
+
+
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by
+F. LEYPOLDT,
+In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States in
+and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
+
+
+PRINTED BY KING & BAIRD.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                        Page
+
+THE ICE-MAIDEN                                             7
+
+THE BUTTERFLY                                            139
+
+THE PSYCHE                                               149
+
+THE SNAIL AND THE ROSE-TREE                              183
+
+
+
+
+The Ice-Maiden.
+
+
+
+
+I.
+
+LITTLE RUDY.
+
+
+Let us visit Switzerland and look around us in the glorious country of
+mountains, where the forest rises out of steep rocky walls; let us
+ascend to the dazzling snow-fields, and thence descend to the green
+plains, where the rivulets and brooks hasten away, foaming up, as if
+they feared not to vanish, as they reached the sea.
+
+The sun beams upon the deep valley, it burns also upon the heavy
+masses of snow; so that after the lapse of years, they melt into
+shining ice-blocks, and become rolling avalanches and heaped-up
+glaciers.
+
+Two of these lie in the broad clefts of the rock, under the
+Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn, near the little town of Grindelwald. They
+are so remarkable that many strangers come to gaze at them, in the
+summer time, from all parts of the world; they come over the high
+snow-covered mountains, they come from the deepest valleys, and they
+are obliged to ascend during many hours, and as they ascend, the
+valley sinks deeper and deeper, as though seen from an air-balloon.
+
+Far around the peaks of the mountains, the clouds often hang like
+heavy curtains of smoke; whilst down in the valley, where the many
+brown wooden houses lie scattered about, a sun-beam shines, and here
+and there brings out a tiny spot, in radiant green, as though it were
+transparent. The water roars, froths and foams below, the water hums
+and tinkles above, and it looks as if silver ribbons were fluttering
+over the cliffs.
+
+On each side of the way, as one ascends, are wooden houses; each house
+has a little potato-garden, and that is a necessity, for in the
+door-way are many little mouths. There are plenty of children, and
+they can consume abundance of food; they rush out of the houses, and
+throng about the travellers, come they on foot or in carriage. The
+whole horde of children traffic; the little ones offer prettily carved
+wooden houses, for sale, similar to those they build on the mountains.
+Rain or shine, the children assemble with their wares.
+
+Some twenty years ago, there stood here, several times, a little boy,
+who wished to sell his toys, but he always kept aloof from the other
+children; he stood with serious countenance and with both hands
+tightly clasped around his wooden box, as if he feared it would slip
+away from him; but on account of this gravity, and because the boy was
+so small, it caused him to be remarked, and often he made the best
+bargain, without knowing why. His grandfather lived still higher in
+the mountains, and it was he who carved the pretty wooden houses.
+There stood in the room, an old cup-board, full of carvings; there
+were nut-crackers, knives, spoons, and boxes with delicate foliage,
+and leaping chamois; there was everything, which could rejoice a merry
+child's eye, but this little fellow, (he was named Rudy) looked at and
+desired only the old gun under the rafters. His grandfather had said,
+that he should have it some day, but that he must first grow big and
+strong enough to use it.
+
+Small as the boy was, he was obliged to take care of the goats, and if
+he who can climb with them is a good guardian, well then indeed was
+Rudy. Why he climbed even higher than they! He loved to take the
+bird's nests from the trees, high in the air, for he was bold and
+daring; and he only smiled when he stood by the roaring water-fall, or
+when he heard a rolling avalanche.
+
+He never played with the other children; he only met them, when his
+grandfather sent him out to sell his carvings, and Rudy took but
+little interest in this; he much preferred to wander about the rocks,
+or to sit and listen to his grandfather relate about old times and
+about the inhabitants of Meiringen, where he came from. He said that
+these people had not been there since the beginning of the world; they
+had come from the far North, where the race called Swedes, dwelt. To
+know this, was indeed great wisdom, and Rudy knew this; but he became
+still wiser, through the intercourse which he had with the other
+occupants of the house--belonging to the animal race. There was a
+large dog, Ajola, an heir-loom from Rudy's father; and a cat, and she
+was of great importance to Rudy, for she had taught him to climb.
+"Come out on the roof!" said the cat, quite plain and distinctly, for
+when one is a child, and can not yet speak, one understands the hens
+and ducks, the cats and dogs remarkably well; they speak for us as
+intelligibly as father or mother. One needs but to be little, and then
+even grandfather's stick can neigh, and become a horse, with head,
+legs and tail. With some children, this knowledge slips away later
+than with others, and people say of these, that they are very
+backward, that they remain children fearfully long.--People say so
+many things!
+
+"Come with me, little Rudy, out on the roof!" was about the first
+thing that the cat said, that Rudy understood. "It is all imagination
+about falling; one does not fall, when one does not fear to do so.
+Come, place your one paw so, and your other so! Take care of your
+fore-paws! Look sharp with your eyes, and give suppleness to your
+limbs! If there be a hole, jump, hold fast, that's the way I do!"
+
+And Rudy did so, and that was the reason that he sat out on the roof
+with the cat so often; he sat with her in the tree-tops, yes, he sat
+on the edge of the rocks, where the cats could not come. "Higher,
+higher!" said the trees and bushes. "See, how we climb! how high we
+go, how firm we hold on, even on the outermost peaks of the rocks!"
+
+And Rudy went generally on the mountain before the sun rose, and then
+he got his morning drink, the fresh, strengthening mountain air, the
+drink, that our Lord only can prepare, and men can read its recipe,
+and thus it stands written: "the fresh scent of the herbs of the
+mountains and the mint and thyme of the valleys."
+
+All heaviness is imbibed by the hanging clouds, and the wind sends it
+out like grape-shot into the fir-woods; the fragrant breeze becomes
+perfume, light and fresh and ever fresher--that was Rudy's morning
+drink.
+
+The blessing bringing daughters of the Sun, the sun-beams, kissed his
+cheeks, and Vertigo stood and watched, but dared not approach him; and
+the swallows below from grandfather's house, where there were no less
+than seven nests, flew up to him and the goats, and they sang: "We and
+you! and you and we!" They brought greetings from home, even from the
+two hens, the only birds in the room; with whom however Rudy never had
+intercourse.
+
+Little as he was, he had traveled, and not a little, for so small a
+boy; he was born in the Canton Valais, and had been carried from there
+over the mountains. Lately he had visited the Staubbach, which waves
+in the air like a silver gauze, before the snow decked, dazzling white
+mountain: "the Jungfrau." And he had been in Grindelwald, near the
+great glaciers; but that was a sad story. There, his mother had found
+her death, and, "little Rudy," so said his grandfather, "had lost his
+childish merriment." "When the boy was not a year old, he laughed more
+than he cried," so wrote his mother, "but since he was in the
+ice-gap, quite another mind has come over him." His grand-father did
+not like to speak on the subject, but every one on the mountain knew
+all about it.
+
+Rudy's father had been a postilion, and the large dog in the room, had
+always followed him on his journeys to the lake of Geneva, over the
+Simplon. In the valley of the Rhone, in Canton Valais, still lived
+Rudy's family, on his father's side, and his father's brother was a
+famous chamois hunter and a well-known guide. Rudy was only a year
+old, when he lost his father, and his mother longed to return to her
+relations in Berner Oberlande. Her father lived a few hours walk from
+Grindelwald; he was a carver in wood, and earned enough by it to live.
+In the month of June, carrying her little child, she started
+homewards, accompanied by two chamois hunters; intending to cross the
+Gemmi on their way to Grindelwald. They already had accomplished the
+longer part of their journey, had passed the high ridges, had come to
+the snow-plains, they already saw the valley of their home, with its
+well-known wooden houses, and had now but to reach the summit of one
+of the great glaciers. The snow had freshly fallen and concealed a
+cleft,--which did not lead to the deepest abyss, where the water
+roared--but still deeper than man could reach. The young woman, who
+was holding her child, slipped, sank and was gone; one heard no cry,
+no sigh, nought but a little child weeping. More than an hour elapsed,
+before her companions could bring poles and ropes, from the nearest
+house, in order to afford assistance. After great exertion they drew
+from the ice-gap, what appeared to be two lifeless bodies; every
+means were employed and they succeeded in calling the child back to
+life, but not the mother. So the old grandfather received instead of a
+daughter, a daughter's son in his house; the little one, who laughed
+more than he wept, but, who now, seemed to have lost this custom. A
+change in him, had certainly taken place, in the cleft of the glacier,
+in the wonderful cold world; where, according to the belief of the
+Swiss peasant, the souls of the damned are incarcerated until the day
+of judgment.
+
+Not unlike water, which after long journeying, has been compressed into
+blocks of green glass, the glaciers lie here, so that one huge mass of
+ice is heaped on the other. The rushing stream roars below and melts
+snow and ice; within, hollow caverns and mighty clefts open, this is a
+wonderful palace of ice, and in it dwells the Ice-Maiden, the Queen of
+the glaciers. She, the murderess, the destroyer, is half a child of air
+and half the powerful ruler of the streams; therefore, she had received
+the power, to elevate herself with the speed of the chamois to the
+highest pinnacle of the snow-topped mountain; where the most daring
+mountaineer had to hew his way, in order to take firm foot-hold. She
+sails up the rushing river on a slender fir-branch--springs from one
+cliff to another, with her long snow-white hair, fluttering around her,
+and with her bluish-green mantle, which resembles the water of the deep
+Swiss lakes.
+
+"Crush, hold fast! the power is mine!" cried she. "They have stolen a
+lovely boy from me, a boy, whom I had kissed, but not kissed to death.
+He is again with men, he tends the goats on the mountains; he climbs
+up, up high, beyond the reach of all others, but not beyond mine! He
+is mine, I shall have him!"--
+
+And she ordered Vertigo to fulfil her duty; it was too warm for the
+Ice-Maiden, in summer-time, in the green spots where the mint thrives.
+Vertigo arose; one came, three came, (for Vertigo had many sisters,
+very many of them) and the Maiden chose the strongest among those that
+rule within doors and without. They sit on the balusters and on the
+spires of the steep towers, they tread through the air as the swimmer
+glides through the water and entice their prey down the abyss. Vertigo
+and the Ice-Maiden seize on men as the polypus clutches at all within
+its reach. Vertigo was to gain possession of Rudy. "Yes, just catch
+him for me" said Vertigo. "I cannot do it! The cat, the dirty thing,
+has taught him her arts! The child of the race of man, possesses a
+power, that repulses me; I cannot get at the little boy, when he hangs
+by the branches over the abyss. I may tickle him on the soles of his
+feet or give him a box on the ear whilst he is swinging in the air, it
+is of no avail. I can do nothing!"
+
+"We _can_ do it!" said the Ice-Maiden. "You or I! I! I!"--
+
+"No, no!" sounded back the echo of the church-bells through the
+mountain, like a sweet melody; it was like speech, an harmonious
+chorus of all the spirits of nature, mild, good, full of love, for it
+came from the daughters of the sun-beams, who encamped themselves
+every evening in a circle around the pinnacles of the mountains, and
+spread out their rose-coloured wings, that grow more and more red as
+the sun sinks, and glow over the high Alps; men call it, "the Alpine
+glow." When the sun is down, they enter the peaks of the rocks and
+sleep on the white snow, until the sun rises, and then they sally
+forth. Above all, they love flowers, butterflies, and men, and amongst
+them they had chosen little Rudy as their favourite.
+
+"You will not catch him! You shall not have him!" said they. "I have
+caught and kept stronger and larger ones!" said the Ice-Maiden.
+
+Then the daughters of the Sun sang a lay of the wanderer, whose cloak
+the whirlwind had torn off and carried away. The wind took the
+covering, but not the man. "Ye children of strength can seize, but not
+hold him; he is stronger, he is more spirit-like, than we; he ascends
+higher than the Sun, our mother! He possesses the magic word, that
+restrains wind and water, so that they are obliged to obey and serve
+him!"
+
+So sounded cheerfully the bell-like chorus.
+
+And every morning the sun-beams shone through the tiny window in the
+grandfather's house, on the quiet child. The daughters of the
+sun-beams kissed him, they wished to thaw him, to warm him and to
+carry away with them the icy kiss, which the queenly maiden of the
+glaciers had given him, as he lay on his dead mother's lap, in the
+deep icy gap, whence he was saved through a miracle.
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+THE JOURNEY TO THE NEW HOME.
+
+
+Rudy was now eight years old. His father's brother, in Rhonethal, the
+other side of the mountain, wished to have the boy, for he thought
+that with him he would fare and prosper better; his grandfather
+perceived this and gave his consent.
+
+Rudy must go. There were others to take leave of him, besides his
+grandfather; first there was Ajola, the old dog.
+
+"Your father was post-boy and I was post-dog," said Ajola. "We have
+travelled up and down; I know dogs and men on the other side of the
+mountain. It is not my custom to speak much, but now, that we shall
+not have much time to converse with each other, I must talk a little
+more than usual. I will relate a story to you; I shall tell you how I
+have earned my bread, and how I have eaten it. I do not understand it
+and I suppose that you will not either, but it matters not, for I have
+discovered that the good things of this earth are not equally divided
+between dogs or men. All are not fitted to lie on the lap and sip
+milk, I have not been accustomed to it; but I saw a little dog seated
+in the coach with us and it occupied a person's place. The woman who
+was its mistress, or who belonged to its mistress, had a bottle filled
+with milk, out of which she fed it; it got sweet sugar biscuits too,
+but it would not even eat them; only snuffed at them, and so the woman
+ate them herself. I ran in the mud, by the side of the coach, as
+hungry as a dog could be; I chewed my crude thoughts, that was not
+right--but this is often done! If I could but have been carried on
+some one's knee and have been seated in a coach! But one cannot have
+all one desires. I have not been able to do so, neither with barking
+nor with yawning."
+
+That was Ajola's speech, and Rudy seized him by the neck and kissed
+him on his moist mouth, and then he took the cat in his arms, but she
+was angry at it.
+
+"You are getting too strong for me, and I will not use my claws
+against you! Just climb over the mountains, I taught you to climb!
+Never think that you will fall, then you are secure!"
+
+Then the cat ran away, without letting Rudy see how her grief shone
+out of her eye.
+
+The hens ran about the floor; one had lost her tail; a traveller, who
+wished to be a hunter, had shot it off, because the creature had taken
+the hen for a bird of prey!
+
+"Rudy is going over the mountain!" said one hen. "He is always in a
+hurry," said the other, "and I do not care for leave-takings!" and so
+they both tripped away.
+
+And the goats, too, said farewell and cried: "Mit, mit, mah!" and that
+was so sad.
+
+There were two nimble guides in the neighbourhood, and they were about
+to cross the mountains; they were to descend to the other side of the
+Gemmi, and Rudy followed them on foot. This was a severe march for
+such a little chap, but he had strength and courage, and felt not
+fatigue.
+
+The swallows accompanied them a part of the way. They sang: "We and
+you! You and us!" The road went over the rapid Lütschine, which
+rushes forth from the black clefts of the glacier of Grindelwald, in
+many little streams. The fallen timber and the quarry-stones serve as
+bridges; they pass the alder-bush and descend the mountain where the
+glacier has detached itself from the mountain side; they cross over
+the glacier, over the blocks of ice, and go around them. Rudy was
+obliged to creep a little, to walk a little, his eyes sparkled with
+delight, and he trod as firmly with his iron-shod mountain shoes, as
+though he wished to leave his foot-prints where he had stepped. The
+black mud which the mountain stream had poured upon the glacier gave
+it a calcined appearance, but the bluish-green, glassy ice still shone
+through it. They were obliged to go around the little ponds which
+were dammed up by blocks of ice; during these wanderings they came too
+near a large stone, which lay tottering on the brink of a crevice in
+the ice. The stone lost its equilibrium, it fell, rolled and the echo
+resounded from the deep hollow paths of the glacier.
+
+Up, ever up; the glacier stretched itself on high--as a river, of
+wildly heaped up masses of ice, compressed among the steep cliffs. For
+an instant Rudy thought on what they had told him, about his having
+laid with his mother, in one of these cold-breathing chasms. Such
+thoughts soon vanished; it seemed to him as though it were some other
+story--one of the many which had been related to him. Now and then,
+when the men thought that the ascent was too difficult for the little
+lad, they would reach him their hand, but he was never weary and
+stood on the slippery ice as firm as a chamois. Now they reached the
+bottom of the rocks, they were soon among the bare stones, which were
+void of moss; soon under the low fir-trees and again out on the green
+common--ever changing, ever new. Around them arose the snow mountains,
+whose names were as familiar to Rudy as they were to every child in
+the neighbourhood: "the Jungfrau," "the Mönch," and "the Eiger."
+
+Rudy had never been so high before, had never before trodden on the
+vast sea of snow, which lay there with its immoveable waves. The wind
+blew single flakes about, as it blows the foam upon the waters of the
+sea.
+
+Glacier stood by glacier, if one may say so, hand in hand; each one
+was an ice-palace for the Ice-Maiden, whose power and will is: "to
+catch and to bury." The sun burned warmly, the snow was dazzling, as
+if sown with bluish-white, glittering diamond sparks. Countless
+insects (butterflies and bees mostly) lay in masses dead on the snow;
+they had ventured too high, or the wind had borne them thither, but to
+breathe their last in these cold regions. A threatening cloud hung
+over the Wetterhorn, like a fine, black tuft of wool. It lowered
+itself slowly, heavily, with that which lay concealed within it, and
+this was the "Föhn,"[A] powerful in its strength when it broke loose.
+The impression of the entire journey, the night quarters above and
+then the road beyond, the deep rocky chasms, where the water forced
+its way through the blocks of stone with terrible rapidity, engraved
+itself indelibly on Rudy's mind.
+
+On the other side of the sea of snow, a forsaken stone hut gave them
+protection and shelter for the night; a fire was quickly lighted, for
+they found within it charcoal and fir branches; they arranged their
+couch as well as possible. The men seated themselves around the fire,
+smoked their tobacco and drank the warm spicy drink, which they had
+prepared for themselves. Rudy had his share too and they told him of
+the mysterious beings of the Alpine country; of the singular fighting
+snakes in the deep lakes; of the people of night; of the hordes of
+spectres, who carry sleepers through the air, towards the wonderful
+floating city of Venice; of the wild shepherd, who drives his black
+sheep over the meadow; it is true, they had never been seen, but the
+sound of the bells and the unhappy bellowing of the flock, had been
+heard.
+
+Rudy listened eagerly, but without any fear, for he did not even know
+what that was, and whilst he listened he thought he heard the
+ghost-like hollow bellowing! Yes, it became more and more distinct,
+the men heard it also, they stopped talking, listened and told Rudy he
+must not sleep.
+
+It was the Föhn which blew, the powerful storm-wind, which rushes down
+the mountains into the valley and with its strength bends the trees,
+as if they were mere reeds, and lifts the wooden houses from one side
+of the river to the other, as if the move had been made on a
+chess-board.
+
+After the lapse of an hour, they told Rudy that the storm had now
+blown over and that he might rest; with this license, fatigued by his
+march, he at once fell asleep.
+
+They departed early in the morning; the sun showed Rudy new
+mountains, new glaciers and snow-fields; they had now reached Canton
+Valais and the other side of the mountain ridge which was visible at
+Grindelwald, but they were still far from the new home. Other chasms,
+precipices, pasture-grounds; forests and paths through the woods,
+unfolded themselves to the view; other houses, other human beings--but
+what human beings! Deformed creatures, with unmeaning, fat,
+yellowish-white faces; with a large, ugly, fleshy lump on their necks;
+these were cretins who dragged themselves miserably along and gazed
+with their stupid eyes on the strangers who arrived among them. As for
+the women, the greatest number of them were frightful!
+
+Were these the inhabitants of the new home?
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[A] A humid south wind on the lakes of Switzerland, a fearful storm.
+
+
+
+
+III.
+
+THE FATHER'S BROTHER.
+
+
+The people in the uncle's house, looked, thank heaven, like those whom
+Rudy was accustomed to see. But one cretin was there, a poor silly
+lad, one of the many miserable creatures, who on account of their
+poverty and need, always make their home among the families of Canton
+Valais and remain with each but a couple of months. The wretched
+Saperli happened to be there when Rudy arrived.
+
+Rudy's father's brother was still a vigorous hunter and was also a
+cooper by trade; his wife, a lively little person, had what is called
+a bird's face; her eyes resembled those of an eagle and she had a
+long neck entirely covered with down.
+
+Everything was new to Rudy, the dress, manners and customs, yes, even
+the language, but that is soon acquired and understood by a child's
+ear. Here, they seemed to be better off, than in his grandfather's
+house; the dwelling rooms were larger, the walls looked gay with their
+chamois horns and highly polished rifles; over the door-way hung the
+picture of the blessed Virgin; alpine roses and a burning lamp stood
+before it.
+
+His uncle, was as we have said before, one of the most famous chamois
+hunters in the neighbourhood and also the most experienced and best
+guide.
+
+Rudy was to be the pet of the household, although there already was
+one, an old deaf and blind dog, whom they could no longer use; but
+they remembered his many past services and he was looked upon as a
+member of the family and was to pass his old days in peace. Rudy
+patted the dog, but he would have nothing to do with strangers; Rudy
+did not long remain one, for he soon took firm hold both in house and
+heart.
+
+"One is not badly off in Canton Valais," said his uncle, "we have the
+chamois, they do not die out so soon as the mountain goat! It is a
+great deal better here now, than in the old times; they may talk about
+their glory as much as they please. The present time is much better,
+for a hole has been made in the purse and light and air let into our
+quiet valley. When old worn-out customs die away, something new
+springs forth!" said he. When uncle became talkative, he told of the
+years of his childhood and of his father's active time, when Valais
+was still a closed purse, as the people called it, and when it was
+filled with sick people and miserable cretins. French soldiers came,
+they were the right kind of doctors, they not only shot down the
+sickness but the men also.
+
+"The Frenchmen can beat the stones until they surrender! they cut the
+Simplon-road out of the rocks--they have hewn out such a road, that I
+now can tell a three year old child to go to Italy! Keep to the
+highway, and a child may find his way there!" Then the uncle would
+sing a French song and cry hurrah for Napoleon Bonaparte.
+
+Rudy now heard for the first time of France, of Lyons--the large city
+of the Rhone--for his uncle had been there.
+
+"I wonder if Rudy will become an agile chamois hunter in a few years?
+He has every disposition for it!" said his uncle, and instructed him
+how to hold a rifle, how to aim and to fire. In the hunting season, he
+took him with him in the mountains and made him drink the warm chamois
+blood, which prevents the hunter from becoming dizzy. He taught him to
+heed the time when the avalanches roll down the different sides of the
+mountain--at mid-day or at night-fall--which depended upon the heat of
+the rays of the sun. He taught him to notice the chamois, in order to
+learn from them how to jump, so as to alight steadily upon the feet.
+If there was no resting place in the clefts of the rock for the foot,
+he must know how to support himself with the elbow, and be able to
+climb by means of the muscles of the thigh and calf, even the neck
+must serve when it is necessary. The chamois are cunning, they place
+out-guards--but the hunter must be still more cunning and follow the
+trail--and he can deceive them by hanging his coat and hat on his
+alpine stick, and so make the chamois take the coat for the man.
+
+One day when Rudy was out with his uncle hunting, he tried this sport.
+
+The rocky path was not wide; indeed there was scarcely any, only a
+narrow ledge, close to the dizzy abyss. The snow was half-thawed, the
+stones crumbled when trodden upon, and his uncle stretched himself out
+full length and crept along. Each stone as it broke away, fell,
+knocked itself, bounded and then rolled down; it made many leaps from
+one rocky wall to another until it found repose in the black deep.
+Rudy stood about a hundred steps behind his uncle on the outermost
+cliff, and saw a huge golden vulture, hovering over his uncle, and
+sailing towards him through the air, as though wishing to cast the
+creeping worm into the abyss with one blow of his wing, and to make
+carrion of him. His uncle had only eyes for the chamois and its young
+kid, on the other side of the cleft. Rudy looked at the bird,
+understood what it wanted, and laid his hand on his rifle in order to
+shoot it. At that moment the chamois leaped--his uncle fired--the ball
+hit the animal, but the kid was gone, as though flight and danger had
+been its life's experience. The monstrous bird terrified by the report
+of the gun, took flight in another direction, and Rudy's uncle knew
+nought of his danger, until Rudy told him of it.
+
+As they now were on their way home in the gayest spirits--his uncle
+playing one of his youthful melodies on his flute--they suddenly
+heard not far from them a singular sound; they looked sideways, they
+gazed aloof and saw high above them the snow covering of the rugged
+shelf of the rock, waving like an outspread piece of linen when
+agitated by the wind. The icy waves cracked like slabs of marble, they
+broke, dissolved in foaming, rushing water and sounded like a muffled
+thunder-clap. It was an avalanche rolling down, not over Rudy and his
+uncle, but near, only too near to them.
+
+"Hold fast, Rudy," cried he, "firm, with your whole strength!"
+
+And Rudy clasped the trunk of a tree; his uncle climbed into its
+branches and held fast, whilst the avalanche rolled many fathoms away
+from them. But the air-drift of the blustering storm, which
+accompanied it, bowed down the trees and bushes around them like dry
+reeds and threw them beyond. Rudy lay cast on the earth; the trunk of
+the tree on which he had held was as though sawed off, and its crown
+was hurled still farther along. His uncle lay amongst the broken
+branches, with his head shattered; his hands were yet warm, but his
+face was no longer to be recognized. Rudy stood pale and trembling;
+this was the first terror of his life, the first hour of fear that he
+had ever known.
+
+Late in the evening, he returned with his message of death to his
+home, which was now one of sorrow.
+
+The wife stood without words, without tears, and not until the corpse
+was brought home did her sorrow find an outburst. The poor cretin
+crept to his bed and was not seen all day, but towards evening he came
+to Rudy, and said: "Write a letter for me. Saperli cannot write!
+Saperli can take the letter to the post office."
+
+"A letter for you," asked Rudy, "and to whom?"
+
+"To our Lord Christ!"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+And the half-witted creature gave a touching glance at Rudy, folded
+his hands and said piously and solemnly: "Jesus Christ! Saperli wishes
+to send him a letter, praying him to let Saperli lie dead and not the
+man of this house!"
+
+And Rudy pressed his hand, "the letter cannot be sent, the letter will
+not give him back to us!"
+
+It was difficult for Rudy to explain the impossibility to him.
+
+"Now you are the stay of the house!" said his foster-mother, and Rudy
+became it.
+
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+BABETTE.
+
+
+Who is the best shot in Canton Valais? The chamois knew only too well:
+"Beware of Rudy!" they could say. Who is the handsomest hunter?--"It
+is Rudy." The young girls said this also, but they did not say:
+"Beware of Rudy!" No, not even the grave mothers, for he nodded to
+them quite as amicably as to the young girls. He was so bold and gay,
+his cheeks were brown, his teeth fresh and white and his coal-black
+eyes glittered; he was a handsome young fellow and but twenty years
+old. The icy water did not sting him when he swam, he could turn
+around in it like a fish; he could climb as did no one, and he was as
+firm on the rocky walls as a snail--for he had good sinews and muscles
+that served him well in leaping--the cat had first taught him this,
+and later the chamois. One could not trust one's self to a better
+guide than to Rudy. In this way he could collect quite a fortune, but
+he had no taste for the trade of a cooper, which his uncle had taught
+him; his delight and pleasure was to shoot chamois, and this was
+profitable also. Rudy was a good match if one did not look higher than
+one's station, and in dancing he was just the kind of dancer that
+young girls dream about, and one or the other were always thinking of
+him when they were awake.
+
+"He kissed me whilst dancing!" said the schoolmaster's Annette to her
+most intimate friend, but she should not have said this, not even to
+her dearest friend, but it is difficult to keep such things to one's
+self--like sand in a purse with a hole in it, it soon runs out--and
+although Rudy was so steady and good it was soon known that he kissed
+whilst dancing.
+
+"Watch him," said an old hunter, "he has commenced with A, and he will
+kiss the whole alphabet through!"
+
+A kiss, at a dance, was all they could say in their gossipping, but he
+had kissed Annette, and she was by no means the flower of his heart.
+
+Down near Bex, between the great walnut trees, close by a rapid little
+stream, dwelt the rich miller. The dwelling-house was a large
+three-storied building, with little towers covered with wood and
+coated with sheets of lead, which shone in the sunshine and in the
+moonshine; the largest tower had for a weather-cock a bright arrow
+which pierced an apple and which was intended to represent the apple
+shot by Tell. The mill looked neat and comfortable, so that it was
+really worth describing and drawing, but the miller's daughter could
+neither be described nor drawn, at least so said Rudy. Yet she was
+imprinted in his heart, and her eyes acted as a fire-brand upon it,
+and this had happened suddenly and unexpectedly. The most wonderful
+part of all was, that the miller's daughter, the pretty Babette,
+thought not of him, for she and Rudy had never even spoken two words
+with each other.
+
+The miller was rich, and riches placed her much too high to be
+approached; "but no one," said Rudy to himself, "is placed so high as
+to be unapproachable; one must climb and one does not fall, when one
+does not think of it." _This_ knowledge he had brought from home with
+him.
+
+Now it so happened that Rudy had business at Bex and it was quite a
+journey there, for the railroad was not completed. The broad valley of
+Valais stretches itself from the glaciers of the Rhone, under the foot
+of the Simplon-mountain, between many varying mountain-heights, with
+its mighty river, the Rhone, which often swells and destroys
+everything, overflooding fields and roads. The valley makes a bend,
+between the towns of Sion and St. Maurice, like an elbow and becomes
+so narrow at Maurice, that there only remains sufficient room for the
+river bed and a cart way. Here an old tower stands like a sentry
+before the Canton Valais; it ends at this point and overlooks the
+bridge, which has a wall towards the custom-house. Now begins the
+Canton called Pays de Vaud and the nearest town is Bex, where
+everything becomes luxuriant and fruitful--one is in a garden of
+walnut and chestnut trees and here and there, cypress and pomegranate
+blossoms peep out--it is as warm as the South; one imagines one's self
+transplanted into Italy.
+
+Rudy reached Bex, accomplished his business and looked about him, but
+he did not see a single miller's boy, not to speak of Babette. It
+appeared as though they were not to meet.
+
+It was evening, the air was heavy with the wild thyme and blooming
+linden, a glistening veil lay over the forest-clad mountains, there
+was a stillness over everything, but not the quiet of sleep. It seemed
+as though all nature retained her breath, as if she felt disposed to
+allow her image to be imprinted upon the firmament.
+
+Here and there, there were poles standing on the green fields, between
+the trees; they held the telegraph wire, which has been conducted
+through this peaceful valley. An object leant against one of these
+poles, so immoveable, that one might have taken it for a withered
+trunk of a tree; but it was Rudy. He slept not and still less was he
+dead; but as the most important events of this earth, as well as
+affairs of vital moment for individuals pass over the wires, without
+their giving out a tone or a tremulous movement, even so flashed
+through Rudy, thoughts--powerful, overwhelming, speaking of the
+happiness of his life; his, henceforth, "_constant thought_." His eyes
+were fixed upon a point in the trellis-work, and this was a light in
+Babette's sitting room. Rudy was so motionless, one might have thought
+that he was observing a chamois, in order to shoot it. Now, however,
+he was like the chamois--which appears sculptured on the rock, and
+suddenly if a stone rolls, springs and flies away--thus stood Rudy,
+until a thought struck him.
+
+"Never despair," said he. "I shall make a visit to the mill, and say:
+Good evening miller, good evening Babette! One does not fall when one
+does not think of it! Babette must see me, if I am to be her husband!"
+
+And Rudy laughed, was of good cheer and went to the mill; he knew what
+he wanted, he wanted Babette.
+
+The river, with its yellowish white water rolled on; the willow trees
+and the lindens bowed themselves deep in the hastening water; Rudy
+went along the path, and as it says in the old child's song:
+
+    ---- ---- ---- Zu des Müllers Haus,
+    Aber da war Niemand drinnen
+    Nur die Katze schaute aus![B]
+
+The house-cat stood on the step, put up her back and said: "Miau!" but
+Rudy had no thoughts for her language, he knocked, no one heard, no
+one opened. "Miau!" said the cat. If Rudy had been little, he would
+have understood the speech of animals and known that the cat told him:
+"There is no one at home!" He was obliged to cross over to the mill,
+to make inquiries, and here he had news. The master of the house was
+away on a journey, far away in the town of Interlaken--_inter lacus_,
+"between the lakes"--as the school-master, Annette's father, had
+explained, in his wisdom. Far away was the miller and Babette with
+him; there was to be a shooting festival, which was to commence on
+the following day and to continue for a whole week. The Swiss from all
+the German cantons were to meet there.
+
+Poor Rudy, one could well say that he had not taken the happiest time
+to visit Bex; now he could return and that was what he did. He took
+the road over Sion and St. Maurice, back to his own valley, back to
+his own mountain, but he was not down-cast. On the following morning,
+when the sun rose, his good humour had returned, in fact it had never
+left him.
+
+"Babette is in Interlaken, many a day's journey from here!" said he to
+himself, "it is a long road thither, if one goes by the highway, but
+not so far if one passes over the rocks and that is the road for a
+chamois hunter! I went this road formerly, for there is my home, where
+I lived with my grandfather when I was a little child, and they have
+a shooting festival in Interlaken! I will be the _first_ one there,
+and that will I be with Babette also, as soon as I have made her
+acquaintance!"
+
+With his light knapsack containing his Sunday clothes, with his gun
+and his huntsman's pouch, Rudy ascended the mountain. The short road,
+was a pretty long one, but the shooting-match had but commenced to-day
+and was to last more than a week; the miller and Babette were to
+remain the whole time, with their relations in Interlaken. Rudy
+crossed the Gemmi, for he wished to go to Grindelwald.
+
+He stepped forwards merry and well, out into the fresh, light mountain
+air. The valley sank beneath him, the horizon widened; here and there
+a snow-peak, and soon appeared the whole shining white alpine chain.
+Rudy knew every snow mountain, onward he strode towards the
+Schreckhorn, that elevates its white powdered snow-finger high in the
+air.
+
+At last he crossed the ridge of the mountain and the pasture-grounds
+and reached the valley of his home; the air was light and his spirits
+gay, mountain and valley stood resplendent with verdure and flowers.
+His heart was filled with youthful thoughts;--that one can never grow
+old, never die; but live, rule and enjoy;--free as a bird, light as a
+bird was he. The swallows flew by and sang as in his childhood: "We
+and you, and You and we!" All was happiness.
+
+Below lay the velvet-green meadow, with its brown wooden houses, the
+Lütschine hummed and roared. He saw the glacier with its green glass
+edges and its black crevices in the deep snow, and the under and
+upper glacier. The sound of the church-bells was carried over to him,
+as if they chimed a welcome home; his heart beat loudly and expanded,
+so, that for a moment, Babette vanished from it; his heart widened, it
+was so full of recollections. He retraced his steps, over the path,
+where he used to stand when a little boy, with the other children, on
+the edge of the ditch, and where he sold carved wooden houses. Yonder,
+under the fir-trees was his grandfather's house,--strangers dwelled
+there. Children came running up the path, wishing to sell; one of them
+held an alpine rose towards him. Rudy took it for a good omen and
+thought of Babette. Quickly he crossed the bridge, where the two
+Lütschines meet; the leafy trees had increased and the walnut trees
+gave deeper shade. He saw the streaming Swiss and Danish flags--the
+white cross on the red cloth--and Interlaken lay before him.
+
+It was certainly a magnificent town; like no other, it seemed to Rudy.
+A Swiss town in its Sunday dress, was not like other trading-places, a
+mass of black stone houses, heavy, uninviting and stiff. No! it looked
+as though the wooden houses, on the mountain had run down into the
+green valley, to the clear, swift river and had ranged themselves in a
+row--a little in and out--so as to form a street, the most splendid of
+all streets, which had grown up since Rudy was here as a child. It
+appeared to him, that here all the pretty wooden houses that his
+grandfather had carved, and with which the cup-board at home used to
+be filled, had placed themselves there and had grown in strength, as
+the old, the oldest chestnut trees had done. Each house had carved
+wood-work around the windows and balconies, projecting roofs, pretty
+and neat; in front of every house a little flower garden extended into
+the stone-covered street. The houses were all placed on one side, as
+if they wished to conceal the forest-green meadow, where the cows with
+their tinkling bells made one fancy one's self near the high alpine
+pasture-grounds. The meadow was enclosed with high mountains, that
+leaned to one side so that the Jungfrau, the most stately of the Swiss
+mountains, with its glistening snow-clad top, was visible.
+
+What a quantity of well dressed ladies and gentlemen from foreign
+countries! What multitudes of inhabitants from the different cantons!
+The shooters, with their numbers placed in a wreath around their
+hats, waiting to take their turn. Here was music and song,
+hurdy-gurdys and wind instruments, cries and confusion. The houses and
+bridges were decked with devices and verses; banners and flags
+floated, rifles sounded shot after shot; this was the best music to
+Rudy's ear and he entirely forgot Babette, although he had come for
+her sake.
+
+The marksmen thronged towards the spot where the target-shooting was;
+Rudy was soon among them and he was the best, the luckiest, for he
+always hit the mark.
+
+"Who can the strange hunter be?" they asked, "He speaks the French
+language as though he came from Canton Valais!" "He speaks our German
+very distinctly!" said others. "He is said to have lived in the
+neighbourhood of Grindelwald, when a child!" said one of them.
+
+There was life in the youth; his eyes sparkled, his aim was true. Good
+luck gives courage, and Rudy had courage at all times; he soon had a
+large circle of friends around him, they praised him, they did homage
+to him, and Babette had almost entirely left his thoughts. At that
+moment a heavy hand struck him on the shoulder, and a gruff voice
+addressed him in the French tongue:
+
+"You are from Canton Valais?"
+
+Rudy turned around. A stout person, with a red, contented countenance,
+stood by him and that was the rich miller of Bex. He covered with his
+wide body, the slight pretty Babette, who however, soon peeped out
+with her beaming dark eyes. The rich peasant became consequential
+because the hunter from his canton had made the best shot and was the
+honoured one. Rudy was certainly a favourite of fortune, that, for
+which he had journeyed thither and almost forgotten had sought him.
+
+When one meets a countryman far from one's home, why then one knows
+one another, and speaks together. Rudy was the first at the shooting
+festival and the miller was the first at Bex, through his money and
+mill, and so the two men pressed each other's hands: this they had
+never done before. Babette also, gave Rudy her little hand and he
+pressed her's in return and looked at her, so--that she became quite
+red.
+
+The miller told of the long journey which they had made here, of the
+many large towns which they had seen--that was a real journey; they
+had come in the steam-boat and had been driven by post and rail!
+
+"I came by the short road," said Rudy, "I came over the mountains;
+there is no path so high, that one can not reach it!"
+
+"But one can break one's neck," said the miller, "you look as though
+you would do so some day, you are so daring!"
+
+"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.
+
+And the miller's family in Interlaken, with whom the miller and
+Babette were staying, begged Rudy to pay them a visit, for he was from
+the same canton as their relations.
+
+These were glad tidings for Rudy, fortune smiled upon him, as it
+always does on those that rely upon themselves and think upon the
+saying: "Our Lord gives us nuts, but he does not crack them for us!"
+Rudy made himself quite at home with the miller's relations; they
+drank the health of the best marksman. Babette knocked her glass
+against his and Rudy gave thanks for the honour shown him.
+
+In the evening, they all walked under the walnut trees, in front of
+the decorated hôtels; there was such a crowd, such a throng, that Rudy
+was obliged to offer his arm to Babette. "He was so rejoiced to have
+met people from Pays de Vaud," said he, "Pays de Vaud and Valais were
+good neighbourly cantons." His joy was so profound that it struck
+Babette, she must press his hand. They walked along almost like old
+acquaintances; she was so amusing, the darling little creature, it
+became her so prettily Rudy thought, when she described what was
+laughable and overdone in the dress of the ladies, and ridiculed their
+manners and walk. She did not do this in order to mock them, for no
+doubt they were very good people, yes! kind and amiable. Babette knew
+what was right, for she had a god-mother that was a distinguished
+English lady. She was in Bex, eighteen years ago, when Babette was
+baptized; she had given Babette, the expensive breastpin which she
+wore. The god-mother had written her two letters; this year she was to
+meet her in Interlaken, with her daughters; they were old maids, over
+thirty years old, said Babette;--she was just eighteen.
+
+The sweet little mouth was not still a minute; everything that Babette
+said, sounded to Rudy of great importance. Then he related how often
+he had been in Bex, how well he knew the mill; how often he had seen
+Babette, but she of course had never remarked him; he told how, when
+he reached the mill, with many thoughts to which he could give no
+utterance, she and her father were far away; still not so far as to
+render it impossible for him to ascend the rocky wall which made the
+road so long.
+
+Yes, he said this; and he also said how much he thought of her; that
+it was for her sake and not on account of the shooting festival that
+he had come.
+
+Babette remained very still, for what he confided to her was almost
+too much joy.
+
+The sun set behind the rocky wall, whilst they were walking, and there
+stood the Jungfrau in all her radiant splendour, surrounded by the
+dark green circle of the adjacent mountains. The vast crowd of people
+stopped to look at it, Rudy and Babette also gazed upon its grandeur.
+
+"It is nowhere more beautiful than here!" said Babette.
+
+"Nowhere!" said Rudy, and looked at Babette.
+
+"I must leave to-morrow!" said he, a little later.
+
+"Visit us in Bex," whispered Babette, "it will delight my father!"
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[B]
+    The cat looked out from the miller's house,
+    No one was in, not even a mouse!
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+HOMEWARDS.
+
+
+Ah! how much Rudy carried with him, as he went home the next morning
+over the mountains. Yes, there were three silver goblets, two very
+fine rifles and a silver coffee pot, which one could use if one wished
+to go to house-keeping; but he carried with him something far, far
+more important, far mightier, or rather _that_ carried him over the
+high mountains.
+
+The weather was raw, moist and cold, grey and heavy; the clouds
+lowered over the mountain-tops like mourning veils, and enveloped the
+shining peaks of the rocks. The sound of the axe resounded from the
+depths of the forest, and the trunks of the trees rolled down the
+mountain, looking in the distance like slight sticks, but on
+approaching them they were heavy trees, suitable for making masts. The
+Lütschine rushed on with its monotonous sound, the wind blustered, the
+clouds sailed by.
+
+Suddenly a young girl approached Rudy, whom he had not noticed before;
+not until she was beside him; she also was about crossing the
+mountain. Her eyes had so peculiar a power that one was forced to look
+into them; they were so strangely clear--clear as glass, so deep, so
+fathomless--
+
+"Have you a beloved one?" asked Rudy; for to have a beloved one was
+everything to him.
+
+"I have none!" said she, and laughed; but it was as though she was not
+speaking the truth. "Do not let us take a by-way," continued she, "we
+must go more to the left, that way is shorter!"
+
+"Yes, so as to fall down a precipice!" said Rudy; "Do you know no
+better way, and yet wish to be a guide?"
+
+"I know the road well," said she, "my thoughts are with me; yours are
+beneath in the valley; here on high, one must think on the Ice-Maiden,
+for they say she is not well disposed to mankind!"
+
+"I do not fear her," said Rudy, "she was forced to let me go when I
+was a child, so I suppose I can slip away from her now that I am
+older!"
+
+The darkness increased, the rain fell, the snow came; it shone and
+dazzled. "Give me your hand, I will help you to ascend!" said the
+girl, and touched him with icy-cold fingers.
+
+"You help me," said Rudy, "I do not yet need a woman's help in
+climbing!" He strode quickly on, away from her; the snow-shower
+formed a curtain around him, the wind whistled by him and he heard the
+young girl laugh and sing; it sounded so oddly! Yes, that was
+certainly a spirit in the service of the Ice-Maiden. Rudy had heard of
+them, when he had passed a night on high; when he had crossed the
+mountain, as a little boy.
+
+The snow fell more scantily and the shadows lay under him; he looked
+back, there was no one to be seen, but he heard laughing and _jodling_
+and it did not appear to come from a human being. When Rudy reached
+the uppermost portion of the mountain, where the rocky path leads to
+the valley of the Rhone, he saw in the direction of Chamouni, two
+bright stars, twinkling and shining in the clear streaks of blue; he
+thought of Babette, of himself, of his happiness and became warmed by
+his thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+VI.
+
+THE VISIT TO THE MILL.
+
+
+"You bring princely things into the house!" said the old
+foster-mother, her singular eagle-eyes glistened and she made strange
+and hasty motions with her lean neck.
+
+"Fortune is with you, Rudy, I must kiss you, my sweet boy!"
+
+Rudy allowed himself to be kissed, but one could read in his
+countenance, that he but submitted to circumstances and to little
+household miseries. "How handsome you are, Rudy!" said the old woman.
+
+"Do not put notions into my head!" answered Rudy, and laughed, but
+still it pleased him.
+
+"I say it once more," said the old woman, "fortune is with you!"
+
+"Yes, I agree with you there!" said he; thought of Babette and longed
+to be in the deep valley. "They must have returned, two days have
+passed since they expected to do so. I must go to Bex!"
+
+Rudy went to Bex, and the inhabitants of the mill had returned; he was
+well received and they brought him greetings from the family at
+Interlaken. Babette did not talk much, she had grown silent; but her
+eyes spoke and that was quite enough for Rudy. The miller who
+generally liked to carry on the conversation--for he was accustomed to
+have every one laugh at his witty sayings and puns--was he not the
+rich miller?--seemed now to prefer to listen. Rudy recounted to him
+his hunting expeditions; described the difficulties, the dangers and
+the privations of the chamois hunter when on the lofty mountain peak;
+how often he must climb over the insecure snow-ledges, that the wind
+had blown on the rocky brink, and how he must pass over slight bridges
+that the snow-drifts had thrown across the abyss. Rudy looked
+fearless, his eyes sparkled whilst he spoke of the shrewdness of the
+chamois, of their daring leaps, of the violence of the Föhn and of the
+rolling avalanches. He observed that with every description he won
+more and more favour; but what pleased the miller more than all, was
+the account of the lamb's vulture and the bold golden eagle.
+
+In Canton Valais, not far from here, there was an eagle's nest, very
+slyly built under the projecting edge of the rock; a young one was in
+it, but no one could steal it! An Englishman had offered Rudy a few
+days before, a whole handful of gold, if he would bring him the young
+one alive, "but everything has a limit," said he, "the young eagle
+cannot be taken away, and it would be madness to attempt it!"
+
+The wine and conversation flowed freely; but the evening appeared all
+too short for Rudy; yet it was past midnight, when he went home from
+his first visit to the mill.
+
+The light shone a little while longer through the window and between
+the green trees; the parlour-cat came out of an opening in the roof
+and the kitchen-cat came along the gutter.
+
+"Do you know the latest news at the mill?" said the parlour-cat,
+"there has been a silent betrothal in the house! Father does not yet
+know it, but Rudy and Babette have reached each other their paws under
+the table, and he trod three times on my fore-paws, but still I did
+not mew, for that would have awakened attention!"
+
+"I should have done it, nevertheless!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+"What is suited to the kitchen is not suited to the parlour," said the
+parlour-cat. "I should like to know what the miller will say, when he
+hears of the betrothal!"
+
+Yes, what the miller would say! That was what Rudy would have liked to
+know, for Rudy was not at all patient. When the omnibus rumbled over
+the bridge of the Rhone, between Valais and Pays de Vaud not many days
+after, Rudy sat in it and was of good cheer; filled with pleasing
+thoughts of the "Yes," of the same evening.
+
+When evening came and the omnibus returned, yes, there sat Rudy
+within, but the parlour-cat, was running about in the mill with great
+news.
+
+"Listen, you, in the kitchen! The miller knows everything now. This
+has had an exquisite ending! Rudy came here towards evening; he and
+Babette had much to whisper and to chatter about, as they stood in the
+walk, under the miller's chamber. I lay close to their feet but they
+had neither eyes nor thoughts for me. 'I am going directly to your
+father,' said Rudy, 'this is an honourable affair!' 'Shall I follow
+you?' asked Babette, 'it may give you more courage!' 'I have courage
+enough,' said Rudy, 'but if you are there, he will be forced to look
+at it in a more favourable light!' They went in. Rudy trod heavily on
+my tail! Rudy is indescribably awkward; I mewed, but neither he nor
+Babette had ears to hear it. They opened the door, they entered and I
+preceded them; I leaped upon the back of a chair, for I did not know
+but that Rudy would overturn everything! But the miller reversed all,
+that was a great step! Out of the door, up the mountains, to the
+chamois! Rudy can aim at them now, but not at our little Babette!"
+
+"But what was said?" asked the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Said? Everything. 'I care for her and she cares for me! When there is
+milk enough in the jug for one, there is milk enough in the jug for
+two!' 'But she is placed too high for you,' said the miller, 'she sits
+on gold dust, so now you know it; you can not reach her!' 'Nothing is
+too high; he who wills can reach anything!' said Rudy. He is too
+headstrong on this subject! 'But you cannot reach the eaglet, you said
+so yourself lately! Babette is still higher!' 'I will have them both!'
+said Rudy. 'Yes, I will bestow her upon you, if you make me a present
+of the eaglet alive!' said the miller and laughed until the tears
+stood in his eyes.
+
+"'Thanks for your visit, Rudy! Come again to-morrow, you will find no
+one at home. Farewell, Rudy!' Babette said farewell also, as
+sorrowfully as a kitten, that cannot see its mother. 'A word is a
+word, a man is a man,' said Rudy, 'do not weep Babette, I shall bring
+the eaglet!' 'I hope that you will break your neck!' said the miller.
+That's what I call an overturning! Now Rudy has gone, and Babette sits
+and weeps; but the miller sings in German, he learned to do so whilst
+on his journey! I do not intend to trouble myself any longer about it,
+it does no good!"
+
+"There is still a prospect!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+
+
+
+VII.
+
+THE EAGLE'S NEST.
+
+
+Merry and loud sounded the _jodel_ from the mountain-path, it
+indicated good humour and joyous courage; it was Rudy; he was going to
+his friend Vesinand.
+
+"You must help me! We will take Ragli with us; I am going after the
+eaglet on the brink of the rock!"
+
+"Do you not wish to go after the black spot in the moon? That is quite
+as easy," said Vesinand; "you are in a good humour!"
+
+"Yes, because I am thinking of my wedding; but seriously, you shall
+know how my affairs stand!"
+
+Vesinand and Ragli soon knew what Rudy wished.
+
+"You are a bold fellow," said they, "do not do this! You will break
+your neck!"
+
+"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.
+
+About mid-day, they set out with poles, ladders and ropes; their path
+lay through bushes and brambles, over the rolling stones, up, up in
+the dark night.
+
+The water rushed beneath them; the water flowed above them and the
+humid clouds chased each other in the air. The hunters approached the
+steep brink of the rock; it became darker and darker, the rocky walls
+almost met; high above them in the narrow fissure the air penetrated
+and gave light. Under their feet there was a deep abyss with its
+roaring waters.
+
+They all three sat still, awaiting the grey of the morning; then the
+eagle would fly out; they must shoot him before they could think of
+obtaining the young one. Rudy seemed to be a part of the stone on
+which he sat; his rifle placed before him, ready to take aim, his eyes
+immoveably fastened on yon high cleft which concealed the eagle's
+nest. The three huntsmen waited long.
+
+A crashing, whizzing noise sounded high above them; a large hovering
+object darkened the air. Two rifle barrels were aimed as the black
+eagle flew from its nest; a shot was heard, the out-spread wings moved
+an instant, then the bird slowly sank as if it wished to fill the
+entire cliff with its outstretched wings and bury the huntsmen in its
+fall. The eagle sank in the deep; the branches of the trees and bushes
+cracked, broken by the fall of the bird.
+
+They now displayed their activity; three of the longest ladders were
+tied together; they stood them on the farthest point where the foot
+could place itself with security, close to the brink of the
+precipice--but they were not long enough; there was still a great
+space from the outermost projecting cliff, which protected the nest;
+the rocky wall was perfectly smooth. After some consultation, they
+decided to lower into the opening two ladders tied together and to
+fasten them to the three already beneath them. With great difficulty
+they dragged them up and attached them with cords; the ladders shot
+over the projecting cliffs and hung over the chasm; Rudy sat already
+on the lowest round.
+
+It was an ice-cold morning, and the mist mounted from the black
+ravine. Rudy sat there like a fly on a rocking blade of grass, which a
+nest-building bird has dropped in its hasty flight, on the edge of a
+factory chimney; but the fly had the advantage of escaping by its
+wings, poor Rudy had none, he was almost sure to break his neck. The
+wind whistled around him and the roaring water from the thawed
+glaciers, the palace of the Ice-Maiden, poured itself into the abyss.
+
+He gave the ladders a swinging motion--as the spider swings herself by
+her long thread--he seized them with a strong and steady hand, but
+they shook as if they had worn-out hasps.
+
+The five long ladders looked like a tremulous reed, as they reached
+the nest and hung perpendicularly over the rocky wall. Now came the
+most dangerous part; Rudy had to climb as a cat climbs; but Rudy could
+do this, for the cat had taught it to him. He did not feel that
+Vertigo trod in the air behind him and stretched her polypus-like arms
+towards him. Now he stood on the highest round of the ladder and
+perceived that he was not sufficiently high to enable him to see into
+the nest; he could reach it with his hands. He tried how firm the
+twigs were, which plaited in one another formed the bottom of the
+nest; when he had assured himself of a thick and immoveable one, he
+swung himself off of the ladder. He had his breast and head over the
+nest, out of which streamed towards him a stifling stench of carrion;
+torn lambs, chamois and birds lay decomposing around him. Vertigo, who
+had no power over him, blew poisonous vapours into his face to stupify
+him; below in the black, yawning abyss, sat the Ice-Maiden herself, on
+the hastening water, with her long greenish-white hair and stared at
+him with death-like eyes, which were pointed at him like two rifle
+barrels.
+
+"Now, I shall catch you!"
+
+Seated in one corner of the eagle's nest was the eaglet, who could not
+fly yet, although so strong and powerful. Rudy fastened his eyes on
+it, held himself with his whole strength firmly by one hand, and with
+the other threw the noose around it. It was captured alive, its legs
+were in the knot; Rudy cast the rope over his shoulder, so that the
+animal dangled some distance below him, and sustained himself by
+another rope which hung down, until his feet touched the upper round
+of the ladder.
+
+"Hold fast, do not think that you will fall and then you are sure not
+to do so!" That was the old lesson, and he followed it; held fast,
+climbed, was sure not to fall and he did not.
+
+There resounded a strong _jodling_, and a joyous one too. Rudy stood
+on the firm, rocky ground with the young eaglet.
+
+
+
+
+VIII.
+
+THE NEWS WHICH THE PARLOUR-CAT RELATED.
+
+
+"Here is what you demanded!" said Rudy, on entering the house of the
+miller at Bex, as he placed a large basket on the floor and took off
+the covering. Two yellow eyes, with black circles around them, fiery
+and wild, looked out as if they wished to set on fire, or to kill
+those around them. The short beak yawned ready to bite and the neck
+was red and downy.
+
+"The eaglet!" cried the miller. Babette screamed, jumped to one side
+and could neither turn her eyes from Rudy, nor from the eaglet.
+
+"You do not allow yourself to be frightened!" said the miller.
+
+"And you keep your word, at all times," said Rudy, "each has his
+characteristic trait!"
+
+"But why did you not break your neck?" asked the miller.
+
+"Because I held on firmly," answered Rudy, "and I hold firmly on
+Babette!"
+
+"First see that you have her!" said the miller and laughed; that was a
+good sign; Babette knew this.
+
+"Let us take the eaglet from the basket, it is terrible to see how he
+glares! How did you get him?"
+
+Rudy was obliged to recount his adventure, whilst the miller stared at
+him with eyes, which grew larger and larger.
+
+"With your courage and with your luck you could take care of three
+wives!" said the miller.
+
+"Thanks! Thanks!" cried Rudy.
+
+"Yes, but you have not yet Babette!" said the miller as he struck the
+young chamois hunter, jestingly on the shoulder.
+
+"Do you know the latest news in the mill?" said the parlour-cat to the
+kitchen-cat. "Rudy has brought us the young eagle and taken Babette in
+exchange. They have kissed each other and the father looked on. That
+is just as good as a betrothal; the old man did not overturn anything,
+he drew in his claws, took his nap and left the two seated, caressing
+each other. They have so much to relate, they will not get through
+till Christmas!"
+
+They had not finished at Christmas.
+
+The wind whistled through the brown foliage, the snow swept through
+the valley as it did on the high mountains. The Ice-Maiden sat in her
+proud castle and arrayed herself in her winter costume; the ice walls
+stood in glazed frost; where the mountain streams waved their watery
+veil in summer, were now seen thick elephantine icicles, shining
+garlands of ice, formed of fantastic ice crystals, encircled the
+fir-trees, which were powdered with snow.
+
+The Ice-Maiden rode on the blustering wind over the deepest valleys.
+The snow covering lay over all Bex; Rudy stayed in doors more than was
+his wont, and sat with Babette. The wedding was to take place in the
+summer; their friends talked so much of it that it often made their
+ears burn. All was sunshine with them, and the loveliest alpine rose
+was Babette, the sprightly, laughing Babette, who was as charming as
+the early spring; the spring that makes the birds sing, that will
+bring the summer time and the wedding day.
+
+"How can they sit there and hang over each other," exclaimed the
+parlour-cat, "I am really tired of their eternal mewing!"
+
+
+
+
+IX.
+
+THE ICE-MAIDEN.
+
+
+The early spring time had unfolded the green leaves of the walnut and
+chestnut trees; they were remarkably luxuriant from the bridge of St.
+Maurice to the banks of the lake of Geneva.
+
+The Rhone, which rushes forth from its source, has under the green
+glacier the palace of the Ice-Maiden. She is carried by it and the
+sharp wind to the elevated snow-fields, where she extends herself on
+her damp cushions in the brilliant sunshine. There she sits and gazes,
+with far-seeing sight, upon the valley where mortals busily move about
+like so many ants.
+
+"Beings endowed with mental powers, as the children of the Sun, call
+you," said the Ice-Maiden--"ye are worms! _One_ snow-ball rolled and
+you and your houses and towns are crushed and swept away!" She raised
+her proud head still higher and looked with death-beaming eyes far
+around and below her. From the valley resounded a rumbling, a blasting
+of rocks, men were making railways and tunnels. "They are playing like
+moles," said she, "they excavate passages, and a noise is made like
+the firing of a gun. When I transpose _my_ castles, it roars louder
+than the rolling of the thunder!"
+
+A smoke arose from the valley and moved along like a floating veil,
+like a waving plume; it was the locomotive which led the train over
+the newly built railroad--this crooked snake, whose limbs are formed
+of cars upon cars. It shot along with the speed of an arrow.
+
+"They are playing the masters with their mental powers," said the
+Ice-Maiden, "but the powers of nature are the ruling ones!" and she
+laughed and her laugh was echoed in the valley.
+
+"Now an avalanche is rolling!" said the men below.
+
+Still more loudly sang the children of the Sun; they sang of the
+"thoughts" of men which fetter the sea to the yoke, cut down mountains
+and fill up valleys; of human thoughts which rule the powers of
+nature. At this moment, a company of travellers crossed the snow-field
+where the Maiden sat; they had bound themselves firmly together with
+ropes, in order to form a large body on the smooth ice-field by the
+deep abyss.
+
+"Worms!" said she, "as if you were lords of creation!" She turned from
+them and looked mockingly upon the deep valley, where the cars were
+rushing by.
+
+"There sit those _thoughts_ in their power of strength! I see them
+all!--There sits one, proud as a king and alone! They sit in masses!
+There, half are asleep! When the steam-dragon stops, they will descend
+and go their way! The thoughts go out into the world!" She laughed.
+
+"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.
+
+"It will not catch us!" said two on the back of the steam
+dragon;--"two souls and one thought"--these were Rudy and Babette; the
+miller was there also.
+
+"As baggage," said he, "I go along, as the indispensable!"
+
+"There sit the two," said the Ice-Maiden, "I have crushed many a
+chamois; I have bent and broken millions of alpine roses, so that no
+roots were left! I shall annihilate _them_! The thoughts! The mental
+powers!" She laughed.
+
+"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.
+
+
+
+
+X.
+
+THE GOD-MOTHER.
+
+
+In Montreux, one of the adjoining towns, which with Clarens, Vernex
+and Crin forms a garland around the northeast part of the lake of
+Geneva, dwelt Babette's god-mother, a distinguished English lady, with
+her daughters and a young relation. Although she had but lately
+arrived, the miller had already made her his visit and announced
+Babette's engagement; had spoken of Rudy and the eaglet; of the visit
+to Interlaken and in short had told the whole story. This had rejoiced
+her in the highest degree, both for Rudy and Babette's sake, as well
+as for the miller's; they must all visit her--therefore they came.
+Babette was to see her god-mother, and the god-mother was to see
+Babette.
+
+At the end of the lake of Geneva, by the little town of Villeneuve,
+lay the steam-boat which after half an hour's trip from Vernex,
+arrived at Montreux. This is one of the coasts which are sung of by
+the poets. Here sat Byron, by the deep bluish green lake, under the
+walnut trees and wrote his melodious verses upon the prisoner of the
+deep sombre castle of Chillon. Here, where Clarens with its weeping
+willows, mirrored itself in the waters, once wandered Rousseau and
+dreamt of Heloïse. Yonder, where the Rhone glides along under Savoy's
+snow-topped mountains and not far from its mouth, in the lake lies a
+little island, indeed it is so small, that from the coast it is taken
+for a vessel. It is a valley between the rocks, which a lady caused
+to be dammed up a hundred years ago and to be covered with earth and
+planted with three acacia-trees, which now shade the whole island.
+Babette was quite charmed with this little spot; they must and should
+go there, yes, it must be charming beyond description to be on the
+island; but the steamer sailed by, and stopped as it should, at
+Vernex.
+
+The little party wandered between the white, sunlighted walls, which
+surround the vineyards of the little mountain town of Montreux,
+through the fig-trees which flourish before every peasant's house and
+in whose gardens, the laurel and cypress trees are green. Half-way up
+the hill stood the boarding house where the god-mother resided.
+
+The reception was very cordial. The god-mother was a large amiable
+person and had a round smiling countenance; as a child she must have
+had a real Raphael's angel head, but now it was an old angel's head
+with silvery white hair, well curled. The daughters were tall,
+slender, refined and much dressed. The young cousin who was with them,
+was clad in white from head to foot; he had golden hair and immense
+whiskers; he immediately showed little Babette the greatest attention.
+
+Richly bound books, loose music and drawings lay strewn about the
+large table; the balcony door stood open and one had a view of the
+beautiful out-spread lake, which was so shining, so still, that the
+mountains of Savoy with their little villages, their forest and their
+snowy peaks mirrored themselves in it.
+
+Rudy, who usually was so full of life, so merry and so daring, did not
+feel in his element; he moved about over the smooth floor as though
+he were treading on peas. How wearily the time dragged along, it was
+just as if one was in a tread mill! If they did go walking, why, that
+was just as slow; Rudy could take two steps forwards and two steps
+backwards and still remain in the pace of the others.
+
+When they came to Chillon, (the old sombre castle on the rocky island)
+they entered in order to see the dungeon and the martyr's stake, as
+well as the rusty chains on the wall; the stone bed for those
+condemned to death and the trap-door where the wretched beings impaled
+on iron goads, were hurled into the breakers. It was a place of
+execution elevated through Byron's song to the world of poetry. Rudy
+was sad, he lent over the broad stone sill of the window, gazed into
+the deep blue water and over to the little solitary island with its
+three acacias and wished himself there, free from the whole gossiping
+society. Babette was remarkably merry, she had been indescribably
+amused. The cousin found her perfect.
+
+"Yes, a perfect jackanapes!" said Rudy; this was the first time, that
+he had said something, that did not please her. The Englishman had
+presented her with a little book, as a souvenir of Chillon,--Byron's
+poem of "The Prisoner of Chillon," in the French language, so that
+Babette might read it.
+
+"The book may be good," said Rudy, "but the finely combed fellow that
+gave it to you does not please me!"
+
+"He looked like a meal-bag, without meal in it!" said the miller and
+laughed at his own wit. Rudy laughed and thought that this was very
+well said.
+
+
+
+
+XI.
+
+THE COUSIN.
+
+
+When Rudy came to the mill, a couple of days afterwards, he found the
+young Englishman there. Babette had just cooked some trout for him and
+had dressed them with parsley in order to make them appear more
+inviting. That was assuredly not necessary. What did the Englishman
+want here? Did he come in order to have Babette entertain and wait
+upon him?
+
+Rudy was jealous and that amused Babette; it rejoiced her, to learn
+the feelings of his heart, the strong as well as the weak ones.
+
+Until now love had been a play and she played with Rudy's whole heart;
+yet he was her happiness, her life's thought, the noblest one! The
+more gloomy he looked, the more her eyes laughed and she would have
+liked to kiss the blonde Englishman with his golden whiskers, if she
+could have succeeded by so doing, in making Rudy rush away furious.
+Then, yes then, she would have known how much he loved her. That was
+not right, that was not wise in little Babette; but she was only
+nineteen! She did not reflect and still less did she think how her
+behaviour towards the young Englishman might be interpreted; for it
+was lighter and merrier than was seemly for the honourable and newly
+affianced daughter of the miller.
+
+The mill lay where the highway slopes--under the snow covered rocky
+heights--which are called here, in the language of the country
+"Diablerets" close to a rapid mountain stream, which was of a greyish
+white, like bubbling soap suds. A smaller stream, rushes forth from
+the rocks on the other side of the river, passes through an enclosed,
+broad rafter-made-gutter and turns the large wheel of the mill. The
+gutter was so full of water, that it streamed over and offered a most
+slippery way, to one who had the idea of crossing more quickly to the
+mill; a young man had this idea--the Englishman. Guided by the light,
+which shone from Babette's window, he arrived in the evening, clothed
+in white, like a miller's boy; he had not learnt to climb and nearly
+tumbled head over heels into the stream, but escaped with wet sleeves
+and splashed pantaloons. He reached Babette's window, muddy and wet
+through, there he climbed into the old linden tree and imitated the
+screech of an owl, for he could not sing like any other bird. Babette
+heard it and peeped through the thin curtains, but when she remarked
+the white man and recognized him, her little heart fluttered with
+alarm, but also with anger. She hastily extinguished the light,
+fastened the windows securely and then she let him howl.
+
+If Rudy was in the mill it would have been dreadful, but Rudy was not
+there; no, it was much worse, for he was below. There was loud
+conversation, angry words; there might be blows; yes, perhaps murder.
+
+Babette was terrified; she opened the window, called Rudy's name and
+begged him to go; she said she would not suffer him to remain.
+
+"You will not suffer me to remain," he exclaimed, "then it is a
+preconcerted thing! You were expecting other friends, friends better
+than myself; shame on you, Babette!"
+
+"You are detestable," said Babette, "I hate you!" and she wept. "Go!
+Go!"
+
+"I have not deserved this!" said he, and departed. His cheeks burned
+like fire, his heart burned like fire.
+
+Babette threw herself on her bed and wept.
+
+"So much as I love you, Rudy, how can you believe ill of me!"
+
+She was angry, very angry, and this was good for her; otherwise she
+would have sorrowed deeply; but now she could sleep, and she slept the
+strengthening sleep of youth.
+
+
+
+
+XII.
+
+THE EVIL POWERS.
+
+
+Rudy forsook Bex and went on his way home, in the fresh, cool air, up
+the snow-covered mountain, where the Ice-Maiden ruled. The leafy trees
+which lay beneath him, looked like potato vines; fir-trees and bushes
+became less frequent; the alpine roses grew in the snow, which lay in
+little spots like linen put out to bleach. There stood a blue anemone,
+he crushed it with the barrel of his gun.
+
+Higher up two chamois appeared and Rudy's eyes gained lustre and his
+thoughts took a new direction; but he was not near enough to make a
+good shot; he ascended still higher, where only stiff grass grows
+between the blocks of stone; the chamois were quietly crossing the
+snow field; he hurried hastily on; the fog was descending and he
+suddenly stood before the steep rocky wall. The rain commenced to
+fall.
+
+He felt a burning thirst; heat in his head, cold in all his limbs; he
+grasped his hunting flask, but it was empty; he had not thought of
+filling it when he rushed up the hill. He had never been ill, but now
+he was so; he was weary and had a desire to throw himself down to
+sleep, but everything was streaming with water. He endeavoured to
+collect his ideas, but all objects danced before his eyes. Suddenly he
+perceived a newly built house leaning against the rocks and in the
+doorway stood a young girl. Yes, it appeared to him that it was the
+schoolmaster's Annette, whom he had once kissed whilst dancing; but it
+was not Annette and yet he had seen her before--perhaps in
+Grindelwald, on the evening when he returned from the shooting-festival
+at Interlaken.
+
+"Where do you come from?" asked he.
+
+"I am at home," said she, "I tend my flock!"
+
+"Your flock, where do they pasture? Here are only cliffs and snow!"
+
+"You have a ready answer," said she and laughed; "below there is a
+charming meadow! There are my goats! I take good care of them! I lose
+none of them, what is mine, remains mine!"
+
+"You are bold!" said Rudy.
+
+"So are you!" answered she.
+
+"Have you any milk? Do give me some, my thirst is intolerable!"
+
+"I have something better than milk," said she, "and you shall have
+it! Travellers came yesterday with their guide, but they forgot a
+flask of wine, such as you have never tasted; they will not come for
+it, I shall not drink it, so drink you!"
+
+She brought the wine, poured it in a wooden cup and handed it to Rudy.
+
+"That is good," said he, "I have never drunk such a warming, such a
+fiery wine!" His eyes beamed, a life, a glow came over him; all sorrow
+and oppression seemed to die away; gushing, fresh human nature stirred
+itself within him.
+
+"Why this is the schoolmaster's Annette," exclaimed he, "give me a
+kiss!"
+
+"Yes, give me the beautiful ring, which you wear on your finger!"
+
+"My engagement ring?"
+
+"Just that one!" said the young girl and pouring wine into the cup,
+put it to his lips and he drank. Then the joy of life streamed in his
+blood; the whole world seemed to belong to him. "Why torment one's
+self? Every thing is made for our enjoyment and happiness! The stream
+of life is the stream of joy, and forgetfulness is felicity!" He
+looked at the young girl, it was Annette and then again not Annette;
+still less, an enchanted phantom, as he had named her, when he met her
+near Grindelwald. The girl on the mountain was fresh as the newly
+fallen snow, blooming as the alpine rose and light as a kid; and a
+human being like Rudy. He wound his arm about her, looked in her
+strange clear eyes, yes, only for a second--but was it spiritual life
+or was it death which flowed through him? Was he raised on high, or
+did he sink into the deep, murderous ice-pit, deeper and ever deeper?
+He saw icy walls like bluish green glass, numberless clefts yawned
+around, and the water sounded as it dropped, like a chime of bells;
+it was pearly, clear and shone in bluish white flames. The Ice-Maiden
+gave him a kiss, which made him shiver from head to foot and he gave a
+cry of pain. He staggered and fell; it grew dark before his eyes, but
+soon all became clear to him again; the evil powers had had their
+sport with him.
+
+The alpine maiden had vanished, the mountain hut had vanished, the
+water beat against the bare rocky walls and all around him lay snow.
+Rudy wet to the skin, trembled from cold and his ring had disappeared,
+his engagement ring, which Babette had given him. He tried to fire off
+his rifle which lay near him in the snow but it missed. Humid clouds
+lay in the clefts like firm masses of snow and Vertigo watched for her
+powerless prey; beneath him in the deep chasm it sounded as if a
+block of the rock was rolling down and was endeavouring to crush and
+tear up all that met it in its fall.
+
+In the mill sat Babette and wept; Rudy had not been there for six
+days; he who had been so wrong; he who must beg her forgiveness,
+because she loved him with her whole heart.
+
+
+
+
+XIII.
+
+IN THE MILLER'S HOUSE.
+
+
+"What confusion!" said the parlour-cat to the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Now all is wrong between Rudy and Babette. She sits and weeps and he
+thinks no longer on her, I suppose.
+
+"I cannot bear it!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Nor I," said the parlour-cat, "but I shall not worry myself any
+longer about it! Babette can take the red-whiskered one for a dear
+one, but he has not been here either, since he tried to get on the
+roof!"
+
+Within and without, the evil powers ruled, and Rudy knew this, and
+reflected upon what had taken place both around and within him, whilst
+upon the mountain. Were those faces, or was all a feverish dream? He
+had never known fever or sickness before. Whilst he condemned Babette,
+he also condemned himself. He thought of the wild, wicked feelings
+which had lately possessed him. Could he confess everything to
+Babette? Every thought, which in the hour of temptation might have
+become a reality? He had lost her ring and by this loss had she won
+him back. Could she confess to him? It seemed as if his heart would
+break when he thought of her; so many recollections passed through his
+soul. He saw her a lively, laughing, petulant child; many a loving
+word, which she had said to him in the fullness of her heart, shot
+like a sunbeam through his breast and soon all there was sunshine for
+Babette.
+
+She must be able to confess to him and she should do so.
+
+He came to the mill, he came to confession; and this commenced with a
+kiss, and ended with the fact that Rudy was the sinner; his great
+fault was, that he had doubted Babette's fidelity; yes, that was
+indeed atrocious in him! Such mistrust, such violence could bring them
+both into misfortune! Yes, most surely! Thereupon Babette preached him
+a little sermon, which much diverted her and became her charmingly; in
+one article Rudy was quite right; the god-mother's relation was a
+jackanapes! She should burn the book that he had given her, and not
+possess the slightest object which could remind her of him.
+
+"Now it is all arranged," said the parlour-cat, "Rudy is here again,
+they understand each other and that is a great happiness!"
+
+"Last night," said the kitchen-cat, "I heard the rats say that the
+greatest happiness was to eat tallow candles, and to have abundance of
+tainted meat. Now who must one believe, the rats or the lovers?"
+
+"Neither of them," said the parlour-cat, "that is the surest way!"
+
+The greatest happiness for Rudy and Babette was drawing near; they
+were awaiting, so they said, their happiest day, their wedding day.
+
+But the wedding was not to be in the church of Bex, nor in the
+miller's house; the god-mother wished it to be solemnized near her,
+and the marriage ceremony was to take place in the beautiful little
+church of Montreux. The miller insisted that her desire should be
+fulfilled; he alone knew what the god-mother intended for the young
+couple; they were to receive a bridal present from her, which was well
+worth so slight a concession. The day was appointed. They were to
+leave for Villeneuve, in time to arrive at Montreux early in the
+morning, and so enable the god-mother's daughters to dress the bride.
+
+"Then I suppose there will be a wedding here in the house, on the
+following day," said the parlour-cat, "otherwise, I would not give a
+single mew for the whole thing!"
+
+"There will be a feast here," said the kitchen-cat, "the ducks are
+slain, the pigeons necks wrung, and a whole deer hangs on the wall. My
+teeth itch just with looking on! To-morrow the journey commences!"
+
+Yes, to-morrow! Rudy and Babette sat together for the last time in the
+mill.
+
+Without was the alpine glow; the evening bells pealed; the daughters
+of the Sun sang: "What is for the best will take place!"
+
+
+
+
+XIV.
+
+THE VISIONS OF THE NIGHT.
+
+
+The sun had gone down; the clouds lowered themselves into the Rhone
+valley--between the high mountains; the wind blew from the south over
+the mountains--an African wind, a Föhn,--which tore the clouds
+asunder. When the wind had passed, all was still for an instant; the
+parted clouds hung in fantastic forms between the forest-grown
+mountains. Over the hastening Rhone, their shapes resembled
+sea-monsters of the primeval world, soaring eagles of the air and
+leaping frogs of the ditches--they seemed to sink into the rapid
+stream and to sail on the river, yet they still floated in the air.
+The stream carried away a pine tree, torn up by the roots; and the
+water sent whirlpools ahead; this was Vertigo, with her attendants,
+and they danced in circles on the foaming stream. The moon shone on
+the snow of the mountain-peaks; it lighted up the dark forest and the
+singular white clouds; the peasants of the mountain, saw through their
+window panes, the nightly apparitions and the spirits of the powers of
+nature, as they sailed before the Ice-Maiden. She came from her
+glacier castle, she sat in a frail bark, a felled fir-tree; the water
+of the glaciers carried her up the stream out to the main sea.
+
+"The wedding guests are coming!" was whizzed and sung in the air and
+in the water.
+
+Visions without and visions within!
+
+Babette dreamt a wonderful dream.
+
+It appeared to her, as though she was married to Rudy, and had been so
+for many years. He had gone chamois hunting and as she sat at home,
+the young Englishman with the golden whiskers was beside her; his eyes
+were fiery, his words seemed endowed with magical power; he reached
+her his hand and she was obliged to follow him.
+
+They flew from home. Steadily downwards.
+
+A weight lay upon her heart and it grew ever heavier. It was a sin
+against Rudy, a sin against God; suddenly she stood forsaken. Her
+clothes were torn by the thorns; her hair had grown grey; she looked
+up in her sorrow and she saw Rudy on the edge of the rock. She
+stretched her arms towards him, but she ventured neither to call, nor
+to implore him; but she soon saw that it was not he himself, only his
+hunting coat and hat, which were hanging on his alpine staff, as the
+hunters are accustomed to place them, in order to deceive the chamois!
+Babette moaned in boundless anguish:
+
+"Ah! would that I had died on my wedding day, my happiest day! Oh! my
+heavenly Father! That would have been a mercy, a life's happiness!
+Then we would have obtained, the best, that could have happened to us!
+No one knows his future!" In her impious sorrow, she threw herself
+down the steep precipice. It seemed as if a string broke, and a
+sorrowful tone resounded.
+
+Babette awoke--the dream was at an end and obliterated; but she knew
+that she had dreamt of something terrible, and of the young
+Englishman, whom she had neither seen, nor thought of, for many
+months. Was he perhaps in Montreux? Should she see him at her
+wedding? A slight shadow flitted over her delicate mouth, her brow
+contracted; but her smile soon returned; her eyes sparkled again; the
+sun shone so beautifully without, and to-morrow, yes to-morrow was her
+and Rudy's wedding day.
+
+Rudy had already arrived, when she came down stairs, and they soon
+left for Villeneuve. They were so happy, the two, and the miller also;
+he laughed and was radiant with joy; he was a good father, an honest
+soul.
+
+"Now we are the masters of the house!" said the parlour-cat.
+
+
+
+
+XV.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+It was not yet night, when the three joyous people reached Villeneuve
+and took their dinner. The miller seated himself in an arm-chair with
+his pipe and took a little nap. The betrothed went out of the town arm
+in arm, out on the carriage way, under the bush-grown rocks, to the
+deep bluish-green lake. Sombre Chillon, with its grey walls and heavy
+towers, mirrored itself in the clear water; but still nearer lay the
+little island, with its three acacias, and it looked like a bouquet on
+the lake.
+
+"How charming it must be there!" said Babette; she felt again the
+greatest desire to visit it, and this wish could be immediately
+fulfilled; for a boat lay on the shore and the rope which fastened it,
+was easy to untie. As no one was visible, from whom they could ask
+permission, they took the boat without hesitation, for Rudy could row
+well. The oars skimmed like the fins of a fish, over the pliant water,
+which is so yielding and still so strong; which is all back to carry,
+but all mouth to engulph; which smiles--yes, is gentleness itself, and
+still awakens terror--and is so powerful in destroying. The rapid
+current soon brought the boat to the island; they stepped on land.
+There was just room enough for the two to dance.
+
+Rudy swung Babette three times around, and then they seated themselves
+on the little bench, under the acacias, looked into each other's eyes,
+held each other by the hand, and everything around them shone in the
+splendour of the setting sun. The forests of fir-trees on the
+mountains became of a pinkish lilac aspect, the colour of blooming
+heath, and where the bare rocks were apparent, they glowed as if they
+were transparent. The clouds in the sky were radiant with a red glow;
+the whole lake was like a fresh flaming rose leaf. As the shadows
+arose to the snow-covered mountains of Savoy, they became dark blue,
+but the uppermost peak seemed like red lava and pointed out for a
+moment, the whole range of mountains, whose masses arose glowing from
+the bosom of the earth.
+
+It seemed to Rudy and Babette, that they had never seen such an alpine
+glow. The snow-covered Dent-du-Midi, had a lustre like the full moon,
+when it rises to the horizon.
+
+"So much beauty, so much happiness!" they both said.
+
+"Earth can give me no more," said Rudy, "an evening hour like this is
+a whole life! How often have I felt as now, and thought that if
+everything should end suddenly, how happily have I lived! How blessed
+is this world! The day ended, a new one dawned and I felt that it was
+still more beautiful! How bountiful is our Lord, Babette!"
+
+"I am so happy!" said she.
+
+"Earth can give me no more!" exclaimed Rudy.
+
+The evening bells resounded from the Savoy and Swiss mountains; the
+bluish-black Jura arose in golden splendour towards the west.
+
+"God give you that which is most excellent and best, Rudy!" said
+Babette.
+
+"He will do that," answered Rudy, "to-morrow I shall have it!
+To-morrow you will be entirely mine! Mine own, little, lovely wife!"
+
+"The boat!" cried Babette at the same moment.
+
+The boat, which was to convey them back, had broken loose and was
+sailing from the island.
+
+"I will go for it!" said Rudy. He threw off his coat, drew off his
+boots, sprang in the lake and swam towards the boat.
+
+The clear, bluish-grey water of the ice mountains, was cold and deep.
+Rudy gave but a single glance and it seemed as though he saw a gold
+ring, rolling, shining and sporting--he thought on his lost engagement
+ring--and the ring grew larger, widened into a sparkling circle and
+within it shone the clear glacier; all about yawned endless deep
+chasms; the water dropped and sounded like a chime of bells, and shone
+with bluish-white flames. He saw in a second, what we must say in many
+long words. Young hunters and young girls, men and women, who had
+once perished in the glacier, stood there living, with open eyes and
+smiling mouth; deep below them chimed from buried towns the peal of
+church bells; under the arches of the churches knelt the congregation;
+pieces of ice formed the organ pipes, and the mountain stream played
+the organ. On the clear transparent ground sat the Ice-Maiden; she
+raised herself towards Rudy, kissed his feet, and the coldness of
+death ran through his limbs and gave him an electric shock--ice and
+fire. He could not perceive the difference.
+
+"Mine, mine!" sounded around him and within him.
+
+"I kissed you, when you were young, kissed you on your mouth! Now I
+kiss your feet, you are entirely mine!"
+
+He vanished in the clear blue water.
+
+Everything was still; the church bells stopped ringing; the last tones
+died away with the splendour of the red clouds.
+
+"You are mine!" sounded in the deep. "You are mine!" sounded from on
+high, from the infinite.
+
+How happy to fly from love to love, from earth to heaven!
+
+A string broke, a cry of grief was heard, the icy kiss of death
+conquered; the prelude ended; so that the drama of life might
+commence, discord melted into harmony.--
+
+Do you call this a sad story?
+
+Poor Babette! For her it was a period of anguish.
+
+The boat drifted farther and farther. No one on shore knew that the
+lovers were on the island. The evening darkened, the clouds lowered
+themselves; night came. She stood there, solitary, despairing,
+moaning. A flash of lightning passed over the Jura mountains, over
+Switzerland and over Savoy. From all sides flash upon flash of
+lightning, clap upon clap of thunder, which rolled continuously many
+minutes. At times the lightning was vivid as sunshine, and you could
+distinguish the grape vines; then all became black again in the dark
+night. The lightning formed knots, ties, zigzags, complicated figures;
+it struck in the lake, so that it lit it up on all sides; whilst the
+noise of the thunder was made louder by the echo. The boat was drawn
+on shore; all living objects sought shelter. Now the rain streamed
+down.
+
+"Where can Rudy and Babette be in this frightful weather!" said the
+miller.
+
+Babette sat with folded hands, with her head in her lap, mute with
+sorrow, with screaming and bewailing.
+
+"In the deep water," said she to herself, "he is as far down as the
+glaciers!"
+
+She remembered what Rudy had related to her of his mother's death, of
+his preservation, and how he was withdrawn death-like, from the clefts
+of the glacier. "The Ice-Maiden has him again!"
+
+There was a flash of lightning, as dazzling as the sunlight on the
+white snow. Babette started up; at this instant, the sea rose like a
+glittering glacier; there stood the Ice-Maiden majestic, pale, blue,
+shining, and at her feet lay Rudy's corpse. "Mine!" said she, and then
+all around was fog and night and streaming water.
+
+"Cruel!" moaned Babette, "why must he die, now that the day of our
+happiness approached. God! Enlighten my understanding! Enlighten my
+heart! I do not understand thy ways! Notwithstanding all thy
+omnipotence and wisdom, I still grope in the darkness."
+
+God enlightened her heart. A thought like a ray of mercy, her last
+night's dream in all its vividness flashed through her; she remembered
+the words which she had spoken: "the wish for the best for herself and
+Rudy."
+
+"Woe is me! Was that the sinful seed in my heart? Did my dream
+foretell my future life? Is all this misery for my salvation? Me,
+miserable one!"
+
+Lamenting, sat she in the dark night. In the solemn stillness, sounded
+Rudy's last words; the last ones he had uttered: "Earth has no more
+happiness to give me!" She had heard it in the fullness of her joy,
+she heard it again in all the depths of her sorrow.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A couple of years have passed since then. The lake smiles, the coast
+smiles; the vine branches are filled with ripe grapes; the steamboats
+glide along with waving flags and the pleasure boats float over the
+watery mirror, with their two expanded sails like white butterflies.
+The railroad to Chillon is opened; it leads into the Rhone valley;
+strangers alight at every station; they arrive with their red covered
+guide books and read of remarkable sights which are to be seen. They
+visit Chillon, they stand upon the little island, with its three
+acacias--out on the lake--and they read in the book about the
+betrothed ones, who sailed over one evening in the year 1856;--of the
+death of the bridegroom, and: "it was not till the next morning, that
+the despairing shrieks of the bride were heard on the coast!"
+
+The book does not tell, however, of Babette's quiet life with her
+father; not in the mill, where strangers now dwell, but in the
+beautiful house, near the railway station. There she looks from the
+window many an evening and gazes over the chestnut trees, upon the
+snow mountains, where Rudy once climbed. She sees in the evening hours
+the alpine glow--the children of the Sun encamp themselves above, and
+repeat the song of the wanderer, whose mantle the whirlwind tore off,
+and carried away: "it took the covering but not the man."
+
+There is a rosy hue on the snow of the mountains; there is a rosy hue
+in every heart, where the thought dwells, that: "God always gives us
+that which is best for us!" but it is not always revealed to us, as it
+once happened to Babette in her dream.
+
+
+
+
+The Butterfly.
+
+
+The butterfly wished to procure a bride for himself--of course, one of
+the flowers--a pretty little one. He looked about him. Each one sat
+quietly and thoughtfully on her stalk, as a young maiden should sit,
+when she is not affianced; but there were many of them, and it was a
+difficult matter to choose amongst them. The butterfly could not make
+up his mind; so he flew to the daisy. The French call her
+_Marguerite_; they know that she can tell fortunes, and she does this
+when lovers pluck off leaf after leaf and ask her at each one a
+question about the beloved one: "How does he love me?--With all his
+heart?--With sorrow?--Above all?--Can not refrain from it?--Quite
+secretly?--A little bit?--Not at all?"--or questions to the same
+import. Each one asks in his own language. The butterfly flew towards
+her and questioned her; he did not pluck off the leaves, but kissed
+each separate one, thinking that by so doing, he would make himself
+more agreeable to the good creature.
+
+"Sweet Margaret Daisy," said he, "of all the flowers you are the
+wisest woman! You can prophesy! Tell me, shall I obtain this one or
+that one? Which one? If I but know this, I can fly to the charming one
+at once, and pay my court!"
+
+Margaret did not answer. She could not bear to be called a _woman_,
+for she was a young girl, and when one is a young girl, one is not a
+woman.
+
+He asked again, he asked a third time, but as she did not answer a
+single word, he questioned her no more and flew away without further
+parley, intent on his courtship.
+
+It was early spring time, and there was an abundance of snow-drops and
+crocuses. "They are very neat," said the butterfly, "pretty little
+confirmed ones, but a little green!" He, like all young men looked at
+older girls.
+
+From thence he flew to the anemones; but he found them a little too
+sentimental; the tulips, too showy; the broom, not of a good family;
+the linden blossoms, too small--then they had so many relations; as to
+the apple blossoms, why to look at them you would think them as
+healthy as roses, but to-day they blossom and to-morrow, if the wind
+blows, they drop off; a marriage with them would be too short. The pea
+blossom pleased him most, she was pink and white, she was pure and
+refined and belonged to the housewifely girls that look well, and
+still can make themselves useful in the kitchen. He had almost
+concluded to make love to her, when he saw hanging near to her, a
+pea-pod with its white blossom. "Who is that?" asked he. "That is my
+sister," said the pea blossom.
+
+"How now, is that the way you look when older?" This terrified the
+butterfly and he flew away.
+
+The honeysuckles were hanging over the fence--young ladies with long
+faces and yellow skins--but he did not fancy their style of beauty.
+Yes, but which did he like? Ask him!
+
+The spring passed, the summer passed, and then came the autumn. The
+flowers appeared in their most beautiful dresses, but of what avail
+was this? The butterfly's fresh youthful feelings had vanished. In
+old age, the heart longs for fragrance, and dahlias and gillyflowers
+are scentless. So the butterfly flew to the mint. "She has no flower
+at all, but she is herself a flower, for she is fragrant from head to
+foot and each leaf is filled with perfume. I shall take her!"
+
+But the mint stood stiff and still, and at last said: "Friendship--but
+nothing more! I am old and you are old! We can live very well for one
+another, but to marry? No! Do not let us make fools of ourselves in
+our old age."
+
+So the butterfly obtained no one.
+
+The butterfly remained a bachelor.
+
+Many violent and transient showers came late in the autumn; the wind
+blew so coldly down the back of the old willow trees, that it cracked
+within them. It did not do to fly about in summer garments, for even
+love itself would then grow cold. The butterfly however preferred not
+to fly out at all; he had by chance entered a door-way, and there was
+fire in the stove--yes, it was just as warm there, as in
+summer-time;--there he could live. "Life is not enough," said he, "one
+must have sunshine, liberty and a little flower!"
+
+He flew against the window-panes, was seen, was run through by a pin
+and placed in a curiosity-box; one could not do more for him.
+
+"Now I also am seated on a stalk like a flower," said the butterfly,
+"it is not so comfortable after all! But it is as well as being
+married, for then one is tied down!" He consoled himself with this.
+
+"What a wretched consolation!" said the flower, that grew in the pot
+in the room.
+
+"One can not entirely trust to flowers that grow in pots," thought
+the butterfly, "they have too much intercourse with men."
+
+
+
+
+The Psyche.
+
+
+A large star beams in the dawn of morning in the red sky--the
+clearest star of the morning--its rays tremble upon the white wall, as
+if they wished to write down and relate, the scenes which they had
+witnessed during many centuries.
+
+Listen to one of these stories!
+
+A short time ago--(this _not long ago_ is with us men--centuries)--my
+rays followed a young artist; it was in the realm of the Pope, in the
+city of the world, in Rome. Many changes have been made, but the
+imperial palace, was, as it is to-day, a ruin; between the overthrown
+marble columns and over the ruined bath-rooms, whose walls were still
+decorated with gold, grew fig and laurel trees. The Colosseum was a
+ruin; the church bells rang, the incense arose and processions passed
+through the streets with tapers and gorgeous canopies. The Church was
+holy, and art was lofty and holy also. In Rome dwelt Raphael, the
+greatest painter of the world, here also dwelt Michael Angelo, the
+greatest sculptor of the age; even the Pope did homage to them both,
+and honoured them with his visits. Art was recognized, honoured and
+rewarded. All greatness and excellence is not seen and recognized.
+
+In a little narrow street, stood an old house, which had once been a
+temple; here dwelt a young artist; he was poor, he was unknown; it is
+true that he had young friends, artists also, young in feelings, in
+hopes, and in thoughts. They told him, that he was rich in talents
+and excellence but that he needed confidence in himself. He was never
+satisfied with his work and either destroyed all that he modeled or
+left it unfinished; this is not the proper course to adopt, if one
+would be known, appreciated and live.
+
+"You are a dreamer," said they, "this is your misfortune! You have not
+yet lived, you have not inhaled life in large healthy draughts, you
+have not yet enjoyed it. One should do this in youth and become a man!
+Look at the great master Raphael whom the Pope honours and the world
+admires,--he takes wine and bread with him."
+
+"He dines with the baker's wife, the pretty Fornarina!" said Angelo,
+one of the merry young friends.
+
+Yes, they all appealed to his good sense and to his youth.
+
+They wished to have the young artist join them in their merry-makings,
+in their extravagances and in their mad tricks; he would do so for a
+short time, for his blood was warm, his imagination strong; he could
+take his part in their merry conversation, and laugh as loudly as the
+others; and yet "the merry life of Raphael," as they named it,
+vanished from him like the morning mist, when he saw the godlike
+lustre which shone forth from the paintings of the great masters, or
+when he stood in the Vatican and beheld the forms of beauty, which the
+old sculptors had fashioned from blocks of marble, centuries ago. His
+breast swelled, he felt something so lofty, so holy, so elevated
+within him, yes, something so great and good, that he longed to create
+and chisel like forms from marble blocks. He desired to give
+expression to the feelings which agitated his heart; but how and in
+what shape? The soft clay allowed itself to be modeled into beautiful
+figures by his fingers, but on the following day, dissatisfied, he
+destroyed all he had created.
+
+One day he passed by one of the rich palaces, of which Rome has so
+many; he stood a moment at the large open entrance, and gazed into a
+little garden, full of the most beautiful roses, which was surrounded
+by archways, decorated with paintings. Large, white callas, with their
+green leaves, sprouted forth from marble shells, into which splashed
+clear water; a form glided by, a young girl, the daughter of this
+princely house, so elegant, so light, so charming! He had never seen
+so lovely a woman. Hold! yes, once, one made by Raphael, a painting of
+Psyche, in one of the palaces of Rome. There she was but painted,
+here she breathed and moved.
+
+She lived in his thoughts and in his heart; he went home to his poor
+lodgings and formed a Psyche out of clay; it was the rich, young Roman
+girl, the princely woman, and he gazed at his work with satisfaction,
+for the first time. This had a signification--it was _She_. When his
+friends looked upon it, they exclaimed with joy, that this work was a
+revelation of his artistic greatness, which they had always
+recognized, but which now should be recognized by the whole world.
+
+Clay is natural, flesh like, but it has not the whiteness, the
+durability of marble; the Psyche must obtain life from the block of
+marble--and he had the most precious piece of marble. It had been the
+property of his parents, and had been lying many years, in the court
+yard; bits of broken bottles, remains of artichokes were heaped over
+it and it was soiled, but its interior was white as the mountain snow;
+the Psyche should rise forth from it.
+
+One day, it so happened--it is true, that the clear stars do not
+relate it, for they did not see it, but we know it--that a
+distinguished Roman party, came to view the young artist's work, of
+which they had casually heard. Who were the distinguished visitors?
+Poor young man! All too happy young man, one may call him also. Here
+in his room stood the young girl herself--with what a smile--when her
+father said: "You are that, living!" One cannot picture the look, one
+cannot render the look, the strange look with which she glanced at the
+young artist; it was a look which elevated, ennobled and--destroyed.
+
+"The Psyche must be executed in marble!" said the rich man. This was a
+word of life, for the dead clay and for the heavy block of marble; it
+was also a word of life for the young man who was overcome by emotion.
+"I will buy it, as soon as the work is completed!" said the princely
+man.
+
+It seemed as though a new era had dawned in the poor work-room;
+occupation, life and gayety, lighted it up. The beaming morning star
+saw how the work progressed. Even the clay had been endowed with a
+soul, since _she_ had been there, and he bent entranced over the well
+known features.
+
+"Now I know what life is," he exclaimed with delight, "it is love! it
+is the elevation of the heart to the divine, it is rapture for the
+beautiful! What my friends call life and enjoyment, is perishable,
+like bubbles in the fermenting lees, not the pure, heavenly wine of
+the altar, the consecration of life!"
+
+The marble block was erected, the chisel hewed away large pieces; the
+labourer's part was done, marks and points placed, until little by
+little, the stone became a body, a shape of beauty--the Psyche--as
+charming as was the woman made by God. The massive stone became a
+soaring, dancing, airy, light and graceful Psyche, with a heavenly,
+innocent smile, the smile that had been mirrored in the young
+sculptor's heart.
+
+The star, in the rosy-tinted morning saw, and partly understood what
+was agitating the mind of the young man; it understood as well, the
+varying colour of his checks and the glance of his eye, whilst he
+created, as though inspired by God.
+
+"You are a master like those in the days of the Greeks," said his
+enchanted friends, "the world will soon admire your Psyche!"
+
+"My Psyche," he repeated, "mine, yes, that she must be! I am also an
+artist like the great departed ones! God has granted gifts of mercy to
+me, and has elevated me to the highly born!"
+
+He sank, weeping, on his knees and offered up his thanks to God--but
+forgot him again for her, for her portrait in marble, for the Psyche
+form, that stood before him, as though cut out of snow, blushing, in
+the morning sun.
+
+He should see her, the living, floating one, in reality; she, whose
+words sounded like music. He would himself carry the tidings, that the
+marble Psyche was completed, to the rich palace. He arrived, passed
+through the open court-yard, where the water splashed from dolphin's
+mouths into marble shells, where callas bloomed and fresh roses
+blossomed. He stepped into the large, lofty hall, whose walls and
+ceilings were gorgeous with brilliant colours, with paintings and
+armorial bearings. Well dressed and haughty servants, holding up their
+heads, (like sleigh horses with their bells,) were pacing up and down;
+some of them had even stretched themselves out comfortably and
+insolently on the carved wooden benches; they appeared to be the
+masters of the house. He named his business, and was conducted up the
+marble steps, which were covered with soft carpets. On each side stood
+statues. Then he came to richly decorated apartments, hung with
+paintings and with mosaic floors.
+
+This pomp, this splendour made him breathe a little heavily, but he
+soon felt reassured; for the old prince, received him kindly, almost
+cordially. After they had spoken, as he was taking leave, he begged
+him to visit the young Signora, for she also wished to see him. The
+servants led him through magnificent chambers and corridors to her
+apartments, of which she was the glory and splendour.
+
+She spoke with him! No Miserere, no church song could have melted the
+heart more, or have more elevated the soul, than did the music of her
+voice. He seized her hand and pressed it to his lips--no rose is so
+soft, but a fire proceeds from this rose--a fire streams through him
+and his breast heaves; words streamed from his lips, but he knew not
+what he said. Does the crater know that it throws forth burning lava?
+He told her his love. She stood there, surprised, insulted, proud,
+yes, scornful; with an expression on her face as though a damp,
+clammy frog had suddenly touched her. Her cheeks coloured, her lips
+grew pale, her eyes were on fire, and still black as the darkness of
+night.
+
+"Frantic creature! Away, away!" said she, as she turned her back upon
+him. Her face of beauty seemed turned to stone, like unto the Medusa's
+head with its serpent locks. He descended to the street, a weak,
+lifeless thing; he entered his room like a night-walker, and in the
+rage of his grief, he seized his hammer, brandished it high in the air
+and sought to destroy the beautiful marble form. He did not
+observe--so excited was he--that Angelo, his friend, stood near him,
+and arrested his arm with a firm grasp.
+
+"Have you become mad? What would you do?" They struggled with each
+other. Angelo was the stronger, and with a deep drawn breath, he
+threw the young artist on a chair.
+
+"What has occurred?" asked Angelo, "Collect yourself! Speak!"
+
+What could he say? What could he tell? As Angelo could not seize the
+thread of his discourse, he let it drop.
+
+"Your blood grows thick with this eternal dreaming! Be human, like
+others and live not in the clouds! Drink, until you become slightly
+intoxicated, then you will sleep well! The young girl from the
+Campagna, is as beautiful as the princess in the marble palace, they
+are both daughters of Eve, and can not be distinguished one from the
+other in Paradise! Follow your Angelo! I am your good angel, the angel
+of your life! A time will come when you are old, when the body will
+dwindle and some beautiful sunshiny day, when everything laughs and
+rejoices, you will lie like a withered straw! I do not believe what
+the priests say, that there is a life beyond the grave! It is a pretty
+fancy, a fairy tale for children, delightful to think upon. I do not
+live in imagination, but in reality! Come with me! Become a man!"
+
+He drew him away, he could do this now, for there was a fire in the
+young artist's blood, a change in his soul; an ardent desire to tear
+himself away from all his wonted ways, from all accustomed thoughts;
+to forget his old self--and to-day he followed Angelo.
+
+In the suburbs, lay an osteria, which was much frequented by artists;
+it was built in the ruins of a bathing chamber. Amongst the dark
+shining foliage, hung large yellow lemons which covered a portion of
+the old reddish-yellow wall. The osteria was a deep vault, almost
+like a hollow in the ruins; within, a lamp burned before the image of
+the Madonna; a large fire flamed on the hearth, for here they roasted,
+cooked and prepared the dishes for the guests. Without, under the
+lemon and laurel trees, stood tables ready set.
+
+They were received merrily and rejoicingly by their friends; they ate
+little and drank much and became gay; they sang, and played on the
+guitar; the Saltarello sounded and the dance began. Two Roman girls,
+models of the young artists, joined in the dance and merriment; two
+pretty Bacchante! They had no Psyche forms, they were not delicate
+beautiful roses, but fresh, healthy flaming pinks.
+
+How warm it was on this day, even warm at sundown! Fire in the blood,
+fire in the air, fire in every glance. The air swam in gold and
+roses, life was gold and roses.
+
+"Now you have at last joined us! Allow yourself to be carried away by
+the current within and without you!"
+
+"I never felt so well and joyous before!" said the young artist. "You
+are right, you are all of you right. I was a fool, a dreamer; man
+belongs to reality and not to fancy!"
+
+The young man left the osteria, in the clear starry evening, with song
+and tinkling guitars, and passed through the narrow streets. The
+daughters of the Campagna, the two flaming pinks, were in their train.
+
+In Angelo's room, the voices sounded more suppressed but not less
+fiery, amongst the scattered sketches, the outlines, the glowing,
+voluptuous paintings; amongst the drawings on the floor there was many
+a sketch of vigorous beauty, like unto the daughters of the Campagna,
+yet they themselves were much more beautiful. The six-armed lamp
+glowed brightly, and the human forms warmed and shone like gods.
+
+"Apollo! Jupiter! I elevate myself to your heaven, to your glory!
+Methinks, that the flower of my life has unfolded within my heart!"
+Yes, it did unfold--it withered and fell to pieces; a stunning,
+loathsome vapour arose, dazzling the sight, benumbing the thoughts,
+extinguishing his sensual, fiery emotions, and all was dark. He went
+home, sat down on his bed, and thought. "Fie!" sounded from his lips,
+from the bottom of his heart. "Miserable wretch! away! away!"--and he
+sighed sorrowfully.
+
+"Away! Away!" These, her words, the words of the living Psyche,
+weighed upon him, and flowed from his lips. He bowed his head upon
+the pillows, his thoughts became confused and he slept.
+
+At the dawn of day he started up.--What was this? Was it a dream? Were
+her words, the visit to the osteria, the evening with the purple red
+pinks of the Campagna but a dream?--No, all was reality; he had not
+known this before.
+
+The clear star beamed in the purple-tinted air, its rays fell upon
+him, and upon the marble Psyche; he trembled whilst he contemplated
+the image of immortality, his glance even appeared impure to him. He
+threw a covering over it, he touched it once more in order to veil its
+form, but he could not view his work.
+
+Still, sombre, buried in his own meditations, he sat there the whole
+day; he took no heed of what passed around him, no one knew what was
+agitating this human heart. Days passed by, weeks passed by; the
+nights were the longest. One morning, the twinkling star saw him rise
+from his couch--pale--trembling with fever; he walked to the marble
+statue, lifted the cover, gazed upon his work with a sorrowful, deep,
+long look, and then almost sinking under the weight, he drew the
+statue into the garden. There was a sunken, dried-up well, within it,
+into which he lowered the Psyche, threw earth upon it and covered the
+fresh grave with small sticks and nettles.
+
+"Away! Away," was the short funereal service.
+
+The star in the rosy red atmosphere saw this, and two heavy tears
+trembled on the deathly pale cheeks of the fever sick one--sick unto
+death, as they called him.
+
+The lay brother Ignatius came to him as a friend and as a physician.
+He came, and with the consoling words of religion, he spoke of the
+peace and happiness of the church, of the sins of man, of the mercy
+and peace of God.
+
+The words fell like warm sun beams on the moist, fermenting ground;
+they dispersed and cleared away the misty clouds, from the troubled
+thoughts which had held possession of him; he gazed upon his past
+life; everything had been a failure, a deception--yes, _had been_. Art
+was an enchantress, that but leads us into vanity, into earthly
+pleasures. We become false to ourselves, false to our friends, false
+to our God. The serpent speaks ever in us: "Taste and thou shalt
+become like unto God."
+
+Now, for the first time, he appeared to understand himself, to have
+discovered the road to truth, to peace.
+
+In the church was God's light and brightness, in the monk's cell was
+found that peace, which enables man to obtain eternal bliss.
+
+Brother Ignatius supported him in these thoughts, and the decision was
+firmly made--a worldling became a servant of the church;--the young
+artist took leave of the world, and entered the cloister.
+
+How joyfully, how cordially the brothers greeted him! How festive the
+ordination! It seemed to him that God was in the sunshine of the
+church, and beamed within it, from the holy pictures and from the
+shining cross. He stood in the evening sunset, in his little cell, and
+opened his window and gazed in the spring-time over old Rome--with her
+broken temples, her massive, but dead Colosseum; her blooming acacias,
+her flourishing evergreens, her fragrant roses, her shining lemons
+and oranges, her palm trees fanned by the breeze--and felt touched and
+satisfied. The quiet, open Campagna extended to the blue snow-topped
+mountains, which appeared to be painted on the air. Everything
+breathed beauty and peace. The whole--a dream!
+
+Yes, the world here was a dream, and the dream ruled the hours and
+returned to hours again. But the life of a cloister is a life of many,
+many long years.
+
+Man is naturally impure and he felt this! What flames were these, that
+at times glowed through him? Was it the power of the Evil One, that
+caused these wild thoughts to rage constantly within him? He punished
+his body, but without effect. What portion of his mind was that, which
+wound itself around him, pliable as a serpent, and which crept about
+his conscience under a loving cloak and consoled him! The saints pray
+for us, the holy Virgin prays for us, Jesus himself gave his blood for
+us!
+
+Was it a childlike feeling, or the levity of youth, that had induced
+him to give himself up to grace, and which made him feel elevated
+above so many? For had he not cast away the vanity of the world, was
+he not a son of the church?
+
+One day, after many years, he met Angelo, who recognized him.
+
+"Man," said he, "yes, it is you! Are you happy now? You have sinned
+against God, and cast his gifts of mercy away from you; you have
+gambled away your vocation for this world. Read the parable of the
+entrusted pledge. The Master who related it, spoke but truth! What
+have you won and found after all? Do not make a dream life for
+yourself! Make a religion for yourself, as all do. Suppose all is but
+a dream, a fancy, a beautiful thought!"
+
+"Get thee from behind me, Satan!" said the monk, and forsook Angelo.
+
+"It is a devil, a devil personified! I saw him to-day," murmured the
+monk, "I reached him but a finger, and he took my whole hand! No,"
+sighed he, "the wickedness is in myself; it is also in this man, but
+he is not tormented by it; he walks with elevated brow, he has his
+enjoyment; I but clutch at the consolation of the church for my
+welfare! But if this is only consolation! If all here consists of
+beautiful thoughts and but resemble those which beguiled me in the
+world? Is it but a deception like unto the beauty of the red evening
+clouds and like unto the blue wave-like beauty of the distant
+mountains! Seen near, how changed! Eternity, art thou like unto the
+great infinite, calm ocean, which beckons to us, calls us, fills us
+with presentiments, and if we venture upon it, we sink, we
+vanish--die--cease to be?--
+
+"Deceit! away! away!"
+
+He sat tearless on his hard couch, desolate, kneeling--before whom?
+Before the stone cross which was placed in the wall? No, habit alone
+caused his body to bend.
+
+The deeper he read within himself, the darker all appeared to him.
+"Nothing within, nothing without! Life thrown away!" This thought,
+crushed him--expunged him.
+
+"I dare confide to none the doubts which consume me! My prisoner is my
+secret and if it escape I am lost!"
+
+The power of God, wrestled within him.
+
+"Lord! Lord!" he exclaimed in his despair, "be merciful, give me
+faith! I cast thy gifts of mercy from me and my vocation for this
+world! I prayed for strength and thou hast not given it to me.
+Immortality! The Psyche in my breast--away! away!--Must it be buried
+like yon Psyche, the light of my life? Never to arise from the grave!"
+
+The star beamed in the rosy red atmosphere, the star which will be
+lost and will vanish, whilst the soul lives and emits light. Its
+trembling ray fell upon the white wall, but it spoke not of the glory
+of God, of the grace, the eternal love which beams in the breast of
+every believer.
+
+"Can the Psyche never die?--Can one live with consciousness?--Can the
+impossible take place?--Yes! Yes! My being is inexplicable.
+Inconceivable art thou, oh Lord! A wonder of might, glory and love!"
+
+His eyes beamed, his eyes closed. The peal of the church bells passed
+over the dead one. He was laid in holy ground and his ashes mingled
+with the dust of strangers.
+
+Years afterwards, his bones were exhumed and stood in a niche in the
+cloisters, as had stood those of the dead monks before him; they were
+dressed in the brown cowl, a rosary of beads placed in his hand, the
+sun shone without, incense perfumed within, and mass was read.--
+
+Years rolled by.
+
+The bones and legs fell asunder. They stood up the skulls, and with
+them, formed the whole outside wall of a church. There he stood in the
+burning sunshine; there were so many, many dead, they did not know
+their names, much less his.
+
+See, something living moved in the sunshine in the two eye sockets;
+what was that? A brilliant lizard was running about in the hollow
+skull, slipping in and out of the large, empty sockets. This was now
+the life in the head, where once elevated thoughts, brilliant dreams,
+love for art and the magnificent had been rife; from which hot tears
+had rolled and where the hope of immortality had lived. The lizard
+leaped out and disappeared; the skull crumbled away and became dust to
+dust.--
+
+Centuries passed. Unchanged, the star, clear and large, beamed on as
+it had done for centuries. The atmosphere shone with a red rosy hue,
+fresh as roses, flaming as blood.
+
+Where there had once been a little street with the remains of an old
+temple, now stood a convent; a grave was dug in the garden, for a
+young nun had died, and she was to be lowered in the earth at this
+early hour of the morning. The spade struck against a stone which
+appeared of a dazzling whiteness--the white marble came forth--it
+rounded into a shoulder;--they used the spade with care, and a female
+head became visible--butterfly wings. They raised from the grave, in
+which the young nun was to be laid on this rosy morning, a gloriously
+beautiful Psyche-form, chiseled from white marble.
+
+"How magnificent! How perfect a master work!" they said. "Who can the
+artist be?" He was unknown. None knew him, save the clear star, which
+had been beaming for centuries; it knew the course of his earthly
+life, his trials, his failings; it knew that he was: "but a man!" But
+he was dead, dispersed as dust must and shall be; but the result of
+his best efforts, the glory which pointed out the divine within him,
+the Psyche, which never dies, which surpasses in brightness, all
+earthly renown, this remained, was seen, acknowledged, admired and
+beloved.
+
+The clear morning star in the rosy tinted sky, cast its most radiant
+beams upon the Psyche, and upon the smile of happiness about the mouth
+and eyes of the admiring ones, who beheld the soul, chiseled in the
+marble block.
+
+That which is earthly passes away, and is forgotten; only the star in
+the infinite knows of it. That which is heavenly surpasses renown; for
+renown, fame and earthly glory die away, but--the Psyche lives
+forever!
+
+
+
+
+The Snail and the Rose-Tree.
+
+
+A hedge of hazel-nut bushes encircled the garden; without was field
+and meadow, with cows and sheep; but in the centre of the garden stood
+a rose-tree, and under it sat a snail--she had much within her, she
+had herself.
+
+"Wait, until my time comes," said she, "I shall accomplish something
+more than putting forth roses, bearing nuts, or giving milk, like the
+cows and sheep!"
+
+"I expect something fearfully grand," said the rose-tree, "may I ask
+when it will take place?"
+
+"I shall take my time," said the snail, "you are in too great a hurry,
+and when this is the case, how can one's expectations be fulfilled?"
+
+The next year the snail lay in about the same spot under the
+rose-tree, which put forth buds and developed roses, ever fresh, ever
+new. The snail half crept forth, stretched out its feelers and drew
+itself in again.
+
+"Everything looks as it did a year ago! No progress has been made; the
+rose-tree still bears roses; it does not get along any farther!"
+
+The summer faded away, the autumn passed, the rose-tree constantly
+bore flowers and buds, until the snow fell, and the weather was raw
+and damp. The rose-tree bent itself towards the earth, the snail crept
+in the earth.
+
+A new year commenced; the roses came out, and the snail came out.
+
+"Now you are an old rose bush," said the snail, "you will soon die
+away. You have given the world everything that you had in you; whether
+that be much or little is a question, upon which I have not time to
+reflect. But it is quite evident, that you have not done the slightest
+thing towards your inward developement; otherwise I suppose that
+something different would have sprung from you. Can you answer this?
+You will soon be nothing but a stick! Can you understand what I say?"
+
+"You startle me," said the rose-tree, "I have never thought upon
+that!"
+
+"No, I suppose that you have never meddled much with thinking! Can you
+tell me why you blossom? And how it comes to pass? How? Why?"
+
+"No," said the rose-tree, "I blossom with pleasure because I could
+not do otherwise. The sun was so warm, the air so refreshing, I drank
+the clear dew and the fortifying rain; I breathed, I lived! A strength
+came to me from the earth, a strength came from above, I felt a
+happiness, ever new, ever great and therefore I must blossom ever,
+that was my life, I could not do otherwise!"
+
+"You have led a very easy life!" said the snail.
+
+"Certainly, everything has been given to me," said the rose-tree, "but
+still more has been given to you. You are one of those meditative,
+pensive, profound natures, one of the highly gifted, that astound the
+whole world!"
+
+"I have assuredly no such thought in my mind," said the snail, "the
+world is nothing to me! What have I to do with the world? I have
+enough with myself, and enough in myself!"
+
+"But should we not all, here on earth, give the best part of us to
+others? Offer what we can!--It is true, that I have only given
+roses--but you? You who have received so much, what have you given to
+the world? What do you give her?"
+
+"What I have given? What I give? I spit upon her! She is good for
+nothing! I have nought to do with her. Put forth roses, you can do no
+more! Let the hazel bushes bear nuts! Let the cows and sheep give
+milk; they have each their public, I have mine within myself! I retire
+within myself, and there I remain. The world is nothing to me!"
+
+And thereupon the snail withdrew into her house and closed it.
+
+"That is so sad," said the rose-tree, "with the best will, I cannot
+creep in, I must ever spring out, spring forth in roses. The leaves
+drop off and are blown away by the wind. Yet, I saw one of the roses
+laid in the hymn-book of the mother of the family; one of my roses was
+placed upon the breast of a charming young girl, and one was kissed
+with joy by a child's mouth. This did me so much good, it was a real
+blessing! That is my recollection, my life!"
+
+And the rose-tree flowered in innocence, and the snail sat
+indifferently in her house. The world was nothing to her.
+
+And years passed away. The snail became earth to earth and the
+rose-tree became earth to earth; the remembrances in the hymn-book
+were also blown away--but new rose-trees bloomed in the garden, new
+snails grew in the garden; they crept in their houses and spat.--The
+world is nothing to them.
+
+Shall we read the story of the past again? It will not be different.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Typographical errors corrected in text:                      |
+    |                                                              |
+    | Page 104: succeded replaced with succeeded                   |
+    | Page 116: petulent replaced with petulant                    |
+    | Page 144: prefered replaced with preferred                   |
+    | Page 167: 'were' capitalized to 'Were' (new sentence)        |
+    | Page 170: ordonation replaced with ordination                |
+    | Page 174: beckens replaced with beckons                      |
+    |                                                              |
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by 
+Hans Christian Andersen
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ICE-MAIDEN: AND OTHER TALES. ***
+
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+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by Hans Christian Andersen.
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by 
+Hans Christian Andersen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales.
+
+Author: Hans Christian Andersen
+
+Translator: Fanny Fuller
+
+Release Date: June 16, 2006 [EBook #18604]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ICE-MAIDEN: AND OTHER TALES. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Jeannie Howse and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p>
+<br />
+<p class="noin">Inconsistent hyphenation matches the original document.</p>
+<p class="noin">A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this text.<br />
+For a complete list, please see the <a href="#TN">bottom of this document</a>.</p>
+<p class="noin">Chapter links for The Ice-Maiden were added for the convenience of the reader.</p>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<h1>THE<br />
+ICE-MAIDEN:<br />
+AND OTHER TALES.</h1>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h4>BY</h4>
+<h2>HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.</h2>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h4>TRANSLATED<br />
+BY<br />
+FANNY FULLER</h4>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h5>PHILADELPHIA: F. LEYPOLDT.<br />
+1863.</h5>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h5>Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by<br />
+F. LEYPOLDT,<br />
+In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States in
+and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.</h5>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h5>PRINTED BY KING &amp; BAIRD.</h5>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="toc" id="toc"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>CONTENTS.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="70%" summary="Table of Contents">
+  <tr>
+  <td width="80%">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdr" width="20%"><span style="font-size: 90%;">PAGE</span></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#The_Ice_Maiden">The Ice-Maiden</a></td>
+  <td class="tdr">7</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl" style="font-size: smaller;">
+    <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="chapters">
+      <tr>
+        <td width="20%" class="tdrp"><a href="#I">I.</a></td>
+        <td width="20%" class="tdrp"><a href="#II">II.</a></td>
+        <td width="20%" class="tdrp"><a href="#III">III.</a></td>
+        <td width="40%">&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+      <tr>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#IV">IV.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#V">V.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#VI">VI.</a></td>
+        <td>&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+      <tr>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#VII">VII.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#VIII">VIII.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#IX">IX.</a></td>
+        <td>&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+      <tr>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#X">X.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#XI">XI.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#XII">XII.</a></td>
+        <td>&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+      <tr>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#XIII">XIII.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#XIV">XIV.</a></td>
+        <td class="tdrp"><a href="#XV">XV.</a></td>
+        <td>&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+    </table>
+  <br />
+  </td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#The_Butterfly">The Butterfly</a></td>
+  <td class="tdr">139</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#The_Psyche">The Psyche</a></td>
+  <td class="tdr">149</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#The_Snail">The Snail and The Rose-Tree</a></td>
+  <td class="tdr">183</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="I" id="I"></a><a name="The_Ice_Maiden" id="The_Ice_Maiden"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h1>The Ice-Maiden.</h1>
+
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>I.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>LITTLE RUDY.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Let us visit Switzerland and look around us in the glorious country of
+mountains, where the forest rises out of steep rocky walls; let us
+ascend to the dazzling snow-fields, and thence descend to the green
+plains, where the rivulets and brooks hasten away, foaming up, as if
+they feared not to vanish, as they reached the sea.</p>
+
+<p>The sun beams upon the deep valley, it burns also upon the heavy
+masses of snow; so that after the lapse of years, they melt into
+shining ice-blocks, and become rolling avalanches and heaped-up
+glaciers.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>Two of these lie in the broad clefts of the rock, under the
+Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn, near the little town of Grindelwald. They
+are so remarkable that many strangers come to gaze at them, in the
+summer time, from all parts of the world; they come over the high
+snow-covered mountains, they come from the deepest valleys, and they
+are obliged to ascend during many hours, and as they ascend, the
+valley sinks deeper and deeper, as though seen from an air-balloon.</p>
+
+<p>Far around the peaks of the mountains, the clouds often hang like
+heavy curtains of smoke; whilst down in the valley, where the many
+brown wooden houses lie scattered about, a sun-beam shines, and here
+and there brings out a tiny spot, in radiant green, as though it were
+transparent. The water roars, froths and foams below, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>water hums
+and tinkles above, and it looks as if silver ribbons were fluttering
+over the cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>On each side of the way, as one ascends, are wooden houses; each house
+has a little potato-garden, and that is a necessity, for in the
+door-way are many little mouths. There are plenty of children, and
+they can consume abundance of food; they rush out of the houses, and
+throng about the travellers, come they on foot or in carriage. The
+whole horde of children traffic; the little ones offer prettily carved
+wooden houses, for sale, similar to those they build on the mountains.
+Rain or shine, the children assemble with their wares.</p>
+
+<p>Some twenty years ago, there stood here, several times, a little boy,
+who wished to sell his toys, but he always kept aloof from the other
+children; he stood with serious <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>countenance and with both hands
+tightly clasped around his wooden box, as if he feared it would slip
+away from him; but on account of this gravity, and because the boy was
+so small, it caused him to be remarked, and often he made the best
+bargain, without knowing why. His grandfather lived still higher in
+the mountains, and it was he who carved the pretty wooden houses.
+There stood in the room, an old cup-board, full of carvings; there
+were nut-crackers, knives, spoons, and boxes with delicate foliage,
+and leaping chamois; there was everything, which could rejoice a merry
+child's eye, but this little fellow, (he was named Rudy) looked at and
+desired only the old gun under the rafters. His grandfather had said,
+that he should have it some day, but that he must first grow big and
+strong enough to use it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>Small as the boy was, he was obliged to take care of the goats, and if
+he who can climb with them is a good guardian, well then indeed was
+Rudy. Why he climbed even higher than they! He loved to take the
+bird's nests from the trees, high in the air, for he was bold and
+daring; and he only smiled when he stood by the roaring water-fall, or
+when he heard a rolling avalanche.</p>
+
+<p>He never played with the other children; he only met them, when his
+grandfather sent him out to sell his carvings, and Rudy took but
+little interest in this; he much preferred to wander about the rocks,
+or to sit and listen to his grandfather relate about old times and
+about the inhabitants of Meiringen, where he came from. He said that
+these people had not been there since the beginning of the world; they
+had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>come from the far North, where the race called Swedes, dwelt. To
+know this, was indeed great wisdom, and Rudy knew this; but he became
+still wiser, through the intercourse which he had with the other
+occupants of the house&mdash;belonging to the animal race. There was a
+large dog, Ajola, an heir-loom from Rudy's father; and a cat, and she
+was of great importance to Rudy, for she had taught him to climb.
+"Come out on the roof!" said the cat, quite plain and distinctly, for
+when one is a child, and can not yet speak, one understands the hens
+and ducks, the cats and dogs remarkably well; they speak for us as
+intelligibly as father or mother. One needs but to be little, and then
+even grandfather's stick can neigh, and become a horse, with head,
+legs and tail. With some children, this knowledge slips away later
+than with others, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>people say of these, that they are very
+backward, that they remain children fearfully long.&mdash;People say so
+many things!</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me, little Rudy, out on the roof!" was about the first
+thing that the cat said, that Rudy understood. "It is all imagination
+about falling; one does not fall, when one does not fear to do so.
+Come, place your one paw so, and your other so! Take care of your
+fore-paws! Look sharp with your eyes, and give suppleness to your
+limbs! If there be a hole, jump, hold fast, that's the way I do!"</p>
+
+<p>And Rudy did so, and that was the reason that he sat out on the roof
+with the cat so often; he sat with her in the tree-tops, yes, he sat
+on the edge of the rocks, where the cats could not come. "Higher,
+higher!" said the trees and bushes. "See, how we climb! how high we
+go, how <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>firm we hold on, even on the outermost peaks of the rocks!"</p>
+
+<p>And Rudy went generally on the mountain before the sun rose, and then
+he got his morning drink, the fresh, strengthening mountain air, the
+drink, that our Lord only can prepare, and men can read its recipe,
+and thus it stands written: "the fresh scent of the herbs of the
+mountains and the mint and thyme of the valleys."</p>
+
+<p>All heaviness is imbibed by the hanging clouds, and the wind sends it
+out like grape-shot into the fir-woods; the fragrant breeze becomes
+perfume, light and fresh and ever fresher&mdash;that was Rudy's morning
+drink.</p>
+
+<p>The blessing bringing daughters of the Sun, the sun-beams, kissed his
+cheeks, and Vertigo stood and watched, but dared not approach him; and
+the swallows below from grandfather's house, where there were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>no less
+than seven nests, flew up to him and the goats, and they sang: "We and
+you! and you and we!" They brought greetings from home, even from the
+two hens, the only birds in the room; with whom however Rudy never had
+intercourse.</p>
+
+<p>Little as he was, he had traveled, and not a little, for so small a
+boy; he was born in the Canton Valais, and had been carried from there
+over the mountains. Lately he had visited the Staubbach, which waves
+in the air like a silver gauze, before the snow decked, dazzling white
+mountain: "the Jungfrau." And he had been in Grindelwald, near the
+great glaciers; but that was a sad story. There, his mother had found
+her death, and, "little Rudy," so said his grandfather, "had lost his
+childish merriment." "When the boy was not a year old, he laughed more
+than he cried," so wrote <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>his mother, "but since he was in the
+ice-gap, quite another mind has come over him." His grand-father did
+not like to speak on the subject, but every one on the mountain knew
+all about it.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy's father had been a postilion, and the large dog in the room, had
+always followed him on his journeys to the lake of Geneva, over the
+Simplon. In the valley of the Rhone, in Canton Valais, still lived
+Rudy's family, on his father's side, and his father's brother was a
+famous chamois hunter and a well-known guide. Rudy was only a year
+old, when he lost his father, and his mother longed to return to her
+relations in Berner Oberlande. Her father lived a few hours walk from
+Grindelwald; he was a carver in wood, and earned enough by it to live.
+In the month of June, carrying her little child, she started
+homewards, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>accompanied by two chamois hunters; intending to cross the
+Gemmi on their way to Grindelwald. They already had accomplished the
+longer part of their journey, had passed the high ridges, had come to
+the snow-plains, they already saw the valley of their home, with its
+well-known wooden houses, and had now but to reach the summit of one
+of the great glaciers. The snow had freshly fallen and concealed a
+cleft,&mdash;which did not lead to the deepest abyss, where the water
+roared&mdash;but still deeper than man could reach. The young woman, who
+was holding her child, slipped, sank and was gone; one heard no cry,
+no sigh, nought but a little child weeping. More than an hour elapsed,
+before her companions could bring poles and ropes, from the nearest
+house, in order to afford assistance. After great exertion they drew
+from the ice-gap, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>what appeared to be two lifeless bodies; every
+means were employed and they succeeded in calling the child back to
+life, but not the mother. So the old grandfather received instead of a
+daughter, a daughter's son in his house; the little one, who laughed
+more than he wept, but, who now, seemed to have lost this custom. A
+change in him, had certainly taken place, in the cleft of the glacier,
+in the wonderful cold world; where, according to the belief of the
+Swiss peasant, the souls of the damned are incarcerated until the day
+of judgment.</p>
+
+<p>Not unlike water, which after long journeying, has been compressed into
+blocks of green glass, the glaciers lie here, so that one huge mass of
+ice is heaped on the other. The rushing stream roars below and melts
+snow and ice; within, hollow caverns and mighty clefts open, this is a
+wonderful <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>palace of ice, and in it dwells the Ice-Maiden, the Queen of
+the glaciers. She, the murderess, the destroyer, is half a child of air
+and half the powerful ruler of the streams; therefore, she had received
+the power, to elevate herself with the speed of the chamois to the
+highest pinnacle of the snow-topped mountain; where the most daring
+mountaineer had to hew his way, in order to take firm foot-hold. She
+sails up the rushing river on a slender fir-branch&mdash;springs from one
+cliff to another, with her long snow-white hair, fluttering around her,
+and with her bluish-green mantle, which resembles the water of the deep
+Swiss lakes.</p>
+
+<p>"Crush, hold fast! the power is mine!" cried she. "They have stolen a
+lovely boy from me, a boy, whom I had kissed, but not kissed to death.
+He is again with men, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>he tends the goats on the mountains; he climbs
+up, up high, beyond the reach of all others, but not beyond mine! He
+is mine, I shall have him!"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>And she ordered Vertigo to fulfil her duty; it was too warm for the
+Ice-Maiden, in summer-time, in the green spots where the mint thrives.
+Vertigo arose; one came, three came, (for Vertigo had many sisters,
+very many of them) and the Maiden chose the strongest among those that
+rule within doors and without. They sit on the balusters and on the
+spires of the steep towers, they tread through the air as the swimmer
+glides through the water and entice their prey down the abyss. Vertigo
+and the Ice-Maiden seize on men as the polypus clutches at all within
+its reach. Vertigo was to gain possession of Rudy. "Yes, just catch
+him for me" said Vertigo. "I cannot do <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>it! The cat, the dirty thing,
+has taught him her arts! The child of the race of man, possesses a
+power, that repulses me; I cannot get at the little boy, when he hangs
+by the branches over the abyss. I may tickle him on the soles of his
+feet or give him a box on the ear whilst he is swinging in the air, it
+is of no avail. I can do nothing!"</p>
+
+<p>"We <i>can</i> do it!" said the Ice-Maiden. "You or I! I! I!"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No, no!" sounded back the echo of the church-bells through the
+mountain, like a sweet melody; it was like speech, an harmonious
+chorus of all the spirits of nature, mild, good, full of love, for it
+came from the daughters of the sun-beams, who encamped themselves
+every evening in a circle around the pinnacles of the mountains, and
+spread out their rose-coloured <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>wings, that grow more and more red as
+the sun sinks, and glow over the high Alps; men call it, "the Alpine
+glow." When the sun is down, they enter the peaks of the rocks and
+sleep on the white snow, until the sun rises, and then they sally
+forth. Above all, they love flowers, butterflies, and men, and amongst
+them they had chosen little Rudy as their favourite.</p>
+
+<p>"You will not catch him! You shall not have him!" said they. "I have
+caught and kept stronger and larger ones!" said the Ice-Maiden.</p>
+
+<p>Then the daughters of the Sun sang a lay of the wanderer, whose cloak
+the whirlwind had torn off and carried away. The wind took the
+covering, but not the man. "Ye children of strength can seize, but not
+hold him; he is stronger, he is more <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>spirit-like, than we; he ascends
+higher than the Sun, our mother! He possesses the magic word, that
+restrains wind and water, so that they are obliged to obey and serve
+him!"</p>
+
+<p>So sounded cheerfully the bell-like chorus.</p>
+
+<p>And every morning the sun-beams shone through the tiny window in the
+grandfather's house, on the quiet child. The daughters of the
+sun-beams kissed him, they wished to thaw him, to warm him and to
+carry away with them the icy kiss, which the queenly maiden of the
+glaciers had given him, as he lay on his dead mother's lap, in the
+deep icy gap, whence he was saved through a miracle.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="II" id="II"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>II.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE JOURNEY TO THE NEW HOME.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Rudy was now eight years old. His father's brother, in Rhonethal, the
+other side of the mountain, wished to have the boy, for he thought
+that with him he would fare and prosper better; his grandfather
+perceived this and gave his consent.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy must go. There were others to take leave of him, besides his
+grandfather; first there was Ajola, the old dog.</p>
+
+<p>"Your father was post-boy and I was post-dog," said Ajola. "We have
+travelled up and down; I know dogs and men on the other side of the
+mountain. It is not my custom to speak much, but now, that we shall
+not have much time to converse <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>with each other, I must talk a little
+more than usual. I will relate a story to you; I shall tell you how I
+have earned my bread, and how I have eaten it. I do not understand it
+and I suppose that you will not either, but it matters not, for I have
+discovered that the good things of this earth are not equally divided
+between dogs or men. All are not fitted to lie on the lap and sip
+milk, I have not been accustomed to it; but I saw a little dog seated
+in the coach with us and it occupied a person's place. The woman who
+was its mistress, or who belonged to its mistress, had a bottle filled
+with milk, out of which she fed it; it got sweet sugar biscuits too,
+but it would not even eat them; only snuffed at them, and so the woman
+ate them herself. I ran in the mud, by the side of the coach, as
+hungry as a dog could be; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>I chewed my crude thoughts, that was not
+right&mdash;but this is often done! If I could but have been carried on
+some one's knee and have been seated in a coach! But one cannot have
+all one desires. I have not been able to do so, neither with barking
+nor with yawning."</p>
+
+<p>That was Ajola's speech, and Rudy seized him by the neck and kissed
+him on his moist mouth, and then he took the cat in his arms, but she
+was angry at it.</p>
+
+<p>"You are getting too strong for me, and I will not use my claws
+against you! Just climb over the mountains, I taught you to climb!
+Never think that you will fall, then you are secure!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the cat ran away, without letting Rudy see how her grief shone
+out of her eye.</p>
+
+<p>The hens ran about the floor; one had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>lost her tail; a traveller, who
+wished to be a hunter, had shot it off, because the creature had taken
+the hen for a bird of prey!</p>
+
+<p>"Rudy is going over the mountain!" said one hen. "He is always in a
+hurry," said the other, "and I do not care for leave-takings!" and so
+they both tripped away.</p>
+
+<p>And the goats, too, said farewell and cried: "Mit, mit, mah!" and that
+was so sad.</p>
+
+<p>There were two nimble guides in the neighbourhood, and they were about
+to cross the mountains; they were to descend to the other side of the
+Gemmi, and Rudy followed them on foot. This was a severe march for
+such a little chap, but he had strength and courage, and felt not
+fatigue.</p>
+
+<p>The swallows accompanied them a part of the way. They sang: "We and
+you! <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>You and us!" The road went over the rapid L&uuml;tschine, which
+rushes forth from the black clefts of the glacier of Grindelwald, in
+many little streams. The fallen timber and the quarry-stones serve as
+bridges; they pass the alder-bush and descend the mountain where the
+glacier has detached itself from the mountain side; they cross over
+the glacier, over the blocks of ice, and go around them. Rudy was
+obliged to creep a little, to walk a little, his eyes sparkled with
+delight, and he trod as firmly with his iron-shod mountain shoes, as
+though he wished to leave his foot-prints where he had stepped. The
+black mud which the mountain stream had poured upon the glacier gave
+it a calcined appearance, but the bluish-green, glassy ice still shone
+through it. They were obliged to go around the little ponds <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>which
+were dammed up by blocks of ice; during these wanderings they came too
+near a large stone, which lay tottering on the brink of a crevice in
+the ice. The stone lost its equilibrium, it fell, rolled and the echo
+resounded from the deep hollow paths of the glacier.</p>
+
+<p>Up, ever up; the glacier stretched itself on high&mdash;as a river, of
+wildly heaped up masses of ice, compressed among the steep cliffs. For
+an instant Rudy thought on what they had told him, about his having
+laid with his mother, in one of these cold-breathing chasms. Such
+thoughts soon vanished; it seemed to him as though it were some other
+story&mdash;one of the many which had been related to him. Now and then,
+when the men thought that the ascent was too difficult for the little
+lad, they would reach him their hand, but he was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>never weary and
+stood on the slippery ice as firm as a chamois. Now they reached the
+bottom of the rocks, they were soon among the bare stones, which were
+void of moss; soon under the low fir-trees and again out on the green
+common&mdash;ever changing, ever new. Around them arose the snow mountains,
+whose names were as familiar to Rudy as they were to every child in
+the neighbourhood: "the Jungfrau," "the M&ouml;nch," and "the Eiger."</p>
+
+<p>Rudy had never been so high before, had never before trodden on the
+vast sea of snow, which lay there with its immoveable waves. The wind
+blew single flakes about, as it blows the foam upon the waters of the
+sea.</p>
+
+<p>Glacier stood by glacier, if one may say so, hand in hand; each one
+was an ice-palace for the Ice-Maiden, whose power and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>will is: "to
+catch and to bury." The sun burned warmly, the snow was dazzling, as
+if sown with bluish-white, glittering diamond sparks. Countless
+insects (butterflies and bees mostly) lay in masses dead on the snow;
+they had ventured too high, or the wind had borne them thither, but to
+breathe their last in these cold regions. A threatening cloud hung
+over the Wetterhorn, like a fine, black tuft of wool. It lowered
+itself slowly, heavily, with that which lay concealed within it, and
+this was the "F&ouml;hn,"<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> powerful in its strength when it broke loose.
+The impression of the entire journey, the night quarters above and
+then the road beyond, the deep rocky chasms, where the water forced
+its way through the blocks of stone with terrible rapidity, engraved
+itself indelibly on Rudy's mind.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>On the other side of the sea of snow, a forsaken stone hut gave them
+protection and shelter for the night; a fire was quickly lighted, for
+they found within it charcoal and fir branches; they arranged their
+couch as well as possible. The men seated themselves around the fire,
+smoked their tobacco and drank the warm spicy drink, which they had
+prepared for themselves. Rudy had his share too and they told him of
+the mysterious beings of the Alpine country; of the singular fighting
+snakes in the deep lakes; of the people of night; of the hordes of
+spectres, who carry sleepers through the air, towards the wonderful
+floating city of Venice; of the wild shepherd, who drives his black
+sheep over the meadow; it is true, they had never been seen, but the
+sound of the bells and the unhappy bellowing of the flock, had been
+heard.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>Rudy listened eagerly, but without any fear, for he did not even know
+what that was, and whilst he listened he thought he heard the
+ghost-like hollow bellowing! Yes, it became more and more distinct,
+the men heard it also, they stopped talking, listened and told Rudy he
+must not sleep.</p>
+
+<p>It was the F&ouml;hn which blew, the powerful storm-wind, which rushes down
+the mountains into the valley and with its strength bends the trees,
+as if they were mere reeds, and lifts the wooden houses from one side
+of the river to the other, as if the move had been made on a
+chess-board.</p>
+
+<p>After the lapse of an hour, they told Rudy that the storm had now
+blown over and that he might rest; with this license, fatigued by his
+march, he at once fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>They departed early in the morning; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>the sun showed Rudy new
+mountains, new glaciers and snow-fields; they had now reached Canton
+Valais and the other side of the mountain ridge which was visible at
+Grindelwald, but they were still far from the new home. Other chasms,
+precipices, pasture-grounds; forests and paths through the woods,
+unfolded themselves to the view; other houses, other human beings&mdash;but
+what human beings! Deformed creatures, with unmeaning, fat,
+yellowish-white faces; with a large, ugly, fleshy lump on their necks;
+these were cretins who dragged themselves miserably along and gazed
+with their stupid eyes on the strangers who arrived among them. As for
+the women, the greatest number of them were frightful!</p>
+
+<p>Were these the inhabitants of the new home?</p>
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+<br />
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A humid south wind on the lakes of Switzerland, a fearful
+storm.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="III" id="III"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>III.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE FATHER'S BROTHER.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The people in the uncle's house, looked, thank heaven, like those whom
+Rudy was accustomed to see. But one cretin was there, a poor silly
+lad, one of the many miserable creatures, who on account of their
+poverty and need, always make their home among the families of Canton
+Valais and remain with each but a couple of months. The wretched
+Saperli happened to be there when Rudy arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy's father's brother was still a vigorous hunter and was also a
+cooper by trade; his wife, a lively little person, had what is called
+a bird's face; her eyes resembled <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>those of an eagle and she had a
+long neck entirely covered with down.</p>
+
+<p>Everything was new to Rudy, the dress, manners and customs, yes, even
+the language, but that is soon acquired and understood by a child's
+ear. Here, they seemed to be better off, than in his grandfather's
+house; the dwelling rooms were larger, the walls looked gay with their
+chamois horns and highly polished rifles; over the door-way hung the
+picture of the blessed Virgin; alpine roses and a burning lamp stood
+before it.</p>
+
+<p>His uncle, was as we have said before, one of the most famous chamois
+hunters in the neighbourhood and also the most experienced and best
+guide.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy was to be the pet of the household, although there already was
+one, an old deaf and blind dog, whom they could no <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>longer use; but
+they remembered his many past services and he was looked upon as a
+member of the family and was to pass his old days in peace. Rudy
+patted the dog, but he would have nothing to do with strangers; Rudy
+did not long remain one, for he soon took firm hold both in house and
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>"One is not badly off in Canton Valais," said his uncle, "we have the
+chamois, they do not die out so soon as the mountain goat! It is a
+great deal better here now, than in the old times; they may talk about
+their glory as much as they please. The present time is much better,
+for a hole has been made in the purse and light and air let into our
+quiet valley. When old worn-out customs die away, something new
+springs forth!" said he. When uncle became talkative, he told of the
+years of his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>childhood and of his father's active time, when Valais
+was still a closed purse, as the people called it, and when it was
+filled with sick people and miserable cretins. French soldiers came,
+they were the right kind of doctors, they not only shot down the
+sickness but the men also.</p>
+
+<p>"The Frenchmen can beat the stones until they surrender! they cut the
+Simplon-road out of the rocks&mdash;they have hewn out such a road, that I
+now can tell a three year old child to go to Italy! Keep to the
+highway, and a child may find his way there!" Then the uncle would
+sing a French song and cry hurrah for Napoleon Bonaparte.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy now heard for the first time of France, of Lyons&mdash;the large city
+of the Rhone&mdash;for his uncle had been there.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if Rudy will become an agile <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>chamois hunter in a few years?
+He has every disposition for it!" said his uncle, and instructed him
+how to hold a rifle, how to aim and to fire. In the hunting season, he
+took him with him in the mountains and made him drink the warm chamois
+blood, which prevents the hunter from becoming dizzy. He taught him to
+heed the time when the avalanches roll down the different sides of the
+mountain&mdash;at mid-day or at night-fall&mdash;which depended upon the heat of
+the rays of the sun. He taught him to notice the chamois, in order to
+learn from them how to jump, so as to alight steadily upon the feet.
+If there was no resting place in the clefts of the rock for the foot,
+he must know how to support himself with the elbow, and be able to
+climb by means of the muscles of the thigh and calf, even the neck
+must serve when it is necessary. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>The chamois are cunning, they place
+out-guards&mdash;but the hunter must be still more cunning and follow the
+trail&mdash;and he can deceive them by hanging his coat and hat on his
+alpine stick, and so make the chamois take the coat for the man.</p>
+
+<p>One day when Rudy was out with his uncle hunting, he tried this sport.</p>
+
+<p>The rocky path was not wide; indeed there was scarcely any, only a
+narrow ledge, close to the dizzy abyss. The snow was half-thawed, the
+stones crumbled when trodden upon, and his uncle stretched himself out
+full length and crept along. Each stone as it broke away, fell,
+knocked itself, bounded and then rolled down; it made many leaps from
+one rocky wall to another until it found repose in the black deep.
+Rudy stood about a hundred steps behind his uncle on the outermost
+cliff, and saw a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>huge golden vulture, hovering over his uncle, and
+sailing towards him through the air, as though wishing to cast the
+creeping worm into the abyss with one blow of his wing, and to make
+carrion of him. His uncle had only eyes for the chamois and its young
+kid, on the other side of the cleft. Rudy looked at the bird,
+understood what it wanted, and laid his hand on his rifle in order to
+shoot it. At that moment the chamois leaped&mdash;his uncle fired&mdash;the ball
+hit the animal, but the kid was gone, as though flight and danger had
+been its life's experience. The monstrous bird terrified by the report
+of the gun, took flight in another direction, and Rudy's uncle knew
+nought of his danger, until Rudy told him of it.</p>
+
+<p>As they now were on their way home in the gayest spirits&mdash;his uncle
+playing one of his youthful melodies on his flute&mdash;they <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>suddenly
+heard not far from them a singular sound; they looked sideways, they
+gazed aloof and saw high above them the snow covering of the rugged
+shelf of the rock, waving like an outspread piece of linen when
+agitated by the wind. The icy waves cracked like slabs of marble, they
+broke, dissolved in foaming, rushing water and sounded like a muffled
+thunder-clap. It was an avalanche rolling down, not over Rudy and his
+uncle, but near, only too near to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold fast, Rudy," cried he, "firm, with your whole strength!"</p>
+
+<p>And Rudy clasped the trunk of a tree; his uncle climbed into its
+branches and held fast, whilst the avalanche rolled many fathoms away
+from them. But the air-drift of the blustering storm, which
+accompanied it, bowed down the trees and bushes <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>around them like dry
+reeds and threw them beyond. Rudy lay cast on the earth; the trunk of
+the tree on which he had held was as though sawed off, and its crown
+was hurled still farther along. His uncle lay amongst the broken
+branches, with his head shattered; his hands were yet warm, but his
+face was no longer to be recognized. Rudy stood pale and trembling;
+this was the first terror of his life, the first hour of fear that he
+had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>Late in the evening, he returned with his message of death to his
+home, which was now one of sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>The wife stood without words, without tears, and not until the corpse
+was brought home did her sorrow find an outburst. The poor cretin
+crept to his bed and was not seen all day, but towards evening he came
+to Rudy, and said: "Write a letter for me. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>Saperli cannot write!
+Saperli can take the letter to the post office."</p>
+
+<p>"A letter for you," asked Rudy, "and to whom?"</p>
+
+<p>"To our Lord Christ!"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>And the half-witted creature gave a touching glance at Rudy, folded
+his hands and said piously and solemnly: "Jesus Christ! Saperli wishes
+to send him a letter, praying him to let Saperli lie dead and not the
+man of this house!"</p>
+
+<p>And Rudy pressed his hand, "the letter cannot be sent, the letter will
+not give him back to us!"</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult for Rudy to explain the impossibility to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you are the stay of the house!" said his foster-mother, and Rudy
+became it.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="IV" id="IV"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>IV.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>BABETTE.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Who is the best shot in Canton Valais? The chamois knew only too well:
+"Beware of Rudy!" they could say. Who is the handsomest hunter?&mdash;"It
+is Rudy." The young girls said this also, but they did not say:
+"Beware of Rudy!" No, not even the grave mothers, for he nodded to
+them quite as amicably as to the young girls. He was so bold and gay,
+his cheeks were brown, his teeth fresh and white and his coal-black
+eyes glittered; he was a handsome young fellow and but twenty years
+old. The icy water did not sting him when he swam, he could turn
+around in it like a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>fish; he could climb as did no one, and he was as
+firm on the rocky walls as a snail&mdash;for he had good sinews and muscles
+that served him well in leaping&mdash;the cat had first taught him this,
+and later the chamois. One could not trust one's self to a better
+guide than to Rudy. In this way he could collect quite a fortune, but
+he had no taste for the trade of a cooper, which his uncle had taught
+him; his delight and pleasure was to shoot chamois, and this was
+profitable also. Rudy was a good match if one did not look higher than
+one's station, and in dancing he was just the kind of dancer that
+young girls dream about, and one or the other were always thinking of
+him when they were awake.</p>
+
+<p>"He kissed me whilst dancing!" said the schoolmaster's Annette to her
+most intimate friend, but she should not have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>said this, not even to
+her dearest friend, but it is difficult to keep such things to one's
+self&mdash;like sand in a purse with a hole in it, it soon runs out&mdash;and
+although Rudy was so steady and good it was soon known that he kissed
+whilst dancing.</p>
+
+<p>"Watch him," said an old hunter, "he has commenced with A, and he will
+kiss the whole alphabet through!"</p>
+
+<p>A kiss, at a dance, was all they could say in their gossipping, but he
+had kissed Annette, and she was by no means the flower of his heart.</p>
+
+<p>Down near Bex, between the great walnut trees, close by a rapid little
+stream, dwelt the rich miller. The dwelling-house was a large
+three-storied building, with little towers covered with wood and
+coated with sheets of lead, which shone in the sunshine and in the
+moonshine; the largest tower <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>had for a weather-cock a bright arrow
+which pierced an apple and which was intended to represent the apple
+shot by Tell. The mill looked neat and comfortable, so that it was
+really worth describing and drawing, but the miller's daughter could
+neither be described nor drawn, at least so said Rudy. Yet she was
+imprinted in his heart, and her eyes acted as a fire-brand upon it,
+and this had happened suddenly and unexpectedly. The most wonderful
+part of all was, that the miller's daughter, the pretty Babette,
+thought not of him, for she and Rudy had never even spoken two words
+with each other.</p>
+
+<p>The miller was rich, and riches placed her much too high to be
+approached; "but no one," said Rudy to himself, "is placed so high as
+to be unapproachable; one must climb and one does not fall, when one
+does <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>not think of it." <i>This</i> knowledge he had brought from home with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now it so happened that Rudy had business at Bex and it was quite a
+journey there, for the railroad was not completed. The broad valley of
+Valais stretches itself from the glaciers of the Rhone, under the foot
+of the Simplon-mountain, between many varying mountain-heights, with
+its mighty river, the Rhone, which often swells and destroys
+everything, overflooding fields and roads. The valley makes a bend,
+between the towns of Sion and St. Maurice, like an elbow and becomes
+so narrow at Maurice, that there only remains sufficient room for the
+river bed and a cart way. Here an old tower stands like a sentry
+before the Canton Valais; it ends at this point and overlooks the
+bridge, which has a wall towards the custom-house. Now <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>begins the
+Canton called Pays de Vaud and the nearest town is Bex, where
+everything becomes luxuriant and fruitful&mdash;one is in a garden of
+walnut and chestnut trees and here and there, cypress and pomegranate
+blossoms peep out&mdash;it is as warm as the South; one imagines one's self
+transplanted into Italy.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy reached Bex, accomplished his business and looked about him, but
+he did not see a single miller's boy, not to speak of Babette. It
+appeared as though they were not to meet.</p>
+
+<p>It was evening, the air was heavy with the wild thyme and blooming
+linden, a glistening veil lay over the forest-clad mountains, there
+was a stillness over everything, but not the quiet of sleep. It seemed
+as though all nature retained her breath, as if she felt disposed to
+allow her image to be imprinted upon the firmament.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>Here and there, there were poles standing on the green fields, between
+the trees; they held the telegraph wire, which has been conducted
+through this peaceful valley. An object leant against one of these
+poles, so immoveable, that one might have taken it for a withered
+trunk of a tree; but it was Rudy. He slept not and still less was he
+dead; but as the most important events of this earth, as well as
+affairs of vital moment for individuals pass over the wires, without
+their giving out a tone or a tremulous movement, even so flashed
+through Rudy, thoughts&mdash;powerful, overwhelming, speaking of the
+happiness of his life; his, henceforth, "<i>constant thought</i>." His eyes
+were fixed upon a point in the trellis-work, and this was a light in
+Babette's sitting room. Rudy was so motionless, one might have thought
+that he was observing a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>chamois, in order to shoot it. Now, however,
+he was like the chamois&mdash;which appears sculptured on the rock, and
+suddenly if a stone rolls, springs and flies away&mdash;thus stood Rudy,
+until a thought struck him.</p>
+
+<p>"Never despair," said he. "I shall make a visit to the mill, and say:
+Good evening miller, good evening Babette! One does not fall when one
+does not think of it! Babette must see me, if I am to be her husband!"</p>
+
+<p>And Rudy laughed, was of good cheer and went to the mill; he knew what
+he wanted, he wanted Babette.</p>
+
+<p>The river, with its yellowish white water rolled on; the willow trees
+and the lindens bowed themselves deep in the hastening water; Rudy
+went along the path, and as it says in the old child's song:</p>
+
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&mdash;&mdash; &mdash;&mdash; &mdash;&mdash; Zu des M&uuml;llers Haus,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Aber da war Niemand drinnen<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nur die Katze schaute aus!<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The house-cat stood on the step, put up her back and said: "Miau!" but
+Rudy had no thoughts for her language, he knocked, no one heard, no
+one opened. "Miau!" said the cat. If Rudy had been little, he would
+have understood the speech of animals and known that the cat told him:
+"There is no one at home!" He was obliged to cross over to the mill,
+to make inquiries, and here he had news. The master of the house was
+away on a journey, far away in the town of Interlaken&mdash;<i>inter lacus</i>,
+"between the lakes"&mdash;as the school-master, Annette's father, had
+explained, in his wisdom. Far away was the miller and Babette with
+him; there was to be a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>shooting festival, which was to commence on
+the following day and to continue for a whole week. The Swiss from all
+the German cantons were to meet there.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Rudy, one could well say that he had not taken the happiest time
+to visit Bex; now he could return and that was what he did. He took
+the road over Sion and St. Maurice, back to his own valley, back to
+his own mountain, but he was not down-cast. On the following morning,
+when the sun rose, his good humour had returned, in fact it had never
+left him.</p>
+
+<p>"Babette is in Interlaken, many a day's journey from here!" said he to
+himself, "it is a long road thither, if one goes by the highway, but
+not so far if one passes over the rocks and that is the road for a
+chamois hunter! I went this road formerly, for there is my home, where
+I lived with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>my grandfather when I was a little child, and they have
+a shooting festival in Interlaken! I will be the <i>first</i> one there,
+and that will I be with Babette also, as soon as I have made her
+acquaintance!"</p>
+
+<p>With his light knapsack containing his Sunday clothes, with his gun
+and his huntsman's pouch, Rudy ascended the mountain. The short road,
+was a pretty long one, but the shooting-match had but commenced to-day
+and was to last more than a week; the miller and Babette were to
+remain the whole time, with their relations in Interlaken. Rudy
+crossed the Gemmi, for he wished to go to Grindelwald.</p>
+
+<p>He stepped forwards merry and well, out into the fresh, light mountain
+air. The valley sank beneath him, the horizon widened; here and there
+a snow-peak, and soon appeared the whole shining white <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>alpine chain.
+Rudy knew every snow mountain, onward he strode towards the
+Schreckhorn, that elevates its white powdered snow-finger high in the
+air.</p>
+
+<p>At last he crossed the ridge of the mountain and the pasture-grounds
+and reached the valley of his home; the air was light and his spirits
+gay, mountain and valley stood resplendent with verdure and flowers.
+His heart was filled with youthful thoughts;&mdash;that one can never grow
+old, never die; but live, rule and enjoy;&mdash;free as a bird, light as a
+bird was he. The swallows flew by and sang as in his childhood: "We
+and you, and You and we!" All was happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Below lay the velvet-green meadow, with its brown wooden houses, the
+L&uuml;tschine hummed and roared. He saw the glacier with its green glass
+edges and its black <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>crevices in the deep snow, and the under and
+upper glacier. The sound of the church-bells was carried over to him,
+as if they chimed a welcome home; his heart beat loudly and expanded,
+so, that for a moment, Babette vanished from it; his heart widened, it
+was so full of recollections. He retraced his steps, over the path,
+where he used to stand when a little boy, with the other children, on
+the edge of the ditch, and where he sold carved wooden houses. Yonder,
+under the fir-trees was his grandfather's house,&mdash;strangers dwelled
+there. Children came running up the path, wishing to sell; one of them
+held an alpine rose towards him. Rudy took it for a good omen and
+thought of Babette. Quickly he crossed the bridge, where the two
+L&uuml;tschines meet; the leafy trees had increased and the walnut trees
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>gave deeper shade. He saw the streaming Swiss and Danish flags&mdash;the
+white cross on the red cloth&mdash;and Interlaken lay before him.</p>
+
+<p>It was certainly a magnificent town; like no other, it seemed to Rudy.
+A Swiss town in its Sunday dress, was not like other trading-places, a
+mass of black stone houses, heavy, uninviting and stiff. No! it looked
+as though the wooden houses, on the mountain had run down into the
+green valley, to the clear, swift river and had ranged themselves in a
+row&mdash;a little in and out&mdash;so as to form a street, the most splendid of
+all streets, which had grown up since Rudy was here as a child. It
+appeared to him, that here all the pretty wooden houses that his
+grandfather had carved, and with which the cup-board at home used to
+be filled, had placed themselves <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>there and had grown in strength, as
+the old, the oldest chestnut trees had done. Each house had carved
+wood-work around the windows and balconies, projecting roofs, pretty
+and neat; in front of every house a little flower garden extended into
+the stone-covered street. The houses were all placed on one side, as
+if they wished to conceal the forest-green meadow, where the cows with
+their tinkling bells made one fancy one's self near the high alpine
+pasture-grounds. The meadow was enclosed with high mountains, that
+leaned to one side so that the Jungfrau, the most stately of the Swiss
+mountains, with its glistening snow-clad top, was visible.</p>
+
+<p>What a quantity of well dressed ladies and gentlemen from foreign
+countries! What multitudes of inhabitants from the different cantons!
+The shooters, with their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>numbers placed in a wreath around their
+hats, waiting to take their turn. Here was music and song,
+hurdy-gurdys and wind instruments, cries and confusion. The houses and
+bridges were decked with devices and verses; banners and flags
+floated, rifles sounded shot after shot; this was the best music to
+Rudy's ear and he entirely forgot Babette, although he had come for
+her sake.</p>
+
+<p>The marksmen thronged towards the spot where the target-shooting was;
+Rudy was soon among them and he was the best, the luckiest, for he
+always hit the mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Who can the strange hunter be?" they asked, "He speaks the French
+language as though he came from Canton Valais!" "He speaks our German
+very distinctly!" said others. "He is said to have lived in the
+neighbourhood of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>Grindelwald, when a child!" said one of them.</p>
+
+<p>There was life in the youth; his eyes sparkled, his aim was true. Good
+luck gives courage, and Rudy had courage at all times; he soon had a
+large circle of friends around him, they praised him, they did homage
+to him, and Babette had almost entirely left his thoughts. At that
+moment a heavy hand struck him on the shoulder, and a gruff voice
+addressed him in the French tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"You are from Canton Valais?"</p>
+
+<p>Rudy turned around. A stout person, with a red, contented countenance,
+stood by him and that was the rich miller of Bex. He covered with his
+wide body, the slight pretty Babette, who however, soon peeped out
+with her beaming dark eyes. The rich peasant became consequential
+because the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>hunter from his canton had made the best shot and was the
+honoured one. Rudy was certainly a favourite of fortune, that, for
+which he had journeyed thither and almost forgotten had sought him.</p>
+
+<p>When one meets a countryman far from one's home, why then one knows
+one another, and speaks together. Rudy was the first at the shooting
+festival and the miller was the first at Bex, through his money and
+mill, and so the two men pressed each other's hands: this they had
+never done before. Babette also, gave Rudy her little hand and he
+pressed her's in return and looked at her, so&mdash;that she became quite
+red.</p>
+
+<p>The miller told of the long journey which they had made here, of the
+many large towns which they had seen&mdash;that was a real journey; they
+had come in the steam-boat and had been driven by post and rail!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>"I came by the short road," said Rudy, "I came over the mountains;
+there is no path so high, that one can not reach it!"</p>
+
+<p>"But one can break one's neck," said the miller, "you look as though
+you would do so some day, you are so daring!"</p>
+
+<p>"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.</p>
+
+<p>And the miller's family in Interlaken, with whom the miller and
+Babette were staying, begged Rudy to pay them a visit, for he was from
+the same canton as their relations.</p>
+
+<p>These were glad tidings for Rudy, fortune smiled upon him, as it
+always does on those that rely upon themselves and think upon the
+saying: "Our Lord gives us nuts, but he does not crack them for us!"
+Rudy made himself quite at home <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>with the miller's relations; they
+drank the health of the best marksman. Babette knocked her glass
+against his and Rudy gave thanks for the honour shown him.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, they all walked under the walnut trees, in front of
+the decorated h&ocirc;tels; there was such a crowd, such a throng, that Rudy
+was obliged to offer his arm to Babette. "He was so rejoiced to have
+met people from Pays de Vaud," said he, "Pays de Vaud and Valais were
+good neighbourly cantons." His joy was so profound that it struck
+Babette, she must press his hand. They walked along almost like old
+acquaintances; she was so amusing, the darling little creature, it
+became her so prettily Rudy thought, when she described what was
+laughable and overdone in the dress of the ladies, and ridiculed their
+manners and walk. She did <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>not do this in order to mock them, for no
+doubt they were very good people, yes! kind and amiable. Babette knew
+what was right, for she had a god-mother that was a distinguished
+English lady. She was in Bex, eighteen years ago, when Babette was
+baptized; she had given Babette, the expensive breastpin which she
+wore. The god-mother had written her two letters; this year she was to
+meet her in Interlaken, with her daughters; they were old maids, over
+thirty years old, said Babette;&mdash;she was just eighteen.</p>
+
+<p>The sweet little mouth was not still a minute; everything that Babette
+said, sounded to Rudy of great importance. Then he related how often
+he had been in Bex, how well he knew the mill; how often he had seen
+Babette, but she of course had never remarked him; he told <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>how, when
+he reached the mill, with many thoughts to which he could give no
+utterance, she and her father were far away; still not so far as to
+render it impossible for him to ascend the rocky wall which made the
+road so long.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, he said this; and he also said how much he thought of her; that
+it was for her sake and not on account of the shooting festival that
+he had come.</p>
+
+<p>Babette remained very still, for what he confided to her was almost
+too much joy.</p>
+
+<p>The sun set behind the rocky wall, whilst they were walking, and there
+stood the Jungfrau in all her radiant splendour, surrounded by the
+dark green circle of the adjacent mountains. The vast crowd of people
+stopped to look at it, Rudy and Babette also gazed upon its grandeur.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>"It is nowhere more beautiful than here!" said Babette.</p>
+
+<p>"Nowhere!" said Rudy, and looked at Babette.</p>
+
+<p>"I must leave to-morrow!" said he, a little later.</p>
+
+<p>"Visit us in Bex," whispered Babette, "it will delight my father!"</p>
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+<br />
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a>
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5%;">The cat looked out from the miller's house,<br /></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 5%;">No one was in, not even a mouse!<br /></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="V" id="V"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>V.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>HOMEWARDS.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Ah! how much Rudy carried with him, as he went home the next morning
+over the mountains. Yes, there were three silver goblets, two very
+fine rifles and a silver coffee pot, which one could use if one wished
+to go to house-keeping; but he carried with him something far, far
+more important, far mightier, or rather <i>that</i> carried him over the
+high mountains.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was raw, moist and cold, grey and heavy; the clouds
+lowered over the mountain-tops like mourning veils, and enveloped the
+shining peaks of the rocks. The sound of the axe resounded from the
+depths of the forest, and the trunks of the trees rolled down the
+mountain, looking in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>the distance like slight sticks, but on
+approaching them they were heavy trees, suitable for making masts. The
+L&uuml;tschine rushed on with its monotonous sound, the wind blustered, the
+clouds sailed by.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a young girl approached Rudy, whom he had not noticed before;
+not until she was beside him; she also was about crossing the
+mountain. Her eyes had so peculiar a power that one was forced to look
+into them; they were so strangely clear&mdash;clear as glass, so deep, so
+fathomless&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Have you a beloved one?" asked Rudy; for to have a beloved one was
+everything to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I have none!" said she, and laughed; but it was as though she was not
+speaking the truth. "Do not let us take a by-way," continued she, "we
+must go more to the left, that way is shorter!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>"Yes, so as to fall down a precipice!" said Rudy; "Do you know no
+better way, and yet wish to be a guide?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know the road well," said she, "my thoughts are with me; yours are
+beneath in the valley; here on high, one must think on the Ice-Maiden,
+for they say she is not well disposed to mankind!"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not fear her," said Rudy, "she was forced to let me go when I
+was a child, so I suppose I can slip away from her now that I am
+older!"</p>
+
+<p>The darkness increased, the rain fell, the snow came; it shone and
+dazzled. "Give me your hand, I will help you to ascend!" said the
+girl, and touched him with icy-cold fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"You help me," said Rudy, "I do not yet need a woman's help in
+climbing!" He strode quickly on, away from her; the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>snow-shower
+formed a curtain around him, the wind whistled by him and he heard the
+young girl laugh and sing; it sounded so oddly! Yes, that was
+certainly a spirit in the service of the Ice-Maiden. Rudy had heard of
+them, when he had passed a night on high; when he had crossed the
+mountain, as a little boy.</p>
+
+<p>The snow fell more scantily and the shadows lay under him; he looked
+back, there was no one to be seen, but he heard laughing and <i>jodling</i>
+and it did not appear to come from a human being. When Rudy reached
+the uppermost portion of the mountain, where the rocky path leads to
+the valley of the Rhone, he saw in the direction of Chamouni, two
+bright stars, twinkling and shining in the clear streaks of blue; he
+thought of Babette, of himself, of his happiness and became warmed by
+his thoughts.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="VI" id="VI"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>VI.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE VISIT TO THE MILL.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>"You bring princely things into the house!" said the old
+foster-mother, her singular eagle-eyes glistened and she made strange
+and hasty motions with her lean neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Fortune is with you, Rudy, I must kiss you, my sweet boy!"</p>
+
+<p>Rudy allowed himself to be kissed, but one could read in his
+countenance, that he but submitted to circumstances and to little
+household miseries. "How handsome you are, Rudy!" said the old woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not put notions into my head!" answered Rudy, and laughed, but
+still it pleased him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>"I say it once more," said the old woman, "fortune is with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I agree with you there!" said he; thought of Babette and longed
+to be in the deep valley. "They must have returned, two days have
+passed since they expected to do so. I must go to Bex!"</p>
+
+<p>Rudy went to Bex, and the inhabitants of the mill had returned; he was
+well received and they brought him greetings from the family at
+Interlaken. Babette did not talk much, she had grown silent; but her
+eyes spoke and that was quite enough for Rudy. The miller who
+generally liked to carry on the conversation&mdash;for he was accustomed to
+have every one laugh at his witty sayings and puns&mdash;was he not the
+rich miller?&mdash;seemed now to prefer to listen. Rudy recounted to him
+his hunting expeditions; described the difficulties, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>dangers and
+the privations of the chamois hunter when on the lofty mountain peak;
+how often he must climb over the insecure snow-ledges, that the wind
+had blown on the rocky brink, and how he must pass over slight bridges
+that the snow-drifts had thrown across the abyss. Rudy looked
+fearless, his eyes sparkled whilst he spoke of the shrewdness of the
+chamois, of their daring leaps, of the violence of the F&ouml;hn and of the
+rolling avalanches. He observed that with every description he won
+more and more favour; but what pleased the miller more than all, was
+the account of the lamb's vulture and the bold golden eagle.</p>
+
+<p>In Canton Valais, not far from here, there was an eagle's nest, very
+slyly built under the projecting edge of the rock; a young one was in
+it, but no one could steal it! An Englishman had offered Rudy a few
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>days before, a whole handful of gold, if he would bring him the young
+one alive, "but everything has a limit," said he, "the young eagle
+cannot be taken away, and it would be madness to attempt it!"</p>
+
+<p>The wine and conversation flowed freely; but the evening appeared all
+too short for Rudy; yet it was past midnight, when he went home from
+his first visit to the mill.</p>
+
+<p>The light shone a little while longer through the window and between
+the green trees; the parlour-cat came out of an opening in the roof
+and the kitchen-cat came along the gutter.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the latest news at the mill?" said the parlour-cat,
+"there has been a silent betrothal in the house! Father does not yet
+know it, but Rudy and Babette have reached each other their paws under
+the table, and he trod three times on my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>fore-paws, but still I did
+not mew, for that would have awakened attention!"</p>
+
+<p>"I should have done it, nevertheless!" said the kitchen-cat.</p>
+
+<p>"What is suited to the kitchen is not suited to the parlour," said the
+parlour-cat. "I should like to know what the miller will say, when he
+hears of the betrothal!"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, what the miller would say! That was what Rudy would have liked to
+know, for Rudy was not at all patient. When the omnibus rumbled over
+the bridge of the Rhone, between Valais and Pays de Vaud not many days
+after, Rudy sat in it and was of good cheer; filled with pleasing
+thoughts of the "Yes," of the same evening.</p>
+
+<p>When evening came and the omnibus returned, yes, there sat Rudy
+within, but the parlour-cat, was running about in the mill with great
+news.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>"Listen, you, in the kitchen! The miller knows everything now. This
+has had an exquisite ending! Rudy came here towards evening; he and
+Babette had much to whisper and to chatter about, as they stood in the
+walk, under the miller's chamber. I lay close to their feet but they
+had neither eyes nor thoughts for me. 'I am going directly to your
+father,' said Rudy, 'this is an honourable affair!' 'Shall I follow
+you?' asked Babette, 'it may give you more courage!' 'I have courage
+enough,' said Rudy, 'but if you are there, he will be forced to look
+at it in a more favourable light!' They went in. Rudy trod heavily on
+my tail! Rudy is indescribably awkward; I mewed, but neither he nor
+Babette had ears to hear it. They opened the door, they entered and I
+preceded them; I leaped upon the back of a chair, for I did not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>know
+but that Rudy would overturn everything! But the miller reversed all,
+that was a great step! Out of the door, up the mountains, to the
+chamois! Rudy can aim at them now, but not at our little Babette!"</p>
+
+<p>"But what was said?" asked the kitchen-cat.</p>
+
+<p>"Said? Everything. 'I care for her and she cares for me! When there is
+milk enough in the jug for one, there is milk enough in the jug for
+two!' 'But she is placed too high for you,' said the miller, 'she sits
+on gold dust, so now you know it; you can not reach her!' 'Nothing is
+too high; he who wills can reach anything!' said Rudy. He is too
+headstrong on this subject! 'But you cannot reach the eaglet, you said
+so yourself lately! Babette is still higher!' 'I will have them both!'
+said Rudy. 'Yes, I will bestow her upon you, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>if you make me a present
+of the eaglet alive!' said the miller and laughed until the tears
+stood in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"'Thanks for your visit, Rudy! Come again to-morrow, you will find no
+one at home. Farewell, Rudy!' Babette said farewell also, as
+sorrowfully as a kitten, that cannot see its mother. 'A word is a
+word, a man is a man,' said Rudy, 'do not weep Babette, I shall bring
+the eaglet!' 'I hope that you will break your neck!' said the miller.
+That's what I call an overturning! Now Rudy has gone, and Babette sits
+and weeps; but the miller sings in German, he learned to do so whilst
+on his journey! I do not intend to trouble myself any longer about it,
+it does no good!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is still a prospect!" said the kitchen-cat.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="VII" id="VII"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>VII.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE EAGLE'S NEST.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Merry and loud sounded the <i>jodel</i> from the mountain-path, it
+indicated good humour and joyous courage; it was Rudy; he was going to
+his friend Vesinand.</p>
+
+<p>"You must help me! We will take Ragli with us; I am going after the
+eaglet on the brink of the rock!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not wish to go after the black spot in the moon? That is quite
+as easy," said Vesinand; "you are in a good humour!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, because I am thinking of my wedding; but seriously, you shall
+know how my affairs stand!"</p>
+
+<p>Vesinand and Ragli soon knew what Rudy wished.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>"You are a bold fellow," said they, "do not do this! You will break
+your neck!"</p>
+
+<p>"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.</p>
+
+<p>About mid-day, they set out with poles, ladders and ropes; their path
+lay through bushes and brambles, over the rolling stones, up, up in
+the dark night.</p>
+
+<p>The water rushed beneath them; the water flowed above them and the
+humid clouds chased each other in the air. The hunters approached the
+steep brink of the rock; it became darker and darker, the rocky walls
+almost met; high above them in the narrow fissure the air penetrated
+and gave light. Under their feet there was a deep abyss with its
+roaring waters.</p>
+
+<p>They all three sat still, awaiting the grey of the morning; then the
+eagle would fly out; they must shoot him before they could <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>think of
+obtaining the young one. Rudy seemed to be a part of the stone on
+which he sat; his rifle placed before him, ready to take aim, his eyes
+immoveably fastened on yon high cleft which concealed the eagle's
+nest. The three huntsmen waited long.</p>
+
+<p>A crashing, whizzing noise sounded high above them; a large hovering
+object darkened the air. Two rifle barrels were aimed as the black
+eagle flew from its nest; a shot was heard, the out-spread wings moved
+an instant, then the bird slowly sank as if it wished to fill the
+entire cliff with its outstretched wings and bury the huntsmen in its
+fall. The eagle sank in the deep; the branches of the trees and bushes
+cracked, broken by the fall of the bird.</p>
+
+<p>They now displayed their activity; three of the longest ladders were
+tied together; they stood them on the farthest point where <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>the foot
+could place itself with security, close to the brink of the
+precipice&mdash;but they were not long enough; there was still a great
+space from the outermost projecting cliff, which protected the nest;
+the rocky wall was perfectly smooth. After some consultation, they
+decided to lower into the opening two ladders tied together and to
+fasten them to the three already beneath them. With great difficulty
+they dragged them up and attached them with cords; the ladders shot
+over the projecting cliffs and hung over the chasm; Rudy sat already
+on the lowest round.</p>
+
+<p>It was an ice-cold morning, and the mist mounted from the black
+ravine. Rudy sat there like a fly on a rocking blade of grass, which a
+nest-building bird has dropped in its hasty flight, on the edge of a
+factory chimney; but the fly had the advantage of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>escaping by its
+wings, poor Rudy had none, he was almost sure to break his neck. The
+wind whistled around him and the roaring water from the thawed
+glaciers, the palace of the Ice-Maiden, poured itself into the abyss.</p>
+
+<p>He gave the ladders a swinging motion&mdash;as the spider swings herself by
+her long thread&mdash;he seized them with a strong and steady hand, but
+they shook as if they had worn-out hasps.</p>
+
+<p>The five long ladders looked like a tremulous reed, as they reached
+the nest and hung perpendicularly over the rocky wall. Now came the
+most dangerous part; Rudy had to climb as a cat climbs; but Rudy could
+do this, for the cat had taught it to him. He did not feel that
+Vertigo trod in the air behind him and stretched her polypus-like arms
+towards him. Now he stood on the highest round of the ladder and
+perceived <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>that he was not sufficiently high to enable him to see into
+the nest; he could reach it with his hands. He tried how firm the
+twigs were, which plaited in one another formed the bottom of the
+nest; when he had assured himself of a thick and immoveable one, he
+swung himself off of the ladder. He had his breast and head over the
+nest, out of which streamed towards him a stifling stench of carrion;
+torn lambs, chamois and birds lay decomposing around him. Vertigo, who
+had no power over him, blew poisonous vapours into his face to stupify
+him; below in the black, yawning abyss, sat the Ice-Maiden herself, on
+the hastening water, with her long greenish-white hair and stared at
+him with death-like eyes, which were pointed at him like two rifle
+barrels.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I shall catch you!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>Seated in one corner of the eagle's nest was the eaglet, who could not
+fly yet, although so strong and powerful. Rudy fastened his eyes on
+it, held himself with his whole strength firmly by one hand, and with
+the other threw the noose around it. It was captured alive, its legs
+were in the knot; Rudy cast the rope over his shoulder, so that the
+animal dangled some distance below him, and sustained himself by
+another rope which hung down, until his feet touched the upper round
+of the ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold fast, do not think that you will fall and then you are sure not
+to do so!" That was the old lesson, and he followed it; held fast,
+climbed, was sure not to fall and he did not.</p>
+
+<p>There resounded a strong <i>jodling</i>, and a joyous one too. Rudy stood
+on the firm, rocky ground with the young eaglet.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>VIII.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h4>THE NEWS WHICH THE PARLOUR-CAT RELATED.</h4>
+<br />
+
+<p>"Here is what you demanded!" said Rudy, on entering the house of the
+miller at Bex, as he placed a large basket on the floor and took off
+the covering. Two yellow eyes, with black circles around them, fiery
+and wild, looked out as if they wished to set on fire, or to kill
+those around them. The short beak yawned ready to bite and the neck
+was red and downy.</p>
+
+<p>"The eaglet!" cried the miller. Babette screamed, jumped to one side
+and could neither turn her eyes from Rudy, nor from the eaglet.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not allow yourself to be frightened!" said the miller.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>"And you keep your word, at all times," said Rudy, "each has his
+characteristic trait!"</p>
+
+<p>"But why did you not break your neck?" asked the miller.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I held on firmly," answered Rudy, "and I hold firmly on
+Babette!"</p>
+
+<p>"First see that you have her!" said the miller and laughed; that was a
+good sign; Babette knew this.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us take the eaglet from the basket, it is terrible to see how he
+glares! How did you get him?"</p>
+
+<p>Rudy was obliged to recount his adventure, whilst the miller stared at
+him with eyes, which grew larger and larger.</p>
+
+<p>"With your courage and with your luck you could take care of three
+wives!" said the miller.</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks! Thanks!" cried Rudy.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>"Yes, but you have not yet Babette!" said the miller as he struck the
+young chamois hunter, jestingly on the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the latest news in the mill?" said the parlour-cat to the
+kitchen-cat. "Rudy has brought us the young eagle and taken Babette in
+exchange. They have kissed each other and the father looked on. That
+is just as good as a betrothal; the old man did not overturn anything,
+he drew in his claws, took his nap and left the two seated, caressing
+each other. They have so much to relate, they will not get through
+till Christmas!"</p>
+
+<p>They had not finished at Christmas.</p>
+
+<p>The wind whistled through the brown foliage, the snow swept through
+the valley as it did on the high mountains. The Ice-Maiden sat in her
+proud castle and arrayed herself in her winter costume; the ice walls
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>stood in glazed frost; where the mountain streams waved their watery
+veil in summer, were now seen thick elephantine icicles, shining
+garlands of ice, formed of fantastic ice crystals, encircled the
+fir-trees, which were powdered with snow.</p>
+
+<p>The Ice-Maiden rode on the blustering wind over the deepest valleys.
+The snow covering lay over all Bex; Rudy stayed in doors more than was
+his wont, and sat with Babette. The wedding was to take place in the
+summer; their friends talked so much of it that it often made their
+ears burn. All was sunshine with them, and the loveliest alpine rose
+was Babette, the sprightly, laughing Babette, who was as charming as
+the early spring; the spring that makes the birds sing, that will
+bring the summer time and the wedding day.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>"How can they sit there and hang over each other," exclaimed the
+parlour-cat, "I am really tired of their eternal mewing!"</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="IX" id="IX"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>IX.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE ICE-MAIDEN.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The early spring time had unfolded the green leaves of the walnut and
+chestnut trees; they were remarkably luxuriant from the bridge of St.
+Maurice to the banks of the lake of Geneva.</p>
+
+<p>The Rhone, which rushes forth from its source, has under the green
+glacier the palace of the Ice-Maiden. She is carried by it and the
+sharp wind to the elevated snow-fields, where she extends herself on
+her damp cushions in the brilliant sunshine. There she sits and gazes,
+with far-seeing sight, upon the valley where mortals busily move about
+like so many ants.</p>
+
+<p>"Beings endowed with mental powers, as the children of the Sun, call
+you," said <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>the Ice-Maiden&mdash;"ye are worms! <i>One</i> snow-ball rolled and
+you and your houses and towns are crushed and swept away!" She raised
+her proud head still higher and looked with death-beaming eyes far
+around and below her. From the valley resounded a rumbling, a blasting
+of rocks, men were making railways and tunnels. "They are playing like
+moles," said she, "they excavate passages, and a noise is made like
+the firing of a gun. When I transpose <i>my</i> castles, it roars louder
+than the rolling of the thunder!"</p>
+
+<p>A smoke arose from the valley and moved along like a floating veil,
+like a waving plume; it was the locomotive which led the train over
+the newly built railroad&mdash;this crooked snake, whose limbs are formed
+of cars upon cars. It shot along with the speed of an arrow.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>"They are playing the masters with their mental powers," said the
+Ice-Maiden, "but the powers of nature are the ruling ones!" and she
+laughed and her laugh was echoed in the valley.</p>
+
+<p>"Now an avalanche is rolling!" said the men below.</p>
+
+<p>Still more loudly sang the children of the Sun; they sang of the
+"thoughts" of men which fetter the sea to the yoke, cut down mountains
+and fill up valleys; of human thoughts which rule the powers of
+nature. At this moment, a company of travellers crossed the snow-field
+where the Maiden sat; they had bound themselves firmly together with
+ropes, in order to form a large body on the smooth ice-field by the
+deep abyss.</p>
+
+<p>"Worms!" said she, "as if you were lords of creation!" She turned from
+them <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>and looked mockingly upon the deep valley, where the cars were
+rushing by.</p>
+
+<p>"There sit those <i>thoughts</i> in their power of strength! I see them
+all!&mdash;There sits one, proud as a king and alone! They sit in masses!
+There, half are asleep! When the steam-dragon stops, they will descend
+and go their way! The thoughts go out into the world!" She laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.</p>
+
+<p>"It will not catch us!" said two on the back of the steam
+dragon;&mdash;"two souls and one thought"&mdash;these were Rudy and Babette; the
+miller was there also.</p>
+
+<p>"As baggage," said he, "I go along, as the indispensable!"</p>
+
+<p>"There sit the two," said the Ice-Maiden, "I have crushed many a
+chamois; I have bent and broken millions of alpine <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>roses, so that no
+roots were left! I shall annihilate <i>them</i>! The thoughts! The mental
+powers!" She laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="X" id="X"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>X.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE GOD-MOTHER.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>In Montreux, one of the adjoining towns, which with Clarens, Vernex
+and Crin forms a garland around the northeast part of the lake of
+Geneva, dwelt Babette's god-mother, a distinguished English lady, with
+her daughters and a young relation. Although she had but lately
+arrived, the miller had already made her his visit and announced
+Babette's engagement; had spoken of Rudy and the eaglet; of the visit
+to Interlaken and in short had told the whole story. This had rejoiced
+her in the highest degree, both for Rudy and Babette's sake, as well
+as for the miller's; they must all visit her&mdash;therefore they came.
+Babette was to see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>her god-mother, and the god-mother was to see
+Babette.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the lake of Geneva, by the little town of Villeneuve,
+lay the steam-boat which after half an hour's trip from Vernex,
+arrived at Montreux. This is one of the coasts which are sung of by
+the poets. Here sat Byron, by the deep bluish green lake, under the
+walnut trees and wrote his melodious verses upon the prisoner of the
+deep sombre castle of Chillon. Here, where Clarens with its weeping
+willows, mirrored itself in the waters, once wandered Rousseau and
+dreamt of Helo&iuml;se. Yonder, where the Rhone glides along under Savoy's
+snow-topped mountains and not far from its mouth, in the lake lies a
+little island, indeed it is so small, that from the coast it is taken
+for a vessel. It is a valley between the rocks, which a lady caused
+to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>be dammed up a hundred years ago and to be covered with earth and
+planted with three acacia-trees, which now shade the whole island.
+Babette was quite charmed with this little spot; they must and should
+go there, yes, it must be charming beyond description to be on the
+island; but the steamer sailed by, and stopped as it should, at
+Vernex.</p>
+
+<p>The little party wandered between the white, sunlighted walls, which
+surround the vineyards of the little mountain town of Montreux,
+through the fig-trees which flourish before every peasant's house and
+in whose gardens, the laurel and cypress trees are green. Half-way up
+the hill stood the boarding house where the god-mother resided.</p>
+
+<p>The reception was very cordial. The god-mother was a large amiable
+person and had a round smiling countenance; as a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>child she must have
+had a real Raphael's angel head, but now it was an old angel's head
+with silvery white hair, well curled. The daughters were tall,
+slender, refined and much dressed. The young cousin who was with them,
+was clad in white from head to foot; he had golden hair and immense
+whiskers; he immediately showed little Babette the greatest attention.</p>
+
+<p>Richly bound books, loose music and drawings lay strewn about the
+large table; the balcony door stood open and one had a view of the
+beautiful out-spread lake, which was so shining, so still, that the
+mountains of Savoy with their little villages, their forest and their
+snowy peaks mirrored themselves in it.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy, who usually was so full of life, so merry and so daring, did not
+feel in his element; he moved about over the smooth <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>floor as though
+he were treading on peas. How wearily the time dragged along, it was
+just as if one was in a tread mill! If they did go walking, why, that
+was just as slow; Rudy could take two steps forwards and two steps
+backwards and still remain in the pace of the others.</p>
+
+<p>When they came to Chillon, (the old sombre castle on the rocky island)
+they entered in order to see the dungeon and the martyr's stake, as
+well as the rusty chains on the wall; the stone bed for those
+condemned to death and the trap-door where the wretched beings impaled
+on iron goads, were hurled into the breakers. It was a place of
+execution elevated through Byron's song to the world of poetry. Rudy
+was sad, he lent over the broad stone sill of the window, gazed into
+the deep blue water and over to the little solitary island with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>its
+three acacias and wished himself there, free from the whole gossiping
+society. Babette was remarkably merry, she had been indescribably
+amused. The cousin found her perfect.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a perfect jackanapes!" said Rudy; this was the first time, that
+he had said something, that did not please her. The Englishman had
+presented her with a little book, as a souvenir of Chillon,&mdash;Byron's
+poem of "The Prisoner of Chillon," in the French language, so that
+Babette might read it.</p>
+
+<p>"The book may be good," said Rudy, "but the finely combed fellow that
+gave it to you does not please me!"</p>
+
+<p>"He looked like a meal-bag, without meal in it!" said the miller and
+laughed at his own wit. Rudy laughed and thought that this was very
+well said.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="XI" id="XI"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>XI.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE COUSIN.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Rudy came to the mill, a couple of days afterwards, he found the
+young Englishman there. Babette had just cooked some trout for him and
+had dressed them with parsley in order to make them appear more
+inviting. That was assuredly not necessary. What did the Englishman
+want here? Did he come in order to have Babette entertain and wait
+upon him?</p>
+
+<p>Rudy was jealous and that amused Babette; it rejoiced her, to learn
+the feelings of his heart, the strong as well as the weak ones.</p>
+
+<p>Until now love had been a play and she played with Rudy's whole heart;
+yet he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>was her happiness, her life's thought, the noblest one! The
+more gloomy he looked, the more her eyes laughed and she would have
+liked to kiss the blonde Englishman with his golden whiskers, if she
+could have succeeded by so doing, in making Rudy rush away furious.
+Then, yes then, she would have known how much he loved her. That was
+not right, that was not wise in little Babette; but she was only
+nineteen! She did not reflect and still less did she think how her
+behaviour towards the young Englishman might be interpreted; for it
+was lighter and merrier than was seemly for the honourable and newly
+affianced daughter of the miller.</p>
+
+<p>The mill lay where the highway slopes&mdash;under the snow covered rocky
+heights&mdash;which are called here, in the language of the country
+"Diablerets" close to a rapid <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>mountain stream, which was of a greyish
+white, like bubbling soap suds. A smaller stream, rushes forth from
+the rocks on the other side of the river, passes through an enclosed,
+broad rafter-made-gutter and turns the large wheel of the mill. The
+gutter was so full of water, that it streamed over and offered a most
+slippery way, to one who had the idea of crossing more quickly to the
+mill; a young man had this idea&mdash;the Englishman. Guided by the light,
+which shone from Babette's window, he arrived in the evening, clothed
+in white, like a miller's boy; he had not learnt to climb and nearly
+tumbled head over heels into the stream, but escaped with wet sleeves
+and splashed pantaloons. He reached Babette's window, muddy and wet
+through, there he climbed into the old linden tree and imitated the
+screech of an owl, for he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>could not sing like any other bird. Babette
+heard it and peeped through the thin curtains, but when she remarked
+the white man and recognized him, her little heart fluttered with
+alarm, but also with anger. She hastily extinguished the light,
+fastened the windows securely and then she let him howl.</p>
+
+<p>If Rudy was in the mill it would have been dreadful, but Rudy was not
+there; no, it was much worse, for he was below. There was loud
+conversation, angry words; there might be blows; yes, perhaps murder.</p>
+
+<p>Babette was terrified; she opened the window, called Rudy's name and
+begged him to go; she said she would not suffer him to remain.</p>
+
+<p>"You will not suffer me to remain," he exclaimed, "then it is a
+preconcerted thing! You were expecting other friends, friends better
+than myself; shame on you, Babette!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>"You are detestable," said Babette, "I hate you!" and she wept. "Go!
+Go!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not deserved this!" said he, and departed. His cheeks burned
+like fire, his heart burned like fire.</p>
+
+<p>Babette threw herself on her bed and wept.</p>
+
+<p>"So much as I love you, Rudy, how can you believe ill of me!"</p>
+
+<p>She was angry, very angry, and this was good for her; otherwise she
+would have sorrowed deeply; but now she could sleep, and she slept the
+strengthening sleep of youth.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="XII" id="XII"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>XII.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE EVIL POWERS.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Rudy forsook Bex and went on his way home, in the fresh, cool air, up
+the snow-covered mountain, where the Ice-Maiden ruled. The leafy trees
+which lay beneath him, looked like potato vines; fir-trees and bushes
+became less frequent; the alpine roses grew in the snow, which lay in
+little spots like linen put out to bleach. There stood a blue anemone,
+he crushed it with the barrel of his gun.</p>
+
+<p>Higher up two chamois appeared and Rudy's eyes gained lustre and his
+thoughts took a new direction; but he was not near enough to make a
+good shot; he ascended still higher, where only stiff grass grows
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>between the blocks of stone; the chamois were quietly crossing the
+snow field; he hurried hastily on; the fog was descending and he
+suddenly stood before the steep rocky wall. The rain commenced to
+fall.</p>
+
+<p>He felt a burning thirst; heat in his head, cold in all his limbs; he
+grasped his hunting flask, but it was empty; he had not thought of
+filling it when he rushed up the hill. He had never been ill, but now
+he was so; he was weary and had a desire to throw himself down to
+sleep, but everything was streaming with water. He endeavoured to
+collect his ideas, but all objects danced before his eyes. Suddenly he
+perceived a newly built house leaning against the rocks and in the
+doorway stood a young girl. Yes, it appeared to him that it was the
+schoolmaster's Annette, whom he had once kissed whilst dancing; but it
+was not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>Annette and yet he had seen her before&mdash;perhaps in
+Grindelwald, on the evening when he returned from the shooting-festival
+at Interlaken.</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you come from?" asked he.</p>
+
+<p>"I am at home," said she, "I tend my flock!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your flock, where do they pasture? Here are only cliffs and snow!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have a ready answer," said she and laughed; "below there is a
+charming meadow! There are my goats! I take good care of them! I lose
+none of them, what is mine, remains mine!"</p>
+
+<p>"You are bold!" said Rudy.</p>
+
+<p>"So are you!" answered she.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any milk? Do give me some, my thirst is intolerable!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have something better than milk," said she, "and you shall have
+it! <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>Travellers came yesterday with their guide, but they forgot a
+flask of wine, such as you have never tasted; they will not come for
+it, I shall not drink it, so drink you!"</p>
+
+<p>She brought the wine, poured it in a wooden cup and handed it to Rudy.</p>
+
+<p>"That is good," said he, "I have never drunk such a warming, such a
+fiery wine!" His eyes beamed, a life, a glow came over him; all sorrow
+and oppression seemed to die away; gushing, fresh human nature stirred
+itself within him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why this is the schoolmaster's Annette," exclaimed he, "give me a
+kiss!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, give me the beautiful ring, which you wear on your finger!"</p>
+
+<p>"My engagement ring?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just that one!" said the young girl and pouring wine into the cup,
+put it to his lips and he drank. Then the joy of life streamed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>in his
+blood; the whole world seemed to belong to him. "Why torment one's
+self? Every thing is made for our enjoyment and happiness! The stream
+of life is the stream of joy, and forgetfulness is felicity!" He
+looked at the young girl, it was Annette and then again not Annette;
+still less, an enchanted phantom, as he had named her, when he met her
+near Grindelwald. The girl on the mountain was fresh as the newly
+fallen snow, blooming as the alpine rose and light as a kid; and a
+human being like Rudy. He wound his arm about her, looked in her
+strange clear eyes, yes, only for a second&mdash;but was it spiritual life
+or was it death which flowed through him? Was he raised on high, or
+did he sink into the deep, murderous ice-pit, deeper and ever deeper?
+He saw icy walls like bluish green glass, numberless clefts yawned
+around, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>the water sounded as it dropped, like a chime of bells;
+it was pearly, clear and shone in bluish white flames. The Ice-Maiden
+gave him a kiss, which made him shiver from head to foot and he gave a
+cry of pain. He staggered and fell; it grew dark before his eyes, but
+soon all became clear to him again; the evil powers had had their
+sport with him.</p>
+
+<p>The alpine maiden had vanished, the mountain hut had vanished, the
+water beat against the bare rocky walls and all around him lay snow.
+Rudy wet to the skin, trembled from cold and his ring had disappeared,
+his engagement ring, which Babette had given him. He tried to fire off
+his rifle which lay near him in the snow but it missed. Humid clouds
+lay in the clefts like firm masses of snow and Vertigo watched for her
+powerless prey; beneath him in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>deep chasm it sounded as if a
+block of the rock was rolling down and was endeavouring to crush and
+tear up all that met it in its fall.</p>
+
+<p>In the mill sat Babette and wept; Rudy had not been there for six
+days; he who had been so wrong; he who must beg her forgiveness,
+because she loved him with her whole heart.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>XIII.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>IN THE MILLER'S HOUSE.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>"What confusion!" said the parlour-cat to the kitchen-cat.</p>
+
+<p>"Now all is wrong between Rudy and Babette. She sits and weeps and he
+thinks no longer on her, I suppose.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot bear it!" said the kitchen-cat.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," said the parlour-cat, "but I shall not worry myself any
+longer about it! Babette can take the red-whiskered one for a dear
+one, but he has not been here either, since he tried to get on the
+roof!"</p>
+
+<p>Within and without, the evil powers ruled, and Rudy knew this, and
+reflected upon what had taken place both around and within him, whilst
+upon the mountain. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>Were those faces, or was all a feverish dream? He
+had never known fever or sickness before. Whilst he condemned Babette,
+he also condemned himself. He thought of the wild, wicked feelings
+which had lately possessed him. Could he confess everything to
+Babette? Every thought, which in the hour of temptation might have
+become a reality? He had lost her ring and by this loss had she won
+him back. Could she confess to him? It seemed as if his heart would
+break when he thought of her; so many recollections passed through his
+soul. He saw her a lively, laughing, petulant child; many a loving
+word, which she had said to him in the fullness of her heart, shot
+like a sunbeam through his breast and soon all there was sunshine for
+Babette.</p>
+
+<p>She must be able to confess to him and she should do so.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>He came to the mill, he came to confession; and this commenced with a
+kiss, and ended with the fact that Rudy was the sinner; his great
+fault was, that he had doubted Babette's fidelity; yes, that was
+indeed atrocious in him! Such mistrust, such violence could bring them
+both into misfortune! Yes, most surely! Thereupon Babette preached him
+a little sermon, which much diverted her and became her charmingly; in
+one article Rudy was quite right; the god-mother's relation was a
+jackanapes! She should burn the book that he had given her, and not
+possess the slightest object which could remind her of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Now it is all arranged," said the parlour-cat, "Rudy is here again,
+they understand each other and that is a great happiness!"</p>
+
+<p>"Last night," said the kitchen-cat, "I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>heard the rats say that the
+greatest happiness was to eat tallow candles, and to have abundance of
+tainted meat. Now who must one believe, the rats or the lovers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither of them," said the parlour-cat, "that is the surest way!"</p>
+
+<p>The greatest happiness for Rudy and Babette was drawing near; they
+were awaiting, so they said, their happiest day, their wedding day.</p>
+
+<p>But the wedding was not to be in the church of Bex, nor in the
+miller's house; the god-mother wished it to be solemnized near her,
+and the marriage ceremony was to take place in the beautiful little
+church of Montreux. The miller insisted that her desire should be
+fulfilled; he alone knew what the god-mother intended for the young
+couple; they were to receive a bridal present from her, which was well
+worth so <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>slight a concession. The day was appointed. They were to
+leave for Villeneuve, in time to arrive at Montreux early in the
+morning, and so enable the god-mother's daughters to dress the bride.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose there will be a wedding here in the house, on the
+following day," said the parlour-cat, "otherwise, I would not give a
+single mew for the whole thing!"</p>
+
+<p>"There will be a feast here," said the kitchen-cat, "the ducks are
+slain, the pigeons necks wrung, and a whole deer hangs on the wall. My
+teeth itch just with looking on! To-morrow the journey commences!"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, to-morrow! Rudy and Babette sat together for the last time in the
+mill.</p>
+
+<p>Without was the alpine glow; the evening bells pealed; the daughters
+of the Sun sang: "What is for the best will take place!"</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>XIV.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>THE VISIONS OF THE NIGHT.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The sun had gone down; the clouds lowered themselves into the Rhone
+valley&mdash;between the high mountains; the wind blew from the south over
+the mountains&mdash;an African wind, a F&ouml;hn,&mdash;which tore the clouds
+asunder. When the wind had passed, all was still for an instant; the
+parted clouds hung in fantastic forms between the forest-grown
+mountains. Over the hastening Rhone, their shapes resembled
+sea-monsters of the primeval world, soaring eagles of the air and
+leaping frogs of the ditches&mdash;they seemed to sink into the rapid
+stream and to sail on the river, yet they still floated in the air.
+The stream <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>carried away a pine tree, torn up by the roots; and the
+water sent whirlpools ahead; this was Vertigo, with her attendants,
+and they danced in circles on the foaming stream. The moon shone on
+the snow of the mountain-peaks; it lighted up the dark forest and the
+singular white clouds; the peasants of the mountain, saw through their
+window panes, the nightly apparitions and the spirits of the powers of
+nature, as they sailed before the Ice-Maiden. She came from her
+glacier castle, she sat in a frail bark, a felled fir-tree; the water
+of the glaciers carried her up the stream out to the main sea.</p>
+
+<p>"The wedding guests are coming!" was whizzed and sung in the air and
+in the water.</p>
+
+<p>Visions without and visions within!</p>
+
+<p>Babette dreamt a wonderful dream.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>It appeared to her, as though she was married to Rudy, and had been so
+for many years. He had gone chamois hunting and as she sat at home,
+the young Englishman with the golden whiskers was beside her; his eyes
+were fiery, his words seemed endowed with magical power; he reached
+her his hand and she was obliged to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>They flew from home. Steadily downwards.</p>
+
+<p>A weight lay upon her heart and it grew ever heavier. It was a sin
+against Rudy, a sin against God; suddenly she stood forsaken. Her
+clothes were torn by the thorns; her hair had grown grey; she looked
+up in her sorrow and she saw Rudy on the edge of the rock. She
+stretched her arms towards him, but she ventured neither to call, nor
+to implore him; but <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>she soon saw that it was not he himself, only his
+hunting coat and hat, which were hanging on his alpine staff, as the
+hunters are accustomed to place them, in order to deceive the chamois!
+Babette moaned in boundless anguish:</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! would that I had died on my wedding day, my happiest day! Oh! my
+heavenly Father! That would have been a mercy, a life's happiness!
+Then we would have obtained, the best, that could have happened to us!
+No one knows his future!" In her impious sorrow, she threw herself
+down the steep precipice. It seemed as if a string broke, and a
+sorrowful tone resounded.</p>
+
+<p>Babette awoke&mdash;the dream was at an end and obliterated; but she knew
+that she had dreamt of something terrible, and of the young
+Englishman, whom she had neither seen, nor thought of, for many
+months. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>Was he perhaps in Montreux? Should she see him at her
+wedding? A slight shadow flitted over her delicate mouth, her brow
+contracted; but her smile soon returned; her eyes sparkled again; the
+sun shone so beautifully without, and to-morrow, yes to-morrow was her
+and Rudy's wedding day.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy had already arrived, when she came down stairs, and they soon
+left for Villeneuve. They were so happy, the two, and the miller also;
+he laughed and was radiant with joy; he was a good father, an honest
+soul.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we are the masters of the house!" said the parlour-cat.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="XV" id="XV"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>XV.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+
+<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was not yet night, when the three joyous people reached Villeneuve
+and took their dinner. The miller seated himself in an arm-chair with
+his pipe and took a little nap. The betrothed went out of the town arm
+in arm, out on the carriage way, under the bush-grown rocks, to the
+deep bluish-green lake. Sombre Chillon, with its grey walls and heavy
+towers, mirrored itself in the clear water; but still nearer lay the
+little island, with its three acacias, and it looked like a bouquet on
+the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"How charming it must be there!" said Babette; she felt again the
+greatest desire to visit it, and this wish could be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>immediately
+fulfilled; for a boat lay on the shore and the rope which fastened it,
+was easy to untie. As no one was visible, from whom they could ask
+permission, they took the boat without hesitation, for Rudy could row
+well. The oars skimmed like the fins of a fish, over the pliant water,
+which is so yielding and still so strong; which is all back to carry,
+but all mouth to engulph; which smiles&mdash;yes, is gentleness itself, and
+still awakens terror&mdash;and is so powerful in destroying. The rapid
+current soon brought the boat to the island; they stepped on land.
+There was just room enough for the two to dance.</p>
+
+<p>Rudy swung Babette three times around, and then they seated themselves
+on the little bench, under the acacias, looked into each other's eyes,
+held each other by the hand, and everything around them shone in the
+splendour of the setting sun. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>forests of fir-trees on the
+mountains became of a pinkish lilac aspect, the colour of blooming
+heath, and where the bare rocks were apparent, they glowed as if they
+were transparent. The clouds in the sky were radiant with a red glow;
+the whole lake was like a fresh flaming rose leaf. As the shadows
+arose to the snow-covered mountains of Savoy, they became dark blue,
+but the uppermost peak seemed like red lava and pointed out for a
+moment, the whole range of mountains, whose masses arose glowing from
+the bosom of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to Rudy and Babette, that they had never seen such an alpine
+glow. The snow-covered Dent-du-Midi, had a lustre like the full moon,
+when it rises to the horizon.</p>
+
+<p>"So much beauty, so much happiness!" they both said.</p>
+
+<p>"Earth can give me no more," said Rudy, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>"an evening hour like this is
+a whole life! How often have I felt as now, and thought that if
+everything should end suddenly, how happily have I lived! How blessed
+is this world! The day ended, a new one dawned and I felt that it was
+still more beautiful! How bountiful is our Lord, Babette!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am so happy!" said she.</p>
+
+<p>"Earth can give me no more!" exclaimed Rudy.</p>
+
+<p>The evening bells resounded from the Savoy and Swiss mountains; the
+bluish-black Jura arose in golden splendour towards the west.</p>
+
+<p>"God give you that which is most excellent and best, Rudy!" said
+Babette.</p>
+
+<p>"He will do that," answered Rudy, "to-morrow I shall have it!
+To-morrow you will be entirely mine! Mine own, little, lovely wife!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>"The boat!" cried Babette at the same moment.</p>
+
+<p>The boat, which was to convey them back, had broken loose and was
+sailing from the island.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go for it!" said Rudy. He threw off his coat, drew off his
+boots, sprang in the lake and swam towards the boat.</p>
+
+<p>The clear, bluish-grey water of the ice mountains, was cold and deep.
+Rudy gave but a single glance and it seemed as though he saw a gold
+ring, rolling, shining and sporting&mdash;he thought on his lost engagement
+ring&mdash;and the ring grew larger, widened into a sparkling circle and
+within it shone the clear glacier; all about yawned endless deep
+chasms; the water dropped and sounded like a chime of bells, and shone
+with bluish-white flames. He saw in a second, what we must say in many
+long words. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>Young hunters and young girls, men and women, who had
+once perished in the glacier, stood there living, with open eyes and
+smiling mouth; deep below them chimed from buried towns the peal of
+church bells; under the arches of the churches knelt the congregation;
+pieces of ice formed the organ pipes, and the mountain stream played
+the organ. On the clear transparent ground sat the Ice-Maiden; she
+raised herself towards Rudy, kissed his feet, and the coldness of
+death ran through his limbs and gave him an electric shock&mdash;ice and
+fire. He could not perceive the difference.</p>
+
+<p>"Mine, mine!" sounded around him and within him.</p>
+
+<p>"I kissed you, when you were young, kissed you on your mouth! Now I
+kiss your feet, you are entirely mine!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>He vanished in the clear blue water.</p>
+
+<p>Everything was still; the church bells stopped ringing; the last tones
+died away with the splendour of the red clouds.</p>
+
+<p>"You are mine!" sounded in the deep. "You are mine!" sounded from on
+high, from the infinite.</p>
+
+<p>How happy to fly from love to love, from earth to heaven!</p>
+
+<p>A string broke, a cry of grief was heard, the icy kiss of death
+conquered; the prelude ended; so that the drama of life might
+commence, discord melted into harmony.&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Do you call this a sad story?</p>
+
+<p>Poor Babette! For her it was a period of anguish.</p>
+
+<p>The boat drifted farther and farther. No one on shore knew that the
+lovers were on the island. The evening darkened, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>clouds lowered
+themselves; night came. She stood there, solitary, despairing,
+moaning. A flash of lightning passed over the Jura mountains, over
+Switzerland and over Savoy. From all sides flash upon flash of
+lightning, clap upon clap of thunder, which rolled continuously many
+minutes. At times the lightning was vivid as sunshine, and you could
+distinguish the grape vines; then all became black again in the dark
+night. The lightning formed knots, ties, zigzags, complicated figures;
+it struck in the lake, so that it lit it up on all sides; whilst the
+noise of the thunder was made louder by the echo. The boat was drawn
+on shore; all living objects sought shelter. Now the rain streamed
+down.</p>
+
+<p>"Where can Rudy and Babette be in this frightful weather!" said the
+miller.</p>
+
+<p>Babette sat with folded hands, with her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>head in her lap, mute with
+sorrow, with screaming and bewailing.</p>
+
+<p>"In the deep water," said she to herself, "he is as far down as the
+glaciers!"</p>
+
+<p>She remembered what Rudy had related to her of his mother's death, of
+his preservation, and how he was withdrawn death-like, from the clefts
+of the glacier. "The Ice-Maiden has him again!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a flash of lightning, as dazzling as the sunlight on the
+white snow. Babette started up; at this instant, the sea rose like a
+glittering glacier; there stood the Ice-Maiden majestic, pale, blue,
+shining, and at her feet lay Rudy's corpse. "Mine!" said she, and then
+all around was fog and night and streaming water.</p>
+
+<p>"Cruel!" moaned Babette, "why must he die, now that the day of our
+happiness approached. God! Enlighten my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>understanding! Enlighten my
+heart! I do not understand thy ways! Notwithstanding all thy
+omnipotence and wisdom, I still grope in the darkness."</p>
+
+<p>God enlightened her heart. A thought like a ray of mercy, her last
+night's dream in all its vividness flashed through her; she remembered
+the words which she had spoken: "the wish for the best for herself and
+Rudy."</p>
+
+<p>"Woe is me! Was that the sinful seed in my heart? Did my dream
+foretell my future life? Is all this misery for my salvation? Me,
+miserable one!"</p>
+
+<p>Lamenting, sat she in the dark night. In the solemn stillness, sounded
+Rudy's last words; the last ones he had uttered: "Earth has no more
+happiness to give me!" She had heard it in the fullness of her joy,
+she heard it again in all the depths of her sorrow.</p>
+
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span><hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<p>A couple of years have passed since then. The lake smiles, the coast
+smiles; the vine branches are filled with ripe grapes; the steamboats
+glide along with waving flags and the pleasure boats float over the
+watery mirror, with their two expanded sails like white butterflies.
+The railroad to Chillon is opened; it leads into the Rhone valley;
+strangers alight at every station; they arrive with their red covered
+guide books and read of remarkable sights which are to be seen. They
+visit Chillon, they stand upon the little island, with its three
+acacias&mdash;out on the lake&mdash;and they read in the book about the
+betrothed ones, who sailed over one evening in the year 1856;&mdash;of the
+death of the bridegroom, and: "it was not till the next morning, that
+the despairing shrieks of the bride were heard on the coast!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>The book does not tell, however, of Babette's quiet life with her
+father; not in the mill, where strangers now dwell, but in the
+beautiful house, near the railway station. There she looks from the
+window many an evening and gazes over the chestnut trees, upon the
+snow mountains, where Rudy once climbed. She sees in the evening hours
+the alpine glow&mdash;the children of the Sun encamp themselves above, and
+repeat the song of the wanderer, whose mantle the whirlwind tore off,
+and carried away: "it took the covering but not the man."</p>
+
+<p>There is a rosy hue on the snow of the mountains; there is a rosy hue
+in every heart, where the thought dwells, that: "God always gives us
+that which is best for us!" but it is not always revealed to us, as it
+once happened to Babette in her dream.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span><br />
+<a name="The_Butterfly" id="The_Butterfly"></a><hr />
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span><br />
+
+<h1>The Butterfly.</h1>
+
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span><br />
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>The butterfly wished to procure a bride for himself&mdash;of course, one of
+the flowers&mdash;a pretty little one. He looked about him. Each one sat
+quietly and thoughtfully on her stalk, as a young maiden should sit,
+when she is not affianced; but there were many of them, and it was a
+difficult matter to choose amongst them. The butterfly could not make
+up his mind; so he flew to the daisy. The French call her
+<i>Marguerite</i>; they know that she can tell fortunes, and she does this
+when lovers pluck off leaf after leaf and ask her at each one a
+question about the beloved one: "How does he love me?&mdash;With all his
+heart?&mdash;With <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>sorrow?&mdash;Above all?&mdash;Can not refrain from it?&mdash;Quite
+secretly?&mdash;A little bit?&mdash;Not at all?"&mdash;or questions to the same
+import. Each one asks in his own language. The butterfly flew towards
+her and questioned her; he did not pluck off the leaves, but kissed
+each separate one, thinking that by so doing, he would make himself
+more agreeable to the good creature.</p>
+
+<p>"Sweet Margaret Daisy," said he, "of all the flowers you are the
+wisest woman! You can prophesy! Tell me, shall I obtain this one or
+that one? Which one? If I but know this, I can fly to the charming one
+at once, and pay my court!"</p>
+
+<p>Margaret did not answer. She could not bear to be called a <i>woman</i>,
+for she was a young girl, and when one is a young girl, one is not a
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>He asked again, he asked a third time, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>but as she did not answer a
+single word, he questioned her no more and flew away without further
+parley, intent on his courtship.</p>
+
+<p>It was early spring time, and there was an abundance of snow-drops and
+crocuses. "They are very neat," said the butterfly, "pretty little
+confirmed ones, but a little green!" He, like all young men looked at
+older girls.</p>
+
+<p>From thence he flew to the anemones; but he found them a little too
+sentimental; the tulips, too showy; the broom, not of a good family;
+the linden blossoms, too small&mdash;then they had so many relations; as to
+the apple blossoms, why to look at them you would think them as
+healthy as roses, but to-day they blossom and to-morrow, if the wind
+blows, they drop off; a marriage with them would be too short. The pea
+blossom pleased him most, she was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>pink and white, she was pure and
+refined and belonged to the housewifely girls that look well, and
+still can make themselves useful in the kitchen. He had almost
+concluded to make love to her, when he saw hanging near to her, a
+pea-pod with its white blossom. "Who is that?" asked he. "That is my
+sister," said the pea blossom.</p>
+
+<p>"How now, is that the way you look when older?" This terrified the
+butterfly and he flew away.</p>
+
+<p>The honeysuckles were hanging over the fence&mdash;young ladies with long
+faces and yellow skins&mdash;but he did not fancy their style of beauty.
+Yes, but which did he like? Ask him!</p>
+
+<p>The spring passed, the summer passed, and then came the autumn. The
+flowers appeared in their most beautiful dresses, but of what avail
+was this? The butterfly's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>fresh youthful feelings had vanished. In
+old age, the heart longs for fragrance, and dahlias and gillyflowers
+are scentless. So the butterfly flew to the mint. "She has no flower
+at all, but she is herself a flower, for she is fragrant from head to
+foot and each leaf is filled with perfume. I shall take her!"</p>
+
+<p>But the mint stood stiff and still, and at last said: "Friendship&mdash;but
+nothing more! I am old and you are old! We can live very well for one
+another, but to marry? No! Do not let us make fools of ourselves in
+our old age."</p>
+
+<p>So the butterfly obtained no one.</p>
+
+<p>The butterfly remained a bachelor.</p>
+
+<p>Many violent and transient showers came late in the autumn; the wind
+blew so coldly down the back of the old willow trees, that it cracked
+within them. It did not do to fly about in summer garments, for even
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>love itself would then grow cold. The butterfly however preferred not
+to fly out at all; he had by chance entered a door-way, and there was
+fire in the stove&mdash;yes, it was just as warm there, as in
+summer-time;&mdash;there he could live. "Life is not enough," said he, "one
+must have sunshine, liberty and a little flower!"</p>
+
+<p>He flew against the window-panes, was seen, was run through by a pin
+and placed in a curiosity-box; one could not do more for him.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I also am seated on a stalk like a flower," said the butterfly,
+"it is not so comfortable after all! But it is as well as being
+married, for then one is tied down!" He consoled himself with this.</p>
+
+<p>"What a wretched consolation!" said the flower, that grew in the pot
+in the room.</p>
+
+<p>"One can not entirely trust to flowers <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>that grow in pots," thought
+the butterfly, "they have too much intercourse with men."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span><br />
+<a name="The_Psyche" id="The_Psyche"></a><hr />
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span><br />
+
+<h1>The Psyche.</h1>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span><br />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>A large star beams in the dawn of morning in the red sky&mdash;the
+clearest star of the morning&mdash;its rays tremble upon the white wall, as
+if they wished to write down and relate, the scenes which they had
+witnessed during many centuries.</p>
+
+<p>Listen to one of these stories!</p>
+
+<p>A short time ago&mdash;(this <i>not long ago</i> is with us men&mdash;centuries)&mdash;my
+rays followed a young artist; it was in the realm of the Pope, in the
+city of the world, in Rome. Many changes have been made, but the
+imperial palace, was, as it is to-day, a ruin; between the overthrown
+marble columns and over the ruined bath-rooms, whose walls <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>were still
+decorated with gold, grew fig and laurel trees. The Colosseum was a
+ruin; the church bells rang, the incense arose and processions passed
+through the streets with tapers and gorgeous canopies. The Church was
+holy, and art was lofty and holy also. In Rome dwelt Raphael, the
+greatest painter of the world, here also dwelt Michael Angelo, the
+greatest sculptor of the age; even the Pope did homage to them both,
+and honoured them with his visits. Art was recognized, honoured and
+rewarded. All greatness and excellence is not seen and recognized.</p>
+
+<p>In a little narrow street, stood an old house, which had once been a
+temple; here dwelt a young artist; he was poor, he was unknown; it is
+true that he had young friends, artists also, young in feelings, in
+hopes, and in thoughts. They told him, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>that he was rich in talents
+and excellence but that he needed confidence in himself. He was never
+satisfied with his work and either destroyed all that he modeled or
+left it unfinished; this is not the proper course to adopt, if one
+would be known, appreciated and live.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a dreamer," said they, "this is your misfortune! You have not
+yet lived, you have not inhaled life in large healthy draughts, you
+have not yet enjoyed it. One should do this in youth and become a man!
+Look at the great master Raphael whom the Pope honours and the world
+admires,&mdash;he takes wine and bread with him."</p>
+
+<p>"He dines with the baker's wife, the pretty Fornarina!" said Angelo,
+one of the merry young friends.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, they all appealed to his good sense and to his youth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>They wished to have the young artist join them in their merry-makings,
+in their extravagances and in their mad tricks; he would do so for a
+short time, for his blood was warm, his imagination strong; he could
+take his part in their merry conversation, and laugh as loudly as the
+others; and yet "the merry life of Raphael," as they named it,
+vanished from him like the morning mist, when he saw the godlike
+lustre which shone forth from the paintings of the great masters, or
+when he stood in the Vatican and beheld the forms of beauty, which the
+old sculptors had fashioned from blocks of marble, centuries ago. His
+breast swelled, he felt something so lofty, so holy, so elevated
+within him, yes, something so great and good, that he longed to create
+and chisel like forms from marble blocks. He desired to give
+expression to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>feelings which agitated his heart; but how and in
+what shape? The soft clay allowed itself to be modeled into beautiful
+figures by his fingers, but on the following day, dissatisfied, he
+destroyed all he had created.</p>
+
+<p>One day he passed by one of the rich palaces, of which Rome has so
+many; he stood a moment at the large open entrance, and gazed into a
+little garden, full of the most beautiful roses, which was surrounded
+by archways, decorated with paintings. Large, white callas, with their
+green leaves, sprouted forth from marble shells, into which splashed
+clear water; a form glided by, a young girl, the daughter of this
+princely house, so elegant, so light, so charming! He had never seen
+so lovely a woman. Hold! yes, once, one made by Raphael, a painting of
+Psyche, in one of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>the palaces of Rome. There she was but painted,
+here she breathed and moved.</p>
+
+<p>She lived in his thoughts and in his heart; he went home to his poor
+lodgings and formed a Psyche out of clay; it was the rich, young Roman
+girl, the princely woman, and he gazed at his work with satisfaction,
+for the first time. This had a signification&mdash;it was <i>She</i>. When his
+friends looked upon it, they exclaimed with joy, that this work was a
+revelation of his artistic greatness, which they had always
+recognized, but which now should be recognized by the whole world.</p>
+
+<p>Clay is natural, flesh like, but it has not the whiteness, the
+durability of marble; the Psyche must obtain life from the block of
+marble&mdash;and he had the most precious piece of marble. It had been the
+property of his parents, and had been lying many years, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>in the court
+yard; bits of broken bottles, remains of artichokes were heaped over
+it and it was soiled, but its interior was white as the mountain snow;
+the Psyche should rise forth from it.</p>
+
+<p>One day, it so happened&mdash;it is true, that the clear stars do not
+relate it, for they did not see it, but we know it&mdash;that a
+distinguished Roman party, came to view the young artist's work, of
+which they had casually heard. Who were the distinguished visitors?
+Poor young man! All too happy young man, one may call him also. Here
+in his room stood the young girl herself&mdash;with what a smile&mdash;when her
+father said: "You are that, living!" One cannot picture the look, one
+cannot render the look, the strange look with which she glanced at the
+young artist; it was a look which elevated, ennobled and&mdash;destroyed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>"The Psyche must be executed in marble!" said the rich man. This was a
+word of life, for the dead clay and for the heavy block of marble; it
+was also a word of life for the young man who was overcome by emotion.
+"I will buy it, as soon as the work is completed!" said the princely
+man.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though a new era had dawned in the poor work-room;
+occupation, life and gayety, lighted it up. The beaming morning star
+saw how the work progressed. Even the clay had been endowed with a
+soul, since <i>she</i> had been there, and he bent entranced over the well
+known features.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I know what life is," he exclaimed with delight, "it is love! it
+is the elevation of the heart to the divine, it is rapture for the
+beautiful! What my friends call life and enjoyment, is perishable,
+like bubbles <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>in the fermenting lees, not the pure, heavenly wine of
+the altar, the consecration of life!"</p>
+
+<p>The marble block was erected, the chisel hewed away large pieces; the
+labourer's part was done, marks and points placed, until little by
+little, the stone became a body, a shape of beauty&mdash;the Psyche&mdash;as
+charming as was the woman made by God. The massive stone became a
+soaring, dancing, airy, light and graceful Psyche, with a heavenly,
+innocent smile, the smile that had been mirrored in the young
+sculptor's heart.</p>
+
+<p>The star, in the rosy-tinted morning saw, and partly understood what
+was agitating the mind of the young man; it understood as well, the
+varying colour of his checks and the glance of his eye, whilst he
+created, as though inspired by God.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>"You are a master like those in the days of the Greeks," said his
+enchanted friends, "the world will soon admire your Psyche!"</p>
+
+<p>"My Psyche," he repeated, "mine, yes, that she must be! I am also an
+artist like the great departed ones! God has granted gifts of mercy to
+me, and has elevated me to the highly born!"</p>
+
+<p>He sank, weeping, on his knees and offered up his thanks to God&mdash;but
+forgot him again for her, for her portrait in marble, for the Psyche
+form, that stood before him, as though cut out of snow, blushing, in
+the morning sun.</p>
+
+<p>He should see her, the living, floating one, in reality; she, whose
+words sounded like music. He would himself carry the tidings, that the
+marble Psyche was completed, to the rich palace. He arrived, passed
+through the open court-yard, where <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>the water splashed from dolphin's
+mouths into marble shells, where callas bloomed and fresh roses
+blossomed. He stepped into the large, lofty hall, whose walls and
+ceilings were gorgeous with brilliant colours, with paintings and
+armorial bearings. Well dressed and haughty servants, holding up their
+heads, (like sleigh horses with their bells,) were pacing up and down;
+some of them had even stretched themselves out comfortably and
+insolently on the carved wooden benches; they appeared to be the
+masters of the house. He named his business, and was conducted up the
+marble steps, which were covered with soft carpets. On each side stood
+statues. Then he came to richly decorated apartments, hung with
+paintings and with mosaic floors.</p>
+
+<p>This pomp, this splendour made him breathe a little heavily, but he
+soon felt <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>reassured; for the old prince, received him kindly, almost
+cordially. After they had spoken, as he was taking leave, he begged
+him to visit the young Signora, for she also wished to see him. The
+servants led him through magnificent chambers and corridors to her
+apartments, of which she was the glory and splendour.</p>
+
+<p>She spoke with him! No Miserere, no church song could have melted the
+heart more, or have more elevated the soul, than did the music of her
+voice. He seized her hand and pressed it to his lips&mdash;no rose is so
+soft, but a fire proceeds from this rose&mdash;a fire streams through him
+and his breast heaves; words streamed from his lips, but he knew not
+what he said. Does the crater know that it throws forth burning lava?
+He told her his love. She stood there, surprised, insulted, proud,
+yes, scornful; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>with an expression on her face as though a damp,
+clammy frog had suddenly touched her. Her cheeks coloured, her lips
+grew pale, her eyes were on fire, and still black as the darkness of
+night.</p>
+
+<p>"Frantic creature! Away, away!" said she, as she turned her back upon
+him. Her face of beauty seemed turned to stone, like unto the Medusa's
+head with its serpent locks. He descended to the street, a weak,
+lifeless thing; he entered his room like a night-walker, and in the
+rage of his grief, he seized his hammer, brandished it high in the air
+and sought to destroy the beautiful marble form. He did not
+observe&mdash;so excited was he&mdash;that Angelo, his friend, stood near him,
+and arrested his arm with a firm grasp.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you become mad? What would you do?" They struggled with each
+other. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>Angelo was the stronger, and with a deep drawn breath, he
+threw the young artist on a chair.</p>
+
+<p>"What has occurred?" asked Angelo, "Collect yourself! Speak!"</p>
+
+<p>What could he say? What could he tell? As Angelo could not seize the
+thread of his discourse, he let it drop.</p>
+
+<p>"Your blood grows thick with this eternal dreaming! Be human, like
+others and live not in the clouds! Drink, until you become slightly
+intoxicated, then you will sleep well! The young girl from the
+Campagna, is as beautiful as the princess in the marble palace, they
+are both daughters of Eve, and can not be distinguished one from the
+other in Paradise! Follow your Angelo! I am your good angel, the angel
+of your life! A time will come when you are old, when the body will
+dwindle and some <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>beautiful sunshiny day, when everything laughs and
+rejoices, you will lie like a withered straw! I do not believe what
+the priests say, that there is a life beyond the grave! It is a pretty
+fancy, a fairy tale for children, delightful to think upon. I do not
+live in imagination, but in reality! Come with me! Become a man!"</p>
+
+<p>He drew him away, he could do this now, for there was a fire in the
+young artist's blood, a change in his soul; an ardent desire to tear
+himself away from all his wonted ways, from all accustomed thoughts;
+to forget his old self&mdash;and to-day he followed Angelo.</p>
+
+<p>In the suburbs, lay an osteria, which was much frequented by artists;
+it was built in the ruins of a bathing chamber. Amongst the dark
+shining foliage, hung large yellow lemons which covered a portion of
+the old <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>reddish-yellow wall. The osteria was a deep vault, almost
+like a hollow in the ruins; within, a lamp burned before the image of
+the Madonna; a large fire flamed on the hearth, for here they roasted,
+cooked and prepared the dishes for the guests. Without, under the
+lemon and laurel trees, stood tables ready set.</p>
+
+<p>They were received merrily and rejoicingly by their friends; they ate
+little and drank much and became gay; they sang, and played on the
+guitar; the Saltarello sounded and the dance began. Two Roman girls,
+models of the young artists, joined in the dance and merriment; two
+pretty Bacchante! They had no Psyche forms, they were not delicate
+beautiful roses, but fresh, healthy flaming pinks.</p>
+
+<p>How warm it was on this day, even warm at sundown! Fire in the blood,
+fire in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>air, fire in every glance. The air swam in gold and
+roses, life was gold and roses.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you have at last joined us! Allow yourself to be carried away by
+the current within and without you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I never felt so well and joyous before!" said the young artist. "You
+are right, you are all of you right. I was a fool, a dreamer; man
+belongs to reality and not to fancy!"</p>
+
+<p>The young man left the osteria, in the clear starry evening, with song
+and tinkling guitars, and passed through the narrow streets. The
+daughters of the Campagna, the two flaming pinks, were in their train.</p>
+
+<p>In Angelo's room, the voices sounded more suppressed but not less
+fiery, amongst the scattered sketches, the outlines, the glowing,
+voluptuous paintings; amongst the drawings on the floor there was many
+a sketch of vigorous beauty, like unto the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>daughters of the Campagna,
+yet they themselves were much more beautiful. The six-armed lamp
+glowed brightly, and the human forms warmed and shone like gods.</p>
+
+<p>"Apollo! Jupiter! I elevate myself to your heaven, to your glory!
+Methinks, that the flower of my life has unfolded within my heart!"
+Yes, it did unfold&mdash;it withered and fell to pieces; a stunning,
+loathsome vapour arose, dazzling the sight, benumbing the thoughts,
+extinguishing his sensual, fiery emotions, and all was dark. He went
+home, sat down on his bed, and thought. "Fie!" sounded from his lips,
+from the bottom of his heart. "Miserable wretch! away! away!"&mdash;and he
+sighed sorrowfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Away! Away!" These, her words, the words of the living Psyche,
+weighed upon him, and flowed from his lips. He <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>bowed his head upon
+the pillows, his thoughts became confused and he slept.</p>
+
+<p>At the dawn of day he started up.&mdash;What was this? Was it a dream? Were
+her words, the visit to the osteria, the evening with the purple red
+pinks of the Campagna but a dream?&mdash;No, all was reality; he had not
+known this before.</p>
+
+<p>The clear star beamed in the purple-tinted air, its rays fell upon
+him, and upon the marble Psyche; he trembled whilst he contemplated
+the image of immortality, his glance even appeared impure to him. He
+threw a covering over it, he touched it once more in order to veil its
+form, but he could not view his work.</p>
+
+<p>Still, sombre, buried in his own meditations, he sat there the whole
+day; he took no heed of what passed around him, no one knew what was
+agitating this human heart. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>Days passed by, weeks passed by; the
+nights were the longest. One morning, the twinkling star saw him rise
+from his couch&mdash;pale&mdash;trembling with fever; he walked to the marble
+statue, lifted the cover, gazed upon his work with a sorrowful, deep,
+long look, and then almost sinking under the weight, he drew the
+statue into the garden. There was a sunken, dried-up well, within it,
+into which he lowered the Psyche, threw earth upon it and covered the
+fresh grave with small sticks and nettles.</p>
+
+<p>"Away! Away," was the short funereal service.</p>
+
+<p>The star in the rosy red atmosphere saw this, and two heavy tears
+trembled on the deathly pale cheeks of the fever sick one&mdash;sick unto
+death, as they called him.</p>
+
+<p>The lay brother Ignatius came to him <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>as a friend and as a physician.
+He came, and with the consoling words of religion, he spoke of the
+peace and happiness of the church, of the sins of man, of the mercy
+and peace of God.</p>
+
+<p>The words fell like warm sun beams on the moist, fermenting ground;
+they dispersed and cleared away the misty clouds, from the troubled
+thoughts which had held possession of him; he gazed upon his past
+life; everything had been a failure, a deception&mdash;yes, <i>had been</i>. Art
+was an enchantress, that but leads us into vanity, into earthly
+pleasures. We become false to ourselves, false to our friends, false
+to our God. The serpent speaks ever in us: "Taste and thou shalt
+become like unto God."</p>
+
+<p>Now, for the first time, he appeared to understand himself, to have
+discovered the road to truth, to peace.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>In the church was God's light and brightness, in the monk's cell was
+found that peace, which enables man to obtain eternal bliss.</p>
+
+<p>Brother Ignatius supported him in these thoughts, and the decision was
+firmly made&mdash;a worldling became a servant of the church;&mdash;the young
+artist took leave of the world, and entered the cloister.</p>
+
+<p>How joyfully, how cordially the brothers greeted him! How festive the
+ordination! It seemed to him that God was in the sunshine of the
+church, and beamed within it, from the holy pictures and from the
+shining cross. He stood in the evening sunset, in his little cell, and
+opened his window and gazed in the spring-time over old Rome&mdash;with her
+broken temples, her massive, but dead Colosseum; her blooming acacias,
+her flourishing evergreens, her fragrant roses, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>her shining lemons
+and oranges, her palm trees fanned by the breeze&mdash;and felt touched and
+satisfied. The quiet, open Campagna extended to the blue snow-topped
+mountains, which appeared to be painted on the air. Everything
+breathed beauty and peace. The whole&mdash;a dream!</p>
+
+<p>Yes, the world here was a dream, and the dream ruled the hours and
+returned to hours again. But the life of a cloister is a life of many,
+many long years.</p>
+
+<p>Man is naturally impure and he felt this! What flames were these, that
+at times glowed through him? Was it the power of the Evil One, that
+caused these wild thoughts to rage constantly within him? He punished
+his body, but without effect. What portion of his mind was that, which
+wound itself around him, pliable as a serpent, and which crept about
+his conscience <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>under a loving cloak and consoled him! The saints pray
+for us, the holy Virgin prays for us, Jesus himself gave his blood for
+us!</p>
+
+<p>Was it a childlike feeling, or the levity of youth, that had induced
+him to give himself up to grace, and which made him feel elevated
+above so many? For had he not cast away the vanity of the world, was
+he not a son of the church?</p>
+
+<p>One day, after many years, he met Angelo, who recognized him.</p>
+
+<p>"Man," said he, "yes, it is you! Are you happy now? You have sinned
+against God, and cast his gifts of mercy away from you; you have
+gambled away your vocation for this world. Read the parable of the
+entrusted pledge. The Master who related it, spoke but truth! What
+have you won and found after all? Do not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>make a dream life for
+yourself! Make a religion for yourself, as all do. Suppose all is but
+a dream, a fancy, a beautiful thought!"</p>
+
+<p>"Get thee from behind me, Satan!" said the monk, and forsook Angelo.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a devil, a devil personified! I saw him to-day," murmured the
+monk, "I reached him but a finger, and he took my whole hand! No,"
+sighed he, "the wickedness is in myself; it is also in this man, but
+he is not tormented by it; he walks with elevated brow, he has his
+enjoyment; I but clutch at the consolation of the church for my
+welfare! But if this is only consolation! If all here consists of
+beautiful thoughts and but resemble those which beguiled me in the
+world? Is it but a deception like unto the beauty of the red evening
+clouds and like unto the blue <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>wave-like beauty of the distant
+mountains! Seen near, how changed! Eternity, art thou like unto the
+great infinite, calm ocean, which beckons to us, calls us, fills us
+with presentiments, and if we venture upon it, we sink, we
+vanish&mdash;die&mdash;cease to be?&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Deceit! away! away!"</p>
+
+<p>He sat tearless on his hard couch, desolate, kneeling&mdash;before whom?
+Before the stone cross which was placed in the wall? No, habit alone
+caused his body to bend.</p>
+
+<p>The deeper he read within himself, the darker all appeared to him.
+"Nothing within, nothing without! Life thrown away!" This thought,
+crushed him&mdash;expunged him.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare confide to none the doubts which consume me! My prisoner is my
+secret and if it escape I am lost!"</p>
+
+<p>The power of God, wrestled within him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>"Lord! Lord!" he exclaimed in his despair, "be merciful, give me
+faith! I cast thy gifts of mercy from me and my vocation for this
+world! I prayed for strength and thou hast not given it to me.
+Immortality! The Psyche in my breast&mdash;away! away!&mdash;Must it be buried
+like yon Psyche, the light of my life? Never to arise from the grave!"</p>
+
+<p>The star beamed in the rosy red atmosphere, the star which will be
+lost and will vanish, whilst the soul lives and emits light. Its
+trembling ray fell upon the white wall, but it spoke not of the glory
+of God, of the grace, the eternal love which beams in the breast of
+every believer.</p>
+
+<p>"Can the Psyche never die?&mdash;Can one live with consciousness?&mdash;Can the
+impossible take place?&mdash;Yes! Yes! My being is inexplicable.
+Inconceivable art thou, oh <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>Lord! A wonder of might, glory and love!"</p>
+
+<p>His eyes beamed, his eyes closed. The peal of the church bells passed
+over the dead one. He was laid in holy ground and his ashes mingled
+with the dust of strangers.</p>
+
+<p>Years afterwards, his bones were exhumed and stood in a niche in the
+cloisters, as had stood those of the dead monks before him; they were
+dressed in the brown cowl, a rosary of beads placed in his hand, the
+sun shone without, incense perfumed within, and mass was read.&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Years rolled by.</p>
+
+<p>The bones and legs fell asunder. They stood up the skulls, and with
+them, formed the whole outside wall of a church. There he stood in the
+burning sunshine; there were so many, many dead, they did not know
+their names, much less his.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>See, something living moved in the sunshine in the two eye sockets;
+what was that? A brilliant lizard was running about in the hollow
+skull, slipping in and out of the large, empty sockets. This was now
+the life in the head, where once elevated thoughts, brilliant dreams,
+love for art and the magnificent had been rife; from which hot tears
+had rolled and where the hope of immortality had lived. The lizard
+leaped out and disappeared; the skull crumbled away and became dust to
+dust.&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Centuries passed. Unchanged, the star, clear and large, beamed on as
+it had done for centuries. The atmosphere shone with a red rosy hue,
+fresh as roses, flaming as blood.</p>
+
+<p>Where there had once been a little street with the remains of an old
+temple, now stood a convent; a grave was dug in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>garden, for a
+young nun had died, and she was to be lowered in the earth at this
+early hour of the morning. The spade struck against a stone which
+appeared of a dazzling whiteness&mdash;the white marble came forth&mdash;it
+rounded into a shoulder;&mdash;they used the spade with care, and a female
+head became visible&mdash;butterfly wings. They raised from the grave, in
+which the young nun was to be laid on this rosy morning, a gloriously
+beautiful Psyche-form, chiseled from white marble.</p>
+
+<p>"How magnificent! How perfect a master work!" they said. "Who can the
+artist be?" He was unknown. None knew him, save the clear star, which
+had been beaming for centuries; it knew the course of his earthly
+life, his trials, his failings; it knew that he was: "but a man!" But
+he was dead, dispersed as dust must <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>and shall be; but the result of
+his best efforts, the glory which pointed out the divine within him,
+the Psyche, which never dies, which surpasses in brightness, all
+earthly renown, this remained, was seen, acknowledged, admired and
+beloved.</p>
+
+<p>The clear morning star in the rosy tinted sky, cast its most radiant
+beams upon the Psyche, and upon the smile of happiness about the mouth
+and eyes of the admiring ones, who beheld the soul, chiseled in the
+marble block.</p>
+
+<p>That which is earthly passes away, and is forgotten; only the star in
+the infinite knows of it. That which is heavenly surpasses renown; for
+renown, fame and earthly glory die away, but&mdash;the Psyche lives
+forever!</p>
+
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span><br />
+<a name="The_Snail" id="The_Snail"></a><hr />
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span><br />
+
+<h1>The Snail and the Rose-Tree.</h1>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span><br />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>A hedge of hazel-nut bushes encircled the garden; without was field
+and meadow, with cows and sheep; but in the centre of the garden stood
+a rose-tree, and under it sat a snail&mdash;she had much within her, she
+had herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait, until my time comes," said she, "I shall accomplish something
+more than putting forth roses, bearing nuts, or giving milk, like the
+cows and sheep!"</p>
+
+<p>"I expect something fearfully grand," said the rose-tree, "may I ask
+when it will take place?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take my time," said the snail, "you are in too great a hurry,
+and when <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>this is the case, how can one's expectations be fulfilled?"</p>
+
+<p>The next year the snail lay in about the same spot under the
+rose-tree, which put forth buds and developed roses, ever fresh, ever
+new. The snail half crept forth, stretched out its feelers and drew
+itself in again.</p>
+
+<p>"Everything looks as it did a year ago! No progress has been made; the
+rose-tree still bears roses; it does not get along any farther!"</p>
+
+<p>The summer faded away, the autumn passed, the rose-tree constantly
+bore flowers and buds, until the snow fell, and the weather was raw
+and damp. The rose-tree bent itself towards the earth, the snail crept
+in the earth.</p>
+
+<p>A new year commenced; the roses came out, and the snail came out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>"Now you are an old rose bush," said the snail, "you will soon die
+away. You have given the world everything that you had in you; whether
+that be much or little is a question, upon which I have not time to
+reflect. But it is quite evident, that you have not done the slightest
+thing towards your inward developement; otherwise I suppose that
+something different would have sprung from you. Can you answer this?
+You will soon be nothing but a stick! Can you understand what I say?"</p>
+
+<p>"You startle me," said the rose-tree, "I have never thought upon
+that!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I suppose that you have never meddled much with thinking! Can you
+tell me why you blossom? And how it comes to pass? How? Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the rose-tree, "I blossom <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>with pleasure because I could
+not do otherwise. The sun was so warm, the air so refreshing, I drank
+the clear dew and the fortifying rain; I breathed, I lived! A strength
+came to me from the earth, a strength came from above, I felt a
+happiness, ever new, ever great and therefore I must blossom ever,
+that was my life, I could not do otherwise!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have led a very easy life!" said the snail.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, everything has been given to me," said the rose-tree, "but
+still more has been given to you. You are one of those meditative,
+pensive, profound natures, one of the highly gifted, that astound the
+whole world!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have assuredly no such thought in my mind," said the snail, "the
+world is nothing to me! What have I to do with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>the world? I have
+enough with myself, and enough in myself!"</p>
+
+<p>"But should we not all, here on earth, give the best part of us to
+others? Offer what we can!&mdash;It is true, that I have only given
+roses&mdash;but you? You who have received so much, what have you given to
+the world? What do you give her?"</p>
+
+<p>"What I have given? What I give? I spit upon her! She is good for
+nothing! I have nought to do with her. Put forth roses, you can do no
+more! Let the hazel bushes bear nuts! Let the cows and sheep give
+milk; they have each their public, I have mine within myself! I retire
+within myself, and there I remain. The world is nothing to me!"</p>
+
+<p>And thereupon the snail withdrew into her house and closed it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>"That is so sad," said the rose-tree, "with the best will, I cannot
+creep in, I must ever spring out, spring forth in roses. The leaves
+drop off and are blown away by the wind. Yet, I saw one of the roses
+laid in the hymn-book of the mother of the family; one of my roses was
+placed upon the breast of a charming young girl, and one was kissed
+with joy by a child's mouth. This did me so much good, it was a real
+blessing! That is my recollection, my life!"</p>
+
+<p>And the rose-tree flowered in innocence, and the snail sat
+indifferently in her house. The world was nothing to her.</p>
+
+<p>And years passed away. The snail became earth to earth and the
+rose-tree became earth to earth; the remembrances in the hymn-book
+were also blown away&mdash;but new rose-trees bloomed in the garden, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>new
+snails grew in the garden; they crept in their houses and spat.&mdash;The
+world is nothing to them.</p>
+
+<p>Shall we read the story of the past again? It will not be different.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Typographical errors corrected in text:</p>
+<br />
+Page 104: &nbsp; succeded replaced with succeeded<br />
+Page 116: &nbsp; petulent replaced with petulant<br />
+Page 144: &nbsp; prefered replaced with preferred<br />
+Page 167: &nbsp; 'were' capitalized to 'Were' (new sentence)<br />
+Page 170: &nbsp; ordonation replaced with ordination<br />
+Page 174: &nbsp; beckens replaced with beckons<br />
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by 
+Hans Christian Andersen
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+</pre>
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+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/18604.txt b/18604.txt
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+++ b/18604.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by
+Hans Christian Andersen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales.
+
+Author: Hans Christian Andersen
+
+Translator: Fanny Fuller
+
+Release Date: June 16, 2006 [EBook #18604]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ICE-MAIDEN: AND OTHER TALES. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Jeannie Howse and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Transcriber's Note:                                          |
+    |                                                              |
+    | Inconsistent hyphenation matches the original document.      |
+    |                                                              |
+    | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected |
+    | in this text. For a complete list, please see the bottom of  |
+    | this document.                                               |
+    |                                                              |
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE
+ICE-MAIDEN:
+AND OTHER TALES.
+
+
+By
+HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
+
+
+TRANSLATED
+By
+FANNY FULLER
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA: F. LEYPOLDT.
+1863.
+
+
+
+
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by
+F. LEYPOLDT,
+In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States in
+and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
+
+
+PRINTED BY KING & BAIRD.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                        Page
+
+THE ICE-MAIDEN                                             7
+
+THE BUTTERFLY                                            139
+
+THE PSYCHE                                               149
+
+THE SNAIL AND THE ROSE-TREE                              183
+
+
+
+
+The Ice-Maiden.
+
+
+
+
+I.
+
+LITTLE RUDY.
+
+
+Let us visit Switzerland and look around us in the glorious country of
+mountains, where the forest rises out of steep rocky walls; let us
+ascend to the dazzling snow-fields, and thence descend to the green
+plains, where the rivulets and brooks hasten away, foaming up, as if
+they feared not to vanish, as they reached the sea.
+
+The sun beams upon the deep valley, it burns also upon the heavy
+masses of snow; so that after the lapse of years, they melt into
+shining ice-blocks, and become rolling avalanches and heaped-up
+glaciers.
+
+Two of these lie in the broad clefts of the rock, under the
+Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn, near the little town of Grindelwald. They
+are so remarkable that many strangers come to gaze at them, in the
+summer time, from all parts of the world; they come over the high
+snow-covered mountains, they come from the deepest valleys, and they
+are obliged to ascend during many hours, and as they ascend, the
+valley sinks deeper and deeper, as though seen from an air-balloon.
+
+Far around the peaks of the mountains, the clouds often hang like
+heavy curtains of smoke; whilst down in the valley, where the many
+brown wooden houses lie scattered about, a sun-beam shines, and here
+and there brings out a tiny spot, in radiant green, as though it were
+transparent. The water roars, froths and foams below, the water hums
+and tinkles above, and it looks as if silver ribbons were fluttering
+over the cliffs.
+
+On each side of the way, as one ascends, are wooden houses; each house
+has a little potato-garden, and that is a necessity, for in the
+door-way are many little mouths. There are plenty of children, and
+they can consume abundance of food; they rush out of the houses, and
+throng about the travellers, come they on foot or in carriage. The
+whole horde of children traffic; the little ones offer prettily carved
+wooden houses, for sale, similar to those they build on the mountains.
+Rain or shine, the children assemble with their wares.
+
+Some twenty years ago, there stood here, several times, a little boy,
+who wished to sell his toys, but he always kept aloof from the other
+children; he stood with serious countenance and with both hands
+tightly clasped around his wooden box, as if he feared it would slip
+away from him; but on account of this gravity, and because the boy was
+so small, it caused him to be remarked, and often he made the best
+bargain, without knowing why. His grandfather lived still higher in
+the mountains, and it was he who carved the pretty wooden houses.
+There stood in the room, an old cup-board, full of carvings; there
+were nut-crackers, knives, spoons, and boxes with delicate foliage,
+and leaping chamois; there was everything, which could rejoice a merry
+child's eye, but this little fellow, (he was named Rudy) looked at and
+desired only the old gun under the rafters. His grandfather had said,
+that he should have it some day, but that he must first grow big and
+strong enough to use it.
+
+Small as the boy was, he was obliged to take care of the goats, and if
+he who can climb with them is a good guardian, well then indeed was
+Rudy. Why he climbed even higher than they! He loved to take the
+bird's nests from the trees, high in the air, for he was bold and
+daring; and he only smiled when he stood by the roaring water-fall, or
+when he heard a rolling avalanche.
+
+He never played with the other children; he only met them, when his
+grandfather sent him out to sell his carvings, and Rudy took but
+little interest in this; he much preferred to wander about the rocks,
+or to sit and listen to his grandfather relate about old times and
+about the inhabitants of Meiringen, where he came from. He said that
+these people had not been there since the beginning of the world; they
+had come from the far North, where the race called Swedes, dwelt. To
+know this, was indeed great wisdom, and Rudy knew this; but he became
+still wiser, through the intercourse which he had with the other
+occupants of the house--belonging to the animal race. There was a
+large dog, Ajola, an heir-loom from Rudy's father; and a cat, and she
+was of great importance to Rudy, for she had taught him to climb.
+"Come out on the roof!" said the cat, quite plain and distinctly, for
+when one is a child, and can not yet speak, one understands the hens
+and ducks, the cats and dogs remarkably well; they speak for us as
+intelligibly as father or mother. One needs but to be little, and then
+even grandfather's stick can neigh, and become a horse, with head,
+legs and tail. With some children, this knowledge slips away later
+than with others, and people say of these, that they are very
+backward, that they remain children fearfully long.--People say so
+many things!
+
+"Come with me, little Rudy, out on the roof!" was about the first
+thing that the cat said, that Rudy understood. "It is all imagination
+about falling; one does not fall, when one does not fear to do so.
+Come, place your one paw so, and your other so! Take care of your
+fore-paws! Look sharp with your eyes, and give suppleness to your
+limbs! If there be a hole, jump, hold fast, that's the way I do!"
+
+And Rudy did so, and that was the reason that he sat out on the roof
+with the cat so often; he sat with her in the tree-tops, yes, he sat
+on the edge of the rocks, where the cats could not come. "Higher,
+higher!" said the trees and bushes. "See, how we climb! how high we
+go, how firm we hold on, even on the outermost peaks of the rocks!"
+
+And Rudy went generally on the mountain before the sun rose, and then
+he got his morning drink, the fresh, strengthening mountain air, the
+drink, that our Lord only can prepare, and men can read its recipe,
+and thus it stands written: "the fresh scent of the herbs of the
+mountains and the mint and thyme of the valleys."
+
+All heaviness is imbibed by the hanging clouds, and the wind sends it
+out like grape-shot into the fir-woods; the fragrant breeze becomes
+perfume, light and fresh and ever fresher--that was Rudy's morning
+drink.
+
+The blessing bringing daughters of the Sun, the sun-beams, kissed his
+cheeks, and Vertigo stood and watched, but dared not approach him; and
+the swallows below from grandfather's house, where there were no less
+than seven nests, flew up to him and the goats, and they sang: "We and
+you! and you and we!" They brought greetings from home, even from the
+two hens, the only birds in the room; with whom however Rudy never had
+intercourse.
+
+Little as he was, he had traveled, and not a little, for so small a
+boy; he was born in the Canton Valais, and had been carried from there
+over the mountains. Lately he had visited the Staubbach, which waves
+in the air like a silver gauze, before the snow decked, dazzling white
+mountain: "the Jungfrau." And he had been in Grindelwald, near the
+great glaciers; but that was a sad story. There, his mother had found
+her death, and, "little Rudy," so said his grandfather, "had lost his
+childish merriment." "When the boy was not a year old, he laughed more
+than he cried," so wrote his mother, "but since he was in the
+ice-gap, quite another mind has come over him." His grand-father did
+not like to speak on the subject, but every one on the mountain knew
+all about it.
+
+Rudy's father had been a postilion, and the large dog in the room, had
+always followed him on his journeys to the lake of Geneva, over the
+Simplon. In the valley of the Rhone, in Canton Valais, still lived
+Rudy's family, on his father's side, and his father's brother was a
+famous chamois hunter and a well-known guide. Rudy was only a year
+old, when he lost his father, and his mother longed to return to her
+relations in Berner Oberlande. Her father lived a few hours walk from
+Grindelwald; he was a carver in wood, and earned enough by it to live.
+In the month of June, carrying her little child, she started
+homewards, accompanied by two chamois hunters; intending to cross the
+Gemmi on their way to Grindelwald. They already had accomplished the
+longer part of their journey, had passed the high ridges, had come to
+the snow-plains, they already saw the valley of their home, with its
+well-known wooden houses, and had now but to reach the summit of one
+of the great glaciers. The snow had freshly fallen and concealed a
+cleft,--which did not lead to the deepest abyss, where the water
+roared--but still deeper than man could reach. The young woman, who
+was holding her child, slipped, sank and was gone; one heard no cry,
+no sigh, nought but a little child weeping. More than an hour elapsed,
+before her companions could bring poles and ropes, from the nearest
+house, in order to afford assistance. After great exertion they drew
+from the ice-gap, what appeared to be two lifeless bodies; every
+means were employed and they succeeded in calling the child back to
+life, but not the mother. So the old grandfather received instead of a
+daughter, a daughter's son in his house; the little one, who laughed
+more than he wept, but, who now, seemed to have lost this custom. A
+change in him, had certainly taken place, in the cleft of the glacier,
+in the wonderful cold world; where, according to the belief of the
+Swiss peasant, the souls of the damned are incarcerated until the day
+of judgment.
+
+Not unlike water, which after long journeying, has been compressed into
+blocks of green glass, the glaciers lie here, so that one huge mass of
+ice is heaped on the other. The rushing stream roars below and melts
+snow and ice; within, hollow caverns and mighty clefts open, this is a
+wonderful palace of ice, and in it dwells the Ice-Maiden, the Queen of
+the glaciers. She, the murderess, the destroyer, is half a child of air
+and half the powerful ruler of the streams; therefore, she had received
+the power, to elevate herself with the speed of the chamois to the
+highest pinnacle of the snow-topped mountain; where the most daring
+mountaineer had to hew his way, in order to take firm foot-hold. She
+sails up the rushing river on a slender fir-branch--springs from one
+cliff to another, with her long snow-white hair, fluttering around her,
+and with her bluish-green mantle, which resembles the water of the deep
+Swiss lakes.
+
+"Crush, hold fast! the power is mine!" cried she. "They have stolen a
+lovely boy from me, a boy, whom I had kissed, but not kissed to death.
+He is again with men, he tends the goats on the mountains; he climbs
+up, up high, beyond the reach of all others, but not beyond mine! He
+is mine, I shall have him!"--
+
+And she ordered Vertigo to fulfil her duty; it was too warm for the
+Ice-Maiden, in summer-time, in the green spots where the mint thrives.
+Vertigo arose; one came, three came, (for Vertigo had many sisters,
+very many of them) and the Maiden chose the strongest among those that
+rule within doors and without. They sit on the balusters and on the
+spires of the steep towers, they tread through the air as the swimmer
+glides through the water and entice their prey down the abyss. Vertigo
+and the Ice-Maiden seize on men as the polypus clutches at all within
+its reach. Vertigo was to gain possession of Rudy. "Yes, just catch
+him for me" said Vertigo. "I cannot do it! The cat, the dirty thing,
+has taught him her arts! The child of the race of man, possesses a
+power, that repulses me; I cannot get at the little boy, when he hangs
+by the branches over the abyss. I may tickle him on the soles of his
+feet or give him a box on the ear whilst he is swinging in the air, it
+is of no avail. I can do nothing!"
+
+"We _can_ do it!" said the Ice-Maiden. "You or I! I! I!"--
+
+"No, no!" sounded back the echo of the church-bells through the
+mountain, like a sweet melody; it was like speech, an harmonious
+chorus of all the spirits of nature, mild, good, full of love, for it
+came from the daughters of the sun-beams, who encamped themselves
+every evening in a circle around the pinnacles of the mountains, and
+spread out their rose-coloured wings, that grow more and more red as
+the sun sinks, and glow over the high Alps; men call it, "the Alpine
+glow." When the sun is down, they enter the peaks of the rocks and
+sleep on the white snow, until the sun rises, and then they sally
+forth. Above all, they love flowers, butterflies, and men, and amongst
+them they had chosen little Rudy as their favourite.
+
+"You will not catch him! You shall not have him!" said they. "I have
+caught and kept stronger and larger ones!" said the Ice-Maiden.
+
+Then the daughters of the Sun sang a lay of the wanderer, whose cloak
+the whirlwind had torn off and carried away. The wind took the
+covering, but not the man. "Ye children of strength can seize, but not
+hold him; he is stronger, he is more spirit-like, than we; he ascends
+higher than the Sun, our mother! He possesses the magic word, that
+restrains wind and water, so that they are obliged to obey and serve
+him!"
+
+So sounded cheerfully the bell-like chorus.
+
+And every morning the sun-beams shone through the tiny window in the
+grandfather's house, on the quiet child. The daughters of the
+sun-beams kissed him, they wished to thaw him, to warm him and to
+carry away with them the icy kiss, which the queenly maiden of the
+glaciers had given him, as he lay on his dead mother's lap, in the
+deep icy gap, whence he was saved through a miracle.
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+THE JOURNEY TO THE NEW HOME.
+
+
+Rudy was now eight years old. His father's brother, in Rhonethal, the
+other side of the mountain, wished to have the boy, for he thought
+that with him he would fare and prosper better; his grandfather
+perceived this and gave his consent.
+
+Rudy must go. There were others to take leave of him, besides his
+grandfather; first there was Ajola, the old dog.
+
+"Your father was post-boy and I was post-dog," said Ajola. "We have
+travelled up and down; I know dogs and men on the other side of the
+mountain. It is not my custom to speak much, but now, that we shall
+not have much time to converse with each other, I must talk a little
+more than usual. I will relate a story to you; I shall tell you how I
+have earned my bread, and how I have eaten it. I do not understand it
+and I suppose that you will not either, but it matters not, for I have
+discovered that the good things of this earth are not equally divided
+between dogs or men. All are not fitted to lie on the lap and sip
+milk, I have not been accustomed to it; but I saw a little dog seated
+in the coach with us and it occupied a person's place. The woman who
+was its mistress, or who belonged to its mistress, had a bottle filled
+with milk, out of which she fed it; it got sweet sugar biscuits too,
+but it would not even eat them; only snuffed at them, and so the woman
+ate them herself. I ran in the mud, by the side of the coach, as
+hungry as a dog could be; I chewed my crude thoughts, that was not
+right--but this is often done! If I could but have been carried on
+some one's knee and have been seated in a coach! But one cannot have
+all one desires. I have not been able to do so, neither with barking
+nor with yawning."
+
+That was Ajola's speech, and Rudy seized him by the neck and kissed
+him on his moist mouth, and then he took the cat in his arms, but she
+was angry at it.
+
+"You are getting too strong for me, and I will not use my claws
+against you! Just climb over the mountains, I taught you to climb!
+Never think that you will fall, then you are secure!"
+
+Then the cat ran away, without letting Rudy see how her grief shone
+out of her eye.
+
+The hens ran about the floor; one had lost her tail; a traveller, who
+wished to be a hunter, had shot it off, because the creature had taken
+the hen for a bird of prey!
+
+"Rudy is going over the mountain!" said one hen. "He is always in a
+hurry," said the other, "and I do not care for leave-takings!" and so
+they both tripped away.
+
+And the goats, too, said farewell and cried: "Mit, mit, mah!" and that
+was so sad.
+
+There were two nimble guides in the neighbourhood, and they were about
+to cross the mountains; they were to descend to the other side of the
+Gemmi, and Rudy followed them on foot. This was a severe march for
+such a little chap, but he had strength and courage, and felt not
+fatigue.
+
+The swallows accompanied them a part of the way. They sang: "We and
+you! You and us!" The road went over the rapid Luetschine, which
+rushes forth from the black clefts of the glacier of Grindelwald, in
+many little streams. The fallen timber and the quarry-stones serve as
+bridges; they pass the alder-bush and descend the mountain where the
+glacier has detached itself from the mountain side; they cross over
+the glacier, over the blocks of ice, and go around them. Rudy was
+obliged to creep a little, to walk a little, his eyes sparkled with
+delight, and he trod as firmly with his iron-shod mountain shoes, as
+though he wished to leave his foot-prints where he had stepped. The
+black mud which the mountain stream had poured upon the glacier gave
+it a calcined appearance, but the bluish-green, glassy ice still shone
+through it. They were obliged to go around the little ponds which
+were dammed up by blocks of ice; during these wanderings they came too
+near a large stone, which lay tottering on the brink of a crevice in
+the ice. The stone lost its equilibrium, it fell, rolled and the echo
+resounded from the deep hollow paths of the glacier.
+
+Up, ever up; the glacier stretched itself on high--as a river, of
+wildly heaped up masses of ice, compressed among the steep cliffs. For
+an instant Rudy thought on what they had told him, about his having
+laid with his mother, in one of these cold-breathing chasms. Such
+thoughts soon vanished; it seemed to him as though it were some other
+story--one of the many which had been related to him. Now and then,
+when the men thought that the ascent was too difficult for the little
+lad, they would reach him their hand, but he was never weary and
+stood on the slippery ice as firm as a chamois. Now they reached the
+bottom of the rocks, they were soon among the bare stones, which were
+void of moss; soon under the low fir-trees and again out on the green
+common--ever changing, ever new. Around them arose the snow mountains,
+whose names were as familiar to Rudy as they were to every child in
+the neighbourhood: "the Jungfrau," "the Moench," and "the Eiger."
+
+Rudy had never been so high before, had never before trodden on the
+vast sea of snow, which lay there with its immoveable waves. The wind
+blew single flakes about, as it blows the foam upon the waters of the
+sea.
+
+Glacier stood by glacier, if one may say so, hand in hand; each one
+was an ice-palace for the Ice-Maiden, whose power and will is: "to
+catch and to bury." The sun burned warmly, the snow was dazzling, as
+if sown with bluish-white, glittering diamond sparks. Countless
+insects (butterflies and bees mostly) lay in masses dead on the snow;
+they had ventured too high, or the wind had borne them thither, but to
+breathe their last in these cold regions. A threatening cloud hung
+over the Wetterhorn, like a fine, black tuft of wool. It lowered
+itself slowly, heavily, with that which lay concealed within it, and
+this was the "Foehn,"[A] powerful in its strength when it broke loose.
+The impression of the entire journey, the night quarters above and
+then the road beyond, the deep rocky chasms, where the water forced
+its way through the blocks of stone with terrible rapidity, engraved
+itself indelibly on Rudy's mind.
+
+On the other side of the sea of snow, a forsaken stone hut gave them
+protection and shelter for the night; a fire was quickly lighted, for
+they found within it charcoal and fir branches; they arranged their
+couch as well as possible. The men seated themselves around the fire,
+smoked their tobacco and drank the warm spicy drink, which they had
+prepared for themselves. Rudy had his share too and they told him of
+the mysterious beings of the Alpine country; of the singular fighting
+snakes in the deep lakes; of the people of night; of the hordes of
+spectres, who carry sleepers through the air, towards the wonderful
+floating city of Venice; of the wild shepherd, who drives his black
+sheep over the meadow; it is true, they had never been seen, but the
+sound of the bells and the unhappy bellowing of the flock, had been
+heard.
+
+Rudy listened eagerly, but without any fear, for he did not even know
+what that was, and whilst he listened he thought he heard the
+ghost-like hollow bellowing! Yes, it became more and more distinct,
+the men heard it also, they stopped talking, listened and told Rudy he
+must not sleep.
+
+It was the Foehn which blew, the powerful storm-wind, which rushes down
+the mountains into the valley and with its strength bends the trees,
+as if they were mere reeds, and lifts the wooden houses from one side
+of the river to the other, as if the move had been made on a
+chess-board.
+
+After the lapse of an hour, they told Rudy that the storm had now
+blown over and that he might rest; with this license, fatigued by his
+march, he at once fell asleep.
+
+They departed early in the morning; the sun showed Rudy new
+mountains, new glaciers and snow-fields; they had now reached Canton
+Valais and the other side of the mountain ridge which was visible at
+Grindelwald, but they were still far from the new home. Other chasms,
+precipices, pasture-grounds; forests and paths through the woods,
+unfolded themselves to the view; other houses, other human beings--but
+what human beings! Deformed creatures, with unmeaning, fat,
+yellowish-white faces; with a large, ugly, fleshy lump on their necks;
+these were cretins who dragged themselves miserably along and gazed
+with their stupid eyes on the strangers who arrived among them. As for
+the women, the greatest number of them were frightful!
+
+Were these the inhabitants of the new home?
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[A] A humid south wind on the lakes of Switzerland, a fearful storm.
+
+
+
+
+III.
+
+THE FATHER'S BROTHER.
+
+
+The people in the uncle's house, looked, thank heaven, like those whom
+Rudy was accustomed to see. But one cretin was there, a poor silly
+lad, one of the many miserable creatures, who on account of their
+poverty and need, always make their home among the families of Canton
+Valais and remain with each but a couple of months. The wretched
+Saperli happened to be there when Rudy arrived.
+
+Rudy's father's brother was still a vigorous hunter and was also a
+cooper by trade; his wife, a lively little person, had what is called
+a bird's face; her eyes resembled those of an eagle and she had a
+long neck entirely covered with down.
+
+Everything was new to Rudy, the dress, manners and customs, yes, even
+the language, but that is soon acquired and understood by a child's
+ear. Here, they seemed to be better off, than in his grandfather's
+house; the dwelling rooms were larger, the walls looked gay with their
+chamois horns and highly polished rifles; over the door-way hung the
+picture of the blessed Virgin; alpine roses and a burning lamp stood
+before it.
+
+His uncle, was as we have said before, one of the most famous chamois
+hunters in the neighbourhood and also the most experienced and best
+guide.
+
+Rudy was to be the pet of the household, although there already was
+one, an old deaf and blind dog, whom they could no longer use; but
+they remembered his many past services and he was looked upon as a
+member of the family and was to pass his old days in peace. Rudy
+patted the dog, but he would have nothing to do with strangers; Rudy
+did not long remain one, for he soon took firm hold both in house and
+heart.
+
+"One is not badly off in Canton Valais," said his uncle, "we have the
+chamois, they do not die out so soon as the mountain goat! It is a
+great deal better here now, than in the old times; they may talk about
+their glory as much as they please. The present time is much better,
+for a hole has been made in the purse and light and air let into our
+quiet valley. When old worn-out customs die away, something new
+springs forth!" said he. When uncle became talkative, he told of the
+years of his childhood and of his father's active time, when Valais
+was still a closed purse, as the people called it, and when it was
+filled with sick people and miserable cretins. French soldiers came,
+they were the right kind of doctors, they not only shot down the
+sickness but the men also.
+
+"The Frenchmen can beat the stones until they surrender! they cut the
+Simplon-road out of the rocks--they have hewn out such a road, that I
+now can tell a three year old child to go to Italy! Keep to the
+highway, and a child may find his way there!" Then the uncle would
+sing a French song and cry hurrah for Napoleon Bonaparte.
+
+Rudy now heard for the first time of France, of Lyons--the large city
+of the Rhone--for his uncle had been there.
+
+"I wonder if Rudy will become an agile chamois hunter in a few years?
+He has every disposition for it!" said his uncle, and instructed him
+how to hold a rifle, how to aim and to fire. In the hunting season, he
+took him with him in the mountains and made him drink the warm chamois
+blood, which prevents the hunter from becoming dizzy. He taught him to
+heed the time when the avalanches roll down the different sides of the
+mountain--at mid-day or at night-fall--which depended upon the heat of
+the rays of the sun. He taught him to notice the chamois, in order to
+learn from them how to jump, so as to alight steadily upon the feet.
+If there was no resting place in the clefts of the rock for the foot,
+he must know how to support himself with the elbow, and be able to
+climb by means of the muscles of the thigh and calf, even the neck
+must serve when it is necessary. The chamois are cunning, they place
+out-guards--but the hunter must be still more cunning and follow the
+trail--and he can deceive them by hanging his coat and hat on his
+alpine stick, and so make the chamois take the coat for the man.
+
+One day when Rudy was out with his uncle hunting, he tried this sport.
+
+The rocky path was not wide; indeed there was scarcely any, only a
+narrow ledge, close to the dizzy abyss. The snow was half-thawed, the
+stones crumbled when trodden upon, and his uncle stretched himself out
+full length and crept along. Each stone as it broke away, fell,
+knocked itself, bounded and then rolled down; it made many leaps from
+one rocky wall to another until it found repose in the black deep.
+Rudy stood about a hundred steps behind his uncle on the outermost
+cliff, and saw a huge golden vulture, hovering over his uncle, and
+sailing towards him through the air, as though wishing to cast the
+creeping worm into the abyss with one blow of his wing, and to make
+carrion of him. His uncle had only eyes for the chamois and its young
+kid, on the other side of the cleft. Rudy looked at the bird,
+understood what it wanted, and laid his hand on his rifle in order to
+shoot it. At that moment the chamois leaped--his uncle fired--the ball
+hit the animal, but the kid was gone, as though flight and danger had
+been its life's experience. The monstrous bird terrified by the report
+of the gun, took flight in another direction, and Rudy's uncle knew
+nought of his danger, until Rudy told him of it.
+
+As they now were on their way home in the gayest spirits--his uncle
+playing one of his youthful melodies on his flute--they suddenly
+heard not far from them a singular sound; they looked sideways, they
+gazed aloof and saw high above them the snow covering of the rugged
+shelf of the rock, waving like an outspread piece of linen when
+agitated by the wind. The icy waves cracked like slabs of marble, they
+broke, dissolved in foaming, rushing water and sounded like a muffled
+thunder-clap. It was an avalanche rolling down, not over Rudy and his
+uncle, but near, only too near to them.
+
+"Hold fast, Rudy," cried he, "firm, with your whole strength!"
+
+And Rudy clasped the trunk of a tree; his uncle climbed into its
+branches and held fast, whilst the avalanche rolled many fathoms away
+from them. But the air-drift of the blustering storm, which
+accompanied it, bowed down the trees and bushes around them like dry
+reeds and threw them beyond. Rudy lay cast on the earth; the trunk of
+the tree on which he had held was as though sawed off, and its crown
+was hurled still farther along. His uncle lay amongst the broken
+branches, with his head shattered; his hands were yet warm, but his
+face was no longer to be recognized. Rudy stood pale and trembling;
+this was the first terror of his life, the first hour of fear that he
+had ever known.
+
+Late in the evening, he returned with his message of death to his
+home, which was now one of sorrow.
+
+The wife stood without words, without tears, and not until the corpse
+was brought home did her sorrow find an outburst. The poor cretin
+crept to his bed and was not seen all day, but towards evening he came
+to Rudy, and said: "Write a letter for me. Saperli cannot write!
+Saperli can take the letter to the post office."
+
+"A letter for you," asked Rudy, "and to whom?"
+
+"To our Lord Christ!"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+And the half-witted creature gave a touching glance at Rudy, folded
+his hands and said piously and solemnly: "Jesus Christ! Saperli wishes
+to send him a letter, praying him to let Saperli lie dead and not the
+man of this house!"
+
+And Rudy pressed his hand, "the letter cannot be sent, the letter will
+not give him back to us!"
+
+It was difficult for Rudy to explain the impossibility to him.
+
+"Now you are the stay of the house!" said his foster-mother, and Rudy
+became it.
+
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+BABETTE.
+
+
+Who is the best shot in Canton Valais? The chamois knew only too well:
+"Beware of Rudy!" they could say. Who is the handsomest hunter?--"It
+is Rudy." The young girls said this also, but they did not say:
+"Beware of Rudy!" No, not even the grave mothers, for he nodded to
+them quite as amicably as to the young girls. He was so bold and gay,
+his cheeks were brown, his teeth fresh and white and his coal-black
+eyes glittered; he was a handsome young fellow and but twenty years
+old. The icy water did not sting him when he swam, he could turn
+around in it like a fish; he could climb as did no one, and he was as
+firm on the rocky walls as a snail--for he had good sinews and muscles
+that served him well in leaping--the cat had first taught him this,
+and later the chamois. One could not trust one's self to a better
+guide than to Rudy. In this way he could collect quite a fortune, but
+he had no taste for the trade of a cooper, which his uncle had taught
+him; his delight and pleasure was to shoot chamois, and this was
+profitable also. Rudy was a good match if one did not look higher than
+one's station, and in dancing he was just the kind of dancer that
+young girls dream about, and one or the other were always thinking of
+him when they were awake.
+
+"He kissed me whilst dancing!" said the schoolmaster's Annette to her
+most intimate friend, but she should not have said this, not even to
+her dearest friend, but it is difficult to keep such things to one's
+self--like sand in a purse with a hole in it, it soon runs out--and
+although Rudy was so steady and good it was soon known that he kissed
+whilst dancing.
+
+"Watch him," said an old hunter, "he has commenced with A, and he will
+kiss the whole alphabet through!"
+
+A kiss, at a dance, was all they could say in their gossipping, but he
+had kissed Annette, and she was by no means the flower of his heart.
+
+Down near Bex, between the great walnut trees, close by a rapid little
+stream, dwelt the rich miller. The dwelling-house was a large
+three-storied building, with little towers covered with wood and
+coated with sheets of lead, which shone in the sunshine and in the
+moonshine; the largest tower had for a weather-cock a bright arrow
+which pierced an apple and which was intended to represent the apple
+shot by Tell. The mill looked neat and comfortable, so that it was
+really worth describing and drawing, but the miller's daughter could
+neither be described nor drawn, at least so said Rudy. Yet she was
+imprinted in his heart, and her eyes acted as a fire-brand upon it,
+and this had happened suddenly and unexpectedly. The most wonderful
+part of all was, that the miller's daughter, the pretty Babette,
+thought not of him, for she and Rudy had never even spoken two words
+with each other.
+
+The miller was rich, and riches placed her much too high to be
+approached; "but no one," said Rudy to himself, "is placed so high as
+to be unapproachable; one must climb and one does not fall, when one
+does not think of it." _This_ knowledge he had brought from home with
+him.
+
+Now it so happened that Rudy had business at Bex and it was quite a
+journey there, for the railroad was not completed. The broad valley of
+Valais stretches itself from the glaciers of the Rhone, under the foot
+of the Simplon-mountain, between many varying mountain-heights, with
+its mighty river, the Rhone, which often swells and destroys
+everything, overflooding fields and roads. The valley makes a bend,
+between the towns of Sion and St. Maurice, like an elbow and becomes
+so narrow at Maurice, that there only remains sufficient room for the
+river bed and a cart way. Here an old tower stands like a sentry
+before the Canton Valais; it ends at this point and overlooks the
+bridge, which has a wall towards the custom-house. Now begins the
+Canton called Pays de Vaud and the nearest town is Bex, where
+everything becomes luxuriant and fruitful--one is in a garden of
+walnut and chestnut trees and here and there, cypress and pomegranate
+blossoms peep out--it is as warm as the South; one imagines one's self
+transplanted into Italy.
+
+Rudy reached Bex, accomplished his business and looked about him, but
+he did not see a single miller's boy, not to speak of Babette. It
+appeared as though they were not to meet.
+
+It was evening, the air was heavy with the wild thyme and blooming
+linden, a glistening veil lay over the forest-clad mountains, there
+was a stillness over everything, but not the quiet of sleep. It seemed
+as though all nature retained her breath, as if she felt disposed to
+allow her image to be imprinted upon the firmament.
+
+Here and there, there were poles standing on the green fields, between
+the trees; they held the telegraph wire, which has been conducted
+through this peaceful valley. An object leant against one of these
+poles, so immoveable, that one might have taken it for a withered
+trunk of a tree; but it was Rudy. He slept not and still less was he
+dead; but as the most important events of this earth, as well as
+affairs of vital moment for individuals pass over the wires, without
+their giving out a tone or a tremulous movement, even so flashed
+through Rudy, thoughts--powerful, overwhelming, speaking of the
+happiness of his life; his, henceforth, "_constant thought_." His eyes
+were fixed upon a point in the trellis-work, and this was a light in
+Babette's sitting room. Rudy was so motionless, one might have thought
+that he was observing a chamois, in order to shoot it. Now, however,
+he was like the chamois--which appears sculptured on the rock, and
+suddenly if a stone rolls, springs and flies away--thus stood Rudy,
+until a thought struck him.
+
+"Never despair," said he. "I shall make a visit to the mill, and say:
+Good evening miller, good evening Babette! One does not fall when one
+does not think of it! Babette must see me, if I am to be her husband!"
+
+And Rudy laughed, was of good cheer and went to the mill; he knew what
+he wanted, he wanted Babette.
+
+The river, with its yellowish white water rolled on; the willow trees
+and the lindens bowed themselves deep in the hastening water; Rudy
+went along the path, and as it says in the old child's song:
+
+    ---- ---- ---- Zu des Muellers Haus,
+    Aber da war Niemand drinnen
+    Nur die Katze schaute aus![B]
+
+The house-cat stood on the step, put up her back and said: "Miau!" but
+Rudy had no thoughts for her language, he knocked, no one heard, no
+one opened. "Miau!" said the cat. If Rudy had been little, he would
+have understood the speech of animals and known that the cat told him:
+"There is no one at home!" He was obliged to cross over to the mill,
+to make inquiries, and here he had news. The master of the house was
+away on a journey, far away in the town of Interlaken--_inter lacus_,
+"between the lakes"--as the school-master, Annette's father, had
+explained, in his wisdom. Far away was the miller and Babette with
+him; there was to be a shooting festival, which was to commence on
+the following day and to continue for a whole week. The Swiss from all
+the German cantons were to meet there.
+
+Poor Rudy, one could well say that he had not taken the happiest time
+to visit Bex; now he could return and that was what he did. He took
+the road over Sion and St. Maurice, back to his own valley, back to
+his own mountain, but he was not down-cast. On the following morning,
+when the sun rose, his good humour had returned, in fact it had never
+left him.
+
+"Babette is in Interlaken, many a day's journey from here!" said he to
+himself, "it is a long road thither, if one goes by the highway, but
+not so far if one passes over the rocks and that is the road for a
+chamois hunter! I went this road formerly, for there is my home, where
+I lived with my grandfather when I was a little child, and they have
+a shooting festival in Interlaken! I will be the _first_ one there,
+and that will I be with Babette also, as soon as I have made her
+acquaintance!"
+
+With his light knapsack containing his Sunday clothes, with his gun
+and his huntsman's pouch, Rudy ascended the mountain. The short road,
+was a pretty long one, but the shooting-match had but commenced to-day
+and was to last more than a week; the miller and Babette were to
+remain the whole time, with their relations in Interlaken. Rudy
+crossed the Gemmi, for he wished to go to Grindelwald.
+
+He stepped forwards merry and well, out into the fresh, light mountain
+air. The valley sank beneath him, the horizon widened; here and there
+a snow-peak, and soon appeared the whole shining white alpine chain.
+Rudy knew every snow mountain, onward he strode towards the
+Schreckhorn, that elevates its white powdered snow-finger high in the
+air.
+
+At last he crossed the ridge of the mountain and the pasture-grounds
+and reached the valley of his home; the air was light and his spirits
+gay, mountain and valley stood resplendent with verdure and flowers.
+His heart was filled with youthful thoughts;--that one can never grow
+old, never die; but live, rule and enjoy;--free as a bird, light as a
+bird was he. The swallows flew by and sang as in his childhood: "We
+and you, and You and we!" All was happiness.
+
+Below lay the velvet-green meadow, with its brown wooden houses, the
+Luetschine hummed and roared. He saw the glacier with its green glass
+edges and its black crevices in the deep snow, and the under and
+upper glacier. The sound of the church-bells was carried over to him,
+as if they chimed a welcome home; his heart beat loudly and expanded,
+so, that for a moment, Babette vanished from it; his heart widened, it
+was so full of recollections. He retraced his steps, over the path,
+where he used to stand when a little boy, with the other children, on
+the edge of the ditch, and where he sold carved wooden houses. Yonder,
+under the fir-trees was his grandfather's house,--strangers dwelled
+there. Children came running up the path, wishing to sell; one of them
+held an alpine rose towards him. Rudy took it for a good omen and
+thought of Babette. Quickly he crossed the bridge, where the two
+Luetschines meet; the leafy trees had increased and the walnut trees
+gave deeper shade. He saw the streaming Swiss and Danish flags--the
+white cross on the red cloth--and Interlaken lay before him.
+
+It was certainly a magnificent town; like no other, it seemed to Rudy.
+A Swiss town in its Sunday dress, was not like other trading-places, a
+mass of black stone houses, heavy, uninviting and stiff. No! it looked
+as though the wooden houses, on the mountain had run down into the
+green valley, to the clear, swift river and had ranged themselves in a
+row--a little in and out--so as to form a street, the most splendid of
+all streets, which had grown up since Rudy was here as a child. It
+appeared to him, that here all the pretty wooden houses that his
+grandfather had carved, and with which the cup-board at home used to
+be filled, had placed themselves there and had grown in strength, as
+the old, the oldest chestnut trees had done. Each house had carved
+wood-work around the windows and balconies, projecting roofs, pretty
+and neat; in front of every house a little flower garden extended into
+the stone-covered street. The houses were all placed on one side, as
+if they wished to conceal the forest-green meadow, where the cows with
+their tinkling bells made one fancy one's self near the high alpine
+pasture-grounds. The meadow was enclosed with high mountains, that
+leaned to one side so that the Jungfrau, the most stately of the Swiss
+mountains, with its glistening snow-clad top, was visible.
+
+What a quantity of well dressed ladies and gentlemen from foreign
+countries! What multitudes of inhabitants from the different cantons!
+The shooters, with their numbers placed in a wreath around their
+hats, waiting to take their turn. Here was music and song,
+hurdy-gurdys and wind instruments, cries and confusion. The houses and
+bridges were decked with devices and verses; banners and flags
+floated, rifles sounded shot after shot; this was the best music to
+Rudy's ear and he entirely forgot Babette, although he had come for
+her sake.
+
+The marksmen thronged towards the spot where the target-shooting was;
+Rudy was soon among them and he was the best, the luckiest, for he
+always hit the mark.
+
+"Who can the strange hunter be?" they asked, "He speaks the French
+language as though he came from Canton Valais!" "He speaks our German
+very distinctly!" said others. "He is said to have lived in the
+neighbourhood of Grindelwald, when a child!" said one of them.
+
+There was life in the youth; his eyes sparkled, his aim was true. Good
+luck gives courage, and Rudy had courage at all times; he soon had a
+large circle of friends around him, they praised him, they did homage
+to him, and Babette had almost entirely left his thoughts. At that
+moment a heavy hand struck him on the shoulder, and a gruff voice
+addressed him in the French tongue:
+
+"You are from Canton Valais?"
+
+Rudy turned around. A stout person, with a red, contented countenance,
+stood by him and that was the rich miller of Bex. He covered with his
+wide body, the slight pretty Babette, who however, soon peeped out
+with her beaming dark eyes. The rich peasant became consequential
+because the hunter from his canton had made the best shot and was the
+honoured one. Rudy was certainly a favourite of fortune, that, for
+which he had journeyed thither and almost forgotten had sought him.
+
+When one meets a countryman far from one's home, why then one knows
+one another, and speaks together. Rudy was the first at the shooting
+festival and the miller was the first at Bex, through his money and
+mill, and so the two men pressed each other's hands: this they had
+never done before. Babette also, gave Rudy her little hand and he
+pressed her's in return and looked at her, so--that she became quite
+red.
+
+The miller told of the long journey which they had made here, of the
+many large towns which they had seen--that was a real journey; they
+had come in the steam-boat and had been driven by post and rail!
+
+"I came by the short road," said Rudy, "I came over the mountains;
+there is no path so high, that one can not reach it!"
+
+"But one can break one's neck," said the miller, "you look as though
+you would do so some day, you are so daring!"
+
+"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.
+
+And the miller's family in Interlaken, with whom the miller and
+Babette were staying, begged Rudy to pay them a visit, for he was from
+the same canton as their relations.
+
+These were glad tidings for Rudy, fortune smiled upon him, as it
+always does on those that rely upon themselves and think upon the
+saying: "Our Lord gives us nuts, but he does not crack them for us!"
+Rudy made himself quite at home with the miller's relations; they
+drank the health of the best marksman. Babette knocked her glass
+against his and Rudy gave thanks for the honour shown him.
+
+In the evening, they all walked under the walnut trees, in front of
+the decorated hotels; there was such a crowd, such a throng, that Rudy
+was obliged to offer his arm to Babette. "He was so rejoiced to have
+met people from Pays de Vaud," said he, "Pays de Vaud and Valais were
+good neighbourly cantons." His joy was so profound that it struck
+Babette, she must press his hand. They walked along almost like old
+acquaintances; she was so amusing, the darling little creature, it
+became her so prettily Rudy thought, when she described what was
+laughable and overdone in the dress of the ladies, and ridiculed their
+manners and walk. She did not do this in order to mock them, for no
+doubt they were very good people, yes! kind and amiable. Babette knew
+what was right, for she had a god-mother that was a distinguished
+English lady. She was in Bex, eighteen years ago, when Babette was
+baptized; she had given Babette, the expensive breastpin which she
+wore. The god-mother had written her two letters; this year she was to
+meet her in Interlaken, with her daughters; they were old maids, over
+thirty years old, said Babette;--she was just eighteen.
+
+The sweet little mouth was not still a minute; everything that Babette
+said, sounded to Rudy of great importance. Then he related how often
+he had been in Bex, how well he knew the mill; how often he had seen
+Babette, but she of course had never remarked him; he told how, when
+he reached the mill, with many thoughts to which he could give no
+utterance, she and her father were far away; still not so far as to
+render it impossible for him to ascend the rocky wall which made the
+road so long.
+
+Yes, he said this; and he also said how much he thought of her; that
+it was for her sake and not on account of the shooting festival that
+he had come.
+
+Babette remained very still, for what he confided to her was almost
+too much joy.
+
+The sun set behind the rocky wall, whilst they were walking, and there
+stood the Jungfrau in all her radiant splendour, surrounded by the
+dark green circle of the adjacent mountains. The vast crowd of people
+stopped to look at it, Rudy and Babette also gazed upon its grandeur.
+
+"It is nowhere more beautiful than here!" said Babette.
+
+"Nowhere!" said Rudy, and looked at Babette.
+
+"I must leave to-morrow!" said he, a little later.
+
+"Visit us in Bex," whispered Babette, "it will delight my father!"
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[B]
+    The cat looked out from the miller's house,
+    No one was in, not even a mouse!
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+HOMEWARDS.
+
+
+Ah! how much Rudy carried with him, as he went home the next morning
+over the mountains. Yes, there were three silver goblets, two very
+fine rifles and a silver coffee pot, which one could use if one wished
+to go to house-keeping; but he carried with him something far, far
+more important, far mightier, or rather _that_ carried him over the
+high mountains.
+
+The weather was raw, moist and cold, grey and heavy; the clouds
+lowered over the mountain-tops like mourning veils, and enveloped the
+shining peaks of the rocks. The sound of the axe resounded from the
+depths of the forest, and the trunks of the trees rolled down the
+mountain, looking in the distance like slight sticks, but on
+approaching them they were heavy trees, suitable for making masts. The
+Luetschine rushed on with its monotonous sound, the wind blustered, the
+clouds sailed by.
+
+Suddenly a young girl approached Rudy, whom he had not noticed before;
+not until she was beside him; she also was about crossing the
+mountain. Her eyes had so peculiar a power that one was forced to look
+into them; they were so strangely clear--clear as glass, so deep, so
+fathomless--
+
+"Have you a beloved one?" asked Rudy; for to have a beloved one was
+everything to him.
+
+"I have none!" said she, and laughed; but it was as though she was not
+speaking the truth. "Do not let us take a by-way," continued she, "we
+must go more to the left, that way is shorter!"
+
+"Yes, so as to fall down a precipice!" said Rudy; "Do you know no
+better way, and yet wish to be a guide?"
+
+"I know the road well," said she, "my thoughts are with me; yours are
+beneath in the valley; here on high, one must think on the Ice-Maiden,
+for they say she is not well disposed to mankind!"
+
+"I do not fear her," said Rudy, "she was forced to let me go when I
+was a child, so I suppose I can slip away from her now that I am
+older!"
+
+The darkness increased, the rain fell, the snow came; it shone and
+dazzled. "Give me your hand, I will help you to ascend!" said the
+girl, and touched him with icy-cold fingers.
+
+"You help me," said Rudy, "I do not yet need a woman's help in
+climbing!" He strode quickly on, away from her; the snow-shower
+formed a curtain around him, the wind whistled by him and he heard the
+young girl laugh and sing; it sounded so oddly! Yes, that was
+certainly a spirit in the service of the Ice-Maiden. Rudy had heard of
+them, when he had passed a night on high; when he had crossed the
+mountain, as a little boy.
+
+The snow fell more scantily and the shadows lay under him; he looked
+back, there was no one to be seen, but he heard laughing and _jodling_
+and it did not appear to come from a human being. When Rudy reached
+the uppermost portion of the mountain, where the rocky path leads to
+the valley of the Rhone, he saw in the direction of Chamouni, two
+bright stars, twinkling and shining in the clear streaks of blue; he
+thought of Babette, of himself, of his happiness and became warmed by
+his thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+VI.
+
+THE VISIT TO THE MILL.
+
+
+"You bring princely things into the house!" said the old
+foster-mother, her singular eagle-eyes glistened and she made strange
+and hasty motions with her lean neck.
+
+"Fortune is with you, Rudy, I must kiss you, my sweet boy!"
+
+Rudy allowed himself to be kissed, but one could read in his
+countenance, that he but submitted to circumstances and to little
+household miseries. "How handsome you are, Rudy!" said the old woman.
+
+"Do not put notions into my head!" answered Rudy, and laughed, but
+still it pleased him.
+
+"I say it once more," said the old woman, "fortune is with you!"
+
+"Yes, I agree with you there!" said he; thought of Babette and longed
+to be in the deep valley. "They must have returned, two days have
+passed since they expected to do so. I must go to Bex!"
+
+Rudy went to Bex, and the inhabitants of the mill had returned; he was
+well received and they brought him greetings from the family at
+Interlaken. Babette did not talk much, she had grown silent; but her
+eyes spoke and that was quite enough for Rudy. The miller who
+generally liked to carry on the conversation--for he was accustomed to
+have every one laugh at his witty sayings and puns--was he not the
+rich miller?--seemed now to prefer to listen. Rudy recounted to him
+his hunting expeditions; described the difficulties, the dangers and
+the privations of the chamois hunter when on the lofty mountain peak;
+how often he must climb over the insecure snow-ledges, that the wind
+had blown on the rocky brink, and how he must pass over slight bridges
+that the snow-drifts had thrown across the abyss. Rudy looked
+fearless, his eyes sparkled whilst he spoke of the shrewdness of the
+chamois, of their daring leaps, of the violence of the Foehn and of the
+rolling avalanches. He observed that with every description he won
+more and more favour; but what pleased the miller more than all, was
+the account of the lamb's vulture and the bold golden eagle.
+
+In Canton Valais, not far from here, there was an eagle's nest, very
+slyly built under the projecting edge of the rock; a young one was in
+it, but no one could steal it! An Englishman had offered Rudy a few
+days before, a whole handful of gold, if he would bring him the young
+one alive, "but everything has a limit," said he, "the young eagle
+cannot be taken away, and it would be madness to attempt it!"
+
+The wine and conversation flowed freely; but the evening appeared all
+too short for Rudy; yet it was past midnight, when he went home from
+his first visit to the mill.
+
+The light shone a little while longer through the window and between
+the green trees; the parlour-cat came out of an opening in the roof
+and the kitchen-cat came along the gutter.
+
+"Do you know the latest news at the mill?" said the parlour-cat,
+"there has been a silent betrothal in the house! Father does not yet
+know it, but Rudy and Babette have reached each other their paws under
+the table, and he trod three times on my fore-paws, but still I did
+not mew, for that would have awakened attention!"
+
+"I should have done it, nevertheless!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+"What is suited to the kitchen is not suited to the parlour," said the
+parlour-cat. "I should like to know what the miller will say, when he
+hears of the betrothal!"
+
+Yes, what the miller would say! That was what Rudy would have liked to
+know, for Rudy was not at all patient. When the omnibus rumbled over
+the bridge of the Rhone, between Valais and Pays de Vaud not many days
+after, Rudy sat in it and was of good cheer; filled with pleasing
+thoughts of the "Yes," of the same evening.
+
+When evening came and the omnibus returned, yes, there sat Rudy
+within, but the parlour-cat, was running about in the mill with great
+news.
+
+"Listen, you, in the kitchen! The miller knows everything now. This
+has had an exquisite ending! Rudy came here towards evening; he and
+Babette had much to whisper and to chatter about, as they stood in the
+walk, under the miller's chamber. I lay close to their feet but they
+had neither eyes nor thoughts for me. 'I am going directly to your
+father,' said Rudy, 'this is an honourable affair!' 'Shall I follow
+you?' asked Babette, 'it may give you more courage!' 'I have courage
+enough,' said Rudy, 'but if you are there, he will be forced to look
+at it in a more favourable light!' They went in. Rudy trod heavily on
+my tail! Rudy is indescribably awkward; I mewed, but neither he nor
+Babette had ears to hear it. They opened the door, they entered and I
+preceded them; I leaped upon the back of a chair, for I did not know
+but that Rudy would overturn everything! But the miller reversed all,
+that was a great step! Out of the door, up the mountains, to the
+chamois! Rudy can aim at them now, but not at our little Babette!"
+
+"But what was said?" asked the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Said? Everything. 'I care for her and she cares for me! When there is
+milk enough in the jug for one, there is milk enough in the jug for
+two!' 'But she is placed too high for you,' said the miller, 'she sits
+on gold dust, so now you know it; you can not reach her!' 'Nothing is
+too high; he who wills can reach anything!' said Rudy. He is too
+headstrong on this subject! 'But you cannot reach the eaglet, you said
+so yourself lately! Babette is still higher!' 'I will have them both!'
+said Rudy. 'Yes, I will bestow her upon you, if you make me a present
+of the eaglet alive!' said the miller and laughed until the tears
+stood in his eyes.
+
+"'Thanks for your visit, Rudy! Come again to-morrow, you will find no
+one at home. Farewell, Rudy!' Babette said farewell also, as
+sorrowfully as a kitten, that cannot see its mother. 'A word is a
+word, a man is a man,' said Rudy, 'do not weep Babette, I shall bring
+the eaglet!' 'I hope that you will break your neck!' said the miller.
+That's what I call an overturning! Now Rudy has gone, and Babette sits
+and weeps; but the miller sings in German, he learned to do so whilst
+on his journey! I do not intend to trouble myself any longer about it,
+it does no good!"
+
+"There is still a prospect!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+
+
+
+VII.
+
+THE EAGLE'S NEST.
+
+
+Merry and loud sounded the _jodel_ from the mountain-path, it
+indicated good humour and joyous courage; it was Rudy; he was going to
+his friend Vesinand.
+
+"You must help me! We will take Ragli with us; I am going after the
+eaglet on the brink of the rock!"
+
+"Do you not wish to go after the black spot in the moon? That is quite
+as easy," said Vesinand; "you are in a good humour!"
+
+"Yes, because I am thinking of my wedding; but seriously, you shall
+know how my affairs stand!"
+
+Vesinand and Ragli soon knew what Rudy wished.
+
+"You are a bold fellow," said they, "do not do this! You will break
+your neck!"
+
+"One does not fall, when one does not think of it!" said Rudy.
+
+About mid-day, they set out with poles, ladders and ropes; their path
+lay through bushes and brambles, over the rolling stones, up, up in
+the dark night.
+
+The water rushed beneath them; the water flowed above them and the
+humid clouds chased each other in the air. The hunters approached the
+steep brink of the rock; it became darker and darker, the rocky walls
+almost met; high above them in the narrow fissure the air penetrated
+and gave light. Under their feet there was a deep abyss with its
+roaring waters.
+
+They all three sat still, awaiting the grey of the morning; then the
+eagle would fly out; they must shoot him before they could think of
+obtaining the young one. Rudy seemed to be a part of the stone on
+which he sat; his rifle placed before him, ready to take aim, his eyes
+immoveably fastened on yon high cleft which concealed the eagle's
+nest. The three huntsmen waited long.
+
+A crashing, whizzing noise sounded high above them; a large hovering
+object darkened the air. Two rifle barrels were aimed as the black
+eagle flew from its nest; a shot was heard, the out-spread wings moved
+an instant, then the bird slowly sank as if it wished to fill the
+entire cliff with its outstretched wings and bury the huntsmen in its
+fall. The eagle sank in the deep; the branches of the trees and bushes
+cracked, broken by the fall of the bird.
+
+They now displayed their activity; three of the longest ladders were
+tied together; they stood them on the farthest point where the foot
+could place itself with security, close to the brink of the
+precipice--but they were not long enough; there was still a great
+space from the outermost projecting cliff, which protected the nest;
+the rocky wall was perfectly smooth. After some consultation, they
+decided to lower into the opening two ladders tied together and to
+fasten them to the three already beneath them. With great difficulty
+they dragged them up and attached them with cords; the ladders shot
+over the projecting cliffs and hung over the chasm; Rudy sat already
+on the lowest round.
+
+It was an ice-cold morning, and the mist mounted from the black
+ravine. Rudy sat there like a fly on a rocking blade of grass, which a
+nest-building bird has dropped in its hasty flight, on the edge of a
+factory chimney; but the fly had the advantage of escaping by its
+wings, poor Rudy had none, he was almost sure to break his neck. The
+wind whistled around him and the roaring water from the thawed
+glaciers, the palace of the Ice-Maiden, poured itself into the abyss.
+
+He gave the ladders a swinging motion--as the spider swings herself by
+her long thread--he seized them with a strong and steady hand, but
+they shook as if they had worn-out hasps.
+
+The five long ladders looked like a tremulous reed, as they reached
+the nest and hung perpendicularly over the rocky wall. Now came the
+most dangerous part; Rudy had to climb as a cat climbs; but Rudy could
+do this, for the cat had taught it to him. He did not feel that
+Vertigo trod in the air behind him and stretched her polypus-like arms
+towards him. Now he stood on the highest round of the ladder and
+perceived that he was not sufficiently high to enable him to see into
+the nest; he could reach it with his hands. He tried how firm the
+twigs were, which plaited in one another formed the bottom of the
+nest; when he had assured himself of a thick and immoveable one, he
+swung himself off of the ladder. He had his breast and head over the
+nest, out of which streamed towards him a stifling stench of carrion;
+torn lambs, chamois and birds lay decomposing around him. Vertigo, who
+had no power over him, blew poisonous vapours into his face to stupify
+him; below in the black, yawning abyss, sat the Ice-Maiden herself, on
+the hastening water, with her long greenish-white hair and stared at
+him with death-like eyes, which were pointed at him like two rifle
+barrels.
+
+"Now, I shall catch you!"
+
+Seated in one corner of the eagle's nest was the eaglet, who could not
+fly yet, although so strong and powerful. Rudy fastened his eyes on
+it, held himself with his whole strength firmly by one hand, and with
+the other threw the noose around it. It was captured alive, its legs
+were in the knot; Rudy cast the rope over his shoulder, so that the
+animal dangled some distance below him, and sustained himself by
+another rope which hung down, until his feet touched the upper round
+of the ladder.
+
+"Hold fast, do not think that you will fall and then you are sure not
+to do so!" That was the old lesson, and he followed it; held fast,
+climbed, was sure not to fall and he did not.
+
+There resounded a strong _jodling_, and a joyous one too. Rudy stood
+on the firm, rocky ground with the young eaglet.
+
+
+
+
+VIII.
+
+THE NEWS WHICH THE PARLOUR-CAT RELATED.
+
+
+"Here is what you demanded!" said Rudy, on entering the house of the
+miller at Bex, as he placed a large basket on the floor and took off
+the covering. Two yellow eyes, with black circles around them, fiery
+and wild, looked out as if they wished to set on fire, or to kill
+those around them. The short beak yawned ready to bite and the neck
+was red and downy.
+
+"The eaglet!" cried the miller. Babette screamed, jumped to one side
+and could neither turn her eyes from Rudy, nor from the eaglet.
+
+"You do not allow yourself to be frightened!" said the miller.
+
+"And you keep your word, at all times," said Rudy, "each has his
+characteristic trait!"
+
+"But why did you not break your neck?" asked the miller.
+
+"Because I held on firmly," answered Rudy, "and I hold firmly on
+Babette!"
+
+"First see that you have her!" said the miller and laughed; that was a
+good sign; Babette knew this.
+
+"Let us take the eaglet from the basket, it is terrible to see how he
+glares! How did you get him?"
+
+Rudy was obliged to recount his adventure, whilst the miller stared at
+him with eyes, which grew larger and larger.
+
+"With your courage and with your luck you could take care of three
+wives!" said the miller.
+
+"Thanks! Thanks!" cried Rudy.
+
+"Yes, but you have not yet Babette!" said the miller as he struck the
+young chamois hunter, jestingly on the shoulder.
+
+"Do you know the latest news in the mill?" said the parlour-cat to the
+kitchen-cat. "Rudy has brought us the young eagle and taken Babette in
+exchange. They have kissed each other and the father looked on. That
+is just as good as a betrothal; the old man did not overturn anything,
+he drew in his claws, took his nap and left the two seated, caressing
+each other. They have so much to relate, they will not get through
+till Christmas!"
+
+They had not finished at Christmas.
+
+The wind whistled through the brown foliage, the snow swept through
+the valley as it did on the high mountains. The Ice-Maiden sat in her
+proud castle and arrayed herself in her winter costume; the ice walls
+stood in glazed frost; where the mountain streams waved their watery
+veil in summer, were now seen thick elephantine icicles, shining
+garlands of ice, formed of fantastic ice crystals, encircled the
+fir-trees, which were powdered with snow.
+
+The Ice-Maiden rode on the blustering wind over the deepest valleys.
+The snow covering lay over all Bex; Rudy stayed in doors more than was
+his wont, and sat with Babette. The wedding was to take place in the
+summer; their friends talked so much of it that it often made their
+ears burn. All was sunshine with them, and the loveliest alpine rose
+was Babette, the sprightly, laughing Babette, who was as charming as
+the early spring; the spring that makes the birds sing, that will
+bring the summer time and the wedding day.
+
+"How can they sit there and hang over each other," exclaimed the
+parlour-cat, "I am really tired of their eternal mewing!"
+
+
+
+
+IX.
+
+THE ICE-MAIDEN.
+
+
+The early spring time had unfolded the green leaves of the walnut and
+chestnut trees; they were remarkably luxuriant from the bridge of St.
+Maurice to the banks of the lake of Geneva.
+
+The Rhone, which rushes forth from its source, has under the green
+glacier the palace of the Ice-Maiden. She is carried by it and the
+sharp wind to the elevated snow-fields, where she extends herself on
+her damp cushions in the brilliant sunshine. There she sits and gazes,
+with far-seeing sight, upon the valley where mortals busily move about
+like so many ants.
+
+"Beings endowed with mental powers, as the children of the Sun, call
+you," said the Ice-Maiden--"ye are worms! _One_ snow-ball rolled and
+you and your houses and towns are crushed and swept away!" She raised
+her proud head still higher and looked with death-beaming eyes far
+around and below her. From the valley resounded a rumbling, a blasting
+of rocks, men were making railways and tunnels. "They are playing like
+moles," said she, "they excavate passages, and a noise is made like
+the firing of a gun. When I transpose _my_ castles, it roars louder
+than the rolling of the thunder!"
+
+A smoke arose from the valley and moved along like a floating veil,
+like a waving plume; it was the locomotive which led the train over
+the newly built railroad--this crooked snake, whose limbs are formed
+of cars upon cars. It shot along with the speed of an arrow.
+
+"They are playing the masters with their mental powers," said the
+Ice-Maiden, "but the powers of nature are the ruling ones!" and she
+laughed and her laugh was echoed in the valley.
+
+"Now an avalanche is rolling!" said the men below.
+
+Still more loudly sang the children of the Sun; they sang of the
+"thoughts" of men which fetter the sea to the yoke, cut down mountains
+and fill up valleys; of human thoughts which rule the powers of
+nature. At this moment, a company of travellers crossed the snow-field
+where the Maiden sat; they had bound themselves firmly together with
+ropes, in order to form a large body on the smooth ice-field by the
+deep abyss.
+
+"Worms!" said she, "as if you were lords of creation!" She turned from
+them and looked mockingly upon the deep valley, where the cars were
+rushing by.
+
+"There sit those _thoughts_ in their power of strength! I see them
+all!--There sits one, proud as a king and alone! They sit in masses!
+There, half are asleep! When the steam-dragon stops, they will descend
+and go their way! The thoughts go out into the world!" She laughed.
+
+"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.
+
+"It will not catch us!" said two on the back of the steam
+dragon;--"two souls and one thought"--these were Rudy and Babette; the
+miller was there also.
+
+"As baggage," said he, "I go along, as the indispensable!"
+
+"There sit the two," said the Ice-Maiden, "I have crushed many a
+chamois; I have bent and broken millions of alpine roses, so that no
+roots were left! I shall annihilate _them_! The thoughts! The mental
+powers!" She laughed.
+
+"There rolls another avalanche!" they said in the valley.
+
+
+
+
+X.
+
+THE GOD-MOTHER.
+
+
+In Montreux, one of the adjoining towns, which with Clarens, Vernex
+and Crin forms a garland around the northeast part of the lake of
+Geneva, dwelt Babette's god-mother, a distinguished English lady, with
+her daughters and a young relation. Although she had but lately
+arrived, the miller had already made her his visit and announced
+Babette's engagement; had spoken of Rudy and the eaglet; of the visit
+to Interlaken and in short had told the whole story. This had rejoiced
+her in the highest degree, both for Rudy and Babette's sake, as well
+as for the miller's; they must all visit her--therefore they came.
+Babette was to see her god-mother, and the god-mother was to see
+Babette.
+
+At the end of the lake of Geneva, by the little town of Villeneuve,
+lay the steam-boat which after half an hour's trip from Vernex,
+arrived at Montreux. This is one of the coasts which are sung of by
+the poets. Here sat Byron, by the deep bluish green lake, under the
+walnut trees and wrote his melodious verses upon the prisoner of the
+deep sombre castle of Chillon. Here, where Clarens with its weeping
+willows, mirrored itself in the waters, once wandered Rousseau and
+dreamt of Heloise. Yonder, where the Rhone glides along under Savoy's
+snow-topped mountains and not far from its mouth, in the lake lies a
+little island, indeed it is so small, that from the coast it is taken
+for a vessel. It is a valley between the rocks, which a lady caused
+to be dammed up a hundred years ago and to be covered with earth and
+planted with three acacia-trees, which now shade the whole island.
+Babette was quite charmed with this little spot; they must and should
+go there, yes, it must be charming beyond description to be on the
+island; but the steamer sailed by, and stopped as it should, at
+Vernex.
+
+The little party wandered between the white, sunlighted walls, which
+surround the vineyards of the little mountain town of Montreux,
+through the fig-trees which flourish before every peasant's house and
+in whose gardens, the laurel and cypress trees are green. Half-way up
+the hill stood the boarding house where the god-mother resided.
+
+The reception was very cordial. The god-mother was a large amiable
+person and had a round smiling countenance; as a child she must have
+had a real Raphael's angel head, but now it was an old angel's head
+with silvery white hair, well curled. The daughters were tall,
+slender, refined and much dressed. The young cousin who was with them,
+was clad in white from head to foot; he had golden hair and immense
+whiskers; he immediately showed little Babette the greatest attention.
+
+Richly bound books, loose music and drawings lay strewn about the
+large table; the balcony door stood open and one had a view of the
+beautiful out-spread lake, which was so shining, so still, that the
+mountains of Savoy with their little villages, their forest and their
+snowy peaks mirrored themselves in it.
+
+Rudy, who usually was so full of life, so merry and so daring, did not
+feel in his element; he moved about over the smooth floor as though
+he were treading on peas. How wearily the time dragged along, it was
+just as if one was in a tread mill! If they did go walking, why, that
+was just as slow; Rudy could take two steps forwards and two steps
+backwards and still remain in the pace of the others.
+
+When they came to Chillon, (the old sombre castle on the rocky island)
+they entered in order to see the dungeon and the martyr's stake, as
+well as the rusty chains on the wall; the stone bed for those
+condemned to death and the trap-door where the wretched beings impaled
+on iron goads, were hurled into the breakers. It was a place of
+execution elevated through Byron's song to the world of poetry. Rudy
+was sad, he lent over the broad stone sill of the window, gazed into
+the deep blue water and over to the little solitary island with its
+three acacias and wished himself there, free from the whole gossiping
+society. Babette was remarkably merry, she had been indescribably
+amused. The cousin found her perfect.
+
+"Yes, a perfect jackanapes!" said Rudy; this was the first time, that
+he had said something, that did not please her. The Englishman had
+presented her with a little book, as a souvenir of Chillon,--Byron's
+poem of "The Prisoner of Chillon," in the French language, so that
+Babette might read it.
+
+"The book may be good," said Rudy, "but the finely combed fellow that
+gave it to you does not please me!"
+
+"He looked like a meal-bag, without meal in it!" said the miller and
+laughed at his own wit. Rudy laughed and thought that this was very
+well said.
+
+
+
+
+XI.
+
+THE COUSIN.
+
+
+When Rudy came to the mill, a couple of days afterwards, he found the
+young Englishman there. Babette had just cooked some trout for him and
+had dressed them with parsley in order to make them appear more
+inviting. That was assuredly not necessary. What did the Englishman
+want here? Did he come in order to have Babette entertain and wait
+upon him?
+
+Rudy was jealous and that amused Babette; it rejoiced her, to learn
+the feelings of his heart, the strong as well as the weak ones.
+
+Until now love had been a play and she played with Rudy's whole heart;
+yet he was her happiness, her life's thought, the noblest one! The
+more gloomy he looked, the more her eyes laughed and she would have
+liked to kiss the blonde Englishman with his golden whiskers, if she
+could have succeeded by so doing, in making Rudy rush away furious.
+Then, yes then, she would have known how much he loved her. That was
+not right, that was not wise in little Babette; but she was only
+nineteen! She did not reflect and still less did she think how her
+behaviour towards the young Englishman might be interpreted; for it
+was lighter and merrier than was seemly for the honourable and newly
+affianced daughter of the miller.
+
+The mill lay where the highway slopes--under the snow covered rocky
+heights--which are called here, in the language of the country
+"Diablerets" close to a rapid mountain stream, which was of a greyish
+white, like bubbling soap suds. A smaller stream, rushes forth from
+the rocks on the other side of the river, passes through an enclosed,
+broad rafter-made-gutter and turns the large wheel of the mill. The
+gutter was so full of water, that it streamed over and offered a most
+slippery way, to one who had the idea of crossing more quickly to the
+mill; a young man had this idea--the Englishman. Guided by the light,
+which shone from Babette's window, he arrived in the evening, clothed
+in white, like a miller's boy; he had not learnt to climb and nearly
+tumbled head over heels into the stream, but escaped with wet sleeves
+and splashed pantaloons. He reached Babette's window, muddy and wet
+through, there he climbed into the old linden tree and imitated the
+screech of an owl, for he could not sing like any other bird. Babette
+heard it and peeped through the thin curtains, but when she remarked
+the white man and recognized him, her little heart fluttered with
+alarm, but also with anger. She hastily extinguished the light,
+fastened the windows securely and then she let him howl.
+
+If Rudy was in the mill it would have been dreadful, but Rudy was not
+there; no, it was much worse, for he was below. There was loud
+conversation, angry words; there might be blows; yes, perhaps murder.
+
+Babette was terrified; she opened the window, called Rudy's name and
+begged him to go; she said she would not suffer him to remain.
+
+"You will not suffer me to remain," he exclaimed, "then it is a
+preconcerted thing! You were expecting other friends, friends better
+than myself; shame on you, Babette!"
+
+"You are detestable," said Babette, "I hate you!" and she wept. "Go!
+Go!"
+
+"I have not deserved this!" said he, and departed. His cheeks burned
+like fire, his heart burned like fire.
+
+Babette threw herself on her bed and wept.
+
+"So much as I love you, Rudy, how can you believe ill of me!"
+
+She was angry, very angry, and this was good for her; otherwise she
+would have sorrowed deeply; but now she could sleep, and she slept the
+strengthening sleep of youth.
+
+
+
+
+XII.
+
+THE EVIL POWERS.
+
+
+Rudy forsook Bex and went on his way home, in the fresh, cool air, up
+the snow-covered mountain, where the Ice-Maiden ruled. The leafy trees
+which lay beneath him, looked like potato vines; fir-trees and bushes
+became less frequent; the alpine roses grew in the snow, which lay in
+little spots like linen put out to bleach. There stood a blue anemone,
+he crushed it with the barrel of his gun.
+
+Higher up two chamois appeared and Rudy's eyes gained lustre and his
+thoughts took a new direction; but he was not near enough to make a
+good shot; he ascended still higher, where only stiff grass grows
+between the blocks of stone; the chamois were quietly crossing the
+snow field; he hurried hastily on; the fog was descending and he
+suddenly stood before the steep rocky wall. The rain commenced to
+fall.
+
+He felt a burning thirst; heat in his head, cold in all his limbs; he
+grasped his hunting flask, but it was empty; he had not thought of
+filling it when he rushed up the hill. He had never been ill, but now
+he was so; he was weary and had a desire to throw himself down to
+sleep, but everything was streaming with water. He endeavoured to
+collect his ideas, but all objects danced before his eyes. Suddenly he
+perceived a newly built house leaning against the rocks and in the
+doorway stood a young girl. Yes, it appeared to him that it was the
+schoolmaster's Annette, whom he had once kissed whilst dancing; but it
+was not Annette and yet he had seen her before--perhaps in
+Grindelwald, on the evening when he returned from the shooting-festival
+at Interlaken.
+
+"Where do you come from?" asked he.
+
+"I am at home," said she, "I tend my flock!"
+
+"Your flock, where do they pasture? Here are only cliffs and snow!"
+
+"You have a ready answer," said she and laughed; "below there is a
+charming meadow! There are my goats! I take good care of them! I lose
+none of them, what is mine, remains mine!"
+
+"You are bold!" said Rudy.
+
+"So are you!" answered she.
+
+"Have you any milk? Do give me some, my thirst is intolerable!"
+
+"I have something better than milk," said she, "and you shall have
+it! Travellers came yesterday with their guide, but they forgot a
+flask of wine, such as you have never tasted; they will not come for
+it, I shall not drink it, so drink you!"
+
+She brought the wine, poured it in a wooden cup and handed it to Rudy.
+
+"That is good," said he, "I have never drunk such a warming, such a
+fiery wine!" His eyes beamed, a life, a glow came over him; all sorrow
+and oppression seemed to die away; gushing, fresh human nature stirred
+itself within him.
+
+"Why this is the schoolmaster's Annette," exclaimed he, "give me a
+kiss!"
+
+"Yes, give me the beautiful ring, which you wear on your finger!"
+
+"My engagement ring?"
+
+"Just that one!" said the young girl and pouring wine into the cup,
+put it to his lips and he drank. Then the joy of life streamed in his
+blood; the whole world seemed to belong to him. "Why torment one's
+self? Every thing is made for our enjoyment and happiness! The stream
+of life is the stream of joy, and forgetfulness is felicity!" He
+looked at the young girl, it was Annette and then again not Annette;
+still less, an enchanted phantom, as he had named her, when he met her
+near Grindelwald. The girl on the mountain was fresh as the newly
+fallen snow, blooming as the alpine rose and light as a kid; and a
+human being like Rudy. He wound his arm about her, looked in her
+strange clear eyes, yes, only for a second--but was it spiritual life
+or was it death which flowed through him? Was he raised on high, or
+did he sink into the deep, murderous ice-pit, deeper and ever deeper?
+He saw icy walls like bluish green glass, numberless clefts yawned
+around, and the water sounded as it dropped, like a chime of bells;
+it was pearly, clear and shone in bluish white flames. The Ice-Maiden
+gave him a kiss, which made him shiver from head to foot and he gave a
+cry of pain. He staggered and fell; it grew dark before his eyes, but
+soon all became clear to him again; the evil powers had had their
+sport with him.
+
+The alpine maiden had vanished, the mountain hut had vanished, the
+water beat against the bare rocky walls and all around him lay snow.
+Rudy wet to the skin, trembled from cold and his ring had disappeared,
+his engagement ring, which Babette had given him. He tried to fire off
+his rifle which lay near him in the snow but it missed. Humid clouds
+lay in the clefts like firm masses of snow and Vertigo watched for her
+powerless prey; beneath him in the deep chasm it sounded as if a
+block of the rock was rolling down and was endeavouring to crush and
+tear up all that met it in its fall.
+
+In the mill sat Babette and wept; Rudy had not been there for six
+days; he who had been so wrong; he who must beg her forgiveness,
+because she loved him with her whole heart.
+
+
+
+
+XIII.
+
+IN THE MILLER'S HOUSE.
+
+
+"What confusion!" said the parlour-cat to the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Now all is wrong between Rudy and Babette. She sits and weeps and he
+thinks no longer on her, I suppose.
+
+"I cannot bear it!" said the kitchen-cat.
+
+"Nor I," said the parlour-cat, "but I shall not worry myself any
+longer about it! Babette can take the red-whiskered one for a dear
+one, but he has not been here either, since he tried to get on the
+roof!"
+
+Within and without, the evil powers ruled, and Rudy knew this, and
+reflected upon what had taken place both around and within him, whilst
+upon the mountain. Were those faces, or was all a feverish dream? He
+had never known fever or sickness before. Whilst he condemned Babette,
+he also condemned himself. He thought of the wild, wicked feelings
+which had lately possessed him. Could he confess everything to
+Babette? Every thought, which in the hour of temptation might have
+become a reality? He had lost her ring and by this loss had she won
+him back. Could she confess to him? It seemed as if his heart would
+break when he thought of her; so many recollections passed through his
+soul. He saw her a lively, laughing, petulant child; many a loving
+word, which she had said to him in the fullness of her heart, shot
+like a sunbeam through his breast and soon all there was sunshine for
+Babette.
+
+She must be able to confess to him and she should do so.
+
+He came to the mill, he came to confession; and this commenced with a
+kiss, and ended with the fact that Rudy was the sinner; his great
+fault was, that he had doubted Babette's fidelity; yes, that was
+indeed atrocious in him! Such mistrust, such violence could bring them
+both into misfortune! Yes, most surely! Thereupon Babette preached him
+a little sermon, which much diverted her and became her charmingly; in
+one article Rudy was quite right; the god-mother's relation was a
+jackanapes! She should burn the book that he had given her, and not
+possess the slightest object which could remind her of him.
+
+"Now it is all arranged," said the parlour-cat, "Rudy is here again,
+they understand each other and that is a great happiness!"
+
+"Last night," said the kitchen-cat, "I heard the rats say that the
+greatest happiness was to eat tallow candles, and to have abundance of
+tainted meat. Now who must one believe, the rats or the lovers?"
+
+"Neither of them," said the parlour-cat, "that is the surest way!"
+
+The greatest happiness for Rudy and Babette was drawing near; they
+were awaiting, so they said, their happiest day, their wedding day.
+
+But the wedding was not to be in the church of Bex, nor in the
+miller's house; the god-mother wished it to be solemnized near her,
+and the marriage ceremony was to take place in the beautiful little
+church of Montreux. The miller insisted that her desire should be
+fulfilled; he alone knew what the god-mother intended for the young
+couple; they were to receive a bridal present from her, which was well
+worth so slight a concession. The day was appointed. They were to
+leave for Villeneuve, in time to arrive at Montreux early in the
+morning, and so enable the god-mother's daughters to dress the bride.
+
+"Then I suppose there will be a wedding here in the house, on the
+following day," said the parlour-cat, "otherwise, I would not give a
+single mew for the whole thing!"
+
+"There will be a feast here," said the kitchen-cat, "the ducks are
+slain, the pigeons necks wrung, and a whole deer hangs on the wall. My
+teeth itch just with looking on! To-morrow the journey commences!"
+
+Yes, to-morrow! Rudy and Babette sat together for the last time in the
+mill.
+
+Without was the alpine glow; the evening bells pealed; the daughters
+of the Sun sang: "What is for the best will take place!"
+
+
+
+
+XIV.
+
+THE VISIONS OF THE NIGHT.
+
+
+The sun had gone down; the clouds lowered themselves into the Rhone
+valley--between the high mountains; the wind blew from the south over
+the mountains--an African wind, a Foehn,--which tore the clouds
+asunder. When the wind had passed, all was still for an instant; the
+parted clouds hung in fantastic forms between the forest-grown
+mountains. Over the hastening Rhone, their shapes resembled
+sea-monsters of the primeval world, soaring eagles of the air and
+leaping frogs of the ditches--they seemed to sink into the rapid
+stream and to sail on the river, yet they still floated in the air.
+The stream carried away a pine tree, torn up by the roots; and the
+water sent whirlpools ahead; this was Vertigo, with her attendants,
+and they danced in circles on the foaming stream. The moon shone on
+the snow of the mountain-peaks; it lighted up the dark forest and the
+singular white clouds; the peasants of the mountain, saw through their
+window panes, the nightly apparitions and the spirits of the powers of
+nature, as they sailed before the Ice-Maiden. She came from her
+glacier castle, she sat in a frail bark, a felled fir-tree; the water
+of the glaciers carried her up the stream out to the main sea.
+
+"The wedding guests are coming!" was whizzed and sung in the air and
+in the water.
+
+Visions without and visions within!
+
+Babette dreamt a wonderful dream.
+
+It appeared to her, as though she was married to Rudy, and had been so
+for many years. He had gone chamois hunting and as she sat at home,
+the young Englishman with the golden whiskers was beside her; his eyes
+were fiery, his words seemed endowed with magical power; he reached
+her his hand and she was obliged to follow him.
+
+They flew from home. Steadily downwards.
+
+A weight lay upon her heart and it grew ever heavier. It was a sin
+against Rudy, a sin against God; suddenly she stood forsaken. Her
+clothes were torn by the thorns; her hair had grown grey; she looked
+up in her sorrow and she saw Rudy on the edge of the rock. She
+stretched her arms towards him, but she ventured neither to call, nor
+to implore him; but she soon saw that it was not he himself, only his
+hunting coat and hat, which were hanging on his alpine staff, as the
+hunters are accustomed to place them, in order to deceive the chamois!
+Babette moaned in boundless anguish:
+
+"Ah! would that I had died on my wedding day, my happiest day! Oh! my
+heavenly Father! That would have been a mercy, a life's happiness!
+Then we would have obtained, the best, that could have happened to us!
+No one knows his future!" In her impious sorrow, she threw herself
+down the steep precipice. It seemed as if a string broke, and a
+sorrowful tone resounded.
+
+Babette awoke--the dream was at an end and obliterated; but she knew
+that she had dreamt of something terrible, and of the young
+Englishman, whom she had neither seen, nor thought of, for many
+months. Was he perhaps in Montreux? Should she see him at her
+wedding? A slight shadow flitted over her delicate mouth, her brow
+contracted; but her smile soon returned; her eyes sparkled again; the
+sun shone so beautifully without, and to-morrow, yes to-morrow was her
+and Rudy's wedding day.
+
+Rudy had already arrived, when she came down stairs, and they soon
+left for Villeneuve. They were so happy, the two, and the miller also;
+he laughed and was radiant with joy; he was a good father, an honest
+soul.
+
+"Now we are the masters of the house!" said the parlour-cat.
+
+
+
+
+XV.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+It was not yet night, when the three joyous people reached Villeneuve
+and took their dinner. The miller seated himself in an arm-chair with
+his pipe and took a little nap. The betrothed went out of the town arm
+in arm, out on the carriage way, under the bush-grown rocks, to the
+deep bluish-green lake. Sombre Chillon, with its grey walls and heavy
+towers, mirrored itself in the clear water; but still nearer lay the
+little island, with its three acacias, and it looked like a bouquet on
+the lake.
+
+"How charming it must be there!" said Babette; she felt again the
+greatest desire to visit it, and this wish could be immediately
+fulfilled; for a boat lay on the shore and the rope which fastened it,
+was easy to untie. As no one was visible, from whom they could ask
+permission, they took the boat without hesitation, for Rudy could row
+well. The oars skimmed like the fins of a fish, over the pliant water,
+which is so yielding and still so strong; which is all back to carry,
+but all mouth to engulph; which smiles--yes, is gentleness itself, and
+still awakens terror--and is so powerful in destroying. The rapid
+current soon brought the boat to the island; they stepped on land.
+There was just room enough for the two to dance.
+
+Rudy swung Babette three times around, and then they seated themselves
+on the little bench, under the acacias, looked into each other's eyes,
+held each other by the hand, and everything around them shone in the
+splendour of the setting sun. The forests of fir-trees on the
+mountains became of a pinkish lilac aspect, the colour of blooming
+heath, and where the bare rocks were apparent, they glowed as if they
+were transparent. The clouds in the sky were radiant with a red glow;
+the whole lake was like a fresh flaming rose leaf. As the shadows
+arose to the snow-covered mountains of Savoy, they became dark blue,
+but the uppermost peak seemed like red lava and pointed out for a
+moment, the whole range of mountains, whose masses arose glowing from
+the bosom of the earth.
+
+It seemed to Rudy and Babette, that they had never seen such an alpine
+glow. The snow-covered Dent-du-Midi, had a lustre like the full moon,
+when it rises to the horizon.
+
+"So much beauty, so much happiness!" they both said.
+
+"Earth can give me no more," said Rudy, "an evening hour like this is
+a whole life! How often have I felt as now, and thought that if
+everything should end suddenly, how happily have I lived! How blessed
+is this world! The day ended, a new one dawned and I felt that it was
+still more beautiful! How bountiful is our Lord, Babette!"
+
+"I am so happy!" said she.
+
+"Earth can give me no more!" exclaimed Rudy.
+
+The evening bells resounded from the Savoy and Swiss mountains; the
+bluish-black Jura arose in golden splendour towards the west.
+
+"God give you that which is most excellent and best, Rudy!" said
+Babette.
+
+"He will do that," answered Rudy, "to-morrow I shall have it!
+To-morrow you will be entirely mine! Mine own, little, lovely wife!"
+
+"The boat!" cried Babette at the same moment.
+
+The boat, which was to convey them back, had broken loose and was
+sailing from the island.
+
+"I will go for it!" said Rudy. He threw off his coat, drew off his
+boots, sprang in the lake and swam towards the boat.
+
+The clear, bluish-grey water of the ice mountains, was cold and deep.
+Rudy gave but a single glance and it seemed as though he saw a gold
+ring, rolling, shining and sporting--he thought on his lost engagement
+ring--and the ring grew larger, widened into a sparkling circle and
+within it shone the clear glacier; all about yawned endless deep
+chasms; the water dropped and sounded like a chime of bells, and shone
+with bluish-white flames. He saw in a second, what we must say in many
+long words. Young hunters and young girls, men and women, who had
+once perished in the glacier, stood there living, with open eyes and
+smiling mouth; deep below them chimed from buried towns the peal of
+church bells; under the arches of the churches knelt the congregation;
+pieces of ice formed the organ pipes, and the mountain stream played
+the organ. On the clear transparent ground sat the Ice-Maiden; she
+raised herself towards Rudy, kissed his feet, and the coldness of
+death ran through his limbs and gave him an electric shock--ice and
+fire. He could not perceive the difference.
+
+"Mine, mine!" sounded around him and within him.
+
+"I kissed you, when you were young, kissed you on your mouth! Now I
+kiss your feet, you are entirely mine!"
+
+He vanished in the clear blue water.
+
+Everything was still; the church bells stopped ringing; the last tones
+died away with the splendour of the red clouds.
+
+"You are mine!" sounded in the deep. "You are mine!" sounded from on
+high, from the infinite.
+
+How happy to fly from love to love, from earth to heaven!
+
+A string broke, a cry of grief was heard, the icy kiss of death
+conquered; the prelude ended; so that the drama of life might
+commence, discord melted into harmony.--
+
+Do you call this a sad story?
+
+Poor Babette! For her it was a period of anguish.
+
+The boat drifted farther and farther. No one on shore knew that the
+lovers were on the island. The evening darkened, the clouds lowered
+themselves; night came. She stood there, solitary, despairing,
+moaning. A flash of lightning passed over the Jura mountains, over
+Switzerland and over Savoy. From all sides flash upon flash of
+lightning, clap upon clap of thunder, which rolled continuously many
+minutes. At times the lightning was vivid as sunshine, and you could
+distinguish the grape vines; then all became black again in the dark
+night. The lightning formed knots, ties, zigzags, complicated figures;
+it struck in the lake, so that it lit it up on all sides; whilst the
+noise of the thunder was made louder by the echo. The boat was drawn
+on shore; all living objects sought shelter. Now the rain streamed
+down.
+
+"Where can Rudy and Babette be in this frightful weather!" said the
+miller.
+
+Babette sat with folded hands, with her head in her lap, mute with
+sorrow, with screaming and bewailing.
+
+"In the deep water," said she to herself, "he is as far down as the
+glaciers!"
+
+She remembered what Rudy had related to her of his mother's death, of
+his preservation, and how he was withdrawn death-like, from the clefts
+of the glacier. "The Ice-Maiden has him again!"
+
+There was a flash of lightning, as dazzling as the sunlight on the
+white snow. Babette started up; at this instant, the sea rose like a
+glittering glacier; there stood the Ice-Maiden majestic, pale, blue,
+shining, and at her feet lay Rudy's corpse. "Mine!" said she, and then
+all around was fog and night and streaming water.
+
+"Cruel!" moaned Babette, "why must he die, now that the day of our
+happiness approached. God! Enlighten my understanding! Enlighten my
+heart! I do not understand thy ways! Notwithstanding all thy
+omnipotence and wisdom, I still grope in the darkness."
+
+God enlightened her heart. A thought like a ray of mercy, her last
+night's dream in all its vividness flashed through her; she remembered
+the words which she had spoken: "the wish for the best for herself and
+Rudy."
+
+"Woe is me! Was that the sinful seed in my heart? Did my dream
+foretell my future life? Is all this misery for my salvation? Me,
+miserable one!"
+
+Lamenting, sat she in the dark night. In the solemn stillness, sounded
+Rudy's last words; the last ones he had uttered: "Earth has no more
+happiness to give me!" She had heard it in the fullness of her joy,
+she heard it again in all the depths of her sorrow.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A couple of years have passed since then. The lake smiles, the coast
+smiles; the vine branches are filled with ripe grapes; the steamboats
+glide along with waving flags and the pleasure boats float over the
+watery mirror, with their two expanded sails like white butterflies.
+The railroad to Chillon is opened; it leads into the Rhone valley;
+strangers alight at every station; they arrive with their red covered
+guide books and read of remarkable sights which are to be seen. They
+visit Chillon, they stand upon the little island, with its three
+acacias--out on the lake--and they read in the book about the
+betrothed ones, who sailed over one evening in the year 1856;--of the
+death of the bridegroom, and: "it was not till the next morning, that
+the despairing shrieks of the bride were heard on the coast!"
+
+The book does not tell, however, of Babette's quiet life with her
+father; not in the mill, where strangers now dwell, but in the
+beautiful house, near the railway station. There she looks from the
+window many an evening and gazes over the chestnut trees, upon the
+snow mountains, where Rudy once climbed. She sees in the evening hours
+the alpine glow--the children of the Sun encamp themselves above, and
+repeat the song of the wanderer, whose mantle the whirlwind tore off,
+and carried away: "it took the covering but not the man."
+
+There is a rosy hue on the snow of the mountains; there is a rosy hue
+in every heart, where the thought dwells, that: "God always gives us
+that which is best for us!" but it is not always revealed to us, as it
+once happened to Babette in her dream.
+
+
+
+
+The Butterfly.
+
+
+The butterfly wished to procure a bride for himself--of course, one of
+the flowers--a pretty little one. He looked about him. Each one sat
+quietly and thoughtfully on her stalk, as a young maiden should sit,
+when she is not affianced; but there were many of them, and it was a
+difficult matter to choose amongst them. The butterfly could not make
+up his mind; so he flew to the daisy. The French call her
+_Marguerite_; they know that she can tell fortunes, and she does this
+when lovers pluck off leaf after leaf and ask her at each one a
+question about the beloved one: "How does he love me?--With all his
+heart?--With sorrow?--Above all?--Can not refrain from it?--Quite
+secretly?--A little bit?--Not at all?"--or questions to the same
+import. Each one asks in his own language. The butterfly flew towards
+her and questioned her; he did not pluck off the leaves, but kissed
+each separate one, thinking that by so doing, he would make himself
+more agreeable to the good creature.
+
+"Sweet Margaret Daisy," said he, "of all the flowers you are the
+wisest woman! You can prophesy! Tell me, shall I obtain this one or
+that one? Which one? If I but know this, I can fly to the charming one
+at once, and pay my court!"
+
+Margaret did not answer. She could not bear to be called a _woman_,
+for she was a young girl, and when one is a young girl, one is not a
+woman.
+
+He asked again, he asked a third time, but as she did not answer a
+single word, he questioned her no more and flew away without further
+parley, intent on his courtship.
+
+It was early spring time, and there was an abundance of snow-drops and
+crocuses. "They are very neat," said the butterfly, "pretty little
+confirmed ones, but a little green!" He, like all young men looked at
+older girls.
+
+From thence he flew to the anemones; but he found them a little too
+sentimental; the tulips, too showy; the broom, not of a good family;
+the linden blossoms, too small--then they had so many relations; as to
+the apple blossoms, why to look at them you would think them as
+healthy as roses, but to-day they blossom and to-morrow, if the wind
+blows, they drop off; a marriage with them would be too short. The pea
+blossom pleased him most, she was pink and white, she was pure and
+refined and belonged to the housewifely girls that look well, and
+still can make themselves useful in the kitchen. He had almost
+concluded to make love to her, when he saw hanging near to her, a
+pea-pod with its white blossom. "Who is that?" asked he. "That is my
+sister," said the pea blossom.
+
+"How now, is that the way you look when older?" This terrified the
+butterfly and he flew away.
+
+The honeysuckles were hanging over the fence--young ladies with long
+faces and yellow skins--but he did not fancy their style of beauty.
+Yes, but which did he like? Ask him!
+
+The spring passed, the summer passed, and then came the autumn. The
+flowers appeared in their most beautiful dresses, but of what avail
+was this? The butterfly's fresh youthful feelings had vanished. In
+old age, the heart longs for fragrance, and dahlias and gillyflowers
+are scentless. So the butterfly flew to the mint. "She has no flower
+at all, but she is herself a flower, for she is fragrant from head to
+foot and each leaf is filled with perfume. I shall take her!"
+
+But the mint stood stiff and still, and at last said: "Friendship--but
+nothing more! I am old and you are old! We can live very well for one
+another, but to marry? No! Do not let us make fools of ourselves in
+our old age."
+
+So the butterfly obtained no one.
+
+The butterfly remained a bachelor.
+
+Many violent and transient showers came late in the autumn; the wind
+blew so coldly down the back of the old willow trees, that it cracked
+within them. It did not do to fly about in summer garments, for even
+love itself would then grow cold. The butterfly however preferred not
+to fly out at all; he had by chance entered a door-way, and there was
+fire in the stove--yes, it was just as warm there, as in
+summer-time;--there he could live. "Life is not enough," said he, "one
+must have sunshine, liberty and a little flower!"
+
+He flew against the window-panes, was seen, was run through by a pin
+and placed in a curiosity-box; one could not do more for him.
+
+"Now I also am seated on a stalk like a flower," said the butterfly,
+"it is not so comfortable after all! But it is as well as being
+married, for then one is tied down!" He consoled himself with this.
+
+"What a wretched consolation!" said the flower, that grew in the pot
+in the room.
+
+"One can not entirely trust to flowers that grow in pots," thought
+the butterfly, "they have too much intercourse with men."
+
+
+
+
+The Psyche.
+
+
+A large star beams in the dawn of morning in the red sky--the
+clearest star of the morning--its rays tremble upon the white wall, as
+if they wished to write down and relate, the scenes which they had
+witnessed during many centuries.
+
+Listen to one of these stories!
+
+A short time ago--(this _not long ago_ is with us men--centuries)--my
+rays followed a young artist; it was in the realm of the Pope, in the
+city of the world, in Rome. Many changes have been made, but the
+imperial palace, was, as it is to-day, a ruin; between the overthrown
+marble columns and over the ruined bath-rooms, whose walls were still
+decorated with gold, grew fig and laurel trees. The Colosseum was a
+ruin; the church bells rang, the incense arose and processions passed
+through the streets with tapers and gorgeous canopies. The Church was
+holy, and art was lofty and holy also. In Rome dwelt Raphael, the
+greatest painter of the world, here also dwelt Michael Angelo, the
+greatest sculptor of the age; even the Pope did homage to them both,
+and honoured them with his visits. Art was recognized, honoured and
+rewarded. All greatness and excellence is not seen and recognized.
+
+In a little narrow street, stood an old house, which had once been a
+temple; here dwelt a young artist; he was poor, he was unknown; it is
+true that he had young friends, artists also, young in feelings, in
+hopes, and in thoughts. They told him, that he was rich in talents
+and excellence but that he needed confidence in himself. He was never
+satisfied with his work and either destroyed all that he modeled or
+left it unfinished; this is not the proper course to adopt, if one
+would be known, appreciated and live.
+
+"You are a dreamer," said they, "this is your misfortune! You have not
+yet lived, you have not inhaled life in large healthy draughts, you
+have not yet enjoyed it. One should do this in youth and become a man!
+Look at the great master Raphael whom the Pope honours and the world
+admires,--he takes wine and bread with him."
+
+"He dines with the baker's wife, the pretty Fornarina!" said Angelo,
+one of the merry young friends.
+
+Yes, they all appealed to his good sense and to his youth.
+
+They wished to have the young artist join them in their merry-makings,
+in their extravagances and in their mad tricks; he would do so for a
+short time, for his blood was warm, his imagination strong; he could
+take his part in their merry conversation, and laugh as loudly as the
+others; and yet "the merry life of Raphael," as they named it,
+vanished from him like the morning mist, when he saw the godlike
+lustre which shone forth from the paintings of the great masters, or
+when he stood in the Vatican and beheld the forms of beauty, which the
+old sculptors had fashioned from blocks of marble, centuries ago. His
+breast swelled, he felt something so lofty, so holy, so elevated
+within him, yes, something so great and good, that he longed to create
+and chisel like forms from marble blocks. He desired to give
+expression to the feelings which agitated his heart; but how and in
+what shape? The soft clay allowed itself to be modeled into beautiful
+figures by his fingers, but on the following day, dissatisfied, he
+destroyed all he had created.
+
+One day he passed by one of the rich palaces, of which Rome has so
+many; he stood a moment at the large open entrance, and gazed into a
+little garden, full of the most beautiful roses, which was surrounded
+by archways, decorated with paintings. Large, white callas, with their
+green leaves, sprouted forth from marble shells, into which splashed
+clear water; a form glided by, a young girl, the daughter of this
+princely house, so elegant, so light, so charming! He had never seen
+so lovely a woman. Hold! yes, once, one made by Raphael, a painting of
+Psyche, in one of the palaces of Rome. There she was but painted,
+here she breathed and moved.
+
+She lived in his thoughts and in his heart; he went home to his poor
+lodgings and formed a Psyche out of clay; it was the rich, young Roman
+girl, the princely woman, and he gazed at his work with satisfaction,
+for the first time. This had a signification--it was _She_. When his
+friends looked upon it, they exclaimed with joy, that this work was a
+revelation of his artistic greatness, which they had always
+recognized, but which now should be recognized by the whole world.
+
+Clay is natural, flesh like, but it has not the whiteness, the
+durability of marble; the Psyche must obtain life from the block of
+marble--and he had the most precious piece of marble. It had been the
+property of his parents, and had been lying many years, in the court
+yard; bits of broken bottles, remains of artichokes were heaped over
+it and it was soiled, but its interior was white as the mountain snow;
+the Psyche should rise forth from it.
+
+One day, it so happened--it is true, that the clear stars do not
+relate it, for they did not see it, but we know it--that a
+distinguished Roman party, came to view the young artist's work, of
+which they had casually heard. Who were the distinguished visitors?
+Poor young man! All too happy young man, one may call him also. Here
+in his room stood the young girl herself--with what a smile--when her
+father said: "You are that, living!" One cannot picture the look, one
+cannot render the look, the strange look with which she glanced at the
+young artist; it was a look which elevated, ennobled and--destroyed.
+
+"The Psyche must be executed in marble!" said the rich man. This was a
+word of life, for the dead clay and for the heavy block of marble; it
+was also a word of life for the young man who was overcome by emotion.
+"I will buy it, as soon as the work is completed!" said the princely
+man.
+
+It seemed as though a new era had dawned in the poor work-room;
+occupation, life and gayety, lighted it up. The beaming morning star
+saw how the work progressed. Even the clay had been endowed with a
+soul, since _she_ had been there, and he bent entranced over the well
+known features.
+
+"Now I know what life is," he exclaimed with delight, "it is love! it
+is the elevation of the heart to the divine, it is rapture for the
+beautiful! What my friends call life and enjoyment, is perishable,
+like bubbles in the fermenting lees, not the pure, heavenly wine of
+the altar, the consecration of life!"
+
+The marble block was erected, the chisel hewed away large pieces; the
+labourer's part was done, marks and points placed, until little by
+little, the stone became a body, a shape of beauty--the Psyche--as
+charming as was the woman made by God. The massive stone became a
+soaring, dancing, airy, light and graceful Psyche, with a heavenly,
+innocent smile, the smile that had been mirrored in the young
+sculptor's heart.
+
+The star, in the rosy-tinted morning saw, and partly understood what
+was agitating the mind of the young man; it understood as well, the
+varying colour of his checks and the glance of his eye, whilst he
+created, as though inspired by God.
+
+"You are a master like those in the days of the Greeks," said his
+enchanted friends, "the world will soon admire your Psyche!"
+
+"My Psyche," he repeated, "mine, yes, that she must be! I am also an
+artist like the great departed ones! God has granted gifts of mercy to
+me, and has elevated me to the highly born!"
+
+He sank, weeping, on his knees and offered up his thanks to God--but
+forgot him again for her, for her portrait in marble, for the Psyche
+form, that stood before him, as though cut out of snow, blushing, in
+the morning sun.
+
+He should see her, the living, floating one, in reality; she, whose
+words sounded like music. He would himself carry the tidings, that the
+marble Psyche was completed, to the rich palace. He arrived, passed
+through the open court-yard, where the water splashed from dolphin's
+mouths into marble shells, where callas bloomed and fresh roses
+blossomed. He stepped into the large, lofty hall, whose walls and
+ceilings were gorgeous with brilliant colours, with paintings and
+armorial bearings. Well dressed and haughty servants, holding up their
+heads, (like sleigh horses with their bells,) were pacing up and down;
+some of them had even stretched themselves out comfortably and
+insolently on the carved wooden benches; they appeared to be the
+masters of the house. He named his business, and was conducted up the
+marble steps, which were covered with soft carpets. On each side stood
+statues. Then he came to richly decorated apartments, hung with
+paintings and with mosaic floors.
+
+This pomp, this splendour made him breathe a little heavily, but he
+soon felt reassured; for the old prince, received him kindly, almost
+cordially. After they had spoken, as he was taking leave, he begged
+him to visit the young Signora, for she also wished to see him. The
+servants led him through magnificent chambers and corridors to her
+apartments, of which she was the glory and splendour.
+
+She spoke with him! No Miserere, no church song could have melted the
+heart more, or have more elevated the soul, than did the music of her
+voice. He seized her hand and pressed it to his lips--no rose is so
+soft, but a fire proceeds from this rose--a fire streams through him
+and his breast heaves; words streamed from his lips, but he knew not
+what he said. Does the crater know that it throws forth burning lava?
+He told her his love. She stood there, surprised, insulted, proud,
+yes, scornful; with an expression on her face as though a damp,
+clammy frog had suddenly touched her. Her cheeks coloured, her lips
+grew pale, her eyes were on fire, and still black as the darkness of
+night.
+
+"Frantic creature! Away, away!" said she, as she turned her back upon
+him. Her face of beauty seemed turned to stone, like unto the Medusa's
+head with its serpent locks. He descended to the street, a weak,
+lifeless thing; he entered his room like a night-walker, and in the
+rage of his grief, he seized his hammer, brandished it high in the air
+and sought to destroy the beautiful marble form. He did not
+observe--so excited was he--that Angelo, his friend, stood near him,
+and arrested his arm with a firm grasp.
+
+"Have you become mad? What would you do?" They struggled with each
+other. Angelo was the stronger, and with a deep drawn breath, he
+threw the young artist on a chair.
+
+"What has occurred?" asked Angelo, "Collect yourself! Speak!"
+
+What could he say? What could he tell? As Angelo could not seize the
+thread of his discourse, he let it drop.
+
+"Your blood grows thick with this eternal dreaming! Be human, like
+others and live not in the clouds! Drink, until you become slightly
+intoxicated, then you will sleep well! The young girl from the
+Campagna, is as beautiful as the princess in the marble palace, they
+are both daughters of Eve, and can not be distinguished one from the
+other in Paradise! Follow your Angelo! I am your good angel, the angel
+of your life! A time will come when you are old, when the body will
+dwindle and some beautiful sunshiny day, when everything laughs and
+rejoices, you will lie like a withered straw! I do not believe what
+the priests say, that there is a life beyond the grave! It is a pretty
+fancy, a fairy tale for children, delightful to think upon. I do not
+live in imagination, but in reality! Come with me! Become a man!"
+
+He drew him away, he could do this now, for there was a fire in the
+young artist's blood, a change in his soul; an ardent desire to tear
+himself away from all his wonted ways, from all accustomed thoughts;
+to forget his old self--and to-day he followed Angelo.
+
+In the suburbs, lay an osteria, which was much frequented by artists;
+it was built in the ruins of a bathing chamber. Amongst the dark
+shining foliage, hung large yellow lemons which covered a portion of
+the old reddish-yellow wall. The osteria was a deep vault, almost
+like a hollow in the ruins; within, a lamp burned before the image of
+the Madonna; a large fire flamed on the hearth, for here they roasted,
+cooked and prepared the dishes for the guests. Without, under the
+lemon and laurel trees, stood tables ready set.
+
+They were received merrily and rejoicingly by their friends; they ate
+little and drank much and became gay; they sang, and played on the
+guitar; the Saltarello sounded and the dance began. Two Roman girls,
+models of the young artists, joined in the dance and merriment; two
+pretty Bacchante! They had no Psyche forms, they were not delicate
+beautiful roses, but fresh, healthy flaming pinks.
+
+How warm it was on this day, even warm at sundown! Fire in the blood,
+fire in the air, fire in every glance. The air swam in gold and
+roses, life was gold and roses.
+
+"Now you have at last joined us! Allow yourself to be carried away by
+the current within and without you!"
+
+"I never felt so well and joyous before!" said the young artist. "You
+are right, you are all of you right. I was a fool, a dreamer; man
+belongs to reality and not to fancy!"
+
+The young man left the osteria, in the clear starry evening, with song
+and tinkling guitars, and passed through the narrow streets. The
+daughters of the Campagna, the two flaming pinks, were in their train.
+
+In Angelo's room, the voices sounded more suppressed but not less
+fiery, amongst the scattered sketches, the outlines, the glowing,
+voluptuous paintings; amongst the drawings on the floor there was many
+a sketch of vigorous beauty, like unto the daughters of the Campagna,
+yet they themselves were much more beautiful. The six-armed lamp
+glowed brightly, and the human forms warmed and shone like gods.
+
+"Apollo! Jupiter! I elevate myself to your heaven, to your glory!
+Methinks, that the flower of my life has unfolded within my heart!"
+Yes, it did unfold--it withered and fell to pieces; a stunning,
+loathsome vapour arose, dazzling the sight, benumbing the thoughts,
+extinguishing his sensual, fiery emotions, and all was dark. He went
+home, sat down on his bed, and thought. "Fie!" sounded from his lips,
+from the bottom of his heart. "Miserable wretch! away! away!"--and he
+sighed sorrowfully.
+
+"Away! Away!" These, her words, the words of the living Psyche,
+weighed upon him, and flowed from his lips. He bowed his head upon
+the pillows, his thoughts became confused and he slept.
+
+At the dawn of day he started up.--What was this? Was it a dream? Were
+her words, the visit to the osteria, the evening with the purple red
+pinks of the Campagna but a dream?--No, all was reality; he had not
+known this before.
+
+The clear star beamed in the purple-tinted air, its rays fell upon
+him, and upon the marble Psyche; he trembled whilst he contemplated
+the image of immortality, his glance even appeared impure to him. He
+threw a covering over it, he touched it once more in order to veil its
+form, but he could not view his work.
+
+Still, sombre, buried in his own meditations, he sat there the whole
+day; he took no heed of what passed around him, no one knew what was
+agitating this human heart. Days passed by, weeks passed by; the
+nights were the longest. One morning, the twinkling star saw him rise
+from his couch--pale--trembling with fever; he walked to the marble
+statue, lifted the cover, gazed upon his work with a sorrowful, deep,
+long look, and then almost sinking under the weight, he drew the
+statue into the garden. There was a sunken, dried-up well, within it,
+into which he lowered the Psyche, threw earth upon it and covered the
+fresh grave with small sticks and nettles.
+
+"Away! Away," was the short funereal service.
+
+The star in the rosy red atmosphere saw this, and two heavy tears
+trembled on the deathly pale cheeks of the fever sick one--sick unto
+death, as they called him.
+
+The lay brother Ignatius came to him as a friend and as a physician.
+He came, and with the consoling words of religion, he spoke of the
+peace and happiness of the church, of the sins of man, of the mercy
+and peace of God.
+
+The words fell like warm sun beams on the moist, fermenting ground;
+they dispersed and cleared away the misty clouds, from the troubled
+thoughts which had held possession of him; he gazed upon his past
+life; everything had been a failure, a deception--yes, _had been_. Art
+was an enchantress, that but leads us into vanity, into earthly
+pleasures. We become false to ourselves, false to our friends, false
+to our God. The serpent speaks ever in us: "Taste and thou shalt
+become like unto God."
+
+Now, for the first time, he appeared to understand himself, to have
+discovered the road to truth, to peace.
+
+In the church was God's light and brightness, in the monk's cell was
+found that peace, which enables man to obtain eternal bliss.
+
+Brother Ignatius supported him in these thoughts, and the decision was
+firmly made--a worldling became a servant of the church;--the young
+artist took leave of the world, and entered the cloister.
+
+How joyfully, how cordially the brothers greeted him! How festive the
+ordination! It seemed to him that God was in the sunshine of the
+church, and beamed within it, from the holy pictures and from the
+shining cross. He stood in the evening sunset, in his little cell, and
+opened his window and gazed in the spring-time over old Rome--with her
+broken temples, her massive, but dead Colosseum; her blooming acacias,
+her flourishing evergreens, her fragrant roses, her shining lemons
+and oranges, her palm trees fanned by the breeze--and felt touched and
+satisfied. The quiet, open Campagna extended to the blue snow-topped
+mountains, which appeared to be painted on the air. Everything
+breathed beauty and peace. The whole--a dream!
+
+Yes, the world here was a dream, and the dream ruled the hours and
+returned to hours again. But the life of a cloister is a life of many,
+many long years.
+
+Man is naturally impure and he felt this! What flames were these, that
+at times glowed through him? Was it the power of the Evil One, that
+caused these wild thoughts to rage constantly within him? He punished
+his body, but without effect. What portion of his mind was that, which
+wound itself around him, pliable as a serpent, and which crept about
+his conscience under a loving cloak and consoled him! The saints pray
+for us, the holy Virgin prays for us, Jesus himself gave his blood for
+us!
+
+Was it a childlike feeling, or the levity of youth, that had induced
+him to give himself up to grace, and which made him feel elevated
+above so many? For had he not cast away the vanity of the world, was
+he not a son of the church?
+
+One day, after many years, he met Angelo, who recognized him.
+
+"Man," said he, "yes, it is you! Are you happy now? You have sinned
+against God, and cast his gifts of mercy away from you; you have
+gambled away your vocation for this world. Read the parable of the
+entrusted pledge. The Master who related it, spoke but truth! What
+have you won and found after all? Do not make a dream life for
+yourself! Make a religion for yourself, as all do. Suppose all is but
+a dream, a fancy, a beautiful thought!"
+
+"Get thee from behind me, Satan!" said the monk, and forsook Angelo.
+
+"It is a devil, a devil personified! I saw him to-day," murmured the
+monk, "I reached him but a finger, and he took my whole hand! No,"
+sighed he, "the wickedness is in myself; it is also in this man, but
+he is not tormented by it; he walks with elevated brow, he has his
+enjoyment; I but clutch at the consolation of the church for my
+welfare! But if this is only consolation! If all here consists of
+beautiful thoughts and but resemble those which beguiled me in the
+world? Is it but a deception like unto the beauty of the red evening
+clouds and like unto the blue wave-like beauty of the distant
+mountains! Seen near, how changed! Eternity, art thou like unto the
+great infinite, calm ocean, which beckons to us, calls us, fills us
+with presentiments, and if we venture upon it, we sink, we
+vanish--die--cease to be?--
+
+"Deceit! away! away!"
+
+He sat tearless on his hard couch, desolate, kneeling--before whom?
+Before the stone cross which was placed in the wall? No, habit alone
+caused his body to bend.
+
+The deeper he read within himself, the darker all appeared to him.
+"Nothing within, nothing without! Life thrown away!" This thought,
+crushed him--expunged him.
+
+"I dare confide to none the doubts which consume me! My prisoner is my
+secret and if it escape I am lost!"
+
+The power of God, wrestled within him.
+
+"Lord! Lord!" he exclaimed in his despair, "be merciful, give me
+faith! I cast thy gifts of mercy from me and my vocation for this
+world! I prayed for strength and thou hast not given it to me.
+Immortality! The Psyche in my breast--away! away!--Must it be buried
+like yon Psyche, the light of my life? Never to arise from the grave!"
+
+The star beamed in the rosy red atmosphere, the star which will be
+lost and will vanish, whilst the soul lives and emits light. Its
+trembling ray fell upon the white wall, but it spoke not of the glory
+of God, of the grace, the eternal love which beams in the breast of
+every believer.
+
+"Can the Psyche never die?--Can one live with consciousness?--Can the
+impossible take place?--Yes! Yes! My being is inexplicable.
+Inconceivable art thou, oh Lord! A wonder of might, glory and love!"
+
+His eyes beamed, his eyes closed. The peal of the church bells passed
+over the dead one. He was laid in holy ground and his ashes mingled
+with the dust of strangers.
+
+Years afterwards, his bones were exhumed and stood in a niche in the
+cloisters, as had stood those of the dead monks before him; they were
+dressed in the brown cowl, a rosary of beads placed in his hand, the
+sun shone without, incense perfumed within, and mass was read.--
+
+Years rolled by.
+
+The bones and legs fell asunder. They stood up the skulls, and with
+them, formed the whole outside wall of a church. There he stood in the
+burning sunshine; there were so many, many dead, they did not know
+their names, much less his.
+
+See, something living moved in the sunshine in the two eye sockets;
+what was that? A brilliant lizard was running about in the hollow
+skull, slipping in and out of the large, empty sockets. This was now
+the life in the head, where once elevated thoughts, brilliant dreams,
+love for art and the magnificent had been rife; from which hot tears
+had rolled and where the hope of immortality had lived. The lizard
+leaped out and disappeared; the skull crumbled away and became dust to
+dust.--
+
+Centuries passed. Unchanged, the star, clear and large, beamed on as
+it had done for centuries. The atmosphere shone with a red rosy hue,
+fresh as roses, flaming as blood.
+
+Where there had once been a little street with the remains of an old
+temple, now stood a convent; a grave was dug in the garden, for a
+young nun had died, and she was to be lowered in the earth at this
+early hour of the morning. The spade struck against a stone which
+appeared of a dazzling whiteness--the white marble came forth--it
+rounded into a shoulder;--they used the spade with care, and a female
+head became visible--butterfly wings. They raised from the grave, in
+which the young nun was to be laid on this rosy morning, a gloriously
+beautiful Psyche-form, chiseled from white marble.
+
+"How magnificent! How perfect a master work!" they said. "Who can the
+artist be?" He was unknown. None knew him, save the clear star, which
+had been beaming for centuries; it knew the course of his earthly
+life, his trials, his failings; it knew that he was: "but a man!" But
+he was dead, dispersed as dust must and shall be; but the result of
+his best efforts, the glory which pointed out the divine within him,
+the Psyche, which never dies, which surpasses in brightness, all
+earthly renown, this remained, was seen, acknowledged, admired and
+beloved.
+
+The clear morning star in the rosy tinted sky, cast its most radiant
+beams upon the Psyche, and upon the smile of happiness about the mouth
+and eyes of the admiring ones, who beheld the soul, chiseled in the
+marble block.
+
+That which is earthly passes away, and is forgotten; only the star in
+the infinite knows of it. That which is heavenly surpasses renown; for
+renown, fame and earthly glory die away, but--the Psyche lives
+forever!
+
+
+
+
+The Snail and the Rose-Tree.
+
+
+A hedge of hazel-nut bushes encircled the garden; without was field
+and meadow, with cows and sheep; but in the centre of the garden stood
+a rose-tree, and under it sat a snail--she had much within her, she
+had herself.
+
+"Wait, until my time comes," said she, "I shall accomplish something
+more than putting forth roses, bearing nuts, or giving milk, like the
+cows and sheep!"
+
+"I expect something fearfully grand," said the rose-tree, "may I ask
+when it will take place?"
+
+"I shall take my time," said the snail, "you are in too great a hurry,
+and when this is the case, how can one's expectations be fulfilled?"
+
+The next year the snail lay in about the same spot under the
+rose-tree, which put forth buds and developed roses, ever fresh, ever
+new. The snail half crept forth, stretched out its feelers and drew
+itself in again.
+
+"Everything looks as it did a year ago! No progress has been made; the
+rose-tree still bears roses; it does not get along any farther!"
+
+The summer faded away, the autumn passed, the rose-tree constantly
+bore flowers and buds, until the snow fell, and the weather was raw
+and damp. The rose-tree bent itself towards the earth, the snail crept
+in the earth.
+
+A new year commenced; the roses came out, and the snail came out.
+
+"Now you are an old rose bush," said the snail, "you will soon die
+away. You have given the world everything that you had in you; whether
+that be much or little is a question, upon which I have not time to
+reflect. But it is quite evident, that you have not done the slightest
+thing towards your inward developement; otherwise I suppose that
+something different would have sprung from you. Can you answer this?
+You will soon be nothing but a stick! Can you understand what I say?"
+
+"You startle me," said the rose-tree, "I have never thought upon
+that!"
+
+"No, I suppose that you have never meddled much with thinking! Can you
+tell me why you blossom? And how it comes to pass? How? Why?"
+
+"No," said the rose-tree, "I blossom with pleasure because I could
+not do otherwise. The sun was so warm, the air so refreshing, I drank
+the clear dew and the fortifying rain; I breathed, I lived! A strength
+came to me from the earth, a strength came from above, I felt a
+happiness, ever new, ever great and therefore I must blossom ever,
+that was my life, I could not do otherwise!"
+
+"You have led a very easy life!" said the snail.
+
+"Certainly, everything has been given to me," said the rose-tree, "but
+still more has been given to you. You are one of those meditative,
+pensive, profound natures, one of the highly gifted, that astound the
+whole world!"
+
+"I have assuredly no such thought in my mind," said the snail, "the
+world is nothing to me! What have I to do with the world? I have
+enough with myself, and enough in myself!"
+
+"But should we not all, here on earth, give the best part of us to
+others? Offer what we can!--It is true, that I have only given
+roses--but you? You who have received so much, what have you given to
+the world? What do you give her?"
+
+"What I have given? What I give? I spit upon her! She is good for
+nothing! I have nought to do with her. Put forth roses, you can do no
+more! Let the hazel bushes bear nuts! Let the cows and sheep give
+milk; they have each their public, I have mine within myself! I retire
+within myself, and there I remain. The world is nothing to me!"
+
+And thereupon the snail withdrew into her house and closed it.
+
+"That is so sad," said the rose-tree, "with the best will, I cannot
+creep in, I must ever spring out, spring forth in roses. The leaves
+drop off and are blown away by the wind. Yet, I saw one of the roses
+laid in the hymn-book of the mother of the family; one of my roses was
+placed upon the breast of a charming young girl, and one was kissed
+with joy by a child's mouth. This did me so much good, it was a real
+blessing! That is my recollection, my life!"
+
+And the rose-tree flowered in innocence, and the snail sat
+indifferently in her house. The world was nothing to her.
+
+And years passed away. The snail became earth to earth and the
+rose-tree became earth to earth; the remembrances in the hymn-book
+were also blown away--but new rose-trees bloomed in the garden, new
+snails grew in the garden; they crept in their houses and spat.--The
+world is nothing to them.
+
+Shall we read the story of the past again? It will not be different.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Typographical errors corrected in text:                      |
+    |                                                              |
+    | Page 104: succeded replaced with succeeded                   |
+    | Page 116: petulent replaced with petulant                    |
+    | Page 144: prefered replaced with preferred                   |
+    | Page 167: 'were' capitalized to 'Were' (new sentence)        |
+    | Page 170: ordonation replaced with ordination                |
+    | Page 174: beckens replaced with beckons                      |
+    |                                                              |
+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales, by
+Hans Christian Andersen
+
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